Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for smoothing bed and table linen and like material comprising a pair of platens, mounting means for said platens operable to displace said platens relative to one another between open and closed positions respectively, in the open position said platens operable to receive a stack of multiple layers of said material therebetween, pressure means operable in the closed position of said platens to bias said platens toward one another with a predetermined pressure to compress the stack of material disposed therebetween, said platens having fluid passageways in their confronting faces and connections for applying vacuum and supplying steam to said passageways, and valve means connecting said connections to sources of vacuum and steam, said valve means being operable to initially supply vacuum to one platen and supply steam to the other platen and then subsequently to supply steam to said one platen and to apply vacuum to said other platen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for smoothing bed and table linen and like material comprising a pair of platens, mounting means for said platens operable to displace said platens relative to one another between open and closed positions respectively, in the open position said platens operable to receive a stack of multiple layers of said material therebetween, pressure means operable in the closed position of said platens to bias said platens toward one another with a predetermined pressure to compress the stack of material disposed therebetween, said platens having fluid passageways in their confronting faces and connections for applying vacuum and supplying steam to said passageways, and valve means connecting said connections to sources of vacuum and steam, said valve means being operable to initially supply vacuum to one platen and supply steam to the other platen and then subsequently to supply steam to said one platen and to apply vacuum to said other platen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including timer means controlling said valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a pivotal connection between said platens affording pivotal movement between said open and closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressure means comprises fluid pressure cylinder means supporting one of said platens for parallel movement toward said other platen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means also comprises said fluid pressure cylinder means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said platens comprises a hollow chamber constituting manifold for all of said passageways in its confronting face, and a conduit connecting said manifold chamber to said valve means, said valve means comprising a reversing valve for alternatively connecting said conduits to a source of vacuum and a supply of steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said platens comprises a hollow chamber constituting a manifold for the steam passageways, and including heater means to maintain said hollow chamber above the dew-point temperature of the steam supplied to said passageways.