Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices

摘要

A steam cleaner having a base with a bottom and a sidewall extending from the bottom to form an outer perimeter of the base, and a handle extending from the base. A fluid tank and a steam generator are operatively associated with the handle or the base. The steam generator receives fluid from the fluid tank and convert it into steam. A first control selectively operates the steam generator. The base has a bottom steam distributor on the bottom of the base and a side steam distributor on the sidewall or a top wall of the base. The bottom distributor distributes the steam towards a first region located within the outer perimeter of the base. The side distributor distributes the steam towards a second region located outside the outer perimeter of the base. A second control selects whether to distribute steam through the bottom or side distributor.

主权项

1. A steam cleaner comprising:
a base having a generally flat bottom configured to rest on a surface to be cleaned, a sidewall extending upwards from the bottom and forming an outer perimeter of the base, and a top joining the sidewall; an operating handle connected to and extending from the base; a fluid tank operatively associated with the handle or the base and configured to contain a fluid; a steam generator operatively associated with the handle or the base, the steam generator being fluidly connected to the fluid tank to receive the fluid from the fluid tank and operable to convert the fluid into a steam flow; a first control configured to selectively operate the steam generator; a bottom steam distributor located on the bottom of the base and operable, upon activation of the bottom steam distributor, to distribute the steam flow from the bottom of the base towards a first region of the surface to be cleaned located within the outer perimeter of the base; a side steam distributor located on the base and operable, upon activation of the side steam distributor, to distribute at least a portion of the steam flow towards a second region of the surface to be cleaned located outside the outer perimeter of the base; and a second control movable between a first position in which the second control fluidly connects the steam generator to the bottom steam distributor to activate the bottom steam distributor, and a second position in which the second control fluidly connects the steam generator to the side steam distributor to activate the side steam distributor; wherein the generally flat bottom of the base comprises a concave central region and the bottom steam distributor is located in the concave central region.