With Heating Or Steaming Patents (Class 223/70)
  • Patent number: 11891751
    Abstract: A laundry kiosk is provided according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the laundry kiosk contains a user interface component to receive laundering choices for a garment from a user and an apparatus to process the garment according to the received choices. The laundering choices include one or more of a combination of cleaning, pressing and drying. A suitable enclosure is also provided to hold the apparatus and the user interface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LAUNDRYSUCKS.IO INC.
    Inventors: Nishant Jain, Thibault P. Corens
  • Patent number: 11591745
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are drying system and method for restoring clothes shrunk after washing and drying of the clothes. The clothes drying system includes: an air injection part for injecting air into the drying system; a drying tube of which the volume is expandable by the air injected through the air injection part; a jig put on the outer surface of the drying tube; and a fixing part attached to the clothes and fixing the clothes and jig so that the clothes put on the outer surface of the jig is not shrunk while being dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Seung Jin Park
  • Patent number: 11162211
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying articles of fabric is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame configured to receive an article of fabric. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a base coupled to the frame. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a fan disposed within at least one of the frame or the base, wherein the fan is configured to direct an air stream through the frame to a surface of the article of fabric in order to dry the article of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kim Jedlicka, Chase Grape
  • Patent number: 11085145
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a steam hanger is disclosed. Further, the steam hanger may include a main body which may include a plurality of steam apertures configured to release steam. Further, the main body may include at least one fill spout which may include an opening to a water reservoir. Further, the main body may include a foldable hook attached to a top surface of the main body. Further, the steam hanger may include a heating element located inside the water reservoir to heat the water in the water reservoir to generate the steam. Further, the steam hanger may include an energy storage device electrically coupled with the heating element to provide electrical power to the heating element. Further, the steam hanger may include a plurality of retractable ducts retractably attached to the at least one surface of the main body to convey the steam outward for large sized clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Hadi Halawani
  • Patent number: 9822480
    Abstract: A garment treatment system includes a base, a water tank mounted to the base and having water contained therein, a steam generator in fluid communication with the water tank and adapted to convert the water from the water tank into steam, a steam nozzle having a steam reservoir and a steam outlet for distributing the steam to a garment, a first lumen in fluid communication with the steam generator and the steam nozzle for delivering steam to the steam reservoir of the steam nozzle and a second lumen in fluid communication with the steam reservoir of the steam nozzle and the water tank for returning condensed water to the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kam Fai Fung, Kin Man Lai
  • Patent number: 9498011
    Abstract: An intelligent adjustable mannequin having a body shape parameter input module and a mannequin backbone structure, the mannequin including an adjustment plate on the backbone structure according to body shape parameters, a curse adjustment mechanism positioned between the adjustment plate and the backbone structure, the backbone structure is also provided with a detector which detects the body shape parameters, and a relative movement between the adjustment plate and the backbone structure is controlled by the girth adjustment mechanism to achieve precise adjustment of body shape curse parameters. The backbone structure is further provided with a length adjustment mechanism to control upward and downward movements of respective parts of the backbone structure to achieve precise adjustment of length parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Cheekooi Chan, Sixiang Peng, Ameersing Luximon
  • Patent number: 9194077
    Abstract: A system for steaming clothes is disclosed. A steamer is connected through a hose to a steaming component having a plurality of connecting tubes, where the steaming component having the plurality of connecting tubes, where the plurality of connecting tubes connects to a plurality of detachable ventilating tubes, where the plurality of the detachable ventilating tubes have a plurality of holes to expel steam. The steaming component with the plurality of connecting tubes are configured to hold an article of clothing that fits around the steaming component and the plurality of connecting tubes, where the steaming component is configured to receive the steam from the steamer to expel the steam through the plurality of holes to entirely steam an entire portion of the article of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Abdul Sean Carter
  • Patent number: 9157180
    Abstract: A drying-ironing combined machine. The machine includes a supporting body (1), a pillar (4) located on the supporting body (1), a drying unit (2) and an ironing unit (3). The drying unit (2) comprises a drying rack member (21), a hood (22) supporting body on the drying rack member (21), and a heating member (23). A venting port (232) of the heating member (23) is in a sealed communication with an air inlet (225) of the hood (22). The drying unit (2) has a clothes drying region formed on one side of the pillar (4). The ironing unit (3) comprises an ironing device and a clothes hanger (331). The ironing unit (3) has an ironing region formed on the other side of the pillar (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Jiebo Hu
  • Publication number: 20150082839
    Abstract: An appliance for treating a textile. The appliance has a textile contact surface adapted to interact with the textile to be treated, an airflow generating device, and a first outlet connected to the airflow generating device. The first outlet is arranged adjacent to the textile contact surface. The first outlet is arranged to direct an airflow through the first outlet in an airflow direction that is directed away from a normal of the textile contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Henrik Holm
  • Patent number: 8789729
    Abstract: A garment hanger air dryer used to quickly and evenly dry simultaneously multiple garments. The dryer includes an upper garment support structure used to hang multiple wet garments. The support structure includes an upper shoulder component and a lower horizontal support rod suspended therefrom. Extending upward from the upper shoulder component is a hot air blower assembly used to deliver hot air into and around multiple garments hung from the upper shoulder component and support rod. In one embodiment, the support structure is selectively attached to the upper end of a height adjustable support pole. The blower assembly may include a hook that allows it to be hung from an upper hook or support bar. During operation, a garment is hung around the upper shoulder component and a pair of pants may be hung from the support rod. Hot air is forced downward and under the upper shoulder component and circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Joel Beckett
  • Patent number: 8667707
    Abstract: A device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Milind Date, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20130193171
    Abstract: A system for steaming clothes is disclosed. A steamer is connected through a hose to a human torso device. The human torso device includes a plurality of holes, wherein a plurality of steam air jets are located in the plurality of air holes. This human torso device is configured to be encapsulated in an article of clothing, where the human torso device is configured to receive steam from the steamer then utilize the plurality of steam air jets to simultaneously expel the steam through the plurality of air holes to entirely steam an entire portion of the article of clothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: ABDUL SEAN CARTER
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8376197
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Barbanti Carlo S.N.C.
    Inventor: Carlo Barbanti
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7594597
    Abstract: A shirt side tension applying method is provided for finishing side portions of a shirt. The method includes the step of providing a first tension applying process in which side pressing members at both portions of a dummy having the shirt put thereon are extended up to positions by a driving device after which the side portions of the shirt are tensioned with the side pressing members inclined by their own weight. The method also includes a second tensioning applying process in which, when the front and rear portions of the shirt are pressed, the same driving device operates again to cause the side pressing members to be further extended and the side portions of the shirt are finished in tension. The invention further contemplates a body tensioning device for finishing the side portions of the shirt according to the method described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: San Kousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Publication number: 20090184142
    Abstract: It is an object of this invention to prevent the garments from being removed or displaced in position by increasing a contact friction with the garments and to improve a finished state of the garments. This invention is a cover used to be put on the iron plates 3 of the solid finishing device for garments 1 formed by comprising the torso 2 on which the garments 1 are put and the iron plates 3 installed near the torso 2. The cover of this invention is made such that the part 5 contacted with the aforementioned garments 1 is formed by a cloth 6 having many hard bristles 6a. In the case of this invention, the type or the orientation (vertical orientation or lateral orientation) of the iron plates 3 and the orientation of the bristles 6a are optional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Publication number: 20090166389
    Abstract: It is an object of this invention to rearrange an installing location for a steam separator, enable a small-sized formation of a device as well as space-saving to be realized, utilize heat outputted from the steam separator in a jacket drying process and to activate heat energy of steam. This invention comprises the torso 2 on which the jacket 1 is put, the nozzle 3 for blowing steam inside the jacket 1 put on the torso 2, the heat exchanger 4 for discharging heat of the steam inside the jacket 1 put on the torso 2, and a steam separator 6 for removing water droplets from the steam heat exchanged with this heat exchanger 4 and having its temperature decreased. The steam having water droplets removed with the steam separator 6 is supplied to the nozzle 3. This invention is constituted such that the cylindrical base frame 10 is arranged in its raised state below the torso 2, the steam separator 6 is arranged within the base frame 10 together with the heat exchanger 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 7530481
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shirt press machine which comprises a front left side press; a front right side press; and a rear press for pressing a rear part of the shirt, wherein the front left and right side presses approach the front left and right side parts of the shirt, respectively, so as to press them, and wherein the rear press approaches the rear part of the shirt so as to press it. The shirt press machine further comprises a pair of support arms for supportingly spreading out, the sleeves of the shirt, so that a high temperature and pressure hot air is applied to the sleeves of the shirt which are supportingly spread out obliquely downwardly to the left and right by the pair of support arms, thereby allowing the sleeves of the shirt to be ironed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Byung Hak Kim
  • Publication number: 20090065536
    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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: 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: 20090008418
    Abstract: This invention relates to a driving device for the clothes press iron 4 or 14 for pressing a front side or rear side of the torso 3 for putting on the clothes 2 and press finish the clothes 2. The driving device of this invention is formed by the vertical-oriented cylinder device 5 oscillated in a forward or rearward direction of the torso 3 and the link device 6 fixed at the extremity end of the rod 5a of this cylinder device 5 to convert an extending or retracting operation of the rod 5a into an advancing or retracting operation of the clothes press iron 4 or 14. The main body 6a of the link device 6 is preferably set such that six link members 10 are connected in a substantial hexagonal shape as seen from the side of the torso 3 by the axle member 9 along a lateral direction of the torso 3. In accordance with this invention, it is possible to restrict a depth size of the finishing machine and a compact-sized finishing machine and its space saving can be attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 7464840
    Abstract: A garment-pressing device for shirts or blouses employs a buck having shoulder extenders which are movable between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The shoulder extenders have a soft element that may be made from one or more air bags or chambers, or of a plurality of layers of flexible material, and can be driven pneumatically, mechanically and/or electrically in a stepped or continuous manner. The shoulder extenders are mover simultaneously with buck side air bags. Platen side extenders that operate in conjunction with the shoulder extenders to press shirt shoulders are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Kwang Hun Park
  • Patent number: 7392606
    Abstract: This invention comprises a torso 2 for putting on a shirt 1 thereon and press irons 3 to depress the front part and rear part of the torso 2 to press finish the shirt 1. The torso 2 is formed by plates 2a, 2b oppositely arranged at the front part and rear part. The present invention is made such that the steam flowing pipe 4 for use in heating the front side plate 2a is arranged at a position corresponding to the front part 1a of the shirt 1 at the rear side of the front side plate 2a. When the product of the present invention is used, it is possible to finish the front bodice of the shirt having the cloth overlapped portions rapidly and thus it is possible to increase an efficiency of the pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 7370778
    Abstract: This invention relates to a finishing device in which the jacket (2) is finished while it is put on the torso (1). This invention comprises a pair of front and rear skirt pressers (4) for pressing the front and rear skirts of the jacket (2) put on the torso (1) and a pair of right and left side tension applicators (5) for pushing wide both side skirts of the jacket (2) put on the torso (1) laterally. In this invention, the side tension applicators (5) are provided with side pressers (13) in cooperation with the side tension applicators (5) to hold and press both side skirts of the jacket (2). Application of this invention enables the skirts of the jacket put on the torso to be tensioned under a state in which not only the front and rear sides but also both sides are fixed and further enables the jacket to finished neatly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 7322497
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • Patent number: 7314151
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus for clothing including a dummy torso, grip members for gripping end portions of both sleeves of a shirt, a rear ironing member, and a front ironing member; the front ironing member being comprised of a left front ironing member and a right front ironing member that are respectively movable between the outside of the grip members and the front of the dummy torso so that when moved to the front of the dummy torso the diagonally extending inside edges of the left and right front ironing members come in contact to mate each other with the mated inside edges located on one side of a vertical center line of the dummy torso and a shirt put on the dummy torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Y.A.C. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoya Myoji
  • Publication number: 20070246489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shirt press machine which comprises a front left side press for pressing a front left side part of a shirt which is hung on a human body model; a front right side press for pressing a front right side part of the shirt; and a rear press for pressing a rear part of the shirt, wherein the front left and right side presses approach the front left and right side parts of the shirt hung on the human body model, respectively, so as to press them, and wherein the rear press approaches the rear part of the shirt so as to press it. The shirt press machine further comprises a pair of support arms for supportingly spreading out the sleeves of the shirt, so that a high temperature and pressure hot air is applied to the sleeves of the shirt which are supportingly spread out obliquely downwardly to the left and right by the pair of support arms, thereby allowing the sleeves of the shirt to be ironed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Byung Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 7191921
    Abstract: Garments can be pressed with a shirt-like inflatable body that is stretched from the inside. The device has a bottom part with a blower for inflating the inflatable body. The bottom part also has a button-strip clamp for fixing the edges of the garments. In order to be able to also press shirt-like garments that cannot be opened, such as sweaters and the like, using said device, the novel apparatus has a locking device by way of which the button-strip clamp can be released from the working position near the inflatable body. Upon release, the button-strip clamp can be placed at a distance from the inflatable body or totally removed from the device in order to stretch and press closed garments on the inflatable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Kathrin Redlin
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6543657
    Abstract: A thermal manikin has a closed perforated rigid frame covered by a breathable fabric extending over the frame and forming arms and legs. Water passages and a pump inside the manikin direct water around the manikin to simulate natural blood flow. The manikin is provided with a controller and sensor for measuring conditions inside and outside the manikin that enables simultaneous determination of Clo (thermal resistance of clothing placed on the manikin) and Im (the permeability index of the clothing).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jintu Fan, Yi-song Chen
  • Patent number: 6237261
    Abstract: An air control valve system for a shirt body press wherein the shirt body press includes at least one mannequin which is positionable between two press plates. The mannequin defines at least two inflatable side air bags. The shirt body press further includes a blower system including a blower and a heat exchanger through which the blower exhausts. The air control valve system controls the flow of air out of the heat exchanger into inflatable air bags located at the sides and shoulders in two stages, a soft, or initial, air stage and a full pressure stage. The air control valve system includes at least one valve assembly for inflating the air bags. A flow controller can be mechanically adjusted to control the restricted flow rate of the soft air stage. A metering valve controls the rate at which the air flow rate is increased to the full pressure stage. The full pressure stage is timed to commence coincidentally with the closing of the press plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Ernest J. Hickle, David G. Crockett
  • Patent number: 6032837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shirt pressing and finishing machine in which body buck assemblies are arranged upright between a pair of front and rear pressplates. The pressplates are provided with a metallic pipe having a superior thermal conduction through which steam is passed. The metallic pipe is contacted with the rear surface of each of the pressplates and bent into a state in which the front surface of each of the pressplates is heated uniformly. The pressplates are formed by sticking metallic plates from each other, and the rear surface of each of the pressplates is formed by a metallic plate having a superior thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: San Kousha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • 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: 5862606
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying protective suits, for which the suit is put over a supporting framework, which consists of tubes and reaches into all extremities of the suit, the tubes having outlet openings at their ends for warm air that has been blown in. The supporting framework 1; 101 is formed by tubular hoops 2, 3, 4, 5; 102, 103, 104, 105; 102', 103', 104', 105' which, in the area of the feet and hands of the protective suit, have bends 6, 7, 8, 9; 106, 107, 108, 109; 106', 107', 108', 109', in which the outlet openings 21; 121 for the drying air are disposed. An additional connecting piece 124; 124', which optionally can be shut off, is provided at the common manifold 18, 118, 118' for supplying detergents and disinfectants, it being possible preferably to shut off the drying air line before the connecting piece 124 also by means of a valve 125.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Helmut Jannach
  • 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: 5722572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved ironing machine, in particular for ironing cloth articles such as shirts and the like. The machine comprises a base structure which supports a first ironing station provided with a dummy for supporting from inside a cloth article to be ironed and with pressing elements which are turned to the outside of the dummy. The inside of the dummy is coupled to suction elements, and the pressing elements are provided with a device for delivering a hot fluid such as hot air or steam. The machine further comprises a second ironing station for ironing the neck and cuffs of the cloth article to be ironed. This second station comprises a bottom ironing panel for supporting thereon the cloth article to be ironed and a top ironing panel which can be driven toward the end away from the bottom ironing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Enzo Pessina
  • Patent number: 5687278
    Abstract: A steamer (10) is provided having a tubular upper portion (11), a base (12) and a stanchion (13) extending between the upper portion and the base. The upper portion has a tubular upper bar (18), a tubular middle bar (17) and a lower bar (16), each having a series of steam ports (24) therein. The base has a heating element (28) which heats water within the base to produce steam which is conveyed through the stanchion to the upper portion where it is then expelled through the steam ports. The steamer is configurable between a working configuration and a compact, stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Frederick C. Turner
    Inventor: Fredrick C. Turner
  • 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: 5592750
    Abstract: A drier for articles of clothing including a suitcase-like container having a storage section and an equipment section divided by a base plate. A plurality of conduit members are initially stored in the storage section, and can be removed and selectively assembled into various rack configurations on which articles of clothing may be hung or drying. The conduit members are assembled into one or more racks that are mounted on the base plate in communication with an equal number of conduit openings. A blower and heater disposed within the equipment section draw air through an air inlet, heat that air, and force it through the conduit openings and upwardly through the conduit members. The heated air is expelled through a multiplicity of air outlet apertures disposed within the articles of clothing being dried. A fragrance dispenser operating in conjunction with the blower can uniformly dispense a deodorizer or preferred scent throughout the articles of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Gerard Eichten
  • Patent number: 5561880
    Abstract: A steam cabinet includes a base assembly with a water pan and an electrical resistance heater subassembly mounted in thermally conductive relationship therewith. The water pan includes a water inlet and a water outlet. A cabinet assembly is mounted on the base assembly and includes front, back and opposite side walls. A roof structure is mounted on top of the side walls. The cabinet assembly front wall includes an opening which receives a door for providing access to the cabinet interior. The cabinet body side walls include receivers for mounting hanging rods extending therebetween and adapted for supporting multiple garments on hangers. A control system includes multiple float switches in the water pan which are activated by various water level conditions in the water pan. A microprocessor is provided for controlling the heater and water supply operation and timing the steam cabinet operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: A/C Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Allen, T. Christopher Carlin, Kenneth S. Allen
  • Patent number: 5516012
    Abstract: Apparatus for steam treatment and hot-air treatment of garments hanging on a conveyor by clothes hangers in a housing, into which the garments are introduced through an inlet lock and from which the garments are removed through an outlet lock. There is provided in the housing, after the inlet lock in the conveying direction, a steam treatment section with steam outlet nozzles directed onto the garments on both sides of the conveying path. After the steam treatment section in the conveying direction, a hot-air treatment section with at least one inlet opening is provided, which opening introduces hot air into the housing. At least one outlet opening is also provided, which removes hot air from the housing. The inlet and outlet opening are part of an air-circulation circuit system. At least one outlet opening is also provided, which removes hot air from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Veit GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Weigel
  • Patent number: 5494552
    Abstract: Two-sided fusible tape is mounted in an effective manner upon the sleeve seam allowance of a garment comprising the steps of placing a jacket arranged inside out upon a heated stationary buck, the jacket being positioned on the buck so that the sleeve seam allowance is properly aligned. An exposed surface of a two-sided fusible strip is placed along the sleeve seam allowance, the other fusible surface being covered with a protective sheet. A vacuum communicating with the buck is drawn to retain the garment in the proper position. A pair of heated heads having pressing surfaces conforming to the shape of the buck are simultaneously driven toward the buck to press the fusible strip against the sleeve seam allowance of the garment, the heat from the buck and the heads activating the fusible. Steam may be ejected from the heads when the fusible employed requires steam for activation. The heads are withdrawn from the buck and the garment is removed in preparation for mounting a shoulder pad to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Hoffman/New Yorker Incorporated
    Inventor: George V. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5474216
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for finishing a shirt comprising a buck with a first drive means to move the buck between a loading and a finishing zone; a pair of chests positioned adjacent to the buck at the finishing zone with a second drive means to move the chests between inoperative and operative positions; a pair of clips to receive an area of a shirt on the buck to be pressed at the region between the cuff and sleeve and to form an obstruction for the flow of heated air and steam therethrough during a finishing operation; steam lines for coupling a source of steam to the interior of the chests; air lines for coupling a source of negative air pressure to the buck for drawing a vacuum through the buck when the buck is in the loading zone for holding a shirt against the buck and to provide a positive air pressure to the interior of the buck to force the sleeves outwardly to effect their finishing; and a single blower to generate a positive air pressure and a negative air pressure coupled to the buck with associated
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: Michael K. Harrod, Charles E. Devrick
  • Patent number: 5419469
    Abstract: A portable garment finishing machine (30) includes a hollow gripper (102) for gripping an edge portion of a suspended garment such that the gripper closes the edge portion upon itself in a spread condition. Treating fluid forced through the hollow gripper treats the gripper clamped garment portion while a longitudinally extendible conduit (32) conducts treating fluid interiorly of the garment. One of several embodiments of a fluid distributor (31, 316, 600), connected to the conduit, vertically traverses the garment interiorly and directs the fluid at interior garment surfaces. The treating fluid includes steam produced by vaporizing a water mist generated by ultrasonic means (450). A shoulder-shaped form (330) is provided to serve several functions including prevention of fluid escape through garment neck openings. The form is upwardly openable for receiving a garment hanger (344) such that the form can close over the hanger to avoid fluid loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Charles L. Urso
  • Patent number: 5356055
    Abstract: A method of pleating a garment, wherein an unfinished garment, prepared by sewing cloth parts together, is folded, rolled and twisted, and then attached to a holder. The holder holding the garment is placed in a heat-treatment apparatus, and the unfinished garment is heat-treated and pleated at the same time in the heat-treatment apparatus filled with saturated steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Miyake Design Jimusho d/b/a Miyake Design Studio
    Inventor: Naoki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5305484
    Abstract: A clothes steaming and drying cabinet comprising a housing defining an interior region for the clothes. Hangers and a bar are provided for suspending jackets and trousers respectively. Weighted bars tension the clothes during steaming. A sub housing houses a heating element and a fan for delivering heated air into the interior region. A boiler tank generates steam for delivery into the region. During the steaming and drying cycle, steam is delivered for a steaming period of the cycle and subsequently heated air is delivered during the drying period of the cycle. During the steaming period, heated air is intermittently delivered into the interior region simultaneously with the steam to reduce the formation of condensation on the interior of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: J.S.F. Holdings (Cork) Limited
    Inventors: John S. Fitzpatrick, Patrick M. Branigan, William C. Kee, Cornelius B. Clarke, Ernest Search, Mark Cunnane, Richard P. Delaney
  • 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