JP2007536014A - Uniform release of the composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for depositing benefit composition n a fabric article drying appliance, the device comprising : a pump, the pump comprising; a) a conduit wherein the conduit includes an inlet and a discharge; and b) a nozzle having one or more orifices connected to the discharge of the conduit; wherein the inlet of the conduit is in communication with a source of benefit composition so as to dispense the benefit composition through the conduit from the source of benefit composition of the nozzle whereby the benefit composition is dispensed from the nozzle into the fabric article drying appliance whereby the benefit composition has a mean droplet size of from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns and wherein the cone angle formed by the benefit composition that is discharged from the nozzle is between about 35ae and about 150ae.

Description

  The present invention relates to the uniform release of treatment material in a fabric article drying apparatus such as a tumble dryer.

  Conventionally, when a treatment material is applied to a fabric in a fabric article drying apparatus such as a tumble dryer, it has been difficult to achieve a uniform distribution of the treatment material on the fabric. If the treatment material distribution is not uniform, an untreated portion remains on the fabric. This non-uniform distribution interferes with things such as the appearance, texture, scent, and life of the fabric, and is an undesirable fabric attribute. In addition, it has been observed that in many cases the treatment material is lost elsewhere, such as being lost through the vents of the fabric article drying device rather than desirably being attached to the fabric. Therefore, it is important not only to provide a uniform distribution of the treatment material on the fabric, but also to provide an effective release of the treatment material so that the treatment material will eventually adhere to the fabric and not be lost elsewhere. is there.

  Therefore, there is a need to provide a convenient and effective method of releasing treatment material uniformly and effectively within a fabric article drying apparatus. The present invention addresses this need.

  In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for spraying fabric within a fabric article drying apparatus.

The system
a) a tumble dryer;
b)
i) an average droplet diameter of the treatment composition of from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns;
ii) a spray cone angle in the tumble dryer of about 35 ° to about 150 °;
iii) a flow rate of about 0.5 ml / min to about 100 ml / min when the spray liquid enters the tumble dryer;
and iv) a spray that sprays the treatment composition onto the fabric in the tumble dryer having a linear velocity of about 0.5 m / sec to about 20 m / sec when the spray liquid enters the tumble dryer. .

  In other embodiments, the present invention may comprise an apparatus for depositing the beneficial composition within a fabric article drying implement. The apparatus comprises a pump, the pump comprising a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and a nozzle having one or more orifices connected to the outlet of the conduit. The inlet of the conduit communicates with a source of beneficial composition to distribute the beneficial composition to the nozzle by the conduit, whereby the beneficial composition has an average droplet diameter of about 100 microns to about 1000 microns And the cone angle formed by the beneficial composition discharged from the nozzle is from about 35 ° to about 150 °.

  In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for imparting a uniform distribution of a treatment composition to a fabric within a fabric article drying apparatus. The apparatus comprises a fabric article processing device, wherein the fabric article processing device is coupled to a drum of a tumble dryer so that the beneficial composition is dispensed from the fabric article processing device to the drum in the form of a spray. The liquid contacts the fabric in the drum so as to impart a distribution uniformity of about 75% or more of the beneficial composition to the fabric in the drum.

  In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for depositing a beneficial composition in a drum of a tumble dryer. The method includes providing a pump comprising a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the conduit. The inlet of the conduit is disposed in communication with a source of beneficial composition, and the inlet of the conduit is in communication with a source of beneficial composition. The beneficial composition is distributed by the conduit from a source of beneficial composition into the nozzle and the drum of the tumble dryer so that the beneficial composition has an average droplet diameter of about 100 microns to about 1000 microns. And a linear velocity through the nozzle of about 0.5 m / sec to about 2 m / sec. The nozzle is disposed in the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, the fourth quadrant, or a combination thereof in the dryer drum. The nozzle has an inclination angle, the inclination angle of the first quadrant ranges from about 80 ° to the left to about 45 ° to the right and about 45 ° to the upper side to about 35 ° to the second quadrant. Over a range of about 80 ° to the right to about 45 ° to the left and about 45 ° to the top and about 15 ° to the bottom, the tilt angle of the third quadrant is about 80 ° to the right and about 45 ° to the left and about 45 to the top. Over a range from about 15 ° down to about 15 °, the tilt angle of the fourth quadrant is about 80 ° left to about 15 ° right and about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down, and combinations thereof .

  In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for imparting efficient deposition of benefit agents used to treat fabrics. The method comprises providing a fabric article processing apparatus and a beneficial composition. The beneficial composition such that the beneficial composition is released into the tumble dryer before the tumble dryer rotates, during the tumble dryer rotation, after the tumble dryer rotation, or a combination thereof. Objects are loaded into the fabric article processing apparatus. The cone angle formed from the beneficial composition released into the tumble dryer is from about 35 ° to about 150 °.

  The present invention relates to a uniform distribution of treatment material on fabric within a fabric article drying apparatus such as a tumble dryer. In another aspect, the invention relates to efficient treatment material deposition such that the material is deposited on the fabric rather than elsewhere.

Definitions As used herein, “fabric article” means an article that includes a fabric. Such articles include, but are not limited to, clothing, shoes, curtains, towels, linen cloth, upholstery coverings, and cleaning tools.

  As used herein, “during the drying cycle” means the period during which the dryer is operating.

  As used herein, “treatment material” means a material or combination of materials that can provide benefits to a fabric article. Examples of such benefits include flexibility, freshness, water and / or dirt repellent, frostiness, antistatic, antishrink, antibacterial, permanent press, wrinkle resistance, odor resistance, abrasion resistance, felt Anti-felting, anti-pilling, dimensional stability, appearance enhancement such as color and whiteness enhancement, soil reattachment prevention, aroma, absorption enhancement, and mixtures thereof However, it is not limited to these.

  As used herein, “fabric treatment composition” means a composition comprising one or more treatment materials. Suitable forms of the fabric treatment composition include, but are not limited to, fluid substances such as liquids or gases, and solid compounds such as particles or powders.

  As used herein, the terms “treatment material”, “treatment composition”, “fabric treatment composition” and “beneficial composition” are used interchangeably.

  As used herein, when articles are used in the claims, the articles “a”, “an” and “the” are understood to mean one or more materials claimed or described.

  Unless otherwise stated, all concentrations of a component or composition relate to the activity level of the component or composition and exclude impurities that may be present in commercial sources, such as residual solvents or by-products. The

  Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and percentages are calculated based on the total weight of the composition.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements herein are performed at a standard atmospheric pressure of about 100 kPa (1 bar).

  Any maximum numerical limitation set forth throughout this specification should be understood to encompass any lower numerical limit as such lower numerical limit is expressly set forth herein. Every minimum numerical limitation described throughout this specification includes every higher numerical limitation as if such larger numerical limitation was expressly set forth herein. Any numerical range recited throughout this specification is intended to include any numerical range narrower than that falling within such broader numerical ranges, and all such narrower numerical ranges are expressly set forth herein. Include as if.

Delivery System In one aspect of the present invention, the delivery system comprises a spray that releases the treatment material onto the fabric in a fabric article drying device such as a tumble dryer. The dryer drum is typically rotating during discharge of the treatment material, but may be stationary during discharge. The spray liquid contains the treatment composition. The treatment composition comprising the spray of the present invention has an average droplet diameter of about 100 microns to about 1400 microns, about 200 microns to about 1300 microns, about 300 microns to about 1200 microns, or about 500 microns to about 1100 microns. . A suitable instrument for measuring droplet diameter is a Malvern particle sizer manufactured by Malvern Instruments Ltd., Framingham, Massachusetts.

  The viscosity of the treatment composition, including the spray solution, is about 0.2 Pa · s (200 centipoise) or less when measured using a Model DV-II Brookfield viscometer with an LVI spindle at about 24 ° C. It is 0.1 Pa · s (100 centipoise) or less, or about 0.05 Pa · s (50 centipoise) or less. The Brookfield model DV-II viscometer is available from Brookfield, Middleboro, Massachusetts. The static surface tension of the treatment composition comprising the spray liquid is from about 3 to about 100 dynes / cm, from about 4 to about 70 dynes / cm, or from about 5 to about 40 dynes / cm when measured at about 20 ° C to 25 ° C. cm. A suitable instrument for measuring static surface tension is a class tensiometer model K12 from Kruss, Inc., located in Matthews, North Carolina.

  The treatment composition may be sprayed through a nozzle into a drum of a fabric article drying apparatus such as a drum of a tumble dryer. The nozzle will typically have a diameter of about 200 to about 600 microns or about 250 to about 400 microns. A non-limiting example of a suitable nozzle for this purpose is a pressure swirl spray nozzle. Non-limiting examples of suitable nozzles include the Cosmos 13 NBU nozzle from Precision Valve Corporation of Marietta, Georgia, the City of Industry, California. ) Manufactured by Saint-Gobain Calmar USA, Inc. (WX12 and WD32 nozzles), and made by Seaquist Dispensing, Cary, Illinois. SEQUIST MODEL DU-3813 (Seaquist Model No. DU-3813). The nozzle may be coupled to the spray device. The nozzle may be permanently or removably attached to the spray device. One non-limiting example of a removably attached nozzle is a threaded nozzle that can be easily removed from or attached to the spray device. The nozzle may be disposable. The spray device may be self-supporting or may be coupled to a drying device as described in more detail below.

  It is desirable that the fabric in the fabric article drying apparatus does not directly contact the nozzle while the nozzle is operating, as it may impede flow from the nozzle. Therefore, it is desirable that the nozzle includes a deflecting plate that deflects the cloth away from the nozzle. The deflection plate may surround all or part of the nozzle (eg, the top portion of the nozzle). The degree of extension of the deflector into the fabric article drying apparatus is selected to ensure that the deflector does not interfere with the cone angle of the spray under normal use conditions. The deflection plate may be made from any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic, metal, plexiglas and the like. The deflector may have any provided shape (ie, no sharp edges / corners or rough surface) as long as the selected shape does not negatively affect fabric integrity during the tumble drying process. ).

  The nozzle arrangement and nozzle angle can be varied to optimize the contact between fabric and spray in the tumble dryer. In order to facilitate the determination of where the nozzles should be placed with regard to the optimization of the fabric and spray contact, the dryer drum may be divided into four equal quadrants as shown in FIG. Four quadrants (first quadrant 601, second quadrant 602, third quadrant 603 and fourth quadrant 604) are determined by the intersection of the x-axis 630 and the y-axis 640 of the drying drum 600. The position of the nozzle 610 may later be changed with respect to these quadrants. One non-limiting example of nozzle 610 placement within a quadrant may be along quadrant bisector 612 as shown in second quadrant 602 of FIG.

  The nozzle 610 may be bent from left to right and / or from top to bottom. The angle of the nozzle is referred to herein as the “tilt angle”. The tilt angle may vary from quadrant to quadrant. For example, looking straight into the dryer drum from the door side of the dryer, in the first quadrant 601, the tilt angle is about 80 ° to the left and about 45 ° to the right and / or about 45 ° to the bottom and about 35 to the bottom. °. In the second quadrant 602, the tilt angle changes from about 80 ° to the right to about 45 ° to the left and / or from about 45 ° up to about 35 ° down. In the third quadrant 603, the tilt angle changes from about 80 ° to the right to about 45 ° to the left and / or from about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down. In the fourth quadrant 604, the tilt angle changes from about 80 ° to the left to about 15 ° to the right and / or from about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down.

  The tilt angle is usually selected so that the nozzle is not directed directly to the top of the dryer vent / lint screen or drum. In addition, the nozzle angle is generally such that the spray from the nozzle is released through an empty space / tunnel created by the tumble of the fabric around the dryer drum to contact the fabric at the bottom of the rotating fabric circle. It is desirable to attach. Also, when the dryer drum is rotating, when the fabric falls from the highest vertical point to the lowest vertical point, the nozzle is bent at a certain angle so that the fabric to be tumbled in the dryer and the spray intersect. It may be desirable.

  In some cases it may be desirable to utilize more than one nozzle. Each nozzle may be designed to spray at the same time or at a different time, flow rate, flow rate, etc. than the other nozzles.

  The spray flow rate of a fabric article drying device such as a tumble dryer is about 0.5 to about 100 ml / min, about 1 to about 75 ml / min, about 2 to about 50 ml / min, or about 15 to about 25 ml / min. It is. One suitable method for measuring flow rate is found in ASME / ANSI MFC-9M-1988 entitled “Measurement of liquid flow in closed conduits by Weighing method”.

  The linear velocity of the spray in the tumble dryer drum is about 0.05 to about 2 m / sec, or about 0.1 to about 1 m / sec. The spray length in the tumble dryer drum is about 20% to about 95% of the drum length as measured along the drum axis of rotation. One suitable method for measuring linear velocity is described by Albrecht H. et al. E. , Damaschke N .; Borys M. And Tropea C.I. 2003, XIV, Volume 738, page 382, “Experimental Fluid Mechanics” series “Laser Doppler and Phase Doppler Measurement Techniques” Utilizes laser Doppler wind measurement as described.

  The cone angle of the spray liquid refers to the angle that the spray liquid forms when the spray liquid is sprayed into the tumble dryer drum. A method for determining the cone angle is described below. The cone angle of the spray liquid is from about 35 ° to about 150 °, from about 40 ° to about 110 °, or from about 50 ° to about 90 °.

Spraying Device As indicated above, the present invention may comprise a spraying device that releases the beneficial composition into a tumble dryer. The spraying device may be a stand-alone device or may be incorporated into a fabric article drying implement. As used herein, the term “spraying device” is used interchangeably with the term “fabric article processing device”. A non-limiting example of a suitable spray device that may be used with the present invention is described below in the co-pending application filed December 23, 2004 by the same applicant, entitled “Benefit Composition During One or More Fabric Articles”. US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,259,750 entitled “Processes and Apparatuses for Applying a Benefit Composition to One or More Fabric Articles During a Fabric Enhancement Operation” published November 4, 2004 WO 2004 / 12,007 entitled “Volatile Material Delivery Method” published on July 1, 2004 “Fabric Article Treating Method and Device Comprising a US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,123,490 entitled “Heating Means”; published on July 1, 2004, “Thermal Protection of Fabric Article Processing Equipment (Th US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,123,489 entitled “Ermal Protection of Fabric Article Treating Device”; published on July 15, 2004, “Fabric Article Treating Device Comprising More” US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,134,090 entitled “Than One Housing”; “Fabric Article Treating Apparatus with Safety Device and Controller” published July 29, 2004 US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,025,368, entitled “Fabric Article Treat” published on Feb. 12, 2004.
in US Patent Application No. 2004 / 0,025,368 entitled “ing Method and Apparatus”.

  In one aspect of the invention, the spray system further comprises a pump, a nozzle, a beneficial composition source, and a conduit as described in detail below. The conduit connects the source of beneficial composition to the pump, whereby the beneficial composition is discharged to the tumble dryer via the pump nozzle. Alternatively, the conduit connects the source of beneficial composition to the pump, whereby the beneficial composition is transported between the pump and nozzle via the conduit and discharged to the tumble dryer. In addition, the inside of a conduit | pipe may be arbitrary shapes, The thing made into circular shape and / or an ellipse shape is mentioned as the non-limiting example. It is also desirable to provide a check valve in the conduit in front of the nozzle. Non-limiting examples of minimum operating pressures for the check valve are from about 689 Pa (0.1 psi) to about 14 kPa (2 psi) or from about 3.4 kPa (0.5 psi) to about 7 kPa (1 psi).

  The pump may be operated manually and / or the pump may be automated. The pump may be mechanically driven, electrically driven, or a combination thereof.

  The spray system includes a source of fabric treatment composition, such as a storage container, or a housing or enclosure in communication with an external source of fabric treatment composition, an output device such as a nozzle, a processing circuit, and an electronic having an input and output circuit. A control device such as a control device, one or more sensors such as temperature sensors, light sensors, motion sensors, one or more input devices such as activation switches and / or keypads, one or more indicating devices such as color lights or light emitting diodes, And a charge system where the fabric treatment composition is electrostatically charged (between) before release.

  Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of a device for delivering a fabric treatment composition in accordance with one of the aforementioned temperature or time characteristics, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Similar numbers indicate the same elements.

  2-5 illustrate one embodiment of an exemplary spray system that may be used with the present invention.

  When referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the “stand-alone” control device and spreader (ie, as a self-contained device), generally designated by the reference numeral 10, has two main enclosures (or housings) 20. And 50. In this embodiment, the enclosure 20 serves as an “inner housing” disposed within a fabric article drying implement (eg, a clothes dryer), and the enclosure 50 is disposed external to the fabric article drying implement. Acts as an “outer housing”. The enclosure 50 may be mounted on the exterior surface of the door of the fabric article drying apparatus, but may instead be mounted on any external surface, such as a non-limiting example of such an external surface, including the fabric article drying apparatus. Side walls, top walls, outer surfaces of upper lids, etc., including wall surfaces away from or other residential structures. Further, the enclosure 20 may be mounted on any inner surface of the fabric article dryer, examples of which include the inner surface of the door, the drum of the fabric article dryer, the rear wall, and the inner surface of the upper open lid. However, it is not limited to these.

  The enclosure 50 may be permanently attached to the external surface, and preferably removably attached to the external surface. Similarly, the enclosure 20 may be permanently attached to the internal surface or may be removably attached to the internal surface. One configuration for such an accessory is shown in FIG. 7, where the door of the drying apparatus is generally designated by the reference numeral 15.

  For example, when mounted on the interior surface of a door, the enclosure 20 is constructed to have a “permanently” mounted appearance, without actually being built as part of a fabric article drying implement, It may appear to be “built into” the door of the dryer unit (or other type of fabric article dryer). On the other hand, the enclosure 20 is probably more loose near the door or along the inner surface of the door and is mounted to “hang” along the vertical door of the instrument as depicted in FIGS. May be. As used herein, the term “door” refers to a movable closure structure that allows contact with the internal volume of a human dryer apparatus, and virtually any physical that allows such contact. It will be understood that it may be in the form. The door “closure structure” can be a lid on the top surface of the dryer device, or some form of hatch or the like.

  The processing apparatus 10 may be grounded through contact with a grounding part of the fabric article drying apparatus, such as by a spring, patch, magnet, screw, or other attachment means and / or arc corona discharge, or through the dissipation of residual charge. Should be noted. One non-limiting method of dissipating charge is by using an ionization mechanism, such as a set of metal wires that extend far from the source. Often, fabric article dryers such as clothes dryers have an enamelled surface. One grounding method is to ground to the enameled surface of the fabric article drying implement, using pins that penetrate the grounded non-conductive enamel paint. Another method of grounding the non-conductive surface of the fabric article drying apparatus involves the use of a thin metal plate disposed between the fabric article drying apparatus and the fabric article processing device that serves to provide a capacitive discharge. The typical thickness of such a plate is from about 5 microns to about 5000 microns.

  In FIG. 2, the discharge nozzle 24 and the “door sensor” 22 can be seen on the inner housing 20 and comprise a beneficial composition holding container 26 in the inner volume of the inner housing 20. Container 26 may be used to hold a beneficial composition. The discharge nozzle 24 can be operated like a fluid spray nozzle using either a high pressure power supply (not shown in FIG. 2), which can operate like a pressurized spray or an electrostatic nozzle. The beneficial composition can include a flowable material such as a liquid or gaseous compound, or can include a solid compound in the form of particles such as a powder or solid particles in solution with a liquid. it can. The container 26 can be of essentially any size and shape, for example, can take the form of a pouch or cartridge, or in situations where the beneficial composition includes drinking water, the container is merely a home. Probably possible to be water.

  The inner housing 20 and the outer housing 50 are usually in electrical communication. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a tape cable 40 (also often referred to as a “ribbon cable”) passes between the two housings 20 and 50 and passes through the inner surface of the fabric article drying instrument door 15 (see, eg, FIG. 7). Along the top of the door 15 and down to the exterior surface of the door 15.

  FIG. 3 shows the same fabric article processing apparatus 10 from the opposite angle, with the outer housing 50 having an on / off switch at 56. The tape cable 40 can be seen again in FIG. 3 and can be seen along the face of the inner housing 20 in FIG. 3 and the door mounting strap 21 can be seen. The end of the T attachment strap can also be seen in FIG. Certainly other arrangements for attaching the inner housing 20 to the dryer door 15 (or other inner surface) can be used without departing from the principles of the present invention, non-limiting examples include magnets, suction cups, and hooks. It is done.

  FIG. 4 will be described. The fabric article processing apparatus 10 is shown with the container 26 viewed as the inner volume of the inner housing 20. In the outer housing 50, in addition to a set of batteries 52, a printed circuit board with electronic components at 54 locations can be seen. It is contemplated that any type of power source can be used in the present invention, including standard household line voltage, batteries or even solar energy.

  FIG. 5 will be described. Some of the other mechanical equipment is shown for the inner housing 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the discharge nozzle 24 acts like an electrostatic nozzle and is thereby connected to a high voltage power supply 28 through the use of electrical conductors not shown in this figure. As shown in FIG. 6, a quick coupling switch 34 is provided for safety purposes, so that the high voltage power supply 28 can be immediately shut down if necessary. The pump 30 and the corresponding electric motor 32 can be seen in FIG. Regardless of whether the discharge nozzle 24 is producing only a pressurized spray or an electrostatic spray using a high voltage power supply 28, some type of pumping device is used.

  FIG. 6 provides several block diagrams of electrical and mechanical components that may be included in a fabric article processing apparatus 10 suitable for use with the present invention. In this example embodiment, a high voltage power supply 28 is provided in the inner housing 20 that is used to charge the fluid dispensed through the discharge nozzle 24, making it an electrostatic nozzle system. Inner housing 20 uses a common body or enclosure to house the devices required in the drying apparatus, and such components generally remain normal during the drying apparatus processing cycle. It will be understood that they are exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, more sensitive electronic components are usually mounted at different locations, such as within the outer housing 50 (although not always).

  The tape cable 40 carries specific command signals and power to the inner housing 20, and further receives electrical signals from sensors mounted in the inner housing 20 and transmits those sensor signals back to the outer housing 50. . The power control signal proceeds according to the wiring 70, passes through the quick disconnect switch 34, and reaches the high voltage power source 28. This signal may include a constant DC voltage, a constant AC voltage, a variable DC voltage, a variable AC voltage, or some type of pulse voltage, depending on the type of control method selected by the designer of fabric article processing apparatus 10. it can.

  In one embodiment, the signal at 70 is a variable DC voltage, and as this voltage increases, a conductor 39 (eg, a wire) attached to electrode 38 that carries a high voltage to nozzle 24 or into container 26 as the voltage increases. As a result, the magnitude of the output voltage of the high-voltage power supply 28 also increases. The voltage applied to electrode 38 is then transferred to the beneficial composition. Instead of the variable output voltage power supply 28 of the exemplary embodiment, a constant output voltage DC high voltage power supply can optionally be used.

  Once the beneficial composition is charged in the container 26, it travels through a tube or passage 42 to the inlet of the pump 30, after which the beneficial composition is pressurized and passes through the outlet of the pump to another tube (or passage). ) 44 to the discharge nozzle 24. When used in the present invention, the actual details of the type of piping used, the type of pump 30 and the type of electric motor 32 driving the pump are easily configured for almost all types of pressure and flow requirements. can do. Also, the voltage and current requirements of the electric motor 32 to provide the desired pressure and flow at the outlet of the pump 30 can be easily configured for use with the present invention. Virtually any type of pump and electric motor combination can be utilized in some or other forms to create a useful device that falls within the teachings of the present invention, or a stand-alone pump can be used (ie, coupled). Without electric motor).

  Some types of pumps, such as peristaltic pumps, that extend through the pump inlet opening and subsequently act on a continuous tube through the pump discharge opening, have separate input and output lines or tubes on it. Note that there is no need to be connected. This arrangement is particularly useful for use with electrostatically charged fluids or particles that are pumped toward the discharge nozzle 24 because the tubing can electrically insulate the pump from the charged beneficial composition. is there. It should also be noted that alternative pumping devices such as spring-operated pumping mechanisms can be used if desired. A non-limiting example of a suitable peristaltic pump is the model 10/30 peristaltic pump available from Thomas Industries, Louisville, Kentucky.

  If desired, the fabric article processing apparatus 10 can be improved by the use of several sensors, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a door (or lid) sensor 22, a motion sensor 36, a humidity sensor 46. And / or a temperature sensor 48.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the general arrangement of several components of one stand-alone embodiment of a fabric article processing apparatus 10 that may be used with the present invention. As described above, the electronic component 54 and the battery 52 are disposed in the outer housing 50, and the outer housing 50 is a flat cable that transmits power and input / output signals between the outer housing 50 and the inner housing 20. 40 is electrically connected.

  Within the inner housing 20, the container 26, pump 30, electric motor 32, high voltage power supply 28, discharge nozzle 24, and various sensors that may or may not be included in certain types of processing apparatus 10. Is housed. A conductor 39 is depicted that conducts a high voltage to the nozzle 24, which is an alternative configuration that can be used instead of delivering a high voltage to the container 26. In addition to piping 42 to the pump inlet, piping 44 from the pump outlet providing the beneficial composition to the nozzle 24 is shown. It should be noted that the high voltage power supply 28 is completely optional within the teachings of the present invention, and if the spray droplets / particles emitted from the nozzle 24 are not to be electrostatically charged, the inside A high voltage power supply is not required in the housing 20.

  FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment for use with the present invention, and typically represents a fabric article processing apparatus indicated by reference numeral 110. In this mode of the invention, the control device depicted in the figures of the previous stand-alone embodiment is here integrated into the electronic control system of the drying apparatus 110. A door 15 is shown in FIG. 8, which is a normal access point to the internal drum volume of the drying apparatus 110 by a human user. Nozzle 24 is used to direct the beneficial composition into the drum area, and the drum is typically represented by reference numeral 114. The supply tube 44 carries the beneficial composition to the nozzle 24 through the control valve 120, which can be provided with an on / off push button 56 as required.

  FIG. 9 shows another stand-alone embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 150. The components shown in FIG. 9 include a container (or chamber) 26, an optional charging component 39 (such as an electrode or other type of conductor that transports a high voltage to the container or nozzle), a discharge nozzle 24, a pump unit 30. , And a set of batteries 52. An electronic printed circuit board 54 is provided, which typically includes a microcontroller or other type of control circuit. Such a device as represented by reference numeral 129 may be provided with one or more sensors, including a pressure sensor, door sensor 22, motion sensor 36, humidity sensor 46 and / or temperature sensor 48. be able to. In this embodiment 150, all of the components are contained in a single housing, and the entire unit is placed in a fabric article dryer such as a conventional clothes dryer found in the consumer's home.

  The “single housing” stand-alone unit 150 of FIG. 9 may incorporate all the electrical and electronic components described herein with respect to FIGS.

  10-14, like reference numerals indicate like elements, and a beneficial composition dispensing device 1100 configured in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Apparatus 1100 includes two enclosures or housings 1120 and 1150. The enclosure 1120 defines an “inner housing” that is disposed within a fabric enhancement device, such as, for example, a fabric article drying apparatus such as a clothes dryer (not shown in FIGS. 10-14). Defining an “outer housing” that is disposed external to the fabric article drying implement. The fabric value enhancing device may also comprise a washing device or a washing and drying device. The enclosure 1150 may be mounted on the outer surface of the fabric value enhancer door (not shown), such as by a pressure sensitive and thermally stable adhesive foam strip (not shown). Alternatively, the enclosure 1150 may be mounted on any other outer surface of the fabric value enhancing device, non-limiting examples of which include the side wall, the top wall, the outer surface of the upper open lid, and the like. The enclosure 1150 may also be mounted on a separate wall or other house structure from the fabric value enhancing device. Further, the enclosure 1120 may be mounted on any inner surface of the fabric value enhancing device, such as by a pressure sensitive and thermally stable adhesive foam strip (not shown), such as a door , The drum of the apparatus, the rear wall, the inner surface of the upper open lid, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner housing enclosure 1120 includes a unitary front / side main section 1122 and a backplate section 1123 secured to the main section 1122 by screws, adhesive, snap-fit elements, and the like. 1121. Sections 1122 and 1123 are preferably molded from a polymeric material. In the main body 1121, the following elements, the discharge nozzle 24, the door sensor 22 that senses ambient light so that the sensor 22 is exposed to ambient light when the door of the fabric reinforcement device is opened, and the motion sensor 36 (contained in the main body 1121) The humidity sensor 46 (not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) and the temperature sensor 48 can be accommodated. In this embodiment, the nozzle 24 is not combined with a high voltage power source. The nozzle 24 functions as a fluid spray nozzle for generating pressurized spray.

  10 to 12 and 15 will be described. The enclosure 1150 includes a main body 1151 having a rear wall 1151a, a first inner compartment 1151b for storing a variable length unused cable 1140, described below, and a second compartment for storing a fluid pump 1130. 1151C, a motor 1132 for driving the pump 1130, a battery 52, a tube 1142 (described later), and a tube portion 1144 (described later). In addition, the enclosure 1150 includes a cassette door 1152, a printed circuit board 1160a, and a faceplate 1162 that are pivotally connected to the main body 1151, such as by pins 1152a (only one of which is shown in FIG. 12). The printed circuit board 1160a is accommodated between the main body 1151 and the face plate 1162. The face plate 1162 is connected to the main body 1151 by screws, adhesives, snap-fit elements or similar connecting elements. The pivotable door 1152 has a pocket 1152b for receiving a fluid reservoir defined by a removable container 1170 filled with a beneficial composition, the composition of which can be found in this document or a document described herein. Any one of the beneficial compositions described in. The container 1170 may be formed of a polymeric material, paper, foil, a combination of these materials, or similar materials. The door 1152 is removably held in a closed position in the main body 1151 via first and second flexible arms 1153 connected to the main body 1151.

  Extending through the corresponding opening in the faceplate 1162 is an on / off switch 1266c, a “refluff” key or switch 266d, and a dial 266a, which may include a potentiometer, which is turned by the user to the fabric. Dial into the desired one of the strong, standard, and light settings that correspond to the strength, standard, and light effect levels to be provided by the beneficial composition for at least one fabric article during the value enhancement process.

  Cable 1140 is connected to and extends between enclosures 1120 and 1150. The cable 1140 may extend along the inner surface of the fabric value enhancer door, over the top of the door, and down the outer surface of the door. Any unused length of cable 1140 can be manually inserted into the first compartment 1151b and stored.

  The cable 1140 carries the beneficial composition from the fluid pump 1130 in the outer enclosure 1150 to the nozzle 24 of the inner enclosure 1120 (see FIG. 14) and sends electrical signals to the sensors 36, 22, 46 and 46 installed in the inner enclosure 1120. 48 to the microcontroller 1160 installed on the printed circuit board 1160a in the outer enclosure 1150.

  A first coupling 1172 is attached to the main body 1151 by first and second mounting shelves 1155a and 1155b, see FIGS. 12 and 13, and connected to a tube or channel 1142 (not shown in FIG. 13), To the pump 1130. The first and second shelves 1155a and 1155b are located on opposite sides of the flange 1172a of the first joint 1172 and snap-fit, glued together, or bolted together to surround the flange 1172a. Is done. The assembly including the shelves 1155a and 1155b and the fitting 1172 is attached to the main body 1151 such that the shelves 1155a and 1155b are received in slots 1151d defined in the main body 1151. When the door 1152 is pivoted to its closed position and functions to thread or otherwise penetrate the container 1170 to provide a flow path for the beneficial composition to travel from the container 1170 to the tube 1142, the fitting 1172. Is inserted into a second coupling 1170a that forms part of the fluid container 1170. The beneficial composition travels from the tube 1142 to the inlet of the pump 1130, after which the composition is pressurized and conveyed through the tube or channel 1144 (shown in FIG. 12) and extends to the discharge nozzle 24 by the cable 1140. There, the beneficial composition is released. In the illustrated embodiment, pump 1130 and motor 1132 comprise a single assembly or piezoelectric pump, one of which is available under the product designation LPD-30S from Par Technologies, LLC. Other suitable pumps that may be used in this or other embodiments include, but are not limited to, gear pumps and diaphragm pumps. A non-limiting example of one suitable diaphragm pump is a model no. With a DC motor available from KNF Neuberger, Trenton, NJ. NF5RPDC-S.

  The type of control signal used to control the electric motor 1132 can vary depending on the design requirements of the device 1100, and such a signal is conveyed to the motor 1132 by the conductor 1172. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical signal traveling along conductor 1172 includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal that is controlled by microcontroller 1160. Of course, such a pulse width modulated signal can be generated by any suitable controller or processor, or suitable separate logic.

  As described above, the enclosure 1150 includes a second compartment 1151c for storing the battery 52, which may include two AA batteries. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 52 defines a power source and provides a DC voltage to a DC power source 1158 (see FIG. 14). An example DC power supply includes an integrated circuit chip commercially available from Maxim Integrated Products under the product designation "MAX1724EZK50-T". The DC power source 1158 supplies the output voltage to the microcontroller 1160.

  A suitable microcontroller 1160 is a microprocessor manufactured by Atmel Corporation and sold under the product designation Atmega48-16Al. Alternatively, the microcontroller 1160 may include a microprocessor manufactured by Atmel Corporation and sold under the product designation Atmega48-16AJ. Of course, other microcontrollers, microprocessors, controllers or processors manufactured by different manufacturers, or separate digital logic could be used instead.

  The microcontroller 1160 includes on-board memory and input and output lines for analog and digital signals. The microcontroller 1160 also has a serial port that can be connected to any programmer interface using an RS-232 communication link. As described above, the on / off switch 1266c and the fluff key 266d are connected to the microcontroller 1160 (see FIG. 14). As described above, the motion sensor 36, the door sensor 22, the humidity sensor 46, and the temperature sensor 48 generate signals for the microcontroller 1160. Further, as described above, the microcontroller 60 generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for the pump motor 1132 via the conductor 1172. The audio indicator 1300 is further connected to the microcontroller 1160 and the drying cycle is complete, the garment has been treated with the beneficial composition, an error has occurred during the beneficial composition loading cycle, or the beneficial composition. It functions to indicate that there is no more fluid in the item distributor. The voice display 1300 is attached to the printed board 1160 (see FIG. 12).

  Further, first, second, third, fourth and fifth light emitting diodes 1400a to 1400e are connected to the microcontroller 1160 (see FIGS. 11 to 13). The diode is connected to the face plate 1162 so that it can be seen by the operator during operation (see FIG. 11). The first diode 1400a is activated by the microcontroller 1160 when the device 1100 is activated by the on / off switch 1266c. The second diode 1400b is activated by the microcontroller 1160 when the pump 1130 is pumping the beneficial composition toward the nozzle 24. The third diode 1400c is activated by the microcontroller 1160 when the refluffing key 266d is activated. The fourth diode 1400d is activated by the microcontroller 1160 when the spraying operation for the corresponding fabric value enhancement processing cycle is complete. The fifth diode 1400e is activated by the microcontroller 1160 to generate an alarm signal when the container is exhausted or the fabric value enhancement cycle is interrupted, the latter event causing the door sensor 22 to It may be detected by sensing light or by the motion sensor 36 not sensing motion. The microcontroller 1160 may sense that the fluid in the container 1170 has run out by sensing the change in current drawn by the pump motor 1132.

Treatment composition Treatment composition is not limited to these: flexibility, soil reattachment prevention, stain or water repellency, color and white enhancement, aroma, enhanced absorption, antistatic, antibacterial, wrinkle control Provide one or more fabric benefits including shape / form retention and / or fabric abrasion resistance. A class of materials containing materials that can provide such benefits include, but are not limited to, cationic materials, nonionic materials, other polymeric materials, and particulate materials. Typically, the treatment material is at least about 0.5 wt%, at least about 2 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 90 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 50 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition, Or present at a concentration of from about 4% to about 10% by weight. Suitable processing materials include, but are not limited to, WO 2004 / 12,007, May 4, 2000 entitled “Volatile Material Delivery Method” published November 4, 2004. Published WO 00 / 24,856 entitled “Fabric Care Composition and Method”, US Patent Application No. 2005/0 entitled “Fabric Article Processing System and Method” published February 3, 2005. No. 2005 / 02,311 and US patent application 2005 / 0,076 entitled “Fabric Article Treating Device and System with Static Control” published April 14, 2005. , 534, and the like.

  The fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may include perfumes. The perfume is at least about 30 wt%, about 35 wt% to about 100 wt%, about 40 wt% to about 100 wt%, or about 40 wt% to about 70 wt% 101 kPa (1 atm) at about 250 ° C or less Materials such as at least about 0.005%, about 0.005% to about 10%, or about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of perfume material comprising a perfume material having a boiling point of Material; and optional support material and balance that may be one or more adjunct ingredients as disclosed in co-pending application WO 2004 / 12,007.

  Also, the fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may include from about 0.5 to about 20% of a softener or fabric hand modifier, as a non-limiting example. Are diester quaternary ammonium compounds, poly quaternary ammonium compounds, triethanolamine esterified with carboxylic acids and quaternized substances, amino ester quaternary ammonium compounds (amino esterquats), cationic diesters, Betain esters, betaines, aminosilicones, cationic silicones, quaternary ammonium compounds / silicone mixtures, functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes ("(PDMS"), amine oxides, silicone copolyols , Cationic starches, sucrose fatty acid esters, silicones containing polyethylene emulsions Silicone emulsions, and mixtures thereof.

  The fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may also contain from about 0.1% to about 1.2% of an antistatic agent, non-limiting examples of which include polyanilines, polypyrroles, Polyacetylene, polyphenylene, polythiophenes, ethoxylated polyethyleneimines, and STATEXAN WP, STATEXAN HA, or STATEXAN PES (available from LanXess, Bayer subsidiary of Leverkusen, Germany), ETOFAT (Netherlands) And various commercial materials such as those available from Akso Nobel, Arnhem), and mixtures thereof.

  The fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may also include from about 0.005 to about 1.5% malodor control agents, including, but not limited to, substituted or unsubstituted cyclodextrins. , Porous inorganic materials, starches, olfactory odor blockers, and mixtures thereof.

  The fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may also contain from about 0.05 to about 0.5% of a preservative, including, but not limited to, the trade name UNIQUAT®. Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, available under the trade name PROXEL® (from Norwalk, Connecticut, Basel, Switzerland) 1,2-benzisothiozolin-3-one, available under the trade name DANTOGUARD®, available from Arch Chemicals) Available from Lonza (Basel, Switzerland), dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, trade name KATHON 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one available from Rohm and Haas of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania / 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (2-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) and mixtures thereof.

  The fabric treatment composition used in connection with the present invention may also include from about 0.05 to about 5% ethoxylated surfactant and / or emulsifier. These include carboxylated alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated quaternary ammonium surfactants, ethoxylated alkylamines, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, polyethylene glycol / polypropylene glycol Block copolymers, fatty alcohols and fatty acid ethoxylates, long chain tertiary amine oxides, alkyl polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) glyceryl fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof include, but are not limited to.

Method for Producing Fabric Treatment Composition The fabric treatment composition of the present invention can be formulated into any suitable form and prepared by any process selected by the formulator, a non-limiting example of which is described in US Pat. No. 6,653,275. In the issue.

Uniformity and deposition efficiency It is desirable that the treatment composition applied during the drying process be uniformly distributed on the fabric in a tumble dryer during the drying process. Also, during the drying process, it is desirable that the treatment composition be deposited on the fabric in the tumble dryer rather than elsewhere, such as by a dryer vent / lint screen. While not wishing to be limited to theory, several factors that may affect both the distribution uniformity and the deposition of the treatment composition on the fabric in the tumble dryer drum include the flow rate of the treatment composition in the drum. , Treatment composition droplet diameter, in-drum spray position, in-drum spray cone angle and in-drum treatment composition linear velocity.

  In accordance with the present invention, the uniformity (ie, distribution index) of the distribution of the treatment composition relative to the fabric in the tumble dryer drum is at least about 35%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least Desirably, it is about 70%, at least about 75%, or at least about 80%. Desirably, the adhesion of the treatment composition to the fabric in the tumble dryer drum is at least about 70%, at least about 75%, or at least about 80%. Also, less than about 10% of the treatment composition is released from the dryer drum via the lint screen, less than about 5% of the treatment composition is released from the dryer drum via the lint screen, or the treatment composition Desirably, less than about 1% is discharged from the dryer drum through a lint screen.

Method for Measuring the Cone Angle of Spray Fluid The following method may be used to measure the cone angle (spray width).

1. Measure the depth of the dryer drum to which the spray solution is applied. Calculate a distance that is 20% of the total length of the dryer drum depth.
2. The spraying section, which is the supply source of the spray liquid, is mounted on a vertical surface at a height corresponding to the vertical center point of the dryer drum having the nozzles of the spraying device aligned with the corresponding horizontal (vertical) axis.
3. Combining Phototron Fastcam PCI 2KC with Magma CB2 and Dell Inspiron 8100, available from Motion Engineering, Indianapolis, Indiana And assemble. Assemble the halogen lamp to give additional light when shooting. Use a 25mm lens to record the spray at high resolution. Align the video camera so that the field of view encompasses the discharge of the nozzle and extends at least 20% distance calculated in step 1. In addition, make sure the camera is positioned to capture the widest angle of spray.
4). Start spraying in the absence of dry air flow.
5). The video records a fluid spray at 1000 frames per minute against a black background.
6). A single frame image of the spray is inserted into Microsoft Visio and the image is zoomed to 400%.
7). To determine the cone angle using the image from step 6, draw a vertical line corresponding to a point that is 20% of the length measured in step 1 across the upper and lower boundaries of the spray. From the point where the vertical line crosses the upper boundary of the spray, a line is drawn backwards from the discharge center point of the sprayer nozzle. The process is repeated for the lower boundary of the spray, i.e. a line is drawn backwards from the point where the vertical line crosses the lower boundary of the spray to the discharge center point of the sprayer nozzle. The cone angle is the interior angle formed by the intersection of these two lines when the nozzle is ejected.

Method for Measuring Adhesion of Treatment Composition on Fabric and Treatment Composition on Lint Screen Fabric Stripping:
1. Weigh the fabric until the total load weight is about 2.7 kg.
2. Turn on the washing machine, set the agitation time to 10 minutes, set the water level high and about 79 liters (21 gallons) full.
3. About 160 grams of liquid laundry detergent such as Liquid TIDE® is used.
4). After the washing machine is about 1/4 full, add detergent to the washing machine water. Rinse the laundry detergent bottle cup with water so that all remaining detergent in the cap flows into the washing machine.
5). Once the bag is filled to about 3/4 full, the fabric is added to the water in the washing machine.
6). The cleaning cycle proceeds automatically until the completion of the final rotation.
7). Steps # 2-6 are repeated three times later with each detergent amount added to the laundry load as listed above.
8.4 After completion of the cycle, the fabric is removed from the washing machine and dried using the dryer's high heat cycle.
9. The fabric is then stored in a plastic bag until processing.

Fabric treatment:
Fabric Load-Each treatment consists of 12 0.83 m ² (1 square yard) strips of fabric material samples per load.

  Processing Steps-Sliced swatches are placed in the washing machine to set up a rinse cycle, wet and centrifugal and wet and spun dry.

  Before placing the wet fabric in the tumble dryer, the following dryer cleaning procedure is performed before each treatment. A 5% bleach solution is sprayed on the front and back sidewalls inside the dryer and on the dryer drum. The lint screen is removed before spraying. The dryer is completely wiped with paper towels. Once the dryer wash is complete, the dryer lint trap is replaced and covered with a new 36 cm (14 inch) by 18 cm (7 inch piece) white cotton knitted fabric with the edges secured with masking tape. A suitable white cotton knitted fabric is CW120 available from Empirical Manufacturing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. The wet fabric is then placed in the dryer drum to complete the drying cycle. During the drying cycle, the spray composition is discharged into the dryer drum. Following the drying process cycle, the fabric covering the lint screen for sampling and analysis is removed from the dryer drum.

Fabric sampling:
The fabric on the lint screen-lint screen is sampled as follows.

1. The cover on the lint screen is sampled by removing the cover from the lint screen.
2. Six circular samples with a diameter of 40 mm are cut from the portion of the lint screen cover that was not covered with masking tape.
3. Six samples cut from the lint screen cover are labeled and analyzed by the sample analysis described below.

Fabric load (from dryer)
1. Six of the 12 sheets of 0.8 square meter (1 square yard) fabric from each cycle are sampled.
2. Each fabric material swatch is spread and a ruler is used to measure 15 cm (6 inches) from the corner of the material swatch.
3. A 40 mm circle is cut from this area.
4). Sample material samples are labeled and analyzed.

Sample analysis:
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP) is used for analysis of samples. To measure the spray performance, yttrium (Y) is spiked into the treatment composition solution as a trace element. Add 200 ppm Y to the treated composition to be tested. The composition is sprayed onto the fabric to be tested. After spraying, the sample is cut from the fabric. Digest the fabric sample to an acidic solution by high pressure microwave. ICP is corrected for quantitative Y measurement. Measure Y in solution. The amount of Y on the fabric is back calculated and the stoichiometric correction is performed to determine the amount of the treatment composition solution on the fabric. The distribution of Y represents the distribution of the treatment composition solution.

Method for Determining the Uniformity of the Treatment Composition (Distribution Index) on the Fabric Image analysis may be used to evaluate the distribution uniformity of the spray per surface area of the test sample. A number of digital images per sample are acquired by the imaging device and analyzed with computer software. The software detects spray deposit areas and counts the number of pixels that contain dirty areas in the image. The number of pixels detected for all images taken per sample is compared and a standard deviation is calculated. Smaller standard deviations are associated with more uniform spray deposition. To measure spray uniformity, the fabric sample is sprayed with a red dye (ie, 0.05% by weight red dye # 40 for food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in distilled water).

  Image analysis is then performed by the following process to evaluate the uniformity of the spray distribution on the sample.

(1) Background correction imaging system and sample digital image acquisition Applying background correction, a well-known technique for correcting images using a flat neutral gray card, to the image prior to analysis Remove the lighting variance across and minimize the problem of image analysis as a result of spatial illumination variance. In addition, to ensure the color density of digital images taken at different times (eg, images taken on different days), the images also use a standard color chart (Gretag Macbeth 24 color chart). Color correction is performed.

  After correcting the background, the fabric to be tested is placed in the light booth and folded so that the specific area to be imaged is exactly in the center of the light booth between the lamps and facing up to the camera. A stencil of the size of the field of view of the camera (16 cm × 20.5 cm) is placed on the area to be imaged. When the sample is correctly positioned, an image is taken in response to a command from the operator. For a total of 12 images per fabric, 6 images are taken for the front and back sides of the fabric.

  The image is digitized in a known manner (ie converted to a binary representation). Finally, the digital image data is moved to the arithmetic unit. Many other methods of acquiring digital images are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, samples to be analyzed can be submitted over a network, files can be retrieved from a database, and / or a flatbed scanner can be used to digitize the photos.

  (2) The digital image is electronically analyzed to detect the spray adhesion region.

  Images are based on reference intensity thresholds and image resolution software (Optimas version 6.5 available from Media Cybernetics, a company organized by Silver Spring, Maryland) Processed electronically. The selected region of interest is a complete screen image. The method for selecting the intensity threshold setting is as follows. The background and color-corrected image of the fabric (step 1 above) is converted to a single “gray” level image display that emphasizes the difference between the red stained area and the “undirty” fabric area. The method used depends on the lighting, imaging system, and the type and color of dye used compared to the background fabric color. For example, a green channel may be used. Relevant approaches may also be used, for example, intensity images from red-green, red-blue or other similar mathematical combinations of image red, green and blue color channels may be used for fabric dyeing and “ It may be used to create a single channel “gray” level image for thresholding that highlights differences between “dirty” regions.

  The software is corrected to detect the color area of the digital image pixel. In order to set a threshold for pixel detection, an “unstained” unstained white fabric is a standard reference and is imaged by step (1). After conversion to a single channel “gray” level image display, a threshold is set so that zero pixels are detected for all images of that “dirty” sample, resulting in further increase in threshold. It starts to detect “undirty” sample pixels. Pixels with color intensity values within the set threshold are detected and counted by image analysis software.

  (3) Calculate the standard deviation in percent of pixels detected for all images for each sample.

The percentage of pixels detected per area is obtained by mathematical calculation using the number of detected pixels divided by the total number of pixels per image. Thus, for each analyzed fabric, there are twelve percent values of detected pixels. The standard deviation of the percentage of pixels detected for 12 images per fabric is obtained by mathematical calculation according to the formula.

(Where
σ = standard deviation X _i = percentage of pixels detected per image μ = average percentage of pixels N = number of values in a set of measurements)
In order to more conveniently compare the uniformity of spray adhesion across fabrics, treatments, etc., a distribution index is created by a mathematical formula using standard deviation values. This distribution index is a scale from 0 to 100.

0 <distribution index ≦ 100

  Higher distribution values correlate with more uniform samples.

Examples Treatment Compositions The following are non-limiting examples of treatment compositions that may be useful in the present invention:

Examples Nozzle Arrangements The following are non-limiting examples of nozzle arrangements that may be used in a tumble dryer:
A. A non-limiting example of a nozzle arrangement that may be used with a crossflow tumble dryer (i.e., the drum typically rotates in a counterclockwise motion and the air flow passes through the rear panel of quadrant 602 to the tumble dryer. Enter and exit through the rear panel of the dryer in quadrant 601 (see FIG. 1).

1. The nozzle placement is represented on the front (“F”) panel / door of the tumble dryer or on the back (“B”) panel of the tumble dryer.
2. Simplified as follows: Referring to FIG. 1, “O” refers to the intersection of lines 640 and 630. The number “1” indicates the first quadrant 601. The number “2” refers to the second quadrant 602. The number “3” indicates the third quadrant 603. The number “4” refers to the fourth quadrant 604.
3. Sum expressed in% from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 to the end of the dryer drum when measured from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 along line 640 in the direction required to land in the specified quadrant Distance (ie radius).
4). Sum expressed in% from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 to the end of the dryer drum when measured from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 along line 630 in the direction required to land in the specified quadrant Distance (ie radius).
5). Referenced from the front side of the dryer.

B. A non-limiting example of a nozzle arrangement that may be used with an axial flow dryer (i.e., the drum typically rotates in a clockwise motion and the air flow is dried through the rear panel of the instrument in the first quadrant 601 of FIG. Enter the machine and exit through the lint screen on the front panel of the dryer under the door).

1. The nozzle placement is represented on the front (“F”) panel / door of the tumble dryer or on the back (“B”) panel of the tumble dryer.
2. Simplified as follows: Referring to FIG. 1, “0” refers to the intersection of lines 640 and 630. The number “1” indicates the first quadrant 601. The number “2” refers to the second quadrant 602. The number “3” indicates the third quadrant 603. The number “4” refers to the fourth quadrant 604.
3. Sum expressed in% from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 to the end of the dryer drum when measured from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 along line 640 in the direction required to land in the specified quadrant Distance (ie radius).
4). Sum expressed in% from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 to the end of the dryer drum when measured from the intersection of lines 630 and 640 along line 630 in the direction required to land in the specified quadrant Distance (ie radius).
5). Referenced from the front of the dryer.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. All documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Citation of any document should not be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

The front view of a dryer drum. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stand-alone fabric article processing apparatus made according to the principles of the present invention. The perspective view from the angle of the opposite side of the fabric article processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view from one end of a partial cross-sectional view of the fabric article processing apparatus of FIG. 2 showing an inner housing and an outer housing connected by a tape cable. The front view from one side of the fragmentary sectional view of the inner housing part of the fabric article processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of several electrical and mechanical components utilized in the fabric article processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a partial cross-sectional view of the fabric article processing apparatus of FIG. 2 when attached to a door of a fabric dryer. A perspective view of a fabric article drying apparatus having a nozzle that sprays a beneficial composition as made in accordance with the principles of the present invention onto the drum portion of the dryer. FIG. 4 is a diagram of several components utilized by another embodiment stand-alone fabric article processing device made in accordance with the principles of the present invention, all processing devices contained within a single housing or enclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stand-alone unit for dispensing a beneficial composition made in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The perspective view from the angle of the opposite side of the unit of FIG. FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the unit shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a fluid container, first and second fixtures and first and second mounting shelves. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of at least a portion of the electrical and mechanical components utilized in the units of FIGS.

Claims (24)

a) a conduit with an inlet and an outlet;
b) an apparatus for depositing a beneficial composition in a fabric article drying implement comprising a pump with a nozzle having one or more orifices connected to the outlet of the conduit;
The inlet of the conduit communicates with the source of beneficial composition such that the beneficial composition is dispensed by the conduit from the source of beneficial composition to the nozzle, whereby the beneficial composition is removed from the nozzle. Dispensing to the fabric article drying implement, whereby the beneficial composition has an average droplet diameter of about 100 microns to about 1000 microns, and the cone angle formed by the beneficial composition ejected from the nozzle is about An apparatus for depositing a beneficial composition in a fabric article drying implement, characterized in that it is between 35 ° and about 150 °.   When the nozzle is placed in the fabric article drying device such that the nozzle is in the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, the fourth quadrant or a combination thereof, and the nozzle is in the first quadrant, The nozzle has an inclination angle in the range of about 80 ° to the left and about 45 ° to the right and about 45 ° to the top and about 35 ° to the bottom, and when the nozzle is in the second quadrant, the nozzle is about When the nozzle is in the third quadrant with a tilt angle in the range of about 45 ° from 80 ° to the left and about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down, the nozzle is about 80 ° to the right and about 80 ° to the left. When the nozzle is in the third quadrant with a tilt angle in the range of about 45 °, about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down, the nozzle is about 80 ° right to about 45 ° up If the nozzle is in the fourth quadrant with a tilt angle in the range of about 45 ° down to about 15 °, the nozzle is about 8 to the left. ° right about 15 ° from a and combinations thereof having an inclination angle in the range of about 45 ° to about 15 ° down to above, apparatus according to claim 1.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the average flow rate at the nozzle outlet is from about 0.5 ml / min to about 100 ml / min.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the nozzle opening is from about 200 microns to about 600 microns.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the average linear velocity at the nozzle outlet is from about 0.05 m / sec to about 2 m / sec.   The beneficial composition includes a spray stream as it exits the nozzle, and the length of the beneficial composition spray stream measured when the beneficial composition exits the nozzle is equal to the length of the fabric article drying appliance horizontal axis. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is about 20% to about 95%.   Adhesion of the beneficial composition to the tumble dryer comprising a fabric article treatment device coupled to the tumble dryer so that the beneficial composition is dispensed from the fabric article treatment device to the tumble dryer An apparatus for imparting benefit agent deposition efficiency used to treat fabric, wherein the efficiency is about 95% or greater.   The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fabric article processing apparatus includes a nozzle. a) a tumble dryer;
b) the tumbling drying such that the beneficial composition is dispensed from the fabric article processing device to a tumble dryer, whereby the deposition efficiency of the beneficial composition on the tumble dryer is about 95% or greater. A system for providing deposition efficiency of a benefit agent used to treat fabric comprising a fabric article processing device coupled to the machine.   8. The beneficial composition of claim 7, having a viscosity of about 0.2 Pa.s (200 centipoise) or less as measured using a Brookfield viscometer equipped with an LVI spindle at about 24 ° C. apparatus.   8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the beneficial composition has a surface tension of about 3 to about 100 dynes / cm when measured between about 20 <0> C and about 25 <0> C.   An apparatus for applying a uniformly distributed treatment composition to a fabric in a fabric article drying apparatus, wherein the beneficial article is dispensed from the fabric article treatment device into a drum in the form of a spray solution. An apparatus is coupled to the drum of the tumble dryer and the spray liquid contacts the fabric in the drum so as to impart a distribution uniformity of about 75% or more of the beneficial composition to the fabric in the drum. A device for applying a uniformly distributed treatment composition to a fabric in a fabric article drying apparatus.   13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least about 95% or more of the beneficial composition sprayed into the drum of the tumble dryer is attached to the fabric in the drum. a) providing a pump comprising a conduit, the conduit comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the conduit;
b) placing the inlet of the conduit in communication with a source of beneficial composition; the inlet of the conduit in communication with a source of beneficial composition; and c) benefiting the beneficial composition through the conduit. From a source of material into the nozzle and the drum of the tumble dryer so that the beneficial composition has an average droplet diameter of from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns and from about 0.05 m / sec to about Having a linear velocity passing through the nozzle of 2 m / sec, and the nozzle is disposed in the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, the fourth quadrant, or a combination thereof in the drying drum; and When the nozzle is in the first quadrant, the nozzle has an inclination angle in the range of about 80 ° to the left to about 45 ° to the right, about 45 ° to the top and about 35 ° to the bottom; When in the quadrant, the nozzle is about 80 ° to the right and about left When the nozzle is in the third quadrant with an inclination angle in the range of 5 °, about 45 ° up to about 15 ° down, the nozzle is about 80 ° right to about 45 ° up When the nozzle has a tilt angle in the range of about 45 ° down to about 15 ° and the nozzle is in the fourth quadrant, the nozzle is about 80 ° left to about 15 ° right and up to about 45 ° down A method for depositing a beneficial composition in a drum of a tumble dryer, characterized in that the angle of inclination is in the range of about 15 ° and combinations thereof. a) preparing a fabric article processing apparatus;
b) preparing a beneficial composition;
c) charging the fabric article processing apparatus with the beneficial composition;
d) discharging the beneficial composition from the fabric article processing device into a drum of a tumble dryer, whereby the beneficial composition has a cone angle of about 35 ° to about 150 ° at the outlet of the fabric article processing device. Have
e) rotating the tumble dryer simultaneously with step d, before step d, after step d, or a combination thereof;
A method for providing efficient deposition of benefit agents used to treat fabrics.   Further comprising providing a drum of a tumble dryer coupled with the fabric article processing apparatus such that the beneficial composition is dispensed from the fabric article processing apparatus to the fabric article drying apparatus. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein about 95% or more of the beneficial composition dispensed into the drum of the machine is applied to the fabric in the tumble dryer. a) providing a fabric article treatment apparatus, wherein the fabric article treatment apparatus comprises a conduit comprising an inlet, a discharge opening, and a nozzle connected to the discharge opening of the conduit; b) benefiting the inlet of the conduit Placing in communication with a source of the composition, communicating the inlet of the conduit with a source of beneficial composition;
c) distributing the beneficial composition from the source of beneficial composition by the conduit into the nozzle and the drum of the fabric article drying device, so that the distribution uniformity of the beneficial composition to the fabric is at least about 45; %. The method of depositing the beneficial composition in a fabric article drying implement. a) a tumble dryer;
b) i) an average droplet diameter of the treatment composition of from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns;
ii) a cone angle formed by spraying in the tumble dryer from about 35 °;
iii) a flow rate of about 0.5 ml / min to about 100 ml / min in that the spray liquid enters the tumble dryer;
iV) a spray that sprays the beneficial composition onto the fabric in the tumble dryer having a linear velocity of about 0.5 m / sec to about 20 m / sec at the point where the spray liquid enters the tumble dryer. A system for spraying the fabric in the fabric article drying apparatus.   The system of claim 18, wherein the treatment composition has a Brookfield viscosity of about 0.2 Pa · s (200 centipoise) or less as measured using an LVI spindle at a temperature of about 24 ° C.   The system of claim 18, wherein the treatment composition has a surface tension of from about 3 to about 100 dynes / cm when measured between about 20 ° C. and about 25 ° C.   The system of claim 18, wherein the treatment composition is a fragrance, an antistatic agent, a fabric hand modifier, or a combination thereof.   The system of claim 18, further comprising a nozzle, wherein the spray liquid is distributed into the tumble dryer by the nozzle.   The system of claim 22, wherein the nozzle further comprises a deflection plate.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle further comprises a deflection plate.

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