US-12618192-B2 - Garment ironing system

US12618192B2US 12618192 B2US12618192 B2US 12618192B2US-12618192-B2

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention a garment ironing system. Said system comprises a control unit ( 1 ) configured to operate in coordination: an operating unit ( 2 ), defining an operation space adapted to receive at least one garment and programmed to perform an ironing task; and a transport unit ( 3 ) designed to convey the garment from a position outside the operation space to the interior of the operation space, where the ironing task will be performed.

Inventors

Diogo André AMÂNCIO LOURO

Assignees

Diogo André AMÂNCIO LOURO

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220803
Priority Date: 20210804

Claims (17)

1 . A garment ironing system, comprising: a control unit configured to operate an operating unit, a transport unit and a positioning unit; the operating unit, defining an operation space adapted to receive, at least, one garment and comprising: at least one inflation module comprising an inflatable body; the garment and the inflatable body therein defining an ironing element; means of operation configured for, in an operational position within the operation space, actuating the garment so as to allow insertion of the inflatable body into an inner space of said garment; and at least one gas injector module configured to inject a gas suitable for ironing a surface of the ironing element; the transport unit comprising mechanical means configured to convey the garment from a position in a space outside the operation space to a position inside the operation space, and from a position inside the operation space to a position in the space outside the operation space; the positioning unit comprising mechanical means configured to vary the position of the garment within the operation space between the operational position and a rest position and vice versa; and wherein, the mechanical means of the transport unit comprise: at least one mechanical support and at least one gripping element installed on the mechanical support and adapted to grip the garment; the transport unit being configured to actuate the at least one mechanical support such that the at least one mechanical support transports the at least one gripping element: from a position outside the operation space to a rest position inside the operation space, and from the rest position inside the operation space to the position outside the operation space; wherein the mechanical means of the positioning unit comprise: actuation means and adhesion means; wherein the actuation means are configured to release and secure the garment on the at least one gripping element of the transport unit, and the adhesion means are adapted to vary the position of the garment in the operation space, between the operational position and the rest position, and vice versa; and wherein, the at least one mechanical support of the transport unit is comprised of two mechanical projections parallel to each other, each of said projections adapted for installing the at least one gripping element between said parallel projections; the at least one gripping element is a hanger.
2 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the hanger comprises at least a first longitudinal shaft, along which at least one spring is installed; and a second longitudinal shaft configured to cause displacement between a first spring leg and a second spring leg when a rotational movement is applied by the actuation means of the positioning unit; and wherein, the rotational movement in a first direction, applied by the actuation means to the second longitudinal shaft, causes the first spring leg and the second spring leg to move apart, promoting release of the garment; and rotational movement in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, applied by the actuation means to the second longitudinal shaft, causes the first spring leg and the second spring leg to draw together, such that the garment is held by the at least one spring.
3 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesion means are implemented by mechanical grippers and/or by at least one suction element.
4 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable body of the least one inflation module of the operating unit is made by means of a mixture of materials comprising silicone and/or rubber.
5 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein a shape of the inflatable body is adapted to fill an entirety of the inner space of the garment.
6 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the least one inflation module of the operating unit comprises an actuation mechanism adapted to adjust the inflatable body to the inner space of the garment; and wherein, said actuation mechanism is a pneumatic mechanism; said mechanism being implemented by pneumatic cylinders; or said actuation mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism; said mechanism being implemented by hydraulic cylinders; and wherein, the actuation mechanism comprises at least one electric motor and at least one ruler module being driven by at least one gear wheel; the at least one gear wheel being driven by at least one electric motor.
7 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the operating unit comprises two inflatable modules, wherein: a first inflatable module has a first inflatable body having a shape that is adapted to fill an entire inner space of a shirt-type garment; and a second inflation module has a second inflatable body having a shape that is adapted to fill an entire inner space of a trouser-type garment.
8 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the means of operation of the operating unit are implemented by mechanical grippers and/or by at least one suction element.
9 . The garment ironing system according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one suction element is a suction nozzle.
10 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas injector module comprises a hot gas generator; said generator being configured to generate hot gas on a temperature range from 50° C. to 300° C.; said hot gas being water vapour and/or hot air.
11 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas injector module additionally comprises a plurality of injector heads configured to inject gas along the surface of the ironing element.
12 . The garment ironing system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one gas injector module comprises: a mechanical structure, enclosing the entire operation space; a plurality of injector arms, on a surface of which a plurality of injector heads is installed; and a network of gas ducts configured to route gas from the hot gas generator to the plurality of injector arms; and wherein, the mechanical structure additionally comprises at least one rail installed on its surface; and wherein the at least one injector arm of the plurality of injector arms is coupled to the rail so as to move along the mechanical structure.
13 . The garment ironing system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas to be injected by the at least one gas injector module comprises at least one gaseous fragrance.
14 . A method of operation of the ironing system of claim 1 , comprising steps of: i. conveying, by the transport unit, of the garment from a position outside the operation space to a position inside the operation space; ii. actuation of the means of operation of the operating unit for, in an operational position, actuating the garment so as to allow the insertion of an inflatable body in its inner space; iii. insertion of the inflatable body of the operating unit's inflation module into the inner space of the garment, defining the ironing element iv. injection of gas adapted to ironing a surface of the ironing element, through the at least one gas injector module of the operating unit.
15 . The method of operation of the ironing system according to claim 14 , wherein the step of conveying the garment from a position outside the operation space to a position inside the operation space involves actuation of at least one gripping element installed on at least one mechanical support of the transport unit; and wherein, the method further comprising the step of positioning the garment in the operational position inside the operation space by the positioning unit; this step being performed prior to actuating the means of operation of the operating unit to actuate the garment.
16 . The method of operation of the ironing system according to claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning the garment in the operational position inside the operation space, involves driving the actuation means of the positioning unit to release the garment from the at least one gripping element of the transport unit.
17 . The method of operation of the ironing system according to claim 15 , further comprising the following steps: removing the inflatable body from the inner space of the garment; actuating the adhesion means of the positioning unit so as to position the garment in a rest position inside the operation space; driving the means of actuation of the positioning unit in order to secure the garment to the at least one gripping element; conveying of the garment from the rest position inside the operation space to a position outside the operation space, by the transport unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention falls within the field of ironing systems, in particular systems providing automated ironing of garments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatic ironing systems, which provide the task of ironing garments while minimizing human intervention, are already known to the state of the art. In general terms, the operation of these systems is based on the application of a hot gas to the garment, which will be responsible for the ironing task. However, the application of this concept can be carried out according to two different operating principles: one in which the hot gas is applied directly to the garment, as is the case with the state-of-the-art ironing machines developed by the companies Effie and Folidmate; or, alternatively, using an inflation mechanism to cause an expansion of the inner volume of the garment, making its outer surface smooth and in a condition suitable for the application of hot gas. Systems which follow this operating principle are described for example in patent applications U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,859, EP1448834 or CN203295866. However, regardless of the operating principle of the state-of-the-art systems, it has been observed that there are still significant limitations which impair the efficiency of the ironing task or require human intervention at an essential level to ensure the correct functioning of the system, in tasks such as, for example, preparing the garment before ironing. All this creates disadvantages for the users of this type of system who either have no guarantee that the ironing task will be properly carried out or, in order to achieve this, must interact with the system in tasks that in some cases can be difficult and time-consuming. The present solution addresses these disadvantages by providing a new, fully automated ironing system, aimed at guaranteeing the efficiency of the ironing task without the need for the user to act. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is therefore a system for ironing garments. This solution thus provides that at least one garment can be ironed, effectively and without the need for user intervention, through a combination of mechanisms that interact in a synchronized manner. Specifically, the proposed ironing system comprises (i) a control unit that is configured to operate, coordinately: (ii) an operating unit, defining an operation space adapted to receive at least one garment, and where the ironing task will be performed; and (iii) a transport unit configured to move the garment from a position outside the operation space to a position inside the operation space, and to move said garment within the operation space, once the ironing task is completed. In an alternative embodiment of the system of the invention, said system additionally comprises (iv) a positioning unit, which is configured to actuate the garment so as to ensure that the latter is in the appropriate position for the ironing task to be performed. Also, an object of the present invention is the method of operation of the ironing system. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1—block diagram illustration of the constituent units of a preferred embodiment of the system of the invention. The numerical reference signs represent: 1—control unit;2—operating unit;3—transport unit. FIG. 2—side view of an embodiment of the system of the invention, where a garment is illustrated in a rest position inside the operation space. The numerical reference signs represent: 2.1—operation space;2.2—means of operation;2.3—inflation module;2.4—gas injector module;3.1—mechanical support4.2—mechanical grippers;5—garment. FIG. 3—perspective view of an embodiment of the system of the invention, illustrating the garment in a position outside the operation space. The numerical reference signs represent: 2.1—operation space;2.2—means of operation;2.3—inflation module;2.4—gas injector module;3.1—mechanical support;3.2—hanger-type gripping element;4.2—mechanical grippers;5—garment. FIG. 4—illustration of an embodiment of the system of the invention, where the gripping element of the transport unit is a hanger. The numerical reference signs represent: 3.2—hanger;3.2.1—drive shaft;3.2.2—spring. FIG. 5—illustration of an embodiment of the system of the invention, depicting the garment in an operational position, inside the operation space. The numerical reference signs represent: 2.1—operation space;4.1—means of actuation;4.2—mechanical grippers;5—garment. FIG. 6—illustration of an embodiment of the system of the invention, depicting the actuation mechanism of the inflation module of the operating unit. The numerical reference signs represent: 2.3—inflation module;2.3.1—actuation mechanism;6—ironing element. FIG. 7—illustration of an embodiment of the system of the invention, depicting the gas injector module, in particular the injector arms mechanism, used to inject gas adapted to ironing a surface of the ironing element. The numerical reference signs