초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a lightweight portable steam iron utilizing an internal heated mass of sufficiently high temperature during operation to assure the generation of steam and having a plastic pressing surface which is heated by the aforementioned internal mass yet sufficiently insu

The present invention is directed to a lightweight portable steam iron utilizing an internal heated mass of sufficiently high temperature during operation to assure the generation of steam and having a plastic pressing surface which is heated by the aforementioned internal mass yet sufficiently insulated therefrom to maintain a relatively cool temperature in relationship to the internal mass. In the preferred form steam iron has a preset temperature control means which maintains the above mentioned temperature relationships during operation of the iron. Preferably the exterior surfaces of the iron are all plastic and the soleplate is maintained at a lower temperature than heretofore common in steam irons during a steaming operation. The iron also contains a steam valve which is operated from the handle in such a manner that it is always open when the iron is in use.

대표청구항 ▼

A steam iron comprising a handle, a water tank, a heated metal mass including a boiler in fluid communication with said tank, an electrical circuit including a heater for said heated mass, a valve controlling water flow from said tank to said boiler, the improvement comprising: a plastic soleplate i

A steam iron comprising a handle, a water tank, a heated metal mass including a boiler in fluid communication with said tank, an electrical circuit including a heater for said heated mass, a valve controlling water flow from said tank to said boiler, the improvement comprising: a plastic soleplate in heat transfer relationship with said heated metal mass and having a pressure surface on its underside, a thermostat within said electrical circuit for controlling the heat input to said heated metal mass by controlling energization of said heater, said thermostat being provided with minimum and maximum temperature settings correlated to the thermal conductivity, the melting temperature, the thickness of said plastic soleplate and the heat transfer relationship between said heated metal mass and said soleplate, and said plastic soleplate being of sufficient thickness; such that at the minimum temperature setting said heated mass is maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to boil water entering said boiler, and said pressing surface is maintained at a temperature above the condensation point of steam, and at the maximum temperature setting, the temperature is sufficiently low to prevent damage to said plastic soleplate adjacent said heated metal mass, and said pressing surface of said plastic soleplate is maintained at a temperature below that which would damage low temperature fabrics.