Apparatus for folding a cloth conveyed continuously along a conveying surface of a conveying device

An apparatus for folding a cloth conveyed continuously along a conveying surface of a conveying device, said apparatus comprising:

• a first detecting sensor for detecting a leading end of the cloth when the leading end reaches a first specified position,
• a holding device for gripping the leading end of the cloth by receiving a detection signal from the first detecting sensor, lifting the gripped leading end of the cloth from the conveying surface and holding the gripped leading end above the conveying surface,
• a second detecting sensor for detecting a rear end of the cloth when the rear end reaches a specified position, while the leading end of the cloth is held above the conveying surface by the holding device, and issuing a signal for releasing gripping to the holding device,
• a third detecting sensor for detecting the leading end of the cloth when the leading end reaches a second specified position,
• a cloth stopping device for stopping a front side portion of the cloth temporarily on the conveying surface of the conveying device by receiving a detection signal from the third detecting sensor, the cloth stopping device being disposed at a position of an upstream side in a cloth conveying direction from the holding device, and
• a blowing device for blowing air toward the cloth when the leading end of the cloth is held above the conveying surface by the holding device, the blowing device being disposed between the cloth stopping device and the holding device.