Stretching Patents (Class 223/61)
  • Patent number: 11352737
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus is provided. The clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment includes a body including an accommodation space in which clothing is arranged, a spraying unit disposed in the body, and configured to spray at least one of steam and air toward the clothing, and a door disposed at the body to open and close the accommodation space, wherein a handle member is disposed on an upper surface of the body and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeongjoon Park, Jaeryong Park
  • Patent number: 9480355
    Abstract: An undergarment organizing device having a frame having an inner surface and outer surface, and a first, second, and third retention member that extend outwardly away from the inner surface of the frame, the first retention member having a first undergarment support surface, the second retention member located beyond the first retention member and having a second undergarment support surface, and the third retention member being located beyond the first retention member, having a third undergarment support surface, and being slidable in a direction away from the second support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventors: Renee Kimberley Manidis, Thomas More Manidis
  • Patent number: 9015971
    Abstract: The invention refers to an ironing aid and a device for safekeeping of ironing aids for smoothing closed tubular items of clothing. The object was to propose a solution in the application of which a wire frame shaped ironing aid is an integral part of the aid for thermal smoothing of items of clothing and better handling is ensured. The object is achieved by their insertion in a profile bracket provided with an adhesion means. According to the invention, several ironing aids can be combined with a profile bracket, at least one of the ironing aids having a loop-like rounding at its end. Furthermore, one of the ironing aids can have a slight kink at a right angle to its planar extension (FIGS. 1/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Christian Peitzner-Lloret
  • Patent number: 8607484
    Abstract: A pad system for facilitating treatment of a fabric includes a pad which is placed adjacent to a support surface, and fabric grips which secure the fabric against the pad. The fabric grips may be attachable to the pad. The fabric grips may be used to arrange the fabric on the pad and provide tension to the fabric to facilitate fabric treatments such as steaming, heating and/or pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rosenzweig, Dan Bilger, Dann Provolo, Peggy Lam, Eric Wall
  • Publication number: 20130165898
    Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Brian K. Rhodes, Suzanne M. Schmoker, Kimberly L. Ellefson, Julie A. Paveletzke, Kimberly M. Downs, Brent C. Otis
  • Publication number: 20130036623
    Abstract: A wrinkle-reducing clip is described for use in drying articles of fabric, such as clothing. The clip is applied to clothing during a drying process. The clip comprises a clip body and sliding tension clasp which holds the material within the clip during drying. The clip may be utilized with fabrics containing varying moisture-levels and with a variety of drying methods, such as a clothes line (e.g., air drying) to a conventional dryer. Also, the clip may be made from a variety of heat-resistant materials, such as plastic, and may comprise a number of shapes to accommodate any number of clothing styles, sizes, or wrinkle areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Lisa Kraetsch
  • Publication number: 20120292351
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inflatable object including a main body, a first bulge extending from the main body and a second bulge extending from the main body. The inflatable object is receivable within a pair of pants such that the first and second bulges are each configured to expand within a thigh portion of the pair of pants and the main body is configured to expand within a hip portion of the pair of pants. Further, the inflatable object is made of an impermeable, elastic material that is capable of enduring a pressure that will stretch the pair of pants such that the pair of pants retains its stretched dimensions after deflation of the inflatable object. Furthermore, a method for expanding pants is disclosed that includes inserting an inflatable object within a garment, inflating the inflatable object, retaining the inflatable object within the garment, and stretching the garment with the inflatable object such that the garment retains its stretched dimensions after deflation of the inflatable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Michael L. Travis
  • Patent number: 8042462
    Abstract: A sliding T-shirts printing pallet comprises a main body, two sliding arm plates, and two stretching bump portions. Each of two sliding arm plates is connected to a shoulder blade side of the main body and to slide along the shoulder blade side. The two stretching bump portions are for flattening an armpit portion of the T-shirts. The front surfaces of the two sliding arm plates are aligned with the front surfaces of the parallelogram top portion and the rectangular bottom portion of the main body so as to form a single plane. Each of the two sliding arm plates defines first and second latch position when the sliding arm plate is slid upward or downward respectively. The sleeve side is roughly aligned with the flank sides of the rectangular bottom portion of the main body when the sliding arm plates are at the first latch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Johnny Un Hyong Kim
  • Publication number: 20100282785
    Abstract: A fabric treating system comprises an enclosure comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a fabric receiving space defined by the enclosure. The fabric treating system also comprises a support member positioned proximate to the first wall. The support member is configured to support one of a hanger configured to support a piece of fabric and the piece of fabric within the fabric receiving space. The fabric treating system also comprises a fabric tensioning system positioned at least on the second wall. The fabric tensioning system comprises at least a first fabric grasper configured to be attached to at least a first portion of the piece of fabric to apply tension to the piece of fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Roselle, Corey Michael Bischoff, Christopher Lawrence Smith, Markus Sabisch, Oliver von Sartori-Montecroce, Christof Kleemann, Stefan H. Hollinger, Benjamin Janes Beck, Robert Hans-Joachim Damaschke, Stephan James Andreas Meschkat, Heiko Ullrich, Douglas Arthur Marsden
  • Publication number: 20100224658
    Abstract: A shirt frame including a fixed frame installed on ground, a model installed on the fixed frame, for supporting a shirt, a front iron installed on the fixed frame and movable towards the model so as to iron a front part of the shirt supported on the model, a rear iron installed on the fixed frame and moveable towards the model so as to iron a rear part of the shirt supported on the model, a sleeve supporter installed on the fixed frame, for stretching a sleeve of the shirt supported on the model, and a lateral stretcher installed on the fixed frame and including at least one rods that are folded and unfolded in both directions with respect to the model so as to stretch lateral surfaces of the shirt supported on the model. The quality of an ironing operation is maximized, and an operating speed of a user is increased. Upper and lower surfaces of a sleeve of shirt are uniformly ironed, sleeves are easily supported, and thus creases of the sleeves are prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Yoon Sup CHOI
  • Patent number: 7337931
    Abstract: A garment stretching device comprising: a top T-member defined by a horizontal member and a vertical member, the vertical member having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along its surface; a top L-member defined by a horizontal member and a vertical member, the horizontal member and the vertical member each having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along their surface; a first bottom member defined by a top horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member; a second bottom member defined by a top horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member, the top horizontal member and the bottom horizontal member each having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along their surface, wherein the top T-member, the top L-member, the first bottom member, and the second bottom member are configured to adjustably interlock using the pluralities of notches in conjunction with corresponding locking mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Fits Again LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20080023879
    Abstract: A mechanical activation system has a first activation member, a second activation member, an activation zone, and a non-slip zone. The first activation member has a first plurality of teeth, and the second activation member has a second plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth is capable of intermeshing with the second plurality of teeth. The activation zone includes a first portion of the first plurality of teeth and a first portion of the second plurality of teeth. The first portion of the first plurality of teeth and the first portion of the second plurality of teeth include teeth having continuous tips. The first non-slip zone includes a second portion of the first plurality of teeth or a second portion of the second plurality of teeth. The second portion includes a tooth having a discontinuous tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Uwe Schneider
  • Publication number: 20070215654
    Abstract: A garment stretching device comprising: a top T-member defined by a horizontal member and a vertical member, the vertical member having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along its surface; a top L-member defined by a horizontal member and a vertical member, the horizontal member and the vertical member each having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along their surface; a first bottom member defined by a top horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member; a second bottom member defined by a top horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member, the top horizontal member and the bottom horizontal member each having a plurality of notches longitudinally disposed along their surface, wherein the top T-member, the top L-member, the first bottom member, and the second bottom member are configured to adjustably interlock using the pluralities of notches in conjunction with corresponding locking mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6868996
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for extending the side portions of the shirts put on the dummy toward a side. An object of the present invention enables the side portions of the shirts to be protruded toward the side strictly in compliance with the curved lines by a simple configuration without increasing its cost and further enables the body part of the shirts to be tensioned. The present invention is comprised of side pressing members arranged longitudinally at both sides of the dummy, and driving devices for protruding the side pressing members toward the sides of the dummy. The side pressing members are formed into a bow-like shape with their concave surfaces being faced to the side portions of the dummy. In addition, flexible wire members abutted against the inner surfaces of the side portions of the shirts are applied in tension in a chord-like manner at an upper end and a lower end of each of the side pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: San Kousha Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Publication number: 20030127473
    Abstract: The present invention provides a size restoring device for restoring the original size of collars, front plackets, and shirt cuffs using a relatively simple structure to achieve an effective and exact restoration. Also, the present invention provides a size restoring device having holders on a baseboard. The holders hold both ends of the fabric of a shirt's collar. The holders comprise a stretcher, which stretches the fabric by moving at least one of the holders in the stretching direction, and a stretch adjuster for adjusting the distance that the holder has moved to obtain the required measurements. The present invention restores the original size of collars, front plackets, and shirt cuffs which have shrunk after being washed or the like by stretching the fabric to the original size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Asahi Garment Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6500377
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a web, such as a web of interconnected disposable absorbent articles. The web is fed in a first direction to an activation system which includes a central disc and at least one outer disc. The central disc has a top surface and a pair of opposing side surfaces. The side surfaces of the central disc have activation tools located thereon while the outer disc includes complementary activation tools, The web is folded about the central disc such that a first zone of the web is positioned adjacent the top surface and a second zone of the web is positioned adjacent one of the side surfaces. The activation tool of the outer disc is then engaged with the activation tool of the central disc. The activation tool of the outer disc is then disengaged from the activation tool of the central disc. The activated web is then removed from the central disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Christoph Johann Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6431418
    Abstract: The present invention provides a folding frame and other devices for use in association with cases/luggage for folding clothes (240, 242) into compact packages for storage and/or transport. The frames have transverse bars that define curved transitions for smooth folding therearound, which avoid creasing of the clothing folded onto the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Smart Intellectual Properties Limited
    Inventor: John Pease
  • Patent number: 5597099
    Abstract: A garment waistband stretcher including a pair of identical, elongated stretching arms that are interlockable with a pivot pin and lockable in a stretching configuration with a locking pin. Each stretching arm is of a length about one-quarter (1/4") inch shorter than twice the smallest size waistband with which the stretcher is to be utilized and includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures spaced along the length thereof. A waistband clip is secured to one end of the stretcher arm for securing the waistband of a garment to be stretched. Each stretcher arm also preferably includes a finger loop at a second end of the stretcher arm opposite the waistband clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Shirley Sharp
  • Patent number: 5557870
    Abstract: A T-shirt mounting frame consisting of a plurality of corner members having right angle legs with holes in one of the legs and pins in the other of the legs so that four corner members can be assembled with each other to provide a quadrilateral frame, tabs on certain of the legs for retaining a cardboard backing member within the frame, apertures in the legs for securing adjacent frames to each other after they have had T-shirts mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Gerald H. Bergman
  • Patent number: 5490617
    Abstract: An abdominal binder stretcher comprising, in combination, a pair of rigid planar members having coplanar upper edges and coplanar lower edges with parallel exterior and interior edges. The planar members have front faces and rear faces. A pair of hinges couple together the interior edges of the planar members for pivoting about the axis of the hinges. A plurality of nails extend at right angles from the front surfaces of the planar members. The nail are in vertical lines adjacent to the exterior edges of the planar members. A pair of elongated support bars have a height essentially equal to the height of the planar members with exterior edges alignable with the exterior edges of the planar members and interior edges extending to an intermediate extent of the planar members and adapted to cover the nails. A pair of apertures extend through each elongated support bar and its associated planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventors: Roland F. Jochim, Dorothy M. Jochim
  • Patent number: 5450990
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stretching a tubular knitted article slipped on a support shape, comprising:--a device for picking up a limited portion of the article (4) fabric in correspondence of a side edge of the shape (5), holding said article and finally releasing it by way of an elastic, flat-nose, normally closed gripper (1);--a pneumatic cylinder (2) having a horizontal axis and its rod fixed to the base of said gripper (1) to allow it to be moved from and to the shape (5); --a cam (3) having double straight profile to operate the activation, that is, the opening and respectively the closing of said gripper (1) in cooperation with two pivots each of which is idly fitted into a corresponding jaw of the gripper (1) so as to result sideway projecting therefrom and thus engaging a relevant profile of the cam (3) during the activation of the gripper (1): the cam (3) being interposed between the gripper (1) activating cylinder (2) and the stocking (4) supporting shape (5);--an abutment element (6) interposed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Solis S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pier L. Migliorini
  • Patent number: 5385278
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for automated inverting and pressing of apparel components. A turning apparatus is provided for inverting run-stitched shirt collars or other apparel components and an automated pressing apparatus is provided for aligning a two-dimensional component so that a crease pressed therein will be located in the proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Frank W. Paul, Shlomo Avigdor, Kishore Subba-Rao
  • Patent number: 5292041
    Abstract: An adjustable elastic band inspecting apparatus comprising a supporting frame attached to a bench by a C-clamp, and an inspection holder connected to the support frame by a pivoting axle that enables the height and inclination of the inspection holder to be adjusted. The inspection holder further contains adjustable brackets symmetrically disposed and adaptable for elastic bands of various sizes. The brackets can be rotated by manipulating a locating bar to facilitate the inspection of two sides of elastic bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: China Textile T & R Institute
    Inventor: Shin-Chuan Yao
  • Patent number: 5263617
    Abstract: Arranged for positioning within a waist portion of a garment, the apparatus includes first and second plate members arranged for retraction and projection relative to one another, having a cam plate intermediate the first and second plates to effect the expansion and contraction of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Bernard E. Martin
  • Patent number: 5094369
    Abstract: A first arcuate band and a second arcuate band include a threaded rod and a ratchet rod, respectively, secured to one another by an adjustment block to define the operative elements of a hat stretcher. A pair of pawls, lockable in place, extend from the adjustment block to lockingly engage selected ratchet grooves of the ratchet rod and provide coarse adjustment. A threaded bore in the adjustment block threadedly receives the threaded rod to provide fine adjustment. Release and reengagement of the pawls with the selected grooves eliminates the need for readjustment of the hat stretcher between periods of use with a same sized hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Lester E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4811671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and folding a limp fabric piece (40) comprising transporting the fabric piece (40) in a stretched condition to foldable support (41), mechanically, sequentially gripping and stretching marginal portions (46) of the fabric piece (40) on each side of the fold line (51) of the foldable support (41) by means of selectively operable fingers (45), folding one section (50) of the foldable support (41) over the other, clamping overlapping marginal portions (46), unfolding the foldable support (41) while concurrently releasing fingers (45) from engagement with the fabric piece (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Pacific Dunlop Limited
    Inventor: Warren J. Hancock
  • Patent number: 4584952
    Abstract: A sewing device for sewing an elastic band to cloth. The sewing device includes a pair of spaced fingers slidably connected one with the other, a spring-loaded pin fixed to one finger's slide bar that cooperates with one of a series of holes in the finger's slide bar to hold the fingers in desired spaced relation, and a removable spring clip that cooperates with each of the fingers to hold an elastic band in connected relation with those fingers when desired. In use, and with the fingers spaced a minimum distance one from the other, the elastic band is laid over the fingers and connected thereto by the spring clips. The spring-loaded pin on one slide bar is then depressed to move it out of a hole in the other slide bar, the slide bars thereafter being moved relative one to the other until the fingers are spaced that distance which provides the desired stretch in the elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Dollie T. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4529109
    Abstract: Apparatus for stretching the neck of a garment includes a base shaped to fit within the yoke of a shirt or the like and a pair of upstanding members pivotally attached to the base. A turnbuckle is disposed between the upstanding members for adjusting the spacing between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Weldon Manning
  • Patent number: 4364495
    Abstract: The garment extender is used to stretch and size tubular portions of garments. The extender comprises three longitudinal bars, namely a first side bar, an intermediate bar, and a second side bar. The first side bar and the intermediate bar are fixedly spaced and secured to each other by vertically spaced cross bars. These cross bars have a row of engaging means on their upper surface. The second side bar has similarly spaced cross bars which are secured at one end to the second side bar and having a depending interengaging member at their other end adapted to interengage with any of the row of engaging means on the upper surface of the first-mentioned cross bars. The free end of these second-mentioned cross bars extend through openings in the intermediate longitudinal bar and may slide therethrough to provide a lateral adjustment of the second side bar with respect to the first two, and in doing so to accommodate garments of varying widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: Alice R. Walker
  • Patent number: 4136557
    Abstract: A panty hose testing apparatus in which a manikin conforming substantially to the lower portion of a human torso is provided with waist, leg, and hip portions for receiving thereon panty hose garments and the like. The garment is retained upon the manikin, during testing, by opposed clamp assemblies which engage the garment and manikin adjacent the waist portion, and a crotch member is displaceable longitudinally of the leg portions and applies a force to the crotch area of the garment sufficient to initiate seam damage or a tear in the garment fabric. A gauge measures the force necessary to initiate damage to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: Hanes Corporation
    Inventors: Cecil R. Bell, Jr., Walter R. Sizemore