RU2758905C2 - Iron - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: iron (10) contains tank (11), base (12) equipped with sole (13), and contains case (14) connected to specified sole (13), specified base (12) forms chamber (19), which connects specified tank (12) to specified sole (13), and in which, during usage, water coming from tank (11) interacts in contact zone (21) with heated surface (20) of specified chamber (19) to generate steam, in which removable anti-scale device (22) is located with the possibility of accumulating limescale inside iron (10) and removing it, and forms a channel for passing steam to sole (13) that allows accumulating limescale deposits in certain zones with the possibility of their further removal.

EFFECT: this design allows accumulating limescale deposits in certain zones with the possibility of their further removal.

10 cl, 7 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to an iron, both for professional and domestic use, which is equipped with an anti-scale device with the ability to accumulate scale and remove it from the inside of the iron.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Irons are known which are provided with a steam generating boiler which can be built into the iron or can be separate and connected to it with a connecting collar.

Hereinafter, for the sole purpose of the description, reference will be made to an iron with a built-in boiler, however, it is understood that the description may also be extended to irons with a separate boiler.

Some prior art irons provide that the steam required for ironing is generated by supplying water from a reservoir to the soleplate, which, when heated, converts the water that comes into contact with it into steam.

The zone of contact between the water and the heated sole is also called the "drip zone".

One of the main problems with these irons is that due to the evaporation process of the water on the soleplate itself, an extensive and heterogeneous limescale deposit is formed.

This significantly affects the functionality of the iron, since due to the deposition of limescale there is a significant decrease in the heat exchange capacity of the soleplate, a decrease in the consumption of steam coming out of the iron, as well as non-uniform steam spray.

In addition, during ironing, it can happen that fine limescale particles can escape with the steam and thus remain on the clothes.

There are various solutions, which, however, only partially reduce the build-up of lime scale and at the same time entail additional problems, both in terms of energy and in terms of maintaining productivity over time.

These known solutions involve the use of partially demineralized water, automatic cleaning processes at non-operating temperatures and pressures, or the use of descaling agents and / or chemicals.

Irons with a removable manifold located at the back of the iron or on the base of the iron are also known.

These removable collectors, when removed, can be cleaned from the outside to remove limescale that builds up over time on the back of the iron, for example when the iron is in an upright position.

However, these solutions do not effectively clean the inner surface of the sole and, in particular, the drip zone, where the formation of limescale is usually greatest.

Therefore, it is necessary to improve the iron and provide it with an anti-scale device that eliminates at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art and which prevents extensive scale formation on the inner surface of the sole.

Thus, the present invention is an iron equipped with an anti-scale device, which allows the accumulation of limescale deposits in certain areas with the possibility of their further removal.

Also, the present invention is an iron equipped with an anti-scale device that allows you to easily and quickly remove the accumulated scale.

Applicant has developed, tested and implemented the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to achieve these and other objects and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and described in an independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention or embodiments of the basic inventive idea.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention relates to an iron comprising a reservoir, a base provided with a sole and a body connected to the sole, said base forming a water evaporation chamber connecting the reservoir to the sole, and in which, during use, water from the reservoir , contacts the heated surface of the chamber in the contact zone for the formation of steam.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the iron is provided with a removable antiscale device comprising a tubular body disposed in the chamber and defining a steam passage to the soleplate, said tubular body comprising at least a water passage located in the contact zone or in accordance with contact area.

In addition, this solution limits the area in which limescale deposits within the passage opening and creates conditions for the passage of steam, which passes inside the tubular body to enter the sole.

Thanks to the present invention, limescale is deposited mainly in the contact zone where the conversion of water to steam takes place, and partly inside the tubular body.

Thus, by removing the tubular body from the iron, it can be cleaned of limescale deposited along the passage channel.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body may comprise at least a protruding part facing the surface to be heated and configured to mechanically remove limescale deposited in the contact zone, while the tubular body is removed from the chamber.

According to possible embodiments, the projecting portion may be located along at least a portion of the perimeter of the passage opening.

In accordance with possible solutions, the tubular body is located in the chamber for a length that is from 20% to 75% of the length of the sole.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body may be provided with a plurality of openings located along at least a portion of the longitudinal extension of the tubular body and through which steam passes during use of the iron.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the tubular body can be inclined with respect to the plane of the sole at an acute angle.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body may comprise one or more retaining portions located at the bottom of the bore and capable of retaining lime scale in the bore.

According to possible embodiments, the chamber may comprise a body groove mating with the shape of the tubular body and adapted to accommodate the latter in a predetermined position.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the anti-scale device may comprise one or more storage elements configured to accumulate and retain scale and, at the same time, to pass steam.

According to possible solutions, the anti-scale device may comprise a stopper connected to the tubular body and configured to seal the chamber and remove the tubular body to the outside of the chamber, acting outside the chamber, that is, acting outside the iron.

According to possible solutions, the plug can be made of heat-insulating material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of certain embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

- in Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an iron according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

- in Fig. 2 and 3 show two views of the image of the iron (Fig. 1), in a partial section with the anti-scale device located inside and outside the iron, respectively;

- in Fig. 4 shows a part of the iron (Fig. 1) disassembled;

- in Fig. 5 is a side view of part of the iron (FIG. 1) in section;

- in Fig. 6 and 7 are two perspective views of the anti-scale device in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention.

For simplicity, the same reference numbers are used where possible to refer to identical common elements in the drawings. It is contemplated that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be successfully incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The embodiments described herein with reference to the drawings relate to an iron 10 that includes at least one reservoir 11, a base 12 provided with a sole 13 and a body 14 associated with the sole 13.

According to possible embodiments, the required water is supplied to the reservoir 11 each time to generate steam during ironing.

The reservoir 11 can be built into the iron 10, or the housing 14 containing it, or it can be separate and connected by a connecting collar.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the sole 13 can be attached to or integrated into the base 12 and optionally be provided with apertures for steam outlet 15.

According to possible embodiments, the existing housing 14 may contain at least some of the elements that make up the iron 10 and may be provided with a gripping portion 16 for a user.

In possible embodiments, the base 12 can be composed of two or more parts, which can be connected to each other to form a single body, or can consist of a separate body.

By way of non-limiting example, the drawing shows a base 12 containing two elements that can be attached to each other: an upper part 17 and a lower part 18.

The base 12 defines a steam generation chamber 19 that connects the reservoir 11 to the base 13.

By connection is meant the presence of a hydraulic connection between the reservoir 11 and the soleplate 13, due to which the steam generated by the water coming from the reservoir 11 reaches the soleplate 13 and can be used for ironing.

For example, the drawings show a connection opening 35 through which water from reservoir 11 passes.

Inside the chamber 19, the water coming from the reservoir 11 contacts the heated surface 20 of the chamber 19 itself in the contact zone 21 to generate steam.

According to possible embodiments not shown in the drawings, the heated surface 20 can be heated by heating devices such as electrical or other types.

The heating devices are configured such that the heated surface 20 is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water when it is in contact with the contact zone 21.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the iron 10 includes a removable antiscale device 22 having a tubular body 23 located in the chamber 19.

The tubular body 23 of the antiscale device 22 forms a channel 24 for the passage of steam to the sole 13, through which the steam passes to the sole 13.

According to possible solutions, the tubular body 23 contains at least one passage opening 25 for water, located in the contact area 21 or in accordance with the contact area 21.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may have a polygonal or circular cross-section or other shape, possibly with beveled edges.

The through-hole 25 may generally be parallel to the heated surface 20 in correspondence with the contact area 21 where the water generates steam.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may have a passage opening 25 in accordance with one of its ends.

According to possible embodiments not shown in the drawings, the tubular body 23 may comprise two bores 25 located on opposite walls and aligned along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the tubular body 23.

For example, at least one passage opening 25 can be through perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the tubular body 23.

According to possible embodiments, the bore 25 can cooperate with the shaped part 27 of the tubular body 23 in such a way that there is only one bore.

This configuration allows the formation of limescale almost exclusively in the contact zone 21 within the space defined by the bore 25.

Due to this, limescale does not damage or interfere with the functioning of other parts of the iron 10 and, therefore, by removing the limescale from the contact area 21, the correct functioning of the iron 10 itself can be restored.

Any limescale possibly present inside the passageway 24 can be easily removed by removing the tubular body 23 from the chamber 19 and removing the limescale from the outside of the iron 10.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may comprise at least a protruding part 26 facing the heated surface 20 and configured to mechanically remove limescale deposited in the contact zone 21, while the tubular body 23 is removed from the chamber 19.

The protruding part 26 faces the outside of the tubular body 23.

This makes it possible to remove limescale deposited in the contact zone 21 with the help of the protruding part 26 simultaneously with the removal of the tubular body 23 from the chamber 19.

Thanks to this aspect, it is possible to remove from the iron 10 both the limescale accumulated in the contact zone 21 and the limescale formed in the passageway 24.

Since the conditions favorable for the formation of limescale are located in the immediate vicinity of the steam generation, the present invention thus makes it possible to substantially remove all the limescale that forms in the iron 10.

According to possible embodiments, the protruding portion 26 may be located along at least a portion of the perimeter of the passage opening 25.

This is advantageous since the projections 26 are located in the immediate vicinity of where the limescale concentration is usually greatest.

In possible embodiments, the protruding portions 26 can be located outside the bore 25, or in the immediate vicinity, or in accordance with the end of the tubular body 23.

According to possible solutions, the tubular body 23 can be positioned in the chamber for a length ranging from 20% to 75% of the length of the sole 13.

According to possible solutions, the tubular body 23 can be located in the chamber for a length that ranges from 40% to 70% of the length of the sole 13.

This aspect is advantageous in the manufacture of the iron 10 in which the limescale formed in the nip 21, mainly located in the central region of the sole 13, or in any case at a distance from the rear support base of the iron 10, can be removed.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may be provided with a plurality of openings 28 located along at least a portion of the longitudinal extension of the tubular body 23 and through which steam passes during use.

The holes 28 allow steam generated in the contact zone 21 and passing through the passageway 24 to reach the sole 13.

In possible embodiments, the bottom of the base 18 may include one or more steam through holes 36.

According to possible solutions, the steam exiting from the holes 28 can pass through at least one through hole 36 of the lower part of the base 18 to reach the sole 13.

In possible embodiments, a plurality of openings 28 are located along two opposite side walls of the tubular body 23.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the holes 28 are located in the central and / or upper part relative to the central axis of the tubular body 23.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 can be inclined relative to the sole 13 lying on the plane.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 can be inclined relative to the plane of the sole 13 at an acute angle.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 can be inclined relative to the plane of the sole 13 by an angle of inclination ranging from 10 ° to 40 °.

This allows the steam to reach the sole 13 of the iron 10, while water droplets, possibly present in the passageway 24, are retained in the passageway 24 near the contact area 21.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may comprise one or more retaining portions 29 located at the bottom of the passageway 24 and capable of retaining lime scale in the passageway 24.

According to possible embodiments, the tubular body 23 may comprise one or more retaining portions 29 located at the bottom of the passageway 24 and capable of retaining lime scale in the passageway 24.

The retaining portions 29 promote the accumulation of limescale within the passageway 24 and at the same time prevent it from accumulating in the contact zone 21.

According to possible embodiments, the holding portions 29 project into the interior of the tubular body 23.

According to possible embodiments, the chamber 19 may comprise a groove in the body 30, which mates with the shape of the tubular body 23 and is configured to accommodate the latter in a predetermined position.

For example, the groove of the body 30 may define a space having a volume similar to the volume of the tubular body 23, but somewhat larger, so that the tubular body 23 can be inserted into it while holding it in position.

This aspect allows the tubular body 23 to be positioned in a stable and unambiguous manner in order to orient it so that the projection 26 is directed towards the heated surface 20.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the anti-scale device 22 may comprise one or more storage elements 31 configured to accumulate and retain scale and at the same time to pass steam.

The collection elements 31 may comprise spacers, mesh elements, or elements made of materials configured to facilitate the accumulation and collection of limescale thereon.

The storage elements 31 can be located inside the tubular body 23.

According to possible solutions, the anti-scale device 22 may comprise a stopper 32 connected to a tubular body 23 adapted to hermetically close the chamber 19 and remove the tubular body 23 from the chamber 19, acting outside the chamber 19, that is, outside the iron 10.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the stopper 32 can be associated with one or more spacers 33 capable of ensuring the tightness of the chamber 19.

In accordance with possible embodiments, a connection body 34 may be provided for connecting the anti-scale device 22 to its body 14.

The junction body 34 can be configured to provide at least a seating surface for the stopper 32 to properly position and couple the anti-scale device 22.

According to possible embodiments, the stopper 32 can be made of a heat-insulating material.

This allows the tubular body 23 to be removed after finishing work with the iron 10 with the tubular body 23 still hot. In addition, this aspect prevents deformation of the stopper 32 when heated, avoiding the risk of loosening the seal of the sealed seal.

Modifications and / or additions to the iron 10 with anti-scale device 22 can be made as described above without departing from the scope and objectives of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to obtain many other equivalent shapes of the iron 10 with the anti-scale device 22 having the characteristics indicated in the claims, and therefore, they all fall within the defined thus the area of protection.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in parentheses is to facilitate reading: they should not be construed as limiting factors with respect to the scope of protection claimed in specific claims.

Claims (10)

1. An iron containing a reservoir (11), a base (12) provided with a sole (13), and containing a body (14) associated with said sole (13), said base (12), forming a chamber (19) that connects said reservoir (12) with said sole (13), and in which, during use, the water coming from the reservoir (11) contacts the heated surface (20) of said chamber (19) in the contact zone (21) to generate steam, which is different in that it has a removable anti-scale device (22) containing a tubular body (23) located in said chamber (19) and forming a channel (24) for steam passage to said sole (13), and said tubular body (23) contains in in accordance with one of its ends, a through hole (25) for the passage of water, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of said tubular body (23) located in said contact zone (21). 2. Iron according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular body (23) comprises a protruding part (26) facing said heated surface (20) and configured to mechanically remove limescale deposited in said contact zone (21) while said tubular body (23) is removed from said chamber (19). 3. An iron according to claim 2, characterized in that said protruding part (26) is located along a part of the perimeter of the passage opening (25). 4. An iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (23) is located in said chamber (19) for a length of 20 to 75% of the length of said sole (13). 5. An iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (23) is provided with a plurality of holes (28) located along a part of the longitudinal extension of said tubular body (23) and through which steam passes during use. 6. An iron according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (23) is inclined relative to the plane of the sole (13) at an acute angle. 7. An iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (23) comprises one or more retaining elements (29) located at the bottom of said passageway (24) and capable of retaining limescale in said passageway (24) ... 8. An iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said anti-scale device (22) comprises one or more storage elements (31) configured to accumulate and retain scale and at the same time to pass steam. 9. An iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said chamber (19) comprises a body groove (30) mating with the shape of said tubular body (23) and adapted to accommodate the latter in a predetermined position. 10. An iron according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said anti-scale device (22) comprises a plug (32) connected to said tubular body and configured to hermetically close said chamber (19) and remove said tubular body (23) outside the specified chamber (19).

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