Automated sleeve expander

Abstract

A sleeve expander for use with a steam treatment machine that generally includes a base, a first expander arm, a second expander arm, and an actuator. The base supports the expander arms and actuator, and it has a mounting surface for connecting the sleeve expander to the steam treatment machine, preferably at a lower portion of the machine. The actuator is linked to the expander arms to move the first expander arm toward and away from the second expander arm during a steaming cycle so that the operator merely has to place the garment sleeves over the expander prior to initiating the steaming operation. A full steam treatment machine including a suzi and two of the sleeve expanders is also disclosed.

1 . A sleeve expander for use with a steam treatment machine for garments, comprising: 
 a base having a mounting surface for attaching said base to a steam treatment machine;    a first expander arm;    a second expander arm, wherein said first and second expander arms are supported by said base; and    an actuator linked to said first expander arm and said second expander arm, wherein said actuator is operable to move said first expander arm relative to said second expander arm toward and away from said second expander arm.    
   
   
       2 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base supports the expander arms and actuator via a pivotal joint.  
   
   
       3 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a flange and a mounting portion having said mounting surface, and wherein said sleeve expander further includes: 
 a support member attached to said flange and connected to said first expander arm; and    a linkage member connected at opposite ends to said actuator and said second expander arm;    wherein said linkage member is pivotally connected to said support member at a location intermediate said ends such that said actuator causes said linkage member to pivot at said intermediate location to move said second expander arm toward and away from said first expander arm.    
   
   
       4 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said second expander arm is pivotally connected to said linkage member.  
   
   
       5 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said expander arms and actuator are mounted on said base via a pivotal joint such that, when said sleeve expander is mounted to the steam treatment machine, said expander arms can be pivoted between a first position adjacent the machine to a second position spaced away from the machine.  
   
   
       6 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       7 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second expander arm is pivotally supported by said first expander arm with a linkage member.  
   
   
       8 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first expander arm and said second expander arm are at least partially composed of wood.  
   
   
       9 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first expander arm and said second expander arm are contoured to fit sleeves.  
   
   
       10 . A sleeve expander as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator includes at least one input for receiving a control signal from the steam treatment machine to activate said actuator.  
   
   
       11 . A steam treatment machine for steaming garments, comprising: 
 a frame having a lower section;    a steamer mechanically coupled to said frame, said steamer including a garment support mounted on said frame to support an article of clothing;    an automated sleeve expander including: 
 a base connected to the lower section of said frame;  
 a first expander arm;  
 a second expander arm, wherein said first and second expander arms are supported by said base; and  
 an actuator linked to said expander arms, wherein said actuator is operable to move said first expander arm relative to said second expander arm toward and away from said second expander arm.  
   
   
   
       12 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said base includes a flange and a mounting portion having said mounting surface, and wherein said sleeve expander further includes: 
 a support member attached to said flange and connected to said first expander arm; and    a linkage member connected at opposite ends to said actuator and said second expander arm;    wherein said linkage member is pivotally connected to said support member at a location intermediate said ends such that said actuator causes said linkage member to pivot at said intermediate location to move said second expander arm toward and away from said first expander arm.    
   
   
       13 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said expander arms and actuator are mounted on said base via a pivotal joint such that, when said sleeve expander is mounted to the steam treatment machine, said expander arms can be pivoted between a first position adjacent the machine to a second position spaced away from the machine.  
   
   
       14 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       15 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said second expander arm is pivotally supported by said first expander arm with a linkage member.  
   
   
       16 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said first expander arm and said second expander arm are at least partially composed of wood.  
   
   
       17 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said first expander arm and said second expander arm are contoured to fit sleeves.  
   
   
       18 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said actuator includes at least one input for receiving a control signal from the steam treatment machine to activate said actuator.  
   
   
       19 . A steam treatment machine as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said actuator is pivotally connected to said first expander arm.  
   
   
       20 . A method of steam treating a sleeved garment, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a garment over a steam treatment machine having a pair of sleeve expanders;    placing each sleeve of the garment over a corresponding one of the sleeve expanders;    initiating a steam cycle using an electrical control of the machine;    expanding the sleeve expanders under electronic control of the machine;    applying steam to the garment and sleeves;    retracting the sleeve expanders under electronic control of the machine; and    lifting the garment off the steaming device.