Patent ID: 7395619

Claim:
A steam iron for clothing, said iron comprising: a body; a water tank in said body; a heatable sole plate having an interior side, an exterior side, and through passages from said interior side to said exterior side; a temperature sensor provided on said sole plate and having an electrical output; and a control device operable to release water from said tank to said interior side, the control device comprises a solenoid operated release valve, the release valve comprising: a tubular body defining an internal frustoconical valve seat a valve element movable to and from the valve seat, the valve element comprising a cylindrical armature having a frusto conical seating land for engagement with said seat; and a resilient bias to urge said valve element to said valve seat, wherein said control device is electrically operable in response to said electrical output of said temperature sensor such that said solenoid is activated by said electrical output to move said valve element from said seat against said resilient bias.