Patent Publication Number: US-8112915-B2

Title: Upgraded ironing machine, particularly for ironing trousers

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention refers to an ironing machine, particularly for ironing trousers. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     It is common knowledge that professional ironing machines for ironing clothes are used in the industrial laundry sector or for industrial ironing in general. With particular reference to ironing the crease of trousers, machines are known which include a supporting structure of a horizontal resting surface for trousers and a press associated with the supporting structure that moves close to and away from the resting surface. 
     The press generally has a plurality of steam blow holes and is connected to a steaming system. 
     Before ironing, an operator lays the trousers on the resting surface, paying particular attention to laying them correctly in order to make the crease along the length of the trousers at the front and back of the legs. 
     To iron the trousers, the press is then lowered and put on top of the resting surface with the simultaneous emission of steam from the blow holes. 
     These known machines are not, however, without drawbacks, among which is the difficulty of the manual operation in positioning the trousers on the resting surface before they are ironed, which requires a considerable amount of time and labour. 
     Another problem with this embodiment is the fact it is impossible to iron well in the area between the crutch (crotch) and the waistband, meaning manual interventions are then necessary which wastes still more time and labour. 
     A second type of known machine entails a supporting frame with a compartment for housing a pair of vertical steam pressing plates, facing each other and moving to and away from each other. 
     A rigid ironing board covered with an appropriate transpiring material (e.g., fabric) is associated with the supporting frame, extending parallel to the plates and movable thanks to the action of actuator means from a position outside the compartment to a position inside the compartment, with interposition between the pressing plates. 
     Such machines also comprise supporting means to support a pair of trousers of the spring clip, hanger type or the like; the trousers are positionable with the legs extended along the opposite sides of the ironing plate, respectively. 
     Before ironing, an operator positions the trousers by hand on the ironing board. 
     The ironing board is then moved inside the compartment, between the pressing plates which come close to each other and steam iron the trousers. 
     Once the ironing board has been moved back into the position outside the compartment, the trousers can be removed for the next finishing phases. 
     Although these machines do partly simplify the manual operation of positioning the trousers on the ironing board, they still have some drawbacks. 
     The supporting means, in fact, have to be suitably adapted before ironing can be done to allow the correct positioning of trousers of different sizes, lengths, widths and styles with a waste of time and use of labour that all contribute to increasing the overall cost of the ironing process. 
     In addition, while ironing, creases are normally formed in the crutch of the trousers which have to be put right in subsequent manual finishing operations, costly in terms of time and labour. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The main aim of the present invention is to provide an upgraded ironing machine, particularly for ironing trousers, that ensures correct ironing also in the areas between the crotch and the waistband of the trousers. 
     Within the scope of this technical aim, another purpose of the invention is to simplify the operations of positioning the trousers before the ironing process. 
     Another object of the present invention is to achieve the above aims with a simple structure of relatively practical implementation, safe to use and with effective operation, as well as having a relatively low cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects described above are all achieved by the present upgraded ironing machine, particularly for ironing trousers, comprising a supporting structure of at least two substantially vertical pressing plates arranged so they are facing each other and moveable from a home configuration wherein the pressing plates are substantially a long way from each other, and a working configuration wherein the pressing plates are substantially close together, at least one ironing plate substantially vertical and interposable between the pressing plates in the working configuration, and at least one supporting element of at least one pair of trousers positionable with the crotch arranged by a lower portion of the ironing plate and the legs laid and extended upwardly respectively on the opposite sides of said ironing plate, characterised in that it includes emission means of at least one flow of air and/or steam inside the trousers and through the opening marked by the waistband of the trousers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear even more evident from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an upgraded ironing machine, particularly for ironing trousers, illustrated indicatively by way of non limiting example, in the attached drawings wherein: 
       the  FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of the ironing machine according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     With special reference to such figures, an upgraded ironing machine which can be used for ironing trousers has been globally designated by reference number  1 . 
     The machine  1  comprises a supporting structure  2  of at least two substantially vertical pressing plates  3 . 
     In particular, the pressing plates  3  are arranged inside a compartment V of the supporting structure  2  and face each other and are movable through the action of electromechanical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic means between a home configuration wherein they are substantially far away from each other, and a working configuration wherein they are substantially close together. 
     Usefully, the pressing plates  3  comprise internal metal sheets which are operatively associated with a steaming and/or suction system. 
     The internal sheets have the respective sides opposite each other with a plurality of holes for supplying/suctioning steam or air and have a covering in a transpiring material or, alternatively, have a plurality of transpiring holes. 
     The machine  1  comprises an ironing plate  4  which is substantially vertical and which is interposable between the two pressing plates  3 , parallel to them, in the above mentioned working configuration. 
     Particularly, the ironing plate  4  is supported by a framework  5  that is associated sliding horizontally to the supporting structure  2  along linear guides between an external position in which the ironing plate  4  is arranged externally to the compartment V and an internal position in which the ironing plate  4  is arranged internally to the compartment V, and is interposed between the pressing plates  3 . 
     The ironing plate  4  is movable between the first position and the second position through a vertical slit  6  defined on the supporting structure  2 . 
     The framework  5  comprises an upright  7  to which is fixed, in one or more points, one of the vertical sides of the ironing plate  4 , and a frame  8  which extends substantially horizontally from the upper end of the upright  7  and to which the top side of the ironing plate  4  is fixed in one or more points. 
     A pneumatic cylinder  9  is fixed, at one end, to the supporting structure  2  and, at the opposite end, to the frame  8  and is suitable for moving the framework  5  (and the ironing plate  4 ) between the external position and the internal position. 
     Usefully, the ironing plate  4  comprises an internal metal sheet having air suction means and covered with a layer made in a transpiring material, of the cloth type or the like or, anyway, with a plurality of transpiring holes. 
     The air suction means are made up of a plurality of suction holes distributed on both sides of the internal sheet and connected to a suction motor  10  fixed to the top of the frame  8 . 
     However, a different arrangement of the suction motor  10  on the machine  1  or the use of different suction sources cannot be ruled out. 
     The machine  1  comprises a supporting element  11  for a pair of trousers P positionable with the legs G extended on the opposite sides of the ironing plate  4  respectively. 
     Advantageously, the lower portion of the ironing plate  4  is shaped to define a housing cavity  12  for housing the crutch of the trousers P with the opening marked by the waistband C of the trousers P facing downwards and the legs G that extend vertically and upwards on the sides of the ironing plate  4 . 
     Similarly, the lower portions of the pressing plates  3  are shaped to reproduce the profile of the housing cavity  12 . 
     The supporting element  11  is arranged in proximity to the upper edge of the ironing plate  4 , it is shaped like a fork and comprises two projecting parts  13  that extend substantially vertically and downwards by the opposite sides of the ironing plate  4 . 
     The projecting parts  13  have respective fastening pins  14  to which a pair of hangers S are temporarily fixable associated with the free ends the legs G. 
     Alternatively, the supporting element  11  can comprise a pair of supporting clamps, of the pneumatic or electromechanical type, arranged on the opposite sides of the ironing plate  4  and suitable for closing tightly onto the hangers S or by the free ends of the legs G of the trousers P. 
     The machine  1  comprises automated gripping means suitable for holding the trousers P on the ironing plate  4 . 
     In particular, the gripping means comprise a first holding clamp  15  and a second holding clamp  16 , of the pneumatic clamp type, which are defined at the lower portion of the ironing plate  4 , in proximity of the opposite vertical sides respectively and which are suitable for closing tightly onto substantially opposite parts of the trousers P in proximity of the waistband C. 
     The first holding clamp  15  comprises a pair of small arms  17  hinged on a metal support by the lower edge and on opposite sides of the ironing plate  4 , on the side opposite that anchored to the upright  7 . 
     The small arms  17  are turnable simultaneously thanks to the action of respective pneumatic cylinders  18  and have the free end with plaques  19  suitable for closing tightly onto a rear portion of the trousers P. 
     The second holding clamp  16  comprises a pair of rods  20  substantially parallel to the board defined by the ironing plate  4 , arranged on opposite sides of the ironing plate  4  in proximity of the upright  7 . 
     The rods  20  are movable near to and away from the ironing plate  4  thanks to the action of hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical means and are suitable for closing tightly onto a front part of the trousers P. 
     However, different arrangements and/or different shapes of the first and second clamp  15  and  16  cannot be ruled out. 
     Usefully, the ironing plate  4  has a portion suitable for receiving the front part of trousers with a cross section substantially bigger than the portion of the ironing plate suitable for receiving the rear part of the trousers P. 
     In particular, the cross section of the ironing plate  4  is substantially growing from the external vertical edge towards the upright  7  to guarantee correct stretching of the trousers P and an arrangement of the legs G suitable for the correct realisation of the longitudinal creases along the length of the legs. 
     Advantageously, the machine  1  comprises emission means  21  of a flow of air and/or steam inside the trousers P through the opening marked by the waistband C when the ironing plate  4  is positioned inside the compartment V and the two pressing plates  3  are in the working configuration. 
     In particular, the emission means  21  comprise a blowing element  22  of compressed air and/or steam connectable, at one&#39;s discretion, to a compressed air generator or to a steam generator. 
     The blowing element  22  is substantially cylindrical and elongated in shape and has a plurality of air/steam outlet vents, aligned with one another, and an air/steam inlet vent. 
     Automatic selection devices, of the solenoid valve type or the like, allow the connection of the inlet vent to the compressed air circuit or to the steam circuit. The blowing element  22  is housed inside a small frame  23  with an end hinged to the upright  7  at the bottom of the ironing plate  4  and turnable, moving towards and away from the cavity  12  of the ironing plate  4  itself. 
     The small frame  23  has an emission opening  23   a  for the air or steam defined by the outlet vents of the blowing element  23  and a mouth  23   b  defined by the inlet vent of the blowing element  22  and connectable to the compressed air circuit and/or the steam circuit. 
     The emission means  21  also comprise rotation actuator means  24  for rotating the small frame  23  between a lowered configuration and a substantially horizontal configuration, wherein the flow of air emitted from the outlet vents of the blowing element  22  moves along a substantially vertical direction through the opening of the trousers P and towards the crutch. 
     Usefully, the rotation actuator means  24  are made up of a linear actuator, of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical cylinder type or the like, interposed between the upright  7  and a substantially median section of the small frame  23 . 
     Alternatively, the emission means  21  can comprise one or more fans associated with a heating element of the air flow, for example, of the conventional electrical resistor type. 
     In addition, the machine  1  has automated positioning means of the trousers P on the ironing plate  4  which comprise moving means for moving the supporting element  11  along a substantially vertical moving direction. 
     Particularly, the moving means comprise a sliding element  25 , of the trolley type, movable along the upright  7  thanks to the action of sliding actuator means  26 . 
     The sliding actuator means  26  are composed of a linear actuator, of the pneumatic cylinder type, fixed, at one end, by a bottom section of the upright  7  and, at the opposite end, to the trolley  25 . 
     An arm  27  is integrally associated with the trolley  25  and has a first section  27   a  that extends in a substantially vertical direction from the trolley  25  upwards and a second section  27   b  that extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the first section  27   a  and which has the supporting element  11 . 
     Particularly, the second section  27   b  is defined at the top with respect to the frame  8  and is shaped so as to reproduce at least partially the profile of the suction motor  10 ; the supporting element  11  extends vertically from an end of the second section  27   b  through an opening  28  on the frame  8 . 
     Advantageously, the automated positioning means comprise at least one detection device  29  for detecting the position of the trousers P with respect to the ironing plate  4  which is operatively connected to the moving means. 
     The detection device  29  is made up of a position sensor, of the infrared, ultrasound type or the like, and is associated with the upright  7  at the bottom of the ironing plate  4  and at the top with respect to the small frame  23 . 
     The machine  1  comprises a management and control unit, of a microprocessor system, PLC type or the like, which is operatively connected to the first and second clamp  15  and  16 , to the sliding actuator means  26  and to the rotation actuator means  24 , to the suction motor  10 , to the pneumatic cylinder  9  and to the automated positioning means of the supporting element  11 . 
     The invention works as described below. 
     First of all an operator hangs the hangers G, up to which the free ends of the legs G of a pair of trousers P are fixed, by the supporting element  11 . 
     During this procedure the operator arranges the crutch of the trousers P by the housing cavity  12  and stretches the legs G out on the respective sides of the ironing plate  4 , arranging them in an appropriate manner so the creases can be ironed in lengthwise, both at the front and at the back. 
     Subsequently, the automated positioning means, started by the operator, arrange the trousers P at a preset height on the ironing plate  4  for correct ironing depending on factors such as dimensions, size, model, etc. 
     In particular, the moving means move the supporting element  11  either upwards or downwards until the position sensor  29  detects the end part of the trousers P, in proximity of the waistband C. 
     Once the trousers are positioned, the operator fixes the trousers P to the first and second clamp  15  and  16  by a rear portion and a front portion of the waistband C respectively. 
     The subsequent start of the suction means (and of the suction motor  10  in particular) allows the adhesion between the ironing plate  4  and the trousers P to facilitate stretching of all parts of the trousers P and to allow the operator a more accurate control and a correct arrangement prior to ironing. 
     The operator can, at this point, start the automatic ironing procedure. Once the ironing plate  4  is inside the compartment V thanks to the action of the pneumatic cylinder  9 , the pressing plates  3  approach each other until they close on the ironing plate  4  in the working configuration. 
     A plurality of steam blasts are emitted from the supplying holes towards the trousers P and at least part of the steam, thus generated, is suctioned by the suction holes on the sides of the ironing plate  4 , thus allowing to maintain an optimum humidity level. 
     Preliminarily to the ironing phase and during the movement of the ironing plate  4  from the external position to the internal position, the small frame  23  turns and places itself in the substantially horizontal configuration and the blowing element  22  generates a flow of air or steam that causes the trousers P to balloon out in the area between the crutch and the waistband C. This ballooning stretches the fabric in this area, preliminarily and during ironing, and prevents unwanted creases forming. 
     After a predetermined interval of time, the pressing plates  3  move away from each other back into the home configuration and the ironing plate  4  moves back into the external position. 
     At this point, all the ironing phases have been executed and the operator can remove the trousers from the first and second clamp  15  and  16  and from the supporting element  11 . 
     It has been seen how the invention described achieves the intended objects and, in particular, the fact is underlined that the presence of the emission means of the flow of air allows correct ironing without any unwanted creases even in the areas between the crutch and the waistband of the trousers. 
     This, plus the particular shape of the cavity and of the pressing plates, allows to obtain longitudinal creases along the trouser legs, both at the back and the front, even higher than is normally obtained with the machines of the known type. 
     In addition, the position of the trousers on the ironing plate, with the waistband facing downwards and the legs stretched vertically upwards, makes it possible to stretch the fabric of the pockets downwards when ironing, limiting still further the possibility of unwanted creases forming. 
     Another advantage is given by the presence of the automated positioning means which make it possible to simplify greatly the phases of preparing the trousers for ironing. 
     In particular, preliminary operations are no longer required by the operator on the machine suitable for adapting the supporting element to different types of trousers in terms of dimension, size, model, etc. 
     The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept. 
     Furthermore all the details may be replaced by other elements which are technically equivalent. 
     In practice, the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.