which carries it toward the exit side of the apparatus application_number US 31417789 A description fig2 24 show a laundry flatwork piece such as a sheet s in successive stages as it is spread by the present apparatus the opposite top corners 30 and 31 are manually inserted into a hanger h from opposite sides at the entry side of the machine and the hanger carries the suspended sheet into the machine from its entry side toward its exit side to opposite pairs of upper endless flexible spreader belts b 1 and b 2 here the belts of each pair of upper belts b 1 and b 2 engage the sheet tightly between them a short distance below their top corners and carry the opposite sides of the sheet horizontally in opposite directions laterally outward as shown progressively in fig2 and 24 these belts pull the sheet loose from the grip of hanger h as its spreads the sheet laterally at the same time about midway down the sheet passes between opposite pairs of lower spreader belts b 3 and b 4 which engage the sheet between them as its opposite side edges are spread apart by the upper belts b 1 and b 2 fig2 shows the sheet spread apart substantially completely and hanging down from the upper pairs of belts b 1 and b 2 after the sheet has reached the position shown in fig2 a roller 32 fig8 is actuated to pinch the spread apart sheet against a motor driven horizontal roller 33 in front of a horizontal conveyor c then the upper pairs of belts b 1 and b 2 release the sheet and two laterally spaced pushers p are actuated to push the just released top part of the sheet across roller 33 and onto.