STEAM GENERATOR AND VERTICAL IRON

Abstract

 A steam generator (10) comprises a heating block (11) comprising a vaporization chamber (14), provided with an inlet aperture (15) for the water and an outlet aperture (16) for the steam, and at least one heating element (17), and a plate unit (12) connected to the heating block (11) and provided with steam delivery holes (13) placed in communication with the outlet aperture (16).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a steam generator for generating steam that is instantaneously usable, in particular, in vertical irons for ironing garments, also called vaporizers, for professional and/or domestic use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Steam generators are known to generate steam instantaneously and are used in vertical irons, which are used to perform ironing operations and in particular to freshen up hanging garments. These irons allow to perform an ironing of the garments easily and quickly by delivering steam toward the garments without the need to use an ironing board.

[0003] These steam generators essentially comprise a heating block provided with a vaporization chamber and an ironing plate provided with steam delivery holes.

[0004] The heating block may comprise a heating body, in which the vaporization chamber is made, comprising one or more resistors that heat the heating block and cause the water introduced into the vaporization chamber to evaporate substantially instantaneously.

[0005] Normally the heating block is made of a heat-resistant material and has the shape of a parallelepiped of very small dimensions, on average with a width and length of about 60 - 70 mm; it follows that the vaporization chamber present inside it has a rather limited vaporization area.

[0006] In known steam generators, the vaporization chamber is defined by a steam circulation channel, which develops between an inlet for the introduction of water and one or more outlets for the outflow of the steam toward the plate unit, whose path is defined by means of a plurality of walls or partitions present inside the heating body.

[0007] A disadvantage of the known steam generators is that the steam circulation channel is irregular and has a rather convoluted development with a plurality of restrictions, elbow curves and/or edges in which scales and limescale and/or mineral deposits can form.

[0008] These scales and deposits can affect the channel walls themselves, can spread to other operating components of the steam generator, for example in the plate unit and can lead to further inconveniences, such as:

• compromise the quality of the steam, until having, in the worst cases, water leaking from the ironing plate;
• clog the circulation channel and/or the section of the delivery holes of the plate unit.
• settle directly on the garments during the ironing step due to the presence of limescale deposits and/or minerals in the steam jet delivered.

[0009] In addition, the known steam generators generally have a small vaporization area of the vaporization chamber, so the presence of such deposits leads to a significant loss of efficiency and performance of the steam generator itself.

[0010] In addition, due to the presence of restrictions and/or edges along the vaporization channel, the complete removal of limescale by means of the known cleaning or washing methods is also complicated; therefore, even after cleaning or washing operations, small and medium-sized limescale flakes can remain attached to the walls of the vaporization channel and detach undesirably, being dragged by the flow of steam toward the plate unit.

[0011] Examples of known steam generators for vertical irons are for instance disclosed in US 2021/277591 A1 e CN 115 387 102 A.

[0012] US 2021/277591 A1 discloses a steam generator having a vertical use configuration in which the ironing plate is associated with a greater side of the heating block. The steam is made to flow through a coiled or spiral path along a channel laying on a vertical plane and having a substantially constant depth or at most having a greater depth zone at a water inlet aperture.

[0013] CN 115 387 102 A discloses a steam generator in which the steam flow is made to flow through a coiled or spiral path along a channel having a substantially constant depth or at most having a zone of greater depth at a water inlet aperture.

[0014] EP 3 192 919 A1 describes a conventional horizontal iron comprising a steam chamber.

[0015] There is therefore the need to perfect a steam generator that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0016] To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of eliminating, or limiting as much as possible, that any limescale particles may arrive at the plate unit, eliminating or reducing the formation of limescale and/or mineral deposits within the vaporization channel and/or preventing the transit of any particles dragged by the steam toward the steam outlet holes.

[0017] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to realize a steam generator that allows both efficiency and overall performance to be maintained over time, avoiding rapid wear of the operating components thereof.

[0018] Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a steam generator that can guarantee a good quality of the generated steam over time and in which the evaporation operation, i.e. the steam generation, takes place completely in the shortest possible time.

[0019] Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a steam generator that allows to avoid water leaks.

[0020] Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a steam generator that allows to avoid limescale leaking from the steam delivery holes of the plate compromising the result of the ironing process by soiling the ironed garments.

[0021] A further purpose of the present invention is to realize a steam generator with which it is possible to carry out an effective cleaning, washing, or descaling process of the limescale deposits that may possibly form therein.

[0022] 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

[0023] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0024] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a generator according to the present invention for generating steam instantaneously comprises a heating block provided with a vaporization chamber and at least one heating element and a plate unit connected to said heating block and provided with steam delivery holes.

[0025] According to embodiments, between the heating block and the plate unit there is provided a steam distribution chamber, which is placed in communication with the vaporization chamber and the delivery holes.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises an inlet aperture for the introduction of water and a steam outlet aperture communicating with said distribution chamber.

[0027] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises at least two zones that develop with different depths and/or at different heights and defining a path for the flow along at least a first direction lying on a first plane which, in use, is substantially horizontal, or inclined between 0°-15° with respect to the horizontal, and at least a second direction along a second plane transverse to the first plane.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, said vaporization chamber comprises a first zone in which a channel is provided which defines a segment of a curved or serpentine path for the steam and having a first depth substantially constant, in which channel the steam follows a first trajectory lying on, or parallel to, the first plane, and at least one other zone located downstream of said first zone, wherein said at least one other zone has an accumulation chamber having a second depth greater than the first depth of said channel in said first zone, and/or wherein said at least one other zone develops at a higher height than the channel in said first zone, and wherein said steam path in said at least one other zone develops along another trajectory lying at least partially on a second plane transverse to said first plane.

[0029] In doing so, at least the advantage is obtained that any limescale particles formed at the inlet aperture in the first zone of the vaporization chamber and dragged along the vaporization channel are blocked in one or the other zone before reaching the outlet aperture, while the steam substantially free of particles can reach the delivery holes.

[0030] According to an aspect of the invention, the second plane, in use, is substantially vertical, or inclined between 0°-15° with respect to the vertical.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises, downstream of the first zone, a second zone comprising the accumulation chamber into which said channel flows, wherein said accumulation chamber develops in a direction that lies on said second plane and has a depth greater than a depth of said channel with respect to the second transverse plane.

[0032] According to embodiments, in use, the first plane is substantially horizontal, or inclined between 0°-15° with respect to the horizontal.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises at least a third zone, arranged downstream of the second zone, in which there is a transit channel defining a part of said path which develops along a third trajectory having a development substantially in the shape of a "U" inverted with respect to the first plane. The transit channel preferably develops at a higher height than that of the channel in the first zone.

[0034] Preferably, the vaporization chamber comprises, placed in succession one after the other, said first, said second and said third zone, respectively provided with said vaporization channel, said accumulation chamber and said transit channel.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, said heating block comprises a base body in which said first and said second zone are created and a covering element which closes said base body at the top and in which said third zone is created.

[0036] In doing so, at least the advantage is obtained that any limescale particles formed at the inlet aperture in the first zone of the vaporization chamber and dragged along the vaporization channel can fall by gravity into the accumulation chamber, while the substantially particle-free steam can rise upwards in the third zone and from there reach the distribution chamber and the delivery holes. The path of the vaporization channel at different height levels and different heights allows to obtain an effective removal of limescale from the flow of steam while keeping the dimensions of the steam generator compact.

[0037] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the vaporization chamber has enlarged sections at edges and curves of the vaporization channel which are configured to allow an accumulation of any limescale particles in them, preventing obstruction of the vaporization channel so as to extend its useful life.

[0038] According to further embodiments, the heating block comprises a base body in which there are created the first and the second zone of the vaporization chamber and the distribution chamber and a covering element and the third zone of the vaporization chamber develops in the covering element. In this way the third vaporization chamber is disposed entirely above the first and second zone.

[0039] According to embodiments, said vaporization chamber has a section narrowing between said second zone and said third zone with respect to a section of said accumulation chamber on said first plane. This section reduction is particularly effective in confining the solid limescale particles to the lower part of the second zone of the vaporization chamber, so as to collect them in the accumulation chamber.

[0040] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the vaporization chamber has at least one raised element which protrudes with respect to the surface of the vaporization channel and disposed transversely to the development of the vaporization channel, configured to hinder the advancement of any limescale particles along the vaporization channel, facilitating their confinement in an area upstream of the raised element.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the accumulation chamber of the second zone is provided with a removable collection element, able to be inserted selectively into and removed from said heating block, by means of which it is possible to access the accumulation chamber and remove the limescale accumulated therein.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, the removable collection element is provided with cavities suitable to receive and retain the limescale therein.

[0043] In accordance with further embodiments, said removable collection element is provided with a filtration member.

[0044] According to embodiments, said steam generator comprises a filtration element located downstream of said outlet aperture and configured to perform a filtration of the flow and retain any particles present therein upstream of said delivery holes.

[0045] The action exerted by said filtration element has the double advantage of preventing any limescale and/or mineral residues, with small and medium dimensions, from being able to pass through the transit channel and/or the steam distribution chamber and to cause the clogging of delivery holes of said plate unit, and of acting as a drip breaker preventing drops of water from being able to exit directly from said delivery holes.

[0046] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the filtration element can be made removable so that it can be easily removed from the heating block to clean it and eliminate the limescale present therein.

[0047] According to embodiments, the filtration element comprises respective filtering portions having different amplitude and/or number of meshes or passage slots for the steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide-meshed portion is turned toward said outlet aperture and at least one second narrow-meshed portion is turned toward said transit channel.

[0048] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, said transit channel in the third zone has a section with increasing width downstream of the connection with the second zone. This geometric variation is particularly important in order to allow a uniform distribution of the flow with respect to the delivery holes of the plate unit.

[0049] The third zone may have an outlet aperture placed in communication with the distribution chamber having an elongated shape in a direction parallel to the plate unit. Preferably, the length dimension of the outlet aperture is substantially equal to the width of the area occupied by the delivery holes provided on the plate unit.

[0050] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, between the plate unit and the heating block there is interposed a protection element, for example a rubber or silicone gasket, to protect the plate unit from high temperatures. Said gasket allows the use of material non-resistant at high temperatures, for example other than metal, for the realization of the plate unit.

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the heating block may have a horizontal use configuration, in which it is positioned with the upper and lower greater sides substantially horizontally or slightly inclined.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, the inlet aperture is provided on an upper greater side of the heating block, preferably in a central zone thereof, and the outlet aperture id provided on a transverse smaller side.

[0053] The present invention also concerns a vertical iron comprising a containing body provided with a handle portion suitable to be gripped by a user and a steam generator according to the invention installed above the handle portion. The steam generator is preferably installed inside the containing body and the plate unit is connected to the containing body.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the generator is installed with the heating block with the greater sides aligned on respective horizontal planes.

[0055] A further purpose of the invention is a method of operation of a steam generator comprising:

• injecting water into said vaporization chamber of said heating block through the inlet aperture;
• making the water travel along said channel of the vaporization chamber while the water is heated with said heating element to transform it into steam;
• making a flow of steam follow a path along at least two trajectories which lie on different planes and/or at different heights with respect to each other, of which a first curved or serpentine trajectory lying on, or parallel to, a first plane, and at least one other trajectory lying at least in part on a second plane transverse to said first plane;
• making the steam exit from said outlet aperture toward said plate unit and delivering the steam through said delivery holes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] 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 an axonometric view of a steam generator, according to the present invention;
• fig. 2 is an exploded view of the steam generator of fig. 1;
• fig. 3 is a top view of the steam generator of fig. 1 in which the upper covering element has been removed;
• fig. 4 is a sectional bottom view of the steam generator of fig. 1 sectioned on a plane passing through the heating element;
• fig. 5 is a partial exploded view of the steam generator of fig. 1 in accordance with a variant;
• fig. 6 is a top view of the generator of fig. 1 in which an upper closing element has been removed;
• fig. 7 is a sectional side view of a steam generator according to a variant sectioned along the line VII-VII of fig. 6;
• fig. 8 is a sectional side view of the steam generator of fig. 1 sectioned along the line VIII-VIII of fig. 6 in a first condition;
• fig. 9 is a sectional side view of the steam generator of fig. 1 sectioned along the line VII-VII of fig. 6 in a second condition;
• fig. 10 is a schematic side view of a vertical iron according to the present invention.

[0057] We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0058] 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 be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

[0059] With reference to fig. 1, a steam generator 10 according to the present invention comprises a heating block 11 into which water is introduced to be transformed into steam and a plate unit 12 provided with steam delivery holes 13.

[0060] The plate unit 12, in use, is turned toward the garments to be ironed and placed near or in contact with them.

[0061] The heating block 11 comprises a vaporization chamber 14 provided with an inlet aperture 15 for the water and with an outlet aperture 16 for the steam.

[0062] The inlet aperture 15 may be connected by means of a connector 37 to a water supply conduit.

[0063] The connector 37 may include a maximum pressure relief valve. Typically, the maximum pressure value is less than or equal to 0.5 bar.

[0064] The inlet aperture 15 can be made at a central zone of the heating block 11.

[0065] The heating block 11 comprises at least one heating element 17 - for example an electrical resistor - configured to generate heat and to heat the vaporization chamber 14 and the water therein allowing its evaporation.

[0066] The heating element is preferably disposed at least in part passing-through in a heating body 20 in which the vaporization chamber 14 is made.

[0067] The figures illustrate a single heating element 17 having a "U" shape, with the closed side turned toward the plate unit 12, but in other solutions two or more heating elements having different shapes and/or arrangements may also be provided.

[0068] According to embodiments, the steam generator 10 comprises a steam distribution chamber 18 placed in fluid communication between the vaporization chamber 14 and the delivery holes 13.

[0069] The heating block 11 preferably has a heating body 20 having a substantially parallelepiped shape having upper 31 and lower 32 greater sides having larger dimensions than the longitudinal 33 and transverse 34 smaller sides.

[0070] In use the heating block 11 is disposed with the greater sides 31, 32 lying on a horizontal plane or at most inclined by an angle comprised between 0° - 15° with respect to the horizontal.

[0071] The plate unit 12 is connected to the heating block 11 at one of the transverse smaller sides 34.

[0072] According to embodiments, the vaporization chamber 14 is divided into at least two zones 21, 22, 23 which develop with depths D1, D2, D3 and/or at different heights with respect to each other, along which a path P for the flow of water and/or steam develops developing along trajectories T1, T2, T3 and different directions.

[0073] The vaporization chamber 14 comprises at least a first zone 21 in which it is defined by a channel 19 that defines a path P for the steam, which develops along a first trajectory T1 lying on, or parallel to, a first plane π1 substantially parallel to a greater side 31.

[0074] According to embodiments, the vaporization chamber 14 comprises a second zone 22 in which the path P develops along a second trajectory T2 transverse to the first trajectory T1. The second trajectory T2 preferably lies on a second plane π2 orthogonal to the first plane π1.

[0075] In the first zone 21 the channel 19 has a substantially constant depth D1.

[0076] The channel 19 in the first zone 21 can have a plurality of elbow curves and/or a serpentine or spiral development, or a combination of curved and straight sections, creating edges and loops that determine deviations for the flow of steam remaining in the first plane π1.

[0077] Preferably the height, i.e. the depth D1 of the channel 19 is constant in the first zone 21, while its width may vary.

[0078] In particular, enlarged sections 35 can be provided at and/or near edges and curves of the channel 19, preferably disposed upstream with respect to the edges/curves, configured to allow an accumulation of any limescale particles in them.

[0079] According to embodiments, along the channel 19 there is provided at least one raised element 38, for example a rib or the like, protruding from a lower surface 39 of the channel 19 and disposed transversely with respect to the development of the channel 19 and the trajectory of the flow therein.

[0080] One or more raised elements 41 protruding from the lower surface and disposed in continuity with a respective side wall of the channel 19 can also be provided.

[0081] The vaporization chamber 11 comprises at least a second zone 22, disposed downstream of the first zone 21, in which there is provided an accumulation chamber 24 into which the vaporization channel 19 flows. Said accumulation chamber 24 develops along a direction that lies on the second plane π2.

[0082] Said second plane π2 is preferably substantially orthogonal to the first plane π1.

[0083] In the second zone 22 the vaporization chamber 14 has a depth greater than in the first zone 21.

[0084] The path P of the flow enters into the second zone 22 along the trajectory T1 in a radial direction and is subsequently deviated along the second trajectory T2 in a substantially orthogonal direction with respect to the first trajectory T1.

[0085] In the second zone 22 the accumulation chamber 24 extends below a lower surface of the channel 19 in the first zone 21.

[0086] The accumulation chamber 24 has a prevalent extension along a vertical direction, and has a depth D2 greater than the depth D1 of the channel 19 in the first zone 21.

[0087] In the second zone 22 the accumulation chamber 24 may have a depth D2 comprised between 1.5 and 2 times the depth D1 of the channel 19 in the first zone 21.

[0088] According to embodiments, in the first zone 21 the depth D1 of the channel 19 may be about half of the total thickness of the body 20, or comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 times such thickness.

[0089] The accumulation chamber 24 may extend as far as near the lower side 32 or even through the entire thickness of the body 20.

[0090] The body 20 may have a smaller thickness at the first zone 21 and a greater thickness at the accumulation chamber 24 and possibly also downstream thereof.

[0091] According to possible embodiments (figs. 1-2, 8-10), the accumulation chamber 24 is provided with a lower aperture 25 closed by means of a removable collection element 26.

[0092] The collection element 26 can be inserted into and removed from the heating block 11 allowing access to the accumulation chamber 24 to remove any limescale present therein.

[0093] In this solution, the heating block 11 can be provided with a housing seat 28 with a shape substantially conjugate to that of the collection element 26 and suitable to receive it therein.

[0094] The collection element 26 is provided with one or more cavities 27 suitable to receive and retain the limescale particles facilitating their removal.

[0095] The collection element 26 may be provided with locking members 30 configured to allow a stable locking of the collection element 26 in the housing seat 29.

[0096] In the example illustrated in figs. 8-9 the locking members 29 comprise a lever 30 rotatable between a locking position, in which it is substantially parallel to a lower surface of the collection element, and a release position, in which it is substantially orthogonal thereto, and can be gripped by a user to extract the collection element 26. However, different locking members 29 can be provided, either of a quick type, such as shape coupling, snap, bayonet, screwing type, or can comprise screws or similar elements.

[0097] According to embodiments, the collection element 26 may comprise one or more filtering portions having different amplitude and/or number of meshes or passage slots for the steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide-meshed portion is turned toward said collection element 26 and at least one second narrow-meshed portion is turned toward said accumulation chamber 24.

[0098] According to embodiments, the vaporization chamber 14 comprises a third zone 23, which is preferably disposed downstream of the second zone 22, i.e. downstream of the accumulation chamber 24.

[0099] In the third zone 23 there is provided a transit channel 40 that defines a part of the steam path P that follows a third trajectory T3 that develops on a substantially vertical plane. In particular, the transit channel 40 and consequently the third trajectory T3, has a development substantially in the shape of a "U" inverted seen on a vertical plane, for example the plane of the sheet in figs. 7-9.

[0100] The third trajectory T3 therefore develops in part along a direction lying on or parallel to the second plane π2, in part along a direction parallel to the first plane π1 but at a different height.

[0101] Preferably in the third zone 23 the vaporization chamber 14 develops at a higher height than the first 21 and/or the second zone 22.

[0102] Preferably, the transit channel 40 comprises at least one segment disposed substantially parallel to the channel 19 but offset in height.

[0103] Preferably in a plan view of the steam generator 10, the transit channel 40 does not overlap with channel 19.

[0104] The transit channel 40 may have a third depth D3 different from said first and second depth D1, D2, and in particular smaller with respect to both. For example, the third depth D3 may be comprised between 0.3 and 0.7 times the first depth D1, preferably 0.4-0.6 times.

[0105] According to embodiments, between the second zone 22 and the third zone 23 the vaporization chamber 14 has a section narrowing with respect to a section of the accumulation chamber 24 on a horizontal plane to facilitate the removal of the limescale particles from the flow of steam.

[0106] In particular, the section narrowing can be defined by a passage hole 36 created on a covering element 43 that closes at least part of the vaporization chamber 14 at the top.

[0107] According to possible variants, not illustrated, the third zone 23 may be disposed directly downstream of the first zone 21 and the accumulation chamber 24 may not be present. In this case, at the end of the channel 19 opposite the inlet aperture 15, it can be provided for the passage hole 36 that places the vaporization channel 19 in communication with the transit channel 40.

[0108] According to embodiments, the transit channel 40 has a section of increasing width downstream of the passage hole 36.

[0109] The third zone 23, where present, may comprise the outlet aperture 16 placed in communication with the distribution chamber 18. The outlet aperture 16 may have a shape like a slot elongated in a direction parallel to the plate unit 12 to facilitate an even distribution of the steam through the delivery holes 13.

[0110] The length dimension of the outlet aperture 16 may be substantially equal to the width of the distribution chamber 18 and/or of the area occupied by the delivery holes 13.

[0111] According to embodiments, the body 20 of the heating block 11 may comprise a base body 42 closed by a covering element 43 at the top.

[0112] At least part of the vaporization chamber 14, and in particular at least the first zone 21 and, if present, the second zone 22 can be created in the base body 42. The third zone 23, where present, can be made in the covering element 43.

[0113] A gasket 41 having a shape corresponding to the plan conformation of the vaporization chamber 14 may be disposed between the base body 42 and the covering element 43. The walls that laterally delimit the channel 19 and the accumulation chamber 24 are substantially all of the same height and cooperate with the gasket 41 and the covering element 43 to define a unique and obligatory path P for the steam.

[0114] According to embodiments, the base body 42 and the covering element 43 may be connected by means of removable fasteners 44, such as screws, bolts, pins and the like, or they may also be welded or fixedly connected.

[0115] According to embodiments, the covering element 43 has a portion protruding 45 from the larger side 31, closed at the top by a closing element 46, which delimits the third zone 23 of the vaporization chamber 14.

[0116] In a top view, the protruding portion 45 may have a triangular shape, with the vertex at the passage hole 36 and the base at the outlet aperture 16 (fig. 6).

[0117] According to embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 2, the plate unit 12 may comprise a plate 49 made of metallic material, which, in use, may be placed directly in contact with a transverse smaller side 34 of the heating block 11.

[0118] According to other embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 5, the plate unit 12 may comprise a plate 149 made of non-metallic material, for example plastic material. In such a solution, the steam generator 10 may comprise a protection element 47, for example a gasket made of temperature-resistant material, such as rubber or silicone, disposed between the plate unit 12 and the heating block 11.

[0119] According to further embodiments, the steam generator 10 may comprise a filtration element 48 (fig. 7) located downstream of the outlet aperture 16, configured to perform a filtration of the flow and retain any particles present therein before it reaches the delivery holes 13. The filtration element 48 can in particular be configured to retain limescale and/or mineral residues, with small and medium dimensions, which can pass through the outlet channel of the distribution chamber 18 and cause the clogging of the delivery holes 13, and to act as a drip breaker preventing drops of water from being able to exit directly from the delivery holes 13.

[0120] According to embodiments, the filtration element 48 can be of the removable type, so as to be able to remove it from the heating block 11 and perform a cleaning thereof and remove the limescale present therein.

[0121] According to embodiments, the filtration element 48 comprises a plurality of filtering portions having different amplitude and/or number of meshes or passage slots for the steam, wherein, in use, at least one wide-meshed portion is turned toward the outlet aperture 16 at least one second narrow-meshed portion is turned toward the outlet channel, i.e. the distribution chamber 18.

[0122] The present invention, with reference to figure 10, also concerns an iron 50 of the vertical type, comprising a containing body 51 provided with a handle portion 52 suitable to be gripped by a user and a steam generator 10 according to the invention installed above the handle portion 52.

[0123] The handle portion 52 may extend along a substantially vertical direction, or slightly inclined with respect to the vertical, with respect to a base 53.

[0124] The heating block 11 is preferably installed inside the containing body 51 and the plate unit 12 is connected to the containing body 51.

[0125] According to one aspect of the invention, the steam generator 10 is installed with the heating block 11 disposed with the greater sides 31, 32 aligned on respective substantially horizontal planes.

[0126] In the event that the steam generator 10 is provided with the removable collection element 26, a passage aperture 54 selectively closed by a lid 55, disposed aligned with the position of the collection element 26, can be provided on the containing body 51.

[0127] On the handle portion 52 it can be provided for a control member 55 by means of which the user can control the delivery of steam. This control member 55 can be of a mechanical type, such as a button, or also of the touch-sensitive type, and be connected to a microswitch or other device suitable to transmit a signal to a control unit 56, for example a microcontroller or microprocessor, adapted to regulate the operation of the iron 10, or directly to a water supply device 57.

[0128] The water supply device 57 may comprise a pump 58 which may be connected to an internal tank 59 or, through the connection conduit 60, to an external tank (not illustrated).

[0129] The operation of the steam generator 10 described so far, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps:

• injecting water into the vaporization chamber 14 of the heating block 11 through the inlet aperture 15;
• making the water travel along a channel 19 of the vaporization chamber 14 while the water is heated with a heating element 17 to transform it into steam;
• making a flow of steam follow a path P along at least two trajectories T1, T2, T3 which lie on different planes and/or at different heights with respect to each other;
• making the steam exit from an outlet aperture 16 of the vaporization chamber 14 toward the plate unit 12 and delivering the steam outside through the delivery holes 13.

[0130] According to embodiments, the method provides for accumulating limescale particles present in the flow of steam in enlarged section areas 35 disposed along the channel 19.

[0131] The method may provide for making the water/flow of steam follow at least a first curved and/or spiral trajectory T1, lying on a first plane π1 which, in use, is substantially horizontal or inclined by an angle comprised between 0-15°, and one between a second T2 and a third trajectory T2 which develops at least in part on a second plane π2 transverse to the first plane π1.

[0132] According to embodiments, the method also comprises a washing step which provides to remove a removable collection element 26 from the heating block 11 in order to remove the limescale accumulated in it and to have access to at least part of the vaporization chamber 14.

[0133] According to further embodiments, the method may also provide for filtering the steam downstream of the outlet aperture 16 by means of a filtration element 48.

[0134] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the steam generator 10, to the vertical iron 50 and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0135] 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 other equivalent forms of steam generator, vertical iron and steam generation method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Steam generator (10) for a vertical steam iron, said steam generator including a heating block (11) comprising a vaporization chamber (14), provided with an inlet aperture (15) for the water and an outlet aperture (16) for the steam and at least one heating element (17), to which there is connected a plate unit (12) provided with steam delivery holes (13) placed in communication with said outlet aperture (16), wherein said vaporization chamber (14) comprises a first zone (21) in which a channel (19) is provided which defines a segment of a curved or serpentine path (P) and having a first depth (D1) substantially constant, in which channel the steam follows a first trajectory (T1) lying on, or parallel to, a first plane (π1) which, in use, is substantially horizontal, or inclined between 0°-15° with respect to the horizontal, characterized in that between said first zone (21) and said outlet aperture (16) said vaporization chamber (14) comprises at least one other zone (22, 23), wherein said at least one other zone (22, 23) has an accumulation chamber (24) having a second depth (D2) greater than the first depth (D1) of said channel (19) in said first zone (21), and/or wherein said at least one other zone (22, 23) develops at an higher height that the channel (19) in said first zone (21), and wherein said path (P) in said at least one other zone (22, 23) develops along another trajectory (T2, T3) lying at least partly on a second plane (π2) transverse to said first plane (π1).

2. Steam generator (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said vaporization chamber (14) comprises both a second zone (22) in which said accumulation chamber (24) is arranged and a third zone (23) located downstream of said second zone (22) in which there is a transit channel (40) defining a part of said path (P) which develops along a trajectory (T3) having a development substantially in the shape of a "U" inverted with respect to the first plane (π1).

3. Steam generator (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said vaporization chamber (14) comprises, in succession one after the other, said vaporization channel (19), said accumulation chamber (24) and said transit channel (40).

4. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said accumulation chamber (24) is provided with a lower aperture (25) selectively closed by means of a limescale collection element (26) able to be inserted into and removed from said heating block (11) to allow access to said accumulation chamber (24).

5. Steam generator (10) as in any claim from 2 to 4, characterized in that said heating block (11) comprises a base body (42) in which said first (21) and said second zone (22) are created, and a covering element (43) which closes said base body (42) at the top and in which said third zone (23) is provided.

6. Steam generator (10) as in any claim from 2 to 5, characterized in that said vaporization chamber (14) has a section narrowing between said second zone (22) and said third zone (23) with respect to a section of said accumulation chamber (24) on said first plane (π1).

7. Steam generator (10) as in one or the other of claims from 2 to 6, characterized in that said transit channel (40) in said third zone (23) has a section with a width increasing from a passage hole (36) through which it communicates with said second zone (22) toward said outlet aperture (16), wherein said outlet aperture (16) has a shape elongated in a direction parallel to said plate unit (12).

8. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said vaporization chamber (14) has widened sections (35) located in proximity to and/or upstream of edges and/or curves of said channel (19) and configured to allow the accumulation of any limescale particles in them.

9. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that at least one raised element (38) is provided along said channel (19), protruding from a lower surface and disposed transversely with respect to the development of said channel (19) and the trajectory (T1) of the flow.

10. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a filtration element (48) located downstream of said outlet aperture (16) and configured to perform a filtration of the flow and retain any particles present therein upstream of said delivery holes (13).

11. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that a protection element (47) made of temperature-resistant material is arranged between said plate unit (12) and said heating block (11), and said plate unit (12) comprises a plate (39) made of plastic material.

12. Steam generator (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said outlet aperture (16) for the steam is arranged on a transverse smaller side (34) of said heating block (11).

13. Vertical iron (50) comprising a containing body (51) provided with a handle portion (52) suitable to be gripped by a user and a steam generator (10) as in any claim from 1 to 12 installed above said handle portion (52) and disposed with the respective greater sides (31, 32) of said heating block (11) aligned on planes which are inclined between 0° and 15° with respect to a horizontal plane.

14. Method of operation of a steam generator (10) as in any claim from 1 to 12, comprising:

- injecting water into said vaporization chamber (14) of said heating block (11) through the inlet aperture (15);

- making the water travel along the channel (19) of said vaporization chamber (14) while the channel is heated with a heating element (17) to transform the water into steam;

- making the flow of steam follow a path (P) along at least two trajectories (T1, T2, T3) which lie on different planes and/or at different heights with respect to each other, of which a first curved or serpentine trajectory (T1) lying on, or parallel to, a first plane (π1), and at least one other trajectory (T2, T3) lying at least partly on a second plane (π2) transverse to said first plane (π1);

- making the steam exit from said outlet aperture (16) toward said plate unit (12) and delivering the steam through said delivery holes (13).

15. Method as in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a washing step which provides to remove a removable collection element (26) from said heating block (11) in order to remove the limescale accumulated in it and to have access to at least part of said vaporization chamber (14).

Drawing