Garment finisher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tunnel finishers require manual labor to reorient garments for efficient folding and have inefficiencies in space usage and energy consumption due to fixed orientations of garment forms during the finishing process.
Innovation Solution
A tunnel finisher with rotatable garment forms that change orientation through predetermined turning stations, allowing for perpendicular positioning in the hot air zone for increased dwell time and space efficiency, and automatic orientation for easier unloading, utilizing a conveyor system with rotating gears and locking levers to manage form rotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If garment forms are kept in fixed alignment with conveyor direction throughout the circuit, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the dwell time in hot air zone is reduced and floor space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The garment forms are made rotatable on their carriages, allowing them to dynamically change orientation from parallel to perpendicular to the conveyor direction. This dynamic reorientation enables the forms to be positioned perpendicular to the conveyor in the hot air zone, maximizing dwell time and space utilization without requiring a fixed complex conveyor structure
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor circuit is divided into functional zones (loading, steam, hot air, cool down, unloading) with turning stations positioned at specific locations. Each turning station independently rotates forms at predetermined points, allowing localized orientation changes rather than requiring system-wide complexity
2Area of stationary object
If garment forms are positioned perpendicular to conveyor in hot air zone, then dwell time and space efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases due to turning stations
Solution Approach 1:
The forms are equipped with rotatable mechanisms on their carriages that allow them to pivot between parallel and perpendicular orientations. This dynamic capability enables the same conveyor space to be used more efficiently by positioning forms perpendicular to the conveyor direction in the hot air zone, thereby reducing the required floor space for the same processing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the conveyor length horizontally to provide sufficient dwell time, the invention utilizes the vertical/dimensional space by positioning forms perpendicular to the conveyor direction. This dimensional change allows multiple forms to be accommodated in a compact footprint while maintaining adequate dwell time in the hot air zone
3Productivity
If garment forms are rotated to perpendicular position in hot air zone, then space efficiency improves, but the unloading orientation becomes suboptimal requiring additional rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation function is segmented into discrete turning stations positioned at specific locations in the circuit. One turning station rotates forms to perpendicular orientation before the hot air zone, and another turning station rotates them back to parallel orientation at the unloading zone, allowing each rotation action to be independently optimized and controlled
Solution Approach 2:
The forms are rotated to the optimal unloading orientation (parallel to conveyor with garment facing outward) before reaching the unloading zone. This preliminary orientation adjustment ensures that garments are presented in the correct position for efficient folding operations, eliminating the need for manual reorientation and improving productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables longer dwell times in the hot air zone for better garment finishing, reduces floor space requirements, and improves folding efficiency by ensuring garments are properly oriented for unloading, potentially leading to energy savings and reduced labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
a steam zone for applying steam to the garments
Implementation Method 2
a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments
Implementation Method 3
the garment is heated and agitated with hot air to evaporate moisture from the garment
Implementation Method 4
a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air
Data Source
AI summary
A garment finisher that includes an endless conveyor that transports a plurality of garment forms mounted on respective carriages successively through a garment loading zone, a steam zone for applying steam to the garments, a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments as they pass through the hot air zone, a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air, and an unloading zone where the operator removes the garment from the garment form. A plurality of form rotating stations are positioned at predetermined locations relative to the zones that rotate the forms between a position aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor and perpendicular with the direction of travel of the conveyor.