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Fabric article treating apparatus with safety device and controller

  • US 7,415,781 B2
  • Filed: 11/03/2006
  • Issued: 08/26/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A treating system comprising:

  • a fabric article drying appliance having a chamber and a closure structure, said closure structure having a closed position and at least one open position, said closure structure allowing access to said chamber;

    a source of benefit composition;

    a nozzle in communication with said chamber;

    a dispensing apparatus that compels benefit composition from said source of benefit composition toward said nozzle, thereby spraying said benefit composition into said chamber;

    a closure structure sensor;

    a control circuit that initiates spraying of said benefit composition, wherein said control circuit prevents said benefit composition from being sprayed when said closure structure sensor indicates that said closure structure is not in said closed position;

    a charging circuit that imparts an electrical charge to said benefit composition, thereby generating an electrostatic spray;

    wherein;

    (a) said control circuit comprises at least one of;

    (i) a sequential processing apparatus, (ii) a parallel processing apparatus, (iii) a logic state machine apparatus, and (iv) discrete analog and logic electronic circuitry;

    (b) said source of benefit composition comprises a reservoir;

    (c) said charging circuit comprises a high voltage power supply;

    (d) said dispensing apparatus that compels said benefit composition comprises a pump apparatus;

    and further comprising;

    an electrical conductor that carries an output voltage from said high voltage power supply to an electrode, which thereby charges said benefit composition; and

    an electrical power source wherein said treating system further comprises(a) a first enclosure, (b) a second enclosure, (c) an electrical cable in communication with said first and second enclosures; and

    (d) an electric motor that actuates said pump apparatus; and

    wherein;

    (e) said first enclosure is located in an exterior relationship to said fabric article drying appliance, and said first enclosure comprises;

    (i) said electrical power source; and

    (ii) said control circuit;

    (f) said second enclosure is located in an interior relationship to said fabric article drying appliance, and said second enclosure comprises;

    (i) said reservoir, initially containing said benefit composition;

    (ii) said high voltage power supply;

    (iii) said pump apparatus;

    (iv) said electric motor;

    (v) said electrode, and said electrical conductor carrying the output voltage to the electrode;

    (vi) said nozzle; and

    (viii) said closure structure sensor; and

    (g) said electric cable carries;

    (i) electrical energy from said electrical power source to said high voltage power supply, (ii) at least one signal from said control circuit to said electric motor; and

    (iii) at least one signal from said closure structure sensor to said control circuit.

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