GB851992A - Improvements in or relating to garment processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

851,992. Garment finishing apparatus. LEEDS CHEMICAL CLEANING WORKS Ltd. May 27, 1957 [June 1, 1956], No. 17013/56. Class 34(1) A garment, e.g. a pair of trousers, is finished by forcing successive streams of steam and air therethrough whilst suspended from a machine 1, Fig. 1, such that the waist part is firmly held over a fixed cylindrical former 4 and a movable partcylindrical plate 24 whilst the legs are held together by a pair of T-shaped clamps 33. The former comprises a chamber 5, Figs. 4, 5, into which steam may be led through a pipe 9, surrounded by a perforate casing 7, communication from the chamber to the casing for eventual discharge into the garment, being through a passage 12, an air-controlled valve 13 and feed passages 14. Condensate is collected through a pipe 10. The plate 24 and the clamps 33 are pneumatically operated from a foot pedal 30. The clamps may also be automatically controlled, along with the steam and air supply, through an electrical system of motor-driven cams and relays. This system comprises cams 49 ... 53 which operate in sequence such that cam 51 actuates the air valve 34 controlling the clamps 33 simultaneously with the cam 52 which operates to allow steam to pass from the chamber 5 to the garment through the casing 7. A third cam 49 then operates a switch 47 to cut out the motor starting switch 54 but the motor continues to operate as a fourth cam 50 cuts in another motor control switch 48 before the switch 54 is opened. After a period, e.g. 20 seconds, the cam 52 stops the steam supply whilst a fifth cam 53 operates a valve to allow compressed air to balloon into the garment through the former 4. Eight seconds later the cam 53 cuts the air supply and the cam 51 operates to open the clamps 33. One second later the cam 50 opens the switch 48 to stop the motor. The former 4 may be modified by the use of a pervious bag to be blown up by the steam or air.