FR2971796A1 - STEAM IRON COMPRISING AN IRONING PLATE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE FIRST GROUP AND A SECOND GROUP OF STEAM OUTPUT HOLES - Google Patents

Abstract

Steam iron (1) comprising an ironing plate (2) comprising at least a first group and a second group of steam outlet holes (20), said iron (1) comprising a device for distributing the iron steam comprising means (7) for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group of steam outlet holes (20), characterized in that said means (7) for reducing or blocking the steam supply of the second group of steam outlet holes (20) are arranged in a steam distribution chamber (6), the bottom of which consists of a lid for closing the sole (3), said distribution chamber (6) comprising at least a feed orifice (42) formed in the lid, opening into a duct connected to a steam inlet channel integrated in the soleplate (3) and at least one outlet orifice formed in the lid, opening into a steam diffusion network to the second group.

Description

The present invention relates to a steam iron comprising an ironing plate comprising at least a first group of steam ironing irons comprising at least a first group. of steam outlet holes and a second group of steam outlet holes, and more particularly relates to an iron having a steam distribution device comprising means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group, operable from outside the iron, for concentrating the flow of steam towards the first group of steam outlet holes. It is known from patent EP 1 178 147, an iron having an ironing plate surmounted by a sole closed by a lid, the sole incorporating a steam distribution circuit having a diffusion network to a first group of holes steam outlet located at the front of the ironing plate and a diffusion network to a second group of steam outlet holes at the rear of the ironing plate. In this document, the iron includes a control button acting on a steam distribution device comprising means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group for concentrating the flow of steam towards the first group of steam outlet holes. However, in this document, the means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group are arranged in a module external to the sole which has the disadvantage of being bulky and expensive to implement. In addition, such a module has the disadvantage of being disposed in a relatively cold area of the iron so that the vapor emitted through this module tends to condense, causing the emission of water droplets through the holes steam outlet of the ironing plate. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages by providing a steam iron comprising a steam distribution device for concentrating the steam flow to a particular group of water outlet holes. steam that is operable from outside the iron and is simple and economical to implement. Another object of the present invention is to provide an iron equipped with such a device in which the risk of condensation of steam in the steam distribution circuit is reduced. For this purpose, the invention relates to a steam iron having an ironing plate comprising at least a first group and a second group of steam outlet holes, and comprising a steam distribution device comprising means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group of steam outlet holes, operable from outside the iron, for concentrating the flow of steam towards the first group of steam outlet holes, characterized in that that the means for reducing or blocking the steam supply of the second group of steam outlet holes are arranged in a steam distribution chamber whose bottom is constituted by a closure lid attached to the sole, the distribution chamber comprising at least one feed orifice formed in the lid, opening into a duct connected to a steam inlet channel integrated into the sole and at least one outlet opening in the lid opening into a vapor diffusion network in the direction of the second group of steam outlet holes. According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for blocking or reducing the flow of vapor comprise a seal, attached to the lid, the seal being elastically returned to a rest position in which the steam can flow freely from the orifice of supply to the outlet port and being deformable, under the pressure of an actuator element, to a vapor concentration position in which the seal at least partially obstructs a passage between the supply port and the outlet port.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the seal comprises a portion which obstructs the supply orifice when the seal is deformed towards the concentration position of the vapor.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the seal defines the upper surface of the distribution chamber and comprises a deformable hemispherical portion. According to another characteristic of the invention, the seal comprises a hemispherical body having a peripheral flange which is sandwiched between a circular edge projecting from the upper face of the lid and a fastening flange. According to another characteristic of the invention, the fixing flange comprises a hemispherical portion matching the shape of the hemispherical portion of the gasket, the fixing flange having an opening at the top of the hemispherical portion. According to another characteristic of the invention, the seal comprises a central protrusion, at the top of the hemispherical body, oriented towards the inside of the distribution chamber and intended to rest at the edge of the feed orifice when the seal is in the concentration position of the steam. According to another characteristic of the invention, the seal comprises, on the back of the central protrusion, a recess in which is engaged an actuating rod.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the seal is made of a fluorocarbon rubber of the FKM type. According to another characteristic of the invention, the sole contains a heating resistor. According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the soleplate is surmounted by a body comprising a gripping handle, the means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam being operable by means of a button carried by the body. According to another characteristic of the invention, the soleplate comprises an upper face provided with walls providing a steam distribution circuit comprising a first diffusion network to the first group of steam outlet holes and a second diffusion network to the second. group of steam outlet holes, the distribution circuit being closed in its upper part by the cover. The invention also relates to an ironing apparatus comprising a pressurized steam generator connected to an iron by a cord, characterized in that the iron is in accordance with the iron as previously described. According to another characteristic of the invention, the soleplate of the iron comprises a vaporization chamber upstream of the steam inlet channel, the vaporization chamber comprising a steam inlet orifice formed in the lid, the orifice steam inlet being connected to the cord. The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, presented by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings. in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing apparatus equipped with an iron according to a particular embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the iron of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the underside of the soleplate and ironing plate of the iron of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top of the sole of the iron of Figure 2 without its closure cap; - Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the top of the sole of the iron of Figure 2; FIGS. 6 and 7 are partially broken away perspective views of the soleplate of the iron of FIG. 1 when the button of the steam distribution device is respectively in a rest position and in a concentration position. steam. Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate the reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another. FIG. 1 represents an ironing apparatus comprising a steam iron 1 resting on an inclined base of a steam generator housing 100, the housing 100 enclosing, in a manner known per se, a vessel for the steam generation under pressure which is connected to the iron by a cord 101. In accordance with Figure 2, the iron 1 comprises an ironing plate 2 in thermal contact with a heating soleplate 3 which is masked by a plastic body 10 comprising a handle 11 for gripping, the body 10 of the iron being fixed on the sole 3 of the iron by screws, not shown in the figures. By way of example, the ironing plate 2 is constituted by an aluminum plate whose lower surface, coming into contact with the clothes to be ironed, is coated with enamel and the heating soleplate 3 is made of aluminum by a process molding, a U-shaped electrical resistance 5 being embedded in the sole 3. According to Figure 3, the ironing plate 2 is provided with a first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20 comprising a dozen holes of steam outlet arranged in a triangle arrangement near the front tip of the ironing plate 2, the first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20 being arranged opposite a first distribution chamber 31 of the steam formed by a cavity extending under the sole 3. The ironing plate 2 is also provided with a second group 22 of steam outlet holes 20 comprising about fifty steam outlet holes distributed over substantially the entire on the surface of the ironing plate 2, with the exception of the front tip having the first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20, this second group 22 of steam outlet holes 20 being arranged facing a second chamber distribution 32 of the steam formed by a cavity extending under the sole 3.

The first and second distribution chambers 31, 32 are supplied with steam through orifices 33, 34 passing through the sole 3 which open into a steam distribution circuit formed on the upper face of the sole 3, visible in FIG. 4. The steam distribution circuit comprises a first vapor diffusion network consisting essentially of a diffusion chamber 30 disposed at the front of the soleplate in which the orifices 33, which open into the first distribution chamber 31, are arranged. and a second diffusion network consisting essentially of lateral diffusion chambers 35 in which the orifices 34 which open into the second distribution chamber 32 are arranged. The distribution circuit is delimited laterally by a peripheral wall 36A on which a 4 closure cover, visible in Figure 5, the upper face of the sole 3 comprising intermediate walls 36B coming into contact with the lid 4 to effect, in particular, the separation between the first and second vapor diffusion networks.

Advantageously, the peripheral wall 36A and the intermediate walls 36B are obtained directly from the molding with the sole 3, the cover 4 being attached by bonding to the walls 36A, 36B and having openings 40 in which 36C screws are engaged. ensuring the maintenance of the lid 4 on the sole 3.

According to FIG. 5, the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam inlet orifice 41, carried by the cover 4, which is connected to the end of the bead 101 and which opens into a vaporization chamber 37 disposed between the two branches of the U-shaped electrical resistance 5, the vaporization chamber 37 being provided with a plurality of projecting pads increasing the heat exchange surface and promoting the evaporation of the condensates transported by the steam. As can be seen in FIG. 4, in which the steam flow is illustrated by arrows, the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam inlet channel 38 connecting the vaporization chamber 37 to a distribution device. the steam ensuring the flow of steam to the first and second diffusion networks, the steam inlet channel 38 bypassing a stud 38A for receiving a temperature control thermostat of the sole 3 and having a tormented shape, provided baffles, favoring the evaporation of any condensates transported by the steam. The vapor distribution device comprises a main conduit 39 having a rear end connected to the steam inlet channel 38 and a front end connected to the front diffusion chamber 30 of the first distribution network. Preferably, the duct 39 comprises a cylindrical central zone forming a chimney 39A extending vertically towards a supply orifice 42, visible in FIG. 5, passing through the lid 4, this supply orifice 42 opening into a chamber of distribution of the domed vapor 6 disposed above the sole and whose bottom is constituted by the lid 4. In accordance with FIG. 5, the bottom of the distribution chamber 6 comprises a longitudinal wall 43 extending over duct 39 to close the upper part of the latter, this longitudinal wall 43 being traversed by the feed orifice 42 and being laterally bordered by outlet orifices 44 passing through the cover 4 to open into the lateral diffusion chambers 35 of the second steam diffusion network. Advantageously, the longitudinal wall 43 and the outlet orifices 44 are laterally bordered by a circular rib 45 projecting from the upper face of the lid 4, the circular rib 45 being centered on the supply orifice 42 and having a diameter of the order of 30 mm. The steam distribution device also comprises a flexible seal 7 comprising a peripheral flange 72 which is sandwiched between the circular rib 45 and a fastening flange 8 held on the lid 4 by means of three screws 81, the seal 7 being made of a material resistant to steam and temperature, such as fluorocarbon rubber type FKM. Preferably, the seal 7 comprises a hemispherical body which is provided at its apex with a cylindrical recess 70, with a diameter of the order of 10 mm, into which an end of a rod 9 engages. 2, 6 and 7. The actuating rod 9 passes through a central opening 80 of the fixing flange 8 and is engaged in the recess 70 so that the displacement of the end of the rod 9 downwards causes the elastic deformation of the seal 7.

According to Figures 2, 6 and 7, the seal 7 comprises, on the back of the recess 70, a central projection 71 oriented towards the inside of the distribution chamber 6 which is provided with a lower lip 71A cylindrical, a diameter of the order 10 mm, coming to rest at the edge of the feed orifice 42 when the actuating rod 9 is moved downwards, towards a position of concentration of the steam, illustrated in FIG. manual on a button 12 disposed in front of the handle 11 of the iron, the actuating rod 9 being brought upwards by a return spring 90 in a rest position, illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, wherein the lip 71A of the seal 7 no longer sits at the edge of the supply port 42.

The operation of the steam distribution device will now be described in relation with FIGS. 6 and 7. In accordance with FIG. 6, when no pressure is exerted on the button 12, the actuating rod 9 is brought back by the return spring 90 in the rest position and the seal 7 takes its natural form in which the lower lip 71A is raised several millimeters from the edge of the supply port 42. In this position of the seal 7, the steam from the steam inlet channel 38 can both pass directly through the conduit 39 and travel through the first distribution network to exit through the first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20, following the path indicated by the gray arrows, but also climb along the chimney 39A, following the path illustrated by the black arrows, to escape through the supply port 42, then pass through outlet ports 44 of the distribution chamber 6, to travel through the second distribution network and exit through the second group 22 of steam outlet holes 20. In this position of the button 12, the steam from the steam generator is thus diffused on all the steam outlet holes 20 of the ironing plate 2 to have a smooth and homogeneous vapor for fast ironing large parts. When the user wishes to have concentrated steam on the only steam outlet holes 20 belonging to the first group 21 located at the front of the ironing plate 2, for example to perform precision work or remove recalcitrant folds it suffices to press the button 12 located at the front of the handle 11 to move the actuating rod 9 downwards, against the return spring 90, so that the lower end of the actuating rod 9 exerts a pressure on the seal 7 and deforms the latter by bringing the lower lip 71A against the edge of the supply port 42 as shown in FIG. 7. In accordance with this figure, the seal 7 then ensures a tight closure of the supply port 42 of the distribution chamber 6 and the steam produced by the steam generator flowing through the steam inlet channel 38 can no longer pass through the orifice ali 42 but escapes exclusively towards the first distribution network. In this depressed position of the button 12, the entire stream of steam produced by the steam generator is thus sent through the first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20 located at the front of the ironing plate 2, which allows to obtain a stream of concentrated vapor, so more powerful. When the button 12 is released, the actuating rod 9 is returned to its rest position by the spring 90 and the seal 7 returns to its original shape so that the steam is again diffused by all the exit holes of the steam 20 of the ironing plate 2.

The iron thus produced has the advantage of having a device for distributing the steam between the first and second groups of steam outlet holes which is compact, simple and economical to produce. In particular, the integration of the distribution device closer to the heating soleplate, as well as the path of the steam in the heart of the sole before reaching the distribution device, ensures excellent heating of the steam from the generator , which eliminates any condensate transported by the steam and generated especially during the cooling of the steam during the transport of steam through the bead. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. 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. Thus, in an embodiment variant not shown, the seal of the steam distribution device may have a shape adapted to only reduce, and not completely block, the flow of steam sent towards the second group of steam outlet holes when the button is pressed.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS1) Steam iron (1) comprising an ironing plate (2) comprising at least a first group (21) and a second group (22) of steam outlet holes (20), and comprising a distribution device steam comprising means (7) for blocking or reducing the flow of steam towards the second group (22) of steam outlet holes (20), operable from the outside of the iron, for concentrating the flow of steam in the direction of the first group (21) of steam outlet holes (20), characterized in that said means (7) for reducing or blocking the steam supply of the second group (22) of steam outlet holes (20); ) are arranged in a distribution chamber (6) of the steam, the bottom of which consists of a lid (4) of closure attached to the sole (3), said distribution chamber (6) having at least one feed orifice (42), formed in the cover (4), opening into a conduit t (39) connected to a steam inlet channel (38) integrated in the sole (3) and at least one outlet orifice (44), formed in the cover (4), opening into a diffusion network of the steam towards the second group (22) of steam outlet holes. 2) Iron (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for blocking or reducing the flow of steam comprise a seal (7), attached to the cover (4), and in that said seal (7). ) is resiliently returned to a rest position in which the steam can flow freely from the supply port (42) to the outlet (44) and can be deformed under the pressure of an actuator element (9). ) to a vapor concentration position in which said seal (7) at least partially obstructs a passage between the supply port (42) and the outlet port (44). 3) iron (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said seal (7) comprises a portion that obstruct the supply port (42) when the seal (7) is deformed to the concentration position of steam. 4) Iron (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that said seal (7) defines the upper surface of the room distribution and comprises a deformable hemispherical portion. 5) Iron (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the seal (7) comprises a hemispherical body having a peripheral flange (72) which is sandwiched between a circular rib (45) projecting on the face upper cover (4) and a fastening flange (8). 6) iron (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening flange (8) comprises a hemispherical portion matching the shape of the hemispherical portion of the seal (7), the fastening flange (8) having a aperture (80) at the apex of the hemispherical portion. 7) iron (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the seal (7) comprises a central protrusion (71) at the top of the hemispherical body, facing the interior of the chamber distribution (6) and intended to rest at the edge of the supply port (42) when the seal (7) is in the concentration position of the steam. 8) Iron (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the seal (7) comprises, on the back of the central protrusion (71), a recess (70) in which is engaged a rod (9). ) of actuation. 9) Iron (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said seal (7) is made of a fluorocarbon rubber type FKM. 10) Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sole (3) contains an electrical resistance (5). 11). Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sole (3) is surmounted by a body having a handle (11) for gripping and in that the means (7) of blocking or reducing the flow of steam can be actuated by means of a button (12) carried by the body. 12). Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the sole (3) has an upper face provided with walls (36A, 36B) providing a steam distribution circuit comprising a first diffusion network to the first group (21) of steam outlet holes (20) and a second diffusion network to the second group (22) of steam outlet holes, said distribution circuit being closed in its upper part by the cover ( 4). 13) Ironing apparatus comprising a pressurized steam generator connected to an iron (1) by a cord (101), characterized in that the iron is according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14) Ironing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the sole (3) of the iron (1) comprises a vaporization chamber (37) upstream of the steam inlet channel (38), said chamber vaporizer (37) having a vapor trap port (41) in the lid (4), said vapor trap port (41) being connected to the cord (101).