Steaming device component with reduced condensation

Abstract

The invention relates to a steaming device component ( 4, 7, 25 ) comprising a passageway ( 16, 23, 33 ) having an inner surface ( 17, 24, 34 ) along which steam may flow. At least a section of the inner surface ( 17, 24, 34 ) is formed by a foam material ( 19, 35 ) having a low thermal conductivity such that the foam material ( 19, 35 ) reduces the rate of condensation on the inner surface ( 17, 24, 34 ). Since the foam material requires less heat energy to attain the same temperature as the steam, the foam material heats up quickly reducing the time in which condensation can take place on the inner surface of the steam passageway.

1 . A steaming device component comprising
 a passageway having an inner surface along which steam may flow,   at least a section of the inner surface being formed by a foam material having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/mK such that the foam material reduces the rate of condensation on the inner surface, wherein   at least a section of the inner surface formed by the foam material is non-porous.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam material is non-porous. 
     
     
         4 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam material is flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the passageway is formed by the foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the passageway comprises at least an outer layer and an inner layer, the foam material forming the inner layer. 
     
     
         7 . The steaming device component according to  claim 6 , wherein the inner layer is a coating. 
     
     
         8 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam material forms the passageway. 
     
     
         9 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the density of the foam material is less than 400 g/L. 
     
     
         10 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the density of the foam material is greater than 20 g/L. 
     
     
         11 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the steaming device component comprises a steamer head and/or a steam hose having the passageway through which steam may flow. 
     
     
         12 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the steaming device component further comprises a suction section. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The steaming device component according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A steaming device comprising the steaming device component according to  claim 1 .