System and apparatus for creating a hem

Abstract

The present invention relates to a consumer-portable dual hem ironing unit including at least a first and a second ironing unit members and a mechanism for grasping and retaining a first and a second material fold (first and second hems) during an ironing of the folded material. The consumer-portable design allows users to reposition either the unit or the material along an unfinished length of material and form a uniform continuous double rolled hem configuration. Adjustable measurement guides allow for hem accuracy and alternative configurations provide steam supply and steaming options. Alternative heavier-use embodiment enables securing to a table edge and includes an enhanced water capacity for improved steam generation. Multiple mechanisms are provided for gripping the folded material during a use and thermal and fluid flow controls allow control of double rolled hem pressing across a wide palate of fabric and flexible material types.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. App. Ser. No. 60 / 821,440, filed Aug. 4, 2006, the entire contents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.SELECTED IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION[0002]FIG. 1BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to a consumer device for forming a double rolled hem. More specifically, the present invention relates to one of a hand held and a self-supporting double rolled hem iron allowing a user to adjustably press-form a double rolled hem along a length of textile.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Double rolled hems are used throughout the textile, clothing, fashion and design fields to dress the raw edge of woven and non-woven materials and sheet goods, prevent edge fraying (with woven materials), minimize edge damage (with weaker materials like silk), generate a strengthened portion of a sheet (for grometing (the installation of grommet...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]Another alternative aspect of the present invention is to provide a hand held ironing device allowing a user to create a continuous double rolled seam with reduced effort and a uniform consistency.

[0043]According to another optional aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable hem apparatus, further comprising: means for urgingly engaging the repositionable hem plate assembly on the first heating plate member prior to a pressing use of the portable hem apparatus, whereby the means for urging enabling the first hem roll to be secured between the repositionable hem plate assembly and the first heating plate member prior to the pressing thereby improving an improved control of the portable hem apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

A single rolled hem (a single fold) fails to provide the additional strength of a double rolled hem, and of course, fails to provide a neat, clean, or finished edge to the first of the two hems in a double hem circumstance resulting in a displeasing appearance.

1. Preparing the fabric by initial smoothing with a flat iron.

2. Define a first “fold over” or roll measurement (commonly ½ inch) and then fold or roll over (by hand or machine) an initial short length about six inches of fabric edge to define the first hem line distance.

3. Press the first folded ½ inch thick×six inch (for example) length “fold over” edge with a hot iron to define a first hem line (a first “measure-press” step)

4. Repeat steps 1-3 by hand along the entire length of fabric until the first fold over or roll hem is created, measuring every 6 inches or so in length to ensure the first roll hem edge is straight and clean without undulation.

5. Upon completion of the first “fold over”, pins are often inserted to hold the first “fold over” in place, and the process is repeated by forming a second “fold over” also employing the roll measurement (commonly ½ inch) by folding the first “fold over” a second time (creating the second hem).

6. Press the second “fold over” every six inches in length until an entire double roll folder over is created along the entire length of the fabric in a uniform, straight, and clean manner, (a second “measure-press” step)

7. Stitch through both folds securing them together into a “double rolled hem.”

As will be appreciated by the art, completing steps 1-7 above is a hugely lime consuming and difficult-to-conduct task without the requisite hand skill (or mechanical complexity) and involves multiple “measure-press” steps that are difficult to perform.

Unfortunately, each of these devices requires such extensive operation, expense, and rigid uniformity of operation condition that the remain unavailable except to commercial shops.

This system prevents use by individual consumers for singular home jobs such as sewing a cushion, or larger jobs such as creating curtains or clothing.

This system obviously also requires constant maintenance by a team of mechanical repair individuals.

Unfortunately, this device necessitates the simultaneous lateral movement of both the gripped-edge of the fabric / textile to be hemmed and the corresponding movement of the fabric-field or non-gripped portion of the fabric / textile, so as to prohibit the fabric bubbling and ultimately tangling.

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