FR3093114A1 - STEAM IRON SOLE - Google Patents

Abstract

STEAM IRON SOLE The present description relates to a steam iron soleplate (5) comprising a cap (10) in which the face of the cap intended to be in contact with a cloth (20) comprises a first step (16) corresponding to a convex portion in relief outwardly comprising a first surface (S1) delimited by a first line (L1) and comprising a groove (W1) along the first line (L1). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

STEAM IRON SOLE

This description relates generally to a steam iron soleplate.

Since antiquity, it has been known that a fabric can be ironed by combining heat with a mechanical pulling action on its fibres. Over time, ironing tools evolved from smooth heated stones or pebbles, which were moved over the linen, to dry irons.

Observation had shown that the fibers were much easier to flatten or shape if they were moistened, and also that the preservation of these states was linked to the temperature and speed of drying.

This was the reign of the "wet paw" ironing method consisting of placing a damp cloth between the soleplate of the iron and the fabric, which made it possible to obtain a quality still considered today as being the best possible.

With the appearance of electricity, irons were created, first dry then steam, which made it possible to eliminate the use of the "wet paw". Despite undeniable results in time savings and practicality, these were lower than those obtained with the latter.

The soles of these irons were made from cast aluminum and polished to obtain a surface condition and flatness compatible with the desired use. Their fault was rapid clogging due to the carbonization of fabric particles embedded in the microporosity created by polishing.

To solve this problem, soles were created consisting of a heating part in foundry aluminum on which was attached a laminated aluminum cap, the subject of patent FR2593837 describing a method of fixing between the two parts. The new material used supporting, without alteration, higher temperatures than foundry aluminum, allowed the application of various coatings or surface treatments as described in patent US4822686 describing the application of an enamel coating in to improve the ease of maintenance and the glide of the irons.

The distribution of vapor under the surface of the soleplate was improved by an increase in the number of exit holes and/or by the arrangement of hollow forms under the soleplate. Forms of drops of water, teardrops or channels of multiple shapes are known, in a non-exhaustive manner.

In use, it was noticed that the steam cushion formed at the iron/fabric interface was not completely evacuated, especially under the central part, hence, locally, a non-negligible residual humidity in the ironed linen. requiring a wait before storage.

The detailed analysis of the phenomenon showed that the vapor was trapped under the central part of the sole, the explanation being that if the quantity of vapor emitted by the holes could, for half, be evacuated in the open air along the edges, the other half had no exit, and remained concentrated in the center by the shape given to the belt of holes on the periphery, or to the shapes of the distribution channels.

The only exposed part being the back of the soleplate, it was necessary, to promote the flow of steam to this area during the ironing action, to create arrangements for the surface of the soleplates, hence the appearance of grooves of all shapes and configurations, favoring this evacuation towards the back and/or the sides.

Document WO2017/174947 describes a steam iron soleplate, the cap of which comprises in the rear part a zone in relief with respect to the rest of the cap making it possible to improve the flow of steam. However, in some cases, the evacuation of water vapor may not be complete.

One embodiment overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of the steam iron soleplates described previously.

Another object of an embodiment is to improve the drying of the laundry during the steam ironing operation, favoring a rapid and complete evacuation of the latter to avoid the formation of residual humidity in the fabrics after ironing.

Another object of an embodiment is to improve the smoothing of the laundry regardless of the movement of the iron on the laundry.

One embodiment provides a steam iron soleplate comprising a cap, in which the face of the cap intended to be in contact with laundry comprises a first recess corresponding to a convex portion in relief towards the outside comprising a first surface bounded by a first line and including a groove along the first line.

According to one embodiment, the depth of the groove is between 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm.

According to one embodiment, the radius of curvature at the junction between the groove and the first surface is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

According to one embodiment, the volume of the first recess is inscribed between the first surface and a second surface corresponding to more than half of said face, the first and second surfaces being parallel and separated by a height of between 0.3 mm and 2mm.

According to one embodiment, the sole comprises a third surface completely surrounding the first surface and connecting the first surface to the second surface.

According to one embodiment, the junction between the second surface and the third surface is defined by a second line defined by a constant distance with the first line comprised between 3 mm and 13 mm.

According to one embodiment, the radius of curvature at the junction between the groove and the third surface is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the groove joins the first surface at the first line and joins the third surface at a third line, the difference between the distance between the first line and the plane containing the second surface and the distance between the first line and the plane containing the second surface is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the first line is in the shape of a drop of water.

According to one embodiment, the first surface comprises a first convex part located towards the front of the cap and a second pointed part located towards the rear of the cap.

According to one embodiment, the maximum length of the first surface is between 45% and 70% of the maximum length of the sole measured along the front-rear axis of the sole and the maximum width of the first surface is between 25% and 75% of the maximum width of the sole measured perpendicular to the fore-aft axis of the sole.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises a rear edge and the rear extreme point of the second surface is located on the rear edge.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises, at its front end, a tongue extending forwards and comprising at least one edge whose length is greater than 7 mm and which is inclined by more than 85° with respect to the front-back axis of the sole.

According to one embodiment, the soleplate comprises a second recess in depression with respect to the second surface into which emerge steam outlet holes.

According to one embodiment, the second recess comprises at least one edge with the second surface whose length is greater than 20 mm and 40 mm and which is inclined by more than 85° with respect to the front-rear axis of the sole .

These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be set out in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

FIG. 1 comprises, in the right part, a bottom view, and, in the left part, a side view with partial section, of an embodiment of an iron soleplate;

Figure 2 is a side section of part of the sole shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view of Figure 2 illustrating the circulation of steam during the ironing of laundry;

FIG. 4 comprises, in the right part, a bottom view, and, in the left part, a side view with partial section, of a part of the sole shown in FIG. 1;

Figure 5 includes views similar to those of Figure 4 illustrating two variants of the sole shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates the edges of the sole contributing to the smoothing during a forward movement;

FIG. 7 illustrates the edges of the sole contributing to the smoothing during a forward oblique movement;

FIG. 8 illustrates the edges of the sole contributing to the smoothing during a backward oblique movement; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the edges of the sole contributing to the smoothing during a backward movement.

The same elements have been designated by the same references in the various figures. In particular, the structural and/or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties. For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been represented and are detailed. In particular, the internal components of a steam iron are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

In the following description, when referring to absolute position qualifiers, such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., it refers unless otherwise specified to the orientation of the figures or to an iron in a normal position of use. Unless specified otherwise, the expressions “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “of the order of” mean to within 10%, preferably within 5%. When the terms "about", "approximately", "substantially", and "in the order of" are used with directions, they mean within 10°, preferably within 5°.

According to one embodiment, the soleplate of the steam iron comprises at least one recess intended to create a surface parallel to a base surface serving as a support base for the iron on the linen. According to one embodiment, the surface created by the recess is in relief relative to the base surface. The relief surface is preferably located in the central part and in the rear part of the drying zone of the iron. The raised surface is free of spray holes and is in permanent contact with the linen at the same time as the base surface. The relief surface is connected to the base surface by an intermediate surface surrounding the relief surface and joining the base surface. The intermediate surface may be flat or curved to allow, during the movements of the iron on the linen and regardless of the directions of these movements, to expel the residual steam present in the linen towards the outside. According to one embodiment, the surface in relief has, in bottom view, the shape of a drop of water, comprising a convex front part and a rear part which tapers to the rear end of the sole.

According to one embodiment, the soleplate comprises a tongue and a depression, instead of the known pointed shape, to use the forward movements of the iron, in order to improve the smoothing by the front part of the iron, during these movements forward, and to create a specific area to facilitate ironing around the buttons.

According to one embodiment, the soleplate comprises a separation groove between the surface in relief and the intermediate surface to improve the evacuation of steam. The groove further forms ridges with the raised surface and the intermediate surface improving the smoothing.

Figure 1 comprises, in the right part, a bottom view and, in the left part, a side view with, in the lower part, partial section of a soleplate 5 of an iron 1.

The sole 5 comprises two components: the first component is a cap 10 and the second component is a heating sub-assembly 12, the cap 10 covering the heating sub-assembly. The cap 10 can correspond to a thick cap, for example an aluminum cap having a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm or a thin cap, for example a cap made of stainless steel sheet or other material having a thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm. Only part of the heating sub-assembly 12 is shown in phantom in the side view of FIG. 1. In addition, a front part of the body 13 of the iron 1 is visible in the side view and is shown in phantom on the bottom view.

Figure 1 shows the outer surface of the cap 10 intended to be in contact with the laundry. The cap 10 comprises a preferred axis D extending from the rear to the front of the cap 10 which may be an axis of symmetry of the outer surface of the cap 10 intended to be in contact with the laundry. The cover 10 comprises a reference surface S0, also called base surface, substantially flat, corresponding to the largest flat part of the cover 10 in permanent contact with the laundry. The cap 10 may comprise on part of its periphery, for example on the sides and the rear edge, a recess 14 in depression with respect to the base surface S0. This makes it possible to create, on the periphery of the surface in depression, leading edges 15 improving the quality and speed of ironing. The recess 14 can be made as described in document WO2017/174947.

The cap 10 comprises a recess in relief 16 corresponding to a convex shape forming a relief, also called portion in relief, defined with respect to the reference surface S0. The portion in relief 16 is defined by a surface S1 that is substantially planar in the axis D of the cap 10. The surface S1 is in relief with respect to the reference surface S0 and is located in a plane parallel to the latter. A height h of between 0.3 mm and 2 mm separates the two surfaces S0 and S1. The surface S1 occupies a portion of the total surface of the cap 10 in contact with the laundry which is between 10% and 40%. The portion in relief 16 is further defined by an intermediate surface S2 connecting the surface S0 to the surface S1.

According to one embodiment, the surface S1 has, in bottom view, the shape of a drop of water. In top view, the surface S1 comprises a convex front part 17 of generally oval shape and a concave rear part 18 in the shape of a point. The maximum length of the surface S1 measured from a rear extreme point p1 along the axis D can be between 45% and 70% of the total maximum length of the cap 10. The maximum width of the surface S1 measured perpendicularly to the axis D may be between 25% and 75% of the total maximum width of the cap 10. By traversing the maximum length of the surface S1, from front to rear, at least 60% of the surface S1 is located in the front half of the maximum length and less than 30% of the S1 surface is located in the last third of the maximum length. Moreover, the width of the surface S1 measured perpendicular to the axis D exceeds half of the maximum width in the first quarter of the maximum length.

The limit of the surface S1 is represented by the line L1. According to one embodiment, the line L1 essentially breaks down into an arc of a circle that can be more or less deformed to adapt to the outer contour of the sole 5 and a tail ending at the extreme rear point p1, the latter being connected to the circle by straight or curved lines coming tangent to the circle. According to one embodiment, the line L1 comprises curves cl, c2, c3 interconnected by line segments dl, d2, the line segment d1 connecting the curve c1 to the curve c2 and the line segment d2 connecting the curve c1 to curve c3, curves c2 and c3 being extended by portions of curve c4, c5 meeting at point p1. Curves C1, C2 and C3 can correspond to circular arcs. The connecting surface S2 joins the reference surface S0 at the level of a contact line L2 which, according to one embodiment, is at a constant distance from the line L1, for example comprised between 3 mm and 13 mm. The line L2 itself has, in bottom view, the shape of a drop of water and carries the point p2, located at the rear end of the profile of the drop of water, and the point p2' located at the front end of the teardrop profile.

The recess in relief 16 in the shape of a drop of water is located substantially in the rear 2/3 of the sole 5. According to one embodiment, in bottom view, the surface S1 of the recess is between 20% and 50% of the total surface of the rear 2/3 of the sole, to within 10%. The extreme point p2 at the rear of the recess 16 is preferably located on the rear edge 19 of the sole 5.

The line of contact with the laundry passing through the points p1, p2 and p2' characterizes the surface of the recess 16 in the form of a drop of water in that it constitutes a separation substantially impermeable to vapour, the vapor being forced to s evacuate by one or the other of the sides of the iron 1 according to the movements of the latter.

The teardrop shape of the recess 16 makes it possible to expel the steam more efficiently outwards and to improve the drying of the laundry in this support zone. Indeed, the teardrop shape offers the best air penetration coefficient during a forward movement of the iron 1. In addition, the teardrop shape facilitates the flow of the air laden with water vapor around the recess in relief 16 by reducing the drag coefficient of the recess. This facilitates the flow of water vapor between the surface of the linen and the contact surface S0.

According to one embodiment, the cap 10 comprises a separation groove W1 between the active drying surface S1 and the connecting surface S2.

FIG. 2 represents a section of a part of the cap 10 represented in FIG. 1 at the level of the surface S2 and of the groove W1 according to a plane perpendicular to the surface S0 and FIG. 3 is a detail view of FIG. of an ironing operation with a movement from right to left.

According to one embodiment, the depth of the groove W1 is between 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm. In the present embodiment, the cross section of the groove W1 is semi-circular, of radius rw. As a variant, the cross section of the groove W1 can have any other shape, for example square. According to one embodiment, the radius rw is between 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm. The furrow W1 determines, at the point of connection between the part of its section ending on the line L1, a protruding edge, merged with the line L1, and on the other side at the outlet of its section on the surface S2, another protruding edge forming an L3 line. Between these two lines L1 and L3 is thus created a slight difference in level X. The difference in level X is for example between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. The radius of curvature of the edge forming the line L1 is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. We call p3 the extreme rear point of the line L3.

In the absence of the groove W1, the steam evacuation effect by the surface S2 can be partially thwarted if the steam pressure is high or if the pressure applied to the iron is insufficient, in particular due to a local overpressure in the corner formed by the surface S2 and the linen at the level of the line L1 which can cause a slight uprising which is detrimental to the contact between the sole 5 and the linen at the level of the line L1.

The presence of the furrow W1 amplifies the vapor evacuation effect. Indeed, at the edge of the line Ll is thus generated a perfect contact between the active drying surface Sl and the laundry 20, shown schematically in Figure 3, and the steam can no longer infiltrate between the two surfaces . Furthermore, in the furrow W1 turbulence is created, illustrated by arrows F in FIG. 3, which, being able to escape only via the outer side, activates the exit of the steam. Furthermore, the difference in level X allows the edge at the line L1 to act as a small leading edge on the laundry 20 contributing to further improve the smoothing. The ridge along line L3 has a radius of between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm to facilitate the flow of the expelled steam.

According to one embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the cap 10 comprises at its front end a tab 30 instead of a conventional pointed shape.

Figure 4 is a bottom view, and, in the left part, a side view with partial section, of the front end of the sole 5 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 includes views similar to Figure 4 of variants shapes of the front end of the sole 5.

The tab 30 has a thickness Ep, for example between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. The shape of the tongue 30 falls within a surface delimited by the line 32 in long dashes in FIGS. 4 and 5, defining a width A for example comprised between 15 mm and 60 mm and a projection B with respect to the tip of the body 13 between 0 mm and 7 mm, this distance of 7 mm being defined as being that beyond which the temperature of the end of the sole 5 becomes insufficient. The width A can be between 25 mm and 50 mm. There is shown in Figure 4 a basic shape of the tongue 30 for which the distance B is zero. The tongue 30 comprises a front edge Av comprising a substantially rectilinear portion perpendicular to the axis D of the sole 5 and two lateral edges Al and each comprising a substantially rectilinear portion perpendicular to the axis D. The outer edge of the tongue 30 can be obtained by massage, block bending, or machining. The outer edge of the tongue 30 comprises, on the side of the upper face of the tongue 30, a radius R or a slope allowing maximum penetration of the tongue 30 under a button 34, represented in FIG. 1. The radius R can be comprised between 0.5mm and 2.5mm. The outer edge of the tab 30 comprises, on the side in contact with the linen, a radius in contact with the linen r of between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The front edge Av makes it possible to obtain accentuated friction on the linen thanks to the radius r, and to obtain better smoothing when moving the iron forwards.

The outer shapes that the tongue can take are multiple while remaining located in the line 32. Preferably, each shape comprises, in the same way as on the basic shape shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 4, a front edge comprising a rectilinear portion, rectilinear in pieces or slightly curved and substantially perpendicular to the axis D of the iron. For the basic shape in Figure 4, the front edge Av comprises a rectilinear portion perpendicular to the axis D located between the points G and H. For a first variant shown in Figure 5 by a line 34 in dotted lines, the front edge Av comprises a slightly curved portion perpendicular to axis D between points J and K on line 34. For a second variant represented in FIG. 5 by line 36 in dashed lines, front edge Av comprises slightly curved portion and substantially perpendicular to axis D between points M and N on line 36. Generally, the front edge comprises a portion whose length is greater than 7 mm and which is inclined by more than 85° relative to the D axis.

According to one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the cap 10 further comprises a depression Dep relative to the surface S0 comprising two branches B1 and B2 joining towards the front of the sole and in each of which emerge vaporization holes 38. Depression Dep further comprises a connection Lia, of the same section as branches B1 and B2, connecting the two branches B1 and B2 at two of the vaporization holes 38 symmetrical with respect to axis D. The depth of the depression Dep with respect to the surface S0 is between 0.1 mm and 0.7 mm. The link Lia delimits with the surface S0 two edges 40 and 42 substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the iron. The length of each edge 40, 42 is between 25 mm and 70 mm. The branches B1 and B2 further define with the surface S0 an edge 44 substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the iron at their junction. The length of the edge 44 is between 20 mm and 40 mm. Each branch also delimits with the surface S0 an edge 46 inclined with respect to the axis A on the outside of the sole 5 and an edge 48 inclined with respect to the axis A on the inside of the sole 5. The width of each branch B1 and B2 and the Lia bond is between 8 mm and 14 mm. The radius of curvature at the level of each of the edges 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 is preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm so as to obtain a projecting edge.

Figures 6 to 9 illustrate the circulation of steam by arrows F' between the soleplate and the linen during an ironing action for different movements of the iron. These figures illustrate the edges of the iron contributing the most to the smoothing of the laundry, which are underlined by lines 50 in dashed lines.

Figure 6 illustrates forward iron movement. The edges improving the smoothing of the laundry are in particular in this case the edges Av, 44, 42, 48, c1, d1, d2. Figure 7 illustrates forward angled blade movement with the blade tilted to the left. The edges improving the smoothing of the laundry are in particular in this case the edges Av, 42, 44, c1, d2, c3 and c5, the edge Al on the right, the edges 48 of the branches B2 and the edge 46 of the branch B1. Figure 8 illustrates an angled rearward blade movement with the blade angled to the right. The edges improving the smoothing of the laundry are in particular in this case the edges 42, d2, c3, c5, the edge 46 of the branch B1, part of the edge 46 of the branch B2, and part of the edge 15. Figure 9 illustrates backward iron movement. The edges improving the smoothing of the laundry are in particular in this case the edges 42, d2, c2, c3, c4, c5, part of the edge 46 of the branch B1 and of the branch B2, and part of the edge 15.

Advantageously, whatever the movement of the iron during the ironing of the laundry, the soleplate always has projecting edges with respect to the movement of the iron which improve the smoothing of the laundry.

Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above.

Claims (15)

Steam iron soleplate (5) comprising a cap (10) in which the face of the cap intended to be in contact with a laundry (20) comprises a first recess (16) corresponding to a convex portion in relief towards the exterior comprising a first surface (S1) bounded by a first line (L1) and comprising a groove (W1) along the first line (L1). Sole according to Claim 1, in which the depth of the groove (W1) is between 0.3 mm and 1.2 mm. Sole according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the radius of curvature at the junction between the groove (W1) and the first surface (S1) is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Sole according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the volume of the first recess (16) falls between the first surface (S1) and a second surface (S0) corresponding to more than half of the said face, the first and second surfaces being parallel and separated by a height (h) of between 0.3 mm and 2 mm. Sole according to claim 4, comprising a third surface (S2) completely surrounding the first surface (S1) and connecting the first surface (S1) to the second surface (S0). Sole according to Claim 5, in which the junction between the second surface (S0) and the third surface (S2) is defined by a second line (L2) defined by a constant distance with the first line (L1) comprised between 3 mm and 13mm. Sole according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the radius of curvature at the junction between the groove (W1) and the third surface (S2) is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. Sole according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, in which the groove (W1) joins the first surface (S1) at the first line (L1) and joins the third surface (S2) at a third line (L3), the difference (X) between the distance between the first line and the plane containing the second surface (S0) and the distance between the third line and the plane containing the second surface (S0) is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm . Sole according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the first line (L1) is in the shape of a drop of water. Sole according to Claim 9, in which the first surface (S1) comprises a first convex part (17) situated towards the front of the cap (10) and a second pointed part (18) situated towards the rear of the cap. Sole according to Claim 9 or 10, in which the maximum length of the first surface (S1) is between 45% and 70% of the maximum length of the sole measured along the front-rear axis (D) of the sole and wherein the maximum width of the first surface is between 25% and 75% of the maximum width of the sole measured perpendicular to the front-rear axis (D) of the sole. Sole according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 when appended to Claim 5, in which the cap (10) comprises a rear edge (19) and in which the extreme rear point (p2) of the second surface (S2) is located on the rear edge. Sole according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, in which the cap (10) comprises, at its front end, a tongue (30) extending forwards and comprising at least one ridge (Av) whose length is greater than 7 mm and which is inclined more than 85° with respect to the front-rear axis (D) of the sole. Sole according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, comprising a second recess (Dep) in depression with respect to the second surface (S0) into which emerge steam outlet holes (38). Sole according to Claim 14, in which the second recess comprises at least one ridge with the second surface (S0) whose length is greater than 20 mm and 40 mm and which is inclined by more than 85° with respect to the axis ( D) front-back of the sole.