Patent Description:
The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

Various types of garment steamer are known for steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture provided by steam. Garment steamers typically comprise a handle for holding the garment steamer, and a steamer head attached to the handle. The steamer head comprises a steam generator for generating the steam.

One type of garment steamer is a handheld garment steamer, in which the steam generator, a water tank for storing water for supplying to the steam generator, and a treatment plate (also referred to as a soleplate, front plate or steaming plate) are integrated into a single portable hand unit.

The handheld garment steamer is therefore portable, and is typically used to steam a garment vertically hanging from a hanger. Conventional handheld steamers have accordingly been designed with the handle set at an angle with respect to the steamer head to make the garment steamer more comfortable to use/ergonomic when steaming such a hanging garment.

More recently, garment steamers, and in particular handheld garment steamers, have been offered which can be used for steaming hanging garments and garments laying on a mat or ironing board. However, the angle of the handle relative to the steamer head that is comfortable to use/ergonomic for steaming a garment hanging, e.g. vertically, from a hanger may not be comfortable to use/ergonomic for steaming a garment laying, e.g. horizontally, on a mat or ironing board.

Some handheld garment steamers have been designed for ironing horizontally in the manner of a traditional steam iron. However, such handheld steamers may not be comfortable to use/ergonomic for steaming a hanging garment.

Such issues might be addressable by introducing some adjustability into the design of the garment steamer.

However, this can be challenging because of the risk that the adjustment capability compromises the robustness of the garment steamer, particularly since the user is likely to make repeated adjustments over the operating lifetime of the garment steamer.

<CIT> discloses an ironing machine including a handle and an ironing head. The ironing head has an ironing surface. The angle between the handle and the ironing surface is adjustable, with a locking structure being provided at the connection between the handle and the ironing head.

<CIT> discloses a foldable fabric steamer comprising a spray head and a handle, with a steam generator being provided in the spray head. A rear end of the spray head has a rotary connection section and an upper end of the handle has a clamping section to which the rotary connection section is rotatably connected.

<CIT> discloses a portable steamer device having a central cylindrical casing open at opposite ends. A handle is rotatably mounted to a cylindrical cap attached to the rear end of the casing.

It is an object of the invention to propose a garment steamer that avoids or mitigates the above-mentioned problems.

To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises.

The pivot coupling can assist the user to select the appropriate angle of the steamer head relative to the handle when, for instance, steaming a garment hanging, e.g. vertically, from a hanger and steaming a garment laying, e.g. horizontally, on a mat or ironing board. This can make the garment steamer more comfortable to use.

Moreover, by the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe extending between the handle and the steamer head being supported on the external curved surface of the pivot shaft, the risk of damage to the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe, e.g. by kinking or pinching, by the pivot coupling is reduced.

Thus, the garment steamer may be both comfortable to use and robust.

The pivot coupling preferably comprises at least one pair of opposing flanges projecting away from the external curved surface of the pivot shaft, with the at least one pair of opposing flanges and the external curved surface forming a groove to receive the at least one electrical wire and/or water pipe.

This groove can assist to guide and protect the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe extending between the handle and the steamer head such that the risk of damage to the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe by the pivot coupling is reduced.

Preferably, the pivot shaft is fixed relative to the steamer head, and the at least one pair of opposing flanges comprises a first pair of opposing flanges which are fixed relative to the pivot shaft.

In such embodiments, the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe can be held laterally between the first pair of opposing flanges.

Preferably, the pivot shaft is fixed relative to the steamer head, and the at least one pair of opposing flanges comprising a second pair of opposing flanges which are fixed relative to the handle and adapted to rotate around the pivot shaft.

The second pair of opposing flanges can further assist to laterally hold the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe in place.

In embodiments in which both the first and second pairs of opposing flanges are included, the second pair of opposing flanges preferably projects to a height taller than the first pair of opposing flanges.

The taller second pair of opposing flanges can assist to prevent the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe escaping from the dedicated path therebetween during assembly of the garment steamer. This can assist to minimize the risk of damage to the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe, for example via contact with the housing of the garment steamer during its assembly.

Preferably, the first pair of opposing flanges is sandwiched between the second pair of opposing flanges.

This may assist to minimize or prevent lateral shifting of the pivot shaft.

Preferably, the second pair of opposing flanges is attached to the handle via a second member.

Preferably, the pivot shaft is attached to the steamer head via a first member.

In some embodiments, the garment steamer comprises a loop member, e.g. a rigid loop member, mounted to the handle, with the loop member defining an aperture through which the at least one electrical wire and/or water pipe extend(s) to reach the external curved surface of the pivot shaft. As well as assisting to guide the electrical wire(s) and/or water pipe onto the external curved surface, the loop member can also assist to protect the electrical wire(s) and/or the water pipe from damage during assembly of the garment steamer.

The loop member is, for example, connected to the second member.

This can facilitate assembly of the garment steamer, e.g. relative to the scenario in which the second member and the loop member are separate components.

In some embodiments, the pivot coupling is adapted to permit pivoting of the steamer head relative to the handle between a first angular position and a second angular position, with the pivot coupling comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the pivot coupling in the first angular position and the second angular position.

For example, the first angular position is for facilitating steaming of a hanging garment, and the second angular position is for facilitating steaming of a garment laying on a mat or ironing board.

The locking mechanism is preferably formed by:.

The hinge gear is preferably moveable in a first axial direction to release the set of teeth from the first set of slots or from the second set of slots, and moveable in a second axial direction to engage the set of teeth with the first set of slots or the second set of slots.

Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a user-actuatable release member, with the hinge gear being moveable via actuation of the user-actuatable release member by a user of the garment steamer.

For example, the user-actuatable release member is a push button or a lever.

The hinge gear is preferably coupled to an additional pivot shaft adapted to translate along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft upon actuation of the user-actuatable release member by the user.

This actuation by the user involves, for example, pushing of the above-mentioned push button.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a spring arranged to provide a force on the additional pivot shaft in the second axial direction to retain the set of teeth in and engaging the first set of slots or the second set of slots, with the user-actuatable release member being actuatable to overcome said force.

For example, the above-mentioned push button may be pushable to overcome said force.

Preferably, the garment steamer is a handheld garment steamer.

For example, the handheld garment steamer is a portable handheld steamer comprising a steam generator, a water tank for storing water for supplying to the steam generator, and a treatment plate in which at least one steam outlet is provided.

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner :.

<FIG> provide views of a garment steamer <NUM> comprising a handle <NUM> for holding the garment steamer <NUM>, and a steamer head <NUM>. The steamer head <NUM> is connected to the handle <NUM> by a pivot coupling PC.

The pivot coupling PC permits pivoting of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>. This can assist the user to select the appropriate angle of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> when, for instance, steaming a garment (not shown) hanging, e.g. vertically, from a hanger and steaming a garment laying, e.g. horizontally, on a mat or ironing board.

<FIG> shows the garment steamer <NUM> being upright for steaming a hanging garment, and <FIG> shows the garment steamer <NUM> being horizontal for steaming a garment laying on a mat or ironing board.

<FIG> provides a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the garment steamer <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a perspective view of the interior of part of the handle and the part of the steamer head shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> provides a perspective view of the interior of the garment steamer shown in <FIG>, with an inset providing an enlarged view showing the pivot coupling supporting electrical wire(s) and a water pipe extending between the steamer head and the handle.

<FIG> provides a further interior view of the garment steamer shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> schematically depicts a stage of assembly of the garment steamer shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> in particular shown the steam generator <NUM> arranged in the steamer head <NUM>. The steam generator <NUM> generates steam from a water tank <NUM> arranged in the handle <NUM>.

In the non-limiting example shown in <FIG>, the steam generated by the steam generator <NUM> is released from the steamer head <NUM> via one or more steam outlets <NUM> provided in a treatment plate <NUM>.

The treatment plate <NUM> can be brought into contact with the garment being treated using the garment steamer <NUM>. The angular adjustment of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> enabled by the pivot coupling PC can assist the user to comfortably hold the treatment plate <NUM> against a garment which is either hanging or laying on a mat or ironing board.

The treatment plate <NUM> can formed of any suitable thermally robust and heat conductive material, such as a metal alloy or a metal, e.g. aluminium.

The steamer head <NUM> can function as a casing in which certain components of the garment steamer <NUM>, in particular the steam generator <NUM>, are arranged. To this end, the steamer head <NUM> can comprise a casing material, i.e. housing, such as an engineering thermoplastic, e.g. polypropylene.

Similarly, the handle <NUM> can also function as a casing for some of the components of the garment steamer <NUM>, such as electrical components for controlling the steam generator <NUM>. To this end, the handle <NUM> can comprise a suitable casing material, such as an engineering thermoplastic, e.g. polypropylene.

Referring again to <FIG>, at least one electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or a water pipe <NUM> extend between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM>.

The steam generator <NUM> comprises an electrical heater <NUM> for heating the steam generator <NUM> to vaporize water being introduced into the steam generator to generate steam.

The heater <NUM> is supplied in electricity by the electrical wire(s) <NUM>.

For example, the wire(s) <NUM> are made of copper with an insulation layer/jacket made of silicone rubber or any suitable material, and their external diameter in the range <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM>.

The steam generator <NUM> is supplied in water by the water pipe <NUM> from the water tank <NUM>.

In other words, water can be supplied from the water tank <NUM> in the handle <NUM> to the steam generator <NUM> in the steamer head <NUM> via the water pipe <NUM>.

For example, the water pipe <NUM> is made silicone or EPDM rubber material, and its external diameter is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM>.

Arranging the water tank <NUM> in the handle <NUM>, noting that the steam generator <NUM> is included in the steamer head <NUM>, can provide a favourable balance of weight between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM>. In this manner, the centre of gravity of the garment steamer <NUM> can be closer to where the user grips the garment steamer <NUM> during steaming of a garment. This may assist the user to manoeuvre the garment steamer <NUM>, particularly when steaming a garment.

In the non-limiting example shown in <FIG>, the garment steamer <NUM>, and in particular the heater <NUM>, is powered by a mains supply of electricity. In this case, the garment steamer <NUM> comprises a power cord 122A for connecting the garment steamer <NUM> to the mains supply of electricity.

The power cord 122A is preferably joined to the handle <NUM>. In the particular example shown in <FIG>, the power cord 122A is joined to the handle <NUM> at or proximal to a lower end of the handle <NUM>, which lower end is distal with respect to the steamer head <NUM>. This can assist the user to manoeuvre the garment steamer <NUM>, particularly when steaming a garment.

Considering that the heater <NUM> is arranged in the steamer head <NUM>, the electrical wire(s) <NUM> accordingly extend, e.g. are routed, between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM>. In order to prevent that the electrical wire(s) <NUM> become kinked or pinched by the pivot coupling PC, in particular due to repeated angular adjustment of the steamer head <NUM> relative to handle <NUM> during the operating lifetime of the garment steamer <NUM>, the implementation according to the invention of the pivot coupling PC comprises specific features that will be described in more detail herein below.

The power cord 122A can be joined to the handle <NUM>, e.g. at or proximal to the lower end of the handle <NUM>, in any suitable manner. In the non-limiting example shown in <FIG>, the power cord 122A is joined to the handle <NUM> via a power cord grommet 122B. The power cord grommet 122B can be formed of any suitable material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrical wire(s) <NUM> in this example connect the heater <NUM> to a power switch <NUM> included in the handle <NUM>, which in turn connect to a mains supply of electricity via the power cord 122A. Alternatively, the electrical wire(s) <NUM> may connect the heater <NUM> to a control circuitry <NUM> included in a printed circuit board assembly included in the handle <NUM>, which control circuitry <NUM> comprises for example a micro-controller and relay.

Considering that the water tank <NUM> is arranged in the handle <NUM>, the water pipe <NUM> accordingly extends, e.g. is routed, between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM>.

In order to prevent the risk that the water pipe <NUM> becomes damaged due to the pivot coupling PC, the implementation according to the invention of the pivot coupling PC comprises specific features that will be described in more detail herein below.

The pivot coupling PC accordingly comprises, referring to <FIG>, a pivot shaft <NUM> having an external curved surface supporting the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM>.

By guiding the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM> on the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM>, the risk of damage to the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM>, e.g. by kinking or pinching by the pivot coupling, PC are reduced.

The guiding of the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> by the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM> is apparent in <FIG> and <FIG>. A portion of the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or a portion of the water pipe <NUM> can follow the curvature of the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM> so that the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> arches or arch over the pivot coupling PC between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM>. In the vicinity of the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM>, the portion(s) of the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> may fold/unfold with pivoting of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM>.

The pivot coupling PC preferably comprises at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B projecting away from the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM>. The at least one pair of opposing flanges and the external curved surface form a groove to receive the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM>.

This groove can assist to guide and protect the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> extending between the handle <NUM> and the steamer head <NUM> such that the risk of damage to electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> by the pivot coupling PC are reduced.

Preferably, the pivot shaft <NUM> is fixed relative to the steamer head <NUM>, and the at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B comprises a first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B which are fixed relative to the pivot shaft <NUM>. The electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> can thus be held laterally between the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B, as best shown in <FIG>.

Preferably, the pivot shaft <NUM> is fixed relative to the steamer head <NUM>, with the at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B comprising a second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B which are fixed relative to the handle <NUM> and adapted to rotate around the pivot shaft <NUM>. The second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B can further assist to laterally hold the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> in place, as best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Preferably, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B is attached to the handle <NUM> via a second member 114C, as best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B and the second member 114C can be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or a metal alloy.

By, for example, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B and/or the second member 114C being formed separately from the casing material of the handle <NUM>, e.g. formed with a more rigid material in comparison to the casing material, the robustness of the attachment of the handle <NUM> to the steamer head <NUM> may be enhanced.

Preferably, the pivot shaft <NUM> is attached to the steamer head <NUM> via a first member 116C, as shown in <FIG>.

The first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B and the first member 116C can be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or a metal alloy.

The first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B is preferably sandwiched between the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B. This may assist to minimize or prevent lateral shifting of the pivot shaft <NUM>.

Moreover, such sandwiching may enable the dimensions and/or profile of the groove to be tailored according to, for instance, the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> intended to be received in the groove.

In some embodiments, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B project to a height taller than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B. In other words, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B project to a height which is further away from the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM> than a height to which the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B project relative to the external curved surface.

The taller second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B can assist to prevent the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> escaping from the dedicated path therebetween during assembly of the garment steamer <NUM>. This minimizes the risk of damage to the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM>, for example via contact with a top housing portion <NUM> of the steamer head <NUM>, which top housing portion <NUM> is affixed to a bottom housing portion <NUM> during assembly of the steamer head <NUM>.

In the non-limiting example shown in the Figures, the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B is sandwiched between the second pair of opposing flanges114A/114B, and the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B has a height taller than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B. Thus, the groove has a narrower portion between the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B, and a wider portion where the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B project higher than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B.

The narrower portion, for example, receives the water pipe <NUM>, with the wider portion receiving the electrical wire(s) <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Thus, the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B in this example primarily hold the electrical wire(s) <NUM> therebetween.

In other examples (not shown), the first and second pairs of opposing flanges project to the same height as each other relative to the external curved surface, for instance to the shorter height of the first pair of opposing flanges in the example depicted in the Figures. This may be sufficient to laterally hold the electrical wire(s).

In some embodiments, a loop member <NUM>, e.g. a rigid loop member <NUM>, is mounted to the handle <NUM>, with the loop member <NUM> defining an aperture <NUM> through which the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> extend(s) to reach the external curved surface of the pivot shaft <NUM>. In the non-limiting example shown in the Figures, the loop member <NUM> is connected to the second member 114C. This can facilitate assembly of the garment steamer <NUM>, e.g. relative to the scenario in which the second member 114C and the loop member <NUM> are separate components.

As well as assisting to guide the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or the water pipe <NUM> onto the external curved surface, the loop member <NUM> can also assist to protect the electrical wire(s) <NUM> and/or water pipe <NUM> from damage during assembly of the garment steamer <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the pivot coupling PC is adapted to permit pivoting of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> between a first angular position and a second angular position, with the pivot coupling PC comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the pivot coupling PC in the first angular position and the second angular position.

For example, the first angular position is for facilitating steaming of a hanging garment, and the second angular position is for facilitating steaming of a garment laying on a mat or ironing board. Changing from the first angular position to the second angular position may, for instance, involve pivoting the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> such that the plane of the treatment plate <NUM> is moved towards or reaches a parallel relationship with an elongation axis of the handle <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The locking mechanism can be implemented in any suitable manner, with a non-limiting example being shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In embodiments in which the at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B comprises the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/<NUM> fixed relative to the pivot shaft <NUM>, the locking mechanism can be formed by:.

The hinge gear <NUM> is preferably moveable in a first axial direction to release the set of teeth <NUM> from the first set of slots 142A or from the second set of slots 142B, and moveable in a second axial direction to engage the set of teeth <NUM> with the first set of slots 142A or the second set of slots 142B.

Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a user-actuatable release member <NUM>, with the hinge gear <NUM> being moveable via actuation of the user-actuatable release member <NUM> by a user of the garment steamer <NUM>. The user-actuatable release member <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> takes the form of a push button, although other types of user-actuatable release member <NUM> can be contemplated, such as a lever.

The hinge gear <NUM> is preferably coupled to an additional pivot shaft <NUM> adapted to translate along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft <NUM> upon actuation of the user-actuatable release member <NUM> by the user, for example upon pushing of the above-mentioned push button.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a spring <NUM> arranged to provide a force on the additional pivot shaft <NUM> in the second axial direction to retain the set of teeth in and engaging the first set of slots 142A or the second set of slots 142B, with the user-actuatable release member <NUM>, e.g. push button, being actuatable to overcome said force.

Actuating the actuatable release member <NUM>, e.g. pushing the push button, to overcome the force may therefore release the locking mechanism so that the angular position can be selected. The spring <NUM> biases the actuatable release member <NUM> back to its unactuated position in which the selected angular position is locked.

The user-actuatable release member <NUM> can be coupled to the additional pivot shaft <NUM> in any suitable manner. In the non-limiting example shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the user-actuatable release member <NUM>, in this case the push button, is coupled to the additional pivot shaft <NUM> via a connector member <NUM>. In this example, the connector member <NUM> is fastened to the additional pivot shaft <NUM> by a fastener <NUM>, e.g. a screw.

As also shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the spring <NUM> is positioned between the connector member <NUM> and one of the second pair of opposing flanges 114A.

In some embodiments, the steamer head <NUM> comprises a bottom housing portion <NUM>, and a top housing portion <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>.

A range of pivoting of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> is, for instance, defined by movement of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> in a first direction being limited by contact between at least one first stopper portion 132A, 132B and the bottom housing portion <NUM>. Similarly, movement of the steamer head <NUM> relative to the handle <NUM> in a second direction opposite to the first direction can be limited by contact between at least one second stopper portion 134A, 134B and the top housing portion <NUM>.

In such embodiments, the at least one first stopper portion 132A, 132B and the at least one second stopper portion 134A, 134B are provided in the handle <NUM>. For example, the at least one first stopper portion 132A, 132B and the at least one second stopper portion 134A, 134B are included the second member 114C, as best shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Returning to <FIG>, following filling of the water tank <NUM>, the garment steamer <NUM> can be used to steam garments. To this end, the garment steamer <NUM> can be turned on via the power switch <NUM>, e.g. following connecting the garment steamer <NUM> to a mains supply of electricity via the power cord 122A.

The steam supply can be controlled via the steam trigger <NUM>. The steam trigger <NUM> can, for example, be used to control a pump <NUM> which pumps water from the water tank <NUM> to the steam generator <NUM> via the water pipe <NUM>.

In the non-limiting example shown in the Figures, and particularly <FIG> and <FIG>, the steam trigger <NUM> is assembled from the outside of a bottom handle casing portion <NUM> and is retained in place by catches. A return spring <NUM> is used to bias the steam trigger <NUM> to its starting position.

Claim 1:
A garment steamer (<NUM>) comprising:
- a handle (<NUM>) for holding the garment steamer,
- a steamer head (<NUM>) comprising a steam generator (<NUM>) for generating steam,
- a water pipe (<NUM>) extending between the handle and the steamer head, and
- a pivot coupling (PC) connecting the handle and the steamer head, the pivot coupling comprising a pivot shaft (<NUM>) having an external curved surface, characterized by the external curved surface supporting said water pipe (<NUM>) such that the water pipe is guided on the external curved surface of the pivot shaft between the handle and the steamer head.