Patent ID: 12258702

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings and in particular toFIG.1, an exemplary embodiment of a garment care device according to the present disclosure is shown and is generally referred to by reference numeral10(“device10”). Advantageously, device10is a handheld garment steamer for straightening creases in wrinkled fabric that provides a creaser configuration, as shown inFIG.3, and a steamer configuration, as shown inFIG.1, in a single device. Device10allows a user to push a locking button12(FIG.6) to lock a first arm14and a second arm16together to hold handles18,19while device10is turned on to use device10as shown inFIGS.1and2in the steamer configuration. Device10can be used as a dry iron, as shown inFIGS.2and4, with a first soleplate20and a second soleplate22contacting a garment200,400or press a steam button34to work as garment steamer with the steam spraying out from first soleplate20toward garment200,400, as shown inFIGS.1and3. A further advantage of device10is that the user can unlock first arm14and second arm16after preheating by moving locking button12, and, as shown inFIGS.3and4, where a spring pushes first arm14and second arm16away allowing the user to hold handles18,19and clamp a garment400to remove wrinkles with or without steam sprayed from a bottom of first soleplate20in the creaser configuration.

Referring toFIG.5, first arm14has a first arm housing26that is connected to first soleplate20. First arm14has a power button28through first soleplate20. First arm14also has a steamer/creaser indicator30, an indicator and button32and a steam button with indicator34that each extend through first arm housing26. A power cord36extends into first arm housing26through power cord sleeve37that is connected to first arm housing26.

Referring toFIG.6, second arm16has a second arm housing38that is connected to second soleplate22. Second arm16has a locking button12through second arm housing38.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, first arm14is connected to second arm16by a hinged connection700. Referring toFIGS.9and10, hinged connection700has a first hinged member900extending from first arm housing26of first arm14and hinged connection700has a second hinged member902extending from second arm housing38of second arm16. First hinged member900is connected to second hinged member902to form hinged connection700. A spring904extends from second arm housing38of second arm16to abut first arm housing26of first arm14when first hinged member900is connected to second hinged member902to form hinged connection700to bias first arm14away from second arm16.

Still referring toFIGS.9and10, first soleplate20and second soleplate22are designed for both the creaser configuration and the steamer configuration. First soleplate20and second soleplate22are each an L shape. First soleplate20has a first crease portion48and a first steamer portion50that form the L shape. Second soleplate22has a second crease portion52and a second steamer portion54that form the L shape. First soleplate20has steam holes40normal to a surface42through first crease portion48. First soleplate20has grooves44normal to surface46formed in first crease portion48and first steamer portion50. When device10is in the creaser configuration and in an opened position, as shown inFIG.3, steam is sprayed out from steam holes40on surface42. When device10is in the creaser configuration and in a closed position, as shown inFIG.4, the garment is clamped to remove wrinkles by steam and hot surfaces of first crease portion48and second crease portion52as a garment creaser. When first arm14and second arm16are moved together to maintain the steamer configuration by a locked unit, steam is sprayed out from grooves44normal to surface46to reduce or remove wrinkles by the steam and hot surfaces of first steamer portion50and second steamer portion54.

Referring toFIG.11, first soleplate20and second soleplate22form a two in one steam soleplate. As discussed above, first soleplate20and second soleplate22are designed for both the creaser configuration, as shown inFIG.3, and the steamer configuration, as shown inFIG.1. First soleplate20and second soleplate22are each an L shape. Referring toFIG.12, first steamer portion50and second steamer portion54are flat surface. However, first steamer portion50and second steamer portion54can be a flat surface or modified to first steamer portion50aand second steamer portion54athat are curved surfaces, as shown inFIG.13. An angle of first crease portion48and first steamer portion50is between about 60 about 150 degrees to form the L shape. The typical angle between first crease portion48and first steamer portion50is 90 degrees. An angle of second crease portion52and second steamer portion54is between about 60 about 150 degrees to form the L shape. The typical angle between second crease portion52and second steamer portion54is 90 degrees.

Referring toFIGS.14and15, when first arm14and second arm16are moved together to maintain the steamer configuration by a locked unit, first crease portion48and second crease portion52are pressed together, second crease portion52covers grooves44on first crease portion48to form steam channels, so that steam is sprayed out from one of steam holes40through one of the steam channels, as shown by arrow1500inFIG.15, formed by second crease portion52covering grooves44and the steam is sprayed normal to first steamer portion50and second steamer portion54, as shown by arrows1400inFIG.14.

Referring toFIGS.16and17, when device10is in the creaser configuration and in an opened position, as shown inFIG.16, steam is sprayed out from steam holes40on surface42. The steam is sprayed normal to surface42, as shown by arrows1600inFIG.16. First crease portion48and second crease portion52are clamped together in the closed position of the creaser configuration as shown inFIG.17, so that wrinkles are removed or reduced from a garment1700by steam, as shown by arrows1702inFIG.17, and hot surfaces of first crease portion48and second crease portion52to function as a creaser.

Referring toFIGS.18and19, first arm14is connected to second arm16by hinged connection700. Spring904adjacent to hinged connection700keeps device10in the creaser configuration in the opened position, as shown inFIG.18, when device is not locked in the closed position, as shown inFIG.19. First arm14has first soleplate20, a boiler assembly56, a pump58, a water tank assembly60, control panel and printed circuit board (“PCB”) assembly62, power switch64connected to power button28, spring bolt66, power cord36connected to first arm housing26. Boiler assembly56has a heating element57and a thermostat59. Hinged connection700has second hinged member902that is a hinge pin703. Second arm16has second soleplate22, a locking mechanism102and locking button12, connected to second arm housing38. Control panel and printed circuit board (“PCB”) assembly62can be a controller that has a microcontroller unit with a processor, memory, and information input/output (I/O).

Referring toFIG.20, first arm14has an upper housing70and an upper bottom72that are connected to form first arm housing26. First arm housing26houses a lock sensor74, lock receptacle member75, support77, pump58, control panel and PCB assembly62, and power switch64. In addition, power button28, steamer/creaser indicator30, indicator with button32, steam button with indicator34, water tank assembly60, spring bolt66, and power cord36each extend through first arm housing26when assembled. Boiler assembly56has heating element57, thermostat59and a fuse76that are all between a seal ring78, first soleplate20and upper bottom72of first arm housing26. Upper bottom72also is connected to first hinged member900that receives hinge pin703of second hinged member902.

Referring toFIG.21, second arm16has a lower housing80and a lower cover82that are connected to form second arm housing38. Lower cover82is connected to hinge pin703of second hinged member902and spring904. Lower cover82is also connected to second soleplate22, locking button12, a stop block84, a fastening assembly, for example, two screws86,88, a bar90, compression springs92,94, a shaft cover96and a soleplate shaft98. A locking bolt100is connected to locking button12.

Referring toFIGS.22and23, a locking mechanism102is formed by lock sensor74, lock receptacle member75, support77, as shown inFIG.20, and locking bolt100connected to locking button12, as show inFIG.21. When first arm14and second arm16are moved together to the steamer configuration, a force can be applied to push locking button12in second arm16forward in a direction shown by arrow A from an unlocked position, as shown inFIGS.22and46, to insert locking bolt100into a hole of first arm14that can be formed of lock receptacle member75connected to first arm14to activate lock sensor74in a locked position as shown inFIGS.6and23. A slope104of locking bolt100activates lock sensor74. Lock sensor74can be a detection sensor that is, for example, a microswitch, a tact switch, infrared sensor, magnetic switch, or other detection sensor. Device10will preheat boiler assembly56and first soleplate20when device10is in the locked position as shown inFIG.23so that second soleplate22is heated by first soleplate20and boiler assembly56. To unlock the device, a force can be applied to push locking button12in second arm16rearward in a direction opposite the direction shown by arrow A from the locked position, as shown inFIGS.6and23, to remove locking bolt100from the hole of lock receptacle member75connected to first arm14to deactivate lock sensor74in the unlocked position, as shown inFIGS.22and46.

Referring toFIGS.24and25, second arm16is connected to second soleplate22by a floating lower soleplate mechanism. Second soleplate22is rotatable relative to lower cover82of second arm16to make sure second soleplate22fits with first soleplate20or garments that device10is used with. The floating lower soleplate mechanism includes shaft cover96and a stop block84that are connected to second soleplate22, a groove106formed in lower cover82of second arm16, and compression springs92,94that extend from lower cover82of second arm16. Shaft cover96forms a rotation shaft108at a first end99of second soleplate22. Stop block84is on a second end101of second soleplate22opposite first end99. Rotation shaft108is rotatable in groove106to rotate second end101of second soleplate22toward and away from lower cover82of second arm16as shown by arrows B. Stop block84extends from second end101of second soleplate22so that a portion of stop block84is in between lower cover82and bar90. Bar90limits the rotation of second end101of second soleplate22by stop block84abutting bar90, as shown inFIG.25, when device10is in the crease configuration and in the opened position. Lower cover82of second arm16limits the rotation of second end101of second soleplate22by stop block84abutting lower cover82, as shown inFIG.28, when device10is in the steamer configuration. Compression springs92,94push second soleplate22away from lower cover82of second arm16when device10is in the crease configuration and in the opened position as shown inFIG.25.

When device10moves from the crease configuration and in the opened position, as shown inFIG.25, to the steamer configuration, as shown inFIG.28, a back portion at second end101of second soleplate22contacts first soleplate20before first end99of second soleplate22contacts first soleplate20, as shown inFIG.26, as first soleplate20is moved toward second soleplate22. As first arm14and second arm16continue to move to the steamer configuration fromFIG.26toFIG.27, second sole plate22is rotated as shown by arrow C toward lower cover82of second arm16so that first soleplate20continues to press against second soleplate22rotating second soleplate22until second soleplate22fits with first soleplate20tightly as shown inFIG.28.

When device10moves from the steamer configuration, as shown inFIG.28, to the crease configuration and in the opened position, as shown inFIG.25, back portion at second end101of second soleplate22maintains contact with first soleplate20and first end99of second soleplate22no longer contacts first soleplate20, as shown inFIG.27, as first soleplate20is moved away from second soleplate22. As first arm14and second arm16continue to move to the crease configuration and in the opened position fromFIG.27toFIG.26, second sole plate22is rotated in a direction that is opposite a direction as shown by arrow C away from lower cover82of second arm16so that first soleplate20continues to move away from second soleplate22rotating second soleplate22until stop block84abuts bar90, as shown inFIG.25, when device10is in the crease configuration and in the opened position.

Referring toFIGS.29-32, water tank assembly60can be removable or not removable from upper housing70of first arm14.FIGS.29-32, show water tank assembly60that is removable from upper housing70of first arm14as shown by arrows D inFIG.29. When water tank assembly60is in place in upper housing70spring bolt66fits in a depression67in a water tank housing110to urge water tank assembly60into upper housing70to maintain water tank assembly60in upper housing70by snap fit. Water tank assembly60has water tank housing110that is fillable with water, for example, through a hole112that has a cap114to open and close hole112. A tube116is inside water tank housing110. Tube116has a first water inlet118inside a first ball valve assembly119and a second water inlet120inside a second ball valve assembly121. First ball valve assembly119and second ball valve assembly121are connected to opposite ends of tube116. Tube116has a water hose inlet122where tube116is connected to a water hose124so that water can flow from tube116to water hose124.

Referring toFIGS.33-36, tube116having first ball valve assembly119and second ball valve assembly121forms a dual water inlet valve to make sure the water can be pumped from water tank assembly60through pump58to boiler assembly56. First ball valve assembly119and second ball valve assembly121open or close a water inlet, namely, first ball valve assembly119opens and closes first water inlet118and second ball valve assembly121opens and closes second water inlet120. First ball valve assembly119has a first ball126that rolls by gravity to open or close first water inlet118. Second ball valve assembly121has a second ball128that rolls by gravity to open or close second water inlet120. When handles18,19of device10are lower than a head130of device where first soleplate20and second soleplate22are positioned, as shown inFIG.46, water flows toward second ball valve assembly121as shown by water level W1and second ball128rolls by gravity to uncover second water inlet120so that second ball valve assembly121is open and first ball126rolls by gravity to cover first water inlet118so that first ball valve assembly119is closed allowing water to flow through second water inlet120through water hose inlet122as shown by arrow E inFIG.33, and the water can then flow through water hose124as shown by arrow F inFIG.34out of water tank assembly60while closing first ball valve assembly119so that water cannot flow through first water inlet118. When handles18,19of device10are higher than head130of device where first soleplate20and second soleplate22are positioned, as shown inFIG.2, water flows toward first ball valve assembly119as shown by water level W2and first ball126rolls by gravity to uncover first water inlet118so that first ball valve assembly119is open and second ball128rolls by gravity to cover second water inlet120so that second ball valve assembly121is closed allowing water to flow through first water inlet118through water hose inlet122as shown by arrow G inFIG.35, and the water can then flow through water hose124as shown by arrow H inFIG.36out of water tank assembly60while closing second ball valve assembly121so that water cannot flow through second water inlet120.

Referring toFIGS.37and38, water tank assembly60is connected to pump58so that water can flow from water tank assembly60to pump58through water hose124as shown by arrow I inFIG.38. Pump58is connected to boiler assembly56so that water can flow from pump58to boiler assembly56through a water hose132through a boiler inlet134as shown by arrow J inFIG.38.

Referring toFIGS.39and40, boiler assembly56is connected to first soleplate20so that boiler assembly56can conduct heat to first soleplate20during operation of device10. Boiler assembly56has a boiler cover136, a heater138, a boiler body140. Heater138is positioned in boiler body140and boiler cover136is connected over heater138on boiler body140on a first side. Boiler body140is connected to first soleplate20on a second side that is opposite the first side. Boiler body140has walls142that form water/steam flow paths for water/steam to flow through on opposite sides of boiler body142. Boiler body140has boiler inlet134for the water to enter the water/steam flow paths of boiler body140. First soleplate20has ridges144that follow a pattern formed by walls142of boiler body140. Heater138has ends146,148that connect to a power source, for example, connect directly or indirectly to power cord36.

Referring toFIGS.41-45, water flows from pump58to boiler assembly56through water hose132into boiler inlet134so that the water can be heated to form water/steam in boiler assembly56. From boiler inlet134, the water/steam flows through a hole150as shown by arrow151inFIGS.41and44to a water/steam flow path as shown by arrows152inFIG.42to a hole154so that the water/steam flows through hole154to a water/steam path as shown by arrows156inFIG.41to hole158so that the water/steam flows through hole158to a water/steam path as shown by arrows160inFIG.42so that the water/steam flows out of steam holes40as shown inFIG.43. Referring toFIG.45, holes150,154and158are each through boiler body40.

Referring toFIGS.46-48, second arm16can be modified to have a ceramic heater4600connected between lower cover82and second soleplate22to heat second soleplate22. Ceramic heater4600can be connected to second soleplate22between shaft cover96and stop block84.

Referring toFIGS.49-51, second arm16can be modified to have a heating tube4900connected between lower cover82and second soleplate22to heat second soleplate22. Heating tube4600can be a stainless steel heating tube. Heating tube4900can be connected to second soleplate22between shaft cover96and stop block84.

Referring back toFIG.18, a user can turn on device10by pressing power button28that contacts power switch64so that electric current is conducted to one or more of pump58, control panel and PCB assembly62, and heater57. Control panel and PCB assembly62can control device10to preheat first soleplate14by activating heater57when device10is turned on only when device10is in the locked position in the steamer configuration. If device10is not in the locked position in the steamer configuration, the user can apply the force to push locking button12in second arm16forward in the direction shown by arrow A from an unlocked position, as shown inFIGS.22and46, to insert locking bolt100into the hole of first arm14that can be formed of lock receptacle member75connected to first arm14to activate lock sensor74in a locked position as shown inFIGS.6and23. A slope104of locking bolt100activates lock sensor74.

Referring toFIG.52, a method5200can be used with device10. A user can turn on device10by pressing power button28in step S201and proceeds to step S202where lock sensor74detects if device10is in the locked position or the unlocked position. If device10is in the unlocked position of the creaser configuration, then steamer/creaser indicator30, as shown inFIG.5, displays an indicator that device10is in the unlocked position of the creaser configuration, for example, by displaying a “Creaser” indicator in step S204. If device10is in the locked position of the steamer configuration, steamer/creaser indicator30displays an indicator that device10is in the locked position of the steamer configuration, for example, by displaying a “Steamer” indicator, in step S205. If device10is in the unlocked position of the creaser configuration, steamer/creaser indicator30also indicates, for example, by displaying a fast blinking light, to the user to move device10to the locked position of the steamer configuration in step S206and proceeds to step S208. If device10is in the locked position of the steamer configuration, then method5200moves from step S202to step S208. In step S208, steamer/creaser indicator30indicates, for example, by displaying a slow blinking light, that device10is preheating and/or generating steam and proceeds to step S210. Second soleplate22is heated by first soleplate20during preheating in step S208so that second soleplate22is beneficial to remove wrinkles of fabric with no condensate water on it. In step S210, steamer/creaser indicator30indicates, for example, by displaying “Steam”, that preheating of device10is finished and proceeds to either step S212or step S214. In step S212, the user can press button with indicator34, as show inFIG.5, to spray normal steam. In step S214, the user can press indicator with button32, as show inFIG.5, to spray more steam than normal steam.

When first soleplate14is heated, first soleplate14can conduct heat to second soleplate16when device10is in the locked position of the steamer configuration. Once device10is preheated, then the user can use device10in the steamer configuration to remove or reduce wrinkles in fabric as shown byFIG.2or use device10in the unlocked position in the creaser configuration, as shown inFIGS.3and4.

If the user would like to generate steam while using device10in the locked position of the steamer configuration, the user presses indicator with button32or button with indicator34that each can activate pump58to draw water from water tank assembly60, as shown inFIG.37, so that the water flows through water hose124, pump58, water hose132and through water inlet134of boiler assembly56. Referring back toFIGS.41-45, the water can be heated to form water/steam in boiler assembly54. From boiler inlet134, the water/steam flows through hole150as shown by arrow151inFIGS.41and44to the water/steam flow path as shown by arrows152inFIG.42to hole154so that the water/steam flows through hole154to the water/steam path as shown by arrows156inFIG.41to hole158so that the water/steam flows through hole158to the water/steam path as shown by arrows160inFIG.42so that the water/steam flows out of steam holes40as shown inFIG.43. As shown inFIG.15, the steam is sprayed out from one of steam holes40through one of the steam channels, as shown by arrow1500inFIG.15, formed by second crease portion52covering grooves44and the steam is sprayed normal to first steamer portion50and second steamer portion54, as shown by arrows1400inFIG.14, onto fabric1402. To stop the generation of steam, the user can press indicator with button32or button with indicator34again or if the user was continuously pressing indicator with button32or button with indicator34, then the user can stop pressing indicator with button32or button with indicator34, that deactivates pump58.

If the user would like to generate steam while using device10in the unlocked position of the creaser configuration, the user applies the force to push locking button12in second arm16rearward in the direction opposite the direction shown by arrow A inFIG.22from the locked position, as shown inFIGS.6and23, to remove locking bolt100from the hole of lock receptacle member75connected to first arm14to deactivate lock sensor74in the unlocked position, as shown inFIGS.22and46. The user presses indicator with button32or button with indicator34that can each activate pump58to draw water from water tank assembly60, as shown inFIG.37, so that the water flows through water hose124, pump58, water hose132and through water inlet134of boiler assembly56. Referring back toFIGS.41-45, the water can be heated to form water/steam in boiler assembly54. From boiler inlet134, the water/steam flows through hole150as shown by arrow151inFIGS.41and44to the water/steam flow path as shown by arrows152inFIG.42to hole154so that the water/steam flows through hole154to the water/steam path as shown by arrows156inFIG.41to hole158so that the water/steam flows through hole158to the water/steam path as shown by arrows160inFIG.42so that the water/steam flows out of steam holes40as shown inFIG.43. The steam is sprayed normal to surface42, as shown by arrows1600inFIG.16. First crease portion48and second crease portion52are clamped together in the closed position of the creaser configuration as shown inFIG.17, so that wrinkles are removed or reduced from a garment1700by steam, as shown by arrows1702inFIG.17, and hot surfaces of first crease portion48and second crease portion52to function as a creaser. To stop the generation of steam, the user can press indicator with button32or button with indicator34again or if the user was continuously pressing indicator with button32or button with indicator34, then the user can stop pressing indicator with button32or button with indicator34, that deactivates pump58.

After device10is preheated, device10can be freely moved between the locked position of the steamer configuration and the unlocked position of the creaser configuration by moving locking button12as discussed herein. A user can turn off device10by pressing power button28that contacts power switch64so that electric current is no longer conducted to one or more of pump58, control panel and PCB assembly62, and heater57.

Advantageously, device10is a handheld garment care device which can apply the same steam generating system design to perform garment ironing and a creaser function. A further advantage of device10is that each of first soleplate20and second soleplate22have a first ironing surface and a second ironing surface that are orthogonally opposed, and independently used, namely, first crease portion48and first steamer portion50that form the L shape of first soleplate20and second crease portion52and second steamer portion54of second soleplate22. Device10has two-dimensional ironing surfaces which are in “L” shape, namely, of first soleplate20and second soleplate22, but is not limited to two surfaces having an angle of 90 degrees, but also could be in a range of 60 to 150 degree for fitting different steam ironing purposes. The two-dimensional ironing surfaces of first soleplate20and second soleplate22which are in the “L” shape can have steam ironing surfaces that are curved for facilitate steam ironing. The two-dimensional ironing surfaces of first soleplate20and second soleplate22can perform different functions, one surface is for a steam creaser and another surface is for steam ironing. The steam output direction of device10can be switched by the creaser configuration and the steamer configuration of the ironing surface, as at least one of ironing surface of first soleplate20and second soleplate22comprises steam holes and/or grooves. When first soleplate20and second soleplate22are attached with one another in an ironing surface (that is not limited to the L shape of first soleplate20and second soleplate22), the steam holes and grooves create a steam channel to redirect the steam 90 degrees. Water tank assembly60can be removable or not removable. A dual water inlet valve design of tube116having first ball valve assembly119and second ball valve assembly121makes sure all the water can be pumped into boiler assembly56in different orientation of use of device10. A control logic, for example, of control panel and PCB assembly62, that associates with a locking mechanism to ensure second soleplate22that can be without a heater can attach to first soleplate20that is heated can preheat together during cold start, which can avoid steam condensation at second soleplate22without the heater during a first preheat of device10. This control logic, for example, of control panel and PCB assembly62, has a locking mechanism that incorporates with a sensor to detect whether the lock is secured, then gives a feedback signal for panel indication or heater preheat feedback. Alternatively, second soleplate22can be with or without a heater to heat it. The heater of second soleplate22can be positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) heater, film heater, S.S. heater tube, or other heater. Alternative on device10can be a pump with dual boiler system, thus each of first soleplate20and second soleplate22can have one of two boiler assemblies56, and second soleplate22can have steam holes, and water can be pumped from water tank assembly60through pump58and deliver to two of boiler assemblies56at the same time, thus both first soleplate20and second soleplate22could emit steam.

It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure should not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.