TEMPLATE FOR IRONING

Abstract

A template for ironing includes a heat-resistant sheet member having first through fourth peripheral edges. The first edge is straight, having a first end and a second end. The second edge, extending from the first end of the first edge, is straight and longer than the first edge. The third edge is straight, extending from the second end of the first edge. The fourth edge is curved and connected to the third edge via a step portion protruding outward. At least one of the first and second surfaces of the sheet member is provided with a plurality of first scale marks and second scale marks. The first scale marks are parallel to the second peripheral edge, and the second scale marks are curved and spaced apart from the fourth edge by predetermined distances.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a template that is used in performing ironing in order to, for example, fold over an edge of a piece of cloth in sewing, handicrafts, and the like.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, in the fields of sewing, handicrafts, and the like, an iron is used to, for example, fold an edge for a seam allowance of cut pieces or make a pleat and the like, and when, for example, folding a hem of a product such as a skirt. A template for use in performing an ironing operation of this type is known (see Japanese Design Registration No. 1221724, for example). The template for ironing disclosed in Japanese Design Registration No. 1221724 is composed of a sheet member made of a heat-resistant material, and has a shape that is generally formed by combining a square and a rectangle together. Therefore, an outer peripheral edge of the sheet member has a plurality of straight line-shaped peripheral edge portions with any two adjacent peripheral edge portions thereof making right angles with one another. Moreover, straight line-shaped scale marks are provided on one surface of the sheet member at predetermined intervals from each of the straight line-shaped peripheral edge portions.

When such a template for ironing is used, first, the template is laid on top of a piece of cloth and disposed near that portion of an edge of the cloth that is to be folded over. Next, the cloth is folded over such that the edge of the cloth is aligned with a scale mark while the fold is applied to a straight line-shaped peripheral edge portion of the template (sheet member), and the cloth is ironed over the fold. Thus, with respect to a straight line-shaped edge of a piece of cloth, a folded-over portion having a substantially uniform width can be formed.

However, with the above-described template for ironing, when, for example, folding over a curve-shaped end edge such as a hem of a skirt, it is difficult to fold over the edge with a uniform width, and the folding line tends to have the shape of a straight line instead of having the shape of a curve. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the above-described conventional template for ironing in terms of the ease of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was conceived in light of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a template for ironing with improved ease of use as compared with the above-described conventional template for ironing.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a template for ironing, where the template is provided by a sheet member made of a heat-resistant material and including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The sheet member may include a first, a second, a third and a fourth peripheral edges. The first peripheral edge is straight and has a first end and a second end. The second peripheral edge extends from the first end of the first peripheral edge, and is straight and longer than the first peripheral edge. The third peripheral edge is straight and extends from the second end of the first peripheral edge. The fourth peripheral edge is curved and connected to the third peripheral edge via a step portion protruding outward beyond the third peripheral edge as viewed in a thickness direction of the sheet member. At least one of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet member is provided with a plurality of first scale marks and a plurality of second scale marks. The plurality of first scale marks are parallel to the second peripheral edge, and the plurality of second scale marks are curved and spaced apart from the fourth peripheral edge by predetermined distances.

Preferably, the third peripheral edge may be longer than the first peripheral edge and shorter than the second peripheral edge.

Preferably, the second peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge may be parallel to each other.

Preferably, the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge may be perpendicular to each other, and the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge may be perpendicular to each other. Further, at least one of the first surface and the second surface may be provided with a plurality of third scale marks that are parallel to the first peripheral edge.

Preferably, the first peripheral edge may have a length that is equal to or less than ⅓ of a length of the second peripheral edge.

Preferably, the sheet member may have a fifth peripheral edge that is straight and connects the second peripheral edge and the fourth peripheral edge to each other. Further, the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge may be perpendicular to each other, the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge may be perpendicular to each other, and the first peripheral edge and the fifth peripheral edge may be parallel to each other.

Preferably, the fifth peripheral edge may be shorter than the first peripheral edge.

Preferably, the fourth peripheral edge is convex outward.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a template for ironing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the template for ironing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a manner in which the template for ironing shown in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the manner in which the template for ironing shown in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the manner in which the template for ironing shown in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of the template for ironing according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing still another example of the template for ironing according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a template for ironing according to the present invention. A template for ironing A1 of the present embodiment includes an elongated sheet member 1 and is used when ironing is performed to, for example, fold over an edge of a piece of cloth.

The sheet member 1 is made of a heat-resistant material obtained by, for example, compression molding heat-resistant fibers such as nylon so as to felt the fibers, and has a substantially uniform thickness. The thickness of the sheet member 1 may be, for example, about 0.8 to 1.2 mm. An outer peripheral edge 10 of the sheet member 1 has peripheral edge portions 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The peripheral edge portions 11, 12, 13, and 15 individually have the shape of a straight line. The peripheral edge portions 11 and 15 extend in a transverse direction “y” and are parallel to each other. The peripheral edge portions 12 and 13 extend in a longitudinal direction “x” and are parallel to each other.

More specifically, the peripheral edge portion 12 extends from one end portion of the peripheral edge portion 11 at a predetermined angle to the peripheral edge portion 11, and the peripheral edge portion 13 extends from the other end portion of the peripheral edge portion 11 at a predetermined angle to the peripheral edge portion 11. In the present embodiment, the angle between the peripheral edge portions 11 and 12 and the angle between the peripheral edge portions 11 and 13 are right angles.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the peripheral edge portion 14 is located on a side (left side in FIG. 1) that is opposite to the peripheral edge portion 11, which is located on the right side in FIG. 1, with respect to the peripheral edge portion 13. A step portion 16 is present between the peripheral edge portion 13 and the peripheral edge portion 14. This step portion 16 protrudes outward (to the side indicated by arrow N1 in FIG. 1) beyond the peripheral edge portion 13 when viewed in a thickness direction of the sheet member 1. The peripheral edge portion 14 has the shape of a curve that is curved or convex outward (to the side indicated by arrow N1), and may be, for example, a circular arc having a certain radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the peripheral edge portion 14 may be, for example, about 30 to 90 cm and preferably 50 to 60 cm.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the peripheral edge portion 15 connects an end portion of the peripheral edge portion 12 that is on a side opposite to the peripheral edge portion 11 and an end portion of the peripheral edge portion 14 that is on a side (left side in FIG. 1) opposite to the peripheral edge portion 13 to each other.

A plurality of scale marks are provided on at least one surface 1a of the sheet member 1. The plurality of scale marks include scale marks 11a, 11b, and 11c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 11, scale marks 12a, 12b, and 12c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 12, and scale marks 14a, 14b, and 14c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 14.

The scale marks 11a, 11b, and 11c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 11 are provided parallel to the peripheral edge portion 11 at predetermined intervals. A plurality of the scale marks 11a are provided at intervals of 1 cm from the peripheral edge portion 11, and are shown by thick lines. The scale marks 11b are the lines that bisect respective spaces between adjacent two scale marks 11a and between the peripheral edge portion 11 and the scale mark 11a adjacent thereto. That is to say, a plurality of the scale marks 11b are provided, each being spaced apart from the corresponding scale marks 11a by 0.5 cm, and are shown by thin lines. The scale mark 11c is provided at a distance of 0.8 cm from the peripheral edge portion 11, and is shown by a dashed line.

The scale marks 12a, 12b, and 12c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 12 are provided parallel to the peripheral edge portion 12 at predetermined intervals. A plurality of the scale marks 12a are provided at intervals of 1 cm from the peripheral edge portion 12, and are shown by thick lines. The scale marks 12b are the lines that bisect respective spaces between adjacent two scale marks 12a and between the peripheral edge portion 12 and the scale mark 12a adjacent thereto. A plurality of the scale marks 12b are provided, each being spaced apart from the corresponding scale marks 12a by a distance of 0.5 cm, and are shown by thin lines. The scale mark 12c is provided at a distance of 0.8 cm from the peripheral edge portion 12, and is shown by a dashed line.

The scale marks 14a, 14b, and 14c that are set based on the peripheral edge portion 14 are individually spaced apart from the peripheral edge portion 14 by respective predetermined distances, and each have the shape of a curve. A plurality of the scale marks 14a are provided at intervals of 1 cm from the peripheral edge portion 14, and are shown by long-short dashed lines (thick lines). The scale marks 14b are the lines that bisect respective spaces between adjacent two scale marks 14a and between the peripheral edge portion 14 and the scale mark 14a adjacent thereto. A plurality of the scale marks 14b are provided, each being spaced apart from the corresponding scale marks 14a by a distance of 0.5 cm, and are shown by long-short dashed lines (thin lines). The scale mark 14c is provided at a distance of 0.8 cm from the peripheral edge portion 14, and is shown by a dashed line.

The relationship among the lengths of the respective peripheral edge portions 11 to 15 will be described. First, the peripheral edge portion 12 is the longest of all the peripheral edge portions 11 to 15. Although the details will be described later, this peripheral edge portion 12 is a portion to be used to fold over a relatively long range of a straight edge of a piece of cloth at once. The ratio of the length of the peripheral edge portion 11 to the length of the peripheral edge portion 12 may be, for example, ⅓ or less. The ratio of the length of the peripheral edge portion 11 to the length of the peripheral edge portion 12 may vary depending on the length of the peripheral edge portion 11. In the case where the length of the peripheral edge portion 11 is relatively short, the ratio of the length of the peripheral edge portion 11 to the length of the peripheral edge portion 12 may be set at about ⅕ or less. The peripheral edge portion 13 is longer than the peripheral edge portion 11 and shorter than the peripheral edge portion 12. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the peripheral edge portion 15 is shorter than the peripheral edge portion 11.

In one example, the peripheral edge portions 11 to 15 may have the following lengths: the peripheral edge portion 11, 5 cm; the peripheral edge portion 12, 25 cm; the peripheral edge portion 13, 17 cm; and the peripheral edge portion 15, about 4.5 cm.

Next, a manner in which the template for ironing A1 having the above-described configuration is used and the effects thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

When the template for ironing A1 is used to fold over an edge of a curve-shaped portion such as a hem of a skirt, as shown in FIG. 3, the template for ironing A1 is placed on a piece of cloth C such that the peripheral edge portion 14 is at a distance from an edge Ce of the cloth C. Next, as can be understood from FIG. 4, the cloth C is folded over with one hand such that the edge Ce is aligned with a scale mark 14b (14a, 14c) while the fold is applied to the peripheral edge portion 14. In this state, the cloth C is ironed over the fold with the other hand. Thus, with respect to the curve-shaped edge Ce of the cloth C, a folded-over portion T1 having a substantially uniform width can be formed. A folding line L1 of the thus formed folded-over portion T1 has the shape of a curve, and thus, even the curve-shaped edge Ce can be appropriately folded over. It should be noted that in the state shown in FIG. 4, when ironing is performed while shifting the template for ironing A1 leftward in FIG. 4, the curved folded-over portion T1 can be continuously formed. Moreover, although not shown, a corner portion formed by the peripheral edge portion 14 and the step portion 16 and a corner portion formed by the peripheral edge portion 14 and the peripheral edge portion 15 may also be rounded. If those corner portions are rounded, it can be expected that when the template for ironing is shifted on the cloth C, phenomena in which, for example, the template for ironing gets caught on the cloth C are suppressed.

The curve-shaped scale marks 14a, 14b are provided on the surface 1a of the template for ironing A1 (sheet member 1) at predetermined intervals from the peripheral edge portion 14. A folded-over portion T1 having a substantially exact desired width can be formed by selecting and using one of these scale marks 14a, 14b as appropriate. Moreover, when the cloth C is folded over such that the edge Ce is aligned with the scale mark 14c, a folded-over portion T1 that is suitable as a seam allowance can be formed.

The step portion 16 protruding outward (to the side indicated by arrow N1 in FIG. 1) is provided between the straight line-shaped peripheral edge portion 13 and the curve-shaped peripheral edge portion 14. With the configuration including this step portion 16, even when the peripheral edge portion 14 is entirely covered by the cloth C when the edge Ce of the cloth C is folded over, an end portion of the curve-shaped peripheral edge portion 14 that is close to the peripheral edge portion 13 is easily recognized during ironing. Accordingly, when compared with the case where, for example, a curve-shaped peripheral edge portion and a straight line-shaped peripheral edge portion are continuous with each other, problems such as the formation of an unintended straight line-shaped folded-over portion T1 can be prevented.

The straight line-shaped peripheral edge portion 12 is the longest of all the peripheral edge portions 11 to 15, and the peripheral edge portion 12 may be at least three or more times and in some cases five or more times longer than the peripheral edge portion 11. When the peripheral edge portion 12 that is longer than a conventional one is used as described above, a relatively long range of a straight edge of the cloth C can be folded over at once, and thus the ironing operation can be efficiently performed. The effects of the scale marks 12a, 12b, and 12c corresponding to the peripheral edge portion 12 are the same as those described above with regard to the scale marks 14a, 14b, and 14c of the peripheral edge portion 14.

The ratio of the length of the peripheral edge portion 11 to the length of the peripheral edge portion 12 may be ⅓ or less, and so the straight line-shaped peripheral edge portion 11 is considerably shorter than the peripheral edge portion 12. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral edge portion 11 can be used to fold over the curve-shaped edge Ce of the cloth C. In the case where the radius of curvature of the edge Ce is relatively large (i.e., the curve is gentle), a curved folded-over portion T1 can be formed even when the short peripheral edge portion 11 is used. Moreover, the peripheral edge portion 11 can also be used to fold over a relatively small tubular portion such as a cuff. The effects of the scale marks 11a, 11b, and 11c corresponding to the peripheral edge portion 11 are the same as those described above with regard to the scale marks 14a, 14b, and 14c of the peripheral edge portion 14.

The peripheral edge portions 11 and 15 are parallel to each other, and the peripheral edge portions 12 and 13 extend at right angles to the peripheral edge portion 11. Accordingly, the template for ironing A1 (sheet member 1) shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially elongated rectangular overall shape. In addition, when attention is focused on the peripheral edge portion 14 and its neighboring portions, one end portion of the peripheral edge portion 14 (end portion that is close to the peripheral edge portion 13) protrudes outward beyond the peripheral edge portion 13. On the other hand, the peripheral edge portion 14 approaches the peripheral edge portion 12 from that end portion toward the other end portion (end portion that is close to peripheral edge portion 15) thereof, and thus the peripheral edge portion 15 is shorter than the peripheral edge portion 11. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the peripheral edge portion 14 that is curved outward via the step portion 16 protruding outward is provided, and also the overall shape of the template for ironing A1 (sheet member 1) approximates to an elongated rectangular shape and has no portion that significantly protrudes outward. The shape that is contrived in this manner makes it possible that during production of the template for ironing A1 (sheet member 1), for example, in the case where multiple sheet members 1 are formed by blanking from a series of sheet materials which the sheet members 1 are made of, wasteful use of the sheet materials is reduced.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. It should be understood that specific shapes and materials of the template for ironing according to the present invention also are not limited to those described in the foregoing embodiment.

In the foregoing embodiment, the peripheral edge portion 14 protrudes outward most at its end portion that is close to the peripheral edge portion 13 and approaches the peripheral edge portion 12 from this end portion toward the end portion that is close to the peripheral edge portion 15, whereby the peripheral edge portion 15 is shorter than the peripheral edge portion 11. However, the configuration of the peripheral edge portion 14 and the peripheral edge portion 15 is not limited to this. For example, as in the case of a template for ironing A2 shown in FIG. 6, a central portion of the peripheral edge portion 14 with respect to the left-right direction in FIG. 6 may protrude outward most, and the peripheral edge portion 15 may be longer than the peripheral edge portion 11. In FIG. 6, the scale marks are omitted. Further, in this embodiment, the corner portion formed by the peripheral edge portion 14 and the step portion 16 and the corner portion formed by the peripheral edge portion 14 and the peripheral edge portion 15 are rounded.

Moreover, in the foregoing embodiment, a case where the peripheral edge portions 11 and 15 are parallel to each other and the peripheral edge portions 12 and 13 are parallel to each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the case of a template for ironing A3 shown in FIG. 7, an embodiment in which the peripheral edge portions 12 and 13 are not parallel to each other is also possible, and a configuration in which the peripheral edge portion 14 extends so as to be joined to the peripheral edge portion 12, and thus the peripheral edge portion 15 is substantially eliminated may also be adopted. The scale marks are omitted from FIG. 7.

Claims

1. A template for ironing, comprising: a sheet member made of a heat-resistant material and including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;wherein the sheet member includes: a first peripheral edge that is straight and has a first end and a second end; a second peripheral edge extending from the first end of the first peripheral edge, the second peripheral edge being straight and longer than the first peripheral edge; a third peripheral edge that is straight and extends from the second end of the first peripheral edge; and a fourth peripheral edge that is curved and connected to the third peripheral edge via a step portion protruding outward beyond the third peripheral edge as viewed in a thickness direction of the sheet member; andwherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet member is provided with a plurality of first scale marks and a plurality of second scale marks, the plurality of first scale marks being parallel to the second peripheral edge, the plurality of second scale marks being curved and spaced apart from the fourth peripheral edge by predetermined distances.

2. The template according to claim 1, wherein the third peripheral edge is longer than the first peripheral edge and shorter than the second peripheral edge.

3. The template according to claim 1, wherein the second peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge are parallel to each other.

4. The template according to claim 1, wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge are perpendicular to each other, and the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge are perpendicular to each other, and wherein said at least one of the first surface and the second surface is provided with a plurality of third scale marks that are parallel to the first peripheral edge.

5. The template according to claim 1, wherein the first peripheral edge has a length that is equal to or less than ⅓ of a length of the second peripheral edge.

6. The template according to claim 1, wherein the sheet member has a fifth peripheral edge that is straight and connects the second peripheral edge and the fourth peripheral edge to each other, wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge are perpendicular to each other, and the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge are perpendicular to each other, andwherein the first peripheral edge and the fifth peripheral edge are parallel to each other.

7. The template according to claim 6, wherein the fifth peripheral edge is shorter than the first peripheral edge.

8. The template according to claim 1, wherein the fourth peripheral edge is convex outward.