Steam device with improved steam chamber

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam device (100) comprising a steam chamber (102) for generating steam. A vapor surface (104) is arranged in the vapor chamber for evaporating water. The steam surface extends along a longitudinal axis (LA) from a rear portion (104B) of the steam surface to a front portion (104A) of the steam surface. The vapor surface forms a surface area bounded by the outer peripheral wall (106). The steam device further comprises at least one wall (A1, A2; b1) protruding from the steam surface and arranged inside said surface area. The at least one wall extends from the rear toward the front and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a steam device.

[0002] The present invention can be used in the field of clothing care. Background Art

[0003] Vertical steaming devices (with or without a tiltable ironing plate) are known. Such steaming devices comprise a base unit and a steamer head connected to the base unit via a flexible hose line. The steamer head comprises a treatment plate, also known as soleplate or ironing plate, defining one or more steam outlets through which steam can leave the steamer head.

[0004] One type of such vertical steaming device has a single steam generator, which is included, for example, in the base unit or the steamer head. An alternative type of such vertical steaming device includes a double steam generator, wherein one steam generator is included, for example, in the base unit, and the other steam generator is included, for example, in the steamer head.

[0005] High performance vertical steaming equipment tends to utilize a dual steam generator architecture to achieve higher steam rates, e.g., greater than 40 g / min, with minimal or no unevaporated water splashing onto the treated clothing. In such dual steam generator architectures, the main steam generator is often included in the base unit, and its primary function is to evaporate water to generate steam. The main steam generator is typically designed as a pressurized boiler or a flash engine.

[0006] The secondary steam generator is included in the steamer head and is connected to the primary steam generator included in the base unit via a steam hose included in the above-mentioned hose line. The main functions of the secondary steam generator are: (i) to reheat the steam received via the steam hose, thereby minimizing condensation water, and (ii) to maintain an optimal treatment plate temperature to enhance the wrinkle removal performance of the device.

[0007] Cheaper vertical steaming appliances tend to use a single steam generator architecture, where the steam generator is included in the steamer head. Thus, a single steam generator performs the dual functions of generating steam and heating the treatment plate to steam and iron the clothes. Typically, such single steam generators have a so-called labyrinth steamer layout that is designed to accommodate dynamic movement and orientation adjustment of the steamer head during ironing and steaming.

[0008] In general, the steam rate of vertical steaming devices with a single steam generator architecture is relatively low, typically 20 to 25 g / min, and is particularly lower than the steam rate in the case of vertical steaming devices with a double steam generator architecture. This may be because a single steam generator is required to achieve the additional function of heating the treatment plate. However, the size limitations of the steamer head during ironing and steaming and the dynamic movement and direction adjustment may constitute the main reason for the relatively low steam rate.

[0009] Another problem associated with vertical steam appliances with a single steam generator architecture is limited service life due to scale accumulation, which may be when such steam generators are used in areas with high water hardness. This may be due to the relatively small deposit volume within the steam generator, especially when the steam generator is included in the steamer head. Some vertical steam appliances on the market use a water cartridge to soften the water, although this results in higher operating costs for such appliances.

[0010] US2021 / 277591A1 discloses a clothing steam device, which includes a housing having a reservoir for accommodating a liquid, a head connected to the housing, and a steam generator accommodated in the head. The steam generator is in fluid communication with the reservoir for generating steam from the liquid accommodated in the reservoir. The steam generator includes a first layer and a second layer and at least one heating element sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer and the second layer define a steam flow path, which is configured so that steam flows back and forth between the first layer and the second layer before leaving the steam generator.

[0011] WO2022 / 055844A1 discloses a steam iron comprising a steam generating chamber including an integrated resistive heating element. The chamber utilizes multiple partitions and fluid guiding elements with a back-and-forth rotation feature to prevent liquid water from escaping from the steam generating chamber in both vertical and horizontal positions.

[0012] US10604888B2 discloses a steam ironing device, which includes a handle connected to a steam discharge head. The steam discharge head includes a treatment surface, which is used to be placed vertically opposite to the clothes to be ironed, and includes at least one steam outlet opening. The steam discharge head also includes a heating body, in other words a steam chamber, including an inner steam chamber defined by an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, which form an angle of 45° to 90° with the treatment surface, and includes an injection system for injecting liquid into the inner steam chamber. The discharge system includes at least two nozzles, which inject liquid into two separate steam areas in the inner steam chamber. It should be noted that each of the end walls in the heating body includes a first end in contact with the inner peripheral wall and a second end that reaches a position located inside the inner steam chamber.

[0013] US5388180A discloses a steam generator having a body of heat-conducting material, an electric heating element located in the body, an inlet for water to be evaporated, one or more discharge holes for steam, and one or more elongated convoluted passages for transferring water and / or steam from the water inlet to the one or more steam discharge holes.

[0014] EP3929347A1 discloses a steam iron, which includes a soleplate, a heating unit and a soleplate cover. The soleplate includes a soleplate base and a steam chamber wall vertically arranged on the top of the soleplate base. The soleplate base and the steam chamber wall together define a reservoir chamber for storing water. The heating unit is arranged in the soleplate base. The soleplate cover covers the reservoir chamber opposite to the soleplate base. The soleplate cover has a plurality of cover protrusions protruding into the reservoir chamber, which are used to separate the water in the reservoir chamber into fine water droplets. Summary of the invention

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to propose a steam device which alleviates one or more of the above mentioned problems.

[0016] The invention is defined by the independent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

[0017] To this end, the steam device according to the invention comprises

[0018] a steam chamber for generating steam,

[0019] a steam surface arranged in the steam chamber for evaporating water, the steam surface extending along the longitudinal axis from a rear portion of the steam surface to a front portion of the steam surface, the steam surface forming a surface area bounded by the peripheral wall, and

[0020] At least one wall protrudes from the steam surface and is arranged inside the surface area, the at least one wall extending from the rear portion towards the front portion and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] Hence, the at least one wall may be seen as being arranged to divide the steam surface into a plurality of sections, each section extending along the at least one wall between the front section and the rear section.

[0022] The longitudinal axis can be viewed as a central axis extending from the front to the rear, bifurcating the steam surface into a pair of elongated regions.

[0023] The term "in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis" may mean that an imaginary line drawn between the rearmost end of each of at least one wall and the frontmost end of the corresponding wall extends at an angle of at most 10 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0024] As an alternative to the characterisation of the at least one wall, insofar as it extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the extension of the at least one wall may be considered to divide the steam surface into one or more pockets extending from the rear to the front of the steam surface.

[0025] For example, each of the dimple(s) is arranged in one of the elongated areas defined by a longitudinal axis bisecting the steam surface.

[0026] To collect unevaporated water in the recesses, each of the recess(es) extends from the rear towards the front of the steam surface, for example in a substantially straight line.

[0027] It has been discovered that separating the steam surface by at least one wall facilitates heat transfer to water on the steam surface and, in some embodiments, can help manage the movement of water on the steam surface during dynamic movement and directional adjustment of the steam device, thereby facilitating maintaining a relatively high steam rate despite such movement and orientation.

[0028] In some embodiments, each of the at least one wall comprises a first end in contact with the peripheral wall and a second end reaching a position located inside the surface area.Thus, the above-mentioned recess(es) are defined by the at least one wall and the peripheral wall.

[0029] The at least one recess may help retain unevaporated water therein, particularly when the steam chamber is oriented vertically. Thus, when the steam chamber is oriented vertically, the diffusion of unevaporated water throughout the steam chamber under gravity may be reduced. In other words, retaining unevaporated water in the recess(es) in this manner may provide sufficient time and space for at least some of the water to evaporate. This may help minimize the unevaporated water that leaves the steam chamber, thereby helping to reduce water splashing onto clothing treated with the steam device.

[0030] In addition, at least one wall can provide a larger heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the unevaporated water retained in at least one recess. This can help evaporate the unevaporated water retained in the recess (one or more), thereby helping to reduce the accumulation of water.

[0031] The at least one wall preferably projects from the steam surface to the height of the peripheral wall.

[0032] The at least one wall preferably comprises a pair of walls arranged on each side of the longitudinal axis. In other words, one wall of a pair of walls is arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis, and the other wall of a pair of walls is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal axis.

[0033] In such embodiments, a recess is defined between one wall of a pair of walls and the peripheral wall, in particular between the one wall of the pair of walls and a lateral portion of the peripheral wall, and another recess is defined between the other wall of the pair of walls and the peripheral wall, in particular between the other wall of the pair of walls and another lateral portion of the peripheral wall.

[0034] Each wall of the pair of walls preferably projects from the steam surface to the height of the peripheral wall.

[0035] In some embodiments, each wall of the pair of walls is adjacent to the peripheral wall and extends from the peripheral wall toward the front of the steam surface.

[0036] In such embodiments, the second end of each wall of the pair of walls is preferably bent toward the longitudinal axis.This can facilitate the transfer of unevaporated water flowing centrally on the steam surface to the recess arranged at the side of the steam chamber.

[0037] In some embodiments, a pair of walls are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis. In other words, the spacing of one of the pair of walls from the longitudinal axis corresponds to, for example, the same as or within 10% of the spacing of the other of the pair of walls from the longitudinal axis.

[0038] Therefore, a pair of recesses, in other words, two rear recesses, are formed on the transverse left and transverse right sides of the steam chamber.

[0039] The vertical orientation of the steam chamber can cause the unevaporated water on the steam surface to collect in the pockets, and the tilting in one direction causes at least some of the water held by one pocket and the newly metered water to be transferred to another pocket. In this way, the downstream passage of unevaporated water during such tilting can be alleviated.

[0040] In some embodiments, at least one wall further comprises an additional wall extending from the rear towards the front of the steam surface, the additional wall being arranged between the peripheral wall (in other words, a lateral portion of the peripheral wall) and a wall selected from the pair of walls.

[0041] In other words, the additional wall is a partition arranged in one cavity.The additional wall may contribute to increase the heat transfer to the unevaporated water present in the respective cavity in which the additional wall is arranged.

[0042] The additional wall preferably has a length shorter than the length of each wall of the pair of walls.In this way, the additional wall can avoid unduly restricting the movement of water over the steam surface in the corresponding recess in which the additional wall is arranged.

[0043] In some embodiments, the steam device includes a pair of guide walls arranged inside the surface area, wherein each of the guide walls has an end that does not contact the peripheral wall. The guide walls can help guide the flow of unevaporated water on the steam surface and increase the heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the unevaporated water.

[0044] The flow guide wall preferably extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0045] In embodiments where the at least one wall comprises a pair of walls and the steam device comprises guide walls, each of the pair of guide walls may be arranged, eg angled, to direct unevaporated water on the steam surface towards one of the pockets.

[0046] In at least some embodiments, a pair of guide walls are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the steam surface. In other words, the spacing of one of the guide walls from the longitudinal axis corresponds to, for example, the same as or within 10% of the spacing of another of the guide walls from the longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement of the guide walls can facilitate uniform water spreading on the steam surface.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, each of the flow guide walls protrudes from the steam surface, for example, to a height that is lower than the height of the peripheral wall.

[0048] Such shorter guide walls help avoid unduly restricting the movement of water on the steam surface adjacent the guide walls.

[0049] In some embodiments, the steam device includes a thermistor and a thermal fuse.

[0050] In such embodiments, a thermistor is included to enable the temperature of the steam chamber to be regulated via a thermistor control.A thermal fuse is arranged to prevent overheating of the steam chamber, for example in the event of a failure or malfunction of the steam device.

[0051] The thermistor and thermal fuse are preferably arranged at the central area of ​​the steam chamber. This type of placement can control the temperature of the steam chamber more safely and more effectively.

[0052] In some embodiments, the steam device comprises:

[0053] a treatment plate comprising one or more steam vents,

[0054] a steam passage fluidly connected to the steam outlet of the steam chamber for conveying steam to the one or more steam vents, and

[0055] At least one rib extends along the steam passage and protrudes from a bottom surface of the steam passage.

[0056] The at least one rib can improve heat transfer to the steam passing through the steam channel. This helps maintain the steam temperature and also helps reduce the temperature of hot spots in the steam device.

[0057] Each of the at least one rib preferably projects from the bottom surface of the steam channel by a height that is less than half, more preferably less than one third, of the height of the peripheral wall.

[0058] In some embodiments, at least one rib extends along the steam passage. This may help to minimize or prevent turbulence of the steam, thereby reducing scale deposition along the steam passage.

[0059] The at least one rib preferably comprises two ribs extending parallel to each other. Such a pair of ribs can be directly accommodated in the steam channel and can provide a larger heat transfer surface than, for example, a single rib.

[0060] In some embodiments, at least one rib, such as each of the at least one rib, has a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0061] In some embodiments, the steam device comprises a heating element arranged to heat the steam surface.

[0062] The heating element is preferably arranged to heat the treatment plate and the steam surface. In some embodiments, at least one wall is aligned with a portion of the heating element, or with an area extending adjacent to and parallel to a portion of the heating element. This helps to enhance the heat transfer to the steam chamber provided by the at least one wall.

[0063] In some embodiments, the heating element is aligned with one or more portions of the steam surface extending along one of the pair of walls. Portions or corresponding portions of the heating element are preferably aligned with the steam surface in the recess(es).

[0064] This may help to enhance evaporation of water held in the pockets.

[0065] In some embodiments, the additional wall is aligned with part of the heating element. This may enhance heat transfer from the heating element to unevaporated water held in the recess in which the additional wall is arranged.

[0066] In some embodiments, each wall of a pair of guide walls is aligned with a corresponding portion of the heating element.Thus, the guide walls can help increase the rate of heat transfer to the steam surface to facilitate obtaining a higher steam velocity.

[0067] In at least some embodiments, the steam chamber is fluidly enclosed by a steam cover.

[0068] In such embodiments, each wall of the pair of walls preferably extends upward compared to the steam surface until it contacts the steam cover.Thus, the peripheral wall and each wall of the pair of walls contact the steam cover.

[0069] In some embodiments, the steam device includes a steam outlet to allow steam to exit the steam chamber, wherein the steam outlet is proximate to the rear of the steam surface.

[0070] In such embodiments, the steam outlet is preferably arranged between a pair of walls, for example between the first ends of each wall in the pair of walls. Therefore, steam can escape from the steam chamber via the centrally located steam outlet, while unevaporated water can be collected in the recess at the side of the steam chamber.

[0071] In some embodiments, the steam outlet is partially defined by a baffle portion protruding from the steam surface.The baffle portion consists of two walls perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and protrudes from the steam surface.

[0072] The term "baffle portion" is intended to mean a barrier protrusion protruding from the steam surface at the steam outlet of the steam chamber. The barrier protrusion serves to retain any water that is not completely evaporated.

[0073] More generally, the steam apparatus preferably comprises:

[0074] a base unit, the base unit comprising a water tank,

[0075] A steam engine head, the steam engine head comprising a steam chamber,

[0076] a flexible hose line between the base unit and the steamer head, and

[0077] A pump is arranged to pump water from the water tank to the steam chamber via the flexible hose line.

[0078] In at least some embodiments, the steamer head includes a treatment plate, for example, and the heating element is arranged to heat the treatment plate and the steaming surface.

[0079] Detailed explanation and other aspects of the present invention will be given below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Certain aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described below and considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts or sub-steps are represented in the same manner:

[0081] Figure 1 An internal perspective view of a steam device according to one example is provided,

[0082] Figure 2A Provided Figure 1 A plan view of the interior of the steam plant is shown,

[0083] Figure 2B Provided Figure 2A The plan view shown in FIG. 1 shows a plan view in which the dotted lines indicate the passage of steam in the steam channel of the steam device.

[0084] Figure 3 Schematically describes Figure 1 and the movement of water in the steam chamber of the steam device shown in FIG. 2,

[0085] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a steam device according to another example is provided, and

[0086] Figure 5 A plan view of the interior of a steam device according to another example is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Figure 1 An internal view of a steam device 100 comprising a steam chamber 102 for generating steam is provided. A steam surface 104 is arranged in the steam chamber 102 for evaporating water. The steam surface 104 extends from a front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 to a rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104.

[0088] In at least some embodiments, such as Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the steam surface 104 comprises a dosing point 105 arranged to initially receive water that is dosed onto the steam surface 104. In such embodiments, the dosing point 105 is arranged at the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104.

[0089] For example, the dosing point 105 is arranged to receive water that is dosed into the steam chamber 102 via a water dosing hole (not visible).

[0090] Such water dosing holes are for example defined in a dosing connector. Such a dosing connector can connect the steam chamber 102 to a water tank via a hose mounted on the dosing connector. The dosing connector is for example mounted on a steam cover (not visible) of the steam chamber 102.

[0091] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the dosing point 105 comprises a dome-shaped portion of the steam surface 104 .

[0092] Such dome-shaped portions may help to immediately spread the metered water onto the dosing point 105 of the steam surface 104 .

[0093] A pump (not visible) is preferably used to control the metered supply of water from the water tank to the steam chamber 102.

[0094] The water dosing hole preferably has a diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm, such as approximately 1.5 mm.

[0095] Such relatively small diameter water dosing holes, which may be combined with a pump capable of pumping water at relatively high pressures, may help achieve more efficient water diffusion across the steam surface 104 .

[0096] The steam surface 104 may be considered to form a surface area bounded by the peripheral wall 106 (in other words, the peripheral wall 106 ). The peripheral wall 106 helps to retain the steam within the steam chamber 102 .

[0097] In at least some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, a steam outlet 107 is disposed in the peripheral wall 106 to allow steam to exit the steam chamber 102. In such embodiments, the steam outlet 107 is proximate to the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104.

[0098] In embodiments where the dosing point 105 is arranged at the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 and the steam outlet 107 is near the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104, water may evaporate on the steam surface 104 as it flows from the front portion 104A to the rear portion 104B.

[0099] In such embodiments, the front portion 104A may be considered the upstream portion of the steam surface 104 , and the rear portion 104B may be considered the downstream portion of the steam surface 104 .

[0100] The steam outlet 107 is preferably arranged between the baffle portion DP and the steam cover of the steam chamber 102, wherein the baffle portion DP protrudes from the steam surface 104. Therefore, the steam outlet 107 is partially defined by the baffle portion DP protruding from the steam surface 104. The baffle portion DP is made of two walls perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and protrudes from the steam surface 104.

[0101] Baffle portion DP may help minimize the path of unevaporated water on steam surface 104 to flow out of steam outlet 107 .

[0102] In embodiments where the steam device 100 comprises a steam cover of the steam chamber 102 (whether or not comprising the above-mentioned dosing connector and / or baffle portion DP), the peripheral wall 106 and the steam cover engage with each other so as to close the steam chamber 102 .

[0103] Preferably, a sealing material (not visible) such as a gasket and / or a sealing paste is arranged between the peripheral wall 106 and the steam cover to enable the steam chamber 102 to be hermetically closed.

[0104] Thus, more generally, the steam chamber 102 is preferably fluidly enclosed by a steam cover.

[0105] The steam chamber 102, such as the steam chamber 102 including the steam cover, is preferably formed by a casting process using a suitable metal or metal alloy. The steam chamber 102 can be cast, for example, from aluminum.

[0106] The steam device 100 preferably comprises a treatment plate 108. Such a treatment plate 108 comprises, in other words defines, one or more steam outlets (not visible) through which the steam generated in the steam chamber 102 can leave the steam device 100.

[0107] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the processing plate 108 includes a narrow front end 108A and a wider rear end 108B. In such embodiments, the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 is closer to the narrow front end 108A than the wider rear end 108B, and the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 is closer to the wider rear end 108B than the narrow front end 108A.

[0108] Steam surface 104 may be arranged in any suitable manner to evaporate water received thereon. Figure 1 As shown, the steam surface 104 is a flat surface that is parallel to the outer surface of the process plate 108 .

[0109] In an alternative embodiment, the steam surface 104 is inclined so that when the steam chamber 102 is oriented horizontally, water metered to the steam surface 104 falls from the front 104A to the rear 104B under the action of gravity. In such embodiments, the inclination angle is, for example, 2 to 10 degrees relative to the outer surface of the treatment plate 108.

[0110] The steam device 100 preferably includes a pattern of spaced-apart protrusions 110A, 110B protruding from the steam surface 104 .

[0111] Such protrusions 110A, 110B may help spread unevaporated water over the steam surface 104 and / or may help control the speed at which water moves over the steam surface 104. The protrusions 110A, 110B may have any suitable shape, such as cones, frustoconical shapes, pyramids, and frustopyramidal shapes.

[0112] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pattern of spaced-apart protrusions 110A, 110B includes truncated pyramidal shaped protrusions 110A.

[0113] When the steam chamber 102 is oriented vertically, such as for steaming hung garments, such truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A may aid in lateral spreading of unevaporated water on the steam surface 104 and help slow the descent of water on the steam surface 104 .

[0114] It has also been found that such truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A help relatively small scale fragments to flake off the steam surface 104, where they are more easily washed away by the unevaporated water thereon. This can help to reduce scale accumulation in the steam chamber 102.

[0115] Any suitable dimensions may be selected for the protrusions 110A, 110B. For example, each of the truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A has a square base of 2 mm x 2 mm and protrudes from the steam surface 104 by a height of 1 mm.

[0116] In some embodiments, the pattern of spaced-apart protrusions 110A, 110B includes conical protrusions 110B.

[0117] Such conical protrusions 110B may facilitate relatively wide lateral spreading of unevaporated water over the steam surface 104. Furthermore, it has been found that scale is less likely to accumulate on such conical protrusions, and scale flaking off the steam surface 104 between such conical protrusions may be facilitated.

[0118] In an embodiment where the pattern of spatially separated protrusions 110A, 110B includes truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A and conical protrusions 110B, a first sub-pattern of conical protrusions 110B may be arranged proximate to the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104, wherein a second sub-pattern of truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A is arranged between the first sub-pattern and the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104. An example of such a case is Figure 3 to Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the arrows in the figure indicate the direction in which water spreads on the steam surface 104.

[0119] The density of the spaced-apart protrusions 110A, 110B preferably increases closer to the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104. In other words, the spacing between nearest neighboring protrusions 110A, 110B decreases closer to the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104.

[0120] This can help increase the heat transfer area and slow the unevaporated water down toward the rear portion 104B to promote conversion to steam.

[0121] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the conical protrusions 110B of the first sub-pattern are arranged more densely than the truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A of the second sub-pattern.

[0122] It should be noted that such protrusions 110A, 110B may not be provided at every area of ​​the steam surface 104. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the non-protrusion area is disposed at the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 .

[0123] Such non-protrusion areas may help promote scaling away from the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 and facilitate movement of water at the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 .

[0124] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the peripheral wall 106 is connected to the front portion 104A of the steam surface via a rounded portion RP.

[0125] Such rounded portion RP may help minimize scale growth and accumulation at the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 .

[0126] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the steam surface 104 extends along the longitudinal axis LA from a rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 to a front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 .

[0127] The longitudinal axis LA may be viewed as a central axis extending from the front portion 104A to the rear portion 104B, bifurcating the steam surface 104 into a pair of elongated regions.

[0128] At least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 protrudes from the steam surface 104 , wherein the at least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 is arranged inside a surface area of ​​the steam surface 104 delimited by the peripheral wall 106 .

[0129] In other words, at least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 is arranged together with the steam surface 104 inside the space delimited by the peripheral wall 106 .

[0130] At least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 extends from a rear portion 104B to a front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA.

[0131] The term "in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA" may mean that an imaginary line drawn between a first end E1A, E1B, E1C of each wall of at least one wall A1, A2; B1 closest to the rear portion 104B and a second end E2A, E2B, E2C of the corresponding wall A1, A2; B1 closest to the front portion 104A extends at an angle of at most 10 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis LA.

[0132] The at least one wall A1 , A2; B1 may be considered to be arranged to bifurcate the steam surface 104 into a plurality of sections, such as longitudinally extending sections, wherein each of the sections extends along the at least one wall A1 , A2; B1 between the front section 104A and the rear section 104B.

[0133] As an alternative to the characterization of at least one wall A1, A2; B1, insofar as it extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, the extension of at least one wall A1, A2; B1, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2A , can be viewed as dividing the steam surface 104 into one or more pockets P1 , P2 extending from the rear portion 104B to the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 .

[0134] For example, each of the pocket(s) P1 , P2 is arranged in an elongated area defined by a longitudinal axis LA that bisects the steam surface 104 .

[0135] To collect unevaporated water in the pockets, each of the pockets P1 , P2 extends from the rear portion 104B toward the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104 , such as in a substantially straight line.

[0136] At least one of the recesses P1, P2 can help retain unevaporated water therein, particularly when the steam chamber 102 is oriented vertically. Thus, when the steam chamber 102 is oriented vertically, the diffusion of unevaporated water throughout the steam chamber 102 under the action of gravity can be reduced. Retaining (in other words, retaining) unevaporated water in (one or more) recesses P1, P2 in this manner can provide sufficient time and space for at least some of the water to evaporate. This can help minimize the unevaporated water that leaves the steam chamber 102, thereby helping to reduce water splashing onto clothing treated using the steam device 100.

[0137] In addition, at least one wall A1, A2; B1 can provide a larger heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the unevaporated water held in at least one recess P1, P2. This helps to evaporate the unevaporated water held in the recess (one or more) P1, P2, thereby helping to reduce water accumulation.

[0138] In some embodiments, separating the steam surface 104 in this manner can, in addition to facilitating heat transfer to water on the steam surface 104, also help manage the movement of water on the steam surface 104 during dynamic movement and directional adjustments of the steam device 100, thereby facilitating maintaining a relatively high steam rate despite such movement and orientation.

[0139] For example, the steam device 100 is configured to provide a steam rate of up to 45 grams per minute.

[0140] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2A As shown, the protrusion 110B protrudes from the steam surface 104 in at least one of the pockets P1 , P2 , for example, from the steam surface 104 in each of the pocket(s) P1 , P2 .

[0141] The protrusions 104 protruding from the steam surface 104 in the pockets P1 , P2 are preferably conical protrusions 104 .

[0142] Such conical protrusions 110B may help spread the unevaporated water more widely over the steam surface 104 in the pocket(s) P1 , P2 , and scale is less likely to accumulate on such conical protrusions 110B.

[0143] Alternatively or additionally, the protrusions 110B protruding from the steam surface 104 in the pocket(s) P1, P2 may be more densely arranged than the protrusions 110A (e.g., truncated pyramidal protrusions 110A) protruding from the steam surface 104 between the front 104A and the pocket(s) P1, P2.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first end E1A, E1B, E1C of each of the at least one wall A1, A2; B1 contacts the peripheral wall 106, and the second end E2A, E2B, E2C of each of the at least one wall A1, A2; B1 reaches a position located inside the surface area. Therefore, the above-mentioned recess (one or more) P1, P2 is defined by the at least one wall A1, A2; B1 and the peripheral wall 106.

[0145] In some embodiments, and such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As best shown, the second ends E2A, E2B are curved toward the longitudinal axis LA. This may facilitate transfer of unevaporated water flowing centrally at the steam surface 104 into the pocket(s) P1 , P2 disposed at the lateral side(s) of the steam chamber 102 .

[0146] The at least one wall A1, A2; B1 preferably comprises a pair of walls A1, A2 arranged on each side of the longitudinal axis LA. In other words, one wall A1 of the pair of walls A1, A2 is arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis LA, and the other wall A2 of the pair of walls A1, A2 is arranged on the other side of the longitudinal axis LA.

[0147] Each wall of the pair of walls A1 , A2 preferably protrudes from the steam surface 104 to the height of the peripheral wall 106 .

[0148] In embodiments where the steam chamber 102 is enclosed by a steam cover, each wall of the pair of walls A1 , A2 protrudes from the steam surface 104 to reach the steam cover.

[0149] In other words, each wall of the pair of walls A1 , A2 extends upward compared to the steam surface 104 until contacting the steam cover.

[0150] Thus, the pockets P1 , P2 may be formed by the full height of the pair of walls A1 , A2 and the full height of the peripheral wall 106 proximate the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 .

[0151] This may help slow the movement of water on the steam surface 104 in the pocket(s) 104A, 104B, thereby facilitating conversion to steam.

[0152] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of walls A1 , A2 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis LA of the steam surface 104 .

[0153] Therefore, a pair of recesses P1 , P2 , in other words, two rear recesses P1 , P2 , are formed on the lateral left and lateral right sides of the steam chamber 102 .

[0154] A pair of pockets P1 , P2 may be formed by a pair of full-height walls A1 , A2 and a full-height peripheral wall 106 on both lateral sides proximate a rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 .

[0155] refer to Figure 3 The vertical orientation of the steam chamber 102 allows the unevaporated water on the steam surface 104 to be collected in the recess P1 of P2. Figure 3 The tilting of the upper pane of the steam chamber 102 in the direction indicated by arrow R1 causes at least some of the water held by the recess P1 and the newly metered water to be transferred to the recess P2. Similarly, the tilting of the steam chamber 102 in the opposite direction, such as Figure 3 As indicated by arrow R2 in the lower pane of , at least some of the water held by recess P2 as well as the newly dosed water is transferred to recess P1 .

[0156] The term “arranged substantially symmetrically compared to the longitudinal axis LA of the steam surface 104 ” may refer to a spacing of the wall A1 from the longitudinal axis LA that corresponds to, for example, the same spacing as or within 10% of the spacing of the other wall A2 from the longitudinal axis LA.

[0157] The longitudinal axis LA can be viewed as a central axis extending from the front portion 104A to the rear portion 104B, bifurcating the steam surface 104 into a pair of elongated regions, wherein one of the elongated regions includes one of a pair of recesses P1, P2, and the other of the elongated regions includes the other of the pair of recesses P2, P1.

[0158] More generally, reference Figure 4 , the steam device 100 comprises a heating element 112 arranged to heat the steam surface 104 .

[0159] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 112 is mounted between the steam surface 104 and the process plate 108. Thus, the heating element 112 is arranged to heat both the steam surface 104 and the process plate 108.

[0160] In some embodiments, heat transfer from heating element 112 to processing plate 108 is via a heat transfer path configured such that processing plate 108 is heated at a temperature of 130 to 155 degrees Celsius while vapor chamber 102 is controlled to have a higher temperature of approximately 180 to 190 degrees Celsius.

[0161] The thickness of the thermal bridge TB between the bottom plate and the processing plate 108 can be adjusted between the narrower front end 108A of the processing plate 108 and the wider rear end 108B of the processing plate 108. For example, the thermal bridge is thicker toward the narrower end 108A and thinner toward the wider rear end 108B. The thermal bridge TB facilitates heat transfer.

[0162] This thickness variation may help to provide a more uniform temperature distribution across the processing plate 108 , particularly over the length of the processing plate 108 .

[0163] Regardless of whether the heating element 112 is arranged to heat the treatment plate 108 in addition to heating the steam surface 104, at least one wall A1, A2; B1, for example each of at least one wall A1, A2; B1 is preferably aligned with a portion of the heating element 112, or with an area extending adjacent to and parallel to that portion of the heating element 112.

[0164] This may help to enhance the heat transfer to the steam chamber 102 provided by the at least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 .

[0165] In some embodiments, the heating element 112 is aligned with one or more portions of the steam surface 104 extending along one wall of the pair of walls A1, A2. In particular, the heating element 112 is preferably aligned with the steam surface 104 in one or both pockets P1, P2. This can help to enhance the evaporation of water held in the pockets (one or more) P1, P2.

[0166] In some embodiments, the heating element 112 extends between a pair of electrical connections 114A, 114B disposed proximate a rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 .

[0167] The pocket(s) P1 , P2 are preferably aligned with the heating element 112 , wherein the heating element 112 is connected to the electrical connections 114A, 114B.

[0168] In this manner, the pocket(s) P1 , P2 are arranged where the temperature of the steam surface 104 tends to be highest, thereby facilitating evaporation of water held in the pocket(s) P1 , P2.

[0169] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the at least one wall A1, A2; B1 further comprises an additional wall B1 extending from the rear portion 104B to the front portion 104A of the steam surface 104, wherein the additional wall B1 is arranged between the peripheral wall 106 and a wall selected from the pair of walls A1, A2.

[0170] In other words, the additional wall B1 is a partition arranged in one of the pockets P1 , P2. The additional wall B1 may contribute to increasing the heat transfer to the unevaporated water present in the respective pocket P1 , P2 in which the additional wall B1 is arranged.

[0171] In some embodiments, the additional wall B1 is aligned with a portion of the heating element 112. This may enhance heat transfer from the heating element 112 to the unevaporated water held in the pockets P1, P2 where the additional wall B1 is arranged.

[0172] In other words, the additional heat exchange surface provided by including the additional wall B1 may help increase the steam velocity and reduce the occurrence of hot spots at the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104, particularly when unevaporated water accumulates in the pockets P1 of P2 where the additional wall B1 is arranged.

[0173] The additional wall B1 preferably has a length shorter than the length of each wall of the pair of walls A1, A2. In this way, the additional wall B1 can avoid unduly restricting the movement of water on the steam surface 104 in the respective pockets P1, P2 where the additional wall B1 is arranged.

[0174] In some embodiments, and such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B As best shown, the additional wall B1 abuts the peripheral wall 106 and, in particular, a rear portion of the peripheral wall 106 which also abuts each of the pair of walls A1 , A2 .

[0175] In some embodiments (not shown), an additional wall B1 extends between the peripheral wall 106 and one wall A1 of the pair of walls A1 , A2 , and another additional wall (not visible) extends between the peripheral wall 106 and the other wall A2 of the pair of walls A1 , A2 .

[0176] Preferably, at least a portion of the additional wall B1 protrudes from the steam surface 104 , but its height is shorter than the height of the peripheral wall 106 .

[0177] In embodiments where the steam chamber 102 is closed by a steam cover, the additional wall(s) B1 protrude (one or more times) from the steam surface 104 to reach the steam cover.

[0178] Placing the additional wall(s) B1 at the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 may help ensure that the additional wall(s) B1 do not impede downstream transport of scale.

[0179] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the steam device 100 includes a pair of flow guide walls C1 , C2 , ends of which do not contact the outer peripheral wall 106 .

[0180] like Figure 5 As shown, the guide walls C1 , C2 preferably extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA.

[0181] In some embodiments, each of the pair of guide walls C1, C2 is aligned with a corresponding portion of the heating element 112. This can help increase heat transfer to the steam surface 104 to facilitate achieving higher steam rates.

[0182] The guide walls C1 , C2 are preferably arranged, for example at an angle, to help guide unevaporated water on the steam surface 104 toward the rear portion 104B of the steam surface 104 .

[0183] At least one wall A1 , A2 ; B1 includes a pair of walls A1 , A2 , and each of a pair of guide walls C1 , C2 may be angled to direct unevaporated water on the steam surface 104 toward one of the pockets P1 , P2 .

[0184] In at least some embodiments, a pair of guide walls C1, C2 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis LA of the steam surface 104. In other words, the spacing of one of the guide walls C1, C2 from the longitudinal axis LA corresponds to, e.g., is the same as or within 10% of the spacing of the other of the guide walls C2, C1 from the longitudinal axis LA. Such an arrangement of the guide walls C1, C2 can facilitate uniform water spreading on the steam surface 104.

[0185] Alternatively or additionally, each of the flow guide walls C1 , C2 protrudes from the steam surface 104 to a height that is lower than that of the outer peripheral wall 106 , for example.

[0186] Such shorter guide walls C1 , C2 may help avoid overly restricting the movement of water on the steam surface 104 near the guide walls C1 , C2 .

[0187] In some embodiments, again referring to Figure 4 , the steam device 100 includes a thermistor 116 and a thermal fuse. The thermistor 116 is included to enable the temperature of the steam chamber 102 to be adjusted via a thermistor control. The thermal fuse is arranged to prevent the steam chamber 102 from overheating, for example in the event of a failure or malfunction of the steam device 100.

[0188] In such embodiments, and such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 5 As best shown, thermistor 116 and thermal fuse are preferably disposed at a central region 118 of vapor chamber 102 .

[0189] Placing thermistor 116 in central region 118 means that thermistor 116 is located near the center of heating element 112. Such placement may more effectively control the temperature of steam chamber 102.

[0190] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in the figures, the thermistor 116 is received in a cavity 120 of a mounting element that is disposed at a central region 118 of the steam chamber 102. Such mounting elements preferably protrude from the steam surface 104. Such mounting elements may be referred to as "thermistor bosses."

[0191] In some embodiments, and such as Figure 1 , Figure 2B and Figure 5 As best shown in FIG. 1 , a steam channel 122 is fluidly connected to the steam outlet 107 , wherein the steam channel 122 is arranged to convey steam towards one or more steam vents included in the processing plate 108 .

[0192] In such embodiments, at least one rib 124 preferably extends along the steam channel 122 , for example, extends parallel to the steam channel 122 , and protrudes from a bottom surface of the steam channel 122 .

[0193] The at least one rib 124 can improve heat transfer to the steam passing through the steam channel 122. This can improve maintaining the steam temperature and can also help reduce the temperature of hot spots in the steam device 100.

[0194] Each of the at least one rib 124 preferably protrudes from the bottom surface of the steam channel 122 by a height that is less than half, and more preferably less than one third, of the height of the peripheral wall 106 .

[0195] In some embodiments, at least one rib 124 extends along the steam passage 122 .

[0196] This may help minimize or prevent turbulence of the steam, which may reduce scale deposition along steam passage 122 .

[0197] The at least one rib 124 preferably comprises two ribs extending in parallel. Such a pair of ribs can be directly received in the steam channel 122 and can provide a larger heat transfer surface than, for example, a single rib.

[0198] In some embodiments, at least one rib 124, such as each of the at least one rib 124, has a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0199] In at least some embodiments, and such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 5 As shown, the steam device 100 comprises a scale deposition chamber 126 arranged between the steam outlet 107 and the steam channel 122 .

[0200] The operating life of the steam device 100 may be improved by including such a scale deposition chamber 122 , for example in conjunction with a regular scale flushing operation to remove smaller scale flakes and softer scale so that such scale flakes and scale may be cleaned from the steam device 100 .

[0201] As an example of such a scale cleaning operation, the pump used to meter water into the steam chamber 102 is controlled to deliver a maximum flow of water to cool the steam chamber 102 from a high temperature (e.g., near the thermistor 116 control point) to a low temperature (e.g., below 100 degrees Celsius).

[0202] The resulting rapid cooling creates a thermal contraction mismatch at the interface between the steam surface 104 and the scale, causing the scale to flake off the steam surface 104. The maximum flow rate can then help transport the loosened scale toward the scale deposition chamber 126 and / or through the steam passage 122 and out of the steam device 100 via the steam vent(s).

[0203] Protrusions, such as the type described above with respect to steam surface 104 , may protrude from the surface of scale deposition chamber 126 .

[0204] For example, the protrusions protruding from the surface of the scale deposition chamber 126 may be conical protrusions. Alternatively, such protrusions may be truncated pyramidal protrusions, for example having a square base of 2 mm×2 mm and protruding from the surface of the scale deposition chamber 126 by a height of 1 mm.

[0205] In some embodiments, the protrusions on the surface of the scale deposition chamber 126 are more densely arranged than the protrusions 110A, 110B protruding from the steam surface 104 .

[0206] This may help minimize the flow of unevaporated water over the surface of the scale deposition chamber 126 and may help maximize heat transfer to the water.

[0207] In some embodiments, a scale filter 128 , such as a scale filter 128 including a scale filter mesh, is disposed in the scale deposition chamber 126 .

[0208] Such scale filters 128 may help prevent larger scale pieces from clogging the steam outlet 130 to which the steam passage 122 extends from the scale deposition chamber 126 and / or the steam vent(s) included in the treatment plate 108 .

[0209] It should be noted that the term “along the steam passage 122 ” herein may mean that at least one rib 124 extends from where the steam passage 122 starts at the outlet of the scale deposition chamber 126 to where the steam passage 122 ends at the steam outlet 130 .

[0210] Figure 2B The dashed line in shows that the fluid flows out of the steam outlet 107 , through the scale deposition chamber 126 , and reaches the steam outlet 130 via the steam passage 122 .

[0211] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 5 As shown, the peripheral wall 106 bifurcates into a first wall portion and a second wall portion, wherein the first wall portion partially defines the steam surface 104 and the second wall portion helps to retain the steam in the steam chamber 102 .

[0212] Such bifurcations in the peripheral wall 106 may help provide a relatively robust and space efficient design for the steam device 100 .

[0213] In such embodiments, the steam passage 122 may be defined between the first and second wall portions described above.

[0214] This may be considered a non-limiting example of how, in more general terms, the peripheral wall 106 may define the surface area of ​​the steam surface 104 and, in addition to that function, at least partially define the steam chamber 102 as a whole and thereby help retain the steam within the steam chamber 102 .

[0215] Although not shown in the figures, a steam conduit disposed between the steam chamber 102 and the treatment plate 108 connects the steam outlet 130 to the steam vent(s) included in the treatment plate 108 .

[0216] The cross-sectional area of ​​the steam conduit may be minimized in order to maintain steam velocity as the steam travels along the steam conduit and exits through the steam vent(s).

[0217] In some embodiments, the steam vents include a main steam vent and a plurality of additional steam vents. In such embodiments, the main steam vent has a diameter greater than a diameter of each of the additional steam vents.

[0218] The main steam jets are preferably aligned with the steam outlet 130 .

[0219] This type of alignment can allow relatively fast steam / water to flow directly out of the main steam vents from the steam outlet 130. In this way, the steam can leave the treatment plate 108 at a faster rate, thereby giving the user the perception that the steam device 100 provides powerful steam performance.

[0220] The above embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical methods of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical methods of the present invention may be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. In particular, although the present invention has been described with respect to clothing care, it can be applied to any type of household appliance including a steam generator. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "one" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A steam device (100), comprising: a steam chamber (102) for generating steam, a steam surface (104) arranged in the steam chamber for evaporating water, the steam surface extending along a longitudinal axis (LA) from a rear portion (104B) of the steam surface to a front portion (104A) of the steam surface, the steam surface forming a surface area bounded by a peripheral wall (106) that additionally helps to retain steam within the steam chamber, and At least one wall (A1, A2; B1), the at least one wall protruding from the steam surface and arranged inside the surface area, the at least one wall extending from the rear portion (104B) toward the front portion (104A), wherein each of the at least one wall (A1, A2; B1) includes a first end (E1A, E1B, E1C) in contact with the peripheral wall (106), and each of the at least one wall extends from the first end in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to a second end (E2A, E2B, E2C) located at a position inside the surface area.

2. The steam device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wall (A1, A2; B1) comprises a pair of walls (A1, A2) arranged on each side of the longitudinal axis (LA).

3. The steam device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the pair of walls (A1, A2) are arranged substantially symmetrically compared to the longitudinal axis (LA).

4. The steam device (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second end (E1A, E1B) of each wall of the pair of walls (A1, A2) is curved towards the longitudinal axis (LA).

5. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one wall (A1, A2; B1) also includes an additional wall (B1) extending from the rear portion (104B) of the steam surface (104) toward the front portion (104A), and the additional wall is arranged between the peripheral wall (106) and a wall selected from the pair of walls (A1, A2).

6. The steam device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the length of the additional wall (B1) is shorter than the length of each wall of the pair of walls (A1, A2).

7. A steam device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of guide walls (C1, C2), the pair of guide walls being arranged inside the surface area and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (LA), the pair of guide walls being arranged substantially symmetrically compared to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the steam surface (104), each of the guide walls having an end that does not contact the outer peripheral wall (106).

8. A steam device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a heating element (112), which is arranged to heat the steam surface (104), and the at least one wall (A1, A2; B1) is aligned with a portion of the heating element, or with an area adjacent to and extending parallel to the portion of the heating element.

9. The steam device (100) of claim 8 according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the heating element (112) is aligned with one or more portions of the steam surface (104) extending along a wall of the pair of walls (A1, A2).

10. The steam device (100) according to claim 8, according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the additional wall (B1 ) is aligned with a portion of the heating element (1 12).

11. The steam device (100) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein each of the pair of guide walls (C1, C2) is aligned with a corresponding portion of the heating element (112).

12. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, 9 and 10, wherein the steam chamber (102) is closed by a steam cover fluid, and the pair of walls (A1, A2) each extend upward compared to the steam surface (104) until contacting the steam cover.

13. A steam device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, 9, 10 and 12, comprising a steam outlet (107) allowing steam to leave the steam chamber (102), the steam outlet being close to the rear portion (104B) of the steam surface (104) and being arranged between the pair of walls (A1, A2).

14. The steam device (100) according to claim 13, wherein the steam outlet (107) is partially defined by a baffle portion (DP) protruding from the steam surface (104).

15. The steam device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a steam channel (122) for conveying steam downstream of the steam surface (104), the steam channel being arranged in the steam chamber (102) together with the steam surface.

16. The steam device (100) according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral wall (106) is bifurcated into a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion partially defines the steam surface (104), and the second wall portion helps to retain the steam in the steam chamber (102), and the steam channel (122) is defined between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

17. A steam device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a treatment plate (108), the treatment plate defining one or more steam vents, the steam generated in the steam chamber (102) leaving the steam device through the steam vents, wherein the steam surface (104) is a flat surface, parallel to the outer surface of the treatment plate or inclined at an angle of 2 to 10 degrees relative to the outer surface, so that when the steam chamber is horizontally oriented, water quantitatively supplied to the steam surface descends from the front (104A) toward the rear (104B) under the action of gravity.

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