Patent FR2216638A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3811208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric steaming and pressing appliance
Assignee: Sunbeam Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-07
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An electric pressing iron adapted for operation in a horizontal plane for pressing fabrics or usable in a vertical plane to steam hanging clothes, drapes and the like. The iron includes a small compact soleplate above which is superimposed an all plastic reservoir and handle assembly having the handle extending outwardly from the reservoir and a housing portion positioned between the reservoir and the soleplate enclosing a thermostat and a temperature control arm. The means for delivering water from the reservoir to a steam chamber on the upper surface of the soleplate comprises a compact pump having a diaphragm which is operable by direct finger pressure to deliver water from the reservoir to the steam chamber. The pump which is mounted in an opening for the reservoir is removable to permit the pouring of water into the reservoir. The reservoir and handle include a one piece injection molded plastic member which includes a downwardly facing cup-shaped portion which is closed by the housing member to form the reservoir. The pump permits the iron to be operated in any position while delivering substantial quantities of steam from the orifices disposed in the soleplate.
Inventors
- 👤 J Vieceli
- 👤 J Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:11
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F75/00; D06F75/08; D06F75/10; D06F75/14; D06F75/18; D06F75/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A lightweight pressing iron comprising a soleplate having a cast-in sheathed heating element and a thermostat mounted on one side thereof to regulate the temperature, a plastic housing means overlying and coextensive with said soleplate and enclosing said thermostat and the electrical connections to said heating element, said housing means including a water reservoir and forming an upright column extending upwardly from said soleplate, a handle connected at one end to the top of said column and extending horizontally with a free end disposed laterally of said column and soleplate, a power cord entering said iron at said free end of said handle and extending through said housing adjacent to said reservoir and connection to said thermostat and said element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A lightweight pressing iron comprising a soleplate having a cast-in sheathed heating element and a thermostat mounted on one side thereof to regulate the temperature, a plastic housing means overlying and coextensive with said soleplate and enclosing said thermostat and the electrical connections to said heating element, said housing means including a water reservoir and forming an upright column extending upwardly from said soleplate, a handle connected at one end to the top of said column and extending horizontally with a free end disposed laterally of said column and soleplate, a power cord entering said iron at said free end of said handle and extending through said housing adjacent to said reservoir and connection to said thermostat and said element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The pressing iron of claim 1 wherein said housing means projects horizontally away from said reservoir beneath said handle forming a shelf on the upper surface thereof, said thermostat having a control means extending outwardly of said housing means, indicia mounted on said shelf adjacent the path of travel of said control means to indicate the temperature setting of said thermostat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The pressing iron of claim 1 wherein the means defining said reservoir and said handle are formed by a single piece of plastic, a downwardly facing recess in said housing means closed by a wall extending parallel to said soleplate to form said water reservoir, conduit means to deliver water from said reservoir to a steam chamber formed in said soleplate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The pressing iron of claim 1 wherein the means defining said reservoir and said handle is a one piece plastic molding, said plastic molding being formed with a downwardly facing recess which is closed by a wall extending parallel to said soleplate to form a water reservoir, a vertically extending passageway in the wall of said plastic molding adjacent said recess; said passageway extending from said wall parallel to said soleplate to a lengthwise extending cord receiving passage in said handle, said power cord extending through said passage and said passageway for connection to said thermostat and element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The pressing Iron of claim 4 wherein said passage in said handle is formed by an upwardly facing channel in said handle and a cover which closes said channel and clamps said cord therein to form a strain relief, means sealing said cover to said handle to prevent water from entering said cord receiving passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The pressing iron of claim 1 wherein said housing means is mounted in spaced relation to said soleplate providing a space therebetween through which air may circulate to prevent overheating of the plastic housing means by the soleplate, means mounting said plastic housing means with respect to said soleplate, said last mentioned means being formed to limit heat transfer between said soleplate and said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
A steaming and pressing appliance comprising a heated soleplate having a pressing surface with apertures through which steam may be discharged, handle and housing means mounted on said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, said handle and housing means being formed of a heat insulating material, said housing means having side walls for supporting said appliance in a storage position on its side on a horizontal support surface with said soleplate spaced from said horizontal surface and said pressing surface extending substantially vertically, said handle being spaced from said supporting surface when said appliance is in said storage position, said housing means being substantially coextensive with and overlying said soleplate, the lower edge of said housing means being provided with a portion which extends outwardly of the periphery of said soleplate whereby said portion engages said horizontal surface when said appliance is in said storage position to support said soleplate out of contact with said horizontal surface, the lower edge of said housing being spaced from said soleplate continuously around the periphery of said iron to permit air circulation between said housing and said soleplate to reduce the temperature of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
A steaming and pressing appliance comprising a heated soleplate having a pressing surface with apertures through which steam may be discharged, handle and housing means mounted on said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, said handle and housing means being formed of a heat insulating material, said housing means having side walls for supporting said appliance in a storage position on its side on a horizontal support surface with said soleplate spaced from said horizontal surface and said pressing surface extending substantially vertically, said handle being spaced from said supporting surface when said appliance is in said storage position, said housing means being substantially coextensive with and overlying said soleplate, the lower edge of said housing means being provided with a portion which extends outwardly of the periphery of said soleplate whereby said portion engages said horizontal surface when said appliance is in said storage position to support said soleplate out of contact with said horizontal surface, the lower edge of said housing being spaced from said soleplate continuously around the periphery of said iron to permit air circulation between said housing and said soleplate to reduce the temperature of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
The appliance of claim 7 wherein said housing means is formed by a reservoir member which provides a water containing means and a housing portion which encloses a thermostat and directly overlies said soleplate, means mounting said housing means on said soleplate including spaced brackets mounted on said soleplate and extending into engagement with said housing portion, said brackets being formed with portions of reduced cross section to reduce the heat transfer between said soleplate and said housing portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The appliance of claim 7 wherein said soleplate has a tear drop shape with a pointed front end, curved sides and a rounded rear end portion, said handle extending lengthwise of said soleplate and protruding substantially rearwardly of said rounded rear end portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A lightweight steam iron comprising a soleplate having a steam chamber formed thereon, handle and water reservoir means supported on said soleplate, said reservoir being sealed and having a conduit for discharging water to said steam chamber, a filling opening in the top wall of said reservoir, a pump removably mounted in sealing engagement with said filling opening, said pump being manually actuable to pump water from said reservoir into said conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A lightweight steam iron comprising a soleplate having a steam chamber formed thereon, handle and water reservoir means supported on said soleplate, said reservoir being sealed and having a conduit for discharging water to said steam chamber, a filling opening in the top wall of said reservoir, a pump removably mounted in sealing engagement with said filling opening, said pump being manually actuable to pump water from said reservoir into said conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The steam iron of claim 10 wherein said pump includes a body portion having a truncated conical shape and receivable in said filling opening, a recess in said body portion closed by a diaphragm on the top of said pump, said diaphragm being deflectable by thumb pressure to displace water from said reservoir into said recess and from said recess into said conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The steam iron of claim 10 wherein said pump is provided with an inlet tube which extends to the bottom of said reservoir and has a check valve permitting water to flow into said body portion only, an elongated flexible discharge tube which extends from said pump to said water conduit, said discharge tube having enough slack to permit said pump to be removed from said opening for filling said reservoir without discOnnecting said discharge tube from said pump or said conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The steam iron of claim 10 wherein said reservoir is provided with an air bleed valve in the wall of said reservoir at the top forward portion thereof, said bleed valve permitting air to enter said reservoir as water is pumped therefrom but preventing water from being discharged therefrom regardless of the attitude of the iron.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
The steam iron of claim 10 wherein said reservoir and handle are formed of injection molded plastic and are mounted on said soleplate by front and rear brackets, said brackets being formed to limit the conduction of heat from said soleplate to said reservoir, a plastic housing portion extending downwardly from said reservoir and enclosing the upper surface of said soleplate, said iron being adapted to storage on its side supported by said reservoir and housing portion with said soleplate out of contact with the supporting surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
A lightweight pressing iron comprising a cast aluminum soleplate having a heating element cast therein, a thermostat mounted on said soleplate to control the temperature of said soleplate, an assembly including a plastic housing portion, a reservoir and a handle secured to said soleplate with said housing portion enclosing said thermostat and the connection between said heating element and said thermostat, said housing portion having side walls which are spaced from the edge of said soleplate, portions of said housing portion extending outwardly from said soleplate to support said soleplate out of contact with a horizontal surface when said iron is stored tilted over on its side with said soleplate in a substantially upright plane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
115 words
A lightweight pressing iron comprising a cast aluminum soleplate having a heating element cast therein, a thermostat mounted on said soleplate to control the temperature of said soleplate, an assembly including a plastic housing portion, a reservoir and a handle secured to said soleplate with said housing portion enclosing said thermostat and the connection between said heating element and said thermostat, said housing portion having side walls which are spaced from the edge of said soleplate, portions of said housing portion extending outwardly from said soleplate to support said soleplate out of contact with a horizontal surface when said iron is stored tilted over on its side with said soleplate in a substantially upright plane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The pressing iron of claim 15 wherein said assembly is supported on said soleplate by front and rear brackets which extend from said soleplate into contact with the underside of said assembly, and brackets being formed to limit heat transfer from said soleplate to said assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
The pressing iron of claim 15 wherein said reservoir is formed by an inverted cup shaped plastic member having a downwardly facing mouth opening which is sealed by a wall extending parallel to said soleplate, said reservoir having side walls which extend from said housing portion side walls to form an upright column extending from said soleplate, said iron being supported by said column when said iron is laid on its side for storage purposes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The pressing iron of claim 17 wherein said handle extends laterally from the top of said reservoir, said housing portion being substantially coextensive with said soleplate, said handle having half its length extending laterally beyond the edge of said soleplate, said handle when said iron is in the storage position on its side being spaced above the surface on which the iron is stored.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
95 words
The pressing iron of claim 15 wherein said soleplate is formed with a pointed front end and rounded rear end so as to have a tear drop configuration, said housing portion having side walls which intersect as said front end and a curved rear wall which follows the contour of said soleplate rear end, said housing portion being formed with a crescent shaped shelf adjacent said rear wall, said shelf supporting a temperature scale for said thermostat, control means pivoted to said thermostat and extending outwardly of said housing portion to cooperate with said scale.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
126 words
A combination steaming and pressing appliance comprising a soleplate having a flat pressing surface with a surface area of between 10 and 15 square inches, an all plastic water reservoir overlying said soleplate and having a capacity of between 4 and 6 ounces of water, means supporting said reservoir on the top of said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, a plastic handle formed integrally with said water reservoir and extending laterally from the top of said reservoir, said handle protruding substantially beyond the edge of said soleplate, said soleplate having a pointed front end and a rOunded rear end connected by curved sides forming a tear-drop shape, said handle extending rearwardly from said reservoir beyond said curved rear end of said soleplate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
126 words
A combination steaming and pressing appliance comprising a soleplate having a flat pressing surface with a surface area of between 10 and 15 square inches, an all plastic water reservoir overlying said soleplate and having a capacity of between 4 and 6 ounces of water, means supporting said reservoir on the top of said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, a plastic handle formed integrally with said water reservoir and extending laterally from the top of said reservoir, said handle protruding substantially beyond the edge of said soleplate, said soleplate having a pointed front end and a rOunded rear end connected by curved sides forming a tear-drop shape, said handle extending rearwardly from said reservoir beyond said curved rear end of said soleplate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
193 words
A combination steaming and pressing appliance comprising a soleplate having a flat pressing surface with a surface area of between 10 and 15 square inches, an all plastic water reservoir overlying said soleplate and having a capacity of between 4 and 6 ounces of water means supporting said reservoir on the top of said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, a plastic handle formed intergrally with said water reservoir and extending laterally from the top of said reservoir, said handle protruding substantially beyond the edge of said soleplate, said soleplate having a pointed front end and a rounded rear end connected by curved sides, said handle extending rearwardly from said reservoir beyond said curved rear end of said soleplate, a steam chamber formed on said soleplate, means for delivering to said pressing surface steam generated in said chamber, a pump for delivering water under pressure from said reservoir to said chamber, said pump inlet being at the bottom rear of said reservoir whereby said pump may pump substantially all the water from said reservoir into said steam chamber whether said appliance is operated with said pressing surface horizontally or vertically.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
193 words
A combination steaming and pressing appliance comprising a soleplate having a flat pressing surface with a surface area of between 10 and 15 square inches, an all plastic water reservoir overlying said soleplate and having a capacity of between 4 and 6 ounces of water means supporting said reservoir on the top of said soleplate on the side opposite from said pressing surface, a plastic handle formed intergrally with said water reservoir and extending laterally from the top of said reservoir, said handle protruding substantially beyond the edge of said soleplate, said soleplate having a pointed front end and a rounded rear end connected by curved sides, said handle extending rearwardly from said reservoir beyond said curved rear end of said soleplate, a steam chamber formed on said soleplate, means for delivering to said pressing surface steam generated in said chamber, a pump for delivering water under pressure from said reservoir to said chamber, said pump inlet being at the bottom rear of said reservoir whereby said pump may pump substantially all the water from said reservoir into said steam chamber whether said appliance is operated with said pressing surface horizontally or vertically.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
93 words
The appliance of claim 20 wherein said appliance is adapted to be stored on its side on a horizontal surface with said reservoir resting on said surface, a plastic housing portion extending from said reservoir into closely spaced relation to said soleplate, said housing portion having a flared lower edge which extends beyond the periphery of said soleplate and in spaced relation thereto to permit circulation of air between said soleplate and said housing, when in said stored position said flared edge supports said appliance with said soleplate spaced from said horizontal surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
157 words
A steaming and pressing iron comprising a plastic reservoir and housing assembly, a pressing plate formed of a metal having high heat conductivity, a heating element mounted in good heat exchange relation to said plate, said pressing plate having a flat bottom surface and said assembly being mounted on the surface of said plate opposite from said bottom surface, said reservoir and housing assembly being substantially coextensive with said pressing plate and extending slightly beyond the sides of said plate so as to space said plate from a supporting surface when said iron is stored on its side on a horizontal surface, a handle on said assembly extending rearwardly from the uppermost portion of said assembly parallel to said bottom surface, the center of gravity of the iron being positioned forwardly of the line through the points at which said assembly contacts said horizontal surface when stored so that said handle angles away from said horizontal surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
157 words
A steaming and pressing iron comprising a plastic reservoir and housing assembly, a pressing plate formed of a metal having high heat conductivity, a heating element mounted in good heat exchange relation to said plate, said pressing plate having a flat bottom surface and said assembly being mounted on the surface of said plate opposite from said bottom surface, said reservoir and housing assembly being substantially coextensive with said pressing plate and extending slightly beyond the sides of said plate so as to space said plate from a supporting surface when said iron is stored on its side on a horizontal surface, a handle on said assembly extending rearwardly from the uppermost portion of said assembly parallel to said bottom surface, the center of gravity of the iron being positioned forwardly of the line through the points at which said assembly contacts said horizontal surface when stored so that said handle angles away from said horizontal surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The iron of claim 23 wherein said plate and said assembly are spaced apart so that when said appliance is stored on its side air circulates upwardly between said plate and said assembly to maintain said assembly at a low temperature to prevent damage to said horizontal surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |