Nebulizer system for a fabric treatment appliance

Abstract

A nebulizer assembly for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber comprises a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid; an air flow channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; a mist generator configured to generate a mist in the fluid reservoir; and a fan in fluid communication with the air flow channel to draw air through the air flow channel and transport the mist to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber. The nebulizer assembly can include a transitional assembly that communicates the nebulizer assembly with 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 nebulizer assembly for use in a fabrics revitalizing system comprising a fabric treatment chamber having an interior for holding a fabric load; a particulate removal and collection device in fluid communication with the interior of the fabric treatment chamber; and a fluid removal system in fluid communication with the interior of the fabric treatment chamber, the nebulizer assembly being in fluid communication with the interior of the fabric treatment chamber so that the nebulizer assembly provides a mist to the fabric load during operation of the nebulizer assembly, the nebulizer assembly comprising: a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid;an air flow channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir;a mist generator configured to generate a mist in the fluid reservoir; anda fan in fluid communication with the air flow channel to draw air through the air flow channel and transport the mist to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber.

2. The nebulizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a pump, a sanitization means, and a temperature control.

3. The nebulizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid tank in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir to supply fluid to the fluid reservoir.

4. The nebulizer assembly of claim 3 wherein the fluid tank is removably mounted to the nebulizer assembly.

5. The nebulizer assembly of claim 3, further comprising a fluid level control that fluidly communicates the fluid tank with the fluid reservoir.

6. The nebulizer assembly of claim 3 wherein the fluid tank is hermetically sealed.

7. The nebulizer assembly of claim 3 wherein the air flow channel is formed by an interstitial space between the fluid tank and the fluid reservoir.

8. The nebulizer assembly of claim 3 wherein the fluid tank further comprises a vent.

9. The nebulizer assembly of claim 1 wherein the mist generator is a piezoelectric transducer.

10. The nebulizer assembly of claim 9 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir by an opening in a base of the fluid reservoir.

11. The nebulizer assembly of claim 9, further comprising at least one of a temperature sensor and a fluid level sensor operably coupled to a controller for controlling the operation of the piezoelectric transducer.

12. The nebulizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow control operably coupled to the fan to control the speed of the fan and thereby the flow rate of the mist.

13. The nebulizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a transitional assembly providing fluid communication between the air flow channel and the interior of the fabric treatment chamber.

14. The nebulizer assembly of claim 13, wherein the transitional assembly comprises a sump and a sump pump configured to pump fluid from the sump to the fluid reservoir.

15. The nebulizer assembly of claim 14 wherein the transitional assembly further comprises a bulkhead outlet and a connecting channel that fluidly connects the sump with the bulkhead outlet.

16. The nebulizer assembly of claim 15 wherein the transitional assembly further comprises a bulkhead outlet screen having a plurality of openings.

17. The nebulizer assembly of claim 16 wherein the openings are sized to prevent water droplets from covering the openings.

18. The nebulizer assembly of claim 16 wherein the openings are sized to prevent lint and debris from penetrating into the transitional assembly.

19. The nebulizer assembly of claim 15 wherein the bulkhead outlet is elevated relative to the sump.

20. The nebulizer assembly of claim 14 wherein the sump is positioned proximal to the air flow channel.

21. The nebulizer assembly of claim 15 wherein the bulkhead outlet is positioned proximal to the interior of the fabric treatment chamber.

22. A fluid delivery system for delivery of fluid to a fabric load in a fabric treatment chamber of a fabric revitalizing system, the fluid delivery system comprising: a nebulizer assembly in fluid communication with the fabric treatment chamber and configured to provide a mist to the fabric load during operation of the nebulizer assembly; anda transitional assembly interposed between the nebulizer assembly and the fabric treatment chamber such that the nebulizer assembly communicates with the fabric treatment chamber through the transitional assembly.

23. The fluid delivery system of claim 22, wherein the transitional assembly comprises: a sump;a sump pump configured to pump fluid from the sump to the nebulizer assembly;a bulkhead outlet;a connecting channel that fluidly connects the sump with the bulkhead outlet; anda bulkhead outlet screen having a plurality of openings.

24. The fluid delivery system of claim 23 wherein the bulkhead outlet is elevated relative to the sump, the sump is positioned proximal to the nebulizer assembly, and the bulkhead outlet is positioned proximal to the fabric treatment chamber.

25. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises: a fluid tank configured to hold a supply of fluid;a pump configured to pump fluid from the fluid tank;a sanitization system; anda vent in the fluid tank.

26. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises a fluid tank that is hermetically sealed.

27. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises: a fluid tank configured to contain a fluid;a fluid reservoir;a fluid level control fluidly coupling the fluid tank to the fluid reservoir;an air flow channel;a power source; anda fluid flow control.

28. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises at least one of: a fluid reservoir;a sensor in fluid communication with fluid in the fluid reservoir;a logic control;a temperature control;an air flow channel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; anda fan in fluid communication with the air flow channel to draw air through the air flow channel.

29. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises a fluid reservoir and a piezoelectric transducer is in fluid communication with fluid in the fluid reservoir by an opening in a base of the fluid reservoir.

30. The fluid delivery system of claim 29 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is controlled by a temperature control, a power source, and a logic control.

31. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein fluid flow in the nebulizer assembly is controlled by operation of a fan under the control of a fluid flow control.

32. The fluid delivery system of claim 22 wherein the nebulizer assembly comprises a fluid tank in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and an air flow channel formed by an interstitial space between the fluid tank and the fluid reservoir.