Steam generator and vertical iron

Abstract

A steam generator (10) comprising: a heating block (11) comprising a vaporizing chamber (14) provided with an inlet opening (15) for water and an outlet opening (16) for steam; at least one heating element (17); and a plate unit (12) connected to the heating block (11) and provided with a steam delivery hole (13) communicating with the outlet hole (16).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to a steam generator for producing steam available on the spot, in particular in a standing iron for ironing clothes, also known as vaporizer, for professional and / or domestic use. BACKGROUND

[0002] Known steam generators produce steam on the spot and are used in standing irons for performing ironing operations and in particular for finishing hung clothes. These irons allow the ironing of clothes easily and quickly by delivering steam to the clothes, without the need to use an ironing board.

[0003] These steam generators essentially comprise a heating block provided with a vaporization chamber and an ironing board provided with steam delivery holes.

[0004] The heating block can comprise a heating body in which the vaporization chamber is made, comprising one or more resistors which heat the heating block and cause the water introduced into the vaporization chamber to evaporate substantially on the spot.

[0005] The heating block is usually made of heat-resistant material and has a parallelepiped shape with very small dimensions, with an average width and length of about 60-70 mm; therefore, the vaporization chamber present inside it has a rather limited vaporization area.

[0006] In the known steam generators, the vaporization chamber is delimited by a steam circulation channel which extends between an inlet for the introduction of water and one or more outlets for the outflow of steam towards a board unit, the path of which is defined by a plurality of walls or partitions present inside the heating body.

[0007] The drawback of the known steam generators is that the steam circulation channel is irregular and has a rather complex development, with a plurality of restrictions, elbow curves and / or edges, in which scales and limescale and / or mineral deposits can form.

[0008] These scales and deposits can affect the channel walls themselves, can spread to other operating components of the steam generator, for example in the board unit, and can cause further inconveniences, such as:

[0009] - impairing the quality of the steam, up to the leakage of water from the ironing board in the worst cases;

[0010] - obstructing the cross section of the circulation channel and / or of the delivery holes of the board unit.

[0011] - the presence of scale deposits and / or minerals in the steam jet delivered, directly deposited on the clothes during the ironing step.

[0012] Moreover, known steam generators generally have a small vaporization chamber vaporization area, so that the presence of such deposits causes a significant loss of efficiency and performance of the steam generator itself.

[0013] Furthermore, due to the presence of restrictions and / or edges along the evaporation channel, the complete removal of limescale by known cleaning or washing methods is also complex; therefore, even after a cleaning or washing operation, small and medium-sized limescale pieces remain attached to the walls of the evaporation channel and, undesirably, are detached, being dragged by the steam flow towards the plate unit.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need to perfect a steam generator capable of overcoming at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] To this end, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of eliminating or limiting as much as possible the possibility that any limescale particles can reach the plate unit, eliminating or reducing the formation of limescale and / or mineral deposits within the evaporation channel and / or preventing the transport of any particles dragged by the steam towards the steam outlet hole.

[0016] In particular, one purpose of the present utility model is to realize a steam generator which allows both efficiency and overall performance to be maintained over time, avoiding rapid wear of its operating components.

[0017] Another purpose of the present utility model is to realize a steam generator which can guarantee that the steam produced has good quality over time and in which the evaporation operation, i.e. steam production, takes place completely in the shortest possible time.

[0018] Another purpose of the present utility model is to realize a steam generator which allows water leakage to be avoided.

[0019] Another purpose of the present utility model is to realize a steam generator which allows limescale leakage from the steam delivery holes of the plates to be avoided, thus damaging the results of the ironing process by soiling the clothes being ironed.

[0020] Another purpose of the present utility model is to realize a steam generator with which an effective cleaning, washing or descaling process of the limescale deposits that can form therein can be carried out.

[0021] The Applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present utility model to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY

[0022] The utility model is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features of the utility model or variants of the main utility model idea.

[0023] According to the above mentioned objects, in order to solve the above mentioned technical problems in a new and original way, also achieving quite a number of advantages compared to the prior art, the generator for the instantaneous generation of steam according to the present application comprises: a heating block, provided with a vaporization chamber and at least one heating element; and a plate unit, connected to the heating block and provided with a steam delivery hole.

[0024] According to an embodiment, a steam distribution chamber is provided between the heating block and the plate unit, placed in communication with the vaporization chamber and the delivery hole.

[0025] According to an aspect of the present application, the vaporization chamber comprises an inlet hole for the introduction of water and a steam outlet hole in communication with the distribution chamber.

[0026] According to an aspect of the present application, the vaporization chamber comprises at least two areas, developed at different depths and / or at different heights and defining a path for the flow along at least a first direction lying on a first plane and along at least a second direction lying on a second plane transverse to the first plane.

[0027] According to an aspect of the present application, the vaporization chamber comprises a first area, in which a channel is provided, defining a portion of the path for the steam, which extends along a first curved or serpentine trajectory lying on or parallel to a first plane, and at least one other area having a different depth from the first area, wherein the path extends along another trajectory lying at least partially on a second plane transverse to the first plane.

[0028] In this case, at least the advantage is achieved that any scale particles formed at the inlet hole of the first area of the vaporization chamber and dragged along the vaporization channel are blocked in one or the other area before reaching the outlet hole, while the steam substantially free of particles can reach the delivery hole.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present application, the vaporization chamber comprises a second area downstream of the first area, comprising an accumulation chamber into which the channel flows, wherein the accumulation chamber extends in a direction lying on the second plane and has a greater depth than the depth of the channel with respect to the second transverse plane.

[0030] According to an embodiment, in use, the first plane is substantially horizontal, or inclined by 0°-15° with respect to the horizontal.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present utility model, the vaporization chamber comprises at least a third zone in which there is a delivery channel that defines a portion of said path, which extends along a third trajectory having a substantially inverted "U" shape with respect to the first plane.

[0032] Preferably, said vaporization chamber comprises said first zone, said second zone and said third zone arranged one after the other in succession, provided respectively with said vaporization channel, said accumulation chamber and said delivery channel.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present utility model, said heating block comprises a base body and a covering element, said first zone and said second zone being formed in said base body, said covering element closing said base body at the top, and said third zone being formed in said covering element.

[0034] In this case, at least the advantage is obtained that any limescale particles formed at the inlet hole in the first zone of the vaporization chamber and dragged along the vaporization channel can fall under the action of gravity into the accumulation chamber, while the vapor substantially free of particles can rise upwards in the third zone and from there reach the distribution chamber and the delivery hole. The path of the evaporation channel at different height levels and different heights allows efficient removal of limescale from the flow of vapor, while keeping the size of the steam generator compact.

[0035] According to one aspect of the present utility model, the vaporization chamber has enlarged portions at the edges and curves of the vaporization channel, said enlarged portions being configured to allow any limescale particles to accumulate therein, thus preventing the vaporization channel from becoming blocked in order to prolong its useful life.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the heating block comprises a base body in which the first zone and the second zone of the vaporization chamber and the distribution chamber and the covering element are produced, and the third zone of the vaporization chamber extends in the covering element. In this way, the third vaporization chamber is arranged completely above the first zone and the second zone.

[0037] According to an embodiment, said vaporization chamber has a cross section that narrows between said second zone and said third zone with respect to the cross section on said first plane of said accumulation chamber. This cross section reduction is particularly effective in limiting solid limescale particles in the lower part of the second zone of the vaporization chamber in order to collect them in the accumulation chamber.

[0038] According to one aspect of the present utility model, the vaporization chamber has at least one raised element that protrudes with respect to the surface of the vaporization channel and is arranged transversely to the extension of the vaporization channel, said raised element being configured to hinder the progress of any limescale particles along the vaporization channel, thus facilitating their confinement in the zone upstream of the raised element.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the accumulation chamber of the second zone is provided with a removable collection element, which can be selectively inserted into and removed from the heating block. Through the removable collection element, the accumulation chamber cavity can be accessed and the scale accumulated in the accumulation chamber can be removed.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the removable collection element is provided with a cavity adapted to receive and retain scale therein.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the removable collection element is provided with a filtering member.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the steam generator comprises a filtering element downstream of the outlet hole and configured to perform a filtering of the fluid and to retain any particles in the fluid upstream of the delivery hole.

[0043] The effect exerted by the filtering element has a double advantage, i.e. it prevents any scale and / or mineral residue of small and medium size from being able to pass through the delivery channel and / or the steam distribution chamber, causing a clogging of the delivery hole of the plate unit, and it acts as a drip guard, preventing water droplets from being able to exit directly from the delivery hole.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the filtering element can be made removable, so that it can be easily detached from the heating block in order to be cleaned and to remove the scale present therein.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the filtering element comprises a respective filtering portion having different amplitude and / or number of mesh or channel slots for the steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide mesh portion is directed towards the outlet hole and at least one second narrow mesh portion is directed towards the delivery channel.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the delivery channel in the third zone has a portion with gradually increasing width downstream of the connection with the second zone. This geometric variation is particularly important in order to allow a uniform distribution of the fluid with respect to the delivery hole of the plate unit.

[0047] The third zone can have an outlet hole communicating with the distribution chamber, which has an elongated shape in a direction parallel to the plate unit. Preferably, the length dimension of the outlet hole is substantially equal to the width of the area occupied by the delivery hole provided on the plate unit.

[0048] According to another aspect of the present utility model, a protective element, for example a rubber or silicone gasket, is inserted between the plate unit and the heating block to protect the plate unit from high temperatures. The gasket allows the use of materials other than metal, for example, which are not resistant to high temperatures, to implement the plate unit.

[0049] The utility model also relates to a vertical iron, including accommodating main part, this accommodating main part is provided with handle portion suitable for by user's grasp, and install the steam generator according to the utility model on handle portion top. Steam generator is preferably installed in accommodating main body, and plate unit is connected to accommodating main body.

[0050] According to an aspect of the utility model, the generator is installed with heating block, and the longer side of the heating block is aligned on the corresponding horizontal plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0051] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the utility model will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 is an isometric view of the steam generator according to the utility model;

[0053] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the steam generator of

[0054] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the steam generator of

[0055] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a sectional bottom view of the steam generator of

[0056] Figure 5 is a partial exploded view of the steam generator of Figure 1 according to a variant;

[0057] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a top view of the generator of

[0058] Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the steam generator according to the variant taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 6 ;

[0059] Figure 8 is Figure 1 a sectional side view of the steam generator of Figure 6 in the first state taken along the line VIII-VIII of ;

[0060] Figure 9 is Figure 1 a sectional side view of the steam generator of Figure 6 in the second state taken along the line VII-VII of ;

[0061] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a vertical iron according to the present utility model.

[0062] We must be clear that, in this specification, the wording and terminology used, and also the graphics as illustrated in the attached drawings, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the utility model, which provides non-limiting examples of the utility model itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0063] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to identify common and identical elements in the drawings. It will be appreciated that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily adapted or combined to form other embodiments, without further elaboration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] With reference to Figure 1 The steam generator 10 according to the present utility model comprises a heating block 11 into which water is introduced to be transformed into steam, and a plate unit 12 provided with steam delivery holes 13.

[0065] In use, the plate unit 12 is turned towards the clothes to be ironed and placed in proximity to or in contact with the clothes.

[0066] The heating block 11 comprises a vaporization chamber 14 provided with an inlet hole 15 for water and an outlet hole 16 for steam.

[0067] The inlet hole 15 can be connected to a water supply conduit by means of a connector 37.

[0068] The connector 37 can comprise a maximum pressure release valve. Typically, the maximum pressure value is less than or equal to 0.5 bar.

[0069] The inlet hole 15 can be formed at a central region of the heating block 11.

[0070] The heating block 11 comprises at least one heating element 17, for example an electric resistor, configured to generate heat and heat the vaporization chamber 14 and the water therein, thus allowing it to vaporize.

[0071] The heating element preferably at least partially passes through a heating body 20 in which the vaporization chamber 14 is formed.

[0072] The drawings show a single heating element 17 having a "U" shape, with the closed side facing the plate unit 12, but in other solutions two or more heating elements having different shapes and / or arrangements can also be provided.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the steam generator 10 comprises a steam distribution chamber 18 placed in fluid communication between the vaporization chamber 14 and the delivery holes 13.

[0074] The heating block 11 preferably has a heating body 20 which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped, with upper and lower longer sides 31, 32 having dimensions greater than the longitudinally shorter sides 33 and the transversely shorter sides 34.

[0075] In use, the heating block 11 is arranged so that the longer sides 31, 32 lie on a horizontal plane or are inclined at an angle of between 0° and 15° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0076] The plate unit 12 is connected to the heating block 11 at one transversely shorter side 34.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the vaporization chamber 14 is divided into at least two regions 21, 22, 23, said regions extending at depths D1, D2, D3 and / or at different heights with respect to each other, along which the path P for the flow of water and / or steam extends, said path P extending along trajectories T1, T2, T3 and different directions.

[0078] The vaporization chamber 14 comprises at least a first region 21, in which it is delimited by a channel 19 which defines a steam path P which extends along a first trajectory T1 which lies on or is parallel to a first plane π1 which is substantially parallel to the longer sides 31.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the vaporization chamber 14 comprises a second region 22, in which the path P extends along a second trajectory T2 which is transverse to the first trajectory T1. The second trajectory T2 preferably lies on a second plane π2 which is orthogonal to the first plane π1.

[0080] In the first region 21, the channel 19 has a substantially constant depth D1.

[0081] The channel 19 can have, in the first region 21, a plurality of elbow curves and / or a serpentine or spiral extension, or a combination of curved and straight portions, forming edges and loops, to determine a deviation of the steam flow which remains in the first plane π1.

[0082] Preferably, the height of the channel 19, i.e. the depth D1, is constant in the first region 21, while its width can vary.

[0083] In particular, an enlarged portion 35 can be provided at and / or near the edges and curves of the channel 19, preferably arranged upstream with respect to the edges / curves, configured to allow any limescale particles to accumulate therein.

[0084] According to an embodiment, at least one raised element 38, for example a rib or the like, is provided along the channel 19, which projects from the lower surface 39 of the channel 19 and is arranged transversely with respect to the extension of the channel 19 and to the flow trajectory therein.

[0085] One or more raised elements 41 can also be provided, which project from the lower surface and are arranged continuously with the respective side wall of the channel 19.

[0086] The vaporization chamber 14 comprises at least a second region 22, arranged downstream of the first region 21, in which an accumulation chamber 24 is provided, into which the vaporization channel 19 flows. Said accumulation chamber 24 extends along a direction lying on a second plane π2. Said second plane π2 is substantially perpendicular to the first plane π1.

[0087] In the second region 22, the vaporization chamber 14 has a greater depth than in the first region 21.

[0088] The flow path P enters the second region 22 in the radial direction along the trajectory T1 and then deviates in a substantially orthogonal direction along a second trajectory T2.

[0089] In the second region 22, the accumulation chamber 24 extends below the lower surface of the channel 19 in the first region 21.

[0090] The accumulation chamber 24 has a prevailing extension in the vertical direction and has a depth D2 greater than the depth D1 of the channel 19 in the first region 21.

[0091] In the second region 22, the accumulation chamber 24 can have a depth D2 comprised between 1.5 and 2 times the depth D1 of the channel 19 in the first region 21.

[0092] According to an embodiment, in the first region 21, the depth D1 of the channel 19 can be about half the total thickness of the body 20, or comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 times this thickness.

[0093] The accumulation chamber 24 can extend up to the lower side 32 or even extend through the entire thickness of the body 20.

[0094] The body 20 can have a smaller thickness at the first region 21 and a greater thickness at the accumulation chamber 24 and possibly also downstream thereof.

[0095] According to a possible embodiment (1-7), the accumulation chamber 24 is provided with a lower aperture 25, which is closed by a removable collection element 26. Figures 1-2

[0096] ​The collecting element 26 can be inserted into and removed from the heating block 11, thereby allowing access to the accumulation chamber 24 to remove any scale present therein.

[0097] In this scheme, the heating block 11 may be provided with a receiving seat 28, the shape of which is substantially complementary to the shape of the collecting element 26 and is adapted to house the collecting element 26 therein.

[0098] The collecting element 26 is provided with one or more cavities 27, which are adapted to receive and retain scale particles for their removal.

[0099] The collecting element 26 may be provided with a locking member 30, which is configured to allow the collecting element 26 to be stably locked in the receiving seat 28.

[0100] exist Figures 8-9 In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 29 includes a lever 30 rotatable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the lever 30 is substantially parallel to the lower surface of the collecting element, and in the released position, the lever 30 is substantially orthogonal to the lower surface of the collecting element and can be gripped by a user to pull out the collecting element 26. However, different locking members 29 may be provided; they may be quick-connect types, such as shape-fitting, snap-fit, bayonet, threaded connection, or may include screws or similar elements.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the collecting element 26 may include one or more filter sections having different amplitudes and / or numbers of mesh or channel slots for steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide mesh section is turned toward the collecting element 26, and at least one second narrow mesh section is turned toward the accumulation chamber 24.

[0102] According to the embodiment, the vaporization chamber 14 includes a third region 23, which is preferably located downstream of the second region 22, that is, downstream of the accumulation chamber 24.

[0103] In the third region 23, a conveying channel 40 is provided, which defines a portion of the steam path P along a third trajectory T3 formed in a substantially vertical plane. Specifically, the conveying channel 40, and therefore the third trajectory T3, has a substantially inverted "U"-shaped extension when viewed in the vertical plane, for example... Figures 7-9 The paper plane in the middle.

[0104] Therefore, the third trajectory T3 extends partly along a direction located on or parallel to the second plane π2, and partly along a direction parallel to the first plane π1 but at a different height.

[0105] Preferably, in the third region 23, the vaporization chamber 14 is formed at a higher level than the first region 21 and / or the second region 22.

[0106] According to an embodiment, between the second region 22 and the third region 23, the vaporization chamber 14 has a portion that narrows with respect to the portion on the horizontal plane of the accumulation chamber 24, so as to facilitate the removal of scale particles from the steam flow.

[0107] In particular, the narrowing portion can be defined by the passage hole 36 formed on the covering element 43, which closes at least part of the vaporization chamber 14 at the top.

[0108] According to a possible variant, not shown, the third region 23 can be provided directly downstream of the first region 21 and the accumulation chamber 24 can be absent. In this case, at the end of the channel 19 opposite the inlet hole 15, a passage hole 36 can be provided that puts the vaporization channel 19 in communication with the delivery channel 40.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the delivery channel 40 has a portion with an increased width downstream of the passage hole 36.

[0110] The third region 23, if present, can comprise an outlet hole 16 that communicates with the distribution chamber 18. The outlet hole 16 can have a shape similar to a slot elongated in a direction parallel to the plate unit 12, so as to facilitate the uniform distribution of the steam through the delivery holes 13.

[0111] The length dimension of the outlet hole 16 can be substantially equal to the width of the distribution chamber 18 and / or the area occupied by the delivery holes 13.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the main body 20 of the heating block 11 can comprise a base 42 closed at the top by a covering element 43.

[0113] At least part of the vaporization chamber 14, in particular at least the first region 21, and the second region 22, if present, can be formed in the base 42. The third region 23, if present, can be formed in the covering element 43.

[0114] The gasket 41, which has a shape corresponding to the planar configuration of the vaporization chamber 14, can be provided between the base 42 and the covering element 43. The walls that laterally delimit the channel 19 and the accumulation chamber 24 have substantially all the same height and cooperate with the gasket 41 and the covering element 43 to define a unique and forced path P for the steam.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the base 42 and the covering element 43 can be connected by removable fasteners 44, such as screws, bolts, pins, etc., or they can also be welded or fixedly connected.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the covering element 43 has a protruding portion 45 protruding from the larger lateral side 31, the protruding portion 45 being closed at the top by a closing element 46 defining the third area 23 of the vaporization chamber 14.

[0117] In a top view, the protruding portion 45 can have a triangular shape with the vertex at the passage hole 36 and the base at the outlet hole 16. Figure 6 )。

[0118] According to an embodiment, as mentioned with reference to Figure 2 , the plate unit 12 can comprise a plate 49 made of a metallic material, which in use can be placed in direct contact with the transversally shorter lateral side 34 of the heating block 11.

[0119] According to other embodiments, as mentioned with reference to Figure 5 , the plate unit 12 can comprise a plate 149 made of a non-metallic material, for example a plastic material. In this solution, the steam generator 10 can comprise a protection element 47, for example a gasket made of a heat-resistant material such as rubber or silicone, which is arranged between the plate unit 12 and the heating block 11.

[0120] According to further embodiments, the steam generator 10 can comprise a filtering element 48 downstream of the outlet hole 16 Figure 7 , configured to perform a filtering of the fluid and to retain any particles present in the fluid before they reach the delivery hole 13. The filtering element 48 can in particular be configured to retain limescale and / or mineral residues of small and medium size, which can pass through the outlet passage of the dispensing chamber 18 and cause the clogging of the delivery hole 13, and can in particular be configured to act as a drip breaker for preventing water droplets from being able to exit directly from the delivery hole 13.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the filtering element 48 can be of the removable type, so as to be able to remove it from the heating block 11 and perform its cleaning and removal of the limescale present therein.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the filtering element 48 comprises a plurality of filtering portions having different mesh or passage slots for different amplitudes and / or quantities of steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide mesh portion is diverted towards the outlet hole 16 and at least one second narrow mesh portion is diverted towards the outlet passage, i.e. the dispensing chamber 18.

[0123] With reference to Figure 10 , the utility model also relates to a vertical iron 50 comprising a containing body 51 having a handle portion 52 suitable for being gripped by a user and a steam generator 10 according to the utility model mounted above the handle portion 52.

[0124] The handle portion 52 can extend in a substantially vertical direction, or slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction with respect to the base 53.

[0125] The heating block 11 is preferably mounted inside the containing body 51 and the plate unit 12 is connected to the containing body 51.

[0126] According to one aspect of the present utility model, the steam generator 10 is mounted with a heating block 11, which is arranged with the longer sides 31, 32 aligned on respective substantially horizontal planes.

[0127] In the case where the steam generator 10 is provided with a removable collection element 26, the passage hole 54, which is selectively closed by the lid 55, arranged in alignment with the position of the collection element 26, can be provided on the containing body 51.

[0128] On the handle portion 52, a control member 55 can be provided, through which the user can control the delivery of steam. The control member 55 can be of the mechanical type, for example a button, or also of the touch-sensitive type, and is connected to a microswitch or other device suitable for transmitting a signal to a control unit 56, for example a microcontroller or microprocessor suitable for regulating the operation of the iron 10, or directly to the water supply device 57.

[0129] The water supply device 57 can comprise a pump 58, which can be connected to an internal water tank 59, or to an external water tank (not shown) through a connection duct 60.

[0130] The operation of the steam generator 10 described so far comprises the following steps:

[0131] - injecting water into the vaporization chamber 14 of the heating block 11 through the inlet hole 15;

[0132] - making the water travel along the passage 19 of the vaporization chamber 14, while heating it with the heating element 17 to transform it into steam;

[0133] - making the steam flow flow along the path P along at least two trajectories T1, T2, T3, which are located on different planes and / or at different heights with respect to each other;

[0134] - making the steam exit from the outlet hole 16 of the vaporization chamber 14 towards the plate unit 12 and deliver it to the outside through the delivery hole 13.

[0135] The limescale particles present in the steam flow accumulate in the enlarged cross-section region 35 arranged along the passage 19.

[0136] The water / steam flow follows at least a first curved and / or spiral trajectory T1 lying on a first plane pi which, in use, is substantially horizontal or inclined by an angle between 0 and 15°, and a trajectory between a second trajectory T2 and a third trajectory T2, which trajectory is formed at least partially on a second plane p2 transverse to the first plane pi.

[0137] The steam generator 10 can be subjected to a cleaning step which provides for the removal of the removable collection element 26 from the heating block 11, in order to remove the scale accumulated therein and to be able to access at least a portion of the vaporization chamber 14.

[0138] The steam downstream of the outlet hole 16 can be filtered by means of a filtering element 48.

[0139] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the steam generator 10 and to the standing iron 50 as described above, without departing from the field and scope of the utility model as defined in the claims.

[0140] It is also clear that, although the utility model has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of steam generator and standing iron with features as set forth in the claims, and hence to fall within the field of protection defined by the claims themselves. In the claims the mere fact that some features are recited in separate dependent claims does not exclude them from being combined, and the disclosure of several claims in the same dependent claim does not constitute aggregation. The mere fact that different claims depend on a same independent claim does not imply that the respective dependent claims constitute equivalents; neither do the mere fact that some claims are dependent on other claims mean that the respective dependent claims do not likewise exert their action as a patentable category in themselves. The reference signs placed in brackets do not have any theoretical or legal significance.

Claims

1. Steam generator (10) having a heating block (11), comprising a vaporization chamber (14) having an inlet aperture (15) for water and an outlet aperture (16) for steam, and at least one heating element (17) connected to a plate unit (12) provided with a steam delivery aperture (13) arranged in communication with the outlet aperture (16), characterized in that, The vaporization chamber (14) comprises a first zone (21) having a first depth (D1) in which a channel (19) is provided, which defines a portion of a path (P) for the steam, which extends along a first curved or serpentine trajectory (T1) lying on or parallel to a first plane (pi), and at least a second or third zone (22, 23) having a second or third depth (D2, D3) different from the first depth (D1), wherein, in the second or third zone (22, 23), the path of the steam flow extends along a respective second or third trajectory (T2, T3) at least partially lying on a second plane (pi) transverse to the first plane (pi).

2. Steam generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The vaporization chamber (14) comprises a second zone (22) downstream of the first zone (21), the second zone (22) comprising an accumulation chamber (24) into which the channel (19) flows, wherein the accumulation chamber (24) extends along a direction lying on the second plane (pi) and has a depth (D2) greater than the depth (D1) of the channel (19).

3. Steam generator (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The vaporization chamber (14) comprises at least a third zone (23) in which a delivery channel (40) is present, which defines a portion of the path (P) which extends along a third trajectory (T3) having a substantially inverted "U" shape of extension with respect to the first plane (pi).

4. Steam generator (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The vaporization chamber (14) comprises the channel (19), the accumulation chamber (24) and the delivery channel (40) arranged one after the other in succession.

5. Steam generator (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The accumulation chamber (24) of the second zone (22) is provided with a lower aperture (25) which is selectively closed by means of a collection element (26) which can be inserted into and removed from the heating block (11) to allow access to the accumulation chamber (24) to clear the scale accumulated therein.

6. Steam generator (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The heating block (11) comprises a base body (42) and a covering element (43), the first zone (21) and the second zone (22) being formed in the base body (42), the covering element (43) top closing the base body (42) and the third zone (23) being formed in the covering element (43).

7. Steam generator (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that With respect to the section of the accumulation chamber (24) on the first plane (pi), the vaporization chamber (14) has a section which narrows between the second zone (22) and the third zone (23).

8. The steam generator (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that Said delivery channel (40) has a cross-section that increases in width from the passage hole (36) towards the outlet hole (16) in said third region (23), said delivery channel (40) communicating with said second region (22) through said passage hole (36), wherein said outlet hole (16) has an elongated shape in a direction parallel to said plate unit (12).

9. The steam generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Said vaporization chamber (14) has a widened portion (35) located near and / or upstream of the edge and / or curve of said channel (19) and configured to allow any limescale particles to accumulate in said widened portion.

10. The steam generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one raised element (38) is provided along said channel (19), projecting from the lower surface and arranged transversely with respect to the extension and flow trajectory (T1) of said channel (19).

11. Steam generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that Said steam generator comprises a filtering element (48) located downstream of said outlet hole (16) and configured to filter the fluid and retain any particles present in the fluid upstream of said delivery hole (13).

12. The steam generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that A protective element (47) made of heat-resistant material is arranged between said plate unit (12) and said heating block (11), and said plate unit (12) comprises a plate (39) made of plastic material.

13. An upright iron (50) comprising a containing body (51) provided with a handle portion (52) suitable to be gripped by a user, characterized in that, Said standing iron (50) comprises the steam generator (10) of claim 1, said steam generator (10) being mounted above said handle portion (52), wherein said heating block (11) has a heating body (20) of parallelepiped shape comprising upper (31) and lower (32) longer sides having a size greater than the longitudinally shorter (33) and transversely shorter (34) sides, and said heating body is arranged so that the respective upper (31) and lower (32) longer sides are aligned on a plane inclined by 0° to 15° with respect to the horizontal plane. Said vaporization chamber (14) has a widened portion (35) located near and / or upstream of the edge and / or curve of said channel (19) and configured to allow any limescale particles to accumulate in said widened portion. At least one raised element (38) is provided along said channel (19), projecting from the lower surface and arranged transversely with respect to the extension and flow trajectory (T1) of said channel (19). Said steam generator comprises a filtering element (48) located downstream of said outlet hole (16) and configured to filter the fluid and retain any particles present in the fluid upstream of said delivery hole (13). A protective element (47) made of heat-resistant material is arranged between said plate unit (12) and said heating block (11), and said plate unit (12) comprises a plate (39) made of plastic material. Said standing iron (50) comprises the steam generator (10) of claim 1, said steam generator (10) being mounted above said handle portion (52), wherein said heating block (11) has a heating body (20) of parallelepiped shape comprising upper (31) and lower (32) longer sides having a size greater than the longitudinally shorter (33) and transversely shorter (34) sides, and said heating body is arranged so that the respective upper (31) and lower (32) longer sides are aligned on a plane inclined by 0° to 15° with respect to the horizontal plane.

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