CONTAINER FOR COLLECTING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLOTHES TO BE WASHED

Abstract

 A basket (1) is described for collecting clothes to be washed (2, 3) of at least two types (A, B), a first type (A) comprising flat linen, such as sheets or towels, and a second type (B) comprising personal clothes; the basket (1) includes at least a first hamper (4) for inserting the first type (A) of clothes and at least a second hamper (5) for inserting the second type (B) of clothes. At least a first tag reader (8) is applied to the first hamper (4) and configured to read a code (31) from a tag (30) applied to clothes to be washed (3), the code (31) identifying the second type (B) of clothes; a controller is configured to receive an input signal from the first tag reader (8), if the first tag reader (8) detects the code (31) identifying the second type (B) of clothes, and to actuate the first alarm signalling device (25) if it receives the signal from the first tag reader (8), to alert an operator of the incorrect use of the first hamper (4).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a basket for collecting at least two types of clothes to be washed, for example a first type comprising flat linen, such as sheets or towels, and a second type comprising personal clothes (clothes, undergarments, ...).

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a basket of the type mentioned above used for collecting clothes to be washed in an institution or other accommodation facility, in particular for collecting of bed sheets, towels, wash cloths, pillowcases, etc., and the subsequent shipping of such clothes to a specialised laundry for their washing, sanitation and return to the accommodation facility for subsequent reuse.

Prior art

[0003] Baskets for collecting clothes to be washed in accommodation facilities such as institutions are well known. Such baskets are provided with swivelling wheels to be transported from one room to another, where already used bed linen, towels and other soiled clothes to be reused are collected, according to set deadlines, e.g., every day.

[0004] In particular, the basket has a trolley A of the type shown in figure 1. The trolley A is provided with a frame (indicated in figure 1 with an arrow B1 but not visible) for supporting a collection bag C1 (which, in the example in figure 1, is folded over the frame B1). The bag C1 is either emptied by pouring the clothes into a larger basket or deposited in a facility (also known as a "roll blanchisserie") for transport by vehicle to an external laundry, a service provider on behalf of the institution.

[0005] The collection of clothes to be washed can also involve other types of clothes, e.g., the personal clothes of an institution resident, such as trousers, pyjamas, undergarments or other. This type of clothes must be collected in a separate compartment of the trolley A, as their treatment in the laundry is differentiated. Indeed, normally the laundries which handle flat linen are different from those which handle personal clothes. Therefore, the sorting of the clothes must be carried out very carefully. The trolley A is thus provided with a second frame B2 supporting a second bag C2, separate from the first, for collecting personal clothes. The second bag C2 can also be emptied by pouring the clothes to be washed into a larger basket, different from that of the flat linen, or deposited in a facility (also known as a "roll blanchisserie"), but separately with respect to the flat linen, for transport to the laundry for personal laundry maintenance. Other frames B3 and bags C3 can be provided.

[0006] Sometimes, however it occurs that through human error, carelessness or accidentally, a personal garment is located in the bag for collecting flat linen. For example, a personal garment can remain hidden in the middle of sheets and thus be transported along with them. In this case, the garment can be irretrievably lost, much to the owner's disappointment. In fact, the item (the garment) is sent together with the flat linen to the wrong laundry, which is organised to process the linen it receives (flat linen in particular) in an industrial and mechanised manner and thus cannot take care of the garment which arrived by mistake. The latter is very likely to be lost or damaged. Only in exceptional cases will it be recovered and returned to the facility. This generates considerable dissatisfaction on the part of facilities, residents and their families, and significant costs to compensate and/or replace lost and/or damaged clothing.

[0007] US 2009/113638 is an example of a basket for collecting clothes.

[0008] The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of avoiding the loss of personal clothes and errors of the type mentioned above, by providing assistance in collecting clothes to be washed without increasing the operator's workload, but by simplifying and speeding up their activity, thus overcoming the limitations which still afflict the baskets of the known art.

Brief description of the accompanying figures

[0009] 

Figure 1 schematically depicts a basket trolley according to the prior art.

Figure 2 schematically depicts a basket according to the present invention;

Figure 3 schematically depicts a basket according to an embodiment variant of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a rear image of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a front image of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a front view of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 8 is another side view of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the basket of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an image of the basket of the present invention, according to an embodiment variant.

Summary of the invention

[0010] The idea underlying present invention is to make a trolley for collecting clothes to be washed which is adapted to emit an alarm if clothes of a second type, and in particular a personal garment, is or is about to be inserted in a hamper of the trolley which is instead designed to accommodate clothing of a first type, in particular flat linen. Advantageously, when the operator, accidentally or distractedly, is about to commit the incorrect sorting of the clothes to be washed, he is immediately alerted and is thus able to correct himself. This thereby avoids sending the second type of clothes to a laundry which is only responsible for processing the first type of clothes. Consequently, the loss of personal garments is also avoided, as they are processed at a designated laundry.

[0011] The generation of an immediate alert is advantageous with respect to the systems which control sorting afterwards, i.e., after collecting the clothes to be washed. In fact, the removal of one or more personal clothes in a trolley already full of clothes to be washed would result in a considerable waste of time due to the need to empty the bag in order to identify, sort and remove the erroneously introduced personal clothes. Such removal would also not be appropriate in terms of hygiene, as the personal clothes come into contact with other clothes which, by nature, can be dirtier (flat linen, towels, etc.). Not least, the contact of the operator responsible for managing the trolley with the soiled clothing is avoided. In fact, as there are no personal clothes mistakenly placed in the trolley, there is no need to remove them therefrom.

[0012] According to the above solution idea, the technical problem underlying the present invention is solved by a basket as claimed in claim 1.

[0013] Advantageously, a first tag reader associated with a first hamper of the basket, that designed to receive the first type of clothes to be washed, recognises a tag applied to the second type of clothing, and allows an alarm to be actuated when the second type of clothes is near an opening of the first hamper. The alarm is not generated if, on the other hand, the second type of clothes is correctly placed in a second hamper, which is designed to accommodate the second type of clothes.

[0014] According to this operating scheme, the basket can only be provided with the first tag reader, viz., without performing controls (reading) on the first type of clothes. The use of a single first reader allows to reduce the costs of the basket and simplifies its operation.

[0015] In an embodiment, it is envisaged to associate a second reader to the second hamper of the basket, i.e., the one designed to accommodate the second type of clothes. In such a case, even the incorrect sorting of a first type of clothes is immediately detected so that the operator can correct himself.

[0016] Further advantages and features of the basket according to the present invention are highlighted by the following description, given with reference to the attached figures, by way of illustrative and non-limiting purposes of the present invention.

Detailed description

[0017] With reference to figure 2, a basket for collecting clothes to be washed according to the present invention is described below. The basket, globally indicated with reference number 1, is for example used for collecting clothes to be washed in accommodation facilities such as institutions. Preferably, therefore, the basket is provided with swivelling wheels, so that it can be transported from one room to another, where already used sheets, towels and other clothes are collected and replaced. Therefore, the basket is also referred to in the following as trolley 1.

[0018] An example of a trolley 1 is given with reference to figures 4 to 10. It is evident from these figures that the trolley is provided with a frame and swivelling wheels for transport.

[0019] The basket has a first hamper 4 and a second hamper 5. The hampers 4, 5 are either filled and emptied separately, pouring the clothes into (not depicted) larger baskets, or are deposited in a facility (also known as a "roll blanchisserie") for transport by vehicle to laundries working with the institution or regardless to specialised laundries for treating the clothes coming from the first or the second hamper, respectively. In fact, the collection of clothes to be washed, involves a first type of clothes A, such as the aforesaid sheets, towels and other textiles, also known as flat linen 2, and a second type B, e.g., the personal clothes 3 of an institution resident, such as trousers, pyjamas, undergarments or other.

[0020] The term "hamper" is not limiting to the scope of protection of the invention. In the example of the trolley 1 given with reference to figures 4 to 10, a bag 4 can be used as a collection hamper 4 which fits into the frame of the trolley 1. In particular, two or more bags 4, 5 can be inserted into the frame of the trolley 1. In figures 4 to 9, the bag is not depicted, while in figure 10, three bags are shown inserted into three separate frames of the trolley 1. Two bags, indicated in figure 10 with 4, are for example intended for collecting flat linen (sheets, towels, ...) and one hamper 5 for collecting personal laundry.

[0021] The sorting of the clothes must be done very carefully, avoiding sorting errors, which could lead to the loss of clothes, in particular personal clothes 3.

[0022] For this purpose, the basket 1 for collecting clothes to be washed 2, 3 includes:

• the first hamper 4, which is provided with a respective opening 6 through which the clothes to be washed 2 of the first type A can be inserted;
• the second hamper 5, which is provided with a respective opening 7 through which the clothes to be washed 3 of the second type B can be inserted.

[0023] The opening in the case of the trolley depicted in figure 4 or 10 is formed by the frame to which the bag is attached. Normally the bag is folded around the frame.

[0024] The second hamper 5 is separated from the first hamper 4 so that the clothes to be washed 3 in the second hamper 5 are kept separated from the clothes to be washed 2 in the first hamper 4, to be sent separately to different laundries, For example, the hampers 4 and 5 are removable from the basket 1. Therefore, for example, in the basket 1 there is a support structure of the hampers 4, 5, which distances the two hampers D by a predetermined extent.

[0025] According to the present invention, the basket 1 includes

• a first tag reader 8 applied to the first hamper 4 and configured to read a code 31 from a tag 30 applied to clothes to be washed 3,
• a first alarm signalling device 25;
• and a controller configured to receive an input signal from the first tag reader 8 if the first tag reader 8 detects the code 31 identifying a second type B of clothes,

the controller being further configured to actuate the first alarm signalling device 25 if it receives the signal from the first tag reader 8.

[0026] The alarm alerts an operator to an incorrect use of the first hamper 4 for inserting clothes to be washed 3 of the second type B. Thereby, the operator can correct himself immediately, i.e., refrain from continuing the incorrect sorting. If the incorrect sorting has already been carried out, the operator can immediately remove the clothes to be washed 3 incorrectly inserted in the hamper 4, and sort it in the hamper 5.

[0027] In figure 2, the second type of clothes B is schematically indicated as a T-shirt, without any limitations regarding other personal clothes, in particular more valuable ones such as suits, sweaters or shirts. The T-shirt is provided with a tag 30 which stores a code 31. The code can be unique. The tag is preferably passive, in particular an RFID tag. The first reader 8 on the first trolley 4, within a preset distance from the tag 30, reads the code 31. By means of the code 31, the first reader goes back to the second type B of clothes, namely personal clothes. The type B can be determined by decoding the code 31. For example, the codes 31 of personal clothes can be different from each other (unique) but comprise information (e.g., a subset of characters or numbers of the code 31) indicative of the type B.

[0028] In an embodiment variant, it is sufficient for the first reader 8 to read the code 31 (viz., regardless of its content) to trigger the first alarm signalling device 25. In this variant, the first type A of clothes are not associated with any tags and thus never generate a reading; viz., the first reader does not need to distinguish between a code 31 representing the second type B of clothes and a code representing the first type A.

[0029] However, an embodiment variant is also envisaged in which the basket 1 performs a control of the codes of the second type B, that of flat linen. According to this variant, if the institution or accommodation facility does not have any flat linen provided with tags, then the control of the codes of the second type, even if supported by the basket 1, would not be carried out.

[0030] In particular, according to this variant, the basket comprises:

• a second tag reader 9 applied to the second hamper 5 and configured to read another code 21 from a tag 20 applied to clothes, said other code being an identifier of the first type A of clothes;
• the controller is configured to receive an input signal from the second tag reader 9 when the second tag reader 9 reads the identification code 20 of the first type A of clothes, and is further configured to actuate a second alarm signalling device when it receives the signal from the second tag reader 9.

[0031] The alarm generated by the second alarm signalling device then serves to alert the operator of an incorrect use of the second hamper 5 to insert the firest type A of clothes to be washed 2.

[0032] According to this variant, if the institution or accommodation facility does not have any flat linen provided with tags 20, then the control of the codes of the first type A, even if supported by the basket 1, would not be carried out (as the tags 20 are missing). The basket 1 would thus function as in the variant already described above (that of a single first reader 8).

[0033] The first 8 and possibly the second 9 readers are preferably associated with the distal portion of the hamper, viz., the one which is closest to the operator during use. For example, the first and the second hamper can be rigid and provided with flanges at the opening 6, 7. The first and the second hamper 8, 9 can be integrated in the flanges. The readers comprise a respective antenna. The antenna faces the inside of the hamper and is configured to emit a radio signal which radiates not only inside the hamper but also outside it, above the opening, affecting a space in which the clothes to be washed must transit in order to be inserted in the hamper.

[0034] In an embodiment, the first and the second hamper 4, 5 have no lid (closure).

[0035] In another embodiment, closing openings are provided, which are controlled. For example, the first hamper 4 has an opening and closing door of the opening 6 of the hamper 4. Similarly, the second hamper 5 comprises a door for opening and closing the respective opening 7 of the second hamper 5. The controller is configured to command an opening of the door of the first hamper 4, if the first reader 8 detects the identification code of the first type A, and to command an opening of the door of the second hamper 5, if the second reader 9 detects the identification code of the second type B. Such an embodiment (with doors with controlled opening) is adopted if the various types A, B of clothes are provided with tags 21, 31.

[0036] In the presence of an opening door, the first reader 8 and the second reader of tags and/or the respective antennas can be structurally associated with the door. For example, the door is hinged to the hamper flange, and can be opened by folding. The antenna is applied at the hinges, so that it always remains near the hamper opening, both when the door is open and when it is closed. Similarly, the second hamper can be structured. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous because it allows to adapt old baskets by means of the application of the door.

[0037] The position of the antenna (or the position of the reader, if having an integrated antenna), is particularly important.

[0038] In an embodiment, the antenna is located on the side of the hamper.

[0039] The first alarm signalling device can comprise an acoustic signalling device and/or a light signalling device, preferably both. The second alarm signalling device can also comprise an acoustic signalling device and/or a light signalling device, preferably both.

[0040] The electronic components of the basket are power supplied by a battery. Preferably, a rechargeable battery is provided for the power supply of the controller, the first reader 8 (and the second reader, if present) and the first alarm signalling device (and the second alarm signalling device, if present).

[0041] Figure 9 depicts some details of the trolley 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The reference number 30 indicates a cable carrier structure. The cables electrically connect the reader to the battery.

[0043] The reference number 32 indicates a partition, preferably in 4 mm ALUPANEL. The partition 32 divides the hamper 5 intended for collecting personal clothes from the hamper/hampers 4 for flat linen.

[0044] The reference number 31 indicates a sheet metal casing, preferably 1.5 mm. The casing separates the cables with respect to the part of the trolley intended to support the hampers or bags 4, 5.

[0045] The light and/or sound alarm is preferably supported by the cable carrier structure 30, as depicted in figure 5.

[0046] A battery holder 33 made of sheet metal, preferably 1.5 mm, is supported by the trolley, preferably by the base frame of the trolley 1. However, in an embodiment, the trolley 1 is not intended to support the battery.

[0047] Advantageously, the applicant has devised a trolley or basket which essentially nullifies the possibility of incorrectly sorting types of clothes at facilities. The basket is easy to use, straightforward to implement, versatile (working with both flat linen without tags and flat linen with tags) and can be immediately adopted in accommodation facilities, possibly with a simple adaptation of the old baskets already in use.

Claims

1. Container (1) for collecting fabrics to be washed (2, 3) of at least two types (A, B), said types of fabrics comprising

- a first type (A) comprising flat linen, such as sheets or towels,

- a second type (B) comprising personal clothes,

the container (1) includes:

-at least one first hamper (4) provided with a respective opening (6) through which the fabrics to be washed (2) of the first type (A) can be inserted;

-at least one second hamper (5) provided with a respective opening (7) through which the fabrics to be washed (3) of the second type (B) can be inserted,

said second hamper (5) being separated from the first hamper (4) so that the fabrics to be washed (3) in the second hamper (5) are kept separated from the fabrics to be washed (2) in the first hamper (4), to be sent separately to different laundries,

characterised in that it comprises

- at least one first tag reader (8) applied to the first hamper (4) and configured to read a code (31) from a tag (30) applied to a fabric to be washed (3), said code (31) identifying the second type (B) of fabric;

- at least one first alarm signalling device (25);

- a controller configured to receive an input signal from the first tag reader (8) if the first tag reader (8) detects the code (31) identifying the second type (B) of fabric,

the controller being further configured to actuate the first alarm signalling device (25) if it receives said signal from the first tag reader (8),

said alarm being designed to alert an operator of an incorrect use of the first hamper (4) to insert a fabric to be washed (3) of the second type (B).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least a second tag reader (9) applied to the second hamper and configured to read another code from a tag applied to a fabric, said other code identifying the first type (A) of fabric;

- the controller being configured to receive an input signal from the second tag reader (9) when the second tag reader (9) reads the code (20) identifying the first type (A) of fabric,

the controller being further configured to actuate a second alarm signalling device when it receives said signal from the second tag reader (9),

said alarm being designed to alert the operator of an incorrect use of the second hamper (5) to insert a fabric to be washed (2) of the first type (A).

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that

- the first hamper (4) comprises a lid for opening and closing said respective opening (6) of the first hamper (4),

- the second hamper (5) comprises a lid for opening and closing said respective opening (7) of the second hamper (5),

- the controller is configured to command an opening of the lid of the first hamper (4) if the first reader (8) detects the code identifying the first type (A), and to command an opening of the lid of the second hamper (5) if the second reader (9) detects the code identifying the second type (B).

4. Container according to claim 3, characterised in that the first tag reader (8) is structurally associated with the opening and closing lid of the first hamper (4) and the second tag reader (9) is structurally associated with the opening and closing lid of the second hamper (9).

5. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the first alarm signalling device comprises an acoustic signalling device and/or a light signalling device.

6. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said respective opening (6) of the first hamper (4) and said respective opening (7) of the second hamper (5) are without a closing lid.

7. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a rechargeable battery for power supplying the controller, the at least one first reader (8) and the first alarm signalling device (25).

8. Control system of a container (1) for collecting fabrics to be washed (2, 3) of at least two types (A, B), the system comprising

- a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and

- fabrics to be washed (2, 3) of at least two types (A, B), where

each of the fabrics to be washed of a first type (A) is associated with a tag (20) that stores a code (21) identifying the first type (A) of fabric; and

each of the fabrics to be washed of a second type (B) is associated with a tag (30) that stores a code (31) identifying the second type (B) of fabric.

Drawing