An iron-steamer appliance includes: a housing including an internal water reservoir; a sole plate attached under the housing, the sole plate including first vents; first and second steam chambers in fluid communication with the water reservoir, wherein the first steam chamber is in fluid communication with the first vents; and a steamer nozzle in fluid communication with the second steam chamber, the steamer nozzle including second vents. The steamer nozzle is movable between retracted and extended positions, wherein in the retracted position, the nozzle is located directly above a peripheral footprint defined by the sole plate, and in the extended position, the nozzle is located at least partially forwardly of the sole plate peripheral footprint, and wherein in moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the steamer nozzle moves substantially parallel to the sole plate.

A water tube is adapted for use in a steamer. The steamer has a steam chamber and a heating plate that is disposed under the steam chamber. The water tube includes a tubular main body, a dividing body, and a plurality of ribs. The main body defines a channel extending in a flowing direction. The channel has an inlet portion, and an outlet portion that is opposite to and disposed downstream of the inlet portion, and that is adapted to extend into the steam chamber. The dividing body is inserted into the outlet portion of the channel. The ribs extend from the dividing body to the main body, and cooperate with the dividing body to divide the outlet portion of the channel into a plurality of outlet holes.

The present disclosure provides a steam iron with an independent air suction system includes an ironing body. An air suction system is disposed on the ironing body. The air suction system includes an air suction structure, an electromotor, an impeller, a filter screen, an air outlet, an air inlet passage, a suction head, and a speed-control switch. The air suction structure is disposed on the ironing body. An inlet end of the air suction structure is connected to the air inlet passage via the filter screen.

The present disclosure provides a steam iron with an independent air suction system includes an ironing body. An air suction system is disposed on the ironing body. The air suction system includes an air suction structure, an electromotor, an impeller, a filter screen, an air outlet, an air inlet passage, a suction head, and a speed-control switch. The air suction structure is disposed on the ironing body. An inlet end of the air suction structure is connected to the air inlet passage via the filter screen.

An iron has a heel on which the iron can rest during inactive ironing phases, an internal reservoir, a fill opening fluidly connected to the internal reservoir, a fill opening cover movable between a closed position and an open position, a seal configured to seal the fill opening when the fill opening cover is in the closed position, and a vent which is fluidly connected to the internal reservoir when the fill opening cover is in the closed position. The seal includes a barrier part extending into the internal reservoir, and a ventilation orifice which is fluidly connected to the vent, and which opens into the internal reservoir, the barrier part and the ventilation orifice being configured so as to prevent liquid from flowing from the internal reservoir and through the vent when the fill opening cover is in the closed position and the iron rests on the heel.

An iron has a heel on which the iron can rest during inactive ironing phases, an internal reservoir, a fill opening fluidly connected to the internal reservoir, a fill opening cover movable between a closed position and an open position, a seal configured to seal the fill opening when the fill opening cover is in the closed position, and a vent which is fluidly connected to the internal reservoir when the fill opening cover is in the closed position. The seal includes a barrier part extending into the internal reservoir, and a ventilation orifice which is fluidly connected to the vent, and which opens into the internal reservoir, the barrier part and the ventilation orifice being configured so as to prevent liquid from flowing from the internal reservoir and through the vent when the fill opening cover is in the closed position and the iron rests on the heel.

The present application relates to a steam iron (10) for ironing garments. The steam iron (10) comprises a steam generator (11), an ironing plate (13) and a thermal bridge arrangement (14). The steam generator (11) comprises a main body (11A) and a heating element (12) to heat the main body (11 A). The thermal bridge arrangement (14) extends between the main body (11A) and a thermal coupling area (15) of the ironing plate (13) to heat the ironing plate (13) by conduction of heat from the main body (11A). The thermal bridge arrangement (14) comprises a first portion (16) extending in a first direction (A) away from the thermal coupling area (15) and a second portion (17) extending in a second direction (B) towards the thermal coupling area (15). This invention allows promoting steam generation operating in a high temperature for a better steam capability, while keeping a lower temperature of the ironing plate which prevents damaging garments during ironing.

The present application relates to a steam iron (10) for ironing garments. The steam iron (10) comprises a steam generator (11), an ironing plate (13) and a thermal bridge arrangement (14). The steam generator (11) comprises a main body (11A) and a heating element (12) to heat the main body (11 A). The thermal bridge arrangement (14) extends between the main body (11A) and a thermal coupling area (15) of the ironing plate (13) to heat the ironing plate (13) by conduction of heat from the main body (11A). The thermal bridge arrangement (14) comprises a first portion (16) extending in a first direction (A) away from the thermal coupling area (15) and a second portion (17) extending in a second direction (B) towards the thermal coupling area (15). This invention allows promoting steam generation operating in a high temperature for a better steam capability, while keeping a lower temperature of the ironing plate which prevents damaging garments during ironing.

The present disclosure describes a steam iron having a housing, a handle, a soleplate, a water reservoir comprising a water inlet port, a fill door comprising a plug sized to seal the water inlet port, and a blocking member configured to prevent the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment of the steam iron. Methods for preparing a steam iron for shipment are also provided.

A method of cleaning a substrate with optical energy can comprise applying optical energy from a source of optical energy to the substrate. The method can comprise applying the optical energy to a substrate having a cleaning agent applied thereto, the optical energy having one or more optical parameters selected for cleaning the substrate. The method can comprise reading data from a data bearing element associated with the substrate, communicating the data to a processor associated with a cleaning appliance comprising the source of optical energy, wherein the processor, responsive to the communicated data, controls the cleaning of the substrate with the optical energy. The method can comprise slidingly contacting the substrate with a work surface, said work surface comprising an aperture and emanating optical energy from the aperture for cleaning the substrate. A cleaning appliance can comprise an appliance body comprising an aperture for emanating optical energy for cleaning the substrate and an optical transmission pathway arranged for propagating optical energy received from an optical energy source to said aperture. The appliance can be adapted and constructed for delivering a cleaning agent to the substrate. The appliance can include a processor, a data interface in communication with the processor, and can be configured such that the processor outputs signals that control the cleaning of the substrate, the processor being configured for controlling, responsive to data received by the data interface and via the output signals, the substrate cleaning. The cleaning appliance can include a suction pump for removing material from the substrate.