EP1172475A2 - Apparatus for catching and/or separating laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The intermediate storage (36) is associated with the stocking means of the unit, preferably a sack. When the intermediate storage (36) is in a loading position, laundry items can be conveyed into it from above. The storage is located laterally above a funnel (35) under a gripper (23), which is moved up and down by a pressure cylinder (19).

Description

The invention relates to devices for separating and / or gripping laundry items according to the preambles of claims 1, 4 and 7.

Washed laundry items usually leave a washing machine in bulk. Before the laundry items coming out of a washing machine in this way, further treatments have to go through in the laundry area, e.g. scattered items of laundry (still damp) leaving the washing machine become. The aim is to separate these items of laundry or others mechanize textile objects.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks devices for reliable and efficient gripping and / or separating laundry items to accomplish.

A device for achieving the object has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the storage means from which the laundry items are removed individually are assigned at least one buffer. The buffer can with Items of laundry are loaded while items of laundry are still from the storage means be removed. The laundry items can be stored in the clipboard are quickly fed into the storage means without the process of occasional interruption of the removal of laundry items from the storage means must become. In this way, the storage means is both simple and time-saving can be loaded with new items of laundry. The stockpile can Items of laundry are fed from the clipboard when the last one Piece of laundry is removed from the storage means. But it is conceivable that Supply new items of laundry from the buffer store if there are still laundry items in the storage device. This is without special Control measures always ensure that a sufficient number of laundry items is in the stockpile.

Another device for solving the problem mentioned above, or for Further development of the device described above has the features of the claim 4 on. By changing the shape of the storage device it is possible, too then, when there is still a relatively small number of items of laundry in the storage means is to take individual laundry items out of it. To this end In particular, the shape of the storage means is changed so that this receives a relatively strong funnel-shaped formation.

The storage means preferably has at least one flexible wall. The shape of the storage means can thus be changed simply and effectively, by moving the stock up and down. While in a lowered In the initial position, the storage means is partially on a support, it has over an at least partially flat floor with a large capacity for lots of laundry. If, on the other hand, the storage means is raised by the The floor of the same is moved away from the support, receives the flexibly trained Storage means a funnel-shaped bottom that causes the guard pieces automatically get into the middle of the storage device and thus also the last ones Items of laundry can be automatically picked up and separated.

A device for solving the above-mentioned problem, which is also a development of the aforementioned device can act, has the features of claim 7. Accordingly, it is provided that the storage means at least to periodically move or vibrate, especially to shake or shake. This also ensures that the laundry items, especially the last items of laundry get into the middle of the storage device and can be reliably gripped and removed individually from there. Especially effective is the shaking or other periodic movement of the Storage means in connection with a shape-changing storage means. This allows a flexible means of storage against the resistance of the laundry items in a changed shape, in particular one for In the middle and towards the bottom, a funnel-shaped shape.

The shaking or other periodic movement of the Storage means can be achieved by jerky or discontinuous operated lifting means of the storage means or by separate vibration generators, for example, unbalance drives and / or linear movements Pressure fluid system. The pressure medium organs can thus be assigned to the storage means be that their movements are in directions from the trajectory deviate from the gripping device, preferably at a right angle thereto run. It is also conceivable to use unbalance drives or other vibration generators to combine with jerky and / or periodically driven means of movement.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit einem sich in einer Beladestellung befindlichen Zwischenspeicher,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung der Fig. 1 mit dem sich in einer Entladestellung befindlichen Zwischenspeicher,

Fig. 3

eine Vorrichtung nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine Vorrichtung nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 5

eine Vorrichtung nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

1 shows a device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention with an intermediate store located in a loading position,

Fig. 2

1 with the intermediate storage located in an unloading position,

Fig. 3

a device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

a device according to a third embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 5

a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The devices shown are used, in particular, for example individual laundry items in a washing machine pile refer to. The items of laundry separated in this way are then further processing in the laundry area, especially in a defect entered.

The heap of laundry from a large number of still damp items is passed over one supplied suitable conveyor of the device, namely in the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an intermediate storage 36. From this the laundry pile gets into the Area of a hopper 35 forming a storage means. The laundry pile is preserved in the funnel 35 a defined position that the gripping of laundry items from the Pile of laundry relieved.

The funnel 35 is assigned to a frame structure 17. On an upper crossbar 18 of the frame structure 17, a lifting member is mounted, in which it is shown in the Embodiment is a pressure cylinder 19. A cylinder 20 of the central pressure cylinder 19 is fixedly connected to the crossbar 18 and protrudes from the Frame structure 17 protrudes upwards. A piston rod 21 of the pressure medium cylinder 19 is opposite to the crossbar 18 on a vertical movement axis 22 and extendable. At the free lower end of the piston rod 21 is a gripping member attached, which is a gripper 23 here. The length of the Piston rod 21 is dimensioned such that it is in the fully extended state the gripper 23 is lowered so far in the frame structure 17 that it from the Linen heap 10 in the hopper 35 preferably a piece of laundry on any Can take place. Located in the retracted state of the pressure cylinder 19 the end of the piston rod 21 with the gripper 23 slightly below the Crossbar 18, whereby the respective item of laundry partially from the laundry pile is pulled out.

Between the funnel 35 and the crossbar 18 of the frame structure 17 is a Takeover means 24 arranged. This is in the exemplary embodiment shown Take-over means 24 at a distance below the gripper 23 which has been maximally raised. The takeover means 24 is composed in the device shown here a pivotable conveyor 25 and a pressure roller 26. The pivotable conveyor 25 is in a starting position in which it is in a vertical position is pivoted on one side of the movement axis 22 of the gripper 23. The pressure roller 26 is assigned to the opposite side of the movement axis 22. In a the pivotable conveyor 25 is in a pivoted position into an end position a horizontal line and intersects the axis of movement 22 approximately vertically. there is the stationary pressure roller 26 at a slight distance from one Deflection drum 27 at the free end 28 of the pivotable conveyor 25 to form a narrow gap 29 between the pressure roller 26 and the deflection drum 27 and the Upper run 30 of the swiveling conveyor 25.

The pivotable conveyor 25 is a belt conveyor, the revolving conveyor belt around the deflection drum 27 and an opposite one Drive drum 31 is deflected. The deflection drum 27 and the drive drum 31 are rotatably mounted on a support frame, not shown. The drive drum 31 is associated with a drive, not shown. A horizontal axis of rotation 32 of the Drive drum 31 is also the axis of rotation of the entire pivotable conveyor 25 so that the pivotable conveyor 25 around the drive drum 31 from the vertical aligned starting position can be pivoted into the approximately horizontal end position. A pressure medium cylinder (not shown) is preferably used to pivot the conveyor 25, on the one hand on the frame structure 17 and on the other hand on the supporting structure of the conveyor 25 approximately between the drive drum 31 and the deflection drum 27 is articulated.

The stationary on the opposite side of the pivotable conveyor 25 Axis of movement 22 of the gripper 23 arranged pressure roller 26 is preferably free rotatable, so it does not have its own drive. The pinch roller 26 rotates offset when through the gap 29 between the pressure roller 26 and the free end 28 of the pivotable conveyor 25 a piece of laundry from the upper run 30 of the rotating driven conveyor belt of the conveyor 25 is pulled through.

From the pivotable conveyor 25, the individual item of laundry is over the Upper part 30 on the deflection drum 27 in the area opposite the gap 29 Side of the drive drum 31 conveyed to a conveyor 33. This Abförderer 33 is with a slight overlap below the pivotable conveyor 25 arranged, preferably such that a deflection drum 34 of the discharge conveyor 33rd lies approximately vertically below the drive drum 31 of the pivotable conveyor 25. The conveyor 33 transports the individual items of laundry away from the device to, for example, an input machine before a defect. The conveyor can also 33 the individual items of laundry to another treatment facility within transport the laundry.

Contactless signaling means, not shown, are assigned to the gripper 23. The Signal means detect whether a piece of laundry is hanging on the gripper 23. This detection takes place just above the pile of laundry in the hopper 35 and in the maximum run up Position of the gripper 23. In addition, the upper run 30 of the pivotable Conveyor 25 assigned a signaling means, which is preferably shortly before Drive drum 31 is located. This signal means shows how far the leading edge of the respective item of laundry on the upper run 30 of the pivotable conveyor 25 is raised. The pivot position of the conveyor 25 can also be detected.

In the device shown here (FIGS. 1 and 2), an obliquely directed conveyor is used as the conveyor Slide 37 provided, over which the individual items of laundry from the pivotable Conveyor 25 reach the following conveyor, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The intermediate store 36 is laterally above the funnel 35 under the gripper 23 arranged, in such a way that it performs the function of the pressure medium cylinder 19 and movable gripper 23 and the transfer means 24 are not impaired. The Buffer 36 is pivotable about a horizontal tilt axis on the frame structure 17 stored. For this purpose there are opposite side walls 38 of the intermediate store 36 associated with the frame structure 17 bearing 39 assigned. The the The tilting axis of the intermediate storage 36 forming bearing 39 is located approximately on one Center of area of the respective side wall 38. This is the buffer 36 can be pivoted about a horizontal longitudinal central axis.

At a lower, outer corner area at least one side wall 38 is a End, in particular a piston rod end 40, articulated a pressure medium cylinder 41. An opposite piston end 42 of the pressure medium cylinder 41 is on Frame structure 17 articulated. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for each side wall 38 assign a pressure cylinder 41. By synchronously retracting and extending both The pressure medium cylinder 41 is then pivoted the intermediate storage 36.

When the pressure medium cylinder 41 is retracted, the intermediate store 36 is located in a Loading position (Fig. 1). In this position, items of laundry are in the intermediate store from above 36 can be funded. When the pressure medium cylinder 41 is extended, the Buffer 36 in an unloading position (FIG. 2). In this the laundry can automatically from the buffer 36, namely directly from the buffer 36 get into the funnel 35. For this purpose, the intermediate storage 36 is the funnel 35 assigned such that it is located laterally above the funnel 35.

The intermediate store 36 has two between the parallel side walls 38 extending (flat) walls 43 and 44. These walls 43 and 44 are indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by thick lines. In particular from FIG. 1 it can be seen that the walls 43, 44 at an angle of less than 90 ° run to each other and thereby downwards in the loading position (Fig. 1) are closed. A side of the intermediate store opposite the walls 43, 44 36 is open. As a result, the intermediate store 36 in the loading position of be filled up with items to be separated. In the one shown in FIG The intermediate storage 36 is in the unloading position by almost 90 ° around the storage 39 formed tilt axis pivoted, whereby the wall 44 a horizontally directed Forms top of the intermediate storage 36 and the adjoining wall 43 about one wall (the right wall in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the funnel 35 is extended, is directed obliquely downwards. The open side of the buffer 36 now points downwards, so that the laundry items from the intermediate store 36 automatically can slip into the funnel 35. By swiveling back in the position shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate storage 36 is again ready for Inclusion of new items of laundry.

FIG. 3 shows a device that differs from the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 only differs by the design of the storage means under the gripper 23. The Storage means is designed here as a sack 45 which can be changed in shape. The Sack 45 consists of a flexible material, for example a fabric. At least two opposite edges of a horizontally circumferential edge 46 of the Sacks 45 are attached to horizontal support rods 47. The support rods 47 are open and movable on the frame structure 17, namely vertical supports of the same. Furthermore, each support rod 47 is two parallel, vertically directed pressure medium cylinders 46 assigned. The pressure medium cylinders 46 are on the one hand on the respective support rod 47 and on the other hand attached to the lower end of the frame structure 17. Through the Pressure medium cylinder 48 is each support rod 47 with the sack 45 hanging underneath. and movable. The sack 45 is designed such that when fully lowered Support rods 47, that is to say with pressure medium cylinders 48 retracted, a bottom wall 49 the bag mostly on a horizontal support 50 on the underside of the frame 17 rests. In this shown in Fig. 3 with solid lines Position, the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45 is relatively flat, which means that Sack 45 take up the largest possible amount of laundry or the like can.

The bag 45 is moved up by the pressure medium cylinders 48 on the support rods 47 the position dashed in Fig. 3, the contact of the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45 completely or largely canceled for edition 50. This gives him flexibility trained bag 45, in particular the bottom wall 49 of the same, a strong funnel-shaped shape, the items of laundry, in particular remaining items of laundry, slide to the lowest point of the bag 45. This lowest point of the bag 45 corresponds the middle of it. As a result, the sack 45 is raised to the deep center the same slipping laundry items from the gripper 23 located approximately centrally above it reliably tangible.

The sliding down of individual laundry items in the deepest, lower part of the raised sacks 45 can be supported by a jerky or interrupted one Extending the pressure medium cylinder 48. The sack 45 is thereby during the Lifting, giving it an increasingly funnel-shaped shape, additionally shaken. The items of laundry can thus reliably to the deepest, middle Area of the bottom wall 49 of the bag 45.

It is also conceivable, alternatively or additionally, for vibration generators, for example Unbalance drives, the sack 45, in particular the support rods 47, the one Periodically shake or vibrate the sack 45.

FIG. 4 shows a device which is different from the device of FIGS. 1 to 3 deviates that a container 51 is provided which receives the laundry items. The Container 51 is in a receiving frame 52 fixedly arranged on the frame structure 17 hooked. The receiving frame 52 is designed so that it holds the container 51 both can move back and forth in the horizontal direction according to the horizontal arrows Fig. 4. In addition, the receiving frame 52 allows an up and down movement of the container 51 in the direction of the vertical double arrow in Fig. 4. By the both vertical and horizontal movement of the container 51 under the Gripper 23, it is possible to close any position of the container 51 under the gripper 23 drive, whereby the latter can also take the last items of laundry in the container 51, including items of laundry that are located in an outer corner of the container 51 are located.

FIG. 5 shows a device which is essentially the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 equivalent. The same reference numbers are therefore used for the same parts. The 5 is different from the device of the device of FIG 1 and 2 designed as a vibrating funnel 53.

The vibrating funnel 53 is with four handlebars 54 on the frame structure 17, namely cross members 55 of the same, articulated. The vertical ones in their undeflected position Handlebars 54 freely pivot with lower ends at the upper edge of the Vibrating funnel 53 with upper ends on the cross members 55. By storage of the vibrating funnel 57 on the vertical handlebars 54 is the vibrating funnel 53 in Moveable back and forth in a substantially horizontal direction, namely on an approximately horizontal trajectory, which is indicated by the double arrow 56 in FIG. 5 is indicated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this trajectory runs transversely to the axis of movement 22 of the gripper 23.

The vibrating funnel 53 is moved by a linear drive, which is in the The embodiment shown is a pressure medium cylinder 57. Preferably the pressure cylinder 57 is actuated with compressed air. This makes them quick, jerky Linear movements possible, the periodic movements of the vibrating funnel 53 on the Bring the path of the double arrow 56, whereby the items of laundry in the vibrating funnel 53 be shaken or shaken abruptly. The pressure cylinder 57 is with a Piston part firmly attached to the frame structure 17. One end of a piston rod 58 of the Pressure cylinder 57 is articulated to a tab 59 under the vibrating funnel 53. By moving the medium cylinder 57 in and out, the vibrating funnel 53 becomes guided by the vertical handlebars 54 on the by the double arrow 56 indicated movement path transversely to the movement axis 22 of the gripper 23 back and forth reciprocated. The vibrating funnel 53 performs oscillating movements in this way with respect to the gripper 23 by the corresponding drive of the pressure medium cylinder 57 can be more or less jerky, which means that the last Items of laundry in the vibrating funnel 53 slide to their lowest, middle position and thus can be reliably removed from the vibrating funnel 53 by the gripper 23.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

17

Supporting framework

18

crossbeam

19

Pressure cylinder

20

cylinder

21

piston rod

22

motion axis

23

grab

24

Übemahmemittel

25

swiveling conveyor

26

pinch

27

Umlenktrommel

28

free end

30

obertrum

31

driving drum

32

axis of rotation

35

funnel

36

cache

37

slide

38

sidewall

39

camp

40

Rod End

41

Pressure cylinder

42

piston end

43

wall

44

wall

45

bag

46

edge

47

bearing bar

48

Pressure cylinder

49

bottom wall

50

edition

51

container

52

mounting frame

53

vibrating hopper

54

handlebars

55

crossbeam

56

double arrow

57

Pressure cylinder

58

piston rod

59

flap

Claims (8)

Device for gripping and preferably separating laundry items or the like with a gripping device for gripping preferably individual laundry items from a laundry pile or the like and with a storage means for the laundry items of the laundry pile, characterized in that at least one intermediate store (36) is assigned to the storage means. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate store (36) can be pivoted from a loading position into an unloading position and back. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate store (36) is arranged upstream of the storage means in such a way that the items of laundry reach the storage means automatically in the unloading position of the intermediate store (36). Device for gripping and preferably separating laundry items or the like with a gripping device for gripping preferably individual laundry items from a laundry pile or the like and with a storage device for the laundry items of the laundry pile, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the storage device can be changed is. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means has at least one flexible wall, in particular is designed as a sack (45). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage means can be moved up and down and preferably a support (50) is assigned to the storage means, on which at least a lower part of the storage means rests in its lowered position. Device for gripping and preferably separating laundry items or the like with a gripping device for gripping preferably individual laundry items from a laundry pile or the like and with a storage device for the laundry items of the laundry pile, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage device vibrates at least temporarily or shaking or shaking movements is displaceable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaking or shaking movements of the storage means take place in a direction deviating from the movement path of the gripping device, preferably intersecting the movement path at right angles.

Images