EP4273316B1 - Household appliance comprising an iron and a base connected to the iron by a cord - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of household ironing appliances comprising an iron and a base connected to the iron by a cord, the iron comprising a soleplate surmounted by a body on which a grip handle is arranged, and relates more particularly to an appliance in which the base comprises a storage cavity for placing the iron and a carrying handle for moving the appliance.

State of the art

It is known from the document WO2016/181081 , a household appliance comprising an iron connected by a cord to a portable base, the base comprising a storage cavity for placing the iron, the iron comprising a grip handle arranged cantilevered relative to the soleplate. In this document, the iron is held in position on the base by a movable, rotatable immobilizing hoop which must be manipulated by the user.

It is known from the document WO2014/013360 , a household appliance comprising an iron connected by a cord to a portable base, the base comprising a storage cavity for placing the iron and comprising a carrying handle for easier movement of the appliance.

In this device, the iron is simply placed and held by gravity in the storage cavity. Such an arrangement does not ensure both good support and easy placement or removal of the iron from the storage cavity. Indeed, if the storage cavity has a shape adjusted to the shape of the iron, to ensure good support of the iron on the base, then the placement and removal of the iron is made more difficult and requires increased attention from the user. If the storage cavity is looser shaped to make it easier to insert or remove the iron, then the iron is not properly held in the storage cavity when the base is being transported, with the risk of damaging the base or even falling.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a household ironing appliance comprising an iron and a base connected to the iron by a cord, the iron comprising a soleplate surmounted by a body on which a grip handle is arranged, the base comprising a storage cavity for placing the iron and a carrying handle for moving the appliance, characterized in that the handle of the iron is arranged cantilevered relative to the soleplate and in that the storage cavity comprises a peripheral wall which at least partially envelops the body of the iron when the latter rests in the storage cavity, the handle comprising a rear end which is held in position in the storage cavity by magnetic means.

This feature ensures simple and effective holding of the iron in the storage cavity when moving the appliance using the carrying handle.

The device may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the ironing soleplate has a pointed front end, the peripheral wall matching the shape of the front end and the lateral edges of the soleplate of the iron.

Such a feature ensures good support of the front part of the iron by shape cooperation, the rear end being held by magnetic means.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the magnetic means are configured to release the iron and not cause the base to lift when traction is exerted by the user on the handle of the iron.

Such a feature allows for magnetic means ensuring immobilization of the iron in the storage cavity when transporting the appliance without, however, allowing the appliance to be transported by the handle of the iron.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the magnetic means comprise a magnet carried by the handle of the iron, or by the base, which cooperates with a ferromagnetic material carried by the base, or by the iron.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the base comprises a shape and/or a first series of feet adapted to allow the base to rest on the support in a first stable position and a shape and/or a second series of feet adapted to allow the base to rest on the support in a second stable position, distinct from the first stable position.

Such a feature makes it possible to increase the ergonomics of use of the base by offering the user the possibility of placing the base in two positions, one or the other of these positions being able to be preferred for the use of the device or for its storage.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first stable position corresponds to a vertical position of the base in which the rear end of the handle is arranged above the body of the iron when the iron is arranged in the storage cavity.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the iron extends substantially vertically in the storage cavity when the base occupies the vertical position.

Such a feature allows to limit the bulk of the base in the vertical position.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second stable position corresponds to a horizontal position of the base in which the storage cavity is located on the upper part of the base and in which the rear end of the handle is located at or below the body of the iron when the iron is resting in the storage cavity.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the storage cavity comprises at least one end which forms a projecting part on the base, at least one of said main feet being carried by the projecting part.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the carrying handle is arranged on the side of the base receiving the rear end of the handle when the iron is arranged in the storage cavity.

Such a feature allows the iron body to rest under the effect of gravity against the peripheral wall of the storage cavity when the appliance is carried by the carrying handle.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the base contains a reservoir.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un appareil de repassage/ défroissage selon un mode particulier de réalisation de la présente invention, la base étant représentée dans une position verticale avec la sangle en position de rangement et le fer à repasser disposé dans la cavité de rangement de la base ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective du fer à repasser équipant l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective de la base de l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une autre vue en perspective de la base de l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la base avec la sangle en position déployée ;
• La figure 6 est une vue de côté de l'appareil de la figure 1 avec la base disposée dans une position horizontale.

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• There figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing/steaming apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the base being shown in a vertical position with the strap in the storage position and the iron disposed in the storage cavity of the base;
• There figure 2 is a perspective view of the iron fitted to the appliance figure 1 ;
• There figure 3 is a perspective view of the base of the device of the figure 1 ;
• There figure 4 is another perspective view of the base of the device of the figure 1 ;
• There Figure 5 is a perspective view of the base with the strap in the deployed position;
• There figure 6 is a side view of the device of the figure 1 with the base arranged in a horizontal position.

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

There figure 1 and the figure 6 represent an ironing appliance conventionally comprising an iron 1 and a portable base 2 connected to each other by a cord 3, partially illustrated in these figures, the base 2 being electrically connected to a domestic network by a cable, not visible in the figures.

The base 2 contains, in a manner known per se, a reservoir 20 provided with a filling hatch 21 and a pump, not visible in the figures, which draws water from the reservoir 20 to send it through a pipe integrated in the cord 3, towards the iron 1.

In accordance with the figure 2 , the iron 1 comprises a flat soleplate 10, surmounted by a body 11 and comprises a gripping handle 12 comprising a front end attached to the body 11 and a free rear end projecting laterally from the body 11, the handle 12 being arranged cantilevered relative to the soleplate 10.

The body 11 contains, in a manner known per se, a foundry, not visible in the figures, which is in thermal contact with the sole 10 and which comprises a heating resistor, regulated by means of a thermostat, advantageously non-adjustable, making it possible to maintain the temperature of the sole 10 around a set temperature of the order of 135°C.

The foundry is preferably made of aluminum and includes a instant vaporization chamber into which water from the reservoir 20 is injected by the pump, the operation of the pump being controlled by a trigger 13 arranged under the front end of the handle 12. The pump and the vaporization chamber are advantageously sized to allow the production of a steam flow rate of the order of 25 gr/min continuously when the trigger 13 is actuated.

The steam produced by the steam chamber is diffused through steam outlet holes 14 provided on a flat ironing surface of the soleplate 10, the latter conventionally comprising a pointed front end 10A and a rounded rear end 10B.

In accordance with the figure 2 , the cord 3 exits the iron 1 through an opening provided on an upper surface of the handle 12 and is equipped with a cord guide device 4 which holds the cord 3 in a direction inclined towards the rear of the handle 12. The rear end of the handle 12 advantageously has a beveled shape comprising a flat rear surface 12A forming, with the plane of the sole 10, a V which has an obtuse angle α of the order of 145°.

In accordance with the figure 3 , the base 2 has, in profile view, a generally oval shape and has a rounded end comprising a first series of feet 22A, 22B, 22C, called main feet, on which the base 2 can rest stably in a vertical position, illustrated in the figure 1 , and a tapered end, of smaller width, equipped with a carrying handle 23. For example, the base 2 has a width of between 18 and 25 cm at its rounded end and a width of between 5 and 15 cm at its tapered end.

The base 2 comprises a rear face, substantially flat, comprising a second series of feet 24A, 24B, 24C, called lateral feet, advantageously made of elastomer, on which it can rest stably in a horizontal position, illustrated in the figure 6 . Base 2 also has a front face, visible on the figure 4 , comprising a storage cavity 25 in which the iron 1 can be placed during inactive phases of ironing and for storage.

This storage cavity 25 comprises a base constituted by a front plane and a rear plane arranged in a V, the front plane comprising projecting pads 26 on which the soleplate 10 of the iron 1 rests and the rear plane having a bearing surface 25A on which the rear surface 12A of the handle 12 rests. Preferably, the bearing surface 25A has an inclination adapted so that the rear surface 12A of the handle 12 extends parallel to the bearing surface 25A when the soleplate 10 rests against the pads 26.

According to the invention, the bearing surface 25A and the end of the handle 12 of the iron 1 are mutually attracted to each other by magnetic attraction. For this purpose, the bearing surface 25A may comprise a magnet 27 which cooperates with a ferromagnetic material, such as a metal plate 12B, arranged on the rear surface 12A of the handle 12.

Preferably, the magnet 27 is sized to exert sufficient force to hold the rear end of the handle 12 in position against the bottom of the cavity 25 when the base 2 is being transported but without however generating a lifting of the base 2 when the user exerts traction on the handle 12 to extract the iron 1 from its storage cavity 25. Thus, during ironing work, the user can extract the iron 1 from the storage cavity 25 without causing a lifting of the base 2, whether the latter rests in the horizontal position or in the vertical position.

In accordance with the figure 4 , the storage cavity 25 comprises a peripheral wall 25B which fits the shape of the front end and the lateral edges of the soleplate 10 of the iron. This peripheral wall 25B advantageously extends along the edge of the front plane of the storage cavity 25 so as to laterally guide the front end of the iron 1 in the storage cavity 25. Preferably, the peripheral wall 25B laterally covers the body 11 over a height of less than 5 cm when the iron 1 is placed in the storage cavity 25 so as to facilitate the positioning and extraction of the iron 1.

Thus, the depth of the storage cavity 25 at the level of the pads 26 is preferably less than 5 cm. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the depth of the storage cavity 25 oscillates between a minimum depth, close to zero, at the level of the zone receiving the rear end of the handle 12 and a maximum depth of the order of 5 cm at the level of the zone receiving the rear end of the soleplate 10, the depth at the level of the zone receiving the front end of the iron being less than 3 cm.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the front plane of the storage cavity 25 and the peripheral wall 25B have a pointed end which projects from the base 2, this pointed end supporting one of the main feet 22A, 22B, 22C, the other two main feet being supported by two wings 20A, 20B which project from the rear face of the base 2.

In accordance with the figure 6 , the front plane of the storage cavity 25, supporting the pads 26, is inclined relative to the rear face of the base 2 at an angle advantageously between 20° and 50° so that the pointed end of the peripheral wall 25B receiving the foot 22C is offset towards the outside of the base 2. Such a characteristic makes it possible in particular to increase the distance between the foot 22C and the feet 22A and 22B and therefore the stability of the base 2 in the vertical position.

Such an inclination of the storage cavity 25 also has the advantage of improving the ergonomics of use of the appliance by facilitating the insertion and extraction of the iron 1 into the storage cavity 25 by a vertical movement of the iron 1, when the base 2 occupies the vertical position or by a horizontal movement of the iron 1 when the base 2 occupies the horizontal position. Such an inclination of the storage cavity 25 also makes it easier to make it visible to the user and therefore simplifies the placement of the iron 1 in the latter.

In accordance with the Figure 5 , the carrying handle 23 has a body in the shape of an inverted U which comprises a first end 23A which extends from a first lateral face of the base 2 and a second end 23B which extends from a second lateral face, opposite the first lateral face of the base 2. The first lateral face of the base 2 comprises, in the extension of the carrying handle 23, a storage sheath 28 in which the cord 3 connecting the base to the iron 1, can be inserted by being folded in the form of a loop.

Base 2 also has a strap 5, visible on the Figures 3 and 4 , which comprises a first end 5A fixed in the vicinity of the first end 23A of the carrying handle 23 and a second end 5B held on the second lateral face of the base 2, at a point located in the extension of the carrying handle 23, preferably at a distance from the latter.

This strap 5 allows the user to transport the device by placing the strap 5 on his shoulder, the strap 5 then being stretched, by the weight of the device, between the first 5A and second 5B ends of the strap 5.

When the strap 5 is not used for transporting the device, it can be arranged in a storage position illustrated in particular on the figures 1 to 3 , in which the strap 5 extends along the carrying handle 23 and on the side of the base 2.

The device thus produced has the advantage of providing improved user ergonomics.

Indeed, the base 2 of such a device has the advantage of being able to be arranged in two stable positions. A first working position corresponding to the vertical position, illustrated in particular on the figure 1 in which the base rests stably on its three main feet 22A, 22B, 22C and a second position corresponding to the horizontal position, illustrated in the figure 6 in which the base rests stably on its three side feet 24A, 24B, 24C. Thus, when using the device or for storage, the user can decide to place the base in the position that suits him better. In particular, the integration of the foot 22C on a projecting part of the base 2 delimiting the storage cavity 25 makes it possible to increase the stability of the base 2, by moving the foot 22C away from the two feet 22A and 22B, while limiting the volume and bulk of the base 2.

In addition, the device thus produced has the advantage of having a shallow storage cavity 25, open on the front face of the base 1, offering easy installation and extraction of the iron 1 while ensuring stable and effective support of the iron 1 when transporting the base 2 by the carrying handle 23 or by the strap 5.

The carrying handle 23 also makes it possible to easily tilt the base 2 from the vertical to the horizontal position and vice versa, without risk of burning with the iron 1, the carrying handle 23 having the advantage of being arranged opposite the part of the storage cavity 25 receiving the soleplate 10 of the iron.

Finally, the presence of the strap 5 which can be placed on the user's shoulder allows the appliance to be transported without generating significant fatigue and without encumbering the hands. In addition, this strap 5 has the advantage of being able to be arranged in a storage position in which the strap 5 is perfectly integrated into the base 2 and does not hinder the user during ironing work.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular 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.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the base may contain a pressurized steam generator and the connecting cord connecting the base to the iron may include a conduit for transporting the steam.

Claims (11)

1. Household ironing appliance comprising an iron (1) and a base (2) connected to said iron (1) by a cord (3), the iron (1) comprising a baseplate (10) surmounted by a body (11) on which a handle (12) is disposed, said base (2) comprising a storage cavity (25) to place said iron (1) and a transportation handle (23) to move the appliance, the storage cavity (25) comprising a peripheral wall (25B) which surrounds, at least partially, the body (11) of the iron (1) when the latter rests in the storage cavity (25), characterised in that the handle (12) of the iron (1) is disposed cantilevered with respect to the baseplate (10), and in that the handle (12) comprises a rear end which is held in position in the storage cavity (25) by magnetic means (27).
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the ironing baseplate (10) has a sharp front end, and in that the peripheral wall (25B) moulds the shape of the front end and side edges of the baseplate (10) of the iron (1).
3. Household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the magnetic means are configured to release the iron (1) and not cause the raising of the base (2) when a traction is exerted by the user on the handle (12) of the iron (1).
4. Household appliance according to claim 3, characterised in that the magnetic means comprise a magnet (27) carried by the handle (12) of the iron (1), or by the base (2), which engages with a ferromagnetic material carried by the base (2), or by the iron (1).
5. Household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the base (2) comprises a shape and/or a first series of feet (22A, 22B, 22C) adapted to enable the base (2) to rest on the support according to a first stable position and a shape and/or a second series of feet (24A, 24B, 24C) adapted to enable the base (2) to rest on the support according to a second stable position, distinct from the first stable position.
6. Household appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the first stable position corresponds to a vertical position of the base (2) in which the rear end of the handle (12) is disposed above the body (11) of the iron, when the iron (1) is disposed in the storage cavity (25).
7. Household appliance according to claim 6, characterised in that the iron (1) extends substantially vertically into the storage cavity when the base (2) occupies the vertical position.
8. Household appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the second stable position corresponds to a horizontal position of the base (2) in which the storage cavity (25) is disposed on the upper part of the base (2), and in which the rear end of the handle (12) is disposed at height or below the body (11) of the iron, when the iron (1) rests in the storage cavity (25).
9. Household appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the storage cavity (25) comprises at least one end which forms a part projecting over the base (2), and in that at least one of said feet (22A, 22B, 22C) is carried by said projecting part.
10. Household appliance according to claim 9, characterised in that the transportation handle (23) is disposed on the side of the base (2) receiving the rear end of the handle (12) when the iron is disposed in the storage cavity (25).
11. Household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the base (2) contains a reservoir (20).