Hand-held steam generator for steam treatment of a steaming material

Abstract

The invention relates to a handheld steam generator (2) for steam treatment of a material to be steamed, comprising a device housing (4) having an outlet section (6) from which gaseous fluid can exit the device housing (4), a reservoir (8) in which a first fluid can be arranged, which is in fluid communication with the device housing (4) and which can be connected to or arranged on the device housing (4), an evaporator unit (10) arranged between the reservoir (8) and the outlet section (6), through which the first fluid can be drawn from the reservoir (8), evaporated and supplied to the outlet section (6), and an adapter (12) comprising at least one adapter body (14) that can be arranged or is arranged on the outlet section (6) of the device housing (4), which comprises at least one continuous channel-like adapter guide (16).by which the evaporated first fluid can be supplied from the outlet section (6) through the adapter body (14) to a vapor outlet area (18) of the adapter body (14), which comprises at least one reservoir unit (20) that can be fixed or is fixed to the adapter body (14) and in which a second fluid can be arranged, which comprises at least one atomizing agent (22) functionally assigned to the reservoir unit (20), which is automatically operable and by which the second fluid can be atomized and supplied to the vapor outlet area (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handheld steam generator for steam treatment of a material to be steamed.

[0002] Handheld steam generators for steam treatment of a material being steamed include mobile devices that can be handled by the user's hands, ideally by only one hand.

[0003] Steam generators in various designs are known from the prior art. These are used for refreshing and smoothing textiles. For example, creases in textiles can be smoothed out using steam. Similarly, steam brushes or steam irons can be used to remove creases from worn but lightly soiled textiles.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to use so-called ironing waters for refreshing textiles and removing unpleasant odors. These are aqueous preparations containing small amounts of perfume oil. They can, for example, be poured directly into a refill tank unit of ironing systems and used to generate steam.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known to use sprayable fabric refreshers to remove bad odors.

[0006] When using ironing water in refill tank units, it has proven problematic that perfume oils have a different evaporation behavior than the added water and can therefore accumulate in the refill tank unit of the ironing system during use.

[0007] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a steam generator for the steam treatment of a steam product in which a fragrance can be added more easily and the risk of accumulation in the steam generator is at least reduced.

[0008] This problem is solved by a handheld steam generator for steam treatment of a material to be steamed, comprising a device housing having an outlet section from which gaseous fluid can exit the device housing, a reservoir in which a first fluid can be arranged, which is in fluid communication with the device housing and which can be connected to or arranged on the device housing, at least one evaporator unit arranged between the reservoir and the outlet section, through which the first fluid can be drawn from the reservoir, evaporated and supplied to the outlet section, and an adapter comprising at least one adapter body that can be arranged or is arranged on the outlet section of the device housing, which includes at least one continuous channel-like adapter guide.by which the evaporated first fluid can be supplied from the outlet section through the adapter body to a vapor outlet area of ​​the adapter body, which comprises at least one reservoir unit that can be fixed or is fixed to the adapter body and in which a second fluid can be arranged, which comprises at least one atomizing agent functionally assigned to the reservoir unit, which is automatically operable and by which the second fluid can be atomized and supplied to the vapor outlet area.

[0009] Because the handheld steam generator comprises a housing in which the reservoir and evaporator unit are arranged, as well as an adapter body through which the steam generated in the housing can flow and through which a second fluid can be atomized by the atomizing agent and supplied to the steam, the item being steamed can be refreshed by both steam and ironing water.

[0010] Due to the spatial separation and the placement of the reservoir unit on the adapter, the individual components installed in the device housing are not affected by the second fluid.

[0011] The items being steamed can be textiles, such as clothing, furniture or curtains.

[0012] The reservoir can be located on the device housing and be either detachably or permanently integrated into it. Furthermore, the reservoir can include an external fluid tank that is separate from the device housing and supplies the initial fluid to the evaporator unit, for example, via a hose.

[0013] The evaporation unit can include an evaporator that heats and evaporates the first fluid. In addition, the evaporation unit can include a suction device, such as a pump, through which the first fluid can be drawn from the reservoir and fed to the evaporator.

[0014] In the steam outlet area, the first fluid, which is generated in vapor form in the device housing, and the second fluid, which is atomized in the adapter, flow together and are mixable there.

[0015] The device housing can be of any design. It is advantageous if the housing includes a manually accessible section. This manually accessible section can be located between the storage medium and the evaporator unit.

[0016] The reservoir can be detachably arranged on the device housing, meaning it can be removed and reattached. Furthermore, embodiments of the steam product are also conceivable in which the reservoir and the device housing form a single, integrated component.

[0017] It is conceivable to have embodiments of the steam generator in which the adapter body can be attached or fixed to the outlet section of the device housing, either detachably or permanently.

[0018] If the adapter body can be detachably attached to the outlet section of the device housing, the handheld steam generator can be retrofitted with the adapter if a second fluid is to be used. In all cases where only the material to be steamed is to be treated with the first fluid, the adapter can be detached and removed from the device housing.

[0019] If the adapter body is permanently attached to the outlet section of the device housing, it can, for example, form a single, integrated component with the device housing.

[0020] The atomizing agent and the evaporator unit can, in principle, be designed in any way they wish, provided that they fulfill the function of atomizing the second fluid in the case of the atomizing agent, in particular converting it into a spray form, and of converting the first fluid from a liquid to a gaseous state in the case of the evaporator unit.

[0021] It proves advantageous if the atomizing device is electrically operable and in particular comprises an electrically operable piezoelectric atomizer and / or if the evaporator unit is electrically operable.

[0022] If the atomizing device is electrically operated, the second fluid can be atomized as needed. If the atomizing device includes a piezoelectric atomizer, it can achieve different atomization rates depending on the frequency.

[0023] To supply the atomizing agent and / or the evaporator unit with electrical energy, an embodiment of the steam generator comprises a first electrical energy source with which at least the evaporator unit can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy source comprises an external power source connectable to the evaporator unit via a cable-like conductor, and / or wherein the first electrical energy source comprises a first electrical energy storage device, which can be arranged or is arranged in particular in the device housing, and / or a second electrical energy source arranged in the adapter body with which at least the atomizing agent can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy source comprises a second electrical energy storage device.

[0024] The first energy storage device and / or the second energy storage device can include a battery and / or a rechargeable battery.

[0025] In principle, it is conceivable that in one embodiment of the steam generator, it directly activates the evaporator unit and / or the atomizing medium as soon as a connection to an external power source is established. In one embodiment of the steam generator, it comprises a first manually operated switch located on the device housing, by which at least the evaporator unit can be activated and deactivated, and / or a second manually operated switch located on the adapter body, by which at least the atomizing medium can be activated and deactivated.

[0026] If the steam generator includes a first manually operated switch located on the housing, this switch can be used to start the evaporator unit. If a second manually operated switch is also provided for activating the atomizing fluid, the atomizing fluid can only be activated when the material being steamed is to be treated with the second fluid. This allows for the optional activation of the atomizing fluid and, consequently, the supply of the second fluid.

[0027] The first fluid can, for example, consist of water. The second fluid can, for example, consist of a fragrance, in particular an oil, an aqueous solution containing oil, or a suspension.

[0028] It proves advantageous if the atomizing device can be supplied with electrical energy by the first energy source and / or by the second energy source and / or if the atomizing device can be put into operation and taken out of operation again by the first switch and / or by the second switch.

[0029] If the atomizer can be powered by the first energy source, a second energy source in the adapter is unnecessary. The same applies if the atomizer can be switched on and off using the first switch. This allows both the vaporizer unit and the atomizer to be activated simultaneously when the first switch is pressed, resulting in a compact vapor generator with fewer components.

[0030] If the atomizing medium can be supplied with electrical energy as a second power source and / or can be switched on and off via a second switch, the adapter can be designed as a self-contained unit. This allows the adapter to provide a second fluid atomized or sprayed without being connected to the device housing. Furthermore, a self-contained adapter design eliminates the need for contacts at the outlet and on the adapter body. This facilitates the spatial separation of live parts and moisture.

[0031] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the steam generator, at least one control unit is provided in the adapter body, by which the atomizing agent can be controlled and, in particular, at least one atomization rate of the atomizing agent can be set.

[0032] It is conceivable to have embodiments of the steam generator in which the reservoir unit can be attached or fixed to the adapter body in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

[0033] If the reservoir is detachably attachable to the adapter body, or fixed in place, it can be easily removed and reattached. This is particularly advantageous when the reservoir is cartridge-like and full reservoirs are exchanged for empty ones.

[0034] If the reservoir is permanently fixed to the adapter body, it can, for example, form a single, integral component with the adapter body. This proves particularly advantageous if the reservoir can be manually filled with the second fluid.

[0035] Furthermore, it proves advantageous if the reservoir unit comprises a reservoir body that is detachably or indetachably arranged in or on the adapter body, which surrounds a cavity in which the second fluid can be arranged or is arranged, which includes an outlet on the side facing the atomizing means through which the cavity can be brought into fluid contact with the atomizing means, and which includes an opening on the side facing away from the adapter body through which the cavity is accessible from the outside, and / or if the reservoir unit comprises a lid-like or hood-like closing element that can be detachably arranged on the reservoir body and by which the opening can be completely closed.

[0036] By providing a reservoir that is either detachably or permanently attached to or within the adapter body, a refillable element is easily created. The fact that the reservoir can be sealed with the closure element prevents the unintentional leakage of a second fluid. This creates a simple, refillable reservoir.

[0037] The sealing element can be made of a material that, when attached to the reservoir, seals the cavity in the area of ​​the opening. Furthermore, an additional sealing agent can be provided, positioned between the reservoir and the sealing element.

[0038] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it is provided that the storage body is entirely or at least partially transparent or translucent and that the cavity is visible from the outside and / or that the closure element includes at least one viewing window section through which the storage body can be seen.

[0039] By designing the reservoir body and closure element in this way, a user of the steam generator can easily see from the outside whether there is still enough second fluid in the reservoir or whether second fluid needs to be added.

[0040] To facilitate the mixing of the spray-like second fluid with the vaporous first fluid, it proves advantageous if the adapter body has a funnel-shaped recess extending from the vapor outlet area to the outlet of the reservoir body and tapering from the vapor outlet area towards the outlet of the reservoir body.

[0041] Because the funnel-shaped recess widens from the outlet towards the steam exit area, the flow velocity of the spray-like second fluid decreases progressively. This facilitates mixing with the vapor-like first fluid in the steam exit area. Furthermore, this geometric design reduces the risk of condensation of the spray in the outlet area.

[0042] Within the device housing, the first fluid, vaporized by the evaporator unit, can be fed to the outlet section in any desired manner. In embodiments of the steam generator, it proves advantageous if the device housing includes at least one channel-like guide through which at least the gaseous first fluid can be guided from the evaporator unit to the outlet section and which opens into the channel-like adapter guide.

[0043] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it is provided that the device housing comprises at least two, in particular at least four, in particular at least six, channel-like guide means through which at least the gaseous first fluid can be guided from the evaporator unit to the outlet section and / or that the adapter body comprises at least two, in particular at least four, in particular at least six, continuous channel-like adapter guides through which the evaporated first fluid can be supplied from the outlet section through the adapter body to the vapor outlet area of ​​the adapter body, in particular wherein each channel-like adapter guide is assigned to a channel-like guide means.

[0044] By providing at least two, in particular at least four, and in particular at least six, channel-like guides and channel-like adapter guides, the area exposed to steam is increased by the steam outlet area. The steaming result can be further improved if at least the adapter guides with their openings in the steam outlet area are arranged in a line and / or are arranged symmetrically or point-symmetrically with respect to a center point of the steam outlet area.

[0045] Finally, it proves advantageous if the recess, particularly in the middle of the steam outlet area, is arranged between two, particularly between four, particularly between six, adapter guides.

[0046] In such cases, the recess is centered on the mirror-symmetrical or point-symmetrical adapter guides. If the adapter guides are arranged with their openings in front of a line, three adapter guides can be positioned on one side of the recess and three on the opposite side – viewed from the center point of the steam outlet area. The recess can open into the steam outlet area at a distance from this line, without contact.

[0047] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached patent claims, from the graphic representation and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the steam generator.

[0048] The drawing shows: Figure 1: A perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the steam generator; Figure 2: An exploded view of an adapter of the steam generator according to Figure 1 Figure 3: A schematic sectional view through the adapter according to Figure 1 along line AA.

[0049] The figures show a handheld steam generator, designated with reference numeral 2, for the steam treatment of a material to be steamed. The steam generator 2 comprises a housing 4, which has an outlet section 6. Gaseous fluid can escape from the housing 4 through the outlet section 6.

[0050] Furthermore, the steam generator 2 includes a storage medium 8 in which a first fluid can be arranged and which is arranged on the device housing 4 establishing a fluid connection to the device housing 4.

[0051] Furthermore, the steam generator 2 comprises at least one evaporation unit 10 arranged between storage medium 8 and outlet section 6, through which the first fluid can be drawn from the storage medium 8, evaporated and supplied to the outlet section 6.

[0052] Furthermore, the embodiment of the handheld steam generator 2 shown in the figures includes an adapter 12 that can be detachably attached to the device housing 4. The adapter 12 comprises an adapter body 14, which in the embodiments shown in the figures is formed from several individual components. The adapter body 14 allows the adapter 12 to be positioned at the outlet section 6 of the device housing 4. The adapter 12 also includes several continuous, channel-like adapter guides 16 through which the vaporized first fluid can be fed from the outlet section 6 through the adapter body 14 to a steam outlet area 18 of the adapter body 14.

[0053] Furthermore, the adapter 12 includes a reservoir unit 20, which is fixed to the adapter body 14 and in which a second fluid can be arranged. An atomizing agent 22 is functionally assigned to the reservoir unit 20. The atomizing agent 22 is automatically operable and atomizes the second fluid through the atomizing agent 22, which then supplies it to the vapor outlet area 18.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the adapter body 14 is detachably arranged on the outlet section 6 of the device housing 4.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the device housing 4 itself comprises six channel-like guide means 24 through which at least the gaseous first fluid can be guided from the evaporator unit 10 to the outlet section 6. These six channel-like guide means 24 open into six channel-like adapter guides 16 of the adapter 12 when the adapter 12 is arranged with the adapter body 14 on the device housing 4.

[0056] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the handheld steam generator 2, in which both the evaporator unit 10 and the atomizer 22 are electrically operable. For this purpose, the steam generator 2 comprises a first energy source 26 with which the evaporator unit 10 can be operated. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first energy source 26 can be connected to a power source by means of a cable, the cable terminating in the device housing 4.

[0057] The adapter 12 includes a second energy source 28 for operating the atomizing medium 22, which is arranged in the adapter body 14 and is formed by a battery.

[0058] For actuation, in particular for commissioning and decommissioning the evaporation unit 10, the steam generator 2 comprises a first manually operable switch 30, which is arranged on the device housing 4.

[0059] To activate the second energy source 28 and thereby the atomizing medium 22, the steam generator 2 on the adapter 12 includes a second manually operable switch 32.

[0060] To operate the atomizing agent 22 at different atomization rates, a control unit 34 is provided on the adapter 12.

[0061] Looking into the Figures 2 and 3 The reservoir unit 20 is described in more detail below: The reservoir unit 20 comprises a reservoir body 36, which is arranged in or on the adapter body 14. The reservoir body 36 surrounds a cavity 38 in which the second fluid can be arranged. On the side facing the atomizing medium 22, the reservoir body 36 includes an outlet 40 through which the cavity 38 can be brought into fluid contact with the atomizing medium 22.

[0062] On the side facing away from the adapter body 14, the reservoir body 36 includes an opening 42 through which the cavity 38 is accessible from the outside. In the embodiment shown in the figures, a hood-like closing element 44 is provided on the reservoir body 36. This element can be detachably attached to the reservoir body 36 and the opening 42 can be completely closed.

[0063] To allow the cavity 38 to be viewed from the outside, the storage body 36 is made of a transparent or translucent material. The closure element 44 includes at least one viewing window section 46 through which the storage body 36 can be viewed from the outside.

[0064] When the second fluid is atomized by the atomizing agent 22, or formed into a spray, it is fed to the vapor outlet area 18 via a funnel-shaped recess 48. The funnel-shaped recess 48 is designed such that it tapers from the vapor outlet area 18 towards the outlet 40.

[0065] The following briefly describes the operating principle of the handheld steam generator 2: When a material is to be steamed and a spray-like second fluid is to be supplied to the material in addition to the vaporous first fluid, the atomizing agent 22 is activated by pressing the second manually operated switch 32. The atomizing agent 22 atomizes the second fluid arranged in the reservoir 36 and directs it to the steam outlet area 18 via the funnel-shaped recess 48.

[0066] By actuating the first manually operated switch 30, the evaporator unit 10 is put into operation, through which the first fluid is drawn from the storage medium 8, evaporated and, via the outlet section 6, is also supplied to the steam outlet area 18 via the channel-like guide means 24 of the device housing 4.

[0067] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of the following claims. Reference symbol list

[0068] 2 Handheld steam generator 4 Device housing 6 Outlet section 8 Reservoir 10 Evaporator unit 12 Adapter 14 Adapter body 16 Adapter guide 18 Steam outlet area 20 Reservoir unit 22 Atomizer 24 Channel-like guide 26 First power source 28 Second power source 30 First manually operated switch 32 Second manually operated switch 34 Control unit 36 ​​Reservoir body 38 Cavity 40 Outlet 42 Opening 44 Closure element 46 Viewing window section 48 Recess

Claims

1. A hand-held steam generator (2) for steam treatment of a material to be steamed, comprising a device housing (4) having an outlet section (6) from which gaseous fluid can be discharged from the device housing (4), comprising a reservoir (8) in which a first fluid can be arranged, which is in fluid communication with the device housing (4) and which can be connected to the device housing (4) or is arranged on the device housing (4), comprising at least one evaporator unit (10) arranged between the reservoir (8) and the outlet section (6), through which the first fluid can be sucked in from the reservoir (8), evaporated, and fed to the outlet section (6), and comprising an adapter (12) comprising at least one adapter body (14) which can be arranged or is arranged on the outlet section (6) of the device housing (4), said adapter body comprising at least one continuous channel-like adapter guide (16),through which the evaporated first fluid can be fed from the outlet section (6) through the adapter body (14) to a vapor outlet region (18) of the adapter body (14), which comprises at least one reservoir unit (20) which is or can be fixed to the adapter body (14) and in which a second fluid can be arranged, which comprises at least one atomizing means (22) functionally associated with the reservoir unit (20), which is automatically operable and by means of which the second fluid can be atomized and fed to the vapor outlet region (18).

2. Steam generator (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter body (14) can be or is arranged detachably or non-detachably on the outlet section (6) of the device housing (4).

3. Steam generator (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe atomizing means (22) is electrically operable and in particular comprises an electrically operable piezoelectric atomizer and / or that the evaporator unit (10) is electrically operable.

4. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya first electrical energy source (26) with which at least the evaporator unit (10) can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy source (26) comprises an external power source that can be connected to the evaporator unit (10) via a cable-like line means and / or wherein the first electrical energy source (26) comprises a first electrical energy store, which can be or is arranged in particular in the device housing (4), and / or by a second electrical energy source (28) which is arranged in the adapter body (14) and with which at least the atomizer means (22) can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy source (28) comprises a second electrical energy store.

5. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya first manually operable switch (30) which is arranged on the device housing (4) and by means of which at least the evaporator unit (10) can be put into operation and deactivated again and / or by means of a second manually operable switch (32) which is arranged on the adapter body (14) and by means of which at least the atomising means (22) can be put into operation and deactivated again.

6. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the atomizing means (22) can be supplied with electrical energy by the first energy source (26) and / or by the second energy source (28) and / or that the atomizing means (22) can be put into operation and deactivated again by the first switch (30) and / or by the second switch (32).

7. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one control unit (34) arranged in the adapter body (14), by means of which the atomizing means (22) can be controlled and, in particular, at least one atomization rate of the atomizing means (22) can be adjusted.

8. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir unit (20) is detachably or permanently attachable to the adapter body (14).

9. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe reservoir unit (20) comprises a storage body (36) which is detachably or non-detachably arranged in or on the adapter body (14), which surrounds a cavity (38) in which the second fluid can be arranged or is arranged, which comprises an outlet (40) on the side facing the atomizer means (22) through which the cavity (38) can be brought into fluid communication with the atomizer means (22), and which comprises an opening (42) on the side facing away from the adapter body (14) through which the cavity (38) is accessible from the outside, and / or that the reservoir unit (20) comprises a lid-like or hood-like closure element (44) which can be detachably arranged on the storage body (36) and by means of which the opening (42) can be closed entirely.

10. Steam generator (2) according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe storage body (36) is transparent or translucent in its entirety or at least in sections and the cavity (38) is visible from the outside and / or that the closure element (44) comprises at least one viewing window section (46) through which the storage body (36) is visible.

11. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter body (14) has a funnel-like recess (48) which extends from the steam outlet area (18) to the outlet (40) of the storage body (36) and tapers from the steam outlet area towards the outlet (40) of the storage body (36).

12. Steam generator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device housing (4) comprises at least one channel-like guide means (24) through which at least the gaseous first fluid can be guided from the evaporator unit (10) to the outlet section (6) and which opens into the channel-like adapter guide (16).

13. Steam generator (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the device housing (4) comprises at least two, in particular at least four, in particular at least six, channel-like guide means (24) through which at least the gaseous first fluid can be guided from the evaporator unit (10) to the outlet section (6) and / or that the adapter body (14) comprises at least two, in particular at least four, in particular at least six, continuous channel-like adapter guides (16) through which the evaporated first fluid can be fed from the outlet section (6) through the adapter body (14) to the vapor outlet region (18) of the adapter body (14), in particular wherein each channel-like adapter guide (16) is assigned to a channel-like guide means (24).

14. Steam generator (2) according to claim 13, characterized in thatat least the adapter guides (16) are arranged with their mouths in the steam outlet area (18) on a line and / or are arranged mirror-symmetrically or point-symmetrically with respect to a center point of the steam outlet area (18).

15. Steam generator (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the recess (48), in particular centrally in the steam outlet area (18), is arranged between two, in particular between four, in particular between six, adapter guides (16).

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