Cordless Battery Operated Handheld Steamer and Methods of Operation

Abstract

A cordless handheld steamer comprising an interior chamber containing a steam generation unit and a water reservoir. The water reservoir generally encompasses the steam generation unit and the steam generation unit contains a heating element. A precise temperature control unit monitors the heating element's temperature to maintain an optimum steam producing temperature without overheating. The heating element is powered only by an on-board battery pack. A user determined amount of water is pumped from the water reservoir to the flash boiler chamber where the water is converted to steam and the steam travels through a plenum to a target area.

1 . A handheld cordless steamer comprising:
 an outer casing;   an interior chamber containing a steam generation unit and a water reservoir, said water reservoir generally encompassing said steam generation unit, said steam generation unit containing a heating element;   an insulating material generally encompassing said interior chamber;   a water fill tube, wherein said water fill tube transports water to said water reservoir;   a battery pack, said battery pack providing the only electrical energy to said heating element;   a temperature control unit coupled to said heating element, wherein said temperature control unit controls the temperature of said heating element;   a water pump, said water pump capable of pumping a user controlled amount of said water from said water reservoir to said heating element; and   a plenum, wherein said plenum transports steam from said steam generation unit to a target area.   
   
   
       2 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said outer casing is in a generally half spherical shape. 
   
   
       3 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said steam generation unit is a flash boiler. 
   
   
       4 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said water pump is a mechanically actuated pump. 
   
   
       5 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said water pump is an electrically actuated pump. 
   
   
       6 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said temperature control unit is a thermostat or pressure monitor. 
   
   
       7 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , wherein said battery pack is removable. 
   
   
       8 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 7 , wherein said battery pack is rechargeable. 
   
   
       9 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 1 , including a disposable towelette. 
   
   
       10 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 9 , wherein said disposable towelette is treated with an additive, said additive to enhance the aesthetic, utility, cleaning, and/or disinfecting properties of said towelette. 
   
   
       11 . The handheld cordless steamer of  claim 9 , wherein said disposable towelette is coupled across said plenum as to create a seal against said plenum in order to further direct steam towards said target area and/or maintain a high temperature and pressure. 
   
   
       12 . A method of operating a handheld cordless steamer, said method comprising the steps of:
 adding water to a water reservoir;   heating a heating element;   powering said heating element from only a battery pack;   monitoring and controlling the temperature of said heating element with a temperature control unit;   pumping a user controlled amount of said water from said water reservoir to a steam generation chamber, said steam generation chamber containing said heating element;   using ambient heat from said steam generation chamber to pre-heat said water in said water reservoir;   insulating said water reservoir and said steam generation chamber;   converting said water in said steam generation chamber into steam by heating said water with said heating element; and   allowing said steam to travel through a plenum to a target area.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of allowing said steam to travel from said plenum includes the additional step of forcing said steam through a disposable towelette prior to impacting said target area. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , with the additional step of enhancing the aesthetic, utility, cleaning, and/or disinfecting qualities of said towelette by adding additives to said towelette. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said pumping step is accomplished by actuating a mechanical pump. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said pumping step is accomplished by actuating an electrical pump. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , with the additional step of charging said battery pack. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , with the additional step of inserting said battery pack. 
   
   
       19 . A handheld steamer comprising:
 an outer casing, said outer casing in a generally half spherical shape;   an interior chamber containing a steam generation unit and a water reservoir, said water reservoir generally encompassing said steam generation unit, said steam generation unit containing a heating element.   an insulating material generally encompassing said interior chamber;   a water fill tube, wherein said water fill tube transports water from outside of said outer casing to said water reservoir;   an electrical energy source, said electrical energy source providing electrical energy to said heating element;   a temperature control unit coupled to said heating element, wherein said temperature control unit controls the temperature of said heating element;   a water pump, said water pump capable of pumping a user controlled amount of said water from said water reservoir to said heating element; and   a plenum, wherein said plenum transports steam from said steam generation unit to a target area.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said electrical energy source is external to said outer casing.