OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently released the new Express Flatwork Ironer line, a team of waxless ironers capable of finishing up to 50 feet of linen per minute. Available in 13- and 20-inch roll diameters and up to 125-inch finishing widths, Express Flatwork Ironers boast new conveniences, including significantly enhanced processing speeds; an easily accessible lint cleanout; a wide, metallic feeding tray; reinforced lateral bearings; and multiple heating systems and types.
All models are available in natural gas or electric heating, and the 20-inch is also available in steam heating. Making the most of available space, these return-to-feed ironers can be installed 12 to 18 inches from a wall.
“Continental has manufactured our Pro-Series Ironers for the United States market since 1997,” said Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services of Continental Girbau, Inc. “Continental’s new Express line has a number of feature enhancements over Pro-Series. We took a fantastic ironer and made it that much better.”
Processing Speeds Increased
Impacting productivity is the improved speed of Express Ironers, according to Jorgensen. “Both models have increased processing speeds by 40 to 50 percent over the Pro-Series line, making the Express a perfect choice for an array of on-premise laundries looking to increase productivity.”
The new Express ironers are now available with either a traditional atmospheric burner system or a new highly-efficient convection radiant burner system. The convection radiant burner system works much like a convection oven. A motor on the end of the radiant burner forces air to mix with gas, creating up to 24 percent higher heat output, 8 percent greater efficiency, and more even heat distribution across the ironer than the traditional atmospheric system. This burner option increases power by spreading the heat energy inside the roller.
The atmospheric burner system, which is enhanced over previous models, combines air and gas together much like a traditional gas stove, according to Jorgensen. The flame touches the cylinder, and the cylinder rotates to iron and dry the fabric. “Both produce high-quality finishing results,” he said.
Express Line Features Large Feeding Table
Making the process of feeding linens more efficient, the Express line features a feeding table double the size of previous Pro-Series Ironers, as well as a metallic feeding tray that eliminates friction of linen against the feeding tray as it is being fed into the ironer. The smooth finish of the tray aids in dressing the linens for improved feeding efficiency and better ironing results.
The Inteli control system, with an LCD display, allows the ironer to be easily programmed using a highly intuitive set of icons. The icons display the program, temperature, speed and article length, making it simple to use. The Inteli also features a diagnostics package and Autospeed, an exclusive feature that automatically adjusts ironing speed to match linen type and moisture content. Thus, items can be ironed straight from the washer, without dryer conditioning.
Express Flatwork Ironers are engineered with four lateral, double-support and self-aligning bearings. “The bearings are heavy duty to prevent failure and are self-aligning—ensuring they are in constant contact with the roll for superior operability and less bearing wear-and-tear,” said Jorgensen.
Making for simpler accessibility and maintenance, Express Ironers feature a new design in which the left-side panel lifts for quick and easy access to the drive system and control, and the lint drawer pulls out from the back of the machine. The heat vent exits the top of the machine for ease of installation—especially in tight spaces.
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