Abstract: Gaps between articles of laundry being passed between two automated laundry processing stations are reduced. By sensing a gap and accelerating an upstream conveyor, gaps between articles of laundry passed between stations are reduced. A reduction in gaps provides for more efficient and quicker processing of articles of laundry.

Abstract: Method and plant for processing in the form of washing and/or ironing of substantially flat items (4), such as textiles and the like, which individually can be fed continuously and successively into a processing plant. The processing plant contains fixed as well as movable, tubular parts (12, 13, 14, 15), where the process or the processes take place in a forwardly-progressing movement by means of a holding arrangement (6) with a holding device (7) for the securing and stretching-out of one or more items (4), the holding arrangement (6) securing the item (4) or the items (4) from the feeding-in part (1) in the process, through washing and/or ironing parts until the processes are concluded. A plant for the execution of the method was the fixed and the movable parts which form part of the processing part of the plant consisting of a number of tubular elements (12, 13, 14, 15) which are disposed in a substantially horizontal manner and transversely to the processing direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transfer device between a conveyor supplying articles and a second conveyor whereon the articles are spread out, the transfer means including, between the supply conveyor and the second conveyor, a vertical passage wherein each article is successively brought in vertical position and clamps, and means for gripping the article including a slider provided with suction means. The device includes, opposite the means gripping the article, a fixed stop located on a same side of the vertical plane of the article as the supply conveyor, and against which the gripping means are urged to be supported during the phases opening of the clamps and transferring the upper end of the article onto the gripping means.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods spread a towel from a load of towels. The towels are rectangular, such as hand, wash or beach towels. A trailing corner is first identified to isolate one short edge from another short edge. The entire towel is then transported from one side of a center line of a conveyor to another side. Once on the other side, an end of the towel is brought into contact with a moving belt. The moving belt tensions the towel by causing friction downwards or away from the direction the towel is being moved. The clamped corner is moved back to the other side of the center line and released on the conveyor. A pinch belt, such as a pinch belt on one side of the conveyor, conveys one end of the towel in a bunch. The conveyor conveys one portion of the towel while the pinch belt conveys the bunched portion. The conveyor conveys the towel off the end of the conveyor until a trailing corner is detected. A pinch roller is then placed against the conveyor to clamp the trailing corner.

Abstract: A towel spreader is provided. A trailing corner is clamped to isolate an edge of a towel where the edge is either along a fold in a towel or along an outer extremity of the towel. The towel is then flattened in a single or two layers using motion and gravity while being held along the identified edge. The same or a different trailing corner is then rotated such that a back outer extremity edge of the towel is perpendicular with a direction of movement of a conveyor. By clamping the back edge while continuing to move a downstream conveyor and blow air on the towel, the towel is flattened out. The spread towel is then passed downstream for further processing, such as folding.

Abstract: Gaps between articles of laundry being passed between two automated laundry processing stations are reduced. By sensing a gap and accelerating an upstream conveyor, gaps between articles of laundry passed between stations are reduced. A reduction in gaps provides for more efficient and quicker processing of articles of laundry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for unfolding and feeding substantially rectangular pieces of laundry (2) into a cloth treatment apparatus, such as a rotary ironer the apparatus including a conveyor (11) over which the piece of laundry (2) is positioned unfolded, hanging substantially freely and folded with a first part of the piece of laundry hanging down on the one side of the conveyor and the other part on the other side, and wherein the apparatus further includes two opposed transport faces (5, 6) in abutment with each other, a device for forming a fold on one of the substantially freely suspended portions of the piece of laundry, and a device for introducing the fold thus formed on the piece of laundry (2) between the two opposed transport faces (5, 6), the transport faces (5, 6) being in abutment with each other and configured such that the piece of laundry (2) is pulled off by the conveyor (11) with its fold first and subsequently transferred to the subjacent transport face (6).

Abstract: Cleaning of dirty rectangular sheets of fabric must proceed through such steps as laundering, dewatering, drying, spreading, and ironing. At present, the spreading step remains yet to be automated and, therefore, must be manually carried out. Several methods and apparatuses are disclosed which enable a rectangular sheet of fabric to be spread by gripping the rectangular sheet of fabric at one corner thereof and another corner diagonals to the one corner and suspending the rectangular sheet of fabric in the shape of an inverted triangle and, after the edge of the rectangular sheet of fabric is deprived of a twist and is consequently straightened, gripping the rectangular sheet of fabric at an arbitrary corner and a point terminating an arbitrary width of an edge extended from the arbitrary corner and spreading the rectangular sheet of fabric by means of the grips. The methods and apparatuses enable the spreading step to be automated.

Abstract: A feed basket assembly is mounted to the loading end of commercial laundry spreader/feeder machine to facilitate the feeding of small articles such as pillowcases and napkins. The assembly includes a feed basket, a drawer slide, slide brackets for mounting the drawer slide to the spreader/feeder machine and means for moving the assembly from a stored position to an operational position and back. When not in use, the feed basket is stored in a first position, beneath the main feed of the commercial laundry machine, out of the way of the machine's operator. In use, the feed basket may be situated in a second position, contiguous with the main feed of the commercial laundry machine.

Abstract: A feed basket assembly is mounted to the loading end of commercial laundry spreader/feeder machine to facilitate the feeding of small articles such as pillowcases and napkins. The assembly includes a feed basket, a drawer slide, slide brackets for mounting the drawer slide to the spreader/feeder machine and means for moving the assembly from a stored position to an operational position and back. When not in use, the feed basket is stored in a first position, beneath the main feed of the commercial laundry machine, out of the way of the machine's operator. In use, the feed basket may be situated in a second position, contiguous with the main feed of the commercial laundry machine.

Abstract: A method of aligning a portion of textile fabric, whereby at least two movable gripping elements of a display device are brought alongside one another into contact with and fastened to a front edge of the portion of fabric and the gripping elements are moved substantially parallel to the surface of a display surface until the portion of fabric is laid out with one side flat on the display surface. In this case, the feed rate of the independently controllable gripping elements (2a, 2b) is so selected that the alignment of the portion of fabric (4) is variable by a feed difference (d, v) between the gripping elements (2a, 2b).

Abstract: A method for spreading a laundered rectangular cloth including picking up a portion of the cloth so that the cloth is suspended from the picked portion, and trailing the cloth on a support to position one corner portion, being the trailing end of the cloth, at a predetermined location on the support. After the corner portion has been gripped, the cloth is supported horizontally. The cloth is regripped at two, horizontally spaced apart positions transferred to a conveyor so that a length of one edge of the cloth is straightened and positioned in the downstream end of the conveyor. The straightened edge is grasped and displaced toward a horizontal support bar extending in a direction parallel with the displacing direction to hang the cloth thereon with the opposing short edges being straightened. One of the straightened short edges is fixed to suspend the cloth therefrom in a spread state.

Abstract: The fungistatic/antibacterial treatment method for sewed goods like clothes according to the present invention is characterized by the steps of permeating the fungistatic/antibacterial chemicals into a variety of sewed goods like clothes after sewed, to be adsorbed thereby, followed by draining, and then drying by heating them with hot air in the state of being hung from hangers. Thus since the sewed goods to which the fungistatic/antibacterial chemicals have been applied are dried in the state of being hung from hangers, positive fixed adsorption of the fungistatic/antibacterial chemicals can be made, foreclosing uneven permeation of the fungistatic/antibacterial chemicals, which is usually unavoidably brought about by their contact with other objects, whereby highly wash resistant fungistatic/antibacterial treatment has been realized.

Abstract: The invention provides a sewing machine with uncurling device comprising a separating plate and a suction tube, the separating plate is placed in front of the needle drop point and it separates upper and lower fabrics fed to a needle drop point with their respective edge hems overlapped, and the suction tube has an air-intake with its size covering across upper and lower surfaces of the separating plate and it straightens curls at separated edge hems of the both fabrics by air flow sucked into the suction tube through the air-intake. As the overlapped edge hems of the both fabrics are fed into the needle drop point, the curls at the edge hems are reliably straightened regardless of the shape thereof. Therefore, it eliminates troublesome manual labor for straightening the curls before feeding of the fabrics.

Abstract: A laundry feeder method and apparatus for feeding laundry articles to a spreader apparatus is provided. The feeder allows large king size sheets, as well as other sized laundry articles, to be conveniently readied for spreading by a user. A fixed target is provided on the feeder. The user merely drapes a portion of the laundry article over the fixed target or inserts an edge of the article into a moveable clamp. The moveable clamp then moves along a track to the fixed target for clamping the laundry article. The clamp is then moved away from the fixed target, pulling the laundry article to the spreader, such as the spreader disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,627. Multiple fixed targets and associated moveable clamps may be provided to increase the throughput.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of advancing substantially rectangular pieces of cloth to a cloth treatment apparatus, such as a rotary ironer, whereby the piece of cloth is initially spread out and advanced in its spread-out state and at a given rate of conveyance between a subjacent conveyor and a superjacent conveyor that abut on the subjacent conveyor; and whereby folded edges, if any, on the frontmost and/or the rearmost border(s) of the piece of cloth, seen in the direction of conveyance of the subjacent conveyor, are completely or partially straightened in the plane of the piece of cloth prior to the piece of cloth entering said cloth treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Folding device for folding flat pieces of laundry like sheets in longitudinal direction, with a basis conveyor, a folding runner and a side conveyor lying higher alongside the folding runner wherein under the side conveyor an air chamber is situated to blow air both upwards and sidewards in order to lift a side portion of a piece of laundry and then transversely fold it over the folding runner.

Abstract: On leaving a dry pressing or ironing machine, each piece of linen or washing is folded on a folding arm performing a reciprocating movement. The folding arm then bears on an entrance end of a conveyor (28), which is then driven (F2), so as to move the folded piece of linen towards a recovery tank. A freewheel mechanism (52) is simultaneously brought into a disengaged state, which has the effect of lowering a pressing roller (40) and rotating the latter by means of a belt (62). Driving the conveyor (28) in the reverse direction (F3) then brings the pressing roller (40) into the raised position, by means of the freewheel (52), a crank (54) and a rod (56).

Abstract: A laundry item is seized by an inner, first clamp (14) and an outer second clamp (14') of a clamp pair (13a, 13b) of a spreading-out device (12) and is spread out by displacing the first clamp (14) by means of a belt (15a, 15b) until the second clamp (14') is drawn out of its initial position, which is detected by a position sensor (19a, 19b). After the displacement speed has been reduced and the second clamp (14') has caught up slightly, with the result that the leading edge of the laundry item is relieved of tensioning to some extent, the second clamp (14') is coupled to the belt (15a, 15b). When the first clamp reaches a synchronization sensor (20a, 20b) which is offset with respect to the position sensor (19a, 19b), the width of the laundry item is determined from the difference between the clamp positions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for feeding substantially rectangular laundry articles to a laundry processing apparatus, such as an ironing roller, comprising alignment of the laundry article to a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of feed of the laundry article on a conveyor face on which the laundry article is conveyed with the rear edge stretched, seen with respect to the direction of feed, as well as lateral displacement of the laundry article on the conveyor face to a desired position transversely to the direction of feed, said lateral displacement being performed after the laundry article has been aligned. This provides a more precise positioning of the laundry article.

Abstract: A device for inserting laundry articles into a feeder, comprising a conveyor which is adapted to first grip a stretched portion of a front edge on the laundry article and then to convey the laundry article into the feeder with the front edge foremost in the direction of feed, an underlying horn being positioned in front of the conveyor with respect to the direction of feed such that the laundry article is pulled across the horn, an overlying horn being provided between the conveyor and the underlying horn such that the laundry article during the insertion is pulled below the overlying horn in engagement with it. This ensures effective smoothing-out of any creases on the laundry article before it is inserted into the feeder.

Abstract: A device for inserting substantially rectangular laundry articles into a feeder, comprising a conveyor which is adapted first to grip a stretched portion of a front edge on the laundry article and then to convey the laundry article into the feeder with the front edge foremost in the direction of feed, two spreader roller members and a device in front of the conveyor, seen in the direction of feed, to cause the laundry article to frictionally contact each of the spreader roller members in such a manner that the laundry article is guided to the right or to the left with respect to the direction of feed a suitable control system adapted for the purpose. The device for achieving frictional contact between the spreader roller members and the laundry article includes perforation in the surfaces of the spreader roller members and the generation of a negative pressure in the spreader roller members so that the laundry article is sucked into engagement with these.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring a limp workpiece from a first conveyor traveling at a first speed to a second conveyor traveling at a second speed different from the first speed or running at the same speed, includes a sensor for initially sensing a leading edge of the workpiece and a controller for controlling inhibiting of the workpiece a predetermined time after detecting the leading edge of the workpiece. Further, the transfer mechanism includes a suction device for supplying air flow to create a pressure differential and transfer the sensed leading edge of the workpiece from the first conveyor to a transfer mechanism, with the transfer mechanism traveling at the second speed. The transfer mechanism thereafter conveys at least the leading edge of the limp workpiece to the second conveyer and clamps the leading edge of the limp workpiece between both the transfer mechanism and the second conveyor.

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 method and an apparatus for feeding substantially rectangular laundry articles to a laundry processing apparatus, such as an ironing roller, comprising alignment of the rear edge on the laundry article to a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of feed on a conveyor face, on which the laundry article is conveyed with the rear edge stretched, the position of the rear edge with respect to the conveyor face being detected at a plurality of locations on the rear edge transversely to the direction of feed, following which the rear edge is braked locally with respect to the conveyor face as it passes a straight line having the predetermined angle with respect to the direction of feed. This ensures that the alignment of the laundry article in the feeder can take place during the continued feeding of the laundry article on the conveyor face, thereby reducing the throughput time for a laundry article in the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with fabric measuring and cutting machines for the purpose of assuring that tubular fabric that is drawn from storage is forced into an essentially flat, wrinkle free form prior to its entry into the measuring and cutting machine. The apparatus consists of a rectangular frame which is adjustable in width and is required to sit in a clamped position atop the feed rollers of the measuring and cutting machine so that the tubular fabric in forced over the device just prior to its being pulled into the cutting and measuring device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transferring a flatwork article. A transfer mechanism grips a leading edge portion of the article between leading corner portions thereof and moves the article from a loading station to a pickup station. A positioning device locates a trailing edge portion of the article at the pickup station for engagement with a moving mechanism. A moving mechanism picks up the trailing edge portion of the article at the pickup station and moves the article to a desired location.

Abstract: A depositing apparatus for depositing a piece of laundry including an endless conveyer belt upon which the laundry is spread and stretched. The conveyer belt can supply the deposited laundry to an apparatus placed downstream of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt comprises a number of air passage openings, and a suction which is positioned below the upper surface of the conveyor belt. The suction sucks in air through the upper surface of the conveyor belt in order to suck the piece of laundry against the conveyor belt. The suction comprises at least one chamber-like space having an open upper side and a discharge side. At least two facing sides of the chamber-like space define a venturi.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading, transferring, and spreading a sheet of laundry onto a conveyor. One aspect of the invention is to provide a clamp which has a pivot arm adapted to releasably grip a top corner portion of the sheet. The pivot arm is movable between a forwardly extending first position in which the corner portion of the sheet is gripped and a second position closer to the conveyor than the first position. A spreader mechanism spreads apart the top corner portion of the sheet and an opposite top corner portion of the sheet. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a pair of such clamps each having a pivot arm adapted to releasably grip a corresponding top corner portion of the sheet. The clamps are moved laterally apart to spread the sheet and returned to the receiving position after the pivot arms release the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and passing through pieces of laundry, a piece of laundry being rectangular and comprising a leading edge, a rear edge and two lateral edges, the apparatus comprising a frame and or intake device on the frame for engaging a sole corner portion of the leading edge of the piece of laundry which is fed by hand, and a conveyor arranged downstream of the intake means for clamping and conveying the corner portion and the lateral edge portion following the corner portion in a smooth and straightened out condition, independent of the other lateral edge.

Abstract: A fabric panel loader for automatically feeding a fabric panel from a stack of fabric pieces to a work station. The apparatus includes a fabric pickup assembly for removing the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces and transferring the panel to a smoothing table. The smoothing table receives the fabric panel and automatically moves the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces to a predetermined orientation. A panel loader removes the fabric panel from the table and transfers the panel to the work station.

Abstract: In a cloth piece spreading apparatus which carries out a process in which, after a corner C.sub.1 of a rectangular cloth piece 15 and a position Ya on the side of the cloth piece which includes this corner C.sub.1 are gripped by a movable gripper 16 to which there are attached two clips 17, and the cloth piece 15 is suspended naturally, the cloth piece 15 is pulled by the gripper 16 and is moved horizontally to the upper surface of a bench 35, which consists of a belt conveyor and the like, while undergoing contact resistance with a convex shaped front edge portion 36 of the bench 35, and is then pulled up onto the bench 35, there is provided a suction duct 47 having numerous suction holes 48 in the half the surface of the cloth edge side of the cloth pulling path on bench 35.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding flatwork to a laundry processing unit, for instance an ironing roller. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt at its front end and a spreading arrangement including a rail having a pair of carriages movable transversely to a longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The apparatus includes operator-activated insertion devices placed on the side of the rail opposite the belt. The carriages include drives for moving the carriages away from each other and clamps positioned symmetrically with respect to a middle of the belt. The insertion devices include elevators in which the article is inserted in a pair or clamps on a slide, movable along the rail. The flatwork articles are transferred from the spreading arrangement to the ironer by inserting the corners in the elevator clamps and transferring these to the carriage clamps which spread the flatwork and transfer this to the belt and into the ironer.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding flatwork articles to a laundry processing unit, comprising a conveyor belt, at the front end of which flatwork articles can be transferred from a spreading arrangement comprising a pair of carriages running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, each carriage being provided with a releasable clamp, into which a corner of a flatwork article is inserted, the pair of carriages provided with drives to move the carriages away from each other from a point opposite to the middle of the front end of the conveyor belt to an extended position, in which the upper edge of the flatwork article is spread out, transfer apparatus for the flatwork article to the front end of the conveyor belt, including a pair of rollers, one of which is movable from a retracted position under the upper roller of the conveyor belt and from an advanced position preferably in contact with the spread flatwork article at a short distance from its spread leading edge, and in which the other roller

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading rectangular cloth including a suction duct having many holes on the half surface on the cloth edge side on the cloth running surface of the mounting stand, comprises belt moving/stopping units which are arranged on the mounting stand and each of which comprises a unit base on a fixed member above the mounting stand, an operating lever rotating around the fixed shaft of the unit base, a brake roller which is mounted to the operating lever and simultaneously drives and stops a single or plural conveyor belts, an air actuator for operating the operating lever, and a sensor for detecting the side edge of the cloth drawn at right angles to the conveyor running direction; and a control circuit which issues a command to the air actuator based on the cloth detection signal generated by the sensor for each of the belt moving/stopping unit; and the apparatus additionally have a cloth position control function to stop a single or plural conveyors by applying brake upon receipt of the cloth pas

Abstract: In a conveyor for carrying linens having processes of gripping any corner and one place on a side including the corner of a rectangular cloth (sheet 1) with clips 45 installed on a movable clamp 35; naturally hanging the cloth by raising with a clamp transfer conveyor; moving the cloth onto the top surface of a table composed of a flat belt conveyor 77 or the like by using the clamp 35; and pulling the cloth onto the table, the conveyor for carrying linens includes a drive section comprising: a clamp body 36; two pairs of wheels 39 supported by shafts fixed to the clamp body 36; a toothed block 37 which has a plurality of tooth-shaped protrusions engaging with a toothed belt 34 for driving the clamp and is installed straddling over the clamp body 36 by a pin 40 inserted into an elongated hole so that it can be moved downward by the height of the tooth-shaped protrusion; and a compression spring 41 which is energized so as to push the toothed block 37 in the engaging direction, and is engaged between the clamp

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sheet spreader for a sheet feeder apparatus comprising at least one pair of sheet clamps, a guideway extending along an entry to a sheet feeder, clamps mounted on the guideway for movement along the entry to the sheet feeder and a plurality of sheet loading stations located at fixed positions opposite the guideway. Each loading station has a sheet clipping system to receive and support a pair of corners of a sheet and for effecting transfer of the sheet corners from the clipping system to the pair of sheet clamps on the guideway when the clamps are located in a transfer position adjacent the loading station. The sheet clamps of each pair move independently of one other, first together in a transfer position at a respective loading station and then apart to spread the sheet received at a loading station for entry to the sheet feeder.

Abstract: A belt transport system for conveying thin sheet material, in which the sheet material is engaged by one side of a conveyor belt and one side of at least one baffle plate and conveyed in a clamped state through a clamping area. The system includes smoothing elements having smoothing surfaces disposed on the opposite side of the belt from the sheet side, the smoothing elements being disposed in such a way that bent parts or dog-ears of the sheet material protruding beyond the conveyor belt to its opposite side run into the smoothing element during transport and are thereby urged away from the clamping area of the belt.

Abstract: A device for straightening one edge DA of the four side edges AB, BC, CD and DA of a flexible sheet such as a crumpled bed sheet disclosed. One corner A of the sheet and a portion of the edge AB are held by a pair of laterally spaced apart, left and right holders mounted on a movable member so that the sheet is displaced on an elongated plate along the longitudinal direction thereof by the movement of the movable member. One or more laterally extending endless conveyers belts are provided on the plate to laterally move the sheet on the plate. A detector is provided to determine the direction of the movement of each of the conveyors, so that the edge DA is made in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the plate.

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 and a machine for automatically handling a flat rectangular sheet, located in a bin, which ultimately grasps two adjacent corners, allowing the rest of the sheet to hang freely, making the sheets ready to be dried, pressed and folded. First, the sheet is grasped in an arbitrary location and dragged until the farthest corner is found. Second, this corner is grasped by a gripper, which is attached to a rail, allowing the sheet to be dragged and shaken until the diagonal corner is located. Third, this diagonal corner is grasped by a second gripper. Fourth, the two remaining corners are separated through the use of a separation guide. Fifth, one of these remaining corners is grasped by a third gripper. Sixth, the first gripper is released. Finally, the sheet is moved, through the use of the second and third gripper attached to independent rails which finally become parallel, to a location where the sheet can hang freely from the two grippers attached to adjacent corners.

Abstract: A device for taking trousers off a double-leg ironing machine having an ironing board receiving the trouser legs in spread position, a gripper mounted for motion along the ironing board including two clamping plates arranged in the transverse direction of the ironing board at least one of which is mounted for vertical motion and can be lowered to the surface of the ironing board. The gripper grips, raises and transports one trouser leg along the longitudinal axis of the board and releases it at the end of the other trouser leg. This positions the ends of the trouser legs together so that they can be gripped manually or mechanically and held by a clamping hanger for further transport. A transport system is provided.

Abstract: A fluid-operated stabilizing apparatus receives an article having loose, wrinkled overlapping surfaces and by use of fluid flow control devices directs flows of fluid to the overlapping surfaces to fluidly shake the surfaces to smooth out wrinkles and any folded portions thereof, and then to align and hold the surfaces for subsequent treatment, such as bonding together. A method is also provided for smoothing and aligning the overlapping surfaces for subsequent treatment.

Abstract: A laundry article handling apparatus comprises at least one article clamp having a fluid pressure operated for closing a clamp to hold an article therein, a system for moving the clamp between an article receiving an article release position, a source of pneumatic pressure having an outlet disposed at the article receiving position, the fluid pressure operated system having an inlet configured to connect to and disconnect from the outlet to be charged therefrom when so connected thereto, and further having a valving system which will retain the pneumatic pressure supplied thereto after disconnection from the outlet. The valve release system is arranged to release pneumatic pressure from the system at the release position to allow the article to be released from the clamp.

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: A feed system for conveying and spreading laundry articles on a conveyor has an air-permeable conveyor having a feed end upon which leading portions of an article are placed for conveyance therefrom. Varying portions of the article to be so emplaced are supported by a feed support element spaced at a distance from the feed end of the conveyor to provide a gap therebetween. A suction duct located generally below the feed end of the conveyor and the feed support element causes air to flow through the feed end of the conveyor to adhere the leading part of the article to the conveyor, and through the space between the feed end of the conveyor and the support element to draw the trailing portion of the article down into a suction duct to stream the article therein by air flow on both sides. An enclosure surrounding the feed end of the conveyor and has a moveable closure member sealing the entrance thereto.

Abstract: A spreader feeder apparatus for laundry flatwork pieces, such as bed sheets. The apparatus has a hanger for releasably gripping the opposite top corners of the flatwork piece and carrying the suspended flatwork piece away from the entry side of the apparatus and toward its exit side. The opposite side edges of the suspended flatwork piece are engaged by upper and lower sets of spreader belts, which spread it laterally in opposite directions. The upper sets of spreader belts release the flatwork piece after it has been spread, and pusher mechanisms push it onto a horizontal conveyor, which carries it toward the exit side of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a conveyor for continuously conveying linens or like materials one by one as gripped at a plurality of points by chucks moving along a rail, a first sensor for detecting passage of the chuck is disposed at a predetermined position along the rail, and two or more second sensors for detecting existence of a linen are disposed at two or more predetermined positions. Means is provided for expanding a distance between adjacent chucks being moved continuously in the proximity of the first sensor. In response to detection signals issued from the sensors, the condition of the chucks gripping the linens can be recognized whether a given chuck is gripping a front corner, a rear corner or a middle point on an upper edge of a linen, it is gripping only one point of a linen, or it is gripping nothing (that is, idle).

Abstract: A laundry feeding machine features a conveyor moving through a suction induction tunnel. Articles are held at their upper edges by an automatically releasing clamp to hang in front of the induction tunnel. Upon release of the clamp, a valving system is immediately actuated to apply suction to suck the article in to lie flat on the conveyor to be transported thereby. In one version of the invention, a nip roller based at the outlet of the system engages the leading edge of each article as it passes through, whereupon the valving system is actuated to suck the remainder of the article into a suction chamber having a smoothing blade at the entrance port thereof, so that as the article is drawn out of the suction chamber by the nip roller, a smoothing action occurs. A system of computer-controlled valve actuators responsive to properly laced photosensors governs all valving operations automatically.

Abstract: A machine for inserting and taking up long and flat textile pieces into and from a drying and ironing machine comprises an oscillating outfit provided with a longitudinal beam, a slide fixed to this beam, two rolling pieces rolling in opposite directions and maintained in the slide, and two movable and symmetrically shaped carriages. Each of these carriages comprises a U-shaped rigid frame with opposed cheeks. One carriage bears a gripper for the prehension of the textile piece, and one of the two carriages is provided with an operating handle which bears a block which comes into friction contact against the edge of the longitudinal beam in order to maintain the front edge of the textile piece longitudinally tensioned.