ITMI20130382A1 - IRONING MACHINE FOR IRONING OF SHIRTS AND / OR SIMILAR CLOTHES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

â € œIRONING MACHINE FOR IRONING SHIRTS AND / OR SIMILAR CLOTHINGâ €

FIELD OF THE TROVATO

The present invention relates to an ironing machine for ironing and / or drying shirts and similar garments.

STATE OF THE ART

As is known, industrial machines for ironing shirts are currently marketed, comprising a support structure (or frame) carrying a mannequin, which in turn is equipped, on its surface, with suitable holes or openings for the remission of hot air and / or steam.

Known machines are equipped with a ventilation system coupled to means for generating steam, such as a boiler, and / or air heating means, such as one or more resistances, in order to ventilate the appropriate flow to the Inside the mannequin and then through the holes towards the external environment, affecting the garment to be ironed.

More in detail, the mannequin, or portion of it, receives the shirt, which is suitably fixed to the mannequin itself in such a way as to be locked in the correct position during the subsequent ironing / drying phases.

It is also known to equip the aforementioned machines with an aspiration system capable of directing the flow out of the manikin, alternatively, towards the external environment to lower the humidity and heat of the work area, or even to recirculate this. € ™ last in order to obtain an energy recovery.

In particular, machines are known equipped with a fixed upper suction hood which collects steam and hot air emitted by the manikin and which have passed through the jacket, collecting them for the purpose of even partial expulsion / recirculation.

A different type of these machines just described is known from patent EP 2291561 which illustrates a steam / heat recovery system consisting of an appropriate suction mouth, which is positioned near the mannequin, and in detail at the posterior median portion of the manikin itself.

This positioning, together with the adoption of a truncated cone suction mouth, allows you to suck a good part of the heat / steam emitted during ironing.

In addition to the machine described in the aforementioned document, other devices of the same nature and type are currently on the market equipped with a double suction, always in correspondence with the rear area of the manikin; the suction outlets are oriented at 45 ° towards the outside in such a way as to define a steam / hot air suction cone.

Although the devices described above allow to obtain certain performances in terms of energy saving, the need is still felt to further improve the efficiency of industrial machines for ironing shirts.

PURPOSE OF THE FIND

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved system which substantially solves one or more of the drawbacks or limitations of the known art.

It is also an objective of the present invention to adopt a hot air / steam circulation system that allows to introduce preheated air into circulation and in particular to suck heated air to be put into circulation to be used for the purpose of generating steam / hot air that can be sent. to a mannequin.

The aim of the present invention is then to optimize the energy saving of the machine.

One goal is to be able to provide a machine capable of using at least a part of heated air to be reintroduced into circulation for ironing a shirt.

In particular, it is an auxiliary purpose that of being able to possibly preheat at least a part of the air introduced into the circulation regardless of the execution of the ironing phase, or even independently of the steam or hot air coming out of the manikin.

It is also an aim to provide an ironing machine that is as compact as possible, simple and accurate in the ironing operations, or rather not to lose any of the peculiar characteristics of the machines currently on the market.

These and other purposes, which will become clearer in the course of the following description, are substantially achieved by an ironing machine according to what is illustrated in the attached claims. Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention are described below.

In a 1st aspect, an ironing machine (1) is provided for ironing shirts and / or similar garments comprising:

> at least one support structure (2);

> at least one heating device (3) configured to generate hot air and / or steam for ironing and / or drying at least one garment (100), in particular a shirt (101);

> at least one mannequin (4) carried stably by the support structure (2) and arranged to receive at least one garment (100), in particular a shirt (101), said mannequin (4) being configured to receive at least partial support the Garment (100) and supporting it, and in which said mannequin (4) is configured to receive hot air and / or steam from the heating device (3) and allow its emission;

> at least one heated ironing element (6) movable relative to the manikin (4) between at least an inoperative condition in which it is moved away from the manikin (4) and an ironing condition in which it is configured to iron a portion of garment (100);

said ironing machine (1) further comprising at least one suction circuit (5) located in correspondence with the heated element (6) and configured for:

o generate a flow of air to hit the heated element (6) and heat up due to the effect of the heated element (6);

o reintroduce at least part of the flow of hot air sucked into the manikin (4).

In a 2nd aspect in accordance with the 1st aspect the suction circuit (5) comprises a suction mouth (7) placed in correspondence with the heated element (6).

In a 3rd aspect according to the previous aspect, the heated element (6) is placed outside the said suction circuit (5).

In a 4th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the heated element (6) comprises at least one heated plate arranged to define at least one shoulder ironing element for shirts.

In a 5th aspect in accordance with the 2nd or 3rd or 4th aspect the suction mouth (7) of the suction circuit (5) is integral in motion to said heated element (6). In a 6th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the machine (1) comprises a head (8) engaged to the support structure (2) and carrying said heated element (6) and said suction mouth (7).

In a 7th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the head (8) is movable with respect to the support structure (2) approaching and moving away from the manikin (4) to define at least said non-operative condition and said ironing condition .

In an 8th aspect in accordance with the 6th or 7th aspect, the head (8) is hinged to the support structure (2) and able to define a plurality of angularly offset positions with respect to the latter.

In a 9th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the manikin (4) substantially extends along a prevailing development plane. In a 10 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the head (8) is able to rotate around an axis (A) parallel to the prevailing development plane and, in conditions of use of the machine (1) itself , extending along a substantially horizontal direction.

In an 11th aspect in accordance with any one of the 6th to 10th aspects, the head (8) comprises at least an engagement portion (9) bound to a respective engagement portion (10) of the support structure (2), the engagement portion (9) of the head (8) comprises a seat or a pin engaged with the respective pin or seat of the engagement portion (10) of the support structure (2) to define a constraint hinge type.

In a 12th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the head (8) further comprises a thrust portion (11) spaced from the engagement portion (9) of the support structure itself, and in which said machine (1 ) comprises at least one activation element (12) connected on one side to the support structure (2) and on the other to the thrust portion (11), said activation element (12) being configured to push the head (8) to allow it to rotate around the axis (A).

In a 13th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect the activation element (12) comprises at least one hydraulic and / or pneumatic cylinder,

In a 14th aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from the 2nd to 13th the suction mouth (7) is arranged, with respect to a condition of use of the ironing machine (1), in correspondence with a rear and top of the manikin (4).

In a 15th aspect in accordance with any of the foregoing aspects the machine comprises:

> at least one supply circuit (13) connected on one side to the heating device (3) and on the other side to the manikin (4), said supply circuit (13) being designed to communicate fluid the heating device (3) with the manikin (4) and supply the hot air and / or steam to the latter;

> at least one ventilation element (14) associated with said intake circuit (13) and configured to define a direction of circulation of the steam and / or hot air directed from the heating device (3) to the manikin (4) ·

In a 16th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect the ventilation element (14) comprises at least one centrifugal fan.

In a 17th aspect in accordance with the 15th or 16th aspect, the suction circuit (5) places the suction mouth (7) in fluid communication with the ventilation element (14), called the ventilation element ( 14) being interposed and associated with said suction circuit (5) and said intake circuit (13), and in which said ventilation element (14) is configured for:

> generate a recovery flow of hot air and / or steam directed from the suction mouth (7) towards the heating device (3);

> generate a flow of hot air and / or steam directed from the heating device (3) towards the manikin (4).

In an 18th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the heated element (6) comprises at least one plate at least partially counter-shaped to an area of the manikin (4) carrying a piece of clothing (100) interposed between said element heated (6) and called dummy

(4).

In a 19th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the machine (1) itself, during the ironing condition, operates substantially in an open circuit and is configured to emit hot air and / or steam through the dummy (4) directly in the external environment.

In a 20th aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from the 2nd to the 19th the suction mouth (7) of the suction circuit (5), during the ironing condition, is directly in communication with the external environment and configured to suck in hot air arriving from the heated element (6), in particular hot air and / or steam from the external environment.

In a 21st aspect in accordance with any of the previous aspects, the suction circuit (5) is configured for:

> generate a flow of air capable of hitting the heated element (6) at least during the ironing condition and / or during the inoperative condition; > reintroduce at least part of the hot air sucked into the heating device (3).

In a 22nd aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the heating device (3) comprises at least one selected from the group among the following elements: boiler, steam generator, an electric hot air generator.

In a 23rd aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the manikin (4) comprises a body (15) having a substantially plate-like shape and defining internally a distribution chamber (16) in fluid communication with the heating device (3), said body (15) presenting a plurality of openings (17) designed to allow the emission of steam and / or hot air arriving from said heating device (3). In a 24 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the openings (17) are arranged on the body (15) in correspondence with a front surface and a rear surface of the manikin (4).

In a 25th aspect in accordance with the 23rd or 24th aspect, the body (15) basically defines a torso for the support of shirts and / or similar garments, said body (15) comprising at least two plates (18 ) designed to substantially define the shoulders of this bust.

In a 26 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the heated element (6) is at least partially counter-shaped with these plates (18).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes only, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shirt ironing machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the shirt ironing machine according to the present invention;

> Figure 3 is a detail view of the ironing machine placed in a shoulder ironing configuration (without garment on the machine to better highlight some parts);

> Figure 4 is a detail view of the ironing machine placed in an inoperative condition (shoulder-stretcher removed);

> Figure 5 is a cross section of the ironing machine placed in the ironing configuration of Figure 3; And

> Figure 6 shows a detail of the cross section of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Number 1 indicates an ironing machine for ironing shirts and / or similar garments. This machine 1 is for example of the type that can be used in the field of industrial ironing, generally for ironing and drying shirts. Although the machine 1 object of the present invention is preferably usable for drying and / or ironing shirts, the possibility of adopting the machine 1 itself for ironing and / or drying jackets, coats, overcoats, clothes is not excluded. woman or similar. Going into detail, it is possible to observe (figures 1, 2 and 5) that the machine 1 comprises a support structure or frame 2 arranged to define a support on the ground of the machine 1 itself.

In particular, the structure 2 consists of a base 2a presenting, in a non-limiting way, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In order to provide greater stability, the base 2a advantageously develops along a prevailing development plane which, in conditions of use of the machine 1 itself, is substantially horizontal (parallel to a support surface, in particular to the ground) : the base 2a has a greater horizontal dimension compared to a vertical dimension.

At a lower surface (surface facing the ground), the base 2a has a plurality of feet 19 (arranged at the corners of the lower surface of the base 2a) which define the contact elements of the support surface (ground) of the machine 1: the feet 19 are interposed between the ground and the base 2a. The same feet 19 can be independently adjustable in height to compensate for lack of planarity of the support surface.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the base 2a has, in a non-limiting way, a housing compartment 20 substantially closed from view inside which the electrical and / or mechanical devices of the machine 1, better described below, are contained at least in part. .

In fact, the base 2a advantageously defines a casing designed to contain and protect the mechanical and / or electronic parts arranged inside it.

As shown schematically in Figure 4, the ironing machine 1 comprises at least one heating device 3 configured to generate hot air and / or steam for ironing and / or drying at least one garment, in particular a shirt. As can be seen, the heating device 3 is preferably engaged to the support structure 2 inside the housing compartment 20. By positioning the heating device 3 inside the housing compartment 20, it is possible to protect / hide the latter and maintain a certain compactness of the inside of the machine 1.

From a structural point of view, the heating device 3 can comprise one or more of the following elements: a fan, a boiler, a steam generator, an electric hot air generator.

In a preferential embodiment of the machine 1, the heating device 3 comprises an electric resistance heater placed inside the housing compartment of the base 2a. The heater (reference 3 in figure 5) is designed to receive a flow of air and / or steam, for example from a fan and / or a boiler, and heat it for ironing and / or drying clothes.

In this last configuration described, the machine 1 has only one heating element 3; the generation of hot air and / or steam is sent back to external elements connected to the machine itself.

Obviously, the possibility of defining a heating device designed to generate steam and / or hot air is not excluded: In fact, an embodiment variant of the machine 1 can be represented by a heating device 3 comprising an integrated system consisting of a boiler and heater arranged both inside the housing compartment 20 of the base 2a.

As can be seen from Figure 4, the ironing machine 1 also comprises at least one input circuit 13 which is connected on one side to the heating device 3 and on the other to a dummy 4. The input circuit 13 puts the heating device 3 in fluid communication with the manikin 4 and conveys the hot air and / or steam to the latter,

The accompanying figures show, in a non-limiting way, a preferential form of the machine 1 in which the input circuit 13 is arranged inside the housing compartment 20 of the base 2a.

From a structural point of view, the inlet circuit 13 is constituted, in a non-limiting way, by a duct 13a extending between a first and a second end 24, 25 defining respectively an inlet and an outlet of the duct; the heating device 3 is associated with the duct 13a and is interposed between said first and second ends 24, 25 of the latter.

Still observing the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is possible to note that the second end 25 of the duct 13a, defining the outlet of the steam and / or hot air, is arranged on an upper surface of the base 2a, in particular on the surface opposite to the lower surface bearing the feet 19 (surface facing the ground). Advantageously, the second end 25 of the duct 13a (steam and / or hot air outlet) is arranged, according to a condition of use of the ironing machine 1, on a front area of the upper surface of the base 2a.

In order to be able to ventilate the steam and / or hot air from the heating device 3 to the dummy 4 and thus generate a flow of hot air and / or steam, the ironing machine 1 comprises at least one associated ventilation element 14 to the intake circuit 13 (associated with the duct 13a). As for the heating device 3 and the intake circuit 13, the ventilation element 14 is also engaged in the base 2a and preferably also arranged inside the housing compartment 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the ventilation element 14 is arranged, in a non-limiting way, at the first end 24 of the duct 13a (substantially at the inlet of the duct 13 a) and allows to create a flow of steam and / or hot air from said element 14 towards the second end 25.

The ventilation element 14 comprises, but is not limited to, a fan, preferably a centrifugal fan. In the joined figures only one fan has been represented; the possibility of using two or more centrifugal fans or fans of different nature (for example an axial fan) is not excluded.

In a preferential embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the ventilation element 14 (for example a centrifugal fan) can be equipped with heating means (for example electric resistances or the like) able to generate hot air that can be used during drying. and / or ironing of clothing. In this latter condition described, the ventilation element 14, in addition to defining the flow circulation direction, is able to supply, independently from the heating device 3, a flow of hot air which can be combined or less with the steam and / or hot air of the heating device 3 and subsequently sent to the manikin 4.

Heating device 3, intake circuit 13 and ventilation element 14 actually constitute a group for generating a flow of hot air and / or steam.

By analyzing the structure of the machine 1 more, it is possible to note that the support structure 2 can also comprise, in a non-limiting way, a fixed frame 26 stably constrained to the base 2a and emerging from the latter above. The frame 26 is configured to stably carry a heated element 6 designed for hot ironing and for contacting portions of the garment. This element 6 will be better described below.

As can be seen for example from figure 5, Î "frame 26 emerges from the upper surface of the base 2a where the mannequin 4 also emerges. The frame 26, according to a condition of use of the ironing machine 1, is arranged in an area rear of the base 2a and extends along a substantially vertical direction of development. In fact, according to a condition of use of the ironing machine 1, the frame 26 is arranged at the rear with respect to the second ends 25 of the duct 13a of the inlet circuit 13.

In a preferential but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the frame 26 comprises a duct 26a extending between a first and a second end 27, 28 and which is in fluid communication with the housing compartment 20 of the base 2a . As can be seen for example from the section of Figure 5, the first end 27 of the duct 26a is connected to a rear opening of the base 2a.

As previously described, the ironing machine 1 comprises at least one dummy 4. The dummy 4 is stably carried by the support structure 2 and is designed to receive at least one garment, in particular a shirt; in particular, the mannequin 4 is designed to receive the garment in support at least partially to support it.

The manikin 4 receives a flow of hot air and / or steam from the intake circuit 13 (hot air and / or steam ventilated by the heating device 3 by means of the ventilation element 14) in order to allow the Drying and / or ironing of the garment in engagement with the mannequin itself.

Analyzing the structure of the manikin 4, it is possible to observe that the latter is fixed on the upper surface of the base 2a in correspondence with the same frontal area on which the second end 25 of the duct 13a of the inlet circuit 13 is arranged In fact, according to a condition of use of the machine 1, the dummy 4 is arranged in front of the frame 26 of the support structure 2.

The position of the manikin 4 allows a user to easily operate on the manikin 4 itself, for example during the operations of loading the machine (preparation of the garment on the manikin).

As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the manikin 4 comprises at least one body 15 having a substantially plate-like shape extending substantially along a prevalent development plane which, in conditions of use of the machine itself, extends along the vertical.

More in detail, the body 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the base 2a of the structure 2. The plate-like body 15 comprises inside a distribution chamber 16 which is in fluid communication with the dâ € ™ circuit. intake 13 and consequently with the heating device 3.

In particular, as can be seen from Figure 4, the body 15 has an opening 15a at a lower surface in fluid communication with the distribution chamber 16 and with the intake circuit 13.

In fact, the opening 15a of the body 15 is directly in fluid communication with the second end 25 of the duct 13a and is designed to allow the introduction of the flow of hot air and / or steam inside the chamber distribution 16.

As can be seen from figures 3 and 4, the manikin 4 has a plurality of through openings 17 arranged to allow fluid communication between the distribution chamber 16 and the external environment: in this way the openings 17 allow the steam to escape and / or hot air from the manikin 4 for ironing and / or drying the garment worn by the manikin 4 itself.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of openings 17 is advantageously arranged on the body 15 both in correspondence with a front surface and in correspondence with a rear surface of the body 15: in this way the emission of steam and / or hot air from the mannequin 4 allows you to iron / dry the entire garment (the flow hits the garment both in the front and in the back).

The accompanying figures illustrate a preferential, but not limitative, embodiment of the body 15 in which the latter is shaped to be dressed in a shirt 101 to be dried and / or ironed. Advantageously, the body 15 of the mannequin 4 substantially reproduces the torso or trunk of a human figure suitably shaped so as to allow correct support and support of the shirt.

As can be seen for example from the accompanying figures, the body 15 of the manikin 4 also comprises at least two plates 18 placed in correspondence with an upper area of the body 15 opposite the lower surface on which the opening 15a for the entry of steam and / or or hot air.

In particular, according to a condition of use of the machine 1, the plates 18 are placed above the portion of the body 15 on which the openings 17 for the steam and / or hot air are present; the plates 18 are adapted to substantially define the shoulders of the torso / trunk for a correct positioning / support of the shirts.

In order to ensure correct ironing of the garment (in the particular case of the shirt), the latter must be firmly bound in such a way that following the emission of the flow of steam and / or hot air from the body of the mannequin 4, the garment does not lose its ironing position.

For this reason, the ironing machine 1 advantageously comprises one or more tensioning elements 21 suitable for allowing correct stretching of the fabric of the garment before and during ironing and drying.

As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the tensioning elements 21 comprise movable arms 22 (see for example figures 1 and 2) on which grippers for gripping the sleeves of the shirt are mounted. Advantageously, the position of the movable arms 22 is adjustable and consequently adaptable to the size of the garment.

The tensioning elements 21 also comprise locking pliers 23 of the rear and front portion of the liner 101. The accompanying figures show a preferential embodiment of the locking pliers 23 which comprise a front pliers 23 a (the accompanying figures are advantageously shown two pliers 23a) positioned in correspondence with a lower portion of the manikin 4 and adapted to keep the lower front portion of the garment in contact with the body 15.

Still in the frontal area, the locking pliers 23 comprise a central support pliers 23b which extends substantially for the entire vertical development of the manikin 4 and is designed to keep the entire central portion of the garment in contact with the body 15 The central gripper 23b is particularly useful for ironing and / or drying shirts: this gripper 23b keeps the opening area of the shirt united and overlapped, preventing it from breaking down.

As can be seen instead in Figure 5, the locking pliers 23 also comprise a rear pliers 23 c (in the accompanying figures two pliers 23c are advantageously shown) positioned in correspondence with a lower portion of the dummy 4 and adapted to keep the lower rear portion in contact of the garment with the body 15.

It is considered useful to specify that the embodiment of the mannequin 4 illustrated in the accompanying figures is particularly suitable for ironing and drying shirts; However, different embodiments of the mannequin 4 are not excluded, such as to allow, for example, the drying and / or ironing of garments such as T-shirts, jackets, overcoats, women's dresses or the like.

By analyzing the structure of the machine 1 more, it is possible to note that the latter includes, in a non-limiting way, a head 8 engaged to the support structure 2.

In a preferential embodiment of the invention, the head 8 is â € œindirectlyâ € engaged to the support structure 2: in fact, as can be seen for example from Figure 2, the head 8 is bound directly to the frame 26 in correspondence with the second end 28 of the latter spaced from the base 2a.

The head 8 substantially comprises an arm which, according to a condition of use of the machine 1, is engaged behind the manikin 4.

In a preferential but non-limiting form of the invention, the arm defining the head 8 also comprises a duct 8a extending between a first and a second end 29, 30 (see for example Figure 5).

The first end 29 of the head 8 is connected to the frame 26 at the second end 25 of the latter; the second end 30 of the head 8 faces the manikin 4.

In the preferential duct configuration of the frame 26 and of the head 8, these ducts 8a, 26a are in fluid communication with each other; the second end 28 of the frame 26 is in fluid communication with the first end 29 of the head 8. In this latter condition described, the head 8 is therefore in fluid communication with the housing compartment 20 of the base 2a . The head 8 is hinged to the frame 26 (indirectly to the support structure 2) and is configured to move with respect to the manikin 4 towards and away from it and to define a plurality of angularly offset positions with respect to the latter.

More in detail, the head 8 is arranged to rotate around an axis A parallel to the prevailing development plane of the manikin 4 and extending, in conditions of use of the machine 1, along a substantially horizontal direction.

More in detail, the arm defined by the head 8 is movable in a substantially vertical and transverse plane, in particular orthogonal, to the prevailing vertical development plane of the manikin 4.

In fact, the head 8 is movable by rotation at least between a first and second end position: the first end position represents a non-operative position in which the head 8 is at a maximum distance from the manikin 4 while the second end position represents an ironing position in which the head 8 is at a minimum distance from the manikin 4.

By further analyzing the engagement between the support structure 2 and the head 8, it is possible to note that the latter includes at least a portion of engagement 9 bound to a respective portion of engagement 10 of the frame 26 (see figure 5); the engagement portion 9 of the head 8 comprises a seat or a pin engaged with the respective pin or seat of the engagement portion 10 of the frame 26 to define said hinge-type constraint.

The head 8 also comprises a thrust portion 11 spaced from the engagement portion 9 of the head itself. The thrust portion II is designed to receive a stress suitable to allow the rotation of the head 8 around the axis A.

As can be seen for example from Figure 2, the thrust portion 11 is advantageously constituted by two lateral protrusions, in particular two pins, emerging from opposite sides of the head 8 along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A of the same.

Advantageously, the ironing machine 1 has an activation element 12 connected on one side to the support structure 2 and on the other to the thrust portion 11. In the preferred embodiment of the machine 1, there are two activation elements 12, one for each lateral projection of the head 8. The activation element 12 is configured to generate a thrust on the projections and allow the rotation of the head 8 around the axis A.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the activation element 12 comprises, in a non-limiting way, at least one hydraulic and / or pneumatic cylinder: according to the extension of the cylinder, the latter is designed to define different positions of the head 8 angularly offset from each other comprised between the non-operative position and the ironing position.

As previously mentioned, the machine 1 further comprises at least one heated ironing element 6; the latter is configured to contact the garment positioned on the mannequin 4 from above and allow it to be ironed in particular areas.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated element 6 comprises, in a non-limiting way, a heated plate at least partially counter-shaped to a portion of the manikin 4, in particular counter-shaped to the plates 18 defining the shoulders of the body 15; in this latter condition described, the heated element 6 substantially represents a shoulder stretch element.

As can be seen, the heated element 6 is integrally engaged with the head 8 at the second end 30, that is, it is engaged at the end of the head 8 facing the manikin 4.

In fact, the heated element 6 is movable together (integrally) with the head 8: both elements - head 8 and heated element 6 - are relatively movable to the dummy 4 between at least the inoperative condition and the ironing condition.

The heated element 6 is positioned on the head 8 in such a way that, during the ironing condition of the head 8, the heated element 6 is configured to contact the garment placed on the mannequin 4 to iron at least a portion of it. Vice versa, in the inoperative condition of the machine 1, the heated element (shoulder stretcher) is spaced from the mannequin 4 and configured to allow a user to position the garment 100 on the latter. The possibility of defining at least an intermediate position of the head 8 in which the latter is placed between the first and second extremity positions is not excluded. This intermediate condition is suitable for keeping the end 30 substantially in correspondence with the manikin 4.

As can be seen, for example, in Figure 5, the ironing machine 1 also comprises a suction circuit 5 configured to suck in air from the external environment and re-introduce at least part of it into the intake circuit 13. The suction circuit 5 is associated on one side with the mobile head 8 and on the other with the base 2a of the support structure 2.

More in detail, the suction circuit 5 comprises a duct 5a extending from at least one suction mouth 7 associated with the mobile head 8 up to an outlet 31 connected and in communication with the inlet circuit 13. In the units Figures show, in a non-limiting way, a suction circuit 5 having a single suction mouth 7; however, the use of several suction mouths 7 associated with the head 8 is not excluded. More in detail, the suction mouth 7 of the suction circuit 5 is substantially located in correspondence with the second end 30 of the head 8 so as to result, according to a condition of use of the machine 1 itself, arranged in a rear and upper area of the body 15 of the manikin 4.

Considering instead the position of the suction mouth 7 with respect to the heated element 6, it is possible to notice how said mouth 7 is arranged, according to a condition of use of the machine 1, at the rear of said element 6.

At least the suction mouth 7 of the circuit 5 is configured to move integrally with the heating element 6; in particular, the suction mouth 7 and the heated element 6 are fixed to each other.

Conveniently, the posterior position of the mouth 7 prevents the latter, as well as the suction circuit 5, from interfering with the operations of the user on the machine 1, for example for the positioning of the garment on the body of the manikin 4 .

Furthermore, since the mouth 7 is located in correspondence with an upper area of the manikin 7, the suction circuit 5 can ventilate, inside the circuit itself, already heated ambient air since before being introduced into the duct it passes through the shoulder hot plates.

In fact, the suction circuit 5 (in correspondence with the heated element 6) is designed to define an air flow that invests the heated element 6. The passage of the air flow in correspondence with said element 6 allows you to pre-heat the flow entering circuit 5: the flow of hot air sucked in is introduced into the intake circuit 13 and then sent to the mannequin 4 for ironing and / or drying the garment.

The condition for which the suction mouth 7 is fixed with respect to the heated element 6 allows the suction circuit to receive hot air (possibly also vapor present in the environment) both during the non-operating condition of the head and during the for ironing Advantageously, the suction circuit 5 is able to suck in any condition of the head (even in an intermediate condition); the solidity of the mouth 7 with the heated element allows the suction circuit to always receive a flow of heated air thanks to said element 6.

It is useful to note that the machine 1, both during the ironing condition and in the inoperative condition, operates in an open circuit: the machine 1 emits hot air and / or steam into the external environment through the dummy 4 (not the emits inside a closed volume, such as a cabin) and sucks in hot air and / or steam always from the external environment.

In particular, the suction mouth 7 of the suction circuit 5, both during the ironing condition and during the inoperative condition, is directly in communication with the external environment and configured to suck possibly pre-heated air from the plates.

In order to be able to ventilate the air inside the suction circuit 5, the latter needs at least one ventilation element, such as a fan, capable of generating said air flow. Advantageously, the suction circuit 5, thanks to the fluid communication with the circuit 13, uses the same ventilation element 14 connected to said circuit 13 to ventilate the ambient air inside the circuit 5.

In this condition, the ventilation element 14 is interposed between the suction circuit 5 and the intake circuit 13.

As previously described, the association of the ventilation element 14 with the supply circuit 13 allows, in combination with the heating device 3, to ventilate a flow of hot air from the latter towards the dummy 4; the association of the ventilation element 14 with the suction circuit 5 allows to ventilate the air present in the external environment inside the suction mouth 7 in the direction of the ventilation element 14 itself and then send at least part of the aspirated flow inside the circuit 13.

In fact, the illustrated embodiment (a single ventilation element 14 associated with the circuits 5 and 13) allows, in a non-limiting way, to use the ventilation element 14 both to send a flow of steam and / or hot air to manikin 4 and for the recovery of pre-heated air from the external environment. Advantageously, all the heated flow recovered from the suction circuit 5 is reintroduced inside the intake circuit 13: in such a way as to be able to exploit all the amount of heat recovered from the flow to minimize the production of hot air from the heating device 3 However, the possibility of partializing the recovered heated flow in such a way as to manage / control the amount of heat recovered and to be produced with the heating device 3 is not excluded.

In a preferential form of the invention visible for example from figures 5 and 6, the suction circuit 5 is defined at least in part inside the ducts 8a and 26a respectively of the head 8 and of the frame 26. In fact, the the suction circuit 5 passes internally to the ducts 8a and 26a and enters the housing compartment 20 to connect to the intake circuit 13.

Preferably, the ducts 8a and 26a directly define the duct 5a of the suction circuit 5 up to the upper surface of the base 2a.

In this latter condition described, the suction mouth 7 of the circuit 5 is defined by an opening placed in correspondence with the second end 30 of the duct 8a of the head 8.

From the first end 27 of the duct 26a of the frame, the duct 5a continues inside the housing compartment until it connects to the ventilation element and subsequently to the intake circuit 13.

This last described condition allows to position the suction mouth 7 through the frame 26 in correspondence with an upper area of the dummy 4 and through said frame 26 and said head 8 to define the passage of the hot air flow recovered from the external environment; this configuration allows, in addition to defining a stable / solid suction circuit 5, to define a compact ironing machine 1.

ADVANTAGES OF THE FOUND

In practice, it has been found that the described invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular it is emphasized that the presence of an aspiration circuit 7 associated with the head 8 together with the heated element 6 allows to recover, both during the inoperative both during the ironing condition, hot air generated by a flow of air which strikes said element 6; this flow is reused at least in part for the ironing and / or drying of the garments, thus allowing to obtain greater energy savings compared to currently known machines.

Furthermore, the suction of hot air (possibly also of the steam) through the suction circuit 5, even if partial, allows to considerably reduce the temperature values (possibly also of humidity) within the working environment. , thus improving the working conditions of the ironing / drying operators.

LEGEND

1 Ironing machine

2 Support structure or frame

2nd Base

3 Heating device

4 Mannequin

5 Suction circuit

5 in Condotto

Heated element

Suction mouth

Head

in Condotto

Engagement portion of the head 8

0 Engagement portion of the support structure 2 1 Thrust portion of the head 8

2 Activation element

3 Input circuit

3rd Conduit

4 Ventilation element

5 Manikin body 4

6 Distribution chamber

7 Body openings 15

8 Plates

9 Support feet

0 Storage compartment

21 Tensioning elements 22 Mobile arms 23 Locking pliers 24 First end

25 Second end 26 Frame

26a Conduit

27 First end

28 Second end 29 First end

30 Second end 3 1 Outlet

A Axis

Claims (11)

COMPLETE CLAIM SET 1. Ironing machine (1) for ironing shirts and / or similar garments comprising: > at least one support structure (2); > at least one heating device (3) configured to generate hot air and / or steam for ironing and / or drying at least one garment (100), in particular a shirt (101); > at least one mannequin (4) carried stably by the support structure (2) and arranged to receive at least one garment (100), in particular a shirt (101), said mannequin (4) being configured to receive at least partial support the Garment (100) and supporting it, and in which said mannequin (4) is configured to receive hot air and / or steam from the heating device (3) and allow its emission; > at least one heated ironing element (6) movable relative to the manikin (4) between at least an inoperative condition in which it is moved away from the manikin (4) and an ironing condition in which it is configured to iron a portion of garment (100); characterized in that said ironing machine (1) further comprises at least one suction circuit (5) located in correspondence with the heated element (6) and configured for: o generate a flow of air to hit the heated element (6) and heat up due to the effect of the heated element (6); o reintroduce at least part of the flow of hot air sucked into the manikin (4). 2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said suction circuit (5) comprises a suction mouth (7) located in correspondence with the heated element (6), said heated element (6) being placed externally to said circuit suction (5). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said heated element (6) comprises at least one heated plate arranged to define at least one shoulder-stretcher element for shirts. 4. Machine according to any one of claims 2 or 3 comprising at least one head (8) engaged to the support structure (2) and carrying said heated element (6) and said suction mouth (7), said head (8) being movable with respect to the support structure (2) approaching and moving away from the manikin (4) to define at least said non-operative condition and said ironing condition, and in which said suction mouth (7) of the suction circuit (5) is integral in motion to said heated element (6) 5. Machine according to the preceding claim, in which said head (8) is hinged to the support structure (2) and able to define with respect to the latter a plurality of angularly offset positions, and in which the manikin ( 4) extends substantially along a prevailing development plane, the head (8) being able to rotate around an axis (A) parallel to the prevailing development plane and, in conditions of use of the machine (1) itself, extending along a substantially horizontal direction. 6. Machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the head (8) comprises at least an engagement portion (9) constrained to a respective engagement portion (10) of the support structure (2), the portion engagement (9) of the head (8) comprises a seat or a pin engaged with the respective pin or seat of the engagement portion (10) of the support structure (2) to define a hinge type constraint, said head (8) further comprising a thrust portion (11) spaced from the engagement portion (9) of the support structure itself, and in which said machine (1) comprises at least one activation element (12) connected on one side to the support structure (2) and from the other to the thrust portion (11), said activation element (12) being configured to push the head (8) to allow it to rotate around the axis (A). 7. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims comprising: > at least one supply circuit (13) connected on one side to the heating device (3) and on the other side to the manikin (4), said supply circuit (13) being designed to communicate fluid the heating device (3) with the manikin (4) and supply the hot air and / or steam to the latter; > at least one ventilation element (14) associated with said intake circuit (13) and configured to define a direction of circulation of the steam and / or hot air directed from the heating device (3) to the manikin (4). 8. Machine according to claim 7, wherein the suction circuit (5) places the suction mouth (7) in fluid communication with the ventilation element (14), said ventilation element (14) being interposed and associated with said suction circuit (5) and said intake circuit (13), and in which said ventilation element (14) is configured for: > generate a recovery flow of hot air and / or steam directed from the suction mouth (7) towards the heating device (3); > generate a flow of hot air and / or steam directed from the heating device (3) towards the manikin (4). 9. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the suction mouth (7) of the suction circuit (5), during the ironing condition, is directly in communication with the external environment and configured to suck in hot air arriving from the heated element (6), in particular hot air and / or steam from the external environment. 10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the suction circuit (5) is configured for: > generate a flow of air capable of striking the heated element (6) at least during the ironing condition and / or during the inoperative condition; > reintroduce at least part of the hot air sucked into the heating device (3). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said manikin (4) comprises a body (15) having a substantially plate-like shape and defining internally a distribution chamber (16) in fluid communication with the heating device ( 3), said body (15) presenting a plurality of openings (17) designed to allow the emission of steam and / or hot air arriving from said heating device (3), and in the body (15) is designed to substantially define a bust for supporting shirts and / or similar garments, said body (15) comprising at least two plates (18) designed to substantially define the shoulders of said bust, and in which said heating element (6) is ̈ at least partially counter-shaped to said plates (18).