Iron and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to an iron and method of use thereof, and particularly to an iron commonly referred to as a clothes iron for the ironing of clothing, garments, fabric and/or the like.

A clothes iron is typically a heatable appliance which removes or helps to remove creases from clothing, garments, fabrics and/or the like. This is typically achieved by the weight of the iron in combination with dry heat and/or steam generated by the iron.

A conventional modern clothes iron comprises a body portion, the base of which comprises or is in the form of a single sole plate that is heated by suitable means, and typically electrical heating means. A handle portion can be associated with the body portion to allow a user to grip the iron, apply pressure to the iron and onto a surface of the fabric and/or to move the iron across a surface of the fabric to be ironed. If the iron is capable of generating steam, a fluid reservoir is typically defined in, on or associated with the body portion for the containment of water. Apertures are defined in the sole plate and/or one or more steam nozzles are provided on the body portion in communication with the fluid reservoir to allow steam to be dispensed therefrom. Steam generating means are located in the body portion and water from the fluid reservoir passes through the steam generating means prior to release from the apertures or steam nozzles to allow steam to be generated from the water. Control means are provided on the handle portion and/or body portion to allow a user to move the iron between "on/operational" and "off/non-operational" positions, to generate steam, to select one of a number of pre-defined temperature settings for the sole plate and/or the like. Sole plates of conventional electrical irons typically comprise a single ceramic plate with a heating element associated therewith. A relatively large amount of energy, for example in the region of 2000-2500 watts, is required to heat the sole plate to a suitable temperature for undertaking an ironing process. If the heating element of the sole plate breaks, the entire sole plate stops working and the iron becomes useless.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an iron which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an iron which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an iron, said iron including a body portion and sole plate means provided on or associated with a base of the body portion, and wherein the sole plate means comprises two or more sole plate elements.

By providing the iron of the present invention with two or more sole plate elements, this means that if one of the sole plate elements breaks or becomes damaged, the iron will still be able to function and be used utilising the other sole plate element(s) . Furthermore, the applicants have found that less energy is required to heat two or more sole plate elements compared to a single sole plate, thereby making the iron more energy efficient and thus more environmentally friendly. For example, the iron can work off a power consumption o f less than or equal to 500 watts. A further advantage is that each sole plate element can be heated and controlled independently, such that only the sole plate elements required for a particular ironing function and/or at a particular point in time, are required to be heated, thereby also reducing the energy required to perform a particular ironing task.

A sole plate element can be defined as a heatable element located on a base of the iron that is able to come into contact with fabric, a surface or free space in use. The external surfaces of the sole plate elements preferably form a substantially planar or flat surface of the iron base.

Preferably handle means are associated with the body portion of the iron for allow a user to grip the iron in use. The iron is typically a hand held portable iron.

Preferably heating means are associated with each of the two or more sole plate elements.

Preferably the heating means includes a heating element associated with each of said two or more sole plate elements. The heating means can be arranged to allow independent control of each of the two or more sole plate elements or two or more of the sole plate elements and/or the two or more sole plate elements can be controlled substantially simultaneously and/or under the same control. Control means are provided to allow said control.

Preferably the heating element and/or heating means is arranged sub stantially centrally of each sole plate element.

Preferably micro-processing means are provided to allow independent or simultaneous control of each or one or more sole plate element and/or the heating means associated with each or one or more sole plate element, to detect damage and/or malfunction of each or one or more sole plate element and/or heating means and/or the like. The micro-processing means can also detect the position of each or one or more sole plate element on sole plate support means to which the sole plate elements are attached in use or in respect of the body portion of the iron.

Preferably sensor means are associated with the iron, each or one or more sole plate elements and/or heating means to allow measurements relating to said iron to be detected and/or recorded. Data from said sensor means can be fed back to the micro-processing means to help control said iron. For example, a closed loop feedback system can be provided.

Preferably temperature sensor means are associated with each or one or more sole plate element and/ or heating means to allow the temperature and/or rate of change of temperature of the sole plate element(s) and/or heating means to be measured, recorded and/or monitored by the micro-processing means. Data or one or more signals from the temperature sensor means can be fed back to the micro-processing means to help with said control. Thus, the micro-processing means is able to determine the location of each or one or more sole plate element(s), the temperature at which the heating element of each or one or more sole plate element is set to, the actual temperature of each or one or more sole plate element, the rate of loss of heat from each or one or more sole plate element and/or the like.

Memory means can be provided on or associated with the iron and/or associated with the micro-processing means to allow data, such as for example relating to one or more recorded measurements, temperature, settings, times, dates and/or the like to be stored. In one embodiment, test data relating to the loss of heat at a sole plate element when placed on certain fabric types is stored. Each fabric type, such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, polyester and/or the like, typically absorb s or loses heat at different rates when heat is applied to the same. In addition, if part of the sole plate is not in contact with fabric but is in contact with a surface or ambient air, the iron can detect this also. The micro-processing means can detect the rate of heat loss being measured by the temperature sensors associated with the sole plate elements or heating elements and therefore can automatically detect the type of fabric being ironed without the user providing this information to the iron. As such, the iron can then automatically select a suitable ironing temperature for the fabric that is being ironed or select a suitable operational status for the iron depending on the sensed condition. In addition, if only a portion of the total number of sole plate elements are in contact with the fabric, the iron only heats the sole plate elements detected as being in contact with the fabric and allows the other sole plate elements to cool, thereby saving energy.

The communication between the micro-processing means, the memory means and the sole plate elements is typically sufficiently rapid to allow the temperature and/or operational status of each sole plate element to be rapidly and automatically changed during use and to adapt to different movements and uses of the iron.

Communication between the sensing means, temperature sensing means and/or the sole plate elements and the micro-processing means can take place substantially continuously, in sequence and/or in a repetitive sequence cycle.

The micro-processing means can control one or more, groups, zones, patterns or sequences of sole plate elements as required.

In one embodiment each sole plate element is typically a ceramic plate element. However, the sole plate elements can be made from any or any combination of ceramic, aluminium, steel, titanium, iron, copper and/or the like.

Preferably each or one or more sole plate elements are detachably attached directly or indirectly to the base of the body portion and/or the sole plate support means via sole plate attachment means. The sole plate attachment means allows each individual sole plate element or one or more sole plate elements to be removed and/or replaced as required. A special tool could be provided to allow detachable attachment of the sole plate elements if required. The iron is capable of operating even if one or more of the sole plate elements are removed and/or nonfunctioning. The iron is able to sense which sole plate element or elements are present and/or are functional and only provides instructions for heating of functional and/or present sole plate elements.

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of sole plate elements are provided. The sole plate elements can be arranged in any suitable pattern or arrangement. One or more of the sole plate elements can abut each other or can be provided a spaced distance apart from each other.

In one embodiment the sole plate attachment means includes at least one of a pin or socket provided on a top or outermost surface of a sole plate element which engages with the other of a pin or socket provided on the base of the sole plate support means and/or body portion.

In one embodiment at least 50 sole plate elements are provided and preferably between 50- 100 individual sole plate elements are provided to form the total sole plate of the iron. Preferably the plurality of sole plate elements are arranged to cover at least part of the base of the body portion and/or sole plate support means and further preferably sub stantially the entire base of the body portion and/or sole plate support means.

In one embodiment one or more openings are defined in each or one or more sole plate element, or in the sole plate support means or in the base of the body portion surrounding each or one or more sole plate element. The one or more openings can provide any or any combination of steam release outlets, steam vapour escape inlets (i.e. so that excess steam vapour released from the outlets can exit from between the iron base and fabric), water outlet and/or the like.

Preferably the one or more openings are provided at or adjacent a peripheral edge of each or one or more sole plate elements. Further preferably three openings are provided.

In a preferred embodiment three openings are provided on each edge of each sole plate element.

The sole plate means, sole plate support means and/or base o f the body portion is preferably of a pre-determined shape comprising a front end or edge, a rear end or edge and at least first and second side edges. The shape of the sole plate means, sole plate support means and/or base of the body portion allows the iron to be used in multiple, user selected directions.

In one embodiment at least one of the first or second side edges includes a substantially straight or linear edge.

In one embodiment at least one of the first or second side edges includes a substantially curved, convexed or angled edge. Preferably the first side edge is a sub stantially straight or linear edge and the second, opposite side edge is substantially curved, convexed or angled.

Preferably the front end or edge is sub stantially pointed. For example the edges leading to the front end could converge to a point, rounded end or tapered end. Preferably the point, rounded end or tapered end is substantially central of the front part of the iron and/or longitudinal axis of the iron when in a normal operating mode.

Preferably the rear end or edge is also substantially tapered, rounded or pointed. Further preferably the rear end is formed by a curved side edge part and a sub stantially straight side edge part converging to form a rear point, curved end or tapered end. This rear end is particularly advantageous for ironing sleeve edges of clothing.

Preferably the rear end or edge is sub stantially offset at an angle to the left or right (side of) from a sub stantially central axis running longitudinally of the iron body portion and/or from the front end when in a normal operating mode.

In one embodiment the sole plate means, the sole plate support means and/or body portion base includes a recess, slot or aperture adjacent an outer edge of the same to allow a button or protrusion on a garment or fabric to be located therein when ironing.

Preferably power means are associated with the iron for powering the iron, for heating the heating means and/or the like. Further preferably the power means are electrical power means in the form of any or any combination of a battery, rechargeable battery, solar power, mains electrical power supply and/ or the like.

In one embodiment electrical cable means are associated with the iron, and preferably the body portion and/or handle portion of the iron to allow electrical power to be supplied to the iron.

In one aspect of the present invention the electrical cable means are detachably attached to the iron by attachment means. This is particularly advantageous as it allows the iron to be easily transported, filled with water, and/or the like without the cable causing an obstruction or hindering the process(es) . In addition, it allows the cable to be easily replaced and/or repaired if damaged.

The attachment means could include any or any combination of bayonet type fitting, inter-engaging members, screw thread attachment and/or the like.

In one embodiment detection means are provided to detect if the iron is an "on" or "operational" condition. Preferably detachment of the electrical cable means from the iron is typically prevented by a suitable mechanism until the detection means detects the iron has been moved to an "off" or "non- operational" condition.

According to one aspect of the present invention the handle means are adjustable via adjustment means. The handle means can be arranged to undergo relative movement of the handle means with respect to the body portion or sole plate if required. This allows a user to move the handle means to a position that is most comfortable to them, such as for example so as to accommodate a left handed person, a right handed person, to suit a user's ironing technique and/ or the like. In addition, it allows a user to determine which side or end of the iron is to be the front of the iron for a particular ironing process.

The handle means can typically be rotatably, slidably and/or pivotally mounted on the iron by any suitable mechanism to allow rotation, sliding or pivotal movement of the handle means with respect to the body portion or sole plate. The handle means can be moved in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction through any suitable user selected angle between 0-360 degrees and/or in one example, the handle means can be moved between two or more pre-determined po sitions. Preferably four different predetermined positions arranged at 90 degrees to each other are provided. A user selects which one of said pre-determined positions they wish to use.

The handle adjustment means can include any suitable button, lever, switch and/or the like. In one example, the handle adjustment means is a depressable button provided on the top of the handle means and, on depression of said button, the handle means can be moved to a suitable position.

According to one aspect of the present invention visual display means are provided on or associated with the iron to allow visual display of one or more controls, functions, settings, status of the iron and/or the like. For example, the visual display could display any or any combination of the overall sole plate temperature, individual sole plate temperatures, sole plate fault and/or location, fluid reservoir level either forming part of the iron or remote from the iron, power consumption, time, date, lifetime usage span, fluid filter status, time for which the iron has been switched on for during a current ironing session and/ or the like. Memory means can be provided with the iron to allow data, such as for example relating to one or more recorded measurements, temperature, settings, times, dates and/or the like to be stored.

In one example the visual display is in the form of a liquid crystal diode (LCD) .

In one embodiment the iron includes, is provided with or communicates with fluid reservoir means to allow water or some other suitable fluid to be located therein. Steam generating means can be provided on or associated with the iron and preferably in association with the fluid reservoir means to allow steam to be generated for certain ironing applications. The water or fluid in the fluid reservoir preferably passes through or adjacent the steam generating means in use and is dispensed from one or more steam nozzles, outlets or openings defined on the body portion, handle portion, sole plate and/or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the fluid reservoir is located in or on the body portion of the iron.

Preferably the fluid reservoir is movably mounted on or detachably attached to the iron. Movement of the fluid reservoir relative to the iron body increases the ease with which the fluid reservoir can be filled and/or can provide a stand or support for the iron in an end standing position.

For example, the fluid reservoir can be pivotably or movably mounted to the iron body and can be moved from a first non- standing position, wherein the fluid reservoir is sub stantially aligned with or located on top of the sole plate means and/or body portion of the iron, to a second position standing position, wherein the fluid reservoir is out o f alignment with the sole plate means and/or body portion o f the iron. In the second standing po sition, the rear end of the sole plate or body portion and rear end of the fluid reservoir are a spaced distance apart. This creates at least two spaced apart points that can be brought into contact with a surface on which the end of the iron can be supported in a free standing manner. The free end of the handle means can also be used to provide a third support point when the iron is located on its end if required.

Preferably the base of the fluid reservoir is sub stantially complementary in shape to a rear portion or surface of the sole plate or body portion so that it can be sub stantially aligned with or located on top of the sole plate or body portion in the first non-standing position.

One or more filling openings can be defined in the fluid reservoir and suitable clo sure means can be provided with the same for closing said opening. In a preferred embodiment two filling openings are provided for the fluid reservoir; one on either side of the iron.

Preferably filter means are associated with the fluid reservoir means to allow filtering of the fluid prior to it entering the internal mechanisms, pipes and/or the like of the iron. For example, the filter could prevent limescale build up in the iron. The filter means can be detachably attached to the iron or fluid reservoir means to allow replacement and/or repair of the same. Sensing means can be associated with the filter means to allow a signal to be generated when the sensing means requires replacement.

In one embodiment perfume means can be associated with the filter means and/or fluid reservoir means to allow perfume to be dispensed in the fluid as is passes therethrough. This provides the fabric being ironed using steam and/or water with perfume. Preferably the body portion of the iron is formed from a single moulded or cast element of material, such as for example cast aluminium. This keeps the weight of the iron to a minimum. The body portion and/or handle portion could be formed from any or any combination of suitable material, such as for example, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fibre and/or the like.

The iron can be modular in form so that one or more components, body parts, shaped sole plate element and/or the like can be attached or detachably attached to the iron. For example, the body portion can be formed from one or more detachable covers. These covers could be changed to customise the appearance and/or function of the iron. Different shaped sole plate elements could be provided for attachment to the sole plate support means to allow different shaped sole plates to be formed and/or the like.

Preferably movement detection means are provided with the iron to detect whether the iron is being moved. If the iron is in an "on" condition and movement is not detected for a predetermined time period, alarm means could be activated to inform a user that the iron has accidentally been left on. The alarm means could be visual, audio or kinaesthetic alarm means. Alternatively, or in addition, the power supply to the iron could automatically be switched off if no movement of the iron is detected for said pre-determined period.

In one embodiment if movement of the iron is not detected for a pre-determined time period and/or if activation of the alarm means is detected, the micro-processing means signals for the iron to cool itself. This can be undertaken by water or fluid from the fluid reservoir means being passed to the sole plate element without being heated in one example. In one embodiment the handle means includes pressure detection means or means for detecting the presence of a user's hand and/or pressure applied by a user's hand thereon. This allows the power supply to be moved between on and/or off conditions depending on whether the user's hand is detected in contact with the iron. For example, if the user's hand is not detected on the handle means, the power supply to the iron could be switched off after a pre-determined time period. If the user's hand is detected on the handle means, and/or the sole plate is detected as being in contact with fabric or a garment, the power supply to the iron could be switched "on" or moved from a standby condition to an "on" condition after a predetermined time period.

In one embodiment USB cable attachment means are provided with the iron to allow computer information, data and/or software to be downloaded and/or uploaded to the iron.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an iron, said iron including a body portion, and sole plate means provided on or associated with a base of the body portion, and wherein the iron is further provided with any or any combination of the abovementioned features. Thus, the abovementioned features can be used alone or in combination with the individual sole plate elements.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using an iron.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using an iron, said iron including a body portion and sole plate means provided on or associated with said body portion, the sole plate means comprising two or more sole plate elements and said method including the steps of controlling the temperature of each or one or more of said sole plate elements.

The iron of the present invention is preferably an electrically powered clothes iron.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures l a-l b show a perspective view and a side view of an iron according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a-2c show a top view of sole plate means, a bottom view of sole plate means and a detailed view of a sole plate element forming the sole plate means; and

Figures 3a-3c show a top view of the iron in a non-standing position with the fluid reservoir sub stantially aligned with sole plate means 16, a top view of the iron in a standing position with the fluid reservoir pivoted through an acute angle in an anti-clockwise direction so that the fluid reservoir is out of alignment with sole plate means 1 6, and a side view of the iron in a standing position respectively.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated an electrically powered, hand held clothes iron 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The iron 2 includes a body portion 4 and a handle portion 6. The body portion 4 comprises a top surface 8, a base 10, a front end 12 and a rear end 14. Handle portion 6 is rotatably mounted to top surface 8 via suitable means as will be described in more detail below. The base of the iron is provided with sole plate means 1 6 which is heated to allow an ironing function of the iron to be carried out. In use, the sole plate means 16 is typically heated and the base of the sole plate is moved across an upper surface of a piece of fabric or a garment to be ironed. The combination of the weight of the iron and the heat typically helps to remove creases from the fabric or garment.

A front portion 1 7 of top surface 1 8 of sole plate means 16 is attached to base 10 of body portion 4 via suitable attachment means, such as welding, one or more screws, clips, adhesive and/ or the like.

Fluid reservoir means in the form of a water tank 20 is pivotably mounted to the rear end 14 of body portion 4 and is slidably movable across the rear portion 1 9 of top surface 18 of sole plate means 16 as will be described in more detail below.

In accordance with the present invention, sole plate means 1 6 includes a sole plate support means 22 provided on a lower surface 23 thereof. The support means 22 allows a plurality of individual sole plate elements 24 to be detachably attached to the lower surface thereof via attachment means. Any suitable attachment means could be used but in one example, the top surface 26 of each sole plate element 24 includes one or more electrical pins which are locatable in one or more electrical sockets defined in lower surface 23.

The lower surface 28 of each sole plate element 24 includes a centrally arranged heating element 30 with three openings 32, 34, 36 defined adjacent each peripheral or surrounding edge of said element and to the edges of heating element 30. In the illustrated example, the sole plate element is shown as being square in shape with four peripheral sides. Each of the four sides has the three openings 32-36 defined therein. However, each sole plate element could be any shape and could include any number of openings 32-36 thereon.

Each opening 32-36 is defined at a first end of a channel formed in the sole plate element 24. Opening 32 is a steam outlet and the opposite end of the channel communicates with steam generating means through which the water in water tank 20 passes when a user requires steam to iron with. Opening 34 is a steam escape inlet and allows steam passing to the fabric being ironed to escape through the associated channel and be exhaust at a location remote or a spaced distance away from the fabric surface, thereby preventing the fabric surface from becoming too wet due to the steam condensing on the same. The channel associated with the steam escape inlet can pass adjacent to the water tank to transfer heat in the steam to the water in the tank, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to heat the water in the tank to form steam. Opening 36 is a water outlet to allow water from the water tank to be dispensed therefrom if required.

A large number of sole plate elements are provided on lower surface 23 of sole plate support means 22 in the illustrated embodiment and is preferably in the region of 50-100 elements. However, any number of sole plate elements can be provided providing there is more than one.

Temperature sensing means are associated with each sole plate element and signals therefrom are sent to micro-processing means provided in the iron. The micro-processing means can therefore monitor and control the temperature of each individual sole plate element independently, thereby providing micro-control of the temperature of the sole plate. Since the micro-processing means can also determine the location of each sole plate element on the sole plate support means, it can identify any sole plate element that has broken, is not present and/or the like. This allows a broken sole plate element to be identified, removed and replaced. It also allows selective control of certain areas or zones of the sole plate (i.e. a number of sole plate elements can be controlled as a group, in certain patterns and/or the like if required) .

The iron is electrically powered and in one embodiment an electricity supply is provided to the iron via a detachable electrical cable (not shown) . The electrical cable can be in the form of a conventional kettle type lead which is detachably attached to a lower part 38 of handle portion 6. The electrical cable can be detached from the iron to allow easy filling of water tank 20, for storage purposes and/or the like.

In use, the heating element 30 of each sole plate element 24 is electrically powered to allow the sole plate element to be rapidly heated to a pre-determined or required temperature. This temperature can be set by a user of the iron using control means provided on the iron. Alternatively, or in addition, the microprocessing means can detect the appropriate temperature required for the fabric being ironed or for the current mode or status in which the iron is in and automatically set the temperature to the detected required temperature.

Test data and suitable software is stored in memory means associated with the micro-processing means. The test data relates to the rate of heat loss or temperature reduction associated with different types of fabric, such as cotton, linen, fabric, silk, polyester, wool and the like. Once heat is applied to fabric, different fabric types lose heat at different rates. Thus, once heat of a pre-defined temperature is applied to heating element 30 of each sole plate element 24, the temperature sensor can detect the rate of heat lo ss and automatically determine the type of fabric being ironed and the correct ironing temperature for that fabric. The micro-processing means is informed of this and rapidly adjusts the temperature of the sole plate elements 24 accordingly. The detection and heating process is very rapid and takes place within seconds, thereby providing an automated system for setting the iron to the correct temperature without the user having to make any further manual adjustment to the iron. In addition, when the entire lower surface 23 of the sole plate 1 6 is not in contact with fabric, this can also be rapidly detected due to the rate of heat loss detected with sole plate elements not in contact with fabric. The micro-processing means can therefore switch off the heating elements to these non-used sole plate elements, thereby saving power and energy.

Since it is likely that the portions o f the iron in contact with fabric will change rapidly as the iron is moved acro ss a fabric surface in use, the temperature feedback and control between the temperature sensors, the heating elements and the microprocessing means is also very rapid, such that the iron only heats the required number and distribution of sole plate elements at any point in time. The power to the heating elements can thus be provided continuously, can be provided in sequence or in a repetitive sequence cycle.

The shape of the sole plate means 1 6 is also a unique feature of the iron of the present invention. It allows the iron to be moved in a plurality of different directions, each direction typically having an advantage associated with a particular ironing function or technique. With the iron in a normal operating mode, the sole plate means 1 6 typically has a front end 40, a rear end 42, a first side 44 and a second side 46, as shown in figure 2a. First side 44 is typically a substantially straight, linear edge. Second side 46, which is opposite to first side 44, typically comprises an outwardly curved or convex shaped edge. The front ends of sides 44, 46 form a narrowing taper towards front end or point 40, which is typically in the shape of an apex of an equilateral triangle (the sides can be curved slightly if required) . End 40 is typically substantially central of the longitudinal axis of the iron or sole plate. This has the appearance of a conventional front end of an iron.

The rear ends of sides 44, 46 form a narrowing taper towards rear end or point 42 which is typically offset by an acute angle from the central longitudinal axis of the iron or sole plate or front end 40. This part of the iron is useful for ironing sleeve edges of clothing and/or the like.

A recess 48 can be defined in sole plate support means 22 to allow a button or buttons on clothing to be located therein so the fabric surrounding the button can be adequately ironed.

The handle portion 6 has handle adjustment means in the form of a depressable button 50 located on a top surface 52 thereof. If a user grips elongate arm 51 of handle portion 6 and depresses button 50 towards body portion 4, the user can then rotate handle portion 6 in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, as shown by arrow 54, to obtain a suitable hand position for the user. This allows both left and right handed users to find the optimum hand position relative to the sole plate 1 6. In addition, it allows a user to determine which side 44, 46 or end 40, 42 of the sole plate 1 6 is to face in a forwardly direction (i. e. which side or end is the longitudinal axis of the elongate arm 51 to be sub stantially centrally aligned with) . Typically the handle portion 6 can be moved through any suitable angle between 0-360 degrees relative to body portion 4. By allowing a user to choose the direction of travel of the iron, this allows the user to adapt the iron for different ironing functions and techniques. For example, if the user is ironing a large sheet, they may rotate the handle portion 6 in figure l a through 90 degrees in a clockwise direction so that the longitudinal axis of the elongate arm 51 is substantially aligned with a central point of side edge 46 and the front 56 of upright portion 38 faces said central point. A large surface area of the iron now faces in a forwardly direction and makes the ironing of a large area of fabric much easier than with a tapered end 40 or 42.

In the illustrations, a lower upright portion 38 of handle portion 6 joins protruding elongate arm 51 to body portion 4.

Steam actuation means in the form o f a depressable lever 58 is provided on a lower side of elongate arm 51. As such, when a user grips arm 51 , they can use their fingers to pull lever 58 towards arm 51 when steam is required to be released from steam outlets 32 on the sole plate elements 24.

Referring to figures 3a-3c, the iron can be moved to a stable storage or standing position when the iron is not in use. This is undertaken by pivoting water tank relative to rear end 14 of body portion 4 so that water tank 20 is out of alignment with sole plate means 1 6, as shown by arrow 59. More particularly, the base of water tank 20 is shaped so as to be substantially complementary to the top surface of rear portion 1 9 of sole plate means 1 6. In normal use of the iron, the base of water tank 20 is substantially aligned with the top surface of rear portion 19, as shown in figure 3a. The iron typically is not sufficiently stable to allow the iron to be supported on a worksurface using free end 60 of handle portion 6 and rear end 42 of sole plate means 1 6. However, by pivoting water tank 20 through an acute angle in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown by arrow 59 in figure 3b, this provides three points of the iron in contact with the worksurface 62; the rear end 42 of sole plate means 1 6, the free end 60 of handle portion 6 and the rear end 64 of water tank 20. The water tank 20 can be pivoted in a reverse direction to be realigned with sole plate means 16 when use of the iron is required.

The water tank 20 can be filled from the top by either a left hand opening 66 provided adjacent first side edge 44 or a right hand opening 68 provided adjacent second side edge 46. Suitable closure means can be provided with the tank openings as required. The water contained in the water tank can be used for generating steam via steam outlet 32 and for providing water via water outlet 36 on the sole plate elements 24.

Suitable control means can be provided on the iron to allow a user to move the iron between "on" and "off" conditions and to allow selection of temperature settings, iron functions and/or the like. An LCD screen can be provided on the handle portion 6 if required to display the relevant control/ operating information.

The iron can be formed from any suitable material and can be any suitable shape, colour, design and/or size. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that any or any combination of the above described features can be provided to form an iron of the present invention.