Abstract: An ironing apparatus which includes an ironing head, an ironing head rest including an electrical connection for supplying an electrical current to the ironing head placed on the ironing heat rest, a main tank for containing water and supplying the water to the ironing head, a water supply unit for supplying the water into the main tank, a controller for controlling the water supply unit and a load detector for detecting the placement of the ironing head on the ironing head rest, wherein the water supply unit is driven in response to an input from the load detector in response to the placement of the ironing head on the ironing head rest, thereby supplying water to the ironing head. When the ironing head is no longer in use, it retracts into the ironing head rest and is protected by a movable housing which is opened and closed by an electric drive.

Abstract: A steam iron having a removable water tank from which water is supplied to a steam generating chamber disposed in the soleplate of the iron, with steam generated thereby being ejected through apertures in the lower face of the soleplate, has a plurality of operating modes. In steam ironing mode, water is supplied continuously at a specific limited flow rate to the steam generating chamber through a water passage from the water tank. A pump mechanism communicating with the water passage is actuatable for supplying a momentary surge of water into the steam generating chamber for generating a surge of steam, and includes a reverse flow prevention valve which operates during each surge generation. Selection of the steam ironing mode, steam surge generation, or a dry ironing mode, is performed by actuation of a single operating pushbutton which is disposed at the front end of the handle of the iron.