US 2016/0255679 A1 · COUNTER TOP WASHCLOTH STEAMER

Abstract

A washcloth steamer is designed as a counter top device for a consumer to effectively and efficiently heat a single, wetted washcloth to a temperature of between 150 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The washcloth steamer is formed with a bowl-type housing containing a heating plate therein. The wetted washcloth is provided around or about upper and lower surfaces of the heating plate. When the clamshell type housing is closed about the heating plate and wetted washcloth, the heating plate is activated to heat the wetted washcloth for a predetermined or until the washcloth or the heating plate reach a maximum temperature. Because the heating plate is configured to quickly heat the washcloth and water, a moisture sensor is included that is relied upon to deactivate the heating plate if the detected moisture is too low, to avoid singeing or igniting the washcloth.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A washcloth steamer designed for counter top use for heating a single, wetted washcloth, the washcloth steamer comprising:

a base housing;
a lid housing pivotably opening from the base housing;
a heating plate disposed in a region formed between the base housing and the lid housing and configured to receive a single, wetted washcloth thereabout;
an on-off switch operable to deliver power to the heating plate to heat the heating plate to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, and deliver heat to the wetted washcloth;
wherein the region in which the heating plate is disposed is dimensioned to receive a portion of the single, wetted washcloth between a top surface of the heating plate and the lid housing and another portion of the single, wetted washcloth between a bottom surface of the heating plate and the base housing, such that the single, wetted washcloth and heating plate are sandwiched between the lid housing and the base housing when closed.

2 more elements

A method of heating a single washcloth using a washcloth steamer, comprising:

wetting the single washcloth with water;
opening a lid housing that is pivotably connected to a base housing of the washcloth steamer;
placing a single, wetted washcloth about a heating plate disposed between the lid housing and the base housing so that a portion of the single, wetted washcloth is disposed between a top surface of the heating plate and the lid housing and another portion of the single, wetted washcloth is disposed between a bottom surface of the heating plate and base housing;
closing the lid housing onto the base housing, sandwiching the single, wetted washcloth about the upper and lower surfaces of the heating plate between the lid housing and the base housing;
activating a power supply to the heating plate to heat the heating plate for a predetermined period of time in order to transfer heat from the heating plate to the single, wetted washcloth;
and
deactivating the power supply to the heating plate prior to an end of the predetermined period of time if a temperature of the wetted washcloth being heated exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Counter top washcloth steamer

Life of this patent

Counter top washcloth steamer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20