Garment Steamer

The present disclosure relates to garment steamers, and in particular to a garment steamer.

A garment steamer is also known as a hanging iron or a vertical iron, which is able to iron hanging clothes and fabrics. High-temperature water steam is generated inside the garment steamer, and the garment steamer applies the high-temperature water steam to constantly contact the clothes and fabrics, such that the clothes and the fabrics are softened. Furthermore, the garment steamer may pull the clothes and fabrics, press the clothes and fabrics, spray the steam on the clothes and fabrics to smooth the clothes and fabrics, such that the clothes and the fabrics may look like new ones.

A heating body of the garment steamer is a member configured to heat water into the high-temperature steam. In the art, when the garment steamer is in use, the steam generated by the heating body is sprayed out directly through air vents defined in a plate. Since the heating body is at a high temperature, the temperature may be directly conducted to the plate, resulting in the plate being at a high temperature. When the garment steamer is ironing the clothes, the plate is in contact with the clothes, which may damage the clothes easily.

The present disclosure provides a garment steamer including an ironing portion. The ironing portion includes: a heating body, including a body portion, wherein the body portion defines a steam outlet; a plate, defining an air vent; a sealing layer, comprising a sealing body and defines at least one steam spout; wherein, the sealing body is provided between the body portion and the plate, the at least one steam spout is defined in the sealing body, each steam spout has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end is communicated with the steam outlet, the outlet end is communicated with the air vent.

In order to make objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below by referring to the accompanying drawings.

To be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects from each other, and shall not be interpreted as describing a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that data used in this way may be interchanged, such that embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be practiced in an order other than the order illustrated or described herein.

In the present disclosure, to be noted that the terms “arranged”, “mounted”, “connected”, and “coupled” shall be understood broadly unless otherwise expressly specified and qualified. For example, connection may be fixed connection, detachable connection, being connected to form a one-piece structure; mechanical connection; direct connection, indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal connection of two elements. For any ordinary skilled person in the art, specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure may be understood case by case.

In the description of the present specification, reference to the terms “embodiments”, “one embodiment”, and “an embodiment” means that specific features, structures, materials, or properties described an embodiment or an implementation are included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the present disclosure. In the present specification, schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to a same embodiment or implementation. The described specific features, structures, materials, or properties may be combined in any one or more of the embodiments or implementations in a suitable manner.

The present disclosure is described in detail below by referring to the accompanying drawings.

In order to solve the above technical problems, as shown in, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a garment steamer, including the following.

A heating bodyis arranged and includes a body portion. The body portiondefines a steam outlet.

A plateis arranged and defines an air vent.

A sealing layeris arranged and includes a sealing bodyand a steam spout. The sealing bodyis disposed between the body portionand the plate. The steam spoutis defined in the sealing body. Each steam spoutincludes an inlet endand an outlet end. The inlet endis fluidly connected with the steam outlet. The outlet endis fluidly connected with a respective air vent.

To be noted that, the heating bodydefines a vaporizing cavityto heat water to generate high-temperature steam. The steam outletdefined in the body portionis communicated with the vaporizing cavity. The sealing bodyis disposed between the body portionand the plate. The sealing bodydefines the steam spout. The inlet endof each steam spoutis fluidly connected to the steam outlet, such that the steam inside the heating bodyis capable of flowing to the steam spout. The outlet endof each steam spoutis fluidly connected to the respective air vent, such that the steam can be output from the steam spoutto iron clothes. Due to the sealing layer, the heating bodyis isolated from the plate, such that a temperature of the plateis reduced, and the plateis prevented from taking high temperatures to damage the clothes when being in use.

In an embodiment, as shown in, a protrusionis protruding from a circumference of the steam outlet. A side of the sealing layerfacing the heating bodydefines a slot. The slot receives the protrusionto define a receiving cavity. The inlet endof the steam spoutis received in the slot.

To be noted that, the body portionincludes a first side wallfacing towards the sealing layer. The protrusionis disposed on the first side walland surrounds an outer periphery of the steam outlet. The slothas an inner slot wall. The protrusionhas an outer side wall. The inner slot wallof the slotsleeves and is sealed to the outer side wallof the protrusion. In this way, the sealed receiving cavityis formed by the protrusionand the slot wall, such that the steam may be circulated and temporarily stored in the receiving cavity. In addition, mating of the protrusionand the slotprevents the steam from spilling sideward.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the steam outletis extending in a direction parallel to a length direction of the ironing portionand is strip shaped.

To be noted that, in an embodiment, the steam outletis extending in a direction parallel to the length direction Lof the ironing portionand is strip shaped. In another embodiment, a plurality of steam outletsare defined. The plurality of steam outletsare spaced apart from each other and are distributed along the direction parallel to the length direction Lof the ironing portion. It is to be understood that the steam outletsmay alternatively be arranged in other shapes, which will not be limited herein. Regardless of defining a single steam outletin the stripped shape or defining the plurality of steam outlets, a high flowing volume of the steam can be achieved, improving an ironing effect of the ironing portion.

In an embodiment, as shown in, a plurality of steam spoutsare defined. The plurality of steam spoutsare distributed in the direction parallel to the length direction of the ironing portion.

To be noted that in an embodiment, a plurality of steam spoutsare defined, and the plurality of steam spoutsare distributed in the direction parallel to the length direction Lof the ironing portion. A plurality of air ventsare correspondingly defined in the plate. In this way, an area of the ironing portionto output the steam is increased, such that a speed of ironing the clothes is increased. It can be understood that, the steam spoutsmay be arranged in other shapes, which will not be limited herein. In another embodiment, the steam spoutsmay be arranged to from a stripped shape, which also allows a large volume of the steam to be output.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the garment steamer further includes a case. The heating bodyand the sealing layerare disposed inside the case. The caseincludes a limiting wall. The limiting walldefines a mounting hole. The sealing layerincludes an end wall, when the sealing layeris received in the mounting hole, the end wallfaces toward the plate. The platecovers the limiting wallto allow the outlet endof each steam spoutto be embedded in a respective air vent.

To be noted that, the garment steamer further includes a receiving housing. The heating bodyis arranged inside the receiving housing. A portion of the first side wallof the heating bodyis exposed from the receiving housing, facilitating engagement between the heating bodyand the sealing layer. The receiving housingand the sealing layerare both arranged inside the case. The limiting wallof the casedefines the mounting hole. A side of the sealing layerfacing the plateis the end wall. The end wallis received in mounting hole. The platecovers the limiting wall. In some embodiments, a thickness of the limiting wallis smaller than a thickness of a circumferential sidewallof the other three sides of the case. In this way, the plateis aligned with the circumferential sidewallsof the case, and overall outer appearance is improved. The outlet endof the steam spoutis embedded in the air ventto output the steam.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the outlet endof the steam spoutincludes an inner ring portionand an outer extension portion. The outer extension portionabuts against the plate, and the inner ring portionis embedded in the air vent. The inner ring portiondefines a channelto be communicated with the inlet end.

To be noted that, in some embodiments, each of the inner ring portionand the outer extension portionis annular. The outer extension portionis disposed at an outer periphery of the inner ring portion. The inner ring portionis higher than the outer extension portion. In this way, when the outer extension portionabuts against the plate, the inner ring portionis embedded in the air vent, and the outer extension portionlimits the inner ring portionto prevent the inner ring portionfrom being dislocated. The inner ring portionis protruded to be sealed and embedded in the air vent. The inner ring portiondefines the channelto be communicated with the air inlet end. Since a diameter of the inner ring portionis smaller than a diameter of the outer extension portion, the steam may be sprayed out in a more concentrated manner, further increasing the ironing effect.

When the plurality of steam outletsare defined, a plurality of air ventsare defined. A middle air ventof the plurality of air ventshas a larger diameter to allow a gasketto be arranged between the inner ring portion of the steam spoutand the air vent. In this way, the mounting is more stable, and the outer appearance of the ironing portionmay be unique.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the sealing layeris made of a flexible material, including silicone, rubber and foam.

To be noted that, the sealing layeris made of flexible material having elasticity, so as to facilitate sealing connection with the heating body. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be silica gel. The silica gel has high stability at high temperatures and has temperature resistance at −60° C.˜+250° C. Even when the silica gel contacts the high-temperature steam for a long period of time, the silica gel may not be hardened or aged. In addition, the silica gel has high flexibility and high chemical stability. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be rubber. The rubber has better wear resistance and a long service life. In addition, the flexible material may alternatively be foam. The foam has elasticity and a light weight, reducing the weight of the entire garment steamer. It can be understood that the sealing layermay alternatively be made of other flexible materials, as long as the material is stable at high temperatures and a sealing environment. The present disclosure does not limit the material.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the steam spoutsand the sealing bodyare configured as a one-piece and integral structure.

To be noted that, in some embodiments, the steam spoutsand the sealing bodyare configured as a one-piece and integral structure. That is, the steam spoutsand the sealing bodycan be formed by performing a molding operation on the above material to form a one-piece and integral structure. In this way, a production process is simplified, and assembling of multiple components is eliminated.

In an embodiment, as shown in, a side of the plateaway from the heating bodyis a concave-convex surface. Strip-shaped slotsare defined in the concave-convex surface.

To be noted that, the strip-shaped slotsare arranged on the side of the plateaway from the heating bodyto form the concave-convex surface. Since the clothes generally has a certain pattern, the concave-convex surfaceis arranged to more fit the clothes, improving the ironing effect.

In an embodiment, as shown in, a slot surface of each strip-shaped slotis a curved surface having a bottom in the middle and high edges on two sides of the bottom. The plurality of strip-shaped slotsare arranged in the direction parallel to the length direction of the ironing portion.

To be noted that, the slot surface of each strip-shaped slotis the curved surface having the bottom in the middle and high edges on two sides of the bottom. The plurality of strip-shaped slotsare arranged in the direction parallel to the length direction of the ironing portion. In this way, a wavy pattern is formed on the concave-convex surface, such that an aesthetical outer appearance is achieved, and the ironing effect is improved.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the sealing layerfurther includes a supporting member. The supporting memberincludes a first endand a second end. The first endis received in the slot. A connection surfaceis disposed between the steam outletand the protrusion. The second endis extending toward the connection surfaceto partially contact the connection surface.

To be noted that, the connection surfaceis disposed between the steam outletand the protrusion. It is understood that an area of the steam outletis smaller than an area enclosed by the projection. In this way, the connection surfaceis formed. The first endof the supporting memberis received in the slot, such that the supporting memberis supported between the slotand the connection surface. In some embodiments, the sealing layeris made of the flexible material, such as silicone, such that the sealing layeris elastic to sleeve and to be sealed with the protrusion. However, since the slothas a large area, the supporting memberprevents an interior of the slot(such as the inner slot wall) from collapsing towards the steam outlet, such that the slotmay not interfere with flowing of the steam.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the supporting memberis hollow and at least one side wallthereof has an opening to be communicated with the receiving cavity. The first endof the supporting memberis communicated with the steam outlet, and the second endof the supporting memberis communicated with the steam spout, such that steam circulation is achieved.

To be noted that, in some embodiments, the supporting memberis internally hollow and has an opening at the first endand an opening at the second end, such that an air ductis formed. At least one side wallof the supporting memberhas an opening. That is, the side wallis interrupted to form the opening, such that the air ductis communicated with the receiving cavity. The first endof the supporting membercorresponds to the inlet endof the steam spout, and the second endof the supporting membercorresponds to the steam outlet, such that the supporting membermaintains the flowing of the steam while providing a support.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the connection surfaceis a curved surface. An end surfaceof the second endof the supporting memberincludes an abutting portionand an extending portion. The abutting portionhas a curvature to fit and attach the connection surface. The extending portionis disposed proximate to the steam outletto be inserted into the steam outlet. A gap is defined between the extending portionand the steam outlet.

To be noted that, in some embodiments, the connection surfaceis the curved surface. The connection surfaceis protruded in a direction towards the supporting member. A curvature of the abutting portionis adapted to a curvature of the connection surface. In this way, the abutting portionhas a concave surface, such that the concave surface may be attached to the curved connection surface, preventing misplacement between the abutting portionand the connection surface, and therefore, the entire structure may be more stable. The extending portionis extending in the direction towards the steam outletuntil the extending portionis inserted in the steam outlet. In some embodiments, the extending portionabuts against a side edge of the steam outletaway from the abutting portion. The gap is defined between the extending portionand the steam outlet, such that the steam may flow through the steam outletproperly.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the body portionincludes a reference surface. The connection surfaceis recessed towards an inside of the body portionrelative to the reference surface. The protrusionis protruding from the reference surface.

To be noted that, taking the first side wallof the body portionas the reference surface, the connection surfaceis recessed towards the inside of the body portion, and the protrusionis protruding from the reference surface. In this way, a level difference between the connection surfaceand the protrusionis increased, and that is, a receiving capacity of the receiving cavityis increased, the amount of steam circulating between the steam outletand the steam spoutis increased, facilitating steam conduction.

In an embodiment, as shown in, when a plurality of steam spoutsare defined, the first endof the supporting memberis communicated with the inlet endof any one of plurality of steam spouts.

To be noted that, when the plurality of steam spoutsare defined, in some embodiments, the first endof the supporting memberis disposed opposite to the steam spoutlocated at the middle, such that the supporting member supports the middle of the slot. In addition, the steam spoutlocated at the middle receives the steam conducting through the supporting member, the effective of outputting the steam may be better. When the plurality of steam outletsare defined, the second endof the supporting memberis preferably arranged in correspondence with the middle steam outlet.

In an embodiment, as shown in, the garment steamer further includes a hand-holding rodrotatably connected to the ironing portion. The hand-holding rodincludes an outer shell, a pumparranged inside the outer shell, and a pipe assemblyarranged inside the outer shell. The body portionof the ironing portiondefines a vaporizing cavitytherein. The pumptransfers water to the vaporizing cavitythrough the pipe assembly. The ironing portionfurther includes a heating memberembedded in the body portionto heat the water in the vaporizing cavityto generate the steam.

To be noted that, the hand-holding rodis rotatably connected to the ironing portionby a rotating member, such that the garment steamer can be switched between a lateral state and a vertical state. When in use, the ironing portioncan iron clothes in both the horizontal state and the vertical state. A user may move the ironing portion horizontally and vertically to iron the clothes, the ironing portion is the only structure that needs to be switched, whereas a standing position or a hand position does not need to be changed, a large ironing area can be achieved, and the garment steamer can be used easily. The pumpand the pipe assemblyare arranged inside the hand-holding rod. The pumptransfers the water through the pipe assemblyto the vaporizing cavity. The heating memberis embedded in the body portion. In this way, the heating memberheats the water in the vaporizing cavityto generate the high-temperature steam, and the steam is sprayed out through the steam spoutsof the sealing layer. The heating membermay be a heating wire. It is understood that when the heating memberheats the water in the vaporizing cavityto generate the high-temperature steam, the temperature of the heating bodyis also increased. Therefore, if the heating bodyis directly attached to the plate, the temperature of the platemay be excessively high.

It should be noted that the above technical features may further be combined with each other to form various embodiments that are not listed above, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Any ordinary skilled person in the art may improve or transform the above embodiments according to the above description, and all of which shall fall within the scope of the appended claims of the present disclosure.