Method and device for ironing items of laundry

In band ironers, laundry items are moved along a pressing surface of a stationary ironer roller by an ironer band that entrains the laundry items, wherein the laundry items slide with slip along a lateral surface of the ironer roller. As the speed of the ironer increases, slip between the laundry items and the lateral surface of the ironer roller increases. When the desired ironing quality makes less slip necessary, the circumferential speed of the ironer band has to be reduced, and the throughput of the band ironer suffers. The invention is to drive the ironer roller in a circumferential manner wherein the slip between the ironer roller and the laundry items is adjusted in an arbitrary manner as a result of adjusting the rotational speed of the drive of the ironer roller and/or the circumferential speed of the ironer band without reducing the throughput of the band ironer.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2015 000 844.7 having a filing date of 27 Jan. 2015 and German Patent Application No. 10 2015 012 404.8 having a filing date of 24 Sep. 2015

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The invention relates to methods for ironing items of laundry, namely a method for ironing items of laundry, wherein the items of laundry are conveyed through an ironer gap between at least one ironer body and at least one circumferentially driven ironer band and are at the same time smoothed out, or a method for ironing items of laundry, wherein the laundry items are conveyed through an ironer gap between at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band and a lateral surface of at least one ironer body is heated with steam. The invention also relates to devices for ironing items of laundry, namely a device for ironing items of laundry, said device having at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band which is associated with the at least one ironer body and is circumferentially drivable, wherein the laundry items are conveyable through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band, or through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band associated with the same.

Prior Art

The ironing of all kinds of laundry items in both industrial laundries and in the household is effected using various devices. So-called chest ironers with at least one rotatingly drivable ironer roller and one semi-circular, heatable ironer chest associated with said ironer roller are used predominantly in domestic and industrial situations. Devices usually designated as band ironers which comprise at least one ironer body and at least one circumferentially drivable ironer band which is associated with the ironer body are also used.

The invention relates to band ironers. In the case of known devices of this type, the laundry items to be treated are moved along the stationary ironer body by the circumferentially driven ironer band. At the same time there is slip between the laundry item and the stationary ironer body. This leads to a smooth finish on the side of the laundry item abutting against the ironer body. The degree of gloss or the degree of smoothness of the finish can be influenced by adjusting the slip. If only a weak finish is desired, the slip has to be reduced, which can only be realized in the case of the known band ironers by reducing the circumferential speed of the ironer band. This reduces the ironer output. A further problem in the case of known band ironers is the heating of the lateral surface of the ironer body that comes into contact with the laundry items and forms a pressing surface. The feeding of the laundry items in the inlet region of the ironer gap is also a problem in the case of the known band ironers. The diverting of the ironed laundry items out of the outlet region of the ironer gap can also cause problems in the case of known band ironers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object underlying the invention is to create methods and devices which allow the finish-treatment of the laundry items to meet the requirements and the ironing to be economic and fault-free.

A first method for achieving said object comprises a method for ironing items of laundry, wherein the items of laundry are conveyed through an ironer gap between at least one ironer body and at least one circumferentially driven ironer band and are at the same time smoothed out, characterized in that an ironer roller, which is also circumferentially driven, serves as an ironer body, the at least one ironer roller as well as the at least one ironer band are circumferentially driven in such a manner that a relative movement between the at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band is generated along the ironer gap. It is provided according to said method also to drive the at least one ironer body in a circumferential manner by realizing the same as an ironer roller and to drive the at least one ironer roller as well as the at least one circumferentially driven ironer band in such a manner that a targeted relative movement between the at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band is generated.

It is provided in a preferred manner, that by adjusting the drive speed or rotational speed of the ironer roller or of the ironer band, where applicable, however, possibly also adjusting the drive speed of both the at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band, the relative speed between the respective ironer roller and the respective ironer band is able to be adjusted in the desired manner. As a result, the slip on the side of the respective laundry item pointing to the ironer roller and consequently the finish on said side of the laundry item can be adjusted in an arbitrary manner, in particular steplessly, corresponding to the requirements.

In a preferred manner, by adjusting the scope of the relative movement between the at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band, the slip between the laundry item, in particular the side of the same abutting against the ironer roller, with respect to the respective ironer roller is enlarged or reduced or, where applicable also momentarily completely eliminated, corresponding to the requirements. Said slip is able to be generated as a result of a lower or higher circumferential speed of the respective ironer roller in relation to the respective ironer band.

Another development option of the method provides that the slip of the laundry item in relation to the at least one ironer roller, in particular to the outside circumference of the pressing surface formed by the same, is generated by a drive of the at least one ironer roller which rotates slower in relation to the at least one ironer band which entrains the laundry item in a slip-free manner. As a result, the circumferential speed of the respective ironer roller is lower than the speed at which the laundry item, entrained in a slip-free manner by the respective ironer band, is moved along the ironer roller or its pressing surface.

A first device for achieving the object named in the introduction is a device for ironing items of laundry, said device having at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band which is associated with the at least one ironer body and is circumferentially drivable, wherein the laundry items are conveyable through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band, characterized in that the or each ironer body is realized as an ironer roller, the at least one ironer roller is also circumferentially drivable and the at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band are drivable in such a manner that they comprise a relative movement with respect to one another along the ironer gap. Accordingly, the at least one ironer body is realized as a circumferentially, rotatingly drivable ironer roller. The at least one ironer roller and the at least one ironer band, in this case, are drivable in such a manner that they run at different speeds along the ironer gap and as a result generate a relative movement with respect to one another.

The relative movement can preferably be generated by a drive of the respective ironer roller at an adjustable rotational speed, whilst the respective ironer band is driven at a constant rotational speed. It is also conceivable, however, to drive the ironer roller at a constant speed and instead to realize the drive of the respective ironer band such that the circumferential speed of the ironer band is adjustable. It is also conceivable to provide both the ironer roller and the ironer band with drives of adjustable speed and/or rotational speed. As a result of the adjustable speeds or rotational speeds of the at least one ironer roller and/or of the at least one ironer band, the slip between the respective ironer roller and the ironer band associated therewith can be adjusted, preferably in a stepless and/or arbitrary manner. As a result, the finish of the side of the laundry item associated with the ironer roller is variable, in particular adjustable corresponding to the requirements.

It is provided in a preferred manner to drive the at least one ironer roller in such a manner that the circumferential speed on the outside on the lateral surface of the respective ironer roller is faster or slower than the speed at which the at least one ironer band runs along the ironer gap or the at least one ironer roller. As a result, the slip between the lateral surface of the respective ironer roller and the ironer band or the laundry item associated therewith is adjustable in an arbitrary manner by the lateral surface of the respective ironer roller. Said slip can be negative or positive, that means that the respective ironer roller can be faster or even slower than the relevant ironer band or the laundry item entrained by the same in a slip-free manner. In this way, the throughput speed of the laundry item through the ironer gap of the band ironer can be maximum and nevertheless the slip between the ironer band and the ironer roller or the ironer roller and the laundry item entrained in a slip-free manner by the ironer band can be adjusted corresponding to the requirements.

An advantageous development option of the device provides realizing the outside surface of the lateral surface, that is to say the pressing surface, of the at least one ironer roller in a smoother manner than the surface of the at least one ironer band which comes into contact with the laundry item. This ensures that the respective laundry item is entrained in a slip-free manner by the relevant ironer band and that there is only slip between the side of the laundry item associated with the pressing surface of the ironer roller with respect to the ironer roller. For this purpose the pressing surface of the at least one ironer roller has low-adhering properties and is therefore realized in a relatively smooth manner. This can be realized in a different way, for example by means of a coating which realizes a smooth, low-adhering surface, produced, for example, from plastics material such as, for example, Teflon® brand of polymers, ceramic or chromium-plate. In contrast, the adhering properties of the at least one ironer band, at least the side of the same coming into contact with the laundry item, are produced by a rough woven fabric or a roughening of the ironer band or of at least the top surface of the same such that it obtains adhering properties, as a result of which the laundry item is entrainable in a reliable and slip-free manner by the respective ironer band.

A further method for achieving the object named in the introduction comprises a method for ironing items of laundry, wherein the laundry items are conveyed through an ironer gap between at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band and a lateral surface of at least one ironer body is heated with steam, characterized in that the lateral surface of the at least one ironer body or the lateral surfaces of several consecutive ironer bodies is or are heated with steam with a variable energy content. In this connection, this can also be a preferred further development of the previously described method. This method is characterized in that the lateral surface of the at least one ironer body is heated with steam with variable energy content and/or variable energy density. As a result, the entire lateral surface of each ironer body does not need to be heated with steam with a maximum energy density, for example saturated steam or hot steam. Thus, cooled or already expanded steam can also be used to heat another part of the respective ironer body or another ironer body. As a result of this method of operation, the energy of the steam can be used to the greatest possible extent to heat the respective ironer body.

It is provided in a preferred manner that part of the lateral surface of at least one ironer body is heated with steam comprising a greater energy content than at least the other part of the ironer body. Thus, it is possible to heat the part of the ironer body from which more energy is removed when ironing the laundry item in a more intense manner than a remaining part of the ironer body where not so much energy is required. A part of the at least one ironer body proceeding from an inlet side into the ironer gap is preferably heated with steam with a greater energy content than a part of the same ironer body proceeding from the oppositely situated outlet side of the ironer gap. In a preferred manner, different steam types are usable in this way in order to heat the one or at least another part of the respective ironer body, in particular the pressing surface thereof, in an appropriate manner. In a preferred manner, with reference to the pressing surface proceeding from the inlet region, the initial part of the pressing surface is heated with steam comprising a greater energy density than another part of the pressing surface at least following thereafter when viewed in the throughput direction of the laundry items through the ironer gap, preferably a part of the ironer body which extends up to the end of the pressing surface in the outlet region.

According to an advantageous further development of the method, it is provided to use live steam, preferably saturated steam or hot steam, as steam with a greater energy content or greater energy density, and already expanded steam, preferably so-called flash steam, as steam with a smaller energy content or lesser energy density. Expanded steam is in particular steam used to heat the initial part of the ironer body. Said steam is expanded outside the ironer body and is consequently prepared again as it were so that it is suitable for heating at least one rear part of the ironer body. Thus, the maximum possible energy can be removed from the steam for heating the respective ironer body.

It is also conceivable in the case of devices with several consecutive ironer bodies to heat the entire first ironer body with steam with a greater energy content or greater energy density and at least one entire subsequent ironer body with already expanded steam from the first ironer body, that is to say steam with a lesser energy content or lesser energy density.

A preferred development variant of the method provides that the steam with greater energy content or greater energy density, in particular live or saturated steam, is removed from the heated first part of the lateral surface of at least one ironer body or an initial ironer body and is subject to an expansion or re-evaporation. The expanded steam generated in this case, so-called flash steam, is then fed again either to the other part of the same ironer body, preferably close to the outlet region, or to another subsequent ironer body. In this way, in a quasi cascade-like manner, the steam is expanded once or, where applicable, several times for heating different parts of the same ironer body or different consecutive ironer bodies. The energy of the steam, in this case, is made use of for the most part. This results in one or also several ironer bodies being heated in a particularly economic manner.

A further device for achieving the object named in the introduction comprises a device for ironing items of laundry, said device having at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band which is associated with the at least one ironer body and is circumferentially drivable, wherein the items of laundry are conveyable through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band associated with the same, characterized in that the lateral surface of at least one ironer body, defining the ironer gap on one side, has associated therewith two separate cavities, which follow one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the ironer gap, for heat carriers for heating the ironer body or, in the case of several consecutive ironer bodies, the cavities of the individual ironer bodies are suppliable with steam with a variable energy content. Said device can also be a preferred further development of the previously described device. In the case of this device, it is provided for the lateral surface defining the ironer gap of at least one ironer body to have associated therewith at least two separate cavities, which are consecutive in the longitudinal direction of the ironer gap, for heat carriers for heating the ironer body. Accordingly, in an initial region of the ironer gap the lateral surface of the at least one ironer body can be heated with a certain energy density with a heat carrier which flows through said cavity and at least one region of the ironer gap following thereafter can be heated in another separate cavity of the ironer body with another heat carrier or a heat carrier which comprises a lower energy density. The separate cavities of the respective ironer body following one after another in the ironing direction allow for selective heating of ironer gap. This can occur with different heat carriers, but also with the same heat carrier from which part of the energy has already been removed in the preceding cavity for heating the part of the lateral surface of the ironer body associated therewith. Thus it is possible, making the greatest possible use of the energy in the heat carrier, preferably steam, to heat the pressing surface of the ironing body defining the ironer gap in an individual manner.

In a preferred manner, each cavity in the relevant ironer body is provided with at least one feed connection for feeding the heat carrier and at least one discharge connection for discharging the heat carrier. In this case, the feed connections are associated with a top region of the respective ironer body and the discharge connections with a bottom region of a respective ironer body. Associating the discharge connections in the bottom region of the ironer body makes it possible to discharge the steam utilized for heating together with condensate out of the respective cavity in the ironer body.

A further development option of the device provides associating a pipe which leads to a condensate separator and/or an expansion device with a discharge connection of a cavity which is traversed by hot steam or saturated steam, and associating a pipe for feeding expanded steam or flash steam to another cavity of the same ironer body or to another subsequent ironer body with the condensate separator or the expansion device.

In a preferred manner, it is provided that at least one cavity for live steam, in particular saturated steam or hot steam, has associated therewith a front part of the lateral surface of the ironer body which proceeds from the inlet region, whilst at least one cavity, separated therefrom, for expanded or flash steam is associated with a rear part of the lateral surface of the same ironer body which proceeds from the outlet region. In this way, the already expanded steam, which comprises less energy, is usable in a targeted manner at locations where the laundry has already been dried and ironed for the most part, whilst a large part of the energy is feedable to the laundry that is still moist and non-ironed in the inlet region.

As an alternative to this, it is conceivable in the case of devices with several consecutive ironer bodies, past which each item of laundry runs one after another, to heat the first ironer body completely with steam with a greater energy density, in particular live steam, and to heat the following ironer body with steam, from which part of the energy has been removed after running through a condensate separator and/or an expansion device. As a result, the subsequent ironer body is heated by the steam which has already been used to heat the preceding ironer body.

A further device for achieving the object named in the introduction comprises a device for ironing items of laundry, said device having at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band which is associated with the at least one ironer body and is circumferentially drivable, wherein the items of laundry are conveyable through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band associated with the same, characterized in that at least one inlet region of the laundry items into the respective ironer gap has associated therewith a feeding aid, the start of which in front of the inlet region is held at a spacing from the ironer band and the feeding aid projects into the ironer gap by way of a free end located opposite the start. In this connection, these can also be preferred further developments of the previously described devices. In the case of this device, it is provided associating a feeding aid, the start of which is held at a spacing from the ironer band and the free rear end of which, located opposite the start, extends into the ironer gap, with at least one inlet region of the respective laundry item into the ironer gap. The feeding aid consequently overlaps the ironer band in the inlet region such that a type of sandwich conveyor is created with two parallel runs. The respective laundry item is conveyed into the inlet region in a crease-free manner between said runs, namely the ironer band and the feeding aid.

In a preferred manner, the respective feeding aid is formed as a soft, flexible material strip or a flexible material web. It is preferably a material strip or a material web with good sliding properties. Thus, when the laundry item is introduced into the inlet region, the laundry item can be moved along between the driven ironer band entraining it and the stationary feeding aid located in the inlet region so that the laundry item is conveyed into the ironer gap in a reliable manner.

A preferred development option of the device provides fixing a front end, located just before the inlet region, in particular a front transverse edge, of the material strip or of the flexible, soft material web in a stationary manner at a small spacing above the ironer band. A type of feed funnel for feeding the laundry item, which is enclosed between the ironer band and the material strip or the material web, to the inlet region and start of the ironer gap is created as a result. In this way, a type of sandwich is created in which the laundry item, guided in a crease-free manner, is entrainable by the ironer band until reaching the start of the ironer gap.

A further device for achieving the object named in the introduction comprises a device for ironing items of laundry, said device having at least one ironer body and at least one ironer band which is associated with the at least one ironer body and is circumferentially drivable, wherein the items of laundry are conveyable through an ironer gap between the or the respective ironer body and the ironer band associated with the same, characterized in that at least one outlet region of the or of the respective ironer gap has associated therewith at least one discharging aid for laundry items that have been ironed. In this connection, this can be a preferred further development of the previously described devices. In the case of this device, it is provided associating at least one discharging aid for laundry items that have been ironed with the outlet region of the or of the respective ironer body and the associated ironer gap. The respective discharging aid serves for the purpose of discharging or separating the ironed laundry items from the ironer body and/or the ironer band when they leave the ironer gap. However, the respective discharging aid also serves for the purpose of directing the ironed laundry items in a reliable and above all crease-free manner to a removal conveyor which connects to the outlet region or into the inlet region of a subsequent ironer body. A discharging aid can also be formed, as the previously described feeding aid, by a flexible material strip. It is also conceivable to form the discharging aid or aids from a thin-walled material strip, preferably a flexible metal strip. In a preferred manner, the material or metal strip is to be fixed at the end of the ironer gap with a front transverse edge on the preferably stationary, that is non-rotatingly driven ironer body. As a result, in the outlet region the respectively ironed laundry item is able to be conveyed away from the outlet region in a reliable and crease-free manner under the influence of the material or metal strip.

A discharging aid can only be associated with one side or surface of the laundry items. Preferably, however, both oppositely situated sides or surfaces of the laundry items have in each case a discharging aid associated therewith. The laundry items, guided on both sides by the discharging aids, are then directed away from the outlet region and at a certain position are directed to a subsequent conveyor.

It is preferably provided associating at least one discharging means with a side or surface, preferably the bottom surface, of the laundry item coming into contact with the ironer band. The laundry item can then be directed to a subsequent conveyor and/or transferred to the subsequent conveyor by or on said discharging means. Said discharging means can be realized in various ways. For example, the discharging means associated with the bottom side of the laundry items can be a scraper or a baffle plate for mechanically guiding the ironed laundry items or can be formed by preferably several air nozzles for discharging the laundry items from the outlet region in a pneumatically guided manner. It is also conceivable for the discharging means associated with the bottom surface of the laundry items to be formed by preferably several brushes in, particular rotating brushes, which are arranged next to one another. The brushes, but also the other conceivable discharging means, serve above all for the purpose of detaching or separating the ironed laundry items, which abut against the ironer band with their bottom surfaces, from the ironer band in the outlet region before the laundry items are directed by the discharging means to the following conveyor and/or are carried or guided on the way to there.

According to an advantageous development option of the device, at least the surfaces of the material strip or of the material web which come into contact with the laundry items of both the feeding aid and the discharging aid are provided with good sliding properties and/or are realized in a non-adhering manner, for example as a result of a coating produced from Teflon® brand of polymers. As a result, the laundry items are able to slide without a large amount of resistance along the surface of the material web or of the material strip that comes into contact with them when the laundry items, entrained by the ironer band, are fed under and/or beyond the material web or the material strip to the ironer gap or are conveyed away out of the ironer gap, although the material strip or the material web are preferably not entrained at the same time.

In a preferred manner, it is additionally provided to provide the outer lateral surface which comes into contact with the laundry item, in particular the pressing surface, of the at least one ironer body or of the ironer roller with non-adhering properties. In a preferred manner, the pressing surface of the ironer body or of the ironer roller is realized in a smooth manner so that the pressing surface comprises as small a coefficient of friction as possible. The outer lateral surface of each ironer body or of each ironer roller is preferably provided with a wear-proof anti-adherent coating which is formed, for example, from plastics material that comprises good sliding properties such as Teflon® brand of polymers or ceramic or chromium-plate. In contrast, the or each ironer band is developed such that at least the side of the same that comes into contact with the laundry item comprises adhering properties by being, for example, rough or roughened and/or comprising adhesive properties on the surface. This ensures that the laundry item is reliably entrained by the circumferentially driven ironer band, but is able to slide along the pressing surface of the ironer body or of the ironer roller with minimal resistance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The Figures show various devices realized as band ironers for smoothing out laundry items11, only one of which is shown inFIGS. 2 to 4. The band ironers can be used in industrial laundries, but also in the domestic sector. The laundry items11can be both flat items, for example table linen or bed linen, but also garments, for example clothing.

The band ironer10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2comprises a single, closed ironer body. Said ironer body is realized as a cylindrical ironer roller12. A cylindrical lateral surface13of the ironer body12forms a pressing surface. The ironer roller12of said exemplary embodiment is rotatingly drivable permanently or at least when required. The ironer roller12rotates then about a centric longitudinal centre axis14.

The wall surface13of the ironer roller12shown is realized in a double-walled manner. An outer wall is formed by an outer cylinder, on the outside surface of which the pressing surface is situated. An inner cylinder, which has a smaller diameter, forms the second wall of the ironer roller12. Between the outer and the smaller inner cylinder, there is thus a circumferential, ring-like cavity15in the ironer roller12, through which runs a heat carrier medium, preferably thermal oil in the exemplary embodiment shown, serving for heating the lateral surface13and consequently the pressing surface. Instead of the circumferential cavity15, however, several flow channels for the heat carrier medium can also be arranged in the interior of the ironer roller12. For example, such flow channels can be formed by so-called cushion plates. In this case, the flow channels are situated on the inside surface of the cylindrical lateral surface13, defined by a profiled inner metal sheet. The thermal oil can be heated by means of a thermal heater16which is arranged in the exemplary embodiment shown in the interior of the ironer roller12.

The band ironer10shown additionally has an endless ironer band17which preferably extends over the entire width of the ironer roller12. The ironer band17is associated with the outside of the ironer roller12. The ironer band17, in this case, is guided around a large part of the outside circumference of the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12, preferably around between 250° and 350°. As a result, a large part of the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12which serves as a pressing surface is wrapped around by the endless ironer band17.

The ironer band17in the case of the band ironer10shown here is guided around five guide drums18,19,20. One guide drum20which is arranged for instance next to the topmost position of the ironer roller12forms an inlet region21of the band ironer10. A second guide drum20which is arranged at a small spacing away from the guide drum20at the inlet region21forms an outlet region22of the band ironer10. Said guide drum20is arranged a little lower than the guide drum20in the inlet region21. As a result of a spacing between the two adjacent parallel guide drums20at the inlet region21and at the outlet region22, a narrow gap23is created between the same. Both guide drums20are preferably driven or drivable. The synchronous operation is produced by a frequency inverter circuit of its electric motors which serve for providing the drive. The guide drums18and19are not driven, that is to say they are freely rotatable about their longitudinal centre axis. Whilst the guide drums18and20are arranged in a stationary manner, the guide drum19is mobile such that parallel displacement of its longitudinal centre or rotational axis by means of, for example, pressure cylinders24at oppositely situated ends of the guide drum19is possible. As a result, the endless ironer gap17is tensionable.

The three guide drums18and19are arranged in three corner regions of a square. In contrast, the two guide drums20which are grouped to form a pair are arranged close to a fourth corner of the square; they do not close the square, however, due to the gap23formed between the guide drums20.

The length of the ironer band17is dimensioned such that, on the one hand, it wraps around the ironer roller12from the outside from the guide drum20at the inlet region21up to the guide drum20at the outlet region22by around between 250° and 350° and, on the other hand, runs around an approximately square-shaped track on the outside of the ironer roller12. The empty run or the return run of the ironer band17, which at the moment is not coming into contact with the laundry item11, is moved along said square-shaped track without contacting the ironer roller12. The other part of the ironer band17, which wraps around a majority of the ironer roller12, is formed by an operating run which conveys the respective laundry item10by entrainment along the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12which serves as the pressing surface, the laundry item11sliding along the pressing surface. The laundry item11to be ironed in each case being located, in this case, in an ironer gap25between the ironer band17and the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12.

The empty run of the ironer band17, which is guided approximately along a square, is surrounded on the outside by a box-shaped housing of the band ironer10. A suction pipe with a suction fan27is guided out of the housing26, as a result of which hot exhaust air can be sucked up out the interior of the band ironer10. Where applicable, the exhaust air can be prepared by removing energy from it, for example by means of a heat exchanger, which energy is able to be re-used somewhere else in particular in a laundry.

In a particular manner, the rotating drive is realized on the ironer roller12and is preferably matched to the drive for the circumferential ironer band17. At least the rotational speed of the drive of the ironer roller12is preferably steplessly adjustable. Where required, said drive can also be completely stopped such that the ironer roller12is then not rotatingly driven. It is also conceivable to drive the ironer roller12at a constant rotational speed and to adjust the drive of the ironer band17preferably in a stepless manner such that the circumferential speed of the ironer band17is adjustable. It is also possible to adjust both the rotational speed of the ironer roller12and the circumferential speed of the ironer band17. Accordingly, at least one drive of the ironer roller12or of the ironer band17is realized as an adjustment drive preferably with an infinitely variable rotational speed. Where applicable, the two drives can also be realized as adjustment drives.

The method according to the invention is realized by adjusting the rotational speed of the ironer roller12and/or the circumferential speed of the ironer band17. Accordingly, the speeds are adjustable in such a manner that the slip, which is produced as a result of a different circumferential speed of the ironer roller12and a different circumferential speed of the ironer band17, is adjustable, namely is able to be increased or reduced. For example, slip produced where the circumferential speed of the ironer roller12is faster compared to the circumferential speed of the ironer band17, is reduced by reducing the rotational speed of the ironer roller12. Where the circumferential speed of the ironer band17is faster in relation to the circumferential speed of the ironer roller12, the slip is reduced by increasing the rotational speed of the ironer roller12. The procedure is analogous when the ironer roller12is driven at a constant rotational speed and the circumferential speed of the ironer band17is adjusted instead. With the ironer band17running faster, the slip is then reduced by reducing the circumferential speed of the ironer band17. When both the rotational speed of the ironer roller12and the circumferential speed of the ironer band17are adjustable, the slip can be reduced or increased by adjusting the rotational speed of the ironer roller12and/or the circumferential speed of the ironer band17. In all the cases described previously, the slip is able to be eliminated completely, where necessary, by synchronizing the circumferential speed of the ironer roller12and the circumferential speed of the ironer band17.

By adjusting or eliminating the slip of the laundry item11in relation to the pressing surface of the ironer roller12, the surface of the laundry item11sliding due to the slip along the pressing surface of the ironer roller12and consequently the finish on the laundry item11can be adjusted corresponding to the requirements. If no slip is provided, identical surface conditions and consequently an identical finish or absolutely no finish are set on both sides when smoothing out the laundry item11. If, in contrast, slip is present, the surface of the laundry item11sliding along the pressing surface receives a finish. This is adjustable by increasing or reducing the slip by correspondingly adjusting the speed differential between the ironer roller12or its pressing surface and the ironer band.

The ironer band17is realized for the reliable, non-positive, in particular frictional entrainment of the laundry item11such that it conveys the laundry item11in the ironing direction28through the ironer gap25. To this end, at least the side of the ironer band17which abuts against the laundry item11is provided with a surface that comprises adhering properties and is preferably structured and/or rough. The lateral surface13of the ironer roller12which serves as the pressing surface, in contrast, is realized in a non-adhering manner such that the laundry item11, due to the slip which is present in the usual case between the laundry item11and the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12, is easily able to slide along the pressing surface. In a preferred manner, such a smooth and non-adhering pressing surface is created by an outer coating on the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12. Said coating can be formed from Teflon® brand of polymer or another plastics material comprising good sliding properties, from ceramic or also from chromium-plate. Such coatings are distinguished by the high level of wear resistance and are very smooth such that due to the slip on the pressing surface, the finish on the side of the laundry item11abutting against the ironer roller12is created. As a result of the non-adhering properties of the smooth pressing surface, an increase in the pressing surface which would otherwise be necessary during ironing is not needed.

In the embodiment shown, each laundry item11is deposited by a feed conveyor30of an input machine29on the empty run of the ironer band17, which runs over the ironer roller12, in front of the inlet region21of the band ironer10. From the outlet region22, the ironed laundry item11passes, for example, onto an input conveyor31of a folding machine32and is conveyed elsewhere thereon.

So that in the inlet region21the laundry item11passes distortion-free and/or crease-free into the ironer gap25, a feeding aid from the outside is associated with the ironer band17in the inlet region21. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feeding aid is realized as a soft, pliable material strip33with good sliding properties (similar to the pressing surface of the ironer roller12). When viewed in the ironing direction28or circumferential direction of the ironer band17, said material strip33is fixed on a stationary holding bar34with its front transverse edge in front of the guide drum20in the inlet region21. The holding bar34is positioned somewhat above the ironer band17for forming an inlet funnel for the laundry item11which has been placed onto the ironer band17by the feed conveyor30. The material strip33extends from the holding bar34around approximately half the circumference of the guide drum20up to into the ironer gap25. A rear transverse edge35of the material strip33ends just behind the guide drum20in the initial region of the ironer gap25(FIG. 2). The material strip33, which is smooth at least on the surface and is formed, for example, from a thin web or film produced from Teflon, is entrained in the ironing direction28—as long as there are not any laundry item11situated in the inlet region21—by the ironer band17, due to the adhering properties of the same, and in this case, clings to the ironer band17from the outside in the inlet region21. The laundry item11to be input into the band ironer10passes with its leading front edge36into the funnel-shaped inlet gap between the material strip33and the ironer band17. On account of the material strip33following thereafter and clinging to the ironer band17, the laundry item11, as it continues to approach the inlet region21, is enclosed in a sandwich-like manner between the material strip33and the ironer band17and, entrained by the ironer band17, is fed to the ironer gap25in the inlet region21. Because the material strip33ends in the initial region of the ironer gap25, the overlapping of the laundry item by the material strip33is eliminated here such that as the ironer gap25develops, the laundry item11passes between the ironer band17and the pressing surface formed by the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12(FIG. 2).

In the present exemplary, embodiment the outlet region22of the band ironer10has associated therewith a discharging means. This is also formed from a material strip37. The discharging means does not necessarily have to be flexible such that a thin metal strip, that is to say a discharge plate, can be provided instead of the material strip37.

The material strip37forming the discharging aid is fixedly connected at its transverse edge83, which extends parallel to the longitudinal centre axis of the ironer roller12, to the outer lateral surface of the ironer roller12or to another ironer body. As a result, said discharging means is only suitable for band ironers which are provided with a stationary ironer roller12or another stationary ironer body. Proceeding from the transverse edge83, the material strip37extends over part of the ironer band17, which is guided around the guide drum20, such that the laundry item11leaving the outlet region22is guided in the outlet region22through between the ironer band17and the material strip37away from the outer lateral surface of the ironer roller12to the conveyor which connects directly to the outlet region22, preferably the input conveyor31provided in the exemplary embodiment shown for conveying the ironed laundry item11further to the folding machine32. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown, the material strip37only extends up to the guide drum84of the input conveyor31which is positioned adjacent the guide drum20. The guide drum83can also be driven where applicable.

In the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 2, a short space85between the guide drum20in the outlet region22and the closely following guide drum84of the input conveyor31is bridged by means of a further discharging aid. Said discharging aid is formed in the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 2by a baffle plate86. The ends of the baffle plate86, which are arranged in a stationary manner between the guide drums20and84, end as closely as possible in front of the guide drums20and84. The baffle plate86is associated with the bottom surface of the laundry item11which comes into contact with the ironer band17such that the laundry item11is discharged from the ironer band17in the outlet region22from the end located close to the guide drum20at the tip of the baffle plate86. The laundry item11is then guided along the baffle plate86to the guide drum84and there onto a top run87of the input conveyor31.

Because, for entrainment by the ironer band17, the laundry item11adheres to the same in a stronger manner than to the smooth cylinder wall of the ironer roller12, the material strip37associated with the exposed top surface of the laundry item11can be omitted according to an alternative realization of the invention such that only the baffle plate86is provided as the single discharging aid. This applies in particular to band ironers10with the rotatingly drivable ironer roller12where a material strip37which is fixedly connected to the same cannot be realized.

FIG. 3shows an alternative exemplary embodiment for a discharging aid, associated with the bottom surface of the laundry item11, in the outlet region22of the band ironer10. Said discharging aid separates the laundry item11pneumatically from the ironer band17in the outlet region22. To this end, the discharging aid, in the case of the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 3, is formed by preferably several air nozzles89which are preferably arranged in a row extending transversely with respect to the ironing direction28, preferably uniformly spaced apart from one another. In a preferred manner, the air nozzles89are supplied with compressed air. However, it is also conceivable for one or several air nozzles89to be formed by at least one blower or to be supplied with air from at least one blower. The air jets of the air nozzles89are focussed or directed in a diffused manner onto an upper guide region of the guide drum20guiding the ironer band17in the outlet region22, in opposition to the ironing direction28. As a result, the air jets point against the conveying direction of the laundry item11. This results in the bottom surface of the laundry item11being separated or detached from the side of the ironer band17pointing to the same in a particularly efficient manner.

The air nozzles89are arranged in the space85between the guide drum20of the ironer band17in the outlet region22of the band ironer10and the guide drum84of the input conveyor31which is connected downstream of the guide drum20of the band ironer10. As a result, if the laundry item11is not detached from the ironer band17, an air cushion is also created in the space85by the air emerging from the air nozzles89and said air cushion carries, as it were, the respective laundry item11in the region of the space85and, as a result, the ironed laundry item11makes a flowing transition from the ironer band17to the top run87of the input conveyor31.

Also in the case of the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 3, it is possible for the flexible material strip37associated with the outer exposed side of the laundry item10to be omitted such that in the outlet region22only the pneumatic discharging aid associated with the bottom surface of the laundry item11abutting against the ironer band17is provided, preferably produced from a row of several air nozzles89.

FIGS. 4 and 5show a further exemplary embodiment of a discharging aid associated with the bottom surface of the laundry item11coming into contact with the ironer band17. Said discharging aid operates mechanically with bristles93. In the outlet region22of the band ironer10, the bristles93cooperate on the outside with the bottom surface of the ironer band17entraining the laundry item11through the ironer gap25, at the point where the laundry item11is to be transferred from the ironer band17for removal onto a subsequent conveyor, in the exemplary embodiment shown the input conveyor31of the folding machine32. At the same time the bristles93of the discharging aid convey the laundry item11, which is located thereon and has been separated from the ironer band17in the outlet region22, further onto the top run87of a following conveyor, in particular of the input conveyor31.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bristles93are associated with several, preferably identically realized brush rings90, such that they are directed radially outward. The brush rings90are associated with the guide drum84of the input conveyor31of the folding machine32which points to the guide drum20of the ironer band17. They can, however, also be arranged on a guide drum of another conveyor.

According toFIG. 5, the input conveyor31comprises several narrow belts91which are arranged adjacent one another with a spacing in between. All the belts91are preferably identical in width. In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing between in each case two adjacent belts91of the input conveyor31is in each case the same size, but somewhat smaller than the width of the same-width belts91. As a result of the spaced belts91, a space92, which has in each case a brush ring90associated therewith, is created between in each case two belts91. The respective brush ring90is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the outer cylindrical lateral surface of the guide drum84such that all the brush rings90circulate with the guide drum84by being rotatingly driven by the guide drum84. The brush rings90, in particular the lengths of the bristles93themselves, are dimensioned such that the bristles93project with their free end regions beyond the outside surfaces and the top run87of the narrow belts91guided at the guide drum84. In this way, the bristles93of the brush rings90can contact the bottom surface, the side of the laundry item11abutting against the ironer band17, and the lateral surface of the guide drum20without at the same time the belts91and the guide drum84touching the ironer band17(FIG. 4).

FIGS. 6 to 8show a band ironer38according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Said band ironer38is realized in principle in just the same manner as the band ironer10. Consequently, identical reference numerals are used for identical parts and reference is made to the preceding description of the band ironer10.

An essential difference between the band ironer38and the band ironer10is that the ironer roller12is not rotatingly drivable, that is to say it is stationary. As a result, slip is generated between the laundry item11and the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12, which serves as the pressing surface, when the laundry item11is conveyed by the circumferentially driven ironer band17through the ironer gap25. Said slip is only adjustable by means of the circumferential speed of the ironer band17. The ironer band17is realized in just the same manner as in the case of the band ironer10and is also guided in just the same way with guide drums18,19and20. The ironer band17has adhering properties for entraining the laundry item11, whilst just as in the case of the band ironer10, the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12is realized in a smooth, in particular non-adherent, manner. The inlet region21and the outlet region22are also realized in the case of the band ironer38in just the same manner as in the case of the band ironer10. In particular, material strips33,37are also provided in the inlet region21and in the outlet region22in the case of the band ironer38for feeding the laundry item11in a reliable crease-free manner at the start of the ironer gap25and for removing the ironed laundry item11out of the ironer gap25.

A further difference between the band ironer38and the band ironer10is that two cavities39and40, which follow one after another in the circumferential direction of the ironer roller12or of the ironer body, are formed in the preferably stationary ironer roller12or another ironer body, through which cavities a heat carrier medium, steam, is able to flow. Each cavity39and40extends over part of the circumference of the ironer roller12and consequently also over part of the pressing surface. As a result, the cavities39and40are arranged following one after another in the ironing direction28. Both cavities39and40together extend over the entire or at least almost the entire circumference of the ironer roller12or its lateral surface13. The cavities39and40are identical in width and extend namely in each case over the entire width of the ironer roller12.

The cavities39and40of the ironer roller12are formed by realizing the casing with a double wall. To this end, the ironer roller12comprises an outer cylinder wall41for forming the lateral surface13with the pressing surface and a concentric inner cylinder casing42. The outside diameter of the inner cylinder casing42is smaller than the inside diameter of the outer cylinder casing41, as a result of which the cavities39and40are created between the cylinder casings41and42. As a result of being formed from two concentric cylinder casings41and42, the cavities39and40comprise an identical thickness (when seen in the radial direction of the ironer roller12) over the entire circumference of the ironer roller12. The cavities39and40are separated from one another by continuous, radial partition walls43,44. The partition walls43and44can be formed in various ways, for example as a result of weld seams between two parts which extend in each case over part of the circumference of the ironer roller12, the partition walls43,44being created by weld seams for joining said parts at their transverse edges which extend parallel to the longitudinal centre axis14of the ironer roller12.

The cavity39proceeds from the gap23between the guide drums20, that is to say the start of the inlet region21. The cavity39extends over more than half the circumference of the ironer roller12, in the exemplary embodiment shown over between approximately 220° and 230°. In contrast, the smaller or shorter cavity40extends over a remaining circumferential region of between approximately 130° and 140°. The cavities39and40are separated from the partition wall44at the lowest point of the ironer roller12and directly adjoin one another here. The cavity40ends in the outlet region22where it is separated from the cavity39by the partition wall43. As a result, the cavities39and40also directly adjoin one another in the inlet region21and outlet region22, that is to say in the gap25between the guide drums20.

At the point where the cavities39and40meet one another in the inlet region21or outlet region22, each cavity39and40comprises in each case at least one preferably lateral feed connection45,46for the steam feed. At the point where the cavities39,40meet at the lowest point of the ironer roller12, each cavity39,40has associated therewith at least one lateral outlet connection47or48.

FIG. 8shows a schematic representation of a piping diagram for the steam feed to the ironer roller12and the steam removal. The ironer roller12with the cavities39and40and the feed connections45,46and the outlet connections47,48are shown symbolically. By means of a feed pipe49, live steam, in particular saturated steam or hot steam, coming from a steam generator is guided by means of the feed connection45approximately to the topmost point of the longer cavity39. Once the live steam has traversed the cavity39and in so doing has cooled down, the cooled live steam is directed via a discharge pipe50to a condensate separator51and from there further to a condensate flash trap52. An outflow pipe53leads from the bottom region of the condensate flash trap52to a further condensate separator54and from there through a discharge pipe56to a drain.

In the condensate flash trap52, the cooled live steam originating from the first cavity39is re-evaporated. Expanded steam, which in technical jargon is also designated as flash steam, is generated in this case. Said flash steam emerges at the top out of the condensate flash trap52and is fed to the ironer roller12again by means of a feed pipe55, to the feed connection46at the start of the second cavity40in the outlet region22. At the bottom end of the second cavity40, cooled flash steam emerges through the outlet connection48out of the ironer roller12. Said cooled flash steam is fed to a further condensate flash trap57by means of a discharge pipe58. From said condensate flash trap, the condensate, where applicable with residual steam, is directed via a discharge pipe58to the discharge pipe56leading to the drain or directly to the drain.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feed pipe49for live steam has associated therewith a bypass pipe59which opens out in the feed pipe55for flash steam or expanded steam to the cavity40or is guided directly to the feed connection46of the cavity40. In the bypass pipe59there is a stop valve, preferably a pressure-reducing valve60, by way of which, if required, live steam can be mixed with the flash steam, at a reduced pressure, when the valve is realized, as in the exemplary embodiment shown (FIG. 8), as a pressure-reducing valve60.

Due to the cavities39and40being arranged one behind another in the ironing direction28, in the case of the band ironer38the pressing surface of the ironer roller12is heated with steam with a variable energy content. A region of the pressing surface proceeding from the inlet region21is heated with live steam, preferably saturated steam or hot steam, which includes more energy. This is advantageous because the laundry items11entering the ironer gap25are still moist and the elimination of at least a large part of said residual moisture requires more energy than in the end region of the ironer gap25where the laundry items11are almost dry. Consequently, it suffices when in the cavity40associated with the rear part region of the pressing surface, steam with less energy, in particular a smaller energy density, is used to heat the pressing surface. By an initial part of the pressing path of the laundry items11through the ironer gap25being heated with steam with a greater energy density than a subsequent, preferably residual, part of the pressing path, the residual energy in the live steam, which has cooled on leaving the cavity39and is condensed in part, is still able to be used to heat the ironer roller12by, once the condensation has been removed and expanded, the expanded or flash steam generated being directed into the rear cavity40and there heating the pressing surface sufficiently in the rear part of the pressing path.

Devices for operating the band ironer10or38can be provided in the interior of the ironer roller12, for example a condensate heat exchanger or the like.

The live steam traversing the cavity39preferably comprises a pressure of in excess of 10 bar. In contrast, the flash steam fed to the cavity40has a pressure of less than 10 bar.

The band ironers10and38are shown in each case only with one single ironer roller12. Such an ironer roller can have a diameter of between 400 mm and 2.200 mm, depending of the desired performance and intended use of the band ironer. It is also conceivable to form band ironers from two or more than two consecutive and preferably identical ironer rollers12. These can be driven circumferentially as in the case of the band ironer10, preferably at an adjustable rotational speed or can also be stationary in accordance with the band ironer38. The heating of the individual consecutive ironer rollers12of such band ironers can be effected in just the same manner as for the band ironers10and38. In the case of band ironers with several consecutive ironer rollers12, it can be provided that just one single cavity15is provided in each ironer roller12for heating the steam. The entire pressing surface of the first ironer roller12is then heated with live steam and the expanded steam formed therefrom, preferably flash steam, is used to heat the pressing surface of the following ironer roller12. The inlet region21and the outlet region22in the case of band ironers with several consecutive ironer rollers can also be realized in just the same way as for the band ironers10and38.

Finally, it is conceivable to provide the band ironers38instead of with at least one stationary ironer roller12with other ironer bodies, for example non-round ironer bodies such as ironer bodies with oval, elliptical or similar cross sections, where applicable even asymmetrical cross sections.

FIG. 9shows a further exemplary embodiment of a band ironer61. The ironing principle of said band ironer61is the same or at least similar to that of the band ironer38. The band ironer61has two trough-like ironer bodies62and63which follow one another in the ironing direction28. The ironer bodies62and63are realized as two shells which are curved in the manner of a semicircle and in the exemplary embodiment shown are approximately the same size. In a preferred manner, the radius of each ironer body62and63is between 200 mm and 1.500 mm. The ironer bodies62and63are stationary like the ironer roller12of the band ironer38by being arranged in a stationary manner in a framework of the band ironer61.

The two consecutive ironer bodies62and63have associated therewith one single continuous ironer band64which is endless over the entire width of each ironer body62and63. The ironer band64is circumferentially drivable as in the case of the band ironers10and38described previously. In this case, the endless ironer band64entrains the respective laundry item11in the ironing direction28. This is also achieved in the case of said band ironer61by means of an adherent outside surface of the ironer band64which points to the laundry item11, by the side or surface of the ironer band14coming into contact with the laundry item11being roughened and made adherent in another manner. An upper run of the ironer band64, which conveys the laundry item11through the ironer gap25of each semi-circular ironer body62and63, has associated therewith an outside surface of both ironer bodies62and63which points downward and extends in a convex-trough-like manner. The ironer band64runs along one after the other under the semi-circular bottom surface of the first ironer body62and then under that of the second ironer body63following thereafter entraining the respective laundry item11. Two consecutive, semi-circular ironer gaps65are formed in this way between the ironer band64and the respective ironer body62. An empty bottom run of the ironer band64runs back under the top run of the ironer band64which is formed in the manner of a double semicircle by the two ironer bodies62and63.

An inlet region66of the band ironer61is situated at a front transverse edge of the first ironer body62where the respective laundry item11enters the ironer gap65of the first ironer body62when viewed in the ironing direction28. An outlet region67is situated at the end of the first ironer body62. An inlet region68for the second semi-circular ironer body63is formed at a small spacing behind this. An outlet region69, at which the ironed laundry item11leaves the last ironer body63and consequently the band ironer61in order to be supplied, for example, to the input conveyor31of a folding machine32, is formed at the end of the second ironer body63.

The inlet regions66and68of both ironer bodies62and63and also the outlet regions67,69of both ironer bodies62and63can have associated therewith material strips33or37which are not shown inFIG. 9. The material strips are arranged and realized in just the same manner as in the case of the band ironers10and38. The material strips at the outlet region67of the first ironer body62and of the inlet region68of the second ironer body63direct the laundry item11reliably from the first ironer body62to the second ironer body63following thereafter.

The single ironer band64of the band ironer61is guided about three top guide drums70and two bottom guide drums71in the exemplary embodiment shown. At least one of the guide drums70or71is rotatingly drivable, preferably the first or last top guide drum70. However, it is also conceivable to drive the first and the last top guide drums70in a synchronously rotating manner, the synchronous operation being produced by a frequency inverter circuit (not shown). The two bottom guide drums71and preferably also the middle top guide drum70are not driven and are consequently freely rotatable. One of the bottom guide drums71can be transversely displaceable and as a result can serve as a tensioning device for the ironer band64.

Each of the identically realized, semi-circular ironer bodies62and63of the band ironer61is realized in a hollow manner and has a semi-circular cavity74namely between two spaced apart, semi-circular plates. The outer plate72of each ironer body62and63forms a semi-circular pressing surface along which the laundry item11, entrained by the circumferentially driven ironer band64, is slidingly movable. For this purpose, the pressing surface of the outer plate72of each ironer body62and63coming into contact with the respective laundry item11is provided with a wear-resistant anti-stick coating which can be formed in the same manner as in the case of the lateral surface13of the ironer roller12of the previously described exemplary embodiments. The cavity74of each ironer body62and63is traversable by a heat carrier, for example a thermal oil or steam, as a result of which each ironer body62,63is heated, in particular the pressing surfaces formed by the outer plates72.

Insofar as the band ironer61, like the band ironer38, is heated with steam, live steam, that is to say hot steam or saturated steam, can be directed through the cavity74of the first ironer body62. The cooled live steam leaving the first ironer body62is, after preparation, preferably condensate separation and expansion, fed as expanded or flash steam to the cavity74in the second ironer body62in order to heat said cavity also, above all its outer plate72which forms the pressing surface. The feeding of both the live steam and the expanded flash steam is preferably effected at both top transverse edges of each ironer body62and63. The removal of cooled live steam and of the flash steam is effected at the lowest position of each semi-circular ironer body62,63, namely approximately in the centre. Guiding and preparing the steam can be effected in exactly the same manner as shown inFIG. 8in conjunction with the band ironer38. Reference is made to the associated description.

It is also conceivable to form two consecutive cavities in each semi-circular ironer body62,63like in the case of the band ironer38, said cavities being supplied with steam with different energy densities, preferably on the one hand live steam and on the other hand flash steam in order to heat, in each case, part of the pressing surface of each ironer body62,63.

The ironer bands17and64are realized in a structured manner at least on the side coming into contact with the laundry items11. Said sides consequently form an adhering surface and/or a friction surface for the laundry items11to be entrained in a slip-free manner by the circumferentially driven ironer bands17and64, the laundry items11sliding along the smooth pressing surface of the ironer roller12or of the ironer bodies62,63or slip being generated between the ironer bodies62,63and the laundry items11.

The structuring of the sides of the ironer bands17,64which come into contact with the laundry items11can be effected in various ways. In a preferred manner, it is provided that at least the surfaces of the ironer bands17,64coming into contact with the laundry items11are realized in a rough manner or are roughened. The roughness or roughening is effected in such a manner that the coefficient of friction of the side coming into contact with the laundry items is greater than that of the laundry items11to be entrained. As a result, no slip is generated between the respective ironer band17,64and the laundry items11when they are conveyed along the smooth pressing surface of the stationary ironer body or the ironer body which is driven at a speed deviating from the circumferential speed of the ironer bands17,64.

The ironer bands17,64can be realized with one layer but also with multiple layers. In the case of multiple-layer ironer bands17,64, the layer which comes into contact with the laundry items11is realized as an adhering layer or a friction layer.

At least the adhering or friction layer of the respective ironer band17,64is formed from a felt, preferably a coarsely structured felt or a needle felt. The felt or needle felt consists in a preferred manner of a heat-resistant or high-temperature-resistant material. For example, these can be synthetic fibres, for example aramid, glass fibres, carbon fibres or mixtures of such fibres. Also conceivable is forming the adhering layer or friction layer at least in part from natural fibres which have good thermal resistance or are treated in a corresponding manner.

The ironer bands17,64can comprise one layer which has a high tensile strength or comprises reinforcements to increase the tensile strength. However, it is also conceivable to provide the ironer bands17,64with reinforcements. The reinforcements are at least longitudinal stiffenings, but where applicable also transverse stiffenings which cross them. Said stiffenings, produced from, for example, high-tensile-strength, continuous fibres or strands, are preferably embedded in the material of the ironer bands17,64.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate alternative options for making the ironer bands17,64endless. Said options are explained below by way of the ironer band17.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 10, narrow end regions of the two ends of the ironer band17are connected by a splice and, as a result, the ironer band17is made endless in a flush manner. For this purpose, the two ends76,77of the ironer band17are chamfered on one side, that is to say brought to a point as it were. When seen from the side, as a result the ends76and77likewise are triangular in shape. The chamfering is effected in such a manner that the enclosed acute angle between the oblique side and the non-chamfered side in the region of the splice75encloses an angle of between approximately 10° and 15°. As a result, the chamfering is approximately 3 to 5 times as long as the thickness of the ironer band17. When the chamfered ends76,77of the ironer band17are joined together, there is a flush and/or seamless connection in the region of the splice75. The chamfered, oppositely situated ends76,77of the ironer band17are joined in the region of the splice75by means of needling, which is indicated symbolically inFIG. 10by means crosswise needling lines78. In practice, these are not quite as regular and can also be closer together or further apart from one another. In addition to needling, the chamfered surfaces of the two ends76,77can also be bonded. After needling, which is particularly suitable for ironer bands17which are formed at least in part from needle felt or another such felt, the joins of the ends76,77of the ironer band17located in the region of the splice75are at least as durable as the ironer band17outside the splice75. Furthermore, the join between the ends76,77of the ironer band17in the region of the splice75is no thicker than in the remaining ironer band17. As a result of making the ironer band17endless in the manner described and shown inFIG. 10, a seamless, quasi invisible and highly durable join is created.

FIG. 11shows an alternative exemplary embodiment for making the ironer band17endless. Here, two end regions79and80of the ironer band17are placed one on top of the other with overlap and are joined together in the overlap region. Said joining is also effected as a result of needling, which is effected perpendicular to the surface of the end regions79and80, and, where applicable, as a result additionally bonding the surfaces of the ironer band17which overlap in the end regions79and80. In order to flatten or to blunt the transition in the overlap region81, the top or bottom corner of the end region79and80are provided with chamfers82.

The overlap region81is shown inFIG. 11with approximately twice the thickness of the ironer band17. In practice, however, the end regions79and80are pressed together as a result of the needling such that after the needling the join in the overlap region81is thinner than twice the thickness of the ironer band17such that an approximately seamless join is created between the ends of the ironer band17which is made endless.

The features explained and described previously in conjunction with the individual band ironers can be combined together in an arbitrary manner. Thus, the features of certain exemplary embodiments of the band ironers can also apply to other exemplary embodiments of the band ironers or features which have been described in conjunction with one or individual band ironers can also apply to the remaining band ironers without this being mentioned in the preceding description.

LIST OF REFERENCES