How to iron clothes

Abstract

The present invention provides an ironing method implemented using an ironing cabinet (2), wherein the ironing cabinet comprises a diffusion device for diffusing air flow and steam flow on clothes, and the ironing method comprises diffusing a cold air flow and a steam flow on the clothes, wherein the diffusion of the cold air flow is performed before or simultaneously with the diffusion of the steam flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ironing devices for ironing clothes hung vertically on hangers, for example the tops of clothes, and more particularly to a method for ironing clothes, which method comprises, inter alia, diffusing a flow of air and a flow of steam towards the clothes. Background Art

[0002] In a known manner, a method for ironing clothes by means of an ironing cabinet comprises the following steps:

[0003] 1) Place the clothes on the hanger.

[0004] 2) Place the hanger in the ironing room of the ironing cabinet.

[0005] 3) diffusing the first steam flow and the second steam flow on two opposite sides of the clothes respectively to humidify the clothes, and

[0006] 4) The first hot air flow and the second hot air flow are diffused on two opposite sides of the laundry, respectively, to dry the laundry.

[0007] Although this ironing method does not require the user to do any action other than putting the clothes into the ironing cabinet to iron the clothes, it cannot ensure a satisfactory ironing effect of the clothes. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage.

[0009] The technical problem underlying the present invention is in particular to provide an ironing method which ensures satisfactory ironing of the garments in a reduced time and which does not require any further action on the part of the user besides placing the garments in the ironing cabinet.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet comprising a diffusion device for diffusing air and steam flows on the clothes, characterized in that the ironing method comprises diffusing a steam flow on the clothes and diffusing an air flow (referred to as a cooling air flow) on the clothes, making it possible to cool the clothes and / or the steam flow, the diffusion of the air flow being carried out before or simultaneously with the diffusion of the steam flow.

[0011] Diffusing a stream of cold air over the garments before or simultaneously with the steam flow allows the garments to cool, thereby facilitating condensation of steam on the garments. This arrangement can facilitate humidification of the garments, thereby improving the ironing effect. The diffusion of the air flow also allows pressure / traction to be applied to the garments, which helps to flatten the garments and facilitate the ironing process.

[0012] The ironing method according to the invention therefore ensures that the garments are ironed satisfactorily in a reduced time and without the user having to take any further action besides placing the garments in the ironing cabinet.

[0013] The ironing method may further comprise one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused cool air flow is at ambient temperature or at a temperature below ambient temperature.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused air flow has the form of an air layer.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the cold air flow is diffused toward the laundry in a direction forming an angle between 20° and 70° relative to the normal to the surface of the laundry to be treated (e.g., relative to a horizontal plane). This orientation of the cold air flow generates localized stresses on the laundry with X, Y, and Z components, which allows the laundry to stretch in all directions and thus further improves the ironing effect of the laundry.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the cold air flow flows over the surface of the laundry at a flow rate of between 1 and 35 km / h, and advantageously between 1 and 16 km / h.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the duration of the diffusion of the cold air flow and / or steam flow is between 30 s and 10 min, and for example approximately 5 min.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused cool air flow moves vertically along the laundry.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused steam flow moves vertically along the laundry.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffusion of the cool air flow includes simultaneously diffusing a first cool air flow and a second cool air flow toward the garment on both sides. This distribution of the cool air flow has the advantage of keeping the garment in place. Diffusion of the cool air flow simultaneously with the steam flow also improves the diffusion of the steam flow across the garment. In fact, the air flow has the advantage of directing and guiding the steam flow toward the garment, which prevents the steam flow from being vertically oriented due to natural convection associated with the higher temperature of the steam.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the first and second cool air flows are diffused on two opposite sides of the laundry, respectively.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the first and second cool air flows are spread symmetrically on the laundry so that a combined force of the first and second cool air flows exerts a stress on the laundry parallel to the surface of the laundry and preferably downwards.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, this comprises placing the garment on a hanger comprising a garment stressing device.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, this comprises hooking a pulling device on the bottom of the clothes.For example, these pulling devices can be weights or elastic bands, which are hooked to the bottom of the clothes with clips.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, this comprises diffusing a stream of hot air over the laundry, the diffusing of the hot air stream being performed after the diffusing of the steam stream and the diffusing of the cold air stream.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused hot air flow moves vertically along the laundry.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the hot air flow flows over the surface of the laundry at a flow rate of between 1 and 35 km / h, advantageously between 17 and 35 km / h.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the diffused hot air flow has a temperature between 50 and 150°C.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the duration of the diffusion of the hot air flow is between 1 min and 10 min, for example approximately 5 min.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, diffusing the hot air flow comprises diffusing the first hot air flow and the second hot air flow towards the laundry at both sides of the laundry simultaneously.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the first and second hot air flows are diffused on two opposite sides of the laundry, respectively.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the ironing method, the first and second hot air flows are spread symmetrically on the laundry so that a combined force of the first and second hot air flows exerts a stress on the laundry parallel to the surface of the laundry.

[0034] The invention also relates to an ironing cabinet for implementing the ironing method according to the invention, comprising at least one air nozzle and one steam emission nozzle, the nozzles being carried by a movable support and configured to move along the laundry.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support is mounted so as to be vertically movable.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the ironing cabinet comprises an air nozzle configured to diffuse an air layer towards the laundry.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ironing cabinet comprises a first air nozzle and a second air nozzle configured to be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the laundry, the first and second air nozzles configured to diffuse a first air flow and a second air flow toward the laundry at both sides, respectively.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second air nozzles forms an angle of between 20° and 70°, advantageously of about 45°, with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ironing cabinet includes a first steam-emitting nozzle and a second steam-emitting nozzle, which are configured to be disposed on both sides of a garment and vertically offset relative to each other. The first and second steam-emitting nozzles are configured to respectively diffuse a first stream of steam and a second stream of steam toward the garment on both sides of the garment. This configuration of the first and second steam-emitting nozzles ensures optimal distribution of steam on each side of the garment and across the entire width of the garment, thereby ensuring satisfactory ironing results for the garment.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first steam emission nozzle comprises a plurality of steam output openings substantially aligned along a first alignment direction, and the second steam emission nozzle comprises a plurality of steam output openings substantially aligned along a second alignment direction. Advantageously, the first and second alignment directions are substantially horizontal.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ironing cabinet includes a hanger configured to support laundry and includes a stress applying member configured to apply stress to the laundry.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first air nozzle comprises a first air output opening, which is arranged below the first steam emission nozzle, and the second air nozzle comprises a second air output opening, which is arranged below the second steam emission nozzle.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first air nozzle includes a first heating device configured to heat air circulating in the first air nozzle, and the second air nozzle includes a second heating device configured to heat air circulating in the second air nozzle.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second air nozzles are configured to diffuse a first air layer and a second air layer, respectively, toward the garment on either side of the garment. Advantageously, each of the first and second air layers is oriented downwardly toward the garment. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second air layers extends across the entire width of the garment.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first air output opening of the first air nozzle is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the first alignment direction, and the second air output opening of the second air nozzle is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the second alignment direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which show, by way of example and not limitation, an embodiment of such an ironing cabinet.

[0047] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing cabinet according to the present invention.

[0048] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Partial perspective view of an ironing cabinet showing the processing unit of the ironing cabinet in a rest position.

[0049] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Partial perspective view of an ironing cabinet showing the processing unit in a working position.

[0050] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Partial perspective view of an ironing cabinet showing a position different from Figure 3 The processing unit is shown in its working position.

[0051] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the processing unit.

[0052] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the processing unit.

[0053] Figure 7 Is the processing unit along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figures 1 to 7 An ironing cabinet 2 is shown for receiving and treating laundry with steam. The ironing cabinet 2 is more particularly configured to receive and treat the upper part of laundry, also known as upper body garments, such as overalls, jackets, shirts, blouses or undershirts.

[0055] Especially Figure 2 As shown, the ironing cabinet 2 comprises an ironing chamber 3 and a clothes hanger 4, wherein the clothes hanger 4 is arranged in the ironing chamber 3 and configured to support clothes to be ironed. Advantageously, the clothes hanger 4 is detachably mounted in the ironing chamber 3 so that clothes can be placed on the clothes hanger 4.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the hanger 4 includes a main body portion 5 having a generally flat shape and, in particular, a collar support portion 6 configured to support the collar portion of a garment to be ironed. The hanger 4 also includes a first shoulder support 7, which is adjustable and configured to support a first shoulder portion of a garment, and a second shoulder support 8, which is adjustable and configured to support a second shoulder portion of a garment. The first and second shoulder supports 7, 8 are advantageously mounted to slide between a retracted position and an extended position, so that the width of the upper portion of the hanger 4 can be adapted to different garment sizes.

[0057] The hanger 4 further comprises a stress-applying member configured to apply stress to the garments supported by the hanger 4 in order to facilitate ironing the garments. The stress-applying member comprises, in particular, a flexible clamping ring, for example made of a composite material, metal, or plastic material, and a control mechanism (not visible in the figures), configured to move the flexible clamping ring between a rest position and a stress-applying position, in which the flexible clamping ring is elastically deformed and applies stress to the garments supported by the hanger 4.

[0058] Advantageously, the flexible clamping rings include a first trunk clamping ring 9 and a second trunk clamping ring 10, which are configured to extend in the trunk portion of the garment supported by the hanger 4, and a first sleeve clamping ring 11 and a second sleeve clamping ring 12, which are configured to extend in the first sleeve and the second sleeve, respectively, of the garment supported by the hanger 4.

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ironing cabinet 2 further comprises one or more cabinet doors 13, which are movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the ironing chamber 3 can be entered through the cabinet door and a hanger 4 with clothes to be ironed can be inserted into or removed from the ironing chamber 3. In the closed position, the ironing chamber 3 cannot be entered through the cabinet door.

[0060] More especially Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the ironing cabinet 2 further comprises a treatment unit 14 which is arranged in the ironing chamber 3 and is configured to treat the laundry to be ironed.

[0061] The treatment unit 14 comprises a support 15 which extends substantially horizontally and is mounted in a vertically movable manner in the ironing chamber 3. The support 15 is configured to move along the laundry and advantageously comprises a through opening 16 for the laundry to pass through when the support 15 moves vertically. The support 15 can more particularly be in a first position (see Figure 2 ) and a second position, in which the support 15 is located in the upper part of the ironing chamber 3, for example, above the hanger 4, and in the second position, the support 15 is located in the lower part of the ironing chamber 3, for example, below the hanger 4.

[0062] Advantageously, the ironing cabinet 2 includes a motorized system (not visible in the figures) configured to vertically move the support 15 between the first and second positions, and a guide system configured to guide the support 15 in translation during the vertical movement of the support 15. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide system includes a first guide rail 17 and a second guide rail 18 extending vertically and spaced apart from each other, and the support 15 includes a first mounting portion 19 slidably mounted on the first guide rail 17, and a second mounting portion 20 slidably mounted on the second guide rail 18.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric system may, for example, include at least one, e.g., slotted, endless belt, which is connected to the first mounting portion 19 and is configured to drive the first mounting portion 19 to slide along the first guide rail 17; at least one, preferably slotted, pinion gear, which is configured to drive the endless belt; and a drive motor, whose output rod is rotationally coupled to the at least one pinion gear.

[0064] The processing unit 14 further comprises a first support table 21 which is movably mounted on the support 15 along a first horizontal direction of movement D1, and a second support table 22 which is movably mounted on the support 15 along a second horizontal direction of movement D2 which is parallel to the first direction of movement D1. The first and second directions of movement D1, D2 are advantageously substantially perpendicular to the laundry extension plane in which the laundry to be ironed is intended to extend.

[0065] The first and second support platforms 21, 22 are more particularly configured to be in a first configuration and a second configuration, in which the first and second support platforms 21, 22 are close to each other so as to be located next to the clothes to be processed, and in the second configuration, the first and second support platforms 21, 22 are away from each other so as to be separated by a certain distance from the clothes to be processed.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ironing cabinet 2 includes a first motor (not visible in the figure) configured to move the first support table 21 along a first movement direction D1, and a second motor (not visible in the figure) configured to move the second support table 22 along a second movement direction D2.

[0067] Advantageously, the ironing cabinet 2 comprises first guiding means configured to guide the first support table 21 when it moves along the first movement direction D1 and second guiding means configured to guide the second support table 22 when it moves along the second movement direction D2.

[0068] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first guide means comprises a first guide portion 23 and a second guide portion 24, which extend parallel to each other and are fixed to the support 15, and a first slider 25 and a second slider 26, which are fixed to the first support table 21 and are slidably mounted on the first and second guide portions 23, 24, respectively. The second guide means comprises a primary guide portion 27 and a secondary guide portion 28, which extend parallel to each other and are fixed to the support 15, and a primary slider 29 and a secondary slider 30, which are fixed to the second support table 22 and are slidably mounted on the primary and secondary guide portions 27, 28, respectively.

[0069] Advantageously, the first guide portion 23 and the primary guide portion 27 are formed by a first guide element, and the second guide portion 24 and the secondary guide portion 28 are formed by a second guide element extending parallel to the first guide element.

[0070] The processing unit 14 further includes a first steam transmitting module 31 and a second steam transmitting module 32 , which are supported by the first and second support platforms 21 , 22 , respectively.

[0071] The first and second steam emission modules 31 and 32 respectively include a first steam emission nozzle 33 and a second steam emission nozzle 34, which are arranged on both sides of the hanger 4 and are therefore configured to be arranged on both sides of the clothes to be ironed. The first and second steam emission nozzles 33 and 34 are more particularly configured to diffuse the first steam flow and the second steam flow towards the clothes on both sides of the clothes.

[0072] More especially Figure 7 As shown, the first and second steam emission nozzles 33, 34 are vertically offset relative to each other in order to generate a non-zero steam velocity at the laundry.

[0073] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first steam emission nozzle 33 is composed of a first steam output opening assembly 35, wherein the steam output openings are substantially aligned along a first alignment direction, and the second steam emission nozzle 34 is composed of a second steam output opening assembly 36, wherein the steam output openings are substantially aligned along a second alignment direction. Advantageously, each of the first and second alignment directions is substantially horizontal. Each of the first and second steam output opening assemblies can, for example, include between 50 and 100 steam output openings, such as approximately 75 steam output openings.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the steam outlet openings 35, 36 in each adjacent pair of steam outlet openings of each of the first and second assemblies are spaced apart by a distance between 7 and 13 mm, for example about 10 mm. Advantageously, each steam outlet opening 35, 36 has a diameter of about 1.5 mm, and each of the first and second assemblies extends over a length of about 750 mm.

[0075] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the first steam emission module 31 includes a first steam distribution pipe 37 on which the steam output opening 35 of the first steam emission nozzle 33 is arranged; the second steam emission module 32 includes a second steam distribution pipe 38 on which the steam output opening 36 of the second steam emission nozzle 34 is arranged.

[0076] The first steam launch module 31 further includes a first fluid flow conduit 39 extending parallel to the first steam distribution conduit 37 and fluidly connected to the first steam distribution conduit 37; the second steam launch module 32 further includes a second fluid flow conduit 41 extending parallel to the second steam distribution conduit 38 and fluidly connected to the second steam distribution conduit 38. Advantageously, the first fluid flow conduit 39 is configured to supply steam to the first steam distribution conduit 37, and the second fluid flow conduit 41 is configured to supply steam to the second steam distribution conduit 38.

[0077] The first steam launch module 31 also includes one or more heating elements 42, which extend along the first steam distribution pipe 37 and the first fluid flow pipe 39 and are configured to heat the first steam distribution pipe 37 and the first fluid flow pipe 39, and the second steam launch module 32 includes one or more heating components 43, which extend along the second steam distribution pipe 38 and the second fluid flow pipe 41 and are configured to heat the second steam distribution pipe 38 and the second fluid flow pipe 41.

[0078] The or each heating element 42 is fixed, and for example welded, to the first fluid flow conduit 39 and / or the first steam distribution conduit 37, and the or each heating member 43 is fixed, and for example welded, to the second fluid flow conduit 41 and / or the second steam distribution conduit 38. Each of the heating element and heating member may, for example, be a resistive heating element, such as a heating resistor.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid flow conduit 39 is configured to be supplied with water and to generate a steam flow toward the first steam distribution conduit 37, and the second fluid flow conduit 41 is configured to be supplied with water and to generate a steam flow toward the second steam distribution conduit 38. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the input opening of the first fluid flow conduit 39 is for fluid connection to a water supply source, and the input opening of the second fluid flow conduit 41 is for fluid connection to a water supply source. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the (one or more) heating elements 42 or the (one or more) heating members 43 are advantageously powered so as to adjust the temperature of the first and second steam emitting modules 31, 32 to a temperature of approximately 150°C during the steps of humidifying and stressing the laundry. This temperature ensures that the water introduced into the first and second fluid flow conduits 39, 41 is satisfactorily vaporized.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid flow conduit 39 is configured to be supplied with steam, and the second fluid flow conduit 41 is configured to be supplied with steam. According to this embodiment of the invention, the ironing cabinet 2 includes a steam generator (e.g., a pressure tank), to which the input openings of the first and second fluid flow conduits 39, 41 are fluidically connected. According to this embodiment of the invention, the heating element(s) 42 or the heating member(s) 43 are advantageously powered to regulate the temperature of the first and second steam emitting modules 31, 32 to a temperature of approximately 120°C during the steps of humidifying and stressing the laundry. Such a temperature allows for the disposal of any condensation in the first and second steam distribution conduits 37, 38 and prevents water droplets from splashing onto the laundry through the various steam output openings 35, 36.

[0081] Advantageously, the first steam launch module 31 includes a first connecting portion 44, which fluidly connects the first fluid flow conduit 39 to the first steam distribution conduit 37 and is configured to allow only steam to flow from the first fluid flow conduit 39 to the first steam distribution conduit 37, and the second steam launch module 32 includes a second connecting portion 45, which fluidly connects the second fluid flow conduit 41 to the second steam distribution conduit 38 and is configured to allow only steam to flow from the second fluid flow conduit 41 to the second steam distribution conduit 38.

[0082] More especially Figure 7 As shown, the treatment unit 14 also includes a first porous structure 46 that is permeable to steam and is located opposite the first steam emission nozzle 33, and a second porous structure 47 that is permeable to steam and is located opposite the second steam emission nozzle 34. The first porous structure 46 is positioned beside and along the second steam emission nozzle 34, and the second porous structure 47 is positioned beside and along the first steam emission nozzle 33. Advantageously, each of the first and second porous structures 46, 47 is planar.

[0083] The first porous structure 46 is more particularly configured to be located on the same side as the second steam emission nozzle 34 relative to the laundry to be treated, and the second porous structure 47 is more particularly configured to be located on the same side as the first steam emission nozzle 33 relative to the laundry to be treated.

[0084] More especially Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the processing unit 14 further includes a first air nozzle 48 and a second air nozzle 49, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hanger 4 and are therefore configured to be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clothes to be ironed. The first and second air nozzles 48, 49 are supported by the first and second support platforms 21, 22 respectively.

[0085] The first air nozzle 48 includes a first air output opening 51, which is arranged below the first steam emission nozzle 33, and the second air nozzle 49 includes a second air output opening 52, which is arranged below the second steam emission nozzle 34. Advantageously, the first air output opening 51 of the first air nozzle 48 is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the first alignment direction of the steam output opening 35 of the first steam emission nozzle 33, and the second air output opening 52 of the second air nozzle 49 is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the second alignment direction of the steam output opening 36 of the second steam emission nozzle 34.

[0086] The first and second air nozzles 48, 49 are more particularly configured to diffuse a first air layer and a second air layer on both sides of the garment, respectively. Advantageously, each of the first and second air layers is oriented downwardly towards the garment and extends over the entire width of the garment.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 forms an angle between 20° and 70°, preferably about 45°, relative to the horizontal plane. Therefore, each of the first and second air layers flows toward the garment in a direction forming an angle between 20° and 70°, preferably about 45°, relative to the vertical line of the garment surface.

[0088] Advantageously, the first air nozzle 48 comprises a first heating device 53 configured to heat the air circulating in the first air nozzle 48 , and the second air nozzle 49 comprises a second heating device 54 configured to heat the air circulating in the second air nozzle 49 .

[0089] The ironing cabinet 2 further comprises an air flow generator 55 (e.g. a blower) which is fluidically connected to each of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49. The air flow generator 55 may, for example, be housed in a receiving chamber 56 which is distinct from the ironing chamber 3. The receiving chamber 56 may, for example, be separated from the ironing chamber 3 by a vertical partition wall 57 (see FIG. Figure 4 ), the air flow generator 55 can, for example, be supported by a support portion 58, which is connected to the support 15 via two coupling elements 59, which extend through two through slots 61 arranged on the vertical partition wall 57, respectively.

[0090] The ironing cabinet 2 may further comprise a first air delivery line (not visible in the figures) connecting the air flow generator 55 to the first air nozzle 48 and a second air delivery line (not visible in the figures) connecting the air flow generator 55 to the second air nozzle 49 .

[0091] The ironing cabinet 2 further comprises a control unit 62 configured to control, inter alia, the vertical movement of the support 15 , the horizontal movement of the first and second support tables 21 , 22 , the operation of the various heating members mentioned above, the operation of the air flow generator 55 and the water or steam supply to the first and second steam emitting modules 31 , 32 .

[0092] A method of ironing clothes by means of the ironing cabinet 2 according to the present invention will now be described. This ironing method comprises the following steps:

[0093] 1) Place the support 15 in the first position, i.e., in the upper part of the ironing chamber 3,

[0094] 2) Place the clothes on the hanger 4,

[0095] 3) applying stress to the clothes through the stress applying member attached to the hanger 4,

[0096] 4) Humidifying the clothes and applying stress to the clothes by the processing unit 14, the steps of humidifying and applying stress to the clothes include the following steps:

[0097] a) moving the first and second support platforms 21, 22 into a first configuration such that the first and second support platforms 21, 22 are located next to the garment,

[0098] b) moving the support 15 to the second position, i.e., to the lower part of the ironing chamber 3 and along the clothes, for example at a speed between 2 mm / s and 20 mm / s,

[0099] c) simultaneously controlling the operation of the air flow generator 55 and the supply of water or steam to the first and second steam emission modules 31, 32 so that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 diffuse the first air layer and the second air layer toward the clothes on both sides of the clothes, respectively, and the first and second steam emission nozzles 33, 34 diffuse the first steam flow and the second steam flow toward the clothes on both sides of the clothes, respectively,

[0100] d) when the support 15 reaches the second position, stopping the operation of the air flow generator 55 and the water or steam supply to the first and second steam emission modules 31, 32,

[0101] e) moving the first and second supporting platforms 21, 22 into a second configuration such that the first and second supporting platforms 21, 22 are spaced a distance from the laundry,

[0102] f) moving the support 15 to the first position, i.e., to the upper part of the ironing chamber 3, for example, at a speed of about 60 mm / s,

[0103] 5) Drying the clothes and applying stress to the clothes, the steps of drying the clothes and applying stress to the clothes include the following steps:

[0104] a) moving the first and second support platforms 21, 22 into a first configuration such that the first and second support platforms 21, 22 are located next to the garment,

[0105] b) moving the support 15 to the second position, i.e., to the lower part of the ironing chamber 3 and along the clothes, for example at a speed between 2 mm / s and 20 mm / s,

[0106] c) controlling the operation of the air flow generator 55 and the first and second heating devices 53, 54 so that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 diffuse a first layer of hot air and a second layer of hot air towards the garment on both sides of the garment, respectively,

[0107] d) when the support 15 reaches the second position, stopping the operation of the air flow generator 55 and the first and second heating devices 53, 54,

[0108] e) moving the first and second supporting platforms 21, 22 into a second configuration such that the first and second supporting platforms 21, 22 are spaced a distance from the laundry,

[0109] f) moving the support 15 to the first position, ie, to the upper part of the ironing chamber 3, for example, at a moving speed of about 60 mm / s.

[0110] According to an embodiment of the ironing method of the present invention, the duration of the steps of wetting and stressing the clothes may be between 1 min and 10 min, for example about 5 min, and the duration of the steps of drying and stressing the clothes may be between 2 min and 10 min, for example about 5 min.

[0111] Advantageously, during the humidification and stressing steps, the first and second heating devices 53, 54 are not powered, so that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 diffuse a first layer of cold air and a second layer of cold air, respectively, towards the garment on both sides of the garment. The first and second layers of cold air may, for example, be at ambient temperature or at a temperature below ambient temperature.

[0112] Advantageously, during the humidifying and stressing steps, the air flow generator 55 is controlled so that each of the diffused first and second cold air layers flows over the surface of the laundry at a moderate speed, for example between 1 and 20 km / h.

[0113] Therefore, during the humidification and stressing steps, the first and second cold air layers cool the clothes, so that steam condenses on the clothes. Moreover, the first and second air outlet openings 51, 52 are respectively arranged below the first and second steam outlet opening assemblies, so that a low pressure is formed at the level of the clothes, thereby keeping the steam around the clothes and preventing it from escaping too quickly to the upper part of the ironing chamber and thus humidifying the upper part of the already ironed clothes.

[0114] Furthermore, the specific orientation of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 generates localized stress on the garment during the humidifying and stressing steps, which stress has components in the X, Y and Z directions, thereby spreading the garment in all directions.

[0115] Advantageously, during the drying and stressing steps, the air flow generator 55 is controlled so that each of the diffused first and second hot air layers flows over the surface of the clothing at a high speed of, for example, between 17 and 35 km / h and has a temperature between 50 and 150°C.

[0116] The specific orientation of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 generates local stress on the clothes during the drying and stressing steps, and this stress has components in the X, Y and Z directions, which can spread the clothes in all directions and dry the clothes in an optimal manner.

[0117] Therefore, in addition to receiving an overall treatment in the moist ironing chamber 3, the garment is also treated locally (region by region) as the treatment unit 14 moves down the garment, so that a satisfactory ironing result can be obtained in a shorter time and without the user having to perform any further action beyond placing the garment on the hanger 4.

[0118] According to an embodiment variant of the ironing method, during the humidifying and stressing steps, the first and second cold air layers may be diffused before the first and second steam flows are diffused.

[0119] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, which are provided as examples only. In particular, some modifications may be made in the composition of various elements or by replacing them with equivalent technologies, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0120] Thus, the ironing cabinet may comprise two air flow generators, each fluidly connected to a respective one of the first and second air nozzles, and an additional heating member may be provided to heat the laundry during the drying and stressing steps.

Claims

1. A method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2), the ironing cabinet comprising a diffusion device for diffusing an air flow and a steam flow on the clothes, the ironing method comprising diffusing a steam flow on the clothes and diffusing an air flow, called a cold air flow, on the clothes so as to cool the clothes and / or the steam flow, the diffusion of the cold air flow being carried out before or simultaneously with the diffusion of the steam flow, characterised in that The cool air flow is diffused in a direction forming an angle between 20° and 70° with respect to a normal line of the surface of the laundry to be treated.

2. The method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 1, wherein: The diffused cool air flow is at ambient temperature or a temperature below the ambient temperature.

3. The method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cool air flow flows on the surface of the clothing at a flow rate between 1 and 35 km / h.

4. The method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Diffusion of the cool air flow includes diffusing a first cool air flow and a second cool air flow toward the clothing at both sides of the clothing simultaneously.

5. The ironing method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 4, wherein: The first cold air flow and the second cold air flow spread symmetrically on the clothing, so that a combined force of the first cold air flow and the second cold air flow exerts stress on the clothing parallel to the surface of the clothing.

6. The method for ironing clothes using an ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising placing the clothes on a hanger (4) comprising a clothes stressing device.

7. An ironing cabinet (2) comprising a control unit configured to perform the ironing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, at least one air nozzle and a steam emission nozzle carried by a support (15), the support being movable and configured to move along the laundry, The ironing cabinet (2) comprises a first air nozzle (48) and a second air nozzle (49), the air nozzles being configured to be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the clothes, each of the first air nozzle (48) and the second air nozzle (49) forming an angle between 20° and 70° relative to a horizontal plane, and the diffusion of the cold air flow by the air nozzles being performed before or simultaneously with the diffusion of the steam flow by the steam emission nozzles.

8. The ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 7, wherein: The support member (15) is installed to be vertically movable.

9. The ironing cabinet (2) according to claim 7, comprising a first steam emission nozzle (33) and a second steam emission nozzle (34), the steam emission nozzles being configured to be arranged on both sides of the laundry and vertically offset relative to each other.

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