CN110832136A - Ironing board cover for noise reduction - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ironing board cover (1) for covering the top (2) of an ironing board (3). The ironing board cover (1) comprises: a first layer (21) at least partially formed of felt, a second layer (22) at least partially formed of felt, and a third layer (23) at least partially formed of porous material. The third layer (23) is disposed between the first layer (21) and the second layer (22). This structure provides a significant reduction in the steam noise level during steam ironing.

Description

Ironing board cover for noise reduction

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of garment care, and in particular to an ironing board cover for covering the top of an ironing board suitable for ironing garments.

Background technique

Today's commercial steam ironing equipment, such as steam irons and pressurized steam generators, sometimes produce very loud bursts of steam. When the sound is too loud, this can cause annoyance to the user because, for example, the user cannot hear other people, the TV or the radio while ironing the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to reduce the sound level of steam during steam ironing of garments.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

To this end, an ironing board cover is proposed for covering the top of the ironing board of the ironing board.

The ironing board cover includes:

- a first layer formed at least partly of felt,

- a second layer formed at least partly of felt,

- a third layer formed at least in part of a porous material, the third layer being arranged between the first layer and the second layer.

By arranging a third layer made of porous material between the first and second layers made of felt, a significant reduction in the sound level of the steam during steam ironing is achieved. When the ironing board cover is used to cover the ironing board, the sound of steam generated by the steam ironing device during ironing on the ironing board is greatly attenuated by the ironing board cover itself. As a result, the sound level of the steam surrounding the ironing board is attenuated, improving the user experience.

If we compare the case of steam ironing with and without the ironing board cover, a substantial sound reduction is achieved from the user's point of view.

A detailed explanation and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

Description of drawings

Certain aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described below and considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts or sub-steps are designated in the same way:

Figure 1 schematically depicts an ironing board cover according to the invention,

Figure 2 schematically depicts an ironing board cover according to the invention together with an ironing board during ironing of garments.

Reference numerals used in the drawings are listed as follows:

1 ironing board cover

2 Ironing board top

3 ironing board

4 Lower outer surface of ironing board cover

5 The higher outer surface of the ironing board cover

6 Steam ironing equipment

21 First layer of ironing board cover

22 Second layer of ironing board cover

23 Third layer of ironing board cover

24 Ironing board cover fourth layer (defines lower outer surface 4)

25 fifth layer (defining higher outer surface 5)

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 schematically depicts the ironing board cover 1 according to the invention, while FIG. 2 schematically depicts the ironing board cover 1 together with the ironing board 3 during ironing of the garment with the steam ironing device 6 .

Ironing board 1 cover includes:

- a first layer 21 formed at least partly of felt,

- a second layer 22 formed at least partly of felt,

- a third layer 23 formed at least partly of porous material, the third layer 23 being arranged between the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 .

The significant sound reduction by the ironing board cover 1 is explained as follows. Felt is a particularly good sound-absorbing material. The inserted third layer 23 provides a longer vapor and sound path from the felt of the first layer 21 to the felt of the second layer 22, the porous material of the third layer need not be a good sound absorbing material. This longer path provides more time for the acoustic energy to be absorbed, thus providing a synergistic gain in sound reduction. It should also be noted that steam and sound applied through the first layer 21 will also travel in the horizontal plane between the two absorbing first and second layers, effectively increasing the sound absorbing surface area and contact time. The sound waves are thus "trapped" between the two absorbing layers 21 and 22 . The longer the steam and/or sound waves travel within the ironing board cover 1, the more sound can be absorbed.

For the first layer 21 and the second layer 22, many different natural or synthetic felts or blends thereof are possible.

For example, "felt" refers to a textile material made by rolling and pressing wool or other suitable textile with the application of moisture and/or heat, which entangles the constituent fibers together to create a smooth surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the felt of the first layer 21 and/or the second layer 22 has an absorption coefficient, typically represented by the symbol "α", which is greater than 0.35, more preferably greater than 0.55, and still more Preferably greater than 0.85.

For clarity, the absorption coefficient is defined as the ratio of the sound power entering the surface of the test object (with no return) to the incident sound power for a plane wave of normal incidence.

The value of the sound absorption coefficient can be provided by the supplier/manufacturer of the material itself.

The value of the sound absorption coefficient can also be measured according to international standards. There are basically two techniques, described in either of the following standards:

ISO 354:2003 → Measurement of sound absorption in reverberation chambers

ISO 10534 → Determination of Sound Absorption Coefficient and Impedance of Impedance Tubes

ISO 10534-1:1996 → Part 1: Method using standing wave ratio. In acoustic laboratories, we can typically use this method, which uses a device also known as a "Gwent tube". It defines methods for the determination of the sound absorption coefficient, reflection factor, surface impedance or admittance of materials and objects. These values are determined by evaluating the standing wave pattern of the plane wave in the tube, which is generated by superimposing the incident sinusoidal plane wave with the plane wave reflected from the test object.

ISO 10534-2:1998 → Part 2: Transfer function method.

The third layer 23 is porous, meaning that it contains pores (voids) which make the layer permeable to steam, heat and sound. The third layer 23 may be made of and include a variety of materials, such as open-celled foam made of polyurethane or polyester.

For example, the third layer 23 may be formed at least (ie, in whole or in part) from a porous fabric.

Alternatively, the third layer 23 may be formed at least (ie, in whole or in part) from a three-dimensional spacer fabric. This open structure allows good transmission of steam and sound waves.

Alternatively, the third layer 23 may be formed at least (ie, in whole or in part) from open-celled foam.

Preferably, any one of the first layer 21, the second layer 22 and the third layer 23 has a thickness in the range of 2mm to 7mm. For example, the first layer 21 may have a thickness of 3 mm, the second layer 22 may have a thickness of 4 mm, and the third layer 23 may have a thickness of 5 mm.

The first layer 21, the second layer 22 and the third layer 23 each have an air avoid spaceratio. The air void corresponds to the ratio of the volume of the void space to the volume of the solid.

Preferably, the ratio of the air void space ratio of the first layer 21 or the second layer 22 to the air void space ratio of the third layer 23 is less than 0.60, and preferably less than 0.10.

In other words, it is preferred that the air void space ratio of the third (porous) layer 23 is higher than the air void space ratio of the first (felt) layer 21 or the second (felt) layer 22 . This facilitates the transmission of steam and sound in the third (porous) layer 23 , ie between the first (felt) layer 21 and the second (felt) layer 22 .

Preferably, the ironing board cover 1 further comprises a fourth layer 24 disposed adjacent to (ie below) the second layer 22 . The fourth layer 24 has a sound reflection factor greater than 0.50, preferably greater than 0.75, and more preferably greater than 0.90.

According to the standard ISO 10534, the reflection factor, typically denoted by the symbol "r", is defined as the composite ratio of the pressure amplitude of the reflected wave to the incident wave in the reference plane for a plane wave of normal incidence. The sound reflection factor (r) with amplitude |r| and phase Φ is not often mentioned when characterizing the acoustic properties of materials. However, its value can be derived from its relationship to the absorption coefficient (α), as indicated, for example, in paragraph 5.3 of ISO Standard 10534-1:1996. For clarity, the value of the reflection factor shown here is derived from its absorption coefficient (α) as follows:

The sound reflecting fourth layer 24 beneath the second (felt) layer provides an additional synergistic reduction in steam sound levels during steam ironing. The reason is that the sound reflecting fourth layer 24 reflects part of the sound, allowing the sound waves to pass through the sound absorbing configuration formed by the stacking of the three layers 21, 22, 23 multiple times before exiting the ironing board cover.

Preferably, the fourth layer 24 is impermeable to liquids and/or vapors.

For example, it may comprise a plastic sheet, eg a polyurethane or polypropylene foil, or a metal sheet, such as an aluminium foil. These foils can (partially) reflect incoming sound pressure waves, followed by other useful properties typically used for ironing board covers, such as liquid blocking and improved mechanical stability. It should be noted that the fourth layer 24 may be applied to the bottom of the felt layer, for example by means of lamination, or as a coating to the bottom of the felt layer.

Preferably, the ironing board cover 1 includes a fifth layer 25 arranged adjacent to (ie above) the first layer 21 . The fifth layer 25 is heat resistant and vapor permeable.

The fifth layer 25 may eg be made of a textile material, preferably cotton, linen or a blend of cotton and polyester. A typically very thin layer of open-celled foam can be placed directly under the fifth layer 25 to make it softer and smoother, which can improve ironing performance and which has little or no impact on acoustics .

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the foregoing description and drawings, such description and illustration are to be considered exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed implementations example.

For example, the ironing board cover may include one or more additional layers, such as one or more additional layers between the fifth layer and the first layer, one or more additional layers between the first layer and the third layer layer, one or more additional layers between the third layer and the second layer, one or more additional layers between the second layer and the fourth layer, or one or more layers below the fourth layer Additional layers. Such one or more additional layers may, for example, include layers similar to the first and second layers (ie, formed in whole or in part from felt) and layers similar to the third layer (ie, in whole or in part). formed of porous materials). So for example it could create a "felt-porous-felt-porous-felt" layer configuration instead of the "felt-porous-felt" layer configuration in Figure 1 .

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. For purposes of clarity and conciseness of description, features are disclosed herein as part of the same or separate embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having a combination of all or some of the disclosed features. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (15)

1. An ironing board cover (1) for covering an ironing board top (2) of an ironing board (3), the ironing board cover comprising:

-a first layer (21) formed at least partially of felt;

-a second layer (22) formed at least partially of felt;

-a third layer (23) at least partially formed of a porous material, said third layer (23) being arranged between said first layer (21) and said second layer (22).

2. Ironing board cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first layer (21) and/or the second layer (22) has an absorption coefficient (a) larger than 0.35.

3. Ironing board cover (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first layer (21) and/or the second layer (22) has an absorption coefficient (a) larger than 0.55.

4. Ironing board cover (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first layer (21) and/or the second layer (22) has an absorption coefficient (a) larger than 0.85.

5. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third layer (23) is formed of at least a porous fabric.

6. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third layer (23) is formed at least by a three-dimensional spacer fabric.

7. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third layer (23) is formed of at least foam.

8. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein any of the first layer (21), the second layer (22) and the third layer (23) has a thickness in the range of 2mm to 7 mm.

9. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (21), the second layer (22) and the third layer (23) each have an air void space ratio, and wherein the ratio of the air void space ratio of the first layer (21) or the second layer (22) relative to the air void space ratio of the third layer (23) is less than 0.60.

10. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the air void space ratio of the first layer (21) or the second layer (22) to the air void space ratio of the third layer (23) is less than 0.10.

11. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fourth layer (24) arranged adjacent to the second layer (22), the fourth layer (24) having a sound reflection (r) factor of more than 0.50.

12. Ironing board cover (1) according to claim 11, wherein the sound reflection factor (r) is larger than 0.75.

13. Ironing board cover (1) according to claim 12, wherein the sound reflection factor (r) is larger than 0.90.

14. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the claims 11-13, wherein the fourth layer (24) is impermeable to liquid and/or steam.

15. Ironing board cover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fifth layer (25) arranged adjacent to the first layer (21), the fifth layer (25) being heat resistant and vapour permeable.

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