US2564415A - Electric steam iron - Google Patents

Description

A. WILD ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Aug., 14, 1951 Fgled July 5, 1945 Aug. 14, 1951 A. WILD 2,564,415

ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Filed July 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 14, 1951 A, WM, 2,564,415

ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Filed July 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 14, '1951 ELECTRIC STEAM IRON Alfred Wild, Milwaukee, Wis.; Elizabeth Wild, executrix of said Alfred Wild, deceased Application July 5, 1945, Serial No. 603,355

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric steam irons of the character in Which the same electric resistance element supplies heat both for the generation of steam and to the smoothing surface of the iron.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electric steam iron in which a water container and steam generator is separate from the other major portions of the combination and is readily removable and replaceable therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron in which a unitary structure cooperates with the water container and acts as a water separator, a steam conduit, a connector and spacer for other parts, and a pressure relief means for the steam generator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron in which a single element acts both as a steam superheater and as a steam distributor to the material to be ironed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron in which all operating elements of the iron are enclosed in a shell so related to such operating elements as to minimize the ow of heat thereto from such elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steam electric iron with a handle which encloses parts of the operating elements and is so mounted on the shell as to minimize the flow of heat thereto from the shell.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron which is divided into a plurality of sub-assemblies so arranged and interrelated as to be readily assembled and disassembled in a predetermined sequence of operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily adjustable connection between the thermostat controlling stem of an electric iron and a thumb-wheel for varying the setting of the thermostat during operation of the iron.

And a further object of the invention is to provide an electric steam iron which is more eiiicient, more comfortable to the user, and more durable and more readily kept in effective condition than the irons known heretofore.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view with a portion of the handle and shell broken away to show the structure of one of the sub-assemblies of the son;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken substantially on a central longitudinal plane but showing the handle in elevation except for a portion thereof broken away;

Fig. 3 is a partial view looking at the bottom of the sole plate;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the plane IV--Ilv of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the plane V--V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the plane VI-VI of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partial top plan of the water container and steam generator;

Fig. 8 is a partial top plan of the iron on an enlarged scale with a portion thereof in section on the horizontal plane of broken line VIII- VIII of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in elevation and partially in vertical section, and on an enlarged scale, of the shell enclosed space toward the rear of the iron and of the contents of such space;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the plane X-X of Fig. 9. to illustrate the connection between the thermostat stem and thumb-wheel and its relation to the handle structure;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed view of portions of the structure of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the taken spacer portion of one sub-assembly of the iron,

taken on the plane XII- XII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the terminal block for the various electrical connections within the iron;

Fig. 14 is a cross section taken on the vertical plane XIV-XIV of Fig. 13 and showing the terminal block with one electric conductor connected therewith;

Fig. 15 is an eleva-tion of the electrical insulating and heat-resistive portion of the terminal block;

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of a modified form of the steam super-heater and distributor;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane XVII- XVII of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section through a modied form of the water separator portion of one subassembly of the structure; and

Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the plane XIX-XIX of Fig. 18.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 20 designates the generally triangular sole plate of an iron in which is em-A bedded an electrical heating element 2|. The

sole plate is formed with sides sloping at any desired angle and which are partially rabbetted along the upper edge, as indicated at 22, such rabbet extending along all three sides of the plate but being interrupted at intervals by pads 23. A recess, preferably of frusto-conical shape, is formed in the sole plate of the iron from the bottom or smoothing surface thereof and an aperture is made through the sole plate into the recess and is interiorly threaded, such recess and aperture receiving other elements of the assembly to be described.

A water container and steam generator 2S is formed as a separate element of the combination and is of such size that the bottom thereof seats on that portion of the sole plate VWithin 'the area defined by the inner edge vof the rabbet 22. The other surfaces of the Water container are shaped to conform to substantially the desired outer contour of the iron and are of such dimensions that approximately a .pint of Water may be .placed in the container to fill the container up to the water level marked. Water is placed in the container 28 through a filling neck r29 exterior-ly threaded to 'receive a cap 36 sealed to the end of the neck by way of a gasket 3 I. The upper portion of the water container 2.3 is kdepressed (see Fig. 7) to form a `specially shaped socket 32 with a similarly shaped opening 33 the bottom thereof and dened by a flange 34. The container 28 is also :apertu'red through the bottom thereof for registry with the hole :through the sole plate when the container -is in its assembled position thereon. The Water -container is preferably made of a good heat conductive and :corrosion resisting material, such 4as copper, formed as a Yseparate element or sub-'assembly of the iron as a Whole. Hence, such container maybe readily'removed and replaced for inspection, removal of ldeposits therein, or repair gof the container.

The socket 32 Vin the water container 28 is shaped to receive asub-assembly or unit '40 which includes a water separating portion 4I, Aa steam condu'itportion 42, a spacer ystern 43, and a pressure relief device 44. The water separator is formedwith walls 46 defining agroove-like space open at the bottom and yformed with holes `41 through the end walls'of `the-space, :the side Walls extending beyond the rend walls for short distances to serve 'as .guards in .preventing splashing of Water into the space between the walls 46. Steam rising from the Water in vthe container 28 flows through the -I-'space lbetween the Walls -fat the bottom thereof. and through the holes 41. The steam readily changes its direction of flow but any 'droplets-of water 'carried by the'steam-'iinpinge on the walls 4B.and drop back into the body of waterf'throughthe'bottom opening from the space between thewalls.

A `steam passage :'49 leads Vthrough the steam conduit portion 42 from` the water separator space into a space in the spacer stem portion "43. Such spacer stem portion extends from vthe bottom of 'the water container 28 'through the top thereof,iand Ythe -upperend thereof is closed by a gasketed plug 56 threaded into the stem which is interiorly cylindrical with 1an enlarged upper portion vforming 'a shoulder 51. The stem is preferably streamlined yor has Ia pointed edge, as `shown-at 52 in Fig. i12,/to avoid splashing of water when rearward movement of the Yiron causes "forward movement 'of the water Ain the container, thus minimizing the entrainment of water vin the steam rising into the waterl'separator. lThe-'spacer stemfis designed to receive a screw 54 with a passage therethrough to form a portion of the steam conduit. The end of the screw 54 is threaded into the hole through the sole plate and the head of the screW acts on the shoulder 5l in the spacer 43 when drawn up against a gasket 55 seated between the water container and the sole plate about the apertures therethrough.

A steam superheater and distributor plate 56 is mounted in the recess in the sole plate 2li. The superheater and distributor plate 55 is preferably formed with concentric grooves therein or slots therethrough dened by an apertured central portion 5l, a wall 58 concentric With the `central iportion and spaced therefrom, and a skirt portion :59. The plate central portion 51 has a well-likespace 6U therein in registry with the passage through the screw 54 and has a notch 6I leading therefrom. The wall 58 is notched, as at 62, and the skirt 59 is notched, as at `63. The plate 56 Vis held firmly seated in the sole plate recessby screws 64 passing through the plate 56 -and into the `sole plate 2B. The central aperture Vin plate 55 receives the end of the screw 54 so that the slot 66 therein registers with notch B-l when the head of screw 54 rests on spacer shoulder 5I.

The superheater-distributor grooves or passages form a labyrinth lthrough which the steam must viiow to theexits 63 and .inwhich the steam is Yheated before `delivery between the smoothing surface ofthe iron and the `textile being ironed. Steam .is'delivered by way of the conduit 49 and passes through the screw-54 to discharge through the space -66 `and the notch G-l into the groove from which the -steam .may flow only through the notches 62 .into -the vrspace within .the skirt 59 and the steam flows rfrom such space by way of the notches `63. It will be noticed that the notches 62 do not register with the notch 6I and that the .notches 52 and .63 are not in registry. The steam therefore follows :a tortuous path in contact with the heated plate 56, thus drying and .super-heating the .steam before contact with thematerial v`being ironed. The 'notches 63 are located at points which experiment has .shown as being thebestf-positions Vfor uniformly delivering the steam to the material :being ironed. lt will be understood .that :notches 'B2 and 63 are merely breaks in the edgesof wall 58 :and skirt-'59 so that the superheated steam, which tends to remain in contact -with the plate, may be caused to discharge therefrom Vat 'veryV slight pressure.

An opening r`is formed in the portion 44 of the unit sub-assembly 40 and is fd'ened by Ya flange 5J `an enlarged 'portionbf the opening above the flange being interiorly threaded. A plate 58 'of ductile material `of flow tcnsilestrength, such as zinc, is seated on the planelupper'surfa'ce ofthe flangei. Afplug '69 of annularshape is 'threaded into the Ahole Vand has alri'b 4l which is knifeedgedkand bears ontlfe'plat'efll to seal such plate on theflange. The pla'te''-'is accordingly easily sealed on flange ci"butli'sreadily'frangible to relieve s'team 'ipressure `above a `predetermined value. If the steam Arpressnre in fthe -water container andstearn -generat'or'QS exceeds a predetermined-'limit,the plate 68 gives Way to relieve such excess p'ressiire, 'thus fpreven'ting injury to the user bridal/nage to the v#walter container.

The water eontainerand-steam generator 26 is :enclosed in a fszhell 41'l'3'pre'ferab'ly in `uniformly spaced relation to andconferming in contoursubstantially to the 'contour fof f-such -container. The interior surface of the shell may be coated or the space between the container and shell may be filled with a heat-insulating material, if desired. Flow of heat from the water containersteam generator 28 to the shell is thus kept to a low value. The shell has no bottom wall and the edge 14 of the shell wall rests on the pads 23 of the sole plate. Hence, such edge is spaced from the sole plate along a major portion of its length, thus minimizing the flow of heat from the sole plate to the shell. The shell is provided with an aperture conforming in shape to and registering with socket 32 of the water container as well as with apertures for extension therethrough of the filling neck 29 and other apertures, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

The shell encloses a space to the rear of the water container 28 in which are located a thermostat, generally indicated at 15, and fully disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,405,869, issued to me on August 13, 1946, and a terminal block to be described. The thermostat is suitably mounted on the sole plate and is adjusted by a stem 'Il extending through the shell and provided vwith a thumb-wheel 'I8 graduated to indicated diferent settings of the thermostat and marked to identify diiferent textiles for which the different thermostat settings are suited. The terminal block. comprises a metal frame 80 with a plate 8| extending from the side thereof for mounting on lugs 82 extending from the sole plate. A disclike member 83 of electrical insulating and heatresistive material, such as porcelain, is adapted to be retained in the framerand is formed with notches engaging with frame ears in a bayonettype of lock. The terminal block serves as the connecting point for ribbon-like connectors 8'! from the resistive element 2|, the thermostat '|8, and leads 8&5, to a source of electric current, such connections being by way of terminal bolts 85 extending through holes 88 in plate 8|. If desired, the connectors 8'! may be passed through slots 88 in the disc 83 before fastening by the bolts to others of the electrical conductors, the bolts 85 then being reversed, as may be seen by comparison of Figs. 9 and 14.

A handle 9| is mounted on the shell and has pads 92 and 93 at four points which are the only contacts of the handle on the shell, the handle being spaced from the other portions of the shell surface. The handle is attached to the shell, as by screws 94, into the sub-assembly 40 (see Fig. 2) and as by screws '(see Fig. 8). The handle is recessed to receive the steam conduit portion 42 of the unit 40 as well as the thermostat thumbwheel 18 and the stem TI, the leads 84, and so forth. It will be seen that the handle has flanges 98 particularly adjacent the pressure relief portion 44 of the sub-assembly 40, the anges being spaced from the shell so that steam escaping upon breakage of the plate 68 is readily vented but will not directly come into contact with the hands of the user of the iron. It Will be seen that the rear end of the handle projects beyond the rear of the sole plate to serveas part of the support when the iron is placed in a vertical position. The portion of the handle 9| toward the rear of the iron has a channel-like space formed therein to receive the electric cord 84. Such cord extends from the terminal block 80, 8|, through a hole in the shell 73 and in the handle, and into the handle space, and extends upwardly through such space, as indicated in Fig, 6, and projects from the handle through a sleeve 91 of suitable flexible material. The transmission of strains on the cord 84 to the terminal block 80, 8| is prefor receiving the thermostat, a space is provided.

in the handle 9| for receiving the thermostat stem 11 and the thumb-wheel 18. The end of the stem 'I1 projecting through the shell 13 into the space in the handle, is threaded to receive a rectangular hublike member |05 which may be locked in any desired position on the stem thread by a nut |06. The stem is also provided with a flange |01, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. A block |08 is ttted into the handle space in such manner as to leave only sufficient Space for the thumb-Wheel between the block and the handle. The block is formed with a passage therethrough in which the hub |05 may rotate and is provided with other passages for the flow of air therethrough for cooling purposes.. The upper surfaces of the block |08 have an offset formed thereon to provide a bearing for the thumb-Wheel which also bears in the handle, as indicated at |09. The thumb-wheel has a socket therein in which the hub |05 ts in Vsliding relation so that rotation of the Wheel produces rotation of the stem and also allows vertical movement of the stem as required by its threaded connection with the thermostat structure. The block |08 is held in the handle by screws ||0. In assembling the iron, the thermostat ste is adjusted to produce opening and closing of the thermostat at several given temperatures suitable, for example, for rayon and silk textiles. The hub |05 is then threaded on the stem and is locked in such position that it will receive the thumbwheel 18 in the position shown in Fig. 9. The wheel is then turned to the off position at which the thermostat is open, and the splines of a ring with a finger ||2 projecting therefrom, and previously loose on the stem are engaged with a splined surface on the stem in such position that the finger contacts one side of a limit stop ||3 on the thermostat structure. Two spaced lugs ||8 are attached to the rear end of the shell as by clinching over tabs thereon extending inside the shell. The lugs project farther rearwardly than the handle 9| and provide two points which are employed in connection with the end of the handle to stand the iron in vertical position. The lugs are preferably hollow and are provided with a plurality of holes I8 for the flow of air therethrough.

The steam superheater and distributor may also be made as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, in which a third Wall is provided, thus lengthening the passage through which the steam must ow in contact with the plate and producing a higher degree of superheat. The third Wall |2| defines another groove and is provided with notches |22 and |23 through which the steam discharges into the space adjacent the skirt 59 from which the steam escapes to the textile being ironed through the notches 63. For some uses even a higher degree of superheat may be desired in which case a further wall is provided and the notches in Walls between central portion' and the skirt are suitably rearranged.

Figs. 18 and 19 show a modified form of water separator having a plurality of groove-like spaces dened by the side walls |30, |3|, |32, and |33, and the end Walls |38 and |31. The steam enters 7 the separator by Way of the holes |50 and Mt and impi'nges on the walls |32 and |33, respece tively. The direction of ow of the steam is then changed so that the steam flows through the spaces between the Walls |30|f3| and |32|33, and impinges on the end Walls' |36 and |31. The direction of steam iiow is then changed to pass through the holes |42 and |43 to cause another impingement of the steamon the walls |32 and |33 before the steam flows through the final space into the steam passage 491.. 1

Plugs |45 and |46' close holes made in walls |3| and I 34 when drilling holes |112 and |43. It will be seen from the above that the direction of steam how is changed a number of times, thus securing a number of impingements of water droplets on the water separator walls and securing a number ofv changes in direction of ow of the steam and the water droplets, all of which contributes to the effective separation of entrained water from the steam. The steam foW passage may be made even more tortuous if de sired, particularly a higher degree of super-v heat is desired. It will be understood that. the degree of superheat obtained is a result of' the coaction of the Water separator andthe steam superheater plate and that change in eitherA of such elements affects the other.

It will be understood that the shapes of the. several parts herein vshown are merelyl illustrative and may be varied as desired to secure the best balance of the iron and the most accept able appearance thereof. The material of the several parts, unless otherwise specified, will be any of those having the properties necessary'to secure the functioning described, and the surface finish of any of such parts may be Whatever is desired. The water separato-r and the. steam super-heater and the resistance element used Will be determined by the quantityof heat required to yield the desired quantity of steam at a given superheat andA to keep the temper ature ofthe smoothing surface of the iron at a desired value.

Although butone embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention or from thev scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

l. An electric steam iron comprising a sole-v plate with an aperture therethrough toA the smoothing surface thereof, a Water containerV and steam generator mounted on. the sole plate, and a structure mounted in and forming a part of the water container and steam generator and including a portion Within the Water container open at the bottom forl return of Water to the water container, at least one of said Walls having an aperture therethrough adjacent the upper end of the space for the flow of steam there'- through and into the space for providing a change in the direction of steam flow.

2. An electric steam iron comprising a sole plate having an aperture therethrough to the smoothing surface thereof, a water container and steam generator mounted on the sole plate, and a structure mounted on and forming part of the water container and steam generator and including a portion within the Water container separating liquid Water from steam and a portion conducting steam therethrough, the water separatingportion being formed with end walls and side Walls extending beyond the end walls and defining a groove-like space open at the bottom above the surface of the water in and 1 for return of water to the water container, the

end Walls having apertures therethrough adjacent the upper end of the space for the iiow ofr steam therethrough and into the space, the extending end walls providing a change in direction of steam flow.

3. An electric steam iron comprising a sole plate With an aperture therethrough to the smoothing surface thereof, a Water container and steam generator mounted on the sole plate, and a structure mounted in and forming a part of the Water container and'steam generator and including a portion Within the Water container separating liquid Water from steam and a portion conducting steam therethrough, the Water separator portion defining a plurality of sets of closely spaced Walls extending substantially to the top thereof andforming groove-like spaces open at the bottom for return of water to the Water container, said closely spaced Walls having unaligned apertures therethrough adjacent the upper ends thereof for providing a change in direction of steam flow.

ALFRED WILD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS lNumber Name Date 1,940,755` Knapp Dec. 26, 1933 2,024,856 Graham Dec. 17, 19.35 2,180,399 Clark Nov. 2l, 1939- 2,188,010 Miller Jan. 23, 1940 Y 2,218,323 Eckstein Oct. 15, 1940 2,254,851- Miller Sept. 2, 1941 2,256,147. Kuhn et al. Sept. 16, 1941 2,311,164 Ekstedt Feb.. 176, 1943v 2,343,555 Hudman Mar. 7, 1944` 2,350,452 Envall June 6, 1944 2,357,862' Wolcott etal. Sept.. 12, 1944 2,369,677 Lucia Feb. 20, 1945 2,373,248 Lucia Apr. 10, 19.45

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