Laminated ironing board cover, method of manufacture by buckling calendering and use with bubble film

Abstract

Ironing board comprising at least one leg, in particular two legs (1,2) articulated to each other, supporting a tabletop (4) covered with an outer cover (12), characterized in that: - the tabletop (4) is made from a wood material; and - there is disposed, between the tabletop (4) made of wood material and the outer cover (12), an intermediate layer (15) of plastic material, the plastic layer (15) having, on the side opposite the leg(s), a layer (16) of metallization, in particular a layer of aluminum.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ironing board intended for use with a steam-type ironing device, in particular a steam iron, a steam generator, a steam station or the like, and to an assembly comprising such an ironing board and a steam-type ironing device.

[0002] Traditionally, ironing boards designed for use with a steam iron have a metal top, preferably perforated to allow steam to pass through and prevent it from pooling. These metal-topped ironing boards have the disadvantages of being complicated to manufacture and deteriorating quickly, particularly due to corrosion, and also of creating puddles of water on the floor beneath the ironing board.

[0003] As for ironing boards with wooden tops, for example plywood, they are not compatible with steam which tends to damage the wood, in particular to peel off the veneer.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing an ironing board that is suitable for use with steam ironing devices, has a long lifespan and is easy to manufacture.

[0005] According to the invention, an ironing board, particularly intended for use with a steam ironing device, comprising at least one leg, in particular two legs hinged to each other, supporting a tabletop covered with an outer covering, in particular made of textile material, for example cotton, is characterized in that: the tabletop is made from a wood material, for example plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or OSB (Oriented Strand Board), MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or other; and an intermediate layer of plastic material, in particular a plastic film, in particular a thermoplastic material, is placed between the wood material tabletop and the covering, the plastic layer being substantially impermeable to water vapor.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic layer, in particular the plastic film, in particular thermoplastic, is in contact with the upper face, opposite the leg(s), of the tray.

[0007] Preferably, the layer, in particular the film, made of plastic material, in particular thermoplastic, is coated, on the side opposite the jamb(s), with a layer of metallization, in particular a layer of aluminum.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one flexible element made of a thermally insulating material is disposed between the plastic layer and the outer covering.

[0009] Preferably, the flexible insulating element comprises at least one plate of cellular material or foam and / or at least one fleece fabric or felt.

[0010] Preferably, the flexible insulating element comprises at least one layer of cellular material or foam and at least one layer of fleece or felt, the layer of cellular material or foam being disposed on the outer side of the covering, in particular in contact with the underside of the latter.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic layer is a bubble film, that is to say a film consisting of a base film and domes originating from one face of the base film and each defining a small bubble or vapor-tight space in which air is trapped, the bubbles preferably being arranged in rows and columns.

[0012] Preferably, the side of the base film opposite the domes is covered with a layer or film of metallization, in particular aluminum.

[0013] In particular, a metallized film, especially an aluminized one, for example an aluminized BOPP film, is laminated onto the face of the base film on the side opposite the domes.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the plastic layer is made from a bubble film whose face opposite the bubbles is metallized, in particular aluminized, the bubble film having been folded over itself, domes against domes, the two folded parts being fixed to each other, in particular welded or glued or the like.

[0015] According to a particularly favorable embodiment, which in itself constitutes an invention, independently of the aspects of the invention referred to above, but which, favorably, can be implemented with each of them, the outer covering, the layer of alveolar material or foam and the fleece or felt are joined together, in particular by calendering, after buckling, in particular on its two faces, the layer of alveolar material to soften it and thus allow the joining of the three elements at the exit of the calendering, so as to form a single element forming a cover.

[0016] Thus, the present invention also relates to a cover intended to cover an ironing board, comprising in succession a textile covering, in particular cotton, a plate of alveolar material or foam and a fleece or felt fabric, the three elements being joined together by calendering, after flame, in particular on its two faces, of the layer of alveolar material to soften it and thus allow the joining of the three elements at the exit of the calendering.

[0017] The present invention also relates to an ironing set comprising an ironing board according to the invention and a steam-type ironing device, in particular a steam iron, a steam generator, a steam station or the like.

[0018] The present invention also relates to the use of a cover intended to cover an ironing board, comprising in succession a textile covering, in particular cotton, a plate of alveolar material or foam and a fleece or felt fabric, the three elements being joined together by calendering, after flame, in particular on its two sides, of the layer of alveolar material to soften it and thus allow the joining of the three elements at the exit of the calendering to cover a plate of an ironing board, a plastic film, in particular bubble film, being trapped between the cover and the plate.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cover for an ironing board, in particular an ironing board having a top made of a wood material, more preferably an ironing board according to the invention, comprising the steps in which: A width or span of a textile fabric, particularly cotton, is unrolled from a roll; a width or span of a sheet of alveolar material or foam is unrolled from a roll, the width or span being identical to that of the textile fabric; a width or span of a fleece or felt fabric is unrolled from a roll, the width or span being identical to that of the textile fabric and the sheet of alveolar material; the sheet of alveolar material is softened, particularly by flame, particularly on both sides; a stack of the three widths or spans together, with the softened sheet placed between the textile fabric and the fleece or felt, is passed between two pressing elements, for example two rollers, to calender it and obtain a bonding in the form of a laminate of the same width or span made up of the textile fabric, the sheet of alveolar material and the fleece or felt.

[0020] This results in a covering element that is particularly well suited for use with a wood-based panel, especially in combination with a layer of water vapor-impermeable plastic material.

[0021] Preferably, after calendering, the laminate is cut along a pattern having the shape of the outline of a tabletop for which a cover is to be made, augmented with a peripheral selvage. Then, the cut laminate is fitted with removable means of fixing the laminate to said ironing board tabletop, particularly at the peripheral edge of the laminate. For example, a peripheral bead is sewn around the entire perimeter of the cut laminate, in which a cord extends, the two ends of the cord emerging from the bead through an opening formed in it, thus allowing them to be tied together to tighten the cover against the tabletop from below. Or, an elastic thread or ribbon received in the peripheral bead allows the textile fabric to pass beyond the edge of the panel to then elastically rest against the underside of the tabletop. Or, an elastic thread or ribbon is sewn along the perimeter of the textile fabric.

[0022] According to a preferred method of embodiment, the laminate is folded back on itself several times after calendering before cutting along the pattern, thus obtaining several cut laminates, to which means of fixing are then added to each.

[0023] By way of example, preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which: There figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ironing board in its unfolded state according to an embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 is a larger-scale view of the lower part of the table of the figure 1 , not including the parts covering the tabletop of the figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a larger-scale view of the upper part of another embodiment of a table according to the invention, comprising only the parts covering the tabletop, the table, with respect to its lower part, being identical to the table of the figure 1 ; There figure 4 is a perspective view of the table of the figure 1 in its assembled state, with some parts of the table having been removed to aid understanding; The figure 5 is a perspective view of an upper part of yet another embodiment of a table according to the invention, the lower part of the table being identical to that of the table of the figure 1 ; There figure 6 is a representation of part of an assembly according to the invention, comprising on the one hand a steam iron and on the other hand an upper part of a table according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and The figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic layer, in the form of a bubble film folded back on itself, of the embodiment of the figure 6 .

[0024] The figures show ironing boards according to several embodiments of the invention.

[0025] In a conventional manner, the ironing board has two legs 1 and 2, mounted articulated to each other along an axis 3 and which support a tabletop 4 by means of two longitudinal metal rails 5 fixed, by screws, to the underside of the tabletop 4, the upper end of one 1 of the legs having a rod 6 mounted to slide in the rails 5, while the end 7 of the other leg 2 is mounted fixed to pivot to the tabletop 4, in particular by means of the two rails 5.

[0026] An iron rest 8 is fixed to the plate 4 on the side thereof, in particular by screws fixing tabs from the iron rest to the rails 5 themselves fixed to the underside of the plate 4.

[0027] A rack 9, having teeth turned towards the tabletop 4, is mounted pivotally about an axis 10 fixed to the rails 5, a lever 11 allowing the user to rotate the rack to allow adjustment of the height of the tabletop in the deployed position of the table by choosing the two teeth of the rack between which the rod 6 is received.

[0028] Teeth with a high-grip profile can be provided, notably by covering more than half of the rod 6, to further ensure that the rack is locked and can only be unlocked by lifting the legs 1 and / or 2 above the ground, a device commonly referred to as a "child safety feature." However, without departing from the scope of the invention, this child safety feature may be omitted.

[0029] Tray 4 is made from a wood material, including plywood, particle board, oriented strand board or OSB (Oriented Strand Board), MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), including OSB.

[0030] The tray 4 is entirely covered with bubble wrap 15, the upper surface of which, opposite the tray, has a layer 16 of metallization, notably aluminum. The bubble wrap has an elastic bias 24 sewn around its perimeter to hold it tightly around the wooden tray 4, against its upper surface.

[0031] An outer textile cover 12, typically made of cotton, covers the entire wooden tray 4 by means of a drawstring threaded through a rod 23 formed on a rim 22 sewn around the perimeter of the cover 12. The two ends of the drawstring emerge from the rod through an opening in the rod, allowing them to be tied together to tighten the cover against the tray from underneath. Alternatively, an elastic thread or ribbon could be used, held within the peripheral rod, allowing the cover to extend beyond the edge of the panel 4 and then elastically rest against the underside of the tray. As with bubble wrap, the thread or ribbon, like the elastic bias tape 24, could also be sewn along the perimeter of the cover's edge, thus eliminating the need for the peripheral rod.

[0032] In the implementation of figures 1 And 4 , between the outer textile covering 12, in particular cotton, and the bubble film 15 in contact with the upper face of the tray 4, a flexible thermally insulating element in the form of a fleece or felt fabric 14 is placed.

[0033] According to another embodiment represented in the figure 3 , it is a flexible thermally insulating element in the form of a plate 13 of cellular material or foam which is placed between the cover 12 and the bubble film 15 in contact with the upper face of the tray 4.

[0034] Following yet another embodiment represented at the figure 5 A flexible, thermally insulating element, consisting of both a sheet 13 of cellular material or foam and a fabric 14 of fleece or felt, is placed between the cover 12 and the bubble film 15. figure 5 The plate 13 and the fabric 14 are shown above the cover 12 so that they are visible. However, in use, the assembly 12, 13, 14 shown is turned upside down to be positioned on the platform with the fabric 14 in contact with the layer 16 of metallization deposited on the film 15, the cover 12 forming the outermost part, the plate 13 and the fabric 14 being trapped between the cover 12 and the platform 4 covered with the film 15, itself covered with the layer 16 of metallization.

[0035] Thus, the stack above the plate 4 consists, starting from the plate 4, of the bubble film 15, in contact with the upper surface of the plate 4, of the metallization layer 16 attached to the bubble film 15, of the fleece or felt fabric 14, of the layer 13 of alveolar material or foam and finally of the cotton cover 12, the upper surface of which forms the upper ironing surface of the ironing board.

[0036] According to the embodiment shown in the figure 5 , the cover 12 and the flexible thermally insulating element in the form of the plate 13 of cellular material or foam and the fabric 14 of fleece or felt are joined together to form a single cover element forming an ironing board cover, this joining being able in particular to be done by hot calendering, heat sealing, sewing, ultrasonic welding or any other process. In particular, to make the cover consisting of the three elements 12, 13 and 14, one can unroll from a roll of a textile fabric 12 a width or span of this textile fabric, in particular cotton, unroll from a roll of a sheet 13 of alveolar material or foam a width or span of this sheet, the width or span being identical to that of the textile fabric, unroll from a roll of a fabric 14 of fleece or felt, a width or span of this fabric or felt, the width or span being identical to that of the textile fabric and the sheet of alveolar material,Soften, particularly by flaming, on both sides, the layer 13 of cellular material; pass a stack of the three widths together, with the softened layer placed between the textile fabric and the fleece or felt, between two pressing elements, for example two rollers, to calender it and obtain a bond in the form of a laminate of the same width, consisting of the textile fabric, the layer of cellular material, and the fleece or felt. Then, after calendering, the laminate is cut along a pattern having the shape of the outline of a tabletop for which a cover is to be made, augmented with a peripheral selvage; then the cut laminate is fitted with removable fastening means for attaching the laminate to said ironing board tabletop, particularly at the peripheral edge of the laminate.For example, a rim 22 is sewn around the entire perimeter of the cut laminate. This rim has a peripheral bead 23 through which a cord extends. The two ends of the cord emerge from the bead through an opening in the bead, allowing them to be tied together to secure the covering to the underside of the tabletop. Instead of a cord, an elastic thread or ribbon can be used, inserted into the peripheral bead of the rim. This allows the textile fabric to pass over the edge of the panel and then elastically rest against the underside of the tabletop. Alternatively, an elastic thread or ribbon can be sewn onto the rim 22, which is itself sewn to the perimeter of the laminate.

[0037] However, this arrangement, although very favorable, is only optional and the present invention is not limited to it, the elements being able to be independent of each other, the plate 13 and the fabric 14 being positioned on the bubble film 15 and then enclosed by the placement of the outer cover 12 around the assembly of the tray 4, bubble film 15 with metallization layer, fleece 14 and alveolar material or foam 13. In addition, although this arrangement is favorable, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide only the plate 13 of alveolar material or foam or only the fabric 14 of fleece or felt.

[0038] The flexible insulating element, in the form of a cellular or foam sheet 13 and / or a fleece or felt fabric 14, serves to protect the bubble film 15. The bubble film 15 is a conventional bubble film made up of a number of domes, each defining a small bubble or airtight space in which air is trapped. The bubbles are arranged in rows and columns, each bubble having a diameter between 5 and 15 mm, in particular 10 mm. The number of bubbles per square meter can, for example, be 17,200.

[0039] To the figure 6 , a set according to the invention is shown, comprising on the one hand a steam iron 20 and on the other hand a cover 21, consisting of a covering 12 and a flexible thermally insulating element in the form of a plate 13 of cellular material or foam (not visible in the figure 6 ) and a fabric 14 of fleece or felt joined together by calendering, after the alveolar plate has been flamed to soften it and thus allow the two elements to be joined together at the exit of the calendering, the cover 21 covering a bubble film 15 having a top layer 16 of metallization, the bubble film 15 being trapped between the cover 21 and the tabletop 4.

[0040] To the figure 7 , we see a cross-section view of the film 15 bubble of the figure 6The bubble film 15 has, on one of its faces opposite the domes, a metallization layer 16. The bubble film 15 is folded back on itself so that the metallization layer forms both the upper and lower faces of the folded bubble film 15, the bubbles of the bubble film 15 being sandwiched between the two upper and lower metallization layers. The lower metallization layer is in contact with the tray, while the upper metallization layer is in contact with the fleece fabric or the layer of cellular material or foam, depending on the embodiment. Preferably, the domes or bubbles of the two folded parts are fixed to each other, in particular by welding, gluing, or similar means.

[0041] The material of the bubble wrap can include LDPE (low-density polyethylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), Resy (recycled materials), or a mixture of these materials, such as a blend of 70% LDPE / 10% HDPE / 10% LLDPE / 10% Resy. The thickness of the bubble wrap can be chosen between 1 and 10 mm, particularly between 2 and 5 mm, for example, 3.2 mm.

[0042] The bubble wrap was aluminized by depositing a film or layer of aluminum. , This deposit can be achieved by film coating, lamination, stratification or other similar process.

[0043] For example, the film or aluminum layer may be a co-extruded metallized BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) film, laminated on one side of the bubble film and having an aluminum thickness between 0.01 mm and 0.02 mm, in particular equal to 0.015 mm and a plastic material between 100 and 200 g / m², in particular equal to 110.4 g / m², i.e. a plastic material thickness between approximately 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm.

[0044] The layer of cellular material or foam may in particular be made of polyurethane (PU), in particular having a surface mass of between 18g / m² and 45g / m², with a thickness of between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, for example 1.8mm, when used in combination with another flexible insulating element, for example fleece or felt, and a surface mass of between 50g / m² and 250g / m², with a thickness of between 5mm and 10mm, when used alone to form the flexible insulating element.

[0045] The layer of fleece or felt, especially in wool or polyester, can have a surface mass between 150g / m² and 300g / m².

[0046] The steam ironing device can be defined as having a water reservoir and heating means for vaporizing this water and means for projecting this steam with a pressure of at least 2 bars, preferably at least 3.5 bars, in particular between 3.5 bars and 10 bars, the steam flow rate being preferably at least 40g / min, in particular at least 50g / min, preferably at least 100g / min, in particular between 200g / min and 500g / min.

[0047] According to the invention, the material of the plastic layer is substantially impermeable to water vapor.

[0048] According to the invention, a flexible element is understood to be an element that can be easily bent and refolded without breaking or deteriorating, in particular an element which, when held at the same time in two different places by the hands of a person of average strength, can be deformed, in particular by folding, and can then resume the shape it had before being deformed, in particular by folding.

Claims

1. Ironing board comprising at least one leg, in particular two legs (1,2) hinged to each other, supporting a tabletop (4) covered with an outer covering (12), characterized in that - the tabletop (4) is made from a wood material; - an intermediate layer (15) of plastic material, substantially impermeable to water vapor, is placed between the tabletop (4) of wood material and the outer covering (12); and - the layer (15) of plastic material having, on the side opposite the leg(s), a layer (16) of metallization, in particular a layer of aluminum.

2. Ironing board according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe plastic layer is a bubble film, that is to say a film consisting of a base film and domes from one face of the base film and each defining a small bubble or vapor-tight space in which air is trapped, the bubbles preferably being arranged in rows and columns, the face of the base film on the side opposite the domes being covered with a layer or film of metallization, in particular of aluminium.

3. Ironing board according to claim 2, characterized in that a metallized film, in particular aluminized, for example an aluminized BOPP film, is laminated onto the face of the base film on the side opposite the domes.

4. Ironing board according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the plastic layer is made from a bubble film whose opposite side to the bubbles is metallized, in particular aluminized, the bubble film having been folded over itself, domes against domes.

5. Ironing board according to claim 4, characterized in that the two folded parts are fixed to each other, in particular welded or glued or similar, particularly at the level of the domes.

6. Ironing board according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic layer (15) is in contact with the face of the tray (4) which is on the opposite side to the leg(s), or upper face of the tray.

7. Ironing board according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the plastic layer (15) and the outer covering (12) there is at least one flexible element (13; 14; 13,14) made of a thermally insulating material.

8. Ironing board according to claim 7, characterized in that the flexible insulating element (13; 14; 13,14) comprises at least one plate (13) of cellular material or foam and / or at least one fabric (14) of fleece or felt.

9. Ironing board according to claim 8, characterized in that the alveolar material plate (13) has a surface mass between 18g / m 2 and 45 g / m 2 , with a thickness between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, when used in combination with another flexible insulating element, for example fleece or felt, and a surface mass between 50g / m 2 and 250g / m 2 , with a thickness between 5mm and 10mm, when used alone to form the flexible insulating element.

10. Ironing board according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the flexible insulating element (13; 14; 13,14) comprises at least one layer (13) of cellular material or foam and at least one fabric (14) of fleece or felt, the layer (13) of cellular material or foam being disposed on the outer side of the covering (12).

11. Ironing board according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe layer (13) of alveolar material or foam is in contact with the underside of the outer covering (12).

12. Ironing board according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the outer covering (12), the layer (13) of alveolar material or foam and the fleece (14) or felt are joined together by calendering, after buckling, in particular on its two faces, the layer (13) of alveolar material to soften it and thus allow the joining of the three elements at the exit of the calendering, so as to form a single element forming a cover (21).

13. Ironing set comprising an ironing board according to one of the preceding claims and a steam-type ironing device (20), in particular a steam iron, a steam generator, a steam station or the like.

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