Ironing device with rotary steam nozzles for spraying steam radially therefrom and a method of ironing clothes using the ironing device

Abstract

An ironing device including a main body having a flat ironing plate, a water storage container, a heating element operatively connected to the water storage container and flat iron, a collapsible handle, an electrical control panel, fixed steam nozzles, rotary steam nozzles, and a motor that powers the electrical control panel, the heating element, and the rotary steam nozzles. Steam is released in every direction radially from the rotary steam nozzles while in circular motion. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat control, the amount of steam released from the plurality of fixed and rotary steam nozzles is controlled by a steam release control, and the rotational speed of the round rotary steam nozzles is controlled by a rotary control. A method of ironing a garment or fabric is also disclosed whereby the ironing device having rotary steam nozzles is used to steam and iron the garment.

1 : An ironing device, comprising:
 a main body comprising a flat ironing plate located on the bottom of the main body, wherein the flat iron is adapted to lie flat on a ground surface;   a pointed tip integrally connected to a first end of the main body;   a water storage container located within the main body;   a heating element operatively connected to the water storage container and the flat iron;   a collapsible handle, which is integrally attached to a second end of main body by a hinge;   an electrical control panel located on the handle;   a plurality of fixed steam nozzles fluidly connected to the water storage container;   a plurality of rotary steam nozzles fluidly connected to the water storage container; and   a motor located within the main body that supplies power to the electrical control panel, the heating element, and the rotary steam nozzles;   wherein the electrical control panel comprises a thermostat control for controlling temperature, a steam release control for controlling an amount of steam released from the plurality of fixed and rotary steam nozzles, and a rotary control for controlling the rotational speed of the round rotary steam nozzles.   
     
     
         2 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises a water entry opening located on the top of the body, opposite of the flat iron, and is fluidly connected to the water storage container by means of a conduit. 
     
     
         3 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is disposed along the inner space of the water storage container. 
     
     
         4 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is disposed along and sandwiched between the main body and the flat iron plate. 
     
     
         5 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the flat iron plate is made of a metal material, a ceramic material, or both. 
     
     
         6 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is in an upright position, and the hinge allows the handle to fold towards the base upon exertion of a force thereon into a lower position. 
     
     
         7 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a griping area located proximal to a top end of the handle, opposite of the main body, which is gripped to steer the movement of the ironing device. 
     
     
         8 : The ironing device of  claim 7 , wherein the control panel is located proximal to the handle gripping area, such that the temperature control, steam release control, and/or rotary control are operated while steering the ironing device. 
     
     
         9 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary steam nozzle is circular and comprises a fixed axis in the center of the circle, a rotating circular part, and a plurality of spray points located around the circumference of the rotating circular part, such that steam is released from the rotating spray points while the rotating circular part is in circular motion, releasing steam in every direction radially from the fixed axis. 
     
     
         10 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed steam nozzles are located in the pointed tip, the main body, or both. 
     
     
         11 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary steam nozzles are located in the main body. 
     
     
         12 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is an electric motor, combustion motor, or an actuator. 
     
     
         13 : The ironing device of  claim 12 , wherein the motor is an electric motor, and the electric motor is powered by a wall-powered electrical cable. 
     
     
         14 : The ironing device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is an actuator and the actuator is mechanically connected to the rotary steam nozzles through a mechanical mechanism. 
     
     
         15 : The ironing device of  claim 14 , further comprising a rotating wheel located in a recess within the flat ironing plate and oriented to rotate towards or away from the pointed tip, wherein the wheel is mechanically connected to the actuator, such that movement of the ironing device in a forward or backward direction causes the wheel to rotate, which supplies power to and rotates the rotary nozzles through the mechanical mechanism of the actuator. 
     
     
         16 : A method of ironing a garment or fabric with the ironing device of  claim 1 , comprising
 heating the flat ironing plate by supplying power to the heating element,   contacting the flat ironing plate to a surface of the garment or fabric,   steaming the garment or fabric with steam from the fixed and/or rotary steam nozzles prior to, or during the contacting, or both.   
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 16 , further comprising
 rotating the rotary steam nozzles during the steaming.