Fiber declumper

• US 5,438,773 A
• Filed: 08/19/1994
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rebecca J. Chaffee
• Original Assignee: Rebecca J. Chaffee
• Inventors: Chaffee, Rebecca J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gromada, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TINKER, SUSANNE CHRISTINE
• Application Number:
  US08/292,216
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 34/60, 34/389, 34/390, 34/597, 34/599, 34/61, 206/0.5, 206/0.7, 206/524.6
• US Class Current: 34/61
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements

Abstract

To attain this, the present invention essentially relates to a fiber declumper device for use in conjunction with a fiber-filled construction such as a down-filled sleeping bag during treatment of such construction in a rotary drum dryer which comprises a solid foot-shaped structure formed of dense heat-resistant plastic, rubber or the like. This device is placed in the dryer along with the fiber-filled construction to be dried and, as the dryer drum rotates, the device preferably in the shape of a foot, beats on the fiber-filled construction preventing clumping of the fiber contained therein. A cavity within the beating member device contains heat-activated scent material which will impart a pleasant odor to the construction being heated.

Claims

1. A fiber declumping device for use in a rotary drum dryer containing a fiber-filled construction to be treated which comprises:

an L-shaped beating member formed of a heat-resistant polymeric material;

free to move within said drum; and

means within said beating member to dispense aromatic vapors when rotating in said drum dryer;

said L-shaped beating member resembles a boot having an ankle portion and a foot portion;

said means to dispense aromatic vapors comprises a perforated canister positioned fixedly within said ankle portion of said beating member and spaced from the foot portion, the canister communicating through perforations in said beating member with the interior of the drum within which said member is freely positioned in use;

the beating member having a receptacle concentrically mounted therewithin;

said receptacle having an entrance opening extending through an exterior surface of the beating member in communication with the receptacle;

a lid removably mounted to the entrance opening.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein heat activated capsules are contained within said canister.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said perforated canister has fine mesh screen over the perforations thereof to prevent escape of particulate material from said capsules therethrough.