US3849916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-cleaning steam iron
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1972-11-10
•
Granted: 1974-11-26
•
Expires: 1992-11-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to a self-cleaning steam iron with means to purge the iron through soleplate ports by a substantially large water tank opening separate and distinct from the usual water valve. Other valve means permits the water in the tank to be suddenly emptied onto a hot soleplate so additional steam is created and flushes out the iron. An improved means is provided to avoid expelling water out the soleplate ports by providing a high steam takeoff through a continuously open conduit. The conduit also acts as a pressure control valve and is designed to repel loose foreign particles.
Inventors
- 👤 W Davidson
- 👤 K Toft
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:56
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F75/00; D06F75/08; D06F75/10; D06F75/14; D06F75/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a steam iron having a water tank and steam generating soleplate with ports, steam control means including a valve to start and stop a metered flow of water from the tank to a soleplate steam generating cavity, the improvement in means to purge the iron through the soleplate comprising, a coverplate overlying the soleplate to define steam passages therebetween, means connecting the cavity and passages to admit steam thereto, said means comprising a separate continuously open conduit through said coverplate, a substantially large separately-controlled opening in said tank communicating directly with the inner surface of the soleplate, whereby the tank water may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplate to empty rapidly through said ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a steam iron having a water tank and steam generating soleplate with ports, steam control means including a valve to start and stop a metered flow of water from the tank to a soleplate steam generating cavity, the improvement in means to purge the iron through the soleplate comprising, a coverplate overlying the soleplate to define steam passages therebetween, means connecting the cavity and passages to admit steam thereto, said means comprising a separate continuously open conduit through said coverplate, a substantially large separately-controlled opening in said tank communicating directly with the inner surface of the soleplate, whereby the tank water may be suddenly dumped onto the soleplate to empty rapidly through said ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said conduit includes a separate pressure control orifice and is spaced from said steam control means whereby said pressure aids in speed of emptying.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the entrance to said orifice is disposed above the low point of the coverplate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said orifice is formed with sloping sides to shed foreign particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said orifice is formed as an upward cone on its outer surface to shed the foreign particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 having means over the orifice to screen out foreign particles.
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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |