Title of Invention

CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 /606,778, filed March 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein.

Technical Field and Background of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating a variety of items. An embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for cleaning launderable items, such as clothing, towels, linens, table cloths, bedding and the like, utilizing piston agitation.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a clothes treating apparatus comprising a cleaning chamber in which linear reciprocating movement of a piston agitates clothes within the chamber. Another object of the invention is to provide a dual mode treating apparatus operable in both dry cleaning and water washing modes. These and other objects of the invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention described below.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for cleaning clothes comprises a cleaning chamber adapted for receiving and containing clothes and a cleaning fluid therein, and a piston having a piston head positioned within the cleaning chamber adapted for reciprocating motion within the cleaning chamber. The reciprocal motion of the piston head agitates the clothes contained within the cleaning chamber whereby facilitating cleaning of the clothes.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the invention, the piston is adapted for reciprocal linear motion within the cleaning chamber such that the piston head moves in a first linear motion that compresses the clothes within the cleaning chamber, and in a second linear motion opposite to the first linear motion that allows the clothes within the cleaning chamber to expand.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an inner wall positioned within the cleaning chamber. The inner wall defines a clothes receiving area for receiving and containing the clothes therein, and has a corrugated surface facing the clothes receiving area. As such, the corrugated surface of the inner wall provides frictional agitation of the clothes as the clothes are moved against the corrugated surface by the reciprocal motion of the piston head. A tangential flow of the cleaning fluid imparts a centripetal force on the clothes, such that the clothes are moved toward the corrugated surface of the inner wall.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning chamber includes an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, such that the inner wall and the outer wall define an intermediate area there between.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning chamber is substantially cylindrical and includes an upper opening for receiving the clothes therethrough, and a lower opening opposed to the first opening. An elongate section is in communication with the lower opening, and a portion of the piston is positioned within the elongate section. [0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, a moveable door covering the upper opening for selectively opening and closing the cleaning chamber.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, a first check valve is positioned in the intermediate area between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a second check valve positioned on the piston head. The first and second check valves aid in regulating flow of cleaning fluid within the cleaning chamber.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first check valve opens and the second check valve closes when the piston head moves away from the upper opening, and the first check valve closes and the second check valve opens when the piston head moves toward the upper opening.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning fluid is selected from the group consisting of a dry cleaning solvent and a water based cleaning formulation. As such, the apparatus is operable in dry cleaning and water wash modes.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, a storage tank for storing the cleaning fluid is in communication with the cleaning chamber, and a still is positioned above the storage tank. The still is in communication with the cleaning chamber for receiving used cleaning fluid.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning fluid comprises a dry cleaning solvent, and the cleaning solvent in the storage tank is hotter than the used cleaning solvent in the still. As such, heat from the storage tank evaporates the used liquid cleaning solvent in the still producing clean gaseous solvent, and particulate residue. An exit tube is connected to the still for exiting the particulate residue.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning solvent is comprised of liquid carbon dioxide.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, a clothes treating system comprises a treating chamber for receiving a treating fluid therein, and having a first wall defining a clothes receiving area for receiving and containing clothes therein. The first wall has a corrugated surface facing the clothes receiving area. A piston has a piston head that is positioned within the clothes receiving area. The piston is adapted for reciprocating motion, so that the piston head moves in reciprocating motion within the clothes receiving area, thereby agitating the clothes. In addition, the corrugated surface of the first wall provides frictional agitation of the clothes as the clothes are moved against the corrugated surface by the reciprocal motion of the piston head.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the piston is adapted for reciprocal linear motion, such that the piston head slides back and forth within the clothes receiving area. The piston head includes a corrugated outer edge adapted for complimentary sliding engagement with the corrugated surface of the first wall.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system includes a storage tank for storing the treating fluid. The tank is in communication with the treating chamber, and the treating fluid is comprised of a dry cleaning solvent, such as liquid carbon dioxide. A still is positioned above the storage tank, and is in communication with the cleaning chamber for receiving used cleaning solvent. The cleaning solvent in the storage tank is hotter than the used solvent in the still, and heat from the storage tank evaporates the used liquid solvent in the still producing clean gaseous solvent, and particulate residue.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the treating chamber comprises a second wall that is an outer wall surrounding the first wall. The first wall is an inner false wall contained within the outer wall, and the inner false wall and the outer wall define an intermediate area there between.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, a compressor is operatively connected to the treating chamber for moving the treating fluid throughout the system. The compressor is lubricated by a detergent.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of treating clothes with a cleaning fluid includes providing an apparatus comprising a cleaning chamber adapted for receiving and containing clothes and a cleaning fluid therein. The chamber has an opening for receiving clothes therethrough, and a moveable door covers the chamber opening for selectively opening and closing the opening. A piston having a piston head positioned within the cleaning chamber is adapted for reciprocating linear motion within the cleaning chamber. A storage tank stores the cleaning fluid, and is in communication with the cleaning chamber. A still is positioned above the storage tank in communication with the cleaning chamber for receiving used cleaning solvent. The door is opened, and clothes are introduced through the chamber opening. The door is closed, and cleaning fluid from the storage tank is introduced into the cleaning chamber. The piston head moves in reciprocal linear motion within the cleaning chamber to agitate the clothes within the chamber.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the door is opened after the clothes are cleaned, and the piston head is moved toward the chamber opening, thereby pushing the cleaned clothes out of the chamber. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clothes treating system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 ;

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0026] Figure 4 is a front elevation of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Figure 5 is a top cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic cross sectional view of the cleaning chamber of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0030] Figure 8 is another cross sectional view of the cleaning chamber of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0031] Figure 9 is another schematic cross sectional view of the cleaning chamber of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0032] Figure 10 is another cross sectional view of the cleaning chamber of the system of Fig. 1 ; and

[0033] Figure 1 1 is another cross sectional view of the cleaning chamber of the system of Fig. 1 .

Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention and Best Mode

[0034] A cleaning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 -7, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 includes a cleaning chamber 1 1 for receiving and containing clothes therein, with a piston 12 positioned within the chamber 1 1 for agitating the clothes. As used throughout this application, the terms "clothes" and/or "clothing" are not limited only to garments worn on the body, but refer generally to any items that can be dry cleaned and/or washed with water, such as towels, linens, table cloths, bedding, apparel and the like.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the system 10 can include a storage tank 30 for storing a treating fluid to be supplied to the cleaning chamber 1 1 . "Treating fluid" as used throughout this application, refers generally to any fluid used to alter the condition and/or characteristics of the clothes in any manner, such as a cleaning fluid used to clean clothes and/or a dye for dying clothes. The cleaning fluid can be a dry cleaning solvent such as liquid carbon dioxide (liqC0 ₂ ). A still 40 is positioned above the storage tank 30 for receiving used dirty solvent.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1 , the cleaning chamber 1 1 can be substantially cylindrical and defines an upper opening 13 for receiving items such as clothes to be treated by the system 1 0. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a moveable door 14 covers the opening 14 to selectively open and close the chamber 1 1 . The chamber 1 1 includes a lower opening 23 that communicates with an elongate section 15. The piston head 12a is positioned within the chamber 1 1 , and the lower end of the piston 12b is positioned within the elongate section 15 for linear sliding movement within the section 15.

[0037] The system 10 includes a gas compressor 50 for moving the cleaning fluid throughout the system 10. Preferably, an ester based detergent is used as a lubricant for the compressor 50, rather than oil based lubricants. A factor in controlling good and consistent C0 ₂ cleaning quality is "detergent injection," i.e. the addition of something to the liqC0 ₂ in order to improve cleaning. By using an ester based detergent lubricant (which improves the hydrophobic cleaning capacity of C0 ₂ as compressor lubricant, the system 10 could include a deliberate and controlled compressor lubricant leakage into the cleaning fluid as detergent injection. Advantages can include lubrication of the compressor, elimination of a need for a specific (high pressure) detergent injection system, and any unintentional leak of the detergent lubricant into the cleaning fluid would not be problematic.

[0038] Propulsion of the piston 12 can also be powered by the compressor 50 functionally connected to the elongate section 15. It should be noted that the linear actuation of piston 1 2 can be powered by any method of power transmission, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric, with appropriate mechanical linkage. As such, the piston 12 can move in reciprocal linear motion within the chamber 1 1 .

[0039] The door 14 can be opened and clothes are placed in the cleaning chamber 1 1 through the upper opening 13. The door 14 is closed, and a cleaning solvent such as liqC0 ₂ can be introduced into the cleaning chamber 1 1 . The clothes in the chamber are cleaned by agitation of the reciprocal linear motion of the piston 12. When the cleaning process is complete, the door 14 can be opened and the cleaned clothes can be removed by movement of the piston 12a pushing the clothes up the chamber 1 1 and out the upper opening 13, as shown in Figure 1 1 . By automating the step of removing cleaned clothes from the cleaning chamber, the risk of injuries to workers who would otherwise be required to perform this task by hand is reduced.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5, 7 and 9, the chamber 1 1 can include an outer pressure wall 16 and an inner false wall 17. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inner false wall 17 can have a corrugated surface to provide additional frictional agitation of the clothes "C" within the chamber 1 1 as they are moved against the corrugated false wall 17 by reciprocating motion of the piston 12. The outer edge of the piston head 12a can be corrugated to conform to the corrugated inner false wall 17, as shown in Figure 6.

[0041] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, a check valve 18 can be positioned between the outer pressure wall 16 and the inner false wall 17. The piston head 12a can include a check valve 19. A disk shaped, granulated carbon filter canister 20 can be positioned on the upper surface of the piston head 12a, and a particulate filtering membrane 21 can be positioned on the carbon disc 20. The filter membrane 21 can be made of plastic mesh, paper mesh, or other suitable material. The filter membrane 21 filters particulates such as lint and dust from the cleaning solvent, thus removing the necessity of having a second vessel for filtering. A grate 22 covers the filter 21 preventing clothes from directly contacting the filter 21 . The carbon filter 20 positioned between the particulate filter 21 and the piston head 12a removes die from the cleaning solvent in the chamber 1 1 .

[0042] When the piston 12 moves down, as shown in Figure 8, the piston head check valve 19 is closed, and the check valve 18 between the chamber outer wall 16 and inner false wall 17 opens, as shown in Figure 7. Downward movement of the piston head 12a allows for the clothes "C", which are positioned above the piston head 12a in the chamber 1 1 , to expand. Expansion of the compressed bundle of clothes "C" is assisted by tangential flow "F" of cleaning solvent from tangential ports in the inner false wall 17 and through the open check valve 18 so that cleaning solvent flows through and around the clothes, as shown in Figure 7. The tangential flow "F" also imparts a centripetal force on the clothes "C", as shown in Figures 6 and 7, that causes the clothes "C" to spin and move toward the corrugated surface of the inner wall, thus increasing mechanical cleaning action. As the piston 12 reciprocates and moves upward, as shown in Figure 10, the piston head check valve 19 opens allowing the flow "F" of cleaning solvent to flow through the piston head 12a as it is compressed out of the garments, as shown in Figure 9. This action is repeated until the clothes "C" are satisfactorily cleaned.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, a sieve piston can be utilized, rather than the piston head check valve 19, to facilitate the proper flow of the cleaning solvent. In another alternative embodiment, a solid piston can be utilized with plumbing that attaches proximate opposite ends of the chamber 1 1 to facilitate proper solvent flow.

[0044] When the cleaning process is completed, dirty used solvent is evacuated to the still 40. The still 40 can be positioned above the storage tank 30, which stores clean solvent. As such, hot gaseous solvent compressed into the storage tank 30 and rising to the top of the storage tank 30 heats up cool used dirty solvent at the bottom of the still 40, boiling the dirty liquid solvent and producing clean gaseous solvent. This leaves unwanted particulate residue to exit through an exit tube 42 connected to the still 40. Also, the gaseous solvent that is compressed into the storage tank 30 is condensed into liquid, thereby allowing for the storage tank 30 to be completely filled with solvent.

[0045] Cleaning processes using heated drying typically yield heat set wrinkles in the clothes that necessitate immediate tumble fluffing to remove. By utilizing a solvent such as liqC0 ₂ , the piston agitation process of the system 10 of the present invention does not result in heat set wrinkles, thus eliminating the need for fluffing. It should be noted that the system 1 0 is not limited to use only with dry cleaning solvents. The system 10 can be used with other cleaning fluids, including water based cleaning formulations such as water and detergent. As such, the system 10 is operable in both dry cleaning and water wash modes.

[0046] It is believed that the piston agitation of the system 10 of the present invention provides greater mechanical cleaning action than prior art systems such as jet agitation and rotary basket systems. Because of the increased agitation, the cleaning times for each load can be reduced. Also, because fluff drying is not necessary with the system 10, more clothes can be cleaned in the chamber 1 1 . Shorter cleaning times and increased load capacity allow for the cleaning chamber 1 1 to be smaller than in prior art systems. This results in the system 10 of the present invention being easier to transport and having a smaller installation footprint than larger prior art units.

[0047] It should be noted that while the system 10 is described as being used to clean clothes, the invention is not so limited. The system 10 can be used to treat clothes for purposes other than cleaning, such as dying. Furthermore, the system 10 can be used to treat a variety of items other than clothes, such as hardware.

[0048] A clothes treating apparatus and method are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. For example, while a preferred embodiment of the invention is described above as being used for cleaning clothes with a dry cleaning solvent such as liqC0 ₂ , the invention is not so limited and can be used to treat a variety of items with a variety of treating fluids, including hydrous and anhydrous liquids. The above description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation— the invention being defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.