Element for covering an ironing surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ironing board covers fail to effectively manage heat and humidity, leading to increased energy consumption, longer ironing times, bulkiness, and risks of burning or igniting, while also not providing optimal smoothness and portability.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer cover with a thin, laminated structure comprising a non-slip fabric layer and a metallized layer for heat reflection, combined with a thermally insulating area for parking the iron, which prevents heat absorption and deformation, and features a design that allows easy folding and reduced bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a multilayer structure with intermediate layers of flannel or rubber is used, then heat insulation is improved, but humidity absorption and stagnation occur causing wet effect on clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous polymeric foam layer instead of traditional flannel or rubber intermediate layers. The porous structure provides thermal insulation while allowing humidity to pass through, preventing stagnation and wet effect on clothes. The foam's cellular structure creates air pockets for heat retention while maintaining vapor permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cover structure combining fabric outer layer, metallized heat-reflecting layer, and porous polymeric foam intermediate layer. This composite design integrates multiple functions: the fabric provides durability and comfort, the metallized layer reflects heat, and the porous foam insulates while managing moisture, solving both heat retention and humidity management requirements.
2Loss of energy
If known cover plate materials are used, then heat reflection is insufficient, but energy consumption and ironing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a metallized layer to the inner surface of the fabric cover, converting the potentially harmful direct heat exposure to the ironing board into beneficial heat reflection back onto the fabric. This metallized coating acts as a thermal mirror, reflecting infrared radiation and reducing energy loss, thereby decreasing both energy consumption and ironing time.
3Reliability
If known cover plates are made thick for protection, then durability is improved, but portability and storage become difficult due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-film metallized coating applied directly to the fabric inner surface, replacing traditional thick protective layers. This thin film provides adequate heat reflection and protection while maintaining fabric flexibility and minimizing overall cover thickness, enabling easy folding and compact storage without sacrificing durability or protective function.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a fabric layer with metal particles is used for heat dissipation, then heat damage is reduced, but the structure becomes bulky and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin metallized film or coating applied to the fabric rather than embedding metal particles throughout a thick foam structure. This thin-film approach provides effective heat reflection and burn protection while maintaining cover thinness and flexibility, eliminating the bulkiness associated with particle-embedded foam structures and improving portability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces heat and vapor reflection, saves energy, ensures safer ironing, allows for smoother operation, and provides a compact, portable design that can handle high temperatures without deformation or fire risks.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer (8) which is metallized, preferably aluminized... the second layer (8) which is metallized, preferably aluminized, directly coupled to said first layer (6) and comprises a film and/or a metal lamina facing towards said first layer (6)
Implementation Method 2
a second zone (11) which comprises at least one layer (12), preferably external, made of thermally insulating material to define a rest area to support, at least temporarily, the heated plate of the iron (21)
Data Source
AI summary
An element for covering an ironing surface includes: a first zone which comprises a multilayer which, in turn, comprises a first upper layer made of fabric, intended to be in contact with or in proximity to the garments to be ironed and/or of the iron, and a second underlying layer which is metallized, a second zone which comprises at least one layer made of thermally insulating material, so as to define a rest area for temporarily resting the heated plate of the iron and includes at the upper/outer surface of said second zone and/or at least another zone which is outside of said second zone, a print and/or a sign to indicate a time interval and/or a time value for which it is ensured that the heated plate of the iron can stop in the second zone without the plate itself damaging or deforming said second area.