Compact domestic article folding machine with an improved driving mechanism

1. A compact domestic article folding machine ( 200 ) configured for autonomous article folding and having machine top and bottom portions ( 208 , 210 ) and a uniform body extending therebetween and comprising machine front, rear and side portions ( 212 , 214 , 216 ), the folding machine ( 200 ) comprising:

a hanger rack ( 222 ) located at the front portion ( 212 ) and configured for receiving articles from a user at a rack external portion ( 226 ) and moving them inside the folding machine ( 200 );

a folding device ( 202 ) located between the front and rear portions ( 212 , 214 ); and

a robot ( 224 ) configured for moving each article from a rack internal portion ( 228 ) to the folding device ( 202 ) to be folded.

2. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the hanger rack ( 222 ) comprises top and bottom bars ( 238 , 240 ) connected by two chains ( 236 ) onto which multiple hangers ( 242 ) are clamped, and wherein the top bar ( 238 ) is located farther away from the machine rear portion ( 214 ) than the bottom bar ( 240 ).

3. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the folding device ( 202 ) is configured for creating a fold in a fabric article and comprises:

a table ( 256 ) for supporting the fabric article;

a holding member ( 45 ) which has an elongated holding axis and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position;

a folding member ( 44 ) which has an elongated folding axis and movable in a direction perpendicular to the holding axis, the folding member ( 44 ) is configured to create a fold in the fabric article along the holding member ( 45 ) by carrying at least a portion of the fabric article over the holding member ( 45 );

a motor operatively connected to at least one of the holding member ( 45 ) and the folding member ( 44 ); and

a movement means configured to adjust a distance between the holding member ( 45 ) and the fabric article;

characterized in that

the holding member ( 45 ) is configured to retract and leave the fold.

4. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the folding member ( 44 ) includes fluid or gas conveying channels, and is configured for fabric treatment via said channels.

5. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the holding member ( 45 ) is a concave-convex tape.

6. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the folding member ( 44 ) is a cylindrical rod configured to rotate about the folding axis.

7. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the folding member ( 44 ) is configured to vibrate to overcome entanglement or snags in the fabric.

8. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the folding member ( 44 ) is not retractable.

9. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the folding device ( 202 ) comprises:

first and second holding members ( 45 ) and first and second folding members ( 44 ) arranged in pairs, each pair comprises one holding member ( 45 ) and one folding member ( 44 ), wherein the first pair is oriented perpendicular to the second pair.

10. The folding machine ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the total folding time is less than 1 minute per article being folded.