The invention relates to a portable device (1100) comprising a bottom surface (BS) intended to be in contact with a textile (TXT). The portable device comprises an image sensor (5) for taking an image of a textile, and an illumination system (6) for illuminating a portion of the textile when said image is being taken. The portable device also comprises a control unit (8a) for executing an algorithm stored in the portable device, using the taken image as an input of said algorithm, to obtain a classification of the textile. The image sensor and the control unit are integrated within the portable device. The image sensor has an active surface sensitive to light, which is oriented compared to said bottom surface (BS), with an absolute value of the orientation angle being in the range 15-70 degrees; and/or the illumination system (6) has a light source oriented compared to the said bottom surface (BS), with an absolute value of the orientation angle being in the range 15-70 degrees.

A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a build chamber, an overflow chamber adjacent to the build chamber, a motorized build plate, a powder coater including a vibration generator, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the powder coater, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a process to remove accumulated powder from surfaces of the powder coater according to the steps: (1) operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the powder coater over a location outside of the build chamber; (2) operate the vibration generator to shake the accumulated powder into the location outside of the build chamber. The location outside of the build chamber can be defined by the overflow chamber.

A clothing care machine and a method and system for controlling the same are provided. The clothing care machine is provided with a steam generator and a steam handle. The steam handle is provided with a human body sensing component. The method includes: controlling the human body sensing component to sense whether the steam handle is operated by a user; and controlling an operation state of the steam generator according to a touch signal sensed by the human body sensing component. The method may realize an intelligent control of the steam generator according to an operation condition of the user.

The present application relates to a hand-held steaming device (10). The hand-held steaming device comprises a steam generating surface (4A), a heater (5) to heat the steam generating surface, a water supply unit (6) to supply water to the steam generating surface and a sensor (12) configured to detect the inclination of the steam generating surface with respect to the horizontal. The hand-held steaming device further comprises a controller (11) configured to perform a user selectable descaling process wherein the heater is operated to heat the steam generating surface to a first temperature and the water supply unit is operated to supply water to the steam generating surface at a first flow rate to remove scale from the steam generating surface. The controller is coupled to the sensor and is configured to prevent the water supply unit from supplying water to the steam generating surface at the first flow rate and/or the heater from heating the steam generating surface to the first temperature when the descaling process is selected if the steam generating surface is inclined by more than a first predetermined angle from the horizontal (X-X).

The present application relates to a hand-held steaming device (10). The hand-held steaming device comprises a steam generating surface (4A), a heater (5) to heat the steam generating surface, a water supply unit (6) to supply water to the steam generating surface and a sensor (12) configured to detect the inclination of the steam generating surface with respect to the horizontal. The hand-held steaming device further comprises a controller (11) configured to perform a user selectable descaling process wherein the heater is operated to heat the steam generating surface to a first temperature and the water supply unit is operated to supply water to the steam generating surface at a first flow rate to remove scale from the steam generating surface. The controller is coupled to the sensor and is configured to prevent the water supply unit from supplying water to the steam generating surface at the first flow rate and/or the heater from heating the steam generating surface to the first temperature when the descaling process is selected if the steam generating surface is inclined by more than a first predetermined angle from the horizontal (X-X).

A synchronous adjustment mechanism for use in a steam iron includes an active module and a passive module. The active module is operable to adjust steam emission rate of the steam iron. The passive module is operable to adjust temperature of a soleplate of the steam iron. The active module and the passive module are cooperatively associated with each other, so that when the active module is operated to adjust the steam emission rate of the steam iron, the passive module is driven by the active module to synchronously adjust the temperature of the soleplate.

A synchronous adjustment mechanism for use in a steam iron includes an active module and a passive module. The active module is operable to adjust steam emission rate of the steam iron. The passive module is operable to adjust temperature of a soleplate of the steam iron. The active module and the passive module are cooperatively associated with each other, so that when the active module is operated to adjust the steam emission rate of the steam iron, the passive module is driven by the active module to synchronously adjust the temperature of the soleplate.

A heat press including a body, a heat plate, a handle, a cover, a control compartment and an insulation portion. The body includes a first end and a second end. The heat plate is located proximate the first end of the body and is configured to engage ironable materials. The handle is located proximate the second end of the body and is configured to withstand forces from a user. The cover covers a portion of the body and the handle. The control compartment includes an electrical circuit, controls and a display. The control compartment is spaced away from and is at least indirectly electrically coupled to the heat plate. The insulation portion is positioned between the control compartment and the heat plate. The insulation portion includes a first layer of insulating material.

A heat press including a body, a heat plate, a handle, a cover, a control compartment and an insulation portion. The body includes a first end and a second end. The heat plate is located proximate the first end of the body and is configured to engage ironable materials. The handle is located proximate the second end of the body and is configured to withstand forces from a user. The cover covers a portion of the body and the handle. The control compartment includes an electrical circuit, controls and a display. The control compartment is spaced away from and is at least indirectly electrically coupled to the heat plate. The insulation portion is positioned between the control compartment and the heat plate. The insulation portion includes a first layer of insulating material.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a steam pressing appliance that includes a handle connected to a steam release nozzle. The steam release nozzle includes a heating body with an instant vaporization chamber and an electrical resistor regulated by a thermostat in order to keep the temperature of the vaporization chamber around a set-point temperature. The appliance also includes an electric pump to inject liquid into the vaporization chamber. The pump is controlled by a drive circuit that receives information from the thermostat on whether power is being supplied to the electrical resistor. The drive circuit modifies the operating conditions of the pump in accordance with whether or not current is supplied through the electrical resistor, operating in a first flow mode when current flows through the electrical resistor and operating in a second flow mode when no current flows through the electrical resistor.