US3872613A

US3872613A - Self-cleaning surge iron

Info

Publication number: US3872613A
Application number: US469794A
Authority: US
Inventors: William E Davidson; Wendell C Walker
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1974-05-14
Filing date: 1974-05-14
Publication date: 1975-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-25
Also published as: CA999514A

Abstract

The invention herein pertains to a steam iron and, more particularly, to a self-cleaning steam iron that employs a substantially large opening in the water tank so the tank may be suddenly emptied and the iron also provides a separate soleplate generating means in which separate steam may be generated to provide an extra surge of steam when desired over regular steam.

Description

United States Patent Davidson et al.

[ Mar. 25, 1975 SELF-CLEANING SURGE IRON [75] Inventors: William E. Davidson, Ontario;

Wendell C. Walker, Alta Loma, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Bridgeport, Conn.

[22] Filed: May 14, 1974 |2ll Appl. No.; 469,794

[52] U.S. Cl. 38/77.83 [51] Int. Cl. D061 75/06 [58] Field of Search 38/7783, 77.82, 77.8,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,599,357 8/l97l Gronwick 38/7783 Risacher 38/77.83 Gowdy 38/7783 Primary E.\'aminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John F. Cullen; George R. Powers; Leonard J. Platt ABSTRACT The invention herein pertains to a steam iron and.

more particularly, to a self-cleaning steam iron that employs a substantially large opening in the water tank so the tank may be suddenly emptied and the iron also provides a separate soleplate generating means in which separate steam may be generated to provide an extra surge of steam when desired over regular steam.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHARZS I975 SHEET 1 UF 2 7 pm F ha i SELF-CLEANING SURGE IRON DESCRIPTION- OF THE PRIOR ART With the advent of irons using water for steam or spray purposes or both, it is customary to provide a water tank above the soleplate and use the water valve to provide controlled and metered water drippage into a main steam generator where it flashes to steam and is directed out soleplate ports to steam the article. This is known as the flash boiler steam iron and is typical of most steam irons today. Spray attachments, both powered and manual, have been added to supply a spray from the water tank to spray onto the garment. It has been necessary to use distilled water in such steam irons because of the fineness of the various water passages and orifices that become clogged due to the mineral deposits from the water which varies from one locality to another. In order to provide extra steam capacity, some irons provide means whereby an extra slug of water may be pumped into the steam generating area, usually a separate generator or chamber, with the entire steam generating system being within the confines of the heating element and with both the extra steam and main steam being fed directly into the main distribution system after both pass through a tortuous system or, the extra steam may be passed first through the main generator and then into the distribution system to exit the soleplate ports as extra capacity steam. such systems are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,599,357 and 3,71 l,972 respectively. Another system, shown in US. Pat. No. 3,703,043, allows the generated steam to be shifted from one group of soleplate ports to another group of ports so that the steam exits vigorously through few ports or softly through many ports depending on the needs of the fiber being ironed. Some of these are described as self-cleaning irons since they provide extra higher velocity steam through the soleplate ports and thereby tend to clean lint out of the ports. A more complete self-cleaning iron that cleans internal passages as well as the soleplate ports is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,241 of common assignment wherein a large opening in the water tank can be created to suddenly empty the tank and also remove flakes or the like in the tank water. If the tank is suddenly dumped on the hot soleplate there is a resultant gush of water and steam created which substantially completely purges the iron by cleaning the tank, passages and soleplate ports to provide a more complete selfcleaning operation by blowing out all the materials in a simple operation. Prior art constructions have not provided this more complete self-cleaning iron with an iron in which an extra surge of steam is obtainable as desired and which uses some common parts for several functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the invention is directed to a steam iron that has a fill opening to an interior water tank and is directed to means to purge the iron of water and steam and separately supply self-cleaning by providing a substantially large opening in the tank and having dump means operable to open and close the opening to suddenly empty the tank into a first distributing passage means to purge the iron. The main generator is fed fromthe tank by a metering water valve and is connected to the first distributing passage means to supply steam directly to soleplate ports. A separate generator is connected to a second circuitous passage means which is also connected to soleplate ports. Pump means BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section and broken, showing general parts of a steam iron with the invention applied;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the underside of the iron coverplate in the direction of line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of passage means with an outline of the generators, heating element and soleplate ports superimposed;

FIG. 3 is a similar partial perspective of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a check valve in the surge water system; and

FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective from a favorable angle and enlarged to show the actual dumping valve structure of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will be described in connection with a steam iron of'the non-spray type and the balancedpressure type, although it should be understood that conventional spray mechanisms as well as non-pressure systems may be employed. The pressure system to be described merely assists in the dumping as well as the steam distribution although, the iron could be modified to operate as a non-pressure system.

The invention discloses a self-cleaning iron where, on pushing a button, water and steam flush through the soleplate ports forcing substantially all loose mineral deposits and scorched lint from the iron. This is the intent of completely purge or completely selfcleaning and the like as used herein. Additionally, the iron is directed to a means by which an extra surge of steam may be obtained and having parts common to the self-cleaning structure. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electric steam iron of the general type normally used with a manual spray as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,l83,6l1 of common assignment, although the manual diaphraghm pump used herein provides extra water to the soleplate to increase its steam generating capacity as will be explained instead of directing it to a sprayer. Also, suitable valving, as generally shown in said US. Pat. No. 3,599,357 patent, could provide both functions of a spray and/or extra steam as desired. Additionally, an iron showing means by which an extra surge of steam may be obtained is shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 424,570 filed Dec. 13, 1973, which discloses a hybrid system whereby a separate cir cuitous generating means is completely separate from the main distribution steam means and is later connected to it downstream thus the term hybrid to increase the steam capacity of the iron on demand. A modified arrangement using completely separate systems that are unconnected is shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 424,568 filed Dec. 13, 1973, and

both of common assignment. The invention as described herein adds the self-cleaning to the hybrid system for purposes of illustration although it is not so limited and is applicable to either of the systems of the copending application as will be apparent.

As shown in FIG. 1, the iron includes a soleplate having a plurality of soleplate steam ports 12 and outer shell 14 connected in any suitable manner to handle 16 all in known fashion. In accordance with conventional practice, soleplate 10 may be made from a suitable material such as cast aluminum, with an electrical loopshaped heating element 18 cast in position. This element preferably is of the sheath type and, with an electrical resistance element, extends through an outer tubular protective sheath with the heating element separated from the outer sheath by an insulating compound resistant to heat such as granulated and compressed magnesium oxide. The heating element generally extends in a loop beginning at the rear of the iron and along one side to the forward end and across the nose of the iron and then rearwardly along the other side in conventional fashion. Thus, substantially uniform heat distribution is provided when the iron is plugged in and activated.

The iron, which may be pressurized or not, and as described herein is a pressurized version, includes means for generating steam by providing water tank 20 with vertical outer riser tube means 22 in the forward portion for housing various operating mechanisms as is well-known. For steam, soleplate 10 has a main flash soleplate generator 24 into which water is dripped under control of a metering water valve, generally indicated at 26, and including a handle mounted button 28 and connected spring-biased vertical stem 30. The water dripped through orifice 32 from tank 20 onto the heated soleplate flashes into steam which is distributed directly into a first distributing passage means 34 under coverplate 36 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 and more fully explained hereafter. The steam then passes directly out ports 12 to the ironing surface following a path shown by the solid arrows. The invention may also be applied to steam-powered spray irons as typically shown in US. Pat. No. 3,04l,757 of common assignment, but the present invention is directed to an iron that uses a manual spray pump structure of the general type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,183,6ll supra. In such an arrangement, diaphraghm pump 38 communicates with reservoir 20 by means of water or inlet tube 40 which extends from the bottom portion of the reservoir or tank through its top and into the pump. The pump is actuated by a separate handle control 42 so that water is sucked up from the tank and discharged to a point of use as to a spray or, as herein, to another generator. Temperature control 44 operates in a known manner to thermostatically control the heat generated in the soleplate. Thus, when button 28 is in the up or steam position as shown, water drips into generator 24 and then flashes into steam and enters the first distributing passage means 34 and then to the soleplate ports 12. In order to reach the first distributing passage means 34, the steam must first pass through opening 46 in the coverplate where it collects in the dome portion 48 above the coverplate. The steam dome 48 is common to several spray irons and, in pressurized irons as described herein, may support a balance tube 50 as shown in FIG. 5 which tube extends into the upper portion of the water tank 20 as seen in FIG. 1 in order to balance the pressure above and below the metering valve so water will drip through valve 26 or, in other words, a balanced pressure iron in which some pressure may be built up by closing the tank with well-known valve structure 52 connected to vertical stem 30. The structure thus far described, when the diaphraghm pump 38 is used for spray, is broadly well-known in steam irons.

In order to provide extra capacity steam in a unique and efficient manner for touch-up purposes, as generally disclosed in said co-pending application Ser. No. 424,570, it is desirable to provide an extra slug of water over and above the usual metering valve means so that more steam may be obtained as an extra surge on demand. To this end, there is provided a separate soleplate steam generator 54 separate from the main generator 24 and located in the nose of the iron. While not actually seen in FIGS. 2 or 3, since they are below the underside of coverplate 36,

generator numerals

24 and 54, the soleplate ports 12, and heating element 18, are all selectively shown for better understanding since they are directly below as seen in FIG. 1 and such showing illustrates their position with respect to the underside of the coverplate 36. This second generator 54 is fed from diaphraghm pump 38 through any suitable connector 56 to selectively inject an additional slug of water intogenerator 54. In order to prevent return flow, suitable check valve means 58, as shown in FIG. 4 and using a spring-pressed plunger 60, is provided. Connector 56 is simply connected to the discharge end of pump 38 and may be directed to a point feeding generator 54 either through the water tank 20 and, for convenience, through balance tube 50 as shown dotted in FIG. 5 to take advantage of the opening through the balance tube, or, as preferred and shown herein, via an outside-the-tank-design or external hook-up shown in FIG. 1 depending on the space limitations within the iron. In order to efficiently convert the slug of water in generator 54 into steam as shown by the dotted arrows, a second circuitous passage means, generally indicated at 62, is provided separate from the first distributing passage means 34, meaning that it is completely upstream in flow relation to the main distributing passage means and is thus all circuitous before connecting downstream at 64 to the main distributing passage means 34 after a substantial distance as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the second circuitous passage means 62 has no outlets to the soleplate and this is to ensure that all of the water is converted to steam before it is distributed in this hybrid form of system to and then through the main or first distributing passage means 34. The two generators S4 and 24 are preferably disposed on opposite sides of the heating element 18 with main generator 24 being inside the loop of the heating element and the second generator 54 being on the outside of the loop. The extra water is thus brought into generator 54 shown on the outside of the loop. The extra water is thus brought into generator 54 outside the heating element and turned to steam by following a path crossing over the heating element in the closed circuitous passage and then generally extending parallel to and over the top of the heating element as it winds its way as shown in FIG. 2 with the entire secondary system of generator 54, and its circuitous passage 62 being disposed generally or substantially inboard of the first distributing passage means 34 and overlapping the loop heating element as seen in FIG. 2 and is thus in a hot area.

In order to utilize the hottest point of the heating element to form steam, it is useful, in the nose area of the loop, to provide the circuitous passage 62 in the form of an S or reverse flow path before it connects to enter the first passage means 34 downstream at 64 as shown in FIG. 2. The circuitous passage 62 is provided with plural restrictions, in the form of projections 66, to squeeze the water for rapid conversion to steam. In addition, a narrowed throat-like area 68 is formed behind dam 70 which deflects the water so it cannot blow through and forces it to change direction, both de-.

signed to direct the water passing over the heating element into swirl chambers 72 and thence along circuitous passage means 62 to then empty into the first passage means 34 leading to the soleplate ports 12.

To streamline the configuration and eliminate restrictions, the entire hybrid design is substantially a symmetrical arrangement about the centerline of the soleplate. Thus, the circuitous separate passage 62 and separate generator 54 are disposed symmetrically about the centerline of the soleplate axis as shown in FIG. 2 and, as previously noted, extend over the sides of the loop and are substantially within or inboard of the first distributing passage means 34 that extends generally along the periphery of the iron soleplate with a few inner soleplate exit ports 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The reverse flow and circuitous passage means 62 at the S thus takes place in the hot portion of the iron where all the fluid is converted to steam in the circuitous passage since it cannot escape and before it enters the main distributing passage means 34 for distribution to the soleplate ports as an extra surge of steam.

In order to provide self-cleaning for the iron as described, structure generally along the lines disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,747,241 of common assignment is provided using structure that coacts with the surge structure and using common parts for several functions to provide an iron with greater flexibility. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to drain the iron and the iron becomes completely self-cleaning. As best seen in FIG. I, the bottom of tank 20 is provided with a substantially large opening 74 that may be spaced and separate from the usual metering orifice at 32. Many equivalent forms may be used to provide the large opening, such as a concentric annulus around the metering orifice 32 as shown in FIG. 5 or any other functional equivalent. This opening is thus defined as substantially large that may be spaced and separate, although not necessarily, and is intended to include any additional unrestricted flow opening that rapidly empties the tank and functions other than as the small restricted flow metering orifice 32 and which thus, in effect, bypasses or prevails over the metering orifice as such allowing water to drain rapidly from the tank. These two functions may be coaxial. In the structure shown, this is in the form of a separate and distinctly spaced bottom opening 74 as an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 5. This opening is conveniently in the bottom of common dome 48 adjacent balance tube 50 and, in effect, is a plugged hole in the bottom of water tank 20 to rapidly dump the tank. As seen, the opening 74 communicates through the iron to atmosphere and, in the embodiment shown, is connected with the inner surface of soleplate by suitable means such as shroud 76 passing through a matching opening in the coverplate 36 to direct the water to the inner surface of soleplate l0. Dumping of tank is under control of a piston-like lobed valve I means, generally indicated at 78, that controls large opening 74 and is biased to the up or closed position by spring with the valve being shown open in the dumping position in FIG. 5. It will be apparent, as described in the '241 patent, that dumping of the water from tank 20 suddenly onto the hot soleplate provides a large quantity of flash steam and hot water that immediately is forced through the common first distributing passage means 34 and thence out the soleplate to' provide a scrubbing and purging action as it suddenly escapes through ports 12.

Since the iron shown is a balanced pressure iron coverplate 36 is sealed around opening 46 by a suitable flange 82 so that all the steam from generator 24 passes up above the coverplate into the volume formed by steam dome 48. Additionally, the steam is communicated to the interior of the tank by means of balance tube 50 and, because the tank is sealed from atmosphere during steaming operation by valve 52, an interior pressure is created. It is useful for a minimum amount of steam pressure to be built up before actual steam flow occurs. In this case, a suitable pressure control valve or simply an open orifice control 84 of the type shown in-U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,457 of common assignment may be used to permit the steam to build pressure and then flow down through and under the coverplate into the main distribution passage system 34 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 not seen in FIG. 5. Thus, the self-cleaning function uses structure that is common to steam and surge functions.

The lobed valve 78, which is the main dumper valve, is actuated by a suitable external sliding and preferably interlocking button 86 that may be mounted on the side of the handle as a separate control to avoid any inadvertent dumping of the water tank. The other separate handle controls, in the forms of

buttons

28 and 42, are disposed to selectively and independently feed water to the

generators

24 and 54 respectively for regular or dry or an extra surge of steam as required. It will be apparent that the normal or main steam flow is directly into the distributing passage means 34 and then out the soleplate ports with no back flow into the circuitous passage 62 since there is no place for it to exit and because of the pressure restrictions. Thus, all the normal flow effectively bypasses the circuitous passage and directly exits the ports. Also, the extra surge of steam enters the main distribution system or passages 34 well downstream at 64 after it has been completely converted to steam in the circuitous passage and then exits through the same ports.

In this pressurized iron shown, when a surge is desired during dry operation, that is when valve 26 is closed and 52 is open and the tank is vented to atmosphere through fill hole 88, the structure described prevents essentially all the surge steam in generator 54 from exiting the fill hole 88 because of the paths employed. The surge steam in generator 54 finds it easier to exit the soleplate ports 12 directly because of only atmospheric pressure as opposed to the pressurerestricted flow path back up through orifice control 84 and thence into dome 48 and up the balance tube 50 and out fill hole 88. Thus, in the dry mode of iron operation, the surge steam suddenly generated in 54 has a quick and direct path directly out the soleplate ports 12.

The steam iron structure shown thus provides an efficient iron for self-cleaning by which the tank may be suddenly dumped to immediately empty the entire water content quickly in the form of steam and hot water through the soleplate ports 12 to clean the passages and ports as well as carrying any tank residue out of the iron. With the self-cleaning feature inactivated the iron structure provides an efficient means for obtaining extra capacity for more steam conversion in the hottest part of the iron over the heating element and the cross-over arrangement between separate and spaced generators where the separate steam generator 54 feeds circuitous passage means 62 and then empties into the main or first distributing passage means 34 and thence out soleplate ports 12 for rapid and extra steam on demand and this is usable whether the iron is generating steam or is ironing dry. The common structure of the main distributing passage 34 and the area at steam dome 48 is also used in the self-cleaning operation as will be apparent. Additionally, the main steam supply is directly to the soleplate ports to completely bypass circuitous passage 62 and thus leave the surge system generally for independent operation. The iron can thus be operated steam, dry, a surge of steam either in the dry or steaming mode, and finally, the iron may be cleaned by rapidly dumping the tank and all these functions in an iron that may be the pressurized version shown or may be unpressurized, i.e., atmospheric pressure, all providing a very complete and flexible iron.

While there has been shown a preferred form of the invention, obvious equivalent variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described, and the claims are intended to cover such equivalent variations.

We claim:

1. In a steam iron having a fill opening to a water tank and a steam generating soleplate with soleplate ports therein, the improvement in means to purge the iron of water and steam and separately supply a surge of steam comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank,

dump means operable to open and close said opening to suddenly empty the tank into a first distributing passage means to purge the iron,

a main generator fed from said tank by a water valve and connected to said first distributing passage means for directly supplying steam to exit ports,

a separate generator,

second circuitous passage means within the first distributing passage means connecting the separate generator to exit ports, and

means operative to selectively inject water into the separate generator where it completely flashes into steam in the circuitous passage to increase the normal steam through exit ports.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said circuitous separate passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate, and

said dump and inject means are operable by separate respective manual means disposed on the iron handle.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said separate generator is disposed in the nose of said iron and also symmetrically about the soleplate centerline.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said separate generator and circuitous passage means are both disposed inboard of said first passage means.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said circuitous second passage means is formed to provide a reverse flow before entering said soleplate ports.

6. In a steam iron having a fill opening to an interior water tank and a steam generating soleplate with ports therein, the improvement in means to purge the iron of water and steam through the soleplate and separately supply a surge of steam comprising,

a substantially large opening in said tank communicating directly with the inner surface of said soleplate,

dump means operable to open and close said opening to suddenly empty the tank onto said soleplate and into a first distributing passage means to purge the iron rapidly through the ports,

a main flash soleplate generator fed from said tank by a metering water valve and connected to said first distributing passage means for directly supplying steam to said ports,

a separate soleplate steam generator upstream of said main generator,

second circuitous separate passage means completely upstream in flow relation to said distributing passage means and within said distributing passage means and connecting thereto,

restrictive flow means in said circuitous passage, and

pump means operative to selectively inject tank water into the separate generator where it completely flashes into steam in the circuitous passage and then enters the distributing passage to increase the normal steam through said ports.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said circuitous separate passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate, and

said dump and pump means are operable by separate respective manual means disposed on the iron handle.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7,wherein said separate generator is disposed in the nose of'said iron and also symmetrically about the soleplate centerline.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said separate generator and circuitous passage means are disposed substantially inboard of said first distributing passage means.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said circuitous second passage means is formed to provide a reverse flow before entering said first distributing passage means.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said soleplate has a loop-shaped heating element therein with said loop crossing between said main and separate generators, and

said second circuitous passage means extends substantially parallel to and over the heating element.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said circuitous passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate to extend over each side of said loop heating element, and

13. Apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said separate generator is disposed in the nose of said iron and also symmetrically about the soleplate centerline.

circuitous second passage means is formed to provide a reverse flow in the loop crossover region before entering said first distributing passage means.

Claims

1. In a steam iron having a fill opening to a water tank and a steam generating soleplate with soleplate ports therein, the improvement in means to purge the iron of water and steam and separately supply a surge of steam comprising, a substantially largE opening in said tank, dump means operable to open and close said opening to suddenly empty the tank into a first distributing passage means to purge the iron, a main generator fed from said tank by a water valve and connected to said first distributing passage means for directly supplying steam to exit ports, a separate generator, second circuitous passage means within the first distributing passage means connecting the separate generator to exit ports, and means operative to selectively inject water into the separate generator where it completely flashes into steam in the circuitous passage to increase the normal steam through exit ports.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said circuitous separate passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate, and said dump and inject means are operable by separate respective manual means disposed on the iron handle.

6. In a steam iron having a fill opening to an interior water tank and a steam generating soleplate with ports therein, the improvement in means to purge the iron of water and steam through the soleplate and separately supply a surge of steam comprising, a substantially large opening in said tank communicating directly with the inner surface of said soleplate, dump means operable to open and close said opening to suddenly empty the tank onto said soleplate and into a first distributing passage means to purge the iron rapidly through the ports, a main flash soleplate generator fed from said tank by a metering water valve and connected to said first distributing passage means for directly supplying steam to said ports, a separate soleplate steam generator upstream of said main generator, second circuitous separate passage means completely upstream in flow relation to said distributing passage means and within said distributing passage means and connecting thereto, restrictive flow means in said circuitous passage, and pump means operative to selectively inject tank water into the separate generator where it completely flashes into steam in the circuitous passage and then enters the distributing passage to increase the normal steam through said ports.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said circuitous separate passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate, and said dump and pump means are operable by separate respective manual means disposed on the iron handle.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said separate generator is disposed in the nose of said iron and also symmetrically about the soleplate centerline.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said soleplate has a loop-shaped heating element therein with said loop crossing between said main and separate generators, and said second circuitous passage means extends substantially parallel to and over the heating element.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said circuitous passage means is disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said soleplate to extend over each side of said loop heating element, and said dump and pump means are operable by sepaRate respective manual means disposed on the iron handle.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said separate generator and circuitous passage means are disposed inboard of said first distributing passage means.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said circuitous second passage means is formed to provide a reverse flow in the loop crossover region before entering said first distributing passage means.