US2625756A - Feed water system for steam irons - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 20, 1953 R. o. sTEvENsoN ETAL 2,625,755

FEED WATER SYSTEMVJVFOR STEAM IRONS 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed June 6. 1947 S R/ Q/ Nw wN n .mi NN Jan. 20, 1953 R. ofs'rEvENsoN ET AL 2,625,756

FEED WATER SYSTEM FOR STEAM IRONS Filed June 6, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Z/ .24) Zig /l/ Patented Jan. 20, 1953 FEED WATER SYSTEB FOR STEAM IRONS Robert O. Stevenson, Philadelphia, and Charles Roger Turner, Springiield Township, Montgomery County, Pa., assignors to Proctor Electric Company, Philadephia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 6, 1947, Serial No. 753,076

This invention relates to steam irons, and more particularly to the type of combination dry and steam iron which is shown and described in the (so-pending application of Stevenson et al., Serial No. 708,774 filed November 8, 1946.

In steam irons of this class, wherein water is supplied from an external source, such as an attached or built-in reservoir, the water is fed to a chamber in the sole plate and iiashed almost instantly into steam. Certain prior irons, of this class which rely on gravity or other forces to Supply the Water to the steam chamber, have been generally unsatisfactory in that the flow of water is not even, but rather is spasmodic and irregular. This has resulted in inadequate steam supply to the fabric being ironed and has presented a problem with respect to maintenance of satisfactory steam pressure. In these prior irons, the iiow of water to the steam chamber has often been affected by the surges in pressure in the steam chamber frequently backing up the water in the feed tubes from the reservoir.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved construction to supply a small and uniform water flow, under gravtational forces, from a reservoir to a steaming chamber in a steam iron.

Another problem in the intermittent flow of 'Water to the steaming chamber is that of insuring that the water from a reservoir will start to flow after the iron has been used as a dry iron for some time. Often when the water is admitted into the tubes from the reservoir, the tubes have attained such a temperature. as to vaporize the Water before it reaches the steam chamber. This steam generation in the tubes restrains the flow of water to the steam chamber, resulting again in uneven and inadequate steam production in the steam chamber.

.Another object -of this invention then is to provide a feed water system that will allow im-.

been designed with evaporation plates which were yremovalole from the sole plate as a large 7 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) screw-threaded section. The precipitated salts and minerals have acted as a bonding agent to securely hold the removable plug and sole plate together. This has rendered difficult the cleaning of the iron and of otherwise servicing it.

It is, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide anew and vnovel method of securing the clean-out plug in a steam iron to allow easy cleaning and servicing.

Other objects and features of the invention will be made apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a miniature side elevational view of a steam iron constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a part elevational and part sectional view of the iron, the sectional illustration being taken longitudinal of the iron substantially along the longitudinal axis thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sole plate portion of the iron with the upper parts of the iron removed, showing more clearly the structure provided by the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a bottom View of the sole plate;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the removable plug which is provided in accordance 'with the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged` sectional illustration of a part'of the structure provided by the invention.

The preferred general form of the iron is shown in Fig. 1, the iron being of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned Stevenson et al. application, and being adapted to be supplied with water from a reservoir (not shown) attachable tothe rear of the iron, as disclosed and claimed in the said co-pending application. The iron comprises a sole plate IB, a cover or shell II Vand a handle I2. It is also provided witha Support I3, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and5 and as shown more clearly in the said co-pending application. By means of such support, the iron maybe supported in a tilted position during periods of non-use. The support I3 is pivoted at I4, and a spring I5 serves to urge the iron to its tilted position in response to operation of latching means (not visible) in the handle. The aforementioned structure is briefly mentioned herein merely because the present invention is particularly applicable to such an iron, although it is not limited thereto.

As shown in Figs.- 2, 3, and-1, the sole plate Ill is preferably heated by means of an electrical heating element I6 disposed in a recess I1 and extending about the outer part of the sole plate, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Such arrangement is not new per se but it is here utilized in cooper-ation with Vthe novel structureiprovidedby the present invention as hereinafter described.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4, an inlet tube I8 is provided at the rear of the iron and is adapted to receive water from a reservoir (not shown) removably attachable to the rear of the' iron as disclosed in the above-mentioned'cofpending application. The tube I8 extends into .a .larger tube I9 and is supported by the 'latter tube-as well as by the projecting rear portion of the iron. The tube I9, which is of substantial length, delivers the water through a nozzle Z'I'to a small water well or reservoir 22 formed in the steam chamber of the sole plate I0. The well 22 is provided with a raised bottom 22a (see Fig. 7) in the form of a very thin wafer-like element of low-heat conductivity metal such as stainless steel. This element is in contact with the metal `of the/sole plate only at its periphery, andV it provides ample heat insulation of the Well-to prevent steam generation in the well, Vas willA be further .explained later. The nozzle 2| is so located in the Well 22 as to be beneath the'surface of the water therein when the iron is in use and'whenswater is owing from the reservoir (not shown).

The forward Wall V23 of the well 22 is provided with a central recess 24 V(seeFig. 3) which serves as a weir and through which waterflows from the Well 22 to a serpentine or tor-tuous passage presently to be described. The capacity of the Well 22 is such that any surging increase in pressure in the'steam chamber25, which might resultfrom a small amount of water being splashed over the forward wall 23 because of'inertia forces as the iron is moved forward and backward, is more than the nozzle 2| can pass'back into the tube I9 during the momentary pressure increase in the Ysteam chamber. In other Words,the quantity of Water from the well 22 which could Vbe forced back through the nozzle 2| into the tube I9, because of any short-lived pressure'increase in the steam chamber 25, is less than the quantity of Water in the well 22 above the outlet opening of the nozzle 2l.

The trough-like Weir 24 communicates with the above-mentioned serpentine passage which comprises a plurality ofstepped transverse passages 2", 21, and 28 formed in an inclined portion 29 of the sole plate, the transverse runs of the passage being interconnected -by grooves 39 and 3|. As the water oWs through 'the serpentine passage, it is gradually 'heated and vis vaporized before reaching the floor A32 of the steam chamber. 'The weir-24 is so designed vasto stop the oweof water from the well 22 when :the'iron is tilted upwardly on the -support I3. It should be noted'here that the ow of Water intothe iron is automatically stopped at the reservoir when the iron is tilted upward, as disclosed in the above-mentioned application.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the steam generating chamber 25 comprises the small Well 22,the'serpentine passage 26, 21, 28 and the floor 4area 32. The said chamber is covered by a removable plate 25a which is removed 'in'Fign 4.

Returning to the water supply vvtube I9, it'will be noted that this tube extends through an apertured wall 33 forming .part ofthe lsole plate, and the tube is supported vat its forward end by means of a slightly tapered ferrule 34 (see Fig. 7), one

end of which is flanged and is retained by a lip 35 which is formed by an upsetting or staking operation after the ferrule is inserted. 'I'he tube I9 is also supported by a washer 36 of low heat- 'conductivity .material fsuch as fbre, which is Vfrom being heated'to the boiling point. It is very important that .the nozzle 2l be kept cool, and this lis achieved by the structure described.

The steam vgenerated in the steam chamber 25 is emitted to the ironing surface through a number of passages which are provided by the construction of the sole plate I0 and the removable plug 39. The latter is shapedfas illustrated in Fig. '6, having upper' recesses 49, a central annular Arecess 4I and lower recesses 42all formed in its outer surface. .The sole plate is crcularly apertured to receive'the plug '39 and cooperates with the plug to' form Vthe desired steam passages which communicate withgrooves 43 (Fig. 5) provided in the lower surface of the sole plate.

The plug '39, vwhic'h'forms a part ofthe entire soleplate, is recessed at.44 to accommodate the end portion of the support I3. The plug is also centrally recessed to receive a bolt V45 (Fig. 2) by which it is removably'secured to the sole plate proper. The head 'end Aof rthe bolt is provided witha fiange L46 which seats against an internal shoulder 41 lon the vplug 39. A pressed steel locking washer'48 serves to hold the plug and bolt together by "engaging v"the flange 46 and by biting intothe'metal of the plug. The threaded shank of the `bolt threadedly engages an insert 49 in the upper part 50 ofthe sole plate. By a suitable choice of -non-ferrous materials for the bolt 45 and the insert 49, the possibility of the plug assembly becoming "'frozen is rendered negligible. r4It will be seen that when the bolt 45 is turned in a direction to withdraw it from the insert 49, the flange 46 presses Aagainst the shoulder 41 and thus forcibly removes the plug. The arrangement thus provided reliminates the objection of prior screw-threaded plugs which have had a tendency to become frozen'because of the deposition of soluble salts or minerals from the water on the engaging surfaces.

The construction'provided by the invention, as illustrated and described, overcomes the aforementioned objections of prior vdevices of this type. The provision of small well or reservoir 22 and the 'associated structure assures a Yproper and uniform supply of Water'to the steam generating chamber and hence a uniform :supply of steam to the fabric being ironed, during use of vthe iron and when steam operation of the iron is commenced after ia period of use of the iron as a dry iron. The bottom element 22a inthe well 22 prevents any appreciable generation of steam therein since it effectively .heat insulates the well from the :sole plate proper. The rate of heat ilow through the side walls of the well to the water therein is not sufficient to raise the water to the boiling ,point when water Yis flowing through the nozzle 22.! tothe well .and from 'the well .over'the Weir 24. 'When the iron is used dry, or when it is left in tilted position for a considerable length of time with the current on, the bottom element 22a kwill attain substantially the temperature of the ysole plate; but the mass oi theV element 22a is so small that the total heat stored therein is dissipated almost immediately when water starts flowing through nozzle 2l and drops on said element. A very small amount of steam may be generated in the well under such conditions, but the well is quickly lled with water and the normal steam generation in the serpentine passages 2S, 21 and 28 and on the iloory 32 of the steam chamber commences almost immediately.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the invention provides a novel steam iron construction which has the various advantages and features hereinbefore mentioned. It will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the structural details of the illustrated embodiment but is susceptible to various modifications such as may be deemed desirable.

We claim:

1. In a steam iron of the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from a water reservoir, a sole plate having steam discharge ports, a steam generating chamber in communication with said ports, a small water well in said chamber, said well having a, bottom element engaging the sole plate with low thermal conductivity contact, a passage in said chamber between said well and said ports, and means for conveying water from the supply reservoir to said well, said means having a small opening for discharging water into said Well, said opening being disposed at a level to be below the surface of the water in said well during use of the iron.

2. In a steam iron of the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from a water reservoir, a sole plate having steam discharge ports, a steam generating chamber in communication with said ports, a small water well in said chamber, said Well including means effectively thermally insulating the well from the sole plate, a passage in said chamber between said Well and said ports, and means for conveying water from the supply reservoir to said well, said last-named means having a small opening for discharging Water into said well, said opening being disposed at a level to be below the suriace oi the water in said well during use of the iron.

3. In a steam iron oi' the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from an external Water reservoir at the rear of the iron, a sole plate having steam discharge ports, a steam generating chamber formed in said sole plate approximately midway of the length of the iron, said chamber being in communication with said ports, a small water well in said chamber, a passage in said chamber between said well and said ports, a, water reed tube extending from the lower rear of said iron to said well in close proximity to said sole plate, said tube having a small discharge opening which is below the suriace oi the water in said well during use of the iron, and supporting means for said tube effectively tnermally insulating the same from the sole plate to prevent steam generation in said tube While water is now'ing tnerem.

4. In a steam iron or' the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from a water reservoir, a sole plate having steam discharge ports, a steam-generating chamber in communication with said ports, a small Water well in said chamber, said well including means eirectively thermally insulating the Well irom the soie plate, a

passage in said chamber between said well and said ports, a weir arranged to feed water from said well to said passage, and means for conveying water from the supply reservoir to said well. at least a portion of said last-named means having a small-diameter passageway for discharging water into said well, the outlet of said passage- Way being disposed at a level to be below the surface of the water in said Well during use of the iron.

5. In a steam iron of the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from a water reservoir, a .sole plate having steam discharge ports, a steam-generating chamber in communication with said ports, a small water well in said chamber, said well including means effectively thermally insulating the well from the sole plate, a serpentine passage in said chamber between said well and said ports, and means for conveying water from the supply reservoir to said well, at least a portion of said last-named means having a small-diameter passageway for discharging water into said well, the outlet of said passageway being disposed at a level to be below the surface of the water in said Well during use of the iron.

6. In a steam iron, a sole plate, a removable plug forming part of said sole plate, said plug having recesses forming steam passages and also having a central aperture With an upwardly-facing shoulder therein, a securing bolt threadedly engaging a part of the iron and associated with said plug, said bolt having a head seated in the central aperture or" the plug and engaging said shoulder so as to forcibly eject said plug from the sole plate when the bolt is withdrawn, and locking means in said central aperture for retaining the bolt head therein.

7. In a steam iron of the type in which water is supplied gravitationally from an external water reservoir at the rear of the iron, a sole plate having steam discharge ports, steam generating surfaces within said isole plate in communication with said ports, a relatively long water feed tube extending from the rear of said iron to said surfaces in close proximity to said sole plate, means providing a restricted opening at the discharge end of said tube, and supporting means for said tube eiTectively thermally insulating the same from the sole plate to prevent steam generation in said tube While Water is liowing therein, said supporting means including a member of substantial length surrounding said tube and having one end and a substantial portion of its length spaced from said tube, the said end of said member being disposed in a recess in the sole plate and held therein, the other end of said member engaging said tube and furnishing support therefor.

ROBERT O. STEVENSON. CHARLES ROGER TURNER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,590,245 Koenig June 29, 1926 1,697,224 Butman Jan. l, 1929 1,958,876 Wright May 15, 1934 2,073,657 Stockton Mar. 16, 1937 2,231,275 Marvin Feb. 11, 1941 2,302,476 Rubinstein Nov. 17, 1942 2,303,197 Ganeld NDV. 24, 1943

Images