U.S. patent application number 12/184747 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for compact steam appliance with folding handle.
Invention is credited to Anthony Kit Lun Leung.
Application Number | 20100024492 12/184747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41129472 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun |
February 4, 2010 |
COMPACT STEAM APPLIANCE WITH FOLDING HANDLE
Abstract
A portable steamer (1) comprises a housing (14) that includes a
water reservoir (8) and boiler or heater (9), as well as internal
structures (10, 11) designed to inhibit steam emission and to
prevent inadvertent leaking and emission of water and steam, and a
folding handle (4).
Inventors: |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun;
(North Point, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lawrence Cruz;Conair Corporation
One Cummings Point Road
STAMFORD
CT
06902
US
|
Family ID: |
41129472 |
Appl. No.: |
12/184747 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 73/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/222 |
International
Class: |
D06F 87/00 20060101
D06F087/00 |
Claims
1. A handheld steam appliance comprising a water reservoir adapted
to receive water therein; a heater adapted to heat water received
in said reservoir to convert it to steam vapor; an intermediate
chamber to which steam vapor travels from said reservoir; at least
one outlet nozzle opening to which steam vapor travels from said
intermediate chamber and from which said steam vapor is emitted
from said appliance; and a water and vapor flow inhibiting system,
said system comprising a first wall separating said reservoir from
said intermediate chamber and an opening through said first wall
adapted to permit steam vapor to pass through said first wall.
2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said opening through
said first wall comprises a first blocking structure adapted to
inhibit water and vapor flow, said first blocking structure
comprising a generally cylindrically shaped structure having an
internal chamber and an opening adjacent to each end thereof and
each opening being in fluid communication with said internal
chamber, and said first blocking structure being positioned such
that said first end and said second end facilitate flow of water
and vapor between said reservoir and said intermediate chamber.
3. An appliance according to claim 2, further comprising a second
blocking structure comprising a generally cylindrically shaped
structure having an internal chamber and an opening adjacent to
each end thereof and each opening being in fluid communication with
said internal chamber, and said second blocking structure being
positioned such that said first end and said second end facilitate
flow of water and vapor between said intermediate chamber and said
at least one outlet nozzle opening.
4. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a handle
attached to said appliance, said handle being adapted to be held by
a user's hand and being adapted to be selectively moved to a
position in which it is folded against said appliance or to a
position in which it is unfolded so that it is spaced apart from
said appliance.
5. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a set of
bristles attached to said appliance adjacent to said at least one
outlet nozzle opening.
6. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a lint
collecting pad attached to said appliance adjacent to said at least
one outlet nozzle opening.
7. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a
removable plate adapted to be selectively attached to or removed
from said appliance at a location adjacent to said at least one
outlet nozzle opening; a set of bristles attached to said removable
plate; and a lint collecting pad attached to said removable plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to fabric and garment care
appliances and, more particularly, to steaming appliances.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Various types of steaming appliances exist for applying
steam to fabrics or garments to remove wrinkles or to clean them.
Such appliances are usually referred to as "garment steamers" and
typically comprise a water reservoir, a heat source that is heated
by electrical energy to cause the water to boil and produce steam,
and a nozzle for emitting the steam. Some garment steamers are
large and have a base designed to rest on the floor or on a flat
surface. Others are small and designed to be compact or portable.
Some portable garment steamers include a soleplate of the type a
clothing iron has, and they function as both steamer and iron.
[0006] There is a desire to create portable steamer designs that
maximize water (and thus steam) capacity, that minimize storage
space and weight, and that maximize ease of use and portability. In
addition, because in a portable steamer the reservoir is usually
fixed to the rest of the structure, rather than separated as a base
that rests on the floor while a handheld component is manipulated,
there is a special need to design a portable steamer that does not
inadvertently drip hot water or leak steam when the appliance is
tipped and maneuvered during use.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable garment steamer that maximizes water (and thus steam)
capacity, that minimizes storage space and weight, and that
maximizes ease of use and portability. It is a further object of
the present invention to provide a portable steamer that does not
inadvertently drip hot water or leak steam when the appliance is
tipped and maneuvered during use. It is a further object to provide
a portable steamer that has a compact design that includes a
folding handle.
[0008] These and other objects are achieved by the present
invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] According to the present invention, a portable steamer
comprises a housing that includes a water reservoir and boiler or
heater, as well as internal structures designed to prevent
inadvertent leaking and emission of water and steam, and a folding
handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a front view of a portable steamer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a side view of a portable steamer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1C is a rear view of a portable steamer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a top view of a portable steamer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a portable steamer according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a component of a portable
steamer according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3C is a partial, perspective view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a portable steamer during a
mode of use according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 4A is a schematic, side view of a portable steamer
during a mode of use according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4B is a schematic, front view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5A is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a portable
steamer according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 5B is a schematic, side cross-sectional view of a
portable steamer according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5C is a schematic, side cross-sectional view of a
portable steamer according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention positioned horizontally.
[0024] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention having
its handle extended.
[0025] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention having
its handle collapsed.
[0026] FIG. 6C is a rear, perspective view of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention having
its handle collapsed.
[0027] FIG. 6D are top, front and side views of a portable steamer
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention having
its handle collapsed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to the drawing figures, a steamer (1) comprises a
base (2), a top portion (3), a handle (4), a set of outlet nozzle
openings (5) to emit steam vapor (32), a set of brush bristles (6),
and a lint collecting pad (7). A water tank (8) is provided above
the base (2). Internally located is a heater (9), which may be a
PTC heater or other conventional type heater driven by electrical
energy from an external or battery source. A first water and steam
blocking structure (10), described in more detail below, is
provided above the water tank (8). A second water and steam
blocking structure (11), described in more detail below, is
provided within the upper section (17) of the steamer (1)
housing.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the handle (4) is connected to two
struts (12, 13), each being connected to the exterior housing (14)
of the steamer (1) and to the handle (4) by a set of hinges (15).
The hinges (15) enable the handle (4) to be folded relatively
upwardly and toward the steamer housing (14) to a handle-closed
position as shown in FIG. 6B, from the handle-opened position of
FIG. 6A. A handle-lock release button (16) activates a mechanical
lock (not shown) of a conventional type to release the handle (4)
from a locked handle-closed position.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3D, in use the upper portion (3) of the
housing is detached and removed from the remainder of the housing
(14), so that water (18) may be added to the water tank (8). As
shown in FIG. 3D, the first blocking structure (10) is a raised,
cylindrically-shaped extension that projects above the ceiling (20)
of the water tank (8). An opening (19) allows the water (18) to
enter tank (8). The first blocking structure (10) includes a floor
section (21) with an opening (22) as shown in FIG. 5B, and a
ceiling section (30). Thus, water passing into and out of the water
tank (8) must travel through the lower opening (22), through the
generally cylindrical, vertically aligned interior (29) of the
first blocking structure, and then through the upper opening (19).
While the water rests in the tank (8) and is heated to and past
boiling point, resultant steam rises out of the tank (8) through
first opening (22) and then opening (19). The steam passes through
an intermediate chamber (23) located in the upper section (17). It
then reaches and passes through an opening (24) in the second
blocking structure (11). The second blocking structure (11) is
shaped generally like a cylinder and is positioned horizontally and
in alignment with the outlet nozzle openings (5). Steam vapor (32)
that emits from the steamer (1), thus, must pass through the second
blocking structure (11) before exiting via the outlet nozzle
openings (5). The second blocking structure (11) includes an
opening (24) and a generally cylindrically shaped interior (31),
wherein the interior (31) is in fluid communication with the outlet
nozzle openings (5).
[0031] As shown in FIG. 5C, when the steamer (1) is tipped
horizontally during use or inadvertently, water is prohibited from
dripping or leaking out of the steamer (1). For example, the
exterior wall (25) of the second blocking structure (11) traps the
water (26) that collects in the intermediate chamber (23),
preventing it from exiting the nozzles (5). The water contained in
water tank (8) is trapped behind the ceiling (20) of the water tank
(8) except for the water that rises up to the opening (22), which
spills into the intermediate chamber (23). As is apparent,
selection of the internal dimensions of the water tank (8), the
intermediate chamber (23), and the sizes and locations of the
openings and structures of the first and second blocking structures
(10, 11) can be made to ensure that the maximum amount of water
held in the water tank (8) will not be enough to leak from the
nozzles (5) when the steamer is tipped horizontally as viewed from
the side, as shown in FIG. 5C and in FIG. 4A, and when tipped
within a range of 45 degrees in either direction when viewed from
the front as shown in FIG. 4B. The heater (9) will still operate to
produce steam vapor when the steamer (1) is tipped horizontally.
The blocking structures (10, 11) also physically inhibit steam
vapor from exiting too quickly from the tank (8) to the outlet
nozzle openings (5).
[0032] The brush bristles (6) may be used to smooth or comb a
fabric to which steam is being applied in order to help smooth out
wrinkles and assist in penetration of steam. The lint pad (7) is
used to remove lint and debris during use. A cup (27) may be
included as part of a kit of accessories and used for adding water
(18) to the steamer (1). The brush bristles (6) and lint pad (7)
may be mounted to a removable plate (28) adapted to be selectively
attached to or detached from the steamer (1) as desired.
[0033] The appliance 1 according to the present invention may be
powered by an external electrical source such as a wall plug, via a
conventional electrical cord (not shown), or it may be powered by
conventional batteries (not shown) or by a conventional
rechargeable source such as a rechargeable battery (not shown).
[0034] Although the preferred embodiment is described, by way of
example, with reference to use as a garment steamer, such a steamer
as described herein may have numerous other uses such as a cleaning
appliance or glue and wallpaper remover, and other uses not
specifically mentioned.
[0035] While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed, various
modification can be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
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