Devices and methods for conveying laundry items

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device (1) for conveying laundry items (80), in particular pieces of linen (80) each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions (C) of the laundry item (80). The device comprises at least two loading stations (10), each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge (TE) and then a leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80); at least two pairs of transfer clamps (30, 30'), wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive said corner regions at said leading edge (FE) from one of the loading stations (10) and transfer said corner regions (C) at said leading edge (FE) to at least two spreader clamps (20); at least two spreader clamps (20) configured to spread apart said corner regions (C) at the leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80); a middle centreline (CL) extending between a first side of the device and a second side of the device opposite to the first side and extending in a conveying direction; and at least two outer centrelines (CL1, CL2) each positioned on a respective one of two opposite sides of the middle centreline (CL) and extending parallel to the middle centreline (CL). In response to input data, the device is configured to operate in a single lane mode, wherein the device is configured to convey laundry item centred about the middle centreline (CL), or in a double lane mode, comprising a first lane and a second lane, wherein the device is configured to convey the laundry item centred about one of the outer centrelines (CL1, CL2).

Description

[0001] DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CONVEYING LAUNDRY ITEMS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosed technology generally relates to a device and a method for conveying laundry items, in particular linen.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In the fast-paced and demanding landscape of industrial laundry operations, optimising efficiency and productivity is crucial. Despite the promising advancements in the field of industrial laundry devices and operations, several challenges persist within the prior art.

[0006] Examples of prior art devices and methods as referred to above are disclosed in WO2008 / 141649 and EP2642019. WO2024 / 149877 discloses a device having at least two loading stations, each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge and then a leading edge of a laundry item, and at least two pairs of transfer clamps, wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive a laundry item corner region at the leading edge from one of the loading stations and to then transfer the corner regions at said leading edge to at least two spreader clamps.

[0007] A challenge within the state of the art is that the current technologies are generally restricted with the limiting working width of laundry apparatuses. As the demand for diverse textile services continues to rise, conventional laundry systems face challenges in accommodating varying cloth dimensions in a flexible manner. From large, singular pieces to numerous smaller items, the traditional laundry devices struggle to provide an efficient conveyance of varying cloth dimensions, resulting in operational bottlenecks and increased processing times.

[0008] Another challenge arises from the need to maintain stringent quality standards while addressing the growing volume of textiles. As industrial laundry facilities scale up to meet increased demand, ensuring consistent and high-quality conveyance and processing of laundry items become more challenging. In conclusion, despite the advancements in the state of the art devices and methods in industrial laundry operations, challenges such as customisation, automation and consistent and flexible processing of clothing items are yet to be addressed with innovative solutions. There is therefore a need in the art for further improvements in methods and systems with optimised efficiency and productivity.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] The herein disclosed technology seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art to address various problems relating to the conveying of laundry items.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the herein disclosed technology to provide devices and methods that alleviate all or at least some of the drawbacks of presently known devices and methods.

[0012] Various aspects and embodiments of the herein disclosed technology are defined below and in the accompanying independent and dependent claims.

[0013] A first aspect of the disclosed technology comprises a device for conveying laundry items, in particular pieces of linen each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions of the laundry item, the device comprising:

[0014] - at least two loading stations, each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge and then a leading edge of the laundry item;

[0015] - at least two pairs of transfer clamps, wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive said corner regions at said leading edge from one of the loading stations and transfer said corner regions at said leading edge to at least two spreader clamps;

[0016] - at least two spreader clamps configured to spread apart said corner regions at the leading edge of the laundry item;

[0017] - a middle centreline extending between a first side of the device and a second side of the device opposite to the first side and extending in a conveying direction; and - at least two outer centrelines each positioned on a respective one of two opposite sides of the middle centreline and extending parallel to the middle centreline; wherein in response to input data, the device is configured to operate in a single lane mode, wherein the device is configured to convey laundry item centred about the middle centreline, or in a double lane mode, comprising a first lane and a second lane, wherein the device is configured to convey the laundry item centred about one of the outer centrelines, wherein each of the transfer clamps comprises opposite jaws and is movable towards the loading station to capture and hold a portion of said corner region at said leading edge between said jaws, and wherein the transfer clamps are configured for repositioning said corner region captured and held between said jaws thereof, by moving said corner region between said opposite jaws.

[0018] It has been found that an improved processing of laundry items is possible through a device comprising a plurality of pairs of transfer clamps and plurality of spreader clamps configured such that the device operates in a single lane mode or in a double lane mode. The operation mode of the device is based on input data.

[0019] With the invention any misaligned laundry items conveyed in a double lane mode and / or in a single lane mode may be avoided in that the opposite jaws of each transfer clamp allow for opposite sides of the laundry items to be aligned with the parallel centre lines by moving, where necessary, one of the corner regions of a laundry item, or each of the corner regions independently of one another, between the opposite jaws before the laundry item is transferred to the spreader clamps. Such a movement is preferably carried out until a snip or hanging portion of each corner region reaches a pre-defined minimum length.

[0020] Carrying out this correction by the transfer clamps may allow for the use of motors of a simpler construction than if the correction is done by the spreader clamps which move faster, transversely to the centrelines, such that the moving of the corner regions need to be carried out in less time. An advantage of the herein disclosed technology therefore is that it may be possible to provide an improved device having an innovative design which is able to not only accommodate diverse cloth dimensions but also introduce a level of automation and adaptability that significantly enhances the overall efficiency and output of the laundry facilities.

[0021] Thus, with the herein disclosed technology, the laundry facilities are improved by enabling processing of a diverse array of textiles, enabling one or more operators and / or feeding units to efficiently feed multiple pieces of laundry items through the device simultaneously.

[0022] In some embodiments, the device comprises an input unit configured to receive input data representing an operation mode of the device. The operation mode of the device may comprise the single lane mode and the double lane mode. This implies that, the operation mode of the device may be either the single lane mode or the double lane mode. Receive input data may represent a selected or pre-determined operation mode of the device. Input data may be based on an input provided by an operator of the device. In some embodiments, input data is based on one or more device parameters and / or one or more parameters of the laundry item. Device parameters may be speed of feeding at the loading stations, pressure on the spreader clamp. Parameters of the laundry item may be type, size or weight of the laundry item.

[0023] Generally, operators feeding pieces of cloth to the devices may optimise the conveying of the laundry items and maximise productivity, as the selection of the operation mode may be based on knowing the width of each individual laundry item in advance. This information may also be obtained through one or more sensors, for example measuring the length either before or in connection with the loading and / or spreading process.

[0024] Advantageously, the herein disclosed technology may integrate advanced control mechanisms through one or more sensor units, allowing for the precise handling of each laundry item based on its individual width. Whether through the operator’s input or real-time length measurements during loading, pressure or dimension measurements during transferring and / or spreading, this device can ensure optimal control and productivity, thereby addressing the evolving needs of the industrial laundry landscape. In summary, the herein disclosed device is advantageous as the device can handle both single wide laundry items and multiple narrower items efficiently thereby maximising the throughput of laundry facilities.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for conveying laundry items, in particular pieces of linen each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions of the laundry item, is provided. The method comprises receiving and spreading the laundry item by a device according to any one of the embodiments of the herein disclosed device. The method further comprises conveying the leading edge of the laundry item by a single lane mode operation or by a double lane mode operation based on input data. In the single lane mode operation, at least one of the spreader clamps position the laundry items centred about the middle centreline. In the double lane mode operation, at least two of the spreader clamps position the laundry items centred about at least two outer centrelines, wherein each of the transfer clamps comprises opposite jaws and is movable towards the loading station to capture and hold a portion of said corner region at said leading edge between said jaws, and wherein the transfer clamps are configured for repositioning said corner region captured and held between said jaws thereof, by moving said corner region between said opposite jaws.

[0026] Each transfer clamp allow for opposite sides of the laundry items to be aligned with the parallel centre lines by moving, where necessary, the corner regions of a laundry item independently of one another between the opposite jaws before the laundry item is transferred to the spreader clamps.

[0027] With this aspect of the disclosed technology, similar advantages and preferred features are present as in the other aspects.

[0028] The disclosed aspects and preferred embodiments may be suitably combined with each other in any manner apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art, such that one or more features or embodiments disclosed in relation to one aspect may also be considered to be disclosed in relation to another aspect or embodiment of another aspect.

[0029] Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0030] These and other features and advantages of the present technology will in the following be further clarified with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above aspects, features and advantages of the disclosed technology, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1-3 show schematic illustrations of a device for conveying laundry items in accordance with some embodiments.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of transfer clamps and spreader clamps according to an embodiment of the device shown in Fig. 2.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view illustration of a section of a device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0036] Fig. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a pair of transfer clamps in accordance with some embodiments.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows a schematic illustration of laundry items conveyed in a double lane mode in accordance with some embodiments.

[0038] Fig. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a laundry item conveyed in a single lane mode in accordance with some embodiments.

[0039] Fig. 9a-9b show schematic illustrations of a spreader clamp in accordance with some embodiments.

[0040] Fig. 10a-10b show schematic illustrations of a pair of transfer clamps and spreader clamps in accordance with some embodiments.

[0041] Fig. 11 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of a device in accordance with some embodiments. Figs. 12 and 13 show a schematic illustration, similar to figs. 7 and 8, of misaligned laundry items conveyed in a double lane mode and in a single lane mode, which misalignment may be avoided by the present invention.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some example embodiments of the disclosed technology are shown. The disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the disclosed example embodiments. The disclosed example embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosed technology to the skilled person.

[0044] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may refer to more than one unit in some contexts, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" do not exclude other elements or steps. It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The term “and / or” is to be interpreted as meaning “both” as well and each as an alternative.

[0045] It will also be understood that, although the term first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or features, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0046] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0047] Figures 1 -3 are schematic illustrations of a device for conveying laundry items in accordance with some embodiments.

[0048] The laundry item 80 as used herein may refer to any kind of fabric, textile, cloth, linen or sheet. The laundry item 80 may be a sheet larger than 80 cm in length and / or larger than 80 cm in width. The laundry item 80 may also be a napkin, a towel, a handkerchief, a tea towel or any kind of cloth smaller than 80 cm in length and / or smaller than 80 cm in width.

[0049] The device comprises at least two loading stations, at least two pairs of transfer clamps, and at least two spreader clamps. In accordance with some embodiments, e.g., as shown in the Figures 1 -3, the device 1 comprises four loading stations 10. The device 1 further comprises four spreader clamps 20 positioned next to one another. The device 1 further comprises four pairs of transfer clamps 30, 30’ positioned next to one another. The two pairs of transfer clamps 30, 30’ that are transferring two laundry items 80 are shown in Fig. 3, whereas the other two pairs of transfer clamps are not in use and in resting position below the loading stations 10 and are thus not visible.

[0050] Each laundry item 80 comprises a first edge, such as a rear edge or a trailing edge and a second edge, such as a front edge or a leading edge LE. The leading edge LE has two corner regions C.

[0051] A front end 11 of the loading station 10 is configured to receive firstly a trailing edge and then a leading edge LE of the laundry item 80. Each pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ is configured to receive said corner regions C, at said leading edge LE from one of the loading stations 10, and transfer said corner regions C of said leading edge LE to the spreader clamps 20, see by way of example WO2024 / 149877.

[0052] Spreader clamps 20 work in pairs, such that each spreader clamp 20 receives one corner region C. Spreader clamps 20 are configured to spread apart said corner regions C at the leading edge LE of the laundry item 80. Specifically, spreader clamps 20 holding the opposite corner regions C move away from each other thereby spreading apart said corner regions C at the leading edge LE of the laundry item 80.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a detailed view of transfer clamps 30, 30’ and spreader clamps 20 according to an embodiment of the device 1 shown in Fig. 2. The conveying direction of the laundry item is indicated with a dashed arrow. The leading edge LE having two corner regions C is gripped by a pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ at each corner region C. The device 1 is configured such that the corner regions C are received by the spreader clamps 20 at a transfer location. The device 1 is further configured such that upon a horizontal movement of the spreader clamps 20 moving away from each other, and transverse to the conveying direction, the corner regions C depart from each other and the laundry item 80 is spread. An illustration of a spread configuration of the laundry item 80 according to some embodiments is shown in Fig. 5. The device 1 is further configured such that after spreading, the front edge FE is deposited onto a conveyor positioned downstream of the transfer clamps 30, 30’ and the spreader clamps 20.

[0054] The device 1 further comprises a middle centreline CL between a first side 2 of the device 1 and a second side 3 of the device 1 opposite to the first side 2. The device 1 further comprises two outer centrelines CL1 , CL2 positioned on either, i.e. , opposite side of the middle centreline CL. Each of said at least two outer centrelines CL1 , CL2 are between the middle centreline CL and the respective side of the device.

[0055] All centrelines CL, CL1 , CL2 are extending parallel to each other along the conveying direction of the laundry item 80. The device 1 is configured to operate in a single lane mode or in a double lane mode in response to input data. In a single lane mode, the device 1 is configured to convey the laundry item 80 centred about the middle centreline CL. In a double lane mode, the device is configured to convey a first laundry item 80 centred about a first outer centrelines CL1 , and a second laundry item CL2 centred about a second centreline CL2.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a top view of half of the device 1 according to some embodiments and shows the spread configuration of the laundry item 80 in which the laundry item 80 is spread by the spreader clamps 20. The laundry item is centred about the second (rightmost) outer centreline CL2. The laundry item 80 will then be conveyed centred about the rightmost outer centreline CL2. The device 1 may be configured to simultaneously spread another laundry item centred about the first (leftmost) outer centreline CL1 and thereby run in a double lane mode.

[0057] Moreover, in some embodiments, the device 1 is configured such that a distance between any one of the outer centrelines CL1 , CL2 and the middle centreline CL is adjustable. For example, based on input data representing the dimensions of the laundry item 80, the device 1 may be configured to adapt the distance between the centrelines.

[0058] Laundry items having a width of less than half of a device lane width may be handled in a double lane mode. For example, for a device having a lane width of 4000 mm, laundry items having a width of 2000 mm or less may be handled in a double lane mode. Generally, a margin of 5% of the half of the device lane width may be applied to determine the maximum width of the laundry item handled in the double lane mode. Thus, for a device having a lane width of 4000 mm, laundry items having a width of 1900 mm or less may be handled in a double lane mode. Moreover, at least two laundry items may be handled simultaneously in the double lane mode. Accordingly, a variable size of laundry items 80 may be handled with improved efficiency and precision with the disclosed device 1 in the double lane mode. When the width of the laundry items is at least 2000 mm or more, preferably 1900 or more, the device may be configured to run in a single lane mode.

[0059] The number of centrelines may vary such that the device 1 may comprise two or more lanes. A number of the loading stations 10, transfer clamps 30, 30’ and the spreader clamps 20 may be adapted based on the industrial needs.

[0060] In some embodiments, the device 1 comprises four or more loading stations 10. In some embodiments, the device 1 comprises at least three spreader clamps 20, preferably at least four spreader clamps 20 positioned next to one another. The inner, preferably at least two of the inner spreader clamps 20 between the outer spreader clamps 20 may be configured to feed both the first lane and the second lane when the device operates in the double lane mode.

[0061] In some embodiments, the device 1 comprises at least four pairs of transfer clamps 30, 30’ positioned next to one another. At least two pairs of inner transfer clamps 30, 30’ between the outer transfer clamps 30, 30’ are configured to feed both the first lane and the second lane when the device operates in the double lane mode.

[0062] Moving on, Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ in accordance with some embodiments. Each pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ comprises opposite jaws and is movable towards the loading station 10 to thereby capture and then hold a portion of a corner region C at the leading edge LE between the jaws. The transfer clamps 30, 30’ are configured for repositioning the corner region C captured and held between the jaws thereof, by moving said corner region C between said jaws. Specifically, each of the said transfer clamps 30, 30’ has a pair of rollers 305, 306, each roller 305, 306 defining a respective jaw. At least one of said jaw rollers 305 is ro- tatingly drivable for said repositioning and each transfer clamp 30, 30’ comprises a motor 307 for said driving of said jaw roller 305. The motor 307 may be a servomotor, mounted on the transfer clamp 30, 30’ carrier while the other, opposite roller 306 may be an idle roller. This enables the respective corner region C to be moved within and through the transfer clamp 30, 30’ holding the corner region C by activating the associated roller 305.

[0063] For opening the transfer clamps 30, 30’, i.e. for the rollers 305, 306 to move away from each other to provide a gap for receiving the corner region C, at least one of the rollers 305, 306, which may be the idle roller 306 of each transfer clamp 30, 30’, is mounted on an axle that is pivotable about a transverse axis X. When one roller 306 or both rollers 305, 306 move towards each other to close a gap G (shown in Fig. 10b) between the rollers 305, 306, the corner regions C of the laundry item is captured and held between each pair of rollers 305, 306.

[0064] Moreover, in some embodiments, each of the said transfer clamps 30, 30’ comprises a sensor unit and each of the transfer clamps 30, 30’ is configured such that a length of said corner region C between said rollers 305, 306 is adjustable. Specifically, each transfer clamp 30, 30’ comprises a photocell 31 , located immediately above the gap G between the rollers 305, 306, such that the sensor is configured for sensing the presence of the corner region C of the laundry item above the rollers 305, 306 of the transfer clamps 30, 30’. The rollers 305, 306 rotate based on the detection of the laundry item along a line of sight LS of the photocell 31 . More specifically, the rollers 305, 306 rotate in a first rotation direction and move the corner region C closer to the gap G, and thus the photocell 31 no longer detects the presence of the laundry item 80. Then, the rollers 305, 306 may be rotated in a second rotation direction, which is a reversed direction relative to the first rotation direction, such that the hanging portion of the corner region C immediately above the gap G is increased until the sensor senses the existence of the laundry item 80. The two transfer clamps 30, 30’ are configured such that the rollers 305, 306 rotate in the second rotation direction until the hanging portion of the corner region C immediately above the gap G reaches a pre-defined length. The pre-defined length may for example be at least 10 mm. Thus, the hanging portion of the corner region C immediately above the gap G can be drawn down and back up to advance the corner region C until the pre-defined length is reached. In fig. 6 the length of the snip or corner portion C to the left is slight larger than that of the corner portion to the right and so the left pair of jaws 305, 306 may be rotated for a slightly longer period of time than the other jaws so that the portions of the corner regions above the gap have the same pre-defined length, avoiding thereby the misalignment discussed elsewhere herein.

[0065] Consequently, folds in the corner regions C can be removed, and the spreader clamps 20 are less likely to grip onto folded material. Moreover, because the pre-defined length described above can be adjusted, a gripping action of spreader clamps 20 may have improved efficiency as the length required for gripping the laundry item 80 from the transfer clamps 30, 30’ may differ for various laundry items 80.

[0066] Additionally, the transfer clamps 30, 30’ offers a great advantage by centring the laundry item 80 with improved control and precision along a conveyor. Specifically, the fine-tuning of the length of the corner regions of the laundry item 80 by a sensor provides great improvements such as adjusting the length of the corner regions C and avoiding any folding of the corner regions C, and also to avoid misalignment of the laundry items deposited on the conveyor 1000. Consequently, the comers transferred to the spreader clamps 20 will have an improved quality. Thus, when the laundry item 80 is transferred further to a conveyor, the front and the rear edges of the laundry item 80 will be transverse to the conveying direction avoiding any tilted, i.e. , crooked delivery of the laundry item 80 can be avoided, as discussed below with reference to figs. 12 and 13. Advantageously, the apparatus can operate both in a single lane mode as shown in Fig. 8 and in a double lane mode as shown in Fig. 7 efficiently. For example, the laundry items 80 that are so big that they require the entire working width of the device 1 may be provided to the middle centreline CL of the device, while other pieces of cloth are sufficiently small to allow that two pieces of cloth may sit next to each other in the width of the device 1 centred to the centrelines CL1 , CL2 of the double lane mode.

[0067] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the device 1 comprises spreader clamps 20 movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Each spreader clamp 20 is configured to hold a portion of a corner region at said leading edge LE in the closed configuration. The open configuration and the closed configuration of spreader clamps 20 according to some embodiments are shown in Fig. 9a and in Fig. 9b, respectively, and further in Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b, respectively. Each spreader clamp 20 comprises a jaw comprising a first arm 21 and a second arm 22. The arms 21 , 22 are movable between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Specifically, the arms 21 , 22 are pivotably moveable about an axis Y. When the arms 21 , 22 move towards each other to close a gap between the arms 21 , 22, the corner region of the laundry item is captured and held between the bottom surfaces 23 of the first arm 21 , and the second arm 22. The bottom surfaces 23 of the arms 21 , 22 are parallel and facing to each other in the closed configuration. This implies that, for moving from the closed configuration to the open configuration, each arm 21 , 22 pivots 90 degrees towards opposite directions, thereby forming an opening angle of 180 degrees between the bottom surfaces 23. In some embodiments, an opening angle between said arms 21 , 22 in the open configuration is at least 10 degrees, preferably at least 30 degrees, preferably at least 90 degrees, more preferably at least 180 degrees. Each one of the spreader clamps 20 may be configured to receive any one of the two corner regions at the leading edge LE of the laundry item 80.

[0068] In some further embodiments, each spreader clamp 20 comprises a drive unit, such as an air cylinder or a motor, configured to drive said arms 21 , 22 between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

[0069] Moreover, in some embodiments, the device comprises a conveyer unit configured to run below the transfer clamps along the conveying direction for guiding the trailing edge of the laundry item.

[0070] Fig. 11 shows schematic illustrations of a side view of a device 1 in accordance with some embodiments. The device 1 comprises a second conveyor unit, such as a second conveyor belt 40, configured to guide the trailing edge TE of the laundry item 80, until one of the transfer clamps takes over the pair of leading edge LE comers from one of the loading stations 10. Movement of the trailing edge TE from the respective loading station 10 may thus be controlled, at least before the transfer clamps take over the leading edge LE corners from one of the loading stations 10 and starts transporting the laundry item towards the spreader clamps. The second conveyor belt 40 further guides the trailing edge TE of the laundry item 80 with respect to the leading edge LE being conveyed by the transfer clamps. It is thereby further avoided that two laundry items are tangled together when passing each other.

[0071] Additionally, the herein disclosed technology further relates to a device comprising at least two loading stations 10, each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge TE and then a leading edge FE of the laundry item 80; at least two pairs of transfer clamps 30, 30’, wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive said corner regions at said leading edge FE from one of the loading stations 10 and transfer said corner regions C at said leading edge FE to at least two spreader clamps 20; at least two spreader clamps 20 configured to spread out a laundry item 80 by spreading apart said corner regions C at the leading edge FE of the laundry item 80.

[0072] The device further comprises a conveyor unit 1000 arranged downstream of the loading stations 10 and for conveying the laundry items 80 in a conveying direction. The conveyor unit 1000 may be a conveyor belt.

[0073] In response to input data, said spreader clamps 20 are operable to i) to deposit a spread out laundry item 80 on said conveyor unit 1000 in a single lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry item 80 to be advanced by the conveyor unit 1000 in a single lane, or ii) to deposit spread out laundry items 80 on said conveyor unit 1000 in a double lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry items 80 to be advanced by the conveyor unit 1000 in respective parallel lanes. Said spread out laundry item 80 is deposited in said single lane operating mode preferably being of a larger size than said spread out laundry items 80 deposited in said double lane operating mode, (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).

[0074] In some embodiments, in said single lane operating mode, said laundry item is deposited centred about a first line CL extending in said conveying direction, and in said double lane mode said laundry items deposited centred about a second line CL1 and a third line CL2, respectively. In some embodiments, each second and third line being halfway between said first line and a respective one of two opposite sides S1 , S2 of the conveyor unit 1000. Moving on, the herein disclosed technology further relates to a method for conveying laundry items 80. The method comprises receiving and spreading the laundry item 80 by means of a device 1 as described herein. Moreover, the method comprises conveying the leading edge LE of the laundry item 80 by a single lane mode or by a double lane mode based on input data.

[0075] Based on input data, the method may comprise depositing one or more spread out laundry item on a conveyor unit in a single lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry item to be advanced by the conveyor unit in a single lane, or in a double lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry items to be advanced by the conveyor unit in respective parallel lanes. The spread out laundry item deposited in said single lane operating mode may be larger size than said spread out laundry items deposited in said double lane operating mode.

[0076] In some embodiment, the method comprises receiving input data from an operator of the device 1.

[0077] In some embodiment, the method comprises receiving input data from one or more sensors of the device 1 .

[0078] In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving input data representing one or more device parameters, such as speed of feeding at the loading station 10, pressure on the spreader clamp 20, and / or pressure on the transfer clamps 30, 30’.

[0079] In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving input data representing one or more parameters of the laundry item 80, such as type, size or weight of the laundry item.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method comprises adjusting a distance between any one of the outer centrelines CL1 , CL2 and the middle centreline CL based on received input data. The distance may be adjusted based on input data. For example, based on the width dimension of the laundry item 80, the method may comprise conveying the laundry item 80 in the single lane mode operation in which the laundry item 80 is centred about the middle centreline (CL), or in the double lane mode operation, in which the distance from the outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2) to the middle centreline (CL) is adjusted to be more than half of the width of the laundry item 80. For each batch of laundry items 80 fed in the loading station 10, the method may comprise re-adjusting said distance.

[0081] In some further embodiments, the method comprises switching between the double lane mode and the single lane mode subsequently while conveying the laundry items 80 continuously. Thus, based on input data, the device 1 may be configured to adapt the variable dimensions of a newly loaded laundry item 80 without the need to stop the ongoing conveyance of the previously loaded laundry items 80.

[0082] Moreover, the delivery of the laundry item from the transfer clamps 30, 30’ to the spreader clamps 20 can be further optimised. The delivery between the transfer clamps 30, 30’ and the spreader clamps 20 takes place at a transfer location.

[0083] Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b are schematic illustrations of a pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ and spreader clamps 20 in accordance with some embodiments. In Fig. 10a, the pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ are in a closed configuration and the spreader clamps 20 are in an open configuration. The pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ holding the corner portion of the laundry item (not shown) between the rollers 305, 306 is positioned above the spreader clamps 20. When the spreader clamps 20 are in a closed configuration, thereby holding the laundry item, then the transfer clamps 30, 30’ release the corner regions of the laundry item by shifting to an open configuration of the transfer clamps 30, 30’ as shown in Fig. 10b.

[0084] For the delivery, the spreader clamps 20 may already be at the transfer location for receiving the laundry item, thus also in an open configuration. The pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ carrying the laundry item then arrives to the transfer location. The spreader clamps 20 below the pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ receive the laundry item by moving the arms 21 , 22 towards each other, then the corner regions held by the pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ are released. Thus, in some embodiment, the method comprises moving corner regions at said leading edge FE by at least one pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ to said at least two spreader clamps 20, and when spreader clamps 20 are at a transfer location for holding the laundry item 80, moving jaws of the spreader clamps 20 to a closed configuration thereby receiving the laundry item 80 between the jaws, then releasing the corner regions held by at least one pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the method comprises moving at least one pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ towards said at least two spreader clamps 20, and when transfer clamps 30, 30’ are at a transfer location for the spreader clamps 20 to hold the laundry item 80, moving the spreader clamps 20 to the transfer location, moving jaws of spreader clamps 20 to a closed configuration thereby receiving the laundry item 80 between the jaws, then releasing the corner regions held by at least one pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’. Thus, the transfer clamps 30, 30’ may already be at the transfer location where the laundry item is transferred to the spreader clamps 20. The spreader clamps 20 move to the transfer location and the arms 21 , 22 of the spreader clamps 20 move to the closed configuration thereby receiving the laundry item 80 between the jaws. Then the corner regions held by the pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ are released.

[0085] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the method comprises moving at least one pair of transfer clamps 30, 30’ and at least two spreader clamps 20 towards a transfer location for the spreader clamps 20 to hold the laundry item 80 simultaneously. The transfer clamps 30, 30’ may wait at a predefined distance before reaching the transfer location, such as at a waiting location. Accordingly, at least one loading station 10 may comprise a first waiting location for said laundry item 80 with said comers being located, said waiting location being retracted opposite to said conveying direction and away from said set of spreader clamps 20. The transfer clamps 30, 30’ may wait at least 20 mm before reaching the transfer location. This may be for example when the spreader clamps 20 are handling another laundry item. Then the spreader clamps 20 and transfer clamps 30, 30’ move towards the transfer location gradually. The spreader clamps 20 and transfer clamps 30, 30’ may reach the transfer location simultaneously. Afterwards, the spreader clamps 20 close and the transfer clamps 30, 30’ open.

[0086] Moreover, in some embodiments, the transfer clamps 30, 30’ conveying the laundry item 80 are configured to move from the loading station 10 along at least a part of a first path transverse to conveying direction.

[0087] Advantageously, in order to prevent the spreader clamps 20 catching the laundry item held by the transfer clamps 30, 30’ when passing close to it, various movement paths for the transfer clamps 30, 30’ and / or the spreader clamps 20 may be adapted. Advantageously, by the herein disclosed technology, conveyance of laundry items is improved. Different types of laundry items may be loaded, transferred, spread and conveyed efficiently and reliably. Laundry items may be smaller or larger, lighter or heavier, because it is possible to handle various laundry items without the need of manual adjustment.

[0088] Figs. 12 and 13 show a schematic illustration, similar to figs. 7 and 8, of misaligned laundry items conveyed in a double lane mode and in a single lane mode, respectively, where such misalignment may be avoided by the present invention by the opposite jaws 305, 306 of one or both transfer clamps moving, where necessary, the corner re- gions of the laundry item independently of one another between the opposite jaws before the laundry item is transferred to the spreader clamps and then to the conveying surface of the conveyor unit 1000.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (1 ) for conveying laundry items (80), in particular pieces of linen (80) each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions (C) of the laundry item (80), the device (1 ) comprising:- at least two loading stations (10), each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge (TE) and then a leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80);- at least two pairs of transfer clamps (30, 30’), wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive said corner regions (C) at said leading edge (FE) from one of the loading stations (10) and transfer said corner regions (C) at said leading edge (FE) to at least two spreader clamps (20);- at least two spreader clamps (20) configured to spread apart said corner regions (C) at the leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80);- a middle centreline (CL) extending between a first side of the device and a second side of the device opposite to the first side and extending in a conveying direction; and- at least two outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2) each positioned on a respective one of two opposite sides of the middle centreline (CL) and extending parallel to the middle centreline (CL); wherein in response to input data, the device is configured to operate in a single lane mode, wherein the device is configured to convey the laundry item centred about the middle centreline (CL), or in a double lane mode, comprising a first lane and a second lane, wherein the device is configured to convey the laundry item centred about one of the outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2),- wherein each of the transfer clamps (30, 30’) comprises opposite jaws (305, 306) and is movable towards the loading station to capture and hold a portion of said corner region (C) at said leading edge (FE) between said opposite jaws (305, 306), and- wherein the transfer clamps (30, 30’) are configured for repositioning said corner region (C) captured and held between said opposite jaws (305, 306) thereof, by moving said corner region (C) between said opposite jaws (305, 306).

2. A device (1 ) for conveying laundry items (80), in particular pieces of linen (80), each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions (C) of the laundry item (80), the device (1 ) comprising:- at least two loading stations (10), each comprising a front end configured to receive firstly a trailing edge (TE) and then a leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80);- at least two pairs of transfer clamps (30, 30’), wherein each pair of the transfer clamps is configured to receive said corner regions at said leading edge (FE) from one of the loading stations (10) and transfer said corner regions (C) at said leading edge (FE) to at least two spreader clamps (20);- at least two spreader clamps (20) configured to spread out a laundry item (80) by spreading apart said corner regions (C) at the leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80);- a conveyor unit (1000) arranged downstream of the loading station (10) and for conveying the laundry items (80) in a conveying direction, wherein in response to input data, said spreader clamps (20) are operable to i) to deposit a spread out laundry item on said conveyor unit (1000) in a single lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry item (80) to be advanced by the conveyor unit (1000) in a single lane, or ii) to deposit spread out laundry items on said conveyor unit (1000) in a double lane operating mode of said device, for said laundry items to be advanced by the conveyor unit (1000) in respective parallel lanes,- said spread out laundry item deposited in said single lane operating mode preferably being of a larger size than said spread out laundry items deposited in said double lane operating mode- wherein each of the transfer clamps (30, 30’) comprises opposite jaws (305, 306) and is movable towards the loading station to capture and hold a portionof said corner region (C) at said leading edge (FE) between said opposite jaws (305, 306), and- wherein the transfer clamps (30, 30’) are configured for repositioning said corner region (C) captured and held between said opposite jaws (305, 306) thereof, by moving said corner region (C) between said opposite jaws (305, 306).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein in said single lane operating mode, said laundry item is deposited centred about a first line (CL) extending in said conveying direction, and wherein in said double lane mode said laundry items deposited centred about a second line (CL1 ) and a third line (CL2), respectively, preferably each second and third line being halfway between said first line and a respective one of two opposite sides (S1 , S2) of the conveyor unit (1000).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an input unit configured to receive input data representing an operation mode of the device, operation mode of the device comprising the single lane mode and the double lane mode.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein input data is based on one or more device parameters, such as speed of feeding at the loading stations (10), pressure on the spreader clam (20), and / or one or more parameters of the laundry item (80), such as type, size or weight of the laundry item (80).

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the said transfer clamps (30, 30’) has a pair of rollers (305, 306), each roller (305, 306) defining a respective jaw, at least one of said jaw rollers (305) being rotat- ingly drivable for said repositioning, each transfer clamp (30, 30’) including a motor (307) for said driving of said jaw roller (305).

7. The according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the said transfer clamps (30, 30’) comprises a sensor unit and is configured such that a length of said corner region (C) between said rollers (305, 306) is adjustable.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said spreader clamps (20) comprises a jaw comprising a first arm (21 ) and a second arm (22), arms being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said arms (21 , 22) are configured to hold a portion of said corner region (C) at said leading edge (FE) between said arms (21 , 22) in the closed configuration.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein an opening angle between said arms (21 , 22) in the open configuration is at least 10 degree, preferably at least 30 degree, preferably at least 90 degree, more preferably at least 180 degree.

10. The device according to claims 8 or 8, wherein each spreader clamp (20) comprises a drive unit configured to drive said arms (21 , 22) between the open configuration and the closed configuration.11 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least four loading stations (10).

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a conveying unit, such as a conveyor belt (40), configured to run below the transfer clamps (30, 30’) along a conveying direction for guiding the trailing edge (TE) of the laundry item (80).

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least four spreader clamps (20) positioned next to one another, wherein the inner, preferably at least two of inner spreader clamps between the outer spreader clamps are configured to feed the first lane and the second lane when the device operates in the double lane mode, and / or at least four pairs of transfer clamps (30, 30’) positioned next to one an- other,wherein at least two pairs of inner transfer clamps between the outer transfer clamps are configured to feed the first lane and the second lane when the device operates in the double lane mode.

14. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between any one of the outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2) and the middle centreline (CL) or a distance from any one of the second line and the third line to the first line is adjustable.

15. A method for conveying laundry items (80), in particular pieces of linen (80) each having pairs of opposite edges defining respective corner regions (C) of the laundry item (80), comprising:- receiving and spreading the laundry item (80) by a device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 -14,- based on input data conveying the leading edge (FE) of the laundry item (80) by a single lane mode operation or by a double lane mode operation, wherein in the single lane mode operation, at least one of the spreader clamps (20) positions the laundry items centred about the middle centreline (CL), and wherein in the double lane mode operation, at least two of the spreader clamps (20) position the laundry items centred about each one of the at least two outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2).

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising receiving input from an operator of the device.

17. The method according to claims 15 or 16, comprising switching between the double lane mode and the single lane mode subsequently while conveying the laundry items (80) continuously.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, further comprising receiving input data, input data representingone or more device parameters, such as speed of feeding at the loading stations (10), pressure on the spreader clam (20), and / or one or more parameters of the laundry item (80), such as type, size or weight of the laundry item (80).

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising adjusting a distance between any one of the outer centrelines (CL1 , CL2) and the middle centreline (CL) based on received input data.

20. The method according to anyone of claims 15-19, comprising moving corner regions at said leading edge (FE) by at least one pair of transfer clamps (30, 30’) to said at least two spreader clamps (20), and when spreader clamps (20) are at a transfer location for holding the laundry item (80), moving jaws of the spreader clamps (20) to a closed configuration thereby receiving the laundry item (80) between the jaws, then releasing the corner regions (C) held by at least one pair of transfer clamps (30, 30’).

21. The method according to anyone of claims 15-20, comprising moving at least one pair of transfer clamps (30, 30’) towards said at least two spreader clamps (20), and when transfer clamps (30, 30’) are at a transfer location for the spreader clamps (20) to hold the laundry item (80), moving the spreader clamps (20) to the transfer location, moving jaws of spreader clamps (20) to a closed configuration thereby receiving the laundry item (80) between the jaws, then releasing the corner regions (C) held by at least one pair of transfer clamps (30, 30’).

22. The method according to anyone of claims 15-21 , comprising moving at least one pair of transfer clamps (30, 30’) and at least two spreader clamps (20) towards a transfer location for the spreader clamps (20) to hold the laundry item (80) simultaneously.

23. The method according to anyone of claims 15-22, said opposite jaws (305, 306) of one or both of said transfer clamp (30, 30') moving, where necessary, a corner region (C) between said opposite jaws (305, 306) before the laundry item is transferred to the spreader clamps (20).

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