Seambusting apparatus and method

Abstract

The apparatus includes an elongated buck having an upper convex surface which supports the seam with the edges thereof outboard, and a portable iron having a concave bottom surface and a pointed nose which cooperates with the convex buck to simultaneously open and press the seam sandwiched therebetween as the iron moves in a forward direction thereover. The bottom edge of the iron is recessed on either side of the nose to permit the opened edges of the seam forward of the nose to flow smoothly beneath the iron as the iron advances thereover, preventing bunching of the seam forward of the iron as it advances. A jet of steam directed downwardly and forwardly is emitted from the nose of the iron to moisten the opened seamed edges and thereby enhance the permanency of the overbusting operation. In one form of the invention, the outboard end or nose of the buck, which is inserted into the pant leg when dressing it on the buck, is provided with a smoothly contoured V-shaped notch which guides the seam which is to be overbusted into proper position atop the buck, expediting the dressing operation. Additionally, the buck is provided along its length on its underside surface with downwardly directed compressed air jets which apply a radially outwardly and downwardly directed force against the lower longitudinal one-half section of the pant leg from the interior thereof, in turn pulling the upper seam of a pant leg dressed atop the buck tightly thereagainst to maintain it in position during the overbusting operation.