Automatic fabric treatment appliance with a manual fabric treatment station

Abstract

A fabric treatment appliance comprises a cabinet; a laundry treatment chamber located in the cabinet for receiving fabric; an automatic laundry processing system in the cabinet for providing at least one of mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical energy to the fabric in the laundry treatment chamber to perform a laundry treatment process; and a manual treatment system incorporated into the cabinet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary enclosure and user interface and control for a revitalization system according to one embodiment of the invention in which a revitalization chamber is formed by a horizontal rotatable drum.

FIGS. 2A-2D depict alternative exemplary enclosures and revitalization chambers for the revitalization system.

FIG. 3A depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes substantially horizontal support substrates for fabric.

FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes a cabinet having at least one horizontal drawer and substantially horizontal support substrates.

FIG. 3C depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes a cabinet having a door and substantially horizontal support substrates.

FIG. 3D depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes substantially vertical support substrates.

FIG. 3E depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes a cabinet having at least one vertical drawer and substantially vertical support substrates.

FIG. 3F depicts an exemplary enclosure for a stationary revitalization system that includes a cabinet having a door and substantially vertical support substrates.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary revitalization chamber having a shape of a drum for a non-stationary revitalization system and heater control components of the revitalization system.

FIG. 5A depicts exemplary textured substrate surfaces for lining a drum of a non-stationary revitalization system.

FIG. 5B depicts alternative exemplary textured substrate surfaces for lining a drum of a non-stationary revitalization system.

FIG. 5C depicts another alternative exemplary textured substrate surface for lining a drum of a non-stationary revitalization system, wherein the textured substrate surface is received within a recess in the drum.

FIG. 5D depicts another alternative exemplary textured substrate surface for lining a drum of a non-stationary revitalization system, wherein the textured substrate surface can be attached to a baffle of the drum with first and second attachment means.

FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary textured substrate surface including an inner fluid reservoir.

FIG. 6B depicts an alternative exemplary textured substrate surface fluidly coupled to a fluid reservoir located in a baffle of the drum.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict exemplary air flow components of the revitalization system.

FIG. 9A depicts a schematic view of the air flow through the revitalization system, wherein air flow through the revitalization chamber comprises recirculated air.

FIG. 9B depicts a schematic view similar to FIG. 9A, wherein the air flow through the revitalization chamber comprises fresh, non-recirculated air.

FIG. 10 depicts exemplary fluid removal system components of the revitalization system.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict exemplary particulate removal and recovery system components of the revitalization system.

FIG. 13 depicts exemplary fluid delivery system components of the revitalization system.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary nebulizer circuit and assembly for one embodiment of the fluid delivery system of the revitalization system.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view the exemplary nebulizer assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 depicts an exploded view of the exemplary nebulizer assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 depicts an exploded view of the exemplary nebulizer assembly of FIG. 14 and the revitalization chamber in the form of the drum.

FIG. 18 depicts another exploded view of the exemplary nebulizer assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary nebulizer circuit and assembly for another embodiment of the fluid delivery system of the revitalization system.

FIG. 20 depicts a schematic view of the exemplary nebulizer assembly of FIG. 19 configured to deliver a plurality of fluids to the revitalization chamber.

FIG. 21 depicts an exemplary embodiment of sensors of the revitalization system.

FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary vacuum system of the revitalization system.

FIG. 23 depicts an exemplary stain removal station of the revitalization system.

FIG. 24 depicts another exemplary stain removal station of the revitalization system.

FIG. 25A depicts another exemplary stain removal station of the revitalization system built into the enclosure and having a work surface shown in a retracted position.

FIG. 25B depicts the exemplary stain removal station of FIG. 25A with the work surface shown in an extended position.

FIG. 25C depicts an exploded view of the exemplary stain removal station of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25D depicts a rear view of the exemplary stain removal station of FIG. 25A.

FIGS. 26A and 26B depict an exemplary embodiment of modular construction of the revitalization system.

FIG. 27 depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment of modular construction of the revitalization system.

FIG. 28 depicts another alternative exemplary embodiment of modular construction of the revitalization system.

FIG. 29 depicts a first exemplary embodiment of a dryer module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 30 depicts a second exemplary embodiment of a dryer module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 31 depicts a third exemplary embodiment of a dryer module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 32 depicts a fourth exemplary embodiment of a dryer module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 33 depicts a fifth exemplary embodiment of a dryer module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an ironing module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 35 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a sink module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 36 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a storage module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a shelf module for use with the revitalization system.

FIG. 38 depicts an exemplary embodiment of operations and actions performed during a revitalization process.

FIGS. 39A and 39B together depict an exemplary control flow chart for a user interface and control for the revitalization system.

Claims

1. A fabric treatment appliance comprising: a cabinet;a laundry treatment chamber located in the cabinet for receiving fabric;an automatic laundry processing system in the cabinet for providing at least one of mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical energy to the fabric in the laundry treatment chamber to perform a laundry treatment process; anda manual treatment system incorporated into the cabinet and having: a perforated surface for supporting fabric;a treatment fluid dispenser for delivering a fabric treatment fluid onto the perforated surface; anda drain configured to receive the treatment fluid that passes through the perforated surface.

2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the cabinet comprises a generally rectangular enclosure, the laundry treatment chamber is generally cylindrical with a longitudinal axis, and the manual treatment system is generally located at an edge region of the cabinet parallel to the longitudinal axis of the laundry treatment chamber and to one side of the laundry treatment chamber.

3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the laundry treatment chamber comprises a generally horizontally disposed drum, and the manual treatment system is generally located at an upper edge region of the cabinet and to one side of the drum.

4. The appliance of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a clothes dryer, wherein the automatic laundry processing system comprises a fabric movement system and a heated air supply system;a fabric revitalizing system, wherein the automatic laundry processing system includes a treatment fluid dispensing system;a fabric washing machine, wherein the automatic laundry processing system includes a fabric movement system, a water supply system, and a water removal system; anda combination fabric washing machine and fabric drying machine, wherein the automatic laundry processing system includes a fabric movement system, a heated air supply system, a water supply system, and a water removal system.

5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the perforated surface is disposed on a horizontal shelf extendable from the cabinet.

6. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the shelf is retractable into the cabinet.

7. The appliance of claim 6 wherein the shelf has a front surface that is substantially flush with a front face of the cabinet when the shelf is retracted into the cabinet.

8. The appliance of claim 6 wherein the shelf has a handle to facilitate pulling the shelf from the retracted position.

9. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the manual treatment system is disabled when the shelf is retracted into the cabinet.

10. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the perforated surface is disposed in a drawer retractable horizontally into the cabinet.

11. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the manual treatment system further comprises a vacuum system coupled to the drain and configured to selectively draw the treatment fluid through the perforated surface.

12. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the perforated surface is disposed on a horizontal shelf extendable from the cabinet and retractable into the cabinet and further wherein the vacuum system is automatically activated when the shelf is pulled from the cabinet beyond a predetermined distance.

13. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the perforated surface is a mesh material

14. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the perforated surface is disposed above an upwardly open hollow main body.

15. The appliance of claim 1 further comprising an ironing surface extending from the cabinet.

16. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser comprises a wand coupled to a flexible hose.

17. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is retractable into cabinet.

18. The appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a compartment in the cabinet configured to store the treatment fluid dispenser when the treatment fluid dispenser is not in use;a fluid reservoir configured to supply treatment fluid to the treatment fluid dispenser and disposed in the compartment; anda door configured to selectively close the compartment, wherein the door is generally flush with the cabinet when closed.

19. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is coupled to a source of water in the form of at least one of liquid, steam, and vapor for selectively dispensing the form of water.

20. The appliance of claim 19 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is configured to selective mix the treatment fluid with the form of water.

21. The appliance of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir in the cabinet

22. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the manual treatment system is configured to at least one of heat, cool, mix, and cavitate the treatment fluid before dispensing by the treatment fluid dispenser.

23. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is configured to at least one of pour, spray, and mist the treatment fluid onto the fabric.

24. A fabric treatment appliance comprising: a cabinet;a rotatable drum having an interior for receiving fabric and mounted in the cabinet;an automatic laundry processing system in the cabinet for providing at least one of mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical energy to the fabric in the interior of the drum to perform a laundry treatment process; anda manual fabric treatment system incorporated into the cabinet and having: a drawer retractable horizontally into an upper region of the cabinet and to one side of the drum;an upwardly opening cavity formed in the drawer;a perforated surface above the upwardly opening cavity for supporting fabric to be manually treated;a fluid reservoir configured to store a fabric treatment fluid;a treatment fluid dispenser extendable from the cabinet and configured to deliver the fabric treatment fluid from the fluid reservoir to the perforated surface;a drain in the upwardly opening cavity for receiving the fabric treatment fluid that passes through the perforated surface; anda vacuum system disposed in the cabinet and fluidly coupled to the drain to selectively draw the fabric treatment fluid through the perforated surface.

25. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the vacuum system is automatically activated when the drawer is pulled out from the cabinet beyond a predetermined distance.

26. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the laundry treatment process comprises at least one of: drying clothes;revitalizing fabric;washing fabric; anda combination of washing fabric and drying fabric.

27. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the drawer has a front surface that is substantially flush with a front face of the cabinet when the drawer is retracted into the cabinet.

28. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the drawer has a handle for pulling the drawer from the cabinet.

29. The appliance of claim 24, further comprising a control system configured to disable the manual treatment system when the drawer is retracted into the cabinet.

30. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the perforated surface is a mesh material.

31. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser comprises a wand coupled to a flexible hose.

32. The appliance of claim 24, wherein the manual fabric treatment system further comprises: a compartment in the cabinet configured to store the treatment fluid dispenser when the treatment fluid dispenser is not in use and to store the fluid reservoir; anda door configured to selectively close the compartment, wherein the door is generally flush with the cabinet when closed.

33. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is coupled to a source of water in the form of at least one of liquid, steam, and vapor for selectively dispensing the form of water.

34. The appliance of claim 33 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is configured to selectively mix the fabric treatment fluid with the form of water.

35. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the manual treatment system is configured to selectively at least one of heat, cool, mix, and cavitate the fabric treatment fluid before dispensing by the treatment fluid dispenser.

36. The appliance of claim 24 wherein the treatment fluid dispenser is configured to at least one of pour, spray, and mist the fabric treatment fluid onto the fabric.

37. The appliance of claim 24, further comprising an ironing surface extendable from the cabinet.