CN113454279B

CN113454279B - Steam station with water tank

Info

Publication number: CN113454279B
Application number: CN202080015508.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·奥泰; C·艾森加滕
Original assignee: Delongee Braun Home Co ltd
Current assignee: Delongee Braun Home Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-20
Filing date: 2020-02-19
Publication date: 2023-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-19
Also published as: EP3927875A1; CN113454279A; GB201902339D0; GB2581505A; GB2581505B; WO2020169653A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam station (100) comprising: a steam generator (133); a base (130) comprising a water tank (131) fluidly connected to the steam generator for providing water to the steam generator, the base preferably having a cylindrical shape; an iron (120) having a soleplate (121), the iron being fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to drain steam provided by the steam generator in order to iron the garment; an iron holder (110) connected to the base via a swivel joint (112), wherein the iron holder is movable about the joint from a first configuration in which the iron holder extends outwardly from the base to allow the iron to rest on the iron holder, to a second configuration in which the iron holder extends substantially parallel to the base, wherein the iron holder comprises a storage seat (115) in which the iron is receivable and securable when the iron holder is in the second configuration.

Description

Steam station with water tank

Technical Field

The invention relates to a steam station with a water tank.

Background

Traditionally, ironing (i.e., smoothing folds in clothing and other fabric materials) is performed using a hand-held iron having a heated soleplate (e.g., a stainless steel plate heated by an electrical heating element). To facilitate the smoothing of the folds, a steam generator is integrated into the construction of the hand iron, which boils the water to generate steam, which is then discharged onto the fabric through the holes in the soleplate.

However, providing a steam generator unit and a water tank containing the water required for steam production on the hand-held iron makes the hand-held iron too heavy and cumbersome. In addition, the water storage capacity within the hand-held iron is limited by the need to keep the hand-held iron light enough to be easily lifted. Finally, since the heat for operating the steam generator is usually provided by the same heating element used for heating the soleplate, the steam generation capacity is limited and the different temperatures required for the soleplate and the steam generator make it difficult to achieve temperature control properly. Thus, a steam station was introduced to address this problem.

A steam station (also referred to as an "ironing system") typically comprises a base part having a steam generator and a water tank, and a hand-held iron part which is supplied with steam and power from the base part via suitable hoses and cables. Alternatively, the steam generator may be located in the hand-held iron and water pumped from a water tank in the base part is supplied via a hose.

Since the base part is not integrated with the hand iron, but is connected to the hand iron only by means of a hose and cable, the base part may rest on a surface during ironing, making the hand unit less cumbersome. In addition, in this configuration, the limitation of the water storage capacity is much smaller.

For the convenience of the user, a holder (rest) or iron holder is usually provided on the steam station base unit, on which the hot hand iron may be inaccurately rested during use. Because the iron is unstable on excessively inclined surfaces, the surfaces must be horizontal or only slightly inclined (e.g. about 30 degrees or less from horizontal), otherwise the iron may slip off the iron holder and possibly injure the user.

However, the need to provide sufficient space on the steam station to rest the iron renders the steam station lengthy in the horizontal direction. This is disadvantageous because it means that it takes up an excessive amount of space when stored and may have items placed on top of the product when stored, increasing the risk of breakage of the device and the required vertical strength.

Another disadvantage of the steam station of the prior art is that the water tank of the steam station occupies as much space as when the water tank is full, increasing the space required to store the device, even when the water is emptied.

Accordingly, there is a need for a steam station and water tank that ameliorates the above-described problems of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a steam station. The steam station according to the invention comprises a steam generator. A steam generator is a device for converting water into steam, for example by heating the water.

The station further comprises a base, which in turn comprises a water tank, which is fluidly connected to the steam generator for providing water to the steam generator, the base preferably having a cylindrical shape. The base is a part of the steam station, which was previously referred to as the base part. The base is relatively fixed in position during ironing while the iron itself is moving. By fluidly connecting the water tank to the steam generator, it is meant that a fluid, such as water, may be led from the water tank to the steam generator, where the fluid is converted into steam. The columnar shape means that the base has a longer shape in one direction than the other two directions perpendicular to the one direction. In other words, columnar means that the base has a columnar form. Preferably, the columnar shape is such that it extends in a vertical direction during use of the steam station.

The steam station further comprises an iron having a soleplate. The iron is fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator for ironing the garment. Also, fluid connection means that steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron.

The steam station further comprises an iron holder connected to the base via a swivel joint, wherein the iron holder is movable around the joint from a first configuration in which the iron holder extends outwardly from the base to allow the iron to rest on the iron holder, to a second configuration in which the iron holder extends substantially parallel to the base. The first configuration is preferably substantially horizontal to allow the iron to rest non-slidably on the iron holder. The second configuration is preferably more vertical to occupy less space than the first configuration.

The iron holder comprises a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron holder is in the second configuration.

By providing the ability to fold the steam station, the iron holder is made less obtrusive, i.e. in the second configuration, ensuring that the steam station takes up less space during storage. Since the iron can then also be fixed to the iron holder, the iron can also be stored safely, which also allows storing the iron in a very compact arrangement.

Preferably, the steam generator is located within the base and the steam generator superheats steam provided to the iron. By positioning the steam generator within the base, a space-saving configuration is achieved. By superheating the steam, condensation of the steam when directed to the iron is avoided.

Positioning a steam generator within the iron is also an option, and wherein the steam station comprises a pump configured to pump water from the water tank to the steam generator. In this way, since the steam is generated in the iron itself, condensation is also avoided (since the steam does not need to be directed from a steam generator physically separate from the iron). By having a pump, water can be directed to the iron even if the iron is arranged at a higher level than the water tank.

In this case, the pump is preferably located in the base. This arrangement provides a lighter iron which makes ironing easier.

Preferably, the reservoir is located on a surface of the iron holder opposite to the iron holder area. The iron holder area is configured to inaccurately accommodate the iron during rest between ironing operations. By providing such an iron holder area, the iron may be lowered during an ironing operation.

Preferably, the storage holder comprises a user-actuatable lock, preferably a slide lock or a rotary lock, configured to secure the iron within the storage holder. Such a lock helps to hold the iron in place during storage.

Preferably, one of the storage holder and the iron comprises a recess configured to receive a protrusion or hook of the other of the storage holder and the iron to releasably secure the iron in the storage holder. This provides a reliable way of storing the iron between ironing operations.

Preferably, the storage holder comprises ribs configured to separate the soleplate of the iron from the body of the iron holder when the iron is received in the storage holder. These ribs space the soleplate from the bottom of the reservoir, so as to avoid contact between the soleplate and the reservoir, which is likely to be hot after an ironing operation. This avoids overheating of the reservoir, thereby alleviating damage and also allowing the iron to cool down more quickly.

Also preferably, the swivel joint comprises one of a fabric joint, a flexible joint, a ball joint, a hinge joint, and a hinge.

In addition, the steam station preferably further comprises a foot configured to maintain the steam station in an upright position across the entire range of filling states of the water tank and an extension of the iron holder away from the base. This increases the stability of the steam station.

It is also preferred that the iron is fluidly connected to the water tank via a flexible hose, wherein the iron is configured to hold the flexible hose against the base when secured in the storage seat. The hose may be used to direct water to the iron (if the steam generator is provided in the iron) or, if the steam generator is provided in the base, to direct steam to the iron. By configuring the iron to retain the flexible hose against the base when secured in the storage holder, this means that the steam station is configured such that the hose can be wrapped around the steam station and then secured in this wrapped configuration by the iron being secured to the storage holder such that the hose cannot be unraveled from the base. In this configuration, the flexible hose may be safely and space-efficiently stored between ironing operations. It is also preferred that the water tank is collapsible such that the storage space is reduced when the steam station is not in use and when the water tank is empty. Examples of how this can be achieved include: a) A tank comprising corrugated sidewalls; b) A tank comprising telescoping side walls; c) A tank formed of an elastic material.

Preferably, the iron comprises an insulated housing on the opposite side of the iron to the soleplate so as to face outwards from the storage seat when the iron is secured in the storage seat. In this way, the steam station is made safer, since the part of the iron facing the user will be less likely to be hot enough to cause injury.

Optionally, the storage holder is configured to enclose the housing so as to prevent fingers from accessing the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage holder. This helps prevent the finger from coming into contact with the hot plate. The reservoir may enclose the housing with a gap of less than about 1.6cm (i.e., the width of the adult little finger) and more preferably with a gap of less than about 0.8cm (the width of the child little finger).

Preferably, the swivel joint may comprise a user actuatable latch configured to lock the joint against rotation in at least one rotational position. In this way, the iron holder is prevented from moving during use. For example, the iron holder may be locked in the second configuration to prevent it from being accidentally folded.

For added safety, the steam station may optionally be configured to automatically de-energize the steam generator and/or a heating element associated with the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage seat. This prevents the iron from accidentally heating the steam station during storage.

For the convenience of the user, the water tank preferably comprises a water level sensor and the steam station comprises a user interface configured to communicate the water level status of the water tank to the user. Thus, the steam station may communicate with the user when there is insufficient water for ironing. Feedback from the water level sensor may cause the steam station to de-energize the steam generator, thereby preventing the steam generator from being started when there is insufficient water to properly operate the steam generator.

The water tank is preferably removably attached to the base for convenient handling by a user when filling and cleaning the water tank. The water tank may include a connector configured to prevent water from flowing out of the water tank via the connector when the water tank is removed from the base so as to prevent spillage.

Optionally, the iron and the base are electrically connected, and one of the iron and the base is configured to send instructions entered by a user for controlling the other of the iron and the base. One of the iron and the base is also preferably configured to receive feedback from the other of the iron and the base and to communicate the feedback to a user. In this way, the need for separate control and user interfaces on each of the iron and the base is avoided.

In another aspect of the invention, the steam station includes a base that in turn includes a water tank fluidly connected to the steam generator to provide water to the steam generator. The base is a part of the steam station, which was previously referred to as the base part. The base is fixed in position during ironing while the iron itself is moving. By fluidly connecting the water tank to the steam generator, it is meant that a fluid, such as water, may be led from the water tank to the steam generator, where the fluid is converted into steam. The steam station further comprises an iron having a soleplate. The iron is fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator for ironing the garment. Also, fluid connection means that steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron. The steam station further comprises an iron holder connected to the base. The iron holder comprises a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron holder is in the second configuration. The water tank is collapsible so that it can assume a configuration that consumes less space when it is empty than when it is full of water. Such a steam station can be effectively stored in space due to the collapsible water tank.

Preferably, in another aspect of the invention, the iron holder is provided on top of the base, wherein the collapsible water tank is interposed between the base and the iron holder. This arrangement consumes less space than an arrangement in which the water tank and the iron holder are arranged horizontally.

In this preferred variant, the iron holder is preferably connected to the base via a hinge such that the iron holder can be swung up and down relative to the base. The iron holder abuts against the collapsible water tank and compresses the water tank in order to exert a force to drain water from the water tank. This force creates a pressure inside the tank that contributes to the extraction of the water. Thus, the speed of the water flow and the water pressure of the water directed to the steam generator can be increased.

In another preferred variant, the water tank is arranged horizontally adjacent to the iron holder. The base portion (the water tank holder portion) to which the water tank is connected may be pivoted between a first configuration in which the base portion and the iron holder are substantially aligned, and a second configuration in which the base portion and the iron holder are at an angle to each other. When the tank is empty and thus contracted, a second configuration may be employed in order to save space. The first configuration may be employed during use (i.e., in the case of a filled (and thus non-collapsing) water tank).

Drawings

For a more easy understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a modified steam station according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the iron holder is folded outwards;

FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of the steam station of FIG. 1a with the lid of the water tank in a raised position;

fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the steam station of fig. 1a, wherein the iron holder is folded in an upright position and the hand iron is stored on the iron holder;

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the steam station of FIG. 2a from a different angle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a storage tank of the steam station of FIG. 1a in an upright position;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hand-held iron of the steam station of fig. 1a lifted off the iron holder;

fig. 5a shows a side view of a full collapsible water tank according to a second embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5b shows a side view of an empty collapsible water tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6a shows a side view of a full collapsible water tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6b shows a side view of an empty water tank according to a third embodiment;

fig. 7a shows a side view of a full tank according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7b shows a side view of an empty water tank according to a fourth embodiment;

fig. 8a shows a side view of a full tank according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

fig. 8b shows a side view of an empty water tank according to a fifth embodiment;

fig. 9a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and steam station according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, wherein the water tank is full;

fig. 9b shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and steam station according to a sixth embodiment, wherein the water tank is empty;

fig. 10a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to a seventh embodiment, wherein the water tank is full;

fig. 10b shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to a seventh embodiment, wherein the water tank is empty;

FIG. 11a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to an eighth embodiment, wherein the water tank is full;

FIG. 11b shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to an eighth embodiment, wherein the water tank is empty;

fig. 12a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to a ninth embodiment, wherein the water tank is full; and

Fig. 12b shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and folding steam station according to a ninth embodiment, wherein the water tank is empty.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows the folding steam station 100 in a first configuration according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the iron holder 110 (also referred to as a "flap") is hinged about a hinge 112 downwardly away from the column (base) 130 so as to extend substantially horizontally away from the column 130. In this substantially horizontal orientation, the hand-held iron 120 (also referred to as a "hand piece") may rest inaccurately on the iron holder 111 during use without risk of falling off and possibly injuring the user.

As shown in fig. 1b, the column 130 has a water tank 131, and a user can fill the water tank 131 with water for generating steam. The water tank 131 is preferably made of a transparent material (e.g., transparent plastic or glass, preferably a heat-resistant material), and may include scale marks on the sides so that a user can determine how much water is contained in the water tank. The scale markings may include "MAX" and "MIN" markings to indicate to the user the maximum and minimum amounts of water to be placed in the water tank 131 during use. The water tank 131 may be integrated with the post 130 or may be removably attached to the post 130.

As shown in fig. 1b, the cover 132 may be lifted upward from the tank 131 to facilitate filling of the tank. The column 130 further comprises a base 133, which base 133 may comprise a steam generator for supplying steam to the iron 120 via a flexible hose 134. The steam supplied to the hand iron 120 may then be discharged through steam holes in the soleplate 121 of the hand iron 120 onto the fabric being ironed for ease of ironing.

As an alternative or in addition to the steam generator located in the base 133, the hand-held iron 120 may comprise a steam generator that is supplied with water from the tank 131 via the flexible hose 134 using a pump located in the base 133 or in the hand-held iron 120. The water supplied to the hand iron 120 may also be sprayed onto the fabric during ironing in response to user input (e.g., pressing a button such as the trigger 122) to facilitate ironing. Alternatively or in addition, the trigger 122 may have a function of starting/stopping the flow of steam out of the soleplate 121. The steam generator and pump are preferably electrically powered and receive power from a power source via flexible cable 135 and an attached plug (not shown), but a small manual pump may be provided on the hand-held iron 120 in order to spray small amounts of water onto the garment. Any suitable plug may be used.

In particular, in case the steam generator is located in the base 133, the steam generated by the steam generator is preferably superheated to prevent the steam from being converted back to liquid water due to cooling while traveling through the flexible hose 134, for example, before being discharged through the steam holes of the soleplate 121. While the steam generator may be located anywhere within the steam station 100, when the steam station is suitably oriented, it is preferably located below the tank 131, so that the steam station may be gravity fed via, for example, a one-way valve, and supply steam to the iron 120 via another one-way valve. In response to user input, these valves may be opened/closed electronically via, for example, a solenoid, or manually via, for example, a screw or button. The steam generator may be a drop-on type steam generator in which water drops onto a heating surface and evaporates rapidly into steam, thereby contributing to overheating of the steam, or may be a submerged type steam generator in which the heating surface is submerged in water, or may be a hybrid device capable of achieving both.

Although the iron holder 110 is shown extending substantially horizontally away from the post 130, it may extend at an angle to the horizontal that is shallow enough to keep the hand-held iron 120 inaccurately resting on the iron holder 110 (e.g., at no more than 45 degrees from horizontal, and preferably at approximately 30 degrees or less from horizontal). In order to facilitate frictional contact with the hand iron 120 and reduce the contact surface when the hand iron 120 is not precisely resting in the iron holder region 118 of the iron stand 110, as shown in fig. 4, the iron holder 110 may comprise ribs 117, the ribs 117 preferably being made of a heat resistant elastic polymer (e.g. heat resistant silicone, or heat resistant thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, such as the RTP1200 series TPUR available from RTP company of Winona,580 eastern front street 55987, minnesota, usa). Alternatively or in addition, the iron holder region 118 may have a sufficient depth to retain the iron 120 therein.

Preferably, the ribs 117 are heat resistant at least to the highest operating temperature of the hand iron 120. For example, the maximum operating temperature used in most irons is for cotton and is typically in the range of 180 degrees celsius to 220 degrees celsius. In case the inclination of the iron holder 110 is sufficiently close to horizontal such that the risk of the iron 120 slipping off the iron holder 110 is low, or in case additional locking means are provided to hold the iron on the iron holder 110, the ribs 117 need not be resilient, but may be an inelastic heat resistant material, such as ceramic or hard heat resistant plastic.

Although only two ribs 117 are shown in fig. 4, more ribs may be used. In addition to facilitating the gripping of the hand iron 120, the ribs 117 extend away from the iron holder 110 to separate the hot soleplate 121 of the hand iron 120 from the body of the iron holder 110, thereby preventing excessive heat transfer to the iron holder 110. To achieve this, the thermal conductivity of the ribs 117 should be relatively low (e.g., preferably 0.25 watts per meter-kelvin or less, and more preferably 0.05 watts per meter-kelvin or less-i.e., thermally insulating) at room temperature and pressure. The iron holder 110 is preferably made of a heat resistant material, such as glass fibre reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Fig. 2a and 2b show the folded steam station in a second configuration, in which the iron holder 110 is hinged upwardly about the hinge 112 towards the column 130 so as to extend substantially vertically or parallel to the column 130, and preferably against the column 130 for compactness. A handle 113 is provided at the upper end of the iron holder 110 and protrudes above the post 130 to allow a user to carry the steam station 100 by hand. The handle 113 preferably extends at an angle to the rest of the iron holder 110, such that when the steam station 100 is positioned on a flat surface and the iron holder 110 is moved to a substantially horizontal orientation, the handle 113 contacts that surface to aid in the stability of the device. Stability is also ensured by the way the iron holder 110 is hinged away from the column 130 near the base 133, which ensures that the iron holder 110 remains near the surface where the steam station 100 is located, thus ensuring a low centre of gravity.

The iron holder 110 is held in an upright position against gravity by a push button operated latch/locking element 136. The button operated latch 136 may be any rotary latch or ratchet mechanism that prevents the iron holder 110 from rotating about the hinge 112 from the upright position to the lowered position unless a spring loaded button of the button operated latch 136 is pressed. The latch 136 may be indexed to lock only in the upright position, allowing the iron holder 110 to freely rotate about the hinge 112 as long as the iron holder 110 does not return to the upright position. Alternatively, the latch 136 may be indexed to lock in two or more positions (e.g., an upright position and a substantially horizontal position), and a button needs to be pressed to rotate the iron holder 110 out of these positions. In another alternative, the button operated latch 136 may have a substantially continuous ratchet mechanism or friction clamp that locks the iron holder 110 at any angle relative to the post 130 unless the button is depressed.

A reservoir 115 is provided for the iron 120 on the opposite side of the iron holder 110 from the iron holder area 118. The iron 120 is held in the storage holder 115 by the slide lock 114. Once the iron 120 is located within the storage holder 115, the slide lock 114 slides towards the storage holder 115 to hold the iron within the storage holder 115. The slide lock 114 is preferably spring loaded to bias the slide lock toward a closed (i.e., locked) position to prevent accidental unlocking.

Since the centre of gravity of the steam station 100 will inevitably vary depending on the filling of the tank 131 and whether the iron holder 110 is folded up or down, it is desirable to provide a base 137 to support the steam station 100 in an upright position. The mount 137 preferably extends below the iron 120 to protect the iron 120 when the iron 120 is locked in the storage holder 115. The foot 137 also preferably extends a sufficient length below the iron holder 110 to maintain the steam station 100 in an upright position even when the iron holder 110 is fully extended away from the column, and even when the iron 120 is placed on the iron holder 110, and even when the water tank 131 is empty.

The flexible cable 135 and/or flexible hose 134 may be wrapped around the post 130 prior to locking the iron 120 within the reservoir 115. With the hose 134 and the cable 135 wrapped around the post 130, when the iron 120 is positioned in the storage holder 115, the relatively non-thermally conductive (i.e., thermally insulating) housing 123 of the iron faces outwardly and extends toward the base 137 such that the hose 134 and the cable 135 are held in place between the post 130, the housing 123, and the base 137 and are not easily deployed. For example, the housing 123 may extend to contact the base 137 or sufficiently close to the base 137 to prevent the flexible hose 134 and/or the cable 135 from escaping through a gap between the housing 123 and the base 137. The housing 123 of the iron may extend sufficiently close to the post 130 to trap the flexible hose 134 between the iron 123 and the post 130 when the iron 120 is locked in the storage holder 115.

As an alternative or in addition to the slide lock 114, another locking means may be used to hold the iron 120 in the storage holder 115. For example, a pivoting latch may be used. In another example, the soleplate 121 or another portion of the iron 120 may interlock with a groove (e.g., a pocket) in the reservoir 115. In another example, one of the iron 120 and the reservoir 115 may have hooks that interlock with corresponding grooves in the other of the iron 120 and the reservoir 115.

As shown in fig. 3, the reservoir 115 may include ribs 116. The composition and function of these ribs 116 are the same as that already described for ribs 117 of the iron support area 118.

One or both of the iron holder area 118 and the reservoir 115 may be shaped to tightly enclose the soleplate 121 of the iron 120 when the iron 120 is placed in the iron holder area 118 and the reservoir 115. This helps prevent a user from accidentally touching the hot bottom plate 121. Because the iron 120 has a relatively non-conductive upper housing 123, when the iron 120 is securely located within one or both of the iron holder region 118 and the storage holder 115, the housing 123 may extend to leave only a narrow gap (e.g., less than the width of an average human little finger, about 1.6cm for adults and about 0.8cm for children) between the iron holder 110 and the housing 123. In this way, air may still flow into the space between the iron 120 and the iron holder 110, but the finger cannot reach the space to contact the soleplate 121. Alternatively, the housing 123 may contact the iron holder 110 around part or all of the periphery of the iron holder 110 to substantially enclose the space.

Either or both of the slide lock 114 and the button operated latch 136 may have a status sensor (e.g., an electrical circuit completed when they are in the open/closed position, a micro-switch pressed by a push rod when they are in the open/closed position, a reed switch and magnet arrangement that actuates a read switch by a magnet when the switch is in the closed position, or other similar switches known in the art) in electronic communication with an electronic controller of the vapor station 100 (e.g., a CPU with an associated PCB having suitable memory, communication, and processing resources). Another status sensor may detect whether the iron 120 is located within the reservoir 115. The water tank 131 may further include a water level sensor for detecting a water level within the water tank 131.

The controller may selectively activate and deactivate functions of the steam station 100 based on the outputs of the above-described sensors. For example, if the status sensor detects that the iron 120 is in the storage holder 115, the heating element and/or the steam generator of the soleplate 121 of the iron 120 may be deactivated. In another example, if the water level within the tank 131 is too low, the steam generator and/or pump of the steam station 100 may be deactivated and an audible or visual alert (e.g., a warning light) may be communicated to the user. In another example, activation of the heating element, the steam generator and/or the pump of the soleplate 121 may be prevented when the iron holder is in an upright position and/or is not in a substantially horizontal orientation. In a further example, a warning light is shown when the sensor indicates that the slide lock 114 is not properly engaged to lock the iron 120 within the storage holder 115.

The iron 120 may include a user interface 124, such as a rotary dial. The user interface 124 may only control objects within the iron 120 (e.g., heating elements, internal steam generators, and/or internal pumps of the soleplate 121 of the iron 120). Alternatively, the user interface 124 may also be used to control and receive feedback from components within the column 130, such as a steam generator, sensor, or pump in the base 133. To enable control of the elements within the column 130, the hand-held iron 120 is in electronic communication via wires carried by the flexible hose 134 or via wireless communication modules (such as wifi modules) provided in each of the iron 120 and the column 130. In this way, by electronically connecting the elements in the iron 120 and the column 130, the need for separate user interfaces on the iron 120 and the column 130 to control the elements in each is avoided, and only one user interface is used-this feature can be advantageously applied to any steam station separately from the other advantageous features described herein. As an alternative or in lieu of the user interface 124 provided on the iron 120, a further user interface (not shown) may be provided on the column 130, which may also be used to control components of the column 130 alone or of both the column 130 and the iron 120 in a similar manner as already discussed for the user interface 124. In an example configuration, the temperature of the soleplate may be controlled by the user input 124 and the steam rate may be controlled by a user interface on the column 130.

One or both of the above user interfaces may include a display for providing feedback to the user. This may include information such as the fill level of the water tank 131, and the temperature of the bottom plate 121 sensed by a temperature sensor associated therewith. In the case where a sensor located in one of the post 130 and the iron 120 communicates with a processor in the other of the post 130 and the iron 120 to provide feedback to a user or to an electronic controller, for example, this may be done via wires in the flexible hose 134 or wirelessly as already described above.

By locking the iron holder 110 upwards, wrapping the cable 135 and hose 134 around the post 130, and locking the iron 120 in the storage holder 115, a compact configuration is achieved. In this second compact configuration, the footprint of the vapor station 100 is not substantially greater than the footprint of the base 137, thus minimizing the horizontal storage space occupied by the device. The vertical orientation of the iron 120 (i.e. the vertical orientation of the long axis) ensured by the shape of the iron holder 115 particularly improves the storage.

Although the hinge 112 is described above as being located near the base 137, at the base of the steam station 100, the hinge 112 may alternatively be located near the top of the column 130, wherein the lowermost end of the iron holder 110 moves away from the column 130 about the hinge 112. In this case, the iron holder area 118 may double as an iron holder and may include all of the features already described for the iron holder 115. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a separate iron holder 115 on the opposite side of the iron holder 110 from the iron holder area 118.

In order to further reduce the storage space occupied by the steam station 100, a collapsible water tank 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in fig. 5a and 5 b. Collapsible tank 200 has a hollow body made of a flexible, preferably transparent substance, for example, flexible plastic such as HDPE, LDPE, PET or polycarbonate may be used. The body 201 may be retracted from a full state (shown in fig. 5 a) to an empty state (shown in fig. 5 b) in which the body 201 may be more easily stored.

The connector 202 (also referred to as a coupling element) is provided in fluid communication with the body 201 such that water contained in the body 201 can flow through the connector 202. Connector 202 may also be used to attach tank 200 to equipment such as a steam station via a bayonet or threaded attachment or other suitable attachment. The connector 202 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a valve for preventing undesired flow of water from the body 201. The valve may be a screw type valve that opens and closes by twisting the connector 202 relative to the body 201. Alternatively, the valve may be a spring-loaded valve, except that when the connector 202 is attached to something, the spring-loaded valve is normally held closed by a spring, in which case the valve is pushed aside by a projection on the attached device against the spring, or by hand, for filling during attachment.

The corrugated collapsible tank 300 shown in fig. 6a and 6b is similar to collapsible tank 200, except that the body 301 of tank 300 is corrugated by corrugations 302 extending circumferentially around body 301 (i.e. ridges and grooves in the walls of body 301 that allow wall portions between corrugations 302 to fold substantially flat with respect to each other). As shown in fig. 6a, the corrugations 302 facilitate folding of the body 301 for more compactness.

The collapsible water tank 400 shown in fig. 7a and 7b is similar to the water tank 200 except that it is not collapsed, the collapsible water tank 400 having a main body consisting of a lower portion 401 and an upper portion 402 which collapses away from the lower portion when filled with water so as to contain more water. The junction between the upper 402 and lower 401 portions may be sealed using, for example, a rubber gasket to prevent water from escaping between the two portions. Since the sidewalls of the lower portion 401 and the upper portion 402 do not need to be bent during the telescoping process, more rigid, durable materials may be used in their construction. Although only two

telescoping portions

401 and 402 are shown, three or more telescoping portions may be provided.

The air bladder type collapsible water tank 500 shown in fig. 8a and 8b is similar to the water tank 200 except that the main body 501 of the air bladder type collapsible water tank 500 is made of an elastic material such as natural or synthetic rubber. Particularly compact storage dimensions are made possible by the expansion and contraction of the material of the water tank 500. The resilient material also pressurizes its contents, thereby facilitating the outflow of water during use.

Fig. 9a and 9b illustrate a collapsible water tank 200 of the type already described above with reference to fig. 5a and 5b, connected via a connector 202 to a typical steam station 600, which steam station 600 has an iron 602 resting on a steam station base 601, wherein the iron 602 can receive steam, water and electricity from the base 601 via a hose 603. The connector 202 may be omitted and instead the box is formed with a base 601. Tank 200 may be provided with a hole in its upper surface closed by a removable cover to facilitate filling when connector 202 is oriented downward. Instead, a filling hole may be provided in the steam station itself 600 to allow filling and emptying of the tank 200 when the tank 200 is attached to the steam station 600, in particular when the tank 200 is integrally formed with the steam station 600.

As shown in fig. 9b, when the water tank 200 is emptied by using water in ironing, the tank 200 is contracted into a more compact shape using the internal volume previously occupied by the water as the storage space of the tank 200. In this way, the steam station 600 and the water tank 200 are made easier to store.

Fig. 10a and 10b illustrate a steam station 700 having an accordion/corrugated collapsible water tank 706 similar to collapsible water tank 300 described above. The steam station 700 has a base unit 701 hinged to an iron holder 704 via a hinge 705. An iron 702 with a hose 703 (similar to the iron 602 and hose 603) may rest on the iron holder 704. Since the collapsible water tank 706 is located between the base unit 701 and the iron holder 704, and is in fluid communication with one or both of them, the weight of the iron holder 704 and the iron 702 on the water tank 706 causes water to flow faster from the water tank 706. As with the steam station 600, once the water tank 706 is emptied, the steam station 700 adopts a more compact configuration for storage, as shown in fig. 10 b.

Fig. 11a and 11b illustrate a collapsible tank 300 of the type described above connected to a steam station 800. The steam station 800 is similar to the steam station 600, except that the base of the steam station comprises an iron holder portion 801 and a water tank support portion 802, which are hinged and fluidly connected via a hinge 803, rather than being formed as a single piece. As shown in fig. 11b, when the bin 300 is emptied or removed, the steam station 800 may be folded for easier storage. The iron holder 801 may have all the same features already described for the iron holder 110.

Fig. 12a and 12b disclose a steam station 900 having a collapsible water tank 300 of the kind already described above. The steam station 900 is similar to the steam station 600, except that the base portion 901 of the steam station is in the form of a C-shape, which is connected to the iron holder 902 by an upstanding portion 903. Tank 300 is in fluid communication with base portion 901 and slowly collapses when water in tank 300 is used. As shown in fig. 12a, when the water tank 300 is completely emptied, the space thus freed can be used as space for storing the hose 904 (or other connector/accessory) without increasing the total storage space of the steam station 900.

While the hinge described above is used to provide an arrangement that allows the multiple sections to pivot relative to one another, in each case another way of providing relatively movable but connected sections may be used. This may include a flexible joint (e.g., a joint made of flexible plastic or fabric), an articulating joint, a ball joint, or any other rotary joint. In the case where only two relative-rotation portions are described, three or more relative-rotation portions may be provided. The hollow space within one part may be used to accommodate the other of the telescopic arrangements, e.g. the base 701 may be telescopic into the iron holder 704.

The various features disclosed in the specification and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided separately or in any suitable combination.

Reference signs appearing in the claims are provided merely as a exemplification and do not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A steam station, the steam station comprising:

the steam generator is arranged to generate a steam,

a base comprising a water tank fluidly connected to the steam generator to provide water to the steam generator,

an iron having a soleplate, the iron being fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to drain steam provided by the steam generator for ironing a garment,

an iron holder connected to the base via a swivel joint, wherein the iron holder is movable about the joint from a first configuration in which the iron holder extends outwardly from the base to allow the iron to rest on the iron holder, to a second configuration in which the iron holder extends substantially parallel to the base, and

wherein the iron holder comprises a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron holder is in the second configuration,

And wherein the storage seat is located on a surface of the iron holder opposite to an iron holder area configured to inaccurately accommodate the iron during rest between ironing operations.

2. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the base has a cylindrical shape.

3. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the steam generator is located within the base and is configured to superheat steam provided by the steam generator to the iron.

4. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the steam generator is located within the iron, and wherein the steam station comprises a pump configured to pump water from the water tank to the steam generator.

5. The steam station of claim 4, wherein the pump is located in the base.

6. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a user-actuatable lock configured to secure the iron within the reservoir.

7. The steam station of claim 6, wherein the user-actuatable lock is a slide lock or a rotary lock.

8. The steam station of claim 1, wherein one of the storage holder and the iron includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion or hook of the other of the storage holder and the iron to releasably secure the iron in the storage holder.

9. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the storage seat comprises ribs configured to separate a soleplate of the iron from a body of the iron holder when the iron is received in the storage seat.

10. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the swivel joint comprises one of a fabric joint, a flexible joint, a ball joint, an articulating joint, and a hinge.

11. The steam station of claim 1, further comprising a base configured to maintain the steam station in an upright position across an entire range of fill states of the water tank and an extension of the iron holder away from the base.

12. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the iron is fluidly connected to the water tank via a flexible hose, and wherein the iron is configured to hold the flexible hose against the base when secured in the storage seat.

13. A steam station according to claim 1, wherein the iron comprises an insulated housing on a side of the iron opposite the soleplate so as to face outwardly from the storage seat when the iron is secured within the storage seat.

14. The steam station of claim 13, wherein the reservoir is configured to enclose the housing to prevent fingers from accessing the soleplate when the iron is secured in the reservoir.

15. The steam station of claim 14, wherein the reservoir surrounds the housing by a gap of less than 1.6 cm.

16. The steam station of claim 14, wherein the reservoir surrounds the housing by a gap of less than 0.8 cm.

17. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the swivel joint comprises a user-actuatable latch configured to lock the joint against rotation in at least one rotational position.

18. The steam station of claim 17, wherein the at least one rotational position corresponds to the second configuration.

19. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the steam station is configured to automatically de-energize the steam generator and/or a heating element associated with the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage seat.

20. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the water tank includes a water level sensor and the steam station includes a user interface configured to communicate a water level status of the water tank to a user.

21. The steam station of claim 20, wherein the steam station is configured to power down the steam generator in response to feedback from the water level sensor.

22. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the water tank is removably attached to the base.

23. The steam station of claim 22, wherein the water tank includes a connector configured to prevent water from flowing out of the water tank via the connector when the water tank is removed from the base.

24. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the tank is configured to be collapsible from a filled configuration to a collapsed configuration for storage.

25. The steam station of claim 24, wherein the water tank is one of:

a) A tank comprising corrugated sidewalls;

b) A tank comprising telescoping side walls;

c) A tank formed of an elastic material.

26. A steam station according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the steam station is configured to apply pressure to the water tank by using the weight of the iron.

27. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the iron and the base are electrically connected, and one of the iron and the base is configured to send instructions entered by a user for controlling the other of the iron and the base.

28. The steam station of claim 27, wherein one of the iron and the base is configured to receive feedback from the other of the iron and the base and communicate the feedback to a user.