Portable ironing equipment

Abstract

A portable ironing device includes a handle (2) and a steam exhaust head (3) connected to an upper end of the handle (2), the steam exhaust head (3) including a front end including a treatment surface (30A) having at least one steam exhaust hole (32), the treatment surface (30A) being designed to face the clothes to be ironed vertically when the device is held in a vertical ironing position and the handle is below the steam exhaust head (3), the device including an instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) and a water reservoir (5), the water reservoir (5) supplying water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) by gravity when the device is in the vertical ironing position, characterized in that the water reservoir (5) includes a ventilation circuit that ensures ventilation of the water reservoir (5) both when the device is in the vertical ironing position and when the device is in a horizontal ironing position, in the horizontal ironing position, the treatment surface (30A) being disposed in a horizontal plane and oriented downward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a portable ironing device comprising a main body including a handle and a steam exhaust head connected to an upper end of the handle. The steam exhaust head includes a front end with a processing surface having at least one steam exhaust hole. The processing surface is designed to face vertically toward the garment to be ironed when the device is held in a vertical ironing position with its handle oriented downwards. More specifically, the invention relates to a device including an instantaneous evaporation chamber and a water reservoir, wherein, when the device is in the vertical ironing position, the water reservoir supplies water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber by gravity, and preferably by gravity only. Background Technology

[0002] A portable ironing device is known from patent application CN106801324, which includes a steam exhaust head connected to the upper end of a handle. The steam exhaust head includes a treatment surface equipped with steam exhaust holes, and the treatment surface is designed to face vertically toward the clothes to be ironed when the device is held and its handle is oriented substantially vertically. The document also discloses a device including a water reservoir and an evaporation chamber, wherein water from the water reservoir flows into the evaporation chamber by gravity.

[0003] The advantage of this device is that it offers an inexpensive construction because it does not require an electric or manual pump to supply water to the evaporation chamber. However, the document does not describe the method used to ventilate the water reservoir. This ventilation is necessary to allow the water in the reservoir to flow towards the evaporation chamber by gravity without creating negative pressure in the reservoir. In particular, it appears that the device is designed to operate only in the vertical ironing position, where the processing surface of the device faces vertically toward the garment to be ironed.

[0004] In addition, regardless of the orientation of the equipment, the ventilation of such a water storage tank should be able to allow air to enter the water storage tank while limiting the risk of water flowing out of the water storage tank through the ventilation device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ironing device in which water in a water reservoir is supplied to an evaporation chamber solely by gravity, and the ironing device can be used at different locations while continuing to generate steam.

[0006] To this end, the present invention provides a portable ironing device comprising a handle and a steam exhaust head connected to an upper end of the handle, the steam exhaust head including a front end portion having a processing surface equipped with at least one steam exhaust hole, the processing surface being designed to face vertically toward the clothes to be ironed when the device is held in a vertical ironing position and the handle is located below the steam exhaust head, the device including an instantaneous evaporation chamber and a water reservoir, wherein when the device occupies the vertical ironing position, the water reservoir supplies water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber by gravity, characterized in that the water reservoir includes a ventilation circuit that ensures ventilation of the water reservoir both when the device occupies the vertical ironing position and when the device occupies a horizontal ironing position, wherein in the horizontal ironing position, the processing surface is disposed in a horizontal plane and oriented downwards.

[0007] This feature allows for a device with greater flexibility of use, equipped with a ventilation circuit that allows water in the reservoir to flow at an optimized rate at two advantageous locations of use, thus allowing for good steam generation.

[0008] The device may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the ventilation circuit includes a water-retaining chamber, which is connected to the interior of the water reservoir via a connecting channel and to the exterior of the device via a ventilation hole, the water-retaining chamber having a volume greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel.

[0010] This feature allows water to be supplied to the evaporation chamber by gravity in either a horizontal or vertical ironing position, while limiting the risk of water flowing through the ventilation system when switching from one position to another.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the steam exhaust head is manufactured by molding with a plastic material, and the ventilation circuit is molded directly together with the steam exhaust head of the device.

[0012] The advantage of this feature is that it simplifies the installation of the device and thus reduces its manufacturing cost.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting channel and the water-retaining chamber are formed by grooves and / or channels disposed between the two constituent parts of the steam discharge head.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the ventilation hole leads directly to the water-retaining chamber.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the water storage tank is disposed in the steam discharge head.

[0016] The advantage of this feature is that when the device is positioned in the vertical ironing position, it allows good visibility of the contents of the water reservoir and, by positioning the water reservoir at a high position, allows the water to flow more effectively toward the evaporation chamber by gravity.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the vent is disposed on the upper surface of the steam discharge head, and the connecting channel and the water retention chamber extend longitudinally between the processing surface and the rear surface of the steam discharge head.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, when the device occupies the horizontal ironing position, the volume of the water-retaining chamber located below the vent is greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel.

[0019] This feature allows for a rapid switch from a position where the device is oriented upwards from the processing surface to a position where water from the reservoir can fill the connection channel, to a position where the processing surface is oriented downwards, limiting the risk of water flowing through the vent.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the steam discharge head is connected to the upper end of the handle, and the handle includes a lower end connected to a base, the base advantageously housing the evaporation chamber.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the base has a shape suitable for allowing the device to rest stably on its base in an idle position, in which the longitudinal axis of the handle extends substantially vertically.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the base includes a flat lower surface that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and the area of ​​the lower surface is advantageously more than twice the size of the cross-section of the handle.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the lower part of the handle has a flared shape, and the cross-section of the handle gradually increases as it approaches the base.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes a power cord intended for connection to a household power grid.

[0025] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the steam discharge head has an elongated shape that extends transversely to the handle, preferably forming an angle α between 55° and 90°, and more preferably about 70°, relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention presented by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an ironing device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It displays the interior of the water tank in a transparent manner. Figure 1 Another perspective view of the equipment;

[0029] Figure 3 It is similar to Figure 2 A view showing the water reservoir in an exploded three-dimensional manner;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the steam vent head without a housing for storing water.

[0031] Figure 5 It is a sectional view of the equipment along the longitudinal plane, with the equipment shown in its idle position;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a sectional view of the equipment along the longitudinal plane, with the equipment shown in the vertical ironing position;

[0033] Figure 7 It is a sectional view of the equipment along a longitudinal plane, with the equipment shown in a horizontal ironing position. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Only elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals in different figures.

[0035] Please note that in this article, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “front,” and “back” used to describe ironing equipment refer to the situation when the equipment is placed vertically on its base.

[0036] Figure 1 A portable steam ironing device is shown, comprising a portable plastic housing including a base 1 on which a handle 2 and a steam exhaust head 3 are mounted. The lower part of the handle 2 has a flared shape, the cross-section of which gradually increases as it approaches the base 1.

[0037] The base 1 of the device includes a flat lower surface 10, allowing the device to... Figure 5The handle 2 rests stably on the lower surface 10 in the idle position shown, in which the longitudinal axis L of the handle 2 extends substantially vertically, and the area of ​​the lower surface 10 is advantageously more than twice the size of the cross-section of the handle along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The base 1 also includes a power cord 11 that allows it to be connected to a household power grid and has a rear surface equipped with a button 4 that allows the device to be powered on.

[0038] according to Figures 2 to 4 The steam exhaust head 3 has an elongated shape that extends laterally to the handle 2 by preferably forming an angle α of about 70° relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle. The steam exhaust head 3 includes a front end equipped with a flat end plate 30 having a processing surface 30A intended to be vertically facing the clothes to be ironed. The end plate 30 advantageously includes a groove 31 through which a series of holes 32 for venting steam flow leads.

[0039] The steam exhaust head 3 contains a water reservoir 5, which supplies water to the evaporation chamber 6 located in the base 1 of the equipment by gravity. The evaporation chamber 6 is disposed in an aluminum casting 60, which is closed in its upper part by a closing plate 61, and a resistor 62 is embedded in the casting.

[0040] Preferably, resistor 62 is a U-shaped shielded resistor with a power rating between 1200W and 2800W, advantageously about 2300W. The power supply to resistor 62 is regulated by a thermostat 63 measuring a set temperature Tc around the center of the evaporation chamber 60. Preferably, the set temperature Tc is not user-adjustable and is between 110°C and 180°C.

[0041] The thermostat 63 can be a bimetallic mechanical thermostat embedded in the bottom wall of the evaporation chamber 60 or embedded via an NTC-type temperature probe, which is configured to replace the mechanical thermostat and is associated with an electronic control card for controlling the resistor 62.

[0042] The equipment may also include a fusible circuit breaker that cuts off the power supply to resistor 62 in the event of a thermostat failure, for example, when the temperature of heating body 6 exceeds 250°C.

[0043] according to Figures 2 to 5 The water reservoir 5 is preferably disposed in the rear of the steam exhaust head 3 and includes a transparent housing 50 that defines the outer wall of the water reservoir 5 and is equipped with a removable plug 52 that allows the water reservoir 5 to be filled.

[0044] The housing 50 is advantageously embedded in the bottom wall 51 of the water reservoir by adhesive bonding, which is directly integrated into the housing of the device, thereby defining the lower and front surfaces of the water reservoir 5 when the device is placed vertically on its base 1.

[0045] As in Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen, the bottom wall 51 includes a channel 53 with a water outlet 54, which is connected to a water inlet 64 via a conduit 7. The water inlet 64 is disposed on the shut-off plate 61 of the evaporation chamber 6.

[0046] The conduit 7 is advantageously equipped with a valve 70, schematically shown in the figure, in a manner known per se, which is actuated by a trigger 71 present on the front surface of the handle 2, preferably near the upper end of the handle 2. The valve 70 is brought back to the closed position of the conduit 7 by a reset device such as a spring, and is brought to the open position of the conduit 7 when pressure is manually applied to the trigger 71.

[0047] The shut-off plate 61 includes a steam discharge port 65, which is connected to a steam diffusion chamber 8 via a conduit (not shown). The steam diffusion chamber 8 is disposed in a heating body 80, which is configured to be in thermal contact with the end plate 30. The steam diffusion chamber 8 communicates with the steam discharge port 32.

[0048] Preferably, the water outlet 54 of the water reservoir is located near the front end of the water reservoir 5, such that the water outlet 54 is located at or above the horizontal plane P, when the steam exhaust head is located... Figure 6 The vertical ironing position shown and Figure 7 When the horizontal ironing position is shown, the horizontal plane P passes through the water inlet hole 64 of the closing plate 61. When the vertical ironing position is shown, the processing surface 30A is in the vertical plane. When the horizontal ironing position is shown, the processing surface 30A is in the horizontal plane and oriented downwards.

[0049] The bottom wall 51 advantageously includes two separation partitions 55 arranged parallel to each other on both sides of a channel 53 that supplies water to the outlet 54 of a water reservoir. The two separation partitions 55 define a water supply chamber 58 of limited volume, which is filled with water when the device is in the vertical ironing position.

[0050] For this purpose, two separation baffles 55 extend perpendicularly from the front and lower surfaces of the water reservoir 5 to the bottom wall 51 of the water reservoir, and the two separation baffles 55 are connected to each other at their upper ends by a connecting wall 56. A communication passage 57 is provided between the rear end of the separation baffles 55 and the outer casing 50 of the water reservoir 5 so that water can circulate on both sides of the separation baffles 55 when the steam exhaust head 3 is in the vertical ironing position.

[0051] The water reservoir 5 includes a ventilation circuit that ensures proper ventilation at the operating location corresponding to the normal use of the equipment. Figure 6 The vertical ironing position shown and Figure 7 Air enters the water reservoir at the horizontal ironing position shown.

[0052] The ventilation circuit includes a ventilation hole 9, which is implemented in the housing 50 of the water reservoir, on the upper surface of the device, and preferably near the front end of the water reservoir 5.

[0053] The ventilation hole 9 leads to the water retention chamber 90 inside the equipment. The water retention chamber 90 is directly disposed below the outer shell 50 of the water reservoir. The water retention chamber 90 is disposed in the upper wall 91 of the shell, which contacts the outer shell and extends longitudinally from the front end of the water reservoir 5 to near the rear surface of the water reservoir 5 along the steam exhaust head 3.

[0054] In the example shown, the water-retaining chamber 90 has a groove shape that extends longitudinally along the steam discharge head 3. The water-retaining chamber 90 has a front end and a rear end. The front end is located near the front end of the water reservoir 5, and the rear end communicates with a connecting channel 92, which is also disposed in the upper wall 91. The connecting channel 92 extends longitudinally in the extension of the water-retaining chamber 90 and has a rear end that leads to the vicinity of the rear end of the water reservoir 5.

[0055] Preferably, the steam exhaust head 3 is made by molding with plastic material, and the connecting channel 92, the water-retaining chamber 90 and the ventilation hole 9 are directly obtained by molding together with the upper wall 91 and the outer shell 50.

[0056] The water-retaining chamber 90 has a volume greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel 92, such that water entering the connecting channel 92 when the equipment is configured to oriented the processing surface 30A upwards can flow completely into the water-retaining chamber 90 when the equipment is configured in a horizontal ironing position.

[0057] Advantageously, the depth of the water-retaining chamber 90 gradually increases towards its front end, maximizing the volume of the water-retaining chamber 90 near its front end. Specifically, when the equipment is in a horizontal ironing position, the volume of the water-retaining chamber 90 located below the vent 9 is preferably greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel 92. Therefore, the risk of water flowing out of the equipment through the vent 9 when the equipment is used in the horizontal ironing position is greatly reduced.

[0058] The operation of the device will now be described.

[0059] When the user wishes to use the device, the user fills the water reservoir 5 with water and then starts the device by applying pressure to the button 4. Power is then supplied to the resistor 62 of the evaporation chamber 6, causing its temperature to quickly reach the set temperature defined by the thermostat 63.

[0060] When users want to Figure 6 When using the device in the vertical ironing position, as shown, the user presses trigger 71, which opens valve 70 and allows water to flow through conduit 7. In this position, the ventilation circuit allows ventilation of the water reservoir 5, which allows water to flow from the reservoir to the evaporation chamber 6 by gravity. When the device is held in the vertical ironing position and the water reservoir 5 is full, the inlet 64 in the evaporation chamber 6 is calibrated to allow a water flow rate of approximately 40 to 50 g / min.

[0061] During the use of the device, the user may also need to iron textiles that are laid flat, such as on a table. In this case, the user will switch the device to... Figure 7 The horizontal ironing position shown allows some of the water initially present at the bottom of the water reservoir 5 to be ironed when the device is in the vertical ironing position. Figure 6 (As shown by the dashed line E) is captured in the water supply chamber 58 with a limited volume, thereby allowing the water level E1 in the water supply chamber 58 to be larger than the water level E2 in the rest of the water tank 5.

[0062] At this horizontal ironing position of the equipment, the ventilation circuit also allows ventilation of the water reservoir 5, enabling water to flow towards the evaporation chamber 6 by gravity. This flow is optimized due to the large water head maintained in the water supply chamber 58. For example, when the equipment is in the ironing position, the steam flow rate obtained in the evaporation chamber 6 is approximately 10 g / min when the water level in the water supply chamber 58 reaches its maximum, and then gradually decreases as the water supply chamber 58 is emptied.

[0063] In addition, the limited volume of the water supply chamber 58 has the advantage that it limits the amount of water that can be delivered to the evaporation chamber 6 when the equipment is held in a horizontal flat position, where the heat exchange area with the wall of the evaporation chamber 6 is not optimal. This allows water droplets to be avoided from being ejected through the steam exhaust hole 32 while steam is being ejected.

[0064] When operating the equipment during ironing, the user may be asked to temporarily position the equipment behind their back, i.e., with the processing surface 30A horizontally upward, so that the water in the water reservoir 5 is contained in the rear of the water reservoir 5. In this position, the water in the water reservoir 5 no longer flows towards the evaporation chamber 6 due to the height of the water outlet 54, causing the evaporation chamber 6 to stop generating steam, which limits the risk of burns caused by steam being emitted towards the user's face.

[0065] Additionally, at this location, the connecting channel 92 of the ventilation circuit is immersed in the water in the water reservoir 5, causing it to fill with water and no longer ensuring ventilation of the water reservoir 5. This also helps to prevent water from flowing towards the evaporation chamber 6 and thus prevents steam generation.

[0066] When the equipment is brought back to the vertical ironing position, the water present in the connecting channel 92 can flow through the rear end of the connecting channel 92 into the water reservoir 5, which allows the connecting channel 92 to be emptied and ensures its function of ventilating the water reservoir 5 again.

[0067] If the device is quickly moved from its back position to a horizontal ironing position, most of the water in the connecting channel 92 is drained through the front end of the connecting channel 92 into the water-retaining chamber 90, where water is stored. The volume of the front of the water-retaining chamber 90 is larger than the volume of water contained in the connecting channel 92; the water is stored here and kept below the vent 9, ensuring that the ventilation circuit ventilates the water reservoir 5 without water droplets flowing outside the reservoir. When the device is brought back to the vertical ironing position or laid flat on the base, the water in the water-retaining chamber 90 flows by gravity through the connecting channel 92 into the water reservoir 5.

[0068] Therefore, the advantage of the device is that it uses gravity to make the water in the water tank flow simply toward the evaporation chamber, allowing the steam flow to be optimized in many locations of use, that is, without the need to use expensive pumps to supply water to the evaporation chamber.

[0069] In addition, this work was carried out under conditions where the risk of water flowing outside the equipment was very low.

[0070] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of example. Modifications can be made, in particular from the viewpoint of the construction of various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0071] Therefore, in one embodiment variation not shown, the ventilation circuit of the water reservoir can be constituted by a vent equipped with a valve, such as a silicone umbrella valve, which deforms to allow ventilation when a negative pressure is generated inside the water reservoir.

Claims

1. A portable ironing device comprising a handle (2) and a steam exhaust head (3) connected to an upper end of the handle (2), the steam exhaust head (3) comprising a front end comprising a processing surface (30A) having at least one steam exhaust hole (32), the processing surface (30A) being designed to face vertically toward the garment to be ironed when the device is held in a vertical ironing position and the handle is below the steam exhaust head (3), the device comprising an instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) and a water reservoir (5), wherein when the device is in the vertical ironing position, the water reservoir (5) supplies water to the instantaneous evaporation chamber (6) by gravity, characterized in that, The water reservoir (5) includes a ventilation circuit that ensures ventilation of the water reservoir (5) when the device occupies the vertical ironing position and when the device occupies the horizontal ironing position, wherein the processing surface (30A) is disposed in a horizontal plane and oriented downward.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilation circuit includes a water-retaining chamber (90), which is connected to the interior of the water reservoir through a connecting channel (92) and to the exterior of the device through a ventilation hole (9). The volume of the water-retaining chamber (90) is greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel (92).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting channel (92) and the water-retaining chamber (90) are formed by grooves and / or channels between two constituent parts (50, 91) of the steam discharge head (3).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The steam exhaust head (3) is made by molding with plastic material, and the ventilation circuit is directly molded together with the steam exhaust head (3) of the device.

5. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The ventilation hole (9) leads directly to the water-retaining chamber (90).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The water storage device (5) is located in the steam discharge head (3).

7. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The ventilation hole (9) is disposed on the upper surface of the steam discharge head (3), and the connecting channel (92) and the water retention chamber (90) extend longitudinally between the processing surface (30A) and the rear surface of the steam discharge head (3).

8. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When the device occupies the horizontal ironing position, the volume of the water-retaining chamber (90) located below the vent (9) is greater than or equal to the volume of water that can be contained in the connecting channel (92).

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The steam exhaust head (3) is connected to the upper end of the handle (2), and the handle (2) includes a lower end connected to the base (1), which advantageously houses the evaporation chamber (6).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The base (1) has a shape suitable for allowing the device to rest stably on its base in an idle position, in which the longitudinal axis of the handle (2) extends substantially vertically.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The steam exhaust head (3) has an elongated shape that extends laterally to the handle (2).

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The elongated shape forms an angle α between 55° and 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle.

13. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The elongated shape forms an angle α of approximately 70° relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle.

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