WO2007018389A1

WO2007018389A1 - An iron keeping case

Info

Publication number: WO2007018389A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003090
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ko Eun Byun
Original assignee: Ko Eun Byun
Priority date: 2005-08-08
Filing date: 2006-08-07
Publication date: 2007-02-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to an iron keeping case, in which a pair of half covers are provided to be opened and closed facing to each other so as to store an iron seated on a storage member, so that the pair of half covers can act as legs capable of supporting the iron storage member by a height of an ironing board, which is used in a user s seating position, when they are opened, so that an entire volume of the iron keeping case can be reduced, thereby occupying relatively small space for ironing when the pair of half covers are opened to a their vertical position, but not a their lateral position, and so that a steam iron can be inclineably supported, thereby preventing water leakage. The iron keeping case according to the present invention comprises a storage member for supporting an iron and a pair of half covers openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member, wherein the storage member includes an inclined support step formed thereon for allowing the iron to be inclineably supported, so as to prevent a leakage of water for generating steam, and wherein the pair of half covers are constructed such that they are downwardly rotated to a their vertical position so as to allow the opposite side surfaces thereof to abut against each other to support the storage member.

Description

AN IRON KEEPING CASE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an iron keeping case, and more particular, to such an iron keeping case having multi-functions, in which a pair of half covers are provided to be opened and closed facing to each other, so that an iron seated on a storage member is protected in their closed state, and the covers supports the storage member acting as legs in their opened state, whereby an iron is supported by the height of an ironing board used in a user s seating position, thereby facilitating ironing, an iron is inclineably supported, thereby preventing water leakage even in case where a steam iron is supported and stored, and the pair of half covers are opened downwardly, thereby reducing a space for ironing. Further, when the iron plate is rotated, an iron in use can be seated on an iron plate, which is mounted inside of the iron keeping case, whereby the iron plate supports various kinds of irons irrespective to their sizes. Background Art

[2] Generally, iron keeping cases have been used for the purpose of preventing a danger of burning caused by bringing a heated iron into contact with the floor paper or a part of a user s body by mistake, so that a highly heated iron can be put into the iron keeping case for its custody right after using it, thereby facilitating ironing without eliminating the need for waiting the iron to be cooled. Such a conventional iron keeping case has been suggested in a Korean utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1992-6411 entitled iron case , which comprises a support plate for allowing an iron to be seated thereon and a pair of half covers for covering the support plate. However, the above-mentioned prior art document has a shortcoming in that since the support plate is horizontally formed, a steam iron may not be stored thereon. In other words, since the steam iron is generally operated such that water is stored inside the steam iron and then the heated water, i.e., steam is sprayed through steam holes formed on the bottom surface of the steam iron, the water is leaked through the steam holes in case where the steam iron is placed on the support plate horizontally formed, to thereby cause a malfunction of the steam iron. Another shortcoming of the iron case is that it occupies much space for ironing since the pair of half covers are rotated only by 90 degree to be laterally spread, as well as the support plate is not sufficiently highly raised up, although the support plate is raised above the pair of half covers when they are opened.

[3] Further, a Korean utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.1998- 17107 entitled iron case with combined function of rotatable support plate has an identical configuration to that of the conventional iron case, as described above, except that a support plate is freely rotated. However, it still causes disadvantages in that since a support plate is horizontally formed, a steam iron is not available and much space for ironing is required.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an iron keeping case, in which a pair of half covers are provided to be opened and closed facing to each other so as to store an iron seated on a storage member, so that the pair of half covers can act as legs capable of supporting the iron storage member by a height of an ironing board, which is used in a user s seating position, when they are opened, so that an entire volume of the iron keeping case can be reduced, thereby occupying a relatively small space for ironing when the pair of half covers are opened to their vertical position, but not their lateral position, and so that a steam iron can be inclineably supported, thereby preventing water leakage.

[5] Another object of the present invention is to provide an iron keeping case, in which the pair of half covers, which are openable and closeable facing to each other, protects an iron seated on the iron storage member when they are closed while acting as legs supporting the storage member when they are opened, as well as an iron in use is placed on an iron plate formed inside the case when the iron plate is rotated, thereby supporting various kinds irons irrespective to their sizes.

Technical Solution

[6] To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an iron keeping case comprising: a storage member for supporting an iron; and a pair of half covers openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member, wherein the storage member includes an inclined support step formed thereon for allowing the iron to be inclineably supported so as to prevent a leakage of water for generating steam, and wherein the pair of half covers are constructed such that they are downwardly rotated to a their vertical position so as to allow the opposite side surfaces thereof to abut against to each other to support the storage member.

[7] Further, to accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an iron keeping case comprising: a storage member for supporting an iron; and a pair of half covers openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member; wherein the storage member is separated into an upper storage portion and a lower storage portion by means of a partition wall formed inside thereof, the partition wall including an opening formed therein so as to pass through the upper and lower storage portions; wherein an iron plate is coupled to the opening by means of hinge portions formed on edges of the opening so as to be in- clineably opened toward the lower storage portion; and wherein the pair of half covers act as legs when they are downwardly opened after the iron storage member turns upside down so as to allow the lower storage portion to face upward, and the iron plate is inclineably opened so as to allow the opening to be opened, so as to be used as an iron support plate.

Advantageous Effects

[8] As described above, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of half covers for covering a storage member acts as legs when they are fully opened, so that the storage member can be raised up by a height of an ironing board to be used in a user s seating position, thereby facilitating ironing. Further, the pair of half covers are rotatably opened to a their vertical position, thereby reducing a space requiring for ironing, and the iron storage member is inclineably formed so as to inclineably support an steam iron, thereby preventing water leakage.

[9] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of half covers for covering a storage member also acts as legs when they are fully opened, so that the storage member can be raised up by a height of an ironing board to be used in a user s seating position, thereby facilitating ironing. Further, the pair of half covers are rotatably opened only by a predetermined limited angle when they are fully opened, thereby reducing a space requiring for ironing, and an iron plate of the iron storage member is inclineably placed, thereby supporting irons having various sizes.

[10] Further, the iron storage member has an advantage in that the storage member is used for multipurpose since it includes a plurality of space portions for separately storing sewing stuffs such as thread, needles, and buttons. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an iron keeping case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[13] FIG. 2 is an assembly perspective view of an iron keeping case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[14] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the iron keeping case is used for ironing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of an iron keeping case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [16] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line A-A of FIG. 4;

[17] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [18] FIG. 7 is an assembly perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [19] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the iron keeping case is used for ironing according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line B-B of FIG. 9;

[22] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the iron keeping case is used for ironing according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [24] FIG. 13 is an assembly perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [25] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state where an iron keeping case is fully opened so as to support an iron according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; [26] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an iron keeping case according to another p referred embodiment of the present invention; [27] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an iron keeping case is fully opened so as to support an iron according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [28] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an iron plate according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for the Invention [29] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings. [30] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an iron keeping case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an assembly perspective view of an iron keeping case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The iron keeping case of the present invention comprises an iron storage member 1 for allowing an iron to be seated thereon and a pair of half covers 11 to be opened and closed facing to each other for covering the iron storage member 1. [31] The iron storage member 1 includes an iron storage portion 2, on which an iron is placed, a thread storage portion 4, a button storage portion 5 and a needle storage portion 6 formed on a side thereof. The iron storage portion 2 includes an inclined support step 3 so as to allow an iron to be inclineably placed thereon. The inclined support step 3 may function such that it is brought into pre-contact with a part of heat plates of an iron, thereby preventing overheating, and it inclineably supports an iron using water such as a steam iron, thereby preventing water leakage.

[32] The storage member 1 and the pair of half covers 11 are hingably engaged to each other by means of pin-holes 10, 14 and a pin 15. The pair of half covers 11 includes a grip 12 formed on the upper end thereof, respectively, and a plurality of heat radiation openings 13 for releasing the heat from the iron to the outside. A magnetic 7 is built in the needle storage portion 6 so as to attract needles. Further, the storage member 1 includes a pin 9 and a stopper 8 formed on a side of the upper portion thereof and adapted for fixing the opened half covers 11 thereto in a hinge manner.

[33] FIGs. 3 and 6 configured as described above are views showing a state where the storage member 1 is opened and an iron 20 is seated on the storage member for ironing. At this time, the pair of half covers 11 are opened to the right and left, and pivotally rotated by 180 degrees, respectively, so that they can face to each other at the bottom portion of the storage member 1. After that, the stopper 8 formed on the upper portion of the storage member 1 is pivotally rotated to be protruded from the storage member 1 so as to allow the stopper 8 to be latched by the upper end of the pair of half covers 11, so that the rotated half covers 11 are latched by the stopper 8 to be fixed in their vertical position, whereby the storage member 1 is raised up by a height of an ironing board.

[34] When a user is doing ironing in his or her seating position, an iron can be conveniently placed on the storage member 1 in a state where the storage member 1 is raised up from the floor. Further, when an iron is inclineably placed on the inclined support step 3, a steam iron can be stored without a danger of water leakage. Further, the pair of half covers 11 abut against each other at their outermost side surfaces facing to each other when they are fully opened to be placed below the storage member 1, whereby the entire volume of the case can be reduced, thereby requiring a relatively small space for ironing.

[35] The storage member 1 includes the thread storage portion 4, the button storage portion 5 and the needle storage portion 6 formed in a side thereof, so that the sewing stuff can be conveniently stored in the respective storage portions. In particular, the magnet 7 is built in the needle storage portion 6, thereby preventing the loss of the needles. Further, a heat plate of the iron 20 is spaced apart from the iron storage portion 2 to some degree by means of the inclined support step 3, so that the heat transmission to the storage member 1 from the iron 20 can be reduced, as well as an air cooling effect can be obtained due to air-contact. [36] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7 is an assembly perspective view of an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. An iron keeping case of FIGs 6 and 7, has an identical configuration to that of the iron keeping case of FIGs. 1 to 5. But at this time, the storage member 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an upper storage portion 2a and a lower storage portion 2b, which are separated by means of an upper inclined support plate 3 a and a lower inclined support plate 3b. The upper storage portion 2a is used when an iron 20 is stored, not in use, and the lower storage portion 2b is used when ironing with the iron 20.

[37] As shown in FIGs. 8 and 11, when the storage member 11 turns upside down and then the pair of half covers 11 are opened to the right and left, respectively, a latching protrusion 11a extended from lower ends of the pair half of covers 11 is brought into contact with the both side surfaces of the storage member 1, respectively, to be latched thereto, thereby supporting the storage member 1. At this time, the iron 20 can be placed on the lower storage portion 2 facing upward, thereby facilitating ironing. Further, since the thread storage portion 4, the button storage portion 5, and the needle storage portion 6 are covered by a cover plate 16 for opening and closing them, the sewing stuffs are not fallen down even if the storage member 1 turns upside down. The cover plate 16 includes a retaining step 18 formed thereon, and the storage member 1 includes a protrusion 19 formed thereon, so that the cover plate 16 can be kept closed by means of the engagement between the retaining step 18 and the protrusion 19. Also, the cover plate 16 can be opened and closed by a finger hole 17 formed thereon.

[38] In iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the invention configured as described above, the storage member 1 turns upside down and then the pair of half covers 11 are opened to the right and left, respectively, so that the storage member 1 can support the iron 20, thereby facilitating ironing. In particular, the latching protrusion 11a extended from the lower end of the pair of half covers 11 is latched by the both side surfaces of the storage member 1, respectively, so that a spread angle of the covers 11 can be restricted by a predetermined angle without a separate stopper. Further, the pair of half covers 11 are fully opened to be fixed below the storage member 1, that is, they are not spread in a horizontal line, thereby reducing a space requiring for ironing.

[39] FIGs. 12 to 17 are views showing an iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[40] An iron keeping case according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a storage member 1 on which an iron is placed, and a pair of half covers 11 to be opened and closed facing to each other and adapted for covering the storage member 1.

[41] The storage member 1 is separated into an upper storage portion 2a, on which an iron is placed, and a lower storage portion 2b by means of a partition wall 200 formed on the middle portion thereof. Further, the storage member 1 includes a thread storage portion 4, button storage portion 5 and a needle storage portion 6 formed on a side thereof. The partition wall 200 includes an opening 201 passing through the upper and lower storage portions formed thereon, and an iron plate 100 attached thereto by means of hinge portions 102, 202 formed on the edge of the opening 201 in such a manner as to be opened and closed toward the lower storage portion 2b.

[42] A stopper 203 is mounted on a side of the partition wall 200 so as to support the iron plate 100, so that water leakage of an iron using water such as a steam iron can be prevented.

[43] The storage 1 and the pair of half covers 11 are hingably engaged to each other by means of pin-holes 10, 14 and a pin 15. The pair of half covers 11 includes a grip 12 formed on the upper end thereof, respectively, and a plurality of heat radiation openings 13 for releasing the heat from the iron to the outside. The iron plate 100 includes a latching piece 101 formed thereon acting as a retaining step capable of preventing the iron plate 100 from being easily opened and closed. Further, the iron plate 100 includes a plurality of heat resistant silicon protrusions formed thereon for preventing the high-heated iron 20 from being directly in contact with the iron plate 100, and a plurality of radiation openings 104 formed thereon.

[44] The iron keeping case configured as described above is used as shown in FIGs. 15 to 16. The iron 20 is usually placed and stored on the partition wall 200 of the upper storage portion 2a inside storage member 1. Further, the pair of half covers 11 are spread to the right and left, respectively and then the iron 20 is taken out from the case so as to do ironing. After that, the storage member 1 turns upside down, and the latching protrusion 1 Ia of the covers 11 is brought into contact with the both side surfaces of the storage member 1, respectively, to be latched thereto, thereby supporting the storage member 1.

[45] At this time, when the iron plate 100 of the lower storage portion 2b facing upward is pivotally rotated to be opened, the iron plate 100 is brought into contact with the stopper 203 to be latched thereto, such that it is inclineably placed on the stopper 203 and the opening 201 is opened. Therefore, the iron 20 can be placed on the iron plate 100, thereby facilitating ironing. Also, since the thread storage portion 4, the button storage portion 5, and the needle storage portion 6 are covered by the cover plate 16 for opening and closing them, the sewing stuffs are not fallen down even if the storage member 1 turns upside down. Industrial Applicability

[46] As described above, according to the iron keeping case, the storage member 1 turns upside down, and then the pair of covers 11 are fully opened so as to support the iron, thereby facilitating ironing. In particular, the latching protrusion 11a extended from the lower end of the pair of half covers 11 is latched by the both side surfaces of the storage member 1, respectively, whereby a spread angle of the covers 11 is restricted by a predetermined angle without a separate stopper. The pair of half covers 11 are fully opened to be fixed below the storage member 1, that is, they are not spread in a horizontal line, thereby reducing a space requiring for ironing.

[47] Further, the iron plate 100 is inclineably placed facing upward when it is pivotally rotated, thereby supporting irons having various sizes. Also, the iron plate 100 includes a plurality of heat resistant silicon protrusions formed thereon for preventing the high- heated iron 20 from being directly in contact with the iron plate 100, and a plurality of separate openings 104 formed thereon, thereby preventing the bending of the iron keeping case due to the heat from the iron.

[48] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

[1] An iron keeping case comprising: a storage member 1 for supporting an iron 20; and a pair of half covers 11 openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member 1, wherein the storage member 1 includes an inclined support step 3 formed thereon for allowing the iron 20 to be inclineably supported so as to prevent a leakage of water for generating steam, and wherein the pair of half covers 11 are constructed such that they are downwardly rotated to a their vertical position so as to allow the opposite side surfaces thereof to abut against to each other to support the storage member 1.

[2] The iron keeping case according to claim 1, wherein the storage member 1 includes a stopper 8 mounted thereon and adapted to prevent the pair of half covers 11 from being spread while pressing down the upper ends of the pair of half covers 11 which are vertically erected below the storage member 1, and wherin the storage member 1 includes a thread storage portion 4, an button storage portion 5, a needle storage portion 6 formed on a side thereof for storing thread, buttons and needles, respectively.

[3] An iron keeping case comprising: a storage member 1 for supporting an iron 20; and a pair of half covers 11 openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member 1 ; wherein the storage member 1 includes an upper inclined support plate 3a mounted on the upper portion thereof for allowing an iron 20 to be inclineably supported and stored thereon in a state where the storage member 1 is in an original position, and a lower inclined support plate 3b mounted on the lower portion thereof for allowing a steam iron 20 in use to be inclineably supported, thereby preventing water leakage, in a state where the storage member 1 turns upside down, the upper and lower inclined support plates 3a, 3b being disposed confronting each other, wherein the pair of half covers 11 are constructed such that the storage member 1 turns upside down and then the pair of half covers 11 are spread to the right and left, respectively, to be positioned below the storage member 1, whereby the pair of half covers 11 support the storage member 1, and an iron 20 is placed on the lower inclined support plate 3b.

[4] The iron keeping case according to claim 3, wherein the storage member 1 includes a thread storage portion 4, a button storage portion 5, a needle storage portion 6 formed on a side thereof for storing thread, buttons and needles, respectively, and a cover plate 16 for covering them, and wherein the pair of half covers 11 include a latching protrusion 11a extended from the ends thereof, respectively, so as to be brought into contact with both side surfaces of the storage member 1 and to restrict the spread angle of the covers.

[5] An iron keeping case comprising: a storage member 1 for supporting an iron 20; and a pair of half covers 11 openable and closeable facing to each other and adapted to open and close the storage member 1 ; wherein the storage member 1 is separated into an upper storage portion 2a and a lower storage portion 2b by means of a partition wall 200 formed inside thereof, the partition wall 200 including an opening 201 formed therein so as to pass through the upper and lower storage portions; wherein an iron plate 100 is coupled to the opening 201 by means of hinge portions 102, 202 formed on edges of the opening 201 so as to be inclineably opened toward the lower storage portion 2b; and wherein the pair of half covers 11 act as legs when they are downwardly opened after the iron storage member 1 turns upside down so as to allow the lower storage portion 2b to face upward, and the iron plate is inclineably opened so as to allow the opening 201 to be opened, so as to be used as an iron support plate.

[6] The iron keeping case according to claim 5, wherein the iron plate 100 includes a plurality of heat resistant silicon protrusions 103 formed thereon for blocking the heat generated from the iron, and a plurality of heat radiation openings 104 formed between respective protrusions 103 for preventing the bending of the iron plate 100.