Title:
DRY CLEANING PROCESS AND SYSTEM USING JET AGITATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/053838
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A dry-cleaning process for cleaning articles disposed in a cleaning chamber having jet inflow ports, using carbon dioxide (CO¿2?) from first and second storage tanks, the process including the steps of compressing gaseous CO¿2? into the first storage tank to cause a positive pressure differential between the first storage tank and the cleaning chamber, filling the cleaning chamber with liquid carbon dioxide by enabling CO¿2? flow from the first storage tank to the cleaning chamber in response to the positive pressure differential, alternately compressing gaseous CO¿2? into the first or second storage tanks to cause a pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks, and flowing liquid CO¿2? between the first and second storage tanks, via the jet ports and through the cleaning chamber, in response to the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks, to provide jet agitation in the cleaning chamber and a periodically continuous flow of liquid CO¿2? through the cleaning chamber.
Inventors:
CARR ROBERT B
Application Number:
PCT/IB2000/000443
Publication Date:
September 14, 2000
Filing Date:
March 03, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
SAIL STAR LIMITED (CN)
International Classes:
D06L1/00; (IPC1-7): D06L/
Foreign References:
| US5412958A | 1995-05-09 | |||
| US5267455A | 1993-12-07 | |||
| CN1179490A | 1998-04-22 | |||
| CN1119684A | 1996-04-03 | |||
| CN1184178A | 1998-06-10 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1165876A2
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
NTD PATENT & TRADEMARK AGENCY LIMITED (10th floor Block A, Investment Plaz, 27 Jinrongdajie Beijing 2, CN)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
| 1. | A drycleaning process for cleaning articles dispose in a cleaning chamber having jet inflow ports, using carbon dioxide (CO2) from first and second storage tanks, the process comprising the steps of: compressing gaseous C02 into the first storage tank to cause a positive pressure differential between the first storage tank and the cleaning chamber; filling said cleaning chamber with liquid carbon dioxide by enabling C02 flow from the first storage tank to the cleaning chamber in response to said positive pressure differential; alternately compressing gaseous CO2 into the first or second storage tanks to cause a pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks; and flowing liquid C02 between the first and second storage tanks, via said jet ports and through said cleaning chamber, in response to the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks, to provide jet agitation in said cleaning chamber and a periodically continuous flow of liquid C02 through said cleaning chamber. |
| 2. | A process according to claim 1 wherein the step of flowing liquid C02 between said first and second storage tanks comprises alternately flowing said liquid C02 form said first storage tank to said second storage tank and from said second storage tank to said first storage tank, respectively. |
| 3. | A process according to claim 1 wherein said jet ports comprise first and second jet ports and wherein the step of flowing liquid C02 between said first and second storage tanks comprises alternately flowing said liquid C02 into said cleaning chamber via said first and second jet ports, respectively. |
| 4. | A process according to claim 3 wherein flowing said liquid CO2 via said first jet ports comprises flowing said liquid CO2 in a direction which causes substantially clockwise agitation in said cleaning chamber and wherein flowing said liquid C02 via said second jet ports comprises flowing said liquid C02 in a direction which causes substantially counterclockwise agitation in said cleaning chamber. |
| 5. | A process according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: compressing gaseous C02 into the cleaning chamber to cause a negative pressure differential between either the first or second storage tanks and the cleaning chambrer; and draining said cleaning chamber by enabling C02 flow from the cleaning chamber into said first or second storage tank in response to said negative pressure differential. |
| 6. | A process according to claim 5 further comprising the steps of: drawing C02 vapor from the cleaning chamber; condensing the C02 vapor by compressing and cooling the C02 vapor; and returning the condense C02 vapor to the storage tank. |
| 7. | A process according to claim 6 wherein cooling the C02 vapor comprises passing the C02 vapor through a heat sink which collects heat from the CO2 vapor. |
| 8. | A process according to claim 5 further comprising the steps of: drawing C02 vapor from the cleaning chamber; heating the C02 vapor; and returning the heated C02 vapor to the cleaning chamber. |
| 9. | A process according to claim 8 wherein the step of heating the C02 vapor comprises passing the C02 vapor through a heat sink which transfers heat to the C02 vapor. |
| 10. | A process according to claim 7 further comprising the steps of: drawing C02 vapor from the cleaning chamber; heating the C02 vapor; and returning the heated C02 vapor to the cleaning chamber. |
| 11. | A process according to claim 10 wherein the step of heating the C02 vapor comprises passing the C02 vapor through said heat sink, whereby at least some of the heat collecte by the heat sink during the step of condensing the C02 vapor is transferred back to the C02 vapor during the step of heating the C02 vapor. |
| 12. | A drycleaning system for cleaning articles comprising: first and second storage tanks for storing carbon dioxide (C°2); a cleaning chamber having jet ports; and a compressor which causes a pressure differential between said first and second storage tanks sufficient to transport a predetermined amount of liquid C02 between said first and second storage tanks via said jet ports and through said cleaning chamber, to provide jet agitation in said cleaning chamber. |
| 13. | A system according to claim 12 wherein the compressor is capable of raising the pressure in either of said first and second storage tanks to at least 750 PSI. |
| 14. | A system according to claim 13 wherein the compressor is capable of raising the pressure in either of said first and second the storage tanks to about 900 PSI. |
| 15. | A system according to claim 12 wherein the compressor is capable of lowering the pressure in the cleaning chamber to less than 150 PSI. |
| 16. | A system according to claim 15 wherein the compressor is capable of lowering the pressure in the cleaning chamber to about 50 PSI. |
| 17. | A system according to claim 12 wherein the compressor comprises an oilless compressor. |
Description:
INTERNATIONALSEARCHREPORT International applicationNo. Informationonpatent family members PCT/IB00/00443 US5267455Dec.7,1993 W09401613 Jan.20,1994 AU4672593 Jan. 31,1994 EP0651831May.10,1995 JP7508904 Oct. 5, 1995 AU666037 Jan. 25,1996 EP0651831Nov.2,1995 BR9306717 Dec.8,1998 CN1119684Apr.3,1996 TW354340 Mar. 11,1999 KR 131842 Apr. 16,1998 EP0679753 Nov.2,1995 US5467492 Nov. 21,1995 JP8052297 Feb.27,1996 EP0679753 Mar.20,1996