Patent GB-711772-A (GB)
Title: Improvements concerning presses for garments, fabrics, and the like
IPC: D06F71/38
Filed: 1950-01-24
Abstract: 711,772. Ironing presses; finishing fabrics. GRIMSLEY, G, F. Jan. 24, 1951 [Jan 24, 1950], No. 1832/50. Classes 42(1) and 138(2) A press for garments, fabrics and the like, having mechanical means for advancing the work stepwise to, between, and beyond two platens 1, 12 (Fig. 1) or 100, 101 (Fig. 4), is provided with pneumatic means acting in timed relation with the advancing means for moving one platen relatively to the other during a pause in the movement of the work, and valves pneumatically operable in timed relation with the advancing means for controlling the supply of steam and the connection of suction to one or both platens when the work is stationary. Pressing piece goods (Fig. 1). The work advancing means comprises an inter- . mittently moved conveyer 3 consisting of a pair of spaced roller chains 34 carrying an endless belt 36. The belt 36 may be composed of a top layer of canvas, a blanket, a layer of perforated asbestos sheeting and a bottom supporting layer of hessian: The conveyer chains 34 pass over pairs of sprockets 31, 32 mounted on shafts 33, and one of the shafts carries a pulley 37 which is driven .from an electric motor 38 through a belt 39. The conveyer is tensioned by jockey sprockets 40 mounted on spring urged arms 42. The upper run of the conveyer belt 36 is supported at each end of the buck 1 by a table 43, 44 composed of spaced flat strips or bars. The platens 1, 12 are-both hollow and provided with pipes connected to steam and vacuum sources. The platen 12 is connected by a piston rod to a piston in a cylinder 8, and is provided with counterweights to assist its upward movement. The platen 1 is supported by a framework of channel section irons 22 and bracing members 23. Automatic control means (Fig. 3). By. presing a start switch 99, a solenoid 63 is energized and a double armed switch 64 thereby closed. One arm of switch 64 directly controls the motor 38 driving the conveyer 3. Six equally spaced projections 60 on the conveyer are adapted to operate simultaneously two micro switches 61' (normally closed) and 61<2> (normally open). Opening of switch 61<1> breaks a circuit through switch 64 and a normally closed switch 62, thereby de-energizing the solenoid 63 and also stopping the motor 38. A return spring (not shown) opens switch 64, and switch 61' recloses as soon as the projection 60 has passed. Closing of switch 61<2> energizes a second solenoid 65 which closes a switch 97, thereby closing a circuit through a normally closed switch 96. This circuit maintains solenoid 65 energized when the switch 61<2> reopens as the projection 60 leaves it. The solenoid 65 operates a valve 66 to allow air from an input line 67 to pass through a line 68 to the upper side of a piston 9 to start moving the platen 12 downwardly. The movement of the platen 12 is slowed down when a lug on the platen engages an arm on an impulse valve 71. so allowing some of the air from 67 to pass through a branch 72 and line 73. The air from 73 reverses an automatic valve 76 to allow air from a branch line 77 to pass into pipes 78, 79 and operate one or more steam valves 81. This causes steam to be admitted to the upper and lower bucks and thence into the work. The valve 81 includes a piston forced upwardly by the air against an increasing spring pressure so that more and more air passes from 78 through a branch 82 and adjustable throttle 83<1> to an air chamber 84. Air pressure builds up here until sufficient to operate an unloader valve 95<1> which releases the pressure through a line 85 to another automatic valve 86. Reversal of .valve 86 admits air through pipes 87, 88, 92 to automatic valve 76 which cuts off the air supply to the steam valves 81, and thus terminates steam supply to the bucks. The valve 81 may be doubleacting instead of spring-returned. Air also flows through a pipe 89 and lifts the pistons of one or more suction controlling valves 91. Pressure then builds up in an air chamber 93 until an unloader valve 95<2> is operated and the valve 86 reversed. This cuts off air supply to the valve 91 and its piston 90 is returned by spring pressure to close the suction valve(s). As this happens exhaust air acts on a small plunger (not shown) connected to the switch 96 thereby deenergizing solenoid 65. Valve 66 is thus reversed, and air from 67 flows through a line 98 to the underside of piston 9, so opening the press. As the platen 12 rises it disengages the arm of valve 71, the arm being returned by a spring to its original position. On reaching its raised position the platen 12 closes switch 62, so that the conveyer can again be started by pressing the start button 99. The switch 62 prevents a continuous run of the conveyer when the platen 12 is down by opening the maintaining circuit of solenoid 63. Pressing lengths of fabric. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (not shown), illustrate a modified construction for pressing continuous lengths of material. The machine described is for pressing tubular fabric which is periodically forwarded to the pressing platens 100, 101, stopped on arrival, the upper platen brought down and held lowered whilst the steaming and vacuum actions take place and then the press is opened and the work moved on. The top platen is carried by an adjustable head 102 which has guide members 103 and is made to rise and descend under the action of air in a cylinder 147. The fabric to be pressed is drawn off a roll. 105 rotatably mounted on arms 106. The fabric passes over a driven roller 108, then over a wire frame stretcher (not shown) and is guided between a pair of upstanding spaced feed rollers 109. The fabric (110) is next drawn, between the platens by rollers 111, 112 the pull on the fabric being adjustable by varying the pressure of roller 111 on roller 112. After leaving the rollers 111, 112 the fabric can be wound up in a roll or disposed in layered folded fashion, both methods being shown in Fig. 4. Thus the fabric (115) may be wound up on a driven roll 116 removably mounted on brackets 117 or alternatively is passed over an upper roller 119 and threaded through a rocker arm 120 which reciprocates the fabric as indicated at 121. The machine is driven from an electric motor through a variable drive, and the feed rollers 109 are moveable towards or away from one another according to the width of the fabric. The starting, and stopping of the drive motor may be by hand or automatically by switch means (not shown) operable by the travel of the fabric or in . accordance with the movement of the feed means. Adjustable timing mechanism may be incorporated to give different finishes on the fabric. A measuring device may be attached and infra-red or other drying means may be provided.