EP3090098B1 - A steam iron - Google Patents
A steam iron Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3090098B1 EP3090098B1 EP14816312.4A EP14816312A EP3090098B1 EP 3090098 B1 EP3090098 B1 EP 3090098B1 EP 14816312 A EP14816312 A EP 14816312A EP 3090098 B1 EP3090098 B1 EP 3090098B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- inlet conduit
- inlet
- chamber
- collection reservoir
- steam iron
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims description 106
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 53
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 48
- 238000010409 ironing Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000000396 iron Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
- D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
- D06F75/14—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron
- D06F75/18—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron the water being fed slowly, e.g. drop by drop, from the reservoir to a steam generator
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a steam iron having a chamber to receive calcified deposits (see US-A-5 345 704 ).
- a steam iron has a housing incorporating a handle, a heel on which the iron rests when not in use, and a heated soleplate to remove creases from clothes.
- a steam iron also has a reservoir to contain water which is supplied to a steam generator to generate steam which is ejected through steam distribution openings in the soleplate onto the clothes as they are ironed to assist with crease removal.
- Conventional steam irons can be provided with a chamber, within or attached to the soleplate, positioned to receive calcified deposits, commonly called 'scale', which is formed in the steam generator as a result of the steam generation process, especially when the water being used to generate steam is hard.
- the chamber is positioned towards the rear of the iron so that, whenever the iron is placed on its heel, the calcified deposits fall under gravity from the steam generator and into the chamber where they are retained.
- the chamber may be periodically opened for emptying after a number of ironing cycles have been performed.
- a typical steam iron having a calcified deposit collection chamber is known from EP2584089 .
- a steam iron according to the present invention is characterised in that the chamber is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber fills the inlet conduit when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit over the inlet, becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit, thereby holding water in the inlet conduit.
- a small drop in pressure occurs in the collection reservoir when the iron is returned to its ironing position and the water fills and blocks the inlet conduit. This suction effect serves to hold the water in the collection reservoir. Atmospheric pressure acting over the inlet also adds to the suction force which together overcomes the force of gravity which would otherwise cause the water to drop out of the chamber via the inlet.
- the collection reservoir extends away from the inlet conduit at an angle relative to a plane in which the soleplate lies.
- the collection reservoir By arranging the collection reservoir so that it extends away from the inlet conduit, the level of the water in the collection chamber will be above the inlet conduit, thereby reducing the possibility that air will flow through the inlet and via the inlet conduit into the collection reservoir.
- the collection reservoir may extend from the inlet conduit at an angle in the range of 5 and 60 degrees. Most preferably, the collection reservoir extends from the inlet conduit at an angle of approximately 27 degrees.
- the inlet conduit defines a first volume and the collection reservoir defines a second volume.
- the second volume may be larger than the first volume.
- the inlet conduit has a rectangular cross-section having a height, a width and a length and the height of the inlet conduit is preferably between 3 and 8mm. Most preferably, the height of the inlet conduit is approximately 6mm, the width of the inlet conduit is approximately 24mm and the length of the inlet conduit is approximately 8mm. The length of the collection reservoir may also be approximately 52mm.
- the collection reservoir may taper outwardly in a direction away from the inlet conduit.
- the collection reservoir extends laterally from the inlet conduit, the inlet conduit and the collection reservoir being separated by a step.
- the chamber is integrally formed.
- a calcified deposit collection accessory removably mountable within a steam iron to collect residual water and calcified deposits that fall under gravity when said steam iron is moved from an ironing position into a non-ironing position
- the calcified deposit collection accessory comprising a chamber having an inlet, an inlet conduit extending from the inlet and a collection reservoir which is sealed other than by the inlet conduit, wherein said chamber is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber fills the inlet conduit when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit over the inlet, becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit, thereby holding water in the inlet conduit.
- a steam iron 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 and includes a housing 2 having an integral handle 3.
- a soleplate 4 is mounted to the housing 2 and is electrically heated to remove creases from clothes when they are laid on a flat surface such as an ironing board 1a and the soleplate 4 is pressed against and moved across them.
- the steam iron 1 is also provided with a reservoir (not shown) within the housing 2 to contain water for supply to a steam generator 5 located within the soleplate 4 that generates steam for delivery through steam distribution openings 4a in the soleplate 4 to assist in crease removal.
- the reservoir may be placed external to the housing, for instance in a separate base, and water transferred to the steam generator via a hose.
- Fig. 1 shows the steam iron in a typical in-use or ironing position, with the soleplate 4 facing downwardly so that the weight of the iron 1 will rest on the clothes being ironed.
- the housing 2 also has a heel 6. When not in use, the iron may be placed in a stable, non-ironing, upright position resting on its heel 6 so that the soleplate 4 is out of contact with any surfaces.
- the steam iron 1 includes a calcified deposit collection chamber 7 having an inlet 8, and an inlet conduit 9 that leads into a collection reservoir 10.
- the collection reservoir 10 is sealed in an air and fluid tight manner by a removable plug or cap 11 that is accessible by the user.
- a rubber seal o-ring 14 (shown in Fig. 3 ), acting as a sealing element, is disposed between the collection reservoir 10 and the removable plug or cap to form an air and fluid seal.
- the inlet conduit 9 and the collection reservoir 10 both define a volume.
- the volume of the collection reservoir 10 is substantially greater than the volume of the inlet conduit 9.
- the chamber 7 may be integrally formed as a single unit, although it may be formed from multiple parts which are manufactured or molded separately and then joined to each other in a subsequent step. The joining of parts may be necessary if the chamber has a more irregular shape which is difficult to mold as one piece.
- the inlet 8 is positioned adjacent to a rear face 4b of the soleplate 4 so that calcified deposits that are formed in the steam generator 5 adjacent to the rear face 4b of the soleplate 4 will fall downwardly under their own weight through the inlet 8, along the inlet conduit 9 and into the collection reservoir 10 when the steam iron 1 is placed on its heel 6.
- a scoop 12 or other element extends from the plug 11 into the collection reservoir that collects or holds the calcified deposits and prevents them from passing back out of the collection reservoir 10 via the inlet conduit 9 and the inlet 8 when the iron is moved back into its ironing position orientation, as shown in Fig. 1 .
- the inlet conduit 9 is sized and shaped so that when the steam iron 1 is returned from the heel position to its ironing position, water in the collection reservoir 10 flows into, and fills, the inlet conduit 9.
- the water which fills the volume of the inlet conduit 9 effectively prevents the passage of air through the inlet 8 and along the inlet conduit 9 into the collection reservoir 10.
- air is unable to pass along the inlet conduit 9 and into the collection reservoir 10, which would be necessary in order to equalise a drop in pressure in the collection reservoir 10 that would occur as a result of water flowing out of the collection reservoir 10 via the inlet conduit 9, water is held in the collection reservoir 10 and in the inlet conduit 9.
- the collection reservoir 10 extends upwardly away from the inlet conduit 9 with the steam iron 1 in the ironing orientation, as shown in Fig. 1 . This ensures that water in the collection reservoir 10 is above the uppermost point (point 'P' in Figs. 1 , 3 and 5 ) of the inlet conduit 9, so that the entrance to the inlet conduit 9 from the collection reservoir 10 remains fully submerged in order to prevent the passage of air into the collection reservoir 10 which would allow pressures to equalise and water to flow out.
- the inlet conduit 9 extends parallel to the soleplate 4 and the collection reservoir 10 extends away from the inlet conduit 9 at an angle relative to a plane in which the soleplate 4 lies (' ⁇ ' as shown in Fig. 3 ) of between 5 and 60 degrees.
- the collection reservoir 10 extends at an upwardly extending angle away from the horizontal soleplate 4.
- the ability of the chamber 7 to collect calcified deposits may be compromised, as it is harder for the deposits to reach the end of the collection reservoir 10 when the steam iron 1 is placed on its heel 6.
- the collection reservoir 10 extends upwardly from the inlet conduit 9 at an angle of approximately 27 degrees.
- the collection reservoir 10 may also taper outwardly away from the inlet conduit 9 towards the plug 11 at the opposite end of the collection reservoir 10, so the walls of the collection reservoir 10 need not be parallel to each other.
- the inventors have determined that the height ('a' in Fig. 2 ) of the inlet 8 should be in the order of 3mm to 8mm. If the height is less than 3mm, then the inlet conduit 9 may become choked with calcified deposits relatively quickly.
- the height of the inlet 8 is approximately 6mm
- the width ('b' in Fig. 2 ) of the inlet conduit 9 is approximately 24mm
- the length ('c' in Fig. 2 ) of the inlet conduit 9 is approximately 8mm.
- the length ('d' in Fig. 2 ) of the collection reservoir 10 may also be in the order of 52mm.
- FIG. 4 A second embodiment is shown in Figs 4 and 5 .
- This embodiment is identical to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 , except that the collection reservoir 10 does not extend upwardly away from the inlet conduit 9.
- the collection reservoir 10 is simply a lateral extension of the inlet conduit 9 and so angle ⁇ , as shown in Fig. 3 , can be assumed to be zero in the embodiment of Fig. 5 )), although the collection reservoir 10 has a larger volume than the inlet conduit 9.
- a step 13 is formed between the inlet conduit 9 and the collection reservoir 10, separating the smaller volume inlet conduit 9 from the larger volume collection reservoir 10.
- the calcified deposit collection chamber 7 could be provided as a replacement part or accessory for existing steam irons.
- Such an embodiment is generally the same as the embodiments described above and so a detailed description will be omitted herein.
- each of the inlet 8 and inlet conduit 9 are each shown to have a rectangular profile, it will be understood that in alternative embodiments each of the inlet 8 and inlet conduit 9 may be formed to define a different shape, for example an oval profile.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Irons (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a steam iron having a chamber to receive calcified deposits (see
US-A-5 345 704 ). - A steam iron has a housing incorporating a handle, a heel on which the iron rests when not in use, and a heated soleplate to remove creases from clothes. A steam iron also has a reservoir to contain water which is supplied to a steam generator to generate steam which is ejected through steam distribution openings in the soleplate onto the clothes as they are ironed to assist with crease removal.
- Conventional steam irons can be provided with a chamber, within or attached to the soleplate, positioned to receive calcified deposits, commonly called 'scale', which is formed in the steam generator as a result of the steam generation process, especially when the water being used to generate steam is hard. Usually, the chamber is positioned towards the rear of the iron so that, whenever the iron is placed on its heel, the calcified deposits fall under gravity from the steam generator and into the chamber where they are retained. The chamber may be periodically opened for emptying after a number of ironing cycles have been performed. A typical steam iron having a calcified deposit collection chamber is known from
EP2584089 . - When an iron is placed on its heel, it is known for a small quantity of water to flow into the calcified deposit collection chamber together with any calcified deposits. When the iron is subsequently used again, the water flows out of the chamber and back into the steam generator. This can result in an undesirable shot of steam being generated which can be unnerving or cause surprise to the user.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a steam iron which substantially alleviates or overcomes the problems mentioned above.
- The invention is defined by the independent claims; the dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.
- It is known from
US-A-5345704 to provide a steam iron comprising a steam generator and a chamber having an inlet positioned so that residual water and calcified deposits formed in the steam generator fall under the influence of gravity through said inlet and into the chamber when the iron is moved from an ironing position into a non-ironing position, wherein the chamber includes an inlet conduit and a collection reservoir, the inlet conduit extending from said inlet into the collection reservoir which is otherwise sealed. - A steam iron according to the present invention is characterised in that the chamber is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber fills the inlet conduit when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit over the inlet, becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit, thereby holding water in the inlet conduit.
- By configuring the chamber so that the inlet conduit fills with water that has entered the chamber and thereby prevents the flow of air back into the chamber via the inlet and along the inlet conduit, water is prevented from flowing back out of the chamber when the iron is returned to its ironing position. Therefore, a sudden shot of steam no longer occurs.
- A small drop in pressure occurs in the collection reservoir when the iron is returned to its ironing position and the water fills and blocks the inlet conduit. This suction effect serves to hold the water in the collection reservoir. Atmospheric pressure acting over the inlet also adds to the suction force which together overcomes the force of gravity which would otherwise cause the water to drop out of the chamber via the inlet.
- Preferably, the collection reservoir extends away from the inlet conduit at an angle relative to a plane in which the soleplate lies.
- By arranging the collection reservoir so that it extends away from the inlet conduit, the level of the water in the collection chamber will be above the inlet conduit, thereby reducing the possibility that air will flow through the inlet and via the inlet conduit into the collection reservoir.
- The collection reservoir may extend from the inlet conduit at an angle in the range of 5 and 60 degrees. Most preferably, the collection reservoir extends from the inlet conduit at an angle of approximately 27 degrees.
- The inlet conduit defines a first volume and the collection reservoir defines a second volume. The second volume may be larger than the first volume.
- In some embodiments, the inlet conduit has a rectangular cross-section having a height, a width and a length and the height of the inlet conduit is preferably between 3 and 8mm. Most preferably, the height of the inlet conduit is approximately 6mm, the width of the inlet conduit is approximately 24mm and the length of the inlet conduit is approximately 8mm. The length of the collection reservoir may also be approximately 52mm.
- The collection reservoir may taper outwardly in a direction away from the inlet conduit.
- In another embodiment, the collection reservoir extends laterally from the inlet conduit, the inlet conduit and the collection reservoir being separated by a step.
- Preferably, the chamber is integrally formed.
- It is also known to provide a calcified deposit collection accessory removably mountable within a steam iron to collect residual water and calcified deposits that fall under gravity when said steam iron is moved from an ironing position into a non-ironing position, the calcified deposit collection accessory comprising a chamber having an inlet, an inlet conduit extending from the inlet and a collection reservoir which is sealed other than by the inlet conduit, wherein said chamber is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber fills the inlet conduit when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit over the inlet, becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit, thereby holding water in the inlet conduit.
- These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a steam iron according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a calcified deposit collection chamber that is received within the iron ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the calcified deposit collection chamber shown inFig. 2 ; -
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a calcified deposit collection chamber; and -
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the calcified deposit collection chamber shown inFig. 4 . - A
steam iron 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFig. 1 and includes ahousing 2 having anintegral handle 3. Asoleplate 4 is mounted to thehousing 2 and is electrically heated to remove creases from clothes when they are laid on a flat surface such as anironing board 1a and thesoleplate 4 is pressed against and moved across them. Thesteam iron 1 is also provided with a reservoir (not shown) within thehousing 2 to contain water for supply to asteam generator 5 located within thesoleplate 4 that generates steam for delivery throughsteam distribution openings 4a in thesoleplate 4 to assist in crease removal. Alternatively, the reservoir may be placed external to the housing, for instance in a separate base, and water transferred to the steam generator via a hose. -
Fig. 1 shows the steam iron in a typical in-use or ironing position, with thesoleplate 4 facing downwardly so that the weight of theiron 1 will rest on the clothes being ironed. Thehousing 2 also has aheel 6. When not in use, the iron may be placed in a stable, non-ironing, upright position resting on itsheel 6 so that thesoleplate 4 is out of contact with any surfaces. - The
steam iron 1 includes a calcifieddeposit collection chamber 7 having aninlet 8, and aninlet conduit 9 that leads into acollection reservoir 10. Thecollection reservoir 10 is sealed in an air and fluid tight manner by a removable plug orcap 11 that is accessible by the user. A rubber seal o-ring 14 (shown inFig. 3 ), acting as a sealing element, is disposed between thecollection reservoir 10 and the removable plug or cap to form an air and fluid seal. Theinlet conduit 9 and thecollection reservoir 10 both define a volume. The volume of thecollection reservoir 10 is substantially greater than the volume of theinlet conduit 9. Thechamber 7 may be integrally formed as a single unit, although it may be formed from multiple parts which are manufactured or molded separately and then joined to each other in a subsequent step. The joining of parts may be necessary if the chamber has a more irregular shape which is difficult to mold as one piece. - The
inlet 8 is positioned adjacent to a rear face 4b of thesoleplate 4 so that calcified deposits that are formed in thesteam generator 5 adjacent to the rear face 4b of thesoleplate 4 will fall downwardly under their own weight through theinlet 8, along theinlet conduit 9 and into thecollection reservoir 10 when thesteam iron 1 is placed on itsheel 6. Ascoop 12 or other element extends from theplug 11 into the collection reservoir that collects or holds the calcified deposits and prevents them from passing back out of thecollection reservoir 10 via theinlet conduit 9 and theinlet 8 when the iron is moved back into its ironing position orientation, as shown inFig. 1 . - It will be appreciated that residual water in the
steam generator 5 will also flow downwardly and into the calcifieddeposit collection chamber 7 together with any calcified deposits when the steam iron is placed on itsheel 6. However, thechamber 7 is configured so that this water is prevented from flowing back out of thechamber 7 when thesteam iron 1 is returned to its operational or ironing position, as shown inFig. 1 . - The
inlet conduit 9 is sized and shaped so that when thesteam iron 1 is returned from the heel position to its ironing position, water in thecollection reservoir 10 flows into, and fills, theinlet conduit 9. As thecollection reservoir 10 is sealed, other than by theinlet 8 andinlet conduit 9, the water which fills the volume of theinlet conduit 9 effectively prevents the passage of air through theinlet 8 and along theinlet conduit 9 into thecollection reservoir 10. As air is unable to pass along theinlet conduit 9 and into thecollection reservoir 10, which would be necessary in order to equalise a drop in pressure in thecollection reservoir 10 that would occur as a result of water flowing out of thecollection reservoir 10 via theinlet conduit 9, water is held in thecollection reservoir 10 and in theinlet conduit 9. The absence of a flow of air into thecollection reservoir 10 causes a suction or pressure drop to form in thecollection reservoir 10 which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water over theinlet 8, is balanced against the force of gravity which would otherwise allow the water to fall out of theinlet 8 when thesteam iron 1 is held in its ironing position. The water is therefore retained in thechamber 7. - The above described principle is akin to the effect that occurs when the lower end of a drinking straw is immersed in a fluid and a finger placed on and retained over the upper end whilst the straw is removed from the fluid. It will be noted that fluid remains in the straw and does not flow back out of the lower end until the finger covering the upper end of the straw is removed. This phenomenon occurs because, in the absence of a finger placed over the end of the straw, water in the straw would drop out under gravity with air flowing into the straw through its upper open end to replace the water. However, when the upper end of the straw is blocked, air cannot flow into the straw from either end and so cannot displace the water. This creates a suction effect within the straw which holds the water within it until the upper end of the straw is unblocked and air can flow freely into the upper end of the straw to replace the water flowing out of its lower end.
- The
collection reservoir 10 extends upwardly away from theinlet conduit 9 with thesteam iron 1 in the ironing orientation, as shown inFig. 1 . This ensures that water in thecollection reservoir 10 is above the uppermost point (point 'P' inFigs. 1 ,3 and5 ) of theinlet conduit 9, so that the entrance to theinlet conduit 9 from thecollection reservoir 10 remains fully submerged in order to prevent the passage of air into thecollection reservoir 10 which would allow pressures to equalise and water to flow out. - In preferred embodiments, the
inlet conduit 9 extends parallel to thesoleplate 4 and thecollection reservoir 10 extends away from theinlet conduit 9 at an angle relative to a plane in which thesoleplate 4 lies ('α' as shown inFig. 3 ) of between 5 and 60 degrees. This means that, in a normal ironing position in which thesoleplate 4 is held horizontally, thecollection reservoir 10 extends at an upwardly extending angle away from thehorizontal soleplate 4. At angles in excess of 60 degrees, the ability of thechamber 7 to collect calcified deposits may be compromised, as it is harder for the deposits to reach the end of thecollection reservoir 10 when thesteam iron 1 is placed on itsheel 6. In a particularly preferred embodiment, thecollection reservoir 10 extends upwardly from theinlet conduit 9 at an angle of approximately 27 degrees. - The
collection reservoir 10 may also taper outwardly away from theinlet conduit 9 towards theplug 11 at the opposite end of thecollection reservoir 10, so the walls of thecollection reservoir 10 need not be parallel to each other. - The inventors have determined that the height ('a' in
Fig. 2 ) of theinlet 8 should be in the order of 3mm to 8mm. If the height is less than 3mm, then theinlet conduit 9 may become choked with calcified deposits relatively quickly. In a preferred embodiment, the height of theinlet 8 is approximately 6mm, the width ('b' inFig. 2 ) of theinlet conduit 9 is approximately 24mm and the length ('c' inFig. 2 ) of theinlet conduit 9 is approximately 8mm. The length ('d' inFig. 2 ) of thecollection reservoir 10 may also be in the order of 52mm. - A second embodiment is shown in
Figs 4 and 5 . This embodiment is identical to the embodiment described with reference toFigs. 2 and 3 , except that thecollection reservoir 10 does not extend upwardly away from theinlet conduit 9. On the contrary, thecollection reservoir 10 is simply a lateral extension of theinlet conduit 9 and so angle α, as shown inFig. 3 , can be assumed to be zero in the embodiment ofFig. 5 )), although thecollection reservoir 10 has a larger volume than theinlet conduit 9. Astep 13 is formed between theinlet conduit 9 and thecollection reservoir 10, separating the smallervolume inlet conduit 9 from the largervolume collection reservoir 10. - It is envisaged that the calcified
deposit collection chamber 7 could be provided as a replacement part or accessory for existing steam irons. Such an embodiment is generally the same as the embodiments described above and so a detailed description will be omitted herein. - Although in the above described embodiments the
inlet 8 andinlet conduit 9 are each shown to have a rectangular profile, it will be understood that in alternative embodiments each of theinlet 8 andinlet conduit 9 may be formed to define a different shape, for example an oval profile. - It will be appreciated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and that the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Claims (13)
- A steam iron comprising a steam generator (5) and a chamber (7) having an inlet (8) positioned so that residual water and calcified deposits formed in the steam generator (5) fall under the influence of gravity through said inlet (8) and into the chamber (7) when the iron is moved from an ironing position into a non-ironing position, wherein the chamber (7) includes an inlet conduit (9) and a collection reservoir (10), the inlet conduit (9) extending from said inlet (8) into the collection reservoir (10) which is otherwise sealed, characterised in that the chamber (7) is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber (7) fills the inlet conduit (9) when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber (7) which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit (9) over the inlet (8), becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit (9), thereby holding water in the inlet conduit (9).
- A steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the collection reservoir (10) extends away from the inlet conduit (9) at an angle relative to a plane in which the soleplate (4) lies.
- A steam iron according to claim 2, wherein the collection reservoir (10) extends from the inlet conduit (9) at an angle in the range of 5 and 60 degrees.
- A steam iron according to claim 3, wherein the collection reservoir (10) extends upwardly from the inlet conduit (9) at an angle of approximately 27 degrees.
- A steam iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the inlet conduit (9) defines a first volume and the collection reservoir (10) defines a second volume, the second volume being larger than the first volume.
- A steam iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the inlet conduit (9) has a rectangular cross-section having a height (a), a width (b) and a length (c).
- A steam iron according to claim 6, wherein the height (a) of the inlet conduit (9) is between 3 and 8mm.
- A steam iron according to claim 7, wherein the height of the inlet (8) is approximately 6mm, the width (b) of the inlet conduit (9) is approximately 24mm and the length (c) of the inlet conduit (9) is approximately 8mm.
- A steam iron according to claim 8, wherein a length (d) of the collection reservoir (10) is approximately 52mm.
- A steam iron according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the collection reservoir (10) tapers outwardly in a direction away from the inlet conduit (9).
- A steam iron according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collection reservoir (10) extends laterally from the inlet conduit (9), the inlet conduit (9) and the collection reservoir (10) being separated by a step (13).
- A steam iron according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber (7) is integrally formed.
- A calcified deposit collection accessory removably mountable within a steam iron to collect residual water and calcified deposits that fall under gravity when said steam iron is moved from an ironing position into a non-ironing position, the calcified deposit collection accessory comprising a chamber (7) having an inlet (8), an inlet conduit (9) extending from the inlet (8) and a collection reservoir (10) which is sealed other than by the inlet conduit (9), characterised in that said chamber (7) is configured so that said residual water collected in the chamber (7) fills the inlet conduit (9) when the iron is returned to its ironing position creating a drop in pressure in the collection chamber (7) which, together with atmospheric pressure acting on the water in the inlet conduit (9) over the inlet (8), becomes balanced against a gravitational force acting to draw water out of the inlet conduit (9), thereby holding water in the inlet conduit (9).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP14816312.4A EP3090098B1 (en) | 2013-12-31 | 2014-12-23 | A steam iron |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP13199890 | 2013-12-31 | ||
PCT/EP2014/079104 WO2015101548A1 (en) | 2013-12-31 | 2014-12-23 | A steam iron |
EP14816312.4A EP3090098B1 (en) | 2013-12-31 | 2014-12-23 | A steam iron |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3090098A1 EP3090098A1 (en) | 2016-11-09 |
EP3090098B1 true EP3090098B1 (en) | 2017-11-15 |
Family
ID=49885094
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14816312.4A Active EP3090098B1 (en) | 2013-12-31 | 2014-12-23 | A steam iron |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3090098B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105874117B (en) |
ES (1) | ES2657995T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2667134C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015101548A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
RU2654422C1 (en) * | 2015-12-24 | 2018-05-17 | Конинклейке Филипс Н.В. | Hand-held garment steamer with a scale collection chamber |
PL3449054T3 (en) * | 2016-04-26 | 2020-06-15 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | A steam iron with a collection compartment for calcified deposits |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2691176B1 (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1995-09-08 | Moulinex Sa | ELECTRIC STEAM IRON. |
CN1047638C (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1999-12-22 | 莫利奈克斯公司 | Steam iron |
DE4440244A1 (en) * | 1994-11-11 | 1996-05-15 | Braun Ag | steam iron |
CN101218470A (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2008-07-09 | 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 | Boiler system for use with a steaming device |
EP2418317A1 (en) * | 2010-08-12 | 2012-02-15 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Iron featuring liquid phase garment moisturization via soleplate |
FR2981372B1 (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2013-11-01 | Seb Sa | IRON IRON COMPRISING A VAPORIZING CHAMBER CONNECTED TO A TARTAR RECOVERY CAVITY COMPRISING A DESCALING ORIFICE |
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2014
- 2014-12-23 EP EP14816312.4A patent/EP3090098B1/en active Active
- 2014-12-23 ES ES14816312.4T patent/ES2657995T3/en active Active
- 2014-12-23 RU RU2016130974A patent/RU2667134C2/en active
- 2014-12-23 WO PCT/EP2014/079104 patent/WO2015101548A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-12-23 CN CN201480071955.4A patent/CN105874117B/en active Active
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RU2016130974A3 (en) | 2018-07-19 |
CN105874117A (en) | 2016-08-17 |
EP3090098A1 (en) | 2016-11-09 |
RU2667134C2 (en) | 2018-09-14 |
ES2657995T3 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
WO2015101548A1 (en) | 2015-07-09 |
RU2016130974A (en) | 2018-02-05 |
CN105874117B (en) | 2019-01-25 |
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