Modular fabric revitalizing system

Abstract

A modular system according to one embodiment of the invention for treating fabric load comprises a first module and a second module. The first module can include a chamber having an interior for holding a fabric load, and the second module can have at least one of a fluid delivery system, a fluid removal system, and a fluid recycling system. The modular system can further include conduits for coupling the systems of the second module with the first module.

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 modular system for treating fabric load, the modular system comprising: a first module comprising: a chamber with an interior;a low absorbency textured surface disposed within the chamber;at least one opening into the chamber for enabling user access to the interior of the chamber; anda fabric movement system for causing movement of the fabric load within the chamber;a second module having a fluid delivery system and a fluid removal system;a first conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the chamber; anda second conduit fluidly coupling the fluid removal system with the interior of the chamber.

2. The system of claim 2 wherein the second module further comprises at least one of: a stain treatment system;an ironing system;a working surface;a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;a fluid dispenser;a means for applying pressure to fabric;a means for applying heat to fabric;a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;a sink;a water dispenser;a water heater;a fluid cooling system;a fabric hanger;a drawer;a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; anda storage compartment.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first module and second module are configured to be stacked vertically.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first module is adjacent the second module.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a stain pre-treatment module.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sanitization module.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of: a steamer; anda vapor insertion system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air flow system configured to move air into, through, and out of the chamber.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the air flow system comprises an ionizer configured to ionize the air.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the drum and the air flow system can be operated as a conventional clothes dryer.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the drum and the air flow system can be used to at least one of (a) dry a wet load of clothes and then revitalize the clothes and (b) revitalize an initially dry load of clothes.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the air flow system includes a filter selected from: a locked down sealed edge filter;a filter for at least one of a vapor, a fog, and a colloidal suspension;an electrostatic filter;a filter impregnated with a catalyst for producing at least one of a species and radical for cleaning;a filter impregnated with a reactant to chemically treat a substance present in air;a neutralizing filter to remove a previous treatment; andan air permeable matrix having a plurality of pores with a greatest pore dimension in a range from about 0.10 micron to about 1500 microns.

14. A modular system for treating a fabric load, the modular system comprising: a first module comprising: a rotatable drum having an interior for holding a fabric load;a drive system configured to rotatably drive the drum;at least one opening into the drum for enabling user access to the interior of the drum;an air flow system configured to move air into, through, and out of the drum; anda particulate removal system in communication with the air flow system;a second module having a fluid delivery system and a fluid removal system;a conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the drum.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the second module further comprises at least one of: a stain treatment system;an ironing system;a working surface;a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;a fluid dispenser;a means for applying pressure to fabric;a means for applying heat to fabric;a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;a sink;a water dispenser;a water heater;a fluid cooling system;a fabric hanger;a drawer;a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; anda storage compartment.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the first module and second module are configured to be stacked vertically.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the first module is adjacent the second module.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one of: a stain pre-treatment module; anda sanitization module.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the air flow system comprises an ionizer configured to ionize the air.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the drum and air flow system can be operated to at least one of: (a) dry a wet load of clothes as a conventional clothes dryer, (b)dry a wet load of clothes and then revitalize the clothes, and (c) revitalize an initially dry load of clothes.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of: a steamer; anda vapor insertion system.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the air flow system includes a filter selected from: a locked down sealed edge filter;a filter for at least one of a vapor, a fog, and a colloidal suspension;an electrostatic filter;a filter impregnated with a catalyst for producing at least one of a specie and radical for cleaning;a filter impregnated with a reactant to chemically treat a substance present in air;a neutralizing filter to remove a previous treatment, and an air permeable matrix having a plurality of pores with a greatest pore dimension in a range from about 0.10 micron to about 1500 microns

24. A revitalizing module for use with a fabric dehydration system having a rotatable drum with an interior for holding a fabric load; a drive system to rotatably drive the drum; a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the drum; at least one opening into the drum for enabling user access to the interior of the drum; and a particulate removal system in communication with the interior of the drum; the revitalizing module having: a fluid delivery system;a first conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the drum;a fluid recycling system; anda second conduit fluidly coupling the fluid removal system with the fluid recycling system.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the second module further comprises at least one of: a stain treatment system;an ironing system;a working surface;a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;a fluid dispenser;a means for applying pressure to fabric;a means for applying heat to fabric;a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;a sink;a water dispenser;a water heater;a fluid cooling system;a fabric hanger;a drawer;a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; anda storage compartment.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of: a steamer, anda vapor insertion system.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container.