Automated fragrance application apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A laundering apparatus comprising:
- a.) a washer for washing fabric to provide washed fabric;
b.) a dryer with an air intake environment for drying the washed fabric by application of heated air to provide dry fabric;
c.) a fragrance dispenser for automated application of fragrance to the dry fabric, the fragrance dispenser comprising a sensor, a fragrance delivery system, and a fragrance reservoir;
d.) the sensor being provided for sensing conditions desirable for delivery of fragrance to the dry fabric and activating the fragrance delivery system to dispense fragrance from the fragrance dispenser, wherein the fragrance delivery system is in fluid communication with the fragrance reservoir;
e.) the fragrance delivery system being provided for delivering a predetermined amount of fragrance from the fragrance reservoir to the dry fabric; and
f.) the fragrance dispenser is positioned to dispense fragrance to fabric by at least one of;
(i) application of fragrance to the fabric when the fabric is provided outside the dryer; and
(ii) application of fragrance to the air intake environment of the dryer when the fabric is provided inside the dryer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide for an automated fragrance dispenser for the application of a fragrance to dry fabrics during an industrial laundering process. In one embodiment, the fragrance dispenser is positioned outside the dryer, and preferably on the exit side of the steam tunnel in the laundering process. The fragrance dispenser includes a sensor for determining whether the garment passing on the conveyor is the type of garment to which the fragrance is to be applied, for example, a uniform shirt versus pants. The fragrance dispenser also includes a delivery system for applying the fragrance to selected garments. The delivery system also includes a timing device for dispensing the fragrance onto the garment for a controlled amount of time.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, automated application of the fragrance to fabrics is provided in the dryer within the laundering process. The fragrance dispenser according to this embodiment includes a product media located in the air intake environment of the dryer, and a delivery system for applying the fragrance to the product media. The delivery system is configured to apply the fragrance to the product media, via an air-injection spray nozzle, during the cooling cycle of the dryer. The operation of the dryer draws air through the product media, thereby applying fragrance to the garments in the rotating drum of the dryer.
55 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A laundering apparatus comprising:
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a.) a washer for washing fabric to provide washed fabric;
b.) a dryer with an air intake environment for drying the washed fabric by application of heated air to provide dry fabric;
c.) a fragrance dispenser for automated application of fragrance to the dry fabric, the fragrance dispenser comprising a sensor, a fragrance delivery system, and a fragrance reservoir;
d.) the sensor being provided for sensing conditions desirable for delivery of fragrance to the dry fabric and activating the fragrance delivery system to dispense fragrance from the fragrance dispenser, wherein the fragrance delivery system is in fluid communication with the fragrance reservoir;
e.) the fragrance delivery system being provided for delivering a predetermined amount of fragrance from the fragrance reservoir to the dry fabric; and
f.) the fragrance dispenser is positioned to dispense fragrance to fabric by at least one of;
(i) application of fragrance to the fabric when the fabric is provided outside the dryer; and
(ii) application of fragrance to the air intake environment of the dryer when the fabric is provided inside the dryer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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27. A method of automated application of fragrance to dry fabric during a laundering process, the method comprising:
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a.) washing fabric by application of aqueous detergent to provide washed fabric;
b.) drying the washed fabric in a dryer by application of heated air through an air intake environment to provide dry fabric;
c.) applying fragrance to the dry fabric, the application operation comprising sensing conditions for delivery of fragrance to the dry fabric and activating a delivery system, the fragrance being applied to the fabric by at least one of;
(i) applying the fragrance to the fabric when the fabric is provided outside the dryer; and
(ii) applying the fragrance to the air intake environment when the fabric is provided inside the dryer; and
d.) delivering from the delivery system a predetermined amount of fragrance from a fragrance reservoir to the dry fabric.
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Specification