Handheld Appliance For Pressing and Steaming Garments And Other Items

Abstract

A handheld pressing and steaming appliance generates steam with a steam generation unit. The method of using the appliance includes moving an upper arm toward a lower arm to bring a heating plate closely adjacent to a bearing plate; locking the appliance, with a locking mechanism, the upper arm relative to the lower arm to lock the appliance in a closed position; and passing steam from the steam generation unit through first exhaust holes and through at least one of a second plurality of exhaust holes and onto an item to be steamed.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of steaming an item, comprising:
 (a) providing a handheld appliance comprising:
 an upper arm; 
 a lower arm attached at one end to an end of the upper arm; 
 a steam generation unit mounted on the upper arm; 
 a water reservoir located in the upper arm and/or the lower arm; 
 a water pump fluidly connected to the water reservoir and to the steam generation unit; 
 a heating plate mounted near a free end of the upper arm, the heating plate including a plurality of first exhaust holes that are in fluid communication with the steam generation unit; and 
 a bearing plate mounted on the lower arm at a free end thereof, the bearing plate including a plurality of second exhaust holes; 
   (b) generating steam with the steam generation unit;   (c) moving the upper arm toward the lower arm to bring the heating plate closely adjacent to the bearing plate;   (d) locking, with a locking mechanism, the upper arm relative to the lower arm to lock the appliance in closed position; and   (e) passing steam from the steam generation unit through the first exhaust holes and through at least one of the second plurality of exhaust holes and onto an item to be steamed.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein during step (d) each of the plurality of second exhaust holes is substantially aligned with a respective first exhaust hole. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the steam generation unit includes a heating element, and wherein the heating element is positioned to heat the heating plate. 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first exhaust hole is smaller in diameter than the at least one second exhaust hole. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper arm is pivotally attached to the lower arm.