Patent Description:
The invention also concerns an ironing apparatus provided with the support base, as well as a method for cleaning and removing the limescale from the iron that partly uses the support base.

Ironing apparatuses provided with an iron and a support base suitable to act as a support for the iron when it is not used are known. Known support bases normally have, integrated inside them, a tank for the water, or a boiler to generate steam, and an upper surface on which the lower plate of the iron is rested during its phases of non-use.

It is known that, with use, limescale formations tend to form in steam irons, in particular in correspondence with the steam generating device, or in general on the lower plate, which can compromise the functioning efficiency of the ironing apparatus.

Many steam irons provide a cleaning cycle, or function, in which the lower plate is heated to a high temperature and, subsequently, a large quantity of water is fed to it.

The water is transformed into steam in a short period of time, the steam being emitted by means of the holes provided in the plate. The generation of a high quantity of steam in a short time considerably increases the pressure in the steam chamber inside the iron, therefore the jets of steam that derive from it tend to draw with them the limescale particles deposited in the steam chamber and/or around the holes on the plate, making them exit from the heating plate removing possible obstructions.

One disadvantage of known ironing apparatuses is that, in order to perform the cleaning cycle as above, the user has to manually support the iron in a firm and secure manner in order to prevent the jets of steam which exit at high pressure from dirtying or damaging objects that are nearby, and at the same time avoid possible burns.

The cleaning operations are therefore inconvenient and not easy for the user, therefore they are often postponed with the consequence that the limescale becomes increasingly difficult to remove and the iron reduces its operating efficiency.

Another disadvantage is that, at the end of the cleaning and steam delivery cycle, it is often necessary to clean the surrounding area dirtied by the limescale particles and the steam that carries them.

Another disadvantage is that, during cleaning operations, the iron is at least partly surrounded by steam at high temperature, which can be uncomfortable for the user, who may risk getting burned while holding it. Furthermore, the steam causes condensation to form on the iron, which has to in turn be dried, increasing the time required to perform the cleaning and maintenance operations.

In order to try to at least in part solve these problems, from <CIT> an accessory is known for an ironing device comprising a tray suitable to support the lower plate of an iron during a cleaning cycle so that the steam, the water and possible limescale are directed to and contained in the tank.

The known tray comprises a base and a raised surface suitable to receive and support the ironing device above the base, so that the raised surface is located in complete contact with the entire circumference of a peripheral edge of the lower plate, creating a sort of airtight confinement that prevents the steam from exiting laterally and into the rear part. In the front part, where substantially the tip of the iron is positioned, the tray instead has an aperture that allows the steam to exit through a forced passage.

This known solution is not very practical for a user, since the tray is a distinct accessory separate from the ironing apparatus and requires its own storage space when it is not being used. Consequently, the user may not have it available whenever he/she performs a cleaning operation, and, depending on where it is stored, the user may forget it, not find it, or the tray may even be accidentally thrown away, or it can break or be damaged, therefore this can lead to a delay in performing the cleaning cycles.

Document <CIT> describes a support base for an iron comprising a base body and a support element removable from the base body, and suitable to support the iron on the base body, or on a surface separate from the base body. This support element has a single configuration of use and is not suitable to be used for cleaning operations.

<CIT> and <CIT> describe a support element for an iron that can be upended in order to store the iron.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a support base for an iron which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-function support base for an iron, which can be used to support the iron both during normal phases of non-use, and also during cleaning and maintenance operations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a support base which does not require any separate and distinct accessory in order to perform the cleaning and maintenance operations, therefore making the components necessary to perform these operations immediately obtainable and available.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus which allows to perform the cleaning of the limescale from the iron effectively.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for cleaning and removing limescale for an ironing apparatus which allows to easily and effectively remove possible limescale deposits, thus extending the useful life of the apparatus.

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

Embodiments described here concern a support base for an iron comprising a base body suitable to be rested on a surface or a work plane, and a multi-function support element removably associated with the base body.

The support element has a first configuration of use, in which it is associated with the base body, and in which it is disposed with a first support surface facing upward and configured to provide a support for the iron during its phases of non-use, and a second configuration of use, in which it is removed from the base body and disposed upended with a second support surface, opposite the first, facing upward and configured to provide a support for the iron during the cleaning and removal of limescale operations.

The support element, therefore, is normally integrated with and forms part of the support base itself, and acts as a support element for the iron during all the phases in which the iron is used or not used.

When it is necessary to remove the limescale, the support element is removed from the base body, upended, and used as a support and containing base for the iron.

Therefore, as well as not needing a separate accessory to perform the cleaning operations, there is the additional advantage that the support element is always available to the user every time the iron is used.

With the term "associated" we mean that the support element is inserted, partly or completely inside the base body.

According to some embodiments, the support element is inserted completely into the base body and disposed substantially flush with it.

According to variant embodiments, the support element is inserted at least in part in the base body and protrudes above it for at least one segment.

According to some embodiments, the support element comprises a bottom wall and a lateral edge connected to the bottom wall, which extends for the entire periphery of the latter.

According to some embodiments, the base body comprises a housing compartment with a shape mating with that of the second support surface and configured to house the multi-function support element in the first configuration of use substantially recessed therein.

According to some embodiments, the bottom wall comprises a first external flat portion, connected to the lateral edge, a second internal flat portion, and intermediate connection portions between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, defining a concave portion on the first side and a convex portion of a mating shape on the second side.

According to some embodiments, the concave portion defines a first housing seating suitable to house the iron in the first configuration of use, in which first support elements are present which protrude from a bottom surface and extend substantially orthogonal to it, which define the first support surface. In this way, the lower plate of the iron is maintained distanced from the bottom wall, allowing the steam and/or condensation to exit during ironing operations.

According to some embodiments, the second support surface comprises second support elements which extend substantially orthogonal to an external top surface of the convex portion, and which define the second support surface.

According to some embodiments, the second support elements are disposed transverse with respect to a longitudinal median line of the support element, distanced one from the other. According to some embodiments, the second support elements have different heights than the external top surface, and in particular have a height progressively increasing from the front part toward the rear part of the support element.

In this way, positioning the support element in the second configuration of use on a plane, the rear part of the iron is raised with respect to the front part.

According to variant embodiments, the support element can be positioned in the housing compartment of the base body also in the second configuration of use. In this case, it can be provided that the base body and the second support elements have inclinations each opposite to the other so that, during use, the iron assumes a substantially horizontal position.

Embodiments described here also concern a method for cleaning and removing limescale from an iron, comprising:.

Embodiments described here with reference to the attached drawings concern a support base <NUM> for an iron <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the support base <NUM> and the iron <NUM> together define an ironing apparatus <NUM>.

The iron <NUM> comprises, in a known manner, a containing body <NUM> and a plate <NUM> associated with heating means, the plate <NUM> defining the lower surface of the iron <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> is provided at the lower part, and possibly also laterally, with a plurality of through holes <NUM> for the steam to exit.

According to some embodiments, the iron <NUM> comprises a control member <NUM> to generate steam selectively activatable by a user to command the delivery of steam during ironing operations.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus <NUM> comprises a control and command unit, not shown, configured to control and command the functioning of the ironing apparatus <NUM>. The control and command unit can be connected to a user interface by means of which a user can set the functioning parameters of the ironing apparatus <NUM>, such as for example the temperature of the plate <NUM> and/or the type of steam delivery, or other.

According to some embodiments, the support base <NUM> comprises a base body <NUM>, and a multi-function support element <NUM> removably associated with the base body.

According to some embodiments, the support element <NUM> can at least partly be inserted into the base body <NUM> and be removed from it.

According to some embodiments, the multi-function support element <NUM> has a first configuration of use, in which it is associated with the support body <NUM> and is suitable to support the iron <NUM> during the phases of non-use (<FIG>), and a second configuration of use, upended with respect to the first configuration of use, in which it is suitable to support the iron <NUM> during the cleaning and removal of limescale operations (<FIG>).

According to some embodiments, the support element <NUM> in the first configuration of use is inserted at least in part in the support body <NUM> and in the second configuration of use it is removed from the support body <NUM>.

With the expression "inserted at least in part" we mean that the support element <NUM> can be recessed in the support body <NUM> and therefore be flush with it, or it can have at least one portion protruding with respect to the support body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the support base <NUM> also acts as a steam generating boiler and the base body <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM> suitable to contain water and a steam generating device <NUM> which is connected to the iron <NUM> by means of a feed pipe <NUM>.

According to other embodiments, the tank <NUM> can be integrated into the iron <NUM> itself.

According to variant embodiments, the support base <NUM> can be provided with a tank <NUM> suitable to contain water and a pump, not shown, configured to remove water from the tank <NUM> and send it by means of the pipe <NUM> to a steam generating device <NUM> internal to the iron <NUM>. According to these embodiments, the steam can be generated instantaneously by contact of the water with the heated plate <NUM> and delivered through the holes <NUM>.

The base body <NUM> comprises a lower surface <NUM> suitable to be located resting on a support plane or surface and an upper surface <NUM>, opposite the lower surface <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the upper surface <NUM> can be slightly inclined with respect to the lower surface <NUM>, to allow an inclined positioning of the iron <NUM> during the phases of non-use.

The upper surface <NUM> defines the bottom wall of a housing compartment <NUM> configured to house the multi-function support element <NUM> in the first configuration of use.

The housing compartment <NUM> is laterally delimited by a lateral peripheral wall <NUM> which extends substantially in continuity with the side walls of the support element <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the housing compartment <NUM> is configured to house the support element <NUM> in the first configuration of use substantially recessed therein, so that it does not protrude beyond the edge of the peripheral wall <NUM>.

According to possible variants, the housing compartment <NUM> can be configured to house the support element <NUM> in the first configuration of use so that it protrudes beyond the edge of the peripheral wall <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the support element <NUM> comprises a bottom wall <NUM> and a lateral edge <NUM> connected to the bottom wall <NUM>, which extends for the entire periphery of the latter.

The bottom wall <NUM> can have, in a plan view, a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the base body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the support element <NUM> can have a shape symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median line M which extends from a front part, toward which, during use, the front part of the iron <NUM>, that is, the tip, is facing, to a rear part.

According to some embodiments, the lateral edge <NUM> extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the lateral edge <NUM> has two substantially rectilinear segments 27a connected to each other by respective curved segments 27b, 27c, of which a front curved segment 27b, toward which, during use, the front part of the iron <NUM> is facing, and a rear curved segment 27c opposite the front curved segment 27b.

The rectilinear segments 27a can be converging one with respect to the other from the rear curved segment 27c toward the front curved segment 27b.

According to some embodiments, the lateral edge <NUM> is configured to cooperate by interference with the peripheral wall <NUM> of the housing compartment <NUM> in the first configuration of use of the support element <NUM>, to ensure a stable positioning thereof.

According to some embodiments, the bottom wall <NUM> comprises a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> which define respectively the side of use of the support element <NUM> in the first and in the second configuration.

According to some embodiments, the bottom wall <NUM> can have a substantially constant thickness along its entire development.

According to some embodiments, the bottom wall <NUM> comprises a first peripheral flat portion 26a, connected to the lateral edge <NUM>, a second internal flat portion 26b, which lies on a plane parallel and offset with respect to the first flat portion 26a, and intermediate portions 26c connecting the first flat portion 26a and the second flat portion 26b so as to obtain a concave portion <NUM> on the first side <NUM>, and a convex portion <NUM> mating in shape on the second side <NUM>.

The intermediate portions 26c can have a slightly converging shape from the first flat portion 26a toward the second flat portion 26b so as to obtain respective slightly flared concave <NUM> and convex <NUM> portions.

According to some embodiments, the intermediate walls 26c can have a height substantially equal to that of the lateral edge <NUM>, so that, in the first configuration of use, the support element <NUM> is positioned substantially flush with the top of the peripheral wall <NUM> of the support body <NUM>.

The first side <NUM> defines a first support surface 28a suitable to provide a support for the iron <NUM> when it is stored in a condition of non-use, for example during breaks in ironing operations, or between one ironing operation and another.

According to some embodiments, the first side <NUM> comprises the concave portion <NUM> delimited by the bottom surfaces <NUM> and internal lateral surfaces <NUM> of the internal flat portion 26b and of the intermediate portion 26c respectively, which define a first housing seating <NUM> suitable to house the iron <NUM> in the first configuration of use.

The first housing seating <NUM> has a size suitable to contain the entire heating plate <NUM> of an iron <NUM> inside it.

According to some embodiments, first support elements <NUM> are disposed in the housing seating <NUM>, which protrude from the bottom surface <NUM>, and extend substantially orthogonal thereto.

The tops of the first support elements <NUM> define the first support surface 28a.

According to some embodiments, the first support elements <NUM> can be made in the form of ridges configured to define a first support surface 28a suitable to maintain the heating plate <NUM> raised with respect to the internal bottom surface <NUM>, in order to allow the possible steam or condensation to exit through the through holes <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, at least two first support elements <NUM> can be present, disposed parallel to each other, distanced along a median line of the support element <NUM>, and transverse thereto.

According to some embodiments, the first support elements <NUM> all have the same height, preferably less than the height of the lateral surfaces <NUM>, so that the first support surface 28a lies on a first support plane P1 substantially parallel to the internal bottom surface <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the first support elements <NUM> can have a height less than half the height of the internal lateral surfaces <NUM>, for example less than a third, or a quarter of the height, so that the first support surface 28a is located at a height lower than the lateral edge <NUM>. In this way, in the first configuration of use of the support body <NUM> the plate <NUM> can be positioned completely inside the first housing seating <NUM>.

At the end of the ironing operations, or in any case when cleaning and maintenance operations need to be performed, it is sufficient to remove the support element <NUM> from the base body <NUM> and upend it, for example rotating it by <NUM>°, in order to position it in the second configuration of use, in which the second side <NUM> faces upward (<FIG>), and the first side <NUM> rests on a support plane or surface.

According to some embodiments, the second side <NUM> defines a second support surface 29a suitable to provide a support for the iron <NUM> during the cleaning and removal of limescale operations.

According to some embodiments, the second support surface 29a is provided on the convex portion <NUM>, mating in shape with the concave portion <NUM> present on the first side <NUM>.

The convex portion <NUM> is defined by an external top surface <NUM>, opposite the internal bottom surface <NUM>, and by an external lateral surface <NUM> opposite the internal lateral surface <NUM>.

The second side <NUM> also comprises a collection seating <NUM> disposed around the convex portion <NUM>, and configured to collect the possible steam, condensation, or limescale exiting from the through holes <NUM> of the iron <NUM> during cleaning operations.

The collection seating <NUM> is delimited by the external lateral surfaces <NUM> of the intermediate walls 26c and by the lateral edge <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, a second housing seating <NUM> is provided above the convex portion <NUM>, suitable to house at least part of the heating plate <NUM> of the iron <NUM> in the second configuration of use.

The second housing seating <NUM> is delimited externally by a containing edge <NUM> which extends substantially orthogonal to the external top surface <NUM>. In a top view, the containing edge <NUM> can have a shape substantially mating with the profile of the front part of an iron <NUM>, that is, tapered from the rear part toward the front part.

According to some embodiments, the containing edge <NUM> has a front segment 40a with a possibly rounded tip, a substantially rectilinear rear segment 40b, and lateral segments 40c which connect the front edge 40a and rear edge 40b together.

According to some embodiments, the lateral segments 40c have a height lower than the front segment 40a and rear segment 40b.

According to some embodiments, the second housing seating <NUM> has a size smaller than the first housing seating <NUM> and is configured to house only a front portion of the heating plate <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the second side <NUM> comprises second support elements <NUM> which extend substantially orthogonal to the external top surface <NUM>, the tops of which define a second support plane P2 on which the second support surface 29a lies.

According to some embodiments, the second support elements <NUM> are located internally to the containing edge <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, at least two second support elements <NUM> are present, disposed parallel to each other, distanced along the median line M of the tray <NUM>, and transverse thereto.

According to some embodiments, the second support elements <NUM> can extend substantially in continuity with the first support elements <NUM> provided on the first side <NUM>, in the opposite direction thereto.

According to some embodiments, the second support elements <NUM> have different heights with respect to the external top surface <NUM> so as to define a second support plane P2 inclined with respect to the latter.

According to some embodiments, the second support elements <NUM> have progressively increasing heights from a front part to a rear part of the support body <NUM>. For example, a first support element 41a located in proximity to the front segment 40a has a lower height than a second support element 41b located in proximity to the rear segment 40b, so that, during use, the iron <NUM> is positioned with its rear part raised with respect to the front part.

According to some embodiments, the tops of the support elements <NUM> and of the rear segment 40b lie on the same second support plane P2, and together define the second support surface 29a.

In the second configuration of use of the tray <NUM>, therefore, the iron <NUM> is positioned with its heating plate <NUM> resting on the support elements 41a, 41b and the rear edge 40b, with a rear portion thereof which remains outside the second housing seating <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, in the event the tray is positioned on a support plane, the rear portion of the heating plate <NUM> remains raised with respect to a front portion located in proximity to and inside the front edge 40a.

According to a possible variant, it can be provided to position the support body <NUM> in the housing compartment <NUM> also in the second configuration of use, with the lateral edge <NUM> in contact with the peripheral lateral wall <NUM>, and the peripheral flat portion 26a in contact with the upper surface <NUM>. In this case, it can be provided that the inclination of the second support plane P2 substantially corresponds to the inclination of the support body <NUM>, so that, during use, the second support surface 29a is substantially horizontal.

When water is fed to the heating plate <NUM> to generate a high quantity of steam and to allow a removal of limescale residues, the steam delivered can rapidly exit from the second housing seating <NUM>, in particular in the front and lateral direction, through the spaces present between the lateral segments 40c of the containing edge <NUM> and the heating plate <NUM>, which is located in contact with the second support surface 29a only in correspondence with a central portion thereof.

The possible limescale and water removed, exiting from the through holes <NUM> can be collected inside the second housing seating <NUM>, or possibly in the collection seating <NUM>.

At the end of the ironing operations, the support body <NUM> can once again be rotated by <NUM>° with respect to the median line M, and positioned, in the first configuration of use, in the housing compartment <NUM> of the base body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the housing compartment <NUM> has a shape mating with that of the second side <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the housing compartment <NUM> comprises a concavity <NUM> having a shape substantially mating with that of the convex portion <NUM>, and a flat surface <NUM> mating with the peripheral flat portion 26a of the bottom wall <NUM> of the support body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, recesses <NUM>, <NUM> are provided in the flat surface <NUM> of the concavity <NUM>, suitable to receive inside them the second support elements <NUM> and the containing edge <NUM> respectively which, in the first configuration of use of the support body <NUM>, are therefore inserted in the base body <NUM>.

The mating shape of the housing compartment <NUM> and of the second side <NUM> of the tray <NUM> allows to obtain a same-shape coupling between the two components, and therefore a stable support base <NUM> for the iron <NUM>.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the support base <NUM> and to the ironing apparatus <NUM> as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
Support base for an iron (<NUM>) comprising a base body (<NUM>) suitable to be rested on a surface or a work plane and comprising a lower surface (<NUM>) suitable to be located resting on said surface or work plan and an upper surface (<NUM>) opposite the lower surface (<NUM>) and a multi-function support element (<NUM>) removably associated with said base body (<NUM>), characterized in that said multi-function support element (<NUM>) has a first configuration of use and a second configuration of use, wherein said upper surface (<NUM>) defines a bottom wall of a housing compartment (<NUM>) configured to house said multi-function support element (<NUM>) in said first configuration of use in which said multi-function support element (<NUM>) is disposed with a first support surface (28a) facing upward and configured to provide a support for said iron (<NUM>) during its phases of non-use during breaks in ironing operations, or between one ironing operation and another, and the at second configuration of use, in which said multi-function support element (<NUM>) is removed from said base body (<NUM>) and disposed upended with a second support surface (29a), opposite the first support surface (28a), facing upward and configured to provide a support and containing base for said iron (<NUM>) during the cleaning and removal of limescale operations.