EP2789730B1 - Method for sorting laundry, in particular dirty laundry items - Google Patents

Method for sorting laundry, in particular dirty laundry items Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2789730B1
EP2789730B1 EP14001071.1A EP14001071A EP2789730B1 EP 2789730 B1 EP2789730 B1 EP 2789730B1 EP 14001071 A EP14001071 A EP 14001071A EP 2789730 B1 EP2789730 B1 EP 2789730B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laundry
carrier
items
sorting
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP14001071.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2789730A1 (en
Inventor
Jürgen Möcker
Dirk Littmann
Engelbert Heinz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH and Co
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Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH and Co
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Application filed by Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH and Co filed Critical Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH and Co
Publication of EP2789730A1 publication Critical patent/EP2789730A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2789730B1 publication Critical patent/EP2789730B1/en
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F93/00—Counting, sorting, or marking arrangements specially adapted for laundry purposes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for sorting laundry items, in particular laundry items, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Items of laundry in particular pieces of laundry items to be washed or finished, are sorted after delivery in a laundry, so that they can be washed, finished or otherwise treated in a targeted manner.
  • the sorting is based on information that has the respective laundry items. For example, this information is in barcodes. which carries the respective laundry item included.
  • the information is read by a reader, such as a bar code reader, manually by an operator and displayed. The operator then sorts the items of laundry based on the information displayed to them. This is personal and time consuming.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method for sorting pieces of laundry items, especially dirty laundry items, which is at least largely automated.
  • a first method for achieving this object comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided to associate with each item of laundry a carrier which has a memory to which the laundry belonging information is transmitted. Each item of laundry is then transported with its associated carrier and the information stored thereon from the transport system to and / or through the sorting device. The sorting device then automatically performs the sorting on the basis of the information associated with the carrier. The required information can be read out of the carrier at any time and evaluated for sorting. Information is readable in or on the carrier over the entire transport of the carrier with the laundry items hanging thereon, if necessary.
  • the invention it is provided to read the information from the item of laundry, for example, the associated bar code carrier, preferably by manual scanning.
  • the laundry items are placed so that the information can be read manually from these. Thereafter, each piece of laundry is hung on a carrier assigned to him.
  • These are the only manual activities that are required by the method according to the invention for sorting the items of laundry, in particular items of dirty laundry. Everything else is done automatically by transmitting the manually read from the laundry or scanned information to a memory of the carrier in question and stored there.
  • the information is stored in the memory of the carrier to which the laundry is assigned, from which the information originates.
  • this information can be automatically read off at any time, so that the information is available everywhere on the entire transport path of the laundry, where the information is needed, especially retrieved. It is thus possible to track the entire transport path or sorting process of each individual item of laundry preferably without gaps.
  • information about the customer, the weight, the washing program and / or any special treatments of the laundry item associated with the carrier can be stored in the memory of the respective wearer.
  • the washing program is important so that the items of laundry that need to be washed with the same washing program or require the same finishing treatment can be sorted into one item by sorting.
  • special treatments requiring items of laundry for example, delicate items of laundry, can be sorted specifically based on the data stored on the carrier.
  • Based on the weight of the respective item of laundry can be a laundry items from the same sorting criteria forming laundry items of a certain weight.
  • Information about the customer to whom the item of laundry belongs can be used for the customer-specific definition of the treatment of the laundry items of a respective customer.
  • the invention is not limited to the information mentioned. Further information can be stored in the memory of the respective carrier, which can be helpful for sorting and / or the targeted treatment of the respective item of laundry.
  • a further preferred embodiment of the method provides that, based on the information in the memory of the carrier, the garment hanging therefrom, from which the information of the carrier originates, is transported together with the carrier through the sorting device and / or sorted.
  • the carrier also serves as a means of transport or a kind of transport bracket or clamp, whereby the respective laundry along the transport path of the transport system and preferably by the sorting device, in particular a storage system for forming at least a part of Sorting, is transportable.
  • items of a plurality of items of laundry are formed by the sorting device or in the sorting device on the basis of the information stored in the memory of the respective carrier.
  • items of laundry are sorted by item, which should receive the same treatment, preferably the same wash program or the same finishing treatment.
  • the items of laundry are thus sorted sorted to the respective item, to then be able to be washed or finished in the manner provided for the particular item of laundry item by item.
  • the items of laundry are supplied by the sorting device of a treatment device in an item-wise manner at their carriers with the information about the laundry article hanging thereon.
  • it is provided to check in front of the treatment device on the basis of the information in the memory of the wearer of the respective item of laundry, whether this actually belongs to the relevant item, that has been sorted correctly.
  • the information of the carrier can also be used for control purposes.
  • a further advantageous embodiment of the method provides to separate the laundry items from their carriers only immediately before the treatment.
  • the laundry items are then treated without the carrier, for example, washed or superfinished.
  • Empty carriers are transported back to receive a next item of laundry and deleted the information of the previous piece of laundry in the data storage of the respective carrier or overwritten with information of the next garment to be attached to the carrier. It is thus possible to reuse the carrier to be transported, for example, in the circulation, wherein the information of the laundry item currently hanging thereon is always contained in the memory of the respective carrier.
  • the method can be developed in such a way that the items hanging down from the carrier are moved past the transport system at a control station.
  • any laundry hanging from a carrier can then be automatically inspected, for example by scanning for faults or damage and / or foreign objects.
  • the scanning can be done by imaging techniques, especially if damage such as holes or the like are to be determined, but are also examined by sensors with, for example, magnets on metallic foreign body.
  • a preferred development of the method described above provides that items of laundry which do not fulfill any current storage paths of a sorting criterion associated with sorting laundry are initially temporarily stored.
  • the number of storage lanes can be less than the number of possible sorting criteria.
  • items of laundry are initially stored temporarily with a rarely encountered sorting criterion.
  • At least one storage track serving as a sorting section is free, it is assigned a sorting criterion, which corresponds to at least one item of laundry in the buffer and this storage path or sorting section is fed from the buffer to each of the items of laundry temporarily associated with the sorting criterion.
  • each sorting or storage section is preferably assigned temporarily to a specific type of treatment, for example the washing program, with which the item of several items of laundry formed in the respective storage section is to be washed. It can be in every storage section, a laundry for form the respective type of treatment. If the storage line is empty, it can be assigned to a different type of treatment, preferably a type of treatment which fulfills at least one item of laundry in the intermediate store. This procedure makes it possible to use the same sorting or storage line to successively form laundry items of different types of treatment. The used for sorting laundry store therefore need not have sorting and storage routes for all conceivable types of treatment. An equal storage path can be used to sequentially form items of laundry of different types of treatment.
  • the weight of all items of laundry during sorting preferably in the respective sorting or storage path, determined. It can be formed in each storage section of the memory, a laundry item having a specific total weight and, for example, sorted by the respective type of treatment laundry.
  • the weight of all items of laundry in the respective storage section is determined by the weight stored in the carrier of the respective item of laundry is added to the sorted assignment of laundry items to the corresponding storage section. As soon as this results in an added total weight of the laundry items currently in the storage section, the laundry item is complete. It can then all the laundry items with the specific weight forming pieces of laundry moved out of the respective storage section and transported to the treatment facility or first collected in a receptacle, such as a laundry bag for the entire laundry items.
  • the apparatuses shown constitute a sorting and storage system by sorting, storing and sorting items of laundry 10, which are preferably pieces of dirty laundry, and feeding them to a subsequent treatment.
  • This treatment may be washing, finishing, dry-cleaning or the like.
  • the laundry items 10 or dirty laundry items may be any items of laundry, preferably items of clothing of all kinds, including workwear items.
  • a device for sorting the laundry items 10, for the simultaneous formation of laundry items 11 from several same sorting criteria fulfilling laundry items 10 and for supplying the laundry items 11 to continuous washing machines 12 is shown.
  • the laundry items 10 are transported individually or in batches from a conveyor belt 13 or another continuous conveyor to sorting tables 14 next to the conveyor belt 13.
  • three equal sized sorting table 14 are provided adjacent to the conveyor belt 13.
  • more or less than three sorting tables 14 may be provided.
  • At least one operator 15 is located at each sorting table 14.
  • the transport system 16 shown has a circulating conveyor line.
  • the transport direction 17 of the transport system 16 is symbolized by arrows.
  • the transport system 16 is an overhead conveyor, under which the laundry items 10 can be transported further in the transport direction 17.
  • the overhead conveyor can be formed in various ways.
  • the suspension conveyor forming the transport system 16 comprises a circulating conveyor line, for example an endless conveyor chain. At the circulating conveyor line are arranged at uniform intervals in the schematic representations of the figures transport hooks.
  • the overhead conveyor of the transport system 16 may also have a rail running along the conveyor track and this associated, spaced driver, wherein the carriers in the transport direction 17 along the stationary rail can be moved further.
  • the sorting device is designed as a sorting memory, which has a memory 18.
  • the memory 18 has a plurality of parallel memory lines 19, which function as sorting lines.
  • the illustrated memory 18 has ten memory lines 19 of equal length.
  • the number of memory links 19 is not limited to ten. It is also conceivable to design the memory sections 19 differently.
  • the memory 18 with the memory lines 19 is integrated into the transport system 16 by each storage section 19 is formed by a portion of the transport system 16.
  • a cycle section 20 of the transport system 16 is provided in the transport direction 17 in front of the storage sections 19.
  • the circuit section 20 leads past the inlet sides 22 of all memory sections 19 and is thereby linked to the memory sections 19.
  • the circuit section 20 has a switch 21 in the region of each storage section 19 on a (straight) section leading past the storage sections 19.
  • Outlet sides 23 of all storage sections 19 lead directly to a common removal section 24 of the transport system 16.
  • the removal section 24 is divided by a switch 25 into two branching at the switch 25 sections 26. Each section leads to one of the two continuous washing machines 12, in the area If more than two continuous washing machines 12 are provided, more than two sections 26 are provided, namely one section for each continuous washing machine 12. In a single continuous washing machine 12, the points 25 and the sections are 26 not required. Then the removal section 24 can lead unbranched to the continuous washing machine 12. Of the continuous washing machines 12, the transport system 16 is returned to the sorting tables 14 with a return section 28.
  • a buffer 29 is provided.
  • the buffer 29 is used to eject items of laundry 10 before the sorting memory 18 as needed.
  • the buffer 29 has at least one buffer section 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are three buffer sections 30. However, it may also be more or less.
  • Each intermediate storage section 30 is connected via a switch 31 to the section of the circulation path 20 leading past the intermediate storage section 30.
  • the points 31 are located at the inlet sides 32 of the intermediate memory sections 30. Outlet sides 33 of the intermediate memory sections 30 are returned to the circuit section 20 again.
  • each intermediate storage section 30 forms a separate circuit with a section of the circulation section 20, so that items of laundry 10 can be transported back along the respective intermediate storage section 30 in front of the storage 18 to the circulation section 20 of the transport system 16.
  • the outlet sides 33 of the intermediate storage section 30 open in the transport direction 17 before the points 31 of the circulation path 20. This makes it possible to guide certain items of laundry 10 to another intermediate storage section 30 if necessary.
  • Each supporting hook, not shown in the figure, of the transport system 16 is assigned a carrier 34. All carriers 34 are identical.
  • the carriers 34 may be connected to the support hook of the transport system 16 in any manner.
  • the carriers 34 are formed in the manner of clip brackets. Such brackets have an upper hook 35.
  • Each carrier 34 is then attached with its hook 35 to the support hook of the transport system 16, in such a way that in each case a carrier 34 is suspended under a support hook of the transport system 16.
  • Each of the carriers 34 shown here has at the lower end via a bracket 36, in which an upper edge region of a laundry item 10 is einklemmerbar. The laundry item 10 then suspended below the transport system 16 free from the respective carrier 34 down.
  • Each carrier 34 has an information carrier, not shown in the figures, for information of that item of laundry 10 which is currently associated with the carrier 34, namely, hangs on the carrier 34.
  • the information carrier is preferably a data memory, for example a chip.
  • the information, namely data, of the piece of laundry 10 hanging on the carrier 34 is stored in the data memory. These data can be rewritten with information of the laundry carrier 10 next assigned to the same carrier 34.
  • Via a transmission device in the region of each sorting table 14 the information from the respective laundry article 10 is transmitted to the chip or other data carrier exactly to that carrier 34 to which the laundry article 10 to which the information belongs has been previously attached.
  • reading devices which read out the information or data stored on the chips or other data carrier of the respective carrier 34 and accordingly control or actuate the switches 21, 25 and 31.
  • the transport system 16 readers can are located so that where information of the respective laundry item 10 are needed, they are also readable.
  • the device shown may be at least one in the Fig. 1 Have not shown inspection device.
  • the respective inspection device is preferably located at the beginning of the transport system 16, namely in the vicinity of the sorting table 14. It is conceivable to assign a loading section 37 of the transport system 16 past or close to each sorting table 14 to its own inspection device.
  • the inspection devices are designed such that they detect the laundry article 10 hanging freely from the respective carrier 34 without contact, namely by imaging with cameras and / or sensors responsive to different materials or substances, for example metal detectors.
  • FIG. 2 The embodiment shown differs from that of Fig. 1 essentially only in that there is no intermediate storage 29 and no continuous washing machines 12 are loaded directly with a laundry item 11 from sorted items of laundry. As far as matches between the devices of Fig. 1 and 2 exist, same reference numerals are used for the same parts.
  • the memory 40 serving as a sorting device has a sufficient number of parallel memory links 41. In the exemplary embodiment shown, these are eight identical memory paths if these are sufficient to sort all the laundry items 10. In the normal case, the device has such a number of memory links 41, which corresponds to the number of different sorting criteria.
  • the following on the memory sections 41 of the memory 40 removal section 24 of the transport system 16 of the Fig. 2 transported the laundry items 11 to a so-called bag filling plant 42.
  • the laundry items 10 of the Wäschepostens 11 are separated from the carriers 34 and collected in a bag 43 or other receptacle.
  • Each bag 43 receives a sorted laundry items 11.
  • the respective laundry item 11 is then moved in the bags 43 to a treatment facility in which the laundry items 10 of the laundry lot 11 are to be treated. This may be finishers, dry-cleaning machines and / or any type of washing machine, optionally also continuous washing machines 12 act.
  • the procedure is as follows: From the transport system 16 successive identical carrier 34 are conveyed at regular intervals in the circulation. Laundry items 10, namely items of dirty laundry, are isolated or transported in heaps of several laundry items 10 from the conveyor belt 13 to the sorting tables 14. At each sorting table 14, a laundry item 10 is removed from the conveyor 13 by the respective operator 15 and positioned on the sorting table 14 so that information can be read from an information carrier in or on the laundry item 10. For example, there is a sticker with a barcode on each piece of laundry 10, which is read by a corresponding reader.
  • It may be a hand-held bar code reader, which is brought by the operator 15 on the bar code of lying on the sorting table 14 garment 10 for reading the information. But it may also be a stationary bar code reader, under which the operator 15 holds the bar code of the laundry article 10 for reading the information thereof.
  • the information read by the bar code reader or other data collection device of the respective item of laundry 10 are transferred to the memory of that carrier 34 and stored there, in the bracket 36 of the operator 15 hangs the relevant laundry item 10 after detecting the information containing the information. From the memory of the carrier 34 to the him currently holding laundry 10 belonging information at any time anywhere on the conveyor line of the conveyor 17 are readable. The data are thereby available throughout the transport process of the respective item of laundry 10 along the transport system 16 and can be read out completely or selectively everywhere. It is thus ensured a complete tracking of the transport path of the laundry article 10 with this holding carrier 34 by the transport system 16.
  • each sorting table 14 may be assigned an inspection device.
  • each piece of laundry 10 hanging down more or less spread out by the respective carrier 34 can be scanned contactlessly by the inspection device in order to detect errors, for example Holes to recognize the laundry item 10, but also large contaminants that may require special treatment and / or foreign bodies.
  • the information to be read out by the respective item of laundry 10 is at least one which is necessary for the subsequent treatment of the item of laundry 10.
  • the washing program for the item of laundry 10 to be washed, the weight of the item of laundry 10 or at least one identification feature, for example about the origin or the owner of the item of laundry 10, can be read out. But it can also be information about the type of laundry, age or any other required for the treatment and treatment of the laundry items 10 information.
  • the carrier 14 with the hanging laundry items 10 (in the Fig. 1 some carriers 34 are only hinted) are transported in the transport direction 17 to the memory 18 and / or buffer 29, which mainly serve for sorting.
  • the circulation path 20 of the transport system 16 leads past first the buffer memory 29 and then the memory 18. In good time before the temporary storage 29, at least the washing program and the weight of the laundry item 10 hanging on the respective carrier 34 are read from the data memory of each carrier 34.
  • the carrier 34 and the laundry item 10 hanging thereon are transferred past the intermediate storage device 29 directly to the storage device 18 transported and conveyed by automatic actuation of a switch 21 of the carrier 34 with the laundry item 10 in that storage section 19, the sort criterion meets the laundry item 10.
  • the weight of the conveyed into a specific storage section 19 laundry item 10 is stored. Subsequent items of laundry 10, which fulfill a different sorting criterion, are automatically conveyed to the reserved other storage section 19.
  • the laundry item 11 is then conveyed to the loading point 27 of the respective continuous washing machine 12.
  • the laundry items 10 are gradually separated from their respective carriers 34, which is preferably done by automatically opening the bracket 36.
  • the respective empty carrier 34 is then transported back to the sorting tables 14 via the return section 28 of the transport system 16.
  • the information of the laundry article 10 separated from the carrier 34 by the continuous washing machine 12 in the chip of the respective carrier 34 can be deleted. However, it is also conceivable that the information in the chip of the respective carrier 34 is overwritten with the information of the next laundry item 10 attached to the carrier 34 at the respective sorting table 14.
  • laundry articles 10 with the associated carriers 34 which have the same sorting criterion, can be collected on the intermediate storage sections 30. It is thus carried out in the buffer 29 optionally a presorting of the laundry items 10 on the respective buffer storage section 30 provided. It is also conceivable to buffer 30 laundry items 10 together with carrier 34 in each intermediate storage section, which fulfill various sorting criteria, in which case the procedure is preferably such that Each buffer section 30 are assigned to certain sorting criteria.
  • laundry items 10 together with carriers 34 are introduced into the intermediate storage section 30 by corresponding automatic actuation of the points 31, which correspond to these three sorting criteria. If the items of laundry 10 provided for the temporary storage 29 have more than three different sorting criteria, but not only then, the items of laundry 10 can also be re-sorted into a free intermediate storage section 30 and temporarily stored there.
  • the buffer 29 has a certain number of items of laundry 10 on carriers 34, it can be emptied by all or at least some located on the same laundry items 10 are discharged with their carrier 34 from the respective intermediate storage section 30, so that they again on the circulation route 20 arrive. These items of laundry 10 are then conveyed to at least one empty storage section 19.
  • the empty buffer section 30 is temporarily assigned by the controller of the transport system 16, a different sorting criterion that meet at least some of the intermediate storage section 30 discharged laundry items 10.
  • the laundry items 10 having the other sorting criteria are transported further in the circulation on the circulation line 20 until storage sections 19 are free temporarily the sorting criterion of the laundry items 10 transported in the cycle can be assigned.
  • the washing program read out before the respective continuous washing machine 12 can also be used for automatic control, namely washing program selection, of the continuous washing machine 12, so that the washing program for the respective laundry item 11 can be automatically set on the continuous washing machine 12.
  • this item of laundry with the associated carrier 34 can be removed from the loading location 27 or the laundry items 10 is not separated from the carrier 34 at the loading point 27, but transported past the loading point 27.
  • Such a laundry 10 is then connected to the carrier 34 on the return section 28, which is actually intended for empty carrier 34, transported back to the sorting tables 14.
  • the information of the laundry item 10 are scanned again by the operator 15 and re-stored in the chip or the like of the carrier 34 or it is the carrier 34 with the laundry item 10 again fed to the sorting table 14 by the transport system 16 to the buffer memory 29 or memory 18.
  • the process with the sorting system of Fig. 2 basically works the same way as described above.
  • the memory 40 has a sufficient number of memory links 41 for all occurring sorting criteria.
  • the memory 40 thus has so many memory sections 41 that all items of laundry 10 fulfill a sorting criterion associated with at least one memory section 41, so that intermediate storage of items of laundry 10 of other sorting criteria is not required in this method.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Sortieren von Wäschestücken, insbesondere Schmutzwäschestücken, gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a method for sorting laundry items, in particular laundry items, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Wäschestücke, insbesondere zu waschende oder zu finishende Schmutzwäschestücke, werden nach der Anlieferung in einer Wäscherei sortiert, damit sie gezielt gewaschen, gefinisht oder sonst wie behandelt werden können.
Das Sortieren erfolgt anhand von Informationen, die das jeweilige Wäschestücke aufweist. Beispielsweise sind diese Informationen in Barcodes. die das jeweilige Wäschestück trägt, enthalten. Die Informationen werden mit einem Lesegerät, beispielsweise einem Barcodeleser, manuell von einer Bedienungsperson ausgelesen und dieser angezeigt. Die Bedienungsperson sortiert daraufhin anhand der ihr angezeigten Informationen die Wäschestücke. Das ist personal- und zeitaufwendig.
Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zum Sortieren von Wäschestückestücken, insbesondere Schmutzwäschestücken, zu schaffen, das zumindest größtenteils automatisiert ist.Items of laundry, in particular pieces of laundry items to be washed or finished, are sorted after delivery in a laundry, so that they can be washed, finished or otherwise treated in a targeted manner.
The sorting is based on information that has the respective laundry items. For example, this information is in barcodes. which carries the respective laundry item included. The information is read by a reader, such as a bar code reader, manually by an operator and displayed. The operator then sorts the items of laundry based on the information displayed to them. This is personal and time consuming.
The invention has for its object to provide a method for sorting pieces of laundry items, especially dirty laundry items, which is at least largely automated.

Ein erstes Verfahren zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe weist die Maßnahmen des Anspruchs 1 auf. Demnach ist vorgesehen, jedem Wäschestück einen Träger zuzuordnen, der einen Speicher aufweist, an den die zum Wäschestücke gehörenden Informationen übertragen werden. Jedes Wäschestück wird dann mit dem ihm zugeordneten Träger und den darauf gespeicherten Informationen vom Transportsystem zu und/oder durch die Sortiereinrichtung transportiert. Die Sortiereinrichtung nimmt dann automatisch die Sortierung anhand der dem Träger zugeordneten Informationen vor. Die benötigten Informationen können aus dem Träger jederzeit ausgelesen und zum Sortieren ausgewertet werden. Informationen sind im oder auf dem Träger über den gesamten Transportweg der Träger mit den daran hängenden Wäschestücken bedarfsweise auslesbar.A first method for achieving this object comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided to associate with each item of laundry a carrier which has a memory to which the laundry belonging information is transmitted. Each item of laundry is then transported with its associated carrier and the information stored thereon from the transport system to and / or through the sorting device. The sorting device then automatically performs the sorting on the basis of the information associated with the carrier. The required information can be read out of the carrier at any time and evaluated for sorting. Information is readable in or on the carrier over the entire transport of the carrier with the laundry items hanging thereon, if necessary.

Nach der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, die Informationen vom Wäschestück, beispielsweise dem diesem zugeordneten Barcodeträger, abzulesen, vorzugsweise durch manuelles Abscannen. Dazu werden die Wäschestücke so hingelegt, dass von diesen die Informationen manuell abgelesen werden können. Danach wird jedes Wäschestück auf einen ihm zugeordneten Träger gehängt. Dies sind die einzigen manuellen Tätigkeiten, die nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren zum Sortieren der Wäschestücke, insbesondere Schmutzwäschestücke, erforderlich sind. Alles andere geschieht automatisch, indem die manuell vom jeweiligen Wäschestück abgelesenen bzw. abgescannten Informationen an einen Speicher des betreffenden Trägers übertragen und dort abgespeichert werden. Es werden die Informationen in dem Speicher desjenigen Trägers abgespeichert, dem das Wäschestück zugeordnet wird, von dem die Informationen stammen. Vom Träger lassen sich diese Informationen jederzeit gezielt automatisch ablesen, so dass die Informationen überall dort auf dem gesamten Transportweg der Wäschestücke zur Verfügung stehen, wo die Informationen benötigt, insbesondere abgerufen, werden. Es lässt sich so der gesamte Transportweg oder auch Sortiervorgang jedes einzelnen Wäschestücks vorzugsweise lückenlos verfolgen.
Beispielsweise können dem Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers Informationen über den Kunden, das Gewicht, das Waschprogramm und/oder eventuelle Sonderbehandlungen des dem Träger zugeordneten Wäschestücks abgelegt werden. Vor allem das Waschprogramm ist wichtig, damit die Wäschestücke, die mit dem gleichen Waschprogramm gewaschen werden müssen oder die gleiche Finishbehandlung erfordern, durch Sortieren zu einem Posten zusammengefasst werden können. Auch Sonderbehandlungen erfordernde Wäschestücke, zum Beispiel empfindliche Wäschestücke, können anhand der auf dem Träger abgespeicherten Daten gezielt sortiert werden. Anhand des Gewichts des jeweiligen Wäschestücks lässt sich ein Wäscheposten aus gleiche Sortierkriterien aufweisenden Wäschestücken mit einem bestimmten Gewicht bilden. Angaben über den Kunden, dem das jeweilige Wäschestück gehört, können zur kundenbezogenen Definition der Behandlung der Wäschestücke eines jeweiligen Kunden verwendet werden. Die Erfindung ist auf die genannten Informationen aber nicht beschränkt. Es können weitere Informationen im Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers abgelegt werden, die zum Sortieren und/oder der gezielten Behandlung des jeweiligen Wäschestücks hilfreich sein können.According to the invention, it is provided to read the information from the item of laundry, for example, the associated bar code carrier, preferably by manual scanning. For this purpose, the laundry items are placed so that the information can be read manually from these. Thereafter, each piece of laundry is hung on a carrier assigned to him. These are the only manual activities that are required by the method according to the invention for sorting the items of laundry, in particular items of dirty laundry. Everything else is done automatically by transmitting the manually read from the laundry or scanned information to a memory of the carrier in question and stored there. The information is stored in the memory of the carrier to which the laundry is assigned, from which the information originates. From the carrier, this information can be automatically read off at any time, so that the information is available everywhere on the entire transport path of the laundry, where the information is needed, especially retrieved. It is thus possible to track the entire transport path or sorting process of each individual item of laundry preferably without gaps.
For example, information about the customer, the weight, the washing program and / or any special treatments of the laundry item associated with the carrier can be stored in the memory of the respective wearer. Especially the washing program is important so that the items of laundry that need to be washed with the same washing program or require the same finishing treatment can be sorted into one item by sorting. Also special treatments requiring items of laundry, for example, delicate items of laundry, can be sorted specifically based on the data stored on the carrier. Based on the weight of the respective item of laundry can be a laundry items from the same sorting criteria forming laundry items of a certain weight. Information about the customer to whom the item of laundry belongs can be used for the customer-specific definition of the treatment of the laundry items of a respective customer. The invention is not limited to the information mentioned. Further information can be stored in the memory of the respective carrier, which can be helpful for sorting and / or the targeted treatment of the respective item of laundry.

Eine weitere bevorzugte Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens sieht es vor, dass anhand der Informationen im Speicher des Trägers das daran hängende Wäschestück, von dem die Informationen des Trägers stammen, zusammen mit dem Träger durch die Sortiereinrichtung transportiert und/oder sortiert wird. Das lässt eine gezielte Steuerung des Sortiervorgangs zu, wobei der Träger gleichzeitig als Transportmittel bzw. eine Art Transportbügel oder -klammer dient, womit das jeweilige Wäschestück entlang der Transportstrecke des Transportsystems und vorzugsweise auch durch die Sortiereinrichtung, insbesondere ein Speichersystem zur Bildung mindestens eines Teils der Sortiereinrichtung, hindurchtransportierbar ist.A further preferred embodiment of the method provides that, based on the information in the memory of the carrier, the garment hanging therefrom, from which the information of the carrier originates, is transported together with the carrier through the sorting device and / or sorted. This allows a targeted control of the sorting process, wherein the carrier also serves as a means of transport or a kind of transport bracket or clamp, whereby the respective laundry along the transport path of the transport system and preferably by the sorting device, in particular a storage system for forming at least a part of Sorting, is transportable.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des Verfahrens werden von der Sortiereinrichtung bzw. in der Sortiereinrichtung Posten mehrerer Wäschestücke anhand der im Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers hinterlegten Informationen gebildet. Vorzugsweise werden solche Posten gebildet und die Wäschestücke entsprechend postenweise sortiert, die die gleiche Behandlung, vorzugsweise das gleiche Waschprogramm oder die gleiche Finishbehandlung, erfahren sollen. Die Wäschestücke werden so sortenweise zum jeweiligen Posten zusammengestellt, um anschließend in der für das jeweilige Wäschestück vorgesehenen Art postenweise gewaschen oder gefinisht werden zu können.According to an advantageous development of the method, items of a plurality of items of laundry are formed by the sorting device or in the sorting device on the basis of the information stored in the memory of the respective carrier. Preferably, such items are formed and the items of laundry are sorted by item, which should receive the same treatment, preferably the same wash program or the same finishing treatment. The items of laundry are thus sorted sorted to the respective item, to then be able to be washed or finished in the manner provided for the particular item of laundry item by item.

Nach einer anderen vorteilhaften Ausbildung des Verfahrens werden die Wäschestücke postenweise an ihren Trägern mit den Informationen über das daran hängende Wäschestück von der Sortiereinrichtung einer Behandlungseinrichtung zugeführt. Vorzugsweise ist es vorgesehen, vor der Behandlungseinrichtung anhand der Informationen im Speicher des Trägers des jeweiligen Wäschestücks zu überprüfen, ob dieses tatsächlich zum betreffenden Posten gehört, also richtig sortiert worden ist. Die Informationen der Träger können so auch zu Kontrollzwecken eingesetzt werden.According to another advantageous embodiment of the method, the items of laundry are supplied by the sorting device of a treatment device in an item-wise manner at their carriers with the information about the laundry article hanging thereon. Preferably, it is provided to check in front of the treatment device on the basis of the information in the memory of the wearer of the respective item of laundry, whether this actually belongs to the relevant item, that has been sorted correctly. The information of the carrier can also be used for control purposes.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung des Verfahrens sieht es vor, die Wäschestücke erst unmittelbar vor der Behandlung von ihren Trägern zu trennen. Die Wäschestücke werden dann ohne die Träger entsprechend behandelt, beispielsweise gewaschen oder gefinisht. Leere Träger werden zur Aufnahme eines nächten Wäschestücks zurücktransportiert und die Informationen des vorhergehenden Wäschestücks im Daten-Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers gelöscht oder mit Informationen des nächsten am Träger anzuhängenden Wäschestücks überschrieben. Es ist so eine Wiederverwendung der beispielsweise im Kreislauf zu transportierenden Träger möglich, wobei im Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers immer die Information des momentan daran hängenden Wäschestücks enthalten sind.
Bevorzugt kann das Verfahren derart weitergebildet sein, dass die von dem Träger herunterhängenden Wäschestücke vom Transportsystem an einer Kontrollstation vorbeibewegt werden. An der Kontrollstation kann dann jedes an einem Träger hängende Wäschestück automatisch inspiziert werden, beispielsweise durch Abscannen auf Fehler bzw. Schäden und/oder Fremdkörper. Das Abscannen kann durch bildgebende Verfahren erfolgen, insbesondere wenn Schäden wie Löcher oder dergleichen ermittelt werden sollen, aber auch sensorisch mit beispielsweise Magneten auf metallische Fremdkörper untersucht werden.A further advantageous embodiment of the method provides to separate the laundry items from their carriers only immediately before the treatment. The laundry items are then treated without the carrier, for example, washed or superfinished. Empty carriers are transported back to receive a next item of laundry and deleted the information of the previous piece of laundry in the data storage of the respective carrier or overwritten with information of the next garment to be attached to the carrier. It is thus possible to reuse the carrier to be transported, for example, in the circulation, wherein the information of the laundry item currently hanging thereon is always contained in the memory of the respective carrier.
Preferably, the method can be developed in such a way that the items hanging down from the carrier are moved past the transport system at a control station. At the control station, any laundry hanging from a carrier can then be automatically inspected, for example by scanning for faults or damage and / or foreign objects. The scanning can be done by imaging techniques, especially if damage such as holes or the like are to be determined, but are also examined by sensors with, for example, magnets on metallic foreign body.

Eine bevorzugte Weiterbildung des zuvor beschriebenen Verfahrens sieht es vor, Wäschestücke, die kein momentan Speicherbahnen eines zum Sortieren dienenden Wäschespeichers zugeordnetes Sortierkriterium erfüllen, zunächst zwischengespeichert werden. Dadurch kann die Anzahl der Speicherbahnen geringer sein als die Anzahl der möglichen Sortierkriterien. Insbesondere werden Wäschestücke mit einem selten anzutreffenden Sortierkriterium zunächst zwischengespeichert. Sobald mindestens eine als Sortierstrecke dienende Speicherbahn frei ist, wird dieser ein Sortierkriterium zugeordnet, dem mindestens ein Wäschestück im Zwischenspeicher entspricht und dieser Speicherbahn bzw. Sortierstrecke jedes dem ihr temporär zugeordnete Sortierkriterium erfüllende Wäschestück aus dem Zwischenspeicher zugeführt. Auf diese Weise lässt sich die Anzahl der Sortierstrecken reduzieren bzw. es ist mit einer bestimmten Anzahl von Sortierstrecken möglich, Wäschestücke zu sortieren, die eine größere Anzahl unterschiedlicher Sortierkriterien aufweisen als Sortier- bzw. Speicherstrecken vorhanden sind. Weiter sieht es die Erfindung vor, dass jeder Sortier- bzw. Speicherstrecke vorzugsweise temporär eine bestimmte Behandlungsart, zum Beispiel das Waschprogramm, womit der in der jeweiligen Speicherstrecke gebildete Posten mehrerer Wäschestücke gewaschen werden soll, zugeordnet wird. Es lässt sich in jeder Speicherstrecke ein Wäscheposten für die jeweilige Behandlungsart bilden. Wenn die Speicherstrecke leer ist, kann dieser eine andere Behandlungsart zugeordnet werden, vorzugsweise eine Behandlungsart, die mindestens ein Wäschestück im Zwischenspeicher erfüllt. Diese Vorgehensweise ermöglicht es, mit derselben Sortier- bzw. Speicherstrecke nacheinander Wäscheposten unterschiedlicher Behandlungsarten zu bilden. Der zum Sortieren eingesetzte Wäschestück-Speicher braucht deshalb nicht Sortier- und Speicherstrecken für alle denkbaren Behandlungsarten aufzuweisen. Eine gleiche Speicherstrecke kann verwendet werden, um nacheinander Posten aus Wäschestücken unterschiedlicher Behandlungsarten zu bilden.A preferred development of the method described above provides that items of laundry which do not fulfill any current storage paths of a sorting criterion associated with sorting laundry are initially temporarily stored. As a result, the number of storage lanes can be less than the number of possible sorting criteria. In particular, items of laundry are initially stored temporarily with a rarely encountered sorting criterion. As soon as at least one storage track serving as a sorting section is free, it is assigned a sorting criterion, which corresponds to at least one item of laundry in the buffer and this storage path or sorting section is fed from the buffer to each of the items of laundry temporarily associated with the sorting criterion. In this way, the number of sorting sections can be reduced or it is possible with a certain number of sorting sections to sort items of laundry which have a larger number of different sorting criteria than sorting or storage sections. Furthermore, the invention provides that each sorting or storage section is preferably assigned temporarily to a specific type of treatment, for example the washing program, with which the item of several items of laundry formed in the respective storage section is to be washed. It can be in every storage section, a laundry for form the respective type of treatment. If the storage line is empty, it can be assigned to a different type of treatment, preferably a type of treatment which fulfills at least one item of laundry in the intermediate store. This procedure makes it possible to use the same sorting or storage line to successively form laundry items of different types of treatment. The used for sorting laundry store therefore need not have sorting and storage routes for all conceivable types of treatment. An equal storage path can be used to sequentially form items of laundry of different types of treatment.

Gemäß einer anderen vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des Verfahrens wird das Gewicht aller Wäschestücke beim Sortieren, vorzugsweise in der jeweiligen Sortier- bzw. Speicherstrecke, ermittelt. Es kann so in jeder Speicherstrecke des Speichers ein Wäscheposten gebildet werden, der ein bestimmtes Gesamtgewicht und beispielsweise nach der jeweiligen Behandlungsart sortierte Wäschestücke aufweist.According to another advantageous embodiment of the method, the weight of all items of laundry during sorting, preferably in the respective sorting or storage path, determined. It can be formed in each storage section of the memory, a laundry item having a specific total weight and, for example, sorted by the respective type of treatment laundry.

Vorzugsweise wird das Gewicht aller Wäschestücken in der jeweiligen Speicherstrecke ermittelt, indem beim sortierten Zuordnen von Wäschestücken zur entsprechenden Speicherstrecke das im Träger gespeicherte Gewicht des jeweiligen Wäschestücks aufaddiert wird. Sobald sich dabei ein aufaddiertes Gesamtgewicht der sich momentan in der Speicherstrecke befindenden Wäschestücke ergibt, ist der Wäscheposten komplett. Es können dann alle den jeweiligen Wäscheposten mit dem bestimmten Gewicht bildenden Wäschestücke aus der jeweiligen Speicherstrecke herausgefahren und zur Behandlungseinrichtung transportiert oder zunächst in einem Aufnahmebehältnis, beispielsweise einem Wäschesack, für den gesamten Wäscheposten gesammelt werden.Preferably, the weight of all items of laundry in the respective storage section is determined by the weight stored in the carrier of the respective item of laundry is added to the sorted assignment of laundry items to the corresponding storage section. As soon as this results in an added total weight of the laundry items currently in the storage section, the laundry item is complete. It can then all the laundry items with the specific weight forming pieces of laundry moved out of the respective storage section and transported to the treatment facility or first collected in a receptacle, such as a laundry bag for the entire laundry items.

Bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. In dieser zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen schematischen Grundrissplan einer Sortieranlage gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
Fig. 2
eine schematische Grundrissdarstellung einer Sortieranlage gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,
Fig. 3
eine vergrößerte Einzelheit der Sortieranlage der Fig. 1 und 2 im Bereich der Beladung eines Trägers mit einem Wäschestück, und
Fig. 4
eine Ansicht eines am Träger hängenden Wäschestücks.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:
Fig. 1
a schematic plan of a sorting plant according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2
a schematic plan view of a sorting system according to a second embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 3
an enlarged detail of the sorting of the Fig. 1 and 2 in the field of loading a carrier with a laundry item, and
Fig. 4
a view of a hanging on the carrier laundry.

Die gezeigten Vorrichtungen stellen eine Sortier- und Speicheranlage dar, indem sie Wäschestücke 10, wobei es sich bevorzugt um Schmutzwäschestücke handelt, sortieren, speichern und sortiert einer nachfolgenden Behandlung zuführen. Bei dieser Behandlung kann es sich um Waschen, Finishen, Chemisch-Reinigen oder Ähnliches handeln. Bei den Wäschestücken 10 bzw. Schmutzwäschestücken kann es sich um beliebige Wäschestücke handeln, vorzugsweise Bekleidungsstücke aller Art, auch Berufsbekleidungsstücke.The apparatuses shown constitute a sorting and storage system by sorting, storing and sorting items of laundry 10, which are preferably pieces of dirty laundry, and feeding them to a subsequent treatment. This treatment may be washing, finishing, dry-cleaning or the like. The laundry items 10 or dirty laundry items may be any items of laundry, preferably items of clothing of all kinds, including workwear items.

In der Fig. 1 ist eine Vorrichtung zum Sortieren der Wäschestücke 10, zur gleichzeitigen Bildung von Wäscheposten 11 aus mehreren gleiche Sortierkriterien erfüllenden Wäschestücken 10 und zum Zuführen der Wäscheposten 11 zu Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12 dargestellt.In the Fig. 1 a device for sorting the laundry items 10, for the simultaneous formation of laundry items 11 from several same sorting criteria fulfilling laundry items 10 and for supplying the laundry items 11 to continuous washing machines 12 is shown.

Die Wäschestücke 10 werden vereinzelt oder haufenweise von einem Förderband 13 oder einem anderen Stetigförderer zu Sortiertischen 14 neben dem Förderband 13 transportiert. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind drei gleich ausgebildete Sortiertische 14 neben dem Förderband 13 vorgesehen. Je nach Größe der Sortiervorrichtung können mehr oder auch weniger als drei Sortiertische 14 vorgesehen sein. An jedem Sortiertisch 14 befindet sich mindestens eine Bedienungsperson 15. Zwischen den Sortiertischen 14 und der Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 ist ein Transportsystem 16 vorgesehen. Das gezeigte Transportsystem 16 verfügt über eine im Kreislauf geführte Förderstrecke. Die Transportrichtung 17 des Transportsystems 16 ist durch Pfeile symbolisiert.The laundry items 10 are transported individually or in batches from a conveyor belt 13 or another continuous conveyor to sorting tables 14 next to the conveyor belt 13. In the illustrated embodiment, three equal sized sorting table 14 are provided adjacent to the conveyor belt 13. Depending on the size of the sorting device, more or less than three sorting tables 14 may be provided. At least one operator 15 is located at each sorting table 14. Between the sorting tables 14 and the continuous washing machine 12, a transport system 16 is provided. The transport system 16 shown has a circulating conveyor line. The transport direction 17 of the transport system 16 is symbolized by arrows.

Beim Transportsystem 16 handelt es sich im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel um einen Hängeförderer, unter dem die Wäschestücke 10 in Transportrichtung 17 weitertransportierbar sind. Der Hängeförderer kann auf verschiedene Weise gebildet sein. Bevorzugt weist der das Transportsystem 16 bildende Hängeförderer einen umlaufenden Förderstrang, beispielsweise eine endlose Förderkette, auf. Am umlaufenden Förderstrang sind in gleichmäßigen Abständen in den schematischen Darstellungen der Figuren nicht gezeigte Transporthaken angeordnet. Der Hängeförderer des Transportsystems 16 kann aber auch eine entlang der Förderstrecke verlaufende Schiene und dieser zugeordnete, beabstandete Mitnehmer aufweisen, wobei die Mitnehmer in Transportrichtung 17 entlang der stillstehenden Schiene weiterbewegbar sind.In the embodiment shown, the transport system 16 is an overhead conveyor, under which the laundry items 10 can be transported further in the transport direction 17. The overhead conveyor can be formed in various ways. Preferably, the suspension conveyor forming the transport system 16 comprises a circulating conveyor line, for example an endless conveyor chain. At the circulating conveyor line are arranged at uniform intervals in the schematic representations of the figures transport hooks. However, the overhead conveyor of the transport system 16 may also have a rail running along the conveyor track and this associated, spaced driver, wherein the carriers in the transport direction 17 along the stationary rail can be moved further.

Zwischen den Sortiertischen 14 und den Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12 ist eine Sortiereinrichtung vorgesehen. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Sortiereinrichtung als ein Sortierspeicher ausgebildet, der einen Speicher 18 aufweist. Der Speicher 18 verfügt über mehrere parallele Speicherstrecken 19, die als Sortierstrecken fungieren. Der gezeigte Speicher 18 weist zehn gleich lange Speicherstrecken 19 auf. Die Anzahl der Speicherstrecken 19 ist aber nicht auf zehn beschränkt. Denkbar ist es auch, die Speicherstrecken 19 unterschiedlich auszubilden. Der Speicher 18 mit den Speicherstrecken 19 ist in das Transportsystem 16 integriert, indem jede Speicherstrecke 19 von einem Abschnitt des Transportsystems 16 gebildet ist.Between the sorting tables 14 and the continuous washing machines 12, a sorting device is provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sorting device is designed as a sorting memory, which has a memory 18. The memory 18 has a plurality of parallel memory lines 19, which function as sorting lines. The illustrated memory 18 has ten memory lines 19 of equal length. The number of memory links 19 is not limited to ten. It is also conceivable to design the memory sections 19 differently. The memory 18 with the memory lines 19 is integrated into the transport system 16 by each storage section 19 is formed by a portion of the transport system 16.

In Transportrichtung 17 vor den Speicherstrecken 19 ist eine Kreislaufstrecke 20 des Transportsystems 16 vorgesehen. Die Kreislaufstrecke 20 führt an den Einlaufseiten 22 aller Speicherstrecken 19 vorbei und ist dadurch mit den Speicherstrecken 19 verknüpft. Die Kreislaufstrecke 20 weist auf einem vor den Speicherstrecken 19 vorbeiführenden (geraden) Abschnitt eine Weiche 21 im Bereich jeder Speicherstrecke 19 auf. Auslaufseiten 23 aller Speicherstrecken 19 führen direkt auf einen gemeinsamen Abtransportabschnitt 24 des Transportsystems 16. Der Abtransportabschnitt 24 ist über eine Weiche 25 aufgeteilt in zwei sich an der Weiche 25 verzweigende Teilabschnitte 26. Jeder Teilabschnitt führt zu einer der beiden Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12, und zwar im Bereich einer Beladestelle 27, beispielsweise Beladerutsche, der jeweiligen Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12. Falls mehr als zwei Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12 vorgesehen sind, sind mehr als zwei Teilabschnitte 26 vorgesehen, nämlich ein Teilabschnitt für jede Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12. Bei nur einer einzigen Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 sind die Weichen 25 und die Teilabschnitte 26 nicht erforderlich. Dann kann der Abtransportabschnitt 24 unverzweigt zur Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 führen. Von den Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12 ist das Transportsystem 16 mit einem Rücklaufabschnitt 28 zurückgeführt zu den Sortiertischen 14.In the transport direction 17 in front of the storage sections 19, a cycle section 20 of the transport system 16 is provided. The circuit section 20 leads past the inlet sides 22 of all memory sections 19 and is thereby linked to the memory sections 19. The circuit section 20 has a switch 21 in the region of each storage section 19 on a (straight) section leading past the storage sections 19. Outlet sides 23 of all storage sections 19 lead directly to a common removal section 24 of the transport system 16. The removal section 24 is divided by a switch 25 into two branching at the switch 25 sections 26. Each section leads to one of the two continuous washing machines 12, in the area If more than two continuous washing machines 12 are provided, more than two sections 26 are provided, namely one section for each continuous washing machine 12. In a single continuous washing machine 12, the points 25 and the sections are 26 not required. Then the removal section 24 can lead unbranched to the continuous washing machine 12. Of the continuous washing machines 12, the transport system 16 is returned to the sorting tables 14 with a return section 28.

Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 ist ein Zwischenspeicher 29 vorgesehen. Der Zwischenspeicher 29 dient dazu, vor dem zum Sortieren verwendeten Speicher 18 Wäschestücke 10 bedarfsweise auszuschleusen. Der Zwischenspeicher 29 verfügt über mindestens eine Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel gibt es drei Zwischenspeicherstrecken 30. Es können aber auch mehr oder weniger sein. Jede Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 ist über eine Weiche 31 mit dem an der Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 vorbeiführenden Abschnitt der Kreislaufstrecke 20 verbunden. Die Weichen 31 befinden sich an den Einlaufseiten 32 der Zwischenspeicherstrecken 30. Auslaufseiten 33 der Zwischenspeicherstrecken 30 sind wieder zur Kreislaufstrecke 20 zurückgeführt. Auf diese Weise bildet jede Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 mit einem Abschnitt der Kreislaufstrecke 20 einen eigenen Kreislauf, so dass Wäschestücke 10 längs der jeweiligen Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 vor dem Speicher 18 zur Kreislaufstrecke 20 des Transportsystems 16 zurücktransportierbar sind. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel münden die Auslaufseiten 33 der Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 in Transportrichtung 17 gesehen vor den Weichen 31 der Kreislaufstrecke 20. Dadurch ist es möglich, bestimmte Wäschestücke 10 bei Bedarf auf eine andere Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 zu führen.In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 1 a buffer 29 is provided. The buffer 29 is used to eject items of laundry 10 before the sorting memory 18 as needed. The buffer 29 has at least one buffer section 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are three buffer sections 30. However, it may also be more or less. Each intermediate storage section 30 is connected via a switch 31 to the section of the circulation path 20 leading past the intermediate storage section 30. The points 31 are located at the inlet sides 32 of the intermediate memory sections 30. Outlet sides 33 of the intermediate memory sections 30 are returned to the circuit section 20 again. On In this way, each intermediate storage section 30 forms a separate circuit with a section of the circulation section 20, so that items of laundry 10 can be transported back along the respective intermediate storage section 30 in front of the storage 18 to the circulation section 20 of the transport system 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outlet sides 33 of the intermediate storage section 30 open in the transport direction 17 before the points 31 of the circulation path 20. This makes it possible to guide certain items of laundry 10 to another intermediate storage section 30 if necessary.

Jedem in der Figur nicht gezeigten Traghaken des Transportsystems 16 ist ein Träger 34 zugeordnet. Alle Träger 34 sind gleich ausgebildet. Die Träger 34 können mit dem Traghaken des Transportsystems 16 auf beliebige Weise verbunden sein. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel (Fig. 3 und 4) sind die Träger 34 nach Art von Klammerbügeln ausgebildet. Solche Klammerbügel verfügen über einen oberen Haken 35. Jeder Träger 34 ist dann mit seinem Haken 35 an den Traghaken des Transportsystems 16 angehängt, und zwar so, dass jeweils ein Träger 34 unter einem Traghaken des Transportsystems 16 hängt. Jeder der hier gezeigten Träger 34 verfügt am unteren Ende über eine Klammer 36, in die ein oberer Randbereich eines Wäschestücks 10 einklemmerbar ist. Das Wäschestück 10 hängt dann unterhalb des Transportsystems 16 frei vom jeweiligen Träger 34 herunter.Each supporting hook, not shown in the figure, of the transport system 16 is assigned a carrier 34. All carriers 34 are identical. The carriers 34 may be connected to the support hook of the transport system 16 in any manner. In the embodiment shown ( 3 and 4 ), the carriers 34 are formed in the manner of clip brackets. Such brackets have an upper hook 35. Each carrier 34 is then attached with its hook 35 to the support hook of the transport system 16, in such a way that in each case a carrier 34 is suspended under a support hook of the transport system 16. Each of the carriers 34 shown here has at the lower end via a bracket 36, in which an upper edge region of a laundry item 10 is einklemmerbar. The laundry item 10 then suspended below the transport system 16 free from the respective carrier 34 down.

Jeder Träger 34 verfügt über einen in den Figuren nicht dargestellten Informationsträger für Informationen desjenigen Wäschestücks 10, das dem Träger 34 momentan zugeordnet ist, nämlich am Träger 34 hängt. Beim Informationsträger handelt es sich bevorzugt um einen Datenspeicher, beispielsweise einen Chip. In den Datenspeicher werden die Informationen, nämlich Daten, des am Träger 34 hängenden Wäschestücks 10 eingepeichert. Diese Daten sind überschreibbar mit Informationen des dem gleichen Träger 34 als nächstes zuzuordnenden Wäschestücks 10. Über eine Übermittlungseinrichtung im Bereich jedes Sortiertisches 14 werden die Informationen vom jeweiligen Wäschestück 10 an den Chip oder einen sonstigen Datenträger genau desjenigen Trägers 34 übertragen, an den das Wäschestück 10, zu dem die Informationen gehören, zuvor angehängt worden ist.Each carrier 34 has an information carrier, not shown in the figures, for information of that item of laundry 10 which is currently associated with the carrier 34, namely, hangs on the carrier 34. The information carrier is preferably a data memory, for example a chip. The information, namely data, of the piece of laundry 10 hanging on the carrier 34 is stored in the data memory. These data can be rewritten with information of the laundry carrier 10 next assigned to the same carrier 34. Via a transmission device in the region of each sorting table 14, the information from the respective laundry article 10 is transmitted to the chip or other data carrier exactly to that carrier 34 to which the laundry article 10 to which the information belongs has been previously attached.

Längs der Transportrichtung 17 befinden sich Leseeinrichtungen, die die auf den Chips oder sonstigen Datenträger des jeweiligen Trägers 34 gespeicherten Informationen bzw. Daten auslesen und dementsprechend die Weichen 21, 25 bzw. 31 steuern bzw. betätigen. Auch an anderen Stellen des Transportsystems 16 können sich Lesegeräte befinden, so dass dort, wo Informationen des jeweiligen Wäschestücks 10 benötigt werden, diese auch auslesbar sind.Along the transport direction 17 there are reading devices which read out the information or data stored on the chips or other data carrier of the respective carrier 34 and accordingly control or actuate the switches 21, 25 and 31. At other locations of the transport system 16 readers can are located so that where information of the respective laundry item 10 are needed, they are also readable.

Die gezeigte Vorrichtung kann mindestens eine in der Fig. 1 nicht dargestellte Inspektionseinrichtung aufweisen. Die jeweilige Inspektionseinrichtung befindet sich bevorzugt am Anfang des Transportsystems 16, nämlich in der Nähe der Sortiertische 14. Es ist denkbar, einem an jedem Sortiertisch 14 vorbeiführenden Beladeabschnitt 37 des Transportsystems 16 oder dicht dahinter eine eigene Inspektionseinrichtung zuzuordnen. Die Inspektionseinrichtungen sind so ausgebildet, dass sie das vom jeweiligen Träger 34 frei herunterhängende Wäschestück 10 berührungslos erfassen, und zwar bildgebend durch Kameras und/oder durch auf unterschiedliche Materialien bzw. Substanzen ansprechende Sensoren, beispielsweise Metalldetektoren.The device shown may be at least one in the Fig. 1 Have not shown inspection device. The respective inspection device is preferably located at the beginning of the transport system 16, namely in the vicinity of the sorting table 14. It is conceivable to assign a loading section 37 of the transport system 16 past or close to each sorting table 14 to its own inspection device. The inspection devices are designed such that they detect the laundry article 10 hanging freely from the respective carrier 34 without contact, namely by imaging with cameras and / or sensors responsive to different materials or substances, for example metal detectors.

Das in der Fig. 2 gezeigte Ausführungsbeispiel unterscheidet sich von demjenigen der Fig. 1 im Wesentlichen nur dadurch, dass kein Zwischenspeicher 29 vorhanden ist und keine Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12 direkt mit einem Wäscheposten 11 aus sortierten Wäschestücken beladen werden. Soweit Übereinstimmungen zwischen den Vorrichtungen der Fig. 1 und 2 bestehen, werden für gleiche Teile gleiche Bezugsziffern verwendet.That in the Fig. 2 The embodiment shown differs from that of Fig. 1 essentially only in that there is no intermediate storage 29 and no continuous washing machines 12 are loaded directly with a laundry item 11 from sorted items of laundry. As far as matches between the devices of Fig. 1 and 2 exist, same reference numerals are used for the same parts.

Weil beim Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 2 kein Zwischenspeicher 29 vorhanden ist, weist der als Sortiereinrichtung dienende Speicher 40 eine ausreichende Anzahl paralleler Speicherstrecken 41 auf. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel handelt es sich um acht gleiche Speicherstrecken, wenn diese ausreichend sind, um alle Wäschestücke 10 zu sortieren. Im Normalfall verfügt die Vorrichtung über eine solche Anzahl von Speicherstrecken 41, die der Anzahl verschiedener Sortierkriterien entspricht.Because in the embodiment of Fig. 2 no buffer 29 is present, the memory 40 serving as a sorting device has a sufficient number of parallel memory links 41. In the exemplary embodiment shown, these are eight identical memory paths if these are sufficient to sort all the laundry items 10. In the normal case, the device has such a number of memory links 41, which corresponds to the number of different sorting criteria.

Der auf die Speicherstrecken 41 des Speichers 40 folgende Abtransportabschnitt 24 des Transportsystems 16 der Fig. 2 transportiert die Wäscheposten 11 zu einer sogenannten Sackfüllanlage 42. Hier werden die Wäschestücke 10 des Wäschepostens 11 von den Trägern 34 getrennt und in einem Sack 43 oder einem sonstigen Aufnahmebehältnis gesammelt. Jeder Sack 43 nimmt einen sortierten Wäscheposten 11 auf. Der jeweiligen Wäscheposten 11 ist dann in den Säcken 43 zu einer Behandlungseinrichtung verfahrbar, in der die Wäschestücke 10 des Wäschepostens 11 behandelt werden sollen. Hierbei kann es sich um Finisher, chemische Reinigungsmaschinen und/oder jede Art von Waschmaschine, gegebenenfalls auch Durchlaufwaschmaschinen 12, handeln.The following on the memory sections 41 of the memory 40 removal section 24 of the transport system 16 of the Fig. 2 transported the laundry items 11 to a so-called bag filling plant 42. Here, the laundry items 10 of the Wäschepostens 11 are separated from the carriers 34 and collected in a bag 43 or other receptacle. Each bag 43 receives a sorted laundry items 11. The respective laundry item 11 is then moved in the bags 43 to a treatment facility in which the laundry items 10 of the laundry lot 11 are to be treated. This may be finishers, dry-cleaning machines and / or any type of washing machine, optionally also continuous washing machines 12 act.

Die erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren werden nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die zuvor beschriebenen Vorrichtungen, insbesondere Sortieranlagen, näher beschrieben. Mit der Vorrichtung der Fig. 1 läuft das Verfahren wie folgt ab:
Vom Transportsystem 16 werden in gleichmäßigen Abständen aufeinanderfolgende gleiche Träger 34 im Kreislauf befördert. Wäschestücke 10, und zwar Schmutzwäschestücke, werden vereinzelt oder in Haufen mehrerer Wäschestücke 10 vom Förderband 13 zu den Sortiertischen 14 transportiert. An jedem Sortiertisch 14 wird von der betreffenden Bedienungsperson 15 ein Wäschestück 10 vom Förderband 13 heruntergenommen und so auf dem Sortiertisch 14 positioniert, dass Informationen von einem Informationsträger im oder am Wäschestück 10 abgelesen werden können. Beispielsweise befindet sich an jedem Wäschestück 10 ein Aufkleber mit einem Barcode, der von einem entsprechenden Leser abgelesen wird. Es kann sich dabei um einen handgeführten Barcodeleser handeln, der von der Bedienungsperson 15 am Barcode des auf dem Sortiertisch 14 liegenden Wäschestücks 10 zum Auslesen der Informationen herangeführt wird. Es kann sich aber auch um einen stationären Barcodeleser handeln, unter den die Bedienungsperson 15 den Barcode des Wäschestücks 10 zum Auslesen der Informationen desselben hält.The methods according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the devices described above, in particular sorting systems. With the device of Fig. 1 the procedure is as follows:
From the transport system 16 successive identical carrier 34 are conveyed at regular intervals in the circulation. Laundry items 10, namely items of dirty laundry, are isolated or transported in heaps of several laundry items 10 from the conveyor belt 13 to the sorting tables 14. At each sorting table 14, a laundry item 10 is removed from the conveyor 13 by the respective operator 15 and positioned on the sorting table 14 so that information can be read from an information carrier in or on the laundry item 10. For example, there is a sticker with a barcode on each piece of laundry 10, which is read by a corresponding reader. It may be a hand-held bar code reader, which is brought by the operator 15 on the bar code of lying on the sorting table 14 garment 10 for reading the information. But it may also be a stationary bar code reader, under which the operator 15 holds the bar code of the laundry article 10 for reading the information thereof.

Die vom Barcodeleser oder einem sonstigen Datenerfassungsgerät gelesenen Informationen des jeweiligen Wäschestücks 10 werden an den Speicher desjenigen Trägers 34 übertragen und dort abgespeichert, in dessen Klammer 36 von der Bedienungsperson 15 das betreffende Wäschestück 10 nach dem Erfassen der die Informationen enthaltenden Daten einhängt. Aus dem Speicher des Trägers 34 sind die zu dem ihm momentan haltenden Wäschestück 10 gehörenden Informationen jederzeit an beliebigen Stellen der Förderstrecke der Transporteinrichtung 17 ablesbar. Die Daten stehen dadurch während des gesamten Transportvorgangs des jeweiligen Wäschestücks 10 entlang des Transportsystems 16 zur Verfügung und können überall vollständig oder selektiv ausgelesen werden. Es ist so eine lückenlose Verfolgung des Transportwegs des Wäschestücks 10 mit dem dieses haltenden Trägers 34 durch das Transportsystem 16 gewährleistet.The information read by the bar code reader or other data collection device of the respective item of laundry 10 are transferred to the memory of that carrier 34 and stored there, in the bracket 36 of the operator 15 hangs the relevant laundry item 10 after detecting the information containing the information. From the memory of the carrier 34 to the him currently holding laundry 10 belonging information at any time anywhere on the conveyor line of the conveyor 17 are readable. The data are thereby available throughout the transport process of the respective item of laundry 10 along the transport system 16 and can be read out completely or selectively everywhere. It is thus ensured a complete tracking of the transport path of the laundry article 10 with this holding carrier 34 by the transport system 16.

Wenn eine Inspektionsvorrichtung vorgesehen ist, befindet sich diese bevorzugt im oder direkt hinter dem Beladeabschnitt 37, wobei jedem Sortiertisch 14 eine Inspektionseinrichtung zugeordnet sein kann. Es ist aber auch denkbar, eine gemeinsame Inspektionseinrichtung für alle Sortiertische 14 vorzusehen. Jedes mehr oder weniger ausgebreitet vom jeweiligen Träger 34 herunterhängende Wäschestück 10 kann von der Inspektionseinrichtung berührungslos abgescannt werden, um Fehler, beispielsweise Löcher, des Wäschestücks 10 zu erkennen, aber auch große Verschmutzungen, die eine eventuelle Sonderbehandlung erfordern und/oder Fremdkörper.If an inspection device is provided, it is preferably located in or directly behind the loading section 37, wherein each sorting table 14 may be assigned an inspection device. However, it is also conceivable to provide a common inspection device for all sorting tables 14. Each piece of laundry 10 hanging down more or less spread out by the respective carrier 34 can be scanned contactlessly by the inspection device in order to detect errors, for example Holes to recognize the laundry item 10, but also large contaminants that may require special treatment and / or foreign bodies.

Bei den vom jeweiligen Wäschestück 10 auszulesenden Informationen handelt es sich mindestens um solche, die zur nachfolgenden Behandlung des Wäschestücks 10 erforderlich sind. Es ist zum Beispiel das Waschprogramm für das zu waschende Wäschestück 10, das Gewicht des Wäschestücks 10 oder mindestens ein Identifikationsmerkmal, beispielsweise über die Herkunft oder den Besitzer des Wäschestücks 10 auslesbar. Es kann sich aber auch um Informationen über die Wäschestückart, das Alter oder beliebige andere für die Behandlung und Nachbehandlung der Wäschestücke 10 erforderliche Informationen handeln.The information to be read out by the respective item of laundry 10 is at least one which is necessary for the subsequent treatment of the item of laundry 10. For example, the washing program for the item of laundry 10 to be washed, the weight of the item of laundry 10 or at least one identification feature, for example about the origin or the owner of the item of laundry 10, can be read out. But it can also be information about the type of laundry, age or any other required for the treatment and treatment of the laundry items 10 information.

Vom Transportsystem 16 werden nun die Träger 14 mit den daran hängenden Wäschestücken 10 (in der Fig. 1 sind nur andeutungsweise einige Träger 34 dargestellt) in Transportrichtung 17 zum hauptsächlich zur Sortierung dienenden Speicher 18 und/oder Zwischenspeicher 29 transportiert. Die Kreislaufstrecke 20 des Transportsystems 16 führt zuerst am Zwischenspeicher 29 und dann am Speicher 18 vorbei. Rechtzeitig vor dem Zwischenspeicher 29 werden aus dem Datenspeicher jedes Trägers 34 zumindest das Waschprogramm und das Gewicht des an dem betreffenden Träger 34 hängenden Wäschestücks 10 ausgelesen. Stellt sich heraus, dass es sich um ein am Träger 34 hängendes Wäschestück 10 handelt, das dem einen als Sortierstrecke dienenden Speicherstrecke 19 des Speichers 18 zugeordneten Sortierkriterium entspricht, werden der Träger 34 und das daran hängende Wäschestück 10 am Zwischenspeicher 29 vorbei direkt zum Speicher 18 transportiert und durch automatisches Betätigen einer Weiche 21 der Träger 34 mit dem Wäschestück 10 in diejenige Speicherstrecke 19 eingefördert, dessen Sortierkriterium das Wäschestück 10 erfüllt. Gleichzeitig wird in einer Steuerung des Transportsystems 16 das Gewicht des in eine bestimmte Speicherstrecke 19 eingeförderten Wäschestücks 10 abgespeichert. Nachfolgende Wäschestücke 10, die ein anderes Sortierkriterium erfüllen, werden automatisch in die dafür reservierte andere Speicherstrecke 19 gefördert.From the transport system 16 are now the carrier 14 with the hanging laundry items 10 (in the Fig. 1 some carriers 34 are only hinted) are transported in the transport direction 17 to the memory 18 and / or buffer 29, which mainly serve for sorting. The circulation path 20 of the transport system 16 leads past first the buffer memory 29 and then the memory 18. In good time before the temporary storage 29, at least the washing program and the weight of the laundry item 10 hanging on the respective carrier 34 are read from the data memory of each carrier 34. If it turns out that it is a piece of laundry 10 hanging on the support 34 and corresponds to the sorting criterion associated with a sorting section 19 of the storage 18, the carrier 34 and the laundry item 10 hanging thereon are transferred past the intermediate storage device 29 directly to the storage device 18 transported and conveyed by automatic actuation of a switch 21 of the carrier 34 with the laundry item 10 in that storage section 19, the sort criterion meets the laundry item 10. At the same time in a control of the transport system 16, the weight of the conveyed into a specific storage section 19 laundry item 10 is stored. Subsequent items of laundry 10, which fulfill a different sorting criterion, are automatically conveyed to the reserved other storage section 19.

Werden in die gleiche Speicherstrecke 19 Wäschestücke 10 mit gleichem Sortierkriterium, insbesondere solche, die das gleiche Waschprogramm erfordern, hineintransportiert, werden auch die Gewichte derselben in der Steuerung des Transportsystems 16 hinterlegt und zu den Gewichten der sich bereits zuvor in der betreffenden Speicherstrecke 19 befindenden Wäschestücken 10 hinzuaddiert. Sobald sich ein Gesamtgewicht aller sich momentan in einer Speicherstrecke 19 befindlichen Wäschestück 10 ergibt, das dem gewünschten Gewicht des Wäschepostens 11 entspricht bzw. sich in einem Toleranzbereich befindet, wird der nunmehr vollständige Wäscheposten 11 aus der jeweiligen Speicherstrecke 19 vollständig herausgefördert und über den Abtransportabschnitt 24 abtransportiert. Der jeweilige Wäscheposten 11 wird nun durch die von der Steuerung des Transportsystems 16 betätigte Weiche 25 in denjenigen Teilabschnitt 26 eingeschleust, der momentan frei ist oder als nächster frei wird. Längs des betreffenden Teilabschnitts 26 wird der Wäscheposten 11 dann zur Beladestelle 27 der betreffenden Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 gefördert. Hier werden die Wäschestücke 10 nach und nach von ihren jeweiligen Trägern 34 getrennt, was bevorzugt durch automatisches Öffnen der Klammer 36 erfolgt. Der jeweils leere Träger 34 wird dann über den Rücklaufabschnitt 28 des Transportsystems 16 zurücktransportiert zu den Sortiertischen 14. Dabei können die im Chip des jeweiligen Trägers 34 vorhandenen Informationen des an der Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 vom Träger 34 getrennten Wäschestücks 10 gelöscht werden. Es ist aber auch denkbar, dass die Informationen im Chip des jeweiligen Trägers 34 überschrieben werden mit den Informationen des nächsten am jeweiligen Sortiertisch 14 an den Träger 34 angehängten Wäschestücks 10.If laundry items 10 with the same sorting criterion, in particular those requiring the same washing program, are transported into the same storage line 19, the weights of the latter are also stored in the control of the transport system 16 and added to the weights of the items of laundry already located previously in the relevant storage section 19 10 added. Once a total weight of all currently located in a storage section 19 laundry 10 results, the corresponds to the desired weight of the laundry cost 11 or is within a tolerance range, the now complete laundry items 11 is completely conveyed out of the respective storage section 19 and transported away via the removal section 24. The respective laundry item 11 is now introduced by the actuated by the control of the transport system 16 switch 25 in that section 26, which is currently free or next is free. Along the relevant section 26, the laundry item 11 is then conveyed to the loading point 27 of the respective continuous washing machine 12. Here, the laundry items 10 are gradually separated from their respective carriers 34, which is preferably done by automatically opening the bracket 36. The respective empty carrier 34 is then transported back to the sorting tables 14 via the return section 28 of the transport system 16. The information of the laundry article 10 separated from the carrier 34 by the continuous washing machine 12 in the chip of the respective carrier 34 can be deleted. However, it is also conceivable that the information in the chip of the respective carrier 34 is overwritten with the information of the next laundry item 10 attached to the carrier 34 at the respective sorting table 14.

Werden auf dem Datenträger eines Trägers 34 Informationen über das daran hängende Wäschestück 10 ausgelesen, die keinen momentan den Speicherstrecken 19 zugeordneten Sortierkriterien entsprechen, wird das Wäschestück 10 mit dem betreffenden Träger 34 in den Zwischenspeicher 29 transportiert. Hier können auf den Zwischenspeicherstrecken 30 Wäschestücke 10 mit den dazugehörenden Trägern 34 gesammelt werden, die das gleiche Sortierkriterium aufweisen. Es erfolgt so im Zwischenspeicher 29 gegebenenfalls eine Vorsortierung der Wäschestücke 10 auf der jeweiligen dafür vorgesehen Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30. Es ist aber auch denkbar, in jeder Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 Wäschestücke 10 samt Träger 34 zwischenzuspeichern, die verschiedene Sortierkriterien erfüllen, wobei dann vorzugsweise so vorgegangen wird, dass jeder Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 bestimmte Sortierkriterien zugeordnet werden. Wenn so beispielsweise einer Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 drei Sortierkriterien zugeordnet werden, werden in die Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 durch entsprechendes automatisches Betätigen der Weichen 31 Wäschestücke 10 samt Träger 34 eingeschleust, die diesen drei Sortierkriterien entsprechen. Wenn die für den Zwischenspeicher 29 vorgesehenen Wäschestücke 10 mehr als drei verschiedene Sortierkriterien aufweisen, aber nicht nur dann, können die Wäschestücke 10 auch umsortiert in eine freie Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 eingefahren und dort umsortiert zwischengespeichert werden.If information on the laundry article 10 hanging thereon is read out on the data medium of a carrier 34, which do not correspond to sorting criteria currently assigned to the storage lines 19, the laundry article 10 is transported to the relevant carrier 34 in the temporary storage device 29. Here, laundry items 10 with the associated carriers 34, which have the same sorting criterion, can be collected on the intermediate storage sections 30. It is thus carried out in the buffer 29 optionally a presorting of the laundry items 10 on the respective buffer storage section 30 provided. It is also conceivable to buffer 30 laundry items 10 together with carrier 34 in each intermediate storage section, which fulfill various sorting criteria, in which case the procedure is preferably such that Each buffer section 30 are assigned to certain sorting criteria. For example, if three sorting criteria are assigned to a temporary storage section 30, laundry items 10 together with carriers 34 are introduced into the intermediate storage section 30 by corresponding automatic actuation of the points 31, which correspond to these three sorting criteria. If the items of laundry 10 provided for the temporary storage 29 have more than three different sorting criteria, but not only then, the items of laundry 10 can also be re-sorted into a free intermediate storage section 30 and temporarily stored there.

Falls der Zwischenspeicher 29 eine gewisse Anzahl von Wäschestücken 10 an Trägern 34 aufweist, kann er entleert werden, indem aus der jeweiligen Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 alle oder mindestens einige sich auf derselben befindlichen Wäschestücke 10 mit ihrem Träger 34 ausgeschleust werden, so dass sie wieder auf die Kreislaufstrecke 20 gelangen. Diese Wäschestücke 10 werden dann auf mindestens eine leere Speicherstrecke 19 gefördert. Dazu wird der leeren Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 temporär von der Steuerung des Transportsystems 16 ein anderes Sortierkriterium zugeordnet, das mindestens einige aus der Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 ausgeschleuste Wäschestücke 10 erfüllen. So werden Wäschestücke 10 aus dem Zwischenspeicher 29 sortiert in mindestens eine dafür vorgesehenen Speicherstrecke 19 des Speichers 18 einsortiert. Sind nicht für alle unterschiedliche Sortierkriterien aufweisenden Wäschestücke 10 aus der Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 freie Speicherstrecken 19 mit den entsprechenden Sortierkriterien im Speicher 18 vorhanden, werden die andere Sortierkriterien aufweisenden Wäschestücke 10 mit den Trägern 34 im Kreislauf auf der Kreislaufstrecke 20 weitertransportiert bis Speicherstrecken 19 frei sind, denen temporär das Sortierkriterium der im Kreislauf transportierten Wäschestücke 10 zugeordnet werden kann. Alternativ ist es auch denkbar, auf der Kreislaufstrecke 20 diejenigen Wäschestücke 10 mit ihren Trägern 34, die noch in keiner Speicherstrecke 19 einsortiert werden konnten, wieder zurückzufördern in eine geeignete Zwischenspeicherstrecke 30 des Zwischenspeichers 29.If the buffer 29 has a certain number of items of laundry 10 on carriers 34, it can be emptied by all or at least some located on the same laundry items 10 are discharged with their carrier 34 from the respective intermediate storage section 30, so that they again on the circulation route 20 arrive. These items of laundry 10 are then conveyed to at least one empty storage section 19. For this purpose, the empty buffer section 30 is temporarily assigned by the controller of the transport system 16, a different sorting criterion that meet at least some of the intermediate storage section 30 discharged laundry items 10. Thus, items of laundry 10 sorted sorted from the buffer 29 in at least one designated memory section 19 of the memory 18 sorted. If there are not free storage sections 19 with the corresponding sorting criteria in the store 18 for the different sorting items 10 having different sorting criteria 10, the laundry items 10 having the other sorting criteria are transported further in the circulation on the circulation line 20 until storage sections 19 are free temporarily the sorting criterion of the laundry items 10 transported in the cycle can be assigned. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to convey back on the circulation path 20 those items of laundry 10 with their carriers 34, which could still be sorted into no storage section 19, into a suitable intermediate storage section 30 of the intermediate store 29.

Anhand der im Daten-Speicher des jeweiligen Trägers 34 gespeicherten Informationen zum daran hängenden Wäschestücke 10 kann im Bereich jedes Teilabschnitts 26 des Transportsystems 16 vor der Beladestelle 27 jeder Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 kontrolliert werden, ob die zum Beladen der Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 vorgesehenen Wäschestücke 10 des Wäschepostens 11 auch dem gleichen Sortierkriterium entsprechen, insbesondere mit dem gleichen Waschprogramm zu waschen sind. Das vor der jeweiligen Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 ausgelesene Waschprogramm kann auch zur automatischen Steuerung, nämlich Waschprogrammwahl, der Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 herangezogen werden, so dass automatisch das Waschprogramm für den jeweiligen Wäscheposten 11 an der Durchlaufwaschmaschine 12 einstellbar ist. Sollte sich herausstellen, dass sich im Wäscheposten 11 ein Wäschestück 10 befindet, das nicht mit dem Waschprogramm der übrigen Wäschestücke 10 des Wäschepostens 11 gewaschen werden soll oder darf, kann dieses Wäschestück mit dem dazugehörenden Träger 34 vor der Beladestelle 27 augeschleust werden oder das Wäschestücke 10 wird vom Träger 34 an der Beladestelle 27 nicht getrennt, sondern an der Beladestelle 27 vorbeitransportiert. Ein solches Wäschestück 10 wird dann mit dem Träger 34 auf dem Rücklaufabschnitt 28, der eigentlich für leere Träger 34 vorgesehen ist, zurücktransportiert zu den Sortiertischen 14. Hier werden dann entweder die Informationen des Wäschestücks 10 erneut von der Bedienungsperson 15 abgescannt und in den Chip oder dergleichen des Trägers 34 neu eingespeichert oder es wird der Träger 34 mit dem Wäschestück 10 am Sortiertisch 14 vorbei vom Transportsystem 16 erneut dem Zwischenspeicher 29 oder Speicher 18 zugeführt.On the basis of the information stored in the data memory of the respective carrier 34 for hanging laundry items 10 can be controlled in the region of each section 26 of the transport system 16 before the loading point 27 of each continuous washing machine 12, whether provided for loading the continuous washing machine 12 laundry items 10 of the laundry lot 11 also meet the same sorting criterion, in particular to wash with the same washing program. The washing program read out before the respective continuous washing machine 12 can also be used for automatic control, namely washing program selection, of the continuous washing machine 12, so that the washing program for the respective laundry item 11 can be automatically set on the continuous washing machine 12. If it should turn out that a piece of laundry 10 is located in the laundry item 11 and should not be washed with the washing program of the remaining items 10 of the laundry item 11, this item of laundry with the associated carrier 34 can be removed from the loading location 27 or the laundry items 10 is not separated from the carrier 34 at the loading point 27, but transported past the loading point 27. Such a laundry 10 is then connected to the carrier 34 on the return section 28, which is actually intended for empty carrier 34, transported back to the sorting tables 14. Here then either the information of the laundry item 10 are scanned again by the operator 15 and re-stored in the chip or the like of the carrier 34 or it is the carrier 34 with the laundry item 10 again fed to the sorting table 14 by the transport system 16 to the buffer memory 29 or memory 18.

Das Verfahren mit der Sortieranlage der Fig. 2 läuft prinzipiell genauso ab wie zuvor beschrieben. Bei der Sortieranlage der Fig. 1 erfolgt aber keine Zwischenspeicherung solcher Wäschestücke 10 mit Trägern 34, die keines der momentan den Speicherstrecken 19 zugeordneten Sortierkriterien erfüllt. Beim Verfahren der Fig. 2 weist deshalb der Speicher 40 eine für alle vorkommenden Sortierkriterien ausreichende Anzahl Speicherstrecken 41 auf. Der Speicher 40 verfügt also über so viele Speicherstrecken 41, dass alle Wäschestücke 10 ein mindestens einer Speicherstrecke 41 zugeordnetes Sortierkriterium erfüllen, so dass bei diesem Verfahren eine Zwischenspeicherung von Wäschestücken 10 anderer Sortierkriterien nicht erforderlich ist. Bezugszeichenliste: 10 Wäschestück 36 Klammer 11 Wäscheposten 37 Beladeabschnitt 12 Durchlaufwaschmaschine 40 Speicher 13 Förderband 41 Speicherstrecke 14 Sortiertisch 42 Sackfüllanlage 15 Bedienungsperson 43 Sack 16 Transportsystem 44 Scanner 17 Transportrichtung 18 Speicher 19 Speicherstrecke 20 Kreislaufstrecke 21 Weiche 22 Einlaufseite 23 Auslaufseite 24 Abtransportabschnitt 25 Weiche 26 Teilabschnitt 27 Beladestelle 28 Rücklaufabschnitt 29 Zwischenspeicher 30 Zwischenspeicherstrecke 31 Weiche 32 Einlaufseite 33 Auslaufseite 34 Träger 35 Haken The process with the sorting system of Fig. 2 basically works the same way as described above. In the sorting of the Fig. 1 but no intermediate storage of such laundry items 10 with carriers 34 that meets none of the currently associated with the memory lines 19 sorting criteria. In the process of Fig. 2 Therefore, the memory 40 has a sufficient number of memory links 41 for all occurring sorting criteria. The memory 40 thus has so many memory sections 41 that all items of laundry 10 fulfill a sorting criterion associated with at least one memory section 41, so that intermediate storage of items of laundry 10 of other sorting criteria is not required in this method. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES: </ b> 10 laundry 36 clip 11 laundry batch 37 loading section 12 Tunnel washer 40 Storage 13 conveyor belt 41 storage line 14 sorting table 42 bag filling equipment 15 operator 43 bag 16 transport system 44 scanner 17 transport direction 18 Storage 19 storage line 20 Cycle track 21 switch 22 inlet side 23 outlet side 24 removal section 25 switch 26 part Of 27 Loading point 28 Return section 29 cache 30 Interim storage line 31 switch 32 inlet side 33 outlet side 34 carrier 35 hook

Claims (12)

  1. Method for sorting laundry items (10), in particular dirty laundry items, wherein the laundry items (10) are suspended on a conveying system (16), are conveyed by the conveying system at least to one sorting device and are sorted in the sorting device by way of information concerning the respective laundry item (10) and each laundry item (10) is suspended on a carrier (34) assigned to the conveying system (16), the information concerning the laundry item (10) is transmitted to a storage means assigned to the carrier (34) and the laundry item (10) with the carrier (34) assigned to it with the information concerning the laundry item (10) hanging on the carrier (34) is conveyed by the conveying system (16) to and/or through at least the sorting device, characterized in that the information concerning the laundry item (10) is read upstream of the suspending on the carrier (34) and said information is transmitted at least in part to the data storage means of that carrier (34) on which the laundry item (10) is suspended, wherein the sorting device performs the sorting automatically by way of the information assigned to the carrier, wherein the information concerning the laundry item (10) is manually scanned upstream of the suspending on the carrier (34) and said information is stored at least in part to the data storage means of that carrier (34) on which the laundry item (10) is suspended.
  2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least information concerning the customer, the weight, the wash program and/or possible special treatments of the laundry item (10) assigned to the carrier (34) is deposited in the storage means of the respective carrier (34).
  3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by way of the information in the data storage means of the carrier (34) belonging to the laundry item (10) assigned to the carrier (34), the laundry item (10) is transported through the sorting device with the carrier (34) which comprises said information in the data storage means.
  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that laundry batches (11) of several laundry items (10) are formed in the sorting device by way of the information deposited in the data storage means of the carriers (34), preferably laundry batches which require a same treatment.
  5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry items (10) are supplied out of the sorting device in batches with the carriers (34) to a treatment device, preferably a washing machine, a finishing machine or the like, in particular upstream of the treatment device a check is carried out by way of the information in the data storage means of the carriers (34) as to whether the laundry items (10) can be assigned to the same laundry batches (11).
  6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry items (10) are separated from their carriers (34) upstream of the treatment and the empty carriers (34) are conveyed back to receive the next laundry items (10), wherein the information concerning the previous laundry item (10) in the data storage means of the respective carrier (34) is erased or is overwritten with the information concerning the next laundry item (10) to be suspended on the respective carrier (34).
  7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry items hanging down from the carriers (34) are moved by the conveying system (16) along or through a control station, at the control station the laundry items (10) hanging down from the carriers (34) are preferably individually scanned to determine any damage or faults in the laundry items (10) and/or foreign bodies in the laundry items (10).
  8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry items (10) are conveyed by a conveying system (16) sorted in storage sections (19) to a sorting device by laundry items (10) which meet the same sorting criteria being conveyed into the same storage section (19) and the laundry items (10) which do not meet any sorting criteria of the sorting sections (19) are initially intermediately stored in an intermediate storage means (29).
  9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that after at least one storage section (19) becomes free, the intermediately stored laundry items (11) are moved to the at least one free storage section (19) and laundry items sorted with the same sorting criteria are transferred into the relevant storage section (19).
  10. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 9, characterized in that a certain type of treatment, for example a wash program or a finishing treatment is assigned, preferably temporarily, to each storage section (19) and preferably, once said storage section (19) has been emptied, the type of treatment which is assigned to the respective storage section (19) can be changed into a type of treatment for at least some laundry items (10) in the intermediate storage means (29) in order to supply laundry items (10) out of the intermediate storage means (29) in a sorted manner to at least one storage section (19) of the storage means (18) which meets their sorting criterion.
  11. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the weight of all the laundry items (11) in the respective storage section (19) is determined.
  12. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that when laundry items (10) are assigned in a sorted manner to the corresponding storage section (19), the weight of the laundry items is accumulated and as a result the overall weight of all the laundry items (10) of a laundry batch (11) in the respective storage section (19) is determined, wherein in a preferred manner the weight of the respective laundry item (10) is read from a data storage means of the carrier (34) holding the respective laundry item (10).
EP14001071.1A 2013-04-09 2014-03-22 Method for sorting laundry, in particular dirty laundry items Not-in-force EP2789730B1 (en)

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DE201310005969 DE102013005969A1 (en) 2013-04-09 2013-04-09 Method for sorting laundry items, in particular laundry items

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EP2789730B1 true EP2789730B1 (en) 2019-01-02

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US (1) US9297110B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2789730B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2014200685A (en)
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DK (1) DK2789730T3 (en)

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CN109137441B (en) * 2018-09-14 2020-12-01 上海马蹄莲洗衣服务有限公司 Clothes washing management method and system
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EP2789730A1 (en) 2014-10-15
US9297110B2 (en) 2016-03-29
DE102013005969A1 (en) 2014-10-09
US20140303771A1 (en) 2014-10-09
DK2789730T3 (en) 2019-04-15
JP2014200685A (en) 2014-10-27

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