Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprises a steam generator (15) having a main body portion (15a ) including an electrical heating element (16) to heat the steam generator (15), and an ironing plate (13) coupled to the steam generator (15) via a thermal coupling and configured to be passively heated by conduction of heat from the steam generator (15) via the thermal coupling. The thermal coupling between the steam generator (15) and the ironing plate (13) comprises an indirect thermal path formed by a flange (22) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) being in contact with the ironing plate (13) and being spaced from the main body portion (15a ) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) also being configured to space the main body portion (15a ) of the steam generator (15) from the ironing plate (13) to restrict the conduction of heat from the main body portion (15a ) of the steam generator (15) to the ironing plate (13).

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump body having a fluid path with an inlet and an outlet. The fluid pump also includes a diaphragm disposed along the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, a non-return valve to control direction of flow along the fluid path, and a diaphragm actuating unit. The diaphragm actuating unit includes an unbalanced motor. Further, a steam generator may include the fluid pump.

Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprises a steam generator (15) comprising a main body portion (15a) including an electrical heating element (16) to heat the steam generator (15), and an ironing plate (13) coupled to the steam generator (15) via a thermal coupling and configured to be passively heated by conduction of heat from the steam generator (15) via the thermal coupling. The thermal coupling between the steam generator (15) and the ironing plate (13) comprises an indirect thermal path formed by a flange (22) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) being in contact with the ironing plate (13) and being spaced from the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) also being configured to space the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15) from the ironing plate (13) to restrict the conduction of heat from the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15) to the ironing plate (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for generating steam. The device (1) comprises a plate (2) forming a surface, and a heating element (3) to heat the plate (2) to a predetermined temperature being at least above water evaporation temperature. The plate (2) is inclined at an angle compared to the horizontal direction to define an upper end and a lower end. The device (1) also comprises a water inlet arrangement (4) for dispensing water onto the plate (2) proximate the upper end, a control unit (11) to control the flow of water dispensed onto the plate (2), and a scale collection container (5) disposed adjacent to the plate (2). The control unit (11) is configured to control the flow of water dispensed onto the plate (2) and the temperature of the plate (2) so that substantially all the water dispensed onto the plate (2) evaporates before it reaches the lower end (15) of the plate (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray nozzle comprising an elastomeric tube (1) comprising a proximal end (7) through which a fluid is intended to enter said tube (1), and a distal end (8). The spray nozzle also comprises a slit (9) formed in the elastomeric tube (1) between the proximal end (7) and the distal end (8), for spraying the fluid out from the elastomeric tube (1). The elastomeric tube (1) includes a reinforcing element (10, 11) for limiting deformation of the elastomeric tube (1). By providing a slit in a tube between the proximal and distal ends of the tube, the slit can be sized to provide a broad spread pattern to the spray. The reinforcing element prevents over-expansion or deformation of the elastomeric tube.

Abstract: The present application relates to a steam iron head (30). The steam iron head (30) has a steam pathway (40) along which steam flows. A cyclonic chamber (61) is along the steam pathway (40). The steam iron head (30) also has a flow inlet (62) to the cyclonic chamber (61), a flow outlet (63) from the cyclonic chamber (61), and a conduit (67) in the cyclonic chamber (61) defining the flow outlet (63). The conduit (67) upstands in the cyclonic chamber (61) and has an opening in a free end (68) of the conduit through which the flow of steam exits the cyclonic chamber (61). The conduit (67) is provided with a rib (91) to restrict the flow of water droplets formed on an outer surface of the conduit from passing through the flow outlet (63). The present application also relates to a steam system iron (10) having a steam iron head (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment steaming appliance comprising a sole plate assembly (1) comprising a steam channel (6) for receiving a flow of steam, an ironing plate (3) comprising an ironing surface (4) and an opposing upper surface, wherein the steam channel (6) extends along the upper surface of the ironing plate (3), and a vent (7) extending through said ironing plate (3) from said steam channel (6) to said ironing surface (4). The steam channel (6) is configured to divide the flow of steam into multiple flow paths that reconverge above said vent (7) from different directions to control the direction of the resultant flow of steam out of said vent (7) relative to said ironing surface (4).

Abstract: The present application relates to a hand-held steaming device (10). The hand-held steaming device comprises a steam generating surface (4A), a heater (5) to heat the steam generating surface, a water supply unit (6) to supply water to the steam generating surface and a sensor (12) configured to detect the inclination of the steam generating surface with respect to the horizontal. The hand-held steaming device further comprises a controller (11) configured to perform a user selectable descaling process wherein the heater is operated to heat the steam generating surface to a first temperature and the water supply unit is operated to supply water to the steam generating surface at a first flow rate to remove scale from the steam generating surface.

Abstract: The present application relates to an accessory (1) for a steaming device (2) comprising a tray to receive a sole plate (6) of a steaming device during a cleaning cycle so that steam and/or scale is directed into said tray, the tray having an opening (14) so that when a sole plate of a steaming device is received on the tray, steam can egress out of the tray in a direction away from said steaming device through said opening.

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.

Abstract: The present application relates to a steam device comprising a steam generator (60), at least one steam vent (37) through which steam is emitted from the steam device, a steam path (50) between the steam generator (60) and the at least one steam vent (37). The steam path (50) has a base (53) along which scale is able to pass. The steam device also comprises a noise generator (60) configured to act on steam generated by the steam generator (60) to generate noise. The noise generator (60) is spaced from the base (53) of the steam path (50) so that scale is not obstructed by the noise generator (60).

Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprises a steam generator (15) comprising a main body portion (15a) including an electrical heating element (16) to heat the steam generator (15), and an ironing plate (13) coupled to the steam generator (15) via a thermal coupling and configured to be passively heated by conduction of heat from the steam generator (15) via the thermal coupling. The thermal coupling between the steam generator (15) and the ironing plate (13) comprises an indirect thermal path formed by a flange (22) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) being in contact with the ironing plate (13) and being spaced from the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15), the flange (22) also being configured to space the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15) from the ironing plate (13) to restrict the conduction of heat from the main body portion (15a) of the steam generator (15) to the ironing plate (13).

Abstract: A fluid pump (10) has a pump body (20) having a fluid path (21) with an inlet (22) and an outlet (23). The fluid pump also has a diaphragm (24) disposed along the fluid path (21) between the inlet (22) and the outlet (23), a non-return valve (26, 27) to control the direction of flow along the fluid path (21), and a diaphragm actuating unit (30). The diaphragm actuating unit (30) comprises an unbalanced motor (31). A steam generator for a steam iron or a steamer comprising such a fluid pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steam iron (1) comprising: a housing (2) defining a water vaporization chamber (22); a heating element (12), accommodated by the housing (2) and configured to heat the vaporization chamber (22); a sole plate (8), connected to the housing and defining at least one steam outlet opening (10); a steam-permeable screen (24), disposed within the water vaporization chamber (22) and dividing the water vaporization chamber into a vaporization zone (28) and a steam zone (30); a liquid water supply channel (16) having an outlet (16b) that discharges into the vaporization zone (28); and a steam discharge channel (20) having a steam inlet (20a) that originates from the steam zone (30) and a steam outlet (20b) that discharges into the at least one steam outlet opening (10) in the sole plate (8).

Abstract: A steam iron (1) comprising: a housing (2) defining a water vaporization chamber (22); a heating element (12), accommodated by the housing (2) and configured to heat the vaporization chamber (22); a sole plate (8), connected to the housing and defining at least one steam outlet opening (10); a steam-permeable screen (24), disposed within the water vaporization chamber (22) and dividing the water vaporization chamber into a vaporization zone (28) and a steam zone (30); a liquid water supply channel (16) having an outlet (16b) that discharges into the vaporization zone (28); and a steam discharge channel (20) having a steam inlet (20a) that originates from the steam zone (30) and a steam outlet (20b) that discharges into the at least one steam outlet opening (10) in the sole plate (8).

Abstract: A garment cleaning appliance comprises a housing (1) having a chamber (2) to receive garments to be cleaned, and a steam generator (6) for supplying steam to the chamber (2) to clean the garments in the chamber (2). The appliance also includes a condensing element (9) arranged to condense the steam such that condensate is directed onto the garments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating steam comprising a water heating chamber in which water is heated to generate steam. The apparatus also includes a cavity having an inlet communicating with the water heating chamber so that water in the water heating chamber is received in the cavity and a sealable outlet. The cavity is configured to limit the flow of convection currents in the water received in the cavity so that scales and/or solid particles suspended in the water accumulate in the cavity. Alternatively, a guide member is disposed at the inlet to the cavity which is configured to guide scales and/or solid particles suspended in the water into the cavity.

Abstract: A steam ironing device (1), comprising: an iron, including a soleplate (18) provided with at least one steam outlet opening (20); soleplate heating means (22) configured to heat the soleplate (18); a steam generator (50) including a heatable steam generation chamber (51) that is fluidly connectable to the at least one steam outlet opening (20) in the soleplate; and control means (24, 56), operably connected to the soleplate heating means (22) and the steam generator (50), and configured to control a soleplate temperature and a steam rate of the steam ironing device, wherein the control means (24, 56) are configured to heat the soleplate to a non user-adjustable temperature in the range of 105-145° C., and to provide for a time-averaged steam rate of at least 50 grams/minute.

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 device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part.