Abstract: A sanitizing appliance includes: a base having a reservoir and a heating unit positioned to heat the reservoir; an extendable rack mounted to the base, the rack moveable between raised and lowered positions; and a cover comprising lower and upper cover sections. In a first enlarged mode, the lower cover section is interposed between the upper cover section and the base to form a first, larger sanitizing chamber, and in a second compact mode, the upper section and the base form a second, smaller sanitizing chamber.

Abstract: A handheld pressing and steaming appliance includes: an upper arm; a lower arm attached at one end to an end of the upper arm; a steam generation unit mounted on the upper arm; a water reservoir located in the upper arm and/or the lower arm; a water pump fluidly connected to the water reservoir and to the steam generation unit; a heating plate mounted near a free end of the upper arm and including a plurality of first exhaust holes that are in fluid communication with the steam generation unit; and a bearing plate mounted on the lower arm at a free end thereof, the bearing plate including a plurality of second exhaust holes. The appliance is movable between open and closed positions. In the closed the second exhaust holes are substantially aligned with the first exhaust holes, such that steam exhausted from the first exhaust holes also passes through the second exhaust holes.

Abstract: A handheld pressing and steaming appliance includes: an upper arm; a lower arm attached at one end to an end of the upper arm; a steam generation unit mounted on the upper arm; a water reservoir located in the upper arm and/or the lower arm; a water pump fluidly connected to the water reservoir and to the steam generation unit; a heating plate mounted near a free end of the upper arm and including a plurality of first exhaust holes that are in fluid communication with the steam generation unit; and a bearing plate mounted on the lower arm at a free end thereof, the bearing plate including a plurality of second exhaust holes. The appliance is movable between open and closed positions. In the closed the second exhaust holes are substantially aligned with the first exhaust holes, such that steam exhausted from the first exhaust holes also passes through the second exhaust holes.

Abstract: A handheld pressing and steaming appliance includes: an upper arm; a lower arm attached at one end to an end of the upper arm; a steam generation unit mounted on the upper arm; a water reservoir located in the upper arm and/or the lower arm; a water pump fluidly connected to the water reservoir and to the steam generation unit; a heating plate mounted near a free end of the upper arm and including a plurality of first exhaust holes that are in fluid communication with the steam generation unit; and a bearing plate mounted on the lower arm at a free end thereof, the bearing plate including a plurality of second exhaust holes. The appliance is movable between open and closed positions. In the closed the second exhaust holes are substantially aligned with the first exhaust holes, such that steam exhausted from the first exhaust holes also passes through the second exhaust holes.

Abstract: An iron-steamer appliance includes: a housing including an internal water reservoir; a sole plate attached under the housing, the sole plate including first vents; first and second steam chambers in fluid communication with the water reservoir, wherein the first steam chamber is in fluid communication with the first vents; and a steamer nozzle in fluid communication with the second steam chamber, the steamer nozzle including second vents. The steamer nozzle is movable between retracted and extended positions, wherein in the retracted position, the nozzle is located directly above a peripheral footprint defined by the sole plate, and in the extended position, the nozzle is located at least partially forwardly of the sole plate peripheral footprint, and wherein in moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the steamer nozzle moves substantially parallel to the sole plate.

Abstract: An iron includes: a housing; a handle attached to an upper portion of the housing; a sole plate attached to a lower portion of the housing; a heating element positioned within the housing to heat the sole plate; a controller operatively connected with the heating element to regulate heat produced by the heating element; and a display mounted on one of the housing and the handle, the display operatively connected with the controller, the display configured such that manipulation of the display selects a heat level associated with the sole plate.

Abstract: An iron includes: a housing; a handle attached to an upper portion of the housing; a sole plate attached to a lower portion of the housing; a heating element positioned within the housing to heat the sole plate; a controller operatively connected with the heating element to regulate heat produced by the heating element; and a display mounted on one of the housing and the handle, the display operatively connected with the controller, the display configured such that manipulation of the display selects a heat level associated with the sole plate.

Abstract: An iron-steamer appliance includes: a housing including an internal water reservoir; a sole plate attached under the housing, the sole plate including first vents; first and second steam chambers in fluid communication with the water reservoir, wherein the first steam chamber is in fluid communication with the first vents; and a steamer nozzle in fluid communication with the second steam chamber, the steamer nozzle including second vents. The steamer nozzle is movable between retracted and extended positions, wherein in the retracted position, the nozzle is located directly above a peripheral footprint defined by the sole plate, and in the extended position, the nozzle is located at least partially forwardly of the sole plate peripheral footprint, and wherein in moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the steamer nozzle moves substantially parallel to the sole plate.

Abstract: A print medium exit system in a printer includes a kicker device ejecting a sheet of print medium out of the printer. A clutch mechanism prevents actuation of the kicker device when the clutch mechanism is engaged by the sheet of print medium.

Abstract: A print medium exit system in a printer includes a kicker device ejecting a sheet of print medium out of the printer. A clutch mechanism prevents actuation of the kicker device when the clutch mechanism is engaged by the sheet of print medium.

Abstract: A connection module including a base including a forward set of points located in a forward plane and a rearward set of points located in a rearward plane, the forward and rearward planes defining a junction therebetween. The connection module further includes a cable including a plurality of contacts located thereon, each contact being shaped and located to engage one of the points. The connection module has a backing element including a piece of sheet-like material, a set of contact protrusions on the piece of material, and at least one stiffening element on the piece of material. Each of the contact protrusions is shaped and located to engage the cable and urge one of the contacts into engagement with one of the points. The stiffening element is generally aligned with the junction when the contact protrusions engage the cable and urge the contacts into engagement with one of the points.

Abstract: A connection module including a base including a forward set of points located in a forward plane and a rearward set of points located in a rearward plane, the forward and rearward planes defining a junction therebetween. The connection module further includes a cable including a plurality of contacts located thereon, each contact being shaped and located to engage one of the points. The connection module has a backing element including a piece of sheet-like material, a set of contact protrusions on the piece of material, and at least one stiffening element on the piece of material. Each of the contact protrusions is shaped and located to engage the cable and urge one of the contacts into engagement with one of the points. The stiffening element is generally aligned with the junction when the contact protrusions engage the cable and urge the contacts into engagement with one of the points.