# US 7,607,246 B2 · Method for generating a burst of steam from a steam iron > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,246 B2 - Document ID: US7607246B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/997,095 - Filed: 2006-07-18 - Published: 2008-09-25 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-29 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. - Inventors: Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan; Zhenhua Yu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607246B2 ## CPC - F22B 1/285: {the water being fed by a pump to the reservoirs} - D06F 75/12: the steam being produced from water supplied to the iron from an external source - F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES ## Abstract A steam ironing device (1) comprises a steam generator (20) for heating water to steam, a steam outlet (25) for letting out a burst of steam (27) from the steam generator (20), a device (30) for supplying water to the steam generator (20), a hose (40) connecting the water supplying device (30) to the steam generator (20), and a controller (50) which is adapted to operating the water supplying device (30) during a period of time in a situation in which there is hardly any need or no need at all of a supply of steam in an ironing process, while keeping the steam outlet (25) closed. In this way, a reserve amount of steam is generated, which is stored in an internal space (21) of the steam generator (20), and, as the occasion arises, inside at least a portion of the hose (40). When a burst of steam (27) is required, the reserve amount of steam is released through the steam outlet (25). ## Claims ### Claim 1 Method for generating a burst of steam from a steam outlet of a steaming device having a steam generator for heating water to steam, the method comprising the following subsequent steps: supplying water to the steam generator during a period of time while keeping the steam outlet closed, wherein steam is generated by the steam generator; storing at least a portion of the steam inside the steaming device; opening the steam outlet, whereupon the steam is released through the steam outlet as a burst of steam; and releasing a portion of the steam that is generated during the period of time in which the steam outlet is kept closed through outlet holes of the steaming device, which serve for letting out normal amounts of steam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, further comprising feeding water in a pressurized condition from a pressurized water tank to the steam generator when the steam outlet is opened. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein a length of the period during which water is supplied to the steam generator while the steam outlet is kept closed has a predetermined value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein a length of the period during which water is supplied to the steam generator while the steam outlet is kept closed is related to an actual value of a pressure prevailing inside the steaming device, wherein the supply of water is stopped as soon as this pressure has reached a predetermined value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein a device comprising a pump is used for the purpose of supplying water to the steam generator, and wherein the pump is operated during a period of time while the steam outlet is kept closed. ### Claim 6 Steaming device, comprising: a steam generator for heating water to steam; a steam outlet for letting out a burst of steam from the steam generator; a device for supplying water to the steam generator; and controlling means which are adapted to operating the water supplying device during a period of time while keeping the steam outlet closed, and to opening the steam outlet upon receipt of input representing a user's need of a burst of steam from the steam outlet, wherein a portion of the steam, generated during a period of time in which the steam outlet is kept closed, is released through outlet holes of the steaming device, which serve for letting out normal amounts of steam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Steaming device according to claim 6, further comprising a steam reservoir or storing steam generated by the steam generator when the steam outlet is closed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Steaming device according to claim 7, comprising a connection member connecting the water supplying device to the steam generator, wherein the steam reservoir is arranged on this connection member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) Steaming device according to claim 6, further comprising a pressurized water tank which is adapted to storing water and keeping water in a pressurized condition, and which is connected to the connection member, through a controllable water outlet member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) Steaming device according to claim 9, wherein the water outlet member comprises an electro-valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) Steaming device according to claim 9, wherein the pressurized water tank is a spring-loaded water tank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) Steaming device according to claim 9, wherein the controlling means are adapted to putting the water outlet member to an opened condition upon receipt of input representing a user's need of a burst of steam from the steam outlet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) Steaming device according to claim 6, wherein the water supplying device comprises a pump, and wherein the controlling means are adapted to operating the pump during a period of time while keeping the steam outlet closed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) Steaming device according to claim 6, wherein the steaming device is a steam ironing device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) Steaming device according to claim 9, wherein the controllable water outlet member is a valve.