Abstract: A steam press has a movable upper member which includes a water port cooperating with an electrically energizable element and bottom disposed steam outlet ports. A fixed lower member is disposed below the upper member. The press also has a pump having a reversible piston and connected to a water reservoir. A direct current motor has a rotatable drive shaft reversible in direction to either cause water to be drawn out of the reservoir into the pump or to force water out of the pump to the water port.

Abstract: An electric steam iron has two heating elements (21, 41), each of high wattage. The elements heat the soleplate (20) and a water tank of a steam generator (40). The elements are connected in such a way that they cannot be switched on simultaneously. The quantity of steam which is delivered by the iron during ironing is regulated by an electronic circuit (FIG. 2) which controls the heating of the steam generator. The heating takes place in a manner in which the steam delivery varies depending on the steam requirements during an ironing cycle (FIGS. 4a-4e). The steam generator can be designed as a pressure tank in which a buffer stock of steam is formed during an interruption in ironing, so that at the beginning of an ironing cycle a large quantity of steam can be delivered and at the same time the soleplate can be heated up.

Abstract: An ironing machine for automatically ironing garments or other articles which are conveyed through the machine on hangers. The machine comprises an ironing zone to receive an article to be ironed and a heat applying means for applying heat to an article received at the ironing zone. The heat applying means is mounted on a shuttle which is movable relative to the ironing zone for traversing that zone. The heat applying means includes two opposed heat applying surfaces one disposed on each side of the ironing zone for contacting a surface of an article at the ironing zone and conforming to the surface contour thereof while traversing the ironing zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing cloth with a heated iron has a surface for supporting a cloth or other material to be pressed, one or more fans for moving air over the ironing surface by suction or by blowing and a switch for controlling electricity that drives the fan. The switch has a first capacitor which is disposed below and in front of the ironing surface. The switch is shaped to the outline of the ironing surface. A second capacitor having a semi-cylindrical cross-section is disposed between the first capacitor and the ironing surface.