ITUD20060189A1 - IRONING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

Ironing apparatus (10) comprising an iron (11) with an ironing plate (16) heated by means of heating members (17) and provided with a steam delivery zone (27), and a container unit (12) which holds a determinate quantity of water and selectively feeds it to the ironing plate (16) through an inlet zone (26). The ironing plate (16) has a shape such as to define an obligatory path (23) that extends between the water inlet zone (26) and the steam delivery zone (27). The obligatory path (23) is configured so as to make the water pass repeatedly in correspondence with and/or in proximity to the heating members (17) as far as the delivery zone (27), in order to cause its progressive and complete evaporation from the inlet zone (26) to the delivery zone (27). The apparatus (10) also comprises a valve (18) disposed in cooperation with the obligatory path (23) downstream of the inlet zone (26), and can be selectively configured between a first closed condition, in which it defines, in correspondence with the heating members (17), a loading chamber (20) in which the water is maintained still in order to reach determinate conditions of temperature and pressure, and a second open condition, in which it allows the heated and pressurized water to access the obligatory path (23), so as to undergo a rapid and effective progressive evaporation.

Description

1 investigating judge S2-9832

International Class: D06F 75/00

Description of the invention having as title:

"IRONING EQUIPMENT"

in the name of DE'LONGHI S.p.A. of Italian nationality with registered office in Via L. Seitz, 47 - 31100 TREVISO, dep. on to no.

★ ★ 4f * ★

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for ironing garments or fabrics in general, of the type provided with a steam iron and a water containment tank for the production of steam. In particular, the iron according to the present invention comprises an ironing plate heated by means of one or more electric resistances, and which is shaped inside it, and / or on its upper face, so as to define a obligatory path of progressive evaporation into which water is introduced. The apparatus according to the invention also comprises valve means which allow to carry out an over-pressurization of a certain quantity of water inside the ironing plate, so that when the valve means are activated, this quantity of water can

The agent ANO LIGI

ter the others) SW GOD G

P.le Cavedalis, 6/2 0 UDINE 2 investigating judge S2-9832

be easily transformed into steam and delivered under pressure as steam in a substantially instantaneous manner on the garment to be ironed.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Apparatus for ironing fabrics are known, which comprise a steam iron and a containment unit, or tank, of the water provided externally, or internally, to the iron, and adapted to feed it. last, by means of a feed pump, the water for the production of steam.

Known irons are generally provided with a heated ironing plate from which the steam is delivered and with an instantaneous boiler which transforms the supplied water into steam to be selectively delivered through a plurality of holes distributed on the lower face of the plate. In known irons, the heating of the ironing plate and the heating of the instantaneous boiler take place separately, requiring a double electrical power supply.

However, this known solution entails a high electrical consumption with a consequent increase in the running costs of the ironing apparatus.

In addition, the need to provide for a boiler

3 investigating judge S2-9832

instantaneous, associated with the iron, or possibly with the tank, entails an increase in the costs of both design, construction, assembly and maintenance.

Ironing apparatuses are also known in the art in which an evaporation chamber is defined between the heated plate and a central body of the iron, where the water is introduced at atmospheric pressure and transformed into steam by the heating means which normally heat the iron. plate.

In these known solutions, the production of steam, occurring at atmospheric pressure and being conditioned by the temperature that reaches the ironing plate, occurs in relatively long times with the problems of condensation and water dripping through the dispensing holes of the steam, as well as delivery delays both when activating and releasing the control buttons.

In these solutions, there may also be problems of incomplete evaporation of the water, with consequent problems of tightness and low pressure of delivery of the steam.

Some of these known solutions provide one

agent

'tri) .r.l. P.le Cavedalis, 33100 UDINE 4 investigating judge S2-9832

external pre-evaporation chamber heated autonomously, which however does not always guarantee the complete evaporation of the water inside the evaporation chamber and in any case entails an increase in production costs and energy consumption.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus equipped with a steam iron and a water containment unit, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which guarantees excellent delivery under pressure. of steam, for any plate temperature, without the need for any boiler or pre-evaporation chamber with independent heating.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus which, with the same technical characteristics, has a lower energy consumption than known apparatuses.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

✓STEFANO LIGI (for himself and for others

P.le Cavedalis, 6/2 0 UDINE 5 investigating judge S2-9832

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claim.

The dependent claims disclose other characteristics of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

An ironing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an iron provided with at least one ironing plate heated by heating means, for example with electric resistance, and provided at the bottom with a steam delivery area / and a containment able to contain a determined quantity of water and to feed it selectively to the ironing plate through an inlet zone obtained inside the plate itself, for the production of steam.

The ironing plate has inside it and / or in correspondence with its upper face, such a shape as to define an obligatory path that extends between the water inlet area and the steam delivery area provided on the lower surface of the plate. .

In accordance with the aforementioned purposes, the obligatory path is configured to make the water pass repeatedly in correspondence with and / or near the

Ji-agent TEFANO LIGI

er s & v jtgrgli altril «OlOGtP ^ fJ P.le G IE 6 gip S2-9832

heating means, up to the dispensing area, so as to involve a progressive and complete evaporation thereof from the inlet area to the dispensing area.

According to a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises valve means arranged in cooperation with the obligatory path and downstream of the inlet area.

The valve means can assume a first closed condition in which they define, in correspondence with the heating means, a loading chamber in which the water is kept still to reach certain temperature and pressure conditions, and a second open condition in which they allow the water, heated and pressurized, to access and follow the obligatory path, to undergo a rapid and effective progressive evaporation.

In a preferential embodiment, the loading chamber is formed in the area in which the heating means have the maximum heating capacity.

In this way, the water fed into the iron, even if fed by the unit

agent

tri) r.l. P.le Cavedalis, 6/33100 UDINE 7 investigating judge S2-9832

containment at temperatures and pressures not suitable for evaporation, is initially heated and pressurized, keeping the valve means closed, and subsequently forcedly and with increased pressure to travel the obligatory path, opening the aforementioned valve means. In doing so, during its crossing of the obligatory path, the water is subjected to prolonged heating over time, until it is progressively transformed into steam.

However, since the water is already in a condition of over-pressure and over-temperature, the invention ensures that this quantity of water can be completely transformed into steam when it is dispensed onto the fabric to be ironed, without the risk of formation condensation and in any temperature conditions of the plate.

Furthermore, the initial pressure increase caused by the heating of the water in the loading chamber also allows a prompt response of the steam supply with respect to the opening of the valve means, avoids the residual steam inside the ironing plate with consequent delay in arrest

8 investigating judge S2-9832

delivery, and guarantees an effective steam delivery pressure, substantially simulating delivery with traditional boiler heating.

Advantageously, simultaneously with the passage of the valve means from their closed condition to their open condition, a water supply pump is also activated, so as to promptly introduce a new quantity of water into the inlet zone.

According to a preferential solution, the same opening command of the valve means also activates the feed pump.

In this way, once the steam delivery has finished and the valve means are returned to their closed condition, the obligatory path is promptly emptied, avoiding delivery stopping delays and the loading chamber thus defined is already filled with water to be prepared for desired temperature and pressure conditions for a new dispensing.

The obligatory path of the solution according to the present invention, in addition to maintaining the water in a condition of prolonged heating, directly or indirectly, with the heating means,

agent: FANO LIGI S.r.l. P.le Cavei 33100 UDINE 9 investigating judge S2-9832

it has a length such as to keep the water in a heating condition for a time necessary for its complete evaporation, even in the presence of relatively low temperatures of the resistance that heats the plate.

In this way, the complete transformation of water into steam is guaranteed without the formation of condensation and / or residues of non-evaporated water, substantially with any heating condition of the ironing plate, to the advantage of electronic management and design costs. specific sealed housings. With the present invention it is thus obtained that, with the normal heating means which heat the ironing plate and without affecting its own heating parameters, the water is effectively evaporated and is delivered in the form of steam in a substantially immediate manner. and with effective pressure, to the advantage of the overall energy consumption necessary for the correct functioning of the ironing equipment.

The ironing apparatus according to the present invention also has the advantage of being devoid of pre-evaporation chambers and / or boilers.

The agent EFANO LIGI PS.r.l. P.le C 33100 UDINE 10 investigating judge S2-9832

snapshots for the transformation of water into steam, thus having reduced production costs.

In a preferential embodiment of the present invention, the obligatory path comprises, in addition to the loading chamber, selectively defined by the valve means at the inlet zone, at least one evaporation chamber, preferably two, each substantially shaped like a coil and whose sections extend at least in part in correspondence with the heating means, to force the water to pass repeatedly at least in close proximity to, or directly in contact with, the latter, and a steam chamber arranged in correspondence with the steam delivery area .

The obligatory path is defined by a plurality of dividing walls, which, according to a preferential embodiment of the invention, comprise sealing means which prevent water, which flows in a first section, or in a certain chamber, from flowing into a second tract, or in an adjacent chamber, or even to directly access the dispensing area in a form not yet fully vaporized, affecting the state

Agent .STEFANO LIGI CJfor himself and peuikaliiv ^ Tt KfCLPY.rA. P.le cav3⁄4alis, 6/2 - 33100 UDINE 11 investigating judge S2-9832

evaporation in progress. In this way, a correct and complete evaporation of the water introduced in the obligatory path is better guaranteed.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferential embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1 schematically shows a partially sectioned side view of an ironing apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 shows a section along the line II-II of fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF

REALIZATION

With reference to the attached figures, an ironing apparatus 10 according to the present invention substantially comprises an iron 11 and a water containment unit, or tank 12, in this case, provided externally to the iron. 11.

J-nominee STEFANO U] je and for j / n others) S.r.l. P.le Cavedalis, 6/2 - 33100 UDINE 12 investigating judge S2-9832

In particular, the iron 11 is of the steam type and comprises a central body 13 provided at the top with a grip handle 15 on which a button 14 for selective steam delivery is housed. The central body 13 is associated at the bottom with an ironing plate 16 having a pointed shape and made of metallic material.

The central body 13 is of a substantially traditional type and is connected by means of a duct 25, only schematized in fig. 1, to the tank 12 so as to allow the passage of water from the latter to an inlet area 26 of the ironing plate 16.

The central body 13 also comprises a valve 18 arranged downstream of the inlet area 26, and mechanically connected to the button 14, which allows, when suitably activated, the selective passage of the water inside the ironing plate 16 through a path obligated 23, described in detail below.

In particular, the valve 18 is placed upstream of the obligatory path 23, in the direction of advancement of the water, and comprises a first condition

13 investigating judge S2-9832

closed, in which it defines, upstream of it, a loading chamber 29, in which the water is temporarily kept in a substantially stationary condition, and a second open condition in which it allows the water to flow inside the obligatory path 23.

The ironing plate 16 can be heated by means of an electric resistance 17, and comprises a lower ironing surface 19, and an upper surface 20, opposite the ironing surface 19 and facing the lower part of the central body 13.

The electrical resistance 17 is incorporated in the thickness of the ironing plate 16, is substantially U-shaped and is arranged with its curved part facing the tip of the ironing plate 16.

On the central body 13 of the iron 11 there is also housed a knob 37 for adjusting the heating temperature of the electric resistance 17, and therefore of the ironing plate 16, to which a mechanism 39 for regulating the flow of water introduced is mechanically associated. in the ironing plate 16; this adjustment mechanism 39 reduces the section

The agent

NO LIGI

fi ber himself and for the atons) nrUPlp GLP ^ .r.l · P.le Cavectffs, 6/2 - 33100 UDINE 14 gip S2-9832

useful for the passage of the duct 25, when the heating regulation is set at relatively low temperatures, for example for ironing delicate fabrics, while it allows its full flow rate when the heating regulation is set at relatively high temperatures, for example for the ironing of delicate fabrics. ironing of more resistant fabrics.

The ironing surface 19 is substantially smooth to improve, in use, its smoothness on the fabrics to be ironed and, according to known techniques, it can be made of double material, with steps or in other solutions aimed at improving its functionality. A plurality of through holes 21 for dispensing steam open in correspondence with a front area, and close to the tip, of the ironing surface 19, defining a steam dispensing area 27.

In this case, on the upper surface 20 of the ironing plate 16 there are obtained a plurality of dividing walls 22 suitable for defining the obligatory path 23 for the water, which obligatory path 23 extends between the inlet area 26 and the dispensing area 27. The dividing walls 22 are connected at the top to one

The agent ^ FEfANO LICp (for himself and for glydftri) S.r.l. P.le G Μ «βίΕ3⁄4Γ6 / 2 - 33100 UDINE 15 gip S2-9832

closing plate 24, which is in turn connected to the lower part of the central body 13

In particular, all the dividing walls 22 have an upper edge provided with a silicone seal 28, so that the obligatory path 23 defined is closed and airtight, even between its different sections of water flow.

In this case, this forced path 23 initially comprises the loading chamber 29 defined by the valve 18 in its closed condition. Advantageously, the loading chamber 29 is formed in correspondence with the curved part of the electric resistance 17, which curved part is the part of the resistance 17 having a greater thermal inertia, so that when the water is kept in the loading chamber 29, with valve 18 closed, it undergoes the highest possible heating, and a consequent pressure increase.

The obligatory path 23 also comprises, in the present case, two evaporation chambers 30 and 31, arranged specularly to each other with respect to a median axis of the ironing plate 16, and each shaped like a serpentine close to a

The agent: FANO LIGI is and for the alt "

P.le

16 investigating judge S2-9832

corresponding straight section of the "U" resistance, so as to keep the water circulating in close proximity to, or in contact, in this case indirectly, with this section of the electrical resistance 17.

The serpentine conformation of each evaporation chamber 30, or 31, causes the water to pass repeated and prolonged close to the respective section of electrical resistance 17, thus favoring the progressive evaporation of the water.

The obligatory path 23 also includes a steam chamber 32 obtained in correspondence with the dispensing area 27 and in which both evaporation chambers 30 and 31 end. In this steam chamber 32 all the steam progressively formed in the evaporation chambers 30 accumulates. and 31, and from here it is delivered to the outside through the through holes 21.

The tightness guaranteed by the silicone gaskets 28 of the partition walls 22 prevents the water in progressive evaporation from accidentally passing from one chamber to the other of the obligatory path 23, or directly to the dispensing area 27, which could modify the reciprocal conditions of

The agent rfÈFANO UOS <er himself and for gj / others) ÌM OGtiP S.r.l. P.le C _. _ IE 17 investigating judge S2-9832

evaporation temperature and pressure.

The tank 12 comprises a containment tank 33 for the water, a feed pump 35, and a safety valve 36. The feed pump 35 draws the water contained in the containment tank 33 and introduces it through the duct 25 , in the loading chamber 29, where, in conditions of closed valve 18, it is heated and pressurized by the effect of the heating carried out by the curved part of the electrical resistance 17.

By activating the button 14, the valve 18 is mechanically brought to its open condition and the heated and pressurized water present in the loading chamber 29 can access with an increased pressure inside the evaporation chambers 30 and 31, and steam 32 .

Thanks to the power conditions in which it is found, the solution according to the present invention thus allows a better progressive vaporization of the water and a substantially instantaneous delivery of the steam with a given pressure through the through holes 21, avoiding the There is a risk that droplets of condensation or water that has not been completely vaporized will escape

18 investigating judge S2-9832

from holes 21.

In this case, the activation of the button 14 also determines a new draft of the water by the feed pump 25, so as to feed a new quantity of water into the intake area 26.

In this way, when the valve 18 passes into the closed condition, the defined loading chamber 29 is already filled with water to be prepared for the desired pressure and temperature conditions.

The safety valve 36 is set at a certain safety pressure, such as to prevent the water from re-entering the feed pump 35, especially in the event that, due to the heating of the water in the loading chamber 26, a pressure higher than the safety pressure and the water is forced to retrace the duct 25 backwards. It is clear, however, that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the ironing apparatus 10 described up to now, without for this departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it falls within the scope of the present invention to provide a single evaporation chamber

The agent STEFANO LIGI

and for the altiv

P.le C. ΊΕ 19 investigating judge S2-9832

shaped with a coil that develops transversely close to the two straight sections of the electrical resistance 17.

It also falls within the scope of the present invention to provide that the obligatory path 23 is formed inside the thickness of the ironing plate 16, so that the water directly contacts the electrical resistance 17, at least for some sections.

According to a further variant, the forced path 23 is obtained partly on the upper surface 20 and partly inside the ironing plate 16.

Furthermore, on the ironing plate 16 two obligatory paths 23, distinct or at least partly communicating, can be provided.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent forms of ironing apparatus, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined by them.

The agent [FANO LIGI oer himself and for glyStri) sjiifìlO & C? S.r.l. le Cavédalis, <~> § & - 33100 UDINE

Claims (19)

20 investigating judge S2-9832 CLAIMS 1. Ironing apparatus comprising an iron (11) having at least one ironing plate (16) heated by heating means (17) and provided with a steam dispensing area (27), and a containment unit (12) adapted to contain a determined quantity of water and to feed it selectively to said ironing plate (16) through an inlet area (26), said ironing plate (16) presenting a shape such as to define a forced path (23) ) extending between said water inlet zone (26) and said steam delivery zone (27), characterized in that said forced path (23) is configured to make the water pass repeatedly in correspondence with and / or near of said heating means (17) up to said dispensing zone (27), so as to involve a progressive and complete evaporation thereof from said inlet zone (26) to said dispensing zone (27), and which further comprises means valve air (18) arranged in cooperation with said obligatory path (23) downstream of said inlet area (26), and able to be selectively configured between a first closed condition, in which The agent, m FANpOCI and others) S.r.l. P.le G Veéet <6/2 - 33100 UDINE 21 investigating judge S2-9832 define, in correspondence with said heating means (17), a loading chamber (29) in which the water is kept still to reach certain conditions of temperature and pressure, and a second open condition, in which they allow the heated water and pressurized to access said obligatory path (23), to undergo a rapid and effective progressive evaporation. 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said forced path (23) comprises, in addition to said loading chamber (29) defined by said valve means (18) in said first closed condition, at least one evaporation chamber (30 , 31) substantially shaped like a coil close to said heating means (17), and a steam chamber (32) arranged in correspondence with said steam delivery area (27). 3. Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that said valve means (18) are arranged so as to allow the selective passage of said water from said loading chamber (29) to said at least one evaporation chamber (30, 31) . 4. Apparatus as in claim 2 or 3, 22 investigating judge S2-9832 wherein said heating means comprise at least one "U" -shaped electrical resistance (17), characterized in that it comprises two evaporation chambers (30, 31) that are specular to each other with respect to a median longitudinal axis of said plate (16) and each arranged close to a relative straight segment of said electrical resistance (17). 5. Apparatus as in claim 4, characterized in that said loading chamber (26) is defined by said valve means (18) in correspondence with a curved section and / or at maximum heating capacity of said electrical resistance (17). 6. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forced path (23) is obtained at least in part on an upper surface (20) of said ironing plate (16). 7. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forced path (23) is obtained at least in part inside said ironing plate (16). 8. Apparatus as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said obligatory path 23 investigating judge S2-9832 (23) is defined by a plurality of dividing walls (22) 9. Apparatus as in claim 8, characterized by the fact that each of said partition walls (22) is provided with sealing means (28) suitable for preventing evaporation water passing through a first section of said obligatory path (23) to accidentally transfer to a second adjacent section of said obligatory path (23) and / or directly to said dispensing area (27). 10. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dispensing zone (27) comprises a plurality of through holes (21) adapted to allow the steam to escape from said ironing plate (16). 11. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containment unit (12) comprises a tank (33) in which the water is arranged, and pumping means (35) suitable for introducing the contained water inside said tank (33) in said obligatory path (23). 12. Apparatus as in any of the 24 investigating judge S2-9832 preceding claims, characterized in that said valve means (18) are selectively configurable between said first closed condition and said second open condition by means of a control element (14) which can be activated from the outside of said iron (11). 13. Apparatus as in claims 11 and 12, characterized in that said control element (14) is able to simultaneously activate said pumping means (35) when said valve means (18) are brought from said first closed condition according to said second open condition. 14. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forced path (23) has at least one section thereof in which the water is in indirect contact with said heating means (17). 15. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forced path (23) has at least one section thereof in which the water is in direct contact with said heating means (17). 16. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containment unit (12) is external to 25 investigating judge S2-9832 said iron (11). 17. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 15, characterized in that said containment unit (12) is internal to said iron (11). 18. Apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said iron (11) comprises temperature adjustment means (37) connected to said heating means (17) and suitable for allowing the selective adjustment of the heating temperature of said ironing plate (16), characterized in that it also comprises a flow rate adjustment mechanism (39) mechanically connected to said temperature adjustment means (37), and adapted to regulate the quantity of water fed to said ironing plate (16), as a function of the heating temperature of said ironing plate (16). 19. Ironing apparatus, substantially as described, with reference to the attached drawings, p. DE'LONGHI S.p.A. at / sl 26-07-2006