Patent Application
20230167600
This application is related to and claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102021000030227, filed on Nov. 30, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a roller ironing press.
Nowadays different types of ironing presses are known and widespread on the market.
Among these are “roller ironing presses” which are normally used for the industrial ironing of linen of large dimensions.
Such apparatuses comprise, between two shoulders of the structure, a motorized roller which usually has a soft surface for contact with the linen, over which the laundry is moved. On the roller a heated presser means is pushed, at least partially shaped complementarily thereto, called an “ironing basin”.
During operation the linen advances between the roller and the basin and, as the linen advances, the presser means is pressed against the roller in order to iron the linen that is placed between them.
In order to enable movement of the presser toward and away from the roller, means for moving the latter are used.
For example the roller ironing press is known, described in Italian patent no. 1268689 by this same applicant.
In such ironing press, the roller is motorized by way of a transmission chain and a gear motor, and the presser means can translate along a radial direction with respect to the former, by virtue of end tabs that can slide in guides defined by slotted holes present on each shoulder of the structure.
The guides are inclined with respect to the vertical, above the roller, and a downward-extending parallelepiped block is bolted onto each end tab of the presser means, a rod being articulated by way of a pivot to such block, such rod being internally provided with rack that meshes with a freewheel keyed on the axis of the roller.
The end of a gas-filled cylinder, coupled to a respective shoulder, is articulated on the rod, at the end opposite to the freewheel, said gas-filled cylinder is adapted to push the rod downward and therefore push the presser means against the roller.
The stroke of the rod to move the presser means away from the roller is, on the other hand, determined by the action of a microswitch positioned on one of the guide elements.
Such apparatus has met with enormous success from the commercial point of view, but naturally with the passage of time, improvements will be sought.
These improvements are aimed at improving aspects of this known art, and of other, similar conventional apparatuses, which display room for improvement.
In particular, an aspect that shows room for improvement is the presence of components for moving the presser means, which are subject to wear over time.
In fact elements such as rods, wheels, racks and gas-filled cylinders are subject to wear deriving from the friction that is normally generated between the various parts that interact during the normal use of the ironing press.
Furthermore, similar apparatuses are complicated in construction and are not straightforward to produce owing to the complexity of the individual elements to be assembled together and of the positioning that these must have with respect to each other.
Also, the presence of elements such as rods, wheels, racks and cylinders results in considerable manufacturing costs.
The aim of the present disclosure is to provide an ironing press that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.
Within this aim, an object of the disclosure is to provide a roller ironing press that has fewer components with respect to similar conventional apparatuses and/or the components of which are less prone to wear with respect to similar conventional apparatuses.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a roller ironing press that is simpler in construction and more straightforward to manufacture with respect to similar conventional apparatuses.
Furthermore, the present disclosure sets out to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.
Another object of the disclosure is to provide a roller ironing press that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.
This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a roller ironing press comprising, between two supporting shoulders, respectively a first shoulder and a second shoulder:
said ironing press being characterized in that said means for moving said one or more presser means toward said roller comprise at least one cable which extends between a plurality of pulleys, said cable being moved by drive means which are kinematically connected to at least one of its ends.
Further characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a roller ironing press according to the disclosure, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
With reference to the figures, an ironing press according to the disclosure, in a first embodiment, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
The ironing press 10 comprises, between two supporting shoulders 11a, 11b, respectively a first shoulder 11a and a second shoulder 11b:
In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, there are more than one presser means.
Each shoulder 11a, 11b has a box-like body for containing other components of the ironing press 10, described below.
In
In particular, the roller 12 is moved by way of a transmission unit actuated by an electric motor 15, which is arranged adjacent to the first shoulder 11a and is fixed to a crossmember (not shown in the figures).
The electric motor 15 is kinematically connected to a gear reduction unit 50, on the output shaft of which a first pinion 16 is keyed, which in turn is kinematically connected, by way of a first chain 18, to a second pinion 17, coaxial to the roller 12 and fixed to one end thereof.
One of the peculiarities of the ironing press 10 consists in that the means 14 for moving the presser means 13 toward the roller 12 comprise a cable 19 which extends between a plurality of pulleys.
In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the means 14 for moving the presser means toward the roller comprise a plurality of cables which extend between a plurality of pulleys.
In particular, the presser means 13 can translate along a radial direction with respect to the roller 12, insofar as it has, at its longitudinal ends, prism-like tabs 20a, 20b, which can slide in guides 21a, 21b, defined by slotted holes which are present inside a respective support shoulder 11a, 11b.
A first pulley 22a, 22b is keyed on the prism-like tabs 20a, 20b and the cable 19 is able to slide around it, respectively a first first pulley 22a and a second first pulley 22b.
Such first pulley 22a, 22b has a rotation axis parallel to and/or coincident with the axis of longitudinal extension of the presser means 13 and is arranged at the end of the corresponding prism-like tab 20a, 20b that is opposite with respect to the presser means 13, and is directed toward the outside of the ironing press 10.
The cable 19 is moved by drive means 23 which are kinematically connected to one of its ends.
In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the drive means are connected to both ends of the cable.
Such drive means 23 comprise, for example, a gear motor 24, which is fixed to the first shoulder 11a, on the output shaft of which a third pinion 25 is keyed, the latter being kinematically connected by way of a second chain 26 to a fourth pinion 27, which is coaxial to the first pinion 16 and keyed on the same shaft as the latter, but is idle with respect to it.
The fourth pinion 27 has a first pivot 28, with an axis of extension parallel to the rotation axis of the fourth pinion 27, to which the cable 19 is fixed by way of a first thimble 29, at a first end thereof, which stops the cable 19 from twisting during the steps of winding and unwinding thereof.
The first pivot 28 is, therefore, eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the fourth pinion 27.
On the same side on which the first pivot 28 extends, the fourth pinion 27 has a second pulley 30 for winding the cable 29, coaxial thereto and integral therewith, being provided in a single piece thereon.
The second pulley 30 is, effectively, a cable-winding drum.
The fourth pinion 27 is arranged below the second pinion 17.
In the present description the terms “below”, “above”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, “under”, etc. refer to the configuration for use of the ironing press.
The ironing press 10 comprises a plurality of guide pulleys of the cable 19.
In fact, starting from the second pulley 30, the cable 19 interacts along its path, in the following order, with:
The cable 19 is, therefore, fixed at a second end thereof to the second shoulder 11b, to a second pivot 38 fixed to the second shoulder 11b by way of a second thimble 39.
Alternatively, the cable is fixed at a second end thereof to the second shoulder 11b by way of a different fixing element such as, for example, a clamp or a cast head, or the like.
It should be noted that the cable 19, in another embodiment not shown in the figures, is moved by the same electric motor that moves the roller, by way of an adapted coupling.
It should also be noted that such a configuration of pulleys and the use of the cable 19 makes it possible to provide a considerably compact apparatus.
The ironing press 10 comprises return means 40 affecting the presser means 13, for example elastic return means, constituted by a helical spring 41, with an axis of extension parallel to the axis of extension of the guide 21a, 21b, and fixed:
In other variations of embodiment, not shown in the figures, the return means comprise, for example, gas cylinder actuators, or weights, or the like.
The figures show, for the sake of simplicity, only the spring 41 applied to the first shoulder 11a.
In particular, the springs 41 have:
Such spring 41 is adapted to return the presser means 13 to the initial position once the tension on the cable 19 is removed, so moving the presser means 13 away from the roller 12, and returning to its inactive configuration.
Movement of the presser element 13 of the ironing press 10 occurs in the following manner.
When it is necessary to move the presser means 13 toward the roller 12 the gear motor 24 rotates the third pinion 25, which entrains the second chain 26, in turn rotating the fourth pinion 27.
By virtue of the rotation of the fourth pinion 27, the cable 19 fixed thereto, through the first pivot 28, is wound around the second pulley 30, thus placing a tension on the cable 19 itself.
Simultaneously, by virtue of the configuration of the other pulleys, as the cable 19 is wound on the second pulley 30, the presser means 13 moves toward the roller 12, performing a translational motion with its tabs 20a, 20b, along the guides 21a, 21b, substantially until it comes into contact with the roller 12 along its entire longitudinal direction.
Upon reaching the working position, the presser means 13 presses against the roller 12, but because it cannot go further, the tension on the cable 19 increases until it exceeds the twisting moment imposed by the gear motor 24 and the latter stops, while maintaining the tension on the cable 19.
The tension on the cable 19 can be adjusted by conveniently varying the operating parameters of the gear motor 24, according to the requirements/types of fabrics to be ironed.
If the mains power supply cuts out, by virtue of the elastic return of the return means 40 and of the reversibility of the gear motor 24, the presser means 13 returns to the initial position, moving away from the roller 12.
To move the presser means 13 away from the roller 12, it is sufficient to remove the tension on the cable 19, by interrupting the action of the gear motor 24.
By virtue of the elastic return action of the springs 41, the presser means 13 is returned to the initial, inactive position. The losses owing to inherent friction of the gear motor 24 enable a gradual return of the presser means 13, thus preventing sudden movements and the derailment of the cable 19.
In particular, the springs 41, when they are in the inactive position, still conserve a residual tension, which is capable of maintaining a minimal tension in the cable 19 which is adapted to make it stay in the configuration along its entire path.
This prevents derailments or movements when inactive and during transport of the apparatus.
It should be noted that the first pivot 28, which is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the fourth pinion 27 and of the second pulley 30 (cable-winding drum), makes it possible to obtain the following advantages, in addition to maintaining the direction of pull of the cable 19:
The ironing press 110 comprises, between two supporting shoulders 111a, 111b, respectively a first shoulder 111a and a second shoulder 111b:
In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, there are more than one presser means.
The ironing press 110 is similar to the ironing press illustrated above, and also in such embodiment the means for moving the presser means 113 toward the roller 112 comprise at least one cable, not shown in the figures, which extends between a plurality of pulleys.
In particular, the roller 112 is moved by way of an electric motor, not shown in the figures, which is arranged adjacent to the second shoulder 111b, on the output shaft of which a first pinion 116 is keyed, which is kinematically connected, by way of a first chain, not shown in the figures, to a second pinion 117, coaxial to the roller 112 and fixed at one end of the latter.
The presser means 113 can translate along a radial direction with respect to the roller 112, by virtue of the action of a group of lever systems 120, described below, which has at its ends, two opposite and parallel first pulleys 122a, 122b, respectively a first first pulley 122a and a second first pulley 122b.
Such first pulley 122a, 122b has a rotation axis parallel to and/or coincident with the axis of longitudinal extension of the presser means 113.
The group of lever systems has two or more arms 121a, 121b, which are substantially S-shaped, each one of which is fixed:
In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the group of lever systems has a single aim.
The first pulleys 122a, 122b are arranged below the presser means 113 and each one of the arms 121a, 121b, is pivoted by way of a hinge 150, in a substantially central position, to a corresponding bracket, respectively a first bracket 140a and a second bracket 140b, which extends below a beam 141 between the shoulders 111a, 111b of the ironing press 110.
The beam 141 is also arranged below the presser means 113.
A first crossmember 152 extends between the first bracket 140a and the second bracket 140b and is perpendicular to both.
The cable is moved by drive means, not shown in the figures, which are kinematically connected to one of its ends.
Such drive means are fixed to the first shoulder 111a and comprise, for example, a gear motor 124, which is fixed to the first shoulder 111a, on the output shaft of which a third pinion 125 is keyed, the latter being kinematically connected, by way of a second chain, not shown in the figures, to a fourth pinion 127.
Such fourth pinion 127 can be coaxial to the axis of the roller 112 and keyed on the same shaft as the latter, but idle with respect to it.
The fourth pinion 127 has a first pivot, not shown in the figures, with an axis of extension parallel to the rotation axis of the fourth pinion 127, to which the cable is fixed by way of a first thimble, not shown in the figures, at a first end thereof, which stops that cable from twisting during the steps of winding and unwinding thereof.
Such first pivot is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the fourth pinion 127.
On the same side on which the first pivot extends, the fourth pinion 127 has a second pulley 130 for winding the cable, coaxial thereto and integral therewith, being provided in a single piece thereon.
Such second pulley 130 is, effectively, a cable-winding drum.
The ironing press 110 comprises a plurality of guide pulleys of the cable.
In fact, starting from the second pulley 130, the cable interacts along its path, in the following order, with:
The cable is, therefore, fixed at a second end thereof to the first crossmember 152, exiting from the second first pulley 122b.
The ironing press 110 comprises return means 160 affecting the presser means 113, which are constituted by a plurality of helical springs 161, each one with an axis of extension lying on a plane parallel to the plane of arrangement of the first pulley 122a, 122b.
In particular, the springs 161, when they are in the inactive position, still conserve a residual tension, which is capable of maintaining a minimal tension in the cable which is adapted to make it stay in the configuration along its entire path.
This prevents derailments or movements when inactive and during transport of the apparatus 110.
It should be noted that the first pivot, which is eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the fourth pinion 127 and of the second pulley 130 (cable-winding drum), makes it possible to obtain the following advantages, in addition to maintaining the direction of pull of the cable:
Each one of the springs 161 is fixed:
In particular the second crossmember 153:
The springs 161 have:
Such springs 161 are adapted to return the presser means 113 to the initial position once the tension on the cable is removed, so moving the presser means 113 away from the roller 112, and returning to its inactive configuration.
Movement of the presser means 113 of the ironing press 110 occurs in the following manner.
When it is necessary to move the presser means 113 toward the roller 112 the gear motor 124 rotates the third pinion 125, which entrains the second chain, in turn rotating the fourth pinion 127.
By virtue of the rotation of the fourth pinion 127, the cable fixed thereto, through the first pivot, is wound around the second pulley 130, thus placing a tension on the cable itself.
Simultaneously, by virtue of the configuration of the other pulleys, as the cable is wound on the second pulley 130, the first pulleys 122a, 122b perform a translational motion along a circular arc with its center corresponding to the hinge 150 and, simultaneously, the arms 121a, 121b rotate about the hinge 150, moving the presser means 113 toward the roller 112.
To move the presser means 113 away from the roller 112, it is sufficient to remove the tension on the cable, by interrupting the action of the gear motor 124.
By virtue of the elastic return action of the springs 161, the presser means 113 is returned to the initial, inactive position.
In an additional embodiment, not shown in the figures, the ironing press has a system of moving the presser means that is effectively a combination of the two systems described above, in which the cable, during winding, moves:
In all its embodiments, the ironing press according to the disclosure comprises a finger-guard rod, not shown in the figures, which is placed transversely between the presser means and the roller, the actuation of which, in the event of malfunction or problems, makes it possible to cut the power to the gear motor and therefore the tension on the cable, so moving the presser means away from the roller.
It should be noted that the use of a cable between a plurality of guide pulleys makes it possible to render the mechanism for moving the pressing element toward the roller independent of the length of the ironing press, in that it is sufficient to modify the length of the cable, according to the length of the latter.
It should also be noted that operation of the ironing press according to the disclosure is silent.
Also, for its operation the ironing press according to the disclosure uses standardized components, irrespective of the dimensions of the apparatus and this enables economical construction and maintenance.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of a thimble to fix the cable to the pivot, integral with the third pinion, makes it possible to precisely maintain the direction of the cable toward the second pulley, integral with the third pinion, independently of the angle/rotation of that pinion.
It should be noted that, depending on the dimensions of the second pulley and of the arrangement of its plane with respect to the anchoring plane of the cable to the third pinion, it is possible to provide winding elements for cables of considerable length.
It should be noted that with an apparatus according to the disclosure in the second embodiment thereof, it is possible to increase the thrust of the presser means on the roller, simply by increasing the number of the arms in the group of lever systems and consequent/corresponding passages of the cable, while at the same time maintaining a restrained tension on the cable with the apparatus in operation.
In practice it has been found that the disclosure fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a roller ironing press that has fewer components with respect to similar conventional apparatuses and/or the components of which are less prone to wear with respect to similar conventional apparatuses.
With the disclosure a roller ironing press has been devised that is simpler in construction and more straightforward to manufacture with respect to similar conventional apparatuses.
The disclosure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102021000030227 | Nov 2021 | IT | national |
