Ozone Laundry Systems

Abstract

Ozone laundry systems are disclosed. In one system, a tunnel washer system generates ozone and dissolves the ozone in water at various stages of the tunnel washer, such as with a Venturi injector. The ozonated water may be stored and recirculated / re-ozonated to ensure that a desired level of dissolved ozone is present in any water delivered to the various zones of the tunnel washer. The ozonated water provides maximum cleaning efficiency and effectiveness at cooler water temperatures, saving water and energy costs. In some systems, controlled safe application of gaseous and / or dissolved ozone may be made to laundry in a washer. Ozone levels may be monitored and precisely controlled. The application of ozone using some embodiments allows the ozone to treat materials and articles of clothing such as jeans to achieve a desired look and feel, such as an appearance of having been worn.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 917,560 filed May 11, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 917,566, filed May 11, 2007.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to laundering systems using ozone, and more particularly to tunnel washing using multiple-stage ozonated water and to laundering systems for applying gaseous ozone to fabrics.[0003]2. Background and Related Art[0004]Ozone is a naturally-occurring gaseous component of fresh air and is one of the most powerful known disinfectants and oxidizers. Ozone is created naturally by lightning strikes and may be created artificially by passing electricity through oxygen molecules that consist of two oxygen atoms. The lightning or electricity splits oxygen molecules into two free oxygen atoms that combine with other nearby oxygen molecules to form ozone. The third atom of oxygen makes ozone very ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Implementation of the invention provides tunnel washer systems that generate ozone and dissolve the ozone in water at various stages of the tunnel washer(s). The ozonated water may be stored and re-circulated / re-ozonated to ensure that a proper level of dissolved ozone is present in any water delivered to the various zones of the tunnel washer. Ozone is dissolved in the water using a Venturi injector. Ozonated water may be delivered to multiple stages of the tunnel washer to ensure maximum cleaning efficiency and effectiveness, and the multiple stages may include a pre-wash zone, a wash zone, and a rinse zone. Water from at least the rinse zone may be recycled, filtered, and re-ozonated for use in one or more of the other zones. The ozonated water allows for improved faster washing at cooler water temperatures, saving water and energy costs and improving the wash results.

[0007]Further implementation of the invention provides ozone washing systems that provide for the controlled safe application of gaseous ozone to laundry in a washer. A negative air pressure or vacuum is applied to the washer through an ozone destruct unit to draw ozone through the washer from an ozone generator and to reduce inadvertent ozone leaks from the system. The ozone levels at various locations may be monitored and ozone generation and application may be controlled in response to the detected ozone concentrations, levels, and flow rates. In some embodiments, ozone may be destroyed / removed / reduced at the end of a treatment cycle by various processes in addition to the use of the ozone destruct unit, including the application of gaseous nitrogen as a flushing agent. The application of gaseous ozone using the inventive systems allow the ozone to treat materials and articles of clothing such as jeans to achieve a desired look and feel, such as an appearance of having been worn, by interacting with the fibers of the materials and articles of clothing.

Problems solved by technology

The third atom of oxygen makes ozone very unstable and makes it a powerful cleaning and oxidizing agent.

However, there have been some difficulties in using ozone as a cleaning agent.

First, there have been difficulties in delivering the ozone to the laundry system in a way that it will be most effective.

Second, there have been difficulties in obtaining and maintaining ozone concentrations at an ideal level throughout a wash system such as a commercial washer, including a commercial tunnel washer.

Third, there have been difficulties in preventing unwanted side effects of ozone use, such as increased equipment wear and the unwanted release of excess ozone.

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