EP0374072B1 - Apparatus for ironing garments and other articles made of a textile, skin or leather - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for ironing garments and other articles made of a textile, skin or leather. <??>According to the invention, the device is characterised mainly in that it is installed on a conventional ironing board (1), and in that it comprises an ironing plate (2) assisted mechanically in its lowering and pressing onto the article to be ironed by means of a pneumatic jack (4) serving for supporting it, and in that the said ironing plate (2) is also displaced mechanically on the article to be ironed by means which cause the displacement in one direction or the other of two carriages (8) and (9) movable along two mutually perpendicular axes and set in motion by the operator by means of a control (5) in order to displace the ironing plate (2) in all directions in the manner of a conventional smoothing iron. <??>The invention is used in the ironing of garments and of any article requiring this treatment. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for ironing textile articles made of skin and leather such as clothing and furnishings, installed on an ironing table and comprising a mobile heating and steaming ironing board assisted mechanically in descent. pressing and moving in all directions on the article to be treated.

In the field of ironing clothes and other articles requiring this treatment, various types of equipment and means are known which are composed of one or more heating or heating and vaporizing elements such as the traditional iron, manual presses, mechanized presses, roller machines, as well as air and steam pressure devices such as ironing dummies.

We know that the traditional iron essential for the treatment of certain articles or parts of article although very widespread and sufficient in its domestic use, presents only a small work surface making this insufficient material expensive the professional of ironing which Nowadays, for reasons of productivity and profitability, treat articles or parts of articles of large area using more productive means and easier use.

The mechanical displacement steam iron described in document FR-A-503,713 also has a small working surface.

It is also known that manual or mechanical ironing presses bring very good results as regards the productivity and the quality of the work in the ironing of articles or parts of articles of large area or compatible with the use of this means.

As for the wise steaming meal devices on a mannequin, it will be noted that if this means is relatively productive, the results obtained are not always as satisfactory as those obtained with a press and / or with a traditional iron, in particular in the ironing of certain types of textiles.

If we consider the advantages and disadvantages of the various known means described above, it will be noted that the rational ironing of many articles, for example in the field of clothing and furnishings, should go through treatment operations. partial to the press for the large areas they include and by finishing operations on workstations equipped with an ironing table and a traditional iron. In this process it will be noted that the time saved by using the press will be partly lost in handling, and that the organization of work will present significant constraints.

The present invention intends to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an ironing device which brings to the same work station the advantages of the press, the flexibility of using the traditional iron, and makes it possible to double the production in ironing by many common items such as raincoats, jackets and similar clothing and other furnishings.

To this end, the present invention relates to an ironing device, suitable for being installed and working on an ironing table traditionally used in the workshop, comprising a mobile ironing and heating steaming plate, mechanically assisted in these movements of use, and having a work surface for example at least four to five times that of a traditional iron.

According to a main characteristic of the invention, the ironing board is mechanically assisted in descent, in pressure on the article to be treated, and in displacement in all directions to operate ironing at the discretion of the operator with the same flexibility as in use of a traditional iron.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ironing plate is mechanically connected by its upper part to the free end, oriented downwards, of the rod of a vertical double-acting and preferably pneumatic jack, capable of ensuring its descent, its pressure on the article to be ironed and its ascent after use.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rear end, oriented upwards, of the body of said vertical cylinder is integral with a mobile carriage provided with rollers which allow it to move back and forth in a raceway located in a horizontal plane above the ironing table and the circulation axis of which is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the latter, said raceway constituting part of a second carriage also provided with rollers allowing movement back and forth in a raceway located in a horizontal plane above said first and second carriage and whose axis of circulation is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ironing table.

Advantageously, the two carriages are moved respectively by at least one mechanical means, for example a motor electric with two directions of rotation and using a toothed belt or by any other means making it possible to transmit the desired effect such as worm, rack, or other type of belt or transmission making it possible to ensure movement of the ironing board in any desired direction at a speed of movement at least equal to that of a traditional iron set in motion by an experienced user.

Also preferably the ironing board has on its upper part the members intended to control its operation comprising at least, a first control making it possible to easily actuate its descent and its ascent so as to be able to place the article to be treated on the table and the move during operation, and at least a second command allowing the operator to activate the movement of said ironing plate on the article to be treated in all the directions desired to perform the work in good conditions and without fatigue, with the same ease and flexibility as when using a traditional iron. The implementation of the spraying is preferably done using a foot control or using a third control also placed on the ironing board.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ironing plate is only mechanically assisted in descent, in ascent, and resting on the article to be ironed, it is heating and vaporizing, but does not include a motorization to assist its movement which will be , in this embodiment, implemented by the operator.

Finally, according to an appreciable embodiment of the invention, the device is supported by at least one bracket which bears on the ground or on the support frame of the ironing table, and at least one of the two raceways will allow move the ironing board out of line with the work surface in order to be able to use said ironing table and its accessories according to their original destination.

The invention will be better understood during the description given below by way of purely indicative and nonlimiting example which will make it possible to identify the advantages and the secondary characteristics thereof.

• La figure 1 illustre par une vue générale en perspective un mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 2 montre par une vue en coupe partielle un mode préféré de montage des chariots, chemins de roulement, vérin vertical et plateau repasseur.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view of a preferred method of mounting the carriages, raceways, vertical cylinder and ironing board.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 which shows in general a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention and in which view 1 the ironing board (1) is shown for the sole purpose of showing the invention in its context of use, we see, the ironing plate (2) provided with a means (3) for manual control of the pneumatic cylinder (4) acting on the descent pressure and the ascent of said plate (2) and d '' a control means (5) acting by manual tilting back and forth to the right and left on the starting in one direction or the other of the two electric motors (6) and (7) of the respective servo movement of the carriages (8) and (9) causing the ironing plate (2) to move simultaneously at the operator's option, the connection (10) of the ironing plate (2) to the free end of the rod (4 ') of the jack (4) made using a ball joint, the fixing point (11) of the other end é of the body of the jack (4) on the carriage (8) while the other end of said jack (4) is held in the same carriage by four struts (12), one of which is hidden by the jack (4) n 'is not visible in the drawing, the motor (6) with two directions of rotation integral with the carriage (9) moving the carriage (8) using a toothed belt (6'), the two ends of which are connected integral with (13) on either side of said carriage (8) while the return of said belt (6 ') takes place on the free pulley (14), the motor (7) with two directions of rotation and the free pulley (15) integral with the chassis (16) which comprises the raceways (16 ') of the carriage (9) moving said carriage (9) using a toothed belt (7') having the same mounting as on the carriage (8), and finally the bracket (17) with its foot (17 ') for fixing to the ground supporting the entire device using its assembly means (18) to the chassis (16). In the embodiment shown here, the admission of steam to the ironing board (2) is done using a foot control not shown in the drawings. A safety means cuts the electrical supply to the motors (6) and (7) using a relay controlled by compressed air taking effect on the cut of the air pressure used for the descent of the jack (4). from the ascent of the ironing board (2), in the same way a microswitch (19) limits the action of the motor (6) to the working surface preventing any movement of the carriage (8) in the area (20) intended for clearance outside work in order to avoid any risk of cantilever support on the ironing board (2), and a solenoid valve also controlled by the microswitch (19) prohibits the descent of the board ironer (2) in the zone (20) by action on the closing of the air supply to the jack (4). Furthermore, the pressing pressure of the ironing plate (2) on the article to be treated is adjustable by action on the air pressure of admission to the jack (4) and the speeds of descent and rise by action on the flow of air exhausts opposite to the displacement of the piston of said cylinder (4).

We can already see the performance of such a device which allows, at the same workstation, to treat efficiently and quickly large areas without operator fatigue, while also allowing to clear the work surface quickly. process any finishes or carry out other work with a traditional iron, leaving the ironing table and the jeannette easy to use.

In Figure 2 which shows a partial sectional view of the details of the device according to Figure 1 we see, the ironing table (1), the ironing board (2) provided with the controls (3) and (5) lowering mounted and displacement, the means (10) of connection of the ironing plate (2) to the rod (4 ′) of the pneumatic cylinder (4) consisting of a ball joint allowing it an inclination α of at least five degrees, said cylinder (4) fixed by its upper part at (11) on the carriage (8) and held in its vertical position by the struts (12), the rollers (21) integral with the carriage (8) allowing movement and guidance of said carriage (8) in the raceways in tubular profiles which form an integral part of the carriage (9), the rollers (22) integral with said carriage (9) ensuring its movement and its guidance in the raceways (16 ′) in tubular profiles themselves integral with the two side members (16) which constitute the frame of the assembly of the device supported by the bracket (17) using the assembly means (18).

In this same FIG. 2 which also represents a preferred and non-limiting form of mounting the mechanical means for moving the carriage (8), the means for moving the carriage (9) not shown here being identical to those of the carriage (8), sees, the electric motor (6) with two directions of rotation mounted on a support (23) secured to one end of the carriage (9), the free pulley (14) secured to the other end of said carriage (9) ensuring the return of the toothed belt (6 ′), the two ends (13) of which are mechanically and integrally connected to the carriage (8) in order to move the latter by traction in one direction or the other of the rotation of the motor ( 6) one of the ends (13) of said belt (6 ') being provided with a means for adjusting its tension.

It should be noted, as we have already been able to understand in the above description, that the mechanical movement of the ironing board (2) takes place in eight directions on four axes, that is, in two directions on two horizontal axes, the one, as we have already seen, is parallel and the other perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ironing board (1) by acting with the control (5) on one or the other direction of rotation of one or other of the motors (6) or (7), and in two directions on two other horizontal and perpendicular axes offset by 45 ° relative to the first two by acting using the same control (5) on the simultaneous starting of the two motors (6) and (7) in one or the other of their directions of rotation. To activate and organize the movement of the ironing board (2), after lowering it by pressing on the article to be treated using the control (3), the control (5) is tilted by manual pushing of the operator in the directions where he wishes said ironing board (2) to move to carry out the ironing operation in the same manner as when using a traditional iron.

In another mounting mode of the jack (4) according to the invention, the latter is equipped with a guide means comprising at least two columns.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the raceways (9) and (16 ') are constituted by guide columns and the carriages (8) and (9) are provided with ball bearings.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control of admission of steam to the ironing board (2) is located on said ironing board (2)

The invention is advantageous because it provides a solution which makes it possible to reduce handling between workstations and also to double the production in the ironing of a good number of articles while reducing the fatigue of the operators in many commonly performed works. on ironing table.

The invention finds its main application in the ironing of clothing and furnishings in textile skin and leather.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for ironing garments and other articles made of textile, skin or leather comprising a mobile heating and vaporising element (2) movable relative to an ironing board (1) in the one part vertically with the aid of a pneumatic actuator (4) to which it is connected, and in the other part horizontally with the aid of two cradles (8,9) equipped with bearing means allowing displacement along two horizontal perpendicular axes above the ironing board, characterised in that it comprises a frame (17) which on the one part provides at its extremity an assembly means (18) for supporting a chassis (16) which carries the cradles (8,9) and the actuator (4), and on the other part is supported on the ground or on the structure of the ironing board (1);
   the cradles (8,9) are moved mechanically and respectively with the aid of two electric motors (6,7) rotating in two directions, and with the aid of transmission means (6',7'), the motors (6,7) being activated individually or simultaneously in one of their rotational directions or the other by inclination of a manual control (5) in the direction in which it is hoped to move the ironing plate (2);
   the said ironing plate (2) is guided vertically by interconnected guide stays on the pneumatic actuator (4) and its movement is manually controlled by a manual control means (3) for the pneumatic actuator bringing about lowering, pressurizing and raising of the said plate.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the pneumatic actuator (4) is provided with a guide means comprising at least two stays.
3. Apparatus according to Claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the air pressure acting on the actuator (4) to lower the ironing plate (2) acts at the same time on a pneumatic contact which cuts the electrical supply to the motors (6,7) on lifting of said ironing plate (2) preventing the functioning of said motors (6,7) when the ironing plate (2) is in a raised inoperative position.
4. Apparatus according to Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transmission means (6',7') consist of notched belts.
5. Apparatus according to Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transmission means are worm screws.
6. Apparatus according to Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that one of the cradles (9) comprises bearing rails extended into the zone (20) opposite the operator and outside the perpendicular boundary of the workspace.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised in that it further comprises a microcontact (19) which controls the closure of an electrovalve controlling the supply of air to the actuator (4) preventing the lowering of the ironing plate (2) in the said zone (20).
8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the manual control (5) located on the ironing plate (2) allows displacement of the said ironing plate (2) to be in eight directions along four axes either in two ways on two axes of which one is perpendicular and the other parallel to the longitudinal axes of the ironing board (1) by a single action in one or other directions of rotation of one or the other of the electric motors (6,7) and in two ways on two other perpendicular axes orientated at 45° to the longitudinal axis of the ironing board (1) by simultaneous action of the two motors (6,7) in one or the other directions.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bearing rails of the cradles (8,9) are realised by the aid of guide struts and the said cradles are provided with a layer of ball bearings.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the admission of steam to the ironing plate (2) is operated by a foot control.
11. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the admission of steam to the ironing plate (2) is operated by a manual control situated on the said ironing plate (2).

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