Abstract: A method for determining a liquid level in a boiler of an apparatus having a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature which is indicative of a temperature of the liquid inside the boiler, includes inducing a temporary deflection of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor; determining an evaluation temperature sensed by the temperature sensor after inducing the deflection; and determining the liquid level from at least the evaluation temperature. The evaluation temperature is determined by monitoring the deflection and by defining an extreme value of the deflection as the evaluation temperature.

Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steamer head (1). The steamer head (1) has a steam distribution chamber (8), a steam inlet (9) through which steam is received from a steam channel (10) and provided to the steam distribution chamber (8), and one or more steam vents (12) through which steam is expelled from the steam distribution chamber (8). The steamer head (1) also has a barrier (20) in the steam distribution chamber (8) which prevents a direct flow path from the steam inlet (9) to the or each steam vent (12). The present application also relates to a garment steamer.

Abstract: A boiler having a shell enclosing a space and an inlet for letting water into the shell space. The shell space has two separate sections, wherein a first section is located such as to receive a supply of fresh water to the boiler and wherein a second section is located such as to receive water from the first section when overflow of the first section takes place under the influence of a continuous supply of fresh water. A steam generating process takes place in the second section. Due to the fact that the second section is only indirectly filled with water, it is possible to have an undisturbed process. In particular, the water may be heated in the first section before reaching the second section. The first section may for example include an inner space of a container which is arranged inside the shell, for example.

Abstract: A steam generating apparatus includes a body for receiving water to be heated and has a first portion including a first metal, and a heating device having a second portion including a second metal. The heating device includes a heating plate connected with the body by forming an intermetallic layer between the first and second portions. A temperature sensor measures temperature indicative of pressure inside the body and thermally contacts the heating device outside the body. A method of controlling the pressure of steam in the steam generating apparatus includes setting the target water temperature for a first time period to a first set temperature; setting the target water temperature for a second time period to a second set temperature higher than the first set temperature; and setting the target water temperature for a third time period to a third set temperature lower than the second set temperature.

Abstract: A garment care system includes a steam generator having a steam outlet, and a handset having a steam inlet arranged for coupling to the steam outlet, an opening for releasing steam and a steam control unit for controlling a valve for controlling the release of steam. The steam control unit includes a selector unit having at least two selection options, and a steam release switch connected to the selector unit and arranged for starting or stopping the release of steam in dependence on the selected option.

Abstract: In a boiler (6) having a shell (8) enclosing a space (11) and an inlet (12) for letting water into the shell space (11), the shell space (11) has two separate sections (16, 21), wherein a first section (16) is located such as to receive a supply of fresh water to the boiler (6), and wherein a second section (21) is located such as to receive water from the first section (16) when overflow of the first section (16) takes place under the influence of a continuous supply of fresh water. A steam generating process takes place in the second section (21). Due to the fact that the second section (21) is only indirectly filled with water, it is possible to have an undisturbed process. In particular, the water may be heated in the first section (16) before reaching the second section (21). The first section (16) may comprise an inner space of a container (15) which is arranged inside the shell (8), for example.

Abstract: A garment care system includes a steam generator having a steam outlet, and a handset having a steam inlet arranged for coupling to the steam outlet, an opening for releasing steam and a steam control unit for controlling a valve for controlling the release of steam. The steam control unit includes a selector unit having at least two selection options, and a steam release switch connected to the selector unit and arranged for starting or stopping the release of steam in dependence on the selected option.

Abstract: A steam generating apparatus includes a boiler for receiving water to be heated and an opening in a wall of the boiler. The opening is closable by a closing device. The steam generating apparatus also includes a steam duct for conducting steam generated in the boiler to a steam applying device such as an iron. A by-pass duct for by-passing the steam duct is provided for discharging steam from the boiler to the iron.

Abstract: A garment care system includes a steam generator having a steam outlet, and a handset having a steam inlet arranged for coupling to the steam outlet, an opening for releasing steam and a steam control unit for controlling a valve for controlling the release of steam. The steam control unit includes a selector unit having at least two selection options, and a steam release switch connected to the selector unit and arranged for starting or stopping the release of steam in dependence on the selected option.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steam generating apparatus (50) comprising a boiler (52) for receiving water to be heated, an opening (54, 126) in a wall of the boiler, the opening being closable by closing means (56, 128, 136), and a steam duct (58) for conducting steam generated in the boiler (52) to steam applying means (60), wherein a by-pass duct (62, 130) by-passing the steam duct (58) is provided for discharging steam from the boiler (52) to the steam applying means (60). The present invention further relates to a method of operating a steam generating apparatus (50).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a liquid level in a boiler (12) of an apparatus (10) having a temperature sensor (24) for sensing a temperature (T) which is indicative of a temperature of the liquid inside the boiler (12), comprising the steps of: inducing a temporary deflection of the temperature (T) sensed by the temperature sensor (24); determining an evaluation temperature (Tev) sensed by the temperature sensor (24) after inducing the deflection; and determining the liquid level from at least the evaluation temperature (Tev). Advantageously, the invention provides that the evaluation temperature (Tev) is determined by monitoring the deflection and by defining an extreme value (Tmax, Tmin) of the deflection as the evaluation temperature (Tev). Further, the present invention relates to an steam generating apparatus adapted for executing such a method, a domestic appliance having such a steam generating apparatus.

Abstract: A garment care system comprising a steam generator (7) having a steam outlet (19), and at least one garment care handset (3) having a steam inlet (31) arranged for coupling to the steam outlet, an opening (33) for releasing steam and a steam control unit (37) arranged for controlling a valve (21) for controlling the release of steam. The steam control unit comprises a selection means (43) having at least two selection options, and a steam release switch (41) electrically connected to the selection means and arranged for starting or stopping the release of steam in dependence on the selected option. The at least two options provide the user with the flexibility to choose or select the way he/she wants to operate the steam release of the handset. The user may select the option that fits best the task at hand. The handset may be an iron suitable for cooperation with a steam generator having a steam outlet or a garment steamer suitable for cooperation with a steam generator having a steam outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steam generating apparatus (10), comprising a body (12) for receiving water to be heated and comprising a first portion (16) comprising a first metal, and a heating device (14) comprising a second portion (18) comprising a second metal, wherein the heating device (14) comprises a heating plate (15) connected with the body (12) by forming an intermetallic layer (20) between the first portion (16) and the second portion (18), and a temperature sensor (24) for measuring a temperature that is indicative of a pressure inside the body (12) is arranged in thermal contact to the heating device (14) outside the body (12).