Fabric article treating device and system with anti-microbial agent

Abstract

A fabric article treating device includes an interior dispenser adapted for location inside of a fabric article drying appliance and a reservoir adapted to contain a benefit composition. The interior dispenser and the reservoir are adapted for fluid communication with one another. At least a portion of the reservoir is formed of a material comprising anti-microbial agent.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 568,771 entitled “Uniform Delivery of Compositions”, filed on May 6, 2004 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 842,926 entitled “Fabric Article Treating System and Method”, filed on May 11, 2004; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 839,549 entitled “Processes and Apparatuses for Applying a Benefit Composition to One or More Fabric Articles During a Fabric Enhancement Operation”, filed on May 5, 2004; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 762,152, entitled “Volatile Material Delivery Method”, filed on Jan. 21, 2004; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 697,736, entitled “Fabric Article Treating Method and Device Comprising a Heating Means”, filed on Oct. 29, 2003; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 697,734, entitled “Thermal Protection of Fabric Article Treating Device”, filed on Oct. 29, 2003; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 697,685,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about fabric article treating devices and systems. These devices and systems include a reservoir that has anti-microbial agent. The reservoir is located inside a fabric article drying appliance and is connected to an interior dispenser. The benefit composition is dispensed from the reservoir through the dispenser into the fabric article. The technical effect of this invention is that it provides a more effective and efficient way to treat fabric articles by delivering a benefit composition deeper into the fabric and reducing the risk of microbial contamination."

Problems solved by technology

One particular challenge presented in the delivery of fabric article actives in the fabric article drying environment is the effect of moisture or condensation and heat generated during the drying of the fabric articles.

This water vapor and subsequent condensation may be problematic especially on headspace surfaces such as lids or caps above the benefit composition.

The most problematic contaminants would be spore forming microorganisms, since they could actively increase in densities, form numerous more spores and result in further and complete microbial contamination of the reservoir, reservoir surfaces and condensation water.

As the condensation cools, or increases in size or volume, contaminated water droplets may fall back into the benefit composition, resulting in potential microbial insult to, not only the benefit composition, but also to the treated fabrics in the drying appliance during application of the benefit composition, and more importantly to the consumer who may be exposed to these contaminants via wearing the contaminated clothing or fabric items.

However, the spore-formers, in most cases, even under the hottest settings, would be resistant and could easily survive even these worse case drying conditions.

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