Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F71/00—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles
  • D06F71/02—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles actuated wholly by hand or foot
  • D06F71/023—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles actuated wholly by hand or foot with an upper movable pressing member and a lower fixed pressing member
  • D06F71/026—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles actuated wholly by hand or foot with an upper movable pressing member and a lower fixed pressing member the upper movable member rotating about a fixed axis
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F71/00—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles
  • D06F71/32—Details
  • D06F71/34—Heating arrangements; Arrangements for supplying or removing steam or other gases
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S38/00—Textiles: ironing or smoothing
  • Y10S38/01—Paired leg boards

Definitions

• Known portable steam ironing presses employ a fixed lower member and an upper member manually movable upward to a position spaced above the lower member and downward into engagement with the lower member.
• An article to be pressed is disposed between the members when separated and is squeezed therebetween when the members engage.
• the article is pressed using heat and steam supplied with appropriate timing via the upper member.
• Such known presses use pumps to inject water under pressure into electrically heated regions wherein the water is converted into steam.
• the pump is mechanically actuated.
• the present invention is directed toward a new type of steam ironing press wherein the pump is actuated by a direct current motor, and all functions other than the movement of the upper and lower members and setting of manually adjustable controls are programmed and controlled electronically.
• a steam press adapted to press an article of fabric utilizes a lower stationary horizontal member and an upper movable horizontal member, the press having an open position at which the upper member is spaced above the lower member and having a closed position at which the upper member engages the lower member.
• Fabric to be pressed is disposed between the two members.
• the upper member has first means including a water inlet port, and at least one electrically energizable element adapted to heat the surface of said upper member adjacent the lower member and when water is delivered to the inlet port to heat said water into steam.and bottom disposed steam outlet ports for discharging the steam into the fabric being pressed.
• the press contains a water reservoir and a pump for pumping water out of the reservoir into the water inlet of the upper member.
• the pump has a pump body having an inlet into which water is drawn by suction from the reservoir and an outlet through which water is expelled under pressure into the water inlet.
• the pump also has a piston movable t erein.
• the pump is powered by a direct current motor having a drive shaft which rotates in one direction when a direct voltage of selected polarity is applied to the motor and which rotates in opposite -direction when the polarity of the applied voltage is reversed.
• the piston is coupled to the shaft and moves back and forth in the body in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft to develope the suction or expelling force.
• Second means is coupled to the pump and to the first means.
• the second means controls the timing and application of the direct voltages of different polarities to the pump moter and regulates the flow of current through the electrical heating element whereby steam is produced as required.
• Fig 1 is a detail front view of externally disposed switches, steam volume control and LEDs employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• Fig 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of Fig 1.
• Fig 3 is an exploded view of the movable upper member shown in Fig 2
• Figs 4, 5, 6 and7 are different views of the pump and water- reservoir used in the embodiment of Fig 1.
• Figs 8 and 9 are block diagrams of the electrical control system used in the embodiment of Fig 1.
• Fig 10 is a circuit diagram of the system shown in block diagramatic form in Figs 8 and 9.
• the press employs the following elements; a steam volume lever 100 which is manually moved to set the steam volume from zero volume to full volume; a water reservoir or tank fill cap 102; a water level window 1 04 which displays the water level in the tank; a power on-off button 106; a sound on-off button 108 which when depressed cuts off sound and when depressed again turns the sound on; a sound indicator LED 1 10 which lights up when the sound is on; a steam on-off button 1 12 which when turned off prevents formation of steam and when turned on makes steam available when the temperature is high enough; a steam on-off indicator LED 1 1 4 which lights up when the steam on-off button is turned on to indicate that steam is available when the temperature is high enough and when dark indicates that steam is not available; a burst of steam button 1 16 which can be pressed for an additional injection of steam when the iron temperature is equal to that of LINEN or higher; a temperature select button matrix
• the press employs a stationary lower member 50 having an exposed upper surface 51 and a movable upper member 52 containing an ironing plate or platen 60 having an exposed lower surface.
• Plate 60 contains holes 62 through which steam can flow.
• a handle 54 secured to member 52 can be used to manually move the member 52 toward and away from member 50. The handle and members are so balanced that the handle can be used to move the member 52 to any position between maximum separation and minimum separation [engagement] with respect to member 50.
• a labyrinth plate 72 is disposed between platen 60 and an uper cover plate 74.
• Place 72 contains pathways or cut out channels which terminate in outlet holes 70. Holes 70 are aligned with holes 62 in the platen.
• the formed labyrinth has a thickness on the order of one millimeter.
• the longitudinal edges of plate 72 are inwardly offset from the platen.
• the platen carries one or more electrically energized elongated heating rods 58 which are held in place by a plurality of damps 61.
• Curved members 75 integral with the cover plate 74 are positioned over the clamps so that heat emitted from the upper portions as well as the lower portions of rods 58 is directed downward upon the plate 72 and platen 60. If desired, another rod can be disposed along the opposite longitudinal edge of plate 72 and be supported by additional elements .75 in the same manner.
• water to be converted into steam is stored in reservoir or tank 1 and a pump is used draw water out of tank 1 via inlet hose 17 and to pump water via outlet hose 18 and discharge tee 92 into pipes 56.
• the pump is a syringe 9 with a movable piston 1 6.
• a direct current motor 2 is reversible and can be made to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the motor.
• a pinion gear 3 is secured to the motor shaft and rotates therewith.
• the pinion gear engages a rack gear 4.
• One end of the rack gear is secured to piston 16 in a syringe.
• the rack gear has a rod 8 secured thereo, the rod extending outwardly at right angles to the rack gear.
• the rod has a tip. Initially, the rack is in its rearmost position, the piston is in fully withdrawn position, the syringe contains a full charge of water and the motor has stopped. The tip of the rod is in its rearmost position and engages a microswitch 6 When this switch is closed, the motor is inoperative.
• the motor is initially inoperative and the piston is fully withdrawn.
• the syringe is filled with water.
• the upper member closes another microswitch 202. This action sends a signal to the microprocessor 200 which in turn sends a signal and actuating a selected one of relays K2 and K3.
• a direct voltage of suitable polarity and value typically about thirty two volts, is supplied from the output of regulator filter 204 through the closed contacts of the actuated relay to the motor which then rotates clockwise.
• the pinion gear advances the rack, the rod is moved forward and the tip is moved out of engagement with the microswitch 6 which opens.
• the forward movement of the rack advances the piston in the syringe and forces water out of the syringe via the outlet hose into the steam generation section of the upper member.
• the tip of the rod which has also been advanced engages a second microswitch 10. This action sends a signal to the microprocessor which then sends a signal to the relays, deactuating the previously selected relay and actuating the previously unselected relay.
• the amount or volume of water injected into the syringe can be varied by adjusting the position of microswitch 9 to lengthen or shorten the distance the piston travels and thus increase or decrease the water volume.
• This action is carried out using lever 1 3 connected to the manually adjustable prong 1 1.
• microswitch bracket 1 0 and microswitch 9 will follow the movement. The movement is limited by the length of the slot 14.
• the steam volume lever 100 is connected to the prong, thus enabling a press operator to make the desired adjustment
• step down transformer 208 When the power on-off button 106 is depressed, switch 206 is closed, the power on-off relay K1 is closed and the conventional mains voltage of one hundred and fifteen volts is applied across the primary winding of step down transformer 208.
• the voltage across the secondary winding is rectified and filtered as shown at regulator filter 204 [which comprises a rectifier filter].
• the output of regulator filter 204 is connected to a voltage regulator 21 0, which produces a regulated direct voltage of lower value typically about five volts. This regulated direct voltage is supplied to the microprocessor 200.
• the alternating voltage applied to the primary of transformer 208 is also supplied to the heater bar or bars 58.
• the temperature selection matrix 1 18 is connected as an input to the microprocessor 200 and the microprocessor has an output connected via a control driver or isolating amplifier 212 to an optical triac 21 4.
• the triac regulates the portion of the alternating current cyde during which current flows through the bar 58 to regulate the heat produced in the press in accordance with the selected temperature.
• a thermistor 21 6 senses the actual temperature and sends an appropriate signal to the microprocessor which then sends an appropriate control signal via amplifier 212 to the triac. The resistance of this sensor decreases with increasing temperature.
• the press incorporates an automatic safety shut off functions.
• the handle of the press When the handle of the press is in the down position so that the press is closed, if the press remains dosed longer than thirty seconds, the current flow through the heater is cut off, thus preventing excessive temperature build up. At the same time, the voltage applied to the motor is removed, stopping motor rotation.
• the handle of the press When the handle of the press is in the up position so that the press is open, if the press remains open for longer than fifteen minutes, the same events will ensue. The current flow through the heater will be cut off and motor rotation will stop. In either situation, the closed press must be opened or the opened press must be closed after shut off in order to restart normal operation.
• Mercury switch 218 is used to initiate and control the timing of the automatic safety shut off functions. This switch is dosed when the press is opened and is open when the press is closed. This switch signals its open or closed position as an input signal to the microprocessor. There are two timing circuits, a thirty second timing circuit defined by normally conductive transistor Q1 and associated diode, capacitor and resistor passive components, and a fifteen minute timing circuit defined by normally conductive transistor 2, timer integrated circuit U3 and associated passive components. The microprocessor responds to the input signal to send a signal to the appropriate timing circuit and actuate it. If the operation of the press is maintained within the appropriate limits, the mercury switch will change from open to closed or closed to open, causing the microprocessor to deactuate the timer before its limits are reached. However, if the operation of the press exceeds the limits defined by the actuated drcuit, the appropriate one of transistors Q! and Q2 will be rendered nonconductive, deactuating relay K1 and disabling the motor and heater bar.
• a water sensor switch 220 is disposed in the water tank. This switch is. normally open. When the water lever falls below the desired minimum level, this sensor switch closes, sending a signal to the microprocessor which then sends a signal to LED 1 20 which lights to alert the user that the water level is too low.
• the sound button controls switch 220 which is connected in drcuit with a buzzer 222.
• switch 220 When switch 220 is open, no sound will be produced.
• switch 220 When switch 220 is closed, the buzzer will sound when an appropriate signal is supplied from the microprocessor.
• the microprocessor can send such signal for example,when the water level is too low or when the power is turned on. Once the buzzer sounds, switch 220 must be opened before the buzzer will be turned off.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Irons (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
• Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
• Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
• Bakery Products And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Gas Separation By Absorption (AREA)
• Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=25664634

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1994
  • 1994-05-10 DK DK94914501.5T patent/DK0700466T3/da active
  • 1994-05-10 EP EP94914501A patent/EP0700466B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1994-05-10 ES ES94914501T patent/ES2108448T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1994-05-10 PL PL94311583A patent/PL175584B1/pl unknown
  • 1994-05-10 AT AT94914501T patent/ATE157131T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1994-05-10 DE DE69405101T patent/DE69405101T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-05-10 BR BR9406592A patent/BR9406592A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1994-05-10 WO PCT/GB1994/001004 patent/WO1994026967A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1995
  • 1995-11-09 FI FI955409A patent/FI955409A0/fi unknown
• 1997
  • 1997-11-11 GR GR970402979T patent/GR3025337T3/el unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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