Processing Cabinet

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a processing cabinet including four side walls surrounding a processing volume, a top, and a bottom, at least one side wall being openable and closable to allow access to the processing volume, a spraying device disposed inside the side wall facing the processing volume, the spraying device including a rail having at least one spray head movably attached to the rail, the spray head being movable along the rail and having two or more nozzles adapted to generate a liquid, gas, or mist processing agent, the rail being further guided by side rails arranged parallel to the side walls and movable between the top and bottom, and a means for hanging or supporting garments within the processing volume is provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing cabinet specifically designed for applying the surface treatments described in detail below to coats, jackets, jeans, trousers, and other large wearable garments, and also to a method of treating garments using such a processing cabinet.

[0002] In the following, a garment in the form of a coat will be taken as an example, but it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to any type of garment suitable for surface treatment. [Background technology]

[0003] It is well known in the prior art to wash or launder garments and then apply a surface treatment, such as an impregnation, to make the garments clean and resistant to moisture penetration. This is typically done by using a washing machine followed by manual application of the desired surface treatment using a spray can. This is often an insufficient process; for example, washing a slightly soiled coat wastes water and energy and wears the garment more than necessary. Furthermore, a standard wash cycle generates wastewater contaminated with various chemicals, which requires careful handling and expensive treatment before it can be considered environmentally harmless. Furthermore, manual impregnation methods using a spray can are not environmentally friendly, and a significant amount of the sprayed impregnating material may not be directed to the correct location on the garment and may end up in the surrounding environment, resulting in excessive use of the impregnating agent. This is, of course, an undesirable side effect, as most waterproofing agents contain environmentally harmful substances.

[0004] For other treatments, such as dry wash, anti-static, or insect repellent, similar considerations apply to prior art methods as described above. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a method that provides a cleaning and surface treatment process that minimizes energy use and wear on the treated garments in an environmentally safe manner, and that should primarily direct the saturant to the desired areas while minimizing waste.

[0006] The present invention addresses this by providing a treatment cabinet having four side walls enclosing a treatment volume, a top, and a bottom, at least one side wall being openable to allow access to the treatment volume, a spraying device disposed inside the side wall facing the treatment volume, the spraying device having at least one spray head movably mounted on a rail movable along the rail, the spray head comprising two or more nozzles adapted to generate a liquid, gas, or mist treatment agent, the rail being further guided by side rails disposed parallel to the side walls and movable between the top and bottom, and means for hanging or supporting garments within the treatment volume being provided.

[0007] The present invention provides a closed cabinet in which the treatment takes place, ensuring that the treatment takes place in a controlled environment. In this context, a controlled environment means that, for example, temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity can be controlled. Furthermore, the generated impregnation or other treatment agent is handled in a controlled manner within the treatment volume and extracted in a safe manner, minimizing adverse environmental impact. Furthermore, the escape of potentially harmful compounds into the surrounding environment is minimized or completely avoided. Furthermore, by providing a rail on which one or more spray heads equipped with two or more nozzles move, the treated garments are essentially surrounded by the nozzles emitting the treatment compounds at a very close distance. The nozzles can be moved in a substantially horizontal plane during use, while the rail on which the nozzles are mounted can be moved vertically. This method allows the mist-emitting nozzles to be precisely positioned relative to the treated garments, ensuring that the entire surface of the garment is treated and preventing overtreatment. It also allows for 100% mapping and control of the nozzle positions within the treatment cabinet.

[0008] In a further advantageous embodiment of the treatment cabinet, rails with spray heads are arranged on opposite side walls, and two sets of rails can move independently between the bottom and the top within the treatment volume. In this embodiment, the front and back of the garments can be treated simultaneously, resulting in a more intensive treatment.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, one or two rails are curved, with the rail closest to the sidewall at the center portion of the rail and farthest from the sidewall at the distal end of the rail. This method allows the spray / mist from the nozzle to be directed toward a more central portion of the treatment volume, since the garments are typically not spread throughout the treatment volume. This method provides more efficient treatment using less treatment compound.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a grid is provided on the inner surface of one of the side walls, and a vision unit is mounted on or near the opposite side so that the vision unit can monitor the grid. The combination of the grid and vision unit provides the possibility to detect the extent of the garments within the treatment cabinet and use this information to control the movement of the nozzles that emit the treatment compounds. Detection of the garment area or size is performed by the vision unit located on one side of the garment and the grid located on the other side of the garment, and when the vision unit is aimed at the grid, only the part of the grid that is visible outside the contours of the garment is detected by the vision unit, which is then used as input to the control unit that controls the movement (and spraying method) of the nozzles.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the processing cabinet is constructed such that a light source is provided on one rail, optionally emitting light to the spray head, and a light receiver is provided on the other rail, optionally to the spray head. When the light source emits light and the light receiver receives the emitted light, a change in the received light indicates an obstruction, for example, a garment placed between the light emitter and the light receiver. In this manner, as the light source and light receiver traverse the processing volume, the control unit recognizes the exact location of the light source and light receiver and recognizes the shape / contour of a garment placed within the processing volume when the garment blocks the emitted light received by the light receiver and indicates the range of the garment.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is provided which is programmed with pattern recognition software so that the portions of the grid seen by the vision unit or areas where light is received or not received are used as input to the treatment agent dispenser to determine the amount of treatment agent to be used by the spray head or heads to treat particular garments within the treatment volume, and the control unit is used as described above to determine the location and extent of the garments within the treatment volume.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are directional and can be directed towards specific areas depending on instructions received from the control unit. This feature is particularly advantageous when treating garments with different surface properties, where parts of the garment require additional treatment while other parts should not be treated at all. Similarly, if the treatment is to waterproof, for example, it may be desirable to apply a double treatment along seams to make these areas particularly impervious.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the vision unit includes a UV light source, and the UV reactive black light agent is mixed with the treatment agent or one of the treatment agents before it is emitted from the nozzle.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, one or more UV light sources are provided within the treatment cabinet, the light sources being positioned to direct UV light onto all (external) surfaces of garments placed within the treatment volume, UV light being particularly useful in connection with treatments involving substances that may harden or cure upon exposure to UV light.

[0016] By mixing a UV reactive light agent with the treatment before it is emitted towards the garment, the extent to which the treatment compound has been applied to the garment can be registered by a vision unit that can register the highlights created by the UV reactive light agent when exposed to a UV light source. In this way, it can be documented that proper treatment has been applied, or insufficiently treated areas of the garment can be registered and the control unit can be automatically programmed to reapply treatment to specific surfaces or areas of the garment.

[0017] In conjunction with providing a UV reactive black light agent mixed with the processing agent, providing a UV light source within the processing volume, and a visual unit capable of detecting highlights, it is conceivable that a screen may be provided outside the processing cabinet that indicates the progress and completion of processing to a user from outside the processing cabinet.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, ventilation and / or air agitation means are provided in communication with the treatment volume, so that air circulates within the treatment volume and air laden with excess treatment agent is vented in a controlled manner.

[0019] By providing ventilation means, a slight negative pressure can be created relative to the ambient pressure of the environment in which the processing cabinet is located, and the processing cabinet can be positioned in such a way that the processing compounds cannot escape into the surrounding environment. Furthermore, by having controlled ventilation means, proper and sufficient filtration can be provided to purify the air before it leaves the processing volume.

[0020] The agitation means is typically a fan, often provided in conjunction with ventilation means, to circulate the air and fine particles of treatment compound generated by the treatment nozzle within the treatment volume, and if they do not adhere to the surface of the garment being treated as they are generated from the nozzle, they can be recirculated and applied to other parts of the surface of the garment being treated. In this way, the agitation means minimizes waste and improves treatment, while also preventing the development of pockets of immobile or non-agitating air within the treatment volume, which would otherwise adversely affect the overall functioning of the apparatus.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operator's control unit is provided with a pre-programmed treatment routine, which may include a combination of different treatments by means of the nozzles discharging appropriate agents onto the garments to be treated. The treatments may be selected from one or more of the following: a. Chemical cleaning, which involves applying a dry cleaning agent to the treated garments and then removing the agent; b. High pressure air jet treatment, c. Impregnation treatment against moisture, d. insect repellent treatment, e. Anti-static treatment.

[0022] This method allows a user to place suitable garments into a processing volume within the processing cabinet and then select an example of an appropriate processing routine from a menu of pre-programmed processing routines. The pre-programmed processing routines may include, for example, a chemical wash combined with a high-pressure air jet process. The high-pressure air jet process can spray a chemical cleaning agent while simultaneously removing dust and other unwanted debris from the garments being processed. This may prepare the garments for, for example, application of an impregnation agent to a substantially clean surface, improving overall results. It is also anticipated that the process may be an insect repellent process, with insect repellent chemicals being emitted from the nozzle.

[0023] The nozzles themselves can be arranged in a spray head with multiple nozzles, allowing one spray head to perform other desired processes.

[0024] The present invention is also directed to a method of treating garments using a treatment cabinet having four side walls enclosing a treatment volume, a top, and a bottom, at least one side wall being openable and closable to allow access to the treatment volume, a spraying device disposed inside the side wall facing the treatment volume, the spraying device having a curved rail with at least one spray head movably mounted on the curved rail for movement along the curved rail, the spray head having two or more nozzles adapted to generate a liquid, gas, or mist treatment agent, the curved rail being further guided by side rails arranged parallel to the side walls for movement between the top and bottom, means for hanging or supporting garments within the treatment volume being provided, the garments to be treated are placed on suitable hanging means within the treatment volume, the access door is closed, a selected treatment regime is selected from a menu, and the selected treatment regime is input into a control unit for selecting a treatment compound, an activating nozzle, and an activation time and duration of the nozzle.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the means provided for hanging or supporting garments within the processing volume comprises a socket and a removable hanger, the socket having means for engaging the hanger, a fluid path being provided through the socket to the exterior of the processing cabinet, the hanger having an engagement portion for releasably engaging the hanger engagement means provided on the socket, and the hanger having a fluid path which, when engaged with the socket and hanger, forms a continuous fluid path and, in use, provides a continuous fluid path from inside the garment to the exterior of the processing cabinet.

[0026] Hangers provide a familiar and practical means for placing a variety of garments, such as jackets, coats, blouses, shirts, pants, etc., within the treatment volume. By being placed on the hangers, the items are suspended within the treatment volume and do not come into contact with the interior surfaces of the treatment volume, allowing the treatment to be applied unhindered to the entire exterior surface of the garment to be treated.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment, a fan is provided in the flow path of either the socket or the hanger. The fan may be operated to create an airflow from or into the treatment chamber. This affects the airflow pattern on the garments and within the treatment chamber, thereby affecting the distribution of the treatment mist. Particularly for garments with designs that include corners, edges, or other non-planar features, the fan provides the possibility of moving the garments during treatment within the treatment chamber, allowing hard-to-reach features to be better exposed during the treatment cycle.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the socket is arranged on a movable body installed at the top of the cabinet, which can move in horizontal and vertical planes or rotate around a vertical axis, this feature further increasing the possibility of exposing the garments placed on the hangers to the treatment mist.

[0029] While the present invention will be described with reference to certain drawings, the invention is not limited thereto, but only by the claims. The drawings described are schematic and not limiting. Each drawing may not include all features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some elements may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and not drawn to scale. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual embodiments of the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, terms such as first, second, third, etc. in the detailed description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily intended to describe an order in time, space, sequence, or otherwise.

[0031] Furthermore, terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, and the like in the detailed description and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions, and it should be understood that these terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is possible in orientations other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0032] The terms "comprise" or "comprise" used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the means listed thereafter, nor as excluding other elements or steps, and should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but not as excluding the presence or addition of one or more other integers, steps or components or groups thereof.

[0033] Similarly, it should be understood that in the description, various features of the invention may be grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof to streamline the disclosure and to aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects of the disclosure. However, this should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim.

[0034] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features found in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0035] In the description provided herein, many specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of the description.

[0036] The concept of the invention is explained by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be constructed based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the basic concept or technical teaching of the invention. The invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a processing cabinet according to the invention, showing how it appears to the user. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the processing cabinet with the cover plate removed, exposing part of the internal structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a processing cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the processing cabinet. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the hanger / socket structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] 1, a processing cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Processing cabinet 10 includes four side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18, a top 20, and a bottom 22. Together, these four side walls 12, 14, 16, and 18, the top 20, and the bottom 22 enclose a processing volume 30.

[0039] In this embodiment, a user interface 70, which is a touch screen in this example, is provided on one side wall 12, which is the front wall. Other possible user interfaces include a user interface with buttons, switches, etc.

[0040] As shown in the figures, the processing cabinet is a stand-alone unit. Turning to Figure 2, the exterior cladding or panels have been removed to expose a portion of the internal structure. The features shown are described below with reference to further figures.

[0041] 1, 2 and 3, the processing cabinet is clearly shown to include four distinct side walls, however, two or three side walls may be merged into a curved cross-sectional shape which, together with the side walls, top and bottom, defines the processing volume 30. At least one side wall is openable, in this embodiment the front face 12, allowing access to the processing volume 30. However, any side wall may be designed to be openable and this feature does not interfere with the inventive concept.

[0042] A further feature of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3. A spray device 32 is disposed within the processing volume 30. The spray device 32 includes a spray head 34 having one or more nozzles 36, 36' disposed therein, which spray from the inside of the sidewall towards the processing volume 30.

[0043] The spray head 34 is further mounted to a curved rail 38 which allows the spray head to move along the curved rail 38. The curved rail 38 is slidably mounted at its ends 38', 38" to side rails 40, 42. In this manner, the curved rail 38 can move vertically along the side rails 40, 42 during use, and thus along the entire treatment volume 30. Similarly, by allowing the spray head 34 to move along the curved rail 38, the spray head can cover an area substantially equal to the entire side wall 18 by movement along the curved rail 38 and its movement along the side rails 40, 42. With this arrangement, garments placed within the treatment volume will be treated on one side of the garment. An additional spray device is provided along the opposite sidewall to treat the opposite side. This spray device 50 also includes a spray head 52 attached to a curved rail 54. This curved rail 54, like the first curved rail 38, is attached to side rails 56, 58 attached adjacent to the opposite sidewall from the first set of side rails. The spray head also includes one or more nozzles. Thus, in this embodiment, two spray devices are operated within the processing volume 30 to simultaneously treat both sides of the garments placed within the processing volume 30.

[0044] In this embodiment, the top portion 20 is provided with multiple ventilators or fans 24, 26, and 28, which can be operated independently or together to introduce outside air into the treatment volume 30 or to exhaust air from the treatment volume 30. The ability to independently operate the ventilators / fans creates an air flow within the treatment volume 30, causing the mist of treatment agent generated from the nozzles of the spray heads 34 and 52 to swirl around the garments being impregnated, thereby effectively utilizing the generated impregnating agent. In embodiments where the ventilators / fans 24, 26, and 28 are used to exhaust air from within the treatment volume 30, a filter unit (not shown) is installed immediately adjacent to the ventilation means to treat the exhausted air. In embodiments where the ventilators / fans introduce outside air into the treatment volume 30, the bottom portion 22 is further provided with an exhaust means in the form of a ventilator / fan and a filter. For this purpose, the bottom portion may be provided with multiple through-holes 60 to allow air and impregnating agent to escape to the filter unit (not shown).

[0045] In this embodiment, the side of the rear wall 18 facing the processing volume is provided with a grid 62. Optical means 64, located adjacent the opposite interior wall, is arranged to detect which portion of the grid is visible when a garment is placed between the optical means 64 and the grid 62. In this way, it is possible to determine the size of the garment to be processed and adjust the processing accordingly. In this way, processing can be carried out more quickly, more accurately, and with less waste of processing compound.

[0046] The optical means 64 may further include an ultraviolet sensor, and in embodiments where the treatment compound includes a UV-reactive backlight agent, the optical means may be combined with UV light to determine how well the garment has been covered / treated with the UV-reactive backlight agent-containing impregnation, which of course may be displayed on an external screen, allowing the user to immediately see the effectiveness and therefore quality of the treatment.

[0047] Turning to Figure 4, a top view of the processing cabinet 10 is shown, i.e., the top has been removed to provide a view of the interior of the processing cabinet. As can be seen, two sets of curved rails 38, 54 are provided on opposite side walls with separate spray heads 34, 52 that can move independently along the curved rails 38, 54. Similarly, the curved rails 38, 54 can move vertically, i.e., move in and out of the view along the side rails 40, 58.

[0048] The spray heads 34, 52 are equipped with directional nozzles 36, 36' which can be adjusted by adjustment means 66, 68. In this way, it is possible to aim the nozzles more precisely at areas where it is particularly desired to impregnate, for example, a coat or other garment. This can be done depending on the detection of the size of the coat by the combination of optical means and grid, or due to a desire to specially treat, for example, seams of the garment, by aiming the nozzles at these areas, a more intensive treatment of, for example, the seams of the garment can be obtained.

[0049] Turning to FIG. 5, a hanger / socket arrangement is shown. The hanger 72 is an example of a means provided for hanging or supporting a garment within the processing volume 30 and includes a socket 74 and a removable hanger 72. The socket 74 is provided with means (not shown) for engaging the hanger 72. A flow path 76 passes through the socket 74 and is provided on the exterior of the processing cabinet 10. The hanger 72 is provided with an engagement portion (not shown) for removably engaging the hanger engagement means provided on the socket 74. The hanger 72 is also provided with a flow path 76 which, when engaged with the socket and hanger, forms a continuous flow path 76 that, in use, provides a continuous flow path from the interior of the garment to the exterior of the processing cabinet 10.

[0050] The hangers 72 provide a familiar and practical means for placing various garments within the treatment volume, for example, jackets, coats, blouses, shirts, pants, etc. By being placed on the hangers, the items are suspended within the treatment volume and do not contact the interior surfaces of the treatment volume, allowing the treatment to be applied unhindered to the entire exterior surface of the garment being treated.

[0051] Additionally, the flow path 76 is provided with a fan 78, either in the socket 74 or in the hanger 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the fan 78 is located in the socket 74. The fan 78 may be operated to create an air flow into or out of the processing volume 30, which affects the garments and the airflow patterns within the processing chamber, thereby affecting the distribution of the processing agent mist. Particularly for garments with designs that include corners, edges, or other non-planar features, the fan 78 provides the possibility of moving the garments during processing within the processing chamber, allowing hard-to-reach features to be better exposed during the processing cycle.

[0052] The socket may be disposed within or on a movable body 82, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 6 installed on the top 20 of the cabinet 10. The movable body 82 can move in a horizontal plane defined by the x- and y-axes and / or in a vertical plane defined by the zy-axis, and / or rotate around the vertical axis z. This functionality further increases the likelihood of exposing the garments placed on the hangers to the treatment mist. In this embodiment, the movable body 82 is disposed on a traverse rail 84, and the movable body can move in the y-direction along the traverse rail 84. Furthermore, the ends of the traverse rail 84 are further disposed to slide on guide rails 86 and 88, thereby allowing the traverse rail 84 to move in the x-direction (within the x-y plane).

[0053] Although not shown, it will be apparent that the present invention also includes a control unit that is pre-programmed with different treatment regimes depending on the type of garment being treated within the treatment volume 30. The treatment regime is automatically selected depending on input from the optical means and grid combination, allowing the control unit to independently determine whether it is a coat, pants, gloves, or the like that should receive treatment. Similarly, in embodiments where the treatment compound is mixed with a UV-reactive backlight agent, the optical means can determine the quality of the treatment as it occurs and continue treatment until sufficient coverage is achieved according to already pre-programmed limits or requirements.

Claims

1. 1. A processing cabinet including four side walls enclosing a processing volume, a top, and a bottom, at least one sidewall is openable and allows access to said processing volume; a spray device is disposed inside the side wall facing the treatment volume, the spray device includes a rail, at least one spray head is movably attached to the rail, the spray head is movable along the rail, the spray head has two or more nozzles for emitting a treatment agent of liquid, gas or mist, and the rail is movable between the top and the bottom while being guided by a plurality of side rails arranged parallel to the side wall; A processing cabinet is provided in which means for hanging or supporting garments within the processing volume are provided, a plurality of rails with spray heads are disposed on opposing side walls, and two sets of rails are independently movable between the bottom and the top within the processing volume.

2. 10. The process cabinet of claim 1, wherein the rails are curved, the rails being closest to the side walls at a central portion of the rails and furthest from the side walls at distal ends of the rails.

3. 3. A processing cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner surface of one of the side walls is provided with a grid and a vision unit is mounted on or near the opposite side, said vision unit being able to monitor said grid.

4. 4. A processing cabinet according to claim 1 or 3, wherein a light source is provided on one rail and optionally on the spray head, and a light receiver is provided on the other rail and optionally on the spray head.

5. 5. The treatment cabinet of claim 3 or 4, further comprising a control unit programmed with pattern recognition software, wherein the portions of the grid visible by the vision unit or areas where light is received or not received are input to a treatment agent dispenser to determine the amount of treatment agent used by the spray head or heads to treat specific garments within the treatment volume.

6. 6. The process cabinet of claim 5, wherein the nozzles are directional and positioned to target specific areas in response to instructions received from the control unit.

7. The processing cabinet of claim 3 , wherein the vision unit includes a UV light source and the or one of the plurality of processing agents includes a UV reactive black light agent.

8. The processing cabinet of claim 1 , wherein one or more UV light sources are provided within the processing cabinet.

9. 2. A processing cabinet according to claim 1, wherein ventilation and / or air agitation means are provided in communication with the processing volume to circulate air within the processing volume and to vent air containing excess processing agent in a controlled manner.

10. A pre-programmed treatment routine is provided to the operator control unit, said pre-programmed routine may include a single treatment or a combination of different treatments by having said nozzle emit a suitable treatment agent towards the garments to be treated, said treatment being one or more of the following: a. Chemical cleaning is a process that generates dry cleaning agents on the treated garments and then removes the dry cleaning agents; b. High pressure air jet treatment; c. moisture impregnation treatment; d. insect repellent treatment; e. Antistatic treatment; The processing cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processing cabinet may be selected from:

11. 2. The processing cabinet of claim 1, wherein the means provided for hanging or supporting garments within the processing volume comprises a socket and a removable hanger, the socket having means for engaging the hanger, a flow path passing through the socket and provided on the exterior of the processing cabinet, the hanger having an engagement portion for releasably engaging with the means for engaging the hanger provided on the socket, the hanger having a flow path which, when engaged with the socket and the hanger, provides a continuous flow path from inside the garment to the exterior of the processing cabinet in use.

12. The process cabinet of claim 11 , wherein a fan is mounted within the flow path in either the socket or the hanger.

13. 13. The processing cabinet according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the socket is arranged on a movable body installed on the top of the processing cabinet, the movable body being capable of moving in horizontal and vertical planes and / or rotating around a vertical axis.

14. 1. A method of treating clothing using a treatment cabinet, comprising: the apparatus comprises four side walls surrounding a treatment volume, a top, and a bottom, at least one of the side walls being openable and closable to allow access to the treatment volume; a spraying device is disposed inside the side wall facing the treatment volume, the spraying device comprising a curved rail having at least one spray head movably attached thereto, the spray head being movable along the curved rail, the spray head comprising two or more nozzles adapted to generate a liquid, gas, or mist treatment agent; the curved rail being guided by side rails disposed parallel to the side walls and movable between the top and bottom; rails equipped with spray heads are disposed on opposite side walls, and two sets of rails are independently movable between the bottom and top within the treatment volume; and means for hanging or supporting garments within the treatment volume is provided; A method in which the garments to be treated are placed on suitable hanging means within said treatment volume, the access door is closed, a selected treatment regime is selected from a menu, and said selected treatment regime is input into a control unit to select treatment compounds, operating nozzles, nozzle operation times and operation durations.

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