초록 ▼

The invention relates to an iron, press and/or steaming device for hats. In particular, it is directed at steaming or pressing baseball caps. The invention comprises two semi-spherical halves that are attached by a handle. The handle can be squeezed and made to collapse to make the two flat inner fa

The invention relates to an iron, press and/or steaming device for hats. In particular, it is directed at steaming or pressing baseball caps. The invention comprises two semi-spherical halves that are attached by a handle. The handle can be squeezed and made to collapse to make the two flat inner faces of the semi-spherical halves press together. Once pressed together, the two semi-spheres should look like a single sphere. Located on both the rounded outer surfaces and the flat inner surfaces of both semi-spheres are numerous steam vents. By squeezing the two halves together, the user can apply the flat inner surfaces of the semi-spheres as a steam press. This is particularly useful for pressing the bill/brim of a baseball cap or other hat. The spherical outer surface is useful for placing inside a hat for steaming. In a first embodiment the sphere in its fully expanded state is approximately half the diameter of an ordinary hat. A user when steaming the inside of a hat must apply tension manually to de-wrinkle the hat while steaming. In an alternate embodiment, the expanding sphere (from when the handle is released) would fill the inside of the hat, pulling it taught. The inner workings, which generate the steam, would be similar to traditional steamers, including water reservoirs and the like.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A steaming and pressing apparatus comprising: a first semi-spherical head attached to the end of a first handle, a second semi-spherical head attached to the end of a second handle, and spring means for biasing apart said first and second semi-spherical heads, wherein at least one of said fi

1. A steaming and pressing apparatus comprising: a first semi-spherical head attached to the end of a first handle, a second semi-spherical head attached to the end of a second handle, and spring means for biasing apart said first and second semi-spherical heads, wherein at least one of said first and second semi-spherical heads includes a heated surface, and at least one of said first and second semi-spherical heads includes a plurality of steam vents. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second handles is capable of nesting inside at least a portion of the other of said first and second handles. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each semi-spherical head includes at least one heated surface. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one heated surface is located on a portion of said semi-spherical head that faces the other of said semi-spherical heads. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each semi-spherical head includes a plurality of steam vents. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each semi-spherical head includes a plurality of steam vents. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second handles are moveable toward one another and are controlled by a guiding apparatus. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said guiding apparatus comprises a linear track. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said guiding apparatus comprises a curved track. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said curved track comprises a hinge attached to both said first and second handles. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said semi-spherical heads comprises a flat portion that faces the other of said semi-spherical heads. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of said semi-spherical heads includes a flat portion and wherein said flat portions can be made to come in contact with one another by moving said handles toward one another. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said semi-spherical heads includes an inner curved surface and wherein said inner curved surfaces can be made to come in contact with one another by moving said handles toward one another. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the shape of the inner curved surface of each of said semi-spherical heads is shaped to conform to the shape of the inner curved surface of the other of said semi-spherical heads. 15. An apparatus comprising; a pair of handles each having a medial end and a distal end; a pair of half-sphere shaped heads attached to the medial ends of said handles, wherein at least one of said heads includes a heated surface; at least one biasing mechanism, which causes at least a portion of said handles to move apart; and an end stop which limits the movement of those portions of said handles that move apart. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of said heads includes a plurality of steam vents. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said handles are moveable toward and away from one another guided by a track, which causes said heads to move toward and away from one another in like manner. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said track is a hinge attached to the distal ends of said handles. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a flat portion on each of said heads wherein said flat portions can be made to come in contact with one another by moving said handles toward one another. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a curved inner portion on each of said heads wherein said curved inner portions can be made to come in contact with one another by moving said handles toward one another.