FR3123664A1 - FOLDABLE SMOOTHING CHAMBER WITH FOLDING AND UNFOLDING GUIDE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a steaming enclosure (10) comprising a base (11), a roof (13), a pole extending between the base (11) and the roof (13), a foldable curtain (12) comprising a first end adapted to be fixed to the base (11) and a second end opposite the first end, and a guide piece (15) fixed to the second end of the curtain (12), said guide piece (15) comprising fixing elements provided to ensure removable fixing of the guide piece (15) to the roof (13), and guide elements provided to guide a translation of the guide piece (15) along the mast. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

FOLDABLE SMOOTHING CHAMBER WITH FOLDING AND UNFOLDING GUIDE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of steaming enclosures. It aims in particular to provide a collapsible steaming enclosure.

STATE OF THE ART

In the field of laundry care, hand-held garment steaming devices make it possible, by means of an action of the user holding the hand-held steaming device close to the article, to smooth an article of fabric , such as a garment. Nevertheless, these devices require direct action from the user throughout the steaming process, which represents a constraint and a significant waste of time for the user.

In addition, the drying cabins make it possible to dry articles placed by the user in a closed enclosure formed by the cabin. Hot air is injected into the closed enclosure so as to dry the items placed in the drying cabinet without requiring user action. Nevertheless, these drying cabins are limited to the drying of articles, and in particular do not allow the articles situated in the drying cabin to be smoothed.

Anti-crease chambers allow the drying or anti-crease of articles, without requiring direct intervention by the user.

A steamer enclosure includes a roof, a base, and a curtain. The roof, the base and the curtain form a closed volume of steaming enclosure. The user places one or more articles in the steaming enclosure volume and launches a cycle of action to be carried out by the enclosure.

Nevertheless, most of the known steaming enclosures are fixed, and cannot be assembled, disassembled or moved easily. Therefore, their use is limited to the room in which they are installed, except to require long and tedious uninstallation, transport and reinstallation for the user.

Certain steaming enclosures, such as those described in documents EP 1 471 178 A1 and EP 1 600 551 A1, comprise a curtain interposed between a base and a roof. A zipper is provided on the curtain, the user being able to open the zipper to gain access to the interior of the enclosure with a view to placing or removing clothing therefrom, then closing the zipper before throwing a anti-crease cycle.

Documents EP 1 057 923 A1, EP 1 215 330 A1, KR 100813048 B1, KR 20170141489 A, KR 100813048 B1 and KR 20170141489 describe foldable steaming enclosures comprising a foldable curtain interposed between a base and a roof.

Nevertheless, the user must then himself guide the folding and unfolding of the curtain when he handles it to fold or unfold the steaming enclosure. The user must ensure, while folding or unfolding the curtain, that the curtain remains well positioned in relation to the rest of the enclosure, in particular in relation to the roof, in order to then be able to attach the curtain to the roof to maintain it in place. This manual guidance of the folding or unfolding of the curtain by the user complicates the folding and unfolding of the enclosure for the user. This manual guidance can also complicate the attachment of the curtain to the roof by the user, for example if the curtain is incorrectly positioned relative to the roof following poor guidance by the user during its unfolding. In addition, the curtain may be folded incorrectly by the user, resulting in the appearance of unwanted folds on the curtain, or a greater bulk of the folded steaming enclosure.

An object of the invention is to provide a steaming enclosure whose folding and unfolding is facilitated compared to the prior art.

The invention relates to a steaming enclosure, comprising:
- a base ;
- a roof facing the base;
- a mast extending between the base and the roof to keep the roof away from the base;
- a foldable curtain provided to extend between the base and the roof, said curtain comprising a first end adapted to be fixed to the base, and a second end opposite the first end; and
- a guide piece fixed to the second end of the curtain, said guide piece comprising fixing elements provided to ensure removable fixing of the guide piece to the roof, and guide elements provided to guide a translation of the piece of guidance along the mast,
in which the steaming enclosure has:
- a working configuration, in which the guide piece is fixed to the roof by the fixing elements and the curtain is unfolded so as to connect the roof and the base, the base, the roof and the curtain together delimiting a closed volume d steaming chamber; and
- An access configuration, in which the guide piece is detached from the roof and the curtain is at least partially folded, so as to provide between the guide piece and the roof an open space for receiving an article to be smoothed.

Some preferred but non-limiting features of the steamer enclosure described above are as follows, taken individually or in combination:

- the mast has an adjustable length so as to maintain the roof at an adjustable distance from the base; in the working configuration and in the access configuration, the mast has a first length;

- the steaming enclosure also has a transport configuration, in which the curtain is at least partially folded and the pole has a second length strictly less than the first length;

- the mast is telescopic;

- the curtain comprises a multilayer textile wall comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being made of a textile material comprising elastic fibers and the second layer being made of a waterproof textile material;

- the curtain comprises a textile wall and an armature comprising a plurality of ribs, the armature ribs being arranged at regular intervals along the textile wall, and in which each portion of the textile wall located between two armature ribs has a convex shape, so that the reinforcement and the textile wall ensure concertina folding and unfolding of the curtain;

- The guide piece has a substantially oblong shape, and the guide piece is fixed to the second end of the curtain;

- The guide elements of the guide piece comprise at least one guide roller adapted to roll along the mast;

- The fixing elements of the guide piece comprise a hook for clipping the guide piece to the roof;

- the elements for fixing the guide piece comprise a lever comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the lever forms the hook for clipping the guide piece to the roof, and the second end of the lever is adapted to be actuated by pivoting so as to unclip the clipping hook from the guide part of the roof;

- The fixing elements of the guide piece comprise a frustoconical wall and the roof comprises a cavity adapted to receive the frustoconical wall when the guide piece is fixed to the roof;

- the roof includes a seal adapted to ensure the seal between the guide piece and the roof when the guide piece is fixed to the roof;

- the steaming enclosure comprises two substantially parallel masts arranged on each side of the base, and the guide elements are adapted to provide guidance in translation of the guide piece along each of the two masts;

- in the access configuration, the curtain is at least partially folded inside the base.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of using a steaming enclosure according to the first aspect, comprising at least the following steps to switch from the working configuration to the access configuration:
- detach the fastening elements of the roof guide piece; and
- Move the guide piece in translation along the mast so as to fold the curtain, the translation being guided by the guide elements.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of using a steaming enclosure according to the first aspect, comprising at least the following steps to switch from the access configuration to the working configuration:
- Move the guide piece in translation along the mast so as to unfold the curtain, the translation being guided by the guide elements; and
- fix the fixing elements of the guide piece to the roof.

The method according to the second aspect or according to the third aspect may further comprise a step consisting in adjusting a length of the mast.

The method according to the second aspect or according to the third aspect can further comprise a step consisting in, when the steaming enclosure is in the access configuration, placing an article in or removing an article from the open reception space provided between the guide piece and the roof.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method of using a steaming chamber according to the first aspect, comprising the following successive steps:
- E1: first vaporization by generation and injection of steam into the steaming enclosure at a first vaporization flow rate for a non-zero first vaporization duration;
- E2: second vaporization by generating and injecting steam into the steaming enclosure at a second vaporization rate for a non-zero second vaporization duration, in which the second vaporization rate is strictly lower than the first vaporization rate; and
- E3: drying by blowing hot air into the steaming enclosure for a non-zero drying time.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example, which will be illustrated by the following figures:

The is a schematic perspective view of a steaming chamber according to one embodiment of the invention, the steaming chamber being in a working configuration.

The is a schematic sectional view of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, the steaming enclosure being in a working configuration.

The is a schematic front view of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, the steaming enclosure being in an access configuration.

The and the are respectively a side view and a schematic perspective view of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, the steaming enclosure being in an access configuration.

The is a schematic perspective view of a roof of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention.

The and the are schematic cross-sectional views of elements of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention.

The and the are schematic perspective views of a base of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention.

The is a schematic bottom view of a base of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention.

The , the and the are views respectively in schematic perspective from above, in schematic perspective from below, and in exploded perspective of a guide piece of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention.

The and the are schematic front views of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a working configuration and in a transport configuration.

The and the are schematic side views of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a working configuration and in a transport configuration.

The and the are schematic perspective views of a steaming enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a working configuration and in a transport configuration.

The is a block diagram of a method of using a steaming chamber according to one embodiment of the invention.

The , the and the are perspective views of weighted clamps suitable for use in a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

The is a perspective view of a hanger suitable for use in a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

The is a perspective view of a mobile steamer suitable for use in a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

The is a perspective view of a perforated grid suitable for use in a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

Claims (17)

Steaming enclosure (10), comprising:
- a base (11);
- a roof (13) facing the base (11);
- a mast (14) extending between the base (11) and the roof (13) to maintain the roof (13) at a distance from the base (11);
- an unfoldable curtain (12) provided to extend between the base (11) and the roof (13), said curtain (12) comprising a first end (121) adapted to be fixed to the base (11), and a second end (122) opposite the first end (121); and
- a guide piece (15) fixed to the second end (122) of the curtain (12), said guide piece (15) comprising fixing elements (152, 155, 156) provided to ensure removable fixing of the piece guide (15) to the roof (13), and guide elements (151) provided to guide a translation of the guide piece (15) along the mast (14),
wherein the steaming enclosure (10) has:
- a working configuration in which the guide piece (15) is fixed to the roof (13) by the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) and the curtain (12) is unfolded so as to connect the roof (13) and the base (11), the base (11), the roof (13) and the curtain (12) together delimiting a closed volume of the steaming enclosure (10); and
- an access configuration in which the guide piece (15) is detached from the roof (13) and the curtain (12) is at least partially folded, so as to provide between the guide piece (15) and the roof ( 13) an open space for receiving an item to be smoothed. Steamer enclosure (10) according to Claim 1, in which the mast (14) has an adjustable length so as to maintain the roof (13) at an adjustable distance from the base (11), in which in the working configuration and in the access configuration, the mast (14) has a first length, and in which the steaming enclosure (10) further has a transport configuration, in which the curtain (12) is at least partially folded and the mast (14) has a second length strictly less than the first length. Steamer enclosure (10) according to claim 2, wherein the mast (14) is telescopic. Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the curtain (12) comprises a multilayer textile wall (100) comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being made of a textile material comprising elastic fibers and the second layer being made of a waterproof textile material. Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the curtain (12) comprises a textile wall (100) and a reinforcement comprising a plurality of ribs, the reinforcement ribs being arranged at regular intervals along the textile wall (100), and in which each portion of the textile wall (100) located between two reinforcing ribs has a convex shape, so that the reinforcement and the textile wall (100) ensure folding in accordion and an unfolding of the curtain. Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the guide piece (15) has a substantially oblong shape, and in which the guide piece (15) is fixed at the second end (122 ) of the curtain (12). Steamer enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the guide elements (151) of the guide piece (15) comprise at least one guide roller adapted to roll along the mast (14 ). Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) of the guide piece (15) comprise a clipping hook (1551) of the guide (15) to the roof (13). Steaming enclosure (10) according to claim 8, in which the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) of the guide piece (15) comprise a lever (155) comprising a first end (1551) and a second end ( 1552) opposite the first end (1551), in which the first end (1551) of the lever (155) forms the hook for clipping the guide piece (15) to the roof (13), and in which the second end ( 1552) of the lever (155) is adapted to be actuated in pivoting so as to unclip the clip hook (1551) from the guide piece (15) of the roof (13). Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) of the guide piece (15) comprise a frustoconical wall (152) and the roof (13 ) comprises a cavity adapted to receive the tapered wall (152) when the guide piece (15) is fixed to the roof (13). Steamer enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the roof (13) comprises a seal (131) adapted to ensure the seal between the guide piece (15) and the roof (13) when the guide piece (15) is fixed to the roof (13). Steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, comprising two substantially parallel poles (14) arranged on each side of the base (11), and in which the guide elements (151) are adapted to ensure a guide in translation of the guide piece (15) along each of the two masts (14). A steamer enclosure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the access configuration the curtain (12) is at least partially folded inside the base (11). Method of using a steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least the following steps to switch from the working configuration to the access configuration:
- detach the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) from the guide piece (15) of the roof (13); and
- moving the guide piece (15) in translation along the mast (14) so as to fold the curtain (12), the translation being guided by the guide elements (151). Method of using a steaming enclosure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least the following steps to switch from the access configuration to the working configuration:
- moving the guide piece (15) in translation along the mast (14) so as to unfold the curtain (12), the translation being guided by the guide elements (151); and
- fix the fixing elements (152, 155, 156) of the guide piece (15) to the roof (13). A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising a step of adjusting a length of the mast (14). A method according to any of claims 14 to 16, further comprising the step of, when the steamer enclosure (10) is in the access configuration, placing an item into or removing an item from the open space reception provided between the guide piece (15) and the roof (13).