Improvements in and connected with Smoothing or Pressing Box Irons, adapted for Charcoal or other Artificial Fuel.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Smoothing or Pressing Box
Irons, adapted for Charcoal or other Artificial Fuel.
I, MAX ELB, of 21, Lüttichau Strasse, of Dresden, in the Kingdom of Saxony,
German Empire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to smoothing or pressing hollow or box-irons arranged
to hold charcoal or other artificial fuel, and adapted for ironing household linen,
such as handkerchiefs, collars, cuffs and the like, as well as for the general use
of laundresses, tailors, hatters etc. the object of the invention being to cause
the face or bottom surface of the iron to be kept constantly hot and in a condition
fit for use.
This object is attained by causing the proper glow or combustion of the
heated fuel placed within the box or body of the iron, to be maintained or sup-
ported, by the arrangement of air orifices and channels in the manner hereinafter
more fully described.
The use of box irons hitherto was, as will at once be apparent, attended with
the serious disadvantage that by continued use, or, more precisely in a short
space of time, the frequent damp nature of the articles being ironed, soon con-
siderably cooled the face of the iron and usually rendered the employment of a
second iron necessary said second iron being heated whilst the first iron was in
use, in the known manner still practised with regard more especially to the
usual form of solid irons or so-called sad irons.
This premature or rapid cooling of the iron was no doubt owing to the fact,
that in consequence of the strong suction of heat from the face or bottom surface
of the said iron, the combustion of the charcoal or other glowing fuel placed
within the iron, was checked, as only a small quantity of air was conducted to
the same, in consequence of which, the combustion gases could not properly escape.
Another reason for the rapid cooling was, that the glowing fuel within the
iron could not properly give off to the sides (or side walls) of the iron the heat,
on account of an insufficient contact of the fuel with the sides.
I have endeavoured to avoid all these drawbacks in the novel box iron forming
the subject of this invention, the construction of which I will now describe
with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a vertical section,
Figure 2 an end section,

page_text: The said novel box iron is, for the purpose of avoiding to a very large degree
the above mentioned drawbacks, so constructed, that the same possesses two
especial characteristic features:
Firstly That at half the height, (or the centre) of the sides or side-walls of
the iron, perforations or orifices are provided, said orifices serving to conduct
air not only to the charcoal or glowing fuel located below these orifices, but
also to the fuel above the said air orifices, or to the fuel in the upper portion of
the iron.
I attain this result by causing the said air-orifices to be located between ver-
tical ribs, and herein resides the second characteristic feature of my invention,
said vertical ribs being attached to the inner sides or side walls of the iron,
in such manner, that, as above mentioned, the air-holes come to lie between each
two ribs, so that the said ribs form, as it were, two chimneys, each operating in
a different manner, the use and function of which is hereinafter mentioned.
I proceed to give a short description of the general construction or arrange-
ment of my improved iron.
In the drawings: (k), Figures 1-3, represents the body or box proper of the
iron, of the usual ogival form or shape, the interior lower surface of which is
provided with a suitable number of rows of pins or studs (s), upon which the
glowing fuel is placed.
To the side walls, or to the sides of the said box iron are, as shown in the
drawing, ribs (r) attached, and at approximately half the height of the said
side-walls, and, intermediately located as regards the said ribs (r), the air orifices
or openings (o) are provided.
The other details of the construction or arrangement of my box iron are known,
also the mechanism for locking the cover, the same is also shown in the drawing,
and I think I may abstain therefore from a description of these parts.
The modus operandi of my novel box iron is as follows:
The before mentioned blocks of glowing fuel rest, as hereinbefore indicated,
upon the pins or studs (s) at the bottom of the iron.
The ribs (r) cause the said blocks of fuel to remain at a fixed distance from
the sides of the iron, from which it will be apparent, that vertical channels
would be formed by the said ribs, said vertical channels serving to maintain a
thorough combustion of the glowing fuel, this being of great importance, for
the reason, that the air in the undermentioned portions of these vertical channels
will travel along a double path.
Firstly the said air currents, entering through the openings (o) will pass along
the side wall of the iron, will then descend to the bottom of the iron, and there
produce and support a complete combustion of the glowing fuel, and, as a
natural consequence, must also cause increased heat to be imparted to the face
or surface plate of the said iron.
The second and opposite air current rising from the combustion or waste gases,
passes from the glowing fuel partly across and partly through the said glowing
fuel, subsequently ascending the lower channels or chimneys formed by the
vertical ribs below the said orifices (o).
These combustion gases rise, until they reach the openings (o), where the upper
channels or chimneys (namely the vertical channels (r¹) formed by the ribs
above the air openings (o)), exert a suction action upon the escaping combustion
gases.
This suction, as is apparent, must accelerate the discharge of the said combus-
tion or waste-gases through the glowing fuel to the said openings (o).
It will further be clear that the action of the fire gases upon the exposed
surfaces of the ribs must, to a very large extent, draw the heat to the sides of
the iron, which heat, as is apparent, will also to a considerable extent, be
imparted to and absorbed by the bottom of the iron, more especially at the outer
edges, which outer edges, as is known, come more especially in contact with the
damp portions of the fabric to be ironed, and, it is also at once apparent, that

page_text: this imparting of the heat to the said edges and face-plate of the iron, forms
one of the most important features, by means of which an improved and success-
ful operation has been attained by the novel box iron herein before described.
I wish also to mention a further characteristic feature, which the employment
of the before mentioned vertical ribs confer. This refers to dealing with the
ashes, which ashes must necessarily be formed, during the proper use or operation
of the iron.
The ashes are, as shown, prevented from falling through the openings o during
the ironing, for the reason that the vertical ribs prevent the glowing fuel from
coming in contact with the sides of the iron.
It will thus be clear, that no ashes can possibly escape through the said open-
ings (o) during the ironing, as before stated, and that therefore there is no
danger or possibility of the ashes falling upon the fabrics under treatment.
Furthermore the vertical ribs keep the glowing fuel always at a fixed distance
from the air-openings, so that the ashes therefrom must fall to the bottom of
the vertical channels formed by the ribs, said ashes being subsequently removed
without any difficulty and without any injurious effect.
In
In Figure 4 I have illustrated an improved form of locking the cover.
this construction the locking lever (a) pinioned at (c), is provided at its lower
end with a tongue (d), said tongue entering a slot (e) in the side wall of the iron
as shown. Furthermore the handle (6) slides over and is held upon, an inclined
surface (f) cast upon the cover.
By this mechanism the cover is conveniently rapidly and securely locked to
the iron.
I may also mention, that instead of making the before mentioned ribs (r)
vertical, I reserve the right of altering the shape of said ribs, or, of making
only part of the same vertical, furthermore, I also reserve the right of substituting
for said ribs, either lugs, extending pieces, or other suitable projections of any
approved form, from which it will be seen, that the shape of the ribs, shown in
the drawing, is intended to serve simply as an example.
The method of using my improved box iron is similar to those at present
known, my said iron will however be found much more efficient with reference
to the retaining of the heat of the face plate for a much longer space of time.
Dated this 1st day of March 1898.
Improvements in and connected with Smoothing or Pressing Box
Irons, adapted for Charcoal or other Artificial Fuel.
I, MAX ELB, of 21, Lüttichau Strasse, of Dresden, in the Kingdom of Saxony,
German Empire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to smoothing or pressing hollow or box-irons arranged
to hold charcoal or other artificial fuel, and adapted for ironing household linen,
such as handkerchiefs, collars, cuffs and the like, as well as for the general use
of laundresses, tailors, hatters etc., the object of the invention being to cause

page_text: the face or bottom surface of the iron to be kept constantly hot and in a condition
fit for use.
This object is attained by causing the proper glow or combustion of the
heated fuel placed within the box or body of the iron, to be maintained or sup-
ported, by the arrangement of air orifices and channels in the manner hereinafter
more fully described.
The hitherto premature or rapid cooling of box iron is no doubt owing to the
fact, that in consequence of the strong suction of heat from the face or bottom
surface of the said iron, the combustion of the charcoal or other glowing fuel
placed within the iron, was checked, as only a small quantity of air was conducted
to the same, in consequence of which, the combustion gases could not properly
escape.
Another reason for the rapid cooling was, that the glowing fuel within the
iron could not properly give off heat to the sides or side walls of the iron, on
account of an insufficient contact of the fuel with the sides. I have endeavoured
to avoid all these drawbacks in the novel box iron forming the subject of this
invention, the construction of which I will now describe with reference to the
accompanying drawing, in which :-
Figure 1 is a vertical section,
Figure 2 an end section,
Figure 3 a plan of the interior of the iron, and
Figure 4 a modification in the locking of the cover.
The said novel box iron is, for the purpose of avoiding to a very large degree
the above mentioned drawbacks so constructed, that the same possesses two
special characteristic features:
Firstly: That at half the height or the centre of the sides or side-walls of
the iron, perforations or orifices are provided, said orifices serving to conduct
air not only to the charcoal or glowing fuel located below these orifices, but
also to the fuel above the said air orifices or to the fuel in the upper portion of
the iron.
I attain this result by causing the said air-orifices to be located between ver-
tical ribs, and herein resides the second characteristic feature of my invention,
said vertical ribs being attached to the inner sides or side walls of the iron,
in such manner, that, as above mentioned, the air-holes come to lie between each
two ribs, so that the said ribs form, as it were, two chimneys each operating in
a different manner, the use and function of which is hereinafter mentioned.
I proceed to give a short description of the general construction or arrange.
ment of my improved iron.
In the drawings k, Figures 1-3, represents the body or box proper of the iron
of the usual ogival form or shape, the interior lower surface of which is provided
with a suitable number of pins or studs or other suitable projections s, upon
which the glowing fuel is placed.
To the side walls, or to the sides of the said box iron are, as shown in the
drawing, ribs r attached, and at approximately half the height of the said side-
walls and intermediately located as regards the said ribs r, the air orifices or
openings o are provided.
To render the box iron ready for use, the before mentioned blocks of glowing
fuel rest, as herein before indicated, upon the pins or studs s, at the bottom of
the iron.
The ribs r cause the said blocks of fuel to remain at a fixed distance from
the sides of the iron, from which it will be apparent that vertical channels
would he formed by the said ribs, said vertical channels serving to maintain a
thorough combustion of the glowing fuel, this being of great importance, for
the reason, that the air in the lower portions of these vertical channels will travel
along a double path.
Firstly the said air currents entering through the openings o will pass along.
the side wall of the iron, will then descend to the bottom of the iron and there'

page_text: produce and support a complete combustion of the glowing fuel, and, as a natural
consequence must also cause increased heat to be imparted to the face or surface
plate of the said iron.
The second and opposite air current rising from the combustion or waste gases,
passes partly across and partly through the said glowing fuel, subsequently
ascending the lower channels formed by the vertical ribs below the said orifices o
These combustion gases ascend, until they reach the orifices o, where the
upper channels or chimneys, viz. the vertical channels r formed by the ribs
above the air openings o, exert a suction action upon the escaping combustion
gases.
This suction, as is apparent, must accelerate the discharge of the said com-
bustion or waste-gases through the glowing fuel.
It will further be clear that the action of the fire-gases upon the exposed
surfaces of the ribs must, to a very large extent, draw the heat to the sides of
the iron, which heat, as is apparent, will also to a considerable extent, be
imparted to and absorbed by the bottom of the iron, more especially at the outer
edges, which outer edges, as is known, come more especially in contact with the
damp portions of the fabric to be ironed and it is also at once apparent that
this imparting of the heat to the said edges and face-plate of the iron, forms
one of the most important features by means of which an improved and success-
ful operation has been attained by the novel box iron hereinbefore described.
I wish also to mention a further characteristic feature, which the employment
of the before mentioned vertical ribs confer. This refers to dealing with the
ashes, which ashes must necessarily be formed, during the proper use or operation
of the iron.
The ashes are, as shown, prevented from falling through the openings o during
the ironing, for the reason that the vertical ribs prevent the glowing fuel from
coming in contact with the sides of the iron.
It will thus be clear, that no ashes can possibly escape through the said open-
ings o during the ironing, as before stated, and that therefore there is no
danger or possibility of the ashes falling upon the fabrics under treatment.
Furthermore the vertical ribs keep the glowing fuel always at a fixed dis-
tance from the air-openings, so that the ashes therefrom must fall to the bottom
of the vertical channels formed by the ribs, said ashes being subsequently removed
without any difficulty and without any injurious effect.
In Figure 4 I have illustrated an improved form of locking the cover. In
this construction, the locking-lever pivoted at c is provided at its forward end
with a tongue d, said tongue entering a slot e in the side wall of the iron as
shown. By this mechanism the cover is conveniently rapidly and securely locked
to the iron.
I may also mention, that instead of making the before mentioned ribs r
vertical, I reserve the right of altering the shape of said ribs, or of making only
part of the same vertical, furthermore, I also reserve the right of substituting
for said ribs, either lugs, extending pieces, or other suitable projections of any
approved form, from which it will be seen, that the shape of the ribs, shown in
the drawing, is intended to serve simply as an example."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a box-iron, the combination of upright ribs upon the side-walls of the
iron with air-orifices arranged between the said ribs, for the purpose as described.
2. In a box-iron, the combination of upright ribs, upon the side-walls of the
iron, with air-orifices arranged between the said ribs, approximately at the
centre of the said side-walls, for the purpose as described.
3. In a box-iron, the combination with upright ribs, and with projections

page_text: upon the bottom of the iron, of air-orifices arranged between the said ribs,
approximately at the centre of the said side-walls, for the purpose and substan-
tially as described.
Dated this 24th day of November 1898.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London,. Agent for the Applicant.