Patents by Inventor Hee Keng Chua

Hee Keng Chua has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10570560
    Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steamer head for a fabric steamer. The hand-held steamer head has a body (2) with one or more steam vents (9) and a friction surface (23) for locating against a fabric to be steamed. The friction surface (23) is configured to act on the fabric to resist movement of the fabric relative to the body (2) as the body (2) is drawn over the fabric. The present invention also relates to a fabric steamer having a hand-held steamer head and a hand-held steamer head kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Luck Wee Png, Mahesh Gurumalliah Areyur, Siew Hon Loke, Sahil Wadhwa
  • Patent number: 10422521
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Khian Ching, Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10407819
    Abstract: The present application relates to a garment steaming device (1). The garment steaming device comprises a housing (2) with a steam channel (8) arranged in the housing (2) for the passage of steam and a cavity extending into the housing (2). The garment steaming device (1) further comprises a fragrance cartridge (10) that is removeably disposed in the cavity and a valve assembly (11) which is disposed between the cavity and the steam channel (8). The valve assembly (11) is adapted to prevent steam to from flowing between the steam channel (8) and the cavity when the fragrance cartridge (10) is not disposed in the cavity. The valve assembly and the fragrance cartridge are adapted to cooperate such as to allow steam to flow between the steam channel and the cavity when the fragrance cartridge is disposed in the cavity. This solution allows a user to safely remove the fragrance cartridge from the cavity even when there is steam in the steam channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Lihong Zhao
  • Patent number: 10330308
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Khian Ching, Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10287725
    Abstract: The present application relates to a steam device comprising a steam chamber having a steam generating surface onto which liquid water is provided to be evaporated into steam, a fabric treating plate comprising a fabric treating face and at least one steam vent through which steam is expelled onto a fabric to be steamed, an outlet flow section located between the steam generating surface and the fabric treating face wherein the outlet flow section defines an indirect flow path between the steam chamber and the at least one steam vent and a heater for heating the outlet flow section such that liquid water which enters the outlet flow section from the steam chamber is evaporated into steam. The outlet flow section comprises at least one boundary surface with a plurality of recesses for reducing the flow rate of liquid water travelling through the outlet flow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Boon Teck Tan, Hee Keng Chua, Chen-Shiang Lee, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10287726
    Abstract: A steam head for a garment steamer includes a handle, and a steam duct having an upstream end connectable to a steam hose and a downstream end that defines a steam ejection opening with a circumferential edge that forms a frontal contact surface. A surface area of the frontal contact surface is smaller than an area of the steam ejection opening. The steam head further includes a drainage tube extending between condensate inlet and outlet ends, where the condensate inlet end is disposed within a downstream portion of the steam duct while the condensate outlet end is disposed elsewhere, such as connected to a water reservoir or a boiler of the garment steamer, or to a dedicated condensate collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Hee Keng Chua
  • Patent number: 10240278
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Khian Ching, Yong Jiang, Boon Teck Tan, Jiecong Tang
  • Patent number: 10234134
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Khian Ching, Jiang Yong
  • Patent number: 10132025
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Khian Ching, Yong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10081903
    Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprising a soleplate (13), a heating element (14) for heating the soleplate (13), an inlet junction (16) comprising a first inlet (28) for receiving input steam from a steam generator and a second inlet (29), a water-steam separator (18) connected to the inlet junction (16) to receive steam from the inlet junction (16) and separate steam from condensed water entrained in the steam. The steam iron also includes an evaporation chamber (19) connected to the water-steam separator (18) to receive condensed water from the water-steam separator (18) and which includes a surface heated by the heating element (14) to generate evaporated water from the condensed water. The evaporation chamber (19) is connected to the second inlet (29). The inlet junction (16) comprises a venturi effect nozzle (31) for expelling the input steam and to generate a reduced pressure in the region of the second inlet (29) to draw the evaporated water into the inlet junction (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Boon Teck Tan
  • Publication number: 20180171538
    Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steamer head for a fabric steamer. The hand-held steamer head has a body (2) with one or more steam vents (9) and a friction surface (23) for locating against a fabric to be steamed. The friction surface (23) is configured to act on the fabric to resist movement of the fabric relative to the body (2) as the body (2) is drawn over the fabric. The present invention also relates to a fabric steamer having a hand-held steamer head and a hand-held steamer head kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: HEE KENG CHUA, LUCK WEE PNG, MAHESH GURUMALLIAH AREUYR, SIEW HON LOKE, SAHIL WADHWA
  • Patent number: 9949585
    Abstract: The present application relates to a stand for supporting a garment hanger. The stand comprises a supporting element (14,22,32) on which a garment hanger is hung, and a clamp (8) operable to releasably support the garment hanger in a fixed orientation after the garment hanger has been hung on said supporting element (14,22,32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Chiak Ngee Dominic Lim, Valiyambath Krishnan Mohankuma
  • Publication number: 20180073190
    Abstract: The present application relates to a garment steaming device (1). The garment steaming device comprises a housing (2) with a steam channel (8) arranged in the housing (2) for the passage of steam and a cavity extending into the housing (2). The garment steaming device (1) further comprises a fragrance cartridge (10) that is removeably disposed in the cavity and a valve assembly (11) which is disposed between the cavity and the steam channel (8). The valve assembly (11) is adapted to prevent steam to from flowing between the steam channel (8) and the cavity when the fragrance cartridge (10) is not disposed in the cavity. The valve assembly and the fragrance cartridge are adapted to cooperate such as to allow steam to flow between the steam channel and the cavity when the fragrance cartridge is disposed in the cavity. This solution allows a user to safely remove the fragrance cartridge from the cavity even when there is steam in the steam channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: HEE KENG CHUA, LIHONG ZHAO
  • Patent number: 9915024
    Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steamer head for a fabric steamer. The hand-held steamer head has a body (2) with one or more steam vents (9) and a friction surface (23) for locating against a fabric to be steamed. The friction surface (23) is configured to act on the fabric to resist movement of the fabric relative to the body (2) as the body (2) is drawn over the fabric. The present invention also relates to a fabric steamer having a hand-held steamer head and a hand-held steamer head kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Luck Wee Png, Mahesh Gurumalliah Areuyr, Siew Hon Loke, Sahil Wadhwa
  • Patent number: 9816224
    Abstract: A garment steamer with an inclinable ironing board (100) comprises a base (10) and a support structure (50) that includes an upper part (51), a lower part (52) and an ironing board (60) attached to the upper part. The garment steamer further comprises an inclining structure (70) including an inclining linkage (80) that connects the upper and lower parts, wherein the upper part (51) is inclinable relative to the lower part (52) at an angle between horizontal and vertical. The inclining linkage (80) comprises first and second link arms (83,84) extending between and pivotably connecting with the upper and lower parts. The first link arm (83) is longer than the second link arm (84) such that upper part (51) assumes an inclined position relative to the lower part (52) when the upper and lower ends of the link arms (83,84) are pivoted about the upper and lower parts (51,52), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Yong Jiang, Zhen Ming Jimmy Xing
  • Publication number: 20170307209
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: HEE KENG CHUA, BOON KHIAN CHING, YONG JIANG
  • Publication number: 20170275810
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: HEE KENG CHUA, BOON KHIAN CHING, YONG JIANG, BOON TECK TAN, JIECONG TANG
  • Publication number: 20170268160
    Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprising a soleplate (13), a heating element (14) for heating the soleplate (13), an inlet junction(16) comprising a first inlet (28) for receiving input steam from a steam generator and a second inlet (29), a water-steam separator (18) connected to the inlet junction (16) to receive steam from the inlet junction (16) and separate steam from condensed water entrained in the steam. The steam iron also includes an evaporation chamber (19) connected to the water-steam separator (18) to receive condensed water from the water-steam separator (18) and which includes a surface heated by the heating element (14) to generate evaporated water from the condensed water. The evaporation chamber (19) is connected to the second inlet (29). The inlet junction (16) comprises a venturi effect nozzle (31) for expelling the input steam and to generate a reduced pressure in the region of the second inlet (29) to draw the evaporated water into the inlet junction (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: HEE KENG CHUA, BOON TECK TAN
  • Patent number: 9765475
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Kean Hao Raymond Lee, Boon Khian Ching, Hee Keng Chua, Yong Jiang
  • Publication number: 20170260684
    Abstract: The present application relates to a steam device (1) comprising a steam chamber (8) having a steam generating surface onto which liquid water is provided to be evaporated into steam. The steam device (1) further comprises a fabric treating plate (4) comprising a fabric treating face (4A) and at least one steam vent (6) through which steam is expelled onto a fabric to be steamed. The steam device (1) further comprises an outlet flow section (21) located between the steam generating surface and the fabric treating face (4A). The outlet flow section (21) defines an indirect flow path (C) between the steam chamber (8) and the at least one steam vent (6). The steam device (1) further comprises a heater for heating the outlet flow section (21) such that liquid water which enters the outlet flow section (21)from the steam chamber (8) is evaporated into steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: BOON TECK TAN, HEE KENG CHUA, CHEN-SHIANG LEE, MOHANKUMAR VALIYAMBATH KRISHNAN