Foldable wrinkle removal cabinet with multi-layer curtains
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023574485
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-06-02
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-25
Smart Images

Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wrinkle removal cabinets, and in particular to a foldable wrinkle removal cabinet. [Background technology]
[0002] In the field of linen care, handheld wrinkle removers allow a user to remove wrinkles from fabric articles such as clothing by the action of bringing the handheld wrinkle remover close to the article, but these devices require direct action by the user throughout the wrinkle remover process, resulting in significant time and effort for the user.
[0003] Drying cabinets can also be used to dry items placed by a user in the enclosed space formed by the cabinet. Hot air is injected into the enclosed space, allowing the items placed in the drying cabinet to be dried without the need for user interaction. However, these cabinets are limited to drying items and are not capable of smoothing the items placed in the drying cabinet in particular.
[0004] The wrinkle removal cabinet allows items to be dried and smoothed without the user's direct intervention.
[0005] The wrinkle removal cabinet is comprised of a top, a base, and a curtain. The top, base, and curtain form an enclosed space within the wrinkle removal cabinet. A user places one or more items into the space of the wrinkle removal cabinet to initiate a cycle of operations performed by the cabinet.
[0006] However, most of the known wrinkle removal cabinets are stationary and cannot be easily assembled, disassembled, or moved. As a result, their use is limited to the room in which they are installed, otherwise requiring users to take them down, transport, and reinstall them, which is time-consuming. Moreover, the wrinkle removal cabinets take up a significant amount of space.
[0007] Some de-wrinkling cabinets, such as those described in EP1471178A1 and EP1600551A1, include a curtain interposed between a base and a top portion which is zipped so that a user can open it to access the interior of the cabinet to load or unload clothes, and then re-zip it before performing a de-wrinkling cycle.
[0008] In documents EP1057923A1, EP1215330A1, KR100813048B1, KR20170141489A, KR100813048B1 and KR20170141489, a foldable wrinkle removal cabinet is described which includes a foldable curtain interposed between a base and an upper portion.
[0009] However, the curtains in these wrinkle removal cabinets are basic in both material and design and are not able to provide sufficient impermeability, hide the presence of pleats or wrinkles in the curtains, or allow the curtains to stretch easily.
[0010] Poor impermeability of the de-creasing cabinet may allow steam to escape from the cabinet during the de-creasing cycle. Such steam leakage may reduce the temperature and humidity inside the de-creasing cabinet, reducing the effectiveness of the de-creasing process. The presence of multiple pleats on the curtain and random wrinkles may give the curtain a wrinkled appearance, which may be visually unpleasant for the user, and the wrinkles may also interfere with the folding of the curtain on the de-creasing cabinet. Summary of the Invention
[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One object of the present invention is to provide an improved foldable wrinkle removal cabinet compared to the prior art.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible wrinkle removal cabinet that has satisfactory impermeability, is easy to fold and unfold, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
[0013] An optional additional object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible wrinkle removal cabinet that is satisfactorily easy to fold and unfold, reduces the random appearance of wrinkles, and reduces manufacturing costs.
[0014] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a wrinkle removal cabinet, the wrinkle removal cabinet comprising: With the base, a top portion facing the base and extending a distance from the base; and an expandable curtain designed to extend between the base and the top, such that when the curtain is expanded and attached to the base and the top, the base, top and curtain together define an enclosed space within the wrinkle removal cabinet.
[0015] The curtain consists of a multi-layered textile wall with a first and a second layer: the first layer is made of a textile material with elastic fibers, and the second layer is made of a waterproof material.
[0016] Some preferred but non-limiting features of the wrinkle removal cabinet described above, taken individually or in combination, are: The first layer is made of polyester; The first layer is made of textured and stretched polyester yarn; The first layer of polyester is made of elastane fibers; The first layer is the outer layer of the fabric wall; The second layer is a waterproof polyurethane resin film; the second layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive strip adapted to securely heat bond the first layer onto the second layer; the textile wall further comprises a third layer of a fibrous material comprised of elastic fibers; The third layer is made of polyester; The second layer is disposed between the first and third layers; The curtain further comprises a frame, the fabric wall and the frame being adapted to ensure accordion folding and unfolding of the curtain; The cabinet further comprises a fastening element provided for removably attaching the curtain to the upper portion, and the wrinkle removing cabinet is configured such that the curtain is attached to the upper portion, and the curtain is unfolded to connect the upper portion and the base; and an access arrangement in which the curtain is at least partially folded and removed from the top portion to provide an open space between the curtain and the top portion for receiving an article for de-wrinkling.
[0017] The curtain comprises a fabric wall and a frame consisting of a plurality of stays, the frame stays are arranged at regular intervals along the fabric wall, each portion of the fabric wall located between two frame stays has a convex shape, and the frame and fabric wall ensure accordion folding and unfolding of the curtain.
[0018] The textile wall is formed by an assembly of a plurality of panels, two adjacent panels being connected to each other at a joint, each panel being adapted to securely locate a frame stay. Each panel of the textile wall comprises a sheath positioned at a distance from the joint between said panel and an adjacent panel, said sheath being adapted to receive the frame stay. The frame comprises 5 to 15 stays, preferably 9 stays.
[0019] The curtain is adapted to be folded and unfolded in a substantially accordion-like manner along a curtain axis perpendicular to the base, the fabric wall extends along the curtain axis to form a sleeve having a rectangular cross-section, and the frame stays are adapted to extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the curtain axis.
[0020] The fabric wall is adapted to move linearly along an axis of the curtain to allow the curtain to fold and unfold in an accordion-like manner. Each frame stay has a substantially rectangular shape.
[0021] The textile wall is formed from two textile half-walls connected to each other, preferably by sewing, each textile half-wall being formed by an assembly of a plurality of half-panels connected at respective half-joints, each half-panel comprising a half-sheath suitable for receiving a frame half-stay, each frame stay comprising two frame half-stays each inserted into the half-sheath of a respective half-panel and connected to each other.
[0022] The frame further comprises a first curtain connector provided for attaching the textile wall to the base of the cabinet and a second curtain connector provided for removably attaching the textile wall to the top of the cabinet.
[0023] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fabric curtain wall for a wrinkle removal cabinet according to the first aspect, comprising the step of thermally bonding a first layer onto a second layer.
[0024] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using a wrinkle removal cabinet according to the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of: - Unfold the curtain and attach the curtain to the top to change from the access configuration to the working configuration, or · Remove the curtain from the top and fold the curtain at least partially back to change from the working configuration to the access configuration.
[0025] The method of using the wrinkle removal cabinet may include the following steps: - Unfold the curtain and then install the guide piece or curtain connector at the top to change from the access configuration to the working configuration, or · Remove guide pieces or curtain connectors from the top and fold the curtain at least partially to change it from a working configuration to an access configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention, the wrinkle removal cabinet being in a working configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention, the wrinkle removal cabinet being in a shipping configuration. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention, the wrinkle removing cabinet being in a working configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention, the wrinkle removal cabinet being in an access configuration. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5a is a schematic top view of a frame stay of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b is a schematic front view of a curtain of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5c] FIG. 5c is a schematic side view of a curtain of a de-wrinkling cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6a] FIG. 6a is an exploded schematic perspective view of a curtain of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6b] FIG. 6b is an exploded schematic perspective view of a frame stay of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6c] FIG. 6c is a partial perspective view of a curtain of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of a fabric wall half panel of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a fabric half-wall of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a fabric wall of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial schematic perspective view of a fabric wall and frame half stay of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a curtain of a wrinkle removing cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a multi-layered fabric wall of a curtain of a wrinkle removal cabinet according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The wrinkle removal cabinet 10 is Base 11 and an upper portion 13 facing the base 11 and extending at a distance therefrom; and an expandable curtain 12 intended to extend between the base 11 and the top 13, such that when the curtain 12 is expanded and attached to the base 11 and the top 13, the base 11, the top 13 and the curtain 12 together define an enclosed space within the wrinkle removing cabinet 10.
[0028] The curtain 12 may have a first end 121 adapted to be attached to the base 11 and a second end 122 opposite the first end 121 and adapted to be removably attached to the top 13 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10.
[0029] The curtain 12 axis corresponds to the direction in which the curtain 12 folds and expands. The curtain 12 axis is substantially perpendicular to the base 11 and top 13 of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10. The curtain 12 axis passes substantially through the center of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10. The terms inside (or inner) and outside (or outer) are used such that an inside (or inner) portion or face of an element is closer to the curtain 12 axis than an outside (or outer) portion or face of the same element, respectively. Thus, the enclosed space within the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10 forms the interior volume of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10.
[0030] When the curtain 12 is unfolded, the curtain 12 is substantially pulled or stretched between the base 11 and the top 13, limiting the presence of pleats in the curtain 12.
[0031] When the curtain 12 is at least partially folded, the curtain 12 can be folded partially or completely onto itself. The curtain 12 can be at least partially over the base 11, and can also be inside the base 11 if desired.
[0032] The article to be de-wrinkled, i.e., the fabric article, may be, for example, a child's garment or a soft toy. It will be understood that the de-wrinkling cabinet 10 is suitable for receiving one or more articles to be de-wrinkled and for simultaneously de-wrinkling all the articles placed in the de-wrinkling cabinet 10.
[0033] The curtain 12 can be waterproof to maintain a desired humidity level and temperature within the de-wrinkling cabinet 10 during the de-wrinkling process. The curtain 12 can have elastic properties to facilitate folding or expanding the curtain 12 while reducing the appearance of creases.
[0034] The wrinkle removal cabinet 10 is suitable for removing wrinkles from a fabric product placed in the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. In addition to removing wrinkles, the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 can also be used to dry and / or sterilize, i.e., disinfect to remove bacteria, the fabric product placed in the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. Thus, a user can select a wrinkle removal cycle corresponding to only removing wrinkles, a drying cycle corresponding to removing wrinkles followed by drying, or a sterilization cycle combining wrinkle removal and sterilization of the fabric product placed in the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. For example, the sterilization cycle can correspond to a higher temperature and / or humidity level and / or cycle time than the wrinkle removal cycle.
[0035] The curtain 12 comprises a multi-layered textile wall 100 consisting of a first layer 101 and a second layer 102. The textile wall 100 can substantially form a sleeve around the axis of the curtain 12. The first layer 101 is made of a textile material consisting of elastic fibers, and the second layer 102 is made of a waterproof textile material. Figure 12 shows a non-limiting example of a multi-layered textile wall 100 of the curtain 12 of the wrinkle removal cabinet.
[0036] Due to the elasticity of the first layer 101, the fabric of the first layer 101 can be stretched and pulled. In this way, the curtain 12 including the first layer 101 is freely stretchable and can be stretched and stretched elastically to a large extent, so that even if the curtain 12 is stretched, the pleats of the curtain 12 are less noticeable, or even the pleats can be eliminated. In addition, the curtain 12 is foldable, and returns to its original shape once it is unfolded. Therefore, the curtain 12 made of such a first stretchable layer 101 can reduce or prevent wrinkles in the curtain 12 from being noticeable.
[0037] The impermeability of the second layer 102 allows the desired humidity and temperature to be maintained within the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 during the wrinkle removal process. In this way, moisture is contained within the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 and steam does not escape from the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. The humidity level and temperature within the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 can therefore be determined to ensure efficient wrinkle removal of fabric products placed within the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 and, if necessary, sterilization of the fabric products, such sterilization being achieved when preferably 99.99% of viruses and bacteria have been killed. Furthermore, the second layer 102 can follow the folding and expansion of the curtain 12 and accommodate the stretching of the curtain 12.
[0038] The first layer 101 and the second layer 102 may be overlapping, i.e., placed in contact with one another over substantially their entire surface area and overlapping one another to form the textile wall 100 .
[0039] The textile wall 100 can be constructed from a first layer 101 and a second layer 102. Thus, the textile wall 100 has only two layers and is therefore easy and inexpensive to manufacture while still maintaining the elastic, impermeable and reduced pleat properties of the curtain 12. Alternatively, the textile wall 100 can be constructed from more than two layers.
[0040] The first layer 101 may be made of polyester, for example 100% woven polyester. The use of polyester provides stretchability to the first layer 101. The use of polyester allows the first layer 101 to contribute to the impermeability of the curtain 12.
[0041] In particular, the first layer 101 can be made of textured and drawn polyester yarn (Polyester DTY, Drawn Textur Edyarn), which has satisfactory elastic properties and gives the first layer 101 a visual mesh-type appearance.
[0042] The polyester fabric of the first layer 101 may contain elastane fibers, which allows the stretchability of the elastane to enhance the stretch properties of the first layer 101. Thus, the use of the fiber elastane in polyester increases the stretchability of the first layer 101.
[0043] The first layer 101 is an outer layer of the fabric wall 100, and the first layer 101 is disposed at a position outer than the second layer 102. In particular, the first layer 101 may be the outermost layer of the fabric wall 100. Thus, the first layer 101 is visible to a user of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 and determines the exterior appearance of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10.
[0044] The second layer 102 can be a waterproof plastic film made of polyurethane (PU). Polyurethane is sufficiently impermeable to water. In addition, polyurethane is suitable for folding and unfolding to accommodate the stretching of the curtain 12 as needed.
[0045] The second layer 102 is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) adhesive strip, adapted to ensure thermal bonding of the first layer 101 onto the second layer 102. The second layer 102 then forms a polyurethane (PU) adhesive, ensuring the placement of the first layer 101 onto the second layer 102. In particular, the adhesive strip of the second layer 102 can be thermally bonded to the first layer 101.
[0046] A method of manufacturing the multi-layered fabric wall 100 of the curtain 12 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 can include heat bonding a first layer 101 to a second layer 102.
[0047] The second layer 102 can be located at a position inward from the first layer 101. The second layer 102 can be the innermost layer of the textile wall 100 of the curtain 12, or it can be a central layer of the textile wall 100 located between the outermost and innermost layers of the textile wall 100.
[0048] The fabric wall 100 may further include a third layer 103 of fabric material made of elastic fibers. Thus, the third layer 103 further contributes to the stretchability of the curtain 12 and to reducing the appearance of pleats in the curtain 12.
[0049] The textile wall 100 can be composed of a first layer 101, a second layer 102 and a third layer 103. Thus, the number of layers of the textile wall 100 remains limited, while it is possible to improve the impermeability, elasticity and / or reduction of pleats of the curtain 12.
[0050] The first layer 101 , the second layer 102 , and the third layer 103 are overlapped, and the first layer 101 , the second layer 102 , and the third layer 103 are overlapped with each other to form the fabric wall 100 .
[0051] The third layer 103 may be the innermost layer of the fabric wall 100 of the curtain 12. The third layer 103 is therefore visible to a user, for example, when the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 is in the access configuration. The third layer 103 therefore hides the second layer 102 from a user of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10.
[0052] The second layer 102 can be disposed between the first layer 101 and the third layer 103. The first layer 101 and the third layer 103 are then disposed on either side of the second layer 102. The first layer 101 corresponds to an outer layer, the third layer 103 corresponds to an inner layer, and the second layer 102 corresponds to a central layer.
[0053] The second layer 102 may be a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) adhesive strip adapted to ensure thermal bonding of the first layer 101 and the third layer 103 onto the second layer 102. In this way, the second layer 102 ensures that the first layer 101 and the third layer 103 are adhered in place.
[0054] The third layer 103 may be made of polyester, such as 100% polyester woven, such as textured and oriented polyester yarns. The composition of the third layer 103 may be the same as the composition of the first layer 101. Like the first layer 101, the third layer 103 may be made of elastane fibers to enhance its stretchability.
[0055] The curtain 12 may further include a frame with a plurality of stays 200, the frame stays 200 being spaced apart along the textile wall 100. Each portion of the textile wall 100 located between two frame stays 200 has a convex shape, whereby the frame and textile wall 100 ensure accordion folding and unfolding of the curtain 12. FIGS. 1-4 show a non-limiting example of a de-wrinkling cabinet 10 including a curtain 12 made of textile wall 100 and a frame made of a plurality of stays 200.
[0056] The structure of the curtain 12 with the textile wall 100 and the frame allows the curtain 12 to be easily manufactured on an industrial scale while respecting the constraints of water impermeability, reduced pleats, and ease of folding and expanding the de-wrinkling cabinet 10.
[0057] The stays 200 are spaced at regular intervals along the textile wall 100. Thus, the stays 200 are spaced at regular intervals along the axis of the curtain 12. When the curtain 12 is unfolded, the stays 200 reinforce the curtain 12 and hold the textile wall 100 in place.
[0058] The accordion-like folding of the curtain 12 reduces the appearance of wrinkles and random folds in the curtain 12. In effect, the curtain 12 folds and unfolds like the bellows of an accordion. In this way, the points at which wrinkles form when the curtain 12 is folded are controlled. In particular, folds can be formed at the joints between the stays 200. Thus, the curtain 12 has a smooth appearance with regularly spaced pleats, without the stiffness of random pleats, and the appearance of wrinkles is avoided, improving the aesthetics of the curtain 12. Furthermore, the ease of folding and unfolding the curtain 12 is improved, since the curtain 12 is folded at controlled points.
[0059] By convex, it is to be understood that the portion of the fabric wall 100 located between the two stays 200 forms a pleat on the inside of the pleat removal cabinet 10, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in Figures 5b, 5c and 6c. The pleats are located at an interior position and the stays 200 are located at an exterior position of the curtain 12. When the curtain 12 is fully folded, the frame stays 200 can be substantially stacked on top of each other.
[0060] The textile wall 100 can be formed by the assembly of a plurality of panels 110, where two adjacent panels 110 are connected to each other at joints 120, where each panel 110 is adapted to ensure the placement of the frame stays 200. Thus, a panel 110 is defined by two joints 120, where the joints 120 are located on either side of the panel 110, where each joint 120 forms an interface between the panel 110 and an adjacent panel 110.
[0061] The pleats of the curtain 12 are formed at the joints 120 between the panels 110. The pleats are formed toward the inside of the cabinet. In other words, the joints 120 between the panels 110 define the interior location of the curtain 12, and the frame stays 200 define the exterior location of the curtain 12.
[0062] Each panel 110 located between two joints 120 may comprise two pieces of panel 110, each extending outwardly from a respective joint 120 and joined to one another by forming an angle at a stay 200. The two pieces of panel 110 may be formed from one piece or may be connected to one another at a stay 200.
[0063] The angle formed between the two pieces of the panel 110 of the curtain 12 gradually decreases as the curtain 12 is folded and increases as the curtain 12 is unfolded. The angle is close to 0° when the curtain 12 is fully folded and the two pieces of the panel 110 are then substantially stacked on top of each other. The angle can be close to 180° while remaining less than 180° when the curtain 12 is fully extended and the two pieces of the panel 110 are then substantially positioned in extension of each other and the panel 110 of the curtain 12 substantially forms a sleeve around the axis of the curtain 12.
[0064] Each panel 110 of the textile wall 100 may include a sheath 130 located away from the joint 120 between said panel 110 and an adjacent panel 110, said sheath 130 adapted to receive a frame stay 200. The sheath 130 may be located substantially equidistant between the two joints 120 that define the panel 110. The sheath 130 is located at regular intervals along the textile wall 100. Such sleeves 130 ensure that the frame stays 200 are positioned and held against the textile wall 100 at regular intervals along the textile wall 100 to ensure an accordion fold of the curtain 12.
[0065] The curtain 12 is adapted to be substantially accordion folded and unfolded along a curtain 12 axis perpendicular to the base 11. When the curtain 12 is unfolded, the textile wall 100 can extend along the curtain 12 axis to form a sleeve having a substantially oval cross section, and the textile wall 100 has a substantially oval cylindrical shape about the curtain 12 axis.
[0066] The frame stays 200 can be adapted to extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the curtain 12. The joints 120 can also extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the curtain 12, with the joints 120 and the stays 200 being substantially parallel and regularly spaced. Such a structure of the curtain 12 can improve the effect of accordion folding and unfolding of the curtain 12 and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and random pleats.
[0067] Each frame stay 200 can have a substantially rectangular shape, as shown by way of non-limiting example in Figures 5a and 6b. All of the frame stays 200 can have substantially the same shape. Thus, the frame stays 200 spaced at regular intervals along the textile wall 100 define a substantially rectangular cross-section of the textile wall 100.
[0068] The frame stay 200 may be a closed tube having a substantially rectangular shape. The stay 200 may be made of metal, plastic, or silicone.
[0069] The frame may include between 5 and 15 stays 200, preferably 9 stays 200. The textile wall 100 then includes nine panels 110 connected to one another at their respective joints 120, each panel 110 adapted to securely locate a stay 200 in, for example, a respective sheath 130. Such a number of stays 200 effectively holds the textile wall 100 in place and maintains its shape as the curtain 12 is expanded, and is particularly suited to accordion folding of the curtain 12.
[0070] The fabric wall 100 can be adapted to move linearly along the curtain 12 axis to accordion fold or unfold the curtain 12. In particular, a user can translate the fabric wall 100 along the curtain 12 axis to fold or unfold the curtain 12.
[0071] The sheath 130 may be a tunnel having a shape and size suitable for receiving the frame stay 200. The frame stay 200 may be inserted, e.g., slid, into the sheath 130.
[0072] The sheath 130 can be positioned relative to the fabric wall 100, for example, by sewing a fabric strap to the fabric wall 100, which forms a tunnel in the sheath 130 with the strap that is adapted to receive the frame stay 200.
[0073] The strap may have a substantially rectangular shape and a length and a width. The strap may have a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first and second edges extending substantially in the direction of the larger dimension, i.e., length, of the strap. The strap may be sewn to the textile wall 100 over the entire length of its first and second edges and may remain free for at least a portion of its width. The tunnel of the sheath 130 is thus defined by the textile wall 100, the first and second edges of the strap.
[0074] The sheath 130 can be disposed inside the textile wall 100 or can be disposed outside the textile wall 100. If the textile wall 100 has a multi-layer structure, the sheath 130 can be disposed inside the innermost layer of the textile wall 100, and the sheath 130 can be an inner sheath.
[0075] The textile wall 100 may be formed by two textile half-walls 150 connected together, preferably by sewing, with each textile half-wall 150 formed by an assembly of a number of half-panels 115 connected at respective half-joints 125. The textile half-walls 150 have dimensions along the curtain 12 axis substantially similar to the dimensions along the curtain 12 axis of the textile wall 100 along the curtain 12 axis. The two textile half-walls 150 are sewn together along their entire length along the axis of the curtain 12 to form the textile wall 100.
[0076] In other words, each half-panel 115 of the first textile half-wall 150 is sewn to its opposite half-panel 115 of the second textile half-wall 150, and the half-panels 115 are thus sewn two-by-two along their dimension in the direction of the curtain 12 axis, so that a set of two sewn half-panels 115 forms a panel 110 of the textile half-wall 150. The two half joints 125 of the two half-panels 115 sewn together extend substantially in line with each other to form a joint 120.
[0077] Each half panel 115 of the textile half wall 100 comprises a half sheath 135 adapted to receive a frame half stay 205. The two half sheaths 135 of one half panel 115 are sewn together, substantially in extension of each other, to form the sheath 130.
[0078] Each frame stay 200 includes two frame half stays 205 inserted into and connected to each other in the half sheath 135 of the respective half panel 115. The frame may further include joints, each joint adapted to connect two half stays 205 to each other to form a frame stay 200. If the frame includes nine stays 200, the frame includes eighteen half stays 205 connected two-by-two to form the nine stays 200.
[0079] The design of the curtain 12 with the fabric half-walls 150 and frame half-stays 205 provides the curtain 12 with manufacturability that allows it to be produced industrially on a large scale and inexpensively.
[0080] The frame may further comprise a first connector 210 for the curtain 12 provided for attaching the fabric wall 100 to the base 11 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10, and a second connector 220 for the curtain 12 provided for removably attaching the fabric wall 100 to the top 13 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10.
[0081] The first connector 210 of the curtain 12 can be attached to the textile wall 100, in particular by sewing around the entire circumference of the first end 121 of the curtain 12, which corresponds to the lower end of the textile wall 100. The first connector 210 of the curtain 12 is attached to the lower panel 110, i.e. the bottommost panel 110 closest to the base 11 of the textile wall 100. The first connector 210 of the curtain 12 is suitable for fixing the first end 121 of the curtain 12 to the base 11. For example, the first connector 210 of the curtain 12 can be screwed to the bottom of the base 11.
[0082] The second connector 220 of the curtain 12 can be attached to the textile wall 100, in particular by sewing around the entire circumference of the second end 122 of the curtain 12, which corresponds to the top end of the textile wall 100. The second connector 220 of the curtain 12 is attached to the top panel 110, i.e. the highest panel 110 and therefore the panel 110 closest to the top end 13 of the textile wall 100. The second connector 220 of the curtain 12 is adapted to ensure a releasable attachment of the second end 122 of the curtain 12 to the top 13. For example, the second connector 220 of the curtain 12 can constitute a means for releasably attaching the curtain 12 to the top 13, or it can be attached to a guide 15 which constitutes a means for releasably attaching the curtain 12 to the top 13.
[0083] The first connector 210 of the curtain 12 and / or the second connector 220 of the curtain 12 may each have a substantially oval and similar shape. Thus, the periphery of the expanded curtain 12 is substantially oval along the entire length of the curtain 12 along the curtain 12 axis, and the expanded curtain 12 substantially forms a sleeve around the curtain 12 axis. The first connector 210 of the curtain 12 and / or the second connector 220 of the curtain 12 may be made of plastic.
[0084] FIG. 6 a shows a non-limiting example of a curtain including a frame consisting of a fabric wall 100 , a frame stay 200 , a first connector 210 of the curtain 12 , and a second connector 220 of the curtain 12 .
[0085] The method of assembling the curtain 12 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 as described above may include the following steps: E1: forming a sheath 130 adapted to receive a frame stay 200 in each of the plurality of panels 110; E2: joining a plurality of panels 110 together, and joining two adjacent panels 110 together at joints 120 to form a textile wall 100; E3: Step of inserting each frame stay 200 into its respective sheath 130.
[0086] The assembly method may include the following steps: E11: sewing a strap forming a half sheath 135 adapted to receive a frame half stay 205 on each of the half panels 115 of the fabric wall 100; E21: connecting a plurality of half panels 115 and stitching two adjacent half panels 115 together at their respective half joints 125 to form a semi-woven wall 150; E22: stitching two textile half-walls 150 together to form a textile wall 100; E31: Inserting each frame half stay 205 into the half sheath 135 of the respective half panel 115; and E32: A step of connecting the half stays 205 in pairs to form the frame stay 200.
[0087] In step E11, straps can be sewn along the entire length of the half panel 115 and substantially equidistant from the two opposing half joints 125 of the half panel 115, such that the half sheath 135 being formed is located substantially equidistant from the two half joints 125 of the half panel 115. Figure 7 shows a non-limiting example of a half panel 115 with straps sewn thereon to form the half sheath 135.
[0088] In step E21, nine half-panels 115 of the textile wall 100 can be sewn together at their respective half-joints 125 to form a textile half-wall 150. FIG. 8 shows a non-limiting example of a textile half-wall 150 formed by an assembly of half-panels 115 sewn together at their half-joints 125, each half-panel 115 including a half-sheath 135.
[0089] In step E22, two textile half-walls 150 can be sewn together over the entire dimension of the textile half-wall 150 in the direction of the curtain 12 axis. Thus, the half-panels 115 of the two textile half-walls 150 are sewn together in pairs over their entire length along the axis of the curtain 12. A set of two half-panels 115 sewn together along their entire length along the axis of the curtain 12 forms a panel 110 of the textile wall 150. Two textile half-walls 150 can also be sewn together over the entire bottom and top of the textile wall 100. FIG. 9 shows a non-limiting example of a textile wall 100 formed by sewing together two textile half-walls 150.
[0090] In step E31, eighteen half stays 205 can be inserted, for example, each half stay 205 being inserted into one of the eighteen half sheaths 135. Figure 10 shows a non-limiting example of a textile wall 100 made up of half sheaths 135 into which frame half stays 205 are inserted.
[0091] In step E32, the 18 half stays 205 are connected in pairs to form 9 frame stays 200. When connected, the stays 200 can have a substantially rectangular shape. Figure 11 shows a non-limiting example of a curtain 12 consisting of a textile wall 100 and a frame formed by the frame stays 200 obtained by the method described above.
[0092] The assembly method may include a preliminary step consisting of cutting strips of fabric that will form the half panels 115 of the fabric wall 100. For a wrinkle removal cabinet 10 consisting of nine panels 110 of fabric walls 100, eighteen strips of fabric must be cut to form eighteen half panels 115 of the fabric wall 100.
[0093] The fabric strip is a multi-layer strip consisting of at least one first layer of textile material made of elastic fibers and a second layer of waterproof textile material.
[0094] The assembly method may include an additional step consisting of ironing the textile wall 100 before inserting the frame stays 200 into the sheath 130 or before inserting the half stays 205 into the half sheath 135, so as to eliminate any creases formed in the textile wall 100.
[0095] The assembly method may further include the steps of: E41: sewing the first connector 210 of the curtain 12 along the lower edge of the fabric wall 100; E42: Stitching the second connector 220 of the curtain 12 to the textile wall 100 along the top edge of the textile wall 100.
[0096] The wrinkle removal cabinet 10 may also include fastening elements for removably attaching the curtain 12 to the top 13 .
[0097] The wrinkle removal cabinet 10 then comprises: A working configuration in which the curtain 12 is attached to the upper portion 13 and the curtain 12 is unfolded to connect the upper portion 13 and the base 11; An access configuration in which the curtain 12 is at least partially folded and removed from the top 13 to provide an open space between the curtain 12 and the top 13 for receiving the item to be de-wrinkled.
[0098] Figure 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a wrinkle removal cabinet 10 in a working configuration. Figure 4 illustrates a non-limiting example of a wrinkle removal cabinet 10 in an access configuration.
[0099] Thus, a user can attach and detach the fastening elements on the top portion 13 to change the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 from one configuration to another. No special means of closing or opening the curtain 12 is required to access the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 to place the item to be wrinkled in place.
[0100] The top portion 13 may be provided with suitable seals to ensure impermeability between the curtain 12 and the top portion 13 when the curtain 12 is attached to the top portion 13. In this way, the de-creasing cabinet 10 in its working configuration forms a sealed, enclosed space, improving the efficacy of the de-creasing process.
[0101] Once the curtain 12 has been removed from the top 13, the de-wrinkling cabinet 10 can be moved to the access configuration by simply folding the curtain 12, leaving an open space between the curtain 12 and the top 13 of the de-wrinkling cabinet 10. A user can then place one or more fabric items to be de-wrinkled into the open space.
[0102] By unfolding the curtain 12 and attaching it to the top 13 of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10, the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10 can be moved into a working configuration in which the open space in which the items to be de-wrinkled are placed becomes the enclosed space of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10. A user can then initiate an operating cycle, such as a drying cycle, a wrinkle-removing cycle and / or a sanitizing cycle. The wrinkle-removing cabinet 10 then performs the operating cycle without requiring any additional user interaction.
[0103] In the working configuration, the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 has dimensions adapted to ensure wrinkle removal of at least one fabric article placed in the enclosed space within the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. In the access configuration, a user can place garments in the open receiving space.
[0104] The wrinkle removing cabinet 10 may further include a pole 14 extending between the base 11 and the top portion 13 to keep the top portion 13 spaced apart from the base 11. The pole 14 has a structural role for stability of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 and a support role for keeping the top portion 13 at a desired distance from the base 11. The distance between the base 11 and the top portion 13 may vary depending on the configuration of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10.
[0105] Since the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 is movable, i.e., portable, the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 can be easily assembled, disassembled, and transported by a user. The wrinkle removing cabinet 10 has a weight suitable for transportation by a user.
[0106] Thus, the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 also has a transport configuration. FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 in the transport configuration. The pole 14 has an adjustable length to keep the top 13 at an adjustable distance from the base 11. In the working configuration and the access configuration, the pole 14 has a first length. In the transport configuration, the curtain 12 is at least partially folded and the pole 14 has a second length strictly smaller than the first length. The transport configuration thus facilitates the transport of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 by the user by reducing the dimensions of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10, in particular the dimension along the curtain 12 axis. Indeed, the pole 14 is shorter in the transport configuration than in the working or access configurations. Moreover, the compact size of the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 in the transport configuration allows the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 to be stored in, for example, a closet, thereby saving space.
[0107] The pole 14 is telescopic and includes a first section 141 of the pole 14 attached to the base 11, a second section 142 of the pole 14 attached to the upper portion 13, and a joint section 143 connecting the first section 141 of the pole 14 and the second section 142 of the pole 14. The second section 142 of the pole 14 can be retracted into the first section 141 of the pole 14, so that the length of the pole 14 can be adjusted. In the working configuration, the first length of the pole 14 corresponds to the cumulative length of the first section 141 of the pole 14 and the second section 142 of the pole 14. In the access configuration, the second length of the pole 14 substantially corresponds to the length of the first section 141 of the pole 14, and the second section 142 of the pole 14 is stored in the first section 141 of the pole 14.
[0108] The wrinkle removal cabinet 10 may include two substantially parallel poles 14 disposed on either side of a substantially rectangular base 11 .
[0109] The wrinkle removing cabinet 10 may further comprise a guide piece 15 attached to the second end 122 of the curtain 12, more particularly to the second connector 220 of the curtain 12. The guide piece 15 comprises a fastening element for removably attaching the guide piece 15 to the top 13 and a guide element for guiding the guide piece 15 in translation along the pole 14.
[0110] By guiding the translational movement of the guide portion 15, the user does not need to manage the guidance himself / herself, so that the curtain 12 can be easily extended and contracted, and the curtain 12 can be correctly positioned relative to the upper portion 13; and by guiding the extension and contraction of the curtain 12 so that the curtain 12 is in the correct position to be attached to the upper portion 13 after it has been extended once, the curtain 12 can be easily attached to the upper portion 13.
[0111] The fastening elements provided for releasably attaching the curtain 12 to the top 13 correspond to the fastening elements of the guide part 15. The fastening element may be a means for clipping the curtain 12 to the top 13, for example a lever comprising a first end forming a hook for clipping the guide part 15 to the top 13 and a second end adapted to pivot to unclip the guide part 15 from the top 13.
[0112] In the working configuration, the guide part 15 is attached to the upper part 13 by fastening elements. In the access configuration, the guide part 15 is removed from the upper part 13.
[0113] A method of using the wrinkle removal cabinet 10 may include the following steps: - Unfold the curtain 12 and then attach the guide piece 15 or curtain 12 connector to the top 13 to change from the access configuration to the working configuration, or · Remove the guide parts 15 or curtain 12 connectors from the top 13 and at least partially fold the curtain 12 to change it from a working configuration to an access configuration.
[0114] A method of using the portable pleating cabinet 10 to smooth pleats from at least one fabric article intended to be placed in the pleating cabinet 10 comprises the following successive steps: E1: a first steaming step by generating and injecting steam into the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 at a first steam flow rate for a first non-zero steaming period; E2: a second steaming step by generating and injecting steam into the wrinkle removing cabinet 10 at a second steam flow rate during a second non-zero steaming period, the second steam flow rate being strictly lower than the first steam flow rate; and E3: Drying step by blowing hot air into the de-wrinkling cabinet 10 for a non-zero drying period.
[0115] The method may further comprise a step E4 of cooling the article by blowing cold air into the wrinkle removing cabinet 10, the cooling step E4 being carried out following the hot air blow drying step E3.
[0116] The method may further comprise a preliminary step E0 in which a user sets parameters of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10 using the parameter setting unit 50 of the wrinkle-removing cabinet 10 .
[0117] At least one garment positioning element, such as a rod, hanger 40 and / or at least one clip 41 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ), can be added and removably secured to the top 13 of the wrinkle removal cabinet 10. Fabric articles can be placed on the hanger 40 or attached to the attachment clip 41.
Claims
1. A wrinkle removal cabinet (10), comprising: A base (11); an upper portion (13) facing said base (11) and extending at a distance therefrom; an inflatable curtain (12) intended to extend between said base (11) and said top (13), characterized in that when said curtain (12) is extended and attached to said base (11) and said top (13), said base (11), said top (13) and said curtain (12) together define an enclosed space within said wrinkle removing cabinet (10); The wrinkle removing cabinet (10) is characterized in that the curtain (12) comprises a multi-layered fabric wall (100) having a first layer (101) and a second layer (102), the first layer (101) being made of a fabric material made of elastic fibers, and the second layer (102) being made of a waterproof material.
2. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer (101) is made of polyester.
3. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 2, wherein the first layer (101) is made of textured and oriented polyester yarn.
4. The wrinkle removing cabinet (10) of claim 1, wherein the first layer (101) is an outer layer of the fabric wall (100).
5. 2. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 1, wherein the second layer (102) is a waterproof plastic film made of polyurethane (PU).
6. 6. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 5, wherein the second layer (102) is a thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive strip (TPU) adapted to ensure thermal adhesion of the first layer (101) to the second layer (102).
7. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 1, wherein the fabric wall (100) further comprises a third layer (103) of woven material made of elastic fibers.
8. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 7, wherein the third layer (103) is made of polyester.
9. The wrinkle removing cabinet (10) of claim 7, wherein the second layer (102) is disposed between the first layer (101) and the third layer (103).
10. 2. The wrinkle removal cabinet (10) of claim 1, wherein the curtain (12) further comprises a frame, and the fabric wall (100) and the frame are adapted to ensure accordion folding and unfolding of the curtain (12).
11. and fastening elements provided for releasably attaching the curtain (12) to the top (13), The wrinkle removing cabinet (10) comprises: a working configuration in which the curtain (12) is attached to the top, and the curtain (12) is deployed to connect the top (13) and the base (11); an access arrangement, wherein the curtain (12) is at least partially folded and removed from the top (13) to provide an open space between the curtain (12) and the top (13) for receiving an article to be de-wrinkled; The wrinkle removing cabinet (10) according to claim 1, comprising:
12. unfolding the curtain (12) and attaching the curtain (12) to the top (13) to change from an access configuration to a working configuration; or removing the curtain (12) from the top (13) and at least partially folding back the curtain (12) to change from a working configuration to an access configuration; A method of using the wrinkle removal cabinet (10) according to claim 11, comprising: