Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An apparatus (100) for controlling a gas distribution, wherein the apparatus (100) comprising:
a gas cylinder (102) filled with a combustible gas, wherein the gas cylinder (102) comprises a regulator (108) to regulate a pressure of the combustible gas to be supplied;
a gas distribution unit (104) connected to the regulator (108) of the gas cylinder (102), to receive the combustible gas from the gas cylinder (102), wherein the gas distribution unit (104) comprises:
a gas controller (114) to control a supply of the combustible gas; and
gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n) connected to the gas distribution unit (104) through multiple pipelines (112a-112m), to receive the combustible gas from the gas distribution unit (104).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n) comprises a heating chamber (116) to transfer a heat produced from a burnt combustible gas to a base plate (124) of a corresponding gas-based iron box of the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating chamber (116) is a double wall chamber.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating chamber (116) comprises a temperature sensor (120) to sense a temperature of the base plate (124).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the each of the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n) comprises a gas flow control unit (122) to adjust a flow of the combustible gas to be supplied to the heating chamber (116) for controlling a temperature of the base plate (124).
6. A method for controlling a gas distribution in gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n), wherein the method comprising steps of:
receiving a combustible gas by a gas distribution unit (104) from a gas cylinder (102);
controlling a supply of the combustible gas to be transferred to the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n); and
receiving the combustible gas by the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n) from the gas distribution unit (104).
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a step of transferring a heat produced from a burnt combustible gas to a base plate (124) of a corresponding gas-based iron box of the gas-based iron boxes (106a-106n).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a step of sensing a temperature of the base plate (124).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of comparing the sensed temperature with a pre-set temperature.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a step of adjusting a flow of the combustible gas to be supplied to a heating chamber (116) for controlling the temperature of the base plate (124), when the sensed temperature is greater than the pre-set temperature.
Date: 24 March, 2021
Place: Noida
Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GAS DISTRIBUTION

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: DAMARLA RAMESH BABU
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: S R ENGINEERING COLLEGE, ANANTHASAGAR (V), HASANPARTHY (M), WARANGAL, TELANGANA 506371

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a gas distribution controller and particularly to an apparatus and a method for controlling a gas distribution in gas-based iron boxes.
Description of Related Art
[002] Iron box is a handheld appliance with a flat smooth nearly triangular surface, which when heated can be used to smoothen clothes, thereby removing creases from the clothes. Over many years, the iron box has come in different shapes, sizes, and a principle of operation. Conventionally, a coal-based iron box has been used for pressing the clothes. The coal-based iron box uses a coal as a heating source for pressing the clothes. The coal is filled with an air gap within the iron box and ignited using a hydrocarbon fuel. Once the coal is fired, a heat is dissipated to a metallic base of the iron box for a smooth pressing.
[003] However, during this process, workers suffer a lot of pain due to handling of a heavy weight of the iron box which is approximately 5 Kilograms (Kg) to 6 Kilograms (Kg). Moreover, the workers are exposed to smoke and the heat that is released from the burnt coal within the iron box, causing a lot of irritation and pain in eyes of the workers while pressing the clothes. Also, the coal-based iron box does not have a thermostat for measuring a current temperature of the iron box, resulting in overheating of the iron box.
[004] Further, in another conventional approach, a gas-based iron box has been used for pressing the clothes which involves a lower cost as compared to the coal-based iron box. However, a gas heating unit is only limited to a single gas-based iron box, which makes a situation worse for the workers ironing at a common place using different gas-based iron boxes.
[005] There is thus a need for an advanced and more-effective apparatus and method for controlling a gas distribution in the gas-based iron boxes that can administer the drawbacks faced by the conventional approaches.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an apparatus for controlling a gas distribution. The apparatus comprising: a gas cylinder filled with a combustible gas. The gas cylinder comprises a regulator to regulate a pressure of the combustible gas to be supplied. The apparatus further comprising a gas distribution unit connected to the regulator of the gas cylinder, to receive the combustible gas from the gas cylinder. The gas distribution unit comprises: a gas controller to control a supply of the combustible gas. The apparatus further comprising: gas-based iron boxes connected to the gas distribution unit through multiple pipelines, to receive the combustible gas from the gas distribution unit.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for controlling a gas distribution in gas-based iron boxes. The method comprising steps of: receiving a combustible gas by a gas distribution unit from a gas cylinder; controlling a supply of the combustible gas to be transferred to the gas-based iron boxes; and receiving the combustible gas by the gas-based iron boxes from the gas distribution unit.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus for controlling a gas distribution in multiple gas-based iron boxes.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus of controlling a gas distribution that utilizes a single gas cylinder to supply a combustible gas to multiple gas-based iron boxes.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present invention provide a gas-based iron box that is very light in weight ranging from 3 Kilograms to 3.5 Kilograms.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates an apparatus for controlling a gas distribution, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of a gas-based iron box, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the gas-based iron box, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling the gas distribution in the gas-based iron box, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates an apparatus 100 for controlling a gas distribution, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 may comprise a gas cylinder 102, a gas distribution unit 104 and gas-based iron boxes 106a-106n (hereinafter referred to as the gas-based iron box 106). The gas cylinder 102 may be filled with a combustible gas, to supply the combustible gas to the gas distribution unit 104. The gas cylinder 102 may be, but not limited to, a hydrogen gas cylinder, an oxygen gas cylinder, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas cylinder 102 may be a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the gas cylinder 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed gas cylinders.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the combustible gas may be, but not limited to, a natural gas, a butane gas, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the combustible gas may be a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the combustible gas, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas cylinder 102 may comprise a regulator 108 to regulate a pressure of the combustible gas to be supplied to the gas distribution unit 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The regulator 108 may be, but not limited to, a clip-on regulator, a bolt on regulator, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the regulator 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the gas distribution unit 104 may be connected to the regulator 108 of the gas cylinder 102 through a hose 110. The hose 110 may be made up of a material, such as, but not limited to, a poly Teflon material, a copper material, a yellow brass material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the hose 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The gas distribution unit 104 may be configured to receive the combustible gas from the gas cylinder 102 through the hose 110. The gas distribution unit 104 may comprise multiple distribution ports to supply the combustible gas to the gas-based iron box 106 through multiple pipelines 112a-112m (hereinafter referred to as the pipelines 112), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the pipelines 112 may be connected to the corresponding gas-based iron box 106 to supply the combustible gas from the gas distribution unit 104.
[0026] The gas distribution unit 104 may comprise a gas controller 114 to control the supply of the combustible gas that may be transferred to the gas-based iron box 106. The gas-based iron box 106 may be connected to the gas distribution unit 104 through the pipelines 112, to receive the combustible gas from the gas distribution unit 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, a weight of each of the gas-based iron box 106 may be in range of 3 Kilograms (Kgs) to 3.5 Kilograms (Kg).
[0027] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the gas-based iron box 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas-based iron box 106 may be powered by the combustible gas to iron clothes, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clothes may be of any fabric such as, but not limited to, a cotton fabric, a nylon fabric, a synthetic fabric, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the fabric of the clothes.
[0028] The gas-based iron box 106 may comprise a heating chamber 116 to house a gas burner (not shown) that may be fueled through the combustible gas that may be received from the gas cylinder 102 (as shown in the FIG. 1A) through the gas distribution point 104 (as shown in the FIG. 1A). In an embodiment of the present invention, a flame gun may be used to extract the combustible gas from the gas cylinder 102. In another embodiment of the present invention, a matchstick box may be used to extract the combustible gas from the gas cylinder 102. The heating chamber 116 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a stainless steel, a carbon steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the heating chamber 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The heating chamber 116 may be a double wall chamber, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] The heating chamber 116 may further comprise a vent 118 that may be provided to remove exhaust gases that may be emitted as a result of ignition of the combustible gas. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating chamber 116 may transfer a heat that may be produced from the burnt combustible gas to a base plate 124 (as shown in FIG. 1C) that may be in direct contact to the clothes to be pressed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature of the burnt combustible gas may be in a range of 60 degree Celsius to 150 degree Celsius.
[0030] The heating chamber 116 may further comprise a temperature sensor 120 to sense a temperature of the base plate 124, in an embodiment of the present invention. The temperature sensor 120 may be configured to transmit the sensed temperature to a gas flow control unit 122. The temperature sensor 120 may be, but not limited to, an infrared sensor, a thermistor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor 120 may be a thermocouple. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the temperature sensor 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] The gas-based iron box 106 may further comprise the gas flow control unit 122 to control a flow of the combustible gas that may be supplied through one of, the pipelines 112 to the heating chamber 116 from the gas cylinder 102. The gas flow control unit 122 may comprise an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port may be connected to one of, the pipelines 112 and the outlet port may be connected to the temperature sensor 120 of the gas-based iron box 106. The gas flow control unit 122 may control the flow of the combustible gas based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas flow control unit 122 may be a temperature calibrated flow control unit. The gas flow control unit 122 may compare the sensed temperature that may be received from the temperature sensor 120 with a pre-set temperature.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas flow control unit 122 may be configured to adjust the flow of the combustible gas, when the sensed temperature is greater than the pre-set temperature. The gas flow control unit 122 may be configured to adjust the flow of the combustible gas for controlling the temperature of the base plate 124 of the gas-based iron box 106 to iron different types of the clothes. In another embodiment of the present invention, the gas flow control unit 122 may be configured to enable the temperature sensor 120 to continue sensing the temperature of the base plate 124 of the gas-based iron box 106.
[0033] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the gas-based iron box 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas-based iron box 106 may comprise the base plate 124 and a handle 126. The base plate 124 may be pressed against a surface of the clothes to remove wrinkles, in an embodiment of the present invention. The base plate 124 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the stainless steel, a metal, a ceramic, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the base plate 124 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] The handle 126 may be rigidly affixed to a cover plate (not shown) of the gas-based iron box 106 through fasteners, in an embodiment of the present invention. The fasteners may be, but not limited to, nuts, bolts, screws, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the fasteners, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the handle 126 may be designed to be gripped by a user to press the base plate 124 onto the clothes. The handle 126 may be made up of a material, such as, but not limited to, a wood, a plastic, a metal, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the handle 126 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The handle 126 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a U-shaped handle, a square shaped handle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the shape of the handle 126 that may accommodate a hand of the user, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 of controlling the gas distribution in the gas-based iron box 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] At step 202, the combustible gas may be received by the gas distribution unit 104 from the gas cylinder 102.
[0037] At step 204, the supply of the combustible gas may be controlled to transfer the combustible gas to the gas-based iron box 106.
[0038] At step 206, the combustible gas may be received by the gas-based iron box 106 from the gas distribution unit 104.
[0039] At step 208, the heat produced from the burnt combustible gas may be transferred to the base plate 124 of the gas-based iron box 106.
[0040] At step 210, the temperature of the base plate 124 of the gas-based iron box 106 may be sensed by the temperature sensor 120.
[0041] At step 212, the sensed temperature may be compared with the pre-set temperature. If the sensed temperature is greater than the pre-set temperature, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 214. Otherwise, the method may return to the step 210.
[0042] At the step 214, the flow of the combustible gas may be adjusted by the gas flow control unit 122 to control the temperature of the gas-based iron box 106.
[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.