CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR GARMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for cleaning and / or refreshing clothing by a user using a plasma device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plasma device, in particular for cleaning and / or refreshing clothing, comprising at least one plasma source, at least one acceleration sensor, and a communication unit.

[0002] Devices for cleaning clothing are conventional, e.g., from DE 10 2018 213 144 A1. The device runs a surface clean of the garment to be cleaned while the wearer is lying down or wearing the garment. However, it is not possible for the user to see where the garment has already been cleaned or refreshed. Until now, the user has had to memorize this information. This can result in certain areas of the garment being refreshed too often or not at all.

[0003] The object of the invention is to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art when cleaning or refreshing garments with a plasma device and, in particular, to ensure comprehensive cleaning or refreshing.

[0004] This object is achieved by a method for cleaning and / or refreshing clothing with the aid of a plasma device by a user having the features of claim 1 and by a plasma device having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0005] According to the invention, a method for cleaning and / or refreshing garments by means of a plasma device by a user comprises the following steps: Selection of a garment to be cleaned or scanning of the garment to be cleaned using an external display unit by the user, setting a starting point of a desired cleaning area and / or cleaning path, starting the cleaning and / or refreshing of the garment, displaying cleaned and / or refreshed areas of the garment on the external display unit.

[0006] The inventive solution is characterized by the fact that previously refreshed or cleaned areas of the garment to be cleaned are visually displayed to the user on the external display unit. In particular, the user can check the refreshed areas on the display unit and, if necessary, optimize their cleaning or refreshment. This advantageously prevents repeated cleaning of certain areas or even forgetting or omitting certain areas of the garment.

[0007] Before cleaning begins, the item of clothing to be cleaned is identified in particular to ensure optimal and complete cleaning or refreshing. For this purpose, for example, the item of clothing to be processed can be scanned using the external display unit, in particular via a corresponding app on the user's mobile phone. Alternatively, the user's mobile phone app can preselect various items of clothing, such as a T-shirt, trousers, sweatshirt, or similar, from which the user can then select the appropriate item of clothing to be processed. The item of clothing to be processed is then preferably displayed on the external display unit, in particular on the mobile phone app.

[0008] The starting point of the cleaning area or path is then determined by the user or, for example, by the app on the external display unit, such as the mobile phone. Starting from this starting point, the plasma device then travels the cleaning area or path.

[0009] The treatment of the garment now begins after a corresponding start signal has been successfully activated on the external display unit. For example, the user presses a start button in the mobile phone app to initiate the cleaning process. To do this, the plasma device is placed on the garment at the starting point, igniting the plasma.

[0010] The cleaning method according to the invention ensures efficient use of the plasma device. Complete coverage of the areas of the garment to be cleaned is advantageously possible. Additionally, it is possible to provide, for example, a statistical analysis via the external display unit and, in particular, via the app. Examples of such statistical analyses include: You need four passes to get a good result, you have already refreshed twenty shirts and eight T-shirts, you have refreshed four dresses and seven T-shirts in 33 minutes, you have refreshed four dresses and seven T-shirts with an area of ​​approximately 8 m² in 33 minutes.

[0011] The cleaning method according to the invention advantageously provides the user with optimal feedback regarding the cleaning process and, in particular, the quality of the cleaning. For example, the user receives notifications about missed areas, notifications or visual and / or acoustic warnings when an area is over-covered too frequently, and / or a warning when the device is idle while the plasma source is switched on. It is also possible to send or display treatment suggestions to the user via the external display unit.

[0012] It is also possible to network the app, for example, with a so-called HomeConnect application. The HomeConnect application is specifically an application that collects, displays, and controls data, applications, etc., from a number of household appliances belonging to the user(s) of a household. This is preferably implemented via a Bluetooth connection or Wi-Fi, for example, via the COM module or System Master, to ensure fast data transfer.

[0013] A plasma device is understood to mean any device that has a plasma source for generating plasma. In particular, the plasma device, also known in professional circles as a plasma refresher, uses its plasma to treat large areas of surfaces, especially textiles or similar materials. The plasma device can therefore be used to neutralize the odors of such surface areas. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma is preferably used for this purpose.

[0014] Plasma is referred to as the fourth state of matter, alongside the three states of matter: solid, liquid, or gaseous. If a gas or gas mixture is exposed to sufficient energy, for example, in the form of electrical energy, some of the gas's atoms are ionized. This means that electrons are removed from their atomic shells and move as free particles, leaving behind a positively charged atom. If a gas consists of a sufficiently high proportion of free ions and electrons, the state of matter is called plasma. Plasma is therefore matter whose constituents are partially charged components—ions and electrons—that move as free charge carriers.

[0015] Non-thermal plasma, also known as cold plasma, can be used specifically to eliminate odors and certain hydrocarbons by using it in a closed enclosure to generate ozone, which in turn is effective, for example, in automotive detailing or ozone washing (active oxygen). Non-thermal plasmas are also used in medical technology, for example, in the treatment of slow-healing or non-healing wounds with the help of a so-called plasma pen, which utilizes the antimicrobial effect of "cold plasma."

[0016] It is well known that plasmas possess odor-inactivating and antimicrobial properties. The antibacterial effects of plasmas are due to heat, dehydration, shear stress, UV radiation, free radicals, and charges. In low-pressure plasmas, also known as cold plasmas, heat plays a minor role because these plasmas operate at room temperature. Such low-pressure plasmas produce particularly reactive particles, such as various oxygen or nitrogen species, which have a sufficiently long lifetime to damage organic compounds upon indirect exposure. These particles include atomic oxygen, superoxide radicals, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These particles exhibit a destructive effect on a wide variety of odor components as well as cellular components.

[0017] If odor components, which usually consist of carbon compounds, as well as cell walls of bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, or other similar microorganisms, are directly exposed to the plasma, they become negatively charged due to the bombardment with the electrons present in the plasma. Due to electrostatic repulsion, this leads to mechanical stresses that can even exceed the tensile strength and destroy the odor molecule or cell wall. However, it is not only mechanical stresses caused by the charge that can destroy cell walls; the disruption of the charge balance of the odor molecules or cell walls can also occur due to various other electrostatic interactions and electrolysis, e.g., by changing the permeability of the cell walls. One mechanism for inactivating microorganisms also arises from the highly energetic ions. The plasma can be generated using a high frequency.

[0018] Low-pressure plasmas are therefore particularly well suited for inactivating odors on textile fabrics or common household surfaces or the like in order to achieve odor activation.

[0019] When using a plasma source, particular attention must be paid to the associated ozone formation. Ozone is a molecule (O3) made up of three oxygen atoms (O). An oxygen atom (O) is split off from the short-lived ozone molecule, which preferentially reacts with the odor molecules or carbon compounds and chemically changes them. To prevent excessive ozone production when an activated plasma source is activated, direct contact with the textile surface must be ensured. Furthermore, the plasma source should be shielded from atmospheric oxygen to such an extent that sufficient oxygen is available for ozone production. On the other hand, shielding from atmospheric oxygen on the upper side of the textile surface is desirable, as sufficient atmospheric oxygen can still penetrate the textile via the underside. Means are therefore proposed to limit contact with atmospheric oxygen on the upper side. These can be protective walls made of an inert gas.Furthermore, reducing wrinkle formation can also prevent increased ozone production at the plasma source.

[0020] The distance between the plasma source and the surface being treated is preferably 0 mm. This results in a reduced ozone concentration. A distance between 0 mm and 1 mm contributes to a higher ozone concentration, if desired.

[0021] For the purposes of this application, a garment is defined as any surface to be deodorized, selected from textile materials such as natural, plant, and animal materials (natural fibers such as cotton, sheep's wool, silk, linen, and felt) or synthetic clothing fabrics (man-made fibers such as nylon). The term also includes materials and objects made of ceramic, plastic, feathers, leather, glass, wood, or metal.

[0022] In this context, cleaning or refreshing refers to odor neutralization. In particular, odors that may be perceived as unpleasant, such as butyric acid, organic acids similar to butyric acid, sweat, lingering cigarette smoke, and the like, are to be actively eliminated with the cleaning process and / or masked with less unpleasant odors, such as perfume. Furthermore, the cleaning process can eliminate or destroy so-called non-odor-relevant molecules, preferably allergens, protein molecules, prions, and the like.

[0023] A starting point is any point at which the cleaning or refreshing of the garment to be cleaned can begin. It goes without saying that the starting point does not have to be a point in the mathematical sense. For example, the starting point can also be a starting area.

[0024] In the present case, an external display unit is understood to mean in particular any unit that is arranged outside the plasma device and is suitable for displaying, providing, transmitting and / or transmitting data, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a touchpad and / or a computer or laptop.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, communication and / or data exchange takes place between the plasma device and the external display unit. For this purpose, the plasma device functions, in particular, as a communication unit. In this context, a communication unit is understood to mean, in particular, any unit that can serve, among other things, as a communication unit for transmitting and transferring data and / or parameters. The plasma device is therefore suitable for communicating with the external display unit. For this purpose, the plasma device can have a memory for the data to be transmitted.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the starting point is automatically determined by the external display unit. For example, after selecting the item of clothing to be processed, the external display unit displays the desired starting point, for example, in the bottom right corner of the shirt. Alternatively, the starting point is manually determined by the user on the external display unit. To do so, for example, after selecting the item of clothing to be processed, the user taps a sketch or image on the external display unit and, in particular, on the app and sets the starting point accordingly. This allows, in particular, the automatically generated starting point to be overwritten.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment, the user begins the cleaning and / or refreshing by an input on the external display unit and / or by placing the plasma device at the starting point.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment, the plasma device detects its direction of movement and / or speed of movement and / or determines the distance and / or direction traveled during cleaning and / or refreshing. For this purpose, the plasma device preferably has an acceleration sensor. This can detect movements of the plasma device and also determine the distance and direction traveled. This advantageously ensures a detailed and optimal representation of the cleaning or refreshing process already performed.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, a reversal of direction and / or a lifting of the plasma device from the item of clothing is also detected with the plasma device and in particular with the integrated acceleration sensor, whereby the cleaning and in particular its presentation can be further optimized.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment, the cleaned and / or refreshed areas of the garment are displayed in color on the external display unit. For example, the treated areas on the selected or scanned sketch of the garment are highlighted in color, for example, blue. Areas that have not yet been cleaned can thus be displayed to the user.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment, areas of the garment that require additional cleaning and / or refreshing can be defined on the external display unit. In particular, the user can thereby define so-called "points of interest" that require particularly intensive treatment, such as the areas under the armpits of T-shirts. For this purpose, a cleaning grid can be generated, preferably using the acceleration sensor of the plasma device, which represents, for example, a curved surface and is projected onto the "point of interest" on the external display unit, in particular the app, to indicate that the garment has undergone additional cleaning or refreshing at this point.

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment, the plasma device is used to determine the position of the garment. For this purpose, the acceleration sensor of the plasma device is used, for example. Alternatively, the position can also be determined using a camera integrated into the plasma device, which considers an edge of the garment as the boundary. This requires a large database of reference images and a high-contrast background for the garment.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the plasma device communicates with the user. For example, the plasma device can preferably illuminate green when the garment has been completely processed to signal to the user that the garment has been sufficiently processed. Additionally, the plasma device can preferably illuminate red, for example, in the event of incorrect processing and / or a malfunction.

[0034] According to the invention, a plasma device, in particular for cleaning and / or refreshing items of clothing, has at least one plasma source, at least one acceleration sensor and a communication unit, wherein the acceleration sensor detects a direction of movement and / or speed of movement of the plasma device, which can be sent via the communication unit to an external instance in order to have cleaned areas of the item of clothing displayed on the external instance.

[0035] Any features, configurations, embodiments and advantages relating to the method also apply in connection with the plasma device according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, which are merely examples. They show: Figure 1: a schematic view of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for cleaning and / or refreshing items of clothing using a plasma device, Figure 2: schematic views of an embodiment of a plasma device according to the invention in various communicating modes, and Figure 3: a further schematic view of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for cleaning and / or refreshing items of clothing using a plasma device.

[0037] Figure 1shows a garment 1 intended for processing, in particular cleaning. In this case, the garment 1 is a T-shirt to be cleaned. A plasma device 2, in particular a so-called plasma refresher, is used to clean this T-shirt. So that the user can now visually track the areas 3 on the T-shirt that have already been cleaned, these cleaned areas 3 are displayed via an app according to the invention. The user is thus able to check the area 3 they have already cleaned in this app.

[0038] To do this, the user opens their HomeConnect app before processing the item of clothing 1 and defines their item of clothing 1. This can be done by scanning the item of clothing 1 with the plasma device 2. Alternatively, the user can preselect the item of clothing 1, for example, as a T-shirt. The shape or sketch of the scanned or selected item of clothing 1 is then displayed in the app.

[0039] A starting point 4 for cleaning can be defined via the app, for example, in the bottom right corner of the T-shirt. Alternatively, the user can manually set the desired starting point 4 by tapping the sketch and the desired starting point 4 in the app.

[0040] To start cleaning, the start button in the app is then pressed. By placing the plasma device 2 at the starting point 4 of the item of clothing 1, the plasma is ignited. The plasma device 2 is manually guided along the desired cleaning path 5 or cleaning area on the T-shirt. An acceleration sensor in the plasma device 2 detects the movement of the plasma device 2. In addition, the distance and direction covered during cleaning are determined. A reversal of direction or lifting of the plasma device 2 can also be detected with the acceleration sensor. At the same time, the already cleaned area 3 is displayed in color in the app. For example, the already cleaned area 3 of the T-shirt turns blue in the app.

[0041] As an alternative to the acceleration sensor, the position of the plasma device 2 on the T-shirt can also be determined using a camera, which always considers an edge of the garment 1 as the boundary. This requires, in addition to the camera integrated in the plasma device 2, a database of reference images and a high-contrast background for the garment 1.

[0042] To implement this app display of the refreshed area 3, communication between plasma device 2 and the app (e.g., the HomeConnect app) is necessary. This can be achieved, for example, via a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi, a COM module, or a system master for fast data transfer.

[0043] The visual representation of the cleaned areas 3 makes it easy to use the plasma device 2 optimally. In addition, statistical analysis is possible via the app. For example, the app can show how many items of clothing were cleaned in total, how many treatments were necessary to achieve an optimal result and / or how long or how much area was cleaned in total. Improved feedback is possible via the app. For example, the app can display notes about forgotten areas, visual and / or acoustic warnings if an area is overcleaned too often, or warnings when the device is idle and the plasma source is switched on. Treatment suggestions can also be offered to the user in the app.

[0044] In Figure 2A possible plasma device 2 for cleaning and / or refreshing garments 1 is shown in various treatment modes 2a to 2d. Such plasma devices 2 comprise, among other things, a plasma source, an acceleration sensor, and a communication unit. During operation, the acceleration sensor detects a direction of movement and / or speed of the plasma device 2, which are sent via the communication unit to an external instance, such as a user's mobile phone, in order to display cleaned areas of the garment on the mobile phone's app.

[0045] In addition to the app, the plasma device 2 itself can communicate with the user. For example, in standby mode 2a, the plasma device can glow white or remain unlit. In active mode 2b, the plasma device glows blue. If a warning occurs, the plasma device can glow red (warning mode 2c). If the garment has been completely cleaned or treated, the plasma device 2 can glow green (refreshed mode 2d).

[0046] In Figure 3 The sketch of the T-shirt shown in the app is from the example of the Figure 1with completely cleaned areas 3 are shown. Here, so-called points of interest 6 are also defined by the user in the app. These points of interest 6 undergo additional treatment during the cleaning of the T-shirt, for example, refreshing, and have been manually defined by the user. For example, these points of interest 6 relate to regions under the armpits of the T-shirt. Here, an additional grid (CleaningGrid) can be generated using the acceleration sensor, which represents, for example, a curved surface and is projected onto the point of interest 6 in the app to indicate that the item of clothing 1 has been additionally refreshed at this point(s).

Claims

1. Method for cleaning and / or refreshing items of clothing (1) with the aid of a plasma appliance (2) by way of a user, characterised by the following steps: - selecting an item of clothing (1) to be cleaned and / or scanning the item of clothing (1) to be cleaned by means of an external display unit by way of the user, - specifying a start point (4) of a desired cleaning region (3) and / or cleaning path (5), - beginning the cleaning and / or the refreshing of the item of clothing (1), - displaying cleaned and / or refreshed regions (3) of the item of clothing (1) on the external display unit.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a communication and / or a data exchange is performed between the plasma appliance (2) and the external display unit.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the start point (4) is specified automatically by the external display unit or manually by the user.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user begins the cleaning and / or the refreshing by way of an input on the external display unit and / or by positioning the plasma appliance (2) at the start point (4).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein using the plasma appliance (2), the movement direction and / or movement speed thereof is / are detected and / or the distance covered and / or direction during the cleaning and / or refreshing is / are ascertained.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein using the plasma appliance (2), a reversal of direction and / or a withdrawing of the plasma appliance (2) from the item of clothing (1) is / are detected.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaned and / or refreshed regions (3) of the item of clothing (1) are represented in colour on the external display unit.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is possible to specify, on the external display unit, regions (6) on the item of clothing (1) that are to experience additional cleaning and / or refreshing.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a position determination on the item of clothing (1) is performed using the plasma appliance (2).

10. Plasma appliance (2), in particular for cleaning and / or refreshing items of clothing (1), having at least one plasma source, at least one acceleration sensor, wherein the acceleration sensor detects a movement direction and / or movement speed of the plasma appliance (2), characterised in that the plasma appliance (2) has a communication unit and the detected movement direction and / or movement speed of the plasma appliance (2) can be sent to an external entity via the communication unit, in order to allow cleaned regions (3) of the item of clothing (1) to be displayed on the external entity.