Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting system includes an enclosed channel including a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the channel, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the enclosed channel for selectively grasping at least one of the plurality of deformable articles in sequence. The system includes an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel upon release by the terminal gripper of the one of the plurality of arms, and one or more conveyors disposed adjacent the outlet end configured for receiving thereon a plurality of bins for collecting for washing together two or more articles of the plurality of deformable articles released through the outlet orifice having a common sensor-detected one or more characteristics.

Abstract: A cloth clamping chuck includes a pair of chuck jaws and a driving process that rotates at least one of the pair of chuck jaws around an open-close axis x to change an opening degree of the pair of chuck jaws. The cloth clamping chuck has a catching portion which is arranged in a position out of an extension line of the chuck jaws, and in associated with the pulling operation of cloth, is caught in a portion of the cloth other than the portion clamped by the pair of chuck jaws to deflect a force applied to the clamped portion of the cloth toward a side along the open-close axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and corresponding apparatus of transferring a piece of cloth from a pair of spreader clamps to a conveyor via a transverse boom, where the piece of cloth is first suspended and straightened between the spreader clamps, then delivered to the transverse boom, and subsequently delivered from the transverse boom to the conveyor. Apart from that, a straightening of the fore edge of the piece of cloth is performed, seen in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor, after its delivery from the clamps to the transverse boom has been initiated, but before it is delivered to the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and corresponding apparatus of transferring a piece of cloth (3) from a pair of spreader clamps (4,5) to a conveyor (1) via a transverse boom, where the piece of cloth is first suspended and straightened between the spreader clamps, then delivered to the transverse boom (8,9), and subsequently delivered from the transverse boom to the conveyor. Apart from that, a straightening of the fore edge of the piece of cloth is performed, seen in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor, after its delivery from the clamps to the transverse boom has been initiated, but before it is delivered to the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor shuttle having a conveyor belt for conveying textiles across a wash alley from a washing machine (selected from among a plurality of washing machines) to a drying machine (selected from among a plurality of drying machines). The shuttle travels along the work alley among and between the washing machines and the drying machines. Some embodiments further include guide hardware to help guide soiled laundry into the washing machine. Some embodiments include an operator platform and an operator control system so that a human user can ride on the shuttle and help control various wash alley functions.

Abstract: A separator separates sheets from a bundle. Slack in the strap used to raise and lower a clamp is used to determine when the clamp reaches the bundle. A non-horizontal conveyor tilts beneath the clamp to receive multiple articles, and then tilts over another bin to deposit the articles. The second bin includes an angled surface, which is straightened to shift the articles for clamping. The clamp is supported by, but not attached to, a support connected with the drive. When the clamp reaches the pile, the clamp stops but the support may continue to move. The clamp is tiltable. The article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface. Upon transfer, the roller forms a nip with the surface. The article is deposited on an exit conveyor having a flexible, raised portion.

Abstract: A separator separates sheets from a bundle. Slack in the strap used to raise and lower a clamp is used to determine when the clamp reaches the bundle. A non-horizontal conveyor tilts beneath the clamp to receive multiple articles, and then tilts over another bin to deposit the articles. The second bin includes an angled surface, which is straightened to shift the articles for clamping. The clamp is supported by, but not attached to, a support connected with the drive. When the clamp reaches the pile, the clamp stops but the support may continue to move. The clamp is tiltable. The article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface. Upon transfer, the roller forms a nip with the surface. The article is deposited on an exit conveyor having a flexible, raised portion.

Abstract: A device for untangling pieces of laundry, in particular flat pieces of laundry, is provided. The device is integrated into a processing system that includes a washing system, a press and a conveying system. The mass of laundry is delivered from the press, is conveyed through a rack-like housing, and is untangled. The laundry is then transferred to a transverse conveyor belt in separated form.

Abstract: A separator separates sheets from a bundle. Slack in the strap used to raise and lower a clamp is used to determine when the clamp reaches the bundle. A non-horizontal conveyor tilts beneath the clamp to receive multiple articles, and then tilts over another bin to deposit the articles. The second bin includes an angled surface, which is straightened to shift the articles for clamping. The clamp is supported by, but not attached to, a support connected with the drive. When the clamp reaches the pile, the clamp stops but the support may continue to move. The clamp is tillable. The article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface. Upon transfer, the roller forms a nip with the surface. The article is deposited on an exit conveyor having a flexible, raised portion.

Abstract: A reliable operation for sorting items of laundry automatically. For this purpose, provision is made for a plurality of simultaneously gripped items of laundry to be separated once they have been gripped by a gripping arrangement (20). Reliable separation of an item of laundry is followed by the item of laundry being measured in the straightened-out state on a conveyor. Preferably the distance between two diagonally opposite corners of the item of laundry on the conveyor is determined. This gives rise to very precise automatic measuring always just of a single item of laundry.

Abstract: Items of laundry have to be stretched out by a spreading device (14) before they are inserted into a mangle or any other laundry treatment device. To this end, the spreading device (14) has spreading clips (15) which can be moved away from one another. In the case of relatively large items of laundry, the spreading clips (15) have to cover a relatively large distance in order to spread out the item of laundry. This reduces the insertion rate. The invention provides for the items of laundry to be preliminarily spread out before being passed to the spreading clips (15), so that the spreading clips (15) receive the item of laundry in a state in which it is already virtually spread out. The spreading clips (15) only have to cover a small residual distance in order to spread out the item of laundry completely. As a result, the spreading device (14) can spread out the item of laundry very quickly.

Abstract: A conveyor shuttle having a conveyor belt for conveying textiles across a wash alley from a washing machine (selected from among a plurality of washing machines) to a drying machine (selected from among a plurality of drying machines). The shuttle travels along the work alley among and between the washing machines and the drying machines. Some embodiments further include guide hardware to help guide soiled laundry into the washing machine. Some embodiments include an operator platform and an operator control system so that a human user can ride on the shuttle and help control various wash alley functions.

Abstract: Overhead transport system for the selective drawing of garment lots, making use of a box-shaped support rail (1) on which the garment hanger books (G) are hanging, inside which liftable tracks (5) are provided, through which a closed circuit chain (7) is guided. The chain being able to seize and draw the said hooks when the said liftable tracks are selectively push upwards due to to the inflation of corresponding rubber tubes (4).

Abstract: A textile separating apparatus may include a textile collection area for supporting the pile of textile items, and a transport mechanism having an inclined face intersecting the pile of textile items. One or more pick members may project from the face of the transport mechanism, and may successively separate and carry individual textile items from the pile of textile items towards a textile receiving area.

Abstract: Items of laundry have to be stretched out by a spreading device (14) before they are inserted into a mangle or any other laundry treatment device. To this end, the spreading device (14) has spreading clips (15) which can be moved away from one another. In the case of relatively large items of laundry, the spreading clips (15) have to cover a relatively large distance in order to spread out the item of laundry. This reduces the insertion rate. The invention provides for the items of laundry to be preliminarily spread out before being passed to the spreading clips (15), so that the spreading clips (15) receive the item of laundry in a state in which it is already virtually spread out. The spreading clips (15) only have to cover a small residual distance in order to spread out the item of laundry completely. As a result, the spreading device (14) can spread out the item of laundry very quickly.

Abstract: A clothing managing apparatus is provided. In the clothing managing apparatus, a panel coupling protrusion (130) has a plurality of sub protrusions (131, 132) for supporting a control panel (150) in different directions, and protrusions coupling hole portion (160) receives the panel coupling protrusion (130). A holder (120) can be provided to support the control panel (150) and a top cover (100). The holder (12) includes one portion (123) coupled to the control panel (150) and the other portion (122) coupling to the top cover (100).

Abstract: An article is selected and spread from a load of articles. A first clamp moves along a run to remove an article. By changing orientation of the run, articles may be removed from different locations. A second clamp rotates while holding the article. The rotation generally flattens out the article. A third clamp grabs a portion of the article and further spreads the article. This process may detangle or untwist the article. The untwisted article is dragged over a belt. The belt adjusts the amount of overhang on each side. A plate lifts a resulting edge. The article is clamped at that edge and dragged over a roller. The roller moves into contact with a conveyor. The conveyor conveys the article to find a leading edge. The article is then conveyed in a spread position.

Abstract: A process for laundering, sorting and delivering garments is enhanced by incorporating a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag into each garment. An RFID reader antenna includes left and right interleaved parallel and vertically aligned pluralities of generally orthogonal ferrite horseshoes to shape the sensing magnetic fields. The span of coverage along with the non-aligned magnetic fields ensure that RFID tag is read even regardless of orientation. Accurate detection facilitates tracking of garments during laundering, repair, replacement, sorting, etc.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically picking up hosiery articles (20) from a container (7), e.g., socks, knee socks, and the like in which an actuator (4) comprised of a support (5), to which a grasping device (6) is suspended, picks up the hosiery articles (20) at a loading position and moves them to an unloading position. The grasping device (6) is lowered into the container until the grasping device (6) contacts the free surface of the bulk of hosiery articles (20). The actuator (4) continues to be lowered according to a brief additional stroke and the grasping device (6) delays the closure even after a first contact with the free surface of hosiery articles (20). The grasping device (6) is then detected and closed onto hosiery articles (20) grasping at least one of them. The grasping device (6) them moves to the unloading position by means of the actuator (4) where the grasping device (6) opens and releases the hosiery article (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking out laundry articles from a pile of laundry articles that are arranged in a transportable container that is upwardly open and has a downwardly configured bottom, from where lateral ledges extend upwards to the container opening, which apparatus comprises a frame on which a pull gripper is configured, and means for conveying the pull gripper down into the container opening to a lower position with a view to seizing one or more laundry articles, and subsequently to convey the pull gripper upwards above the container opening with a view to letting go of the seized laundry articles, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for moving the pile of laundry articles located in the container in a direction towards the lower position of the pull gripper.

Abstract: Trousers and/or shorts are fed one at a time between conveyor belts, cuff end first, towards a hanger automatically dropped from a hanger bar into a hanger chute positioned in the path of travel of the trousers. A sensor senses the presence of a pair of trousers on the feed belts and activates a hanger transport mechanism which grabs a hanger from the end of a screw conveyor on a hanger bar feeding the hangers by gravity towards the screw end, which stops, separates and spaces the hangers. The hanger transport mechanism delivers a hanger forwardly over the hanger chute, and then retracts, dropping the hanger into chute. The cuffs of the trousers are fed through the hanger positioned in the chute.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by a clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by a suitable drive in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: A clean garment is provided with inherent identification data. A measuring part measures the cleanliness of the clean garment and outputs the obtained measurement data. An identification data input part reads the identification data of the clean garment and outputs it as an identification data. At least the previous measurement data is stored in a data base in association with the identification data. A signal processing part receives the measurement data and identification data. In the signal processing part, the previous measurement data of the clean garment is read from the data base based on the received identification data C, to calculate the difference (increment) between the now obtained measurement data and the previous measurement data, and the obtained difference is referenced to a predetermined criterion, to judge the cleanliness of the clean garment. The cleanliness of clean garments can be managed per clean garment by a clean garment managing system.

Abstract: According to the invention, the items of laundry (11) are grasped successively by a gripper (23), are lifted up and taken over by a transfer means (24) which transports the respective item of laundry (11) through a gap (29). The gap (29) of the transfer means (24) ensures that only individual items of laundry (11) can be transported on further by the transfer means (24) and a force which is required for completely pulling out the respective item of laundry (11) from the pile of laundry (10) can be exerted on the item of laundry (11). As a result, reliable separating of items of laundry (11) from a pile of laundry (10) is ensured.

Abstract: A shuttle hopper system for loading and unloading commercial washers and dryers is provided. The shuttle hopper is equipped with a bucket for receiving laundry items and further includes lift and tilt assemblies which lift and rotate the bucket into a dumping position for discharging the laundry items into either a washer or a dryer. The shuttle hopper is adapted to move between at least one washer and one dryer such that the shuttle hopper can be utilized to transfer wet laundry items from the washer to the dryer. The shuttle hopper also may include a pulling fin assembly which selectively deploys a plurality of pulling fins in the shuttle bucket. The pulling fins are operable to move the laundry items contained within the shuttle bucket so as to facilitate the loading of items into the bucket and the discharge of items from the bucket.

Abstract: Items of laundry (11) released from a washing machine as a pile of laundry (10) have to be separated before they can be processed further. The aim is to automate this separating procedure. Known methods for automating the separating of items of laundry (11) are still inadequate. According to the invention, the items of laundry (11) are grasped successively by a gripper (23), are lifted up and taken over by a transfer means (24) which transports the respective item of laundry (11) through a gap (29). The gap (29) of the transfer means (24) ensures that only individual items of laundry (11) can be transported on further by the transfer means (24) and a force which is required for completely pulling out the respective item of laundry (11) from the pile of laundry (10) can be exerted on the item of laundry (11). As a result, reliable separating of items of laundry (11) from a pile of laundry (10) is ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking out laundry articles from a laundry pile by a pull gripper which is arranged for seizing one or more laundry articles in the laundry pile, and a lifting mechanism arranged for lifting the pull gripper and the minor batch of laundry articles clear above the pile. The lifting mechanism is arranged for conveying the pull gripper and the laundry articles to a position above a support, and the pull gripper is arranged for releasing the laundry articles above the support whereby the laundry articles are deposited on the support. The laundry articles are loosened from each other which facilitates the separation of the individual laundry articles from the pile. According to the invention the pull gripper is moved by the lifting mechanism as a restricted, guided movement by a combined vertical and horizontal movement whereby a more efficient loosening of the laundry articles is obtained as well as a higher degree of repetitive accuracy.

Abstract: A shuttle hopper system for loading and unloading commercial washers and dryers is provided. The shuttle hopper is equipped with a bucket for receiving laundry items and further includes lift and tilt assemblies which lift and rotate the bucket into a dumping position for discharging the laundry items into either a washer or a dryer. The shuttle hopper is adapted to move between at least one washer and one dryer such that the shuttle hopper can be utilized to transfer wet laundry items from the washer to the dryer. The shuttle hopper also may include a pulling fin assembly which selectively deploys a plurality of pulling fins in the shuttle bucket. The pulling fins are operable to move the laundry items contained within the shuttle bucket so as to facilitate the loading of items into the bucket and the discharge of items from the bucket.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for feeding substantially rectangular laundry articles to a laundry processing apparatus, wherein the laundry article can be positioned in a stretched, hanging and folded state across a bar, which is slidable between two opposed conveyor faces, which pull the laundry article off the bar with a fold so that the laundry article is quickly removed from the bar, thereby making it possible to quickly insert a new laundry article on the bar. A significantly increased productivity with a given number of operators can be achieved through the use of the method and the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A feeding aid for assisting in the feeding of laundry flatwork to laundry processing equipment such as an ironer. The air comprises spaced clamping stations including at least one pivotally mounted clamping wheel which is actuated into a lowered clamping position when a leading edge of a piece of flatwork such as a sheet is sensed beneath an associated laundry sensing device such as a photosensor. After one corner is clamped in place, the sheet leading edge is drawn taut and the opposite sheet corner portion is placed beneath the clamping wheel in a second clamping station. The clamping action of the two stations prevents the weight of the sheet depending from the feed conveyor from causing the sheet to fall by gravity from the conveyor. After a short time delay following clamping by a second clamping wheel, the feed conveyor on which a sheet or the like is clamped is actuated to feed the sheet into engagement with an ironing cylinder or the like.

Abstract: A method for spreading thin soft rectangular articles such as cloths, unwoven cloths, paper sheets, plastic sheets, etc. (generally called "rectangular sheets") is disclosed. A part of a first side of a rectangular sheet including one corner of a rectangular sheet is suspended in the air as held nearly horizontally by gripping the corner and another point on the side by grippers which are slidable on a horizontal rail. Accordingly, a second side of the rectangular sheet including the one corner is made to hang down nearly vertically. Then the lowermost end of the second side is gripped by another gripper that is movable vertically along a vertical rail. Except for the one corner, the initially held part of the one side is released, and the rectangular sheet is held with the two adjacent corners at the opposite ends of the second side gripped by two grippers which are movable on the rail.

Abstract: A method of gripping corner of a strip of cloth, which may be applied to, for example, systems for spreading strips of cloth, including a first step of suspending a rectangular strip of cloth by gripping one corner thereof, a second step of gripping the lowermost corner portion of the strip suspended in the frist step, a third step of raising substantially vertically either one of the gripped points of the strip gripped in the first and second steps, a fourth step of applying braking force to the other gripped point in order to apply tension to the strip, and a fifth step of holding substantially horizontally one side of the strip having a corner portion which is adjacent to the gripped points, and gripping the corner portion of the strip which is adjacent to the gripped points of the strip gripped in the first and second steps, respectively.

Abstract: A method of gripping corners of a strip of cloth, which may be applied to, for example, systems for spreading strips of cloth, including a first step of suspending a rectangular strip of cloth by gripping one corner thereof, a second step of gripping the lowermost corner portion of the strip suspended in the first step, a third step of raising substantially vertically either one of the gripped points of the strip gripped in the first and second steps, a fourth step of applying braking force to the other gripping point in order to apply tension to the strip, and a fifth step of holding substantially horizontally one side of the strip having a corner portion which is adjacent to the gripped points and gripping the corner portion of the strip which is adjacent to the gripped points of the strip gripped in the first and second steps, respectively.

Abstract: This apparatus for separating wet laundry articles (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting and hangering laundered pairs of pants comprises an inspection station, a hangering station and a take-away device. The inspection station includes a pants gripper which supports a pair of pants at the waist with the legs in an extended position to permit simultaneous visual and touch inspection of the pants, after which the pant legs are folded along their creases on a folding table. Hangers are delivered one at a time to a hanger catch plate at one end of the folding table which supports the hangers slightly beneath the plane of the tabletop. The pant legs are slid along the folding table and partially draped over the end of the table and the bottom wire of the hanger supported on the hanger catch plate. A take-away device contacts the hook portion of the hanger and lifts it upwardly, carrying the pants therewith, and then discharges the hangered pants onto a take-away rail for movement to another station for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the centered feeding of pieces of laundry to a conveyor comprises a support for hangingly supporting a piece of laundry to be fed to the conveyor, the support is reciprocally movable parallel to the centerline of the conveyor between a first position where a front face of the support is in front of the conveyor and a second position where the front face is disposed above the conveyor. The support comprises a hollow body with a front face formed by a belt with apertures therethrough. The belt is movable transversely of the conveyor centerline and the hollow body. A vacuum source is connected to the hollow body through a valve. Application of vacuum pressure to the hollow body allows an edge of a piece of laundry to be held against the apertured belt. Transverse movement of the belt allows centering of the piece of laundry with respect to the conveyor centerline.

Abstract: A folder 10 for folding flat piece laundry as delivered from an ironer is disclosed. Folder 10 includes a logic controller (70) which calculates the position on the laundry piece where the fold is to be made and activates air jets (57, 58 and 59) to make the fold at the proper position. The proper position is calculated by directly calculating the length of a laundry piece by providing a sprocket gear 43 which rotates in a fixed relationship to the speed of a motor (42) and the surface speed of a conveyor (12). A proximity switch (49) counts pulses as the sprocket gear 43 rotates. Each pulse defines a known increment of linear length of the conveyor (12) in fixed proportion to the rotation of the motor (42). In the method disclosed, one of the steps compensates for slippage of the laundry piece in the folder caused by operating the folder at a slightly greater speed than the ironer.

Abstract: A barge unloading terminal comprises a floating dock having platforms and a trough therebetween, a carrier in the nature of a plurality of rings is positioned within the trough, a barge is secured within the carrier, both the carrier and barge are adapted to ride upwardly along a ramp on one side of the trough, a plurality of hoppers in the one of the platforms, an A-frame on the platforms spanning the trough, and cables attached to the carrier at their ends and to a power source at their opposite ends whereby operation of the power source causes the carrier and barge to rise out of the trough and water and roll upwardly along the ramp to a point where the contents of the barge are discharged into the hoppers.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for elevating a mobile workover rig to an elevated operating position proximate wellhead. It includes a portable platform arranged for positioning proximate the wellhead with the platform having a fixed generally horizontal upper surface portion for receiving and supporting the wheels of the rig thereon. It also includes ram means comprising two longitudinally aligned portions connected to the platform for forming an inclined ramp extending from the upper surface of the platform to the ground for moving the rig thereonto. It also includes means connected to the ramp means for raising at least one of the portions of the rig to an elevated generally horizontal position substantially the same height as the upper surface of the platform while wheels of the rig are supported thereon to thereby elevate and support the rig in the elevated operating position.

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.