A device for the automatic loading of hangers in an apparatus for ironing shirts or similar items includes a storage configured to support a plurality of hangers and an arm comprising a gripping and releasing. The arm is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the gripping and releasing end is close to the storage to pick up or receive a hanger from the storage, and in the second position, the gripping and releasing end is placed above the manikin placed upstream of a loading station of the apparatus, to release the hanger, previously picked up, into the seat of the manikin.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve an apparatus, systems, and methods for providing intelligent laundering alerts. Example embodiments involve an intelligent garment tag that may be affixed to garments, and may store and provide information about the garment to which it is affixed. The information stored thereon describes various aspects of the garment including color, fabric, and laundering information. The intelligent garment tags further include an alert component for providing laundering alerts (e.g., a flashing or colored light, a warning noise, or a vibration) based on, for example, garment color compatibility or laundering device (e.g., washing machine or clothes dryer) compatibility.

The system disclosed here can detect a counterfeit item by obtain an identifier (ID) of an item from the item and determining whether the ID of the item is authentic by determining whether the ID of the item is compliant with a predetermined rule, such as whether the item is included in a database of valid IDs. Upon determining that the ID of the item is compliant with the predetermined rule, the system can produce a notification that the item is authentic. Upon determining that the ID of the item is not generated by the predetermined rule, the system can produce a notification that the item is counterfeit.

The present disclosure provides a system for tracking usage and provenance information for one or more garments in the from of a set of one or more tags or “logbooks”, each intended to have an associated garment. Each tag is embossed with a set of information to facilitate easy recording and tracking of provenance and usage information related to the associated garment for later reference.

A method, system, and apparatus for inserting a woven label with integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities into a garment seam is shown and described. In exemplary embodiments, a woven RFID label is inserted into a garment seam during stitching. For example, the woven RFID label is automatically inserted using an overlock machine adapted to include a guide system. The guide system is configured to insert and encode the RFID tag incorporated in the woven label device during a stitching process.

A patient support apparatus tracking system includes at least one of a frame, mattress, and mattress cover. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag may be embedded within the at least one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover. The RFID tag may include an identification memory unit including read-only sort-prefix data corresponding to the one of the frame, mattress, and mattress cover and a service memory unit comprising a read/write configuration including a greater amount of digital storage than the identification memory unit. The RFID tag may be configured to receive a log of configurable equipment updates into the service memory unit and communicate the sort-prefix from the identification memory unit and the log of equipment updates to a controller via a reader device.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of laundry appliances. In an embodiment, a laundry appliance system includes a laundry appliance such as a washing machine that includes an opening for receiving and removing clothes and a door that covers the opening during a washing cycle. The washer is equipped with a receiver comprising a computer, an RF reader, and an antenna positioned near the opening. The antenna, for example, may be positioned on or within the door. The antenna may also be a circular pass through antenna tailored to encircle the opening in a way that permits the door to be closed. RFID tags are provided for affixing to items not intended to be laundered (i.e., run through a washing cycle of washing machine or a drying cycle of a dryer appliance). Such items may include wallets, passports, watches, keys, phones, and other electronic devices or important documents that could be damages or destroyed if passed through a washing cycle. When the RF reader detects an RFID tag that has been affixed to an item not intended to be laundered, the receiver alerts the appliance operator by sound, visual information, or other information that an unintended item has been placed in the laundry appliance.

A washing machine having a washed laundry/garment treatment system. The washing machine comprises a rotatable drum, a soap/laundry dispenser, a water supply flow valve, an ozone generator and a control panel for controlling operation of the rotatable drum, the soap/laundry dispenser, the water supply flow valve, and the ozone generator. The laundry/garment treatment system comprises a source of an additive/treating composition to be added a washing machine without any laundry/garments contained therein, and the source of the additive/treating composition is connected to the washing machine to supply a quantity of additive/treating composition thereto for mixing with water and formation of a treatment mixture. A circulating pump is connected to the washing machine for pumping the treatment mixture into a treatment holding tank. A mixture feed valve controls the flow of treatment mixture from the treatment holding tank back into the washing machine for treating the laundry/garments, following washing thereof.

An authentication device comprising a woven authentication pattern, wherein the woven authentication pattern comprises a plurality of pattern forming woven elements each defining at least one pattern defining element or a plurality of pattern defining elements, and each pattern forming woven element is formed by a plurality of threads having contrasting optical or visual properties in twisted mutual engagement, wherein said pattern defining element has a spiralling outline or boundary and adjacent or abutting pattern defining elements of a pattern forming woven element are visually or optically distinguishable.

A system and method for marking, tracking, and locating stains on a fabric item for application of a stain treatment prior to laundering is disclosed. The system and method uses an RFID tag to mark the stain or stains on a fabric item and uses a transponder to locate the RFID tag and the stained fabric item. The user is then able to precisely locate both the stained fabric item and the precise location of the stain or stains on the fabric item for a chemical pretreatment prior to laundering. Once the stained fabric item is located, the RFID tag is removed and once all RFID tags are removed, the transponder is placed in a standby or power saving mode.