CN107087419B - Steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

An iron comprises at least one main body (12) and an ironing base plate (14) arranged below and connected to the main body (12). The ironing base plate (14) can be selectively detached from the main body (12) by means of a plurality of quick attachment/detachment means (16).

Description

Steam iron

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a household and industrial iron that can generally iron various types of garments, garments or fabrics.

In particular, the iron is detachable, that is to say the soleplate can be detached from the body delimiting the steam chamber in order to gain access to its internal components.

furthermore, the iron can perform the required ironing at a constant temperature for different types of fabrics.

background

Irons are well known for domestic and industrial use, generally to iron different types of garments, garments and fabrics by manipulating steam.

In particular, such irons are provided with a lower sole plate connected to the main body, which is generally heated by electric resistance to determine the desired ironing effect.

The iron irons the fabric by generating high temperature steam, which is filled in a steam chamber defined between the main body and the lower plate and can be emitted through one or more delivery holes provided on the lower plate.

In known irons, the soleplate and the main body are usually connected together in a fixed and non-detachable manner (e.g. glued or welded).

One drawback of this known solution is that the iron is difficult to clean, and the cleaning operation can only be performed on the outer surface of the iron, in particular on the lower sole plate.

In fact, the internal parts of the iron, in particular the interior of the body defining the steam chamber, are inaccessible, or at least not easily accessible to the user, and therefore deposits may remain thereon, or substances which precipitate may cause premature wear thereof.

Furthermore, known irons are generally equipped with a thermostat to adjust the characteristics of the steam generated, thus ensuring optimal operating conditions in relation to the different characteristics of the fabric to be ironed.

a drawback of this known solution is that the temperature of the steam generated has to be adjusted manually depending on the type of fabric to be ironed, thus requiring the user to know the correct temperature in relation to the fabric to be ironed and to intervene in the operation of the regulator.

A further drawback of the known iron is that the soleplate temperature is not generally fixed over the entire surface, and therefore the garment to be ironed risks being damaged at high temperature points and/or failing to achieve the desired ironing effect if the temperature is lower than the temperature at which the particular garment is suitable for ironing.

One possible solution is known to provide the iron with an internal thermostat that can be regulated electrically, making it possible to regulate the temperature corresponding to the soleplate in a controlled and automatic manner.

Although this method has the advantage of avoiding manual regulation of the soleplate temperature when using the iron, the known solution has the disadvantage that it requires complex, elaborate and expensive electronic controls.

It is also known that during use, steam irons can cause scale deposition due to minerals (e.g. calcium carbonate) contained in the water present in a suitable water tank, due to the high temperature of the steam.

One possible solution proposes to equip the iron with a collection chamber in which scale can accumulate and subsequently be removed from the iron by a blocking plug.

A drawback of this known solution consists in that complete removal of the scale is not achieved, since a portion of the scale deposits inside the iron, which, over time, could cause clogging of the steam delivery holes, thus worsening the ironing result.

Another drawback of this known solution is that the volume of the iron under this solution will be greater for the same volume of the water tank due to the presence of the scale collection chamber.

Document EP 1.798.327 a1 describes an iron having a pad which is attachable under the lower soleplate and which has holes distributed over its surface so as to emit steam generated in the steam chamber of the main body and away from the lower soleplate. The shim plate is selectively removable from the lower plate by resilient attachment means.

This solution does not solve the problem of accessibility to the steam chamber inside the iron body.

DE 29505735U 1 also provides a removable under-pad for the passage of steam. However, this solution also does not allow access to the steam chamber inside the iron body.

One purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that is detachable when necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a detachable iron that can be easily cleaned even from the inside, in particular from the internal steam chamber between the iron body and the lower sole plate.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain an iron that is simple and economical to produce and that can be produced in industrial series, reducing the time and costs associated with production.

One of the objects of the present invention is to obtain an iron that can achieve partial thermal insulation of the lower soleplate.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain an iron that can iron different types of garments, garments or fabrics at a constant temperature over the entire surface of the plate.

Another object of the invention is to obtain an iron that can easily remove scale build-up.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention relates to an iron comprising at least a main body and an ironing base plate arranged below and connected to the main body.

The main body has an at least partially hollow internal structure defining, during use, a chamber that can be selectively filled with steam, wherein the steam chamber is closed at a lower portion by the ironing base plate.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the ironing board can be selectively detached from the main body by means of various quick attachment/detachment means.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the quick attachment/detachment means and the ironing base plate are solidly connected to each other.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the quick attachment/detachment tool and the body are solidly connected to each other.

According to an embodiment form of the invention, the ironing base plate and the main body can be manually separated by directly exerting force on the quick attachment/detachment means.

According to other forms of embodiment of the invention, the ironing base plate and the main body can be automatically separated, for example by means of a release button.

By this measure it is advantageous that the internal components of the iron, in particular the steam chamber in the main body, are accessible whenever necessary, for example for descaling the iron or for removing other deposits formed during use.

In one form of embodiment, the iron further comprises at least one insulating element made of insulating material and arranged in an intermediate position between the main body and the ironing base plate, for at least the majority of the surface of the ironing base plate, and for reducing the temperature of the ironing base plate during use.

According to an embodiment form of the invention, the insulating element is made as a single continuous body in the form of a membrane.

According to another form of embodiment of the invention, the insulating element is made as a single body in the form of a film, provided with one or more holes, so that the steam can pass from the main body to the ironing base, and from the latter to the garment to be ironed.

In a preferred form of embodiment, the holes of the insulating element of the membrane type are arranged in correspondence with the holes of the ironing base plate.

According to other forms of embodiment of the present invention, the iron comprises a plurality of insulating elements, separate from each other, which extend entirely over at least part of the ironing base plate (corresponding to its inner surface).

In this way, the intermediate heat-insulating element, thanks to its arrangement between the body generating and delivering steam and the ironing base plate, determines the uniformity of the temperature of its entire surface, so that it is possible to iron different types of fabric at a constant temperature without any need for manual adjustment.

Furthermore, according to the iron of the present invention, if the insulating element is worn or at any time it is necessary to adapt the ironing conditions to the different types of clothes to be ironed, the at least one insulating element can be replaced accordingly.

Drawings

These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the description of some forms of embodiment, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an iron according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the iron shown in fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a variation of the iron shown in fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a variation of the iron shown in fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view from above of a part of another variant of the iron shown in fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the lower portion of the iron shown in fig. 1.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It will be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be readily incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation. For example, because they are part of one form of embodiment, the features shown or described may be employed or correlated in other forms of embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such modifications and alterations.

the present invention, as described in the present specification, relates to an iron 10 for domestic and industrial use, operating by manipulating steam.

in the form of embodiment described with reference to fig. 1, the iron 10 comprises a main body 12 and an ironing base plate 14 arranged below and connected to the main body 12.

In particular, the body 12 may preferably be made of a light material, such as plastic, composite material or element or a light metal alloy, so that the movement of the iron 10 may be simplified at least during use.

As can be seen in fig. 6, the body 12 has an at least partially hollow interior defining a chamber which can be filled with steam, the steam chamber 26 being selectively filled with steam during use in accordance with the use and operating cycle of the iron 10.

The ironing base plate 14 is made of one or more conductive materials, such as one or more metallic materials or other suitable materials, such as steel, aluminium or steel-aluminium.

The ironing base plate 14 may preferably have an irregular shape, such as a point at one end, to facilitate the ironing of certain parts of a garment, garment or fabric having a complex articulated shape.

The iron 10 includes a handle 15 connected to the body 12 in an upper position to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the iron 10.

A plurality of delivery holes 20 are made in the ironing base plate 14 for determining the delivery of the steam generated in a suitable boiler (not shown here).

The boiler may be provided, for example, in the body 12, or alternatively, may be located outside the iron 10.

In particular, steam is initially generated in the water in the tank 21, the tank 21 being arranged inside or outside the body 12 and being connected at least to the boiler; the steam is then fed in the form of suitable channels to fill the steam chamber 26 located inside the body 12. From where the steam is then conveyed to the outside through delivery holes 20 provided in the ironing base plate 14.

In particular, a heating element of a generally known type, such as an electric resistance (not shown in the figures), can be used to generate the steam.

The main body 12 also comprises at least one duct for facilitating the passage of steam, having a variable length and diameter according to the position of the delivery holes 20 on the ironing base plate 14.

The passage conduit may enable a connection between the boiler and the delivery hole 20 to ensure that steam obtained in the boiler can be transferred to the outside of the iron 10.

In other forms of embodiment described herein, the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14 can be selectively removable by means of a plurality of quick attachment/detachment means, according to the specific needs of the user.

By using the quick attachment/detachment means 16, the ironing base plate 14 can be separated from the main body 12 so that the internal compartment delimiting the steam chamber 26 can be accessed for cleaning and maintenance operations, such as removing limescale. Cleaning and maintenance operations can also be carried out on the inner surface of the ironing base plate 14, whereas the ironing base plate 14 of a conventional iron is generally inaccessible unless subjected to a lengthy and complex disassembly process.

In the form of embodiment described herein, the quick attachment/detachment means 16 can be solidly (solid) with the ironing base plate 14 or, alternatively, solidly with the main body 12.

In particular, with reference to the variant shown in figures 2 and 3, the quick attachment/detachment means 16, located between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14, are a plurality of hooks associated with the ironing base plate 14.

In other forms of embodiment shown with reference to fig. 4, the quick attachment/detachment tool 16 is a plurality of screws that selectively mate with mating cavities 19 (here, threaded holes provided on the body 12).

In other forms of embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the selective release of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12 can be obtained by means of selective sliding of the ironing base plate 14 with respect to the main body 12 (for example along guides).

In this case, at the end of the stroke, one or more quick attachment/detachment means 16 may be provided, preferably arranged at the front and/or rear of the iron 10, to keep the ironing base plate 14 and the main body 12 together, preventing their accidental detachment.

In this way, it is ensured that the ironing base plate 14 can be selectively released from the main body 12, for example by manually operating the quick attachment/detachment means 16.

In other variant forms of embodiment of the invention, the ironing base plate 14 is ensured to be able to be detached from the main body 12, by means of one or more buttons that selectively activate the quick attachment/detachment means 16, so as to allow an automatic selective release.

The button may advantageously be arranged in an upper part of the iron 10, for example close to the handle 15.

In a possible embodiment, the iron 10 may further comprise at least one control sensor (not shown in the figures) for detecting at least one or more functional parameters of the iron 10, such as the temperature and/or pressure of the steam, or the temperature of the ironing board 14.

The at least one control sensor may also be used to manage and control the selective release of the ironing base plate 14 and the main body 12, such as the selective activation of safety means to grip the ironing base plate 14.

In particular, the safety means are intended to prevent the ironing base plate 14 from being released from the main body 12 in case of accidents and/or unsuitable conditions.

In this way, if the control sensor detects that the functional condition of the iron 10 may cause a safety problem for the user, it may selectively activate the safety means to prevent the ironing base plate 14 from being released from the main body 12.

The safety means may comprise, for example, a membrane that expands in the high temperature of the ironing base plate 14 and/or the steam, or a mechanical clamping element that can be commanded to operate according to parameters detected by control sensors.

In an embodiment form of the invention, the control sensor also comprises a thermostat for detecting the temperature of the soleplate 14, at least continuously or at predetermined moments, for example the moments immediately after the activation of the clamping system of the soleplate 14, and comparing it with a threshold value.

In this way, if the detected temperature is higher than the threshold value, the control sensor activates the safety means to prevent the sole plate 14 from being released from the main body 12, spontaneously or not.

With the iron 10 being detachable, the user may have access to the internal components of the iron 10, in particular the internal steam chamber 26 of the main body 12, for example if it is desired to clean, for example but not only, scale or other substances that form during use of the iron 10 and subsequently deposit thereon.

Referring to the embodiment described with reference to fig. 3-5, the iron 10 further comprises an insulating element 22.

In particular, the at least one insulating element 22 can be advantageously arranged in an intermediate position between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14, to act as a thermal barrier between the steam chamber 26 and the ironing base plate 14 and thus reduce the temperature of the lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14 relative to the temperature of the steam produced by the boiler.

The lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14 is in any case kept as a surface in contact with the garments to be ironed, so that the insulating element 22, located in an intermediate position between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14, does not modify the operation of the iron 10 or its operating characteristics.

In the form of embodiment described herein, insulating element 22 is a membrane in the form of a sheet/foil made of one or a combination of materials selected, for example, from the group consisting of thermosetting polymeric materials, thermoplastic materials, elastomeric materials.

In this case, the insulating element 22, which is subject to the effect of the temperature increase during use of the iron 10, may expand and therefore adhere completely to the ironing base plate 14 and to the main body 12, thus ensuring the desired insulation of the steam chamber 26.

Among the polymer materials that may be used are polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), expanded Polystyrene (PS), Polyurethane (PU), expanded Polyurethane (PU), Acrylic Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicone rubber, natural rubber, or other similar (and/or equivalent) polymer materials.

The at least one insulating element 22 may be formed as a sheet, or a laminate, a foil, or a mat, or otherwise have a similar or equivalent form.

In particular, the at least one insulating element 22 may have a contained and variable thickness, for example comprised between 0.5mm and 3mm, advantageously between 1mm and 2.5 mm.

In the form of embodiment described here, the thickness of the entire extension of the insulating element 22 can be constant.

Alternatively, insulating element 22 may have a different thickness along its extent.

For example, insulating element 22 may have a greater thickness at a central portion thereof and a correspondingly lesser thickness at end portions thereof, or vice versa, or decrease or increase in thickness from one end to the other by a constant or non-constant amount.

In this way, it is possible to perform differentiated insulation along the insulating element 22 according to specific ironing requirements.

As the thickness of the insulating element 22 varies, the nature of the insulation may vary.

In fact, the greater the thickness of the insulating element 22, the lower the temperature of the lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14 to which it corresponds.

In the forms of embodiment described herein, the at least one insulating element 22 can be made separately from the above-mentioned main body 12 and ironing base plate 14, and then interposed therebetween.

By way of non-limiting example, insulating element 22 may be molded by, for example, stamping, laser cutting techniques, or similar manufacturing techniques that achieve the desired shape of insulating element 22.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the at least one insulating element 22 can be directly connected to the main body 12 or to the ironing base plate 14, using known techniques, such as co-moulding techniques.

By means of the at least one insulating element 22, a thermal dampening effect is obtained, so that ironing of different types of fabric under constant temperature conditions can be achieved without resorting to complex electronic and mechanical adjustment systems known in the art.

Furthermore, the iron 10 may more easily generate steam at a higher temperature than in the prior art.

In fact, even if the steam generated is at a higher temperature and is generated under more energy-efficient conditions, the presence of the at least one insulating element 22 allows to insulate the ironing base plate 14 and at the same time to iron more delicate fabrics.

Furthermore, since the iron 10 is of the dismountable type, the at least one insulating element 22 can be easily replaced by simply releasing the ironing base plate 14.

In this case, therefore, the user can easily replace the at least one insulating element 22, for example if it is necessary to adjust the ironing conditions according to the specific properties of the fabric to be ironed, or if the at least one insulating element 22 has worn.

In the form of embodiment described herein, the iron 10 comprises only one insulating element 22 made as a single piece in film form, and the insulating element 22 has a shape matching that of the lower surface 23 so as to completely cover it.

In the form of embodiment described with reference to figures 3 and 4, the insulating element 22 is made in a single body and has one or more holes 24 of different shape, the holes 24 advantageously being made in correspondence with cooperating holes in the ironing base plate 14.

In other forms of embodiment, the iron 10 comprises a plurality of insulating elements 22, the insulating elements 22 being spaced apart from each other so as to achieve only partial coverage of the ironing base plate 14.

In a possible embodiment, to facilitate the manufacture of the iron 10, it may also comprise a support 25 on which a plurality of insulating elements 22 (fig. 5) is arranged.

In particular, the support 25 can be made of the same material as the at least one insulating element 22, or it can be made of another material if the support 25 does not need to have a specific insulating function.

In the form of embodiment described herein, all the insulating elements 22 can be made of the same material, so as to obtain the same insulating effect along the ironing base plate 14.

In other forms of embodiment of the invention, only part of the insulating element 22 can be made of different materials, so as to provide the desired insulation with a multiplicity of properties, for example between the tip, the middle and the rear of the ironing base plate 14, depending on their specific position (figure 5).

With reference to fig. 5, it is possible to provide an insulating element 22 corresponding to the tip of the ironing base plate 14, the insulating element 22 being made of a material having lower insulating properties, for example for ironing more delicate parts of fabric.

In the rest of the ironing base plate 14, on the contrary, other types of insulating elements 22, even different from each other and having higher insulating properties, can be provided.

It is clear that some modifications and/or additions may be made to the iron 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of iron 10, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims (17)

1. Steam iron comprising at least one main body (12) and an ironing base plate (14) arranged below and connected to the main body (12), wherein the main body (12) has an at least partially hollow internal structure forming a chamber (26) that can be selectively filled with steam, wherein the steam chamber (26) is closed at the lower part by the ironing base plate (14), characterized in that the ironing base plate (14) can be selectively separated from the main body (12) by means of a plurality of quick attachment/detachment means (16).

2. Iron as in claim 1, characterized in that said quick attachment/detachment means (16) are solidly connected to said ironing base plate (14).

3. Iron as in claim 1, characterized in that said quick attachment/detachment means (16) are solidly connected to said main body (12).

4. Iron as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that said ironing base plate (14) and said main body (12) are able to be manually separated by exerting a force directly on said quick attachment/detachment means (16).

5. Iron as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that said ironing base plate (14) and said main body (12) are able to be separated automatically.

6. Iron as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one control sensor for detecting at least one or more functional parameters of the iron (10).

7. Iron as in claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises safety means for selectively preventing the release of said ironing base plate (14) from said body (12).

8. Iron as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the control sensor is also used to selectively activate the safety device.

9. Iron as in any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one insulating element (22) made of insulating material and arranged in an intermediate position between said main body (12) and said ironing base plate (14), for at least the majority of the surface of said ironing base plate (14) and for reducing the temperature of said ironing base plate (14) during use.

10. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that said at least one insulating element (22) is made in a single body with one of said main body (12) or said ironing base plate (14).

11. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that said at least one insulating element (22) is made separately from said main body (12) or from said ironing base plate (14).

12. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that it comprises an insulating element (22) made as a single continuous body in film form, said insulating element (22) having a shape and dimensions such as to cover at least part of said ironing base plate (14).

13. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a heat insulating element (22) made as a single piece in film, said heat insulating element (22) having one or more holes (24) for the passage of steam from said main body (12) to said ironing base plate (14) and from said ironing base plate (14) to the items to be ironed.

14. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of insulating elements (22) separate from each other, said plurality of insulating elements (22) extending entirely over at least part of said ironing base plate (14).

15. Iron as in claim 14, characterized in that said insulating element (22) is arranged on a support (25).

16. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that said insulating elements (22) are all made of the same material.

17. Iron as in claim 9, characterized in that at least a portion of said insulating elements (22) are made of different materials.