WO2010128387A2

WO2010128387A2 - Device for the regeneration of a water decalcification unit in ironing apparatuses, relative decalcification unit and ironing apparatus comprising said unit

Info

Publication number: WO2010128387A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/001055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe De Longhi
Original assignee: De' Longhi Appliances S.R.L. Con Unico Socio
Priority date: 2009-05-08
Filing date: 2010-05-07
Publication date: 2010-11-11
Also published as: WO2010128387A3; ITUD20090092A1; IT1394157B1

Abstract

Device (10) for the regeneration of a water decalcification unit (40), suitable to be integrated in a steam ironing apparatus (30). The decalcification unit comprises at least a tank (11) able to contain the water needed for the production of steam, and a filter (16) containing a resin (29) of the type that can be regenerated by means of a regenerating solution. The regeneration device (10) comprises at least a container element (15) able to contain the regenerating solution and a circuit (50) able to put at least the container element (15) in fluid communication with the filter (16). The circuit (50) comprises at least a first branch (13) to convey at least the regenerating solution from the container element (15) to the filter (16), a second branch (26) to convey at least the regenerating solution from the filter (16) to the container element (15) to allow the recirculation of the solution after the regeneration of the resin (29), and valve means (21, 27, 28) able to put the container element (15) selectively in communication with the filter (16).

Description

"DEVICE FOR THE REGENERATION OF A WATER DECALCIFICATION UNIT IN IRONING APPARATUSES, RELATIVE DECALCIFICATION UNIT AND IRONING APPARATUS COMPRISING SAID UNIT" ψ φ ψ ψ ψ FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a device for the regeneration of a water decalcification unit, particularly suitable to be used in steam ironing apparatuses, so as to prevent the water used to generate the steam from causing the formation of lime scale inside the apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that one of the main problems with steam ironing apparatuses is the formation of lime scale inside them, caused by the excessive hardness of the water circulating inside. In particular, as time passes, the water used determines the formation of calcareous incrustations, especially in the boiler. Such incrustations initially reduce the performance of the ironing apparatus and subsequently render it completely unusable. Generally speaking, therefore, the duration of the apparatus depends on the level of hardness of the water used: the harder the water, the shorter the working life of the apparatus will be.

To obviate this problem, at present, the ironing apparatuses on the market use various solutions.

The international patent application PCT/EP2008/061282 describes a device and the relative method to decalcify the water used in an ironing apparatus.

The known device comprises a water tank, a filter with re-generable resin, a boiler to produce the steam and a pump that takes in the water present in the water tank so to convey it through the filter and transfer it to the boiler through a suitable pipe.

In the known device, the regeneration of the resin contained in the filter occurs by making a particular regenerating solution, for example water and citric acid, pass through the resin, for an indicative time of about 60 minutes. The regenerating solution follows the same path as the water that generates the steam for ironing. In fact, just like the water, the regenerating solution is introduced into the tank, passes into the filter and then arrives in the boiler from which it exits in the form of steam. The known device represents a considerable improvement over the state of the art but, with this device, during the regeneration of the resin, it is not possible to cany out the steam ironing operations.

In fact, since the regenerating solution follows the same path as the water, there would be a risk of staining the fabrics.

With the device described in PCT/EP2008/061282 it is also necessary for the user to introduce a quantity of regenerating solution into the tank every time the operation to regenerate the resin of the filter has to be carried out. Furthermore, the quantity of regenerating solution cannot be re-used because, since it comes out of the ironing apparatus in the form of steam, it can no longer be recovered.

Purpose of the present invention is to achieve a device for decalcifying water using one or more filters with re-generable resins which allows to regenerate the resin without interrupting the ironing and which is economical and has a low environmental impact. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, a regeneration device is used for a water decalcification unit, which comprises at least a tank able to contain the water necessary for the production of steam and a filter containing a resin of the type that can be regenerated by means of a suitable regenerating solution, as for example in the patent application PCT/EP2008/061282.

The device according to the present invention is integrated into the ironing apparatus itself.

According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the device comprises at least a container element able to contain the regenerating solution, and a circuit able to put at least the container element in fluid communication with the filter.

The circuit comprises at least a first branch to convey at least the regenerating solution from the container element to the filter and a second branch to convey at least the regenerating solution from the filter to the container element, to allow to re-circulate the solution after the resin has been regenerated.

The circuit also provides valve means able to selectively put the container element in communication with the filter, so as to define at least an operating condition for regenerating the resin, wherein the regenerating solution flows through the filter, regenerating the resin present therein, and then returns to the container element.

Advantageously, the device comprises pump means able to make the regenerating solution flow inside the circuit.

The presence of the container element containing the regenerating solution and the circuit that selectively puts it in fluid communication with the filter allows to carry out the operations to regenerate the resin without using the same water tank for the insertion of the regenerating solution into the circuit. Moreover, by providing a closed cycle for the regenerating solution, the present invention allows to re-use the solution until it is exhausted, for a total of about 20-25 regeneration cycles of the filter, with a consequent economic saving and convenience of use.

Once the effectiveness of the regenerating solution is finished, it can be replaced easily, simply by emptying the container element and introducing an equal quantity of new solution into it.

According to a variant, the first branch of the circuit comprises a first segment for conveying the water from the tank to the filter, and a second segment for conveying the regenerating solution from the container element to the filter. Moreover, the second branch of the circuit comprises a third segment for conveying the water or the regenerating solution exiting from the filter, and a fourth segment able to convey the regenerating solution to the container element so as to be re-circulated.

According to said variant, the valve means comprise first valve means, upstream of the filter, able to put the first or the second segment of the first branch into selective communication with the filter, so as to define respectively a first operating condition in which steam is generated or a second operating condition in which the resin is regenerated. The valve means also comprise second valve means, downstream of the filter, able to put either the third segment into selective communication with the fourth segment of the second branch or the third segment of the second branch into selective communication with the entrance to the boiler. In this way, by means of the second valve means, it is possible to convey, in the first operating condition, the water intended for the production of steam from the third segment to the boiler or, in the second operating condition, the regenerating solution from the third segment to the fourth segment of the second branch. The presence of separate segments for conveying the water and the regenerating solution, and of valve means that selectively put them in fluid communication according to the various operating steps, means that, in the second operating condition where the resin is regenerated, the boiler is excluded from the cycle which can, however, operate with the water present inside it, thus allowing to continue the ironing operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for the decalcification of water according to the present invention in a first operating condition; - fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the device in fig. 1 in a second operating condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached drawings, a regeneration device 10 is integrated in a decalcification unit 40 used to decalcify the water in a steam ironing apparatus 30, provided with a first tank 1 1 able to contain the water needed to produce steam, a filter 16 containing resin 29 of the type that can be regenerated by means of a regenerating solution, and a pump 14, disposed downstream of the filter 16.

In this case, the device 10 comprises a second tank 15 to contain a regenerating solution, for example a solution of citric acid in water. However, other types of regenerating solutions can be used, with weak acids or salts.

The first tank 11 and the second tank 15 advantageously consist of two different compartments of the same containing unit 24, so as to obtain a high integration of the device 10 in the apparatus 30. The device 10 also comprises a circuit 50 that puts the first 11 and the second tank 15 in communication with the filter 16.

The circuit 50 is at least partly shared by the regenerating solution and the water used to produce steam, thus obtaining a still more advantageous integration of the device 10 in the apparatus 30. In this case, the circuit 50 is formed by a first branch 13 to convey the water or the regenerating solution, respectively from the first 11 or the second tank 15 to the filter 16, and a second branch 26 exiting from the filter 16.

In particular, the first branch 13 comprises a first exit pipe, or first segment 17, hydraulically connected to the first tank 11 and able to convey the water outside the first tank 11.

Furthermore, the first branch 13 comprises a second exit pipe, or second segment 18, hydraulically connected to the second tank 15 and able to convey the regenerating solution outside the second tank 15.

The first branch 13 also comprises a filter inlet pipe, or fifth segment 19, into which the first exit pipe 17 and the second exit pipe 18 converge.

A first non-return valve 27 is mounted on the first exit pipe 17, and a second non-return valve 28 is mounted on the second exit pipe 18.

The second branch 26 comprises a filter exit pipe or third segment 20, hydraulically connected at exit from the filter 16, and in correspondence with which the pump 14 is installed, able to take in the water from the first 11 or second tank 15.

The second branch 26 also comprises a return pipe, or fourth segment 23, able to convey the regenerating solution exiting from the filter 16 to the second tank 15. Downstream of the pump 14, the device 10 provides a three-way valve 21, connected to the filter exit pipe 20 and at the exits of which a boiler inlet pipe, or sixth segment 22, able to convey the water to the boiler 12, and the return pipe 23, are connected. The device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.

In the operating condition shown in fig. 1, that is, during normal ironing operations, the water to be decalcified needed to form the steam is introduced into the water tank 11 and from here, by means of the suction action of the pump 14, flows inside the filter 16 where it is decalcified by means of the action of the resin 29 contained inside, before being transferred to the boiler 12.

In this operating condition, the first valve 27 is open, the second valve 28 is closed and the three-way valve 21 conveys the water arriving from the pump to the boiler inlet pipe 22, while it keeps the exit to the return pipe 23 closed. Fig. 2 shows the device according to the present invention in a second operating condition, that is, during the cycle to regenerate the resin 29 contained in the filter 16.

In this second operating condition, the first valve 27 is closed and the second valve 28 is open. In this way, the pump 14 exerts its suction action on the regenerating solution contained in the second tank 15.

The regenerating solution thus flows through the filter 16 until the reaction between the regenerating solution and the resin 29 can take place.

Advantageously, the sizes of the filter 16 and the relative quantity of resin 29 contained inside it are correlated to the sizes of the boiler 12, so as to guarantee the autonomy of the boiler 12 during the regeneration cycle.

In this way, the user can continue the ironing operations even during the regeneration cycle of the resin 29 of the filter 16.

Once the reaction between the resin 29 and the regenerating solution has been completed, the latter is taken in by the pump 14 outside the filter 16 and, by means of the filter exit pipe 20, is made to flow through the three-way valve which conveys it into the return pipe 23. The resin 29 is re-introduced into the second tank 15 through the return pipe 23, and is thus available for a successive regeneration cycle.

The same solution can be re-used for about 20-25 regeneration cycles, after which it will be replaced with an equal quantity of new regenerating solution.

According to a variant, the second tank 15 is removable so as to allow the user the carry out the operation to replace the regenerating solution more easily.

It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the device 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example, the device may be provided with a command and control unit in order to manage the various functions. In particular, according to a variant, the device 10 is associated with detection means to detect the state of the resin 29, comprised inside the decalcification unit 40. The detection means to detect the state of the resin 29 are connected to the first valve 27, the second valve 28 and to the three-way valve 21 so as to switch the cycle from an operating condition in which steam is generated to an operating condition in which the resin 29 is regenerated as necessary.

Moreover, the device 10 can be associated with luminous signaling means comprised inside the decalcification unit 40, in order to signal to the user that the regeneration cycle is taking place, for example a warning light connected electrically to the three-way valve and disposed visibly on the ironing apparatus. According to another variant, the device 10 can be associated with means to control the state of the regenerating solution, which signals to the user when it is necessary to replace the regenerating solution in the second tank 15.

The "control means can be the mechanical or electromechanical type, for example a counter to count the regeneration cycles, or the chemical type, able to identify the degree of acidity of the solution.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of water decalcification unit in ironing apparatuses, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Device for the regeneration of a water decalcification unit (40), suitable to be integrated in a steam ironing apparatus (30), said decalcification unit comprising at least a tank (11) able to contain the water needed for the production of steam, and a filter (16) containing a resin (29) of the type that can be regenerated by means of a regenerating solution, characterized in that said regeneration device comprises at least a container element (15) able to contain said regenerating solution and a circuit (50) able to put at least said container element (15) in fluid communication with the filter (16), said circuit (50) comprising at least a first branch (13) to convey at least said regenerating solution from said container element (15) to said filter (16), a second branch (26) to convey at least said regenerating solution from said filter (16) to said container element (15) to allow the recirculation of the solution after the regeneration of the resin (29), and valve means (21, 27, 28) able to put said container element (15) selectively in communication with said filter ( 16).

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that the first branch (13) comprises a first segment (17) to convey the water from the tank (1 1) toward the filter (16) and a second segment ( 18) to convey the regenerating solution from the container element (15) toward said filter ( 16), and the second branch (26) comprises a third segment (20) exiting from said filter (16) in order to convey the water or the regenerating solution, and a fourth segment (23) able to convey said regenerating solution to said container element (15), the valve means comprising first valve means (27, 28) to put one or the other of said first segment (17) or second (18) segment in selective communication with another fifth segment (19) in communication with said filter (16), so as to define respectively a first operating condition of generating the steam or a second operating condition of regenerating the resin (29), and second valve means (21) to put said third segment (20) in selective communication with the entrance to the evaporation means (12) of the ironing apparatus (30) or said third segment (20) with said fourth segment (23).

3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container element (15) is removable.

4. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the container element (15) and the tank (11) are integrated in a single container unit.

5. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises pumping means (14) able to make the regenerating solution flow inside the circuit (50).

6. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that both the first (17) and the second segment (18) are provided with a respective second valve means

(28, 27), said first segment (17) and said second segment (18) being disposed in parallel and both converging in the fifth segment (19).

7. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises means to detect the state of the resin (29) operationally connected to the first valve means (27, 28) and to the second valve means (21).

8. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises luminous signaling means operationally connected to the first valve means (27, 28) and/or to the second valve means (21) in order to signal to the user the operating condition of the ironing apparatus (30).

9. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises means to detect the state of the regenerating solution.

10. Water decalcification unit for a steam ironing apparatus (30), comprising at least a tank (11) able to contain the water needed for the production of steam, a filter (16) containing resin (29) re-generable by means of a regenerating solution, and a regeneration device (10) able to regenerate said resin (29), as defined in any claim hereinbefore.

11. Steam ironing apparatus (30) comprising a water decalcification unit provided with at least a tank (11) able to contain the water needed for the production of steam, a filter (16) containing resin (29) re-generable by means of a regenerating solution, and a device (10) to regenerate said resin (29), as defined in any claim hereinbefore.