Iron

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical iron. An iron comprises a sole plate, of a glass or ceramic substrate bearing an electrical heating element. The electrical heating element comprises a transparent or translucent antimony tin oxide thin film which directly heats the glass or ceramic substrate.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . An iron comprising:
 a sole plate;   a secondary layer spaced apart from said sole plate and disposed over said sole plate,   said secondary layer being disposed substantially in parallel with said sole plate,   said secondary layer providing electrical and thermal insulation from said sole plate; and   a cavity formed between said sole plate and said secondary layer;   said sole plate comprising:   a glass or ceramic substrate having a glass or ceramic surface for placing in contact with a garment to be ironed; and   an electrical heating element formed as a layer on said glass or ceramic substrate for heating said glass or ceramic substrate.   
     
     
         58 . The iron according to  claim 57 , wherein said electrical heating element comprises a substantially transparent film coating of conducting or semiconducting material. 
     
     
         59 . The iron according to  claim 57 , wherein said electrical heating element comprises a substantially transparent layer of doped tin oxide. 
     
     
         60 . The iron as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein said cavity comprises a sealed cavity which provides a thermal and electrical insulation barrier from said substrate. 
     
     
         61 . The iron according to  claim 57 , further comprising a cover layer over said secondary layer, there being an air gap between said cover layer and said secondary layer, wherein said cover layer is thermally insulated from said secondary layer and said sole plate by said air gap. 
     
     
         62 . The iron according to  claim 57 , further comprising a cover layer over said secondary layer, there being an air gap between said cover layer and said secondary layer, wherein said cover layer is thermally insulated from said secondary layer and said sole plate by said air gap, said cover layer being formed of a heat resistant polymer material.