Chest ironer

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a chest ironer.

[0002] Chest ironers, sometimes also referred to as "bed ironers", are commonly used for drying and ironing bed sheets, towels and other laundry items with relatively large surfaces.

[0003] Chest ironers are typically used in various professional applications, such as in hotels, laundries, etcetera.

[0004] Chest ironers comprise a chest, typically made of metal, with a concave side facing and partially surrounding a rotating cylindric ironing drum, usually having a hollow structure and a perforated peripheral wall.

[0005] During the ironing process, the chest is heated, typically at a temperature comprised between 100-200 degrees Celsius, and the ironing drum is brought into rotation in such a way to drag a laundry item to be ironed, e.g. a towel, a bed sheet, etcetera, between the ironing drum and the concave side of the chest; while the laundry item follows the rotating movement of the ironing drum, the chest and the ironing drum are pushed one towards the other, so as to press the laundry item, which is both dried and ironed due to the friction against the concave surface of the chest and the high temperature of the latter.

[0006] In some known solutions, the chest is heated by armored electrical resistances, substantially tubular or parallelepiped, mounted on a convex side of the chest which faces away from the ironing drum and has a substantially hemicylindrical external surface.

[0007] DE 36 43 900 A1 relates to a electrically heated ironing element for the drying and smoothing of damp laundry articles, especially a bowl for a bowl mangle, which comprises at least one panel-type heating body pressed onto the heating surface by at least one clamping device.

[0008] DE 740 475 C relates to a pressing device for the heating trough of ironing machines, comprising a foot lever connected to a trough lever, such that by pressing the foot lever, the heating trough can be pressed towards and removed from the ironing roll.

[0009] DE 39 32 455 C2 relates to a trough mangle with several heating resistor elements arranged in the longitudinal direction and distributed in the peripheral direction of the through. Each resistor element is associated with an individual switch device which are controlled thermostatically.

[0010] DE 37 43000 A1 relates to a trough for a trough mangle or ironing machine, comprising a profile part with separate receptacles for heating elements to be fastened to the trough.

[0011] A problem with these known solutions is that the thermal contact of the armored electrical resistances with the chest is typically not optimal; in fact, the contact area between an armored electrical resistance and the substantially hemicylindrical external surface of the chest is relative small, and therefore a relatively high portion of the heat generated by such an armored electrical resistance is not transferred to the chest, and it is therefore wasted.

[0012] This waste of heat has the negative effect of increasing the energy consumption of the chest ironer, and also of reducing the power density in the overall chest surface, which increases the time required for ironing the laundry items.

[0013] In addition, in such known solutions, since the contact area between an armored electrical resistance and the substantially hemicylindrical external surface of the convex side of the chest is relative small, there is the risk of having hots spots in the chest, in particular at the contact areas with the armored electric resistances, which could damage the laundry items treated by such known solutions and / or compromise the uniformity of the ironing and drying.

[0014] Aim of the present invention is to solve above mentioned drawbacks of the cited prior art, and therefore to provide a chest ironer having a relative high energy efficiency, and a relatively high power density in the overall chest surface.

[0015] Within this aim, another object of the present invention is obtaining a chest ironer in which the risk of damaging the treated laundry items is reduced.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is obtaining a chest ironer which improves the uniformity of the drying and ironing of the treated items of laundry.

[0017] Above aim and objects are solved by a chest ironer provided with an ironing assembly comprising: an ironing drum, substantially cylindric, a rotation system for rotating the ironing drum around its longitudinal axis, a chest, comprising a curved metal body having a concave side, which faces and partially coaxially surrounds the ironing drum, and a convex side, facing away from the ironing drum, to which electric heating elements are attached, wherein the electric heating elements have a flat external surface facing and attached to the convex side of the curved metal body, a displacement system for displacing the chest and the ironing drum relatively to each other, wherein the convex side of the curved metal body comprises one or more flat regions, at least partially counter-shaped to the flat external surface of the electric heating elements, to which the electric heating elements are attached via the flat external surface.

[0018] The curved metal body is an extruded body.

[0019] Preferably, the curved metal body is made of aluminium.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, two or more electric heating elements are attached to the same flat regions.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more flat regions comprise a plurality of distinct flat regions to which at least one of electric heating element is attached.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the flat external surface is, in a plan view, substantially rectangular or square.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more flat regions are, in a plan view, substantially rectangular, with two longer sides, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ironing drum, connected at their ends by two shorter sides, substantially perpendicular to the longer sides.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the longer sides cover the entire width of the curved metal body in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ironing drum.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more flat regions comprise a plurality of flat regions, uniformly spaced to one another in a direction perpendicular to the respective longer sides.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of electric heating elements are attached side by side to a same flat region.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the chest ironer comprises one or more pushing elements elastically pushing the electric heating elements against the one or more flat regions to which they are respectively attached.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the one or more pushing elements comprise a static portion, attached to the convex side of the curved metal body in proximity to a flat region of the latter, a mobile portion, leaning against one of the electric heating elements on the opposite side with respect to its flat external surface, and an elastic element interposed between the static portion and the mobile portion for elastically pushing the mobile portion, and the electric heating elements leaning against it, towards the curved metal body.

[0029] The electric heating elements comprise a thick film electric heating element and / or an etched foil heating element.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the chest ironer comprises a control unit configured for operating two or more of the electric heating elements in a same way, or each electric heating elements independently from the others.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the chest ironer comprises one or more temperature sensors configured for detecting the temperature of one or more regions of the chest, wherein the control unit is configured for operating the electric heating elements as a function of the detection of the one or more temperature sensors.

[0032] Other advantages and features of a chest ironer according to the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description, provided only as a not limitative example, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a chest ironer in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of some parts of the ironing assembly of the chest ironer of Figure 1, during the ironing of a laundry item; Figures 3 is a lateral cross section of the ironing assembly of figure 2; Figure 4 is a lateral view of some components of the ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of some parts of the ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention, during the ironing of a laundry item; Figure 6 is a plane view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of some parts of the ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention, during the ironing of a laundry item; Figure 8 is a plane view of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective and exploded view of a detail of some parts of the ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of some parts of the ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 11 is a lateral cross section of the chest with attached some heating elements of a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 12 is a lateral cross section of the chest of figure 11; Figure 13 is a lateral cross section of a detail of an ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 14 is a lateral cross section of a detail of an ironing assembly of a chest ironer according to the invention before its assembly; Figure 15 is a schematic prospective view of a thick film heating element that can be used in a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 16 is a lateral view of the thick film heating element of figure 15; Figure 17 is a schematic prospective view of an etched foil heating element that can be used in a chest ironer according to the invention; Figure 18 is a bottom view of the etched foil heating element of figure 17.

[0033] Reference number 1 denotes, as a whole, a chest ironer according to the invention.

[0034] The chest ironer 1 preferably comprises an outer casing 2, preferably substantially gantry-shaped and boxlike, which is preferably made of metal material, and is structured for resting on the floor.

[0035] The chest ironer 1 comprises also an ironing assembly 3 which is at least partially recessed / housed into the outer casing 2, and is suitably structured for ironing, and preferably drying, laundry items 100 with relatively large dimensions / surfaces, such as, for example, single or double bed sheets, and towels.

[0036] The ironing assembly 3 comprises an ironing drum 4, substantially cylindric, having a longitudinal axis A, corresponding to the axis of the cylinder defined by such an ironing drum 4, which is advantageously oriented, in use, substantially horizontally; the ironing drum 4 has advantageously a hollow structure, with a peripheral wall 5 which is preferably permeable to steam.

[0037] Preferably, the ironing drum 4 comprises an inner tubular member 41, preferably substantially cylindrical, rigid, and more preferably made of metal material, such as stainless steel; advantageously the inner tubular member 41 has a perforated peripheral wall.

[0038] Advantageously, the ironing drum 4 comprises an outer protective padding 42, preferably substantially cylindrical, which substantially completely covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular member 41, and is preferably made of a steam-permeable material of known type.

[0039] Preferably, between the inner tubular member 41 and the outer protective padding 42, an elastic system, not illustrated, can be provided, comprising for example a plurality of springs, also not illustrated, providing a certain elasticity to the peripheral wall 5 of the ironing drum 4, which allows it to better adapt to the specific shape of the laundry items 100.

[0040] The ironing assembly 3 comprises also a rotation system 6 rotating, when operated, the ironing drum 4 around its longitudinal axis A; advantageously, the rotation system 6 comprises a motor (not illustrated in attached figures) mechanically connected (e.g. directly, or by a belt-pulley system, or via some gears, etcetera) to the ironing drum 4, for selectively driving the latter into rotation about its longitudinal axis A, with a, preferably variable, rotating speed ω.

[0041] The ironing assembly 3 comprises a chest 7, comprising a curved metal body 8 (made of extruded metal, more preferably of extruded aluminium), preferably substantially hemicylindrical, having a concave side 8a, substantially hemicylindrical and substantially coaxial to the ironing drum 4, which faces and partially surrounds the latter; the curved metal body 8 comprises also a convex side 8b, facing away from the ironing drum 4, to which electric heating elements 9 are attached.

[0042] According to the invention, the electric heating elements 9 have a flat external surface 10 facing and attached to the convex side 8b of the metal body 8 of the chest 7.

[0043] Preferably, the flat external surface 10 is, in a plan view, substantially rectangular or square.

[0044] In a first advantageous embodiment, the electric heating elements 9 can comprise, for example, electric heating elements of the type known as "thick film", illustrated for example in Figures 15 and 16 and numbered 90, comprising, preferably, a flat metallic substrate 91, preferably made of stainless steel, on which a first electric insulating layer 92, flat and serpentine shaped, is attached; preferably, the flat metallic substrate 91 is, in a plan view, substantially square or rectangular.

[0045] Advantageously, the first electric insulating layer 92 supports a first electric conductive track 93, having the same serpentine shape of the first electric insulating layer 92, and electrically connectable to an external electric power source, not illustrated, by first electric terminals 94a, 94b; preferably, the thick film heating element 90 comprises also a protective electric insulating layer, not illustrated, covering the first electric conductive track 93 on the opposite side with respect to the first electric insulating layer 92.

[0046] In this advantageous embodiment, the flat face 91a of the flat metallic surface 91 opposite the first insulating layer 92 and the first electric conductive track 93 is attached to the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8, and it is therefore the flat external surface 10 of the thick film electric heating elements 9 facing and attached to the convex side 8b of the metal body 9 of the chest 7.

[0047] Thick film electric heating elements 90, thanks to their high power density and low thermal inertia, can effectively compensate the drop of the temperature of the chest 7 occurring during the ironing process because of the thermal exchange of the chest 7 with the wet laundry items 100.

[0048] In a further advantageous embodiment, the electric heating elements 9 can comprise, for example, electric heating elements of the type known as "etched foil", illustrated for example in Figures 17 and 18 and numbered 900, comprising preferably a flexible electric insulating plastic sheet 901 (preferably, in a plan view, substantially square or rectangular), having a flat face 901a, on which a second electric conductive track 903, flat, flexible, and serpentine shaped, is attached and or embedded; advantageously second electric conductive track 903 is electrically connectable to an external electric power source, not illustrated, by second electric terminals 904a, 904b.

[0049] In this advantageous embodiment, the flat face 901a of the flexible electric insulating plastic sheet 901, on which the second electric conductive track 903 is attached and / or embedded, is attached to the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8, and it is therefore the flat external surface 10 of the electric heating elements 9 facing and attached to the convex side 8b of the metal body 9 of the chest 7.

[0050] According to the invention, the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8 comprises one or more flat regions 11, at least partially counter-shaped to the flat external surface 10 of the electric heating elements 9, to which the electric heating elements 9 are attached via their external surface 10.

[0051] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, two or more electric heating elements 9 are attached to a same flat region 11.

[0052] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the one or more flat regions 11 comprise a plurality of distinct flat regions 11, to which at least one electric heating element 9 is attached.

[0053] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the heating elements 9 are substantially evenly distributed on the convex side 8b of the metal body 8 of the chest 7.

[0054] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the one or more flat regions 11 are, in a plan view, substantially rectangular, with two longer sides 110a, 110b, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4, connected at their ends by two shorter sides 111a, 111b, substantially perpendicular to the longer sides 110a, 110b.

[0055] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the longer sides 110a, 110b cover the entire width of the curved metal body 8 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4.

[0056] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the one or more flat regions 11 comprise a plurality of flat regions 11, uniformly spaced to one another in a direction perpendicular to the respective longer sides 110a, 110b; in this case, preferably, a plurality of electric heating elements 9, preferably but not necessarily five heating elements 9, are attached side by side to a same flat region 11.

[0057] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the chest ironer 1 comprises one or more pushing elements 12 elastically pushing the electric heating elements 9 against the one or more flat regions 11 to which they are respectively attached, ensuring in this way an optimal thermal exchange between the heating elements 9 and the chest 7.

[0058] Preferably, the one or more pushing elements 12 are "passive", i.e. they do not comprise electrically or hydraulically (e.g. pneumatic or oleo-dynamic) operated elements for generating the pushing force on the respective electric heating elements 9.

[0059] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the one or more pushing elements 12 comprise a static portion 120, attached, directly or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of a further element), to the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8 in proximity to a flat region 11 of the latter, a mobile portion 121, leaning, directly or indirectly (e.g. with the interposition of a further element) against one of the electric heating elements 9 on the opposite side with respect to its flat external surface 10, and an elastic element 122 interposed between the static portion 120 and the mobile portion 121 for elastically pushing the mobile portion 121, and the heating element 9 leaning against it, towards the curved metal body 8.

[0060] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the static portion 120 advantageously comprises a first elongated profile 18, having preferably a reversed U-shaped or Ω-shaped cross section, in which two first arms 18a, 18b are defined, spaced and connected one another by a first crosspiece 18c.

[0061] The first elongated profile 18 is advantageously fixed, directly or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of a further element), at the free ends of its first arms 18a, 18b, to the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8, in such a way that its first crosspiece 18c faces a flat region 11 of the latter, and its first arms 18a, 18b are positioned on opposite sides of such a flat region 11.

[0062] Preferably, the first elongated profile 18 is fixed, directly or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of a further element), to the curved metal body 8 by first screws 181.

[0063] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, in which the flat region 11 is , in a plan view, substantially rectangular, with two longer sides 110a, 110b, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4, the first elongated profile 18 is advantageously fixed, directly or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of a further element), at the free ends of its first arms 18a, 18b, to the convex side 8b of the curved metal body 8, in proximity to the longer sides 110a, 110b of such a flat region 11.

[0064] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the first elongated profile 18 covers the entire width of the curved metal body 8 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4.

[0065] In a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, a plurality of first elongated profiles 18, having each a width lower than the entire width of the curved metal body 8, can be attached to the latter being positioned side by side in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4.

[0066] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, in which the curved metal body 8 comprises a plurality of flat regions 11, uniformly spaced to one another in a direction perpendicular to the respective longer sides 110a, 110b, the chest ironer 1 can comprise one (or more) first elongated profile 18 for each flat region 11.

[0067] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the mobile element 121 advantageously comprises a second elongated profile 19, having preferably a reversed U-shaped cross section, in which two second arms 19a, 19b are defined, more preferably having a curl at their free ends, spaced and connected one another at one side by a second crosspiece 19c.

[0068] The second elongated profile 19 is advantageously positioned within the first elongated profile 18, with its second crosspiece 19c facing the first crosspiece 18c of the first elongated profile 18, and the free ends of its second arms 19a, 19b, facing and leaning, directly or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of a further element), against a heating element 9 attached to the flat region 11 in proximity to which the pushing element 12 is attached.

[0069] Advantageously, the second elongated profile 19 is associated in a sliding way to the first elongated profile 18 by a guide element 20, comprising, for example, a second screw 21 passing through a first hole 22 of the first crosspiece 18c and through a second hole 23 of the second crosspiece 19c, and preferably secured to such first and second crosspieces by its screw head 24 and by a bolt 25.

[0070] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the elastic element 122 interposed between the static portion 120 and the mobile portion 121 comprises a spring 26, interposed between the first and the second crosspieces 18c and 19c, and positioned coaxially with and around the second screw 21; advantageously, the spring 26 pushes the second crosspiece 19c away from the first crosspiece 18c, and therefore towards the chest 7.

[0071] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the chest ironer comprises a control unit 13, schematically illustrated in Figure 1 with a dotted rectangle, configured for controlling the functioning of the chest ironer 1.

[0072] Advantageously, the control unit 13 can be configured for operating (e.g. switching-on, switching-off, regulating the electric power so as to regulate the generated heat) two or more electric heating elements 9 in a same way, or each electric heating element 9 independently from the others.

[0073] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, in which the electric heating elements 9 are substantially evenly distributed on the convex side 8b of the metal body 8 of the chest 7, the control unit 13 can be advantageously configured in such a way to selectively activate only certain prefixed electric heating elements 9, so as, for example, to adapt the heating to the shape and / or positioning of the laundry item 100.

[0074] For example, if, as illustrated for example in figures 5 and 6, the laundry item 100 covers the entire width of the chest 7 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4, the control unit 13 can activate all the electric heating elements 9, while if, as illustrated for example in figures 7 and 8, the laundry item 100 covers only a part of the width of the chest 7 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4, the control unit 13 can activate only the electric heating elements 9 positioned in the region of the chest 7 covered by the laundry item 100; in this way it is possible reducing the overall energy consumption, and also avoiding the overheating of the zones of the chest 7 not covered by the laundry item 100.

[0075] Advantageously, the control unit 13 can be configured (e.g. programmed) in such a way to activate / deactivate one or more electric heating elements 9 according to prefixed ironing cycles, selected for example by the user, and / or depending on some feedbacks obtained by suitable sensors (e.g. humidity sensors, temperature sensors, etcetera).

[0076] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the chest ironer 1 comprises one or more temperature sensors 14, schematically illustrated in figure 4, configured for detecting the temperature of one or more regions of the chest 7; preferably, the control unit 13 is configured for operating the electric heating elements 9 as a function of the detection of such one or more temperature sensors 14.

[0077] According to an advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the electric heating elements 9 comprise a safety thermostat, not illustrated, which cuts-off the electric power supply to the electric heating elements 9 in case of overheating.

[0078] Advantageously, the chest ironer 1 comprises a displacement system 27 suitable for displacing the chest 7 and the ironing drum 4 relatively to each other.

[0079] In advantageous embodiments, like for example the one illustrated in attached figures, the displacement system 27 may advantageously comprise two or more hydraulic pistons 28a, 28b, fixed at a first end to one end of the chest 7, and at the opposite end to a part of the outer casing 2 static with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the ironing drum 4; advantageously the hydraulic pistons 28a, 28b are operatively connected to the control unit 13, which controls them in such a way to selectively modify their length, and, as a consequence, to selectively increasing / decreasing the distance of the chest 7 from the ironing drum 4, so as to press in a suitable way a laundry item 100 drag by the rotation of the ironing drum 4 through the gap between the ironing drum 4 and the chest 7.

[0080] Advantageously, the chest ironer 1 comprises a user interface 30 (for example comprising a touch screen display and / or a keyboard and / or a knob, etcetera), preferably located on a front wall 2a of outer casing 2, and operatively connected to the control unit 13, in such a way to allow a user to control and / or monitor the functioning of the chest ironer 1.

[0081] The functioning of the chest ironer 1 is described in the following.

[0082] In an advantageous embodiment the user, depending on the specific kind and / or dimensions of the laundry item(s) 100 to be ironed, can select, for example by operating on the user interface 30, a specific ironing cycle among a plurality of pre-set ironing cycles.

[0083] In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit 13 can be configured (e.g. programmed) for automatic detecting the kind and / or dimensions of the laundry item(s) 100 to be ironed, and automatically selecting, depending on the detection, a specific ironing cycle among a plurality of pre-set ironing cycles.

[0084] During the ironing procedure, depending on the selected ironing cycle, and / or on feedback(s) received from suitable sensor(s) (e.g. from the temperature sensors 14) the control unit 13 causes the ironing drum 4 to rotate at one or more prefixed rotating speeds, and operates one or more electric heating elements 9 in such a way to heat one or more zones of the chest 7 at one or more desired temperatures.

[0085] By activating the displacement system 27, the chest 7 can be pressed towards the ironing drum 4, so as to press a laundry item 100 while it is dropped in the gap between the chest 7 and the ironing drum 4 because of the rotation of the ironing drum 4.

[0086] The laundry item 100 is therefore both dried and ironed, due to the friction against the concave side 8a of the chest 7 and to the high temperature of the latter.

[0087] It is seen therefore how the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, there being provided a chest ironer in which, thanks to the specific shape of the flat regions of the convex side of the chest to which the flat external surface of the electric heating elements is attached, it is possible to obtain a very good thermal coupling between the heating elements and the chest, which provides a relative high energy efficiency, and a relatively high power density in the overall chest surface.

[0088] In addition, the very good thermal coupling between the heating elements and the chest reduces the risk of having hots spots in the chest that could damage the laundry items and / or compromise the uniformity of the ironing and drying.

[0089] Clearly, changes may be made to the chest ironer according to the invention without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0090] An illustrative embodiment not forming part of the claim wording is a chest ironer provided with an ironing assembly comprising: an ironing drum, substantially cylindric, a rotation system for rotating the ironing drum around its longitudinal axis, a chest, comprising a curved metal body having a concave side, which faces and partially coaxially surrounds the ironing drum, and a convex side, facing away from the ironing drum, to which electric heating elements are attached, wherein the electric heating elements have an external surface facing and attached to the convex side of the curved metal body, a displacement system for displacing the chest and the ironing drum relatively to each other, wherein the chest ironer comprises one or more pushing elements elastically pushing the electric heating elements against the one or more flat regions to which they are respectively attached.

[0091] In this second invention, the one or more pushing elements allow obtaining a very good thermal coupling between the heating elements and the chest, which provides a relative high energy efficiency, and a relatively high power density in the overall chest surface.

[0092] In addition, the very good thermal coupling between the heating elements and the chest reduces the risk of having hots spots in the chest that could damage the laundry items and / or compromise the uniformity of the ironing and drying.

[0093] It is underlined that the chest ironer according to the second invention could advantageously comprise also one or more of the other features described above in relation to the previously described invention in which the external surface of the electric heating elements facing and attached to the convex side of the curved metal body is flat, and the convex side of the curved metal body comprises one or more flat regions, at least partially counter-shaped to the flat external surface of the electric heating elements, to which the electric heating elements are attached via the flat external surface.

Claims

1. Chest ironer (1) provided with an ironing assembly (3) comprising: - an ironing drum (4), substantially cylindric, - a rotation system (6) for rotating said ironing drum (4) around its longitudinal axis (A), - electric heating elements (9), - a chest (7), comprising a curved metal body (8) having a concave side (8a), which faces and partially coaxially surrounds said ironing drum (4), and a convex side (8b), facing away from said ironing drum (4), to which the electric heating elements (9) are attached, wherein said electric heating elements (9) have a flat external surface (10) facing and attached to said convex side (8b) of said curved metal body (8), - a displacement system (27) for displacing said chest (7) and said ironing drum (20) relatively to each other, said convex side (8b) of said curved metal body (8) comprises one or more flat regions (11), at least partially counter-shaped to said flat external surface (10) of said electric heating elements (9), to which said electric heating elements (9) are attached via said flat external surface (10), and wherein said curved metal body (8) is an extruded body, characterized in that said electric heating elements (9) comprise a thick film electric heating element (90) and / or an etched foil heating element (900).

2. Chest ironer (1), according to claim 1, wherein said curved metal body (8) is made of aluminium.

3. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein two or more of said electric heating elements (9) are attached to a same one of said one or more flat regions (11).

4. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said one or more flat regions (11) comprise a plurality of distinct flat regions (11) to which at least one of said electric heating elements (9) is attached.

5. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said flat external surface (10) is, in a plan view, substantially rectangular or square.

6. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said one or more flat regions (11) are, in a plan view, substantially rectangular, with two longer sides (110a, 110b), substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (A) of said ironing drum (4), connected at their ends by two shorter sides (111a, 111b), substantially perpendicular to said longer sides (110a, 110b).

7. Chest ironer (1), according to claim 6, wherein said longer sides (110a, 110b) cover the entire width of said curved metal body (8) in the direction of said longitudinal axis (A) of said ironing drum (4).

8. Chest ironer (1), according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said one or more flat regions (11) comprise a plurality of said flat regions (11), uniformly spaced to one another in a direction perpendicular to the respective longer sides (110a, 110b).

9. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of said electric heating elements (9) are attached side by side to a same one of said one or more flat regions (11).

10. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising one or more pushing elements (12) elastically pushing said electric heating elements (9) against said one or more flat regions (11) to which they are respectively attached.

11. Chest ironer (1), according to claim 10, wherein said one or more pushing elements (12) comprise a static portion (120), attached to said convex side (8b) of said curved metal body (8) in proximity to one of said one or more flat regions (11) of the latter, a mobile portion (121), leaning against one of said electric heating elements (9) on the opposite side with respect to its flat external surface (10), and an elastic element (122) interposed between said static portion (120) and said mobile portion (121) for elastically pushing said mobile portion (121), and said electric heating elements (9) leaning against it, towards said curved metal body (8).

12. Chest ironer (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising a control unit (13) configured for operating two or more of said electric heating elements (9) in a same way, or each of said electric heating elements (9) independently from the others.

13. Chest ironer (1), according to claim 12, comprising, one or more temperature sensors (14) configured for detecting the temperature of one or more regions of said chest (7), wherein said control unit (13) is configured for operating said electric heating elements (9) as a function of the detection of said one or more temperature sensors (14).