FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an iron, for both domestic and industrial use, that can be used on multiple types of garments, articles of clothing or fabrics in general.

In particular, the iron is able to carry out the desired ironing at a constant temperature for different types of fabrics.

Moreover, the iron can be dismantled, that is, the base plate can be separated from the body that defines the steam chamber, in order to allow access to internal components as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Irons are known, for both domestic and industrial use, operating with steam to iron different types of garments, articles of clothing or fabrics in general.

In particular, such irons are provided with a lower base plate connected to a main body which can be heated, generally, by electric resistances so as to determine the desired ironing effect.

Irons iron the fabrics by producing steam at a high temperature, which fills a steam chamber defined between the main body and the lower base plate and can emerge from the lower base plate through one or more delivery holes made upon it.

Moreover, known irons are generally provided with a temperature regulator, in order to modify the characteristics of the steam produced, consequently guaranteeing optimum functioning conditions in relation to the different characteristics of the fabrics to be ironed.

One disadvantage of this known solution is that the temperature of the steam produced has to be modified manually, depending on the type of fabric to be ironed, so that the user needs to know the correct temperature associated with a given fabric to be ironed and needs to intervene on the regulator.

Another disadvantage of known irons is that the temperature of the plate is not generally constant over the whole surface, and therefore there is a risk of damaging the garment to be ironed at points where the temperature is higher, and/or of not obtaining an effective ironing if the temperature is lower than that suitable for the specific garment.

One possible known solution provides to equip the irons with an internal thermostat that can be regulated electronically, able to modify the temperature in correspondence with the plate in a controlled and automatic manner.

Although it has the advantage of avoiding a manual regulation of the temperature of the plate when the iron is in use, this known solution has the disadvantage that it requires a complex, delicate and costly electronic control.

It is also known that, during use, due to the high temperatures reached by the steam, steam irons cause a limescale deposit, due to the minerals (for example calcium carbonate) contained in the water in the tank.

One possible solution provides to equip the irons with a collection chamber in which the limescale can be accumulated and subsequently, by means of a suitable stopper, removed from the iron.

One disadvantage of this known solution concerns the incomplete removal of the limescale, since part of it can remain deposited inside the iron, over time causing the occlusion of the steam delivery holes and consequently worsening the ironing performance.

Another disadvantage of this known solution is the greater bulk of the iron, given the same volume of the tank, due to the presence of the chamber to collect the limescale.

In known irons the lower base plate and the main body are generally connected in a fixed and non-releasable manner, for example by gluing or welding.

One disadvantage of these known solutions concerns the difficulty of cleaning the iron, which can thus only be cleaned on the external surface and in particular the lower base plate.

In fact, the internal parts of the iron, in particular the inside of the main body which defines the steam chamber are not accessible, or at least not easily accessible for a user and consequently possible deposits can remain on them, or substances that, as they deposit, can cause a premature wear.

US 2008/0313936 shows an iron provided with a soleplate, selectively applicable under the lower base plate and equipped with holes for the passage of the steam. The soleplate consists of a laminate that forms a heat insulating layer. The lower surface of the soleplate, made of polymer material, constitutes the face of the iron in direct contact with the garment to be ironed.

This can create disadvantages in the quality of the ironing, in particular with certain garments and types of fabrics, due to using a surface made of polymer material as an ironing element in direct contact with the garment.

EP 651 .086 describes an iron equipped with a reticular strengthening structure interposed between the lower base plate and the main body. The strengthening structure has a secondary function of heat insulation but, due to its geometry and configuration, it is not able to make the temperature of the steam uniform over the whole surface of the ironing plate.

One purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron able to cause an at least partial heat insulation in correspondence with the lower plate.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that allows ironing at a constant temperature over the whole surface of the plate for different types of garments, articles of clothing or fabrics in general.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that also allows easy removal of the limescale that has formed.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that is also easy and economical to produce and industrialize in series, consequently reducing the times and costs associated with its production.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that can also be dismantled if necessary.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an iron that can easily be cleaned, even inside.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea. In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns an iron comprising at least a main body and an ironing base plate, disposed below the main body and connected thereto.

The main body has an at least partly hollow internal conformation, defining, during use, a chamber which can be selectively filled with steam, wherein the steam chamber is closed at the lower part by the ironing base plate.

The iron also comprises at least one insulating element in the form of a sheet or foil, made of heat insulating material and disposed in an intermediate position between the main body and the ironing plate, to close the steam chamber at the lower part, for at least a substantial part of the surface of the ironing base plate, and is configured to reduce, during use, the temperature of the ironing base plate.

According to forms of embodiment of the present invention, the insulating element is made in a single and continuous body, of the membrane type.

According to other forms of embodiment of the present invention, the insulating element is made in a single body, of the membrane type, and has one or more holes, which allow the passage of the steam from the main body to the ironing base plate, and from the latter to the garment to be ironed.

In a preferred form of embodiment, the holes of the insulating element of the membrane type are made in positions coherent with the holes present in the ironing base plate.

According to yet other forms of embodiment of the present invention, the iron comprises a plurality of insulating elements, separated from each other, which in their entirety extend over at least part of the ironing base plate, in correspondence with its internal surface.

In this way it is possible to make an iron able to iron at a constant temperature for different types of fabrics, without needing any manual regulation, since the intermediate insulating element disposed between the main body, and in particular between the steam chamber of the main body, by which the steam is produced and delivered, and the ironing base plate, determines a uniformity of the temperature over the whole of its surface.

Moreover, it can also be possible to allow the substitution of the at least one insulating element, if it is worn for example or whenever it is necessaiy to modify the ironing conditions in relation to different types of garments to be ironed.

Another advantage given by the presence of the insulating element is that the steam can be produced at a greater temperature, therefore with greater efficiency, since its temperature is reduced in the passage through the insulating element and the ironing plate before coming into contact with the garment to be ironed.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the main body and the ironing base plate are connected to each other in a fixed manner.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the ironing plate is able to be selectively separated from the main body by a plurality of rapid attachment/ detachment means.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the rapid attachment/ detachment means are solid with the ironing base plate.

In accordance with other forms of embodiment, the rapid attachment/ detachment means are solid with the main body.

According to forms of embodiment of the present invention, the ironing base plate and the main body are able to be separated manually by acting directly on the rapid attachment/detachment means.

According to other forms of embodiment of the present invention, the ironing base plate and the main body are able to be separated automatically, for example by means of a release button.

In this way, it is advantageously possible, whenever necessary, to access the components inside the iron, in particular the steam chamber inside the main body, for example for cleaning operations to descale the iron or remove other substances deposited during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some forms of embodiment, given as a non- restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 shows an iron according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the iron in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the iron in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the iron in fig. 1 ; - fig. 5 is a view from above of part of another variant of the iron in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the lower part of the iron in fig. 1.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

We shall now refer in detail to the various forms of embodiment of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one form of embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other forms of embodiment to produce another form of embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

In accordance with the present description, the invention concerns an iron 10, for both domestic and industrial use, of the type operating with steam.

In forms of embodiment described here with reference to fig. 1, the iron 10 comprises a main body 12 and an ironing base plate 14, disposed below the main body 12 and connected to it.

In particular, the main body 12 can advantageously be made of a light material, for example plastic, composite material or elements or light metal alloys, in order to simplify the movement of the iron 10 at least during use.

As can be seen in fig. 6, the main body 12 has an at least partly hollow configuration inside so as to define a chamber which can be filled with steam which forms, during use, a steam chamber 26 which can be selectively filled depending on the uses and operating cycles of the iron 10.

The ironing base plate 14 is made of one or more conductor materials, such as for example one or more metal materials or other suitable material, for example steel, aluminum or steel-aluminum.

The ironing base plate 14 can advantageously have an irregular shape, having a point for example at one end, in order to facilitate the ironing of parts of garments, articles of clothing or fabrics in general with a complex and articulated shape.

The iron 10 comprises, in an upper portion, a handle 15, connected to the main body 12 to facilitate gripping and manipulating the iron 10.

A plurality of delivery holes 20 are made on the ironing base plate 14, configured to determine the delivery of steam produced in a suitable boiler, not shown here.

The boiler can be disposed, for example, in the main body 12, or, alternatively, it can be outside the iron 10.

In particular, the steam is produced starting from water contained in a suitable tank 21, disposed for example in the main body 12, or alternatively, outside it, and connected at least to the boiler; it is then fed by means of suitable channels to fill the steam chamber 26 inside the main body 12. From here, the steam is then propagated to the outside through the delivery holes 20 provided in the ironing base plate 14.

In particular, in order to generate steam, heating elements of a substantially known type can be used, such as electric resistances for example, not shown in the attached drawings.

The main body 12 also comprises at least a pipe for the passage of the steam, with a variable length and diameter according to the position of the delivery holes 20 on the ironing base plate 14.

The passage pipe allows a connection between the boiler and the delivery holes 20, in order to guarantee the transfer of the steam obtained in the boiler to the outside of the iron 10.

In forms of embodiment described here, the connection between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14 can be fixed, for example when obtained by welding or gluing, or by fixed elements which cannot be released (fig. 2).

In other forms of embodiment described here, the main body 12 and the ironing plate 14 can be selectively detached from each other, depending on the specific needs of a user, by means of a plurality of rapid attachment/detachment means 16 (figs. 3 and 4).

By exploiting the presence of the rapid attachment/detachment means 16, the ironing base plate 14 can be separated from the main body 12 in order to access the internal compartment defining the steam chamber 26, to carry out cleaning and maintenance operations, for example removing limescale. The cleaning and maintenance operations can also be carried out on the internal face of the ironing base plate 14 which in normal irons is not normally accessible except after long and complex disassembling operations.

In forms of embodiment described here, the rapid attachment/detachment means 16 can be made solid with the ironing base plate 14, or alternatively they can be solid with the main body 12.

In particular, in the variant described with reference to fig. 3, the rapid attachment/detachment means 16 between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14 are a plurality of hooks associated to the ironing plate 14.

In other forms of embodiment described with reference to fig. 4, the rapid attachment/detachment means 16 are a plurality of screws selectively cooperating with mating cavities 19, in this case threaded holes, and made in the main body 12.

In yet other forms of embodiment not shown in the attached drawings, the selective release of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12 can be obtained by means of a selective sliding, for example along guides, of the ironing base plate 14 with respect to the main body 12.

In this case, at end-of-travel it is possible to provide the presence of one or more rapid attachment/detachment means 16, disposed advantageously at the front and/or at the back on the iron 10, in order to hold the ironing base plate 14 and the main body 12 together, preventing an involuntary detachment.

In this way, it is therefore possible to guarantee, for example by acting manually on the rapid attachment/detachment means 16, the selective release of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12.

In yet other variant forms of embodiment of the present invention, the selective release can be obtained automatically by means of one or more buttons, able to selectively activate the rapid attachment/detachment means 16 to guarantee the detachment of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12.

The buttons can be advantageously disposed on an upper portion of the iron 10, for example in proximity to the handle 15. In possible implementations, the iron 10 can also comprise at least one control sensor, not shown in the attached drawings, configured at least to detect one or more functional parameters of the iron 10, such as for example the temperature and/or the pressure of the steam, or the temperature of the ironing plate 14.

The at least one control sensor is also configured to manage and control the selective release of the ironing base plate 14 and the main body 12, for example selectively activating a safety device to clamp the ironing base plate 14.

In particular, the safety device is configured to prevent the release, accidental and/or in unsuitable conditions, of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12.

In this way, if the control sensor detects functioning conditions of the iron 10 that could cause safety problems for a user, it can selectively activate the safety device, preventing the separation of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12.

By way of example, the safety device can comprise, for example, a membrane that can dilate in the presence of high temperatures of the ironing base plate 14 and/or the steam, or mechanical clamping elements, whose functioning can be commanded depending on the parameters detected by the control sensor.

In forms of embodiment of the present invention, the control sensor also comprises a thermostat, configured at least to detect the temperature reached by the ironing base plate 14, either continuously or at predetermined moments, for example immediately after the activation of the clamping system of the ironing base plate 14, and to compare it to a threshold value.

In this way, if the temperature detected is higher than the threshold value, the control sensor activates the safety device to prevent the release, voluntary or not, of the ironing base plate 14 from the main body 12.

With the iron 10 that can be disassembled, it is therefore possible for a user to access internal components of the iron 10, in particular the internal steam chamber 26 of the main body 12, for example if it is necessary to clean them, for example but not only, of limescale or other substances that can form and subsequently be deposited thereon during the use of the iron 10.

In forms of embodiment described with reference to figs. 2-5, the iron 10 also comprises a heat insulating element 22. In particular, the at least one insulating element 22 can be advantageously disposed in an intermediate position between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14, in order to operate as a heat barrier between the steam chamber 26 and the ironing base plate 14, and to reduce the temperature in correspondence to a lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14, compared with that corresponding to the temperature of the steam generated by the boiler.

The lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14 remains in any case the surface that comes into contact with the garment to be ironed, so that the presence of the insulating element 22 in an intermediate position between the main body 12 and the ironing base plate 14 does not modify the functioning of the iron 10 or its operating characteristics.

In forms of embodiment described here, the insulating element 22 is a body in sheet or foil form of the membrane type made of a material, chosen for example from a group comprising thermosetting polymer materials, thermoplastic materials, elastomer materials or a combination thereof.

The insulating element 22 can dilate due to the effect of the increase in temperature when the iron 10 is in use, thus allowing a complete adhesion to the ironing base plate 14 and the main body 12, guaranteeing the desired heat insulation of the steam chamber 26.

Possible polymer materials which can be used are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), expanded polyurethane (PU), acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicone rubber, natural rubber or other similar and/or comparable polymer materials.

The at least one insulating element 22 can be made in sheet form, or layer, foil, or mat, or it can have another similar or comparable form.

In particular, the at least one insulating element 22 can have a contained and variable thickness, by way of example comprised between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, advantageously between 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

In forms of embodiment described here, the thickness can be constant over the whole extension of the insulating element 22.

Alternatively, the insulating element 22 can have a differentiated thickness along its extension. By way of example, the insulating element 22 can have a greater thickness in a central portion and smaller in correspondence to its ends, or vice versa, or again it is possible to provide that the thickness is reduced, or alternatively increased, by an amount, constant or not, from one end to the other.

In this way, it is therefore possible to differentiate the heat insulation along the insulating element 22, depending on specific ironing requirements.

As the thickness of the insulating element 22 varies, it is possible to vary the entity of the heat insulation to be obtained.

Indeed, the greater the thickness of the insulating element 22, the lower the temperature will be in correspondence to the lower surface 23 of the ironing base plate 14.

In forms of embodiment described here, the at least one insulating element 22 can be made separately from the above cited main body 12 and ironing base plate 14, and subsequently disposed between them.

By way of non-restrictive example, the insulating element 22 can be made by molding for example, by punching, by laser cutting techniques, or similar production techniques able to supply the desired shape to the insulating element 22.

In possible implementations of the present invention, the at least one insulating element 22 can be made directly coupled to one of either the main body 12 or the ironing base plate 14 using known techniques, for example co- molding.

With the at least one insulating element 22 it is therefore possible to obtain a heat attenuation effect, so as to be able to use the iron 10 for different types of fabrics at a constant temperature, without needing to resort to complex electronic and mechanical adjustment systems known in the state of the art.

Moreover, the iron 10 can produce steam at a higher temperature than that of the state of the art, and, consequently, more easily.

Indeed, even if the steam produced is at a higher temperature, and therefore is produced in conditions of greater energy efficiency, the presence of the at least one insulating element 22 allows to heat insulate the ironing base plate 14, also allowing to iron more delicate fabrics. Moreover, in possible implementations, if the iron 10 is the type that can be disassembled, it is possible to replace the at least one insulating element 22, simply by releasing the ironing base plate 14.

In this case, therefore, a user can easily replace the at least one insulating element 22, for example if it is necessary to modify the ironing conditions depending on the specific characteristics of the fabrics to be ironed, or if the at least one insulating element 22 is worn.

In forms of embodiment described with reference to fig. 2, the iron 10 comprises only one insulating element 22 made in a single body of the membrane type which, in this case, has a shape mating to that of the lower surface 23 in order to cover it completely.

In forms of embodiment described with reference to figs. 3 and 4, the insulating element 22 is made in a single body and has one or more holes 24, of different shapes to each other, advantageously made in correspondence to mating holes in the ironing base plate 14.

In this case, it is possible to provide a differentiated reduction in temperatures according to the presence or absence of the holes 24.

In other forms of embodiment, the iron 10 comprises a plurality of insulating elements 22 distanced from each other so as to cover the ironing base plate 14 only partly.

In possible implementations, to facilitate the operations to produce the iron 10, it can also comprise a support 25, so as to dispose the plurality of insulating elements 22 on it (fig. 5).

In particular, the support 25 can be made of the same material as the at least one insulating element 22, or, alternatively, of a different material, if the support 25 does not need to have particular characteristics of heat insulation.

In forms of embodiment described here, the insulating elements 22 can be all made of the same material, in order to obtain the same heat insulating effect along the ironing base plate 14.

In other forms of embodiment of the present invention, only some of the insulating elements 22 can be made of different material, so as to diversify the desired heat insulation, for example between the tip, central part and rear part of the ironing base plate 14, depending on their specific position (fig. 5). With reference to fig.5, it is possible to provide an insulating element 22 in correspondence to the tip of the ironing base plate 14, made of a material with lower heat insulating characteristics, for example to iron more delicate parts of the fabrics.

In the remaining parts of the ironing base plate 14, on the contrary, it is possible to provide other types of insulating elements 22, even different from each other, with higher heat insulation characteristics.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the iron 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of iron 10, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.