Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. The apparatus comprises an evaporation surface (24), a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface, a water inlet (19) positioned relative to the evaporation surface so that water is fed onto the evaporation surface from the water inlet and forms a film on the evaporation surface such that the film is evaporated from the evaporation surface, and a scale collection region (23) positioned such that, during use of the apparatus, scale dislodged from the evaporation surface falls away from the evaporation surface into the scale collection region.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet, a evaporation surface, and a heater disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface via the water inlet forms a film on the evaporation surface and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface, and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A steam iron head (2) employs a soleplate (6) having a fabric contact surface (10), a steam inlet (21) through which steam flows to the steam iron head (2), and one or more steam vents (49). A steam passageway (19) is between the steam inlet (21) and the steam vent(s) (49). A fluid separator (25) is located between the steam passageway (19) and the steam vents (49). The fluid separator (25) is configured to restrict the flow of condensation formed in the steam passageway (19) from passing through the steam vent(s) (49). A soleplate panel (7) forms the fabric contact surface (10) and a base (15, 20) of the steam passageway (19). The soleplate panel (7) is configured to be primarily heated by steam flowing along the steam passageway (19) to the steam vent(s) (49). A steam generator system iron may employ the steam iron head (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for generating steam is disclosed. It comprises a water inlet (19), an evaporation surface (24), and a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface. The water inlet (19) is positioned relative to the evaporation surface (24) so that water is fed onto the evaporation surface from the inlet (19) and forms a film on the evaporation surface such that said film is evaporated from the evaporation surface (24). The apparatus also has a scale collection region (23). The evaporation surface (24) and the scale collection region (23) are configured such that the scale collection region (23) is positioned below the evaporation surface (24) during use of the apparatus so that scale dislodged from the evaporation surface (24) and which falls away from the evaporation surface (24), drops into the scale collection region (23).

Abstract: The present application relates to a steamer which has a steam generator (11) with a steam outlet (33). A steam path extends from the steam outlet to convey steam, and a filter unit (7) is positioned in the steam path. The filter unit has a filter cartridge (24) removably mounted along the steam path having a cartridge housing, a filter medium received in the cartridge housing. The filter unit also has a cartridge inlet and a cartridge outlet which are at or towards a first end (32) of the cartridge housing (34), and a barrier (20) configured to guide the steam to flow in the cartridge housing to a second end (17). The filter unit is spaced from the steam outlet (33), to filter impurities from steam passing along the steam path. The present application also relates to a filter cartridge for a steamer.

Abstract: The present application relates to a device (1) for removing lint from the surface of a fabric article. The device comprises a housing (2), a collection chamber (6) within the housing (2) and a rotating element (4) mounted to the housing (2) that is positionable in the vicinity of the surface of a fabric article when the housing (2) is held in a first orientation to remove lint from the surface and transport it to the collection chamber (6). A trimmer assembly (5) is mounted to the housing (2) and comprises a blade (7) for application to the surface of a fabric article when the housing (2) is held in a different orientation to cut lint forming fibres. A method of using the device (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet, a evaporation surface, and a heater disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface via the water inlet forms a film on the evaporation surface and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface, and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface.

Abstract: The present application relates to a steam iron head (2). The steam iron head (2) comprises a soleplate (6). The sole-plate (6) has a fabric contact surface (10), a steam inlet (21) through which steam flows to the steam iron head (2), and at least one steam vent (49). A steam passageway (19) is between the steam inlet (21) and the at least one steam vent (49). A fluid separator (25) is located between the steam passageway (19) and the at least one steam vent (49). The fluid separator (25) is configured to restrict the flow of condensation formed in the steam passageway (19) from passing through the at least one steam vent (49). The soleplate (6) has a soleplate panel (7) forming the fabric contact surface (10) and a base (15, 20) of the steam passageway (19). The soleplate panel (7) is configured to be primarily heated by steam flowing along the steam passageway (19) to the at least one steam vent (49). The present application also relates to a steam generator system iron having a steam iron head (2).

Abstract: A steaming device (1) is operable in a cordless mode and has a steaming body (2) having a first water chamber (6), a second water chamber (7), a steam generator (8), a first fluid path (20) between the first water chamber (6) and the second water chamber (7), and a second fluid path (26) between the second water chamber (7) and the steam generator (8). The first fluid path (20) is configured to prevent water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body (2) is orientated in a normal operating position. The first fluid path (20) is also configured to allow water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body is orientated in a rest position in which the steaming body is inclined at an angle to the normal operating position.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet (19), a evaporation surface (24), and a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface (24) to heat the evaporation surface (24) to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) via the water inlet (19) forms a film on the evaporation surface (24) and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface (24), and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface (24) to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface (24) cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface (24) to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface (24).

Abstract: The present application relates to a steamer head comprising a treating face (13A, 33A) from which steam is expelled, and a steam generating surface (14A, 34A) onto which a liquid is provided to be converted into steam. The treating face (13A, 33A) is in thermal conductive communication with the steam generating surface (14A, 34A). The steam generating surface (14A, 34A) is at an angle to the treating face (13A, 33A) such that when the treating face (13A, 33A) is orientated vertically, the liquid is able to descend onto and flow along the steam generating surface (14A, 34A) to be converted into steam.

Abstract: A garment steaming device includes a steam generator (20) having a heater (22) and an ironing surface (32) against which a fabric of a garment is locatable. An intermediate section (50) is disposed between the steam generator and the ironing surface to transfer heat from the steam generator to the ironing surface so that the ironing surface is indirectly heated by the steam generator via the intermediate section. The operating temperature of the ironing surface is not user selectable during use. Furthermore, the intermediate section is configured to have a thermal transmittance so that, during use, heat transfer from the steam generator to the ironing surface is controlled and the temperature of the ironing surface is maintained between 90° C. and 155° C. when the ironing surface is located against a fabric in each of a stationary condition and a moving condition.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet (19), a evaporation surface (24), and a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface (24) to heat the evaporation surface (24) to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) via the water inlet (19) forms a film on the evaporation surface (24) and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface (24), and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface (24) to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface (24) cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface (24) to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface (24).

Abstract: The present application relates to a steamer which has a steam generator (11) with a steam outlet (33). A steam path extends from the steam outlet to convey steam, and a filter unit (7) is positioned in the steam path. The filter unit has a filter cartridge (24) removably mounted along the steam path having a cartridge housing, a filter medium received in the cartridge housing. The filter unit also has a cartridge inlet and a cartridge outlet which are at or towards a first end (32) of the cartridge housing (34), and a barrier (20) configured to guide the steam to flow in the cartridge housing to a second end (17). The filter unit is spaced from the steam outlet (33), to filter impurities from steam passing along the steam path. The present application also relates to a filter cartridge for a steamer.

Abstract: Steam irons are known which provide steam to a fabric of a garment to be pressed through holes in a sole plate. The present invention relates to a steam iron comprising a main body (2), a steam generating unit (6) and a sole portion (4). The sole portion (4) comprises a steam cavity (20) and an outer rim (19) extending around the steam cavity (20), the outer rim (19) having a fabric contact surface (22) and the steam cavity (20) having a permeable element (42) disposed therein. Therefore, steam supplied into the steam cavity (20) from the steam generating unit (6) is supplied to a fabric to be pressed when the fabric contact surface (22) is located against said fabric.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating steam is disclosed. It comprises a water inlet (19), an evaporation surface (24), and a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface. The water inlet (19) is positioned relative to the evaporation surface (24) so that water is fed onto the evaporation surface from the inlet (19) and forms a film on the evaporation surface such that said film is evaporated from the evaporation surface (24). The apparatus also has a scale collection region (23). The evaporation surface (24) and the scale collection region (23) are configured such that the scale collection region (23) is positioned below the evaporation surface (24) during use of the apparatus so that scale dislodged from the evaporation surface (24) and which falls away from the evaporation surface (24), drops into the scale collection region (23).

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. The apparatus comprises an evaporation surface (24), a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface, a water inlet (19) positioned relative to the evaporation surface so that water is fed onto the evaporation surface from the water inlet and forms a film on the evaporation surface such that the film is evaporated from the evaporation surface, and a scale collection region (23) positioned such that, during use of the apparatus, scale dislodged from the evaporation surface falls away from the evaporation surface into the scale collection region.

Abstract: The present application relates to a steaming device (1). The steaming device is operable in a cordless mode and has a steaming body (2) having a first water chamber (6), a second water chamber (7), a steam generator (8), a first fluid path (20) between the first water chamber (6) and the second water chamber (7), and a second fluid path (26) between the second water chamber (7) and the steam generator (8). The first fluid path (20) is configured to prevent water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body (2) is orientated in a normal operating position. The first fluid path (20) is also configured to allow water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body is orientated in a rest position in which the steaming body is inclined at an angle to the normal operating position.

Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface. The tube extends into the reservoir and comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing. In one embodiment, the tube inlet comprises a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet.

Abstract: A garment steaming device includes a steam generator (20) having a heater (22) and an ironing surface (32) against which a fabric of a garment is locatable. An intermediate section (50) is disposed between the steam generator and the ironing surface to transfer heat from the steam generator to the ironing surface so that the ironing surface is indirectly heated by the steam generator via the intermediate section. The operating temperature of the ironing surface is not user selectable during use. Furthermore, the intermediate section is configured to have a thermal transmittance so that, during use, heat transfer from the steam generator to the ironing surface is controlled and the temperature of the ironing surface is maintained between 90° C. and 155° C. when the ironing surface is located against a fabric in each of a stationary condition and a moving condition.