Claims
- 1] An apparatus for cleaning laundry with ozone comprising:
a tank having a water inlet and a water outlet; a dry cleaning washing means in fluid communication with the tank; a water purification means including a control means, the water purification means disposed between the tank and the dry cleaning washing means so that ozone is introduced into a water flow to provide wash water having a predetermined ozone concentration; a water recirculation means in fluid communication with the tank and the water purification means so that the predetermined dissolved ozone concentration is realized; and the water recirculation means further providing fluid communication with the dry cleaning washing means so that water is continuously circulated through the water purification means to maintain the predetermined ozone concentration.
- 2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water purification means further comprises a venturi device so that an optimal opportunity for the transfer of ozone to the water flow is provided.
- 3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water recirculation means further comprises a debris filter.
- 4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water recirculation means further comprises a monitor to measure the dissolved ozone concentration of the water.
- 5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means is a Programmable Logic Controller.
- 6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water recirculation means further comprises at least one pump.
- 7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank further comprises a water level sensor.
- 8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water purification means further comprises a plurality of columns wherein each column is a longitudinally extending elongate hollow enclosure having a closed top portion, a closed bottom portion, and a gas tight interior space therein and wherein an ozone supplier means is disposed between the water source and the plurality of contact columns whereby ozone may be introduced into the water flow.
- 9] A method for dry cleaning laundry with ozone comprising the steps of:
analyzing the characteristics of the laundry to be washed; providing a tank having a water inlet and a water outlet; providing a water purification means for introducing ozone into the water flow; providing a control means; providing a dry cleaning washing means in fluid communication with the tank and the water purification means; connecting a water source in fluid communication with the tank; connecting a water recirculation means in fluid communication with the tank and the water purification means; connecting the water recirculation means in fluid communication with the dry cleaning washing means; providing a debris filter as a part of the water recirculation means; providing a monitor as a part of the water recirculation means to measure the dissolved ozone concentration of the water; and providing at least one pump as the water recirculation means; recirculating water between the tank and the water purification means until a predetermined dissolved ozone concentration is realized; and recirculating water through the dry cleaning washing means, the water purification means and the tank whereby the water delivered to the washing means has the predetermined dissolved ozone concentration.
- 10] The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:
filtering the water whereby any debris present in the water is removed.
- 11] The method as in claim 10, further comprising the step of:
measuring the dissolved ozone concentration of the water.
- 12] The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:
delivering water to the dry cleaning washing means directly via the water source so that fabric fresheners can be added to the laundry.
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/233,768 filed Sep.19, 2000. The disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60233768 |
Sep 2000 |
US |