EP3795740A1 - Method and device for loading and / or unloading washing machines, in particular washing machines, dryers or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

In commercial laundries, for example, conveyor-type washing machines (10) are loaded with dirty laundry from laundry bags. The laundry bags hanging on a rail transport system are partially transported to the conveyor washing machines (10) by gravity. The order in which the conveyor washing machine (10) is loaded is determined by the laundry bags in the rail transport system. The rail transport systems are also prone to failure, especially in their downhill stretches for gravity conveyance. In addition, the rail transport systems in the laundry require a lot of space.

The invention provides for the dirty laundry to be temporarily stored in a memory (13) in front of the conveyor-type washing machines (10) to be loaded. The laundry arrives at the store (13) with a first discontinuous conveyor (15), is removed from the store (13) by a second discontinuous conveyor (16) and transported to the conveyor washing machine (10), which is then loaded with this laundry.

Description

The invention relates to a method for loading and / or unloading laundry machines, in particular washing machines, dryers or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for loading and / or unloading laundry machines, in particular washing machines, dryers or the like, according to the preamble of claim 8.

Laundry machines, such as washing machines and dryers in particular, are loaded and / or unloaded with laundry in batches or batches. Each batch of laundry contains a large number of items of laundry that can be treated in the same way.

It is known to transport laundry delivered to a laundry, namely dirty laundry, after sorting in laundry bags to the laundry machine to be loaded. As a rule, a laundry sack contains an amount of laundry that forms a batch or batch of laundry. The laundry bags are suspended from rails and transported along a conveyor line formed by the rails to the laundry machine to be loaded. The conveyor section can be designed in sections as a downhill conveyor section.

In this known type of loading of laundry machines, the sequence of treatment of the laundry is predetermined by the sequence of the laundry bags containing the laundry along the conveyor line. A selective treatment of the laundry in the laundry bags, for example the successive treatment of the same or similar laundry in laundry bags at different points on the conveyor line, is not possible. In addition, it has been shown that the further transport of the laundry bags along the rails of the conveying path, in particular in areas of non-powered gravity conveying, is subject to interference. The unloading and / or removal of the washed and preferably dried laundry are similarly disadvantageous. So far, this has been done with laundry transport containers or belt conveyors.

The invention is based on the object of creating a method and a device for batch-wise loading of laundry machines with laundry and / or for the batch-wise or batch-wise transporting away of the treated laundry, which provides a reliable, in particular failure-prone, and largely arbitrary loading of laundry machines with laundry of different types to be treated and / or allow the treated laundry to be transported away reliably and easily.

A method for solving this problem has the measures of claim 1. In this method it is provided that the laundry is transported to at least one storage device which enables the laundry to be temporarily stored. It is also provided to transport the laundry to be washed specifically from the store to the laundry machine and thereby load it with the desired laundry and / or to transport the laundry unloaded from the laundry machine used for washing or a subsequent laundry machine to another store. Through the targeted removal and / or storage of the laundry from the respective store or in the store, flexible loading and unloading of the laundry machine is possible. The laundry machine can be specifically loaded with laundry from the store arranged in front of it. In addition, the at least one storage facility shortens the conveyor routes and is therefore less susceptible to malfunctions.

It is preferably provided to transport the laundry in a receptacle to the store, to transfer the laundry from the receptacle into the store and to take over the laundry from the store from a loading receptacle which transports the laundry to laundry machines. By unloading the loading receptacle on the Laundry machine will load this. The last laundry machine involved in the treatment of the laundry is unloaded in the opposite way. The treated laundry is transferred to an unloading receptacle, which transfers the batch of laundry contained therein to the store. As required, the laundry is transferred from the store to a receptacle which transports the laundry onwards, for example to a mangle, folding machine or the like.

The holding capacity of the loading receptacle or the unloading receptacle is preferably selected such that it can hold such an amount of laundry that corresponds to a batch of laundry or a batch of laundry and is thereby adapted to the loading capacity of the laundry machine. It is also conceivable, however, to form a batch of laundry or a batch of laundry from the laundry of several loading receptacles and to gradually load the laundry machine with several parts of the batch of laundry. If necessary, the unloading receptacle can also have a lower receiving capacity than the loading receptacle.

Provision is preferably made for the as yet untreated, preferably unwashed laundry to be reloaded from the respective receptacle into a loading receptacle in the area of the store. The amount of laundry in the receptacle can differ from the amount of laundry in the loading receptacle. For example, the amount of laundry in the receptacle can be less than the amount of laundry required to form a laundry batch or a laundry batch. The reverse procedure is followed when the treated, preferably washed and dried, laundry is unloaded. During unloading, this laundry is transferred in batches or partially in batches to the unloading receptacle, which reloads the treated laundry into the store for temporary storage. The treated laundry is then deliberately transferred from the store, namely in accordance with the requirements, in batches or batches to a receptacle, which then feeds the laundry for further use.

An advantageous embodiment of the method provides for the receptacle loaded with laundry to be transported from a discontinuous conveyor to the store and the laundry to be transported from the store from the loading receptacle with a preferably different discontinuous conveyor to the laundry machine to be loaded. When the treated laundry is unloaded from the same laundry machine or another subsequent laundry treatment machine, the treated laundry is loaded in batches into the unloading receptacle, which is transported by another, first discontinuous conveyor to another store. A desired batch of laundry is created from this memory loaded into a receptacle assigned to it, which is transported away by another second discontinuous conveyor.

In this way, the loading and unloading of the store can take place independently of one another. In particular, the order in which the store is loaded with laundry can differ from the order in which the laundry is unloaded from the store. This enables laundry, in particular laundry of a certain type, to be removed from the store in a targeted manner. This results in flexible unloading of the respective laundry machine.

The method can be developed in such a way that laundry from the receiving and / or unloading receptacle can be delivered to any of a plurality of storage locations for laundry in the respective store. It is thereby possible to store laundry from the intake or unload intake in any free memory location of the respective memory. The storage locations of the storage tanks can be filled with laundry as required. However, it is also conceivable that such a storage space or storage spaces in which there is not yet a sufficient amount of laundry for a complete batch of laundry can be reloaded, as it were, by transferring laundry of the same type from another receptacle or unloading receptacle to the already partially filled laundry same storage space is dumped.

Furthermore, the method can be designed in such a way that electronic navigation devices are assigned to the conveyors, in particular discontinuous conveyors, due to the arbitrary filling of the memory locations without an order system, which preferably deliver the data, in particular position data, each time a respective memory location is filled and / or emptied. This data is stored electronically so that a second conveyor can access this data, preferably position data. On the basis of this data, a controller can, for example, control the second conveyor, in particular the discontinuous conveyor, for the targeted removal of laundry from a specific storage location. In particular, it is thus possible to remove laundry of the same type from different storage locations one after the other.

It is also conceivable to assign a weighing device to at least one receptacle, the loading receptacle and / or the unloading receptacle. The laundry weight can thus be determined in at least one receptacle, unloading receptacle and / or the loading receptacle. The weight of the laundry delivered to a specific storage location can also be stored, preferably in addition to the data, in particular Coordinates, via the position of the respective memory location. This means that the loading status of each storage location in the respective storage facility is known. It is preferably also known which laundry, preferably type of laundry, is in which storage space and which storage space is empty. It is also possible in this way to refill a storage space that is not yet sufficiently filled for a batch of laundry.

A device for solving the aforementioned object has the features of claim 8. In front of the laundry machine to be loaded and / or behind the same laundry machine or another laundry machine, this device has one or one memory each with a plurality of memory locations. The receptacle or discharge receptacle containing the laundry can be moved by a conveyor to the store. Another conveyor with a receptacle or with a loading receptacle for laundry from the respective store is provided in order to move the laundry in the loading receptacle to the laundry machine and / or to transport it away from the store in a receptacle. The at least one store with several storage spaces replaces a long conveyor line and leads to a compact, space-saving device. By means of a conveyor for loading the storage spaces and another conveyor for loading and / or unloading, the loading and unloading of the store can take place independently of one another. The device according to the invention thereby creates independent, flexible loading of laundry machines that is not susceptible to failure.

It is preferably provided that the at least one memory has a plurality of identical and / or contiguous memory locations. As a result of the plurality of storage locations, the storage facility or each storage facility can hold a sufficient amount of laundry to be treated. The same and / or contiguous storage spaces make the device very compact, so that it requires less space than the conventional rail-bound conveyor systems with long conveyor routes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the at least one memory, the memory locations are arranged in a grid-like manner, in particular in rows and rows next to one another and / or one behind the other. This leads to the fact that the walls of adjacent storage units are in direct contact with one another and common walls can be present between adjacent storage locations. This results in a connection between the storage locations at the same time.

Storage spaces with a square or hexagonal cross-section are particularly advantageous because there are no gaps or free spaces between all adjacent storage spaces. As a result, the entire floor area of the respective storage unit is available for the storage spaces.

The cross-sections or base areas of the at least one receptacle of the loading receptacle and / or the unloading receptacle preferably correspond to the base area or the cross-section of each of the identically designed storage locations. The result is that, of the conveyors, in particular discontinuous conveyors, the pickup and / or unloading pickup moved over the respective storage location or the loading pickup or pickup moved under the respective storage location can be positioned over or under the respective storage location or, in other words, the areas or Cross-sections of the at least one receptacle and the loading receptacle or unloading receptacle can be brought to coincide with the cross-section or the area of each storage space. As a result, the laundry can be reliably and completely loaded into the respective storage location and, conversely, the laundry located there can be completely loaded from the respective storage location into another receptacle or loading receptacle. This means that malfunctions and incorrect loading are ruled out.

Preferably, each of the storage spaces of the at least one storage unit, which are designed in the same way, is provided with a base which can be opened to unload the respective storage space. The soil does not necessarily have to be part of the storage tank. The opening process of the bottom can preferably only be released after the receiving and / or loading receptacle for the laundry has moved out of this storage space exactly below the relevant storage space. The bottom remains open only for the duration of the takeover of the laundry items from the storage space. After the laundry has been taken over, it is closed again. Alternatively, it is also conceivable not to empty the storage spaces through openable floors, but rather through lateral, displaceable openings.

The conveyors, in particular discontinuous conveyors, are provided with controls and data memories according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device. The controls have means for determining the position of the storage location at which the respective receptacle and / or unload receptacle has been emptied. The position data can be stored in the data memory and can at least be used by the conveyor, in particular the discontinuous conveyor, with the receptacle or loading receptacle, in order to drive it specifically to such a storage location from which the receptacle or loading receptacle is to be filled with laundry. Through the position detection, the storage of the position data, in particular also data on the type of laundry, and a corresponding control, preferably of both conveyors, it is known from the respective control which storage space is occupied and which laundry is in the respective occupied storage space. The second conveyor, which has the loading receptacle or another receptacle, can then move to a storage location containing such laundry for the targeted picking up of certain laundry and transport the laundry transferred from the storage location to a corresponding loading position on the laundry machine for loading the laundry machine or the treated laundry from its storage location Pick up and transport away the storage for treated laundry in a targeted manner.

At least some, preferably all, conveyors of the device are preferably designed as discontinuous conveyors. The conveyors can be discontinuous conveyors of the same principle and / or of the same type. Provision is also preferably made for the discontinuous conveyors to be designed in the manner of a crane, robot or gripper. For example, the discontinuous conveyors, especially crane-like discontinuous conveyors, portal cranes, storage cranes, charging cranes or the like can be. Such discontinuous conveyors, which are also referred to in technical jargon as "process cranes", can be programmed with regard to their movement sequences and enable a certain position to be approached exactly. That is why they allow high transport speeds that are greater than with known bag conveyor systems. Above all, the transport routes of the discontinuous conveyor can be shorter than with known bag conveyor systems. In the case of the discontinuous conveyors mentioned, the at least one receptacle or the loading receptacle and / or entrant receptacle each represent the load-handling device for the laundry.

Alternatively, commercially available, programmable robots can also be used as discontinuous conveyors. These can be simple robots because the conveyors, in particular continuous conveyors, for the implementation of the invention only have one load-bearing means that can be moved in one plane, preferably a horizontal plane, in two dimensions or in two axes, namely the at least one receptacle, the loading receptacle and / or the unloading receptacle, must have.

Fig. 1

eine erste Vorrichtung, die auch zur Durchführung des Verfahrens geeignet ist, in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine zweite Vorrichtung, die auch zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens geeignet ist, in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung, und

Fig. 3

eine ebenfalls zur Durchführung des Verfahrens geeignete Vorrichtung, bei der es sich um eine Kombination der Vorrichtungen der Fig. 1 und 2 handelt, in einer ebenfalls schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung.

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

Fig. 1

a first device, which is also suitable for carrying out the method, in a schematic perspective illustration,

Fig. 2

a second device, which is also suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention, in a schematic perspective illustration, and

Fig. 3

a device which is also suitable for carrying out the method and which is a combination of the devices of Fig. 1 and 2 acts, in a likewise schematic perspective illustration.

In the Fig. 1 the invention is shown in connection with the loading of washing machines for commercial laundries, specifically conveyor-type washing machines 10. Three conveyor-type washing machines 10 arranged next to one another are assigned to the device. However, the invention is not restricted to this. The number of conveyor washing machines 10 can be larger or smaller. It is also conceivable to use the device in connection with other washing machines for commercial laundries, for example washer-extractors. It is also possible to provide the device in front of dryers.

The device can be used for loading conveyor washing machines 10 or other laundry machines for commercial laundries with laundry to be washed (dirty laundry) of all kinds, ie flat laundry, molded parts, dry laundry, carpets, mats and similar textile objects.

The dirty laundry delivered, not shown here, is preferably first sorted in a sorting station 11. The sorting takes place according to the type and / or color of the laundry and special treatment criteria, in particular in the respective conveyor washing machine 10. Items of laundry that can be treated together with other items of laundry in a common laundry batch or the same laundry batch are stored in the designated collection point 12 of the sorting station 11 filed. As a rule, not only items of laundry of the same type and items of laundry of the same color are deposited in the same collecting point 12, but items of laundry which are to be treated in the same way, in particular to be washed, are also deposited.

The sorting station 11 has a large number of collecting points 12 arranged one behind the other and next to one another. The number of collecting points 12 of the sorting station 11 corresponds to Number of different washing criteria and / or washing programs of the respective conveyor-type washing machine 10. In addition, other sorting criteria can also be assigned to the collecting points 12, for example the color of the laundry, the material of the fabric and / or the type of laundry.

A memory 13 is arranged between the assembly point 12 and the row of conveyor washing machines 10 arranged in parallel next to one another. The memory 13 has a large number of memory locations 14, preferably of identical design. All memory locations 14 are arranged in a horizontal plane in rows and rows next to one another and one behind the other. As a result, all of the storage locations 14 lie next to one another and one behind the other in a preferably uniform grid.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, all of the storage locations 14 have an equally large hexagonal cross section. In addition, all storage spaces 14 adjoin one another, so that the entire grid of all storage spaces 14 forms a honeycomb-like storage 13 when viewed from above. The storage spaces 14 lying next to and one behind the other adjoin one another, so that each of the six walls of the same size of an inner storage space 14 forms a wall of another adjacent storage space 14 arranged around the relevant inner storage space 14.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to form the same storage spaces 14 with a square plan or cross-section of the same size. Here, a wall surface of an internal storage space 14 forms a wall surface of the four adjacent square storage spaces 14. In this case, the storage 13 has a checkerboard-like pattern (viewed from above).

As a result of the hexagonal or square base areas or cross-sections of all storage locations 14 of the respective memory 13, there are no gaps whatsoever between adjacent storage locations 14. This creates a compact storage device 13, the base area of which is almost entirely available for receiving laundry to be washed. In addition, due to the direct adjoining of adjacent hexagonal or also square memory locations 14 to one another, all memory locations 14 are connected to one another and / or to one another at the same time to form the memory 13.

The memory 13 shown has six rows, each with ten successive memory locations 14, that is to say has a total of sixty memory locations 14. However, the invention is not restricted to this. Depending on requirements, for example the number and capacity of the conveyor washing machines 10 arranged next to one another, the memory 13 can have a larger or smaller number of identical storage locations 14.

Each storage space 14 is open at the top. At the bottom, each storage space 14 is provided with a floor. This bottom is designed like a flap or slide in order to be able to open the underside of each storage space 14 in a targeted manner for unloading the laundry to be washed in the respective storage space 14.

A first discontinuous conveyor 15 is provided between the sorting station 11 and the store 13. A second discontinuous conveyor 16 is arranged between the storage unit 13 and the group of conveyor-type washing machines 10 which are spaced apart from one another. Both discontinuous conveyors 15, 16 are fixedly arranged between the store 13 and the sorting station 11 or the store 13 and the conveyor washing machines 10. The discontinuous conveyors 15, 16 are likewise designed like a crane. For example, the first and second discontinuous conveyors 15, 16 can equally be designed as process cranes, in particular programmable and / or automatically controllable process cranes, but also as programmable and / or controllable storage cranes or charging cranes.

Both discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16 each have a load pickup which can be moved in two axes in a horizontal plane. The load pick-up can accordingly be moved back and forth longitudinally between the store 13 and the sorting station 11 or the store 13 and the conveyor washing machines 10 and, moreover, can be moved transversely. For this purpose, each discontinuous conveyor 15 and 16 has two parallel longitudinal tracks 17, 18 which extend from the sorting station 11 to the store 13 or from the store 13 to the rearmost conveyor-type washing machine 10. The sorting station 11 and the store 13 are offset in height from one another in such a way that the longitudinal tracks 17 of the first discontinuous conveyor 15 are located in a horizontal plane which is spaced below the undersides of the collecting points 12 of the sorting station 11 and spaced above the tops of the storage spaces 14 of the store 13 run. The two parallel longitudinal tracks 18 of the second discontinuous conveyor 16 lie in a lower horizontal plane which extends at a distance below the underside of the memory 13 along and at a distance over the adjacent conveyor washing machines 10 to the rearmost conveyor washing machine 10.

Each discontinuous conveyor 15 and 16 has a bridge 19 and 20, which runs at right angles to the longitudinal tracks 17 and 18 and is supported with its opposite ends so as to be movable on, in particular on, the longitudinal tracks 17 and 18. As a result, the respective bridge 19 or 20 can be moved back and forth on the parallel longitudinal tracks 17 or 18 in the longitudinal direction of the same. Each bridge 19 and 20 carries the load suspension device. In the single figure of the drawing, each bridge 19 or 20 is shown only symbolically. This illustration shows two parallel transverse tracks 21 and 22 of each bridge 19, 20. The load-bearing device can be moved on or on the two parallel transverse tracks 21 and 22 of each bridge 19, 20. As a result, the load-carrying means of each discontinuous conveyor 15 and 16 can also be moved transversely to the travel path of the respective bridge 19, 20 along the two parallel longitudinal tracks 17, 18 of the discontinuous conveyor 15 and 16, respectively.

In the device shown here, the load-handling means of the first discontinuous conveyor 15 is designed as a receptacle 23 for the laundry from a collection point 12 of the sorting station 11. Analogously to this, the load receiving means of the second discontinuous conveyor 16 is designed as a loading receptacle 24. The receptacle 23 and also the loading receptacle 24 are preferably designed as containers, in particular solid and / or rigid containers. At least the loading receptacle 24 should preferably have a capacity that corresponds to the largest batch of laundry with which the conveyor washing machines 10 can be loaded. The receptacle 23 can be somewhat smaller if a batch of laundry can be formed in the respective storage space 14 by repeatedly emptying a receptacle 23 over preferably the same storage space 14.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 are of identical design. The receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 here have a cylindrical shape with a circular base. The diameter of the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 is selected in such a way that it corresponds to the base area of the storage locations 14 and also of the collecting location 12. In the case of a cylindrical receptacle 23 and loading receptacle 24, the diameter corresponds approximately to the corner dimension of the same hexagonal storage locations 14. However, it is also conceivable to provide both receptacle 23 and loading receptacle 24 with base areas or cross-sections which preferably have the same and / or cross-sections of the same size of the storage locations 14 and / or collection locations 12 correspond, that is, based on the in the Fig. 1 Shown embodiment are also hexagonal.

The receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 are completely open on their upper side, the bridges 19 and 20 being designed in such a way that they leave the upper sides of the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 completely free. However, the undersides of the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 are provided with a floor. However, this base is designed in such a way that it can be opened for unloading the receptacle 23 or loading receptacle 24. For this purpose, the base is designed either as a slide or as a flap, the opening and closing of the base of the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 preferably taking place mechanically, for example by a swivel cylinder.

The method according to the invention is described below using the method shown in FIG Fig. 1 The device shown is explained as an example:
The dirty laundry delivered to the laundry is preferably sorted first. This can be done manually or automatically. The sorting takes place in the sorting station 11, of which in the Fig. 1 only schematically the collection points 12 are shown. Each collection point 12 is provided for items of laundry that belong to the same batch of laundry or the same batch of laundry.

If, for example, a collection point 12 of the sorting station 11 is full or has a certain number of items of laundry, which preferably corresponds to a batch of laundry and / or a batch of laundry, the receptacle 23 of the first discontinuous conveyor 15 is moved under this collection point 12 with the bottom closed. The underside, preferably the bottom, of the relevant collecting point 12 is then opened so that the laundry collected therein reaches the receptacle 23 under the influence of gravity.

The receptacle 23 filled with laundry is now moved by the first discontinuous conveyor 15 over the memory 13. This is done in such a way that the receptacle 23 with the laundry located therein is moved over any empty storage space 14 of the memory 13, preferably such an empty storage space 14 which can be approached by the receptacle 23 by the shortest route. It is also conceivable, however, to form a batch of laundry in the respective storage space 14 by emptying the receptacle 23 several times if it did not contain or cannot accommodate the amount of laundry required to form a batch of laundry (or a batch of laundry).

The laundry from the receptacle 23 also reaches the respective storage space 14 of the store 13 due to gravity, in that the bottom of the receptacle 23 is opened automatically, in particular mechanically, and after the receptacle 23 has been emptied to transfer the laundry from the receptacle 23 to the relevant storage space 14 is closed again.

The loading receptacle 24 for loading a desired conveyor-type washing machine 10 is moved by the second discontinuous conveyor 16 between the store 13 and the conveyor-type washing machine 10. For this purpose, the loading receptacle 24 of the second discontinuous conveyor 16 is first moved under the desired storage space 14 of the storage 13 in a controlled manner, with the bottom of the loading receptacle 24 closed. Then the bottom of the relevant storage space 14 is opened, so that the laundry from the storage space 14 due to gravity enters the loading receptacle 24. The laundry from the storage location 14 is thereby reloaded into the loading receptacle 24. The second discontinuous conveyor 16 now moves the loading receptacle 24 with the batch of laundry located therein over the conveyor washing machine 10 that is to be loaded with the batch of laundry in question. Once this has happened, the bottom of the loading receptacle 24 is automatically opened so that the batch of laundry can fall from the loading receptacle 24 into the conveyor-type washing machine 10 in question, in particular its loading chute, due to gravity. The loading of the conveyor-type washing machine 10 in question is then completed.

As a result of the unordered filling of the storage spaces 14 of the store 13 with laundry, each time the laundry is reloaded from the receptacle 23 into a storage space 14, preferably a position determination device of the first discontinuous conveyor 15 determines via which storage space 14 the receptacle 23 has been emptied and this position or also only one number assigned to each memory location 14, to which the position of the relevant memory location 14 is assigned, is stored in a data memory. The stored position data and / or the stored number are made available to the control of the discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16 so that they can access them. Preferably, in addition to the position data of the receptacle 23 when the laundry is unloaded into a storage location 14, information on the laundry that has been delivered from the receptacle 23 in the relevant storage location 14 is determined and stored. For example, this can be information about the type, color and / or fabric of the laundry.

A common control for both discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16 or, alternatively, separate controls for each discontinuous conveyor 15, 16, both of which can access the stored data, are used to move the loading receptacle 24 specifically to the storage space 14 whose laundry, in particular laundry items , is to be removed from the corresponding storage location 14 next for loading a specific conveyor-type washing machine 10. For this purpose, the loading receptacle 24, which is also provided with a position determining device, moves to the stored position or number that corresponds to the desired and / or selected memory location 14 from which the loading receptacle 24 next laundry, in particular a complete batch of laundry or a complete laundry batch, for loading a Conveyor washing machine 10 should be taken.

The Fig. 2 illustrates an apparatus for batch unloading of treated laundry. In the apparatus shown, washed and dried laundry is unloaded from a series of dryers 25.

The washed laundry leaving a respective tunnel washing machine 10 is first dewatered in a drainage device 26 following each tunnel washing machine 10, for example a drainage press or a spin dryer, namely freed from at least a large part of the treatment liquid (bound liquor) still bound in the laundry from the washing process . In the Fig. 2 drainage devices 26 are shown behind each conveyor-type washing machine 10. However, fewer or only one drainage device 26 can also be provided. Then drainage devices 26 serve several conveyor washing machines 10, possibly the single drainage device 26 all conveyor washing machines 10 alternately.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the washed and dewatered laundry coming from the respective dewatering device 26 is transported to a higher level by a laundry lift 27 or, alternatively, an ascending conveyor. This corresponds to the one on which there is a row of five successive and preferably identical dryers 25 in the exemplary embodiment shown. The number of dryers 25 can be greater or less than five. Next to the row of successive dryers 25, specifically on the unloading side of the dryers 25, there is an elongated discharge conveyor 28. This can be a belt conveyor, a shaker or, in the simplest case, an inclined channel.

A storage unit 29 follows behind the discharge conveyor 28. The storage unit 29 is arranged under a discharge end 30 of the discharge conveyor 28, preferably at a distance below it. The memory 29 has a large number of memory locations 31, preferably of the same design. All memory locations 31 are arranged in a horizontal plane in rows and rows next to one another, one behind the other. As a result, all of the storage locations 31 are located next to one another and one behind the other in a preferably uniform grid. All memory locations 31 of memory 29 are designed like memory locations 14 of memory 13. Reference is made to the associated description. Accordingly, the storage spaces 31 of the memory 29 are also arranged next to and behind one another in a honeycomb-like or checkerboard-like pattern and are provided with hexagonal or square base areas or cross-sections. As a result, there are no gaps between adjacent storage locations 31 of the same size.

The invention is not limited to that in Fig. 2 The number of adjacent and consecutive storage spaces 31 shown as an example is limited. It is also conceivable that the number of storage locations 31 in memory 29 differs from the number of storage locations 14 in memory 13. It can be bigger or smaller.

Each storage space 31 is open at the top. At the bottom, each storage space 31 is provided with a floor. This floor can be opened if necessary. For this purpose, the bottom is designed like a flap or slide in order to be able to open the bottom or the bottom of each storage space 31 in a targeted manner for unloading the washed and dried laundry from the respective storage space 31.

A first discontinuous conveyor 32 is provided between the row of dryers 25 and the discharge conveyor 28 assigned to the dryer 25 and the storage unit 29. A second discontinuous conveyor 33 is assigned to the store 29 in such a way that it can transport laundry removed from at least one storage space 31, for example to one in the Fig. 2 schematically illustrated discharge conveyor 34, which feeds the washed and dried laundry for further processing, for example mangle and / or folding machine. For this purpose, the second discontinuous conveyor 33 is preferably arranged below and behind the store 29. The first discontinuous conveyor 32 is used to load storage locations 31 of the store 29 from above, while the second discontinuous conveyor 33 is used to be loaded with laundry from the respective storage location 31 of the storage 29 from above.

The discontinuous conveyors 32, 33 are like the discontinuous conveyors 15, 16 of the embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 formed, namely equally crane-like.

The two discontinuous conveyors 32, 33 each have a load pickup that can be moved in two axes in a horizontal plane. The load pick-up can be moved back and forth between the delivery end 30 of the discharge conveyor 28 and the store 29 and can also be moved transversely. For this purpose, each discontinuous conveyor 32, 33 has two spaced parallel longitudinal tracks 35 and 36, respectively. The longitudinal tracks 35 of the first, higher discontinuous conveyor 32 extend from the discharge conveyor 28 in the area of the dryer 25 to the store 29. The longitudinal tracks 36 of the lower, second discontinuous conveyor 33 run from the Storage 29 to the discharge conveyor 34 arranged behind it. The row of several dryers 25 and the discharge conveyor 28 are offset in height from the memory 29 in such a way that the longitudinal tracks 35 of the first discontinuous conveyor 32 are in a horizontal plane, which is at a distance below the dryer 25 of the discharge conveyor 28 and run at a distance over the tops of the storage spaces 31 of the memory 29. The two parallel longitudinal tracks 36 of the second discontinuous conveyor 33 lie in a lower horizontal plane which extends at a distance below the underside of the store 29 along and over the discharge conveyor 34.

Like the discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16, each discontinuous conveyor 32 and 33 has a bridge 37 and 38, respectively. The respective bridge 37 can be moved back and forth on the parallel longitudinal tracks 35, 36 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Each bridge 37, 38 carries the load suspension device. The respective in the Fig. 2 Bridge 37, 38, shown only schematically, has two parallel transverse tracks 39 and 40. The load handling device can be moved on or on the parallel cross tracks 39 and 40 of each bridge 37, 38, specifically in the longitudinal direction of the respective bridge 37, 38 the load handling means of each discontinuous conveyor 32, 33 can also be moved transversely to the travel path of the respective bridge 37, 38 and transversely to the longitudinal tracks 35, 36.

The load-handling device of the first discontinuous conveyor 32 is designed as an unloading receptacle 41 for the washed and dried laundry from the dryer 25. The load handling device of the second discontinuous conveyor 33 is formed by a receptacle 42. The discharge receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 are preferably designed as a container. In particular, these are rigid containers. At least the unloading receptacle 41 has a capacity that of the laundry load corresponds to each of which can be dried in a dryer 25. The receptacle 42 preferably has the same capacity. It is conceivable that the unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 have different capacities, whereby the capacity of the receptacle 42 should expediently correspond to at least the capacity of the respective storage space 31.

The discharge receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 are preferably designed in the same way, in particular have the same cross section. Otherwise, the unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 correspond to the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 of the discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16, especially with regard to their shape and possibly also the size Fig. 1 . Reference is made to this.

The unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 are completely open on their upper sides, the discontinuous conveyors 32, 33, in particular their bridges 37 and 38, being designed such that they completely leave the open upper sides of the unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 free. The undersides of the unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42 are provided with a bottom. The base is designed in such a way that it can be opened for unloading the unloading receptacle 41 and the receptacle 42. This can be done in exactly the same way as above in connection with the receptacle 23 and the loading receptacle 24 in FIG Fig. 1 device shown.

The device of the Fig. 2 can also be used for laundry that is not dried in dryers 25. Then the washed laundry coming from the drainage device is first loosened up by a shaker. In particular, laundry cakes coming from a dewatering press are broken up and / or loosened. The unloading receptacle 41 is then charged with the loosened laundry. This can be done directly via the discharge end of the shaker, but also via a conveyor downstream of the shaker.

The method according to the invention is described below using the method shown in FIG Fig. 2 illustrated device explained by way of example.

The laundry washed in a respective tunnel washing machine 10, dehydrated and dried in a dryer 25 is unloaded from the respective dryer 25 in batches or batches. The entire laundry load of a respective dryer 25 preferably arrives at the discharge conveyor 28. The laundry load is then preferably completely into the unloading receptacle 41 via the discharge end 30 of the discharge conveyor 28 transferred so that the unloading receptacle 41 is loaded with the laundry load. The unloading receptacle 41 is then moved by the first discontinuous conveyor 32 over any or selected empty storage space 31 of the store 29. The unloading receptacle 41 is preferably moved over such an empty storage space 31 which can be approached in the shortest possible way. However, it is also conceivable to load the same storage space 32 by emptying several unloading receptacles 41 several times in succession. This is preferably considered when the unloading receptacle 41 did not contain or cannot take up such a large amount of laundry that is required to fill the respective storage space 31 or the respective storage space 31 can hold.

The laundry from the unloading receptacle 41 reaches the respective storage space 31 of the store 29 due to gravity, in that the bottom of the unloading receptacle 41 is automatically, in particular mechanically, opened to transfer the laundry from the unloading receptacle 41 into the relevant storage space 31 and again after the unloading receptacle 41 has been emptied is closed.

The receptacle 42 is moved by the second discontinuous conveyor 33 for loading the same between the store 29 and the subsequent discharge conveyor 34. For this purpose, the receptacle 42 is first driven in a targeted manner by the second discontinuous conveyor 33 under the desired storage space 31 of the store 29 to be emptied, with the bottom of the receptacle 42 closed. The bottom of the relevant storage space 31 is then opened so that the laundry is removed by gravity the storage space 31 enters the receptacle 42. The laundry is thereby reloaded from the storage space 31 into the receptacle 42. Now the second discontinuous conveyor 33 moves the receptacle 42 with the laundry located therein, in particular a washed and dried batch of laundry, over the discharge conveyor 34 and the receptacle 42 is emptied above the discharge conveyor 34. For this purpose, the bottom of the receptacle 42 is opened automatically, so that the laundry falls from the receptacle 42 into or onto the discharge conveyor 34 again as a result of gravity. The unloading process of the dryer 25 is thus completed.

Even with the device of the Fig. 2 the storage spaces 31 of the memory 29 can be loaded with washed and dried laundry in a random manner. Then, preferably with a position determining device of the first discontinuous conveyor 32, it is determined via which storage space 31 the unloading receptacle 41 has emptied the laundry. This position is stored in a data memory. The stored position data or, alternatively, a previously defined stored number of the unloading receptacle 41 are made available to the control of the discontinuous conveyors 32 and / or 33 so that they can access them. It is also conceivable that, when the laundry is unloaded into a preferably arbitrary storage space 31, information on the laundry that has been delivered by the unloading receptacle 41 in the relevant storage space 31 is also determined and stored.

A common control for both discontinuous conveyors 32 and 33 or, alternatively, separate controls for each discontinuous conveyor 32 and 33, both of which can access the stored data, namely position data and / or the number of the relevant memory location 31, are used to target the receptacle 42 to proceed under that storage space 31 whose laundry, in particular laundry batch, is to be removed from the storage space 31 next and delivered to the delivery conveyor 34. For this purpose, the receptacle 42, which is also provided with a position determination device, moves to that stored position which corresponds to the desired and / or selected memory location 31. After the laundry has been picked up from the storage location 31 that has been approached, the second discontinuous conveyor 33 moves the receptacle 42 over the discharge conveyor 34. By opening the bottom, the receptacle 42 is then opened, whereby the laundry of the laundry load in the receptacle 42 automatically and completely out of the receptacle 42 reaches the discharge conveyor 34.

The Fig. 3 shows a device according to a third embodiment of the invention. This device represents a combination of the devices described above Fig. 1 and 2 represent.

According to this exemplary embodiment, a store 13 and two discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16 associated therewith are arranged in front of the conveyor washing machines 10. Behind the conveyor washing machines 10, namely behind the dryers 25 following the conveyor washing machines 10 with the discharge conveyor 28 assigned to them, a further memory 29 is provided, to which two discontinuous conveyors 32 and 33 are also assigned.

In the device of the Fig. 3 Untreated laundry, in particular dirty laundry, can be temporarily stored in the memory 13 in front of the conveyor-type washing machines 10. Likewise, treated laundry, in the embodiment shown washed, drained and dried laundry, can be temporarily stored behind the dryer 25 in the second memory 29. In that each store 13 and 29 has two discontinuous conveyors 15 and 16 on the one hand and two discontinuous conveyors 32 and 33 on the other hand are assigned, each memory 13 and 29 can be operated by the discontinuous conveyors 15, 16 or 32, 33 space-saving and individually.

The memory 13 is loaded by the respective receptacle 23 of the discontinuous conveyor 15. The store 13, namely its respective storage space 14, is unloaded from the loading receptacle 24 of the discontinuous conveyor 16 and the desired conveyor-type washing machine 10 is loaded with the laundry in the loading receptacle 24.

The dried laundry is taken from the respective dryer 25 by an unloading receptacle 41 and reloaded into the desired storage space 31 of the memory 29. A batch of treated laundry can be taken from the receptacle 42 from the storage unit 29, namely from the respective desired storage location 31 thereof. The laundry is then from the discontinuous conveyor 33 from the receptacle 42, for example to that in the Fig. 3 conveyer 34 shown transported and transferred from the receptacle 42 to the same.

List of reference symbols:

10

Conveyor washing machine

11

Sorting station

12th

Assembly point

13th

Storage

14th

Storage space

15th

Discontinuous conveyor (first)

16

Discontinuous conveyor (second)

17th

Longitudinal track

18th

Longitudinal track

19th

bridge

20th

bridge

21st

Cross track

22nd

Cross track

23

admission

24

Loading support

25th

dryer

26th

Drainage device

27

Laundry lift

28

Conveyor

29

Storage

30th

End of delivery

31

Storage space

32

Discontinuous conveyor

33

Discontinuous conveyor

34

Conveyor

35

Longitudinal track

36

Longitudinal track

37

bridge

38

bridge

39

Cross track

40

Cross track

41

Discharge recording

42

admission

Claims (15)

Method for loading laundry machines, in particular washing machines (10), dryers (25) or the like, with laundry, whereby sorted laundry is preferably transported to the laundry machine to be loaded and the laundry machine is loaded with the laundry and / or unloaded from the laundry machine and transported away is, characterized in that the laundry is transported to at least one store (13, 29) and temporarily stored there, the laundry being transported from the store (13) to the laundry machine and the laundry machine being loaded with the laundry and / or from a laundry machine discharged laundry is transported to another store (29) and temporarily stored there. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laundry to be treated is transported in a receptacle (23) to the store (13) for laundry to be treated, the laundry is delivered from the receptacle (23) to the store (13), the laundry is taken over from the memory (13) by a loading receptacle (24), from the loading receptacle (24) the laundry located therein is transported to the respective laundry machine and by unloading the loading receptacle (24) the laundry machine is loaded with the laundry and / or the Treated laundry unloaded from a laundry machine is loaded into an unloading receptacle (41), with the is transported to a store (29) for treated laundry and delivered from the unloading receptacle (41) to the store (29). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective laundry machine is loaded with a batch of laundry formed by laundry from at least one receptacle (23) and / or a batch of laundry unloaded from a laundry machine is loaded into the unloading receptacle (41) . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the area of the store (13) for laundry to be treated or treated, the laundry is reloaded from the receptacle (23) into a loading receptacle (24) and / or in the area of the store (29 ) for treated laundry, the same is reloaded from the unloading receptacle (41) into the receptacle (42). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry-laden receptacle (23) of a first discontinuous conveyor (15) is transported to the store (13) for untreated laundry and the laundry-laden loading receptacle (24) is transported by preferably another second discontinuous conveyor (16) is transported from the store (23) to the laundry machine and / or the discharge receptacle (41) of a first discontinuous conveyor (32) loaded with treated laundry is transported to the store (29) for treated laundry and the receptacle (42) loaded with laundry is transported by is preferably transported away from the store (29) by a second discontinuous conveyor (33). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry from the receptacle (23) and / or the unloading receptacle (41) into a storage space (14; 31), preferably any free storage space (14; 31), of the respective one A plurality of storage locations (14; 31) having memory (13; 29) for laundry from the receptacle (23) and / or the unloading receptacle (41). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position at which the receptacle (23) or unloading receptacle (41) delivers laundry to a storage location (14; 31) and / or the type of laundry in the receptacle (23 ) or unloading recording (41) are determined and stored as data, the data is sent to a control of at least the second discontinuous conveyor (16; 33) and, based on this data, the control of at least the second discontinuous conveyor (16; 33) receives its loading recording (24) or receptacle (42) moves specifically to that storage space (14; 31) of the respective store (13; 29) from which laundry is to be removed later and / or subsequently by the loading receptacle (24) for loading the laundry machine and / or to be removed from the receptacle (42). Device for loading and / or unloading laundry machines, in particular washing machines (11), dryers (25) or the like, with at least one conveyor for loading the laundry machine and / or for unloading the laundry machine, characterized in that in front of the laundry machine to be loaded and / or at least one storage (13; 29) with a plurality of storage locations (14; 31) is arranged after the same or subsequent laundry machine, the laundry with a receptacle (23) and / or unloading receptacle (41) containing these from at least one first discontinuous conveyor (15; 33) can be moved to the respective store (13; 29) and at least one second discontinuous conveyor (16; 33) with a loading receptacle (24) and / or receptacle (42) is provided, the laundry from a storage space (14; 31 ) of the respective store (13) moves to the laundry machine to be loaded with the laundry and / or transports away treated laundry. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the at least one memory (13; 29) has a plurality of preferably identical and preferably contiguous memory locations (14; 31) arranged in a grid. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the preferably contiguous or interconnected storage locations (14; 31) are arranged in rows and rows next to one another and one after the other to form the at least one storage (13; 29). Device according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that all storage locations (14; 31) have the same base area, preferably a square or hexagonal base area, and the base areas or cross-sections of the or each receptacle (23; 42) are loading receptacles (24) and / or discharge receptacle (41) correspond to the base areas of each of the identically designed storage spaces (14; 31). Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that each of the preferably identically designed storage spaces (14; 31) of the at least one storage (13; 29) and the at least one receptacle (23; 42), the loading receptacle (22) and / or the unloading receptacle (41) have a base that can be opened if necessary. Device according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the discontinuous conveyors (15, 16; 32, 33) have position determination means for determining the position of the respective storage location (14; 31) which is approached, in which the receptacle (23) and / or the unloading receptacle (41) has emptied laundry, the respective position data can be stored and at least one control is provided, with which the loading receptacle (24) and / or the receptacle (42) move to the position of such a memory location (14; 31) of the respective memory (13; 29) is mobile, the laundry of which is to receive the loading receptacle (24) next for loading the laundry machine and / or for the removal of laundry originating from a laundry machine. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the discontinuous conveyors (15, 16; 32, 33) are basically constructed in the same way, in particular the discontinuous conveyors (15, 16; 32, 33) are constructed in the manner of a crane, gripper or robot, with the at least one receptacle (23; 42) and the loading receptacle (24) and / or unloading receptacle (41) form load-bearing means of the discontinuous conveyors (15, 16; 32, 33) and the discontinuous conveyors (15, 16; 32, 33), for example, as preferred fast moving and / or programmable process cranes, portal cranes, storage cranes and / or charging cranes are designed. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the at least one receptacle (23; 42), the loading receptacle (24) and / or the unloading receptacle (41) of the respective discontinuous conveyor (15, 16; 32, 33) are at least biaxial are movable in one plane, preferably a horizontal plane.

Images