EP2119823A1 - Device for the automatic return of clothing items - Google Patents
Device for the automatic return of clothing items Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2119823A1 EP2119823A1 EP09002093A EP09002093A EP2119823A1 EP 2119823 A1 EP2119823 A1 EP 2119823A1 EP 09002093 A EP09002093 A EP 09002093A EP 09002093 A EP09002093 A EP 09002093A EP 2119823 A1 EP2119823 A1 EP 2119823A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- items
- door
- user
- return
- belt conveyor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F95/00—Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F93/00—Counting, sorting, or marking arrangements specially adapted for laundry purposes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Undergarments, Swaddling Clothes, Handkerchiefs Or Underwear Materials (AREA)
- Socks And Pantyhose (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
A device for the automatic return of clothing items (3) comprises a first door (P1) for hooking up items (3) on the belt conveyor (1), a second door (P2) for giving back items (3) to a user which are hooked up in the associated section (2), a motorization (M) for driving the belt conveyor, a processing unit (U) interfaced with a reader (8) and said motorization (M).
Description
- The object of the present invention is a device for the automatic return of clothing items.
- Systems are known at present which comprise a belt conveyor on which clothing items are hooked up. The belt conveyor is subdivided into sections each of which being associated with a user, and each item is identified by an RFID chip.
- In operation, the items are inserted on the belt conveyor by an operator who read them by means of an RFID reader in correspondence of a hooking door, and are collected afterwards by the user who identifies himself/herself by a card of his/her own.
- Upon the user's identification, the belt conveyor moves as far as to take the section relevant to that user in front of a return door. At this point, one or more items are withdrawn from the section of the belt conveyor.
- The dirty items are then returned to an acceptance door where a suitable reading antenna reads the items and selects them for delivery to the laundry.
- From here, the cleaned items are again hooked up onto the belt conveyor by an operator.
- The systems of known type has the drawback of being able to recognize the "item on belt conveyor" status only in the hooking step, and the "item in laundry" status in the returning step, but they are unable to discriminate whether a user has actually collected one or more items.
- Stemming from this limits of the known systems is also the impossibility of establishing the frequence of use of an item and of providing statistical data, especially useful to such facilities as barracks and hospitals which require planning the supply and renewal of uniforms and dresses and monitoring, that is, tracing the presence and arrangement of items.
- The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks and to provide an device for the automatic return of clothing items which is able to trace the displacements of said items.
- These and other objects, which will appear more clearly by a reading of the detailed description that follows, are achieved, according to the present invention, by means of a device for the automatic return of clothing items according to the attached claims, further embodiments thereof being disclosed in the corresponding dependent claims.
- The invention is illustrated herebelow in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment thereof. In the drawings:
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a system for a belt conveyor-operated handling of clothing items provided with a device according to the invention; -
Fig. 2 shows schematically an item with RFID chip apt to be inserted in the system ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 shows schematically a control unit of the system ofFig. 1 ; and -
Fig. 4 shows the succession of readings by a direction sensor within a device according to the invention. - With reference to accompanying figures, a device according to the invention comprises a
belt conveyor 1, subdivided intosections 2, each being associated with auser 10, on which a plurality ofclothing items 3 can be hooked up, each of said items being provided with an identification code 7 (Fig. 2 ). - It is understood that, in place of the belt conveyor, chains or other suitable driving systems may be used.
- The belt conveyor is driven by a motorization M operated by a processing unit U in order to move the
sections 2 to the relevant position they must take up. - To this end, one or more doors are disposed around the
belt conveyor 1 for handling the items. - In particular, provision is made for:
- a first door P1 for hooking up items onto the
belt conveyor 1 by an operator provided with afirst reader 8 interfaced with the unit U, to identify the clothing items of a givenuser 10 and insert them into therespective section 2 when the latter is located at the hooking door, - a second door P2 for returning one or
more items 3, already hooked up in the associatedsection 2, to theuser 10. - Generally, provision is also made for a third door P3 to return
dirty items 3, and asecond reader 12 interfaced with the processing unit U, which is used by the operator to identify the clothing items given back to the user. - In operation, an operator uses the
reader 8 to read one or more items, thereby causing the processing unit U to start the motorization M so as to bring thesection 2, corresponding to a given user, in front of the hooking door. - When said user wants to collect one or more items, has only to face the return door P2 and identify himself/herself by means of an identification system 11 (such as a magnetic card, for example) interfaced with the unit U, the latter starting the motorization to bring the
section 2 associated with that user in front of the return door P2 from which the same user can withdraw theitems 3. - The unit U also runs a data bank DB for registering the locations of the
items 3 in stock. - According to the invention, an
identification sensor 4 is provided along thebelt conveyor 1, for example in proximity of the door P2 or at any other position, said sensor being interfaced with the processing unit U and able to identify which items are present in thesection 2 after a return step. - Advantageously, it is thus possible to update the data bank DB and inform the system about which
items 3 are actually removed from thecollection section 2 and handed over to the user, and which items are still on the belt conveyor. - Moreover, should the
sensor 4 read also codes ofitems 3 belonging toadjacent sections 2, the processing unit U would be able to ignore such information by limiting the processing to items pertaining to the section of concern. - Preferably, the
identification code 7 is an RFID chip, and said first andsecond readers sensor 4 are RFID antennas, it is understood however that suitable different identification technologies may be used such as those relating to bar codes or other. - In case of RFID technologies, in order to prevent inerferences between sensors associated with
belt conveyors 1 close to each other, provision may be made for having theantenna 4 activated only when necessary, that is, the moment thewithdrawal section 2 is read, thereby avoiding that the contemporary activation of more antennas will generate interference and reading errors. - According to a further aspect of the invention, the device may comprise a transit-detecting
sensor 5 disposed in correspondence of said return door P2 and interfaced with the unit U to identify and detect the transit ofitems 3 through the door P2 when the user takes out one or more items. - In combination with the transit-detecting
sensor 5, provision may also be made for adirection sensor 9, also disposed in correspondence of the return door P2, to detect the direction of passingitems 3, that is to detect whether the latter are passing through the door P2 to be hooked up or be returned to the user. - Preferably, also the
sensor 5 is an RFID antenna able to read the chips present onitems 3, and thedirection sensor 9 comprises a pair of optical detectors A, B interfaced with the processing unit. - Schematically shown in
Fig. 4 are the successive variations of status of sensors A, B upon possible different circumstances, assuming that the sensor A is close to the belt conveyor and the sensor B close to the user. - For example, upon the withdrawal step, there will be activation, in succession, only of A (the item moves from the
belt conveyor 1 to the door P2), then of both A and B (the item is in front to both the detectors), then only of B (theitem 3 is exiting) and, finally, both sensors being deactivated (the item has been taken out). - On the basis of these readings, the processing unit is thus able of establishing the location of
item 3 as identified by the transit-detecting sensor. - It is understood that the use of the transit-detecting
sensor 5 and ofdirection sensor 9 may also be provided both in combination and as an alternative to the use of theidentification code 4, in order to trace the position ofitems 3. - The invention as above disclosed is evidently suited for industrial application. However, it will be appreciated that equivalent modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the inventive idea. Moreover, all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.
Claims (10)
- Device for the automatic return of clothing items (3) comprising:- a belt conveyor (1) for handling a plurality of clothing items, each item being provided with an identification code (3) and distributed into belt sections (2) each of which being associated with a user;- a first door (P1) for hooking up the items (3) onto the belt conveyor (1);- a first reader (8) to identify the clothing items of a user and insert them into the respective section (2) located at the hooking door (P1);- a second door (P2) for returning items (3), hooked up into the associated section (2), to a user (10) standing at the return door (P2);- a belt conveyor's motorization (M) to drive the sections (2) into a control-operated motion;- a processing unit (U) interfaced with said reader (8) and said motorization (M), characterized in that it comprises identification means (4) disposed in proximity of the belt conveyor (1) for identifying the items (3) present into the section (2).
- Device according to claim 1, comprising a transit-detecting sensor (5) disposed in correspondence of said return door (P2) for detecting the transit of items (3) through said door (P2).
- Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a direction sensor (9) disposed in correspondence of said return door (P2) for detecting the transit direction of items (3) through said door (P2).
- Device according to claim 3, wherein said direction sensor (9) comprises a pair of optical detectors (A, B) interfaced with said unit (U).
- Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said identification code of items (3) is an RFID chip and said first reader (8) comprises an RFID antenna.
- Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said identification code of items (3) is an RFID chip and said identification means (4) comprise an RFID antenna.
- Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a third door (P3) for the return of items (3) and a second reader (12) for the identification of clothing items handed back to a user standing at the return door (P3).
- Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means (11) for identifying the user (10) standing at the return door (P2).
- Device according to claim 8, wherein said means (11) for identifying the user (10) comprise user's identification card and a cards reader interfaced with said processing unit (U).
- Device for the automatic return of clothing items (3) comprising:- a belt conveyor (1) for handling a plurality of clothing items, each item being provided with an identification code (3) and distributed into belt sections (2) each of which being associated with a user;- a first door (P1) for hooking up the items (3) onto the belt conveyor (1);- a first reader (8) to identify the clothing items of a user and insert them into the respective section (2) located at the hooking door (P1);- a second door (P2) for returning items (3), hooked up into the associated section (2), to a user (10) standing at the return door (P2);- a belt conveyor motorization (M) for driving the sections (2) into a control-operated motion;- a processing unit (U) interfaced with said reader (8) and said motorization (M), characterized in that it comprises a transit-detecting sensor (5) located in correspondence of said return door (P2) for detecting the transit of items (3) through said door (P2) and a direction sensor (9) disposed in correspondence of said return door (P2) for detecting the transit direction of items (3) through said door (P2).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITBO20080290 ITBO20080290A1 (en) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-05-12 | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC RETURN OF CLOTHING GARMENTS. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2119823A1 true EP2119823A1 (en) | 2009-11-18 |
Family
ID=40302504
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09002093A Withdrawn EP2119823A1 (en) | 2008-05-12 | 2009-02-16 | Device for the automatic return of clothing items |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2119823A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20080290A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2852190A1 (en) * | 1978-12-02 | 1980-06-19 | Kannegiesser H Gmbh Co | Laundry installation with computerised process control - by means of identification marks on articles specifying customer and type |
US4991719A (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1991-02-12 | Speed Sort, Inc. | Method and apparatus for sorting randomly positioned items minimizing sorting conveyor movement |
US5299134A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1994-03-29 | White Conveyors, Inc. | Computer control system and method for scanning and loading articles on a conveyor |
WO1996029267A1 (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-09-26 | Ab Metric Interconveyor | Product carrier for use during internal transport and treatment of garments and method for same |
US6009991A (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 2000-01-04 | Anderson; William J. | Computer control system for storing and retrieving articles on a conveyor using article identification |
-
2008
- 2008-05-12 IT ITBO20080290 patent/ITBO20080290A1/en unknown
-
2009
- 2009-02-16 EP EP09002093A patent/EP2119823A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2852190A1 (en) * | 1978-12-02 | 1980-06-19 | Kannegiesser H Gmbh Co | Laundry installation with computerised process control - by means of identification marks on articles specifying customer and type |
US4991719A (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1991-02-12 | Speed Sort, Inc. | Method and apparatus for sorting randomly positioned items minimizing sorting conveyor movement |
US5299134A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1994-03-29 | White Conveyors, Inc. | Computer control system and method for scanning and loading articles on a conveyor |
WO1996029267A1 (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-09-26 | Ab Metric Interconveyor | Product carrier for use during internal transport and treatment of garments and method for same |
US6009991A (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 2000-01-04 | Anderson; William J. | Computer control system for storing and retrieving articles on a conveyor using article identification |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITBO20080290A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 |
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