Device for moving clothes hangers

Abstract

A device (1) for moving clothes hangers (100) comprises a storage (2) configured to contain a plurality of clothes hangers (100); transfer means (4) configured to pick up a single clothes hanger (100) from the storage (2) and position it in a pick-up station (P), the transfer means (4) comprise magnetic locking means (5) adapted to hold a clothes hanger (100) and to release it in the pick-up station (P), and separation means (12) engageable after at least one clothes hanger (100) has been grasped by the locking means (5), the separation means (12) are configured to retain a single clothes hanger (100) fixed to the locking means (5) and separate any further clothes hangers (100) accidentally picked up by the locking means (5).

Description

[0001] "Device for moving clothes hangers"

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for moving clothes hangers. Such a device can advantageously be used whenever it is necessary to move the clothes hangers, for example in the context of automated wardrobe management or in automatic or semi-automatic ironing machines.

[0004] In particular, in the field of ironing machines, it is known in the state of the art to position a clothes hanger made of iron wire on a dummy. A shirt to be ironed is manually positioned on the dummy at the clothes hanger and, after ironing, the clothes hanger is automatically removed taking the newly ironed shirt with it. For the extraction of the clothes hangers from the dummies, different methodologies can be used, for example the clothes hangers can be grasped and moved by a special clamp.

[0005] Positioning of the clothes hanger on the dummy can also be performed using a similar clamp. However, the clamp is not suitable for picking up from a storage containing a plurality of clothes hangers, as the clothes hangers used are very thin and, since the clothes hangers could be very close to each other inside the storage, the clamp would not be able to separate them from each other and would pick up two or three at a time. Consequently, in the state of the art, the positioning of the clothes hangers is carried out at least in part manually, in particular by positioning a single clothes hanger on the clamp or directly on the dummy itself.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a device for moving clothes hangers that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

[0008] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for moving clothes hangers able to extract a single clothes hanger from a storage containing a plurality of clothes hangers.

[0009] The technical task mentioned and the objects stated are substantially achieved by a device for moving clothes hangers comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0010] In particular, a device for moving clothes hangers according to the present invention comprises a storage configured to contain a plurality of clothes hangers.

[0011] The transfer means are configured to pick up a single clothes hanger from the storage and position it in a pick-up station. The transfer means comprise magnetic locking means adapted to hold a clothes hanger and to release it in the pick-up station. The transfer means further comprise separation means engageable after at least one clothes hanger has been grasped by the locking means. The separation means are configured to retain a single clothes hanger fixed to the locking means and separate further additional clothes hangers accidentally picked up by the locking means.

[0012] LIST OF FIGURES

[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore nonlimiting preferred embodiment of a device for moving clothes hangers as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: figure l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device for moving clothes hangers in accordance with the present invention in a first operating configuration; figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1 in a second operating configuration; figure 3 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1 and 2 in a third operating configuration; and figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for moving clothes hangers in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] With reference to the attached figures, the number 1 indicates a device for moving clothes hangers 100 in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] As a preliminary point, it should be noted that the clothes hangers 100 that can be used with the device 1 are known per se to the person skilled in the art, and are in particular ferromagnetic. Even more particularly, such clothes hangers 100 are preferably made of iron wire.

[0017] In more detail, the device 1 comprises a storage 2, which is configured to contain a plurality of clothes hangers 100. As shown for example in figure 1, the storage 2 is embodied in a bar 3, preferably arranged horizontally. In use, the clothes hangers 100 can be manually positioned on the bar 3 so that they can be manually moved. Very advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, once the clothes hangers 100 have been correctly loaded into the storage 2, it is no longer necessary to move them manually.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the device 1 comprises transfer means 4, which are configured to pick up a single clothes hanger 100 from the storage 2 and then to position it in a pick-up station P. Once positioned in the pick-up station P, the clothes hanger 100 can be picked up by a clamp of the type already employed in known ironing machines. Note that the pick-up station P is located just outside the storage 2, i.e. beyond a free end 3a of the bar 3.

[0019] In more detail, the transfer means 4 comprise a guide 6 associated with the storage 2. This guide 6 is arranged below the bar 3, and at least in part directly below the bar 3 itself. The bar 3 and the guide 6 are substantially parallel to each other. Note that the guide 6 defines a direction of movement A of the transfer means 4.

[0020] The transfer means 4 further comprise a support 7, which is slidable along the guide 6. In use, the support 7 is arranged to move the clothes hangers 100 picked up from the storage 2.

[0021] In further detail, the support 7 is arranged to switch between a first position in which it positions a clothes hanger 100 in the pick-up station P and a plurality of second positions, in which it picks up a clothes hanger 100 from the storage 2. In particular, the passage between the first and the second position takes place by sliding the support 7 along the guide 6.

[0022] It is worth noting that the transfer means 4 comprise movement means 8 associated with the support 7 to slide it along the guide 6. These movement means 8 comprise a linear actuator, for example a piston 9, arranged parallel to the guide 6 and fixed to the support 7 itself.

[0023] In accordance with the present invention, the transfer means 4 comprise magnetic locking means 5 for holding a clothes hanger 100. These locking means 5 also make it possible to release the clothes hanger 100 in the pick-up station P. The locking means 5 are in particular fixed to the support 7 described above.

[0024] In more detail, the locking means 5 comprise at least one magnet 10 fixed to the support 7, and in particular facing the storage 2. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the locking means 5 comprise two magnets 10, in particular aligned along a vertical direction. Advantageously, the use of a pair of magnets 10 stabilises the clothes hanger 100 during transfer by the device 1. The embodiment shown in figures 1-3, on the other hand, comprises a single magnet 10. In this case, the clothes hanger 100 can be stabilized by providing a counter element 14 positioned on the support 7 and facing the storage 2.

[0025] Preferably, the magnets 10 are electromagnetic, i.e. they are electrically activatable and / or deactivatable.

[0026] The transfer means 4 further comprise at least one proximity sensor 11 associated with the locking means 5. This proximity sensor 11 has the function of detecting the presence of a clothes hanger 100 grasped by the locking means 5. A control unit (not illustrated) is placed in signal communication with the proximity sensor 11, and is configured to stop the movement means 8 when the proximity sensor 11 detects a clothes hanger 100 in the vicinity of the locking means 5.

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the transfer means 4 also comprise separation means 12. Such separation means 12 can be engageable after at least one clothes hanger 100 has been grasped by the locking means 5. Furthermore, the separation means 12 are adapted to retain a single clothes hanger 100 fixed to the locking means 5 and separate any further clothes hangers 100 picked up by the locking means 5.

[0028] In more detail, the separation means 12 comprise a blade 13. The blade 13 is in particular connected to the support 7, and is movable along a transverse operating direction B and in particular perpendicular with respect to the direction of movement A of the transfer means 4. In accordance with the present invention, the movement of the blade 13 along the operating direction B can be obtained in any way, for example by translating the blade 13 along the operating direction B as shown in the attached figures, by rotating the blade 13 around a pin (not shown), or with a generic roto- translational movement.

[0029] With further detail, the blade 13 is switchable between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. In the inactive configuration, the blade 13 is lowered, thus allowing the clothes hangers 100 present in the storage 2 to be brought closer to the locking means 5. In the active configuration, the blade 13 is lifted, arranging itself in front of the locking means 5 and then isolating a single clothes hanger 100. It should now be noted that, in the active configuration, the distance between the blade 13 and the locking means 5 corresponds substantially to the thickness of a single clothes hanger 100.

[0030] The operation of the device 1 is as follows. A plurality of clothes hangers 100 are manually loaded into the storage 2, in particular the clothes hangers 100 are hung on the bar 3. To pick up a single clothes hanger 100, the movement means 8 pushes the support 7 from the first to the second position.

[0031] When a clothes hanger 100 is in the vicinity of the locking means 5, it is attracted by the magnets 10. The proximity sensor 11 detects the locking, then blocks the advancement of the movement means 8 by stopping the support 7 in the second position.

[0032] The movement means 8 are activated again, thus recalling the support 7 to the first position. The separation means 12 are then actuated, passing the blade 13 into the active configuration. If several clothes hangers 100 have been picked up, the blade 13 retains one of them and separates all the others from the locking means 5. A single clothes hanger 100 then remains positioned in the pick-up station P. The blade 13 can then return to the inactive position.

[0033] A pick-up clamp (not illustrated), part of an ironing machine, can pick up the clothes hanger 100 by detaching it from the locking means 5. Advantageously, the magnets 10 can be deactivated once the clamp has grasped the clothes hanger 100 in such a way as to facilitate its removal.

[0034] A collection device (not illustrated), for example a sheet positioned under the guide 6, can collect the excess clothes hangers 100 that would otherwise fall to the ground due to the action of the separation means 12.

[0035] Once the clothes hanger 100 has been removed, the cycle may be repeated to remove another clothes hanger 100.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (1) for moving clothes hangers (100), characterized in that it comprises:- a storage (2) configured to contain a plurality of clothes hangers (100);- transfer means (4) configured to pick up a single clothes hanger (100) from the storage (2) and position it in a pick-up station (P), the transfer means (4) comprising magnetic locking means (5) adapted to hold a clothes hanger (100) and to release it in the pick-up station (P), and separation means (12) engageable after at least one clothes hanger (100) has been grasped by the locking means (5), the separation means (12) being configured to retain a single clothes hanger (100) fixed to the locking means (5) and separate any further clothes hangers (100) accidentally picked up by the locking means (5).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transfer means (4) comprise a guide (6) associated with the storage (2); a support (7) sliding along the guide (6), the locking means (5) being fixed to the support (7).

3. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (7) is switchable between a first position in which it positions a clothes hanger (100) in the pick-up station (P) and a plurality of second positions, in which it picks up a clothes hanger (100) from the storage (2).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer means (4) comprise movement means (8) associated with the support (7) for sliding it along the guide (6).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer means (4) comprise at least one proximity sensor (11) associated with the lockingmeans (5) for detecting the presence of a clothes hanger (100); a control unit placed in signal communication with the proximity sensor (11) and configured to stop the movement means (8) when the proximity sensor (11) detects a clothes hanger (100) in proximity of the locking means (5).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation means (12) comprise a blade (13) movable along an operating direction (B) transverse to a direction of movement (A) of the transfer means (4).

7. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the blade (13) is switchable between an inactive configuration in which it allows the clothes hangers (100) present in the storage (2) to approach the locking means (5) and an active configuration in which it is positioned in front of the locking means (5).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein when the blade (13) is in the active configuration the distance between the blade (13) and the locking means (5) substantially corresponds to the thickness of a single clothes hanger (100).

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage (2) comprises a bar (3) substantially parallel to the guide (6).

10. Ironing machine comprising a device (1) for moving clothes hangers (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one dummy configured to support a garment to be ironed and at least one pick-up clamp configured to pick up a clothes hanger (100) from the pick-up station (P) and position it on the dummy.

Images