Autonomous laundry folding devices, systems, and methods of use

US11680365B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MONOTONY.AI, INC. · US

Inventors

• Stuart E. Schechter · Newton, US
• Benjamin D. Bixby · Newton, US
• Kevin M. LeBlanc · Medford, US
• Wilson J. Mefford · Somerville, US
• Elliot Sinclair Pennington · Lexington, US
• Laura E. Schwartz · Newton, US
• Jesse Sielaff · Norfolk, US
• Madeline R. Hickman · Arlington, US
• Carter J. Ithier · Hooksett, US
• Samuel Duffley · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 6, 2022
• Grant date: Jun 20, 2023
• Expiry date: Sep 6, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D06F89/02
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously folding a deformable laundry article are described. A folding device includes a rotatable platform configured to receive the article. A rotatable blade is suspended above the surface and a clamp rod is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade. The clamp rod is configured to raise and lower from a surface of the rotatable platform, slidably move parallel to the surface, and clamp the deformable article to the surface in a lowered position. The blade is configured to raise and lower from the surface of the rotatable platform, slidably move parallel to the surface, slide under an unclamped portion of the article, lift the unclamped portion above the clamp rod, pass the unclamped portion over the clamp rod, and lower the free end to a resting position atop another portion of the article to fold the article.