EP3656911A1 - Device for feeding laundry items to feeding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The supply of laundry items (30) to input machines (39) is becoming increasingly automated. However, it has been shown that, especially in the case of large items of laundry (30), such as tablecloths and sheets, a lot of space and long travels of the corners (38, 44) of the clips (48) holding the items of laundry (30) are required for full automation The invention provides for only partially automating the feeding of laundry items (30) to the input machine (39) by manually performing method steps requiring at least long travels. To achieve this, provision is made for the respective item of laundry (30) to be buffered after being separated and before being transferred to an input machine (39). It is also provided that an automatic separator (31) provides or holds a first corner (38) of the item of laundry (30) for an operator (49) to manually determine the second corner (44) of the item of laundry (30). The process steps mentioned allow partial automation without impairing the cycle time through manual handling processes.

Description

The invention relates to a method for feeding laundry to an input machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 6.

In the course of rationalization, efforts are being made in commercial laundries to rationalize the previously time-consuming and personnel-intensive manual feeding of laundry items to an input machine. For this purpose, it is already known to feed laundry items fully automatically to input machines.

The fully automatic feeding of laundry items to input machines is divided into two fully automatic sections. Firstly, the items of laundry are pulled out of a laundry pile at the most convenient location with the aid of a camera and separated. Secondly, the individual items of laundry are, for the most part with the help of a camera, automatically entered in brackets with two adjacent corners of an edge and automatically transferred to loading or spreading brackets of the input machine. The spreading clamps hold the item of laundry in the adjacent corners of the edge and spread it before the item of laundry spread thereby is transferred from the input machine to a mangle or other laundry treatment machine.

The previously known fully automated supply of laundry items to an input machine has proven to be problematic in several respects. While the fully automatic feeding of the laundry items to the input machine is almost automatically possible with the same cycle times after gripping and separating the laundry items, this is not the case for automatically gripping and separating the laundry items because the determination of the cheapest gripping point of the respective item of laundry takes different times and occasionally several items of laundry can be taken simultaneously. This means that gripping and separating the items of laundry requires cycle times of different lengths. In addition, the automatic determination of the second corner of the respective edge after the automatic separation of large items of laundry, such as tablecloths, sheets and bed covers, requires a lot of space and, due to the long travels of clips, significantly more time than other steps in the automatic feeding of such large items of laundry to the input machine .

Proceeding from the above, the object of the invention is to create a method for feeding items of laundry to an input machine, which ensures a balanced relationship between the degree of automation and the cycle time.

A first method for solving this problem has the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that the respective items of laundry are cached at least once after being separated and before being transferred to the input machine. The at least one temporary storage creates buffers between successive work or handling steps. This can even out the procedure. In particular, the successive handling or work steps can thus be carried out continuously and / or continuously. Above all, this creates a prerequisite for a functioning sequence of automatic, semi-automatic and / or manual work or activities. The buffering in at least one intermediate store compensates for discontinuities arising as a result of manual activities, so that automatic or semi-automatic activities can take place continuously, in that the at least one laundry storage leads to an evening of the piece of laundry flow.

Provision is preferably made to provide a single item of laundry hanging from a corner of the singler. The item of laundry with the corner from which it hangs is preferably transferred to the at least one store, in particular at least one clip thereof, by the separator and / or taken over by the store. The provision of a corner of the respective item of laundry from Separator enables targeted storage and targeted further processing from the memory in a next handling step. Above all, the laundry item provided by the separator hanging from a corner can be taken over both manually and automatically, preferably with exactly this corner.

An advantageous further development possibility of the method provides for the items of laundry to be sorted sorted into at least one store for sorted items of laundry, namely a sorting store. The respective sorting store preferably has a plurality of storage tracks for each type of laundry. The sorted items of laundry can then be retrieved sorted by type from the respective storage path.

The sorted laundry items are preferably moved into the at least one sorting store from the intermediate store and / or at least one identification device. The sorting preferably takes place when the laundry items are transferred from the intermediate store or the identification device into the at least one sorting memory, in that the laundry items are moved into the respective storage path of the sorting memory in a targeted manner, especially controlled by the identification device.

Another possible development of the method provides for the respective item of laundry to be identified in front of the at least one sorting store, preferably with regard to at least one sorting criterion thereof. Identification is preferably carried out by an identification device with, for example, an imaging device. In this case, the identification of the respective item of laundry can be carried out by the identification device in the area of a buffer store in front of the at least one sorting store. The items of laundry can then be sorted into the respective storage path of the sorting store and sorted in the respective storage path.

Additional developments of the previously described method according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 are possible according to one or more of the claims 5 to 17 explained below.

A further method for solving the problem mentioned at the outset, which may also be a preferred development according to one or more of the claims 1 to 5 described above, has the measures of claim 6. In this method, the automatic separator is provided one at a corner to hold the item of laundry held for forwarding to an identification device, at least one intermediate store, at least one sorting store and / or for manual transfer. By providing a corner of the respective item of laundry from the separator in such a manner, targeted further treatment, targeted further transport and / or targeted subsequent handling of a manual or automated type can take place reliably.

It is preferably provided that the respective item of laundry hangs freely down from a first corner held by the automatic separator. This enables another (second) corner to be easily found and gripped manually. In particular, it is easier for an operator to grasp the second corner if the item of laundry is held ready by the separator in such a way that the lower corner and / or the second corner of the freely hanging item of laundry hangs above the floor at an ergonomically favorable height.

According to an advantageous development of the method, it is provided that at least one second corner of an edge of the laundry item, which is adjacent to the first corner provided by the separator, is manually entered into a bracket. The first corner can be automatically or manually entered in brackets. The clip is, for example, at least one clip of an input machine that holds the item of laundry with adjacent corners of an edge, in particular a leading edge, and extends this edge.

An advantageous embodiment of the method provides for manually determining, in the area of the at least one intermediate store, the second corner of the edge of the laundry item adjacent to the first corner held in a bracket of the at least one intermediate store, and preferably also manually entering this second corner into the second bracket of the intermediate store to enter. As a result, the second corner of the item of laundry, which is difficult to automatically determine, especially in the case of large items of laundry, is determined manually and is thus entered into the second bracket of the intermediate store. This has surprisingly proven to be reliable and, above all, faster than the automatic determination of the freely hanging second corner of the item of laundry and the automatic input of the latter into a second bracket.

Alternatively, it is conceivable in the area of the at least one sorting store to manually determine the second corner of the edge of the laundry item, which is adjacent to the first corner held in a bracket thereof, and / or manually into the second bracket of the Enter sort memory. In the area of the at least one sorting store, it has also proven to be easier, especially for large items of laundry, to manually determine the second corner and to enter it in a second bracket of the sorting store.

Another possible development of the method provides for at least one of the adjacent corners of the edge of the item of laundry to be spread by the input machine to be manually entered into a clip, in particular a loading clip or spreading clip, of the input machine at the end of the at least one intermediate store or sorting store. It is also conceivable to manually enter both adjacent corners of the edge in two brackets, in particular loading or spreading brackets, of the input machine. The brackets, in particular spreading brackets, can be separate, independently movable brackets, but also, and in particular loading brackets, coherent brackets designed in the manner of a double bracket. The manual input especially of both adjacent corners of the edge to be spread into the input machine has the advantage that the corners can be precisely aligned and can be entered in the brackets at the outermost points, which affects the quality of the further processing of the laundry item, in particular the lack quality of the laundry items Improved comparison to automatic entry or transfer.

In the case of the item of laundry held ready by the automatic separator, it is preferably provided that the respective item of laundry is manually entered into the input machine using the first corner provided by the separator and the second corner of the edge. In this embodiment of the method, an input of the adjacent corners of an edge to be spread by the input machine in brackets of the input machine is ensured in the shortest possible way. The operator's automatic separator removes the difficult and arduous task of finding and pulling out a first corner of the item of laundry to the laundry pile. In addition, the separator makes it easier for the operator to find and grasp the second corner hanging from the first corner. This is particularly the case if the separator holds the item of laundry at a sufficient distance from the floor so that the operator can grasp the upper first corner and the lower second corner equally effortlessly and enter them directly into the brackets, namely loading brackets or spreading brackets, of the input machine.

Another advantageous possibility for designing the method provides for the laundry item held by the separator at a first corner and thus made available to be automatically taken over from the separator or from the separator with this corner to hand over. Preferably, the separator automatically transfers and / or accepts the first corner of the laundry item to a clip of the at least one intermediate store, the at least one sorting store or an identification device. As a result, the respective item of laundry automatically reaches the at least one intermediate store, at least one sorting store or the at least one identification device from the separator.

After the automatic transfer of the transfer of the first corner of the item of laundry from a clip or to a clip of the at least one intermediate store, the at least one sorting store or the at least one identification device, the second corner of the edge, preferably the edge to be stretched out by the input machine, of the item of laundry is preferred manually determined and entered in a parenthesis. It can also be a bracket of the intermediate store, sorting store or the identification device. With this procedure, a partially automatic transfer of brackets is provided, whereby the separator automatically transfers the first corner, but transfers the second corner manually. This mixed automatic and manual clamp and / or corner transfer is particularly suitable for large items of laundry, in which the search and detection of the second corner of the item of laundry hanging down deeply from the separator would require a great deal of equipment and time and, above all, would be too imprecise could.

The method can also be designed such that the respective item of laundry with both adjacent corners of the edge to be spread by the input machine is automatically transferred from the at least one intermediate store or at least one sorting store to the input machine, preferably to loading clips or spreading clips thereof. With this method, at least the separation of the laundry items and the transfer of at least one corner thereof to the respective brackets of the input machine are automated. Manual steps can take place between the separation and the transfer to the input machine, in particular the attachment of at least the second corner of the separated item of laundry into a corresponding clip of the intermediate store and / or the sorting store. Steps or transfers that are easy to automate are carried out automatically, while, in particular for large items of laundry such as bed sheets, in particular king-size bed sheets, tablecloths or bed covers, the steps or transfers that are complicated or only to be carried out automatically inaccurately are carried out manually.

In an advantageous further development possibility of the method, it is provided to visually check and if necessary correct the seat and / or position of the at least one corner of the respective item of laundry automatically entered into a bracket by a person or imaging device. This makes it possible, despite the automatic input and / or transfer of at least one corner in one bracket or from one bracket to the other to intervene, if necessary, if this should be necessary due to the high quality requirements in the lack or finish quality of the laundry items.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach einem fünften Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einem sechsten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 12

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einem siebten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung,

Fig. 14

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 13,

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einem achten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung,

Fig. 16

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 15,

Fig. 17

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einem neunten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung,

Fig. 18

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 17,

Fig. 19

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens gemäß einem zehnten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 20

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Fig. 19.

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

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out the method,

Fig. 2

a side view of the device of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

2 shows a perspective view of a device for carrying out the method according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

a side view of the device of Fig. 3 ,

Fig. 5

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out the method according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6

a side view of the device of Fig. 5 ,

Fig. 7

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out the method according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8

a side view of the device of Fig. 7 ,

Fig. 9

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out the method according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 10

a side view of the device of Fig. 9 ,

Fig. 11

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out a method according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 12

a side view of the device of Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 13

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out a method according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 14

a side view of the device of Fig. 13 ,

Fig. 15

2 shows a perspective view of a device for carrying out a method according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 16

a side view of the device of Fig. 15 ,

Fig. 17

2 shows a perspective illustration of a device for carrying out a method according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 18

a side view of the device of Fig. 17 ,

Fig. 19

a perspective view of an apparatus for performing a method according to a tenth embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 20

a side view of the device of Fig. 19 .

The devices shown in the figures illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention. For the sake of a better overview, the same components and parts of the devices shown are provided with the same reference numbers.

The devices are intended to feed laundry items 30 at least partially automatically to input machines 39. The input machines 39 spread out the laundry items 30 and, when they are spread out, enter them into a mangle or other laundry treatment machine. The laundry items 30 are preferably so-called flat laundry items. Above all, the devices shown and the processes that can be carried out with them are intended for large flat items such as tablecloths, bed covers and bed sheets.

The different exemplary embodiments and devices for carrying out the method according to the invention shown in the figures have at least one separator 31 for automatically gripping and separating laundry items 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the laundry items 30 are fed item-by-item as laundry piles 32 from a belt conveyor 33 to the respective separator 31. In the embodiments of the 1 to 8 and 11 to 20 two preferably identical separators 31 are arranged in parallel next to one another. However, the invention is not restricted to this. It is also suitable for a single separator 31, but also for more than two separators 31, for example in accordance with the exemplary embodiment in FIG Fig. 9 and 10th six separators 31 arranged next to one another, preferably the same.

Each separator 31 has an ascending section 34. A gripper 35 can be moved up and down along the ascending section 34. In addition, the ascent section 34 can be moved laterally with the gripper 35. By means of the belt conveyor 33, the laundry piles 32 can be moved forward in the transport direction, but can also be moved back. At least one image of the laundry pile 32 is generated by the at least one imaging device, for example a 3D camera 36, and the most favorable location is determined from this image, with which the gripper 35 can take a piece of laundry 30 in the laundry pile 32.

The separator 31 also has a supply device 37. The laundry 30, which is gripped by the gripper 35, is transferred to the supply device 37 by raising it along the preferably inclined ascending path 34. The provision device 37 has several tasks. On the one hand, it serves to reliably separate the items of laundry 30 from the gripper 35 in the event of simultaneous gripping. On the other hand, the provision device 37 serves to provide a first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 for further processing and / or further transport. For this purpose, the individually gripped item of laundry 30, or else items of laundry 30 seized at several points at the same time, passes through the provision device 37, final separation taking place and the item of laundry 30 now only having the rearmost corner in the direction of passage through the provision device 37, namely the first corner 38, remains held by the provision device 37. Then the item of laundry 30 hangs freely at the first corner 38 from the provision device 37. In this state, the automatically separated laundry item is kept ready for feeding to the input machine 39. The laundry items 30 are transported from the separator 31 to the input machine 39 in a direction which is referred to below as the feed direction 40. This is also the direction in which the input machine 39 feeds the item 30 of laundry which it has spread out or extended to a subsequent laundry treatment device, in particular a defect which is not shown in the figures.

In the 1 to 8 and 11 and 20, an input machine 39 is shown. This input machine 39 has two or even more than two loading points 41 arranged next to one another, possibly also only a single loading point 41. Each loading point 41 is assigned at least one double chamber 42 with two contiguous but spaced-apart loading clamps 43. The two adjacent loading clips 43 and the respective double clip 42 are loaded with the first corner 38 and an adjacent second corner 44 of an edge 45 of the respective item of laundry 30. This edge 45, which can also be referred to as the leading edge or edge 45 leading in the feed direction 40, is stretched out by a spreading device of the input machine 39, not shown in the figures, and the item of laundry 30 is thereby spread out. For this purpose, the double clamp 42 with the loading clamps 43 holding the two adjacent corners 38, 44 of the edge 45 is moved to a pair of spreading clamps which takes over the two corners 38 and 44 and then extends the edge 45 by moving the spreading clamps apart.

In the Fig. 9 and 10th An exemplary embodiment of a device with six identical separators 31 arranged next to one another is shown, which is followed by two preferably identical input machines 39 arranged next to one another.

In the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 and 2nd an automatic separator 31 is assigned to each loading point 41 of the input machine 39. An intermediate store 46 is located between the respective separator 31 and the loading point 41 of the input machine 39 assigned to it. The two parallel intermediate stores 46 are designed in the same way. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the respective intermediate store 46 has a straight horizontal conveyor rail 47 or a conveyor rail 47 which slopes slightly downwards in the feed direction 40, on which a plurality of clamps 48 can be moved in the feed direction 40 by means of conveying means, not shown. A laundry item 30 is held on each clip 48 with the first corner 38, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown a plurality of individual laundry items 30 hanging from clips 48 are accommodated in the respective intermediate storage 46 at the same time. Depending on the size of the buffer store 46, the number of laundry items 30 that are temporarily stored or buffered therein can vary according to requirements. It is also conceivable that the buffer store 46 only one item of laundry 30 can accommodate. Nevertheless, in the sense of the invention, it is also regarded as an intermediate store 46, because here the item of laundry 30 can wait until it can be entered into the loading brackets 43 of the input machines 39.

The conveyor rail 47 is designed such that in it or on it a plurality of clamps 48 can be transported back from the end of the conveyor rail 47 pointing towards the input machine 39 at the beginning thereof in front of the separator 31 to form a closed circuit for the clamps 48. This circuit is shown in FIG the Fig. 1 and 2nd not shown.

With the device of Fig. 1 and 2nd The method according to the invention proceeds as follows:
The individual item of laundry 30 reaches the beginning of the intermediate store 46 from the separator 31. The item of laundry 30 is held by the separator 31 at the first corner 38, in such a way that it hangs freely from the first corner 38. The item of laundry 30 thus held ready by the separator 31 is then transferred to a free clamp at the beginning of the intermediate store 46. This can be done by the separator 31 and / or when the clamp 48 of the buffer store 46 taking over the laundry 30 from the separator 31 reaches the separator 31. After this transfer, the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 is located in the clip 48 of the intermediate store 46. The item of laundry 30 hangs freely from the clip 48.

An item of laundry 30 hanging at the end of the intermediate store 46 facing the input machine 39, namely the conveyor rail 47 thereof, is now manually inserted by an operator 49 with the adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the front edge 45 into the two loading clips 43 of the double clips 42 of the intermediate store 46 Transfer the assigned loading point 41 to the input machine 39. The operator 49 first grips the free second corner 44 of the laundry item 30 hanging down in front of the clip 48 of the buffer store 46 and enters it into a loading clip 43. The operator 49 then removes the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 from the clip 48 of the intermediate store 46 and enters it into the second loading clip 43 of the double clip 42. The two adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 are then automatically transferred from the double clip 42 holding them to the spreading clips of the spreading device, which extend the edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 by moving them apart, and feed the laundry 30 thus spread to the defect or the like following the input machine 39.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 and 4th As in the exemplary embodiment described above, two separators 31 lying next to one another and an input machine 39 following them in the feed direction 40 with two adjacent loading points 41 are provided.

An identification device 50 for forming an identification station and a sorting memory 51 are provided between each separator 31 and the loading point 41 of the input machine 39 following it. A straight-line conveyor rail 53 runs through the identification device 50 from the separator 31 to the sorting store 51 in the exemplary embodiment shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sorting store 51 has two parallel storage tracks 52, which in the exemplary embodiment shown are of equal length and run parallel to one another. However, it is also conceivable that the sorting store 51 has more than two storage tracks 52. In addition, it is conceivable for the two or more than two storage tracks 52 to have different courses or lengths. A switch 54 is located at the transition of the conveyor rail 53 assigned to the identification device 50 between the two storage tracks 52.

Brackets 55 can be moved on the conveyor rail 53 and the storage tracks 52 of the sorting store 51 for receiving a first corner 38 of a laundry item 30. The clamps 55 can be moved on the conveyor rail 53 and the storage tracks 52. Their brackets 55 can be moved back behind the respective storage track 52 on sections of the conveyor rail 53, not shown, to the start of the conveyor rail 53 in the region of the respective separator 31.

The identification device 50 has at least one imaging device, for example a camera (not shown in the figures), which is preferably a 3D camera. The camera can be a color camera if a sorting according to colored and white items of laundry 30 is to take place.

Otherwise, the device corresponds to Fig. 3 and 4th the device of the Fig. 1 and 2nd .

The inventive method runs with the device of Fig. 3 and 4th as follows:
The first corner 38 provided by the respective separator 31 is automatically transferred to a bracket 55 at the beginning of the conveyor rail 53. This transfer is preferably carried out by the separator 31.

As a result of the transfer of the item of laundry 30 to the clamp 55, the item of laundry 30 is automatically transferred to the conveyor rail 53, which can also form an intermediate store 46. At the same time, the laundry 30 is automatically transferred to the identification device 50. The item of laundry 30 identified by the at least one imaging device of the identification device 50 is transported along the conveyor rail 53 in the feed direction 40 to the switch 54. The switch 54 is set in this way by the identification device 50, preferably an evaluation unit, depending on the result of the identification of the item of laundry 30 that the item of laundry 30 with the bracket 55 carrying it is moved into that storage path 52 of the sorting store 51 to which the at least one sorting criterion is assigned to which the item of laundry 30 corresponds. In this way, laundry items 30 with different sorting criteria get into the two storage lanes 52, the sorting criteria being the same for each storage lane 52, so that the laundry items 30 identified by the identification device 50 are moved into the respective storage lane 52 of the sorting storage 51 and thereby one Sorting of the laundry items 30 is carried out.

The items of laundry 30 can then be input into the input machine 39 in one type from one or the other storage path 52. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this input is made manually, specifically by an operator 49 assigned to the corresponding loading point 41 of the input machine 39 by means of two storage lanes 52 at the end of the respective sorting store 51. The respective operator 49 fetches a piece of laundry 30 held ready at the end of the respective storage lane 52, to manually enter it into the loading brackets 43 of the double bracket 42 of the input machine 39. This input is made in exactly the same way as in the method in connection with the exemplary embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 and 2nd explained. In this exemplary embodiment, the operator 49 only removes the respective item of laundry 30 from the storage path 52 from which the next item of laundry 30 is to be manually entered into the loading clips 43 at the loading point 41 of the input machine 39. In this case, the operator 49 usually proceeds by successively removing items of laundry 30 of the same type from the same storage path 52 to the input machine 39. This results in a single type of ironing in the Sorting storage 51 sorted items of laundry 30. For example, the operator 49 can hang all items of laundry 30 located in a storage path 52 in the double clamp 42 of the input machine 39 and after processing one type of items 30 one after the other items of laundry 30 of another type from the adjacent storage path 52 in enter the input machine 39.

The in the Fig. 5 and 6 shown device corresponds in principle to the device of Fig. 1 and 2nd . This device only has an intermediate store 56 with a shorter conveyor rail 57. Each intermediate store 56 is therefore only designed to hold one item of laundry 30 at a time. Nevertheless, it is an intermediate store 56 because the items of laundry 30 can remain on the conveyor rail 57 until they can be entered into the input machine 39 by the operator 49, namely the double clip 42 used for this purpose is free again.

The buffer store 56 need only have a single bracket 48. However, it can also have two clamps 48, so that when a clamp 48 holding a piece of laundry 30 at the first corner 38 is located at the end of the conveyor rail 57 associated with the input machine 39, an empty clamp 48 on the separator 31 for transfer or Takeover of the next item of laundry 30 is ready.

The inventive method runs with the device of Fig. 5 and 6 in principle exactly the same as with the device of Fig. 1 and 2nd , so that reference is made to the method described in connection with this device.

The in the Fig. 7 and 8th The device shown differs from the previously described devices in that it has neither an intermediate memory 46 or 56 nor a sorting memory 51 and also no identification device 50. Otherwise, this device corresponds to the devices described above.

With the device of Fig. 7 and 8th The method according to the invention proceeds in such a way that the singler 31 provides the operator 49 with a single item of laundry 30. The separator 31 holds the item of laundry 30 at its first corner 38. The item of laundry 30 held at the first corner 38 hangs freely from the separator 31, preferably at a height that enables the operator 49 to take the second corner of the at the first corner 38 from Seperator 31 to hold and hold items of laundry 30 that are ergonomically favorable.

The operator 49 manually inputs both corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 successively into the respective loading clip 43 of the double clip 42 of the input machine 39. The operator 49 first searches for and detects the second corner 44 of the item of laundry 30 hanging freely from the separator 31 and enters it into the first loading clip 43. The operator 49 then removes the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 still held by the separator 31 from the separator 31 and enters this first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 into the second loading clip 43 of the double clip 42 at the loading point 41 of the input machine 39.

The embodiment of the Fig. 9 and 10th corresponds in principle to that of Fig. 3 and 4th . Only two preferably identical input machines 39, each with, for example, two loading points 41 and correspondingly more than two, in the exemplary embodiment shown six, identical separators 31 are provided here.

All separators 31 are linked to a collecting conveyor 58. The collecting conveyor 58 has a U-shaped take-over loop 59 assigned to each singler 31. An arcuate deflection point 60 of each take-over loop 59 follows the respective singler 31 as seen in the feed direction 40.

All takeover loops 59 of the collecting conveyor 58 are brought together to form a single conveyor rail 53 which extends through a single, common identification device 50. This identification device 50 preferably corresponds to that of the Fig. 3 and 4th . The conveyor rail 53 merges into a sorting store 61, which differs from the previously described sorting store 51 in that it has three preferably parallel storage tracks 62. Two successive switches 63 branch off from the conveyor rail 53 first a right storage path 62 and then a left storage path 62. The third storage path 62 of the sorting storage 61 runs continuously in the extension of the conveyor rail 53.

In the sorting store 61 of this exemplary embodiment, the storage tracks 62 also run at the end of the sorting store 61 again via corresponding connection nodes 64 onto a section of the conveyor rail 53 which represents an extension of the middle storage tracks 62. At the end of the connection node 64 in The sorting store 61 branches out into the feed direction 40 of the (extended) middle storage track 62, which branches into two feed tracks 65. A further switch 66 is provided behind this branch. The feed tracks 65 are branched in such a way that items of laundry 30 sorted from the respective storage track 62 of the sorting store 61 can be specifically transported to one or the other of the two input machines 39 arranged next to one another. Each feed path 65 is also designed such that it has a transfer loop 67, preferably running in a vertical plane, in front of each of the two loading points 41 of each input machine 39. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two input machines 39 arranged next to one another provide four loading points 41, each of which is assigned a transfer loop 67. An operator 49 is located next to each transfer loop 67.

In the Fig. 9 and 10th are in contrast to the previously described embodiments of the 1 to 8 return paths 68 for empty brackets 55 are also shown. Each return path 68 has an initial part starting from each transfer loop 67, which opens into a common return rail 69. At the separators 31, a feed path 70 branches off from the return rail 69 for feeding the clamps 55 to the respective separator 31. This feed section 70 merges into the take-over loop 59 in the area of each separator 31.

The method according to the invention is described below using the device of Fig. 9 and 10th explains:
A lower U-shaped deflection point 60 of each take-over loop 59 in front of a separator 31 forms a take-over point 71. At this take-over point 71, the first corner 38 of a piece of laundry 30 held by the associated separator 31 is taken over or transferred to a clip provided at the take-over point 71 55 of the collecting conveyor 58. This transfer takes place in such a way that the first corner 38 is pushed into the clamp 55 by the separator 31 or the clamp 55 picks up the first corner 38 from the separator 31.

After the automatic transfer of a respective item of laundry 30 from the singler 31 to the clamp 55 held ready in front of it, the clamp 55 with the item of laundry 30 held there at the first corner 38 is brought together in the course of the collecting conveyor 58 to form the common conveyor rail 53 extending through the identification device 50 Consequently, of all Items 31 of laundry 30 coming on the conveyor rail 53 are brought together in front of the identification device 50 and gradually passed through the single identification device 50 and thereby identified with regard to the desired sorting criteria.

After the items of laundry 30 have been identified, they are moved individually into the storage path 62 provided with the at least one corresponding sorting criterion, and the switches 63 are set by a controller as a function of the respective sorting criterion determined during the identification.

From the respective storage track 62 of the sorting store 61, items of laundry 30 of the respective storage track 62 are preferably retrieved in batches, in order to enter them manually at each loading point 41 into the two input machines 39 arranged next to one another. In this case, items of laundry 30 of the same storage path 62 can be distributed to the left and right input machines 39 by the switch 63 according to a corresponding control. However, it is also conceivable to supply the input machine 39 with items of laundry 30 of the same type from a storage path 62 and the to load another input machine 39 with items of laundry 30 of the same type from another storage path 62 of the sorting store 61. Then the one input machine 39 is loaded with laundry items 30 of one type and the other input machine 39 is loaded with laundry items 30 of another type.

In the area of the transfer loop 67 in front of each loading point 41, the respective operator 49 manually enters the laundry 30 into the loading clamps 43 of the double clamp 42 provided at the loading point 41 of the respective input machine 39 assigned to it. For this purpose, each operator 49 is provided with a respective item of laundry 30 at a lower removal point 72 of the respective transfer loop 67. In this case, the further transport of the clamp 55 at the removal point 72 is stopped at the moment. Then the item of laundry 30 hangs freely from the clamp 55 at the take-off point 72, specifically with the first corner 38 held by the clip 55. The respective operator 49 now determines and grasps the second corner 44 of the item of laundry 30 adjacent to the first corner 38 hang it in a loading clip 43 of the double clip 42 at the loading point 41. The operator 49 then takes the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 still held by the clip 55 out of the clip 55 and enters this first corner into the second loading clip 43 of the double clip 42.

Finally, as with the explanation of the method for the embodiment of the Fig. 1 and 2nd described, the double clamp 42 with the two adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 55 to be extended moved to the spreading clamps and handed over to them.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the laundry items 30 were transferred manually to input machines 39. The following exemplary embodiments provide a fully automatic transfer of the laundry items 30 to the respective input machine 39, preferably directly to spreading clamps.

The Fig. 11 and 12 show a first embodiment of a device for transporting and automatically transferring the corners 38 and 44 of the laundry items 30 to the respective input machine 39. Between each of the two separators 31 arranged next to one another and the input machine 39 having two loading points 76 lying next to one another there is a buffer store 73 In the course of each buffer store 73 following a separator 31, a work station, in particular a manual work station 83, is provided for one operator 49 each.

The respective buffer store 73 has two different, in particular of different lengths, conveyor lines 75 and 77. Both conveyor lines 75 and 77 are designed as a closed conveyor circuit with a continuous, endless conveyor rail. Clamps 78, 79 can be moved in the circuit along this conveyor rail.

The longer conveyor section 75 of the respective intermediate store 73 is brought to the singler 31 assigned to it with a U-shaped take-over loop 80. A lower, U-shaped deflection of the take-over loop 80 of the conveyor line 75 forms a take-over point 81 in front of the respective separator 31. At a distance behind the take-over point 81 (viewed in the feed direction 40), the feed line 75 has a straight section in the exemplary embodiment shown, which is the first Buffer 46 is used. Following this, the conveyor line 75 has a further loop 82 with a U-shaped course. At the lower deflection point of this loop 82 there is a manual work station 83 for the respective operator 49. The loop 82 is in turn connected to a section of the conveyor section 75, which is preferably a straight line and serves as a second buffer store 73. At the end of this section in front of the input machine 39 there is again a vertical plane running U-shaped input loop 84. A transfer point 85 is assigned to a lower U-shaped section thereof.

The second, shorter conveyor section 77 only begins in the area of the loop 82 of the manual work station 83 and runs from there parallel to the conveyor section 75 to the input loop 84 in front of the input machine 39. A second set of clamps 79 can be moved along the conveyor section 77. While the clamps 78 of the conveyor line 75 extending to the respective separator 31 hold the first corner 38 of the respective laundry item 30, the clips 79 of the parallel conveyor line 77 are provided for receiving the second corner 44 of the respective laundry item 30.

The method according to the invention runs with the device described above Fig. 11 and 12 as follows:
The individual laundry item 30 is transferred from the separator 31 to the buffer store 46 with the first corner 38 held by the separator 31. In the device shown, the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 is transferred at the takeover point to a clamp 78 of the conveyor line 75 reaching to the separator 31. The item of laundry 30 is then transported further from the take-over point 81 along the conveyor path 75 and a supply of a plurality of items of laundry 30 is temporarily stored in front of the manual work station 83. The laundry items 30 hang with the first corner 38 under a bracket 78 in each case.

The item of laundry 30 located in front with the clip 78 carrying it is moved from the buffer store 46 in front of the loop 82 into the loop 82. The item of laundry 30 is moved down with the clip 78 in the loop 82 of the conveyor line 75 to the manual work station 83. Here, the operator 49 first visually checks that the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 is correctly seated in the clip 78 carrying it. If necessary, the operator takes 49 a correction by bringing the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 into a position that is favorable for further processing. The operator 49 corrects the position of the laundry 30 in the relevant bracket 78. The operator 49 then ascertains and grasps the second corner 44 of the item of clothing 30 and, in an optimal clip position, inserts it into a free clip 79 of the second conveyor line 77 held ready at the manual work station 83. If necessary, this can also be done before checking and possibly gripping the first corner 38 of the item 30 of laundry. Since the loops 82 of both conveyor lines 75 and 77 at the manual work station 83 running parallel next to each other, the operator 49 at the manual work station 83 can ergonomically enter the second corner 44 into a free bracket 79 of the conveyor track 77 and, if necessary, the seat of the first corner 38 in the bracket 78 Check and / or correct the first conveyor line 75.

After both corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 have been entered into a bracket 78 and 79 of each conveyor section 75 and 77 at the manual work station 83, the respective item of laundry 30, the two corners 38 and 44 of which are now held in separate brackets 78 and 79 , transported further along the conveyor lines 75 and 77 and again temporarily stored in a part of the intermediate storage 73 following the manual work station 83. The clamps 78, 79 holding the two corners 30 and 44 are spaced next to one another, that is to say the item of laundry 30 is oriented transversely to the feed direction 40.

As soon as the spreading clamps of the input machine 39 are ready to take over the next item of laundry 30, a controller releases the supply of the first item of laundry 30, seen in the feed direction 40, from the buffer store 73 to the input loops 84 of both conveyor lines 75 and 77 in front of the input machine 39. With both clamps 78 and 79 at the same time, the respective item of laundry 30 is then moved to the spreading clips or the like of the input machine 39 and is automatically transferred to the transfer point 85 simultaneously or synchronously, whereby each of the adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the front edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 arrives in a spreading clamp, which then stretch the edge 45 when spreading apart and thereby spread the item of laundry 30.

After the laundry item 30 has been transferred to the spreading clamps, the free clamps 78 and 79 of each conveyor section 75, 77 are returned empty to the beginning of the respective conveyor section 75, 77 in front of a separator 31 or the manual work station 83.

The in the Fig. 13 and 14 shown device differs from that of Fig. 11 and 12 only in that only one circulating conveyor line 75 is arranged between each singler 31 and the transfer point 85 of the input machine 39 assigned to it. This conveyor line 75 corresponds to that of Fig. 11 and 12 . Along this conveyor line 75, an intermediate storage 73 is formed, the two has divided buffer sections, namely in front of and behind the loop 82 with the manual work station 83.

In contrast to the device of Fig. 11 and 12 Several pairs of successive brackets 78 and 79 can be moved along the conveying path 75. The brackets 78 and 79 which follow one another in the feed direction 40 serve to receive the adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the laundry item 30, which can thus be moved one behind the other along the conveying path 75.

The process runs with the device of 13 to 14 as follows:
With the first corner 38 held by the separator 31, the respective item of laundry 30 is transferred at the takeover point of the takeover loop 80 to a preferably first clip 78 of the pair of clips on the conveyor line 75. The item of laundry 30 then hanging on the conveyor section 75 with the first corner 38 under the first bracket 78 of the pair of brackets is temporarily stored in a first, initial storage section of the intermediate store 73. The foremost item of laundry 30 is now called up from the buffer store 73 by the operator 49 at the manual work station 83. This item of laundry 30 then reaches the lower U-shaped deflection point of the loop 82 in the area of the manual work station 83. Here the operator 49 hangs the second corner 44 of the edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 hanging from the clip 78 into the subsequent second clip 79 of the pair of clips Conveyor line 75 a. Subsequently or, if necessary, beforehand, the operator 49 checks the correct fit of the first corner 38, which was automatically entered beforehand in the clamp 78, and corrects it if necessary. Now that both adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the item 30 of laundry have been entered into successive brackets 78 and 79 of the intermediate store 73, the items of laundry 30 are transported further along the conveying path 75 and again temporarily stored in the second storage section of the intermediate store 73. The two are then located Corners 38 and 44 in brackets 78, 79 which follow one another with respect to the feed direction 40 of the same conveying path 75 of the intermediate store 73.

As soon as the spreading clamps are ready to take over the next item of laundry 30, the (next) item of laundry 30 located in front of the input loop 84 with consecutive corners 38 and 44 is called up for transfer to the spreading clips. The brackets 78, 79 holding the corners 38 and 44 are moved one after the other through the input loop 84 and at the transfer point 85 to the input machine 39 first automatically transfer the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 from the clamp 78 holding it to the first spreading clamp of the spreading device of the input machine 39. Subsequently, the following clamp 78, 79 is moved further on the input loop 84 and the second corner 44 of the edge 45 of the laundry item 30 is also automatically transferred from the clamp 79 to the second spreading clamp of the spreading device. The corners 38 and 44 are then moved apart by the spreading clamps and the edge 45 of the item 30 of laundry is stretched. The empty clamps 78, 79 are then transported back from the respective transfer point 85 via a return section 86 of the conveyor line 75 to the take-over loop 80 in front of the separator 31.

The device of the Fig. 15 and 16 differs from that of Fig. 13 and 14 only in that a transfer device 87 is arranged between the respective singler 31 and the take-over loop 80 of the conveyor line 75 with the intermediate storage 73. The transfer device 87 is designed such that a laundry item 30 coming from the separator 31 can be superimposed approximately U-shaped onto its loading point 88. The laundry item 30 is transported by the transfer device 87 having a plurality of overlying and successive belt conveyor pairs 89 during further transport to two corner catching devices 90 arranged on opposite sides of the end of the last belt conveyor pair 89. The corner catching device 90 determines the adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the laundry item 30 and fixes them for automatic transfer to the successive clamps 78, 79 of the conveyor path 75 of the intermediate conveyor 73.

Otherwise, the device corresponds to Fig. 15 and 16 of those of Fig. 13 and 14 , so that reference is made to the associated previous description.

The process runs with the device of Fig. 15 and 16 as follows:
The item of laundry 30 automatically drawn out of the laundry pile 32 by the separator 31 is held, kept ready or provided by the separator 31 at the first corner 38. Starting from the separator 31, the item of laundry 30 is then placed in a U-shape over the loading point 88 of the transfer device 87. This can be done directly from the separator 31 or an intermediate depositing device. The item of laundry 30 is then transported from the loading point 88 between the successive pairs of belt conveyors 89 in the feed direction 40 to the corner catching device 90 of the transfer device 87 and thus stretched apart in the feed direction 40, that pairs of rollers of the corner catching devices 90 arranged on opposite sides of the rear belt conveyor pair 89 each fix a corner, ie the first corner 38 on the one hand and the second corner 44 of the edge 45 of the laundry item 30 on the other. The item of laundry 30 held in this way by the transfer device with both corners 38 and 44 is then transferred to subsequent clamps 78, 79 of a pair of clamps of the conveying path 75 of the intermediate store 73, one after the other.

For example, when the first clip 78 of the pair of clips is currently stopped at the transfer point 81 of the transfer loop 80, the first corner 38 of the item of laundry 30 is entered into this clip 78. The clamps 78, 79 are then transported a little further along the conveyor path 75, so that a subsequent second clamp 79 of the pair of clamps is ready at the takeover point 81 behind the transfer device 87. Here the second corner 44 of the item of laundry 30 is then automatically transferred to this second, subsequent bracket 79 of the respective pair of clips. Then the respective item of laundry 30 hangs with the first corner 38 on a bracket 78 of the conveyor section 75 and with the second corner 44 on the subsequent second bracket 79 of the pair of clips of the conveyor section 75.

The method then runs in exactly the same way as in connection with the exemplary embodiment in FIG Fig. 13 and 14 described. This is referred to.

The in the Fig. 17 and 18th The device shown essentially corresponds to the device of FIG Fig. 13 and 14 . Merely the conveyor line 75 between the U-shaped take-over loop 80 and the loop 82 at the manual work station 83 has a sorting memory 51 with an identification device 50.

The identification device 50 of the device shown here corresponds to that of, for example Fig. 3 and 4th . The sorting memory 51 is in the embodiment of the Fig. 17 and 18th trained like the one Fig. 3 and 4th . Unlike the Fig. 3 and 4th However, the clamps 78, 79 run on the conveyor line 75 in successive groups of two successively arranged clamps 78, 79 (as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG Fig. 13 and 14 ) around. The sorting store 51 also has two parallel storage tracks 52 in the present exemplary embodiment, so that it can accommodate items of laundry 30 of two different types in a sorted manner.

At the end of the sorting store 51, the storage tracks 52 meet again at a connection node 64, so that the items of laundry 30 from different storage tracks 52 of the sorting store 51 always run past the manual work station 83.

With the device of Fig. 17 and 18th the procedure is as follows:
The separator 31 is the same as in the embodiment Fig. 13 and 14 the respective laundry item 30 is inserted with its first corner 38 into a first bracket 78 of the respective pair of successive brackets 78, 79. The item of laundry 30 which then hangs freely from the clamp 78 with the first corner 38 is transported by the identification device 50 and the sorting criteria of the respective item of laundry 30 are determined.

Items of laundry 30 which correspond to the same sorting criteria are directed to the same storage path 52 by a corresponding position of the switch 54. Such items of laundry 30, which do not meet the sorting criterion or meet another specified sorting criterion, are, however, transported to the other, parallel storage path 52 in the switched switch 54. If more than two different sorting criteria have to be met, the sorting store 51 has more than two, in particular parallel, storage tracks 52.

The type of laundry items 30 specifically retrieved from one or the other storage path 52 is transported from the sorting store 51 through a subsequent buffer store 73 to the loop 82 at the manual work station 83. If other items of laundry 30 are to be input into the input machine 39, items of laundry 30 are transported from the other storage path 52 to the same loop 82 to the manual work station 83. The procedure in the manual work station 83 up to the transfer of the two adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 into the spreading brackets of the input machine 38 corresponds to the procedure which is in connection with the exemplary embodiments of FIG 13 to 16 has been described. This is referred to.

The device of the embodiment of the Fig. 19 and 20th largely corresponds to the previously discussed device of FIG Fig. 17 and 18th . Only one transfer device 87 is provided between the respective separator 31 and the sorting memory 51 with the identification device 50. Each separator 31 is followed by a transfer device 87 of the same design. As a result, the method of this exemplary embodiment (as in the embodiment of the Fig. 15 and 16 ) Both adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the laundry item 30 to be spread by the input machine 39 can also be automatically entered in succession into the successive brackets 78, 79 of a pair of brackets for receiving both corners 38 and 44 by the corner catching devices 90. After the adjacent corners 38 and 44 of the edge 45 of the item of laundry 30 have been successively entered into the clamps 78 and 79 of the conveyor path 75 by the transfer device 87 or taken over by the clamps 78 and 79, the method proceeds in exactly the same way as previously in connection with the Embodiment of the Fig. 17 and 18th described, to which extent reference is made. <b> List of reference symbols: </b> 30th Laundry 62 Storage track 31 Separator 63 Switch 32 Pile of laundry 64 Connecting node 33 Belt conveyor 65 Feed path 34 Ascent route 66 Switch 35 Gripper 67 Transfer loop 36 camera 68 Return path 37 Provisioning facility 69 Return rail 38 first corner 70 Feed path 39 Input machine 71 Takeover point 40 Feed direction 72 Tapping point 41 Loading point 73 Cache 42 Double bracket 74 Workstation 43 Loading clip 75 Conveyor line 44 second corner 76 Loading point 45 Edge 77 Conveyor line 46 Cache 78 Bracket 47 Conveyor rail 79 Bracket 48 Bracket 80 Takeover loop 49 Operator 81 Takeover point 50 Identification device 82 loop 51 Sort memory 83 Handicraft 52 Storage track 84 Input loop 53 Conveyor rail 85 Transfer point 54 Switch 86 Return section 55 Bracket 87 Transfer facility 56 Cache 88 Loading point 57 Conveyor rail 89 Belt conveyor pair 58 Collective conveyor 90 Corner catching device 59 Takeover loop 60 Deflection point 61 Sort memory

Claims (17)

Method for feeding laundry items (30) to an input machine (39) for spreading and inputting the laundry items (30) into a mangle or the like, the laundry items (30) preferably being automatically gripped and separated by at least one separator (31) and then in each case a single item of laundry (30) is transferred to the input machine (39), characterized in that the respective item of laundry (30) is temporarily stored after being separated and before being transferred to the input machine (39). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the singler (31) provides a single item of laundry (30) hanging from a first corner (38), preferably the item of laundry (30) with the first corner (38) from which it hangs down, to a memory, in particular a clip thereof, transferred by the singler (31) or taken over by the memory. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laundry items (30) are sorted and transferred to at least one store for sorted laundry items (30) (sorting store 51, 61), preferably from the intermediate store (46, 56, 73) and / or at least an identification device (50) can be inserted into at least one sorting memory (51, 61) and / or the sorting when transferring the Items of laundry (30) from the intermediate store (46, 56, 73) and / or the identification device (50) to the sorting store (51, 61). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective item of laundry (30) is identified in front of the at least one sorting store (51, 61), preferably with regard to at least one sorting criterion of the respective item of laundry (30), in particular the identification of the respective item of laundry (30) in the area of an intermediate store (46, 56, 73) in front of the at least one sorting store (51, 61) and / or the identification of the respective item of laundry (30) is carried out by an imaging device. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a further development according to one or more of claims 6 to 17. Method for feeding items of laundry (30) to an input machine (39) for spreading and inputting items of laundry (30) into a mangle or the like, the items of laundry (30) being automatically gripped and separated and then in each case a single item of laundry (30) the input machine (39) with adjacent corners (38, 44) is transferred to an edge (45), in particular according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separator (31) in each case at a first corner (38) held item of laundry (30) is provided or kept ready, preferably for forwarding to an identification device (50), at least one intermediate store (46, 56, 73), at least one sorting store (51, 61) and / or for manual transfer. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective item of laundry (30) hangs freely down from its first corner (38) held by the singler (31). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second corner (44) of an edge (45) adjacent to the first corner (38) provided by the separator (31) is manually inserted into a bracket (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) ) is entered, the input machine (39) preferably spreading out the item of laundry (30) with these adjacent corners (38, 44) of the edge (45) to stretch the edge (45) between the two adjacent corners (38, 44) of the item of laundry (30). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of a conveyor section (47, 53, 57, 75, 77) the second corner (44) adjacent to the first corner held in a bracket (48, 55, 78, 79) is manually moved the edge (45) of the item of laundry (30) is determined and / or manually entered into a second bracket (48, 55, 78, 79) of the conveyor section (47, 53, 57, 75, 77). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the area of at least one sorting store (51, 61) the second corner (44) of the edge, which is adjacent to the sorting store (51, 61) in a bracket (48, 55 78, 79), manually (45) of the item of laundry (30) is determined and / or manually entered into the second bracket (48, 55, 78, 79) of the sorting store (51, 61). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the at least one buffer store (46, 56, 73) or the at least one sorting store (51, 61) at least one of the adjacent corners (38, 44) of the input machine (39 ) to be spread edge (45) of the item of laundry (30) manually into a bracket (43, 48, 55, 78, 79), in particular loading clip (43) or expanding clip, preferably both adjacent corners (38, 44) of the edge (45) manually in two brackets, in particular loading brackets (43) or spreading brackets, of the input machine (39). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the item of laundry (30) hanging down from this corner (38) is held ready by an operator (49) with a first corner (38) from the separator (31) and / or by the operator (49) the item of laundry (30) held ready by the separator (31) manually with the first corner (38) and the second corner (44) of the edge (45) of the separator provided by the separator (31) the input machine is entered. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piece of laundry (30) held by the separator (31) at a first corner (38) and thus provided is automatically transferred by the separator (31) with this first corner (38), preferably to a bracket of the at least one buffer store (46, 56, 73), the at least one sorting store (51, 61) or the identification device (50). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the automatic takeover or transfer of the first corner (38) of the item of laundry (30) from a clip (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) of the at least one intermediate store (46, 56 , 73), the at least one sorting memory (51, 61) or the identification device (50) the second corner (44) of the edge (45) of the item of laundry (30) is determined manually and placed in a clamp (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) is entered. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the course of the at least one buffer store (46, 56, 73) or the at least one sorting store (51, 61) the second corner (44) of the respective with the adjacent first corner (38) the laundry item (30) hanging on a clip (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) of the at least one intermediate store (46, 56, 73) or at least one sorting store (51, 61) is determined manually and manually in a second, preferably subsequent bracket (78, 79) of the at least one intermediate store (46, 56, 73) or of the at least one sort store (51, 61) is entered. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the at least one intermediate store (46, 56, 73) or at least one sorting store (51, 61) the respective item of laundry (30) with both adjacent corners (38, 44) of the edge (45 ) is automatically transferred to the input machine (39), preferably to loading clips (43) or spreading clips thereof. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat and / or the position of the at least one corner (38, 44) automatically entered into a bracket (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) is visually displayed by at least one operator (49) ) of the respective item of laundry (30) is checked and, if necessary, corrected and / or the seat and / or the position of the corner (38, 44) automatically entered into at least one bracket (43, 48, 55, 78, 79) is only given to such Items of laundry (30) are checked and, if necessary, corrected, to which high demands are made, in particular with regard to the quality of the defect, and / or the operator (49) is displayed.

Images