U.S. patent application number 10/569532 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for device for ironing a piece of garment.
Invention is credited to Joachim Damrath, Kathrin Redlin, Markus Spielmannleitner, Gerhard Wetzl.
Application Number | 20060261101 10/569532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37447401 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060261101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Damrath; Joachim ; et
al. |
November 23, 2006 |
Device for ironing a piece of garment
Abstract
A device for ironing garments, particularly shirts. The device
comprises an outer inflatable member that is provided with a torso
section and two sleeve sections which are laterally connected to
the torso section, and an inner inflatable member essentially made
of an air-impermeable material. Air for the sleeve sections and the
torso section is supplied separately via the inner inflatable
member.
Inventors: |
Damrath; Joachim;
(Bachhagel, DE) ; Redlin; Kathrin; (Berlin,
DE) ; Spielmannleitner; Markus; (Ellwangen, DE)
; Wetzl; Gerhard; (Sontheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Family ID: |
37447401 |
Appl. No.: |
10/569532 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 25, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/09503 |
371 Date: |
February 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 73/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/066 |
International
Class: |
D06C 15/00 20060101
D06C015/00 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A device for ironing garments, the device comprising an outer
inflatable member having with an outer torso section and two outer
sleeve sections which are laterally connected to the outer torso
section, and an inner inflatable member which includes an
air-impermeable material, wherein the air supply for the outer
sleeve sections and the outer torso section is provided separately
via the inner inflatable member.
13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inner inflatable
member includes a cladding at least partially forming a separation
between the outer torso section and the outer sleeve sections.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the inner inflatable
member has an inner torso section and two inner sleeve stumps
laterally connected to the inner torso section, the separation
between the outer torso section and the outer sleeve sections being
formed by the inner sleeve stumps, the inner sleeve stumps having a
circumference being greater than the circumference of the outer
sleeve section.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein an inner wedge is
provided on the inner inflatable member on an opening of each inner
sleeve stump, said inner wedge having a circumference of the inner
sleeve stump in the vicinity of the inner sleeve stump opening
being greater than the circumference of the inner sleeve stump
opening.
16. The device according to claim 12, wherein an outer wedge is
provided on the outer inflatable member at an opening of each outer
sleeve section, said outer wedge having a circumference of the
outer sleeve section in the vicinity of the outer sleeve opening
being greater than the circumference of the outer sleeve
opening.
17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the inner sleeve
stumps each include a front face being permeable to air for the
supply of air into the outer sleeve section of the outer inflatable
member, the front faces being formed by at least one of an open air
permeable material and a dense material having openings.
18. The device according to claims 14, wherein the inner torso
portion has air-permeable regions for the air supply to the outer
torso section.
19. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inner inflatable
member include two separate side portions which each form a portion
of the inner torso portion, the separate side portions being
interconnected by connecting means.
20. The device according to claim 19, wherein each side portion of
the inner inflatable member includes an inner side facing the other
side portion and being at least partially air-permeable, the inner
side being formed by at least one of an open air permeable material
and a dense material having multiple openings.
21. The device according to claim 12, wherein a pressure ratio of
1:2.5 to 1:4.5 is adjusted between the outer inflatable member and
the inner inflatable member.
22. The device according to claim 12, wherein a pressure ratio of
1:3 to 1:3.5 is adjusted between the outer inflatable member and
the inner inflatable member.
23. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inflatable member
includes a sealed region having an air permeability in the region
of 0 to 3 L/m.sup.2s, a moderate air permeability region having an
air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m.sup.2s, and an
air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 100
to 250 L/m.sup.2s.
24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the inflatable member
includes the sealed region having an air permeability in the region
of 0 to 1 L/m.sup.2s, the moderate air permeability region having
an air permeability in the range of 5 to 10 L/m.sup.2s, and the
air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 150
to 210 L/m.sup.2s.
25. A device for ironing garments, the device comprising: an outer
inflatable member having with an outer torso section and two outer
sleeve sections which are laterally connected to the outer torso
section; an inner inflatable member disposed within the outer
inflatable member and including an inner torso section and two
inner sleeve stumps laterally connected to the inner torso section
at inner openings, and two side portions, each side portion
including an inner side facing the other side portion and being at
least partially air-permeable; and an inner wedge is provided on
each inner sleeve stump and having a circumference in the vicinity
of the inner opening being greater than the circumference of the
inner opening.
26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the inflatable member
includes a sealed region having an air permeability in the region
of 0 to 3 L/m.sup.2s, a moderate air permeability region having an
air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m.sup.2s, and an
air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 100
to 250 L/m.sup.2s.
27. The device according to claim 26, comprising: the sealed region
including the inner sleeve stump, at least a portion of the torso
portion, and at least a portion of the inner sides; the moderate
air permeability region including at least a portion of the torso
portion disposed opposite the inner side; and the air-permeable
region including at least a portion of the inner sides.
28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the inflatable member
includes the sealed region having an air permeability in the region
of 0 to 1 L/m.sup.2s, the moderate air permeability region having
an air permeability in the range of 5 to 10 L/m.sup.2S, and the
air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 150
to 210 L/m.sup.2s.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for ironing a
garment, especially a garment for the upper body, such as for
example a shirt, a blouse or a jacket.
[0002] It is known to dry or iron items of clothing by pulling
these onto an inflatable member which is also designated as an
inflatable dummy and which substantially has the shape of the
garment to be ironed, and this inflatable member is provided with
air or steam from inside. The inflatable member is inflated by the
supply of air or steam and tensions the items to be ironed or dried
from inside. In order to be able to achieve uniform inflation of
the inflatable member and therefore a good drying and ironing
result, it can be necessary to distribute the air introduced into
the interior of the inflatable member or the introduced steam such
that the inflatable member takes on the desired shape.
[0003] For this purpose it is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,244
to use a device which uses an inflatable member subdivided into a
plurality of compartments. The individual compartments are formed
by dividing walls provided in the inflatable members which can be
diaphragms for example. These compartments are inflated by means of
a blower via separate pipes wherein the air supply into one
compartment can be throttled in favour of the air supply to the
other compartments. This structure is very expensive because of the
pipes to be provided and the necessary regulation.
[0004] It is furthermore proposed in DE 100 63 672 A1 to provide a
device for pressing shirts comprising a subdivided inflatable
member. In this case, one outer inflatable member and two inner
inflatable members located therein are provided. The inner
inflatable members consist of air-permeable material and each have
a torso section and respectively one sleeve section. The pressure
in the outer inflatable member is produced by means of the air
emerging from the inner inflatable members, where openings can
additionally be provided at the ends of the sleeve sections to
allow a greater supply of air to the sleeves of the outer
inflatable member. The air emerging via the sleeve section is used
to supply the torso section with air. If the air flow from the
sleeve section to the torso section is interrupted, this section
collapses as a result of the deficient air supply in the torso
section, resulting in a poor ironing result in this area. Such an
interruption of the air supply from the sleeve section to the torso
section can occur, for example, if a garment of smaller size is
pulled onto the outer inflatable member.
[0005] It is thus the object of the invention to provide a device
for ironing wherein uniform inflation of the outer inflatable
member can be ensured in a simple manner.
[0006] The object is solved according to the invention by a device
for pressing items of clothing, especially shirts, where the device
comprises an outer inflatable member comprising a torso section and
two sleeve sections which are connected laterally to the torso
section, and an inner inflatable member which substantially
consists of an air-impermeable material. The air supply in the
device according to the invention is effected so that the air
supply for the sleeve sections and for the torso section of the
outer inflatable member is provided separately via the inner
inflatable member.
[0007] By a separate air supply to the different sections of the
outer inflatable member it is understood that the air for one
section need not pass through the other section. The inner
inflatable member in the device thus fulfils the function of
supporting the form of the outer inflatable member and at the same
time, the function of the air supply to the separate regions. Thus,
the entire structure of the device is kept simple. In the inflated
state of the device in which this presses the garment pulled
thereon, which is preferably damp, the air supply is exclusively
separate whereas in the initial stage of the pressing process a
certain exchange of air between the torso section and the sleeve
sections can take place.
[0008] The separation between the torso section and the sleeve
sections in the outer inflatable member is partly formed by the
cladding of the inner inflatable member. The provision of separate
dividing walls or diaphragms between these regions can thus be
omitted. In addition, this configuration can ensure that the outer
inflatable member is supported at the dividing line between the
sleeve section and the torso section, i.e. at the sleeve opening of
the torso section. The inner inflatable member preferably has a
torso section and two sleeve sections laterally connected thereto.
In this case, the separation between the torso section and the
sleeve sections in the outer inflatable member is formed by a
portion of the sleeve stumps. Since the separation is provided by
abutting the inner inflatable member against the outer inflatable
member, the sleeve stump of the inner inflatable member is
preferably designed so that the circumference of the sleeve stump
is greater than the circumference of the sleeve section of the
outer inflatable member. As a result, on the one hand a reliable
separation of sleeve section and torso section can be achieved. On
the other hand, the difference in the diameters can be used to
achieve firm bearing of the sleeve stump against the sleeve section
and thus good pressing of the sleeve of the garment in this
area.
[0009] The separation thus only appears in the inflated state of
the inner and outer inflatable member whereas the inner and outer
inflatable member are not connected to one another in the
stress-relieved state. This has the advantage that the inflatable
members can be removed individually from the device and can be
cleaned, for example.
[0010] The length of the sleeve stumps preferably corresponds to at
least a quarter or a third, especially preferably half, the length
of the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member. This sleeve
stump thus abuts against the upper portion of the sleeve section of
the outer inflatable member. This in turn is surrounded on the
outside by the sleeve of the garment or the shirt. Air must be
introduced into the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member
at elevated pressure in order to achieve sufficient tensioning of
the sleeve section in the sleeve starting area and thereby prevent
fold points. In addition, drying of the seams on the garment must
be ensured in the sleeve starting area. If air is guided at
elevated pressure into the entire sleeve area of the outer
inflatable member, especially in the areas in which only one
material layer is provided, e.g. in the upper sleeve area, rapid
drying takes place and heated air is then lost via this region,
which represents a loss of energy. The sleeve stump is thus used to
slow the drying of the upper sleeve area of the garment and
nevertheless be able to ensure that sufficient pressure is applied
in this area. Since the material of the inner inflatable member and
the material of the outer inflatable member lie above one another
in the upper area of the sleeve section, the escape of air is
retarded and the drying in the upper sleeve area is slowed and
adapted to the remaining outer inflatable member. At the same time,
the required pressure is produced for unfolding the sleeve in the
sleeve starting area and drying these seams in this area above the
sleeve stump.
[0011] On the inner inflatable member a wedge can be provided at
the sleeve stump opening which produces a larger circumference of
the sleeve stump in the vicinity of the sleeve stump opening than
at the sleeve stump opening. This wedge which consists of the same
material as the inner inflatable member makes it possible to
enlarge the circumference of the sleeve stump at a short distance
from the sleeve stump opening in a simple manner. Distortions in
this area can hereby be prevented and a wedge provided on the outer
inflatable member according to a further embodiment which serves to
enlarge the circumference of the sleeve section can be supported
such that the sleeve section abuts sufficiently against the
garment.
[0012] The sleeve section of the outer inflatable member can be
ventilated via the front faces of the sleeve stumps which are
configured as air-permeable for this purpose. The air permeability
can be achieved by a suitable choice of material, for example, an
open textile material or by providing one or more openings in a
dense material. For example, an opening 24 mm in diameter can be
provided on the front side in a dense material. The air flow is
hereby ideally directed.
[0013] The air supply for the torso section of the outer inflatable
member can be provided by air-permeable areas in the torso section
of the inner inflatable member. In this case, the air permeability
can be achieved by a suitable choice of material, for example, an
open textile material or by providing one or more openings in a
dense material.
[0014] The inner inflatable member is preferably formed from two
separate side portions which each form a portion of the torso
portion of the inner inflatable member. The side portions
preferably each have a sleeve stump which projects into the sleeve
section of the outer inflatable member. As a result of the
stability exhibited by the side portions in the inflated state, a
spacing provided between the side portions is also maintained
during the pressing process, i.e., after tensioning a garment. In
addition, the side portions can be supported on their inside by a
frame which can be formed, for example, by rods or by continuous
surfaces.
[0015] Any pressing together of the side portions even when
tensioning a garment of smaller size is thus avoided. In one
embodiment, connecting means are provided between the side portions
which, for example, can be made of strips of material. This
prevents the side portions from moving away from one another
[0016] In one preferred embodiment, the side portion of the inner
inflatable member on the side facing the further side portion of
the inner inflatable member is at least partly air-permeable. The
air permeability can also be achieved here by a suitable choice of
material, for example, an open textile material or by providing one
or more openings in a dense material. For example, four openings 24
mm in diameter can be inserted on the side of the side portion
facing the further side portion. By this means a sufficient
regulated air supply to the torso section of the outer inflatable
member can also be achieved if a garment of smaller size is pulled
onto the device. Especially, if the side portions are held by a
frame, the spacing of the inner sides of the side portions is
always unchanged and the air supply to the torso section of the
outer inflatable member is always ensured.
[0017] In the device a pressure ratio between the outer and the
inner inflatable members of 1:2.5 to 1:4.5, preferably of 1:3 to
1:3.5 is preferably set. This pressure ratio exists both in the
sleeve section and in the torso area. This pressure ratio is
achieved by means of the substantially airtight configuration of
the inner inflatable member. The exact setting of the pressure
difference can additionally be made by selecting the size of the
air-permeable areas at the sleeve stumps and the torso portion of
the inner inflatable member.
[0018] Those regions having an air permeability in the range of 0
to 3 L/m.sup.2s, preferably 0 to 1 L/m.sup.2s, are preferably
designated as air-impermeable regions of the inflatable member.
Regions of moderate air permeability preferably have an air
permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m.sup.2s, preferably of 5 to
10 L/m.sup.2s. The air-permeable regions preferably have an air
permeability in the range of 100 to 250 L/m.sup.2s, preferably of
150 to 210 L/m.sup.2s. The values are preferably measured at a
difference pressure of 100 Pa.
[0019] The invention is described in detail hereinafter with
reference to the appended figures. In the figures:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of
the device according to the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a side portion of an inner
inflatable member of the embodiment of the device according to the
invention from FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 consisting of an outer inflatable
member 2 and an inner inflatable member 3. The outer inflatable
member 2 is only partly indicated to allow a view of the inner
inflatable member 3. The outer inflatable member 2 comprises a
torso section 21 and two sleeve sections 22 which are laterally
connected to the torso section 21 via a sleeve opening 23.
[0023] The outer inflatable member 2 accommodates an inner
inflatable member 3. In the embodiment shown, the inner inflatable
member 3 is formed by two side portions 31 and 32. One side portion
31 of the inner inflatable member 3 is shown in further detail in
FIG. 2. The structure and the mode of operation of the device
according to the invention is explained in the following especially
with reference to this side portion 31 which is shown as the left
side portion in FIG. 1. The other right side portion 32 in FIG. 1
has the same structure and fulfils the same functions.
[0024] The side portion 31 has a torso portion 311, the torso
portions of the first and second side portion 31 and 32 are spaced
apart from one another and jointly form the torso portion of the
inner inflatable member 3.
[0025] A sleeve stump 312 is disposed laterally on the side portion
31. This is connected to the side portion 31 via a sleeve stump
opening. An opening 314 is provided on the front face 313 of the
sleeve stump 312. The circumference of the sleeve stump 312 is
substantially formed by a cut section of a material, preferably a
textile material. On the underside a wedge 315 is provided on the
sleeve stump 312 which serves to enlarge the circumference of the
sleeve stump. The wedge 315 is preferably made of the same material
as the circumferential surface of the sleeve stump 312. In the
embodiment shown a corresponding wedge on the underside of the
sleeve opening is incorporated on the sleeve section 22 of the
outer inflatable member 2.
[0026] The torso section 311 of the side portion 31 of the inner
inflatable member 3 is formed by an inner side 4 on the side facing
the further side portion 32. In the embodiment shown a cut portion
41 having a high air permeability is incorporated on this inner
side 4 of the torso portion 311 at middle height. The other cut
portions 42 and 43 of the inner side 4 of the side portion 31 are
preferably configured as sealed. Provided in the lower cut portion
43 of the inner side 4 is a connecting opening 44 via which the
side portion 31 can be connected to a blower of a housing (not
shown) provided underneath the inflatable member 2.
[0027] The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used to simply
and reliably press a garment, especially a shirt. The garment is
stretched on the outer inflatable member 2. In this case, the
sleeve sections 22 of the outer inflatable member 2 are inserted
into the sleeves of the garment and are preferably fixed there. Air
or steam is then fed by means of a blower into the inner inflatable
member 3, preferably via the connecting opening 44. In the
embodiment shown air is fed into both side portions 31 and 32 in
this way. The inner inflatable member 3 inflates and the sleeve
stumps of the side portions 31 and 32 are also inflated.
[0028] Air is passed from the inner inflatable member via the
opening 313 in the sleeve stump 312 and the corresponding opening
in the sleeve stump of the side portion 32 into the sleeve section
22 of the outer inflatable member 2, causing
[0029] this to inflate. As a result of the larger circumference
exhibited by the sleeve stump 312 compared with the circumference
of the sleeve section 22, the outer side of the circumference of
the sleeve stump 312 is pressed onto the inner side of the
circumference of the sleeve section 22. This prevents the supply of
air from the opening 314 in the front face 313 to the torso section
21 of the outer inflatable member 2.
[0030] According to the invention, the torso section 21 of the
outer inflatable member 2 is supplied separately from the air
supply to the sleeve sections 22. In the embodiment shown, the air
supply is achieved through a region 41 on the inner side 4 of the
side portions 31 and 32 of the inner inflatable member 3. The
region 41 is designed as air-permeable so that air introduced into
the inner inflatable member 3 can enter the torso section 21 of the
outer inflatable member 2 via this region.
[0031] In the inflated state of the inflatable members 2 and 3 of
the device 1, the air supply to the sleeve sections 22 is provided
exclusively via the sleeve stumps of the side portions 31 and 32,
especially via an opening provided in the front face of the sleeve
stumps. In the embodiment shown the air supply for the torso region
21 of the outer inflatable member 2 is provided exclusively via the
air-permeable regions 41 of the inner sides 4 of the side portions
31 and 32 of the inner inflatable member 3.
[0032] In the embodiment shown the front face 313, the cut portion
of the sleeve stump 312, the wedge 315 and the cut portions forming
the torso portion 311, apart from the inner side 4, are made of a
material having an air permeability in the range of 0 to 1
L/m.sup.2s measured at a pressure differential of 100 Pa, i.e.
which is substantially sealed. The cut portions 42 in the upper and
43 in the lower area of the inner side are preferably also formed
from this dense material. The air-permeable region 44 on the other
hand preferably has an air permeability in the range of 150 to 210
L/m.sup.2s. The values are measured at a pressure differential of
100 Pa. It is furthermore possible to incorporate a further cut
portion, for example, on the side lying opposite to the inner side
4, which has a moderate air permeability in the range of 3 to 20
L/m.sup.2s, preferably in the range of 5 to 10 L/m.sup.2s, measured
at a pressure differential of 100 Pa. This cut portion can extend
over the torso portion from the lower edge as far as the sleeve
stump opening and serves to dry the side seam of the garment in the
torso region.
[0033] The cut portion forming the sleeve section 22 of the outer
inflatable member preferably has an air permeability in the range
of 0 to 1 L/m.sup.2s, measured at a pressure differential of 100
Pa, i.e., is substantially sealed. Regions having moderate air
permeability and open regions can be provided on the lower region
of the sleeve section for the drying of the sleeve and the sleeve
slit.
[0034] In the device according to the invention, pressure values
can be achieved in the individual regions of the inflatable member
which, for example, can have the following values. Air or steam at
a pressure of 400 Pa can be introduced via the connecting opening.
As a result, a pressure of 350 Pa, for example, can be adjusted in
the sleeve sections 22 of the outer inflatable member 2 which makes
it possible to achieve an excellent pressing result on the sleeve
of the garment. A pressure of 100 to 120 Pa can be adjusted in the
torso section 21 of the outer inflatable member 2, especially
between the two side portions 31, 32 of the inner inflatable member
3. These pressure ratios are ideal for pressing a garment using the
device according to the invention.
[0035] The present invention is not restricted to the embodiment
shown.
[0036] Although in the embodiment shown the air-permeable region 41
only extends over the central region of the inner side 4 of the
side portion 31 of the inner inflatable member 3, it is also
possible according to the invention to configure the entire area of
the inner side 4 of the side portion as permeable to air. The
pressure ratio between the outer and the inner inflatable members,
especially in the torso section of the outer inflatable member, can
be adjusted by means of the size of the air-permeable region.
[0037] The opening on the front face of the sleeve stumps is not
limited to a specific size. Furthermore, instead of an opening on a
dense cut portion on the front face of the sleeve stump, it is
possible to form the entire front face of the sleeve stump from an
open material, e.g. a textile material.
[0038] The inner inflatable member is thus used for distribution of
the air in the outer inflatable member and as a shaping element.
The shaping of the outer inflatable member is possible because a
pressure difference in favour of the inner inflatable member
prevails between the outer and the inner inflatable member. This
means that the pressure in the inner inflatable member is higher
than the pressure in the outer inflatable member. This pressure
difference comes about because the outer inflatable member is not
supplied directly with air but exclusively indirectly via the inner
inflatable member. According to the invention, this air supply to
the torso section and the sleeve sections is accomplished
separately. For this purpose, air supply means in the form of
air-permeable material and/or dense material with openings are
provided respectively on the sleeve stumps and the torso
portion.
* * * * *