DESCRIPTION

The Related Art

The present invention relates to a method for folding medical covers through which cables and other extensions of devices such as cameras etc., which are used in medical operations, are passed in order to be conserved sterile, and a mechanism which provides actualization of this method automatically in a programmed manner.

The present invention particularly relates to components which are made of plastic or its derivative elastic materials, and which work vertically and horizontally on different planes and axes which are functioning on folding and cutting (trimming) of the rolled covers in desired lengths and in a way that would be identical to the folding shape of a telescope, and a folding mechanism of the cover, which is formed by combination of these components.

The present invention not only can be used in conserving the cables and other extensions of devices such as cameras etc., which are used in medical operations, sterile, but also can be used in packaging of end products, intermediate products or raw materials (for example, cardan shafts etc.) which are long and which are packaged in order not to be damaged during transport.

The Prior Art

The cover which is desired to be folded has a structure which is long in length and narrow in width. To give an example for better understanding of the difference between these sizes, if the length is about 2-3 meters, the width would be about 15- 20 centimeters. The cover has an inner cavity in the shape of a pipe. The numerical example shouldn't be considered as limiting on no account. The example is only given for better understanding of the structure of the cover. The material of the cover is polyethylene and it has a high folding capability. The cover material may differ depending on the place and the sector in which it is to be used. In this document, when referred to cover, a structure which has folding capability should be understood.

In the prior art, the telescopic folding operation of the said cover is conducted completely manually and by human power. In the prior art, a mechanical or an electronically machine or a mechanism, which would conduct the telescopic folding operation, is not present yet. The person, who would conduct the folding operation, conducts this operation by inserting one of his/her arms into the cover, pulling the outer surface of the cover over his arm and leaving it there with his/her other hand, and repeating this movement periodically in a successive manner.

In the prior art, the folding operation takes quite long time. When the duration and method of the operation is considered, it is obvious that the folding action can not be conducted serially. Moreover, in order to conduct the folding action serially, more man power is needed; which significantly increases the folding cost.

According to the known status of the art, since the folding action is conducted completely manually and by man power, as a result of each folding operation, covers which have different folding sizes than each other occur and a certain standard can not be maintained in folding sizes.

As it is known, since one of the usage areas of the covers desired to be folded is the medical operations in order to conserve cables and other extensions of devices such as cameras etc., the cover is a medical product and it requires high sterilization. After folding and cutting of the said cover is completed, before its usage, the sterilization operation is conducted by sending special gases into the cover. Since standard folding surfaces can not be obtained by manual folding as stated in the prior art, the sterile gas can not be spread and contact all around inside the cover. Therefore, the required sterilization can not be achieved.

According to the known status of the art, manual folding can be made in all kinds of environment and medium conditions. Since humans are conducting the folding operation, unhygienic materials such as dust, particles, and bacteria can enter into the cover, which can spoil sterile conditions. According to the known status of the art, the patent with application no US5882295 relates to material structure and usage of the said cover with camera and it is not related with the components and mechanism which are used in the telescopic folding method of the cover. Therefore, there is no novelty or application found in the folding method of the said cover.

Another publication which is about the way of usage of the cover is the patent with publication no US5433221. This publication again discloses a novel application for the way of usage of the cover, and it does not comprise any information or claim regarding the folding method of the cover.

Because of all of these drawbacks, a need for a method and mechanism for telescopic folding of a cover, in which infection risk is eliminated, which is obtained in the desired dimensions and standards, and which has minimum time spent and maximum efficiency obtained during folding operation is necessitated.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention conducts the telescopic folding operations, which are conducted in the prior art manually and with human power, by groups of arms comprising at least two arms each which are automatically, programmed and placed face to face and in a way which would meet the above said needs, and which eliminates all the drawbacks and brings some additional advantages.

From the known status of the art, the primary purpose of the invention is to conduct the telescopic folding and after folding the cutting operations of the cover in complete automation, except the first manual placement of one of the edges of the rolled cover, which is desired to be folded and cut, to the mechanism. For a new folding and cutting operation, it eliminates the necessity of intervening the mechanism manually after the first start-up, or in other words after the last step of the production of the first product, which is cutting of the folded product.

In order to do this, horizontal and vertical arms (200, 300) are formed, which are used for folding the cover having the capability of being telescopically folded, and which are mainly used for mainly performing the stretching, releasing and holding functions, and which both can come close to and can go away from each other, and the horizontal arms come close to and go away from each other. In the same way the vertical arms come close to and go away from each other. At least two horizontal and vertical arms form the body of the invention, which have the capability of movement in horizontal and. vertical planes or in any two planes perpendicular to each other.

The horizontal arms form the body of the invention, which stretch the cover by entering into the inner cavity of the said cover and going away from each other, which move the stretched cover horizontally, which move in the desired amount (x) during the action of folding in a way such that the cover being hold by the other vertical arms placed opposite to them would be left between the said vertical arms and which come back by leaving the stretching action to the vertical arms at that position, and which re-enter into the cover which is being stretched by the vertical arms, synchronically take the stretching action onto themselves again from the vertical arms and pull the cover, afterwards which move towards the vertical arms, which close in order to hold the cover, and which repeat this cycle at the desired number.

The purpose of the invention is to provide pulling of the rolled cover from the roller until it runs out and continue the folding and cutting operation automatically in a programmed manner, where the said operation finishes when the roll runs out. If no undesired situation occurs (such as power blackout, reaching the desired production amount etc.) during the operation of the machine, the folding and cutting operations can continue automatically and in a programmed manner without manual intervention from one change of roll to another.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce amount of time used for folding and cutting operation by providing conduction of the said operation serially.

The, purpose of the invention is to reduce the required cost for conducting the folding operation by significantly reducing the required man power for folding operation. Another purpose of the invention is to form more regular fold surfaces than the folding made manually by conducting the folding operation in certain and desired sizes.

Yet another purpose of the invention is to provide the formation of the required sterile conditions by forming regular fold surfaces and thus providing easy penetration of the gases, which shall be sent into the cover before use and which provide sterilization, into all points inside the cover.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide conduction of the said folding operation in a hygienic medium, without human touch, and in the desired environment and medium conditions.

In a preferred application of the invention, the invention is a method and mechanism for telescopic folding of a cover, which is used for telescopic folding of a cover made of any material, and which comprises at least one blowpipe which blows air into the inner cavity of the cover during folding, at least one vacuum sucking air from the outer side of the cover during folding, at least one cutter for cutting the rolled cover, and at least one vacuum claw for fixing the cover during cutting.

In order to achieve the above said purposes, the invention comprises groups of arms comprising at least two arms each, which are horizontal arms (200) and vertical arms (300), and which have the capability of movement in horizontal and vertical planes or in any two planes perpendicular to each other.

In a preferred application of the invention, from the said groups of arms, the movement plane of the horizontal arms is positioned horizontally and the movement plane of the vertical arms is positioned vertically.

In a preferred application of the invention, from the said groups of arms, the horizontal arms conduct the opening (going away of the arms from each other in a certain movement plane and on a certain and single axis) and closing (coming close of the arms towards each other in a certain movement plane and on a certain and single axis) movements independent from the vertical arms. In a preferred application of the invention, from the said groups of arms, the vertical arms conduct the opening (going away of the arms from each other in a certain movement plane and on a certain and single axis) and closing (coming close of the arms towards each other in a certain movement plane and on a certain and single axis) movements independent from the horizontal arms.

In a preferred application of the invention, one of the said groups of arms makes advancing movement on the length positioner towards the other group of arms on the perpendicular axis of the axis of opening and closing on a certain plane in which it moves.

In a preferred application of the invention, the horizontal arms from the said groups of arms makes advancing movement on the length positioner towards the other group of arms on the perpendicular axis of the axis of opening and closing on a certain plane in which it moves.

In a preferred application of the invention, the said cover is telescopically folded as a result of being carried on the arms by periodically being displaced thanks to the said movements of the horizontal arms and vertical arms.

In order to achieve the above said purposes, the invention comprises a body which is made of any material.

The invention also comprises at least one length positioner movement channel which provides movement of the said length positioner, at least one dynamic component, at least one motion transmission component, at least one motion transfer component, and at least one motion actuation component.

The invention also comprises at least one horizontal arms movement rail which provides movement of the said horizontal arms, at least one dynamic component, at least one motion transmission component, at least one motion transfer component, at least one motion actuation component. The invention also comprises at least one vertical arms movement rail which provides movement of the said vertical arms, at least one dynamic component, at least one motion transmission component, at least one motion transfer component, at least one motion actuation component.

The invention also comprises, at least one motion actuation component which provides movement of the said vacuum claws.

The invention also comprises a hinged valve which controls air suction of the said vacuum.

The invention also comprises at least one motion actuation component which provides functioning of the said cutter.

The invention also comprises at least one hinged valve which controls air blowing of the blowpipe.

The invention also comprises feeding and cover roller which provide transmission of the cover to the telescopic folding mechanism.

The invention also comprises bag length adjuster which provides tightness or looseness of the said cover while it is being transmitted to the telescopic folding mechanism.

The invention will be better understood after being described according to the below given figures and the references to the below given reference numbers.

Figures That Shall Help Better Understanding of the Invention

Figure - 1 ; shows the movement planes and axis that the length positioner of the horizontal and vertical groups of arms, which provide folding of the cover, follows. Figure - 2 - 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10; show the mechanism and the method that the length positioner of the horizontal and vertical groups of arms, which provide folding of the cover, follows for folding action.

Figure - 11 ; shows the view of all of the components of the mechanism of the invention in a position ready to work.

Description of Parts References

90. Cover 303. Motion transmission component

91. Body 304. Motion transfer component

92. Inner cavity 305. Motion actuation component

100. Length positioner 306. Outer surfaces of the vertical

101. Length positioner movement arms

channel 307. Inner surfaces of the vertical

102. Dynamic component arms

103. Motion transmission component 400. Vacuum claws

104. Motion transfer component 401. Motion actuation component

105. Motion actuation component 500. Vacuum

200. Horizontal arms 501. Hinged valve

201. Horizontal arms movement rail 600. Cutter

202. Dynamic component 601. Motion actuation component

203. Motion transmission component 700. Blowpipe

204. Motion transfer component 701. Hinged valve

205. Motion actuation component 800. Feeder

206. Outer surfaces of the horizontal 801. Cover roller

arms 900. Length adjuster

207. Inner surfaces of the horizontal x. Folding amount

arms

300. Vertical arms

301. Vertical arms movement rail

302. Dynamic component

Detailed Description of the Invention In this detailed description of the invention, a preferred embodiment of the telescopic folding method and mechanism of the cover (90) which is the subject of the invention will be described for better understanding of the subject and will be exemplified and described in a way that will not be limiting to the invention.

The protection area of this application has been specified under claims and cannot be limited to the descriptions only given as sampling above. It is obvious that a person skilled in the related art can apply the innovation disclosed by this invention into ¹ similar purposed other areas by means of changing the parts in form and using similar structures. Therefore, it is also clear that such embodiments lack of innovation criteria.

The invention conducts the telescopic folding operation of the cover (90) thanks to the horizontal arms (200) which are formed of at least two arms and vertical arms (300) which are formed of at least two arms (See Figure 2). In order to do this, each of the groups of horizontal arms (200) and vertical arms (300) move on the two different planes which are vertical and horizontal according to each other and which intersect each other in a perpendicular angle as seen in Figure-1 and move in two different directions which intersect each other in a perpendicular angle in these planes. At the same time the horizontal arms (200) make advancing-regressing movement in groups towards the vertical arms (300) in the horizontal plane, in which they move, in an axis, which is perpendicular to the axis, on which they move.

The horizontal arms (200) and vertical arms (300) of the invention have three different motion positions which are open, a little closed, and fully closed.

In the method of working of the invention, the positioning of the horizontal arms (200), which make the advancing movement, on horizontal, vertical or two different planes does not change the function of the arms (200) during the folding operation of the cover (90). The functionality is provided as a result of the cover (90) being carried on the horizontal arms and vertical arms (200, 300) by being displaced (see the steps described in Figure-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10). The cover (90) is contacted with the outer surface of the horizontal arms (206) by being placed on the horizontal arms (200) after being passed through the vertical arms (300) in order to be folded (See Figure -2 and Figure 2a).

As a result of complete opening of the horizontal arms (200) and complete closing of the vertical arms (300), stretching of the said cover (90) on the outer surface of the horizontal arms (206), bearing of its load by horizontal arms (200), and its fixing in the inner surface (307) of the vertical arms (300) are provided (See Figure -3 Figure 3a).

As a result of advancing of the open horizontal arms (200) towards the completely closed vertical arms (300), formation of a fold of the cover (90) is provided on the outer surface (306) of the vertical arms (300) and at the inner surface (306) of the horizontal arms, while one side of the cover (90) was stretched and open and the other side of it was fixed and closed. In other words, when the horizontal arms (200) in the position of Figure 3 advances towards the vertical arms (300) in completely closed position, it reaches the position shown in Figure 4 and Figure 4a, and thus the first folding operation is completed (see Figure 3 and 3a, and Figure 4 and 4a).

After formation of the first fold, as a result of opening of the completely closed vertical arms (300) and a little closing of the open horizontal arms (200), pushing of the cover (90) by the vertical arms (300) via the outer surface (306) of the vertical arms (300) is provided and thus the load of the cover (90) is taken from the horizontal arms (200) and then it is carried by the vertical arms (300) (See Figure 5 and 5a).

As a result of going away of the horizontal arms (200), the contact power of which is reduced with the cover (90), from the vertical arms (300) on the horizontal plane by regression, contact of the horizontal arms (200) with the cover (90) is lost (see Figure 6).

As a result of complete closing of the horizontal arms (200) which are regressing on the horizontal plane (see Figure 7), and then advancing of them to the inner cavity (92) part of the cover (90) being carried on the vertical arms (300), which is not folded yet (see Figure 8), and then opening of them, at the same time as a result of a little closing of the vertical arms (300) and reducing of its contact with the cover (90), the cover (90) is pushed towards the outer surface (206) of the horizontal arms (200) and then its load is carried by the horizontal arms (200).

By regression of the horizontal arms (200) from the vertical arms (300) on the horizontal plane by carrying the folded part of the cover (90) on themselves, positioning of some of the unfolded part of the cover (90) is provided in order to form a new fold.

Way of working of one of the application examples of the invention is as follows:

As it would be seen in Figure 11 , the said invention comprises horizontal arms (200), vertical arms (300), and length positioner (100) which provides telescopic folding of the said cover (90).

The said invention also comprises a blowpipe (700) which is used for blowing air into the cavity (92) found in the inner part of the cover (90) in order to prevent undesired situations such as buckling or squeezing during folding of the said cover (90), and a vacuum (500) which provides suction of air from the outer side of the cover (90).

The said invention comprises feeder (800) and cover roller (801) which provide keeping the amount (x) of the cover (90) permanently in the desired and adjusted dimensions during the folding motion on the said horizontal arms (200) and vertical arms (300), and which provide transmission of the cover (90) to this region.

The invention comprises bag length adjuster (900) which provides the cover (90) be tight or loose according to the needs, which is transmitted to the said arms (200, 300) from the cover roll (801) in order to be folded.

The said the invention also comprises cutter (600) which provides cutting of the said cover (90) in the desired length after being folded and vacuum claws (400) which comprise the vacuum (500) on themselves and which fix the cover (90) during the cutting operation of the cover (90). In addition to the above descriptions, the said invention comprises a body (91) which carries the said components on itself and which can be made of any material, a length positioner movement channel (101) which provides the movement of the length positioner (100), dynamic component (102), motion transmission component (103), motion transfer component (104), motion actuation component (105), horizontal arms movement rail (201) which provides movement of the horizontal arms (200), dynamic component (202), motion transmission component (203), motion transfer component (204), motion actuation component (205), vertical arms movement rail (301) which provides movement of the vertical arms (300), dynamic component (302), motion transmission component (303), motion transfer component (304), and motion actuation component (305).

The invention comprises outer surfaces of the horizontal arms (206), inner surfaces of the horizontal arms (207), outer surfaces of the vertical arms (306), and inner surfaces of the vertical arms (307) which provides carrying and fixing of the cover (90) on the said horizontal arms (200) and vertical arms (300) during its folding.

The invention comprises motion actuation component (401) which provides motion of the vacuum claws (400), hinged valve (501) which controls the air suction of the vacuum (500), hinged valve (701) which controls the air blowing of the blowpipe (700), and motion actuation component (601) which provides the movement of the cutter (600).

The system of working of the mechanism, which is the subject of the invention, consists of two cycles, which are A) and B).

These cycles are;

A ) The Folding Cycle

Before starting the folding operation, the hollow edge of the cover (90) coming out of the feeder (800) is respectively passed; below the bag length adjusters (900), through the vertical arms (300), and through the vacuum claws (400) and it is manually attached on the outer surfaces of the horizontal arms (206) while the horizontal arms (200) are in a little closed position.

When the mechanism works, at the same time the horizontal arms (200) are opened in a programmed manner, and while the cover (90) is provided to be stretched from its inner cavity (92) with respect to the outer side, the vertical arms (300) completely close and fix the cover (90) from its other edge. Then the blowpipe (700) starts to blow air.

The horizontal arms (200), which are in open position, advance towards the completely closed vertical arms (300) on the axis found on the length positioner (100). When the completely closed vertical arms (300) enter between the horizontal arms (200) in open position at just the desired programmed folding amount, the horizontal arms (200) stop. During this operation, in order to prevent undesired situations such as buckling or squeezing during the folding, the blowpipe (700) keeps blowing air into the cavity inside the cover (90). Therefore the first fold is formed in the folding operation of the cover (90).

When the first fold is formed, vertical arms (300) open and carry the cover (90) on themselves by stretching it, and the horizontal arms (200) close a little. At the same time the vacuum (500) provides suction of air from below and above at the outer side of the cover (90) in vertical direction in order to prevent the movement of the cover (90) and provide its edge stay in open position smoothly.

While the cover (90) is being carried in stretched position at the outer surfaces of the vertical arms (306), the horizontal arms (200) go away from the vertical arms (300) on the length positioner movement channel (101) and at its direction, and completely close after its contact with the cover (90) is lost. Vacuum (500) keeps providing suction of air in order to prevent the movement of the cover (90) and provide its edge stay in open position smoothly.

Completely closed horizontal arms (200), advance towards between the open vertical arms (300), into the innermost cavity of the cover (90). When the edge part of the horizontal arms (200) reach the last point of the folding length, the horizontal arms (200) stop. Vacuum (500) keeps providing suction of air in order to prevent formation of uhdesired situations such as buckling or squeezing of the cover (90).

The horizontal arms (200) entering the inner cavity (92) of the cover (90) open, and carry the cover (90) on themselves by pushing it from inside to the outside towards the axis it is being opened. The vacuum (500) is no longer a part of the activity in order to prevent situations such as tearing. At the same time, the vertical arms (300) close a little and . reduce its contact with the cover (90).

The horizontal arms (200) in open position, go away from the vertical arms (300) on the length positioner movement channel (101) and at its direction with the folded part of t(ie cover (90) found on themselves in stretched position, and stop when they reach their position before the start of the folding operation. At the same time, the contact of the vertical arms (300), which are in a little closed position, with the folding surface of the cover (90) is lost.

The vertical arms (300) completely close and fix the yet unfolded part of the cover (90) between the arms for a new folding operation. At the same time the blowpipe (700) blows air from the open edge part in order to provide longitudinal tightness of the cover (90).

After this step, is the required number of folds are not reached, the system returns to the said step in the paragraph in page 10, line 11 , and periodically continues the folding operation until the desired programmed number of folding and total cover (90) length is reached. Afterwards, the cutting operation starts.

B) The Cutting Cycle

When the required number of folds is reached, the horizontal arms (200) move a little backwards (regress) on the length positioner movement channel (101) and its direction from the point where they started the movement. At the same time, the vertical arms (300) open a little from completely closed position in order to prevent tearing of the cover (90) by the vacuum claws (400) while it is being fixed, and reach a little closed position. During these movements, the blowpipe (700) keeps blowing air from into the inner cavity of the cover (90) in order to provide longitudinal tightness of the cover (90).

In order to form a smooth cutting surface, the vacuum claws (400) close and fix the cover (90). At the same time the blowpipe (700) is cut out, and the vacuum (500) sucks air from the outer side of the cover (90) towards the vacuum claws (400) of the cover (90).

The horizontal arms (200) move a little more backwards on the length positioner movement channel (101) and at its direction and stop in order to provide the cover (90) be easily pulled away and separated from the arms when it is cut. In this step, the vacuum (500) keeps sucking air.

The cutter (600) transversely cuts the smooth cutting surface formed by the vacuum claws (400) by fixing the cover (90), and separates the cover (90) from the side coming from the feeder (800) in. the desired length, in folded position. The cover (90) having the desired number of folds and the desired total length is ready to be collected from the mechanism. The vacuum (500) provides movement of the edge part of the cover (90) on which the new folding operation will be started, by providing air suction.

The invention comprises at least one motion actuation component (601), which provides working of a cutter (600) in perpendicular direction to the direction of advancement of the said cover (90) after completion of the folding cycle.

Vacuum claws (400) separate from each other and provide opening of the inner cavity of the edge part of the cover (90) for the new folding operation. The vacuum (500) prevents formation of any undesired situation such as squeezing, buckling or tearing on the cover (90) during the movement of the said arms, with the air suction it applies from the outer part of the cover (90). The vertical arms (300) are brought into open position in order to provide the advancement of the cover (90) by being easily carried on the horizontal arms (200) from between the vertical arms (300). Completely closed horizontal arms (200) advance towards to the inner cavity of the cover (90), the edge part of which is opened by vacuum (500), on the length positioner movement channel (101) and at its direction and the horizontal arms (200) insert the arms inside it according to the desired programmed fold length. At the same time, the vacuum (500) provides the edge part of the cover (90) stay open in the desired position by providing air suction from the outer surface of the cover (90).

Horizontal arms (200) open and push the cover (90) outwards, which they are carrying to the starting point on themselves for the new folding operation, and bring it to a stretched position on the outer surfaces of the horizontal arms (206). At the same time, vacuum (500) is cut out and thus does not create prevention for advancement of the cover (90) by being carried on the horizontal arms. Therefore telescopic folding, cutting and preparing of the cover (90) and preparing of the mechanism, which is the subject of the invention, in a position ready for folding again are completed.