Method for detoxication, aeration, drying and sterilization of fabrics

• US 5,433,919 A
• Filed: 10/21/1993
• Issued: 07/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multitroc Patentverwertungsgesellschaft MbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Patent- Und Innovationsagentur Nordrhein-Westfalen GmbH
• Inventors: Baltes, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US08/140,581
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 422/1, 422/124, 422/125, 422/199, 422/292, 34/218, 34/219, 34/224, 34/225, 34/202, 68/5 R, 68/5 C, 223/51
• US Class Current: 422/1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/10 Drying cabinets or drying chambers having heating or ventilating means

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for detoxicating, aerating, drying and sterilizing clothing articles. A drying chamber is provided which has an inner chamber in which the clothing articles are to be hung. A first intermediate chamber and a second intermediate chamber are provided in the walls defining the inner chamber through which air is caused to flow. A heater is provided for heating air drawn in from the room and, if preferred, a condenser may be provided for removing moisture from the air after it has passed through the inner chamber. Air may be recirculated within the drying chamber by use of the condenser, or fresh air may flow through the condenser to provide a cooling air stream to the condenser, while heated moist air flows separately through the condenser to remove heat and moisture before the air is exhausted back into the room.

Claims

1. A method for removing chemicals present in and on clothing materials comprising the steps of:

introducing the clothing materials into a drying chamber comprising an inner chamber;

heating a supply of air to a temperature elevated above room temperature, but below a temperature which would be harmful to said materials,

continuously supplying said heated air through opposing apertures in walls defining said inner chamber,

exhausting the air through an air exhaust in a bottom wall of said inner chamber,

performing said supplying and exhausting so as to result in about equal thermodynamic state variables, comprising at least one of temperature, pressure, volume flow chemical potential and thermodynamic imbalance, arising throughout said inner chamber, and

providing a maximal evaporation of the individual chemicals present by means of thermal conditions of vapor pressure of the chemicals present at a minimal partial pressure based on the continuous air supply.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said clothing materials introduced comprise at least one of textiles, leather garments and shoes.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said steps of heating, continuously supplying and exhausting said air comprise:

directing an air stream into a first intermediate chamber between an outer and an inner shell of the drying chamber;

heating said air stream after it has passed through the first intermediate chamber,

directing the heated air stream through a second intermediate chamber defined by an inward facing wall of the first intermediate chamber and a wall of the inner chamber,

directing the heated air stream from the second intermediate chamber through said apertures into said inner chamber, and

drawing said air stream from said inner chamber through the air exhaust by a first fan, and discharging said air stream through an air outlet opening to the atmosphere.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said air drawn through the air exhaust is conducted through a condenser and thereafter is drawn through said first fan and discharged into said inner chamber.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said air drawn through the fan is subsequently directed through the second intermediate chamber such that the air stream is recirculated.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein said air drawn through the air exhaust is conducted through a condenser and thereafter is drawn through a second fan and discharged through the air outlet opening to the atmosphere.

7. A method for removing chemicals present in and on clothing materials comprising the steps of:

introducing the clothing materials into a drying chamber comprising an inner chamber;

heating a supply of air to a temperature elevated above room temperature, but below a temperature which would be harmful to said materials,

continuously supplying said heated air through opposing apertures in walls defining said inner chamber,

exhausting the air through an air exhaust in a bottom wall of said inner chamber,

performing said supplying and exhausting so as to result in about equal thermodynamic state variables, comprising at least one of temperature, pressure, volume flow chemical potential and thermodynamic imbalance, arising throughout said inner chamber, and

providing a maximal evaporation of the individual chemicals present by means of thermal conditions of vapor pressure of the chemicals present at a minimal partial pressure based on the continuous air supply;

directing said air stream through a condenser prior to heating said air stream to provide a cooling of said condenser, drawing said air stream from said condenser by a fan and then directing it through a heater to said inner chamber, withdrawing said air from said inner chamber through said condenser to dehumidify said air, and drawing said air from said condenser by a second fan.