Laundry sorting system

Abstract

To allow sorting work to be efficiently performed by fewer sorting operators on a system for sorting objects to be washed, which are brought to a washing plant, by washing condition, and also to reduce physical load on the operators.SOLUTION: Lateral input ports are disposed on both sides of a sorting operator facing a primary conveyor for transporting objects to be washed before being sorted to a work space of the sorting operator. One or a plurality of, preferably adjacent two or three, opposite input ports are disposed on an opposite side across the primary conveyor. A secondary transporting machine is disposed so as to be capable of transporting each batch of the sorted objects to be washed dropped from the lateral input ports and the opposite input ports to a prescribed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system for sorting laundry items brought into a laundry factory according to washing conditions.

Background Art

[0002] Laundry items collected from hotels, banquet halls, restaurants, saunas, etc., which are customers of the laundry factory, such as linens like sheets, yukatas, bath towels, tablecloths, etc., and various laundry items such as hospital gowns, surgical gowns, uniforms, and patients' personal belongings collected from hospitals, etc., are washed, dried, and folded in the laundry factory and then sent back to their respective customers.

[0003] In a laundry factory, usually, different types of laundry items, such as sheets, pillowcases, towels, etc., are mixed and packed in the same bag and brought in. Since the washing conditions and drying conditions of the brought-in laundry items vary depending on the variety and type of fiber, etc., it is necessary to sort each of them. Also, it is necessary to sort them into amounts that match the capabilities of the machines used in the washing process and drying process.

[0004] Various machines are installed in the laundry factory, and a plurality of washing conditions corresponding to the types of laundry items are registered in each machine. The sorted laundry items are washed by selecting the machines to be used according to their respective types and the washing conditions registered in each machine.

[0005] The sorting work of laundry items is difficult to mechanize and is therefore carried out manually. However, laundry items that are not sorted correctly will not be washed in the correct process and conditions, resulting in remaining stains or damaging the laundry items. Therefore, the sorters are required to have correct knowledge and proficiency regarding the washing process, fibers, and the nature of the stains.

[0006] In the linen supply industry, the hotel and inn industry occupies a large share in terms of the customer ratio. The linen used in the hotel and inn industry is roughly classified into a total of seven categories: four types including sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, and gowns, and three types including face towels, bath towels, and bath mats. In the current collection format, in many cases, the above-mentioned four types such as sheets are mixed together into one bundle, and the following three types of towels are mixed together into one bundle.

[0007] That is to say, if the sorter can sort the four types of items mixed in one container, the general sorting work can be roughly carried out.

[0008] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a conventionally general sorting work system as viewed from above. Worker C places one by one the bundles of items to be laundered brought to the tip of the primary conveyor 1 onto the primary conveyor 1. On one side of the sorting space at the conveyance destination of the primary conveyor 1, there is an inlet 3 for receiving the sorted items to be laundered, and on the opposite side across the primary conveyor 1, three workers A, B, and D are waiting.

[0009] Sorters A, B, and D sort the incoming items to be laundered w1 according to the types each person is in charge of and put them into the respective inlets 3, 3, 3 facing each person. Under each inlet, there is a weighing bag provided respectively. When any one of the weighing bags is full (a predetermined amount), the lower end opening of the weighing bag opens, and a bundle (1 batch) of the items to be laundered that has been weighed is dropped onto the secondary conveyor such as a conveyor, a transport bag, a wagon, or a trolley waiting below. During this period, the primary conveyor 1 stops.

[0010] The secondary conveyor conveys one batch of the items to be laundered sorted by variety to the machine in the next process such as a continuous washing machine. The timing when the lower end opening of each inlet opens is recognized by the controller, and the controller recognizes which inlet (that is, which variety) of the items to be laundered is on the secondary conveyor in which order, and by instructing the variety to the machine in the next process such as a continuous washing machine when putting them in, washing is carried out under washing conditions corresponding to the sorted items to be laundered.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] In the case of the conventional method as shown in FIG. 6, since there are two types of laundry items w1 that one sorting worker can sort, two sorting workers are required to sort four types of laundry items, and four sorting workers are required to sort seven types of laundry items.

[0012] Also, in the conventional sorting method, an operation is required for the worker to throw the laundry items into the inlet across the conveyor.

[0013] Although there is a need to sort a large number of items every day, since the physical burden on the worker is large, it is a very difficult task to perform sorting for a long time.

[0014] In view of the fact that accurate knowledge and experience are required for the sorting workers, this invention aims to enable efficient sorting work with fewer sorting workers and further reduce the physical burden on the workers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] In this invention, side inlets 2 are arranged on both sides of sorting workers A and B facing the primary conveyor 1 that conveys the laundry items w1 before sorting to the working spaces 22 and 23 of the sorting workers A and B. One or more, preferably two or three adjacent opposing inlets 3 are arranged on the opposite side sandwiching the primary conveyor 1. Secondary conveyors 5 and 8 are provided that can transfer the sorted laundry items w2 for each batch falling from the side inlets 2 and the opposing inlets 3 to a predetermined position 21, thereby solving the above problems.

[0016] When one facing inlet 3 is arranged on the opposite sides of the working spaces 22 and 23 across the primary conveyor 1, one sorter operator A can sort the laundry items conveyed by the primary conveyor 1 into three types. When two facing inlets 3 and 3 are arranged, one sorter operator A can sort the laundry items into four types. With this combination, two operators A and B can sort them into seven types.

[0017] Furthermore, if a terminal inlet 4 is provided at the terminal of the primary conveyor 1, the laundry items that have not been sorted will be automatically fed into the terminal inlet 4, so that the number of types of laundry items to be sorted can be increased by one type.

[0018] Also, if the working spaces 22 and 23 are arranged on both sides of the primary conveyor 1, and one side inlet 2a of each of the working spaces 22 and 23 is arranged to be one of the facing inlets of the other working spaces 23 and 22, the two operators can feed the sorted laundry items into the one inlet 2a. For example, when there are differences in the number of each type of laundry item conveyed by the primary conveyor 1, if the laundry items with a large quantity are fed into the one inlet 2a arranged in this way, two sorter operators can sort eight types of laundry items, and the working burden of each individual operator can be reduced and the efficiency of the sorting work can be improved.

[0019] Also, if the primary conveyor 1 is formed by a plurality of individually driven conveyors, and a picker 15 is provided at the transfer position of the conveyors to perform an operation of pinching one end of the lump w0 of the laundry items conveyed by the previous conveyor 1a and pulling it up and placing it on or dropping it onto the next conveyor 1b, the receiving operator C can place the received laundry items on the previous conveyor 1a in a batch without separating them one by one, and it is also easy to automate the operation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] In the sorting system of this invention, the sorting worker can sort the laundry to be washed into a total of 3 to 5 inlets, namely 2 side inlets 2 and 1 to 3 opposing inlets 3, without moving from a fixed position. That is, one worker can perform sorting operations 1.5 to 2.5 times that of the conventional method.

[0021] Also, in the system of this invention, inlets 2 are provided not only on the opposite side of the primary conveyor 1 but also on both sides of the sorting worker. When loading the laundry to be washed into these inlets 2 on both sides, the sorting worker only needs to pull and drop the laundry w1 on the primary conveyor 1 into the inlet 2, which can reduce the working burden of the sorting worker compared to the operation of throwing the laundry w1 into the inlet 3 through the conveyor. For example, by allocating laundry items with a large number of sorts or large-sized laundry items such as sheets to the inlets 2 on both sides, the physical burden of the sorting work can be significantly reduced.

[0022] Also, when two people perform sorting of 4 to 6 types, the waiting time of the worker in charge of sorting items with a small number increases. However, according to this invention, which can sort many types with fewer workers, the waiting time of the workers is reduced, and the work efficiency can also be improved in this regard.

[0023] When using the sorting system of this invention, one worker can perform the sorting work of the 3 to 4 types of laundry to be washed mixed with a high frequency as described above. Also, even during the busy period when the incoming volume increases, two sorting workers can perform the sorting, and the work efficiency can be significantly improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The sorting system of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a primary conveyor 1 that conveys the laundry items w1 before sorting one by one, six inlets 2, 3, 4 that receive the sorted laundry items, a secondary conveyor 5 that conveys the sorted laundry items w2, and a workbench 10. The primary conveyor 1 is formed by an incoming conveyor 1a that operates synchronously, an inclined conveyor 1b that lifts the laundry item w1 onto the workbench 10, and a sorting conveyor 1c.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, weighing bags 6 are arranged under each of the inlets 2, 3, 4. The weighing bag 6 is provided with a bottom opening 7 that is opened and closed according to the commands of a weighing device and a controller. The weighing device sends a signal to the controller when an amount of laundry items corresponding to the processing capacity of the machines installed in the laundry factory has accumulated. The controller receives the signal, restarts the conveyors 1 and 5, and opens the bottom opening 7 of the weighing bag that sent the signal, causing the laundry items inside to fall onto the secondary conveyor 5.

[0027] Although not shown in the figure, lamps or the like indicating the states of the weighing bags 6 of the inlets 2, 3 are provided at the hand of the sorting operator A, and the sorting operator A can check the approximate states of the weighing bags of the inlets 2, 3.

[0028] One batch (one processing unit) of the laundry items w2 that has fallen onto the secondary conveyor 5 is transported to the processing machines at the beginning of each washing line. In FIG. 1, an example is shown where all batches are processed by a continuous washing machine 20 on the secondary conveyor 5, but when transporting by a transport bag 8 (FIG. 4) or a trolley (not shown) for each batch, it is also easily possible to send each batch to a different machine.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 1, a total of five inlets 2 and 3 are arranged on both sides of the sorting operator A standing facing the sorting conveyor 1c and at positions facing each other across the sorting conveyor 1c, and one terminal inlet 4 is arranged at the terminal of the sorting conveyor 1c. That is, one sorting operator A can sort the laundry w1 on the primary conveyor 1 into six types. When it is only necessary to sort into three or four types, the opposing inlets 3 may be arranged at two locations on both sides of the sorting operator and across the sorting conveyor 1c.

[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing a second embodiment. The differences from the first embodiment are that a picker 15 is provided between the receiving conveyor 1a and the inclined conveyor 1b, and the picker 15 picks up the laundry pieces w0 on the receiving conveyor 1a one by one with the picker 15 and drops them onto the inclined conveyor 1b, and the sorted laundry is transported to the continuous washing machine 20 by the transport bag 8.

[0031] In the second embodiment, the receiving operator C only needs to place the received laundry on the receiving conveyor 1a all at once. The mass w0 of the placed laundry is gripped and lifted one by one by the pinch 17 that moves diagonally up and down along the inclined guide 16, and the pinch 17 is opened to drop onto the inclined conveyor 1b. Therefore, the receiving operator C does not need to sort the laundry one by one, and only needs to place the received laundry on the receiving conveyor 1a all at once.

[0032] The sorting operation performed by the sorting operator A is the same as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a transport bag 8 is located below the weighing bags 6 under each of the inlets 2, 3, and 4. When the weighing bag 6 is full, the bottom opening 7 opens and the laundry in the weighing bag 6 is put into the transport bag 8. The transport bag into which the laundry is put passes under the sorting conveyor 1c through the transport lines a, b or c, d shown in FIG. 4, rises in the elevator e, and passes through the transport line f to open the bottom opening 7 above the input hopper 21 of the continuous washing machine 20, and is thus input into the continuous washing machine 20.

[0033] The emptied transport bag 8 moves to the standby position g and waits. When the transport bag 8 filled with the items to be washed is discharged from below the respective inlets 2, 3, and 4, the leading transport bag 8 waiting moves through the transport lines h, i or j, k and moves under the emptied weighing bag.

[0034] In the above embodiments, there is one sorting operator. However, when there is some leeway for the sorting operator, as shown in FIG. 5, if the side inlet 2 and the opposing inlet 3 are arranged so that sorting is performed by two sorting operators, more types of sorting can be performed with leeway. Also, in the example of FIG. 5, although the inlets are arranged for sorting the items to be washed into seven types, if three opposing inlets 3 are arranged at opposing positions sandwiching the sorting conveyors 1c of each of the sorting operators A and B, two operators can sort eight to nine types of items to be washed.

Explanation of Signs

[0035] 1 Primary conveyor 2 Side inlet 3 Opposing inlet 4 Terminal inlet 5 Secondary conveyor 10 Workbench 20 Continuous washing machine 21 Feed hopper 22, 23 Work spaces A, B Sorting operators w1 Items to be washed before sorting w2 One batch of sorted items to be washed

Claims

1. In a sorting system for articles to be laundered, in which articles to be laundered being conveyed by a primary conveyor for conveying a plurality of types of articles to be laundered are sorted by a sorter located in a working space provided beside the conveyor into batches of articles to be laundered of different types and predetermined quantities according to the laundering process or method, the sorting system for articles to be laundered includes: a plurality of inlets for receiving articles to be laundered by type, each one side inlet located on both sides of the working space of the sorter, one or a plurality of opposed inlets facing the working space with the primary conveyor therebetween; a measuring device for measuring the quantity of articles to be laundered introduced into each inlet; and a bottom opening for discharging the articles to be laundered being introduced into the inlet that is receiving the articles to be laundered being measured by the measuring device when the measuring device detects the predetermined quantity.

2. The sorting system for articles to be laundered according to Claim 1, wherein the plurality of opposed inlets are two or three inlets located adjacent to each other.

3. The sorting system for articles to be laundered according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a terminal inlet at the terminal of the primary conveyor.

4. In the sorting system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary conveyor is formed of a plurality of individually driven conveyors, the sorting system for articles to be laundered according to Claim 1 or 2 further comprises a picker for dividing the articles to be laundered one by one between the plurality of conveyors and delivering them to the next-stage conveyor.

5. The sorting system for articles to be laundered according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the bottom opening is a bottom opening of a weighing bag disposed below each inlet for receiving the articles to be laundered introduced into the inlet.

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