Clothing steamer

Abstract

To make it easy to attach and detach a tank, and to reduce connection failures and damage when connecting and disconnecting the tank-side connecting portion and the tank connecting portion-side connecting portion. [Solution] The garment steamer 500 has a tank 50 and a tank connection part 510, is provided with a protrusion 514, and is provided with a recess 504 into which the protrusion 514 can be inserted and removed, has a first connection part 506 that communicates with the tank 50, and is provided with a second connection part 516 on the tank connection part 510 that is connected to a pipe that supplies liquid to the evaporation chamber 28, by connecting the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516, liquid can be supplied from the tank 50 to the evaporation chamber 28, one of the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 protrudes and can be inserted toward the other to connect, and by inserting the protrusion 514 into the recess 504, the tank 50 and tank connection part 510 are connected and the first connection part 506 and second connection part 516 are connected.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing steamer used for removing wrinkles from clothing and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a garment steamer equipped with a fabric clamp as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has been provided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-535330 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in a clothing steamer having a detachable tank for storing liquid (e.g., water) to be supplied to the vaporization chamber, there is a demand for easy attachment and detachment of the tank. In addition, when a tank-side connection part (first connection part) and a tank-side connection part (second connection part) are provided as connection members for connecting so that the liquid stored in the tank side can be supplied toward the tank connection part side provided on the main body of the clothing steamer, there is a demand for the first connection part and the second connection part to be connected and disconnected together with the attachment and detachment of the tank. If the first connection part and the second connection part are connected and disconnected together with the attachment and detachment of the tank, there is a risk that the first connection part and the second connection part will have poor connection or breakage when the tank is moved in the attachment and detachment direction.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a clothing steamer that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the tank and reduces poor connection and damage when connecting and disconnecting the connection parts on the tank side and the tank connection part side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothing steamer of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, supplies liquid to a vaporization chamber heated by a heating unit, thereby discharging steam from the vaporization chamber, and has a tank for storing liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber, and a tank connection unit to which the tank is removably connected, and a protrusion protruding in a connection / disconnection direction of the tank from the tank connection unit is provided on at least one of the tank and the tank connection unit, and a recess into which the protrusion can be inserted and removed in the connection / disconnection direction is provided on the tank and the tank connection unit at a position corresponding to the protrusion, A first connection part that communicates with the inside of the tank is provided on the tank, and a second connection part that is connected to a pipeline that supplies liquid toward the vaporization chamber is provided on the tank connection part, and by connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, it is possible to supply liquid from the tank to the vaporization chamber, and one of the first connection part and the second connection part protrudes in the connection and separation direction and can be inserted toward the other to connect, and by inserting the protrusion into the corresponding recess, the tank and the tank connection part are connected, and the first connection part and the second connection part are connected. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a clothing steamer that can solve the above-mentioned problems can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a clothing steamer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the clothing steamer shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the garment steamer shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clothing steamer shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. [Figure 6]2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the garment steamer shown in FIG. 1, with a portion cut away and viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the garment steamer shown in FIG. 1, showing the bottom part cut away and viewed from the top surface side. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view showing an electrical component part of the clothes steamer shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a steam discharge portion of the clothing steamer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the steam discharge portion of the clothing steamer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a clothing steamer according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a clothing steamer according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 13] An oblique view showing a garment steamer according to a first modified embodiment, partially cut away. [Figure 14] A plan view showing a garment steamer according to a first modified embodiment with a portion cut away. [Figure 15] An oblique view showing a garment steamer according to a second modified embodiment, partially cut away. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of part A in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] An exploded oblique view showing a clothing steamer according to a third modified embodiment. [Figure 18] A cross-sectional view showing a clothing steamer according to a fourth modified embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view showing a tank used in the clothing steamer of FIG. 18, and FIG. 19(b) is a perspective view showing the tank seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 19(a). [Figure 20] An exploded cross-sectional view showing a clothing steamer according to a fourth modified embodiment. [Figure 21]21(a) is a perspective view showing the garment steamer of FIG. 20 with the tank removed, and FIG. 21(b) is a perspective view showing the tank used in the garment steamer of FIG. 20. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a clothing steamer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship such as up, down, left, right, etc. will be described based on the state shown in FIG.

[0010] The garment steamer 10 is used, for example, to remove wrinkles from garments. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the garment steamer 10 has a main body 20 and a steam discharge part 60. The garment steamer 10 can remove wrinkles from garments by holding the main body 20 in the hand and discharging steam from the steam discharge part 60 toward the garments.

[0011] The main body 20 has a head 22, an intermediate portion 24, and a bottom 26. The head 22 is present at the upper end of the main body 20 when arranged as shown in FIG. 1, and is connected to a steam discharge portion 60, which will be described later in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the vaporization chamber 28 and the heating portion 30 are built in the head 22. The vaporization chamber 28 constitutes a space for vaporizing liquid to form steam. The vaporization chamber 28 is preferably formed of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum die casting. The vaporization chamber 28 is a box having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape that is long in the width direction (substantially horizontal direction). A water supply pipe (not shown) for supplying liquid for forming steam (water in this embodiment) stored in a tank 50 provided at the bottom 26 is connected to the vaporization chamber 28.

[0012] The heating unit 30 is for heating and vaporizing the liquid for forming steam (water in this embodiment). The heating unit 30 is configured to generate heat by energizing a sheath heater, for example. The heating unit 30 is configured to be capable of adjusting the output so that the temperature does not exceed a predetermined appropriate temperature and does not become excessively high, for example, by the action of an overheating prevention device configured by a thermostat, etc. The heating unit 30 is provided in the vaporization chamber 28. Therefore, by supplying water from the tank 50 to the vaporization chamber 28 through a water supply pipe (not shown) while operating the heating unit 30, the water can be vaporized in the vaporization chamber 28 to form steam. The vaporization chamber 28 has an opening (not shown) on the front side (steam discharge unit 60 side), and steam can be discharged through this opening to the steam discharge unit 60 side, which will be described later in detail.

[0013] The middle section 24 is a portion intermediate between the head section 22 and the bottom section 26. The middle section 24 constitutes a handle section 32 which serves as a grip for the garment steamer 10. The main body section 20 is hollow and tubular in the middle section 24. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the middle section 24 is provided with a partition wall 34, a base plate 36, a plate operating section 38, an operation receiving section 40, a lock section 42, etc.

[0014] The partition 34 is a wall surface that divides the space that communicates in the vertical direction in the middle section 24 into the front side and the back side of the garment steamer 10. The partition 34 is provided with a communication hole 34a that is formed to communicate between the front side and the back side of the middle section 24. The board 36 is attached to the front side of the partition 34. A switch 36a is mounted on the front side of the board 36. The switch 36a is provided at a position corresponding to a protrusion 40b provided on the back side of the operation receiving section 40, which will be described later in detail. Therefore, the switch 36a can be pressed by the protrusion 40b by performing an operation of pushing the operation receiving section 40 toward the back side.

[0015] The plate operating unit 38 is an operating member provided for operating the second plate 64 of the steam discharge unit 60, which will be described later in detail. The plate operating unit 38 is bent in a substantially L-shape in side view, and has an opening on the back side. The plate operating unit 38 is fitted into an opening provided on the front side of the cylindrical portion forming the intermediate portion 24. The plate operating unit 38 is supported near the end of the lower end side (bottom portion 26 side) so as to be swingable about a rotation shaft 46 attached so as to cross the intermediate portion 24 as a fulcrum.

[0016] The plate operation unit 38 is provided with a space 38a therein for accommodating at least a part of the operation reception unit 40. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the space 38a has an opening 38b on the front side of the plate operation unit 38 so that the operation reception unit 40 can be fitted therein, and is a hollow portion formed in the depth direction (the direction from the front to the back of the garment steamer 10). The space 38a is closed by a rib member 44 fixed to the back side of the plate operation unit 38. A locking claw 38c is provided on the inner periphery of the space 38a. The locking claw 38c is provided at a position on the back side of the operation reception unit 40 fitted into the space 38a. Therefore, the user of the garment steamer 10 can operate not only the operation reception unit 40 but also the plate operation unit 38 together by gripping the vicinity of the operation reception unit 40 and pushing it into the back side (back side) of the space 38a.

[0017] The operation reception unit 40 is a member that is fitted into the space 38a provided in the plate operation unit 38 as described above and can be pressed. The operation reception unit 40 has an operation reception unit main body 40a and a protrusion 40b. The operation reception unit main body 40a is a block-shaped member made of resin or the like and has an opening on the back side. The protrusion 40b is erected so as to protrude from the front side to the back side with respect to the operation reception unit main body 40a. The protrusion 40b protrudes further than the opening on the back side of the operation reception unit main body 40a, and its tip reaches the vicinity of the switch 36a. A spring 40c is attached to the protrusion 40b. As a result, the operation reception unit main body 40a is biased from the back side to the front side. Therefore, the operation reception unit 40 can perform an operation of pressing the switch 36a with the protrusion 40b by pushing the operation reception unit main body 40a from the front side to the back side against the biasing force of the spring 40c. Furthermore, by releasing the above-mentioned pressing force, the operation acceptance main body 40a receives a biasing force from the spring 40c and returns to a predetermined position, and the pressing of the switch 36a can be released.

[0018] The rib member 44 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The rib member 44 serves as a member for arranging the above-mentioned board 36 and as a seat for the biasing portion 48 for biasing the plate operating portion 38. The rib member 44 has an engaged portion 44a, a bent portion 44b, and a seat portion 44c. The engaged portion 44a is provided at a position corresponding to the space portion 38a or in the vicinity thereof when the rib member 44 is attached to the plate operating portion 38. The engaged portion 44a is provided with an engaged hole 44d that communicates in the vertical direction. The bent portion 44b is located below the portion where the engaged portion 44a is provided, between the engaged portion 44a and the seat portion 44c. The rib member 44 is bent at the bent portion 44b, and has the seat portion 44c below this. The rib member 44 fixed to the plate operating part 38 is in a state where the seat part 44c enters the space part 38a from the back side of the plate operating part 38. The seat part 44c located below this is fixed to the plate operating part 38 in a state where it enters the inside from the back side of the plate operating part 38. As a result, a gap 44e is formed between the seat part 44c and the partition wall 34. The lower end of the seat part 44c reaches the vicinity of the rotation shaft 46. A biasing part 48 is provided in the gap 44e, and a biasing force acts from the partition wall 34 side toward the rib member 44 and the plate operating part 38. The biasing part 48 may be composed of any material that can exert a biasing force, but in this embodiment, the biasing part 48 is used. Since the biasing part 48 is provided, the plate operating part 38 is biased by the biasing part 48 to protrude to the front side, and can be pressed toward the inside of the intermediate part 24 against the biasing force.

[0019] The locking portion 42 is for locking the plate operating portion 38 so that it does not separate when pressed into the inside of the intermediate portion 24. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the locking portion 42 has a lock operating portion 42a. The lock operating portion 42a is provided on the rear side of the intermediate portion 24 so that the user can freely operate it. Specifically, the lock operating portion 42a has a sliding portion 42b and an engaging portion 42c. The sliding portion 42b is fitted into an opening 24a formed on the rear side of the intermediate portion 24 and can be slid in a predetermined direction (up and down in this embodiment). The engaging portion 42c is formed integrally with the sliding portion 42b and is a piece-like portion formed to protrude in the sliding direction of the sliding portion 42b (upward in this embodiment).

[0020] The locking portion 42 includes an engaging portion 42c provided on the lock operating portion 42a and the engaged portion 44a of the rib member 44 described above. That is, the engaged portion 44a of the rib member 44 functions as part of the locking portion 42. In addition, the engaging portion 42c can be engaged with an engaged hole 44d of the engaged portion 44a by sliding the slide portion 42b upward in a state in which the plate operating portion 38 is pressed toward the inside of the intermediate portion 24 until the engaged portion 44a is exposed from the communication hole 34a of the partition wall 34.

[0021] 1 to 4, the main body 20 has a bottom 26 below the intermediate portion 24. The bottom 26 has a generally truncated cone shape. The bottom 26 is provided with a tank 50 and an electrical component section 52. The tank 50 is provided in a front area of ​​the bottom 26.

[0022] The tank 50 is for storing liquid (water) for generating steam. The tank 50 is freely detachable from the bottom 26. Therefore, the tank 50 can be removed from the main body 20 and refilled with water. As shown in FIG. 7, the peripheral surface 54 of the tank 50 is curved so as to be convex toward the front side in a plan view (approximately semicircular in this embodiment). Therefore, when the garment steamer 10 is in use and the garment steamer 10 is in a forward tilted position (the head portion 22 side is tilted toward the garment side more than the bottom 26 side), water collects in the outermost (front side) bulging portion of the peripheral surface 54 or in the vicinity thereof (collection portion 54a). By attaching the tank 50 to the bottom 26, the suction pipe 50a extending from the electrical equipment portion 52 side is inserted into the tank 50.

[0023] The suction pipe 50a is a pipe for sucking water out of the tank 50. One end of the suction pipe 50a is connected to a pipe (not shown) provided in the main body 20 so as to reach the vaporization chamber 28 of the head 22. The other end of the suction pipe 50a is provided so as to extend from the back side to the front side at approximately the center in the width direction of the garment steamer 10. The suction pipe 50a is bent so as to reach the vicinity of the bottom of the tank 50 when the tank 50 is attached to the bottom 26. The suction pipe 50a is formed so as to reach the above-mentioned collecting portion 54a of the circumferential surface 54 or its vicinity. Therefore, even if there is little water remaining in the tank 50, water can be sucked up by placing the garment steamer 10 in a forward tilted position (a position in which the head 22 side is tilted toward the garment side more than the bottom 26 side).

[0024] The electrical equipment section 52 is a section that houses a pump 56a for sucking up water from the tank 50, other electrical devices, electrical components, etc. A power cable 56b is inserted into the electrical equipment section 52 and is connected so as to be able to supply power to the pump 56a, etc.

[0025] Here, the above-mentioned water suction pipe 50a is disposed so as to pass through the electrical equipment section 52 and reach the tank 50 side. The electrical equipment section 52 also communicates with the intermediate section 24 of the main body section 20. A pipe (not shown) provided within the main body section 20 is routed in the intermediate section 24 so as to reach the vaporizing chamber 28 of the head section 22 via the water suction pipe 50a. In consideration of this structure, as shown in FIG. 8, the electrical equipment section 52 is provided with a cover 58 for covering parts that may be adversely affected by getting wet, such as the pump 56a and other electrical components.

[0026] The steam discharge part 60 is a part that discharges the steam generated in the above-mentioned vaporization chamber 28. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the steam discharge part 60 has a first plate part 62 and a second plate part 64.

[0027] The first plate portion 62 is a plate-shaped member made of metal and connected to the front side of the vaporization chamber 28. Therefore, the first plate portion 62 can be heated by heat transfer from the vaporization chamber 28. The first plate portion 62 has a plurality of (six in this embodiment) discharge holes 62a arranged in a line in the width direction (approximately horizontal direction) near the center in the vertical direction. As described above, the vaporization chamber 28 is a box having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape that is long in the width direction. Therefore, the steam formed in the vaporization chamber 28 is discharged approximately uniformly from each discharge hole 62a. In addition, a plurality of radially extending grooves 62b are formed on the surface of the first plate portion 62. Each groove 62b is formed to extend from a position slightly separated in the vertical direction from the position where each discharge hole 62a is provided to the outer periphery side of the first plate portion 62. This allows the steam discharged from each discharge hole 62a to spread approximately over the entire surface of the first plate portion 62 via the grooves 62b.

[0028] The second plate portion 64 is a plate-like member formed of a material such as resin, metal, or ceramic. The second plate portion 64 is provided with a plurality of discharge holes 64a (six in this embodiment). A plurality of grooves 64b are formed on the surface of the second plate portion 64. Each groove 64b is formed to extend vertically at a position where the discharge hole 64a is provided and at a position further outward in the width direction than the discharge holes 64a at both ends in the width direction. The second plate portion 64 is provided at a position adjacent to the front side of the first plate portion 62. The second plate portion 64 is capable of approaching and retracting from the first plate portion 62 at a predetermined interval.

[0029] Specifically, the second plate portion 64 is connected to the plate operating portion 38 described above, and swings about the pivot shaft 46 in conjunction with the operation of the plate operating portion 38. When a user of the garment steamer 10 holds the intermediate portion 24 and grips the plate operating portion 38, the second plate portion 64 approaches the first plate portion 62, and there is almost no gap between them. In addition, when the second plate portion 64 approaches the first plate portion 62, the discharge holes 62a, 64a provided on both plates are in a substantially connected state. Therefore, by bringing the second plate portion 64 close to the first plate portion 62, steam can be smoothly discharged through the discharge holes 62a, 64a. In addition, before the second plate portion 64 approaches the first plate portion 62, clothes can be sandwiched between the two to press the clothes and crease them, for example.

[0030] Furthermore, with the second plate portion 64 brought close to the first plate portion 62, the above-mentioned locking portion 42 can be operated to engage the engaging portion 42c with the engaged hole 44d of the engaged portion 44a, thereby locking the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in a state in which they are close to each other. On the other hand, when the gripping force on the plate operating portion 38 is weakened while the locking portion 42 is in the released state, the second plate portion 64 is moved away from the first plate portion 62 due to the influence of the biasing force acting on the plate operating portion 38 from the biasing portion 48.

[0031] The first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 have extension portions 62c, 64c extending vertically on both sides in the width direction when viewed from the front. The extension portions 62c, 64c can suggest to the user the direction in which the garment steamer 10 should be moved relative to the garment when applying steam to the garment. In addition, the portions of the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 where the extension portions 62c, 64c are provided are larger in size (length) in the vertical direction than the other portions. Therefore, when a garment is sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 to crease the garment, a wider area can be pressed at once by the extension portions 62c, 64c.

[0032] As described above, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, the plate-shaped second plate portion 64 is biased in a direction away from the plate-shaped first plate portion 62 capable of discharging steam from the vaporization chamber 28 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 48. In addition, by operating the plate operating portion 38, the garment steamer 10 can bring the second plate portion 64 close to the first plate portion 62 against the biasing force described above, and sandwich the garment between them. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, by adjusting the operating force of the plate operating portion 38, it is easy to apply a clamping force to the garment according to the user's desire.

[0033] In addition, in the garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above, the second plate portion 64 is biased away from the first plate portion 62 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 48. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10, it is easy to sandwich the garment between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64, and it is easy to use.

[0034] As described above, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, both the operation receiving unit 40 and the plate operating unit 38 are provided on the handle unit 32. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10, both the operation of discharging steam and the operation of sandwiching garments between the first plate unit 62 and the second plate unit 64 can be performed while holding the handle unit 32, and it is also excellent in terms of operability.

[0035] More specifically, the above-mentioned garment steamer 10 has a space 38a that accommodates at least a part of the operation reception unit 40, and is accommodated in the plate operation unit 38 so that a part of the operation reception unit 40 is exposed from an opening 38b formed in the plate operation unit 38. The above-mentioned garment steamer 10 is arranged so that the operation reception unit 40 and the plate operation unit 38 can be operated simultaneously. Furthermore, the garment steamer 10 is arranged so that the operation reception unit 40 and the plate operation unit 38 can be operated simultaneously. Specifically, the garment steamer 10 is configured so that a locking claw 38c is provided so as to arrive at a position on the back side of the operation reception unit 40 fitted into the space 38a, and the user can operate not only the operation reception unit 40 but also the plate operation unit 38 by grasping the vicinity of the operation reception unit 40 and pushing it into the back side (back side) of the space 38a. Because of this configuration, the garment steamer 10 can easily operate both the plate operation unit 38 and the operation reception unit 40 by holding the handle in the vicinity of the space 38a and the vicinity of the operation reception unit 40 exposed from the opening 38b. Therefore, the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment can easily be used in such a way that the garment is sandwiched between the first plate 62 and the second plate 64 and steam is applied to the garment to remove wrinkles.

[0036] In this embodiment, in addition to providing both the operation receiving unit 40 and the plate operating unit 38 on the handle unit 32, a space 38a or an opening 38b is formed in the plate operating unit 38, and the operation receiving unit 40 is accommodated therein, thereby providing a highly operable configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the operation receiving unit 40 may be provided in another part of the handle unit 32 or in another position outside the handle unit 32 without providing the space 38a or the opening 38b. Even in the case of a configuration different from that shown in the above embodiment, from the viewpoint of operability of the garment steamer 10, it is desirable to arrange the plate operating unit 38 and the operation receiving unit 40 so that they can be operated simultaneously. Specifically, for example, the plate operating unit 38 and the operation receiving unit 40 may be arranged vertically in the handle unit 32, so that the user can operate both with one hand.

[0037] As described above, the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment is provided with a locking portion 42 that locks the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 so that they do not separate when they are in contact with each other. Therefore, when the garment steamer 10 is used with the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in close proximity to each other, it is not necessary to continue to operate the second plate portion 64 to approach the first plate portion 62 against the biasing force of the biasing portion 48. Specifically, the garment steamer 10 can be used comfortably without having to continue to grip the plate operating portion 38 to bring the second plate portion 64 close to the first plate portion 62, for example, when the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are brought close to each other to communicate the discharge holes 62a, 64a to discharge steam, or when the garment steamer 10 is used with the garment steamer 10 held between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 for a while.

[0038] As described above, in the garment steamer 10, the locking portion 42 has the engaged portion 44a provided on the plate operating portion 38 and the engaging portion 42c provided on the locking portion 42a. In addition, the plate operating portion 38 is gripped and the second plate portion 64 is brought close to the first plate portion 62, so that the engaged portion 44a is formed to arrive at a position where it can engage with the engaging portion 42c. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10, the engaged portion 44a can be engaged with the engaging portion 42c by simply sliding the locking portion 42a while gripping the plate operating portion 38, and the first plate portion 62 can be fixed in a state where it is aligned with the second plate portion 64 with almost no gap. Note that the above-mentioned locking portion 42 is merely one example of a configuration for locking the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in a state where they are close to each other, and may be replaced by another configuration as long as the same action and effect can be obtained.

[0039] In the above-mentioned garment steamer 10, the coil spring constituting the biasing portion 48 is supported at one end on the plate operating portion 38 side and at the other end on the handle portion 32 side. Because of this configuration, a biasing force can be reliably applied between the plate operating portion 38 and the handle portion 32.

[0040] <<Variations>> The garment steamer 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and for example, the biasing unit 48 may have a different configuration from that described above. Below, as a modified example of the garment steamer 10, a biasing unit 148 is provided instead of the biasing unit 48, and a detailed description is given with reference to the drawings. In the description of the garment steamer 10 according to the modified example, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

[0041] 11 and 12, the garment steamer 10 according to this modified example is provided with a biasing unit 148. The biasing unit 148 applies a biasing force between the plate operating unit 38 and the handle unit 32, similar to the biasing unit 48 of the above embodiment.

[0042] Specifically, while the biasing portion 48 exemplified in the above embodiment utilizes the biasing force of a coil spring, the biasing portion 148 differs in that it uses a so-called torsion spring 148a (torsion coil spring) formed in an "L" shape.

[0043] In the garment steamer 10 of this modified example, one end of the torsion spring 148a constituting the biasing portion 148 is supported on the plate operating portion 38 side, and the other end is supported on the handle portion 32 side. Specifically, the rib member 44 integrated with the plate operating portion 38 is provided with an insertion portion 44x for inserting and engaging one end side (first arm portion 148b) of the torsion spring 148a. Meanwhile, on the handle portion 32 side, a notch portion 34x is provided in the partition wall 34 formed so as to extend in the vertical direction in the intermediate portion 24. The other end side (second arm portion 148c) of the torsion spring 148a can be inserted into the notch portion 34x.

[0044] The torsion spring 148a is installed with the pivot shaft 46 inserted into the center of the coil portion 148d located halfway between the first arm portion 148b and the second arm portion 148c, the first arm portion 148b inserted into the insertion portion 44x formed in the rib member 44 on the plate operating portion 38 side, and the second arm portion 148c inserted into the cutout portion 34x on the handle portion 32 side.

[0045] In the garment steamer 10 of this modification, the torsion spring 148a is arranged as described above, so that the plate operating part 38 is biased by the biasing part 48 to protrude to the front side, and can be operated to push inward the middle part 24 against the biasing force, in the same way as in the case where the biasing part 48 is provided. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10 using the torsion spring 148a, the second plate part 64 is also biased in a direction away from the first plate part 62.

[0046] Even in the case of the configuration of this modified example, the garment steamer 10 can bring the second plate portion 64 close to the first plate portion 62 against the biasing force exerted by the torsion spring 148a by operating the plate operating portion 38, thereby sandwiching the garment between them. Therefore, the garment steamer 10 of this modified example can easily apply a clamping force to the garments according to the user's desire by adjusting the operating force of the plate operating portion 38.

[0047] As described above, the clothing steamer 10 in an embodiment of the present invention discharges steam from the evaporation chamber 28 by supplying liquid heated by the heating unit 30 to the evaporation chamber 28, and is characterized by comprising a plate-shaped first plate portion 62 capable of discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28, a plate-shaped second plate portion 64 capable of being moved toward and away from the first plate portion 62, a biasing unit 48 that biases the second plate portion 64 in a direction away from the first plate portion 62, and a plate operating unit 38 for operating the second plate portion 64 in a direction approaching the first plate portion 62. In the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, the plate-shaped second plate portion 64 is biased in a direction away from the plate-shaped first plate portion 62 capable of discharging steam from the vaporization chamber 28 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 48. In addition, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, by operating the plate operating portion 38, the second plate portion 64 can be brought close to the first plate portion 62 against the biasing force described above, and garments can be sandwiched between them. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, by adjusting the operating force of the plate operating portion 38, a clamping force that meets the user's needs can be easily applied to the garments. In addition, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, the second plate portion 64 is biased away from the first plate portion 62 by the biasing force of the biasing portion 48. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, it is easy to sandwich the garment between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64, and it is easy to use.

[0048] The garment steamer 10 of the above-described embodiment comprises a handle portion 32 and an operation receiving portion 40 that receives operations for ejecting steam, and it is preferable that the operation receiving portion 40 and the plate operation portion 38 are provided on the handle portion 32.

[0049] In the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, both the operation receiving unit 40 and the plate operation unit 38 are provided on the handle unit 32. Therefore, in the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, both the operation of discharging steam and the operation of sandwiching garments between the first plate unit 62 and the second plate unit 64 can be performed while holding the handle unit 32. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a garment steamer 10 with excellent operability can be provided.

[0050] In the garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above, it is preferable that the plate operation unit 38 has a space 38a that accommodates at least a portion of the operation reception unit 40.

[0051] According to this configuration, by holding the handle portion 32 in the vicinity of the space portion 38a, it is possible to easily operate both the plate operation portion 38 and the operation reception portion 40. Therefore, the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment can be easily used by pinching the garment between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 and applying steam to the garment. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a garment steamer 10 with even better operability.

[0052] In the garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above, it is preferable that the operation receiving portion 40 is housed within the plate operating portion 38 so that a portion of the operation receiving portion 40 is exposed from an opening 38b formed in the plate operating portion 38.

[0053] According to this configuration, by holding the handle in the vicinity of where the operation reception unit 40 is exposed from the opening 38b of the plate operation unit 38, it is possible to easily operate both the plate operation unit 38 and the operation reception unit 40. Therefore, the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment can be easily used in such a way that the garment is sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 and steam is applied to the garment to remove wrinkles. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a garment steamer 10 with even better operability can be provided.

[0054] The garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above is preferably arranged so that the operation receiving unit 40 and the plate operation unit 38 can be operated simultaneously.

[0055] As in this embodiment, if the operation receiving unit 40 and the plate operating unit 38 are configured to be operable simultaneously, it can be easily used in a form in which clothing is sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 and steam is applied to the clothing.

[0056] The garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above may preferably include a locking portion 42 that locks the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in contact with each other so that they do not separate from each other.

[0057] In the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment, the second plate portion 64 can be kept in contact with the first plate portion 62 and prevented from separating by operating the lock portion 42. Therefore, the garment steamer 10 of this embodiment can be suitably used, for example, in cases where it is not necessary to use the garment in a form in which the garment is sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64, or in cases where it is desired to maintain the garment sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 for a while.

[0058] In the garment steamer 10 of the above-described embodiment, the locking portion 42 includes an engaged portion 44a provided on the plate operating portion 38 and an engaging portion 42c engageable with the engaged portion 44a, and is formed so that by operating the plate operating portion 38 in a direction in which the second plate portion 64 approaches the first plate portion 62, the engaged portion 44a arrives at a position where it can engage with the engaging portion 42c.

[0059] According to this configuration, it is possible to engage the engaged portion 44a with the engaging portion 42c by operating the plate operating portion 38 in a direction in which the second plate portion 64 approaches the first plate portion 62. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a garment steamer 10 that can be reliably locked so that the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 do not separate when they are in contact with each other.

[0060] In the garment steamer 10 of the present embodiment described above, it is preferable that the biasing portion 48 has one end supported on the plate operating portion 38 side and the other end supported on the handle portion 32 side.

[0061] According to this configuration, a biasing force can be reliably applied between the plate operating portion 38 and the handle portion 32.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims, based on the teachings and spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, examples of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0063] First Modified Embodiment Here, in conventionally known clothing steamers, when liquid such as water is dropped into the heating unit 30 provided for generating steam, the liquid may form beads due to the so-called Leidenfrost phenomenon and be ejected to the outside without being sufficiently vaporized, which may cause overflow, etc. Therefore, it is desirable to configure a clothing steamer so that the above-mentioned Leidenfrost phenomenon is unlikely to occur and the steam can be ejected as expected.

[0064] The first modified embodiment of the garment steamer 100 provided to solve this problem is as follows.

[0065] (1-1) The clothing steamer 100 of the first modified embodiment supplies liquid to the evaporation chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, thereby discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28, and the evaporation chamber 28 is characterized in that the dripping portion 106 into which the supplied liquid drips is formed in a mesh shape.

[0066] According to such a configuration, for example, the dripped liquid can be diffused in the dripping portion 106 formed in a mesh shape, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the above-mentioned Leidenfrost phenomenon, and the dripped liquid can be more reliably vaporized in the heating portion 30 to produce steam.

[0067] (1-2) The above-mentioned garment steamer 100 has a pipe 102 for supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber 28, and drips the liquid into the dripping part 106 through an outlet 104 formed in the pipe 102, and is preferably characterized in that the mesh openings formed in the dripping part 106 are smaller than the opening of the outlet 104.

[0068] In this way, by making the mesh openings formed in the dripping portion 106 smaller than the opening of the discharge port 104, the diffusion effect of the liquid in the dripping portion 106 is enhanced, and the evaporation of the liquid dripped onto the heating portion 30 can be further promoted to turn it into steam.

[0069] [Specific example of the first embodiment] The garment steamer 100 of the first modified embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The garment steamer 100 has a structure generally common to the garment steamer 10 of the above embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the garment steamer 100 is provided with a pipe 102 that supplies liquid (water in this embodiment) supplied from the tank 50 side to the vaporization chamber 28. The pipe 102 has an outlet 104 at its tip. The pipe 102 is arranged so that the outlet 104 arrives above the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber 28. Therefore, in the garment steamer 100, the liquid can be dripped from the outlet 104 toward the bottom surface 28a of the vaporization chamber 28.

[0071] In the vaporization chamber 28, a portion (dropping portion 106) where liquid is dropped from the outlet 104 of the pipe 102 is made mesh-like. As described above, in this embodiment, the bottom surface 28a of the vaporization chamber 28 is the dripping portion 106, so that a mesh-like (mesh-like) portion (mesh portion 28b) is provided on the bottom surface 28a. The mesh portion 28b may be provided only on a part of the bottom surface 28a, for example, within a predetermined range including directly below the outlet 104, or may be provided over the entire bottom surface 28a. The mesh size of the mesh portion 28b may be set in consideration of, for example, the vaporization efficiency of the liquid. For example, in order to suppress the so-called Leidenfrost phenomenon, the mesh size of the mesh portion 28b may be made smaller than the size of the opening of the outlet 104 of the pipe 102, thereby increasing the vaporization efficiency of the liquid. The mesh portion 28b may be configured such that the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber 28 itself has projections and recesses in a mesh pattern, or may be configured such that a metallic mesh member is disposed on the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber 28.

[0072] Second Modified Embodiment Here, the inventors have conducted intensive research and have found that if the garment steamer 10 described above is equipped with a first plate portion 62 and a second plate portion 64, and is switchable between a state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in contact (closed state) and a state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are separated (open state), being able to detect whether at least one of the states is in effect would be effective in various applications, such as optimizing operation and providing alerts for safety measures.

[0073] Based on this knowledge, a second modified embodiment of a garment steamer 200 is provided as follows.

[0074] (2-1) The clothing steamer 200 of the second modified embodiment discharges steam from the evaporation chamber 28 by supplying liquid to the evaporation chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, and is characterized in that it comprises a plate-shaped first plate portion 62 capable of discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28, a plate-shaped second plate portion 64 capable of being moved toward and away from the first plate portion 62, and a detection unit 202 that detects either or both of a closed state in which the second plate portion 64 is in contact with the first plate portion 62 and an open state in which the second plate portion 64 is separated from the first plate portion 62.

[0075] According to this configuration, it is possible to directly or indirectly detect whether the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in an open state or a closed state. Specifically, when the detection unit can detect both the open state and the closed state, it is possible to directly detect which state the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in. Also, when the detection unit can detect one of the open state and the closed state, it is possible to directly detect that the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in either the open state or the closed state, and is possible to indirectly detect the other state. More specifically, for example, when the detection unit can detect the open state, it is possible to directly detect that the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in an open state, and is possible to indirectly detect that they are in a closed state.

[0076] (2-2) The above-mentioned garment steamer 200 may be characterized by having a control unit 204 that controls the operation of the garment steamer 200 in accordance with the detection result by the detection unit 202.

[0077] With this configuration, a garment steamer 200 can be provided that can be controlled to perform appropriate operation depending on the state of the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64.

[0078] Here, as a result of intensive research by the inventors, in the case of a configuration including the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 as described above, the amount of steam required may differ between a state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in contact (closed state) and a state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are separated (open state). Specifically, when used in the open state, for example, a usage form in which the clothes to be steamed are sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 is assumed. Assuming such a usage form, in the open state, it is highly likely that the steam will reach the clothes sufficiently even if a large amount of steam is not discharged. On the other hand, when used in the closed state, it is assumed that the clothes to be steamed are placed at a position somewhat distant from the steam discharge portion 60. Assuming such a usage form, it is highly likely that it is desirable to discharge more steam in the closed state than in the open state.

[0079] In this way, when the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are configured to be movable toward and away from each other, it is preferable to be able to control the amount of steam discharged to be different depending on whether the plate portion is open or closed. In order to solve this problem, the garment steamer 200 of the second modified embodiment is configured as follows.

[0080] (2-3) In other words, the clothing steamer 200 of the second modified embodiment discharges steam from the evaporation chamber 28 by supplying liquid to the evaporation chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, and is characterized in that it comprises a plate-shaped first plate portion 62 capable of discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28, a plate-shaped second plate portion 64 capable of being moved toward and away from the first plate portion 62, and a control unit 204 that controls the amount of steam discharged to be different between a closed state in which the second plate portion 64 is in contact with the first plate portion 62 and an open state in which the second plate portion 64 is separated from the first plate portion 62.

[0081] With this configuration, a clothing steamer can be provided that can emit an appropriate amount of steam depending on the usage mode in the open or closed state.

[0082] (2-4) The above-mentioned clothing steamer may be characterized in that the amount of steam in the closed state is greater than the amount of steam in the open state.

[0083] According to this configuration, in the closed state, for example, when the clothes to be steamed are sandwiched between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64, an appropriate amount of steam can be discharged. This is expected to have the effect of suppressing problems such as excess steam liquefying and water droplets adhering between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, even when the clothes to be steamed are placed at a distance in the open state, for example, the steam can reach the clothes sufficiently.

[0084] (2-5) The above-mentioned clothing steamer is preferably characterized in that the control unit 204 controls the temperature of the evaporation chamber 28 so that the temperature is lower when waiting for steam to be ejected than when steam is being ejected.

[0085] According to this configuration, the vaporization chamber 28 can be prevented from becoming too hot while waiting for the steam to be discharged. This can reduce the standby power consumption of the clothing steamer 200. Furthermore, if the vaporization chamber 28 becomes too hot while waiting for the steam to be discharged, the Leidenfrost phenomenon described in the first modified embodiment may occur when the steam discharge is next started. However, as described above, by controlling the temperature of the vaporization chamber 28 while waiting for the steam to be discharged to a lower temperature than when the steam is being discharged, the possibility of the Leidenfrost phenomenon occurring can be reduced.

[0086] [Specific example of the second embodiment] The garment steamer 200 of the second modified embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The garment steamer 200 has a structure generally common to the garment steamers 10 and 100 of the above-described embodiments, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0087] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the garment steamer 200, like the garment steamer 10 described above, has a first plate portion 62 and a second plate portion 64. The garment steamer 200 can be used by appropriately switching the state of the head portion 22 between a closed state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in contact with each other and an open state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are separated from each other by operating the plate operating portion 38 formed in a lever shape.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 9 etc., the first plate portion 62 is plate-shaped and has an outlet hole 62a (first steam outlet hole) capable of discharging steam from the vaporization chamber 28. The second plate portion 64 is a plate-shaped body that can be moved toward and away from the first plate portion 62. The second plate portion 64 has an outlet hole 64a (second steam outlet hole) provided at a position corresponding to the outlet hole 62a. In the garment steamer 300, the outlet hole 62a and the outlet hole 64a are communicated by bringing the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 into contact with each other in the closed state, and steam can be discharged in this state.

[0089] The garment steamer 200 includes a detection unit 202. The detection unit 202 detects whether the head unit 22 is in a closed state or an open state. The detection unit 202 may indirectly detect the open / closed state of the head unit 22 by detecting at least one of the closed state and the open state, for example, by providing a switch for detecting the operation state of the plate operation unit 38, or may directly detect the approach and separation of the first plate unit 62 and the second plate unit 64. In this embodiment, the detection unit 202 is capable of detecting the operation of the lock unit 42 for locking the second plate unit 64 so that it does not separate from the first plate unit 62 in the closed state.

[0090] Specifically, the garment steamer 200 includes a lock section 42, similar to the garment steamer 10 described above. The lock section 42 includes a lock operation section 42a that is provided on the back side of the intermediate section 24 so that the user can operate it. The lock section 42 includes an engagement section 42c that forms part of the lock operation section 42a, and is movable in the up-down direction in conjunction with the sliding operation of the lock operation section 42a. In conjunction with the sliding operation of the lock operation section 42a, the lock section 42 can be switched between a state in which the first plate section 62 and the second plate section 64 are locked in a closed state and a state in which the first plate section 62 and the second plate section 64 are unlocked in an open state by engaging and disengaging the engagement section 42c with the engaged hole 44d provided in the rib member 44 fixed to the back side of the plate operation section 38. In addition, the lock section 42 includes a protrusion 42d between the lock operation section 42a and the engagement section 42c. When the engaged hole 44d side of the engaging portion 42c is regarded as one end and the opposite end is regarded as the other end, the protrusion 42d branches off from the engaging portion 42c at the other end and extends in the same direction as the engaging portion 42c extends. In other words, the protrusion 42d can be expressed as being formed to extend in the vertical direction along the lock operation portion 42a. Therefore, when the lock operation portion 42a is slid, the protrusion 42d also moves in the vertical direction in conjunction with this. In addition, one end of the protrusion 42d extends further than one end of the engaging portion 42c, and approaches or moves away from the detection portion 202 arranged on the opposite side based on the engaged portion 44d by the sliding operation of the lock operation portion 42a.

[0091] In the garment steamer 200 of this embodiment, the detection unit 202 is disposed above the above-mentioned engaged hole 44d. The detection unit 202 can be configured, for example, by a switch or a sensor, but in this embodiment, a switch is used. In this case, when the engagement portion 42c engages with the engaged hole 44d, the protrusion 42d abuts against the detection unit 202, and when the engagement portion 42c disengages from the engaged hole 44d, the protrusion 42d leaves the detection unit 202 and is in a non-contact state. When the engagement portion 42c protrudes upward from the engaged hole 44d and the lock portion 42 is locked, the switch 202a of the detection unit 202 is pressed by the protrusion 42d that has entered toward the detection unit 202 side, and the switch 202a is turned on. This allows the detection unit 202 to detect that the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in a closed state. On the other hand, when the engaging portion 42c moves downward beyond the engaged hole 44d and enters an unlocked state, the protruding portion 42d releases the pressure on the switch 202a of the detecting portion 202, causing the detecting portion 202 to enter an OFF state. This enables the detecting portion 202 to detect that the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in the open state. Note that the detecting portion 202 may use a sensor such as an optical sensor or another type of switch instead of or in addition to the contact-type switch 202a exemplified in this embodiment. When an optical sensor (light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion) is used as the detection portion 202, for example, one end of the protruding portion 42d protrudes beyond the engaged portion 44d in response to the sliding operation of the lock operation portion 42a, preventing light from being received by the light-receiving portion, while one end of the protruding portion 42d retracts from the engaged portion 44d, allowing light to be received by the light-receiving portion. In this way, the detection portion 202 can detect whether the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in the open or closed state, similar to the case of using a switch.

[0092] The garment steamer 200 is equipped with a control unit 204 that is configured by an electronic circuit mounted on the substrate 36. The control unit 204 controls the operation of the garment steamer 200 according to the detection result by the detection unit 202. The operation control by the control unit 204 may be, for example, the operation control of an informing means such as an informing lamp that indicates whether the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in the open state or the closed state, the control of the amount of steam discharged from the head portion 22, the temperature control of the vaporization chamber 28, and the like.

[0093] Specifically, the control unit 204 may control the amount of steam discharged from the head unit 22 to vary depending on whether the first plate unit 62 and the second plate unit 64 are in the open state or the closed state in the head unit 22. More specifically, the control unit 204 may adjust and control the amount of steam so that the amount of steam in the closed state is greater than the amount of steam in the open state.

[0094] The garment steamer 200 can also be provided with a switch for switching the amount of steam discharged in multiple stages. Specifically, the garment steamer 200 can be configured to switch the amount of steam discharged in two stages: a strong mode in which the amount of steam discharged is large, and a weak mode in which the amount of steam discharged is small. In this way, even when the garment steamer 200 is operable in multiple operation modes with different amounts of steam discharged, it is preferable to adjust the amount of steam discharged in each mode depending on whether the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in the head portion 22 are in an open state or a closed state. More specifically, it is preferable to vary the amount of steam discharged depending on the combination of each operation mode and the open / closed state of the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 in the head portion 22, such that the amount of steam discharged in the strong mode and open state is a, the amount of steam discharged in the strong mode and closed state is b (b>a), the amount of steam discharged in the weak mode and open state is c, and the amount of steam discharged in the weak mode and closed state is d (d>c).

[0095] In addition, the garment steamer 200 may be configured to control the temperature of the vaporization chamber 28 by the control unit 204 so that the temperature is lower when the steam is being discharged than when the steam is being discharged. By performing such control, the vaporization chamber 28 can be prevented from becoming too hot when the steam is being discharged. This can reduce the standby power consumption of the garment steamer 200. Furthermore, by controlling the temperature of the vaporization chamber 28 when the steam is being discharged so that it is lower than when the steam is being discharged, the possibility of the Leidenfrost phenomenon occurring can be reduced.

[0096] Third Modified Embodiment Here, in the case of a garment steamer 10 described above that includes a first plate portion 62 and a second plate portion 64, in order to be able to discharge steam, it is conceivable to provide a configuration in which an outlet hole 62a (first steam outlet hole) is provided in the first plate portion 62, and an outlet hole 64a (second steam outlet hole) is provided in the second plate portion 64 at a position corresponding to the outlet hole 62a. In such a configuration, how efficiently and smoothly steam can be discharged through the outlet holes 62a and 64a can have a significant impact on the feeling of use, etc.

[0097] Focusing on such a problem, the inventors of the present invention conducted extensive research and discovered that the size relationship between the outlet holes 62a and 64a affects the steam emission efficiency. Based on this knowledge, a garment steamer 300 according to a third modified embodiment is provided as follows.

[0098] (3) A third modified embodiment of a clothing steamer 300 supplies liquid to the evaporation chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, thereby discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28, and is characterized in that it comprises a plate-shaped first plate portion 62 and a plate-shaped second plate portion 64 that is movable toward and away from the first plate portion 62, the first plate portion 62 having an outlet hole 62a through which steam can be discharged from the evaporation chamber 28, the second plate portion 64 having an outlet hole 64a provided at a position corresponding to the outlet hole 62a, the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 being brought into contact with each other, whereby the outlet hole 62a and the outlet hole 64a are connected to each other, and the outlet hole 64a has a larger opening than the outlet hole 62a.

[0099] According to this configuration, the steam coming out of the discharge hole 62a is smoothly discharged from the discharge hole 64a without being stagnant between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64. Therefore, according to the garment steamer 300, the steam can be efficiently and smoothly discharged through the discharge hole 62a and the discharge hole 64a.

[0100] [Specific example of the third embodiment] The garment steamer 300 of the third modified embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The garment steamer 300 has a structure generally common to the garment steamers 10, 100, and 200 of the above-described embodiments, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 17, the garment steamer 300, like the garment steamer 10 and garment steamer 200 described above, includes a first plate portion 62 and a second plate portion 64. The garment steamer 300 can be used by operating the plate operating unit 38 to suitably switch between a closed state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are in contact with each other and an open state in which the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 are separated from each other.

[0102] The first plate portion 62 is plate-shaped and has an outlet hole 62a (first steam outlet hole) capable of discharging steam from the vaporization chamber 28. The second plate portion 64 is a plate-shaped body that can be moved toward and away from the first plate portion 62. The second plate portion 64 has an outlet hole 64a (second steam outlet hole) provided at a position corresponding to the outlet hole 62a. In the garment steamer 300, the outlet hole 62a and the outlet hole 64a are communicated by bringing the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 into contact with each other in the closed state, and steam can be discharged in this state.

[0103] Here, in the garment steamer 300, the discharge hole 62a provided in the first plate portion 62 on the vaporization chamber 28 side is smaller than the discharge hole 64a provided in the second plate portion 64 facing the first plate portion 62. Because of this configuration, in the garment steamer 300, the steam coming out of the discharge hole 62a is smoothly discharged from the discharge hole 64a without stagnating between the first plate portion 62 and the second plate portion 64 or liquefying. Therefore, when used in the closed state, the garment steamer 300 can discharge steam efficiently and smoothly through the discharge hole 62a and the discharge hole 64a.

[0104] Fourth Modified Embodiment Here, as in the above-mentioned garment steamer 10, when the tank 50 for storing liquid (e.g., water) to be supplied to the vaporization chamber 28 and the tube part (suction tube 402) for sucking the liquid in the tank 50 are provided, and the tube part is introduced into the tank 50 and provided with the suction tube 50a (tank internal tube part) extending toward the bottom, if the opening serving as the suction port formed at the end of the suction tube 50a is blocked, there is a problem that the liquid cannot be supplied to the vaporization chamber 28. In addition, when the suction tube 50a is formed by a tube made of, for example, rubber or resin material, the suction tube 50a may move from a predetermined position in the tank 50 to an unexpected position, and the end may be blocked by the bottom surface 53 or side surface of the tank 50. Therefore, when the suction tube 50a is provided, it is desirable to make it possible for the suction tube 50a to suck in the liquid even if it moves to an unexpected place in the tank 50.

[0105] The fourth modified embodiment of the garment steamer 400 provided to solve this problem is as follows.

[0106] (4-1) A fourth modified embodiment of a clothing steamer 400 supplies liquid to the evaporation chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, thereby discharging steam from the evaporation chamber 28. The garment steamer 400 comprises a tank 50 for storing the liquid to be supplied to the evaporation chamber 28, and a tube portion for sucking in the liquid in the tank 50. The tube portion has a liquid suction pipe 402 that is introduced into the tank 50 and extends toward the bottom, and has a notch 408 at the end of the liquid suction pipe 402.

[0107] According to this configuration, even if the suction pipe 402 moves to an unexpected location in the tank 50, it is possible to suck the liquid in the tank 50 through the notch 408. This makes it possible to prevent a failure in supplying the liquid to the vaporization chamber 28.

[0108] (4-2) The above-mentioned garment steamer 400 is preferably characterized in that the liquid suction pipe 402 has a pipe 404 having an inlet at its end for sucking in liquid, and an end component 406 provided on the inlet side of the pipe 404, the inlet opening on the inside of the end component 406, and the notch 408 is formed so as to communicate the inside and outside of the end component 406.

[0109] According to this configuration, even if the suction pipe 402 moves to an unexpected location in the tank 50, it is possible to supply liquid to the suction port through the notch 408 provided in the end portion forming portion 406. This makes it possible to prevent insufficient supply of liquid to the vaporization chamber 28.

[0110] (4-3) The garment steamer 400 described above preferably has a positioning member 410 for positioning the end of the liquid suction tube 402 inside the tank 50, the positioning member 410 having an insertion portion 412 through which the liquid suction tube 402 can be inserted, and the positioning member 410 can be positioned in a state in which the liquid suction tube 402 is inserted into the insertion portion 412, and the end of the liquid suction tube 402 is formed to a size such that it cannot pass through the insertion portion 412.

[0111] With the above-mentioned configuration, the liquid suction tube 402 can be positioned with the end of the liquid suction tube 402 inserted through the insertion portion of the positioning member 410. Furthermore, by forming the end of the liquid suction tube 402 larger than the opening of the positioning member 410 as described above, it is possible to minimize the possibility that the end of the liquid suction tube 402 will come off the positioning member 410. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent poor suction of liquid caused by the liquid suction tube 402 moving to an unexpected place within the tank 50.

[0112] [Specific example of the fourth embodiment] The garment steamer 400 of the fourth modified embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The garment steamer 400 has a structure generally common to the garment steamers 10, 100, 200, and 300 of the above-described embodiments, and therefore the same structures are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0113] 18 and 19, the garment steamer 400 includes a tank 50 for storing liquid (water in this embodiment) for generating steam, similar to the garment steamer 10 described above. Also, instead of the suction pipe 50a of the garment steamer 10 described above, a suction pipe 402 is provided as a pipe section for sucking the liquid out of the tank 50.

[0114] The water suction pipe 402 has a configuration generally similar to that of the water suction pipe 50a, but there are some differences in the configuration. Specifically, unlike the water suction pipe 50a, the water suction pipe 402 is capable of being connected and disconnected at a portion disposed within the tank 50 and a portion of a pipe (not shown) provided within the main body 20. The water suction pipe 402 has a pipe-shaped tube 404 which forms the portion disposed within the tank 50. The water suction pipe 402 also has an end portion forming portion 406 at its end.

[0115] The pipe 404 is provided so as to extend from the rear side to the front side at approximately the center in the width direction of the garment steamer 10. The pipe 404 is also bent so as to reach the vicinity of the bottom of the tank 50 when the tank 50 is attached to the bottom 26. The water suction pipe 402 is formed so as to reach the part of the circumferential surface 54 that bulges outward most (toward the front side) or the vicinity of this part (collection part 54a). The collection part 54a is a part where water collects when the garment steamer 10 is in a forward tilted position during use.

[0116] The end portion 406 is provided at a position on the terminal side of the pipe 404. The end portion 406 is tubular and has an opening so that the pipe 404 can be inserted. When the pipe 404 is inserted into the end portion 406, a certain frictional force acts between the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 404 and the outer peripheral surface of the end portion 406. Therefore, the end portion 406 will remain in the initial mounting position along the pipe 404 without being displaced, unless an excessively large external force exceeding the above-mentioned frictional force acts on the end portion 406. Furthermore, when the end portion 406 is attached to the pipe 404, the suction port at the terminal portion of the pipe 404 opens on the inside of the end portion 406. Furthermore, since the end portion 406 is attached to the outer periphery of the pipe 404, the suction pipe 402 is shaped to bulge at the terminal portion of the pipe 404 by the amount of the end portion 406.

[0117] Further, the end forming part 406 is provided with a notch 408. The notch 408 is formed at a position facing the terminal end side of the pipe 404 when the end forming part 406 is attached to the pipe 404. At least one notch 408 is provided in the circumferential direction of the end forming part 406. Further, the notch 408 is formed so as to communicate the radial outside and inside of the end forming part 406. Therefore, even if the end part of the end forming part 406 on the side where the notch 408 is provided is blocked by the bottom surface 53 of the tank 50 or the like, the liquid can be introduced into the inside through the notch 408 provided in the circumferential part and supplied to the suction port of the pipe 404.

[0118] The end of the suction pipe 402 is positioned at the bottom side of the tank 50 by a positioning member 410. The positioning member 410 is a piece-like member that is attached diagonally across the bottom surface 53 and the peripheral surface 54 of the tank 50 at the portion that forms the above-mentioned collecting portion 54a. The positioning member 410 is provided with an insertion portion 412 through which the above-mentioned suction pipe 402 can be inserted. The insertion portion 412 is sized so that the pipe 404 can be inserted therethrough, but the end forming portion 406 cannot be inserted therethrough. The positioning member 410 is attached to the tank 50 with the end forming portion 406 disposed within an area surrounded by the bottom surface 53 or the peripheral surface 54 of the tank 50 and the positioning member 410, and the pipe 404 inserted into the insertion portion 412.

[0119] As described above, in the garment steamer 400, the suction port provided at the end of the tube 404 opens inside the end component 406, and the notch 408 is formed so as to communicate the inside and outside of the end component 406. Because of this configuration, even if the suction tube 402 moves to an unexpected place in the tank 50 and the end of the end component 406 is blocked, the garment steamer 400 can suck in the liquid in the tank 50 through the notch 408 provided on the periphery of the end component 406. This makes it possible to suppress poor supply of liquid to the vaporization chamber 28.

[0120] As described above, in the garment steamer 400, the end of the water suction pipe 402 is positioned by the positioning member 410. The insertion portion 412 provided in the positioning member 410 is formed to a size such that the end forming portion 406 forming the end of the water suction pipe 402 cannot pass through the insertion portion 412. Therefore, in the garment steamer 400, the possibility of the end of the water suction pipe 402 falling out of the positioning member 410 is minimized, and the water suction pipe 402 can be positioned at a predetermined position.

[0121] In the above-mentioned garment steamer 400, an example is shown in which the end portion of the suction pipe 402 is provided with the end portion forming part 406 and the notch 408 is provided therein, but for example, the end portion 406 may not be provided, and the notch 408 may be provided at the end of the pipe 404 itself. Also, in the garment steamer 400, an example is shown in which the end portion of the suction pipe 402 is provided with the end portion forming part 406, so that the end portion bulges outward in the radial direction, but for example, the end portion of the pipe 404 itself may be configured to bulge.

[0122] Fifth Modified Embodiment Here, in a garment steamer 10 described above that has a detachable tank 50 for storing liquid (e.g., water) to be supplied to the vaporization chamber 28, there is a demand for easy attachment and detachment of the tank 50. In addition, when a connection part (first connection part 506) on the tank 50 side and a connection part (second connection part 516) on the tank connection part 510 side are provided as connection members for connecting so that the liquid stored on the tank 50 side can be supplied toward the tank connection part 510 side provided on the main body of the garment steamer 10, there is a demand for the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 to be connected and disconnected together with the attachment and detachment of the tank 50.

[0123] Here, after careful consideration, the inventors have come to the discovery that if, as described above, it is possible to connect and disconnect the first connecting part 506 and the second connecting part 516 in addition to attaching and detaching the tank 50, it is possible to provide a garment steamer that is easy to use while satisfying the above-mentioned demands by configuring the garment steamer so that the relative movement direction between the main body of the garment steamer and the tank 50, and the relative movement direction of the first connecting part 506 and the second connecting part 516 can be guided to an appropriate direction so that the first connecting part 506 and the second connecting part 516 do not become poorly connected or break when the tank 50 is moved in the attachment / detachment direction.

[0124] Based on this knowledge, the garment steamer 500 of the fifth modified embodiment is as follows.

[0125] (5) A clothing steamer 500 of a fifth modified embodiment supplies liquid to the vaporization chamber 28 heated by the heating unit 30, thereby discharging steam from the vaporization chamber 28. The clothing steamer 500 has a tank 50 for storing the liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber 28, and a tank connection part 510 to which the tank 50 is removably connected. A protrusion 514 protruding in a direction in which the tank 50 is connected to and separated from the tank connection part 510 is provided on at least one of the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510, and a recess 504 into which the protrusion 514 can be inserted and removed in the connection and separation direction is provided on the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 at a position corresponding to the protrusion 514. A communicated first connection part 506 is provided on the tank 50, and a second connection part 516 connected to a pipeline that supplies liquid toward the vaporization chamber 28 is provided on the tank connection part 510. By connecting the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516, it becomes possible to supply liquid from the tank 50 to the vaporization chamber 28. Either one of the first connection part 506 or the second connection part 516 protrudes in the connection and separation direction and can be inserted toward the other to connect. By inserting the protrusion 514 into the corresponding recess 504, the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 are connected, and the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 are connected.

[0126] According to this configuration, the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 can be positioned and fixed by inserting and removing the protruding part 514 protruding in the connection and separation direction into and from the recessed part 504. That is, in the above-mentioned garment steamer 500, the protruding part 514 and the recessed part 504 function as guides that regulate the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 to move in a predetermined connection and separation direction. In addition, in the above-mentioned garment steamer 500, one of the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 for connecting so as to be able to supply liquid protrudes in the above-mentioned connection and separation direction and can be inserted into the other. Therefore, by moving the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 in a predetermined connection and separation direction along the protruding part 514 and the recessed part 504, the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 can be moved relatively in a predetermined direction to connect and disconnect. Therefore, in the garment steamer 500, the protrusion 514 and the recess 504 function as guides that regulate the operation of the first connecting part 506 and the second connecting part 516 in a predetermined connection / disconnection direction. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a garment steamer 500 that allows the tank 50 to be easily attached and detached, and also allows the first connecting part 506 and the second connecting part 516 to be connected and disconnected without causing poor connection or damage.

[0127] [Specific example of the fifth embodiment] Hereinafter, the garment steamer 500 of the fifth modified embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Since the garment steamer 500 has a structure generally common to the garment steamers 10, 100, 200, 300, and 400 according to the above-mentioned embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the garment steamer 500, like the garment steamer 10 described above, is provided with a tank 50 for storing liquid (water in this embodiment) for forming steam. In addition, the garment steamer 500 is provided with the suction pipe 402 exemplified in the fourth embodiment described above as a pipe section for sucking out liquid from the tank 50. The garment steamer 500 is provided with a tank connection section 510 for attaching and detaching the tank 50 on the lower side of the main body section 20. The garment steamer 500 can be arranged on the tank connection section 510 by pushing the tank 50 from the front side to the back side in the tank connection section 510 when the head section 22 is viewed from the front. In this embodiment, a locking mechanism for fixing the tank 50 is provided, and the tank 50 can be fixed by pushing the tank 50 into the tank connection section 510. In addition, the garment steamer 500 can release the above-mentioned locking mechanism by operating the tank button 502 provided on the handle section 32. With the lock mechanism released, the garment steamer 500 allows the tank 50 to be removed by placing fingers on two recesses 54b provided on the circumferential surface 54 of the tank 50 and pulling the tank 50 from the rear side to the front side. That is, the garment steamer 500 allows the tank 50 to be attached and detached by sliding the tank 50 in the connection / detachment direction of the tank 50 (the direction from the front to the rear and the opposite direction).

[0129] The tank 50 stores the liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber 28. The tank 50 has a recess 504 and a first connection portion 506 on a surface (back side) facing the tank connection portion 510. The recess 504 is recessed toward the connection and separation direction. The recess 504 is for inserting a protrusion 514 on the tank connection portion 510 side, which will be described later in detail. Two recesses 504 are provided at a predetermined interval in the width direction when the garment steamer 500 is viewed from the front.

[0130] The tank 50 also has a first connection part 506 at a middle position between the two recesses 504, 504. The first connection part 506 can be connected by inserting a second connection part 516 on the tank connection part 510 side, which will be described later. The first connection part 506 is formed so as to be connected to the internal space of the tank 50. The first connection part 506 retracts toward the inside of the tank 50 in a direction from the back side to the front side (connection separation direction). The first connection part 506 also has a built-in valve 508. The valve 508 has a valve body 508a biased by a biasing force generated by a biasing member such as a spring. The valve 508 normally closes the first connection part 506 by the valve body 508a. The valve 508 can be opened by inserting a second connection part 516, which will be described later, into the first connection part 506, thereby pushing and moving the valve body 508a against the biasing force described above.

[0131] The tank connection part 510 is a part to which the tank 50 is connected on the main body 20 side. The tank connection part 510 includes a protruding part 514 and a second connection part 516. Two protruding parts 514 are provided at positions corresponding to the recessed parts 504 of the tank 50 described above. The protruding parts 514 are of a size and shape that can be fitted into the recessed parts 504, and protrude in the connection / detachment direction of the tank 50 with respect to the tank connection part 510.

[0132] The second connection part 516 protrudes in the connection and separation direction in the same manner as the protrusion part 514 at the intermediate position between the two protrusion parts 514, 514. The second connection part 516 is provided at a position corresponding to the first connection part 506. By connecting the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516, the tank 50 communicates with the second connection part 516 so that liquid can be supplied from the tank 50 to the vaporization chamber 28. That is, as described above, when the second connection part 516 is inserted into the first connection part 506, the two are connected to each other, and the valve body 508a of the valve 508 built in the first connection part 506 is pushed and moved by the second connection part 516 to be in an open state. As a result, the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 communicate with each other.

[0133] Here, the amount of protrusion of the second connection part 516 described above is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the protrusion 514. Therefore, when connecting the tank 50 to the tank connection part 510 in the garment steamer 500, first, the protrusions 514, 514 provided on the side of the second connection part 516 are inserted into the recesses 504, 504 provided on the side of the first connection part 506, and the tank 50 is pushed toward the tank connection part 510 along the protrusions 514, 514, so that the tank 50 can be moved while being guided in the connection / disconnection direction. When the tank 50 is pushed toward the tank connection part 510 by a certain amount, the tank 50 is in a state where it can be pushed toward the tank connection part 510 so that the tank 50 hardly vibrates in any direction other than the connection / disconnection direction relative to the tank connection part 510. When the tank 50 is further pushed in from this state, the second connection part 516 eventually enters the first connection part 506, and the two are connected to each other. The tank 50 can be removed by performing the reverse operation to that described above.

[0134] As described above, the garment steamer 500 can position and fix the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 by inserting and removing the protruding part 514 protruding in the connection / detachment direction into and from the recessed part 504. In the garment steamer 500, the protruding part 514 and the recessed part 504 function as guides that regulate the movement of the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 in a predetermined connection / detachment direction, so that the tank 50 can be smoothly attached and detached.

[0135] In addition, in the above-mentioned garment steamer 500, the tank 50 and the tank connection part 510 are moved in a predetermined connection / disconnection direction along the protrusion 514 and the recess 504, so that the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 can be moved relatively in a predetermined direction to connect and disconnect. Therefore, in the garment steamer 500, the protrusion 514 and the recess 504 also function as a guide that regulates the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516 to move in a predetermined connection / disconnection direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned garment steamer 500 can easily attach and detach the tank 50, and can minimize problems such as poor connection and damage associated with the connection and disconnection of the first connection part 506 and the second connection part 516.

[0136] In the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which the recess 504 and the recessed first connecting portion 506 are provided on the tank 50 side, and the protrusion 514 and the protruding second connecting portion 516 are provided on the tank connecting portion 510, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion 514 and the second connecting portion 516 may be provided on the tank 50 side, and the recess 504 and the first connecting portion 506 may be provided on the tank connecting portion 510 side.

[0137] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims. The components of the above-mentioned embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of the embodiment may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the Summary of the Invention or any component that embodies any component described in the Summary of the Invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications. [Industrial Applicability]

[0138] The present invention can be suitably used in general clothing steamers used for removing wrinkles from clothes, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 10: Clothing steamer 28: Vaporizer 30: Heating part 32: Handle section 38: Board operation section 38a: Space part 38b: Opening 40: Operation reception section 42: Rock Section 42c: Engagement part 44a: Engaged part 48: Pressurizing section 62:First plate part 64:Second plate part 148: Pressurizing section

Claims

1. A liquid is supplied to a vaporization chamber heated by a heating unit, and steam is discharged from the vaporization chamber, A tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber; a tank connection portion to which the tank is removably connected, a protrusion protruding in a connection / disconnection direction of the tank relative to the tank connection portion is provided on at least one of the tank and the tank connection portion, a recess into which the protrusion can be inserted and removed in the connection / detachment direction is provided in the tank and the tank connection portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion, A first connection portion communicating with the inside of the tank is provided on the tank, a second connection portion connected to a pipe for supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber is provided at the tank connection portion; By connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, liquid can be supplied from the tank to the vaporization chamber, One of the first connection portion and the second connection portion protrudes in the connection / separation direction and can be inserted into the other connection portion for connection, By inserting the protruding portion into the corresponding recessed portion, the tank and the tank connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected, a head portion having the heating portion and the vaporization chamber; A steam discharge unit that discharges steam from the vaporization chamber; a bottom having the tank; A handle portion is provided extending between the head portion and the bottom portion and serves as a handle; A clothing steamer, characterized in that the protruding amount of the second connection portion is smaller than the protruding amount of the protruding portion.

2. A liquid is supplied to a vaporization chamber heated by a heating unit, and steam is discharged from the vaporization chamber, A tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber; a tank connection portion to which the tank is removably connected, a protrusion protruding in a connection / disconnection direction of the tank relative to the tank connection portion is provided on at least one of the tank and the tank connection portion, a recess into which the protrusion can be inserted and removed in the connection / detachment direction is provided in the tank and the tank connection portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion, A first connection portion communicating with the inside of the tank is provided on the tank, a second connection portion connected to a pipe for supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber is provided at the tank connection portion; By connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, liquid can be supplied from the tank to the vaporization chamber, One of the first connection portion and the second connection portion protrudes in the connection / separation direction and can be inserted into the other connection portion for connection, By inserting the protruding portion into the corresponding recessed portion, the tank and the tank connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected, A pipe portion for sucking liquid in the tank is provided, The tank has a positioning member for positioning an end of the pipe portion at a collecting portion located at a front side inside the tank, When the garment steamer is in a forward tilted position, the liquid in the collecting portion where the liquid collects in the tank is sucked up through the pipe portion, A clothing steamer, characterized in that the protruding amount of the second connection portion is smaller than the protruding amount of the protruding portion.

3. A liquid is supplied to a vaporization chamber heated by a heating unit, and steam is discharged from the vaporization chamber, A tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber; a tank connection portion to which the tank is removably connected, a protrusion protruding in a connection / disconnection direction of the tank relative to the tank connection portion is provided on at least one of the tank and the tank connection portion, a recess into which the protrusion can be inserted and removed in the connection / detachment direction is provided in the tank and the tank connection portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion, A first connection portion communicating with the inside of the tank is provided on the tank, a second connection portion connected to a pipe for supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber is provided at the tank connection portion; By connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, liquid can be supplied from the tank to the vaporization chamber, One of the first connection portion and the second connection portion protrudes in the connection / separation direction and can be inserted into the other connection portion for connection, By inserting the protruding portion into the corresponding recessed portion, the tank and the tank connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected, the tank connection portion has the second connection portion and the protruding portion protruding in the connection / separation direction, and the tank has the recessed portion; When a surface of the tank facing the tank connection portion is defined as a back side and the opposite side is defined as a front side, the connection / disconnection direction is a direction from the front side toward the back side and a reverse direction, the tank has the recess and the first connection portion on the rear side, A clothing steamer, characterized in that the protruding amount of the second connection portion is smaller than the protruding amount of the protruding portion.

4. A liquid is supplied to a vaporization chamber heated by a heating unit, and steam is discharged from the vaporization chamber, A tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the vaporization chamber; a tank connection portion to which the tank is removably connected, a protrusion protruding in a connection / disconnection direction of the tank relative to the tank connection portion is provided on at least one of the tank and the tank connection portion, a recess into which the protrusion can be inserted and removed in the connection / detachment direction is provided in the tank and the tank connection portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion, a second connection portion communicating with the inside of the tank is provided on the tank, a first connection portion connected to a pipeline for supplying liquid to the vaporization chamber is provided at the tank connection portion; By connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, liquid can be supplied from the tank to the vaporization chamber, One of the first connection portion and the second connection portion protrudes in the connection / separation direction and can be inserted into the other connection portion for connection, By inserting the protruding portion into the corresponding recessed portion, the tank and the tank connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected, the tank connection portion has the recess, and the tank has the second connection portion and the protruding portion protruding in the connection / separation direction, a protruding amount of the second connection portion is smaller than a protruding amount of the protruding portion, and the protruding portion is inserted into the recess prior to the connection between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, thereby guiding the tank to move in the connection / disconnection direction; When a surface of the tank facing the tank connection portion is defined as a rear side and the opposite side is defined as a front side, the connection / disconnection direction is a direction from the front side to the rear side and a reverse direction, A clothing steamer, characterized in that the tank has the protrusion and the second connection portion on the rear side.

5. A clothing steamer as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protruding amount of the second connection part is smaller than the protruding amount of the protruding part.

6. 2. The clothing steamer according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a tank button for releasing a locking mechanism that fixes the tank when the tank is placed on the tank connection portion.

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