GB348182A - Automatic ironing press - Google Patents

Abstract

348,182. Drying presses. DEHN, F. B., 103, Kingsway, London.-(National Laundry Machinery Co., Inc. ; Warren Street, Syracuse, New York, U.S.A.) Feb. 7, 1930, No. 4256. [Class 34 (ii).] A drying and ironing-press is provided with means for supporting the article being treated on a heated air cushion from which some air is allowed to escape to dry the article and which is inflated to such a degree that the article is brought into engagement with the heated press head, which may be maintained in a position intermediate between fully open and fully closed positions and close to the fully closed position. The cushion is formed by ballooning the outer layers 71, Fig. 14, of the fabric padding of the buck 31 which is provided with a clamping frame 76 for securing the edges of the padding. Two-handled valve control mechanisms are provided for the pressure-fluid operating the piston which actuates the toggle mechanism effecting the initial closing of the press and the press may be fully closed to apply additional pressure between the press members by the actuation of a further manual control for the fluid pressure. The initial closing of the press completes, through a mercury switch 50, Fig. 6, the circuit of the motor which operates the fan 45 effecting the inflation of the cushion and the circulation of the air. The air passes outwardly from the centre of the cushion and is drawn back through the periphery thereof, the buck being provided with a peripheral chamber 55 and with a central chamber 56 heated by a steam coil 60 and communicating with the blower inlet and outlet respectively. The press is automatically opened after a predetermined time, whilst emergency operatorcontrolled opening means are also provided. The press-closing and pressure-applying means comprises, respectively, pistons 149, 150, Fig. 18, which work is aligned cylinders 148, 148a and of which the piston 149 is connected by a rod 147 to the lower member of the press-head toggle levers 100, 136, Fig. 6, whilst the rod 151 of the other piston is pivoted to the machine frame. Compressed air is admitted to the right-hand end of the cylinder 148 by way of pipe 241, Fig. 18, from a reservoir 215 through a valve 175 which must be maintained open by continued actuation of a manual control 179 whilst a normally open valve 178 must simultaneously be kept closed by a manual control 182 to prevent access of fluid pressure to the other side of the piston 149. Additional pressure is applied between the pressing members by opening a valve 176 to allow fluid pressure to enter the left-hand end of cylinder 148a this pressure being greater than that entering the cylinder 148 owing to a pressure reducing valve 212 in the supply pipe from the reservoir to the cylinder 148a. The cylinders 148, 148a therefore slide forward together along the piston 150 to complete the movement of the press-head toggle levers. The pressures in the cylinders 148, 148a are equalized through a check valve 251 and reducing valve 252. Fluid pressure is also simultaneously admitted to the bottom of a timing cylinder 220 through pipe 254 and a needle valve 262 thereby raising the piston 230 which is linked to means for opening a valve 177. The adjustment of the needle valve 262 determines the time at which the valve 177 is opened and when this valve opens the cylinders are opened to atmosphere through pipe 231 whilst the opening movement of the actuating mechanism for the valve 177 simultaneously and automatically closes valve 176. The press is therefore opened by means of the counterweight 143, Fig. 6. The emergency opening means comprise a treadle 226, Fig. 18, depression of which opens a valve 221 to admit unrestricted fluid pressure from the reservoir 215 through pipe 219 to the underside of the piston 230 thereby quickly raising the latter to open the valve 177 to atmosphere and to close the valve 176. During the exhausting of the cylinders 148, 148a the cylinder 220 exhausts through a check valve 261.