CN113373664A

CN113373664A - Portable ironing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113373664A
Application number: CN202110191371.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯特凡·洛普雷特; 皮埃尔·贝尔德
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2020-02-21
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2021-09-10
Also published as: EP3868952A1; FR3107534A1; EP3868952B1; EP3868952C0; FR3107534B1

Abstract

Portable ironing apparatus comprising a handle (2) and a steam discharge head (3) connected to the upper end of the handle (2), the steam discharge head (3) comprising a front end comprising a treatment surface (30A), the treatment surface (30A) being equipped with at least one steam discharge hole (32), the treatment surface (30A) being intended to face vertically towards the garment to be ironed when the apparatus is held in a vertical ironing position with the handle below the steam discharge head (3), the apparatus comprising an instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) and a water reservoir (5), the water reservoir (5) supplying water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) by gravity when the apparatus occupies the vertical ironing position, characterized in that the water reservoir (5) comprises a ventilation circuit ensuring that the stored water is supplied both when the apparatus occupies the vertical ironing position and when the apparatus occupies the horizontal ironing position The device (5) is ventilated, and in the horizontal ironing position, the treatment surface (30A) is arranged in a horizontal plane and is oriented downwards.

Description

Portable ironing apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a portable ironing device comprising a main body comprising a handle and a steam discharge head connected to an upper end of the handle, the steam discharge head comprising a front end comprising a treatment surface equipped with at least one steam discharge hole, the treatment surface being intended to face vertically a garment to be ironed when the device is held in a vertical ironing position with its handle oriented downwards. The invention relates more particularly to a device comprising an instantaneous evaporation chamber and a water reservoir which supplies water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber by gravity and preferably only by gravity when the device occupies the vertical ironing position.

Background

From patent application CN106801324 a portable ironing device is known, comprising a steam discharge head connected to the upper end of a handle, which steam discharge head comprises a treatment surface, which treatment surface is equipped with steam discharge holes and which treatment surface is intended to face vertically towards the garment to be ironed when the device is held with its handle substantially vertically oriented. This document also discloses a device comprising a water reservoir and an evaporation chamber into which the water of the reservoir flows by gravity.

Such a device has the advantage of providing an inexpensive construction, since the device does not require an electric or manual pump for supplying water to the evaporation chamber. However, this document does not describe the manner in which the reservoir is ventilated. This ventilation is necessary to allow the water of the reservoir to flow by gravity towards the evaporation chamber without the reservoir becoming under-pressure. In particular, it appears that the device is designed to operate only in a vertical ironing position, in which the treatment surface of the apparatus is facing vertically towards the garment to be ironed.

In addition, such venting of the reservoir should enable air to enter the reservoir, regardless of the orientation of the device, while limiting the risk of water flowing out of the reservoir through the venting means.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ironing apparatus in which the water of the water reservoir is fed to the evaporation chamber only by gravity and which can be used at different locations while continuing to produce steam.

To this end, the invention provides a portable ironing apparatus comprising a handle and a steam discharge head connected to an upper end of the handle, the steam discharge head comprising a front end comprising a treatment surface equipped with at least one steam discharge hole, the treatment surface being intended to face vertically towards a garment to be ironed when the apparatus is held in an upright ironing position with the handle below the steam discharge head, the apparatus comprising an instantaneous evaporation chamber and a water reservoir which supplies water by gravity to the instantaneous evaporation chamber when the apparatus occupies the upright ironing position, characterized in that the water reservoir comprises a ventilation circuit which ensures that the water reservoir is ventilated both when the apparatus occupies the upright ironing position and when the apparatus occupies a horizontal ironing position, in the horizontal ironing position, the treatment surface is disposed in a horizontal plane and is oriented downwardly.

This feature allows to provide a device with greater flexibility of use equipped with a ventilation circuit that allows to make the water of the reservoir flow at an optimal flow rate and therefore allows a good steam production in two advantageous positions of use of the device.

The device may also have one or more of the following features, used alone or in combination.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the ventilation circuit comprises a water retention chamber communicating on the one hand with the inside of the reservoir through a connection channel and on the other hand with the outside of the appliance through a ventilation hole, the water retention chamber having a volume greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connection channel.

This feature allows gravity to be used to supply water to the evaporation chamber in a horizontal or vertical ironing position, while limiting the risk of water flowing through the ventilation means when switching from one position to another.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the head is made by moulding from a plastic material and the ventilation circuit is moulded directly with the head of the device.

This feature has the advantage of simplifying the installation of the device and thus reducing its manufacturing costs.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connection channel and the water retention chamber are formed by grooves and/or grooves arranged between two constituent parts of the steam discharge head.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the vent hole opens directly into the water retention chamber.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, said water reservoir is provided in said steam discharge head.

This feature has the advantage of allowing a good visibility of the content of the water reservoir and of providing the water reservoir at a high level, allowing the water to flow better towards the evaporation chamber by gravity, when the device is set in the vertical ironing position.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the vent hole is provided on the upper surface of the head, the connection channel and the water retention chamber extending longitudinally between the treatment surface and the rear surface of the head.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the volume of the water retention chamber located below the ventilation aperture when the device occupies the horizontal ironing position is greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connection channel.

This feature allows limiting the risk of water flowing through the vent when the device is switched quickly from a position in which the treatment surface is oriented upwards to enable the water of the water reservoir to fill the connection channel to a position in which the treatment surface is oriented downwards.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the steam discharge head is connected to an upper end of the handle and the handle comprises a lower end connected to a base, advantageously housing the evaporation chamber.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the base has a shape suitable for allowing the apparatus to rest stably on its base in a rest position in which the longitudinal axis of the handle extends substantially vertically.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the base comprises a flat lower surface extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the area of said lower surface advantageously being more than twice as large as the cross-section of the handle.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the lower portion of the handle has a flared shape, the handle having a cross section that progressively increases as it approaches the seat.

According to one advantageous feature of the invention, the device comprises a power cord intended to be connected to a domestic electric network.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the steam discharge head has an elongated shape extending transversely to the handle, preferably forming an angle a of between 55 ° and 90 °, and preferably about 70 °, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle.

Drawings

The objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description of particular embodiments of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example, given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of an ironing apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 is another perspective view of the device of figure 1 showing the interior of the water reservoir in a transparent manner;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the water reservoir shown in exploded perspective;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the steam discharge head of the enclosure not equipped with a water reservoir;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus along a longitudinal plane, with the apparatus shown in a rest position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus along a longitudinal plane, with the apparatus shown in a vertical ironing position;

fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus along a longitudinal plane, wherein the apparatus is shown in a horizontal ironing position.

Detailed Description

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading of the figures, identical elements have been provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures.

It is noted that in this context, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear" used to describe the ironing apparatus refer to the case when the apparatus is lying vertically on its base.

Fig. 1 shows a portable steam ironing device comprising a portable plastic housing comprising a base 1, on which base 1 a handle 2 and a steam discharge head 3 are mounted, the lower part of the handle 2 having a flared shape, the cross-section of which gradually increases as it approaches the base 1.

The base 1 of the device comprises a flat lower surface 10 on which the device can rest stably in a rest position shown in fig. 5, in which the longitudinal axis L of the handle 2 extends substantially vertically, the area of the lower surface 10 being advantageously more than twice greater than the section of the handle along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The base 1 also comprises a power cord 11 allowing its connection to the household electrical network and has a rear surface provided with a push button 4, this push button 4 allowing the device to be energized.

According to fig. 2 to 4, the steam discharge head 3 has an elongated shape extending transversely to the handle 2 by forming an angle α of preferably about 70 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle, the steam discharge head 3 comprising a front end equipped with a flat end plate 30, the flat end plate 30 having a treatment surface 30A intended to face vertically towards the garment to be ironed, the end plate 30 advantageously comprising a groove 31, to which groove 31 a series of holes 32 for discharging the steam flow open.

The steam discharge head 3 houses a water reservoir 5, which reservoir 5 supplies by gravity to an evaporation chamber 6 provided in the base 1 of the apparatus, which evaporation chamber 6 is arranged in an aluminium casting 60, which casting 60 is closed in its upper part by a closing plate 61, into which casting a resistor 62 is embedded.

Preferably, the resistor 62 is a U-shaped shielded resistor 62 with a power between 1200W and 2800W, advantageously about 2300W. The power supply of the resistor 62 is regulated by means of a thermostat 63 around a set temperature Tc measured at the centre of the evaporation chamber 60. Preferably, the value of the set temperature Tc is not adjustable by the user and is between 110 ℃ and 180 ℃.

The thermostat 63 can be constituted by a mechanical thermostat of the bimetallic type, embedded on the bottom wall of the evaporation chamber 60 or by an NTC type temperature probe provided in place of the mechanical thermostat and associated with an electronic control card for controlling the resistor 62.

The device may also comprise a fusible breaker which cuts off the supply of the resistor 62 in the event of a thermostat failure, such a breaker being operative, for example, when the temperature of the heating body 6 exceeds 250 ℃.

According to fig. 2 to 5, the water reservoir 5 is preferably arranged in the rear part of the steam discharge head 3 and comprises a transparent outer shell 50, the outer shell 50 defining the outer wall of the water reservoir 5, the outer wall being equipped with a removable stopper 52, the stopper 52 allowing filling of the water reservoir 5.

The casing 50 is advantageously embedded, by gluing, on a bottom wall 51 of the water reservoir, this bottom wall 51 being directly integral to the casing of the device, so as to define the lower and front surfaces of the water reservoir 5 when the device is resting upright on its base 1.

As can be seen in fig. 4 and 5, the bottom wall 51 comprises a channel 53, which channel 53 has an outlet opening 54, which outlet opening 54 is connected to an inlet opening 64 by means of a conduit 7, which inlet opening 64 is arranged in the closure plate 61 of the evaporation chamber 6.

The conduit 7 is advantageously equipped, in a manner known per se, with a valve 70, schematically shown in the figures, which valve 70 is actuated by a trigger 71 present on the front surface of the handle 2, which trigger 71 is preferably near the upper end of the handle 2. The valve 70 is brought back to the closed position of the conduit 7 by a return means, such as a spring, and to the open position of the conduit 7 when manual pressure is applied to the trigger 71.

The closing plate 61 includes a steam discharge hole 65, the steam discharge hole 65 being connected to the steam diffusion chamber 8 through a duct (not shown in the drawing), the steam diffusion chamber 8 being disposed in a heating body 80, the heating body 80 being disposed in thermal contact with the end plate 30, the steam diffusion chamber 8 communicating with the steam discharge hole 32.

Preferably, the water reservoir's outlet hole 54 is arranged near the front end of the water reservoir 5 such that the outlet hole 54 is located at or above a horizontal plane P which passes through the water inlet hole 64 of the shut-off plate 61 both when the steam discharge head is arranged at the vertical ironing position shown in fig. 6, where the treatment surface 30A is in a vertical plane, and at the horizontal ironing position shown in fig. 7, where the treatment surface 30A is in a horizontal plane and is oriented downwards.

The bottom wall 51 advantageously comprises two separate partitions 55, the two separate partitions 55 being arranged in parallel on either side of a channel 53, the channel 53 supplying water to the outlet hole 54 of the water reservoir, the two separate partitions 55 defining a water supply chamber 58 of limited volume, the water supply chamber 58 being filled with water when the device occupies the vertical ironing position.

To this end, two separating partitions 55 extend perpendicularly to the bottom wall 51 of the reservoir from the front and lower surfaces of the reservoir 5, the two separating partitions 55 being connected to each other at their upper ends by a connecting wall 56. A communication passage 57 is provided between the rear end of the separating partition 55 and the housing 50 of the water reservoir 5 to allow water to circulate on both sides of the separating partition 55 when the steam discharge head 3 occupies the vertical ironing position.

The water reservoir 5 comprises a ventilation circuit which ensures the entry of air into the water reservoir in a position of use corresponding to the normal use of the device, i.e. in the vertical ironing position shown in figure 6 and in the horizontal ironing position shown in figure 7.

The ventilation circuit comprises a ventilation hole 9, which ventilation hole 9 is implemented in the housing 50 of the water reservoir, at the upper surface of the device, and preferably near the front end of the water reservoir 5.

The vent hole 9 opens into a water retention chamber 90 inside the device, the water retention chamber 90 being arranged directly below the reservoir housing 50, the water retention chamber 90 being arranged in an upper wall 91 of the housing, the upper wall 91 being in contact with the housing, and the upper wall 91 extending from the front end of the reservoir 5 longitudinally to the steam discharge head 3 to the vicinity of the rear surface of the reservoir 5.

In the example shown, the water retention chamber 90 has the shape of a groove extending longitudinally to the steam discharge head 3, the water retention chamber 90 having a front end, which is arranged in the vicinity of the front end of the water reservoir 5, and a rear end, which communicates with a connecting channel 92, the connecting channel 92 also being arranged in the upper wall 91. The connecting channel 92 extends longitudinally in extension of the water retention chamber 90 and has a rear end which opens into the vicinity of the rear end of the water reservoir 5.

Preferably, the steam discharge head 3 is made by molding from a plastic material, and the connecting channel 92, the water retention chamber 90 and the vent hole 9 are obtained directly by molding together with the upper wall 91 and the housing 50.

The water retention chamber 90 has a volume greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connection channel 92, so that water entering the connection channel 92 when the device is set with the treatment surface 30A oriented upwards can flow completely into the water retention chamber 90 when the device is set in the horizontal ironing position.

Advantageously, the depth of the water retention chamber 90 gradually increases as it goes to the front end portion of the water retention chamber 90 to maximize the volume of the water retention chamber 90 near the front end portion thereof. In particular, the volume of the water retention chamber 90 located below the ventilation hole 9 when the device occupies the horizontal ironing position is preferably greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel 92. Thus, the risk of water flowing outside the apparatus through the ventilation holes 9 when the apparatus is used in a horizontal ironing position is greatly reduced.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described.

When the user wishes to use the device, he fills the water reservoir 5 with water and then activates the device by exerting pressure on the button 4. Then, the resistor 62 of the evaporation chamber 6 is supplied with power so that its temperature quickly reaches the set temperature defined by the thermostat 63.

When the user wishes to use the apparatus in the vertical ironing position shown in figure 6, the user presses the trigger 71, which has the effect of opening the valve 70 and allowing water to flow through the conduit 7. In this position of the device, the ventilation circuit allows to ventilate the water reservoir 5, which allows water to flow from the reservoir to the evaporation chamber 6 by gravity, the water inlet holes 64 in the evaporation chamber 6 being calibrated to permit a water flow of about 40 to 50g/min when the device is held in the vertical ironing position and the water reservoir 5 is full.

During use of the apparatus, the user may also need to iron a horizontally placed textile, for example, on a table. In this case, the user switches the apparatus to the horizontal ironing position shown in fig. 7, so that a portion of the water (indicated by the dashed line E in fig. 6) initially present in the bottom of the water reservoir 5 is trapped in the water supply chamber 58 of limited volume when the apparatus occupies the vertical ironing position, thus allowing to obtain a water level E1 in the water supply chamber 58 which is greater than the water level E2 in the rest of the water reservoir 5.

In this horizontal ironing position of the device, the ventilation circuit also allows to ventilate the water reservoir 5 so that the water can flow by gravity in the direction of the evaporation chamber 6. This flow is done at an optimum flow rate due to the large head maintained in the water supply chamber 58. For example, the steam flow rate obtained in the evaporation chamber 6 when the apparatus occupies the ironing position is about 10g/min when the water level in the water supply chamber 58 reaches a maximum value, and then gradually decreases as the water supply chamber 58 empties.

In addition, the limited volume of the water supply chamber 58 has the advantage of limiting the amount of water that can be delivered into the evaporation chamber 6 when the device is held in a horizontal ironing position, for which the heat exchange area with the walls of the evaporation chamber 6 is not optimal, which allows to avoid spraying water droplets through the steam discharge hole 32 while spraying steam.

When handling the apparatus during ironing, the user may also be required to temporarily position the apparatus on his back, i.e. to orient the treatment surface 30A horizontally upwards so that the water present in the water reservoir 5 is then contained in the rear of the water reservoir 5. In this position, the water of the water reservoir 5 no longer flows in the direction of the evaporation chamber 6 due to the height of the outlet hole 54, so that the evaporation chamber 6 stops producing steam, which limits the risk of burns caused by the discharge of steam in the direction of the user's face.

In addition, in this position, the connection channel 92 of the ventilation circuit is immersed in the water of the water reservoir 5, so that it is filled with water and ventilation of the water reservoir 5 is no longer ensured, which also helps to prevent the flow of water in the direction of the evaporation chamber 6 and therefore the generation of steam.

When the device is brought back to the vertical ironing position, the water present in the connecting channel 92 can flow through the rear end of the connecting channel 92 into the water reservoir 5, which allows the connecting channel 92 to empty and again ensures its function of ventilating the water reservoir 5.

If the apparatus is brought quickly from the position on the back to the horizontal ironing position, most of the water present in the connecting passage 92 is drained through the front end portion of the connecting passage 92 into the water retention chamber 90, where water is stored in the water retention chamber 90 at the front end portion of the water retention chamber 90. The volume of the front of the water retention chamber 90 is greater than the volume of water contained in the connection channel 92 where the water is stored while remaining below the ventilation hole 9, so that the ventilation circuit ensures the ventilation of the water reservoir 5 without the water droplets dripping outside the water reservoir. When the device is brought back to the upright ironing position or laid flat on the base, the water present in the water retention chamber 90 flows by gravity through the connection channel 92 to the water reservoir 5.

The device thus realised has the advantage of allowing a simple flow of the water of the reservoir towards the evaporation chamber by means of gravity, allowing to optimize the steam flow of the device in many points of use, that is to say without the use of expensive pumps for supplying the evaporation chamber with water.

In addition, the work is carried out with a very low risk of water flowing outside the apparatus.

The invention is of course in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of example. Modifications can be made, in particular from the point of view of the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an embodiment variant not shown, the venting circuit of the reservoir may be constituted by a vent equipped with a valve, for example of the silicone umbrella valve type, which deforms to allow venting when a negative pressure is generated inside the reservoir.

Claims

1. Portable ironing apparatus comprising a handle (2) and a steam discharge head (3) connected to the upper end of the handle (2), the steam discharge head (3) comprising a front end comprising a treatment surface (30A), the treatment surface (30A) being equipped with at least one steam discharge hole (32), the treatment surface (30A) being intended to face vertically towards the garment to be ironed when the apparatus is held in a vertical ironing position with the handle below the steam discharge head (3), the apparatus comprising an instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) and a water reservoir (5), the water reservoir (5) supplying water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) by gravity when the apparatus occupies the vertical ironing position, characterized in that the water reservoir (5) comprises a ventilation circuit ensuring that the water is supplied both when the apparatus occupies the vertical ironing position and when the apparatus occupies the horizontal ironing position The water reservoir (5) is ventilated and in the horizontal ironing position the treatment surface (30A) is arranged in a horizontal plane and is oriented downwards.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said ventilation circuit comprises a water retention chamber (90), said water retention chamber (90) communicating on the one hand with the inside of said water reservoir through a connection channel (92) and on the other hand with the outside of said device through a ventilation hole (9), and in that said water retention chamber (90) has a volume greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in said connection channel (92).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection channel (92) and the water retention chamber (90) are formed by grooves and/or grooves arranged between the two constituent parts (50, 91) of the steam discharge head (3).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the steam discharge head (3) is made by moulding with a plastic material and in that the ventilation circuit is moulded directly with the steam discharge head (3) of the device.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ventilation hole (9) opens directly into the water retention chamber (90).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said water reservoir (5) is provided in said steam discharge head (3).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the vent hole (9) is arranged on the upper surface of the steam discharge head (3), the connecting channel (92) and the water retention chamber (90) extending longitudinally between the treatment surface (30A) and the rear surface of the steam discharge head (3).

8. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the volume of the water retention chamber (90) located below the ventilation hole (9) when the device occupies the horizontal ironing position is greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be accommodated in the connection channel (92).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the steam discharge head (3) is connected to an upper end of the handle (2) and in that the handle (2) comprises a lower end connected to a base (1), the base (1) advantageously housing the evaporation chamber (6).

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said base (1) has a shape suitable for allowing the apparatus to rest stably on its base in a rest position in which the longitudinal axis of said handle (2) extends substantially vertically.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the steam discharge head (3) has an elongated shape extending transversely to the handle (2), preferably forming an angle a of between 55 ° and 90 °, and preferably about 70 °, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle.