Combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus and circuit

A combination steam cleaner and steam iron includes a steam generator, a steam cleaner and a steam iron. The steam generator includes first and second boiling elements for boiling water to produce steam. The steam cleaner is attachable to the steam generator to receive the steam, a nozzle that dispenses the steam, and a circuit designed to supply power to the second boiling element when the steam cleaner is attached to the steam generator. The steam iron is attachable to the steam generator, includes an iron heating element for heating the iron, and includes a circuit designed to supply power to the iron heating element, but not to the second boiling element, when the steam iron is attached to the steam generator. The steam generator also includes a steam release valve that supplies the steam and which is controlled by respective switches within the steam cleaner and steam iron. Connections between the steam generator and the steam cleaner and the steam iron are limited to four electrical contacts and the supply of steam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steam cleaning appliances require a substantial amount of power to operate properly. Typically, steam cleaning appliances require around 1,800 Watts of power to sufficiently heat stored water to provide the necessary steam for the cleaning appliance.

Similarly, steam irons require a substantial amount of power to operate properly. Steam irons generally include two heating elements, one to heat the iron and the other to heat water to produce steam. In the United States, the combined amount of electrical power utilized by both heating elements in a steam iron can not exceed, for practical purposes, 1,800 Watts due to UL regulations limiting voltage levels to 120 volts, with a maximum draw of 15 amps at this voltage level.

Given the above-mentioned power constraints, a device that combines a steam cleaner with a steam iron would not be able to draw sufficient power to power the separate heating elements of the combined device. One attempt to overcome this problem is disclosed in European Patent No. EP 0 809 728 B1, but the design shown therein is intended for use in Europe, which has 220 voltage levels and power standards suitably high that provide sufficient power to a device that includes both a steam cleaner and a steam iron.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus designed to properly operate under restricted power requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a combination steam cleaner and steam iron that includes a steam generator, a steam cleaner and a steam iron is provided. The steam generator includes a boiling device that has first and second boiling elements for boiling water to produce steam, and a first connector for supplying out the steam. The steam cleaner includes a second connector that is attachable to the first connector of the steam generator, and the second connector includes a steam hose that receives the steam output from the steam generator. The steam cleaner also includes a steam nozzle that dispenses the steam and a circuit that is designed to supply power to the second boiling element in the steam generator so as to cause the second boiling element to boil the water (along with the first boiling element) when the steam cleaner is in use. The steam iron includes an iron heating element and a third connector that is attachable to the first connector of the steam generator. The third connector includes a steam hose that receives steam supplied out from the steam generator when the steam iron is attached, and steam iron also includes a circuit designed to supply power to the iron heating element to heat the steam iron when in use, and the circuit is designed to not supply power to the second boiling element so that the second boiling element is not utilized during use of the steam iron.

A power cable extends from the steam generator for receiving a source of power, and the steam generator includes a user controllable power switch for selectively supplying power to the first boiling element and a steam release valve for controlling the output of steam from the steam generator through the first connector, and the steam cleaner and the steam iron each includes a respective user controlled on/off steam switch for controlling the steam release valve when the respective device is connected to the steam generator.

A power is supplied to the steam release valve independent of whether power is supplied by the power switch to the boiling device so that steam is controlled to be supplied out from the steam generator independent of control of the boiling device.

Each of the connectors of the steam generator, steam cleaner and steam iron includes respective first, second, third and fourth electrical contacts. Within the steam generator, the power switch supplies power to the first electrical contract, an electrical connection is provided between the second electrical contract and the second boiling element, the steam release valve's return line is electrically connected to the third electrical contact, and the fourth electrical contact is electrically connected to the power cable's return line. Within the steam cleaner, the first and second electrical contacts are shorted together, and the third and fourth electrical contacts are connected through the user controlled on/off steam switch. Within the steam iron, the first and fourth electrical contacts are connected through the iron heating element, the third and fourth electrical contacts are connected through the user controlled on/off steam switch, and the second electrical contact is left open.

The first boiling element is an 1,100 Watt heater, the second boiling element is a 600 Watt heater, and the iron heating element is a 600 Watt heater. About 1,700 Watts of power are drawn during use of the steam cleaner and about 1,700 Watts of power are drawn during use of the steam iron.

A 120 voltage source of power is supplied to the power cable extending from the steam generator, where the steam generator draws less than 15 amps of power during use of the steam cleaner, and the steam generator and the steam iron collectively draw less than 15 amps of power during use of the steam iron.

The steam generator includes a pressostat, a thermostat and a thermofuse serially coupled to the first and second boiling elements. The steam generator also includes a top surface designed for use as a resting surface on which either the steam cleaner or the steam iron may be mounted. The top surface is designed to support a heated steam iron.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus that operates effectively at 15 amps.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus designed to provide a minimum number of contacts between the various interchangeable components.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 collectively illustrate the combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a steam generating unit 10 with a steam iron 20 resting on top of and physically attached to the steam generating unit 10 via a steam iron hose 22 . FIG. 2 shows a steam cleaner 30 resting on top of and physically attached to the steam generating unit 10 via a steam cleaner hose 32 .

Steam generating unit 10 receives electrical power via a power cable 16 that is connected to a suitable power receptacle during operation of the apparatus of the invention. Steam generating unit 10 includes within its housing 14 a main on/off switch (with on/off light) 17 and also includes a split heating element 18 , which is shown in FIG. 3 . As further discussed below, split heating element 18 is utilized to provide steam for use by both the steam iron and the steam cleaner of the invention. As also shown, steam generating unit 10 includes a top surface 19 designed for use as a resting surface for either the steam iron 20 or the steam cleaner 30 .

Referring back to FIG. 1 , steam iron hose 22 extends from the steam iron 20 and a steam iron plug 24 (also called connector) extends from the other end of the steam iron hose 22 . Steam iron plug 24 is insertable into (i.e., can mate with) a socket 12 disposed within the housing 14 of the steam generating unit 10 . As shown in the exemplary design of FIG. 1 , steam iron 20 includes a handle 26 , an on/off switch 28 and an on/off light 29 . During use of the steam iron 20 of the invention, the steam iron plug 24 is inserted into socket 12 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , steam cleaner hose 32 extends from the steam cleaner 30 and a steam cleaner plug 34 extends from the other end of the steam cleaner hose 32 . Like the steam iron plug 24 , the steam cleaner plug 34 also can be inserted into socket 12 of the steam generator's housing 14 . The steam cleaner 30 includes an on/off switch 36 and a nozzle 38 through which steam is supplied, as further discussed below. The steam cleaner 30 may also include a hand grip 39 for comfort.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an electrical circuit of the combined steam cleaner and steam iron apparatus of the invention. During use of the invention, power cable 16 is coupled to an appropriate 120 volt power source (typically rated at 15 Amps) with a return line. The power source is supplied to both the main on/off switch 17 disposed within the steam generating unit's housing 14 , as well as to a steam release valve 50 disposed within the steam generating unit 10 . The output (also called switched power herein) of the main on/off switch 17 is supplied to boiler element no. 1 (identified as element 18 a ) of heating element 18 . Boiler element no. 1 is an 1,100 Watt heater device and operates to boil water within the steam generating unit 10 during use of either the steam cleaner 30 or the steam iron 20 . Boiler element no. 1 's return line is serially supplied through three safety devices: a pressostat 52 , a thermostat 54 and a thermofuse 56 . Also, a steam on light 58 is coupled across pressostat 52 , and a no water light 60 is coupled across thermostat 54 . The respective operations of these various safety devices are well known in the art and thus further description is not provided herein.

The switched output from main on/off switch 17 also is supplied to contact A of the steam generator unit's socket 12 , and contact B of socket 12 is coupled to boiler element no. 2 (identified as element 18 b in FIG. 4 ) of heating element 18 . The boiler element no. 2 's return is serially supplied through the safety devices 52 , 54 and 56 mentioned above. As further discussed below, power supplied to contact A is routed back through contact B and then to boiler element no. 2 of the split heating elements of heating element 18 when the steam cleaner 30 is in use. When the steam iron is in use, power supplied to contact A is supplied to an iron element heater 21 disposed within the steam iron 20 .

Power is supplied to steam release valve 50 , as previously mentioned, and the valve's return line is coupled to contact C of socket 12 . Contact D of socket 12 is supplied to the return line. Both steam iron 20 and steam cleaner 30 include respective on/off switches 28 and 36 . When either the steam iron or the steam cleaner is connected to steam generating unit 10 (via their respective plugs 24 and 35 ), switching on the on/off switch ( 28 or 36 ) of the attached device (steam iron 20 or steam cleaner 30 ) completes the circuit through steam release valve 50 thus causing steam to be released from the steam generating unit 10 via hose connection E (also called steam output port) within socket 12 through the particular hose attached ( 22 or 32 ) and then to the particular device in use (steam iron 20 or steam cleaner 30 ). As mentioned above, power is supplied directly (i.e., not switched power) to steam release valve 50 and thus the on/off switch (either 28 or 36 ) of the attached device (the steam iron or the steam cleaner) controls steam release valve 50 independent of whether power is being supplied to any of the heater elements.

The steam iron 20 contains an electrical circuit as shown in FIG. 4 . Plug 24 includes four electrical contacts A , B , C and D that mate with contacts A, B, C and D, respectively, of the steam generator's socket 12 when plug 24 and socket 12 are attached to one another. Contact A is connected to one of the steam iron element 21 's electrical contacts with the iron element's return attached to contact D . Contacts C and D are attached through steam on/off switch 28 of the steam iron. Contact B is left open. The steam iron hose 22 terminates at steam hose connector E (also called steam input port) within the steam iron's plug 24 . When the steam iron is attached to the steam generator, steam iron hose 22 receives the output of steam release valve 50 via hose connector E (within socket 12 ) and hose connector E (within plug 24 ).

The steam cleaner 30 also contains an electrical circuit as shown in FIG. 4 . Plug 34 includes four electrical contacts A , B , C and D that mate with contacts A, B, C and D, respectively, of the steam generator's socket 12 when plug 34 and socket 12 are attached to one another. Contacts A and B are electrically shorted. Contacts C and D are attached through steam on/off switch 36 of the steam cleaner. The steam cleaner hose 32 terminates at steam hose connector E (also called steam input port) within the steam cleaner's plug 34 . Similar to the steam iron, when the steam cleaner is attached to the steam generator, steam cleaner hose 32 receives the output of steam release valve 50 via hose connector E (within socket 12 ) and hose connector E (within plug 34 ).

The operation of the invention when the steam iron is attached to the steam generating unit will now be described. The steam iron's plug 24 is first attached to the steam generator's socket 12 , such as previously mentioned, so that the output of steam release valve 50 is supplied to steam iron hose 22 , the switched power output from main on/off switch 17 is supplied to iron element heater 21 within the steam iron 20 , and steam release valve 50 is controlled by steam on/off switch 28 also within the steam iron 20 . The steam generator 10 is filled with water in a manner well known in the art, and the main on/off switch 17 is manually set to on to power both boiler element no. 1 (element 18 a ) within the steam generator 10 and to power iron element heater 21 within the steam iron 20 . Collectively, the steam generator 10 and the steam iron 20 draw less than 15 amps of power (120 volts). During this time, steam on/off switch 28 on the steam iron is kept off. Boiler element no. 1 causes the water within the steam generator to boil to produce steam, and iron element heater 21 heats the bottom surface of the steam iron 20 . Upon sufficient heating of steam iron 20 by iron element heater 21 , ironing is carried out in a manner well known in the art. Likewise, steam produced within steam generator 10 is supplied through the steam iron upon switching steam on/off switch 28 to its on position (or depression of a button or other suitable on/off device). As previously mentioned, during use of steam iron 20 , the steam iron may be conveniently placed on the top surface 19 of the steam generator. Upon completion of steam ironing, both main on/off switch 17 and steam on/off switch 28 are set to off and plug 24 is removed from the steam generator's socket 12 .

To utilize the steam cleaner 30 , the steam cleaner's plug 34 is attached to socket 12 of the steam generator. As previously mentioned, such connection provides the switched power (output from main on/off switch 17 ) to boiler element no. 2 (element 18 b ), the output of steam release valve 50 is supplied to steam cleaner hose 32 , and steam release valve 50 is controlled by steam on/off switch 36 within the steam cleaner 30 . The steam generator 10 is filled with water and the main on/off switch 17 is set to on to power both boiler element no. 1 (element 18 a ) and boiler element no. 2 (element 18 b ) within the steam generator 10 (which collectively draw less than 15 Amps of power (120 volts)). Steam on/off switch 36 on the steam cleaner is initially kept off. Now, both boiler elements nos. 1 and 2 boil the water within the steam generator to produce steam. Steam cleaning then is achieved by turning steam on/off switch 36 on to supply the steam through the steam cleaner hose 32 and out through nozzle 38 . Upon completion, both switches 17 and 36 are turned off and the connectors are detached.

FIG. 5 shows a design within the scope of the invention that varies from the design shown in FIG. 4 primarily by its reversal of the power and return lines.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing discussion and designs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the invention, the herein-described combination steam cleaner and steam iron properly functions within the confines of a 1,800 watts (120 volt; 15 amps) source of power. The inventive design further advantageously minimizes the size and number of contacts required for the various plugs and sockets of the combination's components.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described in conjunction with various embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the invention has been described as including a housing socket and plugs for the steam cleaner and steam iron. Of course, the particular style of connector used for the steam generator, steam cleaner and steam iron may be different from that discussed herein.