FR3066506B1 - HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING AN IRON AND A PORTABLE BASE - Google Patents

Abstract

Domestic appliance comprising a steam iron (1) comprising a sole (10) having an ironing surface (10A) provided with steam outlet holes (11) and a portable base (2) comprising a location (21) for placing the iron (1) during inactive ironing phases, said location (21) comprising at least one protruding pad (25) on which the iron rests when it is placed on said location in a position of storage, the base (2) having at least one locking element (5) movable between an unlocked position in which the iron can be extracted from the base (2) and a locking position, in which the iron is immobilized in the storage position by the locking element (5), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a removable cap (6) which can be arranged on the ironing surface (10A) and in that said cap (6 ) has an opening (69) d in which is engaged the pad (25) when the iron (1) is arranged in the storage position.

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING AN IRON AND A PORTABLE BASE

The present invention relates to an appliance comprising a steam iron comprising an ironing surface provided with steam outlet holes and a portable base comprising a location for laying the iron during the inactive ironing phases or during the ironing. storage of the apparatus, the location having at least one protruding pad on which comes to rest the ironing surface when the iron is arranged on the location. The present invention relates more particularly to an apparatus in which the base comprises at least one movable locking element between an unlocked position in which the iron can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the iron is immobilized on the location in a storage position by the locking element.

It is known from the patent application FR2874628 filed by the applicant, an ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable steam generating base provided with a suitable location for laying the iron. In this document, the base comprises a hoop movable in rotation between an unlocked position in which the iron can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the iron is secured to the base.

Such a device has the advantage of allowing the transport of the device by the handle of the iron and secure the iron on the base for storage.

It is also known from the application W02007096825 to bring a removable cap on the soleplate of an iron to reduce the temperature of the ironing surface. Such a cap has the advantage of allowing to iron the most delicate textiles without risk of polishing.

However, when such a removable cap is used to equip the iron described in the application FR2874628, the extra thickness generated by the presence of the removable cap on the sole prevents the immobilization of the iron on the base by means of the mobile hoop. Thus the user is forced to remove the removable cap of the sole of the iron before placing the iron on the base and to be immobilized by means of the arch for storage. It is then found with a cap that must be stored separately from the device, which complicates the storage of the device and increases the risk of losing and / or damage the removable cap.

Also, an object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing an appliance with an iron, a portable base comprising a location for placing the iron and a locking element for immobilizing the iron. on the site, wherein the iron can be equipped with a removable cap to iron the most delicate textiles and can be immobilized on the location by means of the locking element that the iron is equipped or no removable cap. To this end, the subject of the invention is a household appliance comprising a steam iron comprising a soleplate having an ironing surface provided with steam outlet holes and a portable base comprising a location for laying the iron when ironing. inactive phases of ironing, the location having at least one projecting pad on which rests the iron when placed on the location in a storage position, the base having at least one movable locking element between a unlocked position in which the iron can be extracted from the base and an immobilization position in which the iron is immobilized in the storage position by the locking element, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a cap removable which can be arranged on the ironing surface and in that the cap has an opening in which is engaged the shoe lo When the iron is placed in the storage position.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to reduce or even cancel the elevation of the ironing surface with respect to the pad due to the presence of the cap. Thus, the positioning difference of the iron on the location is reduced or canceled, which allows the immobilization of the iron in the storage position by means of the locking element when the iron is equipped or not Removable headdress. In addition, the insertion of the pads in the openings of the removable cap contributes to the good positioning of the iron in the storage position when the iron is equipped with the removable cap.

According to another characteristic of the apparatus according to the invention, the opening has a shape allowing the top of the pad to come into contact with the ironing surface when the iron, equipped with the cap, is arranged in the position of storage.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to have a removable cap that does not generate any elevation of the ironing surface relative to the pad so that the positioning of the iron on the site is the same whether the iron is equipped with or without the the removable cap.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the location comprises three protruding pads and the cap has, opposite each of the pads, an opening in which is engaged the top of the pad when the iron occupies the position storage.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a stable support of the iron on the pads.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cap comprises a peripheral edge which matches the shape of the contour of the sole.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a good centering of the cap on the iron.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cap comprises a flat plate intended to come opposite the ironing surface when the cap is coupled to the iron, the pads projecting into the bottom of the location on a higher height to the thickness of the cap plate.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the ironing surface comprises steam outlet holes and the cap has orifices for the diffusion of steam, the peripheral edge of the cap having a seal coming into contact with the ironing surface to provide a vapor-tight connection between the cap and the periphery of the ironing surface.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to prevent the steam from escaping along the peripheral edge of the cap and then back towards the user's hand at the risk of burning it.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cap comprises a locking pin coming to engage resiliently above the sole to immobilize the cap on the sole, the cap advantageously comprising a gripping member coming in the extension of the locking pin.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the iron has a handle and the entire device can be transported by the handle when the iron is immobilized on the base by the locking element.

Such a feature provides a very good ergonomics of use by facilitating the handling of the device during storage.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is rotatable between the unlocked position and the immobilization position.

Such a blocking element has the advantage of being simple and economical to achieve.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking element has the shape of a hoop.

Such arch has the advantage of being simple to achieve and to marry the usually tapered shape of the front end of the iron.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base comprises a stop immobilizing the rear part of the iron, the locking element immobilizing the front portion of the iron when in the immobilization position. According to another characteristic of the invention, the base contains a reservoir.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the base comprises biasing means exerting a torque on the locking element whose direction reverses when passing from an intermediate position between the immobilizing position and the unlocked position, the torque exerted by the biasing means tending to return the locking element to the unlocked position when the locking element is in a first angular range between the intermediate position and the unlocked position and tending to bring the element of locking to the immobilization position when the locking element is in a second angular range between the intermediate position and the immobilization position.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to provide very good ergonomics of use.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is disposed substantially in the plane of the location to put the iron when it occupies the unlocked position.

Such a feature improves access to the location when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the locking element is held in contact with the iron by return means when the locking element is in the immobilization position.

Such a feature has the advantage of eliminating any play between the blocking element and the iron for better maintenance of the latter on the base.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the return means are constituted by at least one spring.

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 accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention when the locking bar is in the immobilization position and the iron is equipped with a removable headdress; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the hoop in the unlocked position, the iron being lifted from the base and the removable cap uncoupled from the iron; FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the removable cap; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the iron equipped with the removable cap; - Figure 6 is another perspective view of the bottom of the iron with the removable cap uncoupled from the iron.

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

Note that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear" used to describe the iron refer to this device when it lies flat on his sole.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an ironing apparatus, of the steam generator type, comprising an iron 1 resting on a portable base 2 incorporating, in a manner known per se, a vessel for producing steam under pressure, not shown in FIG. the figures, the base 2 being electrically powered by means of a cable 3.

According to FIGS. 3 and 6, the iron 1 conventionally comprises a heating soleplate 10 comprising a flat bottom surface provided with steam outlet holes 11 forming an ironing surface 10A, the latter having a tapered forward end forming a front tip and a width gradually increasing towards the rear of the sole 10.

The sole 10 is surmounted by a one-piece plastic body incorporating a handle 12 extending towards the rear of the iron by two arms 13 comprising a rear face forming the heel of the iron, the handle 12 extending conventionally to the before the iron by a nose covering the front tip of the sole 10. The iron 1 is connected to the base 2 by a flexible cord 4 incorporating power supply son of the heating soleplate 10 and a conduit supply of steam to the soleplate 10.

The base 2 comprises a flat bottom surface intended to rest on a horizontal plane and has an inclined top surface comprising a recess constituting a location 21 for resting the iron 1, this location 21 comprising an inclined plane bottom of the order of 30 ° relative to the lower surface 20 and having three pads 25, projecting to a height of about 6 mm, for thermally isolating the base 2 of the sole 10 of the iron.

According to Figure 3, these pads 25 has an oblong shape and are distributed in a star in the bottom of the slot 21 to ensure a stable support of the sole 10 on the pads 25, one of the pads 25 being disposed in the longitudinal axis of the base 2, near the top of the location 21, and the two other pads 25 being arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 2, near the lower end of the location 21.

The base 2 also comprises a control panel 22 of the apparatus disposed at the foot of the location 21, and encloses in the space located under the location 21, a reservoir 23 intended to supply water to the tank for the production of steam, the tank 23 being provided with a filling flap 23A.

To allow immobilization of the iron 1 on the base 2 in a storage position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base 2 comprises a stopper 24 formed by a rear face of the control panel 22 on which the heel of the iron to iron 1 comes to bear when the iron 1 is placed on the location 21, the stopper 24 advantageously having a protrusion 24A inserted into a cavity 13A formed between the arms 13 of the heel of the iron to immobilize laterally and vertically the rear part of the iron 1 in the location 21.

The front part of the iron 1 is immobilized on the base 2 by means of a locking bar 5 pivotally mounted at the part of the slot 21 receiving the front tip of the sole 10 of the iron, the bow 5 advantageously having a triangular shape matching the contour of the front end of the location 21 and the front tip of the iron 1. The bow 5 can pivot between an unlocked position, illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the hoop 5 is arranged parallel to the upper surface of the base 2, being engaged in a receiving groove formed at the edge of the location 21, and a position of immobilization of the iron, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the hoop 5 bears against the upper surface of the nose of the iron 1, the hoop 5 advantageously comprising a flexible portion added by overmoulding in the hollow part of the hoop 5 coming into contact with the body of the iron 1 to be ironed when the Arch 5 is in the immobilization position.

Preferably, the base 2 comprises means for returning the arch 5, not shown in the figures and described in more detail in the patent application FR3018831 filed by the applicant, exerting a return torque whose meaning reverses. when passing from an intermediate position situated between the unlocked position and the immobilizing position, the return torque bringing the hoop 5 back to the unlocked position when the latter is in an angular position situated between the unlocked position and the intermediate position and returning the arch 5 to the immobilization position when the latter is in an angular position between the intermediate position and the immobilization position.

More particularly according to the invention, the apparatus comprises a cap 6 that can be removably attached to the iron 1 to cover the sole 10 of the iron 1 and lower the temperature of the surface coming into contact with the laundry for the ironing the most delicate textiles.

According to FIGS. 4 to 6, the cap 6 comprises a flat plate 60 having a contour conforming to the shape of the contour of the ironing surface 10A of the soleplate of the iron 1 and comprises a peripheral edge 61, curved upwards, which comes to the edge of the sole 10 when the cap 6 is coupled to the iron 1.

Preferably, the plate 60 is made by an aluminum plate covered with a ceramic coating. The front end of the cap 6 advantageously comprises a wall 62 which extends the peripheral edge 61 and extends towards the inside of the cap 6 so as to form an immobilizing stop under which the front end is inserted. The rear end of the cap 6, for its part, comprises a gripping member 63 of plastics material which extends towards the outside of the cap 6, from the peripheral edge 61 of the cap 6, and has a locking lug 64 projecting above the peripheral edge 61 of the cap 6, this locking pin 64 being intended to engage resiliently above the rear portion of the sole 10 to immobilize the portion. back of the cap 6 on the body of the iron 1.

Preferably, the upper face of the cap 6 comprises a silicone seal 65, having a width of the order of 1 cm and a thickness of about 1 mm, extending over the entire periphery of the plate 60 of the cap and on the inner surface of the peripheral edge 61. The seal 65 comprises an inner edge advantageously having a deformable lip 66 projecting upwards, the lip 66 having the function of ensuring a vapor-tight connection between the soleplate 10 and the cap 6 when the latter is assembled on the iron 1, so that the steam from the steam outlet holes 11 of the sole 10 can not escape through the cap contour 6.

The cap 6 comprises, within the zone delimited by the seal 65, a first series of steam outlet orifices 67 constituting a central network of steam outlet orifices of small diameter, less than 2 mm, present in very large numbers, allowing a homogeneous diffusion of the steam in the central part of the cap 6.

The cap 6 also comprises, within the zone delimited by the seal 65, a second series of steam outlet orifices 68 constituting a peripheral network of steam outlet orifices of larger diameter, of the order 8 mm, arranged so as to come opposite the main steam outlet holes 11 of the soleplate 10 and allow direct diffusion of the steam.

These steam output ports 68 of larger diameter are advantageously obtained by stamping and are bordered by a flange 68A which protrudes from the upper face of the cap 6 to a height of about 1 mm.

Thus, it results a space for the diffusion of steam between the ironing surface 10A and the upper surface of the plate 60 of the cap when the sole 10 of the iron is resting on the cap 6, this support taking place at the joint 65 and / or at the flange 68A bordering the orifices 68.

The cap 6 also comprises three openings 69 of oblong shape matching the shape of the outer contour of the pads 25, these openings 69 being arranged such that the three openings 69 are opposite the three pads 25 projecting into the bottom of the slot 21 when the iron 1, equipped with the cap 6, is placed on the location 21 in the storage position. The openings 69 are advantageously obtained by stamping and are also bordered by a flange which projects on the upper face of the cap 6 to a height of about 1 mm.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described.

When the user wishes to move the apparatus, he ensures that the iron 1 is in the storage position and that the arch 5 is in the immobilization position, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and he can then grab the handle 12 of the iron to carry the entire apparatus by the handle 12.

When the user wishes to perform an ironing session, he brings the hoop 5 to the unlocked position, illustrated in FIG. 3, to allow the iron 1 to be removed from the base 2. The user can then use the iron to iron 1 bare, that is to say without the cap 6 removable, to perform the ironing of the most common textiles. It may also decide to equip the iron 1 of the removable cap 6 to reduce the temperature of the ironing surface coming into contact with the laundry and avoid polishing the most delicate textiles.

This assembly of the removable cap 6 is carried out simply by bringing the front tip of the iron 1 under the wall 62 of immobilization located at the front end of the cap 6 and tilting the iron 1 on the cap 6 so that the locking pin 64 is engaged above the edge of the sole 10.

When the cap 6 is assembled on the iron 1, as is illustrated in Figure 5, the steam emitted by the sole 10 of the iron 1 escapes at high speed through the orifices 68 of the peripheral network which are located directly opposite some steam outlet holes 11 of the sole 1 and more diffusely through the openings 67 of the central network, after routing of the vapor in the diffusion space extending between the sole 10 and the cap 6, a portion of the vapor can also escape through the openings 69 of the cap 6.

When the user wishes to store the device, it can leave the cap 6 in position on the sole 10 and arrange the iron 1 on the location 21 to bring it to the storage position. When performing this operation, the pads 25 arranged in the bottom of the slot 21 cooperate with the openings 69, by inserting them in the latter, to guide the iron 1 and bring it into the storage position correct. In this storage position, the pads 25 are partially inserted into the openings 69 and the top of the pads 25 is in abutment against the ironing surface of the soleplate 10 so that the soleplate 10 of the iron 1 is not elevated compared to the pads 25 despite the presence of the removable cap 6.

Of course, the user can also decide to store the iron 1 on the base 2 without the latter being equipped with the removable cap 6, this is done in a similar manner by bringing the sole 10 of the iron on the pads 25. The user can then tilt the hoop 5 in the immobilization position so as to immobilize the iron 1 on the base 2 and allow the transport of the device by the handle 12 of the iron 1.

In particular, the positioning of the iron 1 on the base 2 remains the same as the iron 1 is equipped with or without the removable cap 6, so that the hoop 5 ensures the immobilization of the iron 1 in storage position with the same efficiency in these two configurations.

Accordingly, the apparatus thus produced has the advantage of having a removable cap for the treatment of delicate textiles which can be stored together with the iron on the base without coming to impede the operation of the immobilization device iron to redo.

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 alternative embodiment not shown, the tank for the generation of steam under pressure can be replaced by an instantaneous vaporization chamber, the latter can be integrated in the iron and be connected to the tank of the base by a pipe of 'water.

Claims (12)

1) Domestic appliance comprising a steam iron (1) comprising a sole (10) having an ironing surface (10A) provided with steam outlet holes (11) and a portable base (2) comprising a location (21). ) for placing the iron (1) during inactive ironing phases, said location (21) comprising at least one projecting pad (25) on which the iron (1) rests when it is placed on the iron position (21) in a storage position, the base (2) having at least one locking element (5) movable between an unlocked position in which the iron (1) can be extracted from the base (2) and an immobilization position, in which the iron (1) is immobilized in the storage position by the locking element (5), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a removable cap (6) which can be arranged on the ironing surface (10A) and in that said cap (6) comprises e an opening (69) in which is engaged the shoe (25) when the iron (1) is arranged in the storage position. 2) Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (69) has a shape allowing the top of the pad (25) to come into contact with the ironing surface (10A) when the iron (1) equipped with the cap (6) is arranged in the storage position. 3) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the location (21) comprises at least three pads (25) projecting and in that the cap (6) comprises, next to each pads (25), an opening (69) in which is engaged the top of the pad (25) when the iron (1) is in the storage position. 4) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cap (6) has a peripheral edge (61) which matches the shape of the contour of the sole (10). 5) Appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the ironing surface (1 OA) has holes (11) for steam outlet and in that the cap (6) has orifices (67, 68) for the diffusion of the steam claim, the peripheral edge (61) of the cap having a seal (65) sealing contacting the ironing surface (10A) to provide a vapor-tight connection between the cap (6) and around the ironing surface (10A). 6) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cap (6) comprises a locking pin (64) resiliently engaging above the sole (10) for immobilizing the cap (6) on the sole (10). 7) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the iron (1) comprises a handle (12) for gripping and in that the entire apparatus can be transported by the handle (12) when the iron is immobilized on the base (2) by the locking element (5). 8) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said locking element (5) is rotatable between the unlocked position and the immobilization position. 9) Appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said locking element has the form of a bow (5). 10) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base comprises a stop (24) immobilizing the rear part of the iron (1) and in that the locking element (5) immobilizes the front part of the iron (1) when it is in the immobilization position. 11) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base (2) encloses a reservoir (23). 12) Appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the base (2) comprises biasing means exerting a torque on said locking element (5) whose direction reverses the passage of an intermediate position between the immobilization position and the unlocked position, said torque exerted by the return means tending to return the locking element to the unlocked position when the locking element (5) is in a first range angular between the intermediate position and the unlocked position and tending to return the locking element (5) to the immobilization position when the locking element (5) is in a second angular range between the intermediate position and the immobilization position.