Importance

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Abstract

A compact chain belt-type conveyor for conveying articles along a non-linear path through an industrial washer and drier. The chain belt-type conveyor provides an article sensing means wherein the sensing means is responsive to the presence of an article at a predetermined station along a predetermined non-linear path. A signalling means, responsive to the sensing means, signals a driving means to stop the conveyor when an article is present at the predetermined station for a predetermined amount of time and starts when an article is absent from the predetermined station. The signalling means ensures that each article will only be placed through one washing and drying cycle since a washed article must be removed from the predetermined station of the conveyor before the driving means will continue to drive the conveyor. An article holding means may be provided to secure the articles along the conveyor and provide proper orientation of the articles through the washing and drying process. A chain mesh construction conveyor may also be utilized to support and carry articles without the use of the article holding means. In the preferred embodiment, the non-linear shape of the conveyor is substantially u-shaped so that articles can be loaded and unloaded to and from the conveyor by either a single operator or a single automated mechanism. The present invention also provides for a programmable robotic arm that responds to the presence of an article at the predetermined station.

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First Claim