Steam hanger

According to some embodiments, a steam hanger is disclosed. Further, the steam hanger may include a main body which may include a plurality of steam apertures configured to release steam. Further, the main body may include at least one fill spout which may include an opening to a water reservoir. Further, the main body may include a foldable hook attached to a top surface of the main body. Further, the steam hanger may include a heating element located inside the water reservoir to heat the water in the water reservoir to generate the steam. Further, the steam hanger may include an energy storage device electrically coupled with the heating element to provide electrical power to the heating element. Further, the steam hanger may include a plurality of retractable ducts retractably attached to the at least one surface of the main body to convey the steam outward for large sized clothing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to a cloth caring equipment, and in particular to a steam hanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When traveling or engaged in a long day at the office, maintaining the freshly pressed appearance of shirts and other clothing can be a challenge. Most hotels offer steam irons and ironing boards for use by guests, but using them is time-consuming. A device which can restore the freshly pressed appearance of clothing while unattended by the user would be useful and would be well received.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved steam hanger that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a steam hanger is disclosed. Further, the steam hanger may include a main body having a substantially cuboid shape configured to support clothing. Further, at least one surface of the main body may include a plurality of steam apertures configured to release steam. Further, the main body may include at least one fill spout. Further, the at least one fill spout may include an opening to a water reservoir. Further, the at least one fill spout may be configured to fill, and drain the water reservoir. Further, the main body may include a foldable hook attached to a top surface of the main body configured to suspend the steam hanger from a suspension point.

Further, the steam hanger may include the water reservoir. The water reservoir may include a flexible cylindrical tank located inside the main body. Further, the flexible cylindrical tank may be configured to store water.

Further, the steam hanger may include a heating element located inside the water reservoir configured to heat the water in the water reservoir to generate the steam.

Further, the steam hanger may include an energy storage device electrically coupled with the heating element through a controller. Further, the energy storage device may be configured to provide electrical power to the heating element.

Further, the steam hanger may include a plurality of retractable ducts retractably attached to the at least one surface of the main body. Further, the plurality of retractable ducts may be configured to extend in at least one direction to convey the steam outward for large sized clothing.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of a steam hanger, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context.

FIG. 1is a front view of a steam hanger100, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the steam hanger100may include a main body102having a substantially cuboid shape configured to support clothing. Further, at least one surface of the main body102may include a plurality of steam apertures104configured to release steam. Further, the main body102may include at least one fill spout106. Further, the at least one fill spout106may include an opening to a water reservoir. Further, the at least one fill spout106may be configured to fill, and drain the water reservoir. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one fill spout106may be located at a top center of a rear surface of the main body102. Further, the main body102may include a foldable hook110attached to a top surface of the main body102configured to suspend the steam hanger100from a suspension point. Further, in some embodiments, the foldable hook110may be attached to the top surface through a rotating clamp118. Further, the rotating clamp118may be configured to be rotated in order to fold the foldable hook.

Further, the steam hanger100may include the water reservoir. The water reservoir may include a flexible cylindrical tank located inside the main body102. Further, the flexible cylindrical tank may be configured to store water. Further, in some embodiments, the water reservoir may be configured to be collapsed in an accordion-like manner.

Further, the steam hanger100may include a heating element located inside the water reservoir configured to heat the water in the water reservoir to generate the steam.

Further, the steam hanger100may include an energy storage device108electrically coupled with the heating element through a controller. Further, in some embodiments, the controller may be configured to allow the flow of electrical energy from the energy storage device108to the heating element for a predetermined period. Further, the predetermined period may include at least one of 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and 15 minutes. Further, at least one of the energy storage device108and the controller may be secured within the main body102. Further, the energy storage device108may be configured to provide electrical power to the heating element. Further, in some embodiments, the energy storage device108may include a battery such as, but not limited to, at least one of a Lithium-ion battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Lead-Acid battery, and a Nickel-Metal hydride battery. Further, in some embodiments, the energy storage device108may be removed securely within the main body102.

Further, the steam hanger100may include a plurality of retractable ducts114retractably attached to the at least one surface of the main body102. Further, the plurality of retractable ducts114may be configured to extend in at least one direction to convey the steam outward for large sized clothing. Further, in some embodiments, each retractable duct in the plurality of retractable ducts114may include a removable endcap112. Further, the removable endcap112may be configured to allow the steam to be quickly vented when the removable endcap112may be removed from the retractable duct. Further, in some embodiments, two retractable ducts of the plurality of retractable ducts114may be located on side surfaces near an upper corner of the main body102. Further, the two retractable ducts may be configured to extend laterally. Further, in some embodiments, two retractable ducts of the plurality of retractable ducts114may be located on a bottom surface near a lower corner of the main body102. Further, the two retractable ducts may be configured to extend downward. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of the removable endcap112, and the water reservoir may be manufactured using at least one of a plastic, and a rubber.

Further, in some embodiments, the steam hanger100may include a retractable extension116. Further, the retractable extension116may be a cuboid section substantially equal in size to the main body102. Further, each surface of the retractable extension116may include the plurality of steam apertures104. Further, in some embodiments, the retractable extension116may be configured to be engaged with a bottom surface of the main body102. Further, the retractable extension116may be extended from the bottom surface for distributing the steam to lower extremities of large sized clothing. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of the main body102, the foldable hook, the plurality of ducts, and the retractable extension116may be manufactured using at least one of a stainless steel, and an aluminum alloy.

FIG. 2is a left side view of the steam hanger100, in accordance with some embodiments. Further,FIG. 3is a rear view of the steam hanger100. Further,FIG. 4is a right side view of the steam hanger100. Further,FIG. 5is a front top perspective view of the steam hanger100. Further,FIG. 6is a rear top perspective view of the steam hanger100. Further,FIG. 7is a rear top perspective view of the steam hanger100with a foldable hook110in a folded configuration. Further,FIG. 8is a front view of the steam hanger100with a retracting extension116in an extended configuration. Further,FIG. 9is a bottom perspective view of the steam hanger100with a retracting extension116in an extended configuration. Further,FIG. 10is a front view of the steam hanger100with retractable ducts114in an extended configuration. Further,FIG. 11is a bottom perspective view of the steam hanger100with retractable ducts114in an extended configuration.

Further, in some embodiments, a steam hanger100may include a main body102having a substantially cuboid shape configured to support clothing. Further, at least one surface of the main body102may include a plurality of steam apertures104configured to release steam. Further, the main body102may include at least one fill spout106. The at least one fill spout106may further include an opening to a water reservoir. Further, the at least one fill spout106may be configured to fill, and drain the water reservoir. Further, the main body102may include a foldable hook110attached to a top surface of the main body102configured to suspend the steam hanger100from a suspension point. Further, in some embodiments, the foldable hook110may be attached to the top surface through a rotating clamp118. Further, the rotating clamp118may be configured to be rotated in order to fold the foldable hook.

Further, the steam hanger100may include the water reservoir including a flexible cylindrical tank103located inside the main body102. Further, the flexible cylindrical tank103may be configured to store water. Further, in some embodiments, the water reservoir may be configured to be collapsed in an accordion-like manner.

Further, the steam hanger100may include a heating element111located inside the water reservoir configured to heat the water in the water reservoir to generate steam.

Further, the steam hanger100may include an energy storage device108electrically coupled with the heating element111through a controller109. Further, in some embodiments, the controller109may be configured to allow the flow of electrical energy from the energy storage device108to the heating element111for a predetermined period. Further, the predetermined period may include at least one of 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and 15 minutes. Further, at least one of the energy storage device108and the controller109may be secured within the main body102, Further the energy storage device108may be configured to provide electrical power to the heating element111.

Further, the steam hanger100may include a plurality of retractable ducts114retractably attached to the at least one surface of the main body102. Further, the plurality of retractable ducts114may be configured to extend in at least one direction to convey the steam outward for large sized clothing. Further, in some embodiments, two retractable ducts of the plurality of retractable ducts114may be located on side surfaces near an upper corner of the main body102. Further, the two retractable ducts may be configured to extend laterally. Further, in some embodiments, two retractable ducts of the plurality of retractable ducts114may be located on a bottom surface near a lower corner of the main body102. Further, the two retractable ducts may be configured to extend downward.

Further, the steam hanger100may include a retractable extension116. Further, the retractable extension116may include a cuboid section substantially equal in size to the main body102. Further, each surface of the retractable extension116may include the plurality of steam apertures104. Further, the retractable extension116may be configured to be engaged with a bottom surface of the main body102. Further, the retractable extension116may be extended from the bottom surface for distributing the steam to lower extremities of large sized clothing.

In some embodiments, a hanger (such as the steam hanger100) may provide an internal water reservoir and a heating element111to generate steam. The heating element111may be powered by one or more large, high-capacity lithium ion batteries. To reduce costs, the design may be compatible with an existing battery design for a laptop computer. Each battery may be removable for recharging purposes. The hanger further may provide a plurality of steam apertures (such as the plurality of steam apertures104) to release the steam, such that an article of clothing on the hanger may be gently steamed to remove wrinkles.

At the top center of the rear surface, the hanger may provide a fill spout (such as the fill spout106). The fill spout may be used to fill the internal water reservoir with water, and drain the water from the internal water reservoir when preparing the hanger for transport or storage. The hanger further may provide a hook (such as the hook110) which folds for transport and storage purposes, and a plurality of retractable ducts (such as the plurality of retractable ducts114) which may convey steam outward into larger garments. Preferably, two of the ducts may be provided on the side surfaces near the upper corners of the hanger and extend laterally, and two more ducts may be provided on the bottom surface near the lower corners of the hanger and extend downward. Each duct may provide a removable endcap (such as the endcap112), which may allow steam to be quickly vented when preparing the hanger for transport and storage.

The hanger further may provide a retracting extension (such as the retracting extension116), preferably in various sizes, which may be extended from the lower surface of the hanger for the purpose of conveying and distributing steam to the lower extremities of longer garments, such as dresses with full-length skirts. The hanger utilizes the two lower ducts to convey steam into the extension for distribution. Additional extensions which may be separate items, and may be temporarily affixed to the bottom surface of the hanger, may be made available. Preferably, such additional extensions may be provided in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate different garments.

Further in some embodiments, the hanger may provide a timer function. This may enable the user to activate the heating element111for a predetermined period of the user's choice, such as 2 minutes, 3 minutes, or 15 minutes, and then automatically deactivate. This feature may conserve energy and water, and prevent the room, closet, or other space where the hanger may be used from becoming excessively humid for the user's comfort.

Further in some embodiments, the design of the hangar may be collapsible for space saving purposes. Such a design may incorporate a reservoir which may collapse in a manner similar to an accordion, and may include other design elements which support a compact size when the hanger may have collapsed.

In some embodiments, the user may fill the internal water reservoir with water and may activate the heating element111. If desired for a larger or longer garment, the user may then extend some or all of the ducts as desired, or affix an extension to the bottom surface of the hanger. The user may then hang a garment on the hanger until any wrinkles on the garment may have been removed.

Further in some embodiments, the hanger, the battery, the hook, the ducts, and the extension may be preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which may be lightweight, heat resistant, corrosion resistant, and waterproof, such as aluminum alloy and stainless steel. The endcaps and the reservoir may be preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material which may be waterproof, such as plastic.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the disclosure.

While the foregoing written description of the disclosure enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what may be presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The disclosure should, therefore, not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.