WO2007036470A1

WO2007036470A1 - Method and device for venting a piece of textile

Info

Publication number: WO2007036470A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/066543
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald MOSCHÜTZ; Ingo Schulze
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2005-09-27
Filing date: 2006-09-20
Publication date: 2007-04-05
Also published as: DE102005046163A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for venting a piece of textile (1). For this purpose, the piece of textile (1) is introduced into a treatment space (2), through which an air stream can be conducted in a closed circulation (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). A filter (7, 11) is provided for receiving an odorous substance that can be extracted from the piece of textile (1). In the circulation (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), an air stream containing a vapour is formed and is conducted through the piece of textile (1) and also through the filter (7, 11). In a condenser (8), the vapour is condensed out of the air stream, and the piece of textile (1) is finally dried.

Description

Method and device for ventilating a textile piece

The invention relates to a method and a device for ventilating a textile piece. For ventilating a piece of textile is provided to bring this into a treatment room, through which a stream of air in a closed circuit is feasible to produce a vapor-containing air flow in the circuit and lead through the textile piece, and finally to condense the vapor from the air stream and to dry the textile piece.

Such a method and device are known from WO 2004/035906 A2 and WO 2004/059 070 A1.

According to WO 2004/035 906 A2, a dry piece of fabric for odor removal in a tumble dryer is treated with steam, and a special device for producing such steam is provided. This device comprises a supply of vaporizable liquid which is located in a bag provided with a semipermeable membrane. This bag is placed next to the textile piece to be treated in a treatment room of the tumble dryer.

According to WO 2004/059 070 A1, at the same time removing a smell and effecting a desirable fragrance on a piece of fabric under the action of steam or mist in a tumble dryer. In this case, the required steam or mist is generated outside of a treatment space provided for the treatment of the textile article.

According to EP 1 072 718 A1, a clothes dryer with a photocatalytically active filter for removing an undesired odor from a piece of textile is provided, while this textile piece is dried by means of heated air. The heated air passes from the textile piece to the filter. In addition, the textile piece, an active ingredient for effecting a desired fragrance or for disinfection be added. US Pat. No. 6,709,499 discloses a dryer with a filter for binding or destroying an undesirable odor, this filter being made of a washable textile material.

According to EP 1 275 767 A1, in a tumble dryer or a washing machine a treatment of laundry which has been finished or dried is carried out with steam for the removal of wrinkles. To generate the required steam, it is intended to introduce a certain amount of water into the tumble dryer or automatic washing machine without wetting the laundry and to heat it to produce the steam.

The invention presented below is based on the object of improving known methods and devices for ventilating a textile article for the purpose of removing an undesired odor in its effectiveness.

According to the invention, a method is disclosed for ventilating a textile article, comprising the following steps: a) introduction of the textile article into a treatment space through which an air flow in a closed loop can be guided; b) providing a filter for receiving a fabric extractable odorant in the circuit; c) forming a vapor containing air stream in the circuit, and guiding the

Air flow through the textile piece and through the filter; d) condensation of the vapor from the air stream and drying of the textile piece.

According to the invention, a device for ventilating a textile piece is also disclosed, comprising the following components: a) a treatment room in which the textile piece can be introduced; b) a closed loop, comprising the treatment space, through which an airflow is feasible; c) a filter which can be arranged in the circuit for receiving an odor substance extractable from the textile item; d) means for generating steam in a circulating air stream; e) a condenser for condensing the vapor from the air stream. According to the invention it is provided that the textile piece for extracting an undesirable odorant is treated with a vapor carried in an air stream, so that the vapor absorbs this odorant to subsequently pass this vapor through a filter which binds or destroys the odorant. As a result, a significantly higher efficiency of the removal of the fragrance from the textile piece is achieved with little effort in comparison with the prior art.

The preferred embodiments of the invention described below equally apply to the method and the device.

The steam used in the context of the invention is preferably water vapor. It is also preferably provided to heat the air stream used for use.

It is also preferred to produce the vapor from a liquid introduced into the treatment space without wetting the textile piece. This can alternatively be done so that in the treatment room, a free area is provided, in which the textile piece to be treated can not get out and from which no liquid can reach the textile piece, or such that a surrounded by a semipermeable bag memory with the Liquid is introduced into the treatment space and the required steam is generated by heating the memory in the air flow. The semipermeable bag in particular has a corresponding semipermeable membrane; such a membrane is manufactured by W.L. Gore Associates marketed under the name GoreTEX.

A simple built-up memory for the vaporizable liquid is realized such that a second textile piece consisting of a suitable material is impregnated with the liquid with suitable dimensioning and added to the textile piece to be ventilated in the treatment room. Terry toweling and microfibre cloth as well as fleece are considered as material. The impregnation preferably takes place in such a way that the second textile piece is immersed in the liquid, preferably water, and wrung out in order to remove an undesired excess of liquid before adding it to the textile piece to be ventilated. This is easy and reliable to do and can be performed in particular in a tumble dryer, the with regard to the provision of the vaporizable liquid requires no modification to the known.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the air flow is filtered by the filter away from the treatment room. In this context, it is necessary to provide the filter as a separate component in the device according to the invention.

Alternatively, the filter can also be provided directly in the treatment room. For this purpose, the filter is in particular represented by a suitably equipped third textile piece, which is added to the fabric to be ventilated and treated with this. A corresponding third textile piece can also be used with advantage in a filter provided away from the treatment room. The filter provided according to the invention preferably contains at least one of activated carbon, cyclodextrins and UV-activatable catalysts (UV-activatable catalysts are preferably not used in the treatment room itself, since their application requires irradiation with UV light and such UV light the could be detrimental to airing textile piece).

The invention is particularly applied with a tumble dryer, wherein an application of the invention with a suitable both for washing and for drying a textile washer-dryer is also conceivable and advantageous.

The ventilation according to the invention of a piece of textile - preferably not only a textile piece, but a plurality or multiplicity of such pieces of fabric, preferably takes place in such a way that the necessary energy for generating the steam is first introduced in a warming-up phase. To shorten this warm-up phase, depending on the embodiment, the reservoir can be filled with warm instead of cold liquid. This is followed by an adsorption phase in which the textile is treated with the recycled steam and the odorant is discharged from the textile piece and bound or destroyed in the filter. The adsorption phase can be carried out either for a predetermined period of time or via a measurement of the moisture present in the air stream by means of a conventional, exposed to the air flow sensor. It is also conceivable to control the length of the adsorption phase via a proof of a unwanted odor in the air stream by means of a suitable sensor. The adsorption finally goes into a drying phase in which no new steam generated, but the existing steam is deposited in the condenser and thus the ventilated textile piece is dried.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. The drawing is to be understood in any case as a sketch and not as true to scale reproduction of a real object. Also, the drawing is limited to those components of the illustrated machines that are essential to the described subject matter. Additional information is available to a relevant specialist within the framework of the expert knowledge; Such references can also be found in the cited documents of the prior art. In detail show:

FIG. 1 shows a clothes dryer provided for ventilating a textile item;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a laundry dryer according to FIG. Fig. 1 can be used

filter;

Figures 3 and 4: views of a tumble dryer gem. Fig.1 alternatively usable memory;

Figure 5: a set up for ventilating a piece of fabric washer dryer;

FIG. 6: a view of another laundry dryer set up to ventilate a piece of textile.

FIG. 1 shows a tumble dryer in which many textile pieces 1 intended for ventilation are introduced into a treatment space 2. To ventilate these textile pieces 1, an air flow shown by arrows through the treatment room 2 and accordingly the fabric pieces 1 is performed. The air flow is driven by a fan 3 and heated by an air heater 4. The treatment room 2 is closed by a door 5, which also forms part of the cycle. After passing through the door 5, the air flow passes to a sieve 6, in which coarse lint be caught. The air flow continues to a filter 7. This is intended for binding or destroying odors, which are discharged by means of the air flow from the Textiistücken 1. Behind the filter 7, the air flow passes to a condenser 8, which is intended for the condensation of steam, which is located in the air flow. Behind the condenser 8, the air flow returns to the fan 3. To the textiistücken 1 a second piece of fabric 9 is inserted into the treatment chamber 2, which serves as a memory for a vaporizable liquid. From this liquid, the steam required for ventilating the textile pieces 1 is generated. The treatment space 2 is essentially formed by a drum 12, which is rotatable by a drive unit, not shown. By rotating the drum 12, the textile pieces 1 and 9 fly through the air flow and are thus intensively ventilated, wherein they come into contact with the guided in the air flow of steam. Also not shown are a control device which controls the tumble dryer, and a possibly required sensor.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the filter 7 shown only schematically in FIG. 1. The filter 7 is a third textile piece 11, preferably washable, provided with a suitable active substance or agent, which is inserted into a filter frame 16 and fixed by means of a corresponding filter cover 17 is. In order to be permeable to the air flow, the filter frame 16 and the filter cover 17 are structured accordingly, preferably grid-shaped.

A specific embodiment of the storage for the required vaporizable liquid is apparent from Figures 3 and 4, wherein Fig. 3 is an oblique view and Fig. 4 shows a sectional view. The reservoir consists of a sponge or textile piece 9, surrounded by a semipermeable bag 10. This bag 10 contains a semi-permeable membrane 18, which does not let the liquid through, but the vapor which can be generated from the liquid. Such a semi-permeable membrane is marketed under the trade name "GoreTEX". With a closure 19, the bag 10 is closed so that no liquid can get directly to the textile pieces 1 to be aired. This is of particular importance when a piece of textile 1 consists of a material that is not or only under special precautions washable such as wool or silk. Fig. 5 shows a combination of washing and drying machine, a so-called washer-dryer. The executed as a tub treatment room 2 contains a rotatable drum 12, in which the first textile piece 1 and serving as a filter third textile piece 1 1 are inserted. Outside the drum 12 there is a free area 13 in the treatment room 2, in which the textile pieces 1 and 1 1 can not get. To ventilate the textile piece 1 and its treatment with steam, a small amount of water 9 is admitted into this free area 13, which does not wet the textile piece 1, but which covers a water heater 14 provided in the free area 13. To ventilate the textile piece 1, the amount of water 9 is heated by means of the water heater 14, so that steam for the treatment of the textile piece 1 is formed. An unpleasant odor substance, which is discharged by means of the steam from the first textile piece 1, takes the acting as a filter third textile piece 1 1 from the steam.

Fig. 6 shows another example of a tumble dryer which is adapted to ventilate a plurality of pieces of textiles 1. Again, the fabric pieces 1 are introduced into a treatment chamber 2 designed as a drum, and according to the arrows, an air flow is circulated through this treatment space 2 , The air flow is driven by a fan 3 and heated by an air heater 4; In turn, it passes through a door 5 closing the treatment space 2 and finally to a condenser 8 through which steam can be condensed from the air stream. In the

Treatment chamber 2 is also introduced a third textile piece 1 1, which as already described with reference to the previous figures as a filter for receiving unpleasant

Odorants serves. There is a water supply 20 is provided (if necessary, with

Water that was recovered in the condenser 8, can be filled), from which via a metering device 21 water to a located in the air flow and heated by the air heater 4 evaporator 22 can be passed. On this

Way, the steam required in the manner described is generated.

Claims

1. A method for ventilating a textile piece (1), comprising the following steps: a) introducing the textile piece (1) into a treatment space (2) through which a stream of air in a closed circuit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is feasible; b) providing a filter (7, 11) for receiving an odorant extractable from the textile piece (1) in the circuit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); c) forming a vapor-containing air flow in the circuit (2,3,4,5,6,7,8), and guiding the air flow through the textile piece (1) and through the filter (7,11); d) condensation of the vapor from the air stream, and drying of the textile piece (1) -

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam is water vapor.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow is heated.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam from a without wetting of the textile piece (1) in the treatment chamber (2) introduced liquid is generated.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one of a semipermeable bag (10) enveloped memory (9) is introduced with a vaporizable liquid into the treatment chamber (2) and the steam is generated by heating the memory (9) by the air flow.

A method according to claim 4, wherein the reservoir (9) is a second textile piece (9) impregnated with the liquid, from which the vapor is released by heating.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow away from the treatment chamber (2) through the filter (7,11) is guided.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air flow in the treatment chamber (2) through the filter (7.1 1) is performed.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter (7,1 1) is a third textile piece (11).

10. A device for ventilating a textile piece (1), comprising the following components: a) a treatment space (2), in which the textile piece (1) can be introduced; b) a closed circuit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) comprising the treatment space (2), through which an air flow can be conducted; c) a filter (7, 1, 1) which can be arranged in the circuit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) to receive an odor substance extractable from the textile piece (1); d) means (9, 22) for generating steam in an air stream guided in the circuit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); e) a condenser (8) for condensing the vapor from the air stream.

A device according to claim 10, wherein the means (9) is a vaporizable liquid storage (9) enveloped by a semipermeable bag (10) which can be introduced into the treatment space (2) and removed from the steam by heating through the Air flow can be generated.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 1 1, wherein the memory (9) is impregnated with the liquid second textile piece (9), from which the steam is released by heating.

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the treatment room a drum (12) for receiving the textile piece (1), a free area (13) outside the drum (12), in the free area (13) arranged heating (14) and a liquid supply (15) through which the free area (13) can be filled with a liquid which can be vaporized by the heater (14).

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the filter (7,11) is arranged away from the treatment chamber (2).

15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the filter (7.1 1) in the treatment chamber (2) can be arranged.

16. Device according to one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the filter (7,1 1) is a third textile piece (11).

17. Device according to one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the filter (7,1 1) comprises at least one of the activated carbon, cyclodextrins and UV-activatable catalysts.

18. Device according to one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the filter (7,11) is washable.

19. Device according to one of claims 10 to 18, in which circuit (2,3,4,5,6,7,8) belongs to a tumble dryer.