Machine with water heating means and anti-scale device

Abstract

The present invention refers to a machine, such as a washing machine, in particular a dishwashing machine and a clothes washing machine, an ironing machine, a food cooking oven and a boiling pan of the kind intended for use in professional kitchens, such machine being provided with water heating means 6, l 36, 46 ) and being further provided with a device adapted to curb and reduce scale formation. A machine provided according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises an electrolytic cell ( 2, 22, 32, 42 ) eluting zinc ions in the process water, and in that it further comprises sensor means ( 11, 211, 211 a, 311, 411 ) and processing means ( 12, 212, 312, 412 ) for determining the (Zn)-to-(Ca) ratio, i.e. the ratio of the concentration by weight of zinc to the concentration by weight of calcium in said water.

1 . Washing machine comprising:
 a boiler provided with heating means adapted to heat up water,   at least a first water inlet duct fluidly connecting said boiler to a water supply line,   a washing chamber fluidly connected to said boiler,   
     characterized in that said first water inlet duct is provided with an electrolytic cell adapted to be passed therethrough by said water, said cell being further adapted to produce zinc ions (Zn 2+ ) that are eluted and dispersed in said water, and in that sensor means and processing means are provided to determine the ratio (Zn)/(Ca) of the concentration by weight of zinc to the concentration by weight of calcium in said water. 
   
   
       2 . Washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising control means in signal communication with a current generator which energizes said electrolytic cell for controlling the operation thereof according to a detected value of said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio. 
   
   
       3 . Washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio is held at a value greater than 0.06*10 −3  by said control means. 
   
   
       4 . Washing machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is a clothes washing machine or a dishwashing machine. 
   
   
       5 . Boiling pan of the type intended for use in professional kitchens, comprising:
 a boiler provided with heating means adapted to heat up water,   at least a first water inlet duct fluidly connecting said boiler to a water supply line,   a collecting vessel for receiving said water,   
     characterized in that said first water inlet duct is provided with an electrolytic cell adapted to be passed therethrough by said water, said cell being further adapted to produce zinc ions (Zn 2+ ) that are eluted and dispersed in said water. 
   
   
       6 . Boiling pan according to  claim 5  comprising sensor means and processing means adapted to determine the ratio (Zn)/(Ca) of the concentration by weight of zinc to the concentration by weight of calcium in said water. 
   
   
       7 . Boiling pan according to  claim 6  comprising control means in signal communication with a current generator which energizes said electrolytic cell for controlling the operation thereof according to a detected value of said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio. 
   
   
       8 . Boiling pan according to  claim 7 , wherein said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio is held at a value greater than 0.06*10 −3  by said control means. 
   
   
       9 . Boiling pan according to  claim 6 , wherein said collecting vessel defines a compartment adapted to receive a balancing container for containing food to be cooked. 
   
   
       10 . Steam iron comprising:
 a boiler provided with heating means adapted to heat up water,   a reservoir adapted to contain said water and fluidly connected to said boiler, characterized by comprising an electrolytic cell adapted to be passed therethrough by said water, said cell being further adapted to produce zinc ions (Zn 2+ ) that are eluted and dispersed in said water.   
   
   
       11 . Steam iron according to  claim 10  comprising sensor means and processing means adapted to determine the ratio (Zn)/(Ca) of the concentration by weight of zinc to the concentration by weight of calcium in said water. 
   
   
       12 . Steam iron according to  claim 11  comprising control means provided in signal communication with a current generator which energizes said electrolytic cell for controlling the operation thereof according to a detected value of said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio. 
   
   
       13 . Steam iron according to  claim 12 , wherein said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio is held at a value greater than 0.06*10 −3  by said control means. 
   
   
       14 . Steam iron according to  claim 10 , comprising a first unit accommodating the boiler, the reservoir and the electrolytic cell, and a second unit that is fluidly connected with said first unit and comprises a handle and a smoothing plate. 
   
   
       15 . Food cooking oven comprising:
 a cooking cavity ( 450 ),   heating means ( 47 ) adapted to heat up the cooking cavity ( 450 ),   water projecting means ( 453 ) fluidly connected to a water supply line via a first water inlet duct ( 48 ), said water projecting means ( 453 ) being adapted to project water onto the heating means ( 47 ),   
     characterized in that said first water inlet duct ( 48 ) is provided with an electrolytic cell ( 42 ) adapted to be passed therethrough by said water, said cell being further adapted to produce zinc ions (Zn 2+ ) that are eluted and dispersed in said water. 
   
   
       16 . Food cooking oven according to  claim 15 , comprising sensor means ( 411 ) and processing means ( 412 ) adapted to determine the ratio (Zn)/(Ca) of the concentration by weight of zinc to the concentration by weight of calcium in said water. 
   
   
       17 . Food cooking oven according to  claim 16 , comprising control means ( 413 ) provided in signal communication with a current generator ( 410 ) which energizes said electrolytic cell ( 42 ) for controlling the operation thereof according to a detected value of said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio. 
   
   
       18 . Food cooking oven according to  claim 17 , wherein said (Zn)/(Ca) ratio is held at a value greater than 0.06*10 −3  by said control means ( 413 ).