Feeder Apparatus

Abstract

A feeder apparatus adapted for use with folding machines and ironers is employed in the processing of flexible textile items such as sheets, towels and the like. A feed table is provided having a transverse vacuum section which tends to exert a "drag" on the sheet being fed into the processing device having continuous belt members which pull the fed article over the vacuum section. Opposed series of brushes moving transversely to the direction of movement of the sheet engage the undersurface of the sheet fed into the apparatus, so as to move the same toward the opposed sides of the feeder. The feeder thus exerts simultaneous drag and spreading effects on a sheet, thereby removing all wrinkles therefrom so that the same may be efficiently folded or ironed in subsequent operations.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to feeder apparatus employed for use in laundries and other institutions processing large volumes of textile articles wherein wrinkle removal in an item such as a sheet or the like is desired prior to a subsequent processing operation, such as folding or ironing.

2. The Prior Art

The use of feeder apparatus for use in conjunction with ironers or the like is well known in the laundry industry. The use of vacuum in such devices is also well known. The vacuum is employed to exert a retarding effect on the sheet or the like fed onto a conveyor comprising a part of a folder or ironer, whereby the material of the sheet is rendered taut and wrinkles removed. Although such use of vacuum devices has a tendency to render the material fed into the device taut in a longitudinal direction, the apparatus components employed for exerting lateral spreading of the fed sheet have been of rather minimal value. Thus the use of curved bars, rods, edges and the like have been employed so as to fan out or spread the portion of a sheet following the leading edge thereof. However, when such sheet reaches the vicinity of the vacuum, no positive force is exerted on the sheet which functions to slightly stretch the same laterally to assure complete wrinkle removal.

With the constantly increasing cost of labor, the desirability of employing a feeder apparatus which will increase the volume of sheets which may be fed through high-speed automatic folding and ironing apparatus assumes increasing importance. The feeder apparatus provided by this invention requires a minimum of hand operation by the feeder operating personnel, thereby increasing the volume of sheets which may be efficiently processed.

SUMMARY

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a feeder apparatus which efficiently employs vacuum and counterrotating brush systems which exert simultaneous drag and spreading actions on a sheet member being processed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a feeder apparatus which is composed of relatively few parts which are readily available, easily maintained and seldom subject to malfunction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a feeder apparatus which is versatile in operation so as to be readily adaptable for handling large items such as sheets or the like, or small items such as towels, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a feeder apparatus which is readily adapted for use with a large variety of ironers, folders or the like. The provided feeder thus maintains at a minimum the expense necessary for obtaining the advantages of the novel spreading and drag action provided by this invention, inasmuch as the feeder hereinafter disclosed may be readily employed with already existing textile processing apparatus.

In accordance with this invention, a feeder device is employed comprising a transverse feed table portion having a narrow vacuum area comprising an apertured strip in communication with a vacuum-creating device. The sheet portion adjacent the leading edge fed over such strip tends to be restrained in the course of traversing the width of the apertured strip as the leading edge is fed onto the moving conveyor ribbons of a folder or other laundry processing equipment. Disposed adjacent the vacuum strip and forwardly of the same are continuous chain or belt members on which are disposed spaced brushes adapted to engage the undersurface of the fed sheet. As the textile item moves inwardly over the vacuum strip the brushes move the engaged portions of the sheet laterally, thereby simultaneously exerting a spreading effect on such item as it progresses axially.

Also incorporated in the feeder are shield members whereby narrow laundry items such as towels, pillowcases or the like are shielded from contact with the laterally moving brushes as these items are of such narrow width that one operator may effect the desired spreading action in the course of feeding the same over the vacuum strip. The shield members are readily pivoted into an upper position so that the towel or the like which is fed onto the feed table and continuous conveyor belt of a folder or ironer is slidably moved over the top edge portions of the shield members. The shields thus function to prevent the towel from contacting the brush members which continue to move beneath the upper edge portions of the shield.

The vacuum strip of the provided feeder apparatus is disposed atop a vacuum box or chamber which is divided into two lateral sections formed by a central partition, thereby enabling the vacuum pull on each half portion to remain uniform when small laundry items are being fed, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the drawings and the following detailed description which explain the manner in which the disclosed feeder functions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a feeder apparatus made in accordance with this invention shown in adjacent relationship with the feed ribbons of a folding apparatus or the like, fragmentarily illustrated.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a shield member utilized in the provided feeder apparatus disposed in a non-shielding position relative to a moving brush member utilized in the provided feeder for effecting a lateral spreading action on a fed laundry item.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a shield member fragmentarily illustrated in an upper shielding position over the normal position of the brush member illustrated in hidden lines in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at right angles to FIG. 3 and illustrated on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly broken away, illustrating the two systems of spreading brush members and the drive mechanism therefor employed in the provided feeder apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the feeder apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view of a brush shield member and associated parts employed in the provided apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view partly in elevation of the front portion of the provided feeder apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one integral member employed in the formation of a vacuum box of the provided feeder apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inner components of the vacuum box employed in the provided feeder of this invention.

FIG. 11 comprises a perspective view illustrating the elements of FIGS. 8 and 9 in assembled relationship so as to provide vacuum-box chambers and a feeder table portion of the apparatus of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a feeder apparatus 10 made in accordance with this invention is illustrated in adjacent relationship with the feed ribbons 12 of a folding apparatus 14 fragmentarily illustrated. It is to be understood that the provided feeder of this apparatus is to be employed wherever wrinkle removal of a fabric item is desired as in laundry folding and ironing operations so that the processed item may be free of wrinkles, thereby presenting a more attractive appearance. Thus, the provided feeder 10 of this invention may be used in laundries, textile mills, hospitals and other institutions where large volumes of fabrics are to have wrinkles removed prior to a subsequent operation such as folding or ironing.

It will be noted from FIG. 1 that the apparatus 10 comprises side walls 16 which are maintained in spaced relationship with the assistance of transversely disposed vacuum box 18, face 19 of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, an upper wall or feed table portion 20 is composed of an inclined smooth wall portion 22 and a substantially horizontally disposed strip 24 having disposed therein at regular intervals apertures 26. Projecting outwardly from front wall portion 19 of the transverse vacuum box 18 is a protective cover or housing 28 having disposed therebehind a drive mechanism for moving in opposite directions spaced series of brush members 30 and 32 partially shown in FIG. 1.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a drive motor 34 employed for rotating a series of blades in blower 36 so that a vacuum may be pulled through flexible connection 38 which is in communication with bottom 42 of the transverse vacuum box 18, communicating with a circular opening 40 therein (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 8 illustrates in greater detail the manner in which housing 28 projects forwardly from the face 19 of the transverse vacuum box 18. FIG. 8 also illustrates in greater detail the inclined nature of the smooth wall portion 22 of the upper portion of the transverse vacuum box. Wall portion 22 is contiguous with the narrow apertured strip 24 having the spaced apertures 26 through which a vacuum is pulled as indicated by the path of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 8.

It will be seen from FIG. 9 that the vacuum box is assembled from a generally C-shaped channel 44, the bottom portion 42 thereof defining in part a lower chamber 43 of the transverse vacuum box (see FIGS. 8 and 11) and the front wall portion 19 thereof defining the exposed face of the vacuum box, as shown in FIG. 1.

It is seen from FIGS. 9 and 11 that the channel 44 comprises bottom portion 42, face 19, inclined feed table surface portion 22 and transverse apertured strip portion 24 in one unitary piece. Floor portion 42 is also formed integrally with a raised lip portion 46. The vacuum box assembly is formed by inserting into channel 44 the channel arrangement of FIG. 10, comprising a bottom 48 of inverted U-shaped configuration having spaced slots 50 and to which is secured the erect C-shaped channel 52. Centrally disposed relative to the assembled channels 48 and 52 is a separator comprising a generally Z-shaped member 54. The three elements of FIG. 10 may be welded, riveted or otherwise secured together and the unitary assembly inserted in nesting relationship with the generally C-shaped member 44 of FIG. 9. Following interfitting engagement to arrive at the assembly of FIG. 11, adjacent wall portions of the two assemblies of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be riveted or welded together to assure rigidity of construction.

Employed in conjunction with the vacuum box 18 of the provided apparatus 10 is a system adapted to laterally spread a sheet including two continuous chains 64 and 65 (see FIG. 5) on which are mounted the spaced series of brushes 30 and 32, respectively. It will be noted from FIG. 5 that the series of brushes 30 disposed on the left-half portion of the machine, and the series of brushes 32 disposed on the right-half portion of the apparatus 10, when viewed from the front, move in opposite directions away from the center of the machine. The undersurface portions of a sheet being fed over the brushes (see FIG. 8) will engage the brushes and be moved outwardly toward the opposed sides of the machine. The latter movement occurs as the sheet is moved axially inwardly over the apparatus 10 and simultaneously the sheet leading edge portion is pulled by means of continuous tapes 12 of a folder or ironer used in conjunction with the feeder apparatus 10.

It is most clearly seen from FIG. 8 that each brush 32 is locked in a holder member 62 riveted to continuous link chain 64 which rides on the center portion of a plastic U-shaped guide tack 66. Track 66 may be supported on a ledge 68 or other equivalent support which may be secured to inner surface portions of the protective housing 28.

It will be noted from FIG. 5 that drive chain 69 which is driven by a lowermost drive sprocket (not illustrated) engages drive sprocket 70 associated with chain 65, drive sprocket 72, associated with chain 64, as well as idler sprocket 74. Concentrically mounted with drive sprocket 70 and mounted in front thereof is a sprocket 76 which directly engages the chain 65 on which the brushes 32 are mounted so as to drive the same to the right, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. Concentrically mounted with drive sprocket 72 is sprocket 78 which directly engages chain 64, on which brushes 30 are mounted, for purposes of driving the chain and brushes to the left as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. Chain 64 also engages sprocket 78a disposed to the left of sprocket 78. It is seen from the arrangement of the sprockets and drive chains in FIG. 5 that a single drive chain 69 serves to impart power to both chain-engaging sprockets 76 and 78 which in turn directly drive the two chains 64 and 65 on which the two sets of brushes 30 and 32 are mounted for movement in opposite directions.

In the normal course of operation, two operators grasp opposed ends of a sheet leading edge and place the leading edge on the continuous ribbons 12 (see FIG. 1) adjacent the apertured strip 24 of the feed table portion of the apparatus 10. It will be noted from FIG. 8 that mounted adjacent the apertured strip portion 24 is a flat transverse strip 80 having a short vertical face 82. A switch actuator such as actuator 84 (see FIG. 1) may be disposed adjacent the strip 80 so as to be tripped by the leading edge of the sheet to actuate the blower motor 34, creating a vacuum within superposed vacuum chambers 86 and 43, as more clearly seen in FIG. 8. Rather than have the vacuum constantly present, it has been found to be more desirable to have the leading edge of the sheet actuate a time delay which may be mounted in housing 85 (see FIG. 1) to, in turn, actuate the motor and blower after a set time interval. This will give the leading edge of the sheet an opportunity to pass beyond the vacuum strip 24 so that the leading edge of the sheet will not be gripped and maintained in position over such strip. After the leading edge has been properly engaged by the continuous ribbons 12 of a folder or ironer illustrated in FIG. 1, and is moved axially inwardly, vacuum is generated by the blower 36 so as to pull the portion of the sheet moving over the apertured strip 24 closely thereagainst.

It will be seen from FIG. 8 that a sheet moving inwardly over the continuous ribbons 12 will be drawn over the vertical edge 82 of strip 80 extending across the apparatus 10. The strip 80 is seen to have the function of eliminating wrinkles by providing a slight scraping action, acting in cooperation with the drag created by means of the vacuum within the chamber 86 of the vacuum box 18. It will be noted from FIG. 9, as well as FIG. 1, that openings 26 in the transverse vacuum strip 24 are spaced at regular intervals. These regularly spaced apertures have been found to be more desirable than a continuous slot since the material of the strip between the spaced apertures eliminates the possibility of a sheet becoming stuck or jammed as is possible with a larger continuous opening.

It has also been found desirable to have the total aperture area slightly less than the cross-sectional area of the opening 40 in the bottom 42 of the C-shaped member 44, as illustrated in FIG. 9 and the combined areas of the slots 50 of FIG. 10. Similarly, the total area of the slots 50 in the bottom of the inverted C-shaped channel member 48 of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 10 should be slightly less than the cross-sectional area of the opening 40 shown in FIG. 9. The latter area relationship will assure desired suction at the surface of the transverse strip 24. The utilization of particular blower sizes, and aperture and slot areas employed for various applications is well within the skill of the art, and it is intended that particular feeder models be designed for particular applications as in textile mills, laundries and the like.

It is most apparent from FIG. 8 that as a sheet is moved inwardly over the feed table portion of the provided apparatus 10 and pulled inwardly by means of the continuous tapes 12 of a folder or ironer, the trailing portion of the sheet adjacent the leading edge will come in contact with the brushes 30 and 32 which are raised above the level of both the top of the housing 28 as well as the level of the inclined plate portion 22 and apertured strip portion 24.

It will be seen from FIG. 1 that as the sheet is pulled inwardly and retarded in its forward movement by means of the vacuum strip, the two sets of brushes 30 and 32 will tend to spread the sheet laterally as they engage the undersurface of the sheet, spreading the same toward the opposed sides of the machine. It has been found desirable to have the brushes arranged at spaced intervals on the chains driving the same so as to provide an interval between the brushes within which the sheet may slightly depend or fall, thereby effecting a means whereby the individual brushes may grip or engage the sheet in the course of the spreading action. It has been found that if the brushes are continuous on the driving chains, they are unable to grip the sheets and move the same laterally to effect a spreading action. The interval between the brushes should be no less than about two inches; otherwise slippage is likely to occur and gripping of the sheets will not be obtained as desired.

In the event that apparatus 10 is utilized to feed small items of laundry such as pillowcases and towels, a single operator may exert the necessary spreading action in the lateral directions, and accordingly there is no necessity for having the brush members function to effect spreading action. In addition, it is apparent that if one-half of the feeding width of the apparatus is employed for each of the two feeding personnel, brushes are disposed on the one-half of the machine utilized for moving the fed article in one direction only so that no spreading action may be effected thereby. Therefore, since brushes are unnecessary in feeding small items of laundry, the brush shields 92 and 94 illustrated in FIG. 1 are employed which may be pivoted into a raised position covering the brush members so that the fed article will ride smoothly over the upper surface portions 96 of the shield members 92 and 94.

It will be seen from the exploded view of FIG. 7 that the shield members 92 are apertured at 98 so that a bolt 100 (only one of the two bolts employed with shield 92 is illustrated) may traverse the same and engage a threaded opening 102 in link 104. Each bolt 100 has an enlarged, unthreaded shank portion 101 and a threaded terminal portion 103 of reduced diameter. Portion 101 engages the threads of aperture 102 of link 104 and, as noted in FIG. 4, since shank portion 101 is of greater depth than the thickness of link 104, the link is freely rotatable with bolt 100 relative to shield 92 because of the spacing effected by shank 101. Bolt 106 having shank portion 107 and threaded end 109 similarly secures link 100 to the face 19 of the vacuum chamber, shank portion 107 being of greater depth than the thickness of face 19.

Also mounted on the face 19 is a stop pin 110. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be noted that when it is desired to raise a brush shield 92 from a lower position (illustrated in FIG. 2), which is employed when it is desired to spread sheets apart laterally, into the raised position of FIG. 3, in which position the shield prevents a fed small laundry article such as a towel or the like from engaging the illustrated brushes, a small pivoting action is all that is necessary. The shield 92 is readily pivoted by means of the links 104 about the bolts 106 mounted in the vacuum chamber until the links come to a stop against the pins 110 so as to assume the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Shield member 94 functions in the manner of member 92 above described.

It has been found that the openings 26 in the transverse vacuum strip 24 may be of the order of one-quarter inch in diameter. It has also been found that it is preferred that the solid plate material between the openings be about 1/16th inch and that the openings be placed on 5/16 inch centers. The latter dimensions are given by way of example only, and this invention is not to be limited thereto.

Since divider 54 separates the vacuum box into two substantially independent sections, the passage of small pieces over one-half only of the strip 24 will be subject to a constant suction, the same as on a sheet passing over the full length of strip 24.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing description that the various elements employed in the feeder apparatus 10 of this invention are simple to manufacture, do not require extensive maintenance or care, and are constructed so as to be readily replaceable in the event that replacement is desirable as a result of wear. The provided feeder effects two desirable actions upon a fed sheet. A desired drag and wrinkle removal is effected in the vicinity of the transverse strip 80 and transverse vacuum strip 24. Adjacent and forwardly of said vacuum strip a lateral spreading action is effected by the oppositely moving brushes 30 and 32. Upon reaching the feed ribbons 12 of the folder or ironer, the sheet portion following the leading edge has been longitudinally rendered taut and slightly scraped so as to remove wrinkles, and has also been transversely spread apart so as to remove wrinkles in a lateral direction. These combined actions tend to effectively remove any wrinkles which may have been present in a fabric article, thereby resulting in a final product which is attractive in appearance and substantially wrinkle-free.

Claims

I claim:

1. A feeder apparatus for use in feeding flexible sheet materials comprising a feeding surface having a plurality of spaced openings, means for creating reduced pressure in communication with said openings whereby a sheet or the like moving over said feeding surface will be urged thereagainst in the vicinity of said openings, and oppositely moving brush means disposed on continuous conveyors arranged at substantially right angles to the normal movement of the sheet or the like over said apparatus and spaced adjacent said openings in the normal course of sheet movement, said brush means being adapted to engage undersurface portions of said sheet or the like and move the engaged portions laterally toward the sides of the apparatus when said brush means are in predetermined positions on said conveyors, and shield members disposed adjacent said brush means and movable into upper positions above said brush means whereby a sheet or the like passing over said feeding surface does not engage said brush means when said shield members are in said upper positions.

2. The feeder apparatus of claim 1 in which said openings are substantially aligned in parallel relation with said oppositely moving means and disposed over a vacuum chamber having a center partition.

3. The feeding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said brush members are spaced from each other a minimum of about two inches.

4. The feeder apparatus of claim 1 in which a scraper means is disposed adjacent said spaced openings along an edge thereof oppositely disposed to said brush members, said scraper means having a corner portion which slidably scrapes against a sheet or the like moving from said spaced openings.

5. The feeder apparatus of claim 1 in which said spaced openings are approximately one-quarter inch in diameter.

6. The feeder apparatus of claim 1 in which said spaced openings are formed in an upper portion of a vacuum chamber, said chamber having a slotted floor portion in communication with a vacuum-creating source, the total area of said slots being slightly greater than the total area of said openings.

7. The feeder apparatus of claim 6 in which a center partition is disposed in said vacuum chamber intermediate said slots whereby said vacuum chamber is divided into two vacuum compartments.

8. A feeder apparatus for use in feeding flexible sheet materials comprising a feeding surface having a plurality of spaced openings, means for creating reduced pressure in communication with said openings whereby the sheet or the like moving over said feeding surface will be urged thereagainst in the vicinity of said openings, and oppositely moving brush means disposed on continuous conveyors arranged at substantially right angles to the normal movement of a sheet or the like over said apparatus and spaced adjacent said openings in the normal course of sheet movement, said brush means being adapted to engage undersurface portions of said sheet or the like and move the engaged portions laterally toward the sides of the apparatus when said brush means are in predetermined positions on said conveyors, and scraper means disposed adjacent said spaced openings along an edge thereof oppositely disposed to said brush means, said scraper means having a corner portion disposed slightly above the plane of the sheet portion moving from said openings.

9. The feeder apparatus of claim 8 in which said scraper means has a substantially vertical face adjacent the spaced openings disposed at right angles to said feeder surface.