EP2438231B1 - Method for treating laundry and suitable laundry treatment device for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for equipping laundry in a laundry treatment appliance with a rotatably mounted drum and a water supply and a particularly suitable for performing this method laundry treatment appliance (see WO-A-03023122 ).

It is known to impregnate a piece of laundry in a laundry treatment appliance, for example with fragrances. Commercial finishing processes generally run in a batch process or paddling process. In the padding process, webs are contacted in a larger amount of treatment solution with the particular composition of equipment used. The degree of extraction, defined as the percentage of drug deposited on the garment, is highly dependent on the affinity of the drug for the fiber, but is generally low. For laundry treatment equipment, especially for tumble dryer, methods and devices have already been developed to equip laundry with fragrances or the like.

The DE 601 19 356 T2 discloses an apparatus for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer. Cyclodextrins are mentioned as odor neutralizing agents and as perfume boosters. These and many other substances are made according to the teachings of DE 601 19 356 T2 used for tissue conditioning and this enclosed with a membrane that prevents the escape of liquids, but not the escape of gases. During operation of a dryer liquid evaporates due to the action of heat and can escape from the membrane envelope and thus distribute itself in the dryer and in the laundry contained therein. Disadvantages of this type of laundry equipment are that no large volumes of equipment substances get on the laundry and not all equipment is suitable for evaporation. For example, microcapsules and cyclodextrins should be distributed as a liquid.

The DE 100 36 850 A1 discloses a device for dispensing a liquid product into the interior of a dishwashing or washing machine, in particular a mechanical spraying device with a reservoir and a nozzle, which is suitable for spraying liquids. In this device, no compressed gas atomizer is used, but the container is mechanically compressed and the liquid is driven through the nozzle and atomized. Such an atomizer produces an aerosol which forms very large drops which can lead to stains on items of laundry.

In the EP 1 431 443 A1 discloses a clothes dryer, which is equipped with an ultrasonic atomizer, with which substances, for example fragrances to be introduced into the drum. Although an ultrasonic atomizer can produce very fine aerosols, it is unsuitable for distributing microdisperse fluids, such as a microcapsule suspension, in a room or for delivering larger quantities of fluid in as short a time as possible.

In the EP 0 676 497 A2 A process is described for spraying perfume oil on laundry by means of a pressurized spray nozzle in which the perfume is sprayed onto already dried laundry while the drum is continuously circulating to evenly distribute the fragrance. Also disclosed is a spraying device which is mounted in the filler cap of the dryer. This method has the disadvantage that the laundry falling around when the drum is moved is sprayed unevenly with the fragrance, which can lead to staining.

The WO 03/023122 A1 also discloses methods of equipping textiles with equipment substances by spraying in a drum while it is rotating at a speed below the application speed.

The DE 10 2006 003 416 A1 discloses a laundry treating machine having a device for deodorizing clothes. For this purpose, a component with a spray nozzle is provided in the sealing collar of the laundry drum, which can deliver an active ingredient (eg cyclodextrins) as a spray into the interior of the drum. The drum should move during spraying in such a way as to ensure that the laundry contained in the drum moves back and forth.

The EP 1 600 545 describes a washing machine having a drum rotatably mounted in a container and deodorizing means operable to perform a deodorization process with laundry placed in the drum, independently of a washing process. The deodoriser preferably comprises a steam generator fluidly connected to water-producing means to produce steam therefrom. In particular, a silver solution is used.

The EP 1 605 091 A1 describes a washing machine comprising a container and a drum rotatably mounted in the container having a plurality of holes for receiving laundry, as well as a conduit having an entrance and an exit communicating with an interior of the container and means for removing air from the container into the pipe and circulate it back into the tank. A deodorizing agent spray head is disposed in the deodorizing agent spraying pipe into the air passing through the pipe.

For the textile equipment (equipment of laundry) thus essentially dipping and spraying methods are known. In the dipping process textile equipment is already used in various forms in a washing machine application, for example, for softening, impregnation, starches and for the application of ironing aids. In these methods, the relatively low degree of exhaustion is disadvantageous because a high proportion of a used equipment composition enters the waste water unused, which is not only uneconomical, but also pollutes the environment. A disadvantage of the spraying method is that, especially at a higher loading, there is only a very uneven distribution of the equipment composition on a laundry item in a drum. Thus, an intended amount and distribution of equipment composition ("finish quality") is achieved only with a very small degree of filling of the drum.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for finishing a laundry article and a laundry treatment device suitable for carrying out this process, in which these disadvantages of the prior art are reduced.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a method and a laundry treatment appliance according to respective independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are listed in the respective dependent claims. Preferred embodiments of the laundry treatment appliance correspond to preferred embodiments of the process and vice versa, although not individually referred to herein.

1. (a) in einem ersten Rotierschritt der Trommel durch Zugabe von Wasser in dem Wäschestück ein vorgegebener Restfeuchtegehalt (beispielsweise im Bereich von 50 bis 70 %, insbesondere 60 %) eingestellt wird; und
2. (b) in einem zweiten Rotierschritt der Trommel, in dem die Trommel mit einer Drehzahl U₂ gleich der Anlegedrehzahl oder darüber gedreht wird, eine Ausrüstungszusammensetzung auf das Wäschestück gespritzt wird, indem die Ausrüstungszusammensetzung aus einem Vorratsbehälter in einen Mischbehälter eingetragen und aus dem Mischbehälter mittels Wasser aus der Wasserversorgung durch eine Einspritzvorrichtung auf das Wäschestück aufgebracht wird.

The present invention thus relates to a method of applying a finishing composition to a laundry item in a laundry treating appliance having a rotatably mounted drum and a water supply, wherein

1. (A) in a first rotation of the drum by adding water in the laundry a predetermined residual moisture content (for example in the range of 50 to 70%, in particular 60%) is set; and
2. (B) in a second rotation step of the drum in which the drum is rotated at a speed U ₂ equal to the application speed or above, a finishing composition is sprayed onto the laundry by the equipment composition from a reservoir into a mixing container and introduced from the mixing container by Water from the water supply is applied by an injection device to the laundry.

The term "laundry item" as used herein means one or more items of laundry and comprises on the one hand textiles, in particular laundry, but also generally all items which can be treated in a conventional laundry appliance, in particular a conventional washing machine, such as table linen, bed linen, bags , Curtains and the like. In addition to pure textiles and composite materials can be equipped, such as leather goods and other items made of different materials, such as. B. fabric and leather. Thus, all materials which can be equipped according to the method of the invention with the equipment substances described herein are suitable.

Preferably, the laundry item comprises finished garments, especially ready-to-wear. Particularly suitable for the inventive method body-worn garments, for example when they are to be provided with skin care products.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the addition of water takes place in a rinsing step and the first rotating step of the drum takes place simultaneously with a pumping down or after a pumping out of the water.

The addition of water in step (a) preferably follows a washing phase in which the laundry is generally cleaned with the aid of detergents. Such a washing phase is usually followed by a rinsing phase with water, the rinsing phase consisting of several, generally up to three, rinsing steps.

According to the invention it is preferred if step (a) corresponds to a final rinsing step.

It is inventively preferred that the predetermined residual moisture content in step (a) is adjusted by a first rotation step of the drum with a contact speed. The application speed is that system-related speed at which the laundry items present in a drum are placed against the drum shell due to the centrifugal forces. In the case of laundry drums with a diameter of approximately 470 mm, this is in a range of approximately 70 to 100 revolutions per minute (70-100 rpm).

In the method according to the invention, it is advantageous if the first rotation step of the drum is carried out in step (a) with a rotational speed U ₁ of ≥ 100 rpm. The rotational speed U ₁ is particularly preferably from 100 to 150 rpm, or at least 230 rpm.

• (c) die Ausrüstungszusammensetzung in einem dritten Rotierschritt der Trommel mit einer Drehzahl U₃ kleiner der Anlegedrehzahl im Wäschestück verteilt.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention

• (C) the equipment composition distributed in a third rotation of the drum at a speed U ₃ smaller than the application speed in the laundry.

In this case, the third rotation step of the drum in step (c) is preferably carried out at a speed U ₂ of less than or equal to 100 rpm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, steps (b) and (c) are carried out alternately several times until a desired degree of finish is obtained. As a result, the substances of the equipment substances can distribute evenly on and in the laundry ring, as the surface of the laundry ring changes due to redistribution of the laundry. The number of repetitions of steps (b) and (c) or the duration of these steps may depend, for example, on the amount of laundry or the properties of the substances contained in the finishing composition.

The speed of the drum can be varied continuously or by setting predetermined speed levels in the first, second and / or third rotating step of the drum.
According to the invention, it is preferable that the first rotation step and the third rotation step of the drum are different.

The equipment composition is sprayed according to the invention in liquid form with the help of the water supply to the laundry, possibly after a defined program interruption. In this case, the equipment composition is sprayed onto the laundry item by means of a suitable injection device while the drum is being moved at or above the application speed. An injection device according to the invention comprises in particular a mixing container and an injection tube.

It is particularly preferred that, after the equipment composition has been sprayed onto the laundry in step (b) at least at the apply speed in a third rotary step in step (c), the drum is rotated at a speed below the apply speed in a reversing mode is discharged by the injector only when the drum is moved at the application speed or above.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "equipping" means a process in which the item of laundry is coated with the finishing substances which are in the equipment composition. Preferably, the finishing substances are thereby firmly bound to the surface of the item of laundry, more preferably covalently. In addition, for example, a storage between the fibers is possible. Preferably, equipping according to the method of the invention should result in the equipment substances being added normal use of the finished garment, ie usually when wearing the garments, do not detach more from the fabric than is the case with commercially finished textiles. In the case of the microcapsules adhering to the laundry, however, a deliberate destruction is provided for the release of the ingredients.

According to the invention, the nature of the applied equipment composition is not limited. Thus, the term "equipment composition" as used herein also includes fabric softeners. For example, according to the invention fabric softener can only be rinsed directly onto the laundry during the third rotary step, for example via the cuff. This significantly reduces the amount of fabric softener required in comparison to known processes.

The finishing composition employed in the method of the invention is preferably a liquid, i. a solution or suspension and may include various finishing substances, such as fragrances, functionalizing agents, preferably cyclodextrins and / or microcapsules. However, conventional equipment subtances can also be used.

In addition to impregnating agents, dyes, starches and the like, the equipment substances required in the areas of sports, wellness and lifestyle with an ever increasing functionality of the garments can also be used. Substance substances contained in the finishing compositions to be used in accordance with the invention are in particular cyclodextrins and microcapsules.

The finishing composition preferably used according to the invention comprises cyclodextrins and / or microcapsules, and optionally other active ingredients. Such agents may be selected from materials with which the microcapsules or cyclodextrins are to be loaded. Examples of these are, in particular, fragrances, cosmetics, care substances, for example aloe vera, anticellulite substances and the like. Surprisingly, it is possible to equip a laundry item with microcapsules and / or cyclodextrins not only in a commercial process, but also in a household washing machine and / or washer-dryer.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharide compounds having a toroidal structure with a central cavity in which apolar organic compounds can be included. Because of this property, they are used, for example, in air freshener sprays. The cyclodextrin derivatives contained in these products bind unpleasant odor-causing compounds and also serve as fragrance carriers.

Microcapsules (also called nanocapsules, microspheres, microspheres) are mostly substantially spherical structures which have a shell and an interior, usually with a diameter in the range of nanometers to <1 mm. In this interior substances can be included.

The microcapsules have a shell, e.g. is a film-forming polymer in which finely dispersed, liquid or solid phases can be included. The shell material may comprise many different chemical compounds, e.g. Gelatin, gum arabic, agar-agar, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, modified starch, fatty acid esters, phospholipids, chitosan, alginates and collagen, as well as synthetic polymers such as polyacrylates, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Fibers and fabrics provided with blends of hydrophobic actives and film-forming polymers (ie, microcapsules) are disclosed in U.S.P. DE 10 2004 037 752 A1 described. Known microcapsules for the textile sector include, for example, the so-called PCM (phase change materials), which have a heat regulating effect.

In the textiles treated with cyclodextrin derivatives or microcapsules, such as outerwear or tights, the finishing substances such as microcapsules are gradually destroyed or peeled off when worn and in a normal cleaning process, such as in a washing machine. Thus, the equipment effect is lost over time. For microcapsules, this destruction may be wanted so that the microcapsules can even release their contents. However, the user of the originally equipped materials has not yet been able to re-equip them for several wearing cycles.

Equipment with cyclodextrins is particularly preferred for laundry items made of cotton materials. Different materials can be used for the equipment with microcapsules.

1. (a) Einstellen eines vorgegebenen Restfeuchtegehalts in dem Wäschestück durch Zugabe von Wasser und Durchführung eines ersten Rotierschritts der Trommel; und
2. (b) Aufspritzen einer Ausrüstungszusammensetzung auf das Wäschestück in einem zweiten Rotierschritt der Trommel mit einer Drehzahl U₂ gleich der Anlegedrehzahl oder darüber, indem die Ausrüstungszusammensetzung aus einem Vorratsbehälter in einen Mischbehälter eingetragen und aus dem Mischbehälter mittels Wasser aus der Wasserversorgung durch eine Einspritzvorrichtung auf das Wäschestück aufgebracht wird,

aufweist.The invention also relates to a laundry treatment appliance having a rotatably mounted drum and a water supply for carrying out a method for applying a finishing composition to a laundry article, wherein the laundry treatment appliance comprises means for carrying out the steps

1. (A) setting a predetermined residual moisture content in the laundry by adding water and performing a first rotation step of the drum; and
2. (b) spraying a finishing composition onto the garment in a second rotating step of the drum at a speed U ₂ equal to or above the application speed by placing the equipment composition from a reservoir into a mixing vessel and from the mixing vessel by means of water from the water supply through an injection device to the mixing vessel Laundry item is applied,

having.

The means for carrying out steps (a) and (b) are preferably also means for carrying out the addition of water in a rinsing step and the first rotating step of the drum simultaneously with a pumping down or after pumping off the water.

The laundry treatment device according to the invention is preferably a washing machine or a washer-dryer, very particularly preferably a washing machine.

A washing machine which is preferred according to the invention generally has, in addition to a drum rotatably mounted in a tub, a liquor drainage system arranged at the bottom of the tub, a drive motor for the drum and a heating device.

In general, a drum-type laundry treating machine (eg, a washing machine) has switching means for rotating and stopping the drum. Moreover, points a washing machine according to the invention preferably a pressure sensor for determining a quantity of a liquid in the tub via a measured hydrostatic pressure.

According to the invention, the laundry treatment appliance includes an injection device for injecting a finishing composition into the drum and onto the laundry item. Moreover, it is preferable that the injector for injecting equipment composition is switchable independently of the drum.

By means of the third rotation step of the drum provided in the method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in step (c) in the manner described above, an improved distribution of the finishing composition on the item or items of laundry is achieved. The distribution may be improved if, in a further preferred embodiment, the laundry treating appliance has additional structural characteristics to assist in distributing the finishing composition throughout the laundry. In particular, this structural feature is a laundry picker that is optimized with regard to the distribution of the equipment composition in the laundry item. A plurality or a plurality of such Wäschemitnehmer, in particular a number of three or four, is more preferred.

The aforementioned Wäschemitnehmer can be molded as an integral part of the drum or used as an additional component in the drum. He also represents a variety of embodiments for the structural expression, which is conceivable in particular as an arrangement of special ribs or as a helically wound expression of an inner part of the drum.

It is inventively preferred that the injection device for injection of the equipment composition is controllable. The injection device for the injection of equipment composition into laundry items is preferably controllable by a corresponding controlled system, which in particular comprises a control device of the laundry treatment appliance (eg a washing machine). This allows a controllable injection of equipment composition into the wash liquor. Besides the possibility of a constant injection of equipment composition, which can only be switched on and off, a continuous or stepwise variation of the amount of injected equipment composition can be provided.

In the laundry treating appliance of the invention, preferably, a controller with an associated program controller controls that the equipment composition is appropriately loaded in the drum and quantity. For careful and restrained dosing of the equipment composition, it may be advantageous to spray the equipment composition into the drum at intervals. In fact, the flow rate of equipment per unit time may not be as low by a pump used for transport as would be required for the small total amount of equipment needed. Since the surface of the garment to be treated may be large and the distribution of the equipment composition then requires a longer duration, for the careful injection of the equipment composition and their restrained action the smallest possible flow rate per unit time must be able to be selected. For an interval-like injection of the equipment composition is very suitable. For different sized items of laundry items and for different other process parameters (for example, different levels of temperature, different pre-moistening of the laundry items and different types of textile), this injection should still be variable. If it allows the measurability of process parameters, an automatic adjustment of the feed rate or speed is also possible.

In order to assist in controlling the spraying of the equipment composition or for controlling an equipment composition injector by a controller, in a preferred embodiment there is provided a suitable sensor for determining a type and / or amount of equipment composition in the drum. As a suitable sensor, for example, an optical sensor, a conductivity sensor or a tensiometer can be used. This sensor can supply the measured signals to the control device via a signal line for further processing.

In addition to the injection device used in the laundry treatment device according to the invention this includes a reservoir for the Equipment composition. The storage container is preferably refillable and thus preferably removable or detachable from the injection device. In addition, the injection device has a mixing container into which the equipment composition present in the reservoir can be metered. For this purpose, a metering pump can be located between the storage container and the mixing container, with which the delivery of the equipment composition is controllable in the mixing container. This is advantageous in particular because the equipment compositions can be expensive substances which should be used as sparingly as possible.

According to the present invention, the equipment composition introduced into the mixing vessel is injected into the drum and onto the laundry by means of water from the water supply of the laundry treating appliance.

This can be done, for example, by adding water from the water supply to the equipment composition presented in the mixing container. Through a discharge opening in the mixing container, the mixture of equipment composition and water is injected into the drum and on the laundry items.

In this way not only an optimum mixing ratio of concentrated equipment composition and water can be produced. In particular, the pressure under which the water from the water supply generally stands can also be used to inject the finishing composition or the mixture of finishing composition and water.

In an alternative embodiment, the finishing composition may be drawn from the water supply into the mixing vessel by the suction effect of water flowing into the mixing vessel, and the resulting mixture of equipment composition and water then further used for injection into the drum or laundry.

The injection device can be integrated both inside the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, for example, in it, as well as outside or partially outside be arranged. Preferably, it is releasably attached or at least connected to a releasably secured reservoir.

The injector may be part of an induction bowl, via which detergents (surfactants) are generally conveyed into a washing machine. For this purpose, the dispenser can comprise a plurality of chambers, which are optionally connected to each other via metering pumps.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, therefore, reservoirs and mixing vessels are two via a pump, e.g. Metering pump, interconnected chambers of a dispenser tray.

In general, the water supply is by means of a suitable valve, e.g. a solenoid valve, separated from the mixing vessel.

Moreover, the injection device can be arranged completely inside a laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, for which purpose the area of the door opening or the door is particularly suitable. These are areas that must be accessible to the user, which ensures that the user can insert an injection device himself or fill a reservoir. However, the injection device may also be located in the region of the drum rear wall, for example in the center in the form of a cylinder or cone.

In a further embodiment, the injection device is arranged on the outside of the housing, preferably on the door or on a porthole of the laundry treatment device according to the invention. For this purpose, an opening in the housing may be provided at the appropriate location, which is provided with the necessary sealing means and through which the injection device can be passed. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because the reservoir can be easily filled at the injector.

It is also possible to provide a separate door element, for example as an accessory, which already comprises an injection device and can be mounted instead of the existing door. This allows the user to easily change his laundry treatment appliance from normal operation to equipment operation. In a further preferred embodiment, which can also be combined with the previously mentioned and others, the reservoir is at the injection device arranged outside the housing of the water treatment device according to the invention and is connected via a line, eg a hose, with the injector located in the interior in connection. This has the advantage that the reservoir can be filled very easily. A hose connection between reservoir and injector is also possible for other embodiments.

The injector should preferably be in communication with the drum. It is therefore also preferably arranged in the region of the door or the door opening. However, it can also be arranged in the region of the drum rear wall.

Preferably, the injection device is located in the upper region of the treatment chamber. Then a fluid jet emanating therefrom with equipment composition and water can spread as well as possible over the entire surface of the drum wall, which lies below the injection device. The injection device is arranged in a preferred embodiment in the region of the sealing sleeve, which seals the tub. Preferably, the injection device is located in the upper region of the sealing collar and is directed into the interior of the drum, that the liquid jet is directed to the drum wall or an adjacent wash ring. But it is also conceivable to supply the liquid jet over the drum rotation axis in the region of the drum rear wall. The equipment composition according to the invention is generally sucked from the water supply from the water supply via a Venturi nozzle from the reservoir or placed under a higher pressure. In addition, the reservoir may already be pressurized, or it may be connectable to an additional pressure vessel (e.g., a gas cartridge with carbon dioxide or the like) and a mixing nozzle (e.g., a venturi).

When opening a valve, preferably a solenoid valve, the escaping water flow entrains the equipment composition. This can be effected for example by means of a Venturi nozzle.

The spraying of the equipment substances is carried out according to the invention in the second rotation step at or above the application speed. Surprisingly, spraying of finishing substances results in a wash ring rather than by one circulating drum moving laundry to a much more uniform result. This is particularly the case if the injection phases alternate at least at the application speed with phases of reversing at a lower speed (below the application speed) in a third rotation step of step (c), whereby the equipment composition is again delivered only while the Drum is moved at the application speed or above it.

Preferably, in a third rotation step, the drum is moved at a speed below the application speed, preferably at a speed between 35 and 65 rpm, preferably 45 to 55 rpm. Here is a periodic reversing with breaks offers. For example 5 to 20 seconds turning in one direction, pausing from 1 to 5 seconds, 5 to 20 seconds turning in the other direction. This is expediently repeated one or more times. This step ensures that the laundry to be equipped is redistributed. At the same time, the finish composition can spread better in the garment and wet it evenly and without staining. The two steps can also be repeated. Overall, an equipment period of 20 to 120 minutes, especially 30 to 110 minutes, preferably 40 to 100 minutes and more preferably 50 to 90 minutes, is advantageous.

In this method, 500 to 2000 ml of liquid are expediently sprayed on. However, the amount depends on the type of equipment composition and also on the amount of laundry items to be finished. For cyclodextrins and microcapsules, 700 to 1000 ml are advantageous. The laundry should preferably be wetted to 30% to 70% of its dry weight.

When contacting the garment with a finishing composition comprising microcapsules and / or cyclodextrins, it is convenient to fix the finishing substances on the garment immediately after spraying.

It may also be expedient, after bringing the finishing substances into contact with the item of laundry, to provide an exposure time during which the item of laundry can be completely saturated with the equipment composition so that one possible uniform distribution of the equipment substances on the laundry is ensured. The exposure time can be easily determined by the skilled person.

In a further preferred embodiment, the finish composition is fixed after application to the garment, preferably by a heat treatment or a chemical treatment. Thus, after contacting the garment with the finishing composition, any microcapsules and / or cyclodextrins present in the finish composition are preferably fixed to the garment.

In the application of a heat treatment is particularly suitable drying using a tumble dryer. This is particularly preferably carried out in the same drum. Therefore, the use of a washer-dryer is particularly preferred for this purpose.

The heat treatment preferably comprises a treatment at a temperature between 80 and 150 ° C, preferably 90 to 140 ° C, more preferably 100 to 120 ° C, and most preferably 130 ° C. These temperatures can already be achieved in conventional dryers and washer-dryers. In the menu or control panel of the laundry treatment device, a separate point for this heat treatment step may be provided (for example, "fix 130 ° C"). It can also be fixed at higher temperatures, e.g. up to 180 ° C, in particular 150 ° C to 170 ° C, if the laundry treatment device is designed for it. It should preferably be dried reversibly in order to ensure a uniform temperature development in the laundry. When using the entire method in a washer-dryer, the fixation can also be carried out in the same device. The drying time depends on the type and amount of the item of laundry, whereby as complete a drying as possible is preferably carried out.

The equipment substances can also be chemically fixed. Following fixation, excess equipment composition is removed, if necessary, by one or more rinses and / or spin.

For the step of fixing the equipment substances, the dryer function is suitable. a possibly used washer dryer. For this purpose, a special program may be provided, which may preferably be run after a normal wash cycle, but also independently. Separate devices may also be used, e.g. first a washing machine for finishing and then a dryer for fixing the finishing substances on the laundry.

An advantage of the method according to the invention is that as a rule no centrifuging of excess finishing composition is necessary, since this has generally been applied in a minimum amount adapted to the low residual moisture content of the item of laundry.

In an extension of the method according to the invention, not only is the garment provided with the finishing composition, but the finishing composition is in turn loaded with active ingredients, for example a fragrance, cosmetics and the like. For this loading, cyclodextrins are particularly suitable because they can take up molecules in their hollow structure.

In embodiments, it may be advantageous for the garment to be subjected to a pretreatment step prior to applying the finish composition. Preferably, the pre-treatment step comprises a chemical activation of the surface of the laundry article.

The method according to the invention and the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention have distinct advantages. An advantage of the invention is the avoidance of loss of equipment and environmental pollution by wastewater containing equipment. Batching in a washing machine would result in equipment losses of over 50%. In the present invention, this is much lower. There is a significant improvement in the LCA for all forms of textile equipment. In addition, there is an improved uniform distribution of the textile finishing (equipment composition) on the laundry items equipped. By means of the invention, a significantly improved degree of exhaustion and at the same time a higher uniformity than in known methods can be achieved.

In addition, the method according to the invention is not necessarily associated with additional costs in the laundry treatment appliance.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is the original equipment of garments in contrast to fabric, in particular of conventional ready-made goods, as well as the retrofitting of such ready-made goods when the equipment substances are consumed.

Surprisingly, laundry items, especially textiles, even in a household washing machine, a household dryer or washer dryer can be equipped with special finishing substances. The method according to the invention also allows the spraying of small quantities of finishing compositions with low losses of laundry items to be finished. This is especially true for the expensive cyclodextrins and microcapsules, where an admixture to a liquor prohibits because of the large loss in rinsing.

The invention will be described below with reference to the in FIG. 1 illustrated, not limiting the invention embodiment illustrated in more detail.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the relevant parts for illustration of a laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, which is designed here as a washing machine 1, in which a method according to the invention can be performed. Other embodiments are conceivable.

The washing machine 1 of in FIG. 1 embodiment shown has a tub 6, in which a drum 2 rotatably mounted and can be operated by a drive motor 14. The axis of rotation 21 of the drum 2 is directed at a small angle (eg 13 °) from the horizontal to the front upwards, so that one has easier access and insight into the interior of the drum 2. By this arrangement, in conjunction with specially shaped Wäschemitnehmern 4 and 5 Schöpfeinrichtungen for the wash liquor 6 on the inner surface of the drum shell also also an intensification of the flooding of the laundry items 7 with wash or water and in the application step Equipment Composition 3 achieved a better composition of equipment 3 distribution.

The washing machine 1 is connected via an electrically controllable valve (solenoid valve) 9 to a domestic water network 8 not shown here. At the in Fig. 1 shown washing machine 1, the house water network 8 is connected via a water pipe 28 with a dispenser 11 and an injection device 16. The injection device 16 comprises an injection tube 17 with a tip 18 and a mixing container 29. The mixing container 29 is connected to a supply container 22 for equipment composition 3. The supply of equipment composition 3 may be controlled via a closure mechanism 23 (eg, a metering device or metering pump) located between reservoir 22 and mixing vessel 29.

In the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment of the invention, the dispenser 11 can take over the function of an injection device in cooperation with an injection pipe 17. For this purpose, a first chamber 24 of the dispenser 11 is provided as a reservoir for equipment composition 3. An adjacent second chamber 26 functions as a mixing vessel for mixing equipment stock 3 stored in the first chamber 24 with water from the water conduit 28. The water from the water conduit 28 dilutes and enhances the equipment composition 3. This may be accomplished with a metering device (metering pump). 25 in the mixing vessel (mixing chamber) 26 conveyed equipment composition 3 is diluted via a subsequent introduction of water from the water pipe 28 and then injected via the injection pipe 17 to the laundry located in the drum 2 7.

In addition, a detergent compartment 27 is provided in the dispensing tray 11, from which the water from the water conduit 28 can carry detergent portions into the tub 6. In addition, in the tub 6, a heater 13. The valve 9 as well as the heater 13 are controlled by a control device ("program control") 12 in response to a program flowchart, the time program and / or the achievement of certain measured values of parameters As liquor level, liquor temperature, speed of the drum 2, addition of rinse water, pumping out of lye or rinse water, added amount of equipment composition 3, etc. within the washing machine 1 is bound.

A lye drainage system 20, which according to conventional practice in addition to corresponding lines a drain valve and a drain pump includes is shown for clarity only schematically.

The injection tube 17 projects in each case into an upper region 19 of the drum 2.

The Wäschemitnehmer 4 are optimized as additional structural characteristics of the drum 2 to support a distribution of the equipment composition 3 in the garment 7th

A regulation of the distribution of equipment composition 3 is carried out via a control system comprising a sensor 15 for determining the equipment composition 3 and the control device 12, so that, whether by alternately switching on and off the injector 16 or a variation of their performance, the amount of treatment the garments 7 controlled and in particular limited.

Claims (12)

1. Method for applying a treatment composition (3) to a laundry item (7) in a laundry treatment device (1) with a rotatably mounted drum (2) and a water supply (8, 9, 28), characterised in that

   (a) in a first rotation step of the drum (2), a predetermined residual moisture content is set by adding water to the laundry item (7); and

   (b) in a second rotation step of the drum (2) in which the drum (2) is rotated at a rotary speed U₂ which is equal to or greater than the centrifugal adhesion rotary speed, a treatment composition (3) is sprayed onto the laundry item (7), by feeding the treatment composition (3) from a reservoir (22) into a mixing container (29), and is applied to the laundry item (7) from the mixing container (29) by an injection device (16, 17, 26) by means of water from the water supply (8, 9, 28).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the addition of water takes place in a rinsing step and the first rotation step of the drum (2) takes place simultaneously with pumping out or following pumping out of the water.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the predetermined residual moisture content in step (a) is adjusted by a first rotation step of the drum (2) at a centrifugal adhesion rotary speed.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first rotation step of the drum (2) is carried out in step (a) at a rotary speed U1 of ≥ 100 revolutions per minute (rpm).
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that (c) the treatment composition (3) is distributed in the laundry item (7) in a third rotation step of the drum (2) at a rotary speed U3 which is lower than the centrifugal adhesion rotary speed.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the drum (2) is moved in a third rotation step (c) at a rotary speed below the centrifugal adhesion rotary speed in a reversing mode, and the treatment composition (3) is only dispensed by the injection device (16, 17, 26) if the drum (2) is moved at or above the centrifugal adhesion rotary speed.
7. Laundry treatment device (1) with a rotationally mounted drum (2) and a water supply (8, 9, 28) for carrying out a method for applying a treatment composition (3) onto a laundry item (7), characterised in that the laundry treatment device (1) comprises means (3, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26) for carrying out the steps

   (a) setting a predetermined residual moisture content in the laundry item (7) by adding water and carrying out a first rotation step of the drum (2); and

   (b) spraying a treatment composition (3) onto the laundry item (7) in a second rotation step of the drum (2) at a rotary speed U2 which is equal to or greater than the centrifugal adhesion rotary speed, by feeding the treatment composition (3) from a reservoir (22) into a mixing container (29), and is applied to the laundry item (7) from the mixing container (29) by an injection device (16, 17, 26) by means of water from the water supply (8, 9, 28).
8. Laundry treatment device (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the laundry treatment device is a washing machine.
9. Laundry treatment device (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the injection device (16, 17, 26) for injecting a treatment composition (3) can be switched independently of the drum (2).
10. Laundry treatment device (1) according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterised in that said laundry treatment device comprises an additional structural feature (4) for promoting a distribution of the treatment composition (3) in the laundry item (7).
11. Laundry treatment device (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said structural feature (4) involves a laundry agitator (4) which is optimised with regard to the distribution of the treatment composition (3) in the laundry item (7).
12. Laundry treatment device (1) according to one of the claims 7 to 11 characterised in that the injection device (16, 17, 26) for injecting the treatment composition (3) is regulable.

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