Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fabric article treating device for use with a fabric article drying appliance (a non-limiting example of which includes a clothes dryer).
• the treating device may be a stand-alone discrete device.
• the device may be removably attached to the fabric article drying appliance.
• the treating device dispenses a benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition into a chamber.
• the treating device comprises: 1) a power source, 2) one or more sources of a benefit composition, 3) a dispensing means, and 4) a means for thermally protecting temperature sensitive components useful in such a device, More particularly, the present invention relates to a fabric article treating device wherein the thermal protection means provides a means to extend battery and/or electronics life and the life of other components which are temperature sensitive.
• Fabric article treating methods and/or devices have been evolving over the past 40 years.
• Conventional fabric article drying appliances such as clothes dryers typically have the electronic components located within the control panel of the appliance (away from the heat).
• U.S. 4,891,890 purports to describe a spraying device powered by batteries.
• one particular drawback of this device is the high discharge rate of batteries at the elevated temperatures of a domestic clothes dryer (i.e.; domestic clothes dryers commonly have operating air temperatures upwards of about 75 °C).
• a domestic clothes dryer i.e.; domestic clothes dryers commonly have operating air temperatures upwards of about 75 °C.
• life expectancy of an alkaline battery can drop dramatically starting at just 40 °C.
• Other readily available battery types have similar discharge profiles. This high discharge rate under typical clothes dryer operating temperatures necessitates frequent replacement and/or recharging of the batteries, which causes increased cost and/or inconvenience to a user of this device.
• thermal protection means protects the batteries and/or other heat sensitive components from the elevated temperatures generally found within fabric article drying appliances.
• the present invention relates to a fabric article treating device for dispensing a benefit composition which includes a means for thermal protection of one or more components of the device.
• the present invention also relates to a system for treating fabrics wherein the system includes a fabric article treating device and a fabric article drying appliance.
• the fabric article treating device of the system includes a means for thermal protection of the components associated with the treating device.
• the present invention further relates to a method for treating fabrics wherein the method includes a fabric article drying appliance and a fabric article treating device wherein the treating device includes a thermal protection means.
• FIG. 1 is a front view of a device made according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2-2 of the device of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device of the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG.1.
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device of the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device of the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a system for treating fabric articles in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of a system for treating fabric articles in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fabric article treating device made in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the opposite angle of the fabric article treating device of FIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 is an elevational view from one side in partial cross-section of the fabric article treating device of FIG. 11 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 11.
• Fabric article as used herein means any article that is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in a dry cleaning process.
• the term encompasses articles of fabric including but not limited to * clothing, linen, draperies,-clothing accessories, leather, floor coverings, and the like.
• the term also encompasses other items made in whole or in part of fabric, such as tote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins, shoes, and the like.
• Suitable for use as used herein relates to a functionality of one or more components of the device and/or system such that the replacement component(s) retain a basic functionality within the fabric article treating system.
• a closure structure that is suitable for use in a fabric article drying appliance would still retain the function of providing closure, although other features of the closure structure may differ from the original component.
• the term "benefit composition” refers to a composition used to deliver a benefit to a fabric article.
• materials and mixtures thereof which can comprise the benefit composition include: water, softening agents, crispening agents, perfume, water/stain repellents, refreshing agents, antistatic agents, antimicrobial agents, durable press agents, wrinkle resistant agents, odor resistance agents, abrasion resistance agents, solvents, and combinations thereof.
• Conduit as used herein means a channel or pathway through which a benefit composition is conveyed.
• conduits include: tubing, piping, channels, and the like which are capable of conveying a composition from point to point within the device.
• the conduit may transfer the benefit composition from the source of the benefit composition to a dispensing means.
• the conduit may convey the benefit composition from the dispensing means to a point of discharge, such as a nozzle, an orifice, or the like.
• heat sensitive and temperature sensitive refers to any component(s) associated with the fabric article treating device and/or treating system which may be subject to a deleterious effect from exposure to a temperature encountered during the fabric article treating process.
• heat sensitive components associated with the fabric article treating device include: batteries, electronics, sensors, benefit composition, materials of construction of device component(s), and the like.
• the present invention relates to a fabric article treating device which comprises a thermal protection means within the thermal path between the fabric article treating device and a fabric article drying appliance so as to provide thermal protection to one or more components associated with the fabric article treating device.
• the device as used herein includes any component(s) associated with the device that is capable of delivering a benefit composition to a fabric article drying appliance and/or fabric article(s) present in the appliance,
• the device can be a stand-alone discrete device or it may be integral with the fabric article drying appliance.
• the device may be both discrete and integral, for example it may be incorporated, into a closure structure (a non-limiting example of which is a door) suitable for use with a fabric article drying appliance.
• the fabric article treating device may be substantially or totally independent of the fabric article drying appliance controls.
• door represents a movable closure structure that allows a person to access an interior volume of the drying appliance, and can be of virtually any physical form that will enable such access.
• the door “closure structure” could be a lid on the upper surface of the dryer appliance, or a hatch of some sort, or the like.
• the fabric article treating device additionally comprises one or more thermal protection means disposed within the thermal path between the fabric article drying appliance and one or more components associated with the fabric article treating device.
• the thermal protection means provides thermal protection to one or more components of the device.
• the thermal protection means may comprise insulating materials, heat transfer materials, phase transition materials, thermoelectric cooling, or combinations thereof. While it may be advantageous to protect the entire fabric article device with a thermal protection means, it may also be beneficial from an economical standpoint to protect selected components associated with the device, non-limiting examples of which include: the power source, benefit composition, electronics, or combinations thereof.
• thermal protection may be provided by utilizing an insulating material within the thermal path between the fabric article diying appliance and one or more components associated with the device.
• insulating material include but are not limited to a casing which encompasses the device, or a material applied exterior to one or more components associated with the device (non-limiting examples of such components include the batteries, electronics, benefit composition, or combinations thereof).
• an insulating material may be multi-layered, and comprise a thermal protection material such as air or polystyrene disposed therebetween.
• Typical foam insulating materials will have a cell size from about 0.1 ⁇ m to about 2000 ⁇ m, although larger cell sizes may be used. Solid insulating materials may be advantageous when it is desired to provide both an insulating material and a casing to one or more components of the device.
• a suitable thickness for the insulating material(s), foamed or solid, is from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, more preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 30 mm.
• Thermoplastic refers to a polymeric material that can be repeatedly (i.e.; more than once) softened by increases in temperature, and hardened by decreasing the temperature.
• the thermoplastic may be in the form of a solid or a foam.
• Thermoplastic polymeric foams may include, but are not limited to: expanded polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and polycarbonate.
• Non-limiting examples of crosslinked thermoplastic foams include: polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, and polyvinylchloride.
• Non-limiting examples of solid thermoplastic materials include: polycarbonates, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene (high density and low density), polyimide, polypropylene, and the like.
• One suitable thermoplastic material is a high density polyethylene, under the tradename of Quadrant EPP Cestilene T HD 500 Polyethylene, which may be obtained from Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products of Reading, Pennsylvania.
• thermoset plastic as used herein, relates to a polymeric material that has undergone a chemical reaction and in general cannot be returned to its original state by heating.
• the thermoset plastic may be in the form of a solid material, or a foam.
• Non-limiting examples of thermoset polymeric foams include: expanded polyurethane, epoxy, phenolic, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, natural rubber, silicone rubber, synthetic rubbers, and the like.
• Solid thermoset materials include, but are not limited to: polyimides, polyurethanes, and the like.
• a suitable polyurethane thermoset insulating material may be obtained from Cytech Industries, Inc. of Olean, New York under the tradename of Conathane ® RN 1501.
• a suitable polyimide thermoset material may be obtained from Albany International of Mansfield, Massachusetts under the tradename of Pyropel® HD Plate.
• Ceramic foams are also useful as insulating materials, and typically have a lighter weight than their non-foamed counterpart.
• Suitable ceramic foams include, but are not limited to: expanded glass, silica (e.g. silica aerogels), alumina, and magnesia.
• silica aerogel is available under the tradename of Pyrogel ®, from Aspen Aerogels, Inc. of Marlborough, Massachusetts.
• Syntactic foams are generally produced by dispersing hollow spheres of glass or plastic in a polymer matrix, and are also useful as insulating materials.
• the polymer matrix may include, but is not limited to: epoxy, phenolic materials, and the like,
• a suitable example of a cyanate ester syntactic foam is available under the tradename of BryteCor TM EX- 1541 from Bryte Technologies, Inc. of Morgan Hill, California.
• Other insulating materials may be particulate, fibrous, or naturally derived materials based on lingocellulosic substances.
• Non-limiting examples of particulate insulators include asbestos, diatomaceous earth, pearlite, and hollow glass microspheres.
• Fibrous insulation materials include, but are not limited to: felt, wool, glass fiber, rock wool, and kapok.
• a suitable fibrous insulation material may be obtained from Albany International of Mansfield, Massachusetts under the tradename of Pyropel®; which includes the MD and LD series such as MD-50, MD-18, MD-30, MD-60, MD-12, and LD-6.
• Non-limiting examples of naturally derived materials based on lignocellulosic substances include wood, particle board, corkboard, granulated cork, sawdust, wood shavings, and corrugated paper.
• the insulating material may be a casing of the fabric article treating device, or a material applied exterior to one or more components associated with the fabric article treating device such as the batteries, electronics, benefit composition, or combinations thereof.
• One insulating material may be used, or a plurality of insulating materials may be used.
• the insulating material(s) may be in the form of a solid, a foam, a gas, a vacuum, and/or a liquid.
• the thermal protection means may comprise multiple layers of non-insulating material with an insulating material disposed therebetween.
• the thermal protection means comprises at least three layers, with the first and second layer in exterior relation to the third layer.
• the first and second layers may be constructed of a non-insulating material, while the third layer is constructed of an insulating material.
• Suitable examples of insulating materials include, but are not limited to: air, polyolefin foams, polystyrene, and the like.
• Preferred thickness for the third layer is from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, more preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 30 mm.
• the thermal protection means may comprise multiple layers of non-insulating material and/or insulating material, with a vacuum present between the two or more layers.
• the two or more layers may be sealed, in order to contain the vacuum.
• the device may comprise more than one phase transition material, providing thermal protection at differing temperature ranges.
• the phase transition material can comprise from about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of the device and preferably from about 0.2% to about 80% by weight of the device.
• Suitable phase transition materials are those materials having a melting point (for pure compounds) or glass transition temperature (for polymeric compounds) in the range from about 25°C to about 100 °C.
• Suitable paraffin phase transition materials include those commercially available from Frisby Technologies of Winston Salem, North Carolina sold under the trade name of Thermasorb ® non-limiting examples of which include Thermasorb ® 83, Thermasorb ® 95, Thermasorb ® 122, Thermasorb ® 143, Thermasorb ® 175, and Thermasorb ® 215.
• the source of a benefit composition 10 may comprise a first reservoir for containing the benefit composition to contact fabric articles, and may additionally comprise more than one reservoir to be dispensed simultaneously or separately with the contents of the first reservoir.
• the source of the benefit composition may be constructed of a rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible material. Should the source of benefit composition 10 be constructed primarily of a rigid or semi-rigid material, preferred embodiments will additionally comprise a venting means so as to permit the ready flow of the benefit composition to the dispensing means 30.
• the benefit composition may comprise one or more fabric article actives.
• the benefit composition- may be in the physical form of a liquid, solid, gas, or combinations thereof.
• the benefit composition may comprise water, water hardness agents, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium phosphate, solvents, surfactants, wrinkle releasing agents, anti-static agents, anti-shrinking agents, antimicrobial agents, wetting agents, crystal modifiers, soil release agents, preservatives, bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, anti-wrinkling agents, wetting agents, crystal modifiers, colorants, brighteners, perfume, odor reducers/eliminators, deodorizer/refresher, stain repellents, color enhancers, starch, softeners, and sizing agents, and mixtures thereof.
• the composition may be electrically charged at any point in time prior to contacting the fabric article. Preferably it is electrically charged prior to the time it is separated from the fabric article treating device, but it may be electrically charged after it is separated from the device.
• the fabric article treating system can comprise a fabric article drying appliance 260.
• a door 110 can be movably connected to the fabric article drying appliance 260 for ensuring that the fabric articles to be treated remain within the fabric article receiving volume or in other words, within the drum.
• the fabric article treating device may be attached to any portion of the fabric article drying appliance interior 270, non-limiting examples of which include: the door 110 of the fabric article drying appliance, the drum, the back wall of the drum, and the like.
• the device 1 may be removable or permanently attached to a portion of the fabric article treating drying appliance 260 by a suitable attachment means, which include, but is not limited to: straps, magnets, Velcro ®, adhesive tape, suction cups, screws, and the like.
• the power source 100 comprises one or more batteries and is enclosed by a casing 90 of a thermal protective material such as polyurethane foam.
• the casing is a thermal protective material constructed in whole or in part of a phase transition material such as Thermasorb ® 83 by Frisby Technologies of Winston Salem, North Carolina.
• the casing 90 is constructed of a material not insulating to heat such as tin, and has an outer layer of insulating paint disposed on the exterior surface.
• a suitable insulating paint may be obtained from Hy-Tech of Melbourne, Florida under the tradename of Insul-Seal ® .
• a suitable thickness for the coating is from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
• electrical charging component 70 Connected to the power source 100 by electrical charging component 70 is an optional electronics board 80 for controlling the motor 60.
• the motor 60 activates the dispensing means 30 such as a peristaltic pump.
• a benefit composition is drawn from a reservoir 10 through a conduit 20.
• the inner diameter for the conduit may be from about 20 mm or less and more preferably ranges from about 20 mm to about 7 mm.
• the conduit 20 may additionally comprises a filter 120 prior to the nozzle 50.
• the embodiment of FIG 5 also operates in a similar manner to the embodiment of FIG. 2.
• the casing 90 for the power source 100 comprises two layers, in which an insulating material such as air is disposed therebetween.
• the first layer 170 and the second layer 180 of the casing 90 may be constructed of insulating materials, non-insulating materials, and combinations thereof.
• the fabric article treating system illustrated by Figure 8 represents further yet an embodiment of the present invention.
• the source of benefit composition (not shown) is a source of household water, which is conveyed through a conduit 20 to the nozzle 50, which thereby discharges the benefit composition to the interior of the fabric article drying appliance 260.
• a fabric article in need of treatment is placed in the fabric article drying appliance (not shown).
• the drum of the drying appliance is activated in the usual way.
• the operator simply depresses on /off switch 21 on the device for a short period.
• the on/off switch 21 activates the electronics 80 to connect the batteries 100 through wire 70 and the pump motor 60.
• a non-electrically charged benefit composition is conveyed from reservoir 10 through device 1 to conduit 20 through pump 30 and conduit 20 where it is discharged from nozzle 50 onto the clothing and/or within the drum.
• the benefit composition is discharged from nozzle 50 in the form of a mist.
• the time for applying the benefit composition may be between about 0.5 to about 120 minutes, depending on the choice of cycle and the load size.
• a fan can be energized to circulate air within the fabric article receiving volume.
• FIGS. 11 -14 depict an alternate embodiment of the fabric article treating device 1.
• the fabric article treating device 1 comprises two housings or enclosures an inner or interior housing and an outer or exterior housing.
• Inner housing 230 is located in the interior of a fabric article drying appliance.
• Exterior housing 220 is located outside of a fabric article drying appliance.
• the inner housing 230 and exterior housing 220 of fabric article treating device 1 are in communication with each other.
• Non-limiting examples of communication between the inner housing 230 and exterior housing 220 include electrical communication (wherein electrical signals are transferred between the interior and outer housing) and compositional transfer communication (i.e.; wherein a benefit composition is transferred between the outer and inner housing), and thermal communication (i.e.; wherein temperature differentials are transferred between the outer and inner housing a non-limiting example of which is wherein the benefit composition is heated in one housing and transferred to the other housing).
• the inner housing 230 and exterior housing 220 may be connected to one another.
• Non-limiting means of connecting the inner and outer housing include a flat cable, a wire, and/or a conduit 340 (a non- limiting example of which is a conduit for transferring benefit composition between the outer and inner housing).
• Inner housing 230 may be mounted to the closure structure of a fabric article drying appliance by mounting strap 210.
• the exterior housing 220 may be mounted on the exterior surface of the fabric article drying appliance door, yet may also be mounted on any exterior surface, non-limiting examples of which include: the side walls, the top walls, the outer surface of a top-opening lid, and the like, including a wall or other household structure that is separate from the fabric article drying appliance.
• the interior housing 230 may be mounted on any interior surface of the fabric article drying appliance, examples of which include, but are not limited to: the interior surface of the door, between the interior surface 125 and exterior surface 127 of the closure door 110 as shown in FIG. 14, the drum of the fabric article drying appliance, the back wall, the inner surface of a top-opening lid, and the like.
• Exterior housing 220 may be permanently mounted to the exterior surface, or releasably attached to the exterior surface.
• enclosure 20 may be permanently mounted to the interior surface, or releasably attached to the interior surface.
• the inner housing 230 and the outer housing 220 are in communication with one another.
• the inner housing 230 and outer housing 220 may be connected to one another.
• Non-limiting examples of connecting the inner housing 220 and the outer housing 230 may include utilizing a flat cable 340 (also sometimes referred to as a "ribbon cable") as shown in FIGS. 9 - 12, a wire, a wire or group of wires encased in a sheath of woven or non-woven material, a conduit (a non- limiting example of which is a conduit for the benefit composition, or a combination thereof.
• the woven or non- woven sheath may also be used as a method of attaching inner housing 230 and outer housing 220.
• the particular benefit composition selected for use in the process can vary widely depending upon the particular benefit desired.
• the benefit composition will contain ingredients which can be effective across a variety of fabric article types.
• the benefit composition may be suitable for "dry-clean" only fabric articles as well as pure cotton dress shirts which typically require a significant de- wrinkling operation subsequent to conventional laundering operations (i.e. home washings and drying cycles).
• Non-verbal cues may also be present within the fabric article treating system and/or device 1 to assist a user in the selection of the desired benefit composition, treatment cycle, and the like and may be present on one or more of: the device, the source of benefit composition 10, instructions, and other such articles associated with the fabric article treating system and/or device 1. While not to be bound by theory, it is believed that these non-verbal cues simplify the operation of a fabric article treating system and therefore provide convenience to a user of the system.
• the non-verbal cues may be visual, auditory, tactile, or vibrational, signals or may comprise combinations of these signals.
• Non-limiting examples of non-verbal cues include: red/green lights (stop/go indicators) 280, colored and/or flashing lights, a window on a reservoir to indicate fluid level 290, icons, beeps, whistles, a rubbery grip, and the like.
• An example of a visual cue would be an icon of a battery that may be present on a device display as an indication to the user that the batteries need to be replaced.
• a tactile cue may comprise a rubbery portion of a device to indicate where a user may comfortably grip the device.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
• Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)

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