AU2006226140A1

AU2006226140A1 - Laundry processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2006226140A1
Application number: AU2006226140A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Eric Clarke; Christopher Robert Ducker
Original assignee: Kannegiesser UK Ltd
Current assignee: Kannegiesser UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-23
Filing date: 2006-03-23
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-23
Also published as: AU2006226140B2; GB0506009D0; WO2006100497A1; GB2424424B; GB2456046A; NZ561781A; EP1861542A1; NZ584230A; GB0901163D0; AU2010241282A1; GB2456046B; AU2010241282B2; GB2424424A

Description

WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 5 LAUNDRY PROCESSING APPARATUS The present invention is concerned with laundry processing apparatus for moving large volumes of laundry, in particular moving dirty laundry, also known as soiled 10 linen, from a sorting station to a washing machine. The laundry processing apparatus is particularly suitable for industrial scale laundry processing. In conventional laundry processing systems dirty washing 15 is delivered to an industrial laundry plant by lorry and the dirty washing is sorted by hand into sorting bins. Each sorting bin would typically correspond to a particular type of laundry, e.g. sheets or towels. The sorted laundry is then delivered to a buffer stack which 20 comprises a series of inclined gravity-driven buffer rails, there being a buffer rail for each type of laundry (sheets, towels, etc). The laundry is usually moved around in a laundry bag and so each inclined buffer rail would include a number of bags of laundry of the 25 appropriate type. The bags of laundry are delivered to the top of the inclined rail by a vertical hoist arrangement, also known as a vertical conveyer. 30 The inclined buffer rails act as a stacking system and bags of washing are taken from the lower end of the inclined stack as and when they are required, for further processing. The bags of laundry are transported via a WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 further inclined rail system that extends from the buffer rails, or stacking system, to a hopper that delivers the soiled linen to an industrial scale washing machine. The washing machine comprises a series of compartments, each 5 compartment performing -the function of one part of a washing cycle (e.g. soaking, rinsing, drying). The bags of laundry taken from the lower end of the inclined buffer rails are delivered to the hopper above the washing machine which in turn drops the soiled linen into 10 an opening in the first compartment of the washing machine by a drop release mechanism. The transfer of the appropriate bag of laundry along the inclined delivery rail to the hopper above the first compartment of the washing machine is effected by gravity. A computer 15 programme typically controls the selection of the appropriate bag of laundry from one of the buffer rails. The stacking system typically includes at least one inclined buffer rail that is not specifically assigned to 20 a particular type of laundry, rather it is used to stove types of laundry that cannot be classified into one of the "standard" types of laundry. For example, the "unclassified" rail may be used to store a series of bags of laundry wherein each bag contains a different type of 25 laundry, e.g. napkins, shirts, blouses, etc. This particular arrangement presents a problem when a particular bag of laundry on the unclassified rail needs to be delivered to the washing machine because that particular bag may not be at the end of the inclined 30 unclassified rail. The conventional solution to this problem is to provide a bypass or recirculation rail on the inclined delivery 2 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 rail that connects the stacking system to the washing machine. The bypass rail can be used to store the bags of laundry from the unclassified rail that are not yet needed so that the desired bag can be in the correct 5 order to load the washing machine, i.e. at the lower end of the unclassified rail. Industrial washing machines are very large. They handle loads of laundry which may weigh 50 to 100 kilograms 10 (i.e. per bag of laundry). A bag of washing that is delivered to the first compartment of the washing machine will make its was sequentially through the various compartments, spending as little as two or three minutes in each compartment, ending up at the back end of the 15 washing machine. From the back end of the washing machine the clean laundry is typically processed further according to the type of laundry. For example, sheets and towels may be 20 processed in a tumble dryer and folded. This means that there are several downstream processing lines, one for each type of laundry. Some processing lines are more complicated than others 25 (e.g. those requiring drying and folding) and so it takes longer for certain types of laundry to pass through those processing lines. This means that the order in which the various types of laundry exit the washing machine must be controlled so that one process line is not swamped whilst 30 others remain under-used. It follows that the order in which the different types of laundry are introduced into the washing machine must be controlled. As mentioned above, this control is normally achieved with the aid of 3 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 a computer programme, which controls the order of storage of the bags of laundry on the inclined buffer rails and the bypass rail. 5 The present inventor has found that is difficult to find sufficient space for the bulky inclined buffer system for storing bags of laundry, with its multiple buffer rails. Furthermore, the necessity for an unclassified stack and a bypass or recirculation rail slows down the speed at 10 which the desired laundry can be delivered to the washing machine. This has a significant impact on the overall efficiency of the process. At its most general, the present invention proposes that 15 the entire storage and recirculation system should be replaced with a track system in which laundry receptacles are stored on the track and individual laundry receptacles can be accessed or moved to a processing station by moving all of the laundry receptacles along 20 the track. Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides laundry processing apparatus for moving laundry receptacles from a first processing station to a second 25 processing station, the apparatus having a track for linking the first and second processing stations, wherein a plurality of laundry receptacles can be stored on the track, and means for moving a desired laundry receptacle on the track from the first processing station to the 30 second processing station by moving all of the laundry receptacles along the track. 4 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 With this arrangement, the track itself acts as a buffer system so there is no need for a separate inclined rail buffer system or a bypass or recirculation rail. Preferably the means for moving the desired laundry 5 receptacle on the track from the first processing station to the second processing station moves all of the laundry receptacles simultaneously. Preferably the means for moving a desired laundry 10 receptacle provides access to a selected laundry receptacle that is located on the track by moving all of the laundry receptacles along the track until the desired laundry receptacle arrives at e.g. a processing station. The apparatus preferably allows any selected laundry 15 receptacle to be moved to any location on the track by moving all of the laundry receptacles along the tracks. Suitably, all of the laundry receptacles remain on the track whilst they are moved along the track. 20 Preferably the track is continuous. This has the advantage that more laundry receptacles can be stored on the track whilst still being able to move any one laundry receptacle to a desired location such as a processing station. 25 An advantage of a continuous track is that a selected laundry receptacle can be moved to a desired location (e.g. the second processing station) by moving the laundry receptacles in one of two directions (forwards or 30 backwards) around the continuous track. It is likely to be quicker to move the laundry receptacle in one direction, rather than the other direction. For example, in a loop shaped track, it may be quicker to move the 5 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 laundry receptacles clockwise to the desired location rather than anticlockwise. Suitably, the track has a loop shape. 5 Alternatively, the track may be non-continuous, for example, a broken or interrupted loop, or an approximately linear length of track. Preferably means for moving a desired laundry receptacle 10 includes drive means for moving the laundry receptacles along the track. It is particularly preferred that the drive means are capable of moving the laundry receptacles in both forward and backward directions. In the case where the track is continuous, e.g. a loop shape, the 15 drive means are preferably capable of moving all the laundry receptacles in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction. An advantage of providing drive means to move all the 20 laundry receptacles along the track, rather than relying on gravity, is that a desired laundry receptacle, e.g. containing sheets, can be rapidly moved to a first processing station and then to another processing station without the need to "store" the laundry receptacle in an 25 inclined buffer rail system. In the present invention the track itself acts as a buffer. For example, in use, the track may have connected to it (e.g. suspended from it) a plurality of laundry receptacles and it is this plurality of laundry receptacles that acts as a buffer. 30 There is no need for a bulky inclined rail storage system. 6 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 The drive means preferably provides a way of rapidly moving any one of the laundry receptacles from any point on the track to a desired processing station. This is something that cannot be achieved with a gravity driven 5 system and it has clear advantages over the multiple inclined buffer rail system in conventional laundries. Preferably, the drive means is capable of moving the laundry receptacles along the track in both forward and 10 backward directions (e.g. clockwise and anticlockwise). Alternatively or additionally the apparatus may permit the laundry receptacles to be moved in one direction by gravity. 15 Preferably the laundry receptacles are joined together so that they can be moved along the-track as a train. This can have the advantage of reducing the 'slack' between laundry receptacles so that movement of the laundry receptacles is more efficient. Suitably, the apparatus 20 includes linking means for linking laundry receptacles together. The length of the track can be chosen to accommodate the appropriate number of laundry receptacles. For example, 25 if the apparatus needed a capacity of 100 laundry receptacles, the track would be sufficiently long to accommodate at least 100 laundry receptacles. Typically, the track can accommodate at least 50, preferably at least 100 and more preferably at least 200 laundry 30 receptacles. The track may be inclined (i.e. one part of the track is higher than another). This has the advantage that 7 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 laundry receptacles can move from one part of the track to another under gravity. Additionally, the track may be inclined to adapt to the 5 shape of the building in which the apparatus is assembled and/or to deliver the laundry receptacles to processing equipment that is not necessarily all on the same level. The term "track" as used herein is intended to mean any 10 track or rail arrangement that could be used to carry or support the laundry receptacles. Suitably, the track is a monorail from which the laundry receptacles can be suspended. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the track may include two or more rails. In the case of 15 multiple rails, some may be located above the laundry receptacles and some below. Alternatively, all of the rails may be located either above or below the laundry receptacles. 20 The track or rail can be formed from any suitable material, typically a metal or metal alloy. Alternatively or additionally, the track may comprise one or more cables e.g. metal cables. 25 The term 'processing station' as used herein is intended to mean any location along the track at which the laundry receptacle can be loaded or unloaded. Suitably, a processing station will include a loading or unloading unit for loading or unloading laundry from the laundry 30 receptacles. Typically, such units are at fixed locations along the track. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include moveable processing stations. 8 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 Suitably, the first processing station is associated with a loading unit for loading laundry (e.g. dirty washing) into the laundry receptacles. Preferably, the apparatus 5 includes such a loading unit. The loading unit can be any known loading unit suitable for loading laundry (e.g. dirty washing) into the laundry receptacles. Typically, the loading unit includes a conveyor belt. 10 The apparatus may include a plurality of loading units. Suitably, the second processing station is associated with a discharge unit for discharging laundry (e.g. dirty washing) from the selected laundry receptacle into a processing unit (e.g. a washing machine). Preferably, 15 the apparatus includes such a discharge unit. The discharge unit may be any known discharge unit suitable for transferring the laundry (e.g. dirty washing) from the selected laundry receptacle to a processing unit such as a washing machine. The discharge unit may include 20 means for tilting the laundry receptacle or opening part of the laundry receptacle to discharge the laundry. Typically, the discharge unit includes a conveyor belt. The discharge unit may be associated with a washing 25 machine. Preferably the apparatus includes a washing machine, for example, any known industrial washing machine for cleaning large volumes of dirty laundry. The apparatus may include a plurality of discharge units. 30 For example, 2 to 6 discharge units. The laundry receptacle can be any receptacle that is capable of accommodating the large volumes of dirty washing. Suitably, the laundry receptacle is capable of holding 9 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 laundry having a weight in the range of 20 to 150 kilograms preferably 50 to 100 kilograms. It is preferred that the laundry receptacle is a hopper, more preferably a hopper that can be tilted to receive dirty 5 washing and then subsequently tilted or upturned to empty the contents of the hopper. Another preferred laundry receptacle is a bag. Preferably the bag has an opening at the bottom of the bag and a release mechanism for opening the bag. 10 Suitably, the apparatus includes connecting means for connecting the laundry receptacle to the track. Preferably, the apparatus also includes pivot means for pivoting or tilting the laundry receptacle to receive 15 laundry (e.g. dirty washing) and to discharge the laundry (e.g. dirty washing), for example, as described above for a hopper. The apparatus preferably includes a plurality of laundry 20 receptacles. Suitably, the apparatus includes 20 to 400 laundry receptacles in use, more typically 50 to 200. In use the laundry receptacles may contain one or more, e.g. one, two or three, types of dirty laundry. 25 Typically, only one type of dirty laundry is present in each laundry receptacle. In use it is preferred that at least 50% of the track is occupied by laundry receptacles, more preferably at least 30 70% of the track is occupied by laundry receptacles and most preferably at least 90% of the track is occupied by laundry receptacles. In the case of a continuous track a high laundry receptacle occupancy is preferred because it 10 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 improves the efficiency of the apparatus. In the case of a non-continuous track, an occupancy of about 50% is preferred. 5 The apparatus may include a plurality of drive means, the exact number being chosen to suit the length of the track, weight of the laundry receptacles, as well as the shape and incline (if any) of the track. Typically, 2 to 10 drive means may be used, preferably 3 to 6. 10 The drive means preferably includes one or more electric motors. Alternatively or additionally the drive means may include hydraulic or pneumatic systems. 15 Preferably, the means for moving a desired laundry receptacle includes control means for controlling the movement of all of the laundry receptacles along the track. Suitably, the control means identifies the location of a desired laundry receptacle on the track and 20 identifies a processing station to which the desired laundry receptacle is to be moved and then moves all of the laundry receptacles until the desired laundry receptacle is at the processing station. 25 Preferably, the control means controls drive means as described above. Preferably, the control means can track the location of each of the laundry receptacles on the track. Suitably, 30 in use the apparatus includes a plurality of laundry receptacles, each laundry receptacle having a unique identifier. Preferably the control means tracks the location of each laundry receptacle with reference to the 11 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 unique identifiers. For example, the unique identifier may be data in the control means that corresponds to a given laundry receptacle, e.g. data representing a laundry receptacle in a computer programme. In an 5 embodiment the control means (e.g. including a computer programme) assigns a numerical value or other identifier to each laundry receptacle and tracks the location of each laundry receptacle, changes a status of a laundry receptacle depending on whether it is full or empty, and 10 in the case of a filled receptacle, stores details of the type of laundry present in the receptacle. The control means may include means for checking the unique identifier of a laundry receptacle. The control 15 means is preferably capable of controlling the loading and unloading of laundry receptacles. Suitably loading and unloading occur at different locations along the track. 20 Preferably the control means stores information about the contents of each laundry receptacle on the track. Typically, in use, the plurality of laundry receptacles includes two or more, preferably five or more, different types of laundry. For example, a first group of laundry 25 receptacles hold a first type of laundry (e.g. sheets) and a second group of laundry receptacles includes a second type of laundry, different from the first (e.g. towels). 30 Preferably, the control means monitors the status of one or more processing stations. For example, it may monitor one or more washing machines and identify a desired laundry receptacle based on the contents of the laundry 12 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 receptacles and the type of laundry required by the washing machine. Preferably the control means controls the movement of the 5 plurality of laundry receptacles so that loading of one or more laundry receptacles can take place at the same time as unloading of one or more other laundry receptacles. This may increase the efficiency of the laundry processing system. 10 Typically, the control means includes a computer programmed to control the identification and/or selection of a desired laundry receptacle and its movement along the track. 15 For example, when the control means determines that e.g. a bag of sheets should be delivered to the washing machine, the laundry receptacles are simply moved clockwise or anticlockwise (the control means decides 20 which) until the nearest laundry receptacle containing sheets is brought to the discharge unit associated with the washing machine. It is preferred that at the same time that a laundry receptacle is being discharged, an empty laundry receptacle is filled with laundry (e.g. 25 dirty washing) at a loading unit. In a typical industrial laundry, a new bag of laundry must be delivered to a washing machine every two minutes or so (this time corresponds to the time spent in each of 30 the washing machine's compartments). An advantage of loading a laundry receptacle at the same time as discharging another receptacle is that the track "buffer" can be kept well stocked so that delays in delivering the 13 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 desired dirty washing to the washing machine (or other processing equipment) can be minimised. The laundry processing apparatus may include more than 5 one track, e.g. 2, 3 or 4 tracks, together with their associated drive means. For example, one track and associated drive means may be used to buffer dirty washing for delivery to a washing machine and a second track used to collect clean washing from the washing 10 machine, buffer it and deliver it to a dryer or other processing equipment. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of processing laundry using laundry receptacles to 15 transport the laundry, the method including the steps of operating a drive means'to move the laundry receptacles along a track between a first processing station and a second processing station. 20 The optional and preferred features of the other aspects also apply to this aspect. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a use of a continuous track for storing a plurality of laundry 25 receptacles, wherein a desired laundry receptacle can be moved to a desired location on the track by moving all of the plurality of laundry receptacles along the track. The optional and preferred features of the other aspects 30 also apply to this aspect. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a laundry hopper for use in a laundry processing apparatus 14 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 having a track, the hopper including a container for receiving laundry, connecting means for connecting the hopper to the track, and pivot means to permit pivoting of the hopper with respect to the connecting means to 5 facilitate loading and unloading of the hopper. Preferably, the connecting means includes one or more runners for suspending the hopper from the track. 10 Preferably, the container is made from a plastics material. Preferably, the pivot means includes two pivot joints mounted on opposite sides of the container. Suitably, 15 the pivot means includes a supporting bar which connects the pivot joints to the connecting means." Suitably, the laundry hopper is for use with apparatus and methods described in the other aspects. 20 In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides use of a hopper according to the fourth aspect in a method of processing laundry. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: 30 Fig 1 shows a laundry processing apparatus of the prior art; 15 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 Fig 2 shows a laundry processing apparatus, being a first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig 3 shows a laundry processing hopper, being a second 5 embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention In conventional laundry processing apparatus, shown 10 schematically in Fig 1, the apparatus 2 includes a sorting station 4 where dirty washing arriving at the laundry is sorted into different types of laundry 6, usually by hand. 15 The various types of laundry are usually delivered to the rest of the apparatus via a conveyor system 8. The bags of laundry 6 are lifted from the conveyor system by vertical hoist 10 so as to move them to the top of inclined stacking system 12. 20 Stacking system 12 comprises a series of inclined rails 14. Each inclined rail accommodates laundry of a particular type, e.g. sheets, towels etc, the stacking system also includes an inclined rail for unclassified 25 laundry and this is known as the unclassified rail 16. The laundry processing apparatus requires laundry of different types to be delivered to the processing equipment on demand and this is achieved by releasing the 30 desired bag of laundry from the stacking system so that it makes is way down a gravity-fed delivery rail 18 to the first compartment 20 of washing machine 22. The 16 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 first compartment 20 has an opening for receiving laundry from the delivery rail 18. Unclassified rail 16 has a number of different types of 5 laundry and it will not always be the case that the desired type of laundry is lowermost on the rail and therefore accessible. In order to get at a particular type of laundry within the unclassified rail it is necessary to release the bags of laundry under the 10 desired bag so that they move under gravity along delivery rail 18 and into bypass rail 24 where they are held whilst the desired bag of laundry makes its way along the "normal" path to washing machine 22. 15 An embodiment of the laundry processing apparatus of the present invention is shown schematically in Fig 2. The laundry processing apparatus 40 includes track 42, which is preferably continuous. In this embodiment, the track has a loop shape. 20 The purpose of the track is to move laundry 43 (e.g. laundry in a laundry receptacle) between processing points on the track. In one example the track connects or links a first processing station 44 with a second 25 processing station 46. The track may link more than two processing stations. The apparatus includes means 48 for moving a desired laundry receptacle along the tracks to the processing 30 station by moving all of the laundry receptacles along the track. In this embodiment, the means for moving a desired laundry receptacle includes two drive means 49 (there could be more, for example 2 to 6 drive means) and 17 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 control means 50. In this embodiment, the drive means illustrated schematically in Fig 2 include an electric motor. Alternatively or additionally the drive means may include other appropriate power means, e.g. pneumatic or 5 hydraulic. Control means 50 is electrically connected to drive means 49, loading unit 56, discharge unit 58 and washing machine 60. 10 Control means 50 stores information about the location of each of the laundry receptacles on the track. It also stores information about the contents of each laundry receptacle. 15 Each laundry receptacle holds only one type of laundry (e.g. sheets) and different laundry receptacles hold different types of laundry (e.g. towels, shirts etc). 20 In this embodiment the plurality of laundry receptacles stored on the track hold a number of different types of laundry. The control means identifies a desired laundry receptacle 25 (containing e.g. towels) in response to a signal from washing machine 60 that requests a further batch of soiled linen. The control means selects the type of soiled linen in accordance with its own operational requirements, e.g. a programmed order of delivering dirty 30 laundry or in response to the type and number of dirty laundry that is being processed at the sorting station or on the buffer track. 18 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 The control means operates drive means 49 so that all of the laundry receptacles on the track move either clockwise 52 or anticlockwise 54 around the track until the desired laundry receptacle reaches discharge unit 58 5 where the contents of the laundry receptacle will be discharged into washing machine 60. The control means 50 communicates with drive means 49, loading unit 56, discharge unit 58, and washing machine 10 60 to deliver the appropriate type of laundry to the discharge unit 58 (or any other processing station) so that waiting time at the washing machine is reduced. This arrangement also helps the control means 50 move the 15 stored laundry receptacles along the track so that an empty laundry receptacle can be loaded at loading unit 56 at the same time as a different laundry receptacle is unloaded at discharge unit 58. 20 In this embodiment the drive means move the laundry receptacles 51 in both directions around the track. Thus, the laundry receptacles can move in a clockwise direction 52 or an anticlockwise direction 54. 25 In this simple embodiment the apparatus includes, at a first processing location, a loading unit 56. The loading unit delivers assorted laundry to laundry receptacles 51. Preferably the loading unit includes a conveyor system. Conventional loading units can be used 30 with the apparatus of the present invention. At the second processing location 46 there is a discharge unit 58. The discharge unit takes the dirty washing from 19 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 a selected laundry receptacle and delivers it to washing machine 60. For example, the dirty laundry may be delivered to a hopper, which in turn discharges the dirty laundry into the first compartment of the washing 5 machine. The washing machine can be a conventional washing machine. The laundry may be delivered to the washing machine in a conventional fashion e.g. by depositing it through an opening in a first compartment of the washing machine. 10 The apparatus may also include sorting station 4, which can be the same as used in conventional systems. The present invention includes a hopper that performs the 15 function of a laundry receptacle in the apparatus S described above. Hopper 80 is shown in Fig 3. It has a container 82, preferably made of a plastics material having continuous sidewalls 83 and opening 84 for receiving and dispensing laundry. 20 The hopper also includes connecting means 85 for attaching the hopper to a track. Suitably, the connecting means include rotateable wheels for co operation with the track. 25 The hopper also includes pivot means 86 to allow the hopper to be tilted or pivoted with respect to the track so as to move opening 84 into a position where it can receive dirty washing and also so that the hopper can be 30 pivoted or rotated about a much large angle, e.g. upturned, so that laundry can be dispensed from the hopper quickly and efficiently. 20 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 The pivot means include two pivot joints 88, one located on each of two opposing parts of the sidewall 83. The pivot means also include a support bar 90, which connects the two pivot joints 88 and the connecting means 85. In 5 this particular embodiment, the support bar 90 remains upright whilst the hopper pivots about pivot joints 88. The hopper can be used with the apparatus described above and shown in Fig 2. 10 These preferred embodiments have been described by way of example and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations can be made that are still within the scope of the invention. 15 20 25 21

Claims

1. Laundry processing apparatus for storing a plurality 5 of.laundry receptacles and moving laundry receptacles from a first processing station to a second processing station, the apparatus having a track for linking the first and second processing stations, wherein the plurality of laundry receptacles can be stored on the 10 track, and means for moving a desired laundry receptacle along the track to a desired processing station by moving all of the laundry receptacles along the track.

2. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 1, 15 wherein the means for moving a desired laundry receptacle along the track includes control means for identifying a desired laundry receptacle, identifying a desired processing station, and moving the desired laundry receptacle along the track to the processing station. 20

3. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the control means tracks the location of all of the laundry receptacles along the track. 25

4. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the control means stores information about the contents of each of the laundry receptacles.

5. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of 30 Claims 2 to 4, wherein in use the plurality of laundry receptacles includes different types of laundry. 22 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078

6. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the control means controls the movement of the plurality of laundry receptacles along the track such that loading of one or more laundry 5 receptacles can occur at the same time as unloading of one or more other laundry receptacles.

7. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein the control means includes a computer programmed 10 to control the selection of a desired laundry receptacle and its movement along the track to one of the processing stations.

8. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of 15 the above claims, wherein the track is continuous.

9. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the above claims, wherein the laundry receptacles are linked to form a train, which train can be moved along 20 the track to move a desired laundry receptacle to a desired processing station.

10. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the above claims, wherein the means for moving a desired 25 laundry receptacle is capable of moving the laundry receptacles along the track in both forward and backward directions.

11. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of 30 the preceding claims, wherein the track has a loop shape. 23 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078

12. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for moving a 5 desired laundry receptacle includes drive means for moving the laundry receptacles along the track.

13. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the drive means includes an electric motor. 10

14. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first processing station includes a loading unit for loading dirty laundry into the laundry receptacles. 15

15. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second processing station includes a discharge unit for discharging laundry from the laundry receptacles. 20

16. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the laundry receptacle is capable of holding laundry having a weight in the range of 20 to 150 kilograms. 25

17. Laundry processing apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the laundry receptacle is a hopper.

18. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of 30 the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of laundry receptacles. 24 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078

19. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track includes one or more rails. 5

20. Laundry processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laundry receptacles are suspended from the track.

21. A method of processing laundry by moving laundry 10 receptacles along a track, the method including the steps of storing a plurality of laundry receptacles on the track and moving the plurality of laundry receptacles along the track so as to move any desired laundry receptacle to a desired processing station. 15

22. A method according to Claim 21, wherein the track is continuous.

23. A method according to Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein 20 the laundry receptacles are linked together to form a train and the step of moving the plurality of laundry receptacles along the track includes moving the train along the track. 25

24. A method according to any one of Claims 20 to 21, including the step of operating drive means to move the plurality of laundry receptacles along the track.

25. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the drive 30 means includes an electric motor.

26. A laundry hopper for use in a laundry processing apparatus having a track, the hopper including a 25 WO2006/100497 PCT/GB2006/001078 container for receiving laundry, connecting means for connecting the hopper to the track, and pivot means to permit tilting of the hopper with respect to the connecting means to facilitate loading and unloading of 5 the hopper.

27. A laundry processing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 2 and 3. 10

28. A method of processing laundry substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 2 and 3.

29. A laundry hopper substantially as herein described with reference to Fig 3. 15 20 25 26