EP1069229B1 - Device to hold the button strip of a shirt - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for fixing the button panel and Buttonhole bar of a shirt for use in a device for smoothing Shirts, the invention generally being over the full height on the chest side too opening shirts can be used regardless of the type of closure.

In shirt smoothing devices, the shirt is usually stretched to to smooth its tissue. For this it is necessary to fix the shirt in different places, to be able to stretch it. Especially around the shirt better after smoothing to be able to take off, it can be advantageous to keep the shirt in the unbuttoned state to smooth out. In this case, however, the button strip or the Buttonhole bar required.

A device for smoothing shirts is known from US Pat. No. 3,165,244 the button panel and the buttonhole panel in parallel next to each other by several Jaws are held. The jaws for the button placket respectively the buttonhole bar is each biased by a spring and together with a bar connected so that they are opened and closed together by one operator can be. Before that, however, thin bars must be inserted into the button panel and the buttonhole placket are inserted to stiffen it and adequate fixation over their entire length. For one, this is the case with most Shirts are not possible and, on the other hand, it takes a lot of time for the operator connected. Furthermore, the button panel and the buttonhole panel must be over their entire length must be correctly arranged before the jaws in their fixing position can be brought.

The present invention has for its object a device of the beginning to create the type mentioned, in which the application and fixing of the button panel respectively the buttonhole bar carried out more easily and precisely by the operator can be.

This object is achieved in that the fixing device several in series along the button panel and / or buttonhole panel has arranged fixing elements that can be operated individually.

In this way it is possible to put the button panel on when putting on the shirt the buttonhole bar initially only in the correct position in a partial area bring and the associated fixation element or fixation elements in advance to bring into the fixation state around the button panel or the buttonhole panel already fixed in one place. After that, this process can be done elsewhere can be repeated, so that the button panel or the buttonhole panel in several steps in advance at least selectively and in the for the Fixation correct position can be brought. For example, fixing elements at the bottom and at the top of the button panel and the buttonhole panel be provided between which one has the button panel or the buttonhole panel can fix especially under slight tension. The fixing elements must do not necessarily have the same size, but can, for example smaller at the edges of the button or buttonhole placket and in the middle to be taller.

Then the remaining fixing elements can be operated to the button bar or to fix the buttonhole bar over its entire length.

Furthermore, at least one actuating element can be provided with which a group several fixing elements can be operated together.

With such an actuating element, several fixing elements can be used jointly in their Fixing state are brought. It can be provided that, for example, all Fixing elements can be operated together with an actuating element, so that the button panel and the buttonhole panel can be completely fixed at once. It is also conceivable to share areas with several actuators define actuatable fixing elements, for example for areas along the Button or buttonhole bar.

A number of fixing elements can be provided, the button and the Buttonhole bar can be held together by the fixing elements. The button and the buttonhole placket can be fixed side by side or one above the other. However, two rows of fixing elements are advantageously provided with which the button and buttonhole strips are created and fixed next to each other separately can.

After the shirt has been smoothed, the jointly operable fixing elements can be reversed opened again with the at least one actuating element or be brought back to their original state to the button and buttonhole bar again to be able to release and take off the shirt.

An example of an embodiment for the fixing device is a flexible terminal strip conceivable in which individual areas independently of one another Terminal strip can be pressed and thus separately operable fixing elements form. It is also conceivable for the button panel or the buttonhole panel suck in with vacuum and so fix, the fixing elements in this Case formed from areas which can be subjected to negative pressure separately from one another become.

The fixing elements advantageously extend essentially without any spacing from one another over a length that is greater than that of the button strips or Buttonhole strips of usual shirts. So the button bar or the buttonhole bar usual shirts can be fixed over the entire length, so that it is one Tensioning the shirt cannot cause warping of the fabric.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing elements are in two adjacent, arranged parallel rows and can all by means of an actuator Fixing elements are operated together. The button panel and the buttonhole panel can can be fixed next to each other in this way independently. additionally In this case, a gap can be provided between the two rows of fixing elements through which the clamping means acting from the outside act from the inside Clamping means can be connected easily and avoiding great leverage.

The fixing elements can be designed as pivotable flaps, which are separated can be brought from each other manually into a fixing position in which they can be Spring tensioned the button panel and the buttonhole panel each against a terminal strip can jam. Likewise, the fixing elements in the form of pivotable flaps can be moved separately from one another manually from the fixing position into a stable open position in which you can release the button panel or buttonhole panel. The flaps can be designed so that they are open by a spring Condition are maintained and when pivoting manually over a dead center be pressed by the spring against a terminal block. So that can Function can be realized that the flaps can be opened manually and when pivoting beyond the dead center moved by the spring in the open position become.

The button panel and the buttonhole panel can be easily fixed in this way, by holding a part of them in the right place and the assigned ones Flaps can be flipped over to the button and buttonhole placket at these locations in advance to fix. Subsequently, all fixing elements can be in their with an actuating element Fixing condition brought to the button and buttonhole bar over the entire Fix length. For this purpose, for example, everyone can still use the actuating element open flaps can be folded down into the fixing position. It can also be provided be that with the actuator an additional force to the spring force on the flaps is exercised so that these are pressed more firmly against the terminal block. additionally can also lock the flaps in their fixing position during this process respectively.

In many cases, the shirt is stretched when wet and then dried, to get a better smoothing result. The drying of thicker areas such as the button and buttonhole bar cause problems.

In these cases, it can be provided that the terminal strips prevent the passage of air allow a clamped button bar or buttonhole bar and that the flaps have an air-permeable clamp body that is not on the Terminal block facing sides is airtight. Usually the terminal block not completely covered by the button or buttonhole bar, so that in this If some drying air can flow to the flaps. These on the button respectively Buttonhole placket drying air flowing past can be in the air-permeable Penetrating body penetrate, flow through it and from there to the button or Buttonhole bar and dry it from the outside. Since they are not Terminal block facing sides are airtight, the drying air inside of the air-permeable clamp body reinforced to the button or buttonhole bar headed there.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the terminal strips have an air duct with the air that has not flowed through the terminal strips to recover heat can be derived. On the one hand, heat energy can be partially recovered and on the other hand, an additional one on the inside of the button or buttonhole bar Air flow can be achieved.

If an inflatable inflatable bag is used to stretch the shirt, facilities can be used for attaching the inflatable bag to the outer edges of the terminal strips be provided. In this way, the inflatable bag that is not inflated State would coincide on the device for fixing the button respectively Buttonhole placket held so that it is easier inside the shirt in the correct position can be brought. This is especially true for sleeve approaches that in the sleeves of a shirt put on must be inserted.

The at least one actuating element can be designed so that it is on the fixing elements is displaceable along and when moving in one direction the fixing elements in their fixed state and when moving in the other direction again put into their idle state. The actuator is like a Zipper moves along the fixing elements and closes or opens the fixing elements one after the other. Since the fixing elements are actuated individually the force to be used by the operator is lower or can be from the Operator used more force to operate a single fixing element become.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the at least one actuating element for each row of fixing elements has a rod with which by rotating or pushing movement the associated row of fixing elements can be actuated, the fixing elements when the rod is actuated simultaneously or in succession can.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Glätten von Hemden mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Fixieren der Knopfbeziehungsweise Knopflochleiste und

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht von oben durch die Vorrichtung zum Fixieren der Knopf- beziehungsweise Knopflochleiste.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a device for smoothing shirts with an exemplary embodiment for a device according to the invention for fixing the button and buttonhole bar of a shirt with reference to the drawings. In it show:

Fig. 1

a front view of a device for smoothing shirts with an inventive device for fixing the button or buttonhole bar and

Fig. 2

a sectional view from above through the device for fixing the button or buttonhole bar.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for smoothing shirts, which has a device 6 is equipped to fix the button and buttonhole bar of a shirt 17. The Shirt smoothing device 1 has an inflatable bag 2 with a torso section 3 and two adjoining sleeve sections 4 for tensioning the shirt 17. The Inflatable bag 2 and the device 6 for fixing the button and buttonhole bar are attached to a base 5, which also serves as a base for the device and in Figure 1 only is partially shown. The base 5 has in particular the control for the device and a blower and a heater with which the inflatable bag 2 is inflated with heated air can be. The inflatable bag 2 is made of an air-permeable material, through which the heated air can reach a shirt. additionally can be provided that the inflatable bag 2 can also be filled with steam.

In Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the device 6 for fixing the button and the buttonhole bar shown. At the front on a base plate 12, which is connected to the base 5 is connected, two terminal strips 14 are attached, against which the button strip or the buttonhole of shirt 17 can be clamped. On the The front of the terminal strips 14 are closed with perforated plates 15. On the back side the terminal strips 14 have openings which correspond to openings in the carrier plate 12 match and form air passages 13.

On the outer edges of the carrier plate 12 is the inflatable bag in addition to the terminal strips 14 2 attached with its fuselage section so that air from the inflatable bag 2 through the Passages 13 and the perforated plates 15 up to a clamped on the terminal strips 14 Button bar or buttonhole bar can get.

Flaps 8 are pivotally attached to the inside of the terminal strips 14, with which the button panel or the buttonhole panel of the shirt 17 against the terminal strips 14 can be pressed. The flaps 8 form in the described embodiment the fixing elements and are arranged in two rows 7, which are almost the extend the entire height of the fuselage section 3 of the inflatable bag 2. The flaps 8 have an air-permeable clamp body 10, for example made of a porous, foamed Plastic can exist. On the side facing the terminal strips 14 the clamping body 10 is covered by a perforated plate 16. The perforated plate 16 can Metal or a soft elastic plastic to avoid unevenness Adjust the button or buttonhole bar and in particular buttons sewn onto it to be able to. On the other sides, the clamping body 10 is impermeable to air. In In another embodiment, the clamping body 10 itself can be flexible, whereby the perforated plate 16 can be omitted, so that the clamping body 10 directly on the button or Buttonhole bar is pressed.

The flaps 8 are each assigned spring elements that they from a certain opening angle press into the open position and counter it below this opening angle press the terminal block 14. The flaps 8 can individually manually from their open position so far that they snap shut and by the spring be pressed against the terminal block 14.

Between the two terminal strips 14, a slide 9 is provided, which by means of a Guide bar, not shown, is slidably connected to the base plate 12 and serves as an actuating element for the flaps 8.

For this purpose, the flaps 8 devices are assigned, which when pushing the Slider 9 from bottom to top closing the flaps beyond the dead center cause. The flaps 8 can thus be closed both individually and manually all together by moving the slide 9 from the bottom to the bottom above. It is also provided that when the slide 9 is moved in reverse Direction, that is, from top to bottom, the flaps 8 from their closed Condition brought into the open. Conversely, it can also be provided that the flaps 8 closed when moving the slide 9 from top to bottom and be opened when moving from bottom to top.

To smooth the shirt 17 this is placed over the inflatable bag 2, it being only with the Button and buttonhole front must be fixed. To do this, first of all Flaps 8 by moving the slide 9 from the top to the bottom in the brought open position. Then the button or buttonhole bar first placed in one place on the associated terminal block 14 and by folding the associated flap 8 or flaps 8 are fixed in advance at this point. This process can be repeated in various places until the button or Buttonhole bar at least correctly arranged over its entire length , although it does not necessarily have to be completely fixed. In the end the slide 9 moved from the bottom to the very top, so that the remaining ones open flaps 8 are closed and the button and buttonhole bar over their entire length are fixed.

Thereafter, the shirt 17 can be smoothed by heating air from the base 5 the inflatable bag 2 is directed, which then inflates and tightens the shirt 17. there escapes through the permeable material of the inflatable bag 2 to the heated air put on shirt 17 and smooth it. If the shirt 17 is put on when wet, it is dried under tension by the heated air, being a better Smoothing is achieved. During smoothing, heated air flows from the inside of the Inflatable bags 2 through the passages 13 in the hollow terminal strips 14 and can through Perforated sheets 15 from the inside to the clamped button or Buttonhole bar. Because of the passages 13 and the perforated plates 15 can also allows better humidification with steam or water or water mist become.

If, as shown in Figure 2, a clamped button or buttonhole bar the associated terminal block 14 is not completely covered, the air to the Arrive clamping body 10, distribute in this and additionally from the outside to the clamped Button or buttonhole bar. In this way, a better contact of the button or buttonhole bar with the air that also a drying of the usually multi-layer button or buttonhole bar facilitated. During the smoothing process, 14 can come from the terminal strips the lower end of which air is discharged into the base 5 to recover heat.

When the smoothing process is finished, all flaps 8 can be moved the slider 9 can be opened from top to bottom so that the shirt 17 is removed can be.

The solution according to the invention ensures that the shirt 17 to be smoothed by an operator can be fixed quickly and easily, with the possibility of to fix individual areas one after the other, the button and buttonhole placket simply can be aligned straight and without wrinkles.

Claims (10)

1. Device (6) for fixing the button strip and the buttonhole strip of a shirt (17) characterised in that the fixing device (6) comprises several fixing elements (8) which are arranged in a row along the button strip and/or the buttonhole strip and which can be individually actuated.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixing device (6) comprises at least one actuating element (9) which can be actuated in common with a group of several fixing elements (8).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fixing elements (8) extend substantially without spacings relative to one another over a length greater than that of the button strips or the buttonhole strips of conventional shirts.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the fixing elements (8) are arranged in two mutually adjacent parallel rows (7) and that all fixing elements (8) can be actuated in common with an actuating element (9).
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fixing elements (8) are constructed as pivotable flaps, which can be manually brought separately from one another into a fixing setting in which, clamped by a spring, they can clamp each of the button strip and the buttonhole strip against a respective clamping strip (14) and/or can be manually moved separately from one another out of the fixing setting into a stable rest setting in which the fixing elements (8) free the button strip and the buttonhole strip.
6. Device according to claim 5 , characterised in that the clamping strips (14) enable the passage of air to a button strip or buttonhole strip clamped in place and that the fixing elements (8) have an air-permeable damping body (10) which is air-impermeable on the side not facing the associated clamping strip (14).
7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the clamping strips (14) have an air channel by which air not flowing through the clamping strips (14) can be conducted away for recovery of heat.
8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it comprises devices for fastening an inflatable bag (2) for clamping the shirt (17) at the respective outer edges of the clamping strips (14).
9. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the at least one actuating element (9) is displaceable along the fixing elements (8) and on displacement in one direction shifts the fixing elements (8) into their fixing state and on displacement in the other direction shifts them back into their rest state.
10. Device according to one of claims 4 and 9, characterised in that the at least one actuating element has for each row (7) of fixing elements (8) a rod by which the associated row (7) of fixing elements (8) can be actuated by a rotary or pushing movement.

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