Abstract: Autonomously operated systems and methods of packing unbound folded laundry articles are described. A system of stacking a plurality of folded laundry articles onto a receiving surface includes two or more side-by-side parallel extendable surfaces configured to extend at least one of independently and simultaneously, at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more folded laundry articles on at least one of the surfaces, and a controller in operative communication with at least one drive of the two or more surfaces and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to extend a loading end of at least one of the surfaces out upon receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, and retract the loading end to deposit the one or more folded laundry articles atop at least one of the receiving surface and one or more previously deposited folded laundry articles.

Abstract: An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.

Abstract: An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing folded laundry articles into a container are described. A packing system includes a refillable cartridge, a queue conveyor having one or more folded laundry articles and stacks of folded laundry articles disposed thereon, at least one retractable conveyor loading end between the refillable cartridge and the queue conveyor for loading the folded laundry articles into the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter for selectively raising and lowering the into and out of the container, and a controller in operative configuration with processors and drives of all of the foregoing and one or more sensors detecting a fill height of the refillable cartridge. The refillable cartridge includes a removable receiving surface that moves from a closed position to an open position during loading of the folded laundry by the retractable conveyor and unloading of the folded laundry into the container.

Abstract: An autonomous system for washing and drying household laundry includes a plurality of autonomous combination washer and dryers each including a perforated drum disposed within a tub mated thereto at a drive end opposite an opening. A first air orifice is disposed through the tub. A detachable door includes a second air orifice configured to receive an air conduit such that air flows through the first and second air orifices during a drying cycle while the door seals the opening. A controller is configured to instruct a drive motor to spin the drum about a spin axis extending between the drive end and the opening. A driven carrier in operable communication with the controller slides along a raised rail disposed adjacent the plurality autonomous combination washer and dryers and retrieves, holds, and reseats a door in an opening of one of the plurality of autonomous combination washer and dryers.

Abstract: An autonomously actuated washing and drying device includes a rigid frame configured to pivot about a pivot shaft, a combined washing and drying tub and drum assembly suspended within the frame, and a controller in operable communication with a pivot motor for rotating the pivot shaft and a drive motor for spinning the drum. The pivot shaft is configured to rotate the frame from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation. The controller is configured to instruct the pivot motor to rotate the frame to the upright orientation for receiving at least one deformable article into an opening of the drum, and rotate the frame to a wash orientation between the upright orientation and inverted orientation. The controller is configured to execute a washing and drying routine based on parameters including instructing the drive motor to spin the drum about a drive axis at the wash orientation.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing folded laundry articles into a container are described. A packing system includes a refillable cartridge, a queue conveyor having one or more folded laundry articles and stacks of folded laundry articles disposed thereon, at least one retractable conveyor loading end between the refillable cartridge and the queue conveyor for loading the folded laundry articles into the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter for selectively raising and lowering the into and out of the container, and a controller in operative configuration with processors and drives of all of the foregoing and one or more sensors detecting a fill height of the refillable cartridge. The refillable cartridge includes a removable receiving surface that moves from a closed position to an open position during loading of the folded laundry by the retractable conveyor and unloading of the folded laundry into the container.

Abstract: An autonomously actuated washing and drying device includes a rigid frame configured to pivot about a pivot shaft, a combined washing and drying tub and drum assembly suspended within the frame, and a controller in operable communication with a pivot motor for rotating the pivot shaft and a drive motor for spinning the drum. The pivot shaft is configured to rotate the frame from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation. The controller is configured to instruct the pivot motor to rotate the frame to the upright orientation for receiving at least one deformable article into an opening of the drum, and rotate the frame to a wash orientation between the upright orientation and inverted orientation. The controller is configured to execute a washing and drying routine based on parameters including instructing the drive motor to spin the drum about a drive axis at the wash orientation.