A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR REORIENTING/ORIENTING AND ALIGNMENT OF CLOTH

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to devices and method suitable for reorienting/orienting laundered pieces of cloth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In laundries, rectangular cloths, such as face towels and bath towels, are washed, dewatered, dried, optionally ironed and then folded. Since the dried cloths discharged from the drying step are crumpled, it is the general practice that operators pick up the dried cloth one by one, spread the picked cloth and then place the spread cloth in position on a delivery line to feed the cloth reoriented with a desired orientation to a next station such as an ironing machine or a folding machine. Such manual operations are troublesome and require a lot of operators in order to treat a large number of cloths within a limited period of time.

[0003] EP 1197594 discloses a device and method for reorienting such cloths whereby the cloth may be fed with its long edges parallel with a delivery line that may deliver this reoriented cloth to a folding machine. EP419382 discloses a device for reorienting cloth and for delivering the reoriented cloth.

[0004] The present inventor has found a need to provide a highly reliable process and device for properly orienting laundered cloth, such as towels or similar pieces of flat four-sided cloth, to bring parallel edges of the cloth into a desired angular orientation relative to a delivery line, and for subsequently aligning the reoriented cloth with a centre line the delivery line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the invention a device is provided for reorienting/orienting laundered cloth then forwarded towards an onwards delivery line arranged in front of the device.

[0006] The device generally comprises a frame having opposite sides and a central portion between the opposite sides. A first roller and a second roller are mounted to the frame for rotation in the forward direction and in an opposite, rearward direction about an axis extending between the sides, the rollers being configured for receiving and supporting the cloth to be reoriented in a way whereby the cloth hangs suspended from the rollers on either side thereof. Also included is a first drive coupled to the first roller, for selectively rotating the first roller in the forward or rearward direction, and a second drive coupled to the second roller, for selectively rotating the second roller in the forward or rearward direction, as well as a first sledge and a second sledge mounted to the frame at a level below the rollers, for movement along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path from a respective one of the sides towards the central portion, and vice versa.

[0007] The sledges have each mounted thereon a first group of detectors and a second group of detectors, the two first groups preferably being horizontally aligned with each other and the two second groups preferably also being horizontally aligned with each other, each of the first groups comprising a primary detector and each of the second groups also comprising a primary detector, arranged above and next to a secondary detector, preferably in vertical alignment therewith. Each of the detectors is configured for detecting the presence of any cloth suspended from the rollers in front of each detector, and for providing a corresponding signal. The two first groups of detectors are closer to the rollers than the two second groups of detectors, and the two second groups of detectors are closer to the central portion, i.e. spaced less apart, than the two first groups of detectors. A controller is configured for moving the sledges independently of each other along the path and for activating the drives for rotation of the rollers independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth in response to signals from the detectors received by the controller.

[0008] The exact manner by which the laundered cloth is received by the device is not of particular relevance to the invention; the rollers typically will receive the laundered cloth such that is hangs suspended from the rollers in a skewed or oblique manner requiring a reorienting such that the edges of the cloth are parallel with the downstream delivery line.

[0009] Preferably, a horizontal alignment of the reoriented cloth with a centre line of the delivery line is carried out before the reoriented cloth is passed on to the delivery line. For this purpose the sledges each have mounted thereon a gripper activatable to grip an edge of said cloth, the controller being configured i) for activating the grippers to grip a respective one of the edges and for displacing the sledges, in response to signals from the two first groups of detectors after the reorienting indicating presence of the cloth in the vicinity of the primary detectors, and ii) for jointly moving the sledges with the cloth into a predetermined alignment with the onwards delivery line. The rollers for the purpose include a plurality of air-outlets arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the cloth when said sledges move jointly.

[0010] Preferably, a central detector is mounted at the central portion, at a level at or below the two second groups of detectors. This central detector is used for determining an initial position of the cloth wherein a portion thereof hangs suspended below the rollers on the front side thereof to a desired extent.

[0011] In one embodiment primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors. In other embodiments, which may require additional slight movements back and forth of the sledges to ascertain the presence of the edge of the cloth in the vicinity of a given detector, only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method of operating the aforementioned device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will now be explained in further details with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment thereof.

Fig. 1a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device of the present invention,

Fig. 1b shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side,

Fig. 1c is a perspective view of exemplary machinery incorporating the device of the invention, together with a delivery line,

Fig. 1d shows a preferred arrangement of the detectors shown in fig. 1b,

Fig. 2a is a view similar to fig. 1a, showing now a laundered cloth to be processed,

Fig. 2b is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the cloth being reoriented, and

Fig. 2c is a view similar to fig. 2a, showing the reoriented cloth in the process of being aligned.

[0014] Fig. 1a shows, seen from the front side thereof, an embodiment of the device 1 of the present invention, which device 1 is particularly suitable for processing rectangular items of laundered cloth C, such as towels, having opposite parallel edges. The device 1 generally includes a frame F having opposite sides 10, 15 and a central portion 20 between the opposite sides 10, 15, which central portion 20 may define a vertical line of symmetry S of the device 1. A first roller 30 and a second roller 35 are mounted to the frame F for rotation about an axis A extending between the sides 10, 15. Rotation of the rollers 30, 35 may be in the forward direction, i.e. clockwise when viewed from the side 10, and in the opposite, anti-clockwise or rearward direction. Where the terms "forward" and "rearward" are used herein this will be understood as reflecting a clockwise or anticlockwise rotation, respectively, of the rollers 30, 35, as viewed from the left hand side 10 of the device, as seen in fig. 1a.

[0015] The device 1 receives laundered cloth C, reorients the laundered cloth C as explained below, and delivers the cloth C' thus reoriented to a delivery line 180 arranged in front of the device 1 on forward rotation of the rollers, as shown in fig. 1c. The delivery line 180 preferably comprises a conveyor belt against which the reoriented cloth C' lies flatly; the conveyor belt runs partially below the device 1 to receive the reoriented cloth C' dropped or passed on to the conveyor belt 180 from the device 1. The cloth C' lying flatly against the conveyor belt 180 may preferably be conveyed towards a folding machinery (not shown) for folding this reoriented cloth C'.

[0016] The exact manner in which the laundered cloth C is received by the device 1 is not of particular relevance to the invention; as explained below, the rollers 30, 35 receive the laundered cloth C, and this may as shown in fig. 1c take place by pulling the laundered cloth C sideways onto the rollers 30, 35 from one side 15 of the frame F, following which the cloth C will typically hang suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in the skewed manner shown in fig. 2a where one portion (visible in fig. 2a) of the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on the front side of the device 1 while another portion (not visible in fig. 2a) hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 to the rear side of the device 1.

[0017] It will be understood that a joint forward rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 will give rise to the lower edge 300 shown in fig. 2a descending, thus decreasing the area of the cloth C hanging suspended in front of the rear side of the device 1, and vice versa. An anticlockwise (rearward) rotation of the first roller 30 shown to the left in fig. 2a, possibly combined with a clockwise (forward) rotation of the second roller 35 will, on the other hand, in accordance with the invention give rise to a reorienting of the cloth C whereby the lower edge 300 will eventually extend horizontally, with the long edges 310, 320 of the cloth being vertical. For this purpose a first drive 3 is coupled to the first roller 30, for selectively rotating the first roller 30 in the forward or rearward direction, and a second drive 5 is coupled to the second roller 35, for selectively rotating the second roller 35 in the forward or rearward direction, at a desired speed. Normally rollers 30, 35 having each a single cylindrical face are used; however, rollers 30, 35 comprising each several cylinders arranged axially next to each other and preferably acting jointly may also be used.

[0018] A first sledge 50 and a second sledge 60 are mounted to the frame F at a common level L below the two rollers 30, 35, guided for movement in a track along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path P from a respective one of the two sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, and vice versa. The sledges 50, 60 each carry mounted thereon a first group 51, 61 of detectors and a second group 55, 65 of detectors, as seen best in fig. 1b which shows various enlarged sections of the device 1 seen from the front side. The first group 51 fixed to the first sledge 50 and the first group 61 fixed to the second sledge 60 are preferably being horizontally aligned with each other, i.e. arranged symmetrically about a vertical centre line of the device 1 coincident with the central portion 20; the same applies to the two second groups 55, 65. The mounting of the detectors to the sledges 50, 60 is such that two first groups 51, 61 of detectors are closer to the rollers 30, 35 than the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors, and the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors are closer to the central portion 20 than the two first groups 51, 61 of detectors; as the sledges 50, 60 move along the path P the distance between the first groups 51, 61 of detectors will vary accordingly, and likewise for the second groups 55, 65. The position of the detectors is fixed relative to the sledges, as is the position of grippers also carried by the sledges and discussed further below.

[0019] Each of the two first groups 51, 61 comprise one detector 53, 63 referred to in the following as a primary detector, and preferably at least one additional detector 52, 62, referred to in the following as a secondary detector, and located farther away from the central portion 20. Moreover, each of the second groups 55, 65 comprises a primary detector 56, 66 which in the shown embodiment is arranged above and next to a secondary detector 57, 67 of the second groups 55, 65, preferably in vertical alignment. Preferably, a central detector 8 is also mounted at the central portion 20, at a level at or below the two second groups 55, 65 of detectors. The arrangement of the detectors is also shown in fig. 1d, where a total of eight detectors are used. Depending on the controlling of the device 1 only the aforementioned four primary detectors 56, 66, 53, 63, positioned as shown with respect to each other, may be required.

[0020] The aforementioned path P runs below the rollers 30, 35 and so behind the portion of the cloth C hanging suspended at the front side of the rollers 30, 35, such that the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 will be movable behind that portion cloth C as the sledges 50, 60 move. Each of the detectors 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67 are configured for detecting the presence of any cloth C suspended from the rollers 30, 35 in front of the respective detector 8, 53, 56, 57, 63, 66, 67, and for providing a corresponding signal to a controller 2. The controller 2 has software configured for moving the sledges 50, 60 independently of each other along the path P and for activating the drives 3, 5 independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth C in response to the detector signals as explained later below. Preferably, the detectors are photodetectors.

[0021] The reorienting preferably is as follows:
First, cloth C is delivered to the rollers 30, 35 such that the cloth C hangs suspended from the rollers 30, 35 on either side thereof, at a more or less random position along the axis A; at this point both sledges 50, 60 are located near the sides 10, 15 of the frame F, as shown in fig. 2a, which also shows, perhaps somehow exaggerated, the initial skewed position of the cloth C. Preferably, depending on the manner the cloth C is delivered to the rollers 30, 35, the rollers 30, 35 may then first be activated to rotate together in the forward (clockwise) direction, to lower the lowermost edge 300 of the cloth C until the aforementioned central detector 8 indicates presence of the cloth C in front thereof, at which point rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 is stopped. This is illustrated in fig. 2a where the central detector 8 is hidden behind the cloth C.

[0022] Then, the controller 2 initiates movement of the first sledge 50 and the second sledge 60 along the horizontal path P from a respective one of the sides 10, 15 towards the central portion 20, stopping each of the sledges 50, 60 only at the instant two conditions are fulfilled, namely that the primary detector 53, 63 of each of the first groups 51, 61 of detectors detects the cloth C and when the secondary detector 57, 67 of each of said second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects the cloth C. Normally, at this point the primary detector 56, 66 of each of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors also detects the cloth C.

[0023] The controller 2 then initiates a rotating together of the first roller and second roller in the rearward direction until a detector, such as the secondary detector 57, 67 of one of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors detects no presence of the cloth C, i.e. raising thereby the cloth C without performing any reorienting thereof. In fig. 2b this will most likely occur for the secondary detector 67 on the sledge 60 to the right in the drawing.

[0024] The controller 2 then initiates either a rotation only one of the rollers 30, 35, or of both of the rollers 30, 35 at different speeds or in different directions, whereby the lowermost corner identified by an X in fig. 2b is raised towards the position shown in fig. 2c, while the horizontal position of the other corner identified by a Y may remain essentially the same. This action remains until the detector, in this embodiment secondary detector 57, of the other one of the second groups 55, 65 of detectors also detects no presence of cloth C, indicative of the aforementioned two corners X, Y being now at the same level, with the edge 300 of the cloth C being horizontal, as shown in fig. 2c.

[0025] The controller 2 then initiates a rotation of the two rollers 30, 35 together in the forward direction, at least until the lowermost edge 300 of the reoriented cloth C', still suspended from the rollers 30, 35, is caught by the transversally moving conveyor belt 180 which moves at a speed correlated with the speed of rotation of the rollers to ensure a smooth transition of the cloth C', without any stretching thereof.

[0026] However, before the latter action a horizontal alignment of the cloth C with a centre line of the delivery line 180, as described in the following, is preferably initiated.

[0027] Preferably, located between the levels of the first 51, 61 and second 55, 65 group of detectors, preferably vertically below the first group 51, 61, each of the sledges 50, 60 carry mounted thereon a clamp or gripper 150, 160. The gripper 150, 160 has two arms (seen best in fig. 1b) of which one becomes located in a position behind the cloth C while the other becomes located into a position in front of the cloth C, as the sledges 50, 60 move. The grippers 150, 160 are activatable to grip between them a respective long edge 310, 320 of the portion of the cloth C' hanging suspended in front of the rollers 30, 35, near the short edge 300, for performing an alignment of the cloth C'. For this purpose the controller 2 is configured for activating the grippers 150, 160 to grip onto the respective one of the two long edges 310, 320 of the cloth C', being vertical after the reorienting, and for displacing the sledges 50, 60, in response to signals from the two first groups 51, 61 of detectors indicating presence of the reoriented cloth C' in front of the primary detectors 53, 63 and no cloth C' in front of the secondary detectors 52, 62. This detection serves to identify the location of the long edges 310, 320 in respect to the grippers 150, 160. The gripped cloth is shown in fig. 2c.

[0028] In addition, the controller 2 is configured for then moving the sledges 50, 60 jointly in the same direction along the respective path P, i.e. to the right or left in fig. 2c, to align the reoriented cloth C with the onwards delivery line 180, such as with a centre line thereof. The controller 2 may be configured to initially move the sledges 50, 60 apart, whereby the grippers 150, 160, gripping a respective long edge 310, 320, will act to transversally stretch the cloth C' in the area of the lower edge 300.

[0029] The rollers 30, 35 also include a plurality of air-outlets 200 arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the reoriented cloth C' as the sledges 50, 60 move jointly. The resulting air-pressure lifts the cloth C' off the rollers 30, 35, or at least reduces friction between the cloth C' and the rollers 30, 35, whereby the portion of the cloth C' wound partially around the top surface of the rollers 30, 35 will move unrestricted as a whole axially along axis A, as the edges 310, 320 of the cloth C' gripped by the grippers 150, 160 follow the movement of the sledges 50, 60. When the sledges 50, 60 are located symmetrically in relation to the centre line of the delivery line 180 the grippers 150, 160 are released and forward rotation of the roller 30, 35 as described above is initiated such that the cloth C' is delivered to the underlying conveyor belt 180, the level L2 of the surface thereof being shown in fig. 2c.

[0030] In the embodiment discussed above primary and secondary detectors are used for each group of detectors, the controller 2 being configured to operate upon conditions where a primary detector detects cloth (such as by being covered by the cloth to prevent light entry) while its neighbouring detector of the same group detects no cloth, or vice versa, indicative of an edge of the cloth being located between the two neighbouring detectors. In certain embodiments, which may require additional slight movements back and forth of the sledges 50, 60 to ascertain the presence of the cloth C in the vicinity of a given detector, only a single detector per group may be required; for that particular embodiment the phrase "group of detectors" as used herein will refer to a group comprising only one detector.

Claims

1. A device (1) for reorienting laundered cloth (C) and for delivering said reoriented laundered cloth (C) in a forward direction towards an onwards delivery line (180) arranged in front of said device (1), comprising:

- a frame (F) having opposite sides (10, 15) and a central portion (20) between said opposite sides (10, 15),

- a first roller (30) and a second roller (35), mounted to said frame (F) for rotation in said forward direction and in an opposite, rearward direction about an axis (A) extending between said sides (10, 15),

- said rollers (30, 35) being configured for receiving and supporting said cloth (C) to be reoriented hanging suspended from said rollers (30, 35) on either side thereof,

- a first drive (3) coupled to said first roller (30), for selectively rotating said first roller (30) in said forward or said rearward direction,

- a second drive (5) coupled to said second roller (35), for selectively rotating said second roller (35) in said forward or said rearward direction, characterised in

- a first sledge (50) and a second sledge (60), each sledge (50, 60) being mounted to said frame (F) below said rollers (30, 35), for movement along a horizontal, or generally horizontal, path (P) from a respective one of said sides (10, 15) towards said central portion (20), and vice versa,

- said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a first group (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) and a second group (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67),

- said two first groups (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) preferably being horizontally aligned with each other and said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) preferably being horizontally aligned with each other,

- each of said first groups (51, 61) comprising a primary detector (53, 63),

- each of said second groups (55, 65) comprising a primary detector (56, 66),

- each of said detectors (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) being for detecting the presence of any cloth (C) suspended from said rollers (30, 35) in front of said each detector (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67), and for providing a corresponding signal,

- said two first groups (51, 61) of detectors being closer to said rollers (30, 35) than said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors, and

- said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors each being closer to said central portion (20) than said two first groups (51, 61) of detectors, and

- a controller (2) configured for moving said sledges (50, 60) independently of each other along said path (P) and for activating said drives (3, 5) for rotation of said rollers (30, 35) independently of each other, to reorient said cloth (C) in response to said signals from said detectors (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) received by said controller (2).

2. The device (1) of claim 1, each of said two second groups (55, 65) comprising said primary detector (56, 66) arranged above and next to a secondary detector (57, 67) of said second group (55, 65) for said detecting, preferably in vertical alignment therewith.

3. The device (1) of claim 1 or 2,

- each of said two first groups (51, 61) comprising a secondary detector (52, 62) for said detecting, arranged next to said primary detector (53, 63) of each first group (51, 61), preferably in horizontal alignment therewith, said primary detector (53, 63) of each first group (51, 61) being located closer to said central portion (20) than said secondary detector (52, 62) thereof,

- said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a gripper (150, 160) activatable to grip an edge (310, 320) of said cloth (C),

- said controller (2) being configured for activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) and for displacing said sledges (50, 60), in response to signals from said two first groups (51, 61) of detectors after said reorienting indicating presence of said cloth (C) in front of said primary detectors (53, 63) and no cloth (C) in front of said secondary detectors (52, 62), and for jointly moving said sledges (50, 60) into a predetermined alignment of said cloth (C) with said onwards delivery line (180),

- said rollers (30, 35) further including a plurality of air-outlets (200) arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards said cloth (C) when said sledges (50, 60) move jointly.

4. The device (1) of claim 1 or 2,

- said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a gripper (150, 160) activatable to grip an edge (310, 320) of said cloth (C),

- said controller (2) being configured for activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) and for displacing said sledges (50, 60), in response to signals from said two first groups (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) after said reorienting indicating presence of said cloth (C) in the vicinity of said primary detectors (53, 63), and for jointly moving said sledges (50, 60) into a predetermined alignment of said cloth (C) with said onwards delivery line (180),

- said rollers (30, 35) further including a plurality of air-outlets (200) arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards said cloth (C) when said sledges (50, 60) move jointly.

5. The device (1) of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, comprising a central detector (8) for said detecting mounted at said central portion (20), at a level at or below said two second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67).

6. A method of reorienting cloth (C) using the device (1) of any of the previous claims, comprising the steps of:

- delivering cloth (C) to said rollers (30, 35) such that said cloth (C) hangs suspended from said rollers (30, 35) on either side thereof,

- moving said first sledge (50) and said second sledge (60) along said horizontal path (P) from a respective one of said sides (10, 15) towards said central portion (20),

- stopping each of said sledges (50, 60) when the primary detector (53, 63) of each of said first groups (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) has detected said cloth (C) and a detector (56, 66) of each of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) has detected said cloth (C),

- rotating said first roller (30) and said second roller (35) in said rearward direction until a detector (56, 66) of one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) detects no presence of said cloth (C),

- rotating only one of said rollers (30, 35), or both of said rollers (30, 35) at different speeds or in different directions, until a detector (56, 66) of the other one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) also detects no presence of cloth (C), and

- rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of said second groups (55, 65) comprises a primary detector (56, 66) arranged above and next to a secondary detector (57, 67), preferably in vertical alignment, comprising the steps of:

- stopping each of said sledges (50, 60) when said primary detector (53, 63) of each of said first groups (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) has detected said cloth (C) and said secondary detector (57, 67) of each of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) has detected said cloth (C),

- rotating said first roller (30) and said second roller (35) in said rearward direction until said secondary detector (57, 67) of one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) detects no presence of said cloth (C),

- rotating only one of said rollers (30, 35), or both of said rollers (30, 35) at different speeds or in different directions, until the secondary detector (57, 67) of the other one of said second groups (55, 65) of detectors (56, 57, 66, 67) also detects no presence of cloth (C), and

- rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, with an alignment, using the device (1) of claim 4, comprising the step of, prior to said step of rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction,

- moving said sledges (50, 60) along said path (P) until said controller (2) receives signals indicating presence of said cloth (C) in the vicinity of each of said primary detectors (53, 63) of said first groups (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63),

- then activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) of said cloth (C),

- then discharging air from said plurality of air-outlets (200), and

- then activating said sledges (50, 60) to move jointly in a direction towards one of said sides (10, 15) while said grippers (150, 160) are activated.

9. The method of claim 6 or 7, with an alignment, using the device (1) of claim 3, comprising the step of, prior to said step of rotating said rollers (30, 35) together in said forward direction,

- moving said sledges (50, 60) along said path (P) until each primary detector (53, 63) of said first group (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) detects presence of said cloth (C) and each secondary detector (52, 62) of said first group (51, 61) of detectors (52, 53, 62, 63) detects no presence of said cloth (C),

- then activating said grippers (150, 160) to grip a respective one of said edges (310, 320) of said cloth (C),

- then discharging air from said plurality of air-outlets (200), and

- then activating said sledges (50, 60) to move jointly in a direction towards one of said sides (10, 15) while said grippers (150, 160) are activated.

10. The method of claim 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, including the initial steps of activating said rollers (30, 35) to rotate in said forward direction and then stopping said forward rotation on a central detector (8) detecting the presence of said cloth (C).

11. The method according to any of claims 6-10, said sledges (50, 60) each having mounted thereon a gripper (150, 160) activatable to grip an edge (310, 320) of said cloth (C), said controller (2) being configured to move said sledges (50, 60) apart from each other for said grippers (150, 160) to stretch said reoriented cloth (C').

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung (1) zur Neuorientierung von gewaschenem Gewebe (C) und zur Abgabe des neuorientierten gewaschenen Gewebes (C) in eine Vorwärtsrichtung gegen eine vorwärtslaufende Abgabelinie (180), die vor der Vorrichtung (1) angeordnet ist, umfassend:

- einen Rahmen (F) mit entgegengesetzten Seiten (10, 15) und einem mittigen Teil (20) zwischen den entgegengesetzten Seiten (10, 15),

- eine erste Rolle (30) und eine zweite Rolle (35), die zur Drehung in der Vorwärtsrichtung und in einer entgegengesetzten Rückwärtsrichtung um eine Achse (A) herum, die sich zwischen den Seiten (10, 15) erstreckt, auf dem Rahmen (F) montiert sind,

- wobei die Rollen (30, 35) dafür ausgelegt sind, das Gewebe (C), das neuorientiert werden soll und an den Rollen (30, 35) auf jeder Seite davon hängend aufgehängt ist, aufzunehmen und zu unterstützen,

- einen ersten Antrieb (3), der zur selektiven Drehung der ersten Rolle (30) in der Vorwärtsrichtung oder Rückwärtsrichtung mit der ersten Rolle (30) gekoppelt ist,

- einen zweiten Antrieb (5), der zur selektiven Drehung der zweiten Rolle (35) in der Vorwärtsrichtung oder Rückwärtsrichtung mit der zweiten Rolle (35) gekoppelt ist, gekennzeichnet durch

- einen ersten Schlitten (50) und einen zweiten Schlitten (60), wobei jeder Schlitten (50, 60) unterhalb der Rollen (30, 35) zur Bewegung entlang einem horizontalen oder generell horizontalen Pfad (P) von jeweils einer der Seiten (10, 15) gegen den mittigen Teil (20) und umgekehrt auf dem Rahmen (F) montiert ist,

- wobei die Schlitten (50, 60) jeweils darauf montiert eine erste Gruppe (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) und eine zweite Gruppe (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) aufweisen,

- wobei die zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) vorzugsweise horizontal zueinander ausgerichtet sind die zwei zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) vorzugsweise horizontal zueinander ausgerichtet sind,

- wobei jede der ersten Gruppen (51, 61) einen primären Detektor (53, 63) umfasst,

- wobei jede der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) einen primären Detektor (56, 66) umfasst,

- wobei jeder der Detektoren (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) zur Detektion des Vorhandenseins von Gewebe (C), das vor jedem Detektor (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) an den Rollen (30, 35) aufgehängt ist, und zur Bereitstellung eines entsprechenden Signals ist,

- wobei die zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren näher an den Rollen (30, 35) als die zwei zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren sind, und

- wobei die zwei zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren jeweils näher am mittigen Teil (20) als die zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren sind, und

- eine Steuereinheit (2), die dafür ausgelegt ist, die Schlitten (50, 60) unabhängig voneinander entlang dem Pfad (P) zu bewegen und die Antriebe (3, 5) zur Drehung der Rollen (30, 35) unabhängig voneinander zur Neuorientierung des Gewebes (C) als Reaktion auf die Signale von den Detektoren (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67), die von der Steuereinheit (2) empfangen werden, zu aktivieren.

2. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei jede von den zwei zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) den primären Detektor (56, 66) umfasst, der oberhalb von und neben einem sekundären Detektor (57, 67) der zweiten Gruppe (55, 65) zur Detektion, vorzugsweise in vertikaler Ausrichtung damit, angeordnet ist.

3. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,

- wobei jede der zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) einen sekundären Detektor (52, 62) zur Detektion umfasst, der neben dem primären Detektor (53, 63) jeder ersten Gruppe (51, 61), vorzugsweise in horizontaler Ausrichtung damit, angeordnet ist, wobei der primäre Detektor (53, 63) jeder ersten Gruppe (51, 61) näher am mittigen Teil (20) als der sekundäre Detektor (52, 62) davon angeordnet ist,

- wobei die Schlitten (50, 60) jeweils einen Greifer (150, 160) darauf montiert haben, der aktiviert werden kann, um eine Kante (310, 320) des Gewebes (C) zu greifen,

- wobei die Steuereinheit (2) zur Aktivierung der Greifer (150, 160) zum Greifen einer jeweiligen der Kanten (310, 320) und zur Verlagerung der Schlitten (50, 60), als Reaktion auf Signale von den zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren nachdem die Neuorientierung Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) vor den primären Detektoren (53, 63) und kein Gewebe (C) vor den sekundären Detektoren (52, 62) angibt, und zum gemeinsamen Bewegen der Schlitten (50, 60) in eine vorgegebene Ausrichtung des Gewebes (C) mit der vorwärtslaufenden Abgabelinie (180) ausgelegt ist,

- wobei die Rollen (30, 35) weiter eine Mehrheit von Luftauslässen (200) aufweist, die entlang der Länge davon angeordnet sind und dafür ausgelegt sind, Luft gegen das Gewebe (C) auszustoßen, wenn die Schlitten (50, 60) sich gemeinsam bewegen.

4. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,

- wobei die Schlitten (50, 60) jeweils einen Greifer (150, 160) darauf montiert haben, der aktiviert werden kann, um eine Kante (310, 320) des Gewebes (C) zu greifen,

- wobei die Steuereinheit (2) zur Aktivierung der Greifer (150, 160) zum Greifen einer jeweiligen der Kanten (310, 320) und zur Verlagerung der Schlitten (50, 60), als Reaktion auf Signale von den zwei ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) nachdem die Neuorientierung Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) in der Nähe von den primären Detektoren (53, 63) angibt, und zum gemeinsamen Bewegen der Schlitten (50, 60) in eine vorgegebene Ausrichtung des Gewebes (C) mit der vorwärtslaufenden Abgabelinie (180) ausgelegt ist,

- wobei die Rollen (30, 35) weiter eine Mehrheit von Luftauslässen (200) aufweist, die entlang der Länge davon angeordnet sind und dafür ausgelegt sind, Luft gegen das Gewebe (C) auszustoßen, wenn die Schlitten (50, 60) sich gemeinsam bewegen.

5. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, 2, 3 oder 4, umfassend einen mittigen Detektor (8) zur Detektion, der am mittigen Teil (20) in einer Ebene am oder unterhalb von den zwei zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) montiert ist.

6. Verfahren zur Neuorientierung eines Gewebes (C) unter Verwendung der Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:

- Abgeben von Gewebe (C) an die Rollen (30, 35), so dass das Gewebe (C) von den Rollen (30, 35) auf jeder Seite davon aufgehängt hängt,

- Bewegen des ersten Schlittens (50) und des zweiten Schlittens (60) entlang dem horizontalen Pfad (P) von einer jeweiligen der Seiten (10, 15) gegen den mittigen Teil (20),

- Anhalten jedes der Schlitten (50, 60), wenn der primäre Detektor (53, 63) jeder der ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) das Gewebe (C) detektiert hat und ein Detektor (56, 66) jeder der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) das Gewebe (C) detektiert hat,

- Drehen der ersten Rolle (30) und der zweiten Rolle (35) in der Rückwärtsrichtung bis ein Detektor (56, 66) einer der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) kein Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) detektiert,

- Drehen von nur einer der Rollen (30, 35) oder den beiden Rollen (30, 35) bei verschiedenen Geschwindigkeiten oder in verschiedenen Richtungen bis ein Detektor (56, 66) der anderen der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) ebenso kein Vorhandensein von Gewebe (C) detektiert, und

- Drehen der Rollen (30, 35) zusammen in der Vorwärtsrichtung.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei jede der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) einen primären Detektor (56, 66) umfasst, der oberhalb von und neben einem sekundären Detektor (57, 67) angeordnet ist, vorzugsweise in vertikaler Ausrichtung, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:

- Anhalten jedes der Schlitten (50, 60), wenn der primäre Detektor (53, 63) jeder der ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) das Gewebe (C) detektiert hat und der sekundäre Detektor (57, 67) jeder der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) das Gewebe (C) detektiert hat,

- Drehen der ersten Rolle (30) und der zweiten Rolle (35) in der Rückwärtsrichtung bis der sekundäre Detektor (57, 67) einer der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) kein Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) detektiert,

- Drehen von nur einer der Rollen (30, 35) oder den beiden Rollen (30, 35) bei verschiedenen Geschwindigkeiten oder in verschiedenen Richtungen bis der sekundäre Detektor (57, 67) der anderen der zweiten Gruppen (55, 65) von Detektoren (56, 57, 66, 67) ebenso kein Vorhandensein von Gewebe (C) detektiert, und

- Drehen der Rollen (30, 35) zusammen in der Vorwärtsrichtung.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, mit einer Ausrichtung, unter Verwendung der Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 4, umfassend den folgenden Schritt, vor dem Schritt des Drehens der Rollen (30, 35) zusammen in der Vorwärtsrichtung,

- Bewegen der Schlitten (50, 60) entlang dem Pfad (P) bis die Steuereinheit (2) Signale empfängt, die Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) in der Nähe von jedem der primären Detektoren (53, 63) der ersten Gruppen (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) angeben,

- danach Aktivierung der Greifer (150, 160) zum Greifen einer jeweiligen der Kanten (310, 320) des Gewebes (C),

- danach Ausstoßen von Luft von der Mehrheit von Luftauslässen (200), und

- danach Aktivierung der Schlitten (50, 60) zum gemeinsamen Bewegen in eine Richtung gegen eine der Seiten (10, 15), während die Greifer (150, 160) aktiviert sind.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, mit einer Ausrichtung, unter Verwendung der Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 3, umfassend den folgenden Schritt, vor dem Schritt des Drehens der Rollen (30, 35) zusammen in der Vorwärtsrichtung,

- Bewegen der Schlitten (50, 60) entlang dem Pfad (P) bis jeder primäre Detektor (53, 63) der ersten Gruppe (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) detektiert und jeder sekundäre Detektor (52, 62) der ersten Gruppe (51, 61) von Detektoren (52, 53, 62, 63) kein Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) detektiert,

- danach Aktivierung der Greifer (150, 160) zum Greifen einer jeweiligen der Kanten (310, 320) des Gewebes (C),

- danach Ausstoßen von Luft von der Mehrheit von Luftauslässen (200), und

- danach Aktivierung der Schlitten (50, 60) zum gemeinsamen Bewegen in eine Richtung gegen eine der Seiten (10, 15), während die Greifer (150, 160) aktiviert sind.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, 7, 8 oder 9, umfassend die anfänglichen Schritte zur Aktivierung der Rollen (30, 35) zum Drehen in der Vorwärtsrichtung und dann Anhalten der Vorwärtsdrehung, wenn ein mittiger Detektor (8) das Vorhandensein des Gewebes (C) detektiert.

11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 6-10, wobei die Schlitten (50, 60) jeweils einen Greifer (150, 160) darauf montiert haben, der aktiviert werden kann, um eine Kante (310, 320) des Gewebes (C) zu greifen, wobei die Steuereinheit (2) dafür ausgelegt ist, die Schlitten (50, 60) voneinander weg zu bewegen, damit die Greifer (150, 160) das neuorientierte Gewebe (C') strecken kann.

Revendications

1. Dispositif (1) pour la réorientation d'étoffe lavée (C) et pour délivrer ladite étoffe lavée réorientée (C) dans une direction avant vers une ligne de délivrance (180) agencée devant ledit dispositif (1), comprenant :

- un cadre (F) ayant des côtés opposés (10, 15) et une partie centrale (20) entre lesdits côtés opposés (10, 15),

- un premier rouleau (30) et un deuxième rouleau (35), montés sur ledit cadre (F) pour rotation dans ladite direction avant et dans une direction arrière opposée autour d'un axe (A) s'étendant entre lesdits côtés (10, 15),

- lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) étant configurés pour recevoir et supporter ladite étoffe (C) à réorienter suspendue auxdits rouleaux (30, 35) de part et d'autre de ceux-ci,

- un premier entraînement (3) couplé audit premier rouleau (30), pour faire tourner sélectivement ledit premier rouleau (30) dans ladite direction avant ou arrière,

- un deuxième entraînement (5) couplé audit deuxième rouleau (35), pour faire tourner sélectivement ledit deuxième rouleau (35) dans ladite direction avant ou arrière, caractérisé par

- un premier traîneau (50) et un deuxième traîneau (60), chaque traîneau (50, 60) étant monté sur ledit cadre (F) au-dessous desdits rouleaux (30, 35), pour se déplacer le long d'un chemin (P) horizontal ou généralement horizontal, à partir d'un des côtés respectifs (10, 15) vers ladite partie centrale (20), et inversement,

- lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) sur chacun desquels est monté un premier groupe (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) et un deuxième groupe (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67),

- lesdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) étant de préférence alignés horizontalement l'un avec l'autre, et lesdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) étant de préférence alignés horizontalement l'un avec l'autre,

- chacun desdits premiers groupes (51, 61) comprenant un détecteur primaire (53, 63),

- chacun desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) comprenant un détecteur primaire (56, 66),

- chacun desdits détecteurs (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) servant à détecter la présence de toute étoffe (C) suspendue auxdits rouleaux (30, 35) devant chacun desdits détecteurs (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) et à fournir un signal correspondant,

- lesdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs étant plus proches desdits rouleaux (30, 35) que lesdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs, et

- lesdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs étant plus proches à ladite partie centrale (20) que lesdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs, et

- un dispositif de commande (2) configuré pour déplacer lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) indépendamment l'un de l'autre le long dudit chemin (P) et pour activer lesdits entraînements (3, 5) pour faire tourner lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) indépendamment l'un de l'autre, pour réorienter ladite étoffe (C) en réponse auxdits signaux provenant desdits détecteurs (52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 67) reçus par ledit dispositif de commande (2).

2. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1, chacun desdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) comprenant ledit détecteur primaire (56, 66) disposé au-dessus et à côté d'un détecteur secondaire (57, 67) dudit deuxième groupe (55, 65) pour ladite détection, de préférence en alignement vertical avec celui-ci.

3. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2,

- chacun desdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) comprenant un détecteur secondaire (52, 62) pour ladite détection, agencé à côté dudit détecteur primaire (53, 63) de chaque premier groupe (51 , 61), de préférence en alignement horizontal avec celui-ci, ledit détecteur primaire (53, 63) de chaque premier groupe (51, 61) étant situé plus près de ladite partie centrale (20) que son détecteur secondaire (52, 62),

- lesdits traîneaux (50, 60) sur chacun desquels est monté un organe de saisie (150, 160) pouvant être activé pour saisir un bord (310, 320) de ladite étoffe (C),

- ledit dispositif de commande (2) étant configuré pour activer lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) pour saisir l'un respectif desdits bords (310, 320) et pour déplacer lesdites traîneaux (50, 60), en réponse à des signaux provenant desdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs après ladite réorientation indiquant la présence dudit tissu (C) devant lesdits détecteurs primaires (53, 63) et d'aucune étoffe (C) devant lesdits détecteurs secondaires (52, 62), pour déplacer conjointement lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) dans un alignement prédéterminé de ladite étoffe (C) avec ladite ligne de délivrance (180),

- lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) comprenant en outre une pluralité de sorties d'air (200) agencées sur leur longueur et étant configurées pour évacuer de l'air vers ladite étoffe (C) lorsque lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) se déplacent conjointement.

4. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2,

- les traîneaux (50, 60) sur chacun desquels est monté un organe de saisie (150, 160) pouvant être activé pour saisir un bord (310, 320) de ladite étoffe (C),

- ledit dispositif de commande (2) étant configuré pour activer lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) pour saisir l'un respectif desdits bords (310, 320) et pour déplacer lesdites traîneaux (50, 60), en réponse à des signaux provenant desdits deux premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) après ladite réorientation indiquant la présence dudit tissu (C) au voisinage desdits détecteurs primaires (53, 63), et pour déplacer conjointement lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) dans un alignement prédéterminé de ladite étoffe (C) avec ladite ligne de délivrance (180),

- lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) comprenant en outre une pluralité de sorties d'air (200) agencées sur leur longueur et étant configurées pour évacuer de l'air vers ladite étoffe (C) lorsque lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) se déplacent conjointement.

5. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2 ou 3 ou 4, comprenant un détecteur central (8) pour ladite détection, monté sur ladite partie centrale (20) à un niveau situé au niveau ou au-dessous desdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67).

6. Procédé pour la réorientation d'étoffe (C) utilisant le dispositif (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant les étapes consistant à :

- délivrer une étoffe (C) auxdits rouleaux (30, 35) de telle sorte que ladite étoffe (C) soit suspendue auxdits rouleaux (30, 35) de part et d'autre de ceux-ci,

- déplacer ledit premier traîneau (50) et ledit deuxième traîneau (60) le long dudit chemin horizontal (P) depuis l'un respectif desdits côtés (10, 15) vers ladite partie centrale (20),

- arrêter chacune desdites traîneaux (50, 60) lorsque le détecteur principal (53, 63) de chacun desdits premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) a détecté ladite étoffe (C) et un détecteur (56, 66) de chacun desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) a détecté ladite étoffe (C),

- faire tourner ledit premier rouleau (30) et ledit deuxième rouleau (35) dans ladite direction arrière jusqu'à ce qu'un détecteur (56, 66) de l'un desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) ne détecte aucune présence de ladite étoffe (C),

- ne faire tourner qu'un seul desdits rouleaux (30, 35), ou les deux desdits rouleaux (30, 35) à des vitesses différentes ou dans des directions différentes, jusqu'à ce qu'un détecteur (56, 66) de l'autre desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) ne détecte également aucune présence d'étoffe (C), et

- faire tourner lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) ensemble dans ladite direction avant.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel chacun desdits deux deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) comprend un détecteur primaire (56, 66) disposé au-dessus et à côté d'un détecteur secondaire (57, 67), de préférence en alignement vertical, comprenant les étapes consistant à :

- arrêter chacune desdites traîneaux (50, 60) lorsque ledit détecteur principal (53, 63) de chacun desdits premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) a détecté ladite étoffe (C), et ledit détecteur secondaire (57, 67) de chacun desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) a détecté ladite étoffe (C),

- faire tourner ledit premier rouleau (30) et ledit deuxième rouleau (35) dans ladite direction arrière jusqu'à ce que le détecteur secondaire (57, 67) de l'un desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) ne détecte aucune présence de ladite étoffe (C),

- ne faire tourner qu'un seul desdits rouleaux (30, 35), ou les deux desdits rouleaux (30, 35) à des vitesses différentes ou dans des directions différentes, jusqu'à ce que le détecteur secondaire (57, 67) de l'autre desdits deuxièmes groupes (55, 65) de détecteurs (56, 57, 66, 67) ne détecte également aucune présence d'étoffe (C), et

- faire tourner lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) ensemble dans ladite direction avant.

8. Procédé selon la revendication 6 ou 7, avec un alignement, utilisant le dispositif (1) de la revendication 4, comprenant l'étape consistant à, préalablement à ladite étape consistant à faire tourner lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) ensemble dans ladite direction avant,

- déplacer lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) le long dudit chemin (P) jusqu'à ce que ledit dispositif de commande (2) reçoive des signaux indiquant la présence de ladite étoffe (C) au voisinage de chacun desdits détecteurs primaires (53, 63) desdits premiers groupes (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63),

- activer ensuite lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) pour saisir un bord respectif desdits bords (310, 320) de ladite étoffe (C),

- puis décharger de l'air de ladite pluralité de sorties d'air (200), et

- activer ensuite lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) pour se déplacer conjointement dans une direction allant vers l'un desdits côtés (10, 15) tandis que lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) sont activés.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 6 ou 7, avec un alignement, utilisant le dispositif (1) de la revendication 3, comprenant l'étape consistant à, préalablement à ladite étape consistant à faire tourner lesdits rouleaux (30, 35) ensemble dans ladite direction avant,

- déplacer lesdites traîneaux (50, 60) le long dudit chemin (P) jusqu'à ce que chaque détecteur primaire (53, 63) dudit premier groupe (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) détecte la présence de ladite étoffe (C), et chaque détecteur secondaire (52, 62) dudit premier groupe (51, 61) de détecteurs (52, 53, 62, 63) ne détecte aucune présence de ladite étoffe (C),

- activer ensuite lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) pour saisir un bord respectif desdits bords (310, 320) de ladite étoffe (C),

- puis décharger de l'air de ladite pluralité de sorties d'air (200), et

- activer ensuite lesdits traîneaux (50, 60) pour se déplacer conjointement dans une direction allant vers l'un desdits côtés (10, 15) tandis que lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) sont activés.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 6 ou 7 ou 8 ou 9, comprenant les étapes initiales d'activation desdits rouleaux (30, 35) pour tourner dans ladite direction avant, puis arrêter ladite rotation avant sur un détecteur central (8) détectant la présence de ladite étoffe (C).

11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 10, lesdits traîneaux (50, 60) sur chacun desquels est monté un organe de saisie (150, 160) pouvant être activé pour saisir un bord (310, 320) de ladite étoffe (C), ledit dispositif de commande (2) étant configuré pour éloigner lesdits traîneaux (50, 60) l'un de l'autre afin que lesdits organes de saisie (150, 160) étirent ladite étoffe réorientée (C').

Drawing