Method and system for forming pleats in a textile product in a production line
AssigneeO&M Halyard, Inc.
InventorsEric C. Steindorf, Anthony S. Spencer, Joseph P. Weber, Mark T. Pamperin, David L. Harrington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated method is provided for forming pleats in a textile product in a production line. The method includes conveying a web of the textile product on a conveyor in the production line. The web is folded using a folding board at a folding station in the production line. The method includes removing heat from the folding board. The automated method can allow for high speed folding of the textile product without damaging the textile product from heat caused by friction between the web of textile product and the folding board.
Claims24
An automated method for forming pleats in a textile product in a production line, comprising:
- conveying a web of the textile product on a conveyor in the production line, wherein the web is conveyed at a rate between about 200 feet per minute and about 900 feet per minute;
- folding the web using a folding board at a folding station in the production line;
- and
- removing heat from the folding board, wherein removing heat from the folding board includes maintaining the folding board at a temperature less than about 350° F. during production.
An automated production line system for forming pleats in a web of a textile product in a production line, comprising:
- a conveyor on which the web of the textile product is conveyed;
- a folding board assembly including a pair of folding boards, the folding board assembly configured to fold the web as the web passes through the folding board assembly, wherein the folding board assembly is configured to remove heat from at least one of the pair of folding boards;
- and
- a thermal fin thermally connected to the folding board assembly to remove heat from at least one of the pair of folding boards.
An automated production line system for forming pleats in a web of a textile product in a production line, comprising:
- a conveyor on which the web of the textile product is conveyed at a rate between about 200 feet per minute and about 900 feet per minute;
- and
- a folding assembly including a plurality of rollers configured to fold the web as the web passes through the folding assembly, wherein the folding assembly is configured to maintain the plurality of rollers at a temperature less than about 350° F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.