WO2010072559A1 - Steam ironing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam ironing device, particularly a steam iron or a steam ironing station, comprising an ironing soleplate (6), which has an evaporation chamber (8) and one or more steam outlet openings, which are connected to the evaporation chamber (8) such that steam can escape, and comprising a cleaning-agent line (18), which leads into the evaporation chamber (8) with one end and which has a cleaning-agent filling opening (20) at the other end thereof and which has a first check valve (22), which opens the passage through the cleaning-agent line (18) in the filling direction (E) and blocks said passage opposite the filling direction (E) when a cleaning agent (R) is poured in.

Description

 Steam ironing apparatus

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a steam ironing apparatus and a particular steam ironing apparatus set.

STATE OF THE ART

There are steam ironing devices, in particular in the form of a steam iron or a steam ironing station, known, with a sole plate, a

Evaporation chamber and one or more steam outlet openings, which are connected to the evaporation chamber open to vapor. The soleplate and the

Evaporation chamber are for the purpose of Dampfbügeins using a

Warming device heated. Such steam ironing apparatuses further include a liquid container for evaporating liquid, which is in the

Evaporating chamber is introduced and vaporized there, so that they then over the

Steam outlet comes out of the soleplate.

In the evaporation chamber, and in particular in the region in which the evaporation liquid is introduced into the evaporation chamber, it comes after a certain time to deposits, especially lime deposits. These can affect the function of the steam ironing device or even cause malfunctions. For this reason, a cleaning and descaling system is provided in most steam ironing devices. For cleaning and descaling the soleplate and the evaporation chamber are usually heated first, without causing evaporation liquid is introduced into the evaporation chamber. When the vaporization chamber has reached a high vaporization temperature, cold vaporization liquid is suddenly introduced into the vaporization chamber. This causes a rapid change in temperature or "temperature shock." And the resulting vapor and boiling vaporization liquid break up the deposits or lime deposits, which are then washed out of the soleplate by the steam vents. The sudden introduction of the cold evaporation liquid in the evaporation chamber is realized in prior art steam ironing devices usually by opening a valve which is arranged in a line which connects the liquid container with the evaporation chamber. The evaporation liquid then passes under the action of gravity in the evaporation chamber (so-called gravity system). A

Steam ironing apparatus with such a gravity system is e.g. from US-P-3849916. In steam ironing apparatuses which have an electric micropump or a hand-operated pump with which the evaporation liquid is injected into the evaporation chamber, the evaporation liquid is injected abruptly by injection by the respective pump.

U.S. Patent No. 4,459,771 discloses a steam ironing apparatus having a removable evaporative liquid container connectable to the evaporative chamber via a channel. If the evaporation liquid container is removed, a cleaning agent can be injected directly into the evaporation chamber via the now open channel by means of a syringe.

The aforementioned cleaning and descaling systems (gravity system and injection by pump or syringe in combination with a removable

Evaporation liquid container) have the disadvantage that they are structurally quite complex and expensive to manufacture. Further, with these systems, only a relatively small amount of cold evaporation liquid can be introduced into the evaporation chamber, so that the descaling and cleaning action is quite limited.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention has the object or the technical problem of providing a steam ironing device with a simple descaling and cleaning system with a high descaling and cleaning effect. This object is achieved according to a first aspect by a steam ironing device according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

This steam ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or a steam ironing station, with a soleplate having an evaporation chamber and one or more steam outlet openings which are connected to the evaporation chamber open to vaporization, has a detergent line which opens into the evaporation chamber at one end and at its another end has a detergent filling opening and has a first check valve which opens the passage through the cleaning agent line when filling a cleaning agent in the filling direction and locks against the filling direction, in particular automatically locks.

For the purposes of the invention, a vaporization chamber means both a main vaporization chamber, into which vaporization liquid is introduced for a regular steam ironing operation, and a secondary vaporization chamber (for example a so-called steam chamber), into the vaporization liquid only for a short time, e.g. to initiate the generation of a steam burst of high intensity. For the purposes of the present invention, a "cleaning agent" comprises both a cleaning agent and a descaling agent, which may be, for example, either water or distilled water or water added with additives or a special cleaning and / or decalcifying agent The said check valve of the steam ironing device according to the invention is a directional valve which allows the passage of the cleaning agent in the filling direction or a corresponding flow direction, but prevents the passage of a fluid in the reverse direction, so that this does not escape from the detergent filling opening The check valve preferably acts in both liquid and vapor in said reverse direction Preferably, the check valve comprises a spring loaded closure member or is one of a rubber elastic material or elastomer Merwerkstoff manufactured element or the like formed.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible for the purpose of cleaning or Entkaikens the steam ironing device, the detergent directly and without detours - A -

via a provided in the steam ironing device or this associated evaporation liquid container, gravity system or pump / micropump in the evaporation chamber or inject. This not only leads to an extremely simple, inexpensive and reliable construction, but also makes it possible to introduce larger amounts of cold cleaning liquid abruptly in the evaporation chamber, which increases the above-described effect of "breaking" of the deposits or lime deposits in the evaporation chamber and thus The filling or injection of the cleaning liquid can in this case take place in particular by means of a separate means provided outside the steam ironing device, eg by a detergent container which has a mouthpiece matching the detergent filling opening and as a kind of injection bottle or This cleaning agent container is also extremely simple and inexpensive to produce and can be used reliably and uncomplicated perform some of the multiple functions, e.g. can be used both for filling the cleaning agent in the detergent filling opening as well as for filling evaporation liquid in an evaporation liquid filling opening of the steam ironing device.

Thus, by the solution according to the invention a simple and very effective

Descaling and cleaning system can be provided with a high descaling and cleaning effect.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a second aspect by a steam ironing device set according to the invention having the features of claim 11. This steam ironing device set has a steam ironing device according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a detergent container which has a cleaning agent container. Filling has matching mouthpiece, in particular a separate from the steam ironing device detergent container with such

Mouthpiece. With the set according to the invention substantially the same advantages can be achieved, which have already been explained above in connection with the steam ironing device according to the invention.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the steam ironing device according to the invention and of the steam ironing device set according to the invention are the subject of the respectively associated dependent claims, which find their support in the following description and the drawings.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through an essential

Part of a steam ironing device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through an essential

Part of a steam ironing device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through an essential

Part of a steam ironing device according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and

4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam ironing device according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the figures, the same components and components are also identified by the same reference numerals to avoid repetition, unless further differentiation is necessary or useful.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam ironing device according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment. The steam ironing apparatus is a steam iron which has, inter alia, a housing 2, a water tank 4 (evaporation liquid tank) and a soleplate 6, which has an evaporation chamber 8 and a multiplicity of steam outlet openings, which are connected to the evaporation chamber 8 in a vapor-open manner via steam distribution channels , In the soleplate 6, an electric heating device for heating the soleplate 6 and the evaporation chamber 8 is integrated. The steam iron further has a metering system, with which for a regular steam ironing operation water from the water tank 4 metered into the evaporation chamber 8 can be introduced.

In addition, the steam iron is equipped with a steam injection system, by means of which the evaporation liquid can be briefly introduced into the evaporation chamber 8 for generating a high-pressure steam pulse. In Fig. 1 essential parts of this steam shock system can be seen. It comprises a steam impulse pump 12 which can be actuated manually via a steam impulse button 10 and which is connected with its pump inlet 12a via a first line 14 or supply line to the water tank 4 and with its pump outlet 12b via a second line 16 to the vaporization chamber 8 , In addition, the steam iron may be provided with further controls and functional components, such as e.g. a temperature setting knob, a temperature controller, a steam amount adjusting knob and the like.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the steam iron according to the invention has a separate detergent line 18 having one end in the Evaporation chamber 8 opens. This orifice is in this example in the immediate vicinity of the point at which the second line 16 opens into the evaporation chamber 8. At its other end, the cleaning agent line 18 has a detergent filling opening 20 (hereinafter referred to as filling opening 20). The filling opening 20 is accessible from the outside of the housing 2 ago. It also has a sealing element (not shown). The filling opening 20 may optionally be closable with a cover or a lid, or simply be designed as an exposed opening. The cleaning agent line 18 also has a check valve 22, which opens the passage through the detergent line 18 when filling a detergent R in the filling direction (indicated by an arrow E) and locks against the filling direction E automatically. The check valve 22 in this case blocks both the passage of liquid and steam. In the present case, the check valve 22 at the upper end of the detergent line 18 in the immediate vicinity of an outer housing wall 2a of the housing 2 is arranged. And the inlet opening 22 a of the check valve 22 simultaneously forms the filling opening 20.

The steam iron according to the invention is provided in this example in the context of a steam ironing device set, which has both the steam iron and a separate detergent container 24, a with the

Fill opening 20 mating mouthpiece 24a has. The detergent container 24 in this case is in the form of a bottle of a reversibly deformable or compressible plastic material, e.g. Polyethylene or the like. However, the detergent container 24 could in principle also be designed as a syringe or the like.

The detergent container 24 in this case has a connection 24b for connecting replaceable mouthpieces 24a. And the kit further comprises at least two interchangeable mouthpieces 24a, of which a) one mates with the fill port 20, and b) the other mates with an evaporative liquid fill port (not shown) of the steam iron. However, the detergent container 24 may also have a single, adjustable mouthpiece 24a, eg in the form of a replaceable one Mouthpiece or the like, which is adaptable to both the filling opening 20 and the evaporation liquid filling opening. The detergent container 24 can thus be used both for filling the water container 4 with water W and for injecting detergent R into the detergent line 18.

For a cleaning and descaling process, the soleplate 6 and the evaporation chamber 8 are heated by means of the heating device, without causing evaporation liquid W or detergent R to be introduced into the evaporation chamber 8. When the evaporation chamber 8 has then reached a sufficiently high evaporation temperature, the mouthpiece 24a of the liquid detergent R (in the simplest form: water) filled detergent container 24 is inserted into the filling opening 20 and compressed. As a result, a relatively large amount of cleaning agent R is injected through the mouthpiece 24a into the filling opening 20 and into the inlet opening 22a of the check valve 22. The arranged in the filling opening 20

Seal element prevents this accidental leakage of the detergent R to the outside. As an alternative to the sealing element in the filling opening 20, or in addition thereto, a sealing element could also be provided on the mouthpiece 24a.

The check valve 22 opens the passage through the detergent line 18 in the filling direction E during the filling process, so that the cleaning agent R is injected through the detergent line 18 into the hot evaporation chamber 8. There, a large part of the detergent R evaporates abruptly and causes a rapid change in temperature or a "temperature shock." And the resulting detergent vapor and cooking detergent break any deposits or limescale deposits, which are then washed out of the soleplate 6 through the steam outlet openings If the non-return valve 22 automatically blocks in the opposite direction to the filling direction E, during the aforementioned process, neither filled nor injected cleaning agent R nor detergent vapor can escape through the cleaning agent line 18 and the filling opening 20. The same applies in the event that a normal steam ironing operation or during a steam blast Evaporating liquid W is introduced into the evaporation chamber and evaporated there. This prevents injury to the user of the steam iron by hot steam or hot cleaning agent or hot evaporation liquid, which would escape without the check valve 22 against the filling direction E.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam iron according to the invention according to a second embodiment. Parts and components that correspond to those of the embodiment of Fig. 1 are identified by the same reference numerals, and a further explanation of these elements will be omitted, unless a separate explanation is required due to certain peculiarities or differences.

As in the variant according to FIG. 1, the embodiment according to FIG. 2 also has a steam impulse system with a steam impulse pump 12 which with its pump inlet 12a via a first line 14 to the water tank 4 and with its pump outlet 12b via a second line 16 is connected to the evaporation chamber 8. In the steam iron according to FIG. 2, however, the cleaning agent line 18 with its check valve 22 is designed as part of the second line 16. In the second line 16 and as part of the detergent line 18, a tee 26 is arranged. The tee 26 has a first inlet port 26a communicating with the detergent fill port 20 and a second inlet port 26b communicating with the pump port 12b via a first portion 16a of the second conduit 16. Furthermore, the T-piece 26 has an outlet opening 26c which communicates with the evaporation chamber 8 via a second section 16b of the second conduit 16.

The first inlet opening 26a of the T-piece 26 located at the top in FIG. 2 is designed as the filling opening 20. Further, the check valve 22 is integrated into the T-piece 26, in this example in an upper part of the T-piece 26, which also has the filling opening 20. The check valve 22 opens at least the passage from the first inlet opening 26a to the outlet opening 26c in the filling direction E and blocks the passage against the filling direction E automatically. If detergent R, for example, in turn with the aid of a separate detergent container 24, is injected through the filling opening 20, the detergent R flows into the first inlet opening 26a, through the check valve 22 and leaves the tee 26 through the outlet opening 26c. From there, it then flows through the left in Fig. 2, the second portion 16b of the second conduit 16 into the evaporation chamber 8. The function of the check valve 22 is also the same as in the variant of FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG 2, as the cleaning agent R is injected, also a small portion thereof will flow at the branch of the tee 26 towards and through its second inlet port 26b into the first portion 16a to the pump outlet 12b. However, this is harmless, since the steam pump 12 itself acts as a valve or check valve and prevents detergent R passes through the pump 12 into the water tank 4 or to the outside. Likewise, the steam jet pump 12 prevents hot detergent R or detergent vapor from passing through the pump 12 into the water tank 4 or out.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam iron according to the invention according to a third embodiment. For better clarity, the representation of the housing (2) has been omitted in this drawing. The variant according to FIG. 3 essentially corresponds to that according to FIG. 2. In contrast to this, however, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the T-piece 26 has no check valve. Instead, the check valve 22 is arranged in a line piece 28 between the first inlet opening 26a of the tee 26 and the filling opening 20. This embodiment is particularly suitable for steam irons, in which a greater distance between the filling opening 20 and the second conduit 16 is overcome and / or the check valve 22 is not in the immediate vicinity of the filling opening 20, the tee 26 or in the T-piece 26th itself can be arranged.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam iron according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. For better clarity, the representation of the housing (2) has been omitted in this drawing. The variant of FIG. 4 3 corresponds substantially to that of FIG. 3, but has a second check valve 30 which is disposed in the first portion 16a of the conduit 16 between the pump outlet 12b of the impulse pump 12 and the second inlet port 26b of the tee 26 and the passageway or its portion 16a opens in the direction of the steam impulse pump 12 to the T-piece 26 and automatically locks against this direction. The second check valve 30 thus serves as a non-return valve for steam injection pump 12 and the pump outlet 12b out. This embodiment is particularly suitable in connection with a steam pulse pump, which itself can not take over the function of a check valve or is not vapor-tight. The second check valve 30 may also be integrated directly into the T-piece 26 in a further embodiment (not shown). For example, in the variants of the tee 26 outlined in Figs. 2 and 3, the second check valve 30 may be disposed in the right side thereof between the bifurcation and the second inlet port 26b.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of protection of the claims, the steam ironing device according to the invention and the set according to the invention may, on the contrary, also assume other embodiments than those specifically described above. In particular, the various inventive components of the described different embodiments and / or the respective claims can be combined or combined.

The first check valve may also be designed so that it can be opened by the mouthpiece and not only by the inflowing detergent. The blocking function of the check valve in the opposite direction should still be done automatically to prevent hot cleaning agent or cleaning agent vapor from escaping in the event of an incorrect operation during the filling process and possibly injuring a user. In at least one further embodiment according to the invention, the check valve may also be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the soleplate or directly on the same. However, for this arrangement, the check valve must be designed particularly heat resistant. Although in the above preferred embodiments always only a simple detergent line with a single conduit has been described, a detergent line may also have a plurality of conduit channels, which may also open at different locations in the evaporation chamber. Furthermore, a plurality of detergent lines may be provided.

The detergent filling opening may be formed as an evaporation liquid filling opening and vice versa. In this case, the ironing apparatus may, for example, comprise a switching valve which selectively allows to introduce detergent into the evaporation chamber or to introduce evaporation liquid into the evaporation liquid tank. The change-over valve may be provided by a separate control element or else e.g. be operable by a mouthpiece of the detergent container.

In addition, the detergent container may also be equipped with a check valve. This may e.g. be arranged in the mouthpiece.

The solution according to the invention also comprises steam ironing devices or steam irons which have a filling opening for evaporation liquid, which is provided on the rear side of a housing of the device and connected directly or via an intermediate line to the evaporation liquid container. These

Filling opening is closed, for example, by a lid which is designed in the manner of a tailgate. In such a construction, the detergent filling opening may then be arranged in the vicinity of the filling opening and be closable by the same lid, which also closes the filling opening. Separate covers for the normal filling opening as well as the cleaning agent

Einfüllöffnung are also possible, wherein the lid for the latter opening can also be under the lid for the former opening, or vice versa.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope. _{l C} N

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

casing

2a Outer housing wall

4 water tanks

6 soleplate

8 evaporation chamber

10 steam button

12 steam pump

12a pump input

12b pump outlet

14 First line

16 Second line

16a First part piece

16b Second part

18 detergent line

20 detergent filling opening

22 (First) Check Valve

22a entrance opening

24 detergent containers

24a mouthpiece

24b connection

26 tee

26a First inlet opening

26b Second inlet opening

26c exit opening

28 pipe section

30 second check valve

E filling direction

R cleaning agent

W water

Claims

claims A steam ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or a steam ironing station, having a soleplate (6) which has an evaporation chamber (8) and one or more steam outlet openings which are connected to the evaporation chamber (8) open to vapor, and with a steam outlet Cleaning agent line (18) which opens into the evaporation chamber (8) at one end and has a detergent filling opening (20) at its other end and has a first check valve (22) which permits passage through the cleaning agent line (8). 18) when filling a cleaning agent (R) in the filling direction (E) opens and against the Filling direction (E) locks. 2. steam ironing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first check valve (22) has the detergent filling opening (20). 3. Steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an evaporation liquid container (4) and a steam jet pump (12) with its pump inlet (12a) via a first line (14) to the evaporation liquid container (12). 4) and with its pump outlet (12b) via a second line (16) with the evaporation chamber (8) is connected. 4. steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning agent line (18) is formed as a part of the second line (16). 5. steam ironing device according to one or more of the aforementioned Claims, characterized in that in the second conduit (16) and as part of the cleaning agent line (18), a T-piece (26) is arranged, with a) a first inlet opening (26a) with the detergent filling opening (20) communicates; b) a second inlet port (26b) communicating with the pump outlet (12b); and c) an exit port (26c) communicating with the vaporization chamber (8). 6. steam ironing device according to one or more of the aforementioned Claims, characterized in that the first inlet opening (26a) of the T-piece (26) as the detergent filling opening (20) is formed. 7. steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first check valve (22) between the first inlet opening (26 a) and the detergent filling opening (20) is arranged. 8. steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first check valve (22) in the T-piece (26) is integrated and at least the passage from the first inlet opening (26 a) to the outlet opening (26 c) in Filling direction (E) opens and contrary to the filling direction (E) locks. 9. steam ironing device according to one or more of the aforementioned Claims, characterized by a second check valve (30) which in the second line (16) between the pump outlet (12b) of the steam impulse pump (12) and the second inlet opening (26b) of the tee (26) is arranged and the Passage through the second conduit (16) in the direction of the steam jet pump (12) to the T-piece (26) opens and blocks against this direction. 10. steam ironing device according to one or more of the aforementioned Claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (2), and the filling opening (20) from the outside of the housing (2) is accessible forth. 11. steam ironing device set, with a steam ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a detergent container (24) having a with the Detergent filling opening (20) mating piece (24a), in particular one separate from the steam ironing device Detergent container (24) with such a mouthpiece (24a). 12. Set according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the detergent container is a reversibly deformable detergent container (24) or that the detergent container is designed as a syringe. 13. Set according to claim 11, characterized in that the first check valve (22) through the mouthpiece (24a) is to be opened. 14. Set according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the detergent container (24) has a connection (24b) for connecting replaceable mouthpieces (24a), and the detergent container (24) at least two interchangeable mouthpieces (24a) are associated, of which a) one mates with the detergent filling opening (20); and b) the other mates with an evaporative liquid fill port of the steam ironing device. 15. Set according to one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the detergent container (24) has an adjustable mouthpiece, which is adaptable both to the detergent filling opening (20) and the evaporation liquid filling opening.