Abstract: A steam iron has a closed water tank 4 and a drip valve 9 for supplying water from the water tank to a vaporization chamber 14. Connected to the water tank is a pressure generator 1, the pressure end of which acts on the interior of the tank. The tank interior is connected to the sole of the iron via a pressure tube 12.

Abstract: An electrically heated steam iron has a soleplate in which are arranged an electrical heating element and a vaporization chamber, and a soleplate liner which consists of a different material from the soleplate and which is fixed thereto. The soleplate is provided with steam escape holes which communicate with respective openings in the soleplate liner, each such opening having a steam distribution groove on the ironing surface of the soleplate liner. The soleplate has recesses each congruent to a respective steam distribution groove and the longitudinal axes of all the grooves are directed towards the center of gravity of the ironing surface of the soleplate liner.

Abstract: A steam iron has a water storage tank, an evaporation chamber to provide steam for ironing, and a drip valve for regulating the flow of water from the tank into the evaporation chamber. A pressure chamber in the tank is connected to the evaporation chamber via a pressure equalization passage. The pressure chamber is also connected to receive water from the tank via a non-return valve and is connected to feed water to said evaporation chamber via said drip valve.