Non-aqueous washing apparatus and method

Abstract

Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods employed in the home for laundering clothing and fabrics. More particularly, it relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for home laundering of a fabric load using a wash liquor comprising a two-phase mixture of a substantially inert working fluid and at least one washing additive. As used herein, in the Specification and claims, the terms “substantially non-reactive” or “substantially inert” when used to describe a component of a wash liquor or washing fluid, means a non-solvent, non-detersive fluid that under ordinary or normal washing conditions, e.g. at pressures of −10 to 50 atmospheres and temperatures of from about 10 to about 45 C, does not appreciably react with the fibers of the fabric load being cleaned, the stains and soils on the fabric load, or the washing additives combined with the component to form the wash liquor. Home laundering of fabrics is usually performed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Another advantage provided by the present invention is that a dryer is not required, saving cost, energy and floor space.

A further advantage provided by the present invention is that the preferred apparatus does not employ a hard spin cycle and eliminates the need for a dryer so that home laundering methods and apparatus are provided which are less noisy.

Still another advantage provided by the present invention is that less sorting, transferring and handling of the fabric load is required by the homeowner.

A further advantage provided by the present invention is that home laundering in accordance with the invention is substantially non-wrinkling so that no ironing is needed.

Still another advantage provided by the present invention is that because the wash liquor is non-wetting to the fabric load, no hard spin cycle is required, which in turn permits a washer to be provided which does not need a suspension system, thereby reducing cost, weight and energy.

A further advantage provided by the present invention is that cleaning of wool, silk and linen in the home is provided for the first time.

Problems solved by technology

Although improvements in automatic washing machines and in cleaning agent formulations are steadily being made, as a general rule, conventional home laundering methods consume considerable amounts of water, energy and time.

Water-based methods are not suitable for some natural fiber fabrics, such as silks, woolens and linens, so that whole classes of garments and fabrics cannot be home laundered, but instead, must be sent out for professional dry cleaning.

The hard spin cycles tend to cause wrinkling which is not wanted.

Even after spinning, drying cycle times are undesirably long.

Non-aqueous washing methods employed outside the home are known, but for various reasons, these methods are not suitable for home use.

Accordingly these dry cleaning solvents cannot be used in the home.

Accordingly, their commercial use is problematic and use of these materials in the home is out of the question.

The high pressure conditions employed in the carbon dioxide methods would amount to placing a bomb in the home which is clearly unworkable.

Moreover, cleaning of electrical substrates is performed in high technology manufacturing facilities employing a multi-stage apparatus which is not readily adapted for home use.

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