DEVICE FOR IRONING LAUNDRY ITEMS

Abstract

Ironers are provided with spiral wrappings for the ironer roll thereof and ironer belts which are subjected to significant stress during the ironing process. This leads to settling phenomena and to warpage in the known spiral wrappings and ironer belts, whereby the ironing quality is impaired. The object of the invention is to form the spiral wrapping and/or the ironer belt from a base layer and a non-woven fabric layer assigned to this base layer on at least one side. The non-woven fabric layer is preferably connected to the base layer by needling. The base layer forms a stable three-dimensional support layer for the non-woven fabric layer, whereby the ironer belt and/or the spiral wrapping may be effectively stabilized and as a result may be used for a longer period of time without settling phenomena and warpage.

Claims

1. A device for ironing laundry items comprising at least one ironer roll (11) which is drivable in a circumferential manner and an ironer chest (15) assigned to the ironer roll (11), wherein an outer surface (14) of the ironer roll (11) is provided with a spiral wrapping (13), wherein the spiral wrapping (13) has a base layer (36; 40) made of links (37; 41) which are interlinked or suspended together and at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) which is connected to the base layer (36; 40).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base layer (36) has a plurality of equal links (37) which are arranged relative to one another such that a comb-like engagement of end regions of adjacent links (37) is formed.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the links (37) are connected together in an articulated manner at those points where they interlock in a comb-like manner.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the links (37) are interlinked by elongated rod-like connectors (39).

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connectors (39) which interlink the links (37) run at right-angles to the rotational direction (19) of the spiral wrapping (13).

6. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the links (37) are formed from strands (47) which are wound.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strands (47) of the wound links (37) run in an oval-shaped manner, viewed in the longitudinal direction of their axes of articulation (38), and enclose an intermediate space or free space, at least one filling body which at least partially fills up the intermediate space or free space being arranged therein.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the links (41) are formed from adjacent strands (43) which run in the rotational direction (19) of the ironer roll (11), wherein the adjacent strands (43) are alternately interwoven around different sides of bars (42) running transversely to the rotational direction (19).

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection of the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) to the base layer (36; 40) extends into the base layer (36; 40).

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection of the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) to the base layer (36; 40) extends through the base layer (36; 40).

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44) is connected to one side of the base layer (36; 40) by needling, linking, tufting or stitching.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the links (37; 41) of the base layer (36; 40) are formed from plastics material.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base layer (36; 40) is configured to be endless.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base layer (36; 40) is made endless.

15. A device for ironing laundry items comprising at least one ironer body (26) and at least one ironer belt (28) which is assigned to the at least one ironer body (26) and which is drivable in a circumferential manner, wherein the ironer belt (28) has a base layer (36; 40) made of links (37; 41) which are interlinked or suspended together and at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) which is connected to the base layer (36; 40).

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the base layer (36) has a plurality of equal links (37) which are arranged relative to one another such that a comb-like engagement of end regions of adjacent and/or successive links (37) is formed.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the links (37) are connected together in an articulated manner at those points where they interlock in a comb-like manner.

18. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the links (37) are interlinked by elongated rod-like connectors (39).

19. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the connectors (39) which interlink the links (37) run at right-angles to the circumferential direction (34) of the ironer belt (28).

20. The device as claimed in one of claim 17, wherein the links (37) are formed from strands (47) which are wound.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the strands (47) of the wound links (37) run in an oval-shaped manner, viewed in the longitudinal direction of their axes of articulation (38), and enclose an intermediate space or free space, at least one filling body which at least partially fills up the intermediate space or free space being arranged therein.

22. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the links (41) are formed from adjacent strands (43) which run in the rotational direction (19) and/or circumferential direction (34) of the ironer roll (11) and/or the ironer belt (28), wherein the adjacent strands (43) are alternately interwoven around different sides of bars (42) running transversely to the rotational direction (19) and/or circumferential direction (34).

23. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the connection of the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) to the base layer (36; 40) extends into the base layer (36; 40).

24. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the connection of the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44; 45) to the base layer (36; 40) extends through the base layer (36; 40).

25. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one non-woven fabric layer (44) is connected to one side of the base layer (36; 40) by needling, linking, tufting or stitching.

26. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least the links (37; 41) of the base layer (36; 40) are formed from plastics material.

27. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the base layer (36; 40) is configured to be endless.

28. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the base layer (36; 40) is made endless.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a device for smoothing out laundry items configured as a chest ironer;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a device for ironing laundry items configured as a belt ironer;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a portion of a base layer of a spiral wrapping of a chest ironer and/or an ironer belt of a belt ironer;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a base layer in a view similar to FIG. 3;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the base layer of FIG. 3 provided on one side with a felt layer: and

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the base layer of the ironer belt and/or the spiral wrapping of the ironer of FIG. 4 provided with a felt layer on both sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The device shown in FIG. 1 relates to a chest ironer 10. The chest ironer 10 has a cylindrical ironer roll 11 which is rotatably drivable about a preferably horizontal longitudinal center axis 12. This longitudinal center axis 12 in this case also forms the rotational axis of the ironer roll 10. The ironer roll 11 is provided with a spiral wrapping 13. The spiral wrapping 13 is arranged externally around a cylindrical outer surface 14 of the ironer roll 11 and namely such that the spiral wrapping 13 covers the cylindrical outer surface 14 without gaps and/or surrounds said cylindrical outer surface seamlessly. A supporting spring system wound in a spiral-shaped manner around the outer surface 14 may be arranged between the outer surface 14, the ironer roll 11 and the spiral wrapping 13.

[0031] A preferably flexibly configured ironer chest 15 is assigned to the ironer roll 11. The ironer chest 15 surrounds approximately the lower half of the ironer roll 11 so that the ironer chest 15 is configured to be semi-circular in cross section. The ironer chest 15 is heatable. To this end in the interior said ironer chest has flow channels for a heating medium, for example steam or thermal oil.

[0032] The ironer chest 15 is mounted on opposing longitudinal edges 16 and 17 on a fixed frame 18 of the chest ironer 10. A (right-hand) longitudinal edge 15, viewed in the rotational direction 19 of the ironer roll 11, is fixedly connected to the frame 18 at an inlet side 20 of the chest ironer 10. An outlet side 21 of the chest ironer 10 is located at the opposing (left-hand) longitudinal edge 17 of the ironer chest. The longitudinal edge 17 of the ironer chest 15 is movably mounted on the frame 18 on the outlet side 21 by means of a slightly obliquely positioned pendulum support 22.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the above-described chest ironer 10. The invention may alternatively be used for chest ironers 10 of different construction, for example those without a pendulum support 22 and also those which have a rigid ironer chest 15. Moreover, the invention is not only suitable for the chest ironer 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprising a single ironer roll 11 and a single ironer chest 15 assigned thereto. The invention is primarily also suitable for chest ironers 10 comprising a plurality of successive ironer rolls 11 of the same or different size and construction and an ironer chest 15 assigned to each ironer roll 11. In this case, the ironer chests 15 of successive ironer rolls 11 are connected by a bridge. This bridge serves for transferring the laundry items to be ironed, not shown in the figures, from the ironer gap 23 between the outer face of the spiral wrapping 13 of the ironer roll 11 and a flat smoothing surface 24 of the fixed stationary ironer chest 15 oriented toward the ironer roll 11.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a device which is configured as a belt ironer 25. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the belt ironer 25 has a fixed, stationary and cylindrical ironer body 26. Moreover, the belt ironer 25 has an ironer belt 28 substantially surrounding a cylindrical outer surface 27 of the ironer body 26. The endless ironer belt 28 is continuously drivable, circulating in the manner of a conveyor belt, wherein said ironer belt substantially slides along the outer surface 27 of the stationary ironer body 26.

[0035] The ironer body 26 of the belt ironer 25 is heatable. This heating is preferably carried out from the interior of the ironer body 26. The heating of the ironer body 26 in this case may be carried out using any heat transfer medium.

[0036] The ironer belt 28 is guided at an inlet side 29 over the ironer body 26 onto said ironer body and diverted from the ironer body 26 in the region of an outlet side 30 in the vicinity of the inlet side 29. At the same time, the ironer belt 28 is driven in the transport direction and/or circumferential direction 34.

[0037] The ironer belt 28 is guided in each case on the inlet side 29 and the outlet side 30 by deflection drums 31 and 32, which in each case run parallel to one another and to the longitudinal center axis 12 of the ironer body 26. The ironer belt 28 runs substantially along the circumference of the ironer body 26 from the deflection drum 31 on the inlet side 29 as far as the deflection drum 32 on the outlet side 30. The ironer belt 28 is guided back as a return strand from the deflection drum 32 on the outlet side 30 to the deflection drum 31 on the inlet side 29. At the same time, the return strand of the ironer belt 28 which is spaced apart from the ironer body 26 is guided outwardly around said ironer body, around correspondingly arranged deflection drums 33. At least one of the deflection drums 31, 32 and/or 33 is rotatably drivable for driving the ironer belt 28 in the circumferential direction 34.

[0038] An ironer gap, not shown in FIG. 2, for passing the laundry items through the belt ironer 25 is formed between the ironer body 26 and the part of the ironer belt 28 wound around said ironer body from the inlet side 29 to the outlet side 30. In this case, the circumferential region of the outer surface 27 of the stationary ironer body 26, the ironer belt 28 being wound around said outer surface, forms a static smoothing surface 35. On this smoothing surface 35 on the outer circumference of the stationary ironer body 26, the laundry items shown in FIG. 2 are slidably moved by the ironer belt 28 running past the ironer body 26 in the circumferential direction 34 on the outside of the outer surface 27 of the ironer body 26, and namely in a slidable manner.

[0039] The above-described belt ironer 25 has a single stationary ironer body 26. Belt ironers 25 which have a plurality of successive ironer bodies 26 which are the same or different are also conceivable. The laundry items are then moved by the individual ironer belt 28 or even the separate ironer belts 28 in succession along such a belt ironer 25 comprising a plurality of ironer bodies 26.

[0040] The invention is also not limited to belt ironers 25 which are configured in the manner described above and shown in FIG. 2. The invention is also suitable for belt ironers 25 of any other configuration, in particular those in which the or each cylindrical ironer body 26 is driven together with the ironer belt 28, wherein the drive speed is selected, however, such that slip is produced between the ironer belt 28 and the smoothing surface 35 of the ironer body 26. It is also conceivable that in the case of belt ironers 25 comprising stationary ironer bodies 26, the ironer body 26 is not of cylindrical configuration but has a different cross section, for example an elliptical or oval cross section.

[0041] FIGS. 3 to 6 show different exemplary embodiments of the design of the ironer belt 28 of the belt ironer 25 and the spiral wrapping 13 of the ironer roll 11. Hereinafter, the embodiment is described by means of the example of the ironer belt 28:

[0042] The ironer belt 28 has a base layer and a non-woven fabric layer at least on one side thereof. The base layer and the non-woven fabric layer are connected together. This connection may be carried out by needling, tufting, linking, stitching or the like.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a short portion of a first exemplary embodiment of a base layer 36. This base layer 36 is formed from a plurality of individual, separate links 37 which are interlinked in order to form the base layer 36. By means of this interlinking of the individual links 37 the base layer 36 is also made endless. All of the links 37 are configured to be the same in the base layer 36, namely approximately oval and of the same dimensions.

[0044] A plurality of links 37 is arranged with parallel spacing transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28 in a row running transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28. A plurality of such interlinked rows follow one another in the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28. The spacings between adjacent links 37 of the same row are approximately of the same size as that of the width of the links. The links 37 of adjacent rows are in each case arranged offset to one another (staggered) by the width of a link. As a result, the links 37 of adjacent rows interlock in a comb-like manner with their end regions facing one another. The end regions of adjacent links 37 which interlock with one another, in particular adjacent rows of adjoining links 37, thus form in each case an axis of articulation 38.

[0045] The links 37 are formed in each case from a circumferential endless strand 47. The strand 47 of each link 37 has an approximately oval path. The strands 47 of each base layer 36 have spaced-apart portions 48 running parallel to one another. When the base layer 36 is oriented in a linear manner the portions 48 run in a rectilinear manner. When the base layer 36 is curved the portions 48 of the strands 47 have a correspondingly curved path.

[0046] In the case of the base layer 36 the links 37 of adjacent rows are connected in the region of each axis of articulation 38 by a bar-like and/or rod-like connector 39. In the exemplary embodiment shown this connector has a cylindrical cross section but may also have an unround, for example lenticular, cross section. As a result of the axis of articulation 38 running transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28, the connectors 39 also extend transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28. As a result, the base layer 36 for any given connector 39 has rotary joint-type connections for the links 37 and consequently very high and almost unlimited flexibility. In this manner, the base layer 36 of the ironer belt 28 does not become jammed when deflected on the deflection drums 31, 32 and 33 even if these deflection drums have only a very small diameter. The joint pins 39 for connecting the individual rows of links 37 of the base layer 36 thus result in an unlimited flexibility of the ironer belt 28 in the circumferential direction 34.

[0047] If it is desired, the rod-like connectors 39 may be formed from a material which provides the connector 39 with a high degree of stability. Then the base layer 36 has only a small degree of flexibility transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28. Should such a flexibility transversely to the circumferential direction 34 not be required and/or not desired, the connectors 39 may be formed from easily bendable rods or even small tubes.

[0048] The base layer 36 shown partially in FIG. 3 has a specific thickness and/or strength depending on the height of the links 37 and the diameter of the connectors 39. As a result, the base layer 36 has a three-dimensional structure. This structure provides the base layer 36 with the desired dimensional stability, notwithstanding its flexibility provided at least in the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28. This dimensional stability is characterized in that whilst the base layer 36 is or remains flexible, its shape is permanently maintained by the many individual links 37 connected together.

[0049] Between the portions 48 of the strands 47 of the links 37 and between the bar-like and/or rod-like connectors 39 the base layer 36 has a three-dimensional free space, internal space and/or intermediate space which in contrast to the base layer 36 shown in FIG. 3 may be entirely or partially filled up by one or more filling bodies. The filling bodies may be configured to be rigid or flexible and/or resilient. The filling bodies may also optionally be perforated and/or porous so that they are at least air-permeable.

[0050] The filling bodies ensure that the spaced-apart portions 48 of the strand 47 of each link 37 maintain their spacing. As a result, the base layer 36 is more air-permeable, in particular if the filling bodies are also porous or perforated. It is conceivable that the filling bodies are formed from an electrically conductive material. Such filling bodies make the base layer 36 electrically conductive in order to avoid or remove an electromagnetic charge of the base layer 36 and/or the spiral wrapping 13 or the ironer belt 28.

[0051] The filling bodies may be secured against displacement and/or slipping in the free space between the portions 48 and the connectors 39, in particular by said filling bodies being connected entirely or partially to the portions 48 of the strands 47, for example by adhesive bonding.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a portion of a further exemplary embodiment of a base layer 40. This base layer 40 does not have separate links 37 but portions which are integrally suspended together and which are denoted as links 41 within the meaning of the invention and for clarification of the invention, although they are spatially and physically not separated from one another but suspended together.

[0053] In each case, the portions of the base layer 40 defined as links 41 extend between two elongated bars 42 which extend transversely to the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28, in a similar manner to the connectors 39 of the base layer 36, and which also act as joint pins. In other words, one respective link 41 of the base layer 40 is formed from a portion of the base layer 40 extending between two adjacent parallel bars 42.

[0054] The strands 43 extending continuously in the circumferential direction 34 of the ironer belt 28 and adjoining one another in the transverse direction of the ironer belt 28 are placed around the respective bar 42 in a Z-shaped manner, so that the respective strand 43 is guided around one side of a first bar 42 and a further side of the following bar 42. Adjacent strands 43 are alternately guided once upwardly and once downwardly around the respective bar 42. Thus, a strand guided upwardly and downwardly around the respective bar 42 always alternates in the transverse direction of the ironer belt 28. Adjacent strands running parallel to one another intersect at intersections between successive bars 42. As a result, the strands 43 together with the bars 42 form an interwoven structure of the base layer 40.

[0055] The ironer belt 28 with the base layer 40 of FIG. 4 is made endless by a connection of the ends of each strand 43, wherein preferably the connecting points are offset so that the base layer 40 is made endless, effectively without transitions.

[0056] The base layers 36 and 40 may be configured, in principle, in the same manner for the spiral wrapping 13 of the chest ironer 10 and the ironer belt 28.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiments shown of the base layer 36 and the base layer 40, the connectors 39 and the bars 42 are provided with the same diameters and also the spacings of the connectors 39 and/or bars 42 are of equal size. It is conceivable, however, that the diameters of the bars 42 and the spacings thereof in the base layer 40 are different from the spacings of the connectors 39 and the diameters thereof of the base layer 36. For example, the spacings of the bars 42 in the base layer 40 may be smaller than in the base layer 36.

[0058] Both the base layer 36 and the base layer 40 are preferably formed from plastics material, in particular a thermoplastic material. It is also conceivable to form the base layers 36 and/or 40 entirely or partially from a different material, for example stainless steel, in particular steel wire.

[0059] FIGS. 5 and 6 show in each case a complete portion of the ironer belt 28, and namely FIG. 5 with the base layer 36 and FIG. 6 with the base layer 40.

[0060] In FIG. 5 only one side of the base layer 36 is connected to a single non-woven fabric layer 44. The thickness of the part of the non-woven fabric layer 44 protruding on one side relative to the base layer 36 is slightly larger than the thickness of the base layer 36. It is also conceivable that the part of the non-woven fabric layer 44 protruding relative to the base layer 36 on one side is as thick as the base layer 36 or even slightly thinner.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a part of the non-woven fabric layer 44 extends through the entire base layer 36 for the connection thereof to the base layer 36. Alternatively, it may also be provided that the non-woven fabric layer 44 is only connected to that side of the base layer 36 which is assigned the non-woven fabric layer 44. The non-woven fabric layer 44 is thus thinner and does not extend through the entire base layer 36 but preferably only through and/or around the upper portions of the links 37.

[0062] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 shows a portion of the complete ironer belt 28 which in each case has a non-woven fabric layer 45 on both sides of the base layer 40. The regions of the non-woven fabric layers 45 protruding relative to both sides of the base layer 40 are of equal size, in particular of equal thickness, in the exemplary embodiment shown. It is also conceivable that the non-woven fabric layer 45 on one side is thinner than the non-woven fabric layer 45 on the other side of the base layer 40.

[0063] The partial regions of the non-woven fabric layers 45 protruding over the base layer 40 have in the exemplary embodiment shown a thickness which approximately corresponds to the thickness of the base layer 40. However, different exemplary embodiments are also conceivable, wherein the thicknesses of the part of the non-woven fabric layers 45 protruding relative to the base layer 40 are smaller or larger than the thickness of the base layers.

[0064] The upper non-woven fabric layer 45 is connected to portions of the adjoining strands 43 located above a plane which runs through the longitudinal center axes of the strands 43. Accordingly, the lower non-woven fabric layer 45 is only connected to the portions of the successive strands 43 located below the cited plane through the bars 42. At the intersections 46 of the adjacent strands 43 the non-woven fabric layers 45 overlap so that here the non-woven fabric layers 45 are also still connected together. Alternatively, it is conceivable that both non-woven fabric layers 45 are connected to all of the strands 43, in particular adjacent strands 43. Then both of the non-woven fabric layers 45 extend through the entire base layer 40 and overlap one another in the entire region of the base layer 40. This leads to a particularly close connection of the non-woven fabric layers 45 to the base layer 40 and the non-woven fabric layer 45 relative to one another.

[0065] It is also conceivable to provide the base layer 36 on both sides with a non-woven fabric layer 45, wherein the connection of the non-woven fabric layers 45 to the base layer 36 may be carried out in a similar manner to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5. Conversely, it is conceivable to provide the base layer 40 with a single one-sided non-woven fabric layer 44 and namely according to the manner shown in FIG. 5.

[0066] The connection of the non-woven fabric layers 40 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 and the connections of the non-woven fabric layers 45 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 to the base layer 40 is carried out by needling, tufting, linking, stitching, or the like.

[0067] The non-woven fabric layers 44 and 45 are preferably formed from a non-woven felt fabric, in particular a needled non-woven fabric.

[0068] The spiral wrapping 13 of the chest ironer 10 may also be configured according to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6. In the case of a supporting spring system of the chest ironer 10 it may be advantageous to provide only one side of the base layer 36 and/or 40 with a non-woven fabric layer 44.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0069] 10 Chest ironer [0070] 11 Ironer roll [0071] 12 Longitudinal center axis (rotational axis) [0072] 13 Spiral wrapping [0073] 14 Outer surface [0074] 15 Ironer chest [0075] 16 Longitudinal edge (right-hand) [0076] 17 Longitudinal edge (left-hand) [0077] 18 Frame [0078] 19 Rotational direction [0079] 20 Inlet side [0080] 21 Outlet side [0081] 22 Pendulum support [0082] 23 Ironer gap [0083] 24 Smoothing surface [0084] 25 Belt ironer [0085] 26 Ironer body [0086] 27 Outer surface [0087] 28 Ironer belt [0088] 29 Inlet side [0089] 30 Outlet side [0090] 31 Deflection drum [0091] 32 Deflection drum [0092] 33 Deflection drum [0093] 34 Circumferential direction [0094] 35 Smoothing surface [0095] 36 Base layer [0096] 37 Link [0097] 38 Axis of articulation [0098] 39 Connector [0099] 40 Base layer [0100] 41 Link [0101] 42 Bar [0102] 43 Strand [0103] 44 Non-woven layer [0104] 45 Non-woven layer [0105] 46 Intersection [0106] 47 Strand [0107] 48 Portion