EP3235944A1 - Method and device for inspecting laundry items - Google Patents

Abstract

In the treatment of laundry items (10) in laundries, it can happen that the delivered dirty laundry has foreign bodies. So that the items of laundry (10) are not damaged during the treatment, the individual items of laundry (10) must be manually inspected for foreign bodies before treatment. This is very time consuming and therefore expensive. In addition, it should be avoided that wet or damp spots form during the treatment of the items of laundry (10). The invention provides a method and a device with which items of laundry (10) can be inspected in a favorable and reliable manner. For this purpose, it is provided that the laundry items (10) are exposed to terahertz radiation (11) in order to check whether the items of laundry (10) have foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas.

Description

The invention relates to a method for inspecting laundry items according to the preambles of claims 1 and 12. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for inspecting laundry according to the preambles of claims 9 and 15.

Laundry items, in particular moldings such as workwear, are treated in laundries. It happens that the delivered dirty laundry and especially dirty work clothes have foreign bodies. For example, pockets of hospitalized gowns have syringes, surgical instruments, but also pins or the like. In workwear of craftsmen, however, may be tools or other building materials.

So that the treatment process of the items of laundry is not disturbed by these foreign bodies or the items of laundry are thereby even damaged, the individual items of laundry must be manually inspected for foreign bodies prior to treatment along a test section. This entails, on the one hand, the danger that smaller parts, such as felt-tip pens, are overlooked or that the person performing the inspection will be injured by the foreign objects, such as syringes or knives. In addition, the manual inspection of the laundry is very time consuming and therefore expensive.

In addition, it should be avoided that wet or moist areas, so-called wetness esters, form during the treatment of the items of laundry, in particular in the case of molded parts or flat linen. Wetness testers arise, for example, when the already washed laundry item in the dryer does not fully unfold, but at least partially "crumpled" remains, so that the laundry item can not be completely dried. It is also conceivable that the drying process, a laundry section is supplied, the moisture content is higher than that of the other laundry items. Here, the added laundry is not only not completely dried, moreover, moisture is transferred to the dry laundry, so that the result of the laundry treatment is insufficient overall. Here too, a manual inspection of the individual items of laundry on wetness tester has hitherto been carried out.

Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device with which items of laundry can be inspected in a favorable and reliable manner.

A method for achieving this object comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the laundry items are exposed to terahertz radiation in order to check whether the items of laundry have foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas. The pieces of laundry to be inspected can be, for example, molded parts such as work clothing or flat linen. The use of terahertz radiation to inspect laundry items is particularly advantageous because it eliminates the need for manual inspection. In addition, the review can be completely automated and thus turns out to be fast and cheap. Another advantage of using terahertz radiation is that both radiation and its generation pose no danger to the operator. Since terahertz radiation is non-ionizing radiation, radiation damage to operating personnel can be ruled out. For inspecting the laundry items are moved one after the other along a test track. This test track can be upstream or downstream of different stations of the treatment process of the laundry items.

In particular, the invention provides that the reflected terahertz radiation is detected by at least one detector and converted by a control unit into an image or video. The terahertz radiation, which is reflected in particular by the foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas, is picked up by the terahertz-sensitive detector, in particular spatially resolved. Since laundry or textiles for Terahertz radiation, at least for the most part, is transparent, so it can be inspected for any foreign bodies or wet spots in the laundry items. Humid areas, especially water, partly reflects terahertz radiation and, secondly, water absorbs the terahertz radiation, which causes the water to warm up. By detecting the imitated infrared radiation of the heated water, wet spots can also be detected with infrared-sensitive detectors. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the radiation transmitted through the laundry item is detected by a detector. Since the laundry items are at least largely transparent in themselves, foreign bodies and / or damp areas are characterized by their outlines as a kind of shadow.

Preferably, the present invention further provides that on the images reconstructed by the control unit of the laundry items, preferably automatically, foreign bodies or wet or moist locations are detected and classified. By proving a foreign body or a wet spot, the classification can be initiated. The classification is used by the control unit to determine what the foreign object is. Depending on the type of foreign body can then be decided how to proceed with the laundry. Due to this preferably automatic inspection, the treatment of the laundry items can be designed much faster, cheaper and safer.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention may provide that for classifying the images, a plurality of different patterns of foreign matter and wet spots are deposited in the control unit and the images are compared with these patterns. For example, such a library of patterns may include a variety of different pen shapes, medical devices, crafting implements, or other items. In addition, various characteristic patterns for wet or wet spots can be stored in the control unit. For the comparison of the patterns with the reconstructed images of the foreign bodies, it is provided that a certain deviation of the images from the patterns is permitted. The size of this tolerance range can be adjusted and thus allows to select the accuracy of the classification or the inspection.

It may further be provided that a background, in particular regions of the laundry item which are transparent to the terahertz radiation, are masked out for the classification of the foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas. Because of this Hide the transparent or semi-transparent areas disturbing influences such as seams can be avoided. This makes the detection of foreign bodies and wet or moist areas more reliable and accurate.

An alternative embodiment may also provide that features specific to items of laundry, such as zippers, buttons, seams, and the like, are masked out for the classification of the foreign bodies and / or wet locations. These features partially reflect the terahertz radiation or the transparency of these features is less than that of the rest of the laundry. However, since the aforementioned features do not count as foreign bodies, it is advantageous to recognize them as such and hide them for classification. As a result, a more reliable and accurate inspection of the laundry items can be achieved.

It may further be provided that items of laundry have the foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations, are discharged from the test section and / or marked, in particular that the information about the foreign body and / or the wet or moist Be transferred job. If the items of laundry, for example, are transported suspended on a transporting hanger which has a data memory for identifying the item of laundry, then the information regarding a foreign body and / or a wet or moist location can be transferred to this data storage of the transporting hanger. This piece of laundry, in which a foreign body or a wet or moist spot was detected, can then be discharged in the further treatment process and fed to a corresponding treatment station.

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention may provide that the laundry items are applied in regions, preferably only areas where the laundry items have pockets, or completely with terahertz radiation. In particular, pens or other foreign bodies such as syringes or tools are to be expected only in bags. In order to reduce the time of inspection and thus to make the treatment process even more efficient, it is thus advantageous to scan or inspect just those areas of the item of laundry which potentially can have a foreign body. Thus, only certain areas are scanned or a large part of the laundry not inspected in particular for hanging promoted work clothes.

In particular, the present invention can provide that the laundry items are exposed to continuous or pulsed terahertz radiation. When inspecting laundry items in which the items of laundry are checked in succession for foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations, a pulsed operation of the terahertz radiation may be advantageous. In the inspection of mixed laundry items, which are transported for example on a conveyor, a continuous application of terahertz radiation may be advantageous.

The invention may further provide that foreign bodies in the laundry items are classified and / or identified on the basis of an absorption spectrum of the terahertz radiation. For example, certain substances can be identified by their specific absorption spectrum. By depositing various such absorption spectra of different substances in the control unit can be easily and quickly determine what type of foreign body is in the garment.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the feature of claim 9. Accordingly, it is provided that the test section has at least one radiation source for terahertz radiation and at least one detector for detecting terahertz radiation, wherein the items of laundry for detection of foreign bodies and / or wet or moist sites are at least partially acted upon by terahertz radiation , The at least one radiation source for the terahertz radiation may be the known sources of such radiation. The at least one detector is sensitive to terahertz radiation and perceives them preferably spatially resolved. By this arrangement, the laundry items can automatically check for foreign matter and / or wet or damp spot out. A manual inspection by an operator is thus eliminated.

The present invention may preferably provide that the detector is assigned a control unit with which terahertz radiation reflected and / or transmitted from the item of laundry or from the foreign body and / or the wet or moist locations can be converted into an image or video. In this case, the detector detects the reflected or transmitted radiation spatially resolved and thus reconstructs an image. The fact that certain substances are transparent to terahertz radiation and some do not or that some substances reflect terahertz radiation makes it possible to create and localize an exact image of the foreign bodies in this way.

It is also conceivable that an array of terahertz radiation sources is arranged along the test track, which act on the laundry with terahertz radiation and the reflected or transmitted radiation is detected by an array of detectors.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the control unit has at least one data memory on which a multiplicity of patterns for foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations is stored, with which the recorded images are comparable, in particular classifiable. This data memory can either be connected directly to the control unit or be on an external server that can be controlled via wireless data transfer. Depending on the application of the device, different patterns for the corresponding items to be treated can be stored in the memory. In order to be able to control the accuracy of the inspection, it is provided that the comparison or classification can be attributed a certain tolerance range within which the reconstructed image can move from the pattern.

An advantageous development of the present invention may also provide that the test section of a laundry machine, in particular a continuous washing machine, a dryer, a finisher, a defect or the like, is assigned. In particular, before washing the item of laundry, it is of particular interest to recognize and discard foreign objects such as a felt-tip pen. In addition, the detection of wet or moist areas in laundry items is provided after drying, as it is thus prevented that a still wet laundry is supplied to the further treatment process. This can improve the overall quality of the treatment of each item of laundry in a simple manner.

Another method for the solution of the above-mentioned object, which may also be an advantageous development of the method described above, comprises the measures of claim 12. Accordingly, it is provided that the laundry items are subjected to terahertz radiation in the interior of a drum dryer in order to check whether the items of laundry have foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations. Through this in-situ inspection of the laundry items, it is immediately apparent whether wetness esters form in the laundry items during drying. Since the laundry items in the drum are in constant motion, can be so determine the degree of moisture of each individual piece of laundry over a certain period of time.

Preferably, it may be provided that the terahertz radiation reflected and / or transmitted by the items of laundry is detected by at least one detector and a degree of moisture of the items of laundry, in particular of the wet or moist areas of the items of laundry, is determined by a control unit. The determination takes place either inside or outside the drum. The determination of the degree of moisture takes place virtually simultaneously with the application of the terahertz radiation, so that the degree of moisture of the items of laundry can be measured in "real time".

Further, it can provide the present invention that the laundry items are dried in the dryer until the determined moisture level has reached a predetermined value, in particular no wet or moist spots are more detected. If a moisture test does not dry sufficiently even after prolonged drying, the laundry load can be released from the dryer and the wetness test can be removed manually.

Another device for solving the above-mentioned object, which may also be an advantageous development of the device described above, has the features of claim 15. Accordingly, it is provided that at least one radiation source for terahertz radiation is arranged in the interior of the drum dryer, wherein the laundry items for the detection of foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas with terahertz radiation are acted upon. By positioning the radiation source in the drum, the laundry items can be tested in-situ. The laundry items are no longer individually record and check, but rather together and scanned together. It can be provided that the radiation source is attached to a stationary inner wall or on the inside of the loading door of the drum dryer, so that the source does not rotate.

Moreover, it can be provided according to the invention that a detector for detecting terahertz radiation is arranged inside or outside the drum. This detector can also be installed, for example, on an inner wall of the drum or on the inside of the loading door.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels des Verfahrens,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Inspizierung eines Wäschestücks nach dem Trocknen,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Inspizierung eines Wäschestücks während des Trocknens,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung der Inspizierung nach dem Mangeln, und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Inspizierung eines Wäschestücks während des Trocknens

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of another embodiment of the method,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of an inspection of a piece of laundry after drying,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an inspection of a piece of laundry during drying,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the inspection after the mangling, and

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of an inspection of a piece of laundry during drying

The present invention is about inspecting laundry items 10. In this inspection, foreign bodies and / or wet or moist spots should be found in the laundry items 10 and classified if necessary. For this purpose, the laundry items 10 are exposed to terahertz radiation 11 and the reflected and / or transmitted radiation is detected by a detector. According to the exemplary embodiments illustrated here, this inspection can take place within the scope of various treatment steps of the laundry items 10.

At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, a plurality of laundry items 10 is stored by a transport container 12 on a conveyor 13. The individual items of laundry 10 are then picked up by the conveyor 13 by an operator 15 and transferred to another conveyor 16 such that the individual items of laundry 10 suspended along a test section 17 are led. Each of the items of laundry 10 can have, for example, an electronic identification means 18 with a data memory on which all the properties of the respective item of laundry 10 are stored.

The items of laundry 10 are guided in the conveying direction 19 by a gate-like device 20 for inspecting the items of laundry 10. This device 20 has a radiation source which emits electromagnetic waves in the terahertz range. The laundry items 10, which are guided through the device 20, are fully or punctually or locally applied to this terahertz radiation 11. Because fabrics 10 are transparent to the terahertz radiation 11, much of the radiation penetrates the laundry 10 without being absorbed or reflected. However, if the terahertz radiation 11 hits non-textile objects, the radiation is either absorbed or reflected. The reflected radiation is then detected by a detector, not shown, which is also located in the device 20. This detection of the reflected radiation is spatially resolved, so that an image of the object from which the radiation has been reflected can be formed. This creation of an image of the foreign body takes place in a control unit 21 shown here only schematically.

In the in the Fig. 1 This pin is initially located in one of the laundry items 10. The terahertz radiation 11 reflected from the pin 22 is picked up by the detector and processed by the controller into an image. By using multiple detectors, alternatively, a three-dimensional image of the foreign body can be created.

The control unit 21 has a collection or a library in which a plurality of images of objects or foreign bodies is deposited. The object detected by the detector is then compared with each of the deposited patterns by the control unit 21. If there is a match, or the foreign body has been classified or identified, this classification of the foreign body can be transferred to the memory of the identification means 18 of the garment 10. In the further course of the transport along the conveyor 16, the laundry item 10 is optionally sorted out. This can be automated or manual. Since the application of the terahertz radiation and the detection of the reflected radiation takes place almost simultaneously, the individual items of laundry 10 can be moved through the device 20 at a relatively high throughput rate and thus at a high test rate.

As an alternative to the radiation reflected by the foreign bodies, the transmitted terahertz radiation 11 can also be detected. If there is a foreign body in the garment 10, it throws a kind of shadow. This shadow can then be received by a detector and evaluated by the control unit 21.

Furthermore, the invention may provide that within the device 20, an absorption spectrum of the laundry article 10 is created. In the process, it is subjected to terahertz radiation 11 and the reflected or transmitted radiation is detected in an energy-resolved manner. On the basis of the detected absorption lines objects in the laundry items can be identified. For example, it is possible to detect chemical substances that can only be removed from the laundry article 10 using a special cleaning process. Also in this embodiment, the information of the absorption spectrum can be transmitted to the memory of the identification means, so that the laundry article 10 can be further treated accordingly.

In addition to the detection of foreign bodies can be detected by the device 20 and a wet or humid position or a wetness test. This is done again via the imaging process, in which the wet spot is recorded as a reflection image. Alternatively it can be provided that the heat radiation, which is emitted by the moist spot heated by the terahertz radiation 11, is detected by a detector that is sensitive to heat radiation or infrared radiation.

As a further possibility, it may be provided that a radiation source for other electromagnetic radiation, such as radar radiation, is positioned in the device 20. By means of a corresponding detector, it is thus also possible to detect foreign bodies or wet or moist spots in the items of laundry 10.

In the in the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the laundry items 10 are received by the conveyor 13 by a gripper 23 and guided in front of a radiation source 24 for terahertz radiation 11. As a result, the laundry item 10 is exposed to terahertz radiation 11. If there is a foreign body in this item of laundry 10, the reflected radiation, as described above, is measured by a detector, not shown, and compared in the control unit 21 with the patterns deposited in the library. In the embodiment shown here is located in the laundry article 10 again a pin 22. This pin 22 is recognized as such and classified as foreign objects. The piece of laundry 22 having the pin 10 is then separated from the gripper 23. The pin 22 can be further removed, for example, by the operator 15 from the laundry item 10. thereupon For example, the operator 15 may supply the laundry 10 to the conveyor 16 for further processing.

If no foreign body is detected when the laundry item 10 is exposed to terahertz radiation 11, the gripper 23 transfers the checked laundry item 10 directly to the conveyor 16, so that the laundry items 10 can be removed in the conveying direction 19. For the detection of a wet or moist point is the same procedure as previously based on the embodiment of Fig. 1 shown.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that washed laundry items 10 are first dried in a tunnel finisher 25 ( Fig. 3 ). For this purpose, the laundry items 10 are guided in the conveying direction 19 through the various modules 26. In these modules 26, the laundry items 10 are dried successively. After the tunnel finisher 25, each individual item of laundry is exposed to a radiation source 24 with terahertz radiation 11. On the basis of the reflected or transmitted radiation can then be detected by means of a detector, not shown, whether the laundry 10 is dry, still residual moisture or wetness ester has or whether the laundry article 10 is a foreign body. The corresponding detector can be integrated into the radiation source 24, so that directly reflected radiation can be detected by the detector.

At the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment, a pair of scissors 27 was found in the laundry 10. Since a scissors 27 is an unwanted foreign body, the laundry item 10 is sorted out so that the scissors can be removed, for example, by an operator. Another in Fig. 3 illustrated scenario, it provides that the laundry 10 still has residual moisture. Also, this laundry item 10 is sorted out and optionally again fed to the tunnel finisher 25 for drying. The radiation detected by the detector is exactly as before with reference to in the Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiments by an in Fig. 3 not shown control unit 21 evaluated. Only items of laundry 10, which have neither foreign body nor wet or moist places are fed to the further treatment steps.

In the in the Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the wet laundry 10 is also passed through a tunnel finisher 25. Unlike the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment can be found here, however the radiation source 24 for the terahertz radiation 11 within a module 26 of the tunnel finisher 25. Here, it is checked in situ whether the laundry items have a foreign body and / or wet or moist locations. The radiation source 24 is preferably arranged in one of the rear modules 26 of the tunnel finisher 25, as seen in the conveying direction 19. If it is demonstrated in this module 26 by the application of the terahertz radiation 11 that the item of laundry 10 still has too high a residual moisture content, the remaining residual moisture can be removed from the item of laundry 10 by applying additional heat radiation in the tunnel finisher 25. In this way, only completely dried laundry items 10 leave the tunnel finisher 25. Thus, wet or moist spots or wetness tester can still be detected within the tunnel finisher 25 and the drying process can be regulated accordingly. The analysis of the reflected or transmitted terahertz radiation 11 takes place exactly as stated above in the other exemplary embodiments. If it is determined within the tunnel finisher 25 that a foreign object, here a pair of scissors 27, is located inside the item of laundry 10, this item of laundry 10 is discarded so that the foreign body can be removed. This sorting can be done for example by a conveyor system with different points.

The inspection of laundry items 10 for foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas can also, according to the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment, done after the mangles. The laundry items 10 are first transferred in the wet state by an operator 15 to an input device 28. From this input device 28, the laundry items 10 are then dried in a shortage 29. After leaving the mangle trough 30, the laundry article 10 is first deposited on an intermediate conveyor 31. At the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment is located above this intermediate conveyor 31, a radiation source 24 for terahertz radiation 11. The laundry 10 is, as in the other embodiments, applied to terahertz radiation 11. The radiation reflected by the item of laundry 10 is then taken up by a detector which is integral either with the radiation source 24 or by a detector, not shown, and further processed by a control unit (not shown). If it is determined by the control unit that the laundry item 10 still has residual moisture or a wetness test, this item of laundry 10 is discarded and possibly mangled again. If it is determined after the mangle that the garment 10 has a foreign body, the garment 10, as described above, discarded and the foreign body is removed manually. Items of laundry 10 which have neither foreign bodies nor wetness esters are fed to further treatment steps.

According to the invention, it is also provided that the device for inspecting items of laundry is positioned in front of the defect 29, so that foreign objects in the items of laundry 10 are detected even before the shortage and a possible damage to the shortage body 32 or the lacking well 30 can be prevented.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the laundry items 10 are inspected inside a drum dryer 33 (FIG. Fig. 6 ). In this case, a plurality of laundry items 10 is mixed and unsorted in a drum 34 of the drum dryer 33 and is acted upon for drying with hot air. Thus, the laundry items 10 are completely dried, the drum 34 rotates about an axis 35, wherein the laundry items 10 are held by drivers 36 in motion. During the drying process, the laundry items 10 are then exposed to terahertz radiation 11. For this purpose, a radiation source 24 is arranged within the drum 34. However, this radiation source 24 does not rotate with the drum 34, but rather is fixedly secured to the inside of the loading door or to an opposite wall.

By loading the items of laundry 10 with Terraherzstrahlung 11 during the drying process, the degree of moisture of the laundry items 10 can be determined in situ. As a result, the radiation reflected by the items of laundry 10 is detected by a detector, not shown, and processed by a control unit, not shown. The detector may also be located inside the drum 34 or outside the drum 34. As soon as it is ascertained by applying the laundry items 10 with terahertz radiation 11 that all items of laundry 10 have reached a certain degree of drying or residual moisture content, the drying process can be interrupted. However, if it is determined that at least one piece of laundry 10 still does not meet the predetermined requirements for the degree of drying, the drying process in the drum dryer 33 is continued. If it is determined by the control unit 24 that there is a wetting test within the mixed laundry items 10, the drying process is stopped or interrupted and if necessary the wetting test is removed from the drum 34.

In addition to the embodiments illustrated here, it is conceivable according to the invention that the method or the device for inspecting laundry items by means of Terahertz radiation 11 are applied to further treatment steps of laundry items 10. Thus, the embodiments shown here are to be understood as exemplary only.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 laundry 36 takeaway 11 Terahertz radiation 12 transport container 13 promoter 14 pile of laundry 15 operator 16 promoter 17 Test section 18 identification means 19 conveying direction 20 contraption 21 control unit 22 pen 23 grab 24 radiation source 25 Tunnel finisher 26 module 27 scissors 28 input device 29 defect 30 mangle trough 31 intermediate conveyor 32 lack body 33 drum dryer 34 drum 35 axis

Claims (16)

Method for inspecting laundry items (10), wherein individual items of laundry (10) are moved along a test section (17) and thereby checked, characterized in that the items of laundry (10) are to check whether the items of laundry (10) contain foreign bodies and / or or have wet or moist locations, be exposed to terahertz radiation (11). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the terahertz radiation (11) reflected and / or transmitted by the items of laundry (10) is detected by at least one detector and converted by a control unit (21) to an image or video and / or on the images of the items of laundry (10) reconstructed by the control unit (21), preferably automatically, foreign bodies or wet or moist locations, can be detected and classified. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for the classification of the images a plurality of different patterns of foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations in the control unit (21) is deposited and the images are compared with these patterns, preferably a background in particular areas of the item of laundry (21) which are transparent to the terahertz radiation (11) are blanked out for the classification of the foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that features which are specific to items of laundry (10), such as zippers, buttons, seams or the like, are masked out for the classification of the foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that based on the laundry items (10) reflected and / or transmitted and detected terahertz radiation (11) a degree of moisture of the laundry items (10), in particular the wet or moist areas of the laundry items ( 10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that items of laundry (10) having foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations, are discharged from the test section (17) and / or marked, in particular that to an identification means (18) of a Item of laundry (10) the information about the foreign body and / or the wet or moist place are transmitted. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry items (10) are applied in regions, preferably only areas where the laundry items (10) have pockets, or are completely loaded with terahertz radiation (11) and / or the laundry items (10). with continuous or pulsed terahertz radiation (11) are applied. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that foreign bodies in the laundry items (10) are classified and / or identified on the basis of an absorption spectrum of the terahertz radiation (11). Device (20) for inspecting laundry items (10) with a test section (17) along which the items of laundry (10) can be guided, characterized in that the test section (17) has at least one radiation source (24) for terahertz radiation (11). and at least one detector for detecting terahertz radiation (11), wherein the laundry items (10) for detection of foreign bodies and / or wet or moist locations at least partially with terahertz radiation (11) are acted upon. Device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the detector is associated with a control unit (21) with which the laundry item (10) or from the foreign body and / or the wet or moist locations reflected and / or transmitted Terahertz radiation (11) is convertible to an image or video and / or the control unit (21) has at least one data memory, on which a plurality of patterns for foreign objects and / or wet or damp locations is stored, with which the recorded images comparable, in particular classifiable, are. Apparatus (20) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the test section (17) is associated with a laundry machine, in particular a continuous washing machine, a dryer, a finisher (25) or a defect (29). A method of inspecting laundry items (10), wherein the laundry items (10) are tested in a drum dryer (33), preferably according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the laundry items (10) to check whether the items of laundry (10) have foreign bodies and / or wet or moist places, are exposed to terahertz radiation (11). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the terahertz radiation (11) reflected and / or transmitted by the items of laundry (10) is detected by at least one detector and by a control unit (21) a degree of moisture of the items of laundry (10), in particular the wet one or damp areas of the laundry items (10) is determined. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the laundry items (10) are dried in the dryer (33) until the determined moisture level has reached a predetermined value, in particular no wet or moist spots are detected. Apparatus for inspecting laundry items (10) in a drum dryer (33), preferably according to one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least one radiation source (24) for terahertz radiation (11) is provided in the interior of the drum dryer (33). is arranged, wherein the laundry items (10) for the detection of foreign bodies and / or wet or moist areas with terahertz radiation (11) are acted upon. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that inside or outside the drum (34) a detector for detecting terahertz radiation (11) is arranged.

Images