Gap reduction system and method for laundry processing
AssigneeFinishTech, Ltd.
InventorMartin T. Borucki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Gaps between articles of laundry being passed between two automated laundry processing stations are reduced. By sensing a gap and accelerating an upstream conveyor, gaps between articles of laundry passed between stations are reduced. A reduction in gaps provides for more efficient and quicker processing of articles of laundry.
Claims28
A method for reducing gaps between articles of laundry passing between two laundry processing stations, the method comprising:
- (a) sensing a gap between a first article of laundry and a second article of laundry;
- and
- (b) accelerating a first conveyor supporting the second article of laundry in response to (a);
- wherein the gap between the first and second articles of laundry decreases in response to the acceleration.
A gap reduction system for passing laundry between two stations, the system comprising:
- a first conveyor at an output of a first automated laundry processing station;
- a motor connected with the first conveyor;
- a sensor positioned adjacent to the first conveyor to detect a gap between two articles of laundry, the sensor positioned to sense tops or bottoms of the articles of laundry;
- and
- a controller responsive to the sensor, the controller operative to cause the first motor to accelerate the first conveyor in response to the detection of the gap.
A gap reduction system for passing laundry between two stations, the system comprising:
- a first conveyor at an output of a first automated laundry processing station;
- a motor connected with the first conveyor;
- a sensor positioned adjacent to the first conveyor to detect a gap between two articles of laundry;
- and
- a controller responsive to the sensor, the controller operative to cause the first motor to accelerate the first conveyor in response to the detection of the gap;
- wherein the sensor is positioned above the first conveyor over a last half of the first conveyor.
A gap reduction system for passing laundry between two stations, the system comprising:
- a first conveyor at an output of a first automated laundry processing station;
- a motor connected with the first conveyor;
- a sensor positioned adjacent to the first conveyor to detect a gap between two articles of laundry;
- and
- a controller responsive to the sensor, the controller operative to cause the first motor to accelerate the first conveyor in response to the detection of the gap;
- further comprising:
- an air tube positioned adjacent an exit end of the first conveyor.
A gap reduction system for passing laundry between two stations, the system comprising:
- a first conveyor at an output of a first automated laundry processing station;
- a motor connected with the first conveyor;
- a sensor positioned adjacent to the first conveyor to detect a gap between two articles of laundry;
- and
- a controller responsive to the sensor, the controller operative to cause the first motor to accelerate the first conveyor in response to the detection of the gap;
- wherein the sensor connects with the first automated laundry processing station and the controller is also operable to control at least one additional function of the first automated laundry processing station.
A gap reduction system for passing laundry between two stations, the system comprising:
- a first conveyor at an output of a first automated laundry processing station;
- a motor connected with the first conveyor;
- a sensor positioned adjacent to the first conveyor to detect a gap between two articles of laundry;
- and
- a controller responsive to the sensor, the controller operative to cause the first motor to accelerate the first conveyor in response to the detection of the gap;
- further comprising:
- a second automated laundry processing station having an input, the input positioned adjacent to the first conveyor such that the first conveyor is operable to transfer articles of laundry to the input without operator contact.
A method for reducing gaps between articles of laundry passing between two laundry processing stations, the method comprising:
- (a) sensing a trailing edge of a first article of laundry on a first conveyor;
- and
- (b) accelerating the first conveyor in response to (a);
- (c) sensing the leading edge of a second article of laundry on the first conveyor;
- and
- (d) decelerating the first conveyor in response to (c).
A method for reducing gaps between articles of laundry passing between two laundry processing stations, the method comprising:
- (a) sensing a leading edge of a first article of laundry on a first conveyor;
- (b) decelerating the first conveyor in response to (a);
- (c) sensing a trailing edge of the first article of laundry;
- and
- (d) accelerating the first conveyor in response to (c).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.