Patent ID: 7490422
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. An electric steam iron comprising: a steam generator having an output port for steam output; a switching device including a body, which has an inlet in air communication with said output port of said steam generator, a first passage having a first end in air communication with said inlet and a second end terminating in a first outlet, and a second passage having a first end in air communication with said inlet and a second end terminating in a second outlet, and a movable member disposed in an intersection between said first passage and said second passage and movable between a first position where said second outlet is blocked and steam goes out of said first outlet and a second position where said first outlet is blocked and steam goes out of said second outlet; and an ironing unit having a connection hole in air communication with said first outlet for steam input, and a plurality of steam holes on a bottom side thereof in air communication with said connection hole for steam output; and a cleaning device including a connector connectable to the body of said switching device for pushing said movable member to said second position, a nozzle, and a flexible tube connected between said connector and said nozzle to guide steam from said second passage to said nozzle; whereby when said movable member is in said first position, steam goes through said first outlet to the connection hole of said ironing unit; when said movable member is moved to said second position upon connection of said connector to the body of said switching device, steam goes through said second outlet to said nozzle of said cleaning device.