FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a garment steamer having a tiltable ironing board comprising first and second parts which are detachable from each other.

The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment steamers are known to be used for steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture from the steam. One type of garment steamer, called a stand garment steamer, comprises a base unit that houses a water reservoir and a steam generating unit. A steamer head is connected to the base unit by a flexible hose through which steam is delivered to the steamer head. The steamer head is provided with a steam-plate, also referred to as a soleplate, with one or more steam holes to discharge steam onto the fabric being treated. The garment is hung on a hanger and the user positions the steamer head over the hanging garment to remove creases. The removal of creases is also referred to herein as “de-wrinkling”.

Such stand steamers may include a garment support feature and/or accessory, such as a garment support board or mat, for enhancing, in particular speeding up, the de-wrinkling process. Moreover, the user may opt to treat the garment at an angle or angles other than an upright orientation in which the garment hangs vertically from the hanger of the garment steamer. A horizontal orientation tends to be desired by the user due to their experience of ironing, especially for long pants or formal long-sleeved shirts.

It is desirable for the garment support board to be sufficiently long to enable application of steam to the garment surface area in one steaming stroke. This is to further enhance the de-wrinkling performance of the garment steamer.

A longer support board may nevertheless present challenges. The de-wrinkling performance of the garment steamer may be compromised by the tendency of the longer board to bend or bow when the user is pressing on it during steaming/ironing in the horizontal orientation. Such bowing or bending may increase the risk of creases being introduced during steaming. Such bowing or bending may also lead to the garment steamer being perceived by the user to be of inferior quality.

US 2019/376228 Al discloses an apparatus for steam treatment of laundry including an ironing board.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose an improved garment steamer for treating a garment that avoids or mitigates above-mentioned problems.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises: an ironing board forming a planar surface, the ironing board being made of plastic material, a pole assembly for supporting the ironing board via a pivot coupling arranged between the ironing board and the pole assembly, wherein the ironing board comprises a first part and a second part being detachable from each other, the first part and the second part extending in an opposite direction relative to the pivot coupling, and reinforcement means made of metal material being only arranged on one of the first part or the second part, for reinforcing the rigidity of the first part or the second part.

The ironing board is made of plastic material so that the ironing board benefits from being relatively lightweight, and straightforward to manufacture, e.g. by an injection molding process.

The pivot coupling arranged between the ironing board and the pole assembly enables tilting of the ironing board about an axis of rotation. The ironing board extends in an opposite direction to the pivot coupling. In other words, the ironing board extends along a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The pivot coupling enables, for example, the ironing board to be tilted from an upright orientation in which the ironing board extends parallel with the pole assembly towards or to a horizontal orientation in which the ironing board extends perpendicular to the pole assembly.

The ironing board comprises a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are detachable from each other. When the first and second parts are detached from each other, storage and transportation of the garment steamer is facilitated. Less packaging is also required when supplying the garment steamer because of the smaller form factor associated with supplying the first and second parts detached from each other.

Attaching the first and second parts together, e.g. by snap-fitting the first and second parts to each other, enables the ironing board to be elongated. Such an elongated ironing board is, for example, desirable for steaming/ironing a garment when the ironing board is tilted via the pivot coupling to the horizontal orientation.

The reinforcement means are made of metal material. The reinforcement means are only arranged on one of the first part and the second part. This minimises weight increase of the garment steamer, for example relative to the scenario in which both the first part and the second part of the ironing board are reinforced with the metal material.

The reinforcing means reinforce the rigidity of the respective part, in other words the first part or the second part, on which the reinforcement means are arranged.

In this manner, bowing or bending of the ironing board is suppressed, particularly when the first and second parts are attached to each other and the ironing board is tilted via the pivot coupling to the horizontal orientation. By suppressing bending of the ironing board, the risk of creases being introduced during steaming/ironing using the garment steamer may be reduced.

Preferably, the reinforcement means are made of stainless steel or aluminum.

Stainless steel benefits from being strong and rigid, as well as being relatively resistant to corrosion, particularly under the humid conditions during use of the garment steamer.

Aluminum benefits from being relatively strong and with lightweight.

Preferably, the reinforcement means take the form of at least one rod. In an embodiment, the at least one rod extends in the opposite direction relative to the pivoting coupling. In other words, the at least one rod extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the ironing board.

Preferably, the at least one rod has a cross-section taken among one of the following shapes: circular, square, T-Shape,

- U-shape, I-shape,

- L-shape

The at least one rod can, for example, be in the form of a solid shaft or a hollow rod.

Preferably, the at least one rod is a hollow rod. The hollow rod assists to reduce the weight of the garment steamer relative to, for example, a rod in the form of a solid shaft having similar dimensions.

The hollow rod preferably has a circular cross-section with an outer diameter of 5 to 20 mm, and/or a wall thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm.

Such dimensions of the hollow rod may provide the desired reinforcement, whilst minimising weight increase of the garment steamer.

Preferably, the reinforcement means are arranged at the back of the first part or the second part.

Thus, the reinforcement means reinforce the respective part of the ironing board but are set back from the planar surface on which fabric is steam treated.

Preferably, the reinforcement means are molded together with the first part or the second part.

This avoids the requirement for an additional fastener/fastening step in the manufacturing process for assisting to hold the reinforcement means in place. By having the reinforcement means molded together with the first part or the second result in a final assembly wherein the reinforcement means are fully embedded into the first or the second part (i.e. not separable from the first or the second part) which in turn allows a further reinforcement of the stiffness.

The first part has a first length, and the second part has a second length. Preferably, the first length is longer than the second length, and the reinforcement means are arranged on the first part.

The first length being longer than the second length means that the first part is predominantly responsible for the lengthening of the ironing board. Such lengthening tends to be required when, for example, steaming/ironing long pants or formal long-sleeved shirts. The reinforcement means suppress deflection or bending away of the longer first part when the first part is pressed by a user during ironing or steam treatment.

Preferably, the second part has an extremity forming a hanger for garments.

As well as facilitating hanging of a garment on the second part, the extremity may also serve to enhance the rigidity of the second part. This may assist to compensate for, for example, the reinforcement means reinforcing the first part but not the second part.

In an example, the reinforcement means comprise a single rod extending along a longitudinal axis of the ironing board.

In an alternative example, the reinforcement means comprise two rods extending parallel and symmetrically along a longitudinal axis of the ironing board.

In another example, the reinforcement means comprise two rods forming a V-shape.

The concave area of the V-shape is preferably directed towards the pivot coupling.

In yet another example, the reinforcement means form a frame arranged along the periphery of the first part or the second part. Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:

Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a garment steamer according to an example,

Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the ironing board of the garment steamer shown in Fig. 1 in a disassembled state,

Fig. 3 depicts a part of an exemplary ironing board,

Fig. 4 depicts a rod assembly according to an example,

Fig. 5 depicts various exemplary cross-sectional shapes for a metal rod used to reinforce a part of the ironing board, and

Figs. 6A to 6D respectively depict exemplary reinforcement means for reinforcing a part of the ironing board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig.l depicts a garment steamer 100 according to an example. The garment steamer 100 comprises an ironing board 102. The ironing board 102 forms, or comprises, a planar surface on which a garment (not visible in the Figures) can be steamed or ironed using the garment steamer 100.

The ironing board 102 is made of plastic material. This is so that the ironing board 102 benefits from being relatively lightweight. This also makes the ironing board 102 relatively straightforward to manufacture, e.g. by injection molding.

Preferably, the ironing board 102 is made of an engineering thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate. As well as being relatively lightweight, engineering thermoplastics can be readily shaped or molded to form the ironing board 102.

The suitability of polycarbonate as the plastic material of the ironing board stems from it being relatively lightweight, strong, stiff, hard and tough, particularly at the elevated temperatures to which it is exposed during steaming/ironing. The ironing board 102 is supported by a pole assembly 104 A, 104B. In the non-limiting example shown in Fig. 1, the pole assembly 104A, 104B comprises a first pole 104A and a second pole 104B.

The first pole 104 A and the second pole 104B of the pole assembly 104 A, 104B extend vertically upwards from a base unit 106.

Whilst not visible in the Figures, the base unit 106 houses a water reservoir and a steam generating unit. A steamer head (also not visible in the Figures) is connected to the base unit 106 by a flexible hose through which steam is delivered to the steamer head. The steamer head is provided with a steam-plate, also referred to as a soleplate, with one or more steam holes to discharge steam onto the fabric or garment being treated using the garment steamer 100.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the garment steamer 100 comprises a holder or cradle 107 on which to place the steamer head while the steamer head is not being held by the user. As shown in Fig. 1, the holder or cradle 107 is also supported by the pole assembly 104A, 104B.

A pivot coupling 108 is arranged between the ironing board 102 and the pole assembly 104A, 104B. The pivot coupling 108 enables tilting of the ironing board about an axis of rotation Al.

The pivot coupling 108 enables, for example, the ironing board 102 to be tilted from an upright orientation to the horizontal orientation shown in Fig. 1.

The ironing board 102 extends, for instance, parallel with first pole 104 A and the second pole 104B of the pole assembly 104 A, 104B in the upright orientation. In the horizontal orientation shown in Fig. 1, the ironing board 102 extends perpendicular to the first pole 104 A and the second pole 104B of the pole assembly 104 A, 104B.

It is apparent from Fig. 1 that the ironing board 102 extends in an opposite direction to the pivot coupling 108. In other words, the ironing board extends along a longitudinal axis A2 which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation Al.

As shown in Fig. 1, the longitudinal axis A2 extends along the center of the ironing board 102. The ironing board 102 comprises a first part 110 and a second part 112. The first part 110 and the second part 112 are detachable from each other. Fig. 1 shows the ironing board 102 in an assembled state in which the first and second parts 110, 112 are attached to each other.

Fig. 2 shows the ironing board 102 in a disassembled state in which the first and second parts 110, 112 are detached from each other. This facilitates storage and transportation of the garment steamer 100. Less packaging is also required when supplying the garment steamer 100 due to the smaller form factor associated with supplying the first and second parts 110, 112 detached from each other.

In the non-limiting example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a first attachment member 114A and a second attachment member 114B extend from the back of the ironing board 102. A first hole in the first attachment member 114A aligns with a first aperture in the first pole 104 A. Similarly, a second hole in the second attachment member 114B aligns with a second aperture in the second pole 104B. One or more pins extending through the first hole and the first aperture, and through the second hole and the second aperture, along the axis of rotation can then define the pivot coupling 108.

More generally, the garment steamer 100 preferably has a mechanism for selecting a tilt angle of the ironing board 102, and locking the ironing board 102 into the selected position.

In some examples, the mechanism enables selection of one or more tilt angles. For instance, the mechanism is configured to permit the user to select the vertical orientation, the horizontal orientation, and/or one or more intermediate orientations between the vertical and horizontal orientations.

In a non-limiting example, the garment steamer 100 has a lever (not visible in the Figures) arranged to enable unlocking of the mechanism such that the tilt angle of the ironing board 102 can be adjusted, and locking of the mechanism once the tilt angle has been selected.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ironing board 102 is designed to be attached to the pole assembly 104A, 104B via the second part 112. The second part 112 is thus supported by the pole assembly 104A, 104B, irrespective of the first part 110 being attached to or detached from the second part 112. This means that, in this particular example, the first and second attachment members 114A, 114B extend from the back of the second part 112.

In an embodiment, the second part 112 has an extremity 116 forming a hanger for garments.

As shown in Fig. 2, the second part 112 widens from the point of attachment to the first part 110 towards the extremity 116. This widening of the second part 112 at the extremity 116 is to complement, for example, the shape of the shoulder portion of a shirt or jacket to facilitate hanging of such a garment on the second part 112. The extremity 116 may also serve to enhance the rigidity of the second part 112, as will be described in more detail herein below.

The extremity 116 preferably corresponds to the widest part of the ironing board 102.

The first part 110 may, for instance, have the same width as the second part 112 at the point of attachment with the second part 112. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first part 110 tapers to a narrowest width of the ironing board 102 at the end of the first part 110 which is distal to the second part 112. This assists to improve the compactness of the first part 110, as well as providing the first part 110, and the assembled ironing board 102 as a whole, with a sleek appearance.

The ironing board 102 of the garment steamer 100 can be lengthened by attaching the first part 110 to the second part 112. Such lengthening of the ironing board 102 can enable application of steam to the garment surface area in one steaming stroke, thereby to enhance the de-wrinkling performance of the garment steamer 100.

Preferably, the first and second parts 110, 112 are attachable to and detachable from each other via a snap-fit joint. This enhances the speed and ease with which the first and second parts 110, 112 can be attached to and detached from each other.

In the example shown in Fig. 2, male members 118A, 118B, 118C extend from the first part 110 and fit into and engage with respective complementary recesses 120 A, 120B, 120C in the second part 112. Alternative designs can be contemplated, such as the male members 118A, 118B, 118C extending from the second part 112, and the recesses 120A, 120B, 120C being provided in the first part 110. More generally, the garment steamer 100 comprises reinforcement means 124 made of metal material.

Any suitable metal material, for example a metal or metal alloy, can be used for forming the reinforcement means 124.

Preferably, the reinforcement means 124 are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel benefits from being strong and rigid, as well as being relatively resistant to corrosion, particularly under the humid conditions during use of the garment steamer 100.

The reinforcement means 124 are only arranged on one of the first part 110 or the second part 112. This minimises weight increase of the garment steamer 100, for example relative to the scenario in which both the first part 110 and the second part 112 of the ironing board 102 are reinforced with the metal material.

Reinforcing the first part 110 or the second part 112 with the reinforcement means 124 assists to suppress bowing or bending of the ironing board 102, particularly when the first and second parts 110, 112 are attached to each other and the ironing board 102 is in the horizontal orientation shown in Fig. 1. By suppressing bending of the ironing board 102, the risk of creases being introduced during steaming/ironing using the garment steamer 100 may be reduced. The perceived build quality of the garment steamer 100 is also improved.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first part 110 has a first length LI, and the second part 112 has a second length L2. In this example, the first length LI is longer than the second length L2.

The second length L2 being shorter than the first length LI may be partly ascribed to the garmenthanging purpose of the first part 110 in this example. Garment hanging does not necessarily require a particularly long second part 112.

It is the first part 110 which is predominantly responsible for the lengthening of the ironing board 102 when, for example, steaming/ironing of long pants or formal long-sleeved shirts is required.

Thus, the first part 110 provides a relatively large over-hang when the ironing board 102 is arranged horizontally for ironing, as shown in Fig. 1. The first part 110 may tend to deflect or bend away when pressed by a user during ironing, particularly when the ironing board 102 is in the horizontal orientation.

The first part 110 is accordingly reinforced by the reinforcement means 124 in the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the second part 112 is not.

The lower rigidity of the first part 110 due, at least in part, to the first length LI being greater than the second length L2, is thus compensated for by the reinforcement means 124 reinforcing the first part 110.

In this manner, bending of the first part 110 is suppressed, and the risk of creases being introduced during steaming/ironing using the garment steamer 100 is correspondingly reduced. The more rigid construction of the first part 110, and the assembled ironing board 102 as a whole, may also improve the perceived quality of the garment steamer 100.

As an alternative or in addition to the first length LI being longer than the second length L2, a maximum thickness T2 of the second part 112 may be greater than a maximum thickness T1 of the first part. The first part 110 being thinner assists to improve the compactness of the first part 110.

The reinforcement means 124 reinforcing the first part 110 also assists to compensate for the lower rigidity of the first part 110 relative to the second part 112 arising from the difference in thickness between the first and second parts 110, 112.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the higher maximum thickness T2 of the second part 112 is due to the thickness of the extremity 116. The extremity 116 thus lends rigidity to the second part 112.

More generally, the greater maximum thickness T2 of the second part 112 relative to the maximum thickness T1 of the first part 110 assists to compensate for the absence of reinforcement means in the second part 112. In an embodiment, the reinforcement means 124 are arranged at the back of the first part 110 or the second part 112. The back of the first part 110 or the second part 112 corresponds to the opposite side of the ironing board 102 from the side having the planar surface.

Fig. 3 shows a cutaway view of the back 122 of the first part 110 of the ironing board 102. In this example, the reinforcement means 124A, 124B are arranged at the back 122 of the first part 110.

Preferably, the reinforcement means 124 take the form of at least one rod (124A, 124B).

In an embodiment, the at least one rod 124 A, 124B extends in the opposite direction relative to the pivoting coupling 108. In other words, the at least one rod 124 A, 124B extends parallel with the longitudinal axis A2 of the ironing board 102.

In the example shown in Fig. 3, the reinforcement means 124 comprise, or are defined by, two rods 124A, 124B extending parallel and symmetrically to each other along the longitudinal axis A2 of the ironing board 102.

More generally, the at least one rod 124 A, 124B can, for example, be in the form of a solid shaft or a hollow rod.

Preferably, each of the at least one rod 124 A, 124B is in the form of a hollow rod, such as a hollow stainless steel pipe. This is to reduce the weight of the garment steamer 100 relative to, for instance, the scenario in which the rod(s) is or are in the form of a solid shaft having similar dimensions.

Preferably, the hollow rod 124A, 124B has a circular cross-section, although alternative cross- sectional shapes can be considered, as will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 5.

In an embodiment, the hollow rod has a circular cross-section with an outer diameter of 5 to 20 mm, e.g. 8 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm, such as 0.8 mm. The outer diameter is determined by: 2*(the wall thickness) + (diameter of hollow part of circular cross-section). Such dimensions of the hollow rod may provide the desired reinforcement, whilst minimising weight increase of the garment steamer 100. In a specific non-limiting example, the at least one rod is made of hollow stainless steel pipe having an outer diameter of 5 to 20 mm, e.g. 8 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm, such as 0.8 mm.

In an embodiment, the reinforcement means 124 are molded together with the first part 110 or the second part 112.

In the example shown in Fig. 3, the reinforcement means 124, in this case in the form of the rods 124A, 124B, are molded together with the first part 110 of the ironing board 102. In this manner, the rods 124A, 124B are embedded in the first part 110.

This can be achieved via, for example, an “insert moulding” technique. This technique involves placing the rod(s) 124 A, 124B, for example each in the form the above-described hollow stainless steel pipe, into a mould for the first part 110 before injecting the plastic material into the mould. The plastic material may be an engineering plastic, preferably polycarbonate, as previously described.

As shown in the enlarged view provided in Fig. 3, the moulding process causes the first part 110 to comprise an integral sleeve 126A in which the rod 124A is received. The rod 124A is thus embedded in the first part 110. Specifically, the rod 124A in this example is embedded in the back 122 of the first part 110 of the ironing board 102.

Fig. 4 shows a hollow rod 124A, e.g. a hollow stainless steel pipe, before it is moulded into the first part 110. In order to prevent the plastic material from flowing into the hollow stainless steel pipe, two plastic stoppers 128 A are used to seal the two open ends of the hollow rod 124 A. The hollow rod 124 A with the stoppers 128 A at both ends can be regarded as a rod assembly 124 A, 128A. One end of the rod assembly 124A, 128A is shown in more detail in the enlarged view provided in Fig. 4.

Preferably, the plastic stopper 128 A is made from plastic material having similar or higher melting temperature compared to the plastic material used for the first part 110. The plastic stopper is, for instance, made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer. The above description of the insert moulding technique provided for the rod 124A also applies to the other rod(s), such as the rod 124B shown in Fig. 3, of the reinforcement means 124.

The insert moulding process enables the at least one rod 124 A, 124B to be embedded in the first part 110 without the requirement for an additional fastener for holding the at least one rod 124 A, 124B in place, and without requiring a further process step involving securing the at least one rod 124A, 124B in place.

In an alternative example, the at least one rod 124 A, 124B, e.g. in the form of a hollow stainless steel pipe, could be fixed to the first part 110 using a suitable fixing method, such as heat staking, gluing, etc.

Whilst the at least one rod 124A, 124B shown in Figs. 3 and 4 has a circular cross-section, this is not intended to be limiting. Other rod designs can be considered.

Fig. 5 shows alternative rods 124T, 124U, 124S, 1241, 124L having non-circular cross-sectional shapes. The rod 124T has a T-shaped cross-section, the rod 124U has a U-shaped cross-section, the rod 124S has a square cross-section, the rod 1241 has an I-shaped cross-section, and the rod 124L has an L-shaped cross-section.

Whilst the example shown in Figs. 3 and 4 involves the reinforcement means 124 comprising, or being defined by, two rods 124 A, 124B extending parallel and symmetrically to each other along the longitudinal axis A2 of the ironing board 102, this is also not intended to be limiting. More or fewer rods 124 A, 124B, and different arrangements of the rods 124 A, 124B, can be considered.

Fig. 6A shows a first part 110 of an ironing board 102 which is reinforced by reinforcement means 124 comprising, or defined by, four rods 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D. In this particular example, each of the four rods 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D extends parallel with the longitudinal axis A2. The reinforcement means 124 in this case is similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4, other than the inclusion of the additional rods 124C and 124D which extend along part of opposing edges of the first part 110. Fig. 6B shows an example in which the reinforcement means is in the form of a single rod 124A extending along, in this case coincident with, the longitudinal axis A2 of the ironing board 102.

Fig. 6C shows an example in which the reinforcement means comprise, or are defined by, two rods 124A, 124B forming a V-shape.

Preferably, the concave area of the V-shape is directed towards the pivot coupling 108. In other words, both rods 124A, 124B of the V-shape, in this example, converge towards the end of the first part 110 which is distal to the second part 112. In particular, the rods 124A, 124B can both meet the longitudinal axis A2 of the ironing board 102 at the distal end of the first part 110, as shown in Fig. 6C. Fig. 6D shows a further example in which the reinforcement means 124 form a frame 124F arranged along the periphery of the first part 110.

Whilst Figs. 6A to 6D have been described in relation to the reinforcement means 124 reinforcing the first part 110, the same considerations are applicable to reinforcement of the second part 112.

The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. In particular, although the invention has been described based on a garment steamer, it can be applied more generally to an ironing board provided independently of a steam generating device. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.