Abstract: A width folder is configured for width-folding an article of laundry, and especially lateral excess portions thereof. The width folder includes male and female members stacked along a vertical direction. The male member includes two opposite first folding edges which extend along a laundry article motion direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and further includes opposite male top and bottom surfaces each of which extends between the first folding edges. The female member being located at least partially beneath the male member and includes two opposite second folding edges which converge in the motion direction. The female member further includes opposite female top and bottom surfaces. The female member further includes opposite folding protrusions which extend outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the female top surface.

Abstract: An article clip for article folding machines includes a body which includes opposite body front and rear ends and a body intermediate portion which extends therebetween. The body front end includes a front body pivot and the body intermediate portion includes an intermediate body pivot. The clip further includes a base jaw located at the front end and a clamping jaw located opposite the base jaw at the body front end, connected to the body via the front body pivot. The clip further includes a clamping recess formed in the body front end. The clip further includes an elongated driver configured to transfer forces from the body rear end to the clamping jaw. The driver is connected to the clamping jaw via a front floating pivot which is not connected to the body, and is connected to the intermediate body pivot via a pulling mechanism.

Abstract: An active width folder system configured for article folding within compact article folding machines and includes a holding member with two opposite holding edges which extend in an article motion direction, a conveyor configured for conveying articles in the motion direction and a pair of actuated folding members, each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article. Wherein, each folding member has a retractable lifting surface which has a variable length at least in the width direction which is perpendicular to the motion direction.

Abstract: An active width folder system configured for article folding within compact article folding machines and includes a holding member with two opposite holding edges which extend in an article motion direction, a conveyor configured for conveying articles in the motion direction and a pair of actuated folding members, each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article. Wherein, each folding member has a retractable lifting surface which has a variable length at least in the width direction which is perpendicular to the motion direction.

Abstract: A folding device (14?, 14?) includes a driven contact device (15?, 15?) configured for continuously creating a fold in a moving article (12) during an operative folding mode of the folding device. In the operative folding mode, the article moves along a base plane in a motion direction (MD). The folding device includes a support structure (54) connected to, and configured for supporting, the contact device. The contact device includes a peripheral surface (48) which extends at least partially about at least one rotation axis. The peripheral surface includes multiple fingers (44) which protrude outwardly away therefrom. In the operative folding mode, the fingers consecutively and incrementally engage and fold the article starting at an edge (28) defining an outline thereof.

Abstract: A domestic compact article folding machine (10) configured for autonomous article folding includes first, second and third primary conveyors (CI, C2, C3), at least two of which in a stacked formation, each includes two primary rollers (32) and a primary belt (34) which extends thereabout. First and second holding conveyors (U1, U2), each includes at least three holding rollers (32) and a holding belt (34) which extends thereabout. Each of the holding conveyors engages each of the first and second primary conveyors respectively. The folding machine further includes at least a first width-folder (38) which is configured for creating a width-fold in the article and at least a first length-folder (64) which is configured for creating a length-fold in the article.

Abstract: A width folder is configured for width-folding an article of laundry, and especially lateral excess portions thereof. The width folder includes male and female members stacked along a vertical direction. The male member includes two opposite first folding edges which extend along a laundry article motion direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and further includes opposite male top and bottom surfaces each of which extends between the first folding edges. The female member being located at least partially beneath the male member and includes two opposite second folding edges which converge in the motion direction. The female member further includes opposite female top and bottom surfaces. The female member further includes opposite folding protrusions which extend outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the female top surface.

Abstract: A folding device (14?, 14?) includes a driven contact device (15?, 15?) configured for continuously creating a fold in a moving article (12) during an operative folding mode of the folding device. In the operative folding mode, the article moves along a base plane in a motion direction (MD). The folding device includes a support structure (54) connected to, and configured for supporting, the contact device. The contact device includes a peripheral surface (48) which extends at least partially about at least one rotation axis. The peripheral surface includes multiple fingers (44) which protrude outwardly away therefrom. In the operative folding mode, the fingers consecutively and incrementally engage and fold the article starting at an edge (28) defining an outline thereof.

Abstract: An active width folder system (10) configured for article folding within compact article folding machines and includes a holding member (12) with two opposite holding edges (20) which extend in an article motion direction, a conveyor (16) configured for conveying articles in the motion direction and a pair of actuated folding members (14), each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article. Wherein, each folding member has a retractable lifting surface (24) which has a variable length at least in the width direction which is perpendicular to the motion direction.

Abstract: A domestic compact article folding machine (10) configured for autonomous article folding includes first, second and third primary conveyors (CI, C2, C3), at least two of which in a stacked formation, each includes two primary rollers (32) and a primary belt (34) which extends thereabout. First and second holding conveyors (Ul, U2), each includes at least three holding rollers (32) and a holding belt (34) which extends thereabout. Each of the holding conveyors engages each of the first and second primary conveyors respectively. The folding machine further includes at least a first width-folder (38) which is configured for creating a width-fold in the article and at least a first length-folder (64) which is configured for creating a length-fold in the article.

Abstract: An article clip for article folding machines includes a body which includes opposite body front and rear ends and a body intermediate portion which extends therebetween. The body front end includes a front body pivot and the body intermediate portion includes an intermediate body pivot. The clip further includes a base jaw located at the front end and a clamping jaw located opposite the base jaw at the body front end, connected to the body via the front body pivot. The clip further includes a clamping recess formed in the body front end. The clip further includes an elongated driver configured to transfer forces from the body rear end to the clamping jaw. The driver is connected to the clamping jaw via a front floating pivot which is not connected to the body, and is connected to the intermediate body pivot via a pulling mechanism.

Abstract: A window is provided, comprising at least one exterior layers, one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells configured to convert a first portion of solar radiation impinging on the window to electrical energy, and at least one thermal conduit configured to draw heat from the PV cells. The thermal conduits are in conductive thermal communication with at least one of the PV cells with at least one of the exterior layer.