EP2064384B1 - Electric iron - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electric iron with a housing, a liquid container and a soleplate, wherein above the soleplate, a soleplate joint is formed, above which at least sections a heat shield is arranged, which ends below the liquid container in a transition region formed by heat shield and liquid container, and wherein the wall of the liquid container is designed to extend in the direction of the soleplate joint, the transition region overlaps bumplessly and at least partially extends to the soleplate joint, wherein the heat shield and the wall of the liquid container extend down to the sole plate joint.

Irons are known in the art. In an iron, heat is usually generated by a heating element which is transferred to a soleplate. The interaction of heat, humidity and pressure smoothes a garment to be treated.

This poses the problem that the heat generated by the heating element is not transferred exclusively to the soleplate, but can also be transferred to other adjacent areas of the iron or its surface such as on the housing. If too much heat is dissipated to the surface of the iron, there is a risk of excessive heating of this surface and thus the risk of damage and a risk of burns for the user. To avoid this danger, it is known to apply a heat shield. This can be realized by a plastic material is mounted parallel to the soleplate, which is heat resistant as little heat on the surface passes. Such a heat shield prevents the outer wall of an iron heats up too much, so that there could be a risk of burns for the user. At the same time the heat insulation ensures that less energy is dissipated to the outside of the iron. As a result, a larger proportion of the energy in the Interior of the iron remains, and thus less energy must be expended for steam generation and for heating the soleplate.

Between soleplate and heat shield is usually provided a narrow soleplate joint, which allows air to pass between the two parts for cooling can, and a part of the heat transfer from the soleplate to the remaining parts of the iron can be prevented. In addition, located on steam irons above the soleplate, a liquid container. Between liquid container and soleplate there is a gap in which technical means such as a thermostat and an electrical fuse are housed. In the prior art, it is not possible to extend the wall of the liquid container to the soleplate and thus use it as a heat shield, since the material of the liquid container would be damaged by the temperatures present in the immediate vicinity of the soleplate.

Therefore, the heat shield and the wall of the liquid container in the prior art are made of different materials. Both parts must be made in separate steps and then assembled. The assembly of the different parts of different material then takes place bumper to kick.

Since the walls of the heat shield and the liquid container, which end in the transitional area, have hitherto been butted together, a heat shield joint is formed here in the transition region.

This, spread in the art, structure of the iron has a number of disadvantages. The heat shield joint is difficult to clean, at the same time small dirt or dust particles can easily accumulate in this joint. When assembled butt-to-joint results in a higher rejection of failed products, which makes the production of the iron more complex. The surface of the heat shield must be specially treated to meet the aesthetic requirements of the consumer, while preventing that surface from becoming discolored or altered by frequent heating.

In the disclosure DE 42 31 398 A1 a generic electric iron is described in which the liquid container has a downwardly projecting in the direction of the soleplate skirt, which is protected by a patch on the soleplate heat shield from heat.

From the German utility model DE 77 21 032 U1
Another electric iron with a housing, a liquid container arranged therein and a soleplate is known, wherein above the soleplate a soleplate joint is formed. Above the soleplate joint, a heat shield forming the bottom of the liquid container is arranged in the form of an end plate consisting of sheet metal, which at the same time seals the liquid container injection-molded from plastic downwards. The heat shield ends in a below the liquid container formed by heat shield and liquid container, the seam-like transition region, which is sealed waterproof with a sealant. The wall of the liquid container is made extended in the direction of the soleplate joint and overlaps the transition region bum-free, wherein it extends at least partially up to the soleplate joint.

From the JP 2003265898 A and the JP 2003062399A Steam irons with housings, a liquid container arranged therein and a soleplate are known. In this case, the liquid container is an integral part of the housing and above the soleplate, a soleplate joint is formed. In addition, a heat shield is provided, which is partially overlapped by the housing.

From the US 2004/0050837 A1 an iron with a soleplate, a housing and a liquid container is known, in which a wall of the liquid container extends to a standing surface and in the standing surface a device for back filling with a liquid is provided.

Object of the present invention is thus, in an iron of the type mentioned in the direction of the soleplate extended and the transition region overlapping wall of the liquid container with little design effort to protect against the heat effect of the soleplate, with a low dirt pickup in the transition region and a good Cleanability of the iron should be preserved. Furthermore, an iron is to be provided, which can be produced without heat shield joint and corresponds to the aesthetic requirements of the consumer.

This object is achieved by an iron with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

The iron according to the invention builds on the generic electric iron in that the wall of the liquid container and the heat shield meet in the transition region. With this design, it is possible to produce liquid container and heat shield of different materials, with respect to the liquid container design freedom and the possibility of transparent or translucent training and with respect to the heat shield good heat resistance, albeit with higher material costs, are in the foreground.

This iron according to the invention leads to a significant improvement over the prior art by reducing or reducing the heat shield joint. The fact that the wall of the liquid container overlaps the transition region smoothly, an improved iron is achieved. The wall of the liquid container at least partially overlaps the heat shield so that the iron has no or only a greatly reduced heat shield gap. The heat insulation caused by the heat shield, by means of which it is prevented that too much thermal energy reaches the surface outside the soleplate of the iron, is further improved by the overlapping wall of the liquid container. This

means improved combustion protection with better energy yield. At the same time, the wall of the liquid container can be extended without the risk of damage due to excessive heating down to the soleplate joint, since the wall of the liquid container is protected towards the interior of the device by the heat shield. In the production of the iron according to the invention, no or at least only a greatly reduced heat-shield joint is produced. As a result, the production can be made simpler and cheaper. Also, the cleaning of the iron is simplified because no or at least only a greatly reduced heat shield gap is present in which often dirt can accumulate. Experience has shown that the presence of a joint in devices leads to a higher risk of defective production and thus to a higher rejection of failed products. Due to the fact that the wall of the liquid container overlaps the heat shield, the liquid container appears larger for the user and thus suggests a faster ironing result. A complete surface sealing of the heat shield is no longer necessary in the iron according to the invention, since the heat shield is at least partially overlapped by the extended wall of the liquid container. It has proved to be advantageous if, in a preferred embodiment, the liquid container extends at least in sections to the soleplate joint. In such an embodiment, the areas extending to the lower edge of the heat shield are flush with the soleplate joint.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wall of the liquid container completely overlaps the heat shield. In this embodiment, a particularly effective heat protection is achieved. At the same time, this embodiment can be made particularly cost, since the heat shield is completely hidden and thus can be produced with cheaper materials. A special surface treatment or surface sealing is not required.

It is advantageous if the wall of the liquid container completely overlaps the transition region. A heat shield joint is thereby completely avoided. Of course, in particular for designerischen reasons, bumpy subsections may be inserted.

It has proved to be advantageous if the liquid container and its walls are made of a transparent and / or translucent plastic, preferably of polypropylene. The use of plastic, preferably polypropylene, allows inexpensive mass production and ensures great design freedom. In addition, the use of plastic allows a large selection of colors. In addition, the transparent or translucent design of the liquid container has the advantage that the user can check the level of the liquid container at any time by a view from the outside. This avoids that ironing may need to be interrupted because the level is too low. In addition, it is advantageous if the liquid container is completely emptied after completing the ironing process. The transparent design of the liquid container makes it easy to check whether this emptying has really taken place completely.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the iron is made of a non-transparent or non-translucent plastic, preferably of polypropylene, manufactured. In a further embodiment, the liquid container and its walls are made of a transparent and / or translucent plastic. A combination of these two embodiments allows a versatile and varied design.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the iron has a standing surface, and the wall of the liquid container at least partially extends at least from the overlapped transition region to the standing surface. It is particularly advantageous if, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the wall of the liquid container extends at least in sections from the soleplate joint to the standing surface.
In the prior art, the footprint of an iron is usually a part of the housing, and thus made of the same material as the housing. This means that in the prior art, in addition to the heat shield gap and the soleplate joint, there is a further gap between the wall of the liquid container and the base area. In this embodiment, in which the wall of the liquid container at least partially extends at least from the overlapped transition region or from the soleplate joint to the standing surface, this gap between the wall of the liquid container and the base surface is partially or completely avoided. The above-described disadvantages of a joint with regard to susceptibility to soiling and increased rejects in the production also apply to joints other than the heat-shield joint. Thus, the embodiment described here, which has very few joints, proves to be particularly advantageous.

It is advantageous if the iron in a preferred embodiment has means for back filling. In this embodiment, the iron in the front area can make shallower than a conventional iron, since a device at the top for filling is not required. Since the iron in this embodiment front is very flat executable, it proves to be particularly advantageous for ironing of pockets or sleeves, as the flat top can be particularly good in pockets or sleeves into it.

It is particularly advantageous if the iron has a printing device for closing on the back. This ensures a fast, secure and permanent closure of the means for back filling.

The iron according to the invention avoids or reduces conventional heat-shield joints in the prior art and thus enables the production of inexpensive and aesthetically high-quality irons.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to an embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

beispielhaft ein herkömmliches Bügeleisen in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Bügeleisens in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 3

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Bügeleisens in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4

das Bügeleisen nach Fig. 3 in einer Hinteransicht, und

Fig. 5

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Bügeleisens in einer Querschnittszeichnung.

In it show schematically:

Fig. 1

for example, a conventional iron in a side view;

Fig. 2

a first embodiment of an iron according to the invention in a side view;

Fig. 3

A second embodiment of an iron according to the invention in a side view;

Fig. 4

the iron after Fig. 3 in a rear view, and

Fig. 5

A third embodiment of an iron according to the invention in a cross-sectional drawing.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example a conventional iron 1 in a side view, as is commonly encountered in the prior art. On an underside, the iron 1 has a soleplate 4, a heat shield 5 extends beyond it. The soleplate 4 and the heat shield 5 are separated from one another by a soleplate joint 6. Above the heat shield 5 is a Recognize liquid container 3. Heat shield 5 and a wall of the liquid container 3 are separated from each other by a transition region 7. On the side, the iron 1 has a base 8.

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an iron 1 according to the invention in a side view. To see is an electric iron 1 with a housing 2, a liquid container 3 and a soleplate 4 arranged therein. Above the soleplate 4 is a soleplate joint 6 is formed above the at least partially a heat shield 5 is arranged, which below the liquid container 3 in a through Heat shield 5 and liquid container 3 formed transition region 7 ends. Here, the wall of the liquid container 3 is designed to be extended in the direction of the soleplate joint 6, so that the wall of the liquid container 3 overlaps the transition region 7 bumpless. In the illustrated iron 1, the wall of the liquid container 3 extends to the soleplate joint 6. The wall of the liquid container 3 covers the visible part of the heat shield 5 completely. In this case, the wall of the liquid container 3 completely overlaps the transition region 7. The liquid container 3 and its walls are made of a transparent and / or translucent plastic, preferably made of polypropylene. The housing 2 of the iron is made of a non-transparent or non-translucent plastic, preferably made of polypropylene.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of an iron according to the invention 1 in a side view. To see is an electric iron 1 with a housing 2, a liquid container 3 arranged therein and a soleplate 4, wherein above the soleplate 4, a soleplate joint 6 is formed above the at least partially a heat shield 5 is arranged, which below the liquid container 3 in a formed by heat shield 5 and liquid container 3 transition region 7 ends, and wherein the wall of the liquid container 3 is designed extended in the direction of the soleplate joint 6, so that the wall of the liquid container 3 overlaps the transition region 7 smoothly. In this case, the wall of the liquid container 3 extends to the soleplate joint 6, thereby covering the heat shield 5 completely. The wall of the liquid container 3 overlaps the Transition area 7 completely. The wall of the liquid container 3 extends from the soleplate joint 6 to the standing surface 8.

Fig. 4 shows the iron after Fig. 3 in a rear view. A soleplate joint 6 separates a soleplate 4 from a wall of a liquid container 3. On the side facing the observer, the iron 1 has a base 8. This base 8 has a device for back filling 9. This has a pressure closure 10, by means of which it is easy and safe to close.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the iron in a cross-sectional drawing. Evident is an interior of an iron 1 which is delimited by a housing 2 and a sole plate 4. A wall of a liquid container 3 extends up to a soleplate joint 6. In a transition region 7, the wall of a liquid container 3 and the heat shield 5 meet. The wall of a liquid container 3 extending down to the soleplate joint 6 does not form a heat-shield joint in the transition region 7. It can also be seen that the heat shield 5 and the wall of the liquid container extend down to the soleplate joint 6. The insulating effect of the heat shield 5 is thereby significantly improved.

The iron according to the invention avoids or reduces conventional heat-shield joints in the prior art and thus enables the production of inexpensive and aesthetically high-quality irons.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

Electric iron

Second

casing

Third

liquid container

4th

soleplate

5th

heat shield

6th

Bügelsohlenfuge

7th

Transition area

8th.

footprint

9th

Device for back filling

10th

ziplock

Claims (9)

1. Electric iron (1) with a housing (2), a liquid container (3) arranged therein and a sole plate (4), wherein a sole plate-joint (6) is formed above the sole plate (4), above which sole plate-joint a heat shield (5) is arranged at least in part, which ends below the liquid container (3) in a transition region (7) formed by the heat shield (5) and liquid container (3), and wherein the wall of the liquid container (3) is embodied of elongated configuration in the direction of the sole plate-joint (6), overlaps the transition region (7) in a shock-free manner, and extends at least in part to the sole plate-joint (6), wherein the heat shield (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3) together extend to the sole plate-joint (6), characterised in that the wall of the liquid container (3) and the heat shield (5) meet one another in the transition region (7) and consist of separate components.
2. Iron (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the wall of the liquid container (3) completely covers the heat shield (5).
3. Iron (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the wall of the liquid container (3) completely overlaps the transition region (7).
4. Iron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid container (3) and the walls thereof are manufactured from a transparent and/or translucent plastic, preferably from polypropylene.
5. Iron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (2) of the iron is manufactured from a non-transparent and/or non-translucent plastic, preferably from polypropylene.
6. Iron (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the iron (1) has a standing surface (8), characterised in that the wall of the liquid container (3) extends at least in part at least from the overlapped transition region (7) to the standing surface (8).
7. Iron (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the wall of the liquid container (3) extends at least in part from the sole plate-joint (6) to the standing surface (8).
8. Iron (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that a facility for filling (9) with liquid from the rear is provided in the standing surface (8).
9. Iron (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the facility for filling (9) from the rear can be sealed with a pressure cap (10).

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