Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously placing and rearranging a plurality of unbound folded laundry articles in an ordered queue for ordered packing in a container are described. The system includes a plurality of tiered platforms configured to receive thereon folded laundry articles, the platforms comprising at least one placer conveyor configured to load the articles in an order into a container. At least two cantilevering, bi-directional conveyors transit along opposite sides of the platforms configured to place, retrieve and stack folded laundry articles on the plurality of tiered platforms and the placer conveyor. At least one controller is in operable communication with drives and sensors of the system, a memory, and a communication network, the at least one controller being configured to instruct the bi-directional conveyors to deposit, retrieve, and stack together the folded laundry articles on the placer conveyor.

Abstract: Systems for autonomously batching a plurality of separated laundry articles into sorted loads for washing and drying are described. For example, each one of a plurality of collection bins is configured to receive a sorted load of separated articles including at least one common one of one or more washing and drying characteristics. A plurality of conveyors are configured to receive thereon the bins and position one bin into a loading position adjacent to an exit orifice of a sorting surface. At least one sensor disposed at least one of on, adjacent to, and within the surface is configured to detect the washing and drying characteristics. A controller in operable communication with a drive of the plurality of conveyors and the at least one sensor is configured to instruct the conveyors to move the bins to batch each separated laundry article into a bin matching the washing and drying characteristics.

Abstract: A system for separating and spreading apart an amassed plurality of deformable articles includes an elongated platform configured to receive thereon adjacent an inlet end the amassed plurality of deformable articles. A plurality of arms is disposed in series along the platform. Grippers of each of the plurality of arms are configured to grasp in sequence at least one of the amassed plurality of deformable articles and move the at least one article toward an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The system includes a surface adjacent the outlet end and a last arm in the series of the plurality of arms delivers a separated deformable article into a repositioning work volume above the surface adjacent the elongated platform. Two or more repositioning arms are disposed about the work volume at individually anchored positions for spreading apart and lowering onto the surface the spread apart deformable article for folding.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating a mass of clean laundry into single articles for folding and/or packing include autonomous separating device. The device includes a platform including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the platform, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the platform for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of laundry articles and passing the at least one laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes a bin, platform, conveyor and/or repositioning robot adjacent the outlet end for receiving each single article one at a time as each separate article passes beyond the outlet end.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.

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: 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: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting device includes an enclosed channel including a plurality of sequential work volumes and 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 rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of deformable dirty laundry articles and passing the at least one deformable laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes an inlet orifice for receiving the dirty laundry articles into the enclosed channel and an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel into sorting bins.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating a mass of clean laundry into single articles for folding and/or packing include autonomous separating device. The device includes a platform including a plurality of sequential work volumes and a stationary floor extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the platform, a plurality of arms disposed in series along the platform for rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of laundry articles and passing the at least one laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes a bin, platform, conveyor and/or repositioning robot adjacent the outlet end for receiving each single article one at a time as each separate article passes beyond the outlet end.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously sorting dirty laundry articles into batched loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting device includes an enclosed channel including a plurality of sequential work volumes and 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 rotating, tilting, extending, and retracting a terminal gripper of each arm into an associated work volume for grabbing at least one of a plurality of deformable dirty laundry articles and passing the at least one deformable laundry article to an adjacent work volume for grasping and hoisting by an adjacent arm. The device includes an inlet orifice for receiving the dirty laundry articles into the enclosed channel and an outlet orifice adjacent the outlet end through which each separated deformable article exits the enclosed channel into sorting bins.