Enclosure for a steamer

Abstract

An enclosure ( 10, 35 ) for use with a steam generator ( 2 ) having a hand operated steam nozzle ( 5 ) for manually treating a fabric article with steam emitted from nozzle is disclosed. The enclosure has a space to receive fabric articles to be steamed and also has a steam nozzle receptacle ( 12 ) hat releasably receives a hand operated steam nozzle so that steam is directed into the enclosure from the steam nozzle for hands-free steaming of fabric articles within the enclosure.

1 . An enclosure for use with a steam generator having a hand operated steam nozzle for manually treating a fabric article with steam emitted from said nozzle, the enclosure comprising a space to receive fabric articles to be treated, characterised in that the enclosure further comprises a steam nozzle receptacle configured to releasably receive said hand operated steam nozzle such that steam is directed into the enclosure from said steam nozzle for hands-free steaming of fabric articles in said enclosure. 
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hose support member configured to support a flexible hose of said steam generator such that condensed water cannot be trapped within said hose during use of the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one hose support member comprises at least one arm extending in a direction away from the enclosure, and attachment means to which said flexible hose can be removably attached during use of the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle receptacle comprises a recess and an opening into the enclosure, said recess being shaped to releasably receive a hand operated steam nozzle such that when said hand operated steam nozzle is inserted into the recess said steam nozzle is retained in said recess and a steam emitting end of that steam nozzle is aligned with the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess includes an enlarged portion that allows a user access to grasp a hand operated steam nozzle received in the recess. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein the enlarged portion of the recess is positioned to be aligned with a handle of a hand operated steam nozzle when said steam nozzle is received in the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess further comprises a portion to receive a handle of a hand operated steam nozzle when said steam nozzle is received in the nozzle receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured such that when a hand operated steam nozzle is received in the nozzle receptacle said steam nozzle is disposed flush against the enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess comprises a flared portion that is adapted to receive a flared steam emitting head of a hand operated steam nozzle such that said steam nozzle can be inserted into the flared portion and then moved into alignment with the recess to align the steam emitting head of said steam nozzle with the opening of the steam nozzle receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle receptacle also comprises means for releasably securing a hand operated steam nozzle to the nozzle receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 1  further comprising a water collecting means configured to collect condensed water that has accumulated at a lower portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure of  claim 11 , further comprising a base plate, extending across the bottom of the enclosure and configured to direct collected water into the water collecting means. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for treating a fabric article with steam, comprising a steam generator and an enclosure according to  claim 1 , said steam generator having a steam hose and steam nozzle suitable for hand operated manual steaming of fabric articles, said steam nozzle being optionally connectable to the nozzle receptacle of the enclosure for supplying steam to the enclosure for hands-free steaming of fabric articles received in said enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for treating a fabric article with steam, comprising an enclosure to receive fabric articles to be steamed and a base unit having a steam generator and a steam outlet, said steam outlet being disposed within the enclosure for hands-free steaming of fabric articles received in the enclosure characterised in that the steam outlet comprises connecting means configured to enable a user to connected a steam nozzle to the steam outlet for hand operated manual steaming of fabric articles. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising an upper assembly, to which the enclosure is removably attached, and an extendable supporting arm attachable to the base unit and to the upper assembly to support the upper assembly and the enclosure.