Steam ironing device, ironing board and ironing system, with means for providing an electrically charged steam output

1. A steam ironing device comprising an iron with a sole plate for pressing against an article to be ironed, a water reservoir and steam generating means, wherein the ironing device further comprises means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed.

2. A steam ironing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the steam output is less than 160 degrees Celsius for all temperature settings of the device.

3. A steam ironing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the steam output is between 100 and 150 degrees Celsius for any temperature setting of the device.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam generating means comprises a chamber and wherein saturated steam is provided as the steam output.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam generating means comprises a chamber having a water dosing input from the water reservoir, and wherein the water dosing input is adjacent a steam output from the steam generating means.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein steam output is partially or fully surrounded by a wall.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam generating means comprises a chamber having a water dosing input from the water reservoir, and wherein a steam output from the steam generating means is coupled to art area adjacent the water dosing input by steam passageways.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam generating means comprises a chamber having a water dosing input from the water reservoir, and wherein steam is provided to a steam output from the steam generating means by steam passageways.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the steam passageways extend between the region of the water dosing input and the steam output.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the steam passageways are formed from thermally insulating material.

11. A device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the steam passageways extend to the outside of the sole plate.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sole plate is heated.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an electrically charged output comprises an electrode arrangement arranged for charging the steam.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the electrode arrangement is housed in an electrically insulating chamber.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the electrodes of the electrode arrangement are insert moulded into the chamber.

16. A device as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the chamber is at least partially surrounded by an electrically conducting member.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the electrically conducting member comprises a ground plane.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the electrical connections to the electrode arrangement are partially or fully surrounded by the electrically conducting member.

19. A device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the electrically conducting member is insert moulded with the chamber.

20. A device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a soleplate having steam outlet nozzles, and wherein the means for providing an electrically charged output comprises an electrode arrangement within the steam chamber.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least two electrodes to which different voltages are applied.

22. A device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least two electrodes to which a first voltage is applied, and wherein the soleplate defines a further ground electrode.

23. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an ionized output provides negative ions.

24. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water reservoir, the steam generating means and the means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed are provided in the iron.

25. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a heater arrangement is provided for heating the sole plate, and the steam chamber is heated by the same heater arrangement as the sole plate.

26. A device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for detecting an orientation of the device, and wherein the sensor output is used to control the electrical steam charging.

27. A device as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the sensor detects whether or not the device is in an operative ironing position and then enables the electrical steam charging.

28. A device as claimed in claim 27 , wherein audio or visual feedback is provided to indicate the operation of the electrical steam charging.

29. A steam ironing system comprising:

an iron with a sole plate for pressing against an article to be ironed;

an ironing board;

a water reservoir and steam generating means; and

means for providing an electrically charged steam output to the article being ironed.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the means for providing an electrically charged steam output provides steam at a temperature in the range 100 to 160 degrees Celsius for all temperature settings of the iron.

31. A steam ironing system as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the steam generating means forms part of the iron.

32. A steam ironing system as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the steam generating means forms part of the ironing board.

33. An ironing method comprising applying electrically charged steam at a temperature of less than 160 degrees Celsius to a garment during ironing, the ironing comprising applying pressure to the garment using an iron sole plate.