WO2017060226A1 - A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth - Google Patents

A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017060226A1
WO2017060226A1 PCT/EP2016/073645 EP2016073645W WO2017060226A1 WO 2017060226 A1 WO2017060226 A1 WO 2017060226A1 EP 2016073645 W EP2016073645 W EP 2016073645W WO 2017060226 A1 WO2017060226 A1 WO 2017060226A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cloth
detectors
groups
rollers
detector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2016/073645
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kim Cordua
Torben PELLE
Original Assignee
Jensen Denmark A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jensen Denmark A/S filed Critical Jensen Denmark A/S
Priority to EP16774966.2A priority Critical patent/EP3359725B1/en
Priority to DK16774966.2T priority patent/DK3359725T3/en
Priority to ES16774966T priority patent/ES2787377T3/en
Publication of WO2017060226A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017060226A1/en

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F67/00—Details of ironing machines provided for in groups D06F61/00, D06F63/00, or D06F65/00
    • D06F67/04—Arrangements for feeding or spreading the linen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices and method suitable for reorienting/orienting laundered pieces of cloth.
  • EP 1 197594 discloses a device and method for reorienting such cloths whereby the cloth may be fed with its long edges parallel with a delivery line that may deliver this reoriented cloth to a folding machine.
  • the present inventor has found a need to provide a highly reliable process and device for properly orienting laundered cloth, such as towels or similar pieces of flat four-sided cloth, to bring parallel edges of the cloth into a de- sired angular orientation relative to a delivery line, and for subsequently aligning the reoriented cloth with a centre line the delivery line.
  • a device for reorienting/orienting laundered cloth then forwarded towards an onwards delivery line arranged in front of the device.
  • the device generally comprises a frame having opposite sides and a central portion between the opposite sides.
  • a first roller and a second roller are mounted to the frame for rotation in the forward direction and in an opposite, rearward direction about an axis extending between the sides, the rollers being configured for receiving and supporting the cloth to be reoriented in a way whereby the cloth hangs suspended from the rollers on either side thereof.
  • first drive coupled to the first roller, for selectively rotating the first roller in the forward or rearward direction
  • second drive coupled to the second roller, for selectively rotating the second roller in the forward or rearward direction
  • first sledge and a second sledge mounted to the frame at a level below the rollers, for movement along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path from a respective one of the sides towards the central portion, and vice versa.
  • the sledges have each mounted thereon a first group of detectors and a second group of detectors, the two first groups preferably being horizontally aligned with each other and the two second groups preferably also being horizontally aligned with each other, each of the first groups comprising a primary detector and each of the second groups also comprising a primary detector, arranged above and next to a secondary detector, preferably in vertical alignment therewith.
  • Each of the detectors is configured for detecting the presence of any cloth suspended from the rollers in front of each detector, and for providing a corresponding signal.
  • the two first groups of detectors are closer to the rollers than the two second groups of detectors, and the two second groups of detectors are closer to the central portion, i.e.
  • a controller is configured for moving the sledges independently of each other along the path and for acti- vating the drives for rotation of the rollers independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth in response to signals from the detectors received by the controller.
  • the exact manner by which the laundered cloth is received by the device is not of particular relevance to the invention; the rollers typically will receive the laundered cloth such that is hangs suspended from the rollers in a skewed or oblique manner requiring a reorienting such that the edges of the cloth are parallel with the downstream delivery line.
  • a horizontal alignment of the reoriented cloth with a centre line of the delivery line is carried out before the reoriented cloth is passed on to the delivery line.
  • the sledges each have mounted thereon a gripper activatable to grip an edge of said cloth, the controller being config- ured i) for activating the grippers to grip a respective one of the edges and for displacing the sledges, in response to signals from the two first groups of detectors after the reorienting indicating presence of the cloth in the vicinity of the primary detectors, and ii) for jointly moving the sledges with the cloth into a predetermined alignment with the onwards delivery line.
  • the rollers for the purpose include a plurality of air-outlets arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the cloth when said sledges move jointly.
  • a central detector is mounted at the central portion, at a level at or below the two second groups of detectors. This central detector is used for determining an initial position of the cloth wherein a portion thereof hangs suspended below the rollers on the front side thereof to a desired extent.
  • primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors.
  • a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors.
  • only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector.
  • the invention also relates to a method of operating the aforementioned device.
  • Fig. 1 a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device of the present invention
  • Fig. 1 b shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side
  • Fig. 1 c is a perspective view of exemplary machinery incorporating the de- vice of the invention, together with a delivery line,
  • Fig. 1 d shows a preferred arrangement of the detectors shown in fig. 1 b
  • Fig. 2a is a view similar to fig. 1 a, showing now a laundered cloth to be pro- Waitd
  • Fig. 2b is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the cloth being reoriented
  • Fig. 2c is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the reoriented cloth in the process of being aligned.
  • Fig. 1 a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device 1 of the present invention, which device 1 is particularly suitable for processing rectangular items of laundered cloth C, such as towels, having opposite parallel edges.
  • the device 1 generally includes a frame F having oppo- site sides 10, 15 and a central portion 20 between the opposite sides 10, 15, which central portion 20 may define a vertical line of symmetry S of the device 1 .
  • a first roller 30 and a second roller 35 are mounted to the frame F for rotation about an axis A extending between the sides 10, 15. Rotation of the rollers 30, 35 may be in the forward direction, i.e. clockwise when viewed from the side 10, and in the opposite, anti-clockwise or rearward direction.
  • the device 1 receives laundered cloth C, reorients the laundered cloth C as explained below, and delivers the cloth C thus reoriented to a delivery line 180 arranged in front of the device 1 on forward rotation of the rollers, as shown in fig. 1 c.
  • the delivery line 180 preferably comprises a conveyor belt against which the reoriented cloth C lies flatly; the conveyor belt runs partially below the device 1 to receive the reoriented cloth C dropped or passed on to the conveyor belt 180 from the device 1 .
  • the cloth C lying flatly against the conveyor belt 180 may preferably be conveyed towards a folding machinery (not shown) for folding this reoriented cloth C
  • a folding machinery not shown
  • the exact manner in which the laundered cloth C is received by the device 1 is not of particular relevance to the invention; as explained below, the rollers 30, 35 receive the laundered cloth C, and this may as shown in fig. 1 c take place by pulling the laundered cloth C sideways onto the rollers 30, 35 from one side 15 of the frame F, following which the cloth C will typically hang suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in the skewed manner shown in fig. 2a where one portion (visible in fig. 2a) of the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on the front side of the device 1 while another portion (not visible in fig. 2a) hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 to the rear side of the device 1 .
  • a first drive 3 is coupled to the first roller 30, for selectively rotating the first roller 30 in the forward or rearward direction
  • a second drive 5 is coupled to the second roller 35, for selectively rotating the second roller 35 in the forward or rearward direction, at a desired speed.
  • rollers 30, 35 having each a single cylindrical face are used; however, rollers 30, 35 comprising each several cylinders arranged axially next to each other and preferably acting jointly may also be used.
  • a first sledge 50 and a second sledge 60 are mounted to the frame F at a common level L below the two rollers 30, 35, guided for movement in a track along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path P from a respective one of the two sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, and vice versa.
  • the sledges 50, 60 each carry mounted thereon a first group 51 , 61 of detectors and a second group 55, 65 of detectors, as seen best in fig. 1 b which shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side.
  • the first group 51 fixed to the first sledge 50 and the first group 61 fixed to the second sledge 60 are preferably being horizontally aligned with each other, i.e.
  • the mounting of the detectors to the sledges 50, 60 is such that two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors are closer to the rollers 30, 35 than the two sec- ond groups 55, 65 of detectors, and the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors are closer to the central portion 20 than the two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors; as the sledges 50, 60 move along the path P the distance between the first groups 51 , 61 of detectors will vary accordingly, and likewise for the second groups 55, 65.
  • the position of the detectors is fixed relative to the sledges, as is the position of grippers also carried by the sledges and discussed further below.
  • Each of the two first groups 51 , 61 comprise one detector 53, 63 referred to in the following as a primary detector, and preferably at least one additional detector 52, 62, referred to in the following as a secondary detector, and located farther away from the central portion 20.
  • each of the second groups 55, 65 comprises a primary detector 56, 66 which in the shown embodiment is arranged above and next to a secondary detector 57, 67 of the second groups 55, 65, preferably in vertical alignment.
  • a central detector 8 is also mounted at the central portion 20, at a level at or below the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors. The arrangement of the detectors is also shown in fig. 1 d, where a total of eight detectors are used.
  • the aforementioned four primary detectors 56, 66, 53, 63 may be re- quired.
  • the aforementioned path P runs below the rollers 30, 35 and so behind the portion of the cloth C hanging suspended at the front side of the rollers 30, 35, such that the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 will be movable behind that portion cloth C as the sledges 50, 60 move.
  • Each of the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 are configured for detecting the presence of any cloth C suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in front of the respective detector 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67, and for providing a corresponding signal to a controller 2.
  • the controller 2 has software configured for moving the sledges 50, 60 independently of each other along the path P and for activating the drives 3, 5 independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth C in response to the detector signals as explained later below.
  • the detectors are photodetectors.
  • the reorienting preferably is as follows:
  • cloth C is delivered to the rollers 30, 35 such that the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on either side thereof, at a more or less random position along the axis A; at this point both sledges 50, 60 are located near the sides 10, 15 of the frame F, as shown in fig. 2a, which also shows, perhaps somehow exaggerated, the initial skewed position of the cloth C.
  • the rollers 30, 35 may then first be activated to rotate together in the forward (clockwise) direction, to lower the lowermost edge 300 of the cloth C until the aforementioned central detector 8 indicates presence of the cloth C in front thereof, at which point rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 is stopped. This is illustrated in fig. 2a where the central detector 8 is hidden behind the cloth C.
  • the controller 2 initiates movement of the first sledge 50 and the sec- ond sledge 60 along the horizontal path P from a respective one of the sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, stopping each of the sledges 50, 60 only at the instant two conditions are fulfilled, namely that the primary detector 53, 63 of each of the first groups 51 , 61 of detectors detects the cloth C and when the secondary detector 57, 67 of each of said second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects the cloth C. Normally, at this point the primary detec- tor 56, 66 of each of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors also detects the cloth C.
  • the controller 2 then initiates a rotating together of the first roller and second roller in the rearward direction until a detector, such as the secondary detec- tor 57, 67 of one of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects no presence of the cloth C, i.e. raising thereby the cloth C without performing any reorienting thereof. In fig. 2b this will most likely occur for the secondary detector 67 on the sledge 60 to the right in the drawing.
  • the controller 2 then initiates either a rotation only one of the rollers 30, 35, or of both of the rollers 30, 35 at different speeds or in different directions, whereby the lowermost corner identified by an X in fig. 2b is raised towards the position shown in fig.
  • the controller 2 then initiates a rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 together in the forward direction, at least until the lowermost edge 300 of the reoriented cloth C, still suspended from the rollers 30, 35, is caught by the transversally moving conveyor belt 180 which moves at a speed correlated with the speed of rotation of the rollers to ensure a smooth transition of the cloth C, without any stretching thereof.
  • a horizontal alignment of the cloth C with a centre line of the delivery line 180 is preferably initiated.
  • each of the sledges 50, 60 carry mounted thereon a clamp or gripper 150, 160.
  • the gripper 150, 160 has two arms (seen best in fig. 1 b) of which one becomes located in a position behind the cloth C while the other becomes located into a position in front of the cloth C, as the sledges 50, 60 move.
  • the grippers 150, 160 are activatable to grip between them a respective long edge 310, 320 of the portion of the cloth C hanging suspended in front of the rollers 30, 35, near the short edge 300, for performing an alignment of the cloth C
  • the controller 2 is configured for activating the grippers 150, 160 to grip onto the respective one of the two long edges 310, 320 of the cloth C, being vertical after the reorienting, and for displacing the sledges 50, 60, in response to signals from the two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors indicating presence of the reoriented cloth C in front of the primary detectors 53, 63 and no cloth C in front of the secondary detectors 52, 62. This detection serves to identify the location of the long edges 310, 320 in respect to
  • the controller 2 is configured for then moving the sledges 50, 60 jointly in the same direction along the respective path P, i.e. to the right or left in fig. 2c, to align the reoriented cloth C with the onwards delivery line 180, such as with a centre line thereof.
  • the controller 2 may be configured to initially move the sledges 50, 60 apart, whereby the grippers 150, 160, gripping a respective long edge 310, 320, will act to transversally stretch the cloth C in the area of the lower edge 300.
  • the rollers 30, 35 also include a plurality of air-outlets 200 arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the reoriented cloth C as the sledges 50, 60 move jointly.
  • the resulting air-pressure lifts the cloth C off the rollers 30, 35, or at least reduces friction between the cloth C and the rollers 30, 35, whereby the portion of the cloth C wound partially around the top surface of the rollers 30, 35 will move unrestricted as a whole axially along axis A, as the edges 310, 320 of the cloth C gripped by the grippers 150, 160 follow the movement of the sledges 50, 60.
  • the grippers 150, 160 are released and forward rotation of the roller 30, 35 as described above is initiated such that the cloth C is delivered to the underlying conveyor belt 180, the level L2 of the surface thereof being shown in fig. 2c.
  • primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller 2 being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors.
  • a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors.
  • a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors.
  • only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) and method for reorienting of laundered cloth (C) comprising rollers (30, 35) for receiving the laundered cloth (C) such that is hangs suspended from the rollers (30, 35) in a typically skewed or oblique manner requiring a reorienting such that the edges of the cloth (C) are parallel with a downstream delivery line (180), the device (1) further includes sledges (50,60) with detectors (51, 61, 55, 65), whereby a controller (2) is configured for moving said sledges (50,60) independently of each other along a path (P) and for activating the rollers (30, 35) for rotation independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth (C) in response to the signals from the detectors (51, 61, 55, 65) received by said controller (2).

Description

A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth
The present invention relates to devices and method suitable for reorienting/orienting laundered pieces of cloth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In laundries, rectangular cloths, such as face towels and bath towels, are washed, dewatered, dried, optionally ironed and then folded. Since the dried cloths discharged from the drying step are crumpled, it is the general practice that operators pick up the dried cloth one by one, spread the picked cloth and then place the spread cloth in position on a delivery line to feed the cloth reoriented with a desired orientation to a next station such as an ironing machine or a folding machine. Such manual operations are troublesome and require a lot of operators in order to treat a large number of cloths within a limited period of time.
EP 1 197594 discloses a device and method for reorienting such cloths whereby the cloth may be fed with its long edges parallel with a delivery line that may deliver this reoriented cloth to a folding machine.
The present inventor has found a need to provide a highly reliable process and device for properly orienting laundered cloth, such as towels or similar pieces of flat four-sided cloth, to bring parallel edges of the cloth into a de- sired angular orientation relative to a delivery line, and for subsequently aligning the reoriented cloth with a centre line the delivery line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention a device is provided for reorienting/orienting laundered cloth then forwarded towards an onwards delivery line arranged in front of the device. The device generally comprises a frame having opposite sides and a central portion between the opposite sides. A first roller and a second roller are mounted to the frame for rotation in the forward direction and in an opposite, rearward direction about an axis extending between the sides, the rollers being configured for receiving and supporting the cloth to be reoriented in a way whereby the cloth hangs suspended from the rollers on either side thereof. Also included is a first drive coupled to the first roller, for selectively rotating the first roller in the forward or rearward direction, and a second drive coupled to the second roller, for selectively rotating the second roller in the forward or rearward direction, as well as a first sledge and a second sledge mounted to the frame at a level below the rollers, for movement along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path from a respective one of the sides towards the central portion, and vice versa.
The sledges have each mounted thereon a first group of detectors and a second group of detectors, the two first groups preferably being horizontally aligned with each other and the two second groups preferably also being horizontally aligned with each other, each of the first groups comprising a primary detector and each of the second groups also comprising a primary detector, arranged above and next to a secondary detector, preferably in vertical alignment therewith. Each of the detectors is configured for detecting the presence of any cloth suspended from the rollers in front of each detector, and for providing a corresponding signal. The two first groups of detectors are closer to the rollers than the two second groups of detectors, and the two second groups of detectors are closer to the central portion, i.e. spaced less apart, than the two first groups of detectors. A controller is configured for moving the sledges independently of each other along the path and for acti- vating the drives for rotation of the rollers independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth in response to signals from the detectors received by the controller. The exact manner by which the laundered cloth is received by the device is not of particular relevance to the invention; the rollers typically will receive the laundered cloth such that is hangs suspended from the rollers in a skewed or oblique manner requiring a reorienting such that the edges of the cloth are parallel with the downstream delivery line.
Preferably, a horizontal alignment of the reoriented cloth with a centre line of the delivery line is carried out before the reoriented cloth is passed on to the delivery line. For this purpose the sledges each have mounted thereon a gripper activatable to grip an edge of said cloth, the controller being config- ured i) for activating the grippers to grip a respective one of the edges and for displacing the sledges, in response to signals from the two first groups of detectors after the reorienting indicating presence of the cloth in the vicinity of the primary detectors, and ii) for jointly moving the sledges with the cloth into a predetermined alignment with the onwards delivery line. The rollers for the purpose include a plurality of air-outlets arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the cloth when said sledges move jointly.
Preferably, a central detector is mounted at the central portion, at a level at or below the two second groups of detectors. This central detector is used for determining an initial position of the cloth wherein a portion thereof hangs suspended below the rollers on the front side thereof to a desired extent.
In one embodiment primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors. In other embodiments, which may require additional slight movements back and forth of the sledges to as- certain the presence of the edge of the cloth in the vicinity of a given detector, only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector. The invention also relates to a method of operating the aforementioned device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be explained in further details with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment thereof.
Fig. 1 a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device of the present invention,
Fig. 1 b shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side,
Fig. 1 c is a perspective view of exemplary machinery incorporating the de- vice of the invention, together with a delivery line,
Fig. 1 d shows a preferred arrangement of the detectors shown in fig. 1 b,
Fig. 2a is a view similar to fig. 1 a, showing now a laundered cloth to be pro- cessed, Fig. 2b is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the cloth being reoriented, and
Fig. 2c is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the reoriented cloth in the process of being aligned.
Fig. 1 a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device 1 of the present invention, which device 1 is particularly suitable for processing rectangular items of laundered cloth C, such as towels, having opposite parallel edges. The device 1 generally includes a frame F having oppo- site sides 10, 15 and a central portion 20 between the opposite sides 10, 15, which central portion 20 may define a vertical line of symmetry S of the device 1 . A first roller 30 and a second roller 35 are mounted to the frame F for rotation about an axis A extending between the sides 10, 15. Rotation of the rollers 30, 35 may be in the forward direction, i.e. clockwise when viewed from the side 10, and in the opposite, anti-clockwise or rearward direction. Where the terms "forward" and "rearward" are used herein this will be understood as reflecting a clockwise or anticlockwise rotation, respectively, of the rollers 30, 35, as viewed from the left hand side 10 of the device, as seen in fig. 1 a.
The device 1 receives laundered cloth C, reorients the laundered cloth C as explained below, and delivers the cloth C thus reoriented to a delivery line 180 arranged in front of the device 1 on forward rotation of the rollers, as shown in fig. 1 c. The delivery line 180 preferably comprises a conveyor belt against which the reoriented cloth C lies flatly; the conveyor belt runs partially below the device 1 to receive the reoriented cloth C dropped or passed on to the conveyor belt 180 from the device 1 . The cloth C lying flatly against the conveyor belt 180 may preferably be conveyed towards a folding machinery (not shown) for folding this reoriented cloth C The exact manner in which the laundered cloth C is received by the device 1 is not of particular relevance to the invention; as explained below, the rollers 30, 35 receive the laundered cloth C, and this may as shown in fig. 1 c take place by pulling the laundered cloth C sideways onto the rollers 30, 35 from one side 15 of the frame F, following which the cloth C will typically hang suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in the skewed manner shown in fig. 2a where one portion (visible in fig. 2a) of the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on the front side of the device 1 while another portion (not visible in fig. 2a) hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 to the rear side of the device 1 .
It will be understood that a joint forward rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 will give rise to the lower edge 300 shown in fig. 2a descending, thus decreasing the area of the cloth C hanging suspended in front of the rear side of the de- vice 1 , and vice versa. An anticlockwise (rearward) rotation of the first roller 30 shown to the left in fig. 2a, possibly combined with a clockwise (forward) rotation of the second roller 35 will, on the other hand, in accordance with the invention give rise to a reorienting of the cloth C whereby the lower edge 300 will eventually extend horizontally, with the long edges 310, 320 of the cloth being vertical. For this purpose a first drive 3 is coupled to the first roller 30, for selectively rotating the first roller 30 in the forward or rearward direction, and a second drive 5 is coupled to the second roller 35, for selectively rotating the second roller 35 in the forward or rearward direction, at a desired speed. Normally rollers 30, 35 having each a single cylindrical face are used; however, rollers 30, 35 comprising each several cylinders arranged axially next to each other and preferably acting jointly may also be used.
A first sledge 50 and a second sledge 60 are mounted to the frame F at a common level L below the two rollers 30, 35, guided for movement in a track along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path P from a respective one of the two sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, and vice versa. The sledges 50, 60 each carry mounted thereon a first group 51 , 61 of detectors and a second group 55, 65 of detectors, as seen best in fig. 1 b which shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side. The first group 51 fixed to the first sledge 50 and the first group 61 fixed to the second sledge 60 are preferably being horizontally aligned with each other, i.e. arranged symmetrically about a vertical centre line of the device 1 coincident with the central portion 20; the same applies to the two second groups 55, 65. The mounting of the detectors to the sledges 50, 60 is such that two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors are closer to the rollers 30, 35 than the two sec- ond groups 55, 65 of detectors, and the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors are closer to the central portion 20 than the two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors; as the sledges 50, 60 move along the path P the distance between the first groups 51 , 61 of detectors will vary accordingly, and likewise for the second groups 55, 65. The position of the detectors is fixed relative to the sledges, as is the position of grippers also carried by the sledges and discussed further below.
Each of the two first groups 51 , 61 comprise one detector 53, 63 referred to in the following as a primary detector, and preferably at least one additional detector 52, 62, referred to in the following as a secondary detector, and located farther away from the central portion 20. Moreover, each of the second groups 55, 65 comprises a primary detector 56, 66 which in the shown embodiment is arranged above and next to a secondary detector 57, 67 of the second groups 55, 65, preferably in vertical alignment. Preferably, a central detector 8 is also mounted at the central portion 20, at a level at or below the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors. The arrangement of the detectors is also shown in fig. 1 d, where a total of eight detectors are used. Depending on the controlling of the device 1 only the aforementioned four primary detectors 56, 66, 53, 63, positioned as shown with respect to each other, may be re- quired. The aforementioned path P runs below the rollers 30, 35 and so behind the portion of the cloth C hanging suspended at the front side of the rollers 30, 35, such that the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 will be movable behind that portion cloth C as the sledges 50, 60 move. Each of the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 are configured for detecting the presence of any cloth C suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in front of the respective detector 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67, and for providing a corresponding signal to a controller 2. The controller 2 has software configured for moving the sledges 50, 60 independently of each other along the path P and for activating the drives 3, 5 independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth C in response to the detector signals as explained later below. Preferably, the detectors are photodetectors.
The reorienting preferably is as follows:
First, cloth C is delivered to the rollers 30, 35 such that the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on either side thereof, at a more or less random position along the axis A; at this point both sledges 50, 60 are located near the sides 10, 15 of the frame F, as shown in fig. 2a, which also shows, perhaps somehow exaggerated, the initial skewed position of the cloth C. Preferably, depending on the manner the cloth C is delivered to the rollers 30, 35, the rollers 30, 35 may then first be activated to rotate together in the forward (clockwise) direction, to lower the lowermost edge 300 of the cloth C until the aforementioned central detector 8 indicates presence of the cloth C in front thereof, at which point rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 is stopped. This is illustrated in fig. 2a where the central detector 8 is hidden behind the cloth C.
Then, the controller 2 initiates movement of the first sledge 50 and the sec- ond sledge 60 along the horizontal path P from a respective one of the sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, stopping each of the sledges 50, 60 only at the instant two conditions are fulfilled, namely that the primary detector 53, 63 of each of the first groups 51 , 61 of detectors detects the cloth C and when the secondary detector 57, 67 of each of said second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects the cloth C. Normally, at this point the primary detec- tor 56, 66 of each of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors also detects the cloth C.
The controller 2 then initiates a rotating together of the first roller and second roller in the rearward direction until a detector, such as the secondary detec- tor 57, 67 of one of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects no presence of the cloth C, i.e. raising thereby the cloth C without performing any reorienting thereof. In fig. 2b this will most likely occur for the secondary detector 67 on the sledge 60 to the right in the drawing. The controller 2 then initiates either a rotation only one of the rollers 30, 35, or of both of the rollers 30, 35 at different speeds or in different directions, whereby the lowermost corner identified by an X in fig. 2b is raised towards the position shown in fig. 2c, while the horizontal position of the other corner identified by a Y may remain essentially the same. This action remains until the detector, in this embodiment secondary detector 57, of the other one of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors also detects no presence of cloth C, indicative of the aforementioned two corners X, Y being now at the same level, with the edge 300 of the cloth C being horizontal, as shown in fig. 2c. The controller 2 then initiates a rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 together in the forward direction, at least until the lowermost edge 300 of the reoriented cloth C, still suspended from the rollers 30, 35, is caught by the transversally moving conveyor belt 180 which moves at a speed correlated with the speed of rotation of the rollers to ensure a smooth transition of the cloth C, without any stretching thereof. However, before the latter action a horizontal alignment of the cloth C with a centre line of the delivery line 180, as described in the following, is preferably initiated. Preferably, located between the levels of the first 51 , 61 and second 55, 65 group of detectors, preferably vertically below the first group 51 , 61 , each of the sledges 50, 60 carry mounted thereon a clamp or gripper 150, 160. The gripper 150, 160 has two arms (seen best in fig. 1 b) of which one becomes located in a position behind the cloth C while the other becomes located into a position in front of the cloth C, as the sledges 50, 60 move. The grippers 150, 160 are activatable to grip between them a respective long edge 310, 320 of the portion of the cloth C hanging suspended in front of the rollers 30, 35, near the short edge 300, for performing an alignment of the cloth C For this purpose the controller 2 is configured for activating the grippers 150, 160 to grip onto the respective one of the two long edges 310, 320 of the cloth C, being vertical after the reorienting, and for displacing the sledges 50, 60, in response to signals from the two first groups 51 , 61 of detectors indicating presence of the reoriented cloth C in front of the primary detectors 53, 63 and no cloth C in front of the secondary detectors 52, 62. This detection serves to identify the location of the long edges 310, 320 in respect to the grippers 150, 160. The gripped cloth is shown in fig. 2c.
In addition, the controller 2 is configured for then moving the sledges 50, 60 jointly in the same direction along the respective path P, i.e. to the right or left in fig. 2c, to align the reoriented cloth C with the onwards delivery line 180, such as with a centre line thereof. The controller 2 may be configured to initially move the sledges 50, 60 apart, whereby the grippers 150, 160, gripping a respective long edge 310, 320, will act to transversally stretch the cloth C in the area of the lower edge 300. The rollers 30, 35 also include a plurality of air-outlets 200 arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the reoriented cloth C as the sledges 50, 60 move jointly. The resulting air-pressure lifts the cloth C off the rollers 30, 35, or at least reduces friction between the cloth C and the rollers 30, 35, whereby the portion of the cloth C wound partially around the top surface of the rollers 30, 35 will move unrestricted as a whole axially along axis A, as the edges 310, 320 of the cloth C gripped by the grippers 150, 160 follow the movement of the sledges 50, 60. When the sledges 50, 60 are located symmetrically in relation to the centre line of the delivery line 180 the grippers 150, 160 are released and forward rotation of the roller 30, 35 as described above is initiated such that the cloth C is delivered to the underlying conveyor belt 180, the level L2 of the surface thereof being shown in fig. 2c. In the embodiment discussed above primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller 2 being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors. In certain embodiments, which may require additional slight movements back and forth of the sledges 50, 60 to ascertain the presence of the cloth C in the vicinity of a given detector, only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector.

Claims

1 . A device (1 ) for reorienting laundered cloth (C) and for delivering said reoriented laundered cloth (C) in a forward direction towards an onwards delivery line (180) arranged in front of said device (1 ), comprising:
- a frame (F) having opposite sides (10, 15) and a central portion (20) between said opposite sides (10, 15),
- a first roller (30) and a second roller (35), mounted to said frame (F) for rotation in said forward direction and in an opposite, rearward direction about an axis (A) extending between said sides (10, 15),
- said rollers (30, 35) being configured for receiving and supporting said cloth (C) to be reoriented hanging suspended from said rollers (30, 35) on either side thereof,
- a first drive (3) coupled to said first roller (30), for selectively rotating said first roller (30) in said forward or said rearward direction,
- a second drive (5) coupled to said second roller (35), for selectively rotating said second roller (35) in said forward or said rearward direction,
- a first sledge (50) and a second sledge (60), each sledge (50, 60) being mounted to said frame (F) below said rollers (30, 35), for movement along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path (P) from a respective one of said sides (10, 15) towards said central portion (20), and vice versa,
- said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a first group (51 , 61 ) of detectors and a second group (55, 65) of detectors,
- said two first groups (51 , 61 ) preferably being horizontally aligned with each other and said two second groups (55, 65) preferably being horizontally aligned with each other, - each of said first groups (51 , 61 ) comprising a primary detector (53, 63),
- each of said second groups (55, 65) comprising a primary detector (56, 66),
- each of said detectors (53, 56, 63, 66) being for detecting the presence of any cloth (C) suspended from said rollers (30, 35) in front of said each detector (53, 56, 63, 66), and for providing a corresponding signal,
- said two first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors being closer to said rollers (30, 35) than said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors, and
- said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors each being closer to said central portion (20) than said two first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors, and
- a controller (2) configured for moving said sledges (50, 60) independently of each other along said path (P) and for activating said drives (3, 5) for rotation of said rollers (30, 35) independently of each other, to reorient said cloth (C) in response to said signals from said detectors (53, 56, 63, 66) received by said controller (2).
The device of claim 1 , each of said two second groups (55, 65) comprising said primary detector (56, 66) arranged above and next to a secondary detector (57, 67) of said second group (55, 65) for said detecting, preferably in vertical alignment therewith.
The device of claim 1 or 2,
- each of said two first groups (51 , 61 ) comprising a secondary detector (52, 62) for said detecting, arranged next to said primary detector (53, 63) of each first group (51 , 61 ), preferably in horizontal alignment therewith, said primary detector (53, 63) of each first group (51 , 61 ) being located closer to said central portion than said secondary detector (52, 62) thereof, - said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a gripper (150, 160) activatable to grip an edge (310, 320) of said cloth (C),
- said controller (2) being configured i) for activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) and for displacing said sledges (50, 60), in response to signals from said two first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors after said reorienting indicating presence of said cloth (C) in front of said primary detectors (53, 63) and no cloth (C) in front of said secondary detectors (52, 62), and ii) for jointly moving said sledges (50, 60) into a predetermined alignment of said cloth (C) with said onwards delivery line (180),
- said rollers (30, 35) further including a plurality of air-outlets (200) arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards said cloth (C) when said sledges (50, 60) move jointly.
The device of claim 1 or 2,
said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a gripper (150, 160) activatable to grip an edge (310, 320) of said cloth (C), said controller (2) being configured i) for activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) and for displacing said sledges (50, 60), in response to signals from said two first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors after said reorienting indicating presence of said cloth (C) in the vicinity of said primary detectors (53, 63), and ii) for jointly moving said sledges (50, 60) into a predetermined alignment of said cloth (C) with said onwards delivery line (180),
said rollers (30, 35) further including a plurality of air-outlets (200) arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards said cloth (C) when said sledges (50, 60) move jointly.
The device of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, comprising a central detector (8) for said detecting mounted at said central portion (20), at a level at or below said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors.
A method of reorienting cloth (C) using the device of any of the previous claims, comprising the steps of:
- delivering cloth (C) to said rollers (30, 35) such that said cloth (C) hangs suspended from said rollers (30, 35) on either side thereof,
- moving said first sledge (50) and said second sledge (60) along said horizontal path (P) from a respective one of said sides (10, 15) towards said central portion (20),
- stopping each of said sledges (50, 60) when the primary detector (53, 63) of each of said first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors has detected said cloth (C) and a detector (57, 67) of each of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors has detected said cloth (C),
- rotating said first roller and said second roller in said rearward direction until a detector (57, 67) of one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors detects no presence of said cloth (C),
- rotating only one of said rollers (30, 35), or both of said roller (30, 35) at different speeds or in different directions, until a detector (57, 67) of the other one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors also detects no presence of cloth (C), and
- rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction.
The method of claim 6, wherein each of said second groups (55, 65) comprises a primary detector (56, 66) arranged above and next to a secondary detector (57, 67), preferably in vertical alignment, comprising the steps of:
- stopping each of said sledges (50, 60) when said primary detector (53, 63) of each of said first groups (51 , 61 ) of detectors has detected said cloth (C) and said secondary detector (57, 67) of each of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors has detected said cloth (C),
- rotating said first roller and said second roller in said rearward direction until said secondary detector (57, 67) of one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors detects no presence of said cloth (C),
- rotating only one of said rollers (30, 35), or both of said roller (30, 35) at different speeds or in different directions, until the secondary detector (57, 67) of the other one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors also detects no presence of cloth (C), and
- rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction.
8. The method of claim 6 or 7, with an alignment, using the device of claim 4, comprising the step of, prior to said step of rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction,
- moving said sledges along said path (P) until said controller (2) receives signals indicating presence of said cloth (C) in the vicinity of each of said primary detectors (53, 63) of said first groups (51 , 61 ),
- then activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320),
- then discharging air from said plurality of air-outlets, and
- then activating said sledges (50, 60) to move jointly in a direction towards one of said sides (10, 15) while said grippers (150, 160) are activated.
9. The method of claim 6 or 7, with an alignment, using the device of claim 3, comprising the step of, prior to said step of rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction,
- moving said sledges along said path (P) until each primary detector (53, 63) of said first group (51 , 61 ) of detectors detects pres- ence of said cloth (C) and each secondary detector (52, 62) of said first group (51 , 61 ) detects no presence of said cloth (C), - then activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320),
- then discharging air from said plurality of air-outlets, and
- then activating said sledges (50, 60) to move jointly in a direction towards one of said sides (10, 15) while said grippers (150, 160) are activated.
10. The method of claim 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, including the initial steps of activating said rollers (30, 35) to rotate in said forward direction and then stopping said forward rotation on a central detector (8) detecting the presence of said cloth (C).
1 1 . The method according to any of claims 6-10, said controller (2) being configured to move said sledges (50, 60) apart for said grippers (150, 160) to stretch said reoriented cloth (C).
PCT/EP2016/073645 2015-10-09 2016-10-04 A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth WO2017060226A1 (en)

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EP16774966.2A EP3359725B1 (en) 2015-10-09 2016-10-04 A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth
DK16774966.2T DK3359725T3 (en) 2015-10-09 2016-10-04 Device and method of reorientation / orientation and adjustment of cloth
ES16774966T ES2787377T3 (en) 2015-10-09 2016-10-04 A device and a method for reorientation / orientation and alignment of fabric

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US10407822B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2019-09-10 Stanley G. McCabe Separator and stacker for textile articles
DE102019005696A1 (en) * 2019-06-14 2020-12-17 Herbert Kannegiesser Gmbh Method and device for feeding items of laundry to a mangle or the like
US11486084B2 (en) 2020-07-01 2022-11-01 Monotony.ai, Inc. Autonomous laudry folding devices, systems, and methods of use
US11680365B2 (en) 2020-07-01 2023-06-20 Monotony.ai, Inc. Autonomous laundry folding devices, systems, and methods of use
WO2024056831A1 (en) * 2022-09-16 2024-03-21 Inwatec Aps A method and an apparatus for the processing of laundry items

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EP0419382A1 (en) * 1989-09-19 1991-03-27 Jean Michel S.A. Device for bringing into position an article such as a sheet
EP0679755A1 (en) * 1994-04-28 1995-11-02 EJNAR JENSEN & SON A/S A method for feeding laundry articles to a laundry processing apparatus and an apparatus for performing the method
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10407822B2 (en) 2017-06-02 2019-09-10 Stanley G. McCabe Separator and stacker for textile articles
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EP3359725B1 (en) 2019-12-04
EP3359725A1 (en) 2018-08-15
DK3359725T3 (en) 2020-03-09

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