Laundry extractor system using wringer rolls

Abstract

An extractor system for commercial laundries includes a wringer roll extractor coupled via a feed conveyor to a shake-out tumbler into which batches of laundry are placed. The laundry is wet and compacted, having been transported from the washers. The wringer roll extractor compresses the laundry pieces with a force of 37,000 pounds between wringer rolls approximately 36 inches in diameter rotating at approximately 3.5 rpm. Under the pressure and time duration developed by this extractor, the laundry pieces give up water to a retention level of approximately 60%. A photocell is mounted on the feed conveyor to monitor the rate at which laundry pieces are fed to the extractor, operating through a speed control mechanism to limit the speed of the shake-out tumbler. A second photocell, also mounted on the feed conveyor, serves to monitor the flow of laundry items to detect the presence of larger clumps which have not been broken up by the shake-out tumbler. A signal from this photocell serves to turn off the motor driving the feed conveyor and to sound an alarm to alert the operator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.