June Eudora Kroenke (October 19, 1925 - November 11, 1993)[1] of Hartland, Wisconsin, U.S.,[2] was the inventor of several patented sewing tools and founded June Tailor, Inc. in 1962.

Kroenke began sewing as a child and her frustration with pressing garments of various shapes led her to design a pressing board out of cardboard. She had the final design constructed out of wood and obtained a patent on her invention.[3] Kroenke founded June Tailor in 1962[4] and began selling the pressing board and other pressing aids, first out of her basement, and then from a manufacturing facility in Richfield, Wisconsin. In 1976, her business had expanded to 24 products and the original pressing board, which had 12 different-shaped surfaces, remained the most popular item.[5]

Kroenke's patented inventions include:

  • Contour pressing forms (sold as "June Tailor Board", a type of pressing buck), patent number US 3165845 , issued 1965[3]
  • Contour pressing boards, patent number US 3229393 , issued 1966[6]
  • Contour pressing board, patent number CA 743806 , issued 1966[7]
  • Universal pressing ham support, patent number US 4158265 , issued 1979[8]
  • Cushioned needlework blocking board, patent number US 4335533 , issued 1982[9]
  • Integrated cutting and pressing board including marking scale on the handle, patent number US 5386654 , issued 1995[10]

References

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  1. ^ "June E Kroenke". Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Schreiber, Joanne (May 13, 1970). "Sewing Inventions Make Money". Indiana Evening Gazette. p. 14.
  3. ^ a b US patent 3165845, Kroenke June E, "Contour pressing forms", issued 1979-06-19 
  4. ^ "New corporations listing". The Capital Times. Vol. 90, no. 99. Madison, Wisconsin. October 5, 1962. p. 2.
  5. ^ O. De La Rosa, Elena (November 11, 1976). "Seamstress puts new wrinkle in sewing". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 27. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  6. ^ US patent 3229393, Kroenke June E, "Contour pressing boards", issued 1966-01-18 
  7. ^ US patent 743806, Kroenke June E, "Contour pressing board", issued 1966-10-04 
  8. ^ US patent 4158265, Kroenke June E, "Universal pressing ham support", issued 1979-06-19 
  9. ^ US patent 4335533, Kroenke June E, "Cushioned needlework blocking board", issued 1982-06-22 
  10. ^ US patent 5386654, Kroenke June E, "Integrated cutting and pressing board including marking scale on the handle", issued 1995-02-07 
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