U.S. patent application number 13/297402 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for steam ironing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASCENTWAY INDUSTRIAL LIMITED. Invention is credited to Fan Kwong Tsang.
Application Number | 20120131823 13/297402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45044466 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120131823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsang; Fan Kwong |
May 31, 2012 |
Steam Ironing System
Abstract
A steam ironing system is disclosed as including an electric
iron, and a water container with a water outlet tube, in which the
iron includes a water tank for storing water, a steam chamber in a
fluid-communicable relationship with the water tank, a water inlet
tube in a fluid-communicable relationship with the water tank, and
a pump. The iron is detachably engageable with the water container,
and when the iron is engaged with the water container, the water
outlet tube of the water container is connected with the water
inlet tube of the iron in a fluid-communicable relationship, and
the pump is operable to draw water in the water container through
the water outlet tube and the water inlet tube to the water
tank.
Inventors: |
Tsang; Fan Kwong; (Hong
Kong, HK) |
Assignee: |
ASCENTWAY INDUSTRIAL
LIMITED
Hong Kong
HK
|
Family ID: |
45044466 |
Appl. No.: |
13/297402 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
38/77.83 ;
38/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 79/026 20130101;
D06F 75/14 20130101; D06F 79/02 20130101; D06F 75/12 20130101; D06F
79/023 20130101; D06F 79/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
38/77.83 ;
38/96 |
International
Class: |
D06F 75/14 20060101
D06F075/14; D06F 79/02 20060101 D06F079/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 26, 2010 |
HK |
10111043.2 |
Claims
1. A steam ironing system including: an iron, and a water container
with a water outlet, wherein said iron includes a water tank for
storing water, a steam chamber in a fluid-communicable relationship
with said water tank, a water inlet in a fluid-communicable
relationship with said water tank, and a pump, wherein said iron is
detachably engageable with said water container, and wherein, when
said iron is engaged with said water container, said water outlet
of said water container is connected with said water inlet of said
iron in a fluid-communicable relationship, and said pump is
operable to draw water in said water container through said water
outlet and said water inlet to said water tank.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said water container
includes a base and a platform spaced apart from said base.
3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said platform is inclined
relative to said base.
4. A system according to claim 2 wherein, when said iron is engaged
with said water container, said iron is supported by said
platform.
5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said platform has at least
one rotatable member.
6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said iron includes an
electric circuit for operating said pump.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein, when said iron is engaged
with said water container, said electric circuit is closed to
thereby run said pump.
8. A system according to claim 6 wherein, when said iron is
detached from said water container, said electric circuit is opened
to stop running of said pump.
9. A system according to claim 6 wherein said iron includes a
switch.
10. A system according to claim 9 wherein, when said iron is
engaged with said water container, said switch is operable by an
actuator of said water container to close said electric
circuit.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein, when said iron is
detached from said water container, said switch is operable to open
said electric circuit.
12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said water container
includes no electrical parts.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a steam ironing system, in
particular such a system with an iron and a water container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are in existence a large number of steam irons which
are capable of emitting steam during operation. Such conventional
steam irons have an internal water tank into which water may be
introduced. Water stored in the water tank may be passed to a steam
chamber, then heated and converted into steam for emission. In
order to maintain the steam irons at reasonable and comfortable
weight and size, the water tank in the steam iron is usually of a
relatively small size. This means that a user often has to refill
the water tank at least once (and may be more times) during the
ironing process, which adds to the time and trouble of ironing.
[0003] There are also in existence some steam generators including
an iron and a steam generating unit. The steam generating unit has
a water reservoir and is electrically powered to heat up the water
in the reservoir for conversion to steam and to keep the steam at a
high pressure. The steam so generated is passed (when required) to
the iron for subsequent emission. The steam generating unit in such
steam generators has to be strong enough to withstand high pressure
and much electric power has to be consumed to convert the water to
steam and to maintain the temperature of the steam above the
boiling point. In addition, the iron is permanently attached with
the steam generating unit (which is rather bulky in size) for
supply of electricity and steam. Electric wires and a steam conduit
are encased within a very thick tube connecting the iron and the
steam generating unit, which adds to the cost of production and
inconvenience of use and storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
steam ironing system in which the aforesaid shortcomings are
mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade
and public.
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a
steam ironing system including an iron, and a water container with
a water outlet, wherein said iron includes a water tank for storing
water, a steam chamber in a fluid-communicable relationship with
said water tank, a water inlet in a fluid-communicable relationship
with said water tank, and a pump, wherein said iron is detachably
engageable with said water container, and wherein, when said iron
is engaged with said water container, said water outlet of said
water container is connected with said water inlet of said iron in
a fluid-communicable relationship, and said pump is operable to
draw water in said water container through said water outlet and
said water inlet to said water tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A steam ironing system according to an embodiment of the
present invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a steam ironing
system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in
which the iron is detached from the water container;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the steam ironing
system of FIG. 1, in which the iron is engaged with the water
container;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a cut-off lower portion
of the iron of the steam ironing system of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the iron of the steam
ironing system of FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the water container of
the steam ironing system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A steam ironing system according to an embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and generally designated as
10. The system 10 includes an electric iron 12 and a water
container 14.
[0013] The iron 12 has a body 16 fixed with a soleplate 18 formed
of metal or metal alloy, which may be heated to a high temperature.
The soleplate 18 is formed with a number of steam outlets 20. A
steam chamber 22 is formed between the soleplate 18 and the body
16. A water tank 24 is formed within the body 12 of the iron 12,
and water may be introduced into the water tank 24 for storage via
an opening 26 which may be closed by a lid 28 which is shown in an
open position in FIG. 1. Water may pass from the water tank 24, via
a closable valve 30, to the steam chamber 22. When the soleplate 18
is heated to a high temperature, water in the steam chamber 22 is
converted into steam and exits the iron 12 via the steam outlets
20. Simply stated, the water tank 24, the valve 30, the steam
chamber 22 and the steam outlets 20 are in a fluid-communicable (in
particular liquid-communicable) relationship with one another. The
iron 12 is electrically powered, e.g. by a.c. municipal electricity
via an electric cable 32.
[0014] The iron 12 also has an internal electric pump 34 in
operative association with a water inlet tube 36. An end of the
inlet tube 36 is exposed to the outside environment, and another
end of the inlet tube 36 leads to the water tank 24 in the iron
12.
[0015] The water container 14 has a base 38, a wall 40 and an upper
platform 42, which collectively define a space 44 for containing
water. The base 38 supports the water container 14 on a support
surface (e.g. a table top). The upper platform 42 is spaced apart
from and slanted relative to the base 38. In particular, the upper
platform 42 is slanted relative to the base 38 in such a way that a
front end 46 of the water container 14 is taller than an opposite
rear end 48 of the water container 14.
[0016] The water container 14 includes a water outlet tube 50 close
to its rear end 48. A lower end of the water outlet tube 50 leads
into the space 44 of the water container 14 and an upper end of the
water outlet tube 50 is exposed to the outside environment via a
sealing gasket 52. A lid 54 is provided at the front end 46 of the
water container 14. The lid 54 may be opened to allow water to be
introduced into or drained from the space 44 of the water container
14. It can be seen that the container 14 does not include or carry
any electrical parts or components.
[0017] When the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water
container 14, and as shown in FIG. 2, the water outlet tube 50 of
the water container 14 is sealing connected (due to the existence
of the sealing gasket 52) with the water inlet tube 36 of the iron
12 in a fluid-communicable manner. An electric circuit is provided
in the iron 12 for controlling the operation of the pump 34. When
the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water container 14, the
electric circuit is closed whereby the pump 34 is run to draw water
in the space 44 of the water container 14 through the water outlet
tube 50, the water inlet tube 36, to the water tank 24 in the iron
12 (as shown by the arrows depicted in the water outlet tube 50 and
water inlet tube 36 of FIG. 2). When the iron 12 is detached from
the water container 14, the electric circuit will be opened,
whereby the pump 34 stops running.
[0018] It can be seen from FIG. 2 that when the iron 12 is properly
engaged with the water container 14, the iron 12 sits on and is
supported by the platform 42 of the water container 14. More
particularly, when in this position, the iron 12 sits on and is
supported by rotatable rollers 56 of the platform 42 of the water
container 14.
[0019] As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, water drawn by the pump 34
through the water inlet tube 36 is led to the water tank 24 (of
which its bottom 58 is shown in FIG. 3) by an internal tube 60,
which is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. A micro-switch 62 is
provided for controlling the operation of the electric circuit in
the iron 12. A reed-switch may instead be used for controlling the
operation of the electric circuit in the iron 12.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, an end of the water inlet tube 36
extends through the body 16 of the iron 12 to the outside
environment. An actuator 64 of the micro-switch 62 is also exposed
through the body 16 of the iron 12 to the outside environment.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows in more detail the structure of the water
container 14. On the platform 42 are two pairs of rollers 56. Thus,
when the iron 12 is placed on the platform 42, it will slide on its
own weight (and assisted by the rollers 56) into proper engagement
with the water container 14. The rollers 56 may instead be wheels
or ball bearings which are rotatable relative to the platform 42. A
pair of side guides 65 are also provided for facilitating proper
engagement between the iron 12 and the water container 14.
[0022] A curved bar 66 is provided adjacent the front end 46 of the
water container 14. The bar 66 is pivotable relative to the
platform 42 between a lowered position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a
raised position. When the iron 12 is engaged with the water
container 14, the bar 66 may be pivoted to the raised position to
lock the iron 12 against accidental detachment from the water
container 14. When the bar 66 is moved to the lowered position, the
iron 12 may then be removed from the water container 14.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the water outlet tube 50 of the water
container 14 exits the water container 14 near the rear end 48 via
the sealing gasket 52. A protrusion 68 is also provided at the rear
end 48 of the water container 14, and next to the upper end of the
water outlet tube 50, for co-operation with the actuator 64 of the
micro-switch 62 for operating the electric circuit of the iron 12.
In particular, when the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water
container 14, the protrusion 68 acts on the actuator 64 of the
micro-switch 62 to close the electric circuit to thereby run the
pump 34. When the iron 12 is detached from the water container 14,
the protrusion 68 is out of contact with the actuator 64 of the
micro-switch 62, so that the electric circuit is open, to thereby
stop running of the pump 34. By way of such an arrangement, the
pump 34 automatically starts to run when the iron 12 is engaged
with the water container 14, and automatically stops to run when
the iron 12 is detached from the water container 14.
[0024] It can be seen from the above that, if desired, the iron 12
can be used as a stand-alone electric steam iron. Water may be
introduced into the water tank 24 via the opening 26. Water may
then pass to the steam chamber 22 for conversion to steam for
subsequent emission through the steam outlets 20. This is suitable
in cases where only a small number of clothing items or the like
are to be ironed. If, on the other hand, a large number of clothing
items or the like are to be ironed, the iron 12 may then be used in
co-operation with the water container 14 so as to conveniently
provide ready supply of water to the iron 12.
[0025] It should be understood that the above only illustrates an
example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that
various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should also
be understood that various features of the invention which are, for
brevity, described here in the context of a single embodiment, may
also be provided separately or in any appropriate
sub-combinations.
* * * * *