Washing machine with ultraviolet protection cycle

Abstract

A controller for a washing machine includes a memory storing an ultraviolet protection wash cycle and another wash cycle, and a selector that selects one of the ultraviolet protection wash cycle and the another wash cycle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention is related to a washing machine. In particular, this invention is related to a washing machine with an ultraviolet protection cycle.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Protecting individuals from sunlight is important due to the harmful effects of sunlight on the skin and subcutaneous tissues. These effects may be experienced during, immediately after, and after prolonged and / or repeated exposure. Immediate exposure may cause reddening and a painful sunburn. Repeated exposure may cause premature aging of the skin and a loss of elastic quality.[0005]Medically, sunlight is a contributing factor to the development of diseases such as melanoma, squamous cell, and basal cell carcinomas. A common type of long term damage is basal cell carcinoma which, although seldom fatal, can be disfiguring and requires medical attention. Another somewhat less common disease resulting from sun exposure is squamous cell c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Fabrics have been designed which reduce ultraviolet radiation transmission. These fabrics may have a tightly woven fabric to reduce the transmission of ultraviolet radiation. In accordance with the recognition brought forth by the present invention that the process of washing these fabrics may loosen the weave of these fabrics and, as a result, reduce the effectiveness of these fabrics to block ultraviolet radiation, the present invention proposes a solution to a need to provide a washing cycle which better maintains the tightness of weave of these fabrics to reduce the gaps between the fibers and / or to actually improve the ability to block ultraviolet radiation transmission by filling the interstices between the weaves of fabrics.

[0009]Additionally, dyes and / or particles have been developed that increase the ultraviolet protection of fabrics. These materials may be applied during the manufacture of garments and / or applied by a consumer. Further, these materials may be applied during a washing cycle in a washing machine. In accordance with the recognition brought forth by the present invention that these materials may have degrading ultraviolet protection properties over time, may not be efficiently applied and / or may even have their ultraviolet protection properties degraded during a washing cycle in a washing machine, the present invention proposes a controller (such as, for example a control panel) for a washing machine with a storage that stores and ultraviolet protection cycle and another cycle and a selector which may select one of the ultraviolet protection cycle and another cycle. In this manner, a washing machine may be provided which may improve the ultraviolet protection properties of items being laundered.

[0010]An exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizes the characteristics of a household appliance (e.g., a washing machine) to provide improved ultraviolet protection to fabrics.

[0011]An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a washing machine with a controller that is programmed to provide an optimum temperature, cycle time, spin speed, and spin cycle patter, to achieve an improved ultraviolet protection to the items being laundered. Additionally, this controller avoids unnecessary wear on the laundered items during the washing cycle by providing a cycle length that is sufficient to ensure proper application of ultraviolet absorbers and / or optical fabrics but does not extend the length of the cycle longer than necessary to avoid unnecessary wear.

[0015]A conventional white cotton T-shirt may provide an ultraviolet protection factor of about 4 or 5. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may raise the ultraviolet protection factor of a white cotton T-shirt to about 15.

Problems solved by technology

Protecting individuals from sunlight is important due to the harmful effects of sunlight on the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

Immediate exposure may cause reddening and a painful sunburn.

Repeated exposure may cause premature aging of the skin and a loss of elastic quality.

A common type of long term damage is basal cell carcinoma which, although seldom fatal, can be disfiguring and requires medical attention.

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