Automated sleeve expander

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.

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.