Steam generator

Abstract

The generator has a handle part 3 secured to it by screws (not shown) inserted from below the lower casing 2. The handle part has a handle per se 4, which is of U cross-section for accommodating a handle 21 of a hose 22. The hose handle has a resilient button 23 which is received in an aperture 5 in the handle part 3, for retaining the hose handle in place, when not in use. Beneath the handle 4 is an opening 11, covered by a cover plate 12. The plate has depending lugs 14, which are disengageable by lateral finger pressure via cut-outs 15. Removal of the cover plate opens an aperture 31 in a water reservoir 32. The water reservoir has a filling spout 33. The connector moulding 35 has two bored-through projections 40,41.

1 . A steam generator comprising: 
 a water reservoir,    a pump for pumping water from the reservoir,    a flash steam boiler for boiling water pumped from the reservoir to produce steam,    a steam supply hose leading from the boiler,    a handle at the distal end of the hose, and    means on the handle for activating the pump, to cause a flow of steam from the distal end of the hose.    
   
   
       2 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump activating means is an electrical switch, the pump being an electrical pump.  
   
   
       3 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump activating means is non-electric.  
   
   
       4 . A steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the pump activating means is adapted to send a non-electrical signal to a switch for switching electrical power to the pump.  
   
   
       5 . A steam generator according to  claim 4 , wherein the pump activating means is adapted to send a pneumatic signal to the pump switch.  
   
   
       6 . A steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the pump activating means on the handle is a manually operated pneumatic system.  
   
   
       7 . A steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the pump activating means is arranged to be normally open to atmosphere when in the quiescent state.  
   
   
       8 . A steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the pump activating means is a small bellows device on the handle.  
   
   
       9 . A steam generator according to  claim 7 , wherein the pump activating means is a small bellows device on the handle and the bellows device has an aperture closed on activation.  
   
   
       10 . A steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the pump activating means is a piston and cylinder on the handle and a bellows for actuating a microswitch in a body of the generator.  
   
   
       11 . A steam generator according to  claim 7 , wherein the pump activating means is a piston and cylinder on the handle and a bellows for actuating a microswitch in a body of the generator.  
   
   
       12 . A steam generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the piston and cylinder device has a counter-bore at its end remote from the electrical switch, the arrangement being such that the piston is out of pneumatic sealing of the cylinder in its quiescent state, hence releasing any over-pressure.  
   
   
       13 . A steam generator according to  claim 4 , wherein the steam supply hose and a pneumatic tube from the hose handle to the pump switch are both enclosed within an outer wall.  
   
   
       14 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the flash steam boiler incorporates a first thermostatic controller for switching an electrical heater for the boiler—ON at a lower temperature and OFF at a higher temperature.  
   
   
       15 . A steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the lower and higher temperatures are tens of Centigrade degrees apart, with the lower temperature being tens of degrees above 100° C.  
   
   
       16 . A steam generator according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower temperature is approximately 140° C. and the upper temperature is approximately 175° C.  
   
   
       17 . A steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the boiler includes a second thermostatic controller for inhibiting operation of the pump until the boiler is at or close to its operating temperature or at least the lower of the temperatures of the first thermostatic controller.  
   
   
       18 . A steam generator according to  claim 17 , wherein the second thermostatic controller is adapted to maintain the pump switched OFF until the boiler is a temperature tens of Centigrade degrees above 100° C. but lower than the lower temperature of the first thermostat.  
   
   
       19 . A steam generator according to  claim 18  as appendant to  claim 15 , wherein the lower temperature is approximately 140° C. and the upper temperature is approximately 175° C. and the boiler inhibition temperature is approximately 130° C.  
   
   
       20 . A steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the pump is arranged to be inhibited below the lower temperature of the first thermostatic controller.  
   
   
       21 . A steam generator according to  claim 17 , wherein the boiler includes a third thermostat for isolating the boiler in the event of the temperature of the boiler reaching a temperature tens of Centigrade degrees above the higher temperature of the first thermostat.  
   
   
       22 . A steam generator according to  claim 21 , wherein the boiler isolation temperature is approximately 225° C.  
   
   
       23 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the boiler is constructed with a central, cylindrical chamber divided longitudinally by a dividing tongue.  
   
   
       24 . A steam generator according to  claim 23 , wherein the boiler is an aluminium casting carried on a stainless steel mounting plate.  
   
   
       25 . A steam generator according to  claim 23 , wherein a water inlet is provided on one side of the tongue and a steam outlet is provided at the other side, the inlet and outlet being at one end of the tongue and communication around the tongue being provided at the other end of the tongue.  
   
   
       26 . A steam generator according to  claim 25 , wherein a further safety valve outlet, is provided at the other side of the tongue.  
   
   
       27 . A steam generator according to  claim 26 , wherein the safety valve is an obturator in an elastomeric tube connected to the safety valve outlet, the tube being vented on the side of the obturator remote from the safety valve outlet, excess pressure steam being vented on expansion of the tube around the obturator, allowing the steam to flow past the obturator.  
   
   
       28 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the wattage of the boiler and the capacity of the pump are matched whereby the pump delivers no more water than the boiler can continuously evaporate.  
   
   
       29 . A steam generator according to  claim 28 , wherein the boiler is rated at 2000 Watts and the pump is adapted to deliver 1.6 cubic centimetres per second of water.  
   
   
       30 . A steam generator according to any preceding claim, wherein the preferred pump is a mains frequency diaphragm pump.  
   
   
       31 . A steam generator according to  claim 1 , including: 
 a casing for the pump and the boiler,    a casing handle formed to receive releasably the hose handle and    release means on the hose handle, discrete from the pump activation means, for releasing the hose handle from the casing handle.    
   
   
       32 . A steam generator according to  claim 31 , including a caddy, the caddy and the casing being formed complementarily for accommodation of the caddy on the casing, a latch preferably being provided for normally retaining the casing on the caddy.  
   
   
       33 . A steam generator according to  claim 32 , in combination with one or more steam application tools and/or one or more hose extensions, the tool(s) and the hose extension(s) being formed: 
 in like manner to the casing handle to receive releasably the hose handle and    with an inner steam connection socket, held connection with a steam connector on the handle, whilst a respective one of the tool(s) and the hose extension(s) receives the hose handle.    
   
   
       34 . A steam generator according to  claim 33 , wherein the hose extensions have double walls, with an air gap between an outer wall and an inner steam conduit: 
 the outer wall having 
 release means in like manner to the release means on the hose handle and  
   the inner steam conduit having 
 the inner steam connection socket at one end and  
 a steam connector at the other end, also in like manner to the steam handle for connection to another extension or tool.  
   
   
   
       35 . A steam generator according to  claim 33 , wherein the caddy has a compartment for storage of the tool(s).  
   
   
       36 . A steam generator according to  claim 34 , wherein the caddy has a respective receptacle for the hose extensions, the receptacle(s) being formed in like manner to the casing handle to receive releasably the extension(s) with their release means.  
   
   
       37 . A steam generator according to  claim 33 , wherein the caddy has a socket for upright support of the hose extension(s), whereby an item of clothing can be supported therefrom for steaming.  
   
   
       38 . A steam generator according to  claim 31 , wherein the casing has a compartment for storage of auxiliary tools adapted to connect to the hose without use of the release means.  
   
   
       39 . A steam generator according to  claim 31 , wherein the water reservoir is detachable from the casing for filling with water, a latch being preferably provided for retaining the reservoir on the casing.  
   
   
       40 . A steam generator according to  claim 39 , wherein the reservoir is provided with a sealable lid whereby the generator can be used at varying orientations the latch being integrated with the sealable lid.  
   
   
       41 . A steam generator according to  claim 40 , wherein the reservoir and the casing are provided with complementary water connections for leading water from the reservoir to the pump.  
   
   
       42 . A steam generator according to  claim 31 , wherein the casing is provided with a carrying strap, for carrying of the steam generator—separate from the caddy where provided—for use.