Rapid cool iron and related iron improvements

Abstract

A rapid cool iron has a body and a low specific heat sole plate having an element bonded to or formed upon a top surface, said body and said sole plate being separated by an air gap to allow for the free flow of air over said top surface of said sole plate. Also taught is a fan to more rapidly cool the sole plate through forced convection. Also taught is a controller that is configured to only apply power when the rapid cool iron is in a horizontal orientation. Also taught is a steam generator which may be independent from or integrated with the sole plate, an external water reservoir/stand which includes a water filter, an ergonomically designed tilt handle with integrated controls and a grip sensor, and a forward facing light to illuminate the material being ironed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A rapid cool iron comprising: 
 a) a rapid cool iron body;    b) a low specific heat sole plate having an element bonded to or formed upon a top surface;    c) a means to mount said sole plate on a plane below the bottom surface of said rapid cool iron body;    d) an air gap between said sole plate and said rapid cool iron body allowing the free flow of air between said sole plate and said rapid cool iron body.    
     
     
         2 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a fan that is positioned to direct air over the top surface of said sole plate and more rapidly cool said sole plate through forced convection.  
     
     
         3 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a control circuit that is in communication with a power source and is configured to apply power to said sole plate when said rapid cool iron is in a horizontal orientation, and to not apply power to said sole plate when said rapid cool iron is in a vertical orientation.  
     
     
         4 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a steam generator which may be independent from said sole plate.  
     
     
         5 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a steam generator which may be integrated with said sole plate, said steam generator being formed by placing a cap over a portion of said sole plate, said cap being in thermal communication with said sole plate and positioned and mounted such that air may flow freely over the exposed surface of said cap.  
     
     
         6 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a second element for the generation of steam, said second element being in communication with a power supply when steam is required or in anticipation thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an external water reservoir which may be filled through an integrated filter, said external water reservoir being located in a stand for said rapid cool iron, and said external water reservoir being in communication with a smaller reservoir internal to said iron when said rapid cool iron is placed in said stand.  
     
     
         8 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a tilt handle, said tilt handle being ergonomically designed and covered with a soft touch material, said tilt handle incorporating controls and sensors for said rapid cool iron, and said controls and sensors located for comfortable access.  
     
     
         9 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a safety sensor on a handle, said safety sensor positioned to sense the presence of a user's hand on said handle, and said safety sensor having a first connection to a power supply and a second connection to the internal components of said iron and configured such that said internal components may only be connected to said power supply said rapid cool iron is in use.  
     
     
         10 . A rapid cool iron as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a forward facing light, said light positioned to generally illuminate the material to be ironed by said rapid cool iron.