Inflatable Patents (Class 223/67)
  • Patent number: 11819748
    Abstract: A punching bag that can transform into body armor for fighter training. In particular, the punching bag can be used as a heavy bag or body armor. The punching bag can be hung up from a support, strung up between an upper support and a lower support, or worn on a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Matthew Grendal
  • Patent number: 11707542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes-handing apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a holder opening provided at an upper panel; an air moving part provided inside the cabinet so as to generate an air flow; a holder which is withdrawable from the cabinet through the holder opening and on which clothes are hung; and holder air holes provided at the holder so as to supply air to the clothes hung on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Miju Shin, Seonglak Kim
  • Patent number: 11642424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes-handing apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a holder opening provided at an upper panel; an air moving part provided inside the cabinet so as to generate an air flow; a holder which is withdrawable from the cabinet through the holder opening and on which clothes are hung; and holder air holes provided at the holder so as to supply air to the clothes hung on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Miju Shin, Seonglak Kim
  • Patent number: 11627772
    Abstract: A body suit resembles at least a partial human body form for use in design, customization, alteration, testing and modeling of garments. The suit includes a plurality of fluid-expandable layers, including an outer skin layer divided into an outer plurality of selectively expandable in varying degrees or quantities to create a variable exterior skin contour. One or more additional fluid-expandable layers underlie the outer skin layer to establish a variable internal tissue depth further contributing to an overall outer body contour of the body suit. An exterior of the body suit is colored or colorable in blue or green to enable chroma key isolation of garment adorned over the suit. Sensors are arrayed over the exterior surface area of the suit for dimensional and pressure measurements, and rotational support structures and cooperating 3D scanners and track-based scanner movement enable 3D imaging of the modeled garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Swipe Fashion Incorporation
    Inventors: Kevin Nielson, Husam Kinawi
  • Patent number: 11530510
    Abstract: A system iron includes a body. The body includes therein a steam generator for generating steam and an ironing plate, which is rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the body. The ironing plate includes therein steam nozzles for spraying the steam generated by the steam generator to an outside, a first fan for discharging air to the outside of the ironing plate or sucking air into the ironing plate, and a second fan for cooling an iron placed on the ironing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungmin Ye, Jiyeon Park
  • Patent number: 10495380
    Abstract: A dryer device for drying plastics pouches, the device comprising a main air admission pipe having a plurality of dryer heads including outlet orifices, each outlet orifice forming an air knife, the dryer heads being associated in pairs so as to define a plurality of passages for plastics pouches, each passage being adapted to dry plastics pouches passing therethrough by applying two opposing air knives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FEGE
    Inventor: Philippe Millecamps
  • Patent number: 10460525
    Abstract: A system includes a fit test fixture. A first air bladder is connected to the support structure, and a second air bladder is connected to the support structure. The system includes a scanner configured to generate a three-dimensional model of a clothing item positioned over at least a portion of the fit test fixture, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause an air compressor to inflate the first air bladder and the second air bladder, and store the three-dimensional model of the clothing item in a database. The three-dimensional model depicts the clothing item at least partially inhabited by the first air bladder and the second air bladder. A processor is configured to generate a rendering depicting the three-dimensional model of the clothing item on a three-dimensional model of the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Charles Buuck, Elizabeth Helminski, David William Devries, Steve Gil Gonzalez, Ali Shahrokni
  • Patent number: 10398959
    Abstract: A free standing fight simulation workout machine with a fight simulation multi-headed, multi-abdomen, multi-armed apparatus is adapted to be used in conjunction with a slip and counter fight simulation apparatus or stand alone apparatus. The fight simulation multi-headed, multi-abdomen, multi-armed apparatus includes a multi-headed member having at least one head attached to at least one abdomen and at least one arm having a glove appending member. Preferably, multiple heads are attached to multiple abdomens with multiple arm pairs to provide different punch configurations for the user to strike at. The multi-headed, multi-abdomen, multi-armed provides various angles adapted for a user to punch, knee, and/or do a flying knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Clarence V. Hall
  • Patent number: 10077519
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventor: Michael L. Travis
  • Patent number: 10006161
    Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Blue Spruce Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Dana
  • Patent number: 9943742
    Abstract: A boxing trainer includes a housing and a controller. The housing includes a plurality of targets. Each of the plurality of targets includes a target pad and a light operable to illuminate the target pad. The controller includes a plurality of target commands. Each target command is linked to and corresponds with one of the targets. Therefore, activating one of the target commands will activate the light of one of the target pads that the target command is linked with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Amzi B. Burt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9814994
    Abstract: A noise making assembly for a toy having a compressible bladder with an orifice for permitting air to pass in and out of the bladder. The noise making assembly includes a noise producing element and a housing for supporting the noise producing element proximate the orifice. The housing includes a hollow body portion, an enlarged concave-shaped head attached to the first open end of the body portion for preventing the housing from being pushed inside the bladder, and a number of circumferentially-spaced prongs attached to the outer wall of the body portion to prevent the noise making assembly from becoming dislodged from the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyper Pet LLC
    Inventors: Randall J. Woods, Sonia S. Cox
  • Patent number: 9765474
    Abstract: A clothing steamer system includes a body having an inner cavity; a first steamer arm slidingly engaged to the body; a second steamer arm slidingly engage to the body, the second steamer arm being configured to move in a direction opposite to a direction of the first steamer arm; a steamer disposed within the body and in gaseous communication with the first steamer arm and the second steamer arm; and a fluid reservoir disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the steamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Jennifer Jean Bergman
  • Patent number: 9585507
    Abstract: A garment transportation and storage device comprises a support rod at the bottom, a hook at the top, and a ball-shaped handle between the support rod and the hook for transporting garments supported on the support rod by hangers and for engaging the hook with a support structure. An article transportation and storage device comprises an inverted U-shaped frame, a support rod slidably engageable with the frame, and a hook mounted on the frame for pivotal movement between extended and retracted positions. A garment receiving and supporting hanger is provided with an inflatable garment protection device that prevents wrinkling of garments supported by the hanger. A garment transportation and support device comprises opposed garment engaging arms that pivot outwardly to securely support a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jacquelynn R. Lueth, William D. Garnet
  • Patent number: 9447538
    Abstract: A steam treatment system (10) for textiles can include a detachable hanger (14) which is removably attachable to a steam unit (12). The steam unit (12) can include a vaporizing element (16) which is operatively connectable to a water source (18) and is designed to produce steam. A steam outlet (20) with a shut-off valve (22) can also be part of the steam unit (12). The detachable hanger (14) can be configured to support an article of textile such as a shirt, suit, dress, slacks, towel or the like. More particularly, the hanger (14) can include a support body enclosing a steam chamber (24) and a steam inlet (26) which is removably attachable to the steam outlet (20) of the steam unit (12). In this manner the detachable hanger (14) can be removably coupled to the steam unit (12) to allow steam to fill the hanger (14). The support body can also include a plurality of steam vents or apertures (30) which are oriented to transmit steam from the steam chamber (24) to the article of textile supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Blue Spruce Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Dana
  • Patent number: 9322129
    Abstract: The invention provides a garment treatment stand (1) for garment treatment, the garment treatment stand (1) comprising:—a open frame (2);—a flexible support surface (3), in use stretched up tautly on said frame (2) for providing a surface for pressing against during garment treatment. The current invention adds a flexible steaming/ironing surface to a garment treatment stand, to allow for it to be used as a support during steaming/ironing of the garment. Especially, the garment treatment stand may be used for steaming or pressing garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sahil Wadhwa, Yong Jiang, Asok Kumar Kasevan, Mirjam Christiana Albrecht Van Coillie
  • Patent number: 9127885
    Abstract: A portable garment dryer, operable with a portable electric hair dryer which includes an outlet nozzle that can produce a heated airflow, the portable garment dryer including: a. a housing formed by sidewalls, an open top end and a closed bottom end, the housing being telescopically collapsible in a top to bottom direction from an extended state to a contracted state, the housing side wall having an aperture extending transversely therethrough and into which the outlet nozzle of a portable electric hair dryer is insertable for directing a heated airflow into and through the housing and out the top end thereof, and b. a perforated garment support mountable in the housing, the garment support adapted to support at least one garment in the heated airflow when the outlet nozzle of a portable hair dryer is inserted into the aperture in said housing wall, whereby the garment can be dried by the heated airflow from the portable hair dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Antonino Provenzano, Robert Freidenrich
  • Patent number: 9096969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus, which treats clothes into a more wearable condition. The clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet; an accommodating space formed in the cabinet and accommodating clothes; a moisture supplying device generating moisture to be supplied into the accommodating space; and a supply unit discharging the moisture generated by the moisture supplying device into the accommodating space and installed on a bottom of the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    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
  • Patent number: 8490294
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a component disposed within a process air circuit of a domestic tumble dryer, in particular for a heat exchanger, including a cleaning brush and a drive mechanism including a drive rod for moving the cleaning brush along the component, the cleaning device including a guiding element operatively associated with the drive mechanism for guiding the drive rod, and at least two flexible sealing elements for protecting the drive mechanism against fluff or similar soiling, wherein the drive rod is passed between the at least two sealing elements for movement along the guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Grunert
  • Patent number: 8122575
    Abstract: This invention is about a structure for supporting clothes to be decolorized and for aiding in the process of decoloration, to a method of forming the same, and to a method of using the same to decolorize clothes. It includes manufacturing a semi-finished product for supporting clothes and manufacturing the supporting structure as well as a the method of decolorizing clothes using the supporting structure to have various decolorizing textures and styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: KOOS Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Joo Sik Kang
  • Patent number: 7886944
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflating body, for the drying and/or pressing of pieces of clothing, whereby said inflating body is made from sections with at least three different air permeabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Klaus Grunert, Kathrin Redlin, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Publication number: 20100320240
    Abstract: A plurality of sheets made of an elastic material such as vinyl and polypropylene are joined together by high-frequency gluing to form an airtight bag body. Then, the bag body is inflated by being filled with air to form a mannequin resembling the shapes of the upper and lower halves of a body. Regarding an upper bag body portion resembling the upper half of the body and a lower bag body portion resembling the lower half thereof, gussets are coupled through curved junction lines with sheets that form the respective base parts. A joining jig is used to join the sheets, thereby forming an airtight bag body. The foregoing provides an inflatable mannequin and a method of manufacturing the same that can express a natural and realistic body shape and that never damage the brand image of clothes a person who sees the mannequin wearing the clothes has.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Soichiro Sadaoka
  • Patent number: 7770305
    Abstract: A portable collapsible clothes dryer kit including two clothing article dryer units for engaging and spreading different articles of clothing, one of the units being supported by spaced, elongated flexible elements and the other of the units being supported by a coat hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Leonard Krauss
  • Publication number: 20090218376
    Abstract: A portable wig and hairpiece stand includes a substantially hollow box base having a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side wall; an inflatable support member for removably supporting a hairpiece, this support member being operably disposed within the top panel of the hollow box base; and a device in fluid communication with the inflatable support member for moving air into or out of it. Also included are provisions for accessing the interior space of the hollow box member, which can be disposed in one side wall or be a hinged top panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Terry King, Patricia Ann King
  • Publication number: 20090166388
    Abstract: A cap drying and shaping apparatus includes a substantially planar base, an inflatable bladder disposed proximal one end of the planar base, and a ribbed cage member. The ribbed cage member includes a domed portion having a predetermined radius to the apex and a predetermined diameter parallel to the planar base, and a planar portion at least as long and wide as a bill on a typical ball cap. Attachment means are disposed on top of the planar base for removably clamping the ribbed cage member to the planar base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: CARL E. BRYANT
  • Publication number: 20090145936
    Abstract: An inflatable body for de-wrinkling garments comprising an air inlet opening, wherein the inflatable body comprises a nonwoven substrate having an air permeability of from 0.005 m3/m2/min to 30 m3/m2/min, a kit comprising the inflatable body, and a method of de-wrinkling garments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Andre Christian Convents, Christophe Dominique Rene Haegeman
  • Patent number: 7530480
    Abstract: A seamless life-like mannequin comprising a unitary inflatable outer body with an inflatable inner body disposed therein and a related process of manufacturing such a mannequin is disclosed. The outer body of the mannequin comprises a torso portion and a head portion with a seamless transition between the two portions for providing a realistic life-like appearance to the mannequin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Nanma Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Siu Man Nan
  • Publication number: 20080197159
    Abstract: An inflatable portable wig, hairpiece and hat stand which is interchangeable between an inflated and a deflated position and includes a base member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size. An inflatable support member, for supporting at least one of a wig, a hairpiece, a hat and a combination thereof, is operably connected to such base member adjacent an outer periphery thereof. The inflatable support member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size. A mechanism is in fluid communication with the inflatable support member for communicating air into and out of the inflatable support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Phyllis Ottley
  • Patent number: 7386943
    Abstract: A clothes pressing apparatus has a body block movable between a supply position at which an article of clothing can be placed on the body block and a press position at which pressing work can be achieved. A sleeve holder is also mounted on the base for holding sleeves of the an article of clothing and having a sleeve tucking iron. Also included are a body air supply device for supplying a first air blast suitable for pressing the body portion of the article of clothing, and a sleeve air supply device for supplying a second air blast for pressing the sleeve portion. The apparatus further includes a controller for operating the sleeve air supply device for supplying the second air blast only when the body air supply device is operated for supplying the first air blast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Gomi
  • Patent number: 7134581
    Abstract: A device for ironing items of clothing having sleeves, especially, shirts and blouses, by an ironing dummy includes an inflatable bag placed inside the item of clothing when ironing and reaching into the cuffs of the clothing item. To be better able to smooth out the sleeves when ironing, the end of the inflatable bag in the region of the cuffs is provided with a reinforcement that fixes the end of the sleeve and exercises a longitudinal pull on the sleeve during inflation of the inflatable bag. An inner clamping mechanism is disposed inside the cuff for the fixing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Kathrin Redlin, Markus Spielmannleitner, Bodo Urich, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Patent number: 7090099
    Abstract: A method and a device for ironing garments using a form finisher, which has an inflatable bag over which the garments are placed. The bag includes a bottom construction and a tension device between the bottom construction and the inflatable bag. The tension device being one of an inflatable cushion and a tension cable, with the tension device providing vertical tension to the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Bodo Urich, Kristina Knispel, Kathrin Redlin, Christian Hafer, Joachim Damrath, Gerhard Wetzl, Markus Spielmannleitner, Sebastian Siegele
  • Patent number: 7090100
    Abstract: Shirt-like garments can be stretched from the inside and pressed with an inflatable body that has a trunk part and two sleeve segments by inflating the inflatable body. Since the sleeves of the garments have different cross sections, deformation of the trunk section can take place in the area of the connecting points between the trunk section and the sleeve segments when the sleeves are small. On the other hand, if the sleeves are large, insufficient tensioning the sleeve segments can occur, thereby leading to bad pressing results. In order to be able to press a wider range of different cross sections of sleeves, the cross section of the sleeve segments is smaller in the connecting points than in the area adjacent the connecting points. Advantageously, the sleeve segments expand beyond the connecting points to their maximum cross section within a very small area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Patent number: 7083072
    Abstract: Items of clothing are smoothed by pulling them taut from within by way of an inflatable body that is detachably linked with a base that has a fan for inflating the inflatable body. In order to releasably fasten the inflatable body, the base has second fastening devices that are detachably linked with the first fastening devices of the inflatable body. In order to render it easier for an operator to fasten the inflatable body on the base and to reduce the risk of insufficiently fastening it, the inflatable body is provided with a rigid shaped element that is disposed next to the first fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Patent number: 7070073
    Abstract: A method and a device for ironing items of clothing with sleeves, especially, shirts and blouses, by a form finisher include an inflatable bag placed inside the item of clothing when it is being ironed. The inflatable bag extends to the sleeves of the item of clothing. For the sleeves to be ironed in a smoother manner, the ends of the inflatable bag can be provided with a reinforcement that extends to the sleeves. Also, to enable the vents, which are situated above the sleeves, to keep their shape (the overlap und underlap), the inflatable bag can also be supplied, therefore, with reinforcement. An inner tensioning mechanism that is inserted inside the area of the sleeve can improve the smoothness even further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Kathrin Redlin, Markus Spielmannleitner, Bodo Urich, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Patent number: 6994235
    Abstract: To smooth items of clothing, especially shirts, by an inflatable bag, the item of clothing, especially in a damp state, is placed on the inflatable bag, is pulled taut by the inflation of the bag, and is dried by heat. To this end, the inflatable bag is inflated with heated air, certain areas of the item of clothing drying faster than others however. To supply heat energy in a targeted manner to individual, especially slow-drying areas, the inflatable bag includes heating bodies either supplying additional heat for drying the item of clothing, or all of the heat. Advantageously, the heating bodies are applied to the material of inflatable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Peter Ehrler, Christian Hafer, Markus Spielmannleitner, Bodo Urich, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Patent number: 6945439
    Abstract: A method and device for pressing items of clothing—in particular, shirts, blouses and jackets—includes a pressing dummy with an inflatable bag. At least a region of the inflatable bag extends into the neck, collar, or lower hem regions of the clothing. At the end of such region is disposed an air diverter for drying adjacent surfaces of the clothing item. The air diverter is connected to the inflatable bag as far as air supply is concerned. Should the airflow be weak or non-existent, then the air diverter—at least partly—retracts into the piece of clothing. Should the airflow be active, however, then the air diverter extends and takes on the form of a mushroom head. In such a form, the air diverter is in the working position thereof and, thus, ventilates the adjacent region of the piece of clothing from the underside of the mushroom head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Patent number: 6913172
    Abstract: A shirt-shaped inflatable body for pressing shirts and on which the shirt is stretched flat includes lateral cavities, which are inflated by an increased pressure, in the sides of the trunk section of the inflatable body. The cavities are supported by a frame located inside the inflatable body and press the trunk section outwards, forming a flat shape. The pressure in the lateral chambers located inside the casing of the inflatable body is increased by the fact that both the casing of the lateral chambers and the casing of the inflatable body are permeable to air and that the lateral chambers are directly supplied with air by a fan, whereas the remaining areas of the inflatable body are only inflated with the air that flows through the casing of the lateral chambers against a flow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Gerhard Wetzl, Markus Spielmannleitner, Kathrin Redlin, Sebastian Siegele, Bodo Urich
  • Patent number: 6840412
    Abstract: Pressing of shirts on a shirt-shaped outer inflatable body advantageously takes place with tensioning the shirt in flat form. To achieve a non-round cross-section, in particular, in the trunk section of the outer body, a supporting framework and at least one inner inflatable body are disposed within the outer body, it being possible for the inner body to be supported on the supporting framework and to subject the outer body to pressure from the inside. For such a purpose, the inner inflatable bodies are inflated, in particular, by a higher pressure than the outer inflatable body. It is, thus, possible for the trunk region to be tensioned laterally outward and for the shirt to be pressed in an advantageously flat form. Using the inner bodies avoids raised edges or sharp points in the enclosure of the outer inflatable body. As a result, the shirts can be pressed without creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Kathrin Redlin, Markus Spielmannleitner, Bodo Urich, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Publication number: 20040245295
    Abstract: Shirt-like garments can be stretched from the inside and pressed with an inflatable body that has a trunk part and two sleeve segments by inflating the inflatable body. Since the sleeves of the garments have different cross sections, deformation of the trunk section can take place in the area of the connecting points between the trunk section and the sleeve segments when the sleeves are small. On the other hand, if the sleeves are large, insufficient tensioning the sleeve segments can occur, thereby leading to bad pressing results. In order to be able to press a wider range of different cross sections of sleeves, the cross section of the sleeve segments is smaller in the connecting points than in the area adjacent the connecting points. Advantageously, the sleeve segments expand beyond the connecting points to their maximum cross section within a very small area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Publication number: 20040245296
    Abstract: Items of clothing are smoothed by pulling them taut from within by way of an inflatable body that is detachably linked with a base that has a fan for inflating the inflatable body. In order to releasably fasten the inflatable body, the base has second fastening devices that are detachably linked with the first fastening devices of the inflatable body. In order to render it easier for an operator to fasten the inflatable body on the base and to reduce the risk of insufficiently fastening it, the inflatable body is provided with a rigid shaped element that is disposed next to the first fastening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Patent number: 6817496
    Abstract: A pressing body carries out pressing of shirts on a shirt-shaped inflation body, advantageously, by tensioning the shirt in a flat configuration and includes tensioning measures fixed to flat sections of the envelope of the inflation body, which draw the flat sections inwards or prevent the sections from adopting a round form on inflation. The tensioning measures can be, for example, flexible tensioning strips, connecting opposite regions of the envelope together and, furthermore, can partition those regions in which a reduced airflow occurs as a result of the thermal insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Sebastian Siegele, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard Wetzl
  • Publication number: 20040222250
    Abstract: Items of clothing, such as dress shirts, may be smoothed or pressed by pulling them taut from within by way of an inflatable body that is linked with a base that is provided with a fan for inflating the inflatable body. In order to partially or completely prevent the inflatable body from being worn down, a covering is provided for the inflatable body, which is air-permeable across at least a part of its surface. The covering can be produced at substantially lower costs than the inflatable body so that it can be washed more often, while accepting the wear and tear thereby caused, since the covering can be replaced at a low cost. The covering may have a different shape and/or smaller dimensions in order to adapt to the type of the item of clothing to be smoothened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Publication number: 20040134943
    Abstract: An inflatable dummy for showing clothes includes a close and airtight bag having a designed shape, such as a torso, and formed from a plurality of constituent pieces made of a gas-impermeable material by radio frequency welding along joints between the constituent pieces. The inflatable dummy is provided with at least one inflating valve, via which the close and airtight bag is inflatable to the designed shape for use, or deflated to a flat and foldable state for storage. A hanger is provided at an upper end of the inflatable dummy, and an insertion hole in the form of a long tube is integrally connected to a lower end of the inflatable dummy to upward extend thereinto for engaging with an upright stand, so that the inflatable dummy may be hung on some place or supported on a stand for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Huang
  • Publication number: 20040069818
    Abstract: A shirt-shaped inflatable body for pressing shirts and on which the shirt is stretched flat includes lateral cavities, which are inflated by an increased pressure, in the sides of the trunk section of the inflatable body. The cavities are supported by a frame located inside the inflatable body and press the trunk section outwards, forming a flat shape. The pressure in the lateral chambers located inside the casing of the inflatable body is increased by the fact that both the casing of the lateral chambers and the casing of the inflatable body are permeable to air and that the lateral chambers are directly supplied with air by a fan, whereas the remaining areas of the inflatable body are only inflated with the air that flows through the casing of the lateral chambers against a flow resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Gerhard Wetzl, Markus Spielmannleitner, Kathrin Redlin, Sebastian Siegele, Bodo Urich
  • Publication number: 20040065701
    Abstract: A method and a device for ironing garments using a form finisher, which has an inflatable bag over which the garments are placed. The bag includes a bottom construction and a tension device between the bottom construction and the inflatable bag. The tension device being one of an inflatable cushion and a tension cable, with the tension device providing vertical tension to the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Bodo Urich, Kristina Knispel, Kathrin Redlin, Christian Hafer, Joachim Damrath, Gerhard Wetzl, Markus Spielmannleitner, Sebastian Siegele
  • Publication number: 20030218033
    Abstract: A device for smoothing garments and, especially, shirts, includes an inflatable bag, whereby the garment is placed, especially in the moist state, on the inflatable bag and is, then, stretched and dried by hot air by inflating the inflatable bag. To prevent the garment from being displaced on the inflatable bag, a catch can be applied to the surface thereof, the catch having a surface with a higher friction coefficient. The catch does not impede air from permeating the inflatable bag so that the garment will dry also in the coated areas. The catch can also be used to specifically influence the air permeability of the cover of the inflatable bag to achieve even drying of the garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Joachim Damrath, Christian Hafer, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard wetzl
  • Patent number: 6253973
    Abstract: A hat shaping arrangement. The hat shaping arrangement comprises an inflation assembly and a inflatable bladder assembly. The bladder assembly has an air receiving space, an air port, and a deflated state. The bladder assembly is configured to substantially conform to an interior circumference of a hat to be shaped when the bladder assembly is in said deflated state. The inflation assembly is in fluid communication with the air receiving space through the air port. The inflation assembly is adapted to selectively input air pressure to and release air pressure from the air receiving space through the air port to inflate the bladder assembly toward conformance with an interior surface of the hat and deflate the bladder assembly away from conformance with the interior surface of the hat to be shaped thereby facilitating the retention of the shape of the hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Roger Jones
  • 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: 5732859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a garment pressing machine for ironing shirts, blouses and similar articles of clothing. The machine is provided with a dressing station, a pressing station, and a mannequin movable between the dressing station and the pressing station. The mannequin has an inflatable body which is inflated while the mannequin is still at the dressing station to allow an operator to remove creases from a garment draped over the mannequin before the mannequin is moved into the pressing station, where the garment is contacted by heated pressing plates to facilitate ironing of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Kevin A. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 5729909
    Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus has the general shape of a drying sleeve with sufficient length and width to hold an article of clothing for drying. The article of clothing is placed in the drying sleeve and synch lines on each end of the drying sleeve are closed thereby retaining the article of clothing inside of the drying sleeve. The drying sleeve can then be hung out to dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Chesnutt Engineering
    Inventor: Jackie L. Chesnutt Robison