WO2021002854A1

WO2021002854A1 - Clothing sorting systems and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2021002854A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/040340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danny E. Alsop; Patrick Tierney
Original assignee: Revolution Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2019-07-02
Filing date: 2019-07-02
Publication date: 2021-01-07

Abstract

Various arrangements involving a clothing sorting system are presented. The clothing sorting system can include a platform for an operator to stand on. The clothing sorting system may include a circular conveyor that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to move the stream of items endlessly around the platform until such items are removed by the operator. The clothing sorting system may include a plurality of clothing item collector chutes arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the circular conveyor.

Description

CLOTHING SORTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Sorting items may be an exceptionally laborious process. For instance, sorting different items of clothing may typically done by hand. A person may inspect the clothing item, determine if it is in good condition, determine the type of clothing, and/or determine the material of the clothing. The clothing item may then be sorted into a particular group. Such a process may be exceptionally time consuming. Further, technology for automating such a process may be complex and expensive enough that implementing an automated process is not worth the cost.

SUMMARY

[0002] Various arrangements of clothing sorting systems are presented herein. A system can include a frame structure. A system can include a platform attached with the frame structure. A system can include a circular conveyor that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to endlessly rotate the unsorted stream of clothing around the platform until each clothing item is manually moved from the circular conveyor, the circular conveyor being attached with the frame structure. A system can include a plurality of clothing collector chutes arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the circular conveyor. Each of the plurality of clothing collector chutes can be attached with the frame structure. The unsorted stream of clothing can be deposited on the circular conveyor and is rotated around the platform and proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes to allow clothing items from the unsorted stream of clothing items to be moved from the circular conveyor into the plurality of clothing item collector chutes.

[0003] Embodiments of such a system may include one or more of the following features: The system can include plurality of removable bins, wherein a removable bin of the plurality of removable bins is positioned below each clothing item collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes. The platform can be attached with the frame structure such that the platform is raised from ground on which the frame structure stands. The system can include a stream depositing conveyor that deposits the unsorted stream of clothing onto a starting position of the circular conveyor. The circular conveyor can rotate the unsorted stream of clothing items from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of item collector chutes repeatedly until the clothing is manually moved from the circular conveyor. The system can include a control mechanism to control when the stream depositing conveyor deposits the unsorted stream of clothing onto the circular conveyor. The platform may be generally open allowing an operator to walk directly from facing a first clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes to a second clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes. At least a portion of the stream depositing conveyor can be inclined. The platform may be circular and the platform has a radius of between 5 feet and 25 feet. The plurality of item collector chutes may include at least seven clothing item collector chutes. The system can include an entrance system, wherein the entrance system is attached with the frame structure and allows a user access to the platform under the circular conveyor from the ground on which the frame structure stands.

[0004] In some embodiments, a method for sorting a stream of unsorted clothing items are presented. The method can include depositing on a circular conveyor the stream of unsorted clothing items. The method can include endlessly rotating the stream of unsorted clothing items on the circular conveyor in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around a platform such that the stream is moved proximate to each clothing collector chute of a plurality of clothing item collector chutes to allow clothing items from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be manually moved from the circular conveyor into the plurality of clothing item collector chutes. The plurality of clothing item collector chutes may be arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the circular conveyor.

[0005] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features: The method can include causing a clothing item from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be deposited into a clothing item collector chute when the clothing item is proximate to the clothing item collector chute on the circular conveyor. The method can include transferring, using gravity, the clothing item from the clothing item collector chute into an associated removable sorted clothing item collector bin. Each clothing item collector chute of the plurality of clothing item collector chutes can be associated with a particular type of clothing item. Depositing of the stream of unsorted clothing items onto the circular conveyor can be performed by an inclined stream depositing conveyor onto a starting position. Moving the stream of unsorted clothing items on the circular conveyor may include rotating the stream around the platform from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of item collector chutes until removed by an operator. The method can include allowing an operator to walk directly from facing a first clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes to a second clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes.

[0006] In some embodiments, a sorting apparatus is presented. The sorting apparatus can include a frame means. The sorting apparatus can include a platform means for one or more operators. The platform means being attached with the frame means. The sorting apparatus can include a conveyor means that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to move a stream of unsorted clothing items endlessly around the platform means until the unsorted clothing items are manually removed by the one or more operators, the conveyor means being attached with the frame means. The sorting apparatus can include a plurality of clothing item collection means arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the conveyor means. The plurality of clothing item collection means can be each attached with the frame means. The stream of unsorted clothing items deposited on the conveyor means can be rotated endlessly around the platform means and proximate to each clothing item collection means of the plurality of clothing item collection means to allow clothing items from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be moved from the conveyor means into the plurality of clothing item collection means by the one or more operators. The sorting apparatus can include a depositing means that deposits the stream onto a starting position of the conveyor means. The conveyor means repeatedly rotates the stream from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of item collection means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system.

[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system. [0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system with dimensions.

[0011] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system with an overlay of arrows showing the possible paths of items of the stream.

[0012] FIG. 2D illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system in which unsorted clothing items can rotate around the platform repeatedly or endlessly.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for using a clothing sorting system.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a method for using a clothing sorting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] While having a large staff at a clothing sorting facility may be one way of manually sorting clothing, such an arrangement may be labor-intensive and expensive. Therefore, the number of persons that are practical to employ at a facility that performs clothing sorting may be significantly lower. [0017] Having such light staffing could be a significant impediment when using a

conventionally designed material-stream sorting system, which typically requires operators positioned at particular locations along linear conveyors to sort various types of items. In place of such a conventional material-stream sorting system stream, a material- stream sorting system as detailed below can allow for lighter staffing, possibly allowing the system to be operated by as few as a single operator.

[0018] Embodiments detailed herein allow a user to move between sorting positions on a platform allowing a particular operator to perform multiple sorting functions. Further, the conveyor arrangement detailed herein allows unsorted clothing items to be rotated repeatedly or endlessly; therefore, if an operator is unable to sort a clothing item on its first trip around the conveyor, the clothing item will remain present for future sorting by the operator. Therefore, a single operator could perform all of the sorting actions if so desired.

[0019] A smaller physical area may be needed for installation of the clothing sorting systems detailed herein. For instance, a maximum floor space of 5,000 - 6,000 sq. ft. may be available. Embodiments detailed herein may be installed in a location having such an available floor space. Similarly, a relatively low ceiling height may be present. Embodiments detailed herein, especially cellar entry designs, may accommodate such lower ceiling heights. Further, the embodiments detailed herein may allow for low electrical consumption and/or lower capital costs per sorted ton of clothing as compared with conventional material-stream sorting systems.

[0020] In embodiments detailed herein, the sorting system has a central region that may be generally circular or oval in shape. A first conveyor, which may be a conveyor belt, receives an unsorted material stream of clothing items. The first conveyor deposits the stream of unsorted clothing items on a circular conveyor. This circular conveyor may be a continuous rotating ring that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the central region, where one or more operators may be located.

[0021] In the central region of the sorting system, which may be a raised platform, one or more operators may be present to perform sorting duties. Around the inside and/or outside edge of the circular conveyor, multiple clothing item collector chutes may be present. In some embodiments, as detailed later in this document, one or more clothing item collector chutes may be arranged around an inside edge of the circular conveyor. These clothing item collector chutes may route items deposited into the clothing item collector chutes to either removable bins or fixed bins. In some embodiments, the platform is elevated such that sufficient room is present to allow the bins to be at least partially placed under the clothing item collector chutes. When an operator deposits a sorted clothing item into a clothing item collector chute, the clothing item, assisted by gravity, is routed to the corresponding bin or baler. Each clothing item collector chute is associated with a particular category of item. [0022] As the first conveyor deposits the unsorted clothing items onto the circular conveyor, the circular conveyor rotates the layer of clothing items around the platform near each item collector. The platform may be generally open to facilitate an operator or operators walking directly to locations on the platform in front of clothing item collector chutes. The circular conveyor may position the stream of clothing items such that it passes between an operator and an item collector chute. When an item is near the appropriate clothing item collector chute, an operator present on the circular platform may move the item from the circular conveyor into the item collector. This may be accomplished by the operator simply pushing the item or by lifting and placing or tossing the item into the clothing item collector chute. Depending on staffing levels, it may be appropriate to have an operator positioned on the platform across the circular conveyor from each particular clothing item collector. When items that correspond to the item collector pass by on the circular conveyor, the operator may move the item from the circular conveyor to the clothing item collector.

[0023] Due to the relative proximity of the clothing item collector chutes, it may be practical for a single operator to sort items from the circulating stream of items into multiple clothing item collector chutes. For instance, a particular operator may be responsible for sorting appropriate items from the circulating stream of unsorted clothing items into two, three, or more item collectors bin. Since the platform is circular, a single operator may be able to easily and directly move to different positions on the platform located in the center of the circular conveyor to be able to sort items into multiple clothing item collector chutes. The speed of the circular conveyor may be adjusted to accommodate the number of operators available to sort (and the

skill/efficiency of the operators). That is, the greater the number of operators present on the circular platform performing sorting activities, the faster the circular conveyor may be rotated and/or the greater the volume of unsorted clothing items may be deposited onto the circular conveyor. At a slow enough conveyor speed, it may be possible for a single operator to perform all of the sorting of the clothing items.

[0024] Further, by allowing the stream of items to rotate around the circular conveyor more than once, a small number of operators (e.g., a single operator) may sort the entire stream of unsorted clothing items. For instance, the operator may position himself in front of one or two chutes and only sort items that are part of the item types associated with such chutes. The operator may then reposition himself in front of another one or two chutes and sort items from the stream (which is now rotating for at least the second time in front of the user) into these chutes. The operator(s) may repeat this process as often as necessary to complete the sorting.

[0025] In addition, with some materials, such as clothing, an operator may pick up an item initially believing to below to a category for which the operator is currently sorting. The ability of the operator to place the item into an adjacent bin means that if, for example, a shirt he picks turns out to be a ladies blouse rather than a man’s shirt that was expected by the operator, the operator can place the blouse directly into the correct chute. Testing of various embodiments has shown that operators can efficiently place an item up to two chutes upstream or downstream from the operators current position in these instances. Such an arrangement eliminates a “wasted” pick by the operator and can increase productivity.

[0026] While this document is focused on clothing, streams of other types of items or materials can be sorted using similar systems, such as textiles, donations of goods, costumes, etc.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of clothing sorting system 100. The clothing sorting system 100 can include: intake conveyor 110, vertical rise section 111, circular platform 115, circular conveyor 120, clothing item collector chutes 130 (which include clothing item collector chute 130-1, clothing item collector chute 130-2, and clothing item collector chute 130-3), sorted clothing item collector bins 140 (which includes sorted clothing item collector bin 140-1 and sorted clothing item collector bin 140-2), entry structure 150, frame 160, and deflector 180.

[0028] Intake conveyor 110 serves to deliver a stream of unsorted clothing items that to circular conveyor 120. For instance, a stream of clothing items may be offloaded from a truck, unsorted bin, or other collection device onto intake conveyor 110. Intake conveyor 110 may deliver the clothing items onto a receiving region of circular conveyor 120. Intake conveyor 110 may have a vertical rise section 111 (which can also be in the form of a series of two or more conveyors) configured to bring the stream of clothing items up to a location where the stream of clothing items can be dropped or otherwise deposited onto circular conveyor 120. It may be necessary for intake conveyor 110 to have a vertical rise section 111 in order to accommodate circular platform 115 being raised from ground level. That is, if a portion of intake conveyor 110 runs parallel to ground level near or below the ground, vertical rise section 111 may move the stream of items to an appropriate elevation at which the stream can be dropped or otherwise deposited onto circular conveyor 120.

[0029] The unsorted stream of clothing items may include clothing items of: different quality, different color, different material, different type (e.g., shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.). The number of categories that the clothing items are sorted into may be based on the number of clothing chutes on system 100. In some embodiments, fewer categories of sorting may be used to decrease the number of chutes that the one or more operators need to sort clothing into.

[0030] When the stream of clothing items is dropped or otherwise deposited onto circular conveyor 120 by intake conveyor 110, deflector 180 may help prevent deposited clothing items from missing circular conveyor 120 and falling onto platform 115. Deflector 180 may be located along an inside edge of circular conveyor 120 such that items that impact deflector 180 are likely to fall down onto circular conveyor 120. Circular conveyor 120 may revolve such that the stream of clothing items are passed around circular platform 115 in either a clockwise or

counterclockwise manner. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the stream of clothing items is rotated in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Circular conveyor 120 may have a solid surface made of a single piece of material or panels of material that rotate in a circle. It should be understood that various modifications may be made to cause circular conveyor 120 to be other than circular; for example, a series of linear conveyors may be arranged such that the overall shape of the path for the stream of items over the series of linear conveyors is oval or rectangular.

[0031] Within the ring of circular conveyor 120 is circular platform 115. Circular platform 115 is where one or more operators are positioned in order to interact with the stream of clothing items as it moves along the circular conveyor 120. Circular platform 115 may be at least roughly circular in shape and designed to be generally open in nature to allow an operator to walk directly from location to location along circular conveyor 120. It may be desirable for an operator to easily switch sides along a direct path across platform 115 without any or many obstacles, such as from facing clothing item collector chute 130-2 to facing clothing item collector chute 130-3. Further, an operator may frequently need to shift between being positioned in front of various clothing item collector chutes 130. As an example, a single operator may be tasked with moving items that match particular item categories from the stream of items on the circular conveyor into clothing item collector chutes 130-1 and 130-2. In some embodiments, the platform may be other than circular.

[0032] Located around the outside edge of circular conveyor 120 are multiple clothing item collector chutes 130. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, eleven clothing item collectors are present (of which three are labelled). Each of these clothing item collectors may be assigned to a particular category of clothing item and may be labeled as such. For instance, a first clothing item collector may be assigned pants, a second clothing item collector may be assigned t-shirts, a third clothing item collector may be assigned jackets, etc. In some embodiments, the clothing item collector chute which the stream of clothing items will arrive at last, due to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of circular conveyor 120, may be a catch-all category, such as“other”. Clothing items that cannot be classified into any of the categories associated with the other clothing item collector chutes may be dropped or deposited into this last clothing item collector chute for separate sorting or disposal.

[0033] Clothing item collector chutes 130 may serve to route items deposited into them into either an associated bin (e.g., sorted clothing item collector bin 140-1, sorted clothing item collector bin 140-2) or baler with the assistance of gravity or a conveying device, such as a conveyor or blower. Therefore, each clothing item collector of clothing item collector chutes 130 may consist of a partially or fully vertical chute to route deposited items to an associated bin. Each clothing item collector may include an open front portion located along an outer edge of circular conveyor 120, a backboard portion located away from the circular conveyor 120, and a vertical chute portion that routes deposited items to a bin located generally below the clothing item collector. Clothing item collector chutes 130 may allow an operator to push a clothing item off of circular conveyor 120 into a clothing item collector chute selected by the operator as corresponding to the clothing item. Such pushing may not require the item to be lifted. In other embodiments, the operator may lift the clothing item, at least slightly, from the circular platform to throw or otherwise move the item into the corresponding clothing item collector chute. In some embodiments, collector clothing chutes may be located inside circular conveyor 120 such that an operator may pull or otherwise move the clothing item inward from the circular conveyor 120. [0034] Sorted clothing item collector bins 140 generally refer to movable storage devices which temporarily store clothing items. A bin may be removed from under its associated clothing item collector chute either manually, such as by the bin being wheeled away, or using some form of machinery, such as a forklift. When full or otherwise desired to be emptied, a bin may be removed from under its clothing item collector and taken to another location for removal of its sorted clothing contents. Such bins may have an inside lower surface that is slanted, thus causing clothing items to slide out of the bin when the bin is opened.

[0035] In some embodiments, one or more of the sorted clothing item collector bins 140 may be fixed to the frame and are not easily removed. Such bins may be allowed to fill with sorted clothing items. A panel of such a fixed bin may be opened to allow the sorted clothing items to be removed. Alternatively, the fixed bin may be coupled with a conveying device, such as a conveyor or blower, such that clothing items deposited into the fixed bin are moved by the conveying device to another location.

[0036] In some embodiments, one or more of the sorted clothing item collector bins 140 and one or more of clothing item collector chutes 130 may be incorporated as a single device. That is, a bin may have an integrated chute. Such as bin may be removable. Thus, if the bin is removed, the chute may move with it. Further, such a bin having an integrated chute may be a fixed bin such that the combined chute and bin remain fixed to the frame.

[0037] An operator located on circular platform 115 may be able to simply push, pull, or throw a clothing item off of circular conveyor 120 into an item collector, such as clothing item collector chute 130-1, when the clothing item arrives at least roughly in front of the clothing item collector. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can lift and place or toss the clothing item into the clothing item collector. If the circular conveyor 120 is rotating slow enough and/or the volume of stream clothing items being fed onto circular conveyor 120 is small enough, a single operator may be able to handle sorting clothing items into multiple clothing item collector chutes 130. For instance, an operator sorting clothing items into clothing item collector chute 130-1 may deposit all appropriate nearby items into clothing item collector chute 130-1, then move to nearby clothing item collector chute 130-2. The operator may then sort appropriate clothing items into clothing item collector chute 130-2. The operator may then move back to nearby clothing item collector chute 130-1 into whose vicinity, by then, the circular conveyor 120 has moved new clothing items of the stream into the vicinity. The operator may repeat moving between these two clothing item collector chutes as long as necessary to sort clothing items as circular conveyor 120 rotates. The speed at which circular conveyor 120 rotates may be adjusted by an operator. When slowed, the speed of intake conveyor 110 may also be slowed to decrease the volume of unsorted clothing items being deposited onto circular conveyor 120. Generally, the speed of circular conveyor 120 and the volume of the stream of clothing items deposited onto the circular conveyor may be dependent on the number of operators present on platform 115 to perform the sorting. If the one or more operators cannot keep up with sorting of the stream, circular conveyor 120 and intake conveyor 110 may be slowed or even stopped to allow the one or more operators to catch up. In some embodiments, the stream of clothing items continues to rotate around circular conveyor 120 for multiple revolutions, until the stream has been fully sorted by the operators.

[0038] Entry structure 150 may permit operators entry and egress from circular platform 115. Entry structure 150 may include a series of stairs or ladder rungs that allow an operator to pass under circular conveyor 120 and enter onto elevated platform 115. In some embodiments, a panel may be slid, swung, or otherwise closed over the top of entry structure 150 to prevent operators from falling into entry structure 150 when they are standing on circular platform 115.

Additionally or alternatively, handrails and toe rails may surround the top of entry structure 150 to prevent operators from falling into entry structure 150 when they are present on circular platform 115.

[0039] In other embodiments, an entry structure may include a staircase that ascends over circular conveyor 120 and then descends to platform 115 to allow for operators to enter and exit platform 115. If entry structure 150 passes over circular conveyor 120, sufficient clearance may be present between circular conveyor 120 and entry structure 150 to allow items to pass on circular conveyor 120 under entry structure 150. For an“over-the-top” entry structure design, since circular platform 115 may be raised to permit room for bins underneath clothing item collector chutes 130, the portion of entry structure 150 that descends to circular platform 115 may be shorter (e.g., have fewer stairs) than the portion of entry structure 150 that descends to the ground. In some embodiments, the entry structure 150 may be against or proximate to an ascending portion of intake conveyor 110. This may allow entry structure 150 to serve as an access device for user to be able to interact with various portions of the ascending portion of intake conveyor 110.

[0040] Platform 115, sorted clothing item collector bins 140, clothing item collector chute 130, circular conveyor 120, entry structure 150, deflector 180, and intake conveyor 110 may be mounted to frame 160. Frame 160 may serve as a support for platform 115 being raised from ground level. Frame 160 may be made from a strong, rigid material, such as steel, wood, or aluminum.

[0041] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of stream clothing sorting system 100. The embodiment of FIG. 2 A represents a top view of stream clothing sorting system 100 of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, when an operator is located at or near a center of platform 115, the operator has a linear and equidistant path to each item collector chute. Thus, a single operator or a small number of operators (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5) may efficiently operate stream clothing sorting system 100 while located on circular platform 115.

[0042] Further, as can been seen in FIG. 2 A, circular conveyor 120 is a ring having an inner edge located adjacent to platform 115 where the one or more operators stand (or sit) and where an outer edge is located adjacent to the openings of clothing item collector chutes 130. Circular conveyor 120 may be made of a rigid or semi rigid material. Circular conveyor 120 may continually rotate (unless stopped by an operator) in a circle to move the stream of clothing items (endlessly) around platform 115, with all clothing items from the stream eventually being deposited into one of the clothing item collector chutes 130.

[0043] Further, as can been seen in FIG. 2A, circular platform 115 is kept open except for the portion occupied by entry structure 150. Having circular platform 115 open allows operators to directly move among multiple clothing item collector chutes 130. It should be understood that the number of clothing item collector chutes 130 can be adjusted as necessary; in some embodiments, fewer item collectors are present, in other embodiments a greater number of item collectors (which correspond to more types of items being sorted) may be present.

[0044] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a stream clothing sorting system with dimensions. For instance, dimension 284 of stream clothing sorting system 100 may be 70 feet long or less (e.g., as short as 25 feet). Dimension 280 may be 36 feet wide or less (e.g., as short as 20 feet). Such dimensions may allow stream clothing sorting system 100 to be fit in a relatively small warehouse or other area. It should be understood that the size of stream clothing sorting system 100 may be adjusted up or down depending on the number of operators to be accommodated on circular platform 115 and/or the number of item collectors to be used.

[0045] In stream clothing sorting system 100, intake conveyor 110 may be four feet wide. In other embodiments, intake conveyor 110 may vary to be greater or smaller in width (e.g., between 2 and 6 feet wide). In stream clothing sorting system 100, dimension 270, which is the platform’s diameter, could be 14 feet or greater. In other embodiments, the circular platform may be between 10 and 50 feet in diameter or have a still bigger or smaller diameter. In stream clothing sorting system 100, circular conveyor 120 may have a width of 3 feet, indicated by dimension 272. An inner edge diameter of fourteen feet and an outer edge diameter of twenty feet may be present for circular conveyor 120. The inner edge of circular conveyor 120 may be roughly the same diameter as circular platform 115. In other embodiments, circular conveyor 120 may have an outer radius between 26 and 16 feet in diameter or have a still bigger or smaller diameter. The width of circular conveyor 120 may also be increased or decreased in other embodiments. Dimension 274, which represents an opening of an item collector chute, may be 3 feet in width (e.g., with an open top). Dimension 274 may be varied between 2 and 5 feet, or in some embodiments, may be even larger. Each item collector chute of clothing item collector chutes 130 may be approximated a foot and a half in depth and three feet in width to

accommodate items being deposited. The dimensions of clothing item collector chutes 130 may be varied to be bigger or smaller. Further, it may be possible for item collectors for specific types of items to be varied from item collectors for other types of items. Therefore, the clothing item collectors arranged around circular conveyor 120 may vary in size depending on the types of items which need to be accommodated. Dimension 276, which represents the maximum width of a removable bin, may be about 5 feet. Dimension 276 may be varied to be larger or smaller. Dimensions 278 and 283 may be about 36 feet. Dimensions 278 and 283 may range from about 15 feet to about 50 feet, depending on the embodiment.

[0046] In FIG. 2C a graphical representation of the distribution of clothing items (as performed by system 100 in combination with one or more operators) is presented using arrows. Stream clothing sorting system 100 first brings items onto circular conveyor 120 via a conveyor that follows arrow 287. Arrows 288 illustrate the path that the stream of items is rotated around the platform. Unsorted clothing items may be continuously or endlessly rotated around the conveyor until an operator moves the unsorted clothing items into a chute. An operator may push or otherwise move a clothing item from the rotating unsorted stream of clothing items into a corresponding clothing item chute along one of the paths illustrated by arrows 289, 290, 291,

292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, or 299. Path 299 (or another particular path) may be reserved for clothing items that cannot be successfully categorized into a category associated with another chute. Clothing items deposited into this“catch-all” bin may be separately sorted or discarded.

[0047] In some situations, an operator may position himself in front of a small number of chutes, allow the conveyor to rotate, and perform sorting only into those particular bins. The operator may then reposition himself in front of other chutes and perform sorting into these other bins when the unsorted clothing stream is rotated past the operator again at the operator’s new position. After sorting is complete, the operator may trigger additional unsorted clothing items to be deposited from the intake conveyor.

[0048] FIG. 2D illustrates an angled view of an embodiment of a clothing sorting system in which unsorted clothing items can rotate around the platform repeatedly or endlessly. Vertical rise section 111 is elevated such that unsorted clothing items can pass under vertical rise section 111 unimpeded. Height 281, which represents the distance between conveyor 120 and a vertical rise 111, may be between one and five feet. Unsorted clothing items may rotate along path 282 repeatedly or endlessly until an operator removes the clothing items and sorts into the clothing item chutes.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the clothing sorting system 100. As represented in FIG. 3 by dimension 301, the total height of clothing sorting system 100 may be seventeen feet or less (e.g., as short as 6 feet). Some common embodiments may be between 12 and 25 feet. Dimension 302 may be 9 feet, which represents a distance that circular platform 115 may be elevated above the ground to permit bins and/or balers to be placed at least partially beneath clothing item collector chutes 130. In other embodiments, circular platform 115 may be between 4 and 15 feet off the ground or floor. Similarly bins and/or balers that are at least slightly below circular platform 115 in height may be used, such as seven or eight feet in height. Such a height may be adjusted in accordance with the height of circular platform 115. In some embodiments, sorted clothing item collector bins 140 may be located beneath a false floor or on a lower level, thus enabling platform 115 to be located at ground level and, possibly, not requiring an entry structure in order for an operator to arrive and exit the platform.

[0050] Various methods may be performed using the various embodiments of clothing sorting systems discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method 600 for using a clothing sorting system. At block 410, a stream of unsorted clothing items is deposited onto a circular conveyor. At block 420, the stream of unsorted clothing items is rotated around a platform in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotation of the stream of unsorted clothing items passes the stream in front of an opening for multiple item collector chutes. Until a clothing item is removed by an operator and deposited into a clothing item collector chute, the clothing item may remain in the unsorted clothing stream and may continue to rotate around the circular conveyor. An operator can, while a clothing item is generally proximate to a clothing item collector chute assigned to the type of clothing item, push, throw, toss, or otherwise move the item into the associated clothing item collector chute. This process may continue indefinitely to allow a continuous stream of clothing items to be sorted.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of method 500 for using a the clothing sorting system, such as clothing sorting system 100 of FIGS. 1-3. At block 510, the stream of clothing items may be deposited onto the circular conveyor. The stream may be deposited onto the circular conveyor at a rate such that items are spread out onto the circular conveyor to a greater degree than on the intake conveyor. This may be accomplished by having the circular conveyor rotating faster than the intake conveyor. In some situations, the opposite situation may be present: the stream may be deposited onto the circular conveyor at a rate such that items are moved closer together on the circular conveyor than on the intake conveyor. This may be accomplished by having the circular conveyor rotating slower than the intake conveyor. In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the circular conveyor will match the speed of the intake conveyor. [0052] At block 520, the stream of unsorted clothing items is rotated around a (circular) platform such that the stream is moved proximate to an opening of each clothing item collector chute of the clothing sorting system. Clothing items may be permitted to rotate indefinitely around the platform until an operator performs block 530 on the clothing item. At block 530, as an item moves proximate to a clothing item collector chute that is associated with the category of the clothing item (e.g., sex of clothing, new or used, type of clothing, material, etc.), an operator may cause the clothing item to leave the circular conveyor and enter the associated clothing item collector chute. This may occur by the operator pushing, lifting and depositing, lifting and throwing, or otherwise moving the clothing item into the associated clothing item collector chute. As such, a clothing item in the stream can be expected to only remain on the circular conveyor until it is in the general vicinity of its associated item collector chute.

[0053] At block 740, the clothing item may be transmitted from the clothing item collector chute to an associated sorted clothing item collector bin. Such clothing bins may receive clothing deposited into clothing item collector chutes as assisted by gravity or a conveying device.

[0054] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Various

configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other

configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0055] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0056] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figure.

[0057] Having described several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A clothing sorting system for sorting an unsorted stream of clothing items, comprising:

a frame structure;

a platform attached with the frame structure;

a circular conveyor that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to endlessly rotate the unsorted stream of clothing around the platform until each clothing item is manually moved from the circular conveyor, the circular conveyor being attached with the frame structure; and

a plurality of clothing collector chutes arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the circular conveyor, wherein:

each of the plurality of clothing collector chutes are attached with the frame structure, and

the unsorted stream of clothing is deposited on the circular conveyor and is rotated around the platform and proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes to allow clothing items from the unsorted stream of clothing items to be moved from the circular conveyor into the plurality of clothing item collector chutes.

2. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of removable bins, wherein a removable bin of the plurality of removable bins is positioned below each clothing item collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes.

3. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, wherein the platform is attached with the frame structure such that the platform is raised from ground on which the frame structure stands.

4. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, further comprising: a stream depositing conveyor that deposits the unsorted stream of clothing onto a starting position of the circular conveyor, wherein the circular conveyor rotates the unsorted stream of clothing items from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of item collector chutes repeatedly until the clothing is manually moved from the circular conveyor.

5. The clothing sorting system of claim 4, further comprising: a control mechanism to control when the stream depositing conveyor deposits the unsorted stream of clothing onto the circular conveyor.

6. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, wherein the platform is generally open allowing an operator to walk directly from facing a first clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes to a second clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes.

7. The clothing sorting system of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the stream depositing conveyor is inclined.

8. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, wherein the platform is circular and the platform has a radius of between 5 feet and 25 feet.

9. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of item collector chutes comprises at least seven clothing item collector chutes.

10. The clothing sorting system of claim 1, further comprising an entrance system, wherein the entrance system is attached with the frame structure and allows a user access to the platform under the circular conveyor from the ground on which the frame structure stands.

11. A method for sorting a stream of unsorted clothing items, the method comprising:

depositing on a circular conveyor the stream of unsorted clothing items; and endlessly rotating the stream of unsorted clothing items on the circular conveyor in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around a platform such that the stream is moved proximate to each clothing collector chute of a plurality of clothing item collector chutes to allow clothing items from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be manually moved from the circular conveyor into the plurality of clothing item collector chutes, wherein the plurality of clothing item collector chutes is arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the circular conveyor.

12. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 11, further comprising:

causing a clothing item from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be deposited into a clothing item collector chute when the clothing item is proximate to the clothing item collector chute on the circular conveyor.

13. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 12, further comprising:

transferring, using gravity, the clothing item from the clothing item collector chute into an associated removable sorted clothing item collector bin.

14. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 12, wherein each clothing item collector chute of the plurality of clothing item collector chutes is associated with a particular type of clothing item.

15. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 11, wherein depositing of the stream of unsorted clothing items onto the circular conveyor is performed by an inclined stream depositing conveyor onto a starting position.

16. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 15, wherein moving the stream of unsorted clothing items on the circular conveyor comprises rotating the stream around the platform from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of item collector chutes until removed by an operator.

17. The method for sorting the stream of unsorted clothing items of claim 11, further comprising:

allowing an operator to walk directly from facing a first clothing item collector chute of the plurality of clothing item collector chutes to a second clothing collector chute of the plurality of clothing collector chutes.

18. A sorting apparatus, comprising:

a frame means;

a platform means for one or more operators, the platform means being attached with the frame means;

a conveyor means that rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to move a stream of unsorted clothing items endlessly around the platform means until the unsorted clothing items are manually removed by the one or more operators, the conveyor means being attached with the frame means; and

a plurality of clothing item collection means arranged in a circular pattern around an outer circumference of the conveyor means, wherein:

the plurality of clothing item collection means are each attached with the frame means, and

the stream of unsorted clothing items deposited on the conveyor means is rotated endlessly around the platform means and proximate to each clothing item collection means of the plurality of clothing item collection means to allow clothing items from the stream of unsorted clothing items to be moved from the conveyor means into the plurality of clothing item collection means by the one or more operators.

19. The sorting apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a depositing means that deposits the stream onto a starting position of the conveyor means, wherein the conveyor means repeatedly rotates the stream from the starting position to being proximate to each item collector chute of the plurality of clothing item collection means.