Positioning template for manually folding or ironing a garment

Abstract

Positioning template (1; 10; 100) for manually folding a garment, or other flexible flat item, of the type comprising a substantially flat support (9; 90; 900) or configurable on a flat surface, and graphic symbols regularly arranged on said substantially flat support, for the adjusted positioning of a garment to be folded, or other flexible flat item, said graphic symbols visually defining at least one ideal centre-line axis (2; 20; 200) for an orderly arrangement and / or folding of the garment, or other flexible flat item, and further reference marks (7, 8; 70, 80; 700; 800), in particular points and / or areolae and / or lines and / or areas, for the orderly arrangement and / or folding of said garment or other flexible flat item.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning template for manually folding a garment or, generally, flexible flat items, e.g. fabrics, of the type comprising a substantially flat support intended to support the garment, or flexible flat item, to be folded and that is configured to make folding thereof easy and even.

[0002] This positioning template can be particularly used in the manual ironing of garments or flexible materials in general.

[0003] It should be first noted herein that the term: "positioning template" means herein a "reference model" which allows the wearer to correctly arrange and fold a garment, or flexible flat item, to be manually folded on a respective support.

[0004] Furthermore, it is noted that the term "flexible flat items" herein refers to those items, generally with two dimensions prevailing over the third dimension, which consist of a material with high flexibility, in such a way that they can be folded on themselves. Items of this type can consist of fabrics in general, non-woven fabrics, sheets of paper material, etc.Known prior art

[0005] Manually folding of garments, or generally flexible materials, is an activity that is normally carried out to allow the storage, e.g. in a closet, and possibly the stacking of garments, or flexible flat items, before and / or after their use.

[0006] Incorrect folding of garments, or flexible flat items, may result in a certain asymmetry in the shape of the same folded garments, or flexible flat items, which may hinder their proper storage or proper stacking.

[0007] Additionally, in the case of incorrect or irregular folding of a garment, subsequent use of the garment may lead to wrinkles, irregularities, undulations which may generate an unpleasant aesthetic effect on the wearer.

[0008] These consequences of the incorrect folding of a garment are exacerbated if the incorrect folding occurs during the manual ironing of the garment. In this case, indeed, creases obtained during ironing activity are strongly characterised and persistent, due to the application of heat, and possibly of steam or water, due to the same ironing.

[0009] As known, the manual ironing of a garment involves a succession of steps in which an ironing device, generally an iron, is applied to a garment which, depending on the ironing step, is folded beforehand with respect to the previous step.

[0010] For example, for ironing a shirt it is a common technique, after applying the ironing device to the collar, the ventral part and the back of the shirt, to sequentially fold the respective sleeves of the shirt lengthwise at the back of the shirt - i.e. along directions parallel to that of the shirt's symmetry - and then folding the shirt according to several transverse folds generally orthogonal to its longitudinal extent, by applying the ironing device each time.

[0011] Maintaining acceptable symmetry and regularity in the folds to which the garment is subjected during ironing prevents this garment from showing wrinkles, undulations, creases or unpleasant aesthetic effects once worn, resulting in unwanted aesthetic effects that may mislead the observer that the garment is badly cut or not suitable for the wearer.

[0012] Different dimensions of the folds resulting from the ironing process of a garment can also result in unpleasant aesthetic effects when the garment is worn.

[0013] Additionally, the irregular or uneven folding of a garment, or a plurality of garments, subjected to ironing may result, due to the irregularity of the final shape, in considerable difficulties in storing and stacking such ironed garments inside a respective storage, such as a closet or a drawer.

[0014] It is therefore a strong need to carry out manually folding of a garment, or generally a flexible flat item, that is as accurate, even, regular and symmetrical as possible.

[0015] This requirement is even more pronounced if the folding takes place during a garment ironing activity.

[0016] Currently, this requirement is only fulfilled when the operator in charge of manually folding has sufficient skills and experience to correctly carry out the aforesaid folds of the garment, or flexible flat item, e.g. during the respective ironing, relying solely on his or her own skills, which not everyone possesses.

[0017] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to fulfil the requirement of ensuring or at least facilitating the obtaining of regular, even, symmetrical and accurate folds on a garment, or other flexible flat item, which has been manually folded, in particular during an ironing activity, even if the operator in charge of folding does not have any particular capability in this activity.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to fulfil the aforesaid requirement of ensuring or at least facilitating the obtaining of regular, even, symmetrical and accurate folds on a garment, or other flexible flat item, which has been manually folded, especially during an ironing activity, by means of a solution which is simple and inexpensive to implement and extremely easy to use.Summary of the invention

[0019] These and other objects are achieved by the present invention as defined by the first independent claim and the subsequent dependent claims.

[0020] According to the present invention, a positioning template is provided for manually folding a garment, or other flexible flat item, of the type comprising a substantially flat support or support configurable on a flat surface, on which the garment rests, and a plurality of graphic symbols regularly arranged on this substantially flat support or support configurable on a flat surface, for the pre-set positioning of a garment, or other flexible flat item, to be folded. Advantageously, these graphic symbols visually define at least one ideal straight centre-line axis for the orderly longitudinal arrangement and / or folding of the garment, or other flexible flat item, and further reference marks, in particular points and / or areolae and / or lines and / or areas, for the orderly longitudinal arrangement and / or folding of the garment, or other flexible plan item.

[0021] The presence of graphic symbols on a flat support, or support configurable on a flat surface, on which to arrange a garment, or other flat flexible item, such as e.g. a linen item, a tea cloth, a handkerchief, a tablecloth, etc., to be folded which direct the operator to correctly arrange the garment, or other flat flexible item, and to carry out the respective folds in a geometrically determined manner, in particular during the ironing, allows to facilitate the obtaining of regular, even, symmetrical and accurate folds at the outcome of the folding operation.

[0022] In particular, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the aforesaid graphic symbols comprise dots (polka dots) and / or squares and / or areolae and / or lines and / or segments in various combinations with each other and arranged symmetrically and / or specularly with each other with respect to the aforesaid ideal centre-line axis.

[0023] This defines a path or a set of paths on which it is easy to arrange any garment, or other flexible flat item, and then orderly fold it, e.g. and preferably during the ironing.

[0024] Furthermore, in order to increase the visibility of this positioning template, according to another aspect of the invention, at least part of the aforesaid graphic symbols are different from each other graphically and / or in colouring.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the aforesaid graphic symbols comprise a straight centre-line which is arranged along the aforementioned at least one ideal centre-line axis and which defines two side areas, at least one first plurality of segments orthogonal to the straight centre-line which is arranged at a first side area defined by such straight centre-line, and at least one first plurality of side straight lines parallel to such straight centre-line, which is arranged at the aforesaid first side area. The first plurality of orthogonal segments and the first plurality of side lines define at least part of the aforesaid further reference marks.

[0026] Preferably, the positioning template may also comprise a second plurality of segments orthogonal to the straight centre-line, which is arranged at the other second side area defined by the same straight centre-line, and may further comprise, possibly disjointedly from the second plurality of orthogonal segments, also a second plurality of side straight lines parallel to the straight centre-line, which is arranged on the other second side area defined by the same straight centre-line, different from that on which the aforesaid first plurality of side straight lines lies.

[0027] In this particular case, the aforesaid side straight lines of the respective first plurality of side straight lines and the orthogonal segments of the respective first plurality of orthogonal segments which are placed in the first side area, may be respectively specular, with respect to the straight centre-line, to the side straight lines of the respective second plurality of side straight lines and to the orthogonal segments of the respective second plurality of orthogonal segments, which are placed in the second side area.

[0028] These parallel and orthogonal lines allow to define positioning lines along which to arrange the garment, or other flexible flat item, to be folded before starting the folding activity, and folding and repositioning lines for the same garment or other flexible flat item during this folding activity.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the orthogonal segments may or may not intersect, at least partly, the side straight lines and / or the straight centre-line, possibly to form regular reference paths or grids for the positioning and folding of a garment, or other flexible flat item, e.g. during the ironing.

[0030] Where the orthogonal segments do not intersect the parallel side straight lines and / or the straight centre-line, the parallel side straight lines may be interposed between the same straight centre-line and the orthogonal segments arranged in one of the side areas defined by the same straight centre-line.

[0031] According to a further aspect, at least part of the orthogonal segments and / or at least part of the side straight lines are equidistant from each other, so as to fit different sizes of the same garment.

[0032] Finally, in an embodiment of the invention, the positioning template defined above can be integrated with an ironing board or table for the manual ironing of a garment, of the type comprising a substantially flat plank with a main longitudinal extent direction, in which this positioning template comprises a flat support, or a support configurable on a flat surface, which is arranged or integrated on such substantially flat plank and in which the ideal centre-line axis of the template is superimposed on or is parallel to the main direction of longitudinal extent of the substantially flat plank.

[0033] This solution makes the folding, during the ironing, of even complex garments or clothing or linen items, such as shirts, T-shirts or trousers, extremely practical.Brief description of the figures

[0034] Some embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below by way of nonlimiting example with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a positioning template for manually folding a garment, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of a positioning template for manually folding a garment, according to a different embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3a to 3g show top plan views of a template for manually folding a garment according to a further embodiment of the invention, used in the various steps of folding a garment during its ironing. Detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention

[0035] With reference first to the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1, in a preferred embodiment the positioning template 1 for manually folding a garment, or other flexible and foldable item, comprises a support 9 either substantially flat or configurable on a flat surface, which is equipped with graphic symbols 2, 7, 8 regularly arranged, i.e. according to a pre-set order, on this support 9 and in particular equipped with an ideal straight centre-line axis 2 and further reference marks 7, 8 for the orderly arrangement and / or folding of a garment or another flexible item.

[0036] Is it noted that, for the sake of simplicity, reference will hereinafter be made to garments or clothing or linen items in relation to the positioning template which will be described, without thereby limiting the use of the present invention to such elements, since the positioning template according to the present invention is also intended to be usable with any other flexible item, such as e.g. generic natural or synthetic fabric bodies, non-woven bodies, thin plastic foils, etc.

[0037] The support 9 on which the graphic symbols 2, 7, 8 are stamped can be a rigid flat support, such as a board made of rigid material, e.g. wood or rigid plastic, or it can be a flexible support, e.g. made of fabric, that can be arranged on a flat body. Alternatively, the support 9 can also be a flexible support removably or loosely constrained to a flat rigid body.

[0038] For example, as will be seen with reference to figures 3a-3g, the support 9 of the positioning template 1, according to an aspect of the invention, may consist of a flexible support removably or immovably mounted to an ironing board.

[0039] Returning to the implementation of figure 1, as mentioned, the graphic symbols 2, 7, 8, which are made on the support 9 of the positioning template 1, allow the adjusted positioning of a garment or other flexible item, such as a clothing or linen item, which is intended to be folded, i.e. according to a certain order that is functional to the respective folding.

[0040] In this regard, these graphic symbols visually define a centre-line 2 consisting of an ideal straight centre-line axis, i.e. an axis intended to allow the wearer to identify a centre-line on the garment or item to be folded, and further reference marks 7, 8 in this case consisting of side straight lines 7 parallel to the straight centre-line 2 and orthogonal segments 8 placed perpendicular to the axis of the straight centre-line 2, which are arranged according to a pre-set pattern at a distance from the same centre-line 2 and which are intended to serve as folding markers for the garment or item to be folded.

[0041] More specifically, the embodiment of the positioning template 1 depicted in figure 1 comprises, on the flat support 9, a straight centre-line 2 defined by a dashed line (segmented line) central with respect to the edges of the support 9, which is the ideal straight centre-line axis and defines two side areas A and B of the same support 9. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, in at least one of the side areas A and B of the support 9, e.g. in the first side area denoted by A, there is a first plurality 5 of segments 8 arranged orthogonal to the straight centre-line 2 and a first plurality 3 of side straight lines 7 arranged parallel to and at a distance from the straight centre-line 2. These side straight lines 7 and these orthogonal segments 8 are part of the folding reference marks that the support 9 has.

[0042] In the embodiment of the positioning template 1 of figure 1, also in the other second side area B, there is a second plurality 6 of segments 8 orthogonal to the straight centre-line 2 and a second plurality 4 of side straight lines 7 parallel to and placed at a distance from this straight centre-line 2.

[0043] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, each of the orthogonal segments 8 of the first plurality 5 of orthogonal segments is aligned with a corresponding orthogonal segment 8 of the second plurality 6 of orthogonal segments. In other words, the orthogonal segments 8 of the two pluralities 5, 6 of orthogonal segments are specular with respect to the straight centre-line 2.

[0044] It should further be noted that the side straight lines 7 of each plurality 3, 4 of side straight lines are specular to each other with respect to the straight centre-line 2.

[0045] In practice, the graphic symbols of each of the areas A, B defined by the straight centre-line 2, which consist of the straight parallel lines 7 and the orthogonal segments 8 of the respective pluralities 3, 4 and 5, 6, are arranged specular to each other with respect to the straight centre-line 2.

[0046] In this embodiment of figure 1, the orthogonal segments 8 do not intersect the parallel straight lines 7 and the latter, in each first A and second B side areas, are interposed between the straight centre-line 2 and the respective orthogonal segments 8.

[0047] As the Reader can easily understand, the presence on the support 9 of each of the first plurality of orthogonal segments 5, the first plurality of side straight lines 3, the second plurality of orthogonal segments 6 and the second plurality of side straight lines 4, is independent of the presence of the other pluralities of orthogonal segments or side straight lines, so that one or more of these pluralities of orthogonal segments and side straight lines 5, 6, 3, 4 may be present on the support 9.

[0048] Furthermore, although the side straight lines 7 and the orthogonal segments 8 are shown in the implementation of figure 1 with a solid line stroke, any other stroke which defines their presence, such as dashed or segmented lines, dots, other aligned graphic symbols or anything else, may likewise be used. Also, for the straight centre-line 2 defined in the implementation of figure 1 with a dashed line stroke, any other stroke may be used to define this straight centre-line 2.

[0049] It shall be noted that in the embodiment of figure 1, the side straight lines 7 of the respective pluralities 3, 4 of side straight lines and the orthogonal segments 8 of the respective pluralities 5, 6 of orthogonal segments, are equally spaced from each other in such a way that they can serve as reference markers for garments or clothing or linen items, with shapes and dimensions different from each other, i.e. sizes in the case of garments.

[0050] In an embodiment not visible herein, the parallel straight lines 7 and the orthogonal segments 8 may assume colours, as well as strokes, different from each other, in such a way as to further facilitate the positioning of the garment, or other clothing or linen item, on the support 9.

[0051] Turning now to the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2, it is noted that the positioning template 10 for manually folding a garment, or other flexible item, comprises a substantially flat support 70 or in any case configurable on a flat surface, which is equipped, similarly to the embodiment of figure 1, with an ideal straight centre-line axis defined by a straight centre-line 20 graphically rendered by a dashed line and with further reference marks for the orderly longitudinal arrangement and / or folding of the garment, or other flexible item, which comprise parallel side straight lines 70 and orthogonal segments 80.

[0052] In more detail, as visible in figure 2, the support 90 of the positioning template 10 comprises a straight centre-line 20 defining, on the same support 90, a first side area A' and a second side area B'.

[0053] At the first side area A', there is a first plurality 30 of side straight lines 70 parallel to each other and to the straight centre-line 20, and a first plurality 50 of orthogonal segments 80 parallel to each other and arranged perpendicular to the straight centre-line 20.

[0054] Also, at the other, second, side area B' defined by the straight centre-line 20, the support 90 comprises a second plurality 40 of side straight lines 70 parallel to each other and to the straight centre-line 20, and a second plurality 60 of orthogonal segments 80 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the straight centre-line 20.

[0055] It should be noted that even in this embodiment, the side straight lines 70 of the respective first plurality 30 and the orthogonal segments 80 of the respective first plurality 50, which are placed in the first side area A', are respectively specular, with respect to the straight centre-line 20, to the side straight lines 70 of the respective second plurality 40 and to the orthogonal segments 80 of the respective second plurality 60, which are placed in the second side area B'.

[0056] Unlike the embodiment of figure 1, the positioning template 10 of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 2 provides that the orthogonal segments 80 of the first plurality 50 of orthogonal segments and the side straight lines 70 of the first plurality 30 of parallel straight lines intersect each other within the respective side area A'. Similarly, this positioning template 10 provides that the orthogonal segments 80 of the second plurality 60 of orthogonal segments and the side straight lines 70 of the second plurality 40 of parallel straight lines intersect each other within the respective side area B'.

[0057] The intersection of the orthogonal segments 80 with the side straight lines 70 defines crossing points and areolae that further facilitate the positioning and folding a garment or other flexible item, in particular facilitating the use of the positioning template 10 with garments of different sizes.

[0058] With reference now to figures 3a-3g, according to an aspect of the present invention illustrated herein, the embodiment of the positioning template 100 provides that the substantially flat support 900, or support configurable on a flat surface, is constrained to or integrated into the substantially flat plank of an ironing board or table.

[0059] As known, the ironing board or table usually comprises a substantially flat plank following a main direction of longitudinal extent, i.e. it is usually elongated in one direction. In the embodiment of the positioning template 100 illustrated herein, the respective support 900 is constrained or integrated into this substantially flat plank in such a way that the aforesaid ideal centre-line axis of the support 900 substantially or approximately coincides with the main longitudinal extent direction of the plank of the ironing board and, in particular, that it is superimposed or parallel to such main longitudinal extent direction.

[0060] The support 900 of the positioning template 100 illustrated herein visibly comprises a straight centre-line 200 defined by a dash-dot line, and side straight lines 700 parallel to the straight centre-line 200 and orthogonal segments 800 positioned perpendicular to the same straight centre-line 200, which constitute the further reference marks for the orderly longitudinal arrangement and / or folding of the garment, or other flexible item.

[0061] As it shall be noted, the arrangement of the straight centre-line 200, which defines two side areas A' and B", and of the side straight lines 700 and orthogonal segments 800, which are grouped into a first plurality 300 of side straight lines and into a first plurality 500 of orthogonal segments placed in the first side area A", and into a second plurality 400 of side straight lines and into a second plurality 600 of orthogonal segments placed in the second side area B", is entirely analogous to the arrangement of these lines and segments present on the support 9 of the first embodiment of the present invention depicted in figure 1.

[0062] In particular, it should be noted that even on the support 900, similarly to the support 9, the side straight lines 700 and the orthogonal segments 800 do not intersect each other.

[0063] Similar to the positioning template 1 of figure 1, the positioning template 100 provides that, on the support 900, the side straight lines 700 of the respective first plurality 300 and the orthogonal segments 800 of the respective first plurality 500, which are placed in the first side area A", are respectively specular, with respect to the straight centre-line 200, to the side straight lines 700 of the respective second plurality 400 and to the orthogonal segments 800 of the respective second plurality 600, which are placed in the second side area B'.

[0064] Furthermore, it should be noted that the side straight lines 700 of both pluralities 300, 400 of side straight lines are equally spaced from each other, and that the orthogonal segments 800 of both pluralities 500, 600 of orthogonal segments are also equally spaced from each other.

[0065] This allows to position and identify the correct folding lines of a garment or clothing or linen item to be ironed, regardless of the dimensions, i.e. the size, of such garment or item.

[0066] In particular, the whole of the side straight lines 700, the orthogonal segments 800 and the straight centre-line 200 placed on the support 900 of the folding template 100 of this embodiment and the other embodiments dynamically enables the folding of a garment, or other clothing or linen item, also during the ironing, thus allowing the operator to fold the garment, or other clothing or linen item, in succession during the ironing.

[0067] Figures 3b to 3g schematically show a method of possible folding of a garment, consisting in this case of a shirt C, for its ironing on an ironing board, by the use of the folding template 100 shown in figure 3a.

[0068] In a first step of this method shown schematically in figure 3b, the shirt C is arranged, e.g. partially buttoned and with the back facing the operator, in such a way that the centre-line of the back of the shirt C follows the straight centre-line 200 of the support 900 of the folding template 100.

[0069] The ideal line of the shoulders of the shirt C, as shown in figure 3b, can be substantially aligned with the ideal line defined by the last two orthogonal segments 800, which are also aligned with each other, of the first and second pluralities 500, 600 of orthogonal segments.

[0070] Figure 3c shows a possible, optional, transverse folding of the end opposite that of the ideal shoulder line of the shirt C, which is performed by using the last orthogonal segments 800, which are aligned with each other and placed at the corresponding longitudinal end of the respective pluralities 500, 600.

[0071] Figure 3d shows a possible longitudinal fold of a side of the shirt C, following the guide of a side straight line 700 of the second plurality 400 of side straight lines, which is placed in the second side area B". This longitudinal folding of one side of the shirt C may constitute a second step of the folding method for the ironing, which follows the step of arranging the shirt C on the support 900 denoted with reference to figure 3b.

[0072] The additional longitudinal fold of the other side of the shirt C is visible in figure 3e, which is subsequent to the longitudinal fold of a first side of the shirt C depicted with reference to figure 3d, where a side straight line 700 of the first plurality 300 of side straight lines, placed in the first side area A", is used for this folding. It should be noted that this side straight line 700 of the first plurality 300 used as a guide for folding the other side of the shirt C is specular, with respect to the straight centre-line 200, to the side straight line 700 of the second plurality 400 of side straight lines, which is used as a guide for folding the first side of the same shirt C.

[0073] Figure 3f depicts a subsequent step of transversely folding one end of the shirt C, which is opposite that of the respective shoulders, performed after the longitudinal folding of the sides of the shirt C which is visible in figures 3d and 3e, thanks to the aid of corresponding aligned and opposing orthogonal segments 800 of the first and second pluralities 500, 600 of orthogonal segments.

[0074] Finally, in figure 3g, a final step of transversely folding the shirt C is shown, which is also performed with the aid of suitable aligned and opposing orthogonal segments 800 of the first and second pluralities 500, 600 of orthogonal segments.

[0075] As will be clear to the reader from what has been described above, thanks to orderly arranging of the pluralities 2, 3; 20, 30; 300, 400 of side straight lines and the pluralities of orthogonal segments 5, 6; 50, 60; 500, 600 with respect to the straight centre-line 2; 20; 200, it shall be generally noted that it is possible to fold a garment, or other item of clothing or linen, in subsequent and continuous steps, e.g. during an ironing activity, in a simple and repeatable manner and further in a manner adaptable to the different dimensions, or sizes, of the garment or item of clothing being folded from time to time.

[0076] It shall also be noted that, thanks to the longitudinal arrangement of the straight centre-line 2; 20; 200, in particular when arranged so as to coincide with the longitudinal axis of the ironing board, and to the corresponding arrangement of the side straight lines 7; 70; 700 and the respective orthogonal segments 8; 80; 800, the folding template 1; 10; 100 allows to easily make an orderly succession of folds on any type of garment or other flexible item, by providing multiple longitudinal guides and transverse references for such task.

Claims

1. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) for manually folding a garment (C), or other flexible flat item, of the type comprising a substantially flat support (9; 90; 900), or configurable on a flat surface, and graphic symbols (2, 7, 8; 20, 70, 80; 200, 700, 800) regularly arranged on said substantially flat support, or configurable on a flat surface, for the adjusted positioning of a garment to be folded, or other flexible flat item, said graphic symbols visually defining at least one ideal centre-line axis (2; 20; 200) for an orderly arrangement and / or folding of the garment (C), or other flexible flat item, and further reference marks (7, 8; 70, 80; 700, 800), in particular points and / or areolae and / or lines and / or areas for the orderly arrangement and / or folding of said garment or other flexible flat item.

2. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said graphic symbols comprise a straight centre-line (2; 20; 200) which is arranged along said at least one ideal centre-line axis and which defines two side areas (A, B; A', B'; A", B"), at least one first plurality (5; 50; 500) of segments (8; 80; 800) orthogonal to the straight centre-line which is arranged at a first side area (A; A; A") defined by said straight centre-line, and at least one first plurality (3; 30; 300) of side straight lines (7; 70; 700) parallel to said straight centre-line, which is arranged at the said first side area (A; A; A"), said first plurality of orthogonal segments and said first plurality of side lines defining at least part of said further reference marks.

3. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to claim 2, comprising a second plurality (6; 60; 600) of segments (8; 80; 800) orthogonal to the straight centre-line (2; 20; 200) which is arranged at the other second side area (B; B'; B") defined by said straight centre-line, different from said first area (A; A'; A") on which the said first plurality (5; 50; 500) of orthogonal segments lies.

4. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a second plurality (4; 40; 400) of side straight lines (7; 70; 700) parallel to said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200) which is arranged at the other second side area (B; B'; B") defined by said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200), which is different from the said first side area (A; A; A") on which the said first plurality of side straight lines lies.

5. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least part of said orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) does not intersect the said side straight lines (7; 70; 700) and / or the said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200).

6. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to claim 2 and 5, wherein at least said first plurality (3; 30; 300) of side straight lines (7; 70; 700) is arranged at least between said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200) and said first plurality (5; 50; 500) of segments (8; 80; 800) orthogonal to the straight centre-line.

7. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least part of said orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) intersects at least part of said side straight lines (7; 70; 700) and / or said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200).

8. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) of said first plurality (5; 50; 500) of orthogonal segments and / or the orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) of said second plurality (6; 60; 600) of orthogonal segments and / or the parallel side straight lines (7; 70; 700) of said first plurality (3; 30; 300) of side straight lines and / or the side straight lines (8; 80; 800) of said second plurality (4; 40; 400) of side straight lines are equally spaced from each other.

9. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8 in combination with claim 3, wherein the said side straight lines (7; 70; 700) of the respective first plurality (3; 30, 300) of side straight lines and the orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) of the respective first plurality (5; 50; 500) of orthogonal segments which are placed in the first side area (A; A'; A"), are respectively specular to the said side straight lines (7; 70; 700) of the respective second plurality (4; 40; 400) of side straight lines and to the orthogonal segments (8; 80; 800) of the respective second plurality (6; 60; 600) of orthogonal segments, which are placed in the second side area (B; B'; B"), with respect to the said straight centre-line (2; 20; 200).

10. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to claim 1, wherein said graphic symbols comprise dots (polka dots) and / or squares and / or areolae and / or lines and / or segments in various combinations with each other and arranged symmetrically and / or specularly with each other with respect to said at least one ideal centre-line axis.

11. Positioning template (1; 10; 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of said graphic symbols are different from each other graphically and / or in colouring.

12. Ironing board or table for manually ironing a garment of the type comprising a substantially flat plank with a main direction of longitudinal extent, characterised by comprising a positioning template (1; 10; 100) for manually folding a garment (C), or other flexible flat item, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said positioning template comprises a flat support (9; 90; 900), or configurable on a flat surface, which is arranged or integrated on said substantially flat plank and wherein said ideal centre-line axis is superimposed on or parallel to said main direction of longitudinal extent of said substantially flat plank.

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