FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Published utility model CN205171226(U) discloses a storage solution for the hose cord connecting the base of a garment care device and a steam iron. This storage solution consists in a relatively large cavity arranged in the base, offering a large opening for a user to insert the hose cord inside for storage. However, this solution has various technical limitations. In particular, user must first fold the hose cord in a multiple number of loops to make sure the volume of the folded hose cord will fit into the volume of the cavity. This also means that if the user did not fold the hose cord sufficiently in a multiple number of loops, part of the hose cord will protrude from the base housing, which will result in a bulky and loose storage of the hose cord. Moreover, even if the hose cord has been sufficiently inserted in the cavity, the hose cord might easily fall out of the cavity when the device is moved, for example when the device is carried by user to another place after use.

CN 203429469U discloses a garment steamer which comprises a base, a storage box, a power line, a water pipe electric wire and an ironing head. One end of the water pipe electric wire is connected with the base, the other end of the water pipe electric wire is connected with the ironing head, a hanging hook is arranged on the storage box and a trunking is formed in the base. When the garment steamer needs to be stored after a garment is ironed, the ironing head is placed on an ironing head base, the water pipe electric wire is folded in half and wound in the trunking. The end folded in half is hung on a wire buckle to be fixed, the storage box is closed and the power line is hung on the hanging hook of the storage box after being wound in the trunking.

FR 2948131 discloses an apparatus having a base in which are assembles: a vapor generation system, safety elements, a water tank, a pump and an electricity supply, an alert control unit, a safety unit and processing units. The processing units process information provided by a user. An iron is connected to the base by a cable. A pipe is assembled under a sheath forming a cord, where the cord is stored in a cavity that is arranged in the base. An opening i.e. outlet hole, is formed on an elastic plate and calibrated to pinch the cord leaving the cavity to support the weight of the iron.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose a garment care device with an improved cord storage solution that avoids or mitigates above-mentioned problems.

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

To this end, the garment care device according to the invention comprises a base, a mobile unit, a cord for connecting the base and the mobile unit, and a groove arranged along the base for storing the cord,

The garment care device according to the invention also comprises at least one resilient member arranged in the groove, for creating a partially closed area in said groove adapted to retain the cord when the cord is stored in the groove and inserted in said partially closed area.

By making use of a resilient member (i.e. flexible clip), the width of the storage channel entry/exit point can be varied. This means that if the cord diameter is big, the resilient member will flex more to let the (hose) cord enter. After entry, the resilient member returns to its neutral position to secure the cord, preventing it from falling out. Similarly, for a smaller cord diameter, the resilient member will flex less to allow the cord to enter the storage groove, then returns to its neutral position to prevent the cord from falling out.

Moreover, using a resilient member ensures that the cord is firmly retained in the groove, and will not easily fall out. This will also give users a tactile feedback when inserting or removing the cord into or from the groove.

The use of a groove ensures that the cord will not protrude from the device after storage. Additionally, this storage solution requires that the cord is only folded once by user, to form a single loop that will be inserted in the groove.

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.lA depicts a first side of a garment care device according to the invention,

Fig. IB depicts a second side of a garment care device according to the invention,

Fig.2 depicts a partial three-dimensional view of the first side of a garment care device according to the invention,

Fig.3 depicts a cross-section view of a cord used in a garment care device according to the invention,

Figs.4A-4B-4C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising at least one substantially vertical portion,

Figs.5A-5B-5C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising at least one slanted portion,

Figs.6A-6B-6C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising a lead-in element,

Figs.7A-7B-7C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising a front element,

Figs.8A-8B-8C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising a lead-in element and a front element,

Fig.9 depicts an embodiment of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member protruding,

Fig.10 depicts a cross-sectional view of a garment care device according to the invention when a cord is stored,

Fig.l 1A depicts a partial exploded view showing the assembly of a resilient member in the base of a garment care device according to the invention,

Fig.l IB depicts a three-dimensional view showing the resilient member when assembled in the base of a garment care device according to the invention,

Fig.12 depicts a three-dimensional view showing a resilient member moulded together with the groove of a garment care device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig.lA depicts a first side SI of a garment care device 100 according to the invention, while Fig. IB depicts a second side S2 of a garment care device 100 according to the invention.

The garment care device 100 comprises a base 101, a mobile unit 102, and a cord 103 for connecting the base 101 and the mobile unit 102.

For example SI and S2 are opposite sides of the base 101.

It is noted that the cord 103 may also be referred to as hose cord.

The garment care device 100 comprises a groove 104 arranged along the base 101 for storing the cord 103.

The garment care device 100 also comprises at least one resilient member 105 arranged in the groove 104, for creating a partially closed area 106 in the groove 104. The partially closed area 106 is adapted to retain the cord 103 when the cord 103 is stored in the groove 104 and inserted in the partially closed area 106.

Preferably, the base comprises a plurality of foot 107 intended to be in contact with an horizontal support, such as a table.

Fig.2 depicts a partial three-dimensional view of the first side of a garment care device according to the invention,

Preferably, the groove 104 is arranged and extends along a periphery of the base 101.

Preferably the groove 104 is arranged and extends along at least one side surface or face of the base 101. Preferably the groove comprises a channel which extends concavely into the base, for example indented concavely into a side of the base, and extending length-wise along the base.

The resilient member 105 is adapted to flex when the cord enters the partially closed area 106, then to return to its initial position after the cord has entered the partially closed area 106. This corresponds to a situation where user stores the cord in the groove. Similarly, the resilient member 105 is adapted to flex when the cord exits the partially closed area 106, then to return to its initial position after the cord has exited the partially closed area 106. This corresponds to a situation where user takes out the cord from the groove.

The resilient member 105 allows an easy entry of cord into the groove 104, while offering enough resistance to prevent falling out of the cord.

Preferably, the stiffness of the resilient member 105 is in the range [ 1 ;20] kg/cm.

Preferably, the resilient member 105 is made of plastic material or metal.

Seen from the cross sectional view AA, the partially closed area forms a pocket area inside the groove 104 comprising an entry/exit for the cord.

Seen radially from the sides SI and S2, the resilient member 105 extends along the groove 104 over a distance corresponding to the width of the resilient member 105, typically a few centimetres.

The resilient member 105 is adapted to partially close an opening of the groove 104 for forming the partially closed area 106, as it will be further detailed in the following.

The inside of the groove may have different shapes, such as rectangular, square, partly circular, partly elliptical.

Fig.3 depicts a cross-section view of a cord 103 used in a garment care device 100 according to the invention.

For example, the cord 103 comprises: - at least one electric wire 110 between the base 101 and the mobile unit 102, a pipe 111 for carrying steam from the base 101 to the mobile unit 102, and/or at least one pipe 112 for carrying water from the base 101 to the mobile unit 102.

The at least one electric wire 110 is intended to carry either the power supply to the mobile unit 102, and/or signals information from the base 101 to the mobile unit 102 or from the mobile unit 102 to the base 101. The cord 103 may have different cross-sectional shapes, such as circular, or slightly triangular as illustrated.

In Fig.3, for example, the smallest section Smin of the cord 103 is 12.7 mm, and the largest section Smax of the cord 103 is for example 16.6 mm.

Figs.4A-4B-4C depict various embodiments of a garment care device 100 according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member 105 comprising at least one substantially vertical portion.

Those embodiments are illustrated seen from the cross-sections AA of Fig.1 A and Fig. IB.

The opening of the groove 104 corresponds to the distance between a bottom point 01 and a top point 02 of the groove entrance.

Preferably, the partially closed area 106 has an opening having a width (w) which is smaller than the smallest section Smin of the cord 103. This results in a situation where the cord is firmly retained in the partially closed area 106, but requires a higher amount of force important for a user to take the cord out from the groove.

Alternatively, the partially closed area 106 has an opening larger than the smallest section Smin of said cord 103 while being smaller than the largest section Smax of said cord 103. This results in a situation where the cord is firmly retained in the partially closed area 106, but requires a relatively smaller amount of force for a user to take the cord out from the groove.

In above two paragraphs, statements “smaller than.. and “larger than.. refer to a difference of dimension of at least 5%. Preferably, as illustrated in Figs.4A-4B-4C, the at least one resilient member 105 comprises at least one substantially vertical portion arranged in the groove 104 at the proximity of the opening of the groove 104. Preferably, the proximity of the opening of the groove 104 refers to the half front part of the groove.

Fig.4A illustrates one resilient member 105 extending vertically upwards in the groove 104. Fig.4B illustrates one resilient member 105 extending vertically downwards in the groove 104. Fig.4C illustrates one resilient member extending vertically upwards and one resilient member extending vertically downwards in the groove 104.

By “substantially vertical”, it is meant a deviation from the vertical direction by an angle in the range [0;5] degrees.

Figs.5A-5B-5C depict various embodiments of a garment care device 100 according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member 105 comprising at least one slanted portion.

By slanted, it is referred to a portion of the resilient member 105 directing at a certain tilted angle inside the groove, either straight or concave.

Fig.5A illustrates one resilient member 105 extending downwards in the groove 104 with a certain tilted angle, for example 25 degrees compared to a horizontal direction.

Fig.5B illustrates one resilient member 105 extending upwards in the groove 104 with a certain tilted angle, for example 25 degrees compared to a horizontal direction.

Fig.5C illustrates one resilient member extending downwards in the groove 104 with a certain tilted angle, for example 15 degrees compared to a horizontal direction, and one resilient member extending upwards in the groove 104 with a certain tilted angle, for example 25 degrees compared to a horizontal direction. It is noted that although the one resilient member 105 illustrated in Figs.5A-5B-5C has a straight shape, the resilient member 105 could also be slightly concave as it will be later detailed along with Fig.10.

Figs.6A-6B-6C depict various embodiments of a garment care device 100 according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member 105 comprising a lead-in element 108. Figs.6A-6B-6C differ from Figs.5A-5B-5C in that the at least one resilient member 105 further comprises a lead-in element 108 at its front end.

The lead-in element corresponds to any rounded (as illustrated) or chamfered element that facilitates the cord 103 entering the partially closed area 106.

Figs.7A-7B-7C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising a front element. Figs.7A-7B-7C differ from Figs.5A-5B-5C in that the at least one resilient member 105 further comprises a front element FE extending over an area 109 of said base 101 being adjacent to said groove 104.

The front element FE is intended to close the gap between the resilient member 105 and the internal lower part of the groove 104, and/or to close the gap between the resilient member 105 and the internal upper part of the groove 104.

By closing this/those gaps, the front element FE prevent a user to try entering the cord in this area instead of entering the cord in the partially closed area 106.

Fig.7A illustrates one resilient member 105 comprising a front element FE closing the gap between the resilient member 105 and the internal lower part of the groove 104.

Fig.7B illustrates one resilient member 105 comprising a front element FE closing the gap between the resilient member 105 and the internal upper part of the groove 104.

Fig.7C illustrates one resilient member comprising a front element closing the gap between the resilient member and the internal lower part of the groove 104, and one resilient member comprising a front element closing the gap between the resilient member and the internal upper part of the groove 104.

Figs.8A-8B-8C depict various embodiments of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member comprising a lead-in element and a front element. Figs.8A-8B-8C differ from Figs.7A-7B-7C in that the at least one resilient member 105 further comprises a lead-in element 108 at its front end, as explained above. Fig.9 depicts an embodiment of a garment care device according to the invention implementing at least one resilient member 105 protruding.

Fig.9 differs from Fig.7A in that the at least one resilient member 105 protrudes from the entrance 01-02 of the groove 104.

Similarly (not shown), this at least one resilient member 105 could also be arranged to any other embodiments described above.

Having that at least one resilient member 105 protruding from the entrance 01-02 of the groove 104 makes the resilient member 105 more visible to user, and facilitate entering the cord 103 in the said partially closed area 106.

For example, the resilient member 105 protrudes by a distance (d) being in the range [1 ;20] mm.

Fig.10 depicts a cross-sectional view of a garment care device 100 according to the invention when a cord 103 is stored in the partially closed area 106.

In this illustration, one single loop of the cord 103 as illustrated in Fig.3 is stored in the partially closed area 106.

The resilient member 105 is slanted and forms a concave shape extending downwards in the groove 104. The concave shape further helps to maintain the cord inside the partially closed area 106.

The resilient member 105 comprises a rounded portion forming a lead-in element 108 at its front end.

The resilient member 105 comprises a front element FE extending over a bottom area 109 of the base 101 to close the gap between the resilient member 105 and the internal lower part of the groove 104. The resilient member 105 is dimensioned so as to form a partially closed area 106 having an opening having a width (w) being smaller than the smallest section Smin of the cord 103.

Fig.l 1A depicts a partial exploded view showing the assembly of a resilient member 105 in the base of a garment care device 100 according to the invention.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the at least one resilient member 105 is mounted as a separate element to said base 101.

Having the at least one resilient member 105 mounted as a separate element to the base 101 may facilitate the assembly and manufacturing of the garment care device 100.

The at least one resilient member 105 is then fixed to the base, such as by using screws and/or a clipping mechanism.

Fig.l IB depicts a three-dimensional view showing the resilient member 105 of Fig.l 1A when assembled in the base 101.

Fig.12 depicts a three-dimensional view showing a resilient member 105 moulded together with the groove 104 of a garment care device 100 according to the invention.

Having the at least one resilient member 105 moulded together with the groove 104 may reduce the amount of raw material needed, such as plastic.

Preferably (not shown), in the garment care device 100 according to the invention:

- the base 101 comprises a water tank and a water pump for carrying water from said water tank to said mobile unit 102 via said cord 103,

- the mobile unit 102 is a steam iron.

Preferably (not shown), the base 101 further comprises a pressurized steam generator supplied in water by said water tank, for generating steam carried from said base 101 to the mobile unit 102 via the cord 103. Preferably (not shown), the base 101 comprises a water tank and a steam generator supplied in water by the water tank, for generating steam carried from the base 101 to the mobile unit 102 via the cord 103, and wherein the mobile unit 102 is a steamer head.

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.