WO2005100670A1

WO2005100670A1 - Ironing equipment for textile products and ironing machine comprising such an equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2005100670A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tiberio Lonati; Angelo Pea; Bernardo Pea; Ginafranco Pea
Original assignee: Tecnopea, S.R.L.
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2004-04-14
Publication date: 2005-10-27

Abstract

An ironing equipment (1) for textile products comprising a steam chamber (9) defining a housing compartment (10) of at least a textile product (3) to be humidified. The chamber (9) consists of a first and second portion (11, 12), mobile in advancing to and in receding from each other between a first contact position in which these become associated to define said housing compartment (10) and a second separated position in which these become distanced one from the other to allow the passage of said product (3). The equipment presents also actuating means (22) of said first and second portion (11, 12) of the chamber (9) to move the same portions (11, 12) between the respective first and second position; and steaming means (19) associated at least to one of said portions (11, 12) of the chamber (9) to supply a determined quantity of steam into said compartment (10). A first and second laminar element (14, 15) are placed in the housing compartment (10), respectively associated to the first and second portion (11, 12) and thermically insulated from the said first and second portion (11, 12).

Description

IRONING EQUIPMENT FOR TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND IROTING MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH AN EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an ironing equipment for textile products and an ironing machine incorporating such an equipment .

In particular, the present invention finds its advantageous application in the production process of tex- tile products, for example stocking, tights, bodies, vests, underpants, etc., wherein it is necessary to foresee, following the weaving, some finishing process such as a hot: automatic ironing process. As it is know, the hot automatic ironing process of stocking and in general of any textile product -which requires such, ironing process, take place in machine comprising, for example, a rotating table on which are assembled numerous forms having substantially flat conformation . On each one of these forms, a textile product is manu- ally put by sin operator, or automatically, in order to became stretched out on the same form.

For example, in the case of stocking, the operator, after seizing the stocking at its open extremity, places the stocking on the form with a pulling action sliding it along in the direction of use which is sub- stantially vertical.

Each stocking fitted on the form is moved by the rotating table through a series of successive stations which might include one or more pulling stations, an ironing steam chamber, a drying station, an electronic control station of the stocking dimensions, ad a removing device of the stocking from the forms and placing the same stocking on a conveyor belt . In particular, the ironing equipment is constituted of a steam chamber inside which is introduced water steam ad a determined pressure. The steam chamber is constituted of two mobile half part, shaped as a shell, moving nearer or further away from each other to allow the introduction of the stocking fitted on the form inside the same chamber.

More specifically, respective means of motion (such as, for example, hydraulic pistons) activate the half parts away from each other to allow the introduction of the stocking between the same half parts. Subse- quently, the two half parts are moved -nearer and made to adhere one with other to define a sealed chamber, inside which is placed the textile product. In this way, a conduit supplying steam situated in one of the half parts, releases high temperature steam inside the chamber to iron the product. Finally, the two half parts are again moved away from each other, in such a way to open the chamber to allow the rotating table to take out the humidified stocking and therefore introduce a new product into the ironing equipment . The equipment above described has however important drawbacks .

These drawbacks are connected to the structure of the half shells, which must always keep an optimal high temperature to avoid the release steam cooling exces- sively and therefore forming condensation and therefore excessive humidification of the products. For this reason, before any ironing process (at the starting of the machine) , the ironing equipment must be generally heated to allow the half shell to reach a determined temperature .

Such pre-heating is achieved by making empty trial runs with the equipment for a determined period. Because these empty trial runs, the half shells will reach the above mentioned optimal temperature and can start the ironing cycle of the textile product.

Therefore, the ironing operation became unduly lengthened due to these trial cycle runs which the ironing equipment must make to achieve an optimal condition. Consequently, the entire productivity of the product is affected and must be slowed, with loss of time, loss of energy and therefore economic loss . A further drawbacks is the excessive quantity of heat necessary to heat the half shell. Such a drawback is created by the fact that the^' half shells are very bulky, due precisely to the dimensions of- the same and above all by the thickness which these must have to cope with the high operative pressures. Consequently, it is necessary to supply a high quantity of heat to bring the half shells to an optimal temperature and keep them at such temperature. Besides, it should be noted that the half shells are subject to notable heat losses toward the outside specially during the detachment phase of the same half shells. In fact during this phase, cold air enters in- side the chamber which besides cooling the half shells, condenses the steam creating water drops in all the equipment. Ironing equipment are know which are coated with a thermally insulating layer put on the outside surface of each half part. In this way, the heat dispersions

• of the half parts toward the outside are reduced with the consequent reduction of the pre-heating times and of the quantity of heat necessary to heat the half parts . However, such equipments fitted with an insulating layer have a very high cost, due to the big quantity of insulating material placed on the outside of the half parts and to the production difficulties of such a solution. It should in fact be noted that, as men- tioned above, the half parts could be of big dimensions precisely to contain any textile product, therefore a huge quantity of insulating material is required to cover the entire chamber. Object of the present invention is to resolve the problems encountered in the know technique proposing an ironing equipment for textile products capable of heating the steam chamber in a short time and to reduce to the minimum the energy consumption. In detail, the object of the invention is to put at disposal an ironing equipment for textile products in which the heat dispersions towards the outside become limited. Besides, it is a further object of the present invention to put at disposal an ironing equipment which is of easy realization and cheap. These object and others as well, that will appear better in the course of the following description, are substantially realized by an ironing equipment for textile products, comprising the characteristic expressed in claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages will appear better in the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an equipment for textile products, according to the present invention. Such description will be exposed in the following with reference to the enclosed drawings, supplied only as an indicative and, therefore, non limitative scope, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a prospective and schematic view of an ironing machine incorporating an ironing equipment ac- cording to the present invention; - Fig. 2 shows a prospective view of the ironing equipment for textile products in a first operative condition;

- Fig. 2b shows a prospective view of the ironing equipment per textile products in a second operative condition;

- Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the ironing equipment with some parts taken out in order to make others more evident . With reference to the said figure, the ironing equipment according to the invention is globally indicated with number 1.

As illustrated in figure 1, the equipment 1 finds its advantageous use in an ironing machine 2 of textile products 3 as for example stockings. It should be specified that, for better clarity, in this description that follows reference is made exclusively to an ironing machine 2 for textile products 3 which are represented by stockings . However, the present invention finds its advantageous use with any textile product 3 of any type and dimensions. For this reason, even though in the description and in the enclosed figures, reference will be made exclusively to a textile products constituted of a stocking, the ironing machine 2 and the ironing equipment 1 could be used to iron any textile product. As shown in figure 1, the machine 2 is made up of a table 4 rotating around a respective vertical axis. The table 4 presents, in correspondence to its periph- eral development, a number of forms (not shown in the figure) substantially flat and defined, for example, by a plate of metal material, typically aluminum. The textile product 3 to be subjected to the operative phases of the ironing machine 2, is fitted by sliding it over the form.

As described previously, the ironing machine 2 of know type and therefore not further described in detail, might be constituted of a loading station 5 of the products 3, one or more pressing stations 6, a remov- ing station 7 and an automatic unloading station 8. Besides, the machine 2 presents the above mentioned ironing equipment 1 defined between the loading station 5 and that for unloading 7, advantageously after the loading station 5. In this way, the table 4 car- ries along a predefined circular path, the textile products 3 through the said working stations and through the ironing equipment 1.

In details, the equipment 1 comprises a steam chamber 9 inside which is defined an housing compartment 10 of at least a textile products 3 to be humidified.

As shown in figures 2a and 2b, the chamber 9 , is advantageously supported by a frame 9a of a know type and therefore not further described and shown in detail. Trie frame 9a, being part of the ironing machine 2, is predisposed to carry the chamber 9 and to position it over the table 4, along the mentioned circular working path.

In more detail, the chamber 9 is made up of a first and a second portion 11 and 12, moving nearer or fur- ther away from each other between a first contact position in which they became associated to define a housing compartment 10 (figure 2b) , and a second detached position in which they became separated one from the other to allow the passage of the product 3 (figure 2a) . As it is better shown in figure 3, each portion 11, 12 constitutes a half parts of the chamber 9 and presents a substantially box-shaped form.

The portion 11, 12 present respective bottom walls 11a, 12a facing each other and presenting a peripheral development substantially rectangular. It should be noted that, each portion 11, 12 and in consequence also each respective bottom wall 11a, 12a presents a conformation substantially corresponding to the tex- tile products 3 to be humidified. As described above, for better clarity, portion 11, 12 of chamber 9 are illustrated and described having a shape corresponding to the illustrated textile product which is represented by a stocking. The portion 11 and 12 also present respective lateral walls lib and 12b, each of which extends transversally to the respective bottom wall 11a, lib. The lateral walls lib and 12b define peripheral contact edges 11a, 12c predisposed to connect between them in the respec- tive first position of the portions 11 and 12.

Advantageously, the peripheral edge 11a, 12c of each lateral wall lib, 12b presents a sealing gasket 13 to hold the steam inside the compartment 10 in the respective first position of the portions 11 and 12. Preferably, the gasket 13 is realized in silicone rub- ber .

In this way, the first and second portions 11 and 12 are brought near joining together the respective peripheral edges lie, 12c to keep sealingly closed the chamber 9 and to define the said compartment 10.

The equipment 1 also present a first and a second laminar element 14, 15 placed in the holding compartment 10 and respectively associated to the first and the second portion 11, 12. In particular, each laminar element 14, 15 presents a conformation like a plate and a peripheral development corresponding to the peripheral development of the said bottom walls 11a, 12a. Besides, each laminar element presents an external surface 14a, 15a facing each other and facing the textile product 3 inserted in the chamber 9. The laminar elements 14, 15 are realized in thermically conductive material, preferably metallic material . Advantageously, a first and a second thermically insu- lating element 16, 17 are foreseen, each of which is interposed between a respective laminar element 14, 15 and the respective portion 11, 12 of the chamber 9. In detail, always making reference to figure 3, each thermically insulating element 16, 17 present a first surface 16a, 17a associated to an inside surface 14b, 15b of the respective laminar element 14, 15 opposed to the above mentioned external surface 14a, 15a, and a second surface 16b, 17b, opposed to the first one 16a, 17a, associated to the respective bottom wall 11a, 12a. Preferably, also the thermically insulating elements 16, 17 present a conformation substantially plate-like and a peripheral development corresponding to the respective laminar elements 14, 15. In this situation , each portion 11, 12 has a respec- tive laminar element 14, 15 and a thermically insulating element 16, 17 interposed between the bottom wall 11a, 12a and same laminar element 14, 15. Preferably, the first and second thermically insulating element 16, 17 are realized in cork, properly treated to make it waterproof, for example through a vulcanizing process. However, the thermically insulating element could be realized in any material suitable to insulate the laminar element 14, 15 avoiding heat dispersion. Moreover, it should be noted that the first laminar element 14, the first thermically insulating element 16 and the bottom wall 11a of the first portion 11 present corresponding through holes 18 coaxial between them. The equipment 1 also present steaming means 19 associ- ated to the first portion 11 of the chamber 9 to supply a determined quantity of steam in the compartment 10. In particular, the steaming means 19 present a conduit 20 for the passage of the steam defining a first end 20a inserted in the container chamber 9, and a second end 20b placed outside chamber 9 and connected to a steam supply not described nor illustrated in the figures as it is of a know type. More particularly, the first end 20a of conduit 20 is inserted in the respective concentric holes 18 made respectively in the bottom wall 11a of the first portion 11, in the first laminar element 14 and in the first thermically insulating element 16. In this way, the first end 20a connects the said steam supply with the compartment 10 in the chamber 9. Besides, the first end 20a presents a diffuser 21a, itself also of a know type and therefore not further described or shown, placed in the compartment 10 to de- liver the steam diffusing it inside the whole compartment 10.

Between the second end 20b of the conduit 20 and the steam source, a control valve 21 is also fitted. Such control valve 21 is advantageously a regulating valve of the steam pressure predisposed to supply an optimal steam pressure inside the chamber 9. It should be specified that the regulating valve 21 is a valve of know type and therefore its internal functioning and the technical structure of the same valve will not be further described in details.

Such regulating valve is directly connected to the supply steam line and is advantageously controlled by the electronic control system of the machine to define in a precise way the working parameters of the steam chamber.

In such way, the steam chamber does not require the conventional systems of condensation such as tanks at the input and of conventional valves of traditional type . As it is advantageously shown in figures 2a e 2b, the equipment 1 presents also actuating means 22 of the first and second portion 11, 12 predisposed to move the same portions 11, 12 between the first and second portions . The actuating means 22 preferably consist of a pair of actuator 22a each one associated to a respective portions 11, 12 and to the said frame 9a and of an actuating and regulating electronic device of a know type and not shown in the enclosed figures . Preferably, such actuators 22a consist of pneumatic pistons having a fixed tubular portion attached to frame 9a and a mobile portion inside the tubular portion, associated to the respective portions 11, 12. Yet, the first and the second portion 11, 12 could be equipped with respective closing means 23 predisposed to keep the to portions properly locked in the respective closing portion. The closing part 23 could be constituted, for example, of a pair of levers 23a associated to the first portion 11 and mobile to engage in respective shafts 23b placed in the second portion 12.

In this way, starting from the position in which the chamber 9 is open and therefore trie first and second portion 11, 12 are in the respective second separated position, the rotating table 4 brings a respective products 3 between the portions 11 and 12. The portion 11 and 12 are therefore brought together forming the chamber 9 and the compartment 10 inside which is placed the product 3. When the first and sec- ond portion 11, 12 are in sealing contact, the steam is released inside the compartment 10 at a pressure determined by the valve 21.

In consequence, the product 3 is heated and humidified by the steam and the laminar elements 14, 15 also themselves lodged in the chamber 9 are heating. It should be noted that thanks to the pressure of the thermically insulating elements 15, 16, the laminar elements 14, 15 do not disperse the heat towards the outside and the first and second portion 11 , 12 are not excessively heated.

Successively, the first and second portion 11, 12 are reopened and the humidified product 3 is removed from the chamber 9. The invention achieves important advantages and reach the proposed objects.

First of all, it should be noted that the laminar elements keep a high temperature and the dispersions of heat are limited due to the non-conductive capacity of the thermically insulating elements 15, 16. Besides, due to the structure of the laminar elements 14, 15 these are heated with extreme rapidity and limited pressure precisely due to the limited oulkiness of the same laminar elements . In consequence, no pre-heating phase of the chamber 9 is required, given that the laminar elements 14, 15 need little time to heat and to reach a high temperature. Therefore, the equipment 1 could be used immediately, at the beginning of each ironing process. A further consequent advantage is due to the fact that, when the chamber 9 is opened to allow the pas- sage of the product 3, the laminar elements are not cooling, but rather hold heat anyway. In fact, in spite of the presence of the cool air entering between the two laminar elements, the thermically insulating elements limit the dispersion of heat towards the outside, that is to say towards the respective portions 11, 12.

In consequence of that it should be noted that the first and the second portion 11, 12 should not be heated due to the presence of the laminar elements which keep the heat. Therefore, the cold air will not condense on the external surfaces of the portions 11, 12 which are kept cold. Besides, it should be noted that a much lesser pres- sure is utilized to heat the laminar elements 14, 15 with the consequent energetic saving of the ironing process.

Such advantage is again referred back to the structure of the laminar elements which can be heated .more quickly and with less pressure due precisely to the limited bulk: that the same elements present. Finally, a further advantage is due to the structure of the equipment which became very simple, of easy realization and of contained costs due to the reduced quantity of the insulating material used.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Ironing equipment for textile products comprising:

- a steam chamber (9) defining a housing compartment (10) of at least a textile product (3) to be humidi- fied, said chamber (9) being constituted of a first and second portion (11, 12) , mobile between them in advancing and receding between a first contact position ±n which these became associated to define said housing compartment (10) and a second detached posi- tion in which these became separated one from the other to allow the passage of said product (3);

- actuating means (22) of said first and second portion (11, 12) of the chamber (9) to move the same portions (11, 12) between the respective first and second position;

- steaming means (19) associated to at least one of said portions (11, 12) of the chamber (9) to supply a determined quantity of steam in said compartment (10) ;

- characterized in that it comprises also a first and a second laminar element (14, 15) placed in said housing compartment (10) , respectively associated to the first and second portion (11, 12) and thermically insulated from said first and second portion (11, 12); said laminar elements (14, 15) presenting respective external surfaces (14a, 15a) facing each other and facing said textile product (3) inserted in the chamber (9) .

2. Equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it also include a first and a second thermically insulating element (16, 17) , each insulating element (16, 17) being interposed between a respective laminar element (14, 15) and the respective portion of the chamber (11, 12) .

3. Equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that said first and second thermically insulating element (16, 17) present a conformation substantially plate-like and a peripheral development corresponding to the peripheral development of said laminar elements (14, 15) .

4. Equipment according to claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that each thermically insulating element (16, 17) present a first surface (16a, 17a) associated to an internal surface (14b, 15b) of the respective laminar element (14, 15) opposite to said external surface (14a, 15a) .

5. Equipment according to any of claims 2 to 4 , characterized in that each thermically insulating element (16, 17) is realized in cork.

6. Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each portion (11, 12) of the chamber (9) present a conformation substantially box-shaped, and comprises: a bottom wall (11a, 12a) associable to a second surface (16b, 17b) of the respective thermically insulating element (16, 17) oppo- site to the first surface (16a, 17a) ; and a lateral wall (lib, 12b) transversely extending from the bottom wall (11a, 12a) and presenting a peripheral contact edge (lie, 12c) ; said peripheral edge (lie, 12c) of the first and second portion (11, 12) meshing in the respective first position of contact.

7. Equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each peripheral contact edge (lie, 12c) present a sealing gasket (13) to keep the steam inside said compartment (10) in the respective first position of the portions (11, 12) ; said compartment (10) being defined by the external surfaces (14a, 15a) of the laminar elements (14, 15) and by an internal surface of each lateral wall (lib, 12b) of the portions (11, 12) .

8. Equipment according to claims 6 and/or 7, characterized in that said steaming means (19) comprise: a conduit (20) for trie passage of the steam presenting a first end (20a) inserted in said housing compartment (10) , and a second end (20b) situated outside of said housing compartment (10) and connected to a steam source; and a control valve (21) situated between the second end (20b) of the conduit (20) and said steam source .

9. Ironing equipment, preferably according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said control valve (21) is a modulation valve of the steam pressure entering said compartment (10) .

10. Ironing equipment according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said, first end (20a) of the con- duit (20) is inserted in the respective coaxial holes (18) made respectively in the bottom wall (11a) of the first portion (11) , in trie first laminar element (14) and in the first thermically insulating element (16) ; said first end (20a) presenting also a diffuser (21a) situated in the compartment (10) to supply said steam inside the same compartment (10) .

11. Ironing machine, comprising:

- a table (4) rotating around a predefined circular path defined between a loading station (5) and ad un- loading station (8) of at least a textile products (3) ; and

- at least a support of a textile products (3) engaged on said rotating table (4) and mobile along said path;

- characterized in that ±t comprise also at least an ironing equipment (1) placed in said path between the loading station and the unloading station (5) , according to what has been described in any one of the claims from 1 to 10.