WO2023089283A1 - Steam laundry treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus (1) comprising: a water tank (13) comprising a main storage chamber (14) and a main water outlet (16); a steam generator (6) comprising a steaming chamber (7); a treatment surface (11) provided with steam outlet holes (12); a steam distribution circuit (27) configured to supply steam to the steam outlet holes (12); an auxiliary storage chamber (18) configured to be supplied with water from the main storage chamber (14) and including an auxiliary water outlet (21); and a water supply device (22) configured to supply the steaming chamber (7), by gravity, with water from the main storage chamber (14) and from the auxiliary storage chamber (18).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: STEAM LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPARATUS

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of steam laundry treatment devices, such as steam irons or steam ironing devices.

State of the art

[0002] A machine for treating laundry comprises in known manner:

- a grip handle,

- a water tank comprising a storage chamber and a water outlet opening into the storage chamber,

- a steam generator comprising a vaporization chamber, such as an instantaneous vaporization chamber,

- a treatment surface provided with at least one steam outlet hole,

- a steam distribution circuit connected to the vaporization chamber and configured to supply steam to the at least one steam outlet hole,

- a water supply device fluidly connected to the water outlet and configured to gravity feed the vaporization chamber with water from the storage chamber.

[0003] Such a device makes it possible to produce a maximum continuous steam flow which is a function of the power of the heating resistor, the maximum steam flow that can be produced by the vaporization chamber is all the more important as the power of the heating resistance is high. However, increasing the power of the heating resistor has the disadvantage of increasing the manufacturing cost of the device. Moreover, such devices laundry treatment are usually intended for domestic use so that the power of the heating resistance cannot exceed the maximum power that is capable of supplying the socket of the domestic electrical network to which the appliance is connected.

[0004] It is known from the prior art, and in particular from patent EP1224349, a treatment device comprising a pump making it possible to supply the vaporization chamber according to a predetermined configuration comprising a first operating phase, during which the flow rate of the pump is higher than the vaporization capacity of the vaporization chamber in continuous operation, and a second phase of operation, during which the flow rate of the pump is lower than the vaporization capacity of the vaporization chamber in continuous operation.

[0005] Such a device has the advantage of momentarily offering a higher steam flow than what the vaporization chamber is able to supply continuously, thanks to the use of the energy stored in the foundry of the chamber. vaporization during inactive ironing phases. Indeed, during inactive ironing phases, the heat produced by the heating resistance is stored in the foundry and then this energy is then used during the first operating phase to produce the excess steam.

However, such a configuration significantly increases the manufacturing costs of such a laundry treatment device, and also the mass of such a laundry treatment device.

[0007] In addition, the presence of a supply pump, and of the electronics necessary for its control, is likely to affect the reliability of the machine for processing linen.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

[0009] The technical problem at the basis of the invention consists in particular in providing a machine for treating laundry which is of simple structure, economical and reliable (and in particular whose water supply device has no electrical component), while having high ironing and/or smoothing efficiency.

[0010] To this end, the subject of the invention is a laundry treatment apparatus comprising:

- a grip handle,

- a water tank comprising a main storage chamber and a main water outlet opening into the main storage chamber,

- a steam generator comprising a vaporization chamber, such as an instantaneous vaporization chamber,

- a water supply device fluidly connected to the main water outlet orifice and configured to supply, by gravity, the vaporization chamber with water coming from the main storage chamber,

- a treatment surface provided with at least one steam outlet hole, and

- a steam distribution circuit connected to the vaporization chamber and configured to supply steam to the at least one steam outlet hole.

[0011] The laundry treatment apparatus further comprises an auxiliary storage chamber which is fluidly connected to the main storage chamber and which is configured to be supplied with water from the main storage chamber, the auxiliary storage chamber comprising an auxiliary water outlet, and the water supply device being fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet and being configured to supply, by gravity, the vaporization chamber with water from the chamber auxiliary storage. The laundry treatment apparatus is configured to treat laundry according to a treatment cycle comprising at least a first laundry treatment phase during which the vaporization chamber is supplied with water, by gravity, with a first supply rate, and a second laundry treatment phase during which the vaporization chamber is supplied with water, by gravity, with a second feed rate which is less than the first feed rate.

[0012] During the first laundry treatment phase (which is generally initiated after the appliance has reached its nominal operating temperature), the vaporization chamber is supplied with water at a high supply rate, and for example greater than the flow of water that the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize continuously. Indeed, the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize a greater quantity of water during the first phase of treatment, thanks to the thermal energy stored in the mass of the foundry of the steam generator.

[0013] During the second phase of treatment, the vaporization chamber is supplied with water with a feed rate which is lower than during the first phase of treatment of the linen, and for example lower than the water flow rate than the chamber vaporizer is able to vaporize continuously. Thus, the thermal power generated by the Joule effect by the electrical resistance fitted to the steam generator is sufficient to ensure the vaporization of the quantity of water injected into the vaporization chamber during the second treatment phase.

[0014] The linen treatment apparatus according to the present invention therefore makes it possible to inject a maximum of water into the vaporization chamber at the start of the treatment of a linen, while limiting the risks of water splashing onto the linen to be treated, and this with a water supply device of simple, reliable and inexpensive structure.

[0015] The laundry treatment appliance may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first feed rate is greater than the flow rate of water that the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize continuously, and the second feed rate is less than or equal to the water flow that the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize continuously. Such a configuration of the laundry treatment apparatus limits considerably the risk of saturation of the vaporization chamber, and therefore the risk of water splashing on a machine being processed.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first feed rate is less than or equal to the flow rate of water that the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize continuously. Such a configuration of the linen treatment apparatus further limits the risks of saturation of the vaporization chamber, and therefore the risks of water splashing onto a linen being treated.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment device is configured such that, under normal conditions of use of the laundry treatment device, the water outlet orifice main allows a maximum main outlet flow and that the auxiliary water outlet allows a maximum auxiliary outlet flow which is greater than the maximum main outlet flow.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the water supply device comprises a first water conveying conduit which is fluidically connected to the main water outlet orifice and which has a first section passage, and a second water supply conduit which is fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet orifice and which has a second passage section which is greater than the first passage section. These arrangements contribute to supplying the vaporization chamber with a higher supply rate during the first phase of treatment.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first water conveying conduit is configured to establish free fluid communication between the main storage chamber and the auxiliary storage chamber.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber comprises a water inlet orifice, and the first water conveyance duct comprises a first end portion which is fluidly connected to the main water outlet orifice, and a second end portion which is fluidically connected to the water inlet orifice of the chamber of auxiliary storage. These arrangements ensure, during the second phase of treatment (i.e. after flow of the majority of the water contained in the auxiliary storage chamber towards the vaporization chamber, which occurred during the first phase treatment), a supply of water to the vaporization chamber flowing from the main storage chamber and through the auxiliary storage chamber and the water supply device, and therefore with a lower supply rate only during the first phase of treatment.

According to such an embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber is fluidically located between the auxiliary storage chamber and the vaporization chamber.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second water conveying conduit comprises a first end portion fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet orifice of the auxiliary storage chamber, and a second end portion fluidically connected to the vaporization chamber.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main water outlet orifice and the first water conveyance duct are configured such that the auxiliary storage chamber is able to be filled, by gravity, with water coming from the main storage chamber in less than 20 seconds, and for example in about 15 seconds, when the water does not flow through the auxiliary water outlet in the chamber of vaporization.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water tank comprises the auxiliary storage chamber, the auxiliary storage chamber being fluidically connected to the main storage chamber.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water supply device is configured to supply the vaporization chamber simultaneously with water from the main storage chamber and with water from the auxiliary storage chamber during the first phase of treatment.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for supplying water is configured to supply the vaporization chamber only with water from the main storage chamber during the second processing phase. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the second processing phase corresponds to a processing phase during which the auxiliary storage chamber is empty.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water tank comprises a passage orifice configured to establish free fluid communication between the auxiliary storage chamber and the main storage chamber.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water tank comprises a partition wall configured to separate the main storage chamber and the auxiliary storage chamber, the partition wall at least partially delimiting the orifice of passage.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the partition wall has an upper edge partially delimiting the passage orifice.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the passage orifice is delimited by the upper edge of the partition wall and by an outer wall of the water tank.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber is configured to be at least partially filled with water coming from the main storage chamber when the laundry treatment appliance is tilted, for rearward, for example, from a first position, such as a main use position in which the treatment surface extends substantially horizontally, to a second position, such as a rest position in which the treatment surface treatment extends substantially vertically. These arrangements ensure easy and rapid filling of the auxiliary storage chamber by a simple tilting of the linen treatment appliance, and for example each time the latter is positioned in a rest position (for example in which the linen treatment rests on its base or on a heel fitted to the linen treatment apparatus.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first conduit conveying water comprises a first end portion fluidically connected to the main water outlet of the main storage chamber, and a second end portion fluidically connected to the vaporization chamber.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the main storage chamber has a first storage volume, and the auxiliary storage chamber has a second storage volume smaller than the first storage volume. These provisions make it possible to further limit the risks of saturation of the vaporization chamber during the first phase of treatment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber, the auxiliary water outlet port and the water supply device are configured such that the auxiliary storage chamber is able to be completely emptied, via the auxiliary water outlet, in less than 5 seconds.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber is configured to be located below the main storage chamber when the laundry processing appliance occupies a rest position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water supply device further comprises a shutter member movable between a shutter position in which the shutter member prevents a flow of water at the through the water supply device, and therefore towards the vaporization chamber, and a release position in which the closure member allows a flow of water through the water supply device, and therefore towards the vaporization chamber. These provisions prevent untimely flow of water through the water supply device.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure member is configured to prevent a flow of water through the second water supply pipe when the closure member occupies the position of closure, and to allow water to flow through the second water conveyance conduit when the closure member occupies the position of liberation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment appliance comprises a steam control member, such as a steam control trigger, configured to be actuated manually by a user, the member steam control being configured to move the shutter member to the release position when the steam control member is actuated by the user. Advantageously, the steam control member is provided on the grip handle. These provisions allow a user to control the generation of steam easily and only when desired.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment device further comprises:

- a steam emitting head which is mechanically connected to an upper end of the grip handle and which comprises the treatment surface, and

- a base mechanically connected to a lower end of the handle, the base housing the steam generator.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment surface is intended to come vertically opposite a garment to be steamed when the laundry treatment device is held in a vertical steaming position in which the handle handle is located under the steaming head.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam conduit fluidly connecting the vaporization chamber to at least one steam outlet hole.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the steam duct extends at least partly into the grip handle.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the water tank is arranged in the steam head.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the water tank comprises a main vent opening opening into an upper part of the main storage chamber.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber comprises an auxiliary vent orifice opening into an upper part of the auxiliary storage chamber.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the machine for processing laundry comprises a housing comprising first and second shells assembled one on the other. Advantageously, the grip handle is made by assembling the first and second shells.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment device is portable.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment surface is an ironing and/or steaming surface.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment device is a steam ironing device or a steam iron.

Brief description of figures

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the laundry treatment apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the laundry treatment apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a laundry treatment device according to a second embodiment of the invention showing the laundry treatment device in a rest position;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the laundry treating apparatus of Figure 4 showing the laundry treating apparatus in a use position.

[0052] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been represented. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0053] It will be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse ", used to describe the portable steamer refer to this device when it rests flat on its base.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a laundry treatment device 1, such as a steam straightening device, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The laundry treatment device 1 comprises a casing 2 which is portable and which is made of plastic material. The housing 2 comprises a grip handle 3, a base 4 mechanically connected to a lower end of the grip handle 3, and a steam emitting head 5 which is mechanically connected to an upper end of the grip handle 3.

[0055] Advantageously, the base 4 comprises a flat underside on which the laundry treatment device 1 can come to rest stably in a rest position, illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the longitudinal axis of the grip handle 3 is slightly inclined forwards, of the order of 15°.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the housing 2 comprises a first shell 2A, such as a front shell, and a second shell 2B, such as a rear shell, which are made of plastic material and which are assembled to each other. The first and second shells 2A, 2B form a hollow body in which are arranged various components of the processing apparatus of the linen 1 .

[0057] The linen treatment device 1 further comprises a steam generator 6 which is housed in the base 4, and advantageously an electrical power cord, not shown in the figures, allowing connection of the device linen treatment 1 to a domestic electrical network. The steam generator 6 more particularly comprises a vaporization chamber 7, such as an instantaneous vaporization chamber, formed in an aluminum foundry conventionally containing an electrical resistor 8 whose electrical supply is regulated by means of a thermostat.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the steam emitting head 5 has a slender shape extending transversely to the grip handle 3, preferably forming an angle a of between 45° and 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the grip handle 3.

The steam emitting head 5 has a front end provided with an end plate 9, advantageously metallic, having a treatment surface 11, and more particularly an ironing and/or smoothing surface, which is intended to come vertically opposite a garment to be smoothed. Advantageously, the treatment surface 11 is flat. The treatment surface 11 comprises several steam outlet holes 12 advantageously distributed along the periphery of the treatment surface 11 .

As shown more particularly in Figure 3, the laundry treatment device 1 comprises a water tank 13 disposed in the steam emission head 5, and preferably in a rear part of the emission head steam 5. Advantageously, at least part of the outer wall of the water tank 13 is transparent in order to allow a user to visualize the water level in the water tank 13.

The water tank 13 comprises a main storage chamber 14 which has a first storage volume and which is configured to contain some water. The water tank 13 further comprises a filling orifice 15 opening into an upper part of the main storage chamber 14 and allowing the latter to be filled, and a main water outlet orifice 16, which is calibrated, opening in a lower part of the main storage chamber 14 and allowing water to be evacuated from the main storage chamber 14 and towards the vaporization chamber 7. Advantageously, the water tank 13 is provided with a plug removable 17 configured to removably close the filling orifice 15.

[0062] The water tank 13 further comprises a main vent orifice (not visible in the figures) opening into an upper part of the main storage chamber 14, in order to prevent a depression from being created in the main storage chamber 14 when water flows through the main water outlet 16.

[0063] The laundry treatment device 1 further comprises an auxiliary storage chamber 18 which has a second storage volume and which is configured to contain water. As shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is configured to be located below the main storage chamber 14 when the laundry treatment apparatus 1 occupies the rest position.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the auxiliary storage chamber 18 comprises a water inlet orifice 19, which is calibrated, configured to be fluidically connected to the outlet orifice of main water 16 of the main storage chamber 14, and an auxiliary water outlet 21, which is calibrated, configured to be fluidically connected to the vaporization chamber 7. Thus, the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is more particularly configured to be supplied with water from the main storage chamber 14, and to supply water to the vaporization chamber 7.

The auxiliary storage chamber 18 further comprises an auxiliary vent orifice (not visible in the figures) opening into an upper part of the auxiliary storage chamber 18, in order to prevent a depression from being created in the auxiliary storage chamber 18 during the flow of water through the auxiliary water outlet 21 .

Advantageously, the laundry treatment device 1 is configured such that, under normal conditions of use of the laundry treatment device 1, the main water outlet orifice 16 has a maximum main outlet flow rate and that the auxiliary water outlet orifice 21 has a maximum auxiliary outlet flow rate which is higher than the maximum main outlet flow rate, and preferably at least 25% higher. For example, if the maximum main output rate is 40 g/min, then the auxiliary output rate is greater than 50 g/min.

The linen treatment appliance 1 further comprises a water supply device 22 configured to supply, by gravity, the vaporization chamber 7 with water coming from the main storage chamber 14 and from the storage chamber auxiliary 18.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the water supply device 22 comprises:

- a first water conveying conduit 23 having a first passage section, and comprising a first end portion fluidically connected to the main water outlet orifice 16 of the main storage chamber 14, and a second end portion fluidly connected to the water inlet 19 of the auxiliary storage chamber 18, and

- a second water supply conduit 24 having a second passage section which is greater than the first passage section, and comprising a first end portion fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet orifice 21 of the auxiliary storage chamber 18, and a second end portion fluidically connected to the vaporization chamber 7.

As shown in Figure 2, each of the first and second water supply conduits 23, 24 extends at least partly in the grip handle 3. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first water channel 23 is configured to establish free fluid communication between the main storage chamber 14 and the auxiliary storage chamber 18.

[0070] The main water outlet orifice 16 and the first water conveyance duct 23 are advantageously configured such that the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is capable of being filled, by gravity, with water from the main storage chamber 14 in less than 20 seconds, and for example in about 15 seconds. Advantageously, the auxiliary storage chamber 18, the auxiliary water outlet 21 and the water supply device 22 are configured such that the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is able to be completely emptied, via the auxiliary water outlet 21, in less than 5 seconds.

The laundry treatment device 1 is more particularly configured to treat laundry according to a treatment cycle comprising at least a first laundry treatment phase during which the vaporization chamber 7 is supplied with water with a first flow rate of supply which is greater than the flow rate of water that the vaporization chamber 7 is able to vaporize continuously, and a second phase of treatment of the laundry during which the vaporization chamber 7 is supplied with water with a second feed rate which is less than the water flow that the vaporization chamber 7 is able to vaporize continuously. Advantageously, the first feed rate is greater than the second feed rate, and is at most equal to three times the second feed rate.

As shown more particularly in Figure 2, the water supply device 22 further comprises a closure member 25, such as a shutter valve, movable between a closed position in which the closure member 25 prevents a flow of water through the second water supply conduit 24, and a release position in which the closure member 25 allows a flow of water through the second conduit of water routing 24. Thus, the shutter member 25 is configured to control the passage of water through the second water routing conduit 24.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the apparatus of laundry treatment 1 comprises a steam control member 26, such as a steam control trigger, provided on the grip handle 3 and configured to be operated manually by a user. Advantageously, the steam control member 26 is arranged on a front face of the grip handle 3.

The steam control member 26 is more particularly configured to move the shutter member 25 towards the release position when the steam control member 26 is actuated by the user, i.e. i.e. when pressure is exerted manually on the steam control member 26. Advantageously, the laundry treatment appliance 1 comprises a biasing member (not visible in the figures) configured to bias the steam control 26 in the closed position.

The linen treatment appliance 1 further comprises a steam distribution circuit 27 connected to the vaporization chamber 7, and configured to supply steam to the steam outlet holes 12. Advantageously, the steam distribution 27 comprises a steam duct 28 connecting the vaporization chamber 7 to a vapor diffusion chamber 29 formed in a body arranged in thermal contact with the end plate 9, the vapor diffusion chamber 29 being fluidly connected to the steam outlet holes 12.

Advantageously, the steam conduit 28 is connected to a steam outlet orifice 31 provided on an upper face of the vaporization chamber 7, and travels vertically through the grip handle 3, then under the reservoir. water 13 to be connected to an inlet port of the vapor diffusion chamber 29.

The operation of the laundry treatment device 1 will now be described.

When the user wishes to use the laundry treatment device 1, he fills the water tank 13 with water, then connects the laundry treatment device 1 to the electrical network. The electric resistance 8 of the generator of steam 6 is then supplied with current so that its temperature quickly reaches a setpoint temperature defined by the thermostat.

[0079] When the user wishes to steam-smooth a laundry, such as a garment, he presses on the steam control member 26, which has the effect of moving the closure member 25 into the position release and to allow rapid flow of the water contained in the auxiliary storage chamber 18 through the second water conveying pipe 24 (due in particular to the high passage section of the outlet orifice of auxiliary water 21 and the second water supply conduit 24) and to the vaporization chamber 7. The steam produced by the vaporization chamber 7 then escapes through the steam conduit 28 in the direction of the diffusion chamber of steam 29 made in the steam emission head 5, then exits through the steam outlet holes 12 made on the treatment surface 11 .

Such a configuration of the linen treatment apparatus 1 according to the present invention ensures a high steam flow through the steam distribution circuit 27 during an initial phase of treatment of a linen.

[0081] If the user maintains the pressure on the steam control member 26 beyond the time required to completely empty the auxiliary storage chamber 18, the vaporization chamber 7 will then be supplied with water from the main storage chamber 14 (this water flowing respectively through the first water conveying conduit 23, the auxiliary storage chamber 18 and the second water conveying conduit 24) with a feed rate smaller than during the initial treatment phase (due in particular to the fact that the passage sections of the main water outlet orifice 16 and of the first water supply conduit 13 are respectively smaller than those of the auxiliary water outlet 21 and the second water supply pipe 24). Thus, during this second linen treatment phase, the steam flow flowing through the steam distribution circuit 27 is lower, for example 3 times lower, than that during the initial treatment phase. These provisions make it possible in particular to avoid flooding the vaporization chamber 7 by exceeding its capacity to steam and to avoid the projection of water droplets through the steam outlet holes 12.

[0082] When the user releases the steam control member 26, the shutter member 25 is moved into the closed position, and the auxiliary storage chamber 18 fills slowly until the next actuation of the valve. steam controller 26.

[0083] Figures 4 and 5 show a laundry treatment device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the laundry treatment device 1 is an iron steam, and in that the water reservoir 13 includes the auxiliary storage chamber 18 and a passage orifice 32 configured to establish free fluid communication between the auxiliary storage chamber 18 and the main storage chamber 14.

[0084] Advantageously, the water tank 13 comprises a separating wall 33 which is configured to separate the main storage chamber 14 and the auxiliary storage chamber 18, and which is provided with an upper edge delimiting at least partially the passage orifice 32. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the passage orifice 32 is delimited by the upper edge of the partition wall 33 and by the outer wall of the water tank 13 .

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the main water outlet 16 and the auxiliary water outlet 21 are each provided on a bottom wall of the water tank 13 which is for example configured to extend substantially horizontally when the laundry treatment device 1 rests on its treatment surface 11 .

According to such an embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is configured to be filled with water coming from the main storage chamber 14 when the laundry treatment appliance 1 is tilted, for example backwards, from a main position of use in which the treatment surface 11 extends substantially horizontally, to a rest position in which the treatment surface 11 extends substantially vertically or is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical, that is to say a position in which the laundry treatment device 1 rests on its heel.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first water delivery conduit 23 comprises a first end portion fluidically connected to the main water outlet orifice 16 of the chamber of main storage 14, and a second end portion fluidly connected to the vaporization chamber 7. The first and second water conveying ducts 23, 24 can for example each open directly into the vaporization chamber 7, or else open in a collection chamber provided with a lower orifice opening into the vaporization chamber 7, and for example in an upper face of the vaporization chamber 7.

The operation of the laundry treatment device 1 according to the second embodiment will now be described.

When the user wishes to use the laundry treatment device 1, he fills the water tank 13 with water, positions the laundry treatment device 1 in the rest position in which the laundry treatment device 1 rests on its heel (so as to fill the auxiliary storage chamber 18 with water from the main storage chamber 14), then connects the laundry treatment device 1 to the electrical network . Electrical resistance 8 of steam generator 6 is then supplied with current so that its temperature quickly reaches a setpoint temperature defined by the thermostat.

[0090] When the user wishes to steam iron a laundry, he moves the laundry treatment appliance 1 into the main position of use, which has the effect of allowing rapid flow of the water contained in the auxiliary storage chamber 18 through the second water conveying conduit 24 and towards the vaporization chamber 7, as well as a flow of the water contained in the main storage chamber 14 through the first conveying conduit of water 23 (according to a feed rate defined by the position occupied by the bushel) and towards the vaporization chamber 7.

[0091] The linen treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment thus ensures a high steam flow through the steam distribution circuit 27 during a first linen treatment phase.

[0092] When the auxiliary storage chamber 18 is empty, the vaporization chamber is then supplied continuously only by water coming from the main storage chamber 14 and flowing through the first conveying conduit 23, so that the steam flow flowing through the steam distribution circuit 27 is greatly reduced during a second phase of treatment of the laundry.

[0093] When a user positions the laundry treatment appliance 1 again in the rest position, for example to handle the laundry, this causes the auxiliary storage chamber 18 to be filled with water from the main storage chamber 14. Thus when it switches the linen treatment appliance 1 into the main position of use to continue the ironing operation, it again benefits from a greater flow of steam through the circuit steam distribution 27 during a first phase of treatment of linen.

According to such an embodiment of the invention, the water supply device 22 may have no steam control member, and the shutter member 25 may for example be a valve, such as a drip valve, configured to allow a user to adjust the water flow rate through the first water delivery conduit 23 between a minimum flow rate value, for example zero, and a flow rate value maximum corresponding to the maximum vapor flow that the vaporization chamber is able to vaporize continuously.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the laundry treatment device 1 could comprise an additional shutter member movable between a closed position in which the member additional shutter prevents a flow of water through the first water supply conduit 23, and an open position in which the additional shutter member allows a flow of water through the first conduit of water supply 23.

According to such an embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment device 1 could be configured to operate according to:

- a first mode of operation in which the shutter member 25 and the additional shutter member respectively occupy the open position and the closed position so as to allow filling of the auxiliary storage chamber 18,

- a second mode of operation in which the shutter member 25 and the additional shutter member respectively occupy the closed position and the release position so as to allow a flow of water from the auxiliary storage chamber 18 and in the direction of the vaporization chamber 7, while fluidically isolating the auxiliary storage chamber 18 from the main storage chamber 14, and

- a third mode of operation in which the shutter member 25 and the additional shutter member respectively occupy the open position and the release position so as to allow a flow of water from the main storage chamber 14 and towards the vaporization chamber 7.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given by way of examples only. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

22 CLAIMS) Machine for treating laundry (1) comprising: - a gripping handle (3), - a water tank (13) comprising a main storage chamber (14) and a main water outlet (16) opening into the main storage chamber (14), - a steam generator (6) comprising a vaporization chamber (7), - a water supply device (22) fluidically connected to the main water outlet (16) and configured to supply, by gravity, the vaporization chamber (7) with water coming from the main storage chamber (14), - a treatment surface (11) provided with at least one steam outlet hole (12), and - a steam distribution circuit (27) connected to the vaporization chamber (7) and configured to supply steam to the at least one steam outlet hole (12), the linen treatment appliance (1) comprising further an auxiliary storage chamber (18) which is fluidly connected to the main storage chamber (14) and which is configured to be supplied with water from the main storage chamber (14), the auxiliary storage chamber (18 ) comprising an auxiliary water outlet orifice (21), the water supply device (22) being fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet orifice (21) and being configured to supply, by gravity, the vaporization chamber (7) with water coming from the auxiliary storage chamber (18), characterized in that the laundry treatment appliance (1) is configured to treat laundry according to a treatment cycle comprising at least a first phase linen treatment during which the vaporization chamber is supplied with water, by gravity, with a first flow rate supply higher than the flow rate of water that the vaporization chamber (7) is able to vaporize continuously and a second laundry treatment phase during which the vaporization chamber is supplied with water, by gravity, with a second flow rate of supply which is less than or equal to the flow of water that the vaporization chamber (7) is able to vaporize continuously. ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the water supply device (22) comprises a first water supply conduit (23) which is fluidly connected to the outlet of main water (16) and which has a first passage section, and a second water delivery conduit (24) which is fluidly connected to the auxiliary water outlet orifice (21) and which has a second passage section which is greater than the first passage section. ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary storage chamber (18) has a water inlet (19), and the first water supply conduit (23) has a first end portion which is fluidically connected to the main water outlet (16), and a second end portion which is fluidically connected to the water inlet (19). ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the water tank (13) comprises the auxiliary storage chamber (18), the auxiliary storage chamber (18) being fluidly connected to the main storage chamber (14). ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the water reservoir (13) comprises a passage orifice (32) configured to establish free fluid communication between the auxiliary storage chamber (18) and the main storage chamber (14). ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the auxiliary storage chamber (18) is configured to be at least partially filled with water from the main storage chamber (14) when the laundry treatment device (1) is tilted from a first position to a second position. ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main storage chamber (14) has a first storage volume, and the auxiliary storage chamber (18) has a second volume storage volume less than the first storage volume. ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the auxiliary storage chamber (18), the auxiliary water outlet (21) and the water supply device water (22) are configured such that the auxiliary storage chamber (18) is capable of being completely emptied, via the auxiliary water outlet orifice (21), in less than 5 seconds. ) Laundry treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the auxiliary storage chamber (18) is configured to be located below the main storage chamber (14) when the apparatus linen treatment (1) occupies a rest position. 0) Linen treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water supply device (22) further comprises a closure member (25) movable between a position of closure in which the closure member (25) prevents a flow of water through the water supply device (22), and a 25 release position in which the closure member (25) allows a flow of water through the water supply device (22). 11) Apparatus for treating laundry (1) according to claim 10, which comprises a steam control member (26) configured to be operated manually by a user, the steam control member (26) being configured to move the shutter member (25) to the release position when the steam control member (26) is actuated by the user. 12) Linen treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which further comprises: - a steam emission head (5) which is mechanically connected to an upper end of the grip handle (3) and which comprises the treatment surface (11), and - a base (4) mechanically connected to a lower end of the grip handle (3), the base (4) housing the steam generator (6). 13) Linen treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is portable. 14) Apparatus for treating laundry (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is a steam straightening device or a steam iron.