FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a garment steamer having a steamer head and a detachable docking unit for docking the steamer head.

The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment steamers are known to be used for ironing or steaming garments to remove creases through the use of heat and moisture from steam.

One type of garment steamer is a so-called stand garment steamer that comprises a base, which base houses a water reservoir and a steam generating unit. A steamer head (also called an ironing device) is connected to the base by a flexible hose through which steam is delivered to the steamer head. The steamer head is provided with a steam plate, also known as a soleplate, delimiting one or more steam vents through which steam is discharged onto a fabric being treated.

The garment may be hung on a hanger during treatment by the garment steamer, with the user positioning the steamer head over the garment to remove creases.

Stand garment steamers tend to include a garment support feature and/or accessory, such as an ironing board or mat to assist the user to attain better and quicker de-wrinkling results. The ironing board is often mounted on a pole assembly.

In particular, such stand garment steamers can include a tiltable ironing board. Tilting of the ironing board enables garments to be orientated at different angles when being treated with steam. A horizontal orientation is often desired by the user because of the user being in the habit of ironing garments, especially long pants and formal shirts with long sleeves. When the user is not in the process of actively steaming a garment, the user often wishes to rest the steamer head on a docking unit, in other words a support device, by the side of the pole assembly or by the side of the ironing board.

Positioning such a docking unit so that the steamer head can be easily placed on and easily picked up from the docking unit can be challenging, particularly when the docking unit is to be conveniently used when the ironing board is tilted at different angular orientations, for example horizontal and vertical orientations.

In recent market releases, many garment steamers include a removable base so that the steamer head can be used freely without the ironing board and pole assembly. For example, the user may wish to detach the base from the ironing board and the pole assembly to steam/iron a curtain hanging from a curtain rail. This scenario can present challenges in terms of how and where to rest the steamer head when the user is not in the process of actively steaming the curtain, or some other household item.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to address one or more of the above-mentioned challenges.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises a base, a steamer head, a hose cord for connecting the base to the steamer head, a pole assembly comprising at least one pole, an ironing board mounted on the pole assembly, a docking unit for docking the steamer head during a non-active steaming period, a supporting arm having a first extremity for supporting the docking unit and a second extremity for attaching to the pole assembly or the ironing board, the docking unit comprising a first coupling means for detachably coupling the docking unit to the base, and a second coupling means for detachably coupling the docking unit to the first extremity. The second coupling means enables supporting of the steamer head via the docking unit and the supporting arm on the pole assembly, for example when the ironing board is vertically orientated for steaming hanging garments. The second coupling means can alternatively enable supporting of the steamer head via the docking unit and the supporting arm on the ironing board, for example when the ironing board is horizontally orientated for ironing garments.

The first coupling means enables supporting of the steamer head via the docking unit on the base of the garment steamer, for example when the orientation of the ironing board is being changed and/or when the base is being used separately from the ironing board and pole assembly, for instance to steam a curtain hanging from a curtain pole.

In this connection, the base and the steamer head are preferably removable from the pole assembly and the ironing board.

The capability to detach the docking unit from the base avoids that the base has to have its own dedicated docking unit. Moreover, the first coupling means enables the docking unit to be attached to the base without the supporting arm having to extend between the docking unit and the base. This means that the base can be made less bulky, which can facilitate manoeuvring/carrying of the base.

It is noted that the first coupling means can be alternatively termed a “first coupling part”, and the second coupling means can be alternatively termed a “second coupling part”.

The docking unit can be regarded as comprising a cradle for supporting the steamer head.

In some embodiments, the supporting arm is attachable to side(s) of the pole assembly and/or to end(s) of the ironing board.

In at least some embodiments, the docking unit comprises a planar surface for docking the steamer head. In other words, the docking unit has a planar surface on which the steamer head, for example a steam plate of the steamer head, is supportable.

In some embodiments, the first coupling means has a first longitudinal axis along which the first coupling means detachably couples to the base, and the second coupling means has a second longitudinal axis along which the second coupling means detachably couples to the first extremity. In such embodiments, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis preferably have different angular orientations compared to the planar surface. In other words, a first orientation of the first longitudinal axis compared to the planar surface is different from a second orientation of the second longitudinal axis compared to the planar surface.

These different angular orientations can facilitate picking up the docking unit both when the docking unit is attached to the base and when the docking unit is attached to the pole assembly or ironing board via the supporting arm.

In some embodiments, the first longitudinal axis is tilted compared to the planar surface at a first angle, and the second longitudinal axis is tilted compared to the planar surface at a second angle.

Preferably, the first angle and the second angle are different from each other.

The different first and second angles can facilitate picking up the docking unit both when the docking unit is attached to the base and when the docking unit is attached to the pole assembly or ironing board via the supporting arm, and/or can enable tuning of the footprint of the docking unit, particularly when the docking unit is attached to the base.

In some embodiments, the first angle is less than or equal to the second angle. Preferably, the first angle is less than the second angle.

By the first angle being smaller than the second angle, a footprint of the docking unit can be kept relatively small when the docking unit is attached to the base, thereby facilitating carrying of the base, in particular when the base is removed from the pole assembly and ironing board, around for steaming of other household items, for example a curtain.

The larger second angle compared to the first angle facilitates the user in picking up the steamer head from the docking unit when the docking unit is attached to the pole assembly or the ironing board, and can also help to make picking up the steamer head from the docking unit less strenuous due to the angle alleviating strain in his/her wrist when picking up the steamer head. In some embodiments, the first angle is in the range 5-25 degrees, and the second angle is in the range 30-50 degrees.

For example, the first angle is 20 +-3 degrees, and the second angle is 40 +-3 degrees.

In some embodiments, the base comprises a first complementary coupling means adapted to detachably couple to the first coupling means, and the first extremity comprises a second complementary coupling means adapted to detachably couple to the second coupling means.

It is noted that the first complementary coupling means can be alternatively termed a “first complementary coupling part”, and the second complementary coupling means can be alternatively termed a “second complementary coupling part”.

In some embodiments, the first complementary coupling means has a longitudinal axis being substantially vertical when the base is orientated for use, with the first longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the first complementary coupling means when the docking unit is being coupled to the base. This can facilitate attaching/detaching the docking unit to/from the base by simply raising and lowering the docking unit with respect to the base.

The term “substantially vertical” as used herein may mean the local gravity direction +-10 degrees.

Alternatively or additionally, the second complementary coupling means can have a longitudinal axis being substantially vertical when the supporting arm extends horizontally from the pole assembly or the ironing board, with the second longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the second complementary coupling means when the docking unit is being coupled to the first extremity. This can facilitate attaching/detaching the docking unit to/from the supporting arm by simply raising and lowering the docking unit with respect to the horizontally extending supporting arm.

The first coupling means and the first complementary coupling means preferably define a sliding mechanism adapted to prevent rotation of the docking unit relative to the base while the docking unit is coupled to the base. Such a sliding mechanism has been found to be user-friendly and to provide secure attachment of the docking unit to the base. In some embodiments, the first complementary coupling means comprises a slot arranged at an outer wall of the base, and the first coupling means comprises a protrusion adapted to be inserted into the slot. This provides a relatively simple and user-friendly way of implementing the first coupling means and the first complementary coupling means.

In some embodiments, the slot and the protrusion are shaped to prevent rotation of the protrusion in the slot. This can assist to provide safer attachment of the docking unit to the base.

Preferably, the protrusion has a T-shape defined by a central elongate part that extends perpendicularly from a middle region of a laterally extending part, and the slot comprises a laterally narrower portion that complements the shape of the central elongate part and a laterally wider portion that complements the shape of the laterally extending part. This can assist with rigidly securing the docking unit to the base.

The protrusion preferably is angled with respect to an underside of the docking unit so that a greater component of the protrusion’s extension from the underside of the docking unit is along the docking unit than away from the underside of the docking unit.

This assists to make the docking unit more compact, making it easier to carry the docking unit around for steaming other household items. It can also help to prevent the docking unit from interfering with the hose cord.

The protrusion is preferably integrally formed with the docking unit, e.g. a support plate of the docking unit, as a single part.

This can further assist to rigidly secure the docking unit to the base.

In some embodiments, the second coupling means comprises a first cavity, the second complementary coupling means comprises a second cavity, and the second complementary coupling means comprises a pin received in said second cavity and adapted to be releasably received in said first cavity to detachably fasten the second coupling means to the second complementary coupling means. Preferably, a biasing element is arranged to bias the pin into the first cavity, and an actuating member is coupled to the pin and arranged to be moved by a user in order to overcome the bias to release the pin from the first cavity.

In other words, the actuating member is arranged to be moved by the user to move the pin out of, and thereby disengage the pin from, the first cavity.

In some embodiments, the base comprises a housing having an external surface, with the external surface and the second coupling means being arranged such that the second coupling means is supported against the external surface when the docking unit is coupled to the base. This can assist to improve stability of the docking unit when the docking unit is attached to the base.

The additional contact between the second coupling means and the external surface is, for example, provided between an end surface of a mounting portion of the docking unit, used for attaching the docking unit to the supporting arm, and the external surface of the base.

In some embodiments, the second extremity of the supporting arm is detachably connectable to the pole assembly or the ironing board.

The supporting arm being detachably connectable to the pole assembly or the ironing board may have various advantages. For example, this can enable the docking unit to be switched between being supported by the pole assembly and being supported by the ironing board. This can assist the docking unit to be conveniently positioned for the user during use of the garment steamer, and can also assist to minimise the number of external protruding features which may interfere with garment placement when ironing or steaming, e.g. compared to the scenario in which a first non-detachable supporting arm protrudes from the ironing board and a second non-detachable supporting arm protrudes from the pole assembly. Also, detachment of the supporting arm may assist to make packaging of the garment steamer more compact, which in turn facilitates transportation and shipment.

In some embodiments, the second extremity of the supporting arm is detachably connectable to the pole assembly via a pole assembly coupling means allowing a translational horizontal relative movement between the supporting arm and the pole assembly when the supporting arm is being attached to or detached from the pole assembly via the pole assembly coupling means. Alternatively or additionally, the ironing board can include a board coupling means allowing a translational relative movement between the supporting arm and the ironing board when the supporting arm is being attached to or detached from the ironing board via the board coupling means.

Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:

Fig.1 depicts a garment steamer according to an example,

Fig.2 depicts a steamer head being docked on a base of the garment steamer via a docking unit coupled to the base,

Fig.3A depicts the garment steamer when an ironing board of the garment steamer is vertically orientated,

Fig.3B depicts the garment steamer when the ironing board is horizontally orientated,

Fig.4 depicts the docking unit coupled to a supporting arm,

Fig.5 depicts the docking unit detached from the supporting arm,

Fig.6 depicts coupling of the docking unit to the base,

Fig.7 provides a cross-sectional view of the steamer head being supported by the base via the docking unit coupled to the base,

Figs.8 and 9 respectively provide an exterior view and another cross-sectional view of the steamer head being supported by the base via the docking unit coupled to the base,

Fig.10 provides a view of the docking unit,

Fig.11 depicts a protrusion of the docking unit,

Fig.12 provides an interior view of part of the supporting arm and the docking unit when coupled to the supporting arm,

Fig.13 depicts the supporting arm, the docking unit and the steamer head,

Fig.14 depicts part of a pole assembly coupling means by which the supporting arm is detachably coupled to a pole assembly of the garment steamer,

Figs.15 and 16 respectively depict positioning of the supporting arm at a first side and at a second side of the pole assembly prior to coupling of the supporting arm to the pole assembly, and Fig.17 depicts a translational movement for coupling the supporting arm to the ironing board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig.l depicts a garment steamer 100 according to an example. The garment steamer 100 comprises a base 102 and a steamer head 104. A hose cord 106 connects the base 102 to the steamer head 104.

At least one steam vent is provided in the steamer head 104, and in particular in a steam plate of the steamer head 104, for releasing steam to a garment to be treated.

The base 102 preferably comprises a water tank (not visible in the Figures). The water tank stores water used to generate steam. To this end, and referring to Fig.7, the garment steamer 100 further comprises a steam generator SG to which the water stored in the water tank is supplied.

In some embodiments, the steam generator SG is included in the base 102, and the steam generated by the steam generator SG is supplied to the steamer head 104 via the hose cord 106.

In such embodiments, the steamer head 104 preferably includes a steam heater SH arranged to re-heat the steam received from the steam generator SG, prior to the steam exiting the steamer head 104 via the at least one steam vent. The steam heater SH may assist to minimise the risk of spitting water droplets onto the garment being treated.

Referring again to Fig.l, the garment steamer 100 comprises a pole assembly 108 on which an ironing board 140 is mountable. To this end, the pole assembly 108 comprises at least one pole. The pole assembly 108 can be regarded, in other words, as a support assembly whose purpose is to support an ironing surface against which the garment being treated can be placed.

Thus, the garment steamer 100 shown in Fig.1 can be regarded as a stand steamer.

The pole assembly 108 can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy, and/or an engineering thermoplastic. In some embodiments, such as that shown in Fig.l, the pole assembly 108 upstands from a support base SB. The support base SB preferably supports the base 102 as well as the pole assembly 108.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in Fig.l, the support base SB comprises a recessed area RA in which at least part of the base 102 is locatable.

For example, the recessed area RA has a shape that complements an exterior profile of the base 102.

Such a complementarily shaped recessed area RA can assist to prevent the base 102 from being accidentally knocked over during use of the garment steamer 100.

In some embodiments, the base 102 and the steamer head 104 are removable from the pole assembly 108 and the ironing board 140, for example in order to enable the user to iron/steam a curtain hanging from a curtain rail.

In such embodiments, removal of the base 102 and the steamer head 104 from the pole assembly 108 and the ironing board 140 can, for example, comprise lifting the base 102 from the recessed area RA.

Fig.2 provides a view of the exterior of the base 102. In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figs.1 and 2, the base 102 includes a handle HA for assisting the user to manoeuvre the base 102. For example, the handle HA enables the user to manoeuvre the base 102 onto or away from the support base SB, for instance into or out of the recessed area RA of the support base SB.

The pole assembly 108 is preferably a telescopic pole assembly 108 that is configured to enable a height of the ironing board 140 to be adjusted.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figs.l, 2, 3 A and 3B, the pole assembly 108 is configured to enable tilting of the ironing board 140, for instance as well as enabling adjustment of the height of the ironing board 140. The ironing board 140 is preferably tiltable between a vertical orientation, as shown in Fig.3A, and a horizontal orientation, as shown in Fig.3B. For example, the vertical orientation can be used for steaming hanging garments, and the horizontal orientation can be used for ironing.

The garment steamer 100 comprises a docking unit 110 for docking the steamer head 104. The steamer head 104 can be docked in, in other words supported by, the docking unit 110 while the steamer head 104 is not being held by the user, in other words during a non-active steaming period. The docking unit 110 can be regarded as comprising a cradle for supporting the steamer head 104.

It is noted that the docking unit 110 and the ironing board 140 can be made of any suitable mechanically robust material, such as an engineering thermoplastic.

The docking unit 110 is shown in Fig.2 attached to the base 102. Thus, the steamer head 104 can be supported via the docking unit 110 on the base 102 of the garment steamer 100, for example when the orientation of the ironing board 140 is being changed or during a non-active steaming period when the base 102 is removed from the pole assembly 108 and the ironing board 140.

In Fig.3 A, the docking unit 110 is shown attached to the pole assembly 108 via a supporting arm 112 extending between the pole assembly 108 and the docking unit 110. Thus, the steamer head 104 can be supported via the docking unit 110 on the pole assembly 108 of the garment steamer 100, for example when the ironing board 140 is vertically orientated for steaming hanging garments.

In Fig.3B, the docking unit 110 is shown attached to the ironing board 140 via the supporting arm 112 extending between the ironing board 140 and the docking unit 110. Thus, the steamer head 104 can be supported via the docking unit 110 on the ironing board 140 of the garment steamer 100, for example when the ironing board 140 is horizontally orientated for ironing garments.

With reference to Figs.4 to 7, the attachment possibilities for the docking unit 110 described in relation to Figs.2, 3A and 3B are enabled by the docking unit 110 comprising a first coupling means Cl for detachably coupling the docking unit 110 to the base 102, and a second coupling means C2 for detachably coupling the docking unit 110 to the supporting arm 112. In the embodiment shown in Figs.4 to 7, the second coupling means C2 is configured to detachably couple the docking unit 110 to a first extremity 114, in other words a first end, of the supporting arm 112.

In some embodiments, and referring to Fig.6, the docking unit 110 comprises a planar surface PS for docking the steamer head 104.

The docking unit 110 preferably comprises a support plate 111 A arranged to support the steamer head 104 from underneath, and a side support member 11 IB extending from a peripheral portion of the support plate 111 A to laterally support the steamer head 104.

For example, the planar surface PS is a planar surface PS of the support plate 111 A.

The planar surface PS preferably comprises a thermally insulating material on which the steam plate of the steamer head 104 can rest.

More generally, the first coupling means Cl and/or the second coupling means C2 is or are preferably provided at an underside of the support plate 111 A that faces away from the steamer head 104 when the steamer head 104 is docked in the docking unit 110.

In some embodiments, the support plate 111A is arranged such that the steamer head 104 is supported by the docking unit 110 at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. This can assist the user in easily picking up the steamer head 104 and easily returning the steamer head 104 to the docking unit 110.

Preferably, the support plate 111 A is tilted compared to the horizontal plane with an angle in the range 40-60 degrees.

This 40-60 degrees angular range for the angle of the support plate 111A compared to the horizontal plane corresponds to the 30-50 degrees preferred range for a second angle A2 between a second longitudinal axis D2 of the second coupling means C2 and the planar surface PS, as described herein below with reference to Fig.7. This angular range can facilitate the user in picking up the steamer head 104 from the docking unit 110 when the docking unit 110 is attached to the pole assembly 108 or the ironing board 140, and can also help to make picking up the steamer head 104 from the docking unit 110 less strenuous due to the angle alleviating strain in his/her wrist when picking up the steamer head 104.

The side support member 11 IB can assist to retain the steamer head 104 on the docking unit 110 in spite of the support plate 111 A being angled relative to the horizontal.

In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.6 and 7, the first coupling means Cl has a first longitudinal axis DI along which the first coupling means Cl detachably couples to the base 102, and the second coupling C2 means has a second longitudinal axis D2 along which the second coupling means C2 detachably couples to the supporting arm 112.

In such embodiments, the first longitudinal axis DI and the second longitudinal axis D2 preferably have different angular orientations compared to the planar surface PS.

In other words, a first orientation of the first longitudinal axis DI compared to the planar surface PS is different from a second orientation of the second longitudinal axis D2 compared to the planar surface PS. These different angular orientations can facilitate picking up the docking unit 110 both when the docking unit 110 is attached to the base 102 and when the docking unit 110 is attached to the pole assembly 108 or ironing board 140 via the supporting arm 112.

In some embodiments, and referring in particular to Fig.7, the first longitudinal axis DI is tilted compared to the planar surface PS at a first angle Al, and the second longitudinal axis D2 is tilted compared to the planar surface PS at a second angle A2, with the first angle Al being less than or equal to the second angle A2.

In some embodiments, the first angle Al is in the range 5-25 degrees, and the second angle A2 is in the range 30-50 degrees.

For example, the first angle Al is 20 +-3 degrees, and the second angle A2 is 40 +-3 degrees. In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figs.4 to 7, the base 102 comprises a first complementary coupling means CC1 adapted to detachably couple to the first coupling means Cl, and the supporting arm 112 comprises a second complementary CC2 coupling means adapted to detachably couple to the second coupling means C2.

The first coupling means Cl and the first complementary coupling means CC1 preferably define a sliding mechanism adapted to prevent rotation of the docking unit 110 relative to the base 102 while the docking unit 110 is coupled to the base 102. Such a sliding mechanism has been found to be user-friendly and to provide secure attachment of the docking unit 110 to the base 102.

In some embodiments, and as best shown in Figs.6 and 9, the first complementary coupling CC1 means comprises a slot SL arranged at an outer wall of the base 102, and the first coupling means Cl comprises a protrusion PT adapted to be inserted into the slot SL.

In such embodiments, the protrusion PT preferably extends from the underside of the support plate 111 A.

The protrusion PT can be regarded as a protruding hook provided on an underside of the docking unit 110, e.g. the underside of the support plate 111A, with the protruding hook being adapted to be hooked into a matching slot SL provided on the base 102.

In some embodiments, the slot SL and the protrusion PT are shaped to prevent rotation of the protrusion PT in the slot SL. This can assist to provide safer attachment of the docking unit 110 to the base 102.

Referring to Figs.10 and 11, the protrusion PT preferably has a T-shape defined by a central elongate part T1 that extends perpendicularly from a middle region of a laterally extending part T2, and the slot SL comprises a laterally narrower portion that complements the shape of the central elongate part T1 and a laterally wider portion that complements the shape of the laterally extending part T2. This can assist with rigidly securing the docking unit 110 to the base 102.

The protrusion PT preferably is angled with respect to the underside of the support plate 111 A so that a greater component of the protrusion’s PT extension from the underside of the support plate 111A is along the support plate 111A than away from the underside of the support plate 111A.

This assists to make the docking unit 110 more compact, making it easier to carry the docking unit 110 around for steaming other household items. It can also help to prevent the docking unit 110 from interfering with the hose cord 106.

The protrusion PT is preferably integrally formed with the docking unit 110, e.g. the support plate 111 A of the docking unit 110, as a single part. This can further assist to rigidly secure the docking unit 110 to the base 102.

Alternatively or additionally to the first coupling means Cl and the first complementary coupling means CC1 comprising a protrusion PT-slot SL coupling, the second coupling means C2 can comprise a recess defined in a mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110, with the second complementary coupling means CC2 comprising a protruding element 115A, protruding from the first extremity 114, that is releasably received within, and engages, the recess. An example of this is shown in Figs.4, 5 and 12 to 14.

In such embodiments, the mounting portion 115B preferably extends from an underside of the support plate 111A that faces away from the steamer head 104 when the steamer head 104 is docked in the docking unit 110, for example with the protrusion PT also extending from the underside of the support plate 111 A.

In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.6 and 9, the first complementary coupling means CC1 has a longitudinal axis DD1 being substantially vertical when the base 102 is orientated for use, e.g. by the base 102 resting on a horizontal floor and/or located within the recessed area RA, with the first longitudinal axis DI of the first coupling means Cl coinciding with the longitudinal axis DD1 of the first complementary coupling means CC1 when the docking unit 110 is being coupled to the base 102. This can facilitate attaching/detaching the docking unit 110 to/from the base 102 by simply raising and lowering the docking unit 110 with respect to the base 102.

Alternatively or additionally, and referring to Fig.12, the second complementary coupling means CC2 can have a longitudinal axis DD2 being substantially vertical when the supporting arm 112 extends horizontally from the pole assembly 108 or the ironing board 140, with the second longitudinal axis D2 coinciding with the longitudinal axis DD2 of the second complementary coupling means CC2 when the docking unit 110 is being coupled to the supporting arm 112. This can facilitate attaching/detaching the docking unit 110 to/from the supporting arm 112 by simply raising and lowering the docking unit 110 with respect to the horizontally extending supporting arm 112.

In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.8 and 9, the base 102 comprises a housing having an external surface ES, and the external surface ES and the second coupling means C2 are arranged such that the second coupling means C2 is supported against the external surface ES when the docking unit 110 is coupled to the base 102. This can assist to improve stability of the docking unit 110 when the docking unit 110 is attached to the base 102.

The additional contact between the second coupling means C2 and the external surface ES is, for example, provided between an end surface of the mounting portion 115B and the external surface ES of the base 102.

In some embodiments, and with reference to Fig.12, the second coupling means C2 comprises a first cavity CV1, the second complementary coupling means CC2 comprises a second cavity CV2, with the second complementary coupling means CC2 also comprising a pin PN received in said second cavity CV2 and adapted to be releasably received in said first cavity CV1 to detachably fasten the second coupling means C2 to the second complementary coupling means CC2.

For example, the first cavity CV1 is defined in the mounting portion 115B of the docking unit 110, and the second cavity CV2 is defined in the protruding element 115 A that protrudes from the first extremity 114 of the supporting arm 112.

Preferably, a biasing element SP, such as a spring, is arranged to bias the pin PN into the first cavity CV1, and an actuating member MB is coupled to the pin PN and arranged to be moved by a user in order to overcome the bias to release the pin PN from the first cavity CV1.

In other words, the actuating member MB, e.g. a button, is arranged to be moved by the user to move the pin PN out of, and thereby disengage the pin PN from, the first cavity CV1. Thus, the docking unit 110 can be detachably mounted to the supporting arm 112 via a pin-cavity PN, CV1 mechanism. When the actuating member MB, e.g. button, is actuated, the pin PN retracts from the first cavity CV1 and hence the docking unit 110 can be removed. When the actuating member MB, e.g. button, is released, the force exerted by the biasing element SP, e.g. spring, causes the pin PN to extend into the first cavity CV1 and lock the docking unit 110 in place on the supporting arm 112.

Fig.13 shows the first extremity 114 of the supporting arm 112 coupled to the docking unit 110, and Fig.14 shows the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 connected to the pole assembly 108.

In some embodiments, the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 is detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108 or the ironing board 140.

The supporting arm 112 being detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108 or the ironing board 140 may have various advantages. For example, this can enable the docking unit 110 to be switched between being supported by the pole assembly 108 and being supported by the ironing board 140. This can assist the docking unit 110 to be conveniently positioned for the user during use of the garment steamer, and can also assist to minimise the number of external protruding features which may interfere with garment placement when ironing or steaming, e.g. compared to the scenario in which a first non-detachable supporting arm protrudes from the ironing board 140 and a second non-detachable supporting arm protrudes from the pole assembly 108. Also, detachment of the supporting arm 112 may assist to make packaging of the garment steamer 100 more compact, which in turn facilitates transportation and shipment.

In some embodiments, the second extremity 116 is detachably connectable to the pole assembly 108 via a pole assembly coupling means allowing a translational horizontal relative movement between the supporting arm 112 and the pole assembly 108 when the supporting arm is being attached to or detached from the pole assembly coupling means.

Such translational horizontal relative movement is considered to be more user-friendly than, for example, vertical, e.g. upwards or downwards, movement of the supporting arm 112 in order for the supporting arm 112 to connect to, or detach from, the pole assembly 108. Since the arrangement of the docking unit 110 enables the user to pick up the steamer head 104 in a direction PD at an angle to the horizontal along which the supporting arm 112 translates to detach from the pole assembly 108, the risk of unintentional detachment of the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108 when the user picks up the steamer head 104 is reduced. In other words, the steamer head pick-up direction PD is not parallel to the direction of translational horizontal relative movement along which the supporting arm 112 translates to detach from the pole assembly 108.

The axis HA along which the horizontal relative movement (i.e. horizontal translation) takes place, when the garment steamer 100 is orientated for use, is shown in Figs.13 to 15. Irrespective of whether the garment steamer 100 is orientated for use where the ironing board 140 is oriented vertically as shown in Fig 1 or the ironing board 140 is not in the vertical orientation, for example is horizontal or tilted at an angle, in at least some embodiments the axis HA extends transverse, e.g. perpendicular, to a longitudinal direction LD of the ironing surface.

Axis HA is the direction of the translational horizontal relative movement. The pick-up direction PD is preferably at an angle to the axis HA along which the translational horizontal relative movement is allowed by the pole assembly coupling means. The pick-up direction PD is not parallel to HA so as to avoid accidental detachment of the supporting arm 112 when picking up the steamer head 104.

In some embodiments, and as best shown in Figs.15 and 16, the pole assembly coupling means comprises a first coupling mechanism. In such embodiments, the first coupling mechanism comprises a first sheath 118A arranged on/at the pole assembly 108, with the first sheath 118A forming a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.

Referring to Figs.13 and 15, the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 has an external surface 120. As best shown in Fig.14, the first sheath 118A is delimited by a first wall 122A having a first internal surface. In such embodiments, the external surface 120 preferably has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the first internal surface.

In other words, the first sheath 118A and the second extremity 116 are shaped such that the second extremity 116 can be received in and engage with the first internal surface. Thus, the term “substantially the same” refers to the respective cross-sectional shapes of the first internal surface and the external surface 120 being sufficiently similar to enable the second extremity 116 to be received in and engage with the first internal surface of the first sheath 118A.

The term “substantially the same” correspondingly encompasses the inclusion of surface features, such as protrusions and/or recesses, in one or both of the first internal surface and the external surface 120 provided that such surface features do not prevent the second extremity 116 being received in and engaging with the first internal surface of the first sheath 118A.

In this connection, the first internal surface of the first wall 122 A delimiting the first sheath 118 A preferably comprises a first plurality of linear protruding ribs.

The first plurality of linear protruding ribs can assist to engage and guide the second extremity 116 into the first sheath 118A whilst limiting a contact area between the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116 and the first internal surface of the first sheath 118A. The latter may help to minimise friction when connecting and detaching the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108. Such first plurality of linear protruding ribs can also help in terms of better controlling manufacturing tolerances compared to the scenario in which no protruding ribs would be included.

The first plurality of linear protruding ribs preferably each extend parallel to the axis HA. Alternatively or additionally, opposing portions of the first internal surface of the first sheath 118A can be provided with the protruding ribs.

This can assist to minimise wobbling of the supporting arm 112 as the second extremity 116 is being inserted into the first sheath 118A. Thus, the user is given an assurance of stability and firm connection of the supporting arm 112.

In at least some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the external surface 120 and the cross- sectional shape of the first internal surface of the first wall 122A delimiting the first sheath 118A are both substantially rectangular. Such a substantially rectangular shape may assist to avoid unwanted rotation of the supporting arm 112 within the first sheath 118A. However, other polygonal cross-sectional shapes, such as square, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and so on, can also be contemplated for this purpose.

In at least some embodiments, and as best shown in Figs.13 and 14, the supporting arm 112 comprises a flexible tongue 130 with a protruding catch 132 at the tongue’s extremity. In such embodiments, the first wall 122A comprises a first slot 134A, with the protruding catch 132 being cooperable with the first slot 134A to lock the supporting arm 112 in the first sheath 118A.

Preferably, the flexible tongue 130 and the protruding catch 132 are arranged on a top surface of the supporting arm 112. The protruding catch 132 and the first slot 134A forms a snap-fit mechanism for locking/retaining the supporting arm in the first sheath 118A.

When the supporting arm 112 is being translated along the axis HA in order to be received in the first sheath 118A, the protruding catch 132 initially contacts the first wall 122A whose first internal surface delimits the first sheath 118A so as to cause the tongue 130 to flex and allow the second extremity 116 to be received in the first sheath 118A. Upon subsequent advancement along the axis HA, the protruding catch 132 reaches alignment with the first slot 134A and at this point the resilience of the tongue 130 causes the protruding catch 132 to locate into the first slot 134A, thereby locking the supporting arm 112 in the first sheath 118A.

As shown in Figs.13 and 14, a button 135 is preferably arranged between the first and second extremities 114, 116. The button 135 is arranged on the tongue 130 distal to the protruding catch 132. The button 135, the tongue 130 and the protruding catch 132 are arranged on the top surface of the supporting arm 112 such that the button is plainly visible to the user when the docking unit 110 is connected to the pole assembly 108 via the supporting arm 112. This may greatly improve user friendliness when detaching the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108.

When the user wishes to detach the supporting arm 112 from the pole assembly 108, the user may depress the button 135, for example with a finger, to cause the tongue 130 to flex and bring the protruding catch 132 out of the first slot 134A, whereupon the supporting arm 112 can be withdrawn from the first sheath 118A along the axis HA.

This may assist in making the user intuitively aware of how to release the snap-fit mechanism. In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.3A, 15 and 16, the pole assembly coupling means comprises a second coupling mechanism. The second coupling mechanism comprises a second sheath 118B arranged on the pole assembly 108 for receiving the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112. In such embodiments, the second sheath 118B forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.

The second sheath 118B is preferably arranged at 180 degrees compared to said first sheath 118A. Thus, the supporting arm 112 can be connected to opposite sides of the pole assembly 108. In this manner, the garment steamer 100 can be comfortably used by both right-handed and left-handed users.

In some embodiments, the first sheath 118A is arranged at a first side SI of the pole assembly 108, and the second sheath 118B is arranged at a second side S2 of the pole assembly 108 being opposite to the first side SI, with the first and second sheathes 118A, 118B opening out in opposite directions relative to each other.

The second sheath 118B is preferably delimited by a second wall 122B having a second internal surface. In such embodiments, the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112 has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the second internal surface, for example with the cross-sectional shape being both polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first sheath 118A.

The second internal surface preferably comprises a second plurality of linear protruding ribs, as also described above in relation to the first sheath 118A.

In at least some embodiments, the second wall 122B comprises a second slot 134B, and the protruding catch 132 is cooperable with the second slot to lock the supporting arm 112 in the second sheath 118B.

The protruding catch 132 and the second slot 134B form a snap-fit mechanism for locking/retaining the supporting arm 112 in the second sheath 118B, similarly as described above in respect of the first sheath 118 A.

In some embodiments, the second sheath 118B is structurally identical to the first sheath 118A. This allows the supporting arm 112 to be easily attachable to the first sheath 118A or the second sheath 118B arranged on either side SI, S2 of the pole assembly 108 because the same connecting/detaching protocol is used for inserting the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm into/removing the second extremity 116 from each of the first and second sheathes 118A, 118B.

In some embodiments, and referring to Figs.3A and 17, the ironing board 140 comprises a board coupling means allowing a translational relative movement between the supporting arm 112 and the ironing board 140.

The board coupling means preferably includes reinforcement means fixed to a side of the ironing board 140 to allow the supporting arm 112 to be inserted, e.g. when the ironing board 140 is in a horizontal orientation.

The translational relative movement is preferably parallel to the planar surface of the ironing board 140 on which garments are arranged during treatment. The board coupling means preferably comprises a board cavity 118C opening-up on a periphery of the ironing board 140. The board cavity forms a hollow volume being adapted to receive the second extremity 116 of the supporting arm 112.

The board cavity 118C is delimited by a wall 122C having an internal surface. The internal surface has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the external surface 120 of the second extremity 116. For example the cross-sectional shape is polygonal, e.g. substantially rectangular, as described above in relation to the first sheath 118A and the second sheath 118B.

The internal surface of the wall 122C preferably comprises a plurality of linear protruding ribs, as similarly described above in relation to the first sheath 118A and the second sheath 118B.

In at least some embodiments, a slot is arranged in the wall 122C delimiting the board cavity 118C, with the above-described protruding catch 132 being cooperable with the slot to lock the supporting arm 112 in the board cavity 118C. Thus, the same design of snap-fit mechanism can be used to detachably connect the supporting arm 112 to the ironing board 140 as that used to detachably connect the supporting arm 112 to the pole assembly 108. This may provide a consistent engagement method at the pole assembly 108 and the ironing board 140 locations of the garment steamer 100. This may further increase the user-friendliness of the garment steamer 100.

In some embodiments, the ironing board 140 extends longitudinally between a first end 142 and a second end 144, with the board cavity 118C opening-up at said first end 142 and/or said second end 144.

The first end 142 preferably tapers towards a sharper portion 146 of the ironing board 140, which may correspond to the tip of the ironing board 140.

In such embodiments, the sharper portion 146 is opposite a broader portion 148 at the second end 144 of the ironing board 140, which may correspond to a shoulder of the ironing board 140. In the non-limiting example depicted in Figs. l, 3A, 3B and 17, the board cavity 118C opens-up at the broader portion 148.

The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.