Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, a smoothing device which removes wrinkles from the garment portions when positioned on the conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing veneer pieces in edge-abutting relationship, which comprises an infeed section for flat-feeding the veneer pieces, one by one, in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the fibers of the pieces, including at least one positive feeder at one end of the infeed section, and a crowder section comprising a plurality of upper and lower longitudinal rotating rollers extending in the feeding direction and spaced in parallel to each other so as to define a free transporting passage following the infeed section. The veneer pieces are, in turn, held and pressurized from top and bottom by the upper and lower rollers with their respective edges being in contact with the edges of the adjacent veneer pieces. A succeeding veneer piece is fed by the positive feeder and, just before the positive feeding ceases, the front edges of the succeeding piece come into contact with the rear edges of a preceding veneer piece which has been held at the crowder section.

Abstract: A transfer device for depositing flatwork on a continuously movable flat feed belt having a collector rod mounted to reciprocate in a substantially horizontal path to engage a surface of a vertically hung flatwork. An unrolling rod is mounted in association with the collector rod to move in an orbital path about the collector rod. Collector rod and unrolling rod are arranged to operate cyclically in a first collecting stage in which on engagement of the collector rod with the surface of the flatwork an edge of the flatwork is laid over the collecting rod and carried thereon and a second unrolling stage in which the unrolling rod passes about the collecting rod to engage the rear surface of the flatwork and in cooperation with the collecting rod lays the flatwork in stretched condition on the feed belt.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding laundry articles to a mangle, with a spreading-out and conveying device for spreading out the laundry articles when hanging down freely and for feeding the laundry articles centrally to a belt-shaped feed conveyor conveying towards the mangle, wherein two corners of each laundry article are gripped in clamps which are arranged in pairs at a short distance from one another on the spreading-out and conveying device and which can be moved away from one another, the clamping jaws of each clamp are arranged at an angle to the vertical, and the clamping jaws of a pair of clamps are directed opposite to one another in such a manner as to form a roof shape. The clamping jaws of each clamp are also made self-clamping.

Abstract: A spreading conveyor comprising an endless air-permeable laterally stretchable spreading band, endless air-permeable supporting band means within the path of the spreading band, and a suction box within the loop of the suction band and having a perforated wall in contact with the inner side of the supporting band means along a portion of its path. This arrangement allows a reduction in the wear and deformation of the spreading band, and can operate at higher speeds than common spreading bands that operate without suction means.

Abstract: A drive platform assembly is provided for attachment to the carriage of an existing manually-operable fabric spreading machine to convert the machine to motorized operation. The drive platform is connected to the fabric spreading carriage of the fabric spreading machine and includes a drive motor which drives the drive platform in both a forward and reverse direction thereby enabling the carriage to spread successive layers of fabric onto a cutting table. This motion of the drive platform is guided by guide wheel assemblies which cooperate with a guide track mounted on the cutting table. This apparatus includes a speed control and a pair of cam assemblies which automatically reverse the direction of travel of the drive platform and the fabric spreading carriage at the end of each spreading stroke. The drive platform assembly includes a platform upon which an operator may stand to regulate the speed of the fabric spreading carriage, and also to observe and regulate the spreading operation.

Abstract: A spreader, counter, folder and stacker for laundered articles. The articles are discharged as circulated about an elongated bin. Clips on an endless chain pick the articles up from the bin one by one and elevate them. The clips are released by a cam to drop the articles one by one on traveling catches which pull them for spreading and carry them over a retarded rotation brush. This places a drag on the articles and elongates them for transfer one by one to a spreader bar. A series of spreader bars are provided and each carries the article draped over the bar past the radial tine of a counter. As each article engages a radial tine a drive is energized to a brush conveyor and a counted stack of articles is stacked on the conveyor and discharged from the conveyor to be picked up for use.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding laundry articles to an ironing machine, wherein the laundry articles, suspended on two grippers are conveyed, starting from an operating station, to a position centrally in front of the loading position of a feed conveyor leading to the ironing machine. The grippers are disposed on a rope drive, which is driven by means of a geared pole-changing motor with the interposition of a chain drive. The rear gripper is towed by the leading gripper via the laundry article, while at the same time pulling the latter taut.

Abstract: A simplified apparatus for centering and spreading laundry articles on the conveyor of a machine automatically feeding such articles to a commercial laundry iron and comprising lead and trailing carriages having clipping apparatus for gripping adjacent corners of such articles, a track to convey the carriages, a belt driven by a motor for moving the carriages on the track. The lead carriage is directly affixed to the first run of the belt, the trailing carriage idles with respect to the second run of the belt. Upon activation of the motor, the lead carriage moves down the track drawing the laundry article along the front of the inlet end of the conveyor. An abutment affixed on the second run of the belt contacts the trailing carriage creating tension in the leading edge of the laundry article. Movement of the abutment with respect to the second run of the belt is made adjustable so that the position of the line about which the articles are centered may be varied.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to remove wrinkles in a running web of material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: A laundry feeding machine, particularly suitable for feeding small-piece flat-work articles to an ironing machine. A pair of clamping devices is arranged to accept any part of the leading edge of an article. The devices are moved apart symmetrically with respect to a feeding line of the machine, and as they move, the leading edge of the article runs through them. Each clamping device has a sensor which detects the side edge of the article and on such detection the clamping device is locked on to the article to hold it firmly. When both devices are locked the article is released and thus fed on to a feeding conveyor.

Abstract: A multi-station laundry feeder including supply apparatus for a plurality of article conveyors, multiple stations at each conveyor, and an article transporting conveyor utilizable by the multiple stations for transversely placing articles on the transporting conveyor. The operators remove individual articles from the supply conveyor, drape them across the transporting conveyor, touching an adjustable bar which is positioned to automatically appropriately align the articles, and release them.

Abstract: Inserting machine destined to stretch and lay down washed sheets and the like wettish articles to be loaded in a mangle. Two corners of those sheets are attached to clamps connected to carts for movement in a continuous path. Conveyor mechanisms and belonging switches are provided to minimize the number of manipulations of the washed sheets and to take full advantage of the capacity of the mangle.

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading and feeding articles of flatwork such as sheets to an ironing machine and comprising a conveyor over which a beam with two movable clamps is arranged. The clamps are adapted to grip the article at two corners and to move apart to draw the upper edge of the article tight. The beam is stationary in order to simplify construction. Between the beam and the conveyor is a movable plate, onto which the upper edge of the article is transferred and from which plate the article is transferred to the conveyor by a movement of the plate in the moving direction of the conveyor.

Abstract: A multi-color printing press including a first press unit and a second press unit with a conveyor interposed between them, the conveyor including a sprocket drum cooperating with a transfer drum on the second press unit. A pair of plenums having apertured faces alined with one another are arranged closely adjacent the feed side of the sprocket drum, the plenums being connected to a source of vacuum. The plenums are cammingly coupled to the press drive for axial spreading movement during passage of a sheet so that the faces of the plenums progressively wipe away any longitudinally extending as well as laterally extending wrinkles in the sheet as the sheet becomes progressively supported on the sprocket drum for sequential passage of the sheet in smooth condition and in accurate register via the sprocket and transfer drums, the action of the plenums being effective both in the recto and verso printing modes.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly downwardly toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly downwardly toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.

Abstract: A device for arranging and transporting articles of laundry to feeder equipment for a flat ironing machine including a plurality of paired heads which are spaced apart pendent from a continuous chain. Each of the heads is provided with a pair of gripping devices for tautly holding a portion of the articles of laundry near the edges thereof whereby the articles can be picked off the heads by a feeder for continuous delivery to a flat ironing machine.

Abstract: This apparatus is for spreading laundry flatwork pieces, such as bed sheets, before feeding them to subsequent processing equipment, such as an ironer and a folder. Separate pairs of flatwork clamps are normally located respectively at the left end, middle and right end of the apparatus. The left end and right end clamps are movable straight across the entry side of the apparatus to the middle before being spread apart. The paired clamps operate to spread their respective flatwork pieces in the order in which their respective start switches are operated manually. Interference among the paired clamps or between the clamps of each pair is prevented. No intermediate flatwork transfer operation is required between the insertion of a flatwork piece into a pair of clamps and the spreading of that flatwork piece.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece having an edge bent over on one face of the workpiece towards the center of the workpiece is continuously displaced in a transport direction over a flat support surface that lies against the other face of the workpiece at the bent-over edge. Compressed air is blown from a guide in a flow direction extending transverse to the transport direction, outwardly from the workpiece center, and generally parallel to the surface so as to blow this bent-over edge flat. A plurality of nozzles inclined slightly down toward the surface and backwardly in the transport direction may be employed, as a single elongated nozzle producing a band-shaped current of air may be used, or a plurality of nozzles spread out in a two-dimensional array. Such a flow of air may also be directed from both faces at the workpiece edge in order to flatten out this edge no matter which way it is bent over.

Abstract: A loading station located at one side of a feeding conveyor, into which the corners of a sheet can be loaded. The station comprises two movable clamping devices supported on a track which runs across the rear of the feeding conveyor. Each clamping device is driven by an independent transmission system, the two transmission systems are connected to a selfcentering interlock mechanism. The centering mechanism is arranged to permit independent movement of the two clamping mechanisms, whereby they can move from the side position into a position in front of the feeding conveyor. The centering mechanism will then automatically control the tensioning and positioning of the leading edge of the sheet which is held by the clamping devices irrespective of the width of the sheet.This will result in the center of the sheet being positioned in line with the required feeding center of the feed conveyor.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for removing wrinkles in a thin flexible moving web such as paper or textiles. The web is passed over a bar curved to effect a shear force on the web and/or a tensile force on the web in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web. The bar is oscillated resonantly or nonresonantly with one component of the oscillation being in a direction normal to the web surface so that its intermittent contact with the web causes any wrinkles therein to collapse. Gas, under super-atmospheric pressure can be passed through ports in the bar surface and into contact with the web to assist in collapsing wrinkles. SPREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 521,179, filed Nov. 6, 1974, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of now-abandoned Ser. No. 436,838, filed Jan. 28, 1974, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of now-abandoned Ser. No. 331,199, filed Feb. 9, 1973 .

Abstract: Apparatus for spreading and supplying laundered flatwork to an ironer in a squared condition. The apparatus is carried by a single frame. A central main drive belt and a pincher belt above the main drive belt driven by contact therewith extend along the center of the main frame for a portion of the length of the frame. These belts draw the flatwork as supplied over a semi-ovate spreader apron in advance of the main drive and pincher belt. Upper and lower spreader belts diverging at equal angles with respect to the main drive belt and pincher belt extend along each side of the front portion of the machine and provide a pressure nip in substantially the same vertical plane as the pressure nip between the pincher belt and main drive belt.

Abstract: A loading station located at one side of a feeding conveyor, into which the corners of a sheet can be loaded. The station comprises two movable clamping devices supported on a track which runs across the rear of the feeding conveyor. Each clamping device is driven by an independent transmission system, the two transmission systems are connected to a selfcentering interlock mechanism. The centering mechanism is arranged to permit independent movement of the two clamping mechanisms, whereby they can move from the side position into a position in front of the feeding conveyor. The centering mechanism will then automatically control the tensioning and positioning of the leading edge of the sheet which is held by the clamping devices irrespective of the width of the sheet.This will result in the center of the sheet being positioned in line with the required feeding center of the feed conveyor.