US2384839A

US2384839A - Steam-electric pressing and ironing device

Info

Publication number: US2384839A
Application number: US338962A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merrill M Kistner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-06-05
Filing date: 1940-06-05
Publication date: 1945-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1962-09-18
Also published as: GB598199A

Description

sept. 1s, 1945.

M. M. KISTNER 2,384,839

,STEAM-ELECTRIC FRESSING AND IRONLNG DEVICE Filed June 5, 940

4 Sheets-Sheet l 51211518, 1945- M. M. KasTNER 2,384,339

STEAM-ELECTRIC PRESSING AND IRONING DEVICE Filed June 5. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 dromaya Sept. 18, 1945. M M. KlsTNER STEAM-ELECTRIC PRESSING AND IRONING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 www w.

mm. o, m2 mw,

@www ww @ferr/77 r K4., 52%, @A

Sept 18, 1945- Y M,v MA KlsTNER 2,384,839

STEAM-ELECTRC PRESSING AND IRONING DEVICE Filed June 5. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 b YN y a mw eff/VW 07X QK/sf er dl-rw'owys Patented Sept. 18, 1945 STEAMELECTRIC PRESSING AND IRONING DEVICE Merrill M. Kistner, Chicago, Ill. Application June 5, 1940, Serial No. 388,962

(Cl. 35i- 77) 16 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in fabric ironing and pressing devices and more particularly to devices of this type embodying means for steam treating fabrics during the ironing or pressing operation.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device of this character which embodies means for heating the ironing base or shoe in novel association with other structural elements by which water is converted into steam and eiectively superheated without appreciable time loss and with high efficiency in the use of the available heat energy.

More specifically stated, an object of the invention is toprovide an ironing or pressing device embodying a rod'like electric resistance heating element arranged in a novel manner such that heat energy emanating from all sides of the element is utilized effectually in heating an ironing base or shoe below the element and in generating and superheating steam in flow passages located along the sides and above the element.

Another object is to provide a device of this nature in which steam created from an intermittent now of Water by drops will be delivered from steam discharge ports in a substantially steady stream.

Another object is to provide an ironing and pressing device embodying a new and improved structure for generating steam in which such water as may not have been instantly converted into steam is quickly translated from the area in which generation occurs in such a way that it cannot be entrained and discharged from the device in unconverted condition, in which such water is quickly converted into steam, and in which the steam from both sources is superheated.

Another object is to provide a new and improved ironing and pressing device embodying a novel relationship of a heat control thermostat to the base of the device by which accurate response of the thermostat to variations in the temperature of the base is obtained.

Still another object is to provide a device of' the type set forth in which the thermostatic control device for the heating element ofthe iron is so Vrelated t0 the reservoir supplying the water for steam generation that the thermostatic device is not materially ali'ected thermally by the presence or absence of water in the reservoir.

Another object is to provide in a pressing and ironing device novel means for establishing a device and the conductors leading from the current source to the device.

. The invention also resides in various structural improvements and innovations in the device by virtue of which efiiciency and simplicity of operation are combined with low manufacturing cost and ruggedness of construction, of which structural features may be particularly mentioned the improved arrangements whereby the device may be assembled in a few sections, the novel means for securing such sections together, the novel water ow control valve assembly through which the water reservoir may be filled, the improved handle assembly affording protection electrically and thermally to the electrical conductors and the improved means by which the water reservoir and the parts associated therewith are heat insulated from the ironing base or shoe.

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a steamelectric pressing and ironing device embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device on a larger scale, an intermediate portion of the handle being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view o the sole plate or ironing base, certain closure elements being illus trated in disassembled relation thereto.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the sole plate or ironing base showing the inner face thereof.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are transverse views through the device taken respectively along the lines 5-5, 6-6 and 1--1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device taken on a central vertical plane.

Pressing and ironing devices embodying the present invention have a number of features which contribute materiallyto the eilcient operation thereof in the hands of the housewife. These features will hereinafter be more particularly discussed. The drawings illustrate an exemplary form oi ironing and pressing device embodylng the invention. As shown, the device, or, as it may be more conveniently termed, the ironI is fashioned in three sections herein identified as the ironing base or shoe section 20, the shell or reservoir section 2i, and the handle section 22. The base section structure includes the hestir. element, the steam passages, and the heat control .thermostat; the reservoir section structure carries the water reservoir and the water flow control valve assembly and supports the handle assembly, and the handle section assembly houses a part oi the control valve assembly and embodies the means for establishing an electrical con connection between the electrical elements in the 55 nection between the electric elements in the iron and the leads from a source of current. Each of the three sections may for the most part be constructed as separate units and thereafter convenientiy assembled in accordance with present day methods of economical quantity production. 5

The principle of the generation of steam from small quantities or drops of water successively discharged into a heated generating zone, as distinguished from the principle oi' steam generation in a boiler or heated reservoir, is utilized to create a supply of steam in the present device and the volume oi' steam is varied as required by a simple valve adjustably controlling the discharge of water to the point of steam generation. Aside from the heat control thermostat, this valve is the only movable part on the device and as a result the operation of the device does not diii'er in any material aspect from that of the: conventional dry iron.

One important feature of the present invention is the arrangement of the heating means relative to the ironing base or shoe and to the steam chambers or passages by which arrangement the heat energy produced by the heating element is utilized substantially in its entirety for two purposes, namely, the maintenance of the ironing surface at a desired uniform ironing temperature, and the generation of `steam and the maintenance thereof at an elevated or superheated temperature until it is discharged from the base or shoe into the fabric. This emcient utilization of the heat energy minimizes the heat energy loss into the other elements of the iron.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 8, the ironing base or shoe section 2B includes a generally triangularly shaped sole plate 2l having a polished flat ironing surface or bottom face 24, a pointed nose 25, and a substantially fiat, transverse heel 2B, the contour of the sides between the nose and the heel being arcuate as in conventional ironing devices. Peripherally the sole plate 23 is provided with upstanding side and

heel flanges

21, 28, respectively (Fig. 3), constituting the side and rear walls of the base section. The sole plate, the side walls and other .parts to be described may be economically formed in a single die-casting or like operation of a suitable material such as the aluminum alloy known commercially as Lynite.

Approximately midway between the nose and I0 heel of the sole plate is a transverse partition or wall 25 (Fig. 4) extending from side wall to side wall and having a. centrally located enlargement or stud 3U. 'I'he generation, ilow and discharge of steam is in the present instance confined to the portion of the sole plate ahead of the partition and the heat control thermostat and electrical connections are dispod rearwardly thereof. The area ahead of the partition is hermetically sealed by a closure plate 3i (Fig. 3) seated within and slightly below the outer faces of the side walls and the partition on ledges 32 formed as lateral continuations of the walls and partition. 'I'he closure plate may be secured to the ledges in any suitable mahner as by a press fit.

superimposed upon the base and in intimate heat exchange relation therewith is the heating element 35. This element is, in the present ernbodiment, of the type characterized by being of elongated cylindrical or rod-like form and structurally comprises, as shown in Fig. 8, a resistance wire 36 embedded in a heat conductive dielectric material 31 which, in turn, is encased by a Drotective metallic sheath il. The heating element is utilized not only as a combined sole plate heat- 75 ing and steam generating means but as a means denning part of the steam flow passages as well. To this end, the element is so related to the sole plate that it projects or extends rib-like beyond or above the upper inner surface of the sole plate within the confines of the

side walls

21, 28. A number of methods of so assembling the element on the sole plate may be satisfactorily employed but it is preferred to obtain an intimate and highly eilicient heat exchange relation between the element and the sole plate by casting the heating element within a comparatively thin layer or case 39 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the aluminum alloy. The encased element thereby forms a highly heated rib on the upper or inner surface of the sole Piate.

As may be seen in Fig. 4, the heating element in the present instance is a continuous member of generally U-shaped configuration having spaced legs 4I connected by a closed end portion 4i. Toward the closed end portion, the legs may be ofi'- set inwardly or toward each other, as indicated at 42, so that the element follows generally the contour of the side walls from the heel to the nose and return and, functionally. provides a nose portion which encloses with live heat radiating surfaces three sides of a restricted area 43. The dimensions of the element locate it in inwardly spaced relation to the side walls 21, 2B and, depending on the unit heat energy output thereof, in such relation to the mass of metal in tne sole plate as to insure a substantially uniform distributlon of heat over the ironing surface 24. The restricted area 43, being substantially encircled by the heating element and being dened by parts having a relatively small metal mass, will init'ally reach its maximum temperature more quickly than other areas of the sole plate and its cornparative temperature will be somewhat higher. 'This area, as will become apparent, is the zone in which steam generation occurs.

The rear limit of the restricted area 43 is indefinite since the entire space between the heating element legs is open to the partition 28 but, given a proper correlation between water inout and available heat energy, steam generation will occur primarily in the space rather closely adjoining the extreme nose of the heating element. The space just ahead of the partition is enlarged, as at 48, because of the offset 42 of the heating element and in this space occurs the expansion and initial superheating of the steam first generated and the conversion into steam of any remaining fluid particles. The inner surface of the base slopes downwardly and rearwardly, as indicated at 49. through the steam generation zone 43 and chamber 4l and is transversely crowned or convex so that any water dropping into the generation zone and not instantly converted into steam will be transversely directed and will pass out of said zone along the highly heated inner surfaces of the heating ribs.

As may best be seen in Fig 4, the central stud Ill extends forwardly into the chamber IB below the closure plate 3l and is fashioned to divide the rearmost portion of said chamber into two branches Si each following a leg of the heating element. Preferably, a series of walls 52 extend vertically between the closure plate and the base and transversely into the inner chamber from the heating ribs. "I'hese walls may be formed integrally with the base and ribs and are arranged in alternate or staggered relation. The inner or free ends of the walls extend past the longitudinal center line of the base and the walls angle shell and sealing plate defines a water reservoir Il of substantial capacity. The thermostat adiusting screw 11 extends through the top wall of the shell 10 rearwardly or the reservoir.

The assembly of the base and reservoir sections is effected in the present instance by means which allows of independent thermal expansion and contraction of the base section relative to the reservoir section. Within the shell heel wail 90 (Fig. 8), a block Il is fixed to extend toward but not to the opposing or external surface of the base heel wall 2l. The inner side of the latter has enlargements 02 (Figs. 3 and 8) and headless screws 03 engaging the block 0| and extending into alined bores in the enlargements 02 secure the heel portions of the reservoir and base assemblies together for limited movement in the plane oi' the base.

The reservoir and base sections are in the present embodiment connected at the nose end of the iron by means which forms a part of the valve assembly 'for controlling the flow of ywater from the reservoir. As may be best seen in Fig. 8, the internally screw threaded boss B on the base receives a nipple 94 having an external radial flange arranged to seat against the axial face of the boss 85. In axial alinement with the nipple 04 and boss 05, is an aperture 0l in the ilat sealing plate 02 of the reservoir section. This aperture is defined by a flange 01 which is internally screw threaded to receive a disk 08 provided with an axial aperture 00 of the same internal diameter as that of the nipple. The aperture and the nipple have continuing screw threads for engagement by a tubular member |00 which serves as a connecting means between the reservoir section and the base section. The end of the member |00 within the nipple is closed except i'or a restricted axial port |Il| through which water may discharge from the reservoir Il onto the base surface I0 in the steam generating zone l2. The end wall of the tubular member |00 is fashioned as a seat for a needle valve |02 by which the rapidity oi' water discharged through the port |0| is variably controlled. The needle valve |02 forms part of a valve assembly, designated generally |02.

Delivery of water from the reservoir is at a rate of flow optionally variable between no flow iin which condition the iron may be used as a dry iron) and a flow that will result in the generation o! a volume of steam suificient for any ironing purpose. The valve is capable of instant manipulation to any desired setting and these settings are calibrated to meet the steam requirements for fabrics of various types. The relationship of the valve and the discharge port which it controls to the iron as a whole is utilized to achieve an important feature of the present structure, Thus, the valve assembly is so constructed that it provides the opening through which the reservoir is filled and the arrangement is such that the quantity oi' water that may be placed in the reservoir is definitely limited to a predetermined maximum. The valve controlled opening through which Water is discharged to the steam generator is so located on the reservoir that when the iron device is up-ended to an idle position in which the iron body is resting on its heel, the valve controlled opening is always above Water level. Consequently, the mere act of rrp-ending the iron produces an instant cessation of steam generation.

The valve assembly |02 extends through the water reservoir 8l and the external end thereof (lil is concealed and in part supported by the front end of the handle section 22. The handle section is preferably formed of a dielectric molded plastic material and includes a generally horizontal hand portion |04 and front and rear standards |05 and |00. respectively. The rear standard is secured to the upper surface ot the shell by such means as screws |01. The front standard |05 is somewhat enlarged and is provided with a bore |00 in substantial axial alinement with the boss 05 on the base section. The upper wall of the shell 10 has an opening |00 therein also in such axial alinement. A flanged bushing ||0 projects through the opening |00 into the bore |00 with the flange thereon seated against the inner surface of the shell 19. The end of the bushing within the bore |08 is externally screw threaded to receive a nut lli which bears against a shoulder I|2 facing outwardly in the bore |00. This arrangement secures the front standard of the handle section to the reservoir section.

The bushing |i0 is internally screw threaded throughout its length for engagement by external screw threads on a tubular stem H3. In assembly, the stem extends substantially through the reservoir 85A 'and a tubular nut ||4 threaded into the inner end of the stem has an end socket Il! to receive a ball ||6 on the end of the stem of the needle valve |02. A plug I1 threaded into the nut ill closes the socket H5 to provide limited but ample play to enable the needle valve to center itself with respect to its valve seat. The outer end of the stem |i3 has a head ||0 providing with the adjacent end of the bushing and nut I I a groove to receive a collar H9. The collar has a series of spring legs |20 extending outwardly in a direction parallel to the axis of the assembly. Near their extremities. each ieg is provided with a nib for engagement in an annular groove |2| formed in the external surface of the shank of a valve manipulating head |22. The shank ts snugly about the head I0 of the stem and the parts are detachably secured together in any suitable manner for joint rotational movement as by providing intertting serrations on the abutting surfaces thereof. The outer face of the head |22 is preferably flush with the upper face of the standard |05 and beyond the shank the head is enlarged to a diameter that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, disposes the side portions of the head slightly beyond the sides of the front standard. This arrangement enables an operator to conveniently turn the head and effect an adjustment of the valve |02. Preferably, the outer face of the head carries a series of indicia |23 for designating the various settings of the valve.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the head |22 is provided with an enlarged passageway |24 having an outwardly flaring funnel shape and communicating with the bore |25 through the stem H3. At its lower end the stem has axially parallel slots |26 therein to permit water poured into the passageway |24 to pass into the reservoir 0l. A ball |21 loosely disposed in the slotted end of the stem H3 is arranged, when the iron is up-ended, to seat against an inwardly facing shoulder |20 on the stem and prevent a'possible flow from the reservoir of such water as might be trapped in the stem when the iron is up-ended. A short tubular air duct |29 extends through the upper wall of the shell 19 adjacent to the nose portion thereof as a vent for the escape of air from the reservoir as it is filled. The front handle standard |06 includes means for facilitating such escape of air which, in the present structure, includes an internal recess into which the duct |29 opens, a communicating slot |3| in the standard along the bushing I Ill and clearance between the standard bore |08 and the nut III and manipulating head |22. I

It will be noted that the mouth of the air escape duct |29 within the reservoir 3'4 determines the maximum quantity of water that may be poured into the reservoir through the passages in the valve assembly since the air entrapped in the upper portion of the reservoir, when the water level rises above the inner end of the duct, prevents further entrance of water. The volume of air that will thus be trapped in the filled reservoir is predetermined to be that volume which, when the iron ls up-ended, occupies the nose portion of the reservoir and locates the water level below the outlet port It may be noted, by reference to Fig. 8, that when the iron is up-ended to an idle position in which it is supported by the wall 90 of the shell and by a rearwardly projecting nib |32 at the upper end of the rear standard, the iron is tilted past a vertical plane. This arrangement has the effect of raising the outlet port ||l| with respect to the vwater level in a filled reservoir and increases the available capacity of the reservoir.

Another structural feature is embodied in the means by which current is conducted to the thermostat and heating element of the device. The arrangement is such that a quickly accessible connection between the flexible current conductors leading to the iron and the conductors leading from the operating elements in the iron is established at a point well remote from the heated portions of the device. In this instance, such connection is made on the handle of the iron a substantial distance from the upper surface of the iron body or shell. The arrangement moreover utilizes the dielectric property of the handle lmaterial to electrically and thermally insulate bare leads or conductors from the operating elements of the device.

This feature and one structural embodiment thereof is particularly described and claimed in my Patent N0. 2,308,515, issued January 9, 1943, and reference thereto may be had for a more detailed description thereof. For present purposes the arrangement may be briefly described as follows: The handle standard |06 has a rearwardly opening socket |35 therein to receive a plug |36 complementa] to the socket and the outer surfaces of the standard. The electrical r connections from the thermostat and the heating `element are exemplified by the lead |31 and extend from the body of the iron into the socket. These leads and other leads |38 (which extend through a cable or cord |39 to a source of power) are respectively connected with suitable detachably engageable prongs and sockets, indicated at |40. for establishing the circuit. The plug |36 may, if desired, be held in place by such means as screws |4l.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of correlating indicia in association with the control elements of the heat regulator and the water valve whereby for any given fabric settings producing a proper ironing temperature and a proper volume of generated steam may be instantly derived. This feature is eminently desirable because of the fact that the household laundry of today includes. in addition to woolen. linen, cotton and silk fabrics. various types oi fabrics fashioned of synthetic materials as well as various mixtures of natural and synthetic materials. For each o: these many materials. there is a proper ironing temperature. Likewise, each fabric will respond best when subjected to a quantlty of steam found to be proper for that fabric. It has been discovered that when` any fabric is ironed and steamed at its proper temperature anc with its proper quantity of steam. the fabric is in e'ect rejuvenated; that is to say, the fabric substantially regains the texture, resiliency and appearance it had when it first came from the loom. Since such a result is best obtained when the temperature and quantity of steam are substan tially at their proper values, the correlating indicia by which the housewife may instantly set the iron to obtain such operating conditions becomes an important factor in enabling most effec tive operation of the device.

With reference to Fig. 2, the thermostat controlling flnger piece 18 is encircled by a plate |65 bearing suitable words or indicia |86 indicating generally the several broad ranges of temperature control, for example, Ol," "Low," "Medium" and Highf The plate |65 also carries other indicia or symbols |61 designating a low temperature range within which the iron will function only as a dry iron, the available heat energy within this range being insutlicient to generate steam. The upper surface of the shell I9 carries a third series of indicia IBB, each subdivision of which designates a temperature range and the identity of the particular types of fabric most eifectively ironed within the designated range. Correlated with the fabric designations are other indicia, for example numerals, which correspond with the indicia |23 on the valve manipulating head |22. This relationship of the fabric designating indicia and the valve setting indicia is determinative of the coordinated settings of the temperature control thermostat and the water control valve for any fabric and enables the user to obtain quickly and efficiently the proper iron ing temperature and the proper volume of steam for any type of fabric.

In considering the operation of the device, it will be presumed that the user has first filled the reservoir, as by holding the opening in the head |22 under a faucet, that the iron is connected with a source of current and that the thermostat is turned to its Off position and the valve to its closed position. The user having determined the character of the fabric to be ironed adjusts the thermostat to the proper temperature range as determined by the fabric identifying indicia |68 and opens the valve by manipulation of the head |22 to the setting indicated by the same in` dicia. Because of the effective association of the heating element with the base. the ironing surface reaches its predetermined operating tcmperature quite rapidly so that no appreciable delay is required between the time the iron starts to heat and the time the water valve is opened.

As water discharges through the port |01, it drops onto the surface 43 in the highly heated steam generating zone 69 where much if not all. of the water is converted into steam. The steam thus generated, together with unconverted water particles, passes rearwardly into the adjoining chamber in which initial superheating of the steam occurs. Any water particles moving out of the generating zone along the inclined and crowned base surface will tend to travel along the highly heated channels at the bottoms of the heating ribs while being constantly subjected to heat. Water particles entrained in the steam upper surfaceof the heating rib and thence into the steam distributing chambers Il and 59 from which it is discharged into the fabric through the ports 62. It will be noted that as the steam flows from the generation zone, it passes first along the inner sides of the heating rib, thence along the upper surface of the heating rib, and finally into chambers adjoining the outer surfaces of the heating rib. Thus, the heat energy available on all of the sides of the heating rib is most effectively utilized, the lower side for heating the base, and the lateral and top sides for generating steam and superheating it. The continuous expansion of the steam following its generation, as well as the circuitous path of its travel, smooth out and substantially eliminate the pulsations caused by the generation of steam from intermittently delivered drops of water.

As long as the user does not change the type of fabric being ironed so that a new setting of the thermostat and valve is required, it is unnecessary to pay further attention `to the adjustment controls. During the momentary intervals when the iron is idle, the user merely up-ends the iron in the conventional manner so that it rests upon its heel. Since in this position the water level in the reservoir is below the open valve port IUI, the up-ending operation discontinues further delivery of water `to the steam generating area. When the iron is returned to its operative position, water again starts to flow at the previous rate through the port lill with the resulting delivery of steam without appreciable delay. To iron a type of fabric requiring diilerent conditions of ironing temperature and steam, the user merely changes the setting of the `thermostat by movement of the finger piece 'Il to the new position indicated and correlates the steam value therewith by setting the valve to the designated position. Should the user wish to discontinue the generation of steam, the valve control head is turned to close the valveA The iron then performs as a conventional dry iron.

The air space between the reservoir and the adjacent surface of the base section, together with the air gap 8i! between the margins of the reservoir section and the base section and the comparatively small areas of metal contact between the base section and the reservoir section, all minimize the transfer of heat energy to the water in the reservoir and prevent heating of the water therein to its boiling point. Pressure, however, cannot increase within the reservoir because of the open air duct i29 and the open stern of the valve assembly.

It may be mentioned that by the construction of the base plate herein illustrated, an iron of relatively light weight is obtained. The weight of the iron, if desired, may be increased without impairing any of the features of the invention by increasing the thickness of the base metal through the chambers 58, It and lili.

While the invention is susceptibleI of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and have herein described in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In an iron of the character described. a shoe assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate, a heating means on the upper surface of said plate thermally united therewith, said means projecting above said surface and having lateral inner and outer thermal faces and an upper thermal face, and means secured to said plate providing steam iiow passages connected in substantially end to end relation and defined in part by said thermal faces.

2. In an iron of the character described, a shwrs assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate, a heating means on the upper surface of said plate thermally united therewith, said means projecting above said surface and presenting side thermal faces and a top thermal face, means secured to said plate in overlying relation to the projecting partsof said heating means, and means defining communicating passages for the fiow of steam successively along the outer surfaces presented by the side, the top and the other side of said heating means.

3. In an iron of the character described, a shoe assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate having a nose portion, an elongated heating heating element secured to said plate in thermal conductive relation thereto, said element having a reverse bend portion located at the nose oi the plate and substantially enclosing a restricted heated area and having continuing end, portions extending along the opposite side margins of the plate, said plate having steam discharge ports; opening through the ironing face thereof, means for discharging water into the substantially enclosed area. and means for deiining paths of steam flow from said restricted area. extending first rearwardly centrally of said plate between said end portions, then forwardly along the upper surfaces of both end portions and into communication with said ports on the outer side of said heating element.

4, In an iron of the character described, a shoe assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate having a nose, an elongated heating element secured to said plate in thermal conductive relation thereto, said element having a reverse bend portion located at the nose of the plate and substantially enclosing a restricted highly heated area and having continuing portions extending rearwardly toward the heel of the ironing plate, means for delivering water to said area, said plate having steam discharge ports opening through the ironing face thereof, and means cooperating with said heating element to denne a centrally located passage for conducting steam rearwardly and a pair of channels communicating with said passage for conducting steam forwardly along the said continuing portions and into communication with s'aid ports.

5. In an iron of the character described, a shoe assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate having a nose, an elongated heating element shaped to conform generally to the marginal outline of said plate and secured to said plate in thermally conductive relation thereto, said ele lcl'iambers including a steam passageway along tia ment projecting as a rib said plate and having a cated at thenose of the. plate enclosing a restricted area, water delivering means communicating with said area, said plate having steam discharge ports opening through the lower face thereof, and means for conducting steam generated in said highly heated area to said ports through a flow path which passes along and over the rib.

6. In an iron of the character described, a shoe assembly having, in combination, an ironing plate having a nose,I an elongated heating element shaped to conform generally to the marginal outline of said plate, means for securing said element to said plate in thermally conductive relation thereto and with the upper portion of said element disposed as a rib above the upper surface of said plate, said element having a reverse bend portion located at the nose of the plate and substantially enclosing a restricted area, means for discharging water in a succession of drops into said area, the bottom surface of said plate in the enclosed area being shaped to conduct unconverted water particles away from the point of water delivery, means for retarding such water movement, said plate having steam discharge ports opening through the ironing face thereof, and means defining passages for conducting steam generated in said area. to said ports including a flow passage which follows said rib. l

7. In an iron. the combination of a pressing shoe having an elongated electric resistance heating element of V-shaped outline thereon, a water reservoir fixed in position on the upper side of said shoe, means for delivering water ln a controlled flow from the reservoir onto a portion of the shoe bounded by the point of the heating element, the surface of the shoe within the confines of said element having a gentle slope from the point of steam generation, upstanding integral Walls on the shoe bordering the sides and rear end of the sloped surface, the side walls being heated by said element, means for directing any water ow across the sloped surface into channels along the side wallsI means for directing steam onto a fabric beneath the shoe7 and means delining a passage to said last named means from the chamber defined by said Walls on the shoe at a point remote from the point of the heating ele ment.

8. In an iron, the combination of a generali;r hat cast metal pressing shoe, an elongated electric resistance heating element partially embedded in the top of said shoe and upstanding therefrom to heat the shoe by heat emanating from the lower. side of the element, means for generating steam at a point adjacent the upper surface of the shoe, means for emitting the steam onto material beneath the shoe, and means for directing the steam from said generating point to said emission means along a. tortuous path passing over both the lat eral and top sides of said element generally longitudinally thereof.

9.. In an iron, in combination, a base assembly having a substantially open interior and a. pressing shoe, means including an elongated electric resistance heating element extending through said interior in heat exchange relation with the shoe for heating the pressing face thereof` said shoe having steam chambers on opposite lateral sides of said element, means for delivering water to one f said chambers, means for conducting steam generated therein to the other of said on theupper surface of reverse bend portion loand substantially top surface of the heatingelement, and means for discharging steam fromethe last mentioned chambers onto an article being treated.

10. A combined steam and electric iron having, in combination, an ironing shoe having a pluralit ,v o! steam discharge ports through which steam may be discharged against an article :being lroned, a heating element thermally united r with said shoe, means defining a steam generating chamber in the nose portion of said shoe in communication with said ports, an upstanding'wall of substantial mass at the rear of said steam generating chamber, a thermo-responsive'controi device for said element supported from said wall rearwardly of said steam generating chamber, a body section secured to said shoe in superimposed relation thereto, means providing a reservoir for water in the nose portion of said body section to occupy a position above said steam generating chamber, said reservoir being substantially thermally unrelated to said heating element, and means for controllably discharging water from said reservoir into said steam generating chamber, said body rearwardly of said reservoir and said wall having a substantially unobstructed interior to receive the upper portion of said thermally responsive element.

ll. In a. steam-electric ironing device, the com bination of a water reservoir, an ironing shoe having heating means thereon defining a chamber. means for delivering water from said reservoir to one area in said chamber in a succession of drops, means for conducting such water as is not rapidly converted into steam away from such area, the conducting means being in intimate heat rx' change association with said heating means, and means for retarding the movement of such a e r away from such area.

l2. In a shoe assembly for an iron of the char acter described, the combination of a metal shoe having a heating element enclosed by the metal of the shoe, the metal which encloses said element;

being relatively thin and providing a top thai-mii face and a side thermal face directed inwardly toward the central portion of the shoeI and meer?, mounted on said shoe in cooperative relation to said top and side thermal faces for denlne there with communicating steam passages along said side and top.

13. In an iron of the character described. a shoe assembly having. in ooxribinationan ironing plate, heating means on the upper surface of said plate thermally united therewith, said means having a side thermal face directed inwardly toward the center of said plate and an upwardly directed thermal face, and closure means on said plate cooperating with said side and top thermal faces to provide communicating steam flow passages along said faces, said plate having steam discharge ports in"communicatlon with the steam flow passage on the top thermal face.

14. In an iron of the character described, a shoe assembly having, in combination, a m al ironing base, heating means on the upper side q said base, there being a thin wall of metal integrally united with the base and enclosing at least the upper surface of said element and the lateral surface thereof facing toward the central portion of the base whereby to provide inside and top thermal faces on said base, and means secured to said baise in overlying relation to the upper surface thereof and cooperatively related to said thermal faces to define communicating passages for the flow of steam along said faces, said base having steam discharge passages therein located between said heating means and the margin of said base and communicating with the steam passage on said top thermal iace.

15. In a shoe assembly for an iron of the character described, the combination of a shoe Vplate having a nose portion, said nose portion having a central area providing a zone for water reception and steam' generation, a sheath-type heating element laterally surrounding the nose portion oi' said area and extending rearwardly therefrom along the margins of the plate, said heating element being integrally united with said plate and extending above the base of said area, and means cooperating with said plate to direct the tlow of steam generated in said zone rearwardly within the contines of the area enclosed by said heating element.

cooperating with said plate to direct the flow of steam generated in said zone rearwardly within the contines of the area enclosed by said heating element, said means and heating element cooperating to define `communicating return passages along said heating element on both lateral sides of said shoe plate.

MERRILL M. KISTNER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,58li,859

MERRILL ii September 18, 19H5.

KISTN'ER.

It is hereby certified that error appears 'in the printed specification ofthe above number-ed patent requiring correction as folio/vs: Page l, fit column, line 55, beginning with the words "Another object" strike out a to and including the word and period device., same page, second colum, line 2; seme page l, second column, line 19, before "Figure l is inser the followi ng paragraph --Fiirther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying?. drawings, in

page 5 second column, line (sii, for "surface 1.5" read --surface ii9; line A page 6, second column, line 55, claim 65, for "zone L9" reed Zone iii",

, strike ont i"'rieatingi;

with this correction therein that the same may confom to the record the oase in the Patent Office.

and that the said Letters Patent should be read Sined and sealed this 9th dey of January; A. D. 19h51.

Leslie Frazer 'Tiret Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

steam along said faces, said base having steam discharge passages therein located between said heating means and the margin of said base and communicating with the steam passage on said top thermal iace.