Apparatus for pressing articles of clothing
United States Patent 1191 Engelbart 1451 Apr. 15, 1975 [22] Filed:  
 [ APPARATUS FOR PRESSING ARTICLES OF CLOTHING [75] Inventor: Wilhelm Engelbart,  
 Seelscheid-Nackhausen, Germany [73] Assignee: Hoffman Rheem Maschinen GmbH, Cologne, Germany July 23, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 491,049  
 3,757,440 9/1973 Fresard et a1 38/17 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Diller, Brown, Ramik &amp;  
 Wight ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an ironing press which includes a former having a shape in accordance with the article of clothing to be pressed, the former being provided with means for dispensing steam into the garment, and there being associated with the former a pressing unit including a pressing plate of a hollow construction and closed by an elastic membrane which is secured thereto in sealed relation, the pressing plate having an inner surface which is selectively heated, and there being associated with the pressing plate vacuum and pressure means wherein the membranes can be first drawn into contact with the heated inner surface and then outwardly expanded so as to conform to and around the former under pressure to press the article of clothing positioned on the former.  
 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEQAFR 1 mm 3 77 151 sasmaarq FIG.2  
 PMENIEUAPR 1 5197s F IG.6  
 PIC-3.8  
 APPARATUS FOR PRESSING ARTICLES OF CLOTHING The invention relates in general to an apparatus for pressing articles of clothing, and more especially to an apparatus for pressing outer clothing, such as jackets, costumes, coats and the like, with a pressing plate.  
  One known ironing press has a hollow upper pressing plate to which a vacuum can be connected. This hollow pressing plate is closed off by a tensioned but completely pervious membrane, which is formed of a wire mesh in association with a flannel covering or the like. The anchoring or bracing of such a membrane is made very taut with the result that formers having strong profiles cannot be used. With this pressing arrangement, the procedure which is followed is that after applying the pressing plate with the porous covering, the steam supplied through the lower pressing plate or bottom plate can be withdrawn by suction through the garment at the upper pressing plate. The suction effect of the pressing plate constructed as a hollow body serves for dissipating the steam passing through the garment. When using formers having strong profiles, the previous covering of the pressing plate constructed as a hollow body prevents the pressing of a garment at a rightangle on the flanks of the former by the membrane.  
  With another known ironing press, the pressing plate constructed as a hollow body is closed on the underside and a closed air cushion is arranged between the plate and the membrane, which cushion can be fed by a medium under pressure. With this construction of the pressing means of the ironing press, the bottom pressing plate can only have a continuous shallow curvature. Strongly profiled formers for the pressing of shaped articles of clothing consequently cannot be used with this arrangement, and also because the upper pressing plate, on account of the effective clamping rim of the membrane, in practice does not extend over a larger area than the bottom pressing plate.  
  It is the object of the invention to make possible the pressing of garments on profiled formers by means of an impervious membrane in a single pressing operation and under the effect of a constant pressing pressure operating at right-angles to the surface and to prevent any formation of condensate. Accordingly, in connection with a pressing apparatus having a hollow member which is open in the direction of its operative side and is closed with a sealing action by means of an impervious elastic membrane, on which hollow member the membrane co-operates with the bottom plate when pressurized medium is admitted to the pressing plate, the operative surface of the bottom plate being smaller than the membrane surface clamped on the pressing plate, steam being supplied to the bottom plate for moistening the garment, the invention is characterised in that the membrane can be retracted by means of a vacuum in the cavity of the pressing plate until the membrane bears directly on that surface of the hollow body of the pressing plate which is facing the membrane, the internal surface of the hollow pressing plate can be heated, and that the membrane surface between its clamping means and the contour of the bottom plate which receives the garment and which is formed as a profiled former is so large that, during the pressing operation, it can also be pressed on to surfaces which extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the profiled former and on to side surfaces.  
  By such a construction of the pressing apparatus having a membrane, those pressing surfaces of a strongly profiled former which are directed towards different angular positions are equally well covered with an equally good pressing pressure in relation to all pressing surfaces of this former, the appropriate pressing action resulting from the fact that the pressing pressure is always effective perpendicular to the pressing sur&#39; face. Another result which is obtained is that the garments and more particularly outer garments can be satisfactorily applied to and removed from the strongly profiled former without interfering with the membrane serving as the pressing member with a stationary position of the pressing plate. At the same time, provision is made for the flexible pressing surface of the pressing plate to have the required temperature, without it being necessary for this purpose to use the pressurized medium as a heat carrier. The retention of the membrane under suction pressure on the upper surface of the hollow body of the pressing plate, with the latter being simultaneously heated, leads to a double action. In the first plate, the membrane is removed from that space which is situated above the strongly profiled former and which has to be available for freely handling the garment which is to be pressed. In the second plate, by the impervious membrane being held by suction on the top surface of the hollow body, the membrane is heated to a temperature by which the subsequent pressing operation is substantially assisted. In this way, the membrane is already subjected to a heating effect in the time during which the garment to be pressed is laid on the former. The pressing operation is effected from the start with a warm or strongly heated membrane. This has the additional effect that it is sufficient for the garment to be pressed to be moistened only through the bottom plate without there being any danger of formation of condensate in the garment.  
  The depth of the cavity of the pressing plate advantageously exceeds the height and breadth of the profiled former. In this connection, depths can be used which correspond to the height with a semi-circular form of the hollow body or even exceed this height. In this way, due to the oversize of the surface of the membrane by contrast with the surface of the former, such a degree of mobility is produced for the membrane that the latter, under the pressure effect, conforms universally and satisfactorily to the marginal portions of the strongly profiled former and thus to the corresponding parts of the article of clothing.  
  The membrane may be of unequal thicknesses for the purpose of increasing the ability to conform to predetermined surface portions. In this way, it is possible to use different sizes of formers with one and the same membrane, i.e. pressing plate. The formers can be quickly replaced on their holding means. By way of example, the formers can be kept in store on a straight or revolving track, so that the required size of former is ready for use in a simple and rapid manner by suitable movement of the holding means for said formers.  
  According to another feature of the invention, these segments can be fitted between the membrane and former, these segments being connected to the pressing plate holding the membrane. By the segments, which are formed of a contour corresponding to the mold plate and the article of clothing, certain portions of the surface of the former can be protected from the pressure of the stressed membrane. This applies for example as regards surfaces in the region of the sleeve or for surfaces on which there are buttons, tapes or the like. By inserting the segments above the garment which is laid on the former, those subjacent areas of the garment are kept free from the pressure exerted by means of the membrane; consequently, they are not exposed to the ironing by pressing. This is more especially desirable with the so-called intermediate ironing operations. Since the membrane is very pliable, and because of its construction, the ironing or pressing pressure is exerted on the garment by means of the membrane directly at the segment surfaces. The insertion of the segments can be effected in various ways, for example, by these segments being arranged to be displaceable or pivotable. However, loose segment parts can also be considered, which loose segment parts are introduced through slots in the pressing plate and are connected fast to the said plate by clamping devices and the like.  
  The apparatus according to the invention can be used in such a way that the membrane and former are provided in a horizontal or even in a vertical arrangement.  
  With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:  
 IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an ironing press according to the invention.  
  FIG. la is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a ratio between sizes of the pressing plate and former.  
  FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing one constructional form of the pressing plate according to the invention.  
  FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a detail concerning the fixing of the membrane on the pressing plate.  
  FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view with parts in section of another embodiment of the construction of the pressing plate with the ironing press according to the invention.  
  FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an ironing press according to the invention illustrating the segments to be used for keeping certain surfaces of the garment free from the pressure of the membrane.  
  FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an ironing press according to the invention in a vertical arrangement.  
  FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken generally on the line VIIVII of FIG. 6.  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevational view showing the arrangement of insertable segments for keeping parts of the garment free from the membrane pressure.  
  With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a pressing apparatus 1, for the pressing of garments, more especially outer garments such as jackets, costumes, coats and the like, having a pressing plate 2 which cooperates with a former 3, which rests, so&#39;that it can be replaced, on a fixed support 4 of a table 5 of a frame or an ironing press 6. The pressing plate 2 has on its underside a cavity 7, which is sealed off underneath and on the free side by an impervious elastic membrane 8. The membrane is secured all around the margins thereof to a housing 9 of the pressing plate so as to be sealed off. This can, for example, be effected by clamping the membrane 8, using an elastic intermediate member 10 and holding devices 11 as well as screwbolts 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The clamping of the elastic membrane must be so tight that the membrane 8 is held in air-tight manner even with strongest possible bulging at the clamping margins.  
  The bottom 13 of the cavity 7 is under the action of a heating means 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The heating means 14 may be in the form of an electrical heating arrangement, pipes fed with steam, an infra-red heating arrangement, or the like. The cavity 7 is connected to a suction pipe 15 by which it is possible to place the cavity 7 under a vacuum which must be of such a strength that the elastic membrane can be completely pulled or drawn into the space or cavity 7 as far as the bottom surface 13. The membrane 8 must in itself be so elastic that it is expanded to such an extent under the influence of the vacuum that it is able to bear against the heated bottom surface 13. The pressing plate 2 can be enclosed by a hood 16.  
  Seen in plan view, the dimensions of the membrane 8, i.e., the edge limits for the membrane in relation to the surface of the former 3 are so much larger all around that the membrane 8 is able to conform to the former 3 on all sides under the action of a perpendicularly acting bearing pressure. This applies both as regards surfaces which are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, which are raised above the main surface of the former 3, and for the side surfaces of the former. FIG. la illustrates one embodiment of the relative dimensions of the surfaces of the membrane relatively to the former in projection. Therefore, between the inner edge of the cavity 7 of the pressing plate 2 and all around relative to the edge limits of the former 3, as seen in plan, there should be provided a distance which enables the membrane, under the action of the pressurized medium, to fit around the entire former, including the more or less perpendicularly extending surfaces thereof. A corresponding distance or spacing must also be guaranteed when the largest size of the former is being used. With smaller sizes of the molded former, there is always produced a larger distance between the inner rim of the hollow body 7 and the marginal limits of the former 3, so that it is possible with the same pressing plate to use a large number of formers of different sizes.  
  In FIG. 4 there is shown a pressing plate 2a having a cavity 7a which has a considerable depth. The depth of the cavity 7a corresponds at least to half the distance between the facing marginal limits of the narrow side of the cavity, but advantageously all around the half distance of the larger broad side of the cavity. In such a case, the membrane 8a is given such a width that it is able to be applied to the bottom surface 13 of the deep recess 7a under the action of the vacuum. The drawing of the membrane into the cavity of the pressing plate makes it possible for the former to be positioned comparatively close to the pressing plate. It is only necessary to have available such an amount of intermediate space that the garment can be conveniently applied and removed, if it is not preferred to arrange the former so that it can be moved in and out.  
  The underlying feature of the pressing operation is that the supply of steam or the supply of moisture to the garment is effected only from one side, i.e., from the former. It has been found that this is sufficient in order to bring the fibres of the garment into the condition for a sufficient deformability. On commencing the pressing operation, the membrane is first sucked by means of the vacuum on to the bottom surface 13 of the pressing plate, the surface being heated by a heating means of any appropriate type. When the garment is situated on the former beneath the membrane which is drawn into the pressing plate, the conditions as regards the cavity 7,7a are correspondingly reversed. Instead of the vacuum, a gentle pressing pressure is initially exerted on the membrane by means of a suitable medium, advantageously compressed air, and this pressure is also exerted on the garment. On removing the elastic membrane from the heated bottom of the pressing plate, the membrane is cooled comparatively quickly and can be adapted to the steam temperature coming from below. As soon as the membrane has been applied under the gentle pressing pressure to the former and to the garment lying on the latter, the pressing pressure in the cavity 7,7a is increased in a predetermined manner, whereby the required pressing effect is obtained. The former 3 is constructed to apply steam to a garment through the surface thereof and a certain accumulation of moisture is produced in the garment, but the formation of a condensate is excluded. It is particularly as regards dark blue or black cloths that a special effect is obtained. No high pressure is necessary for producing a high surface pressure on the garment. The comparatively minimal pressure for pressing the membrane onto the garment is also sufficiently effective for the ironing press to be able to be made comparatively light as regards the frame and the like. Unlike an ironing press having a comparatively rigid pressing plate covering, forces which are to be taken up with the present constructional form of the machine frame are not too high. There is also the additional advantage that the pressing plate for the pressing operation no longer has to be lowered, but the pressing plate and the former can remain in a fixed position relative to one another. The oversize of the membrane makes it possible for the membrane, despite the necessary gap for fitting the garment on to the former and for the introduction of the former with the fitted garment during the pressing operation, to be applied with a pressing action in the manner as proposed, while assuring a perpendicular pressing pressure on each developed formation of the former.  
  In FIG. 5 there is shown a constructional form of the ironing press la, in which a pressing plate 2b is fixedly arranged and a membrane 8b can be drawn into a cavity 7b as far as a base 13b of the latter by connection to a vacuum source. A former 3b is arranged on a table 5b so that it can be displaced and moved in and out, and a garment can be fitted on and removed outside the pressing plate 2b. Segments l7a,l7b can be pushed into the corresponding space between the membrane 8b and the inwardly moved former 3b, these segments having the purpose of keeping predetermined parts of the areas to be pressed on the garment away from the pressure of the lowered membrane 8b, so that these surface portions are not concurrently pressed. The segments l7a,l7b, which can be inserted, are suitably shaped to conform to the shaping of the former and of the garment laid thereon. The mounting of these segments l7a,17b is effected directly on the pressing plate 2b, the segments being provided so that they are interchangeable. The mounting can be effected by suitable clamping devices. It is also possible to arrange for the segments to be pushed in through slots in the pressing plate, the segments being held at their rearward edge by the limits of the slot. In this way, depending on the nature and size of the segments to be inserted, it is possible for only partial surfaces of the garment to be pressed by means of the membrane which is under pressure. This is more partifularly desirable with the socalled intermediate pressing operations, when the garments have still not been completely finished.  
  In FIGS. 6 to 8 there is illustrated diagrammatically the ironing press in an upright arrangement. The upright ironing press lb includes an upright former St, which can for example be of such a size that not only jackets and costumes, but also coats and the like, can be pressed while hanging. Two pressing plates 20 and 2d, which can completely surround the former 3c in the position in which they are pushed together, are provided. The pressing plates 2c,2d are provided with membranes 8c,8d, respectively, of the type described above and there is also a corresponding cavity 7c,7d in the pressing plates, with it being possible for vacuum or superatmospheric pressure to be admitted to the cavity in the manner described. The pressing plates 20,241 can be arranged to be displaceable parallel towards and away from one another by press cylinders 13, and the plates can be provided with supporting rollers 19. The sleeve region is preferably recessed in the pressing plates. As shown by the cross-section in FIG. 7, the margins of the membranes 8c,8d, which are fixed in a sealed manner on the pressing plates, extend at such a distance from the upright former 30 that the surfaces of the membranes 80,811 are of such an excessive width that they are able to be applied to the upright former, while ensuring a perpendicular pressing pressure against the garment hanging on the former. By means of the vertical construction of the ironing press, it be comes possible for the garment hanging on the former to be ironed all around in one working operation by the pressing produced by the membranes, and in such a way that the membranes are applied to all developed forms of the former in such a way that the pressing pressure is effective perpendicularly on the surface actually to be pressed. In this arrangement the former can be replaced by formers of different sizes, without it also being necessary to replace the pressing plates. A large number of sizes of pressing formers can be used in the same ironing press. Only a single operation is necessary for ironing all surfaces and this represents a considerable saving. The pressing plates 2c and 2d can project beyond the upright former to such a height that the membranes are also able to press the shoulder and collar portions of the garment hanging on the upright former. However, the conventional collar-pressing device can also be provided on the same ironing press. The whole can be enclosed by a protective housing 160.  
  FIG. 8 shows that it is also possible with the vertical arrangement of the ironing press to keep areas of the garment to be treated away from the pressing action produced by the applied membrane. For this purpose, it is possible to use segments 170,171! which are arranged in a suitable manner on the frame of the pressing plates. In this case, the segments are angle-shaped elements, seen in cross-section, which are fixed on the sides of the pressing plates. The means for the mounting of the segment or segments can also be provided on the top or bottom edge of the pressing plate. During the intermediate pressing of an unfinished jacket or the like, it is frequently undesirable for a marginal zone on the sleeve region to be prematurely pressed. This marginal zone can be excluded from the pressing effect, for example, by a segment 17c, and the same can be effected as regards a row of buttons on the front portion of the garment, for which purpose the segment 17d is extended upwardly from the bottom side of the pressing plate and is fixed on the bottom edge of the pressing plate. Here also a clamping connection can be provided, in order to be able at will to insert the segments or not to use them.  
  The ironing press can be constructed and used for all types of garments. This also applies as regards trouser presses and sleeve presses, and more particularly with such formers which have locally different bulged portions and the like.  
 I claim:  
  1. Apparatus for pressing contoured articles of clothing such as jackets, coats, costumes and the like comprising a contoured former for receiving an article to be pressed and a cooperating pressing unit for pressing an article against said former, said pressing unit including a pressing plate in the form of a hollow body having a cavity opening towards said former, an impervious elastic membrane closing said hollow body and sealed to said hollow body, the relative proportions of said former and said membrane being such that said membrane is engageable with all surfaces including side surfaces of said former generally opposing said membrane, said pressing plate having an inner surface, means for heating said inner surface, means for applying a vacuum within said pressing plate for drawing said membrane into contact with said inner surface for first heating said membrane, and means for applying a pressure within said pressing plate for pressing said membrane against an article on said former.  
  2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the depth of the cavity of said pressing plate projects beyond the height and width of the profiled former.  
  3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said membrane has unequal thicknesses on predetermined surface portions.  
  4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein segments are provided for being fitted between said membrane and said former, and means for mounting said segments on said pressing plate.  
  5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said membrane and said former are provided in a horizontal arrangement.  
  6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said membrane and said former are provided in upright arrangement.  
  7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said membrane has unequal thicknesses on predetermined surface portions.  
  8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein segments are provided for being fitted between said membrane and said former, and means for mounting said segments on said pressing plate.