"IRON”

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention refers to an iron, both for professional use and for domestic use, in particular a steam iron in which steam is generated inside the iron itself.

BACKGROUND ART

Irons provided with a water tank and a boiler, or an evaporation chamber, in which, by means of an electrically heated element, the water coming from the tank is transformed into steam, which is then delivered to the outside through an ironing sole plate provided with holes for the delivery of the steam itself, in order to improve the ironing, are known.

The tank and the evaporation chamber are fluidically communicating and a selector is normally interposed between them which, if operated by a user, allows the water contained in the tank to pass towards the evaporation chamber.

When the water comes into contact with the walls of the evaporation chamber it is heated until it reaches the boiling point, almost instantly, and becomes water steam.

The evaporation chamber is in turn communicating with the holes on the ironing sole plate from which the generated water steam can exit, which then spreads onto the garment being treated.

In the known irons the aforesaid selector has only two functioning positions, namely a closed position, in which it completely prevents the passage of water from the tank to the evaporation chamber, and an open position, in which it allows it. The passage from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, takes place suddenly and no intermediate positioning is possible.

Thus, in such irons, steam can only be delivered in fixed and predefined amounts and do not allow a user to modify the amount of steam it is wished to deliver.

A drawback of such irons of known type is therefore due to the fact that it is not possible for the user to modulate the steam flow rate generated and delivered on the garment.

A further drawback of the known solutions is due to the fact that with the passage of water, when the selector is in the open position, water continues to be consumed even when the iron is at rest during ironing and is positioned horizontally.

It is also known that, between the water tank and the selector, there may be a valve operated by a bimetallic sheet that deforms as a function of the temperature inside the evaporation chamber. In particular, the aforesaid sheet deforms by bending on one side and opening the valve when a certain working temperature sufficient to instantly vaporize the water is reached and exceeded.

This solution, although appreciated due to the fact that it prevents the loss of liquid water from the holes of the ironing sole plate in the event that the selector is operated before the working temperature is reached, has some drawbacks.

A drawback is due to the fact that the opening for the passage of the water towards the plate is controlled by the bimetallic sheet, whose behaviour depends on the temperature and therefore the user must necessarily adhere to a certain time, which can also be a few minutes, in order to be able to use the steam, effectively increasing the time required to perform the ironing operations.

Another drawback is due to the fact that the valve and the bimetallic sheet need to be calibrated and finely tuned for the desired effect to be obtained. These calibration and tuning operations have a negative impact on the production cost of the iron.

A further drawback is that this known type of valve itself has high production costs that negatively affect the total cost of the iron.

Document FR2570098A3 discloses an iron provided with a device for moving stepwise a stem of a valve arranged between a tank and a vaporization chamber and locking it in predefined positions. Feeding water is adjusted by means of an adjusting disk to which a cam lever which is connected to the valve stem and cooperates with a retaining plate having a sawtooth shape to lock it in a given position is fixed.

W02010/054995 discloses an iron provided with a valve stem control device, which comprises an actuator operable by the user to move the stem of a valve from a closed position to a predefined open position, in cooperation with a limiting device which limits the displacement of the stem.

Other irons of the known type are described in FR2776214A1, US6167643B1, and DEI 02008021600A1.

There is therefore a need to realize a new and original iron that can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to realize an iron that allows a user to directly adjust the steam flow rate generated and delivered on the garment to be ironed.

Another object of the present invention is to realize an iron that is inexpensive and easy to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to realize an iron which makes it possible to reduce the time that elapses from switching it on to the moment in which it is possible to generate and deliver steam.

The Applicant has studied, tested and realized the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and to obtain the above as well as further objects and benefits. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims show other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution proposed.

In accordance with the aforesaid objects, an iron, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and eliminates the defects present therein, comprises: a tank suitable for containing water, steam generating means configured to receive a part of the aforesaid water from the aforesaid tank and to heat and evaporate the latter.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the iron further comprises an adjusting device configured to allow a user to manually adjust the amount of water transferred from the aforesaid tank to the aforesaid steam generating means from time to time.

In particular, the adjusting device is configured to allow the user to progressively vary, during ironing, the flow rate of the water transferred to the steam adjusting means.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the aforesaid adjusting device comprises, or is associated with, a manual control element by which it can be operated by a user during ironing. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the iron also comprises a containment structure in which the aforesaid tank is mounted, and the manual control element is mounted on the aforesaid structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the manual control element is arranged substantially at a handle of the aforesaid structure in such a position that it can be operated by the user with the same hand that is grasping the iron.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid adjusting device further comprises a shutter member that is connected to the aforesaid manual control element and progressively movable with respect to an outlet opening for the water to modify the passage section and to adjust the flow rate of the water.

In particular, the position of said shutter member with respect to said outlet opening is proportional to an action exerted by a user on the manual control member.

"Action" here and below in the description means in general an interaction with the manual control member such that a force or a pressure exerted on it can be varied in order to change the intensity thereof, and consequently vary the extent of the displacement of the shutter member.

In particular, the shutter member is movable continuously with respect to the outlet opening, without predefined steps or positions. The extent of displacement of the shutter member with respect to the outlet opening is proportional to the force and/or the pressure exerted by the user on the manual control element.

"Progressively" here and below in the description means that the shutter member is substantially continuously movable as a function of the action exerted on the manual control member, and consequently also the passage section of the outlet opening is substantially continuously adjustable, with a gradual increase, between a fully closed position and a fully open position.

In particular, the shutter member may assume any intermediate position between a fully closed position, in which it prevents the aforesaid water from exiting the aforesaid tank, and a fully open position, in which the aforesaid water is fed to the aforesaid steam generating means with the maximum available flow rate.

By pressing the manual control element with a progressive force, the passage section also increases and consequently the amount of steam generated increases progressively. The adjusting device is therefore very simple and intuitive to use.

According to embodiments, the aforesaid shutter member has a shutter end to which there is associated a shutter element cooperating with the outlet opening of the aforesaid tank and an operating end, opposite to the aforesaid shutter end, and operable by the aforesaid manual control element to cause a translation of the aforesaid shutter element and consequently move the aforesaid shutter member away from the aforesaid outlet opening and bring it towards the aforesaid fully open position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid shutter member comprises an oblong stem having, at the aforesaid shutter end, a cavity whose depth is progressively variable along the longitudinal axis of the aforesaid stem.

In particular, the depth of the cavity is increasing in the direction opposite to the direction of the stroke that the stem travels between the fully closed position and the fully open position. According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid adjusting device further comprises elastic means configured to normally keep the aforesaid shutter member in the aforesaid fully closed position.

In this way, when no force is exerted on the manual control element, the shutter member closes the outlet opening and consequently when the iron is not in use it does not deliver steam and no water leakage occurs through the ironing sole plate.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid manual control element is a first-degree lever having a fulcrum on the aforesaid structure, a control portion arranged below the aforesaid handle and an opposed operating portion in contact with the aforesaid shutter member. According to embodiments of the present invention, the development of the aforesaid control portion is greater than the development of the aforesaid operating portion both measured from the aforesaid fulcrum.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid manual control element comprises a movable portion, configured to rotate around an axis of rotation and on which a cavity having an eccentric profile that has the function of a cam is formed. In addition, the aforesaid shutter member comprises a constraint element, having the function of a cam- follower, arranged in contact with the aforesaid eccentric profile, whereby the rotation of the aforesaid movable portion causes the translation of the aforesaid constraint element and of the aforesaid shutter member.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid manual control element comprises a fixed portion on which a guide groove is formed, in which the aforesaid constraint element is partially inserted, the aforesaid groove being configured to guide the translation of the latter.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the aforesaid steam generating means comprise an evaporation chamber having an inlet opening, and a distribution manifold is interposed between the aforesaid outlet opening of the aforesaid tank and the aforesaid inlet opening of the aforesaid evaporation chamber.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the iron comprises a manually operable selector, arranged upstream of the aforesaid inlet opening of the aforesaid evaporation chamber and configured to selectively obstruct the aforesaid manifold.

An object of the present invention is also a method of using an iron according to the invention, comprising feeding water from a tank to steam generating means and transforming it into steam. The method comprises adjusting the amount of said water transferred from said reservoir to said steam generating means, wherein to adjust said amount of water it involves progressively moving said shutter member with respect to a water outlet opening between the fully closed position, in which it prevents said water from exiting said tank, and an open position, in which the position of said shutter member with respect to said outlet opening is proportional to an action exerted by a user on said manual control member.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the disclosure of some embodiments, provided by way of non limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: - Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of an iron according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the iron of Fig. 1 ;

- Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of an iron according to the present invention;

- Fig. 4 is a front sectional view of the iron of Fig. 3.

It should be noted that in the present description and in the claims, the term vertical with its variations, have the sole function of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the figures of the drawings and must not be used in any way to limit the scope of the present invention, or the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the term vertical is intended to indicate an axis, or a plane, which can be either perpendicular to the line of the horizon, or inclined, even by several degrees, for example up to 20°, with respect to the latter.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain dimensions, or features, in the figures may have been enlarged, deformed, or shown in an unconventional, or non-proportional manner to provide a version of the present invention which is easier to understand. When the dimensions and/or the values are specified in the description below, the dimensions and/or the values are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such dimensions and/or values are present in the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be noted that elements and features of an embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to Fig. 1, an iron 10 according to the present invention comprises an external containment structure 11 that defines a handle 12 in the upper portion thereof and that comprises, or defines, therein a tank 13 for containing water.

The tank 13 is delimited by a plurality of walls of any shape suitable to be contained within the structure 11 and in particular it comprises a lower wall 14.

The tank 13 comprises both an inlet opening 15, arranged substantially in the upper portion thereof, suitable to allow the user to introduce water inside it, and an outlet opening 16, arranged substantially on the lower wall 14.

The inlet opening 15 can possibly be associated with a cap for its closure (not depicted).

The iron 10 further comprises an evaporation group 17 preferably arranged below the tank 13 and comprising a containment body 18 which, in cooperation with an upper closing plate 19, defines therein an evaporation chamber 20 substantially closed and having at least one inlet opening 21 (Fig. 2).

The inlet opening 21 of the evaporation chamber 20 is arranged on the upper closing plate 19 in a position substantially aligned with the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13. Alternatively, the inlet opening 21 of the evaporation chamber 20 can also be misaligned with respect to the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13.

According to embodiments, a distribution duct, or manifold 22, is interposed between the tank 13 and the upper closing plate 19 to fluidically connect the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13 with the inlet opening 21 of the evaporation chamber 20.

The manifold 22 may comprise a substantially tubular body of any shape suitable for collecting the water exiting the tank 13 and conveying it into the evaporation chamber 20.

Optionally, the iron 10 may comprise a user-operable selector 23 configured to selectively obstruct the manifold 22, in particular to open or close the inlet opening 21 of the evaporation chamber 20.

The selector 23 may comprise a shutter portion 27 partially arranged in the manifold 22, between the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13 and the inlet opening 21 of the evaporation chamber 20 and having a shape at least partially conjugated to the inlet opening 21.

The selector 23 has a control portion 24 near the handle 12, by means of which it can be selectively operated by a user.

The selector 23 may be of a per se know type, for example of the snap type, having a first operational position, in which it completely prevents the passage of the water from the manifold 22 to the evaporation chamber 20, and a second operational position in which it allows it.

The iron 10 further comprises at least one heating element 25 associated with the containment body 18 and configured to heat the evaporation chamber 20.

In the example provided herein, the heating element 25 consists of, or comprises, an electrical resistor, integrated within the containment body 18.

An ironing sole plate 26 is arranged below the evaporation group 17 and comprises one or more delivery holes 28 fluidically connected to the evaporation chamber 20.

The ironing sole plate 26 can be autonomous with respect to the evaporation group 17 and fixed thereto by fixing means of a known type.

Alternatively, the ironing sole plate 26 may be integrated into the containment body 18 and, for example, may be constituted by the lower portion thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the iron 10 comprises an adjusting device 30 configured to allow a user to manually and progressively adjust the flow rate of water transferred from the tank 13 to the evaporation group 17.

The adjusting device 30 comprises a shutter member 31, selectively movable, with respect to the outlet opening 16 for the water, between a fully closed position, in which it prevents the water from exiting the tank 13 and a fully open position, in which the water can exit the tank 13 and reach the evaporation group 17 with the maximum available flow rate.

In particular, the shutter member 31 can assume any intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, so as to vary the passage section for the water and consequently allow the water flow rate to be adjusted.

The passage section and consequently the flow rate of the water can be adjusted substantially continuously.

The adjusting device 30 comprises, or is associated with, a manual control element 45, connected to the shutter member 31 and operable by a user to move the latter with respect to the outlet opening 16.

The manual control member 45 is a separate element with respect to the control portion 24 of the selector 23 and can be operated independently of it.

The shutter member 31 comprises a shutter end 35, arranged downstream of the outlet opening 16, and to which a shutter element 36 configured to shut the latter is associated.

The adjusting device 30 further comprises elastic means 42 configured to keep the shutter member 31 in the fully closed position, i.e., with the shutter element 36 in abutment against the outlet opening 16. This is advantageous in that it prevents the water from exiting the tank 13 even in the event that the possible selector 23 is activated accidentally or prematurely. This solution is much simpler and more economical than the prior art, in which, in order to achieve this result, it is envisaged to provide the iron with a complicated valve operated by a very expensive bimetallic sheet.

In the example provided herein, the shutter member 31 comprises an oblong stem 32, movable along a longitudinal axis S and arranged at least partially in the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13. Preferably, the axis S coincides with the longitudinal development axis of the stem 32 and passes through the centre of the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13.

According to embodiments, the shutter element 36 is, or comprises, a gasket, or "O-ring", which substantially adheres to the stem 32 and protrudes radially from the shutter end 35 thereof. In this case, the shutter element 36 is suitable for abutting against the lower wall 14 of the tank 13 and, specifically, against the perimeter of the outlet opening thereof 16.

On the stem 32, at the shutter end 35 thereof, a cavity 37 having a longitudinal profile that is diverging with respect to the axis S, towards the inside of the stem 32, is formed. In other words, the depth of the cavity 37, measured perpendicular to the axis S, varies progressively along a direction parallel to the same axis S.

For example, with respect to a plane of symmetry of the stem 32, comprising the axis S, the longitudinal section of the cavity 37 may be triangular or trapezoidal in shape. In this case the depth can vary continuously and linearly along the axis S.

In particular, the depth of the cavity 37 is increasing in the direction opposite to the direction of the stroke that the stem 32 travels between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

The displacement of the stem 32 with respect to the outlet opening 16 then determines the displacement of the cavity 37 with respect to it and therefore the variation of the passage section of the outlet opening 16.

Thanks to the combination of the continuously movable shutter member 31 and a triangle/trapezoid- shaped cavity 37 and a continuously varying depth, it is then possible to easily adjust the flow rate of the water fed from the tank 13 to the steam generating group 17. Referring always to the examples provided herein, at least a portion of the stem 32 may be contained in a substantially cylindrical guide member 38 and comprising a counteracting end 39 having an opening 40 through which the stem 32 may pass.

A circular sealing element 34 is fixed to the part of the stem 32 contained in the guide element 38 to prevent water contained in the tank 13 from being able to rise along the guide element 38.

The circular sealing element 34 is advantageously configured to slide on the internal walls of the guide element 38 while at the same time remaining integral with the stem 32.

The aforesaid opening 40 is preferably aligned with the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13 along the axis S and is arranged above it. The guide element 38 is preferably made as a single body with the structure 11 and/or with the walls of the tank 13.

In the example provided herein, the stem 32 comprises a counteracting portion 41 arranged within the guide element 38 and consisting of a portion of the stem 32 having a larger diameter than the remainder thereof.

In the first embodiment (Figs. 1 and 2), the elastic means 42 comprise a spring 43 interposed between the counteracting end 39 and the counteracting portion 41 and suitable for acting on the latter while maintaining, for elastic return, the gasket 36 in abutment against the lower wall 14 of the tank 13.

Instead, in the second embodiment (Fig. 4) the spring 43 is interposed between the counteracting portion 41 and an upper wall 47, fixed to the external structure 11 , and is suitable for acting on the latter ones while maintaining, for elastic return, the shutter end 35 in the closed position, in which the outlet opening 16 closes.

In both cases, the aforesaid spring 43 may be of the helical type and its central axis may be substantially coincident with the axis S.

In another embodiment, not represented in the drawings, the counteracting portion 41 of the stem 32 may be arranged outside the guide element 38 and directly above the bottom wall 14 of the tank 13; in such a case, the spring 43 may be interposed between the latter and the counteracting portion 41 and act substantially as described above. Also in this embodiment the spring 43 may be of the helical type, arranged with its central axis substantially coincident with the axis s.

The stem 32 further comprises an operating end 44, opposite to the shutter end 35, arranged substantially at the handle 12 and associated with the manual control element 45 by means of which the shutter member 31 can be operated. According to the first embodiment, the manual control element 45 comprises a first-degree lever 46 having a fulcrum F on the structure 11.

In particular, the lever 46 may comprise a control portion 48, preferably arranged below the handle 12 and an opposed operating portion 49 in contact with the stem 32. The operating portion 49 is configured to contact the operating end 44 of the stem 32 and to press the latter when a user acts on the control portion 48.

The control portion 48 is advantageously arranged at the lower, or internal, portion of the handle 12. In other words, the control portion 48 is arranged at the area of the handle 12 suitable for being wrapped, in use, by the fingers of a user. In this way, the user can act on the shutter member 31 and progressively vary the flow rate of the water fed to the evaporation group 17 while he or she is ironing, directly with the same hand that is grasping the iron 10.

When a user presses with his or her fingers on the control portion 48, the latter is raised by rotating by a few degrees about the fulcrum F and, consequently, the operating portion 49 is lowered by pressing on the operating end 44 of the stem 32 by sliding it downwards. This moves the shutter end 35, and consequently the shutter element 36, away from the outlet opening 16 bringing them towards any desired intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The extent of displacement of the stem 32 and therefore of the plug member 36 with respect to the outlet opening 16 is substantially proportional to the amount of force applied by the user on the control portion 48. This makes it particularly easy and intuitive to adjust the flow rate of the water supplied to the evaporation group 17. Note that the sliding of the stem 32 causes the cavity 37 to be positioned in the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13 and, consequently, the creation of a passage for the water from the tank 13 towards the evaporation group 17.

The divergent profile of the cavity 37 results in a continuous and progressive variation of the passage section, and therefore of the water flow rate, depending on the extent of the sliding of the stem 32.

Accordingly, in this first embodiment in which the stem 32 for passing from the closed position to the open position slides from the top to bottom, the depth of the cavity 37 progressively increases from the bottom to the top.

Furthermore, the displacement of the stem 32 results in the compression of the elastic means 42 which generate a counteracting force proportional to the sliding and which tends to bring the shutter element 36 back against the outlet opening 16 when no force is acting on the control portion 48.

Therefore, the amount of water steam generated will be proportional to the distance between the shutter element 36 and the outlet opening 16 of the tank 13 and hence to the pressure exerted by the user on the control portion 48.

Preferably, the lever 46 is advantageous, i.e., the development LI of the control portion 48 is greater than the development L2 of the operating portion 49 both measured from the fulcrum F.

This is advantageous in that, with the same rotation, the range, or displacement in a tangential direction, of the control portion 48 is greater than that of the operating portion 49 allowing the user to finely adjust the action of the operating portion 49 and consequently the extent of the displacement of the shutter element 36.

In the second embodiment, the manual control element 45 comprises at least one control portion 48 arranged laterally to the operating portion 49 (figs. 3 and 4) and which can be activated by a user's thumb. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, two control portions 48 are envisaged which are advantageously arranged each on one side of the handle 12, so as to make the iron 10 comfortable for use for both right-handed and left-handed users.

According to such embodiments, the, or each control portion 48 may have an L shape, in which a smaller arm is inserted within the structure 11 and connected to the operating portion 49, and a larger arm extends toward the rear part of the iron 10.

In this case, the operating portion 49 comprises a fixed part 50 and a movable part 52, which is configured to rotate together with the control portion 48 around an axis of rotation X, with respect to the external structure 11. A cavity 53, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis S, and defined in part by an eccentric profile 55 having the function of a cam is formed on the movable part 52.

The fixed part 50 can further have a guide groove 51, substantially straight, which extends axially along the longitudinal sliding axis S.

A constraint element 56 (perpendicular to the sheet in Fig. 4) is arranged on the operating end 44 of the stem 32, having the function of a cam- follower, which engages with the profile 55 of the movable part 50 and crosses the cavity 53 by inserting into the rear groove 51.

The activation of the control portion 48 results in the rotation of the movable part 52 and, consequently, the sliding of the profile 55 with respect to the constraint element 56.

The eccentric shape of the profile 55 lifts the constraint element 56 which is constrained to follow the straight direction defined by the groove 51 along the axis S and it consequently lifts the stem 32 vertically bringing the cavity 37 at the outlet opening 16.

In this embodiment, the depth of the cavity 37 progressively increases from the top to the bottom, as the movement of the stem 32, in order to pass from the closed position to the open position, takes place from the bottom to the top.

Also in this embodiment, the extent of displacement of the stem 32 and therefore of the shutter member 36 and the cavity 37 with respect to the outlet opening 16 is substantially proportional to the amount of force applied by the user on the control portion 48.

Note that, the sliding of the stem 32 involves the compression of the elastic means 42, 43 which consequently generate a counteracting force proportional to the sliding and which tends to bring the shutter end 35 back to the closed position, in which it closes the outlet opening 16.

An object of the present invention is also a method of using an iron 10, comprising feeding water from a tank 13 to steam generating means 17 and transforming it into steam.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the method comprises adjusting the amount of said water transferred from the tank to the steam generating means 17, wherein to adjust the amount of water it involves progressively moving the shutter member 31 with respect to an outlet opening 16 of the water between the fully closed position, in which it prevents said water from exiting said tank 13, and an open position, in which the position of said shutter member 31 with respect to the outlet opening 16 is correlated to the extent of an action exerted by a user on the manual control member 45.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the iron 10, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent embodiments of iron, all of which falling within the subject-matter of the present invention.

In the following claims, the references in parentheses have the sole purpose of facilitating reading and must not be considered as limiting factors of the scope of protection defined by the claims themselves.