Method For Smoothing A Garment

Abstract

A method for smoothing a garment using a crease-removing cabinet comprising diffusion means for diffusing an air stream and a liquid stream onto the garment, wherein the smoothing method comprises the diffusion of an air stream onto the garment simultaneously with the diffusion of the liquid stream onto the garment.

Claims

1. A method for smoothing a garment using a crease-removing cabinet comprising diffusion means for diffusing an air stream and a liquid stream onto the garment, the smoothing method comprising diffusion of an air stream onto the garment simultaneously with diffusion of a liquid stream onto the garment, wherein the diffused air stream is at room temperature or at a temperature below the room temperature, and wherein the liquid is diffused by at least one spray nozzle that is moved along the garment.

2. The smoothing method according to claim 1, further comprising diffusion of a warmer air stream onto the garment, the warmer air stream compared to the relatively colder air stream at room temperature or at a temperature below the room temperature, the diffusion of the warmer air stream being carried out after the diffusion of the liquid and the diffusion of the colder air stream, the diffused warmer air stream being moved along the garment.

3. The smoothing method according to claim 2, wherein the colder air stream and/or the warmer air stream are diffused towards the garment in a direction forming an angle comprised between 20° and 70° relative to a normal to a surface of the garment to be processed.

4. The smoothing method according to claim 2, wherein the colder air stream and/or the warmer air stream flow over a surface of the garment with a flow rate comprised between 1 and 35 km/h.

5. The smoothing method according to claim 2, wherein the diffusion of the colder air stream or the warmer air stream comprises simultaneous diffusion of a first air stream and of a second air stream on either side of the garment and towards the garment.

6. The smoothing method according to claim 5, wherein the first and second air streams are symmetrically diffused over the garment to exert tension on the garment that is parallel to the surface of the garment.

7. The smoothing method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning the garment on a hanger comprising means to place the garment under tension.

8. A crease-removing cabinet comprising a control unit configured to implement the smoothing method of claim 1, comprising at least one air nozzle and at least one liquid spray nozzle carried by a carrier that is configured to move along the garment.

9. (canceled)

10. The crease-removing cabinet according to claim 8, wherein the at least one air nozzle includes a first air nozzle and a second air nozzle arranged symmetrically on either side of the garment.

11. The crease-removing cabinet according to claim 10, wherein each of the first and second air nozzles forms an angle comprised between 20° and 70° relative to a horizontal plane.

12. The crease-removing cabinet according to claim 8, further comprising a first liquid spray bar and a second liquid spray bar arranged on either side of the garment and vertically offset from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings illustrating, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this crease-removing cabinet.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crease-removing cabinet according to the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the crease-removing cabinet in FIG. 1 showing a processing unit of the crease-removing cabinet in a resting position.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the crease-removing cabinet in FIG. 1 showing the processing unit in an operating position.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the crease-removing cabinet in FIG. 1 showing the processing unit in a different operating position from that shown in FIG. 3.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the processing unit.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the processing unit.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the processing unit along line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIGS. 1 to 7 represent a crease-removing cabinet 2 intended to receive a garment for smoothing. The crease-removing cabinet 2 is more particularly configured to receive and process a clothing top, also known as upper body garment, such as a smock, jacket, shirt, blouse or vest.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2 in particular, the crease-removing cabinet 2 comprises a smoothing chamber 3, and a hanger 4 which is placed in the smoothing chamber 3 and which is configured to support the garment to be smoothed. Advantageously, the hanger 4 is removably mounted in the smoothing chamber 3 so as to facilitate the positioning of the garment on the hanger 4.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the hanger 4 comprises a main body portion 5 which has an overall flattened shape and which comprises in particular a collar support portion 6 configured to support a collar portion of the garment to be smoothed. The hanger 4 further comprises a first shoulder support 7 which is adjustable and which is configured to support a first shoulder portion of the garment and a second shoulder support 8 which is also adjustable and which is configured to support a second shoulder portion of the garment. The first and second shoulder supports 7, 8 are advantageously slidably mounted between a retracted position and a deployed position so as to be able to adapt the width of an upper part of the hanger 4 to different sizes of clothing.

[0058] The hanger 4 also includes tensioning means configured to place the garment supported by the hanger 4 under tension in order to facilitate its smoothing. The tensioning means more particularly include flexible snap rings, for example made of composite or metal or plastic material, and a control mechanism (not shown in the figures) configured to move the flexible snap rings between a resting position and a tensioning position in which the flexible snap rings are elastically deformed and exert tension on the garment supported by the hanger 4.

[0059] Advantageously, the flexible snap rings comprise a first trunk snap ring 9 and a second trunk snap ring 10 configured to extend into a trunk portion of the garment supported by the hanger 4, and a first sleeve snap ring 11 and a second sleeve snap ring 12 configured to extend respectively into a first sleeve and a second sleeve of the garment supported by the hanger 4.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crease-removing cabinet 2 further comprises one or more door(s) 13 that are movable between an open position in which the door(s) allow(s) access to the smoothing chamber 3 and enable(s) the insertion or removal of the hanger 4 holding the garments to be smoothed into or out of the smoothing chamber 3, and a closed position in which the door(s) prevent(s) access to the smoothing chamber 3.

[0061] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 5 to 7, the crease-removing cabinet 2 also comprises a processing unit 14 which is arranged in the smoothing chamber 3, and which is configured to process the garment to be smoothed.

[0062] The processing unit 14 comprises a carrier 15 which extends substantially horizontally and which is mounted vertically movable in the smoothing chamber 3. The carrier 15 is configured to move along the garment, and advantageously comprises a through-opening 16 that is intended for the passage of the garment during the vertical movements of the carrier 15. The carrier 15 is more particularly moveable between a first position (see FIG. 2) in which the carrier 15 is located in an upper part of the smoothing chamber 3, and for example above the hanger 4, and a second position in which the carrier 15 is located in a lower part of the smoothing chamber 3, and for example below the hanger 4.

[0063] Advantageously, the crease-removing cabinet 2 comprises a motorization system (not shown in the figures) that is configured to vertically move the carrier 15 between the first and second positions, and a guide system that is configured to guide the carrier 15 translationally during the vertical movements of the carrier 15. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide system comprises a first guide rail 17 and a second guide rail 18 that extend vertically and which are spaced apart from each other, and the carrier 15 comprises a first mounting portion 19 that is slidably mounted on the first guide rail 17 and a second mounting portion 20 that is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 18.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motorization system may, for example, comprise at least one endless belt, for example notched, connected to the first mounting portion 19 and configured to slide the first mounting portion 19 along the first guide rail 17, at least one sprocket, preferably notched, configured to drive the endless belt, and a drive motor whose output shaft is rotationally coupled to the at least one sprocket.

[0065] The processing unit 14 further comprises a first support plate 21 that is moveably mounted on the carrier 15 in a first direction of travel D1 that is horizontal, and a second support plate 22 that is moveably mounted on the carrier 15 in a second direction of travel D2 that is horizontal and that is parallel to the first direction of travel D1. The first and second directions of travel D1, D2 are advantageously substantially perpendicular to a garment extension plane in which the garment to be smoothed is intended to extend.

[0066] The first and second support plates 21, 22 are more particularly configured to occupy a first configuration in which the first and second support plates 21, 22 are close together so as to be located near the garment to be processed, and a second configuration in which the first and second support plates 21, 22 are separated from one another so as to be located away from the garment to be processed.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the crease-removing cabinet 2 comprises a first motor (not shown in the figures) configured to move the first support plate 21 in the first direction of travel D1, and a second motor (not shown in the figures) configured to move the second support plate 22 in the second direction of travel D2.

[0068] Advantageously, the crease-removing cabinet 2 comprises a first guide device configured to guide the first support plate 21 when moving the first support plate 21 in the first direction of travel D1, and a second guide device configured to guide the second support plate 22 when moving the second support plate 22 in the second direction of travel D2.

[0069] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first guide device comprises a first guide portion 23 and a second guide portion 24 that extend parallel to one another and are attached to the carrier 15, and a first slider 25 and a second slider 26 that are attached to the first support plate 21 and which are slidably mounted respectively on the first and second guide portions 23, 24. The second guide device comprises a primary guide portion 27 and a secondary guide portion 28 that extend parallel to one another and are attached to the carrier 15, and a primary slider 29 and a secondary slider 30 that are attached to the second support plate 22 and which are slidably mounted respectively on the primary and secondary guide portions 27, 28.

[0070] Advantageously, the first guide portion 23 and the primary guide portion 27 are formed by a first guide element, and the second guide portion 24 and the secondary guide portion 28 are formed by a second guide element that extends parallel to the first guide element.

[0071] The processing unit 14 further comprises a first liquid emission module 31 and a second liquid emission module 32 which are respectively carried by the first and second support plates 21, 22.

[0072] The first and second liquid emission modules 31, 32 respectively comprise a first liquid spray bar 33 and a second liquid spray bar 34 which are arranged on either side of the hanger 4, and which are therefore configured to be arranged on either side of the garment to be smoothed. The first and second liquid spray bars 33, 34 are more particularly configured to diffuse respectively a first liquid flow and a second liquid flow on either side of the garment and towards the garment.

[0073] As shown more particularly in FIG. 7, the first and second liquid spray bars 33, 34 are advantageously arranged vertically facing each other.

[0074] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first liquid spray bar 33 consists of a first set of spray nozzles 35 that are substantially aligned in a first alignment direction, and the second liquid spray bar 34 consists of a second set of spray nozzles 36 that are substantially aligned in a second alignment direction. Advantageously, each of the first and second alignment directions is substantially horizontal. For example, each of the first and second spray bars 33, 34 may for example have between 2 and 10 spray nozzles 35, 36.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spray nozzles 35, 36 of each spray bar 33, 34 are spaced between 5 and 25 cm apart, and for example about 17 cm apart.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, each spray bar 33, 34 comprises a liquid distribution tube 37, 38 that extends horizontally and that supplies liquid to the spray nozzles 35, 36.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the liquid distribution tubes 37, 38 comprise an end for fluid connection to a water supply source.

[0078] As shown more particularly in FIGS. 5 to 7, the processing unit 14 further comprises a first air nozzle 48 and a second air nozzle 49 which are arranged symmetrically on either side of the hanger 4, and which are therefore configured to be arranged symmetrically on either side of the garment to be smoothed. The first and second air nozzles 48, 49 are respectively carried by the first and second support plates 21, 22.

[0079] The first air nozzle 48 comprises a first air outlet opening 51 that is arranged below the first liquid spray bar 33, and the second air nozzle 49 comprises a second air outlet opening 52 that is arranged below the second liquid spray bar 34. Advantageously, the first air outlet opening 51 of the first air nozzle 48 is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the first alignment direction of the spray nozzles 35 of the first liquid spray bar 33, and the second air outlet opening 52 of the second air nozzle 49 is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the second direction of alignment of the spray nozzles 36 of the second liquid spray bar 34.

[0080] The first and second air nozzles 48, 49 are more particularly configured to diffuse respectively a first air blade and a second air blade on either side of the garment. Advantageously, each of the first and second air blades is oriented towards the garment and downwards, extending the full width of the garment.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 forms an angle comprised between 20° and 70° relative to a horizontal plane, and advantageously on the order of 45°. Thus, each of the first and second air blades flows towards the garment in a direction forming an angle comprised between 20° and 70° relative to the normal to the surface of the garment, and advantageously on the order of 45°.

[0082] Advantageously, the first air nozzle 48 comprises a first heating device 53 which is configured to heat the air circulating in the first air nozzle 48, and the second air nozzle 49 comprises a second heating device 54 which is configured to heat the air circulating in the second air nozzle 49.

[0083] The crease-removing cabinet 2 further comprises an air stream generator 55 (such as a blower) which is fluidly connected to each of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49. For example, the air stream generator 55 may be housed in a receiving chamber 56 that is separate from the smoothing chamber 3. For example, the receiving chamber 56 may be separated from the smoothing chamber 3 by a vertical separation wall 57 (see FIG. 4), and the air stream generator 55 may for example be supported by a support portion 58 that is connected to the carrier 15 by two connecting elements 59 extending respectively through two through-slots 61 provided in the vertical separation wall 57.

[0084] The crease-removing cabinet 2 may further comprise a first air routing hose (not shown in the figures) connecting the air stream generator 55 to the first air nozzle 48, and a second air routing hose (not shown in the figures) connecting the air stream generator 55 to the second air nozzle 49.

[0085] The crease-removing cabinet 2 further comprises a control unit 62 which in particular is configured to control the vertical movements of the carrier 15, the horizontal movements of the first and second support plates 21, 22, the operation of the various heating means mentioned above, the operation of the air stream generator 55, and the water supply of the first and second liquid emission modules 31, 32.

[0086] A method for smoothing a garment using a crease-removing cabinet 2 according to the present invention will now be described. Such a smoothing method comprises the following steps: [0087] 1) Positioning the carrier 15 in the first position, i.e., in the upper part of the smoothing chamber 3, [0088] 2) Positioning the garment on the hanger 4, [0089] 3) Placing the garment under tension using the tensioning means pertaining to the hanger 4, [0090] 4) Humidifying the garment and placing it under tension using the processing unit 14, the step of humidifying the garment and placing it under tension comprising the following steps: [0091] a) Moving the first and second support plates 21, 22 into the first configuration such that the first and second support plates 21, 22 are located near the garment, [0092] b) Moving the carrier 15 to the second position, i.e., to the lower part of the smoothing chamber 3, and along the garment, for example at a travel speed comprised between 2 mm/s and 20 mm/s, [0093] c) Simultaneously controlling the operation of the air stream generator 55 and the water supply of the first and second liquid emission modules 31, 32 such that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 respectively diffuse a first air blade and a second air blade on either side of the garment and towards the garment, and such that the first and second liquid spray bars 33, 34 respectively diffuse a first stream of liquid and a second stream of liquid on either side of the garment and towards the garment, [0094] d) Stopping the operation of the air stream generator 55 and the water supply of the first and second liquid emission modules 31, 32 when the carrier 15 has reached the second position, [0095] e) Moving the first and second support plates 21, 22 into the second configuration such that the first and second support plates 21, 22 are located away from the garment, [0096] f) Moving the carrier 15 to the first position, i.e., in the upper part of the smoothing chamber 3, for example at a speed of travel of about 60 mm/s, [0097] 5) Drying the garment and placing it under tension, the step of drying and placing the garment under tension comprising the following steps: [0098] a) Moving the first and second support plates 21, 22 into the first configuration such that the first and second support plates 21, 22 are located near the garment, [0099] b) Moving the carrier 15 to the second position, i.e., to the lower part of the smoothing chamber 3, and along the garment, for example at a travel speed comprised between 2 mm/s and 20 mm/s, [0100] c) Controlling the operation of the air stream generator 55 and of the first and second heating devices 53, 54 such that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 respectively diffuse a first warm air blade and a second warm air blade on either side of the garment and towards the garment, [0101] d) Stopping the operation of the air stream generator 55 and of the first and second heating devices 53, 54 when the carrier 15 has reached the second position, [0102] e) Moving the first and second support plates 21, 22 into the second configuration such that the first and second support plates 21, 22 are located away from the garment, [0103] f) Moving the carrier 15 to the first position, i.e., in the upper part of the smoothing chamber 3, for example at a speed of travel of about 60 mm/s.

[0104] According to one embodiment of the smoothing method according to the present invention, the duration of the step of humidifying the garment and placing it under tension may be comprised between 2 min and 10 min, and for example on the order of 5 min, and the duration of the step of drying the garment and placing it under tension may be comprised between 2 min and 10 min, and for example on the order of 5 min.

[0105] Advantageously, during the humidification and tensioning step, the first and second heating devices 53, 54 are not electrically powered such that the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 respectively diffuse a first cold air blade and a second cold air blade on either side of the garment. For example, the first and second cold air blades may be at room temperature, or below room temperature.

[0106] Advantageously, during the humidification and tensioning step, the air stream generator 55 is controlled such that each of the first and second diffused cold air blades flows at a moderate speed, for example comprised between 1 and 20 km/h over the surface of the garment.

[0107] Thus, during the humidification and tensioning step, the first and second cold air blades cool the garment in order to promote the humidification of the garment. In addition, the air stream generated by the first and second air outlet openings 51, 52, creates an air flow at the liquid spray bars 33, 34, enabling a more even distribution of the liquid on the garment.

[0108] In addition, the particular orientation of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 generates, during the humidification and tensioning step, a local tension on the garment having an X, Y and Z component, thereby tensioning the garment in all directions.

[0109] Advantageously, during the drying and tensioning step, the air stream generator 55 is controlled such that each of the first and second diffused warm air blades flows at a moderate speed, for example comprised between 17 and 35 km/h over the surface of the garment, and has a temperature comprised between 50 and 150° C.

[0110] The particular orientation of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49 generates, during the drying and tensioning step, a local tension on the garment having an X, Y and Z component, thereby tensioning the garment in all directions while drying it in an optimal manner.

[0111] Therefore, in addition to benefiting from an overall processing in a humid smoothing chamber 3, the garment is processed locally (zone by zone) when the processing unit 14 descends along the full length of the garment, which makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory smoothing result in a reduced time and without any action by the user other than putting the garment on the hanger 4.

[0112] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, since this embodiment was only provided by way of example. Modifications can still be made, specifically regarding the constitution of the various elements or by substituting equivalent techniques, without departing from the field of protection of the invention. Thus, in particular, the crease-removing cabinet 2 could comprise two air stream generators, each of which would be fluidly connected to one of the first and second air nozzles 48, 49, respectively, and additional heating means could be provided to heat the garment during the drying and tensioning step.