System and apparatus for creating a hem

Abstract

The present invention relates to a consumer-portable dual hem ironing unit including at least a first and a second ironing unit members and a mechanism for grasping and retaining a first and a second material fold (first and second hems) during an ironing of the folded material. The consumer-portable design allows users to reposition either the unit or the material along an unfinished length of material and form a uniform continuous double rolled hem configuration. Adjustable measurement guides allow for hem accuracy and alternative configurations provide steam supply and steaming options. Alternative heavier-use embodiment enables securing to a table edge and includes an enhanced water capacity for improved steam generation. Multiple mechanisms are provided for gripping the folded material during a use and thermal and fluid flow controls allow control of double rolled hem pressing across a wide palate of fabric and flexible material types.

1 . A portable hem apparatus, for forming at least first hem roll along a live edge of a flexible material, comprising:
 a top arm unit assembly operably extending from a support body and opposing said bottom arm unit assembly;   live hinge means for enabling said top arm unit assembly to operably approach said bottom arm unit assembly from an open position to a closed position for a pressing engagement of said live edge of said flexible material during a use;   a first heating plate assembly on said top arm unit assembly opposing a second heating plate assembly on said bottom arm unit assembly;   a hem plate assembly repositionably projecting between said first and second heating plate members, and   means for enabling said hem plate assembly to approach said first heating plate member during said use, whereby said at least first hem roll is positionable between a top of said hem plate assembly and said first heating plate member and pressed during said use forming at least a first hem.   
   
   
       2 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for enabling a second hem roll between a bottom of said hem plate assembly and said second heating plate assembly on said bottom arm unit assembly, whereby said portable hem apparatus enables simultaneous pressing of said first hem roll and said second hem roll.   
   
   
       3 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 thermal control means for controlling a use-temperature of said first and second heating plate assemblies, whereby said portable hem apparatus is adaptable to differing temperature requirements of said flexible material.   
   
   
       4 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said thermal control means includes means for independent thermal control of said first and second heating plate assemblies.   
   
   
       5 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said thermal control means further comprises: means for controlling a temperature of said hem plate assembly, whereby said portable hem apparatus is adaptable to alternative temperature needs of said flexible material.   
   
   
       6 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 steam delivery means for providing an operable steam delivery to at least one of said first and said second opposing heating plate assemblies, whereby said steam delivery means enables at least a steam press of said first hem roll.   
   
   
       7 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 6 , whereby:
 said steam delivery means provides said operable steam delivery to both said first and said second opposing heating plate assemblies.   
   
   
       8 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 spring means for urging said hem plate assembly away from said first beating plate of said top arm unit assembly, whereby said spring means enables an enhanced release of said first hem roll following said use.   
   
   
       9 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 hem plate means for adjusting a first hem roll depth of said hem plate assembly during said use, whereby said hem plate means for adjusting enables a user to adjust a size of said first hem roll depth during said use.   
   
   
       10 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one means for adjusting a first hem roll depth and a second means for adjusting a second hem roll depth during said use, whereby said portable hem apparatus enables a user to readily adjust said first hem roll depth and said second hem roll depth independently from each other.   
   
   
       11 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said live hinge means for enabling includes at least one of a scissor handle assembly, a hand support assembly, and a hand press assembly, thereby enabling said portable hem apparatus to readily adapt to alternative constructions.   
   
   
       12 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one means for measuring a size of at least one of said first hem roll and a second hem roll; and   said at least one means for measuring being on at least one of said top arm unit assembly, said bottom arm unit assembly, and said hem plate assembly, whereby said at least one means for measuring enables a user to determine a measurement of said at least one hem roll.   
   
   
       13 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for urgingly engaging said repositionable hem plate assembly on said first heating plate member prior to a pressing use of said portable hem apparatus; whereby said means for urging enabling said first hem roll to be secured, between said repositionable hem plate assembly and said first heating plate member prior to said pressing thereby improving an improved control of said portable hem apparatus.   
   
   
       14 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said steam delivery means includes at least one reservoir in said portable hem apparatus.   
   
   
       15 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 roll guide means for guiding said live edge of said flexible material into said first hem roll between said first heating plate assembly and said hem plate assembly.   
   
   
       16 . A portable hem apparatus, according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said roll guide means for guiding is repositionably securable to a second heating plate assembly on said bottom arm unit assembly, whereby said roll guide means is repositionable to secure a desired hem roll position of said flexible material.   
   
   
       17 . A system for creating a first and second hem in an external flexible member having a live edge for hemming during a use, comprising:
 a first and a second means for releasably gripping respective first and second hem rolls proximate a live edge of said external member during said use;   control arm means for selectively engaging said first and second means for releasably gripping respective said hem rolls;   said control arm means operating relative to each other about a live hinge assembly; and   heating means for providing a thermal influence on at least one of said first and second hem rolls during said use, whereby during said use said means for releasably gripping engages respective said hems for heating prior to a release of said formed cooperative hem rolls.   
   
   
       18 . A method for forming at least a first and second cooperative hem roll in an external member during a use, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first external member having a live edge for hemming;   providing a double roll hem device;   hand forming a first hem roll portion along a first portion of said live edge;   releasably gripping said first hem roll portion in a first means for releasably gripping said hem rolls in said double roll hem device during said use;   forming a second hem roll portion along said first hem roll portion;   releasably gripping said second hem roll portion in a second means for releasably gripping said hem rolls during said use;   applying a thermal influence on at least one of said first and said second hem rolls during said use;   releasing said first and second means for releasably gripping said external member; and   moving said double roll hem device along said live edge of said external member to a second portion, thereby urging said live edge to roll inwardly to respective said first and second means for releasably gripping enabling a second step of applying a thermal influence.