Handheld pressing pad and method of removing wrinkles
View Patent ↗A method of removing wrinkles, and a device to assist in wrinkle removal is provided. Wrinkles are removed from items such as clothing, linens, curtains, upholstery, fabrics and the like by placing a handheld pad on one side of the item, a wrinkle-removing device (such as a nozzle of a garment steamer) on the other side of the item, and pressing a portion of the item between the pad and the wrinkle-removing device. The wrinkle-removing device and the pad are moved about the item compressing a small portion of the item at a time until the wrinkles are removed from the entire item. The pad device of the instant invention includes a working surface against which a portion of the item is pressed by the wrinkle removing device, and a handgrip for the user to support the pad on a user's hand. The pad includes a foam core that insulates the user's hand from heat of the wrinkle-removing device. The foam core is located within a heat-reflective pouch to further insulate the user's hand and to aid in wrinkle removal.
1. A method of removing wrinkles from items, said method comprising the steps of:
supporting an item in a vertical orientation;
positioning a steam-generating wrinkle-removing device on a first side of the item;
positioning a pad an other side of the item opposite the first side, said pad being independent of said wrinkle-removing device;
pressing a portion of the item between the wrinkle-removing device and the pad while said item is supported in said vertical orientation; and
moving independently the wrinkle-removing device and the pad generally in unison to another about a portion of the item.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wrinkle-removing device comprises a nozzle of a garment steamer.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wrinkle-removing device comprises an iron.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad comprises a heat reflective material.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pad further comprises a generally rigid material.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the generally rigid material comprises a foam material.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad includes a handgrip.
8. A handheld device to assist in pressing, ironing, steaming, or otherwise removing wrinkles from an item, said device comprising:
a pad including a working surface; and
a handgrip associated with said pad to support said pad on a user's hands;
wherein said pad comprises a generally rigid material located within a heat reflective layer; and
wherein said heat reflective layer includes an opening for insertion and removal of said generally rigid material.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said generally rigid material comprises a foam material.
10. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said handgrip comprises a handle attached to said pad.
11. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said handgrip comprises a pocket within said pad.