Method of forming a composite folded hosiery product and package

• US 6,158,198 A
• Filed: 05/17/1999
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
• Inventors: Faircloth, Michael, London, Reid
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, LINDA B
• Application Number:
  US09/313,242
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 53/117, 53/429, 493/938, 223/37
• US Class Current: 53/429
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 63/045 for folding garments, e.g. stockings, shirts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 493/938 Apparel

Abstract

A method of folding extended and substantially flat hosiery products with paper, with or without an insert, to produce a composite folded hosiery product suitable for packaging. Product and paper are successively folded upon themselves and thereafter positioned within an encompassing envelope, such as a poly bag or cardboard package. The insert may be introduced into the composite folded hosiery product at the first fold if it is desired in the final package.

Claims

1. A method of folding a longitudinally extended substantially flat hosiery product with a segment of substantially flat paper and an insert utilizing at least two conveyors, the method comprising the steps of:

moving the hosiery product on a conveyor along a predetermined path of travel in a first direction;

positioning the paper segment against the hosiery product as the hosiery product moves in the first direction;

positioning an insert against the paper segment and hosiery product to create a fold and form a first fold portion and a second fold portion;

positioning the first fold portion against another conveyor to move the first fold portion in another direction and cause the first fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded first fold portion;

reversing the movement of the folded first fold portion and second fold portion to cause the second fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded second fold portion;

reversing the direction of movement of the folded first fold portion and the folded second fold portion; and

folding the folded second fold portion over the folded first fold portion to form a composite folded hosiery product, paper segment, and insert suitable for packaging.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising positioning the composite folded hosiery product within a compatible receptacle.

2. A method of folding a longitudinally extending and substantially flat hosiery product with a segment of substantially flat paper and an insert comprising the steps of:

moving the hosiery product along a predetermined path of travel in a first direction;

positioning the flat paper against and along the hosiery product;

positioning an insert against the paper segment and hosiery product to create a fold and form a first fold portion and a second fold portion;

moving the first fold portion in another direction to cause the first fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded first fold portion;

reversing the movement of the folded first fold portion and the second fold portion to cause the second fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded second fold portion; and

folding the folded first fold portion over the folded second fold portion to form a composite folded hosiery product suitable for packaging.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising positioning the composite folded hosiery product within a compatible receptacle.

3. A method of folding a longitudinally extended substantially flat hosiery product with a segment of substantially flat paper utilizing at least two conveyors, the method comprising the steps of:

moving the hosiery product on a conveyor along a predetermined path of travel in a first direction;

positioning the paper segment against the hosiery product as the hosiery product moves in the first direction;

creating a fold in the hosiery product and paper segment to form a first fold portion and a second fold portion;

positioning the first fold portion against another conveyor to move the first fold portion in another direction and cause the first fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded first fold portion;

reversing the movement of the folded first fold portion and second fold portion to cause the second fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded second fold portion;

reversing the direction of movement of the folded first fold portion and the folded second fold portion; and

folding the folded second fold portion over the folded first fold portion to form a composite folded hosiery product and paper segment suitable for packaging.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising positioning the composite folded hosiery product within a compatible receptacle.

4. A method of folding a longitudinally extending and substantially flat hosiery product with a segment of substantially flat paper comprising the steps of:

moving the hosiery product along a predetermined path of travel in a first direction;

positioning the flat paper against and along the hosiery product;

creating a fold to form a first fold portion and a second fold portion;

moving the first fold portion in another direction to cause the first fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded first fold portion;

reversing the movement of the folded first fold portion and the second fold portion to cause the second fold portion to fold upon itself and form a folded second fold portion; and

folding the folded first fold portion over the folded second fold portion to form a composite folded hosiery product suitable for packaging.

8. The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising positioning the composite folded hosiery product within a compatible receptacle.