BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a method for tensioning the side portions of shirt. More
particularly, this invention relates to a method for applying tension against the
side portions of the shirt to make a neat press finishing state and a body tensioning
device used for this method in a shirt press finishing machine for press finishing
the shirt of a laundry item with a pair of front and rear press irons while the shirt
is being put on the dummy.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] As this type of prior art device, there is provided a device disclosed in the gazette
of
U.S. Patent No.6,868,996, for example. This prior art device is formed to have the side pressing members arranged
vertically at both sides of the dummy and a driving device for protruding the side
pressing members.
[0003] It is further well known in the art that the size of shirts such as white shirts
or the like is normally classified into large, middle and small sizes, respectively.
Accordingly, it is desired in this type of device that the device is constituted in
such a way that the shirt can be finished easily, positively and neatly in its tensioned
state even if the sizes of the shirts are different from each other.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, this type of prior art device has been provided with three
types of switches set in such a way that an extension distance of the side pressing
members is made different for every size, a worker has judged the size of the shirts,
depressed the switch in compliance with the size to finish the side portions in tension.
[0005] Accordingly, this type of prior art device has been operated in compliance with a
sensitive feeling of the operator, so that the operator has happened to mistake the
size of the shirts and it has been frequently found that a manual correction of the
shirt with an iron after mechanical finishing has been carried out.
[0006] In addition, since it was necessary for the operator to judge the size of the shirts
in order to depress the switch corresponding to each of the sizes, it could not be
avoided that a working efficiency was decreased.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] This invention has been invented in view of the aforesaid prior art problems.
[0008] Accordingly, the technical matter of this invention is to provide a method for applying
tension to side portions of shirt and a body tension applying device used for the
method formed in such a way that a troublesome work for an operator to judge a size
of shirt and measure a tension applying distance of the side pressing members can
be eliminated and the side portions of the shirt can be finished in tension easily,
positively and neatly.
[0009] In order to resolve this problem, this invention is constituted as follows.
[0010] That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 or the like, the tension applying method of this
invention finishes the side portions of shirt through a first tension applying process
in which the side pressing members arranged vertically at both sides of a dummy having
the shirt installed thereon are extended by a driving device for extending the side
pressing members up to the position where the side pressing members incline by their
own weights to the side portions of the dummy, and a second tension applying process
in which, upon pressing against the front and rear portions of the shirt, the driving
device is operated again to extend further the side pressing members and finish in
tension the side portions of the shirt.
[0011] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 or the like, the device of this invention used
for the tension applying method is constituted by the side pressing members arranged
vertically at both sides of a dummy having a shirt put on there, a driving device
for extending the side pressing members, and a controller for controlling the driving
device to cause the side pressing members to perform the first tension applying process
and the second tension applying process.
[0012] Since this invention is constructed as described above, this invention does not require
any selection of extending distance of the sided pressing members in compliance with
a size of shirts. Thus, in accordance with this invention, the sides of shirt put
on the dummy can be finished in tension in an easy, positive and neat manner without
being influenced by an operator's judgment.
[0013] In this invention, the driving device is realized by an air cylinder or a motor,
for example. In addition, as the controller, a micro-computer or a sequencer, for
example, can be applied.
[0014] In addition, it is preferable in this invention that the driving device is installed
at a lower inside part of the dummy. A reason for it consists in the fact that an
opening area at each of the sides of the dummy can be made narrower as compared with
that of arranging the driving device outside the dummy and it is possible to prevent
hot air and steam supplied into the dummy from being leaked out of the side portions
of the dummy.
[0015] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, it is preferable in this invention
that the lower part of a raised supporting member for use in supporting the side pressing
members is bent from a position of a pivoting shaft for this supporting member toward
inside of the dummy and a rod of an air cylinder acting as the driving device is pivoted
at the lower end of the bent part.
[0016] In accordance with this invention, a reason why this system is preferable consists
in the fact that the bent formation of the lower part of the supporting member facilitates
a storing of the air cylinder acting as the driving device within the dummy.
[0017] Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable in the present invention
that the air cylinder acting as the driving device is arranged to be raised at the
central part of the lower portion of the dummy in a lateral direction with its rod
being set upright and the right and left side.
[0018] Additionally, in this case, since one unit of the driving device is present, the
side pressing members can be easily synchronized and parts cost and manufacturing
cost can be reduced. In addition, in this case, one unit of the driving device enables
a vacant space of the lower part of the dummy to be increased and hot air and steam
supplied into the dummy not to be disturbed.
[0019] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is also preferable in this invention that the driving
device is an air cylinder and a pair of air cylinders are installed within the barrel
part of the dummy with their rods being laterally arranged toward the sides of the
dummy.
[0020] In this case, the side pressing members can be controlled at a near distance and
so less-expensive air cylinder with a low capability can be used. In addition, in
accordance with this invention, since the driving device is placed at a high position,
a shirt can be finished fast and neat state without disturbing hot air and steam supplied
into the dummy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a substantial front elevational view for showing one preferred embodiment
of the present invention with a part being broken away.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view for showing a shirt press finishing machine provided
with the device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a substantial front elevational view for showing the device of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow-chart for illustrating an action of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a substantial longitudinal view in section for showing another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a substantial longitudinal view in section for showing a still another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, some preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described as follows.
[0023] In FIG. 1 and the like, reference numeral 1 denotes a shirt such as a white shirt.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a dummy on which this shirt 1 is put. Reference numeral
3 denotes side pressing members arranged vertically at both sides of the dummy 2.
In addition, reference numeral 4 denotes a driving device for protruding the side
pressing members 3 toward the side portions of the dummy 2.
[0024] A tension applying method of this invention finishes the side portions of a shirt
1 through a first tension applying process (a position B in FIG. 1) for extending
side pressing members 3 up to the positions with the aforesaid driving device 4 where
the side pressing members incline toward the side portions of a dummy 2 with their
own weight (a position A in FIG. 1) and a second tension applying process (a position
C in FIG. 1) where the driving device 4 is driven again upon pressing against the
front side and rear side of the shirt 1 to cause the side portions of the shirt 1
to be finished in tension.
[0025] The aforesaid side pressing members 3 are extended from their first positions (refer
to the solid line states in FIGS. 1 and 3) to the side portions of the dummy 2 by
the driving device 4. Then, the side pressing members 3 incline by their own weight
from the position slightly exceeding the vertical line (D in FIG. 1). The driving
device 4 stops its driving action when the side pressing members 3 reach up to the
positions where they incline by their own weight. In the case of this preferred embodiment,
the driving device 4 is constituted by an air cylinder. Accordingly, an extending
action of the rod in the air cylinder stops and an extracting of the rod becomes free.
As a result, the side pressing members 3 incline toward the side portions of the dummy
2 by their own weight to press against the side portions of the shirt 1 and stop.
With this operation, the side portions of the shirt 1 are tensioned to perform a first
tension applying process.
[0026] In this case, the side pressing members 3 apply tension against the side portions
of the shirt 1 in compliance with its size. That is, when the size of the shirt 1
is large, the shirt is tensioned under a state in which an inclination angle of the
raised supporting member 5 supporting the side pressing member 3 is large, and in
turn when the size of the shirt 1 is small, the shirt is tensioned under a state in
which an inclination angle of the raised supporting member 5 is small. Further, in
this case, the shirt 1 does not show any disturbed state at its front side because
the shirt 1 is adsorbed at the surface of the dummy 2. In addition, it is also applicable
that the shirt 1 has some buttons applied in place of adsorption to prevent the front
side disturbance from being occurred.
[0027] Then, the present invention is operated such that when the press irons 6 (refer to
FIG. 2) press against the front and rear portions of the shirt 1, the driving device
4 operates again to cause the side pressing members 3 to be further extended toward
the side portions of the dummy 2. With this operation, the second tension applying
process is carried out for the shirt 1 under a state in which its front and rear portions
are pressed with press irons 6. Further, in the case of the shirt press finishing
machine shown in FIG. 2, the front side press iron 6 is formed such that it can be
slid in the rightward or leftward direction.
[0028] Then, upon completion of the pressing work with the press irons 6 and releasing of
the press irons 6 from the front and rear portions of the dummy 2, the driving device
4 oppositely drives them. As a result, the side pressing members 3 return, the front
and rear portions of the shirt 1 are press finished and at the same time the side
portions of the shirt are finished in tension.
[0029] Then, the body tensioning device used for the method for applying tension of the
present invention will be described as follows.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device of the present invention is formed to have side
pressing members 3 arranged vertically at both sides of the dummy 2 on which the shirt
1 is put, the driving device 4 for protruding in tension the side pressing members
3, and a controller 7 for controlling the driving device 4 to cause the side pressing
members 3 to perform the first tensioning process and the second tensioning process.
[0031] The aforesaid side pressing members 3 are formed in a bow-like shape with the concave
surfaces being faced toward the side portions of the dummy 2. Then, the side pressing
members 3 are made such that flexible wire members 3a applied to the inner surfaces
of the side portions of the shirt 1 are tensioned in arcuate manner at upper and lower
ends. The wire members 3a in this preferred embodiment are constituted by fine coil
springs.
[0032] The upper ends of the supporting members 5 supporting the side pressing members 3
are pivoted at substantial central positions of the side pressing members 3 through
a connecting plate 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a pivot pin arranged horizontally
along a forward or rearward direction of the dummy 2. The side pressing members 3
turn by a predetermined angle around the pivot pin in a lateral direction of the dummy
2. In addition, the lower part of the supporting member 5 is pivoted to a fixing part
10 in the dummy 2 through a shaft 11.
[0033] In addition, the present invention in this preferred embodiment is set such that
a raised piece 8a is raised at the upper part inside the connecting plate 8. Then,
the upper end of the raised piece 8a and an outer edge position at the corresponding
back side of the side pressing member 3 are connected with a tension spring 12. This
tension spring 12 is used for facilitating a returning of the side pressing members
3 when the side pressing members 3 are inclined around the pivot pin 9 with the curved
lines of the side portions of the shirt 1. Further, the side pressing members 3 are
normally covered with a cover (not shown) together with the dummy 2.
[0034] As the aforesaid driving device 4 in this preferred embodiment, an air cylinder is
used and the driving device is arranged in an inclined state inside the lower part
of the dummy 2 with its rod being faced inwardly. The lower part of the raised supporting
member 5 supporting the side pressing members 3 is bent inwardly of the dummy 2 from
the shaft 11. The rod of the air cylinder acting as the driving device 4 is pivoted
to the lower end of this
bent part 5a.
[0035] The aforesaid controller 7 is constituted by a micro-computer, for example. This
controller 7 has a program for carrying out the aforesaid first tension applying process
and the second tension applying process. Then, this controller 7 is electrically connected
with a solenoid valve 13 for controlling a flow passage of air for the air cylinder
acting as the driving device 4.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4 and the like, an action of the present invention in accordance
with the preferred embodiment will be described.
[0037] At first, an operator turns on a starting switch 14 (refer to FIG. 2) under a state
in which the shirt 1 is set on the dummy 2. Then, the solenoid valve 13 receives a
signal from the controller 7 to open the air flow passage, and the air cylinder acting
as the driving device 4 pushes the lower end of a bent part 5a of supporting member
5 into the dummy 2. As a result, the supporting member 5 is pivoted around a shaft
11 to the side part of the dummy 2.
[0038] Then, upon elapsing the set time, the driving operation of the air cylinder acting
as the driving device 4 stops and a motion of the rod becomes free. The set time is
a time in which the side pressing members 3 can be arranged at positions where they
may incline by their own weight.
[0039] Accordingly, in the case of the present invention, upon elapsing of the set time,
the side pressing members 3 are arranged at the positions where they incline (refer
to A in FIG. 1) by their own weight as shown in FIG. 1. Then, upon arrangement of
the side pressing members 3 at these positions, the side pressing members 3 incline
by their own weight toward the side portions of the dummy 2 to apply tension against
the side portions of the shirt 1 (refer to B in FIG. 1). More practically, wire members
3a tensioned at the side pressing members 3 are pushed against the side inner surfaces
of the shirt 1 to cause the side portions of the shirt 1 to be tensioned at the side
portions of the dummy 2 while they are flexed along the inner curved lines of the
shirt 1.
[0040] Then, when a pair of front and rear press irons 6 (refer to FIG. 2) press against
the front and rear portions of the shirt 1, a signal from the controller 7 is received
at the solenoid valve 13 and the solenoid valve 13 is operated again to cause the
rod of the air cylinder to be slightly extended. With this operation, the side portions
of the shirt 1 are further tensioned and the second tension applying process is carried
out (refer to C in FIG. 1). Further, in the case of this preferred embodiment, the
front and rear press irons 6 move from the right side escaping position at the dummy
2 toward the front side of the dummy 2 to press against the shirt 1.
[0041] Then, upon completion of the press work performed by the press irons 6, the signal
from the controller 7 is received at the solenoid valve 13 to cause the air flow passage
to be changed over and the rod of the air cylinder acting as the driving device 4
is retracted. As a result, the supporting members 5 are turned around the shafts 11
toward the side portions of the dummy 2 and then the side pressing members 3 return.
[0042] With the foregoing arrangement, although the air cylinder acting as the driving device
4 in the above example is separately arranged at the side pressing members 3 at both
sides of the dummy 2, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That
is, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also applicable in the present invention that the air
cylinder acting as the driving device 4 is arranged to be raised at the central part
of the lower portion of the dummy 2 in a lateral direction with its rod being set
upright and the right and left side pressing members 3 are operated simultaneously
by this one unit of driving device 4. Because, in accordance with the present invention,
one unit of air cylinder is satisfactory for the operation to enable parts cost and
manufacturing cost to be reduced. In this case, each of the bent parts 5a of the supporting
members 5 is formed with a longitudinal hole 5b, the rod of the air cylinder is pivoted
at the bent parts 5a through the longitudinal holes 5b.
[0043] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, it is also preferable in the present invention that
a pair of right and left air cylinders acting as the driving device 4 are arranged
laterally within the barrel of the dummy 2 with the rods being faced to the side portions
of the dummy 2. Reference numeral 15 denotes a supporting column for use in fixing
the driving device 4. The rods of the air cylinders acting as the driving device 4
are pivotally arranged at the raised pieces 8a of the connecting plates 8. In this
case, since the air cylinders are operated near the side pressing members 3 to enable
the side pressing members 3 to work, it becomes possible to use a less-expensive air
cylinder having a low capability. In addition, in this case, since the arrangement
position of the driving device 4 is high, no disturbance of hot air and steam supplied
into the dummy 2 from below occurs as compared with that of arrangement of the driving
device 4 at the lower part of the dummy 2. Accordingly, in accordance with the present
invention, the shirt 1 can be dried smoothly and fast and its finished state can be
made superior.
1. A shirt side tension applying method for finishing side portions of a shirt comprising
a first tension applying process in which side pressing members arranged lengthways
at both sides of a dummy having the shirt put thereon are extended up to positions
where they incline by their own weight toward the side portions of the dummy by a
driving device for use in tensioning the side pressing members and the side portions
of the shirt are tensioned with the side pressing members inclined by their own weight,
and a second tension applying process in which when the front and rear portions of
the shirt are pressed, the driving device is operated again to cause the side pressing
members to be further extended and the side portions of the shirt are finished in
tension.
2. A body tensioning device applied for a shirt side tension applying method according
to claim 1 comprising side pressing members arranged lengthways at both sides of a
dummy having a shirt put thereon, a driving device for extending the side pressing
members, and a controller for controlling the driving device to cause the side pressing
members to perform a first tension applying process and a second tension applying
process.
3. The body tensioning device according to claim 2, wherein the driving device is arranged
inside the lower part of the dummy.
4. The body tensioning device according to claim 3, wherein the lower portions of the
raised supporting members for supporting the side pressing members are bent from the
positions of pivoted shafts for the supporting members toward the inside of the dummy,
and a rod of an air cylinder acting as the driving device is pivoted at the lower
ends of the bent parts.
5. The body tensioning device according to claim 4, wherein one unit of the air cylinder
acting as the driving device is installed in a raised state at the central part in
a lateral direction of the lower part of the dummy with its rod being upright.
6. The body tensioning device according to claim 2, wherein the driving device is an
air cylinder and a pair of right and left air cylinders are arranged within the barrel
of the dummy with the rods being faced laterally toward the side portions of the dummy.