WO1999025915A1

WO1999025915A1 - Ironing apparatus and method with steam generation

Info

Publication number: WO1999025915A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/002466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Debourg; Dominique Gelus; Eliette Rosell-Laclau
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 1997-11-19
Filing date: 1998-11-19
Publication date: 1999-05-27
Also published as: FR2771110A1; JP2001523498A; FR2771110B1; NO20002300L; AU1244499A; CA2310115A1; EP1032730A1; NO20002300D0

Abstract

The invention concerns an ironing apparatus and method. The ironing apparatus comprises an iron (2), a steam generator (1) and a tube (105) connecting the generator to the iron. As the steam carries along condensates into the iron, the iron comprises means for recuperating (201, 202) condensates and a conduit (203) for evacuating steam, connected to the recuperating means. Preferably, the iron comprises means for ejecting (209, 214) condensates trapped in the recuperating means.

Description

Ironing apparatus and method with steam generation

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to an ironing apparatus and method with steam generation.

PRIOR ART

We know irons supplied by a steam generating central and connected thereto by a tube for the connection, this tube generally following the electrical connection.

The central unit usually has a boiler, which allows good steam flow rates and greater autonomy than simple steam irons; the iron does not ensure the vaporization of the water flow, has on its soleplate a steam distribution chamber to ensure the desired distribution thereof. This chamber is generally obtained at least partially by forms from the sole, it is therefore heated, which allows the evaporation of the condensates which occur in the connection connecting the boiler to the distribution chamber.

The presence of these condensates has the disadvantage of requiring a power installed in the iron significantly greater than that strictly necessary for proper ironing of it, the steam being generated elsewhere.

In addition, there is no water available in the iron, which does not allow for a spray (water spray) in the simplest models. This is a drawback because the spray is very effective among other things for smoothing out wrinkles. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It thus relates to an ironing apparatus making it possible to obtain a very small amount of condensate arriving in the steam distribution chamber, in particular at the start of ironing, and therefore not requiring a high power installed in the ironing apparatus. The invention also relates to such an ironing device equipped with a spray, while being inexpensive and easy to use.

The subject of the invention is also an ironing process with generation of steam, in which it is not necessary to heat the steam distribution chamber significantly to remedy the presence of condensate.

To this end, the invention applies to an ironing apparatus comprising an iron, a steam generator and a tube connecting the generator to the iron and intended to supply the iron with steam.

According to the invention, the water vapor carrying with it condensates in the iron, the iron comprises means for recovering condensates, comprising means for separating condensates from the steam, communicating with means for storing condensates, and a steam evacuation pipe, connected to the recovery means.

The combined presence of the condensate recovery means and the steam evacuation pipe within the iron makes it possible to essentially eliminate the condensates, without having to carry out additional heating.

Although the steam generated is water vapor, it is understood that it may contain impurities. In addition, it can also contain additives, entrained by priming.

The condensates separated from the vapor and then accumulated in the storage means form a liquid mass which is available, which can be subsequently evacuated or used in various ways. In a first form of using condensates, detailed below, the liquid mass is expelled from the iron by appropriate means. These means of expulsion are preferably controlled by a user.

In a second form of using condensates, the liquid mass is slowly recycled in the steam circuit, which leads it to the steam distribution chamber of the iron where it is evaporated.

In another form of elimination of the liquid mass, this is accumulated in a reservoir, which can be removed by the user when it is full.

In a fourth embodiment, the accumulated liquid mass is evaporated by heating. The required heating is then not continuous but can be carried out at times chosen by the user or determined automatically depending on the mass of liquid accumulated.

These various means of use or elimination can be combined according to all their technically possible combinations.

Advantageously, when the recovery means reach saturation, an indicator warns the user that the accumulated liquid mass must be eliminated. In another form of implementation, the ironing apparatus comprises an automated system avoiding saturation of the recovery means.

In any case, in the event of saturation, the recovery means cease to fulfill their function and are thus deactivated, the condensates then being entrained with steam as in known ironing appliances. A re-evaporation can in this case be carried out conventionally at the level of the iron vapor distribution chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the recovery means comprise a separation cavity, into which the tube opens and from which the evacuation pipe leaves, as well as a reservoir disposed under the cavity with which it is in communication.

Thus, the simple cavity acts as a gas / liquid separator and the retained liquid accumulates in the tank while the gas escapes through the steam evacuation pipe.

In this preferred embodiment, the cavity and the reservoir defining an axis, the tube advantageously opens into the cavity in a direction approximately orthogonal to the axis and tangentially to the cavity.

The separating effect is thus accentuated by centrifugation against a wall of the cavity, accompanied by a capillary effect.

Also in this preferred embodiment, it is advantageous that the separation cavity comprises a cylindrical volume of revolution of vertical axis with in the lower extension a conical base narrowing downwards and communicating with the reservoir through an orifice located at the end.

In a more improved embodiment the cavity has a cylindrical volume of revolution with a vertical axis and in the lower extension a conical base narrowing downwards and two circular grooves at the top and bottom of the cylindrical part. It communicates with the tank through an orifice located at the lower end of the base, as well as through a conduit connecting the grooves.

In other embodiments of the ironing apparatus, it comprises another gas / liquid separator system. According to an advantageous embodiment, the recovery means comprise an inverted T-shaped cavity, the vertical bar of the T being connected to the steam evacuation pipe and the horizontal bar of the T having a first end connected to the supply tube the iron in steam and a second end opening into a tank. The shocks in the elbow of the T and the capillary effects make it possible to obtain the desired separating effect.

In another embodiment, the means of condensate recovery include a filtering system.

Preferably, the iron comprises means for expelling the condensates retained in the recovery means.

By "expulsion" means a dynamic rejection of condensates in the form of liquid mass, partial or total, which can be controlled by a user, both in its initiation as in its duration and intensity. Such an expulsion is for example carried out in the form of a spray or a pressurized jet.

Such an apparatus makes it possible not only to remove the condensates from the vapor, but also to obtain a liquid reserve of water jointly and to use it in a controlled manner to improve the ironing conditions.

Preferably, the expulsion means constitute a spraying device, comprising a spraying nozzle, and a spraying line starting from the storage means and ending at the nozzle.

Thus, the condensate recovery means participate in a spray system, without the need to add an additional tank. This results in economy and ease of use, since it suffices to ensure the water filling of the steam generator instead of having to, in addition, take care of filling a second tank which would be intended with spray.

According to a first embodiment with spray, the spray device comprises a pump intended to propel the condensates retained in the recovery means towards the nozzle.

According to a second embodiment of the ironing apparatus with spray, the spraying device comprises means for temporarily closing the steam evacuation pipe, intended to cause a rise in pressure of the steam in the recovery means and thus a propulsion of condensates in the nozzle. I t is then advantageous that the closing means jointly cause a closing of the discharge pipe and an opening of the spraying pipe.

The first embodiment, with a pump for the spray, offers the advantages of allowing autonomous control, not using steam pressure, and of not requiring reinforcement of the connection tube between the steam generators and the iron. to redo. The second embodiment, using vapor pressure for the spray, provides a very economical device. The third embodiment makes it possible to regulate the flow of condensates and to avoid a massive arrival of condensates in the steam chamber. The fourth embodiment makes it possible to have a higher flow rate of condensates, mainly after thermal stabilization of the device.

According to a third embodiment, the expulsion means comprise means for slowly recycling the condensates in the vapor.

According to a fourth embodiment derived from the previous apparatus the device comprises means for cooling the steam which comprise a radiator whose circuit is arranged along or in the extension of the tube for the connection of the steam power station to the iron.

Advantageously, the recovery means comprise a removable container.

In the preferred embodiment with cavity and reservoir, this removable container is preferably constituted by the reservoir.

The invention also relates to an ironing process in which steam is generated with which an iron is supplied.

According to the invention, the vapor carrying with it condensates in the iron, the condensates are recovered by recovery means comprising separation means and accumulation means and the steam is evacuated in an evacuation pipe from the separation means.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be illustrated without being limited in any way by the following description of preferred embodiments.

- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section view showing a particular embodiment of the ironing apparatus according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a detail view of Figure 1

- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another particular embodiment of the iron of an ironing apparatus according to the invention

- Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another particular embodiment of the iron of an ironing device according to the invention

- Figure 5 is a detail view of Figure 4.

- Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another particular embodiment of the iron of an ironing apparatus according to the invention.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an ironing apparatus comprises a steam generating unit 1 and a steam iron 2. The plant contains a boiler 101 closed by a filling plug 102 and electrically heated by a heating element 103 provided with pressure and temperature regulation. Steam escapes through tubing 104 to a flexible connecting tube 105 through a normally closed control solenoid valve 106. The tube 105 connects the power station to the iron 2.

When the solenoid valve 106 is open, steam arrives in the iron 2 tangentially to a cavity 201 of which an orifice 216 situated at its conical base opens into a reservoir 202. The cavity 201, the orifice 216 and the reservoir 202 are aligned along an axis 21 5 orthogonal to the arrival of the tube 105 in the cavity 201. The steam then leaves via a pipe 203 to a steam distribution chamber 204 where it is distributed over the steam holes 205 of the soleplate 206 of the iron.

In a first embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) of the invention, the steam line 203 directly connects the cavity 201 to the steam distribution chamber 204. The line 209 connects the reservoir 202 to a piston pump controlled by a trigger 400, the pump delivering water from the condensates to a spray nozzle 214. Preferably the pump is provided with a device ensuring the closing at rest of the line 209 on its arrival in the pump, comprising two seals 403 which define a closed annular chamber, around the piston 406, where the orifice of the pipe 209 opens when the piston is at rest. The piston 406 comprises a second annular chamber 405 where the line 209 opens when the trigger control 400 is actuated, and an inlet valve 402 connected by perforations to the chamber 405. The pump conventionally comprises a discharge valve 401 and a return spring 407 of the piston in the rest position. In another version, the condensates are taken up by an electric pump started when a button is pressed in place of the trigger 400.

A trigger 21 1 located under the handle of the iron allows the user to actuate a contact 212, which controls the opening of the solenoid valve 106. The iron 2 is provided with a heating element, the sole 206 and its regulation .

When the user plugs in her appliance, the boiler 1 01 and the sole 206 heat up and reach the set and set temperatures. The housewife can then grab the iron and iron. When it presses the trigger 21 1, the solenoid valve 106 opens and allows the passage of steam. The tube 105 is then still cold and an appreciable quantity of water condenses. This water arrives with the vapor tangentially to the cavity 201, is deposits on the walls by centrifugation and flows into the tank 202. The vapor cannot escape through the tank 202 and takes the line 203 to distribute in the distribution chamber 204, and go to moisten the fabric via the holes 205 .

When after an ironing moment, the flexible tube 105 has warmed up, the condensation is less significant. However, it remains in favor of the idle times, because this pipe is not heated, and on the other hand, there remains in the saturated steam a little priming water due to the boiling in the boiler 101, so that the reservoir 202 continues to fill.

If, in this first embodiment of the invention, the housewife pushes the trigger 400, the piston 406 of the pump advances, the line 209 is then connected to the valve 402 closed, the liquid contained in the pump is expelled towards the nozzle of spraying 214. When the trigger 400 is released, the spring 407 moves the piston back, the inlet valve 402 opens and the condensates are sucked through the line 209 until the rest position is reached where the seals 403 close the passage of the orifice in line 209. The pump is then ready for a new spraying. The housewife then has an excellent spray to spray on her laundry. The recovered water does not re-evaporate on the soleplate, which is particularly sensitive to starting the iron, and one can have a lower installed power on the iron without prejudice to ironing. This saved power can be installed on the boiler 101 to increase performance. The use of a pump makes it possible to dose and spray without using the vapor pressure, and does not require the reinforcement of the connecting tube 105.

In a second embodiment (Figure 3) of the invention, along the steam line 203 there is a distributor 207 whose drawer 208 normally leaves free passage for steam. Water collects at the base of the reservoir 202 from which a pipe 209 leaves towards a spray nozzle 214 located at the front of the iron. The passage of water is normally interrupted by the distributor 207, a circuit of which is along the line 209. A spring 210 recalls the drawer 208 in this position. A trigger 21 1 located under the handle of the iron allows the user to actuate a contact 212, which controls the opening of the solenoid valve 106. The iron 2 is provided with a heating element, the sole 206 and its regulation .

The drawer 208 of the distributor 207 can be controlled by the user by pressing a button 213.

When the user uses her device, the water condenses under the same conditions as in the first embodiment. This water arrives with the steam tangentially to the cavity 201, is deposited on the walls by centrifugation and flows into the tank 202. The steam cannot escape through the tank 202 and takes the line 203 via the distributor 207, open , to distribute in the distribution chamber 204, and go to moisten the fabric via the holes 205.

If, in this second embodiment, the housewife presses the button 213, the distributor 207 closes the passage of steam to the holes 205 and ensures the continuity of the line 209 from the reservoir 202 to the nozzle 214. The steam being unable to s the escape rises in pressure in the reservoir 202, which propels the water into the nozzle. The housewife then has an excellent spray to spray on her laundry. The recovered water does not re-evaporate on the soleplate, which is particularly sensitive to the starting of the iron, and one can have a lower installed power on the iron without prejudice to ironing. This saved power can be installed on the boiler 101 to increase performance.

In a third embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the invention, the pipe 209 is a rigid tube extending from the bottom of the reservoir 202 to the top of the cavity 201 along the axis 21 5. This tube comprises in opposite the start orifice of the pipe 203 in a low pressure area 214 an orifice 217 and at its base a wire 218 introduced into the tube and bent outside which limits the passage section thereof.

When the user uses her device, the water condenses under the same conditions as in the first embodiment. This water arrives with the vapor tangentially to the cavity 201, is deposited on the walls by centrifugation and flows into the reservoir 202. The vapor cannot escape through the reservoir 202 and borrows the line 203, to be distributed in the distribution chamber 204, and go to moisten the fabric via the holes 205.

In this third embodiment, when the housewife actuates the trigger 21 1 after the large arrival of starting condensates, these rise with a flow rate, limited by the wire 218, in the line 209 to the orifice 217 located in a low pressure zone where they are sucked through line 203 and led into the steam distribution chamber 204 where they are evaporated. In this way there is never a large flow of condensate in this room and there is no need to oversize the heating power.

In a fourth embodiment (FIG. 6) of the invention, the iron preferably according to the first or second embodiment comprises a radiator placed on the heel. This radiator consists of a metal plate 300 which a plastic grid 302 protects from contact with the outside without hampering the convection of air against the plate and a duct 301 thermally secured to the plate 300, constituting a circuit steam extending the tube 105. The connecting tube 105 is preferably connected to the inlet of the tube 301, the outlet of which is connected to the cavity 201.

When the housewife presses the trigger 21 1, the solenoid valve 106 opens and allows the passage of steam. This passes through the connection tube 105 then in its extension 301 of the radiator 300 where an additional quantity of water cools, condenses and is added to the existing condensates. This water arrives with the vapor tangentially to the cavity 201, is deposited on the walls by centrifugation and flows into the tank 202. The operation is identical to that of the first or second embodiment, but there is more water available. for spraying, which is especially noticeable when the tube 105 has reached thermal equilibrium.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its application in the technical field of ironing apparatus and methods with generation of steam.

Claims

B.0299REXREVENDICATIONS

1. Ironing appliance comprising an iron (2), a steam generator (1) and a tube (105) connecting the generator (1) to the iron (2) and intended to supply steam to the iron (2) , characterized in that the water vapor carrying with it condensates in the iron (2), the iron comprises means of recovery (201, 202) of said condensates comprising means of separation (201) of the condensates out of the steam communicating with storage means (202) for condensates and a pipe (203) for evacuating the steam connected to the recovery means.

2. An ironing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the recovery means comprise a cavity (201), into which opens said tube (105) and from which the evacuation pipe (203) starts, and a reservoir (202) in communication with the cavity (201) and disposed under the cavity (201).

3. Ironing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavity (201) and the reservoir (202) defining an axis (215), said tube (105) opens into the cavity (201) according to an approximately orthogonal direction to said axis (215) and tangentially to the cavity (201).

4. Ironing device according to one of claims 2 or

3, characterized in that the cavity (201) has a conical base narrowing downwardly and communicates with the reservoir (202) through an orifice (216) located at the lower end of said base.

5. An ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the iron (2) comprises means for expelling (207-209, 213-214) the condensates retained in the recovery means (201 , 202).

6. Ironing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said expulsion means constitute a spraying device, comprising a spray nozzle (214), and a spraying line (209) starting from the recovery means (202) and leading to the nozzle (214).

7. Ironing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the spraying device comprises a pump intended to propel the condensates retained in the recovery means (201, 202) towards the nozzle (214).

8. Ironing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the spraying device comprises means for closing (207, 208, 213) temporary the evacuation pipe (203) of the steam, intended to cause a rise in pressure of the vapor in the recovery means (201, 202) and thus a propulsion of the condensates in the nozzle (214).

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8 characterized in that it comprises a cooling radiator (300) of the steam whose circuit (301) is installed along or in extension of the tube (105).

10. An ironing device according to claim 5 characterized in that the expulsion means comprise means for recycling the condensates in the steam circuit.

1 1. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recovery means comprise a removable container.

12. Ironing process in which steam is generated with which an iron (2) is fed, characterized in that the steam carrying with it condensates in the iron (2), the condensates are retained by recovery means (201, 202) comprising means for separating said condensates from the steam communicating with condensate storage means and the steam is recovered in an evacuation pipe (203) from the recovery means. AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on March 16, 1999 (16.03.99); original claims 1-12 replaced by new claims 1-1 1 (3 pages)]

5 1. Ironing apparatus comprising an iron (2), a steam generator (1) and a tube (105) connecting the generator (1) to the iron (2) and intended to supply the iron (2 ) in steam, characterized in that the water vapor carrying with it condensates in the iron (2), the iron comprises on the one hand 0 recovery means (201, 202) of said condensates comprising separation means ( 201) condensates out of the steam communicating with storage means (202) for condensates and a pipe (203) for evacuating the steam connected to the recovery means, and on the other hand for the expulsion means (207 -209, 213-214) of the condensates retained in the recovery means (201, 202).

2. Ironing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the recovery means comprise a cavity (201), into which emerges said tube (105) and from which 0 starts the pipe (203) for evacuation, and a reservoir (202) in communication with the cavity (201) and disposed under the cavity (201).

3. Ironing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavity (201) and the reservoir (202) defining an axis

25 (215), said tube (105) opens into the cavity (201) in a direction approximately orthogonal to said axis (215) and tangentially to the cavity (201).

4. Ironing apparatus according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the cavity (201) has a conical base

30 narrows below and communicates with the tank

(202) by an orifice (216) located at the lower end of said base.

5. Ironing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said expulsion means constitute a spraying device, comprising a spray nozzle (214), and a spraying line (209) starting from the recovery means. (202) and leading to the nozzle (214).

6. Ironing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the spraying device comprises a pump intended to propel the condensates retained in the recovery means (201, 202) towards the nozzle (214).

7. Ironing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the spraying device comprises means for closing (207, 208, 213) temporary the evacuation pipe (203) of the steam, intended to cause a rise in vapor pressure in the recovery means (201,

202) and thus a propulsion of the condensates in the nozzle (214).

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a radiator for cooling (300) the steam, the circuit (301) of which is installed along or in extension of the tube (105).

9. An ironing device according to claim 1 characterized in that the expulsion means comprise means for recycling the condensates in the steam circuit.

10. An ironing appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recovery means comprise a removable container.

1 1. Ironing process in which steam is generated with which an iron (2) is fed, characterized in that the steam carrying with it condensates in the iron

(2), the condensates are retained by recovery means (201, 202) comprising means for separating said condensates from the vapor communicating with means for condensate storage, the vapor is recovered in an evacuation pipe (203) from the recovery means and the condensates are used in evacuation means 214, 209.