EP0682724B1 - Multilayer iron soleplate made of colaminate materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A soleplate for an iron, comprising a casting (1) secured to a metal ironing nose (4) consisting of two or more layers (5, 6) of colaminate materials, of which the first layer (5) is attached to the casting (1) and made of the same material as the casting (1) or of a material having similar physical properties, while the second layer (6) forms the ironing layer, the second layer being 5-40 %, preferably 15-17 %, as thick as the first layer (5).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an iron soleplate comprising a foundry body to which is fixed by fixing means, a metal ironing cap.

PRIOR ART

The foundry body of an iron is a part which is generally made of aluminum on which a metal cap intended to form the ironing sole is directly attached. It is thus already known to use a stainless steel metal cap which is attached to the aluminum foundry body and fixed by means of a silicone adhesive. The binding can be improved by a peripheral attachment of the cap on the sole. The production of such an ironing sole requires, prior to the fixing of the metal cap, a step of machining certain surfaces of the foundry body. The production of such iron soles consequently results in a manufacturing process including steps which increase the final cost of the product. In addition, it turns out, due to the large differences in coefficient of thermal expansion between the aluminum foundry body and the stainless steel metal cap, that the rigidity and the very structure of the sole evolve in a negative way over time. This leads to a relative clearance between the different layers and to a thermal transmission which progressively deteriorates during use.

Replacement or improvement solutions such as the relative increase in the thickness of the stainless steel sheet certainly lead to a certain improvement in the stability of the sole over time, but contribute correlatively to a decrease in heat transfer and obviously to a higher cost of the finished product.

Colaminated materials are moreover obviously known, and have in particular already been used in the automotive field. To this end, we used collaminated materials of the aluminum-stainless steel bi-layer type, looking for the anti-corrosion effect of stainless steel, as well as its aesthetic appearance.

Colaminated materials of the aluminum-stainless steel type have also already been used to make the bottom of certain pans. To this end, the thermal diffusion effect provided by aluminum has always been sought, as well as the aesthetic effect of the external stainless steel layer without worrying about the significant difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the two colaminated materials leading to a well-known bending effect on the bottom of the pan. Because of the heating methods used and the after all minimal effect of the thermal transmittance factor for such kitchen utensils, this phenomenon of bending and relative destructuring of the bottom of the pan has always been accepted.

It is also known to use layers of different metals assembled by a solid-phase connection to produce iron soles. Such flanges are described in document FR-A-1502451 and are associated with an additional layer of metal, called a bonding layer, which is brought to its melting temperature to obtain a metallurgical bond during the molding of the body of the iron on the soleplate. . Document FR-A-1502451 also describes a method for producing and fixing an iron soleplate on an iron body during the process of molding the iron body. Such a method of making and fixing an iron soleplate has notable drawbacks which are for example the complexity and the cost of the means necessary for the implementation of said method.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention therefore aims to remedy the problems mentioned above for the production of iron soles, and to propose a new iron sole, the production of which is simplified and does not require surface preparation while retaining good heat exchange properties without significant deformation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an iron soleplate whose thermal expansion is controlled to guarantee a long life of the soleplate and quality ironing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an iron soleplate in which the fixing of the metal cap on the foundry body is obtained in a particularly simple manner and at a reduced cost.

The subject of the invention also relates to a new use of colaminated materials in the field of household appliances, and to a method of assembling a metal ironing cap on a foundry body.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of an iron soleplate comprising a foundry body integral with a metal ironing cap made up of at least two layers of materials, a first layer of which forms the layer. for fixing to the foundry body, a second layer forming the ironing layer, characterized in that, all of the layers are made of colaminated materials, with the first layer made of the same material as the foundry body or in a material having similar physical characteristics, the thickness of the second layer being between 5% and 40% of the thickness of the first layer, and preferably between 15 and 17%.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by the use of a collaminated material based on at least two layers as a metal ironing cap for an iron.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a process for producing an iron soleplate in which a foundry body is made integral with a metal ironing cap made up of at least two layers of materials, one forming a fixing layer on the foundry body, the other forming an ironing layer, characterized in that it consists: from a metal cap made up of at least two layers of materials colaminates, to be attached and then to fix said cap by means of attachment to the previously formed foundry body.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 montre selon une coupe transversale partielle la structure d'une semelle de fer à repasser conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 montre selon une vue partielle supérieure du nez d'une semelle de fer conforme à l'invention, l'un des moyens de fixation de ladite semelle.
• La figure 3 montre selon une coupe transversale partielle selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2, le moyen de fixation montré à la figure 2.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, in which:

• Figure 1 shows in a partial cross section the structure of an iron soleplate according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows in a partial upper view of the nose of an iron soleplate according to the invention, one of the means for fixing said sole.
• FIG. 3 shows, in a partial cross section along line III-III of FIG. 2, the fixing means shown in FIG. 2.

MANNER OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The soleplate of iron shown in Figure 1 comprises a foundry body 1 from a foundry part and made for example of aluminum and defining a bottom face 2 substantially planar. The upper part of the foundry body 1 defines a series of cavities and channels intended to form with a chamber closing plate vaporization and a thermal skirt (not shown in the figures) the various compartments and essential elements of an iron. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the soleplate of the iron is intended for a steam iron, and the foundry body 1 has for this purpose a series of openings 3 in relation to a vaporization chamber (not shown in the figures). The invention can however be applied to a dry iron.

The iron soleplate according to the invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a metal cap 4 consisting of an assembly of at least two layers of colaminated materials. The metal cap 4 comprises a first layer 5 which forms the fixing layer on the lower face 2 of the foundry body 1. The first layer 5 is substantially flat and made of a material identical to that of the foundry body 1 or at least in a material with similar physical characteristics. By the term "similar physical characteristics" is meant essentially physical characteristics relating to the coefficient of thermal expansion and / or the hardness of the material and / or the thermal conductivity. The co-laminated metal cap 4 also comprises a second layer 6, the external face 6a of which forms the ironing layer.

According to a particularly advantageous variant embodiment, the foundry body will be made of aluminum, and the metal cap will comprise a two-layer collaminated assembly in which the first layer 5 is also made of aluminum, while the second layer 6 is made of stainless steel. As a variant, the first layer 5 can be made of a material with physical characteristics similar to aluminum, such as copper, and the second layer 6 made of copper, nickel or even titanium.

To master the differences in thermal expansion between the first layer 5 and the second layer 6 it is particularly advantageous to maintain a specific thickness ratio between said layers. To this end, the thickness of the second layer 6 will be between 5% and 40% of the thickness of the first layer 5 and preferably between 15% and 17%. Preferably the thickness of the second layer will be between 5% and 12% on the one hand, and 14% and 40% on the other hand, of the thickness of the first layer 5, or even between 15% and 40 %, or even between 15% and 20%. Other preferential ranges, such as 20% to 40%, or 30% to 40% are obviously possible.

According to another particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the total thickness of the coated metallic cap 4 corresponding to the addition of the thicknesses of the first layer 5 and of the second layer 6 will be between 1.6 and 2 mm and preferably between 1.7 and 1.9 mm. Advantageously, the thickness of the second layer 6 is between 0.1 and 0.4 mm and preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 mm, while the thickness of the first layer 5 is between 1.4 and 1.7 mm, and preferably between 1.5 and 1.6 mm. The thickness ranges mentioned are particularly indicated for a collaminated material of the aluminum-stainless steel type.

According to another alternative embodiment, the metal cap 4 may consist of three layers of colaminated materials, the first layer 5 being of aluminum or copper, the second layer 6 of copper or stainless steel and the intermediate layer (not shown in the figures ) aluminum copper or ordinary steel.

The metal caps thus produced will be of the aluminum-steel-stainless steel type or preferably of aluminum-copper-stainless steel or else copper-aluminum-stainless steel. The relative thicknesses of the first layer 5 and the second layer 6 will each represent between 15 and 17% of the total thickness of the three-layer cap, the intermediate layer therefore representing between 66 and 70% of the total thickness. In the case of use of an intermediate layer of steel, the nature of the latter will obviously be chosen on the basis of criteria for improving the rigidity of the co-laminated assembly and also on criteria of thermal conductivity and expansion.

The co-laminated metal cap 4 is attached and then fixed to the foundry body 1 by fixing means. The latter comprise a layer of adhesive 10, preferably heat-resistant and / or based on polymerized silicone adhesive, extending between the underside 2 and the first layer 5.

When the soleplate of the iron is intended for a steam iron, it has steam holes 11 which are crimped on the foundry body 1 in the orifices 3. In such a case, the crimped material forms the means of fixing which can be complementary to the adhesive layer 10.

To perfect the fixing of the coated metal cap 4 it is optionally provided, to carry out at least one mechanical punctual attachment of said cap to the foundry body 1. For this purpose the metal cap 4 comprises at least one zone forming an edge folded 12 which comes to bear by its edge against a peripheral edge 13 of the foundry body 1. Due to the heterogeneity of temperatures prevailing at the level of the ironing soleplate, provision is made to produce the folded edge 12 at the front of the sole where the cap is more stressed to form a hooking nose (Figures 2 and 3).

According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the metal cap 4 is provided over its entire perimeter with a rolled peripheral edge 14 (Figure 1) extending the second layer 6 and promoting the good mechanical strength of the sole.

According to an additional variant of the sole of iron according to the invention, the metal cap 4 is secured to the foundry body 1, by exclusively mechanical fixing means, for example consisting of threaded rods or rivets. A combination of various mechanical means, with or without the use of a layer of adhesive 10, is also conceivable.

The use of a colaminated material based on at least two layers, preferably aluminum-stainless steel, as a metal ironing cap for an iron, makes it possible to combine the advantages of the two colaminated metals. In fact, the first layer 5, made of the same material or in a material similar to that of the foundry body, ensures on the one hand good thermal conduction and on the other hand an optimal fixing and bonding favorable to the stability of the whole thanks to the homogeneity of materials. The second layer 6 provides a good aesthetic effect and gives the sole good gliding properties without damaging the cohesion of the colaminated assembly despite the large differences in coefficient of thermal expansion and the risks of deformation expected over the entire sole. No shearing effect has been observed between the stainless steel and the aluminum, and it turns out that the fact of making the foundry body in aluminum and the first layer 5 also in aluminum makes it possible to eliminate all surface machining operations without finding any deterioration in mechanical strength or loss of thermal transmission.
The thicknesses involved also allow for differential expansion of the layers of the colaminated assembly without causing mechanical degradation of the structure of the sole. In particular, the greater expansion of the aluminum layer compared to the expansion of the stainless steel layer serves to create on the latter a slight surface tension favorable to sliding performance.

The method of producing an iron soleplate according to the invention consists, from a metal cap 4 consisting of at least two layers of colaminated materials 5,6, to be attached and then to fix said cap by fixing means 3,10,12 on the foundry body 1 previously formed by any known technique, and for example by molding. The foundry body 1 thus being in the form of a unitary piece easily transportable, can be made integral with the metal cap 4 and easily lend itself to any industrial operation of manipulation and assembly. The method according to the invention also consists in attaching and then fixing the metal ironing cap 4 on the foundry body 1 without any surface preparation, since the fixing means 3,10,12 are of mechanical type. The method according to the invention also consists in using a colaminated assembly based on at least two layers of materials of composition and thickness as defined above, and in spreading a layer of heat-resistant glue on the surface of the first layer 5 coming into contact with the foundry body 1, to constitute at least partially the mechanical fixing means 3,10,12.

POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its application in the production of iron soles, in particular of steam iron soles.

Claims (17)

1. A soleplate for an iron, the soleplate comprising a casting (1) secured to a metal ironing cover (4) made up of at least two layers (5, 6) of different materials, of which a first layer (5) forms the layer for fixing to the casting (1) and a second layer (6) forms the ironing layer, said soleplate being characterized in that the assembly of layers (5, 6) is constituted by co-laminated materials, with the first layer (5) constituted by the same material as the casting (1) or by a material having similar physical characteristics, the thickness of the second layer (6) lying in the range 5% to 40% of the thickness of the first layer (5), and preferably in the range 15% to 17%.
2. A soleplate according to claim 1, characterized in that the total thickness of the first layer (5) and of the second layer (6) lies in the range 1.6 mm to 2 mm, and preferably in the range 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm.
3. A soleplate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thickness of the second layer (6) lies in the range 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, and preferably in the range 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, and the thickness of the first layer (5) lies in the range 1.4 mm to 1.7 mm, and preferably in the range 1.5 mm to 1.6 mm.
4. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the metal cover (4) is made up of two layers (5, 6) of co-laminated materials.
5. A soleplate according to claim 4, characterized in that the casting (1) is made of aluminum, the first layer (5) is constituted by copper or preferably by aluminum, and the second layer (6) is constituted by copper, by nickel, by titanium, or preferably by stainless steel.
6. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the metal cover (4) is mounted on a casting preferably made of aluminum, and is made up of three layers of co-laminated materials, the first layer (5) being constituted by copper or by aluminum, the second layer (6) being constituted by stainless steel or by copper, and the intermediate layer being constituted by aluminum, by copper, or by steel.
7. A soleplate according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the first and second layers (5, 6) represents in the range 15% to 17% of the total thickness of the three-layer cover (4).
8. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the casting (1) is secured to the metal cover (4) by fixing means which include a layer of adhesive (10), preferably based on a polymerized silicone adhesive, extending between the casting (1) and the first layer (5).
9. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the metal cover is provided with a series of openings (3), said cover being crimped onto the casting (1) via said openings, whose crimped material forms fixing means.
10. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the metal cover (4) includes at least one zone forming a folded-over margin (12) abutting against the casting (1) and forming fixing means, said folded-over margin (12) preferably being situated at the front of the soleplate so as to constitute a clip-on tip.
11. A soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the metal cover includes a rolled-over peripheral margin (14).
12. An iron provided with a soleplate according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. The use of a co-laminated material based on at least two layers (5, 6) as a metal ironing cover (4) mounted on the casting of an iron.
14. A method of making a soleplate for an iron, in which method a casting (1) is secured to a metal ironing cover (4) made up of at least two layers of different materials (5, 6), one forming a layer for fixing to the casting, and the other forming the ironing layer, said method being characterized in that it consists in using at least two co-laminated layers (5, 6), in mounting said cover on the already-formed casting (1), and in fixing it thereto by fixing means (3, 10, 12).
15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that it consists in mounting the metal ironing cover (4) on the casting (1) and in then fixing it thereto without any surface preparation.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it consists in:

    using a first layer (5) of the metal cover (4) as a fixing layer for fixing via mechanical-type fixing means (3, 10, 12);

    using the same material as the casting (1) or a material having similar physical characteristics for said first layer (5); and

    using the second layer (6) to form the ironing layer, the thickness of the second layer (6) lying in the range 5% to 40% of the thickness of the first layer (5), and preferably in the range 15% to 17%.
17. A method according to claim 14 or 16, characterized in that it consists in spreading a layer of heat-resistant adhesive on the surface of the first layer (5) that comes into contact with the casting (1) so as to constitute the mechanical fixing means (3, 10, 12) at least in part.

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