DE102018222295A1 - Functional element for a hand-held steam generator for the treatment of garments and hand-held steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

Functional element (3) for a hand-held steam generator for the treatment of garments, the functional element (3) having the following: - a reservoir (4) with an active substance, - a device (9) for generating a spray of an active substance with an actuating device for releasing the Sprays, - at least one fastening device (5) for fastening the functional element (3) to the steam generator, wherein the functional element (3) can be positioned on the steam generator by means of the fastening device (5) in such a way that a steam flow generated by the steam generator mixes with the spray becomes.

Description

The present invention relates to a functional element for a hand-held steam generator for treating garments. It further relates to a handheld steam generator for the treatment of garments. In this context, the term “handheld” is understood to mean a mobile device which can be handled using the hands of a user, ideally using only one hand of the user.

From the WO 2015/028359 A1 a hand-held steam generator is known which can be used to refresh and smooth textiles. It is suitable for smoothing wrinkles in textiles, for example, with the help of water vapor. Similarly, steam brushes or steam irons can be used to remove creases from worn but hardly soiled textiles.

To refresh textiles and to remove bad odors, it is also known to use ironing water. These are aqueous active ingredient preparations with small amounts of perfume oil, which are filled directly into the refill tank unit of ironing systems and used to generate steam. It is also known to use sprayable fabric fresheners to remove bad odors.

The disadvantages of the known solutions are either that several steps have to be carried out in succession in order to eliminate both creases and bad odors, for example first smoothing with a steam brush and then spraying with a textile freshener, or that fragrances are produced when the steam is generated through direct contact are exposed to very high thermal loads with heating elements, which can cause them to decompose and lose their effect.

In addition, when using ironing water, it is problematic that perfume oils have a different evaporation behavior than the added water and can therefore accumulate in the tank of the ironing system during use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for smoothing and refreshing textiles which does not have the disadvantages described.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 15.

Advantageous refinements and developments are the subject of the subclaims, the accompanying description and the figures.

According to one aspect of the invention, a functional element for a hand-held steam generator for treating garments is specified, which has a reservoir with an active substance and a device for generating a spray of an active substance with an actuating device for releasing the spray. Furthermore, the functional element has at least one fastening device for fastening the functional element to a steam generator. The functional element can be positioned on the steam generator by means of the fastening device in such a way that a steam flow generated by the steam generator is mixed with the spray by dispensing the spray in the same direction as the steam of the steam generator. It is not necessary that spray and steam be dispensed at exactly the same time. A slight time lag between spray and steam delivery is also conceivable.

The functional element has the advantage that, on the one hand, it provides steam for removing creases from a garment, but on the other hand, by enriching the steam with an active substance, for example a fragrance, it enables the simultaneous removal of bad odors from the garment. It is particularly advantageous that the active substance is admixed to the steam flow only immediately before application to the item of clothing to be treated, or the active substance is applied to the item of clothing to be treated immediately in the form of a spray in the form of a spray. A thermal load on the active substance is therefore particularly low and it is also advantageously possible to use active substances which are not thermally stable.

Since the steam emerges from the steam generator essentially simultaneously with the active substance, or at least only with a slight time lag, the use for a user is particularly simple because it does not require any additional treatment steps. The active substance is preferably applied to the garment to be treated shortly before or simultaneously with the steam.

According to one embodiment, the fastening device has at least one latching element for latching on the steam generator. For example, the functional element can be attached to the steam generator by means of locking hooks or clips. Alternatively, non-positive connections such as clamps or positive connections such as screws are also conceivable.

This embodiment has the advantage that the functional element can be connected to the steam generator in a simple manner as required and can also be removed from it again.

It is therefore possible to use the functional element with a commercially available steam generator and to provide it as an additional device for this.

According to one embodiment, the fastening device has a flat element for arrangement in the steam flow, the flat element having a number of openings through which steam can flow and forming outlet openings for the steam, the device for generating the spray being arranged such that the Spray is mixed into the steam flow in the direction of flow behind the outlet openings. The spray and steam flow are aligned in the same way, so that in addition to the simultaneous dispensing of a spray-steam mixture, a slightly time-delayed independent dispensing of spray and steam onto the item of clothing to be treated is possible.

Alternatively, the device for generating the spray can also be arranged in such a way that the spray is mixed with the steam flow in the flow direction in front of the outlet openings.

In order to achieve a good mixing of the spray with the steam, the spray direction is chosen in such a way that the spray enters the exiting steam stream. Furthermore, steam guide structures can also be provided at the outlet openings for the steam, which give the emerging steam flow a direction that is favorable for the mixture and / or specifically generate turbulence in order to achieve thorough mixing.

According to one embodiment, the functional element thus has steam-conducting structures in an outlet surface which has the outlet openings. On the one hand, as already described, the steam conducting structures have the task of promoting a mixture of the steam with the spray, on the other hand they can also be used to distribute the steam particularly well at the outlet surface, so that it is not only selective, but also over a larger area Surface comes into contact with the textile to be treated and can thus have a particularly effective effect.

According to one embodiment, the reservoir for the active substance is designed to be exchangeable. In particular, it can be arranged to be removable or rotatable and is arranged so that it is easily accessible for easy replacement.

This embodiment has the advantage that when the active substance is consumed, only the reservoir has to be replaced, but not the entire functional element.

Alternatively, the reservoir can also be designed to be refillable, which is particularly advantageous if the active substance is held in the reservoir as a liquid. In this case, the user can easily refill the reservoir.

Alternatively, the active substance can also be kept in the reservoir as an aerosol. In this case, a simple refill by a user is typically not provided, but the emptied reservoir is exchanged for a full one after the active substance has been used up.

The actuating device for releasing the spray can be designed as a lever, button, switch or an actuating element acting as it were. For example, it can either be designed to exert a force on the reservoir or to open a valve on the reservoir.

The design of the actuating device for exerting a force on the reservoir is particularly advantageous when the active substance in the reservoir is under ambient pressure and is, for example, liquid. By actuation, the reservoir can then be squeezed in such a way that active substance emerges from a device for generating a spray, for example from a nozzle.

The design of the actuating device for opening a valve on the reservoir can be advantageous if the active substance in the reservoir is under an increased pressure and exits, for example, through a nozzle when the valve is opened.

These embodiments of the actuating device have the advantage that they are particularly robust and at the same time easy to use. In particular, the design of the actuating device as a lever has the advantage that a user with the same hand can hold an applicator of the steam generator to which the functional element is attached and can simultaneously actuate the lever or the actuating element.

The active substance can in particular be a fragrance, a laundry starch and / or an active substance based on oxygen. Combinations of such active substances are also conceivable. Such active substances are suitable for removing bad odors and dirt or for strengthening textiles.

According to one embodiment, the functional element has steam-conducting structures in an outlet surface that has the outlet openings. These can extend, for example in the form of grooves or depressions, starting from the outlet openings in the outlet surface, in order not only to punctually discharge the escaping steam treating the garment in contact, but to distribute it in such a way that it is effective on the entire exit surface.

According to one embodiment, the functional element has a display element for displaying a consumption of the active substance. This embodiment has the advantage that a user can easily recognize whether the active substance has been used up and whether it is necessary to refill or replace the carrier element. The display element can be, for example, a viewing window on which a fill level of the reservoir can be checked.

According to one aspect of the invention, a hand-held steam generator for treating garments is specified, which has a steam generation unit for generating water vapor and the functional element described. The steam generating unit can in particular comprise a water reservoir for tap water or demineralized water and a heating element. Furthermore, it typically also includes an applicator with which the steam generated is applied to the item of clothing or textile to be treated and to which the functional element is attached.

The hand-held steam generator has the advantages already described in connection with the functional element.

• 1 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 2 zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Dampferzeugers gemäß 1,
• 3 zeigt eine weitere Ansicht des Dampferzeugers gemäß 1,
• 4 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 5 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 6 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung und
• 7 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings.

• 1 shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• 2nd shows a side view of the steam generator according to 1 ,
• 3rd shows a further view of the steam generator according to 1 ,
• 4th shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• 5 shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a third embodiment of the invention,
• 6 shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention and
• 7 shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

1 schematically shows a hand-held steam generator 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, in the figure is of the steam generator 1 just an applicator 2nd shown which can be held in the hand to apply steam to a garment or other textile. The steam generator 1 However, it also includes other elements, in particular a water reservoir and a heating element.

On the applicator 2nd is preferably a functional element in the area of the steam outlet 3rd arranged and by means of a fastening device 5 attached, in the embodiment shown as over an edge of the applicator 2nd foldable edge is formed. Alternatively, the fastening device can, for example, have latching elements, for example latching hooks.

The functional element 3rd has a flat element 12th on which is a steam outlet surface of the applicator 2nd covered. The flat element 12th has a number of breakthroughs 13 on, through the steam arranged in operation from the outlet openings of the applicator, not shown in the figure 2nd can escape to the outside. Steam control structures 14 in the surface 16 of the flat element 12th cause a good distribution of the steam over the entire surface 16 and thus increase the effective area of the steam. In the embodiment shown, the vapor control structures have 14 the shape of elongated depressions in the surface 16 , each breakthrough 13 such a depression is assigned and the depressions extend essentially over the entire surface 16 extend.

The functional element 3rd has a reservoir 4th with an active substance that is suitable for producing a spray and that in the reservoir 4th for example in liquid form or as an aerosol. There is a device for generating a spray 9 provided a bracket 6 to hold the reservoir 4th as well as a nozzle 7 includes.

The facility 9 is in the 2nd and 3rd shown in more detail, wherein in the 2nd For better understanding, especially parts of the bracket 6 are omitted. In these figures it can be seen that the bracket 6 through the fastener 5 on the applicator 2nd is held and a receptacle for the reservoir 4th forms, which can be inserted into and removed from this.

When inserting the reservoir 4th in the holder 6 becomes a fluid connection between the reservoir 4th and the nozzle 7 manufactured so that active substance through the nozzle 7 can leak. However, the facility can 9 also include means for interrupting this flow connection, for example blocking elements or valves. As in the 2nd and 3rd recognizable, includes the facility 9 also a lever 8th or another suitable actuating element as an actuating device for releasing the spray, via which the flow connection can be opened if necessary.

In the in the 1 to 3rd Embodiment shown is by operating the lever 8th by pushing towards the applicator 2nd creates a vacuum in front of the reservoir, the active substance exits the reservoir and as a spray through the nozzle 7 lets kick.

When exiting the nozzle 7 the spray mixes with the breakthroughs 13 escaping steam and thus enriches the steam with active substance.

The 4th to 7 show further embodiments of the functional element 3rd that differ from that in the 1 to 3rd shown essentially only by the type of reservoir 4th and differentiate its connection.

4th shows a reservoir 4th which contains an active substance in the form of an aerosol, which is present in the reservoir 4th is held under pressure. The reservoir 4th is in the by the arrow 15 indicated way into the facility 9 used and connected. When pressing the lever 8th in the direction of the arrow 11 becomes a connection to the nozzle 7 released and pressurized aerosol as a continuous spray through the nozzle 7 released. Is the reservoir 4th emptied, it can be removed and exchanged for a full one.

Such a reservoir 4th has the advantage that it is particularly easy and particularly easy to replace and allows continuous spraying.

5 shows a reservoir 4th , which is designed as a container with a piston crown, which is when the reservoir is emptied 4th into the container. This embodiment corresponds essentially to that in FIGS 1 to 3rd shown. This reservoir too 4th is in the by the arrow 15 indicated or used and exchanged and by means of a hose connection 17th with the nozzle 7 connected. By pressing the lever 8th in the direction of the arrow 11 is in the hose connection 17th a negative pressure is created and active substance emerges from the reservoir 4th out and through the nozzle 7 .

Such a reservoir 4th has the advantage that it is particularly easy to replace, very robust and easy to seal.

6 shows a reservoir 4th , which is designed as a compressible container. This reservoir too 4th is in the by the arrow 15 indicated manner used or exchanged. By pressing the lever 8th in the direction of the arrow 11 becomes the reservoir 4th squeezed and active substance through the nozzle 7 pressed out.

Such a reservoir 4th has the advantage that it is particularly easy to replace, very robust and easy to seal.

7 shows a reservoir 4th that than in a bellows 10 arranged bag is formed with active substance. This reservoir too 4th is in the by the arrow 15 indicated manner used or exchanged. By pressure on the bellows 10 in the direction of the arrow 11 becomes the reservoir 4th squeezed and active substance through the nozzle 7 pressed out.

Such a reservoir 4th has the advantage that it is particularly simple and flexible on the applicator 2nd is attachable.

Reference list

1

Steam generator

2nd

Applicator

3rd

Functional element

4th

reservoir

5

Fastening device

6

bracket

7

jet

8th

lever

9

Facility

10th

bellows

11

arrow

12th

flat element

13

breakthrough

14

Steam control structure

15

arrow

16

surface

17th

Hose connection

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2015/028359 A1 [0002]

Claims (15)

Functional element (3) for a hand-held steam generator for treating garments, the functional element (3) having the following: - a reservoir (4) with an active substance, a device (9) for generating a spray of an active substance with an actuating device for releasing the spray, - At least one fastening device (5) for fastening the functional element (3) to the steam generator, wherein the functional element (3) can be positioned on the steam generator by means of the fastening device (5) such that a steam flow generated by the steam generator is miscible with the spray. Functional element (3) after Claim 1 , wherein the fastening device (5) has at least one latching element for latching on the steam generator. Functional element (3) after Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the fastening device (5) has a flat element (12) for arrangement in the steam flow, the flat element (12) having a number of openings (13) through which steam can flow and which form outlet openings for the steam, the device (9) is arranged to generate the spray in such a way that the spray is mixed with the steam flow in the flow direction behind the outlet openings. Functional element (3) after Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the fastening device (5) has a flat element (12) for arrangement in the steam flow, the flat element (12) having a number of openings (13) through which steam can flow and which form outlet openings for the steam, the device (9) for generating the spray is arranged in such a way that the spray is mixed with the steam flow in the flow direction in front of the outlet openings. Functional element (3) after Claim 3 or 4th , The functional element (3) having steam conducting structures (14) in an outlet surface (16) having the outlet openings. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 The reservoir (4) is designed to be interchangeable. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , The active substance being held in the reservoir (4) as an aerosol or liquid. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , wherein the actuating device for releasing the spray is designed as a lever (8). Functional element (3) after Claim 1 to 8th , wherein the actuating device is designed to exert a force on the reservoir (4). Functional element (3) after Claim 1 to 8th , The actuating device being designed to open a valve on the reservoir (4). Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , wherein the at least one active substance is a fragrance. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one active substance is a laundry starch. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 12th , wherein the at least one active substance is an active substance based on oxygen. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , which has a display element for displaying a consumption of the active substance. Hand-held steam generator (1) for treating items of clothing, the steam generator (1) having a steam generation unit for generating steam and a functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14 having.

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