Flexible Steam Frame For Steam Appliance

Abstract

A flexible steam frame for use with a steam appliance having a rigid base and a plurality of flexible members that extend from the base to form a skeleton about a space for steam distribution. A hose with holes may extend from the base to the end of the skeleton to improve distribution. The base may include a handle which is coupled to a steam appliance. The wires may extend from the base, turn at a right angle and return to the base. The members may be metallic or plastic members in two spaced apart planes in an arc between about 20 to 90 degrees, or may be a plurality of wires which define a cylindrical form or a space having a substantially triangularly shaped profile. A matching towel with an opening on one or two sides is placed over the members and secured by elements attached to the opening(s).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/155,350 filed Feb. 25, 2009, all of which is herein incorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to steam appliances, and more particularly to a flexible steam frame for a steam appliance for use in cleaning various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and corner regions or the like).

Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are well known. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include the application of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease wrinkles, and the application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning the various objects and surfaces.

In general, nozzles used with the steam appliances do not have large surface areas and a cloth or fabric pad is placed over a steam frame to provide a steaming or cleaning surface. The fabric pad may have Velcro strips to secure to cleats on the steam frame. Typically, a fabric steam pocket is placed around a flat frame with baffles in order to increase the cleaning surface area.

Notwithstanding the wide variety of steam appliances available, it remains desirable to provide additional steam products having improved features, such as, for example, the ability to clean various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and corners or the like). These and other inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement are addressed and/or overcome by the systems and methods of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a flexible steam pocket frame for use with a steam appliance is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible steam pocket frame includes a rigid base and/or handle and a plurality of elongated flexible elements such as, wires as bands or fingers that extend from the outlet end of the base to form a skeleton. A flexible steam supply hose connected to a steam generating appliance may be coupled to the inlet end of the base. Alternately, the inlet end of the base may be coupled directly to the nozzle of a steam appliance housing.

The present disclosure also provides for a flexible steam frame for a steam appliance including a base member having a steam inlet and a steam outlet; and a plurality of flexible elements extending from the base at the steam outlet to form an internal space for distribution of steam. In one embodiment, the elongated elements are thin metallic or plastic members about 5 to about 8 inches long connected to the outlet end of the base. They generally are stainless steel and may be individual mounted elements or formed from a common base and fan out in an arc between about 20 to about 90 degrees. Bands are flat with are inwardly bent end sections about one-half to about one inch long with the ends overlapping. Wires extend out from the base and may be bent 90 degrees at the end and return to the base. A steam towel substantially matching the shape of the frame formed by the elements is fitted over the frame. There may be an opening on one or two sides to allow the towel to be placed over the bands and secured by Velcro strips attached to the open edge or edges. The towel can be secured by a plastic zipper. The steam hose may be permanently or removably attached to the inlet end of the base.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved flexible steam frame for a steam appliance.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved steam frame having a handle with two sets of opposed pluralities of flexible elongated bands extending from the handle to the steam outlet to dispense steam in the space between the bands.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a flexible wire steam frame with improved internal steam distribution.

Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of the disclosed systems and methods of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using the disclosed systems and methods, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam appliance including the flexible steam frame constructed and arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible steam frame constructed and arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a flexible steam frame with a steam towel attached;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the steam frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one side of the flexible steam frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hand-held steam appliance including a flexible steam frame and towel constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flat wire flexible steam pocket with internal steam distribution prepared in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a round wire flexible steam pocket with internal steam distribution prepared in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a steam frame according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the steam frame of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of a steam frame according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective partial view of the steam frame of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the steam frame of FIG. 11, with a steam towel attached; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of the steam frame of FIG. 11, with a steam towel attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for improved steam appliances. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for a flexible steam frame for a steam appliance for use in cleaning various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and corner regions).

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of a steam appliance or steam cleaning device 11 including a main body or housing 12. A steam release hand grip 13 is coupled to housing 12 by a flexible hose 14 having a flexible steam frame 15 constructed and arranged in accordance with the present disclosure installed. In exemplary embodiments, steam frame 15 mounted on the distal nozzle end of hand grip 13 includes a steam towel or the like at the distal end.

Housing 12 of steam cleaning device 11 includes a water inlet 22 and an internal water reservoir 17 with heating elements connected to a power source by a power cord 21. Steam generated in reservoir 17 exits by steam outlet 23 with flexible hose 14 coupled thereto. Main body 12 may be outfitted with a handle 24 and a strap 26 for conveniently lifting and carrying main body 12. Main body 12 also includes an on/off switch 27 and an indicator light 28 to indicate when steam temperature is appropriate for use.

Once water has been heated sufficiently to generate steam within main body 12, a user may selectively release steam into flexible steam frame and towel 15 by operation of hand grip 13. In one embodiment, hand grip 13 has an internal cavity and is elongated and curved for conveniently fitting within the hand of a user. Hand grip 13 includes a proximal inlet end with a fitting for securing flexible hose 14 and, its distal outlet end 30 is connected to steam frame 15 in accordance with the present disclosure. Hand grip 13 is fitted with a trigger 29 for selectively releasing and controlling the amount of steam fed into steam frame 15.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible steam frame 31 constructed and arranged in accordance with the present disclosure. Steam frame 31 includes a flat rigid elongated handle 32 substantially equivalent to curved handle 13 having an inlet end 33 and an outlet end 34. Inlet end 33 has a flexible steam hose 36 connected thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of flexible bands or fingers 37 arranged in a fan-like shape in two substantially parallel planes are mounted to outlet end 34 of handle 32.

Each band 37 is between about one-eight to about one-half inches wide, and about 4 to about 7 inches long constructed from a metallic material, such as, for example, stainless steel, or from a plastic material, such as, for example, a polyolefin, polyester or polystyrene. At the distal end, each band 37 includes a bent portion facing the other series of bands. In one embodiment and as depicted in FIG. 2 of a flexible steam frame 31 having an elongated and flattened handle 32, there is an upper fan-shaped set of bands 41, each with a bent portion 42 facing downward. Exemplary flexible steam frame 31 also includes a lower fan-shaped set of bands 43, each with a bent portion 44 facing upward. Bent portions 42 and 44 overlap. Since upper bands 41 and lower bands 43 are spaced apart between about one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch, there is a space 46 created between flexible bands 41 and 43 as shown in the side elevational view of FIG. 4. FIG. 3 shows a steam towel 51 having substantially the same outer shape as flexible band 41 and 43 placed over bands 41 and 43 and secured by Velcro strips or a plastic zipper. Towel 51 includes an upper surface 52 and a matching lower surface 53 and two side edges 54 extending from outlet end 34 of handle 32 and a curved front edge 56.

Towel 51 has at least one split along edge 54 and may have two openings or splits, one on each side at edges 54. The openings are closed with Velcro strips or plastic zippers or the like. Alternately, towel 51 may be split at front edge 56. Bands 41 and 43 and towel 51 are shown in a fan-like shape with an arc at the distal end and front edge 56. This arc may be from about 20° to about 90° to provide suitable steam cleaning areas. Alternately, front edge 56 may be a straight line between the two edges 54.

In an exemplary embodiment, handle 32 is elongated having an oval cross-section and is about 5 inches in length. As shown in FIG. 1, handle 13 may be curved to fit a user's grip comfortably. Hose 14 or 36 may be permanently or removably coupled or attached to inlet end 33 of handle 32. Steam generation may be controlled by on/off switch 27 and applied to steam frame 15 by operation of trigger 29 in handle 13.

In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a hand-held steam appliance or device 51 having a main body 52 with a boiler 53 and an inlet 54 with locking cap 56. A handle 57 is mounted at the top of main body 52 and has a steam release trigger 58 and a trigger release 60 mounted thereon. A nozzle 61 is mounted on main body 52 opposite to handle 57. Steam is transferred from boiler 53 to a location at which discharge of the steam is desired through nozzle 61 and flexible steam frame 15 as shown in FIG. 1. By using compatible couplings for nozzle 61 and frame 15, frame 15 may be directly connected to nozzle 61 or to a hose, such as hose 14 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flexible, substantially flat, wire steam frame 71 in accordance with the present disclosure. Frame 71 includes an elongated rigid handle 72 and a perpendicular wire base 73 at the distal end. In exemplary embodiments, handle 72 includes a steam inlet, and base 73 includes a steam outlet. The steam inlet of handle 72 may have a flexible steam hose coupled thereto.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of wires 74 (e.g., elastic metallic wires, plastic wires, etc.) extend from base 73. In an exemplary embodiment, wires 74 are flexible stainless steel wires. Here, wires 74 are arranged in two substantially parallel planes with each wire 74 extending distally from base 73 to form a first leg 74a, a right angle to run substantially parallel to base 73 to form an end section 74b, and which returns to base 73 along second leg 74c. Outer wire 74 is longer than inner wires 74′. Upper and lower wire planes are spaced apart to create a space 75 therebetween (e.g., where steam is introduced). Base 73 typically includes a steam outlet for the introduction and distribution of steam to the space 75. In exemplary embodiments, the steam outlet is trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped to ensure even steam distribution (e.g., throughout space 75).

A towel in the form of a steam pocket having two substantially parallel flat surfaces stitched about the two long edges and one short edge to form a pocket may be slipped or positioned over wires 74. The steam pocket is a cloth or towel and may be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is a synthetic polyester microfiber. The details are shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/083,421, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flexible wire steam frame 81 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, steam frame 81 is a round, cylindrical or tubular wire steam frame, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Frame 81 includes an elongated rigid handle 82 and a circular planar base 83 at the distal end. A plurality of stainless steel wires 84 extend from base 83. Here, wires 84 are arranged along the circumference of base 83 and extend along a first leg 84a and then at substantially right angles to a radial end 84b meeting the other radial ends at an end point 87. This configuration of wires 84 forms an internal cylindrical or tubular space 85 where steam is introduced. In another embodiment, the wires 84 are arranged along the circumference of base 83 and extend distally to a circular end portion (not shown), thereby forming an internal cylindrical or tubular space 85 where steam may be introduced. Alternatively, the wires 84 may form various other shaped or defined internal spaces 85 (e.g., conically shaped internals spaces, frusto-conically shaped internal spaces, tapered internal spaces, rounded and planar internal spaces, etc.) where steam may be introduced.

With reference to FIG. 8, a steam towel in the form of a cylindrical or tubular towel closed at the distal end and secured about base 83 is used. The towel may be secured at base 83 by an elastic or tie band or the like about the distal end of handle 82. As depicted in FIG. 8, the cylindrical or tubular wire steam frame 81 provides an advantageous shape for cleaning various surfaces (e.g., small narrow areas and inside of round-shaped objects). The wires 84 are configured and dimensioned to provide support for the towel so that the towel is kept in contact with the cleaning surface.

In exemplary embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, steam frames 71 and 81 are shown with added internal steam distribution, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In both embodiments, handles 72 and 82 are made of plastic (e.g., hard plastic) to provide the base that holds all the parts together and is also user friendly for use. Wires 74 and 84 are fabricated from stainless steel or the like to provide the elasticity and keep the fabric towel stretched and tightened, but wires 74 or 84 may bend when force is applied in order to accommodate different angles of use.

An internal steam distributor is provided to ensure the even steam distribution in internal space 75 and 85 in the form of an internal conduit 76 and 86 that extends from the steam outlet in handle 72 and 82 and base 73 and 83 to wire ends 74b and 84b. In an exemplary embodiment, internal conduit 76 and 86 is made of flexible hose and has openings 77 and 87 on both sides along the length thereof. The end 79, 89 of conduit 76 and 86 is closed to prevent the steam from exiting straight forward.

An elastic spring 78 and 88 made of stainless steel is wrapped around conduit 76 and 86 to provide elasticity for internal conduit hose 76 and 86. Spring 78 and 88 also keeps hose 76 and 86 centered if there is no force applied, but allows bending to accommodate changing the shape of frame 71 and 81 during use.

In an alternative embodiment and as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, steam frame 101 is a flexible, substantially round, cylindrical or tubular wire steam frame having an elongated rigid handle 102 and base 103. A plurality of wires 104 (e.g., stainless steel or plastic wires) extend from base 103. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each wire 84 may be twisted or curved. Wires 104 extend from the base 103 along a curved path defining the cylindrical or tubular shape of the steam frame 101, and then at right angles to a radial end 104b meeting the other radial ends at an end point 105, to thereby define or form the cylindrical or tubular wire shape of steam frame 101. This configuration of wires 104 forms an internal cylindrical or tubular space 186 where steam is introduced. A steam towel in the form of a cylinder or tube closed at the distal end and secured about base 103 may be used. The towel may be secured at base 103 by an elastic or tie band or the like about the distal end of handle 102.

At least one advantage of having twisted or curved wires 104 is that the number of wires in the frame 101 may be kept to a minimum, thereby reducing the rigidity of the frame 101, which reduces the strain on the user's hand during use. In addition, the twisted or curved wires 104 provide increased support for the towel. This configuration also has improved properties for bending or flexibility, and also reduces the strain and/or fatigue of the materials used in the frame 101. As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cylindrical or tubular shape of steam frame 101 provides an advantageous shape for cleaning various surfaces (e.g., small narrow areas and inside of round-shaped objects). The wires 104 are configured and dimensioned to provide support for the towel so that the towel is kept in contact with the cleaning surface.

In an alternative embodiment and as depicted in FIGS. 11-12, flexible steam frame 201 includes an elongated rigid handle 202 and a base 203. In exemplary embodiments, handle 202 includes a steam inlet 205, and rigid base 203 includes a steam outlet 207. The steam inlet 205 of handle 202 may have a flexible steam hose coupled thereto. The handle 202 may be fixedly attached (e.g., solidly attached) or coupled to the base 203. Exemplary base 203 takes the form of a rectangular base, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Frame 201 further includes a plurality of wires or bands 209 (e.g., elastic metallic wires, plastic wires, etc.) that extend from base 203. In an exemplary embodiment, wires 209 are flexible stainless steel wires. Frame 201 typically includes at least one upper wire 209a arranged in a first plane and at least one lower wire 209b arranged in a second plane, with the wires 209a, 209b extending distally from base 203. In exemplary embodiments, frame 201 includes at least one upper wire 209a, at least one lower wire 209b, at least one first side wire 209c, and at least one second side wire 209d, all of which extend distally from base 203. In one embodiment, frame 201 includes an upper set of wires 209a, a lower set of wires 209b, and two side sets of wires 209c, 209d, all of which extend distally from base 203. Upper set of wires 209a and lower set of wires 209b may take the form of a substantially planar, rectangularly shaped set of wires, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Rather, upper set of wires 209a and lower set of wires may take a variety of forms (e.g., substantially triangularly or conically shaped, etc.). Moreover, upper set of wires 209a and lower set of wires may take the form of a tapered or flared set of wires. Side sets of wires 209c, 209d typically include curved or tapered portions 211c, 211d. In one embodiment, each set of wires 209 may have different levels of flexibility and/or elasticity.

In use and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a towel 215 or cloth or the like in the form of a steam pocket may be positioned or slipped over wires 209 and base 203. As best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pocket may have a substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile, with the towel 215 having an upper surface 217, a lower surface 219, two side surfaces 221, 223, and a back surface 225, the back surface 225 having at least one opening or split. The towel 215 may be positioned over the wires 209 and at least a portion of the base 203, with the towel 215 being releasably secured or positioned about the wires 209 and base 203 by closing or securing the at least one opening or split of the back surface 225 with Velcro strips or plastic zippers or the like. After releasably securing the towel over the wires 209 and the base 203, upper surface 217, lower surface 219, side surfaces 221, 223 and base 203 are spaced apart to create a space 227 therebetween (e.g., where steam is introduced). In an exemplary embodiment, space 227 has a substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile. Base 203 typically includes a steam outlet 207 for the introduction and distribution of steam to the space 227. In exemplary embodiments, the steam outlet is trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped to ensure even steam distribution throughout space 227. In general, the towel 215 overlaps the base 203 to seal openings that may leak steam. Thus, the steam exits the space 227 of the pocket by penetrating the fabric of the towel 215.

In general, the upper set of wires 209a, lower set of wires 209b, and two side sets of wires 209c, 209d are configured and dimensioned to flex and/or bend to take the shape of the towel 215. For example, when the towel 215 is removed from the wires 209, the wires 209 may be substantially straight (e.g., the wires 209 may be substantially straight and substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base 203, as shown in FIGS. 11-12). However, when the towel 215 is placed over the wires 209, the elasticity of the wires 209 allows them to bend and/or flex to take the shape of the towel 215, thereby forming space 227 (e.g., space 227 having the substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile, as shown in FIGS. 13-14). With the towel 215 positioned over the wires 209, the wires 209 are bent and under tension. In exemplary embodiments, this tension ensures that the towel 215 remains stretched, taut and/or tight on the frame 201. The elasticity of the wires 209 thus allows for greater tolerances in the production of towel 215 (e.g., the wires 209 allow various sized towels 215 to be placed over them under tension), thereby providing a significant commercial and manufacturing advantage as a result. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, the design of frame 201 allows for the independent bending and/or flexing of each wire 209. This allows the towel 215 positioned over the wires 209 to wrap around various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces) to be cleaned, thereby adding more versatility to the frame 201, and thus providing another significant commercial and manufacturing advantage as a result.

Moreover, when the frame 201 with the towel 215 positioned over the wires 209 is pressed against a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a substantially flat surface), the frame 201 remains relatively stiff, which improves the scrubbing action of the towel 215 on the cleaning surface. In exemplary embodiments, when the frame 201 with the towel 215 positioned over the wires 209 is pressed against a surface to be cleaned, forces inside the towel 215 and/or wires 209 immobilize the wires 209, and creates a link between at least an upper wire 209a and a lower wire 209b, thereby increasing support for the towel 215. For example and as shown in FIG. 15, the shape of the towel 215 at the distal tip 231 ensures that at least an upper wire 209a and a lower wire 209b remain interlocked when a force F is applied to the frame 201 (e.g., when the frame 201 is pressed against a surface 233 to be cleaned). This interlocking or linkage greatly increases the rigidity of frame 201 and increases the force necessary to bend the frame 201. In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 15, the upper wires 209a may have a higher angle toward the cleaning surface 233, thereby allowing the upper wires 209a to provide greater support against bending. In addition, the lower wires 209b may have a lower angle toward the cleaning surface 233, thereby allowing the lower wires 209b to bend easier, thereby ensuring that at least an upper wire 209a and a lower wire 209b remain interlocked when a force F is applied to the frame 201 (e.g., when a cleaning surface 233 upward reactive force F is applied to the frame 201).

In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 14, once the towel 215 has been placed over the wires 209 to form the space 227 (e.g., space 227 having the substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile), the substantially flat lower surface 219 of the towel 215 may be positioned on or above and substantially parallel to a surface 233 to be cleaned. Such positioning of the frame 201 allows the handle 202 to be positioned at a higher position from the cleaning surface 233, thereby allowing more space for a user's hand between the handle 202 and the cleaning surface 233. This positioning feature of the frame 201 substantially eliminates the need for extra connections for the frame 201 (e.g., extra handle 202 connections for the user), and simplifies the production and/or design of the frame, thereby providing a significant commercial and manufacturing advantage as a result. Moreover, the fixedly attached or coupled connection between the handle 202 and the base 203 improves a user's control of the frame 201 during use. As shown in FIG. 14, the low profile distal or front edge or portion 231 of the frame 201 allows for the cleaning of narrow spaces or small surfaces or crevices or the like, and the higher profile proximal portion or region 235 of the frame 201 allows for the efficient cleaning of corner surfaces or the like (e.g., allows for the cleaning of corner surfaces or the like in one pass).

By providing a steam frame with flexible wires or bands that form a skeleton or flexible frame with a steam towel to form an internal space for distribution of steam, the device has the needed flexibility for cleaning various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and tight corner areas). The added flexibility of attaching to a steam hose of a steam appliance or directly to the steam outlet of a hand steamer provides added utility.

Although the systems and methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments and/or implementations. Rather, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are susceptible to many implementations and applications, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the disclosure hereof. The present disclosure expressly encompasses such modifications, enhancements and/or variations of the disclosed embodiments. Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many widely different embodiments of this disclosure could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additional modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A flexible steam frame for a steam appliance, comprising:

a base member having a steam inlet and a steam outlet; and

a plurality of flexible elements extending from the base at the steam outlet to form an internal space for distribution of steam.

2. The flexible steam frame of claim 1, including a plurality of flexible bands in a first plane and a second plane extending from the base at the outlet; and

the first and second planes spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other to create a space therebetween.

3. The flexible steam frame of claim 2, wherein the flexible bands are arranged to emanate from the base in a fan shape.

4. The flexible steam frame of claim 3, wherein the edges of the bands form an arc.

5. The flexible steam frame of claim 4, wherein the arc extends between about 20 to 90 degrees.

6. The flexible steam frame of claim 2, wherein the planes are between about one-fourth to one inch apart.

7. The flexible steam frame of claim 2, wherein the distal ends of the bands are bent towards and overlap the bend ends of the bands in the opposed plane.

8. The flexible steam frame of claim 1, including a plurality of flexible wires extending from the base at the outlet and bent at the distal end and returning to the base to create a space therebetween.

9. The flexible steam frame of claim 8, wherein the flexible wires are arranged to emanate from the base in two substantially parallel planes.

10. The flexible steam frame of claim 8, including a circular base at the distal end of the handle and the wires emanate from the circumference of the circular base to create a cylindrical space therebetween.

11. The flexible steam frame of claim 1, including a hose with openings along the length and a closed end connected to the steam outlet and extending to the end of the elements.

12. The flexible steam frame of claim 11, including a spring wrapped around the hose.

13. The flexible steam frame of claim 10, wherein the wires are at least partially curved or twisted.

14. The flexible steam frame of claim 1, wherein the internal space has a substantially triangularly shaped cross-sectional profile.

15. A flexible steam frame for a steam appliance comprising:

a base member having a steam inlet and a steam outlet;

a plurality of flexible elements in a first and a second plane extending from the base member; and

a fabric member positioned over the plurality of flexible elements and at least a portion of the base;

wherein the plurality of flexible elements are configured and dimensioned to flex or bend when the fabric member is positioned over the plurality of flexible elements to form an internal space for the distribution of steam.

16. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, wherein the internal space has a substantially triangularly shaped cross-sectional profile.

17. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, wherein at least the distal ends of the first and second planes move towards one another when the fabric member is positioned over the plurality of flexible elements.

18. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, wherein after the fabric member is positioned over the plurality of flexible elements, the distal portions of the first and second planes are spaced closer together than the proximal portions of the first and second planes.

19. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, wherein the distal end of the first plane contacts the distal end of the second plane after the fabric member is positioned over the plurality of flexible elements.