Patent Description:
Irons provided with a water tank and a boiler, or an evaporation chamber, in which, by means of an electrically heated element, the water coming from the tank is transformed into steam, which is then delivered to the outside through an ironing sole plate provided with holes for the delivery of the steam itself, in order to improve the ironing, are known.

The tank and the evaporation chamber are fluidically communicating and a selector is normally interposed between them which, if operated by a user, allows the water contained in the tank to pass towards the evaporation chamber.

When the water comes into contact with the walls of the evaporation chamber, it is heated until it reaches the boiling point, almost instantly, and becomes water steam.

The evaporation chamber is in turn communicating with the holes on the ironing sole plate from which the generated water steam can exit, which then spreads onto the garment being treated.

In the known irons the aforesaid selector has only two functioning positions, namely a closed position, in which it completely prevents the passage of water from the tank to the evaporation chamber, and an open position, in which it allows it. The passage from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, takes place suddenly and no intermediate positioning is possible.

Thus, in such irons, steam can only be delivered in fixed and predefined amounts and do not allow a user to modify the amount of steam it is wished to deliver.

A first drawback of such irons of known type is therefore due to the fact that it is not possible for the user to modulate the steam flow rate generated and delivered on the garment.

A further drawback of the known solutions is due to the fact that with the passage of water, when the selector is in the open position, water continues to be consumed even when the iron is at rest during ironing and is positioned horizontally.

It is also known that, between the water tank and the selector, there may be a valve operated by a bimetallic sheet that deforms as a function of the temperature inside the evaporation chamber. In particular, the aforesaid sheet deforms by bending on one side and opening the valve when a certain working temperature sufficient to instantly vaporize the water is reached and exceeded.

This solution, although appreciated due to the fact that it prevents the loss of liquid water from the holes of the ironing sole plate in the event that the selector is operated before the working temperature is reached, has some drawbacks.

A drawback is due to the fact that the opening for the passage of the water towards the plate is controlled by the bimetallic sheet, whose behaviour depends on the temperature and therefore the user must necessarily adhere to a certain time, which can also be a few minutes, in order to be able to use the steam, effectively increasing the time required to perform the ironing operations.

Another drawback is due to the fact that the valve and the bimetallic sheet need to be calibrated and finely tuned for the desired effect to be obtained. These calibration and tuning operations have a negative impact on the production cost of the iron.

A further drawback is that this known type of valve itself has high production costs that negatively affect the total cost of the iron.

Document <CIT> discloses an iron provided with a control device configured to control the energizing current of a solenoid valve to deliver a first steam jet through an ironing plate, followed by a succession of further steam jets having reduced flow rate and/or volume, delivered at certain time intervals when the user presses a steam delivery button. The number of jets, the time interval between them and the amount of steam delivered are managed independently by the control device and the user can only change the volume of the second steam jet, or the duration of the energization interval of the solenoid valve, by acting on appropriate knobs. Such solution is intended to prevent excessive cooling of the plate due to an excess of water fed to it rather than to allow a quick and intuitive adjustment of the amount of steam by the user during ironing.

Other irons are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

There is therefore a need to realize a new and original iron that can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to realize an iron that allows a user to directly adjust the steam flow rate generated and delivered on the garment to be ironed even during ironing operations.

Another object of the present invention is to realize an iron that is inexpensive and easy to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to realize an iron which makes it possible to reduce the time that elapses from switching it on to the moment in which it is possible to generate and deliver steam.

The Applicant has studied, tested and realized the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and to obtain the above as well as further objects and benefits.

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims show other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution proposed.

In accordance with the aforesaid objects, an iron, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and eliminates the defects present therein, comprises: a tank suitable for containing water, steam generating means configured to receive a part of the aforesaid water from the aforesaid tank and to transform it into steam.

According to the present invention, the iron also comprises an adjusting device to allow a user to manually adjust the amount of the aforesaid water transferred from the aforesaid tank to the aforesaid steam generating means from time to time. In particular, the aforesaid adjusting device comprises a control element configured to generate an electrical signal when it is manually actuated by the user and electrical actuating means controlled by an electronic control unit in response to the aforesaid electrical signal and configured to move a shutter member associated with an outlet opening of the aforesaid tank.

In accordance with the invention, the electrical signal is variable in a manner proportional to an action exerted by the user on the control element, and electrical actuating means are configured to move the shutter member associated with an outlet opening of the tank in a manner proportional to the electrical signal, to adjust the amount of water fed to the steam generating means and therefore the flow rate of generated steam. In particular, the adjusting device is configured to allow the user to progressively vary, during ironing, the flow rate of the water transferred to the steam adjusting means.

Thanks to the control member that generates a variable electrical signal as a function of an action exerted on it, such solution allows an easy and intuitive adjustment of the amount of water.

"Action" here and below in the description means in general an interaction with the control member such that a force or a contact exerted on it can be varied in order to change the intensity or position thereof, and in which such variation involves a variation in the intensity of the signal. For example, as will be better explained in the following, the action may be a pressure exerted on a button, or a stroke or a different contact position of a user's finger with respect to touch-sensitive means. The iron also comprises a containment structure that defines a handle and in which the aforesaid tank is mounted, and, according to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid control element is arranged substantially at the aforesaid handle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid shutter member is connected to the aforesaid electrical actuating means and is progressively movable with respect to an outlet opening for the water to modify the passage section and adjust the water flow rate.

In particular, the shutter member may assume any intermediate position between a fully closed position, in which it prevents the aforesaid water from exiting the aforesaid tank, and a fully open position, in which the aforesaid water is fed to said steam generating means with the maximum available flow rate.

According to one aspect of the present invention, said adjusting device further comprises elastic means configured to normally keep the aforesaid shutter member in the aforesaid fully closed position. In this way, when no action is exerted on the electrical actuating means, the shutter member closes the outlet opening and consequently when the iron is not in use it does not deliver steam and no water leakage occurs through the ironing sole plate.

According to the invention the aforesaid shutter member has a shutter end, to which there is associated a shutter element cooperating with the aforesaid outlet opening of the aforesaid tank, and an operating end, opposite to aforesaid shutter end, and operable by the aforesaid electrical actuating means to cause a translation of the aforesaid shutter member and consequently move the aforesaid shutter member away from the aforesaid outlet opening and bring it towards at least any desired intermediate position between the aforesaid closed position and the aforesaid fully open position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid shutter member comprises an oblong stem having, at the aforesaid shutter end, a cavity whose depth is progressively variable along the longitudinal axis of the aforesaid stem.

In particular, the depth of the cavity is increasing in the direction opposite to the direction of the stroke that the stem travels between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid electrical actuating means comprise a linear actuator having, or consisting of, a solenoid of the type called "push-pull".

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid control element comprises touch-sensitive means suitable for detecting the presence and the position of a user's hand, or a part thereof, and the aforesaid electrical signal is variable as a function of the position of the aforesaid user's hand on the aforesaid touch-sensitive means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid control element comprises a button suitable for detecting the pressure exerted by a user who contacts it and the aforesaid electrical signal is variable as a function of the aforesaid pressure exerted by the user on the aforesaid button.

By appropriately moving the fingers and/or the hand on the touch-sensitive means and/or on the button, it is therefore possible to provide a progressive control over the movement of the shutter member, so as to increase the passage section and consequently also the water flow rate and the amount of steam generated.

The adjusting device is therefore very simple and intuitive to use.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid steam generating means comprise an evaporation chamber having an inlet opening, and a distribution manifold is interposed between the aforesaid outlet opening of the aforesaid tank and the aforesaid inlet opening of the aforesaid evaporation chamber.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the iron comprises a manually operable selector, arranged upstream of the aforesaid inlet opening of the aforesaid evaporation chamber and configured to selectively obstruct the aforesaid manifold.

An object of the present invention is also a method of using an iron according to the invention, comprising feeding water from a tank to steam generating means and transforming it into steam. The method comprises adjusting the amount of said water transferred from said tank to said steam generating means, wherein to regulate said amount of water it involves regulating an electrical signal proportional to an action exerted by a user on said control element, and controlling by said control unit said electrical actuating means in response to said electrical signal to move said shutter member associated with an outlet opening of said tank in a manner proportional to said electrical signal.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following disclosure of some embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:.

It should be noted that in the present description and in the claims, the term vertical with its variations, have the sole function of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the figures of the drawings and must not be used in any way to limit the scope of the present invention, or the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the term vertical is intended to indicate an axis, or a plane, which can be either perpendicular to the line of the horizon, or inclined, even by several degrees, for example up to <NUM>°, with respect to the latter.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain dimensions, or features, in the figures may have been enlarged, deformed, or shown in an unconventional, or non-proportional manner to provide a version of the present invention which is easier to understand. When the dimensions and/or the values are specified in the description below, the dimensions and/or the values are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such dimensions and/or values are present in the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the figures.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, an iron <NUM> according to the present invention comprises an external containment structure <NUM> that defines a handle <NUM> in the upper portion thereof and that comprises, or defines, therein a tank <NUM> for containing water.

The tank <NUM> is delimited by a plurality of walls of any shape suitable to be contained within the structure <NUM> and in particular comprises a lower wall <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> comprises both an inlet opening <NUM>, arranged substantially in the upper portion thereof, suitable to allow the user to introduce water inside it, and an outlet opening <NUM>, arranged substantially on the lower wall <NUM>.

The inlet opening <NUM> can possibly be associated with a cap for its closure (not depicted).

The iron <NUM> further comprises an evaporation group <NUM> preferably arranged below the tank <NUM> and comprising a containment body <NUM> which, in cooperation with an upper closing plate <NUM>, defines therein an evaporation chamber <NUM> substantially closed and having at least one inlet opening <NUM>.

The inlet opening <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM> is arranged on the upper closing plate <NUM> in a position substantially aligned with the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. Alternatively, the inlet opening <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM> can also be misaligned with respect to the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

According to embodiments, a distribution duct, or manifold <NUM>, is interposed between the tank <NUM> and the upper closing plate <NUM> to fluidically connect the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> with the inlet opening <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM> (<FIG>).

The manifold <NUM> may comprise a substantially tubular body of any shape suitable for collecting the water exiting the tank <NUM> and conveying it into the evaporation chamber <NUM>.

Optionally, the iron <NUM> may comprise a user-operable selector <NUM> configured to selectively obstruct the manifold <NUM>, in particular to open or close the inlet opening <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>.

The selector <NUM> may comprise a shutter portion <NUM> partially arranged in the manifold <NUM> between the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and the inlet opening <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM> and having a shape at least partially conjugated to the inlet opening <NUM>.

The selector <NUM> has a control portion <NUM> near the handle <NUM>, by means of which it can be selectively operated by a user.

The selector <NUM> can be of a per se know type, for example of the snap type and having only a first operational position, in which it completely prevents the passage of water in the selector <NUM>, and a second operational position in which it allows it.

The iron <NUM> further comprises at least one heating element <NUM> associated with the containment body <NUM> and configured to heat the evaporation chamber <NUM>.

In the example provided herein, the heating element <NUM> consists of, or comprises, an electrical resistor, integrated within the containment body <NUM>.

An ironing sole plate <NUM> is arranged below the evaporation group <NUM> and comprises one or more delivery holes <NUM> fluidically connected to the evaporation chamber <NUM>.

The ironing sole plate <NUM> can be autonomous with respect to the evaporation group <NUM> and fixed thereto by fixing means of a known type.

Alternatively, the ironing sole plate <NUM> may be integrated into the containment body <NUM> and, for example, may be constituted by the lower portion thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the iron <NUM> comprises an adjusting device <NUM> configured to allow a user to manually and progressively adjust the flow rate of water transferred from the tank <NUM> to the evaporation group <NUM>.

The adjusting device <NUM> comprises a shutter member <NUM>, selectively movable, with respect to the outlet opening <NUM> for the water, between a fully closed position, in which it prevents the water from exiting the tank <NUM> and a fully open position, in which the water can exit the tank <NUM> and reach the evaporation group <NUM> with the maximum available flow rate.

In particular, the shutter member <NUM> can assume any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, so as to vary the passage section for the water and consequently allow the water flow rate to be adjusted.

The shutter member <NUM> comprises a shutter end <NUM>, arranged at the outlet opening <NUM>, and to which a shutter element <NUM> configured to shut the outlet opening <NUM> is associated.

The adjusting device <NUM> further comprises elastic means <NUM> configured to normally keep the shutter member <NUM> in the fully closed position, i.e., with the shutter element <NUM> in abutment against the outlet opening <NUM>.

This turns out to be advantageous in that it prevents the water from exiting the tank <NUM> even in the event that the selector <NUM> is operated accidentally or prematurely. This solution is much simpler and more economical than the prior art, in which, in order to achieve this result, a complex valve actuated by a temperature-sensitive bimetallic sheet is provided.

In the example provided herein, the shutter member <NUM> comprises an oblong stem <NUM>, movable along a longitudinal axis S and arranged at least partially in the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. Preferably, the axis S coincides with the longitudinal development axis of the stem <NUM> and passes through the centre of the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the shutter element <NUM> is a gasket, or "O-ring", which substantially adheres to the stem <NUM> and protrudes radially from the shutter end <NUM> thereof. In this case, the gasket <NUM> is suitable for abutting against the lower wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and, specifically, against the perimeter of the outlet opening <NUM>.

On the stem <NUM>, at the shutter end <NUM> thereof, a cavity <NUM> having a longitudinal profile that is diverging with respect to the axis S, towards the inside of the stem <NUM>, is formed. In other words, the depth of the cavity <NUM>, measured perpendicular to the axis S, varies progressively along a direction parallel to the same axis S.

For example, with respect to a plane of symmetry of the stem <NUM>, comprising the axis S, the longitudinal section of the cavity <NUM> may be triangular or trapezoidal in shape. In this case the depth can vary continuously and linearly along the S axis.

In particular, the depth of the cavity <NUM> is increasing in the direction opposite to the direction of the stroke that the stem <NUM> travels between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

Referring always to the example provided herein, at least a portion of the stem <NUM> may be contained in a substantially cylindrical guide member <NUM> and having an opening <NUM> through which the stem <NUM> may pass.

A circular sealing element <NUM> is fixed to the part of the stem <NUM> contained in the guide element <NUM> to prevent water contained in the tank <NUM> from being able to rise along the guide element <NUM>.

The circular sealing element <NUM> is advantageously configured to slide on the internal walls of the guide element <NUM> while at the same time remaining integral with the stem <NUM>.

The aforesaid opening <NUM> is preferably aligned with the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and is arranged above it. The guide element <NUM> is preferably made as a single body with the structure <NUM> and/or with the walls of the tank <NUM>.

The stem <NUM> comprises a counteracting portion <NUM> consisting of a protruding portion, i.e., having a diameter greater than the remainder thereof.

The counteracting portion <NUM> of the stem <NUM> is arranged outside the guide element <NUM> and directly above the lower wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>).

In this case, the elastic means <NUM> comprise a spring <NUM> interposed between the lower wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and the counteracting portion <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> is suitable for acting on the counteracting portion <NUM>, to keep, for elastic return, the gasket <NUM> in abutment against the lower wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

The aforesaid spring <NUM> may be of the helical type and its central axis may be substantially coincident with the axis S.

In another embodiment not depicted, the counteracting portion <NUM> is arranged inside the guide element <NUM> and the elastic means comprise a spring <NUM> interposed between a portion of the guide element <NUM>, at its opening <NUM>, and the counteracting portion <NUM>. Also in this embodiment the spring <NUM> may be of the helical type, arranged with its central axis substantially coincident with the axis S.

The stem <NUM> further comprises an actuating end <NUM>, opposite to the shutter end <NUM> and arranged substantially at the handle <NUM>.

The adjusting device <NUM> further comprises a control element <NUM>, configured to generate an electrical signal SE when manually actuated by a user, and electrical actuating means <NUM> acting on the actuating end <NUM>. In particular, the electrical actuating means <NUM> are configured to press on the actuating end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>.

The electrical actuating means <NUM> are configured to progressively and continuously move the shutter member <NUM> in relation to the electrical signal SE generated by the control element <NUM> to progressively and continuously adjust the water flow rate accordingly.

The electrical signal SE in particular is variable in a manner proportional to an action exerted by the user on the control element <NUM>, i.e., the greater the intensity, or extent of the action exerted, the greater the electrical signal SE generated and the greater the displacement of the shutter member <NUM> determined by the electrical actuating means <NUM>.

This causes the shutter end <NUM>, and consequently the shutter element <NUM>, to move away from the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> bringing the stem <NUM> towards any intermediate position between the aforesaid fully closed position and the aforesaid fully open position.

For example, when a user touches, or presses, with at least one finger on the control element <NUM>, the latter transmits an electrical signal SE to a control unit <NUM> which, in response thereto, controls the electrical actuating means <NUM> (<FIG>).

The electrical actuating means <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) can be of any known type and, preferably, comprise a linear actuator having a "push-pull" type solenoid.

Note that the sliding of the stem <NUM> causes the cavity <NUM> to be positioned in the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and, consequently, the creation of a passage for the water from the tank <NUM> towards the evaporation group <NUM>.

The divergent profile of the cavity <NUM> results in a continuous and progressive variation of the passage section, and therefore of its water flow rate, depending on the extent of the sliding of the stem <NUM>.

Therefore, the amount of water steam generated will be proportional to the distance between the shutter element <NUM> and the outlet opening <NUM> of the tank <NUM> and dependent on the electrical signal SE (<FIG>).

It should also be noted that the sliding of the stem <NUM> along the axis S involves the compression of the elastic means <NUM> which generate a counteracting force proportional to the sliding and which tends to bring the shutter element <NUM> back against the outlet opening <NUM>.

The control element <NUM> is advantageously arranged at the upper, or external, portion of the handle <NUM>. In other words, the control element <NUM> is located at the area of the handle <NUM> suitable for being wrapped, in use, by the palm of a user's hand, and preferably arranged at the position of at least one finger of the user. In this way, the user can advantageously act on the control element <NUM> while ironing, with the same hand with which he or she is grasping the iron <NUM>.

In a first embodiment thereof, the control element <NUM> comprises touch-sensitive means <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>), suitable for detecting the presence and the position of a hand, or of a finger of the user, or of a part thereof that contacts them.

In particular, the touch-sensitive means <NUM> are suitable for detecting the relative position of a finger of the user who contacts them and the aforesaid electrical signal SE is variable depending on the position of the finger on them.

For example, the control unit <NUM> may control the electrical actuating means <NUM> to move the shutter member <NUM> away from the outlet opening <NUM> in a manner proportional to the relative position of the user's finger relative to a known point of the touch-sensitive means <NUM>.

Such touch-sensitive means <NUM> may comprise one or more capacitive and/or resistive sensors and, for example, may be configured as a "touchpad".

In accordance with a second embodiment, the control element <NUM> comprises a button <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to detect the pressure exerted by a finger of a user who contacts it, and the aforesaid electrical signal SE transmitted to the control unit <NUM> is variable as a function of the pressure exerted by the user.

For example, the control unit <NUM> may control the electrical actuating means <NUM> to move the shutter element <NUM> away from the outlet opening <NUM> in a manner proportional to the pressure exerted by the user on the button <NUM>.

An object of the invention is also a method of using an iron <NUM>, which comprises feeding water from a tank to steam generating means and transforming it into steam.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the method comprises adjusting the amount of said water transferred from the tank <NUM> to the steam generating means <NUM>. In particular, to adjust the amount of water, it involves generating an electrical signal SE proportional to an action exerted by a user on the control element <NUM>, and controlling by the control unit <NUM> the electrical actuating means <NUM> in response to the electrical signal SE to move the shutter member <NUM> associated with the outlet opening <NUM> in a manner proportional to the electrical signal SE.

In accordance with embodiments, the control member <NUM> comprises touch-sensitive means <NUM> suitable for detecting the presence and position of a user's hand, or finger, and the electrical signal SE transmitted to the control unit <NUM> is variable as a function of the position of the hand and/or finger on the touch-sensitive means <NUM>. In this way, by simply moving the finger on the touch-sensitive means <NUM> with respect to a position related to the closing position the user can in a proportional manner modify the amount of water fed case by case.

In accordance with alternative embodiments, the control member <NUM> comprises a button <NUM> configured to detect the pressure exerted on it by a finger of a user, and the electrical signal SE transmitted to the control unit <NUM> is variable as a function of the pressure exerted by the user on the button <NUM>.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the iron <NUM>, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

Claim 1:
Iron (<NUM>) comprising a tank (<NUM>) for containing water, which is provided with an outlet opening (<NUM>) and steam generating means (<NUM>) configured to receive a part of said water from said tank (<NUM>) and to transform it into steam, characterized in that it further comprises an adjusting device (<NUM>) configured to allow a user to adjust the amount of said water transferred from said tank (<NUM>) to said steam generating means (<NUM>), wherein said adjusting device (<NUM>) comprises a control element (<NUM>) configured to generate an electrical signal (SE) when it is manually actuated by said user, wherein said electrical signal (SE) is variable in a manner proportional to an action exerted by said user on said control element (<NUM>), and electrical actuating means (<NUM>) controlled by an electronic control unit (<NUM>) in response to said electrical signal (SE) and configured to move a shutter member (<NUM>) associated with said outlet opening (<NUM>) in a manner proportional to said electrical signal (SE), to adjust the amount of water fed to said steam generating means (<NUM>) and therefore the flow rate of generated steam, wherein said shutter member (<NUM>) has a shutter end (<NUM>) to which there is associated a shutter element (<NUM>) cooperating with said outlet opening (<NUM>), and an operating end (<NUM>) opposite to said shutter end (<NUM>) and operable by said electrical actuating means (<NUM>) to cause a translation of said shutter member (<NUM>) and consequently move said shutter element (<NUM>) away from said outlet opening (<NUM>) and bring it towards at least any intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position.