SPREADER-FEEDER FOR FLATWORK IRONER

摘要

Apparatus for spreading and supplying laundered flatwork to an ironer in a squared condition. The apparatus is carried by a single frame. A central main drive belt and a pincher belt above the main drive belt driven by contact therewith extend along the center of the main frame for a portion of the length of the frame. These belts draw the flatwork as supplied over a semi-ovate spreader apron in advance of the ma in drive and pincher belt. Upper and lower spreader belts diverging at equal angles with respect to the main drive belt and pincher belt extend along each side of the front portion of the machine and provide a pressure nip in substantially the same vertical plane as the pressure nip between the pincher belt and main drive belt. The upper spreader belt has a rougher surface than the lower one and spins or travels faster than the lower belt and places the laundered article under lateral tension as drawn along the apparatus by the main drive belt and pincher belt and thereby serves to smooth the leading edge of the article. A series of parallel carry-out belts extend parallel to a main drive and pincher belt on opposite sides of these belts from the spreader belts to the discharge end of the apparatus. The speeds of the belts may be varied in accordance with the speed of the ironer. The semi-ovate spreader apron spreads and keeps the laundered article square as fed into the machine. A guard in advance of the spreader apron and at the nip between the main drive belt and pincher belt provides a restricted space into which the article is fed and prevents the pull-in of a misfed article.