Device for ironing fabric articles, like clothing, provided with steam supply and discharge means

Abstract: Device for ironing fabric articles, like clothing, comprising a housing with handle, a soleplate to be heated electrically arranged under the housing and a water reservoir which is arranged if necessary in the housing and which communicates via a controllable supply opening with a chamber for forming steam bounded by the soleplate, wherein the soleplate is provided with apertures connecting to this steam chamber and wherein controllable means are arranged around or in the housing to extract the steam, wherein the extraction means are in direct communication with the steam chamber via a discharge duct, whereby a better control of the steam use and consumption is obtained.

Description: The invention relates to a device for ironing fabric articles, like clothing, comprising a housing with handle, a soleplate to be heated electrically arranged under the housing and a water reservoir which is arranged if necessary in the housing and which communicates via a controllable supply opening with a chamber bounded by the soleplate for there obtaining steam, wherein the soleplate is provided with apertures connecting to this steam chamber and wherein controllable means are arranged around or in the housing to extract the steam. It is generally known for domestic and industrial use to add steam to the fabrics before ironing, which steam is generated by the iron itself by means of a soleplate, which is electrically heated, from water which is dispensed from a reservoir to the steam chamber. The fabrics for ironing can herein be moistened excessively, and this moisture is further evaporated by the heat of the iron. The drawback hereof is that the subsequent drying has a damaging effect on some textile materials. It is already known in industrial use to discharge the generated steam by means of an external fan, which either acts on the ironing board or is connected to the iron such that the steam around the iron is extracted. A device for ironing fabric articles according to the preamble of claim 1 is known for example from US-A-3 706 146. The invention has for its object to improve the extraction of steam, and the device according to the invention is distinguished for this purpose in that the extraction means are in direct communication with the steam chamber via a discharge duct. While with such an embodiment the steam does reach the fabrics for ironing, it is discharged again via the same steam apertures, which can take place intermittently. The control system is therefore embodied such that during supply of steam the extraction is interrupted, while when the supply of steam is interrupted the extraction is started. The control system can herein have a determined time constant incorporated, which the user can adjust himself, in order to enable control of the intervals of supply respectively discharge. The whole sole is heated, so that the steam for extraction will not condense in the laundry for ironing. Above mentioned and other features of the invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of the embodiment. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a steam iron according to the invention provided with internal steam extraction means, Fig. 2 shows a side view of the device of figure 1 with partly broken-away parts, Fig. 3A shows a pattern of steam apertures in the sole of an iron according to the invention. The same components in the different figures are designated with the same reference numerals. The device according to the invention consists of a housing 1 with a handle 2 arranged thereon and an soleplate 3, which can be electrically E heated by means of a heating element (not shown). The iron is provided with a thermostat 4, all this according to the prior art. As is also shown in figure 2, housing 1 is provided with a water reservoir 5 which can be filled with water from the mains via openings (not shown). Sole 3 is embodied with a steam chamber 6 which extends over practically the full length and width thereof. Water reservoir 5 is connected to steam chamber 6 via an opening 7, which opening 7 can be closed by means of a valve 8 which can be operated by a press-button 9, and can be opened manually. At another point of steam chamber 6 is arranged an opening 10 which leads to an extraction means 11, here in the form of a fan which is electrically driven by electric motor 12. The outlet of the fan runs via a duct 13 to outlet openings 14 in the wall of housing 1. In this embodiment the device operates as follows. By regularly operating valve 7 and thereby opening the passage of water reservoir 5 to steam chamber 6, the admitted water can be changed by the heat of sole 3 into steam which is pressed out through apertures 15. This is also a standard technique and is further assumed to be known. Motor 12 can be energized by a hand-operated pressure switch 16 and fan 11 can thereby be set into rotation, whereby the excess steam in steam chamber 6 can be discharged via opening 10 to outlet opening 14. The steam is further drawn out of the fabrics again via apertures 15 and discharged to openings 14 via steam chamber 6. By doing this intermittently and according to predetermined intervals, the steaming time and the extraction time can therefore be adjusted as desired by the user. It is apparent that control means 9, 16 can be embodied such that this can also take place via an electronic control, whereby the steaming and extraction intervals can be set as required by for instance an operating system corresponding to knob 4. The sole of the device is shown in figure 3. Figure 3A shows a pattern of apertures as proposed in the embodiment according to figures 1 and 2. The invention is not limited to the above described embodiment. Diverse patterns of apertures 15 are possible. An external steam generator can furthermore be used which is connected to steam chamber 6 via a flexible tube ST. Reservoir 5 is then unnecessary. The steam can also be recycled via SA and fed back in condensed form to the external steam generator. Combination of the above described embodiments is possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims: Device for ironing fabric articles, like clothing, comprising a housing (1) with handle (2), a soleplate (3) to be heated electrically arranged under the housing and a water reservoir (5) which is arranged if necessary in the housing and which communicates via a controllable supply opening (7) with a chamber (6) bounded by the soleplate for there obtaining steam, wherein the soleplate is provided with apertures (15) connecting to this steam chamber and wherein controllable extraction means (11) are arranged around or in the housing to extract the steam, characterized in that the extraction means are in direct communication with the steam chamber via a discharge opening (10). Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the control system is adapted such that when the supply opening is opened the extraction means are rendered inoperative, and vice versa. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the extraction means are formed by an electrically driven fan. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the fan is accommodated in the housing. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the fan is arranged externally and is connected to the underside of the sole via a tube. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water reservoir and a steam generator are placed externally and can be connected at the sole to the steam chamber via a flexible tube, characterized in that the steam extraction means comprise a steam extraction tube which is carried back to the steam generator.

Inventors: DELBAERE JEAN, VAN HUL MARCEL, DELBAERE, JEAN, VAN HUL, MARCEL
Applicants: DELBAERE JEAN, VAN HUL MARCEL, DELBAERE, JEAN, VAN HUL, MARCEL
Application year: 2001
Main classification: D06F75
IPC codes: D06F75