Absorbent pad for a steaming apparatus

Abstract

In the exemplary embodiment, a steaming appliance in combination with an absorber is disclosed. The steaming appliance has an underside having a nozzle for dispensing steam. The absorber is disposed under the underside and includes a pad having an opening there-through. The absorber is attachable to the underside. The opening is shaped and disposed to avoid the nozzle, such that steam is dispensed without impacting and being absorbed the pad as it exits the nozzle. The pad comprises hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles. The absorber also includes an envelope made of a porous fabric for enclosing the pad. The envelope also has a zippered opening through which the pad may be inserted into or removed from the envelope's hollow interior chamber.

We claim: 
     
         1 . In combination, a steaming appliance and an absorber:
 the steaming appliance comprising an underside having a nozzle for dispensing steam from the underside to a surface to be steamed; and   the absorber disposed between the underside and the surface and comprising a pad having an opening there-through;   the pad disposed relative to the underside for absorbing the dispensed steam from the supporting surface as the element rests upon and is moved along the surface; and   the opening shaped and disposed to avoid the nozzle, such that steam exiting the nozzle is dispensed directly to the surface without impacting the pad.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the pad comprises a super-absorbent material. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises cotton and sodium polyacrylate 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the absorber further comprises an envelope for containing the pad, the envelope comprising a bottom sheet for resting on the surface and made of a porous fabric, and a top sheet having a fastening element for attaching the absorber to the underside to retain said relative disposition of the pad to the underside. 
     
     
         6 . The combination if  claim 5  wherein the porous fabric is taken from the group including a micro fiber fabric and a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the fastening element is taken from the group including Velcro-type hooks, Velcro-type loops, and an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the pad comprises a super-absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises cotton and sodium polyacrylate 
     
     
         11 . An absorber for a steaming appliance comprising;
 a pad of super absorbent material;   an opening through and disposed substantially centrally in the pad.   
     
     
         12 . The absorber of  claim 11  further comprising an envelope for containing the pad,
 the envelope comprising a bottom sheet made of a porous fabric and a top sheet having a first fastening element for attachment to a steaming appliance. 
 
     
     
         13 . The absorber of  claim 12  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles. 
     
     
         14 . The absorber of  claim 12  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises cotton and sodium polyacrylate. 
     
     
         15 . The absorber if  claim 14  wherein the porous fabric is taken from the group including a micro fiber fabric and a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent element of  claim 15  wherein the first fastening element is taken from the group including Velcro-type hooks, Velcro-type loops, and an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         17 . The absorber of  claim 12  wherein the envelope contains a second opening for removal and replacement of the pad. 
     
     
         18 . The absorber of  claim 17  wherein the second opening is closable and re-openable by means of a second fastening element. 
     
     
         19 . The absorber of  claim 18  wherein the second fastening element is taken from the group including a zipper, a Velcro-type hook and loop fastening strip, and an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         20 . The absorber of  claim 11  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles. 
     
     
         21 . The absorber of  claim 20  wherein the super-absorbent material comprises cotton and sodium polyacrylate. 
     
     
         22 . An absorber for a steaming appliance comprising;
 a planar pad comprising hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel-forming particles, and having a pad opening there-through and disposed substantially centrally there-in; and   an envelope comprising a porous non-woven fabric surrounding a hollow chamber, the fabric having an envelope opening for reception and removal of the pad into and from the chamber.