Garment care equipment with a dressing room

Abstract

The present invention relates to a garment care device (100) having a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber (101) for receiving garments, a pump (111) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) and configured to pump fluid out of the garment chamber (101) during a pumping process, and a control device (123) for controlling the pump (111). The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) during a first step of the pumping process to pump washing liquid and air out of the garment chamber (101), thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment chamber (101) and compressing the garment chamber (101). The control device (123) is configured to fluidly release an air supply line (119) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) during a second step in the pumping process connected to the first step, to guide a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment chamber (101) and reduce residual moisture in the garments received in the garment chamber (101), wherein a partial vacuum in the garment chamber (101) is maintained by an activated pump (111) during the second step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a garment care device with a garment compartment. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional drum-type garment care equipment, a rotating garment drum is typically used to receive the clothes. By rotating the garment drum, the clothes received in the drum can be advantageously wetted with detergent during the washing phase. If the garment drum rotates at a high speed during the final spin-drying phase, the centrifugal force acting on the clothes causes the detergent bound to the clothes to be expelled from the clothes, thus advantageously reducing residual moisture in the clothes.

[0003] However, traditional tumbler garment care devices are relatively large, requiring significant installation space. Furthermore, their use is typically associated with high detergent and energy consumption. Additionally, the garment care process in traditional tumbler garment care devices usually takes a very long time.

[0004] A vacuum washing machine is disclosed in DE 26 50 509. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a garment care device in which a particularly resource-efficient garment care process can be achieved.

[0006] This task is solved by the subject matter having the features described in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a garment care device having a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber for receiving garments, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber and configured to pump fluid out of the garment chamber during a pumping process, and a control device for controlling the pump, characterized in that the control device is configured to activate the pump during a first step of the pumping process to pump detergent and air out of the garment chamber, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment chamber and compressing the garment chamber, and the control is configured to fluidly release the air supply line fluidly connected to the garment chamber during a second step after the first step of the pumping process to guide a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment chamber and reduce residual moisture in the garments received in the garment chamber, wherein the partial vacuum in the garment chamber is maintained by the activated pump during the second step.

[0008] Hereinafter, the garment care device disclosed herein is particularly a rollerless garment care device, that is, a garment care device that does not have a rotatable garment roller.

[0009] Therefore, a technical advantage achieved in the garment care apparatus according to this disclosure is that garments can be advantageously received in a flexible and fluidly sealed garment chamber. Furthermore, during the subsequent pumping process, after the garment care process, the washing liquid can be effectively pumped out of the garment chamber by a pump.

[0010] Because the garment compartment is fluid-tightly sealed, and the pump can deliver a mixture of detergent and air or just air in addition to detergent, a partial vacuum is created inside the garment compartment after the detergent is pumped out, thereby compressing the flexible garment compartment and squeezing the clothes received inside, thus effectively reducing the volume of the garment compartment.

[0011] If the air supply line is subsequently released via fluid technology, the partial vacuum present in the garment compartment will cause airflow into the garment compartment. However, the pump is kept running while air is supplied through the air supply line, so that a partial vacuum is maintained in the garment compartment despite the air supply.

[0012] Therefore, air flowing into the garment compartment through the air supply line is drawn in by the pump, thereby guiding a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment compartment. This airflow can advantageously separate fluid particles from the wet garments, thereby advantageously reducing residual moisture in the garments.

[0013] Therefore, the garment care device according to this disclosure can ensure a favorable garment dehumidification process, and the garment care device for this purpose does not need to have a rotating garment roller.

[0014] The garment care device according to this application is understood as a device for caring for garments, i.e., for washing and / or drying garments. In particular, such a garment care device is understood as a household garment care device, i.e., a garment care device used in a home-managed environment and for handling a household's amount of clothing.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment chamber has a first opening, which is fluidly connected to a pump, particularly via a first chamber line and a first pump line of the garment care device, wherein the garment care device, particularly the first chamber line, has a first valve configured to fluidly close the first opening in a closed position and fluidly release the first opening in a closed position, and / or the garment chamber has a second opening, which is fluidly connected to the pump, particularly via a second chamber line and a first pump line of the garment care device, wherein the garment care device, particularly the second chamber line, has a second valve configured to fluidly close the second opening in a closed position and fluidly release the second opening in a closed position, wherein the air supply line is fluidly connected to either the first or second opening.

[0016] Therefore, a technical advantage is achieved, namely, the pump can advantageously pump out the washing liquid and air from the garment compartment through the first and / or second opening, thereby providing a favorable partial vacuum within the garment compartment. Furthermore, a constant airflow can be advantageously guided through the garment compartment via an air supply line fluidly connected to the first or second opening.

[0017] The first opening is particularly located on the upper side of the clothing room away from the floor where the clothing care equipment is placed, and / or the second opening is particularly located on the lower side of the clothing room facing the floor where the clothing care equipment is placed.

[0018] When the washing liquid is pumped out through the second opening (which is particularly located on the underside of the garment compartment facing the floor where the garment care equipment is placed), gravity acting on the washing liquid supports the pumping process.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the control device is configured to switch the first valve and / or the second valve to the respective valve open position during a first step of the pumping process to release the first and / or the second opening in a fluid technique, thereby causing the activated pump to pump washing liquid and air out of the garment compartment through the first and / or the second opening.

[0020] Therefore, the technical advantage is achieved, namely, the washing liquid and air can be pumped out of the garment compartment in different ways depending on whether only the first opening or the second opening is released during the first step of the pumping process, or whether the first opening and the second opening are released in the first step of the pumping process.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, an air supply line is fluidically connected to a first or second opening, and the air supply line has a third valve configured to fluidly release the first or second opening in a valve open position and fluidly close the first or second opening in a valve closed position, wherein the control device is configured to switch the third valve to the valve open position during a second step of the pumping process to allow air to be supplied to the garment compartment through the air supply line and through the first or second opening during the second step of the pumping process.

[0022] The advantage of this technology is that it allows a favorable, constant airflow to be directed through the clothing received in the dressing room.

[0023] In particular, the air supply line is fluidically connected to the second opening, and the control device is configured to switch the third valve to the open position during the second step of the pumping process, so that air can be supplied to the garment compartment through the air supply line and through the second opening during the second step of the pumping process, wherein the first opening is fluidically released by switching the first valve to the open position, wherein the pump fluidly connected to the first opening is configured to draw air supplied to the garment compartment through the fluidly released second opening into the garment compartment to generate a large airflow, and to discharge the generated airflow from the garment compartment through the released first opening.

[0024] In particular, the air supply line is fluidically connected to the first opening, and the control device is configured to switch the third valve to the open position during the second step of the pumping process, so as to supply air to the garment compartment through the air supply line and the first opening during the second step of the pumping process, wherein the second opening is fluidically released through the first valve switched to the open position, and wherein the pump fluidly connected to the second opening is configured to draw air supplied to the garment compartment through the fluidly released first opening into the garment compartment to generate a constant airflow, and to discharge the generated airflow from the garment compartment through the released second opening.

[0025] In particular, the control device is configured to switch the third valve to the valve closed position during the first step of the pumping process to prevent air from being supplied to the clothing compartment via the air supply line during the first step of the pumping process.

[0026] For example, the fluid technology connection between the pump and the first or second opening has a fluid technology branch, especially a T-shaped element, to fluidly connect the first or second opening not only to the pump but also to the air supply line.

[0027] Therefore, when the third valve is switched to the closed position, it can be ensured that the pump is able to effectively draw fluid through the first and / or second openings during the first step of the pumping process and create a partial vacuum in the clothing compartment before air is supplied to the clothing compartment via the fluid technology release through the third valve via the air supply line.

[0028] However, even when the first or second valve is switched to the closed position, the first or second opening, which is fluidically connected to the pump and air supply line, is also fluidically shut off during the second step of the pumping process to ensure that the air supplied to the first or second opening through the air supply line is not immediately pumped out directly by the pump fluidly connected to the same opening, so that the air cannot flow through the clothing compartment.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the pump includes a liquid ring pump configured to pump detergent and air from the garment compartment, wherein the pump is particularly configured to supply detergent to the garment compartment during the supply process.

[0030] Therefore, the technical advantage achieved is that, compared to the alkaline pumps used in conventional washing machines, the liquid ring pump disclosed according to the present invention can not only pump out the washing liquid but also the washing liquid-air mixture, thereby allowing the liquid pump to advantageously create a partial vacuum in the garment compartment. The liquid ring pump is based on the principle that the liquid drawn in by the liquid ring pump forms a sealed liquid ring between the rotating impeller blades of the liquid ring pump and the housing of the liquid ring pump.

[0031] In one advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the pump is configured to generate a partial vacuum of 800 mbar or less in the garment chamber during a first step, and / or the pump is configured to generate a partial vacuum of 200 mbar or less in the garment chamber during a second step.

[0032] This achieves the technical advantage that, by reaching a certain partial vacuum pressure value, the residual moisture in the clothes received in the garment compartment can be advantageously reduced.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, a pump is fluidly connected to the garment chamber via at least one perforated plate having multiple openings, so that washing liquid and / or air can flow over a large area through the perforated plate, wherein the at least one perforated plate is particularly arranged at the first and / or second openings.

[0034] This achieves a technical advantage, namely, that the inflow or outflow characteristics of air, detergent, or air-wash liquid mixture into the garment compartment can be advantageously controlled by the perforated plate, particularly at the first and / or second openings. For example, a perforated plate with multiple openings allows detergent and / or air to flow over a large area of ​​the plate.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, a first perforated plate is arranged at a first opening, and / or a second perforated plate is arranged at a second opening, wherein the second perforated plate is particularly larger than the first perforated plate, or the first and second perforated plates are particularly the same size.

[0036] This achieves the technical advantage that the amount of liquid flowing in or out of the orifice plate can be advantageously controlled by the size of the orifice plate, and especially by alternatively or additionally by multiple perforations in the orifice plate.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care equipment, the air supply line is fluidically connected to an air drying device for supplying dry air.

[0038] This achieves a technological advantage: the air pre-dried by the air drying device and supplied to the clothing compartment through the air supply pipeline has a higher moisture absorption capacity than undried air, thereby significantly reducing the residual moisture of the clothes received in the clothing compartment.

[0039] In particular, air drying devices include chemical and / or physical air drying devices, in order to reduce the humidity of air guided through the air drying device, especially by means of air desiccant, by cooling and / or by pressure reduction.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment chamber has a basin shape, or the garment chamber has a cuboid shape.

[0041] This achieves a technological advantage, namely that the chosen shape of the dressing room ensures efficient reception of clothing within the dressing room.

[0042] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, an air supply line is connected to an opening in the housing of the garment care device to supply air from the external area of ​​the garment care device.

[0043] This achieves the technological advantage of effectively supplying airflow from the external area of ​​the garment care equipment to the garment compartment via air supply lines.

[0044] In one advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment care device is configured as a rollerless garment care device.

[0045] This achieves the technological advantage that rollerless garment care equipment (i.e., garment care equipment without rotating garment rollers) can be designed to be particularly compact and resource-efficient.

[0046] According to a second aspect of the invention, the task is achieved by a method for reducing residual moisture in clothing in a garment care device, wherein the garment care device has a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber for receiving clothing, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber and configured to pump fluid out of the garment chamber during a pumping process, and a control device for controlling the pump, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: during a first step of the pumping process, the pump is activated by the control device to pump washing liquid and air out of the garment chamber, thereby creating a partial vacuum inside the garment chamber and compressing the garment chamber; during a second step of the pumping process connected to the first step, an air supply line fluidly connected to the garment chamber is fluidly released by the control device to guide a constant airflow through the clothing received in the garment chamber and reduce residual moisture in the clothing received in the garment chamber, wherein the partial vacuum inside the garment chamber is maintained by the activated pump during the second step.

[0047] This achieves the technological advantage of ensuring that residual moisture in clothing in the dressing room is reduced particularly effectively.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the garment compartment has a first opening, which is fluidly connected to the pump, particularly via a first chamber line and a first pump line of the garment care device, wherein the garment care device, particularly the first chamber line, has a first valve configured to fluidly close the first opening in a closed position and fluidly release the first opening in a closed position, and / or the garment compartment has a second opening, which is fluidly connected to the pump, particularly via a second chamber line and a first pump line of the garment care device, wherein the garment care device, particularly the second chamber line, has a second valve configured to fluidly close the second opening in a closed position and fluidly release the second opening in a closed position, wherein the air supply line is fluidly connected to the first or second opening, wherein activation of the pump via the control device further includes the step of: during a first step of the pumping process, switching the first valve and / or the second valve to the corresponding open position via the control device to fluidly release the first opening and / or the second opening, thereby pumping washing fluid and air out of the garment compartment through the first and second openings.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the air supply line is fluid-technically connected to a first or second opening, and the air supply line has a third valve configured to fluid-technically release the first or second opening in an open position and fluid-tightly close the first or second opening in a closed position. The fluid-technically release of the air supply line fluidly connected to the garment compartment comprises the step of switching the third valve to the open position during a second step of the pumping process to allow air to be supplied to the garment compartment through the air supply line and through the first or second opening during the second step of the pumping process.

[0050] The embodiments of the garment care device according to the first aspect are also embodiments of the method according to the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Further embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a garment care device according to an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0053] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the garment care device during the first step of the pumping process;

[0054] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows the garment care device during the second step of the pumping process, which is connected to the first step.

[0055] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a garment care device with a garment compartment according to another embodiment of this application is shown; and

[0056] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for reducing residual moisture in clothing within a garment care device. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a garment care device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1 The garment care device 100 shown is configured as a drumless garment care device 100, and therefore, compared with a conventional washing machine, it does not have a rotating garment drum for receiving clothes. In a conventional washing machine, the rotation of the rotating garment drum ensures that the clothes are effectively wetted with detergent during the washing process and effectively dehumidified during the subsequent spin-drying process.

[0058] Figure 1The rollerless garment care device 100 shown in this application does not have a rotatable garment roller for receiving garments, but instead has a flexible and fluidly sealable garment chamber 101 for receiving garments. Here, the garment chamber 101 is formed, in particular, of a material capable of reversible deformation (e.g., an elastomer) to ensure the flexibility of the flexible garment chamber 101.

[0059] The clothing compartment 101 has a first opening 103-1 and a second opening 103-2, wherein the first opening 103-1 is fluid-technically connected to the first compartment line 105-1, and the second opening 103-2 is fluid-technically connected to the second compartment line 105-2.

[0060] The first chamber line 105-1 has a first valve 107-1, which is capable of closing the first opening 103-1 in a fluid-tight manner. The second chamber line 105-2 has a second valve 107-2, which is capable of closing the second opening 103-2 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0061] In the open position, the first valve 107-1 fluidly releases the first opening 103-1; in the closed position, the first valve 107-1 closes the first opening 103-2. In the open position, the second valve 107-2 fluidly releases the second opening 103-2; and in the closed position, the second valve 107-2 closes the second opening 103-2.

[0062] Therefore, the clothing room 101 is configured to be fluid-tightly sealed.

[0063] The first and second chamber lines 105-1 and 105-2 are fluidly connected to the pump 111 of the garment care device 100 via the first pump line 109-1. The pump 111 is connected to the washing liquid tank 113 of the garment care device 100 via the second pump line 109-2. The pump outlet line 115 branches off from the second pump line 109-2 to the discharge section 117.

[0064] Pump 111 is configured to supply washing liquid from washing liquid tank 113 to laundry compartment 101 via first and second pump lines 109-1, 109-2 and via first and / or second chamber lines 105-1, 105-2 during the supply process. Pump 111 is also configured to pump fluid from laundry compartment 101 to washing liquid tank 113 via first and / or second chamber lines 105-1, 105-2 and via first and second pump lines 109-1, 109-2 during the pumping process, or to pump the pumped fluid to discharge section 117 via discharge line 115.

[0065] The pump 111 according to this application is configured to transport a fluid, which may include air or a detergent-air mixture in addition to detergent. Therefore, during the pumping process, the pump 111 can not only pump out the detergent received in the garment compartment 101 after the washing process, but also, unlike the lye pumps used in conventional washing machines, pump out air or a detergent-air mixture from the garment compartment 101, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment compartment 101. To effectively ensure this capability, the pump 111 is particularly configured as a liquid ring pump 111.

[0066] The garment care device 100 also has an air supply line 119 fluidly connected to the garment compartment 101, and particularly to a second opening 103-2 of the garment compartment 101, which is fluidly connected to an air supply device 121 for supplying air. The air supply device 121 may include, in particular, an opening in the housing of the garment care device 100 to supply air from an external area of ​​the garment care device.

[0067] The third valve 107-3 is located on the air supply line 119 and fluid-tightly closes the second opening 103-2. In the open position, the third valve 107-3 fluidly releases the second opening 103-2, and in the closed position, the third valve 107-3 closes the second opening 103-2.

[0068] from Figure 1 As can be further seen, the garment care device 100 has a control device 123, which is connected to the pump 111 and valves 107-1, 107-2, and 107-3 via a control connection 125, and the control device is configured to control the pump 111 and valves 107-1, 107-2, and 107-3.

[0069] For more details regarding the pumping process, please refer to the following information. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Explanation.

[0070] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the garment care device 100 during the first step of the pumping process.

[0071] Figure 2 The schematic structure of the garment care device 100 shown is similar to Figure 1 The schematic structure of the garment care device 100 shown corresponds to that of the garment care device 100, except that the fluid guidance direction 127 of the fluid pumped from the garment chamber 101 by the pump 111 is indicated by an arrow.

[0072] like Figure 2As shown, during the first step of the pumping process, the control device 123 activates the pump 111 and, with the first and second openings 103-1 and 103-2 released through the first and second valves 107-1 and 107-2, pumps washing liquid and air from the garment compartment 101 through the first and second openings 103-1 and 103-2, through the lines 105-1, 105-2, 109-1, 109-2 and 115 to the discharge section 117.

[0073] However, it should be emphasized that, alternatively, the first or second valves 107-1, 107-2 may also fluidically close the first opening 103-1 or the second opening 103-2, so that the pump 111 can pump the washing liquid and air out of the garment compartment 101 through only one of these two openings 103-1, 103-2, that is, either through the first opening 103-1 or through the second opening 103-2.

[0074] When the washing liquid is pumped out through the second opening 103-2 (which is particularly located on the underside of the garment chamber 101 facing the floor on which the garment care device 100 is placed), the gravity acting on the washing liquid supports the pumping process.

[0075] Because the pump 111 also pumps air out of the garment compartment 101 in addition to the washing liquid, it creates a partial vacuum within the garment compartment 101. This compresses the flexibly and fluid-tightly sealed garment compartment 101, causing it to contract around the garments received within, thus squeezing them. This significantly reduces the volume within the garment compartment 101 and ensures that the washing liquid and air are pumped out of the garment compartment 101 particularly quickly and efficiently.

[0076] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The diagram shows the garment care device 100 during the second step of the pumping process, which is connected to the first step.

[0077] During the second step of the pumping process, control device 123 places the second valve 107-2 in the valve closed position and control device 123 places the third valve 107-3 in the valve open position, thereby fluidly releasing the second opening 103-2, which is fluidly connected to the air supply line 119, so that the pump 111, which is still active during the second step of the pumping process, now draws air from the air supply device 121 through the air supply line 119 and through the second opening 103-2 into the clothing compartment 101.

[0078] The intake airflow is directed through the clothing in the clothing compartment 101 and exits the clothing compartment 101 through the first opening 103-1, thereby ensuring a constant airflow through the clothing received in the clothing compartment. This airflow can separate liquid particles adhering to the clothing from the clothing and carry them in the airflow, thereby advantageously reducing residual moisture in the clothing.

[0079] Since pump 111 has created a partial vacuum in the clothing chamber 101 during the first step of the pumping process, air from air supply line 119 is introduced into the partial vacuum in the clothing chamber 101.

[0080] The negative pressure generated by the partial vacuum in the clothing chamber 101 causes the clothing arranged at the edge of the clothing chamber 101 to be attracted, and thus liquid particles are also drawn into the airflow between the first opening 103-1 and the second opening 103-2. They are not directly in the flow cone of the airflow in the clothing chamber 101, so that, in particular according to Bernoulli's equation, a corresponding balance is achieved between the residual moisture of the clothing and the air moisture of the airflow.

[0081] Therefore, the residual moisture in the clothes in the garment compartment 101 can be reduced particularly effectively by airflow, and the garment care device 100 does not need to have a rotating garment roller for spin-drying clothes. In particular, the effective reduction of residual moisture in the clothes can be achieved in a dehumidification time of less than 10 minutes, especially less than 5 minutes, wherein the residual moisture value of the clothes after the dehumidification time depends on the textile.

[0082] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a garment care device having a garment compartment according to another embodiment of this application is shown.

[0083] exist Figure 4 The image only schematically shows a clothing compartment 101 with an upper first opening 103-1 and a lower second opening 103-2. Here, the clothing compartment 101 has a perforated plate 129 with multiple perforations. Figure 4 The perforation is not shown in the figure, wherein the perforated plate 129 is arranged at the second opening 103-2, and extends in particular from the second opening 103-2 along the lower side of the clothing compartment 101.

[0084] like Figure 4 The air guiding direction 131 is schematically shown, with air supplied through the air supply line 119 flowing into the clothing compartment 101 through the perforation of the perforated plate 129, and advantageously penetrating the clothing compartment over a particularly large area. Figure 4 The clothing shown is only schematic. Here, airflow separates the droplets 133 adhering to the clothing and guides them out of the clothing chamber 101 through the first opening 103-1, thereby ensuring effective reduction of residual moisture in the clothing.

[0085] even though Figure 4 Not shown, alternatively, multiple perforated plates 129 may be provided locally distributed on the clothing chamber 101 to ensure that the clothes received in the clothing chamber 101 are dehumidified particularly quickly and evenly.

[0086] even though Figure 4 Not shown, alternatively or additionally, another perforated plate 129 may be provided at the first opening 103-1, wherein it is particularly advantageous to maximize the inlet and outlet surfaces of the perforated plates 129 arranged at the respective openings 103-1, 103-2 to ensure effective reduction of residual moisture in clothing.

[0087] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for reducing residual moisture in clothing in a clothing care device 100.

[0088] The method 200 includes, as a first process step, activating the pump 111 of 201 by means of a control device during a first step of the pumping process to pump washing liquid and air out of the garment chamber 101, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment chamber 101 and compressing the garment chamber 101.

[0089] The method 200 includes, as a second process step, during the second step of the pumping process connected to the first step, fluidly releasing via control device 123 an air supply line 119 fluidly connected to the garment chamber 101 via control device 123 to guide a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment chamber 101 and reduce residual moisture in the garments received in the garment chamber 101, wherein a partial vacuum is maintained in the garment chamber 101 by an activated pump 111 during the second step.

[0090] All the features explained and shown in connection with the various embodiments of the present invention may be provided in different combinations within the subject matter of the present invention to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0091] The scope of protection of this invention is given by the claims and is not limited to the features explained in the specification or shown in the figures.

[0092] List of reference numerals

[0093] 100 Garment Care Equipment

[0094] 101 Clothing Room

[0095] 103-1 First Opening

[0096] 103-2 Second Opening

[0097] 105-1 First Chamber Piping

[0098] 105-2 Second Chamber Piping

[0099] 107-1 First Valve

[0100] 107-2 Second Valve

[0101] 107-3 Third Valve

[0102] 109-1 First Pump Pipeline

[0103] 109-2 Second Pump Pipeline

[0104] 111 Pump

[0105] 113 Washing liquid tank

[0106] 115 Pump outlet pipeline

[0107] 117 Emissions Department

[0108] 119 Air Supply Line

[0109] 121 Air supply unit

[0110] 123 Control device

[0111] 125 Control Connection

[0112] 127 Fluid Guiding Direction

[0113] 129-hole plate

[0114] 131 Air Guiding Direction

[0115] 133 droplets

[0116] 200 Methods for Reducing Residual Moisture in Clothes

[0117] 201 First Method Step: Activate the Pump

[0118] 203 Second method step: Release the air supply line in a fluid technique.

Claims

1. A garment care device (100) comprising a flexible and fluid-tightly closable garment chamber (101) for receiving garments, a pump (111) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) and configured to pump fluid from the garment chamber (101) during a pumping process, characterized in that: The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) during the first step of the pumping process to pump detergent and air out of the garment compartment (101), thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment compartment (101) and compressing the garment compartment (101); and The control device (123) is configured to fluidly release the air supply line (119) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) during a second step in the pumping process connected to the first step, so as to guide a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment chamber (101) and reduce the residual moisture of the garments received in the garment chamber (101), wherein a partial vacuum in the garment chamber (101) is maintained by an activated pump (111) during the second step.

2. The garment care device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The garment compartment (101) has a first opening (103-1) which is fluidly connected to the pump (111) via a first chamber line (105-1) and a first pump line (109-1) of the garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a first valve (107-1) configured to fluidly close the first opening (103-1) in a closed position and fluidly release the first opening (103-1) in an open position; and / or The garment compartment (101) has a second opening (103-2) which is fluidly connected to the pump (111) via a second chamber line (105-2) and a first pump line (109-1) of the garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a second valve (107-2) configured to fluidly close the second opening (103-2) in a closed position and fluidly release the second opening (103-2) in an open position.

3. The garment care device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to switch the first valve (107-1) and / or the second valve (107-2) to their respective open positions during the first step of the pumping process, thereby fluidly releasing the first opening (103-1) and / or the second opening (103-2) so that the activated pump (111) pumps washing liquid and air from the garment compartment (101) through the first opening (103-1) and / or the second opening (103-2); and / or The first valve (107-1) is arranged in the first chamber pipeline (105-1); and / or The second valve (107-2) is arranged in the second chamber pipeline (105-2); and / or The air supply line (119) is fluid-technically connected to the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2).

4. The garment care device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The air supply line (119) is fluid-technically connected to either the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2); and the air supply line (119) has a third valve (107-3) configured to fluid-technically release either the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) in the open position and fluid-technically close either the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) in the closed position. The control device (123) is configured to switch the third valve (107-3) to the valve open position during the second step of the pumping process to allow air to be supplied to the clothing compartment (101) through the air supply line (119) and through the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) during the second step of the pumping process.

5. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The pump (111) includes a liquid ring pump (111) configured to pump washing liquid and air out of the garment compartment (101).

6. The garment care device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pump (111) is configured to supply washing liquid to the garment compartment (101) during the supply process.

7. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6, characterized in that, The pump (111) is configured to generate a partial vacuum of 800 mbar or less in the clothing chamber (101) during the first step; and / or the pump (111) is configured to generate a partial vacuum of 200 mbar or less in the clothing chamber (101) during the second step.

8. The garment care device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The pump (111) is fluidically connected to the garment chamber (101) via at least one orifice plate (129) having multiple perforations to allow washing liquid and / or air to flow over a large area through the orifice plate (129).

9. The garment care device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The at least one perforated plate (129) is arranged at the first and / or second opening (103-1, 103-2).

10. The garment care device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, A first perforated plate (129) is arranged at the first opening (103-1); and / or a second perforated plate (129) is arranged at the second opening (103-2).

11. The garment care device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second orifice plate (129) is larger than the first orifice plate (129), or the first orifice plate and the second orifice plate (129) are the same size.

12. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 9-11, characterized in that, The air supply line (119) is fluidically connected to an air drying device for drying the supplied air.

13. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 9-11, characterized in that, The clothing compartment (101) has a basin shape; or the clothing compartment (101) has a rectangular shape.

14. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 9-11, characterized in that, The air supply line (119) is connected to the housing opening of the garment care device (100) to supply air from the external area of ​​the garment care device (100).

15. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, and 9-11, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) is configured as a rollerless garment care device (100).

16. A method (200) for reducing residual moisture in clothing in a garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a flexible and fluid-tightly closable garment chamber (101) for receiving clothing, a pump (111) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) and configured to pump fluid out of the garment chamber (101) during a pumping process, characterized in that, The method (200) includes the following method steps: During the first step of the pumping process, the pump (111) is activated (201) by the control device (123) to pump the washing liquid and air out of the garment chamber (101), thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment chamber (101) and compressing the garment chamber (101); and During the second step of the pumping process, which follows the first step, the air supply line (119) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101) is fluidly released (203) by the control device (123) to guide a constant airflow through the garments received in the garment chamber (101) and reduce the residual moisture in the garments received in the garment chamber (101), wherein a partial vacuum in the garment chamber (101) is maintained by an activated pump (111) during the second step.

17. The method (200) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The garment compartment (101) has a first opening (103-1) which is fluidly connected to the pump (111) via a first chamber line (105-1) and a first pump line (109-1) of the garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a first valve (107-1) configured to fluidly close the first opening (103-1) in a closed position and fluidly release the first opening (103-1) in an open position; and / or The garment compartment (101) has a second opening (103-2) which is fluidly connected to the pump (111) via a second chamber line (105-2) and a first pump line (109-1) of the garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a second valve (107-2) configured to fluidly close the second opening (103-2) in a closed position and fluidly release the second opening (103-2) in an open position; The activation (201) of the pump (111) via the control device (123) further includes the following steps: during the first step of the pumping process, the control device (123) switches the first valve (107-1) and / or the second valve (107-2) to the corresponding valve open position to release the first opening (103-1) and / or the second opening (103-2) in a fluid technique, thereby pumping the washing liquid and air out of the garment compartment (101) through the first opening (103-1) and / or the second opening (103-2).

18. The method (200) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The air supply line (119) is fluidically connected to the first or second opening (103-1, 103-2); and the air supply line (119) has a third valve (107-3) configured to fluidly release the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) in the valve open position and fluidly close the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) in the valve closed position, characterized in that the fluidly release (203) of the air supply line (119) fluidly connected to the garment compartment (101) comprises the following method steps: switching the third valve (107-3) to the valve open position during a second step of the pumping process to allow air to be supplied to the garment compartment (101) through the air supply line (119) and through the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2) during the second step of the pumping process.

19. The method (200) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first valve (107-1) is arranged in the first chamber pipeline (105-1); and / or The second valve (107-2) is arranged in the second chamber pipeline (105-2); and / or The air supply line (119) is fluid-technically connected to the first opening (103-1) or the second opening (103-2).

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