US3869815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Garment finishing apparatus
Assignee: CISSELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY A CORP OF RI
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Filing: 1974-01-04
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A garment finishing apparatus for dewrinkling clothes including a cabinet into the interior of which clothes to be finished are placed via a door, a steam generator for converting water into steam which is then emitted into the interior of the cabinet for dewrinkling the clothes, the steam generator being characterized by instantaneously converting the water into steam and generating a predetermined quantity of steam per garment refinishing cycle irrespective of the pressure at which the water is supplied to the steam generator, and air circulating and heating means for recirculating hot air through the interior of the cabinet to dry the previously steamed clothes. In a portable iron embodiment incorporating a remotely located steam generator connected to the iron via a flexible hose, a pulsing circuit interconnected between a manual electrical switch and the pressure-insensitive valve is provided to avoid flooding should the manual switch be actuated for an extended period of time. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 267,518, filed June 29, 1972 entitled ''''Garment Finishing Apparatus'''', and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,561.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman J Bullock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:00
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F75/00; D06F75/02; D06F75/06; D06F73/00; D06F73/02; D06F75/08; D06F75/10; D06F75/12; F; F22; F22B; F22B1/00; F22B1/28; F22B1/287; G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing in response to actuation of a switch steam at a specified rate irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperture, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water fLow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means responsive to continued actuation of said switch for intermittently opening said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink, on an intermittent basis, a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said switch is continuously actuated, said intermittent opening of said valve being at a relatively low duty cycle to avoid flooding of said heat sink by prolonged and continuous actuation of said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing in response to actuation of a switch steam at a specified rate irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperture, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water fLow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means responsive to continued actuation of said switch for intermittently opening said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink, on an intermittent basis, a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said switch is continuously actuated, said intermittent opening of said valve being at a relatively low duty cycle to avoid flooding of said heat sink by prolonged and continuous actuation of said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing in response to actuation of a switch steam at a specified rate irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperture, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water fLow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means responsive to continued actuation of said switch for intermittently opening said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink, on an intermittent basis, a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said switch is continuously actuated, said intermittent opening of said valve being at a relatively low duty cycle to avoid flooding of said heat sink by prolonged and continuous actuation of said switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing in response to actuation of a switch steam at a specified rate irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperture, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water fLow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means responsive to continued actuation of said switch for intermittently opening said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink, on an intermittent basis, a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said switch is continuously actuated, said intermittent opening of said valve being at a relatively low duty cycle to avoid flooding of said heat sink by prolonged and continuous actuation of said switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The steam generator of claim 1 wherein said switch is an electrical switch and said valve control means includes: a pulse generator responsive to said switch for providing low duty cycle electrical pulses when said switch is continuously actuated, and an electromechanical actuator responsive to said pulses for intermittently opening said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink, on an intermittent basis, a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said electrical switch is continuously actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
185 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing a specified quantity of steam irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith a charge of water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperature, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when actuated, an output water flow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means for controlling the actuation of said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said valve is actuated by said valve control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
185 words
A steam generator connectable to a supply of variable pressure water for providing a specified quantity of steam irrespective of water pressure variations, comprising: a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein communicating with the atmosphere for containing in contact therewith a charge of water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to said high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperature, a valve having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connectable to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when actuated, an output water flow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and valve control means for controlling the actuation of said valve to cause said valve to deliver to said heat sink a specified quantity of water directly correlated to the time duration said valve is actuated by said valve control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
The combination comprising: a portable electric iron, a supply of pressurized water at a pressure which varies unpredictably with time, an electrical switch mounted to said iron, a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein at substantially atmospheric pressure for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to a high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperature, a valve controlled by said switch and having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connected to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water flow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and a flexible steam conduit connecting said heat sink cavity to said portable electric iron for facilitating application of steam generated by said heat sink to a fabric being pressed by said portable iron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
The combination comprising: a portable electric iron, a supply of pressurized water at a pressure which varies unpredictably with time, an electrical switch mounted to said iron, a heat sink having a high temperature surface defining a cavity therein at substantially atmospheric pressure for containing in contact therewith water which boils at a specified temperature, a heater in heat transfer relationship to said heat sink for heating said heat sink surface to a high temperature, said high temperature being substantially above said specified boiling temperature, a thermostatic regulator for maintaining said heat sink surface at approximately said high temperature, a valve controlled by said switch and having an outlet connected to said heat sink and having an inlet connected to said variable pressure water supply, said valve constructed to provide, when open, an output water flow at a constant rate per unit time independent of water supply pressure fluctuations, and a flexible steam conduit connecting said heat sink cavity to said portable electric iron for facilitating application of steam generated by said heat sink to a fabric being pressed by said portable iron.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |