The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for receiving and spreading out/extending cloth (3), such as pieces of laundry, comprising a set of spreader clamps (120) for releasably receiving a pair of corners of said cloth (3) and for spreading out of said cloth (3), a suction box system (S) including: a suction chute (170) connected with a front portion of a suction chamber (200) and having a mouth for receiving said cloth (3), and a suction fan (119) communicating with a rear portion of said suction chamber (200) via a number of air flow passages (185), the suction fan (119) establishing suction in said suction chamber (200) and said suction chute (170), whereby said suction box system (S) additionally includes a discharge conveyor (C) for the discharge of cloth (3) collected in said suction chamber (200), a discharge gate (320) selectively openable for said discharge, and an air access gate (430) operable for temporarily reducing suction applied by said fan (119) through said air flow passages (185).