EP2159318A1

EP2159318A1 - Device and method for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks

Info

Publication number: EP2159318A1
Application number: EP09425326A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinrich Mumelter
Original assignee: Itag SpA
Current assignee: TORRE ENGINEERING S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
Priority date: 2008-08-18
Filing date: 2009-08-18
Publication date: 2010-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-18
Also published as: ES2596812T3; IT1391213B1; EP2159318B1; DK2159318T3; ITVI20080198A1

Abstract

An industrial machine (1) for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks including a support framework (2) which stands on a reference surface (P), first conveying means (3), coupled with the support framework (2) and suitable to receive said linen handiworks, second conveying means (4), coupled with the support framework (2) and cooperating with the first conveying means (3) from which they receive the linen handiworks, detection means (5), facing the second conveying means (4) and suitable to acquire an image of the linen handiworks, identification and allocation means (6) of such an image which share out the linen handiworks according to the type, and collection means (7), located downstream said second conveying means (4) and suitable to receive said linen handiworks shared out by type by the identification and allocation means (6).

Description

The present invention concerns an industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of line handiworks, preferably but not necessarily sheets, tablecloths, napkins, stain covers, towels, rugs or other similar household linen items and toiletries.
The invention here described also relates to a method for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks implemented, for example, through the aforesaid industrial machine.
As known, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, nursing and rest homes, barracks or equivalent hospitality facilities deliver to the industrial laundries for washing, and often for drawing, even large quantities of linen handiworks such as for example sheets, pillowcases, stain covers, tablecloths, napkins or towels.
Once arrived to the industrial laundries, the goods to be washed are temporarily stacked or stored in bags, even higgledy-piggledy if the articles are of the same type, to be then handled by the operators in view of the washing at the industrial washing machines.
In order to assure an effective and appropriate washing, the goods must be preventively divided first of all by the type, by splitting the various linen handiworks which differ one from each other for the type of use, that is napkins from sheets, tablecloths and so on.
In addition, within each type or category of linen handiworks, for example that one of the napkins, the operator further divides the articles on the basis of the type of fabric or material with which are they made in order to achieve the highest possible level of their separation.
In this way, the operator creates so many linen handiworks heaps as there are the types of articles to be treated and, for each of these types, as there are the types of fabric or material.
Within the industrial laundries field, at the current state of the art these operations are performed mainly by hand by the operator who provides to separate the articles by checking visually and handling directly each of them.
This operative mode, however effective, results inevitably rather laborious, implying long execution times and high workforce costs which limit the industrial efficiency, especially at the light of the fact that almost always the articles to be divided are arranged in bulk and mixed together, often in significant quantity.
Moreover, the workforce used to divide the articles according to the type is taken away from other occupations, reducing beyond measure the optimization of the use of the resources available in the company.
The present invention intends to overcome the drawbacks of the known art just complained.
In particular, main purpose of the invention is to provide an industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks which, typically in an industrial laundry, allows to divide efficiently and accurately linen handiworks, reducing compared to the known art the labour contribution required for the operation, both in terms of time and in terms of number of persons engaged.
Within such a purpose, it is task of the invention to increase the operational efficiency not only of the linen handiworks sorting and separation job but also of the other jobs typical of an industrial laundry.
It is another task of the current invention to set up an industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks and a method which can be implemented with such a machine which, the other factors involved being equal, allow to limit the labour costs related to this operational phase and quickly sink the investment sustained for the purchase of the machine, in comparison to the known art.
The aforesaid purposes are achieved through an industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks as the attached claim 1, to which they refer for the sake of brevity.
Further technical features of detail of the industrial machine of the invention can be deducted from the dependent claims.
Object of the present invention is also a method for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks according to attached claim 20, to which they still refer for the sake of brevity.
Other operative details of the method of the invention are given in the corresponding dependent claims.
Advantageously, the industrial machine according to the invention severely limits compared to the known art the labour contribution in separating the linen handiworks before their washing in an industrial laundry where dirty goods are delivered from restaurants, hotels, hospitals and similar centres. Indeed, the operator must simply take care of loading the linen handiworks, properly arranged in their position stretched and enlarged, on the first conveying means, and transport the collection means containing the handiworks already separated to the respective washing machines.
The identification and subsequent sharing out by type of linen handiworks occur automatically through the machine of the invention, after having detected at least one image of each of the handiworks themselves.
Still advantageously, the invention achieves compared to the current state of the art a better optimization of the resources, especially workforce, at disposal of an industrial laundry.
Equally advantageously, the industrial machine and the method relating thereto, object of the invention, favour a reduction of costs resulting from the recognition, separation by type and sorting of the linen handiworks operations before their actual washing in a laundry.
According to the preferred applicative form of the method implemented by the machine of the invention, simultaneously to the identification of the linen handiworks and their sharing out by specific type, it includes the operation of counting, through the central processing and control unit, the various handiworks divided by type.
The count carried out by the machine of the invention allows to verify the correspondence between the quantity of handiworks processed in laundry and the quantity of handiworks themselves declared by customer at the time of delivery for washing, avoiding problems of partial restitution of the goods.
Moreover, such a count is exploited to create a series of documents and statistics useful to the industrial laundry in the management of a given order, such as for example the transport document to be used for the restitution of the cleaned goods to the customer.
The aforesaid purposes and advantages, as well as others which will arise during the text, will appear to a greater extent by the following description relating to a preferred embodiment of the machine and the method of the invention, given by indicative but not limited way with reference to the attached drawings where:

figures 1-3 are partial perspective views of the industrial machine according to the invention;
figure 4 is an enlargement of a first glimpse of the machine of figures 1-3;
figure 5 is an enlargement of a second glimpse of the machine of figures 1-3;
figure 6 is a simplified view of figure 5;
figure 7 is a simplified enlargement view of a third glimpse of the machine of figures 1-3;
figure 8 is an enlargement of a glimpse of figure 7.

The industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks is shown in a partial and illustrative manner in figures 1-3 in which is overall numbered with 1.
According to the invention, the machine 1 includes:

a support framework 2, which stands on a reference surface P, for example the floor of a production factory;
first conveying means, on the whole numbered with 3, coupled with the support framework 2 and suitable to receive one at a time the linen handiworks, not represented, usually still dirty;
second conveying means, overall marked with 4, coupled with the support framework 2 and cooperating with the first conveying means 3 from which they receive the handiworks;
detection means, as a whole indicated with 5, facing the second conveying means 4 and responsible to acquire an image of the handiworks;
identification and allocation means, schematically indicated in figure 7 where they are wholly numbered with 6, suitable to share out or divide according to the type the handiworks identified by the detection means 5;
collection means, as a whole indicated with 7, located downstream the second conveying means 4, which receive the handiworks shared out by type by the identification and allocation means 6.

In preferred way, the industrial machine 1 includes a central processing and control unit, not visible, electrically connected with the detection means 5 and the first and second conveying means 3, 4, and incorporating the identification and allocation means 6, used for classifying and sharing out the handiworks in clusters one distinct to the other, each of which containing handiworks of the same type.
The type of handiworks includes one or more of the parameters selected from the group consisting of width, length, thickness, woof, material, colour, drawings and so on of each of the handiworks.
In this case, the first conveying means 3 include a main conveyor belt 8 which defines a plane Π sloping toward the second conveying means 4 starting from a first predefined height H₁.
The main conveyor belt 8 is provided with first motorization means, generally numbered with 9 and electrically connected with the central unit, suitable to put it in rotation in order to send the handiworks to the second conveying means 4.
In relation to the second conveying means 4, they include:

a first group of flexible threads 10 one side-by-side to another, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of first grooved pulleys 11, 12 defining first linear axes X₁ parallel one to each other;
a second group of flexible threads 13 one side-by-side to another, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of second grooved pulleys 14, 15 defining second linear axes X₂ parallel one to each other and to the first axes X₁.

The first axes X₁ are separated each other by a first prefixed distance D₁, while the second axes X₂ are separated each other by a second prefixed distance D₂ and from the first axes X₁ by a third distance D₃ orthogonal to the first distance D₁ and the second distance D₂.
The third distance D₃ defines between the first and second group of flexible threads 10, 13 a passage port, not shown, suitable to receive and to allow the transit of the handiworks.
More in detail, the first group of flexible threads 10 and the second group of flexible threads 13 develop according to equal widths and define substantially vertical planes parallel each other so as to convey the handiworks towards the top, up to a height from the reference surface P greater than the first predefined height H₁ of the end 8a of the main conveyor belt 8.
Moreover, the groups of flexible threads 10, 13 are reciprocally staggered in height by a set length L, indicated in figure 6 for expositive convenience, at the respective upper pulleys 11, 14 and the lower pulleys 11, 15.
Such a constructive design of the second conveying means 4 defines a drawing area 16 of the handiworks, facing the main conveyor belt 8, and a release area 17 of the handiworks, facing the collection means 7.
The industrial machine 1 also includes second motorization means, overall indicated with 18, at preferential but not binding title keyed directly to the first grooved pulley 12 in order to rotate around the first axes X₁ both the first pulleys 11, 12.
Through the interposition of a first transmission group of the type in itself known, indicated overall with 19, the second motorization means 18 are connected with the second grooved pulley 15 in order to rotate around the second axes X₂ also the second grooved pulleys 14, 15.
It is understood that other embodiments of the invention, not accompanied by explanatory drawings, may provide a composition of the second motorization means different from that one just described.
According to the preferred embodiment here described of the invention, the detection means 5 include:

a camera 20, provided with an objective facing externally the first group of flexible threads 10, coupled with an auxiliary frame 21 fixed to the support framework 2 and electrically connected with the central unit;
a lamp 22 coupled with the auxiliary frame 21 and placed around the objective of the camera 20;
a proximity sensor, electrically connected with the central unit, connected with the auxiliary frame 21 and arranged near the first group of flexible threads 10, which carries the handiworks.

Advantageously, the industrial machine 1 comprises a colour calibration element 23, clearly visible in figure 4, facing the second group of flexible threads 13 symmetrically opposite to the camera 20 with respect to the groups of flexible threads 10, 13.
The colour, for example white, calibration element numbered with 23 is supported by an actuator 24 connected with a C-shaped laminar bracket 25 belonging to the auxiliary frame 21.
The actuator 24, electrically connected with the central unit which drives it forward and backward, is used to draw up/remove the calibration element 23 to/from the camera 20.
The aforesaid colour calibration element 23 allows to achieve a kind of setting up or auto-setting of the camera 20 when the latter operates idling, that is before the handiworks brought by the second conveying means 4 transit in front of the camera 20 itself.
As it is observed in figure 5, the detection means 5 and the almost entirety of the second conveying means 4 are contained in an insulating box or shaped casing 26, which assures the due darkness conditions inside it for the proper functioning of the camera 20.
Only the first upper pulley 11, the second upper pulley 14 and the release area 17 protrude outside from the insulating box 26 in order to allow the passage of each of the handiworks from the second conveying means 4 to the collection means 7.
The insulating box 26 is, moreover, equipped with a shutter 27 which can be moved by the operator in order to offer the opportunity to inspect the organs contained inside it.
Preferably but not necessarily, the identification and allocation means 6 include:

the already mentioned central processing and control unit contained in an electrical command box 28, shown in figure 7, coupled with the support framework 2 and electrically connected with a monitor 51 for displaying data, at operator's disposal;
an auxiliary conveyor belt 29, electrically connected with the central unit, provided with third motorization means, overall reported with 30, which rotate it, defining a plane Ω substantially horizontal and placed below the release area 17 defined in the second conveying means 4 from which it receives by fall the handiworks classified and divided according to the type;
blowing means, for simplicity not shown in the attached drawings, applied to both the side edges 29a, 29b of the auxiliary conveyor belt 29 and electrically connected with the central unit, suitable to emit a jet of air under pressure.

The collection means 7 include, in the case at issue, a plurality of final containers, not shown, each of which receives higgledy-piggledy handiworks of the same type, different from the handiworks received in each of the other final containers.
The final containers are arranged below and laterally to both the side edges 29a, 29b of the auxiliary conveyor belt 29 from which they receive by fall the handiworks pushed out by the air coming out from the blowing means.
At purely preferential title, the final containers are equipped with wheels for their rapid and easy moving inside the plant by the operator.
The blowing means just introduced comprise a series of pneumatic valves, arranged projecting upwards on each of the side edges 29a, 29b of the auxiliary conveyor belt 29.
Furthermore, the pneumatic valves are alternately staggered one with respect to the other on each of these side edges 29a, 29b so that the air emitted from each of them causes the fall of the handiworks into one of the final containers from one of the side edges 29a, 29b directly opposite to each of the pneumatic valves.
The disposition of the final containers and the pneumatic valves on the auxiliary conveyor belt 29 as just said is dictated by the need to optimize spaces in an industrial laundry.
Preferably but not necessarily, the industrial machine 1 includes weighing means, as a whole indicated with 31 and visible both in figures 1-2 and in more detailed manner in figures 6-7.
The weighing means 31 are electrically connected with the central unit and are coupled with a support base 32 drawn near the support framework 2.
Beyond this, the weighing means 31 are arranged upstream the first conveying means 3 and are used to measure the weight of each of the handiworks in order to provide, together with the detection means 5, to the identification and allocation means 6 data useful to determine the types of handiworks themselves.
In a preferred but not exclusive manner, the weighing means 31 include three load cells 33 arranged one with respect to the other according to the vertexes of an equilateral triangle.
It is obvious that in other embodiments of the invention, not shown, the weighing means may include a different number of load cells, as well as other embodiments, still not shown, may provide weighing means of different type with respect to the load cells.
In advantageous way, the industrial machine 1 also includes third conveying means, as a whole indicated with 34, interposed between the weighing means 31 and the first conveying means 3, suitable to bring the handiworks from the ones to the others.
The third conveying means 34 are of the type of the second conveying means 4, including a third group of flexible threads, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of third grooved pulleys 35, 36, and a fourth group of flexible threads, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of fourth grooved pulleys 37, 38.
Similarly to what highlighted for the second conveying means 4, the first and the second group of flexible threads of the third conveying means 34 define planes substantially vertical and parallel each other and, at their ends, are staggered in height by a set length in order to define a lower drawing area of the handiworks and an upper release area of the handiworks suitable to allow their transfer to the first conveying means 3.
The third grooved pulley 36 is connected with fourth motorization means, overall numbered with 39 and contained into a protective casing 40, which rotates the third pulleys 35, 36 and, through the interposition of a second transmission group, not visible, the fourth pulleys 37, 38.
In its most complete version, the industrial machine 1 preferably includes:

spreading and forwarding means, overall indicated with 41, electrically connected with the central unit, suitable to place in the spread and stretched position the handiworks received by the weighing means 31;
conducting means, indicated overall with 42, interposed between the weighing means 31 and the third conveying means 34, which receive the handiworks pushed out by the spreading and forwarding means 41 in order to bring them to the third conveying means 34.

In particular, as better seen in figures 7 and 8, the spreading and forwarding means 41 comprise three pneumatic valves 43, applied to a longitudinal section bar 44 belonging to the support base 32 and each provided with an outlet directed to the common weighing plane 45 of the weighing means 31 which receives the handiworks to be weighed.
The conducting means 42 comprise in turn a service shelf 46, fixed to the support framework 2, arranged below the weighing plane 45 of the weighing means 31 and facing the lower drawing area defined in the third conveying means 34.
The industrial machine 1 also includes fourth conveying means, indicated overall with 47 and visible only partially in figure 7, which receive one at a time the handiworks to transport them to the weighing means 31.
More precisely, the fourth conveying means 47 include an elevation conveyor belt 48, equipped with fifth motorization means, not shown, suitable to rotate it and having a first end, accessible by the operator and placed at a first height from the reference surface P, and a second end placed at a second height from the reference surface P.
The second height of the second end of the elevation conveyor belt 48 is greater than the first height: this in order to transfer by fall, always one at a time, the handiworks to the weighing means 31.
In convenient manner, the elevation conveyor belt 48 includes, on the lower surface 48a and at its second end, a support tripod 49 provided with adjustment means, overall numbered with 50, which allow to place the second end of the conveyor belt 48 itself at second heights from the reference surface P variable at will.
Form integral part of the present invention also the method for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks.
In accordance with the invention, such a method comprises mainly the following operations:

spreading one at a time the handiworks, such as napkins, stain covers, pillowcases and the like, on conveying means, in this case the first conveying means 3;
conveying one by one the handiworks towards the detection means 5 through the aid of the second conveying means 4;
automatically acquiring an image of each of the handiworks through the detection means 5;
identifying or distinguishing through identification and allocation means 6 the image acquired by the detection means 5;
allocating through the identification and allocation means 6 a specific and precise type to each of the handiworks on the basis of the image acquired and identified;
sharing out or dividing the handiworks on the basis of the aforesaid type;
arranging the handiworks shared out by type into collection means 7.

According to the preferred applicative form here described of the invention, the operation of acquiring an image of the handiworks consists of taking a photo of each of the handiworks inside the insulating box 26 which encloses almost completely the detection means 5 and a stretch of the second conveying means 4 which cooperate with the first conveying means 3 in the transport of the handiworks during the process.
The operations of identifying the acquired image, allocating a type to each of the handiworks and sharing out them according to this type occur automatically by comparing the detected image with benchmarks memorized for each handiworks in the central processing and control unit belonging to the identification and allocation means 6.
In essence, the central unit checks the woof of the fabric of the handiwork of which the photo has just been taken and compares it to sample data, previously stored into it, by means of the mathematical approach of the matrixes correlation created by the software.
Preferably but not necessarily, the method of the invention includes the operation of weighing one at a time the handiworks and providing the detected data to the identification and allocation means 6 in order to contribute to exactly determine the type of the handiworks processed.
Such a weighing operation occurs prior to the operation of conveying the handiworks to the detection means 5 and after having arranged one at a time the handiworks themselves on the elevation conveyor belt 48.
The handiworks come spread and stretched from the weighing means 31 to the first conveying means 3, thanks to the third conveying means 34.
The arrangement of the handiworks in the spread form is due to the work of the spreading and forwarding means 41 which act after the weighing operation by blowing an appropriate air jet towards the handiworks, pushing them toward the service shelf 46 from which they are collected by the third conveying means 34.
It is clear that the central processing and control unit manages the entire process and is programmed so that the movements and the driving of the various components of the industrial machine 1 are precisely phased each other.
Advantageously, the method of the invention also includes the operation of counting the number of the handiworks processed, performed by the central unit after the operation of identifying the handiworks and simultaneously to the operation of sharing out the handiworks themselves according to the aforesaid type.
This allows to know the quantity of goods to be redelivered to a certain customer after washing, by checking its correspondence with the amount declared by the latter at the time of delivery to the laundry.
Moreover, from the operation of counting of the handiworks, the central processing and control unit creates a transport document, which accompanies the goods upon delivery to the customer.
On the basis of what just exposed, it is understood how the industrial machine for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks and the method implemented by such a machine, both integral part of the invention, reach the purposes and achieve the benefits mentioned above.
In execution phase, changes may be made to the industrial machine of the invention consisting in, for example, detection means different from those ones described above by way of example.
Furthermore, other embodiments may exist in which the collection means have a different composition from that one mentioned in the course of the description, which does not affect the advantage provided by the present invention.
For example, the collection means may include a suction pipe whose inlet mouth faces the second conveying means and, in its development, is provided with a plurality of outlet openings, each communicating with an underlying final container to which linen handiworks of the same type are intended through a command imparted by the central processing and control unit.
It is, finally, clear that many other variations may be made to the industrial machine and the relative method in question, without for this reason going out of the novelty principles inherent to the inventive idea, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, materials, shapes and sizes of the details illustrated may be any, depending on the needs, and replaced with others technically equivalent.

Claims

Industrial machine (1) for the recognition and/or sorting of linen handiworks characterized in that it includes:
- a support framework (2) suitable to stand on a reference surface (P);

- first conveying means (3), coupled with said support framework (2), suitable to receive said handiworks;

- second conveying means (4), coupled with said support framework (2) and cooperating with said first conveying means (3) from which they receive said handiworks;

- detection means (5), facing said second conveying means (4), suitable to acquire an image of said handiworks;

- identification and allocation means (6) of said image, suitable to share out said handiworks according to the type;

- collection means (7), located downstream said second conveying means (4), suitable to receive said handiworks shared out by type by said identification and allocation means (6).
Machine (1) as claim 1) characterized in that it includes a central processing and control unit, electrically connected with said detection means and with said first (3) and second conveying means (4) and incorporating said identification and allocation means (6), suitable to classify and share out said handiworks in clusters one distinct to the other, each of which containing handiworks of the same type.
Machine (1) as claim 2) characterized in that said first conveying means (3) include a main conveyor belt (8) which defines a plane (Π) sloping towards said second conveying means (4) starting from a first predefined height (H₁) and is provided with first motorization means (9), electrically connected with said central unit, suitable to rotate it to forward said handiworks to said second conveying means (4).
Machine (1) as claim 3) characterized in that said second conveying means (4) include:
- a first group of flexible threads (10) one side-by-side to another, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of first grooved pulleys (11, 12) defining first linear axes (X₁) parallel one to each other and separated by a first prefixed distance (D₁);

- a second group of flexible threads (13) one side-by-side to another, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of second grooved pulleys (14, 15) defining second linear axes (X₂) parallel one to each other and to said first axes (X₁), said second axes (X₂) being reciprocally separated by a second prefixed distance (D₂) and from said first axes (X₁) by a third distance (D₃) orthogonal to said first (D₁) and said second distance (D₂) and defining between said first (10) and said second group of flexible threads (13) a passage port suitable to allow the transit of said handiworks.
Machine (1) as claim 4) characterized in that said first (10) and said second group of flexible threads (13) are reciprocally staggered in height by a set length (L) in order to find a drawing area (16) of said handiworks, facing said main conveyor belt (8), and a release area (17) of said handiworks, facing said collection means (7).
Machine (1) as claim 4) or 5) characterized in that it includes second motorization means (18) keyed directly to at least one of said first grooved pulleys (11, 12) to rotate them around the first axes (X₁) and connected through the interposition of a first transmission group (19) with at least one of said second grooved pulleys (14, 15) to rotate them around said second axes (X₂).
Machine (1) as any of the claims from 4) to 6) characterized in that said detection means (5) include:
- a camera (20), provided with an objective facing externally said first group of flexible threads (10), said camera (20) being electrically connected with said central unit and coupled with an auxiliary frame (21) fixed to said support framework (2);

- a lamp (22) coupled with said auxiliary frame (21) and placed around said objective of said camera (20);

- a proximity sensor, electrically connected with said central unit, connected with said auxiliary frame (21) and arranged near to said first group of flexible threads (10).
Machine (1) as claim 7) characterized in that it includes a colour calibration element (23), facing said second group of flexible threads (13) and symmetrically opposed to said camera (20) with respect to said groups of threads (10, 13), supported by an actuator (24) suitable to draw up/remove said calibration element (23) to/from said camera (20), connected with said auxiliary frame (21) and electrically connected with said central unit.
Machine (1) as claim 5) characterized in that said identification and allocation means (6) include:
- said central processing and control unit contained in an electrical command box (28) coupled with said support framework (2);

- an auxiliary conveyor belt (29), electrically connected with said central unit, provided with third motorization means (30) suitable to rotate it, said belt (29) defining a plane (Ω) substantially horizontal and positioned below to said release area (17) defined in said second conveying means (4) from which it receives by fall said handiworks classified according to said type;

- blowing means, applied to at least one of the side edges (29a, 29b) of said auxiliary conveyor belt (29) and electrically connected with said central unit, suitable to emit a jet of air under pressure.
Machine (1) as claim 9) characterized in that said collection means (7) include a plurality of final containers, each of which suitable to higgledy-piggledy receive handiworks of the same type, different from the handiworks received in each other of said final containers, said containers being placed below and laterally to said auxiliary conveyor belt (29) from which they receive by fall said handiworks pushed out by said air outgoing from said blowing means.
Machine (1) as claim 10) characterized in that said blowing means include pneumatic valves alternately staggered one with respect to the other on each of said side edges (29a, 29b) of said auxiliary conveyor belt (29) so that said air emitted by each of said pneumatic valves causes the fall of said handiworks in one of said final containers from one of said side edges (29a, 29b) opposite to each of said valves.
Machine (1) as claim 4) characterized in that it includes weighing means (31), electrically connected with said central unit and coupled with a support base (32) drawn near said support framework (2), arranged upstream said first conveying means (3) and suitable to measure the weight of each of said handiworks in order to provide, together with said detection means (5), to said identification and allocation means (6) data useful to determine said type of said handiworks.
Machine (1) as claim 12) characterized in that it includes third conveying means (34), interposed between said weighing means (31) and said first conveying means (3) in order to bring said handiworks from said weighing means (31) to said first conveying means (3).
Machine (1) as claim 13) characterized in that said third conveying means (34) are of the same type of said second conveying means (4), including a third group of flexible threads, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of third grooved pulleys (35, 36), and a fourth group of flexible threads, each of which wrapped at closed ring and tightened around a pair of fourth grooved pulleys (37, 38).
Machine (1) as claim 14) characterized in that it includes fourth motorization means (39), keyed directly to at least one of said third grooved pulleys (35, 36) to rotate them and connected through the interposition of a second transmission group to at least one of said fourth pulleys (37, 38) to rotate them.
Machine (1) as claim 15) characterized in that it includes:
- spreading and forwarding means (41), electrically connected with said central unit, suitable to place in the spread position said handiworks received by said weighing means (31);

- conducting means (42), interposed between said weighing means (31) and said third conveying means (34), suitable to receive said handiworks pushed out by said spreading and forwarding means (41) to bring them to said third conveying means (34).
Machine (1) as claim 16) characterized in that said spreading and forwarding means (41) include a plurality of pneumatic valves (43), applied to a longitudinal section bar (44) belonging to said support base (32) and each presenting an outlet directed towards the common weighing plane (45) of said weighing means (31) which receives said handiworks to be weighed, and said conducting means (42) include a service shelf (46), fixed to said support framework (2), arranged below said weighing plane (45) of said weighing means (31) and facing said lower drawing area of said third conveying means (34).
Machine (1) as any of the claims from 12) to 17) characterized in that it comprises fourth conveying means (47) suitable to receive said handiworks in order to transport them one at a time to said weighing means (31).
Machine (1) as claim 18) characterized in that said fourth conveying means (47) include an elevation conveyor belt (48), equipped with fifth motorization means suitable to rotate it and having a first end, accessible by the operator and placed at a first height from said reference surface (P), and a second end placed at a second height from said reference surface (P) higher than said first height in order to transfer by fall said handiworks to said weighing means (31).
Method for the recognition and/or the sorting of linen handiworks characterized in that it includes the following operations:
- spreading said handiworks on conveying means (3);

- conveying one by one said handiworks towards detection means (5);

- automatically acquiring an image of each of said handiworks through said detection means (5);

- identifying said image acquired by said detection means (5);

- allocating a type to each of said handiworks on the basis of said image acquired and identified;

- sharing out said handiworks on the basis of said type;

- arranging in collecting means (7) said handiworks shared out by type.
Method as claim 20) characterized in that said operation of acquiring an image of said handiworks consists of taking a photo of each of said handiworks inside an insulation case (26) which encloses said detection means (5) and at least a stretch of said conveying means (4) carrying said handiworks.
Method as any of the claims 20) or 21) characterized in that said operations of identifying said acquired image, allocating a type to each of said handiworks and sharing out them on the basis of said type occur automatically by comparing the detected image with benchmarks memorized for each of said handiworks in a central processing and control unit.
Method as claim 22) characterized in that it comprises an operation of counting the number of said handiworks processed, carried out by said central unit after said operation of identifying said handiworks and simultaneously to said operation of sharing out said handiworks according to said type.