Fluid delivery system for a fabric treatment appliance

Abstract

A fabric revitalizing appliance comprises a fabric treatment chamber; a dehydration system for dehydrating a fabric load within the fabric treatment chamber; and a fluid management system. The fluid management system comprises a fluid storage system configured to store at least one fluid; a fluid conditioning system configured to create a conditioned fluid from the fluid of the fluid storage system; a fluid transport system fluidly connecting the fluid storage system and the fluid conditioning system; and a fluid delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conditioning system and configured to deliver the conditioned fluid to the fabric treatment chamber.

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 revitalizing appliance comprising: a fabric treatment chamber having an interior;at least one opening into the fabric treatment chamber for enabling user access to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber;a fabric movement system for causing movement of a fabric load within the fabric treatment chamber;a dehydration system for dehydrating the fabric load within the fabric treatment chamber; anda fluid management system comprising: a fluid storage system configured to store at least one fluid;a fluid conditioning system configured to create a conditioned fluid from the fluid of the fluid storage system;a fluid transport system fluidly connecting the fluid storage system and the fluid conditioning system; anda fluid delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conditioning system and configured to deliver the conditioned fluid to the fabric treatment chamber.

2. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid storage system further comprises a manifold coupled to multiple fluid tanks of the fluid storage system and configured to selectively supply fluids from the fluid tanks to the fluid conditioning system.

3. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 2 wherein the fluid transport system comprises a pump for delivering fluid from the fluid tank to the fluid conditioning system and for delivering the fluid from the fluid conditioning system to the fluid tank.

4. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 3, wherein the fluid is a rinse fluid.

5. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid conditioning system comprises at least one of the following: a sprayer; a mister; a foamer; a steamer; and an atomizer.

6. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein fluid conditioning system comprises a nebulizer assembly.

7. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 6 wherein the fluid storage system comprises a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the nebulizer assembly.

8. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 7 wherein the nebulizer assembly further comprises a piezoelectric transducer in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

9. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 8 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir by an opening in a base of the fluid reservoir.

10. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 8 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is controlled by a temperature control, a power source, and a logic control.

11. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 7 wherein the fluid storage system further comprises a fluid tank mounted to the nebulizer assembly, and the nebulizer assembly further comprises an air flow chamber formed by an interstitial space between the fluid tank and the fluid reservoir.

12. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 7 wherein the nebulizer assembly further comprises a fan configured to draw air into the fluid reservoir.

13. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 6 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises: a bulkhead outlet coupled to the fabric treatment chamber;a sump fluidly coupled to the fluid conditioning system; anda connecting channel fluidly coupling the sump to the bulkhead outlet.

14. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 13 wherein the bulkhead outlet is elevated relative to the sump.

15. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 13 wherein the sump is positioned proximal to the fluid conditioning system.

16. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 13 wherein the bulkhead outlet is positioned proximal to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber.

17. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 13 wherein the fluid delivery system further comprises a bulkhead outlet screen having a plurality of openings.

18. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 6 wherein fluid flow in the nebulizer assembly is controlled by operation of a fan under the control of the fluid flow control.

19. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid management system further comprises a sanitization means.

20. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 19 wherein the sanitization means comprises a coating designed to prevent or limit microbial growth.

21. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid storage system is hermetically sealed.

22. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid can be conditioned via at least one of the following: a heater, an agitator, a vibrator, an electromagnetic energy generator, an electrochemical energy generator, and a chemistry dispenser.

23. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fluid management system further comprises an ionizer prior to entrance into the fabric treatment chamber.

24. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 1 wherein the fabric treatment chamber comprises an imperforate drum.

25. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 24 wherein the dehydration system comprises an air moving system configured to move air into, through, and out of the fabric treatment chamber.

26. The fabric revitalizing appliance of claim 26 wherein the dehydration system further comprises a heater configured to heat the air moved by the air moving system.