EP3927875A1 - Steam station with water tank - Google Patents
Steam station with water tankInfo
- Publication number
- EP3927875A1 EP3927875A1 EP20705971.8A EP20705971A EP3927875A1 EP 3927875 A1 EP3927875 A1 EP 3927875A1 EP 20705971 A EP20705971 A EP 20705971A EP 3927875 A1 EP3927875 A1 EP 3927875A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- iron
- steam
- base
- station
- rest
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 131
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 421
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 217
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- 238000010409 ironing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N novaluron Chemical compound C1=C(Cl)C(OC(F)(F)C(OC(F)(F)F)F)=CC=C1NC(=O)NC(=O)C1=C(F)C=CC=C1F NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000004932 little finger Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000000396 iron Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004702 low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-L terephthalate(2-) Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C1=CC=C(C([O-])=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
- D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
- D06F75/12—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water supplied to the iron from an external source
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/40—Stands or supports attached to the iron
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F79/00—Accessories for hand irons
- D06F79/02—Stands or supports neither attached to, nor forming part of, the iron or ironing board
Definitions
- the present invention is related to a steam station with a water tank.
- ironing i.e., the smoothing of creases in clothes and other fabric materials
- a hand-iron having a heated sole-plate (e.g., a stainless-steel plate heated by an electric heating element).
- a heated sole-plate e.g., a stainless-steel plate heated by an electric heating element.
- steam-generators were integrated into the construction of the hand-iron, with the steam-generators boiling water to produce steam which is then emitted though holes in the sole-plate onto the fabric.
- a steam station typically comprises a base section having a steam generator and a water-tank, and a hand-iron section provided with steam and electrical power via suitable hoses and cables from the base section.
- the steam-generator may be located in the hand-iron and supplied with water pumped from the water tank in the base section via a hose.
- the base-section is not integral to the hand-iron, but instead connected to it only by hoses and cables, it can be rested on a surface during ironing, rendering the hand-unit much less cumbersome. Additionally, water storage capacity is much less limited in this configuration.
- a rest or iron-seat is typically provided on the steam-station base unit on which the hot hand-iron can be loosely rested on in-between periods of use. Since the iron is not stable on an excessively inclined surface, this surface must be either horizontal or only gently inclined (e.g., roughly 30 degrees or less from the horizontal), otherwise the iron may slip off the iron-seat and potentially injure the user.
- a further disadvantage of the steam stations of the prior art is that, even when emptied of water, the water-tank of the steam station takes up just as much space as when it is full, increasing the space required to store the device.
- a steam station according to the invention comprises a steam generator.
- a steam generator is a device for turning water into steam, for example by heating it.
- the station further comprises a base which in turn comprises a water tank fluidically connected to the steam generator for providing water to the steam generator, the base preferably having a columnar shape.
- the base is a part of the steam station which was previously referred to as a base section. It is comparatively fixed in place during ironing whilst the iron itself is moved.
- a fluid such as water can be led from the water tank to the steam generator, where it is turned into steam.
- a columnar shape it is meant that the base has a shape which is long in one direction, compared with the other two directions orthogonal to that direction. Put differently, columnar means that the base has the form of a column.
- the columnar shape is such that it extends in the vertical direction during use of the steam station.
- the steam station further comprises an iron with a sole plate.
- the iron is fluidically connected to the steam generator and configured to emit steam provided by the steam generator for facilitating the ironing of clothes.
- the fluidical connection means that the steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron.
- the steam station further comprises an iron-rest connected to the base via a rotating joint wherein the iron-rest can be moved about the joint from a first configuration where the iron rest extends out from the base for allowing the iron to be rested thereon, to a second configuration where the iron rest extends substantially in parallel with the base.
- the first configuration is preferably essentially horizontal to allow for resting the iron thereon without slipping.
- the second configuration is, compared with the first configuration, preferably more vertical to take up less space.
- the iron-rest comprises a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron rest is in the second configuration.
- the steam generator is located within the base and that it superheats the steam which is provided to the iron.
- the steam generator being located within the base, a space saving configuration is achieved. By super-heating the steam, one avoids condensation of the steam as it is led to the iron.
- the steam station comprises a pump configured to pump water from the water tank to the steam generator.
- the steam station comprises a pump configured to pump water from the water tank to the steam generator.
- the pump is located in the base.
- Such an arrangement provides for a lighter iron, which makes ironing easier.
- the storage seat is located on an opposite surface of the iron-rest to an iron rest area.
- That iron rest area is configured to loosely receive the iron during resting between ironing operations. By providing such an iron rest area, it becomes possible to put the iron down during ironing operations.
- the storage seat comprises a user-actuatable lock configured to secure the iron within the storage seat, preferably a sliding lock or a rotating lock. Such a lock aids in holding the iron in place during storage.
- one of the storage seat and the iron comprises a recess configured to receive a protrusion or hook of the other of the storage seat and the iron, for releasably securing the iron in the storage seat. This provides a reliable way of storing the iron between ironing operations.
- the storage seat comprises ribs configured to separate the sole plate of the iron from a main body of the iron-rest when the iron is received in the storage seat. Those ribs space the sole plate from the bottom of the storage seat and thereby avoid a contact between the sole plate, which will most likely be hot after ironing operations, and the storage seat. This avoids overheating of the storage seat, thus mitigating damage, and also allows the iron to cool down more quickly.
- the rotating joint comprises one of a fabric joint, a flexible joint, a ball-joint, an articulated joint, and a hinge.
- the steam station preferably further comprises a pedestal configured to retain the steam station in an upright position across the full range of fill-states of the water tank and extension of the iron-rest away from the base. This increases the stability of the steam station.
- the iron is fluidically connected to the water tank via a flexible hose, wherein the iron is configured to hold the flexible hose against the base when secured in the storage seat.
- the hose can be used for conducting water to the iron (if the steam generator is provided within the iron), or it can be used to conduct steam to the iron if the steam generator is provided inside the base.
- the steam station is configured such that the hose can be wrapped around the steam station and can then be secured in that wrapped configuration by the iron being secured to the storage seat so that the hose cannot unravel from the base.
- the flexible hose can be securely and space efficiently stored between ironing operations.lt is further preferred that the water tank is collapsible so that the storage space is reduced when the steam station is not in use and when, accordingly, the water tank is empty.
- the iron comprises a heat-insulating shell located on an opposite side of the iron to the sole plate, so as to face outwardly from the storage seat when the iron is secured within the storage seat. In this way the steam station is rendered more safe, as the part of the iron facing the user will be less likely to be hot enough to cause injury.
- the storage seat is configured to surround the shell so as to prevent finger-access to the sole plate when the iron is secured in the storage seat. This helps prevent fingers coming into contact with the hot sole plate.
- the storage seat can surround the shell with a gap of less than approximately 1.6cm (i.e., the width of an adult human little finger) and more preferably with a gap of less than approximately 0.8 cm (the width of a child's little finger).
- the rotating joint can comprise a user-actuatable latch configured to lock the joint against rotation at at least one rotary position.
- the iron-rest is prevented from moving during use.
- the iron rest may be locked in the second configuration to stop it unexpectedly folding out.
- the steam station may optionally be configured to automatically de-energise the steam generator and/or a heating element associated with the sole-plate when the iron is secured in the storage seat. This prevents the iron accidentally heating the steam-station when it is stored.
- the water tank preferably comprises a water-level sensor
- the steam station comprises a user interface configured to communicate a water-level status of the water tank to the user.
- the steam station can communicate to the user when there is not enough water for ironing.
- Feedback from the water-level sensor can cause the steam-station to de-energise the steam generator so as to prevent activation of the steam generator when there is not enough water to operate it properly.
- the water tank is preferably removably attachable to the base for the user's convenience when filing and cleaning the tank.
- the water tank can comprise a connector configured to prevent water out flow from the water tank via the connector when the water tank is removed from the base so as to prevent spillage.
- the iron and the base are electronically connected, and one of the iron and the base is configured to transmit instructions for controlling the other of the iron and the base input by a user.
- the one of the iron and the base is also preferably configured to receive feedback from the other of the iron and the base and communicate it to the user. In this way the need for separate controls and user-interfaces on each of the iron and the base is avoided.
- a steam station comprises a base which in turn comprises a water tank fluidically connected to the steam generator for providing water to the steam generator.
- the base is a part of the steam station which was previously referred to as a base section. It is fixed in place during ironing whilst the iron itself is moved.
- a fluid such as water can be led from the water tank to the steam generator, where it is turned into steam.
- the steam station further comprises an iron with a sole plate. The iron is fluidically connected to the steam generator and configured to emit steam provided by the steam generator for facilitating the ironing of clothes.
- the fluidical connection means that the steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron.
- the steam station further comprises an iron-rest connected to the base.
- the iron-rest comprises a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron rest is in the second configuration.
- the water tank is collapsible so that it is capable of assuming a configuration which consumes less space when it is empty than when it is full of water. Such a steam station can be stored space efficiently thanks to the collapsible water tank.
- the iron-rest is provided on top of the base, with the collapsible water tank interposed between the base and the iron-rest.
- Such a configuration consumes less floor space than a configuration where the water tank and the iron-rest are horizontally arranged.
- the iron-rest is connected with the base via a hinge so that the iron-rest can be swung up and down relative to the base.
- the iron-rest bears against the collapsible water tank and compresses it so as to exert a force which drives water out of the water tank. This force creates a pressure inside the water tank which aids in extracting water. Accordingly, the speed of the water flow and the water pressure of water led to the steam generator can be increased.
- the water tank is arranged horizontally adjacent the iron-rest.
- the section of the base (water tank holder portion) to which the water tank is connected can be pivoted between a first configuration where the section of the base and the iron-rest are essentially aligned and a second configuration where the section of the base and the iron-rest are at an angle to each other.
- the second configuration can be adopted when the water tank is empty and thus collapsed, so as to save space.
- the first configuration can be adopted during use, i.e. with a full (and, accordingly, non-collapsed) water tank.
- Fig. la shows a perspective representation of an improved steam-station according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the iron seat folded outwardly ;
- Fig. lb shows a perspective representation of the steam-station of Fig. la with the lid of the water- tank in a raised position;
- Fig. 2a shows a perspective representation of the steam station of Fig. la with the iron-seat folded in an upright position and the hand-iron stored on it;
- Fig. 2b is a perspective representation of the steam station of Fig. 2a, viewed from a different angle;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective representation of the storage-slot of the steam station of Fig. la in an upright position;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective representation of the steam station of Fig. la with the hand-iron lifted away from the iron-seat;
- Fig. 5a shows a side-on drawing of a full collapsible water-tank according to a second embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 5b shows side-on drawing of an empty collapsible water-tank according to the second embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 6a shows a side-on drawing of a full collapsible water-tank according to a third embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 6b shows a side-on drawing of an empty water-tank according to the third embodiment
- Fig. 7a shows a side-on drawing of a full water-tank according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 7b shows a side-on drawing of an empty water-tank according to the fourth embodiment
- Fig. 8a shows a side-on drawing of a full water-tank according to a fifth embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 8b shows a side-on drawing of an empty water-tank according to the fifth embodiment
- Fig. 9a shows a side-on drawing of a combination collapsible water-tank and steam-station according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, with the water-tank full;
- Fig. 9b shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and steam-station according to the sixth embodiment, with the water-tank empty;
- Fig. 10a a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the seventh embodiment, with the water-tank full;
- Fig. 10b a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the seventh embodiment, with the water-tank empty;
- Fig. 11a a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the eighth embodiment, with the water-tank full;
- Fig. lib a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the eighth embodiment, with the water-tank empty;
- Fig. 12a a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the ninth embodiment, with the water-tank full;
- Fig. 12b a shows a side-on drawing of the combination collapsible water-tank and folding steam- station according to the ninth embodiment, with the water-tank empty.
- Fig. la shows a folding steam station 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention in a first configuration, with the iron-rest 110 (also called a “flip-board”) hinged downwardly about the hinge 112 away from the column (base) 130 so as to extend substantially horizontally away from the column 130.
- the hand-iron 120 also called a "hand piece” can be loosely rested on the iron-rest 111 during use without danger of falling off and potentially injuring the user.
- the column 130 has a water tank 131 which the user may fill with water for use in generating steam.
- the water-tank 131 is preferably made of a transparent material (e.g., a transparent plastic or glass, preferably heat-resistant) and may include graduation marks on the side so that the user can judge how much water is contained in it.
- the graduation marks may include "MAX” and "MIN" marks to indicate to the user maximum and minimum quantities of water to be placed in the tank 131 during use.
- the water tank 131 may be integral to the column 130 or it may be removably attached to it.
- the column 130 also includes a base 133, this base 133 may include a steam generator for supplying steam to the hand iron 120 via a flexible hose 134.
- the steam supplied to the hand iron 120 can then be emitted though steam-holes in the sole-plate 121 of the hand-iron 120 onto fabrics being ironed to facilitate ironing.
- the hand iron 120 may include a steam generator supplied with water from the tank 131 via the flexible hose 134 using a pump located either in the base 133 or in the hand iron 120. Water supplied to the hand iron 120 may also be squirted onto fabrics during ironing in response to a user input (e.g. pressing a button such as trigger 122) for facilitating ironing.
- the trigger 122 can have the function to start / stop the steam flow out of the sole plate 121.
- the steam generators and pumps are preferably electric, and receive power from the mains via flexible cable 135 and an attached plug (not shown), though for squirting small quantities of water onto clothes a small manual pump may be provided on the hand iron 120. Any suitable plug may be used.
- steam produced by the steam generator is preferably super-heated to prevent it transforming back into liquid water due to cooling whilst e.g., travelling through the flexible hose 134 before it is emitted through the steam-holes of the sole plate 121.
- the steam generator can be located anywhere within the steam station 100, it is preferably located beneath the tank 131 when the steam station is properly oriented, so that the steam-station can be gravity-fed via e.g., a one-way valve, and supplies steam to the iron 120 via another one-way valve.
- These valves may be opened/closed electronically via e.g., solenoids or manually via e.g., a screw or push-button, responsive to user input.
- the steam generator may be either a drip-type steam generator, where the water drips onto a heated surface and is rapidly evaporated into steam thus aiding super-heating of the steam, or a flooded-type steam generator where the heated surface is immersed in water, or a hybrid device capable of both.
- the iron rest 110 Whilst the iron rest 110 is shown extending substantially horizontally away from the column 130, it may extend at an angle to the horizontal that is sufficiently shallow for the hand iron 120 to remain resting loosely on the iron-rest 110 (e.g., no more than 45 degrees from the horizontal, and preferably roughly 30 degrees or less away from the horizontal). To promote frictional contact with the hand iron 120 and reduce the contact surface whilst it rests loosely in the iron rest area 118 of the iron rest 110, as shown in Fig.
- the iron rest 110 may include ribs 117, which are preferably made of a heat-resistant resilient polymer (e.g., a heat-resistant silicone, or a heat-resistant thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, such as RTP 1200 Series TPUR available from the RTP company of 580 East Front Street , Winona, Minnesota 55987, USA). Additionally or alternatively, the iron-rest area 118 may be of sufficient depth to retain the iron 120 within it.
- a heat-resistant resilient polymer e.g., a heat-resistant silicone, or a heat-resistant thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, such as RTP 1200 Series TPUR available from the RTP company of 580 East Front Street , Winona, Minnesota 55987, USA.
- TPE thermoplastic elastomer
- the ribs 117 are heat-resistant to at least the maximum operating temperature of the hand iron 120.
- the maximum operating temperature used in most irons is for cotton, and is typically in the range of 180-220 degrees centigrade.
- the ribs 117 need not be resilient and can instead be a non-resilient heat-resistant material such as e.g., ceramic or hard heat-resistant plastic.
- the ribs 117 Whilst only two ribs 117 are shown in Fig. 4, more may be used. As well as promoting grip on the hand iron 120, the ribs 117 also extend away from the iron rest 110 to separate the hot sole plate 121 of the hand iron 120 from the main body of the iron rest 110, preventing excessive heat- transmission to the iron rest 110. To achieve this, the thermal conductivity of the ribs 117 should be relatively low (e.g., preferably 0.25 Watts per metre-Kelvin or less at room temperature and pressure, and more preferably 0.05 Watts per metre-Kelvin or less - i.e., heat-insulating).
- the iron rest 110 is preferably made of a heat-resistant material such as glass-fibre-reinforced Polybutelene terephthalate (PBT).
- Figs 2a and 2b show the folding steam station in a second configuration, with the iron-rest 110 hinged upwardly about the hinge 112 toward the column 130 so as to extend substantially vertically or in parallel with the column 130, and preferably against the column 130 for compactness.
- a handle 113 is provided at the upper end of the iron rest 110, and protrudes above the column 130, to allow hand-carrying of the steam station 100 by the user.
- the handle 113 preferably extends at an angle to the rest of the iron rest 110 such that, when the steam station 100 is positioned on a flat surface and the iron rest 110 is moved to a substantially horizontal orientation the handle 113 contacts the surface to aid with the stability of the device. Stability is also ensured by the way in which the iron rest 110 hinges away from the column 130 near the base 133, which ensures that the iron rest 110 remains near the surface on which the steam station 100 stands ensuring a low centre of gravity.
- the iron-rest 110 is held in the upright position against the force of gravity by the button-operated latch/locking element 136.
- This button-operated latch 136 can be any rotary latch or ratchet mechanism which prevents the iron-rest 110 from rotating about the hinge 112 from the upright position to the lowered position unless the spring-loaded button of the button-operated latch 136 is pressed.
- the latch 136 may be indexed so as to only lock in the upright position, leaving the iron rest 110 free to rotate about the hinge 112 so long as it is not returned to the upright position.
- the latch 136 may be indexed so as to lock in two or more positions (e.g., the upright position and the substantially horizontal position) and requires the button to be pressed to rotate the iron rest 110 away from these positions.
- the button-operated latch 136 may have a substantially continuous ratchet mechanism or frictional clamp which locks the iron rest 110 at any angle relative to the column 130 unless the button is pressed.
- a storage seat 115 is provided for the iron 120 on an opposite side of the iron-rest 110 to the iron rest area 118.
- the iron 120 is retained in the storage seat 115 by a sliding lock 114 which slides towards the storage seat 115 once the iron 120 is located within the storage seat 115 to retain the iron within it.
- the sliding lock 114 is preferably spring-loaded to bias it towards the closed (i.e., locked) position to prevent accidental unlocking.
- the pedestal 137 preferably extends beneath the iron 120 when it is locked in the storage seat 115 to protect it.
- the pedestal 137 also preferably extends a sufficient length underneath the iron rest 110 to maintain the steam station 100 in an upright position even when the iron rest 110 is fully extended away from the column, and even with the iron 120 placed on the iron rest 110, and even with the water tank 131 emptied.
- the flexible cable 135 and/or the flexible hose 134 may be wrapped around the column 130.
- the relatively non- thermally-conductive (i.e., heat insulating) shell of the iron 123 faces outwardly and extends towards the pedestal 137 such that the hose 134 and cable 135 are held in position between the column 130, the shell 123, and the pedestal 137, and cannot easily become unwrapped.
- the shell 123 may either extend to contact the pedestal 137, or sufficiently close to the pedestal 137 to prevent the flexible hose 134 and/or the cable 135 from escaping through the gap between the shell 123 and the pedestal 137.
- the shell of the iron 123 may extend sufficiently close to the column 130 to trap the flexible hose 134 between the iron 123 and the column 130 when the iron 120 is locked in the storage seat 115.
- another locking means may be used to hold the iron 120 in the storage seat 115.
- a pivoting latch may be used.
- the sole plate 121 or another part of the iron 120 may interlock with a recess (e.g., a pocket) in the storage seat 115.
- one of the iron 120 and the storage seat 115 may have hooks that interlock with corresponding recesses in the other of the iron 120 and the storage seat 115.
- the storage seat 115 may include ribs 116.
- the composition and function of these ribs 116 is the same as that already described for the ribs 117 of the iron rest area 118.
- One or both of the iron rest area 118 and the storage seat 115 may be shaped so as to closely surround the sole plate 121 of the iron 120 when the iron 120 is placed within them. This helps prevent accidental contact by the user with the hot sole plate 121. Since the iron 120 has an relatively non-conductive upper shell 123, the shell 123 may extend so as to leave only a narrow gap (e.g., less than the width of an average human little finger - ⁇ 1.6cm for adults and ⁇ 0.8cm for children) between the iron seat 110 and the shell 123 when the iron 120 is securely located within one or both of the iron rest area 118 and the storage seat 115. In this way air may still flow into the space between the iron 120 and the iron seat 110, but fingers cannot reach into this space to contact the sole plate 121. Alternatively the shell 123 may contact the iron seat 110 around part or all of its circumference to substantially close off this space.
- a narrow gap e.g., less than the width of an average human little finger - ⁇ 1.6cm for adults and ⁇
- Either or both of the sliding lock 114 and the button-operated latch 136 may have a state-sensor (e.g., a circuit that is completed when they are in a open/closed position, a micro-switch that is pressed by a push-rod when they are in an open/closed position, a reed-switch and magnet arrangement where the read switch is actuated by the magnet when the switch is in a closed position, or other similar switches known in the art) that is in electronic communication with an electronic controller (e.g., a CPU with associated PCB having suitable memory, communication, and processing resources) of the steam station 100.
- a further state-sensor may detect whether or not the iron 120 is located within the storage seat 115.
- the water-tank 131 may also include a level sensor for detecting a level of the water within the tank 131.
- the controller may selectively activate and de-activate functions of the steam-station 100 depending on the output of the above-described sensors.
- the heating element of the sole plate 121 of the iron 120 and/or the steam generator may be deactivated if the state-sensors detect that the iron 120 is in the storage seat 115.
- the steam generator and/or pump of the steam station 100 may be deactivated if the water-level within the tank 131 is too low, and an auditory or visual warning (e.g., warning light) may be communicated to the user.
- activation of the heating element of the sole plate 121, the steam generator and/or the pump may be prevented when the iron-seat is in an upright position and/or not in a substantially horizontal orientation.
- a warning light is shown when the sensors indicate that the sliding lock 114 is not properly engaged to lock the iron 120 within the storage seat 115.
- the iron 120 may include a user interface 124 such as a rotary dial.
- the user interface 124 may control only the items within the iron 120 (e.g., the heating element of the sole plate 121, an internal steam generator and/or internal pump of the hand iron 120). Alternatively it may also be used to control, and receive feedback from, the components within the column 130, such as a steam generator, sensor, or pump in the base 133.
- the hand iron 120 communicates electronically via either wires carried by the flexible hose 134, or via wireless communication modules such as wifi modules provided in each of the iron 120 and the column 130.
- a further user interface may be provided on the column 130 which can also be used to control either only the components of the column 130 or both the components of the column 130 and the iron 120 in a similar fashion to that already discussed for the user interface 124.
- the temperature of the sole-plate may be controlled by the user input 124 and the steam-rate may be controlled by a user-interface on the column 130.
- One or both of the above-described user-interfaces may include a display for providing feed-back to the user. This may include information such as a fill-level of the water-tank 131, and a temperature of the sole plate 121 sensed by a temperature sensor associated with it. Where a sensor located in one of the column 130 and the iron 120 communicates with a processor in the other of the column 130 and the iron 120 to e.g., provide feedback either to the user or to an electronic controller, this may be done via either wires in the flexible hose 134 or wirelessly as already described above.
- the footprint of the steam station 100 in this second, compact configuration is not substantially greater than that of the pedestal 137, thus minimising horizontal storage space taken up by the device.
- the vertical orientation (i.e., vertical orientation of the major axis) of the iron 120 ensured by the shape of the iron storage seat 115, particularly improves storage.
- the hinge 112 Whilst the hinge 112 is described above as being located near to the pedestal 137, at the base of the steam station 100, it may instead be located near the top of the column 130 with the lowermost end of iron rest 110 moving away from the column 130 about the hinge 112.
- the iron rest area 118 may double as the iron seat, and may include all the features already described for iron seat 115. In this case there is no need to provide a separate iron seat 115 on the opposite side of the iron rest 110 to the iron rest area 118.
- a collapsible water tank 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 5a and 5b.
- the collapsible water tank 200 has a hollow main body made of a flexible, preferably transparent substance, for example a flexible plastic may be used such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, or Polycarbonate.
- the main body made of a flexible, preferably transparent substance, for example a flexible plastic may be used such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, or Polycarbonate.
- 201 can collapse from a full state (shown in Fig 3a) to an empty state (shown in Fig. 3b) in which it may be more easily stored.
- a connector 202 (also known as a coupling element) is provided in fluid communication with the main body 201 such that water contained in the main body 201 may flow through it.
- the connector also known as a coupling element
- the connector 202 may also be used to attach the water tank 200 to a device such as a steam-station via either a bayonet or screw-type attachment, or another suitable attachment.
- the connector 202 preferably, but not essentially, includes a valve for preventing the unwanted out-flow of water from the main body 201.
- This valve may be a screw-type valve, which is opened and closed by twisting the connector 202 relative to the main body 201.
- the valve may be a spring-loaded valve which is ordinarily kept closed by the spring except when the connector 202 is attached to something in which case during attachment the valve is pushed open against the spring by a protrusion on the device it is being attached to, or by hand for filling.
- the corrugated collapsible water tank 300 shown in Figs. 6a and 6b is similar to the collapsible water tank 200 except that the main body 301 of the water tank 300 is corrugated by corrugations 302 (i.e., ridges and grooves in the wall of the main body 301 which allow the wall sections between the corrugations 302 to fold substantially flat against each other) extending circumferentially around the main body 301.
- corrugations 302 i.e., ridges and grooves in the wall of the main body 301 which allow the wall sections between the corrugations 302 to fold substantially flat against each other
- the corrugations 302 facilitate in the folding of main body 301 to be more compact.
- the telescoping collapsible water tank 400 shown in Figs. 7a and 7b is similar to the water tank 200 except that rather than collapsing by folding, it has a main body consisting of an lower portion 401 and an upper portion 402 where the upper section telescopes away from the lower portion as it fills with water in order to accommodate more.
- the meeting point between the upper portion 402 and the lower portion 401 may be sealed using e.g., a rubber gasket, in order to prevent water from escaping between the two portions. Since the side walls of the lower portion 401 and the upper portion 402 do not need to flex during the process of telescoping, more rigid, durable materials can be used in their construction.
- the balloon-style collapsible water tank 500 shown in Figs. 8a and 8b is similar to the water tank 200 except that its main body 501 is made of an elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. Since the material of the water tank 500 expands and contracts, a particularly compact storage-size is made possible. The elastic material also pressurises its contents, thus aiding out-flow of water during use.
- Figs. 9a and 9b illustrate a collapsible water tank 200 of the type already described above with reference to Figs. 5a and 5b connected via the connector 202 to a typical steam-station 600 having a iron 602 resting on a steam station base 601, where the iron 602 can receive steam, water, and power from the base 601 via a hose 603.
- the connector 202 may be omitted and the tank instead formed with the base 601.
- the water tank 200 may be equipped with an aperture in its upper surface closed by a removable cap to facilitate filling when the connector 202 is oriented downwardly.
- a filler-aperture may be provided in steam station itself 600 to allow filling and emptying of the tank 200 when it is attached to the steam station 600, particularly when the water tank 200 is integrally formed with the steam station 600.
- Figs. 10a and 10b show a steam station 700 with a concertina/corrugated-type collapsing water tank 706 similar to the collapsible water tank 300 already described above.
- the steam station 700 has a base unit 701 that is hingedly connected via hinge 705 to iron-rest 704.
- a hand iron 702 with a hose 703, similar to the hand iron 602 and hose 603, can be rested on the iron rest 704.
- the collapsible water tank 706 is located between the base unit 701 and the iron rest 704, and is in fluid communication with either or both of them, the weight of the iron rest 704 and iron 702 on the water tank 706 causes water to flow more quickly from the water tank 706.
- the steam station 700 adopts a more compact configuration for storage as shown in Fig. 10b.
- Figs. 11a and lib illustrate a collapsible water tank 300 of the type already described above connected to a steam station 800.
- the steam station 800 is similar to the steam station 600 except that, rather than being formed as a single piece, the base of the steam station comprises an iron rest portion 801 and a water tank holder portion 802 that are hingedly and fluidically connected via a hinge 803.
- the steam station 800 can be folded so as to store more easily.
- the iron rest 801 can have all of the same features already described for the iron rest 110.
- Figs. 12a and 12b disclose a steam station 900 having a collapsible water tank 300 of the kind already described above.
- the steam station 900 is similar to the steam station 600 except that the base of the steam station is C-shaped in form, with a base portion 901 connected to an iron rest 902 by an upright portion 903.
- the water tank 300 is in fluid communication with the base portion 901 and slowly collapses as the water within it is used. As shown in Fig. 12a, when the water tank 300 is completely emptied the space thus liberated can then be used as space in which to store the hose 904 (or other connectors/accessories) without adding to the total storage space of the steam station 900.
- hinges are described above for use in providing arrangements that allow sections to pivot relative to each other, in each case another way of providing relatively-moveable but connected sections may be used.
- This can include a flexible joint (e.g., one made of flexible plastic or fabric), an articulated joint, a ball-joint, or any other rotating joint.
- a flexible joint e.g., one made of flexible plastic or fabric
- an articulated joint e.g., one made of flexible plastic or fabric
- a ball-joint e.g., a ball-joint, or any other rotating joint.
- Hollow spaces within one section may be used to accommodate another in a telescoping-type arrangement, for example the base 701 may telescope into the iron-rest 704.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Irons (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1902339.9A GB2581505B (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2019-02-20 | Steam Station with water tank |
PCT/EP2020/054330 WO2020169653A1 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-02-19 | Steam station with water tank |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3927875A1 true EP3927875A1 (en) | 2021-12-29 |
Family
ID=65998760
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20705971.8A Pending EP3927875A1 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-02-19 | Steam station with water tank |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3927875A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN113454279B (en) |
GB (1) | GB2581505B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020169653A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023280726A1 (en) * | 2021-07-08 | 2023-01-12 | Seb S.A. | Electrical household appliance having an ironing and/or decreasing tool and a porable base connected to the tool by a cord |
FR3125070B1 (en) * | 2021-07-08 | 2023-06-02 | Seb Sa | Apparatus for steaming laundry comprising a base intended to rest on a support. |
FR3141196A1 (en) * | 2022-10-20 | 2024-04-26 | Seb S.A. | Steam diffusion base for a household appliance |
CN117062192B (en) * | 2023-10-11 | 2023-12-12 | 深圳市微琪思网络有限公司 | Method and system for establishing wireless connection of electric iron based on artificial intelligence algorithm |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH03264099A (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1991-11-25 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Iron device |
EP0493765B1 (en) * | 1990-12-26 | 1995-10-11 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | An ironing apparatus |
JP2789850B2 (en) * | 1991-06-03 | 1998-08-27 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Ironing equipment |
ITMI20030879A1 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2004-11-01 | Mo El Srl | IRONING DEVICE |
EP1541746A1 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2005-06-15 | Crown Technics Ltd. | Steam iron assembly |
FR2895422B1 (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2008-07-18 | Raoul Parienti | RETRACTABLE BOARD AND IRON ASSEMBLY |
EP1911874A1 (en) * | 2006-10-09 | 2008-04-16 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Soleplate for an iron |
CN201056649Y (en) * | 2007-02-14 | 2008-05-07 | 厦门灿坤实业股份有限公司 | Steam generating ironing machine |
CN201245787Y (en) * | 2008-07-15 | 2009-05-27 | 厦门灿珅实业股份有限公司 | Rotatable heat insulation plate structure of boiler flat-iron |
WO2014013360A2 (en) * | 2012-07-16 | 2014-01-23 | Laurastar S.A. | Steam ironing system having a handle |
CN109154127A (en) * | 2016-05-26 | 2019-01-04 | 皇家飞利浦有限公司 | Ironing system with water conveying mechanism |
CN108252067B (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2020-11-17 | 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 | Water level adjusting device and garment steamer |
CN108505306A (en) * | 2018-05-31 | 2018-09-07 | 浙江松洋电器有限公司 | A kind of presses with variable volume water tank |
CN108691184A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2018-10-23 | 浙江松洋电器有限公司 | A kind of presses with discharging water functional water tank |
-
2019
- 2019-02-20 GB GB1902339.9A patent/GB2581505B/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-02-19 WO PCT/EP2020/054330 patent/WO2020169653A1/en unknown
- 2020-02-19 CN CN202080015508.2A patent/CN113454279B/en active Active
- 2020-02-19 EP EP20705971.8A patent/EP3927875A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN113454279A (en) | 2021-09-28 |
GB201902339D0 (en) | 2019-04-03 |
GB2581505A (en) | 2020-08-26 |
GB2581505B (en) | 2021-05-12 |
WO2020169653A1 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
CN113454279B (en) | 2023-05-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
WO2020169653A1 (en) | Steam station with water tank | |
US5397875A (en) | Portable appliance for heating towels and for dispensing heated fluid such as body oil to facilitate the administration of a massage | |
US20100024492A1 (en) | Compact steam appliance with folding handle | |
US7475504B2 (en) | Steamer and hot iron appliance | |
JP4063675B2 (en) | Steamer system | |
US5736714A (en) | Portable towel heating appliance with accessories | |
WO2008119966A2 (en) | Liquid heating vessels | |
US8347531B2 (en) | Steam ironing appliance comprising a water container directly connected to a boiling compartment | |
JP6201143B2 (en) | Steam blower | |
CN205688244U (en) | Flatiron home appliance | |
JP6887137B2 (en) | Steam ejector and steam iron | |
RU2776975C1 (en) | Steam station with water tank | |
CN107853999A (en) | Portable milk warmer with sterilizing function | |
JP2011092258A (en) | Electric kettle | |
US8302334B2 (en) | Ironing appliance comprising a boiling compartment in which the steam produced can freely escape to an ironing instrument | |
KR200401016Y1 (en) | Steam cleaner | |
CN105078237B (en) | Water dispenser and drinking-water thermomechanical components with it | |
CN213232865U (en) | Hanging and ironing integrated drying wardrobe | |
JP6762902B2 (en) | Steamer | |
CN208463637U (en) | A kind of energy-saving steamer that water utilization rate can be improved | |
JP6815332B2 (en) | Ironing appliances with iron and base including storage for ironing | |
CN213507706U (en) | Portable hand-held garment steamer | |
CN219290117U (en) | Foldable heating sweat steaming bath barrel | |
CN221242422U (en) | Thermos cup with function of heating up water | |
CN216281303U (en) | Steam seat capable of being placed and used at multiple angles |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20210916 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230414 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20240312 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |