WO2020188516A1

WO2020188516A1 - Machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries

Info

Publication number: WO2020188516A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/052539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniele MONTANARI; Vincenzo GAGLIOLO
Original assignee: Montanari S.R.L. Engineering Construction
Priority date: 2019-03-20
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: IT201900004089A1

Abstract

The machine (1) for the movement of linen for industrial laundries, comprises: one basic frame (2); movement means (5, 6) mounted on the basic frame (2) and adapted to move at least one load (4) of linen along one conveying line (A, B); wherein the movement means (5, 6) comprise: one ball conveyor belt (5) provided with: a flexible member (12) closed on itself in a loop and defining one exposed face (7) and one hidden face (8) placed substantially opposite the exposed face (7); a plurality of balls (11) pivoted idle in rotation to the flexible member (12); one flat conveyor belt (6) comprising a flexible body (14) closed on itself in a loop and defining: one abutment face (9) adapted to move said load (4) along a second conveying line (B) substantially transverse to said first conveying line (A); at least one concealed face (10) arranged substantially opposite said abutment face (9).

Description

MACHINE FOR THE MOVEMENT OF LINEN FOR INDUSTRIAL

LAUNDRIES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries.

Background Art

Several machines are known for the movement of linen used at industrial level for the transport of packages of linen along a work line, along which the linen undergoes one or more treatments, such as e.g. washing, ironing and packaging. In fact, these machines generally have the task of moving the packages of linen between different workstations, each of which has the task of performing one or more specific treatments of the linen.

Generally, the machines of known type are provided with movement means that allow the linen to be transported along the work line.

However, the work line extends in a more or less articulated and complex manner depending on the package of linen to be treated, on the number of workstations to be served and on the space available for the installation of the line itself.

For this reason, the machines of known type generally comprise one or more conveyor belts suitably arranged to create a continuous linen movement network that allows the whole work line to be served.

In addition, the machines of known type generally have one or more unloading points for the linen packages arranged along the conveyor belt to remove the linen packages from the work line at the end of their treatment.

In particular, at such unloading points, the machines of known type comprise unloading means adapted to remove one or more linen packages from the work line.

Generally, the unloading means used by this type of machine employ a motorized unloading member, such as e.g. a vertical plane associated with the end of a piston, adapted to be moved in suspension above the conveyor belt and adapted to push outwards the packages to be unloaded. This way, one or more linen packages can be removed from the work line.

This type of machine has, however, some drawbacks related to the movement speed of the linen packages.

In particular, the machines of known type are particularly slow in unloading the linen packages.

In fact, the unloading members generally require longer working time than the frequency of transit of packages on the conveyor belt.

In other words, whenever a package is to be unloaded, the unloading member is moved orthogonally with respect to the direction of forward movement of the transiting package, which must travel substantially the entire width of the conveyor belt to be unloaded.

However, once this configuration has been reached, the unloading member occupies the entire width of the conveyor belt and prevents the following packages from transiting.

For this reason, known machines generally have to stop the conveyor belt several times in order to stop the forward movement of the packages and allow the unloading member to operate.

This drawback slows down the entire work line considerably, directly affecting the number of packages processed and negatively affecting profits.

In addition, the unloading members used by the known machines allow the packages to be unloaded only from one side of the conveyor belt.

In addition, this type of machine generally comprises accident prevention means, such as safety cages surrounding the unloading members and which are designed to prevent an operator from invading the operating area of the unloading members, thereby reducing the risk of accidental injury.

Such accident prevention means, however, are generally particularly bulky and significantly complicate the machine’s structure.

These additional drawbacks drastically limit the machine’s possibilities and flexibility of use, for example by preventing the machine from being placed side by side to other machines or a wall.

Description of the Invention The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries which allows significantly reducing the movement times of the linen itself.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries which allows the linen to be unloaded on at least two substantially opposite sides of such a machine.

An additional object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries with particularly small sizes compared to machines of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries that allows overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries having the characteristics of claim 1. Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet not limiting, example in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic axonometric view of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic axonometric view of a cutaway of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a section of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic axonometric view of a cutaway of the machine according to the invention seen from the top;

Figure 5 is a schematic axonometric view of some machine components according to the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of the machine according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a machine for the movement of linen for industrial laundries.

The machine 1 for the movement of linen for industrial laundries comprises: at least one basic frame 2;

movement means 5, 6 mounted on the basic frame 2 and adapted to move at least one load 4 of linen along at least one conveying line A, B.

Advantageously, the movement means 5, 6 comprise:

at least one ball conveyor belt 5 provided with:

a flexible member 12 closed on itself in a loop and defining at least one exposed face 7 intended to convey the load 4 along at least a first conveying line A and at least one hidden face 8 placed substantially opposite the exposed face 7;

a plurality of balls 11 pivoted idle in rotation to the flexible member 12 to define at least a first contact portion 22 with the load 4 extending protruding from the exposed face 7, and at least a second contact portion 23 extending protruding from the hidden face 8;

at least one flat conveyor belt 6 comprising a flexible body 14 closed on itself in a loop and defining:

at least one abutment face 9 arranged in contact with a plurality of the second contact portions 23 and adapted to move the load 4 along at least a second conveying line B substantially transverse to the first conveying line A;

at least one concealed face 10 arranged substantially opposite the abutment face 9.

In the remainder of the following discussion, the term “load” used with reference to the linen means one or more items of linen to be arranged loose or packed, such as e.g. packages, parcels, or the like, on the exposed face 7 of the flexible member 12. In particular, in the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the illustrations, the load 4 is a linen package.

Preferably, the flexible member 12 is of the type of a meshed mat provided with a plurality of housings distributed evenly throughout the entire body of the same flexible member and inside which the balls 11 are pivoted idle in rotation, as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The flexible body 14, on the other hand, is preferably of the type of a belt shaped mat, the abutment face 9 of which is made of a material that is particularly adherent to the material of the balls 11.

In fact, the balls 11 and the abutment face 9 are advantageously adapted to operate in conjunction kinematically with each other for the transmission of motion from the flexible body 14 to the load 4 transiting on the flexible member 12.

Preferably, the first conveying line A and the second conveying line B are substantially rectilinear and orthogonal to each other.

In addition, the first conveying line A and the second conveying line B coincide with the direction of extension of the exposed face 7 and of the abutment face 9, respectively.

According to the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the flexible member 12 is arranged at least partly above the flexible body 14 on which it rests.

In particular, in the remainder of the following discussion, the words“above”, “below” and“next” used as spatial indications of the reciprocal arrangement of one or more components of the machine 1 are to be considered valid in the configuration of normal use of the machine shown in Figure 1, wherein the same is arranged resting on the ground and wherein the aforementioned words indicate the height of one or more components measured with respect to the ground.

Conveniently, the flat conveyor belt 6 comprises at least one holding plane 13 arranged in contact with the concealed face 10 keeping it substantially flat.

Preferably, the holding plane 13 is a rigid and non-deformable body, substantially rectangular in shape and is adapted to give rigidity to the flexible body 14 at the abutment face 9.

In addition, the holding plane 13 is suitably mounted on the basic frame 2 substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground.

This solution makes it possible to significantly increase the grip between the abutment face 9 and the balls 11.

Advantageously, the flat conveyor belt 6 comprises circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 adapted to move the flexible body 14 and having a circular section defining a predefined diameter.

In addition, the holding plane 13 has a predefined thickness substantially equal to the predefined diameter.

More in detail, the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 comprise at least one pair of transmission rollers 15 rotating around an axis of rotation Y, having a diameter equal to the predefined diameter and positioned side by side laterally to the holding plane 13 substantially opposite and parallel to each other.

In addition, the flexible body 14 is wrapped at least partly around the pair of transmission rollers 15.

In other words, the holding plane 13 is interposed between the transmission rollers 15 by spacing them apart.

In addition, the transmission rollers 15 are approached contactlessly to two opposite sides of the holding plane 13 without protruding above therefrom, as shown in Figure 3.

This way, the abutment face 9 is substantially flat even at the point of approach between the holding plane 13 and the transmission rollers 15.

In fact, the flexible body 14 is arranged resting on the holding plane 13 and on the directly adjacent transmission rollers 15 at the same time, keeping the abutment face 9 substantially flat.

Preferably, the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 comprise a plurality of movement rollers 3 arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the transmission rollers 15.

According to the invention, the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 preferably comprise a pair of movement rollers 3 arranged below the holding plane 13 and rotating around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Y of the transmission rollers 15, as shown in Figure 3.

Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 are provided with a different number of transmission rollers 15, e.g. wherein the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3 comprise three transmission rollers 15.

In particular, the flexible body 14 is closed in a loop at least partly around the transmission rollers 15 and the movement rollers 3.

Advantageously, the combination of the transmission rollers 15 and of the movement rollers 3 allows the machine 1 to move the flexible body 14 taut along the second conveying line B.

In fact, according to the invention, the flat conveyor belt 6 comprises motorized activation means which are adapted to move the flexible body 14 along the second conveying line B alternatively along at least one forward movement way F and along at least one backward movement way G substantially contrary and opposite to each other.

Conveniently, the activation means comprise at least one driving part, not shown in the figures, kinematically connected to the circular section motion transmission means 15, 3, in this case to at least one of either at least one of the transmission rollers 15 or at least one of the movement rollers 3.

Preferably, the driving part is kinematically connected to the movement rollers 3.

In fact, according to the invention, the movement rollers 3 have a larger diameter than the predefined diameter of the transmission rollers 15, and consequently they have a larger contact surface with the flexible body 14 than that of the transmission rollers 15.

This way, the driving part sets at least one movement roller 3 in rotation, which in turn moves the flexible body 14.

In particular, the driving part is adapted to rotate at least one movement roller 3 alternatively clockwise and counterclockwise. This way, depending on the direction of rotation of the movement roller 3, the abutment face 9 is moved along the second conveying line B in the forward movement way F or in the backward movement way G.

In the same way, depending on the direction of movement of the abutment face 9, the balls 11, in contact with the latter by means of the second contact portion 23, rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around a reference axis substantially parallel to the first conveying line A.

As a result, a load 4 positioned in contact with the first contact portion 22 of the balls 11 is in turn moved along the second conveying line B, in the forward movement way F or in the backward movement way G.

In fact, the machine 1 comprises at least two unloading sections 21 of the load 4 arranged substantially opposite each other along the second conveying line B and formed on the basic frame 2 at two opposite sides of the flexible member 12, as shown in Figure 1.

This way, a first unloading section 21 is served the instant when the flexible body 14 is moved along the forward movement way F, while, on the other hand, the other unloading section 21 is served the instant when the flexible body 14 is moved along the backward movement way G.

This solution allows the machine 1 to selectively move one or more loads 4 from the first conveying line A, along which the conveyor belt 5 extends, to the second conveying line B, along which the flat conveyor belt 6 extends.

Advantageously, the ball conveyor belt 5 comprises at least one motion transmission assembly 20, 24 associated with the basic frame 2 and adapted to allow the movement of the flexible member 12.

Preferably, the motion transmission assembly 20, 24 comprises a plurality of supporting rollers 20 arranged substantially parallel to each other and rotating around an axis of revolution Z substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation Y. In addition, the motion transmission assembly 20, 24 comprises at least one toothed pinion 24 rotating around a centering axis W substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Y and adapted to mesh the links of the flexible member 12 in order to move it. Preferably, the motion transmission assembly 20, 24 comprises a plurality of toothed pinions 24 arranged centered along the centering axis W, substantially side by side.

In particular, according to the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the toothed pinions 24 are adapted to transfer the motion to the flexible member 12 and the supporting rollers 20 are adapted to keep the flexible member 12 taut.

In particular, a pair of supporting rollers 20 is arranged substantially coplanar to the holding plane 13.

This way, the hidden face 8 of the flexible member 12 is arranged taut between this pair of supporting rollers 20 and rests at least partly on the abutment face 9 of the flexible body 14.

In fact, the flexible member 12 is closed in a loop at least partly around the toothed pinions 24 and the supporting rollers 20, which allow this to be moved taut along the first conveying line A.

In particular, the ball conveyor belt 5 comprises motorized operation means 19 which are adapted to move the flexible member 12 along the first conveying line A alternatively along at least one forward movement direction D and along at least one backward movement direction E substantially opposite and contrary to each other.

In fact, similarly to what described with reference to the flat conveyor belt 6, the operation means 19 comprises at least one driving member kinematically associated with the motion transmission assembly 20, 24.

In particular, the driving member is kinematically associated with the toothed pinions 24.

This way, the driving member sets at least one toothed pinion 24 in rotation, which in turn moves the flexible member 12.

In particular, the driving member is adapted to rotate at least one toothed pinion 24 alternatively clockwise and counterclockwise.

This way, depending on the direction of rotation of the toothed pinion 24, the flexible member 12 is moved along the first conveying line A in the forward movement direction D and in the backward movement direction E.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises control means 25 operationally connected to at least one of the activation means and the operation means 19 and configured to adjust the movement speed of at least one of the flexible body 14 and the flexible member 12 along the second conveying line B and the first conveying line A, respectively.

In particular, the control means 25 are configured to control the driving part and the driving member.

In fact, the control means 25 are configured to selectively and automatically activate/deactivate the driving member and the driving part, so as to stop/start the movement of the flexible member 12 and of the flexible body 14, respectively.

Preferably, the control means 25 comprise at least one processing unit, not shown in the figures, e.g. of the type of a PC, a PLC, a microcontroller or the like.

Conveniently, the control means 25 can be controlled by a specialised operator to adjust the movement speed of the flexible member 12 and of the flexible body 14.

This way, the operator can adjust the traffic of the loads 4 transiting along the conveying line A, B.

In fact, through the control means 25, the operator can adjust the unloading speeds of the loads 4, for example to serve an unloading section 21 rather than another, by adjusting the movement speed of the flexible member 12 and of the flexible body 14.

In particular, the variation in the movement speed of at least one of the flexible member 12 and the flexible body 14 varies at least one of the unloading time of the load 4 and the transition angle travelled by the load 4 during the transit at the meeting point between the first conveying line A and the second conveying line

B.

In particular, the word “transition angle” means the angle following the trajectory of the load 4 during the transit of the latter at the meeting point between the first conveying line A and the second conveying line B.

In addition, the transition angle can vary from 0° to 90°.

In fact, a transition angle of 0° degrees indicates the case in which the load 4 is moved along the first conveying line A without transiting along the second conveying line B, i.e. the case in which the flexible body 14 is not moved.

On the other hand, a 90° transition angle indicates the case in which the load 4 transits from the first conveying line A to the second conveying line B making an exact 90° transition angle, i.e. in this case, the flexible member 12 is stopped when the load 4 is positioned above the flexible body 14, which is then activated to move the load 4 along the second conveying line B.

In addition, the transition angles ranging between 0° and 90° indicate the case in which the flexible member 12 and the flexible body 14 are moved simultaneously.

In fact, advantageously, the activation means and the operation means 19 can be operated simultaneously.

This solution allows, the overall dimensions of the loads 4 being equal, to vary the transition angle of the load 4 depending on the movement speed of the flexible member 12 and of the flexible body 14.

Advantageously, the control means 25 make the operation of the machine 1 particularly flexible depending on the work speeds and production output required by the user.

In addition, the ball conveyor belt 5 comprises at least one supporting plane 16 arranged in contact with the hidden face 8 and arranged side by side with the holding plane 13, substantially coplanar to the latter.

In particular, the supporting plane 16 and the holding plane 13 keep the hidden face 8 substantially flat.

In other words, the holding plane 13 and the supporting plane 16 define a worktop, substantially parallel to the ground, that supports the exposed face 7, keeping it substantially flat.

This solution prevents the flexible member 12 and the flexible body 14 from deforming, e.g. under the weight of a load 4 arranged on the exposed face 7. This deformation, in fact, causes a difference in level between the balls 11 and prevents these from exerting on the contact surface with the load 4 an even and constant thrust capable of moving the latter along the conveying line B.

In fact, if the ball conveyor belt 5 is even only partly deformed, each of the balls 11 in contact with the load 4 exert, on the same, different thrusts of different intensity on the same that make it difficult to predict the direction of movement of the load itself.

Advantageously, the supporting plane 16 comprises at least one adhesion face 26 arranged in contact with the second portion 23 and adapted, in use, to set at least one of the balls 11 in rotation.

Advantageously, the adhesion face 26 is made of a particularly adherent material with respect to the material of the balls 11.

Preferably, the adhesion face 26 is made of a rough material, e.g. provided with a plurality of spherical protrusions evenly distributed over the entire adhesion face 26, so as to facilitate the movement of the balls 11.

In fact, the balls 11 and the adherence face 26 are adapted to operate in conjunction kinematically with each other with the aim of setting the balls themselves in rotation during the transit of the flexible member 12 on the supporting plane 16.

This solution makes it possible to increase the movement speed of the transiting load 4 at the overlapping area of the flexible member 12 with the supporting plane 16.

In fact, at this area, due to the sliding of the second portions 23 in contact with the supporting plane 16, the balls 11 are set in rotation and rotate in the same direction of rotation as the direction of movement of the flexible member 12.

In other words, the second portions 23 are set in rotation by the supporting plane 16 and, consequently, the first portions 22 exert a thrust on the load 4 in the same direction as the direction of movement of the flexible member 12.

This way, the movement speed of the load 4 in transit above the supporting plane 16 along the first conveying line A is defined by the vector sum of the movement speed of the flexible member 12 and by the thrust speed exerted on the load 4 by the balls 11.

However, other embodiments of the machine 1 cannot be ruled out, wherein: the balls 11 are spaced from each other by a predefined separation step defining a plurality of flat stretches 27 of the hidden face 8 that extend longitudinally along a direction of extension substantially parallel to the first conveying line A, spacing the balls 11 away from each other; and the supporting plane 16 comprises a plurality of longitudinal strips 28 arranged substantially parallel to each other and arranged, in use, to abut against the hidden face 8 at the flat stretches 27.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, the longitudinal strips 28 define a grid shaped supporting plane 16, as shown in Figure 6.

In particular, the longitudinal strips 28 are arranged in contact with the hidden face 8 without touching the balls 11.

This way, the supporting plane 16 keeps the flexible member 12 substantially flat without setting the balls 11 in rotation.

In fact, during the movement of the flexible member 12, the balls 11 slide along the first conveying line A side by side, without contact, with at least one of the longitudinal strips 28.

Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out, wherein the machine 1 comprises a plurality of supporting planes 16, and where one or more supporting planes 16 comprise the adhesion face 26, and one or more supporting planes 16 comprise the longitudinal strips 28, as shown in Figure 6.

This way, it is possible to increase or reduce the distance of two loads 4 arranged in sequence on the flexible member 12.

Conveniently, the hidden face 8 extends longitudinally for a first predefined length and extends laterally for a first predefined width substantially orthogonal to the first predefined length.

Furthermore, the abutment face 9 extends facing the hidden face 8, longitudinally for a second predefined length substantially greater than or equal to the first predefined width and laterally for a second predefined width substantially less than or equal to the first predefined length.

In other words, the first predefined length and the first predefined width define the surface area of the exposed face 7.

On the contrary, the second predefined length and the second predefined width define the surface area of the abutment face 9.

In fact, according to the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the abutment face 9 extends along a second predefined length equal to the first predefined width, i.e. it extends for the entire width of the hidden face 8, overlapping to size on the latter.

This way, every single ball 11 arranged at the overlapping area of the hidden face 8 and of the abutment face 9 is placed in contact with the latter.

In fact, if the abutment face 9 extended along a second predefined length smaller than the first predefined width, a part of the balls 11 would not be in contact with the abutment face 9, reducing the total thrust applicable to a load 4 along the second conveying line B.

This solution is particularly important in the lateral peripheral areas of the flexible member 12, i.e. at the unloading sections 21.

In fact, at these areas, the basic frame 2 comprises collection means for collecting the loads 4 (not shown in the figures), such as e.g. inclined slides adapted to receive the load 4 and adapted to move it away from the flexible member 12 by gravity.

However, at the boundary between the flexible member 12 and the unloading section 21, the load 4, moved along the second conveying line B, progressively protrudes towards the collection means, gradually reducing the balls 11 in contact with the load itself.

In this configuration, if the balls 11 located in the proximity of the unloading sections 21 were not set in rotation, the load 4 could remain blocked on the exposed face 7 due to the small number of balls 11 actively contributing to push the load itself.

For this reason, the use of an abutment face 9 that abuts to size the hidden face 8 for the entire width of the flexible member 12 allows the machine 1 to push the loads 4 effectively through the unloading sections 21.

Conveniently, the movement means 5, 6 comprise a plurality of flat conveyor belts 6, where the holding planes 13 of the latter are coplanar to each other. Preferably, according to the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the movement means 5, 6 comprise a pair of flat conveyor belts 6 spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance.

Advantageously, the machine 1 can comprise a larger number of unloading sections 21 and a larger number of flat conveyor belts 6 adapted to serve these unloading sections 21.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the ball conveyor belt 5 comprises three supporting planes 16 arranged coplanar to each other and coplanar to the holding planes 13.

In particular, each of the holding planes 13 is interposed between two supporting planes 16 to define a worktop with an extension substantially equal to the extension of the hidden face 8, as shown in Figure 2.

In fact, the supporting planes 16 and the holding planes 13 preferably have a width substantially equal to the first predefined width of the hidden face 8.

Moreover, in the embodiments of the machine 1 shown in the figures, the supporting plane 16 interposed between the two holding planes 13 is substantially shorter than the other supporting planes 16.

Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out, e.g. wherein all the supporting planes 16 have the same length.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises cleaning means 17, 18 of the ball conveyor belt 5 arranged in the proximity of the flexible member 12 and provided with at least one of:

at least one brush member 17 arranged in contact with the flexible member 12; and

pneumatic means 18 adapted to deliver at least one pressurized air flow incident on the flexible member 12.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises both the brush member 17 and the pneumatic means 18. In particular, the brush member 17 extends in contact with the flexible member 12 for a length substantially equal to the first predefined width.

In addition, the air flow delivered by the pneumatic means 18 affects the contact line of the brush member 17 with the flexible member 12.

This way, the air flow simultaneously cleans the brush member 17 and the flexible member 12.

Preferably, the cleaning means 17, 18 are positioned below the worktop and extend in contact with the exposed face 7 of the flexible member 12 for a length substantially equal to the first predefined width, as shown in Figure 5.

Alternative embodiments of the machine 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the machine itself comprises a pair of cleaning means 17, 18, where a first cleaning means 17, 18 operates on the exposed face 7 and a second cleaning means 17, 18 operates on the hidden face 8.

Advantageously, the brush member 17 gradually operates on the entire extension of the flexible member 12 during the movement thereof.

In the same way, the pneumatic means 18 also deliver an air flow that gradually operates on the entire extension of the flexible member 12 during the movement of the latter.

Preferably, the pneumatic means 18 are configured to deliver the air flow in the form of impulsive waves separate from each other.

In fact, unlike a continuous air flow, an impulsive air flow that hits the brush member 17 and/or the flexible member 12 generates at the latter turbulent motions that make these vibrate, facilitating the cleaning thereof.

In particular, the brush member 17 is provided with a plurality of bristles adapted to clean the housings of the balls 11.

On the other hand, the pneumatic means 18 are provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted to deliver at least part of the air flow, so as to clean the housings of the balls 11.

In fact, some textile fibres generally released by the linen, or other foreign agents, can slip between the balls 11 and the housings containing them, thus compromising the rotation of one or more balls 11, for example by reducing the rotational speed thereof.

Consequently, as described above, the balls 11 in contact with the load 4 could exert on the same thrusts of different intensity, which would make it difficult to predict the direction of movement of the load 4.

A possible operation of the machine 1 described above is as follows.

In particular, the machine 1 is intended to transport, in use, a plurality of loads 4 along the conveying line A, B.

In fact, the loads 4 arranged on the exposed face 7 are conveyed by the flexible member 12 along the first conveying line A, e.g. in the forward movement direction D or in the backward movement direction E.

In particular, the same flexible member 12 is moved along the first conveying line A by the operation means 19.

Advantageously, in order to convey the load 4 from the first conveying line A to the second conveying line B, the operation means 19 stop the movement of the flexible member 12 so that at least one load 4 is arranged at the overlapping area of the flexible member 12 on the flexible body 14.

Once this configuration has been reached, the activation means move the flexible body 14 along the second conveying line B, e.g. in the forward movement way F or in the backward movement way G.

This movement causes the rotation of the balls 11 which, in turn, move the load 4 towards one of the unloading sections 21.

Once the load 4 has been unloaded, the activation means stop the movement of the flexible body 14.

This way, the operation means 19 can move the flexible member 12 again and bring another load 4 at the overlapping area of the flexible member 12 on the flexible body 14, if necessary, in order to repeat the procedure described above. An alternative operation of the machine 1 is as follows.

Advantageously, in contrast to the operation described above, the operation means 19 and the activation means can respectively move the flexible member 12 and the flexible body 14 at the same time.

In other words, the activation means and the operation means 19 can be operated simultaneously.

This way, the load 4 is moved continuously along the conveying line A, B.

In other words, this embodiment allows the machine 1 to keep the flexible member 12, which continuously conveys the loads 4, in motion.

In addition, depending on the unloading section 21 to which the load 4 is to be conveyed, the flexible bodies 14 are moved along the second conveying line B in the forward movement way F or in the backward movement way G.

This way, the machine 1 runs continuously and can withstand particularly high work speeds, wherein the number of loads 4 moved is particularly high compared to known machines.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the overlapping of the ball conveyor belt on the flat conveyor belt allows the machine to significantly reduce load movement times compared to the machines of known type, also allowing the loads to be unloaded on opposite sides of the same ball conveyor belt.

In addition, the overlapping of the ball conveyor belt on the flat conveyor belt makes it possible to create a machine with particularly small overall dimensions compared to the machines of known type and which, unlike the latter, can be easily juxtaposed to other machines or walls.

Claims

1) Machine (1) for the movement of linen for industrial laundries, comprising: at least one basic frame (2);

movement means (5, 6) mounted on said basic frame (2) and adapted to move at least one load (4) of linen along at least one conveying line (A, B); characterized by the fact that said movement means (5, 6) comprise:

at least one ball conveyor belt (5) provided with:

a flexible member (12) closed on itself in a loop and defining at least one exposed face (7) intended to convey said load (4) along at least a first conveying line (A) and at least one hidden face (8) placed substantially opposite said exposed face (7);

a plurality of balls (11) pivoted idle in rotation to said flexible member (12) to define at least a first contact portion (22) with said load (4) that is protruding from said exposed face (7), and at least a second contact portion (23) that is protruding from said hidden face (8);

at least one flat conveyor belt (6) comprising a flexible body (14) closed on itself in a loop and defining:

at least one abutment face (9) arranged in contact with a plurality of said second contact portions (23) and adapted to move said load (4) along at least a second conveying line (B) substantially transverse to said first conveying line (A);

at least one concealed face (10) arranged substantially opposite said abutment face (9).

2) Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said flat conveyor belt (6) comprises at least one holding plane (13) arranged in contact with said concealed face (10) keeping it substantially flat.

3) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:

said flat conveyor belt (6) comprises circular section motion transmission means (15, 3) adapted to move said flexible body (14) and having a circular section defining a predefined diameter; said holding plane (13) has a predefined thickness substantially equal to said predefined diameter.

4) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:

said circular section motion transmission means (15, 3) comprise at least one pair of transmission rollers (15) rotating around an axis of rotation (Y), having a diameter equal to said predefined diameter and positioned side by side laterally to said holding plane (13) substantially opposite and parallel to each other;

said flexible body (14) is wrapped at least partly around said pair of transmission rollers (15).

5) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said flat conveyor belt (6) comprises motorized activation means which are adapted to move said flexible body (14) along said second conveying line (B) alternatively along at least one forward movement way (F) and along at least one backward movement way (G) substantially opposite and contrary to each other.

6) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said ball conveyor belt (5) comprises motorized operation means (19) which are adapted to move said flexible member (12) along said first conveying line (A) alternatively along at least one forward movement direction (D) and along at least one backward movement direction (E) substantially opposite and contrary to each other.

7) Machine (1) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized by the fact that said activation means and said operation means (19) can be operated simultaneously.

8) Machine (1) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by the fact that it comprises control means (25) operationally connected to at least one of said activation means and said operation means (19) and configured to adjust the movement speed of at least one of said flexible body (14) and said flexible member (12) respectively along said second conveying line (B) and along said first conveying line (A). 9) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:

said hidden face (8) extends longitudinally along a first predefined length and extends laterally along a first predefined width substantially orthogonal to said first predefined length;

said abutment face (9) extends facing said hidden face (8), longitudinally along a second predefined length substantially greater than or equal to said first predefined width and laterally along a second predefined width substantially less than or equal to said first predefined length.

10) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said ball conveyor belt (5) comprises at least one supporting plane (16) arranged in contact with said hidden face (8) and positioned side by side with said holding plane (13), substantially coplanar to the latter, said supporting plane (16) and said holding plane (13) keeping said hidden face (8) substantially flat.

11) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supporting plane (16) comprises at least one adhesion face (26) arranged in contact with said second portions (23) and adapted, in use, to put at least one of said balls (11) in rotation.

12) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:

said balls (11) are spaced from each other by a predefined separation step defining a plurality of flat stretches (27) of said hidden face (8) that extend longitudinally along a direction of extension substantially parallel to said first conveying line (A), spacing said balls (11) away from each other;

said supporting plane (16) comprises a plurality of longitudinal strips (28) arranged substantially parallel to each other and arranged, in use, to abut against said hidden face (8) at said flat stretches (27).

13) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said movement means (5, 6) comprise a plurality of flat conveyor belts (6), the holding planes (13) of said flat conveyor belts (6) being coplanar to each other.

14) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises cleaning means (17, 18) of said ball conveyor belt (5) arranged in the proximity of said flexible member (12) and provided with at least one of:

at least one brush member (17) arranged in contact with said flexible member (12); and

pneumatic means (18) adapted to deliver at least one pressurized air flow incident on said flexible member (12).

15) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:

said brush member (17) extends in contact with said flexible member (12) along a length substantially equal to the first predefined width;

said air flow delivered by the pneumatic means (18) affects the contact line of said brush member (17) with said flexible member (12).