U.S. patent application number 10/950715 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for steam generator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Earlex Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hopper, Timothy George.
Application Number | 20050102789 10/950715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34576693 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050102789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hopper, Timothy George |
May 19, 2005 |
Steam generator
Abstract
The generator has a handle part 3 secured to it by screws (not
shown) inserted from below the lower casing 2. The handle part has
a handle per se 4, which is of U cross-section for accommodating a
handle 21 of a hose 22. The hose handle has a resilient button 23
which is received in an aperture 5 in the handle part 3, for
retaining the hose handle in place, when not in use. Beneath the
handle 4 is an opening 11, covered by a cover plate 12. The plate
has depending lugs 14, which are disengageable by lateral finger
pressure via cut-outs 15. Removal of the cover plate opens an
aperture 31 in a water reservoir 32. The water reservoir has a
filling spout 33. The connector moulding 35 has two bored-through
projections 40,41.
Inventors: |
Hopper, Timothy George;
(Surrey, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS &
ADOLPHSON, LLP
BRADFORD GREEN BUILDING 5
755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
MONROE
CT
06468
US
|
Assignee: |
Earlex Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
34576693 |
Appl. No.: |
10/950715 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60508889 |
Oct 6, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0009 20130101;
F22B 1/288 20130101; B08B 3/00 20130101; A47L 9/0027 20130101; A47L
9/009 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/320 |
International
Class: |
A47L 007/00; A47L
005/14 |
Claims
1. A steam generator comprising: a water reservoir, a pump for
pumping water from the reservoir, a flash steam boiler for boiling
water pumped from the reservoir to produce steam, a steam supply
hose leading from the boiler, a handle at the distal end of the
hose, and means on the handle for activating the pump, to cause a
flow of steam from the distal end of the hose.
2. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the pump
activating means is an electrical switch, the pump being an
electrical pump.
3. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the pump
activating means is non-electric.
4. A steam generator according to claim 3, wherein the pump
activating means is adapted to send a non-electrical signal to a
switch for switching electrical power to the pump.
5. A steam generator according to claim 4, wherein the pump
activating means is adapted to send a pneumatic signal to the pump
switch.
6. A steam generator according to claim 5, wherein the pump
activating means on the handle is a manually operated pneumatic
system.
7. A steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the pump
activating means is arranged to be normally open to atmosphere when
in the quiescent state.
8. A steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the pump
activating means is a small bellows device on the handle.
9. A steam generator according to claim 7, wherein the pump
activating means is a small bellows device on the handle and the
bellows device has an aperture closed on activation.
10. A steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the pump
activating means is a piston and cylinder on the handle and a
bellows for actuating a microswitch in a body of the generator.
11. A steam generator according to claim 7, wherein the pump
activating means is a piston and cylinder on the handle and a
bellows for actuating a microswitch in a body of the generator.
12. A steam generator according to claim 11, wherein the piston and
cylinder device has a counter-bore at its end remote from the
electrical switch, the arrangement being such that the piston is
out of pneumatic sealing of the cylinder in its quiescent state,
hence releasing any over-pressure.
13. A steam generator according to claim 4, wherein the steam
supply hose and a pneumatic tube from the hose handle to the pump
switch are both enclosed within an outer wall.
14. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the flash steam
boiler incorporates a first thermostatic controller for switching
an electrical heater for the boiler--ON at a lower temperature and
OFF at a higher temperature.
15. A steam generator according to claim 14, wherein the lower and
higher temperatures are tens of Centigrade degrees apart, with the
lower temperature being tens of degrees above 100.degree. C.
16. A steam generator according to claim 15, wherein the lower
temperature is approximately 140.degree. C. and the upper
temperature is approximately 175.degree. C.
17. A steam generator according to claim 14, wherein the boiler
includes a second thermostatic controller for inhibiting operation
of the pump until the boiler is at or close to its operating
temperature or at least the lower of the temperatures of the first
thermostatic controller.
18. A steam generator according to claim 17, wherein the second
thermostatic controller is adapted to maintain the pump switched
OFF until the boiler is a temperature tens of Centigrade degrees
above 100.degree. C. but lower than the lower temperature of the
first thermostat.
19. A steam generator according to claim 18 as appendant to claim
15, wherein the lower temperature is approximately 140.degree. C.
and the upper temperature is approximately 175.degree. C. and the
boiler inhibition temperature is approximately 130.degree. C.
20. A steam generator according to claim 14, wherein the pump is
arranged to be inhibited below the lower temperature of the first
thermostatic controller.
21. A steam generator according to claim 17, wherein the boiler
includes a third thermostat for isolating the boiler in the event
of the temperature of the boiler reaching a temperature tens of
Centigrade degrees above the higher temperature of the first
thermostat.
22. A steam generator according to claim 21, wherein the boiler
isolation temperature is approximately 225.degree. C.
23. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the boiler is
constructed with a central, cylindrical chamber divided
longitudinally by a dividing tongue.
24. A steam generator according to claim 23, wherein the boiler is
an aluminium casting carried on a stainless steel mounting
plate.
25. A steam generator according to claim 23, wherein a water inlet
is provided on one side of the tongue and a steam outlet is
provided at the other side, the inlet and outlet being at one end
of the tongue and communication around the tongue being provided at
the other end of the tongue.
26. A steam generator according to claim 25, wherein a further
safety valve outlet, is provided at the other side of the
tongue.
27. A steam generator according to claim 26, wherein the safety
valve is an obturator in an elastomeric tube connected to the
safety valve outlet, the tube being vented on the side of the
obturator remote from the safety valve outlet, excess pressure
steam being vented on expansion of the tube around the obturator,
allowing the steam to flow past the obturator.
28. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the wattage of
the boiler and the capacity of the pump are matched whereby the
pump delivers no more water than the boiler can continuously
evaporate.
29. A steam generator according to claim 28, wherein the boiler is
rated at 2000 Watts and the pump is adapted to deliver 1.6 cubic
centimetres per second of water.
30. A steam generator according to any preceding claim, wherein the
preferred pump is a mains frequency diaphragm pump.
31. A steam generator according to claim 1, including: a casing for
the pump and the boiler, a casing handle formed to receive
releasably the hose handle and release means on the hose handle,
discrete from the pump activation means, for releasing the hose
handle from the casing handle.
32. A steam generator according to claim 31, including a caddy, the
caddy and the casing being formed complementarily for accommodation
of the caddy on the casing, a latch preferably being provided for
normally retaining the casing on the caddy.
33. A steam generator according to claim 32, in combination with
one or more steam application tools and/or one or more hose
extensions, the tool(s) and the hose extension(s) being formed: in
like manner to the casing handle to receive releasably the hose
handle and with an inner steam connection socket, held connection
with a steam connector on the handle, whilst a respective one of
the tool(s) and the hose extension(s) receives the hose handle.
34. A steam generator according to claim 33, wherein the hose
extensions have double walls, with an air gap between an outer wall
and an inner steam conduit: the outer wall having release means in
like manner to the release means on the hose handle and the inner
steam conduit having the inner steam connection socket at one end
and a steam connector at the other end, also in like manner to the
steam handle for connection to another extension or tool.
35. A steam generator according to claim 33, wherein the caddy has
a compartment for storage of the tool(s).
36. A steam generator according to claim 34, wherein the caddy has
a respective receptacle for the hose extensions, the receptacle(s)
being formed in like manner to the casing handle to receive
releasably the extension(s) with their release means.
37. A steam generator according to claim 33, wherein the caddy has
a socket for upright support of the hose extension(s), whereby an
item of clothing can be supported therefrom for steaming.
38. A steam generator according to claim 31, wherein the casing has
a compartment for storage of auxiliary tools adapted to connect to
the hose without use of the release means.
39. A steam generator according to claim 31, wherein the water
reservoir is detachable from the casing for filling with water, a
latch being preferably provided for retaining the reservoir on the
casing.
40. A steam generator according to claim 39, wherein the reservoir
is provided with a sealable lid whereby the generator can be used
at varying orientations the latch being integrated with the
sealable lid.
41. A steam generator according to claim 40, wherein the reservoir
and the casing are provided with complementary water connections
for leading water from the reservoir to the pump.
42. A steam generator according to claim 31, wherein the casing is
provided with a carrying strap, for carrying of the steam
generator--separate from the caddy where provided--for use.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a steam generator,
particularly though not exclusively for use in steam cleaning.
[0002] Domestic steam cleaners are known. For instance, Italian
utility model No GE99U27 of 30.sup.th Jul. 1999, shows apparatus
having a body containing a boiler and provided with a handle
fashioned to receive a distal end of a hose for delivering steam
from the boiler, when not in use. The production version of this
cleaner has a valve accommodated in the handle for releasing steam
into an appliance carried on the handle.
[0003] This design results in the hose being fully pressurised up
to the handle whenever the valve is not open for release of steam.
Apart from any adverse safety implications, this design at least
requires the use of constant pressure resistant hose from the
boiler to the handle.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an
improved steam generator.
[0005] According to the invention there is provided a steam
generator comprising:
[0006] a water reservoir;
[0007] a pump for pumping water from the reservoir
[0008] a flash steam boiler for boiling water pumped from the
reservoir to produce steam;
[0009] a steam supply hose leading from the boiler;
[0010] a handle at the distal end of the hose; and
[0011] means on the handle for activating the pump, to cause a flow
of steam from the distal end of the hose.
[0012] The pump activating means may be an electrical switch, where
the pump is an electrical pump as is normal. However from safety
considerations, the pump activating means is preferably
non-electric, or at least is adapted to send a non-electrical
signal to a switch for switching electrical power to the pump.
Conveniently the activating means is adapted to send a pneumatic
signal to the pump switch.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the activating means on the
handle is a manually operated pneumatic system. It is envisaged
that a small bellows device could be employed for activation.
However, we prefer to use a piston and cylinder on the handle and a
bellows for actuating a microswitch in a body of the generator. We
have noted that under certain circumstances, particularly when the
apparatus is thoroughly warmed, the pneumatic activating system,
including a pipe to the switch, becomes over-pressurised above the
pressure resulting from activation, such that release of manual
pressure does not result in the expected release of pressure in the
pipe. Accordingly it is preferred that the pneumatic activating
device is arranged to be normally open to atmosphere when in the
quiescent state. Again, the activating device can be a bellows
device, with an aperture closed on activation. However, the
preferred activating device is a piston and cylinder device having
a counter-bore at its end remote from the electrical switch, the
arrangement being such that the piston is out of pneumatic sealing
of the cylinder in its quiescent state, hence releasing any
over-pressure.
[0014] Preferably the flash steam boiler incorporates a first
thermostatic controller for switching an electrical heater for the
boiler--ON at a lower temperature and OFF at a higher temperature.
These temperatures are preferably tens of Centigrade degrees apart,
with the lower temperature being tens of degrees above 100.degree.
C. In the preferred embodiment, the lower temperature is
approximately 140.degree. C. and the upper temperature is
approximately 175.degree. C.
[0015] Further the boiler preferably includes a second thermostatic
controller for inhibiting operation of the pump until the boiler is
at or close to its operating temperature or at least the lower of
the temperatures of the first thermostatic controller. Preferably
the second thermostatic controller is adapted to maintain the pump
switch OFF until the boiler is a temperature tens of Centigrade
degrees above 100.degree. C. but lower than the lower temperature
of the first thermostat. In the preferred embodiment, the boiler
inhibition temperature is approximately 130.degree. C. As an
alternative to the provision of the second, pump-inhibition
thermostatic controller, the pump can be arranged to be inhibited
below the lower temperature of the first thermostatic
controller.
[0016] Preferably the boiler includes a third thermostat for
isolating the boiler in the event of the temperature of the boiler
reaching a temperature tens of Centigrade degrees above the higher
temperature of the first thermostat. In the preferred embodiment,
the boiler isolation temperature is approximately 225.degree.
C.
[0017] The preferred boiler is structured with a central,
cylindrical chamber divided longitudinally by a dividing tongue. A
water inlet is provided on one side of the tongue and a steam
outlet is provided at the other side, the inlet and outlet being at
one end of the tongue and communication around the tongue being
provided at the other end of the tongue. A further safety valve
outlet, is preferably provided.
[0018] The preferred safety valve is an obturator in an elastomeric
tube connected to the safety valve outlet, the tube being vented on
the side of the obturator remote from the safety valve outlet.
Over-pressure steam is vented on expansion of the tube around the
obturator, allowing the steam to flow past the obturator.
[0019] Preferably the wattage of the boiler and the capacity of the
pump are matched whereby the pump delivers no more water than the
boiler can continuously evaporate. In the preferred embodiment, the
boiler is rated at 2000 Watts and the pump is adapted to deliver
1.6 cubic centimetres per second of water.
[0020] The preferred pump is a mains frequency diaphragm pump.
[0021] Preferably, the steam generator includes:
[0022] a casing for the pump and the boiler,
[0023] a casing handle formed to receive releasably the hose handle
and
[0024] release means on the hose handle, discrete from the pump
activation means, for releasing the hose handle from the casing
handle.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the steam generator includes a
caddy, the caddy and the casing being formed complementarily for
accommodation of the caddy on the casing and a latch preferably
being provided for normally retaining the casing on the caddy.
[0026] Normally, the steam generator will be provided in
combination with one or more steam application tools and/or one or
more hose extensions, the tool(s) and the hose extension(s) being
formed:
[0027] in like manner to the casing handle to receive releasably
the hose handle and
[0028] with an inner steam connection socket, held connection with
a steam connector on the handle, whilst a respective one of the
tool(s) and the hose extension(s) receives the hose handle.
[0029] The hose extensions can have double walls, with an air gap
between an outer wall and an inner steam conduit:
[0030] the outer wall having
[0031] release means in like manner to the release means on the
hose handle and
[0032] the inner steam conduit having
[0033] the inner steam connection socket at one end and
[0034] a steam connector at the other end, also in like manner to
the steam handle for connection to another extension or tool.
[0035] Preferably the caddy has both a compartment for storage of
the tool(s) and respective receptacle(s) for the hose extension(s),
the receptacle(s) being formed in like manner to the casing handle
to receive releasably the extension(s) with their release means.
Further the caddy can have a socket for upright support of the hose
extension(s), whereby an item of clothing can be supported
therefrom for steaming.
[0036] The casing also can have a compartment for storage of
auxiliary tools adapted to connect to the hose without use of the
release means.
[0037] Preferably the water reservoir is detachable from the casing
for filling with water, a latch being preferably provided for
retaining the reservoir on the casing. Also the reservoir is
preferably provided with a sealable lid whereby the generator can
be used at varying orientations the latch being integrated with the
sealable lid.
[0038] To help understanding of the invention, a specific
embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam generator according
to the invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a similar view of the generator, with a top cover
removed;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a view of the components shown in FIG. 2, from the
other side and other end;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flash steam boiler of the
generator;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of the boiler with an end
plate removed;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a similar view of the end plate;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hose handle of the steam
generator;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a similar view of the handle with a cover part
removed;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a caddy for the steam
generator of FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the caddy of FIG. 9;
[0049] FIG. 11 a perspective view of a rigid steam hose
extension;
[0050] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side of the rigid steam
extension hose of FIG. 11;
[0051] FIG. 13 is a side view of a steam tool attached to the hose
handle of the steam generator;
[0052] FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 of the hose handle with
a smaller auxiliary tool fitted; and
[0053] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
activation device.
[0054] Referring to the drawings, the steam generator there shown
will now be described. Please note that for ease of description and
understanding of how the steam generator is constructed, the
description does not follow the order of the features of the
statement of invention set out at the beginning of this
specification.
[0055] Most parts of the generator are plastics materials injection
mouldings.
[0056] The generator has a two-part, upper and lower, casing 1,2.
The upper casing 1 has a generator handle part 3 secured to it by
screws (not shown) inserted from below the lower casing 2. The
handle part has a handle per se 4, which is of U cross-section for
accommodating a handle 21 of a hose 22. The hose handle has a
resilient button 23 which is received in an aperture 5 in the
handle part 3, for retaining the hose handle in place, when not in
use. Beneath the handle 4, the upper casing is recessed 6 to
provide finger access. Behind the recess is a double aperture 7 for
LED indicators 8,9 and a further aperture (not visible in FIG. 1)
for an ON/OFF switch 10. Behind these apertures is an opening 11,
covered by a cover plate 12. The plate has depending lugs 14, which
are disengageable by lateral finger pressure via cut-outs 15.
Removal of the cover plate opens an aperture 31 in a water
reservoir 32--described in more detail below.
[0057] At the joint line 16 between the upper and lower casings, a
rebate 17 extends around the front of the steam generator for a
carrying strap (not shown). The casings are cutaway 18 behind the
rebate to provide a space for accommodation of the water reservoir.
The lower casing has a front underneath recess 19 for a pivoted
angle fitting 24 for the hose.
[0058] Referring now in more detail to FIG. 2, the water reservoir
can be seen to have a filling spout 33, provided with an O-ring
330, which engages with an annular feature (not shown) on the
underside of the cover plate 12 for sealing the reservoir in use.
Extending forwards from the spout 33 is a water outlet nozzle 34
having an O-ring (not shown) for sealing in a connector moulding
35. Inside the spout, the nozzle is adapted with a rimmed inlet 36
for connection of a weighted tube (not shown) for drawing water
from the lowest portion of the reservoir, according to its
orientation. The reservoir can be disconnected from the generator
for filling by grasping at a pair of indents 37 in its rear wall.
The bottom of the reservoir is contoured to clear a ridge 38 in the
lower casing 2 at which a mains electricity cable (not shown)
passes into the generator to a terminal block 51.
[0059] The connector moulding 35 has rims 39 for engaging on
opposite sides of an end wall 200 of the casing at a recess for the
connector. Thus the moulding is located for sealing connection of
the nozzle 34 to it when the reservoir is connected back to the
generator after filling. The moulding has two bored-through
projections 40,41. The upper of these has a rimmed outlet 42 for a
sealing connection of a tube (not shown) to a pump 52. This is a
mains frequency diaphragm pump.
[0060] The pump's delivery tube 53 is connected to an inlet spout
54 of a boiler 55, the spout being in an end plate 56 casting of
the boiler. The latter has a main casting 57, the castings being of
aluminium. The main casting is generally rectangular, with one
rounded end 58 and a central cylindrical recess 59. Pressed into
U-shaped grooves 60 in the front and back faces of the casting are
U-shaped heating elements 61, which are wired in series.
[0061] The end plate 56 of the boiler has a horizontal tongue 560
which is a close fit in the cylindrical recess, save for leaving a
gap at the remote end of the recess. This defines a flow passage in
the boiler from the inlet spout 54, along below the tongue, round
its end and back above it to a normal outlet spout 58. A tube (not
shown shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) is connected to this which passes
into the front angle fitting 23 of the hose 22. A further outlet or
safety spout 59 is provided for another tube leading to the lower
projection 41. This has a disc 62 at its end, with an opening 63 to
atmosphere. The tube (not shown) is a tight fit on the disc and
clipped to the projection at its root against the main part of the
connector moulding. The arrangement is normally pressure tight, but
if the pressure in the boiler should reach an unsafe level, the
tube will expand radially at the disc and steam will be released
between the disc and the wall of the tube.
[0062] The boiler is sealed by an O-ring (not shown) clamped
between the castings under the action of screws (not shown)
engaging with upper and lower lugs on the endplate 56. For mounting
of the boiler with minimal heating of the casing, it is provided
with a stainless-steel, poor-conductor bracket fixed to the lower
casing 2 with minimal physical contact. On its front side opposite
from the mounting plate, the boiler casting carries three
thermistor operated controllers 64,65,66, held in tight thermal
contact with the main casting by a bar 67. The first controller 64
is normally open below 130.degree. C., and closed above this
temperature. The second controller 65 is a two temperature device,
which starts initially closed and opens at 175.degree. C. It closes
again at 140.degree. C. The third controller 66 is initially closed
and opens irreversibly at 225.degree. C.
[0063] The final main component inside the casing is a switch 69.
It is a microswitch for the pump 52. It is actuated by a pneumatic
actuator 690 positioned underneath it to its inboard side. The
actuator is connected by a pipe 25, not shown in FIGS. 2 & 3,
but visible in FIG. 8 in the handle 21. The handle carries a second
button 26 arranged over an activation bellows unit 27 connected to
the pipe 25. The handle also carries at its distal end a steam
connector fitting 28, having an O-ring 29. Connection will be
described in more detail below.
[0064] When the unit is switched on via the ON/OFF switch 10, power
is applied to the boiler heating elements 61 and to one of the LEDs
8 to indicate that the boiler is being heated. The switch
incorporates its own power-on LED 70. When but not before the
temperature reaches 130.degree. C., the first controller switches
power to the microswitch 69 and to the second LED 9, the latter to
indicate that the steam generator can be used. Action on the button
26 then switches the microswitch, by action of pneumatic pressure
from the bellows 27 to the actuator 690. The pump 52 then delivers
water to the boiler. This now being well above the boiling point of
water generates steam, which flows along the tube in the hose to
its end 30 sealed to the inner end of the connector 28. As long as
the second button 26 is depressed, steam will flow from the
connector.
[0065] The pump is rated to deliver just less water than the
capacity of the boiler heating elements to boil continuously,
whereby the boiler's temperature gradually rises. When it reaches
175.degree. C., the second controller switches off the heating
elements. The temperature of the boiler then cycles between
175.degree. C. and 140.degree. C., in fact continuously whether
steam is being used or not.
[0066] The boiler has to heat the water from ambient temperature
and then supply the latent heat of vaporisation. The latter is
considerably greater. The result is that a nominal 2KW boiler can
vaporise approximately 0.75 gm per sec of water, i.e. 45 gm/minute.
The preferred pump, Evolution Micro-Pump NME4 from Ulca srl of
Retorbido 2750 in Italy, has an initial capacity of approximately
1.6 cc/sec against a pressure of 4 bar. This is in excess of the
boiler's rating, but the boiler being heated well above 100.degree.
C. the initial flow of the pump can be vaporised. Then the flow of
the particular pump used falls below 1.6 cc/sec or 1.6 gm/sec to
approximately 0.6 to 0.7 gm/sec. This is within the continuous
rating of the boiler. The reservoir has a capacity of 750 cc. This
gives a continuous operating time of approximately a quarter of an
hour.
[0067] It should be noted that although the hose 22 is described as
such, it comprises an outer corrugated plastics material sleeve,
with the steam tube and the pneumatic tube accommodated within the
sleeve. The sleeve is secured to the handle 21 at one end and to
the angled fitting 24 at the other end. The hose enables the caddy
with the casing to be dragged on the wheels and a skid (not shown)
under the front of a caddy about to be described.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is a shown the caddy 101 for
the steam generator just described. Generally the caddy provides a
platform 102 for the steam generator and a pair of wheels 103 for
its manoeuvre. The platform has a pair of upstanding webs 104,
which engage on the outside of the lower casing 2, with lips
engaging in the strap rebate 17. A resilient flap 105 hinged 106 at
its front end is provided above and behind the wheels for holding
the casing against the webs 104, which taper slightly, the flap
being provided with pawls 107 engaging the back of the lower
casing. Depression of the flap at its back end 108 releases the
pawls for withdrawal of the casing from the caddy. Outside the webs
104, a pair of wings 109 are provided for the hose to be wound
inside and around the casing.
[0069] A recess 110 is provided at the front of the caddy for a
power cable plug (not shown). The recess has a socket 111 at its
bottom. The centre 1010 of the caddy is open for storing tools such
as the smoothing tool 1011 shown in FIG. 13. It has a socket 1012
for receiving the nose 210 of the handle, the socket and the nose
having complementary non-circular cross-sectional shapes. Also it
has an aperture 1013 for receiving the spring loaded button 23 of
the handle. Thus the tool is held fast on the handle. Internally,
the tool has a socket 1014 for making steam tight connection with
the handle's steam connector fitting 28.
[0070] Also stored are a pair of rigid hose extensions 112, along
each side of the caddy (see FIGS. 9 to 12). At one end they are
provided with resilient buttons 113 such as the button 23 on the
handle and with steam connectors 114 with O-rings. The other end of
each extension is open with a shape 115 complementary to that of
the nose of the handle, for irrotationally receiving it or the end
of another extension. When the nose of the handle is inserted, its
button 23 engages in an aperture 116 in the shaped end 115. Further
a steam socket 117 complementary to that of the steam connector 28
is provided. Thus the handle can be irrotationally and steam
tightly connected to one of the extensions and it can be connected
to the next. When the rigid hose extension are accommodated on the
caddy, their buttons 113 engage in recessed apertures 118 on
respective sides of the hinged flap 105. Internally the extensions
have at one end a moulding 119 having the steam connector 114 and
to the other end a complementary moulding 120 with the socket 117.
These mouldings are interconnected by a tube 121 forming the
internal wall of the extension spaced by an air gap 122 from the
outer wall 123.
[0071] The socket 111 is complementary to the shape of the
extensions, whereby these can be temporarily stood up in the caddy
for ease of access and temporary support of miscellaneous
items.
[0072] In an underneath cavity 80, between the boiler and the
reservoir, the casing houses a number of small auxiliary tools such
as the brush 81--see FIG. 14. It clips on to the steam connector 28
and is retained frictionally by the O-rings 29, the tool being of
the same outside dimension as the nose 210 of the handle.
[0073] The invention is not intended to be restricted to the
details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the
bellows in the handle can be replaced by the piston and cylinder
device shown in FIG. 15. This has a tapered mouth cylinder 201
connected to a pneumatic tube 202. A piston 203 is arranged to be
pushed into the cylinder, with an O-ring 204 then sealing the two.
A spring 205 urges the piston out. In the quiescent state, the
O-ring is out of engagement with the cylinder, whereby any pressure
build-up in the pneumatic tube, as from heating from the steam, is
released when the button 205 is released. Thus the pump and the
supply of steam is immediately stopped on release of the
button.
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