EP1666661A1

EP1666661A1 - Ironing machine for clothes

Info

Publication number: EP1666661A1
Application number: EP04425904A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Rotondi
Original assignee: Rotondi Group Srl
Current assignee: Rotondi Group Srl
Priority date: 2004-12-01
Filing date: 2004-12-01
Publication date: 2006-06-07

Abstract

An ironing machine (1) for clothes is described, of the type comprising a frame (2), a fixed mould (8) supported by the frame (2) to receive the garment to be ironed laid out on it, a mould (9) that is mobile towards the fixed mould (8) to come into pressing contact with it for ironing and away from it to free the ironed garment, support and guide means (12) being provided between the frame (2) and the mobile mould (9). The support and guide means (12) comprise an articulated quadrilateral mechanism (14) having a fixed side integrated with the frame (2), a mobile side integrated with the mobile mould (9) as well as a pair of rocker arms (15,19) arranged according to substantially parallel lines when the mobile mould (9) is in contact with the fixed mould (8).

Description

Field of application

The present invention refers to an ironing machine for clothes.
More specifically, the invention refers to a machine of the aforementioned type comprising a frame, a fixed mould supported by the frame to receive the garment to be ironed laid out on it, a mould that is mobile towards the fixed mould to come into pressing contact with it to iron and away from it to free the ironed garment, support and guide means provided between the frame and the mobile mould.

Prior art

As it is known, there exists the need to iron clothes positioned on a fixed lower mould and subjected to pressing contact with a mobile upper mould.
Currently, this need is fulfilled by ironing machines in which the mobile upper mould is supported and guided by an arm that can be angularly displaced towards and away from the fixed lower mould.
Such machine, although advantageous under several aspects, has the drawback that the pressing contact between the moulds does not occur uniformly on the entire garment to be ironed but rather begins on one side of the garment well before than on the opposite side. This way of operating leads to a non perfect ironing.
In order to avoid this drawback and to move towards a uniform ironing of clothes, a machine has been suggested in which the mobile upper mould is angularly brought on the vertical of the fixed lower mould and only afterwards the mobile upper mould is vertically shifted by a suitable slide to come into simultaneous pressing contact on the fixed lower mould.
Such way of operating has improved the uniformity of clothes ironing but at the expense of a constructive complication of the machine as a whole, as well as of all the drawbacks deriving from this.
The problem underlying the present invention is that of providing an ironing machine of the specified type, which has such structural and functional features as to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks with reference to the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The solution idea underlying the present invention is that of supporting the mobile upper mould through an articulated quadrilateral mechanism that has the rocker arms substantially parallel when the mobile upper mould is in pressing contact with the fixed lower mould. In this way, the movement of the moulds towards each other takes place by rotation around a point substantially ad infinitum and therefore substantially through a rectilinear translation, thus obtaining the desired uniform contact between the moulds.
On the basis of this solution idea the technical problem is solved by an ironing machine of the previously indicated type and defined by the characterising part of claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the ironing machine according to the invention shall become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of indicative and non limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ironing machine according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the ironing machine of figure 1;
Figures 3A to 3E show schematic side views of the ironing machine of figure 1 in successive steps of its operation;
Figure 4 shows a highly schematic front view of the ironing machine of figure 1.

Detailed description

With reference to the attached figures, an ironing machine according to the invention is globally indicated with 1.
The ironing machine 1 comprises a frame 2 in turn including a substantially squared plate-like base 3, a rear upright 4 in the form of two columns 5a and 5b, as well as a front bench 6 supported by two columns 7a and 7b.
The ironing machine 1 also comprises a fixed mould 8, in particular a fixed lower mould, fixed to the front bench 6. As it can be seen in the illustrated example, the fixed lower mould 8 with a substantially rectangular plan has a longer side L for example of 1220 mm and a shorter side 1 for example of 340 mm, sufficient to receive the desired garment to be ironed for example a men's jacket.
The ironing machine 1 also comprises a mobile mould 9, in particular a mobile upper mould, which has substantially the same sizes as the fixed lower mould 8 so as to be able to go on top of it for the desired ironing.
Each mould 8 and 9 is completed by a respective cover 10 and 11 made of a fabric suitable for coming into direct contact with the garment to be ironed.
The ironing machine 1 also comprises support and guide means 12 of the mobile upper mould 9 to support it so that it is guided in its movement towards the fixed lower mould 8, to obtain the desired ironing of clothes by pressing contact between the moulds 8 and 9, and in its movement away from the fixed lower mould 8 to free the ironed garment.
The ironing machine 1 further comprises motor means 13 for the automatic control of the mobile upper mould.
The support and guide means 12 comprise an articulated quadrilateral mechanism 14.
As it is well known, in geometric terms, an articulated quadrilateral comprises a fixed side and a mobile side, as well as two rocker arms.
In accordance with the invention, the mechanism 14 comprises a first rocker arm 15 hinged according to an axis AA to the frame 2 at a point A on top of the rear upright 4, the rocker arm 15 in its width occupying the space comprised between the columns 5a and 5b. The first rocker arm 15 is also hinged according to an axis BB at a point B of the mobile upper mould 9.
In particular, the mobile upper mould 9 is provided with two ribs 16a and 16b in a predetermined spaced relationship to hold the first rocker arm 15 widthways. The first rocker arm 15 has width dimensions of a predetermined high value so as to constitute support means 12'.
In practice, the hinging of the first rocker arm 15 with the rear upright 4 and with the mobile upper mould 9 is obtained through the pins 17a, 17b and 18a, 18b.
The mechanism 14 further comprises a second rocker arm 19 that, in the described example, is split into two half- rocker arms 20a and 20b.
The half-rocker arm 20a is hinged to the frame 2 according to an axis CC at a point C on top of the rear upright 4, in particular on top of the column 5a, as well as to the mobile upper mould 9 according to an axis DD at a point D thereof, in particular at the rib 16a.
In a totally analogous manner and so to speak mirror-like with respect to the half-rocker arm 20a, the half-rocker arm 20b is hinged to the frame 2 according to the aforementioned axis CC at the point C on top of the rear upright 4, in particular on top of the column 5b, as well as to the mobile upper mould 9 according to the aforementioned axis DD at the point D thereof, in particular at the rib 16b.
In practice, the hinging of the first half-rocker arm 20a with the rear upright 4, in particular with the column 5a, and with the mobile upper mould 9, in particular with the rib 16a, is obtained through the pins 34a and 35a.
Moreover, the hinging of the second half-rocker arm 20b with the rear upright 4, in particular with the column 5b, and with the mobile upper mould 9, in particular with the rib 16b, is obtained through the pins 34b and 35b.
In this way, the second rocker arm 19 is split into two half- rocker arms 20a and 20b so that the two half- rocker arms 20a and 20b lie at the opposite sides of the first rocker arm 15 outside the columns 5a and 5b of the upright 4 and outside the ribs 16a and 16b of the mobile upper mould 9. The half- rocker arms 20a, 20b have width dimensions of predetermined limited value so as to constitute the guide means 12'.
It thus results that the articulated quadrilateral mechanism 14 has a fixed side 21 that is in the form of a portion of the upright 4 defined by the points A and B, as well as a mobile side 22 that is in the form of a portion of the mobile upper mould 9, in particular a portion of the ribs 16a and 16b defined by the points C and D.
It is important to note that the axis AB of the first rocker arm 15 and the axis CD of the second rocker arm 19 are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel when the mobile upper mould 9 and the fixed lower mould 8 are in contact. So, in practice, it should be noted that intersection of the axes AB and CD of the rocker arms 15 and 19, which define the pitch point CI of the mobile side 22, is at a point substantially ad infinitum of a substantially horizontal line. As a result of this the movement of the mobile upper mould 9 when close to the fixed lower mould 8 occurs according to a vertical rectilinear translation.
It should be noted that the rocker arms 15 and 19 are shaped forming an angle defining a substantially triangular recess 33 for receiving the mobile upper mould when in its position away from the fixed lower mould.
The motor means 13 of the ironing machine 1 according to the present invention comprise a cylinder-piston group 23 and a mechanical toggle transmission 24.
The mechanical toggle transmission 24 comprises a first side 25 and a second side 26 hinged at a toggle point 27. The first side 25 is hinged to the frame 2 and in particular to the base 3 and the second side 26 is hinged to the end of an arm 28 projecting from the rear of the first rocker arm 15.
Said mechanical toggle transmission 24 lies on a middle plane with respect to the columns 5a and 5b of the upright 4 and is operative on such middle plane. The cylinder-piston group 23 is positioned lying on such middle plane and comprises a cylinder 29 having a grommet 30 with which it is hinged to the base 3 and a piston 31 having a grommet 32 with which it is hinged to a thrusting point 27' close to the toggle point 27.
The cylinder-piston group 23 is preferably of the pneumatic type, of reduced dimensions and susceptible of being supplied with the normal pressure of the compressed air network.
It is important to note that the mechanical toggle transmission 24 has the first side 25 and the second side 26 substantially aligned and substantially vertically aligned when the mobile upper mould 9 is in pressing contact with the fixed lower mould 8.
The operation of the ironing machine 1 according to the present invention is shown hereafter with reference to an initial state depicted in figure 3A in which the mobile upper mould 9 is taken away from the fixed lower mould 8 to allow the positioning of a garment to be ironed, laid out on the fixed lower mould 8.
In this initial state, the mechanical toggle transmission 24 has the first side 25 and the second side 26 forming an angle α of about 90°.
It should be noted that in this initial state and thanks to the configuration of the rocker arms 15 and 16, the mobile upper mould 9 is in a distant, high and withdrawn position, with respect to the position of the operator.
By supplying pressurised air to the cylinder-piston group 23, the mechanical toggle transmission 24 progressively varies the angle α between the initial value of about 90° and a final value of about 180° causing the rotation of the first rocker arm 15 with progressively falling speeds and progressively increasing forces.
It should be noted that in the passage from the position of figure 3A to that of figure 3B, the mobile upper mould 9 is positioned at an angle β that rapidly varies from a value of about 45° to a fairly limited value, in the example 2.94 degrees. This step can be called quick approaching step.
Instead, in the passage from the position of figure 3B through figures 3C, 3D and 3E, the mobile upper mould 9 keeps the angle β substantially constant and approximately void. In particular, this is the slow approaching step that culminates with the ironing of the garment. More precisely, the angle β in passing between the positions of figure 3C, 3D and 3E takes the following values: 1.45 degrees, 0.14 degrees and 0.34 degrees, from which it clearly results that the position in which the mobile upper mould 9 lies is kept substantially constant and its displacement is substantially a vertical rectilinear translation.
In a totally analogous manner, but proceeding backwards, by opposite supply of the compressed air to the cylinder-piston group 23, the mobile upper mould 9 is slowly raised with respect to the fixed lower mould 8 and then quickly moved away from it to free the ironed garment.
The main advantage of the ironing machine according to the present finding lies in the exemplary ironing of clothes obtained by the achieved vertical rectilinear translation of the mobile upper mould with respect to the fixed lower mould.
A further important advantage of the ironing machine according to the present invention lies in the incredible structural simplicity from which one can expect operation reliability and a long useful life.
A further important advantage of the ironing machine according to the present invention lies in the increased ergonomic qualities, obtained thanks to the configuration of the rocker arms and the high opening of the mobile upper mould with respect to the fixed lower mould, which allows an operator to position the garment to be ironed and to withdraw the ironed garment in total safety for the head and the hands of the operator himself.

Claims

Ironing machine for clothes of the type comprising a frame (2), a fixed mould (8) supported by the frame (2) to receive the garment to be ironed laid out on it, a mould (9) that is mobile towards the fixed mould (8) to come into pressing contact with it for ironing and away from it to free the ironed garment, support and guide means (12) being provided between the frame (2) and the mobile mould (9)
characterised in that the support and guide means (12) comprise an articulated quadrilateral mechanism (14) having a fixed side (21) integrated with the frame (2), a mobile side (22) integrated with the mobile mould (9) as well as a pair of rocker arms (15, 19), arranged according to substantially parallel lines when the mobile mould (9) is in contact with the fixed mould (8).
Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said pair of rocker arms (15, 19) is arranged according to substantially horizontal lines when the mobile mould (9) is in contact with the fixed mould (8).
Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one rocker arm (19) is split into two half-rocker arms (20a, 20b) arranged laterally to the other rocker arm (15).
Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that a first rocker arm (15) has width sizes of a predetermined high value so as to constitute the support means (12').
Ironing machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the half-rocker arms (20a, 20b) have width sizes of a predetermined limited value so as to constitute the guide means (12").
Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises motor means (13) for the movement of the mobile mould (9) towards and away from the fixed mould (8).
Ironing machine according to claim 6, characterised in that said motor means (13) comprise a cylinder-piston group (23) active on a projecting arm (28) of the first rocker arm (15) through a mechanical transmission (24).
Ironing machine according to claim 7, characterised in that said mechanical transmission (24) comprises a toggle having a first side (25) and a second side (26) hinged at a toggle point (27), the first side (25) being hinged to the frame (2) and the second side (26) being hinged to the projecting arm (28), said cylinder-piston group (23) being active between a point of the frame (2) and a thrusting point (27") close to the toggle point (27).
Ironing machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the first and second side (25, 26) of the toggle (24) are substantially aligned when the mobile mould (9) and the fixed mould (8) are in pressing contact.
Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the pair of rocker arms (15, 16) form an angle defining a substantially triangular recess (33) for receiving the mobile mould (9) when in position away from the fixed mould (8).