Dry cleaning apparatus and method capable of utilizing a siloxane composition as a solvent
DCFirst Claim
1. A system containing siloxane solvent and no added volatile organic cleaning solvents for dry cleaning articles comprising:
- (a) a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein;
(b) one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent;
(c) a pump coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent;
(d) a still for distilling the siloxane solvent to recover the siloxane solvent;
(e) a condenser coupled to at least one of the cleaning basket and the still for recovering condensed vapors of the siloxane solvent;
(f) a separator coupled to the condenser for decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser; and
(g) a fan coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying the articles.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system includes a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein and a one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator is coupled to the condenser. A fan is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.
173 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system containing siloxane solvent and no added volatile organic cleaning solvents for dry cleaning articles comprising:
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(a) a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein; (b) one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent; (c) a pump coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent; (d) a still for distilling the siloxane solvent to recover the siloxane solvent; (e) a condenser coupled to at least one of the cleaning basket and the still for recovering condensed vapors of the siloxane solvent; (f) a separator coupled to the condenser for decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser; and (g) a fan coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying the articles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvent and no added volatile organic cleaning solvents comprising the steps of:
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(a) loading the articles into a cleaning basket; (b) immersing the articles in a siloxane solvent; (c) agitating the articles in the siloxane solvent; (d) removing at least a portion of the siloxane solvent by centrifuging the articles; (e) distilling the siloxane solvent to recover the siloxane solvent; (f) recovering condensed vapors of the siloxane solvent; (g) separating any water in the siloxane solvent; (h) drying the articles by circulating heated air about the articles; (i) removing the articles from the cleaning basket; and (j) reusing the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification