Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus for delivering steam of a surface to be cleaned is provided with a steam unit, a handle tube and an indexable base. The base can be indexed between a wide orientation where a long edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel and a narrow orientation where a short edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device (1100) comprising a bottom surface (BS) intended to be in contact with a textile (TXT). The portable device comprises an image sensor (5) for taking an image of a textile, and an illumination system (6) for illuminating a portion of the textile when said image is being taken. The portable device also comprises a control unit (8a) for executing an algorithm stored in the portable device, using the taken image as an input of said algorithm, to obtain a classification of the textile. The image sensor and the control unit are integrated within the portable device. The image sensor has an active surface sensitive to light, which is oriented compared to said bottom surface (BS), with an absolute value of the orientation angle being in the range 15-70 degrees; and/or the illumination system (6) has a light source oriented compared to the said bottom surface (BS), with an absolute value of the orientation angle being in the range 15-70 degrees.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cleaning of fabric. Image capturing units in the apparatus captures images of the fabric. A control unit in the apparatus identifies region of stain in the fabric based on the images and activates an ejecting unit for cleaning the fabric. The ejecting unit applies a selected cleaning agent on the region of stain. A motorized wiper and a sucking mechanism are operated on the region of stain to remove stain from the fabric. In an embodiment, the apparatus may also be used for ironing the fabric. However, the fabric is ironed within an optimal temperature range suitable for the type of fabric being ironed, thereby preventing over-heating and/or burning of the fabric. Thus, the apparatus disclosed herein facilitates both cleaning and ironing of the fabric.

Abstract: An electric hand iron comprises an electrically heated sole plate and an electrically operated water nozzle. The water nozzle is arranged to produce a water mist which produces a substantially uniform density moisture pattern, in response to a user activated control.

Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: —a water reservoir (16), configured to hold liquid water; —a heatable soleplate (20); —at least one water outlet opening (24); —a water atomization and distribution unit (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening; —at least one sensor (40,42), configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron and to generate a reference signal reflecting said variable; —a control unit (50), operatively connected to both the water atomization and distribution unit (30) and the at least one sensor (40, 42), and configured to control a water outflow rate of the at least one water outlet opening (24) by controlling the operation of the water atomization and distribution unit in dependence of the reference signal generated by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An electric hand iron comprises an electrically heated sole plate and an electrically operated water nozzle. The water nozzle is arranged to produce a water mist which produces a substantially uniform density moisture pattern, in response to a user activated control.

Abstract: A wrinkle removing apparatus for fabric articles is provided. The apparatus includes a casing defining a volume therein and a reservoir received in the casing and containing a liquid for providing treatment to the fabric article. A platen is carried by the casing and defines a plurality of openings for allowing flow-through of liquid. A heater may be proximal the platen for heating the platen to a treatment temperature. A transducer extends into the reservoir and is configured for atomizing the liquid into a vapor.

Abstract: Piezoelectric pump for a household electric appliance having a moving wall interposed between a first casing element defining a pumping chamber with the moving wall, and a second casing element applying pressure to the periphery of the moving wall in order to hold the latter in position. The moving wall has an exterior face in contact with a piezoelectric actuator designed to cause the moving wall to move so as to bring about a periodic variation in the volume of the pumping chamber under the action of the piezoelectric actuator wherein the first casing element and the second casing element are held together under stress by an elastic clip, the elastic clip applying a pressure that tends to compress the first casing element onto the second casing element.

Abstract: Provided is an ironing appliance, including a pump that has a pumping chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet, the pumping chamber including a movable wall having an outer surface contacting a piezoelectric actuator provided to move the movable wall while changing the volume of the pumping chamber by the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the pump is placed in the ironing appliance such that the outlet of the pumping chamber is located at a higher level than the inlet in a normal position for operating the appliance.

Abstract: A rotatable iron and garment steamer with rotatable iron, has a main body with an electrical heater and is mounted with a housing. A revolver is rotatably connected to the main body and a handle. A position-limiting mechanism for restricting the rotational amplitude and a resilient positioning mechanism for locking the position of rotational angle are both disposed between the main body and the handle. When the relative position of the handle and the main body is locked, the iron can be used as steam iron; after the main body is sleeved with a brush cover, the handle rotates relative to the main body, and the iron can be used as a steam brush.

Abstract: A system iron comprises an iron and a base that has a receiving area for receiving the iron. The base comprises a fastening device for fastening the iron to the base. The fastening device includes a first engagement member and a second engagement member arranged at mutually opposite sides of the receiving area. At least one of the engagement members is displaceable in a direction away from the other engagement member and is biased towards the other engagement member. With such a fastening device, a user can safely and conveniently lock the iron to the base using just one of his hands for gripping the main grip portion of the iron.

Abstract: An electric iron capable of quickly cooling comprising: an ironing base and a housing, herein a soleplate is disposed on the bottom of the ironing base, while the housing comprising a shell covered on the upside of the soleplate of the ironing base, and a chamber enclosed by the shell. To improve the safety just after using, the present iron is characterized by that the shell is provided with a plurality of vents, and the soleplate is provided with a plurality of cooling fins which is protruded into the chamber, and a fan is installed in the chamber to emit the hot air to the chamber with the aid of the cooling fins, and discharge the hot air from the vent by the running of the fan, so as to cool quickly and improve the safety of the iron just after using.

Abstract: Steam iron comprising a scale indicator (10) and comprising a heating body (3) including a steam chamber (30) for producing steam, characterized in that it comprises means for calculating the electrical energy used by the iron and means which activate said scale indicator (10) when the calculated energy exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron (1) having a sole (2) on top of which is formed a body (3, 5) defining a handle and a sleeve (4), said body (3, 5) including at least one switch (7, 9) associated with a function such as steam generation, characterised in that the sleeve (4) is mounted so as to be capable of movement relative to the body (3, 5) and in that the switch (7, 9) can be actuated by a mechanical member (10, 14) secured to the sleeve (4).

Abstract: A steam channeling structure adopted for use on a steam iron to transfer steam to perform cleaning function. The steam iron includes at least a soleplate heated to perform ironing function and at least one steam vent. The steam channeling structure includes a coupling dock and at least one cleaning tool mounted onto the coupling dock. The coupling dock has a protective portion to cover the soleplate and a steam directing portion communicating with the steam vent to direct steam discharged through the steam vent. The cleaning tool has a steam passage connecting to the steam directing portion and a steam channeling vent located in the steam passage. Steam generated by the steam iron is conveyed through the steam directing portion to the steam channeling vent to be discharged to perform steam cleaning function on a selected article.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a steam generator with an output port, a switching device formed of a body and a movable member. The body has an inlet in air communication with the output port, a first outlet, a second outlet, a first passage in air communication with the inlet and the first outlet, and a second passage in air communication with the inlet and the second outlet. The movable member is disposed in the intersection between the first passage and the second passage and movable between a first position where steam goes out of the first outlet and a second position where steam goes out of the second passage. A cleaning device has a connector for connection to the body of the switching device to move the movable member from the first position to the second position and a nozzle connected to the connector for steam output.

Abstract: An iron including an additive reservoir and a device for spreading the additive onto an article. The reservoir contains at least one additive packaged in the form of microcapsules in suspension in a liquid, the microcapsules having membranes made of a material that is chemically compatible with the materials of the device used for spreading the additive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron having means for moistening fabric to be ironed. According to the invention, the moistening means comprise a device for generating foam and means for applying said generated foam to the fabric. For example, foam may be generated by means of a nozzle (21) having a first inlet (8) for a foaming liquid (6) and a second inlet (12) for supplying pressurized air to the nozzle so as to mix air with said liquid, thereby creating foam (42). Applying foam to the fabric (50) can be realized by means of a doctor blade (51) to break up the foam.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cordless iron, having a body (1) comprising a handle (11), a soleplate (2), a water storage (3), and comprising an electrically operating water sprayer (4) and an electric power storage cell (7) powering said sprayer (4).

Abstract: A clothes iron appliance composed of a water reservoir, a steam chamber, and an electro-osmotic pump having a porous body disposed to pump water from the reservoir to the steam chamber.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, methods and product for removing wrinkles and smoothing fabric, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery, using ultrasonic energy and an ultrasonic transmission fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an iron. The inventive iron consists of a liquid container (6) comprising an inlet (7) which is fitted with means of receiving and guiding the liquid through said opening towards the container. Preferably, the aforementioned means comprise a part (9) in the form of a slide valve or chute. Moreover, said means, which pass through the opening, can move in translation between a first open position, whereby the liquid can be introduced, and a second closed position, whereby the means are retracted into the iron in order to close the opening (7).

Abstract: Steam iron having a sole plate with a steam chamber, and a sealed liquid reservoir. A drip valve supplies the steam chamber with liquid from the liquid reservoir. One or more one-way gas valves between the liquid reservoir and ambient air let air enter the reservoir in response to local negative pressures within the reservoir caused by movement of water within the reservoir, such as during reciprocal ironing motion. A pressure-equalizing passage is formed within a manually operable rod of the drip valve, such that only one opening is required in the lower wall of the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A refillable dispensing apparatus for mounting on a handle of a clothes iron and dispensing a fluid onto a surface of a piece of fabric. The refillable dispensing apparatus includes a housing that has an interior for holding a fluid and an access opening for accessing the interior of the housing. A plug is removably positioned in the access opening for selectively plugging the access opening. A nozzle is mounted on and extends away from a first end wall of the housing for emitting the fluid positioned in the interior of the housing. An actuating member is mounted on the housing and fluidly coupled to the nozzle for selectively receiving a finger of a user. A securing member is mounted to the housing for removably securing the housing to the handle of the clothes iron.

Abstract: A vapor distribution device, usable particularly with electrical household appliances which comprise a boiler for producing water vapor or steam, which is connected through a first duct to at least one first element for distributing the steam. The distribution device comprises at least one separate second duct for feeding the steam to at least one second distribution element, with the interposition of suitable flow control elements for one or more containers of separate additives.