Patent attributes
An iron includes a housing having a sole plate on a base end thereof and a water reservoir therein, for receiving water therein. A water fill valve assembly is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a one way check valve having an open first end, an opposing expandable second end proximate the water reservoir, and a valve body extending therebetween. The second end of the check valve is normally in a first constricted configuration, substantially preventing water within the water reservoir from freely exiting therethrough, and is expandable by water poured into the open first end of the valve and flowing to the second end, such that the poured-in water substantially freely flows therethrough and into the water reservoir. The second end of the check valve returns to the first configuration after the poured in water has passed therethrough.
