GB2210630A - Garment pressing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable form is made of two opposed parts (10, 12) adapted in shape for a particular type of garment, e.g. skirt e.g. by independently pneumatically actuated top and bottom links (58, 60 Fig 2). To engage the lower edge margin of the garment, when located over the form, and draw it down so as to tension the garment lengthwise, means such as a bar (80), which extends transversely of each form part (10, 12), carries spring-loaded hinged flaps 83. Fig 9 and is slidably adjustable up and down, is provided. Additional clamping means (82) are provided to clamp specific areas, e.g. pleats, against the form. Steam, air and vacuum can be provided during pressing, e.g. via the form parts (10, 12). Time-consuming hand pressing is avoided and clamping only specific areas avoids impression marks. <IMAGE>

Description

GAR'ENT PRESSING MACHINE This invention relates to a garment pressing machine and is particularly but not exclusively applicable to a machine for pressing skirts.

In the garment industry most skirts are finished pressed by hand ironing or steam pressing.

Hand ironing is the most common method used as it is totally flexible. Any type of garment can be ironed successfully, but it is very time consuming and thus very expensive to finish skirts by this method.

Steam pressing using a standard steam pressing machine is widespread in larger factories where there are a lot of the same type of garments. The advantage of this method over hand ironing is that the steam press will press a large section of the garment at one time. (An average skirt probably utilises 5 to 6 lays). This reduces the length of pressing time per garment. It does however produce 'impression marks'. 'Impression marks' are produced by pressing the garment flat against a surface and applying steam to soften and press the fabric and vacuum to cool the fabric and set it. When a pleat on a skirt is pressed the visible edge of the pleat would need to be pressed 'razor sharp but in achieving this result the extra thickness on the inside of the garment leaves a visible mark on the outside called an impression.This impression can be removed by repressing the specific area with a hand iron and thus removing the impression without touching the pleat crease.

To overcome impressing manufacturers use strips of rigid material (similar to cardboard) and insert them inside the garment to act as a barrier prior to pressing. This overcomes the problem but is very time consuming and expensive as a number of these strips are necessary for each size and style of garment.

Any extra thickness of material inside the garment from a dart to a pcc.~zb can leave as impression ar.dauwefui prograz#ftg cf the pressing machine and then final 'touch up' with a hand iron is often necessary thus leading to extra pressing costs.

To overcome the problems of extended pressing time and impressions, a machine has now been devised for the specific task of pressing skirts, or other garments, in one operation and combining a method of eliminating impressions.

The proposed machine comprises an adjustable form which is made up of two opposedly mounted parts and is adapted for reception of a particular type of garment, means for engaging the hem or lower edge margin of the garment, when located over the form, and drawing same downwards so as to tension the garment longitudinally, means for clamping against the form specific areas of the garment, such as pleats or creases, which require strong pressure during pressing, and means for supplying steam, air and vacuum to the garment during the pressing operation.

The two parts of the form are preferably holly and perforated at least on their surfaces remote from each other so that steam, air and vacuum can be applied to the garment by way of the form.

Advantageously, the two parts of the form are pivotally adjustable relative to each other so as to be able to be moved apart to tension transversely any garment located thereover.

The machine may also advantageously include adjustable side sections which are retracted to a position between or adjacent the edges of the two parts of the form for loading and unloading of a garment, but are movable to a projecting position to spread and further tension the garment for the pressing operation.

Preferably the means for engaging and drawing down the lower margin of the garment comprise at least one slidably adjustable bar which extends widthwise across the surface of one of the form parts remote from the other form part and carries means, such as a spring-loaded pivotal plate, for clamping the lower margin of the garment. It will be understood that once the lower margin of the garment is clamped by this means the bar can be moved downwards to tension the garment lengthwise.

The additional clamping means for specific areas of the garment may also be mounted on the bar and may be adjustable in position thereon and removed if not required.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompany drawings which depict scb.er#atic-l# a machine in accordance with the invention specifically designed for pressing skirts and in which:: Fig. 1 is a side view of the vertical form parts on their supporting framework, the form being shown in contracted and expanded conditions; Fig. 2 as a siae view of the framework only (as in Fig. 1) in contracted and expanded conditions; Fig. 3 is a somewhat more detailed perspective view of a form part, showing it both from the front and rear; Fig. 4 is a schematic longitudinal section through a form part view towards its front, pressing surface; Fig. 5 is a schematic front view showing the side sections of the machine in closed and open positions; Fig. 6 is an enlarged and more detailed front view of one side section and its operating mechanism; Fig. 7 is a further enlarged partial perspective view of one side section and its operating mechanism;; Fig. 8 is a perspective side view of the form parts, showing the adjustable bars and clamping means; Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the adjustable bars shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pleat clamp, which may be mounted on the bar shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in closed and open positions, respectively; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the entire skirt pressing fcrw assembly mounted on a base unit.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 the illustrated embodiment of the machine consists of two generally vertically disposed form parts 10, 12 which are mounted at their top and bottom on a framework which is adjusted in size by two air cylinders 14, 16.

The outer pressing surfaces of these form parts 10, 12 are covered with rubber padding to give a resilient pressing surface for the garment to be loaded against. The supporting framework is designed to operate symmetrically so that the form parts 10, 12 pivot at the same time and to the same extent.

Two steam heated1 easily detachable side sections 18, 20 (see Figs. 5 to 7) are mounted between the form parts 10, 12.

Each side section 18, 20 is mounted on its own independent support arm 22 24 complete with counterbalance mechanism and each is operated independently by an air cylinder 26, 28. The reason the side sect onus 18, 20 are independent of each other is that if the skirt being loaded over the main form 10, 12 i8 clamped in a non central position, the side sections, when expanded against the inside of the garment, can compensate for any variation from one side to the other.

The respective main form parts each comprise a shaped outer panel 30 with sealed top and bottom panels 32, 34 and a removable re# cover 36 thus forrng a hoilcw shaped form part, as shown Fig. 3. The outer panel 30 is perforated all over. On the inside surface of the outer panel 30 a copper tube 38 is clipped, so when steam is passed through this tube the heat is transferred via the clips 40 to heat the outer panel 30. A second shorter pipe 42 is brazed to a section of the coil 38 and is perforated its full length. Live steam is passed into this pipe and exits into the chamber inside the form part via the perforations.The steam then passes through the outer panel perforations, through the rubber and onto the loaded garment.

A vacuum connection 44 is also built into the bottom of the chamber, so that air may be drawn through the garment, the rubber and then the perforations on the outer panel 30 into the chamber.

A connection 46 for compressed air is also built into the bottom of the chamber to enable air to be injected through the perforation in the outer panel 30, the rubber and the garment to assist in the drying of the garment instead of using vacuum.

All the aforesaid parts are clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Going back to Fig. 2, the framework includes two vertical links 50, 52 which can be moved apart by applying air to the operating cylinder 14 to move a top guide block 54 up a centre guide 56 and via linkages 58 pivot the links 50, 52 apart at the top. Perspective bottom links 60, 62 are moved in a similar way by applying air to the bottom link cylinder 16 to move a bottom guide block 64 down the centre guide 56 thus opening out the bottom links 60, 62.

The two form parts 10, 12 are mounted substantially vertically one on each side of the framework, each pivotally connected to one top link and one bottom link 50,60; 52 62.

When a skirt is loaded over the complete assembly the top links 50, 52 can be pushed apart to tension the waistband of the skirt. The bottom links 60, 62 can then be opened to tension the hem diameter. If the hem diameter of the skirt is larger than the available expansion of the main form the side sections 18, 20 can be expanded to complete the tensioning. The function of the side sections 18, 20 is to complete the tensioning of the garment and to press the side seams of the garment which would be located against the sections after tensioning.

The side sections 18, 20 as previously mentioned are located between the front and rear form parts 10, 12. As shown in Fig. 5 each side section 18, 20 is pivotally mounted on an L-shaped arm arrangement 22, 24. The arms are independently pivotally mounted on a support 23 and actuated by respective air cylinders 25 and the side sections are counterbalanced with respect to the arms by springs 27. As shown in Fig. 6, each side section 18, 20 is located over a steam heater pipe 70 which both supports it and also transfers heat to the section.

The steam heater pipes 70 are constructed in such a manner that the side sections 18, 20 can be quickly located thereon or removed. Each side section 18, 20 consists of a metal tube of semi-circular cross-section perforated all over and bent along its length to follow the contour of the garment side seams. As the side sections are easily replaced different shapes for different styles of garment are available.

The complete side section is covered with a felt type covering 29 to give a soft porous surface. A stretch cover may complete the covering.

As shown in Fig. 7, each steam heater pipe 70 also has a spray pipe 72 located between its vertical tubes, to enable live steam spray to be passed into the bottom of the side section located over the heater pipe and then to percolate up its full length. This spray pipe 72 is also connected to a compressed air supply to blow out any excess steam after the steam cycle has been completed.

To eliminate impressions, the form parts 10, 12 are each fitted with a device which provides means for quick mounting pressing clamps, means of clamping the hem of the skirt and also means of drawing down the clamped hem to tension the garment during loading and pressing.

fi shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the device consists of a broad flat bar 80 which is mounted across the pressing surface and guided on vertical shafts 85 so as to be able to move up and down the pressing surface, e.g. under the action of air cylinder 87.

A horizontal slot 81 extends across the bar 80 towards its lower edge. This slot enables independent clamps 82 to be positioned across the width of the bar 80. An arrangement of hinged flaps 83 which are spring-loaded are mounted across the bar 80 towards its upper edge to clamp the garment hem. The individual clamps, as shown in Fig. 10, each comprise a clamp blade 91 mounted by way of spring-loading 92 to an element 93 which is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket 95 and operated by an over-centre linkage 94. The mounting bracket 95 carries a plate 96 for location and sliding in the slot 81.

The method of operation of this pressing machine is as follows: The garment skirt is loaded over the form with the front of the garment resting against the front form part 10, the garment rear against the rear form part 10 and the side seams in the gap between the forms the latter to be subsequently tensioned by the side sections 18, 20. The top links 50, 52 of the form framework are then moved apart thus tensioning the waistband against both form parts 10, 12.

The hem of the garment is lined up with a stop position provided by a ridge 84 on the bar 80 and the spring-loaded hinged flaps 83 are moved into position against the hem to clamp it against the bar 80. The hinged flaps 83 are removable and interchangable thus allowing one, two or any number of flaps to be used depending on the garment design. For example, if there were three box pleats on the front of the garment, three flap sections could be used to help the operator clamp the hem in three sections, rather than attempt to hold the three pleats with one hand and bring a single clamp accurately against the hem. The rear of the garment may just have a single vent in which case a single hinged flap may be used.

With the hem of the garment now clamped at both front and back the bar 80 is moved downwards either manually or with an air cylinder to hold the garment in tension. Assuming the garment has three box pleats, three independent clamps 82, as illustrated in Fig. 10, are located in the horizontal slot 81 and positioned exactly over the centre of each pleat. By operating the clamps 82 one at a time, each pleat crease area is clamped. The same procedure would be carried out on the rear of the garment where only one clamp for the single vent would be necessary.

Different styles of garment may need different numbers of clamps. The overcentre clamp mechanism 94 would be standard but the clamp blade 91 may be changed to suit the length of pleat requiring pressing.

It will be appreciated that as the clamp blades can be made to any width, only the crease area will be pressed and the hidden detail which forms impressions is simply tensioned.

With the garment now positioned and clamped, the base links 60, 62 of the form framework may now be pushed apart to expanded the base of the form followed by opening out of the side sections 18, 20 to tension the garment around its total circumference. The garment is now tensioned both vertically and horizontally and clamped in the areas which require a sharp crease.

Live steam is then passed into the garment via the front and rear form parts 10, 12 and into the unsupported areas from a source inside the machine base 90, onto which the form arrangement is mounted, as indicated in Fig. 11. Warm air from a fan 96 is then introduced to dry the garment and compressed air from the form parts 10, 12. Finally vacuum may be drawn through the form parts 10, 12 to finally cool the now pressed garments.

Even though the form parts 10, 12 are mounted vertically the form assembly can of course be used as a conventional type of press simply by replacing the clamps 82, 83 and the adjustable bar 80 with an all over pressing surface mounted on a similar type of clamp, but being larger and stronger to support the extra weight and pressure. This type of all over press, one assembly for the front and another for the back, would be used on garments with plain panels. In some instances a full sized clamp may be used on the rear of the garment with independent clamps on the front.

The total form assembly is mounted on the base unit 90 which has facilities for air blowing, i.e. the fan 96, and for steam spray, i.e. a steam valve, both working off electric timers 97, 98.

It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention. The form may be modified for use with other garments, such as dresses or coats, for example by each form part being of greater height, or by provision of a fixed third part arranged above two adjustable parts similar to those described above.

Claims (14)

1. A garment pressing machine comprising an adjustable form made up of two opposedly mounted parts and adapted for reception of a particular type of garment, means for engaging the hem or lower edge margin of the garment, when located over the form, and for dre. ing same downwards so as to tension the garment longitudinally, means for clamping against the form specific areas of the garment, such as pleats or creases, which require strong pressure during pressing, and means for supplying steam, air and vacuum to the garment during the pressing operation.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein hollow and perforated at least on their surfaces remote from each other so that steam, air and vacuum can be applied to the garment by way of the form.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the two parts of the form are pivotally adjustable relative to each other so as to be able to be moved apart to tension transversely any garment located thereover.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 and further including adjustable side sections which are retracted to a position between or adjacent the edges of the two parts of the form for loading and unloading of a garment, but are movable to a projecting position to spread and further tension the garment for the pressing operation.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the side sections are hollow and perforated.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the side sections are mounted on respective arms, which are independently pivotally mounted on a support and actuated by respective air cylinders.

7. A machines as claimed in claim 6 wherein the side sections are counterbalanced with respect to the arms by springs.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the arms are each provided with a projecting steam heater pipe and the side sections are mounted thereon by locating over said pipes.

9. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for engaging and drawing down the lower margin of the garment comprises at least one slidably adjustable bar extending widthwise across the surface of one of the form parts remote from the other part and carrying means for clamping the lower margin of the garment.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for clamping the lower margin of the garment comprises one or more springloaded pivotal plates.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the additional clamping means for specific areas of the garment are adjustably and detachably mounted on the bar.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bar is provided with a longitudinal slot and the additional clamping means consist of individual clamps having plates which locate slidably in said slot.

13. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the additional clamping means consist of individual clamps, each comprising a clamp blade spring-loadedly mounted on an element which is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket and operated by an over-centre linkage.

14. A garment pressing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.