DE102018222293A1 - Functional element for a hand-held steam generator for the treatment of garments and hand-held steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

Functional element (3) for a hand-held steam generator (1) for treating items of clothing, the functional element (3) having the following:
- a carrier element (10) provided with at least one active substance,
- a receptacle for the at least one carrier element (10),
- At least one fastening device for fastening the functional element (3) to the steam generator (1), wherein the functional element (3) can be positioned on the steam generator (1) by means of the fastening device (5) in such a way that a steam flow generated by the steam generator (1) is passed through the carrier element (1) and enriched with active substance and exits to the outside through outlet openings arranged in the functional element (3).

Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 16.

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

According to one aspect of the invention, a functional element for a hand-held steam generator for treating garments is specified, the functional element having a carrier element provided with at least one active substance and a receptacle for the at least one carrier element. The functional element also has at least one fastening device for fastening the functional element to the steam generator, the functional element being able to be positioned on the steam generator by means of the fastening device in such a way that a steam flow generated by the steam generator is passed through the carrier element and enriched with active substance and in the functional element arranged outlet openings exits to the outside.

Here and below, a receptacle for the at least one carrier element is understood to mean a device in which the carrier element is stably held for use.

An exit of the steam flow through outlet openings is understood to mean that the steam flow is brought into the area of a textile when the steam generator is in use. “Outside” thus means here and below an area in which the steam can act on the treated garment and is therefore no longer “inside” in the steam generator. Accordingly, if the steam flow passes through the outlet openings, it can act directly on the treated article of clothing when using the steam generator.

The functional element has the advantage that, on the one hand, it provides steam for removing creases from a garment, but on the other hand, by enriching the steam with an active substance, for example a fragrance, it enables the simultaneous removal of bad odors from the garment. It is particularly advantageous that the active substance is added to the steam stream only immediately before it exits through the outlet openings. A thermal load on the active substance is therefore particularly low and it is also advantageously possible to use active substances which are not thermally stable.

Since the steam emerges from the steam generator at the same time as the active substance, it is particularly easy for a user to use because it does not require any additional steps.

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

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

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

According to one embodiment, the receptacle has a first flat element for arrangement in the steam flow and a second flat element for arrangement in the steam flow in the flow direction behind the first flat element, the flat elements having a number of openings through which steam can flow. The carrier element can be arranged between the flat elements.

According to this embodiment, the carrier element forms, together with the first flat element and the second flat element of the receptacle, a type of sandwich through which steam can flow, the steam being enriched with the active substance of the carrier element.

The flat elements can be connected to one another in an articulated manner. In this embodiment, they can be unfolded to insert the carrier element and folded again for subsequent use, the carrier element being held between the flat elements.

However, it is also conceivable to connect the flat elements to one another in another way, for example by means of a latching.

According to one embodiment, the receptacle has a flat element which can be arranged in the steam flow and has at least one opening and an elastic element for fixing the carrier element in front of the at least one opening.

In this embodiment, the carrier element, which can be flexible, for example, is fixed in the steam flow by means of the elastic element, for example by means of a rubber band, before the at least one opening in the flat element. In this embodiment, the pores of the carrier element form those outlet openings of the functional element through which vapor enriched with active substance escapes to the outside.

This embodiment has the advantage that it is particularly simple and has few parts.

According to one embodiment, the carrier element is formed from a textile fabric. In particular, the fabric can be woven, felted, knitted or knitted. Such a textile fabric can be impregnated, printed or wetted with the at least one active substance, depending on the form in which the active substance is present.

For example, the carrier element can be a felt material that has been printed with the active substance. In this embodiment, the active substance is in solid form and dissolves in the steam stream.

However, the textile fabric can also be filled with a carrier granulate which carries the at least one active substance.

In this embodiment, the textile fabric forms a kind of pocket for the carrier granulate, which itself is typically insoluble and carries the water-soluble or volatile active substance.

According to an alternative embodiment, the carrier element is designed as a porous solid. It can be formed in particular from ceramic or plastic and can be produced as a porous material by sintering, 3D printing or foaming.

For example, a method such as that described in US Pat DE 10 2016 217 303 A1 is known for 3-D printing of filaments.

The porous solid body forming the carrier element is provided with the liquid or dry active substance. It is particularly open-pored and thus allows steam to flow through, which is enriched with the active substance.

According to one embodiment, the carrier element is formed in one piece with the receptacle and is designed as a textile fabric that can be placed in the steam flow. The fastening device is formed by areas of the textile fabric, in that the textile fabric is formed in the form of a hose closed at one end, which can be pulled over a hand-held steam generator in such a way that the carrier element is placed in front of the steam generator's outlet openings.

In this embodiment, the fastening device is formed in that the hose is long enough to reach over lateral areas of the hand-held steam generator and narrow enough not to slip off the latter when in use.

The receptacle is designed as a frontal area at the closed end of the hose through the textile fabric, this area simultaneously forming the carrier element and being provided with an active substance, for example printed, impregnated or wetted with it, or as granules provided with the active substance between two layers of the fabric are provided.

This embodiment has the advantage that it can be handled particularly simply and intuitively. In contrast to the other embodiments already described, the carrier element is not a component that is separate from the receptacle and the fastening device, but is made in one piece with these.

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

According to one embodiment, the functional element has steam-conducting structures in an outlet surface that has the outlet openings. These can extend, for example, in the form of grooves or depressions starting from the outlet openings in the outlet surface, in order not only to bring the escaping steam into contact with the item of clothing to be treated, but also to distribute it in such a way that it is effective over the entire outlet surface is.

According to one embodiment, the functional element has a display element for displaying a consumption of the active substance. This embodiment has the advantage that a user can easily recognize whether the active substance has been used up and whether it is necessary to refill or replace the carrier element. The display element can in particular be a marking that changes its color or fades when the active substance is consumed. The display element can in particular be arranged on the carrier element.

Depending on the carrier element used, the active substance can be refilled by exchanging the carrier element or by filling up with the active substance. For example, a textile pad can be used as the carrier element, which is printed with an active substance and is completely replaced after the active substance has been used up. However, a textile pad or a porous solid body which is impregnated with a liquid active substance which can be refilled by a user himself when it is used can also be used as the carrier element.

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

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

• 1 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 2 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 3 zeigt den Dampferzeuger gemäß 2 in einem gebrauchsfertigen Zustand und
• 4 zeigt einen Dampferzeuger mit einem Funktionselement gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

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

• 1 shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• 2nd shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• 3rd shows the steam generator according to 2nd in a ready to use condition and
• 4th shows a steam generator with a functional element according to a third embodiment of the invention.

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

On the applicator 2nd is a functional element 3rd arranged and by means of a fastening device 5 attached, which is designed as a latching hook in the embodiment shown and at least two of which are provided in the embodiment shown in 1 however only one is shown. The functional element 3rd assigns a shot 4th on, which is a first flat element 6 and a second flat element 7 includes that with the first flat element 6 about a joint 8th connected is. Both elements 6 , 7 have a number of breakthroughs 9 on, which form outlet openings for steam and the outlet openings of the applicator, not shown in the figure 2nd are arranged.

The functional element 3rd also has a carrier element 10 that is provided with an active substance. At the in 1 The embodiment shown is the carrier element 10 around a pad made of felt, which is printed with a fragrance as the active substance.

The recording 4th can by unfolding the second flat element 7 in the direction of the arrow 11 be opened to the support element 10 between the flat elements 6 , 7 to record. Then the recording 4th by folding the second flat element 7 closed again in the opposite direction. The support element 10 then lies between the two elements 6 , 7 .

This in this way with the carrier element 10 provided functional element 3rd enriches when using the steam generator 1 the steam flow through outlet openings of the applicator 2nd and breakthroughs 9 in the first flat element 6 occurs, the support member 10 roams and comes into contact with the printed active substance, and the steam generator 1 through the breakthroughs 9 in the second flat element 7 leaves again with the active substance.

The active substance, in the embodiment shown a fragrance, comes into contact with the hot steam only immediately before the steam is applied to the garment and is therefore not subjected to high thermal loads.

The 2nd and 3rd show a second embodiment of the functional element 3rd . This differs from that in 1 shown essentially by the design of the recording 4th . In the in the 2nd and 3rd shown embodiment has the recording 4th just a flat element 12th on that by means of a multi-element fastening device 5 , formed in the embodiment shown as a locking hook on the applicator 2nd can be attached.

The flat element 12th shows a number of breakthroughs 13 on and further with the breakthroughs 13 related vapor control structures 14 . The steam control structures 14 are like grooves in a surface 16 of the flat element 12th educated. The steam control structures 14 , one each a breakthrough 13 assigned, distribute from the breakthroughs 13 escaping steam over the surface 16 of the functional element 3rd .

The recording 4th further includes a rubber band 15 that over an edge of the flat element 12th can be stretched and a support element 10 in front of the surface 16 attached.

3rd shows the functional element 3rd according to 2nd in the ready-to-use state in which the carrier element 10 through the rubber band 15 in front of the surface 16 of the flat element 12th is held. In this position roams from the breakthroughs 13 escaping steam the carrier element 10 and thereby comes with that on the support element 10 held active substance in contact before it reaches the garment to be treated.

Because the vapor control structures 14 the steam over the entire surface 16 distribute, practically the entire cross section of the support element 10 flows through with steam, so that a particularly good enrichment with active substance is achieved.

4th shows a third embodiment of a functional element 3rd . According to this embodiment, the functional element has the shape of a at a first end 18th closed tube 17th from a textile fabric. The second end 19th of the hose 17th is open. This hose 17th becomes similar to a sock over the applicator 2nd pulled so that's the recording 4th as well as the support element 10 forming closed first end 18th , which is provided with an active substance, come to rest in front of the steam outlet openings of the applicator. Lateral areas 20 of the hose 17th lie on the applicator 2nd and form the fastening device of the functional element 3rd .

Reference list

1

Steam generator

2nd

Applicator

3rd

Functional element

4th

admission

5

Fastening device

6

first flat element

7

second flat element

8th

joint

9

breakthrough

10th

Carrier element

11

arrow

12th

flat element

13

breakthrough

14

Steam control structure

15

Rubber band

16

surface

17th

tube

18th

first end

19th

second end

20

side area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Patent literature cited

• WO 2015/028359 A1 [0002]
• DE 102016217303 A1 [0029]

Claims (16)

Functional element (3) for a hand-held steam generator (1) for treating items of clothing, the functional element (3) having the following: - a carrier element (10) provided with at least one active substance, - A receptacle for the at least one carrier element (10), - At least one fastening device for fastening the functional element (3) to the steam generator (1), wherein the functional element (3) can be positioned on the steam generator (1) by means of the fastening device (5) in such a way that a steam flow generated by the steam generator (1) is passed through the carrier element (1) and enriched with active substance and exits to the outside through outlet openings arranged in the functional element (3). Functional element (3) after Claim 1 , wherein the fastening device (5) has at least one latching element for latching on the steam generator (1). Functional element (3) after Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the receptacle (4) has the following: - a first flat element (6) for arrangement in the steam flow, - a second flat element (7) for arrangement in the steam flow in the flow direction behind the first flat element (6), the flat elements (6, 7) have a number of openings (9) through which steam can flow, and wherein the carrier element (10) can be arranged between the flat elements (6, 7). Functional element (3) after Claim 3 , wherein the flat elements (6, 7) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Functional element (3) after Claim 1 or 2nd The receptacle (4) has the following: - a flat element (12) which can be arranged in the steam flow and has at least one opening (13) and - an elastic element (15) for fixing the carrier element (10) in front of the at least one opening (13) . Functional element (3) after Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the carrier element (10) is formed in one piece with the receptacle (4) and is designed as a textile fabric in the form of a hose closed at one end, the fastening device being formed by regions of the hose which is long enough to pass over lateral regions of the hand-held steam generator, and narrow enough not to slip off during use, the carrier element (10) being provided with at least one active substance. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , wherein the carrier element (10) is formed from a textile fabric. Functional element (3) after Claim 7 , wherein the textile fabric is impregnated, printed or wetted with the at least one active substance. Functional element (3) after Claim 7 , wherein the textile fabric is filled with a carrier granulate which carries the at least one active substance. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the carrier element (10) is designed as a porous solid. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , wherein the at least one active substance is a fragrance. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one active substance is a laundry starch. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 12th , wherein the at least one active substance is an active substance based on oxygen. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , The functional element having steam conducting structures (14) in an outlet surface (16) having the outlet openings. Functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 14 , which has a display element for displaying a consumption of the active substance. Hand-held steam generator (1) for treating garments, the steam generator comprising a steam generating unit for generating water vapor and a functional element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 15 having.

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