U.S. patent application number 11/997111 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for ironing appliance comprising a steam generator connected to an iron and to a travel steamer.
Invention is credited to Jean Philippe Robin.
Application Number | 20080209774 11/997111 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36101558 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080209774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robin; Jean Philippe |
September 4, 2008 |
Ironing Appliance Comprising a Steam Generator Connected to an Iron
and to a Travel Steamer
Abstract
The invention concerns an ironing apparatus comprising a steam
generator connected to an iron (2) by a first cord (20),
characterized in that said steam generator is connected to a travel
steamer (3) by a second cord (30) mounted on a reel (4).
Inventors: |
Robin; Jean Philippe;
(Communay, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.;624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Family ID: |
36101558 |
Appl. No.: |
11/997111 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 10, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2006/001670 |
371 Date: |
January 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
38/77.6 ; 38/75;
68/214; 68/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 75/20 20130101;
D06F 75/12 20130101; F22B 1/284 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
38/77.6 ; 38/75;
68/214; 68/222 |
International
Class: |
D06F 75/00 20060101
D06F075/00; D06F 75/20 20060101 D06F075/20; D06F 75/02 20060101
D06F075/02; D06F 75/12 20060101 D06F075/12; D06F 75/06 20060101
D06F075/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 26, 2005 |
FR |
05/07920 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. Ironing appliance comprising: a steam generator; an iron; and a
first cord connecting said iron to said steam generator; wherein
said appliance further comprises: a steam brush; a reel; and a
second cord mounted on said reel and connecting said steam
generator to said steam brush.
13. Ironing appliance according to claim 12, further comprising a
device for switching steam and electricity to selectively feed
steam and electricity either to said iron or to said steam
brush.
14. Ironing appliance according to claim 13, wherein said device
for switching comprises a manual selector connected to allow a user
to select either said iron or said steam brush for use.
15. Ironing appliance according to claim 14, wherein said appliance
further comprises a holding clip for storing said steam brush.
16. Ironing appliance according to claim 15, wherein: said
appliance further comprises a base into which said steam generator
is integrated; said base supports said reel and carries said
holding clip; and said reel has a cord outlet located close to said
holding clip.
17. Ironing appliance according to claim 12, wherein said steam
brush comprises a heating body having a steam chamber to vaporize
any condensates that are present in said second cord and that are
carried by steam flowing from the generator.
18. Ironing appliance according to claim 12, wherein said iron
comprises a heating soleplate fitted with a steam chamber to
vaporize any condensates that are present in said first cord and
that are carried by steam flowing from the generator.
19. Ironing appliance according claim 18, wherein: said steam brush
comprises a heating body having a steam chamber to vaporize any
condensates that are present in said second cord and that are
carried by steam flowing from the generator; said appliance further
comprises a control module operative to prohibit the issuance of
steam in the direction of said iron or said steam brush when the
respective steam chamber is at a temperature insufficient to ensure
the evaporation of condensate present in the respective cord.
20. Ironing appliance according to claim 19, wherein said control
module is operative to allow the issuance of steam towards said
steam brush only after a determined period of operation of said
heating body, which time is a function of the cumulative operating
time of said heating body from starting of said appliance and of
the time elapsed since the end of a previous session of use of said
steam brush.
21. Ironing appliance according to claim 20, wherein said control
module is operative to allow the issuance of steam towards said
iron only after a determined period of operation of the heating
soleplate, which time is a function of the cumulative operating
time of said heating soleplate from starting of said appliance and
the time elapsed since the end of the previous session of use of
said iron.
22. Ironing appliance according to claim 21, further comprising: a
device for switching steam and electricity to selectively feed
steam and electricity either to said iron or to said steam brush,
device for switching comprising a manual selector connected to
allow a user to select either said iron or said steam brush for
use; a steam distribution valve operative for guiding steam towards
said steam brush or said iron; and a control valve disposed
upstream of said steam distribution valve, with respect to the
direction of flow of steam from said steam generator, and wherein
said control module comprises a microprocessor operative for
controlling the operation of said control valve and for controlling
the supply of power to said heating body and to said heating
soleplate as a function of a signal emitted by said selector.
23. Ironing appliance according to claim 20, further comprising: a
device for switching steam and electricity to selectively feed
steam and electricity either to said iron or to said steam brush,
device for switching comprising a manual selector connected to
allow a user to select either said iron or said steam brush for
use; a steam distribution valve operative for guiding steam towards
said steam brush or said iron; and a control valve disposed
upstream of said steam distribution valve, with respect to the
direction of flow of steam from said steam generator, and wherein
said control module comprises a microprocessor operative for
controlling the operation of said control valve and for controlling
the supply of power to said heating body and to said heating
soleplate as a function of a signal emitted by said selector.
24. Ironing appliance according to claim 19, further comprising: a
device for switching steam and electricity to selectively feed
steam and electricity either to said iron or to said steam brush,
device for switching comprising a manual selector connected to
allow a user to select either said iron or said steam brush for
use; a steam distribution valve operative for guiding steam towards
said steam brush or said iron; and a control valve disposed
upstream of said steam distribution valve, with respect to the
direction of flow of steam from said steam generator, and wherein
said control module comprises a microprocessor operative for
controlling the operation of said control valve and for controlling
the supply of power to said heating body and to said heating
soleplate as a function of a signal emitted by said selector.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an ironing appliance having
a steam generator connected by a first cord to an iron and relates
more particularly to an ironing appliance in which the steam
generator is connected by a second cord to a steam brush.
[0002] There are known multi-use steam generators in which drawout,
or pull-out, plugs including at the same time the supply of
electricity and steam, permit connection of various accessories,
such as a steam cleaning tool or a steam iron. Such appliances,
present, however, the disadvantage of requiring numerous connection
and disconnection operations whenever the user wishes to use a new
accessory. In addition, the removable accessories used only
occasionally are most often stored at the bottom of a closet and
are therefore not readily available.
[0003] It is known, from the document FR 2 714 401 filed by the
applicant, to overcome these disadvantages by providing an ironing
appliance with a steam generator connected to an iron by a cord,
the generator also having means to bypass steam, mounted on an
orifice for filling the tank of the generator with water, which can
be permanently connected to an accessory such as a steam brush.
[0004] However, such a solution has the disadvantage of producing a
significant bulk and of complicating the storage of the appliance,
mainly because of the space taken by the cord connected to the
accessory. Additionally, when the user uses the iron, the cord
connecting the accessory to the generator drags around the
appliance with the risk that it will be snagged inadvertently,
which can cause the appliance to fall and cause injury.
[0005] Thus, a goal of the present invention is to overcome these
disadvantages by providing an ironing appliance having a steam
generator permanently connected to an iron as well as a steam
brush, each with a cord, in which the integration of the brush, the
ergonomics and the safety in use are greatly improved.
[0006] To this end, the invention has for an object an ironing
appliance with a steam generator connected to an iron by a first
cord, characterized in that the steam generator is connected to a
steam brush by a second cord mounted on a reel.
[0007] Such a feature allows having a steam brush permanently
connected to the steam generator and therefore available without
complex handling, while providing greater ease of storage. The
placement of the reel on the cord of the steam brush thus
encourages use of this accessory, which is usually seldom used by
the user, by making its use very simple. The appliance thus
obtained is also very safe in use thanks to the presence of the
reel on the cord of the steam brush which prevents the cord from
dragging when using the iron.
[0008] According to another feature of the ironing appliance
according the invention, the appliance includes a switching device
for steam and electricity permitting selective feeding of steam and
electricity either to the iron or to the steam brush.
[0009] Such a feature has the advantage of limiting the power
consumed by the appliance by preventing simultaneous operation of
the iron and the steam brush.
[0010] According to another feature of the ironing appliance
according the invention, the switching device includes a manual
selector allowing the user to specify which accessory, among the
iron and the steam brush, he wishes to use.
[0011] According to another feature of the ironing appliance
according the invention, the appliance includes a holding clip for
storing the steam brush.
[0012] Such a feature allows easy storage of the steam brush while
maintaining a compact appliance.
[0013] According to yet another feature of the invention, the steam
generator is integrated into a base supporting the reel, and the
holding clip is carried by the base near the cord outlet of the
reel.
[0014] Such a feature allows a further limiting of the length of
cord outside of the reel and thus of the risk of the cord becoming
snagged.
[0015] According to another feature of the invention, the steam
brush includes a heating body equipped with a steam chamber
allowing vaporization of possible condensates present in the cord
for supplying the steam brush which are carried by the flow of
steam from the generator.
[0016] According to another feature of the invention, the iron has
a heating soleplate equipped with a steam chamber allowing
vaporization of possible condensates present in the cord for
supplying the iron which are carried by the flow of steam from the
generator.
[0017] According to yet another feature of the invention, the
appliance includes a control module that prohibits the emission of
steam to the iron or to the steam brush when the steam chamber of
the latter is at a temperature insufficient to ensure evaporation
of condensates present in the cord.
[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the control
module allows the emission of steam to the steam brush only after a
predetermined operating delay period of the heating body that
varies as a function of the cumulative operating time of the
heating body from the starting of the appliance and the length of
time from the end of the previous session of use of the steam
brush.
[0019] According to another feature of the invention, the control
module allows the emission of steam to the iron only after a
predetermined operating delay period of the heating soleplate that
varies as a function of the cumulative operating time of the
heating soleplate from the starting of the appliance and the length
of time from the end of the previous session of use of the
iron.
[0020] According to another feature of the invention, the control
module includes a microprocessor that directs the opening of a
control valve disposed upstream of a steam distribution valve
allowing steam to be directed towards the steam brush or the iron,
the microprocessor controlling the supply of electric power to the
heating body of the steam brush and to the heating soleplate of the
iron as a function of the signal emitted by the selector.
[0021] The goals, aspects and advantages of the present invention
will be better understood from the description given below of a
particular embodiment of the invention, presented as a non-limiting
example, referring to the annexed drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an iron according to a
particular embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the iron
of the appliance of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
appliance of FIG. 1, the reel cord of the steam brush being removed
from the base of the appliance;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the steam
brush of the appliance of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of the steam generator
of FIG. 1 when using, respectively, the iron and the steam
brush;
[0027] FIGS. 6a and 6b are perspective views of the switching
device during supply of steam to, respectively, the steam brush and
the iron;
[0028] FIGS. 7a and 7b are longitudinal cross-sectional views of
the supply valve of FIGS. 6a and 6b, respectively;
[0029] FIG. 8 represents the operating algorithm of the control
module of the steam generator of the appliance.
[0030] Only the elements necessary for an understanding of the
invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings,
the same elements have the same references from one figure to
another.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows an ironing appliance comprising a steam
generator constituted conventionally by a tank for the production
of steam under pressure, not shown in the drawings, integrated into
a portable base 1, the tank being supplied with water from a
reservoir 10 removably disposed on the rear of base 1.
[0032] Base 1 is advantageously electrically powered by a cable 12
mounted on a reel disposed behind the front face of base 1, cable
12 opening into a cavity 13 of the front face of base 1 and winding
up automatically when the user presses a button 14 disposed close
to the cavity. A switch 15 is also provided on the front face of
base 1 to control starting or stopping of the appliance.
[0033] Generator base 1 is permanently connected to an iron 2 by a
first connecting cord 20 advantageously having a length of the
order of 1.8 m and has an inclined plane 11 for setting iron 2
down.
[0034] According to FIG. 2, the iron is fitted with a heating
soleplate 21 includes a chamber 22 for vaporizing and superheating
of steam disposed upstream of steam outlet holes in the soleplate,
permitting vaporization of possible condensates in connecting cord
20. In a manner known per se, connecting cord 20 incorporates a
conduit for supplying iron 2 with steam under pressure coming from
the tank of the generator as well as an electrical cable to power
the electric heating resistance of heating soleplate 21 of the
iron. Iron 2 also includes a trigger 23 permitting control of the
delivery of steam through steam outlet holes of heating soleplate
21.
[0035] More particularly according to the invention, the steam
generator of base 1 is also permanently connected to a steam brush
3 by a second cord 30 having advantageously a length of the order
of 1.6 m, cord 30 incorporating a conduit permitting supplying
steam brush 3 with steam under pressure coming from the generator
and incorporating an electric cable permitting the electrical
supply to steam brush 3.
[0036] In accordance with FIG. 3, second cord 30 is mounted on a
cord reel 4 installed in a cavity provided for this purpose under
base 1, behind the reel for electric cable 12. This cord reel 4
comprises return means for allowing automatic winding of cord 30
within a drum when the user presses a button 41 arranged laterally
to the reel. This cord reel 4 is identical to that described in the
patent application FR 05 03125 filed by the applicant and will thus
not be described in further detail in this patent application.
[0037] In an advantageous manner, base 1 has, on one of its sides,
a holding clip 16 into which the body of steam brush 3 can be
inserted, such an arrangement permitting having a steam brush 3
that remains very accessible once stored while maintaining a
compact appliance.
[0038] Holding clip 16 is preferentially arranged on the side of
base 1 where cord 30 exits from reel 4, so that the length of cord
30 remaining outside reel 4 when steam brush 3 is stored in clip 16
is very limited, of the order of 20 cm, this feature permitting the
risks of snagging cord 30 to be reduced.
[0039] In order to allow the evaporation of potential condensates
present in cord 30, steam brush 3, shown in greater detail in FIG.
4, contains a heating body 31 having a chamber 32 for vaporizing
and superheating of steam closed by a lid 31', this steam chamber
32 being heated by an electrical resistance disposed under heating
body 31 and supplied with power by the electric cable integrated
into connecting cord 30. Steam chamber 32 leads to steam outlet
holes 32', visible only in FIG. 5b, permitting the attainment of
powerful jets of steam for vertical smoothing of linen. Steam brush
3 is equipped with a trigger 33 controlling the delivery of steam
towards steam brush 3.
[0040] Preferably, the front face of base 1 of the generator is
equipped with a rotary selector 17 that the user can move between a
first position, shown in FIG. 5a, corresponding to the use of iron
2, and a second position, shown in FIG. 5b, corresponding to the
use of steam brush 3.
[0041] In accordance with FIGS. 6a and 6b, selector 17 is connected
by a rod 5 to a switching device for switching steam and
electricity comprising a steam distribution valve 6 with a steam
inlet 60 connected upstream to a control valve 7 disposed at the
outlet of the tank of the generator and two steam outlets 61, 62
connected respectively to the conduits of cords 20, 30 supplying
iron 2 and steam brush 3.
[0042] Valve 6 comprises a sleeve 63 driven in rotation by rod 5
and connected to the body of valve 6 by a screw-type connection,
the outer surface of the valve body having a helical rib 64
engaging in a helical groove formed inside sleeve 63, so that the
rotation of sleeve 63 is accompanied by a translation movement of
the latter.
[0043] The switching device also includes two switches 66a, 66b
actuated by bosses 65a, 65b arranged on the outer surface of sleeve
63, bosses 65a, 65b being arranged so that the first switch 66a is
operated only when the selector 17 is in the position for use of
iron 2 shown in FIG. 6a while the second switch 66b is operated
only when the selector 17 is in the position to use the steam brush
3 shown in FIG. 6b.
[0044] These two switches 66a, 66b are connected to a control
module 100, shown schematically in these FIGS. 6a and 6b, including
a microprocessor, which determines from the actuating state of
switches 66a, 66b, the position of valve 6 and therefore of
selector 17.
[0045] According to FIG. 7a, which represents a cross sectional
view of valve 6 when selector 17 is in the position for use of iron
2, the inlet opening 60 of the valve opens into a cylindrical steam
distribution chamber 67 that is prolonged at each of its ends by a
bore 68a, 68b of smaller diameter, the first bore 68a being in
communication with the outlet opening 61, connected to connecting
cord 20 for the iron, and second bore 68b being in communication
with the outlet opening 62, connected to cord 30 of steam brush
3.
[0046] Sleeve 63 is fixed to a sliding piston 69 having a first lip
seal 69a, which is in distribution chamber 67 when sleeve 63 is in
the position to use iron 2, so that steam can pass by the periphery
of seal 69a and escape to the iron, and a second joint 69b which is
then introduced into the interior of second bore 68b to prevent the
passage of steam towards steam brush 3. Piston 69 is also equipped
with a third joint 69c disposed in first bore 68a downstream from
the outlet opening to prevent the leakage of steam through the
orifice of the body traversed by the axis of piston 69.
[0047] In accordance with FIG. 7b, when selector 17 is rotated into
the position corresponding to the use of steam brush 3, sleeve 63
turns while being retracted into the body of valve 6, thus
provoking displacement of piston 69 and driving in of first joint
69a through first bore 68a so that the steam can no longer move in
the direction of iron 2. Conversely, second joint 69b is then moved
into distribution chamber 67 of larger diameter so that the steam
can pass by the periphery of second joint 69b and escape through
opening 62 to steam brush 3.
[0048] In an advantageous manner, control module 100 controls valve
7 disposed in the outlet of the tank of the generator to prevent
the supply of steam for iron 2 or steam brush 3 during a certain
period of time that is a function of the time duration during which
the selected accessory, namely iron 2 or steam brush 3, has not
been supplied with electricity. Such security allows to avoid all
projection of condensate by ensuring that steam chamber 22 of the
iron or steam chamber 32 of the steam brush is at a temperature
sufficient to allow the evaporation of any condensate present in
the cords 20, 30.
[0049] For example, the microprocessor in control module 100 can
control the authorization of the opening of valve 7 of the tank of
the generator according to the algorithm shown in FIG. 8.
[0050] In conformance with this figure, control module 100 detects
as a first step E1 which accessory is selected by the user between
iron 2 and steam brush 3. This determination of the selected
accessory is performed simply from the information provided by
switches 66a, 66b.
[0051] Control module 100 then measures in a second step E2, the
time that has elapsed since the end of the last session of use of
the selected accessory 2, 3. By session of use of this accessory,
is meant a session where the ironing appliance is turned on and
selector 17 is in the position corresponding to the accessory.
[0052] In a third step E3, control module 100 verifies that the
cumulative preheating time Tc.sub.s-i during the previous sessions
of use of the accessory was sufficient to allow preheating of the
accessory for a total time of 120 seconds.
[0053] If the cumulative preheating time Tc.sub.s-i in previous
sessions is less than 120 seconds, then the control module 100
completes preheating of the accessory in a step E3' during which
the accessory is heated for a time Tc corresponding to the missing
preheating time to reach the total of 120 seconds of preheating.
During this period of preheating Tc, a diode 18 flashes, or blinks,
on the front face of base 1 to indicate to the user that the
selected accessory is in the heating period. After this
complementary preheating period, control module 100 enters step
E4.
[0054] Conversely, if the preheating time of 120 seconds has
already been achieved during previous utilization sessions of this
accessory, then control module 100 passes directly to step E4 in
which it compares the time Tm elapsed since the previous session of
the accessory with a threshold, which is set at 5 minutes in the
example shown.
[0055] If the time Tm is less than 5 minutes, the control module
allows for the immediate opening of the control valve in a step E5
after receiving the control signal from trigger 23, 33 of accessory
2, 3.
[0056] However, if the cumulative amount of time Tm exceeds 5
minutes, then the control module passes to a step E4' of
supplemental heating of the accessory to compensate for cooling of
the accessory due to thermal losses during the period of non-use of
the accessory.
[0057] During this step E4' the accessory is heated for a
supplementary time Ts, which is equal to the number of minutes Tm
beyond the threshold of 5 minutes multiplied by a coefficient
K.sub.A corresponding to the number of seconds of additional
heating to be applied for each minute of shutdown of the accessory
beyond the threshold of 5 minutes.
[0058] However, if the time Ts obtained by this calculation is
greater than 120 seconds, then the additional heating time will be
limited to Ts=120 s corresponding to the time of initial preheating
necessary when the accessory is cold. During the heating period,
diode 18 present on the front face of the base 1 flashes to
indicate to the user that the selected accessory is in a heating
period. After this additional heating period, control module 100
enters step E5 where it allows the opening of control valve 7 under
control of trigger 23, 33 of the accessory.
[0059] Of course, the coefficient K.sub.A depends on the thermal
mass and the heating power of the selected accessory. For example,
the coefficient K.sub.A will have a value K.sub.A=1 s/min for steam
brush 3 and KA=1.25 s/min for iron 2.
[0060] Thus, if the selected accessory is steam brush 3 and the
time period Tm that has elapsed since the previous session of use
of steam brush 3 is 9 minutes, then the extra preheating time Ts
will be 4 seconds before control module 100 allows the delivery of
steam through cord 30.
[0061] The ironing appliance thus produced has the advantage of
greater ease of use of the accessories constituted by the iron and
the steam brush, the latter being constantly connected to the base
of the generator and therefore being able to be used without
complex handling. When the user wishes to use the steam brush, it
is sufficient for him to simply turn the selector 17 to the steam
brush position and get hold of steam brush 3 by pulling on cord 30
so as to extract a length of cord 30 from reel 4. Once the
operation of smoothing has been carried out, the user puts steam
brush 3 away in holding clip 16 then press button 41 so that cord
30 winds itself automatically in reel 4.
[0062] The presence of a reel on the cord of the iron allows thus
to greatly improve the safety and ergonomics of the appliance by
ensuring that the cord is not dragged around and snagged during the
ironing session or during transport of the appliance.
[0063] Finally, the module for control of the emission of steam has
the advantage of greatly improving the safe use of the appliance by
significantly reducing the risk of burns to users by projection of
condensate through steam outlet holes of the soleplate of the iron
or the steam brush. In effect, the module for control of the
generator prevents sending steam through the newly selected
accessory when the steam chamber of this accessory has not had the
time to reach a temperature sufficient to ensure the evaporation of
condensates present in the connecting cord. Thus, if the user
presses the trigger of the selected accessory, the control module
will cancel the command for opening the control valve until the end
of the additional heating period calculated by the control module
and the LED will flash on the base to alert the user that a waiting
time is required.
[0064] On the other hand, if the accessory has been used recently,
since less than 5 minutes ago in the example described above, then
the control module immediately opens the control valve to send
steam when the trigger is pressed.
[0065] Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the
embodiment described and illustrated that has been given as an
example only. Changes are still possible, especially from the point
of view of the formation of various elements or by substitution of
technical equivalents, without leaving for that matter the field of
protection of the invention.
* * * * *