U.S. patent application number 17/036026 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-01 for method and device for treating textile items.
This patent application is currently assigned to Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH. Invention is credited to Thore Brakel, Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz, Mathias Wohler.
Application Number | 20210095407 17/036026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005153567 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210095407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bringewatt; Wilhelm ; et
al. |
April 1, 2021 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATING TEXTILE ITEMS
Abstract
In commercial laundries, textile items are treated in batches.
This applies in particular to washing in continuous washing
machines and to drying in tumble driers. Such a batch-wise
treatment has to be carried out such that the treatment does
justice to all textile items of the batch. The textile items are
mixed in the batch-wise treatment, making it necessary to sort the
batches again after the treatment, namely, the textile items have
to be identified again after the treatment. The invention provides
that the textile items are individually treated in succession,
resulting in an individual treatment of each textile item being
implemented. Damage to the textile items or wrong treatments are
thus avoided. The textile items are treated while maintaining the
sequence of the textile items, on account of which the textile
items are not mixed and do not have to be sorted again at the end
of the treatment.
Inventors: |
Bringewatt; Wilhelm; (Porta
Westfalica, DE) ; Brakel; Thore; (Vlotho, DE)
; Wohler; Mathias; (Paderborn, DE) ; Heinz;
Engelbert; (Vlotho, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH |
Vlotho |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH
Vlotho
DE
|
Family ID: |
1000005153567 |
Appl. No.: |
17/036026 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 29/005 20130101;
D06F 33/68 20200201; D06F 34/18 20200201; D06F 58/12 20130101; D06F
33/65 20200201; D06F 11/00 20130101; D06F 89/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20060101
D06F029/00; D06F 33/68 20060101 D06F033/68; D06F 33/65 20060101
D06F033/65; D06F 34/18 20060101 D06F034/18; D06F 11/00 20060101
D06F011/00; D06F 58/12 20060101 D06F058/12; D06F 89/00 20060101
D06F089/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2019 |
DE |
102019006824.6 |
Oct 2, 2019 |
DE |
102019006868.8 |
Claims
1. A method for treating textile items in a laundry, wherein the
textile items to be treated upon receipt thereof are identified,
pre-sorting of the textile item optionally takes place, the textile
items are dissimilarly treated in a plurality of treatment
stations, and the textile items aftertreatment are prepared for
delivery depending on the identification of said textile items,
wherein the textile items are individually treated in succession in
that each individual textile item is transported through all
treatment stations provided for the treatment of said textile item,
and the respective textile item herein in the respective treatment
station provided for the respective textile item is individually
treated according to the manner resulting from the identification
of said textile item.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile items are
individually transported in succession through all treatment
stations required for treating said textile items.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile items are
treated in the spread-out state while running through the
successive treatment stations.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile items
maintain the sequence thereof when running through the treatment
stations that serve for treating said textile items.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sequence of the
textile items after the final treatment thereof corresponds to the
initial sequence of the textile items.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sequence of the
textile items is not changed during the treatment.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least initial
sorting of the identified textile items according to which
treatment is provided for said textile items takes place by means
of the identification of each individual textile item that takes
place prior to the treatment of the textile items.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein textile items which
are treated at least partially in dissimilar treatment stations
after the least treatment are reinstated in terms of their original
sequence prior to the initial treatment.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the running of each
individual textile item through the treatment section is
monitored.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the running of each
individual textile item through the treatment section is monitored
by identifying each individual textile item at least ahead of the
first and behind the last treatment station.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein timing for
determining the running time of the respective individual textile
item through the treatment stations take place prior to commencing
the treatment and at least upon terminating the treatment,
optionally also between at least successive treatments, and the
measured running time is in each case compared with a running time
calculated from the known distance between the beginning and end of
the timing and from the known continuous running speed of the
respective textile item through the at least one treatment station,
wherein it is derived from a measured running time which is
identical to the calculated running time that this is the same
textile item for which the running time has been measured.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detecting the
respective individual textile item takes place ahead of the first
treatment of the textile items.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein detecting the
respective individual textile item in terms of the individual
treatment parameters of each individual textile item for at least
part of the subsequent treatments of the latter takes place prior
to the first treatment of the textile items.
14. A device for treating textile items, having a plurality of
treatment stations such as at least one washing installation, a
mangle, and/or a dryer, and/or a finisher, and a folding
installation which successively subject the textile items to
different treatments, wherein at least some treatment stations are
disposed successively in such a manner that the individual textile
items run through all treatment stations provided for the full
treatment of the respective textile item individually and in
succession, and the textile items are continuously transported
individually in succession to the individual treatment stations and
through the latter.
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein for transporting the
textile items through the treatment stations, all treatment
stations have conveyors for transporting the textile items through
the respective treatment stations.
16. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein conveyors for
transferring the successive textile items in an unchanged sequence
to the following treatment station are provided at least between
successive treatment stations.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein a preparation
installation for the textile items for the treatment of the latter
in the treatment stations is disposed ahead of the first treatment
station, and the preparation installation is configured for
spreading and depositing each individual textile item on the
conveyor of the respective treatment station.
18. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a preparation
installation for the textile items for treating the latter in the
treatment stations is disposed ahead of the first treatment
station.
19. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a sorting
installation of the textile items that serves at least for
pre-sorting is disposed ahead of the first treatment station.
20. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a detection
installation for detecting at least the treatment parameters of
each individual textile item is disposed ahead of the first
treatment station.
21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the detection
installation is networked with at least one controller of at least
some of the treatment stations in such a manner that the at least
one controller for individually treating the textile items controls
the treatment installations as a function of the items of
information of the respective textile item determined by the
detection installation.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority on and the benefit
of German Patent Application No. 10 2019 006 824.6 having a filing
date of 30 Sep. 2019 and German Patent Application No. 10 2019 006
868.8 having a filing date of 2 Oct. 2019.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to a method for treating textile items
in a laundry, wherein the textile items to be treated upon receipt
thereof are identified, pre-sorting of the textile item optionally
takes place, the textile items are dissimilarly treated in a
plurality of treatment stations, and the textile items
aftertreatment are prepared for delivery depending on the
identification of said textile items, and to a device for treating
textile items, having a plurality of treatment stations such as at
least one washing installation, a mangle, and/or a dryer, and/or a
finisher, and a folding installation which successively subject the
textile items to different treatments.
Prior Art
[0003] A large variety of textile items are typically to be treated
in laundries. The treatment differs depending on the type of the
textile items.
[0004] The textile items can be, for example, so-called flat
laundry, this being in particular tablecloths, napkins, duvet
covers, pillow covers, and bedsheets; so-called drywork laundry,
this being in particular laundry items from terry fabrics
(toweling); items of clothing such as jackets, pants, T-shirts,
overalls, aprons or the like, in particular such items that are
professionally used (workwear), or else special items such as, for
example, rugs, doormats, entrance mats, and headrest covers above
all for public transport.
[0005] The treatment of the textile items comprises at least a wet
treatment which is followed by at least mangling, drying or
finishing of the textile items as well as subsequent folding and
optionally stacking and packing. The textile items in the wet
treatment are washed and also de-watered, sanitized, rinsed, and
optionally de-watered once again. The textile items after the
washing in the wet treatment can also first be rinsed, then
sanitized and de-watered. In addition to the afore-mentioned steps
of the wet treatment, finishing and/or bleaching of the textile
items can also take place in the wet treatment. For the sake of
simplicity, reference hereunder is made only to "washing" the
textile items and to a "washing installation". Unless otherwise
mentioned, this includes the above-mentioned additional treatment
steps in the wet treatment of the textile items.
[0006] Flat laundry is usually mangled and then folded after the
washing, thus following all treatment steps of the wet treatment.
In contrast, drywork laundry, in particular toweling, is not
mangled after the washing but only dried and optionally
subsequently folded. Special items, for example rugs and mats, are
also usually only dried but not mangled. The same applies to items
of clothing, including items of workwear. Such textile items are
either dried or finished after the washing, said finishing
including drying.
[0007] Flat laundry is usually washed, mangled, and folded. Flat
laundry can optionally also be subjected to sanitizing or
finishing. In contrast, drywork laundry, in particular toweling, is
not mangled after the washing but only dried. Special items, for
example rugs and mats, are also usually only dried but not mangled.
Items of clothing, including workwear, not mangled after the
washing. Such items of laundry are either dried of finished after
the washing, said finishing including drying.
[0008] To date it has been commonplace in laundries for textile
items of all types to be washed in batches, in particular in
elongate continuous washing machines (also referred to as "tunnel
washing machines"). Comparatively small batches of textile items to
date have often also been washed in washer/extractor machines. The
drying of textile items which cannot or must not be mangled also
takes place in batches in tumble dryers.
[0009] In the batch-wise washing and/or drying of textile items a
multiplicity of textile items that are to be treated identically
and simultaneously are at all times situated in a corresponding
drum. Mixing of the textile items herein takes place in that said
textile items do not have a defined sequence, thus are situated in
a non-uniformly distributed manner in the batch. This results in
the washed and/or dried textile items of the respective batch
exiting the washing machine and the dryer is a non-defined
sequence. Therefore, the textile items after the batch-wise washing
and/or drying have to be singularized again and re-identified in
order for said textile items to be able to be delivered to the
correct customer and/or recipient.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is based on the object of achieving a method
and a device which enable textile items to be treated such that the
latter are not mixed herein.
[0011] A method for achieving this object is a method for treating
textile items in a laundry, wherein the textile items to be treated
upon receipt thereof are identified, pre-sorting of the textile
item optionally takes place, the textile items are dissimilarly
treated in a plurality of treatment stations, and the textile items
aftertreatment are prepared for delivery depending on the
identification of said textile items, wherein the textile items are
individually treated in succession in that each individual textile
item is transported through all treatment stations provided for the
treatment of said textile item, and the respective textile item
herein in the respective treatment station provided for the
respective textile item is individually treated according to the
manner resulting from the identification of said textile item.
Accordingly, the textile items are individually treated in
succession. Each individual textile item is transported through the
treatment stations provided for the treatment of said textile item,
in particular through all treatment stations in which the
respective textile item has to be treated. In the individual
passing of each textile item through the treatment station provided
for its treatment, the respective textile item in each treatment
station provided for the treatment of the respective item is
individually treated according to the manner provided and/or
required resulting from the identification of said item. A complete
individual treatment which does justice to the demands and/or
requirements of each textile item thus takes place. In this
individual treatment, each textile item is subjected to an
individual treatment provided and/or required for said textile
item. This herein is a wet treatment, preferably washing, that is
to say washing, rinsing, sanitizing, de-watering, and optionally
bleaching or finishing, respectively, drying or mangling and
folding, respectively.
[0012] It is preferably provided that the textile items are
individually transported in succession, preferably in a continuous
manner, through all treatment stations provided and/or required for
the complete treatment of each individual textile item. For this
purpose, all treatment stations are preferably interconnected or
interlinked, respectively, so as to form a treatment line. This
preferably takes place by conveyors between successive treatment
stations and other required stations which are assigned to said
treatment stations. This interlinking can take place using
independent conveyors, preferably continuous conveyors, which are
provided between successive treatment stations, or else ahead of
and/or behind the respective first or last treatment station.
However, it is also conceivable for the conveyors that extend
through the individual treatment stations to be configured or
extended such that the dedicated (internal) conveyors of the
treatment stations are in direct succession and the individual
textile items, on account thereof, are able to be transported
successively through all treatment stations.
[0013] The stations not directly treating the textile items are
preferably also at least partially included in the interlinking.
These stations can be accumulator stations, sorting stations,
identification stations, feeding stations, and/or stackers and
optionally packing stations and picking stations.
[0014] According to one potential refinement of the method it is
provided that the individual textile items are treated in the
spread-out state while running through, preferably in a continuous
manner. This treatment at all times comprises washing (wet
treatment) which includes at least de-watering, sanitizing and/or
rinsing, and folding. Mangling, or drying or finishing,
respectively, additionally takes place, depending on the type of
the textile item.
[0015] One advantageous potential design embodiment of the method
provides that the textile items maintain the sequence thereof when
running through the treatment stations, in particular when the
respective textile item runs through all treatment stations
required for the treatment of said textile item. On account
thereof, the textile items after the entire treatment thereof at
the end of the treatment line thus have the same sequence as prior
to the treatment. The sequence of the textile items after the last
treatment thereof corresponds in particular to the sequence in
which the textile items were initially identified.
[0016] The method is preferably designed such that the sequence of
the textile items after the final treatment corresponds to the
initial sequence of the textile items. For example, the initial
sequence of the textile items can be the sequence of said textile
items in which the latter were initially identified. This sequence
preferably also corresponds to the sequence of the textile items
prior to the first treatment.
[0017] A further advantageous design embodiment of the method which
provides that the textile items in the same sequence run through
all treatment stations is possible. In the case of dissimilar items
completely or partially running through dissimilar treatment
stations, those textile items which run through identical
successive treatment stations and/or are treated in identical
treatment stations maintain their sequence, wherein the treatment
of the successive textile items that run through the identical
treatment stations can also take place so as to relate individually
to each individual textile item. On account thereof, an individual
treatment of the respective textile item also takes place in the
case of different potential treatments, for example mangled laundry
or drywork laundry, respectively.
[0018] One further potential design embodiment of the method
provides that the sequence of the textile items is not changed
during the entire treatment. On account thereof, textile items that
have been initially identified can also be found again after the
treatment. In the simplest case, this can take place in that the
textile items are counted during the identification. For example,
when the 570.sup.th textile item is identified, this corresponds to
the 570.sup.th treated item because the textile items do not change
their sequence in the treatment in that said textile items are not
mixed in the treatment, as has been commonplace to date, for
example when washing and/or drying.
[0019] In the case of textile items of dissimilar types not being
able to be treated in identical treatment stations and of at least
one type of treatment having to take place in dissimilar treatment
stations, the textile items are correspondingly diverted. This
diversion takes place in a targeted, controlled manner such that
the sequence of the textile items prior to the diversion, for
example ahead of a turnout, again corresponds to the original
sequence once the textile items which have been treated in parallel
at different treatment stations are subsequently combined
again.
[0020] A potential advantageous refinement of the method lies in
that the running of the textile items through at least one
treatment station is monitored and/or tracked. It is particularly
advantageous for at least the monitoring or tracking, respectively,
of the running of the textile item to be performed ahead of the
first treatment station and behind the last treatment station.
Additionally or alternatively, however, the monitoring or tracking,
respectively, of the running of the textile items through the
treatment section formed by the individual interlinked treatment
stations can also take place ahead of or behind at least one
treatment station. The tracking or monitoring, respectively, of the
textile items when running through the treatment section and/or all
treatment stations or individual treatment stations of the latter
enables each individual textile item to be at least localized, in
particular the position of said textile item to be determined, at
least in terms of the entry into the first treatment station and
the exit from the last treatment station and/or prior to and after
the treatment. Alternatively or additionally, the tracking or
monitoring, respectively, of the textile items when running through
the treatment section can also serve for determining the sequence
of the textile items which run successively through the treatment
section at least ahead of the first treatment station and behind
the last treatment station, and/or prior to and after the
treatment. A controller of the method thus receives items of
information pertaining to which textile item will be the next to
reach the first treatment station and which textile item has passed
the last treatment station, thus has been completely treated. When
the textile items are also tracked when running between treatment
stations or through individual treatment stations, the controller
of the method or a corresponding device also receives items of
information pertaining to where the respective, in particular each
individual, item is currently located.
[0021] It is preferably provided that the tracking of the textile
items running through the treatment section takes place by
identifying and/or at least measuring each individual textile item
at least ahead of the first treatment station and one of the last
treatment stations. It can be determined on account thereof which
textile item is momentarily located at the respective
identification or measurement point, respectively, and
alternatively or additionally further parameters of the respective
textile items are able to be determined, for example such
parameters which are helpful or required for subsequent individual
treatments of the respective textile item, for example for the
folding, preferably the folding format, the formation of a stack,
the packing, and/or the assembling so as to form packs for
identical customers.
[0022] The identification and/or measurement of the respective
textile item for the purpose of tracking the running of the latter
through the treatment section or line can take place in various
ways, for example by timing, by image-generating installations,
and/or scanning apparatuses for reading data carriers which are
associated with the respective textile item. The desired items of
information which are able to be used for monitoring the textile
item running through the treatment stations and/or controlling the
treatment of the textile items in the respective treatment station
can be acquired in this way. This enables an individual treatment
of each individual textile item in a manner corresponding to the
predefined parameters.
[0023] One advantageous potential refinement of the invention
provides the running of each individual textile item through all or
individual treatment stations to be tracked by measuring the
running time. To this end, the known running speed of the textile
items through all or individual treatment stations and the known
distance between successive locations of the timing are resorted
to. It can be mathematically derived therefrom after which period
of time a specific textile item has to reach the location of the
final timing after the respective treatment, or after all
treatments. When a comparison of the calculated nominal time period
and the running time determined by the timing results in identical
times, this indicates the textile item for which the respective
timing has been carried out. After the completion of all treatments
it can thus be determined which textile item this refers to, and
reliable tracking of the individual textile items can thus be
performed. This approach is also able to be applied when individual
textile items have been excluded during the treatment and/or the
drying or mangling, respectively, of dissimilar textile items takes
place in parallel tracks beside one another.
[0024] It is furthermore preferably provided that the sequence of
such textile items which run through the same treatment stations
does not change during transportation through all of said treatment
stations.
[0025] According to one advantageous refinement of the method it
can be provided that at least initial pre-sorting of the identified
textile items is performed by means of the identification of the
textile items, preferably each individual textile item, prior to
the treatment of the textile items. This initial sorting of the
textile items is preferably performed according to whether said
textile items have to be mangled, dried, or finished, thus whether
this is, for example, flat laundry, drywork laundry, or items of
clothing (so-called shaped parts). It is moreover conceivable for
such textile items which require special treatment to be determined
in the initial sorting. Such textile items can in this instance be
optionally excluded when the special treatment cannot take place
while using treatment installations which permit textile items in
succession to run through.
[0026] Another potential refinement of the method provides
detecting of each individual textile item according to the sequence
thereof to be performed prior to the first treatment, in particular
ahead of the first treatment station, and/or for said sequence to
be stored in a controller of the transport system of the treatment
line. This detection preferably takes place in terms of the
individual treatment parameters of the respective textile item. The
treatment parameters are in particular such which can be set and/or
varied at the treatment stations, above all at the machines which
form said treatment stations. On account thereof, an individual
bespoke treatment of each textile item which runs through the
respective treatment station in at least one series of successive
textile items is guaranteed.
[0027] A device for achieving the object mentioned at the outset is
a device for treating textile items, having a plurality of
treatment stations such as at least one washing installation, a
mangle, and/or a dryer, and/or a finisher, and a folding
installation which successively subject the textile items to
different treatments, wherein at least some treatment stations are
disposed successively in such a manner that the individual textile
items run through all treatment stations provided for the full
treatment of the respective textile item individually and in
succession, and the textile items are continuously transported
individually in succession to the individual treatment stations and
through the latter. Accordingly, at least some of the treatment
stations are disposed successively in such a manner that the
individual textile items run through the treatment stations
provided for the respective treatment of said textile items in
succession, and the textile items are able to be continuously
transported through individually in succession, preferably in a
continuous series, to the individual treatment stations and through
the latter. A treatment line which gradually treats the textile
items in the provided manner is thus formed in the laundry.
[0028] The textile items are preferably able to be transported
continuously in succession, thus gradually, through those treatment
stations in which the textile items are to be treated, can be
treated, and/or have to be treated.
[0029] The device can preferably be refined such that for
transporting the textile items through the successive treatment
stations the treatment stations have conveyors and/or means for
transporting the textile items through the respective treatment
station, and said conveyors are configured such that the latter
enable comprehensive transportation of the textile items from one
treatment station to the other. Alternatively, separate conveyors
which connect the conveyors of the successive treatment stations
can be provided between successive treatment stations, interlinking
of the treatment stations so as to form a continuous laundry line
thus taking place. These conveyors between successive treatment
stations, or the conveyors of the latter, respectively, then serve
as transfer conveyors of the successive textile items from one
station to the next, as well as to the first treatment station and
out of the treatment station.
[0030] The conveyors, in particular the afore-mentioned conveyors,
are preferably continuous conveyors such as, for example, belt
conveyors, articulated belt conveyors, or continuous conveyors
preferably having air-permeable belts.
[0031] The device can be refined in such a manner that a
preparation installation for preparing the textile items for the
treatment of the latter in the treatment stations is disposed ahead
of the first treatment station, in particular a washing
installation. The preparation installation can be configured, for
example, for spreading and/or depositing each individual textile
item on a conveyor for feeding the respective textile item to the
first treatment station and/or to a conveyor ahead of, or in,
respectively, the first treatment station. However, it is also
conceivable for the preparation installation to serve for hanging
the items of clothing on a transport hanger, or hooking said items
of clothing to a transport hanger, which transports the items of
clothing or other textile items through a corresponding treatment
station, for example a finisher. The preparation installation thus
serves for preparing the textile items for the treatments which
take place when running through the successive treatment stations
and for preferably also placing said textile items individually and
successively onto a conveyor of the first treatment station, or
ahead of the latter.
[0032] A potential refinement of the device provides for a
pre-sorting station of the textile items to be disposed ahead of
the first treatment station or ahead of the preparation
installation. The pre-sorting installation serves for separating
textile items of various types which have to be processed according
to another processing principle, for example for separating
toweling, which must not be mangled and instead has to be dried,
from textile items to be mangled. Depending on the sorting
criteria, at least two series of successive textile items of the
same type are then formed, for example textile items which have to
be mangled, on the one hand, and textile items which have to be
dried, on the other hand. Once these textile items have been
mangled or dried, respectively, they are again converged so as to
form one series of textile items, the sequence of the latter
preferably being identical to the sequence of the textile items
ahead of the sorting station.
[0033] The device can in particular have a detection station ahead
of the first treatment installation. Said detection installation
serves for detecting at least the treatment parameters of the
textile items. The treatment parameters of each individual
successive item are preferably determined by the detection
installation ahead of the first treatment station. These treatment
parameters determined are transmitted to at least one controller of
the treatment stations, preferably each individual treatment
station. By means of these treatment parameters, the treatment
installation of the respective treatment station is then set
individually for the respective textile item by the controller. On
account thereof, an individual treatment of each individual textile
item of a series of items continuously transported through the
treatment station is guaranteed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
explained in more detail hereunder by means of the drawing in
which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of
a device for forming a treatment line for treating textile items in
a laundry;
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the device; and
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart according to a third exemplary
embodiment of the device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The devices shown here form lines for treating each
individual textile item, and preferably also treating individually
textile items, in a laundry. The treatment lines guarantee an
individual bespoke treatment of each textile item according to the
continuous principle, preferably when successive textile items are
transported continuously through the device, thus the treatment
line according to the invention.
[0039] The textile items can be flat laundry, for example table
linen and bed linen, shaped parts such as items of clothing, and/or
drywork laundry, that is to say toweling. The textile items can
however also be special items such as, for example, rugs or mats,
in particular entrance mats.
[0040] The textile items are not only washed by the device
representing a treatment line, that is to say subjected to a wet
treatment comprising a number of steps, at least washing,
sanitizing, de-watering and/or rinsing, but are also mangled or
dried, or finished, respectively, and subsequently folded. Flat
laundry is usually mangled. Shaped parts, specifically items of
clothing, are dried and/or finished. Toweling is dried after a
washing and thereafter immediately folded.
[0041] The devices shown also have peripheral installations which
do not serve for washing, mangling, drying, finishing, and/or
folding, but for sorting, accumulating, and identifying the textile
items, preferably each individual textile item, for example.
Peripheral installations can moreover also be stackers for stacking
folded textile items of the same type, and/or packing
installations.
[0042] The device of FIG. 1, when viewed in the direction of
treatment 10, the latter also representing a running direction of
the textile items through a device, possesses an initial
accumulator 11 for textile items to be treated, a preparation
installation 17, detection installation 12, three successive
treatment stations, and a subsequent accumulator 18 for treated
textile items. The three treatment stations in the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 1 are a washing installation 14, a subsequent
mangle 15, and a folding installation 16 for washed and mangled
textile items which is disposed behind the mangle, when viewed in
the direction of treatment 10. Because the washing installation 14
in the device of FIG. 1 is followed by a mangle 15, this device
serves mainly for treating so-called flat laundry such as, in
particular tablecloths, bedsheets, duvet covers, pillow covers, and
optionally napkins.
[0043] In the device illustrated in FIG. 1, all textile items run
through all afore-mentioned installations, in particular all three
treatment installations, that is to say the washing installation
14, the mangle 15, and the folding installation 16, in the same
manner.
[0044] A device for treating toweling, the latter not been mangled,
instead of the mangle 15 has a dryer as the central treatment
station. In a device for shaped parts, thus items of clothing such
as, in particular, also workwear, the central treatment station is
configured as a finisher instead of a mangle 15.
[0045] A supply point (not shown) of the textile items to be
treated is situated ahead of the device of FIG. 1 which is
configured as a treatment line. The textile items here are
preferably supplied in bags or containers, for example carts. The
textile items can also be identified already immediately upon being
supplied, thus even ahead of the accumulator 11. At least a
pre-identification preferably takes place here, specifically an
identification of the type of the textile items, the origin
(customer) thereof and/or the number of preceding treatments.
However, it is also conceivable that a determination of all
treatment parameters required for all of the treatments already
takes place here too. The detection installation 12 in this
instance can optionally be dispensed with.
[0046] An accumulator 18 for folded individual textile items and/or
a stacker for folded textile items can optionally be provided
behind the folding installation 16. An automatic picking
installation which is not shown in FIG. 1 can also be present
behind the folding installation 16, or optionally behind an
accumulator disposed behind the folding installation 16. Said
automatic picking installation assembles the treated textile items
according to delivery criteria, for example for a specific
customer, and optionally packs the thus assembled treated, folded,
and potentially stacked textile items. A loading station (not
shown) for completely treated, picked, and optionally packed
textile items is provided at the end of the treatment line of FIG.
1. For example, loading of trucks which deliver the treated textile
items to the envisaged recipients, in particular customers, takes
place here, for example.
[0047] The accumulator 11 is configured for receiving the supplied
textile items once the latter have been removed from the bags or
containers which serve for supplying said textile items. The
accumulator 11 optionally already receives the singularized textile
items. The preparation installation 17 which follows the
accumulator 11 first singularizes the textile items should the
latter not already arrive in a singularized manner from the
accumulator 11. The textile items by the preparation installation
17 are subsequently spread and placed flat on to a conveyor,
preferably a continuous conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, for
example, should this be flat laundry or toweling. In the case of
other textile items, in particular shaped parts, for example items
of clothing, said textile items by the preparation installation 17
are hooked on transport hangers, or hooked to transport hangers,
respectively. The suspended textile items on these transport
hangers are then transported through the subsequent stations of the
device, at least the washing installation 14, a finisher, or the
like.
[0048] The detection installation 12 serves for automatically
detecting at least the items of information of the respective
individual textile item that are relevant to the subsequent
treatment. In the case of the detection installation 12 being the
only identification installation of the device, an automatic
determination of the type of origin (customer) and optionally of
the number of already prior treatments of the respective textile
item also takes place by the detection installation 12. The
detection installation 12 preferably possesses at least one
image-generating installation which serves in particular for
determining the type, the shape, color, the fabric structure and/or
the size of the respective textile item. Additionally or
alternatively, the detection installation 12 can also have at least
one data scanner which in a non-contacting manner automatically
reads data from a chip, a barcode, a QR code, or any other data
carrier with which the respective textile item is provided.
[0049] The washing installation 14 in the device of FIG. 1, which
is provided for flat laundry, is a continuously operating flatbed
washing machine having a continuous conveyor which transports the
textile items to be washed continuously and successively by the
continuous method through the washing installation 14. The textile
items in this washing installation 14 are each washed individually
in succession in the flat and spread-out state. The individually
washed textile items are preferably also rinsed and optionally
sanitized and/or provided with the finish in the washing
installation 14. The washing installation 14 can moreover also be
configured such that said washing installation de-waters each
individual piece of laundry after the treatment.
[0050] In the device of FIG. 1, the washing installation 14 is
followed by the mangle 15. Said mangle 15 herein is in particular a
trough mangle, a belt mangle, or else a combination of both. The
trough mangle can have a plurality of successive mangle rollers
having mangle troughs assigned thereto. The belt mangle can
likewise have a plurality of successive mangling members. However,
the flat laundry can optionally also be dried in another manner,
for example in a flat dryer which the textile items run through in
the exact same manner as the washing installation 14, specifically
individually in succession in the flat state.
[0051] The folding installation 16 which follows the mangle 15 or
the like, serves for folding the washed and dried textile items as
to correspond to the type and above all the size of said textile
items. The folded laundry items or other textile items are
preferably stacked, specifically textile items of the same type
which are to be delivered to the same recipient (customer).
[0052] The individual installations, accumulators, and the mangle
15 of the device serving as a treatment line operate by the
continuous method. To this end, the washing installation 14
possesses a conveyor which continuously transports the textile
items individually, so as to be spaced apart in the flat state,
through the washing installation 14. The folding installation 16
possesses a plurality of conveyors which fold the textile items in
the folding installation 16 and herein simultaneously transport
said textile items through the folding installation. The textile
items are transported through the mangle 15 in succession on
account of the at least one rotatably drivable mangle roller or the
mangling belts. The other installations, and optionally also the
accumulators 11 or 18, respectively, can also have conveyors, for
example belt conveyors, which transport the textile items onwards
individually in the direction of treatment 10.
[0053] The individual installations, the accumulators 11 and/or 18,
as well as the mangle 15 and all other treatment stations are
interlinked by conveyors, above all continuous conveyors, which are
symbolically illustrated by lines and which continuously transport
the textile items individually in succession from one installation
or station, respectively, onwards in the direction of treatment 10
such that the textile items to be treated are able to be
continuously transported individually and completely through the
entire device of FIG. 1.
[0054] To the extent of the mangle 15 of FIG. 1 being replaced by a
dryer which successively dries the textile items so as to lie flat
by the continuous method, said dryer also possesses at least one
conveyor which transports the textile items in the direction of
treatment 10 through the dryer and to the folding installation 16
following set dryer.
[0055] In the case of the device instead of the mangle 15 having a
flatbed dryer or a continuous dryer having a continuous conveyor
for transporting the individual successive textile items through
said dryer, respectively, it is conceivable that the conveyors of
the washing installation 14 of the dryer which dries the textile
items in a flat state, and of the folding installation 16 are
directly successive such that no separate conveyors for
interlinking the individual installations and treatment stations of
the device of FIG. 1 are required between the washing installation
14 and the dryer, and between the dryer and the folding
installation 16.
[0056] The method according to the invention using the treatment
line of FIG. 1 is carried out as follows.
[0057] The textile items to be treated upon being supplied in the
laundry are, preferably continuously, transported individually and
successively by the continuous method in the direction of treatment
10 through the accumulator 11, the preparation installation 17, the
detection installation 12, the washing installation 14, the mangle
15, and the folding installation 16. The textile items herein
maintain the sequence thereof in which said textile items initially
run into the device, for example when passing the detection
installation 12 and/or an identification installation (not shown in
FIG. 1) ahead of the preparation installation 17 so as to be
unchanged until after the treatment. Said textile items exit the
folding installation 16 in the sequence in which said textile items
have been fed to the treatment line. Because the textile items in
the device shown in FIG. 1 do not change the sequence during the
treatment in a single-track run and/or a single-track treatment,
the sequence of the textile items remains identical during the
entire treatment of said textile items.
[0058] The textile items supplied are first stored in the
accumulator 11. The textile items here are preferably already
removed from the bags or containers, respectively, serving for
supplying said textile items. The textile items are gradually
retrieved from the accumulator 11, preferably in a singularized
manner, and are transported to the preparation installation 17
where said textile items are prepared for the subsequent treatment,
in particular are placed so as to be flat and spread-out on a
conveyor.
[0059] The textile items are individually identified in the
subsequent detection installation. To the extent that a partial
initial identification of each individual textile item has not
already taken place ahead of the accumulator 11, the identification
is completely performed in the detection installation 12. This
takes place by way of at least one image-generating installation,
for example a camera, wherein this can also be a 3D color camera
and/or a data scanner for a chip, a barcode, a QR code or other
data carriers on or in each individual textile item. This herein is
establishing from whom the respective textile item originates
(customer), the type of the textile item, the latter being in
particular specifications as to whether the textile item is white
or colored, from which material said textile item is made, and
whether said textile item has a single ply or multiple plies, and
all treatment parameters which are required for the subsequent
treatments. Further treatment parameters may be customer-specific
and be derived based on the customer from where the respective
textile item originates.
[0060] The washing installation 14, the mangle 15, and the folding
installation 16 are then individually set and controlled for each
textile item by means of the determined data, in particular the
treatment parameters. The preparation installation 17 can
optionally also be controlled by means of the previous
identification of the textile items.
[0061] The relevant data, in particular the treatment parameters,
determined at least by the detection installation 12 are
transmitted to the respective treatment installation, in particular
the washing installation 14, the mangle 15, and the folding
installation 16, specifically preferably to the controllers of the
mentioned treatment installations or treatment stations,
respectively. The data of at least the detection installation 12
received by the controllers of the washing installation 14, of the
mangle 15, and of the folding installation 16 is then used for
setting and controlling the mentioned treatment installations such
that the respective textile item is treated individually by means
of the treatment parameters of said textile item and optionally by
means of further data originating from the identification of the
respective textile item. In this way, an individual treatment of
each textile item takes place in the successive and interlinked
treatment installations, in particular the washing installation 14,
the mangle 15, the folding installation 16, and optionally the
preparation installation 17.
[0062] Because the textile items are treated in the treatment line
of FIG. 1 while maintaining the sequence of said textile items, the
latter specifically running continuously through all treatment
stages individually and without being reoriented, said textile
items maintain their sequence without any change. The sequence of
the textile items initially established in particular by the
detection installation 12 still exists also after the folding
installation 16 such that it is thereafter possible for said
textile items to be automatically picked, prepared for delivery,
and correspondingly delivered without being identified once
again.
[0063] FIG. 2 shows a device for treating dissimilar textile items,
specifically flat laundry which is mangled, and drywork laundry,
for example toweling, which is dried in dryers. The treatment line
illustrated in FIG. 2 therefore possesses turnouts 22, 27 so as to
be able to continuously treat by the continuous method flat laundry
as well as toweling or other textile items which cannot be mangled,
in particular so as to subject flat laundry as well as toweling or
other textile items which cannot be mangled to an individual
treatment.
[0064] The supplied textile items of dissimilar types are first
removed from bags or other containers and stored in the accumulator
20. Identifying the supplied textile items to be treated takes
place ahead of, in, or behind the accumulator 20. This herein is
preferably only an initial identification in which such items of
information pertaining to the respective textile item which are
required at least for pre-sorting are obtained.
[0065] After the identification, the textile items reach a sorting
installation 19. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the textile
items in said sorting installation 19 are sorted according to
whether said textile items have to be mangled or only dried. When
viewed in the direction of treatment 10, the sorting installation
19 is followed by two parallel accumulators 20, 21. The sorting
installation 19 controls a turnout 22 in such a manner that textile
items to be mangled, for example flat laundry, reach the (upper)
accumulator 21, and textile items to be dried, for example
toweling, reach the (lower) accumulator 21. A junction 23 is
situated behind the accumulator, textile items from the (upper)
accumulator 21 to be mangled, as well as textile items from the
(lower) accumulator 21 only to be dried at said junction being
gradually transported controlled in a targeted manner in a
preferably established sequence to a common detection installation
24 in which at least the treatment parameters of the textile items
from both accumulators 21 required for the subsequent treatment are
determined.
[0066] The preparation installation 25 in the exemplary embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2 is integrated in the neighboring accumulators
21. However, said preparation installation 25 can also be
separately provided between the accumulators 21 and the detection
installation 24. The textile items by the preparation installation
25 are prepared for the individual treatment in the subsequent
treatment stations. In the case of flat laundry and toweling,
spreading and placing the individual successive textile items onto
a conveyor, preferably a continuous conveyor, of the subsequent
washing installation 26, or an infeed conveyor ahead of the
conveyor of the washing installation 26, respectively, takes place
by the preparation installation 25.
[0067] The washing installation 26 is configured as a washing
machine for washing the individual textile items in a flat state,
all textile items preferably gradually running through the washing
machine at a minor mutual spacing. The textile items by the
conveyor of the washing installation 26 herein are in particular
transported continuously by the continuous method through the
washing installation 26 and herein at least washed and optionally
de-watered and sanitized, if required however also rinsed and/or
finished, on account of which the textile items are subjected to
the entire wet treatment provided therefor in the washing
installation 26.
[0068] The textile items which exit the washing installation 26 in
succession by a correspondingly controlled turnout 27 behind the
washing installation 26 are distributed in a targeted manner to two
parallel conveyor sections, or divided into two parallel conveying
streams, respectively. Flat laundry which is to be mangled thus
reaches the mangle 28, while toweling is transported through the
dryer 29 which is disposed so as to be parallel beside the mangle
28. The flat laundry then gradually runs through the mangle 28,
while toweling is gradually transported through the dryer 29 which
is configured as a continuous dryer. To this end, the dryer 29 has
a conveyor, preferably a continuous conveyor, on which and by which
the toweling to be dried is continuously transported by the
continuous method through the dryer 29 and herein is dried. The
drying takes place in the flatbed method in that the toweling
transported in a flat and stretched manner on an air-permeable belt
of the conveyor of the dryer 29, or transported on the conveyor
extending through the dryer 29, respectively, by the continuous
method is continuously impinged with fully or partially heated
drying air.
[0069] A further junction 30 at which the mangled textile items as
well as the dried textile items are converged so as to be
conjointly folded in succession in one track by the continuous
method by the folding installation 31 is situated behind the mangle
28 and the dryer 29.
[0070] The device of FIG. 2 which represents a treatment line for
various textile items possesses an interlinking of the individual
components and installations of said device and a conveying section
which in part has two parallel tracks or branches and which is
composed of conveyors, preferably continuous conveyors which are
disposed in a corresponding succession. The turnouts 22 and 27 are
provided where the single conveying section branches out,
specifically ahead of the accumulators 21 and ahead of the mangle
28 and the dryer 29. The junctions 23 and 30, where the textile
laundry items from the accumulators 21 or from the mangle 28 and
the dryer 29, respectively, are able to be converged again,
specifically in the original initial sequence, are provided where
the parallel two tracks or branches, respectively, of the conveying
train are reunified, specifically behind the accumulators 21 and
behind the mangle 28 and the dryer 29, when viewed in the direction
of treatment 10.
[0071] The device of FIG. 2 possesses controllers which acquire the
data of an initial identification of the textile items prior to
sorting and ahead of the detection installation 24. The controller
activates the sorting installation 19 as well as the turnout 22
ahead of the accumulators 21. In the exact same manner the
controller, in particular separate controller, activates the
turnout 27 ahead of the mangle 28 and the dryer 29. The controller
can also be configured for activating the turnouts 22 and 27 such
that the sequence of the successive textile items ahead of the
sorting installation 19 still exists at the end of the treatment,
in particular that the textile items can be fed to the folding
installation 31 in the original initial sequence, and also exit
said folding installation 31 in said manner.
[0072] The method according to the invention in the context of FIG.
1 has been described in the case of textile items of one type which
can all be mangled, dried or finished. To the extent as being
applicable, reference is made thereto. The method which is able to
be carried out using the device of FIG. 2 differs from the
previously described method as follows.
[0073] The device of FIG. 2 can be used for simultaneously treating
a plurality of types of textile items. The illustration of FIG. 2
assumes that two different types of textile items are to be
treated, specifically such textile items which have to be mangled
and such textile items which have to be dried. For this reason, the
textile items upon being supplied are identified at least in terms
of the type of their processing (mangling or drying). Sorting of
the textile items thereupon takes place in the sorting installation
19, in the exemplary embodiment shown specifically according to
flat laundry and toweling or drywork laundry, respectively. The
textile items in a sorted manner, thus sorted according to type,
then reach the (upper) accumulator 21 for flat laundry, for
example, and the (lower) accumulator 21 for drywork laundry, for
example.
[0074] Textile items from the (upper) accumulator 21 as well as
from the (lower) accumulator 21, when required, or in a
predetermined sequence, are conjointly identified in terms of
further criteria in the single detection installation 24, in
particular in terms of the treatment criteria of said textile items
for preferably all successive treatments.
[0075] All textile items in the spread-out and flat state are
subsequently washed by the continuous method in the same washing
installation 26, specifically the drywork laundry as well as the
flat laundry. After the washing, the textile items are mangled in
the mangle 28 or dried in the dryer 29 according to the
requirements based on the pre-sorting. The flat laundry herein is
successively transported gradually through the mangle 28, while the
drywork laundry is successively dried in the dryer 29. The drywork
laundry in the spread-out, flat state herein runs through the dryer
29 which operates by the continuous method.
[0076] The textile items after the mangling or drying,
respectively, are again converged and conjointly folded in the
provided manner and optionally stacked in the folding installation
31. The stacking takes place such that textile items which are
destined for one customer or recipient, respectively, are situated
in the same stack.
[0077] The folded textile items and/or the stack of identical
folded textile items are/is temporarily stored in the accumulator
33 behind the folding installation 31 and retrieved according to
requirements in order for the treated textile items to be picked.
This picking can take place such that the treated textile items are
loaded into a delivery vehicle in a manner corresponding to the
route of said delivery vehicle.
[0078] While dissimilar textile items, in particular mangled
laundry and drywork laundry, can be conjointly treated by the
device of FIG. 2, the textile items after the treatment maintain
their initial sequence. This is implemented by a corresponding
reversal of the sorting which initially took place, or the
pre-sorting after the (last) different treatment of the textile
items prior to the folding of the textile items, respectively.
[0079] To this end, all textile items after the drying or mangling,
respectively, are converged again ahead of the folding installation
31 in a manner supported by the controller of the device such that
said textile items exit the end of the treatment line in the
initial sequence.
[0080] While flat laundry as well as drywork laundry (toweling) is
able to be treated by the device of FIG. 2, the treatments in this
device also take place continuously by the continuous method.
[0081] FIG. 3 shows a device which is configured as a partially
dual-track treatment line.
[0082] The textile items to be treated upon being supplied are
identified in particular in terms of the treatment of said textile
items and are subsequently sorted in a sorting installation 34. In
the exact same manner as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, it
is assumed in this exemplary embodiment that the textile items are,
for example, flat laundry and drywork laundry which is to be sorted
in a corresponding manner.
[0083] A turnout 35 where the textile items are divided into flat
laundry (mangled laundry) and toweling (drywork laundry) according
to the sorting or pre-sorting thereof, respectively, follows the
sorting installation 34 when viewed in the direction of treatment
10.
[0084] Two parallel strands, specifically a strand for mangled
laundry and another strand for drywork laundry, follow the sorting
installation 34 when viewed in the direction of treatment 10. Each
strand possesses in each case one preparation installation 36, 37,
in each case one detection installation 38, 39, in each case one
washing installation 40, 41, and the strand for the mangled laundry
possesses a mangle 42 and the strand for drywork laundry possesses
a dryer 43. The parallel strands of the treatment sections thus
possess the same number of treatment installations, wherein the
preparation installations 36, 37, the detection installations 38,
39, and the washing installations 40, 41 can be of identical
configuration. Differences in the two parallel treatment strands
lie only in that the mangled strand for mangled laundry has the
mangle 42, and the drywork strand for drywork laundry has the dryer
43.
[0085] When viewed in the direction of treatment 10, the mangled
textile items and the dried textile items at a junction 44 converge
once more at a common conveyor section which leads to the folding
installation 45. All textile items are thus folded by the same
folding installation 45. When required, in particular for reasons
of capacity, it can be provided that a dedicated folding
installation 45 is assigned to each of the treatment branches, or
branch portions, that run in parallel beside one another,
respectively, such that the device does not only have two washing
installations 40, 41 but also two parallel folding installations
45.
[0086] An accumulator 46 follows the folding installation 45 also
in the treatment line shown in FIG. 3. An accumulator which is not
shown in FIG. 3 can optionally also be provided ahead of the
sorting installation 34.
[0087] The method according to the invention is fundamentally
carried out by the device of FIG. 3 in the exact same manner as the
method of the previously described exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1
and 2, to which reference is made. Differences in comparison to the
preceding methods are explained hereunder.
[0088] The textile items run successively through the respective
treatment branch, specifically the branch having the mangle 42 as
well as the branch having the dryer 43, in an unchanged
sequence.
[0089] It is preferably provided that the treatment of the textile
items in the respective branch in which the preparation, the
detection, the washing, and the mangling and also the drying takes
place has an identical cycle time (treatment time). The textile
items are then converged at the junction 44 in the sequence in
which said textile items were divided into the two neighboring
parallel treatment branches at the turnout 35. The textile items
after folding in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 then also exit
the treatment line in the same sequence in which said textile items
were transported to the sorting installation 34.
[0090] The textile items are also subjected to a continuous
individual treatment in the individual treatment stations by the
device of FIG. 3, wherein the textile items are able to be
individually transported through the treatment stations, in
particular the washing installations 40, 41, the mangle 42, the
dryer 43, and the folding installation 45. This through
transportation takes place continuously by the continuous method by
interlinking the individual components of the device and the
conveyors and the branches of the latter, specifically the turnout
35 and the junctions 44.
[0091] Further alternative devices for using the treatment lines
for more than two different types of textile items are conceivable,
for example in which devices textile items which represent items of
clothing are sorted according to trousers and tops, bed linen
according to bed linen which has a single ply (bedsheets) or two
plies (duvet covers, pillow covers).
[0092] It is also conceivable that the sorting is performed
according to more than two different types of textile items, for
example mangled laundry, toweling, and special items. Special items
can be, for example, such textile items which are neither mangled
nor dried but are finished. Such textile items also require another
preparation in that said textile items are hooked on transport
hangers, for example, and are transported through the treatment
line in a state suspended on the transport hangers. Special items
can also be items which do not have to be folded; said special
items can nevertheless be treated by in particular the previously
described devices in that said special items after the completion
of the treatment are transported past the respective folding
installation, or in that the respective device, specifically the
treatment line, does not possess a folding installation.
[0093] The method provides the potential of tracking the textile
items, preferably each individual textile item, when running
through the treatment section, in particular the successive
treatment stations of the latter.
[0094] The tracking of the textile items running through the
treatment section preferably takes place by determining the
presence of a respective textile item at at least one defined
detection point, in particular an identification and/or measurement
point. Localizing each individual one of the textile items is
possible in this way. This localization can take place only at the
end of the treatment, preferably at the start and the end of the
treatment, or else between individual treatment stations, depending
on the requirement.
[0095] The monitoring, the determining of the position, and/or the
localizing of the respective individual textile item can take place
individually in various ways, but above all by identification
and/or measurement. The identification can take place by detecting
an individual transponder signal of each individual textile item at
specific locations where the position of the respective textile
item is required. Corresponding detection points are situated here.
Relevant data can also be read from a data carrier of the
respective individual textile item at specific measurement points,
so as to obtain items of information pertaining to the identity of
said textile item, wherein the position of the item thus identified
corresponds to the known position of the measurement point. It is
also conceivable that each individual textile item is identified
and/or localized individually by image-generating
installations.
[0096] It can also be provided that the running of each individual
textile item through the device, in particular all treatment
stations and/or selected treatment stations, is individually
monitored, for example by timing.
[0097] The timing in this instance, in particular for each
individual textile item, is for example started in or ahead of the
respective detection installation 12, 14, 38, 39 and the timing is
stopped behind the respective folding installation 16, 31, 45. A
determined running time for each textile item is thus obtained.
This determined running time is compared with a calculated running
time. The calculated running time results from the known, constant
spacing of the locations from when the timing is started and
stopped and from the known and/or constant running speed of the
textile items through the device.
[0098] When it is established in the comparison that the measured
running time of the respective textile item is identical to the
calculated running time, this means that the same item which at the
beginning of the time recording was situated at the location where
the time recording was started, upon expiry of the calculated
running time must be situated where the timing of the same item is
concluded. It can thus be at least determined, preferably after the
treatment, at the location where the timing is concluded or
stopped, which textile item is momentarily situated at this
location.
[0099] Simple and reliable tracking of the textile items through
the device is guaranteed in the manner described above. This
tracking can take place more precisely the more locations are
provided for timing. For example, the tracking can thus take place
after each selected treatment station. The tracking of the textile
items taking place in this manner is also possible when a textile
item is lost during the treatment, for example, or has to be
rejected because said textile item has been damaged.
[0100] The above-described possibilities of monitoring and/or
tracking preferably each individual textile item are suitable above
all for the devices and methods shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, where
individual textile items have to be treated differently,
specifically have to be mangled or dried, respectively, and the
textile items to this end are transported through the devices on
different transport paths, for example in parallel beside one
another.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0101] 10 Direction of treatment [0102] 11 Accumulator [0103] 12
Detection installation [0104] 14 Washing installation [0105] 15
Mangle [0106] 16 Folding installation [0107] 17 Preparation
installation [0108] 18 Accumulator [0109] 19 Sorting installation
[0110] 20 Accumulator [0111] 21 Accumulator [0112] 22 Turnout
[0113] 23 Junction [0114] 24 Detection installation [0115] 25
Preparation installation [0116] 26 Washing installation [0117] 27
Turnout [0118] 28 Mangle [0119] 29 Dryer [0120] 30 Junction [0121]
31 Folding installation [0122] 34 Sorting installation [0123] 35
Turnout [0124] 36 Preparation installation [0125] 37 Preparation
installation [0126] 38 Detection installation [0127] 39 Detection
installation [0128] 40 Washing installation [0129] 41 Washing
installation [0130] 42 Mangle [0131] 43 Dryer [0132] 44 Junction
[0133] 45 Folding installation [0134] 46 Accumulator
* * * * *