PROCESSES AND APPARATUSES FOR APPLYING A BENEFIT COMPOSITION TO ONE OR MORE FABRIC ARTICLES DURING A FABRIC ENHANCEMENT OPERATION

• US 20110016643A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dean Larry Duval, Eugene Joseph Panchieri, Mary Jane Combs, Michael Joseph Orr
• Original Assignee: Dean Larry Duval, Eugene Joseph Panchieri, Mary Jane Combs, Michael Joseph Orr
• Inventors: Orr, Michael Joseph, Panchieri, Eugene Joseph, Combs, Mary Jane, DuVal, Dean Larry
• Application Number:
  US12/891,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016643A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/442
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/50 Perfumes
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/04 Quantity, e.g. weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/14 Time settings
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/38 Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/44 of conditioning or finishing, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases

Abstract

A process is provided for applying a benefit composition to a fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation. The process may comprise the steps of selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by the benefit composition to the fabric article, and selecting one dosage amount for the benefit composition based on the selected benefit level.

Claims

1. A process for applying a benefit composition to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting via an input device a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

selecting at least one dosage amount for said benefit composition based on said selected benefit level.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

3. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

4. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said benefit composition performs a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, stain repellency, scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

5. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dosage amount varies with the benefit level selected.

6. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting at least one dosage amount for said benefit composition based on said selected benefit level comprises the step of selecting a total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected benefit level.

7. A process for applying a benefit composition to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting via an input device a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

selecting an optimum time for applying said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected benefit level.

8. A process as set forth in claim 7, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

9. A process as set forth in claim 7, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

10. A process as set forth in claim 7, wherein said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, stain repellency, scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

11. A process as set forth in claim 10, wherein said step of selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit comprises the step of selecting a desired one of a first light benefit level and a second strong benefit level.

12. A process as set forth in claim 11, wherein said step of selecting an optimum time for applying said benefit composition comprises the steps of:

applying said benefit composition during an initial portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said first light benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction;

applying said benefit composition during a final portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said first light benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, and stain repellency;

applying said benefit composition during an initial portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said second strong benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, and stain repellency; and

applying said benefit composition during an final portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said second strong benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

13. A process for applying a benefit composition to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a first benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article;

selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a second benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition to said fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected first and second benefit levels.

14. A process as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

15. A process as set forth in claim 13, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

16. A process as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition comprises the steps of:

selecting a total amount of said benefit composition to be dispensed during said fabric enhancement operation based on said first selected benefit level; and

selecting a ratio of an amount of said benefit composition to be dosed beginning at a first juncture during said fabric enhancement operation to an amount of said benefit composition to be dosed beginning at a second juncture during said fabric enhancement operation, said ratio being selected based on said selected second benefit level.

17. A process as set forth in claim 16, wherein said step of selecting a total amount of said benefit composition to be dispensed comprises the step of selecting a total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said fabric enhancement operation and said step of selecting a ratio comprises the step of selecting a ratio of a first time period starting at said first juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed to a second time period starting at said second juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed.

18. A process as set forth in claim 17, wherein said step of selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition further comprises the steps of:

determining said first time period starting at said first juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed by multiplying said total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said operation by said ratio; and

determining said second time period starting at said second juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed by multiplying said total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said operation by (1 minus said ratio).

19. A process as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first benefit comprises one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection and stain repellency, and said second benefit comprises one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

20. A process as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition to said fabric article comprises the steps of:

selecting one of two or more load sizes of said at least one fabric article to receive said benefit composition;

selecting a nominal dispense time for dispensing said benefit composition based on said selected load size;

selecting a dose increment based on said first selected benefit level;

determining a total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said fabric enhancement operation by multiplying said dose increment by said nominal dispense time; and

selecting a ratio of a first time period beginning at a first juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed during said fabric enhancement operation to a second time period beginning at a second juncture during which said benefit composition is dispensed during said during said fabric enhancement operation, said ratio being selected based on said selected second benefit level.

21. A process for applying a benefit composition to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting via an input device a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition to said fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected benefit level.

22. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

23. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

24. A process as set forth in claim 21, wherein said step of selecting at least one dosage amount for applying said benefit composition comprises the steps of:

selecting one of two or more load sizes of said at least one fabric article to receive said benefit composition;

selecting a total amount of said benefit composition to be dispensed during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected load size; and

selecting a ratio of an amount of said benefit composition to be dosed beginning at a first juncture during said fabric enhancement operation to an amount of said benefit composition to be dosed beginning at a second juncture during said fabric enhancement operation, said ratio being selected based on said selected benefit level.

25. A process as set forth in claim 24, wherein said step of selecting a total amount of said benefit composition to be dispensed comprises the step of selecting a total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said fabric enhancement operation and said step of selecting a ratio comprises the step of selecting a ratio of a first time period starting at said first juncture during which said fabric treatment is dispensed to a second time period starting at said second juncture during which said fabric treatment is dispensed.

26. A process as set forth in claim 24, wherein said benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article comprises one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

27. A process for applying first and second benefit compositions to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a first benefit to be provided by said first benefit composition to said at least one fabric article;

selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a second benefit to be provided by said second benefit composition to said at least one fabric article;

selecting at least one dosage amount and a corresponding optimum time for applying said first benefit composition to said fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected first benefit level; and

selecting at least one dosage amount and a corresponding optimum time for applying said second benefit composition to said fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected second benefit level.

28. A process as set forth in claim 27, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

29. A process as set forth in claim 27, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

30. An apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition to at least one fabric article being processed within a chamber of a fabric enhancement apparatus comprising:

structure for dispensing said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation occurring within said fabric enhancement apparatus chamber;

an input device allowing a user to select a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

a controller coupled to said input device and selecting at least one dosage amount for said benefit composition based on said selected benefit level, said controller causing said dispensing structure to dispense said benefit composition onto said at least one fabric article in accordance with said selected dosage amount.

31. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said fabric enhancement apparatus comprises a dryer.

32. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said structure, input device and controller comprise a stand-alone unit separate from said fabric enhancement apparatus.

33. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said structure, input device and controller comprise integral parts of said fabric enhancement apparatus.

34. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said benefit composition performs a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, stain repellency, scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

35. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said controller causes said dosage amount to vary with the benefit level selected.

36. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said controller selects said at least one dosage amount for said benefit composition by selecting a total time amount for dispensing said benefit composition during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected benefit level.

37. An apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition to at least one fabric article being processed within a chamber of a fabric enhancement apparatus comprising:

structure for dispensing said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation occurring within said fabric enhancement apparatus chamber;

an input device for selecting a desired one of two or more levels of a benefit to be provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

a controller for selecting an optimum time for applying said fabric treatment to said at least one fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected benefit level, said controller causing said dispensing structure to dispense said benefit composition onto said at least one fabric article at said selected optimum time.

38. An apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said fabric enhancement apparatus comprises a dryer.

39. An apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said structure, input device and controller comprise a stand-alone unit separate from said fabric enhancement apparatus.

40. An apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said structure, input device and controller comprise integral parts of said fabric enhancement apparatus.

41. An apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said benefit composition performs a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, stain repellency, scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

42. An apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said input device allows a user to select a desired one of a first low benefit level and a second high benefit level.

43. An apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein said controller selects an optimum time for applying said benefit composition such that:

said benefit composition is applied by said structure during an initial portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said first low benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction;

said benefit composition is applied by said structure during an final portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said first low benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, and stain repellency;

said benefit composition is applied by said structure during an initial portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said second high benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, and stain repellency; and

said benefit composition is applied by said structure during an final portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said second high benefit level is selected and said benefit composition provides a benefit comprising one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

44. A process for applying a benefit composition to at least one fabric article during a fabric enhancement operation comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of first and second benefits capable of being provided by said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article; and

selecting one or more optimum times for applying said benefit composition to said at least one fabric article during said fabric enhancement operation based on said selected one or more benefits.

45. A process as set forth in claim 44, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric drying operation.

46. A process as set forth in claim 44, wherein said fabric enhancement operation comprises a fabric tumbling operation.

47. A process as set forth in claim 44, wherein said benefit composition is capable of providing a first benefit comprising one or more of softness enhancement, color protection, whiteness protection, and stain repellency, and a second benefit comprising one or more of scent enhancement, static reduction, bacterial reduction and wrinkle reduction.

48. A process as set forth in claim 47, wherein said step of selecting an optimum time for applying said benefit composition comprises the steps of:

applying at least a substantial portion of said benefit composition during an initial portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said first benefit is selected;

applying at least a substantial portion of said benefit composition during a final portion of said fabric enhancement operation when said second benefit is selected;

applying a significant portion of said benefit composition during each of initial and final portions of said fabric enhancement operation when said first and second benefits are selected.