Steam generator for a steaming device

#This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/065201, filed on Jul. 3, 2015, which claims the benefit of International Application No. 14182182.7 filed on Aug. 26, 2014. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

#The present invention relates to a steam generator for a steaming device, in particular a steam generator with a foaming restriction barrier. The present invention also relates to a steaming device comprising a steam generator according to the invention.

#Steam generators are known for evaporating water into steam. Such steam generators are used in steaming devices, such as steam system irons, to produce steam. The steam may then be used to provide a treatment, for example, application to fabric of garments to remove creases.

#Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a steam system iron with a steam generator according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cut-away diagrammatic view of the steam generator of FIG. 1 according to the present invention; and

#A steam system iron 10, acting as a steaming device, is shown in FIG. 1 comprising a base unit 20 and a steaming head 30. The steam system iron 10 is configured to generate steam to be emitted against a fabric to be treated. Although the invention will be described herein by reference to a steam system iron, it will be understood that alternative arrangements are envisaged. For example, the steaming device may be a handheld steam iron, a garment steamer or a wallpaper steamer.

#The base unit 20 has a steam generator 40. A water reservoir 21 in the base unit 20 holds water to be converted into steam. A pump 22 is provided to supply water from the water reservoir 21 to the steam generator 40. A valve 23 is provided to control the flow of steam from the steam generator 40. The base unit 20 fluidly communicates with the steaming head 30 via a hose 24. The hose 24 is configured to allow the flow of steam from the base unit 20 to the steaming head 30. The hose 24 communicates with the steam generator 40 via the valve 23. The hose 24 includes a tube (not shown) forming a path along which steam is able to flow. The hose 24 may also include, for example, at least one communication cable (not shown) along which electrical power and/or control signals may be sent between the base unit 20 and the steaming head 30. The base unit 20 also includes a power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to components of the steam system iron 10. A user input 25 is on the base unit 20 for controlling operation of the steam system iron 10. The base unit 20 also has a stand 26 for receiving the steaming head 30. A controller (not shown) is configured to control operation of the steam system iron 10.

#The steaming head 30 has a body 31 and a soleplate 32. The body 31 further comprises a handle 33. The handle 33 enables a user to hold and manoeuvre the steaming head 30. A user input 34 is on the body 31 for operating the steam system iron 10. Steam is provided to the steaming head 30 via the hose 24. The steaming head 30 has steam vents (not shown) in the soleplate 32 through which steam flows from the steaming head 30 to be provided to a fabric, for example.