DE102015004168A1 - Method and device for the after-treatment of laundry items - Google Patents

Abstract

When cleaning or washing items of laundry (12), it may happen that not all stains (21) could be removed from the soiled items of laundry (12). A check of the laundry items (12) on any remaining stains (21) after cleaning is extremely complicated and therefore costly. The present invention provides a method and apparatus (10) whereby stains (21) on laundry items (12) can be detected and selectively removed.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the after-treatment of items of laundry according to claim 1 and to a device for the after-treatment of items of laundry according to claim 9.

When cleaning or washing items of laundry, in particular during chemical cleaning or other cleaning or washing, it may happen that not all stains can be removed from the soiled laundry items. For example, cleaned items of laundry, in particular flat items or items of clothing in a cleaned but stained condition are often handed to the customer again. Checking the laundry for any remaining stains after cleaning is extremely expensive and expensive.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method and an apparatus, which are determined spots on laundry items and can be removed specifically.

A method for achieving this object is described by claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that items of laundry after cleaning or after washing are examined for any remaining spots out. If stains on the item of laundry are determined during this examination, they are selectively removed according to the invention by a plasma treatment, at least as far as possible. It is envisaged that the aftertreatment takes place, for example, on items of laundry which were previously treated by a defect. The individual items of laundry lie in a flat spread state on a belt conveyor. However, the present invention should not be limited thereto. Rather, it is also envisaged that the invention is applicable to items of laundry that leave a finisher in, for example, a hanging state, or that the claimed method takes place directly in the finisher.

The treatment of laundry items by a plasma jet is advantageous inasmuch as plasma can be produced in a simple manner as well as energy and energy density selective. Furthermore, a plasma consisting of electrically charged particles can be directed to where it is needed. By a targeted plasma treatment of the laundry, it is no longer necessary to subject the entire laundry a post-treatment. By such a selective application of the aftertreatment, above all, time is saved.

The present invention also provides that for determining the at least one spot, in particular for determining the position of the at least one spot on the item of laundry, the item of laundry moves relative to a sensor device, in particular at least one sensor, a sensor bar, a sensor array or a camera system becomes. According to the invention, during the determination of the at least one stain, the item of laundry is either laid flat on a conveyor belt or suspended on a transport rail along a conveying direction.

The invention further provides that over the item of laundry, in the case of pretreatment by a defect, or next to the item of laundry, in the case of pretreatment by a finisher, for example, a sensor bar or a sensor bar is positioned, which at least partially scans the laundry item , In the case of a finisher, it can also be provided that both sides of the item of laundry are scanned by a respective sensor device or a sensor strip. Due to the continuous movement of the item of laundry, it is no longer necessary for the sensor device to move itself. It thus turns out to be advantageous that the items of laundry can be examined for stains, without the transport of the laundry being disturbed or influenced.

In addition, the present invention can further provide that the at least one sensor or the sensor array or the camera system for determining the at least one spot is moved transversely to the conveying direction of the item of laundry via the same, preferably while the item of laundry is moved relative to the at least one sensor or is moved in the conveying direction of the sensor array or the camera system. It is also conceivable that, in particular for large items of laundry for the accurate scanning of the entire item of laundry, the sensor device is moved back and forth transversely to the conveying direction of the laundry article. This can be achieved inter alia that the laundry is scanned continuously and thus the accuracy of the scan is not limited by the screening of the sensors in a sensor bar.

In particular, it may further be provided that, after the determination of the at least one spot, at least one device for the plasma treatment is aligned relative to the item of laundry, in particular relative to the determined spot. According to the invention, this at least one device for plasma treatment can move freely in a two-dimensional plane along x and y coordinates. The sensor device determines a pair of coordinates for each detected spot and transmits this to the device for plasma treatment. By, for example, a control unit, these coordinates with knowledge of the transport speed of the laundry item and the positioning of the sensor device and the Transfer means for plasma treatment to this, whereupon the means for plasma treatment is moved to the one spot representing coordinates.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to the fact that the device for plasma treatment is coupled to the movement of the sensor device, in particular is moved independently of the sensor device. In the event that the sensor device is not fixed, but scans the laundry, the device for plasma treatment moves with the sensor device so as to get as fast as possible to the particular coordinate representing a spot. Furthermore, however, the plasma treatment device can also be located in a central waiting position, from which it can reach each coordinate of the laundry item as quickly as possible.

The invention further provides that the plasma treatment device for removing the stain is moved along with the moving laundry item, in particular being moved over at least the entire area of the stain, preferably also beyond an edge area of the stain. As soon as the sensor device has determined the coordinates of a spot, the size of the spot, in particular the degree of soiling, is also determined by the sensor device. Accordingly, the means for plasma treatment is controlled by the controller. First, the plasma treatment device is thus moved to the detected spot, and then the entire spot is swept, while being treated with plasma in accordance with the degree of soiling. It can be determined by the control unit, how large the edge area is to be designed around the stain to avoid possible shadowing.

The invention may further provide that for the removal of the at least one spot by the means for plasma treatment, the transport of the laundry item is temporarily interrupted, and the means for plasma treatment is moved relative to the laundry item. In the case of particularly heavy soiling of the item of laundry, it may be advantageous for the belt conveyor or the transport rail to interrupt the conveying of the item of laundry at short notice, so that the means for plasma treatment can remove the corresponding stain particularly thoroughly. Because the time for the plasma treatment is limited by the length of the transport path, it can be provided that the laundry transport is stopped, at least in the short term.

Preferably, the present invention can further provide that the determination of the spot by the sensor device and / or the removal of the spot by the device for plasma treatment takes place continuously, in particular discontinuously, during the transport of the item of laundry. In this respect, it is advantageous that the device for plasma treatment is activated only when a piece of laundry is registered by the sensor device. Furthermore, the sensors are only active when a piece of laundry is located on the belt conveyor or on the transport rail.

In particular, it can be regarded as particularly advantageous that when determining a plurality of stains, first the largest stain, in particular the stain with the greatest contamination, preferably only the largest stain, in particular the stain with the greatest soiling, is removed, or the corresponding one Laundry item is discarded if the number of stains and / or pollution exceeds a specified limit. In the case of particularly soiled articles, it may happen that the sensor device detects several adjacent spots. In this case, for example, the control device makes an evaluation of the different spots. This score can be determined by the size and / or degree of contamination. For example, the degree of contamination can be determined by means of a contrast gradient with respect to the spot and its surroundings. Since the time for the plasma treatment is limited due to the moving laundry, the user can decide whether to treat only the largest spot or only the largest dirt or stains in a presettable order. This prioritizing of stains has the advantage that the quality of the aftertreatment or the plasma treatment can be determined by setting a limit value or threshold value. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a plurality of spots are treated simultaneously by a plurality of plasma treatment facilities.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem is described by claim 9. Accordingly, it is provided that, for the aftertreatment of laundry items, the apparatus has a device for detecting stains, as well as a plasma treatment device in order to remove an optionally determined stain at least for the most part. By means of the plasma treatment device assigned to the device, stains can be selectively removed without the entire item of laundry having to be subjected to a plasma treatment. This can be saved on the one hand and on the other hand, the mechanical stress of the laundry by the treatment can be reduced.

Preferably, the present invention further provides that the device for determining stains is a sensor device. This sensor device is designed in particular as at least one sensor, as a sensor rod or sensor strip, as a sensor array or as a camera system, which is preferably arranged downstream of a defect or a finisher. According to the invention, the sensor associated with the sensor device can be a contrast-sensitive photocell which moves relative to the laundry item. However, it is preferably provided to position a sensor bar, equipped with, for example, said photocells, stationarily over a belt conveyor transporting the laundry items so as to detect stains via the detection of light-dark patterns.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the device is assigned a camera system which detects spots via an image processing or image recognition system and generates a corresponding signal.

Moreover, for a certain degree of redundancy, a combination of the mentioned sensor devices is also conceivable.

In addition, it is preferably provided that a position and / or a size and / or a shape and / or a degree of contamination and / or the type of contamination of the item of laundry can be determined by the sensor device. By scanning the spot, the enumerated characteristics can be determined. Alternatively, several references may be stored in an image processing system with which the recorded spot is compared for categorizing. These characteristics of the determined spot are forwarded to a control unit for further control of the device, for example.

A preferred particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the plasma treatment device has at least one plasma-generating plasma head, which is movable in at least two dimensions relative to the laundry article. The determined by the sensor device position of the detected spot is converted by a control unit in a coordinate pair or in x-y coordinates. These coordinates are forwarded to the plasma treatment device, which in turn moves the plasma head to the corresponding coordinates to the spot on the laundry.

It can also be provided that, in addition to the two-dimensional x-y coordinates, the sensor device also determines a z-coordinate lying perpendicular to the x-y plane, which describes, for example, a curvature of the item of laundry. Such a coordinate triple is then forwarded to the plasma head, which is supplied to the laundry according to the coordinate.

It can further be provided that the at least one plasma head is controllable, in particular positionable, relative to the laundry article, and preferably moves with the laundry article at the transport speed of the laundry article. Characterized in that during the plasma treatment, the laundry item is transported on the belt conveyor or along a transport rail, the plasma head must move according to the transport movement of the laundry article. This means that the laundry item and the plasma head move relative to one another only to the extent that is predetermined by the shape of the spot to be treated.

A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides that the sensor device and / or the device for the plasma treatment can be operated continuously, in particular discontinuously or in a pulsed manner. In this respect, the sensor device or the device for plasma treatment may be inactive if there is no item of laundry on the belt conveyor or if no spot is detected by the sensor device.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

1 a schematic side view of a defect with a device according to the invention, and

2 a schematic plan view of a conveyor with the device.

That in the 1 illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention 10 For after-treatment of laundry items can be combined with a shortage 11 (S. 1 ), but also in combination with a finisher, especially with a tunnel finisher. In the 1 illustrated defect 11 is of known type and should therefore not be further described here.

laundry 12 that are in want 11 have been treated are for further treatment to a transport device, in particular a belt conveyor 13 to hand over. The belt conveyor 13 transports the laundry items 12 to a subsequent treatment facility 14 , At the in 1 illustrated treatment device 14 For example, it may be a folding device, but is not limited thereto. For the case of the laundry items 12 first be treated in a finisher, the transport to another treatment facility 14 via transport rails or the like in the suspended state.

For heavy soiling of the laundry 12 It may happen that during cleaning not all impurities or stains from the laundry 12 could be removed. As it appears that such soiling can not be eliminated with conventional cleaning agents, these items of laundry have become 12 So far, in particular without further control, handed over to the subsequent treatment facilities, such as mangles, finishers or folding devices and subsequently delivered to the customer. By the invention shown in the figures, a method and an apparatus 10 created in which after cleaning or washing any existing stains 21 determined and selectively removed.

For detecting and removing on the laundry 12 existing stains 21 has the in the 1 and 2 illustrated device 10 a sensor device 15 and a plasma treatment device 16 on. The sensor device 15 , as well as the plasma treatment device 16 are optionally interconnected by a control unit, not shown. In the illustrated sensor device 15 For example, it may be a sensor strip having a plurality of individual sensors 17 act. This sensor bar 17 is transverse to a conveying direction 18 , over the entire width of the belt conveyor 13 extending, positioned. The sensor bar 17 is stationary, that is, does not move. It should be noted, however, that it is the sensor device 15 also around individual, relative to the belt conveyor 13 moving sensors or a more complex array of sensors, such as a matrix of multiple sensors or a camera system.

The sensor device 15 follows in the conveying direction 18 considered, also the belt conveyor 13 assigned, the plasma treatment device 16 , The plasma treatment facility 16 is in the 1 and 2 shown only schematically. It may be in this plasma treatment device 16 around a device with a plasma head 19 or act with a plasma gun, the plasma, that is, charged particles, emitted targeted or directed. Depending on the requirements, it is also conceivable that the plasma head 19 Plasma of different energy, or emitted with different energy density. The plasma head 19 is also in the embodiment shown here the 2 in a parallel over the belt conveyor 13 extending xy plane 20 freely movable. Every point of this xy plane 20 is described by a coordinate pair xy. Via a mechanical drive, the plasma head 19 automatically be driven to any of these coordinates xy.

At the in 1 illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a piece of laundry 12 from a defect 11 to a belt conveyor 13 to hand over. The belt conveyor 13 transports the laundry 12 in the conveying direction 18 seen to another treatment facility 14 , This is the laundry 12 in a plan, spread state on the belt conveyor 13 , Once the laundry 12 on the belt conveyor 13 is positioned, it will be under the sensor bar 17 transported through. While the laundry is 12 relative to the sensor bar 17 moves, measure the individual sensors of the sensor bar 17 almost continuously over the entire width of the laundry 12 Contrast variations on the linen 12 , Contrast variations or chiaroscuro changes may indicate stains 21 give. By doing that the laundry 12 under the sensor bar 17 can be driven through the shape of a stain 21 can be mapped as it were. That means that the shape or size, as well as the coordinates of the spot 21 on the laundry 12 be determined. Furthermore, the type and degree of contamination can be determined via a contrast gradient.

In the event that the sensor bar 17 on a piece of laundry 12 several spots 21 detected, or more adjacent spots 21 detected, these spots become 21 weighted or compared with each other. In this weighting or prioritization of stains 21 For example, these are sorted according to size and degree of contamination.

All from the sensor bar 17 recorded data are transmitted to the control unit, not shown, and optionally further processed. The control unit may further determine the coordinates of the spot 21 , on the locomotive belt conveyor 13 calculate with knowledge of the transport speed. These data may be used for further post-treatment to the plasma treatment facility 16 be transmitted. Then the plasma head 19 , the coordinates of the spot 21 accordingly, in position over the stain 21 brought. By irradiation or treatment of the spot 21 with the through the plasma head 19 emitted plasma, becomes the stain 21 away. For multiple stains 21 at first only the stain 21 treated with the highest priority. Depending on the remaining time or quality requirements, the spots following in the priority can also be mentioned below 21 be removed.

Furthermore, the invention may further provide that for a complete removal of all stains 21 the belt conveyor 13 stopped at least in the short term, so the plasma head 19 all stains 21 can remove.

Represents the sensor bar 17 a very large number of spots or a large contamination is fixed, which optionally exceeds a predetermined limit, the laundry is 12 sorted out without any post-treatment by the plasma treatment facility 16 he follows.

In the event that the previous treatment facility is not a deficiency 11 but, for example, is a finisher, in which the laundry items 12 another treatment device 14 can be supplied, corresponding sensor devices can 15 one-sided or double-sided over the entire length or height of the laundry items 12 extend and stains equally 21 determine. Accordingly, upon detection of a stain 21 a plasma treatment device 16 from one side or from both sides of the item of laundry 12 , the coordinates of the detected spot 21 accordingly, aligned to the stain 21 to remove. For this purpose, it may well be provided according to the invention that the plasma treatment device 16 several plasma heads 19 has, independently of each other, multiple spots 21 , if necessary on different sides of the laundry 12 , remove.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

11

defect

12

laundry

13

Belt conveyors

14

treatment facility

15

sensor device

16

Plasma processing apparatus

17

sensor bar

18

conveying direction

19

plasma head

20

x-y plane

21

spot

Claims (17)

Process for the after-treatment of laundry items ( 12 ), after cleaning or washing the laundry ( 12 ) is determined whether these still stains ( 21 ), and at least one optionally determined spot ( 12 ) is removed with a targeted plasma treatment at least for the most part. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the spots ( 21 ) on the laundry ( 12 ) after treatment in a laundry treatment device, in particular in a defect ( 11 ) or a finisher, and by treatment with a plasma generator ( 16 ) are removed. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for determining the at least one spot ( 21 ), in particular for determining the position of the at least one spot ( 21 ) on the laundry ( 12 ), the laundry ( 12 ) relative to a sensor device ( 15 ), in particular at least one sensor, a sensor array or a camera system is moved. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the determination of the at least one spot ( 21 ) the at least one plasma treatment device ( 16 ) relative to the laundry item ( 12 ), in particular relative to the determined spot ( 21 ) is aligned. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for plasma treatment ( 16 ) for removing the at least one spot ( 21 ) with the moving laundry ( 12 ) is moved, in particular at least over the entire surface of the spot ( 21 ), preferably also over the edge of the spot ( 21 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to remove the at least one spot ( 21 ) through the plasma treatment facility ( 16 ) the transport of the laundry ( 12 ) is interrupted at short notice and the plasma treatment facility ( 16 ) relative to the laundry item ( 12 ) is moved. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the removal of the stain ( 21 ), preferably depending on the size and / or type of stain ( 21 ), a plasma stream through the plasma treatment facility ( 16 ), in particular that the energy or energy density of the plasma stream is dependent on the size and / or type of the detected spot ( 21 ) will be changed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the determination of a plurality of spots ( 21 ) first the biggest spot ( 21 ), especially the stain ( 21 ) with the greatest pollution, preferably only the largest spot ( 21 ), especially the stain ( 21 ) is removed with the greatest pollution, or that the corresponding laundry item ( 12 ) is discarded when the number of spots ( 21 ) and / or the pollution exceeds a specified limit. Contraption ( 10 ) for the after-treatment of laundry items ( 12 ), with a means for detecting stains ( 21 ) and a plasma treatment device ( 16 ) to determine any spot ( 21 ) at least for the most part. Contraption ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for detecting stains as a sensor device ( 15 ), in particular as at least one sensor, as a sensor strip ( 17 ), as a sensor array or as a camera system, which is preferably a defect ( 11 ) or a finisher. Contraption ( 10 ) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the sensor device ( 15 ) for detecting stains ( 21 ) is contrast-sensitive, in particular has an image recognition. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that by the sensor device ( 15 ) a position and / or a size and / or a shape and / or a degree of contamination and / or the type of soiling of the item of laundry ( 12 ) can be determined. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the sensor device ( 15 ) is stationary and the laundry ( 12 ) relative to the sensor device ( 15 ), in particular the sensor device ( 15 ) relative to the laundry item ( 12 ) emotional. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the plasma treatment device ( 16 ) at least one plasma generating plasma head ( 19 ), which in at least two dimensions relative to the laundry item ( 12 ) is movable. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the at least one plasma head ( 19 ) from the sensor device ( 15 ) determined data relative to the laundry ( 12 ) is controllable, in particular positionable and preferably with the transport speed of the laundry item ( 12 ) with the laundry item ( 12 ) moved. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the movement of the laundry item ( 12 ) corresponding translational movement of the plasma head ( 19 ) a second movement is superimposed, the shape of the spot to be removed ( 21 ) corresponds. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the energy and / or the energy density of the plasma head ( 19 ) emitted plasma in dependence on the by the sensor device ( 15 ) is adjustable, preferably tuned to each individual spot ( 21 ) is adjustable.

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