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Enclosure for a steamer

a steamer and steam treatment technology, applied in the field of enclosures, can solve the problems of increased energy and water consumption of the device, less temperature and intensity unpleasant to the user, so as to improve the cleaning and refreshing effect of the steam treatment, eliminate any germs, and increase flexibility

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-07-23
KONINKLJIJKE PHILIPS NV
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a steam generator that can be used to treat small areas or large objects, without needing to be placed inside an enclosure. The enclosure provides more flexibility as it can be used for a wider range of articles, and a single steam generator can be used with different accessories. The apparatus can also be collapsed for easy storage and transport.

Problems solved by technology

This wasted steam increases the energy and water consumption of the device and is unpleasant to the user because the heat and humidity may cause discomfort.
Moreover, the wasted steam means that the temperature and intensity of the steam treatment is lessened, which reduces the refreshing and hygienic effects of the steam.
However, as the entire article must be placed within the sealed bag, these products are not suitable for selectively steaming a small area of the article.
Moreover, as the article to be treated must be placed within the sealed bag, the size of the bag limits the size of garment that can be treated, thus excluding treatment of larger garments such as curtains and upholstery that do not fit in the bag.

Method used

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  • Enclosure for a steamer
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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0054]FIG. 2 shows a front view of an apparatus for treating a fabric article using steam that allows a user to select between hand operated and hands-free steaming. The apparatus comprises an enclosure 10 that can be used with the hand operated steamer of FIGS. 1a and lb to provide hands-free steaming. The enclosure 10 has an openable main body 15, such as a flexible bag, with a hanger 11 provided at the top of the enclosure 10 for suspending the enclosure 10 from a support structure. In FIG. 2, the enclosure 10 is shown supported by the support arm 3 that extends from the hand operated steamer product 1 of FIGS. 1a and 1b, although the hanger 11 also allows the enclosure 10 to be supported elsewhere, for example, a hook on an adjacent wall.

[0055]FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 2. The support arm 3 of the hand operated steamer is shown extending from the base unit 2 and the enclosure 10 is supported on the arm 3 by the hanger 11. The hose 4 extends from the base u...

second embodiment

[0082]FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 32 for treating fabric articles with steam. This embodiment comprises a base unit 33, upper assembly 34 and a flexible enclosure 35 extending between the top and base units 33, 34. The upper assembly 34 is attached to the base unit 33 by means of a telescopically extendable arm 36. When the arm 36 is retracted the upper assembly 34 is positioned on top of the base unit 33 and acts a lid. To deploy the product 32 a user pulls the upper assembly 34 away from the base unit 33 by the handle 37, thereby extending the arm 36 which is locked into an extended position by a catch or similar mechanism.

[0083]The flexible enclosure 35 is attached to both the upper assembly 34 and the base unit 33 so that when the apparatus 32 is in a deployed state (arm 36 extended) the enclosure 35 is suspended between the top and bottom units 33, 34 and formed so that a user can place fabric articles, such as garments, within the enclosure 35. The enclo...

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PUM

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Abstract

An enclosure (10, 35) for use with a steam generator (2) having a hand operated steam nozzle (5) for manually treating a fabric article with steam emitted from nozzle is disclosed. The enclosure has a space to receive fabric articles to be steamed and also has a steam nozzle receptacle (12) hat releasably receives a hand operated steam nozzle so that steam is directed into the enclosure from the steam nozzle for hands-free steaming of fabric articles within the enclosure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an enclosure for treating a fabric article with steam. The fabric article may be a garment, upholstery or other fabric and the steam treatment is to de-wrinkle and / or to clean or refresh the fabric article.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is known to apply steam to articles, such as garments, fabrics or household upholstery, to clean and remove wrinkles or creases. Therefore, steaming is used to refresh garments when a full wash is not required or to extend the period of time between full washes. When steam passes over a fabric it helps reduce odours and heat from the steam can help to reduce creases caused by washing, storing or wearing. Also, steaming can be used to hygienically treat articles because germs are killed when exposed to steam for a period of time in the region of 5 to 10 minutes.[0003]Hand operated steamers are known and typically comprise a steam generator and a hose with a nozzle at the end of the hose...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): D06F73/02D06F87/00
CPCD06F87/00D06F73/02D06F58/14D06F75/30
Inventor LIM, GARY CHI YANGBIRCAN, BERKAYLAUDAHN, BERND
Owner KONINKLJIJKE PHILIPS NV