Drum with low absorbency textured surface for a fabric treatment appliance

Abstract

A fabrics revitalizing system comprises a rotatable drum having an inside surface defining an interior for holding a fabric load; at least one opening into the interior for enabling user access to the interior, a closure adapted to selectively close the opening to the interior; and a low absorbency textured surface disposed on at least one of the inside surface and the closure.

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 rotatable drum for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a drive system to rotatably drive the rotatable drum, a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the rotatable drum, and a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the rotatable drum, the rotatable drum comprising: an inside surface defining an interior for holding a fabric load;at least one opening into the interior for enabling user access to the interior,a closure adapted to selectively close the opening to the interior; anda low absorbency textured surface disposed on at least one of the inside surface and the closure.

2. The drum of claim 1 wherein the textured surface comprises a structural attribute comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of: a plurality of directional fibers, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a plurality of break-away particulate surface substructures, a plurality of microparticulate substructures, a textured substrate, and a coating.

3. The drum of claim 1 wherein the textured surface is selected from a group consisting of: a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a covering.

4. The drum of claim 1, further comprising fluid dispensing means for dispensing fluid from the low absorbency textured surface.

5. The drum of claim 4, further comprising an inner reservoir in fluid communication with the low absorbency textured surface for wicking fluid through the low absorbency textured surface.

6. The drum of claim 4 wherein the fluid is impregnated on the low absorbency textured surface.

7. The drum of claim 4 wherein the fluid is selected from a group consisting of: builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, softening agents, anti-static agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, and mixtures thereof.

8. The drum of claim 4 wherein the fluid is a perfume.

9. The drum of claim 1 wherein the inside surface comprises a plurality of baffles, and wherein the textured surface is disposed on at least one of the plurality of baffles.

10. The drum of claim 9 wherein the plurality of baffles are disposed along a portion of the inside surface defining an interior circumference of the drum.

11. The drum of claim 10 wherein textured surface is selected from a group consisting of: a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a covering.

12. The drum of claim 1 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is substantially non-absorbent.

13. The drum of claim 1 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is configured to absorb a portion of the sound of the fabric load moving in the interior.

14. The drum of claim 1 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is removable.

15. The drum of claim 14 wherein the textured surface comprises a structural attribute comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of: a plurality of directional fibers, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a plurality of break-away particulate surface substructures, a plurality of microparticulate substructures, a textured substrate, and acoating.

16. The drum of claim 14 wherein the removable textured surface is selected from a group consisting of: a removable pad, a removable pad liner with a removable covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a removable covering.

17. The drum of claim 14 further comprising fluid dispensing means for dispensing fluid from the textured surface.

18. The drum of claim 17 comprising an inner reservoir in fluid communication with the low absorbency textured surface for wicking fluid through the low absorbency textured surface.

19. The drum of claim 17 wherein the fluid is impregnated on the textured surface.

20. The drum of claim 14 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is substantially non-absorbent.

21. The drum of claim 14, wherein the inside surface comprises a plurality of baffles, and wherein the removable textured surface comprises a textured substrate surface disposed on at least one of the plurality of baffles.

22. The drum of claim 21 wherein the plurality of baffles are disposed along a portion of the inside surface defining an interior circumference of the drum.

23. The drum of claim 14 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is configured to absorb a portion of the sound of the fabric load moving in the interior.