Abstract: A steam pad for use with a steam mop is provided. The steam pad includes at least one layer of fabric having at least one fastener that corresponds to at least one fastener on the steam mop. In another embodiment, the steam pad comprises a first layer of fabric, a corresponding second layer of fabric, where the first and second layer are joined around the perimeter and where the second layer of fabric has at least one fastener that corresponds to at least one fastener on the steam mop.

Abstract: A steam appliance having a split handle with the upper part biased away from the handle base and an actuator for a water pump. When the appliance is pushed, the handle upper part is depressed and displaces a pump actuator to activate the pump. Use of a steam frame and steam towel allows an iron to be used as a steam cleaner. When a pole is mounted on the upper handle part, the appliance may be used as a steam mop that is activated by pushing the pole which depresses the handle to actuate the pump.

Abstract: A steam pad for use with a steam mop is provided. The fabric steam pad comprises at least one cleaning fabric layer, and a corresponding layer of fabric where the fabric layers are joined around the perimeter. The fabric steam pad has at least one fastener band secured to the mesh fabric in a position to correspond to at least one fastener anchored on the steam mop frame and increased structural stability of the pad to avoid buckling of the fabric at the edges. A warp knit mesh layer may be disposed on the fabric surface opposed to the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A tubular fluid pump is provided. The pump includes a chamber for receiving and discharging fluid, and a squeezing mechanism for pumping fluid through the chamber. The chamber has a first end with a first opening, a second end with a second opening, and a length of resilient tubular material extending between the first and second openings. One-way valves disposed at the openings cooperate to permit fluid to pass through the chamber in only one axial direction. The squeezing mechanism includes a substantially rigid base and a substantially rigid displaceable actuator. The tubular material is mounted on the base of the squeezing mechanism, and the actuator is aligned to alternately squeeze the tubular material against the base to pump fluid out of the chamber, and release the tubular material from the base to draw fluid into the chamber. A steam appliance incorporating a one-way tubular pump is also provided.

Abstract: A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.

Abstract: A steam appliance having a water pump controlled by an actuator or motion switch response to movement of the appliance is provided. In one embodiment, a micro-switch is turned ON and OFF by movement of a micro-switch actuator in operative engagement with the towel frame at the base if the appliance. In another embodiment, the actuator is operatively connected to a mechanical pump to activate the pump. The motor switch or actuator will be displaced whenever the unit is moved by a user, thus causing the pump to pump water to the boiler. Steam is then fed to a steam pad that may have a replaceable fabric pad fit snugly on the frame to distribute clean steam to a surface to be steamed.

Abstract: A universal connector for connecting a mop frame to a fluid source. The universal connector includes an upper connector piece with a proximal end for connection to a mop housing and a distal end with a pair of pivot arms. A fluid distributor having a hollow nipple portion connects to the fluid source and has a pair of pivot plates for pivotal connection to the upper connection piece for side to side pivot. Fluid distributor also has a pair of opposed elongated hollow arms for coupling to a mop frame. A fluid conduit passing through the upper connector piece from the fluid source and connected to the nipple portion of the distributor for distribution of fluid to the mop frame through the hollow distributor arms. Fabric mop pockets with an opening to permit rotation of the mop frame about the distributor.

Abstract: A steam appliance with a universal connector for connecting a steam frame to a fluid source in the appliance housing is provided. The universal connector includes an upper connection piece with a proximal end for connection to the housing and a distal end with a pair of pivot arms. A lower connection piece having a pair of pivot plates for connecting to the pivot arms provides for a pivotal connection with the of upper connection piece for side to side pivot. A fluid conduit passes through the upper and lower connection pieces for connecting the fluid source to the frame for distribution of steam within the frame. The frame includes a central steam passageway for distribution of steam between baffles within the frame. The lower connection piece may be a distributor with a pair of opposed elongated hollow arms for coupling to the frame with a fluid conduit passing through an upper nipple portion for distribution of steam into the frame through the hollow distributor arms.

Abstract: Appliances, methods and systems in which steam can be applied to a fabric and a heated surface can be used to press and/or dry the fabric.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device may include a handle, an activation mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position by a user of the device, a hollow member having a suction opening at an end of the hollow member, an electrically powered motor configured to produce suction at the suction opening, and a bristle support member pivotable relative to the hollow member. The bristle support member may include a plurality of bristles attached thereto. The bristle support member may be operatively coupled to the activation mechanism. When the activation mechanism is in the first position, the bristle support member may be in a closed position adjacent to the suction opening of the hollow member and the plurality of bristles may be positioned to perform a sweeping function.

Abstract: A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.

Abstract: A fabric towel with a slider pattern for use on a cleaning surface with at least one fastener to secure the towel to a steam frame. The fabric towel is used with a steam appliance and the slider pattern reduces friction when used on a fabric or carpeted surface yet provides a sufficient amount of towel surface to steam. In one embodiment, the fabric towel is a steam pocket including a top and bottom layer joined around its perimeter with an open side to allow for mounting on a steam frame with fasteners secured to each layer and wrapped around the back of a steam frame. The slider pattern may be a single piece or a plurality of segments secured to the towel. In another embodiment, towel is a steam pad with has at least one fastener for attachment to the steam cleaner frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a steam floor mop, comprising a handle; a central body inside which a manual water pump, a water tank, and a steam generator are housed; and a floor brush connected flexibly to the central body, wherein the manual water pump, the water tank, and the steam generator are connected to the floor brush by means of pipes; said handle is connected directly to the piston rod of the manual water pump and serves to manipulate the operation of the manual water pump; said floor brush is covered by a cleaning cloth. In accordance with the steam floor mop of the present invention, by only pushing the handle of the steam floor mop, the steam can be generated and distributed to the floor brush so that the cleaning work having an effect of high temperature disinfecting and sterilization can be realized. It is not needed to power on the water pump additionally so as to supply water to the steam generator to generate the steam.

Abstract: A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.