AU2014202644B2 - Clothes ironing device containing a water treatment system - Google Patents

Abstract

CLOTHES IRONING DEVICE CONTAINING A WATER TREATMENT Clothes ironing device that contains a water tank (4), a steam generator (5) connected to the water tank by a supply circuit and a water treatment facility containing a cathode (10) and an anode (11) to precipitate the calcium carbonate present in the water, wherein which the cathode (10) and the anode (11) are arranged in a receptacle (7), separate from the tank (4), and located in the supply circuit linking the tank (4) to the steam generator (5), then the supply circuit draws water from the receptacle (7) by an opening (70) located nearer the anode (11) than the cathode (10), and in which the water flow rate at the opening (70) is lower than 70 g per m. --- -- H --8- ---- -- - -- -- -- -- --

Description

CLOTHES IRONING DEVICE CONTAINING A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

[0001] This disclosure pertains to a clothes ironing device containing a water tank, a steam generator attached to the tank by a supply circuit, and a water treatment system containing an anode and a cathode to precipitate the calcium carbonate present in the water.

[0002] Patent application WO 01/44116 discloses a clothes ironing device containing a tank of water and a steam generator attached to the tank by a supply circuit, the water sent into the steam generator being treated using a treatment system containing a cathode and an anode linked to a source of electricity, the anode and the cathode being placed directly into the tank and being separated one from the other via a cationic membrane.

[0003] Such a clothes ironing device presents the advantage of having a system for treating the water of the tank which limits the lime scale build-up in the generator and in the iron. However, such a device does present the disadvantage of requiring ion-exchanging membranes that are extremely fragile and relatively costly. Furthermore, such a device presents the disadvantage of having a water treatment system that acts directly inside the main tank of the device so that the time required to treat all the water in the tank is quite long. The user must therefore wait a relatively long time before she can use the device if she wants to enjoy the maximum efficiency of the purification system and to avoid sending mineral-laden water into the steam generator.

[0004] It may be advantageous if an embodiment of the disclosure were to offer an iron containing a water treatment system that prevents the formation of lime scale inside the steam generator that is simple, reliable and economic to produce. It may be advantageous if an embodiment of the disclosure were to offer an iron supplied with a water treatment system in which the user does not have to wait before being able to use the device to enjoy the efficiency of the water treatment system.

[0005] There is disclosed herein a clothes ironing device that contains a water tank, a steam generator connected to the water tank by a supply circuit and a water treatment facility containing a cathode and an anode to precipitate the calcium carbonate present in the water, wherein the cathode and the anode are arranged in a receptacle, separate from the tank, and located in the supply circuit linking the tank to the steam generator, then the supply circuit draws water from the receptacle by an opening located nearer the anode than the cathode, and in which the water flow rate at the opening is lower than 70 g per m.

[0006] Such a combination of features, using a device that is simple and economic system to use, may make it possible to obtain demineralised water that can be used to produce steam without any risk of damage to the steam generator. Drawing the water close to the anode with a low flow rate may make it possible to obtain water that is significantly less hard.

[0007] According to the disclosure, the supply circuit may draw water from the receptacle via an opening provided in the bottom of the receptacle.

[0008] According to the disclosure, the opening in the bottom of the receptacle may be arranged vertically to the anode.

[0010] Such a feature may make it possible to have the water drawn from the receptacle at the nearest spot to the anode.

[0011] According to the disclosure, the supply circuit may include a water reserve that is supplied through the opening of the receptacle, the supply circuit may contain a pump that draws water from the reserve to send it to the steam generator.

[0012] Such a reserve may present the advantage of forming a buffer volume of demineralised water from which the pump can draw. In particular, this buffer volume of demineralised water may make it possible to supply the steam generator as needed with a flow rate that is higher than the production capacity of the water treatment system of the receptacle. The water treatment system may operate continuously when the iron is plugged in, so it may be possible, because of the tank, to supply the pump at a rate that is higher than the flow of demineralised water supplied by the treatment system, since the pump is only used as needed, in phases of a few seconds, to supply the steam generator.

[0013] According to the disclosure, the receptacle may supply the tank by gravity with a water flow rate preferentially of the order of 50 g perm.

[0014] Such a feature may make it possible to limit the flow rate from the receptacle to the reserve to guarantee that the water treatment system maintains sufficient efficiency.

[0015] According to the disclosure, the anode may occupy a central position in the receptacle, and the cathode may be fixed against one of the peripheral walls of the receptacle.

[0016] According to the disclosure, continuous current of 30V may be applied to the terminals of the anode and the cathode.

[0017] According to the disclosure, the cathode may be made from graphite or titanium-loaded stainless steel.

[0018] According to the disclosure, the cathode may be made from graphite and may contain a connector that may widen gradually so that it is wider as it approaches the cathode.

[0019] According to the disclosure, the anode may be made from titanium-loaded stainless steel or from stainless steel with a ruthenium or platinum coating.

[0020] According to the disclosure, the supply to the receptacle may be regulated so that a constant water level H is maintained in the receptacle when the water tank is not empty.

[0021] Such a feature may make it possible to obtain a controlled flow rate of the water flowing by gravity through the opening of the receptacle.

[0022] According to the disclosure, the tank may contain a sealed enclosure that may include an outlet point running into the receptacle, and this outlet point may be the sole exit passage from the tank.

[0023] Such a tank may present the advantage of being a solution that is simple and economical to use, and may make it possible to obtain a constant water level in the receptacle, since the water from the tank may pour out by gravity into the receptacle until the water level in the receptacle reaches the level of the outlet point.

[0024] According to the disclosure, the receptacle may contain a filter that lets water through and captures the particles in the water according to their size, so the filter may form a filtering barrier between a primary chamber that receives the cathode, which may be fed from water from the tank, and a secondary chamber that may receive the anode, this second chamber may contain an outlet point that supplies the steam generator.

[0025] Such a feature may make it possible to avoid the lime scale crystals being sent into the reserve, since they may be captured by the filter in the primary chamber.

[0026] According to the disclosure, the filter may present suitable porosity so that only particles smaller than 50 pm - and preferably less than or equal to 30 pm - are let through.

[0027] Such a feature may make it possible to obtain good filtration of lime scale crystals with slower clogging of the filter.

[0028] According to the disclosure, the filter may be installed so that it can be removed from the receptacle without requiring a tool.

[0029] Such a feature may make it possible to remove the filter easily for cleaning.

[0030] According to the disclosure, the filter may extend vertically around the anode and may contain a lower extremity that supports a lime scale collection receptacle extending laterally outside the filter.

[0031] Such a feature may make it possible to remove the lime scale crystals at the same time as the filter when the filter is removed from the receptacle for cleaning.

[0032] According to the disclosure, the outlet point may be sized to provide a water flow rate of the order of 50 g per m.

[0033] Such a feature may ensure that the flow rate at the exit of the receptacle is limited via the filter outlet point.

[0034] According to the disclosure, the device may contain a steam-generating base linked by a cord to a steam iron, the base may include the steam generator and the water tank.

[0035] The purposes, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be made clear from the following description of a specific embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0036] Figure 1 represents a schematic view of an ironing device according to a specific embodiment, when the filter is in place in the water treatment receptacle.

[0037] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a steam generating base of a clothes ironing device according to a specific embodiment.

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the filter that equips the steam iron of figure 2.

[0039] Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter from figure 3.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the device from figure 1 when the filter is removed from the water treatment receptacle.

[0041] Only the elements necessary for understanding the disclosure have been shown. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, like elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0042] Figure 1 shows schematically a clothes ironing device containing a base 1 for producing steam and a clothes iron 2 containing a sole plate equipped with steam exit holes, the clothes iron 2 being linked to the base 1 by a line 3.

[0043] As in figures 1 and 2, the base 1 contains a removable water tank 4, of a capacity of around 1.5 litre, and a steam generator formed by a tub 5 that includes a heating resistor 50 of a power of around 1400 W making it possible to produce steam under pressure of the order of 4 to 6 bars, and the container 5 contains a valve 51, visible only in figure 1, attached to the clothes iron line and operated by a button 20 arranged on the clothes iron 2.

[0044] The tub 5 is supplied with water coming from the tank 4 via a supply circuit that includes a circulation pump 6 arranged just upstream from the tub 5, this pump 6 being controlled by a guidance card, not represented on the figures, and making it possible to inject water into the tub 5 at a pressure that can reach 15 bars.

[0045] The supply circuit of the tub 5 contains, upstream from the pump 6, a water treatment system containing a receptacle 7 that receives the means to precipitate the calcium carbonate and a removable filter 8 that takes place in the receptacle 7 by an open upper extremity of the receptacle 7.

[0046] The filter 8, thus located in the receptacle, forms a filtering barrier between a ring-shaped external primary chamber 71, into which an output point 40 empties from the tank 4 and a secondary chamber 72 arranged inside the filter 8, the secondary chamber 72 extending above a central area of the bottom of the receptacle 7 containing an opening 70 emptying into a tank 9 arranged under the bottom of the receptacle 7.

[0047] By way of example, the receptacle 7 presents the form of a cylinder with a circular section presenting a diameter of the order of 55 mm and a height of the order of 100 mm for a volume of the order of 200 cubic cm, the filter 8 being made of stainless steel, preferably titanium-loaded, and presenting a diameter of the order of 35 mm, a height of the order of 100 mm, and porosities of the order of 30 pm.

[0048] The supply of the receptacle 7 is advantageously regulated so as to have a constant water level H in the recipient 7 when water is present in the tank 4. For this purpose, the tank 4 presents the form of a sealed enclosure in which the output point 40 is the only exit from the tank 4. The tank 4 also contains a filling point that is closed by a water-tight stopper 41, visible on figure 1, and which allows easy filling of the tank 4 when upside down.

[0049] In accordance with figures 3 and 4, the filter 8 contains a lower extremity that supports a cup 80 presenting the form of a disk of a diameter slight less than the diameter of the receptacle 7, the cup 8 containing a part that extends radially outside the filter, ending in a raised outer rim 81, which defines a collection receptacle 82 for lime scale particles.

[0050] Preferably, the cup 80 contains a central opening 83 which is calibrated to let water through by gravity with a flow rate of the order of 50 g per m when the water level in the receptacle 7 is equal to the water level H, this central opening 83 coming in regard to the opening 70 specified in the bottom of the receptacle 7 and presenting a diameter of the order of 2 mm.

[0051] As can be seen on figures 1 and 2, the tank 9 contains an exit tube 90 which extends along the receptacle 7 until a height higher than the water level H in the receptacle 7, the pump 6 containing an input tube 60 that draws water from the tank 9. Preferably, the lower extremity of the input tube 60 is a few centimetres away from the bottom of the tank 9 in order to avoid drawing any particles that may have been deposited by settling in the bottom of the tank 9. By way of example, the lower extremity of the input tube 60 will be at least 1 cm away from the bottom of the tank 9, and the tank presents a volume of the order of 150 cubic cm.

[0052] The means by which to precipitate the calcium carbonate consist of a cathode 10 located in the primary chamber 71 and an anode 11 located in the secondary chamber 72, the anode 11 and the cathode 10 being supplied with current by a current control unit 13 applying a continuous current of 30V with a maximum intensity of 1A.

[0053] Preferably, the cathode 10 is made from graphite or titanium-loaded stainless steel and presents a cylindrical form conforming to the shape of the internal wall of the receptacle 7, extending to a height of the order of 100 mm.

[0054] The cathode 10 is linked to the current control unit 13 by a connector that extends outside the receptacle 7 and which preferably presents a section that widens gradually to become wider when it arrives at the contact of the cathode 10. Such a feature presents the advantage of avoiding a concentration of current at the connection with the cathode 10, which contributes to the gradual destruction of the cathode 10 when that cathode 10 is made of graphite.

[0055] The anode 11 is preferably made from titanium-loaded stainless steel or from stainless steel with a ruthenium or platinum coating, to avoid corrosion, and presents the form of a rod 10 mm in diameter and 90 mm high, which extends vertically to the centre of the receptacle 7, the lower extremity of the anode 11 being located at a distance of around 10 mm from the bottom of the receptacle 7.

[0056] The operation and advantages of the device produced in this manner will now be described.

[0057] When the device is being used, the user fills the removable tank 4 and then places it on the base 1 so that the water contained in the tank 4 flows out by gravity into the receptacle 7 until it reaches the level H of the output point 40 of the tank 4 for which the water level prevents air from entering the tank 4, which automatically stops the flow of water from the tank 4 to the receptacle 7.

[0058] The user then starts the device, which causes the heating resistor 50 of the tub 5 to be powered, under the control of an adjustment electronic device linked to a temperature gauge not represented in the figures, and the constant application of a continuous current of 30V on the terminals of the anode 11 and the cathode 10.

[0059] The current applied between the anode 11 and the cathode 10 causes, in a well-known way, the movement of the positive Ca2+ and Ma2+ ions to the cathode 10, if necessary crossing the pores of the filter 8, then the precipitation over time of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or vaterite crystals of between 5 and 50 pm in size in the primary chamber 71, in which a basic environment is formed due to the production of OH- ions.

[0060] To prevent lime scale build-up on the cathode 10 from forming too quickly, the device includes advantageously an operation phase of a few seconds during which the polarity to the cathode 10 and to the anode 11 is reversed, this reversal of polarity occurring every ten minutes.

[0061] The demineralised water produced in the secondary chamber 72 near the anode 11 flows out by gravity into the central outlet 83 then through the opening 70 of the bottom of the receptacle 7 and falls into the tank 9. The lime scale crystals that are larger than 30 pm, forming gradually in the primary chamber 71, are blocked in the primary chamber by the filter 8, and the low flow rate of water to the central outlet 83 presents the advantage of limiting the risks of blockage of the filter 8 since it produces just weak suction near the filter 8.

[0062] Preferably, the blocking of the filter 8 is also slowed by cyclically polarising the filter 8, which is made of an electrically conductive substance. This polarisation is done by temporarily putting the filter 8 on the electric potential of the anode 11, so that the electrical field made between the filter 8 and the cathode 10 pushes away the scale particles towards the cathode 10. By way of example, the filter 8 will be linked to the potential of the anode 11 for 10 seconds every 40 seconds.

[0063] The lime scale crystals that are smaller than 30 pm also largely remain trapped in the primary chamber 71 due to the presence of the electrical current that attracts them to the cathode 10 and to the very weak suction caused by the flow of the demineralised water at low flow rate via the central outlet 83. Any crystals that cross the filter 8 settle by gravity at the bottom of the tank 9.

[0064] When it is necessary to supply water to the tub 5 to produce steam, the guidance card orders the operation of the pump 8 which draws demineralised water from the tank 9 via the admission tube 60, some distance from the bottom to avoid suctioning the lime scale crystals that could have settled in the bottom of the tank 9.

[0065] The water is directed to the tub 5 by sequenced phases of operation of the pump 6, even when the user sets the steam button 20 of the clothes iron 2 permanently to on. For instance, the pump 6 operates for a 3-second period every 12 seconds. Such sequential operation of the pump 6 makes it possible to avoid having the pump 6 run empty by setting up stop phases for the pump 6 during which the drop in water level in the tank 9 may be offset by the arrival of demineralised water passing by gravity through the opening 70 at the bottom of the receptacle 7.

[0066] The flow of demineralised water from the receptacle 7 to the tank 9 is automatically offset by the automatic filling of the primary chamber 71 from the receptacle 7 with the water coming from the tank 4 when the level in the receptacle 7 is lower than the level of water H, since the device is advantageously equipped with an empty tank detection sensor, not shown in the figures, which interrupts the operation of the pump 6 when the tank 4 is empty, and such stopping of the pump 6 guarantees that water is to be found in the receptacle 7 and therefore constant production of demineralised water when the device is switched on.

[0067] When the tank 4 is empty, the user takes it out of the base 1 to fill it and she can always take advantage of that operation to take out the filter 8, as shown in figure 5, by moving it vertically through the upper opening of the receptacle 7.

[0068] When the filter 8 is moved vertically, all the calcium carbonate crystals that are in the primary chamber 71 are collected in the collection receptacle 82 of the cup 80 located at the base of the filter 8. The user can then rinse the filter 8 and the collection receptacle 82 by passing them under a tap before putting the filter 8 back into the receptacle 7. Naturally, the device may be equipped with a system that detects the presence of the filter 8 and stop the iron from operating if the filter 8 is not in the receptacle 7.

[0069] Made in this way, the iron presents the advantage of having a simple and economic water treatment system that supplies demineralised water that can be used in the steam generator so that the iron lasts longer.

[0070] This iron also presents the advantage of having a reserve of demineralised water, separate from the tank, from which the pump can draw water to supply the steam generator. In particular, this reserve of demineralised water has the advantage of being produced continuously while the iron is plugged in and of being stored in the iron in a place separate from the main tank of the iron, so that it is immediately available when the iron is turned on, from the second use of the iron. Therefore, if the user empties the main tank of the iron after each use or if the tank is empty after a long use of the iron, the user can fill the main tank again and use the iron without waiting for the water treatment system to act on the entire volume of water contained in the tank.

[0071] Finally, such an iron presents the advantage of easy maintenance, since the filter can easily be taken out of the receptacle to be cleaned and to remove the lime scale crystals.

[0072] Of course, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, particularly in terms of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without however departing from the scope of protection of the disclosure.

[0073] Therefore, in an embodiment variant not represented, the flow rate between the secondary chamber and the tank could be limited by limiting the flow rate diameter of the opening in the bottom of the receptacle rather than at the central outlet itself, and then the central outlet could present a larger flow rate diameter.

[0074] Also in an embodiment variant not represented, the bottom of the tank could contain an emptying outlet sealed by a removable stopper, accessible, for instance, through the bottom of the base. Such an emptying outlet would make it possible to remove any lime scale crystals that settle in the tank.

[0075] Also in an embodiment variant not represented, the receptacle could be supplied with water coming from the tank via a pump.

[0076] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the device.

[0076] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims (14)

1. Clothes ironing device that contains a water tank, a steam generator connected to the water tank by a supply circuit and a water treatment facility containing a cathode and an anode to precipitate the calcium carbonate present in the water, wherein the cathode and the anode are arranged in a receptacle, separate from the tank, and located in the supply circuit linking the tank to the steam generator, then the supply circuit draws water from the receptacle by an opening located nearer the anode than the cathode, and in which the water flow rate at the opening is lower than 70 g per m.

2. Clothes ironing device as per claim 1, wherein the opening is located in the bottom of the receptacle.

3. Clothes ironing device as per claim 2, wherein the opening is located vertically beneath the anode.

4. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the supply circuit contains a water tank that is supplied by the opening of the receptacle and the supply circuit contains a pump that draws water from the reserve and sends it to the steam generator.

5. Clothes ironing device as per claim 4, wherein the receptacle feeds by gravity the reserve with a water flow preferably of the order of 50 g per m.

6. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anode occupies a central position in the receptacle, the cathode being fixed against one of the peripheral walls of the receptacle.

7. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply to the receptacle is regulated so that a constant water level is maintained in the receptacle when the water tank is not empty.

8. Clothes ironing device as per claim 7, wherein the tank contains a sealed enclosure that includes an outlet hole opening into the receptacle, this outlet hole being the sole exit passage from the tank.

9. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receptacle contains a filter that lets water through and captures the particles in the water according to their size, the filter forming a filtering barrier between a primary chamber that receives the cathode, which is fed from water from the tank, and a secondary chamber that receives the anode, this second chamber containing an outlet point that supplies the steam generator.

10. Clothes ironing device as per claim 9, wherein the filter presents suitable porosity so that only particles smaller than 50 pm - and preferably less than or equal to 30 pm - are let through.

11. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the filter is installed so that it can be removed from the receptacle without requiring a tool.

12. Clothes ironing device as per claim 11, wherein the filter extends vertically around the anode and contains a lower extremity that supports a lime scale collection receptacle extending laterally outside the filter.

13. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the output point is sized to provide a water flow rate of the order of 50 g per m.

14. Clothes ironing device as per any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the device contains a steam generating base linked by a cord to a steam iron, the base including the steam generator and the water tank.