GB1105342A - Apparatus for feeding flat work to calenders or ironing machines in launderies - Google Patents

Abstract

1,105,342. Ironing machines. H. GREGORY. 15 Oct., 1964 [17 Oct., 1963], No. 41123/63. Heading D1A. A transfer device for feeding flatwork such as sheets to the feed table 10 of an ironing machine or calendar 6 comprises a carriage 14 extending across the width of the machine and having wheels 15 running in guide rails 16. Gripper devices 17 operated by pneumatic cylinders 19 are provided on carriage 14 to grip the front corners of the article and stretch it taut. The carriage is then moved forward and downwards in the guides 16 by a pneumatic cylinder 22 to deposit the front end of the article on the feed table 10 which comprises the usual plurality of moving feed tapes 11 co-operating with a pressure roller 23. A presser roller 20 may also be provided on the carriage 14 actuated by a air cylinder 21 to press the article on the table 10 and a suction device 7 such as described in Specification 853,018 may be provided to draw out and smooth the trailing portion of the article. The supply of air to the cylinders 19 is cut off when the front edge of the article is sufficiently taut, by actuation of switches 47, but the release of pressure does not take place until the article has been deposited on the feed table and the grippers 17 released. In a modified arrangement the carriage 14 is carried on a swinging linkage system actuated by a pneumatic cylinder so that as it swings forwards and downwards it rotates about the linkage to move a presser roller 20 against the article to press it onto the feed table. The transfer device may with the ironer be operated continuously, the operator placing the articles in the grippers at the rear position thereof, although a manual start and stop may be provided for loading if desired. Instead of a single reciprocating carriage a plurality of carriages on an endless chain may be provided, each carriage being loaded in turn at a loading station with an article which is then deposited on the feed table, the carriage then continuing empty back to the loading station again. Alternatively, a plurality of independent carriages may be stored at a loading station and fed one at a time as required to the ironing machine. The operation of all the various components may be electrically controlled in an automatic sequence after the initial closure of a starter switch.