Abstract:
A steamer apparatus, includes a housing defining a steam outlet, a fluid reservoir for storing fluid, a steam generator mounted in the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for generating steam and releasing the steam through the steam outlet, a pump for pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the steam generator, a trigger mounted to the housing and a trigger lock associated with the trigger. The trigger is adapted to move from an inoperative condition to an operative condition to activate one of the pump and the steam generator. The trigger lock is movable between a release position permitting free movement of the trigger between the inoperative condition and the operative condition and a lock position securing the trigger in the operative condition.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a hand held apparatus for the care of garments and other items made of fabric. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hand held apparatus for applying steam and/or heat to garments, fabrics and the like. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Portable hand held devices for applying steam are particularly useful in removing wrinkles and improving the appearance of hanging garments, draperies, upholstery, and other items made of fabric. When traveling, these devices may be especially effective for freshening clothes that have been packed in luggage. They are also useful for improving the appearance of hanging draperies without removing them, straightening and flattening upholstery, opening seams, and, generally, for smoothing fabric during sewing operations. In all of these applications, it is not only important to apply steam to the fabric, but to do so in a safe and easy manner. It is also important to be able to apply a desired amount of steam to a particular portion of the fabric being treated. One garment steamer is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,117 to Leung et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to further improvements in steam generating apparatti, particularly, handheld steamers. A steamer apparatus includes a housing defining a steam outlet, a fluid reservoir for storing fluid, a steam generator mounted in the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for generating steam and releasing the steam through the steam outlet, a pump for pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the steam generator, a trigger mounted to the housing and a trigger lock associated with the trigger. The trigger is adapted to move from an inoperative condition to an operative condition to activate one of the pump and the steam generator. The trigger lock is movable between a release position permitting free movement of the trigger between the inoperative condition and the operative condition and a lock position securing the trigger in the operative condition. 
     The steam generator may include a first boiler for heating the steam to a first temperature and a second boiler in fluid communication with the first boiler for heating the steam to a second temperature greater than the first generator. The first temperature is at least about 100° C. and the second temperature is at least about 130° C. 
     The housing may include a slot extending therethrough for release of heat generated by the steam generator. The slot may be generally crescent-shaped. The housing defines a resting block in opposed relation to the steam outlet. The resting block is dimensioned for positioning upon a support surface to orient the steam outlet facing away from the support surface. An indicator light may be within the resting block for providing visual indication of the pump in the operative position. 
     An ironing sole plate is mounted to the housing with the steam outlet extending through the ironing soleplate. The ironing sole plate may be dimensioned to be heated by the steam as the steam passes through the steam outlet. Alternatively, the ironing sole plate is in contact with the steam generator whereby heat is transferred from the steam generator to the ironing sole plate. As a further alternative, a heater may be associated with the ironing sole plate to heat the ironing sole plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIGS. 1-2  are perspective views of the handheld steamer apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure illustrating the handle segment and the head segment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the handheld steamer apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the handheld steamer apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the handheld steamer apparatus positioned on a support surface and supported by a resting block on the rear of the head segment; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective and side plan views illustrating the double boiler system of the handheld steamer apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view with parts separated of the first and second heating chambers of the double boiler system; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan illustrating the flow path of the steam within the first and second heating chambers of the double boiler system; 
         FIGS. 10-11  are perspective views of the trigger in release and secured positions respectively; 
         FIGS. 12-14  are views illustrating various arrangements for heating the iron soleplate of the handheld steamer; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate use of the handheld steamer apparatus in respective vertical and horizontal arrangements relative to the garment; and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates various attachments for use with the handheld steamer apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the handheld steamer apparatus  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The handheld steamer apparatus  10  includes an outer housing  12  defining a general pistol configuration and having a handle segment  14  and a head segment  16 . The handle segment  14  is dimensioned for manual engagement by the user. The handle segment  14  includes a reservoir lock  18  and a steam trigger button  20  on the forward side of the handle segment  14  and a steam setting switch  22  on the rear side. The reservoir lock  18  secures a fluid reservoir  24  which is detachable (e.g., removable) from the handle segment  14 . The fluid reservoir  24  is selectively released by actuation of the reservoir lock  18 . The fluid reservoir  24  contains water or other suitable fluid, and may be refilled once the fluid reservoir  24  is emptied. The steam trigger button  20  activates the double boiler system and may be positioned in a continuous or non-continuous. The operation of the steam trigger button  20  will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. The steam setting switch  22  enables the user to select the desired steam temperature depending on the fabric to be ironed. 
     The head segment  16  includes an ironing soleplate  26  and a steam outlet  28  extending through the soleplate  26 . The steam outlet  28  extends along the majority of the length “l” of the ironing soleplate, e.g., at least about 60% of the length “l” and possibly at least 70% of the length “l”. This provides a relatively wide steam outlet  28  thereby increasing the effective treatment area of the released steam. The ironing soleplate  26  has an outward bow or curved configuration which facilitates the ironing process when both in a vertical and horizontal application as will be discussed hereinbelow. The ironing soleplate  26  may be made of metal or any other suitable material, e.g., heat conductive material, for distributing heat to the garment. 
     The top of the head segment  16  includes a generally crescent shaped vent  30  which communicates with the interior of the head segment  16  to release heat generated by the double boiler system thereby minimizing the potential of pressure build-up within the head segment  16 . The rear of the head segment  16  includes a resting block or segment  32  dimensioned to permit the operator to place the steamer apparatus  10  on a table or support surface with the ironing soleplate  26  and the steam outlet  28  facing upwardly away from the garment of the support surface. This ensures that the heated components of the steamer apparatus  10  are removed from the garment or the support surface when not in use. The resting block  32  may have a substantially planar surface  34  and defines a width and length sufficient to support the handheld steamer apparatus  10  in the desired position. An indicator light  36  may be disposed within the resting block  32  to provide a visual indicator that the steamer apparatus  10  is in an on or active mode. With this arrangement it is envisioned that the resting block  32  comprises a transparent material.  FIG. 5  illustrates the handheld steamer apparatus in the upright position with the resting block placed on a support surface “s” and the ironing soleplate  26  and the nozzle  28  directed in the upward direction. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the handheld steamer apparatus  10  includes a boiler system consisting of fluid or water pump  38  and boiler housing  40 . The water pump  38  is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir  24  through appropriate tubing  43 ,  45  ( FIG. 7 ) to deliver water to the boiler housing  40 . The boiler housing  40  includes a first heating chamber  42  and a second heating chamber  44 . The first heating chamber  42  will heat the water to generate steam at a first predetermined temperature, e.g., about 100° C. or higher. The second heating chamber  44  is located at the outlet  46  of the first heating chamber  42  and heats the steam to a higher predetermined temperature, e.g., about 130° C. or higher, to generate super steam. The super steam provides a quicker and efficient ironing characteristic to remove wrinkles in the garment, keeps the garment drive after ironing and may kill bacteria due to the high temperature of the steam. Various heater sets, plates and generator means may be incorporated to create the steam within the first and second chambers at the desired temperatures. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , the first heating chamber  42  may incorporate a U-shaped heater  48  and the second heating chamber  44  may includes a pair of electro-connection plates  50  with an interposed second heater set  52  and a lower heater mounting plate  54 . Other dual generator arrangements are also contemplated. It is also envisioned the first and second heating chambers  42 ,  44  may be heated by the same heater. It is further envisioned that each of the first and second heating chambers  42 ,  44  may be incorporated in separate boilers which are in fluid communication to heat the steam to the first and second predetermined temperatures. A temperature control  56  in electrical communication with the external steam setting switch  22  can control the temperature of the steam generated. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the flow path of the steam generated by the first and second heating chambers  42 ,  44 . The water inlet  58  receives the water from the fluid pump  38 , which is circulated through the first heating chamber  42  to be converted to steam at a first predetermined temperature (at least about 100° C.) and released through the outlet  46  of the first chamber  42 . The steam is circulated through the second heating chamber  44  and heated or superheated to a second predetermined temperature (at least about 130° C.) and released through the external steam outlet  28  extending through the ironing sole plate  26 . The steam outlet  28  may have a plurality of channels  62  to distribute the steam evenly to the garment. 
     Power for handheld steamer apparatus  10  is derived from an external power source (not shown) through an electrical cable  64  ( FIG. 1 ) The cable  64  provides an electrical connection from the external power source to the fluid pump  38 , the double boiler system, and other components of handheld steamer apparatus  10  requiring electrical energy. It should be appreciated that the steamer apparatus  10  may be powered by an internal power source such as a battery. The electrical power from the cable  64  may be controlled through the steam trigger button  20 . The steam trigger button  20  serves to complete an electrical circuit which includes the fluid pump  38  either directly or indirectly, e.g., by use of a delay. The steam trigger button  20  operates to cause application of power to the fluid pump  38 . In the alternative, or in addition, the steam trigger button  20  may be actuated to activate the double boiler system, with the heat setting being controlled via the steam setting switch  22 . In the alternative or in addition, the steam trigger button  20  may operate to cause a variable amount of power to be applied to the fluid pump  38  and/or the double boiler system depending upon the degree of actuation by a user. Suitable safety devices in the form of a fuse, circuit breaker, thermal cut-off, or other safety device appropriate for use in the handheld steamer apparatus  10 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the steam trigger button  20  may be activated in a continuous or intermittent mode of operation. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 10-11 , depression of the steam trigger button  20  completes the electrical circuit to activate the fluid pump  38  and/or the double boiler system as indicated hereinabove. In the intermittent condition of the steam trigger button  20 , depression and release of the button  20  will activate and deactivate the electrical circuit. The steam trigger button  20  is normally biased outwardly by coil spring  66 , which position corresponds to the deactivated condition of the steam trigger button  20 . When continuous power is desired for continuous steam to be released from the handheld steamer apparatus  10 , the steam trigger button  20  is depressed and a trigger lock  68  associated with the steam trigger button  20  is slid or depressed from the position depicted in  FIG. 10  to the position depicted in  FIG. 11 . In the position of the trigger lock  68  of  FIG. 11 , the lower depending locking tab  70  of the trigger lock  68  depends through an opening  72  in the steam trigger button  20  to be received within an internal locking recess  74  of the handle segment  14 . The depending locking tab  70  is retained within the internal locking recess  74  through friction and/or via the outward bias of the coil spring  66  which drives the locking tab  70  (either directly or indirectly through engagement with vertical shelf  76  of the steam trigger button  20 ) against the internal forward surface  78  defining the internal locking recess  74 . In this position, the steam trigger button  20  is secured to continuously provide power to the fluid pump  38  and/or the double boiler system. The trigger lock  68  may be slid upwardly to the position of  FIG. 10  when continuous operation is no longer desired. Thus, the trigger lock  68  is movable between a release position depicted in  FIG. 10  permitting free movement of the trigger button  20  and a lock position securing the trigger button  20  and maintaining the fluid pump  38  and/or the double boiler system in an operative condition. It is also possible to provide continuous steam by manually maintaining the steam trigger button  20  in the depressed condition of  FIG. 11  without securing the trigger lock  68 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate various arrangements to heat or preheat the ironing soleplate  26  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. With the arrangement depicted in  FIG. 12 , the ironing soleplate  26  is directly in contact with or attached to the boiler housing  38  whereby heat is transferred from the boiler housing  38  to the soleplate  26 . The boiler housing  38  may be fabricated from a heat conductive metal such as cast aluminum or cast iron. In the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the steam “s” is passed through the ironing soleplate  26  and thereby heats the soleplate  26  to the desired temperature through conduction and/or convection. In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , a separate heater  80  is connected to the sole plate  26 . The heater  80  may be activated through the steam trigger button  20  or another button or switch associated with the handle segment  14 . The separate heater may provide for more rapid heating of the soleplate. 
       FIGS. 15-16  illustrate the use of the handheld steamer apparatus  10  in both a vertical application ( FIG. 15 ) and a horizontal application ( FIG. 16 ). During use, the curved or bowed configuration of the ironing soleplate  26  permits the operator to manipulate and pivot the handheld steamer apparatus  10  relative to the garment and about the ironing soleplate  26  as depicted by directional arrows “k”. This bowed configuration facilitates use of the steamer apparatus  10  by permitting the operator to address the garment “g” at a number of angles. This is not possible with conventional flat irons. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates various attachments contemplated for use with the handheld steamer apparatus  10 . The attachments include a lint brush attachment  100 , a soft fabric cushion attachment  200  and a creaser attachment  300 . The attachments  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be fit about the periphery of the front end of the head segment  16  in frictional relationship therewith. 
     The above description and the drawings are provided for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.