DE4411877A1 - Carrier for garment transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

The carrier for a garment transfer apparatus includes a hook portion having a shank and tip defining in between an open jaw for receipt of an article to be carried, and a leg member extending adjacent the open jaw of the hook portion.The hook portion in use travels with its open jaw facing rearwardly and the leg member is usable in co-operation with the garment transfer apparatus to urge the article towards the open jaw for receipt thereby. The leg member extends across the face of the open jaw portion.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a Ver drive to transport items of clothing such as those at for example before, during and / or after cleaning bran pieces of clothing can be used on a large scale to pieces in accordance with their intended purpose animals. In particular, it relates to a carrier for such a Transport device.

They are sorting and transporting garments Steme known that an endless conveyor with carriers, such as Have hooks or recording probes, which are in intervals  are hung along it. The carriers move on the Conveyors around, taking clothes (on hangers charged), which are arranged at loading stations, and at remote processing stations or Unload storage stations.

The hanger on which a garment is hung which is, in a conventional manner, from a hook section hang from the carrier. Such systems can be used for transportation of any good used on a suitable Hanger is hung, and the expression "Garment" as used in the description refers to any such good and not just to An pull things.

In such a known sorting system, the Be a mark at each loading station of the system adjust to the required determination of the positio there specified garment, and the probes can Recognize these marking positions and every item of clothing transport to the respective destination.

In another system, the respective issue stations with a predetermined number of spacing units arranged along the conveyor after the input station, and control devices are provided which serve to the distance units traveled by the conveyor and count to the desired delivery station for pay attention to every item of clothing arriving at the input station becoming sam and unloading every garment (on its corresponding coat hanger) at the right exit to effect bestation.

Any clothing sorted by this device piece carries a code that indicates the output station,  to whom it should be given. The control devices close an electronic processor with a memory for Store codes that determine the origin of the sor show garments, a facility for ver same of entrance codes regarding at the entrance station incoming garments with the saved codes as well a device for controlling output devices on the appropriate delivery stations to unload one each the garment (on its associated hanger) the right starting point.

In a garment sorting device after GB Patent 2 164 909 includes the construction of each carrier the following one after the other: extend a first down the area, a second area that is curved and covered Lich the first area is inclined upwards, a third Area that is curved with respect to the second area and essentially horizontal or on an upward slope extends back against the first area, however with respect of the first area, and a fourth area, that slopes down from the third area and one upward-facing hook section for receiving a Hanger has.

This carrier can with a loading device on the Input station and with an unloading device at the exit bestation work together. The structure of this carrier brings some problems with it.

The first problem is that both when loading a coat hanger on the carrier as well as when unloading a hanger from the hanger carrier (correct) arranged on the hook section and removed therefrom should. In some circumstances, however, the hanger can pushed back over the third area of the carrier  by which it is removed from the carrier, and thereby the system is then interrupted.

A second problem with this configuration of the Trä gers is that they be on the shape of the hanger rests, which he should take up, d. H. that when the clothes brackets are damaged or have the wrong shape Hook section can not hold the hanger and / or slips more easily back over the third section.

The aim of the present invention is one or to solve both of the above problems.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a first Aspect of a carrier for a garment transport device, with a hook section, the shaft and has a tip that has an open mouth in between of an article to be worn, and a leg element that adjacent to the open mouth of the hook section stretches. In practical embodiments of the invention the hook section moves backwards when used open mouth, and the leg section is together use with the garment transport device bar to the article against the open mouth for a shot to urge thereby.

By creating a hook that is in use is the problem that the bran derbügel slips over a section of the hook and out of the Escape in the hook escapes, significantly reduced. About that besides, the loading and unloading of the hanger no longer hangs so much of the exact characteristics and shape of the clothes rack gel, causing misfeed problems due to bent Hangers etc. are reduced.  

The leg element can extend over the front of the open mouth and can pass the mouth, d. H. extend further so that it is deeper than the hook cut is when the carrier is hung in use.

The leg element can be straight. Preferably leg the carrier holds a guide device. To this leadership to create a device, the leg element can tail off incision, which moves backwards (in relation to the move wearer's direction of use) from the rest of the leg elements extends. This tail section is for guiding the Wearer around the garment sorting and transport system usable around.

Alternatively, suitable guide means can be provided be seen, for example by guide rails in the bran system.

Preferably, the carrier according to the first aspect the invention in connection with a loading device a second aspect of the invention. The loading direction can be a flat section, a first inclined Section and a second inclined section. In a garment transport device is included most inclined section facing an incoming beam and the second inclined section is from an incoming beam agile. In use, an article, such as a garment bracket, loaded on the loading device and can be on the fla resting section. A carrier approaches the hanger and the leg element of the wearer comes into contact with the Hanger and pushes the hanger along the load Facility. If the carrier has the first inclined section reached the loading device, the clothes hanger is by means of brought up the first inclined portion of the carrier. When the hanger is the tip of the first inclined Ab  reached in section, it slides the second inclined section down, and is received in the hook portion of the carrier. In this way, a relatively reliable method for La created by hangers on carriers. Preferably the loading device has two parallel wires or plat elements between which the wearer can move.

It also becomes a carrier according to the first aspect the invention preferably with a discharge device a third aspect of the invention. The unloading direction can have an inclined surface that is acceptable to an facing carrier (the carrier is previously with a Hangers have been loaded). When the carrier is unloading direction reached, the inclined surface contacts the bran derbügel and pushes it along the hook portion of the carrier against the open mouth. The hanger is gradually being removed presses and lifted out of the open mouth, and can then the ge slide down the inclined surface of the unloading device. The leg element of the carrier serves together with the overall design of the Wearer to ver the wrong arrangement of the hanger prevent. The unloading device preferably has two in parallel lele wires or plate elements between which the Trä can move.

According to a preferred embodiment of the first Aspect of the invention consists of the carrier or the hanger from a first downwardly extending trunk section which a hook portion, as mentioned above, attached is. The hook portion includes a lip portion that itself in a generally upward direction stretches and keeps a hanger from it, just out of the Fall off hook section. The leg element extends from the trunk - preferably at about the same location as that Hook section after the trunk - and extends adjacent and over the open mouth of the hook section. Before  preferably the leg element is at an angle between 10 ° and inclined at 30 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the trunk, and ideally the angle can be 19 °. However, anyone can Configuration of hook and leg element appropriately suitable th loading and unloading devices are used to the ge to achieve suitable loading and unloading functions.

The carrier can be part of the conveyor of the bran piece transport device connected or attached thereto be and, according to a preferred embodiment, forms a section of the beam actually forms part of a verb dung in the chain of the conveyor.

A carrier according to the first aspect of the invention furthermore an advantage over others so far ten beams in that there are no moving parts (apart of the general movement of the wearer itself) which for loading clothes hangers on and for removing bran derbügeln by the or the hook portion of the carrier would be necessary.

The various aspects of the invention are described in Be access to a certain known garment sorting system stem has been described, but they can also be used whose sorting systems are used.

According to a fourth aspect, the present creates a method of loading an article onto a carrier ger a garment treatment device, the carrier ger a hook section with an open mouth for picking up of an article to be carried, with the following steps:

• (i) moving the carrier towards the article, with the open mouth pointing backwards, and  
• (ii) pushing the article against the open mouth to Record it by using an egg nes with the garment treatment device cooperating leg member of the wearer who is arranged adjacent to the open mouth.

Step (ii) of the method preferably includes the use of the wearer's leg member to urge the Article against an inclined section of the loading device what causes the article to run up the slope and against the leg element in the direction of the open mouth moves.

The invention provides a fifth aspect Process for removing an article from a wearer Garment treating device, wherein the wearer has a Hook section with an open mouth to hold one carrying article includes the following steps:

• (i) moving the carrier holding the article against an inclined portion of an unloader tion, with the open mouth pointing backwards and
• (ii) pressing the article against a lip portion of the hook section towards the open Mouth until it comes out of the hook section is brought.

The invention is based on a preferred one Embodiment with reference to the accompanying Drawing explained in more detail with further details. Here demonstrate  

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a garment treatment device in which aspects of the present invention can be used;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a garment treatment device in which aspects of the invention can be applied;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a conventional carrier;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the conventional carrier shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view showing how conventional carriers interact with conventional loading devices at position B in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view showing a conventional carrier which interacts with an unloader at position C in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a first embodiment of a carrier according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a carrier according to the first aspect of the invention as it interacts with a loading device according to a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a loading device according to a second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a carrier according to a first aspect of the invention, as it interacts with an unloading device according to a second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a side view of a second embodiment example of a carrier according to the first aspect of the invention and the

FIG. 12A and 12B are plan views of an example of an exporting approximately unloading device according to the invention.

A practical embodiment of a garment sorting device in which aspects of the invention can be applied is shown schematically in FIG. 1. It has an endless conveyor 10 in the form of a stainless steel chain with supports 11 which are suspended along the chain at intervals of, for example, 30 cm. The conveyor 10 runs within a series of slotted tubes 12 which are held by un th of stands (not shown) or alternatively from above. Furthermore, covers (not shown) can be seen to protect the conveyor 10 from interference.

The conveyor 10 , which can be, for example, 18 m long, is driven at one end by a sprocket 13 . The sprocket 13 is connected to a motor by means of a gear (not shown), and a chain tensioning device (not shown) is also provided at this end of the conveyor 10 . Four markings in the form of proximity switches or contact switch buttons 14 are arranged symmetrically, ie with the same distance from each other on a circular path, namely on a surface of the chain gear 13th A sensor 44 is arranged above or below the edge of the wheel 13 . For example, if the circumference of the wheel 13 is 120 cm, the activation of the sensor 44 by each button 14 indicates that the conveyor has traveled 30 cm.

On one side of the conveyor 10 , a single downward inclined input rail 15 is provided. More than one input rail 15 can be used. This has at least three gates, namely a feed gate 16 , an inspection gate 17 and an entrance gate 18 , each in the form of a retractable finger in contact with the rail 15 in order to prevent a passage of a coat hanger down the rail 15 until it is withdrawn . A keypad 48 and a laser scanner 19 are provided adjacent to the inspection gate 17 .

On the other side of the conveyor 10 there are several discharge rails, in this case six, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 . The minimum distance from such rails can be, for example, 75 cm to allow items of clothing to hang side by side.

Fig. 2 shows a larger and more complex garment treatment device that works exactly according to the same principles as have been described in relation to Fig. 1. Garments loaded on hangers run along a rail from a completion tunnel 60 to an input rail 15 , in the vicinity of which there is a barcode laser scanner 19 and a keypad 48 for entering clothing codes into a central processor (not shown). The garments on hangers are then loaded sequentially onto carrier 11 , as described above, transported around an endless conveyor 10 and unloaded onto corresponding output rails 61 (17 of which are shown). Garments that require repair or ironing, which is decided by a worker at the input rail 15 , are transported further around the conveyor to an additional rail 62 and returned to the circuit via repair or ironing sections 63 , 64 .

The design of a conventional carrier 11 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Primarily, each beam 11 has a downwardly extending first portion 31 , a second portion 32 that is curved and inclined upwardly with respect to the first portion 31 , a third portion that is substantially horizontally back toward extends to the first area 31 , but is offset from the first area 31 , and a fourth area 34 , which is inclined downward from the third area 33 and has an upward end 30 .

Where the input rail 50 approaches the conveyor 10 , there is an input station labeled B in FIG. 1. Where the exit rails 21 to 26 approach the conveyor 10 , there are exit stations, one of which is denoted by C in FIG. 1.

In the input or charging station B shown in FIG. 5, the input rail 15 is connected to a conventional charging device 35 with a special structure. The Ladeein device 35 has two elongated elements 37 , 38 which extend over more than half of their respective lengths parallel to each other directly below the slotted tube 12 carrying the conveyor 10 GE. At one end, the first member 37 is inclined upward and outward away from the tube 12 , thereby forming an input arm 36 which is carried by a hook member 39 which in turn is connected to the tube 12 via a bracket 51 . The carrier 11 runs between the elements 37 , 38 of the charging device 35 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 5 and is itself correctly guided to receive the hanger and the garment from the device 35 .

The coat hanger hook 53 is above the parallel sections from the elements 37 and 38 when the carrier 11 approaches. The downwardly inclined region 34 of the carrier 11 pushes the tip of the hanger hook to the end of the elements 37 , 38 , where it then falls onto the hook or into the mouth formed by the upwardly bent end 30 is. The angle of inclination of area 34 is such that a normal hanger hook 53 with a normal load will not run up to the top of the inclined area. However, if the hanger or the load is not normal, the hanger hook 53 could run over the carrier and fall down on the carrier 11 at the rear. It must then be returned to and the process will slow down.

In the conventional delivery or unloading station C according to FIG. 6, the delivery rail 22 approaches the conveyor 10 . All of the discharge rails 21 to 26 are inclined downward from the conveyor 10 . A dispenser in the form of an angled finger 41 is attached to the end of an element 42 which is held below the tube 12 by means of a clip 52 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The Ele member 42 is rotatable under pneumatic control in order to be pivoted to accommodated fingers 41 in a removal position in which an end of the finger 41 about in the path of the conveyor rer 10 running along the support is 11, while the other end adjacent 45 the End of the output rail 22 is.

The finger 41 is bent in two places. First, it is bent at 46 in an approximately vertical plane, and secondly, at 43 it is bent sideways so that the end 45 is flush with the upper end of the output rail 22 when the finger 41 is in its removal position. A comparable hook element 42 and a comparable finger 41 are arranged at the dispensing stations at the upper end of each of the dispensing rails 21 to 26 . At the last output station in the direction of movement of the conveyor 10 , ie on the rail 26 , the finger 41 can, however, be held continuously in the removal position in order to ensure that no clothes hangers carrying clothes are conveyed beyond this point by the carriers 11 , which would conflict with the drive mechanism.

In Fig. 6, the carrier 11 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the coat hanger hook 52 reaches the end of the finger 41 while it remains placed over the carrier 11 . The end region of the finger 41 is inclined up to the highest point 46 , where it turns down again. The hanger hook 52 moves this inclination up and also runs up the inclined portion 34 of the carrier 11 because it tends to be restrained while the carrier 11 continues to run. If the highest point 46 of the finger 41 and the tip of the inclined region 34 of the carrier 11 are substantially aligned with one another, the clasp derbügelhaken 53 slides the slight inclination from the point 46 to the point 43 of the finger 41 . At the point 43 where the finger 41 is sharply bent towards the upper end of the delivery rail 22 , the clothes hanger hook 53 is deflected sharply and its free end leaves the end 30 of the carrier 11 . The hanger and its garments then slide down the end 45 of the finger 41 and onto the dispensing rail 22 .

In the event of a malfunction of the device or in the case of an unsuitable formation of the hanger hook 53 such that it cannot leave the end 30 of the carrier 11 , the hanger hook 53 would be pushed up the inclined region 34 and would fall behind the region 33 . This would then require a manual return.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the carrier 100 according to the present invention. The carrier 100 has a connection section 102 for connection to the current conveyor 10 . The connector portion 102 may actually be a connection or part of a connection in the conveyor 10 and may be attached thereto, for example by a fastener such as welding directly or like bolts passing through holes 104 .

A trunk 106 extends downward from the connection section 102 . A hook portion 108 having an open mouth, generally designated 110, is attached to the stem. The hook portion has a shaft 109 and a lip 112 . The lip helps prevent an article (indicated by dashed line 114 ) such as a clothes hanger from falling out of the mouth. Leg member 116 also extends away from stem 106 . The leg 116 preferably extends beyond the lowermost part 118 of the hook section 108 . In addition, the leg element 116 forms an angle X with the axis of the trunk 106 , where X can be between 10 ° and 30 ° and is preferably approximately 19 or 20 °.

The carrier 100 is preferably made of a lightweight and durable material, such as stainless steel.

Leg member 116 need not be linear as shown, nor does it need to extend at any particular angle to the axis of stem 106 . It is only necessary that it fulfills the required function, which is explained with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

The carrier 100 can be used in place of a conventional carrier according to FIGS . 3 and 4 in a system as described above. Other loading and unloading devices can be used with the carrier 100 according to the invention, as described in FIGS. 8 to 10. Alternatively, the carrier 100 can be used in other known types of garment transport systems.

Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of a carrier 100. To designate corresponding parts, the same reference numerals are used as for the carrier according to FIG. 7. Leg member 116 includes a first portion 150 that extends substantially downward over the front of jaw 110 . Leg 116 also includes a second portion 152 that extends rearward away from hook 108 . The second section 152 is used to guide the carrier 100 when used in a garment treatment system.

FIG. 8 shows a carrier 100 which moves in a direction indicated by an arrow C over a loading device 120 . The loading device can have two essentially parallel side wall elements 122 , 124 (cf. FIG. 9). In operation, the carrier 100 generally moves between the substantially identical elements 122 , 124 .

Each side wall member 122 , 124 of the loader 120 has a generally horizontal portion 126 , a first inclined portion 128 and a second inclined portion 130 . The first inclined portion 128 generally faces an incoming beam 100 and the second inclined portion 130 faces away from an incoming beam.

In operation, an article 114 to be received (such as a hanger) lies across both side wall members 122 , 124 , in a manner comparable to the conventional loading device system. The hanger 114 can be placed or dropped onto the loader 120 at the horizontal section 126 . The leg element 116 of an incoming carrier 100 contacts the clothes hanger 114 and pushes it along the loading device 120 . The hanger is pushed up the first inclined section 128 , where it increases the length of the leg element 116 . When the hanger 114 reaches the top 132 of the first slope 128 , it then descends the second slope 130 , the gradient of which may be steeper than that of the first slope. As the second slope 130 runs down , the hanger comes to the open jaw section 110 of the hook section 108 and falls into the hook. The hanger is then held in the hook by the tip 112 . In this way, the clothes hanger 114 can be loaded onto the carrier 100 . Any number of subsequent hangers can be charged in the same way.

Fig. 10 generally shows a discharger 134, such as according to one aspect of the present invention is used with a support 100. Like charger 120 , unloader 134 may include a pair of generally identical and parallel elements. Each element can be flat as shown or alternatively can be made of two pieces of wire that are bent in the shape of the upper contour of the loading device 120 and the unloading device 134 .

A carrier 100 approaches the unloading device 134 in a direction indicated by the arrow D. The unloading device 134 consists of an upper horizontal section 136 and an inclined section 138 . The inclined portion is aligned with the incoming beam 100 . When the carrier 100 reaches the inclined portion 138 of the unloader 134 , the inclined portion contacts the hanger 114 . As a result, the clothes hanger 114 is pushed in the direction of the tip section 112 of the hook section 108 , which causes the clothes hanger section to run up the section and is pushed out of the open mouth 110 . The hanger is then free of the hook portion and can run down the inclined portion 138 of the unloading device. The rear leg member 116 of the wearer 100 can help guide the hanger 114 into contact with the inclined portion 138 when it leaves the hook portion of the wearer. The unloading device 114 can, if desired, be pivoted into and out of the carrier 100 arriving in a manner comparable to that used in the prior art.

FIG. 12A and 12B show a second example of a discharging means exporting approximately, FIG. 12A shows the device in the "open" position and Fig. 12B in the "closed" position. From a movable removal element 160 is pivotable about a pivot pin 162 and biased by a spring device 164 , for example a tension spring, in the direction of the open position. The removal element 160 is movable by operating a piston and air cylinder arrangement 166 .

A hanger runs along rails 170 , 172 (right to left in Figures 12A and 12B), pushed through a leg portion of a wearer. Movable rail sections 174 , 176 are movable by actuating the air cylinder 166 to bridge a gap 178 in the rails 170 , 172 .

In the open position, an incoming clothes strap can fall through the gap 178 onto the removal element 160 and be removed from the system. In the closed position, however, the rail sections 174 , 176 are arranged in the path of an incoming clothes hanger, and the clothes hanger can continue along the rails.

The in the above description, the claims and the drawing disclosed features of the invention both individually and in any combination for the ver implementation of the invention in its various embodiments shape be essential. In particular, other forms of Carrier be suitable and other designs of the hook cuts and the leg elements are used.

Claims (13)

1. Carrier ( 100 ) for a garment transport device, with a hook portion ( 108 ) having a shaft ( 109 ) and a tip ( 112 ) defining an open mouth ( 110 ) therebetween for receiving an article to be carried ( 114 ) , and with a leg member ( 116 ) extending adjacent the open mouth ( 110 ) of the hook portion ( 108 ), the hook portion ( 108 ) moving in use with its mouth open rearward and the leg member ( 116 ) with the garment transport device is co-operable to urge the article ( 114 ) toward the open mouth for inclusion. 2. Carrier according to claim 1, wherein the leg element ( 116 ) extends over the front of the open jaw portion ( 110 ). 3. Carrier according to claim 1 or 2, with a Stammab section ( 106 ) which extends downwards in use and from which both the leg element ( 116 ) and the hook section ( 108 ) extend. 4. A carrier according to claim 3, wherein the leg portion ( 116 ) is inclined at an angle between 10 ° and 30 ° with respect to the axis of the trunk portion ( 106 ). 5. Garment transport device with a carrier according to one of the preceding claims.   6. The garment transport apparatus of claim 5, including a loader ( 120 ) for loading an article ( 114 ) onto the carrier, the loader having a flat portion ( 126 ), a first inclined portion ( 128 ) that faces an incoming carrier in use and includes a second inclined portion ( 130 ) facing away from an incoming carrier in use. 7. Garment transport device according to claim 6, wherein the loading device comprises two substantially parallel wires ( 122 , 124 ) between which the carrier ( 100 ) moves in use. 8. The garment transport apparatus of claim 5, including an unloader ( 134 ) for unloading an article ( 114 ) from a carrier ( 100 ), the unloader including an inclined portion ( 138 ) facing an incoming carrier ( 100 ) in use, wherein the inclined portion ( 138 ) and the carrier ( 100 ) are designed such that the inclined portion presses an article out of the mouth of the carrier, the article then descends from the inclined portion ( 138 ). 9. Garment transport device according to one of claims 5 to 8, with a plurality of carriers, each of which a section forms part of a conveyor ( 10 ) of the device. 10. A method of loading an article onto a carrier ( 100 ) of a garment treatment device, the carrier including a hook portion ( 108 ) with an open mouth ( 110 ) for receiving an article ( 114 ) to be carried, comprising the following steps:

• (i) moving the carrier towards the article ( 114 ) with the open mouth ( 110 ) facing backwards, and
• (ii) urging the article against the open mouth for receiving therethrough using a wearer's leg member ( 116 ) cooperating with the garment treating device and located adjacent the open mouth.

11. A method of removing an article from a wearer of a garment treatment device, the wearer including a hook portion ( 108 ) with an open mouth ( 110 ) for receiving an article to be carried, comprising the following steps:

• (i) moving the carrier ( 100 ) holding the article ( 114 ) against an inclined portion ( 138 ) of an unloading device ( 134 ) with the open mouth ( 110 ) facing backwards, and
• (ii) pushing the article against a lip portion ( 112 ) of the hook portion towards the open mouth until it is out of the hook portion.

12. Carrier, essentially according to one of the embodiment described here with reference to FIGS . 7 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. 13. Garment transport device, essentially according to an embodiment described here with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.