(19) |
|
|
(11) |
EP 1 426 481 B1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
|
28.05.2008 Bulletin 2008/22 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 04.08.2003 |
|
(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
|
|
(54) |
Method for a treatment of ironing and similar of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style
trousers and corresponding apparatus
Verfahren zum Bügeln von Kleidungsstücken, insbesondere Hosen, und entsprechendes
Gerät
Méthode pour repasser des vêtements, en particulier des pantalons, et appareil correspondant
|
(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
(30) |
Priority: |
06.12.2002 IT MI20022598
|
(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
|
09.06.2004 Bulletin 2004/24 |
(73) |
Proprietor: Rotondi Group S.R.L. |
|
20019 Settimo Milanese (Milano) (IT) |
|
(72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Rotondi, Andrea
20019 Settimo Milanese (Milano) (IT)
|
(74) |
Representative: Ferrari, Barbara |
|
Botti & Ferrari S.r.l.,
Via Locatelli, 5 20124 Milano 20124 Milano (IT) |
(56) |
References cited: :
GB-A- 1 409 244 US-B2- 6 446 369
|
US-A- 6 052 916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
Field of Application
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for a treatment of ironing and similar
of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers.
[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to a method for a treatment of ironing and similar
of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers, by means of a plurality
of treating heads active on said clothing articles, these being held by a plurality
of grip elements.
[0003] The invention further relates to an apparatus for a treatment of ironing and similar
of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers, of the type comprising
a plurality of working heads and a plurality of gripp elements of the article to be
treated.
[0004] Although not limited to, the invention relates to a method of ironing through blowing
and steaming uncreased-style trousers and the following description of this field
of application is given for convenience of explanation only.
Prior Art
[0005] As it is well known, clothing article treatment, particularly uncreased-style trouser
ironing, is industrially performed by means of proper machines that are equipped with
working heads operative to discharge steam on the articles.
[0006] Conventional ironing machines also comprise grip elements or grippers holding clothing
articles positioned at a working head.
[0007] In particular, an operator loads a clothing article in the grippers, and remove the
clothing article by release of the grippers at the end of the ironing treatment.
[0008] In order to increase the number of articles treated per time unit, it is also known
to provide a system for treating clothing articles with a plurality of treating machines
controlled by an operator, who loads a clothing article on a machine, while another
clothing article is being treated by another machine, and then unloaded once the ironing
treatment is ended, in such a way as to minimize waiting times.
[0009] However, such a treating system is not little automated, because it depends on the
operator's ability to load and unload quickly the clothing articles on/down the machines.
[0010] A system has also been suggested wherein a plurality of machines, each including
a working head and grippers, are installed on a turntable type of structure.
[0012] A single operator loads a clothing article to be treated on the grippers of a machine
when this one passes for treating by the machine as the latter moves past him, and
the treated article is then picked up by some automated means. During the turntable
rotation, the clothing article moves from a loading station to an unloading station
through a number of other stations where it can be treated as desired.
[0013] This prior construction, although advantageous on several counts, especially in that
it allows a higher degree of automation, is made complicated by the orbiting machines
either involving the provision of steam generators to serve each machine individually,
or of elaborate and expensive rotary pipe connections between the machines and a common
steam generator.
[0014] The underlying technical problem of this invention is to provide a method and an
apparatus for ironing clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers, which
while meeting all of the treating requirements, can overcome the limitations that
beset prior arrangements.
Summary of the invention
[0015] The resolution idea on which this invention stands is one of providing for the clothing
articles to be moved around and the working heads held stationary for treating the
articles.
[0016] Based on the above idea, the technical problem is solved by a method for a treatment
of ironing and similar of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers
by having a plurality of working heads arranged to act on said clothing articles while
they are held in a plurality of grippers, characterized in that it comprises mounting
said plurality of grippers on a carousel, and rotating the carousel relative to said
plurality of working heads maintained stationary to successively take each said clothing
article under each working head of said plurality of working heads for treating.
[0017] The problem is further solved by an apparatus for a treatment of ironing and similar
of clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers, which apparatus comprises
a plurality of working heads and a plurality of grippers in which clothing articles
to be treated are gripped, and is characterized in that it comprises a carousel mounted
in a support frame and carrying said plurality of grippers, and that the carousel
is rotatable relative to said plurality of working heads, which are instead maintained
stationary on said frame, thereby to take each said clothing articles in succession
under each working head of said plurality of working heads for treating.
[0018] The features and advantages of the method and apparatus according to the invention
should become more clearly apparent from the following description of embodiments
thereof, given by way of example and not of limitation with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
[0019] In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a clothing treating apparatus embodying
this invention; and
Figures 2 and 3 are respective longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views in
perspective of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Detailed description
[0020] With reference to the drawings, in particular to Figure 1 thereof, an apparatus for
ironing clothing articles, particularly uncreased-style trousers, is shown generally
at 1.
[0021] The apparatus 1 comprises a support frame 2, which is preferably a metal construction
extending between two opposite decks, specifically a lower or base deck 3 and an upper
deck 4, the decks being connected rigidly together by peripheral uprights 5.
[0022] The frame 2 has a generally prismatic shape that grows vertically around a vertical
axis XX.
[0023] Mounted fixedly on the upper deck 4 of the frame 2 are a plurality - eight in the
example shown - of working heads, as follows:
a first head 11 of article loading, i.e. an article loading head;
a second head 12 of steaming and/or blowing, i.e a steaming and/or blowing head 12;
third, fourth and fifth heads 13, 14 and 15 of steaming and/or blowing, i.e. steaming
and/or blowing heads, which are essentially similar to the second steaming and/or
blowing head 12;
a sixth head 16 of article cooling and stabilizing, i.e. an article cooling and stabilizing
head;
a seventh head 17 of article unloading, i.e. an article unloading head;
an eighth head 18 of spare loading, i.e. a spare loading head.
[0024] Preferably, the plurality of working heads are mounted on the frame 2 in a circular
array around a set vertical axis X-X, at equiangular distances from each other.
[0025] The steaming and/or blowing heads include each a steaming assembly and a blowing
assembly. Each head may optionally be provided with a cooling assembly as well.
[0026] In particular, the steaming assemblies are advantageously supplied steam from a common
steam generator, not shown in the Figure. The steam generator is connected to the
steaming assemblies by steam supply lines 6 and an associated header 7, as shown schematically
in Figure 2.
[0027] In particular, respective connection lines lead to the steaming assemblies from the
header 7.
[0028] The apparatus 1 also has an air intake line 8 connected to a conventional source,
such as a pressurized air source, not shown. The air intake line 8 branches off by
a line 9 to a distributor 10 and to a rotary pipe connector 20. Air supply lines radiate
from the distributor 10 to the stationary working heads, the rotary pipe connector
20 being connected to further lines to be described.
[0029] In particular, suitable valve means, e.g. gate valves, generally shown at 7A may
be arranged to control the delivery of steam from the steaming heads, and to cut it
off altogether as the tubular support is rotated forward one step.
[0030] To hold the trousers for treating, the apparatus 1 of the invention is provided with
a plurality of grippers 21, which are all identical and adapted to grip respective
pairs of the trousers being treated. In particular, each gripper 21 has a respective
stretcher appropriate to grip the trousers at the waist end and a clamp 23 appropriate
to hold the trousers bottom ends closed, the trousers being thus held in an upright
position.
[0031] Said plurality of grippers 21 are mounted on a carousel that comprises a tubular
support 24 having an axis XX. The tubular support 24 is mounted for pivotal movement
about the axis XX of the frame 2. In particular, the tubular support 24 bears for
pivotal movement on a bearing block 25, which bearing block is secured within the
uprights 5 on the lower deck 3 of the frame 2 and reaches upwards just short of the
upper deck 4, it being designed to take the individual grippers 21 under the working
heads. In other words, the combined tubular support 24 and bearing block 25 define
a carousel that is rotatable relative to the working heads and carries a plurality
of grippers 21.
[0032] The stretcher and clamp 23 of each gripper 21 are supplied air through lines 26 that
lead out from said rotary connection 20.
[0033] As far as the electric power supply is connected, electric cables 27 are led to the
area of the upper deck 4 and connected to the individual working heads over a branch
strip 27A.
[0034] Power is also supplied to the area of the lower deck 3 through a rotary connection
28 from which electric cables 29 radiate to each gripper 21.
[0035] It should be noted that, concentrically with the bearing block 25, an internal ring
gear 30 is attached to the tubular support 24 for mesh engagement by its teeth 31
with an idler 32, in turn meshing with a drive gear 32A that is keyed onto a shaft
36 of a conventional electric motor 37, the motor being mounted fixedly to a plate
33 and rotating the tubular support 24 stepwise, as shown schematically in Figure
3.
[0036] It should be noted that the apparatus 1 of the invention has a station P1 located
near and opposite the first working head 11 for loading the trousers to be treated,
and has a station P2 near and opposite the eighth working head 18 for unloading the
treated trousers. In the example of Figure 1, the loading station P1 would have human
attendance, and the unloading station P2 includes a belt conveyor 34 and a chute 35
mounted to the lower deck 4 and sloping down to the belt conveyor 34.
[0037] The operation of the apparatus 1 in treating trousers articles as desired will now
be described.
[0038] At the loading station P1, the trousers are manually loaded, one pair at a time,
in the grippers 21, which are maintained stationary therein and the trousers are here
treated by the first working head 11.
[0039] On completion of the operation, the tubular support 24 is rotated one step to take
the trousers under the second working head for further treating, and so forth to the
eighth working head 18, where the final treating of the trousers takes place and the
trousers are ultimately removed over the chute 35.
[0040] In operation, the valve means 7A are operated to control the amount of steam being
delivered, or to cut off the steam supply as the tubular support is advanced one step.
[0041] The apparatus of this invention has a major advantage in that its construction is
simple, since it has a moving portion only in the area devoted to holding the trousers,
and is held stationary with its major portion, represented by the working heads.
[0042] A second, not less important advantage of the apparatus of the invention is the unique
quality of the trousers product that is achieved by having the trousers treated in
a motionless condition. In fact, no uneveness is experienced in the steam and/or air
flow delivered to the trousers being treated, such as would otherwise result in one
side of the trousers showing a different final treatment from the other side.
[0043] Also noteworthy is that the simple construction of the apparatus makes for high expectations
in the respect of reliable operation and long maintenance-free life of same.
[0044] It should be further noted that the working heads of the apparatus of the invention
are multi-functional, in that it is possible to equip them with steaming, blowing
and cooling assemblies. The apparatus is therefore highly versatile, flexible, and
adaptable to meet different requirements of clothing treating.
[0045] Finally, the apparatus of the invention affords energy usage benefits, which arise
from the delivery of steam being controllable, as well as from the steam supply cut-off
feature as the tubular support is to be rotated forward one step.
1. A method for a treatment of ironing and similar of clothing articles, particularly
uncreased-style trousers by having a plurality of working heads arranged to act on
said clothing articles while they are held in a plurality of grippers, characterized in that it comprises mounting said plurality of grippers on a carousel, and rotating the
carousel relative to said plurality of working heads maintained stationary to successively
take each said clothing article under each working head in said plurality of working
heads for treating.
2. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises treating said clothing articles by at least one of the following: ironing,
steaming, blowing, drying, heating and cooling, using respective ones of said plurality
of working heads.
3. An apparatus for treatment of ironing and similar of clothing articles, particularly
uncreased-style trousers, which apparatus comprises a plurality of working heads (11-18)
and a plurality of grippers (21) in which clothing articles to be treated are gripped,
characterized in that it comprises a carousel (24,25) mounted in a support frame (2) and carrying said
plurality of grippers (21), and that the carousel is rotatable relative to said plurality
of working heads (11-18), which are instead maintained stationary on said frame (2),
thereby to take each said clothing articles in succession under each working head
of said plurality of working heads (11-18) for treating.
4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of working heads (11-18) are provided as a circular array around a
set axis (X-X) with said working heads (11-18) placed at equiangular distances apart
from each other, and that said carousel (24) includes a tubular support (24) mounted
for pivotal movement about said axis (X-X).
5. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of working heads (11-18) include at least one working head selected
from the following: at least one ironing head, at least one steaming head, at leas
tone blowing head, at least one drying head, at least one heating head, and at least
one cooling head.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that said tubular support (24) bears on a bearing block (25) for pivotal movement.
7. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of working heads consist of eight working heads as follows: a loading
head, four steaming and/or blowing heads, a clothing article cooling and stabilizing
head, an unloading head, and a spare loading head.
8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that said four steaming and/or blowing heads comprise each a steaming assembly and a blowing
assembly.
9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that said four steaming and/or blowing heads comprise each a cooling assembly.
10. An apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that said steaming assemblies are supplied from a common steam generator.
11. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a valve means (7A) associated with at least one of said working heads
to control and cut-off the steam supply thereto.
1. Verfahren zur Bügelbehandlung etc. von Kleidungsstücken, insbesondere von faltenlosen
Hosen, indem mehrere Arbeitsköpfe so angeordnet werden, dass sie auf die Kleidungsstücke
einwirken, während diese in mehreren Greifern gehalten sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es umfasst, die mehreren Greifer an einem Karussell anzubringen, und das Karussell
relativ zu den mehreren ortsfest gehaltenen Arbeitsköpfen zu drehen, um nacheinander
jedes Kleidungsstück unter jeden Arbeitskopf von den mehreren Arbeitsköpfen zur Behandlung
zu befördern.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es umfasst, die Kleidungsstücke durch zumindest eine der folgenden Methoden zu behandeln:
Bügeln, Dämpfen, Anblasen, Trocknen, Erwärmen und Kühlen, und zwar unter Verwendung
von jeweiligen der mehreren Arbeitsköpfe.
3. Vorrichtung zur Bügelbehandlung etc. von Kleidungsstücken, insbesondere von faltenlosen
Hosen, welche Vorrichtung mehrere Arbeitsköpfe (11-18) und mehrere Greifer (21) umfasst,
in denen zu behandelnde Kleidungsstücke ergriffen werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein Karussell (24, 25) umfasst, das in einem Halterahmen (2) angebracht ist und
die mehreren Greifer (21) trägt, und dass das Karussell relativ zu den mehreren Arbeitsköpfen
(11-18) drehbar ist, die dagegen an dem Rahmen (2) ortsfest gehalten sind, wodurch
jeweils ein Kleidungsstück nach dem anderen unter jeden Arbeitskopf der mehreren Arbeitsköpfe
(11-18) zur Behandlung befördert wird.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mehreren Arbeitsköpfe (11-18) als kreisförmige Anordnung um eine Anlagenachse
(X-X) vorgesehen sind, wobei die Arbeitsköpfe (11-18) unter gleichen Winkelabständen
zueinander angeordnet sind, und dass das Karussell (24) ein rohrförmiges Gestell (24)
umfasst, das so angebracht ist, dass es um die Achse (X-X) eine Schwenkbewegung ausführen
kann.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mehreren Arbeitsköpfe (11-18) mindestens einen Arbeitskopf umfassen, der aus
der folgenden Aufzählung ausgewählt ist: wenigstens einen Bügelkopf, wenigstens einen
Dämpfkopf, wenigstens einen Blasekopf, wenigstens einen Trocknungskopf, wenigstens
einen Erwärmungskopf, und wenigstens einen Kühlkopf.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rohrförmige Gestell (24) für eine Schwenkbewegung auf einem Lagerblock (25) aufruht.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mehreren Arbeitsköpfe wie folgt aus acht Arbeitsköpfen bestehen: einen Beschickungskopf,
vier Dämpf- und/oder Blasköpfe, einen Kühl- und Stabilisierungskopf für das Kleidungsstück,
einen Entnahmekopf, und einen Reservestückbeschickungskopf.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die vier Dämpf- und/oder Blasköpfe jeweils ein Dämpfaggregat und ein Blaseaggregat
aufweisen.
9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die vier Dämpf- und/oder Blasköpfe jeweils ein Kühlaggregat aufweisen.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Dämpfaggregate von einem gemeinsamen Dampferzeuger versorgt werden.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Ventileinrichtung (7A) umfasst, die zumindest einem der Arbeitsköpfe zugeordnet
ist, um die Dampfzufuhr zu diesem zu steuern und abzustellen.
1. Procédé de traitement du repassage des vêtements, ou analogue, particulièrement des
pantalons de type infroissable, au moyen d'une pluralité de têtes de travail agencées
pour agir sur lesdits vêtements tandis qu'ils sont retenus par une pluralité de pinces,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend le montage de ladite pluralité de pinces sur un carrousel, et de rotation
du carrousel par rapport à ladite pluralité de têtes de travail maintenues stationnaires
pour prendre chaque dit vêtement sous chaque tête de travail dans ladite pluralité
de têtes de travail pour le traitement.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend le traitement desdits vêtements par au moins l'un des traitements suivants
: repassage, vaporisation, soufflage, séchage, chauffage et refroidissement, en utilisant
les têtes respectives de ladite pluralité de têtes de travail.
3. Appareil de traitement du repassage des vêtements, ou analogue, particulièrement des
pantalons de type infroissable, l'appareil comprenant une pluralité de têtes de travail
(11 à 18) et une pluralité de pinces (21) dans lesquelles les vêtements à traiter
sont pincés, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un carrousel (24, 25) monté sur un cadre (2) de support et portant ladite
pluralité de pinces (21), et en ce que le carrousel est rotatif par rapport à ladite pluralité de tête de travail (11 à
18), qui sont à la place maintenues stationnaires sur ledit cadre (2), pour prendre
ainsi chacun desdits vêtements successivement sous chaque tête de travail de ladite
pluralité de têtes de travail (11 à 18) de traitement.
4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite pluralité de têtes de travail (11 à 18) se présentent sous la forme d'un arrangement
circulaire autour d'un axe prédéterminé (X-X), lesdites têtes de travail (11 à 18)
étant placées à des distances équiangulaires les unes de l'autre, et en ce que ledit carrousel (24) inclut un support tubulaire (24) monté à des fins de mouvement
de pivot autour dudit axe (X-X).
5. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite pluralité de têtes de travail (11 à 18) inclut au moins une tête de travail
sélectionnée à partir des éléments suivants : au moins une tête de repassage, au moins
une tête de vaporisation, au moins une tête de soufflage, au moins une tête de séchage,
au moins une tête de chauffage, et au moins une tête de refroidissement.
6. Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que lesdits supports tubulaires (24) reposent sur un bloc de support (25) à des fins
de mouvement de pivot.
7. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite pluralité de têtes de travail consiste en huit têtes de travail comme suit
: une tête de chargement, quatre têtes de vaporisation et/ou de soufflage, une tête
de refroidissement et de stabilisation du vêtement, une tête de déchargement, et une
tête de chargement de rechange.
8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que lesdites quatre têtes de vaporisation et/ou de soufflage comprennent chacune un assemblage
de vaporisation et un assemblage de soufflage.
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdites quatre têtes de vaporisation et/ou de soufflage comprennent chacune un assemblage
de refroidissement.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits assemblages de vaporisation sont fournis à partir d'un générateur de vapeur
commun.
11. Appareil selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen de soupape (7A) associé à au moins l'une desdites têtes de travail
pour commander et réduire davantage l'approvisionnement en vapeur.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description