Method and apparatus for ironing and folding laundry items

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11208757-B2
Application number	US-202016750125-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2020
Priority date	Jan 24, 2019
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A method and apparatus that makes provision for two identical folding machines to be arranged one beside the other, and for these to be operated synchronously, so that the large operating width which is necessary for ironing large laundry items, in particular transversely, is also available for folding such laundry items. If large laundry items are to be ironed, and folded, in particular transversely, this requires ironers and folding machines with an appropriately large operating width. Such large operating widths currently cannot be realized technologically in folding machines.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for ironing and folding laundry items using at least one ironer ( 10 ), having an entry region ( 17 ) and an exit region ( 20 ), which follows the entry region ( 17 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), and also at least one folding machine ( 11 , 12 ), which follows the exit region ( 20 ) of the at least one ironer ( 10 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), wherein the at least one ironer ( 10 ) is followed by adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ), wherein mutually facing sides ( 35 ) of deflecting and driving drums of folding belts ( 30 ) of the two folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are mounted by way of bearing means which are arranged together between adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ).

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are of identical design.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) have identical operating widths ( 26 ).

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the sum of the operating widths ( 26 ) of all the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) corresponds to the operating width ( 28 ) of the ironer ( 10 ).

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least those adjacent strands of the folding belts ( 30 ) of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) which come into contact with laundry items which are to be folded transversely are located in a common plane.

6. An apparatus for ironing and folding laundry items using at least one ironer ( 10 ), having an entry region ( 17 ) and an exit region ( 20 ), which follows the entry region ( 17 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), and also at least one folding machine ( 11 , 12 ), which follows the exit region ( 20 ) of the at least one ironer ( 10 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), wherein the at least one ironer ( 10 ) is followed by adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ), wherein outer sides ( 34 ) of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are assigned drives for folding belts ( 30 ).

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein mutually facing sides ( 35 ) of deflecting and driving drums of folding belts ( 30 ) of the two folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are mounted by way of bearing means which are arranged together between adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ).

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are of identical design.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) have identical operating widths ( 26 ).

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the sum of the operating widths ( 26 ) of all the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) corresponds to the operating width ( 28 ) of the ironer ( 10 ).

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein at least those adjacent strands of the folding belts ( 30 ) of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) which come into contact with laundry items which are to be folded transversely are located in a common plane.

12. An apparatus for ironing and folding laundry items using at least one ironer ( 10 ), having an entry region ( 17 ) and an exit region ( 20 ), which follows the entry region ( 17 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), and also at least one folding machine ( 11 , 12 ), which follows the exit region ( 20 ) of the at least one ironer ( 10 ) in the ironing direction ( 14 ), wherein the at least one ironer ( 10 ) is followed by adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ), wherein each of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) has a dedicated drive, wherein drives are assigned to outer sides ( 34 ) of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ).

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the drives of the folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) can be operated synchronously in the same way.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the drives of the folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) can be operated optionally either synchronously in the same way or independently of one another.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein mutually facing sides ( 35 ) of deflecting and driving drums of folding belts ( 30 ) of the two folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are mounted by way of bearing means which are arranged together between adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ).

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) are of identical design.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) have identical operating widths ( 26 ).

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the sum of the operating widths ( 26 ) of all the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) corresponds to the operating width ( 28 ) of the ironer ( 10 ).

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein at least those adjacent strands of the folding belts ( 30 ) of the adjacent folding machines ( 11 , 12 ) which come into contact with laundry items which are to be folded transversely are located in a common plane.

Assignees

• Kannegiesser H Gmbh Co

Inventors

• Bringewatt Wilhelm
• Heinz Engelbert

Classifications

• D06F67/04

  Arrangements for feeding or spreading the linen · CPC title

• D06F67/00 Primary

  Details of ironing machines provided for in groups D06F61/00, D06F63/00, or D06F65/00 (coverings or pads for ironing or pressing members D06F83/00) · CPC title

• D06F69/02 Primary

  using endless or other ironing or pressing belts or aprons · CPC title

• D06F89/02

  of textile articles to be worn, e.g. shirts · CPC title

• D06F67/10

  Driving arrangements · CPC title