Compact steam appliance with folding handle

Abstract

A portable steamer ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 14 ) that includes a water reservoir ( 8 ) and boiler or heater ( 9 ), as well as internal structures ( 10, 11 ) designed to inhibit steam emission and to prevent inadvertent leaking and emission of water and steam, and a folding handle ( 4 ).

1 . A handheld steam appliance comprising
 a water reservoir adapted to receive water therein;   a heater adapted to heat water received in said reservoir to convert it to steam vapor;   an intermediate chamber to which steam vapor travels from said reservoir;   at least one outlet nozzle opening to which steam vapor travels from said intermediate chamber and from which said steam vapor is emitted from said appliance; and   a water and vapor flow inhibiting system, said system comprising a first wall separating said reservoir from said intermediate chamber and an opening through said first wall adapted to permit steam vapor to pass through said first wall.   
   
   
       2 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said opening through said first wall comprises a first blocking structure adapted to inhibit water and vapor flow, said first blocking structure comprising a generally cylindrically shaped structure having an internal chamber and an opening adjacent to each end thereof and each opening being in fluid communication with said internal chamber, and said first blocking structure being positioned such that said first end and said second end facilitate flow of water and vapor between said reservoir and said intermediate chamber.   
   
   
       3 . An appliance according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a second blocking structure comprising a generally cylindrically shaped structure having an internal chamber and an opening adjacent to each end thereof and each opening being in fluid communication with said internal chamber, and said second blocking structure being positioned such that said first end and said second end facilitate flow of water and vapor between said intermediate chamber and said at least one outlet nozzle opening.   
   
   
       4 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a handle attached to said appliance, said handle being adapted to be held by a user's hand and being adapted to be selectively moved to a position in which it is folded against said appliance or to a position in which it is unfolded so that it is spaced apart from said appliance.   
   
   
       5 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a set of bristles attached to said appliance adjacent to said at least one outlet nozzle opening.   
   
   
       6 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a lint collecting pad attached to said appliance adjacent to said at least one outlet nozzle opening.   
   
   
       7 . An appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a removable plate adapted to be selectively attached to or removed from said appliance at a location adjacent to said at least one outlet nozzle opening;   a set of bristles attached to said removable plate; and   a lint collecting pad attached to said removable plate.