US2618875A

US2618875A - Steam iron

Info

Publication number: US2618875A
Application number: US29542A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph L Vieceli
Original assignee: Sunbeam Corp
Current assignee: Sunbeam Corp
Priority date: 1948-05-27
Filing date: 1948-05-27
Publication date: 1952-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1969-11-25

Description

J. L. VIECELI Nov. 25, 1952 STEAM IRON Filed May 27, 1948 QW). Qm/mm/mmmw ww NN @N @1N QN W WN .Q L W @w ww e@ W m w l wm ,mw m uw n@ l R, N.

G M Lw Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES;

A'ENT QFFICE STEAM IRON Illinois Application May 27, 1948, Serial No. 29,542

(Cl. 35S-77) 3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to steam irons and more particularly to that class of steam irons known as the flash boiler type of steam iron, which include a steam generator and a valve controlled water supply. Specifically, the present invention is an improvement on one feature of the arrangement disclosed and claimed in copending Jepson application, Serial No. 29,461 filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

In steam irons of the flash boiler type water is fed to a steam generating chamber, preferably defined in the sole plate of the steam iron, at a rate which allows the water to be flashed almost instantly into steam-hence the term ash boiler type of steam iron. The generated steam is distributed to the material being ironed by means of ports or the like which communicate with the steam generating chamber and open on the ironing surface of the sole plate. Irons of this type are usually provided with thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the sole plate and selectively controllable to maintain the sole plate at a selectively controlled temperature depending upon the material to be ironed.

In irons of this type it is, of course, desirable that the valve for controlling the flow of water to the steam generator remain closed until the iron reaches its ironing temperature to insure instantaneous flashing of the water into steam. In steam irons heretofore employed difficulty has been encountered in obtaining sufficient flow of water to the steam generating chamber after the sole plate has heated up to ironing temperature, but before the water in the reservoir associated with the iron has been heated substantially. In the above mentioned copending Jepson application there has been disclosed an arrangementwhereby in addition to the needle valve control for the flow of water from the reservoir to the steam generating chamber there is provided a bypass or passageway which is valve controlled to insure the build-up of a small amount of pressure in the reservoir of the iron so that satisfactory ow of water to the steam generating chamber occurs as soon as the sole plate has been heated to ironing temperature. The present invention is particularly concerned with an improvement on the valve controlled by-pass for permitting such operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steam iron.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steam iron in which 2 a steady supply of steam is provided as soon as the sole plate is hot, without the requirement of waiting until steam is produced in the reservoir to force the water into the steam generating chamber.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combined needle valve control and bypass arrangement for properly controlling the water ow from the reservoir to the steam generating chamber of a steam iron.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view partly in section of a steam iron embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 assuming that Fig. 1 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 assuming again that Fig. 1 shows the complete structure; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, also assuming that Fig. 1 shows the complete structure.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a steam iron generally designated at I0 comprising an electrically heated sole plate ll. The sole plate is heated by an electrical element I2 which preferably is of the sheathed type. Briefly, it comprises an electric resistance conductor mounted in an outer metallic sheath and supported in spaced relationship in reference to a sheath by an electrical insulated heat conducting mass formed of a suitable material such as a highly compressed magnesium oxide. The heating element I2 is preferably embedded in the sole plate I i which latter is provided with an upright rib i3 in which the heating element I2 is received.

For the purpose of defining a steam generating chamber which is in close heat transfer relationship with the heating element I2 or at least with the rib I3 in which the heating element I2 is disposed, the front portion of the sole plate II is provided with a well or chamber generally designated at I4 and best shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing. This chamber I4 is defined within the closed end of the rib I3 which is of somewhat U-shaped configuration. The top of the steam 3 generating chamber I4 is dened by a cover plate I5 which is suitably related to the rib I3 t0 provide a sealed chamber I4.

Centrally disposed in the steam generating chamber I4 is a raised somewhat circular portion I6 forming an integral part of the sole plate II and having integrally formed therewith rearwardly extending legs or baille members IGa and IGb so as to divide the steam generating chamber I4 into a series of passageways. The raised portion I6 is provided on its upper surface with a circular recess I1 exposing the upper end of a tapped bushing I3 which is integrally cast into the sole plate In View of the fact that the steam generating chamber I4 is closely conined within the closed end of the U shaped rib I3 which houses the heat ing element I2, water supplied to the recess -|`I dened in the raised member I6 is adapted Ito be substantially instantly changed into steam and :to ypass through suitable notches formed in the wall defining the recess II toward the rear portion of the .steam generating chamber I4. This steam vmay pass around the ends (not shown) of the baille members ISa and IIEb into passagcways 22a and 22'b which join each other at lthe end 'of the steam :generating chamber I4 adjacent -the front vof the steam iron I0 where there are provided a plurality of ports 23 which connect the steam generating chamber I4 with the Vironing surface 'of the sole plate II. To be sure that only steam and no water may pass through the ports 23 these ports open into the steam generating chamber I4 at the top surface of a raised V .shaped member v24., also integrally formed with the sole plate yI I., consequently, the ports opening -on :the ironing surface lof the .sole plate II are arranged in a lsort of V shaped conguration.' Preferably also the ends of the ports or steam passageways 23 'at the surface of the sole plate :are of somewhat enlarged diameter -as ldesignated by the reference numeral 23a in Fig. 1 Aof the drawing.

The rear portion of the sole plate I I is provided with Va suitable well (not shown) for accommodating a suitable thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature yof the sole plate II. r=l`he particular arrangement of the thermostatic control device in the well of the sole plate II is fully disclosed in the above mentioned copending Jepson application.

In order that the steam generating chamber I4 maybe provided with a source of water which is flashed .into ysteam in the steam generating chamber I4, there is provided la water reservoir generally designated at 2.5 which has an external configuration closely approaching the size and shape of conventional irons. In other words, the reservoir 25 does not have such an exterior dimension as to make the steam iron appear unusually large or bulky as is the case with many steam irons now available on the market. Preferably the reservoir 25 is formed from a pair of sheet metal stampings comprising a bottom member 25a and a top member 2519 which are suitably joined to form a sealed container. For the purpose Yof permitting control connections to be made between the well in the sole plate referred to above and portions of the steam iron disposed above the reservoir 25, a suitable passageway 2S is provided through the reservoir `which pas sageway is defined by a somewhat tubular member 27, the upper `and lower ends of which are sealed to the top and between members 252; .and 25a respectively to prevent any danger of lealiage of water from the reservoir 25. In addition to the passageway 26, the reservoir 25 is provided with a pair of openings designated as 28 and 23 respectively. rEhe opening 28 is dened in the wall 25h near the front of the iron and is adapted to receive a cylindrical steam dome 30, the lower end of which is suitably sealed to the wall 25D so as effectively to provide a steam dome extending a substantial distance above the top of the reservoir 25. The opening 29 on the other hand is disposed in alignment with a tapped opening dened in the bushing I8. This opening 28 is furthermore formed at the bottom of a somewhat cone y.shaped .indentation 3| in the bottom wall 25a of the water reservoir 25, as is clearly shown in Figs. l and '3 of the drawing, thereby providing a good seal `between the tank 25 and a valve body 32 of a needle valve and furthermore aiding in aligning the tank 25 and the sole plate during assembly thereof. The needle valve comprising the valve body 32 and a `needle valve member 33 is provided 'to control the iiow of water from `the reservoir 25 to the steam generating chamber I4. The needle valve body 32 comprises a conical surface yfor Vengagement with the indentation 3| rand further includes a threaded extension adapted to engage with the tapped opening in `the vbushing I8. Effectively, therefore, ythe valve 4body 32 performs three functions; (l) it includes the valve seat for the needle valvc member 33 to be described hereinafter, (2) it provides suitable 'means for fastening the tank or reservoir 25 to the vsole plate I I, and (3) it provides means for holding the cover plate I5 of the steam generating chamber I6 in position. The external surface vof the needle valve body 32 extending into the reservoir 25 is of circular-conguration as best'shown in lFig. 3 'of the drawings so as to be readily insertable Athrough an opening in the top of the steam dome 30. Preferably the valve -body 3| is provided with a screw driver engaging slot 34 whereby a screw driver inserted through an opening in the top of thesteam dome may be employed when assembling the reservoir 25 on the sole plate II which `-is ldone in a simple manner after the tank 25 and the steam dome 30 have been completely assembled. The valve body 32 is ypreferably provided with a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed passageways 36 through which the water from the .reservoir v25 may enter the vneedle valve and flow along the surface of the needle valve .member 33. The valve body 3| further includes a passageway 3l which permits water ilowing through the needle valve to pass rinto the recess I1, in the steam generating chamber I4.

In order manually `to control in a selective manner the owof water from the reservoir -25 to the steam generating chamber I4 by means of the needle valve comprising the valve .body 32 and the needle valve member 33, the latter comprises an elongated member extending upwardly along the axis 'of the steam dome 30. The lower end of this member 33 is tapered in the form of 'a conventional needle valve and is threadedly engaged with the valve body 32 Vso as effectively to provide a needle valve control with the flow of water being along the external 'surface thereof. It will be. understood that rotation of the needle valve member 33 in one direction will completely shut oi the flow of water from the reservoir .25 to the steam generating.; chamber I4 ina conventional well understood manner. On the other hand rotation or' the needle valve member 33 in the other direction will permit variable amounts of water to flow into the steam generating chamber I4 depending upon the amount of rotation.

In the above mentioned copending Jepson application there is disclosed a valve controlled passageway interconnecting the steam dome 33 with the steam generating chamber I4. This arrangement insures the satisfactory flow of water to the steam generating chamber I4 as soon as the sole plate is hot enough for ironing purposes. The reason for this is that a certain amount of air is always left in the water reservoir 25 and as soon as the initial heating of the sole plate II occurs, there results an expansion of this air and the creation of some pressure within the reservoir 25. Preferably the valve controlled passageway permits a pressure of approximately 11/2 pounds per square inch to be obtained in the steam dome 30 before opening of the by-pass occurs. This arrangement is broadly disclosed and claimed in the copending Jepson application referred to above.

In accordance with the present invention, a separate by-Dass passageway is dispensed with and instead the needle valve member 33 is formed from a suitable tube so as to include a central passageway 40 along the longitudinal axis thereof, thereby interconnecting the upper end of the steam dome 3U and the st-eam generating chamber I4 independently of the passageway afforded along the exterior of the needle valve member within the valve body 32. As illustrated the upper end of the needle valve member 33 is telescopicallv related with a fitting 4I comprising a portion which extends out of the upper end of the steam dome 30. The fitting 4I is suitably fastened to the upper end of the member 33 and includes a lower tubular portion 4I@ connected by passageways 42 with the space within the steam dome 30. To prevent the escape of steam from the upper end of the steam dome 35 it is closed by a suitable plug 43 threadedly engaging the steam dome and including a suitable packing around the portion of the fitting 4I which extends through the plug 43. Preferably a steam control button 44 formed of molded insulating material or the like is attached to the fitting 4I which extends out of the steam dome 33 by means of a screw 45 inserted through the top of the button 44 and threadedly engaging a tapped opening in the top of the tting 4 I.

In order to limit the open and closed positions of the needle valve member 33 the control button 44 is preferably provided with a depending lug 44a which engages a stop 33a illustrated as comprising an integral extension from the upper end of the steam dome 3i). The lug 44a engages opposite sides of the stop 33a in the extreme open and closed positions thereof.

In accordance with the teachings of the above mentioned Jepson application the passagewai7 interconnecting the steam dome and the steam generating chamber is :provided with a pressure operated control valve. As illustrated in the drawing there is provided in the passageway 4i! a spring biased ball valve 4l normally biased by means of a coiled spring 4S against a seat defined in the fitting 4I, so as effectively to isolate the passageway 4I) from the passageways 42. Preferably the ball valve 4l is adjusted so as to require a pressure of approximately 11/2 pounds per square inch within the steam dome 30 to open the same. This arrangement assures satisfactory water flow into the steam generating chamber I4 as soon as the sole plate I I is hot enough for ironing purposes.

It will be apparent from the above description that with the present invention the needle valve member 33 serves a dual function being both a needle valve member and a by-pass or passageway for interconnecting the steam dome 3i! with the steam generating chamber I4.

In accordance with the arrangement described in the above mentioned Jepson application, the steam iron III includes a handle suitably fastened to the remainder of the steam iron and a spacer plate 5I interposed between the handle 5U and th-e reservoir 25, which plate has an opening 5Ia for the steam dome 30. The handle 59 further includes a cored chamber 52 dened in one end thereof for receiving the steam dome 30 whereupon the steam control button 44 extends slightly above the top of the handle 50 for ready ringer manipulation thereof. Preferably the steam control button 44 is provided with a suitable extension cooperative with an index point provided on the handle 53 so that the operator may know at a glance in what position the steam valve is.

The cored chamber 52 also houses the means for obtaining selective control of the temperature of the sole plate I I and as is disclosed in the above mentioned Jepson application the steam dome 30 is provided with an upper portion 30h of reduced cross section so as to dene an annular shoulder 54. Concentrically disposed about the portion 30h of the steam dome and resting on the shoulder 54 is a rotatable cam member 55 which is manually rotated by means of a temperature control button 56 Concentrically arranged with the steam control button 44. A suitable cam follower 51 engages the rotatable cam 55 which cam follower is constrained to move in only a vertical direction. The button 56 is provided with a depending lug 58 which cooperates with a stop 59 formed as an integral part of the handle 50 within the cored chamber 52 to limit the extreme portions of the cam 55.

The cam follower 51 is connected by means of a tension spring 6I), with suitable thermostatic control means, not shown, disposed within a well defined in the sole plate II, the interconnection extending through the passageway 26 mentioned above. The details of the selective temperature control means described form no part of the present invention but are disclosed and claimed in the above mentioned copending Jepson application.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the steam iron of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By virtue of the passageway 40 within the needle valve 33 a small pressure not exceeding about 11/2 pounds per square inch is required within the reservoir 25 to insure the low of water between the reservoir 25 and the steam generating chamber I4. Furthermore this pressure is available as soon as the sole plate II is hot enough to begin the ironing operation and it is not necessary to wait for steam to form within the reservoir 25 before proper functioning of the steam iron II! is obtained. When the needle valve member 4I) serves in its dual capacity in accordance with the present invention a very simple and compact arrangement is provided which is sturdy and fool proof in operation.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the present invention,

7 it will be apparent to those skilled in the `ar't that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the present invention in its broader aspects, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such vchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the :dow of water by gravity from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, said valve comprising a va-lve seat and an elongated member with the valve means for controlling the ow of water being disposed at the end of said member cooperating with said seat, the water flow occurring along the outer surface of said one end, said member extending above said water reservoir to provide a manipulating member for said needle valve, means defining a passageway through said member interconnecting the upper portion of said water vreservoir with said steam generating chamber, and

valve means in said passageway for maintaining 1 f Ia vpressure 4differential between said water reservoir 'and said steam generating chamber.

I2. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water by gravity from said reservoir to 'said steam generating chamber, 'said needle valve comprising a valve seat and an elongated member with the `valve means for controlling the flow of water being disposed 'at the end of said member cooperating with said valve seat, the water flow occurring along the outer surface of said one end, said member extending above said waterreservoir to provide 'a manipulating member for said needle valve, means defining a passageway through said member interconnecting the 'upper portion of said Water reservoir with said 'steam generating 8 chamber, and a valve member biased to the closed position disposed in said passageway for maintaining a pressure differential between said water reservoir and said steam generating chamber.

3. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam dome comprising a tubular member connected to and extending above said water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water Aby gravity from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, said needle valve comprising a valve seat and a manually movable valve member in the form of a tube extending through said Water reservoir and into said steam dome, one endv of said valve member cooperating with said valve seat means dening an opening in said tube interconnecting the passageway therein with said steam dome to provide an interconnection between said -steam dome and said steam generating chamber, and a valve means in said passageway to prevent said intercommunication until 'a predetermined pressure is produced in said reservoir.

JOSEPH L. VIECELI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent: