Method for controlling an ironing apparatus and corresponding apparatus

Abstract

A method is described for managing an ironing apparatus (10) which comprises feeding means (14) for feeding an operating fluid from a tank (13) to a plate (18) of an iron (12), and a control and management unit (30) which commands the operation thereof according to different ironing programs which can be selected by a user and comprise at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program in which the ironing apparatus (10) delivers the maximum possible amount of steam. When the user selects the second enhanced operation program, the method comprises a verification step (S2) to verify the inclination of said iron (12) with respect to a horizontal plane (P), and a verification step (S3) to verify whether an activation time (X) of said feeding means (14) is greater than a maximum threshold value (TMAX), in which case a deactivation step (S4) is provided in which the control and management unit (30) deactivates the feeding means (14) in order to stop the feed of the operating fluid toward the plate (18).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a method for managing an ironing apparatus for professional or domestic use, comprising a steam iron in which the generation of steam occurs in a vaporization plate integrated in the iron. Specifically, the present invention relates to "cold" type ironing apparatuses in which room-temperature water is introduced into the vaporization plate.

[0002] The present invention also concerns the ironing apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Different types of ironing apparatuses are known, comprising an iron provided with a handle by means of which the iron can be gripped by a user and with a vaporization plate comprising a soleplate equipped with one or more outlet holes to deliver the steam.

[0004] For the present invention, "cold" ironing apparatuses are important, in particular of the type comprising a separate water tank and a feeding pump able to be selectively activated by the user in order to send water from the tank to the vaporization plate. A vaporization chamber is defined inside the latter, in which it is provided to vaporize the water by means of a heating element associated with the vaporization plate.

[0005] These ironing apparatuses are configured to operate optimally with the soleplate remaining, during use, parallel to a flat surface, for example defined by the horizontal surface of an ironing board. In this position, these apparatuses are able to vaporize large amounts of water.

[0006] A disadvantage of this type of ironing apparatuses is that the inclination of the iron significantly reduces the vaporization capacity of the apparatus and therefore these apparatuses are not suitable to perform vertical ironing.

[0007] Another disadvantage is that when the iron is in the inclined condition, the heating element is not able to transform all the water present in the vaporization chamber into steam, and this results in water droplets leaking from the soleplate's holes.

[0008] To try to reduce these disadvantages, ironing apparatuses have been developed that reduce the amount of water that the pump sends toward the vaporization plate when the latter is detected as being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0009] A disadvantage of the solutions known in the art is that users perceive them as not very responsive and versatile, in particular because when the iron is disposed inclined or vertical to prevent water droplets from leaking through the soleplate's holes, a very small amount of steam is delivered, even if an ironing program has been set that provides to deliver the maximum possible amount of steam and / or the user presses a specific button to activate the steam delivery. As a result, in these circumstances, the steam is delivered in very small amounts, or almost not at all, despite the user requiring its delivery.

[0010] Document US2017 / 275811A1 discloses a steam iron comprising a steam generating surface and a water supply unit to supply water to the steam generating surface. The steam iron can be operated in a descaling mode, during which a sensor detects the inclination of the iron with respect to the horizontal. If a certain inclination angle is exceeded, the water supply and the heating of the steam generating surface are inhibited. US2017 / 275811A1 does not disclose controlling the inclination of the iron during normal ironing operations, nor regulating the amount of water - and therefore the amount of steam delivered - based on the time the iron remains in an inclined position.

[0011] Document JPH06205897 discloses a steam iron which provides to check whether the iron is in a vertical position - corresponding to a rest position - for a given amount of time, and accordingly interrupt the water supply to the steam generating chamber. JPH06205897 likewise does not disclose controlling the inclination of the iron during normal ironing operations, nor regulating the amount of water - and thus steam - delivered based on the time the iron remains in an inclined position.

[0012] There is therefore the need to perfect an ironing apparatus and to develop a perfected method for managing it which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0013] Specifically, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus, and develop a method for managing it, which is able to activate a desired ironing program based on the iron's inclination, regardless of the operating program set by the user.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus, and develop a method for managing it, which is easy for a user to use.

[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus, and develop a method for managing it, which prevents water droplets from leaking from the vaporization plate's holes, even when the iron is inclined or disposed vertically.

[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide an ironing apparatus and to develop a method for its operation that allows the delivery of steam - optionally in reduced quantities but sufficient for ironing garments - even when the iron remains inclined with respect to the horizontal for a certain period of time.

[0017] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0019] In accordance with the above purposes and to solve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for managing an ironing apparatus comprising feeding means for feeding an operating fluid from a tank to a plate of an iron, a button for activating the feeding means operable by a user, and a control and management unit which commands the operation of said ironing apparatus according to different ironing programs which can be selected by the user. These programs comprise at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program, in which the ironing apparatus delivers the maximum possible amount of steam.

[0020] The standard and enhanced operation programs are advantageously usable during normal ironing operations, both when using the iron in traditional horizontal ironing mode and when using the iron in vertical ironing mode.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises, when the user has set the second enhanced operation program, a verification step to verify the inclination of the iron with respect to a horizontal plane, in order to verify whether the iron is disposed in a substantially horizontal position or in a substantially vertical position.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, if the outcome of the step of verifying the inclination detects that the iron is inclined by an inclination angle greater than a certain threshold, the method performs another verification step to verify whether an activation time of said button and therefore of said feeding means is greater than a maximum threshold value, in which case a deactivation step is provided in which the control and management unit deactivates the feeding means in order to stop the feed of the operating fluid toward the plate, regardless of the user's action on said button.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises, after the deactivation step, a verification step in which if it is detected that a button with which the user activates the feeding means is first released and then pressed again, the method provides a step of automatic modification of the ironing program, in which the control and management unit automatically switches the operation of the iron from the second enhanced operation program to the first standard operation program.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, after this step of automatic modification of the ironing program, there is provided a reactivation step in which the control and management unit reactivates the feeding means.

[0025] According to another embodiment of a method according to the invention, following inclination verification step of said iron, if it is detected that the iron has an inclination angle greater than a certain threshold, there is provided another verification step in which it is provided to verify whether the activation time of the button operable by the user to activate the feeding means, and therefore an activation time of said feeding means, is comprised in a time interval with a lower limit defined by a minimum threshold value and an upper limit defined by a maximum threshold value.

[0026] According to this embodiment, if the activation time is comprised in such time interval, there is provided a verification step to verify the status of said button in which, if the verification step detects that the button, after being released, is pressed again, the method provides a step of automatic modification of the ironing program, in which the control and management unit automatically switches the operation of the iron from the second enhanced operation program to the first standard operation program.

[0027] According to another aspect of this embodiment, subsequently to the automatic modification step, it is provided a step of activating the feeding means. In particular, the activating step is carries out by the control and management unit.

[0028] According to this embodiment, if the activation time is not comprised in the time interval, it is provided to carry out the verification step to verify whether the activation time is greater than a maximum threshold value, in which case it is provided a deactivation, in which said control and management unit deactivates said feeding means of said operating fluid, regardless of the user's action on said button.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the verification step to verify the inclination of the iron provides to compare an inclination angle of the plate with respect to the horizontal plane, measured by an inclination sensor, with a threshold value, in particular comprised between 30° and 70°, wherein if the inclination angle is smaller than the threshold value, the iron is disposed in the substantially horizontal position, while if the inclination angle is greater than the threshold value, the iron is disposed in the substantially vertical position.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ironing apparatus comprising feeding means for feeding the operating fluid from a tank to a plate of an iron which can be activated by the user through a button, an inclination sensor to detect the inclination of the iron with respect to a horizontal plane, and a control and management unit which commands the operation thereof according to different ironing programs which can be selected by the user and which is equipped with a timer module configured to measure an activation time of the feeding means, wherein the programs comprise at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program in which the ironing apparatus delivers the maximum possible amount of steam.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the control and management unit is operationally connected at least to the feeding means, to the inclination sensor and to the button, and it is configured to implement a management method as defined above.

[0032] Advantageously, the management method and the ironing apparatus according to the present invention provide the user with an iron in which, unlike the solutions known in the state of the art, the flow rate of the operating fluid does not change if the inclination of the plate varies at least within a certain time interval.

[0033] One advantage of the method and apparatus according to the present invention is that the pump, that is the water feeding means, is / are completely deactivated under certain operating circumstances, particularly when the second enhanced program has been selected, when the iron is inclined beyond a certain inclination angle and is therefore in a substantially vertical position, and when the user continues to press down on the button that activates the operating fluid feeding means beyond a predetermined maximum time threshold. This is all carried out automatically through the control and management unit.

[0034] In this way, it is advantageously possible to prevent, or significantly reduce, the accidental leakage of fluid droplets from the soleplate's holes, which could dirty or stain the garments being ironed.

[0035] Another advantage of the method and apparatus according to the present invention is that, if the aforementioned circumstances occur, if the user presses the button again, the control and management unit is able to automatically switch the ironing program from the second enhanced program to the first standard program, and then reactivate the operating fluid feeding means.

[0036] In this way, the user can continue to iron, even "vertically", but with an ironing program suited to this condition, which prevents intensive vaporization of the operating fluid and therefore avoids the unwanted leakage of droplets from the soleplate's holes, while continuing to deliver a certain amount of steam.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: fig. 1 is a schematic view of an ironing apparatus according to the present invention; figs. 2 and 3 are schematic lateral views of an iron comprised in the ironing apparatus of fig. 1, in which the iron is shown in two different operating configurations; fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the management method according to the present invention; fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the management method according to the present invention.

[0038] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0039] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0040] We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings, by way of a non-limiting illustration, as is the case for the phraseology and terminology used.

[0041] For a clearer understanding of the management method according to the present invention, we will first describe with particular reference to figs. 1-3 an ironing apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, which is indicated as a whole with reference number 10.

[0042] The ironing apparatus 10 comprises a base 11 and an iron 12, which are operatively connected to each other, as will be explained below.

[0043] The ironing apparatus 10 comprises a tank 13 configured to contain a certain amount of an operating fluid in the liquid state, typically water or distilled water, and means for feeding the fluid, indicated with reference number 14, configured to feed the water from the tank 13 toward the iron 12.

[0044] The fluid feeding means comprise in particular a pump 14, preferably an electrically driven pump.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment (see fig. 1), the tank 13 and the pump 14 are integrated in the base 11.

[0046] The iron 12 comprises a handle 16 and a plate 18 configured to heat up and contact the fabrics to be ironed.

[0047] The plate 18 comprises a vaporization chamber 19 which receives the water contained in the tank 13 via the pump 14. To this end, the tank 13 is hydraulically connected to the plate 18, for example by means of at least one connection duct 20 that flows into the vaporization chamber 19.

[0048] Inside the plate 18, or associated with it, there are provided vaporization means 21, shown schematically in fig. 1, configured to heat the vaporization chamber 19 in order to vaporize the liquid operating fluid present therein.

[0049] The vaporization means 21 can for example be configured as an electrical resistance, for example with linear development, shaped as a coil or folded on itself.

[0050] The plate 18 comprises a soleplate 22 provided with a plurality of through holes 23 which are configured to be traversed by the steam.

[0051] The soleplate 22 is adjacent to the vaporization chamber 19, or to an intermediate distribution chamber (not shown) connected to the vaporization chamber 19.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the soleplate 22 delimits the vaporization chamber 19 or the possible intermediate distribution chamber on the opposite side with respect to the handle 16.

[0053] The ironing apparatus 10 further comprises a sensor 25 configured to detect the inclination of the iron 12, in particular of the soleplate 22, with respect to a horizontal plane P. This plane is, for example, the one in which an ironing surface of an ironing board lies.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the sensor 25 can be analog or digital and have a simple "on / off" operation, wherein it is not provided to detect the exact inclination angle α between the soleplate 22 and the horizontal plane P, but rather to recognize whether the iron 12 is in a substantially horizontal position H (fig. 2) or in a substantially vertical position V (fig. 3).

[0055] In this embodiment, the sensor 25 allows to determine whether the inclination angle α is below or above a threshold value, for example equal to a value comprised between 30° and 70°. When the inclination angle α is below the threshold value, the iron 12 is in the configuration of fig. 1 or 2, in which it can be horizontal or slightly inclined, while when the inclination angle α is above the threshold value, the iron 12 is in the almost vertical configuration of fig. 3.

[0056] In the present description, the expression "substantially horizontal" is understood as a position in which the soleplate 22 of the iron 12 is disposed parallel to the horizontal plane P or inclined with respect thereto by an inclination angle α smaller than or equal to the value of the threshold angle, while in the present description the expression "substantially vertical" is understood as a position in which the soleplate 22 of the iron 12 is disposed perpendicular to the horizontal plane P or inclined with respect thereto by an inclination angle α greater than the value of the threshold angle.

[0057] According to another possible embodiment, the sensor 25 is a digital sensor, for example a commercially available inclinometer, capable of detecting the inclination angle α between the soleplate 22 and the horizontal plane P in real time.

[0058] The ironing apparatus 10 comprises a control to activate the steam, which is configured for example as a button 26, preferably disposed on the handle 16. When the user intervenes on this control, for example by pressing the button 26, the activation of the pump 14 is commanded so as to send water from the tank 13 to the plate 18.

[0059] The ironing apparatus 10 comprises a selection member 28, for example configured as one or more buttons, or a dial, with which the user can select the desired ironing program, which is typically a function of the nature of the fabrics to be ironed.

[0060] In the example given here, the selection member 28 is associated with the iron 12. In another version, not shown, the selection member 28 can be associated with the base 11.

[0061] The ironing programs provided by the ironing apparatus 10 comprise, among others, a "Turbo" or "High steam" program, also called enhanced operation program, in which it is possible to obtain the maximum possible amount of steam, and an "Eco" or "Default" program, also called standard operation program, in which the iron 12 can deliver a limited amount of steam.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the "Turbo" or "High steam" program can provide to heat the plate between 140°C and 170°C, and is capable of delivering an amount of steam comprised between 50 and 150 g / min.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the "Eco" or "Default" program can provide to heat the plate between 120°C and 160°C, and is capable of delivering an amount of steam comprised between 20 and 70 g / min.

[0064] In particular, the enhanced operation program provides for delivering a greater amount of water compared to the standard operation program, for example at least 20-30 g / min more.

[0065] Please note that these reference values must be understood as measured in accordance with the provisions of EN IEC60311 standard.

[0066] The ironing apparatus 10 further comprises a control and management unit 30 configured to implement the management method according to the present invention, two different embodiments of which will be described below with particular reference to figs. 4 and 5.

[0067] The control and management unit 30 can be configured as a programmable electronic board, and it is operationally and electronically connected to the steam activation control, therefore to the button 26 and the pump 14, to the sensor 25 and to the selection member 28.

[0068] In particular, the control and management unit 30 can be configured to autonomously activate and deactivate the pump 14 independently of the user's action on the button 26.

[0069] The control and management unit 30 comprises a timer module 31 configured to measure the activation time X of the pump 14, which corresponds to the amount of time for which the user keeps the button 26 pressed. The timer module 31 is configured to reset itself each time the button 26 is released, so that the module resumes measuring the time starting from zero to the next time the button 26 is pressed.

[0070] The parts comprising the electrical / electronic components of the ironing apparatus 10, including the control and management unit 30, the button 26 and the sensor 25, can be integrated in the iron 12 or in the base 11, in particular the button 26 and the sensor 25 are preferably integrated in the handle 14 or in the body of the iron above the plate 18, so as not to be damaged by the heat and humidity present in the plate 18, caused by the presence of the vaporization means 21 and the steam present in the vaporization chamber 19.

[0071] In the example embodiment shown in fig. 1, the control and management unit 30 is integrated in the handle 14; however, in addition or alternatively, it can be provided that the control and management unit 30 is integrated in the base 11, as schematically indicated with a dashed line in the same drawing.

[0072] A first embodiment of the management method according to the present invention implemented by the control and management unit 30 is described below, with particular reference to the block diagram of fig. 4.

[0073] The method comprises a first verification step (S1) in which it is provided to verify whether the user has set the operation of the apparatus according to the "Turbo" or "High Steam" mode.

[0074] In practice, the subsequent steps of the method described below are performed only when the user sets the "Turbo" program through the selection member 28.

[0075] In this circumstance, the method then provides to perform a second step (S2) of verifying the inclination of the iron 12, in particular of the soleplate 22, with respect to the horizontal plane P. The inclination is known thanks to the presence of the sensor 25, which communicates to the control and management unit 30 whether the iron 12 is disposed in the substantially horizontal position H of fig. 2 or in the substantially vertical position V of fig. 3.

[0076] In another embodiment, the exact inclination of the iron 12 is known, in the event the sensor 25 communicates the exact inclination angle α.

[0077] In both embodiments, to verify in which position the iron 12 is, it is provided to compare the inclination angle α with a threshold value, typically comprised between 30° and 70°.

[0078] In practice, the subsequent steps of the method which are described below are performed only when the iron 12 is in the substantially vertical position V of fig. 3. Otherwise, it is provided to repeat the second verification step (S2) iteratively downstream of the first verification step (S1) after the user has set the "Turbo" program.

[0079] In the event the iron 12 is in the substantially vertical position V, the method provides a third verification step (S3) in which it is provided to compare the activation time X of the pump 14, that is, the amount of time the user keeps the button 26 pressed, with a maximum threshold value T MAX : X > T MAX ?

[0080] Both the activation time X as well as the maximum threshold value T MAX can be expressed in seconds.

[0081] According to one version, the maximum threshold value T MAX can be comprised between 1 and 10 seconds, or 1-8, or 1-5, preferably it is equal to 2 seconds.

[0082] In the event that the verification detects that the activation time X is greater than the maximum threshold value T MAX , the third step is followed by a fourth deactivation step (S4) in which the control and management unit 30 deactivates the pump 14.

[0083] This means that, in this configuration of the iron 12, which is in the substantially vertical position V, the pump 14 remains deactivated even if the user continues to keep pressing down on the button 26. As a result, the apparatus ceases to send water from the tank 13 to the plate 18.

[0084] In the event that the activation time X is less than the maximum threshold value T MAX , it is provided to repeat the first, second and third verification steps (S1, S2, S3) iteratively, and to proceed to the fourth step only if all three of the following circumstances occur: the "Turbo" program has been set, the iron 12 is in the substantially vertical position V, and the user continues to keep pressing down on the button 26 for an amount of time greater than the maximum threshold value T MAX .

[0085] Subsequently, after the fourth step (S4) of deactivating the pump 14, a fifth step (S5) of verifying the status of the button 26 is provided.

[0086] The fifth step comprises an initial sub-step (S5a) in which it is provided to verify whether the button 26 has been released by the user, and a terminal sub-step (S5b) in which it is provided to verify whether the button 26, after its release, has been pressed again by the user.

[0087] If, after its release, the button 26 is not pressed again, nothing happens. If, on the other hand, this button 26 is pressed again, the method provides a sixth step (S6) of automatic modification of the setting of the ironing program. In this step, the control and management unit 30 automatically switches the operation of the iron 12 from the "Turbo" program to the "Default" program.

[0088] Subsequently, a seventh step (S7) is provided in which the control and management unit 30 reactivates the pump 14.

[0089] A second embodiment of the management method according to the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 5.

[0090] The steps of the method common to the first embodiment will be referred to with the same name and the same references (S1-S7), and their description will not be repeated again, having already been explained previously.

[0091] In this second embodiment, after the second verification step (S2), there is provided another verification step (S10), in which it is provided to verify whether the activation time X is comprised in a time interval with a lower limit defined by a minimum threshold value T MIN and an upper limit defined by a maximum threshold value T MAX . T MIN < X < T MAX ?

[0092] Both the activation time X as well as the minimum and maximum threshold values T MIN and T MAX are expressed in seconds.

[0093] According to one version, the minimum threshold value T MIN is comprised between 1 and 10 seconds, preferably it is equal to 2 seconds.

[0094] According to one version, the maximum threshold value T MAX is comprised between 3 and 15 seconds, preferably it is equal to 10 seconds.

[0095] However, different threshold values of T MIN and T MAX are possible.

[0096] If the outcome of the additional verification step (S10) is such that the activation time X is greater than the minimum threshold value T MIN and less than the maximum threshold value T MAX , it means that after the activation time X the user has released the button 26. In this case, the method provides to perform the fifth step (S5) of verifying the status of the button 26, in particular the terminal sub-step (S5b), in which it is provided to verify whether the button 26, after its release, has been pressed again by the user.

[0097] If, after its release, the button 26 is not pressed again, nothing happens. If, however, the button 26 is pressed again, it is provided to perform the sixth step (S6) of automatic modification of the setting of the ironing program, in which the control and management unit 30 automatically switches the operation of the iron 12 from the "Turbo" program to the "Default" program. Subsequently, it is provided to perform the seventh step (S7) in which the control and management unit 30 reactivates the pump 14.

[0098] If the outcome of the additional verification step (S10) is such that the activation time X is outside the range defined by the minimum threshold value T MIN and less than the maximum threshold value T MAX , it is provided to perform the third step (S3) to verify whether the activation time is greater than the maximum threshold value T MAX : X > T MAX ?

[0099] In the event that the verification detects that the activation time X is greater than the maximum threshold value T MAX , the third step is followed by the fourth deactivation step (S4) in which the control and management unit 30 deactivates the pump 14, and by the fifth step (S5) of verifying the status of the button 26, in particular the initial sub-step (S5a), in which it is provided to verify whether the button 26 has been released. If this is the case, the method then provides to perform the terminal sub-step (S5b) and - after having verified that the button 26 has been pressed again - the sixth and seventh steps (S6, S7) in succession.

[0100] If, on the other hand, the outcome of the third verification step (S3) is negative, it means that the activation time X is less than the minimum threshold value T MIN . In this case, it is provided to repeat the first and second verification steps (S1, S2) iteratively, and proceed to the additional verification step (S10) described above only when both of the following circumstances occur: the "Turbo" program has been set and the iron 12 is in the substantially vertical position V.

[0101] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts and / or steps may be made to the management method and to the ironing apparatus which have been described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0102] For example, in other embodiments, the tank 13 and the pump 14 can be integrated directly in the iron 12, and the ironing apparatus can be without the base 11.

[0103] In other embodiments, the operating fluid feeding means can be without a pump and can comprise, for example, only one or more valves that regulate the flow of fluid, which in this case descends "by gravity" from the tank to the plate.

[0104] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a management method and of an ironing apparatus, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0105] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Method for managing an ironing apparatus (10) comprising feeding means (14) for feeding the operating fluid from a tank (13) to a plate (18) of an iron (12), a button (26) for activating the feeding means (14) operable by a user, and a control and management unit (30) which commands the operation of said ironing apparatus (10) according to different ironing programs which can be selected by the user, comprising at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program in which the ironing apparatus (10) delivers the maximum possible amount of steam, wherein when said second enhanced operation program has been selected the method carries out a verification step (S2) for verifying the inclination of said iron (12) with respect to a horizontal plane (P), characterized in that if the outcome of said verification step (S2) detects that the iron (12) has an inclination angle (α) greater than a certain threshold, it is provided to perform a verification step (S3) to verify whether an activation time (X) of said button (26) and therefore of said feeding means (14) is greater than a maximum threshold value (TMAX), in which case a deactivation step (S4) is provided in which said control and management unit (30) deactivates said feeding means (14) for feeding said operating fluid regardless of the user's action on said button (26) and and subsequently a verification step (S5) is performed, in which if it is detected that a button (26) with which the user activates said feeding means (14) is first released and then pressed again, the method provides a step (S6) of automatic modification of the ironing program, in which said control and management unit (30) automatically switches the operation of the iron (12) from the second enhanced operation program to the first standard operation program.

2. Method as in claim 1, characterized in that after said step (S6) of automatic modification of the ironing program, a reactivation step (S7) is provided in which said control and management unit (30) reactivates said feeding means (14).

3. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said maximum threshold value (TMAX) is comprised between 1 and 10 seconds, preferably equal to 2 seconds.

4. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that before said verification step (S3) to verify whether said activation time (X) is greater than a maximum threshold value (TMAX), there is provided another verification step (S10) in which it is provided to verify whether said activation time (X) is comprised in a time interval with a lower limit defined by a minimum threshold value (TMIN) and an upper limit defined by said maximum threshold value (TMAX) and if said activation time (X) is comprised in said time interval, there is provided said verification step (S5b) for verifying the status of said button (26).

5. Method for managing an ironing apparatus (10) comprising feeding means (14) for feeding the operating fluid from a tank (13) to a plate (18) of an iron (12), a button (26) for activating the feeding means (14) operable by a user, and a control and management unit (30) which commands the operation of said ironing apparatus (10) according to different ironing programs which can be selected by the user, comprising at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program in which the ironing apparatus (10) delivers the maximum possible amount of steam, wherein when said second enhanced operation program has been selected the method carries out a verification step (S2) for verifying the inclination of said iron (12) with respect to a horizontal plane (P), characterized in that if the outcome of said verification step (S2) detects that the iron (12) has an inclination angle (α) greater than a certain threshold, it is provided to perform a verification step (S10) in which it is provided to verify whether an activation time (X) of said button (26) and therefore of said feeding means (14) is comprised in a time interval with a lower limit defined by a minimum threshold value (TMIN) and an upper limit defined by a maximum threshold value (TMAX), in which case there is provided a verification step (S5, S5b) for verifying the status of said button (26), in which, if said verification step (S5, S5b) detects that said button (26) after being released has been pressed again, the method provides a step (S6) of automatic modification of the ironing program, in which said control and management unit (30) automatically switches the operation of the iron (12) from the second enhanced operation program to the first standard operation program.

6. Method as in claim 5, characterized in that said minimum threshold value (TMIN) is comprised between 1 and 10 seconds, preferably equal to 2 seconds, and said maximum threshold value (TMAX) is comprised between 3 and 15 seconds, preferably equal to 3 seconds.

7. Method as in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that after said step (S6) of automatic modification of the ironing program, it is provided a step (S7) of activating said feeding means (14).

8. Method as in any claim from 5 to 7, characterized in that if said activation time (X) is not comprised in said time interval, it is provided to carry out a verification step (S3) to verify whether said activation time (X) is greater than a maximum threshold value (TMAX), in which case a deactivation step (S4) is provided in which said control and management unit (30) deactivates said feeding means (14) for feeding said operating fluid regardless of the user's action on said button (26).

9. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said verification step (S2) for verifying the inclination of said iron (12) provides to compare an inclination angle (α) of the plate (18) with respect to said horizontal plane (P), measured by an inclination sensor (25), with a threshold value, in particular comprised between 30° and 70°, wherein if said inclination angle (α) is smaller than said threshold value, said iron (12) is disposed in a substantially horizontal position (H), while if said inclination angle (α) is greater than said threshold value, said iron (12) is disposed in a substantially vertical position (V).

10. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that following the automatic switching of the operation of the iron (12) from said second enhanced operation program to said first standard operation program, returning to said enhanced operation program requires manual selection via a selection means (28).

11. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said standard operation program provides for heating said plate (18) of said iron (12) between 120°C and 160°C and delivering a steam amount between 20 and 70 g / min, and said enhanced operation program provides for heating said plate (18) between 140°C and 170°C and delivering a steam amount between 50 and 150 g / min.

12. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that upstream of said inclination verification step (S2) of said iron (12), a prior verification step (S1) is provided in which it is provided to verify whether the user has set the operation of the ironing apparatus (10) according to said enhanced operation program.

13. Ironing apparatus (10) comprising feeding means (14) for feeding the operating fluid from a tank (13) to a plate (18) of an iron (12) which can be activated by the user through a button (26), an inclination sensor (25) to detect the inclination of said iron (12) with respect to a horizontal plane (P) and a control and management unit (30) which commands the operation thereof according to different ironing programs which can be selected by the user and which is equipped with a timer module (31) configured to measure an activation time (X) of said button (26) and therefore of said feeding means (14), wherein said ironing programs comprise at least a first standard operation program and a second enhanced operation program in which the ironing apparatus (10) delivers the maximum possible amount of steam, characterized in that said control and management unit (30) is operationally connected at least to said feeding means (14), to said inclination sensor (25), to said button (26) and to said timer module (31), and is configured to implement a management method as in any claim hereinbefore.

14. Ironing apparatus (10) as in claim 13, characterized in that said control and management unit (30) is configured to deactivate said feeding means (14) independently of the action of said user on said button (26).

15. Ironing apparatus as in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said timer module (31) is configured to reset every time said button (26) is released, so as to start measuring the time from zero upon the subsequent pressing of said button (26).

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