Dual mode laundry apparatus and method using the same
First Claim
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1. A dual mode fabric treatment apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for receiving a fabric article;
a first reservoir for storing a lipophilic fluid;
a second reservoir for storing a fabric finishing composition;
a dispensing device configured to dispense the fabric finishing composition in the form of droplets;
optionally, a heating device for heating the chamber; and
optionally, a gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of lipophilic fluid vapors in the chamber;
wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a fabric treatment operation comprising a washing cycle and a drying cycle;
to dispense the lipophilic fluid into the chamber during the washing cycle; and
to dispense the fabric finishing composition via the dispensing device into the chamber during a drying cycle, thereby at least a portion of the dispensed fabric finishing composition contacts the fabric article in the chamber.
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Abstract
An apparatus and a method for treating, cleaning or refreshing fabric articles. Specifically, the apparatus is dual mode apparatus capable of both washing and drying operations wherein a lipophilic fluid is used in at least one step of the fabric treatment process in the apparatus. A kit containing replaceable/consumable components is also provided.
176 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A dual mode fabric treatment apparatus comprising:
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a chamber for receiving a fabric article;
a first reservoir for storing a lipophilic fluid;
a second reservoir for storing a fabric finishing composition;
a dispensing device configured to dispense the fabric finishing composition in the form of droplets;
optionally, a heating device for heating the chamber; and
optionally, a gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of lipophilic fluid vapors in the chamber;
wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a fabric treatment operation comprising a washing cycle and a drying cycle;
to dispense the lipophilic fluid into the chamber during the washing cycle; and
to dispense the fabric finishing composition via the dispensing device into the chamber during a drying cycle, thereby at least a portion of the dispensed fabric finishing composition contacts the fabric article in the chamber. - 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)
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24. A kit comprising:
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(a) a detergent composition, a fabric finishing composition, or both; and
at least one of the following components;
(b) a reservoir for storing the composition;
(c) a dispensing device for dispensing the composition;
(d) attachment means for removably attaching the reservoir and/or the dispensing device to a fabric treatment apparatus;
(e) optionally, packaging for containing components (a-d); and
(f) optionally, a set of instructions in association with the reservoir or the packaging, the instructions direct the user to attach and to detach the reservoir and/or the dispensing device to the fabric treatment apparatus, and optionally, to assemble the components of the kit such that the dispensing device is in fluid communication with the composition in the reservoir.
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Specification