HK1079254B - Multipurpose drip iron - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to steam irons where water supplied by a tank is vaporized almost instantaneously in a vaporization chamber, the flow of water from the tank to the vaporization chamber being controlled by a drip.

Advanced irons also have a drip-proof device that stops the flow of water to be vaporized when the vaporization chamber is not hot enough to prevent water splashing on the ironing laundry. A simple thermostatic device that performs this function consists of a blade subjected to the heating of the vaporization chamber and which opens a drip-proof valve arranged in series with the drip-proof valve.

The improved irons also have self-cleaning means for cleaning the interior of the chamber, consisting of a relatively wide opening in the bottom of the internal water tank through which the water tank can be quickly emptied into the vaporization chamber, causing a jet of water and steam to flow through the iron, and the water from the tank to the chamber must then be able to continue to flow despite the sudden cooling of the vaporization chamber and the closing of the drip valve.

The FR2589492 patent describes a drip iron that controls the flow of water in the vaporization chamber. The drip iron is in series with a drip valve mounted on a tilting lever operated by a chamber temperature sensitive blade.

Patent FR2769925 describes an iron with a self-cleaning function consisting of a self-cleaning valve formed by an elastomeric bell surrounding the drip and capable of short-circuiting it.

Patent DE29720259 describes an iron in which the drip function and the cleaning function are achieved by the same control which acts on the drip tip in the first part of its stroke and causes self-cleaning in the second part, thus simplifying the device.

Patent W09945190 describes an iron with a drip, anti-drop device and self-cleaning function, but the iron has two controls and a valve that short-circuits the anti-drop to perform all these functions.

The FR2821368 patent describes an iron with a drip, anti-drop and self-cleaning function, but this function is accomplished by means of a blowtorch with a valve-like end, so an additional seal must be sealed.

The subject matter of the present invention is an improved iron, comprising a drip, anti-drop and self-cleaning device, very simple to use, with a minimum of organs for an economical and reliable design.

The purpose of the invention is achieved by a steam ironing iron comprising a water tank, a hydraulic circuit connecting the tank to an electrically heated vaporization chamber, the circuit comprising a drip valve in series, and an adjustable drip valve which, in a self-cleaning position, can open to allow a free and abundant passage of water to the chamber, remarkable in that the drip valve has means of opening or keeping the drip valve open when placed in the self-cleaning position.

This eliminates the need for a short-circuit valve, reduces the number of hydraulic organs and increases reliability.

Preferably, the drip is adjustable by a control with a two-part flow, the first part allowing the limitation and adjustment of the flow of the vaporization water, the second part producing the free and abundant passage of water to the vaporization chamber.

The iron is then easy to use, with fewer controls.

Preferably, the means of opening or keeping the drip valve open shall include a lever capable of opening the drip valve at one end and operated by a drip-mobile at the other end.

In a preferred version, the drop-by-drop rod has an ergot that acts on the lever in the second half of the stroke.

In another version, the drip rod is surrounded by a module with a stop to act on the lever, the module opening a wide passage to the water in the second part of the stroke.

Preferably, the anti-drip device shall have a thermostatic device consisting of a bolt subjected to the temperature of the vaporization chamber, which opens the valve when the chamber is at a temperature sufficient to achieve good vaporization.

Preferably, the anti-drip device has an elastic element that resembles the valve in the supporting or closing position of the bolt, and the lever acts against this elastic element.

This ensures that the lever does not exert any pressure on the bolt, which is relieved of the effort of opening the valve at the beginning of self-cleaning.

The invention will be better understood by the following examples and the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal cut view of an iron according to a first version of the invention, the iron being at rest at cold.Figure 2 is a detail of the iron in Figure 1, the iron being hot and normally vaporizing.Figure 3 is a detail of the iron in Figure 1, the iron being in self-cleaning position.Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal cut view of an iron according to a second version of the invention, the iron being at rest at cold.Figure 5 is a detail of the iron in Figure 4, the iron being hot and normally vaporizing.Figure 6 is a detail of the iron in Figure 4, the iron being in self-cleaning position.

In an early version of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the iron has a tank 1 of water to be vaporized, a sole 2 equipped with a body 21 heated by an electric heating element 22. A vaporization chamber 23 closed by a plate 231 is provided in the heating body 21.

The tank 1 is connected to the vaporization chamber 23 by a hydraulic circuit 3 consisting in series of a drip valve 4 having an axis 41 and a drip device 5. The valve 4 is normally brought to a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, by the elasticity of a membrane 42 which forms a wall of the circuit 3.

A thermostatic anti-gout device consists of a bolt 6 which is joined at one end to the walls of chamber 23 by a thermally conductive bolt 61 The other end of the bolt 6 is likely to act on the stem of the valve 4 against the elasticity of the membrane 42 to open it when the iron is hot, as shown in Figure 2.

The dropper 5 has a control 51 capable of moving along its axis a rod 52 which carries an ergot 53. The end of the rod is a bushel 54 with a 541 groove of variable section. The bushel slides along its axis, in a first part of the control run, on a lip 32 of an outlet of circuit 3 in the vaporization chamber, which allows control of water flow, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The 51 command is a button that carries a cam 511 at the end. The first part of the control stroke, which allows the flow of water to be regulated, is obtained by turning the button. In this movement, the cam 511 pushes the rod 52 against the action of a spring 521 and positions it in a stable position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the box 54 remaining in contact with the lip 32.

The second part of the control stroke is achieved by pressing the button 51 along its axis, as shown in Figure 3. The beam then escapes from the lip 32, to which the narrowing 55 of the rod 52 corresponds. Simultaneously, the ergot 53 pushes the end of a lever 7 tilting on the stop of a rib 71. The other end of the lever 7 is attached to the axis 41 of the valve 4 which is then kept open regardless of the state of the bolt 6.

To use the ironing iron, the user fills the tank 1. The cold-pressed 6 cylinder is in the position shown in Figure 1 and the valve 4 is closed by the action of the membrane 42. The user can preset the water flow rate of the dropper to dropper and therefore the steam flow rate by turning the control button 51 to the desired value. The dropper hole lip 32 is located in a corresponding part of the casing 54 where the groove 541 has a section suitable for the desired flow rate. When the iron heats up enough to evaporate a good evaporation of the water, the 6 cylinder leaf deflects and pushes back the axis of the 41 cylinder to open it, as shown in Figure 2. The user can then flow through the dropper 1, 4, 3 and 5 cylinder and the flow through the feed is controlled by the dropper.

When the user decides to self-clean her iron, she presses button 51 against the spring 521. The bolt 54 escapes from lip 32 which then corresponds to shrinkage 55, freeing a large free passage for water from tank 1. Simultaneously, the dropper rod's ergot 53 presses on one end of lever 7, the other end raising or now raised the valve 4 against the membrane elasticity 42. The iron cools quickly, the water partially vaporized in chamber 23 causes the iron to clean, and the billacarte is removed from axis 41.

As soon as the user releases the button 51, the latter retreats under the action of the spring 521. The ergot 53 is pulled in the same motion, and the lever 7 releases the valve 4 which closes until the iron is again hot enough for the bolt 6 to open and allow normal vaporization again.

In a second version of the invention, shown in Figures 4 to 6, the iron has a tank 1 of water to be vaporized, a sole 2 with a body 21 heated by an electric heating element 22. A vaporization chamber 23 closed by a plate 231 is provided in the heating body 21.

The tank 1 is connected to the vaporization chamber 23 by a hydraulic circuit 3 consisting in series of a drip valve 4 having an axis 41 with a lower end fitted with a 411 shoulder and a drip device 5.

A thermostatic anti-gout device consists of a bolt 6 which is joined at one end to the walls of chamber 23 by a thermally conductive bolt 61 The other end of the bolt 6 has a fork which can be used to press against spring 42 on the stem of valve 4 by leaning on the shoulder 411 to open the valve when the iron is hot, as shown in Figure 5.

The dropper 5 has a 51 control that carries a cam 511, with a crinkled part on the first part of the stroke and a smooth, steep part on the second part of the stroke. The cam allows a 52 rod to be moved along its axis against the action of a 52 spring. The end of the 52 rod is a handle that controls the passage section of a 54 hole held in a 56 module surrounding the tip, the module being able to hang on the 52 rod and rise to release a large passage of water through the first drop.

In a second part of the stroke, the rod 52 lifts module 56 while the user holds the control. In addition, module 56 has a shoulder 53 lifting the end of a lever 7 tilting on the stop of a rib 71. The other end of the lever 7 presses on one end of the 41 axis of the valve 4 which is then kept open regardless of the condition of the bolt 6, as can be seen in Figure 6.

The tank 1 is in two parts, one upper part and one lower part. To facilitate the assembly of the dropper, lever 7 and, among others, module 56 are assembled prior to the closing of the tank on the upper part. To this end lever 7 is held in place by a spring 73 and a screw 72 slightly tightened on the upper part.

To use the ironing iron, the user fills the tank 1. The cold-pressed cylinder 6 is in the position shown in Figure 4 and the valve 4 is closed by the action of the spring 42. The user can preset the water flow from the drop-to-drop and therefore the steam flow by turning the control button 51 to the desired value. The drop-point clears a passage section suitable for the desired water flow. When the iron heats up enough to produce good water vaporization, the cylinder 6 deflects and pulls the axis 41 of the valve 4 to open it, as shown in Figure 5. The water can flow from the cylinder 1 through the control button 4, 3 and the drop-point passage to the feed section 5 is normally controlled by the user.

When the user decides to self-clean her iron, she pushes the 51 button towards the end of her run. The module rises, releasing a large free passage to water from tank 1. Simultaneously, the shoulder 53 of the module comes to rest on one end of lever 7, the other end lifting or now lifted the valve 4 against the spring 42. The iron cools quickly, the water partially vaporized in chamber 23 causes the iron to clean, and the blade deviates from the 411 shoulder of axis 41. But being held by lever 7, this axis 4 remains open during the entire cleaning operation, which allows for its good completion.

As soon as the user releases the control 51, the control is moved backwards by the action of the spring 521 and the module closes. The shoulder 53 is pulled in the same motion, and the lever 7 releases the valve 4 which closes, until the iron is again hot enough for the bolt 6 to open and allow normal vaporization again.

Claims (6)

1. A steam iron including a water reservoir (1), and a hydraulic circuit (3) connecting the reservoir (1) to a steam-generator chamber (23) that is heated electrically, the circuit (3) including in series a drip-stop valve member (4) and an adjustable drip feed (5) suitable, when in a self-clean position, for opening while leaving an unobstructed and extensive passageway through which water can flow towards said chamber (23), said steam iron being characterized in that the drip feed (5) is provided with means for opening the drip-stop valve member (4) or for holding said drip-stop valve member open when said drip feed is placed in the self-clean position.
2. An iron according to claim 1, characterized in that the drip feed (5) is adjustable by control means having a stroke in two portions, the first portion making it possible to limit and to set the flow rate of water for steam generation, the second portion forming the unobstructed and extensive passageway through which water can flow to said steam-generator chamber (23).
3. An iron according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the means for opening the drip-stop valve member (4) or for holding said drip-stop valve member open comprise a lever (7) suitable for opening the drip-stop valve member (4) via one of its ends and actuated by a moving element of the drip feed (5) via its other end.
4. An iron according to claim 3, characterized in that the rod (52) of the drip feed (5) is provided with a lug (53) suitable for acting on the lever (7).
5. An iron according to claim 3, characterized in that the rod (52) of the drip feed (5) is surrounded by a module (56) that opens up a wide passageway for the water in the second portion of the stroke, said iron being characterized in that the module (56) is provided with an abutment (53) suitable for acting on the lever (7).
6. An iron according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the drip-stop device comprises a resilient element (42) that urges the valve member (4) to return into abutment against a bimetallic strip (6) or into the closed position, and the lever (7) acts against said resilient element (42).