Steam appliance with vacuum function

Abstract

A steam appliance having a water reservoir, water pump and steam generator with a vacuum function is provided. The steam appliance has a water pump for selectively injecting water from a reservoir to a boiler to generate steam fed into a steam pocket frame with a fabric steam pocket mounted thereon. In one configuration, when steam is being generated, the vacuum function cannot be used. In another configuration, when the vacuum function is on, the heating element in the steam generator is power at reduced power to reduce power consumption and keep the steam generator heated in stand-by mode and water is not pumped.

1 . A combination steam and vacuum head for an appliance, comprising:
 a unitary frame including a cleaning surface, a suction opening at the cleaning surface, and at least one steam outlet, the unitary frame adapted to support a steam-permeable fabric about the cleaning surface;   a connector to connect the unitary frame to the appliance;   a suction conduit in the unitary frame extending from the suction opening and configured to communicate with a suction source in the appliance; and   a first steam conduit in the unitary frame in communication with the at least one steam opening and configured to communicate with a source of steam in the appliance.   
   
   
       2 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , wherein the suction conduit extends through a middle region of the unitary frame. 
   
   
       3 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of baffles extending outwardly from a middle region of the unitary frame. 
   
   
       4 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one steam outlet comprises a plurality of steam outlets, and a baffle is positioned between adjacent steam outlets. 
   
   
       5 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , wherein the unitary frame has a generally flat configuration. 
   
   
       6 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1  wherein the suction inlet is defined by front end wall of the unitary frame. 
   
   
       7 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , further comprising a second steam conduit, wherein the first and second steam conduits extend along respective sides of the suction conduit in the unitary frame. 
   
   
       8 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , further including a steam-permeable fabric supported by the unitary frame. 
   
   
       9 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 8 , wherein the steam-permeable fabric is supported by the unitary frame, and the suction opening remains exposed. 
   
   
       10 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , further including a steam-permeable fabric in form of pocket, the pocket being supported by the unitary frame. 
   
   
       11 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 10 , wherein the steam-permeable fabric pocket is supported by the unitary frame, and the suction opening remains exposed. 
   
   
       12 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a swivel connector. 
   
   
       13 . The combination steam and vacuum head for an appliance as in  claim 1 , in combination with the appliance, the appliance comprising:
 a water reservoir;   a steam generator;   a pump constructed and arranged to pump water from the water reservoir to the steam generator; and   a suction source.   
   
   
       14 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , wherein the unitary frame includes an outer sidewall, the suction conduit extends through a central region of the unitary frame, and a plurality of baffles extends between the suction conduit and the outer sidewall. 
   
   
       15 . A combination steam and vacuum head as in  claim 1 , wherein the unitary frame includes an outer sidewall, and the at least one steam outlet extends outwardly in a direction of the sidewall. 
   
   
       16 . An appliance comprising:
 a body including a handle, at least a portion of the handle being manually moveable to actuate a first function of the appliance;   a switch configured to electronically actuate a second function of the appliance;
 wherein 
   the appliance is configured such that when the switch is electronically actuating the second function, manual movement of the handle that would actuate the first function is prevented.   
   
   
       17 . An appliance as in  claim 16 , wherein the first function is pumping water from a reservoir in the body to a steam generator in the body, and the second function is creating a vacuum. 
   
   
       18 . An appliance as in  claim 16 , further including a blocker associated with the switch for actuating the second function, the blocker being movable with actuation of the switch to a blocking position which prevents manual movement of the handle that would actuate the first function. 
   
   
       19 . An appliance as in  claim 18 , wherein the blocker is moveable in a lengthwise direction of the handle into the blocking position. 
   
   
       20 . An appliance as in  claim 16 , wherein the portion of the handle includes a pole that is moveable to actuate the first function, and the handle further includes a combination switch actuator linkage and blocker that is moveable relative to the pole. 
   
   
       21 . An appliance as in  claim 18 , wherein the handle includes a lock to releasably fix the blocker in the blocking position. 
   
   
       22 . An appliance as in  claim 16 , wherein the body includes:
 a water reservoir;   a steam generator;   a pump constructed and arranged to pump water from the water reservoir to the steam generator;   a suction source; and wherein   the handle is operatively connected to the pump; and   the switch is configured to actuate the suction source.   
   
   
       23 . An appliance as in  claim 22 , wherein the appliance includes a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a suction inlet and a steam outlet. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as in  claim 22 , wherein when the switch for the suction source is actuated, the steam generator is provided with reduced power as compared to the power provided to the steam generator when the switch for the suction source is not actuated.