With Fluid Flow To Or Through The Work Patents (Class 38/14)
  • Patent number: 11821137
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet that defines a treatment chamber, equipment configured to release at least one of hot air, steam, or cooled air into the treatment chamber, and a door that opens and closes the treatment chamber. A wrinkle removal module is pivotally mounted on a backside of the door. The wrinkle removal module applies a tension force to a first article of clothing in a first configuration and a compression force to a second article of clothing in a second configuration. The wrinkle removal module includes a base plate supported in a fixed position on the door, and a bi-fold panel assembly pivotally supported on the door. Panels of the bi-fold panel assembly include clips for clamping on portions of the first article of clothing to apply the tension force to the first article of clothing when the panels are pivoted relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Woosup Shin, Sungho Song
  • Patent number: 11346041
    Abstract: An improved locker seat includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls having a pair of lateral edges. A generally horizontal seat is disposed between the lateral edges of the sidewalls. In a first mode, an air source is connected to an airway formed within the seat to create an airflow. The airflow from the air source creates a first temperature differential to cool the seat. In a second mode, an external or internal heat source provides heat to a top surface of the seat, creating a second temperature differential to heat the seat. The first and second temperature differential are distributed across the top surface of the seat. The seat is hinged to be movable about the hinge between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Sam Allen, John Allen
  • Patent number: 11186942
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet having an entrance, a drawer comprising a drying chamber, a bottom surface, a front surface extending upward from the bottom surface, a rear surface to face the front surface, and first and second side surfaces to connect the front and rear surfaces. The laundry apparatus includes a first rack disposed in the drying chamber, the first rack comprising a first vent portion allowing a space above and below the first rack to communicate with each other, a second rack disposed in the drying chamber and positioned between the first rack and the bottom surface, the second rack comprising a second vent portion, a supply port formed through the rear surface, an air supply unit located outside the drying chamber, and a guide in the supply port to guide air to at least one of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoungmin Choi, Kwanwoong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11174589
    Abstract: This steamer head includes a body enclosing a steam distribution circuit and an air distribution circuit which are separated by a dividing partition, the steam distribution circuit including at least one steam inlet orifice intended to be connected to a steam generator and at least one steam outlet for diffusing a stream of steam, the air distribution circuit including a blower, an air inlet orifice and an air outlet for diffusing a stream of air, the at least one steam outlet and the air outlet being arranged at the one same end of the body of the steamer head. The steamer head includes a shut-off member that can be moved between a shut-off position in which the shut-off member closes off the air outlet and an open position in which the shut-off member uncovers the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Maxime Javit
  • Patent number: 10820965
    Abstract: An orthodontic system and method for aligning at least one tooth of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a patient. In the system and method at least one orthodontic appliance can be provided which may include at least one force exerting member for applying a force to move the at least one tooth, a tooth movement sensor for obtaining tooth movement data, and a tooth movement monitor for calculating at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and a current position of the at least one tooth from the tooth movement data. An electronic control console may be operatively connected to the force exerting member and in data communication with the tooth movement monitor, for controlling the operation of the force exerting member using the at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and the current position of the at least one tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Dror Ortho Design LTD
    Inventors: Tal Lotan, Shachar Ronen
  • Patent number: 10508383
    Abstract: Disclosed is disclosure clothing treatment device capable of effectively preventing odour from reabsorbing to clothing. A clothing deodorizing device includes: a bag body for accommodating clothing; an ozone supply apparatus including an ozone generator and a blowing fan wherein the air supply fan operates to deliver the ozone generated by the ozone generator into the bag body by virtue of the flow of the air; and a control part for controlling operation of the ozone generator and the blowing fan. After performing deodorization operation that enables the ozone generator and the blowing fan to operate, the control part performs reabsorption preventing operation that enables the blowing fan to operate intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Aqua Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nagai, Hazime Suzuki, Tomohiro Yamauchi, Katsuji Onishi, Osamu Tanikoshi
  • Publication number: 20140373402
    Abstract: An apparatus for steam ironing clothes is provided. The clothing steam ironing apparatus includes an ironing component with an ironing panel, steam ejection holes for ejecting steam to iron a clothing and air suction holes for generating a suck force on the clothing are provided in the ironing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yunfeng Zhang, Pinxuan Du
  • Patent number: 8915102
    Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus is disclosed. According to the present invention, the clothes-treating apparatus includes a steam spraying unit capable of preventing water condensed from steam from flowing into an accommodating space containing clothes and it has an improved steam spraying unit to enhance work efficiency when a worker assembles parts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Kwang Hee Lee, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi
  • Patent number: 8707591
    Abstract: The method for operating a multi-clothes styler system having a first styler and a second styler each with a hanger for applying vibration to clothes hung therefrom, includes an antiphase control step for controlling a vibration phase of a second hanger of the second styler to become an antiphase of the vibration phase of a first hanger of the first styler, if the first hanger of a first clothes styler and the second hanger of a second clothes styler are operated at the same time, and vibration frequencies of the first hanger and the second hanger are the same, whereby minimizing noise produced from the vibration of a plurality of hangers, and preventing the multi-clothes styler system from damaging due to intense variation to prevent a lifetime thereof from reducing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taechul Moon, Kayeon Kim, Ayeong Lee, Sogkie Hong, Junghwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8485003
    Abstract: Steam wrinkle-removing appliance including a steam-producing base in which the steam can freely flow out through a hose to a wrinkle-removing tool such as a steam brush, characterized in that the hose is connected to the base by a swivel connector fitted into an adapted housing of the base and in that the steam tightness of the swivel connector is ensured by at least one circular rib (122A, 124) borne by the housing or by the connector, the circular rib (122A, 124) being fitted into a corresponding circular groove (80, 81), respectively provided in the connector or the housing, the width of the groove (80, 81) being slightly greater than the width of the rib so as to result in a gap allowing the connector to rotate freely in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Rowenta Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Krebs, Jürgen Wenzlaw
  • Patent number: 8484867
    Abstract: A device for refreshing fabrics. The device provides fabrics with a crisp and fresh appearance and feel. The device also controls wrinkles on fabric without the use of a conventional iron or press. The device also allows for the delivery of fabric refreshing actives such as perfumes and other actives to fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Roselle, Laura Marie Tanno-Smith, Tara Lynn Armstrong, Helen Frances O'Connor, Morgan Thomas Leahy
  • Patent number: 8484868
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus which can make easy drying, deodorizing, crumple removal and sterilization of clothes, characterized in that laundry treating apparatus is provided with a hanger bar for receiving clothes hangers of different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Sung Min Kim, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong
  • Patent number: 8484860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus, which treats clothes into a more wearable condition. A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet; an accommodating space defined in the cabinet to accommodate clothes, and maintained in a stationary state; an air supplying device generating dry air and supplying the dry air into the accommodating space such that the dry air is circulated in the accommodating space, wherein the air supplying device includes an inlet provided at a bottom of the accommodating space such that the air in the accommodating space flows into the air supplying device through the inlet; and a filter assembly installed in the inlet, and filtering the air passing through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20130125428
    Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: a water reservoir (10), configured to hold liquid water; a heatable soleplate (20), including at least one mist outlet opening (22); water atomization means (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir so as to generate a mist of water droplets at a mist generation site (32) mist distribution means (40), configured to distribute the mist from the mist generation site (32) to the at least one mist outlet opening (22), comprising: a distribution channel (42), extending from an air inlet (46), along the mist generation site (32), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22); and an air flow generator (44), disposed in or adjacent said distribution channel and configured to generate an airflow that transports the water droplets, from the mist generation site (32), through the distribution channel (42), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Stephanus Tamminga, Johannes De Vries, Paulus Duineveld, Klaas Kooijker, Sepas Setayesh, Chee Keong Ong, Kok Wah Ma, Hee Keng Chua
  • Publication number: 20130125427
    Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: —a water reservoir (16), configured to hold liquid water; —a heatable soleplate (20); —at least one water outlet opening (24); —a water atomization and distribution unit (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening; —at least one sensor (40,42), configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron and to generate a reference signal reflecting said variable; —a control unit (50), operatively connected to both the water atomization and distribution unit (30) and the at least one sensor (40, 42), and configured to control a water outflow rate of the at least one water outlet opening (24) by controlling the operation of the water atomization and distribution unit in dependence of the reference signal generated by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Hotze Bernhard De Vries, Stephanus Jacob Gerardus Tamminga, Paulus Cornelis Duineveld, Peter Sofrides Viet, Sepas Setayesh
  • Patent number: 8407919
    Abstract: A method for the effective recovery of as large a portion as possible of the energy in the waste heat of a trough mangle (10) or other launderette machines. To this end, provision is made for a portion of the energy contained in the waste heat to be recovered by cooling the waste heat in a heat exchanger (14), with the waste heat being cooled to such an extent that it falls below the dew point and condenses, with the result that the energy released during condensation and at least a large portion of the energy from the condensate can also be recovered. In this way, it is possible for up to half the residual energy in the moist waste air from a trough mangle (10) and the waste gas from a heating device to be recovered and reused again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Patent number: 8296967
    Abstract: A present invention relates to a fabric treating apparatus including an inside cabinet which forms a treating chamber which the fabrics treated in, and a heating unit for supplying any one between hot wind and steam to the treating chamber, and a hanger rack disposed in the treating chamber, and a driving unit for generating rotary power outside the treating chamber and is disposed upper part of the inside cabinet, and a transmission unit for reciprocating the hanger rack by transmitting the rotary power of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Min Kim, Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim, Jong Seok Kim, Dae Yun Park, Hea Kyung Yoo
  • Patent number: 8151495
    Abstract: A supplemental clothes treating apparatus is disclosed. A supplemental clothes treating apparatus includes a housing which defines an exterior appearance thereof, the housing having an accommodation space where clothes are accommodated; a tensile force supply unit which applies a tensile force to the clothes accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing; and a hot air supply device which supplies hot air to the clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Shik Kim, Ho Il Jeon, Jong Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8136273
    Abstract: A fabric refreshing apparatus is provided. The refreshing apparatus may include a case, and a receiving compartment, provided in the case to receive fabric articles. The apparatus may also include a steam generator, a fluid supply tank, and a drain tank. The steam generator supplies steam to receiving compartment to steam the fabric articles. The fluid supply tank supplies fluid the steam generator. The drain tank collects residual fluid from the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Si Moon Jeon
  • Patent number: 8061066
    Abstract: A garment refreshing apparatus is provided. The garment refreshing apparatus includes a case, a steam generator, and a discharging device. The case stores garments. The steam generator supplies steam to the inside of the case. The discharging device is extendably connected to the steam generator, to discharge steam generated by the steam generator to the inside of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8037626
    Abstract: A cloth treating apparatus is disclosed. A cloth treating apparatus includes a cabinet comprising an accommodating space which accommodates laundry, a air supplying device which supplies hot air to the accommodating space, an opening unit which selectively opens and closes at least one hot air supply hole, the at least one hot air supply hole through which the hot air is drawn into the accommodating space and a control unit which controls the air supplying device and the opening unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20110173848
    Abstract: A steam brush of the present invention, it relates to a household appliance equipped with an electric heater. The steam brush of the present invention, the inside of its housing is disposed with a water tank, a water pump and an electric heating plate, a switch disposed on said housing is respectively connected to the external power line and the electric heating plate; wherein said housing is cylinder-shaped, a steam outlet surface is disposed on the top surface of said housing; a base seat detachably supports said housing. The steam outlet surface of the steam brush can be far away from the desktop, so it is relatively safe. Said steam brush can expand its functions, which can be applied as indoor humidifier, electric iron or cosmetic tool for facial steaming, it is multi-use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chien LIN, Chih-hwa Lee, Chien-Chih Pan
  • Publication number: 20110173849
    Abstract: The water-supply mechanism of the boiler in the garment steamer of the present utility, it relates to a water-supply assembly of a steamer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih PAN, Ruifeng Cai
  • Patent number: 7913419
    Abstract: A non-tumble dryer comprises a cabinet and a drawer configured to support an article to be dried and slidably mounted to the cabinet. An air supply system provides air to a drying chamber formed at least partially by one of the cabinet and the drawer for drying the article supported by the drawer. The non-tumble dryer can function as a pedestal whereby the top of the cabinet can be configured to support a laundry appliance in an elevated position. Alternatively, the cabinet can overlie one or more laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Tomasi, Robert W. Meyer, Matthew D. Rhodes, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Publication number: 20110068135
    Abstract: The upgraded ironing machine, particularly for ironing and drying garments, such as shirts, jackets or the like, comprises a bearing structure, a support element supported by the bearing structure and suitable for supporting a garment to be ironed, a steam or hot air supply circuit, emission means associated to the supply circuit and suitable for emitting a flow of steam or hot air for the ironing and/or drying of the garment, and suction means associated to the supply circuit for the suction and reuse during ironing and/or drying of at least a part of the flow of emitted steam or hot air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Carlo Barbanti
  • Patent number: 7870685
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of covering materials for use with a vehicle component, in particular for pieces of trim or vehicle seats, whereby the moisture content of the covering material is temporarily increased, such that the covering material is softened in a treatment chamber by the introduction of moisture and then smoothed by the action of a drawing force extending the covering material is disclosed. A vehicle component treated by the above method, in particular seats, roof linings, and trim pieces for motor vehicles is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Henry Wurm
  • Patent number: 7845197
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Leonard Automatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Neal Frushtick
  • Patent number: 7845037
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Leonard Automatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Neal Frushtick
  • Publication number: 20100058623
    Abstract: The invention is a steamer head, which includes a steamer body having a front face having at least one steam hole, the steam hole being in fluid communication with a steam chamber; and a crease panel assembly movably connected to the steamer body, the crease panel having a crease panel face, wherein the crease panel face has at least a portion in substantially parallel orientation to the front face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Juan Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20100043257
    Abstract: Steam wrinkle-removing appliance comprising a water tank (110) in direct communication with a steam-producing boiling chamber (60), said boiling chamber (60) comprising a heating unit (4) and a steam outlet (62) through which the steam can freely flow toward a wrinkle-removing element such as a steam brush, characterized in that the boiling chamber (60) is supplied with water from the tank (110) by means of several supply lines (70) with a small flow cross-section of less than 15 mm2, said supply lines extending lengthwise between an end (70A) opening into the tank (110) and an end (70B) opening into the boiling chamber (60) so as to generate head losses that limit the backflow of hot water or steam toward the tank (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Krebs, Reinhard Ahlers, Stefan Panten
  • Publication number: 20100037494
    Abstract: Steam wrinkle-removing appliance comprising a steam-producing boiling chamber (60) incorporated into a water tank (110), said boiling chamber (60) being in direct communication with the water tank (110) while being supplied with water by gravity via at least one supply line (70) extending from the tank (110), said boiling chamber (60) comprising a heating unit (4) and a steam outlet (62) through which the steam can freely flow toward a wrinkle-removing element (3) such as a steam brush, the tank (110) comprising a filling inlet (121A) in the upper part of the tank (110), characterized in that said steam outlet (62) is in direct communication with a hose (2) connected to the steaming element (3) so that the steam produced by the boiling chamber (60) is not diffused into the tank (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Krebs, Reinhard Ahlers, Stefan Panten
  • Publication number: 20090145007
    Abstract: Improved pressing machines for pants, in reference to FIG. 1B an upper portion pressing machine for pants. The framework (11) has a contour shape of the upper portion of a pair of pants, making it easier to drape the upper portion of the pants over the machine for pressing. In reference to FIG. 2B a pressing machine for pressing the inseams and out seams on the legs of a pair of pants. The pressing framework (42) is wider at the rear side and narrower at the opposite end, allowing relatively small and large pants to be pressed. In reference to FIG. 3C the pressing machine is to be used on creased pants. The framework plate (73) has an indention (74). The seams of a pair of pants are aligned with the indention, when the plate (73) is brought down, it will not touch the seams. The pants are left with no impressions or shiny marks. All three pressing machines have steam and vacuum valve connections and are manually operated, by stepping on the foot pedals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Mehmet Serif Aydin
  • Publication number: 20090133298
    Abstract: A supplemental clothes treating apparatus is disclosed. A supplemental clothes treating apparatus includes a housing which defines an exterior appearance thereof, the housing having an accommodation space where clothes are accommodated; a tensile force supply unit which applies a tensile force to the clothes accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing; and a hot air supply device which supplies hot air to the clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Shik KIM, Ho II Jeon, Jong Hee Han
  • Publication number: 20090119955
    Abstract: A garment refreshing apparatus is provided. The garment refreshing apparatus includes a case, a steam generator, and a discharging device. The case stores garments. The steam generator supplies steam to the inside of the case. The discharging device is extendably connected to the steam generator, to discharge steam generated by the steam generator to the inside of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Sog Kie Hong, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 7103996
    Abstract: An agitator mechanism for a clothes finishing cabinet provides a pendulum mounted hanger bar that may reciprocate under the application of a periodic force by an actuator without rigid connection between the cabinet housing and the hanger bar. Quiet operation is obtained by mounting an actuator motor directly on the hanger bar to be isolated by sound absorbing hanger support materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventor: Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 7032336
    Abstract: A portable automatic ironing press for trousers includes two housings each having a rectangular pressing ironing plate pivotally mounted on a base. A central dividing plate is rigidly connected to the base and has a cut in its top part located between the pressing ironing plates while at least one of the plates has a heating element. The base has a lower horizontal part and at least one lateral vertical part rigidly linked to each other. The vertical part of the base includes guiding elements and an extended shaft bearing an arm. In the base of the press are located the electronic control bloc, control board and at least one driving gear to guide the tools to open and press the pressing ironing plates and operate the extended shaft. The housing includes windows through which the lower part of the trousers can be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Exeq S.A.
    Inventor: Amir Khasianovich Bedretdinov
  • Patent number: 6925737
    Abstract: To improve a smoothing effect on items of clothing by subjecting the items to moisture and heat and, thereby, relaxing the fabric of the clothing items to reduce creases, an apparatus and a method of smoothing includes subjecting the items of clothing, preferably, in a heated and moistened state, to at least one gas jet, in particular, a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the clothing item and which exerts a force on the clothing item. Advantageously, the clothing item is subjected to gas jets from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin Bolduan, Wolfgang Proppe
  • Patent number: 6910291
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Leonard Automatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Carolyn Joyce Schwass
  • Patent number: 6910292
    Abstract: A clothes drying cabinet is provided with an internal compartment for receiving clothes and having a plurality of air inlet nozzles. An air plenum provides air to the cabinet through the nozzles. The plenum has a decreasing cross section from one corner to an opposite corner to provide a balanced distribution of air through the nozzles at a substantially uniform velocity. The nozzles are angularly oriented to direct air across upper and lower surfaces of shelves mounted within the drying compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis S. Prows
  • Patent number: 6792705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron device to be applied to ironing machine for ironing uncreased-trousers, the device comprising a supporting framework which supports an ironing head including trousers support elements as well as trousers bottom gripping elements, the ironing device further comprising a steaming drum coupled to a heating circuit for heating the trousers bottom gripping elements and a steaming duct coupled to the gripper elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Giovanni Cartabbia
  • Publication number: 20040154194
    Abstract: A clothes drying cabinet is provided with an internal compartment for receiving clothes and having a plurality of air inlet nozzles. An air plenum provides air to the cabinet through the nozzles. The plenum has a decreasing cross section from one corner to an opposite corner to provide a balanced distribution of air through the nozzles at a substantially uniform velocity. The nozzles are angularly oriented to direct air across upper and lower surfaces of shelves mounted within the drying compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis S. Prows
  • Patent number: 6363634
    Abstract: An apparatus for setting pre-formed creases of a pair of pants comprises a base, a pair of substantially horizontal parallel support members extending from the base. An upper crease blade is mounted to each of the support members and includes an upper applicator nozzle. Each of the upper applicator nozzles is connected to a supply of setting material. A lower crease blade is movably affixed via a mechanical assembly to each of the support member and also includes a lower applicator nozzle. Each of the lower applicator nozzles is connected to the supply of setting material. The apparatus further includes a pair of actuators connected to the mechanical assemblies that are adapted to independently controllably move each of the lower crease blades relative to the upper crease blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: James Patrick Hangley
  • Patent number: 6052928
    Abstract: A hat ironing machine having a multiple cam shaft which is actuated by a driving member to push a position controlling frame so as to cause two molding heads to jut out to facilitate the holding of a hat to be pressed. Two support bodies which are linked with both ends of the multiple cam shaft are at work to actuate two brim-holding structures to move toward the molding heads to hold the brim of the hat. The steam is then released through the steam holes of the molding heads onto the hat being pressed. As soon as the pressing of the hat is completed, the multiple cam shaft is once again actuated by the motor such that the brim-holding structures release the brim of the hat so as to enable the machine operator to remove the hat from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Yuan Yin Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 5970637
    Abstract: An automatic shirt pressing apparatus includes at least a loading station, a pressing station and a movable support upon which a plurality of shirt receiving bucks are mounted for movement between the loading and pressing stations. A buck vacuum supply arrangement is associated with each of the bucks. A movable vacuum supply tube is arranged to successively be removably connected to the buck vacuum arrangement of each of the bucks when the buck located at the loading station, to travel with each of the bucks to a pressing station while remaining connected thereto and to be disconnected from the buck vacuum arrangement once a pressing operation is initiated. A method of pressing a shirt using such an automatic shirt pressing apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: American Laundry Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Manohar Mohan, Sarupinder Gill
  • Patent number: 5815961
    Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus and method for subjecting clothes items to moisture, pressure and heat for refreshing and dewrinkling the clothes items. A cabinet defines an interior region for receiving clothes, the interior region having opposed inner side surfaces. A door is hingedly connected to the cabinet for closing the interior region. An inflatable hanger for supporting shirt-like clothes items is disposed within the interior region. A blower selectively inflates the inflatable hanger for pressing the shirt-like clothes item against the cabinet inner side surfaces. A steam generation means is provided for introducing moist air into the cabinet for humidifying the clothes item disposed therein. A heater and fan supply heated air into the interior region for drying the shirt-like clothes items disposed therein. During the dewrinkling cycle, steam is introduced into the interior region while the inflatable hanger assembly is periodically inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt A. Estes, Phalguni S. Roy, David Hung-Chih Chen, Kevin S. Maki
  • Patent number: 5636773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing a shirt comprising a shirt buck having a front and a back and opposite lateral sides therebetween and adapted to hold at least the front and back of the shirt in an orientation for being pressed, drive means to laterally move the shire buck between a loading zone and a shirt finishing zone, and a pair of chests positioned adjacent to the shirt buck at the shirt finishing zone, the chests being movable in pressing contact with a shirt on the shirt buck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Unipress Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Harrod, Charles E. Devrick
  • Patent number: 5148955
    Abstract: A shield for the inflatable side bags of both shirt and sleeve presser bag assemblies to substantially prevent the folding or pinching of the inflatable side bags during pressing. The shields are preferably fabricated from the same material as the body bag which is stiffer and less prone to folding than the side bag material. Folding and pinching of the inflatable side bags can be prevented when the shields extend to the point just past the point of maximum ballooning of the inflatable side bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Sheldon Company
    Inventor: George Cares
  • Patent number: 5123266
    Abstract: A clothes steamer which can be secured to a wall such as the wall of a hotel room, the steamer including a housing with a heating element in it. The element boils water which is in the housing and causes a flow of steam along a flexible hose to a nozzle. An audible warning device is provided for indicating that an adequate supply of steam is being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: David Tabraham
  • Patent number: 5075989
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and simultaneously ironing front, rear and top portions of a shirt comprises two vertical movable ironing plates therebetween there is provided a dummy bearing a shirt to be ironed, the dummy including an upwardly movable top portion and the ironing plates having two concave top seats negatively reproducing the profile of the top of the dummy, the apparatus further comprising gripping elements to automatically grip and transfer the ironed shirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Giovanni Cartabbia
  • Patent number: 5046335
    Abstract: It shall be achieved to design tunnel finishers with air rollers such that the replacement of the jackets of the air rollers is easily possible, even if the air rollers are arranged in the interior of a housing.In order to achieve this object the air roller is supported such that the axis (19) may be removed from one of the two bearings therefore such that the jacket (35) can be replaced via the removed free end.Such tunnel finishers can in particular be used in the clothing industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Gunther Riba