Garment-treating Apparatus

Abstract

A garment-treating apparatus is provided which has a top and a bottom, and which also has sides defining a chamber between the top and bottom in which a suit, or other garment to be pressed, is hung. The apparatus includes a steam generator at the bottom which fills the chamber with steam to moisten and take the wrinkles out of the garment in the chamber, and it also includes a fan in the bottom which subsequently blows warm air through the chamber to dry out the steamed garment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The garment treating apparatus of the present invention finds particular utility in motels, and the like, since it permits a traveler easily and quickly to have his suit freshened and the wrinkles removed therefrom. For example, all he need do is to hang his suit in the chamber of the apparatus, place a small quantity of water in the base of the apparatus, and plug it into the standard wall receptacle. A heater element in the base quickly boils the water and fills the chamber with steam to moisten the garment and to take out the wrinkles, as mentioned above. When the water is evaporated, a fan is energized to blow air over the heater element, and the resulting hot air is introduced into the chamber and up through the chamber to dry the garment. As a result, the garment is freshly treated simply and expeditiously, and in a very short time.

The apparatus of the invention may be made with collapsible sides, so as to be compressible into a small size and packed into the luggage of the traveler. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided by the motel as a service, and placed in the room for the use of the occupant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of apparatus which may be constructed to incorporate the concepts of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the fan and steam unit which is mounted in the base of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

In the practice of the present invention, apparatus is provided which comprises, for example, a substantially rigid top 10 and a substantially rigid base 12. The top 10 and base 12 may have a rectangular cross section. An appropriate handle 14 is provided on the top 10, and this handle may be used, for example, to suspend the apparatus from any appropriate hook.

A collapsible bag 16 interconnects the top 10 and the base 12. The bag 16 may, for example, be formed of an appropriate plastic material. A zipper 18 may be provided to permit a suit 20 to be placed in the bag 16 between the top 10 and the base 12. The suit 20 may be hung on a hanger 22 which, in turn, may be hooked through a loop 24 in the top 10. The apparatus may be constructed, for example, to accommodate several suits and other garments.

A plurality of vents 26 are provided in the top 10, or at any other appropriate place in the apparatus. As explained above, a fan and steam unit is mounted in the base 12, and that unit may be energized, for example, by an electric cable 30 which may be plugged into the usual wall receptacle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fan and steam unit includes, for example, a timer switch 32 which has a contact A connected to one terminal of an electric heater 34, and which has a second terminal B connected to one terminal of an electric fan motor 36. The common terminal C of the timer switch is connected to one lead of the cable 30. The other lead of the cable 30 is connected to the other terminal of the heater 34 and fan motor 36.

A water pan 40 is positioned over the heater 34, and in communication with the interior of the bag 16 so as to permit water to be placed in the pan conveniently, and also to permit steam to be introduced into the bag when water in the pan 40 is boiled by the heater 34. The fan motor 36 drives a fan 42 which blows air across the heater 34 so as to introduce hot air into the bag 16. If If so desired, receptacle course, a separate electric heater may be provided for the blower, and which has its electrical heating element disposed directly in the airstream from the fan 42.

In the operation of the apparatus, the suit is placed in the bag 16 and a quantity of water is placed in the pan 40. The timer switch 32 is then set and the zipper 18 is closed. The cable 30 is plugged into the wall r4eceptacle and the unit is turned on. The timer switch 32 initially switches the electrical energy to the heater 34 so that the water in the pan 40 may be boiled, and so that steam will fill the interior of the bag 16 for the reasons stated above.

After the water has boiled away, the heater 34 remains energized, and the timer switch 32 additionally energizes the fan motor 36 This causes the fan 42 to blow air across the heater 34 so that hot air is blown into the bag 16 to dry the garment. After a predetermined time, the timer switch 32 turns off the heater 34, and the fan motor 36. The suit 20 may then be removed from the bag 16 in a freshly pressed condition.

Claims

I claim:

1. A portable clothes steaming and drying apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid rectangular top, a carrying handle attached to said top, a substantially rigid rectangular base, and collapsible side wall means interconnecting said top and said base and forming a substantially rectangular bag defining an enclosed chamber therewith, said wall means being openable to permit one or more garments to be inserted into said chamber; hanger means mounted in the chamber for receiving said garments; a pan in said base for receiving a quantity of water; a heater in said base adjacent said pan for boiling said water and for causing steam to fill the aforesaid chamber; at least one of said top and wall means having vents therein for permitting steam to pass from said chamber; a fan in said base for blowing air into said chamber and through the aforesaid vents; and electrical energizing means for said heater and for said fan, said electrical energizing means including a timer switching unit electrically connected to said fan and to said heater for initially energizing said heater to boil the water in said pan and for subsequently energizing said fan, and in which said fan directs air over said heater to cause the air to be heated prior to being introduced into the aforesaid chamber.