Non-aqueous washing machine and methods
First Claim
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1. A method of cleaning a fabric load in an automatic laundering apparatus comprising the steps of:
- selecting a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid,selecting at least one washing adjuvant;
bringing said working fluid and adjuvant in contact with fabric in the automatic consumer-operated laundering apparatus;
applying mechanical energy to provide relative movement within said fabric in the automatic laundering apparatus; and
wherein the structure of the automatic laundering apparatus comprises components which contact the working fluid, wherein said components are formed from a conductive polymer to dissipate the static charge.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.
390 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method of cleaning a fabric load in an automatic laundering apparatus comprising the steps of:
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selecting a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid, selecting at least one washing adjuvant; bringing said working fluid and adjuvant in contact with fabric in the automatic consumer-operated laundering apparatus; applying mechanical energy to provide relative movement within said fabric in the automatic laundering apparatus; and wherein the structure of the automatic laundering apparatus comprises components which contact the working fluid, wherein said components are formed from a conductive polymer to dissipate the static charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of cleaning a fabric load in an automatic laundry machine comprising the steps of:
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selecting a substantially non-aqueous working fluid; selecting at least one washing adjuvant; placing the fabric in a chamber adapted to confine said working fluid and said fabric; bringing said working fluid and adjuvant in contact with the fabric in the chamber; applying mechanical energy to provide relative movement of said fabric; extracting the working fluid from the chamber and re-circulating the working fluid to the chamber; and wherein the structure of the automatic laundering apparatus which contacts the working fluid is formed from conductive polymers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of cleaning fabric in an automatic laundering apparatus comprising the steps of:
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selecting a substantially non-aqueous working fluid; selecting at least one washing adjuvant; sensing the initial moisture content of the fabric in a chamber of the laundering apparatus prior to adding working fluid to the chamber; optionally heating the fabric when the moisture content is above a predetermined quantity; bringing said working fluid and adjuvant into contact with the fabric when the moisture content of the fabric is below a predetermined quantity; and applying mechanical energy to provide relative movement within said fabric; and wherein the structure of the automatic laundering apparatus in contact with said working fluid is formed from a conductive polymer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of cleaning fabric in an automatic laundering apparatus comprising the steps of:
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placing the fabric in a chamber adapted to confine said working fluid and said fabric; selecting a substantially non-aqueous working fluid; selecting at least one washing adjuvant; applying mechanical energy to provide relative movement of said fabric; and
wherein the structure of the automatic laundering apparatus contacted by said working fluid is formed from a conductive polymer to dissipate static charge. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification