“IRONING APPARATUS AND MANAGEMENT METHOD”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method for managing an ironing apparatus usable in the domestic or semi-professional field, which comprises at least one iron, or a similar or comparable device, conformed to selectively deliver steam, and at least one water tank connected to the iron and configured to supply water and/or steam to the iron.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of ironing apparatuses are known, having at least one iron, provided with a handle by means of which it can be handled by the user, and a heating plate, usually at the opposite end with respect to the handle, comprising one or more multiple outlet holes to deliver the steam.

Known ironing apparatuses comprise an iron electrically and hydraulically connected to a separate base, equipped with a boiler, usually made of metal, equipped with one or more electric resistances, able to heat the water and generate steam inside it. These boilers are normally put at a pressure comprised between 0.5 and 10 bar to promote the generation of steam.

One or more solenoid valves are usually associated with this type of boiler, and are conformed to selectively open an aperture in the boiler and allow the steam to be sent to the iron.

The solenoid valve/valves is/are generally driven by means of a suitable command placed on the iron and selectively drivable by a user.

Ironing systems are also known that are equipped with a system to automatically load the water into a suitable tank disposed inside the boiler. These loading systems usually consist of a pump commanded by a control unit, which, with reference to the detection of determinate physical quantities by means of a plurality of sensors, determines the selective activation of the loading pump.

Generally, the ironing systems described heretofore provide to load a determinate quantity of water into the boiler by means of the pump, to heat it until defined pressure and/or temperature values are reached, to open the solenoid valve conveying the steam through a connection pipe in a path inside the plate of the iron in order to superheat the steam and possibly vaporize possible condensation and, finally, to let the steam escape through the outlet holes of the plate.

One disadvantage of this solution is that the quantity of steam produced may not be sufficient for effective ironing.

Another disadvantage is that the steam may not be sufficiently wet, and therefore not very effective in removing the creases from the fabric.

In fact, the principle of steam ironing provides that the steam emitted by the iron moistens the fabric to be ironed, stretching its fibers to remove the creases therefrom. Subsequently, a heated soleplate dries the residual moisture from the fabric, thus fixing the fibers.

The different types of fabrics have different characteristics, and to optimize the ironing results, and reduce the effort and time taken by the user, it is necessary to optimally adjust both the quantity of steam and its wetness, as well as the pressure at which the steam itself comes out and the temperature of the steam and the heated soleplate.

More recently, ironing systems have been introduced which provide, in addition to the operation described above, an additional water loading system, which is hydraulically connected to the water tank and, under determinate conditions, introduces a quantity of cold water into the connection pipe of the iron to the boiler, which mixes with the steam emitted by the boiler, and reaches the plate of the iron.

One disadvantage of this type of solution is that, since water is also injected into the plate, and not just steam, incrustations of limescale can be created inside the plate of the iron, with consequent problems of reliability and durability of the ironing system, and it is therefore necessary to perform frequent descaling and washing operations.

It is known, in fact, that cold ironing systems, by generating steam directly inside a steam chamber, have potential problems of the accumulation of formations of limescale and/or other minerals usually dissolved in the water, inside the steam chamber itself and in the other parts of the iron affected by the passage of the fluid, which can cause a reduction in performance over time, up to the complete occlusion of the steam passages and the cessation of the steam ironing function. A partial solution to this problem consists in generating, inside the steam chamber, a suitable compartment able to contain the limescale formed, thus extending the life of the product.

However, especially considering the plurality of types of water present in the different markets, and the different concentration and/or type of minerals dissolved, the limescale formations are highly variable, sometimes generating the emission of particles from the plate, or other types of problems.

It is also a disadvantage that known ironing apparatuses do not allow high versatility of use, nor do they allow to optimize both performance efficiency and energy consumption, depending on the ironing mode selected by the user.

In “hot” type ironing apparatuses, with the boiler separate from the iron, moreover, when switching on it is necessary to wait a determinate time before using them, to bring the boiler to the temperature and pressure conditions suitable to generate steam, and therefore they are not very practical if it is necessary to iron an item of clothing quickly.

Document EP 1 835 067 A1 describes an ironing apparatus provided with an iron having a steam chamber and a base comprising a water tank and a steam generator. The solution described in this document provides to descale the water directly in the boiler, or downstream of the tank, using water treatment devices, such as demineralizers or suchlike, in order to prevent accumulations of limescale in the iron. The solution described in EP 1 835 067 Al, however, does not ensure effective cleaning of the steam chamber, in which a certain amount of limescale can still accumulate.

Documents EP 1 191 140 and EP 1 619 291 Al describe other ironing apparatuses of a known type.

There is therefore a need to perfect a method for managing an ironing apparatus which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for managing an ironing apparatus that optimizes the functioning of the latter.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for managing an ironing apparatus that allows effective cleaning and maintenance operations to be carried out to eliminate any limescale residues formed inside the iron. Another purpose of the invention is to perfect a management method that optimizes the functioning of the ironing apparatus and keeps it efficient, extending its useful life.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus that allows to perform maintenance and descaling operations in a simple way.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus that can produce steam in sufficient quantity and with optimized temperature and pressure for every ironing requirement, reducing the effort and time required for ironing.

Another purpose is to provide an ironing apparatus that can produce sufficiently wet steam to increase the ironing efficiency of the iron, in particular in cases of difficult ironing.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus that also provides an economical ironing method, usable for example for short ironing sessions, which allows a significant energy saving and a shorter time for steam production.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an ironing apparatus which is highly versatile in use, suitable to act both as an ironing apparatus of the “hot” type, in which the iron is directly fed with steam, and also as an ironing apparatus of the “cold” type, in which the iron is fed with water and the steam is generated inside the iron itself.

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 claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, some embodiments described here concern a method for managing an ironing apparatus which overcomes the limits of the state of the art and eliminates the defects present therein.

The ironing apparatus comprises a steam iron equipped with a heating plate associated with heating means, and with a steam chamber, and a base unit connected to the iron and comprising a boiler equipped with heating means for generating steam, a tank for containing water, first water feed means to feed water from the tank to the boiler, at least one valve device disposed downstream of the boiler and selectively activatable to allow steam to be fed toward the steam chamber and second water feed means configured to feed water from the tank toward the steam chamber.

According to the invention, the management method provides to:

- receive an indication on an ironing mode or a cleaning mode, selected by a user by means of a user interface;

- determine, on the basis of the indication received and of predefined functioning tables, the functioning parameters of the ironing apparatus;

- as a function of the functioning parameters determined, selectively activate one or more of either the heating means associated with the iron or the boiler, or first or second water feed means or the valve device, so as to send into the steam chamber only steam, in order to make the ironing apparatus function as an ironing apparatus only of the “hot” type, or a mixture of water and steam, in order to make the ironing apparatus function as a “hybrid” ironing apparatus, or only water at room temperature, in order to make the ironing apparatus function as an ironing apparatus only of the “cold” type.

In particular, when a cleaning mode is selected, the method provides to alternately activate the first and the second water feed means and the valve device in order to alternately introduce into the steam chamber of the plate cold water, that is, water at room temperature, taken from the tank, and hot water and/or steam coming from the boiler, so as to generate an alternation of thermal cycles and remove the possible limescale encrustations.

According to some embodiments, in the event a user selects a cleaning mode, the method according to the invention provides to carry out a cleaning cycle of the plate of the iron, wherein the washing occurs by introducing into the steam chamber of the plate both cold water coming from the tank, and also hot water and/or steam coming from the boiler, thus exploiting the alternation of thermal cycles in order to remove the limescale encrustations.

Advantageously, therefore, the method according to the invention, in addition to exploiting thermal cycles of heating and cooling in order to generate thermal shocks and break the limescale encrustations, can make use of the aid of the pressure generated by the boiler, which can contribute to detaching, breaking up and/or expelling the detached particles.

In this way, cleaning the iron can prove to be effective even in cases where the water used for the ironing is particularly calcareous and/or rich in other minerals or impurities.

According to some embodiments, during the cleaning mode, the method provides to periodically activate and deactivate the second water feed means, and activate and deactivate in an opposite manner the steam feed means.

According to some embodiments, during the cleaning mode, the method provides to introduce a quantity of water at room temperature from 20cc to 450ce, preferably 250cc, in an interval of time from 5sec to ISOsec, and a quantity of hot water and/or steam comprised between 50cc-100cc.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to carry out the cleaning when the plate is cold, and to heat the plate by means of a flow of steam coming from the boiler before introducing a quantity of cold water coming from the tank into the steam chamber.

According to other embodiments, the method provides to introduce into the steam chamber hot water given by a mixture of cold water and steam, in a quantity comprised between 200cc to 3Q0cc, and having a temperature comprised between 70°C and 90°C

According to such embodiments, before introducing the hot water into the steam chamber, the method provides to heat the plate by means of the heating means provided in the iron up to a temperature comprised between 100°C and 160°C.

In this way, an alternation of thermal cycles is achieved, in any case, between before and after the introduction of water, which allow to obtain an efficient removal of the limescale from the steam chamber.

According to some embodiments, in the event the user selects a normal ironing mode, which requires an average temperature of the plate and an average steam flow rate, the control and command unit can activate the boiler, and activate only the first water feed means and the valve device in order to supply only steam to the steam chamber. According to some embodiments, in the event the user selects an intensive ironing mode that requires a high steam flow rate, together with a high temperature, the control and command unit can activate the boiler and both the first and also the second water feed means, so as to produce sufficiently wet steam to increase the ironing effectiveness of the iron, which is obtained by mixing the steam produced in the boiler with the water taken directly from the tank, which are further overheated inside the steam chamber of the plate of the iron.

According to some embodiments, in the event the user selects an economic ironing mode, which requires a medium-low steam flow rate, the control and command unit can deactivate the boiler and activate only the second water feed means in order to supply the water directly from the tank to the steam chamber, in which it is transformed into steam.

It is therefore an advantage that the present invention provides an energy saving or “economic” ironing mode, in which it is provided in particular to feed into the steam chamber of the iron only the water coming from the tank, transforming it into steam directly in the steam chamber thanks to the contact with the heating plate.

In this way, a lower consumption is possible thanks to the lower number of elements of the ironing system activated for the ironing.

Furthermore, another advantage is given by the fact that, since it is not necessary to heat the water contained in the boiler in order to obtain steam, the ironing system has a shorter time for steam production. In this way, it can also be used for short ironing sessions.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to selectively activate the heating means of the boiler and/or the heating means of the iron so as to regulate the temperature of the steam and/or the temperature of the soleplate, in order to optimize the effectiveness of the action of the steam and obtain a sufficient drying of the fabrics previously made moist by the steam.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to detect the temperature of the plate by means of sensors and to regulate one or more of either the heating means of the plate, the valve device or the second water feed means as a function of the values detected. Some embodiments described here also concern an ironing apparatus comprising a steam iron, or a similar or comparable device, equipped with a heating plate associated with heating means, and defining a steam chamber associated with an ironing soleplate, a base unit and a connection pipe that connects the iron to the base unit.

The base unit comprises:

- a tank for containing water; and

- a boiler equipped with heating means for generating pressurized steam.

The ironing apparatus also comprises:

- first water feed means configured to feed water from the tank to ne boiler;

- at least one valve device disposed downstream of the boiler and selectively activatable to allow steam to be fed through a first steam feed pipe toward the connection pipe and the steam chamber;

- second water feed means, configured to feed water from the tank to the steam chamber of the iron along a second water feed pipe, toward the connection pipe and the steam chamber;

- a user interface configured to allow a user to select the desired settings and/or ironing modes;

- a control and command unit connected to the user interface and configured to regulate the functioning of the ironing apparatus as a function of the selection made by the user by means of the interface, and execute a management method according to the invention.

The control and command unit is configured to receive, by means of the user interface, an indication on an ironing mode selected by the user, and possibly a cleaning mode, and, on the basis of the indication received, it is configured to selectively activate or deactivate one or more of either the heating devices associated with the boiler and/or the heating plate, the first water feed means, the second water feed means or the valve device, in order to regulate at least the temperature of the plate and the suitable flow rate/quality of the steam.

Advantageously, the control and command unit can manage the functioning of the ironing apparatus in accordance with the management method of the present invention, allowing it to be used with different functioning modes, making it function, as a function of the ironing mode selected by the user, as an ironing apparatus of the “hot” type, in which only steam is fed into the iron, as an ironing apparatus of the “cold” type, in which only water is fed into the iron, or as an ironing apparatus of the “hybrid” type, in which a mixture of water and steam is fed into the iron, so as to optimize the overall consumption of the apparatus as a function of the temperature and quantity of steam required.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus comprises a three-way mixing valve, conformed so as to have two inlets connected respectively to the first pipe and to the second pipe, and one outlet connected to the connection pipe.

Advantageously, the use of a mixing valve allows to obtain a compact and efficient ironing system.

According to one embodiment, the ironing system comprises temperature and/or pressure sensors located respectively in the boiler and in the iron, wherein the control and command unit is configured to manage the functioning of the iron and/or the boiler and of the first and/or second water feed means, as a function of the settings selected by the user by means of the user interface and of the values detected by the sensors.

Advantageously, the fact that the ironing system, depending on the settings entered by the user, can produce a quantity or a pressure of steam sufficient for an effective ironing, in a manner that depends on the ironing needs, reduces the effort and time required for ironing, also optimizing energy consumption.

Finally, it is an advantage to have a flexible ironing apparatus, with an effective ironing for every ironing requirement integrated in a single ironing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

- fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an ironing apparatus according to some embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a diagram of the functioning of the ironing apparatus of fig.l in a MAXIMLTM ironing mode according to some embodiments described here;

- fig. 3 is a diagram of the functioning of the ironing apparatus of fig. 1 in a NORMAL ironing mode according to some embodiments described here;

- fig. 4 is a diagram of the functioning of the ironing apparatus of fig. 1 in an ECONOMIC ironing mode according to some embodiments described here.

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 embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

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

Some embodiments described here concern an ironing apparatus 10 to steam iron fabrics, comprising a steam iron 11 and a base unit 20 connected to each other by means of a connection pipe 12.

The connection pipe 12 can integrate the hydraulic and the electrical connection, comprising a flexible tube for the passage of water and/or steam and one or more cables for the electrical power supply and/or transmission of signals.

The iron 11 comprises a heating plate 14, which is provided with a steam chamber 15, in which steam is introduced and/or generated, and with an ironing soleplate 16 suitable to be put in contact with the garments to be ironed and in which a plurality of exit holes 17 are provided to allow steam to be delivered.

The plate 14 comprises heating means 18, for example an electric resistance, configured to heat the plate 14 and therefore the water and/or steam contained in the steam chamber 15, and possibly the ironing soleplate 16.

The iron 11 also comprises a command 19 to deliver steam configured to allow the delivery of steam.

The steam command 19 can be directly activated by the user, or it can be activated automatically as a function of the ironing mode selected by the user. According to some embodiments, the base unit 20 comprises a tank 23 for containing water, preferably clean water and/or with a low level of limescale.

According to some embodiments, the base unit 20 comprises a boiler 22 that has a watertight chamber, and is equipped with heating means 21 configured to heat the water inside it and generate pressurized steam.

The boiler 22 is connected to the tank 23 by means of a hydraulic pipe 26.

The heating means 21 can comprise, for example, one or more electric resistances which can be selectively activated and deactivated as a function of the quantity or flow rate of steam required.

According to some embodiments, the boiler 22 comprises one or more sensors 34, 35 configured to measure at least one quantity between the temperature of the heating means 21 and the pressure of the steam.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus 10 comprises first water feed means 24 configured to remove water from the tank 23 and feed it to the boiler 22 along the hydraulic pipe 26.

The first water feed means 24 can comprise a first pump 24a suitable to selectively introduce water from the tank 23 into the boiler 22, in order to regulate the quantity of water inside the boiler 22 itself.

According to some embodiments, the first pump 24a has an adjustable flow rate, allowing to modify the quantity of water fed to the boiler 22 as a function of the quantity and flow rate of the steam required during ironing.

The ironing apparatus 10 also comprises a valve device, for example a solenoid valve 25, located downstream of the boiler 22 along the path of the water and/or steam, and configured to be selectively closed or opened in order to prevent or allow the delivery of steam from the boiler 22 toward the steam chamber 15.

According to some embodiments, the boiler 22 is connected to the connection pipe 12, and therefore to the steam chamber 15, by means of a first pipe, or steam feed pipe 27.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus 10 also comprises second water feed means 28 suitable to remove water from the tank 23 and feed it through a second pipe, or water feed pipe 29, toward the connection pipe 12 and the steam chamber 15 of the iron 11. According to some embodiments, the steam feed pipe 27 and the water feed pipe 29 are connected to each other and to the hydraulic tube of the connection pipe 12.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 1, the second water feed means 28 can comprise a second pump 28a which can be selectively driven to feed water along the water feed pipe 29. According to some embodiments, the second pump 28a has an adjustable flow rate.

According to possible variants, not shown, the second water feed means 28 can comprise a solenoid valve, hydraulically connected along the hydraulic pipe 26 between the first water feed means 24 and the boiler 22, which can be selectively commanded in order to selectively divert the flow of water, normally directed toward the boiler 22, along the water feed pipe 29.

According to further embodiments, not shown, the second water feed means 28 can comprise another solenoid valve hydraulically connected between the tank 23 and the connection pipe 12, for example connected to it by means of a mixing valve 30 and selectively activatable to allow or prevent the feed of water from the tank 23 toward the steam chamber 15.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus 10 comprises a three- way mixing valve 30, which has two inlets 31, 32 connected respectively to the steam feed pipe 27 and to the water feed pipe 29, and an outlet 33 connected to the connection pipe 12, and in particular to the flexible tube of the hydraulic connection.

According to some embodiments, the mixing valve 30 is conformed to mix the steam generated by the watertight boiler 22 and the water at room temperature removed directly from the tank 23 by means of the second water feed means 28, before they are introduced into the connection pipe 12 and then arrive into the steam chamber 15.

The conformation of the mixing valve 30 is optimized so as to regulate the mixing of water and steam, in order to generate a homogeneous fluid, composed of saturated steam and water, which, upon reaching the steam chamber 15, can be vaporized in a uniform and optimal manner.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus 10 comprises a user interface 36 configured to allow a user to select the desired ironing settings, for example as a function of the types of fabrics to be ironed.

According to some embodiments, the ironing settings can comprise the direct selection of determinate levels or parameters of the temperature of the plate 14 and/or of the flow rate/quantity of steam to be delivered, or the selection of a determinate ironing mode chosen from a plurality of predefined ironing modes.

According to one possible solution, the user interface 36 can be provided on the iron 11.

According to possible variants, the user interface 36 can be provided both on the iron 11 and also on the base unit 20. For example, some commands and/or keys can be on the iron 11 and other commands and/or keys on the base unit 20.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 36 can comprise the steam command 19 and/or one or more keys for selecting the type of fabric and/or the ironing mode, or similar commands.

According to some embodiments, the ironing apparatus 10 comprises a control and command unit 40 connected to the user interface 36 and configured to command the functioning of the components of the ironing apparatus 10 as a function of the selections made by the user by means of the user interface 36.

In particular, according to some embodiments, the control and command unit 40 is configured to receive, by means of the user interface 36, an indication on an ironing mode selected by the user.

On the basis of the indication received, it can be configured to determine whether such ironing mode corresponds to a “cold”, “hot” or “hybrid” functioning of the ironing apparatus 10.

According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 40 is therefore configured to selectively activate or deactivate one or more of either the heating means 18, 21 associated with the boiler 22 and/or the plate 14, the first and second water feed means 24, 28, or the solenoid valve 25.

According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 40 is configured to selectively drive the first water feed means 24 or the second water feed means 28, or both, in order to feed into the steam chamber 15, as a function of the ironing mode, only steam, only water at room temperature, or a mixture of water and steam.

The control and command unit 40 can be configured to set the functioning cycles based on the settings provided by the user.

In particular, the control and command unit 40 can be configured to regulate and manage the boiler 22, controlling, as a function of the values detected by the sensors 34, 35, and of the user settings, the power used in the heating means 21 of the boiler 22 in order to generate steam at a determinate pressure inside the boiler 22.

The steam generated in the boiler 22 is saturated steam, for which the correlation between pressure and temperature is shown, by way of example, in table A below. Furthermore, as the pressure increases, there is also an increase in the quantity of steam generated, and then emitted, for the same unit of time.

Table A

According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 40 can also be configured to regulate the power used on the heating means 18 of the plate 14, as a function of the user settings and of the values detected by temperature sensors 13, in order to regulate the temperature of the steam chamber 15 and of the ironing soleplate 16.

The control and command unit 40 can therefore be configured to regulate the heating means 21 of the boiler 22 and the heating means 18 of the iron 11 and respectively manage, in a specific manner, the activation of the first and second water feed means 24, 28 and/or of the solenoid valve 25, as a function of the user settings selected and the values detected by the sensors 13, 34, 35.

The control and command unit 40 can comprise one or more electronic boards equipped with devices able to store and process data, such as for example microprocessors, microcontrollers and suchlike. For example, a memory unit can be provided in which a plurality of predefined ironing modes can be stored, each associated with determinate functioning parameters of the ironing apparatus 10.

Predefined tables can also be provided which correlate determinate values of temperature of the plate 14, temperature of the boiler 22, pressure/flow rate of the steam, with functioning parameters of the ironing apparatus 10, such as for example activation and deactivation cycles of the heating means 18, 21 and/or of the first and second water feed means 24, 28.

Some embodiments described here also concern a method for managing an ironing apparatus 10 which provides to generate a selective delivery of steam from a plate 14 of an iron 11 with different characteristics in terms of quantity, moisture, temperature and exit pressure of the steam, as a function of the ironing settings selected and/or set by a user.

According to the invention, the management method provides to:

- receive, by means of an interface, an indication on an ironing mode or a cleaning mode selected and/or set by the user;

- process the indication received and determine, based on predefined functioning tables, the functioning parameters of the ironing apparatus 10;

- as a function of the functioning parameters determined, selectively activate or deactivate one or more of either the heating means 18, 21 associated with the boiler 22 and/or the plate 14, the first and second water feed means 24, 28, or the solenoid valve 25 so as to feed into the steam chamber 15 of the iron only cold water coming from the tank 23, only the steam generated in the boiler 22, or a combination of both, obtaining a mixture of water and saturated steam.

In this way, if only steam is sent into the steam chamber 15, the ironing apparatus 10 functions as an ironing apparatus only of the “hot” type, with a mixture of water and steam the ironing apparatus 10 functions as a “hybrid” ironing apparatus, with only water at room temperature the ironing apparatus 10 functions as an ironing apparatus only of the “cold” type.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to detect one or more of either the temperature of the plate 14, the temperature and/or the pressure of the boiler 22 by means of one or more sensors 13, 34, 35 and command at least the heating means 18, 21 of the plate 14 and of the boiler 22 as a function of the functioning parameters determined and of the values detected by such sensors 13, 34, 35.

According to some embodiments, the method provides that the heating means 21 of the boiler 22 and/or the heating means 18 of the iron 11 are selectively activated in a manner coherent with the selective drive of the first 24 or second water feed means 28, or of both, in order to obtain the optimal steam emission as a function of requirements.

According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 40 can activate/deactivate the heating means 18, 21 and the first and second water feed means 24, 28 by means of pulse signals, or according to a predefined duty cycle, as a function of requirements.

According to some embodiments, the method can provide that, as the quantity of steam required increases, the temperature of the plate 14 is increased, so as to dry the garments subjected to ironing as best as possible.

According to some embodiments, the management method can provide a plurality of predefined functioning modes, selectable by a user by means of the user interface 36, and managed automatically by the control and command unit 40.

For example, two or more ironing modes can be defined from which the user can choose.

By way of example, the following ironing modes can be defined, however their number is not binding and can vary as a function of the type of ironing apparatus:

- “MINIMUM”: to be used for delicate and/or light and/or slightly wrinkled garments;

- “NORMAL”: to be used for medium wrinkled cotton and/or synthetic garments;

- “MAXIMUM”: to be used for heavy cotton and/or linen garments and/or other garments that are difficult to iron;

- “ECONOMIC”: suitable for slightly wrinkled garments.

The functioning modes also comprise at least one mode for cleaning the ironing apparatus 10.

If the user selects a mode for cleaning the ironing apparatus 10, the management method according to the invention provides to carry out a cleaning cycle of the plate 14 in order to remove possible limescale encrustations accumulated in it, that is, in the steam chamber 15.

In fact, in the “ECONOMIC” ironing mode, for example, the ironing apparatus 10 behaves substantially like a cold ironing system and therefore limescale deposits can occur inside the steam chamber 15.

According to some embodiments, the cleaning cycle for washing the plate 14 provides to introduce into the plate 14, and in particular into the steam chamber 15 of the iron 11, both cold water and also hot water and/or steam, possibly alternating between them.

According to some embodiments, the cleaning cycle can be automatic and provide an alternation of thermal cycles.

The thermal cycles can be determined both by the alternation of water or steam at different temperatures, and also determined by different temperature values between the plate and the water fed into the steam chamber.

According to some embodiments, in the cleaning mode the method provides to periodically activate and deactivate the second water feed means 28, and activate and deactivate the first water feed means 24 and the solenoid valve 25 in an alternate manner.

Accord ing to some embodiments, in order to carry out the cleaning of the plate 14, the method provides to introduce, in an alternate manner, a quantity of cold water, that is, at room temperature, from 20cc to 450cc, preferably 250cc, and a quantity of hot water and/or steam. The quantity of hot water and/or steam can be less than the quantity of cold water, for example comprised between 50cc-100cc.

This contributes to the detachment of the possible limescale encrustations from the walls of the steam chamber 15, in particular from the zone of contact with the water.

According to further embodiments, the method provides to keep the second water feed means 28 active for a time interval from 5sec to 180sec, and to keep the first water feed means 24 and/or the solenoid valve 25 active for an interval that has a variable duration of between 5 and 60 seconds.

These activation intervals allow to obtain a good compromise between the quantity of water at room temperature and the quantity of steam to be used, and the effectiveness of the limescale removal. According to some embodiments, the method provides to activate the solenoid valve 25 only when there is a pressure higher than a determinate threshold in the boiler 22, so as to exploit the pressure of the steam fed into the steam chamber to contribute to braking up and detaching the limescale and expelling the possible

5 detached particles.

According to some embodiments, the method provides to carry out the cleaning when the plate 14 is cold, and to heat the plate 14 by means of a jet of steam coming from the boiler 22 before introducing a quantity of cold water removed from the tank 23 into the steam chamber 15. ίq By way of example, during the cleaning mode, the method can provide to carry out the following steps:

- heating the plate 14 by means of the steam coming from the boiler 22, for example by introducing steam with a flow rate comprised between 50cc and lOOcc for 1 minute;

15 - introducing into the steam chamber 15 a flow of cold water coming from the tank 22, for example in a quantity comprised between lOOcc to 400cc, preferably 250cc;

- heating the plate 14 for about 30sec to carry out a step of drying the plate 14. 0 According to further embodiments, the method provides to carry out the cleaning when the plate 14 is already hot, for example at the end of the ironing operations, or to heat it to a predefined temperature by means of the heating means 18 associated therewith.

By way of example, during the cleaning mode, the method can provide to 5 carry out the following steps:

- heating the plate 14 to a temperature comprised between 100°C and 160°C by means of the heating means 18;

- introducing into the steam chamber 15 a flow of hot water given by a mixture of cold water coming from the tank 23 and steam coming from the 0 boiler 22, for example in a quantity comprised between 200cc and 300cc, preferably 250cc;

- heating the plate 14 for about 30sec to carry out a step of drying the plate 14. The temperature of the hot water can be comprised between 70°C and 90°C, for example about 80°C, or in any case lower than the temperature of the plate 14, so as to obtain an alternation of thermal cycles for the removal of limescale.

In the event the user selects the “MINIMUM” functioning mode, which requires a medium-low steam flow rate, for example comprised between 30g and 70g, and a medium-high temperature of the plate 14, for example comprised between 120°C and 150°C, the control and command unit 40 can activate only the boiler 22, the first water feed means 24 and the solenoid valve 25, in addition to the heating means 18, 21.

In the event the user selects the “NORMAL” ironing mode, which requires an average temperature of the plate 14 and an average steam flow rate, the control and command unit 40 can activate the boiler 22, and activate only the first water feed means 24 and the solenoid valve 25 in order to supply only steam to the steam chamber 15. By way of example, the “NORMAL” ironing mode can provide a temperature of the plate 14 comprised between about 120°C and 160°C, and a steam flow rate comprised between 40 and 100 g/min (fig. 3).

According to some embodiments, the steam chamber 15 can be able to overheat the steam produced in the boiler 22 and to vaporize possible condensations formed inside the connection pipe 12. For example, this solution can be applied in the “MINIMUM” functioning mode or in the “NORMAL” functioning mode.

In the “MINIMUM” and “NORMAL” ironing modes, it may therefore not be necessary to activate the second water feed means 28 and to regulate the quantity of steam, and the pressure and moisture thereof, which can be managed only by means of the boiler 22.

In this case, in the “MINIMUM” and “NORMAL” functioning modes, the ironing apparatus 10 can behave like a “hot” ironing apparatus.

However, this does not exclude that in particular conditions of use, even in the “MINIMUM” and “NORMAL” ironing mode, the second pump 28a may be activated in order to improve performance, thus assuming a configuration of use in which the ironing apparatus 10 behaves as a “hybrid” ironing apparatus, combining the characteristics of a “hot” system and a “cold” system.

In the event the user selects a “MAXIMUM” ironing mode, which requires a high steam flow rate, together with a high temperature, the control and command unit 40 can activate the boiler 22 and both the first 24 and second water feed means 28, so as to produce sufficiently wet steam to increase the ironing efficiency of the iron 11.

In this functioning mode, therefore, the ironing apparatus 10 can behave like an ironing apparatus of the “hybrid” type.

In this way, the wet steam, obtained by mixing the steam produced in the boiler 22 with the water removed directly from the tank 23, is further overheated inside the steam chamber 15 of the plate 14 of the iron 11 thanks to the heating means 18 provided therein. By way of example, the “MAXIMUM” ironing mode can provide a temperature of the plate 14 comprised between about 120°C and 190°C, and a steam flow rate comprised between 80 and 240 g/min (fig. 2).

The contribution of the second water feed means 28 becomes increasingly necessary in the “MAXIMUM” mode, because, since the temperature of the boiler 22 is higher, the steam exiting from the plate 14 of the iron 11 would be less wet.

Considering that, usually, the “MAXIMUM” mode is set for garments that are difficult to iron which would therefore require a higher level of moisture, the user would have to deliver more steam and make a greater number of passes in order to obtain a good result.

The activation of the second water feed means 28 therefore allows to increase the moisture of the steam emitted, thus reducing the effort required to adequately moisten the fabric.

Furthermore, in correlation with the activation of the second water feed means 28, the method provides to increase the temperature of the plate 14 in order to improve the vaporization inside the steam chamber 15 and the temperature of the ironing soleplate 16 so as to improve the drying of the fabric, which is moister due to the effect of the steam.

In the event the user selects the “ECONOMIC” ironing mode, that is, a mode that requires a medium-low steam flow rate, the control and command unit 40 can deactivate the boiler 22 and activate only the second water feed means 28 in order to supply the water directly from the tank 23 to the steam chamber 15, in which it is transformed into steam in contact with the plate 14 heated by the heating means 21 (see for example fig. 4).

According to this functioning mode, therefore, the ironing apparatus 10 can behave like an ironing apparatus of the “cold” type.

By way of example, the “ECONOMIC” ironing mode can provide a temperature of the plate 14 comprised between about 125°C and 175°C, and a steam flow rate comprised between 20 and 60 g/min.

This “ECONOMIC” ironing mode can allow to significantly save energy, up to 80% compared to the “MAXIMUM” mode, providing to activate only the second means 28 for driving the water flow, for example the second pump 28a, and only the heating means 18 of the iron 11.

In addition, the “ECONOMIC” ironing mode can have a short time for steam production. In fact, in the “ECONOMIC” mode the time for steam production, normally longer than 120 seconds in traditional ironing apparatuses of the “hot” type, can be reduced to about 60-80 seconds.

According to some embodiments, in the modes in which the boiler 22 is activated to generate steam, the first water feed means 24 are selectively activated by the control and command unit 40 in order to maintain the optimum water level as a function of the program selected, maximizing the ratio between energy consumed and quantity of steam delivered.

According to some embodiments, the method can also provide that, as a function of the length of time a user drives a steam command 19, the control and command unit 40 modulates the delivery of steam by acting on the quantity of steam emitted, on the percentage of moisture of the steam and on the temperature of the plate 14 of the iron 11, also as a function of the temperature detected by the sensor 13 associated with the plate 14.

In this case, after a few consecutive seconds of delivery, for example in intervals of between 4 to 6 seconds, the percentage of moisture of the steam can be selectively reduced by deactivating the second water feed means 28, in order to prevent excessive moisture on the fabrics, which if not dried optimally could generate bad odors and/or negatively affect the ironing results.

According to some embodiments, the method can also provide that the emission of steam following the drive of the steam command 19 by the user occurs in an intermittent and not continuous manner. In this case, the activation of the first 24 and the second water feed means 28 can be modulated as a function of the amount of time the steam command 19 is driven. For example, the method can provide to generate delivery cycles with an alternation of drier steam with higher pressure, with the activation of the first water feed means 24 and the solenoid valve 25, and deactivation of the second water feed means 28, and wetter steam with lower pressure, with the simultaneous activation of the first 24 and of the second water feed means 28.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the ironing apparatus 10, and to the corresponding method for managing the ironing apparatus 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 ironing apparatus 10 and of management method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.