Spreader apparatus and method for articles of laundry
US6883258B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F67/04
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods spread a towel from a load of towels. The towels are rectangular, such as hand, wash or beach towels. A trailing corner is first identified to isolate one short edge from another short edge. The entire towel is then transported from one side of a center line of a conveyor to another side. Once on the other side, an end of the towel is brought into contact with a moving belt. The moving belt tensions the towel by causing friction downwards or away from the direction the towel is being moved. The clamped corner is moved back to the other side of the center line and released on the conveyor. A pinch belt, such as a pinch belt on one side of the conveyor, conveys one end of the towel in a bunch. The conveyor conveys one portion of the towel while the pinch belt conveys the bunched portion. The conveyor conveys the towel off the end of the conveyor until a trailing corner is detected. A pinch roller is then placed against the conveyor to clamp the trailing corner. The pinch belt conveys the bunch to pinch rollers adjacent to the end of the conveyor. As a result, the towel is suspended by one corner off of the conveyor and an opposite short edge end of the towel i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.