Household ironing and / or smoothing appliance comprising a device for retaining scale particles carried by steam

Abstract

A household ironing and / or steaming appliance comprising a vaporization chamber (3) having an evaporation surface onto which water is injected to produce steam and a steam distribution circuit for conveying the steam flow to at least one steam outlet hole (10A), said steam distribution circuit comprising at least one scale retention device, intended to retain in a cavity (51) at least a portion of the scale particles transported by the steam flow, and an orifice (50) for evacuating the scale trapped in the cavity (51), said orifice (50) being closed by a removable plug (13) accessible from outside the appliance, characterized in that it comprises a self-cleaning device for suddenly sending a large quantity of water onto the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber (3) after the latter has been brought to a set temperature above 150°C.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of household steaming and / or ironing appliances comprising a body including a vaporization chamber having an evaporation surface onto which water is injected to produce steam and a steam distribution circuit allowing the steam flow to be conveyed to at least one steam outlet hole, and in which the steam distribution circuit includes a scale retention device, intended to retain scale particles transported by the steam flow, and a scale recovery cavity, disposed upstream of the retention device, including a scale evacuation orifice closed by a removable plug accessible from outside the appliance. State of the art

[0002] It is known from patent application FR 3 062 857 filed by the applicant that an iron includes a steam distribution circuit connecting an instantaneous vaporization chamber to steam outlet holes in the iron's soleplate. In this document, the steam distribution circuit includes a cavity containing a filter grid designed to retain limescale particles carried by the steam flow. The filter grid is integrated into a limescale collection container that is removable through an opening in the base of the iron.

[0003] This type of iron has the advantage of trapping larger limescale particles upstream of the filter grid, preventing them from being released through the steam vents in the ironing board and staining clothes. It also allows for the removal of the filter grid for cleaning and the disposal of the limescale particles trapped upstream of the grid.

[0004] However, this type of iron has the drawback of not allowing for thorough cleaning of the steam chamber; only some of the limescale naturally detaches from the chamber walls. As a result, some limescale remains stuck to the chamber walls, affecting its performance and, in particular, its ability to produce optimal steam output.

[0005] It is also known from the prior art to equip an iron with a self-cleaning device, as described in patent application EP1366227, which allows a large quantity of water to be suddenly sent into the vaporization chamber, after the latter has been superheated, so that the temperature differential between the evaporation surface and the water induces thermal stresses causing the scale to break down and be dislodged from the evaporation surface, particularly under the effect of the entrainment of the steam flow generated by the sudden vaporization of the water.

[0006] However, such a device has the disadvantage of releasing large pieces of scale which become stuck in the twists and turns of the steam distribution circuit and cannot escape through the steam outlet holes.

[0007] A household ironing and / or steaming appliance having the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 3 186 433 A1. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0009] In particular, the proposed invention consists of an ironing and / or steaming device whose performance remains optimal over time and whose lifespan is increased.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a household ironing and / or steaming appliance comprising a heating element including a vaporization chamber having an evaporation surface onto which water is injected to produce steam and a steam distribution circuit allowing the steam flow to be conveyed to at least one steam outlet hole, the steam distribution circuit comprising at least one scale retention device intended to retain in a cavity at least some of the scale particles transported by the steam flow, and an orifice for evacuating the scale trapped in the cavity, the orifice being closed by a removable plug accessible from outside the appliance,characterized in that it comprises a self-cleaning device for suddenly sending a large quantity of water onto the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber after the latter has been brought to a set temperature above 150°C in such a way that the temperature differential between the evaporation surface and the water is sufficient to induce thermal stresses on the scale deposited on the evaporation surface, thus causing the scale to break down and be dislodged from said evaporation surface by the entrainment effect of the vapor flow and to be trapped in the cavity.

[0011] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the self-cleaning device can be activated on demand by the user or automatically by the device.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the steam distribution circuit connects the vaporization chamber to at least one steam outlet hole.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the apparatus includes a drip valve for supplying the vaporization chamber by gravity with water from a reservoir, and a control element for moving the drip valve into a self-cleaning position in which the amount of water injected by gravity into the vaporization chamber is maximized.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes an electric pump for supplying the vaporization chamber with water from a reservoir, and the pump is controlled by an electronic board which includes a self-cleaning program for which the pump flow rate is maximized.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the set temperature of the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber, when using the self-cleaning device, is higher than the maximum temperature reached by the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber when the device is used at the maximum temperature intended for ironing and / or steaming.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the scale retention device can be extracted from the household appliance for cleaning, advantageously through the scale drainage hole.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the apparatus includes a scale recovery container which is introduced into the cavity through the scale evacuation orifice, the container being positioned upstream of the scale retention device relative to the direction of flow of the steam stream.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the scale retention device includes a filtration grid.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the retention device has a front end with an opening and a closed rear end, the retention device having a side window receiving the filter grid and through which the vapor flow escapes from the retention device.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the retention device is integral with the cap.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device comprises a housing above a heating body in which the vaporization chamber is provided, said housing preferably incorporating a reservoir which supplies liquid to the vaporization chamber.

[0023] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body includes a heating resistance for heating the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber.

[0024] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body includes a thermostat allowing the supply of heating resistance to be regulated in order to bring the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber around a set temperature.

[0025] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device is an iron.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a household appliance as previously described, in which the cleaning method comprises: a first step of heating the vaporization chamber to a temperature above 150°C, and preferably above 220°C, a second step of injecting water into the vaporization chamber with a maximum flow rate, a third step during which the water injection is interrupted and the vaporization chamber is brought to a temperature above 120°C, and preferably above 150°C, to vaporize the water present in the vaporization chamber, and a fourth step of removing the scale collected in the cavity by opening the removable plug. Brief description of the figures

[0027] The aims, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1 is a perspective view of an iron according to a particular embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating element and ironing plate equipping the iron of the figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a perspective view of the heating element of the figure 2 ; there figure 4 is a top view of the heating element of the figure 3 lacking its closing lid; the figure 5 is a perspective view of the heating element of the figure 4 ; there figure 6 is a side view of the heating element of the figure 4 ; there figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII of the figure 6 ; there figure 8 is a perspective view of the limescale collection container attached to the cap of the iron. figure 1 .

[0028] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear" used to describe the iron refer to this appliance when it is lying flat on its ironing board.

[0029] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0030] There figure 1 illustrates a steam iron 1 comprising an ironing plate 10 equipped with a set of steam outlet holes 10A, visible only on the figure 2 , the ironing plate 10 being surmounted by a plastic housing comprising a gripping handle 11 extending longitudinally to the iron 1.

[0031] The handle 11 has a rear end extending into a heel 12 on which the iron 1 can rest substantially vertically during inactive ironing phases, the heel 12 having two arms defining between them a space receiving a removable plug 13 giving access to a limescale evacuation orifice 50, visible on the figure 2 .

[0032] The cap 13 is fixed to a rear surface 12A of the housing, inscribed inside the heel 12, by a bayonet-type fixing similar to that described in more detail in patent application FR 2 981 371 filed by the applicant, the rear surface of the housing being slightly inclined forward to offer easier access when the iron 1 rests horizontally on its ironing plate 10.

[0033] In accordance with figures 2 à 4 , the ironing plate 10 is thermally and mechanically linked to a heating element 2 integrated into the lower part of the housing, the heating element 2 comprising an aluminum casting classically including a heating element 20 bent in the shape of a horseshoe and a boss 21 intended to receive a thermostat 14 for regulating the temperature of the heating element 2 around a setpoint temperature.

[0034] The heating body 2 has a peripheral wall 22 which laterally delimits a space comprising a main vaporization chamber 3 and a supervapor chamber 4, both of the instant vaporization type and having a bottom having an evaporation surface advantageously comprising a multitude of pyramidal studs allowing to increase the heat exchange surface.

[0035] The vaporization chamber 3 is located in the center of the heating element 2 and is connected to the steam outlet holes 10A of the ironing plate 10 by a steam distribution circuit comprising two lateral diffusion channels 30 extending on either side of the vaporization chamber 3 and joining, at the front end of the heating element 2, at a front junction zone 30A and at the rear end of the heating element 2, at a rear junction zone 30B. The lateral channels 30 conventionally have orifices 31 passing through the heating element 2 to open onto its underside, at steam distribution cavities 33, visible on the figure 2 , positioned opposite the steam outlet holes 10A of the ironing plate 10.

[0036] In accordance with figures 2 And 3The heating element 2 also includes a closing plate 24 which rests on the upper edge of the peripheral wall 22. This closing plate 24 is surmounted by a water reservoir 15 integrated into the iron's housing. The reservoir 15 supplies water to the vaporization chamber 3 through an orifice 24A provided in the closing plate 24. This orifice 24A is supplied, in a manner known per se, with water from the reservoir 15 by means of a pump 24B, shown in dotted lines on the figure. figure 1 controlled by an electronic board and allowing the production of a continuous steam flow of up to 70 gr / min.

[0037] The main vaporization chamber 3 is laterally delimited by a partition 23 extending up to the closing plate 24, being hermetically connected to the latter, so that the vapor produced in the vaporization chamber 3 can only escape through an opening 23A provided in the partition 23 at the rear end of the vaporization chamber 3.

[0038] The opening 23A in the partition is connected in a sealed manner to a conduit 25 which is brought into the heating body 2, the latter having a rear zone 2A of reduced width which delimits a volume into which the rear end of the conduit 25 is inserted.

[0039] The iron 1 includes a collector 5 which is an extension of the rear area 2A of the heating body 2 and advantageously has the form of a conduit comprising an open front end opposite an opening 22A provided in the peripheral wall 22 and a rear end comprising the orifice 50 receiving the removable plug 13.

[0040] Preferably, the collector 5 and the conduit 25 are made by molding in plastic material, for example in PPS (Polyphenylene sulfide) type material.

[0041] As is known, the volume provided in the rear area 2A of the heating element 2 and inside the collector 5 forms a cavity 51 for receiving a scale particle retention device 8, shown in isolation on the figure 8 , the cavity 51 comprising an open end 51A opening into the rear junction zone 30B of the lateral channels 30 and a rear end closed by the plug 13.

[0042] As can be seen on the figures 4 And 7 , the conduit 25 has a smaller width than the width of the cavity 51 so that there is a space on each side of the conduit 25 and the coupling sleeve 25A, which forms an outlet channel 26 through which the steam flow sent into the cavity 51 by the conduit 25 can escape towards the rear junction area 30B and then through the lateral channels 30.

[0043] In accordance with the figure 8 , the scale particle retention device 8 comprises a scale recovery container 6 having an axial opening 60 through which the vapor flow emitted by the vaporization chamber 3 is admitted into the container 6 and a closed rear end fixed to the cap 13.

[0044] Preferably, the container 6 supports a first sealing gasket 61 and a second sealing gasket 62, made of silicone, which establish a watertight connection with the coupling sleeve 25A and the inner wall of the cavity 51, and includes, between the two sealing gaskets 61, 62, two windows 63 which receive a filter grid 7.

[0045] Grid 7 has calibrated openings to retain the largest limescale particles while providing sufficient passage for the required steam flow rate. For example, the filtration grid 7 is made of 0.1 mm diameter stainless steel wire, or of fiberglass fabric made from 1 mm diameter braided wire, and has square openings less than 0.4 mm on each side, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, with a minimum grid surface area of ​​8 cm² for 0.2 mm square openings and a planned steam flow rate of approximately 40 to 50 g / min.

[0046] In accordance with the figure 2, the container 6 has a hollow lower part, preferably having a volume of the order of 4 to 5 cm 3< , in which the limescale particles can be stored, the front end of the hollow part having a step 6A to prevent the limescale recovered in the container 6 from returning by gravity into the vaporization chamber 3 when the iron 1 is placed on its ironing plate 10.

[0047] More particularly according to the invention, the iron 1 includes a self-cleaning function which allows a large quantity of water to be suddenly sent onto the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber 3 after the latter has been brought to a maximum temperature, advantageously greater than 220°C.

[0048] Preferably, this self-cleaning function is carried out by means of a program integrated into the electronic board of the iron 1 and which can be selected by the user by means of a control button.

[0049] This self-cleaning program offers the following advantages: a first phase of continuous supply of the heating element 20 during which the temperature of the heating element 2 is brought to a maximum setpoint temperature for which the evaporation surface temperature is greater than 220°C; a second phase of switching off the power supply to the heating element 20; a third phase of complete emptying of the reservoir 15 into the vaporization chamber 3 by operating the pump 24B with a maximum flow rate such that the temperature differential between the evaporation surface and the water induces thermal stresses and deformations on the deposited scale, causing it to break and be dislodged from the evaporation surface 3 by the effect of the entrainment of the vapor flow and to be trapped in the scale recovery container 6.A fourth drying phase of the heating element 2 by supplying the electric resistance 20 until the temperature of the heating element 2 reaches a setpoint temperature of approximately 130°C. A fifth phase of switching off the power supply to the electric resistance 20.

[0050] The operation of the iron 1 thus made will now be described.

[0051] When the water from the reservoir 15 is sent by the pump into the vaporization chamber 3, it comes into contact with the evaporation surface where it vaporizes instantly, causing the release of a stream of vapor which escapes successively, through the conduit 25, the container 6, the filter grid 7, the outlet channels 26 and the lateral channels 30, the stream of vapor then passing through the orifices 31 to open onto the underside of the ironing plate 10 and escape through the outlet holes 10A of the ironing plate.

[0052] However, the evaporation of water gradually creates the formation of a layer of calcium carbonate on the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber 3 which gradually disintegrates into small particles of limescale under the effect in particular of the expansion of the heating body 2 during the cooling phases between two ironing sessions.

[0053] Part of the scale particles present in the vaporization chamber 3 are therefore carried by the steam flow into the conduit 25 and are partly sent, by their inertia, to the bottom of the scale recovery container 6, where they are trapped, and partly sent to the filtration grid 7.

[0054] When the steam stops, most of the particles trapped by the grid 7 fall back by gravity into the hollow part of the container 6, so that the user can remove these particles by extracting the container 6 by unlocking the cap 13.

[0055] Such an extraction operation of container 6 makes it possible to remove the scale particles that have gradually detached from the vaporization chamber 3. However, it does not make it possible to remove the scale that has remained stuck to the walls of the vaporization chamber 3.

[0056] Thus, when a more thorough cleaning of the iron 1 is required, after several steam ironing sessions, or when an alert indicator is activated on the iron 1, the user is prompted to trigger the self-cleaning program so that the amount of limescale particles detaching from the evaporation surface is maximized.

[0057] During this self-cleaning operation, a large quantity of water is injected by pump 24B onto the superheated evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber 3, causing scale particles to detach in flakes. The presence of the filter screen 7 then prevents the large scale particles detaching from the vaporization chamber 3 from being carried by the steam flow through the outlet channels 26 and the lateral channels 30, where they could become trapped.

[0058] Thus, the larger particles are stopped by the filter grid 7 and fall back into the container 6, while the finer particles, passing through the filter grid 7, can be easily evacuated from the iron 1 by passing through the outlet channels 26, the lateral channels 30, and the outlet holes 10A of the ironing plate 10.

[0059] The contents of container 6 can then be emptied and container 6 can be rinsed under running tap water for cleaning. If the user deems it necessary, they can also clean the grid 7 by scrubbing it under running water with a brush or by immersing it in a descaling liquid.

[0060] The iron thus produced has the advantage of including a particle retention device associated with a self-cleaning program which has the advantage of maximizing the efficiency of iron cleaning while eliminating the disadvantage usually associated with the implementation of such a self-cleaning program, namely the release of large limescale particles which clog the steam distribution circuit.

[0061] Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described and illustrated above, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0062] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the steam chamber of the iron can be supplied with water from the reservoir by means of a drip-feed valve. In such a case, the drip-feed valve will be associated with a self-cleaning device, such as, for example, described in patent application EP1366227, which can be manually activated by the user to perform the self-cleaning operation after setting the iron's thermostat to its maximum temperature.

Claims

1. Household appliance (1) for ironing and / or steaming comprising a vaporization chamber (3) comprising an evaporation surface on which water is injected to produce steam and a steam distribution circuit allowing to convey the steam flow towards at least one steam outlet hole (10A), said steam distribution circuit comprising a self-cleaning device allowing suddenly to send large amount of water onto the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber (3) after it has been brought to a set temperature over 150°C, characterized in that said steam distribution circuit includes at least one scale retention device, intended to retain in a cavity at least a part of scale particles transported by the steam flow, and an opening to evacuate the scale trapped in the cavity, and that said opening is closed by a removable plug accessible from outside the appliance.

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a drip chute allowing gravity feeding of the vaporization chamber (3) with water from a reservoir (15), and a control member for moving the drip chute to a self-cleaning position in which the amount of water injected by gravity into the vaporization chamber (3) is maximized.

3. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an electric pump (24B) for feeding the vaporization chamber (3) with water from a reservoir (15) and in that the pump (24B) is controlled by an electronic card that includes a self-cleaning program for which the pump (24B) flow rate is maximized.

4. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set temperature of the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber (3), when using the self-cleaning device, is higher than the maximum temperature reached by the evaporation surface of the vaporization chamber (3) when the appliance is used at the maximum temperature intended for ironing and / or steaming.

5. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scale retention device (8) can be extracted from the household appliance (1) for cleaning, advantageously through the scale evacuation orifice.

6. Household appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it includes a scale collecting container (6) that enters the cavity (51) through the scale evacuation orifice (50), the container (6) being arranged upstream of the scale retention device (8) with respect to the steam flow direction.

7. Household appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retention device (8) has a front end equipped with an opening (60) and a closed rear end, the retention device (8) having a lateral window (63) receiving the filtration grid (7) through which the steam flow escapes from the retention device (8).

8. Household appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the retention device (8) is connected to the plug (13).

9. Household appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes a housing placed over a heating body (2) in which the vaporization chamber (3) is arranged and in that said housing integrates a reservoir (15) that supplies liquid to the vaporization chamber (3).

10. Cleaning method for a household appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, in which the cleaning method comprises : - a first step of heating the vaporization chamber (3) to a temperature above 150°C, - a second step of injecting water into the vaporization chamber (3) in which the water is injected with a high flow rate into the vaporization chamber (3), - a third step during which the water injection is stopped and the vaporization chamber (3) is brought to a temperature above 120°C, and preferably above 150°C, to vaporize the water present in the vaporization chamber (3), and - a fourth step of evacuating the scale collected in the cavity (51) by opening the removable plug (13).

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