EP1837435A1 - Iron equipped with drying means - Google Patents

Abstract

The iron (38) has an airflow distribution system diffusing an airflow at ambient temperature which passes through a plate (60) of the iron, where the plate is insulated by thermal insulation. The airflow distribution system is disposed transversely relative to the direction of motion of iron and in the rear side of the plate. A control unit controls the airflow in alternation with the production of the steam.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of ironing laundry and more particularly relates to an improvement to irons for the purpose of drying and cooling the laundry after ironing performed conventionally by the passage of the sole of the iron on the laundry.

It is well known that the care of the laundry requires an ironing operation. This ironing is carried out between two drying operations. The drying of the laundry is a very important operation because it will affect heavily the ironing time. Indeed, if the laundry is too wet, it will take time to dry it with the iron before you can put it away, for example in a cabinet, but the realignment of the textile fibers of the laundry and the realization of the folds do not will pose them no problem. If, on the other hand, the laundry is too dry when ironing it, it will have to be moistened first with the rag or with steam, to make the folds then to dry it and to cool it in order to be able to put it away.

In both cases, this drying operation is left to the discretion of the operator and it often happens that it is insufficient which will cause crimps on the laundry annihilating the effect of ironing. It is at the moment when the linen will be out of its place of storage to be coated or used that will be the discovery of this bad presentation and it is at this moment that it will be necessary to give the famous blow of iron of the morning so that the garment is clean.

The irons have been the subject of many developments and there is a specialization of the zones of the sole of the iron devoted firstly to thermally drying the linen by smoothing it by passing and ironing in the same place and secondly to spreading steam or water, the steam being produced in the iron or outside of it (case of steam power plants).

In general, the drying is achieved through the smooth part of the sole of the iron disposed generally at the rear of the iron, the front part is rather used to emit steam.

However, to fix the effects obtained by ironing, it is necessary not only to dry but also to cool the fabric very quickly.

Purpose and object of the invention

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an iron which comprises means for diffusing a flow of air at room temperature on the clothes to be ironed. Preferably, this flow of air is sent either through the soleplate by a thermally insulated diffuser of said sole or by a diffuser disposed outside the soleplate without thermal contact with said soleplate.

Thus, the temperature of the air flow is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the heating sole to cool the fabric while drying.

The diffuser may have an elongated opening perpendicular to the axis of the iron passing through the tip.

Of course, the diffusion zone may be placed on the periphery of the iron outside the sole or in its periphery, in isolation or not.

Advantageously, the air flow is emitted by a motor-fan unit arranged horizontally or vertically.

In another version, the air is conveyed by the same exit holes as the steam, the diffusion of steam and air is via a thermally insulated diffuser of the sole of the iron.

Preferably, the air is diffused by the steam diffuser together with the steam and also in its absence.

The same button can also control both the diffusion of steam and immediately after the diffusion of air drying and cooling by the same diffuser.

The air flow can be led to a manually or electrically programmable distributor allowing the air to be sent either into the thermally independent air diffuser of the soleplate, into the spray or into the distribution or vaporization chamber, for cool the sole when the temperature needs to be lowered, either in the iron handle to cool it too.

The airflow can also be sent horizontally to the left vertical face of the iron for a right-handed person to cool the user and prevent heat from rising to his face above the laundry.

The air flow can also pass through a second thermally independent distribution chamber of the first and having its own control and heating means to give the expelled air temperature characteristics desired.

This second vaporization chamber may also be used for the diffusion of the steam produced for example by a generator outside the iron at the same time as the air or one after the other.

Whether the air flow produced is emitted by the spray or the diffuser, it is possible by an injection system or a venturi system to mix additive liquids, water, perfume, softener, starch, etc. air flow to treat the clothes to iron.

The injection can be performed by a pump. The venturi can be realized by a divergent / convergent to create a suction.

Additive liquids can be stored in interchangeable tanks or multiple tanks. These tank (s) can be mounted and selected directly on the iron or in the external steam production unit. It is also quite feasible to substitute steam for air to convey additive liquids and even to associate steam, air and these liquids.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 montre schématiquement une centrale vapeur à chaudière comportant un fer à repasser muni de moyens de séchage selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 montre schématiquement une centrale vapeur à générateur instantané comportant un fer à repasser muni de moyens de séchage selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 montre schématiquement un fer à repasser à vapeur muni de moyens de séchage selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un fer à repasser comportant un système de diffusion de l'air à l'arrière de la semelle,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un fer à repasser comportant un système de diffusion de l'air en périphérie de la semelle,
• la figure 6 montre schématiquement un fer à repasser à vapeur muni de moyens de séchage selon un autre exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe d'un fer à repasser comportant un système de diffusion de l'air traversant la semelle du fer,
• la figure 8 montre en coupe un fer à repasser comportant un système de diffusion de l'air dans la chambre de vaporisation du fer,
• la figure 9 montre en coupe un fer à repasser comportant un système de diffusion de l'air dans le spray du fer,
• la figure 10 illustre le raccordement du flux d'air sur un distributeur pour permettre une diffusion mulitipoints,
• les figures 11A, 11B, 11C et 12 illustrent la mise en place dans le fer à repasser ou en externe d'un ou plusieurs réservoirs amovibles et pour permettre un mélange du fluide contenu dans ce ou ces réservoirs au flux d'air,
• la figure 13 illustre une chambre de diffusion comportant des éléments de chauffe et de régulation pour amener le flux d'air à des conditions de températures souhaitées indépendantes de celles de la semelle, et
• la figure 14 illustre un autre exemple de réalisation permettant d'intégrer le flux d'air chauffé dans le flux vapeur.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following illustrations and their explanations.

• FIG. 1 schematically shows a boiler steam plant comprising an iron equipped with drying means according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 schematically shows an instantaneous generator steam plant comprising an iron equipped with drying means according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 schematically shows a steam iron provided with drying means according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an iron comprising an air diffusion system at the rear of the sole,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an iron comprising an air diffusion system at the periphery of the sole,
• FIG. 6 schematically shows a steam iron equipped with drying means according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an iron comprising a system for diffusing the air passing through the soleplate of the iron,
• FIG. 8 shows in section an iron comprising an air diffusion system in the steam vaporization chamber,
• FIG. 9 shows in section an iron comprising an air diffusion system in the iron spray,
• FIG. 10 illustrates the connection of the air flow on a distributor to enable multi-point diffusion,
• FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 12 illustrate the setting in place in the iron or externally of one or more removable tanks and to allow a mixture of the fluid contained in this or these tanks to the flow of air,
• FIG. 13 illustrates a diffusion chamber comprising heating and regulating elements for bringing the air flow to desired temperature conditions independent of those of the sole, and
• FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary embodiment making it possible to integrate the flow of heated air into the vapor stream.

Detailed description of embodiments

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate three exemplary embodiments of the invention applied respectively to a boiler steam plant, a steam generator plant and a steam iron.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the steam plant comprises a conventional boiler, or boiler 20, closed by a filler cap 22 and whose water it can contain is brought to boiling by a heating element 24 provided with a pressure regulator 26 and connected to the electrical mains. The steam produced is directed via a steam duct 36 to the iron 38 through a solenoid valve 28 normally closed and whose opening is controlled by a programmable control unit 30 actuated from the steam control gate disposed on the iron. Of course, an on / off switch 32 and status indicators (for example 34), preferably arranged at the steam plant, are also provided for starting and checking the operation of the ironing apparatus .

The iron 38 connected to the steam plant is a relatively light iron with just a sole 60 provided with a heating element 62 and a temperature probe 64, this sole also closing a distribution chamber 66 ensuring the diffusion at The vapor control valve 68, preferably located under the iron handle, allows the user to make contact with it, advantageously present in the programmable control unit 30 of the iron. controlling the steam supply solenoid valve 28 according to a given instruction by a thermostat 70 disposed at the iron.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the steam generator comprises a water tank at ambient temperature 40 closed by a filling plug 42 and at the outlet of which an electric pump 44, preferably a vibrating electromagnetic pump, is connected, sending the water pumped into an instantaneous steam generator 46 provided with its heating element 48, the steam produced as it is produced being sent directly into the iron by the steam duct 36. The operation of the pump is provided by a programmable control unit 50 actuated from the steam control gate 68 preferably located under the handle of the iron according to a given instruction by a thermostat 70 disposed at the iron. As in the previous embodiment, an on / off switch 52 and status indicators (for example 54), preferably arranged at the level of the steam production assembly, are also provided for the start-up and operation. control of the operation of the ironing apparatus.

Similarly, as before, the iron 38 connected to the steam plant is a relatively light iron with just a sole 60 provided with a heating element 62 and a temperature probe 64, this sole further closing a distribution chamber 66 ensuring the diffusion through the soleplate of the steam fed to the iron by the steam duct 36.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the steam iron comprises a water reservoir at ambient temperature 80 closed by a filler cap 82 and at the outlet of which an electric pump 84, preferably electromagnetic vibrating, is connected. sending the pumped water into a vaporization and steam distribution chamber 66. The operation of the pump is provided by a programmable control unit 86 actuated from the steam control gate 68 of the iron. As in the previous embodiment, an on / off switch 88 and status indicators (for example 90) are also provided for starting and checking the operation of the iron.

Whatever the embodiment envisaged, the iron always has a soleplate in contact with the clothes to be ironed on which it slides to smooth it, to defray it by sending steam or water, if the iron has a water spray, to eliminate the bad connections of the crumpled linen that have entangled the textile fibers, to realize new ones by a mechanical and thermal action and to fix them by drying.

However, the inventors have found that this drying action is not sufficient to have a perfect rendering without also cooling the fabric.

Therefore and according to the invention, as also shown in Figures 1 to 3, the iron is provided with means 100, 102 for diffusion of a flow of air at room temperature on the clothes to be ironed. These means actuated from the control unit 30, 50, 86 comprise a motor-blower unit or blower 100 sucking the ambient air and discharging it in an air distribution duct 102 whose outlet mouth 102A opens, in a preferential embodiment, outside the sole 60 without thermal contact with it. Outside means at the rear of the sole, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4. In this case, the outlet mouth of the distribution duct may have an elongate opening perpendicular to the axis of the iron passing through the tip. But a provision on the outer perimeter of iron, like the shows Figure 5, is also possible. The blower can be arranged vertically or horizontally as shown in Figure 6.

In an alternative embodiment, the air flow generated in the air distribution duct by the blower can be sent through the sole at its rear part as illustrated in FIG. 7 or on its periphery (not represented). the duct or conduits then being thermally isolated from said soleplate by one or more thermal insulating joints 104, for example Viton® or any other temperature-resistant material, or even simply by a void space where the air can circulate .

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 8, the air distribution duct opens into the dispensing chamber and optionally vaporizes the soleplate of the iron, the air being diffused in the laundry to be ironed through the same holes in the exit than those of the steam. Under the control of the control unit, this diffusion of the air flow can occur at the same time as the diffusion of the vapor but preferably this diffusion will be done successively, the control of the diffusion of the steam preceding that of the air diffusion.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the flow of air can be led to a manually or electrically programmable distributor 108 from the control unit and making it possible to send the air at ambient temperature from the blower 100 either to the rear of the iron in an air diffuser 110 thermally independent of the sole, either in a spray 112, in the distribution chamber 66, or in the iron handle. It can also be envisaged that this air flow is also sent horizontally on the left vertical face of the iron for a right-handed person in order to cool the operator and to prevent the rise of heat towards his face above the laundry. The action of the spray is advantageously controlled by a control button 114 disposed on the upper front part of the iron.

In the simplified variant of FIG. 10, the distribution duct 102 comprises a controlled flap 116 for directing the air at ambient temperature from the blower either to the rear of the iron or to the front in the spray 112. The action this component and the spray is advantageously controlled by a pressure on a control button advantageously disposed on the upper front part of the iron. But an action from the control unit is also possible.

To allow additional treatment of the laundry to be ironed, it is envisaged to inject into the air flow at room temperature additive liquids, water, perfume, softener, starch, etc ..... The injection system that proceeds to this mixture at the distribution duct under the action of the control unit may be a simple pump 118 (Figure 11A) or a venturi system 120 (Figure 11A) formed simply by a divergent / convergent charged to create a suction in this conduit.

The additive liquids can be stored in interchangeable tanks 122 or several fixed tanks 122A, 122B present in the iron and selectable directly thereon by a selection means 124 (Figure 12) or present (s) in the production unit of steam 12 when the iron is provided (Figure 11C).

As shown in FIG. 13, the air flow can also pass through a second vaporization chamber 126 that is thermally independent of the main chamber 66 and that has its own heating and regulation means 130 and 130 to give the heated air desired temperature characteristics.

This second vaporization chamber may also be used for the diffusion of the steam produced in the steam plant at the same time as the air or one after the other depending on the position of a distribution means 132. It may also be used to convey the treatment liquids stored in the additional tanks.

Claims (15)

Steam iron (38) itself producing steam or receiving steam from an external steam generating member (12), characterized in that for ventilating the laundry during ironing in order to dry and cool it as soon as possible, said iron comprises a system for diffusing a flow of air at room temperature (100, 102) passing through a soleplate of the iron (60) while being thermally insulated therefrom by means of thermal insulation (104). Steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that said system for diffusing an air flow is arranged transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the iron and at the rear of the sole, inside the it. Steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that said system for diffusing an air flow is disposed at the periphery of the soleplate inside thereof. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises heating means (128) arranged in said system for diffusing an air flow. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a control unit adapted to perform a diffusion of the air flow simultaneously with the production of steam. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a control unit capable of effecting a diffusion of the air flow alternating with the production of steam. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means (114, 116) for directing the flow of air by a spray (112) arranged at the front of the iron . Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises distribution means (132) for directing the steam into a second distribution chamber (126) having its own heating means ( 128) to give this steam the right temperature to provide an additional function of humidifying the laundry to iron. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional reservoir (122, 122A, 122B) for delivering into the air stream one or more treatment liquids. linen to iron. Steam iron according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one additional reservoir is disposed in said external steam generating member. Steam iron according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises one or more pumps (118) for withdrawing from said at least one additional reservoir the one or more treatment liquors to be ironed. A steam iron according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises one or more suction means (120) for withdrawing from said at least one additional reservoir the treatment liquid or liquids to be ironed. A steam iron according to claim 12, characterized by said suction means having a diverging / converging member. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises means (108) for allowing diffusion of the air flow in a handle of the iron to cool it. Steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises means for allowing diffusion of the air flow horizontally outside the iron in order to prevent the heat released by the passing from the sole of the iron on the ironing cloth to go directly back to the face of the user of this iron.

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