Method for cleaning and refreshing fabrics

• US 6,893,469 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2000
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Van Hauwermeiren, Tim Maria Joris, Bouvette, Marianne mai Anh, Dewaele, Joost Ignace, Bettiol, Jean-Luc Philippe, Vos, Eddy, Pasin, Merih
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L.
• Application Number:
  US10/049,735
• Time in Patent Office: 1,903 Days
• Field of Search: 814/92, 814/93, 815/8, 68/5.R, 68/6, 68/5.C
• US Class Current: 8/149.1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/001 using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/00 Domestic laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/10 Drying cabinets or drying chambers having heating or ventilating means
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/30 Drying processes controlling a series of operations in domestic laundry dryers D06F58/32

Abstract

A method for treating a fabric article with the following steps: placing the fabric article in a container having an opening and at least one wall that defines an interior void space. Then the temperature and relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container are raised to a predetermined first temperature and a predetermined first relative humidity for a predetermined first period of time. Finally, at least one of the temperature or the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container are changed at the end of the first period of time to a predetermined second temperature and a predetermined second relative humidity for a predetermined second period of time.

Claims

1. A method for treating a fabric article comprising the steps of:

placing the fabric article in a container having an opening and at least one wall that defines an interior void space;

contacting said fabric with a pre-treatment composition prior to said fabric being placed within the container;

raising the temperature and relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container to a predetermined first temperature and a predetermined first relative humidity for a predetermined first period of time; and

changing at least one of the temperature or the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container at the end of the first period of time to at least one of a predetermined second temperature or a predetermined second relative humidity for a predetermined second period of time.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a cartridge containing a cleaning and refreshing composition is introduced into the interior void space of the container, and the cleaning and refreshing composition is released from the cartridge into the interior void space of the container.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said contacting occurs by spraying.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein vapor is used to raise the temperature and relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the temperature within the interior void space to decrease to a third temperature wherein the third temperature is less than about 45°

C.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container further comprises:

a) a heating element;

b) a humidity provider, preferably a humidity controller capable of changing and maintaining the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container;

c) a vent and/or filter; and

d) an air circulation device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the container further comprises an active temperature controller capable of changing and maintaining the air temperature within the interior void space of the container.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the container further comprises a passive humidity controller capable of changing and maintaining the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the vent remains open at all times.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the air circulation device is a fan and the fan inlet is within the interior void space of the container so that at least a portion of the air within the void space of the container is recirculated.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the vent remains open at all times.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein vapor is introduced into the interior void space of the container comprising water and a perfume.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature is at least about 45°

C.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature is greater than T as defined by the equation:

T=60−

(0.17*RH₂) wherein RH₂ is the second relative humidity in percent.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein RH₂ is at least 50%.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second temperature is less than about 45°

C.

31. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fabric articles are stretched or tensioned prior to the start of the cycle.

17. A method for treating a fabric article comprising the steps of:

placing the fabric article in a container having an opening and at least one wall that defines an interior void space;

raising the temperature and relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container to a predetermined first temperature and a predetermined first relative humidity for a predetermined first period of time;

raising at least one of the temperature or the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container at the end of the first period of time to at least one of a predetermined second temperature or a predetermined second relative humidity for a predetermined second period of time; and

decreasing the temperature of the air within the interior void space of the container at the end of the second period of time to a predetermined third temperature for a predetermined third period of time.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein vapor is used to raise the temperature and relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the third temperature is less than about 45°

C.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the container further comprises:

a) a heating element;

b) a humidity provider, preferably a humidity controller capable of changing and maintaining the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container;

c) a vent and/or filter; and

d) an air circulation device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the container further comprises an active temperature controller capable of changing and maintaining the air temperature within the interior void space of the container.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the container further comprises a passive humidity controller capable of changing and maintaining the relative humidity of the air within the interior void space of the container.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the air circulation device is a fan and the fan inlet is within the interior void space of the container so that at least a portion of the air within the void space of the container is recirculated.

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein vapor is introduced into the interior void space of the container comprising water and a perfume.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first temperature is at least about 45°

C.

26. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second temperature is greater than T as defined by the equation:

T=60−

(0.17*RH₂) wherein RH₂ is the second relative humidity in percent.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein RH₂ is at least 50%.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the second temperature is less than about 45°

C.

29. The method according to claim 17 wherein a cartridge containing a cleaning and refreshing composition is introduced into the interior void space of the container, and the cleaning and refreshing composition is released from the cartridge into the interior void space of the container.

30. The method according to claim 17 wherein the fabric articles are stretched or tensioned prior to the start of the cycle.