Professional or semi-professional machine for automatic integral ironing of shirts

Abstract

A professional or semi-professional machine for the automatic all-in-one ironing of a shirt comprising a support torso (10) with a first portion (11) for supporting the body of the shirt and a second portion (12) for supporting the collar thereof. The machine further comprises first means (21) for locking the body of the shirt, suction means (30) configured to allow the shirt to adhere to the support torso (10) and blowing means (40) configured to dry the shirt. The machine further includes second means (22) for locking the collar and heating means (51) positioned at the latter to allow the ironing and / or the drying of the collar.

Description

[0001] PROFESSIONAL OR SEMI-PROFESSIONAL MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIC INTEGRAL IRONING OF SHIRTS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention is generally relates to the technical field of professional or semi- professional machines for automatic ironing and in particular it relates to a professional or semi- professional machine for the automatic all-in-one ironing of a shirt.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Professional or semi-professional machines for the automatic ironing of shirts provided with collar, placket, buttons and possibly cuffs, are known.

[0007] Such machines include a support for the body of the shirt in the form of a torso, a front blade for locking the placket to the torso and grippers for locking the cuffs, if present.

[0008] Typically, ironing is carried out by previously suctioning the shirt so as to allow the adhesion of the body of the latter to the torso, a subsequent pulling of the cuffs to move them away from the support and lastly a blowing of hot air for the ironing and possible drying of the body and of the sleeves of the shirt.

[0009] However, such machines do not allow an all-one ironing of the shirt, in particular the collar and cuffs of the latter, if present.

[0010] To this end, the operator is forced to use a different machine, typically a hot press.

[0011] As a result, an excessive overall dimension due to the plurality of machines and a significant impact from both in terms of cost-effectiveness and equipping and ironing times.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] An object of the present invention to provide a professional or semi-professional machine for the all-one ironing of a shirt.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the professional or semi- professional ironing of a shirt that is particularly compact.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the professional or semi- professional ironing of a shirt that is particularly rapid.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the professional or semi- professional ironing of a shirt that is particularly profitable. A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the professional or semi- professional ironing of a shirt that does not require the action of specialised workers.

[0017] These and other objects which will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by a machine for the professional or semi-professional all-in-one ironing of a shirt as described, illustrated and / or claimed herein.

[0018] The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the detailed description of the main embodiments, shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0021] FIG.l is an axonometric schematic view of the machine 1 wherein the locking means 22 and 23 are in inoperative position;

[0022] FIG.2 is an axonometric schematic view of the machine 1 wherein the locking means 22 and 23 are in operative position;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a lateral schematic view of the machine 1;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of the machine 1;

[0025] FIG. 5 is an axonometric schematic view of the machine 1 wherein the blowing means 40 are visible;

[0026] FIG. 6 is an axonometric schematic view of the machine 1 wherein the resistive elements 510 and the heat exchanger 511 are visible;

[0027] FIG. 7 is an axonometric schematic view of the machine 1 in which the drive assemblies 31, 32 are visible;

[0028] FIGS. 8A, 8B are views of a detail of the locking means 23 and of the support element 13", while FIGS. 8C, 8D are views of a detail of the locking means 22;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the machine 1 wherein the nozzles 420 and the steam generator 42 are visible.

[0030] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0031] With reference to the aforementioned figures, herein described is a professional or semi- professional machine 1 for the automatic ironing of a shirt. As described in detail in the description below, the ironing carried out using the machine 1 may advantageously be all-in-one.

[0032] In other words, the machine 1 may allow to fully iron the shirt, without having to be used combined with further machines before and / or after the ironing step.

[0033] In particular, the machine 1 may allow the automatic ironing of short-sleeved shirts and long- sleeved shirts.

[0034] As per se known, the shirt will have a main body, a placket, at which there are positioned the holes for the buttons, a row of buttons, a pair of sleeves and possibly also a pair of cuffs, should the shirt be a long-sleeved shirt.

[0035] Furthermore, the shirt to be ironed may be dry or possibly wet.

[0036] In this second case, the machine 1 may therefore allow both the ironing and the drying thereof.

[0037] In particular, the machine 1 may comprise a support torso 10 on which the operator may position the shirt to be ironed.

[0038] Even more particularly, the support torso 10 may have a portion 11 configured to allow to place the central body of the shirt on the latter and a portion 12 in turn configured to allow to place the collar on the latter.

[0039] Furthermore, the portions 11, 12 may form a monobloc and they may be such to extend along the axis X.

[0040] Furthermore, it is clear that the portions 11, 12 may be coupled to each other, for example by welding, or they may be obtained through a single mould so that they are integrally joined.

[0041] Even more particularly, the portion 11 may include a plurality of holes 110 obtained thereon.

[0042] The latter 110 may be suitably sized and positioned along the portion 11 to allow air to flow evenly from the support torso 10 to the body of the shirt to be ironed and vice versa.

[0043] Preferably, the portion 12 may include a lateral surface 121 with a plurality of holes 120 obtained thereon.

[0044] Similarly, even the latter may be sized and positioned along the portion 12 to allow air to flow evenly from the support torso 10 to the collar and vice versa.

[0045] In order to ensure an excellent adhesion of the shirt to the support torso 10, the machine 1 may provide for the presence of appropriate motor-driven suction means 30.

[0046] In particular, the latter may be fluidically connected with the plurality of holes 110, 120. To this end, there may be provided for a fluidic connection line LF1 having a first branch LF1' interposed between the suction means 30 and the plurality of holes 110 and a second branch LF1" interposed between the plurality of holes 110 and the plurality of holes 120.

[0047] In particular, the two branches LF1', LF1" may be consecutive to each other, or two consecutive portions of the same fluidic line LF1.

[0048] In this manner, the suction means 30 may suction the air both at the plurality of holes 110 and at the plurality of holes 120.

[0049] According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the suction means 30 may include a first drive assembly 31 with suction cup suitably configured to suction the air when actuated.

[0050] The latter 31 may be positioned at the portion 11, preferably below the latter, and be fluidically connected with the plurality of holes 110, 120 through the aforementioned fluidic connection line LF1.

[0051] For example, the drive assembly 31 may have a power comprised between 0.5 hp and 1 hp, preferably comprised between 0.65 hp and 0.85 hp.

[0052] The drive assembly 31 may therefore allow to suction air at the jacket and more particularly at the first and second plurality of holes 110, 120.

[0053] As a result, both the body and the collar of the shirt may be attracted respectively towards the portion 11 and the portion 12, adhering thereto.

[0054] In order to enable a uniform adherence of the shirt to the support torso 10, there may be also provided for means 24 for pulling the shirt positioned below the support torso 10 and configured to interact with the lower flaps thereof so as to pull it.

[0055] For example, the aforementioned pulling means 24 may be in the form of one or more plates automated and controlled by a special control unit 60 in a per se known manner.

[0056] The machine 1 may further provide for locking means 21 suitably configured to fix a portion of placket and of the row of buttons to the first portion 11.

[0057] Therefore, the latter may be at least partially fixed to the portion 11.

[0058] According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the first locking means 21 may be in the form of a blade 21 positioned at the front part of the machine, that is on the side of the operator, suitably shaped and sized to allow an excellent adherence of the placket and of the row of buttons to the portion 11. The aforementioned blade 21 may be moved and affixed manually by the operator on the shirt portion to be fixed or it may be automated and controlled using the control unit 60.

[0059] In particular, the placket and of the row of buttons may be fixed when the drive assembly 31 is actuated.

[0060] Advantageously, the machine 1 may also include locking means 22 suitably configured to fix the collar to the portion 12, in particular to the surface 121.

[0061] Particularly, the locking means 22 may include two shaped elements 220', 220" mutually movable between an inoperative position and an operative position.

[0062] Although in the description hereinafter the shaped elements 220', 220" will be defined as a pair of grippers 220', 220" driven by respective linear actuators 2200', 2200", it is however clear that other types of locking means 22 may be taken into account without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0063] When the grippers 220', 220" will be in the inoperative position, they may be at a distal position with respect to the portion 12.

[0064] In particular, when the grippers 220', 220" will be in the inoperative position, they may be at a distal position with respect to the surface 121 of the portion 12.

[0065] Vice versa, when they will be in the operative position, they may be at a proximal position with respect to the portion 12, in particular with respect to the surface 121, so as to ensure the adhesion of the collar to the latter.

[0066] Therefore, it is clear that, in such position, the collar may be interposed between the second portion 12 and the grippers 220', 220" so as to be substantially in contact with the latter and the surface 121.

[0067] In particular, each gripper 220', 220" may include a semi-cylindrical contact surface 221', 221" mutually faced with the surface 121 and specifically with a corresponding portion of the collar, when present.

[0068] More generally, the surfaces 221', 221" and 121 may be counter-shaped with respect to each other.

[0069] Suitably, the surfaces 221', 221" may be movable between an inoperative position in which they may be distal with respect to the surface 121 and an operative position in which they may be proximal with respect to the latter. Particularly, when the surfaces 221', 221" will be in the operative position, they may have a mutual minimum distance.

[0070] In this manner, they may define a body that is substantially closed and substantially coaxial with respect to the axis X.

[0071] Subsequently, the machine 1 may include motor-driven blowing means 40 suitably configured and sized to blow air at the portion 11 and more specifically at the plurality of holes 110.

[0072] The blowing means 40 may be fluidically connected with the latter so as to emit an even air flow exiting therefrom suitable to iron, and possibly also dry, the shirt when actuated.

[0073] According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the blowing means 40 may be in the form of a drive assembly 41 with a fan suitably configured to emit an airflow at a predetermined flow rate.

[0074] In particular, the drive assembly 41 may be used combined with a steam generator 42.

[0075] In this case, the steam generated with the latter 42 may be conveyed and introduced by the drive assembly 41 in the first portion 11, for example using appropriate nozzles 420 positioned inside the latter, up to the plurality of holes 110.

[0076] Preferably, the steam exiting from the nozzles 420 may have a temperature value comprised between 158 °C at 6 pressure bars and 180 °C at 10 pressure bars, so as to allow a quick drying and so as to facilitate the ironing.

[0077] As a result of the blowing, the shirt may swell and be subjected to even aerostatic thrust by the hot air exiting from the plurality of holes 110.

[0078] Therefore, such aerostatic thrust may be such to allow an even ironing both of the main body and of the sleeves of the shirt.

[0079] Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the plates 24, as well as of the blade 21 and of the locking means 22, the shirt may therefore swell without being projected away from the machine 1.

[0080] According to a further advantage of the invention, the machine 1 may also be provided with heating means 51 positioned at the locking means 22 and / or at the portion 12 and they may allow to dry and iron the collar when the grippers 220' and 220" are in the operative position.

[0081] Advantageously, the surfaces 121, 221', 221" may be made of conductive material, for example metal, so as to ensure an even distribution of the heat thereon. According to a first preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the heating means 51 may be in the form of one or more electric resistors 510 suitable to heat the aforementioned surfaces.

[0082] To this end, the grippers 220' and 220" and / or the portion 12 may each include a respective electric resistor.

[0083] As a result, such choice may be extremely inexpensive.

[0084] In a second preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the heating means 51 may be in the form of one or more heat exchangers 511, for example coils, inserted into the grippers 220' and 220" and / or into the portion 12, so as to even the temperature reached by the surfaces of the latter.

[0085] In this case, the heat exchanger 511, particularly shown in FIG. 6, may be fluidically connected with the steam generator 42 and it may be suitably sized so as to allow the through flow of heat therein so as to allow the drying of the collar by conduction through direct contact with the heated heat exchanger.

[0086] Furthermore, it is clear that the machine 1 may include heating means 51 both in the form of electric resistors 510 and in the form of heat exchangers 511 without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0087] For example, the grippers 220', 220" may include respective electric resistors 510, while the portion 12 may include a heat exchanger 511, as particularly shown in FIG. 6, or vice versa.

[0088] Advantageously, the heating means 51 may be automated and controlled by the control unit 60.

[0089] In this sense, they may be selectively activated or deactivated when the grippers 220', 220" are respectively in operative or inoperative position.

[0090] The machine 1 may also provide for the presence of a pair of support elements 13', 13" positioned laterally with respect to the support torso 10 and configured to interact with the cuffs of the shirt, should the latter be provided with cuffs.

[0091] Therefore, the operator may manually position the cuffs of the shirt on the two support elements 13', 13" so as to enable the ironing thereof.

[0092] Preferably, the support elements 13', 13" may comprise respective contact surfaces 131', 131" having a semi-cylindrical shape and configured to support the cuffs.

[0093] However, it is clear that the surfaces 131', 131" may also provide for a different shaping depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims. In order to ensure a better adhesion of the cuffs to the support elements 13', 13", the latter may also include a plurality of holes 130, in a manner entirely similar to the first and to the second support portion 11, 12.

[0094] In other words, the plurality of holes 130 may be obtained on the contact surfaces 131', 131".

[0095] Specifically, the plurality of holes 130 may be fluidically connected with the suction means 30.

[0096] To this end, the suction means 30 may also comprise a second drive assembly 32.

[0097] In particular, the latter may be positioned at the rear part of the machine 1 and at the portion 12 so as to be sufficiently close to the support elements 13', 13" and specifically to the plurality of holes 130 of the latter.

[0098] In this case, there may be provided for a second fluidic line LF2 in turn having a first branch LF2' extending between the drive assembly 32 and a support element 13' and a second branch LF2" extending between the drive assembly 32 and the other support element 13".

[0099] Even more specifically, the machine 1 may include a pair of ducts 133', 133" extending between the drive assembly 32 and the support elements 13', 13" and respectively arranged along the branches LF2', LF2".

[0100] Therefore, when the drive assembly 32 will be actuated, it may suction the air at the plurality of holes 130, or at the cuffs, therefore allowing an excellent and even adhesion of the latter to the support elements 13', 13".

[0101] Furthermore, in order to allow the locking of the cuffs on the corresponding support element 13', 13", the machine 1 may provide for the presence of locking means 23.

[0102] The latter may therefore be suitably configured and sized to interact with the support elements 13', 13" so as to immobilise the cuffs, especially when the blowing means 40 will be actuated.

[0103] In this specific case, the locking means 23 may include a pair of prismatic elements 232', 232" which may in turn have relative surfaces 231', 231" that are concave and counter-shaped with respect to the surfaces 131', 131".

[0104] The latter may preferably be semi-cylindrical, but it is clear that they may be shaped differently, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims. Furthermore, the surfaces 231', 231" may be mutually faced to the respective support elements 13', 13".

[0105] In other words, the surfaces 231', 231" may be designed to interact with the surfaces 131', 131" so that the cuffs are interposed between the surfaces 231' and 131' and the surfaces 231" and 131".

[0106] Furthermore, the locking of means 23 may be automated and controlled by the control unit 60.

[0107] Generally, the locking means 23 may be configured to move between an inoperative position and an operative position.

[0108] When they will be in the inoperative position, they may be at a distal position with respect to the respective support element 13', 13", more particularly with respect to the respective contact surface 131', 131" of the latter.

[0109] Vice versa, when they will be in the operative position, they may be at a proximal position with respect to the respective support element 13', 13", more particularly with respect to the respective contact surface 131', 131" of the latter.

[0110] In this latter case, the surfaces 231', 231" and the surfaces 131', 131" may be at a distance such to allow them to remain substantially in contact with the respective cuff.

[0111] At the third locking means 23, more specifically at the surfaces 231', 231", there may also be provided for heating means 52 positioned at the locking means 23 and / or support means 13', 13".

[0112] Specifically, the heating means may therefore allow to iron and / or to dry the cuffs.

[0113] According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the heating means 52 may include resistive means 520, for example in the form of one or more resistors suitably configured and sized to heat the surfaces 231', 231" and / or the surfaces 131', 131" by conduction.

[0114] In this case, the latter may be made of conductive metal material, preferably aluminium or stainless steel.

[0115] To this end, the support elements 13', 13" and the prismatic elements 232', 232" may each include a respective electric resistor.

[0116] As a result, such choice may be extremely inexpensive.

[0117] In a second preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the heating means 52 may be in the form of one or more heat exchangers 521, for example coils, inserted into the support elements 13', 13" and / or into the prismatic elements 232', 232", so as to even the temperature reached by the surfaces of the latter.

[0118] Furthermore, it is clear that the machine 1 may include heating means 52 both in the form of electric resistors 520 and in the form of heat exchangers 521 without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0119] For example, the support elements 13', 13" may include respective electric resistors 520, while the prismatic elements 232', 232" may include a heat exchanger 521, or vice versa.

[0120] Advantageously, the heating means 52 may even be activated / de-activatable selectively automatically by the control unit 60.

[0121] In particular, when the locking means 23 are respectively in the operative position and in the inoperative position, the heating means 52 may be respectively activated and deactivated.

[0122] Therefore, it is clear that the machine 1 may allow to fully iron the shirt in a single work cycle.

[0123] Not requiring further external machines, the machine 1 will be significantly compact, quick, as well as particularly impacting in terms of overall productivity.

[0124] As a matter of fact, it will be possible to significantly reduce the set-up times between one shirt and the other, given that it will suffice to load the shirt on the machine 1 and remove it once ironed.

[0125] Thanks to the presence of the control unit 60, the machine 1 may be entirely automated.

[0126] As a result, it will not require specialised operators, given that it is particularly accessible and easy to use.

[0127] In the light of the above, the present invention attains the pre-established objects.

[0128] Furthermore, it is clear that the present invention may include various parts and / or similar or identical elements. Unless otherwise specified, similar or identical parts and / or elements will be indicated using a single reference number, it being clear that the described technical characteristics are common to all similar or identical parts and / or elements.

[0129] The invention is susceptible to modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the attached claims. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Professional or semi-professional machine for the automatic all-in-one ironing of a shirt provided with a main body with a placket and buttons, a collar, a pair of sleeves, possibly provided with cuffs, comprising:- a support torso (10) having a first portion (11) configured to support the main body with a first plurality of holes (110), and a second portion (12) with a lateral surface (121) configured to support the collar, said first and second portion (11, 12) extending substantially along an axis (X);- first locking means (21) configured to fix at least one portion of the placket to said first portion (11) of said support torso (10);- motor-driven suction means (30) fluidically connected with said first plurality of holes (110) and configured to allow the adhesion of the main body to the first portion (11) of said support torso (10) when actuated;- motor-driven blowing means (40) fluidically connected with said first plurality of holes (110) and configured to allow the ironing of the main body and of the sleeves, when actuated; wherein said machine further comprises:- second locking means (22) of the collar which include a first pair of surfaces (221', 221") mutually faced to said lateral surface (121) of said second portion (12) of said support torso (10) to fix the collar to the latter; and- first heating means (51) positioned at said second locking means (22) and / or said second portion (12) to allow the ironing and / or the drying of the collar.

2. Professional or semi-professional machine according to claim 1, wherein said first pair of surfaces (221', 221") of said second locking means (22) and / or said lateral surface (121) of said second portion (12) are made of conductive material, said first heating means (51) including first resistive elements (510) and / or first heat exchangers (511) for heating the surfaces (221', 221") and / or said lateral surface (121) by conduction.

3. Professional or semi-professional machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfaces of said first pair of surfaces (221', 221") are movable between an inoperative position distal from said second portion (12) and an operative position proximal to the latter wherein the surfaces (221', 221") have a mutual minimum distance so as to define a body substantially coaxial with respect to said axis (X).

4. Professional or semi-professional machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second portion (12) for supporting the collar includes a second plurality of holes (120) fluidically connected with said suction means (30) to allow the adhesion of the collar to the second portion (12), when actuated.

5. Professional or semi-professional machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeves of the shirt are provided with cuffs, further comprising a pair of elements (13', 13") for supporting the cuffs and third locking means (23) of the latter to the former, said pair of support elements (13', 13") including a respective contact surface (131', 131") with a third plurality of holes (130) fluidically connected with said suction means (30) to allow the adhesion of the cuffs to the corresponding support element (13', 13"), when actuated.

6. Professional or semi-professional machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said third locking means (23) include a second pair of surfaces (231', 231") mutually faced to said contact surface (131', 131") of said support elements (13', 13"), there further being provided for second heating means (52) positioned at said pair of support elements (13', 13") and / or said third blocking means (23) to allow the ironing and / or the drying of the cuffs.

7. Professional or semi-professional machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said pair of surfaces (231', 231") of said third locking means (23) and / or said contact surfaces (131', 131") of said pair of support elements (13', 13") are made of conductive material, said second heating means (52) including second resistive means (520) and / or second heat exchangers (521) for heating the surfaces (231', 231", 131', 131") by conduction.

8. Professional or semi-professional machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said locking means (23) are configured to move between an inoperative position in which the surfaces (231', 231") of said second pair of surfaces (231', 231") are in mutually distal position with respect to the respective contact surfaces (131', 131") of said support elements (13', 13") and an inoperative position in which the surfaces (231', 231") of said second pair of surfaces (231', 231") are in mutually proximal position with respect to the respective contact surfaces (131', 131") of said support elements (13', 13") so as to allow them to remain substantially in contact with the respective cuff.

9. Professional or semi-professional machine according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, wherein said second pair of surfaces (231', 231") of said third locking means (23) and / or said contactsurfaces (131', 131") of said pair of support elements (13', 13") are made of aluminium or stainless steel.

10. Professional or semi-professional machine according to any one of claims from 5 to the preceding when dependent on claim 4, comprising a first fluidic line (LF1) extending from said suction means (30) and said first and second plurality of holes (110, 120) and a second fluidic line (LF2) independent from the first extending between the suction means (30) and said third plurality of holes (130).

11. Professional or semi-professional machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said suction means (30) include a first and a second drive assembly (31, 32) configured to suction the air and positioned along said first and second fluidic lines (LF1, LF2) respectively.

12. Professional or semi-professional machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said second drive assembly (32) is positioned at the rear part of the machine (1) at said second portion (12).

13. Professional or semi-professional machine according to the preceding or ante-preceding claim, further comprising a pair of ducts (133', 133") extending between said second drive assembly (32) and the support elements (13', 13") of said pair of support elements (13', 13"), said second fluidic line (LF2) comprising a first branch (LF2') extending between said second drive assembly (32) and one of said support elements (13') and a second branch (LF2") extending between said second drive assembly (32) and the other of said support elements (13"), the ducts of said pair of ducts (133', 133") being arranged respectively along said first and second branch (LF2', LF2").

14. Professional or semi-professional machine according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 6, further comprising control means (60) operatively connected with said first and second heating means (51, 52) to allow their selective actuation.

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