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Title:
MULTIFUNCTIONAL MACHINE FOR LAUNDRY
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/065895
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A clothes cleaning machine that cleans clothes while they are held rigidly stretched out is disclosed. The machine includes at least one clothes loading frame in which clothes to be cleaned is loaded, stretched out and held vertically. At least one cleaning arm with different cleaning zones then moves up and down over the clothes to clean it with different combinations of brush, water, detergent, softener, steam, vacuum and hot air. Spot cleaning is provided for clothes areas requiring such special cleaning. Machine disclosed is very economical to operate and can be configured to clean single as well as multiple clothes, and does not cause damage to clothes. An automatic Laundromat can be also configured using the clothes cleaning machine disclosed.

Inventors:
RAO PREETHY SUNDAR (IN)
DASHARATH NARENDRA BABU (IN)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/056089
Publication Date:
April 12, 2018
Filing Date:
October 03, 2017
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
RAO PREETHY SUNDAR (IN)
DASHARATH NARENDRA BABU (IN)
International Classes:
D06F9/00; D06F35/00; D06F69/00
Foreign References:
US20140026313A12014-01-30
US7628044B22009-12-08
US3050070A1962-08-21
CN101487178A2009-07-22
US3760615A1973-09-25
US20100251779A12010-10-07
US6922911B22005-08-02
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KHURANA & KHURANA, ADVOCATES & IP ATTORNEYS (IN)
Download PDF:
Claims:
We Claim:

1. A multifunction machine for laundries, the machine comprising:

at least one frame to stretch the clothes in a plane; and

at least one cleaning arm, the at least one cleaning arm including a plurality of zones, the plurality of zones configured to carry out several typescleaning/drying operation on the clothes;

wherein the at least one cleaning arm is adapted to traverse length of the stretched clothes at least one time during a wash cycle, and at least one of the plurality of zones carries out at least one operation on the stretched clothes.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of zones include any one or a combination of abrushing/ dusting zone, a vacuum/suction zone, a water/steam/air spraying zone, a hot rolling zone, a spot cleaning zone, a water removal zone, a heating zone, a washing /cleaning zone and a hitting zone, and wherein the zones are respectively adapted to carry out brushing/ dusting, vacuum/suction, water/steam/air spraying, hot rolling, spot cleaning, water removal, heating, spot washing /cleaning and hitting, squashing of the clothes.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, provided with means for selectively pointing and stopping the at least one cleaning arm at any position on the clothes and carrying out any of the brushing/ dusting, vacuum/suction, water/steam/air spraying, hot rolling, spot cleaning, water removal, heating, spot washing /cleaning and hitting, squashing operation on the clothes independently.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 3, provided with means of ironing and dryingclothes with a flat hot surface, hot roller, hot/dry air blast and vacuum, wherein the flathot surface, the hot roller and the hot/dry air blast has full temperature control, and wherein the flat hot surface for ironing further comprises nozzles internally and on boundaries to spray steam/dry air.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hitting zone is configured to generate water blasts and mechanical hitting on clothes, wherein the water blast is created using multiple high speed rotating vanes that carry a layer of water from a fluid container, on their hitting surface facing the cloth; and the mechanical hitting is achieved by the vanes carrying plurality of high-density material attached to a flexible sheet material of the vanes, the high density material constantly hits the clothes surface when the vanes are rotated in close proximity of the clothes.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the washer/cleaning zone comprises a cylindrical roller brush that incorporates high-density balls at tips of bristles; wherein when the cylindrical roller brush is rotated in close proximity of the stretched clothes, the high-density balls constantly hit the clothes surface on both sides when traversing along the stretched clothes.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brushing zone incorporates a plurality of round brushes having bristles and nozzles to deliver any or a combination of water, steam, detergent, air, and further includes balls at tips of the bristles at various points on its surface, wherein the plurality of brushes are rotated simultaneously in clockwise and anticlockwise direction on both sides of the clothes.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 3, comprising means for involvement of a fluid for dry cleaning and means for collecting and re-use of the fluid.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the water removal zone incorporates a main fluid/moisture absorbing roller and multiple fluid removal shafts/rods surrounding the main roller and forced against the main roller by mechanical, hydraulic or any other means, wherein the main roller absorbs fluid/moisture from the clotheswhen traversing along the stretched clothes, and the fluid removal shafts/rods squeeze out moisture/fluid from the main roller.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine incorporates at least one pair of two cleaning arms, the two cleaning arms disposed parallel to each other, and the at least one frame is positioned between the two cleaning arms of the at least one pair of two cleaning arms such that one of the two cleaning arms is on either side of the stretched clothes with the respective zones facing the stretched garment.

11. The machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the two cleaning arms are configured such that each of the plurality of zones on one cleaning arm is positioned opposite the corresponding zone on the other cleaning arm.

12. The machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the two cleaning arms move in tandem with the stretched garment between the two cleaning arms.

13. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine further incorporates controls to control movement of the at least one cleaning arm and operation of the plurality of zones.

14. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controls are adapted to operate the at least one cleaning arm and the plurality of zones in pre-programmed cycles.

15. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clothes are stretched on the at least one frame using a plurality of clipping assemblies, each clipping assembly comprising two clips and an elastic string, the two clips being configured at two ends of the elastic string.

16. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine incorporates capability to carry out any one or a combination of wet cleaning using cleaning agents, cleaning using brushing operation, steam cleaning by blowing steam, air cleaning by blowing air, squeezing out water after wet cleaning, drying the clothes, spot cleaning using strong cleaning agent, cleaning by hitting.

17. An automated laundromat, the laundromat having machine of claim 1.

Description:
MULTIFUNCTIONAL MACHINE FOR LAUNDRY TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates technical field of laundering. In particular, it pertains to a clothes washing system that prevents crumpling of clothes thereby providing an efficient cleaning process.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Conventional clothes washing machines are drum type washers that remove contaminants from the clothes by applying different forces to the laundry. These machines generally include a washing drum into which dirty clothes, washing detergents and other additives such as softeners, blue etc. are added. The loaded drum is rotated according to instructions programmed into various wash cycles that may be selected by a user. Rotation of the drum results in application of different forces such as rubbing on the clothes loaded therein along with detergent solution.

[0004] However, as clothes rotate along with rotating drum, they get entangled with each other besides experiencing pulsing and agitating forces resulting in loss of their original shape and crushing of their textile materials. Therefore, clothes quality degrades with each wash lessening their life. Furthermore, due to crumpling of clothes, they require ironing to get them back in their original wearable shape, and heat of ironing causes further degradation of the textile. Added to these drawbacks of conventional washing machines is requirement of large quantities of water and energy, and large time it takes to complete each cycle of washing

[0005] Some washing machines also incorporate dryers to dry the wet clothes after they have been washed, where washed clothes are again rotated into a dryer drum through which hot air is being circulated. During the process of drying, clothes get still more crumpled. High amounts of hot air are required consuming lot of energy and necessitating special venting arrangement to vent out the hot air.

[0006] Space for such washing machine and dryer combinations is also at a premium and hot air venting may require special ducting arrangements requiring further space. It is not unusual to have a requirement of a separate 'laundry room' altogether to accommodate a conventional laundry machine.

[0007] Not all clothes may require the extensive washing procedure as provided by the conventional washing machines. Clothes that are less dirty may quite easily be cleaned just by brushing or steaming. Existing washing machines however, do not provide such options.

[0008] As earlier, conventional washing machines require good amounts of water and detergents that has to be appropriate to size of their washing drums. They are optimally used only if a minimum load of dirty clothes (according to designed capacity of the washing machine) is available. It is highly inefficient and uneconomical (and in some cases not permitted by the washing machine design) to use such machines when only a single piece of clothes or very few such pieces are to be washed. Consequently, a user is required to keep several sets of clothes and wash them in one go with the whole process consuming a lot of water, time and energy.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a laundering method and machine that cleans clothes while retaining their shape and without putting them under extreme and uneven pressure stresses. The cleaning machine should use less amount of water, time and energy and also be compact so as to need less space for its installation. It whould be further advantageous if it does not have minimum load requirement and is able to clean even single piece of laundry optimally.

[0010] In some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Not withstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a multifunctional laundering machine that cleans and dries clothes in their original shape so that crumpling and distortion is minimized.

[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a clothes washing machine that provides clothes in wearable condition without requirement of ironing.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a clothes washing machine that reduces overall time required for washing, drying and ironing.

[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a clothes washing machine that enables dry wash and steam wash when required to reduce water and detergent consumption when condition of clothes does not warrant these.

[0018] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a clothes washing machine that maintains quality of the clothes for long period of time by using custom wash processes like water wash with different pressure and water temperature, dry wash with pressurized air and steam wash depending on condition of clothes and material. [0019] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for a clothes washing machine that reduces consumption of water, electricity and washing detergents.

SUMMARY

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a multifunctional laundering machine and method of laundering clothes that enable washing of clothes without crumpling.

[0021] In an aspect, the disclosed method provides preforming of various cleaning operations such as wet cleaning using cleaning agents, cleaning using brushing operation, steam cleaning by blowing steam, air cleaning by blowing air, squeezing out water after wet cleaning, drying the clothes, spot cleaning using strong cleaning agent, cleaning by hitting or any other cleaning operation on clothes wherein the clothes are stretched when the cleaning operation or other associated operations are being performed. Thus, the disclosed method prevents any crumpling of clothes.

[0022] In an aspect, the disclosed machine for laundering clothes comprises at least one frame to stretch the clothes in a plane; and at least one cleaning arm, the at least one cleaning arm including a plurality of zones, each of the plurality of zones configured to carry out a cleaning operation on the clothes. In an aspect, the at least one cleaning arm is adapted to move along the plane of the stretched clothes such that at least one of the plurality of zones carries out at least one cleaning operation on the stretched clothes.

[0023] In an aspect, plurality of zones include any one or a combination of a brushing/ dusting zone, a vacuum/suction zone, a water/steam/air spraying zone, a hot rolling zone, a spot cleaning zone, a water removal zone, a heating zone, a spot washing /cleaning zone and a hitting zone, and wherein the zones are respectively adapted to carry out brushing/ dusting, vacuum/suction, water/steam/air spraying, hot rolling, spot cleaning, water removal, heating, spot washing /cleaning and hitting of the clothes.

[0024] In an embodiment, the machine incorporates at least one pair of two cleaning arms, the two cleaning arms disposed parallel to each other, and the at least one frame is positioned between the two cleaning arms of the at least one pair of two cleaning arms such that one of the two cleaning arms is on either side of the stretched clothes with the respective zones facing the stretched clothes.

[0025] In an aspect, the two cleaning arms are configured such that each of the plurality of zones on one cleaning arm is positioned opposite the corresponding zone on the other cleaning arm. [0026] In an aspect, the two cleaning arms move in tandem with the stretched clothes between the two cleaning arms.

[0027] In an aspect, the machine further incorporates controls to control movement of the at least one cleaning arm and operation of the plurality of zones.

[0028] In an aspect, the controls are adapted to operate the at least one cleaning arm and the plurality of zones in pre-programmed cycles.

[0029] In an aspect, the clothes are stretched on the at least one frame using a plurality of clipping assemblies, each clipping assembly comprising two clips and an elastic string, the two clips being configured at two ends of the elastic string.

[0030] In an aspect, the machine incorporates capability to carry out any one or a combination of wet cleaning using cleaning agents, cleaning using brushing operation, steam cleaning by blowing steam, air cleaning by blowing air, squeezing out water after wet cleaning, drying the clothes, spot cleaning using strong cleaning agent, cleaning by hitting.

[0031] In an aspect, the present disclosure also provides an automated Laundromat that incorporates the disclosed laundering machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIGs. 1A to 1G illustrate exemplary views showing details of a cleaning arm of the disclosed clothes washing machine and zones configured therein in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 1H illustrates top view showing arrangement of two cleaning arms with intermediate gap that accommodates laundry to be washed/cleaned, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIGs. II to IK illustrate exemplary views showing details of squashing zone in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIGs. 2A to 2C illustrate details of clothes loading frame, with clothes of different types, sizes and shapes mounted therein, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front view of the disclosed clothes washing machine, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary top view of the disclosed clothes washing machine with a single pair of cleaning arms, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an automated Laundromat configured using the disclosed clothes washing machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0040] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0041] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0042] The present invention relates to a method and machine for laundering clothes. In particular the disclosed method and machine enable cleaning of clothes without crumpling and using minimal energy, time and water/detergents.

[0043] In an aspect, the disclosed method and machine is based on cleaning clothes as they are stretched thus preventing crumpling. In another aspect, one or more arms are used for cleaning operation wherein the one or more arms are moved over the stretched clothes to clean them.

[0044] In an aspect, the one or more arms are configured with means for any one or a combination of brushing/ dusting, vacuum/suction, water/steam/air spraying, hot rolling, spot cleaning, water removal, heating, spot washing /cleaning and a hitting. Means for various functions can be arranged on the one or more arms parallel to each other along a direction perpendicular to direction of movement of the arm. In an exemplary implementation, the one or more arms are configured to move over the stretched clothes in vertical direction, and the one or more means are arranged in zones that are in horizontal direction. [0045] In an aspect, the disclosed machine incorporates controls that enable activation or deactivation of functioning of various means, wherein various means (also referred to as zones hereinafter) can be activated/deactivated using controls such as programmable microcontrollers configured to function according to a wash program and operate in turn various heaters, sprayers motors etc. of different zones as and when required.

[0046] In an aspect, the disclosed machine includes one or more frames on which clothes to be laundered can be stretched, and there can be one arm on either side of the stretched clothes to clean the respective sides. The two arms located on either side of the stretched clothes can have appropriate gap so that when the arms move in tandem they are in contact with the stretched clothes to clean them using one or more means/zones configured thereon.

[0047] FIGs. 1A to 1G illustrate exemplary views showing details of a cleaning arm of the disclosed clothes washing machine and various zones configured therein in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the disclosed machine can have two cleaning arms each including various zones, and each zone having different cleaning/processing capability. As illustrated in the exemplary illustration, various zones can include brushing/ dusting zone 104, vacuum/suction zone 106, water/steam/air spraying zone 108, hot rolling zone 110 and spot cleaning zone 122. The arms 102 can further include a water removal zone 130, a heating zone 132, a washing /cleaning zone 134 and a hitting zone 137.

[0048] In an aspect, various zones that incorporate different functionalities can be arranged parallel to each other along a side of the arm 102that is perpendicular to direction of movement of the arm 102 over stretched clothes so that when the arm 102 moves over the clothes each zone also covers complete stretched surface of clothes on the respective side. For example, if the clothes are stretched along a vertical plane and the arm 102 is configured to move in vertical direction, the zones can be arranged in horizontal direction.

[0049] It is to be appreciated that an arm may not be configured with all of the various zones listed above and can be added / removed as required. Further, various zones and their functions can be activated/deactivated using controls such as programmable microcontrollers configured to function according to a wash program and operate in turn various heaters, sprayers motors etc. of different zones (as would be described in succeeding paragraphs) as and when required. It is to be further appreciated that an arm 102 can include more than one zone of same type. For example, there can be two brushing zones or two water/steam/air spraying zones. [0050] In an aspect, zones can be configured between two cleaning arm holders 1 12a and 112b that can enable the cleaning arm and zones therein to move across the stretched clothes such as up and down as indicated in example above.

[0051] In an aspect, spot cleaning zone 122 may not include functionality of spot cleaning along the complete length of the arm and may be a movable module that can travel to cover entire length so that it can be positioned at desired spot that needs cleaning.

[0052] In another aspect, two cleaning arms 102 each incorporating various zones can be positioned to face each other with a zone of first cleaning arm aligned opposite corresponding zone of the second cleaning arm with a space/gap between them. The items to be cleaned can be held in between the two arms in the gap as illustrated as 152 in FIG. 1H, wherein the two cleaning arms are shown as 154 and 158. A clothes loading frame (shown as 160), details of which are provided in succeeding paragraphs, can be employed for holding the clothes in the gap 152.

[0053] In an aspect, width of gap 152 between the cleaning arms can be varied according to thickness of clothes to be cleaned in such a fashion that the front side and backside surfaces of the clothes are in contact with cleaning arms while allowing the cleaning arms to move along the surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, this can be done by appropriate railings and latches configured on the cleaning arms. In another exemplary embodiment, appropriate sensors and actuators etc. can be configured on the cleaning arms for automatically varying the gap to meet the requirement of the contact for cleaning operation to take place.

[0054] In an aspect, each of the brushing/dusting zone 104, vacuum/suction zone 106 and water/air/steam spraying zone 108 can be configured in a housing/ container of tubular shape, the tube being of rectangular or circular cross section. The housing/container/tube further holding implements to carry out functional tasks associated with the respective zones.

[0055] In an aspect, housing/container/tube in brushing/dusting zone 104 can include strips of brushing material 1 14 fixed along length of the housing/container/tube. The tube can be connected to a motor that can provide a half forward and half backward (oscillatory) rotation to the strips of brushing material 114, thereby creating a brushing effect on clothes .

[0056] In another aspect, brushing/dusting zone 104 can also include nozzles 1 16 configured in series lengthwise along the rectangular container / hollow tube in such a fashion that small bursts of air emitted by them take away any dust etc. from clothes / brushed by brushing material 1 14. As illustrated in FIG. 3, appropriate tubing 312 and air blower with vacuum 318 can be used to create these bursts of air. [0057] In another aspect, housing/container/tube in vacuum/suction zone 106 can have a plurality of nozzles 1 18 welded / screwed in series along housing/container/tube in in such a fashion that a sucking force created by them can help in removing any dust, water or detergent solution from clothes. As illustrated in FIG. 3, appropriate tubing 312 and air blower with vacuum 318 can be used to create the sucking force.

[0058] In an aspect, housing/container/tube in water/air/steam spraying zone 108 can have a plurality of spray nozzles 120 welded / screwed in series along the housing/container/tube in such a fashion that water/air/steam emitted from them can impinge on clothes . As illustrated in FIG. 3, water/air/steam as required can be delivered to nozzles 120 using appropriate tubing 312 and steam generator 314, water pump 316 and air blower with vacuum 318.

[0059] In another aspect, hot rolling zone 110 can include a hollow tube that can be heated from inside by means of a heating element. The tube can be configured as a free roller that can roll on clothes , after the clothes has been washed and dried. This can even out any wrinkles/uneven surfaces of the cloth.

[0060] In an aspect, hot rolling zone 110 can be configured with mechanism to enable moving the hollow tube/ roller towards the stretched clothes or away from it depending on requirement of ironing. This can be enabled by providing linear actuators in the hot rolling zone l lO.Necessary control signals to move the hollow tube/ roller can be provided to the actuators as part of washing cycle selected by a user.

[0061] In another aspect, spot cleaning zone 122 can do extensive cleaning on extra dirty spots on clothes that may require special cleaning, such as requiring concentrated stain removers or extra strong treatment than rest of the clothes. Spot cleaning zone 122 can have a series of nozzles 126 and brushes 128. It can be configured with a linear motor (not shown) to move it horizontally using a horizontal linear guide 124. Further, up and down movement of the arm coupled with horizontal movement of implements of the spot cleaning zone 122 can be positioned at a desired position to enable cleaning at any spot on the stretched clothes. Thus, while other cleaning zones have movement only in vertical direction, spot cleaning zone 122 can move in vertical axis as well as horizontal direction (presuming that the clothes are stretched in a vertical plane and the cleaning arm is configured for vertical movement). Necessary control signals can be provided to the linear motor and a vertical movement assembly (elaborated later) to position the spot cleaning zone 122 exactlyopposite a spot of clothes that needs extra strong cleaning. [0062] In an aspect, nozzles 126 in spot cleaning zone 122 can be configured to spray extra strong detergents/ stain removers etc. over an extra dirty spot, after spot cleaning zone 122 is positioned on the spot. Spot cleaning zone can also be moved short distances along X axis as well as Y axis several times in order thatbrushesl28 provided therein to do a deep scrubbing action to the spot, while nozzles 126 spray the spot with extra strong detergents/stain remover solutions.

[0063] In another exemplary embodiment, spot cleaning zone 122 can be provided with rotary or an oscillatory motion after it is positioned against the spot requiring extra strong cleaning to provide strong brushing action to the spot for thorough cleaning.

[0064] In exemplary embodiments, spot cleaning zone 122 can be positioned at desired spot by providing X and Y coordinates of spots requiring special cleaning to control panel of the machine before initiating a clean cycle. Such coordinates may be marked on the frame used for stretching the clothes after the clothes have been positioned thereon. Alternatively, the coordinates may be determined by stretching the clothes over a grid that can be provided by manufacturer of the machine. At appropriate time during the clean cycle, controlpanel can use such coordinates to position spot cleaning zone 122 in front of spot requiring special cleaning and carry out spot cleaning. In another exemplary embodiment, a joystick can be provided on control panel of the machine to manually position spot cleaning zone 122 against a desired spot. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the machine can be configured with sensors that can detect such spots automatically and feed their coordinates to controls of the machine that can then position spot cleaning zone 122 accordingly. As can be appreciated, various means can be employed to position spot cleaning zone 122 and then perform strong cleaning on extra dirty spots. All such means and embodiments form part of the present disclosure.

[0065] In an aspect, water removal zone 130 can be configured to remove excess water from clothes after cleaning operations. FIGs. IB and 1C illustrate cross-sectional views of water removal zone 130 showingvarious components that constitute the water removal zone. As shown, zone 130 can include roller 130-1 which is a water/fluid absorbing material such as PVA sponge, Chamois leather and the like. 130-1 is attached/glued to shaft 130-2. 130-1 is pressed to the clothes firmly and rolled over to remove excess water/fluid from clothes.

Roller 130-2can be attached, for instance, to an appropriate motor that can in turn be controlled by a controller according to programmed instructions given to the proposed invention. [0066] As can be appreciated, another water removal zone 130 can be configured on the opposite side of clothes in the facing cleaning arm. As two rollers 130-1 roll over clothes from opposite sides, the clothes can be squeezed and water brought out. This squeezing and consequent wringing out of the water can be done throughout the length of the clothes as the cleaning arms move up and down the clothes held between them.

[0067] In another aspect, a squeezer roller 130-3 can be held tightly pressed against the absorber roller 130-1 so that it squeezes out water absorbed by roller 130-1 thereby keeping roller 130-1 sufficiently dry for taking off more water/ moisture fromclothes . Squeezer roller 130-3 can be made of plastic/steel so as not to retain any water itself.

[0068] In another exemplary embodiment, roller 130-3 can be fitted with appropriate motors to drive the roller 130-3 as well as absorber roller 130-1

[0069] In another aspect, more than one absorber rollers or squeezer rollers can be configured and made operational as illustrated in FIG. 1C which illustrates an alternate configuration for zone 130. As illustrated therein, two or more water absorber rollers such as 130-1-1 and 130-1-2 can be configured so as to increase overall water absorption capacity and squeezer roller 130-3 can be configured as illustrated to remove moisture /water absorbed by them.

[0070] In an aspect, heating zone 132 can have various components as illustrated in FIG. ID. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating zone 132 can have a sheet metal enclosure 132-1 enclosing a heat source 132-6. Heat source 132-6 can be, for instance, infra-red heating tubes or electric heating coils that can be configured in the center of the metal enclosure 132- 1 as shown. An arrangement of Air/steam passage coil 132-2 can even be embedded with sides of sheet metal enclosure 132-1 for better heat retention and transmission.

[0071] A heat absorbing plate 132-4 can be configured in enclosure 132-1 and can be held firmly against clothes using, for instance, springs 132-3 as shown therein. Air/ steam passage tubes 132-2 can be used to force air/steam through plate 132-4 and can be made to pass through clothes. Steam spray aids in dew inkling tough wrinkles and dry air aids in releasing trapped moisture in within the heated cloth surface. Surface of plate 132-4 can have soft material /heat containing material that helps in even and gentle distribution of heat to the clothes without damaging delicate fabrics.

[0072] In an alternate exemplary embodiment, tubes 132-2 can as well be configured to pass steam/dry air through nozzles directed with force towards the cloth surface depending upon function required. Dry air will aids in quickening of drying process done by ironing. For instance, combination of steam and movement of hot plate 132-4 may be used for ironing a clothes held in the machine.

[0073] In an aspect, washer/cleaning zone 134 can include a series of round brushes 136 as illustrated in FIG. IE. Brush 136 can include a plurality of bristles 136-1 and nozzles 136- 3. Bristles 136-1 can be made of silicon/nylon/plastic etc. Nozzles 136-3 can deliver water, steam, detergent, air or any combination of those depending upon clean cycle of clothes .The plurality of brushes are rotated simultaneously in clockwise and anticlockwise direction on both sides of the clothes.

[0074] Brush 136 can further include high density stain removing balls at tips of bristles at various points on its surface, as illustrated at 136-1. As brushes 136 rotate, balls 136-1 can hit surface of clothes and remove the dirt thereon. It can be appreciated that using round balls to dislodge dirt causes less wear and tear of clothes as against using sharp tipped brushes for the purpose, while mechanical agitation of ball against fabric causes better removal of dirt from clothes.

[0075] In an aspect, brushes 136 can be rotated against clothes using individual motors or a configuration of gears, sprockets and chains etc. as appropriate wherein a single driver motor can be used. Direction of rotation viz clockwise or counterclockwise of the brushes can also be altered at specified intervals and similarly, their RPM can be varied. Also each can have independent motors to control each rotation when it is required.

[0076] In an alternate exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. IF, washer/cleaning zone 134 can include a cylindrical roller 136-4 configured with high density stain removing balls 136-3attached to the roller 136-4 through bristles on its surface. Cylinder 136-4 can be configured longitudinally in a cleaning arm so that balls 136-3 hits clothes surface as the cylinder 136-4 is rotated, thereby loosening dirt or removing stains from the clothes. The cylindrical roller will be semi submerged in water using container which is similar to 137-4 (refer to FIG. 1G) and may contain water/ other liquid for washing.

[0077] FIG.1G shows an exemplary sectional view of hitting zone 137 that includes hitting flaps at that on being rotated hit clothes as illustrated therein. In another aspect, the hitting flaps can be configured on a shaft 137-1 and can include flexible sheet 137-2 having an edge 137-3 of high density material that can be stuffed /stitched/ fused at end of sheet 137- 2. In exemplary embodiments, edge 137-3 can include long cylindrical rubber/other material tube/small balls/or any other materials with varying cross sections.

[0078] In an aspect, hitting zone 137can be used during washing, de-wrinkling & drying cycles. The hitting zone can be placed very close to stretched clothes (shown as 138 in FIG. 1G) so that when flexible sheets 137-2 rotate, hard edgesl37-3 hit the clothes continuously thereby causing hard dirt to loosen and fall from the clothes.

[0079] In another aspect, hitting zone 137 can further include a container 137-4 as illustrated in FIG. 1G below shaft 137-1 so that sheets 137-2 pass through the container as they rotate. Container 137-4 can be filled with water / washing liquid that can be carried and impinged with force upon clothes 138 by sheets 137-2 as they rotate. The combination of mechanical and hydraulic impact can force dirt and stains in clothes 138 allowing them to loosen up and wash away.

[0080] In another aspect, hitting process in hitting zone 137 can also be used to remove wrinkles in a clothes during de-wrinkling process Or during drying when the zone 137 can beat out trapped moisture/water particles and thereby help in quicker drying of clothes.

[0081] FIG. 1H illustrates top view of two such cleaning arms showing gap between them that accommodates clothes to be cleaned, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, clothes can be held in gap 152 between two cleaning arms as shown in FIG. 1H, using a clothes loading frame 160(described in succeeding paragraphs). In this fashion, various cleaning processes using various zones as described above can be carried out on both front and back surfaces/ sides of clothes.

[0082] In an aspect, cleaning arms can be configured within a cleaning chamber 300 (refer to FIG. 3) and move vertically up and down within the cleaning chamber using a vertical guide operatively connected to corresponding cleaning arm holder. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. lHvertical guide 156a can be operatively connected to cleaning arm holder 112a of cleaning arm 154 to move cleaning arm 154 up and down. Likewise, vertical guide 156b can be operatively connected to cleaning arm holder 1 12b of cleaning arm 158 to move cleaning arm 158 up and down. In an exemplary embodiment, a vertical guide can have a linear motor configured to move in a vertical groove in the vertical guide. This linear motor can in turn be connected to cleaning arm holder of a cleaning arm and thereby, the cleaning arm can be moved up and down.

[0083] In another exemplary embodiment, a pair of cleaning arms can be configured to move up and down in tandem, using only one vertical guide operatively connected to the corresponding cleaning arm holders of both the cleaning arms.

[0084] In an aspect, zones of cleaning arm as described above can receive inputs of water, detergent solution, air, steam and vacuum as required using water pump, steam generator and air blower cum vacuum as shown in FIG. 3. These components can be appropriately sized and selected based upon various parameters required such as (but not limited to), pressure, size of cleaning arm, clothes to be cleaned etc.

[0085] In another aspect, these components can be placed in a components chamber 320 configured at bottom of cleaning chamber 300 (as shown in FIG.3)and piping as required can be run from these devices to corresponding zones of cleaning arms, considering up and down movement of cleaning arms on vertical guide(s).

[0086] In an aspect, the disclosed cleaning arm can further include a squashing zone (not shown in FIG. 1A). the squashing zone can be used for cleaning clothes by inducing squashing effect using water or any other cleaning agent, on both surfaces of clothes. FIG. llto IK illustrate various exemplary views of the squashing zone in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown therein,a container 170-3 of a squashing zone contains water and two of them, configured in cleaning arm positioned on either side of clothes 180, are held pressed to opposing surfaces of clothes 180(refer FIG. IK) so that leakage of water during traverse movement over clothes surface of the cleaning arm is minimum. Water enters from 170-7 (FIG. 1J) and it is maintained to a required level through a water level sensor located close to the water inlet. A plurality of connecting rods 170-4 are connected to a rotating shaft 170-1. The plurality of connecting rods 170-4 are in turn connected, through flexible connectors 170-5, to plurality of diaphragms 170-2 made of flexible material, the shaft 170-1 is supported on a support bearing blockl 70-6. When shaft 170-1 is rotated using a motor, the flexible diaphragm moves up and down which creates a pressure forces in the water contained in container 170-3. This creates the squashing effect in water which is held to the surface of the garment on both sides. This effect helps in cleaning heavy dirt from the clothes. A flexible fluid sealant 170-8 is fixed on the edge of the zone and helps in maintaining water by preventing excess leakage. In addition, water level in the container 170-2, is kept at 50-70% of its full capacity to allow squashing without pressure on the edges of the zone. However, despite sealing, some water drips down from the clothes and also from the gaps in the zone, and dripping water is reused by filtering appropriately throughout the washing cycle.

[0087] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate details of a clothes loading frame, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] In an aspect, a clothes loading frame (shown as 160 in FIG. 1H) can comprise rods 210a, 210b and 208b in a U shaped configuration, distance between rod 210a and 210b being more than width of the cleaning arms. Rod 208b can be fixed on bottom panel of cleaning chamber 300 in such a fashion that clothes stretched between 210a and 210b are aligned to and held in gap 152 between two cleaning arms facing each other, gap 152 being as illustrated in FIG. 1H. In another aspect, the clothes can be hung at such a height in the clothes frame using a height adjustable rod 208a that it is fully cleaned by the two cleaning arms as they move up and down their vertical guides. The height of rod 208acan be adjusted to accommodate clothes of different sizes.

[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, rods 210a and 210b can have holes at different height and rod 208a can have hooks at its two ends that can engage with holes in 210a and 210b in order to affix rod208a at different height in the clothes loading frame.

[0090] In an aspect, clothes can be hung on rod 208a using a hanger 206 Theclothes can be stretched between rods 210a and 210b using clipping assemblies. A clipping assembly can comprise two clips 204 holding an elastic string 202 as shown. One clip can be attached to the clothes and the other attached to one of rods 208a, 210a and 210b in such a fashion that elastic string 202 is stretched and hence keeps corresponding area of the clothes to which the clipping assembly is attached, also stretched. A plurality of clipping assemblies can be used in a similar fashion so as to fully stretch the clothes. Clipping assemblies may also be used along with rod 208b to stretch the clothes in downward direction.

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 2A and 2B, a shirt or a pant can be accordingly loaded in a clothes loading frame.

[0092] FIG. 2C illustrates how small clothes can be loaded in a clothes loading frame. As illustrated, two additional horizontal rods 212 and 214 can be held across rods 210a and 210b and clothes held stretched across rods 208a,210a, 210b, 212and 214 as illustrated. Still smaller clothes can first be clipped together and then stretched similarly.

[0093] In another embodiment, clothes loading frame can be a removable structure similar to above, that can be loaded with clothes and then fixed either in top panel or bottom panel of cleaning chamber 300 using suitable mounting arrangements such that clothes loaded therein are aligned with and held in gap 152 so that the cleaning arms fully clean the clothes as they move up and down their vertical guides.

[0094] It can be readily appreciated multiple clothes loading arrangements are possible of which those described here are only some exemplary embodiments. All such arrangements to enable clothes to be stretched and then held in stretched condition in a plane can be used and are part of the present disclosure.

[0095] As can readily be understood, a cleaning chamber can be designed to have a plurality of cleaning arms and, likewise, a plurality of clothes loading frames and corresponding holding arrangements in chamber 300 in order to clean many clothes at a time, upto its designed capacity. This is further illustrated in FIG 5. Further, as can be appreciated, gap 152 between cleaning arms should be sufficient so as not to dislodge the clipping assemblies.

[0096] FIG. 3 illustrates a clothes cleaning machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] In an aspect, the cleaning arms can move vertically up and down with clothes 322 held in the gap between them using a clothes loading frame. In an exemplary embodiment, cleaning arms can be provided such motion by means of a vertical movement assembly (not shown) that can be operatively configured in vertical guide 156a and in vertical guide 156bto move corresponding cleaning arms vertically up and down, as elaborated above.

[0098] In an aspect, various zones of cleaning arms as described above can receive inputs of water, detergent solution, air, steam and vacuum as required from steam generator 314, water pump 316 and air blower with vacuum 318 as shown in FIG. 3.These components can be appropriately sized and selected based upon various parameters required such as (but not limited to), pressure, size of cleaning arm etc.

[0099] In another aspect, these components can be placed at bottom of cleaning chamber300 in a components chamber 320. Piping 312 as appropriate can be run from the components to various zones of cleaning arm as required, considering up and down movement of the cleaning arm on the vertical guide.

[00100] In another aspect, cleaning process in invention disclosed can be achieved by means of cleaning arms moving up and down clothes 322 to be cleaned using vertical guide(s), the clothes being held between two cleaning arms by means of a clothes loading frame, as elaborated in FIG. 2 above. As illustrated in FIG. 3, clothes 322 is held stretched out vertically and rigid in clothes loading frame using hanger 206, and clip assemblies comprising clips 204 and string 202. The clothes loading frame can either be pre-fixed in chamber 300, or loaded therein and then held rigidly at appropriate place using any holding means, as elaborated above.

[00101] As the cleaning process starts, the two cleaning arms can move up from their default resting place in lower portion of cleaning chamber 300 so that the clothes 322 held in the clothes loading frame comes in the gap between them.

[00102] In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning arms can move up till they reach upper portion of clothes 322. The cleaning process can start with cleaning arms on upper portion of cloth, and, as the cleaning arms move, lower portion of clothes can get cleaned. User can select from various types of cleaning processes that can include, in an exemplary embodiment, wet washing, dry washing and steam washing. Spot cleaning can also be done, as described above.

[00103] In an aspect, cleaning chamber 300 can have a touch panel to control various operational aspects of the machine. Such aspects can include, but are not limited to, speed of cleaning arms in their vertical up and down movement, holding of the cleaning arms in determined positions for determined lengths of time, vacuum pressure, water/air/steam pressure, water temperature, air temperature, soaking time, drying time, operation of hot rolling zone, operation of spot cleaning zone etc.

[00104] In another aspect, the disclosed machine can be configured to operate a plurality of cleaning cycles that can be selected by a user using the touch panel, depending upon clothes to be cleaned. Instructions as per clean cycle can be executed using microprocessor based controllers, actuators and sensors etc. well known in the art that can in turn drive vertical movement assembly (and consequently cleaning arms), steam generator, water pump and air blower with vacuum.

[00105] In an exemplary embodiment, a water wash cycle can be performed using the disclosed machine. In this cycle, a pair of cleaning arms can spray detergent solution evenly on clothes (on both its front and back side) using water /air/steam zone and then the clothes can be left to soak in the detergent solution for pre-determined time. Thereafter, the cleaning arms can start cleaning from top of the cloth, water being sprayed from water /air/steam zone in each arm and the arms can move up/down evenly covering full length of cloth.

[00106] In another aspect, after water spray is complete, vacuum/suction zone in the cleaning arms can be activated and again they can be made to move up and down the clothes in order to suck out any excess water from it. In tandem, water /air/steam zone can spray hot air to dry the clothes. In an aspect, hot air can be sprayed after the vacuuming step is over.

[00107] In another exemplary embodiment, a dry clean cycle can be performed using the disclosed machine. In this cleaning process, soaking and washing process can be skipped and cleaning arms can instead blast pressurized air into the clothes using water/air/steam zone. Next, vacuum/suction zone can remove any remaining dust particles.

[00108] In another exemplary embodiment, a steam clean cycle can also be enabled in the disclosed machine. In this washing process, soaking and washing process can be skipped and cleaning arms can instead spray pressurized steam onto the cloth, using certain water/air/steam zone. Pressurized steam can loosen wet dirt/dust from the clothes. In tandem, pressurized air can be blasted using some other nozzle of water/air/steam zone to dislocate wet dirt from the cloth' s surface. Finally, vacuuming can be done using vacuum/suction zone to remove any remaining dust particles and moisture from the cloth.

[00109] As can be readily appreciated, a plurality of wash cycles and their combinations are possible using the disclosed machine and all such combinations are within scope of the present disclosure.

[00110] While FIG. 3 shows only some exemplary zones of a cleaning arm viz brushing/ dusting zone 104, vacuum/suction zone 106, water/steam/air spraying zone 108, hot rolling zone 110 and spot cleaning zone 122, it can readily be appreciated that more zones such as water removal zone 130, heating zone 132, washing /cleaning zone 134 and hitting zone 137 can be readily configured on the cleaning arm. All such zones can be configured in any sequence, combination and number. All such embodiments and implementations are fully within scope of the present disclosure.

[00111] In an aspect, the disclosed machine solves problem of crushing/twisting/tangling of the clothes that takes place in conventional machines based on washing drum technology since during cleaning the clothes are stretched out in their original wearable shape and do not tangles with each other. Thus, clothes do not experience high pressures thereby increasing their lifetime and maintaining their quality.

[00112] In another aspect, since clothes do not experience any crushing, their ironing requirements is minimal. Further, the disclosed machine also includes a set of hot rods/blocks in hot rolling zone that can be rolled on both sides of the clothes stretched out in the clothes loading frame to further smooth eths surface of the clothes. Therefore, ironing may be needs only in some cases. For example, ironing may not be required at all when dry clean cycle is used. In such cases, hot rolling zone need not engage with the clothes at all.

[00113] In yet another aspect, the disclosed machine allows for quick drying of clothes by using vacuum to suck all the water/moisture and then blowing dry hot air through / over them for further drying.

[00114] In another aspect, the disclosed machine uses much less waterin comparison to conventional washing machines based on drum technologies. Consequently, time and energy consumption is also less.

[00115] FIG. 4 illustrates top view of a cleaning machine with a single pair of cleaning arms, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure

[00116] As illustrated, a cleaning machine can comprise loading doors 402 that enable a clothes to be loaded into cleaning chamber 300 configured with at least a pair of cleaning arms 154 and 158 with cleaning zones and other details as elaborated above. [00117] In an aspect, operation of the disclosed machine can be controlled via programmable microprocessor based controllers that can operate various cleaning arms, vertical movement assembly and other components as elaborated herein while cleaning the cloth.

[00118] In another aspect, clothes can be hung over on a horizontal guide rail (not shown) after stretching it over a clothes loading frame 160, loading doors 402 closed and a clean cycle started by user 404.

[00119] In an aspect, the horizontal guide rail can next position the clothes loading framel60 loaded with clothes, at its appropriate position in cleaning chamber 300 by means of pre-programmed instructions in such a fashion that the clothes are aligned and held in the gap 152 in between two opposing cleaning arms 154 and 158. Cleaning arms 154 and 158 can be, at starting stage of cleaning cycle, placed in lower portion of cleaning chamber 300 (being their default resting position).

[00120] Using pre-programmed instructions, cleaning arms 154 and 158 can next be moved up and down over the clothes using vertical movement assembly and vertical guide(s) so that the clothes are cleaned using the various zones on the arms. Instructions for up and down movement of cleaning arms as well as operation of different zones can be preprogrammed in machine in accordance with clean cycle.

[00121] As can readily be understood, a cleaning chamber can be designed to have a plurality of cleaning arms and, likewise, a plurality of clothes loading frames in order to clean more clothes at a time. This is further illustrated in FIG 5.

[00122] FIG. 5 illustrates an automated Laundromat that can be configured using the disclosed concept of laundering clothes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00123] In an aspect, an automated Laundromat using the disclosed concept can include a loading section 502, a soaking section 504, a cleaning section 506 and a storage section 508.

[00124] In another aspect, at least one horizontal guide rail (not shown) can traverse all these sections. The horizontal guide rail can be configured with a linear travel mechanism in such a fashion that a clothes loading frame loaded with clothes can travel sequentially through loading section 502, soaking section 504, cleaning section 506 and storage section 508. Such travel of clothes loading frame can be achieved by means, for example, of rollers configured in the horizontal guide rail that move according to pre-programmed instructions. As can be understood, the Laundromat's capacity in terms of number of clothes it can clean in one cleaning cycle can be as per that of pairs of cleaning arms configured in cleaning section 506.

[00125] In another aspect, operation of the disclosed machine can be controlled via programmable microprocessor based controllers that can accordingly drive various actuators, cleaning arm zones, vertical movement assembly and other components as elaborated herein while transporting clothes to be cleaned from one section of the washing machine to another.

[00126] In an aspect, clothes can be loaded in clothes loading frames as described against in FIG. 2 and then loaded onto the horizontal guide rail in loading section 502 using hangers provided in each clothes loading frame. Thereafter, door of loading section 502 can be closed and machine operations started.

[00127] In an aspect, after clothes have been loaded in loading section 502, door of loading section 502 closed and cleaning cycle selected by user started, the clothes can be transferred automatically to soaking section 504 for a soaking cycle to be performed on them. For the purpose horizontal guide rail can position clothes loading frames at their appropriate positions in soaking section 504 by means of pre-programmed instructions of cycle selected by user.

[00128] In another aspect, soaking section 504 can soak clothes in one or a combination of steam, water and detergent solution by means of appropriate nozzles. The nozzles can be fed any of steam, water and detergent solution per pre-programmed instructions of cycle selected by user. In yet another aspect, soaking section 504 can soak clothes in appropriate fluid for time as per pre-programmed instructions of cycle selected by user. This time can be termed as soaking time. In another aspect, if the clean cycle requires only dry or steam wash, Laundromat can skip this step of the process.

[00129] Once soaking time is over, the frame can be moved automatically from the soaking section 504 to cleaning section 506 for a cleaning cycle to be performed on them. For the purpose horizontal guide rail can position clothes loading frames at their appropriate positions in cleaning section 506 by means of pre-programmed instructions in such a fashion that each clothes is situated between the gap between two cleaning arms. In an aspect cleaning section 506 can be similar to cleaning chamber 300 described against FIG.3, with multiple pairs of cleaning arms as per the Laundromat's capacity. Any other suitable means to hold/.affix the clothes holding frames with clothes loaded in them can similarly be deployed.

[00130] Using pre-programmed instructions, cleaning arms of cleaning section 506 can next be moved up and down over clothes using vertical movement assembly and vertical guide rail(s) so that the clothes is cleaned using the various zones configured on the cleaning arms. Various instructions for up and down movement of cleaning arms as well as operation of different zones can be pre-programmed in the Laundromat, and may vary depending on cleaning cycle selected by user.

[00131] Once cleaning cycle is over, cleaning arms can return to their default position in bottom portion of the cleaning section. The frame can be automatically moved to storage section 508 using horizontal guide rail and stored there.

[00132] In another exemplary embodiment, clothes stored in storage section 508can be further dried by circulating hot air in storage section 508using, for example, ducts through which hot air can be circulated into storage section 508in accordance with pre-programmed instructions. In yet another aspect, user's favorite perfume can also be sprayed on clean clothes by configuring storage section 508 with appropriate nozzles.

[00133] While the disclosed clothes cleaning/washing machine has been described using an example of two cleaning arms with clothes in between, it can readily be appreciated that any number of cleaning arms, including one, can be used in machines configured appropriately. In a machine using one cleaning arm for example, first side of clothes can be cleaned first and then clothes turned over and its backside cleaned using the cleaning arm. All such embodiments are fully within scope of present disclosure.

[00134] Invention of the present disclosure has been elaborated using a vertical configuration of cleaning arms. However, it can readily be understood that cleaning arms can also be configured horizontally or at an angle if required, arranging other components appropriately. All such embodiments are fully within scope of present disclosure.

[00135] While invention of the present disclosure has been elaborated using an example of clothes to be cleaned, it can readily be understood that similar concepts and techniques can be applied to clean various other items such as metal sheets and leather hides and even floor surfaces and utensils with appropriate modifications. For example, utensils may be kept on a wire mesh and a cleaning arm configured to rotate around it so that the utensil is cleaned thoroughly. Likewise, while invention disclosed has been elaborated with a cleaning arm moving to clean a surface that is kept fixed ( such as a cloth), it can be readily understood that instead the cleaning arm may remain fixed while the surface (such as cloth) is moved instead over the cleaning arm in order to clean the surface. All such embodiments are fully within scope of present disclosure.

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES

[00136] Present disclosure provides a laundering machine that cleans and dries clothes in their original shape so that crumpling and distortion is minimized.

[00137] Present disclosure provides for a clothes washing machine that provides clothes in wearable condition without requirement of ironing.

[00138] Present disclosure provides a clothes washing machine that reduces overall time required for washing, drying and ironing.

[00139] Present disclosure provides a clothes washing machine that enables dry wash and steam wash when required so as to reduce water and detergent consumption when condition of clothes does not warrant these.

[00140] Present disclosure provides a clothes washing machine that maintains quality of the clothes for long period of time by using custom wash processes like water wash with different pressure and water temperature, dry wash with pressurized air and steam wash depending on condition of clothes and material.

[00141] Present disclosure provides for a clothes washing machine that reduces consumption of water, electricity and washing detergents.