Patent Grant
7204275
The present invention relates to tying machines in general. More specifically to an improvement in an existing tying machine which adds the components to produce an automatic laundry tie-out station for tying together a selected group of hangers on a laundry conveyer system.
Previously, many types of systems have been used in endeavoring to provide a laundry tie-out station to sort and tie together a selected group of laundry articles by connecting the hangers with a twist tie. Some prior art has developed systems that are very complex and sort and tie automatically while others simply use an existing conveyor system and manually sort the items by hand and attach them together with a conventional tying machine.
The prior art listed below did not disclose patents that possess any of the novelty of the instant invention; however the following U.S. patents are considered related:
Knudsen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,160 is for the tying machine in which the improvement is directed. The improvement adds the capabilities of incorporating equipment converting the machine into a tie-out station which ties a bundle of hangers together that are hanging on a conveyer rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,174 issued to Parker teaches a garment supporting system in which a garment hanger, having an aperture in a hook like neck, is employed in combination with an elongated flexible tie. The tie has a less flexible segment located along its length and a gripping ring located at one end of the tie. A ring is located on the end opposite of the flexible segment permitting transporting a number of garments in a controlled manner.
Hart, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,122 discloses a method and apparatus for sorting garments of different types and sizes. The garments are sorted according to different selection criteria and put together into chosen delivery groups. Sorting is accomplished in two steps first in pre-groups and second containing a specific size and type with all other groups combined,
Schonenberger in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,851 teaches a method of sorting articles in groups in a conveyer system. A first conveyer circle with an identification source recognizes predetermined number of articles individually. Independent of the loaded state of the first circle, a second conveyer circle sorts the balance as soon as the first sorting step has been identified.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,421 issued to Hansen is for an automated laundry sorting system with finished items on hangers tagged with electronic identification devices allowing sorting into predetermined groups. The improvement includes an automatic joining apparatus for separating the groups from each other and then physically joining them together with a twist tie machine. The groups representing a single faction such as garments belonging to a particular customer.
A common method used by smaller laundry's when it is required to batch a group of garments according to the customer or individual is to hand select the garments that are already on hangers and hand carry them to a tying machine and attach the group together at the twisted portion of the wire hanger with a twist tie.
This manual procedure described above is very labor intensive. The previous application filed by the inventor overcomes this problem saving labor and increasing production by using a tying machine that has the capabilities of not only accomplishing the tying procedure but acting as a tie-out station actually drawing the selected group of hangers containing laundered clothing into the machine and returning the tied group to the original position. This action is accomplished by adding the necessary components to a machine that has already been designed.
While this manual tie-down station approach functions ideally in small laundries its operational characteristics additionally include the potential of eliminating injuries to workers since it is not necessary to lift large bundles of garments on the hangers for tying, instead the hangers are simply manually slid across a recessed slide rod and the operator presses the foot switch which draws the selected group into the machine and returns to the original position after a two second delay, where the bundled clothing are removed or may continue along a conveyer.
Since an operator is required for the above previously filed manual tie-down station the primary object of the instant invention, which is a continuation-in-part, is to make the entire operation automatic eliminating even the necessity of an operator at the tying station. In order to accomplish this desired automatic feature, the improvement is used in conjunction with an automated conveyer system that sorts the garments and uses gravity to feed the group of hangers containing laundered clothing directly to the invention which interrupts the flow. The conveyer system electrical controls initiate a signal which starts the process, replacing the previously used foot switch, drawing the intercepted group of hangers into the tie-out station which functions to tie the hangers together with a twist tie. When the process is completed a second signal from the conveyer system electrical controls releases the grouped hangers using an intercept yoke lever permitting them to continue by gravity on the conveyer. In order to maintain the gravity flow it is necessary that the entire tie-out station is mounted on the same angle as the conveyer. It should be noted however that this angular disposition has no effect on the tying machines operational capabilities in any way.
Angularly mounting the invention is easily accomplished as conventional C-clamps or angled tubes may be attached to the two support rods extending from the bottom of the tie-out station using support pipes connected to overhead support beams in the customary manner.
Still another inventive object still employs the use of an original twist tie machine that is well known in the art and has been marketed in this country for decades. This object is particularly advantageous in that the basic tying apparatus is well proven and the addition of the equipment to alter the machine into a tie-out station is easy to accomplish and cost effective. This modification to an existing tying machine is simply accomplished with minimal parts replacement and modification.
Yet another object of the invention is that the pneumatic system requirements for the tie-out station modification are well within conventional pressures and flow rates that are currently available in most cleaning facilities within this country.
In order to provide conveyer systems that utilize either an outside hook hanger configuration or an inside hook hanger configuration the invention may be manufactured to satisfy the users existing conveyer system in either requirement. The invention provides a technique that with minor variations in components of the hanger slide shaft assembly the selection becomes a matter of choice and during the assembly procedure the selected style is easily accommodated.
A final object is the additional inclusion of a binding stop safety circuit interconnected with the tying machine electrical system which operates in the event that the hangers become tangled and bind. If this occurs the tying machine's electrical system shuts down its functional capabilities until the tangle or bind is manually cleared.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention for an automatic laundry tie-out station is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment. It will be noted that the element designations for the previously filed manual laundry tie-out station will remain the same and the improvements to make the invention automatic will begin with the designation starting with the 200 series.
The preferred embodiment is shown in
While the components required are specific to a particular tying machine the same approach may be made to alter almost any machine made for bag-in-box and flow-through operations. The precise tying machine 20 to which the invention is presently directed, is the Model XL-2 so called “Tie-Matic” heavy duty model manufactured by PLAS-TIES of Tustin Calif. which was protected by U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,160 issued on Oct. 18, 1977. Obviously some updating has been accomplished in the years since the patent was originally issued however the basic criteria of the patent still apply.
The components added to the existing tying machine 20 include a linear slide support yoke frame 22 that is attached on top of the tying machine component mounting platform 24. The support yoke frame 22 is illustrated by itself in
It should also be understood that the construction techniques illustrated are not to be construed as being the only type of structure that may be used, as formed sheet metal, castings or any other fabrication method may be employed with equal ease.
The pneumatic linear slide unit 34, disposed on the linear slide support yoke frame 22, draws a selected group of hangers 36 into the tying machine 20 as noted above. The linear slide unit 34 is preferably the double acting piston type with hydraulic shock absorbers providing end position cushioning. While other types of pneumatic equipment may be used, the slide unit 34 is ideal as it has a mounting face that is convenient for attachment purposes and it further has an integral slide member that remains on the same plane regardless of its position. The ancillary shock absorbing capabilities are useful to cushion the piston travel when retracting the selected group of hangers 36. Travel from the fully extended position to the retracted position is smooth and may be adjusted in speed to provide an even movement so as to not jolt the combined hangers 36 from the surface upon which they are resting.
Due to the fact that the conveyer systems sometimes use the hangers 36 either with the hook facing outside or the hook facing inside therefore the automatic laundry tie-out station 210 includes two separate configurations of a hanger slide shaft assembly which are basically the same but allow the hangers 36 to face a specific direction.
The outside hook hanger slide shaft assembly 220 with its separate components are illustrated in
The inside hook hanger slide shaft assembly 220a with its separate components are illustrated in
A hanger interceptor sub-assembly 232 is attached to either the inside hook shaft upper support plate 222 or outside hook shaft upper support plate 222a for blocking the selected group of hangers with clothing 36′ on the gravity conveyer system and releasing them after tying. The hanger interceptor subassembly 232 is shown attached to the hanger slide shaft assembly 220 and 220a in
A switch actuating arm 84 is attached to the side of the shaft upper support plate 222 and functions to energize the hanger nesting actuator switch 83 to nest the hanger's together ready for tying.
It is also understood that the construction techniques illustrated in
A hanger nesting actuator 50 is mounted under the component mounting platform 24 as shown in
As shown in
A pneumatic system provides the power to actuate the linear slide unit 34 permitting the hanger slide shaft assembly 220 or 220a to be drawn into the tying machine 20 and urged back to an original position. The preferred pneumatic system is illustrated in
The filter regulator 72 is simultaneously in communication with a hanger nesting actuator valve 76 controlling the movement of the hanger nesting actuator 50 which forces the bunching angle bracket 64 into contact with the selected group of hangers 36 permitting the tying machine 20 to bind the hangers 36 tightly together with a twist tie as described previously. An intercept cylinder valve 246 is in communication with the outlet side of the filter regulator and energizes the intercept cylinder 244 when it receives a signal from the conveyer system. Obviously other fittings and interconnecting pneumatic tubing 78 are required as illustrated in
The pneumatic system utilizes standard pressures for operation such as 30 to 120 pounds per square inch (2 to 8 bar) 150 pounds per square inch (10 bar) maximum. The location of the hydraulic system is optional as the valves 74, 78 and 246 along with their ancillary equipment may be installed at any convenient location. There are many other schemes and combination of components that would function in the same manner and therefore the invention is not necessarily limited to the approach described and shown.
While a pneumatic system is ideal and preferred for the application other electrical or electro-mechanical systems may be used with equal ease such as ball screw drives, motor driven rack and pinion gears, electro-magnetic solenoids, linear motors and a host of others.
Means for integrally controlling the tying machine 20 consists of the following actions; actuating the pneumatic system from a first remote electrical signal, bunching the selected group of hangers together, returning the hanger slide shaft 230 into alignment with the gravity laundry conveyer system after the tying machine 20 has electromechanically completed binding the selected group of hangers together with the twist tie and releasing the intercept lever 240 with a second remote electrical signal permitting the selected bound group of hangers to continue on the gravity conveyer system.
Control of the tying machine 20 is specifically explained as the first remote electrical signal from the conveyer system is connected to a first time delay relay 82 which is electrically connected to the pneumatic linear slide unit valve 74 such that when the first remote electrical signal is received the pneumatic linear slide unit valve 74 energizes the linear slide unit 34 bringing the selected group of hangers into contact with the tying machine 20 placing the twist tie ribbon around the selected group of hangers. After the first time delay relay 82 has timed out, the linear slide unit 34 returns to its original position aligning the hanger slide shaft 230 with the gravity laundry conveyer system.
The control function further includes a hanger nesting actuator switch 83, located above the cross member plate 30, is energized by a switch activating arm 84 positioned on the side of the linear slide unit 34. When the pneumatic linear slide unit 34 draws the selected group of hangers 36 into the tying machine the hanger nesting actuator switch 83 energizes the hanger nesting actuator valve 76 permitting the hanger nesting actuator 50 to urge the hangers 36 together sufficiently to allow the tying machine 20 to twist a tie ribbon around the hangers 36 and then returns to its normal retracted position.
A binding stop safety switch 248 and a reset button switch 250 are positioned on the tying machine 20 and interconnected with the tying machine electrical system such that if the selected group of hangers 36 become tangled and bind while entering into the tying machine 20 the electrical system shuts down until the tangle or bind is manually cleared and the reset switch 250 is energized permitting continuing normal operation. The location of the binding stop safety switch 248 and a reset button switch 250 are illustrated in
The automatic laundry tie-out station 210 is to be used with a laundry conveyer system, therefore the station 210 incorporates a front support rod 88 and a rear support rod 90 attached under the tying machine 20 for mounting at an angle to conventional building support beams. The front support rod 88 is preferably connected to the bottom of the tying machine 20 with a pair of front support rod brackets 92 and the rear support rod 90 is connected with similar rear support rod brackets 94. The rods 88 and 90 are shown as one in
It will be noted that even though the rods 88 and 90 are best suited for hanging on conveyer systems, legs may be easily added to the extending ends with EMT tee's or similar pipe fittings with equal ease and dispatch.
In order to assure reliability, smoothly configured covers or guides are added to the tying machine 20 at the appropriate locations to isolate protruding elements. A right upper guide plate 96 is attached to the right top side of the linear slide support yoke frame 22 and a left upper guide plate 98 is attached to the left top side of the same linear slide support yoke frame 22. The shape and form of the plates 96 and 98 and their position over the component mounting platform 24 preclude contact with existing elements that are mounted on the upper surface. It will be noted that the left upper guide plate 98 contains a separate switch mounting plate 100 configured to orient the hanger nesting actuator switch 83 along with a relocated tying machine integral control switch 102 at the proper functional location.
A hanger nesting actuator shield 104 is attached beneath the tying machine component mounting platform 24 to preclude contact with elements mounted thereon. The shield 104 is illustrated alone in
Slight modifications to the tying machine 20 are required in the form of replacements or additions along with relocation of components to complete its transformation to an automatic tie-out station 210. A replacement front cover 112 and a rear cover 114 are required to allow sufficient space to house the addition of the laundry tie-out station improvements. The covers 112 and 114 are basically the same shape except slightly larger and the rear cover 114 includes a plurality of louvers 116 on a top surface to provide air circulation within the tying machine 20. The tying machine's control box 118 is relocated to the rear instead of on top and is attached to a rear portion of the replacement rear cover 114. In order to provide room for the relocated control box 118, means are required to mount the roll of twist tie wire 120 in a horizontal position as illustrated in
In operation, pneumatic pressure is attached to the quick connect hose coupling 68. A selected group of hangers 36 containing laundered garments 36′ that have been previously sorted are slid by gravity to the center front of the tying machine 20 and rest on the hanger slide shaft 230. When a first remote signal is received to the first time delay relay 82 the selected group of hangers 36 containing laundered clothing 36′ are drawn into the tying machine 20 where it automatically bundles the hangers 36 with a twist tie and in two seconds returns the tied group to the original position where a second remote signal is received actuating the pneumatic intercept cylinder 244 which pivots the yoke lever 240 from engagement with the hangers 36 allowing the hangers 36 to continue their travel along the conveyer system.
While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/202,122 filed Aug. 12, 2005.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4054160 | Knudsen | Oct 1977 | A |
| 4940174 | Parker | Jul 1990 | A |
| 5238122 | Hart | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5687851 | Schonenberger | Nov 1997 | A |
| 6050421 | Hansen | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6928788 | Lai | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11202122 | Aug 2005 | US |
| Child | 11399662 | US |
