Low absorbency pad system for a fabric treatment appliance

• US 20070163097A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Wright, Tremitchell, Tomasi, Donald M., Luckman, Joel A., McAllister, Karl D., Kaeding, Janice M., Metcalfe, LD, Conrad, Daniel C.
• Application Number:
  US11/482,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20070163097A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 28/100
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements

Abstract

A pad system for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber can comprise a low absorbency textured surface and an attachment system configured to attach the textured surface to an inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber. The pad system can further include a fluid dispensing system configured to dispense fluid from the textured surface. Optionally, the textured surface can be a substantially non-absorbent textured surface.

Claims

1. A pad system for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber with an inside surface;

a drive system to move fabric in the fabric treatment chamber;

a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the fabric treatment chamber; and

a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the fabric treatment chamber, the pad system comprising;

a low absorbency textured surface; and

an attachment system configured to attach the textured surface to the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber.

2. The pad system of claim 1 wherein the textured surface comprises a structural attribute comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of:

a plurality of directional fibers, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a plurality of break-away particulate surface substructures, a plurality of microparticulate substructures, textured substrate, and a coating.

3. The pad system of claim 1 wherein the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber has a plurality of baffles, and the pad system is attached to at least one of the plurality of baffles by the attachment system.

4. The pad system of claim 3 wherein the fabric treatment chamber is cylindrical, and the plurality of baffles are disposed along an interior circumference of the fabric treatment chamber and are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fabric treatment chamber.

5. The pad system of claim 3 wherein the textured surface is selected from a group consisting of:

a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a removable covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a removable covering.

6. The pad system of claim 1 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is configured to absorb at least a portion of sound generated by the fabric moving in the fabric treatment chamber.

7. The pad system of claim 1 wherein the attachment system comprises:

first attachment means on the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber; and

second attachment means associated with the textured surface and engageable with the first attachment means.

8. The pad system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to receive a solid form for delivering chemistry.

9. The pad system of claim 8 wherein the form comprises the chemistry.

10. A pad system for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber with an inside surface;

a drive system to move fabric in the fabric treatment chamber; and

a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the fabric treatment chamber, the pad system comprising;

a low absorbency textured surface;

an attachment system configured to attach the textured surface to the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber; and

a fluid dispensing system configured to dispense fluid from the textured surface.

11. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the textured surface comprises a structural attribute comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of:

a plurality of directional fibers, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a plurality of break-away particulate surface substructures, a plurality of microparticulate substructures, textured substrate and a coating.

12. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the textured surface is selected from a group consisting of:

a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a removable covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a removable covering.

13. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the fluid dispensing system comprises an inner reservoir in fluid communication with the textured surface for wicking fluid through the low absorbency textured surface.

14. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the fluid dispensing system comprises a fluid impregnated on the textured surface.

15. The pad system of the claim 10 wherein the fluid to be dispensed is selected from a group consisting of:

builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, softening agents, anti-static agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents and mixtures thereof.

16. The pad system of the claim 10 wherein the fluid is a perfume.

17. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber has a plurality of baffles, and the pad system is attached to at least one of the plurality of baffles by the attachment system.

18. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is configured to absorb at least a portion of sound generated by the fabric moving in the fabric treatment chamber.

19. The pad system of claim 10 wherein the attachment system comprises:

first attachment means on the inside surface of the chamber; and

second attachment means associated with the textured surface and engageable with the first attachment means.

20. A pad system for use in a fabrics revitalizing system having a fabric treatment chamber with an inside surface;

a drive system to move fabric in the fabric treatment chamber;

a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the fabric treatment chamber; and

a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the fabric treatment chamber, the pad system comprising;

a substantially non-absorbent textured surface; and

an attachment system configured to attach the textured surface to the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber.

21. The pad system of claim 20 wherein the textured surface comprises a structural attribute comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of:

a plurality of directional fibers, an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, a plurality of break-away particulate surface substructures, a plurality of microparticulate substructures, textured substrate and a coating.

22. The pad system of claim 20 wherein textured surface is selected from a group consisting of:

a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a covering.

23. The pad system of claim 20, further comprising a fluid dispensing system configured to dispense fluid from the textured surface.

24. The pad system of claim 23 wherein the fluid dispensing system comprises an inner reservoir in fluid communication with the textured surface for wicking fluid through the low absorbency textured surface.

25. The pad system of claim 23 wherein the fluid is impregnated on the textured surface.

26. The pad system of claim 23 wherein the fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, softening agents, anti-static agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents and mixtures thereof.

27. The pad system of claim 23 wherein the fluid is a perfume.

28. The pad system of claim 20, wherein the inside surface of the fabric treatment chamber further comprises a plurality of baffles, and the textured substrate surface is attached to at least one of the plurality of baffles by the attachment system.

29. The pad system of claim 28 wherein textured surface is selected from the group consisting of:

a removable pad, a permanently attached pad, a removable pad liner with a covering, and a permanently attached pad liner with a covering.

30. The pad system of claim 20 wherein the low absorbency textured surface is configured to absorb at least a portion of sound generated by the fabric moving in the fabric treatment chamber.