WO2020058996A1

WO2020058996A1 - Improvement of a device for ironing and drying fabrics equipped with integrated perfuming system

Info

Publication number: WO2020058996A1
Application number: PCT/IT2018/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flavio Favaro
Original assignee: Flavio Favaro
Priority date: 2018-09-18
Filing date: 2018-09-18
Publication date: 2020-03-26

Abstract

The present invention concerns device (1) for simultaneously ironing and drying fabrics and garments in general and comprising: - An iron (2) comprising at least an inlet section (4) and at least an outlet section (5) for a drying fluid; - A recovery chamber (10) comprising a support surface (8) on which the fabric or the garment is placed to be ironed/dried, said support surface comprising a plurality of openings (9) passing through the entire section of the surface (8) and configured in such a manner as to be opposed to the section (5) of the iron (2) when used in such a manner that the fluid coming out form the section (5) passes through the support surface (8) and conveys at least in part within said recovery chamber (10); - A return circuit (13) connecting the recovery chamber (10) with the inlet section (4) of the iron (2) in such a manner that a substantially closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) occurs on the whole; - Means (19) for moving such a fluid along said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13); - According to the invention it is further comprised a slot (120) configured in such a manner as to allow the application of a perfuming device (100, 110), said slot being arranged in a predetermined place of said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) and such that, when used, the perfuming device releases the perfume at least in part directly within said circulation.

Description

TITLE

IMPROVEMENT OF A DEVICE FOR IRONING AND DRYING FABRICS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED PERFUMING SYSTEM

Technical field

The present invention concerns the technical field of treatment of fabrics in general, particularly for garments .

In particular, the invention refers to an innovative device which allows to iron and dry clothing at the same time perfuming them with a pleasant perfume.

Background art

The publication no. EP2202351 of the same applicant has been known for a long time.

Such a publication discloses a new kind of ironing device in which the iron is coupled and cooperating with a recovery chamber for a drying fluid, generally air. A duct connects the recovery chamber to the iron in such a manner as to generate a closed circulation which allows to convey the fluid exiting from the iron towards the chamber and from this chamber again towards the iron. Therefore, a closed circulation of fluid occurs, allowing an effective drying while ironing the garment.

In fact, such a chamber is closed on the upper part by a surface forming the ironing surface and equipped with a plurality of holes for the passage of the air emitted by the iron.

Within such a chamber it is comprised a suction section which pushes the air along the circuit to convey it afterwards inside the iron and from here again towards the chamber. Therefore, while ironing, it is generated such a controlled air flow which passes through the ironed fabric, as this fabric, as said, lies on the holed plate which closes the recovery chamber.

Such a fluid allows an accurate drying of the fabric while it is normally ironed at the same time.

Therefore, thanks to such an embodiment, it is possible to iron garments that have just been washed with no need to use suitable washer-driers with a cost saving, shorter ironing time and better final ironing quality.

In wintertime or rainy days, when it is impossible to dry garments outdoor, such a device is particularly practical and beneficial.

Moreover, it is often necessary to spray a perfume onto the ironed fabric or garment.

Housewives and professional operators use suitable sprays commonly sold on the market and available with many scents and choices.

While ironing, they can spray at will such perfumes onto the clothing, in order to soak the garment with such a scent and make it seem cleaner and more pleasant.

Nevertheless, the operator must spray such sprays directly onto the garment, thus causing disproportionate distribution of perfume in the various parts. Some areas are soaked indeed and other ones are moistened by the perfume .

Moreover, when a specific area of the garment has been sprayed, for example in a specific area ironed with hot iron immediately after, it may cause a real spot or mark which will be hardly removed by further washings. Spots frequently form when an excessive amount of perfume has been sprayed.

Disclosure of the invention It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide for a new and improved ironing and drying device which solves all the above-mentioned technical inconveniences .

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide for a device which not only dries and irons at the same time but also allows to distribute a perfume efficaciously, without causing spots or marks with a particularly simple operation for the operator.

Therefore, these and other aims are achieved with the present device (1) for simultaneously ironing and drying fabrics and garments according to claim 1.

Such a device (1) comprises:

- An iron (2) comprising at least an inlet section (4) and at least an outlet section (5) for a drying fluid;

A recovery chamber (10) comprising a support surface (8) on which the fabric or the garment is placed to be ironed/dried, said support surface comprising a plurality of openings (9) passing through the entire section of the surface (8) and configured in such a manner as to be opposed to the section (5) of the iron (2) when used in such a manner that the fluid coming out from the section (5) passes through the support surface (8) and conveys at least in part within said recovery chamber (10) .

In such a manner, the fluid passes through the fibers of the garment, drying it efficaciously when it is ironed.

A return circuit (13) connecting the recovery chamber (10) with the inlet section (4) of the iron (2) in such a manner that a substantially closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) occurs on the whole;

- Means (19) for moving such a fluid along said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13).

In this manner, the fluid circulates permanently along the closed circulation, thus drying the garment while it is ironed.

According to the invention, it is now further comprised a slot (120) configured in such a manner as to allow the application of a perfuming device (100, 110), said slot being arranged in a predetermined place of said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) and such that, when used, the perfuming device applied in said slot releases the perfume at least in part directly within said circulation .

In this manner, all the above-mentioned technical inconveniences are easily solved.

In particular, thanks to such a slot, it is now possible to apply the perfuming device which thus faces within the closed circulation, thus releasing automatically such a perfume directly into the circulating fluid.

Advantageously, the perfume can be in the form of a tablet of paper material, for example cardboard, soaked in perfume and then time-release.

Alternatively, it can be in the form of a kaolin calcium tablet soaked in perfuming liquid as well.

In a further embodiment the tablet can be made of any material, and, for example, it can have a perfuming powder 110 compacted onto it.

The tablet or cardboard is inserted in the suitable slot in a lock position.

Other embodiments of time-release perfuming tablets and dispensers can be realized.

For example, a cartridge comprising perfuming elements inside.

The slot faces the closed circulation and therefore the tablet or cartridge releases the perfume directly and automatically along the circulation. Once the perfume has run dry, the tablet or cartridge is removed and replaced with a new refill.

Such an embodiment is practical as the hot fluid itself helps the release of perfume which is uniformly carried by the fluid, thus passing uniformly through the fabric while it is normally ironed.

In this manner, no marks and spots occur and the solution is very simple, both constructively and for its use. In fact, the operator does not need to buy perfuming sprays anymore to spray them manually onto the fabric or the ironed garment while ironing.

Further advantages can be inferred from the dependent claims .

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present device, according to the invention, will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given only by way of non-limiting, indicative, example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :

- Figure 1 depicts in outline form an overall view of the invention;

- Figure 2 depicts in outline form the coupling of the support surface on which the garment is ironed with the chamber 12;

Figure 3 depicts in outline form a perfuming tablet ;

- Figure 4 depicts the possible arrangement of the slot and the perfuming cartridge in the recovery chamber.

Description of a preferred embodiment

The present invention discloses an improvement of the previous application EP2202351. The improvement disclosed below perfectly fits and has been specifically studied for the device disclosed in EP2202351, that is the system with closed circulation of drying fluid.

The previous application EP2202351 has then been fully incorporated by reference to the present application .

Figure 1 quotes and depicts the device 1 for ironing and/or drying fabrics according to the invention, previously disclosed in the previous EP application.

For that purpose, figure 1 depicts the iron 2 which comprises an inlet section 4 and an outlet section 5 for a fluid, for example a gas, such as air. Through the inlet section 4, the fluid is exhausted inside the iron to be conveyed towards the outlet section 5 through a first circuit 7 within the iron (see the dotted line) .

A portion destined to be a handle 3 allows to handle the iron by the user in a known way.

The outlet section 5 comprises a common plate 5 made of metal or even plastic which resists to high temperatures up to 210 °C approximately, to iron and equipped with a plurality of openings or holes 6 through which the fluid exits.

As depicted in figure 1, the iron 2 is operatively placed in combination with a recovery chamber 10, depicted in details in figure 2. Such a chamber 10 comprises a support surface 8 on which the garments are laid and ironed (operating as an ironing board) . For that purpose, the mentioned surface 8 is equipped with a plurality of openings 9 passing along its entire thickness.

When used, as better explained below in the present description, said openings 9 face the openings 6 of the plate 5 which slides over the surface 8 for ironing. Just for reasons of simplicity and clarity of the drawing, figure 1 depicts only an overall number of six openings 6. Moreover, always with a dotted line, it is stressed the fluid path that, through the iron 2, is conveyed trough the outlet section 5 towards the recovery chamber 10.

Going further into the constructive details (see for that purpose also figure 2), the recovery chamber 10 comprises lateral walls 11 so as to realize a containment chamber 12. The support surface 8 closes the chamber 12 above in a way similar to a lid. Naturally, the chamber 12 must be sealed to the plate so as to reduce the leaks as much as possible.

The chamber 10 forms as a whole the common ironing board, covered by a fabric breathable to the fluid if necessary .

Going back to figure 1, a generic duct 13, connected in a suitable point of the recovery chamber 10, creates a return circuit-path for the fluid towards the inlet section 4, thus realizing a closed air re-circulation (path 7 together with path 13) .

Inside chamber 10 suction means 19 are arranged to allow to exhaust the air of the inlet section 4 towards the outlet section 5, thus pulling it inside the chamber 10 to push it again along the return circuit 13 afterwards. Therefore, such means 19 comprise one (or also more than one) turbine 15 (for example, a rotating fan) placed within the chamber 10 near the surface 8.

In case of only one turbine, the diameter of it can be conventionally chosen so as to exhaust through all the openings 9 arranged on the area of the plate 8. Means 14 to operate the turbine allow its activation and turning off. In that case, for example, a simple starting motor or the like can constitute a suitable operation device (schematically represented in figure) . Naturally, either different positions of the suction means or equivalent constructive solutions, suitable to realize a suction, can be arranged without for this moving apart from the present inventive concept.

Always as described in figure 1, in a convenient point of the return path 13 a further section 16 destined to the heating of the fluid can possibly be arranged. For that purpose, the section comprises inside one or more electric resistances 17. Thus, the circulating air hits the resistances and absorbs the heat given out by them as a consequence of the electric current that goes through them. It is therefore possible to provide for an intensity adjustment of the circulating current in order to be able to adequately control the air temperature in the circuit. Naturally, although such an arrangement along the circuit 13 minimizes the weights of the iron, nothing would impede in an absolutely equivalent manner to insert such a section either within the iron itself or within the recovery chamber or in any other position along the closed circulation .

According to the invention, it is now obtained a suitable opening which realizes a slot for fitting in slot a perfuming device (110, 100) . The slot is arranged in such a manner as to create an access of the perfuming device towards the circulation of the fluid.

The perfuming device is obviously interchangeable and it is inserted, for example snap-like, within the slot and when it has run dry, it can be removed and replaced by a new one .

Therefore, the perfuming device can be in the form of a tablet made of cardboard soaked in perfume, or a boxshaped cartridge.

The opening forming the slot is shaped in such a manner as to allow to apply, in interchangeable manner, such a cartridge or perfuming tablet which is inserted until it is locked in position.

Therefore, the slot can be easily shaped in such a manner as to allow an easy insertion, for example by sliding, until a lock position.

In this manner, it is enough to take and insert such a cartridge in the slot until it is locked in position in such a manner that it faces the interior of the chamber.

Anther embodiment of the perfume can provide for a tablet made of kaolin calcium, for example.

The perfuming device, both in the form of cartridge, or tablet or the like, faces the closed circulation path and then the perfume, at least in part, is hit by the heating of the flow and it is dragged by the flow circulating in the closed path.

In this particularly advantageous manner, the cartridge automatically releases the perfume which melts to the gaseous fluid, preferably air, which is used as a fluid vector for the drying during the operation of drying.

Therefore, the perfume is perfectly distributed in the fluid and is released uniformly onto the fabric which is ironed uniformly, with no risk to form spots and marks and with no need for the user to manually spray the perfume onto the garment .

Figure 3 depicts a schematization of an embodiment of perfuming device 100 in the form of a tablet, which, as described, can be made of cardboard soaked in perfume. The same embodiment, as described, can be in the form of a box-shaped plastic cartridge which is openable to hold perfuming material inside it, for example powder.

In any case, the perfuming element, as depicted in figure 4, is interchangeably insertable inside a suitable slot 120, depicted schematically in figure 4.

The embodiment of figure 4 depicts the slot 120 obtained in the recovery chamber 10.

It can be placed under the surface 8 and many slots can be provided, for example placed around the edge of the recovery chamber.

The person skilled in the art will be able to select many embodiments of arrangement, obviously so that they do not obstruct the holes 9 through which the air passes.

In this manner, the perfume releases directly the scent into the recovery chamber, as the slot 120 (one or more than one) has an opening facing the interior of the chamber 10 and therefore the perfume which is placed within the slot and faces the recovery chamber 10.

The embodiment of the slot obtained in the chamber 10 is suitable, for example, for the arrangement of many slots, possibly arranged around the chamber, in such a manner as to surround it even partially.

Naturally, other positions can be provided, without however moving apart from the present inventive concept, in such a manner that the perfume flows its scent within the closed circuit of the fluid.

For example, a further embodiment could provide for a slot for the perfume obtained in the body of the iron in such a manner as to intercept the path of the fluid in the iron .

In a further embodiment, the slot can be obtained in the section 13, for example in its point of connection to the chamber 10, thus taking advantage of such a connection between such parts.

Claims

1. A device (1) for simultaneously ironing and drying fabrics and garments in general and comprising:

- A recovery chamber (10) comprising a support surface (8) on which the fabric or the garment is placed to be ironed/dried, said support surface comprising a plurality of openings (9) passing through the entire section of the surface (8) and configured in such a manner as to be opposed to the section (5) of the iron (2) when used in such a manner that the fluid coming out from the section (5) passes through the support surface (8) and conveys at least in part within said recovery chamber (10) ;

- Means (19) for moving such a fluid along said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13);

- Characterized in that it is further comprised a slot

(120) configured in such a manner as to allow the application of a perfuming device (100, 110) , said slot being arranged in a predetermined place of said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) and such that, when used, the perfuming device releases the perfume at least in part directly within said circulation.

2. A device (1), according to claim 1, wherein said slot faces and is opened towards the circulation path of the fluid.

3. A device (1), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said slot is obtained in a predetermined area of the recovery chamber (10) .

4. A device (1), according to claim 3, wherein said slot is obtained in a lateral wall (11) of the recovery chamber below the support surface (8) .

5. A device (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said perfuming device is comprised (100, 110).

6. A device (1), according to claim 5, wherein said perfuming device is in the form of a tablet (100) of paper material, preferably cardboard, soaked in perfume .

7. A device (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said perfuming device is interchangeable .

8. Device (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means (19) for moving the fluid are arranged within the recovery chamber (10) in such a manner as to face the support surface (8) and push the fluid along said closed circulation, said means (19) comprising preferably at least a turbine (15) .

9. Device (1), according to claim 1, wherein said output section (5) comprises a plate element (5' ) to iron the fabric and comprising a plurality of openings (6) through which the fluid coming from the inlet section is expelled (4) .

10. Device (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein it is provided at least a heating section (16) of the fluid circulating along the circuit, preferably in the form of an electric resistance (17) passed through by electric current.

11. An assembly comprising:

- A device (1) for simultaneously ironing and drying fabrics and garments in general, said device (1) comprising:

- A recovery chamber (10) comprising a support surface (8) on which the fabric or the garment is placed to be ironed/dried, said support surface comprising a plurality of openings (9) passing through the entire section of the surface (8) and configured in such a manner as to be opposed to the section (5) of the iron (2) when used in such a manner that the fluid coming out form the section (5) passes through the support surface (8) and conveys at least in part within said recovery chamber (10) ;

- Characterized in that said assembly comprises an interchangeable perfuming device (100; 110), preferably in the form of timed-release perfuming cartridge or tablet, said device (1) further comprising a slot (120) configured in such a manner as to allow the application of said perfuming device (100, 110) , said slot being arranged in a predetermined place of said closed circulation (4, 5, 12, 13) and such that, when used, the perfuming device releases the perfume at least in part directly within said circulation.

12. A method for simultaneously ironing and drying fabrics and garments in general and comprising:

- The arrangement of a device (1) as per one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 10;

- The arrangement of the perfuming device (100, 110) inside the designated slot (120);

The activation of the fluid along the closed circulation in such a manner that the perfuming device releases the perfume directly in the circulating fluid within the closed circulation.