Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THERMAL PROTECTION OF FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fabric article treating device for use with
a fabric article
drying appliance (a non-limiting example of which includes a clothes dryer).
The treating device
may be a stand-alone discrete device. The device may be removably attached to
the fabric article
drying appliance. The treating device dispenses a benefit composition through
a nozzle that
directs the benefit composition into a chamber. The treating device comprises:
1) a power source,
2) one or more sources of a benefit composition, 3) a dispensing means, and 4)
a means for
thermally protecting temperature sensitive components useful in such a device.
More particularly,
the present invention relates to a fabric article treating device wherein the
thermal protection
means provides a means to extend battery and/or electronics life and the life
of other components
which are temperature sensitive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fabric article treating methods and/or devices have been evolving over the
past 40 years.
Conventional fabric article drying appliances such as clothes dryers typically
have the electronic
components located within the control panel of the appliance (away from the
heat).
U.S. 4,891,890 purports to describe a spraying device powered by batteries.
However,
one particular drawbaclc of this device is the high discharge rate of
batteries at the elevated
temperatures of a domestic clothes dryer (i,e.; domestic clothes dryers
commonly have operating
air temperatures upwards of about 75 oC). According to data from the Eveready
Battery Co., Inc.
life expectancy of an alkaline battery can drop dramatically starting at just
40 oC. Other readily
available battery types have similar discharge profiles. This high discharge
rate under typical
clothes dryer operating temperatures necessitates frequent replacement and/or
recharging of the
batteries, which causes increased cost and/or inconvenience to a user of this
device.
Thus it would be desirable to provide a fabric article treating device wherein
the life of
temperature sensitive components are extended through a thermal protection
means. The thermal
protection means protects the batteries and/or other heat sensitive components
from the elevated
temperatures generally found within fabric article drying appliances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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2
The present invention relates to a fabric article treating device for
dispensing a benefit
composition which includes a means for thermal protection of one or more
components of the
device.
The present invention also relates to a system for treating fabrics wherein
the system
includes a fabric article treating device and a fabric article drying
appliance. The fabric article
treating device of the system includes a means for thermal protection of the
components
associated with the treating device.
The present invention further relates to a method for treating fabrics wherein
the method
includes a fabric article drying appliance and a fabric article treating
device wherein the treating
device includes a thermal protection means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a device made according to the present invention
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2-2 of the device of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device
of
the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l .
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device
of
the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the device
of
the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment taken along
line
2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a system for treating fabric articles in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of a system for treating fabric
articles in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a device according to an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a device according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention. ,
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fabric article
treating
device made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the opposite angle of the fabric article
treating
device of FIG. 11.
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FIG. 13 is an elevational view from one side in partial cross-section of the
fabric
article treating device of FIG. 11 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is an elevational view from one side in partial cross-section of the
interior
housing portion of the fabric article treating device of FIG. 11 taken along
line 4 - 4 of
FIG. 11.
FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating thermoelectric cooling which may be used
in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Definitions
The phrase "fabric article treating system" as used herein means a fabric
article drying
appliance, a non-limiting example of which includes a conventional clothes
dryer and/or
modifications thereof. The fabric article treating system also includes a
fabric article treating
device which may be a discrete stand-alone device in relation to the fabric
article drying
appliance, it may be integrated into the fabric article drying appliance, or
the device may be
integrated into a removably attached portion of the fabric article drying
appliance, a non-limiting
example of which includes a closure structure of the drying appliance.
Furthermore, the fabric
article treating system additionally includes one or more benefit
composition(s).
"Fabric article" as used herein means any article that is customarily cleaned
in a
conventional laundry process or in a dry cleaning process. The term
encompasses articles of
fabric including but not limited to' clothing, linen, draperies,-clothing
accessories, leather, floor
coverings, and the like. The term also encompasses other items made in whole
or in part of
fabric, such as tote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins, shoes, and the like.
"Suitable for use" as used herein relates to a functionality of one or more
components of
the device and/or system such that the replacement components) retain a basic
functionality
within the fabric article treating system. In a non-limiting example, a
closure stricture that is
suitable for use in a fabric article drying,appliance would still retain the
function of providing
closure, although other features of the closure structure may differ from the
original component.
As used herein, the term "benefit composition" refers to a composition used to
deliver a
benefit to a fabric article. Non-limiting examples of materials and mixtures
thereof which can
comprise the benefit composition include: water, softening agents, crispening
agents, perfume,
water/stain repellents, refreshing agents, antistatic agents, antimicrobial
agents, durable press
agents, wrinkle resistant agents, odor resistance agents, abrasion resistance
agents, solvents, and
combinations thereof.
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4
"Conduit" as used herein means a channel or pathway through which a benefit
composition is conveyed. Non-limiting examples of conduits include: tubing,
piping, channels,
and the like which are capable of conveying a composition from point to point
within the device.
For example the conduit may transfer the benefit composition from the source
of the benefit
composition to a dispensing means. Additionally, the conduit may convey the
benefit
composition from the dispensing means to a point of discharge, such as a
nozzle, an orifice, or the
like.
The phrase "within the thermal path" as used herein means any location between
a source
of heat and one or more components of the device associated with the benefit
composition and/or
the benefit composition itself, including direct and/or indirect contact with
one or more
components. Non-limiting examples of sources of heat include: a fabric article
drying appliance,
an exothermic reaction, a heating coil, thermoelectric means, and the like.
The phrase "insulating material" as used herein is used to describe any
material that has a
thermal conductivity, or lc value, of about 0 to about 5 W/m*oC at 25 oC. The
thermal
conductivity of the material may be determined by a guarded hot plate method
as described in
ASTM method C177-97 entitled "Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux
Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-
Plate
Apparatus" or other suitable method known to those of ordinary skill in the
art.
The phrase "heat sensitive" and "temperature sensitive" as used herein refers
to any
components) associated with the fabric article treating device and/or treating
system which may
be subject to a deleterious effect from exposure to a temperature encountered
during the fabric
article treating process. Non-limiting examples of heat sensitive components
associated with the
fabric article treating device include: batteries, electronics, sensors,
benefit composition, materials
of construction of device component(s), and the like.
FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING DEVICE
The present invention relates to a fabric article treating device which
comprises a thermal
protection means within the thermal path between the fabric article treating
device and a fabric
article drying appliance so as to provide thermal protection to one or more
components associated
with the fabric article treating device. The device as used herein includes
any components)
associated with the device that is capable of delivering a benefit composition
to a fabric article
drying appliance and/or fabric articles) present in the appliance. The device
can be a stand-alone
discrete device or it may be integral with the fabric article drying
appliance. Furthermore the
device may be both discrete and integral, for example it may be incorporated,
into a closure
structure (a non-limiting example of which is a door) suitable for use with a
fabric article drying
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appliance. The fabric article treating device may be substantially or totally
independent of the
fabric article drying appliance controls.
The term "door," as used herein, represents a movable closure structure that
allows a
person to access an interior volume of the drying appliance, and can be of
virtually any physical
form that will enable such access. The door "closure structure" could be a lid
on the upper surface
of the dryer appliance, or a hatch of some sort, or the like.
Thermal Protection Means
The fabric article treating device additionally comprises one or more thermal
protection
means disposed within the thermal path between the fabric article drying
appliance and one or
more components associated with the fabric article treating device. The
thermal protection means
provides thermal protection to one or more components of the device. The
thermal protection
means may comprise insulating materials, heat transfer materials, phase
transition materials,
thermoelectric cooling, or combinations thereof. While it may be advantageous
to protect the
entire fabric article device with a thermal protection means, it may also be
beneficial from an
economical standpoint to protect selected components associated with the
device, non-limiting
examples of which include: the power source, benefit composition, electronics,
or combinations
thereof.
A. Insulating Materials:
In one embodiment of the present invention, thermal protection may be provided
by
utilizing an insulating material within the thermal path between the fabric
article drying appliance
and one or more components associated with the device. Examples of insulating
material include
but are not limited to a casing which encompasses the device, or a material
applied exterior to one
or more components associated with the device (non-limiting examples of such
components
include the batteries, electronics, benefit composition, or combinations
thereof). Additionally, an
insulating material may be mufti-layered, and comprise a thermal protection
material such as air
or polystyrene disposed therebetween.
Preferred insulating materials will have a thermal conductivity, or lc value,
of about 0 to
about 5 W/m*oC at 25 oC. Non-limiting examples of such materials include:
thermoplastic
polymeric foams, crosslinleed thermoplastic foams, thermosetting polymeric
foams, syntactic
foams, ceramic foams, particulate insulators, fibrous insulators, honeycomb
structures, naturally
derived materials based on lignocellulosic substances, thermoplastic
materials, thermoset
materials, and composite structures comprising one or more insulating
materials. The insulating
material may be in the form of, hater alia, a solid or a foam. An advantage to
using a foam
insulating material is the relatively light weight compared to the non-foamed
counterpart. Typical
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foam insulating materials will have a cell size from about 0.1 ~m to about
2000 Vim, although
larger cell sizes may be used. Solid insulating materials may be advantageous
when it is desired
to provide both an insulating material and a casing to one or more components
of the device. A
suitable thiclrness for the insulating material(s), foamed or solid, is from
about 1 mm to about 50
mm, more preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 30 mm.
"Thermoplastic" as used herein, refers to a polymeric material that can be
repeatedly (i.e.;
more than once) softened by increases in temperature, and hardened by
decreasing the
temperature. The thermoplastic may be in the form of a solid or a foam.
Thermoplastic
polymeric foams may include, but are not limited to: expanded polystyrene,
polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and polycarbonate. Non-limiting examples of
crosslinleed
thermoplastic foams include: polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, and
polyvinylchloride.
Non-limiting examples of solid thermoplastic materials include:
polycarbonates, polyethylene
terephthalate), polyethylene (high density and low density), polyimide,
polypropylene, and the
like. One suitable thermoplastic material is a high density polyethylene,
under the tradename of
Quadrant EPP Cestilene TM HD 500 Polyethylene, which may be obtained from
Quadrant
Engineering Plastic Products of Reading, Pennsylvania.
"Thermoset " as used herein, relates to a polymeric material that has
undergone a
chemical reaction and in general cannot be returned to its original state by
heating. The thermoset
plastic may be in the form of a solid material, or a foam. Non-limiting
examples of thermoset
polymeric foams include: expanded polyurethane, epoxy, phenolic, melamine-
formaldehyde,
urea-formaldehyde, natural rubber, silicone rubber, synthetic rubbers, and the
like. Solid
thermoset materials include, but are not limited to: polyimides,
polyirethanes, and the like. A
suitable polyurethane thermoset insulating material may be obtained from
Cytech Industries, Inc.
of Olean, New York under the tradename of Conathane O RN 1501. A suitable
polyimide
thermoset material may be obtained from Albany International of Mansfield,
Massachusetts under
the tradename of PyropelOO HD Plate.
Ceramic foams are also useful as insulating materials, and typically have a
lighter weight
than their non-foamed counterpart. Suitable ceramic foams include, but are not
limited to:
expanded glass, silica (e.g. silica aerogels), alumina, and magnesia. A
suitable silica aerogel is
available under the tradename of Pyrogel OO , from Aspen Aerogels, Inc. of
Marlborough,
Massachusetts.
Syntactic foams are generally produced by dispersing hollow spheres of glass
or plastic in
a polymer matrix, and are also useful as insulating materials. The polymer
matrix may include,
but is not limited to: epoxy, phenolic materials, and the like. A suitable
example of~a cyanate
ester syntactic foam is available under the tradename of BiyteCor TM EX-1541
from Bryte
Technologies, Inc. of Morgan Hill, California.
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Other insulating materials may be particulate, fibrous, or naturally derived
materials
based on lingocellulosic substances. Non-limiting examples of particulate
insulators include
asbestos, diatomaceous earth, pearlite, and hollow glass microspheres. Fibrous
insulation
materials include, but are not limited to: felt, wool, glass fiber, rock wool,
and lcapolc. A suitable
fibrous insulation material may be obtained from Albany International of
Mansfield,
Massachusetts under the tradename of Pyropel~; which includes the MD and LD
series such as
MD-50, MD-18, MD-30, MD-60, MD-12, and LD-6. Non-limiting examples of
naturally derived
materials based on lignocellulosic substances include wood, particle board,
corkboard, granulated
cork, sawdust, wood shavings, and corrugated paper.
As indicated above, the insulating material may be a casing of the fabric
article treating
device, or a material applied exterior to one or more components associated
with the fabric article
treating device such as the batteries, electronics, benefit composition, or
combinations thereof.
One insulating material may be used, or a plurality of insulating materials
may be used. The
insulating materials) may be in the form of a solid, a foam, a gas, a vacuum,
and/or a liquid.
In a variant of this embodiment, the insulating material may be coated,
placed, or adhered
on the exterior surface of a non-insulating material. A non-limiting example
of a coated
insulating material is a paint containing ceramic particles, which can be
obtained from Hy-Tech of
Melbourne, Florida under the tradename of Insul-Seal°. A suitable
thickness for the coating is
from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
In another variation of the present invention, the thermal protection means
may comprise
multiple layers of non-insulating material with an insulating material
disposed therebetween. In
this variation, the thermal protection means comprises at least three layers,
with the first and
second layer in exterior relation to the third layer. The first and second
layers may be constructed
of a non-insulating material, while the third layer is constructed of an
insulating material.
Suitable examples of insulating materials include, but are not limited to:
air, polyole~n foams,
polystyrene, and the like. Preferred thickness for the third layer is from
about 1 mm to about 50
mm, more preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 30 mm.
In still yet another variation of the present invention, the thermal
protection means may
comprise multiple layers of non-insulating material and/or insulating
material, with a vacuum
present between the two or more layers. In this embodiment, the two or more
layers may be
sealed, in order to contain the vacuum.
B. Phase Transition Materials:
In another embodiment of the present invention, thermal protection may also be
provided
by utilizing a phase transition material within the thermal path between the
fabric article drying
appliance and one or more components of the device. As used herein, "phase
transition material"
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refers to a material which has the ability to absorb heat without changing
temperature by changing
it's physical phase, for example from a solid phase to a liquid phase. The
casing may be
constructed of a phase transition material, a phase transition material and an
insulating material, a
non-insulating material and a phase transition material, or combinations
thereof whereby the
casing surrounds one or more heat sensitive components of the device thereby
providing a
thermally protective benefit.
Additionally, the device may comprise more than one phase transition material,
providing
thermal protection at differing temperature ranges. The phase transition
material can comprise
from about 0.1 % to about 90% by weight of the device and preferably from
about 0.2% to about
80% by weight of the device. Suitable phase transition materials are those
materials having a
melting point (for pure compounds) or glass transition temperature (for
polymeric compounds) in
the range from about 25°C to about 100 °C. Non-limiting examples
of such materials include:
2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol; polyethylene glycols (with a weight average
molecular weight
distribution of about 1,500 to about 10,000 daltons) including but not limited
to PEG 1500, PEG
4600, PEG 8000, and PEG 10,000; 1-9-nonanediol, CaCl2*6H20; NaS04*10 H20; salt
hydrates;
paraffins, beeswax, or combinations thereof. Suitable paraffin phase
transition materials include
those commercially available from Frisby Technologies of Winston Salem, North
Carolina sold
under the trade name of Thermasorb° non-limiting examples of which
include Thermasorb° 83,
Thermasorb° 95, Thermasorb° 122, Thermasorb° 143,
Thermasorb° 175, and Thermasorb" 215.
The phase transition material may be contained in a flexible and/or rigid
container.
Examples of flexible containers include but are not limited to a pouch wherein
the phase
transition material, which generally starts off as a solid at room
temperature, is typically in a
granular or pellet form. The phase transition material is placed in the pouch,
and subsequently
sealed by some suitable method including but not limited to heat sealing,
twist tying, etc. The
pouch can then be positioned so that it either surrounds the heat sensitive
component, surrounds
the outer casing of a heat sensitive component, or is positioned within the
outer casing of a heat
sensitive component. If the flexible container is positioned within the outer
casing, the outer
casing may be constructed of an insulative material as heretofore described.
In alternate embodiments, the phase transition material may be heated until in
liquid form
and poured into the pouch where it is subsequently sealed.
Rigid containers may include a dual walled container surrounding one or more
heat
sensitive components with a phase transition material disposed between the two
walls. The rigid
wall may for example comprise part of the outer casing of the fabric article
treating device, or it
may be a separate compartment within the device, yet surrounding one or more
thermally
sensitive components. It may be filled with a granular or pelletized phase
transition material, or
the phase transition material may be heated until in liquid form, and poured
within the casing.
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Suitable container materials for phase transition materials include, but are
not limited to:
polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl
chloride, and the like.
The thickness of flexible container materials may be from about 0.1 mm to
about 30 mm. The
thickness of rigid container materials may be from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.
C. Heat Transfer Liquids
In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure
3, thermal
protection may be provided by means of a heat transfer liquid which is
conveyed in a conduit 20
in thermal communication with a casing 90 surrounding one or more heat
sensitive components of
the device. As used herein, "heat transfer liquid" refers to material which
has a thermal
conductivity or lc value, of about 20 W/m*oC or greater, and the phrase "in
thermal
communication" as used herein refers to a material which has a thermal effect
upon one or more
objects. Non-limiting examples of thermal effects include insulating effects,
heat transfer effects,
temperature change, and the like.
The benefit composition may be further stored in a cold environment, such as a
household
refrigerator, immediately prior to use then subsequently dispensed into the
reservoir 10 to
maximize the cooling benefit. In a variant of this embodiment, the benefit
composition may have
one or more multiple benefit ingredients, wherein the benefit ingredient has a
k value of from
about 20 W/m*oC or greater to provide heat transfer and further yet provides a
sensory benefit to
the clothing. A non-limiting example of such an ingredient would be ethylene
glycol, which
provides both a heat transfer benefit as well as a softening and de-wrinkling
benefit to the fabric
article(s).
The benefit composition may include water, which by itself is an effective
heat transfer
agent. Water in some instances may comprise about 50% of the benefit
composition. The benefit
composition may comprise a heat transfer agent which additionally provides a
sensory benefit
such as softening. Non-limiting examples of such heat transfer liquids are
ethylene glycol,
triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, propylene glycols, and the like.
These types of heat
transfer agents will have a thermal conductivity, or is value, of about 20
W/m*oC or greater. Also
suitable are silicone heat transfer liquids, for example dimethyl
polysiloxanes, which depending
on the chain length can withstand temperatures of up to 260 oC. A suitable
heat transfer fluid can
be obtained from Dow Chemical of Midland, Michigan under the tradename of HD
Ethylene
Glycol Heat Trans Fluid 50/50' which comprises a 50/50 mixture of water and
ethylene glycol.
D. Thermoelectric Cooling
The thermal protection means may also comprise thermoelectric cooling, such as
that
achieved by the Peltier Effect. In general, the Peltier Effect/Peltier Cooling
may be achieved by
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applying voltage to a module whereby heat is moved from one side of the module
to another by
electron movement. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
the Peltier Effect
operates in the following manner as illustrated by the schematic diagram of
Figure 15: 1) a
module 500 comprises at least one conducting material which is preferably a
negative semi-
conductor material 530, and at least one dissimilar conducting material which
is preferably a
positive semi-conductor material 540, which are connected electrically in
series yet thermally in
parallel, and are sandwiched between two ceramic substrates 510 which are
positioned between a
components) to be cooled and a heat sink 550; 2) the application of DC power
to an electrical
interconnect 520e cause electrons to flow to a positively doped semi-conductor
material 540,
which absorbs heat at an electrical connection 520d between the component to
be cooled and the
junction between the positively doped semiconductor material 540 and the
negatively doped
semiconductor material 530; 3) the electrons then flow through the negatively
doped semi-
conductor material 530 to an electrical connection 520c whereby heat is
hansfewed to a second
junction between the negatively doped semi-conductor material 530 and to
another positively
doped semi-conductor material 540; and 4) the heat is transferred from this
second junction 520c
to the heat sink 550, thereby transferring heat away from the component to be
cooled.
Each module 500 for the Peltier Effect is constructed of at least one
conducting material
and another dissimilar conducting material. While the conducting materials may
comprise
different metals, in preferred embodiments the module 500 comprises at least
one negatively
doped semi-conductor material 530 and at least one positively doped semi-
conductor material
540. The negatively and positively doped semi-conductor materials are
connected electrically in
series, yet thermally in parallel. Furthermore, the semi-conductors (540 and
530) and their
electrical interconnects 520 are bridged between two ceramic substrates 510.
The first ceramic
substrate 510 is in thermal communication with both the components) to be
cooled and the semi-
conductor materials (540 and 530). The second ceramic substrate 510 is in
thermal
communication with the semi-conductor materials (540 and 530) and the heat
sink 550. The heat
sink 550 is further in thermal communication with the interior of the fabric
article drying
appliance (not shown), whereupon application of current to the semi-conductor
materials (540 and
530) the accumulated heat is dissipated into the environment of the fabric
article drying appliance
and/or on a cooler surface. More than one module 500 may be used for a greater
cooling effect, if
stacked in parallel.
In general, the semi-conductor material is often, but not always, an alloy of
bismuth
telluride, lead telluride, silicon germanium, and/or bismuth antimony. The
semi-conductor
material may comprise a crystalline bismuth telluride, of both the P-type and
N-type in equal and
discrete proportions, although other ratios are also effective. As used
herein, "N-type" semi-
conductors material are of the negative type, doped with an excess of
electrons than needed to
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11
create a perfect molecular lattice structure; whereas "P-type" semi-conductor
materials are of the
positive type, doped with a deficit of electrons needed to create a perfect
molecular lattice
structure. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the
extra electrons of the
N-type material and the "missing" electrons (or holes) from the P-type
materials facilitate the
transfer of heat energy from end of the semi-conductor material to another.
The heat sink 550 is typically finned, in a manner such that the surface area
of the
material is maximized. The heat sink may be constructed of aluminum, copper,
silver, and the
like, although other conductive materials may also be used.
The DC power source may be any power source, such as a source of household
current,
batteries, and the like. In general, the power applied to the module may be
about 12V, although
higher values may be used if a greater cooling effect is desired.
One suitable example of a thermoelectric cooler utilizing the Peltier Effect
is model
6302/127/060AX, which may be obtained from Ferrotec America Corporation of
Nashua, New
Hampshire.
Power Source
Referring to Figure 2 the fabric article treating device 1 comprises a power
source 100 for
supplying power to components) of the device 1 such as but not limited to the
circuits 80, the
motor 60 for the dispensing means 30, and any other component of the fabric
article treating
device 1 which requires a power source 100. Suitable power sources 100 include
but are not
limited to household electrical current, solar power sources, and batteries.
The power source 100
typically comprises one or more batteries associated with the device 1.
Suitable batteries include,
but are not limited to: alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, and the like. A
suitable alkaline battery
is an Energizer No. E95, a 1.5V Zn/Mn02 D Cell battery which can be obtained
from Eveready
Battery Company of St. Louis, Missouri. The batteries used herein may be
either of the
disposable or rechargeable type.
Source of Benefit Composition
Referring to Figures 1 - 6 and 8 - 14, the fabric article treating device 1
additionally
comprises one or more sources of a benefit composition 10. The source of the
benefit
composition may be a reservoir, cartridge, pouch, household water line, or the
like. Additionally
the source of benefit composition may be a refillable and /or non-refillable
container that has a
finite amount of liquid contained therein. In even another embodiment, the
source of benefit
composition may be both a household water line and a refillable and/or non-
refillable container.
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12
The source of benefit composition may be fixably attached to the fabric
article drying appliance
260 or it may be removably attached.
Referring to Figures 2 - 6, 9 - 1 l, and 13 - 14 the source of a benefit
composition 10 may
comprise a first reservoir for containing the benefit composition to contact
fabric articles, and may
additionally comprise more than one reservoir to be dispensed simultaneously
or separately with
the contents of the first reservoir. The source of the benefit composition may
be constructed of a
rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible material. Should the source of benefit
composition 10 be
constructed primarily of a rigid or semi-rigid material, preferred embodiments
will additionally
comprise a venting means so as to permit the ready flow of the benefit
composition to the
dispensing means 30.
Dispensing Means
Generally, the dispensing means 30 of the fabric article treating device 1 may
be
accomplished by utilizing a pump. The pump may be motorized or non-motorized.
A non-
limiting example of one suitable motorized pump is-one utilizing hydraulic
pressure such as a
peristaltic pump. Qther non-limiting examples of suitable motorized pumps
includes those having
motor driven pumping mechanisms such as: gear, diaphragm, centrifugal, piston
pumps, and the
like. Generally, a suitable pump will have an operating pressure in the range
of from about 1 to
about 2,000 lcPas, although pressures between about 50 and about 1500 lcPas,
and/or from about
75 to about 1050 lcPas and/or about 100 to about 500 kPas can be used.
To conserve the energy used from the power source, the dispensing means 30 may
be of
the non-motorized type, non-limiting examples of which include: springs,
pressurized reservoirs,
elastic vessels, memory shape alloys, gravity feeding mechanisms, capillary
action, propellants,
syringes, gas (both pre-pressurized and /or generated in-situ), ultrasonic
piezo pumps, and the
like. A suitable piezo pump is an "LPD series" pump and may be obtained from
Par
Technologies, LLC of Hampton, Virginia.
Hieh Voltage Power Supply (HVPS)
Referring to Figures 6 and 14, the device 1 may also comprise a high voltage
power
supply (HVPS) 200, which is used for transforming current in order to
electrically charge the
benefit composition. For electrostatic spraying, there may be an absolute
difference in potential
between a fabric article and the benefit composition from about 0.21cV to
about SOIcV. Typically
(but not always) the power source 100 is one or more batteries with a voltage
of 9V (0.0091cV) or
less, which is transformed into a higher current level by the high voltage
power supply 200, and
the benefit composition is charged via an electrical charging component 70. In
a non-limiting
example, a 1.5 V battery is used and the high voltage power supply 200
produces a S 1cV charge
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13
which is provided to the benefit composition via the electrical charging
component 70, although
the high voltage power supply may also be used when the power source 100 is a
source of
household current. A non-limiting example of a suitable miniature, regulated
high voltage power
supply 200 is a model in the C series such as the C50, C60, or C80 which can
be obtained from
EMCO High Voltage Corporation located in Sutter Creels, CA. Other suitable
high voltage power
supplies 200 include piezo transformers, which utilize a unique mechanical
energy storage system
for transforming power. These piezo transformers are of particular use when
utilizing ultrasonic
nebulization. Piezo transformers may be obtained from Fuji & Co, of Japan.
Groundin Means
The device may be grounded by way of being in contact with a grounded part of
the
fabric article drying appliance 260 non-limiting examples of which include: a
spring, patch,
magnet, screw, arc corona discharge, or other attaching means, and/or by way
of dissipating
residual charge. One way of dissipating the charge is by using an ionizing
feature, for example a
set of metallic wires extending away from the source of current. Should it be
desired to ground to
the typically enameled surface of the fabric article drying appliance 260, a
pin that penetrates the
non-conductive enamel paint may be used for grounding thereto. Another means
of grounding to
the non-conductive surface of a fabric article drying appliance 260 comprises
the usage of a thin
metal plate that is positioned between the fabric article drying appliance 260
and the fabric article
treating device 1 which serves to provide a capacitive discharge. Typical
thickness of such a
plate is generally from about 5 ~m to about 5000 pm.
Electrical Char~in~ Component
Referring to Figure 6, the device 1 may comprise an electrical charging
component 70,
typically an electrical field, that electrically charges the benefit
composition and/or a moiety
present in the benefit composition that is capable of acquiring an electric
charge and optionally,
capable of retaining an electric charge for a time period sufficient for the
electrically charged
composition to contact a fabric articles) being treated. The source of the
benefit composition
may also comprise a reservoir for containing the composition to be
electrically charged and/or
the electrically charged composition. In one embodiment, the electrical
charging component is
integral with the device 1. In another embodiment, the electrical charging
component is separate
and discrete from the device 1.
Suitable examples of devices with electrical charging components are disclosed
in U.S.
Serial No.lO/418595 filed on April 17, 2003.
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14
Nozzles
Referring to Figures 2 - 6, the device may also, and typically does, comprise
a nozzle 50
through which the benefit composition passes during delivery to the fabric
article. The nozzle 50
may optionally comprise an electrical charging component 70. The optional
electrical
charging component may be-integral with the nozzle 50 as Shown in Figure 6. In
another
embodiment (not shown), the optional electrical charging component 70 is
positioned within the
source of benefit composition 10.
The device 1 may further comprise one or more atomizing nozzles for purposes
of
enhancing the effective distribution of the benefit composition on the fabric
articles. The
atomizing nozzles may be used in addition to electrostatic spraying, or may be
used without
electrostatic spraying. The misting of the benefit composition can be achieved
using any suitable
spraying device such as a hydraulic nozzle, sonic nebulizer, high pressure fog
nozzle or the like,
to deliver target particle sizes. However, the misting is preferably
accomplished using a relatively
low volume air atomization nozzle and/or a simple orifice. Non-limiting
examples of suitable
spray nozzles include spray nozzles commercially available from Spray Systems,
Inc. of Pomona,
California (Model Nos. 850, 1050, 1250, 1450 and 1650). In an alternative
embodiment, the
composition is delivered via more than one spray nozzle.
In non-electrostatic spraying embodiments, the spray nozzle may be a pressure
swirl
atomizer similar to ones used in trigger sprayer nozzles, but may incorporate
a fan atomizer, or an
impingement or screen foamer. A suitable pressure swirl atomizing nozzle is
available from
Seaquist Dispensing of Cary, Illinois under the Model No. of DU-3813.
In another embodiment, the composition is delivered though a pressurized spray
system.
When a finer mist is used, e.g., droplets with an average particle size of
less than 100 microns, the
spray pattern is typically disturbed by air movement in the dryer chamber.
This problem however,
can be overcome by electrically charging the droplets.
Further yet, the device may comprise an adjusting component capable of
controlling the
orientation and/or direction of the dispensing benefit composition from the
nozzle.
Still further yet, the device may comprise a shaping component capable of
electrically
shaping and/or charging the composition dispensing from the nozzle. The
shaping component
may comprise an insulating element whereby in use the first droplets to
contact the insulating
element generate an electrostatic field for shaping the delivery of the
electrically charged benefit
composition and/or a conductive element whereby in use the conductive element
is charged so as
to generate an electrostatic field for shaping the delivery of the
electrically charged composition.
One challenge of spraying the benefit composition into the fabric article
drying appliance
is the possibility that the benefit composition may plug the nozzles in
between uses. Several
approaches can be used to prevent this plugging, including but not limited to;
the usage of a filter
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120 in the device 1 prior to the nozzle 50 as shown in Figure 4, filtering the
benefit composition
prior to dispensing into the reservoir 10, centrifugation of the benefit
composition prior to
dispensing into a reservoir 10, and the like.
The design of the nozzle 50 may be such that the filter 120 and spray-head are
detachable
either separately or as a unit from the remainder of the assembly for the
propose of cleaning and
replacement thereof. Most preferably, the filter has a pore size equal to or
less than the greatest
outlet diameter of the nozzle orifice.
Si alin~ Means
Further yet, the device may comprise a signaling means to communicate with a
user of
the device. Non-limiting examples of signals which may be communicated to the
user include
visual, auditory, vibrational signals, and the like, or combinations thereof.
Non-limiting examples
of signaling means include: flashing lights, colored lights non-limiting
examples of which include
green/red lights, beeps, whistles, chimes, and the like. The signaling means
is useful for
indicating the status of the device, which may in turn require the user to
actuate a feature of the
device.
Referring to Figure 9, a non-limiting example of signaling means are
illustrated. The
LED lights 280 which are visible from the exterior surface of the fabric
article drying appliance
door may have different colors to indicate an operating condition: irate alia
a green LED light for
when the device is in operation, or perhaps a flashing red light to indicate a
low battery 100 state.
BENEFIT COMPOSITION
The benefit composition may comprise one or more fabric article actives. The
benefit
composition-may be in the physical form of a liquid, solid, gas, or
combinations thereof.
The benefit composition may comprise water, water hardness agents, sodium
chloride,
sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium
phosphate,
magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, potassium
chloride, potassium
sulfate, potassium phosphate, solvents, surfactants, wrinkle releasing agents,
anti-static agents,
anti-shrinking agents, antimicrobial agents, wetting agents, crystal
modifiers, soil release agents,
preservatives, bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, anti-wrinkling agents,
wetting agents, crystal
modifiers, colorants, brighteners, perfume, odor reducers/eliminators,
deodorizer/refresher, stain
repellents, color enhancers, starch, softeners, and sizing agents, and
mixtures thereof. Non-
volatile mineral agents may be present in the benefit composition at a level
of from about 0 ppm
to about 100 ppm and/or up to about 50 ppm and/or to about 25 ppm andlor to
about 10 ppm by
weight of the benefit composition.
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16
Typical fabric benefit compositions 'herein may comprise at least about 50%,
by weight of
water, preferably at least about 65%, and more preferably at least about 80%
water.
One unique challenge of spraying chemistries on fabric articles in the dryer
is the
propensity of the benefit composition to plug spray nozzles between uses.
Several approaches
can be used to prevent this plugging, including but not limited to; utilizing
filters as discussed
above, using single phase solutions, including higher levels of humectants or
other moisture
retaining ingredients, hydrophilic solvents, using film softening ingredients
with polymers, and
the addition of hygroscopic salts in the benefit composition.
A more detailed description of the individual components of the benefit
compositions,
that is, the organic solvents, surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches
and auxiliary cleaning
agents can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,789,368, issued to You et al. on
August 4, 1998.
Additionally, benefit compositions are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,912,408,
which issued to
Trinh et al on June 15, 1999. Anti-shrinkage agents suitable for use in this
invention can be found
in WO 00/11133, which published in the name of Strang and Siklosi on March 2,
2000.
A. Electrically Charged Benefit Compositions
In one embodiment of the invention, the benefit composition is delivered as an
electrically charged composition. "Electrically charged composition" as used
herein means any
composition, typically an aqueous liquid, that has an applied potential in the
range of from about
0.2 to about 50 kV. The composition may have a negative charge potential, a
positive charge
potential, or a charge potential which oscillates therebetween. The
electrically charged
composition may contain a moiety capable of acquiring an electric charge and
optionally, capable
of retaining an electric charge for a time period sufficient for the
electrically charged composition
to contact a fabric article being treated by the electrically charged
composition. In preferred
embodiments, the absolute difference of potential between a fabric article and
the electrically
charged composition is from about 0.2 kV to about 50 kV.
Generally, the electrically charged benefit composition may be a conductive
aqueous
liquid. The liquid may have a resistivity of less than about 105 Ohms*m and/or
less than about
104 Ohms*m and/or less than about 103 Ohms*m and/or less than about 102
Ohms*m.
However, a higher resistivity liquid can also be effectively delivered using
the methods and
apparatuses of the present invention.
The composition may be electrically charged at any point in time prior to
contacting the
fabric article. Preferably it is electrically charged prior to the time it is
separated from the fabric
article treating device, but it may be electrically charged after it is
separated from the device.
Referring to Figures 7 - 10 there is illustrated a fabric article treating
system for treating
one or more fabric articles according to the present invention. The fabric
article treating system
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17
comprises a fabric article treating device 1 associated with a fabric article
drying appliance 260 in
a manner such that a benefit composition is dispensed within the fabric
article drying appliance
260 thereby treating fabric articles which come into contact with the fabric
article drying
appliance. In one embodiment, contact with the benefit composition may occur
while the fabric
articles are in motion in the drying appliance 260. In another embodiment, the
contact may occur
while the fabric articles are not in motion. In even another embodiment, the
contact may occur
while the fabric articles are at one point in motion and at another point in
time not in motion.
Additionally, the fabrics may be in a wet or dry state upon treatment.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated a fabric article treating
system for treating
fabric articles according to the present invention. In one embodiment as shown
in FIG. 8, the
fabric article treating device 1 may be integral with the drying appliance 260
such that it is
incorporated as a part of the drying appliance 260. In another embodiment as
shown in FIG. 7,
the fabric article treating device 1 is a discrete stand-alone unit which may
be attached to the
drying appliance 260. The discrete stand-alone unit may be comprised of a
single unit within a
single enclosure as shown in FIG. 7. In yet another embodiment (not shown),
the discrete stand-
alone unit may comprise an inner housing which is positioned within the drying
appliance and an
outer housing positioned outside of the drying appliance wherein the inner
housing and outer
housing are connected to one another via some connection means such as but not
limited to a
cable, a wire, or the like. Generally, the inner housing and outer housing are
in electrical
communication with one another.
Referring to FIG. 7, the fabric article treating system can comprise a fabric
article drying
appliance 260. A door 110 can be movably connected to the fabric article
drying appliance 260
for ensuring that the fabric articles to be treated remain within the fabric
article receiving volume
or in other words, within the drum. The fabric article treating device may be
attached to any
portion of the fabric article drying appliance interior 270, non-limiting
examples of which
include: the door 110 of the fabric article drying appliance, the drum, the
back wall of the dmm,
and the like. Furthermore, the device 1 may be removable or pernianently
attached to a portion of
the fabric article treating drying appliance 260 by a suitable attachment
means, which include, but
is not limited to: straps, magnets, Velcro OO , adhesive tape, suction cups,
screws, and the like.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a typical operation the power source 100
comprises one or
more batteries and is enclosed by a casing 90 of a thermal protective material
such as
polyurethane foam. In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing
is a thermal
protective material constructed in whole or in part of a phase transition
material such as
Thermasorb~ 83 by Frisby Technologies of Winston Salem, North Carolina. In
still yet another
embodiment of the present invention, the casing 90 is constructed of a
material not insulating to
heat such as tin, and has an outer layer of insulating paint disposed on the
exterior surface. A
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18
suitable insulating paint may be obtained from Hy-Tech of Melbourne, Florida
under the
tradename of Insul-Seal°. A suitable thiclrness for the coating is from
about 0.1 mm to about 10
mm.
Connected to the power source 100 by electrical charging component 70 is an
optional
electronics board 80 for controlling the motor 60. The motor 60 activates the
dispensing means
30 such as a peristaltic pump.
Once the pump is activated, a benefit composition is drawn from a reservoir 10
through a
conduit 20. The inner diameter for the conduit may be from about 20 mm or less
and more
preferably ranges from about 20 mm to about 7 mm. The conduit 20 may
additionally comprises
a filter 120 prior to the nozzle 50.
The nozzle 50 is preferably a fluid atomizing spray head and/or even a simple
orifice
through which the benefit composition is dispensed within the receiving volume
of the fabric
article drying appliance 260.
In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a
casing 90 is
provided with a conduit 20 through which the benefit composition may circulate
and provide a
cooling effect upon the power source 100 by means of heat transfer. After
conveyance through
conduit 20, the benefit composition then proceeds to the pump 30, through
which the benefit
composition is discharged through the nozzle 50. As shown in FIG. 3, reference
numeral 130
refers to the outer wall of the conduit 20 while reference numeral 90 refers
to the inner wall of
conduit 20.
The embodiment represented by FIG. 4 operates in a similar manner to the
embodiment
of FIG 2. The power source 100 has a casing 90 of a non-insulating material
such as a metal,
which is coated by a secondary material 150 which comprises an insulating
material, such as a
ceramic paint. A suitable insulating paint may be obtained from Hy-Tech of
Melbourne, Florida
under the tradename of Insul-Seal°. A suitable thickness for the
coating is from about 0.1 mm to
about 10 mm.
The embodiment of FIG 5 also operates in a similar manner to the embodiment of
FIG. 2.
The casing 90 for the power source 100 comprises two layers, in which an
insulating material
such as air is disposed therebetween. The first layer 170 and the second layer
180 of the casing
90 may be constructed of insulating materials, non-insulating materials, and
combinations thereof.
The embodiment of FIG. 6 operates in a similar manner to those illustrated in
FIGS. 2, 4,
and 5. In this embodiment, a casing 90 surrounds the entire device 1. The
casing may comprise a
phase transition material. A non-limiting examples of a suitable phase
transition material which
may be used for this purpose is Thermasorb° 83 from Frisby Technologies
of Winston Salem,
North Carolina. In an alternate embodiment, the casing 90 may be constructed
of a thermal
protective material. A non-limiting example of a suitable phase transition
material for this
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19
propose is polyurethane. This embodiment is also designed to deliver a benefit
composition into
the fabric article drying appliance with a non-motorized dispensing means 30,
such as a spring
actuated pump. Yet further, this embodiment is also designed to deliver an
electrically charged
benefit composition into the drying appliance, although if it is desired to
construct a more
economical device without electrostatic spraying, the high voltage power
source 200 and the
electrical charging component 70 may be omitted.
Once the device 1 is actuated by an on/off switch 21 (as shown in Figure 1,
the
electronics 80 may activate the dispensing means 30 such as a pump and the
high voltage power
supply 200. When the pump is activated, the benefit composition will flow from
the reservoir 10
through the conduit 20 and the pump 30 through tubing 20 to the filter 120 and
into the nozzle 50.
At the nozzle 50, the benefit composition will be electrically charged through
a wire 70 connected
to the high voltage power supply 200 to create an electrostatic spray.
The fabric article treating system illustrated by Figure 8 represents further
yet an
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the source of benefit
composition (not
shown) is a source of household water, which is conveyed through a conduit 20
to the nozzle 50,
which thereby discharges the benefit composition to the interior of the fabric
article drying
appliance 260.
The embodiment of Figure 9 operates in a similar manner to the device 1 of
Figure 6. In
this embodiment, the device 1 is incorporated into a fabric article drying
appliance door 110 such
that the device 1 may be readily incorporated into a fabric article drying
appliance by the simple
exchange of appliance doors. This provides the convenience of an integrated
system, yet without
the amount of modification required in an integrated system such as that shown
in Figure 8. The
batteries 100 may be readily replaced my means of an access panel 300, and the
opening for the
source of the benefit composition 10 is accessed through the exterior of the
dryer door 110.
The device of Figure 10 operates in a similar manner to that of the device
represented in
Figure 9. In this device, the electronics board 80 is cooled by a
thermoelectric module 310
utilizing the Peltier Effect. The power source 100 utilizes a source of
household current to supply
power to the thermoelectric module 310, whereby the heat is transferred away
from the
electronics board 80 to the exterior surface of the dryer door 110. A suitable
example of a
thermoelectric cooler utilizing the Peltier Effect is model 6302/1271060AX
which may be
obtained from Ferrotec Americal Corporation of Nashua, New Hampshire.
In a non-limiting example of a use of the device 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
a fabric
article in need of treatment is placed in the fabric article drying appliance
(not shown). The dnim
of the drying appliance is activated in the usual way. Immediately after
tumbling begins, the
operator simply depresses on /off switch 21 on the device for a short period.
The on/off switch 21
activates the electronics 80 to connect the batteries 100 through wire 70 and
the pump motor 60.
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In this particular example, a non-electrically charged benefit composition is
conveyed
from reservoir 10 through device 1 to conduit 20 through pump 30 and conduit
20 where it is
discharged from nozzle 50 onto the clothing and/or within the drum. The
benefit composition is
discharged from nozzle 50 in the form of a mist. In general, the time for
applying the benefit
composition may be between about 0.5 to about 120 minutes, depending on the
choice of cycle
and the load size. While the benefit composition is being supplied into the
fabric article receiving
volume, a fan can be energized to circulate air within the fabric article
receiving volume.
FIGS. 11 -14 depict an alternate embodiment of the fabric article treating
device 1. The
fabric article treating device 1 comprises two housings or enclosures an inner
or interior housing
and an outer or exterior housing. Inner housing 230 is located in the interior
of a fabric article
drying appliance. Exterior housing 220 is located outside of a fabric article
drying appliance.
The inner housing 230 and exterior housing 220 of fabric article treating
device 1 are in
communication with each other. Non-limiting examples of communication between
the inner
housing 230 and exterior housing 220 include electrical communication (wherein
electrical
signals are transferred between the interior and outer housing) and
compositional transfer
communication (i.e.; wherein a benefit composition is transferred between the
outer and inner
housing), and thermal communication (i.e.; wherein temperature differentials
are transferred
between the outer and inner housing a non-limiting example of which is wherein
the benefit
composition is heated in one housing and transferred to the other housing).
The inner
housing 230 and exterior housing 220 may be connected to one another. Non-
limiting means of
connecting the inner and outer housing include a flat cable, a wire, and/or a
conduit 340 (a non-
limiting example of which is a conduit for transferring benefit composition
between the outer and
inner housing). Inner housing 230 may be mounted to the closure structure of a
fabric
article drying appliance by mounting strap 210.
The exterior housing 220 may be mounted on the exterior surface of the fabric
article
drying appliance door, yet rnay also be mounted on any exterior surface, non-
limiting examples of
which include: the side walls, the top walls, the outer surface of a top-
opening lid, and the like,
including a wall or other household structure that is separate from the fabric
article drying
appliance. Furthermore, the interior housing 230 may be mounted on any
interior surface of the
fabric article drying appliance, examples of which include, but are not
limited to: the interior
surface of the door, between the interior surface 125 and exterior surface 127
of the closure door
110 as shown in FIG. 14, the drum of the fabric article drying appliance, the
back wall, the inner
surface of a top-opening lid, and the like.
The interior and exterior housings may be constructed of materials familiar to
those of
ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examples of such materials include
polymeric materials
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21
including but not limited to polyurethane, polypropylene, polycarbonates,
polyethylene, and
combinations thereof and metals including but not limited to enameled metals.
Exterior housing 220 may be permanently mounted to the exterior surface, or
releasably
attached to the exterior surface. Likewise, enclosure 20 may be permanently
mounted to the
interior surface, or releasably attached to the interior surface.
The inner housing 230 and the outer housing 220 are in communication with one
another.
The inner housing 230 and outer housing 220 may be connected to one another.
Non-limiting
examples of connecting the inner housing 220 and the outer housing 230 may
include utilizing a
flat cable 340 (also sometimes referred to as a "ribbon cable") as shown in
FIGS. 9 - 12, a wire, a
wire or group of wires encased in a sheath of woven or non-woven material, a
conduit (a non-
limiting example of which is a conduit for the benefit composition, or a
combination thereof. The
woven or non-woven sheath may also be used as a method of attaching inner
housing 230 and
outer housing 220. The inner housing 230 and outer housing 220 may be used to
provide a means
of gravitational counter-balancing so as to reduce unnecessary tension on the
wires and/or the
housing connections. Typical weight ratios between the inner housing 230 and
the outer housing
220 are generally from about 1:14 to about 14:1. The inner housing 230 and
outer housing 220
may also be in electrical and/or fluidic communication. A reservoir 10 for the
benefit
composition, a means for protecting thermally sensitive components (one non-
limiting means
being inner housing 230), a pump 30, and discharge nozzle 50 are also present.
The pump 30
may include a motor 60. A power supply 200 may also be included. Additional
electronic
components 80 may also be included.
The particular benefit composition selected for use in the process can vary
widely
depending upon the particular benefit desired. However, the benefit
composition will contain
ingredients which can be effective across a variety of fabric article types.
For example, the
benefit composition may be suitable for "dry-clean" only fabric articles as
well as pure cotton
dress shirts which typically require a significant de-wrinkling operation
subsequent to
conventional laundering operations (i.e. home washings and drying cycles).
Non-verbal cues may also be present within the fabric article treating system
and/or
device 1 to assist a user in the selection of the desired benefit composition,
treatment cycle, and
the like and may be present on one or more of: the device, the source of
benefit composition 10,
instructions, and other such articles associated with the fabric article
treating system and/or device
1. While not to be bound by theory, it is believed that these non-verbal cues
simplify the
operation of a fabric article treating system and therefore provide
convenience to a user of the
system. The non-verbal cues may be visual, auditory, tactile, or vibrational,
signals or may
comprise combinations of these signals. Non-limiting examples of non-verbal
cues include:
red/green lights (stop/go indicators) 280, colored and/or flashing lights, a
window on a reservoir
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22
to indicate fluid level 290, icons, beeps, whistles, a rubbery grip, and the
lilce. An example of a
visual cue would be an icon of a battery that may be present on a device
display as an indication
to the user that the batteries need to be replaced. In another example, a
tactile cue may comprise a
rubbery portion of a device to indicate where a user may comfortably grip the
device.
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 in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in
relevant
part, incorporated herein by reference. The citation of any document is not to
be construed as an
admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
