US3896572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flash/flooded boiler steam iron
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A combination flash/flooded boiler steam iron with a water tank and steam generating soleplate with steam ports and water valve means to meter water to a soleplate boiler. The valve metering means is fixedly sized to permit the flow of water from the tank to the boiler at a first rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flooded condition at a first range of operating temperatures and a second rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flash steam condition at a second range of operating temperatures. A conduit connects the boiler and the upper portion of the tank to carry steam and water into the tank and balance pressure between the tank and boiler. Baffle means help to separate the water and steam and a second conduit carries the separated steam to a point of use such as the soleplate ports and the fabric being ironed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E Jeffress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:26
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F75/00; D06F75/08; D06F75/10; D06F75/14; D06F75/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a steam iron having a water tank and a steam generating soleplate having a boiler therein, the improvement comprising; metering means intermediate the water tank and the boiler fixedly sized for selectively preventing flow of water therebetween and for selectively permitting flow of water at a plurality of flow rates, said plurality of flow rates including a first rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flooded condition at least during iron operation at a first range of ironing temperatures and a second rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flash steam condition at least during iron operation at a second range of operating temperatures and distribution means communicating with the boiler for supplying steam generated therein to a point of use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a steam iron having a water tank and a steam generating soleplate having a boiler therein, the improvement comprising; metering means intermediate the water tank and the boiler fixedly sized for selectively preventing flow of water therebetween and for selectively permitting flow of water at a plurality of flow rates, said plurality of flow rates including a first rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flooded condition at least during iron operation at a first range of ironing temperatures and a second rate selected to maintain the boiler in a flash steam condition at least during iron operation at a second range of operating temperatures and distribution means communicating with the boiler for supplying steam generated therein to a point of use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said distribution means further comprises steam separation means for removing water entrained in steam generated in the boiler prior to delivery of the steam to a point of use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the first rate established by said metering means is selected to maintain the boiler in a flash steam condition during iron operation at temperatures exceeding the upper limit of said first range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the lower limit of said first range is substantially lower than the lower limit of said second range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said metering means comprises passage means communicating with the water tank and the boiler and movable valve structure cooperating with said passage means to control the flow area of said passage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5 in which said distribution means comprises: conduit means connecting the boiler and the upper portion of the tank to carry steam and water carried thereby to the tank and balance pressure therebetween, and means carrying steam from the tank to a point of use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6 in which said distribution means further comprises steam separation means for removing water entrained in steam generated in the boiler prior to delivery of the steam to a point of use.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the soleplate is provided with steam ports and said distribution means carries the steam to said soleplate ports and fabric being ironed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said movable valve structure includes a conventional stem and orifice, said stem having a reduced portion for disposal in said orifice to restrict the water flow for said flash steam operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as described in claim 9 having means to separate water from steam generated in said boiler comprising means impeding conduit flow into said tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as described in claim 10 where said means is a baffle plate extending over and spaced from the end of said conduit in the upper portion of said tank whereby steam escapes into the tank and water striking the means falls onto the free water surface in said tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said balance pressure means and said carrying means are separate and adjacent tubular conduits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said balance pressure means and said carrying means are concentric tubular conduits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein the baffle plate extends over and is spaced from the balanced pressure means only.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein the baffle plate means extends over and is spaced from the balanced pressure means, and said carrying means extends above the baffle plate means to receive steam only.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein the steam carrying tubular conduit is tapered along its length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein the tubular conduit is tapered outwardly from an orifice entrance disposed above said baffle pLate means.
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) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |