Sleeve pressing apparatus and shoulder tensioning system

A sleeve pressing and shoulder tensioning system for removing wrinkles from a shoulder seam of an article of clothing during a pressing operation for each sleeve, comprising:

• a mounting shelf for support of a first and a second sleeve holder attached in aligned and spaced apart orientation above said mounting shelf, said first and second sleeve holder being in substantially parallel orientation and having respective base ends attached to said mounting shelf, said first and second sleeve holder supports a right and left sleeve of a shirt above said mounting shelf, said first and second sleeve holder having a clamp for gripping each sleeve against respective distal ends of said first and second sleeve holder;
• said right and left sleeve having respective shoulder seams disposed proximal to said respective sleeve holder base ends, said mounting shelf pivotable between a first position of a substantially vertical orientation, to a second position having said first and second sleeve holder angled from the substantially vertical position;
• a means for tensioning the shoulder seam of each of the right and left sleeve when positioned on said first and second sleeve holder, said means for tensioning including a first and a second grip arm attached within said cabinet, said first and second grip arm having an end extendable against a shoulder seam of each right and left sleeve positioned proximal to said respective base ends of said first and second sleeve holder;
• a first and second pair of pressing members positioned in spaced apart orientation and aligned to accept said first and second sleeve holder when said mounting shelf is pivoted to said second position;
• and
• a means for movement of said mounting shelf from said first position to said second position, whereby each right and left sleeve on said first and second sleeve holders are positioned between respective first and second pair of pressing members;
• whereby said means for tensioning maintains each right and left shoulder seam in tension when positioned in said second position during concurrent pressing of each sleeve by said first and second pair of pressing members.

A method for tensioning shoulder seams during pressing of a sleeve of an article of clothing, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pneumatically operated system including means for mounting each sleeve in an upright position above a support shelf, and further including a pressing enclosure sized to accept therein said support shelf and said means for mounting;
• mounting each sleeve of an article of clothing on said means for mounting, each sleeve having a shoulder seam positioned proximal to said support shelf;
• raising each sleeve mounted on said means for mounting to an extended position above said support shelf;
• rotating each sleeve mounted on said means for mounting into said pressing enclosure;
• tensioning each shoulder seam, said step of tensioning includes extending a means for tensioning against each shoulder seam when each sleeve is within said pressing enclosure;
• pressing each side of each sleeve mounted on said means for mounting while each sleeve is within said pressing enclosure, said step of pressing is concurrent with said step of tensioning;
• retracting said means for tensioning from against each shoulder seam;
• and
• positioning said support shelf, means for mounting and having each sleeve thereon to the upright position after said step of pressing;
• whereby said method for tensioning provides substantially wrinkle-free shoulder seams for each sleeve of an article of clothing.

In a tensioning system for tensioning a shoulder seam of each sleeve of an article of clothing during a pressing operation for each sleeve and shoulder seam, the pressing operation powered by a source of pneumatic power and including a frame for support of a means for mounting a first and second sleeve of the article of clothing thereon, said means for mounting supports each first and second sleeve in a first position extended above a working surface, and further including means for positioning to a second position of said first and second sleeve mounted on said means for mounting, said first and second sleeve disposed in said second position during the pressing operation for each sleeve and respective shoulder seam, the improvement comprising:

• a means for tensioning the shoulder seam of each of the right and left sleeve when positioned on said means for mounting, said means for tensioning including a first and second piston having respective first and second piston rods extendable from said first and second piston, said first and second piston rod having a first and second grip arm end extendable against a shoulder seam of each right and left sleeve positioned to said second position;
• said first and second grip arm end is retractable from each respective shoulder seam when said means for mounting is positioned to said first position;
• and
• a timing control device for control of a rate of extension of each grip arm end, said timing control device in communication with said first and second piston for maintaining each grim arm end against each respective shoulder seam concurrently during actuation of the pressing operation for each sleeve while in said second position during the pressing operation for each sleeve and respective shoulder seam.

A tensioning apparatus for tensioning a shoulder seam of at least one sleeve of an article of clothing during a pressing operation for each sleeve, comprising:

• means for mounting at least one sleeve of an article of clothing proximal to a working surface, said means for mounting supporting said at least one sleeve in a first position extending above said working surface;
• means for positioning said working surface having said at least one sleeve disposed thereon, said means for positioning moves said means for mounting to a second position, wherein the shoulder seam of said at least one sleeve is tensioned while said means for mounting having said at least one sleeve disposed thereon is positioned in said second position during the pressing operation for said at least one sleeve;
• means for tensioning the shoulder seam of said at least one sleeve mounted on said working surface, said means for tensioning extended against the shoulder seam concurrently with the pressing operation for said at least one sleeve positioned in said second position;
• and
• means for control of the pressing operation, said means for control is manipulated by an operator for movement of said means for mounting and said working surface having said at least one sleeve disposed thereon to said second position for said means for tensioning to remain extended against the shoulder seam concurrently with the pressing operation for said at least one sleeve.