Abstract: A method of finishing garments that includes the steps of providing an endless conveyor that transports a plurality of garment forms mounted on respective carriages successively through a garment loading zone, a steam zone for applying steam to the garments, a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments as they pass through the hot air zone, a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air, and an unloading zone where the operator removes the garment from the garment form. A plurality of form rotating stations are positioned at predetermined locations relative to the zones that rotate the forms between a position aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor and perpendicular with the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method of finishing garments that includes the steps of providing an endless conveyor that transports a plurality of garment forms mounted on respective carriages successively through a garment loading zone, a steam zone for applying steam to the garments, a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments as they pass through the hot air zone, a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air, and an unloading zone where the operator removes the garment from the garment form. A plurality of form rotating stations are positioned at predetermined locations relative to the zones that rotate the forms between a position aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor and perpendicular with the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A garment finisher that includes an endless conveyor that transports a plurality of garment forms mounted on respective carriages successively through a garment loading zone, a steam zone for applying steam to the garments, a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments as they pass through the hot air zone, a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air, and an unloading zone where the operator removes the garment from the garment form. A plurality of form rotating stations are positioned at predetermined locations relative to the zones that rotate the forms between a position aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor and perpendicular with the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A laundry tunnel finisher including a tunnel providing a moisturizing zone therein having a non-linear conveyor pathway therethrough with curved portions adjacent the entrance and exit of the tunnel, at least one nozzle directed at the curved portions of the pathway, a hot water source supplying hot water to the at least one nozzle, a compressed air source supplying compressed air to the at least one nozzle, and a hot air source directing hot air into the tunnel, wherein hot water is atomized using compressed air and is sprayed through the at least one nozzle and mixed with hot air in the tunnel to raise the temperature in the moisturizing zone.

Abstract: A laundry tunnel finisher including a tunnel providing a moisturizing zone therein having a non-linear conveyor pathway therethrough with curved portions adjacent the entrance and exit of the tunnel, at least one nozzle directed at the curved portions of the pathway, a hot water source supplying hot water to the at least one nozzle, a compressed air source supplying compressed air to the at least one nozzle, and a hot air source directing hot air into the tunnel, wherein hot water is atomized using compressed air and is sprayed through the at least one nozzle and mixed with hot air in the tunnel to raise the temperature in the moisturizing zone.

Abstract: A laundry tunnel finisher including a tunnel providing a moisturizing zone therein having a non-linear conveyor pathway therethrough with curved portions adjacent the entrance and exit of the tunnel, at least one nozzle directed at the curved portions of the pathway, a hot water source supplying hot water to the at least one nozzle, a compressed air source supplying compressed air to the at least one nozzle, and a hot air source directing hot air into the tunnel, wherein hot water is atomized using compressed air and is sprayed through the at least one nozzle and mixed with hot air in the tunnel to raise the temperature in the moisturizing zone.

Abstract: A high efficiency triple pass tunnel finisher includes an articulated spraying function for allowing steam to effectively penetrate a garment. The tunnel finisher can be used for the laundering of shirts, pants, and jackets. The tunnel finisher includes hot air chambers and a steam chamber that can include two rows of steam injectors located at a 45° angle in relation to the walls of the module. The steam chamber has a lower pressure than the hot air chambers, creating an air pressure differential. The hot air chambers are positively pressurized, preventing the relatively cooler air of the steam chamber from entering the chamber. The pressurization prevents heat loss, allowing the finisher to be more efficient, while increasing the temperature at which the garments exit the steam chamber. This leads to faster drying times, less garment wrinkling, and reduced dwell time for a garment with a high quality appearance.

Abstract: A triple pass tunnel finisher for finishing fabric. The finisher includes a side module, a front module, and a rear module. The side module includes an entrance for receiving a fabric piece to be conveyed through the apparatus, and a steam injection chamber downstream of the entrance for treating the fabric piece with steam. The front module communicates with the side module to receive the fabric piece conveyed therefrom, and includes first and second hot air chambers, and an exit downstream of the second hot air chamber. The rear module communicates with the front module to receive the fabric piece therefrom, and includes a heating apparatus for heating the fabric piece, and a U-shaped intermediate hot air chamber downstream from the first hot air chamber and upstream from the second hot air chamber for receiving the fabric piece from the first hot air chamber and for delivering the fabric piece to the second hot air chamber.

Abstract: A garment pressing station is adapted for pressing a finished garment. The pressing station includes a supporting frame and a vertical press board carried by the frame. A hand-held iron is suspended from the frame, and adapted for engaging and pressing the garment on the vertical press board.

Abstract: An expandable tunnel garment finishing apparatus including a front module having an entrance for receiving garments on hangers for being conveyed through the apparatus, an initial treatment zone downstream from the entrance for treating the garments with steam and heat, a final treatment zone downstream from the initial treatment zone for treating the garments with hot air, and an exit downstream from the final treatment zone and adjacent the entrance through which the finished garments exit the finishing apparatus. The finishing apparatus also includes a rear module communicating with the front module for receiving garments conveyed therefrom. The rear module includes a heating apparatus for heating the garments, and a U-shaped intermediate treatment zone downstream from the initial treatment zone and upstream from the final treatment zone for receiving the garments from the initial treatment zone and for delivering the garments to the final treatment zone and the exit of the front module.

Abstract: A trouser presser (10) includes a pair of front waist bucks (40) having front and opposing side surfaces for receiving and engaging the front torso part of a pair of trousers. A pair of rear waist bucks (41) is provided having rear and opposing side surfaces for receiving and engaging the rear torso part of a pair of trousers, with the trousers encircling the front and rear waist bucks (40 and 41, respectively). An air cylinder alternately moves front and rear waist buck (40 and 41, respectively) relatively towards and away from each other to define a closed position where the trousers are held loosely and an open position where the trousers are held in a tensioned condition for being pressed. The opposing side surfaces of the front and rear waist bucks (40, 41) are parallel to each other and in the same vertical plane to collectively define opposing, planar pressing surfaces for opposite sides of the trousers.

Abstract: A trouser presser (10) is disclosed which includes a pair of front waist bucks (40) having front and opposing side surfaces for receiving and engaging the front torso part of a pair of trousers. A pair of rear waist bucks (41) is provided having rear and opposing side surfaces for receiving and engaging the rear torso part of a pair of trousers, with the trousers encircling the front and rear waist bucks (40 and 41, respectively). An air cylinder alternately moves front and rear waist buck (40 and 41, respectively) relatively towards and away from each other to define a closed position where the trousers are held loosely and an open position where the trousers are held in a tensioned condition for being pressed. The opposing side surfaces of the front and rear waist bucks (40, 41) are parallel to each other and in the same vertical plane to collectively define opposing, planar pressing surfaces for opposite sides of the trousers.

Abstract: Waste hot air from side chests a pair of (23) is reclaimed by an air blower (110) contained within a blower housing (111). When the waist expander assembly (20) on which a pair of trousers is mounted is positioned over a center buck (22) in pressing position, the waste air is fed through a duct (115) into the trousers, inflating them in order to remove wrinkles. When waist expander assembly (26) is forward of center buck (22) in its dressing position, air containing waste heat is compressed within blower housing (111).

Abstract: A trouser presser (10) has a waist expander assembly (20) and a leg expander (26) which are mounted for translation only movement to a point outside a presser frame (11) away from side chests (23) for dressing and removal of trousers from the waist expander assembly (20) and leg expander assembly (26). The waist expander assembly (20) is mounted on a pair of Thompson rods (51) slidably positioned in sliding mounts (52). The leg expander assembly (26) is independently mounted on a pair of Thompson rods (71) and slidably mounted in slides (72).

Abstract: Vertical side chests (23) for a presser (10) which include both heating means (81) and steaming means (88) positioned within each side chest (23). Vertically aligned, elongate slots (77) are formed in the pressing surface (75) of the side chests (23) thereby ensuring a uniform application of steam along the length and width of the trousers. Steam is applied to the trousers at substantially right angles thereto.

Abstract: A trouser finisher has independently retractable and extendable waist expander (20) and leg expander (26) assemblies which are mounted respectively, on pairs of spaced-apart Thompson rods (51 and 71). Each assembly moves in translation only movement independently and separately of the other.

Abstract: A trouser presser (10) having vacuum ports is (22b) positioned in the top surface of a center buck (22) to exert a vacuum force on the area immediately above the top of the center buck (22) in the region of the trouser crotch. A wire skeleton (61) spaces the crotch of the trousers above the top of center buck (22) to permit free air movement in the space between the crotch of the trousers and the vacuum means. A vacuum in the area of the trouser crotch assists in the steaming and drying of the crotch area during a pressing operation.