Portable crease removal device comprising a handle containing a steam conduit

Abstract

A portable garment steaming appliance comprising a body including a handle (2) and a steam emission head (3) connected to an upper end of the handle (2), the steam emission head (3) having a treatment face (50), provided with at least one steam outlet hole (51), intended to come vertically opposite a garment to be steamed, said handle (2) comprising a wall intended to be grasped by the user's hand and enclosing a steam conduit (8) connected to said at least one steam outlet hole (51), characterized in that the body of the appliance comprises at least a first pair of openings (101, 102) configured to be able to generate, by thermal convection, a cooling of the handle (2).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of portable steaming devices comprising a handle, a steam emission head connected to an upper end of the handle and a base connected to a lower end of the handle in which the base includes a steam generator and the handle includes a steam conduit connecting the steam generator to a steam outlet hole provided on the head. State of the art

[0002] Patent application CN106801324 discloses a portable garment steamer comprising a steam emitting head connected to the upper end of the handle. The steam emitting head has a treatment face, equipped with steam outlets, designed to be positioned vertically against a garment to be steamed when the device is held with its handle oriented substantially vertically. The device disclosed in this document includes a vaporization chamber formed in the base and connected to the head by a steam conduit passing through the handle.

[0003] This type of device has the advantage of having a steam generator located in the base, resulting in a balanced weight distribution that provides good ergonomics during use. Because the weight of the generator is positioned under the handle, it does not generate torque that could strain the user's wrist when the device is held vertically.

[0004] However, such a device requires a steam duct to pass through the handle, which tends to heat the handle. Document EP 2 455 540 A1 presents another garment steamer. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a portable garment steaming appliance comprising a body including a handle and a steam emission head connected to an upper end of the handle, the steam emission head having a treatment face, provided with at least one steam outlet hole, intended to come into contact with a garment to be steamed, the handle including a wall intended to be grasped by the user's hand and enclosing a steam conduit connected to said at least one steam outlet hole, characterized in that the body of the appliance includes at least one first pair of openings configured to be able to generate cooling of the handle by thermal convection.

[0007] The solution provided by the present invention is based on cooling the handle by thermal convection, namely by the movement of air in a vertical plane. This thermal convection thus allows heat transfer by means of the movement of a fluid, such as air, in a vertical plane. In other words, the device comprises at least one lower orifice and one upper orifice positioned at two different heights, so as to allow the convection of an airflow that will cool the handle.

[0008] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0009] The first pair of openings includes at least one lower ventilation orifice configured to allow the introduction of a flow of fresh air into the body and at least one upper ventilation orifice configured to allow the evacuation of heat generated by the steam generator, the upper ventilation orifice being arranged in the head and being advantageously separated from the lower ventilation orifice by a difference in altitude of at least 5 cm when the treatment face is arranged vertically with the handle facing downwards.

[0010] A downward-facing handle means that the handle is positioned with its lower end as low as possible while the processing face is in a vertical plane.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the body comprises a base connected to a lower end of the handle and containing a steam generator, the lower vent being arranged in the base. According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the steam emission head comprises a through channel that opens onto the treatment face and allows visual access through the steam emission head, the upper vent being provided in the through channel.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the handle contains a sleeve extending around the steam duct to limit heat transfer between the wall of the handle and the steam duct.

[0013] Such a sleeve forms a thermal barrier around the steam duct which limits heat transfer and therefore the heating of the handle.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the sleeve is made up of a piece attached inside the handle.

[0015] This feature helps to limit the heat transfer that occurs by conduction between the sleeve and the handle.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the sleeve is made of plastic material.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first pair of openings generates, by convection, a first airflow flowing into the handle, inside the sleeve, and the body has a second pair of openings which generates a second airflow, flowing into the handle, outside the sleeve.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second pair of openings comprises at least one lower ventilation opening provided in the base and at least one upper ventilation opening provided in the handle.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the body includes a second pair of openings, configured to be able to generate, by thermal convection, cooling of the handle.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the handle includes a trigger that must be manually operated to allow the emission of steam.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the body comprises two shells assembled one on top of the other and the handle is made by assembling the two shells of the body. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The aims, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 2 ] There figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the figure 1 ; Fig 3 ] There figure 3 is another exploded perspective view of the device of the figure 1 ; Fig 4 ] There figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device of the figure 1 .

[0023] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0024] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the portable garment steamer refer to the device when it is lying flat on its base.

[0025] There figure 1 represents a portable steam ironing device comprising a plastic body 10 including a base 1 surmounted by a handle 2 and a steam emission head 3.

[0026] The base 1 comprises a flat lower face 1A on which the device can rest stably in a resting position, illustrated in the figure 1 , in which the longitudinal axis of handle 2 extends vertically.

[0027] As can be seen on the figures 2 And 3, the body 10 of the device comprises a front shell 10A and a rear shell 10B which are assembled one on top of the other and form a hollow body in which various components of the device are arranged.

[0028] The base 1 contains a steam generator 4 and conventionally includes an electrical power cord allowing its connection to a domestic electrical network.

[0029] In accordance with figures 1 à 3 , the steam emission head 3 has a slender shape extending transversely to the handle 2, preferentially forming an angle between 45° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle 2.

[0030] The steam emission head 3 has a front end fitted with an end plate 5, advantageously metallic, having a flat treatment face 50 intended to come vertically opposite a garment to be steamed and includes a through channel 30 which opens, on the one hand, onto the treatment face 50 and, on the other hand, onto a rear face of the head 3.

[0031] Preferably, the treatment face 50 and the end plate 5 have a general triangular shape, the channel through 30 extending longitudinally to the steam emission head 3 while being centered with respect to the latter.

[0032] In accordance with figures 2 And 3, the through channel 30 has a first diverging end which opens into the center of the treatment face 50 and a second diverging end which opens into the center of the rear face of the head 3. The first diverging end of the through channel 30 as well as the treatment face 50 has several steam outlet holes 51.

[0033] In accordance with the figure 3 , the steam emission head 3 contains a reservoir 6, preferably located in a rear part of the head 3, having a transparent outer wall and having a removable cap 60 allowing the reservoir 6 to be filled.

[0034] Preferably, the steam generator 4 is supplied by gravity with water from the reservoir 6 and includes an instantaneous vaporization chamber 40 made in an aluminum foundry containing, in a manner known per se, an electrical resistance 41 whose supply is regulated by means of a thermostat 42.

[0035] The reservoir 6 is connected to the vaporization chamber 40 by a supply conduit 7 extending inside the handle 2, the supply conduit 7 being advantageously equipped with a distributor 70 allowing control of the passage of water through the supply conduit 7. By way of example, the distributor 70 may consist of a valve returned to a closed position of the supply conduit 7 by return means, such as a spring, and brought to an open position of the supply conduit 7 when pressure is manually exerted on a trigger 71 located on the front face of the handle 2.

[0036] In accordance with the figure 4 , the vaporization chamber 40 is connected by a vapor conduit 8 to a vapor diffusion chamber 52 formed in a body disposed in thermal contact with the end plate 5, the vapor diffusion chamber 52 communicating with the vapor outlet holes 51.

[0037] The steam conduit 8 is connected to a steam outlet 41 provided on an upper face of the vaporization chamber 40 and runs vertically through the handle 2, then under the reservoir 6 to be connected to an inlet of the steam diffusion chamber 52.

[0038] The handle 2, formed by the assembly of the front shells 10A and rear shells 10B of the body 10, has a wall, with a thickness of approximately 2 mm, intended to be grasped by the user's hand, the wall of the handle 2 having an internal surface which delimits a volume in which the steam conduit 8 and the supply conduit 7 run.

[0039] As can be seen in figures 2 to 5, the handle 2 has a sleeve 9 comprising a wall extending around the steam conduit 8, the sleeve 9 comprising a lower end coming into contact with a cover 43 which covers the steam generator 4 and comprising an upper end which reaches the level of the upper end of the handle 2.

[0040] Preferably, the sleeve 9 comprises a body of overall tubular shape, made of plastic material, extending longitudinally to the handle 2, the steam conduit 8 passing through a lower opening provided at the lower end of the sleeve 9 and through a upper opening provided at the upper end of the sleeve 9.

[0041] The sleeve 9 has, at its upper end, a first collar 91 which conforms to the shape of the internal passage section of the handle 2 and partitions the upper end of the handle 2. The sleeve 9 has, near its lower end, a second collar 92 which conforms to the shape of the internal passage section of the handle 2 and partitions the lower end of the handle 2.

[0042] In accordance with the figure 3 , the supply conduit 7 is located outside the sleeve 9, the latter comprising, at its upper end, fixing studs on which the distributor 70 associated with the trigger 71 is fixed.

[0043] More particularly according to the invention, the body 10 of the household appliance includes a first pair of openings 101, 102 configured to be able to generate, by thermal convection, a cooling of the handle 2.

[0044] This first pair of openings 101, 102 includes a series of lower ventilation orifices 101 provided in the base 1, preferably on its lower face 1A, and a series of upper ventilation orifices 102 provided in the head 3, preferably at the level of the wall of the channel traversing 30.

[0045] As can be seen on the figure 3 , this first pair of openings 101, 102 allows to generate an airflow, illustrated by the arrows F1, which enters through the lower ventilation orifices 101, circulates around the steam generator 4 then in the sleeve 9 and in the head 3 to finally escape through the upper ventilation orifices 102.

[0046] Advantageously, the body 10 of the device also includes a second pair of openings 201, 202 configured to generate, by thermal convection, cooling of the handle 2.

[0047] This second pair of openings 201, 202 includes a lower ventilation grille 201 provided in the base 1, preferably on its lower face 1A, and a higher ventilation outlet 202 provided in the handle 2, preferably in the vicinity of its upper end.

[0048] The operation of the device will now be described.

[0049] When the user wishes to use the device, they fill the reservoir 6 with water and then plug the device into the electrical outlet. The electric heating element 41 of the vaporization chamber 40 is then powered so that its temperature quickly reaches a set temperature defined by the thermostat 42.

[0050] When the user wishes to use the device, he presses the trigger 71, which has the effect of opening the valve 70 and allowing water to flow through the supply conduit 7 to the vaporization chamber 40. The steam produced by the vaporization chamber 40 then escapes through the steam conduit 8 towards the steam diffusion chamber 52 provided in the head 3 and then exits through the steam outlet holes 51.

[0051] The presence of the first pair of openings 101, 102 allows for the generation, by thermal convection, of a first airflow F1 which cools the inside of the body 10 and in particular the inside of the sleeve 9 extending along the handle 2, the upper ventilation orifices 102 allowing the evacuation of the heat generated by the steam generator 4 and the lower ventilation orifices 101 allowing the introduction of a flow of fresh air into the inside of the body 10. The establishment of such an airflow thus prevents excessive heating of the walls of the handle 2 and prevents the user from experiencing an unpleasant sensation, or even from being burned.

[0052] The presence of the second pair of openings 201, 202 has the advantage of generating, by thermal convection, a second airflow F2 which also cools the inside of the body 10 and in particular the space located outside the sleeve 9, the upper ventilation outlet 202 allowing the evacuation of a flow of hot air and the lower ventilation grille 201 allowing the introduction of a flow of fresh air inside the body 10.

[0053] Establishing such an airflow also helps to prevent excessive heating of the walls of handle 2.

[0054] Finally, the presence of the sleeve 9 around the steam duct 8 has the advantage of forming a thermal barrier that limits heat transfer between the handle 2 and the steam duct. Such a sleeve 9 therefore limits the heating of the handle 2 and prevents the steam duct 8 from cooling down at the handle 2.

[0055] The device thus produced has the advantage of allowing improved ergonomics of use by limiting the heating of the handle.

[0056] Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example.

[0057] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the flash vaporization chamber can be replaced by a pressurized steam generator with an outlet equipped with a valve to control the steam emission through the steam duct, the valve opening being controlled by the trigger. In this alternative embodiment, the steam generator can be supplied with water by means of a pump connected to the reservoir.

Claims

1. Portable crease removal household device comprising a body (10) comprising a handle (2) and a steam emission head (3) connected to an upper end of the handle (2), the steam emission head (3) comprising a treatment face (50), provided with at least one steam outlet hole (51), intended to vertically face a garment to have its creases removed, said handle (2) comprising a wall intended to be held by the hand of the user and containing a steam conduit (8) connected to said at least one steam outlet hole (51), the body (10) of the household device comprises at least one first pair of openings (101, 102), characterized in that the first pair of openings (101, 102) is configured to generate, by thermal convection, a cooling of the handle (2), the first pair of openings (101, 102) comprising at least one lower aeration orifice (101), configured to enable the introduction of a fresh air flow inside the body (10) and at least one upper aeration orifice (102), configured to enable the discharging of calories generated by the steam generator (4), and in that the upper aeration orifice (102) is arranged in the head (3) and is separated from the lower aeration orifice (101) by an altitude difference, when the treatment face (50) is disposed vertically with the handle (2) oriented downwards.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper aeration orifice (102) is separated from the lower aeration orifice (101) by an altitude difference of at least 5cm, when the treatment face (50) is disposed vertically with the handle (2) oriented downwards.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (10) comprises a base (1) connected to a lower end of the handle (2) and containing a steam generator (4), the lower aeration orifice (101) being arranged in the base (1).

4. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the steam emission head (3) comprises a through channel (30) which opens onto the treatment face (50) and enables a visual access through the steam emission head (3), and in that the upper aeration orifice (102) is provided in said through channel (30).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the handle (2) contains a sleeve (9) extending around the steam conduit (8) to limit the thermal transfer between the wall of the handle (2) and the steam conduit (8).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first pair of openings (101, 102) generates, by convection, a first air flow flowing in the handle (2), inside the sleeve (9) and in that the body (10) comprises a second pair of openings (201, 202) which generates a second air flow, flowing in the handle (2), outside of the sleeve (9).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second pair of openings (201, 202) comprises at least one lower aeration opening (201) provided in the base (1) and at least one upper aeration opening (202) provided in the handle (2).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body (10) comprises a second pair of openings (201, 202), configured to be able to generate, by thermal convection, a cooling of the handle (2).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body (10) comprises two shells (10A, 10B), assembled on one another, and in that the handle (2) is produced by assembling the two shells (10A, 10B).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the handle (2) comprises a trigger (71) needing to be actuated manually to enable the emission of steam, and in that the trigger (71) is fixed on the sleeve (9).

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