GB2380741A

GB2380741A - Hot air blower iron

Info

Publication number: GB2380741A
Application number: GB0124442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shou Mao Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2001-10-11
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: US20030070331A1; DE20116614U1; GB0124442D0

Abstract

The iron attachment 10 is a shell that has a receiving portion 11 for a hot air blower such as a hair dryer 1. The base of the shell has a soleplate 13 that is integral with the shell or may be separately attached (figure 5). The soleplate is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 14 that allow hot air streams 3 to pass from the dryer to clothes via a hollow chamber of the shell. The receiving portion 11 of the shell has an aperture 12 with an outer wall, a retaining ring 111, and a retaining protrusion 112 that locate with corresponding portions in a barrel 2 of the hair dryer.

Description

238074 1

IRONING STRUCTURE

The present invention relates generally to a device for pressing clothes, and more particularly to a 5 portable ironing apparatus.

A portable iron is a useful item for a frequent traveller; nevertheless it increases the weight of the traveller's luggage. This is because known portable irons comprise a circuit and a heating assembly.

10 Therefore, there is a need for a portable ironing apparatus of decreased weight.

The present invention provides an ironing apparatus comprising a shell defining a chamber, said shell having a receiving portion for receiving a barrel 15 of a hot air blower, said receiving portion being in communication with said chamber and said shell being provided with a soleplate, said soleplate for contacting items to be ironed.

This structure contains no electronic circuitry 20 and consequently is lighter and therefore more suitable for use by a traveller. A traveller is often likely to carry a hot air blower in the form of a hairdryer or a hairdryer is usually supplied in a hotel room.

In use, the barrel of the hot air blower (i.e. 25 hairdryer) is fitted into the receiving portion such

that the handle of the blower serves as the handle of the ironing apparatus. The blower sends out a stream of hot air which warms up the soleplate. This soleplate can then be passed over the item to be 5 ironed.

Ideally, there are ventilation holes in the shell and these are located, in preferred embodiments, in the soleplate. The receiving portion preferably has an aperture 10 dimensioned to receive the barrel of a hairdryer.

There may also be provided securing means to secure the barrel in position in use. These securing means may be provided on the receiving portion, on the barrel preferably on both.

15 The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the present

invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20 Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hollow shell of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the hollow shell of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention) Fig. 4 shows a sectional schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in use; s Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of a hollow shell of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention) Fig. 6 shows a side sectional view of the hollow shell of the second preferred embodiment of the present 10 invention) and Fig. 7 shows a side schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

As shown in Figs. 1 4, an ironing apparatus of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention 15 comprises a pressing unit 10 and a hot air generating unit 1. The pressing unit 10 is a shell, whereas the hot air generating unit 1 is a hairdryer.

The shell 10 is provided in its top region with a receiving portion 11, and in its bottom region with a 20 soleplate 13. The receiving portion 11 and the soleplate 13 are made integrally with the shell 10.

Located between the receiving portion 11 and the soleplate 13 is a hollow chamber. The receiving portion 11 is provided with an aperture 12 in 25 communication with the chamber and defined by an outer

wall with a retaining ring 111 and a retaining protrusion 112. The blower 1 includes a barrel 2 with a retaining slot 4 and a retaining indentation 5. The ironing apparatus of the present invention is used in 5 such a manner that the barrel 2 of the blower 1 is engaged by the receiving portion 11 of the shell 10 such that the handle of the blower serves as the handle of the ironing apparatus. The soleplate 13 of the shell 10 is warmed up by the hot air streams 3 of the 10 blower 1 and is used to press clothes. The soleplate 13 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 14. The barrel 2 of the blower 1 is held securely in place by the retaining ring 111 which is retained in the retaining slot 4, and the retaining protrusion 112 15 which is retained in the retaining indentation 5.

As shown in Figs. 5-7, the ironing apparatus of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is basically similar in construction to that of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the 20 difference being that the shell 10 of the second preferred embodiment is provided at the bottom region with a soleplate 15 which is made separately and is attached to the bottom side of the shell 10 by fastening means. The underside of the shell 10 is 25 provided with a plurality of threaded tubes 101. The

s soleplate 15 is provided with a plurality of through holes and fastening screws 6 are used to secure soleplate 15 to the bottom of the shell 10, the fastening screws 6 being engaged in the threaded tubes 5 101 via the through holes of the soleplate 15. The soleplate 15 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes and hot air channels 131 for use in prewarming the clothes to be pressed.

The embodiments of the present invention described 10 are to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and non-restrictive. Variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An ironing apparatus comprising a shell defining a chamber, said shell having a receiving portion for 5 receiving a barrel of a hot air blower, said receiving portion being in communication with said chamber and said shell being provided with a soleplate, said soleplate for contacting items to be ironed.

2. An ironing apparatus according to claim l wherein 10 said shell includes a plurality of ventilation holes.

3. An ironing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said ventilation holes are located on said soleplate.

4. An ironing apparatus according to any one of claims l to 3 wherein said soleplate is formed 15 integrally with said shell.

5. An ironing apparatus according to any one of claims l to 3 wherein said soleplate is made separately from and fastened to said shell by fastening means.

6. An ironing apparatus according to any one of the 20 preceding claims wherein said soleplate is provided with at least one hot air channel.

7. An ironing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further including a hot air blower having a barrel which is releasably insertable into

said receiving portion, said air blower for blowing air into said chamber to heat said soleplate.

8. An ironing apparatus substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to Figs. 1 5 to 4 or 5 to 7.