US2744344A

US2744344A - Pressing iron capable of being converted to a steam iron

Info

Publication number: US2744344A
Application number: US192671A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jepson Ivar
Original assignee: Sunbeam Corp
Current assignee: Sunbeam Corp
Priority date: 1950-10-28
Filing date: 1950-10-28
Publication date: 1956-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1973-05-08
Also published as: GB701938A

Description

M y 8, 1956 I. JEPSON 2,744,344

PRESSING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Filed Oct. 28. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY [var Je nson May 8, 1.956 I. JEPSON .PRESSING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Filed Oct. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [Var J y 8, 1956 JEPSON 2,744,344

PRESSING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Filed Oct. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. [Var k/ oson c' 'um k luj any '5.

May 8, 1956 l. JEPSON 2,744,344

PRES-SING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Filed 001;. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fi INVENTOR.

J 1 far J6 5072 May 1 l. JEPSON PRESSING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Filed Oct. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. [Var d'e son can: 8 dill/l5.

l............. nu... my i United States Patent-{O PRESSING IRON CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED TO A STEAM IRON Ivar Jepson, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 28, 1950, Serial No. 192,671

14 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) The present invention relates to pressing irons and more particularly to a pressing iron capable of readily being converted to a steam iron.

In recent years there have been extensive developments in connection with so called steam irons in which water disposed in a reservoir associated with the iron is converted to steam and fed through the sole plate of the iron so as to be distributed to the material being ironed. The type of steam iron which heretofore has found the most favor is the so-called flash boiler type in which water is fed through an orifice into a steam generating chamber and flashed almost instantly to steam. However, even the steam irons of the above mentioned type are subject to numerous difiiculties. In the first place, it has been conventional practice to provide such steam irons with a water flow control orifice of relatively small diameter through which water is supplied to the flash boiler, whereupon the water is instantly flashed into steam and which steam is then supplied to the bottom surface of the sole plate through suitable steam ports. It is a well known fact that ordinary tap water contains various amounts of mineral impurities which upon converting ice the sole plate to the desired operating temperature, but the body of water associated with the sole plate as well.

The demand in recent years for pressing irons has been toward light weight irons. The housewife refuses to push around a heavy iron when a light weight iron is available. A steam iron of necessity heretofore has been heavier than the light weight irons on the market by virme of the water tank, control valves, and the like, to say nothing of the weight of the water contained in the water reservoir. It would be desirable to provide an arrangement in which a light weight steam iron no heavier such water to steam, these mineral impurities are dethe flash boiler type of steam irons would gradually fill up. In fact, in certain localities such orifices were deleteriously affected with only one or two uses of the steam iron. As a result of this, manufacturers who are wholly honest with the public make it clear that their steam irons should only be used with distilled water.

This means that the housewife would have to purchase distilled water and transfer the distilled water from the container in which it was purchased to the steam iron water reservoir. Moreover, to keep the bulk of the iron small, the reservoir for the water was also relatively small and the repeated filling of the reservoir was an undesirable chore, so much so, in fact, that many housewives refuse to employ distilled Water and use tap water in the iron with a result that after a short time, the iron fails to work, with a consequent complaint to the manufacturer.

Pressing irons, Whether steam or otherwise, are conventionally provided with thermostatic control means for maintaining the iron at selected predetermined temperatures. With the conventional steam irons employed today, the temperature control problem is unduly complicated since the thermostat must function properly when the tank is almost filled with water as well as when the tank is almost empty. Moreover, with such prior art irons, a delay is always involvedbefore the iron can be used as a steam iron, it being not only necessary to heat than the ordinary iron might be employed, thereby greatly reducing the amount of efiort applied by the housewife. It is well known, of course, that in ironing certain heavy goods, added pressure must be applied to the iron. However, such downward pressure can readily be applied by the housewife when needed, with little effort on her part so that at other times when such pressure need not 'be applied, a light iron is available. In some steam irons employed heretofore, the orifice through which the water is supplied to the iron was found to be of the order of 0.009" to 0.016" in diameter. This dimension varied in dependence upon the water head employed. Where only about a one inch head of water is relied upon to force the water through the orifice, larger orifices approaching the upper end of the above-mentioned range are generally employed. Where goods of varying density are ironed with such prior art irons, a substantial reduction in the steam flow occurs as the density of the goods is increased. This is due to the fact that the impedance to steam flow ofiered by the goods, in the case of relatively heavy goods, is a substantial proportion of the total flow impedance including that through the orifice for the particular water heads employed. It would be desirable to provide a steam iron in which the density of the goods being ironed is relatively immaterial as far as steam penetration is concerned and, moreover, it would be desirable to provide a steam iron in which the steam penetrates quicker and deeper into the material being ironed than is presently the case. Obviously, ,quicker and deeper penetration will insure faster ironing since the wrinkles in the lowermost layers of the goods being ironed will be removed quicker with faster and deeper steam penetration.

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 asteam iron which eliminates the numerous disadvantages of prior art steam irons enumerated above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a light weight steam iron no heavier than a conventional light weight pressing iron which eliminates the water tank, valves and the like, customarily built into such steam irons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steam iron employing only distilled water which does not require periodic filling of a water tank and emptying of the tank when the ironing operation is completed, but which may be used for many, many hours without filling and in which a minimum of effort is required on the part of the housewife to apply distilled water to the steam iron.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a steam iron in which substantially uniform pressure may be obtained at the steam ports by pressure head means remote from the iron which simultaneously provides complete safety from the occurrence of high pressures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressing iron which may be used as a conventional iron and-which, with a small attachment, may readily be converted to a steam iron superior to steam irons now available on the market.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a steam iron in which a constant water flow is provided at all times under a sufiicient pressure head and in which the major resistance to steam flow is found in the iron and associated apparatus itself, so that ironing goods of different density has little or no effect on the speed or depth of steam penetration through the goods.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a steam iron which is substantially instantaneous in operation providing steam within approximately thirty seconds after the iron is plugged in.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description pro ceeds 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 drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an ironing board with which is associated a pressing iron of the present inven tion connected for operation as a steam iron;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top view of the pressing iron of the present invention and the associated attachment for converting it to a steam iron;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with portions thereof shown in phantom to avoid sectionalizing large portions of insulating material and at the same time more clearly to show the details thereof;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the sole plate and thermostat control mechanism of the present invention with the upper part of the pressing iron including the handle removed, but showing the steam generating chamber and the steam conduit for supplying the chamber with water;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the steam generating chamber of the steam 'iron of the present invention with the cover thereof removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the sole plate of the iron to illustrate the steam ports and steam distributing grooves provided thereon;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the steam iron of the present invention to show the steam supply conduit and method of attaching the same to the steamiron;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the pressure regulating means of the present invention shown associated with a water container of the type shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the pressure regulator means of Fig. .8;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view partly in section of another portion of the pressure producing means of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is a somewhat schematic circuit diagram of the electrical circuit of the pressing iron of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary top plan view of 'a modified steam generating chamber of the type shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 1616 of Fig. 15.

The steam iron of the present invention essentially comprises a conventional type pressing iron having the well known U-shaped form of heating element embedded in the sole plate with a steam "generating chamber defined within the bight of the U-shaped heating element which steam generating chamber has ports leading therefrom to the bottom surface of the sole plate, a conduit extending along one leg of the U-shaped heating element terminates in a fixture leading to the exterior of the iron. This fixture is provided with a suitable cover to close the opening when the iron is employed as a conventional pressing iron. When the iron is employed as a steam iron, a suitable tube is inserted into the fixture which tube is connected with a source of distilled water such as the conventional jug or vessel of distilled water which may be purchased in any drug store. In order to provide a pressure head to force the water from the jug into the steam conduit and to the steam generating chamber, there is provided an attachment in the form of a pressure producing and pressure regulating unit adapted to be attached to the conventional distilled water container, which unit is designed to provide a constant pressure head of the order of several pounds per square inch and at substantially higher pressures than water is ordinarily supplied to conventional steam irons.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated the pressing iron 20 of the present invention having the conventional power cord 21 which is illustrated as being suitably connected to a wall outlet 22. The iron 20 in Fig. 1 is illustrated as being associated with an ironing board 23 which forms no part of the present invention. In order thatthe pressing iron 20 may be readily converted to a steam iron, there is in accordance with the present invention provided an attachment generally designated by the reference numeral 25 in Fig. 2 of the drawings and described in greater detail hereinafter. This attachment 25 is adapted to be associated with a standard container or vessel such as 26 for distilled water to supply such water under pressure to the .iron 20. This water is converted to steam in a manner described fully in the ensuing descrip tion. It will beunderstood that distilled water as used conventionally in homes is normally purchased at drug stores or other outlets in suitable containers such as half-gallon orgallon containers. The container 26 may be any available container, but preferably is a gallon container in order to provide a substantial supply of distilled water which may be used for along time. The attachment 25 includes a flexible tubular member 27 which connects the attachment 25 with the pressing iron 20. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, the power cord .21 and the tube 27 are disposed so that they tend to be closely associated, whereby the addition of the tube 27 does not complicate matters in the slightest since it is in effect merely an additional cord. As is obvious vfrom the drawings, the tube 27 is several feet in length.

Considering now the details of the pressing iron with specific reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, the iron is in many respects similar to the iron disclosed and claimed in Bisley .Patent 2,277,034 assigned to the same .assignee as the present application. As illustrated, the pressing .iron 20 comprises a sole plate 30 heated by an electrical heating element 31 which preferably .is of the sheathed type. .Such types of heating element are well known and generally comprises a helical resistance conductor centrally disposed within an outer metallic sheath and supported inspaced relationship with reference to the sheath by an insulating heat conducting mass formed of a suitablematerial such as highly compressed magnesium oxide. This latter materialhas beenjfound to provide the desired insulation and at the same time have sufficiently good heat conducting properties so as not to delay the transfer of heat from the coiled resistor-element disposed centrally of the sheath to the sheath and hence to the sole plate which it is desired to heat. The sheathed heating element .31, as is best shown in Fig. 4, is of generally U-shaped configuration or roughlyin the shape of a hair pin withextremities ,of its legs designated as 31a and 31b, respectively, :being disposedat the rear of the iron and its bight 31c being locatedat the front or pointed end of the sole-plate. .Preferably,:the U-shaped heating-element 31is emhedded in the sole plate .30 as by being cast therein during'the'processof casting the sole plate from suitable materials such as aluminum or the like. I As illustrated in the drawings, the sole plate is provided with an integral upwardly extending U-shaped rib 30a (see Figs. 3, 4, 5 and in which the heating element 31 is received. The heating element 31 is moreover provided with suitable terminals 33a and 33b extending out of the metallic sheath as best shown in Fig. 4, it being understood that these terminals are suitably connected to the centrally disposed resistance element contained within the sheath of the sheathed heating element 31.

For the purpose of defining a steam generating chamber which is in good heat transfer relationship with the heating element 31 or at least with the rib a in which the heating element 31 is disposed, the front upper portion of the sole plate 30 is provided with a well or chamber generally designated at 35. This chamber is defined within the space defined by the closed end of the U-shaped rib 39a and a cross member 36 which extends between the two legs of the U-shaped rib 30a. The edge of the rib 39a enclosing the chamber is provided with a cut away ledge generally designated at 37 which is level with the top of the cross member 36 for supporting thereon a suitable cover or closure 38 for the steam generating chamber 35. This cover is adapted to be heldin position in sealed relationship with the ledge 37 and the cross member 36 by suitable fastening means comprising the screw 39 and a hexagonal rod 40 each having threaded portions for engaging suitable threads defined in raised integral portions of the sole plate disposed within the steam generating chamber 35. These raised portions are designated by the reference iuuuerals i1 42, respectively, in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. threaded opening 443a for receiving a cooperating threaded portion of the rod 40. The ledge 3'7 and cross member 36 may be covered with a suitable sealing cement if desired to produce a steam tight joint with the cover 38. The hexagonal rod 4% is of substantial length and extends upwardly so as to provide a threaded opening for receiving a suitable fastening means such as 43 for holding other portions of the pressing iron to the sole plate as will become apparent from the following description.

The pressing iron of the present invention when used as a steam iron will function on the so-called flash boiler principle in that water under pressure, as will become apparent from the following description, is supplied to the steam chamber 35' which steam chamber is at high temperature and causes this water to be flashed into steam. When water is dropped onto a surface which is too hot, it will not wet the surface, but instead will form water globules which roll around the surface. It is desirable to have the temperature of the surface on which the water drops fall sufliciently cool so that the surface is wet by the water, whereupon the water flowstoward a higher temperature portion of the steam generating chamber and is more or less instantaneously converted to steam. When an aluminum sole plate is employed, aluminum having very high thermal conductivity, it is diificult, if not impossible, to control the temperature so that it is relatively lower in one spot than in another. xperience dictates that the sole plate should have a temperature of the order of 350 F. before water is permitted in the steam chamber. At this temperature water drops will run around in small balls and will not wet the surface to be readily converted to steam with the result that water instead of steam might be discharged from the steam iron.

For the purpose of insuring that the water drops will wet the bottom surface of the steam generating chamber 35, the walls thereof are coated with a thin coat of inorganic insulating material which provides suficient temperature drop at the surface of the steam chamber walls which results in the water wetting the surface and the desired generation of steam. Numerous coatings may be. employed which will operate satisfactorily for a time, but many of these will wash away as distilled water continuously drops thereon so as to expose the metallic surface The portion 42 is provided with a with the undesirable results referred to above. It has been found that if a thin solution of a materialsold on the market under the trade-name Insa-Lute is evaporated from the steam chamber, a permanent and satisfactory coating results. Insa-LuteT is a type of ceramic cement that can be dispersed in water which when evaporated leaves a white hard coating.

To permit water to reach the steam generating chamber 35, the'cover 38 is provided with an opening 46 which is directly above a flat shelf portion 47 upon which the Water is dropped which shelf portion is also coated with the inorganic insulating material mentioned above. The temperature of this flat shelf portion upon which the water is dropped, aside from the insulating coating, may

also be somewhat higher than other portions of the sole plate and particularly other portions of the steam generating chamber 35 since it is closely adjacent to the rod or post 40 which is in heat transfer relationship with other portions of the iron. The raised

portions

41 and 42 and the ledge 37 surrounding the steam generating chamber are each provided with integral projections 30c which extend into the steam generating chamber in a manner clearly shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings to define labyrinth passageways so that water supplied to the surface 4'7 at the rear of the steam iron can only flow forwardly through two tortuous passages, until it eventually reaches the main forward portion of the steam iron which comprises a relatively deep recess 48. By the time the water reaches the portion 48, it has, of course, been converted to superheated steam. In order to insure that no liquid particles enter the recess 48, there preferably is provided a raised wall portion 49 bounding the recess 48 which wall portion extends almost to the cover 38 so that all water droplets not converted to steam by the time the wall 49 is reached will remain to the rear of the wall 49 and only the superheated steam can pass over the top of the wall'and through the somewhat narrow passageway designated by the reference numeral 50 in Fig. 3 of the drawings into the recess 48. Since the recess 48 is closely enveloped on three sides by the U-shaped heatiug element, it tends to be disposed at the hottest portion of the iron, thus insuring superheated steam. This steam which has flowed in a forward direction through the steam generating chamber 35 and through labyrinth passageways is permitted to leave the recess 48 and be discharged at the surface of the sole platethrough suitable steam ports 51 which connect the bottom of the recess 48 with the ironing surface of the sole plate 30. Thus, the steam is discharged from the iron over an area comprising the hottest portion of the sole plate. In order to obtain distribution of the steam at the ironing surface over a substantial area of this ironing surface, the pressing surface of the sole plate may be provided with a plurality of elongated grooves or notches designated at 53 in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings. These notches are illustrated as providing a Y-shaped configuration with the common portion of the Y adjacent the ports 51 and, in fact, each groove having one of these ports 51 terminating therein. These grooves will with the goods being ironed define steam passageways to distribute the steam over a substantial area.

In order for water to be supplied to the steam generating chamber 35 through the opening 46, in the cover 38 there is provided a conduit 55 which extends generally along one leg of the rib 30a and which includes a downwardly projecting portion 55a extending into the open ing 46. The other end of the conduit 55 terminates in a suitable coupling 56 having a threaded portion which may be associated with suitable additional coupling means to be described hereinafter. The conduit 55, the coupling fixture 56 and the cover 38 preferably comprise a subassembly of the iron and are suitably united so as to provide a sealed passageway from the coupling 56 into the steam chamber 35. It will be understood that by having the conduit 55 extending along one leg of the rib;

7 39a and consequently along one leg of the heating element 31, that water which flows through the conduit is heated so that by the time it reaches the surface 47 of the steam generating chamber 35, it has been substantially elevated in temperature. The conduit 55 has an internal diameter of the same order of magnitude as the bore of flexible conduit 27 as, for example, .03 to .04.

Except for the steam generating chamber described above, including the steam ports 51 through the sole plate 30, the grooves 53 on the pressing surface thereof, the conduit 55 and coupling 56, the pressing iron of the present invention may be conventionally and substantially identical with light weight pressing irons extensively manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present application.

For the purpose of completely illustrating the present invention, the pressing iron comprises a recess generally designated at at the center rear of the sole plate 343 which is conventionally referred to as a thermostat well and wherein may be disposed a suitable thermal responsive control device generally designated at 61 for maintaining the temperature of the sole plate at certain preselected temperatures in response to the setting of a manually controlled device. The top of the sole plate 30 including the steam generating chamber already described and the thermostat well 60 are enclosed by a conventional cover or shell 62 which is usually a sheet metal stamping of some sort which at its rear is provided with portions 62a best shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings to deline legs upon which the iron may be supported when it is disposed in a vertical non-ironing position commonly referred to as the rest position thereof. The shell or cover 62 is secured to the sole plate by the fastening means 43 already described passing through an opening defined in cover 62 and threadedly engaging the recess 40a in the hexagonal rod 40. In addition, a screw 65 adjacent the rear of the iron holds a suitable closure plate 66 in position, which closure plate has an extension engaging suitable integral lugs 30b on the sole plate thereby eliectively clamping the rear portion of the cover or shell 62 to the sole plate.

So that the operator may manipulate the pressing iron discussed thus far, there is conventionally provided a suitable handle generally indicated at 68 and preferably formed of a molded insulating material such as one of the many synthetic resins capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures in the neighborhood of 275 to 300 F. As illustrated, the handle 68 is provided with a rearwardly projecting portion 68a which with the legs 62a completes the supporting means for the iron when its non-ironing position. The handle is cored at its forward and rear ends, respectively, to provide the necessary chambers both for the manually actuable selective control and for the electrical connections with the power cord 21. The base portion of the handle which extends over a substantial part of the iron, includes means for attaching the handle to the iron and is essentially the same as that disclosed in the above mentioned Bisley patent.

As disclosed in the Bisley patent, there is provided between the handle 68 and the cover or shell 62 a spacer plate 70 (see Fig. 3). To reduce to a minimum the heat conduction between the handle-68 and the pressing iron proper, preferably, this spacer plate is fastened to the cover 62. at a plurality of spaced points indicated at 71 in Figs. 3 and 10 of the drawings. The spacer plate is deformed sufficiently so as to insure a substantial space between the shell 62 and the spacer plate 70. The spacer plate 70 is also provided with a plurality of suitable openings such as 72, 73 and 74 to permit various control apparatus to extend theretlirough and also to permit access with a suitable screw driver to screw 43 for holding the cover or shell 62 in position relative to the sole plate 30. Moreover, thecover or shell 62 is provided with an opening 72zrwhicl'ri's in' alignmentwith the opening 72 in the spacer plate, and an opening 74a which is in alignment with the opening 74 in the spacer "plate. In addition, there is also provided the opening already described for accommodating the screw 43. The openings 74 and 74a permit electrical connections between the thermal responsive control device 61, the heating element 31 and the power cord 21 to be made within a cored chamber within the handle 63. The openings 72 and 72a permit manual control means for the thermal responsive device 61 to extend into the forward portion of the handle 68. The handle 68 is fastened to the spacer plate 70 in a manner substantially identical with that disclosed in the above mentioned Bisley patent and no further discussion thereof is included herewith.

The thermal responsive control device 61 may comprise any suitable control device such, for example, as is disclosed in prior copending Jepson application Serial No. 29,461, filed May 27, 1948, now Patent No. 2,690,623 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. As illustrated, the thermal responsive control device 61 comprises a subassembly mounted on a suitable frame member 75 of somewhat channel-shaped configuration including a rearwardly disposed and integral extension 75a which supports a stack, generally indicated at 78, of conductors and interspersed insulating members. The forward end of the frame member 75 and consequently the entire subassembly is supported from a rearward projection 36a of the cross member 36 of the sole plate 36 by suitable screws 76 engageable with threaded openings 76:: in projection 36a. These screws also clamp a bimetallic element 77 forming part of the thermal responsive control device 61 into position in good heat conducting relationship with the sole plate 30. Preferably, the bimetallic element 77 has a somewhat triangular configuration as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. It will be apparent that with this construction, the bimetallic element 77 is mounted as a cantilever and the free end thereof tends to deflect in response to temperature changes thereof. In the particular arrangement disclosed, the bimetallic element 77 is provided at its free end with an insulating extension 73 which is adapted to be moved downwardly in response to an increase in temperature of the sole plate 30.

The thermal responsive device 61 includes a thermally operated control switch comprising relatively

movable contacts

79 and 80. The contact 79, which may be designated as the movable contact, is mounted on a resilient contact arm 81 having one end disposed in the insulating stack 78. The inherent resilience of resilient contact arm 81 tends to bias movable contact '79 toward conducting engagement with the stationary contact 86'. in order to cause movement of contact 79, resilient contact arm 81 is provided with an extension 83 engageable by the insulating projection 78 of bimetallic eiemcnt 77. Preferably extension 33 comprises a compensating thermostat and is also formed of bimetallic material which, as the sole plate temperature increases, tends to change the effective operation of the bimetallic element 77 in a well understood manner. The resilient contact arm 81 and consequently the movable contact 79 is electrically connected by means of an L-shaped conducting member 85 and a conductor 86 with the terminal 33:: of the U- shaped heating element 31. The other terminal 33!) of the U-shapcd heating element is connected by a suitable conductor 37 which is provided with a terminal portion 88 for direct connection to one conductor 39 of the power cord 21. The conductor 87 preferably includes an extension 87a which is interposed in the insulating stack '78 in order rigidly to support the terminal 88.

For the purpose of supporting the stationary contact 8-5, there is provided contact supporting arm Q0 which is somewhat pivotally supported by virtue of its attachment to a resilient contact arm 91 having its end remote from contact 80 disposed within the insulating stack 78. T he contact 80 is supported in insulating relationship with the contact support 90 and an electrical conductorin the form of a flexible strip 92 electrically connects contact 80 with an L-shaped terminal member 93 having a terminal portion 93a electrically connected to the other conductor 94 of the power cord 21.

The contact 80 has been generally referred to as a stationary contact, but in order that selective control of the temperature of the sole plate is obtained, this contact is arranged to be selectively movable in response to the will of the operator, thereby to provide different temperature settings for the pressing iron 20. As illustrated, the contact support 90 is provided with a curved extension 90a which extends forwardly of the hexagonal rod 40 and is shaped so as to extend around the same. The free end of the extension 90a is furthermore connected by suitable means with a vertically movable member 96 which is provided with rack teeth 96a to engage a suitable gear rotatable with a control knob 98 suitably supported from the spacer member 70 by supporting means 99. The elements 96, 98 and 99 are preferably identical or at least functionally similar to those shown in the above mentioned Bisley patent and no further discussion thereof is included herewith. When the control knob 98 which protrudes through a suitable opening at the forward portion of the handle is rotated by the thumb of the operator, vertical movement of the connecting member 96 is produced which in turn causes movement of stationary contact 80. Preferablythe control knob 98 is provided with suitable indicia to indicate the kind of goods, for example, which may be ironed with the particular setting of the control knob.

The'rotatable knob 98 is adjustable relative to the associated gear not shown engaging rack teeth 96a. However, in order to obtain a more accurate control setting of the thermal responsive device 61, there is provided an extension 75b which is effectively an integral extension of the supporting frame 75. Through this extension 75b is supported a screw 100 engageable with the rear portion of the cover or shell 62 as clearly indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Preferably, a lock nut 101 surrounding the end of the extension 75b maintains the screw 100 in any selected desired position. Upon assembly of the iron, the control knob 98 is first connected and adjusted to perform the desired control function within the limits of adjustment thereof. More accurate and finer control is then obtained through adjustment of the screw 100 which gives the initial control setting for the thermostat subassembly 61 which is only supported at the forward end by the screws 76 and hence the whole subassernbly can be biased downwardly at the rear end thereof through manipulation of the screw 100 which consequently also efiectively changes the position of the stationary contact 80 and hence gives a fine initial adjustment of the thermostat control device;

' For thepurpose of permitting the coupling 56 connected to the conduit 55 to extend outside the iron 20, the cover or shell 62 is provided with a suitable opening therefor. Morever, to support the free end of this conduit in a desired position, a suitable angular. support 102 is riveted to the shell at 103 as best shown in Figs. 3 and 10 of the drawings. This angular support 102 is provided with an opening through which the threaded portion of the coupling 56 extends. Preferably, this coupling is provided with a flange 56a and a suitable nipple extension 105 threadedly engaging the threaded end 56b of the coupling 56 clamps the angular support 102 against the flange 56a. The extension 105 is preferably formed of a plated metal so as to have a pleasing appearance and extends for a very short distance beyond the shell 62. For a purpose which will become apparent from the ensuing description, the protruding end of the nipple 105 may be provided with suitable threads 105a. This nipple 105 is furthermore provided with a conically shaped chamber 107 therein.

In order to provide a closure to prevent lint from entering the opening leading to the chamber 107 and hence also leading to theconduit 55 when the iron is used without the steam attachment, there 'is provided a cover member 108 pivotally supported from a. suitable wire member 109 extending through suitable openings within the cover or shell 62 and bent over on the inside thereof as indicated at 109a.

From the above description, it will be understood that the pressing iron 20 differs from the conventional pressing iron only in the provision of the steam generating chamber and associated apparatus described above. As far as the operator of the iron is concerned, however, the only outward difference between this iron which is adapted to be converted to a steam iron and one not so adapted is the nipple and cover 108 therefor which extends very slightly beyond the shell 62 and the steam ports and distributing

grooves

51 and 53, respectively. The manufacturing cost of the iron, therefore, is only slightly high er with these additional features than if they were omitted, since aside from the original mold for the sole plate, the only additional parts are the cover 108 for the steam generating chamber, the conduit 55 and the .associated parts for supporting and terminating this conduit including the nipple 105 and the angle support 102.

in order to convert the pressingiron, described above, to a steam iron, all that is necessary is to employ the attachment 25 in combination with a supply of distilled Water. As has been mentioned above, steam irons as manufactured heretofore cannot be satisfactorily used with ordinary tap water in the large majority of localities. This ordinary tap water contains suflicient mineral impurities so that when converted to steam in the steam iron, these mineral impurities remain in the orifice through which this water must flow in conventional steam irons and clogs the same. It is for this reason that most reputable manufacturers of steam irons have warned housewives to use only distilled water in their steam irons. One of the big objections to the steam iron as employed heretofore on the part of the housewife, is the continual filling and emptying of the water reservoir from a container of distilled water which is conventionally purchased in gallon or half-gallon containers. This necessitates employing a funnel and pouring the distilled water from the container into a cup or similar vessel and then into the reservoir of the iron through the funnel. The reservoir on the iron will not normally hold enough water to last during one ironing operation so that several fillings are necessary. Moreover, when the ironing operation is completed, it is desirable to empty whatever water remains in the reservoir and this is a further undesirable chore. In accordance with the present invention, this problem is completely eliminated and the distilled water always remains within the container such, for example, as a gallon container in which it is originally purchased and is used directly from this container Without any effort on the part of the housewife or operator of the iron except to supply a small amount of ressure within the water container which is accomplished by the attachment 25 referred to above.

As illustrated in the drawings, the vessel or container 26 within which is disposed the distilled water 110, is illustrated as a conventional vessel which is manufactured with a threaded top as indicated at 26:: for accommodation of a suitable closure cap. The attachment 25 of the present invention includes a suitable bottle adapter designated at 111 which may be formed of any suitable material such as a molded plastic or a suitable metal. As illustrated, the adapter 111 is provided with a threaded portion 112 to engage the threaded neck 26:: of the distilled water bottle 26. suitable sealing gasket 113 is preferably provided. In order to aid in applying and removing the adapter 111 from the bottle or vessel 26, the latter may be provided with projections or ears 114.

For the purpose of supplying the distilled water within the bottle or vessel 26 to the pressing iron 20 and specifieauy to "the -'nipple 105 "which 'is accessible from 'the outside"of"the'iron 20,the 'a'dapter"111"is provided with anintegral lateral'tubular. projection 116 over which may be slipped the flexible conduit 27 which leads to the steam iron 20. Preferably,the hollow projection 116 is provided with suitable ridges or the like which will prevent the flexible conduit 27, formed of rubber or other resilient material, from becoming detached. A passageway 117 is defined within the lateralprojection 116 which leads into a chamber 118 defined within the adapter. The chamber 118 is connected'to another passageway 119 defined within a projecting portion 120'of the adapter 111 which is disposed within the neck of the bottle 26 when the adapter 111 is associated therewith in the manner shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Attached to the projection 120 is a flexible conduit 121 of sufficient length to extend to the bottom of the bottle. The end of the flexible conduit 121 ispreferably provided with a suitable strainer 122 so as to prevent any foreign particles that might accidentally becontained in the bottle 26 from entering the flexible tube 121. Efiectively, the

flexible tubes

127 and 121 are capillary tubes having an internal diameter or bore of the order of three or four hundredths of an inch, which bore is of the order of four times the diameter of orifices heretofore employed in steam irons. This means that the area of the passageway through which the water flows in the iron of the present invention is between ten and twenty times greater than the area of the orifice passageway in prior art steam irons.

In order to cause the water 110 within the vessel 26 to flow to the steam iron through the capillary tubes 27, regardless of the location of the vessel 26, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a pressure producing means comprising the bulb 123 connected by a suitable conduit 124 with a projection 125 of the adapter 111. This projection 125 is hollow including the passageway 126 which leads to a relatively large chamber 127 opening into the open end of the adapter so as directly to connect the flexible tube 124 with the inside of the vessel 26. The bulb 123 may be a conventional atomizer bulb having a check valve 128 in one end thereof which serves to permit air to be taken into the bulb 123 and when'the bulb is compressed forces air out through a suitable nipple or adapter 129 which connects the atomizer bulb 123 with the conduit 124.

It will be understood that the vessel 26 could be elevated to provide the desired pressure by virtue of gravity. However, the drawback here is that the housewife would not have appropriate places to support the vessel in elevated position particularly since the ironing would be done in different places at diflerent times. It is for this reason that the vessel 26 is preferably placed on the floor with suflicient pressure provided to raise the water to a substantial distance above the ironing board.

It would be desirable for the water supplied to the capillary tube 27 of the steam iron 20 to be supplied thereto under constant pressure and in accordance with the present invention a pressure regulating means is provided which tends to maintain constant the pressure applied within the bottle 26 as evidenced by the arrows of Fig. 8. To this end, the adapter 111 at its upper end is provided with an opening or passageway 130 leading from the chamber 127 to an expandable balloon-like member 131 which is clamped to the adapter 111 by a suitable clamping ring 133 threaded to a threaded extension 134 of the adapter 111. The expandable member 131 preferably formed of rubber or the like is of sack-like configuration having an integral annular flange 131a at its open lower end which is clamped by the clamping ring 133 which latter may also be formed of a molded plastic material or the like, if desired. Suitable corrugations 131b, best shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, may be employed if desired to provide a designtproviding uniformpressure regardless of the expansion of balloon member 131, although it has been found that a smooth sack-like memher is "satisfactdi'y. {A 's'uitable'wa'sh'er13i5iprevehts'the clamping "ring 133 'frem damaging the annular "flange 15121. The expandable'element'131is preferably m'dlde'd as a sack open only at'o'rie'en'd, although if necessary for alignment'purposes during'the"tnolding operation it may be'open'atbothends as illustrated, but as illustrated, is open at'and provided with'a sealing plug 136 to'seal the upper end following'the molding operation. When pressure'is appliedb'y actuation of the bulb 123, the expandableniember 131- gradually expands from the position shown in Fig. 8'to a condition suchas isshown in Fig.1 orby the dottd'lines of 'Fig. 8. Moreover, this expandable element is designed so that regardless of the expanded 'condition'the'reof, a substantially constant pressure is applied to the' liquid 11'0'within the vessel 26. This pressure is of the'order of two and one-half to three pounds per square inch. For the dimensions of the capillary tube ref'erred'to above, this pressure causes a water flow of between 0.35 and 0,4 of an ounce per minute. For a capillary-tube several feet in length, and with the internal diameter in-inches given above, the minimum ratio of the length and internal diameter, both in inches, has a magnitude of the order of 900.

It will be understood that when the ironing operation is completed, it is ordinarily undesirable for the bulb'1'31 to remain in'the expandedposition and to this end there is provided in the adapter 111 a pressure release valve generally designated at 140 which includes a manually actuable plunger 1 41 biased by a spring 143 so as to cause a valve seat 142 to close an opening connecting chamber 127 to atmosphere. All that is necessary to release the pressure within the vessel 26 is to depress the plunger 141.

Since the pressing iron of the present invention is one which is adapted for conversion from an ordinary pressing iron to a steam iron with but a moments notice, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a rigid conduit or capillary tube 145 which provides the connection from the flexible capillary tube 27 to the nipple 105 which nipple, as was pointed out above, has the conical chamber 107 therein. The rigid conduit 145 is provided with a flange 146 press-fitted or otherwise secured thereto to hold in place a conical sealing washer 147, which is adapted to be inserted into the conical chamber 107 to provide a suitable seal between the conduit 145 and the nipple 105. This sealing washer 107 may provide suflicient frictional engagement with the nipple 105' to hold the rigid conduit 145 in position. However, there is also provided a threaded nut 148 slidably disposed on the rigid conduit 145 for engaging the threadedend 105a of the nipple 105 thereby to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the conduit145. This rigid conduit-extends laterally from the iron in a manner clearly-indicated in Fig. 7 so as to hold the flexible capillary tube 27 away from the iron.

In accordance with the present invention, the end of the rigid conduit 145 adjacent the capillary tube 27 is provided with a molded unit generally designated by the reference numeral 150 which comprises a shutoff valve and cord support. As illustrated, the unit 150 is a molded unit which is slipped over the end ofthe rigid conduit 145. The portion of the rigid conduit disposed within the unit 150 is provided with a lateral opening to accommodate the valve member 151 which is rotatable between a closed and an open position. A suitable manually actuable handle 152 permits ready manipulation of the valve member and suitable indicia as best shown in Fig. 7 indicates the closed and open positions of the valve. The projection of the conduit 145 beyond the unit 150 is designatedas 145a and elfectiveiydefines a nipple for attachment with the capillary tube 27. Also, in accordance with the present invention, the valve unit .150 includes a pair of. projecting fingers 155 to define aspace for receiving therein the power cord 21 in clamping engagement whereby the power cord 21 and the tube 145 are held together between the unit 150 and the iron 20. Moreover, the rigid conduit 145 tends to hold both the cord and the capillary tube free of the iron so as in no way to interfere with use of the iron. As a matter of fact, housewives may prefer to keep the rigid conduit 145 in position Whether the iron is used as a steam iron or not, to maintain the power cord 21 out of the way during the ironing operation. If this is desired, the capillary tube 27 may be disconnected from the nipple 145 when the iron is not used as a steam iron. The rigid conduit may have any suitable length and lengths of nine inches and five inches have been successfully employed.

From the above discussion, it will be apparent that there has been provided a simple attachment for converting a pressing iron to a steam iron and in view of the fact that distilled water which should be employed may at all times remain within the container in which it is purchased, the housewife will not have the objection to using distilled water that was prevalent heretofore. Moreover, by utilizing such distilled water, there is eliminated the possibility of mineral deposits within the steam chamber and the resultant plugging up of the passageways including the ports leading to the pressing surface. By proper design of the pressure regulator comprising the expandable element 131, there is provided an arrangement whereby a fixed pressure substantially greater than that normally employed in steam irons heretofore is constantly applied to the water source feeding the iron. Moreover, this expandable element 131 acts as a safety valve in the event of the occurrence of unduly high pressures in the container or vessel 26 and the worst that could happen under these conditions would be rupture of the expandable element 131. In prior art devices it is necessary to provide elaborate safety valve arrangements for insuring safety.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the resistance to water flow in the steam iron of the present invention is provided by the long capillary tube. In prior art steam irons, the resistance to water flow is afforded by a short orifice of fixed size. It hasbeen discovered that when material of relatively high density if ironed with conventional steam irons that a substantial reduction of steam flow results and a greatly decreased penetration of the material results. This is due to the fact that the resistance of the material to the steam flow becomes a high percentage of the total resistance to steam flow including that of the material being ironed as well as the orifice. With the steam iron of the present invention where water under substantial pressure is supplied to the iron, however, the impedance to steam flow aiforded by the material of relatively heavy density is such a small percentage of theimpedance to flow provided by the relatively long capillary tube 27, that substantially no change in penetration of steam dependent upon changes in density of the material being ironed occurs. Thus, an important advantage of the present steam iron is the faster and deeper penetration of the steam into the material being ironed. Also, the present iron was found to remove wrinkles in the lower layer or layers of cloth being ironed in a much shorter time than is the case with prior art irons available on the market-today. From the above description, it will he observed that the steam iron of the present invention may have the same weight as the conventional light weight iron now so extensively employed. All prior art steam irons are substantially heavier due to the requirement of a water reservoir and additional steam control facilities. With the present invention, a manufacturer, therefore, may make only one iron which may be used as a regular iron and when a steam iron is desired can readily be converted to a steam iron by virtue of the attachment 25. Moreover, if it-is desired to sell the regular iron with the conventional sole plate without the steam ports, about the only change necessary is a difierent sole plate and a cover or shell 62 without the opening in the coupling 56 and the nipple 105. In prior art irons, where a reservoir is associated with the iron which may contain a substantial amount of water at one time and practically none at another time, a considerable difference in the temperature control may re sult. This is not true with the present invention where when water is flowing there is a constant flow. Moreover, the water flow close to the thermostat cools the same and causes the iron to be hotter at other points thereof for the same thermostat setting thereby preventing cooling to the point where water might be discharged from the iron. It might be pointed out also that the present invention permits the use of a steam iron which can be used as a steam iron almost as soon as it is plugged in. The sole plate of pressing irons such as the one described above can normally be heated in a matter of less than a minute and with the present invention, proper steam flow can be obtained as soon as the sole plate is heated, which means that steam flow within less than a minute is obtainable. In prior art irons, however, the body of water associated with the steam iron must be heated and a much longer time normally elapses. In view of the fact that the housewife never need remove water from the container 26 for filling the iron as in prior art devices, there is no emptying problem either since when the conduit is removed from the nipple 105, the iron is empty of water. Furthermore, ironing may be continuous for many hours without supplying a new container of distilled water and when the bottle is only partly full without even actuating the pressure supply bulb 123.

In Figs. 15 and 16 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification of the present invention showing a portion of a sole plate 30 which is designated as 30 to distinguish it from the sole plate of the steam iron 20 discussed above. The corresponding parts of Figs. 15 and 16 are designated by the same reference numerals as in the preceding embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 16, a single port 51 replaces the plurality of ports 51 and connects the pressing surface of the iron with the steam generating chamber. The port 51' is disposed within a removable plug threadedly engaging a threaded opening defined in the sole plate. This removable plug includes a pair of depressions 161, which maybe engaged by a suitable tool to remove and replace the plug. The plug is adapted to have a recess 163 at the inner end thereof for accommodating a tube 164 within which may be disposed copper wool or other suitable material for insuring superheating of the steam. Moreover, the cover 38 of the steam generating chamber is provided with a dome 166 for accommodating the tube 164 and this dome defines an annular passageway through which the steam must flow to reach the copper wool before it may pass through the port 160. The modification of Figs. 15 and 16 is primarily for the purpose of permitting removal of the plug 160 to clean out any deposits if ordinary tap water were employed. However, much more satisfactory operation is obtained with the first described arrangement disclosed above using distilled water. The plug160 does not extend quite out to-the pressing surface of the sole plate to define a circular recess which acts as a header for the grooves 53 which terminate therein.

While there has been illustrated and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

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

1. In a pressing iron, a sole plate having a generally U-shaped electric heating element embedded therein, a cover plate, said cover plate and said sole plate including 1'5 the po'rtion of said -sole. plate. having saidelectric heating element embedded therein defining a steam generating chamberadjacent the bight portionand between the legs of said U-shaped heating element, means interconnecting the pressing surface of said sole plate and said steam generating chamber for transmitting steam when produced in said steam generating chamber to said pressing surface, a water supply conduit extending along one-leg of said heating element and:having one end thereof terminating within said steam generating chamber at a point remote from said bight portion, a conduit coupling member supported on said iron so as to be accessible from the outside of said iron and connected to the other end of said conduit,-and a flexible capillary tube capable of interconnecting said coupling member and an external source of water which water is caused to flow along said capillary tube by virtue of a suitable pressure head whereby water may be supplied to said steam generating chamber for conversion into steam, the lengthand bore of said capillary tube being such relative to the pressure head of said source causing ilow through said tube of at least-0.35 ounce per minute.

2. A steam iron having-a'soleplate, means defining a steam generating chamber in said steam iron, means interconnecting the pressing surface of said sole plate and said steam generating chamber for transmitting steam when produced in said steam generating chamber to said pressing surface, a water supply conduit having one end thereof terminating within said steam generating chamber, a conduit coupling member supported on said steam iron so as to be accessible from the outside of-said iron and connected to the other end of said conduit,'a rigid conduit at least several inches in length adapted for connection with said coupling member in amanner to extend away from said iron, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said rigid conduit with an external source of water, and a water control valve provided at the junction of said flexible tube and said rigid conduit.

3. A steam iron having a soleplate and electric heating means therefor including a power cord, means defining a steam generating chamber in said steam iron, means interconnecting the pressing surface of said sole plate and said steam'generating chamber for transmitting steam when produced in said steam generating chamber to said pressing surface, a water supplyconduit in said steam iron having one end connected to said steam generating chamber, a conduit coupling member supported on said steam iron so as to be accessible from the outside of said iron and connected to the other end of said water supply conduit, a rigid tube of relatively short'length adapted for connection with said coupling member, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said rigid tube with an external source of water, a water control valve provided at the junction of said flexible tube and said rigid conduit, and means associated with said control valve for detachably holding said power cord.

4. In a steam iron, a sole plate, means defining a threaded opening in said sole plate extending to the pressing surface thereof, a steam generating chamber defined in-part by said sole plate and connected to said opening, a removable closure plug for said opening including a port therein connecting said steam generating chamber with said pressing surface when said plug is threaded insaid opening, means defining a recess in said plug on the side remote from said pressing surface, a tubular member having one end thereof disposed in said recess and defining a steam passageway extending into said steam generating chamber, and metal wool disposed in said passageway for preventing water droplets from reaching said port, said passageway being the sole path for steam between said steam generating chamber and said port.

5. An attachment for'converting a pressing iron of the type having an external water connection to-a steam iron comprising a rigid conduit several inches in length having aportion arranged for attachmentwith said exte'rnal water connection, an adapter having means for attachingthe same to a distilled water container, 21 flexible capillary tubefor interconnectingtsaid rigid conduit and said adapter, a control valve interposed in the passageway defined by said capillary tube and rigid conduit. a pressure regulating expandable member connected to said adapter, and a pressure producing means connected to said adapter, said pressure producing means and pressure regulating expandable member being connected to said distilled water container when said adapter is attached thereto.

6. An attachment for converting a pressing iron of the type having an external female type water connection to a steam iron comprising a rigid conduit having a male portion at one end arranged for attachment with said water connection, an adapter having means for attaching the same to a liquid container, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said rigid conduit and said adapter, a control valve supported on the other end of said rigid conduit for controlling the flow of water through said capillary tube, a pressure regulating expandable member connected to said adapter, and a bulb type pressure producing means connected to said adapter, said pressure producing means and pressure regulating expandable member being connected to said liquid container when said adapter is attached thereto to apply a constant pressure to any liquid disposed in said container and force the same through said capillary tube.

7. An attachment for converting a pressing iron of the type having an external female type'water connection to a steam iron comprising a rigid conduit having a male portion at one'end arranged for attachment with said water connection, an adapter having means for attaching the same to a liquid container, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said rigid conduit and said adapter, a control valve supported on the other end of saidirigid conduit for controlling the fiow of water through said capillary tube, a pressure regulating expandable member connected to said adapter, a bulb type pressure producing means connected to said adapter, said pressure producing means and pressure regulating expandable member being connected to said liquid con tainer when said adapter is attached thereto to apply a constant pressure to any liquid disposed in said container and force the same through said capillary tube. and a pressure release valve in said adapter for releasing any pressure produced by said pressure producing means.

8. An attachment for converting a pressing iron of the type having an external water connection to a steam iron comprising an adapter having means for attaching the same to a liquid container, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said external water connection and said adapter, a control valve interposed in the passageway defined by said capillary tube, means defining a chamber in said adapter, a pressure regulating balloon connected to said chamber, and pressure producing means connected to said chamber, said chamber being adapted for direct connection to said liquid container when said adapter is applied thereto, said balloon maintaining the pressure in said chamber substantially constant for substantially all inflated conditions thereof.

9. An attachment for converting a pressing iron of the type having an external water connection to a steam iron comprising an adapter having means for attaching the same to a liquid container, a flexible capillary tube for interconnecting said external water connection and said adapter, a control valve interposed in the passageway defined by said capillary tube, means defining a chamber in said adapter, a pressure regulating balloon connected to said chamber, pressure producing means connected to said chamber, said chamber being connected directly to said liquid container when said adapter is ap plied' thereto, said balloon'maintaining thepressure in said 'cha'mber'substantially constant for substantially all inflated conditions thereof, and a pressure release valve connected to said chamber, said ballon effectively serving 17 as a safety valve should high pressures develop in the pressing iron.

10. An attachment for converting a pressing iron of the type having an external water connection to a steam iron comprising an adapter having means for attaching the same to a liquid container, a capillary tube for interconnecting said external Water connection and said adapter including a rigid section and a flexible section, a control valve interposed in the passageway defined by said capillary tube, means defining a chamber in said adapter, a pressure regulating balloon connected to said chamber, said chamber being connected directly to said liquid container when said adapter is applied thereto, said balloon maintaining the pressure in said chamber substantially constant for substantially all inflated conditions thereof, said capillary tube having a fluid passageway of the order of thirty to forty thousandths of an inch in diameter and said pressure regulating balloon maintaining a constant pressure of the order of two and one-half to three pounds per square inch.

11. For use with a steam iron of the type comprising a sole plate having a flash boiler type of steam generating chamber defined in said iron with means connecting the pressing surface of said sole plate with said steam generating chamber, the combination of a source of water under a substantially constant pressure head, and a long conduit including a flexible portion interconnecting said steam generating chamber and said source, the length and internal diameter of at least a portion of said conduit and the pressure head of said source being so proportioned to cause a Water flow of the order of 0.35 of an ounce per minute, the minimum ratio of the length and internal diameter of said conduit, both in inches, being of the order of 900, the major impedance to water and steam flow comprising said conduit whereby the density of the material being ironed by said steam iron has substantially no eflect on the penertation of steam therein.

12. For use with a steam iron of the type comprising a sole plate having a flash boiler type of steam generating chamber defined in said iron with steam communicating means connecting the pressing surface of said sole plate with said steam generating chamber, the combination of a source of water remote from said iron, a conduit including a flexible portion interconnecting said steam generating chamber and said source, means for eflectively maintaining the water from said source supplied to said steam generating chamber at a substantially constant pressure below four pounds per square inch, the length and internal diameter of at least a portion of said conduit with respect to said pressure being so proportioned that the major impedance to said water flow comprises said conduit whereby the rate of water flowing to the steam chamber is substantially constant and of the order of 0.35 ounce per minute, the minimum ratio of the length and internal diameter of said conduit, boflt in inches, being of the order of 900, said rate of flow being substantially unaffected by the impedance afforded by the material being ironed.

13. In a pressing iron, a sole plate having a generally U-shaped electric heating element embedded therein, a cover plate, said cover plate and said sole plate including the portion of said sole plate having said electric heating element embedded therein defining a steam generating chamber adjacent the bight portion and between the legs of said U-shaped heating element, means interconnecting the pressing surface of said sole plate and said steam generating chamber for transmitting steam when produced in said steam generating chamber to said pressing surface, a water supply conduit having one end thereof terminating within said steam generating chamber, a conduit coupling member supported on said iron so as to be accessible from the outside of said iron and connected to the other end of said conduit, a flexible capillary tube at least several feet in length interconnecting said conduit coupling member and an external source of water, and means for eflectively placing the water of said source under a suitable pressure head whereby water may be supplied to said steam generating chamber for conversion into steam, said last mentioned means connected to the end of said flexible tube remote from said conduit coupling member in a manner to cause water from said source to flow through said capillary tube at a substantially constant rate of the order of 0.35 ounce per minute.

14. The pressing iron of claim 13 in which said other end of said conduit is provided with a cover pivotally mounted to said iron adjacent where said conduit coupling member is connected to said other end of said conduit for closing said other end of said conduit when not connected to said external source of water.

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