Steam ironing device

Abstract

A steam ironing device ( 10 ) provides an ionized steam output using an ionizing arrangement ( 30 ). The ionization process, in particular the high energy electric discharge used for ionization, breaks down steam particles into finer particles. As a result, a greater proportion of the steam particles generated can penetrate into the fabric of the garment being ironed, to improve fabric treatment and fabric moistening.

1 . A steam ironing device comprising an iron with a sob plate, a water reservoir and steam generating means, wherein the ironing device further comprises means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed. 
   
   
       2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , provided with heating means for heating the sole plate. 
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a steam chamber having steam outlet nozzles, and wherein the means for providing an electrically charged output comprises an electrode arrangement within the steam chamber. 
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least two electrodes to which different voltages are applied. 
   
   
       5 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least two electrodes to which a first voltage is applied, and wherein the steam chamber defines a further ground electrode. 
   
   
       6 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least two electrodes extend into the nozzles. 
   
   
       7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a steam chamber having steam outlet nozzles, and wherein the means for providing an electrically charged output comprises an electrode arrangement provided at the outlet of the nozzles. 
   
   
       8 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an ionized output provides negative ions. 
   
   
       9 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein die means for providing an electrically charged output comprises means for providing an ionized air flow and for mixing the ionized air flow with steam. 
   
   
       10 . A device as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a steam chamber having outlet nozzles to provide the steam for mixing with the ionized air flow. 
   
   
       11 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the water reservoir, the steam generating means and the means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed are provided in the iron. 
   
   
       12 . A device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a heater arrangement is provided for heating the sole plate, and the steam chamber is heated by the same heater arrangement as the sole plate. 
   
   
       13 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the water reservoir is external to the iron. 
   
   
       14 . A device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the steam generating means is external to the iron. 
   
   
       15 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an electric pump is provided for controlling the flow of water from the water reservoir to the steam generating means. 
   
   
       16 . An ironing system comprising a device as  claim 13 , and an ironing board, wherein the water reservoir is housed by the ironing board. 
   
   
       17 . An ironing method comprising applying electrically charged steam to a garment during ironing, the ironing comprising applying pressure to the garment using an iron sole plate. 
   
   
       18 . A steam ironing system comprising:
 an iron with a sole plate;   an ironing board;   a water reservoir and steam generating means; and   means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed.   
   
   
       19 . A system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed forms part, of the board. 
   
   
       20 . A steam ironing system comprising an iron with a sole plate for pressing against an article to be ironed steam generating means for providing a steam output comprising steam droplets, for application to the article being ironed, and an ionisation arrangement for breaking down steam droplets whereby at least 40% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 10 microns. 
   
   
       21 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 50% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 10 microns. 
   
   
       22 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 40% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 7 microns. 
   
   
       23 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 50% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 7 microns. 
   
   
       24 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 40% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 5 microns. 
   
   
       25 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 50% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 5 microns. 
   
   
       26 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein at least 55%-65% of the steam droplets in the steam output have a droplet size of less than 5 microns. 
   
   
       27 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , comprising a steam iron, and wherein the steam generating means forms part of the iron. 
   
   
       28 . A steam ironing system as claimed in  claim 20 , comprising an iron and an ironing board, and wherein the steam generating means forms part of the ironing board. 
   
   
       29 . An ironing method comprising applying steam to a garment during ironing, the steam comprising steam droplets, with at least 40% of the steam droplets in the steam output having a droplet size of less than 10 microns, the method making use of the steam iron system according to  claim 20 .