WO2024012722A1 - Défroisseur à vapeur à unité d'accueil détachable - Google Patents

Défroisseur à vapeur à unité d'accueil détachable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024012722A1
WO2024012722A1 PCT/EP2023/054825 EP2023054825W WO2024012722A1 WO 2024012722 A1 WO2024012722 A1 WO 2024012722A1 EP 2023054825 W EP2023054825 W EP 2023054825W WO 2024012722 A1 WO2024012722 A1 WO 2024012722A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
supporting arm
cavity
extremity
pole assembly
steamer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/054825
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mun Kong Soo
Han Wei Kenny SHIN
Lihong Zhao
Lea Heng LEE
Original Assignee
Versuni Holding B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Versuni Holding B.V. filed Critical Versuni Holding B.V.
Publication of WO2024012722A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024012722A1/fr

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F79/00—Accessories for hand irons
    • D06F79/02—Stands or supports neither attached to, nor forming part of, the iron or ironing board
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F73/00—Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F75/00—Hand irons
    • D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
    • D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F75/00—Hand irons
    • D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
    • D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
    • D06F75/12—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water supplied to the iron from an external source
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F81/00—Ironing boards 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F81/00—Ironing boards 
    • D06F81/003—Ironing boards  with flat iron support

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a garment steamer having a steamer head and a detachable docking unit for docking the steamer head.
  • the invention may be used in the field of garment care.
  • Garment steamers are known to be used for ironing or steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture from steam.
  • One type of garment steamer is a so-called stand garment steamer that comprises a base, which base houses a water reservoir and a steam generating unit.
  • a steamer head (also called ironing device) is connected to the base by a flexible hose through which steam is delivered to the steamer head.
  • the steamer head is provided with a steam plate, also known as a soleplate, delimiting one or more steam vents through which steam is discharged onto a fabric being treated.
  • the garment may be hung on a hanger during treatment by the garment steamer, with the user positioning the steamer head over the garment to remove creases.
  • Stand garment steamers tend to include a garment support feature and/or accessory, such as an ironing board or mat to assist the user to attain better and quicker de-wrinkling results.
  • the ironing board is often mounted on a pole assembly.
  • such stand garment steamers can include a tiltable ironing board. Tilting of the ironing board enables garments to be orientated at different angles when being treated with steam. A horizontal orientation is often desired by the user because of the user being in the habit of ironing garments, especially long pants and formal shirts with long sleeves.
  • a docking unit in other words a support device, by the side of the pole assembly or by the side of the ironing board.
  • Positioning such a docking unit so that the steamer head can be easily placed on and easily picked up from the docking unit can be challenging, particularly when the docking unit is to be conveniently used when the ironing board is tilted at different angular orientations, for example horizontal and vertical orientations.
  • WO 2014/102671 A2 discloses a device for guiding a flex of a garment care appliance that, during use of the appliance, hangs downwardly from the appliance.
  • the device comprises a guide tube having a passage therethrough to slideably receive the flex of the garment care appliance, and an attachment part for attachment of the guide tube to a support such that the guide tube is positioned in proximity to, or below, a height at which the appliance is being used.
  • a lower part of the flex that hangs through and below the guide tube maintains an upper part of the flex, extending between the appliance and the guide tube, substantially straight or taut during movement of the appliance towards and away from the device.
  • CN 205603917 U discloses a garment treatment system comprising a steamer head, a steam generator, a steam hose connecting the steam generator with the steamer head, and an assembly for docking the steamer head.
  • the garment steamer of the present invention comprises: a base, a steamer head, a hose cord for connecting the base to the steamer head, a pole assembly comprising at least one pole, a docking unit for docking the steamer head during a non-active steaming period, and a supporting arm having a first extremity for supporting the docking unit and a second extremity detachably connectable to the pole assembly via a pole assembly coupling means allowing a translational horizontal relative movement between the supporting arm and the pole assembly when the supporting arm is being attached to or detached from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the supporting arm has a dimension, e.g. a length dimension, that extends from the first extremity to the second extremity.
  • the pole assembly coupling means can be regarded as defining a specific axis along which the translational horizontal relative movement is guided by the pole assembly coupling means during attachment of the supporting arm to or detachment of the supporting arm from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the dimension, e.g. length dimension, of the supporting arm is, for instance, aligned along the specific axis during the translational horizontal relative movement that attaches the supporting arm to or detaches the supporting arm from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the pole assembly coupling means can comprise a snap-fit mechanism configured to secure the supporting arm in response to a defined point during the translational horizontal relative movement between the supporting arm and the pole assembly being reached.
  • the supporting arm being detachably connectable to the pole assembly may have various advantages. For example, this enables a more compact packaging of the garment steamer which in turn facilitate transportation and shipment.
  • the capability to detach the supporting arm from the pole assembly can enable the docking unit to be mounted elsewhere on the garment care device. The latter can assist the docking unit to be conveniently positioned for the user.
  • the translational horizontal relative movement to connect and detach the supporting arm from the pole assembly is considered to be more user-friendly than, for example, vertical, e.g. upwards or downwards, movement of the supporting arm in order for the supporting arm to connect to, or detach from, the pole assembly.
  • the docking unit Since the arrangement of the docking unit enables the user to pick-up the steamer head in a pick-up direction at an angle to the horizontal along which the supporting arm translates to detach from the pole assembly, the risk of unintentional detachment of the supporting arm from the pole assembly when the user picks up the steamer head may be reduced.
  • the translational horizontal relative movement can be, for example, a horizontal sliding relative movement.
  • the pole assembly coupling means comprises a first coupling mechanism.
  • the first coupling mechanism comprises a first cavity arranged on the pole assembly, with the first cavity forming a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity of the supporting arm.
  • cavity as used herein can be alternatively termed a “sheath” due to the cavity’s hollow volume that receives the second extremity of the supporting arm.
  • the second extremity of the supporting arm has an external surface, and the first cavity is delimited by a first wall having a first internal surface.
  • the external surface preferably has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the first internal surface.
  • first cavity and the second extremity are shaped such that the second extremity can be received in and engage with the first internal surface of the first cavity.
  • the term “substantially the same” refers to the respective cross-sectional shapes of the internal surface and the external surface being sufficiently similar to enable the second extremity to be received in and engage with the first internal surface of the first cavity.
  • substantially the same correspondingly encompasses the inclusion of surface features, such as protrusions and/or recesses, in one or both of the internal surface and the external surface provided that such surface features do not prevent the second extremity being received in and engaging with the first internal surface of the first cavity.
  • the first internal surface of the first wall preferably comprises a first plurality of linear protruding ribs.
  • Such first plurality of linear protruding ribs can assist to engage and guide the second extremity into the first cavity whilst limiting a contact area between the external surface of the second extremity and the first internal surface of the first cavity. The latter may help to minimise friction when connecting and detaching the supporting arm from the pole assembly.
  • Such protruding ribs can also help in terms of better controlling manufacturing tolerances compared to the scenario in which no protruding ribs are included.
  • the first plurality of linear protruding ribs preferably each extend parallel to the axis along which the translational relative movement of the supporting arm connects to and detaches from the pole assembly.
  • opposing portions of the first internal surface can be provided with the protruding ribs.
  • the user is given an assurance of stability and quality of the supporting arm.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the external surface and the cross-sectional shape of the first internal surface are both substantially rectangular.
  • Such a substantially rectangular shape can assist to avoid unwanted rotation of the supporting arm within the first cavity.
  • other polygonal cross-sectional shapes such as square, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and so on, can also be contemplated for this purpose.
  • the supporting arm comprises a flexible tongue with a protruding catch at the tongue’s extremity
  • the first wall comprises a first slot.
  • the protruding catch is cooperable with the first slot to lock the supporting arm in the first cavity.
  • the protruding catch and the first slot form a snap-fit mechanism for locking/retaining the supporting arm in the first cavity.
  • Such a snap-fit mechanism can provide a user-friendly way of connecting and detaching the supporting arm and the pole assembly to and from each other.
  • the flexible tongue and the protruding catch are arranged on a top surface of the supporting arm.
  • the pole assembly coupling means comprises a second coupling mechanism.
  • the second coupling mechanism comprises a second cavity arranged on the pole assembly for receiving the second extremity of the supporting arm.
  • the second cavity forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity of the supporting arm.
  • the second cavity is preferably arranged at 180 degrees compared to said first cavity.
  • the supporting arm can be connected to opposite sides of the pole assembly.
  • the garment steamer can be comfortably used by both right-handed and left-handed users.
  • the first cavity is arranged at a first side of the pole assembly
  • the second cavity is arranged at a second side of the pole assembly opposite to the first side, with the first and second cavities opening out in opposite directions relative to and from each other.
  • the second cavity is preferably delimited by a second wall having a second internal surface.
  • the external surface of the second extremity of the supporting arm has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the second internal surface, for example with the cross-sectional shape of the external surface and the cross-sectional shape of the second internal surface being both polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first cavity.
  • the second internal surface of the second wall delimiting the second cavity preferably comprises a second plurality of linear protruding ribs, similarly as described above in relation to the first cavity.
  • the second wall comprises a second slot, and the protruding catch arranged on the flexible tongue of the supporting arm is cooperable with the second slot to lock the supporting arm in the second cavity.
  • This locking has the same benefits as described above in respect of the first cavity.
  • the second cavity is structurally identical to the first cavity.
  • the docking unit is detachably mounted on the first extremity of the supporting arm by a coupling allowing the docking unit to be detached and re-attached in two angular directions being 180 degrees for each other.
  • the docking unit comprises a support plate for supporting the steamer head from underneath.
  • a steam plate of the steamer head which steam plate delimits at least one steam vent, is restable on the support plate.
  • the support plate is tilted compared to the horizontal plane with an angle in the range 30-70 degrees.
  • the support plate comprises a side support member extending from a peripheral portion of support plate to laterally support the steamer head.
  • the garment steamer further comprises an ironing board mounted on the pole assembly.
  • the ironing board comprises a board coupling means allowing a translational relative movement between the supporting arm and the ironing board when the supporting arm is attached to or detached from the board coupling means.
  • the board coupling means comprises a snap-fit mechanism configured to secure the supporting arm in response to a defined point during the translational relative movement between the supporting arm and the ironing board being reached.
  • the board coupling means comprises a board cavity opening-up on a periphery of the ironing board.
  • the board cavity forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity of the supporting arm.
  • the ironing board extends longitudinally between a first extremity and a second extremity, and the board cavity opens-up at said first extremity and/or said second extremity.
  • the first extremity preferably tapers towards a sharper end of the ironing board, which sharper end is opposite a broader end of the second extremity of the ironing board.
  • the board cavity is preferably delimited by a wall having an internal surface, with the internal surface of the wall delimiting the board cavity having a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the external surface of the second extremity of the supporting arm, for example with the cross-sectional shape being polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first cavity and the second cavity.
  • the internal surface of the wall delimiting the board cavity comprises a plurality of linear protruding ribs, as also described above in relation to the first cavity and the second cavity.
  • a slot is arranged in the wall delimiting the board cavity, with the above-described protruding catch being cooperable with the slot to lock the supporting arm in the board cavity.
  • the same design of snap-fit mechanism can be used to detachably connect the supporting arm to the ironing board as that used to detachably connect the supporting arm to the pole assembly. This may provide a consistent engagement method at the pole assembly and the ironing board locations of the garment steamer. This may further increase the user-friendliness of the garment steamer.
  • Fig.1 depicts a garment steamer according to an example of the invention
  • Fig.lA depicts a three-dimensional view of the garment steamer of Fig.l
  • Fig.2 depicts a supporting arm, docking unit and steamer head of the garment steamer shown in Fig.l,
  • Fig.3 depicts part of a pole assembly coupling means by which the supporting arm is detachably coupled to a pole assembly of the garment steamer shown in Fig.l,
  • Fig.3A depicts a zoom-in view of Fig.3,
  • Fig.4 depicts another part of the pole assembly coupling means by which the supporting arm is detachably coupled
  • Fig.4A depicts is a zoomed-in view of the supporting arm and a mounting portion of the docking unit according to the invention
  • Fig.4B depicts a lateral view of the supporting arm and the docking unit according to the invention
  • Fig.4C depicts is zoomed-in cross-sectional view of the coupling between the supporting arm and a mounting portion of the docking unit according to the invention
  • Fig.5 depicts the steamer head in a first orientation in which the body of the steamer head substantially extends perpendicular to the supporting arm, for coupling the supporting arm to the pole assembly,
  • Fig.5 A depicts the steamer head in a second orientation being rotated by 180 degrees from the first orientation
  • Fig.6 depicts a translational movement for coupling the supporting arm to an ironing board included in the garment steamer shown in Fig.l,
  • Fig.7 provides another view of the ironing board of the garment steamer shown in
  • Fig.8 depicts a board coupling means by which the supporting arm is detachably coupled to the ironing board of the garment steamer shown in Fig.l, and
  • Fig.9 provides another view of part of the board coupling means shown in Fig.8.
  • Fig.l and Fig.l A depicts a garment care device 100 according to an example.
  • the garment care device 100 comprises a base 102 and a steamer head 104.
  • a hose cord 106 connects the base 102 to the steamer head 104.
  • At least one steam vent is provided in the steamer head 104, and in particular in a steam plate of the steamer head 104, for releasing steam to a garment to be treated.
  • the base 102 preferably comprises a water tank (not visible in the Figures).
  • the water tank stores water used to generate steam.
  • the garment care device 100 further comprises a steam generator (also not visible in the Figures) to which the water stored in the water tank is supplied.
  • the steam generator is included in the base 102, and the steam generated by the steam generator is supplied to the steamer head 104 via the hose cord 106.
  • the steamer head 104 preferably includes a steam heater (not visible in the Figures) arranged to re-heat the steam received from the steam generator, prior to the steam exiting the steamer head 104 via the at least one steam vent.
  • the steam heater may assist to minimise the risk of spitting water droplets onto the garment being treated.
  • the garment care device 100 comprises a pole assembly 108.
  • the pole assembly 108 preferably supports an ironing board 140.
  • the pole assembly 108 comprises at least one pole.
  • the pole assembly can be regarded, in other words, as a support assembly whose purpose is to support an ironing surface against which the garment being treated can be placed.
  • the garment care device 100 shown in Fig.l and Fig.l A can be regarded as a stand steamer.
  • the pole assembly 108 can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy, and/or an engineering thermoplastic.
  • the ironing board 140 is preferably tiltable between a vertical orientation, as shown in Fig.l, and a horizontal orientation, as shown in Fig.l A.
  • the vertical orientation can be used for steaming hanging garments
  • the horizontal orientation can be used for ironing.
  • the garment care device 100 comprises a docking unit 110 for docking the steamer head 104.
  • the steamer head 104 can be docked in, in other words supported by, the docking unit 110 while the steamer head 104 is not being held by the user, in other words during a non-active steaming period.
  • the docking unit 110 and the ironing board 140 can be made of any suitable mechanically robust material, such as an engineering thermoplastic.
  • the docking unit 110 preferably comprises a support plate 111 A arranged to support the steamer head 104 from underneath, and a side support member 11 IB extending from a peripheral portion of the support plate 111A to laterally support the steamer head 104.
  • the support plate 111A is preferably arranged such that the steamer head 104 is supported by the docking unit 110 at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. This can assist the user in easily picking up the steamer head 104 and easily returning the steamer head 104 to the docking unit 110.
  • the support plate 111A is tilted compared to the horizontal plane with an angle in the range 30-70 degrees.
  • the side support member 11 IB can assist to retain the steamer head 104 on the docking unit 110 in spite of the support plate 111 A being angled relative to the horizontal.
  • the support plate 111A preferably comprises a surface comprising a thermally insulating material on which the steam plate of the steamer head 104 can rest.
  • the garment care device 100 further comprises a supporting arm 112 for supporting the docking unit 110. In the configuration shown in Fig.l, the docking unit 110 is connected to the pole assembly 108 via the supporting arm 112.
  • the supporting arm 112 comprises a first extremity 114.
  • the docking unit 110 is coupled to the supporting arm 112 at the first extremity 114.
  • the docking unit 110 is detachably mounted on the first extremity 114 of the supporting arm 112 by a coupling allowing the docking unit 110 to be detached and reattached in two angular directions being 180 degrees for each other.
  • the docking unit 110 can thus be orientated such that it always faces the most convenient direction for proper docking of the steamer head 104 by user, whether the supporting arm 112 is attached to a cavity on the right side or to a cavity on the left side of pole assembly 108.
  • Fig.5 depicts the steamer head 104 in a first orientation in which the body of the steamer head substantially extends perpendicular to the supporting arm 112 (the supporting arm 112 being received inside the first cavity 118A), while Fig.5A depicts the steamer head 104 in a second orientation being rotated by 180 degrees from the first orientation (the supporting arm 112 being received inside the second cavity 118B).
  • the detachable coupling of the docking unit 110 to the supporting arm 112 at the first extremity 114 can be implemented in any suitable manner.
  • a protrusion 115A protruding from the first extremity 114 of the supporting arm 112 is releasably received within, and engages, a recess defined in a mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110.
  • the mounting portion 115B in this non- limiting example extends from an underside of the support plate 111A.
  • the mounting portion 115B has a cylindrical symmetry, so that its rotation by 180 degrees still makes it possible the coupling between the mounting portion 115B and the protrusion 115A.
  • Fig.4A depicts is a zoomed-in view of the supporting arm 112 and the mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110 according to the invention
  • Fig.4B depicts a lateral view of the supporting arm and the docking unit according to the invention
  • Fig.4C depicts a zoomed-in cross-sectional view of the coupling between the supporting arm and the mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110 according to the invention.
  • the docking unit 110 is for example detachably mounted to the supporting arm 112 via a “pin and hole” mechanism.
  • the button 117 When the button 117 is actuated by the user (the button 117 being spring-loaded by a spring 121), the pin 119 (which moves together with the button 117) retracts from the hole 120 formed in the mounting portion 115B, and the mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110 can thus be detached from the protrusion 115A of the supporting arm 112.
  • the force exerted by the spring causes the pin 119 to extend into the hole 120 and thus lock the docking unit in place on the supporting arm 112.
  • a second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 is detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108.
  • the supporting arm 112 being detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108 may have various advantages. For example, this enables detachment of the docking unit 110 so that the garment steamer 100 is easier to store after use. Alternatively or additionally, the capability to detach the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108 can enable the docking unit 110 to be mounted elsewhere on the garment care device 100, as will be described in more detail herein below. The latter can assist the docking unit 110 to be conveniently positioned for the user, for instance according to the orientation of the ironing board 140, e.g. the horizontal or vertical orientation.
  • the second extremity 116 is detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108 via a pole assembly coupling means allowing a translational horizontal relative movement between the supporting arm 112 and the pole assembly 108 when the supporting arm is being attached to or detached from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • Such translational horizontal relative movement is considered to be more user-friendly than, for example, vertical, e.g. upwards or downwards, movement of the supporting arm 112 in order for the supporting arm 112 to connect to, or detach from, the pole assembly 108.
  • the supporting arm 112 has a dimension, e.g. a length dimension, that extends from the first extremity 114 to the second extremity 116, with the pole assembly coupling means defining a specific axis HA along which the translational horizontal relative movement is required to take place to attach the supporting arm 112 to and detach the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the dimension, e.g. length dimension, of the supporting arm 112 is aligned along the specific axis HA during the translational horizontal relative movement to attach the supporting arm 112 to and detach the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the docking unit 110 Since the arrangement of the docking unit 110 enables the user to pick-up the steamer head 104 in a direction PD at an angle to the horizontal along which the supporting arm 112 translates to detach from the pole assembly 108, the risk of unintentional detachment of the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108 when the user picks up the steamer head 104 is reduced.
  • the steamer head pick-up direction PD is not parallel to the direction of translational horizontal relative movement along which the supporting arm translates to detach from the pole assembly.
  • the axis HA along which the horizontal relative movement (i.e. horizontal translation) takes place is shown in Fig.l, when the garment steamer 100 is orientated for use. Irrespective of whether the garment steamer 100 is orientated for use where the ironing board 140 is oriented vertically as shown in Fig 1 or the ironing board is not in vertical orientation for example horizontal or tilted at an angle, in at least some embodiments, the axis HA extends transverse, e.g. perpendicular, to a longitudinal direction LD of the ironing surface.
  • Axis HA is the direction of the translational horizontal relative movement.
  • the pick-up direction PD is at an angle to the axis HA along which the translational horizontal relative movement is allowed by the pole assembly coupling means.
  • the pick-up direction PD is not parallel to HA so that it will not accidentally detach the supporting arm while picking up the steamer head.
  • the pole assembly coupling means comprises a first coupling mechanism.
  • the first coupling mechanism comprises a first cavity 118A arranged on/at the pole assembly 108, with the first cavity 118A forming a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.
  • the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 has an external surface 120.
  • the first cavity 118A is delimited by a first wall 122A having a first internal surface 124A.
  • the external surface 120 preferably has a cross- sectional shape substantially the same as the first internal surface 124A.
  • first cavity 118A and the second extremity 116 are shaped such that the second extremity 116 can be received in and engage with the first internal surface 124 A.
  • the term “substantially the same” refers to the respective cross-sectional shapes of the first internal surface 124A and the external surface 120 being sufficiently similar to enable the second extremity 116 to be received in and engage with the first internal surface 124A of the first cavity 118A.
  • substantially the same correspondingly encompasses the inclusion of surface features, such as protrusions and/or recesses, in one or both of the first internal surface 124A and the external surface 120 provided that such surface features do not prevent the second extremity 116 being received in and engaging with the first internal surface 124A of the first cavity 118A.
  • the first internal surface 124A of the first wall 122A delimiting the first cavity 118A preferably comprises a first plurality of linear protruding ribs 126A.
  • Such first plurality of linear protruding ribs 126 A can assist to engage and guide the second extremity 116 into the first cavity 118A whilst limiting a contact area between the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116 and the first internal surface 124A of the first cavity 118A. The latter may help to minimise friction when connecting and detaching the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108.
  • Such first plurality of linear protruding ribs 126A can also help in terms of better controlling manufacturing tolerances compared to the scenario in which no protruding ribs 126A would be included.
  • the first plurality of linear protruding ribs 126 A preferably each extend parallel to the axis HA.
  • opposing portions of the first internal surface 124A of the first cavity 118A can be provided with the protruding ribs 126 A.
  • the user is given an assurance of stability and firm connection of the supporting arm 112.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the external surface 120 and the cross-sectional shape of the first internal surface 124A of the first wall 122A delimiting the first cavity 118A are both substantially rectangular.
  • Such a substantially rectangular shape may assist to avoid unwanted rotation of the supporting arm 112 within the first cavity 118A.
  • other polygonal cross-sectional shapes such as square, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and so on, can also be contemplated for this purpose.
  • the supporting arm 112 comprises a flexible tongue 130 with a protruding catch 132 at the tongue’s extremity.
  • the first wall 122A comprises a first slot 134A, the protruding catch being cooperable with the first slot to lock the supporting arm in the first cavity.
  • the flexible tongue 130 and the protruding catch 132 are arranged on a top surface of the supporting arm 112.
  • the protruding catch and the first slot forms a snap-fit mechanism for locking/retaining the supporting arm in the first cavity.
  • An example of this is best shown in Figs.2 to 5.
  • the protruding catch 132 When the supporting arm 112 is being translated along the axis HA in order to be received in the first cavity 118A, the protruding catch 132 initially contacts the first wall 122A whose first internal surface 124A delimits the first cavity 118A so as to cause the tongue 130 to flex and allow the second extremity 116 to be received in the first cavity 118A. Upon subsequent advancement along the axis HA, the protruding catch 132 reaches alignment with the first slot 134A and at this point the resilience of the tongue 130 causes the protruding catch 132 to locate into the first slot 134A, thereby locking the supporting arm 112 in the first cavity 118A.
  • a button 135 is arranged between the first and second extremities 114, 116.
  • the button 135 is arranged on the tongue 130 distal to the protruding catch 132.
  • the button 135, the tongue 130 and the protruding catch 132 are arranged on the top surface of the supporting arm 112 such that the button is plainly visible to the user when the docking unit 110 is connected to the pole assembly 108 via the supporting arm 112. This greatly improved the user friendliness when detaching the supporting arm 112 from pole assembly 108.
  • the user may depress the button 135, for example with a finger, to cause the tongue 130 to flex and bring the protruding catch 132 out of the first slot 134A, whereupon the supporting arm 112 can be withdrawn from the first cavity 118A along the axis HA.
  • the pole assembly coupling means comprises a second coupling mechanism.
  • the second coupling mechanism comprises a second cavity 118B arranged on the pole assembly 108 for receiving the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.
  • the second cavity 118B forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.
  • the second cavity 118B is preferably arranged at 180 degrees compared to said first cavity 118A.
  • the supporting arm 112 can be connected to opposite sides of the pole assembly 108. In this manner, the garment steamer 100 can be comfortably used by both right-handed and left-handed users.
  • the first cavity 118A is arranged at a first side SI of the pole assembly 108
  • the second cavity 118B is arranged at a second side S2 of the pole assembly 108 being opposite to the first side SI, with the first and second cavities 118A, 118B opening out in opposite directions relative to each other.
  • the second cavity 118B is preferably delimited by a second wall 122B having a second internal surface 124B.
  • the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the second internal surface 124B, for example with the cross-sectional shape being both polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first cavity 118A.
  • the second internal surface preferably comprises a second plurality of linear protruding ribs, as also described above in relation to the first cavity 118A.
  • the second wall 122B comprises a second slot 134B, and the protruding catch 132 is cooperable with the second slot to lock the supporting arm in the second cavity.
  • the protruding catch 132 and the second slot 134B form a snap-fit mechanism for locking/retaining the supporting arm in the second cavity, similarly as described above in respect of the first cavity 118A.
  • the second cavity 118B is structurally identical to the first cavity 118A. This allows the supporting arm 112 to be easily attachable to the first cavity 118A or the second cavity 118B arranged on either side SI, S2 of the pole assembly because the same connecting/detaching protocol is used for inserting the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm into/removing the second extremity 116 from each of the first and second cavities 118A, 118B.
  • the ironing board 140 comprises a board coupling means allowing a translational relative movement between the supporting arm and the ironing board.
  • the board coupling means defines a further specific axis along which the translational relative movement is required to take place, in other words guided by the board coupling means, during attachment of the supporting arm 112 to and detachment of the supporting arm 112 from the board coupling means.
  • the dimension, e.g. length dimension, of the supporting arm 112 is aligned along the further specific axis during the translational relative movement to attach the supporting arm 112 to and detach the supporting arm 112 from the board coupling means.
  • the translational relative movement is preferably parallel to the planar surface of the ironing board on which garments are arranged during treatment.
  • the board coupling means comprises a board cavity 118C opening-up on a periphery of the ironing board.
  • the board cavity forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.
  • the board cavity 118C is delimited by a wall 122C having an internal surface 124C.
  • the internal surface 124C has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116.
  • the cross-sectional shape is polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first cavity 118A and the second cavity 118B.
  • the internal surface 124C preferably comprises a plurality of linear protruding ribs 126C, as similarly described above in relation to the first cavity 118A and the second cavity 118B.
  • a slot 134C is arranged in the wall 122C delimiting the board cavity 118C, with the above-described protruding catch 132 being cooperable with the slot 134C to lock the supporting arm 112 in the board cavity 118C.
  • the same design of snap- fit mechanism can be used to detachably connect the supporting arm 112 to the ironing board 140 as that used to detachably connect the supporting arm 112 to the pole assembly 108.
  • This may provide a consistent engagement method at the pole assembly 108 and the ironing board 140 locations of the garment steamer 100. This may further increase the user-friendliness of the garment steamer 100.
  • the ironing board 140 extends longitudinally between a first extremity 142 and a second extremity 144, with the board cavity 118C opening-up at said first extremity and/or said second extremity.
  • the first extremity 142 preferably tapers towards a sharper end 146 of the ironing board 140, which may correspond to the tip of the ironing board.
  • the sharper end 146 is opposite a broader end 148 of the second extremity 144 of the ironing board 140, which may correspond to the shoulder of the ironing board.
  • the board cavity 118C opens-up at the broader end 148.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un défroisseur à vapeur (100) comprenant une base (102), une tête de défroisseur à vapeur (104), et un cordon en tuyau souple (106) pour relier la base à la tête de défroisseur à vapeur. Le défroisseur à vapeur comprend en outre un ensemble montant (108) comprenant au moins un montant, et une unité d'accueil (110) pour accueillir la tête de défroisseur à vapeur pendant une période de défroissage à la vapeur non-active. Un bras de support (112) a une première extrémité (114) pour supporter l'unité d'accueil. Le bras de support a également une seconde extrémité (116) qui peut être reliée de manière détachable à l'ensemble montant par l'intermédiaire d'un moyen d'accouplement d'ensemble montant permettant un mouvement relatif horizontal de translation entre le bras de support et l'ensemble montant lorsque le bras de support est fixé au moyen d'accouplement d'ensemble montant ou détaché de celui-ci.
PCT/EP2023/054825 2022-07-14 2023-02-27 Défroisseur à vapeur à unité d'accueil détachable WO2024012722A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22184917 2022-07-14
EP22184917.7 2022-07-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024012722A1 true WO2024012722A1 (fr) 2024-01-18

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2023/054825 WO2024012722A1 (fr) 2022-07-14 2023-02-27 Défroisseur à vapeur à unité d'accueil détachable

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Country Link
WO (1) WO2024012722A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014102671A2 (fr) 2012-12-26 2014-07-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dispositif de guidage d'un cordon électrique s'étendant à partir d'un appareil
CN205603917U (zh) 2016-03-17 2016-09-28 皇家飞利浦有限公司 具有支架的服装汽蒸系统
CN206538608U (zh) * 2017-03-17 2017-10-03 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 旋转支撑组件
EP3696314A1 (fr) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-19 Seb S.A. Appareil de traitement du linge à la vapeur comportant un dispositif support

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014102671A2 (fr) 2012-12-26 2014-07-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dispositif de guidage d'un cordon électrique s'étendant à partir d'un appareil
CN205603917U (zh) 2016-03-17 2016-09-28 皇家飞利浦有限公司 具有支架的服装汽蒸系统
CN206538608U (zh) * 2017-03-17 2017-10-03 广东美的环境电器制造有限公司 旋转支撑组件
EP3696314A1 (fr) * 2019-02-12 2020-08-19 Seb S.A. Appareil de traitement du linge à la vapeur comportant un dispositif support

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