U.S. patent application number 13/632968 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-04 for clothing press apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Christine M. Sanders, Jason M. Sanders. Invention is credited to Christine M. Sanders, Jason M. Sanders.
Application Number | 20130081212 13/632968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47991256 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130081212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanders; Christine M. ; et
al. |
April 4, 2013 |
CLOTHING PRESS APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
A foldable and flexible sheet capable of ensuring that an
article of clothing, such as a shirt collar or cuff, remains
pressed and unwrinkled during and after the laundering of that
clothing article. In the practice of an aspect of the present
invention, the clothing press apparatus is applied to the desired
article of clothing prior to laundering that article. The clothing
press is suitably rigid to prevent bunching or wrinkling of the
clothing, while ensuring that the proper shape of the article of
clothing is maintained. The clothing press is of such a shape,
design, and formed of such materials as to prevent the damaging of
the laundering machine or other clothing being laundered along with
the selected garment.
Inventors: |
Sanders; Christine M.;
(Kansas City, MO) ; Sanders; Jason M.; (Kansas
City, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sanders; Christine M.
Sanders; Jason M. |
Kansas City
Kansas City |
MO
MO |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47991256 |
Appl. No.: |
13/632968 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61542064 |
Sep 30, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ;
223/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 59/02 20130101;
A47G 25/72 20130101; D06F 95/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 ;
223/84 |
International
Class: |
D06C 15/00 20060101
D06C015/00; D06L 1/20 20060101 D06L001/20 |
Claims
1. A foldable sheet, comprising: a frame including a top member, a
bottom member, and two side members, wherein said ends frame a
central gap; a cover covering said frame; a flexible sheet of
material having an inner face, an outer face, opposite sides, and
opposite ends, said sheet affixed to the frame cover and occupying
said central gap; a top fold point located on said top frame member
and a bottom fold point located on said bottom frame member; and
wherein said frame is adapted to fold along an axis crossing said
top fold point and said bottom fold point.
2. The foldable sheet of claim 1, further comprising: each said
side member including at least two slide lock elements; wherein
said top frame member is slidably engaged with said two side
members, and said bottom frame is similarly slidably engaged with
said two slide members; and wherein said slide lock elements are
capable of temporarily preventing said top frame member and bottom
frame member from sliding relative to said side members.
3. The foldable sheet of claim 1, wherein said sheet is water
resistant and heat resistant such that said sheet is capable of
being processed through a mechanical clothes washing machine and a
mechanical clothes dryer.
4. The foldable sheet of claim 3, wherein said foldable sheet is
adapted to close over a standard shirt collar.
5. The foldable sheet of claim 3, wherein said foldable sheet is
adapted to close over a standard shirt sleeve cuff.
6. The foldable sheet of claim 3, wherein said foldable sheet is
adapted to close over a standard pant cuff.
7. The foldable sheet of claim 1, further comprising: wherein said
frame members are comprised of steel; and wherein said top member
and bottom member are capable of snapping from an open position to
a closed position at said fold points.
8. A foldable sheet adapted for use with clothing, the sheet
comprising: a frame including a top member, a bottom member, and
two side members, wherein said ends frame a central gap; each said
side member including at least two slide lock elements; wherein
said top frame member is slidably engaged with said two side
members, and said bottom frame is similarly slidably engaged with
said two slide members; and wherein said slide lock elements are
capable of temporarily preventing said top frame member and bottom
frame member from sliding relative to said side members; an
insulating cover covering said frame; a flexible sheet of material
having an inner face, an outer face, opposite sides, and opposite
ends, said sheet affixed to the frame cover and occupying said
central gap; a top fold point located on said top frame member and
a bottom fold point located on said bottom frame member; and
wherein said frame is adapted to fold along an axis crossing said
top fold point and said bottom fold point.
9. A method of laundering a shirt, comprising: providing a foldable
sheet including a covered frame comprised of multiple frame members
defining a central gap, and a flexible sheet affixed to the covered
frame and filling said central gap; sliding said frame members such
that said foldable sheet has a length that corresponds to the
length of a portion of clothing having a first face and a second
face; placing a first face of said foldable sheet against said
first face of said clothing; folding said foldable sheet in half
such that said first face of said foldable sheet is placed against
said second face of said portion of clothing, thereby pressing said
portion of clothing flat; and laundering said shirt using a
mechanical clothes washing machine and a mechanical clothes dryer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority in U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/542,064, filed Sep. 30, 2011, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for
pressing and maintaining clothing, and particularly to an apparatus
which is secured over a clothing item, such as a shirt collar, or a
shirt or pant cuff, such that the clothing item remains pressed
after the item is washed.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The desire to have clothing neatly pressed and wrinkle-free
is widely accepted and preferable. Clothing irons, ironing boards,
and starches are some of the more historical means for pressing
clothing. A recent trend in clothing manufacturing is to create
"non-iron" shirts and pants. These clothing items are touted to be
wrinkle-resistant, even after being run through a commercial washer
and dryer.
[0006] Wrinkle-free and non-iron clothing items have advanced to a
great degree; however, over time wrinkles do appear in these
clothing items, especially on and around the collars and cuffs of
shirts, and the cuffs of jeans and pants. Cuffs tend to roll up,
causing wrinkles that must be ironed out. Shirt collars also tend
to roll up, but also bunch up after a trip through a commercial
washer and dryer. What is needed is some means of ensuring that
cuffs and collars of clothing items remain neatly pressed while the
clothing item is run through a commercial washer and dryer,
eliminating the time spent on ironing these clothing items.
[0007] Heretofore there has not been available a clothing press
apparatus and method of laundering clothing with the advantages and
features of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of
ensuring that an article of clothing, such as a shirt collar or
cuff, remains pressed and unwrinkled during and after the
laundering of that clothing article. In the practice of an aspect
of the present invention, the clothing press apparatus is applied
to the desired article of clothing prior to laundering that
article. The clothing press is suitably rigid to prevent bunching
or wrinkling of the clothing, while ensuring that the proper shape
of the article of clothing is maintained. The clothing press is of
such a shape, design, and formed of such materials as to prevent
the damaging of the laundering machine or other clothing being
laundered along with the selected garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating
various objects and features thereof
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown interacting with a typical environment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention, the reverse plan view being a mirror image
thereof
[0013] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention, the reverse plan view being a mirror image thereof
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention
interacting with a typical environment--namely, a shirt collar.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a continuation of the view shown in FIG. 5,
showing the embodiment engaging the shirt collar.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown interacting with a typical environment.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention
interacting with a typical environment--namely, the cuffs of a
collared shirt.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a continuation of the view shown in FIG. 8,
showing the embodiment engaging the shirt cuff.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. Introduction and Environment
[0019] As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are
disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may
be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0020] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience in reference only and will not be
limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer
to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The
words, "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and
away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being
described and designated parts thereof Forwardly and rearwardly are
generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate.
Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned,
derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
II. Preferred Embodiment or Aspect of a Clothing Press Apparatus
2
[0021] Referring to the drawings in more detail; the reference
numeral 2 generally designates a clothing press apparatus 2 capable
of ensuring that clothing collars and cuffs remain straight during
and after laundering. The clothing press 2 can be used on any piece
of clothing subject to becoming wrinkled or otherwise distorted
during regular laundering in a commercial washing machine and/or
dryer. This includes, but is not limited to, collared shirts, jeans
including cuffs, and shirts including cuffs.
[0022] FIG. 1 demonstrates a clothing press 2 used to press a
standard shirt collar 10 of a standard dress shirt 8. The clothing
press 2 is generally composed of a frame 4 and a mesh 6. The frame
4 is designed to ensure that the press 2 rigidly locks onto a piece
of clothing, such as the shirt collar 10 shown, and the mesh 6 is
of sufficient rigidity to ensure that the fabric is completely
pressed, preventing any wrinkling or bunching of the fabric. The
frame 4 may be comprised of steel, such as "snap-steel" or memory
steel, which collapses back into the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
when released. The mesh 6 may be of any material, including
stainless steel or silk. FIG. 2 shows the clothing press apparatus
of FIG. 1 in isolation. The frame ideally is made of separate
segments and/or members which are capable of sliding against one
another, thereby elongating or shortening the cover.
[0023] After the clothing press 2 is applied to a shirt collar, as
shown by FIG. 1, the clothing item may be placed into a commercial
washing machine for laundering, after which it may be placed in a
commercial dryer. Once the garment is completely clean, the
clothing press 2 is removed, revealing a sharply pressed collar,
cuff, or other clothing element, with no need for ironing.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a clothing press
2, wherein the frame 4 is surrounded by a cover 12. The cover may
be any soft material, such as cotton cloth, and acts to insulate
the frame 4, which may become hot to the touch from the drying
process. The edges of the cover 12 and the frame 4 are rounded to
prevent snagging or otherwise damaging other clothing during
laundering. A number of slide locks 16, which allow the size of the
clothing press 2 to be adjusted, are located along the frame 4. The
adjustable length accommodates clothing of all sizes, ranging from
small shirt cuffs to large shirt collars. A fold line 14 is shown,
upon which the frame 4 may automatically fold when the clothing
press 2 is released. In other embodiments, the clothing press 2 may
be manually folded along the fold line 14 by a typical user.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a clothing press 2,
wherein the frame 4 lacks a cover 12. The frame retains rounded
edges to prevent damaging clothing during laundering, and the
functionality is otherwise identical.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a clothing press 2 folded along a fold line 14
as it would approach a standard shirt collar 10 of a standard dress
shirt 8. FIG. 6 shows the next step, in which the collar 10 is
fully embraced by the clothing press 2. The frame 4 ensures that
the press 2 is firmly clamped about the fabric, and the mesh 6
firmly presses against the collar fabric, preventing wrinkling or
bunching of the fabric. The press 2 may then be manually or
atomically rolled up into the natural circular or elliptical shape
of the collar 10. FIGS. 1 and 2 clearly show the end result of such
an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a pair of clothing presses 2 being used to
press the cuffs 18 of a standard dress shirt 8. The cuffs are
completely encircled by and contained within the clothing press 2,
firmly embraced by the frame 4 and mesh 6 to prevent the material
from wrinkling or bunching in any way. The slides 16 may be
adjusted to accommodate the smaller circumference of the cuffs
18.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a clothing press 2 folded along a fold line 14
as it would approach a standard shirt cuff 18 of a standard dress
shirt 8. FIG. 9 shows the next step, in which the cuff 18 is fully
embraced by the clothing press 2. The frame 4 ensures that the
press 2 is firmly clamped about the fabric, and the mesh 6 firmly
presses against the collar fabric, preventing wrinkling or bunching
of the fabric. The press 2 may then be manually or atomically
rolled up into the natural circular or elliptical shape of the cuff
18. FIGS. 1 and 2 clearly show the end result of such an
embodiment.
[0029] The clothing press 2 may be used on any clothing item, and
may be formed to whatever preference is necessary. For example, the
clothing press may be used to ensure that the cuffs of jeans or
pants do not roll and bunch during laundering. For another example,
the clothing press may be of sufficient size to press the pleat of
a pant leg.
[0030] It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in
various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed
above. The range of components and configurations which can be
utilized in the practice of the present invention is virtually
unlimited.
* * * * *