U.S. patent application number 15/318129 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for garment steamer head.
The applicant listed for this patent is KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. Invention is credited to MILIND VISHWAS DATE, POOI YEOW KUAN, CHIN YOUNG WONG.
Application Number | 20170114495 15/318129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50979554 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170114495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DATE; MILIND VISHWAS ; et
al. |
April 27, 2017 |
GARMENT STEAMER HEAD
Abstract
The present application relates to a garment steamer head (10)
comprising a body (11) to serve as a handle, and a steam nozzle
(12) connected to the body (11). The body (11) includes a connector
(17) for coupling the garment steamer head (10) to a steam supply
hose (16) of a garment steamer. The connector (17) comprises a
coupling element (19) that is rotatable relative to the body (11)
and steam nozzle (12) such that the body (11) and steam nozzle (12)
together are rotatable relative to the steam supply hose (16) when
the steam supply hose (16) is connected to the coupling element
(19). The garment steamer head (10) further comprises a link pipe
(21) connected between the connector (17) and the steam nozzle
(12). The link pipe (21) is made of a flexible material to allow
rotation of the coupling element (19) relative to the body
(11).
Inventors: |
DATE; MILIND VISHWAS;
(EINDHOVEN, NL) ; KUAN; POOI YEOW; (EINDHOVEN,
NL) ; WONG; CHIN YOUNG; (EINDHOVEN, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
50979554 |
Appl. No.: |
15/318129 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
May 18, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/060825 |
371 Date: |
December 12, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 87/00 20130101;
D06F 73/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 87/00 20060101
D06F087/00; D06F 73/00 20060101 D06F073/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 17, 2014 |
EP |
14172734.7 |
Claims
1. A garment steamer head comprising a body to serve as a handle,
and a steam nozzle connected to the body, the body including a
connector for coupling the garment steamer head to a steam supply
hose of a garment steamer, wherein the connector comprises a
coupling element that is rotatable relative to the body and steam
nozzle such that the body and steam nozzle together are rotatable
relative to the steam supply hose when the steam supply hose is
connected to the coupling element, wherein the garment steamer head
further comprises a link pipe connected between the connector and
the steam nozzle, the link pipe being made of a flexible material
to allow rotation of the coupling element relative to the body.
2. A garment steamer head according to claim 1 wherein the
connector is configured such that the body and steam nozzle are
rotatable relative to the coupling element, and thereby relative to
the steam supply hose when connected to the coupling element, about
a rotational axis and wherein the body and steam nozzle are freely
rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the coupling
element through 360 degrees.
3. A garment steamer head according to claim 1 wherein the
connector comprises a fixed element fixed relative to the body, and
the coupling element is moveably mounted to the fixed element.
4. A garment steamer head according to claim 3 wherein a resilient
seal is provided between the fixed element and the coupling element
to prevent steam passing between the fixed element and the coupling
element.
5. A garment steamer head according to claim 3 wherein the coupling
element and the fixed element are each circular tubular components
which are coaxially arranged with one received at least partially
within the other, and wherein the coupling element is rotatable
relative to the fixed element along the common axis (X-X) of the
coupling element and fixed element.
6. A garment steamer head according to claim 3 wherein the coupling
element comprises a tubular member with a peripheral flange, and
the fixed element comprises an annular groove within the body
within which the peripheral flange is received.
7. A garment steamer head according to claim 3, wherein the
coupling element and the fixed element are configured as a
ball-and-socket joint.
8. A garment steamer head according to claim 7, wherein the fixed
element comprises an at least part-spherical recess, and the
coupling element comprises an at least part-spherical member which
is rotatably received in the recess of the fixed element.
9. A garment steamer head according to claim 3 wherein the fixed
element is a separate component to the body and is fixedly secured
within the body.
10. A garment steamer head according to claim 3 wherein the fixed
element is integrally formed with the body.
11. A steam supply hose for use in a garment steamer, and
comprising a connector for coupling the steam supply hose to a
garment steamer head that serves as a handle of the garment
steamer, wherein the connector comprises a coupling element that is
rotatable relative to the steam supply hose such that the steam
supply hose is rotatable relative to the garment steamer head when
the garment steamer head is connected to the coupling element,
wherein the steam supply hose is configured to connect to the steam
nozzle of the garment steamer head via a link pipe that is
connected between the connector and the steam nozzle, the link pipe
being made of a flexible material to allow rotation of the coupling
element relative to the steam supply hose.
12. A garment steamer comprising a water reservoir, a steam
generator to generate steam from water supplied from the reservoir,
a steam supply hose to supply steam from the steam generator, and a
garment steamer head connected to the steam supply hose, wherein
the garment steamer head or the steam supply hose is configured
according to claim 1 such that the body and steam nozzle together
are rotatable relative to the steam supply hose.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of garments steamers and,
more specifically, to a garment steamer head or a steam supply hose
for use in a garment steamer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Garment steamers normally comprise a water reservoir, a
steam generator, a steam supply hose and a garment steamer head.
Water from the reservoir is converted into steam by the steam
generator and the steam is transferred from the steam generator to
the garment steamer head via a steam supply hose. The steam supply
hose needs to offer low resistance to steam flow, include
insulation to keep the hose surface temperature low and avoid heat
loss from the steam conveyed through the hose, and be durable to
withstand operating stresses during its lifetime. As a result,
steam supply hoses of garment steamers are often stiff and
bulky.
[0003] The garment steamer head is the main user interface for
steam application, and the steam supply hose is connected directly
to the garment steamer head. A user holds the garment steamer head
with one hand and uses it to remove wrinkles from a garment by
stretching the garment with the other free hand and sliding the
garment steamer head over the garment, normally in vertical
stroke.
[0004] The manual movement of the heavy garment steamer head can be
tiring and generate fatigue in a user. This fatigue can be
exacerbated by the stiff steam supply hose, directly connected to
the garment steamer head, making the garment steamer head less
maneuverable and requiring a user to exert force to deflect the
stiff hose to move the steamer head as required. In addition, after
use of the garment steamer, the steam supply hose and garment
steamer head may have become twisted relative to the fixed steam
generator and may require untwisting to return it to a required
orientation for placement in a holder or stand whilst not in
use.
[0005] A conventional garment steamer head is disclosed in
CN201567490 and includes a handle with a rotatable steam head
mounted on the handle. Although the steam head can rotate relative
to the handle, the handle is fixedly secured to a steam supply hose
of a garment steamer.
[0006] Chinese utility model CN 201,933,340 U discloses a garment
steamer comprising a steam nozzle, a handle and a steam hose. The
handle and steam nozzle are rotatable relative to the steam
hose.
[0007] Chinese utility model CN 201,883,320 U discloses a garment
steamer with a steam nozzle, a handle and a steam guide pipe. A
spring is located in the steam guide pipe to reduce the amount of
condenced water that is sprayed out of the steam nozzle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a garment
steamer head, a steam supply hose, and a garment steamer, which
substantially alleviates or overcomes one or more of the problems
mentioned above.
[0009] The invention is defined by the independent claims; the
dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a garment steamer head comprising a body to serve as a
handle, and a steam nozzle connected to the body, the body
including a connector for coupling the garment steamer head to a
steam supply hose of a garment steamer, wherein the connector
comprises a coupling element that is rotatable relative to the body
and steam nozzle such that the body and steam nozzle together are
rotatable relative to the steam supply hose when a steam supply
hose is connected to the coupling element, characterised in that
the garment steamer head further comprises a link pipe connected
between the connector and the steam nozzle, the link pipe being
made of a flexible material to allow rotation of the coupling
element relative to the body.
[0011] The connector may be configured such that the body and steam
nozzle are rotatable relative to the coupling element, and thereby
relative to a steam supply hose connected to the coupling element,
about a rotational axis and wherein the body and steam nozzle are
freely rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the coupling
element through 360 degrees. This advantageously allows the body
and steam nozzle of the garment steamer head to be turned
frequently during use relative to the steam supply hose without the
steam supply hose being tangled or twisted, or increasing
resistance to maneuverability of the garment steamer head.
[0012] The connector may comprise a fixed element fixed relative to
the body and the coupling element may be moveably mounted to the
fixed element. The fixed element may advantageously retain the
coupling element within the body of the garment steamer head.
[0013] A resilient seal may be provided between the fixed element
and the coupling element to prevent steam passing between the fixed
element and the coupling element. This advantageously ensures no
leakage of the supplied steam, optimizes steam supply to the steam
nozzle, and reduces heating of the body of the garment steamer
head.
[0014] The coupling element and the fixed element may each be
circular tubular components which are coaxially arranged with one
received at least partially within the other, and the coupling
element is rotatable relative to the fixed element along the common
axis of the coupling element and fixed element. This advantageously
allows ease of relative rotational movement of the two elements and
results in a simple connector that is relatively easy to
manufacture and assemble.
[0015] The coupling element may comprise a tubular member with a
peripheral flange and the fixed element may comprise an annular
groove within the body within which the peripheral flange is
received. This arrangement allows for rotational movement of the
coupling element but also restricts axial movement of the coupling
element within the body to provide a reliable moveable but also
resilient connector configuration.
[0016] The coupling element and the fixed element may be configured
as a ball-and-socket joint. The fixed element may comprise an at
least part-spherical recess, and the coupling element may comprise
an at least part-spherical member which is rotatably received in
the recess of the fixed element. This advantageously allows not
only rotational movement of the coupling element about an axis, but
also a swiveling movement about a plane around the axis of
rotation.
[0017] The fixed element may be a separate component to the body
which may be fixedly secured within the body. This may allow the
connector arrangement to be secured within existing garment steamer
head body shapes, minimizing adaption of existing manufacturing
tools and machinery. This may also advantageously make
manufacturing tooling simpler as less complex body configurations
may be required, and may allow pre-assembly of the connector before
fitting to the body of a garment steamer head.
[0018] The fixed element may be integrally formed with the body.
This may advantageously simplify assembly during manufacture be
reducing the parts count of the garment steamer head, and may make
assembly and manufacture quicker.
[0019] The present invention also provides a garment steamer
comprising a water reservoir, a steam generator to generate steam
from water supplied from the reservoir, a steam supply hose to
supply steam from the steam generator, and a garment steamer head
as described above, connected to the steam supply hose and
configured such that the body and steam nozzle together are
rotatable relative to the steam supply hose.
[0020] Alternatively, the connector is part of the steam supply
hose rather than of the garment steamer head, and the above defined
embodiments of the connector can alternatively be used when the
connector is part of the steam supply hose.
[0021] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent
from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a garment steamer including
a garment steamer head of an embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a garment steamer
head of a first embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a garment steamer
head of a second embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the garment
steamer head of FIG. 3, with a cut-away portion showing the
connector within the garment steamer head;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a garment steamer
head of a third embodiment of the invention; and
[0028] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the garment
steamer head of FIG. 5, with a cut-away portion showing the
connector within the garment steamer head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a garment steamer 1 including
a garment steamer head 10 of an embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a garment steamer head 10 of
a first embodiment of the invention. The garment steamer 1
comprises a housing 2 containing a water reservoir 3 and a steam
generator 4. A steam supply hose 16 is connected to the steam
generator 4 and to a garment steamer head 10, 30, 50 to supply
steam from the steam generator 4 to the garment steamer head 10,
30, 50.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the garment steamer head 10 of the
first embodiment of the invention comprises a body 11 and a steam
nozzle 12 connected to the body 11. The steam nozzle 12 includes a
plurality of holes 13 in an end face 14 of the steam nozzle 12,
through which steam is expelled when in use. A steam duct 15
extends within body 11 to convey steam through the steamer head 10
to the steam nozzle 12. In use, a steam supply hose 16 of a garment
steamer 1 is connected to the garment steamer head 10 to supply
steam to the garment steamer head 10 to be expelled through the
holes 13 of the steam nozzle 12.
[0031] The garment steamer head 10 includes a connector 17 for
coupling a steam supply hose 16 to the garment steamer head 10. The
connector 17 comprises a first, fixed element 18 and a second,
rotatable coupling element 19. The fixed element 18 is a circular
tubular component having an inlet end 18a and an outlet end 18b,
and is fixedly secured within the body 11 of the garment steamer
head 10. The coupling element 19 is also a circular tubular
component with an inlet end 19a and an outlet end 19b. The coupling
element 19 has a hollow bore of a diameter slightly larger than the
outer diameter of the inlet end 18a of the fixed element 18. The
fixed and coupling elements 18, 19 are connected in co-axial
alignment (see common axis X-X in FIG. 2) with the inlet end 18a of
the fixed element received within the hollow bore of the outlet end
19b of the coupling element 19. The coupling element 19 is thereby
freely rotatable relative to the fixed element 19 about their
common axis X-X.
[0032] The outlet end 18b of the fixed element 18 includes a first
ridged outer surface 20 to securely retain a flexible link pipe 21
which connects the fixed element 18 to the steam duct 15. The steam
duct 15 similarly includes a ridged end portion 22 to securely
retain the flexible link pipe 21 thereon.
[0033] In use, a steam supply hose 16 of a garment steamer 1 (refer
to FIG. 1) is connected to the inlet end 19a of the coupling
element 19. The inlet end 19a of the coupling element 19 includes a
second ridged outer surface 23 to securely retain a steam supply
hose 16 when connected thereto. Steam may then be supplied from a
steam generator 4 (refer to FIG. 1) of the garment steamer 1,
through the steam supply hose 16, through the coupling element 19
and fixed element 18 of the connector 17, through the flexible link
pipe 21, through the steam duct 15 and out through the holes 13 in
the end face 14 of the steam nozzle 12, onto the garment being
steamed.
[0034] The fixed element 18 includes two spaced circumferential
recessed channels 24 around the outer perimeter surface of the
inlet end 18a. A sealing gasket 25 is located in each channel 24.
In the embodiment shown, the sealing gasket comprises a rubber
O-ring 25 although other configurations of gasket may be used
within the scope of the invention. In use, the o-rings 25 prevent
steam from leaking out from between the fixed element 18 and the
coupling element 19. The sealing gasket 25 may be lubricated to
reduce friction between the sealing gasket 25 and the rotatable
coupling element 19.
[0035] Since the coupling element 19 is freely rotatable relative
to the fixed element 18, the body 11 and steam nozzle 12 of the
garment steamer head 10 are freely rotatable relative to the steam
supply hose 16. This significantly reduces any resistance to
maneuvering the garment steamer head 10 that may otherwise be
provided by the stiff steam supply hose 16. It also means that the
steam supply hose 16 cannot get twisted by rotation of the garment
steamer head 10, meaning the steam supply hose 16 does not need to
be unwound or untangled after use, before the garment steamer head
10 is replaced in a holder (not shown) of the garment steamer
1.
[0036] The rotatable coupling element 19 comprises an annular
groove 26 and the body 11 comprises an internal flange 27. The
internal flange 27 of the body 11 is received in the annular groove
26 of the rotatable coupling element 19 such that the rotatable
coupling element 19 is rotatable relative to the body 11. If the
rotatable coupling element 19 is urged in the axial direction of
the body 11, the internal flange 27 of the body 11 will be urged
against the periphery of the annular groove 26 in the rotatable
coupling element 19 to prevent movement of the rotatable coupling
element 19 relative to the body 11 in the axial direction of the
body 11. Therefore, the rotatable coupling element 19, and thus the
steam supply hose 16 that is attached thereto, is prevented from
being pulled out of the body 11 of the steamer head 10 during use.
It will be appreciated that alternative configurations to restrict
axial movement of the rotatable coupling element 19 relative to the
body 11 are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. For
example, in one embodiment (not shown) the rotatable coupling
element comprises an external flange and the body comprises an
annular groove or pair of upstanding lips that receive the external
flange of the rotatable coupling element.
[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a garment steamer head 30 of a second
embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 4 showing an enlarged
cut-away view of a portion of the garment steamer head 30. Like
features of the garment steamer head 10 of the first embodiment
retain the same reference numerals and will not be described
again.
[0038] A difference between the garment steamer head 30 of the
second embodiment is that it includes a different configuration of
connector 37 for coupling a steam supply hose 16 of a garment
steamer (not shown) to the garment steamer head 30. In the second
embodiment, the connector 37 comprises a coupling element 39 in the
form of a tube which is rotatably held within the body 11 of the
garment steamer head 30. The coupling element 39 includes a
peripheral flange 40 which is received in a fixed element 38 in the
form of an annular groove 38 on the inside surface of the body 11.
The annular groove 38 may be formed integrally with the body 11 of
the garment steamer head 30, or may be a separate component secured
within the body 11 of the garment steamer head 30, within the scope
of the invention. The annular groove 38 may be defined between two
annular upstanding lips 38A projecting inwardly from the inner
surface of the body 11, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or may be formed
as a recess (not shown) within the thickness of the inside wall of
the body 11.
[0039] The coupling element 39 is thereby rotatable relative to the
body 11 and steam nozzle 12 of the garment steamer head 30 about a
longitudinal axis of the coupling element 39 (shown as axis `Y` in
FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0040] The coupling element 39 includes an inlet end 39a having a
first ridged outer surface 41 and an outlet end 39b having a second
ridged outer surface 42. An elongate flexible link pipe 21 connects
the outlet end 39b of the coupling element 39 to the steam duct 15
and is retained on the outlet end 39b of the coupling element 39 by
the second ridged outer surface 42, and is retained on the steam
duct 15 by the ridged end portion 22 of the steam duct 15. The link
pipe 21 is sufficiently flexible to allow a significant degree of
rotation of the coupling element 39 relative to the body 11 of the
garment steamer head 30. In the current embodiment, the link pipe
21 is manufactured from a flexible material, for example, silicone
rubber.
[0041] In use, a steam supply hose 16 of a garment steamer 1 (refer
to FIG. 1) is connected to the inlet end 39a of the coupling
element 39 and is securely retained thereon by the first ridged
outer surface 41. Steam may then be supplied from a steam generator
4 (refer to FIG. 1) of the garment steamer 1 through the steam
supply hose 16, through the coupling element 39, through the
flexible link pipe 21, through the steam duct 15 and out through
the holes 13 in the end face 14 of the steam nozzle 12, onto the
garment being steamed.
[0042] Since the coupling element 39 is rotatable relative to the
body 11 of the garment steamer head 30, the body 11 and steam
nozzle 12 of the garment steamer head 30 are rotatable relative to
the steam supply hose 16. This significantly reduces any resistance
to maneuvering the garment steamer head 30 that may otherwise be
provided by the stiff steam supply hose 16.
[0043] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a garment steamer head 50 of a third
embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 6 showing an enlarged
cut-away view of a portion of the garment steamer head 50. Like
features of the garment steamer head 10 of the first embodiment
retain the same reference numerals and will not be described
again.
[0044] A difference between the garment steamer head 50 of the
third embodiment is that it includes a different configuration of
connector 57 for coupling a steam supply hose 16 of a garment
steamer 1 (refer to FIG. 1) to the garment steamer head 50. In the
third embodiment, the connector 57 comprises a coupling element 59
in the form of a tube which is rotatably held within the body 11 of
the garment steamer head 50. The coupling element 59 includes a
part-spherical portion 60 mid-way along its length, which is
received in a fixed element 58 in the form of a part-spherical
recess 58 formed on the inside surface of the body 11. The
part-spherical recess 58 may be formed integrally with the body 11
of the garment steamer head 50, or may be a separate component
secured within the body 11 of the garment steamer head 50, within
the scope of the invention. The coupling element 59 is thereby
retained in the body 11 in a "ball-and-socket" type configuration
and so is both rotatable relative to the body 11 and steam nozzle
12 of the garment steamer head 50 along a longitudinal axis body
(shown as axis `Z` in FIGS. 5 and 6), but can also swivel generally
in the plane shown by axes A and B in FIG. 6. This gives the
coupling element 59 a significant degree of rotational movement
relative to the body 11 and steam nozzle 12 of the garment steamer
head 50.
[0045] The coupling element 59 includes an inlet end 59a and an
outlet end 59b comprising first and second ridged outer surfaces
61, 62 respectively. An elongate flexible link pipe 21 connects the
outlet end 59b of the coupling element 59 to the steam duct 15 and
is retained on the outlet end 59b of the coupling element 59 by the
second ridged outer surface 62, and is retained on the steam duct
15 by the ridged end portion 22 of the steam duct 15. The link pipe
21 is sufficiently flexible to allow a significant degree of
rotation of the coupling element 59 relative to the body 11 of the
garment steamer head 50. In the current embodiment, the link pipe
21 is manufactured from a flexible material, for example, silicone
rubber.
[0046] In use, a steam supply hose 16 of a garment steamer 1 (refer
to FIG. 1) is connected to the inlet end 59a of the coupling
element 59 and is securely retained thereon by the first ridged
outer surface 61. Steam may then be supplied from a steam generator
4 (refer to FIG. 1) of the garment steamer 1, through the steam
supply hose 16, through the coupling element 59, through the
flexible link pipe 21, through the steam duct 15 and out through
the holes 13 in the end face 14 of the steam nozzle 12, onto the
garment being steamed.
[0047] Since the coupling element 59 is rotatable relative to the
body 11 of the garment steamer head 50 about a significant degree
of freedom, the body 11 and steam nozzle 12 of the garment steamer
head 50 are rotatable relative to the steam supply hose 16. This
significantly reduces any resistance to maneuvering the garment
steamer head 50 that may otherwise be provided by the stiff steam
supply hose 16.
[0048] An optional variant feature of the garment steamer head 50
of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, comprising a securing
arrangement for the ball-and-socket joint of the fixed element 58
and coupling element 59. This comprises a grub screw 63 extending
though the wall of the body 11 in the region of the fixed element
58, and the part-spherical portion 60 of the coupling element 59
including a cut-out channel 64 in which the end of the grub screw
63 locates. This arrangement can thereby ensure the coupling
element 59 is only capable of rotating within a pre-determined
range of movement relative to the body 11 (as defined by the
dimension of the channel 64), and to generally retain the coupling
element 59 at the distal end portion of the body 11. As such, the
part-spherical recess of the fixed element 58 may not need to
extend so far around the part-spherical portion 60 of the coupling
element 59, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0049] In the above described embodiments the garment steamer head
10, 30, 50 comprises a connector 17, 37, 57 having a coupling
element 19, 39, 59 that is moveable relative to the body 11 to
facilitate rotatable movement of the body 11 and steam nozzle 12
relative to the steam supply hose 16. However, it should be
recognized that in alternative embodiments (not shown) the steamer
head comprises a plurality of connectors each having a coupling
element that is moveable relative to the body and steam nozzle of
the steamer head. In one such embodiment (not shown), the steam
duct comprises first and second steam duct portions and a second
connector having a second coupling element. The first steam duct
portion is fluidly communicated with the steam supply hose and the
second steam duct portion is fluidly communicated with the holes in
the end face of the steam nozzle. The second connector couples the
first and second steam duct portions in a similar manner to how the
connectors 17, 37, 57 described above in relation to the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are coupled to the steam supply
hose 16 and the link pipe 21. For example, the second connector may
have similar features to the connector 37 described above in
relation to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
comprising a second coupling element in the form of a tube with a
peripheral flange that is received in a second fixed element
disposed on the inside surface of the body of the steamer head. The
second connector (not shown) further facilitates rotational
movement of the body 11 and steam nozzle 12 relative to the
flexible hose 16 and prevents the link pipe 21 from being urged
against the inside surface of the body 11 when the steam supply
hose 16 is rotated relative to the body 11.
[0050] It will be appreciated that the term "comprising" does not
exclude other elements or steps and that the indefinite article "a"
or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor may fulfil
the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact
that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent
claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures
cannot be used to an advantage. Any reference signs in the claims
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
[0051] Although claims have been formulated in this application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that
the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes
any novel features or any novel combinations of features disclosed
herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any
or all of the same technical problems as does the parent invention.
The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated
to such features and/or combinations of features during the
prosecution of the present application or of any further
application derived therefrom.
* * * * *