Abstract: A machine for forming and ironing folds in cloth has a plate frame on which are fixed a support and pressure system, a template on which the cloth is put, a moving system for moving a blocking plate which blocks the cloth, a guide system for guiding a folding element which folds outer edges of the cloth and an ironing plate. The guide system has a guide profile and a translating arm which is translated in a longitudinal direction and has a roller and a folding element. The arm is under pressure towards the guide profile so that the roller beats and slides along the edge of the guide profile. In this way, the folding element follows the movement of the arm according to the guide profile and moves in the longitudinal direction and a transversal direction.

Abstract: A machine for producing folds in different media. The machine includes a pair of table top plates moveable relative to one another and define an escapement plate and the other a pleater plate. The plates grip the media at space apart locations approximately twice the distance of the required pleat heigth and as they cone together a pleat or fold is produced between the two plates. The escapement plate then rises allowing the pleat to move out beyond the return path of the escapement plate as it falls and clamps the media against the table top surface. When it reaches the bottom the pleater plate rises slightly to clear the media on the table surface and then moves away from the escapement plate to a position again approximately twice the pleat heigth in preparation of then gripping the web and moving forwardly toward the escapement plate to form the next fold or pleat. The pair of plates are moved along predetermined paths in timed relation by a pair of linkage systems.

Abstract: A device for taking trousers off a double-leg ironing machine having an ironing board receiving the trouser legs in spread position, a gripper mounted for motion along the ironing board including two clamping plates arranged in the transverse direction of the ironing board at least one of which is mounted for vertical motion and can be lowered to the surface of the ironing board. The gripper grips, raises and transports one trouser leg along the longitudinal axis of the board and releases it at the end of the other trouser leg. This positions the ends of the trouser legs together so that they can be gripped manually or mechanically and held by a clamping hanger for further transport. A transport system is provided.

Abstract: An ironing apparatus has a plurality of pairs of ironing bars mounted on a rotatable plate. The ironing bars are attached to a plurality of air distribution boxes which are attached to the plate, and each bar has a controlled suction work surface for holding a fabric part thereon. Two guide rails are mounted above the work surface and a slide box is coupled to the guide rails for sliding thereon. A steam iron is adjustably suspended from the slide box for ironing the seam of the fabric part. The guide rails are journaled to a pair of guide rods axially oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. The steam iron is moved along the path of the seam by moving the slide box on the guide rails, and by moving the guide rails on the guide rods.

Abstract: A portable ironing press uses a compression spring to generate pressure between two pivotable plates for smoothing out a garment. The press includes a chain-and-gear arrangement to selectively apply the pressure of the spring to the plates.

Abstract: An ironing apparatus has a controlled suction work surface for holding a fabric part thereon. Two guide rails are mounted above the work surface and a slide box is coupled to the guide rails for sliding thereon. A steam iron is adjustably suspended from the slide box for ironing the seam of the fabric part. The guide rails are journaled to a pair of guide rods axially oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. The steam iron is moved along the path of the seam by moving the slide box on the guide rails, and by moving the guide rails on the guide rods.

Abstract: A method for recognizing and providing an output corresponding to a character is disclosed. The character is received by an imager, digitized and transmitted to a buffer memory. Data in the buffer memory is read in a sequence which circumnavigates the test character. Only data representative of the periphery of the character are read. During the circumnavigation character parameters, such as, height, width, perimeter, area, calipers, programmable penetrators and waveform are determined. The character parameters are compared with reference character parameters and the ASCII code for the reference character which matches the character is provided as an output.

Abstract: A laundry press of the type suitable for pressing all articles of apparel, especially shirts, is contained in a rectangular cabinet. The cabinet upon opening includes at least one panel member hinged at the bottom for bracing the cabinet in an upright position. The cabinet provides at its upper end the support structure for a buck and heated pressing plate for placing on the garments the desired press. The buck and heated pressing plate in turn fold upwardly from the cabinet and are supported so as to cantilever from the cabinet overlying the bracing panel member. The buck is provided with the capability of rotation with respect to the pressing plate. Thus, a garment once mounted to the buck can be pressed on all sides. The buck is provided with side arm members that fold outwardly to support a duality of function to the buck. First, the outwardly folding members expand the buck to enable pressing of virtually all sizes of shirts, coats and other abdominal garments.

Abstract: A trousers ironing machine is provided with devices for automatically picking up trousers at the end of the ironing process and successively orderly gathering them. The machine comprises essentially a pair of side-by-side flat structures each including two portions of elongate shape which are arranged sequentially lengthwise. The two elongate portions can be moved toward and away from each other and jointly rotated through 180.degree. about an intermediate axis extending orthogonally to the plane of lay. Positioned above each flat structure is an ironing platen which is suitably set up to apply an appropriate pressure to the structure, a sliding gripper being arranged below the structure for gripping the ironed trousers and pulling them out of the structure.

Abstract: The machine comprises a fixed dummy for receiving an article of clothing having a collar and lapels, and an upper mold supported by a support structure such as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis adjacent the dummy. The upper mold has a configuration substantially matching that of the dummy and a lug-shaped front portion extending downwardly. The support structure is vertically displaceable by a fluid-operated cylinder between a position in which the upper mold is spaced from the dummy and a position in which the upper mold contacts the dummy and is pressed against it. In this position the ironing of the collar of the article of clothing is carried out, while the ironing of the lapels occurs by additionally pivoting the upper mold about the horizontal axis and pressing the lug-shaped front portion thereof against the lapels.