Linen Spreader Clamp Sequence for Reliable Corner Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated laundry spreaders face challenges in efficiently isolating and spreading towels and sheets from a load, often resulting in tangling and inconsistent processing due to difficulties in isolating diagonal and opposite corners.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a series of clamps and drives to isolate a laundry article, rotate it to flatten it, and adjust its orientation over a wheel or belt to create a horizontal edge, which is then conveyed to a roller and further spread using a conveyor system, allowing for effective detangling and spreading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated spreaders attempt to isolate diagonal corners and opposite corners, then the spreading process can be automated, but the isolation becomes difficult and inconsistent due to tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laundry article into multiple segments by using multiple clamps (first clamp, second clamp, third clamp) positioned at different locations. Instead of attempting to grab one corner, the system segments the article and grabs multiple sections simultaneously, which resolves the tangling problem and enables reliable automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the first clamp to grab the laundry article before other clamps engage. This initial grabbing action positions the article in a controlled manner, preventing tangling from occurring in the first place and making subsequent isolation and spreading operations more reliable.
2Productivity
If sheets are processed without manual intervention, then labor costs are reduced, but sheets tangle together requiring separator machines or operators
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation action by using the first clamp to grab and lift the laundry article from the pile before other clamps engage. This preliminary action prevents sheets from tangling together during the grabbing process, eliminating the need for additional separator machines while maintaining high processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic clamping where multiple clamps engage the laundry article at different times and positions during the spreading process. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to the flexible nature of fabric, preventing tangling without requiring complex separator mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple clamps are used to spread the article, then detangling and flattening are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laundry article into multiple sections grabbed by different clamps (first clamp, second clamp, third clamp). This segmentation enables effective detangling by controlling different portions of the flexible fabric independently, achieving reliable spreading without requiring excessive complexity in the overall system design.
Data Source
AI summary
An article is selected and spread from a load of articles. A first clamp moves along a run to remove an article. By changing orientation of the run, articles may be removed from different locations. A second clamp rotates while holding the article. The rotation generally flattens out the article. A third clamp grabs a portion of the article and further spreads the article. This process may detangle or untwist the article. The untwisted article is dragged over a belt. The belt adjusts the amount of overhang on each side. A plate lifts a resulting edge. The article is clamped at that edge and dragged over a roller. The roller moves into contact with a conveyor. The conveyor conveys the article to find a leading edge. The article is then conveyed in a spread position.