FR3137395A1 - Steaming device - Google Patents

Abstract

Steaming device (1) having a portable housing (10) comprising a handle (4) and a steaming head (2) connected to the handle (4), the portable housing (10) further comprising: - a steam circuit comprising a steam generator (61); - an air suction circuit extending between at least one suction orifice (22) and at least one suction air outlet orifice and comprising a fan ( 21) intended to be driven in rotation by a motor (23), the fan (21) and the motor (23) being arranged in the steaming head (2); in which the steaming head (2) comprises a face of treatment (20) intended to come opposite a textile part to be smoothed, the treatment face (20) comprising at least one steam outlet orifice (24) connected to the steam circuit and at least one suction orifice ( 22) forming the suction air inlet of the air suction circuit, characterized in that the steaming head (2) comprises an air cooling circuit of the motor (23) extending between at least a cooling air inlet port and at least one cooling air outlet port provided in the steaming head (2), the cooling circuit being separate and distinct from the air suction circuit. Figure for abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Steaming device FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of small household appliances, more precisely to steaming devices.

STATE OF THE ART

To iron a garment, an iron is typically used. Due to the constraints of using an iron (for example, the need for an ironing board), portable steam ironing devices have been developed which do not require the use of an ironing board and which are easy and quick to use. These devices are commonly called “ garment steamer ” or “ steamer ”. Steam irons remove wrinkles by applying a hot steam iron face to the garment while it is hanging on a hanger, in combination with steam release. Steaming devices allow you to remove wrinkles from clothing provided they are used correctly.

In practice, it has been noticed that the user does not stretch the garment sufficiently and does not press the wrinkle removal side sufficiently onto the garment so that the action of the device is limited. The garment is therefore ironed less well than if the device had been used correctly. As a result, steaming devices have been proposed that vacuum the garment in addition to heating it and releasing steam. These improved devices require a motor to operate the suction, which can be prone to overheating.

An aim of the invention is to propose a steaming device, preferably portable, integrating suction technology and optimized to avoid any damage to the device due to its operation.

According to a first aspect, a steaming device is proposed having a portable housing comprising a handle and a steaming head connected to the handle, the portable housing further comprising:
- a steam circuit comprising a steam generator;
- an air suction circuit extending between at least one suction orifice and at least one suction air outlet orifice and comprising a fan intended to be driven in rotation by a motor, the fan and the motor being arranged in the steaming head;
in which the steaming head comprises a treatment face intended to come opposite a textile part to be steamed, the treatment face comprising at least one steam outlet orifice connected to the steam circuit and at least one suction orifice forming the suction air inlet of the air suction circuit,
characterized in that the steaming head comprises an air cooling circuit of the motor extending between at least one cooling air inlet port and at least one cooling air outlet port provided in the steam head. smoothing, the cooling circuit being separate and distinct from the air suction circuit.

According to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics, taken alone or in any combination:

- the cooling circuit comprises a propeller mounted to rotate to circulate air entering through the cooling air inlet port towards the cooling air outlet port;

- the propeller is axial, helico-centrifugal or centrifugal;

- the motor extends from a first end to a second end longitudinally along an axis, the first end being located closer to the treatment face than the second end, and in which the propeller is arranged at the level of the second end of the engine;

- the steaming head comprises a rear face opposite the treatment face and a side face extending between the treatment face and the rear face, and in which the cooling air inlet port is provided at the level of the side face and the cooling air outlet port is provided at the rear face;

- the air suction circuit comprises at least one suction air outlet orifice provided at the rear face;

- the at least one cooling air outlet orifice of the cooling circuit opens into the air suction circuit at the level of the suction air outlet orifice of the air suction circuit ;

- the cooling circuit comprises several cooling air inlet orifices and/or several cooling air outlet orifices;

- the portable box comprises a receiving part comprising an internal wall defining an enclosure in which the motor is placed, the receiving part further comprising blades extending from the internal wall to form on the one hand at least one suction air circulation channel between the at least one air suction orifice and the suction air outlet and on the other hand at least one cooling conduit to allow circulation into the cooling air enclosure entered through the at least one cooling air inlet port;

- each blade is hollow so as to define at least one cooling duct;

- the at least one suction air circulation channel is defined between two blades;

- each blade has a curved shape to straighten the suction air circulating between the at least one air suction port and the suction air outlet port;

-the air suction circuit and the cooling circuit are designed so that the suction air circulates in a direction orthogonal to the direction of circulation of the cooling air at the room level;

- the portable box comprises a base connected to a lower end of the handle, the steam generator being arranged in the base;

- the steam circuit comprises a liquid tank and a pump arranged to circulate the liquid from the liquid tank to the steam generator, the liquid tank and the pump being arranged in the base;

- the base has a flat external face, said external face being intended to place the device on a substantially flat surface.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment. This description will be given with reference to the appended figures including:

- there represents a steaming device according to a certain embodiment;

- there is a side sectional view of the steaming apparatus;

- there is a sectional view from above of the steaming device;

- there is a second sectional view of the steaming apparatus;

- there is a sectional view from above of the steaming device and shows the air circulation

- there is a side view of the steaming device;

- there is a part of a CC sectional view of the steaming device according to the cutting plane indicated in .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Note that in this document, the terms "vertical", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear" used to describe the steaming device refer to this device when it rests flat on its base .

There represents a steaming device 1 having a portable housing 10 comprising a handle 4 surmounted by a steaming head 2 comprising a treatment face 20 intended to come opposite a textile part to be steamed. The side of the portable box 10 where the processing face 20 is arranged corresponds to the front part of the portable box 10.

The steaming device has the particularity of further comprising a base 6 in the extension of the handle 4 on the opposite side of the steaming head 2.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the portable box 10 further comprises an air suction circuit comprising a fan 21 intended to be driven in rotation by a motor 23 and comprising at least one air outlet orifice of suction 201. The fan 21 and the motor 23 are preferably arranged in the steaming head 2.

The portable box 10 also includes a steam circuit comprising a steam generator 61. Such a steam generator 61 is preferably placed in the base 6.

The steam circuit is adapted to allow the emission of steam at the treatment face 20 and the air suction circuit is adapted to allow air suction at the treatment face 20.

Preferably, the portable case is made of a plastic material. For example, the portable case may be made of polypropylene or polycarbonate.

As its name suggests, the case is portable. Consequently, it is intended to be carried by an individual and the device is intended to be manipulated with one hand, in particular by being held by the handle 4.

The portable box 10 preferably comprises control means 8 (for example in the form of a button) configured to control the emission of steam and the suction of air. The control means 8 are preferably arranged on the handle 4. These control means 8 are preferably intended to be actuated by the user with the hand used to carry the portable box of the steaming device.

In addition, the handle 4 is intended to contain electrical cables, for example to electrically power the motor 23.

The handle 4 preferably has a mass of around 50 grams.

The base 6 comprises a flat external face 60 intended to place the device on a substantially flat surface S in a so-called rest position, illustrated in the . This face 60 is preferably a distal face of the base 6.

When the device 1 is in its rest position, the longitudinal axis P of the handle 4 (illustrated in ) is preferably slightly inclined forward. Specifically, the portable box 10 is configured so that the longitudinal axis P makes a non-zero angle with an axis orthogonal to the external face 60 (corresponding to the installation surface of S of the device), for example an angle of l 'order of 15°.

According to another embodiment, the longitudinal axis P of the handle 4 is perpendicular to the external face 60.

Preferably, the base 6 has a rear face provided with a button allowing the device to be powered on.

Preferably, the base 6 also includes an electrical power cord allowing its connection to a domestic electrical network. The cord may be removable.

The cord preferably has a length greater than 200cm. The cord has a mass preferably of the order of 150 grams when the device 1 is carried by a user at approximately 1.5 meters in height relative to the ground.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the steaming device 1 does not include a base 6. Thus, the power button can for example be placed on the portable box 10 and more precisely on the steaming head 2. Likewise, the cord can be connected to the portable box 10 and more precisely to the steaming head 2.

The steaming appliance 1 preferably comprises a steam generator 61 forming part of the steam circuit. The steam generator 61 is adapted to generate steam from liquid coming from a liquid reservoir 62. The steam generator 61 defines an enclosure intended to accommodate liquid, and the steam generator 61 preferably comprises at least one shielded heating element 65 making it possible to heat the liquid coming from the reservoir 62 in the enclosure. The steam generator 61 is preferably connected to a conduit 41 of the steam circuit arranged to allow the circulation of steam from the steam generator 61 to the steaming head 2.

The steam generator 61 is typically made of a metal body, for example aluminum, and preferably has a mass of around 250 grams. This mass typically includes the mass of the aluminum structure, the shielded heating element 65, electrical safety and thermal regulation elements as well as a concentrator which are preferably included in the steam generator 61.

The liquid reservoir 62 is preferably included in the portable housing 10 and placed in the base 6. According to an embodiment not shown, the reservoir 62 is removable.

According to the embodiment illustrated in , the reservoir 62 is arranged in the front part of the portable box 10, or more specifically the front part of the base 6.

The reservoir 62 preferably comprises a transparent envelope, defining the external wall of the reservoir 62, provided with a removable cap 620 allowing the filling of the reservoir 62. The reservoir 62 is adapted to contain a liquid, typically water or a solution liquid diluted in water.

The reservoir 62 preferably has a capacity of approximately 100 mL. When empty, the tank preferably has a mass of around 50 grams. For example, tank 62, when it contains approximately 100 grams of water and is therefore 100% filled, has a mass of around 150 grams.

Also preferably, the steam circuit comprises a pump 63 arranged to circulate liquid from the tank 62 to the steam generator 61 and this pump 63 is advantageously arranged in the base 6.

The pump 63 preferably has a mass of around 50 grams.

According to a possible embodiment represented in , the steam generator 61, the tank 62 and the pump 63 are included in the portable box 10 and more precisely in the base 6.

According to another embodiment not illustrated, the steam generator 61, the tank 62 and the pump 63 are not included in the portable housing 10 but are included in a base offset from the portable housing 10. This base is preferably connected to the portable box 10 via a flexible conduit which allows steam to circulate from the steam generator 61 to the steaming head 2.

The steaming head 2 is connected to an upper end of the handle 4 and the base 6 is connected to a lower end of the handle 4 opposite the upper end. According to the embodiment represented in , the lower part of the handle 4 has a flared shape, the cross section of which gradually increases as it approaches the base 6.

The steaming head 2 comprises a front end provided with the treatment face 20 intended to come opposite a textile piece to be steamed. The steaming head 2 also preferably has a rear end opposite the front end and provided with a rear face opposite the treatment face 20. Also, the steaming head 2 preferably has a side face extending between the rear face and the treatment face 20.

The treatment face 20 preferably comprises a treatment plate 200, preferably metallic, for example a treatment plate 200 made of aluminum.

This treatment plate 200 can for example be a heating plate 200 to improve wrinkle removal as explained below. Such a heating plate 200 can be heated by one or more heating elements 26 arranged in the steaming head near the treatment face 20.

The treatment face 20 comprises at least one steam outlet orifice 24 connected to the steam circuit and at least one suction port 22 connected to the air suction circuit.

The treatment face 20 can have different shapes such as, for example, a rectangular or triangular shape. Preferably, it comprises a plurality of steam outlet orifices 24 and a plurality of suction orifices 22.

The various steam outlet orifices and suction orifices may have the shape of holes or slots. In the example shown in , the steam outlet orifices 24 take the form of holes and the suction orifices 22 take the form of a slot.

Advantageously, a secondary steam generator 25 is arranged in the steaming head 2. The secondary steam generator 25 is part of the steam circuit. The secondary steam generator 25 is preferably connected to the conduit 41. In fact, the secondary steam generator 25 makes it possible to re-vaporize liquid coming from the steam generator 61, called the "primary steam generator", having circulated in the conduit 41. Indeed, during its circulation in conduit 41, the steam can cool to the point that part of the steam condenses. Thus, steam condensates circulate to the secondary steam generator 25. The secondary steam generator 25 preferably allows these condensates to be vaporized so that there is no liquid which is emitted via the outlet orifices of steam 24. It is particularly advantageous to avoid liquid being emitted via the steam outlet orifices 24 since this would wet the treated textile part and would not allow it to be properly smoothed. To vaporize the condensates, the secondary steam generator 25 preferably comprises at least one heating element 26 of the PTC thermistor type or shielded heating element. The secondary steam generator 25 can also be called an “evaporator” since it allows the steam having been generated by the steam generator 61 to be reheated.

Preferably, the heating element(s) 26 of the secondary steam generator 25 are in thermal contact with the treatment face 20. Thus, the treatment face 20, preferably more precisely the heating plate 200, can be heated by the or the heating elements 26 of the secondary steam generator 25, which allows more effective steaming when the treatment face 20 is placed opposite a textile part.

According to an embodiment not shown, a silicone part is placed between the heating element(s) 26 of the secondary steam generator 25 and the treatment face 20 so that the temperature of the treatment face 20 does not exceed a certain threshold. temperature, typically 150°C.

The secondary steam generator 25 is typically made of a metal body, for example aluminum.

The secondary steam generator 25 also preferably includes electrical safety and thermal regulation elements.

The assembly comprising the treatment face 20 and the secondary steam generator 25 thus preferably has a mass of around 100 grams.

The steaming head 2 includes the air suction circuit which extends between the suction orifices 22 and the suction air outlet 201. The circulation of suction air in the circuit air suction is schematized with solid arrows in . The air suction circuit also includes the fan 21 and the motor 23. The fan 21 and the motor 23 are arranged in the steaming head 2.

Preferably, the motor 23 is arranged inside the steaming head 2 in the axial extension of the treatment face 20. The motor 23 extends along a longitudinal axis M illustrated in .

In accordance with the , the steaming head 2 has a slender shape extending transversely to the handle 4, preferably forming an angle α of the order of 65° relative to the longitudinal axis P of the handle. Preferably, the handle 4 extends along an axis which passes through at least part of the motor 23. The axes P and M are advantageously intersecting.

The motor 23 is adapted to drive the fan 21 in rotation. The fan 21, forming part of the air suction circuit, allows the suction of air from the air suction ports 22.

The assembly comprising the motor 23 and the fan 21 preferably has a mass of around 300 grams.

Preferably, the air suction circuit is configured to allow an air suction flow rate greater than 10 m3/h and less than 60 m3/h and, more preferably, an air suction flow rate greater than 20 m3/h and less than 50 m3/h.

The suction air outlet 201 is preferably arranged at the rear face. By “at the rear face”, it is understood that the suction air outlet 201 is arranged on the rear face or on the side face near the rear face. If the suction air outlet 201 is arranged on the side face, it is preferably arranged at a distance from the rear face of less than 9 cm.

The steaming head 2 comprises an air cooling circuit of the motor 23 extending between at least one cooling air inlet orifice 203 and at least one cooling air outlet orifice 202 provided in the steaming head. smoothing 2. The circulation of cooling air in the cooling circuit is shown schematically with dotted arrows in . The air cooling circuit of the engine 23 aims to allow the cooling of the engine 23 which, when in operation, heats up. If the motor 23 reaches a certain critical temperature threshold, it may malfunction and it is therefore desirable to cool it. Preferably, the steaming head 2 comprises at least two primary cooling air inlet orifices 203 and at least two cooling air outlet orifices 202.

The cooling circuit is separate and distinct from the air suction circuit as illustrated in . According to this advantageous arrangement, the motor 23 is cooled efficiently while avoiding any damage to the motor by circulation of steam-laden air in the motor.

As illustrated in , the cooling air inlet orifice 203 is preferably disposed on the side face of the steaming head 2. Also preferably, the cooling air outlet orifice 202 is disposed at the level of the face back. If the cooling air outlet 202 is arranged on the side face, it is preferably arranged at a distance from the rear face of less than 8 cm. Also preferably, it is preferably placed at a distance from the rear face greater than 1 cm.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the cooling air outlet orifice 202 of the cooling circuit opens into the air suction circuit at the level of the suction air outlet 201 of the circuit air suction. By “at the suction air outlet port”, it is meant that the cooling air outlet 202 is arranged close to the suction air outlet 201 , for example at a distance from the suction air outlet 201 less than 2 cm. This makes it possible to generate a Venturi effect and increase the speed of circulation of the suction air and the cooling air (and thus optimize the cooling within the device).

Advantageously, as illustrated in , the cooling circuit further comprises a propeller 27 mounted in rotation to circulate air entering through the cooling air inlet orifice 203 towards the cooling air outlet 202. propeller 27 makes it possible to guide the air along the path illustrated by the dotted arrows in . The propeller 27 can be axial, helico-centrifugal or centrifugal.

The propeller 27 can be arranged in different positions with respect to the motor 23. The motor 23 extends from a first end to a second end longitudinally along an axis. The first end is located closer to the treatment face 20 than the second end. The propeller 27 can for example be arranged at the first end or the second end of the motor 23, in other words at the front or at the rear of the motor 23. It is however preferable that the propeller is positioned in the rear part of the engine 23, which in particular makes it possible to optimize the air flow circulating in the cooling circuit. In particular, positioning the propeller in the rear part of the engine 23 makes it possible to limit load losses.

Preferably, the portable housing 10 comprises a receiving part 29 comprising an internal wall defining an enclosure in which the motor 23 is arranged. This receiving part 29 is therefore preferably included in the steaming head 2. The receiving part is illustrated in representing part of the sectional view CC of the device 1 whose sectional plane is schematized in . The receiving part 29 comprises blades 204 extending from the internal wall to form, on the one hand, at least one suction air circulation channel between the air suction orifice 22 and the suction air outlet orifice 201 and, on the other hand, at least one cooling conduit to allow circulation into the enclosure of cooling air entered through the at least one inlet orifice cooling air 203. The receiving part 29 is thus cleverly designed to allow a cooling circuit and a separate and distinct air suction circuit. In addition, the receiving part 29 allows the circulation of cooling air near the motor 23 while avoiding the circulation of suction air (loaded with steam) near the motor 23. Advantageously, as illustrated in and in , the air suction circuit and the cooling circuit are designed so that the suction air flows in a direction orthogonal to the direction of circulation of the cooling air at the room.

Preferably, each blade 204 is hollow so as to define at least one cooling conduit. Also preferably, the suction air circulation channel is defined between two blades 204.

Preferably, the receiving part 29 has an air rectifier function. More precisely, each blade 204 preferably has a curved shape to straighten the suction air circulating between the at least one air suction orifice 22 and the suction air outlet 201. Thus, the suction air is guided and circulates more quickly.

The operation of the device will now be described.

When the user wishes to use the device, he fills the reservoir 62 with liquid (preferably water) then turns on the device 1 by pressing the button to turn it on. It is assumed that the device has previously been connected to a domestic electrical network via the cord. The heating element of the primary steam generator 61 and the secondary steam generator 25 where applicable is then supplied with current so as to reach its operating temperature, advantageously regulated by means of a thermostat.

When the user wishes to use the device in a vertical steaming position, he brings the treatment face 20 vertically opposite the textile piece to be steamed then presses the control means 8 (here preferably a button), which has the effect of operating the pump 63 and allowing the flow of liquid from the reservoir 62 to the primary steam generator 61.

The steam produced in the primary steam generator 61 then escapes through conduit 4 towards the possible secondary steam generator 25 then through the steam outlet orifices 24. The steam is then diffused onto the textile part which, combined with the heating and drying action of the treatment plate 200, makes it possible to remove wrinkles.

Simultaneously, the control means 8 can be provided to activate a suction of air coming in combination with the emission of steam. For example, pressing the control means 8 can make it possible to supply the motor 23 with electricity, which thus begins to operate. Consequently, the fan 21 is rotated and air is sucked in via the suction orifices 22. The suction makes it possible in particular to press the textile part onto the treatment face 20. The emission of steam combined with the suction thus makes it possible to optimize smoothing. Furthermore, the suction of air also helps to promote drying of the portion of the textile piece which has just been subjected to steam. It has been found that this particular process allows the smoothing effect to be maintained for longer after treating the textile piece.

According to another embodiment, the control means 8 allow the user to control the suction in a manner uncorrelated with the control of the steam emission. Thus, the user could control the steam emission only or combined with suction.

During treatment, the user can move the device 1 in a vertical direction, for example from top to bottom, to treat all or part of the textile piece.

The device 1 could also be used occasionally in a horizontal steaming position, for example to steam a textile piece placed horizontally against a table, by bringing the treatment face 20 horizontally above the textile piece.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and represented in the appended figures. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various technical characteristics or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from general education.

Claims (13)

Steaming device (1) having a portable housing (10) comprising a handle (4) and a steaming head (2) connected to the handle (4), the portable housing (10) further comprising:
- a steam circuit comprising a steam generator (61);
- an air suction circuit extending between at least one suction orifice (22) and at least one suction air outlet orifice (201) and comprising a fan (21) intended to be driven rotated by a motor (23), the fan (21) and the motor (23) being arranged in the steaming head (2);
in which the steaming head (2) comprises a treatment face (20) intended to come opposite a textile part to be steamed, the treatment face (20) comprising at least one steam outlet orifice (24) connected to the steam circuit and at least one suction orifice (22) forming the suction air inlet of the air suction circuit,
characterized in that the steaming head (2) comprises an air cooling circuit of the motor (23) extending between at least one cooling air inlet orifice (203) and at least one outlet orifice d cooling air (202) provided in the steaming head (2), the cooling circuit being separate and distinct from the air suction circuit. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a propeller (27) rotatably mounted to circulate air entering through the cooling air inlet port (203) to the outlet port cooling air (202). Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the propeller (27) is axial, helico-centrifugal or centrifugal. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 and 3, in which the motor (23) extends from a first end to a second end longitudinally along an axis, the first end being located closer to the treatment face (20 ) than the second end, and in which the propeller (27) is arranged at the second end of the motor (23). Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the steaming head (2) comprises a rear face opposite the treatment face (20) and a lateral face extending between the treatment face (20) and the rear face, and in which the cooling air inlet port (203) is provided at the side face and the cooling air outlet port (202) is provided at the rear face . Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the air suction circuit comprises at least one suction air outlet orifice (201) provided at the rear face. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the at least one cooling air outlet orifice (202) of the cooling circuit opens into the air suction circuit at the level of the air outlet orifice d suction (201) of the air suction circuit. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the cooling circuit comprises several cooling air inlet orifices (203) and/or several cooling air outlet orifices (202). Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the portable box (10) comprises a receiving part (29) comprising an internal wall defining an enclosure in which the motor (23) is arranged, the receiving part (29 ) further comprising blades (204) extending from the internal wall to form on the one hand at least one suction air circulation channel between the at least one suction orifice (22) d air and the suction air outlet orifice (201) and on the other hand at least one cooling conduit to allow circulation into the enclosure of cooling air entered through the at least one orifice cooling air inlet (203). Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each blade (204) is hollow so as to define the at least one cooling conduit. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one suction air circulation channel is defined between two blades (204). Apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein each blade (204) has a curved shape to straighten the suction air flowing between the at least one suction port (22) and the outlet port suction air (201). Apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 12, in which the air suction circuit and the cooling circuit are designed so that the suction air circulates in a direction orthogonal to the direction of circulation of the cooling air at the receiving room (29).