Infrared irons have already been proposed. Besides the usual functional elements, they also comprise an infrared generator, for example a halogen lamp, beside a ceramic glass sheet, which acts as a filter for the infrared radiation and constitutes the bottom of the ironing plate of the iron.

However, at present, infrared irons do not offer optimum performance, as it has been found that the ceramic glass sheet heats the clothes to be ironed excessively on a level with the infrared generator, until the material is damaged.

In particular, the movement of the iron over an item of clothing can leave dark patches on the material on a level with the infrared generator caused by the burning of the fibres of the material.

On the other hand, it has been observed that by reducing the absorption of power of the radiation generator to avoid the aforesaid problem, the generator is unable to deliver sufficient thermal power to produce a constant flow of steam. In order to be able to function

efficiently as a steam iron, the equipment must therefore be connected to an external boiler. Infrared steam irons are, in fact, mostly used in industrial circles.

It is the object of the present invention to propose an infrared iron, particularly for domestic use, with structural and functional features to remedy the problems mentioned in the prior art.

Such object is achieved with an infrared iron according to at least claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will nonetheless be appreciated from the following description of one of its preferred embodiments, given by way of example, which is not limiting, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the infrared generator and the ironing plate of an iron according to the invention; figure 2 shows a transversal section of the ironing plate; figure 3 represents a perspective view from above of the evaporation chamber of the water and relative cover separately; and figure 4 shows the assembled iron.

In said figures, a domestic type of iron is globally

indicated with reference numeral 10. The lower part of the iron will subsequently be defined as the ironing plate 17, suitable for transmitting the thermal power supplied by it to the item of clothing to be ironed. The bottom, in other words, the lower surface of said ironing plate, resting on the item of clothing, will be defined as the ironing surface.

An infrared generator is connected to the inside of the iron. In the embodiment described here, this generator comprises a pair of halogen lamps 11 that are supported and protected by a supporting frame 12.

Alternatively, instead of halogen lamps 11 it is possible to use ceramic resistances with a high emission of infrared radiation.

In particular, the lamps 11 are fixed to a lower side of the supporting frame 12. Advantageously, this lower side of the frame can present a reflecting surface to transmit all of the thermal power delivered to the ironing plate 17.

The supporting frame 12 presents a central raised area 13 on its upper side, in other words opposite the lamps 11, in which there is a labyrinthine chamber 14, suitable for receiving water to be vaporised for operation of the steam iron.

A cover 15 can be connected to said labyrinthine

chamber 14, on which cover an auxiliary electric resistance 16 can advantageously be provided.

The supporting frame 12 of the halogen lamps 11 is connected, for example by means of screwing, to the ironing plate 17. This comprises an external metal structure 18, containing a ceramic glass sheet 19, which acts as a filter for the infrared radiation, defining the bottom of the ironing plate.

According to the invention, a dissipation plate 20 is inserted between the infrared radiation generator and the ceramic glass sheet 19, which is suitable for distributing the radiation, and consequently the thermal power, uniformly over the whole of the surface of the sheet 19.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dissipation plate 20 extends over the whole of the surface of the sheet 19 below and presents a plurality of holes 20', suitable for allowing the radiation to pass.

Advantageously, the plate 20 is made of aluminium.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the metal structure 18 has a bottom edge 21 facing inward so that the ceramic glass sheet can be inserted from above into said metal structure to rest on said bottom edge with one of its peripheral surfaces.

In particular, the bottom edge 21 of the metal

structure and the peripheral surface of the ceramic glass sheet 19 present respective complementary inclined planes for coupling 19', 21', so that the lower surface of the sheet 19 is aligned with the lower surface of the metal frame 18.

Advantageously, glue is interposed between the inclined planes for coupling 19', 21'to guarantee the fastening of the ceramic glass sheet 19 to the metal structure 18.

The dissipation plate 20 can simply be rested on the ceramic glass sheet 19.

In any case, the supporting frame 12 is joined to the structure 18 so that the infrared radiation generator is as close as possible to the dissipation plate 20 and therefore to the ceramic glass sheet 19.

In the preferred embodiment of the iron described here, the ceramic glass sheet 19, and consequently the dissipation plate 20, is configured so that it occupies the whole ironing surface of the iron, except for a front portion 22, next to the point of the iron, which is made up of a bottom surface of the metal structure 18.

Said front surface 22 presents a plurality of holes 22 and constitutes the bottom of a chamber 23 made in the structure 18, which is designed to be closed at the top by a front end portion 14'of the labyrinthine

chamber 14, where the water flows, now as steam. The steam reaches the chamber 23 through a passage 14"made in said portion 14'of the labyrinthine chamber 14, and the material to be ironed through the holes 22'.

The presence of the dissipation plate between the infrared radiation generator and the ceramic glass sheet allows the radiation, and consequently the thermal power, to be distributed uniformly over the whole of the surface of the sheet.

The latter is connected safely to the metal structure thanks to the coupling between the respective inclined planes; this coupling prevents the sheet from becoming separated from this, also in the event of coming unstuck from the structure, also risking harming the user.

This coupling method between the sheet and structure also allows the sheet to be replaced easily if it becomes damaged.

When the iron is made to function dry, only the infrared ray generator can be activated, exploiting the low absorption of power that this technology enables to be obtained; when it is necessary to use saturated steam, the optional electric resistance is also activated. The water contained in the labyrinthine chamber, between the infrared ray generator and the electric resistance, provided on the cover, evaporates immediately so that the iron can deliver a constant flow of steam without needing an external boiler.