How LG's Steam Closet Organizes Its Internal Components
A design patent for a clothing care system that stacks a steam generator and heat pump in a specific, space-saving arrangement within the base of the unit.
Original patent title: “USRE48900E1 - Fabric treating apparatus”
A design patent for a clothing care system that stacks a steam generator and heat pump in a specific, space-saving arrangement within the base of the unit. Granted to LG Electronics Inc in 2022 with 39 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes the physical layout of a high-end garment steamer or fabric refresher. It specifically claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a structural arrangement where a heat pump module is elevated on a shelf, creating a dedicated 'machinery room' space underneath it. A steam-generating module is tucked into this lower space, and the system controller is positioned even lower, beneath the steam generator. This stacking architecture allows the manufacturer to pack complex air-conditioning and steam-generating components into a compact footprint at the base of the machine.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the chemical process of steam generation or the specific heat pump cycle.
- Does not cover external aesthetic designs or the user interface of the fabric treating apparatus.
- Does not cover general garment hanging mechanisms or interior lighting systems.
- Does not cover devices that lack the specific 'machinery room' stacking configuration defined by the shelf and supporter tabs.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the use of a shelf-and-tab system that creates a 'dead space' beneath the heat pump, allowing the steam generator to be nested underneath without increasing the overall height or width of the appliance.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
LG Styler clothing care systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is essential for LG's Styler product line, which popularized the home dry-cleaning cabinet category. By securing the rights to this specific internal layout, LG protects its ability to maintain a slim, appliance-like form factor while housing bulky industrial components like heat pumps and steam boilers. It represents a shift in home appliances toward integrated, multi-function systems that require precise mechanical engineering to fit in a residential closet or laundry room.
Filed
February 21, 2020
Granted
January 25, 2022
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
LG Electronics remains the primary innovator and manufacturer utilizing this specific internal architecture for their Styler series. Other home appliance manufacturers like Samsung have developed competing products, such as the AirDresser, which utilize different internal layouts to achieve similar garment-care results.
Market impact
This patent helped solidify the 'smart closet' category, moving garment care from simple irons to automated, appliance-based systems. It has forced competitors to innovate around the physical constraints of the base unit to avoid infringing on LG's specific stacking and mounting configuration.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes the physical layout of a high-end garment steamer or fabric refresher. It specifically claims a structural arrangement where a heat pump module is elevated on a shelf, creating a dedicated 'machinery room' space underneath it. A steam-generating module is tucked into this lower space, and the system controller is positioned even lower, beneath the steam generator. This stacking architecture allows the manufacturer to pack complex air-conditioning and steam-generating components into a compact footprint at the base of the machine.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the use of a shelf-and-tab system that creates a 'dead space' beneath the heat pump, allowing the steam generator to be nested underneath without increasing the overall height or width of the appliance.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the chemical process of steam generation or the specific heat pump cycle.
- Does not cover external aesthetic designs or the user interface of the fabric treating apparatus.
- Does not cover general garment hanging mechanisms or interior lighting systems.
- Does not cover devices that lack the specific 'machinery room' stacking configuration defined by the shelf and supporter tabs.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$58K – $184K
Midpoint $115K · 13.7 yr remaining · industry ×0.8
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
39 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kim, S., DOH, Y., & AHN, J. (2022). How LG's Steam Closet Organizes Its Internal Components (U.S. Patent No. RE48,900). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE48900/cftr-modulator-combinations
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How LG's Steam Closet Organizes Its Internal Components cover?
A design patent for a clothing care system that stacks a steam generator and heat pump in a specific, space-saving arrangement within the base of the unit.
Who owns patent US RE48900?
LG Electronics Inc owns this patent, granted in 2022.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 25, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US RE48900 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is essential for LG's Styler product line, which popularized the home dry-cleaning cabinet category. By securing the rights to this specific internal layout, LG protects its ability to maintain a slim, appliance-like form factor while housing bulky industrial components like heat pumps and steam boilers. It represents a shift in home appliances toward integrated, multi-function systems that require precise mechanical engineering to fit in a residential closet or laundry room.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the chemical process of steam generation or the specific heat pump cycle.
Patent monitoring