Patent Application
20150259849
An embodiment of the present disclosure relates generally to a combined iron and steamer appliance, and more particularly, to a combined iron and steamer appliance wherein water for the steamer is fed by gravity and provides continuous steam generation.
Irons are known for pressing and removing wrinkles from fabric. However, certain delicate garments cannot be ironed because of the likelihood of damage. Steam irons are also used to contact a sole plate to a garment but apertures in the soleplate are used to transmit steam to the garment. However, to remove wrinkles from delicate garments or to generally avoid using a soleplate and/or ironing board, a steamer is typically used. The steamer is a device that emits steam toward the garment but does not typically directly contact the garment. More recently, irons and steamers have been combined into a single device for convenience of the user. Such combined iron/steamer devices require a motor and pump to transfer water from a water reservoir in the device to a steam chamber, where the water comes into contact with a heater to generate the steam. With the motor and pump, a high flow rate is achieved to provide a constant steam flow toward the garment.
At a minimum, the motor and pump of known combined iron/steamers present a significant cost increase to manufacturing of the combined steamer/iron device. However, without the motor and pump, pressure builds in the steam chamber as the water is turned into steam. The result is back pressure that slows the flow rate of the water or causes intermittent flow of the water into the steam chamber. Without a steady water flow rate, the user is left with periodic puffs of steam being emitted from the device rather than a constant stream.
It is desirable to provide a combined iron and steamer device that feeds water into the steam chamber via gravity thereby eliminating the motor and pump but that also provides a continuous flow of steam.
Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an iron including a housing, a sole plate coupled to the housing and having a plurality of openings formed therein, a water reservoir located within the housing, a first steam chamber in selective fluid communication with the water reservoir via a first feed channel, and a heater in thermal communication with the sole plate and the first steam chamber. The heater is configured to heat the sole plate and water in the first steam chamber received from the water reservoir to generate steam. A steam nozzle is mounted to the housing and is in fluid communication with the first steam chamber for emitting at least a first volume of the steam generated in the first steam chamber. A feedback tube extends between the first steam chamber and the water reservoir for passing at least a second volume of the steam generated in the first steam chamber to the water reservoir.
In another embodiment, the subject device may comprise a steamer without an iron function where the steamer does not comprise a pump. Similarly, the present disclosure could be embodied by a steam iron with increased steam flow over conventional steam irons without comprising a steamer function.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.”
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein the same reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The iron 10 may further include a temperature control dial 20 that allows the user to select a desired temperature. The temperature control dial 20 may be a rotary dial and includes markings (not shown) that indicate the selected temperature. The markings are preferably provided in terms of the material of the garment to be ironed (e.g., cotton, polyester, or the like), although color coding, numerals, or the like may be used as well. The iron 10 preferably also includes a cord cover 22 protruding from a rear of the housing 12 for accommodating a power cable (not shown) for providing electrical power to the iron 10 during operation. Other conventional features, such as indicator lights, grips, or the like (not shown) may also be used with the iron 10.
Referring to
A heater 30 is provided in thermal communication with the sole plate 14 to heat the sole plate 14 for ironing operations. The heater 30 is preferably a resistive heating element placed in close physical proximity with the sole plate 14. In a preferred embodiment, the sole plate 14 includes a sealed heater channel 32 that receives the heater 30 and includes openings 34 allowing a portion of the heater 30, or a connection thereto, to extend into the housing 12 to receive power. Other arrangements of the heater 30 in the sole plate 14 or in the housing 12 may be used as well.
The iron 10 further includes a first steam chamber 36 in selective fluid communication with the water reservoir 24 via a first feed channel 38 and in thermal communication with the heater 30. The first steam chamber 36 is also in fluid communication with the steam nozzle 16 such that water received in the first steam chamber 36 from the water reservoir 24 is converted to steam by the heater 30 and emitted through the steam nozzle 16. To form the first steam chamber 36, the sole plate 14 may include a side wall 40 extending generally perpendicularly therefrom, which is preferably coupled to a chamber plate 42 to create a generally sealed reservoir for holding the water and steam. The first steam chamber 36 is preferably at least slightly larger proximate the outlet of the first feed channel 38 in order to accommodate water incoming from the water reservoir 24. The first steam chamber 36 thereafter preferably narrows and winds toward a steam feed channel 44 that provides the steam to the steam nozzle 16. In a preferred embodiment, the first steam chamber 36 follows a contour of the heater 30, and in this instance is located directly above portions of the heater channel 32. This arrangement allows for more and enhanced heat transfer to the water.
It is further contemplated that the iron 10 be capable of a steam ironing operation in addition to pure steaming through the steam nozzle 16. To that end, the sole plate 14 includes a plurality of openings 46 distributed at spaced locations therein to allow the flow of steam when the sole plate 14 is pressed against a garment, as is conventionally known. In a preferred embodiment, the iron 10 further includes a second steam chamber 48 in selective fluid communication with the water reservoir 24 via a second feed channel 50 and in thermal communication with the heater 30. The second steam chamber 48 is also in fluid communication with the plurality of openings 46 of the sole plate 14 such that water received in the second steam chamber 48 from the water reservoir 24 is converted to steam by the heater 30 and emitted through the plurality of openings 46 of the sole plate 14.
Like the first steam chamber 36, the second steam chamber 48 is preferably formed by the side wall 40 and the chamber plate 42 to create a generally sealed reservoir for holding the water and steam. The second steam chamber 48 is preferably larger proximate the outlet of the second feed channel 50 in order to accommodate water incoming from the water reservoir 24. The second steam chamber 48 thereafter preferably narrows and winds around the sole plate 14 to each of the plurality of openings 46 therein. In a preferred embodiment, the second steam chamber 48 and the plurality of openings 46 in the sole plate 14 generally follow a contour of the heater 30.
The first and second steam chambers 36, 48, as can be seen in
Water from the water reservoir 24 is preferably fed through the first feed channel 38 into the first steam chamber 36 by gravity. As the water flashes to steam in the steam chamber, pressure builds in the chamber. A novel feedback tube 38 is used to prevent back pressure from slowing the water flow through the first feed channel 38. The feedback tube 52 extends between the first steam chamber 36 and the water reservoir 24. In this way, a volume of the steam generated in the first steam chamber 36 is passed back to the water reservoir 24. The pressure is equalized between the first steam chamber 36 and the water reservoir 24. As a result, flow through the first feed channel 38 can be maintained at a generally constant rate, creating a more continuous steam flow from the steam nozzle 16. Stated another way, the pressure upstream and downstream of the first feed channel is equalized so as to maintain a constant flow of water.
In addition, the volume of steam passed back into the water reservoir 24 via the feedback tube 52 preheats water in the water reservoir 24. This provides the advantage of easier heating once the water enters the first steam chamber 36 and prevents the known negative thermal impact of cold water contacting heated portions of the sole plate 14.
An outlet 52a of the feedback tube 52 is preferably positioned in the water reservoir 24 at a predetermined distance or height from the sole plate 14. In this way, when the iron 10 is being used for traditional or steam ironing, water in the water reservoir 24 is prevented from entering into the feedback tube 52 when the sole plate 14 is oriented parallel to a support surface. Otherwise water could leak into the first steam chamber 36 to provide unintentional steam release from the steam nozzle 16 during normal ironing.
In a particular embodiment, it is desirable to keep the steam from heating the handle 18 or remainder of the housing 12 to a point that is uncomfortably warm or hot for the user. Thus, as shown schematically in
Referring to
In the embodiment of
In operation, when steaming through the steam nozzle 16 is desired, the first valve 54 is opened by pressing the shaft 58 against the force of the spring 66, thereby lifting the plug 56 away from the inlet 38a of the first feed channel 38. As a result, water from the water reservoir 24 falls by gravity through the inlet 38 and onto the bushing 62, where it may proceed toward the duct 64 and enter the first steam chamber 36. Release of the shaft 58 allows the spring 66 to return the plug 56 to the closed position and stop the flow of water from the water reservoir 24.
Similarly, in order to selectively control the flow of water from the water reservoir 24 to the second steam chamber 48, a second valve 68 is provided coupled to the second feed channel 50. The second valve 68 preferably includes a shaft 70 that is sized to seal the inlet 50a of the second feed channel 50, and is preferably formed of a polymeric material. An end of the shaft 70 opposite to the inlet 50a of the second feed channel 50 may extend into a hollow column (not shown) formed in the housing 12. A spring 72 preferably surrounds the shaft 70 and is coupled between the column and the reservoir plate 60 to bias the shaft 70 toward the inlet 50a of the second feed channel 50 in the closed position (see
In operation, when steam ironing is desired, the second valve 68 is opened by contacting and moving the post 74, which moves the shaft 70 against the force of the spring 72, thereby lifting the shaft 70 away from the inlet 50a of the second feed channel 50. As a result, water from the water reservoir 24 flows into the inlet 50a and through the second feed channel 50 to enter the second steam chamber 48. Release of the post 74 allows the spring 72 to return the shaft 70 to the closed position and stop the flow of water from the water reservoir 24.
Although the first and second valves 54, 68 have been described in detail above and in the drawings, other types and configurations of valves may be used for selectively controlling water flow from the water reservoir 24 without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
To allow the user to selectively actuate the first and second valves 54, 68, a three-position switch 76 is preferably provided that is coupled to both of the first and second valves 54, 68. The switch 76 preferably includes a selector knob 78 that protrudes from and is slidable with respect to the housing 12. In a first position of the switch 76 (shown in
Although a three-position switch is described herein, other mechanisms for controlling valve actuation, such as multiple switches, switches having more or less than three positions, or the like may be used as well. Buttons, capacitive touch screens, or other like mechanisms can also be used to control valve actuation. In addition, movement of the nozzle 16 with respect to the housing 12 may also be used as a way to operate the valves.
The switch 76 preferably includes a hook 80 that extends within the housing 12 for the purpose of interacting with the first and second valves 54, 68. For example, the hook 80 preferably includes first and second ends 80a, 80b protruding at an angle with respect to one another.
The first valve 54 preferably includes an arm 82 that is slidably coupled to and within the housing 12. The arm 82 has a first end 82a including an inclined portion that is selectively engageable with a first end 80a of the hook 80 of the switch 76. That is, as the selector knob 78 and switch 76 are moved toward the sole plate 14 to the second position, the hook 80 also moves toward the sole plate 14 and the first end 80a of the hook 80 engages the inclined portion of the first end 82a of the arm 82. As a result, the first end of the hook 80a slides along the inclined portion of the first end 82a of the arm 82 and pulls the arm 82 away from the first feed channel 38. A spring 90 is preferably provided to bias the arm 82 toward the first feed channel 38 so that in the absence of the switch 76 being in the second position, the arm 82 maintains the first valve 54 in a closed state.
A second end 82b of the arm 82 is preferably coupled to a first end 84a of a rotatable lever 84 such that sliding motion of the arm 82 with respect to the housing 12, caused by the actuation of the switch 76, results in rotation of the rotatable lever 84 about a pivot 86. A second end 84b of the rotatable lever 84 is preferably coupled to the shaft 58 of the first valve 54. As the arm 82 is pulled away from the first feed channel 38, the second end 84b of the rotatable lever 84 presses against the shaft 58 of the first valve 54 and against the bias of the spring 66 to move the plug 56 away from the inlet 38a of the first feed channel 38. This state is maintained while the switch 76 is in the second position. Once the switch 76 is moved away from the second position and the hook 80 releases the arm 82, the rotatable lever 84 is permitted to release pressure on the shaft 58, which allows the spring 66 to close the first valve 54.
The second valve 68 preferably includes a cam 88 that is movably couplable to the shaft 70 thereof for interaction with the switch 76. Preferably, the cam 88 abuts and interacts with the post 74 extending from the shaft 70. The cam 88 is selectively engageable with the second end 80b of the hook 80. As the selector knob 78 and the switch 76 are moved away from the sole plate 14 and toward the third position, the second end 80b of the hook 80 and engages and rotates the cam 88. As the cam 88 rotates, the post 74 is pressed away from the second feed channel 50 by the cam 88 and the shaft 70 accordingly is moved away from the inlet of the second feed channel 50, thereby opening the second valve 68 and allowing the water to flow by gravity from the water reservoir 24 to the second steam chamber 48. This state is maintained while the switch 76 is in the third position. Once the switch 76 is moved away from the third position and the hook 80 releases the cam 88, the shaft 70 is moved back into the inlet of the second feed channel 50 to close the second valve 68.
Referring to
The subject disclosure including steam feedback tube could also be used for a steamer appliance where the steamer does not include a pump to displace fluid or otherwise motivate the steam from the appliance.
The iron 10′ shown in
From the foregoing, it can be seen that embodiments of the present disclosure comprise an iron, and particularly a combined iron and gravity-fed steamer with continuous steam generation. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
