US1749639A - Steaming iron - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1930. R. LEPRESTRE l 1,749,639

sTBAMING IRON Filed Nov. 18, 1.929 2 Sheets-Sheet l i Y gwvetoz .5

Rene Lresre,

March 4, 1930. "R. LEPRESTRE STEAMING IRON Fild Nov. 18, 1.929

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV-ENTOR Patented Mar. 4, 1930 RENE Lnr'nnsran, or NEW Yoan, N.`Y.

STEAMING IRON Application f led November 18, 1929. Serial No. 408,12.

This invention relates to steaming irons of the electrically heated type, and has y,for its general object to embody lin an' iron of this type a combination of desirable features intended to render the liron exceptionally satisfactory and ecient in use. f

A-primary obj ect of the invention is to provide ari-iron vofthe type set forthwhose basic principle is to utilize the otherwise wasted heat energy in all fiat irons .generally in use.v That is .to say, the present invention preheats the water to be utilized forsteaming purposes, thereby insuring three importantobjects, vizz--a continuity of even and appropriate' heat in the sole plate for proper ironing; 4 having utilized the otherwise wasted radiated heat it insures distinctly cool upper parts; and, on account of the continuous abundant stream of steam, a complete abl sence of any scorching is assured.

-Another object of the invention is'to pro vide a novel-'arrangement of parts wherebyv the water supplied to the iron is effectively. preheated before it enters the evaporationv chamber therein, thereby to minimize the amount of heat energy required to generate steady and sufficient steamwithout vdecreasing theheat4 of the sole plate, Also in this connection, it is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement of parts, serving in addition to the foregoing-purposes and objects of utilizing the water supply to the iron to shield the upper .or handle portions of the iron from the heat in the lower or bottom portion ofthe iron, thereby rendering the iron always comfortable to use.

ith the additional particular purpose of providing a steaming iron of yextremely sim-- 40 ple, durable construction and of low production'cost, the vinvention consists` in the novel f features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated Iin the accomfpanying drawings and defined Ain the .appended claims.

. lIn the drawings wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts of the different views. 5 Figure 1 is a 1ongitudina1 section through a steaming iron constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line b-b of Figure l showing the base portion of the iron with the cover removed and parts broken away to more clearly disclose the underlying structure.

Figure 3 includes a pxlan View and an edge i According to one practical embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, a relatively thick and heavyA base is provided, the same including al so-called sole plate 33 and a pressure plate 35 connected by fastenings 26fand having therebetween an electrical heating unit 34. The said sole plate 33 is of conventional flat iron shape and has an upstanding projection Vor annular tube portion 39y near its forward end, leading to the nal steam compartment 38f of a dome 11, and establishing communication between said compartment and the apertures 29 lwhich are al series of small steam outlets in the forward part of the sole plate.

The electrical heating unit 34 may be of any suitable construction, the' same preferl ably being relatively thin and corresponding vin shape to the general shape of the sole plate 33, and consisting, .for example, of a suitable resist-ance element embodied in insulationmaterial, such, for example, as mica.

The pressure plate orf block 35 whichis superimposed on the heating element is-provided with an aperture 40 for permitting the upstanding pro]ection or annular tube 39 to pass through the saine and extend into the steam chamber 38f. The fastenings, such as. the screws 26, extend loosely through vopenings in thepressure plate 35 and also in the heating element '34 andare threaded into the sole plate 33 whereby the pressure and sole plates are securely clamped together at opposite sides of the heating element. In that connection, the annular tube 39 and the circular aperture 40 constitute interengagekable means between the sole and pressureplates to facilitate positioningof these elements in the assembly of the iron.

Upon the top of the pressure plate is placed a flash plate or a sheet 27 of a suitable metal covering the pressure plate 35 forming the bottom of the steam chamber 38f. This plate 27 is firmly secured to the pressure plate and the base by means of an hexagonal threaded flange 28, which is fastened to the end of the annular tube 39.

-thereby causing the incoming water to get in active touchwith the hot body of the shell, with the result of more economically utilizing the heat energy that under ordinary conditions would be wasted through radiation. Suitable fasteners such as screws indicated i at 41 are provided to hold the preheating diate compartment plates 17, 18 and 19, solidly in their respective seats, insuring a rigid, durable and water tight construction. The lower section of the above said dome or casing 10 forms the steam generatingchamber 38, which is specifically divided into a series of six cross sectional compartments 38m-f inclusive, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. These cross sectional compartments 38e-f are formed by specifically located barriers or cross walls 32 and 22, made of suitable metal. By reason of the foregoing construction a specifically narrow passage or channel extending substantially from end to end, as shown on Figure 1 No.' 14 and also on Fig. 6 is providedbetween the upper part of the dome or casing 10 and the uppermost plate 17. Another passage 15 is provided between the uppermost plate 17 and the intermediate plate 18y and a third passage 16, similar vto the second, is provided between the intermeplate 18 and the lowermost plate 19. Formed through the uppermost plate17 adj acent to the rear end of the channelled compartment 14 there is one opening as shown in 37 a Fig. 3 and affording a guiding communication between the passages 14 and 15 while formed through the intermediate plate 18 adjacent to the rear end of the second channelled compartment 15 there is one opening as shown 37b Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 a uiding communication between the assage 15 and the passage 16, and to provi e communication between the latter mentioned passage and the steam generating chamber 38, the plate 19Ais provided with one opening as shown in 370 Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 adjacent to the rear end of the steam generating chamber.

The passages 14, 15 and 16 are designed to conduct water from a suitable source of supply to the steam generating chamber 38 and as will be noted from the arrangement of the apertures in the plates 17, 18 and 19, water in its flow :from the forward end of the passage 14 must of necessity travel first rearwardly through the passage 14 then forwardly and rearwardly through the passage 15 and finally forwardly and then rearwardly through the passage 16 in order to reach the steam generating chamber. In this way the heat in the steam generating chamber is also utilized to preheat the water being'supplied to said chamber, and because of the absorption of heat by the thin films of water in the passages 14, 15 and 16, the parts of the iron disposed above the shell or casing 10 obviously are shielded from the heat of the base portion of the iron, thus insuring a comparatively cool upper surface.

Thus finally when the preheated boiling water reaches through the opening 370 into the rearmost compartment 38a of the steam generating chamber 38, it is transformed immediately into nascent steam. The nascent steam generated in the rearmost cross sectional compartment 38@ by expansion is forced to tra-vel above the upstanding transversely disposed walls 32, increasing its velocity when it strikes the depending wall 22,

which is located inversely to the walls 32,

thus causing the steam to go down, touching the surface of the bottom plate 27 of the forewater drops carried by the velocity of thel steam in its travel, is a specially designed shield 11 as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2', causing these above said accidental drops of` water striking the shield 11, drops down again on 'plate 27 insuring complete evaporation. The desi-gn of this shield 11 is such that it increases the pressure of the outgoing steam, safeguarding against any back pressure, while the iron is in operation.

In order to' secure the above said shield 11 in its proper location, a fastening metal cover 13 is providedwith series of circularly located apertures leading into thesteam outlet chamber 31, formed by the annular 'tube 39 extending from the base 33. This chamber 31 is providedwith means to direct the steam to` escape from the bottom of the base through small apertures 29.

In order to insure abundantsteam, we deliver a suflicient continuous stream of propercount of its s ecific size, bein unable to evaporate all t e preheated elivered water, forces the water to boil and evaporate and cross the rearmost barrier 32 into the next compartment 38?), letting the nascent steam to escape above the walls 32 touching in its passage inevitably the ceiling of the steam generating chamber formed by the lowermost preheating compartment plate 19 and continuing its travel as above described. The boiling water carried by the steam from the rearmost compartment 38a is gradually decreased by being generated into steam in compartments 38b-0-ci until it reaches 38e and and finally escaping as above described. T e pressure plate 35, the shell or casing 10 and its associate plate 27 aforementioned are enclosed by a hood 12 and riveted or yotherwise suitably secured to 'this hood is a substantially U-shaped'bail 9 between the arms of which is mounted a handle 6. Within the rear end portion of said handle is mounted a suitable flexible connection 45 adapted to be connected witha source of water supply. Within the forward end of the handle 6 is suitably mounted a valve body 4 having a passa e 42 coaxial with the handle and connecte by a conduit 5 with the water suppl line 7. A rotatable valve 3 cooperating wit a seat inthe valve body 4 is provided to control the flow of water from the passage 42to va second passage 43 in said valve body, this second passage bein connected by 'a tube 8 with the forward en of the passage 14 aforementioned.

' A lever 1 is provided for manipulating the valve 3, this lever 1 being inclusive of a finger engaging portion disposed on the left hand side to the forward end portion of the handle 6 and the bail having suitably mount- A ed thereon stopper 44 with which the valve opening is limited.

In order to prevent waste of venergy and prevent unnecessary generating of steam while the iron is not in use, the lever 1 is provided with a spring 2, which automatically shuts od the water supply .when the iron is placed on the stand.

At the rear of the hood 12 is mounted a block 24 of suitable insulating material carrying contacts 25 connected with the terminals ofthe heating unit 34 and adapted to have engaged therewith an electrical'socket of. conventional design whereby electrical 'current is adapted to be supplied? tothe rheatingy element.

. Without vention will be readily apparent to -those skilled in the art, and it will, of course be matassav Asupplying vwater y further descriptionitis thought that the features and advantages of the in-l I claim: 1. In ra steaming iron, a. perforated base, a dome forming-an evaporation chamber above said base, heating means inthe base, and a plurality of plates in the inner top portion of the dome and cooperating with thedome and with one another to provide a pluralityvof superimposed narrow passages at the to of the evaporation chamber extendin rom side to side and substantially the fu length of said chamber,1 means for supplying water to one end of the uppermost 2. A steaming iron including a sole plate Y having steam outlet means therein, electrical heating means on the sole plate, a pressure plate overlying the electrical heating means and secured to the sole plate, a' dome surmounting the pressure plate and providing a steam chamber in communication with the steam outlet means of the sole plate, water preheating means carried by the inner upper side ofthe dome and communicating with the steam chamber of the dome, and means for to said water preheating means. Y

3. A steaming iron, including in combinantion, a base having electrical heating means therein and steam outlet passages, a dome mounted on the base and providing a steam chamber commumcating with the steam outlet passages of the base, a hood mounted on .the base and covering the dome, and means 1n the dome yforming a series of superimposed communicating water preheating passages communlcatmg with the steam chamber of the dome.

4. A steaming iron including in combination a base havlng steam outlet means, electr1cal heating means in the base, a dome carried by the base and forming a vaporization chamber communicatin with the base, a plurallt of separateimemers nested in the top of t e dome and havin' means forming a water passage commumcating at one end with the vaporization chamber, and means for supplymg water to said water passage.

5. A steaming iron, including in combination, a base comprising a sole plate and a base, av plurality of water passage lforming elelments nested in the top of the dome, Water supply means communicating at one end with said water passage, a .vapor-ization chamber formed by the dome and communicating with the discharge end of said water passage, a plurality of spaced wall members.

dome, said means comprising a plurality of superimposed plates having openings therein and also having portions cooperating with the dome to provide a continuous Water preheating passage in the top of the dome dis'- charging into the vaporization chamber, and Water supply means communicating with the inlet end ot' said passage formed by. said plates.

7. A steaming iron including in combina. tion, an ironbase having steam outlet means,

heating meansl in the base, water, supply means, -means arranged above and spaced from the heating means in the base for preheating the water in successive stages as it Hows from said water supply means toward the heating means, a dome surmounting the base and carrying the water supply means and the preheating means and also forming a vaporiz'ation chamber, and means in the vaporization chamber including a plurality of'compartments arranged between the discharge end of the water preheating means and the steam-outlet means of the base for steaming the water in successive stages.

8. In a steaming iron, water supply means,

. abase, heating means in the base, adome.

cooperating with the base to provide a vaporization chamber, steam outlet means in the base communicating with the said vapori'- zation chamber, a plurality of stepped shoulders in the dome, a plurality of superimposed members engaging said shoulders and having means forming a continuous Water cir` cuit communicating with the water supply means and discharging into said vaporiaation chamber. ,y

9. In a steaming iron, a base including a sole plate, a -projection on the upper side of the soleplate and a steam outlet chamber formed within said projection, passages in the sole plate communicating with said `steam outlet chamber andl having openings leading to the surface thereof, a pressure plate overlying the sole plate and surrounding ,said projection, heating means between thersole plate and the pressure plate, a Hash plate overlying the pressure plate, a dome mounted on the Hash plate and having a water passageway communicating with a steam chamber, said steam chamber communicating with the steam outlet chamber formed in said projection, means for supplying water to the passageway in the dome.

10. A steaming iron, comprising in combination, a dome having a steam chamber, water supply means connected to the dome, a base including steam outlet means communicating with the steam chamber of the dome, heating means in the base, and means forming passages in the top of the dome for conveying Water at progressively lower levels toward the steam chamber and releasing the same therein.

11. A steaming iron, comprising in combination, water supply means, a base including steam outlet means, heating means in the base, a dome on the base having a vaporization chamber communicating with lthe said steam outlet means of the base, means in said chamber providing a flash compartment, and means in the top of the dome forlprogressively conveying and preheating the water fed from said water supply means until it is precipitated into the Hash compartment.

12. A steaming iron, comprising in combination, Water supply means, a base having steam outlet means, heating means in the baseeav dome having a vaporization chamber communicating with the steam outlet means and also havlng a Hash compartment, means in the dome communicating with the water supply means for preheating the water in successive stages prior to delivery tothe Hash compartment, and means for further vaporizing steam from the Hash compartment in successive stages prior' to discharging the same through the steam outletl means.

.13. A steaming iron, comprising in combination, water supply means, a base including steam outlet means, heating means in the base, a Hash plate overlying the base, a dome surmounting the Hash plate and forming a steam chamber including a Hash compartment, said steam -chamber communicating with the steam outlet means in the base, and means in the top of the dome forming a series of superimposed communicating water passages connected with the said water supply-means and discharging onto the portion of the Hash plate lying within theHash com, .partment.

14. A steaming iron, comprising in combination, a base including a perforated sole plate and a pressure plate, a dome surmounting the pressure plate, heating means in the base, means or'supplying water tothe top of the dome, means within the dome for preheating the water in successive stages by conducting said water from the top of the dome toward the heating element in successive scending stream toward and into said steam levels, means within the dome for causing chamber.- steaming in'successive stages, and means for In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my conducting steam from the dome to the persignature. forated sole plate.v RENE LEPRESTRE. 70

" 15. A steaming iron,comprisingin combination, abase including a perforated sole plate and a pressure plate, a heating unit between the sole plate and pressure plate',a E ome 19 surmounting the base an'd having a steam 75 chamber, Water supply means communicating with the top of thev dome, a water preheater within the dome having channels for compelling the water to ow at predetermined progressively lower horizontal levels, thereby 80 causing uniform preheating in successive stages,an d means for conducting steam from the steam chamberofthe dome to the perforated sole plate. 20 16. VA steaming iron, comprising in. com- 85 bination, water supply means, a base including a sole plate having steam outlet means and a pressure plate, electrical-heating means Aar-l ranged between said plates, a dome surmountv ing the pressure plate and having avvaporiza- 90 tion chamber communicating with said steam. outlet means in the sole plate, avhood carried by the iron base and covering said dome, and water preheating means communicating with the vaporization chamber and arranged with- 95 .in the dome between the said vapor-ization 'chamber thereof and said hood, said water preheating means communicating with the water supply means. 100

17 A steaming iron, includingin combination, water 'supply means,'a base having e1ectrical heating means therein and also having steam outlet means', a dome surmounting the base and having a steam chamber communi- 40 eating with said steam outlet means, a hood l I 105' carried bythe base, and means associated with the dome and communicating with the water supply means and the steam chamber, said means being arranged between the steam A chamber-thereof and said hood to preheat the no water as it is conducted from the water sup ply means .to the steam chamber and to heat .insulate the hood.

18. .A steaming iron including a' hollow 5 body, a'heating element' within. the bottom- 115 part of the body, a flash 'plate heated thereby, a water preheating unit arranged within the upper part of the body and discharging onto the Hash plate for converting the1 water into steam,'water supplying means, and means forl conducting said steam to the ironing surface.A 19. A steaming iron including water supply means, a base having steam outlet means, 6,0 heating means in the base, a dome having a .125

steam chamber communicating with the saidsteam outlet -means, and water circulating 0 supply means and conducting water 1n a del L3 means carried by the dome, said water c irculatlng means communlcating with the water

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