EP2942430B1 - Method for operating an ironing appliance comprising a vessel for generating pressurised steam - Google Patents

Method for operating an ironing appliance comprising a vessel for generating pressurised steam Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2942430B1
EP2942430B1 EP15166299.6A EP15166299A EP2942430B1 EP 2942430 B1 EP2942430 B1 EP 2942430B1 EP 15166299 A EP15166299 A EP 15166299A EP 2942430 B1 EP2942430 B1 EP 2942430B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
reservoir
tank
collection cavity
reserve
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EP15166299.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2942430A1 (en
Inventor
Dominique Gelus
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SEB SA
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SEB SA
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    • 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
    • D06F75/12—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water supplied to the iron from an external source

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of operation of an ironing apparatus comprising a tank for the generation of steam under pressure and relates more particularly to an operating method for reducing scaling of the tank.
  • the present invention also relates to an ironing apparatus implementing such a method.
  • Such an ironing apparatus has the advantage of allowing the automation of part of the cleaning process of the tank, so that such cleaning can be started regularly automatically to reduce scaling of the tank and allow reliable operation of the device over time.
  • such an apparatus has the disadvantage of being relatively bulky since it must have, in addition to the water tank, a rinsing container of sufficient capacity to contain at least the volume of water in the tank and preferably several times the volume of water in the tank to allow several successive rinsing without requiring the user to empty the flushing container after each rinse cycle.
  • such a rinsing container has the disadvantage of significantly weigh down the device and has an unattractive appearance for the user who is apprehensive to handle such a container filled with dirty water.
  • He is known to WO 2008/075308 an apparatus provided with a vessel for generating steam having the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a method of operation of an ironing apparatus for reducing scaling of the vessel for the generation of steam under pressure that can be put into operation. work on a relatively compact device that does not call too often a response from the user.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus implementing the method which is simple, reliable, and economical to achieve.
  • This method thus makes it possible, during the operation of the apparatus, to carry out a cleaning phase in which at least a portion of the dirty water of the tank is taken to be treated by the device making it possible to lower its scale content. , the water thus treated being recycled by being sent to the reserve of clean water.
  • Such a method therefore has the advantage of allowing regular cleaning of the water present in the tank without the need for a large storage container to collect dirty water from the tank, this water being returned to the storage tank. clean water after being treated.
  • such a method also has the advantage of reducing the water consumption of the apparatus during the cleaning phases since the water used to rinse the tank of the apparatus is reused after being deprived of the largest part of its tartar.
  • the water extracted from the tank will be drawn near the bottom of the tank and / or in a zone of suitable shape to promote the accumulation of scale particles.
  • the device for reducing the amount of scale is a filter retaining the particles according to their size.
  • Such a device has the advantage of being simple and economical to achieve.
  • the filter is calibrated to let the water pass and retain the particles of a size greater than 10 microns and preferentially retain particles larger than 5 microns.
  • Such a characteristic makes it possible to let the water pass and to trap the scale particles present in the form of aragonite seeds or vaterite.
  • the water from the tank is sent to a scale recovery cavity, the scale recovery cavity being separated from the clean water supply by the filter.
  • an intermediate step is performed in which the bottom of the tank is dried by operating heating means. of the tank.
  • Such a characteristic makes it possible to dry the remaining residual water in small quantities in the tank, and to transform any aragonite germs present in this water in calcite crystals.
  • the calcite crystals thus created which remain in very small quantities due to the little remaining water remaining in the tank, have the advantage of adhering to the wall of the tank and being stable so that they do not precipitate in the water and remain in the bottom of the tank, without being harmful to the operation of the apparatus.
  • the tank heating means are put into operation before and / or during the emptying step of the tank.
  • Such a characteristic makes it possible to create an agitation in the tank which makes it possible to lift the aragonite seeds resting in the bottom of the tank, which makes it possible to facilitate their evacuation during the emptying step of the tank.
  • a step of heating the tank to evaporate the residual water present in the tank is interposed between the step of emptying the water from the tank and the injection step of water in the tank.
  • the cleaning cycle is carried out at each start of the apparatus and is advantageously preceded by a preheating of the tank over a predetermined time.
  • the invention also relates to an ironing apparatus comprising a water reservoir, said clean, connected by a feed circuit to a tank for the generation of steam under pressure, characterized in that it comprises a recycling circuit connecting the tank to the reserve of clean water, the recycling circuit comprising a recovery cavity, a device for trapping in the cavity of recovering at least a portion of the scale particles contained in the water and means for sending the water from the tank to the recovery cavity and in that it implements the previously described operating method.
  • the device for trapping scale is a filter.
  • the filter is calibrated to let the water pass and retain the particles having a size greater than 10 microns and preferably greater than 5 microns.
  • the reserve of clean water and the recovery cavity are arranged in the same reservoir, the reserve of clean water being separated from the recovery cavity by a filter.
  • Such a feature reduces the cost and bulk of the device.
  • the means for sending water from the tank to the recovery cavity comprise a pump.
  • Such a feature can generate a powerful suction flow of water and scale particles present in the tank.
  • the tank comprises a bottom provided with a recess in which the pump draws water and scale particles.
  • Such a characteristic makes it possible to increase the quantity of scale particles harvested during the drawing of water in the tank, the scale particles tending to be trapped in the recess.
  • the bottom of the tank is inclined towards the recess.
  • Such a characteristic makes it possible to further improve the concentration of scale particles at the recess, the scale particles present in the tank water being gravity-driven towards the recess.
  • the supply circuit comprises a pump for sending water from the clean water reservoir into the tank.
  • a pump for sending water from the clean water reservoir into the tank.
  • the apparatus comprises a reversible pump allowing, in one direction of operation, to send the water from the tank to the recovery cavity and, in the opposite direction of operation, to send the water from the clean water supply to the tank.
  • the apparatus comprises a steam generator base connected by a cord to an iron, the base comprising the tank, the water reserve and the recovery cavity.
  • the figure 1 schematically represents an ironing apparatus comprising a base 1 for the production of steam and an iron 2 comprising a soleplate provided with steam outlet holes, the iron 2 being connected to the base 1 by a bead 3.
  • the base 1 comprises a removable tank 4, with a capacity of the order of 2 liters advantageously made of a transparent plastic material, and a steam generator constituted by a tank 5 in stainless steel, with a capacity of the order of 0.5 liter, comprising a heating resistor 50 with a power of the order of 1400 W for producing steam under a pressure of the order of 4 to 6 bars.
  • the tank 5 is connected to the iron by a steam conduit integrated in the cord 3 and comprises a solenoid valve 51 controlled by a button 20 disposed on the iron 2 to control the emission of steam through the sole.
  • the tank 4 comprises a removable filter 6 which extends inside the tank 4 and divides the tank into two parts, the filter 6 forming a filtering barrier between a first part of the tank, a capacity of the order 1.5 liter, forming a water reserve 41, said clean, and a second portion of the tank, a capacity of about 0.5 liter, forming a recovery cavity 42, the water reserve the tank comprising a filling flap 40 allowing the user to fill the tank with tap water.
  • the tank 5 is connected to an outlet 4A of the tank 4 by a supply circuit drawing water into the water reserve 41 and opening into the tank 5 at a connector 52 advantageously located on the top of the tank 5, the supply circuit comprising an intake pump 7 controlled by a control card 8 for injecting water into the tank 5 at a pressure of up to 15 bar.
  • the tank 5 is also connected to the recovery cavity 42 by a recycling circuit drawing water from the tank 5 to send it into the recovery cavity 42, the recycling circuit comprising a discharge pump 9, controlled by the piloting card 8, preferably coming to suck the water in a zone of the tank 5 opposite to the zone where the water is injected by the intake pump 7.
  • the filter 6 has the form of a filter basket which defines the contour of the recovery cavity 42 and comprises an inlet port 6A connected to the recycling circuit, the filter 6 can be extracted from the tank 4 for cleaning by an access hatch, with a sealed closure, not shown in the figures.
  • the filter 6 has openings adapted to let the water pass and retain the scale particles according to their size and in particular to retain the scale particles whose size is greater than 5 microns.
  • the inlet orifice 6A and the outlet orifice 4A are advantageously equipped with valves, not shown in the figures, which close these openings when the reservoir is removed from the base 1 in order to prevent any involuntary flow during transport.
  • the intake port 6A is also advantageously equipped with a filtration strainer, not shown in the figures, which prevents an undesirable object present in the bottom of the tank 4 from being sucked by the pump. admission 7.
  • the tank 5 advantageously comprises a bottom provided with a recess 53 in which the scale particles are trapped, this recess 53 being preferably located at the peripheral edge of the tank 5, the latter being preferably inclined by a few degrees towards the recess 53 in such a way that the scale particles present in the tank 5 are naturally gravity-driven towards the recess 53, the recycling circuit comprising a suction duct 54 whose lower end plunges into the recess 53 and comes in close proximity from the bottom of the tank 5 in order to suck up the scale particles which are retained in the recess 53.
  • the apparatus thus produced implements a preferred method of operation which will now be described, such an operating method making it possible to reduce the quantity of scale contained in the tank.
  • the user When the user wishes to use the apparatus, he first performs a filling of the tank by pouring water, preferably from the tap, through the filling door 40 and up to a maximum level indicated on the tank 4, this water pouring directly into the part forming the clean water reserve 41 of the tank 4 and also flowing through the filter 6 to fill the recovery cavity 42.
  • Such a method of operation at the start of the apparatus has the advantage of reducing the amount of scale contained in the tank 5 during operation of the apparatus, the injection of clean water into the tank 5 to clean the bottom of the tank 5 by lifting the scale particles and sending them towards the recess 53 where the latter are then sucked during the emptying step of the tank 5 to be sent into the recovery cavity 42.
  • the aragonite or vaterite-type sprouts, at the origin of the formation of scale crystals, are then trapped by the filter 6, only the water with little water in the seeds or particles of scale that can pass through the filter 6 to mix with the clean water of the water supply 41.
  • such an apparatus makes it possible to progressively concentrate the scale particles in the recovery cavity 42 and has the advantage of allowing the water coming from the tank 5, cleaned from its scale, to be recycled to the water reserve 41 clean.
  • the recovery cavity 42 of the scale does not need to have a large volume, the water used for cleaning the tank 5 being returned to the water reserve 41 after filtration, only the solid scale particles being stored in the recovery cavity 42.
  • the apparatus thus produced can be compact and allows the realization of several ironing sessions without the need for the user to empty the recovery cavity 42.
  • the user can clean the filter 6 by removing it from the tank 4 and by cleaning with a brush and / or soaking in white vinegar.
  • the clogging of the filter may be detected automatically by means of a water level detector, made for example by electrodes, placed in the recovery cavity 42 so as to emit an alarm when the level of the filter is reached.
  • a water level detector made for example by electrodes
  • water in the recovery cavity 42 is greater than a predetermined threshold, such an alarm means that the water can no longer flow from the recovery cavity to the water supply and therefore the filter is clogged.
  • the figure 4 represents a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in which the intake pump 7 and the discharge pump 9 are replaced by a pump 10 alone performing the same functions as the intake pumps 7 and discharge 9 of the first embodiment, the method of operation of the apparatus remaining similar to that described in the first embodiment.
  • the pump 10 is driven by an electric motor and advantageously comprises valves allowing in one direction of operation of the motor to send water from the water reserve 41 to the tank 5 and in the other direction of operation of the motor of the tank, to send water from the tank 5 to the recovery cavity, the direction of operation of the pump being controlled by the control card.
  • Such an embodiment has the advantage of only using a single pump which can further reduce the size of the device and reduce the cost of construction.
  • the reservoir of the apparatus may include a sodium hexametaphosphate rod (HMPS) as described in the patent application.
  • HMPS sodium hexametaphosphate rod
  • the discharge pump and the intake pump can be put into operation during the normal operating cycle of the apparatus to create one or more intermediate rinsing cycles of the tank. during the ironing session.
  • This operation of the discharge and intake pumps during intermediate rinsing cycles can be carried out in addition to or in place of the previously described start-up process.
  • the discharge and intake pumps will preferably be operated simultaneously so that the level of water in the tank is substantially constant and allows the continuation of the production of steam in the tank .
  • the rinsing cycles will advantageously be accompanied or even preceded by a start of the heating means of the tank to allow a rapid heating of the water sent into the tank by the intake pump.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Ion Exchange (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de repassage comportant une cuve pour la génération de vapeur sous pression et se rapporte plus particulièrement à un procédé de fonctionnement permettant de réduire l'entartrage de la cuve. La présente invention se rapporte également à un appareil de repassage mettant en oeuvre un tel procédé.The present invention relates to a method of operation of an ironing apparatus comprising a tank for the generation of steam under pressure and relates more particularly to an operating method for reducing scaling of the tank. The present invention also relates to an ironing apparatus implementing such a method.

Il est connu, de la demande de brevet WO 2007/007241 , un appareil de repassage muni d'une cuve pour la génération de vapeur sous pression mettant en oeuvre un procédé de nettoyage de la cuve dans lequel on rince la cuve en y injectant pendant une période prédéterminée de l'eau issue d'un réservoir, puis on ouvre une vanne de rinçage de manière à évacuer l'eau de la cuve et les particules de tartre qu'elle contient, vers un récipient de rinçage.It is known from the patent application WO 2007/007241 an ironing apparatus equipped with a tank for the generation of steam under pressure using a method of cleaning the tank in which the tank is rinsed by injecting for a predetermined period of water from a reservoir, then a flushing valve is opened so as to discharge water from the tank and the scale particles contained therein to a flushing vessel.

Un tel appareil de repassage présente l'avantage de permettre l'automatisation d'une partie du processus de nettoyage de la cuve, de sorte qu'un tel nettoyage peut être lancé régulièrement de façon automatique pour réduire l'entartrage de la cuve et permettre un fonctionnement fiable de l'appareil dans le temps.Such an ironing apparatus has the advantage of allowing the automation of part of the cleaning process of the tank, so that such cleaning can be started regularly automatically to reduce scaling of the tank and allow reliable operation of the device over time.

Toutefois, un tel appareil présente l'inconvénient d'être relativement encombrant puisqu'il doit posséder, en plus du réservoir d'eau, un récipient de rinçage de contenance suffisante pour contenir au moins le volume d'eau de la cuve et de préférence plusieurs fois le volume d'eau contenu dans la cuve afin de permettre plusieurs rinçages successifs sans obliger l'utilisateur à vider le récipient de rinçage après chaque cycle de rinçage.However, such an apparatus has the disadvantage of being relatively bulky since it must have, in addition to the water tank, a rinsing container of sufficient capacity to contain at least the volume of water in the tank and preferably several times the volume of water in the tank to allow several successive rinsing without requiring the user to empty the flushing container after each rinse cycle.

De plus, un tel récipient de rinçage présente l'inconvénient d'alourdir notablement l'appareil et présente un aspect peu attractif pour l'utilisateur qui a de l'appréhension à manipuler un tel récipient remplit d'eau sale. Il est connu du WO 2008/075308 un appareil muni d'une cuve pour la génération de vapeur ayant les caracteristiques du preambule de la revendication 1.In addition, such a rinsing container has the disadvantage of significantly weigh down the device and has an unattractive appearance for the user who is apprehensive to handle such a container filled with dirty water. He is known to WO 2008/075308 an apparatus provided with a vessel for generating steam having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Aussi, un but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de repassage permettant de réduire l'entartrage de la cuve pour la génération de vapeur sous pression qui puisse être mis en oeuvre sur un appareil relativement compact et qui ne fasse pas appel de façon trop répétitive à une intervention de l'utilisateur. Un autre but de la présente invention est de proposer un appareil de repassage mettant en oeuvre le procédé qui soit simple, fiable, et économique à réaliser.Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of operation of an ironing apparatus for reducing scaling of the vessel for the generation of steam under pressure that can be put into operation. work on a relatively compact device that does not call too often a response from the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus implementing the method which is simple, reliable, and economical to achieve.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de repassage comportant une cuve pour la génération de vapeur sous pression, caractérisé en ce que, lors du fonctionnement de l'appareil, on procède aux étapes suivantes :

  • Extraction, par exemple par pompage, d'au moins une partie de l'eau présente dans la cuve pour l'envoyer vers un dispositif pour réduire la quantité de tartre contenu dans l'eau,
  • Récupération d'au mois une partie de l'eau traitée par le dispositif pour l'envoyer vers une reserve d'eau, dite propre, ménagée sur l'appareil,
  • Envoi vers la cuve, par exemple par pompage, d'au moins une partie de l'eau présente dans la réserve d'eau propre.
For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method of operating an ironing apparatus comprising a vessel for generating steam under pressure, characterized in that, during operation of the apparatus, the following steps are carried out:
  • Extraction, for example by pumping, of at least a portion of the water present in the tank to send it to a device to reduce the amount of scale contained in the water,
  • Recovery of at least a portion of the water treated by the device to send it to a reserve of water, said clean, provided on the device,
  • Sending to the tank, for example by pumping, at least a portion of the water present in the reserve of clean water.

Ce procédé permet donc, lors du fonctionnement de l'appareil, d'effectuer une phase de nettoyage dans laquelle au moins une partie de l'eau sale de la cuve est prélevée pour être traitée par le dispositif permettant d'abaisser sa teneur en tartre, l'eau ainsi traitée étant recyclée en étant envoyée vers la réserve d'eau propre.This method thus makes it possible, during the operation of the apparatus, to carry out a cleaning phase in which at least a portion of the dirty water of the tank is taken to be treated by the device making it possible to lower its scale content. , the water thus treated being recycled by being sent to the reserve of clean water.

Un tel procédé présente donc l'avantage de permettre un nettoyage régulier de l'eau présente dans la cuve sans avoir besoin d'un important récipient de stockage pour recueillir l'eau sale issue de la cuve, cette eau étant renvoyée vers la réserve d'eau propre après avoir été traitée. De plus, un tel procédé présente également l'avantage de réduire la consommation d'eau de l'appareil durant les phases de nettoyage puisque l'eau utilisée pour rincer la cuve de l'appareil est réutilisée après avoir été démunie de la plus grande partie de son tartre.Such a method therefore has the advantage of allowing regular cleaning of the water present in the tank without the need for a large storage container to collect dirty water from the tank, this water being returned to the storage tank. clean water after being treated. In addition, such a method also has the advantage of reducing the water consumption of the apparatus during the cleaning phases since the water used to rinse the tank of the apparatus is reused after being deprived of the largest part of its tartar.

De manière préférentielle, l'eau extraite de la cuve sera puisée à proximité du fond de la cuve et/ou dans une zone de forme adaptée pour favoriser l'accumulation des particules de tartre.Preferably, the water extracted from the tank will be drawn near the bottom of the tank and / or in a zone of suitable shape to promote the accumulation of scale particles.

Une telle caractéristique permet d'optimiser la quantité de tartre récoltée lors du puisage de l'eau dans la cuve.Such a characteristic makes it possible to optimize the quantity of tartar harvested during the drawing water into the tank.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le dispositif pour réduire la quantité de tartre est un filtre retenant les particules en fonction de leur taille.According to another characteristic of the invention, the device for reducing the amount of scale is a filter retaining the particles according to their size.

Un tel dispositif présente l'avantage d'être simple et économique à réaliser.Such a device has the advantage of being simple and economical to achieve.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le filtre est calibré pour laisser passer l'eau et retenir les particules d'une taille supérieure à 10 µm et préférentiellement retenir les particules d'une taille supérieure à 5 µm.According to another characteristic of the invention, the filter is calibrated to let the water pass and retain the particles of a size greater than 10 microns and preferentially retain particles larger than 5 microns.

Une telle caractéristique permet de laisser passer l'eau et de piéger les particules de tartre présentes sous forme de germes d'aragonite ou de vatérite.Such a characteristic makes it possible to let the water pass and to trap the scale particles present in the form of aragonite seeds or vaterite.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'eau issue de la cuve est envoyée vers une cavité de récupération du tartre, la cavité de récupération du tartre étant séparée de la réserve d'eau propre par le filtre.According to another characteristic of the invention, the water from the tank is sent to a scale recovery cavity, the scale recovery cavity being separated from the clean water supply by the filter.

Une telle caractéristique permet de stocker les particules de tartre piégées par le filtre dans la cavité de récupération.Such a characteristic makes it possible to store the tartar particles trapped by the filter in the recovery cavity.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, au démarrage de l'appareil, on procède successivement aux étapes suivantes :

  • Vidage de la cuve, par exemple par pompage, l'eau extraite de la cuve étant envoyée vers la cavité de récupération,
  • Injection dans la cuve d'eau en provenance de la réserve d'eau propre.
According to another characteristic of the invention, at the start of the apparatus, the following steps are successively carried out:
  • Emptying the tank, for example by pumping, the water extracted from the tank being sent to the recovery cavity,
  • Injection into the water tank from the clean water supply.

Un tel processus de vidange à chaque démarrage de l'appareil permet de vider la cuve de son eau avant que les germes d'aragonite ou de vatérite présents dans l'eau n'aient eu le temps de former des particules de tartre adhérentes dans la cuve ou des précipités trop gros en suspension susceptibles de gêner le fonctionnement de l'appareil.Such a process of emptying each time the apparatus is started makes it possible to empty the tank of its water before the aragonite or vaterite seeds present in the water have had time to form adherent scale particles in the water. tank or precipitates too large in suspension that could hinder the operation of the device.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, entre l'étape de vidage de la cuve et l'étape d'injection d'eau, on effectue une étape intermédiaire dans laquelle on assèche le fond de la cuve en faisant fonctionner des moyens de chauffage de la cuve.According to another characteristic of the invention, between the emptying step of the tank and the water injection step, an intermediate step is performed in which the bottom of the tank is dried by operating heating means. of the tank.

Une telle caractéristique permet d'assécher l'eau résiduelle restant encore en faible quantité dans la cuve, et de transformer les éventuels germes d'aragonite présents dans cette eau en cristaux de calcite. Les cristaux de calcite ainsi créés, qui restent en très faible quantité du fait du peu d'eau résiduelle restant dans la cuve, présentent l'avantage d'adhérer à la paroi de la cuve et d'être stable de sorte qu'ils ne précipitent pas dans l'eau et restent dans le fond de la cuve, sans être néfastes au fonctionnement de l'appareil.Such a characteristic makes it possible to dry the remaining residual water in small quantities in the tank, and to transform any aragonite germs present in this water in calcite crystals. The calcite crystals thus created, which remain in very small quantities due to the little remaining water remaining in the tank, have the advantage of adhering to the wall of the tank and being stable so that they do not precipitate in the water and remain in the bottom of the tank, without being harmful to the operation of the apparatus.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens de chauffage de la cuve sont mis en fonctionnement avant et/ou lors de l'étape de vidage de la cuve.According to another characteristic of the invention, the tank heating means are put into operation before and / or during the emptying step of the tank.

Une telle caractéristique permet de créer une agitation dans la cuve qui permet de soulever les germes d'aragonite reposant dans le fond de la cuve, ce qui permet de faciliter leur évacuation lors de l'étape de vidage de la cuve.Such a characteristic makes it possible to create an agitation in the tank which makes it possible to lift the aragonite seeds resting in the bottom of the tank, which makes it possible to facilitate their evacuation during the emptying step of the tank.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le procédé comporte un cycle de nettoyage de la cuve comprenant les étapes successives suivantes :

  • Extraction de l'eau présente dans le fond de la cuve pour l'envoyer vers la cavité de récupération,
  • Injection dans la cuve d'eau en provenance de la réserve d'eau propre,
  • Vidage de l'eau présente dans la cuve pour l'envoyer vers la cavité de récupération,
  • Injection dans la cuve d'eau en provenance de la réserve d'eau propre.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a cleaning cycle of the tank comprising the following successive steps:
  • Extraction of the water present in the bottom of the tank to send it to the recovery cavity,
  • Injection into the water tank from the clean water supply,
  • Emptying the water present in the tank to send it to the recovery cavity,
  • Injection into the water tank from the clean water supply.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, une étape de chauffage de la cuve pour évaporer l'eau résiduelle présente dans la cuve est intercalée entre l'étape de vidage de l'eau de la cuve et l'étape d'injection d'eau dans la cuve.According to another characteristic of the invention, a step of heating the tank to evaporate the residual water present in the tank is interposed between the step of emptying the water from the tank and the injection step of water in the tank.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le cycle de nettoyage est réalisé à chaque démarrage de l'appareil et est avantageusement précédé d'un préchauffage de la cuve sur un temps prédéterminé.According to another characteristic of the invention, the cleaning cycle is carried out at each start of the apparatus and is advantageously preceded by a preheating of the tank over a predetermined time.

Une telle caractéristique permet de garantir l'évacuation des germes d'aragonite et de vatérite à chaque démarrage de l'appareil.Such a characteristic makes it possible to guarantee the evacuation of the aragonite and vaterite germs at each start of the apparatus.

L'invention se rapporte également à un appareil de repassage comportant une réserve d'eau, dite propre, reliée par un circuit d'alimentation à une cuve pour la génération de vapeur sous pression, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un circuit de recyclage reliant la cuve à la réserve d'eau propre, le circuit de recyclage comportant une cavité de récupération, un dispositif pour piéger dans la cavité de récupération au moins une partie des particules de tartre contenues dans l'eau et des moyens pour envoyer l'eau de la cuve vers la cavité de récupération et en ce qu'il met en oeuvre le procédé de fonctionnement précédemment décrit.The invention also relates to an ironing apparatus comprising a water reservoir, said clean, connected by a feed circuit to a tank for the generation of steam under pressure, characterized in that it comprises a recycling circuit connecting the tank to the reserve of clean water, the recycling circuit comprising a recovery cavity, a device for trapping in the cavity of recovering at least a portion of the scale particles contained in the water and means for sending the water from the tank to the recovery cavity and in that it implements the previously described operating method.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le dispositif pour piéger le tartre est un filtre.According to another characteristic of the invention, the device for trapping scale is a filter.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le filtre est calibré pour laisser passer l'eau et retenir les particules présentant une taille supérieure à 10 µm et préférentiellement supérieure à 5 µm.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the filter is calibrated to let the water pass and retain the particles having a size greater than 10 microns and preferably greater than 5 microns.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la réserve d'eau propre et la cavité de récupération sont disposées dans un même réservoir, la réserve d'eau propre étant séparée de la cavité de récupération par un filtre.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the reserve of clean water and the recovery cavity are arranged in the same reservoir, the reserve of clean water being separated from the recovery cavity by a filter.

Une telle caractéristique permet de réduire le coût et l'encombrement de l'appareil.Such a feature reduces the cost and bulk of the device.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens pour envoyer l'eau de la cuve vers la cavité de récupération comprennent une pompe.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the means for sending water from the tank to the recovery cavity comprise a pump.

Une telle caractéristique permet de générer un puissant flux d'aspiration de l'eau et des particules de tartre présentes dans la cuve.Such a feature can generate a powerful suction flow of water and scale particles present in the tank.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la cuve comporte un fond muni d'un renfoncement dans lequel la pompe vient puiser l'eau et les particules de tartre.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the tank comprises a bottom provided with a recess in which the pump draws water and scale particles.

Une telle caractéristique permet d'augmenter la quantité de particules de tartre récoltées lors du puisage de l'eau dans la cuve, les particules de tartre ayant tendances à être piégées dans le renfoncement.Such a characteristic makes it possible to increase the quantity of scale particles harvested during the drawing of water in the tank, the scale particles tending to be trapped in the recess.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le fond de la cuve est incliné en direction du renfoncement.According to another characteristic of the invention, the bottom of the tank is inclined towards the recess.

Une telle caractéristique permet d'améliorer encore la concentration des particules de tartre au niveau du renfoncement, les particules de tartre présentes dans l'eau de la cuve étant entrainées par gravité en direction du renfoncement.Such a characteristic makes it possible to further improve the concentration of scale particles at the recess, the scale particles present in the tank water being gravity-driven towards the recess.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le circuit d'alimentation comporte une pompe pour envoyer l'eau de la réserve d'eau propre dans la cuve. Une telle caractéristique permet d'envoyer l'eau sous pression dans la cuve et d'améliorer le rinçage du fond de cette dernière.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the supply circuit comprises a pump for sending water from the clean water reservoir into the tank. Such a characteristic makes it possible to send the water under pressure into the tank and to improve the rinsing of the bottom of the latter.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'appareil comporte une pompe réversible permettant, dans un sens de fonctionnement, d'envoyer l'eau de la cuve vers la cavité de récupération et, dans le sens inverse de fonctionnement, d'envoyer l'eau de la réserve d'eau propre vers la cuve.According to another characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a reversible pump allowing, in one direction of operation, to send the water from the tank to the recovery cavity and, in the opposite direction of operation, to send the water from the clean water supply to the tank.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'appareil comporte une base génératrice de vapeur reliée par un cordon à un fer à repasser, la base comportant la cuve, la réserve d'eau et la cavité de récupération.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a steam generator base connected by a cord to an iron, the base comprising the tank, the water reserve and the recovery cavity.

On comprendra mieux les buts, aspects et avantages de la présente invention, d'après la description donnée ci-après de deux modes particuliers de réalisation de l'invention, présentés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, en se référant aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'un appareil de repassage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de la cuve de l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la cuve selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un appareil de repassage selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.
The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of two particular embodiments of the invention presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in FIG. which :
  • the figure 1 is a schematic view of an ironing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the figure 2 is a top view of the tank of the apparatus of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tank along line III-III of the figure 2 ;
  • the figure 4 is a schematic view of an ironing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Seuls les éléments nécessaires à la compréhension de l'invention ont été représentés. Pour faciliter la lecture des dessins, les mêmes éléments portent les mêmes références d'une figure à l'autre.Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention have been represented. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

La figure 1 représente schématiquement un appareil de repassage comportant une base 1 pour la production de vapeur et un fer à repasser 2 comprenant une semelle munie de trous de sortie de vapeur, le fer à repasser 2 étant relié à la base 1 par un cordon 3.The figure 1 schematically represents an ironing apparatus comprising a base 1 for the production of steam and an iron 2 comprising a soleplate provided with steam outlet holes, the iron 2 being connected to the base 1 by a bead 3.

Conforment aux figures 1 à 3, la base 1 comporte un réservoir 4 amovible, d'une capacité de l'ordre de 2 litres avantageusement réalisé dans un matériau plastique transparent, et un générateur de vapeur constitué par une cuve 5 en acier inox, d'une capacité de l'ordre de 0,5 litre, comprenant une résistance chauffante 50 d'une puissance de l'ordre de 1400 W permettant de produire de la vapeur sous une pression de l'ordre de 4 à 6 bars. La cuve 5 est reliée au fer à repasser par un conduit de vapeur intégré dans le cordon 3 et comporte une électrovanne 51 commandée par un bouton 20 disposé sur le fer à repasser 2 permettant de contrôler l'émission de vapeur au travers de la semelle.Conform to Figures 1 to 3 , the base 1 comprises a removable tank 4, with a capacity of the order of 2 liters advantageously made of a transparent plastic material, and a steam generator constituted by a tank 5 in stainless steel, with a capacity of the order of 0.5 liter, comprising a heating resistor 50 with a power of the order of 1400 W for producing steam under a pressure of the order of 4 to 6 bars. The tank 5 is connected to the iron by a steam conduit integrated in the cord 3 and comprises a solenoid valve 51 controlled by a button 20 disposed on the iron 2 to control the emission of steam through the sole.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1, le réservoir 4 comporte un filtre 6 amovible qui s'étend à l'intérieur du réservoir 4 et divise le réservoir en deux parties, le filtre 6 formant une barrière filtrante entre une première partie du réservoir, d'une capacité de l'ordre de 1,5 litre, formant une réserve d'eau 41, dite propre, et une deuxième partie du réservoir, d'une capacité de l'ordre de 0,5 litre, formant une cavité de récupération 42, la réserve d'eau du réservoir comportant une trappe de remplissage 40 permettant à l'utilisateur de remplir le réservoir avec de l'eau du robinet.As can be seen on the figure 1 , the tank 4 comprises a removable filter 6 which extends inside the tank 4 and divides the tank into two parts, the filter 6 forming a filtering barrier between a first part of the tank, a capacity of the order 1.5 liter, forming a water reserve 41, said clean, and a second portion of the tank, a capacity of about 0.5 liter, forming a recovery cavity 42, the water reserve the tank comprising a filling flap 40 allowing the user to fill the tank with tap water.

La cuve 5 est reliée à un orifice de sortie 4A du réservoir 4 par un circuit d'alimentation puisant l'eau dans la réserve d'eau 41 et débouchant dans la cuve 5 au niveau d'un connecteur 52 avantageusement situé sur le sommet de la cuve 5, le circuit d'alimentation comprenant une pompe 7 d'admission commandée par une carte de pilotage 8 permettant d'injecter l'eau dans la cuve 5 sous une pression pouvant atteindre 15 bars.The tank 5 is connected to an outlet 4A of the tank 4 by a supply circuit drawing water into the water reserve 41 and opening into the tank 5 at a connector 52 advantageously located on the top of the tank 5, the supply circuit comprising an intake pump 7 controlled by a control card 8 for injecting water into the tank 5 at a pressure of up to 15 bar.

La cuve 5 est également reliée à la cavité de récupération 42 par un circuit de recyclage puisant l'eau de la cuve 5 pour l'envoyer dans la cavité de récupération 42, le circuit de recyclage comprenant une pompe de décharge 9, commandée par la carte de pilotage 8, venant préférentiellement aspirer l'eau dans une zone de la cuve 5 opposée à la zone où l'eau est injectée par la pompe 7 d'admission.The tank 5 is also connected to the recovery cavity 42 by a recycling circuit drawing water from the tank 5 to send it into the recovery cavity 42, the recycling circuit comprising a discharge pump 9, controlled by the piloting card 8, preferably coming to suck the water in a zone of the tank 5 opposite to the zone where the water is injected by the intake pump 7.

Dans l'exemple de réalisation représenté, le filtre 6 présente la forme d'un panier filtrant qui définit le contour de la cavité de récupération 42 et comprend un orifice d'admission 6A connecté au circuit de recyclage, le filtre 6 pouvant être extrait du réservoir 4 pour son nettoyage par une trappe d'accès, à fermeture étanche, non représentée sur les figures.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filter 6 has the form of a filter basket which defines the contour of the recovery cavity 42 and comprises an inlet port 6A connected to the recycling circuit, the filter 6 can be extracted from the tank 4 for cleaning by an access hatch, with a sealed closure, not shown in the figures.

De manière préférentielle, le filtre 6 présente des ouvertures adaptées pour laisser passer l'eau et retenir les particules de tartre en fonction de leur taille et en particulier pour retenir les particules de tartre dont la taille est supérieure à 5 µm.Preferably, the filter 6 has openings adapted to let the water pass and retain the scale particles according to their size and in particular to retain the scale particles whose size is greater than 5 microns.

L'orifice d'admission 6A et l'orifice de sortie 4A sont avantageusement équipés de clapets, non présentés sur les figures, qui viennent fermer ces orifices lorsque le réservoir est retiré de la base 1 afin d'éviter tout écoulement involontaire lors du transport du réservoir 4. L'orifice d'admission 6A est également avantageusement équipé d'une crépine de filtration, non représentée sur les figures, qui vient empêcher qu'un objet indésirable présent dans le fond du réservoir 4 ne soit aspiré par la pompe d'admission 7.The inlet orifice 6A and the outlet orifice 4A are advantageously equipped with valves, not shown in the figures, which close these openings when the reservoir is removed from the base 1 in order to prevent any involuntary flow during transport. The intake port 6A is also advantageously equipped with a filtration strainer, not shown in the figures, which prevents an undesirable object present in the bottom of the tank 4 from being sucked by the pump. admission 7.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 3, la cuve 5 comporte avantageusement un fond muni d'un renfoncement 53 dans lequel les particules de tartre sont piégées, ce renfoncement 53 étant préférentiellement situé en bordure périphérique de la cuve 5, cette dernière étant préférentiellement inclinée de quelques degrés en direction du renfoncement 53 de manière à ce que les particules de tartre présentes dans la cuve 5 soient naturellement entrainées par gravité en direction du renfoncement 53, le circuit de recyclage comportant un conduit d'aspiration 54 dont l'extrémité inférieure plonge dans le renfoncement 53 et vient à proximité du fond de la cuve 5 afin d'aspirer les particules de tartre qui sont retenues dans le renfoncement 53.As can be seen on the figure 3 , the tank 5 advantageously comprises a bottom provided with a recess 53 in which the scale particles are trapped, this recess 53 being preferably located at the peripheral edge of the tank 5, the latter being preferably inclined by a few degrees towards the recess 53 in such a way that the scale particles present in the tank 5 are naturally gravity-driven towards the recess 53, the recycling circuit comprising a suction duct 54 whose lower end plunges into the recess 53 and comes in close proximity from the bottom of the tank 5 in order to suck up the scale particles which are retained in the recess 53.

L'appareil ainsi réalisé met en oeuvre un procédé de fonctionnement préférentiel qui va maintenant être décrit, un tel procédé de fonctionnement permettant de réduite la quantité de tartre contenu dans la cuve.The apparatus thus produced implements a preferred method of operation which will now be described, such an operating method making it possible to reduce the quantity of scale contained in the tank.

Lorsque l'utilisateur souhaite utiliser l'appareil, il effectue tout d'abord un remplissage du réservoir en déversant de l'eau, de préférence du robinet, au travers de la trappe de remplissage 40 et jusqu'à un niveau maximum indiqué sur le réservoir 4, cette eau se déversant directement dans la partie formant la réserve d'eau 41 propre du réservoir 4 et s'écoulant également au travers du filtre 6 pour remplir la cavité de récupération 42.When the user wishes to use the apparatus, he first performs a filling of the tank by pouring water, preferably from the tap, through the filling door 40 and up to a maximum level indicated on the tank 4, this water pouring directly into the part forming the clean water reserve 41 of the tank 4 and also flowing through the filter 6 to fill the recovery cavity 42.

L'appareil est ensuite mis en route en appuyant sur un bouton, non représenté sur les figures, et la carte de pilotage 8 démarre un processus de démarrage dans lequel l'appareil effectue préférentiellement les étapes successives suivantes :

  1. a) préchauffage de la cuve 5 pendant 30 secondes en alimentant électriquement la résistance chauffante 50, et fonctionnement de la pompe de décharge 9 pour aspirer l'eau présente dans la cuve 5, ainsi que les germes d'aragonite et de vatérite contenus dans l'eau, et l'envoyer dans la cavité de récupération 42, ce fonctionnement de la pompe de décharge 9 pouvant être effectué de manière simultanée et/ou successive au préchauffage de la cuve 5,
  2. b) Arrêt de la pompe de décharge 9 puis fonctionnement de la pompe d'admission 7 pour injecter de l'eau propre issue de la réserve d'eau 41 du réservoir 4 dans la cuve 5, une telle injection d'eau permettant de nettoyer le fond de la cuve 5,
  3. c) Arrêt de la pompe d'admission 7 puis fonctionnement de la pompe de décharge 9 pour vider de nouveau la cuve 5 et envoyer le contenu de la cuve dans la cavité de récupération 42,
  4. d) Arrêt de la pompe de décharge 9 et chauffage de la cuve 5 pour transformer en cristaux de calcite les éventuels germes d'aragonite encore présents dans l'eau résiduelle au fond de la cuve,
  5. e) fonctionnement de la pompe d'admission 7 pour injecter de l'eau propre de la réserve d'eau 4 dans la cuve et chauffage de la cuve 5 pour produire de la vapeur,
The apparatus is then started by pressing a button, not shown in the figures, and the control card 8 starts a startup process in which the apparatus preferentially performs the successive steps following:
  1. a) preheating the tank 5 for 30 seconds by electrically supplying the heating resistor 50, and operating the discharge pump 9 to suck up the water present in the tank 5, as well as the aragonite and vaterite seeds contained in the water, and send it into the recovery cavity 42, this operation of the discharge pump 9 can be performed simultaneously and / or after the preheating of the tank 5,
  2. b) Stopping the discharge pump 9 and then operating the intake pump 7 to inject clean water from the water reservoir 41 of the tank 4 into the tank 5, such a water injection to clean the bottom of the tank 5,
  3. c) Stopping the intake pump 7 then operating the discharge pump 9 to empty the tank 5 again and send the contents of the tank into the recovery cavity 42,
  4. d) Stopping the discharge pump 9 and heating the tank 5 to convert into calcite crystals any aragonite germs still present in the residual water at the bottom of the tank,
  5. e) operation of the intake pump 7 for injecting clean water from the water reserve 4 into the tank and heating the tank 5 to produce steam,

Une fois ce cycle de démarrage effectué, le fonctionnement de l'appareil se poursuit selon un cycle normal, connu de l'art antérieur. Un tel cycle de fonctionnement est par exemple décrit dans la demande de brevet FR2755706 déposée par la demanderesse.Once this start cycle has been performed, the operation of the apparatus continues in a normal cycle known from the prior art. Such a cycle of operation is for example described in the patent application FR2755706 filed by the plaintiff.

Un tel procédé de fonctionnement au démarrage de l'appareil présente l'avantage de réduire la quantité de tartre contenu dans la cuve 5 lors du fonctionnement de l'appareil, l'injection d'eau propre dans la cuve 5 permettant de nettoyer le fond de la cuve 5 en soulevant les particules de tartre et en les envoyant en direction du renfoncement 53 où ces dernières sont ensuite aspirées lors de l'étape de vidage de la cuve 5 pour être envoyées dans la cavité de récupération 42.Such a method of operation at the start of the apparatus has the advantage of reducing the amount of scale contained in the tank 5 during operation of the apparatus, the injection of clean water into the tank 5 to clean the bottom of the tank 5 by lifting the scale particles and sending them towards the recess 53 where the latter are then sucked during the emptying step of the tank 5 to be sent into the recovery cavity 42.

Les germes de type aragonite ou vatérite, à l'origine de la formation des cristaux de tartre, sont alors piégés par le filtre 6, seule l'eau peu chargée en germes ou particules de tartre pouvant passer au travers du filtre 6 pour se mélanger avec l'eau propre de la réserve d'eau 41.The aragonite or vaterite-type sprouts, at the origin of the formation of scale crystals, are then trapped by the filter 6, only the water with little water in the seeds or particles of scale that can pass through the filter 6 to mix with the clean water of the water supply 41.

On obtient ainsi un procédé de fonctionnement permettant d'éliminer régulièrement les particules se formant progressivement dans la cuve 5 pour les stocker dans la cavité de récupération 42.In this way, an operating method is obtained that makes it possible to regularly remove the particles that gradually form in the tank 5 and store them in the recovery cavity 42.

En particulier, un tel appareil permet de concentrer progressivement les particules de tartre dans la cavité de récupération 42 et présente l'avantage de permettre le recyclage de l'eau issue de la cuve 5, nettoyée de son tartre, vers la réserve d'eau 41 propre.In particular, such an apparatus makes it possible to progressively concentrate the scale particles in the recovery cavity 42 and has the advantage of allowing the water coming from the tank 5, cleaned from its scale, to be recycled to the water reserve 41 clean.

La cavité de récupération 42 du tartre n'a ainsi pas besoin de présenter un volume important, l'eau utilisée pour le nettoyage de la cuve 5 étant renvoyée dans la réserve d'eau 41 après filtration, seules les particules de tartre solides étant stockées dans la cavité de récupération 42.The recovery cavity 42 of the scale does not need to have a large volume, the water used for cleaning the tank 5 being returned to the water reserve 41 after filtration, only the solid scale particles being stored in the recovery cavity 42.

L'appareil ainsi réalisé peut être compact et permet la réalisation de plusieurs séances de repassage sans qu'il soit nécessaire pour l'utilisateur de vider la cavité de récupération 42.The apparatus thus produced can be compact and allows the realization of several ironing sessions without the need for the user to empty the recovery cavity 42.

Lorsque l'utilisateur constate que le filtre 6 est obstrué par les particules de tartre, soit suite à une inspection visuelle, soit suite à une alerte émise par l'appareil, l'utilisateur peut nettoyer le filtre 6 en le retirant du réservoir 4 et en le nettoyant avec une brosse et/ou en le faisant tremper dans du vinaigre blanc.When the user finds that the filter 6 is obstructed by the scale particles, either following a visual inspection or following an alert issued by the device, the user can clean the filter 6 by removing it from the tank 4 and by cleaning with a brush and / or soaking in white vinegar.

A titre d'exemple, le bouchage du filtre pourra être détecté automatiquement au moyen d'un détecteur de niveau d'eau, réalisé par exemple par des électrodes, disposé dans la cavité de récupération 42 de manière à émettre une alarme lorsque le niveau d'eau dans la cavité de récupération 42 est supérieur à un seuil prédéterminé, une telle alarme signifiant que l'eau n'arrive plus à s'écouler de la cavité de récupération vers la réserve d'eau et donc que le filtre est bouché.For example, the clogging of the filter may be detected automatically by means of a water level detector, made for example by electrodes, placed in the recovery cavity 42 so as to emit an alarm when the level of the filter is reached. water in the recovery cavity 42 is greater than a predetermined threshold, such an alarm means that the water can no longer flow from the recovery cavity to the water supply and therefore the filter is clogged.

La figure 4 représente un second mode de réalisation de l'appareil selon l'invention dans lequel la pompe d'admission 7 et la pompe de décharge 9 sont remplacées par une pompe 10 effectuant à elle seule les mêmes fonctions que les pompes d'admission 7 et de décharge 9 du premier mode de réalisation, le procédé de fonctionnement de l'appareil restant similaire à celui décrit dans le premier mode de réalisation.The figure 4 represents a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in which the intake pump 7 and the discharge pump 9 are replaced by a pump 10 alone performing the same functions as the intake pumps 7 and discharge 9 of the first embodiment, the method of operation of the apparatus remaining similar to that described in the first embodiment.

Dans ce second mode de réalisation, la pompe 10 est entrainée par un moteur électrique et comprend avantageusement des clapets permettant dans un sens de fonctionnement du moteur d'envoyer l'eau de la réserve d'eau 41 vers la cuve 5 et dans l'autre sens de fonctionnement du moteur de la cuve, d'envoyer l'eau de la cuve 5 vers la cavité de récupération, le sens de fonctionnement de la pompe étant contrôlé par la carte de commande.In this second embodiment, the pump 10 is driven by an electric motor and advantageously comprises valves allowing in one direction of operation of the motor to send water from the water reserve 41 to the tank 5 and in the other direction of operation of the motor of the tank, to send water from the tank 5 to the recovery cavity, the direction of operation of the pump being controlled by the control card.

Un tel mode de réalisation présente l'avantage de ne faire appel qu'à une seule pompe ce qui permet de réduire encore l'encombrement de l'appareil et de réduire le coût de construction.Such an embodiment has the advantage of only using a single pump which can further reduce the size of the device and reduce the cost of construction.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est nullement limitée aux modes de réalisation décrits et illustrés qui n'ont été donnés qu'à titre d'exemples. Des modifications restent possibles, notamment du point de vue de la constitution des divers éléments ou par substitution d'équivalents techniques, sans sortir pour autant du domaine de protection de l'invention.Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given only as examples. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Ainsi, dans une variante de réalisation non représentée, le réservoir de l'appareil pourra comporter un bâtonnet d'hexamétaphosphate de sodium (HMPS) tel que décrit dans la demande de brevet FR2757364 déposée par la demanderesse, afin d'éviter le grossissement des particules de CaCO3 et d'entartrer la pompe.Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the reservoir of the apparatus may include a sodium hexametaphosphate rod (HMPS) as described in the patent application. FR2757364 filed by the plaintiff, in order to prevent the magnification of the CaCO 3 particles and to scale the pump.

Ainsi dans une variante de réalisation du procédé de fonctionnement, la pompe de décharge et la pompe d'admission pourront être mises en fonctionnement au cours du cycle de fonctionnement normal de l'appareil pour créer un ou plusieurs cycles de rinçage intermédiaire de la cuve au cours de la séance de repassage.Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the operating method, the discharge pump and the intake pump can be put into operation during the normal operating cycle of the apparatus to create one or more intermediate rinsing cycles of the tank. during the ironing session.

Ce fonctionnement des pompes de décharge et d'admission lors des cycles de rinçage intermédiaire pourra s'effectuer en complément ou à la place du processus de démarrage précédemment décrit.This operation of the discharge and intake pumps during intermediate rinsing cycles can be carried out in addition to or in place of the previously described start-up process.

Lors de ces cycles de rinçage intermédiaire, les pompes de décharge et d'admission seront préférentiellement mises en fonctionnement simultanément de manière à ce que le niveau d'eau dans la cuve soit sensiblement constant et permette la poursuite de la production de vapeur dans la cuve. En particulier, les cycles de rinçage seront avantageusement accompagnés voire précédés d'une mise en marche des moyens de chauffage de la cuve afin de permettre un échauffement rapide de l'eau envoyée dans la cuve par la pompe d'admission.During these intermediate rinsing cycles, the discharge and intake pumps will preferably be operated simultaneously so that the level of water in the tank is substantially constant and allows the continuation of the production of steam in the tank . In particular, the rinsing cycles will advantageously be accompanied or even preceded by a start of the heating means of the tank to allow a rapid heating of the water sent into the tank by the intake pump.

Claims (18)

  1. Procedure for operation of an ironing appliance comprising a reservoir (5) for the generation of steam under pressure, comprising, during operation of the appliance, the following step:
    - Extraction, for example by pumping, of at least part of the water in the reservoir (5) to send it to a device (6) for reducing the amount of scale in the water, and characterised in that, during operation of the appliance, the following steps are performed:
    - Recovery of at least part of the water treated by the device (6) to send it to a water reserve (41), claimed to be clean, provided on the appliance,
    - Sending to the reservoir (5), for example by pumping, of at least part of the water in the clean water reserve (41).
  2. Procedure according to claim 1, characterised in that the device for reducing the amount of scale is a filter (6) retaining particles depending on their size.
  3. Procedure according to claim 2, characterised in that the filter (6) is calibrated to allow the passage of water and retain particles of a size greater than 10 µm and preferably retain particles of a size greater than 5 µm.
  4. Procedure according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterised in that the water from the reservoir (5) is sent to a scale collection cavity (42), said scale collection cavity (42) being separated from the water reserve (41) by the filter (6).
  5. Procedure according to claim 4, characterised in that, when the appliance is started, the following steps are performed successively:
    - Emptying of the reservoir (5), for example by pumping, with the water extracted from the reservoir (5) being sent to the collection cavity (42),
    - Injection into the reservoir (5) of water coming from the clean water reserve (41).
  6. Procedure according to claim 5, characterised in that, between the reservoir (5) emptying step and the water injection step, an intermediate step is performed in which the bottom of the reservoir (5) is dried by operating the heating means (50) of the reservoir (5).
  7. Procedure according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterised in that the heating means (50) of the reservoir (5) are operated prior to and/or during the reservoir (5) emptying step.
  8. Procedure according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a cleaning cycle of the reservoir (5) consisting of the following successive steps:
    - Emptying of the water in the bottom of the reservoir (5) to send it to the collection cavity (42),
    - Injection into the reservoir (5) of water coming from the clean water reserve (41),
    - Emptying of the water in the reservoir (5) to send it to the collection cavity (42), this emptying step potentially being followed by a reservoir (5) heating step to evaporate the residual water in the reservoir (5),
    - Injection into the reservoir (5) of water coming from the clean water reserve.
  9. Procedure according to claim 8, characterised in that the cleaning cycle is performed on each start-up of the appliance.
  10. Ironing appliance comprising a water reserve (41), claimed to be clean, connected by a supply circuit to a reservoir (5) for the generation of steam under pressure, characterised in that it comprises a recycling circuit connecting the reservoir (5) to the clean water reserve (41), the recycling circuit comprising a collection cavity (42), a device (6) for trapping in the collection cavity (42) at least part of the scale particles contained in the water and the means (9; 10) for sending water from the reservoir (5) to the collection cavity (42), and in that it implements the operating procedure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
  11. Ironing appliance according to claim 10, characterised in that the scale trapping device is a filter (6).
  12. Ironing appliance according to claim 11, characterised in that the filter (6) is calibrated to allow the passage of water and retain particles of a size greater than 10 µm and preferably retain particles of a size greater than 5 µm.
  13. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the clean water reserve (41) and the collection cavity (42) are arranged in the same tank (4), the clean water reserve (41) being separated from the collection cavity (42) by a filter (6).
  14. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the means for sending the water from the reservoir to the collection cavity consist of a pump (9; 10).
  15. Ironing appliance according to claim 14, characterised in that the reservoir comprises a bottom provided with a recess (53) in which the pump (9; 10) draws the water and the scale particles.
  16. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the supply circuit comprises a pump (7) to send the water from the clean water reserve (41) to the reservoir (5).
  17. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that it comprises a reversible pump (10) enabling, in one direction of operation, the water in the reservoir (5) to be sent to the collection cavity (42) and, in the reverse direction of operation, the water in the clean water reserve (41) to be sent to the reservoir (5).
  18. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterised in that it comprises a steam generator base (1) connected by a cord (3) to an iron (2), the base (1) comprising a reservoir (5), the water reserve (41) and the collection cavity (42).
EP15166299.6A 2014-05-06 2015-05-04 Method for operating an ironing appliance comprising a vessel for generating pressurised steam Active EP2942430B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1454095A FR3020817B1 (en) 2014-05-06 2014-05-06 METHOD OF OPERATING AN IRONING APPARATUS HAVING A TANK FOR THE GENERATION OF PRESSURIZED STEAM

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2942430A1 EP2942430A1 (en) 2015-11-11
EP2942430B1 true EP2942430B1 (en) 2016-07-27

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EP15166299.6A Active EP2942430B1 (en) 2014-05-06 2015-05-04 Method for operating an ironing appliance comprising a vessel for generating pressurised steam

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EP (1) EP2942430B1 (en)
CN (1) CN105088734B (en)
FR (1) FR3020817B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11618992B2 (en) 2017-06-16 2023-04-04 Spectrum Brands, Inc. Steam generator with pre-heat chamber and filter
FR3081476B1 (en) * 2018-05-25 2020-04-24 Seb S.A. METHOD FOR CLEANING AN IRON EQUIPPED WITH A TARTAR RECOVERY CAVITY

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2755706B1 (en) 1996-11-13 1998-12-24 Seb Sa STEAM GENERATOR
FR2757364B1 (en) 1996-12-20 1999-02-26 Seb Sa HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH ANTI-SCALE MEANS
DE20017279U1 (en) * 2000-10-07 2001-01-11 HOESCH Metall + Kunststoffwerk GmbH & Co., 52372 Kreuzau Steam generator for a steam bath cabin with decalcifying device
JP4194505B2 (en) * 2004-02-16 2008-12-10 シャープ株式会社 Plasma cleaning device
JP5053272B2 (en) * 2005-07-11 2012-10-17 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Method for cleaning a boiler system for use with a steam device
WO2008075308A2 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Steam generator
CN101839468B (en) * 2009-03-19 2012-07-25 漳州灿坤实业有限公司 Steam station capable of removing calcium scale
CN102268812A (en) * 2010-10-22 2011-12-07 上海市第一中学 Steam iron with filtering function
CN201933337U (en) * 2011-01-07 2011-08-17 张进功 Vertical steamer with water filtering and purifying function
FR2979924B1 (en) * 2011-09-09 2013-10-11 Seb Sa HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A STEAM DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN105088734A (en) 2015-11-25
EP2942430A1 (en) 2015-11-11
FR3020817B1 (en) 2016-05-13
CN105088734B (en) 2018-11-13
FR3020817A1 (en) 2015-11-13

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