Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Delicate Textiles

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for cleaning delicate textiles, comprising a motorized and rotating drum housed in a fluid tight basket, at least a water inlet and a fluid outlet, at least a first container for a first chemical composition, and a heating means. According to the invention, the first container is appropriate to contain a warm mixture of water and the said first chemical composition, the apparatus comprises at least a conduit cooperating with a circulating means for mixing and circulating the said warm mixture between said first container and said circulating means, a means for injecting or spraying said mixture into said drum and over dry textiles, said circulating means having an inlet for said warm mixture and at least an outlet cooperating with at least a first end of a conduit opening at its second end into the drum. The invention further relates to a method implemented by such an apparatus.

Description

BACKGROUND AND AREA OF THE ART[0001]The invention relates to cleaning or wet cleaning (water based) of delicate textiles or other items. In the meaning of the present invention the term “delicate textiles” refers to items which have a tendency to lose dye or color, crease, felt or shrink when cleaned or washed in water. In order to avoid damages many of the delicate textiles are conventionally dry cleaned.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]Two main types of textile cleaning are known: dry cleaning that relates to methods and apparatuses using non aqueous solvents; and wet cleaning using water as main component of the cleaning. In other words, dry cleaning relates to methods and systems that use non aqueous solvents whereas wet cleaning uses water as solvent.[0003]Dry cleaning is thus based on the use of chemical compositions as solvents, most commonly perchloroethylene which has been identified as a hazardous air and ground water pollutant (listed as such under the Clean Air Act by t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and inventive concept that overcomes the prior art problems and limitations. The present invention can advantageously be applied both in professional or household settings without any risks and / or disturbances.

[0029]More precisely, the warm mixture projected over the dry textiles enables an efficient cleaning of the textiles. Typically, at least more than half of the soils / impurities are solids such as dust and metal particles etc. Most of these impurities will be removed “right away”, just like brushing them off, in the spraying method. The remainder of the soil / impurities represents polar (water soluble stains like sugars, starch, food etc) and non polar type of stains (oil soluble) will be removed later in the cleaning cycle. The key is to obtain a quick coating of the garment fibers, in the first few seconds following the injection of the warm mixture into the drum. The coating will protect the textile fibers in the subsequent cleaning cycle.

[0032]Furthermore the washing fluid is continually recirculated around the textiles, before being extracted out of the drum. By recirculating said washing fluid, the need for mechanical action through drum rotation is reduced.

[0033]Such a recirculation will reduce the need for mechanical action during the cleaning or the later reconditioning steps, mainly because this enables the fluid to move around the textiles, avoiding them the mechanical action through drum rotation. The warm mixture and / or washing fluid moves around the textiles rather than the drum around the textiles. Thus the textile fibers are not damaged, they are preserved. The risk of dimensional changes to textiles or fibers is thus greatly reduced.

Problems solved by technology

While these alternatives may have lower toxicity levels than perchloroethylene-based cleaning, they are still comparatively more toxic and have lower cleaning power than water-based cleaning.

While non-aqueous solvent-based cleaning systems may be effective for removing oily soils and oily stains, they are not optimal for removing particulates such as clay soils or the more common water-soluble stains such as sugars, starch, protein etc.

Moreover, equipment for dry cleaning as well as other non-aqueous solvent based cleaning is typically more capital intensive than for wet cleaning.

It also compares unfavourably with regard to operating costs and specifically with regard to repair and maintenance costs due to the greater technical complexity and higher energy and water consumption.

Even if the quality of wet cleaning has improved since the early 1990s, modern wet cleaning compositions, methods and devices still cause damage to textiles in form of dimensional changes and color loss, especially after prolonged use.

In traditional water-based washing, dimensional changes (shrinkage) and color loss are the result of water penetrating into the cavities of the textile fibers.

During the drying process in a tumbler the evaporation of water creates pressure in the fiber cavities, thus resulting in damages to the fibers.

As a result, the cleaning results in existing wet cleaning systems are generally poor.

Known devices and methods are not able to handle delicate textiles or only to a limited extend.

Very sensitive items such as woolen jackets, silk ties, tight woven cashmere sweaters or high quality suits cannot be effectively wet-cleaned and subsequently tumbler dried in existing wet cleaning systems.

A prolonged use of traditional wet cleaning methods will lead to dimensional changes / shrinkage, surface damages and dye or colour loss.

The known devices do not allow for the subsequent drying of the garments after the washing cycle.

Typically, garments washed in existing wet cleaning systems need to be hanged to dry or dried in special drying cabinets, increasing the time and space requirement for processing the garments.

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