Device for separating laundry items

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for separating laundry items (9), wherein the device (1) has a conveying device (10) and a gripping device (2), the conveying device (10) has a lower conveyor belt (3) and an upper conveyor belt (4), the lower conveyor belt (3) and the upper conveyor belt (4) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the running surfaces (6) of the lower conveyor belt and the running surfaces (7) of the upper conveyor belt contact one another and / or run parallel to one another at least in a sub-region, and the lower conveyor belt (3) and the upper conveyor belt (4) can be driven by a drive device (5). According to the invention, the running surface (7) of the upper conveyor belt has an opening (8) in the center thereof, the opening (8) being wide enough for the gripping device (2) to travel into the opening (8).

Description

[0001] Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Device for separating laundry items

[0005] The present invention relates to a device for singling out laundry items, wherein the device comprises a conveying device and a gripping device, wherein the conveying device comprises a lower conveyor belt and an upper conveyor belt, wherein the lower conveyor belt and the upper conveyor belt are arranged relative to each other such that the running surfaces of the lower conveyor belt and the running surfaces of the upper conveyor belt touch at least in a partial area and / or run parallel to each other, wherein the lower conveyor belt and the upper conveyor belt can be driven by a drive device. The invention also relates to a method for singling out laundry items.

[0006] These types of devices are used, for example, in laundries to separate delivered laundry before feeding it to sorting machines. In particular, they are used to remove individual items from a pile of laundry and separate them. Such devices can also be used to overcome differences in height.

[0007] Devices for separating pieces of laundry are known.

[0008] EP 4192629 B1 relates to a system for the automatic sorting of laundry items. The system comprises a picking and transfer device that includes grippers designed to pick up individual laundry items accumulating in a receiving station and transfer them from the receiving station to a laundry item recognition station. The picking and transfer device includes at least one pair of inclined tracks extending from a lower position to an upper position, each track including an independently actuated gripper associated with a motion element. A disadvantage of the system is that the transfer of the laundry items to the grippers results in a relatively low throughput. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0009] 2

[0010] is possible.

[0011] WO 2009 / 007318 A1 describes a device for loosening laundry items. The laundry items are delivered in the form of a compact cake from a press downstream of a washing machine. The device comprises a housing for receiving the laundry cake with an associated deformation device and a dispensing device for partially separating the laundry items from the cake.

[0012] WO 2021 / 078931 A1 discloses a laundry dispensing device and a method for picking up a piece of laundry. The laundry dispensing device comprises a first manipulator arm, a second manipulator arm, a conveyor, a second surface, a clamping area defined between the conveyor and the second surface, a dispensing chamber, an upper sensor, and a lower sensor. The laundry dispensing device is configured to retain and suspend a piece of laundry above a dispensing chamber when a trailing edge of the laundry is detected at a predetermined distance from the clamping area using the upper sensor. The laundry dispensing device is configured to release the retained and suspended piece of laundry when a human hand is detected inside the dispensing chamber by the lower sensor.

[0013] US Patent 2007 / 0068433 A1 discloses a method and a device for conveying rectangular laundry items to a feed device. The device has a lower and an upper conveyor belt arranged parallel to each other. A gripping device is also provided at the end of the conveyor belts.

[0014] DE 69516894 T2 describes a device for feeding flat material pieces. The device has two conveyor belts arranged one above the other and running parallel to each other, with the upper conveyor belt having a [Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026] in the middle.

[0015] 3

[0016] The conveyor belts have a perforation. A clamp is provided at the end of the conveyor belts, the two clamping elements of which can be moved to a position laterally outside the conveyor belts.

[0017] DE 197 15338 A1 describes a method and a device for feeding trousers, in particular, to a folding machine or the like. The device has lower conveyor belts. The width of the central opening in the upper conveyor belt is selected such that a step plate can be extended without obstruction.

[0018] Furthermore, plug-in conveyors for laundry items are known. These conveyors have two parallel conveyor belts. The lower conveyor belt is longer than the upper one. The running surface of the lower conveyor belt has perforations to stretch the laundry items using a vacuum, thus improving their conveyance. A disadvantage of these devices is that they require complex vacuum technology.

[0019] Simple conveyor belts with ridges on the running surfaces are also known, which can transport laundry items to a higher level. A disadvantage of these devices is that they achieve insufficient singulation and the laundry items can be damaged, especially at higher belt speeds. Therefore, only relatively low speeds are possible.

[0020] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an optimized device for singulating laundry items. In particular, the device should enable a high throughput of laundry items and reduce the probability of damage to the laundry items.

[0021] The task in a device for singulating laundry items is solved by having a central opening in the running surface of the upper conveyor belt, the opening being wide enough to allow the gripping device to enter it. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0022] 4

[0023] Preferably, both conveyor belts are driven at the same speed. It is conceivable that both conveyor belts could be driven by a single drive unit.

[0024] The opening divides the upper conveyor belt into two separate sub-conveyor belts. These sub-conveyor belts are driven at the same speed by the drive device.

[0025] When a piece of laundry is introduced into the opening, it is advantageously squeezed between the two conveyor belts and carried along. This stretches the laundry, improving its further transport. The laundry can then be released at a higher level for onward transport to a sorting system. The singulation of the laundry items is advantageously facilitated by this process.

[0026] Advantageously, no perforations in the conveyor belts or a vacuum is required to transport the laundry. This significantly reduces the design complexity of the device compared to known devices. In particular, the laundry remains stretched during transport through the device.

[0027] Such a gripping device is known, for example, from international patent application PCT / DE2024 / 100088. This combined gripping and suction unit has a gripping and suction element for lifting laundry items from a pile of laundry. For this purpose, the gripping and suction unit is positioned above the pile of laundry. A vacuum is generated by the suction unit via a suction nozzle. This vacuum draws in the laundry item lying on top of the pile. Once the laundry item has been suctioned (for example, measurable via a camera setup or by a change in the pressure and / or airflow conditions in the suction nozzle), the gripping and suction element is lifted from the pile of laundry. The suctioned laundry item remains attached to the suction nozzle. [The following appears to be unrelated and possibly a separate entry: If the gripping and suction element is from Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026]

[0028] 5

[0029] Once the laundry item is lifted from the pile, the gripping elements of the gripping device close. This mechanically holds the item in place. When the gripping elements of the gripping device are closed, the creation of negative pressure in the suction nozzle can cease. To assist in releasing the laundry item from the suction nozzle, it is advantageous not only to cease the creation of negative pressure but also to simultaneously generate an airflow from the suction nozzle at this moment. This can be achieved by an additional nozzle, which can be positioned within the suction nozzle and, when activated, generates the airflow from the suction nozzle.Switching elements may also be present, so that by operating the suction nozzle not only a vacuum can be generated at the inlet of the suction nozzle, but also, through a corresponding switching process, the flow from the suction nozzle is generated directly by the elements for generating the vacuum in the “vacuum operating mode”.

[0030] The international patent application with application number PCT / DE2024 / 100088 relates to a combined gripping and suction device. The present invention may also involve such a combined gripping and suction device. However, it is also possible that it is a pure gripping device (the gripping device comprises a gripping unit) or a pure suction device (the gripping device comprises a suction unit).

[0031] A combined gripping device and a method for operating the gripping device is also known from DE 102021 113345 A1.

[0032] The opening is wide enough to allow the gripping device to be inserted. The garment can then be released from the gripping device within the opening. This can be achieved, for example, by opening the gripping elements and / or by releasing the vacuum via the suction nozzle unit. It is also conceivable that the gripping device consists only of gripping elements or only of a suction nozzle unit. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0033] 6

[0034] Advantageously, the gripping device only needs to travel a short distance between the pile of laundry and the item separator. The item separator then handles the further transport. This short distance is particularly advantageous, allowing for an increased cycle rate and a reduction in the complexity of the gripping device.

[0035] Another embodiment of the invention consists in the device having means for applying a vacuum, wherein the running surface of the lower conveyor belt has perforations in the area of ​​the perforation, wherein a vacuum is generated by the means for applying the vacuum and the perforations.

[0036] The running surface of the lower conveyor belt has perforations, such as holes, at least in a portion of the opening. These perforations allow a vacuum to be created in the area of ​​the opening by means of a vacuum imparting force. This vacuum can advantageously improve the conveyance of laundry items. The stretching of the laundry items then occurs not only through the upper conveyor belt but also through suction by the vacuum. The means of creating a vacuum can include Venturi nozzles.

[0037] Another embodiment of the invention consists in the upper conveyor belt being pivotable about an axis.

[0038] The upper conveyor belt can be pivotally mounted above the lower conveyor belt about a pivot axis. The upper conveyor belt can be held above the lower conveyor belt by gravity or by springs. This pivot axis can, for example, run through or parallel to the drive axis. Preferably, the pivot axis is located in the upper part of the device to allow for the greatest possible spread between the lower and upper conveyor belts in the area where the laundry items are picked up. This measure improves the pickup of the laundry items, as Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WQ / 16.01.2026

[0039] 7

[0040] This allows laundry items to penetrate better into the area between the running surfaces of the upper and lower conveyor belts.

[0041] The pivot axis can also be mounted to allow movement relative to the lower conveyor belt, for example by means of springs. This allows the upper conveyor belt to move relative to the lower conveyor belt.

[0042] Increasing the distance between the upper and lower conveyor belts is particularly advantageous when handling larger items of laundry. This ensures that even large items can be transported without being crushed or damaged. Furthermore, it reduces wear on the running surfaces of both the upper and lower conveyor belts.

[0043] Another embodiment of the invention consists in the device having a third conveyor belt in the area of ​​the opening.

[0044] The device may preferably have a third conveyor belt in the upper part of the opening. This third conveyor belt may, for example, be located in the upper half or upper third of the opening. The third conveyor belt improves the conveying of the laundry items. In particular, it ensures that laundry items that are mainly carried in the area of ​​the opening are additionally secured.

[0045] It is advantageous for the third conveyor belt to be pivotable around an axis.

[0046] The third conveyor belt has a pivot axis. This pivot axis can be the same as that of the upper conveyor belt, or it can be a separate pivot axis. The third conveyor belt can be mounted, for example by springs, to allow for movement relative to the lower and / or upper conveyor belts. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WÖ / 16.01.2026

[0047] 8

[0048] This makes it advantageous to transport larger items of laundry. Wear and tear on the running surfaces is reduced.

[0049] The invention also relates to a method for singling out laundry items with a device according to the invention for singling out laundry items comprising the following steps:

[0050] • Moving the gripper to the pile of laundry,

[0051] • Picking up a piece of laundry from the pile of laundry using the gripping device,

[0052] • Procedure of the gripping device with the piece of laundry into the opening of the upper conveyor belt,

[0053] • Opening the gripping device,

[0054] • Transport of the laundry item through the conveyor device.

[0055] Another embodiment of the method according to the invention consists in activating the means for applying the vacuum before the gripping device opens and deactivating them after the laundry item has been transported by the conveying device. Advantageously, this reduces the energy consumption of the means for applying the vacuum. The release of the laundry items by the device is optimized.

[0056] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0057] They show

[0058] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conveying device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention for singulating laundry items,

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another conveying device according to the invention,

[0060] Fig. 5 a perspective view of another device according to the invention. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0061] 9

[0062] for separating laundry items,

[0063] Fig 6 shows a schematic representation of another method according to the invention.

[0064] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention for separating laundry items 9. For clarity, the conveying device 10 is not shown in Figure 1.

[0065] The device 1 comprises a conveying device 10 and a gripping device 2. The gripping device 2 can include gripping and / or suction means. A piece of laundry 9 can be removed from a pile of laundry by means of the gripping and / or suction means.

[0066] The conveyor device 10 has a lower conveyor belt 3 and an upper conveyor belt 4. The lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 are arranged relative to each other such that the running surfaces 6 of the lower conveyor belt and the running surfaces 7 of the upper conveyor belt 4 touch at least in a partial area and / or run parallel to each other, wherein the lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 can be driven by a drive device 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 are moved by a driven roller.

[0067] The running surface 7 of the upper conveyor belt 4 has an opening 8 in its center, which divides the running surface 7 into two equal partial running surfaces. The opening 8 is wide enough for the gripper 2 to enter it. In particular, a piece of laundry 9 can be moved into the opening 8 by the gripper 2. There, the gripper 2 can open, causing the piece of laundry 9 to fall onto the lower running surface 6. The piece of laundry 9 is picked up by the lower running surface 6 and squeezed between the upper running surface 7 and the lower running surface 6, thus holding it in an extended position. Advantageously, the piece of laundry 9 is transported in this extended state by the conveyor 10. Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0068] 10

[0069] Figure 3 schematically sketches an exemplary method according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps.

[0070] The gripping device 2 is moved towards a pile of laundry. In particular, the gripping device can be moved into a position above the pile of laundry (Fig.

[0071] 3a) A piece of laundry 9 is picked up from the pile of laundry by the gripping device 2 and / or suction (Fig. 3b). The piece of laundry 9 is removed individually from the pile of laundry (Fig. 3c). The gripping device 2 with the piece of laundry 9 is moved into the opening 8 of the upper conveyor belt 4 (Fig. 3d). The gripping device 2 is opened and the piece of laundry 9 is transported further by the conveyor 10 (Fig. 3e).

[0072] Figures 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention for singulating pieces of laundry 9. For clarity, the conveying device 10 is not shown in Figure 3.

[0073] The device 1 comprises a conveying device 10 and a gripping device 2. The gripping device 2 can include gripping and / or suction means. A piece of laundry 9 can be removed from a pile of laundry by means of the gripping and / or suction means.

[0074] The conveyor device 10 has a lower conveyor belt 3 and an upper conveyor belt 4. The lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 are arranged relative to each other such that the running surfaces 6 of the lower conveyor belt and the running surfaces 7 of the upper conveyor belt 4 touch at least in a partial area and / or run parallel to each other, wherein the lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 can be driven by a drive device 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower conveyor belt 3 and the upper conveyor belt 4 are moved by a driven roller.

[0075] The running surface 7 of the upper conveyor belt 4 has a perforation in its center 8Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0076] 11

[0077] The opening 8 divides the running surface 7 into two equal partial running surfaces. The opening 8 is wide enough to allow the gripping device 2 to enter it. In particular, a piece of laundry 9 can be moved into the opening 8 by the gripping device 2. There, the gripping device 2 can open, causing the piece of laundry 9 to fall onto the lower running surface 6. The piece of laundry 9 is then picked up by the lower running surface 6 and squeezed between the upper running surface 7 and the lower running surface 6, thus holding it in an extended position. Advantageously, the piece of laundry 9 is transported in this extended state by the conveying device 10.

[0078] The running surface 6 of the lower conveyor belt 3 has perforations 11 in the area of ​​the opening 8. Through these perforations 11, a vacuum can be applied to the laundry items by means of applying a vacuum.

[0079] In the upper half of the opening 8, the conveyor device 11 has a third conveyor belt 12. The third conveyor belt 11 can be driven by the drive device 5.

[0080] The upper conveyor belt 4 and the third conveyor belt 12 can be pivoted about a pivot axis. They can both be pivoted about the same pivot axis. The pivot axis can run through the drive axis. The upper conveyor belt 4 and the third conveyor belt 12 can, for example, be mounted to allow movement relative to the lower conveyor belt 3 by means of springs.

[0081] Figure 6 schematically sketches an exemplary method according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps.

[0082] The gripping device 2 is moved towards a pile of laundry. In particular, the gripping device can be moved into a position above the pile of laundry (Fig.

[0083] 6a). A piece of laundry 9 is removed from the pile of laundry by the gripping device 2Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0084] 12

[0085] The garment 9 is gripped and / or suctioned (Fig. 6b). It is individually removed from the pile of laundry (Fig. 6c). The gripping device 2, holding the garment 9, is moved into the opening 8 of the upper conveyor belt 4. A vacuum can be created by means of the vacuum application mechanism (Fig. 6d). The gripping device 2 opens, and the garment 9 is transported further by the conveyor 10 and released at the end of the conveyor section. The vacuum application mechanism can then be deactivated to release the garment (Fig. 6e). Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026

[0086] 13 List of reference symbols

[0087] 1 Device for separating laundry items 2 Gripping device

[0088] 3 lower conveyor belt

[0089] 4 upper conveyor belt

[0090] 5 Drive device

[0091] 6 Running surface of the lower conveyor belt

[0092] 7 Running surface of the upper conveyor belt

[0093] 8 Breakthrough

[0094] 9 items of laundry

[0095] 10 Conveyor device

[0096] 11 perforations

[0097] 12 third conveyor belt

Claims

Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WO / 16.01.2026 14 REQUIREMENTS 1. Device (1) for separating laundry items (9), wherein the device (1) comprises a conveying device (10) and a gripping device (2), wherein the conveying device (10) comprises a lower conveyor belt (3) and an upper conveyor belt (4), wherein the lower conveyor belt (3) and the upper conveyor belt (4) are arranged relative to each other such that the running surfaces (6) of the lower conveyor belt (3) and the running surfaces (7) of the upper conveyor belt (4) touch at least in a partial area and / or run parallel to each other, wherein the lower conveyor belt (3) and the upper conveyor belt (4) can be driven by a drive device (5), characterized in that the running surface (7) of the upper conveyor belt (4) has an opening (8) in its center, wherein the opening (8) is wide enough to allow the gripping device (2) to enter the opening (8).

2. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the device has means for applying a vacuum, wherein the running surface (6) of the lower conveyor belt (3) has perforations (11 ) in the area of ​​the opening (8), wherein a vacuum can be generated by the means for applying the vacuum and the perforations (11).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper conveyor belt (4) is pivotable about an axis.

4. Device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a third conveyor belt (12) in the area of ​​the opening.

5. Device (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the third conveyor belt is pivotable about an axis.

6. Method for singulating laundry items with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps: Thielen Automation GmbH 24070-P-WÖ / 16.01.2026 15 o Driving the gripping device (2) to a pile of laundry, o Picking up a piece of laundry (9) from the pile of laundry by the gripping device (2), o Method of the gripping device (2) with the piece of laundry (9) into the opening (8) of the upper conveyor belt (4), o Opening the gripping device (2), o Transport of the laundry item (9) through the conveying device (10).

7. Method for singling out laundry items according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for applying the vacuum are activated before opening the gripping device (2) and deactivated after the laundry item (9) has been transported by the conveying device (10).

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