US1823469A

US1823469A - Ironing machine

Info

Publication number: US1823469A
Application number: US255946A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles O Reeps
Original assignee: NAT LAUNDRY MACHINERY Co
Current assignee: NAT LAUNDRY MACHINERY Co; NATIONAL LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1928-02-21
Filing date: 1928-02-21
Publication date: 1931-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1948-09-15

Description

Sept. l5, 1931. c.. o. REEPS IRONING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 21, 192s mf/.l.///////r////////////////////////// /oooooooooo oooooooooo 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o w f Q woooooooooo 0 ooo ooooo /ooo oooo wooo ooo wooo ooo wooo ooo wooo oo wooo www ooo woo www. ww.

C. O. REEPS IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1928 Sept. 15, 1931.

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OOOOOO OOGOOOOOOQOOOO OO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOQOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sept. 15, 1931. c. o. REEPS IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented sept. 1s, 1931 S'UNITED* STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES'O. RE'ETS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0l NATIONAL LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY,INC., 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE' A CCRPORATION OF DELAWARE momma MACHINE My present invention relates vin 'general to a method of and an apparatus for ironing,

and more particularly to an improved iron-` ironing isf/not as satisfactory as desired for the reason that the article is not sufliciently stretched on the buck to eliminaterwrinkles and other irregularities therefrom. This means that the articles being'irone'd are irregularly pressed and as a result do not come out of the machine in as good a condition as is desired.v

I propose to remedy this difficulty by providing a stationary buck having a convex pressing surface adapted to cooperate with a concave ironing surface in the movable pressing head. Moreover, I purposely make the curvature of the ironing head slightly great*n er than the curvature of the convex-ironing surface 'on the stationary buck so that when the ironing head is moved into cooperation. with the buck it will serve to contemporaneously stretch and iron the article on the buck. Then, too, it has been my observation that articles of clothing and the like which are -ironed while in a moist or damp condition do not leave the conventional ironing machine after being ironed in a completelydry condition, thus necessitating a subsequent drying operation which is usually accomplished by hanging the ironed article any place where it will be cooled and dried by the natural circulation of air.

It is the aim of my invention to provide an ironing machine which not only irons articles placed therein but also .completely dries the articles during the ironing operation and while they are on thestationary buck.

I also find from experience that in the conventional ironing machine due to the moist condition of the article being ironed the moisture is all `forced to the lower ,side of the article when the heated pressing head is applied thereto, which results in only the top side of the article being'inished, or in other words the side subjected to the heated ironing surface. f

This type of ironing work might be satisfactory in the case of rough dry work, such as sheets and the like, but it surely is not fully satisfactory in the case of other types of articles, of a ner nature, such for example as handkerchiefs, scarfs, etc.

I propose to provide an ironing machine adapted -to iron and finish articles placed therein on both sides, thus completely eliminating the above mentioned undesirable feature.

An object of my invention is to provide. an

vimproved ironing machine-of simple and inexpensive construction and adapted to turn out a much better grade of ironed work than the conventional type of machine.

' Another object of my invention resides in the provision of an ironing machine wherein l-the-ironing is effected by thecirculationof heated air through the ironing buck and head of the machine.

Still another object of this invention has to ldo with the provision of an ironing machine adapted to iron and finish articles on both sides.

A further object is the provision of an iron- -ing machine having cooperable convex and eliminating wrinkles and any other irregularities in the article ironed, andthereby causing the machine to turn out ahlghfgrade.

of ironed work. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including relatively movable cooperable ironing members, one of which is adapted to have heated air forced therethrough and through thearticle being ironed, and the'other of which sncf tion means connected to it for withdrawing the heated air from the article ironed so as to facilitate cooling and drying of the article.

In accordance -with the general features of the present invention, I provide an ironing machine including a stationary ironing buck cooperable with a movable .ironing head,

A and means, such as a blower, for forcing vzo .of which having a concave ironing surface adapted for cooperation with the convex surface whereby the article being ironed therebetween is substantially stretched vto remove wrinkles from the same, one of said surfaces being defined by a sheet of wire mesh adapted to enhance the finish applied to the article.

' Another feature is the provision of. filter means in the ironing head for removing foreign matter from dthe air being circulated prior to coming into contact with the article eing ironed.

Other objects and advanta esxof my invention will more fully appear rom the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a single embodiment thereof and in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of my novel ironing machine; I

- 4Figure 2 is a front view of this ironingma- `chine illustrating the connections between it and the motor for operating the samel as well as the connections between it and a blower for heating and drying the article belng chine Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on substantlally the line IV-x-IV of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; ,y

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on substantially the line V-V of 'Figure 3`looking upwardly, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on substantially the line VI--VI of Figure 5 lookin downwardly.

n the drawings:

Like reference characters designate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

It is thought that my novel method of ironing will be apparent from a description of the apparatus for producing the same.

The reference character 10 designates generally a support for the ironing machine including standards 11 and a top 12. Secured to thetop 12 'is a stationary ironing buck designated generally by the reference vthe standards 11.

character 13 cooperable with a movable ironing head 14 which is carried by spaced arms l5 secured to the standards 11 of the support 10.

The stationary ironing buck 13- includes a longitudinal hollow casting 17 in which is a heating chamber 18. The upper part'of this buck 1s provided with a convex top 20.

That is to say, I provide the stationary buck -with an ironing surface which is of a prerpedestal 23 which is in turn fastened to the top 12 of the support 10. Extending through the bore 24 of the pedestal 23 is a relatively large air pipe 25 which has its upper end threaded into the' bottom of the casting 17 and disposed -in communication with chamber 18 in the stationary buck 13.

As shown in Figure 2, this pipe 25 extends downwardly through a suitable opening in the top 12 of the support 10 and between A The lower end of the pipe 25 is bent laterally and is disposed in communication with the inlet side 27 of a conventional air blower 26. The discharge 28 of this blower is connected by 'pipe 29 to a furnace 30 which may be heated by any suitable means. Disposed in communication with the top of the furnace 30 is an air pipe 31 which extends upwardly and is disposed in communication with thel interior'of the movable ironing head 14 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

u The movable or pressure head 14 comprises a longitudinal hollow casting 34 (Figures 5 and 6)-' which defines an air chamber 35. The bottom of this casting'34 is provided with av predetermined transverse curvature which is slightly greater than the curvature of the convex top 20 ofthe stationary buck. In other words, I provide the casting 34 of the ironing head 14 with a concave bottom 36 cooperable with the convex top 20 of the ironing head. This bottom 36 defines a concave lroning surface and is provided with perforations or openings 37. Also it is to be noted that this concave bottom has a layer of porous or filtering material 38 disposed thereover which is covered by a sheet of wire mesh 39. The layer 38 may be made of muslin or the like and serves to prevent dirt and soot from vbeing forced into the article being ironed by the air under pressure in the head. The purpose of the mesh is to enhance the finish applied to the upperl side of the article being ironed. This sheet `of wire mesh may preferably be made of a highly polished sheet of No. 200 mesh (200 perforations to the inch) which has been heavily nickel plated.

I find that by nickel plating the mesh it results in the holes bein Areduced to almost pin holes whichare su cient to allow air to circulate therethrough without appreciably interfering with .the polished ironing surface aiorded by the mesh.

Also at this time attention is directed to the fact that the concave ironing surface of the pressing head 14 is provided with a curvature which is slightly greater than that of the Iconvex top ,12 of the buck 13. -This means thatV as the head 14 is moved into cooperation with the article on the buck 13 it will cause the article to be thoroughly stretched thereon, thus eliminating wrinkles and other irregularities in the article being ironed.

Secured to the top of casting `34 are a pair of spaced arms 41 which are formed integral with a common pivotal member "42 journaled at its ends in the two arms 15 secured to the support 10. In-Figure 6 it will be observed that the member 42 is provided with a hollow or air chamber 43 disposed in communication with the upper end of pipe 31. This upper end of the p1pe'31 extends through one of the journaled ends of member 42'and is not secured to the member 42 so that relative movement cap take place between member 42 and the pipe 31 asthe ironing head 14 is moved into and out-of cooperation with the stationary buck 13. Y Also threaded into the member 42 are three pipes, 44, 45, and 46 which extend through openings in the side of the casting 34 and into the air chamber 35. The pipe 45 is disposed in an' intermediate position with respect to the

pipes

44 and 46. The

free endsof pipes

44 and 46 are bent laterally in opposite directions so as to be' disposed in communication with the ends of the air chamber 35 as shown in Figure 6.

Alsoformed integral with the member 42 are a pair of spaced parallel arms 50 in which are journaled the ends/of a pin orshaft 51. It will be noted that the` intermediate portion of this shaft 51 is forme`dsquare.- This shaft 51 has a central opening 52 through which extends the upper end 'of a rod 53. The extreme upper end of rod 53 is provided with a head 54 adapted to engage the top of shaft 51.

Surrounding the rod 53 below the shaft 51 is a spring 55, the lower end of which abuts. a washer or shoulder 56 secured to an intermediate portion of rod 53. The extreme lower end of rod 53 is pivotally connected to the free end of a crank arm 57 which is secured to a shaft 58 rotatably carried by spaced brackets 59 and 60. Secured to this shaft between the brackets 59 and 60 (Figures 1 and 2) is a wprm-wheel61 which meshes with a worm 62 secured to motor shaft63 driven by an elec tric motor 64 of conventional construction. f The worm 62 is connected to an intermediate in spaced

brackets

65 and 66 between which the worm is disposed.

I desire it understood that although I have illustrated the air circulating means as being provided with a heater independent of the ironing machine for the purpose of simplifying the description ofmy ironing machine,

the invention is no t to be thus limited for obviously a heating unit such as that disclosed in my aforesaid co-pending application could be placed in either one of the ironin members ofthe present machine for heatlng the 'air being circulated.

The operation of my ironing machine 1s briefiy as follows:

The normal or inoperative position of the ironing head 14 and the associated operating mechanism is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

Upon the operation of motor 64 throu h suitable switch mechanism (not shown), t e crank 57 is moved 'to the uppermost position showny in full lines in Figure 1 and through the rod 53,v and the associated mechanism causes the ironing head 14 to be moved down into cooperation with the stationary buck 13. Prior to the lowering of the head 14 an article is placed on the buck and is held in place on the convex surface by the suction in chamber 18. This article on buck 13 is thereto the fact that the head 14 has a concave ironing surface of a'slightly greater curvature than that of the convex top of stationary buck 13, the article is substantially stretched on the buck during the ironing operation.

The ironing of thel article is effected by heated air forced by blower 26 from the furnace 30 into the chamber 35 of the head 14. This air applies heat to the highly polished sheet of`mesh 39 which irons 'and finishes the article. Also through the means of the suction' pipe 25 which is connected to the intake side of the blower 26, the heated air forced through the article is sucked away from the article and' back into the furnace 30, thus augmenting and facilitating the cooling and drying ofthe article being ironed. By thus drying the bottom side of thetarticle, the ironing surface of mesh 39 is enabled to cause both sides of the article to be given a soft finish. v

That is to say, the circulating air removes the moisture from the article and thus prevents the baking of water in the article whereby the article is not stiffened or given va hard finish.

Moreover, the suction of the convex surface of the buck serves to prevent irregularities from being formed in the article by the iron, and also enables a soft finish to be given the lower side of the article by removing moisture-therefrom: Y i

Now; I desire it understood that although I have illustratedand described in detail the 65 portion of the shaft 63'which is journalled preferred form of my invention, the invenlos A appended claims.

tion is not to be thus limited but only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, in an ironing machine, a pair of relatively movable and cooperable ironing members, means for enabling one of said members to be moved into 'and out of cooperation with the other of said members, one of said members being provided with a convex ironing surface and the other of said members being provided with a concave ironing surface, said concave ironing surface having a curvature slightly greater than that of the convex surface, whereby an article to be ironed placed therebetween, will be stretched during the ironing operation. v

2. In combination, in an ironing machine, a pair of relatively movable and cooperable ironing members, means for circulating fluid through one of said members and through thearticle being ironed therebetween to.iron

and dry the article, and filter means in said member for filtering foreign matter such as soot from said fluid being circulated prior to the fluid coming into contact with the article being ironed. o

8. In combination, in an ironing machine, a pair of relatively movable and cooperable ironing members, and means for circulating fluid through one of said members and through thed article being ironed therebetween to iron and dry the article, one of said members having an ironing surface defined by a polished sheet of perforated material adapted to be heated by the fluid forced therethrough for ironing and applying a high ni'sh to the article being ironed.

4. In combination in an ironing machine,

apair of cooperable and relatively movable ironing members forfreceiving'between them and engaging an article to be ironed, and means for applying-heated air to said members to provide heat for cooperating. with said ironing members to iron the article, said means comprising a blower connected to force the heated air into one of-said members and to simultaneously suck the air out of .the other member whereby dried during the ironing operation'.

5. In combination with an ironing m-a.-

chine, a pair of cooperable ironing members for receiving between them and engaging an gle ,ironingoperatiom .1

the article issubstantially all moisture vfrom the article simultaneously with the ironing operation. 7. The process of ironing an article which consists in applying pressure thereto and subjecting one side of the article to preheated air to supply heat for cooperating with the pressure to iron the article, and at the same time subjecting the article to. suction for drawing the heated air therethrough to effect drying thereof while being ironed.

8. The process of ironing an article which consists in applying pressure thereto and stretching the article, and at the same time circulatingheatedy gas through vthe article to supply heat for cooperating with the pressure to iron the article and to-dry the article while being ironed. l

9. The process of ironing an article which consists in applying pressure to the same, andv while under such pressure subjecting one side only of the article to a source of heated gas under pressure to provide heat for cooperating` with the pressure toiron the artic-le, andV at the same time subjecting the other side of the article to vsuction to augment the passage `of'heated gas through the article to dry the same while being ironed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

CHARLES O. REEPS.

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