GB884291A - Improvements relating to fabric feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

884,291. Ironing-machines. GILBERT & KELLETT Ltd. June 20, 1958 [March 20, 1957], No. 9162/57. Class 138 (2). A sheet-feeding apparatus for laundry machines has a swinging clamp bar 6 with a series of clamping grips 20 for holding the edge of a sheet 24, the bar being suspended by arms 8 to swing about a shaft 10 between a first edge clamping position (Fig. 1) and a second position (Fig. 2) where the sheet edge is automatically released on to an endless moving band 28 while the bulk of the sheet contained in a trough 26 is at the same time deflected between the oppositely rotating rollers 42 and 44 by the automatic tilting of trough 26. The driven shaft 18 effects the movement of clamp bar 6 while the tilting of trough 26 is controlled by cam 38 driven through a linkage 40. In the second position (Fig. 2) the clamps 20 are opened by a roller (not shown) and a series of rubber rollers 32 pivotally connected at 34 hold the sheet in contact with the endless band 28 while helical brushes on the rollers 42 and 44 brush the sheet from the centre outwards to remove creases as it passes through the rollers. A feeder 48 engaged by the sheet edge as the clamp bar moves towards the second position, operates a micro-switch 50 and energizes a solenoid which disengages the clutch member from the drive of shaft 18 and cam 38 to prevent further movement of the clamp bar and trough. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes over feeler 48, the micro-switch is reversed, the clutch is re-engaged in the drive and the clamp bar and trough return to the first position for re-feeding. The clamp bar may be a single bar the width of the machine or it may be divided into several sections each with its own clutch and feeler so that several sheets may be fed together.