Steam chest insulation means for commerical roll-type ironing machine
Unite States Mazzolla [451 Apr. 22, 1975 [76] Inventor: Dan 11). Mazzolla, 2464 Raleigh Dr.  
 York, Pa. 17402 [22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 504,241  
 [52] US. Cl. 38/56 [51] Int. Cl. D06f 63/00 [58] Field of Search 38/56-59, 66,  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,689,462 10/1928 Trotter et a1. 38/57 2,930,153 3/1970 Soble l 38/57 3,151,408 10/1964 Mazzolla 38/66 3,160,968 12/1964 Frcdholm 38/57 Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Hercus .lust; Samuel M. Learned, Jr.  
  57 ABSTRACT An insulation assembly designed to be installedupon the underside of a steam chest of a commercial rolltype ironing machine, installation of said assembly being by means of L-shaped bracket members threadibly affixed in a plurality of tandemly aligned horizontal rows by screws engaged in drilled and tapped holes in said underside of the steam chest surface, with rectangular shaped heat-reflective insulation members slidably inserted-within and retained by said L-shaped bracket members, thereby providing reduced heat loses with a corresponding resultant increase in the thermal efficiency of said ironing machine.  
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  &#34;I I 3% L&#39; 28 I PRIOR ART FIG. I  
  II I FIG. 2  
 FIG. 3  
  STEAM CHEST INSULATION MEANS FOR COMMERICAL ROLL-TYPE HRONING MACK-[ENE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commercial roll-type ironing machines. as exemplified and discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,408 to Mazzolla, the instant applicant. are generally comprised of a steam chest above which there is mounted a plurality ironing roll members which rotate uni-directonally. Also included as additional elements of a commercial roll-type ironing machine are steam inlet and condensate return lines leading to and from the steam chest chambers. as well as a feed conveyor for delivering flatwork and garment-type work pieces to be ironed to the ironing machine. in addition to the discharge conveyor at the delivery end of said ironing machine whereby hot, semi-damp work pieces are delivered to a belt-type apron conveyor mechanism, arranged largely beneath the ironing machine. for additional drying and cooling prior to being delivered to manual or machine folding operations.  
  One of the more expensive. high-maintenance elements of the ironing machine as heretofore described is the belt-type apron conveyor mechanism. The apron conveyor is included as a part of a conventional rolltype ironing machine primarily to provide a means whereby hot. semi-damp work pieces discharging from said machine can be conveyed around and under the steam chest of said ironing machine in order to effect additional drying of the semi-damp work pieces. as well as enabling sufficient cooling of said work pieces so that when said work pieces were delivered to the folding table by means of the belt-type apron conveyor mechanism. said work pieces can be sufficiently cooled so that folding operators can comfortably receive and hand-fold said work pieces. for example:  
  The development of mechanized folding equipment. to be positioned at the delivery end of the belt-type apron conveyor mechanism. has reduced the utility of said apron conveyor mechanism. in that the mechanized folding equipment has the capability of accepting and processing work pieces at a higher temperature than was previously possible by operating personnel doing hand folding of said work pieces at the delivery end of said apron conveyor mechanism. Therefore, utilization of mechanized folding equipment at the delivery end of said apron conveyor mechanism. reduces or eliminates the necessity of delivering cooled work pieces to the folding operation, which folding operation had heretofore generally been accomplished by manual means. However, in conventional ironing machines, the requirement still exists that semi-damp work pieces be delivered from the delivery end of said ironing machine to said apron conveyor mechanism, so as to be further dried prior to folding, whether that folding is accomplished by either manual or mechanical means.  
  Generally, approximately 40 per cent of the radiant drying capacity of a conventional roll-type ironing machine is comprised of heat radiating from the underside surface of the steam chest of said machine. Of that approximate forty per cent drying capacity radiating from the underside steam chest surface of said machine, only a small percentage thereof is effectively utilized in additional drying of the semi-damp work pieces carried by the apron conveyor mechanism in the transit of said work pieces from the delivery end of said machine as carried by said apron conveyor mechanism around and below the underside steam chest surface of said machine. and thereafter transported by means of said apron conveyor mechanism to the manual or mechanical folding operation.  
  The present invention relates to an insulation assembly which when installed upon the underside steam chest surface of a roll-type ironing machine as heretofore described. will materially increase the drying efficiency of said machine when work pieces are initially passed through the plurality of ironing roll members during the ironing operation, as well as eliminating the need and necessity for retaining the belt-type apron conveyor mechanism beneath the steam chest. Consequently, this results in the delivery of work piece members from said ironing machine which are sufficiently dry to be conveyed to the folding operation, whether manual or mechanical, without further drying processing.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present invention, in order to significantly reduce thermal losses from the steam. chest compartments of a roll-type commercial ironing machine. to provide an insulation system comprised of a plurality of elongated bracket type channelforming mounting means which are affixed by screws or otherwise in opposing relation to each other to the underside of said steam chest members so as to provide for slidable insertion and retention of heat reflective insulation members, which insulation members block and reflect radiant heat dissipation from the lower surfaces of said steam chest compartments back into the steam chest and thereby achieving greater steam chest thermal efficiencies than were otherwise possible heretofore, which in turn also provides increased workpiece production without increased steam volume. or alternately. currently equivalent production with reduced steam volume.  
  It is another object of the present invention to provide an insulation system which, when installed. will sufficiently increase thermal efficiencies of the ironing machine so as to enable removal of the work-piece supplemental drying and cooling belt-type apron conveyor mechanism of conventional machines. which thereby reduces overall maintenance. lubrication. machine cleaning. and replacement costs for new aprons and worn drive belts through the life of the machine.  
  It is also another object of the instant invention to reduce the fire hazard currently present in roll-type commercial ironing machines by enabling removal of the aforementioned belt-type apron conveyor mechanism. which mechanism is the single most prevalent source of fires in said conventional type ironing machine.  
  Yet another object of the present invention is to in crease workpiece life through reducing by approxi mately two-thirds the duration and length of transit of a workpiece through said ironing machine as a result of the increased efficiency of the machine resulting from employing the present invention and removing a need for the supplemental drying and cooling belt-type apron conveyor mechanism.  
  It is also a further object of the present invention to reduce significantly the static build-up generated by the machine by enabling removal of said belt-type apron conveyor mechanism, thereby reducing to about onethird the length of apron material upon which frictional effects may operate and thereby charges.  
  Yet a further object of the present invention is to reduce the radiant heat level in the vicinity of a roll-type ironing machine, through the more effective steam chest insulation means provided by the instant invention, and thereby improve working conditions for individuals operating said machine.  
  Additional objects of the present invention are to increase drive motor life and reduce power costs by reducing the load on the drive motor as a consequence of eliminating the conventional belt-type apron conveyor mechanism which is powered by the drive motor.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional roll-type commercial ironing machine.  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevation ofa modified roll-type commercial ironing machine embodying the features of the present invention.  
  FIG. 3 is an end view of a modified roll-type commercial ironing machine shown in FIG. 2, as seen on the line 33 thereof.  
  FIG. 4 is an underside plan view of a modified rolltype commercial ironing machine shown in end view in FIG. 3. as seen on the line 4-4 thereof.  
  FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view ofthe insulation mounting means of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, as seen on the line 5-5 thereof.  
  FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the insulation means partially shown in FIG. 5., as seen on the line 66 thereof.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. I, a simplified side elevation of a typical roll-type commercial ironing machine 10 is shown. said machine 10 being generally composed of a workpiece input conveyor I2, a steam chest 14 consisting of a steam inlet and condensate return line 16 in addition to a plurality of steam chest compartments 18 connected in close side-by-side relationship, as well as a plurality of clockwise rotating ironing rolls 20 and a workpiece takeoff conveyor 22 which delivers hot semi-damp workpieces 24 from said ironing rolls 20 to a belt-type apron conveyor mechanism 26 for additional conveyance of said workpieces 24 outside of said machine 10, during which there is cooling and additional drying of said workpieces 24 prior to either manual or machine folding of said workpieces 24. The manual or mechanical workpiece folding operation not being a part of the present invention, is not shown in the drawings included herewith.  
  Referring again to FIG. 1 to explain in more detail the additional component elements and functioning of a typical roll-type commercial ironing machine 10, each ironing roll 20 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 28 and driven by conventional gear means, not shown in FIG. I. Said ironing rolls 20 are generally comprised of a hollow elongated cylindrical metal drum 30, a drum cover 32 of suitable material, and interposed between said drum and drum cover 32. a cover backup pad member 34 is retained. It should be pointed out, however, that the description ofironing roll 20 immediately heretofore is for a conventional ironing roll 20. Preferably. the ironing roll 20 further incorporates features disclosed in applicant&#39;s earlier issued US. Pat. No.  
 produce static 3.151.408 dated Oct. 6. I964. wherein a reflective metallic plate 36 is circumferentially affixed over the longitudinal dimension about said backup pad 34 so as to be interposed between said backup pad 34 and drum cover 32. the overall effect of which is to considerably reduce otherwise unnecessary heat losses through said ironing rolls 20.  
  The belt-type apron conveyor mechanism 26, as heretofore indicated, is included as a member of a typical roll-type commercial ironing machine 10 for purposes of enabling additional drying and cooling of semiwet workpieces 24 prior to manual or mechanical folding of said workpieces 24. However, it is reasonably estimated that, regardless of the size or capacity of said typical roll-type ironing machine 10. the radiant heating capacity of the steam chest 14 upper surface -to which workpieces 24 are exposed for ironing and drying as said workpieces 24 are conveyed through said machine 10 and impressed between said ironing rolls 20 and the ironing machine apron member 38 of said steam chest compartments 18, represents approximately 60 percent of said steam chest 14 heating surface and capacity. The balance of 40 per cent of the steam chest heating surface and capacity is primarily represented by the underside surface of said steam chest 14. Of the total heating capacity of machine 10 for drying workpieces 24. it is reasonably estimated that only 2 to 3 per cent of that total is effectively utilized from the underside surface of steam chest 14 for purposes of causing additional drying of said workpieces 24 carried by the belt-type apron conveyor mechanism 26. Therefore, reasonable estimates indicate that approximately 37 per cent of the total workpiece drying capacity of the ironing machine 10 is dissipated through radiant heat losses and inefficient utilization of the underside capacity of steam chest 14.  
  To explain the construction and utilization of this invention. FIG. 2 shows a side elevation similar to the view in FIG. I, except that in FIG. 2 a modified rolltype commercial ironing machine 40 is shown wherein said belt-type apron conveyor mechanism 26 has been removed and underside steam chest insulation assembly 42 has been installed. The installation of said insulation assembly 42 provides a means whereby the &#39;estimated 37 per cent of the total ironing machine heating and drying capacity which is dissipated from the underside surface of said steam chest 14 is blocked and reflected back to said steam chest I4, thereby increasing the drying efficiency of machine 10 and eliminating the need for said apron conveyor mechanism 26 to effect supplemental drying of said workpieces 24.  
 , The insulation assembly 42 is comprised ofa plurality of elongated L-shaped bracket members 44 affixed to i the underside of said steam chest 14 in aligned opposing longitudinal relationship so as to form a channel space to slidably receive reflective insulation members 46 and reflective metallic members48. At the opposing longitudinal ends of said&#39;insulation assembly 42 retaining bracket members 50 are affixed to said steam chest 14, whereby said reflective insulation members 46 are maintained in longitudinal position. It should be noted that, so as to be self-supporting within L-shaped bracket members 44, said insulation members 46 preferably have a maximum dimensional size of about 2 by 4 feet, with a thickness of between I to 2 inches. However, it should also be noted that said insulation members 46 may be cut to lesser area dimensions in order to accommodate the same to the underside dimensional requirements of steam chests of different sizes of ironing machines I0. The concept of employing different size insulation members 46 is illustrated in FIG. 4., also included herewith. Likewise. L-shaped bracket members 44, reflective metallic members 48, and retaining bracket members 50, are also capable of being fashioned to the appropriate dimensions in order to accommodate the same ironing machine with which they are employed, this also being illustrated in FIG. 4 included herewith.  
  The illustration shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of an ironing roll taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. Shown in greater detail are the component elements of steam chest insulation assembly 42, as well as the preferred assembly of ironing roll which embodies features of applicants earlier patent wherein a reflective metallic plate 36 is employed about ironing roll 20 cover backup pad member 34 in order to further reduce drying heat losses and increase the overall ironing and workpiece drying efficiency of said machine 10. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a deadspace air-gap 52 further increases the insulation properties of said insulation assembly 42.  
  The plan view shown in FIG. 4 is that of the underside of a modified roll-type commercial ironing ma chine 40 with a steam chest insulation assembly 42 installed thereon. Also shown is the customization of the dimensions of insulation 46 and metallic 48 members, as well as bracket members 44 and 50 to accommodate the specific dimensions of the particular steam chest 14 installation.  
  The view seen in FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2, showing in greater detail the manner of affixing said L- shaped bracket members 44 to the steam chest 14 by means of screws 54 which are threadably inserted into drilled and tapped holes in the bottom wall of said steam chest 14. It will also be seen that a first flange. being the attachment flange of said L-shaped bracket member 44 is of a greater width than the second support flange thereof for retention of the reflective insulation member 46 which rests thereon by gravity. Such design configuration affords greater ease of installation of said L-shaped bracket members 44 to the underside of said steam chest 14. Additionally shown is the insulation member reflective metal foil type wrap 56, which serves to reflect otherwise dissipated heat from the un derside of said steam chest 14 back to said steam chest 14, thereby increasing the overall thermal efficiency of the ironing machine 10 as heretofore described.  
  The fragmentary enlarged sectional view seen in FIG. 6 shows the insulation medium 58 ofa reflective insulation member 46 sandwiched between the reflective wrap 56 for said insulation member, under which is contiguously positioned the aforementioned reflective metallic member 48.  
  The insulation medium 58 may be any suitable material such as fiber glass or the like. However. the preferable insulation medium 58 is Thermo-Block&#34;, a relatively rigid product of Johns-Mansville Company. The reflective wrap 56 material is preferably aluminum foil. and the reflective metallic members are preferably fabricated from polished aluminum sheet material. The bracket members 44 and 50 preferably are fabricated from a suitable sheet stock such as galvanized steel. However. it is to be understood that any suitable materials for the purposes intended. including plastics or the like. or a suitable combination thereof. may be employed in fabricating the component elements of said steam chest insulation assembly 42 as heretofore described.  
  While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.  
 I claim:  
  1. A commercial roll-type ironing machine having a steam chest in the lower portion thereof. in combination with insulation means to prevent excess heat losses from radiating from the underside surface of said steam chest, said insulation means comprising a plurality of rectangularly shaped insulation members of uniform thickness and held in a substantially horizontal parallel position immediately beneath said underside surface of said steam chest by means of a plurality of elongated Lshaped bracket members affixed in tandemly abutting relation to each other to the underside surface of said steam chest in a series of parallel rows. said parallel rows being laterally deposed between opposite edges of the underside surface of said steam chest with opposite parallel rows having the L-shaped bracket openings of said bracket members respectively facing each other to form channels to receive said insulation members slidably in abuttable contiguous relation. one to the other. and retained by said parallel facing L- shaped openings of said bracket members. relatively thin sheets of heat-reflective members positioned im mediately below the underside surface of said insulaton members and the opposite edges of said reflective members being longitudinally secured within said L- shaped bracket members by the lower flanges thereof with the connecting section between the respective flange sections of said L-shaped bracket members vertically depending from the underside of said steam chest surface and in continguous contact with the respective opposing end insulation members of each of said rows.  
  2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ironing rolls of said ironing machine have a reflective metallic plate circumferentially affixed over the outer surface thereof.  
  3. The combination according to claim I. wherein the insulation members thereof are comprised of rigid high heat resistant material.  
  4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the insulation members thereof are enwrapped in highly reflective heat resistant foil material.  
  5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said heat-reflective members have a substantially mirrorlike finish at least on the surface thereof immediately adjacent the insulation members.  
  6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the insulation members thereof are installed in a discrete vertically depended horizontal plane parallel to the underside surface of said steam chest to provide a dead air space of limited height interposed between said underside surface of the steam chest and the uppermost surfaces of said insulation members.  
  7. The combination according to claim I, in which said L-shaped bracket members have a first flange tension of the second flange of said L-shaped bracket members. thereby facilitating the attachment of said L-shaped bracket members to the underside of said steam chest by screws.