CN113454279B - Steam station with water tank - Google Patents

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 to supply the steam generator with Water is provided, the base preferably has a columnar shape; an iron (120) having a soleplate (121), the iron is fluidly connected to the steam generator and is configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator to facilitate ironing clothes; A carriage (110) connected to the base via a swivel joint (112), wherein the iron carriage is movable around the joint from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the iron carriage moves from the base to the extends outwardly to allow the iron to rest on the iron stand, in the second configuration the iron stand extends substantially parallel to the base, wherein the iron stand includes a storage seat (115), when the iron stand is in the second configuration , the iron can be accommodated and fixed in the storage base.

Description

steam station with water tank

technical field

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

Background technique

Ironing (ie, smoothing out creases in clothing and other fabric materials) is traditionally performed using a hand iron with a heated soleplate (eg, a stainless steel plate heated by an electrical heating element). To help smooth out the creases, a steam generator is integrated into the construction of the hand iron, which boils water to generate steam, which is then vented onto the fabric through holes in the soleplate.

However, providing a steam generator unit and a water tank containing water required for steam production on the hand iron makes the hand iron too heavy and bulky. Additionally, the water storage capacity within the hand iron is limited by the need to keep the hand iron light enough to be easily lifted. Finally, since the heat used to operate the steam generator is typically provided by the same heating elements used to heat the soleplate, steam generation capacity is limited, and the different temperatures required for the soleplate and steam generator make proper temperature control difficult. Therefore, steam stations are introduced to solve this problem.

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

Since the base part is not integrated with the handheld iron, but is only connected to the handheld iron by a hose and cable, the base part can rest on a surface during ironing, making the handheld unit less cumbersome. Also, in this configuration, the water storage capacity is much less restricted.

For user convenience, a rest or iron stand is usually provided on the steam station base unit, on which the hot hand iron can be rested imprecisely during use. Because the iron is unstable on an excessively sloping surface, the surface must be level or only slightly sloping (e.g. about 30 degrees or less from horizontal) or the iron could slip off the iron stand and could injure the user .

However, the need to provide sufficient space on the steam station to rest the iron makes the steam station too long in the horizontal direction. This is disadvantageous as it means taking an excessive amount of footprint when in storage and when storing a product it is possible to have items placed on top of the product increasing the risk of breakage and the required vertical strength of the device.

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

Therefore, there is a need for a steam station and water tank that can improve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

Contents of the 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, eg by heating the water.

The station also comprises a base which in turn comprises a water tank fluidly connected to the steam generator for supplying water to the steam generator, said base preferably having a cylindrical shape. The base is the part of the steam station that was previously called the base section. The base is relatively fixed in place during ironing, while the iron itself moves. By fluidly connecting the water tank to the steam generator it is meant that a fluid such as water can be directed from the water tank to the steam generator where it is converted into steam. The columnar shape means that the base has a shape that is longer in one direction compared to the other two directions perpendicular to that direction. In other words, columnar means that the base has a columnar form. Preferably, the cylindrical shape is such that it extends in a vertical direction during use of the steam station.

The steam station also includes an iron with a soleplate. The iron is fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator to facilitate ironing of clothes. Also, the fluid connection means that steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron.

The steam station further comprises an iron carriage connected to the base via a swivel joint, wherein the iron carriage is movable about the joint from a first configuration to a second configuration, in the second In one configuration, the iron rest extends outwardly from the base to allow the iron to rest on the iron rest, and in the second configuration, the iron rest is substantially parallel to the base extended. The first configuration is preferably substantially horizontal to allow the iron to rest on the iron stand without sliding. The second configuration is preferably more vertical to take up less space than the first configuration.

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

By providing the ability to fold the steam station so that the iron carriage sticks out less, ie in the second configuration, it is ensured that the steam station takes up less space during storage. Since the iron can then also be secured to the iron stand, the iron can also be stored safely, which also allows storing the iron in a very compact arrangement.

Preferably, a steam generator is located within the base, and the steam generator superheats steam supplied 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 as it is directed to the iron is avoided.

Locating 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 set higher than the water tank.

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

Preferably, the storage seat is located on a surface of the iron tray opposite the area of the iron tray. The iron rest area is configured to imprecisely accommodate the iron during rest between ironing operations. By providing such an iron rest area, the iron can be put down during ironing operations.

Preferably, the storage seat includes a user actuatable lock, preferably a slide lock or a rotary lock, configured to secure the iron within the storage seat. This lock helps keep the iron in place during storage.

Preferably, one of the storage base and the iron includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion or hook of the other of the storage base and the iron to hold the iron Releasably secured in the storage seat. This provides a reliable way of storing the iron between ironing operations.

Preferably, the storage seat includes ribs configured to separate the soleplate of the iron from the body of the iron carriage when the iron is received in the storage seat. These ribs space the soleplate, which is likely to be hot after the ironing operation, from the bottom of the storage seat, thereby avoiding contact between the soleplate and the storage seat. This avoids overheating of the storage base, which reduces damage, and also allows the iron to cool down more quickly.

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

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

It is also preferred that the iron is fluidly connected to the tank via a flexible hose, wherein the iron is configured to hold the flexible hose against the base when secured in the receptacle. The hose can be used to lead water to the iron (if the steam generator is provided in the iron), or if the steam generator is provided in the base, the hose can be used to lead steam to the iron. By configuring the iron to hold the feature of the flexible hose against the base when secured in the storage base, this means that the steam station is configured such that the hose can be wrapped around the steam station and can then be secured by the iron to the storage The seat is secured in this coiled configuration so that the hose cannot unravel from the base. In this configuration, the flexible hose can be safely and space efficiently stored between ironing operations. It is also preferred that the water tank is collapsible so that 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) boxes comprising corrugated side walls; b) boxes comprising telescoping side walls; c) boxes formed of elastic material.

Preferably, the iron includes 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. In this way, the steam station is made safer, as the user-facing portion of the iron will be less likely to be hot enough to cause injury.

Optionally, the storage seat is configured to surround the housing to prevent fingers from accessing the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage seat. This helps prevent fingers from coming into contact with the hot soleplate. The storage seat may surround the housing with a gap of less than about 1.6 cm (ie, the width of an adult pinky finger), and more preferably less than about 0.8 cm (the width of a child's pinky 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 carriage of the iron is prevented from moving during use. For example, the iron carriage may be locked in the second configuration to prevent it from being folded accidentally.

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

For user convenience, the water tank preferably includes a water level sensor, and the steam station includes a user interface configured to communicate the water level status of the water tank to the user. Thus, the steam station can communicate with the user when there is not enough water for ironing. Feedback from the water level sensor can cause the steam station to de-energize the steam generator, preventing activation of the steam generator when there is not enough water to properly operate the steam generator.

The water tank is preferably removably attached to the base for user convenience 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 overflow.

Optionally, the iron and the base are electrically connected, and one of the iron and the base is configured to transmit user input for controlling the other of the iron and the base. instructions. 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 this feedback to the user. In this way, the need for separate controls and user interfaces on each of the iron and base is avoided.

In another aspect of the invention, a 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 the part of the steam station that was previously called the base section. The base is held in place during ironing while the iron moves by itself. By fluidly connecting the water tank to the steam generator it is meant that a fluid such as water can be directed from the water tank to the steam generator where it is converted into steam. The steam station also includes an iron with a soleplate. The iron is fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator to facilitate ironing of clothes. Also, the fluid connection means that steam can be led from the steam generator to the iron. The steam station also includes an iron carriage attached to the base. The iron carriage includes a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron carriage is in the second configuration. The water tank is collapsible, enabling it to assume a configuration that consumes less space when it is empty than when it is full of water. Thanks to the retractable water tank, this steam station can be efficiently stored in space.

Preferably, in another aspect of the invention, the iron carriage is arranged on top of the base with the collapsible water tank inserted between the base and the iron carriage. This configuration consumes less footprint than a configuration in which the water tank and iron carriage are arranged horizontally.

In this preferred variant, preferably, the iron bracket is connected to the base via a hinge, so that the iron bracket can swing up and down relative to the base. The carriage of the iron rests against the collapsible water tank and compresses the water tank so as to exert a force to expel the water from the water tank. This force creates pressure inside the tank that helps extract the water. Therefore, the velocity of the water flow guided to the steam generator and the water pressure of the water can be increased.

In another preferred variant, the water tank is arranged horizontally adjacent to the iron carriage. The base part to which the water tank is attached (the water tank support part) is pivotable between a first configuration in which the base part and iron carriage are substantially aligned and a second configuration in which the base part and iron carriage are at an angle to each other. When the tank is empty and thus contracted, a second configuration can be used in order to save space. The first configuration may be adopted during use (ie with a filled (and thus non-collapsed) tank).

Description of drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a shows a perspective view of an improved steam station according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the iron base is folded outwards;

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

Figure 2a shows a perspective view of the steam station of Figure 1a with the iron stand folded in an upright position and the hand iron stored on the iron stand;

Figure 2b is a perspective view of the steam station of Figure 2a viewed from a different angle;

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

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hand-held iron of the steam station of Fig. 1a being lifted off the iron stand;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 9a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and steam station according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, with the water tank full;

Figure 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;

Figure 10a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and collapsible steam station according to a seventh embodiment, with the water tank full;

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

Figure 11a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and collapsible steam station according to an eighth embodiment, with the water tank full;

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

Figure 12a shows a side view of a combined collapsible water tank and collapsible steam station according to a ninth embodiment, with the water tank full; and

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

Detailed ways

Figure 1a shows a folded steam station 100 in a first configuration according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the iron stand 110 (also called "flap") is downwards away from the post (base) 130 around the hinge 112 Hinged so as to extend substantially horizontally away from post 130 . In this substantially horizontal orientation, the hand iron 120 (also referred to as the "handpiece") may rest imprecisely on the iron stand 111 during use without risk of falling and possibly injuring the user.

As shown in Figure 1 b, the column 130 has a water tank 131 that the user can fill with water for steam generation. The water tank 131 is preferably made of a transparent material (eg, transparent plastic or glass, preferably a heat-resistant material), and may include graduated markings on the sides so that the user can tell how much water is contained in the 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 column 130 or may be removably attached to the column 130 .

As shown in Figure 1b, the lid 132 can be lifted upwards from the tank 131 to facilitate filling of the tank. The post 130 also includes a base 133 which may include 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 the steam holes in the sole plate 121 of the hand iron 120 onto the fabric being ironed to facilitate ironing.

As an alternative or alternative to a steam generator located in the base 133, the hand iron 120 may include a steam generator supplied with water from the tank 131 via a flexible hose 134 using a pump located in the base 133 or in the hand iron 120 . Water supplied to hand iron 120 may also be sprayed onto fabrics during ironing in response to user input (eg, pressing a button such as trigger 122 ) to facilitate ironing. Alternatively or alternatively, the trigger 122 may have the function of starting/stopping the flow of steam out of the soleplate 121 . The steam generator and pump are preferably electric and receive power from a power source via a flexible cable 135 and an attached plug (not shown), but a small hand pump may be provided on the hand iron 120 in order to spray a small amount of water onto the clothes . Any suitable plug may be used.

In particular, where the steam generator is located in the base 133, the steam generated by the steam generator is preferably superheated to prevent the steam from traveling through the flexible hose 134, for example, before being exhausted through the steam holes of the soleplate 121 while due to Cools to return to liquid water. While the steam generator can be located anywhere within the steam station 100, it is preferably located below the tank 131 when the steam station is properly oriented so that the steam station can be gravity fed via, for example, a one-way valve, and can be gravity-fed via another one-way valve. Steam is supplied to the valve to the iron 120 . These valves may be opened/closed electronically via eg solenoids, or manually via eg screws or buttons in response to user input. The steam generator can be a drop type steam generator, where water drops onto the heating surface and quickly evaporates into steam, thereby assisting in the superheating of the steam, or a submerged type steam generator, where the heating surface is submerged in water , or it could be a hybrid device capable of both.

While the iron rest 110 is shown extending substantially horizontally away from the post 130, it may extend at an angle relative to the horizontal that is sufficiently shallow so that the hand iron 120 remains imprecisely resting on the iron rest 110 ( For example, no greater than 45 degrees from horizontal, and preferably approximately 30 degrees or less from horizontal). To facilitate frictional contact with the hand iron 120 and reduce the contact surface when the hand iron 120 rests imprecisely in the iron rest region 118 of the iron stand 110, as shown in FIG. 4, the iron rest 110 may include ribs 117, Ribs 117 are preferably made of a heat resistant elastomeric polymer (e.g., heat resistant silicone, or heat resistant thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, such as the RTP 1200 Series TPUR available from RTP Company, 580 East Front Street, Winona, MN 55987, USA) production. Alternatively or alternatively, the iron rest area 118 may be of sufficient depth to retain the iron 120 therein.

Preferably, the ribs 117 are heat resistant to at least the maximum operating temperature of the hand iron 120 . For example, the maximum operating temperature used in most irons is for cotton and is usually in the range of 180 degrees Celsius to 220 degrees Celsius. Where the inclination of the iron rest 110 is sufficiently close to horizontal so that the risk of the iron 120 slipping off the iron rest 110 is low, or where additional locking means are provided to hold the iron on the iron rest 110, the ribs 117 It need not be elastic, but could be a non-elastic heat resistant material such as ceramic or hard heat resistant plastic.

Although only two ribs 117 are shown in Figure 4, many more ribs may be used. In addition to facilitating a grip on the hand iron 120, the ribs 117 also extend away from the iron carriage 110 to separate the heat soleplate 121 of the hand iron 120 from the body of the iron carriage 110, thereby preventing excessive heat to the iron carriage 110 transfer. 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 at room temperature and pressure, and more preferably 0.05 Watts per meter-Kelvin or less- i.e. adiabatic). The iron rest 110 is preferably made of a heat resistant material such as glass fiber reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

Figures 2a and 2b show the folding steam station in a second configuration, wherein the iron carriage 110 is hinged upwardly towards the post 130 about the hinge 112 so as to extend substantially vertically or parallel to the post 130 and preferably Against post 130 for compactness. A handle 113 is provided at an upper end of the iron stand 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 stand 110 so that when the steam station 100 is positioned on a flat surface and the iron stand 110 is moved to a substantially horizontal orientation, the handle 113 contacts the surface to facilitate stability. Stability is also ensured by the way the iron stand 110 is hinged away from the post 130 near the base 133, which ensures that the iron stand 110 remains close to the surface on which the steam station 100 is positioned, thereby ensuring a low center of gravity.

The iron carriage 110 is held in an upright position against gravity by a push button operated latch/lock element 136 . The push button operated latch 136 may be any rotary latch or ratchet mechanism that prevents the iron carriage 110 from rotating about the hinge 112 from the upright position to the lowered position unless the spring loaded button of the push button operated latch 136 is depressed. The latch 136 may be indexed so as to lock only in the upright position, leaving the iron carriage 110 free to rotate about the hinge 112 as long as the iron carriage 110 is not returned to the upright position. Alternatively, the latch 136 may be indexed to lock in two or more positions (eg, an upright position and a substantially horizontal position), and a push of a button is required to rotate the iron carriage 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 carriage 110 at any angle relative to the post 130 unless the button is activated. Press.

On the side of the iron carriage 110 opposite the iron carriage region 118 a storage seat 115 is provided for an iron 120 . The iron 120 is held in the storage seat 115 by a slide lock 114 which slides towards the storage seat 115 once the iron 120 is in the storage seat 115 to retain the iron in the storage seat 115 . The slide lock 114 is preferably spring loaded to bias the slide lock toward the closed (ie, locked) position to prevent accidental unlocking.

Since the center of gravity of the steam station 100 will inevitably change depending on the filling of the tank 131 and whether the iron carriage 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 base 137 preferably extends under the iron 120 to protect the iron 120 when the iron 120 is locked in the storage seat 115 . The base 137 also preferably extends below the iron rest 110 a sufficient length so that even when the iron rest 110 is fully extended away from the post, and even when the iron 120 is placed on the iron rest 110, and even when the water tank 131 is empty Keep the steam station 100 in an upright position.

The flexible cable 135 and/or the flexible hose 134 may be wrapped around the column 130 prior to locking the iron 120 within the storage receptacle 115 . With the hose 134 and cable 135 wrapped around the column 130, when the iron 120 is in the receptacle 115, the relatively non-thermally conductive (i.e., thermally insulative) housing 123 of the iron faces outward and extends toward the base 137 such that the soft Tube 134 and cable 135 are held in place between column 130, housing 123 and base 137 and cannot be easily deployed. For example, housing 123 may extend to contact base 137 , or be sufficiently close to base 137 to prevent flexible hose 134 and/or cable 135 from leaking through a gap between housing 123 and 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 receptacle 115 .

Alternatively or alternatively to the sliding lock 114, another locking device may be used to retain the iron 120 in the storage receptacle 115. For example, pivoting latches may be used. In another example, the soleplate 121 or another portion of the iron 120 may interlock with a groove (eg, a pocket) in the storage base 115 . In another example, one of the iron 120 and the storage stand 115 may have a hook that interlocks with a corresponding groove in the other of the iron 120 and the storage stand 115 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , storage seat 115 may include ribs 116 . The composition and function of these ribs 116 are identical to those already described for the ribs 117 of the iron support area 118 .

One or both of the iron bracket area 118 and the storage seat 115 may be shaped to closely surround the soleplate 121 of the iron 120 when the iron 120 is placed in the iron bracket area 118 and the storage seat 115 . This helps prevent a user from accidentally touching the thermal soleplate 121 . Since the iron 120 has an upper housing 123 that is relatively non-conductive, the housing 123 can extend to provide a connection between the iron base 110 and the storage base 115 when the iron 120 is securely positioned within one or both of the iron base area 118 and the storage base 115. Only a narrow gap (eg, less than the width of an average person's pinky finger, about 1.6 cm for an adult and about 0.8 cm for a child) is left between the shells 123 . In this way, air can still flow into the space between the iron 120 and the iron stand 110 , but fingers cannot reach this space to contact the soleplate 121 . Alternatively, the housing 123 may contact the iron stand 110 around part or all of the periphery of the iron stand 110 to substantially enclose the space.

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

The controller may selectively activate and deactivate the functions of the steam station 100 based on the output of the aforementioned sensors. For example, if the status sensor detects that the iron 120 is in the storage receptacle 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 in tank 131 is too low, the steam generator and/or pump of steam station 100 may be deactivated and an audible or visual warning (eg, a warning light) may be communicated to the user. In another example, activation of the heating element, steam generator and/or pump of soleplate 121 may be prevented when the iron stand is in an upright position and/or 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 receptacle 115 .

The iron 120 may include a user interface 124, such as a rotary dial. The user interface 124 may only control items within the iron 120 (eg, the heating element of the soleplate 121 of the iron 120, the internal steam generator and/or the internal pump). Alternatively, user interface 124 may also be used to control and receive feedback from components within column 130 such as a steam generator, sensors or pumps in base 133 . To enable control of the elements within column 130 , hand iron 120 communicates electronically via wires carried by flexible hose 134 or via a wireless communication module, such as a wifi module, provided in each of iron 120 and column 130 . In this way, by electronically connecting the elements in the iron 120 and column 130, the need for separate user interfaces on the iron 120 and column 130 to control the elements in each is avoided, and only one user interface is used - a feature that can Advantageously applies to any steam station separately from the other advantageous features described herein. Alternatively or instead of the user interface 124 provided on the iron 120, an additional user interface (not shown) may be provided on the post 130 which may also be used to Only the assembly of the column 130 or the assembly of both the column 130 and the iron 120 can be controlled in a certain manner. In an example configuration, the temperature of the soleplate may be controlled by user input 124 and the steam rate may be controlled by a user interface on column 130 .

One or both of the user interfaces described above 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 soleplate 121 as sensed by its associated temperature sensor. Where a sensor located in one of the post 130 and iron 120 communicates with a processor in the other of the post 130 and iron 120 to provide feedback, for example, to the user or to an electronic controller, this may be via a flexible Wires in the tube 134 or wirelessly as already mentioned above.

By locking the iron carriage 110 up, wrapping the cable 135 and hose 134 around the post 130 and locking the iron 120 in the storage receptacle 115, a compact configuration is achieved. In this second compact configuration, the footprint of the steam station 100 is substantially no larger than that of the base 137, thus minimizing the horizontal storage space occupied by the equipment. The vertical orientation of the iron 120 (ie, the vertical orientation of the major axis) ensured by the shape of the iron storage receptacle 115 particularly improves storage.

Although hinge 112 is described above as being located near base 137, hinge 112 may alternatively be located near the top of column 130 at the base of steam station 100, wherein the lowermost end of iron carriage 110 moves away from column 130 about hinge 112. . In this case, the iron rest area 118 may double as the iron stand and may include all the features already described for the iron stand 115 . In this case, there is no need to provide a separate iron stand 115 on the side of the iron carriage 110 opposite to the iron carriage region 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 Figs. 5a and 5b. The collapsible water tank 200 has a hollow body made of a flexible, preferably transparent substance, for example a flexible plastic such as HDPE, LDPE, PET or polycarbonate can be used. The body 201 can be retracted from a full state (shown in Figure 5a) to an empty state (shown in Figure 5b) in which the body 201 can be stored more easily.

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

Except that the body 301 of the tank 300 is formed by corrugations 302 extending circumferentially around the body 301 (i.e., ridges and grooves in the wall of the body 301 that allow the wall sections between the corrugations 302 to fold substantially flat relative to each other). The corrugated collapsible tank 300 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b is similar to the collapsible tank 200 except for the corrugations. As shown in Figure 6a, the corrugations 302 facilitate the folding of the main body 301 to be more compact.

The telescoping collapsible water tank 400 shown in Figures 7a and 7b is similar to the water tank 200 except that instead of collapsing by folding, the telescoping collapsible water tank 400 has a main body consisting of a lower part 401 and an upper part 402, the upper part is farther away when filled with water. The lower part telescopically accommodates more water. The meeting point between the upper part 402 and the lower part 401 may be sealed using eg a rubber gasket in order to prevent water from escaping between the two parts. Since the sidewalls of the lower portion 401 and upper portion 402 do not need to bend during the telescoping process, more rigid, durable materials can be used in their construction. Although only two telescopic parts 401 and 402 are shown, three or more telescopic parts may be provided.

The balloon collapsible water tank 500 shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b is similar to the water tank 200 except that the body 501 of the balloon collapsible water tank 500 is made of a resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber. Particularly compact storage dimensions are possible due to the expansion and contraction of the material of the water tank 500 . The elastic material also pressurizes its contents, thus assisting the escape of water during use.

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a collapsible water tank 200 of the type already described above with reference to Figures 5a and 5b connected via a connector 202 to a typical steam station 600 having a Iron 602 , wherein iron 602 can receive steam, water and electricity from base 601 via hose 603 . The connector 202 may be omitted and instead the box is formed with a base 601 . The water tank 200 may be provided with a hole in its upper surface closed by a removable cover to facilitate filling when the connector 202 is oriented downwards. Alternatively, filling holes 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 water tank 200 is formed integrally with the steam station 600 .

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

Figures 10a and 10b show a steam station 700 having an accordion/bellows shrink tank 706 similar to the collapsible tank 300 described above. The steam station 700 has a base unit 701 that is hinged to an iron carriage 704 via a hinge 705 . An iron 702 with a hose 703 (similar to iron 602 and hose 603 ) can rest on an iron stand 704 . Since the collapsible water tank 706 is located between the base unit 701 and the iron carriage 704, and is in fluid communication with one or both of them, the weight of the iron carriage 704 and iron 702 on the water tank 706 causes water to flow more from the water tank 706. Flow quickly. 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 Figure 10b.

11 a and 11 b illustrate a collapsible water 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 rest portion 801 and a water tank support portion 802 hinged and fluidly connected via a hinge 803, rather than being formed as a single piece. As shown in FIG. 11b, when the tank 300 is emptied or removed, the steam station 800 can be collapsed for easier storage. The iron rest 801 may have all the same features already described for the iron rest 110 .

Figures 12a and 12b disclose a steam station 900 with 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 of the steam station is in the form of a C-shape, the base portion 901 being connected to the iron carriage 902 by an upright portion 903 . The water tank 300 is in fluid communication with the base portion 901 and slowly contracts when the water in the water tank 300 is used. As shown in Figure 12a, when the water tank 300 is completely emptied, the space thus freed can be used as space to store the hose 904 (or other connectors/accessories) without increasing the overall storage space of the steam station 900.

Whilst the hinges described above are used to provide an arrangement that allows parts to pivot relative to each other, in each case another way of providing parts that are relatively movable but connected may be used. This may include flexible joints (eg, joints made of flexible plastic or fabric), hinged joints, ball joints, or any other swivel joints. Where only two relatively rotating parts are described, three or more relatively rotating parts may be provided. The hollow space within one part can be used to accommodate the other in a telescoping arrangement, for example the base 701 can be telescoped into the iron carriage 704 .

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

Reference signs appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims (28)

1. A steam station comprising: steam generator, a base comprising a water tank fluidly connected to the steam generator to provide water to the steam generator, an iron having a soleplate fluidly connected to the steam generator and configured to discharge steam provided by the steam generator to facilitate ironing garments, an iron carriage connected to the base via a swivel joint, wherein the iron carriage is movable about the joint from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the an iron rest extends outwardly from the base to allow the iron to rest on the iron rest, in the second configuration the iron rest extends substantially parallel to the base, and wherein the iron carriage includes a storage seat in which the iron can be received and secured when the iron carriage is in the second configuration, And wherein the storage receptacle is located on a surface of the iron carriage opposite a region of the iron carriage configured to receive the iron imprecisely 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 includes 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 storage seat includes a user-actuatable lock configured to secure the iron within the storage seat. 7. The steam station of claim 6, wherein the user actuatable lock is a slide lock or a twist lock. 8. The steam station of claim 1, wherein one of the storage seat and the iron includes a recess configured to receive the other of the storage seat and the iron or protrusions or hooks to releasably secure the iron in the storage receptacle. 9. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the storage seat includes ribs configured to align a soleplate of the iron with the iron when the iron is received in the storage seat. The body of the bracket separates. 10. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the swivel joint comprises one of a fabric joint, a flexible joint, a ball joint, a hinged joint, and a hinge. 11. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the steam station further comprises a base configured to span an entire range of fill states of the water tank and an extension of the iron carriage away from the base section holds the steam station in an upright position. 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 A flexible hose rests against the base. 13. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the iron includes an insulated housing on a side of the iron opposite the soleplate so that when the iron is secured within the storage receptacle face outward from the storage seat. 14. The steam station of claim 13, wherein the storage seat is configured to surround the housing to prevent fingers from accessing the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage seat. 15. The steam station of claim 14, wherein the storage seat surrounds the housing by a gap of less than 1.6 cm. 16. The steam station of claim 14, wherein the storage seat surrounds the housing by a gap of less than 0.8 cm. 17. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the swivel joint includes 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 associate the steam generator and/or with the soleplate when the iron is secured in the storage seat The connected heating elements are de-energized. 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 de-energize 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 through the connector when the water tank is removed from the base. The water tank flows out. 24. The steam station of claim 1, wherein the water tank is configured to be collapsible from a filling configuration to a collapsed configuration for storage. 25. The steam station of claim 24, wherein the water tank is one of: a) boxes including corrugated side walls; b) boxes including telescoping side walls; c) A case formed of elastic material. 26. A steam station as claimed in 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 transmit user input for controlling the instructions for 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 to sent to the user.

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