ES2529019T3 - Regeneration device for regenerating a water descaling unit of an ironing apparatus and corresponding regeneration method - Google Patents

Abstract

Regeneration device for the regeneration of a water descaling unit (13) of an ironing apparatus (12) having a reservoir (19) for water and a boiler (21) for transforming said water into steam, and in the that said water descaling unit (13) is provided with at least one anti-lime filter (15) of the regenerable type, connected to said reservoir (19), characterized in that said regeneration device comprises a compartment (27) which is suitable for inserting into it a cartridge (28) containing a regeneration liquid, and a drainage unit (30) associated at least with said anti-lime filter (15) and suitable for connecting to said boiler (21), said said drainage unit (30) selectively activated to assume a first operating position, in which the insertion of said cartridge (28) into said compartment (27) and said anti-lime filter (15) is in hydraulic communication with the boiler (21) for delivery bringing decalcified water to said boiler (21) from said water descaling unit (13), and a second operating position, in which said cartridge (28) can be inserted into said compartment (27), so that said liquid of regeneration can be transported to said anti-lime filter (15), and in which said hydraulic communication between said anti-lime filter (15) and said boiler (21) is interrupted.

Description

E12183366

01-27-2015

DESCRIPTION

Regeneration device for regenerating a water descaling unit of an ironing apparatus and corresponding regeneration method 5

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device and a method for the regeneration of a water descaling unit, suitable for use in a steam ironing apparatus to prevent water

10 used to generate the steam necessary for ironing causes the formation of calcareous deposits inside the ironing apparatus, especially inside the boiler.

WO 2009/030633 A1 discloses a water descaling method and a unit with the features of the preamble of the main claims.

15 Background of the invention

It is known that one of the main problems of steam ironing equipment is the formation of limestone deposits within them, and in particular in the boiler that transforms water into steam, caused by a

20 excessive degree of hardness in the water used, that is, the percentage of calcium contained in it. In particular, when the ironing apparatus is used, the water causes the formation of scale, which firstly reduces the performance of the apparatus and then makes it totally unusable. Therefore, in a first approximation, the operating life of the apparatus is inversely proportional to the degree of hardness in the water used.

25 To avoid this problem, known ironing apparatus are associated with, or include, a water descaling unit, which uses a regenerative type resin filter, interposed between the water tank and the boiler.

30 Normally, to regenerate the resins contained in the filters, particular solutions are used, which contain different types of acid, such as citric acid or acetic acid, which must be handled with care, as they are dangerous.

From the international patent application of the applicant WO-A-2010/128387, a device for the

35 regeneration of a water descaling unit, which is integrated in a steam ironing apparatus and which is capable of regenerating a filter containing a regenerable type resin interposed between the water tank and the pump that feeds the boiler. The known regeneration device comprises a single container divided into two parts, one of which forms the water tank, while the other part contains a regeneration solution with a citric acid base; two valves are arranged at the outlet of the two parts of the

40 container and a hydraulic circuit connect both valves to the resin filter. A third valve, of the three-way type, is arranged between the pump and the boiler, with the function of allowing water to normally pass from the tank to the boiler, during ironing, or to make the solution with a base acid circulate in the regenerable resin filter, taking it from the second part of the container and then transporting it back into the latter, during the regeneration stage.

A disadvantage of this known regeneration device is that the container is divided into two parts, which therefore reduces the capacity of the water tank and, therefore, the ironing autonomy of the ironing apparatus.

Another method of regenerating a resin filter is also known, which is provided to remove the descaling unit from the ironing apparatus during the necessary regeneration operations.

This known method, however, has the disadvantage that it is complex for users to disassemble, reassemble and manipulate the parts that make up the device.

55 regeneration.

The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a regeneration device to regenerate a water softening unit of ironing devices, which uses a resin filter of the regenerable type, which is simple and reliable and allows the user to easily perform without any danger, all the operations necessary to

60 regenerate the filter, without removing the filter from the ironing apparatus.

The applicant has devised, tested and realized the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

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Summary of the invention

The present invention is indicated and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, a regeneration device, in accordance with the present invention, is suitable for regenerating, in a completely new and original way, a water descaling unit, provided with at least one anti-lime filter, of the regenerable type, for example, with resin, and associated with an apparatus of

10 ironing, which has at least one water tank, connected to the anti-lime filter, and a boiler to transform the water into steam.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the regeneration device comprises a compartment, which is suitable for inserting a cartridge, for example, of the syringe type, containing a regeneration liquid 15, and a drainage unit associated with at least the anti-lime filter and with the boiler. In particular, the drainage unit is able to selectively activate to assume a first operating position, in which the cartridge cannot be inserted into the corresponding compartment and the anti-lime filter is in hydraulic communication with the boiler to supply decalcified water to the latter from the water descaling unit and, alternatively, a second operating position, in which the cartridge can be inserted into the compartment

20 correspondingly, so that the regeneration liquid can be transported to the anti-lime filter, and in which the hydraulic communication between the anti-lime filter and the boiler is interrupted.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the drainage unit comprises a distribution valve provided with an internal chamber that is in hydraulic communication, at least, with the anti-lime filter, 25 by means of an inlet pipe, and with the boiler through an outlet pipe. The distribution valve is also in communication with a drain pipe.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the distribution valve comprises a stop element, hollow in the center and coaxially solid with a shaft provided with a through axial cavity, which is constantly in hydraulic communication with the drain tube. The stopper element is apt to selectively close the inlet of the through axial cavity, or that of the outlet tube towards the boiler.

According to another feature of the present invention, fastening means, which for example comprise a solid tongue with the distribution valve shaft, are suitable for selectively entering, at least partially, into the compartment when the drainage unit It is in the first operating position.

According to another feature of the present invention, drive means, manual or automated, are associated with the drain unit to cause it to pass from the first operating position to the second operating position, and vice versa.

The regeneration method according to the present invention allows to regenerate, in a completely new and original way, a water softening unit of an ironing apparatus of the type described above, by at least one actuation stage in which a drainage unit , associated at least with an anti-lime filter of the regenerable type and with a boiler, is operated to pass from a first operating position, in

45 that the anti-lime filter is in hydraulic communication with the boiler to descale the water during ironing, to a second operating position, in which a cartridge containing a regeneration liquid is inserted into a corresponding compartment associated with the anti-lime filter, so that the regeneration liquid is transmitted to the anti-lime filter, and in which the hydraulic communication between the antical filter and the boiler is interrupted simultaneously.

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Description of the drawings

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view and schematic of a regeneration device according to the present invention, installed in an ironing apparatus provided with a water descaling unit; -Figure 2 is a side view of a cartridge containing a regeneration liquid, suitable for use in the regeneration device in Figure 1; 60 - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the regeneration device in Figure 1, associated with the water descaling unit; - Figure 4 is a top view of the regeneration device in Figure 1 in a first operating position; - Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, partially in section, of the device of Figure 1, in the first operating position 65;

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- Figure 6 is a perspective view of the regeneration device in Figure 1 in a second operating position; - Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, partially in section, of the device of Figure 1 in the second operating position. 5

Description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to Figure 1, a regeneration device 10 according to the present invention is installed in an ironing apparatus 12, provided with a water descaling unit 13, which has a regenerable anti-lime filter 10 (Figure 3 ), of the known type, with a resin base, for example.

The ironing apparatus 12 (Figure 1) is also substantially of the known type, for example of the type comprising a support structure 16, shaped to have a seat 17, which is suitable for inserting a water reservoir 19 in a removable manner, a pump 20, a boiler 21 suitable for heating the water and

15 transform it into steam, an iron 22 and a cable 23, for example, of the type that allows the electric current and also the water vapor to pass, in a suitable tube.

In particular, the tank 19 is in hydraulic communication with the water descaling unit 13 by means of a feed tube 25 (figures 1 and 4), in which a non-return valve 26 (figure 4) is arranged, which 20 prevents the water flows back from the descaling unit 13 to the tank 19 (figure 1).

The regeneration device 10 comprises a compartment 27 (figures 1, 3 and 4), substantially cylindrical, made in the water descaling unit 13, below the seat 17 for the tank 19, and which is suitable for inserting a cartridge 28 syringe type (figures 2, 6 and 7), as will be described in detail to

25 continuation.

The regeneration device 10 also comprises a drain unit 30 (Figures 3 and 4), which is in hydraulic communication with the anti-lime filter 15 of the water descaling unit 13, by means of an inlet tube 31, and with the pump 20 and with boiler 21, by means of an outlet pipe 32 (figures 1, 3 and 4).

30 The drain unit 30 comprises a distribution valve 33 (Figures 3 to 7) fixed on one side of the water descaling unit 13 and capable of being actuated by a drive handle 35 (Figures 1 and 3 to 7), to which a drain pipe 36 is attached.

35 The distribution valve 33 comprises a solid cylinder 38 with the water descaling unit 13 and having a cylindrical chamber 39 (Figure 5) and a central tube 40.

A shaft 41 is arranged, axially sliding, inside the central tube 40 and is provided with an axial cavity 42, suitable for placing the chamber 39 in hydraulic communication with the drain tube 36. A disk 45 is

40 attached to the inner end of the shaft 41, suitable to act as a stop member, which is hollow in the center and has its outer diameter substantially equal to that of the chamber 39. A first sealing ring 46, disposed on the periphery of the disk 45, guarantees the hydraulic seal of the latter with the inner surface of the chamber 39, and a second sealing ring 47, arranged on the periphery of the shaft 41, guarantees the hydraulic seal of the latter with the internal surface of the central tube 40.

45 The drive handle 35 is coaxially mounted on the external terminal part of the shaft 41, so that it is axially limited thereto, although it is capable of rotating with respect thereto, together with the drain tube 36. For this purpose, A pin 49 is mounted on the drive handle 35 and inserted into an annular groove 50 of the shaft 41.

50 On the other hand, a substantially L-shaped tongue 51 is solidly disposed to the central part of the shaft 41, and has an end 52 which is normally inserted in the compartment 27 and is suitable to be selectively removed therefrom (Figure 7) , as will be described in detail below. The tongue 51 is guided in its central part by a solid upper appendix 53 with the cylinder 38.

55 The cartridge 28 (figures 2, 6 and 7), which as we have seen before is of the syringe type, in this case comprises a container 60, substantially cylindrical and open at the top, which is capable of containing a regeneration liquid , for example, a solution with a citric or acetic acid base. The lower part of the container 60 is provided with a perforated nozzle 61, which is suitable for the outflow of the regeneration liquid, and which, before

60 of its use, is normally closed by a suitable closure element 64, of a known type, for example, of the tear type.

An actuation piston 62, provided at the bottom of at least one sealing ring 63, is mounted axially slidably in the container 60 to cause the regeneration liquid to selectively exit 65 through the perforated nozzle 61.

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The cartridge 28 also comprises a safety collar 65, which can be torn apart by a grip ring 66, and arranged around the piston 62 to hold it relative to the container 60, by a tooth 67 inserted in a groove 68 of the container 60 and also in a annular groove 69 of the piston 62. In this way, the user is prevented from inadvertently actuating the piston 62 and causing the regeneration liquid to exit the container 60, before the cartridge 28 is inserted into the compartment 27.

The perforated nozzle 61 is suitable for actuating a ball-type valve 70, normally held in a closed position by means of a spring 71 and suitable for allowing selective access to a mixing zone 72 below, arranged between the feed tube 25 and the anti-cal filter 15.

The regeneration device 10 as described so far functions as follows.

Under normal ironing conditions, the regeneration device 10 is in a first operating position, which is shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, in which the tank 19 is arranged in the seat 17 of the ironing apparatus 12 and the drive handle 36 is substantially horizontal and pushes towards the water descaling unit 13.

In this first operating position, the disk 45 of the distribution valve 33 is close to the innermost wall of the chamber 39 (on the left in Figure 5), so that the inlet tube 31 and the outlet tube 32 are in communication with each other through the chamber 39, while the entrance of the through axial cavity 42 is closed. Consequently, the water from the reservoir 19, after being descaled by the anti-lime filter 15, can be introduced into the boiler 21 by the selective actuation of the pump 20. Furthermore, in this first operating position, the end 52 of the tongue 51 is inside the compartment 27, whereby the insertion of a cartridge 28 therein is physically prevented.

When the anti-lime filter 15 is to be regenerated, for example after a generated signal, in any known way, by means of the ironing apparatus 12 itself, the following operations must be performed, which also define the regeneration method according to the present invention.

First, the reservoir 19 is removed from its seat 17, to allow the user access to the compartment 27 at the bottom.

An actuation stage of the drainage unit 30 is then carried out by pulling the actuation handle 35 outwards and turning it counterclockwise approximately 90 ° (position shown with a dotted line in Figure 1), so that the drain tube 36 that is connected to it is oriented with its outlet facing down.

In this way, a second operating position of the regeneration device 10 is defined, in which the shaft 41 connected to the drive handle 35 moves outwards (to the right in Figure 7) and the solid disk 45 with the it is exactly in correspondence with the inlet of the outlet tube 32, closing it, so that the hydraulic communication between the anti-lime filter 15 and the boiler 21 is interrupted.

In this second operating position, the inlet tube 31 is in hydraulic communication with the drain tube 33, through the chamber 39 and the through axial cavity 42. At the same time, the tongue 51 also moves (to the right in Figure 7), with its end 52 completely outside the volume of the compartment 27.

The user can then perform a step of inserting the cartridge 28 into the compartment 27, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, after having removed the closure element 64 (Figure 2) from the perforated nozzle 61. In particular, the cartridge 28 (figure 7) is pushed down so that its perforated nozzle 61 moves the corresponding valve ball 70 downwards, against the action of the spring 71, and opens the access to the mixing zone 72 which is at the bottom .

The user then opens the safety collar 65, which acts on the grip ring 66 to release the tooth 67 from the groove 68 of the container 60 and the annular groove 69 of the piston 62. Next, the piston 62 is pushed into the container 60, as with a normal syringe, until all the regeneration liquid contained in the container 60 has been introduced into the mixing zone 72.

Holding the cartridge 28 in the compartment 27, with the piston 62 inside the container 60, the reservoir 19 is then returned to its seat 17, after it has been filled with water and after the drain tube 36 has been placed above any collection container, possibly provided with a discharge channel, such as a sump or the like, which is not shown in the drawings, to perform a water feed stage.

The presence of the cartridge 28 in the compartment 27 has the advantage that it physically prevents the end 52 of the tongue 51 from entering the compartment 27, and therefore prevents the user, even without noticing, from carrying the drive handle 35 and the distribution valve 33 to its first operating position. In fact, if this

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occurs during this regeneration stage of the anti-lime filter 15, the regeneration liquid, which contains acid, would pass through the outlet tube 32, to the pump 20, to the boiler 21 and, therefore, to the plate 22 , with considerable damages, even irreparable, to many parts of the ironing apparatus 12 and also for the clothes that are ironed during the regeneration stage.

5 When all the water contained in the tank 19 has passed through the mixing zone 72 and, together with the regeneration liquid contained therein, with which it is mixed, it has regenerated the anti-lime filter 15, that is to say , the resin contained therein, the tank 19 can be removed once more from its seat 17. During the actual regeneration stage, which lasts about 30 minutes, the mixture of water and regeneration liquid is discharged to

10 through drain tube 36.

In addition, during this time the user can use the ironing apparatus 12 for ironing using the iron 22, possibly using the steam generated by the boiler 21 with the remaining water contained therein, at the beginning of the regeneration operations, as described previously .

15 The cartridge 28 is then removed from the compartment 27, and therefore can be properly discarded.

Finally, the drive handle 35 is returned to the first operating position, rotating it approximately 90 ° clockwise and then pushing it towards the support structure 16 of the apparatus for

20 ironing 12 (figures 1, 3, 4 and 5).

The normal ironing stage can then be resumed, after filling the tank 19 with water and placing it in its seat 17.

It is evident that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the regeneration device 10 as described so far, without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

For example, the distribution valve 33 and the tongue 51 associated therewith, instead of being manually commanded, could be commanded by an electrically powered servomechanism.

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Claims (14)

5 fifteen 25 35 Four. Five 55 65 E12183366 01-27-2015

one.

Regeneration device for the regeneration of a water descaling unit (13) of an ironing apparatus (12) having a reservoir (19) for water and a boiler (21) for transforming said water into steam, and in the that said water descaling unit (13) is provided with at least one anti-lime filter (15) of the regenerable type, connected to said reservoir (19), characterized in that said regeneration device comprises a compartment (27) which is suitable for inserting into it a cartridge (28) containing a regeneration liquid, and a drainage unit (30) associated at least with said anti-lime filter (15) and suitable for connecting to said boiler (21), said said drainage unit (30) selectively activated to assume a first operating position, in which the insertion of said cartridge (28) into said compartment (27) and said anti-lime filter (15) is in hydraulic communication with the boiler (21) for delivery bringing decalcified water to said boiler (21) from said water descaling unit (13), and a second operating position, in which said cartridge (28) can be inserted into said compartment (27), so that said liquid of regeneration can be transported to said anti-lime filter (15), and in which said hydraulic communication between said anti-lime filter (15) and said boiler (21) is interrupted.

2.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said drainage unit (30) comprises a distribution valve (33) provided with a chamber (39) in hydraulic communication with at least said anti-lime filter (15), by means of a tube of inlet (31), and which is suitable to be connected to said boiler (21) by an outlet tube (32).

3.

Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said distribution valve (33) comprises a shaft (41) arranged in an axially sliding manner within said chamber (39) and provided with a through axial cavity (42), suitable to also place said chamber (39) selectively in hydraulic communication with a drain tube (36).

Four.

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said distribution valve (33) also comprises a stop element (45), hollow in the center, and coaxially solid with said shaft (41), and suitable for selectively closing the inlet of said through axial cavity (42), or that of said outlet tube (32).

5.

Device according to claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the clamping means (51, 52) are associated with said distribution valve (33) to selectively, at least partially, enter into said compartment (27) when said unit Drain (30) is in said first operating position.

6.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means (35) are associated with said drainage unit (30) to cause its passage from said first operating position to said second operating position and vice versa.

7.

Device according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that said drive means (35) comprise a drive handle (35) coupled with said shaft (41).

8.

Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said drain tube (36) is connected to said actuation handle (35), which is coaxially mounted in a terminal part of said shaft (41), outside said chamber (39), whereby said drive handle (35) is axially limited to said shaft (41), although it is capable of rotating relative thereto, together with said drain tube (36).

9.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge (28) is of the syringe type and comprises a container (60), substantially cylindrical and open at the top, which is suitable for containing said regeneration liquid, and a drive piston (62), mounted axially slidably in said container (60).

10.

Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said container (60) is provided with a perforated nozzle (61), from which said regeneration liquid can exit, and which is normally closed by a removable closure element (64).

eleven.

Device according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that said cartridge (28) also comprises a safety collar (65), arranged around said piston (62) and around said container (60) to hold them reciprocally.

12.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said compartment

(27) is arranged in a seat (17) for said water tank (19), so that said compartment (27) is accessible only after the temporary removal of said tank (19) from said seat (17). 13. Regeneration method for the regeneration of a water descaling unit (13) of an ironing apparatus (12) having a reservoir (19) for water and a boiler (21) for transforming said water into steam, and wherein said water descaling unit (13) is provided with at least one anti-lime filter (15) of the type 7 E12183366 01-27-2015 regenerable, connected to said tank (19), the method being characterized in that it comprises at least one actuation stage in which a drain unit (30), associated at least with said anti-lime filter (15) and with said boiler (21), is actuated to pass from a first operating position, in which said anti-lime filter (15) is provided to be adequately in hydraulic communication with said boiler (21) to decalcify the water during ironing, to a second operating position, in which a cartridge is inserted (28) containing a regeneration liquid in a corresponding compartment (27) associated with said anti-lime filter (15), so that said regeneration liquid is transported to said anti-lime filter (15), and in which said hydraulic communication between said anti-lime filter (15) and said boiler (21) is interrupted simultaneously. 14. Regeneration method according to claim 13, characterized in that after said actuation stage, while said drainage unit (30) is in said second operating position, an insertion stage is provided during which said cartridge (28 ) is inserted into said compartment (27). 15. Regeneration method according to claim 14, characterized in that after said insertion step 15 a step is provided to feed the water from said reservoir (19) to said anti-lime filter (15), through a mixing zone (72) below said compartment (27), during which a mixture of water and said regeneration liquid passes through said anti-lime filter (15) and leaves from a drain tube (36) connected to a distribution valve (33) of said drain unit (30). 16. The regeneration method according to claim 15, characterized in that at the end of said water supply stage, said cartridge (28) is removed from said compartment (27) and said drainage unit (30) is returned to said first operating position 8