Wallpaper steamer
Encyclopedia
A wallpaper steamer is an electrical device which boil
s water continuously in order to produce steam
. This steam is then allowed to pass through a narrow bore tube to a face plate. This face plate is then held against a wallpapered wall. The steam passes through the paper, saturates the backing paper and partially dissolves the desiccated wallpaper paste
. This then allows to the wallpaper
to be pulled from, or scraped off the wall.
The wallpaper steamer was invented by Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins from Blackwell, Worcestershire
, England. Its European patent was filed 19 November 1987.
. A quantity of water is added to the container, the water comes into contact with the heating element. Once electrical power is connected to the element it heats up which then in turn heats the water. The water reaches its boiling point, evaporates and produces steam. As the container is sealed the steam pressure builds up but is released via a small opening in the container to which is connected a length of pressure pipe. At the end of the pressure pipe is a flat plate roughly about 30cm square and 1cm deep. The plate has a handle on its reverse side. This plate is then held up to the papered wall. The steam being released under pressure from the container travels along the pressure pipe and is released into the forward face of the steam plate. As the plate is held against the wall a slight seal is maintained which holds steam long enough to force the moisture into the wallpaper, saturating
it and rehydrating the wallpaper paste
. Once the paste is rehydrated it starts to loose its adhesive properties allowing the wallpaper to be either pulled or scraped from the wall.
Boil
A boil, also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue...
s water continuously in order to produce steam
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
. This steam is then allowed to pass through a narrow bore tube to a face plate. This face plate is then held against a wallpapered wall. The steam passes through the paper, saturates the backing paper and partially dissolves the desiccated wallpaper paste
Wallpaper paste
Wallpaper adhesive or wallpaper paste is a specific adhesive, based on modified starch or methylcellulose, used to fix wallpaper to walls.Wallpaper pastes have a typical shear thinning viscosity and a high wet adhesive tack...
. This then allows to the wallpaper
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a kind of material used to cover and decorate the interior walls of homes, offices, and other buildings; it is one aspect of interior decoration. It is usually sold in rolls and is put onto a wall using wallpaper paste...
to be pulled from, or scraped off the wall.
The wallpaper steamer was invented by Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins from Blackwell, Worcestershire
Blackwell, Worcestershire
Blackwell is a village located in the North-East of Worcestershire and comes under the jurisdiction of Lickey Parish Council.Nearby large towns include Barnt Green and Bromsgrove. Worcester and Birmingham are also influential...
, England. Its European patent was filed 19 November 1987.
Technology
The basic form of a wallpaper steamer is a semi-sealed container, usually made of plastic, that contains a heating elementHeating element
A heating element converts electricity into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current through the element encounters resistance, resulting in heating of the element....
. A quantity of water is added to the container, the water comes into contact with the heating element. Once electrical power is connected to the element it heats up which then in turn heats the water. The water reaches its boiling point, evaporates and produces steam. As the container is sealed the steam pressure builds up but is released via a small opening in the container to which is connected a length of pressure pipe. At the end of the pressure pipe is a flat plate roughly about 30cm square and 1cm deep. The plate has a handle on its reverse side. This plate is then held up to the papered wall. The steam being released under pressure from the container travels along the pressure pipe and is released into the forward face of the steam plate. As the plate is held against the wall a slight seal is maintained which holds steam long enough to force the moisture into the wallpaper, saturating
Saturation
Saturation or saturated may refer to:- Meteorology :* Dew point, which is a temperature that occurs when atmospheric humidity reaches 100% and the air is saturated with moisture- Physics :...
it and rehydrating the wallpaper paste
Wallpaper paste
Wallpaper adhesive or wallpaper paste is a specific adhesive, based on modified starch or methylcellulose, used to fix wallpaper to walls.Wallpaper pastes have a typical shear thinning viscosity and a high wet adhesive tack...
. Once the paste is rehydrated it starts to loose its adhesive properties allowing the wallpaper to be either pulled or scraped from the wall.