EP0651086B1 - Electric iron with a low thermal inertia ironing sole - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field general devices designed to provide formatting of a textile article, such as a garment by subjecting it to the action of heat treatment and treatment mechanical ironing.

The present invention relates to an iron electric comprising an ironing sole and means heating associated with automatic means of interruption activated as soon as the iron is stopped.

In all the irons of the prior art, the organ main forming element carrying iron is constituted by the soleplate. The latter is related thermal with heating means, for example a armored resistance, intended to carry the sole with high temperature in order to accelerate the heat exchange between the sole and linen. Prior art irons include also conventionally, a thermal limiter such than a thermostat, whose set temperature is adjustable by the user depending on the nature of the article to be ironed. During the ironing cycles, the user is forced to divest the iron for ability to perform various manipulations requiring the use of both hands, for example the moving, folding or turning the item over iron. During these handling phases, the iron is placed horizontally and at a distance on a suitable support or placed on his heel in a direction substantially vertical. In either of these positions the sole ironing is no longer in contact with the support ironing and therefore cannot burn it. In the most prior art irons the sole of the iron is kept at its working temperature even during ironing interruption phases due to various manipulations listed above in order to be immediately ready for use. For reasons of safety it has already been proposed on certain irons known to the prior art to associate the heating elements of the sole has means of automatic interruption of the operation when the iron is immobilized. Food the heating element is generally cut off after a certain time of immobilization using sensors detecting movement, such as detectors electromechanical.

In addition, there are certain models of dry irons which have a thin sole. The heating time of the sole is reduced in order to save money of energy. Such dry irons have a rigid mass used to weigh down the iron on which the thin soleplate can be fixed. Such a mass gives the sole excellent stiffness characteristics. It is so possible to make soles whose thickness is considerably reduced. Such an iron, forming the base of the preamble of claim 1, is disclosed in document FR-A-1 037 828.

This heavy mass added to the iron greatly reduces its maneuverability and makes the ironing operation very tiring. Furthermore, this principle is limited to dry irons only and would not apply to steam irons.

The need to install at regular intervals or not iron either vertically or horizontally in an area provided for this purpose constitutes a usage constraint perceived in a particularly negative way by the user insofar as she is considered to be significantly lengthening the ironing operation already tedious in itself. In addition, positioning correct iron in its rest position requires despite all the sustained attention from the user, attention which decreases over time with fatigue and may be the source of the risk of burns or even falling iron. Finally it is recognized that the continuous installation operation and recovery of the iron on a horizontal support or on its heel constitutes a movement physically stressing the wrist of the user and leading to physical fatigue certain.

The object of the present invention is therefore aimed at remedy the various problems mentioned previously and to provide an electric iron to vapor whose thermal kinetics are improved for allow particularly rapid cooling of the sole, and conversely a rise in the temperature of the also fast sole.

Another object of the invention is to propose an iron electric steam iron which can remain stationary in during the ironing cycle in its working position on the ironing support itself, without damaging by burning, that same support.

Another object of the invention is to propose an iron electric steam iron whose thermal inertia ironing module formed by the sole, the element heating, and advantageously a holding plate, is reduced so that as soon as the heating is interrupted, the cooling of the sole is fast enough so that the iron can remain on the ironing support without damaging this support by burning.

A complementary object of the invention aims to provide a iron for immediate steam production even after a long period of iron rest on its support.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using an electric iron with a soleplate thin ironing and sole heating means associated with means of automatic interruption of operation activated when the iron is stopped, characterized in that the iron is steam and has a stiffening structure of the sole, interposed between the soleplate and body of iron, permeable to steam, communicating with a vaporization chamber, and carried out made of a thermal insulating material.

• la figure 1 montre selon une vue générale en coupe transversale longitudinale un fer à repasser conforme à l'invention.
• la figure 2 montre selon une vue en coupe transversale une variante préférentielle d'une semelle de repassage conforme à l'invention.
• la figure 3 montre selon une vue partielle de dessus, une semelle de repassage conforme à l'invention.
• la figure 4 montre selon une vue en perspective partielle un détail de réalisation de la structure d'une semelle de repassage conforme à l'invention.
• la figure 5 montre selon une coupe partielle un détail de réalisation d'une semelle de repassage conforme à l'invention.

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 general view in longitudinal cross section an iron according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows in a cross-sectional view a preferred variant of an ironing soleplate according to the invention.
• Figure 3 shows in a partial top view, an ironing sole according to the invention.
• Figure 4 shows in a partial perspective view a detail of the structure of an ironing soleplate according to the invention.
• Figure 5 shows in a partial section a detail of an ironing sole according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a general schematic view of an iron electric device according to the invention comprising an envelope external plastic material forming a covering 1 in which is provided at its upper part with a handle 2. The iron includes an ironing sole 3 provided according to a preferred version of the invention, orifices 4 steam distribution. The ironing sole 3 is for example made of a material such as aluminum or made of aluminum-stainless steel collaminated material and is covered on its upper face of a heating element 5 advantageously constituted as described in the patent application French FR-9200970 with one or more polymer films coating a resistive heating track. So advantageous the heating element 5 is flat, covers the entire upper face of the soleplate 3 and is integral with the latter for example by gluing. According to an alternative embodiment, the fixing of the element heater 5 can be obtained by adding a plate holding 6, for example of aluminum, covering at least partially and preferably completely the heating element 5 and the ironing sole 3. Such an assembly is particularly suitable when the iron is provided a vaporization chamber 15 capable of supplying steam, the holding plate 6 also ensuring in this case the sealing of the heating element 5. For reasons homogeneity of expansion, the retaining plate 6 will be advantageously chosen in a behavioral material identical or close to the material constituting the ironing sole 3. According to a preferred variant of realization, the ironing sole 3 and the plate maintenance 6 are integral parts or made integral a waterproof cover 8 delimiting the vaporization chamber 15.

According to another alternative embodiment, it is particularly advantageous to ensure at least in part the assembly between the retaining plate 6 and the sole of ironing 3 by crimping the latter onto the plate holding 6 using the holes 4.

The thermal inertia of the ironing sole 3 will be as small as possible and for this purpose its thickness will be advantageously between 0.4 and 1 millimeter and preferably around 0.6 millimeter, to allow heating and cooling as fast as possible. The thermal inertia of the ironing module formed by the ironing sole 3, the heating element 5 and optionally holding plate 6, is also reduced by reducing the thickness of the retaining plate 6 advantageously of the order of 0.2 millimeters, the total thickness of the module being in this example less than 2 millimeters and ideally close to 1 millimeter.

The rigidity of the ironing sole 3 is obtained by the interposition, between the latter and the body of the iron, of a stiffening structure 10 made of a material thermal insulator, which, in addition to its mechanical function stiffening and support, on the one hand assumes a function thermal insulation and on the other hand a function of steam distribution. First, the structure of stiffening 10 thermally insulates the sole so as to facilitate and accelerate the heating process thereof since all the thermal energy generated by the heating element 5 is drained towards the sole. Then, the stiffening structure of the sole is designed to be vapor permeable. This permeability is ensured by passages ensuring the delivery of steam to ejection ports 4.

According to an example of a simple embodiment, the stiffening structure 10 includes as shown in FIG. 5, a plate 11 whose lower face 11a extends above and at a distance from the sole 3 by through spacers 12. In variants preferred embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 5 the vaporization chamber 15 is connected by an orifice flow 16 with a reservoir 17 on the one hand and by a outlet 18 with the stiffening structure 10 on the other hand.

According to the variant shown in Figure 5 the spacers 12 are integral with the plate 11 and rest by their lower end on the retaining plate 6 for delimit between them a series of passageways.

According to a preferred version of the invention shown in Figure 1, the stiffening structure 10 is formed of a plate 21 with honeycomb structure comprising a plurality cells 24 (Figures 3 and 4) whose walls 25 form spacer between plate 21 and holding plate 6. Advantageously, at least some and preferably all cells 24 communicate with each adjacent cell of so as to ensure a predetermined steam distribution over the entire surface of the soleplate 3. As shown in Figure 4 the communication between 24 cells can be obtained by performing holes or cutouts 26 in the walls 25. As variant it is also possible to make walls 25 of unequal height, arranged along a specific path allowing to create one or more paths preferential steam to orifices 4. This gives the desired permeability.

The stiffening structure 10 can be formed by a single stage of cells to form a monolayer structure, or on the contrary be formed of a stack of several cell floors. So depending on the preferred version shown in Figure 1, the stiffening structure 10 is formed of two stages of cells 24 arranged on one side and other of the plate 21 forming a separation screen. This the latter is provided with perforations 30 ensuring the communication between the upper floor and the lower floor. It is obviously possible to consider carrying out a stiffening structure 10 having a greater number cell floors 24.

According to a preferred application of the invention, iron iron is a steam iron as shown in the Figure 1 and the stiffening structure 10 serves as an interface between the vaporization chamber 15 and the orifices 4 of vaporization, while allowing a distribution of the vapor between cells 24 on each floor.

The heating element 5 is conventionally connected to a thermal limiter (not shown in the figures) adjustable by the user and connected to interrupt means automatic 35 operating. These include a presence detector, consisting for example of two bars 36 incorporated in the handle 2, said bars bars being connected to an electrical circuit capable of control the connection / disconnection of the heating element 5. The presence detector conforms in all respects to that described in French patent application FR-9311624, the description is incorporated into this application. The bars 36 allow, when the user's hand grips handle 2 to create a micro leakage current signaling the presence of the user and putting under voltage the heating element 5 responsible for the rise in temperature of the soleplate 3. Conversely, from the detector no longer detects the presence of the user, the element's power supply heater 5 is immediately turned off. The iron also includes a second heating element 32 associated with the vaporization chamber 15 and consisting for example of a overmolded armored resistor. The second heating element 32 is electrically connected to a second thermal limiter (not shown in figures) independent of the means of interruption automatic 35 operating. The independence of the second thermal limiter allows the second heating element 32 maintain the temperature of the spray 15 permanently even when the means of automatic interruption of operation 35 are not activated i.e. when the user does not enter the handle 2. Such an electrical assembly makes it possible to benefit immediately upon resumption of the ironing cycle, necessary and sufficient amount of steam.

The operation of an iron in accordance with the invention is as follows.

When the user grasps the handle 2, the means of automatic interruption 35 of operation are activated and the first heating element 5 is energized and ensures rapid temperature rise of the sole ironing 3. When the pre-set temperature set by user is reached regulation of the ironing sole 3 is carried out so classic. The rise in temperature of the sole of ironing 3 is fast due to a part of its very low thermal inertia resulting from its reduced thickness, and on the other hand from the thermally floating mounting of the sole.

Simultaneously steam is produced from the vaporization chamber 15 and the vapor can then pass freely through the stiffening structure 10 and the different perforations 30 connecting the stages of the cells 24. Steam can also be distributed evenly at through the different cells 24 via orifices 26 distributed regularly or not throughout the thickness of the stiffening structure 10. During the ironing cycle the stiffening structure 10 avoids any deformation of the soleplate 3 despite its reduced thickness. As soon as the user releases the handle 2, the power supply of the heating element 5 is interrupted, and due to the low thermal inertia of the soleplate 3 and its speed of reaction, the iron can remain horizontal and stationary on the ironing support during the ironing cycle. In Indeed, tests have shown that with a substantially instantaneous interruption of heating, the sole or low inertia ironing module allows dissipation of thermal energy without the support iron on which the iron sole rests is altered by burn. The thermal energy released is insufficient for cause any damage. The stiffening structure 10 assumes consequently also a primary function of insulation thermal resulting from a reduction in thermal bridges and permeability in all directions of space in the volume it defines.

As soon as the user grasps the handle 2 again the heating element 5 is put into action almost instant without the user having to previously, either put the iron on its heel, either lay it flat in one particular place. It follows that the manipulations are particularly reduced.

According to an advantageous variant, the heating of the sole is reactivated before the sole temperature does not go down too low. His temperature is like this maintained at a value such that the ironing support does not could be damaged. For a cotton fleece, for example, this value could be around 100 to 120 ° C. So, as soon as the iron resumes, it can reach its temperature normal operation in a further time interval shorter. This characteristic can be achieved by means of a thermostat with two set points, the point corresponding to the highest temperature being by example set by the user according to the fabric to iron.

An indirect advantage of the invention lies in the possibility to get rid of the need to assume at the heel of the iron a stable rest function, since the iron can now remain flat and stopped during ironing.

Claims (19)

1. An electric smoothing iron including a thin ironing sole plate (3) and heater means (5) for heating the sole plate (3), which heater means are associated with automatic switch-off means (35) which are activated whenever the iron is at rest, the iron being characterized in that it is a steam iron and includes a reinforcing structure (10) for reinforcing the sole plate, which structure is interposed between the plate and the body of the iron, is permeable to steam, communicates with a steam-generating chamber (15), and is made of a thermally insulating material.
2. An iron according to claim 1, in which a holding plate (6) covers the heater element and the ironing plate (3), at least in part.
3. An iron according to claim 1 or 2, in which the plate (3), the heater means (5), and in particular said holding plate (6), constitute an ironing module having low thermal inertia which enables the iron to remain in a horizontal position on the ironing board without damaging it, the heating being switched off substantially instantaneously.
4. An iron according to any one of claims 1 to 3, including a handle (2) serving to manipulate the iron, said iron being characterized in that the automatic switch-off means (35) allow the heater means (5) to be switched off, at least in part, substantially instantaneously as soon as the handle (2) is released.
5. An iron according to any preceding claim, in which the heater means (5) include a flat heater element covering the sole plate (3), said element itself being covered by the holding plate (6).
6. An iron according to any preceding claim, in which the thickness of the sole plate is less than 1 mm and the thickness of the ironing module is less than 2 mm.
7. An iron according to any preceding claim, in which the reinforcing structure (10) comprises a plate (11, 21) having a bottom face (11a) which extends over the sole plate (3) or the holding plate (6) spaced apart therefrom by means of spacers (12, 25), the permeability of the plate (11, 21) being such that it enables communication from one face of the plate (11, 21) to the other, and between the spacers (12, 25).
8. An iron according to claim 7, in which the spacers (12) are secured to the bottom face (11a).
9. An iron according to any preceding claim, in which the reinforcing structure (10) is formed by a plate (21) having a honeycomb structure, in which at least some cells (24) communicate with adjacent cells, the walls (25) of the cells (24) forming the spacers (12).
10. An iron according to claim 9, in which the reinforcing structure (10) is formed by cells (24) at a single level forming a single-layer structure.
11. An iron according to claim 9, in which the reinforcing structure (10) includes cells (24) at several levels, preferably two levels, each level being separated by the plate (11) which forms a screen provided with perforations (30), and enables communication between the levels.
12. An iron according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the walls (25) of the cells (24) forming spacers are provided with holes or slots (26).
13. An iron according to any preceding claim, including a steam-generating chamber (15) in communication with the steam orifices (4) of the plate (3) via the reinforcing structure (10).
14. An iron according to claim 13, in which the heater element (5) is connected to an adjustable temperature limiter connected to the automatic switch-off means (35), and in which it includes a second heater element (32) associated with the steam-generating chamber (15) and connected to a second temperature limiter which is independent of the automatic switch-off means (35).
15. An iron according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the automatic switch-off means (35) comprise a user-presence detector connected to an ON/OFF electrical circuit for the heater element (5), which detector is capable of reducing or switching off the power supply to the heater element (5) while ironing is taking place, as soon as the presence of the user is no longer detected.
16. An iron according to claims 14 and 15, in which the presence detector is a member for detecting the presence of the user's hand on the handle (2) of the iron, said detector being functionally connected only to the heater element (5) of the plate (3).
17. An iron according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in which heating of the plate is switched back on again as soon as the temperature thereof reaches a critical lower threshold, heating being limited in order to allow the plate to reach an intermediate standby temperature until the presence of the hand is detected again.
18. An iron according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is connected to an external heating tube.
19. An iron according to claim 3, in which the material of the holding plate (6) presents thermal properties which are substantially identical to the material constituting the sole plate (3).

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