Garment-treating apparatus

Claim 1

A portable clothes steaming and drying apparatus comprising: a substantially rigid rectangular top, a carrying handle attached to said top, a substantially rigid rectangular base, and collapsible side wall means interconnecting said top and said base and forming a substantially rectangular bag defining an enclosed chamber therewith, said wall means being openable to permit one or more garments to be inserted into said chamber; hanger means mounted in the chamber for receiving said garments; a pan in said base for receiving a quantity of water; a heater in said base adjacent said pan for boiling said water and for causing steam to fill the aforesaid chamber; at least one of said top and wall means having vents therein for permitting steam to pass from said chamber; a fan in said base for blowing air into said chamber and through the aforesaid vents; and electrical energizing means for said heater and for said fan, said electrical energizing means including a timer switching unit electrically connected to said fan and to said heater for initially energizing said heater to boil the water in said pan and for subsequently energizing said fan, and in which said fan directs air over said heater to cause the air to be heated prior to being introduced into the aforesaid chamber.