Garment Processing Personnel Safety Apparatus
First Claim
1. A device for performing a fabric processing treatment, comprising:
- a container sized to receive a quantity of fabric through an opening, wherein the opening and container are sufficiently large to receive a substantial portion of a person who may inadvertently enter the opening;
an actuator coupled to the container operably configured to perform a fabric processing treatment on fabric encompassed by the container;
a transmitter attached to a worker in proximity to the device who is subject to inadvertent entry to the container;
a reader antenna positioned with respect to the container to sense the transmitter entering the container; and
safety control circuitry responsive to the reader antenna sensing the transmitter to deactivate the actuator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Commercial material processing machines such as garment laundering often entail conveyors and large containers (e.g., dryer drum, washer) that pose safety hazards to workers who work in proximity to the equipment, even safety procedures if followed would preclude the worker from inadvertently entering the machine. Having an interrogator antenna within the machine and a transmitter attached to the worker, such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag provides a means for sensing when a worker is in a hazardous position. When sensed, safety circuitry shuts off actuators to prevent further conveying of material into the machine and movement of the large container (e.g., drum).
37 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A device for performing a fabric processing treatment, comprising:
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a container sized to receive a quantity of fabric through an opening, wherein the opening and container are sufficiently large to receive a substantial portion of a person who may inadvertently enter the opening; an actuator coupled to the container operably configured to perform a fabric processing treatment on fabric encompassed by the container; a transmitter attached to a worker in proximity to the device who is subject to inadvertent entry to the container; a reader antenna positioned with respect to the container to sense the transmitter entering the container; and safety control circuitry responsive to the reader antenna sensing the transmitter to deactivate the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification