GB2189510A

GB2189510A - Smoothing and feeding sheets for ironing

Info

Publication number: GB2189510A
Application number: GB08608896A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Francis Riddle
Original assignee: CF Doyle Ltd
Current assignee: CF Doyle Ltd
Priority date: 1986-04-11
Filing date: 1986-04-11
Publication date: 1987-10-28
Also published as: GB2189510B; EP0241176A1; GB8608896D0

Description

GB 2 189 510 A

SPECIFICATION Figure 1, as taken along line X-X of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the conveyor belt Flatwork ironer machine arrangement of the flatwork feeding mechanism of the ironer machine of Figure 1.

This invention relates to a flatwork ironing machine, 70 In Figure 1, a flatwork ironing machine 10 is shown and in particularto a commercial laundryflatwork having an ironersection 12 and aflatworkfeeding ironing machine. mechanism 14 adjacentto and integrally housed In known ironer machines, laundered flatwork with the ironersection 12Jorfeeding flatwork pieces (such as sheets) is usually laid bytwo operators onto to the ironer section.

an ordinary conveyor beitwhich feedsthe flatworkto 75 The ironersection 12 hastwo ironing rolls 16 and the ironing rolls. Such often produces ironed 18 preferably driven atthe same speed by a driving flatworkwhich is poorlyfinished (e.g. with wrinkles arrangementas disclosed in GB Patent No. 1590438 and creases). (the contents of which are incorporated by reference In accordance with the present invention, a herewith). The ironer section 12 also has a plurality flatwork ironing machine has an ironer section and a 80 of tape tensioner mechanisms 20 spaced atfrequent flatworkfeeding mechanism adjacentto and integral intervals across the width of the machine in orderto with the ironer section, the feeding mechanism maintain the flatwork pieces being ironed in contact comprising a conveyor belt arrangement with withthe ironing rolls 16 and 18. The tape tensioner suction meansto retain flatworkon the belt mechanisms20 are disclosed in detail in Japanese arrangement and/orto "smooth out" flatwork prior 85 Patent Application No. 52-152498 (the contentsof to the flatwork contacting the belt arrangement. which are also incorporated by reference herewith).

Such a machine produces ironed flatworkwhich is The flatworkfeeding mechanism 14 shown well finished (i.e. withoutwrinkles and creases). generally in Figure 1 and specifically in Figures 2to 5, The suction meansto retain flatwork on the belt includes a conveyor belt arrangement 22 comprised arrangement is preferably positioned insidethe 90 of a plurality of separate belts 24 supported side by conveyor belt arrangement, and includes a suction side abouttwo common end rollers 26 and 28, and box memberwith apertures in thetop surface suction means.

through which airis sucked to retain flatworkonthe Thesuction means consistsfirstly of a suction box belt arrangement which passes oversaid top surface member30to retain flatworkon the belt ofthe box member. 95 arrangement 22, the box member30 being The suction meansto "smooth out" framework positioned insidethe belt arrangement 22 and prior to the f latwork contacting the beltarrangement having a numberof apertures32 in thetop surface suitably includes a suction chamber positioned thereofthrough which air is sucked thereby drawing belowthe leading edge of theconveyorbelt and retaining theflatworktothe beltarrangement arrangementand a roller positioned adjacentthe 100 22.

leading edge of the conveyor belt arrangement. The The suction means consists secondly of an upright roller is rotated at a greater speed than the conveyor suction chamber34 and a guide roller 36 to "smooth belt arrangement in order to guide the trailing out" flatwork prior to such contacting the belt portion of flatworkto the suction chamber. arrangement, the suction chamber 34 being The suction box member and suction chamber are 105 positioned belowthe leading edge of the belt advantageously interconnected whereby only one arrangement 22, and the guide roller36 being source of suction is required. positioned adjacentthe leading edge of the belt Preferably, the conveyor belt arrangement arrangement22.

comprises a plurality of separate belts supported The end roller 26 of the belt arrangement 22 is side by side and having a common drive. 110 driven by the drive means (not shown) of the first The ironer section includes at least one ironing ironing roll 16 via chains and gears (also notshown) roll, and advantageously a multi ironing roll in orderthatflatwork is synchronizedlyfed bythe arrangement. belts 24to the roll 16, while the guide roller36 is The guide roller and conveyor belt arrangement separately driven by a motor38 at a greaterspeed are suitably independently driven,the conveyor belt 115 than the end roller 26. A beittensioning mechanism arrangement being driven bythe means of one of the 42 is providedto tension the belts 24 just sufficiently ironing rolls. to allow drive to take place,since overtensioned The preferred ironing machine hasthe advantage belts 24will fail prematurely.

that higherspeeds of production can be obtained. Atransfer chamber 43 is also provided connected The invention will now be described bywayof 120 both tothe suction chamber34andthe suction box example,with referenceto theaccompanying 30 (via duct 44), the transfer chamber 43 having afan drawings, in which: (not shown) to cause suction in both the suction box Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironer machine 30 and suction chamber 34. The transfer chamber 43 in accordance with the invention, is positioned belowthe belt arrangement 22 in order Figure2 is a frontview of the ironer machine of 125 to utilize space and keep down the size of the Figure 1, machine 10.

Figure3 is a sideview of theflatworkfeeding In operation,the operatorof the ironing machine mechanism of the ironer machine of Figure 1, 10 lays the leading portion of a flatwork piece onto Figure4is a cross-sectional side viewof the the belts 24, and allowsthe remainder ortrailing flatwork feeding mechanism of the ironer machine of 130 portion of the flatwork piece to become draped over 2 GB 2 189 510 A 2 the guide roller 36 and an opening 46 of the suction 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 as dependent chamber 34. The leading portion of the flatwork on claim 3 wherein the suction box member and piece is retained on the belts 24 due to the suction of suction chamber are interconnected whereby only the suction box member30, while the whole of the one source of suction is required.

remainder ortrailing portion of the flatwork piece is 70 6. A machine as claimed in eitherclaim 4 or5 drawn in the form of a U-loop into the suction wherein the guide roller is rotated at a greater speed chamber 34, by means of firstly the guide roller 36 than the conveyor belt arrangement in order to guide rotating at a greater speed than the end roller 26 of the trailing portion of flatworkto the suction the belt arrangement 22, and secondly the strong chamber.

suction of the suction chamber 34. After the trailing 75 7. A machine as claimed in anyone of claims 4to edge of the flatwork piece has passed over the guide 6 wherein the guide roller and conveyor belt roller 36, the suction of the suction chamber 34 arrangement are independently driven.

causes the now unlooped flatwork piece to flap and 8. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim pull taut due to air currents, the resultant effect being wherein the conveyor belt arrangement comprises a that the trailing portion of the f latwork piece is 80 plurality of separate belts supported side by side and smoothed out and straightened priorto contactwith having a common drive.

the belts 24 and the ironing rolls 16 and 18. 9. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim The machine 10 is provided with a smooth drag wherein the conveyor belt arrangement is driven by plate 50just in front of the leading edge of the belt the drive means of the ironing section.

arrangement 22 in orderto pull tautthef latwork 85 10. Aflatwork ironing machine substantially as piece just priorto contact thereof with the belts 24, herein described with reference to the thereby ensuring even tension across the full width accompanying drawings.

of the flatwork piece.

The machine 10 is also provided with a Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have see-through guard plate 48 on each sidefor safety 90 the following effect:

Claims

purposes. In Figure 1 the left hand side guard plate (a) Claim 1 above has

been textually amended.

48 is shown removed for illustrations reasons. The (b) New or textually amended claims have been guide roller 36 is, also for safety purposes, provided filed as follows:

with a torque limiting device 40 which stops drive of the roller 36 incase an operator traps theirf ingers 95 1. Aflatwork ironing machine has an ironer andlor hand on the guide roller. section and a flatwork feeding mechanism adjacent The machine 10 has the advantage that production to and integral with the ironer section, the feeding is substantially increased since an operator only has mechanism comprising a conveyor belt to place theflatwork piece on the belts 24to be arrangement with.suction means to retain flatwork retained thereby, whereas in the pastthe operator 100 on the belt arrangement and to "smooth out" had to monitor and guide the flatwork piece on the flatwork priorto the flatwork contacting the belt belts right up to the ironing section. arrangement.

CLAIMS 1. Aflatwork ironing machine has an ironer Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (UK) Ltd,9187, D8991685.

section and a flatwork feeding mechanism adjacent Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A l AY, to and integral with the ironersection, the feeding from which copies maybe obtained.

mechanism comprising a conveyor belt arrangementwith suction meansto retain flatwork on the belt arrangement and/orto "smooth out" flatwork priorto the f latwork contacting the belt arrangement.
2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suction means to retain flatwork on the belt arrangement is positioned inside the conveyor belt arrangement.
3. A machine as claimed in either claim 1 or2 wherein the suction means includes a suction box memberwith apertures in thetop surface through which air is sucked to retain flatwork on the belt arrangement which passes over said top surface of the box member.
4. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the suction means to "smooth out" f latwork priorto the flatwork contacting the belt arrangement includes a suction chember positioned belowthe leading edge of the conveyor belt arrangement and a guide roller positioned adjacent the leading edge of the conveyor belt arrangement.