RU2743375C1 - Steam iron with non-removable scale collector - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: home appliances.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a steam iron comprising a main body, rear cover (120) fixed to the main body, receiving portion (121) formed and recessed in rear cover (120), collector (130) for collection of scale, installed in receiving section (121) for collection of scale formed by iron. Collector (130) for collection of scale is fixed without possibility of detachment in receiving section (121).

EFFECT: disclosed is steam iron with non-removable collector for scale removal.

6 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an iron with a non-removable scale collector. It is used in the field of garment care.

State of the art

Limescale builds up in a regular steam iron over time with use. This is because a liquid such as tap water poured into the water tank of a steam iron by a user evaporates and elements such as calcium and magnesium are deposited on a component such as the soleplate of the iron as scale. After the lapse of time, the accumulated limescale has an adverse effect on the ironing efficiency of the steam iron. For example, the heat transfer efficiency is reduced and the steam passage is even clogged due to accumulated scale, so that the overall efficiency of the steam iron is reduced. Some steam irons have a descaling mechanism and a descaling collector. However, cleaning the descaling manifold is sometimes tedious for the user.

Some are famous. Steam irons enable the user to remove scale accumulated in the scale collector. However, these irons cannot let the user know when to descale the descaler collector. This can cause confusion for the user in the absence of clear instructions and lead to additional effort for the user to remove and clean the descaling collector when it may not be necessary.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide

an improved iron that substantially reduces or eliminates one or more of the above problems.

For this purpose, a steam iron according to the invention comprises:

- main building,

- back cover fixed to the main body,

- a receiving area formed and recessed in the back cover,

- a collector for collecting scale, installed in the receiving area for collecting scale formed by the iron, and the collector for collecting scale is fixed without the possibility of removal in the receiving area.

With regard to this solution, the collector for collecting scale is fixed without the possibility of removal in the iron during the manufacture of the iron; A collector for collecting scale, located in this way; provides the iron with an automatic descaling function, while it is sufficient to collect all the scale formed over the entire service life of the iron (for example, several or more than ten years) without removing it for rinsing or cleaning. Thus, the user does not need to monitor the build up of limescale and time during the cleaning process.

According to a preferred embodiment, the iron further comprises a lid plate secured to the back lid. The lid plate covers the scale collector in the collecting area so that the scale collector is not accessible from the outside of the rear cover.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the iron further comprises a fastener for securing the lid plate to the outside of the back lid.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fastener also secures the rear cover to the main body.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the iron further comprises a sticker covering the fastener.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lid plate comprises an at least partially transparent portion such that at least one portion of the collector for collecting scale is visible through the lid plate from the outside of the rear lid.

Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

Brief Description of Drawings

These and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of non-limiting example in the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a top view of an iron in accordance with the invention;

fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the various components of an iron according to the invention;

fig. 3 is a rear view of the iron of FIG. 3 when various components are installed together;

fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an iron according to the invention without installing the cover plate;

fig. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. four;

fig. 6 is a first perspective view of a lid plate used in an iron according to the invention;

fig. 7 is a second perspective view of a lid plate for use in an iron according to the invention; and

fig. 8 is a side view of the back cover and inner opening of the scale collector used in an iron according to the invention.

Implementation of the invention

The invention will be described with reference to various embodiments shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the explanation of the embodiments is given for the purpose of better understanding and implementation by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure, and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and throughout the description to refer to the same or similar parts. Those of skill in the art should readily understand that other alternatives to the designs and methods mentioned in this text can be used without departing from the principle of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an iron 100 in accordance with the invention.

The iron 100 is a steam iron and includes a main body 110 and a mechanism in the main body 110 for heating water to generate steam. The user usually pours tap water into a steam iron to generate steam. However, elements such as calcium and magnesium, possibly contained in the liquid, will form scale when using the iron 100. Over time, scale forms or accumulates on the soleplate or other components through which the liquid passes in the main body 110 of the iron 100.

The iron 100 may contain a descaling mechanism. For example, the iron 100 may include an automatic descaling mechanism that is configured to automatically peel off the limescale during and after operation of the iron 100.

The iron 100 further comprises a back cover 120. The back cover 120 is secured to the main body 110. The back cover 120 forms the back of the main body 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the back cover 120 is typically in the shape of a flat outer surface, such that the iron 100, for example, can be positioned on a flat surface with the flat surface abutting against a flat surface. The iron 100 is typically positioned in this manner during or after operation of the iron 100. In this orientation, scale loose from components such as the soleplate falls into a scale collector adjacent to back cover 120 under the action of gravity, which will be described below.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the various components of an iron according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a corresponding rear view when various components are installed together.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rear cover 120 has a receiving portion 121 that is recessed on the outer surface and is configured to receive a collector 130 for collecting scale. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a scale collector 130 is secured within the back cover 120. The receiving portion 121 of the rear cover 120 has a through hole (not shown) to allow fluid communication between the main body 110 and the scale collector 130. The scale collector 130 has an inner opening 131 that opens into the main body 110 (for example, the bottom of the main body 110), so that the scale collector 130 can collect scale from the main body 110.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the rear cover 120 and the inner opening 131 of the scale collector used in an iron in accordance with the invention.

The scale collector 130 is designed to be large enough to continuously collect scale generated by the iron 100 over the life of the iron 100 (eg, several or more than ten years) without rinsing or cleaning the scale collector. Thus, since the user does not need to detach and clean the scale collector 13 0, the scale collector 130 can be non-removable in the receiving area 121. The attachment or installation of the scale collector 130 will be described in detail below.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the iron 100 may further comprise a lid plate 140 that is secured to the outside of the rear lid 120. The lid plate 140 covers the collector 130 for collecting limescale in the receiving area 121 so that the collector 130 for collecting limescale is inaccessible from the outside back cover 120. As shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the lid plate 140 is configured such that the receiving portion 121 is not visible when the lid plate 140 is attached to the outside of the rear lid 120.

In one embodiment, the lid plate 140 may be secured to the outside of the rear lid 120 by a fastener 150 such that the scale collector 130 is secured to the receiving portion 121. In this embodiment, the fastener 150 may be a bolt or a screw. Of course, the fastener 150 may be of other design, such as a snap-fit connector or an interference fit.

In addition, in one embodiment, the lid plate 140 may further include a sticker 160 to cover and protect the fastener 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the sticker 160 may be located on the outside of the lid plate 140 where the fastener 150 is mounted. As a result, the fastener 150 is closed without being accessible from the outside of the lid plate 140.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear cover 12 0 has a recess 123 for receiving an additional fastening element (not shown). The additional fastener secures the rear cover 120 to the main body 110. The back cover sticker 161 corresponding to the recess 123 is configured to cover and protect the additional fastener. As a result, the additional fastener is closed without the possibility of access from the outside of the rear cover 120.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an iron according to the invention without the cover plate 140 being installed, FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. four.

FIG. 4 and 5 show the state in which the scale collector 130 is fixed in the receiving portion 121 but not covered by the cover plate 140. As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 121 has a mounting portion 122. As shown in FIG. 7, a corresponding protrusion 142 is formed on the inside of the lid plate 140. The protrusion 142 can receive a fastener. item such as a screw. When the lid plate 140 is mounted on the receiving portion 121, the position of the protrusion 142 is limited to the mounting portion 122. Thus, the fastening member 150 can be screwed into the mounting portion 122 of the rear cover 120. In one embodiment, the fastening member 150 may pass through the mounting portion 122 for screwing into the corresponding threads in the main body 110. Thus, the attachment member 150 can secure the lid plate 140, the rear lid 120 together with the collector 130 for collecting scale between the lid plate 140 and the rear lid to the main body 110.

FIG. 6 is a first perspective view of a lid plate 140 used in an iron in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 is a second perspective view of a lid plate 140 used in an iron according to the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts the outside of the lid plate 140 in which a cavity 141 is formed. The cavity 141 is formed to surround the area (for example, a hole) into which the fastener 150 will be screwed. The cavity 141 conforms to the shape of the sticker 160. As a result, the outer surface of the lid plate 140 appears flat and attractive when the sticker 160 is located on the cavity 141. However, it should be understood that the sticker 160 is not necessary. For example, sticker 160 is unnecessary when fastener 150 is of a type that cannot be screwed or unscrewed by the user. In addition, the sticker 160 can be made of another material and secured to the cavity 141 in a different way, for example, it can be a sheet of plastic that is inserted into the cavity 141 by means of an interference fit, or a silicon element that can be elastically filled into the cavity 141.

In one embodiment, the lid plate 140 may include a partially transparent region or a fully transparent region. For example, the lid plate 140 may be made of a transparent material so that the scale collector 130 covered by the lid plate 140 has optimal visibility. This allows the user to see at least one portion of the scale collector 130 through the lid plate 140. In other words, at least one portion of the scale collector 130 is visible through the lid plate 140 on the outside of the rear cover 120. By allowing the user to see the scale collector 130 on the outside of the iron 100, the user can certainly know that the iron 100 has descaling function. In addition, the user also knows that the scale collector 130 can collect a sufficient amount of scale without being disconnected and cleaned by the user. This design can reduce the user's fear when using the iron and increase the user's confidence in the iron and improve the user's experience.

. However, it should be understood that the cover plate 140 is not necessary. For example, in some embodiments, the scale collector 130 may be configured to conform in shape to the receiving area 121. In this case, when the scale collector 130 is non-removable in the receiving area, the scale collector 130 can form a reliable interaction with the outer surface of the rear cover 120. Thus, in the absence of the cover plate 140, the rear cover 120 and the scale collector 130 can form a complete outer surface in appearance. Thus, in embodiments in which the lid plate 140 is not implemented, the scale collector 130 can be permanently secured to the receiving area 121 by using a locking mechanism (e.g., a locking mechanism, or at least a native screw, preferably with a patented head screw), or as an alternative to glue.

Of course, this locking mechanism can be used; in an iron containing the lid plate 140, although not necessary.

Although in the drawings, the scale collector 130 is shown and located in a specific position in the rear cover 120, and the cover plate 140 has a particular shape, these embodiments are only examples. It is understood that the present disclosure does not limit the shape and position of the various components.

While the claims of the present application refer to specific combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure further includes any combinations of new features that are defined, implicit or generalized herein, regardless of whether they refer to the same solution as claimed in the claims.

Claims (10)

1. Steam iron (100) containing - main body (110), - back cover (120) fixed to the main body (110), - a receiving section (121) formed and recessed in the rear cover (120), - a collector (130) for collecting scale, installed in the receiving area (121) for collecting scale formed by the iron (100), and the collector (130) for collecting scale is fixed non-removably in the receiving area (121). 2. An iron (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a lid plate (140) secured to a rear lid (120), the lid plate (140) covering the collector (130) for collecting scale in the receiving area (121) so that the collector (130) for collecting scale is not accessible from the outside of the rear cover (120). 3. An iron (100) according to claim 2, further comprising a fastener (150) for securing the lid plate (140) to the outside of the rear lid (120). 4. Iron (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening element (150) also secures the rear cover (120) to the main body (110). 5. An iron (100) according to claim 4, further comprising a sticker (160) covering the fastener (150). 6. Iron (100) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, characterized in that the cover plate (140) comprises an at least partially transparent portion, so that at least one portion of the collector (130) for collecting scale is visible through the cover plate (140) from the outside of the rear cover (120) ...

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