Press for fabrics
AssigneeJohn Corby Limited
InventorsAlan H. Cripps, Peter Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fabric press comprises a press with a heating element (1) a temperature sensor (17), and a microprocessor based controller programmed to apply electrical power initially to the element for a boost period during which the press temperature is limited to a boost temperature, and then at the end of the boost period, to reduce the applied power and thereafter to control the power to maintain the press temperature substantially at a lower normal temperature. The controller comprises microprocessor (14) which supplied signals to a triac (12), the signals being timed to be applied at the zeros of the a.c. supply voltage and to switch the heater power for complete cycles of the supply voltage.
Claims8
A fabric press comprising:
- a press operable to perform a fabric pressing cycle with a heating element;
- a temperature sensor;
- means for timing;
- and
- a controller arranged to apply electrical power initially to the heating element for a predetermined boost period of said fabric pressing cycle during which the press temperature is limited to a boost temperature, and then, at the end of the predetermined boost period, to reduce the applied power and thereafter control the power in a further period of said fabric pressing cycle to maintain the press temperature at a substantially lower normal temperature until a pre-set time has elapsed.
A method of operating a fabric press having a heating element, a temperature sensor and timing means, comprising the steps of:
- applying the electrical power to a heating element during an initial predetermined boost period of a fabric pressing cycle during which the press temperature is prevented from exceeding a predetermined boost temperature,
- reducing the applied power in a further period of said fabric pressing cycle, and
- controlling the power to maintain the press temperature at a substantially lower normal temperature than the predetermined boost temperature for a pre-set time in said further period of said fabric pressing cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.