Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F75/00—Hand irons
  • D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
  • D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
  • D06F75/14—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical field of steam irons.
• the present invention relates more particularly to steam irons of the type comprising a vaporization chamber and a reservoir intended to receive and store the water before it is injected by various known means such as needles, bushels or pumps. in said vaporization chamber to be evaporated there.
• the water tank is generally produced according to one of the following arrangements.
• the water tank can constitute an autonomous assembly.
• the iron then comprises a sole plate surmounted by a heating body in which is formed a vaporization chamber, a heat screen disposed above the heating body, the water tank then being disposed above said screen.
• the water tank is in this case most often made by means of two half-shells assembled together so as to form a hollow body.
• This hollow body can contain elements intended for various functions such as, for example, conducting water to supply pumps, or even containing elements such as water treatment resins.
• the hollow body is designed so as to leave at least one filling orifice for the water.
• this hollow body is made of polypropylene, the two half shells being assembled by welding. 2
• Such an embodiment has the disadvantage of being relatively expensive.
• the tank being produced independently, it is necessary to mold each of the component parts, then assemble them by welding and finally check at this stage the good tightness of the assembly.
• Such an embodiment also has the drawback of multiplying the risks of failure due to water leakage, either from the construction of the tank, or after a certain period of use. Indeed, it is difficult to ensure and maintain the seal between the bottom of the polypropylene tank and the vaporization chamber because of the relative flexibility of the polypropylene at temperatures close to its limit of use.
• the water tank can also be obtained by assembling a half-shell forming the upper part of the tank with a part playing both the role of the lower part of the tank and the heat shield.
• the heat shield by its function, is preferably made of a thermal insulating material resistant to temperature such as a phenolic or polyester resin. Since the upper part of the tank is most often made of thermoplastic material, preferably transparent, it is therefore excluded to make the connection with the lower part by welding.
• the known solutions then consist in providing a peripheral groove, generally in the heat shield, in interposing in said groove a resin or a liquid silicone, or else solid seals of the silicone or rubber type, the latter being obtainable by molding or extrusion. .
• Document FR 2 747 404 describes such a solution. The assembly can also be completed with one or more screws. None of these solutions makes it possible to obtain a simple and economical assembly. 3
• the object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to assemble an upper part of the tank with a lower part of the tank forming a heat shield in a simple, reliable and economical manner.
• an iron tank comprising a lower half-shell comprising at least one annular conformation and an upper half-shell comprising at least one annular conformation intended to nest in and / or over the corresponding annular conformation of the lower half-shell, characterized in that at least one of the conformations is produced with a coating fixed in an irreversible manner and acting as a seal.
• the tank obtained has great reliability with regard to sealing. This result is obtained by the fact that the coating or coatings acting as a seal adhere to one of the half shells. This adhesion has two effects which contribute to the good sealing of the assembly. First of all, it eliminates leaks between the joint (s) and the half-shell to which it is attached, in particular those which would result from a defect in the surfaces in contact. Then, it allows a maximum transverse tightening on the joint (s), the assembly being able to be made with the press under high pressures, the irreversible connection of the joint with one of the parts making it possible to avoid its sliding and its extrusion.
• This achievement makes it possible to obtain an autonomous and transportable assembly without risk, in particular for the rest of the manufacturing process.
• This feature makes it easier to assemble the iron by allowing you to postpone or even eliminate the assembly by screw.
• the or one of the annular conformations formed on the lower half-shell is a groove, and the or one of the corresponding annular conformations of the upper half-shell is a skirt.
• the or one of the annular conformations formed on the lower half-shell is a skirt, and the or one of the corresponding annular conformations of the upper half-shell is a groove.
• the or one of the coatings acting as a seal is disposed in the or one of the grooves.
• the or one of the coverings acting as a seal is placed on the or one of the skirts.
• the or one of the coatings acting as a seal has a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 mm.
• the or one of the coatings acting as a seal is made of EPDM.
• the lower half-shell comprises a first annular conformation and a second annular conformation adjacent to the first annular conformation
• the upper half-shell comprises a first annular conformation and a second annular conformation adjacent to the first annular conformation
• the lower half-shell has a peripheral annular conformation and an internal annular conformation
• the upper half-shell has a peripheral annular conformation and an internal annular conformation
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank in which the or one of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained by overmolding on the or one of the annular conformations.
• This achievement provides optimal assembly quality without require significant investments such as that of a bi-injection press, even if the overmolding of the seal requires a recovery operation.
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank in which the or one of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained with one of the half-shells by bi-injection molding.
• This solution optimizes manufacturing costs since one of the half shells and the coating or coatings acting as a seal are obtained in a single injection operation.
• the or one of the conformations opposite to that produced with the or one of the coatings acting as a seal has at least one vent channel.
• a vent channel avoids the installation of an opposing pressure inside the assembly, detrimental for a device having to work at temperature. It is no longer necessary to mold without skin the annular conformation of the half-shell opposite to that carrying the coating to avoid relatively large fitting forces which risk partially destroying the half-shells. This advantage is interesting because molding without skin complicates and increases the molding operations. There is no need either 6
• the assembly obtained is less expensive, more resistant and more durable.
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank in which the or one of the vent channels is closed after assembly of the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell.
• vent channels may open into the area of the reservoir intended to receive the water. Closing them avoids the drawbacks linked to the presence of water under the joint.
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank consisting in carrying out the assembly operation of the lower half-shell with the upper half-shell under partial vacuum.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of a first embodiment of a lower half-shell of a tank according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view from below of a first embodiment of an upper half-shell of a tank according to the invention, 7
• FIG. 3 is a schematic side view in section of a first embodiment of an upper half-shell of a tank according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a lower half-shell of a tank according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view from below of a second embodiment of an upper half-shell of a tank according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic side view in section of a second embodiment of an upper half-shell of a tank according to the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a side view in section of a reservoir according to the second embodiment, before assembly
• FIG. 8 is a side view in section of a reservoir according to the second embodiment, after assembly,
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of an improvement of the invention.
• FIGS. 10a and 10b are two sectional views from above of a second embodiment of an improvement of the invention.
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of an improvement of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an improvement of the invention.
• FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an improvement of the invention.
• FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an improvement of the invention, 8
• FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a device used for a method according to the invention.
• the iron tank according to the invention comprises a lower half-shell comprising at least one annular conformation.
• the lower half-shell 1; 11 comprises two annular conformations 3, 13; 23, 33, each formed by a groove.
• the iron tank according to the invention also comprises an upper half-shell comprising at least one annular conformation, called associated annular conformation, designed to nest in and / or over the corresponding annular conformation of the lower half-shell.
• the upper half-shell 2; 12 has two annular conformations 4, 14; 24, 34, each formed by a skirt.
• one of the annular conformations formed on the lower half-shell is a skirt, and the corresponding annular conformation of the upper half-shell is a groove.
• the reservoir has two annular conformations 3, 13; 23, 33; 4, 14; 24, 34 on each of the half shells 1; 11; 2; 12, as shown in the figures.
• This arrangement makes it possible to provide passages 7; 17 in the upper half-shell 2; 12 and passages 8; 18 in the lower half-shell 1; 11, for thermostat controls for example.
• Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a first embodiment, called adjacent, in which the lower half-shell 1 and the upper half-shell 2 each have a first annular conformation 3; 4 and a second annular conformation 13; 14 adjacent to the first annular conformation 3; 4.
• the annular conformation 3 of the lower half-shell 1 delimits a cavity 9 forming a reservoir, said cavity comprising an orifice 6 provided for the passage of a needle (not shown in the figures) intended for feeding of the vaporization chamber of an iron.
• the upper half-shell 2 shown in FIG. 2 also includes an orifice 10 provided for the passage of the needle.
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a second embodiment, called concentric, in which the lower half-shell 11 and the upper half-shell 12 each have a peripheral annular conformation 23; 24 and an inner annular conformation 33; 34.
• the peripheral annular conformation 23 and the inner annular conformation 33 of the lower half-shell 11 delimit a cavity 29 forming a reservoir, said cavity comprising an orifice 16 provided for the passage of a needle (not shown in figures) intended for supplying the steam chamber of an iron.
• the upper half-shell 12 also includes an orifice 19 provided for the passage of the needle.
• each of the half shells has only one annular conformation, or on the contrary, more than two annular conformations.
• At least one of the conformations is produced with a coating acting as a seal.
• a first coating acting as a seal 5 is disposed on the first annular conformation 4 of the upper half-shell 2
• a second coating serving as a seal 15 is disposed on the second annular conformation 14 of the upper half-shell 2.
• the coating 10 is a variant when one of the annular conformations of the upper half-shell 2 is a groove and not a skirt, the coating 10
• a coating serving as a seal 25 is disposed on the peripheral annular conformation 24 of the upper half-shell 12, and another coating. acting as a seal 35 is disposed on the inner annular conformation 34 of the upper half-shell 12.
• the corresponding coating is disposed in said groove.
• the skirts forming the annular conformations 4, 14 of the upper half-shell 2 are produced with a coating acting as a seal 5, 15.
• the skirts forming the annular conformations 24, 34 of the upper half-shell 12 are produced with a coating serving as a seal 25, 35.
• each seal 5, 15; 25, 35 is fixed to the end of each associated annular conformation formed by one of the skirts 4, 14; 24, 34.
• Each joint 5, 15; 25, 35 is capable of cooperating by tightening with the corresponding annular conformation formed by one of the grooves 3, 13; 23, 33.
• At least one of the coatings acting as a seal is disposed in one of the grooves.
• Said groove may belong to one of the annular conformations of the upper half shell as of the lower half shell.
• one of the coatings acting as a seal 5, 15; 25, 35 has a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 mm. Preferably all of said coatings have these characteristics.
• one of the coatings acting as a seal 5, 15; 25, 35 is made of EPDM.
• Neoprene rubbers are possible, and more generally any material capable of withstanding temperatures of the order of 100 ° C to 150 ° C while retaining elastic characteristics and high compressibility.
• the lower half shell 1; 11 is preferably made of a material resistant to temperatures of at least 200 ° C, such as a resin. Such a material also has the advantage of not being a very good conductor of heat.
• the upper half shell 2; 12 is preferably made of thermoplastic material, preferably transparent.
• each associated annular conformation of the upper half-shell is capable of cooperating with the corresponding annular conformation formed in the lower half-shell. More particularly, according to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, each skirt 4, 14; 24, 34 is provided to be inserted into the groove 3, 13; 23, 33 corresponding.
• each associated annular conformation such as one of the skirts 4, 14; 24, 34, each seal 5, 15; 25, 35 and each corresponding annular conformation such as one of the grooves 3, 13; 23, 33 are provided to obtain a relative pressure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of assembly.
• This lateral pressure can be all the more important as one is able to carry out the assembly of the upper part with its seal on the lower part with a significant force and this without risking that the seal does not move during this operation.
• each groove 3, 13; 23, 33 may have a width of 3 to 10 mm and each of the walls of the joint between skirt and groove a thickness of 0.5 to 5 mm.
• the lower half-shell 1; 11 and the upper half-shell 2; 12 include complementary fixing means.
• the upper half shell 2; 12 has tabs 41; 51 each comprising an orifice 42; 52 likely to come next to housing 43; 53 formed in the lower half-shell 1; 11.
• the orifices 42; 52 and the 12 are complementary fixing means.
• housing 43; 53 are provided for assembly by screws.
• a different number of legs 41; 51 or another method of assembly are also possible.
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank comprising said lower half shells 1; 11 and above 2; 12.
• the method according to the invention consists in producing a coating acting as a seal on one of the annular conformations before assembling the lower half-shell 1; 11 with the upper half-shell 2; 12. This amounts to irreversibly fixing a seal on said conformation.
• Figure 7 shows the lower half shell 11 and the upper half shell 12 before assembly.
• Figure 8 shows the lower half shell 11 and the upper half shell 12 after assembly.
• the method consists in irreversibly fixing a joint 25, 35 on each skirt 24, 34 before assembling the lower half-shell 11 with the upper half-shell 12 by inserting each joint 25, 35 in the corresponding groove 23, 33.
• one of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained by overmolding on or in one of the annular conformations.
• each of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained by overmolding on or in one of the annular conformations.
• each joint 5, 15; 25, 35 is obtained by overmolding on the associated annular conformation 4, 14; 24, 34 of the upper half-shell 2; 12.
• one of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained with one of the half-shells by bi-injection molding.
• each of the coatings acting as a seal is obtained with one of the half-shells by bi-injection molding.
• each joint 5, 15; 25, 35 is obtained with the upper half-shell 2; 12 by molding 13
• the reservoir shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 also has, in a known manner, a filling orifice 20 formed in the upper half-shell 12, as well as orifices 16, 19 formed respectively in the lower half-shells 11 and upper 12, designed to receive a device. injecting water into the vaporization chamber (not shown in the figures).
• a chamber 29 intended to receive the liquid is delimited by the annular conformations 23, 33.
• These conformations in the form of a groove comprise a first flange 23 ', 33', arranged on the side of the chamber 29 and a second rim 23 ", 33", disposed on the side opposite to chamber 29.
• the seals 25; 35 during the assembly operation are mounted in compression between the flanges 23 ', 23 "; 33', 33". This arrangement makes it possible to obtain firm support for the two half-shells after assembly.
• one of the conformations opposite to that produced with one of the coatings acting as a seal has at least one vent channel.
• the lower half-shell and / or the upper half-shell comprises means for preventing air from remaining compressed under the joint (s) after the assembly operation of the two half-shells.
• Figure 9 shows a detail of a first embodiment of the above means.
• the seal 25 mounted on the associated annular conformation 24 is kept in compression by the first flange 23 'and the second flange 23 "of the groove 23.
• a space 61 is obtained between the seal 25 inserted in the groove 23 and the bottom of said groove
• a vent channel 62 formed by an orifice made in the bottom of the groove 23 and passing through the half-shell 11 allows the space 61 to be placed in communication with the outside. air remains compressed under the seal 25.
• the vent channel 62 does not disturb the tightness of the tank since it is isolated from the interior thereof by the wall of the seal. communication space 61 with the outside Two to four channels 62 per groove 23 are a good order of magnitude.
• Figures 10a and 10b show a detail of a second embodiment of the above means.
• the seal 25 mounted on the associated annular conformation 24 is held in compression by the first flange 23 'and the second flange 23 "of the groove 23.
• the space 61 obtained between the seal 25 inserted in the groove 23 and the bottom of said groove conformation is placed in communication with the outside by a lateral vent channel 63 formed in the inner wall of the flange 23 "forming one of the vertical walls of the groove 23.
• vent channels 62; 63 do not open into a wall intended to form part of a cavity intended to contain water or steam, such as the chamber 29.
• the means provided to prevent air from remaining compressed under the joint (s) 5, 15; 25, 35 after the assembly operation may include a plugging of openings in the vent channels 62; 63.
• FIG. 11 shows the embodiment presented in FIG. 9 supplemented by the closure of the vent channel 62 by means of a supply of silicone 64.
• FIG. 12 shows the embodiment presented in FIG. 10a supplemented by the closure of the channel 63 by means of a supply of silicone 65.
• Such a closure makes it possible to obtain more latitude for the choice of the location of the channel 62 or of the channel 63, the space 61 being closed and cannot be invaded by water or steam.
• the invention also relates to a method for producing an iron reservoir in which at least one of the vent channels is closed after assembly of the upper half-shell 12 on the lower half-shell 11.
• the seal 25 has a protrusion 66 provided to close the channel
• the seal 25 has a lateral protuberance 67 intended to close the channel
• the present invention also relates to a method for producing an iron tank consisting in carrying out the assembly operation of the lower half-shell with the upper half-shell under partial vacuum.
• FIG. 15 shows a diagram of a device intended for the vacuum assembly of the upper half-shell 12 on the lower half-shell 11, in which only 16
• a vacuum bell 76 is applied to a plate 77 on which the lower half-shell 11 is disposed. After partial vacuum of the vacuum bell, a jack 60 comes to assemble the two half-shells 11, 12. Preferably the reservoir thus obtained is returned to atmospheric pressure before releasing the force of the cylinder 60 to immediately use the effect of atmospheric pressure on the assembly of the two half shells.
• the upper half-shell can be arranged on a plate having an appropriate shape and the lower half-shell assembled by the jack on the upper half-shell.
• Another method according to the present invention consists in putting in communication with the exterior any space situated between a joint and an annular conformation. This operation makes it possible to decompress the space or spaces located between each joint and each annular conformation.
• This other method can consist, for example, of using a lower half-shell 11 and an upper half-shell 12 capable of providing at least one free passage 62, 63 between each seal 25 and each annular conformation 23, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10a and 10b.
• a variant not shown in the figures, consists in creating said free passage, for example by drilling the lower half-shell to put in communication with the outside the space between the seal and the annular conformation, after the operation of assembly.
• Another variant consists in providing the channel 63 intended to form a free passage on the joint 25 and not on the conformation 23.
• the reservoir comprises several seals thus assembled, it is possible to use different variants to provide a free passage between each seal and each corresponding annular conformation.
• Such a method may also include carrying out the operation 17
• Such a method may also include a step consisting in closing the free passage or passages 62, 63 after the assembly operation.
• the pressure existing at room temperature in the space between each joint 25 and each corresponding annular conformation 23 is of the order of magnitude of atmospheric pressure, or even lower if the obturation 64, 65, 66, 67 of the free passages 62, 63 is carried out under partial vacuum.
• the invention finds its application in the technical field of household electrical appliances with steam and in particular steam irons.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
• Preventing Corrosion Or Incrustation Of Metals (AREA)
• Gasket Seals (AREA)
• Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Irons (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

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• 1998
  • 1998-06-10 FR FR9807473A patent/FR2774103B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-12-24 DE DE69813197T patent/DE69813197T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-12-24 US US09/381,583 patent/US6151815A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-12-24 WO PCT/FR1998/002870 patent/WO1999037850A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-12-24 EP EP98963628A patent/EP0972103B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-12-24 ES ES98963628T patent/ES2196644T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-12-24 CA CA002283715A patent/CA2283715A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-12-24 PT PT98963628T patent/PT972103E/pt unknown
  • 1998-12-24 AT AT98963628T patent/ATE237018T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-12-24 AU AU18833/99A patent/AU1883399A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-12-24 BR BR9807617-5A patent/BR9807617A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2000
  • 2000-03-03 HK HK00101371A patent/HK1022726A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

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