Patent Abstract:
A garment steamer has a housing with a reservoir and a boiler for converting water to steam. The housing includes a normally closed valve in a flow path between the reservoir and the boiler. A removable fill plug in a fill opening or inlet of the reservoir is configured to engage the valve to permit water to be communicated from the reservoir via an outlet to the boiler for conversion into steam. The plug-actuated valve isolates the boiler from the reservoir when the plug is removed, providing safer refilling when the boiler is hot. The garment steamer also includes a steam discharge head coupled by a hose to the housing and configured to direct steam onto a garment or similar item.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is related to the field of garment steamers that apply steam to remove wrinkles from clothing and similar fabric items. 
     Garment steamers are generally constructed to include a user-fillable reservoir for water, a heating element for generating steam from water in the reservoir, and an external surface from which the steam escapes to be directed to a garment or similar item being worked on. Some garment steamers may be sufficiently compact to be used in an entirely handheld fashion, while others may employ a larger, relatively stationary reservoir connected by a hose to a handheld steaming head that is maneuvered by a user during operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     There are a variety of aspects of garment steamers that affect their usability. The reservoir, for example, is preferably easy to refill and relatively large in order to reduce the frequency of refilling. The garment steamer preferably heats up quickly so as to be ready for use soon after it has been turned on. Portability is often desired, as the garment steamer may be used in multiple places or moved between a storage location and a location of use. The garment steamer should also be safe to use. 
     A garment steamer is disclosed that includes features for enhanced usability, especially with respect to safe and effective filling of the reservoir and heating of the water to generate steam. Other features are directed to portability and user handling of the garment steamer. 
     In one embodiment, a disclosed garment steamer includes a base and a housing configured to be removably attached to the base. For example, the housing may be detached from the base and carried by the user. In one embodiment, the housing for a garment steamer system may include a first portion having an inlet for receiving water and a second portion having an outlet for discharging water, the second portion being in communication with the first portion. In some instances, the first portion of the housing can be the top side or the side wall of the housing. In other instances, the second portion can be situated underneath or below the first portion. In general, each of the first portion and the second portion can be integrally formed as a single unit into a water tank or reservoir. The housing includes a first device, such as a fill plug, in communication with the inlet for substantially sealing water within the first portion. The first device is capable of extending into the first portion of the housing. The housing also includes a second device, such as a valve assembly, in communication with the outlet for substantially sealing water within the second portion. The second device can be actuated by the first device such that in an engaged configuration, water may exit from the outlet to a separate boiler where the water is heated into steam. 
     By use of the above configuration, water being heated is generally separated from the generally larger amount of water in the water tank, promoting faster heating. When the first device is removed to permit filling of the water tank, the second device is de-actuated. In the event that the boiler is still hot, this de-actuation of the second device prevents heated water and steam from escaping via the inlet and potentially scalding the user. Thus user safety is enhanced. 
     In one embodiment, the garment steamer system may include a support structure such as a pole for supporting a user-held head or handle from which steam exits during use. The garment steamer system may include a conduit such as a hose between the handle and the heating apparatus to facilitate transfer of steam from the base to the handle. In another embodiment, the base of the garment steamer system may include a plurality of wheels to facilitate mobility of the garment steamer. In some embodiments, the housing and the base may be integrally formed such that the first portion and the second portion of the housing, as well as the base, may be produced as a single unit using a plastic injection molding process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a garment steamer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a garment steamer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top-down view of a housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side-view of a plug for the housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side-view of a portion of the housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 2  without the plug of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of the housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a an illustration of a garment steamer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a base for the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of a housing of the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of an upper part of a support structure of the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  is a first side view of the upper part of the support structure of the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  is a second side view of the upper part of the support structure of the garment steamer of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a garment steamer  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The garment steamer  10  includes a base  70  configured to support a housing  20 , where the housing  20  is capable of housing a water tank and a heating apparatus such as a boiler for converting water into steam, among other electrical components and circuitry. In one embodiment, the housing  20  and the base  70  may be integrally formed as a single unit or single component. In other words, the housing  20  and the base  70  may be concurrently manufactured via a plastic injection molding process. 
     The bottom of the base  70  may include a plurality of wheels  60  to facilitate transportation of the garment steamer  10  from place to place as necessary. In some instances, a support structure  30  such as a telescopic pole may be coupled to the top of the base  70 , the support structure  30  being substantially adjacent to the housing  20 . The support structure  30  may support the likes of a handle or “head”  90 , which may be in fluid communication with the housing  20  via a conduit  40  such as a hose for delivering steam onto a garment or similar item (not shown). In some embodiments, the support structure  30  may also include a hook for holding a piece of clothing or garment. In other embodiments, the handle  90  may include an on/off switch or a trigger (not shown) for discharging steam. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a garment steamer  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, where the support structure  30  of the garment steamer  10  is in a retracted position. As shown, the top of the support structure  30  may include a holder  31  for supporting the handle  90  ( FIG. 1 ). In some instances, a side wall of the housing  20  may include an electrical cord  80  which may be plugged into a wall outlet for powering electrical assemblies and components within the housing  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top-down view of the housing  20  of the garment steamer  10  of  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the upper section of the housing  20  may include a handle  21  to facilitate removal of the housing  20  from the base  70 . In other embodiments, the handle  21  may facilitate transportation of the housing  20  when the housing  20  is detachably removed from the base  70 . In some instances, the housing  20  may also include a strap (not shown) for carrying the housing  20  on a user&#39;s shoulder. In one embodiment, the top of the housing  20  includes an inlet  22  for filling a reservoir within the housing  10  with water. 
       FIG. 4  is a side-view of a cover or plug  50  for the housing of the garment steamer  10  of  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the cover or plug  50  may be a device that can be removably coupled to the inlet  22  of the housing  20  to ensure that water does not spill when it is received in the housing  20 . In one example, the plug  50  may be secured to the inlet  22  by a twisting action (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). In another example, the plug  50  may secure the inlet  22  by a push-pull action using flexible valve baffles. In other instances, the plug  50  may be substantially secured to the inlet  22  via other suitable securing mechanism including a combination of twisting and pushing action, among others. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the plug  50  may include an extension  52  that may extend substantially into the housing  20  when the plug  50  is coupled to the inlet  22 . The extension  52  may be used to trigger a complementary assembly within the housing  20  which will become more apparent in subsequent figures and discussion. 
       FIG. 5  is a side-view of a portion of the housing  20  of the garment steamer  10  of  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the housing  20  includes a first section  24  and a second section  28 . In some instances, each of the first section  24  and the second section  28  may form a portion of a water tank for storing water in the housing  20 . In other instances, the first section  24  and the second section  28  may collectively form a water tank within the housing  20 . In some embodiments, the first section  24  and the second section  28  may be integrally formed as a single unit. 
     In one embodiment, the first section  24  includes an inlet  22  for receiving water in the first section  24 . The inlet  22  may be sealed by a plug  50  or other suitable securing devices. In some embodiments, the first section  24  may include the top side of the housing  20 . In other embodiments, the first section  24  may include a side wall of the housing  20 . In one embodiment, the second section  28  includes an outlet  29  where water can exit from the second section  28 . In one embodiment, the second section  28  may include an actuable assembly  26 . The actuable assembly  26  may be a valve assembly  26  capable of being actuated by the plug  50 . For example, the valve assembly  26  may engage the extension  52  of the plug  50 . In one embodiment, in a disengaged position (e.g., plug  50  unsecured or removed), the valve assembly  26  is not being actuated by the extension  52 . Accordingly, the valve assembly  26  is able to substantially secure the outlet  29  and prevent water from leaving. It will be appreciated that this can be accomplished using a spring or similar element to bias the valve assembly  26  in a closed position, where the bias is overcome upon actuation by the extension  52  of the plug  50  moving the valve assembly  26  into an open position. In other instances, the valve assembly  26  can be coupled to the outlet  29  in a substantially similar manner as that of the plug  50  and the inlet  22  for performing substantially similar functions. 
       FIG. 5  shows the garment steamer  10  including the plug  50  installed or located in the inlet  22 . In this configuration with the plug  50  coupled to the inlet  22 , the plug  50  can substantially seal water within the first section  24 . In addition, the extension  52  of the plug  50  extends substantially into at least a portion of the first section  24  for actuating the valve assembly  26  when the inlet  22  is secured with the plug  50 , as explained in more detail below. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the housing  20  of the garment steamer  10  of  FIG. 2 , the schematic including structure shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown, the housing  20  also includes a water drain  36 , a heating element assembly  32 , a boiler assembly  34 , and a conduit  40  for sending the steam up into the handle  90  ( FIG. 1 ). In case there is excess water buildup, it may be drained by unplugging the plug in the water drain  36 .  FIG. 6  shows the plug  50  and valve assembly  26  in the above-discussed configuration in which the extension  52  actuates the valve assembly  26  of the second section  28  such that water can exit the outlet  29 . Once water exits the second section  28  as indicated by the arrow, water can be heated by the heating element assembly  32  and the boiler assembly  34 . In some embodiments, additional electrical components or circuitry (not shown) may be incorporated as necessary for heating purposes. Once an appropriate temperature has been achieved, water can be converted to steam and transported up the conduit  40  to be discharged from the handle  90  onto a piece of garment. 
     Some of the advantages of the current system over those of the prior art include the ability to retain water in the housing  20  without substantial leaking to occur, among others. This can occur when the housing  20  is attached to the base  70  or when the housing  20  is used as a mobile unit. In addition, minimal condensation may form within the conduit  40 . 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of a garment steamer  110  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The garment steamer  110  includes a base  170  configured to support a housing  120 , where the housing  120  is capable of housing a water tank and a heating apparatus such as a boiler for converting water into steam, among other electrical components and circuitry. In one embodiment, the housing  120  and the base  170  may be integrally formed as a single unit or single component. In other words, the housing  120  and the base  170  may be concurrently manufactured via a plastic injection molding process. 
     The bottom of the base  170  may include supports such as front posts  172  and rear wheels  160 , which facilitate transportation of the garment steamer  110  from place to place as necessary. To this end, a foldable handle  200  is used to tilt and steer the garment steamer during such transportation on a floor or similar surface. A support structure  130  such as a telescopic pole may be coupled to the top of the base  170 , the support structure  130  being substantially adjacent to the housing  120 . The support structure  130  includes a plurality of pole segments  132  and segment locks  134 . The support structure  130  may also include a holder  131  for supporting a handle or “head”  190 , which is generally in fluid communication with the housing  120  via a conduit  140  such as a hose for delivering steam onto a garment or similar item (not shown). The handle  90  may include an on/off switch or a trigger (not shown) for discharging steam. As shown, the support structure  130  may also support the foldable handle  200 , as well as a cross arm  210  with a clip  212  for holding a garment in position as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 8  provides a top view of the base  170 , showing a central well  174  for receiving the housing  120 . Channels  176  provide clearance for passage of electrical cords extending from the rear of the housing  120  as described below. The support structure  130  is secured to the base  170  by a female threaded collar  178  that holds a flanged end of the lowest pole  132  against a corresponding male threaded post (not visible) extending upwardly from the base  170 . 
     In  FIG. 8  the cross arm  210  is shown in a vertical or “unused” position, having been rotated  90  degrees from the horizontal or “in-use” position of  FIG. 7 . In the unused position there is less possibility of the cross arm  210  undesirably interfering with a user or with other apparatus. 
       FIG. 9  shows an upper part of the housing  120  including a plastic sleeve  142  on the lower part of the conduit  140  where it meets the housing  120 . An electrical cord  144  passes through a lateral opening of the sleeve  142  and extends along the length of the conduit  140  to the handle  190  ( FIG. 7 ). Within the conduit  140 , the electrical cord  144  is disposed between an inner flexible hose member of the conduit  140  (not shown) an a woven outer sheath of the conduit  140  (visible in  FIG. 9 ). The electrical cord  144  provides electrical current to a heating element in the handle  190  as described in more detail below. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 9  is a fill plug  150  used to close a fill opening  122  in the top of the housing  120 . The fill plug  150  may mechanically engage the fill opening  122  in any of a variety of ways, including for example by use of a surrounding O ring or similar component establishing a frictional fit, or by screw threads or similar twisting mechanism. The fill plug  150  includes an extension  152  that engages an actuable assembly or valve within the housing  120  in the same manner as discussed above for the plug extension  52  and actuable assembly  26 . The fill plug  150  is secured to the housing  120  by an elongated tether  154 , preferably made of a flexible and strong plastic material. 
       FIG. 10  shows the rear of the housing  120 . The electrical cords  180  and  144  extend rearward from respective projections  128  of the housing  120 . As mentioned above, the end portions of the electrical cords  180 ,  144  at the housing  120  are received within the channels  176  of the base  170  ( FIG. 8 ) when the housing  120  is seated thereon. 
       FIG. 11  shows the upper part of the support structure  130  and handle  190  in greater detail. The handle  190  includes an electrically heated pressing element  192  and an immediately adjacent steaming area shown covered by a permeable cloth  194 . The steaming area of the handle  190  generally includes a plurality of small openings (not visible in  FIG. 11 ) through which steam from the conduit  140  passes in use. The pressing element  192  is heated by internal electrical coils with current from the electrical cord  144  ( FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, the pressing element  192  has a positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) characteristic that automatically regulates the operating current and temperature. The pressing element  192  is preferably heated at a rate commensurate with the rate at which steam is generated, so that a situation can be avoided in which steam contacts a relatively cold pressing element  192  forming undesired condensation. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 11  is the foldable handle  200  in a downward or retracted position. A pushbutton  202  is used to release an internal rotary latch to enable the foldable handle  200  to be rotated to an upward or in-use position. Formed integrally with the foldable handle  200  is a hook  204  usable to receive a clothes hanger to support a garment which is to receive steam treatment. In this case the garment will hang downward, and the support structure  130  and cross arm  210  can be adjusted so that the clip  212  ( FIG. 8 ) can hold the bottom part of the garment in place. 
       FIG. 12  shows a side view of the upper part of the support structure  130  with the foldable handle  200  in the downward position as in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a side view of the upper part of the support structure  130  with the foldable handle  200  in an upward position, having been rotated upward from the downward position of  FIG. 12 . In this position, the foldable handle  200  can be grasped by a user to enable the user to both tilt the garment steamer  110  rearward and push or pull to move the garment steamer  110  on its rear wheels  160 . 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3