Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING METHOD AND DEVICE COMPRISING A HEATING
MEANS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a removably attached 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 treating device dispenses a
benefit composition
through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition into a chamber (a non-
limiting example of
which includes the drum of a clothes dryer) so as to provide benefits to
fabric articles contained
within the fabric article drying appliance. The treating device comprises 1)
one or more sources
of a benefit composition, 2) a dispensing means, and 3) one or more means for
heating the benefit
composition. The treating device may also include a power source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of methods and/or devices for removing creases in fabrics are well
known in the
art, particularly those that employ the usage of thermal, mechanical, or
chemical energy. Wrinlele
removal becomes more effective by employing more than one type of energy. For
example, while
some wrinkle removal may be achieved with chemical energy via fiber
lubrication, a more
effective means is to additionally add mechanical energy to the fabric by
subsequently tugging the
item to the desired configuration. In an alternate method, the chemical energy
is supplemented by
heating the composition. While the aforementioned methods have been found to
be somewhat
effective for wrinkle removal, they often lead to less than completely
satisfactory results.
Most effective wrinkle removal means employ all three energy types: thermal,
mechanical, and chemical energy. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it
is believed that
while the chemistry provides the necessary lubrication for wrinkle removal,
the addition of
thermal and mechanical energy provide the additional energy needed to break
the hydrogen bonds
that hold creases in place. Conventional appliances such as a domestic iron
have been found to be
highly effective in wrinkle removal by providing all three energy types via
pressure, water, and
heat. Furthermore, if the chemistry is heated, e.g. steam, it has been found
to be even more
effective. However, regardless of the satisfactory results, ironing is often a
labor-intensive
process involving substantial setup and the treatment of garments on a piece
by piece basis.
Attempts have been made to reduce the amount of labor involved in providing
the three
energy types for optimum wrinkle removal, involving spraying devices
integrated in a clothes
drying appliance. U.S. 2,846,776 purports to disclose a dispenser integrated
into a clothes dryer
for adding a liquid to clothing following the drying operation. U.S. 4,207,683
purports to disclose
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integrating a spray nozzle, control valve, and water line into a clothes dryer
for spraying water on
garments. A common drawback of these integrated dispensers is the expense and
complexity
they add to the drying appliance. Furthermore, as these devices are integrated
into the dryer
appliance, they provide little flexibility to the user. For instance, if an
integrated device such as
those described above malfunctions, it requires repairing the drying
appliance. This can result in
significant inconvenience and costly repairs to the user. Furthermore, the
drying appliance cannot
be operated during the period in which the repair is being made.
Thus it has been a long felt need to provide thermal, mechanical, and chemical
energy for
optimum wrinkle removal in a convenient and cost-effective manner. The
treating device of the
present invention is capable of being removably attached from the drying
appliance. The treating
device of the present invention may be a discrete stand-alone device. The
treating device
provides convenient wrinkle removal by delivering a heated benefit composition
into the fabric
article drying appliance so as to provide benefits to fabric articles
contained within the fabric
article drying appliance. Furthermore, the treating device of the present
invention provides
additional convenience to a user by eliminating the complexities, expense, and
inconvenience
associated with devices integrated into drying appliances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a removably attached treating device for use
with a fabric
article drying appliance. The treating device dispenses a benefit composition
through a nozzle
that directs the benefit composition into a chamber so as to provide benefits
to fabric articles
contained within the fabric article drying appliance. The treating device
comprises 1) one or more
sources of a benefit composition, 2) a dispensing means, and 3) one or more
means for heating the
benefit composition. The treating device may also include a power source. The
treating device
may be a stand-alone discrete device.
The present invention also relates to a system for treating fabrics, said
system for treating
fabrics comprising:
a) a fabric article drying appliance; and
b) a fabric article treating device which is removably attachable to the
fabric
article drying appliance. The treating device comprises at least one means for
heating a
benefit composition and includes a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the
benefit
composition.
The present invention further relates to a method for treating fabrics. The
method
comprises
a) providing a fabric article treating device wherein the fabric article
treating device
comprises:
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3
i) at least one source of a benefit composition;
ii) at least one means for heating a benefit composition; and
iii) a dispensing means for dispensing the benefit composition into a fabric
article
drying appliance;
b) providing a fabric article drying appliance;
c) adding fabric to be treated to the fabric article drying appliance;
d) removably attaching the fabric article treating device to the fabric
article drying
appliance;
e) heating a benefit composition; and
f) dispensing a heated benefit composition into the fabric article drying
appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG.1 is a front view of an embodiment of a fabric article treating device
made in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2-2 of the fabric
article
treating device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the fabric
article treating device taken along line 2-2 of FIG. I .
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the fabric
article treating device taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the fabric
article treating device taken along line 2-2 of FIG. I .
FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a system for treating fabrics in accordance
with
the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a fabric article treating device
according to
an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a fabric article treating device according to
yet
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fabric article
treating
device made in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the opposite angle of the fabric article
treating
device of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an elevational view from one side in partial cross-section of the
fabric
article treating device of FIG. 9 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 9.
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FIG. 12 is an elevational view from one side in partial cross-section of the
interior
housing portion of the fabric article treating device of FIG. 9 taken along
line 4 - 4 of
FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustrating a thermoelectric module which may be used
in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. ~14 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the fabric article
treating
device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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 comprises a
fabric article treating
device which may be used to deliver a benefit composition. The fabric article
treating device is
removably associated with the fabric article drying appliance, and may include
non-limiting
embodiments such as: a discrete device associated with the fabric article
drying appliance by
conventional methods such as Velcro ~, magnets, straps, and the like; or it
may be a device
incorporated in a readily removable fabric article drying appliance closure
structure which is
substantially or wholly independent of the fabric article drying appliance
controls.
"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 and draperies, clothing
accessories, leather,
floor coverings, and the like. The term also encompasses other items made in
whole or in part of
fabric, non-limiting examples which include tote bags, furniture covers,
tarpaulins, shoes, and the
like.
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.
"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 fabric
article treating device. For instance, the conduit may convey the benefit
composition from the
dispensing means to a point of discharge, such as a nozzle.
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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
s-aid 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 "thermally conductive material" as used herein is used to describe
any
material that has a thermal conductivity, or k value, of about 5 W/m*oC or
greater 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.
As used herein the terms "dryer" or "drying apparatus" or "fabric article
drying
appliance" include devices that may or may not perform a true drying function,
but may involve
treating fabric without attempting to literally dry the fabric itself. As
noted above, the terms
"dryer" or "drying apparatus" or "fabric article drying appliance" may include
a "dry cleaning"
process or apparatus, which may or may not literally involve a step of drying.
In addition, it should be noted that some drying appliances include a drying
chamber (or
"drum") that does not literally move or rotate while the drying appliance is
operating in a drying
cycle. Some such drying appliances use moving air that passes through the
drying chamber, and
the chamber does not move while the drying cycle occurs. Such an example
drying appliance has
a door or other type of access cover that allows a person to.insert the
clothing to be dried into the
chamber. In many cases, the person "hangs" the clothing on some type of upper
rod within the
drying chamber. Once that has been done, the door (or access cover) is closed,
and the drying
appliance can begin its drying function. A spraying cycle can take place
within such a unit,
however, care should be taken to ensure that the benefit composition becomes
well dispersed
within the drying chamber, so that certain fabric items do not receive a very
large concentration of
the benefit composition while other fabric items receive very little (or none)
of the benefit
composition.
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.
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FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING DEVICE
The present invention relates to a fabric article treating device capable of
providing a
heated benefit composition. The treating device may be a discrete stand-alone
device. The device
may be removably attached from the drying appliance. The treating device may
be controlled
substantially or wholly independently of the fabric article drying appliance
controls.
Non-limiting examples of removable attachment include conventional methods
such as
Velcro RO, magnets, straps, and the like. Alternatively, the treating device
may be incorporated in
a readily removable fabric article drying appliance closure structure (a non-
limiting example of
which is a dryer door) which is independent of the drying appliance controls.
Benefit Composition Heating Means
The fabric article treating device comprises one or more heating means placed
within the
thermal path between the fabric article drying appliance and one or more
components of the fabric
article treating device andlor the benefit composition itself. As used herein,
the phrase "heating
means" may comprise thermally conductive materials, heating coils, exothermic
reactions,
thermoelectric heating, resistive heating, and combinations thereof, whereby
the heating means
provides heat to a benefit composition prior to contacting a fabric article
and/or prior to contacting
the interior of a fabric article drying appliance.
The heating means is in thermal association with the benefit composition,
prior to the
contact of the benefit composition with the interior surface of the fabric
article drying appliance
and/or a fabric article. As used herein, the phrase "in thermal association"
relates to an
association between the heating means and one or more components of the fabric
article treating
device in association with the benefit composition, including the benefit
composition itself, such
that the benefit composition increases in temperature by at least about
5°C above the ambient
temperature of the air outside of the fabric article drying appliance. Non-
limiting examples of
components of the fabric article treating device which are in association with
the benefit
composition include: a reservoir, a conduit, a point of discharge such as a
nozzle, and the like.
A. Thermally Conductive Materials:
In one embodiment of the present invention, the benefit composition may be
heated by
means of a thermally conductive material within the thermal path between the
benefit composition
and one or more sources of heat. Non-limiting examples of heat sources
include: the clothes
drying appliance, a heating coil, an exothermic reaction, thermoelectric
heating, resistive heating,
infrared heating, inductive heating, and the lilee.
While it is possible to surround the entire fabric article treating device
with a thermally
conductive material, it may also be beneficial from an economical standpoint
to surround only
CA 02502766 2005-04-19
one or more components of the device with the thermally conductive material.
Locations for the
thermally conductive material include one or more components of the device in
thermal
association with the benefit composition, non-limiting examples of which
include: the source of
benefit composition, a conduit, a reservoir, or combinations thereof. Non-
limiting examples of
the source of benefit composition may include a reservoir, a household water
line, a cartridge, a
pouch, or the like.
Thermally conducting materials will have a thermal conductivity, or k value,
of about 5
Wlm*oC or greater at 25 oC. Non-limiting examples of such materials include:
metallic
materials, ceramic materials, composite materials with thermally conductive
fillers, and
combinations thereof.
Suitable examples of thermally conductive metallic materials include, but are
not limited
to: aluminum, copper, tin, silver, and the like. The metallic material may be
in the form of a rigid
plate, or a malleable sheet of foil and may surround one or more components of
the device
associated with the benefit composition. The thickness of the metallic
materials may be from
about 0.1 mm to about 100 mm.
Non-limiting examples of semi-metallic or non-metallic thermally conductive
materials
include a low thermally conducting material with thermally conductive fillers,
such as a
polyurethane or polyethylene with a nitride filler material. Non-limiting
examples of thermally
conductive filler materials include aluminum, copper, magnesium, silver,
carbon, graphite,
ceramic materials, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, boron
nitride, silicone nitride,
boron carbide, aluminum carbide, silicone carbide, organosiloxanes, and
combinations thereof.
The low thermally conducting material may comprise from about 10% to about 80%
by weight of
a thermally conductive filler material. A suitable commercially available
filler material may be
obtained from GE Advanced Ceramics of Cleveland, Ohio under the trademark of
PolafTherm"".
A suitable example of a pre-made mixture of a polymer and a thermally
conductive'filler material
may be obtained from Cool Polymers of Warwick, Rhode Island under the
trademark of
CoolPoly'~ RS012, which is comprised of a polyphenylene sulfide based material
and possesses a
thermal conductivity of 10 W/mC at 25oC.
Furthermore, the thermally conductive material may be bound to another
component of
the fabric article treating device with a thermally conductive epoxy or tape.
These thermally
conductive epoxies and/or tapes typically (but not always) contain a metal or
a form of silicone,
and serve to further conduct heat. A suitable commercially available example
of a thermally
conductive epoxy is Epoxy adhesive TC-2707 and a thermally conductive tape is
TC-8805, both
of which are available from 3M company of St. Paul, Minnesota.
B. Heatin Coils
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In yet another embodiment of the present invention, heating of the benefit
composition
may also be achieved by providing resistive heating via a heating coil in
thermal communication
with the benefit composition and/or one or more components in association with
the benefit
composition: Referring to Figures 3 - 4, the heating coil 40 may be positioned
at any point in
and/or on fabric article treating device 1 and/or may be in thermal
communication with one or
more components in association with the source of the benefit composition 10.
The heating coil
40 may be in association with the benefit composition by direct contact , by
indirect contact, or by
combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of components of the fabric
article treating device
which may be in association with the benefit composition include: a reservoir
10, a conduit 20, a
point of discharge such as nozzle 50, or a combination thereof.
Furthermore, the heating coil 40 may use a power source 100 such as one or
more
batteries, a source of household current, and/or the like. If additional
current is desired when
using batteries as the power source 100, a high voltage power supply 200 may
also be used.
Typical materials for the heating coil include, but are not limited to,
copper, nickel,
niochrome (a nickel and chromium alloy), stainless steel, and the like. In one
non-limiting
embodiment the benefit composition is heated to a temperature from about 30
°C to about 70 °C
by the heating coil.
C. Exothermic Reactions
In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the benefit
composition may be
heated by means of an exothermic reaction. The exothermic reaction may take
place within the
benefit composition, or in a location adjacent to, yet in thermal
communication with, the benefit
composition.
The exothermic composition may be disposable or reusable. Reusable exothermic
compositions may comprise a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate and the
like, which may
be regenerated by resolubilizing the crystals into solution via heat.
The exothermic compositions may be maintained with a container. Suitable
container
materials for exothermic reactive compositions include, but are not limited
to: polypropylene,
polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and the
like. The thickness of
these materials may be from about 0.1 mm to about 30 mm.
1. Metal Oxidation Exothermic Reactions
The exothermic reaction of metal oxidation requires several components to
complete the
electrochemical reaction: an anode, a cathode, water, oxygen, and preferably
one or more
electrolytes. Furthermore, the components of the exothermic reaction comprise
a liquid and a
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solid which are generally stored separately until ready for use. While the
anode and cathode are
usually solids, the electrolyte may be either in the form of a solid or part
of an aqueous solution.
The anode comprises a source of metal, non-limiting examples of which include:
a metal
powder of iron, copper, magnesium, chromium, manganese, aluminum, zinc, or
combinations
thereof. The source of metal may have a small particle size, yet a large
reactive surface area.
Suitable average particle sizes are from about 20 pm to about 1000 l,vm. The
source of metal may
be, for example, an iron powder and comprise from about 30% to about 80% by
weight of the
solid composition.
The cathode of the exothermic reaction may comprise an activated carbon, non-
activated
carbon, or combinations thereof. The carbon for the cathode may be derived
from, but not limited
to: coconut shell, wood, charcoal, bone, etc. The cathode may be an activated
carbon, with a
small particle size and a large reactive surface area comprising from about 3%
to about 20% by
weight of the composition. Suitable activated carbon will typically have an
average particle size
of about 20pm to about 1000 pm and may be obtained under the trademark of Nu
Char available
from Westvaco of Covington, Virginia.
The exothermic components may also comprise one or more elcctrolytes, to
further
facilitate the reaction by providing electrical conduction between the anode
and the cathode. The
electrolyte may be in a dry form and in the same container as the anode and/or
cathode, or the
electrolyte may comprise part of an aqueous solution which is stored
separately from the metal
powder (anode). Suitable electrolytes are metal salts and include, but are not
limited to: alkali
metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, and transition metal salts which
includes sulfates, chlorides,
carbonates, acetates, nitrates, nitrites, sulfites, chlorates, and the like.
Non-limiting examples of
electrolytes include: fernc sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate,
manganese sulfate,
magnesium sulfate, cupric chloride, cuprous chloride, potassium chloride,
sodium chloride, etc.
The electrolyte may comprise sodium chloride, which may be in the form of for
example a dry
powder contained with the anode, in the concentration of from about 0.5% to
about 10% by
weight of the solid composition. When the electrolyte is in aqueous solution,
concentration$ may
be in the range of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight in the aqueous
solution.
The exothermic components may also comprise one or more absorbent materials
for the
purpose of gradually supplying water and/or electrolyte solution to the anode.
The absorbent
material may be in the same container as the anode and cathode, in a separate
container, or
combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of water absorbing materials
include: vermiculite,
porous silicates, carboxy cellulose salts, wood powder and/or flour, cotton
cloth with a high
surface area, and the like. The water holding materials may comprise from
about 0.1 % to about
30% by weight of the solid composition.
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In one embodiment, the metal oxidation components are provided in two or more
containers. The first container will typically comprise the anode and a
cathode and an optional
absorbing material. When the electrolyte is in a dry form, it may be present
in the same container
as the anode and the cathode, and the second container may contain an aqueous
solution. In a
variation of this embodiment, the electrolyte may be in aqueous solution, and
stored in a separate
container from the anode, cathode, and optional absorbing material. The
aqueous solution, which
may be water or an aqueous electrolyte solution, will typically be present in
the amount from
about 10% to about 50% by weight of the total exothermic components. The
second container
may be stored within the same compartment as the first container, and may be a
pouch which may
be pierced by a sharp object such as a pin to initiate the reaction. The
addition of the contents of
the first and second containers may be achieved by a frangible pouch, whereby
the exothermic
reaction may be initiated upon the rupturing of the seal between the two
containers.
In an alternate embodiment, the solid metal oxidation components may be
provided in
one container. The container may comprise an anode, a cathode, a solid form of
an electrolyte,
and optionally a water absorbing material. A user of the device may then
initiate the exothermic
reaction by adding water to the composition.
2. Saturated Salt Exothermic Reactions:
In still yet another variation of this embodiment, the exothermic reaction may
be a
reusable supercooled saturated salt solution associated with a metal reaction
trigger. The
saturated salt solution and metal trigger may be contained within the same
container. The metal
trigger, when flexed by a user, may subsequently initiate the crystallization
of the salt, thereby
producing heat. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that
flexing of the metal
strip provides minute continuances along the slits or fissures to initiate
crystallization. Non-
limiting suitable materials for the trigger include: ferrous materials, a
beryllium-copper alloy, and
the like, and comprises a plurality of slits or ftssures. In a non-limiting
example, a container
comprising a saturated solution of sodium acetate and a ferrous metal trigger
is flexed, whereby
heat is produced within the range from about 35oC to about 75oC.
Non-limiting examples of suitable salts for a saturated salt solution include:
sodium
acetate, calcium nitrate tetrathydrate, and the like. The saturated salt
solution may comprise
sodium acetate and water, in a ratio of from about 1:1 to about 2:1 by weight.
The solution is
generally produced by placing the water, salt, and a metal trigger in a pouch
which is
subsequently sealed. The contents of the pouch are then heated to about
60°C or higher (for
sodium acetate) to bring the salt into solution. Thereafter, the pouch may be
supercooled. As
used herein, "supercooled" means to cool a substance below the freezing point
without
solidification andJor crystallization.
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After usage, the saturated salt composition may be subsequently regenerated by
heating
the solution slightly above the melting point of the crystals such that the
crystals are re-
solubilized. In a non-limiting example, a sodium acetate composition is
regenerated by heating
the composition to about 60°C or higher, such that the crystals from
the exothermic reaction are
resolubilized. Non-limiting suitable means of re-heating the solution include
a microwave,
immersion into boiling water, and the like.
3. In-Situ Exothermic Reactions
In still yet another variant, the exothermic reaction components may comprise
the benefit
composition itself, whereby the benefit composition may act as a component for
the exothermic
reaction. As used herein, the phrase "in-situ exothermic compositions" refers
to compositions
that are comprised of the benefit composition itself and are dispensed from
the fabric article
treating device such that the composition is dispensed within the fabric
article drying appliance
and/or onto the fabric article(s). In-situ exothermic reactions comprise a
solute and solvent,
wherein the solvent is typically (but not always) aqueous in nature. The
addition of a solvent may
occur concurrently, prior to, and/or subsequent to the addition of a solute,
whereby heat is
provided by the exothermic reaction. The addition of the solvent may occur
prior to the addition
of the solute and occurs within the source of the benefit composition. In
alternate embodiments,
the addition of the solute and solvent may occur outside of the source of
benefit composition, and
be subsequently added to the source. In still yet another embodiment, the
solute and solvent are
contained in discrete reservoirs (sources of benefit composition), wherein the
solute and solvent
are conveyed to a common conduit and the two or more components are mixed. The
solvent may
be present in the reaction in the amount from about 50% to about 99.9% by
weight, and is
typically, but not always, aqueous in nature.
Non-limiting examples of suitable exothermic reactions involving the addition
of water to
a system include: dissolution, hydration, acid dissociation, and the like.
Exothermic reactions
may have an enthalpy of-1 kJ/mole or less when measured at 25 oC, or
preferably may have an
enthalpy of-5 1cJ/mole or less at 25 °C. The enthalpy of a reaction may
in general be obtained by
subtracting the sum of the enthalpies for the reactants from the sum of the
enthalpies for the
products, which may be found in any suitable reference book known to those of
ordinary skill in
the art, such as "The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics", "Perry's Chemical
Engineer's
Handbook", and the like.
Examples of exothermic dissolution reactions often involve the addition of one
or more
solutes to a solvent, the solutes being present in an amount from about 0.1%
to about 50% by
weight of the of the composition. The solute may be a solid, gas, a liquid, or
combinations
thereof. In alternate embodiments, the solute may be added subsequent to the
addition of a
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12
solvent such as water, but may also be added concurrently and/or prior to the
addition of the
solvent. Non-limiting suitable examples of solutes which are exothermic in
water include:
ammonia (gaseous state), sodium hydroxide, lithium bromide, sodium acetate,
potassium acetate,
potassium hydroxide, zinc chloride, and the like.
Examples of non-aqueous exothermic reactions include, but are not limited to
the addition
of: lauric acid to carbon tetrachloride, urethane to chloroform, urethane to
methanol, acetone to
acetic acid, heptane to isobutanol, and the like. In alternate modes of
operation, the temperature
of the clothes drying appliance is lower than the flashpoint of the solvent
and/or solute.
Exotherniic dilution reactions on the other hand, involve the addition of
supplemental
solvent to the composition whereby heat is generated. Acids may be used for
exothermic dilution
reactions with the addition of an aqueous solvent (such as water). Non-
limiting examples of
suitable acids include: nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, malefic
acid, picric acid, acetic
acid, and combinations thereof.
D. Thermoelectric Modules
Heating of the benefit composition may also be accomplished by using a
thermoelectric
module, such as that achieved by a reverse Peltier module. As used herein, the
phrase "reverse
Peltier module" refers to utilizing a Pettier module wherein the heat sinlc is
in thermal
communication with the benefit composition and/or one or more components of
the fabric article
treating device associated with the benefit composition, non-limiting examples
of such
components including: the source of benefit composition, a conduit, the
nozzle, and the like. In
general, the reverse Pettier module/Effect may be achieved by 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 reverse Pettier module
operates in the
following manner as illustrated by the schematic of Figure 13:
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 heated and a heat source such as a fabric article drying
appliance (not shown);
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 transferred to a second junction between the
negatively doped
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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
which is in thermal
communication with the source of benefit composition (or another component
associated with the
benefit composition), thereby transferring heat from the drying appliance to
the component
associated with the benefit composition.
Each module 500 for the Pettier 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 (530 and
540) 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 (530 and 540). The second ceramic substrate 510 is in
thermal
communication with the semi-conductor materials (530 and 540) and the source
of heat. The heat
sinle 550 is further in thermal communication with one or more components in
association with
the benefit composition, whereupon application of current to the semi-
conductor materials the
accumulated heat is carried to the benefit composition and/or one or more
components of the
device in thermal association with the benefit composition. More than one
module 500 may be
used for a greater heating 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
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 heat transfer effect is desired.
CA 02502766 2005-04-19
14
Referring to Figure 7, a reverse Peltier module 310 is positioned between the
source of
benefit composition 10 and the interior panel of the door of the device 1. The
heat sink of the
Peltier module 310 is positioned adjacent to the source of benefit composition
10, whereby the
heat from the fabric article drying appliance (not shown) is subsequently
transferred to the source
of the benefit composition 10. In this embodiment of the present invention,
the surface of the
fabric article treating device 1 facing the interior of the fabric article
drying appliance is
constructed of thermally conductive material, preferably of metal. The Peltier
module 310 may
be placed on other components of the device 1 in association with the benefit
composition, non-
limiting examples of which include a nozzle 50, or a conduit 20. One example
of a thermoelectric
module 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 may comprises a
power source
100 for supplying power to components of the fabric article treating device 1.
Non-limiting
examples of these components include: the circuits 80, a motor 60 for the
dispensing means 30,
and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable power sources 100
include:
batteries of the reusable or disposable type, solar power, a source of
household current, and the
like. When using batteries as the power source 100, one or more of the
batteries may be of the
rechargeable or disposable type. Suitable and readily available batteries
include, but are not
limited to: alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, and the like. An example of
a suitable alkaline
TM
battery is an Energizer No. E95, a 1.SV Zn/Mn02 D Cell battery which can be
obtained from
Eveready Battery Company of St. Louis, Missouri.
Source of Benefit Composition
The fabric article treating device 1 additionally comprises one or more
sources of a
benefit composition 10, which is associated with the device 1 so as to provide
a benefit
composition for dispensing within the fabric article drying appliance. The
source of benefit
composition 10 may be a reservoir, cartridge, pouch, conduit, household water
line, or the like.
Additionally the source of benefit composition 10 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. The source of benefit composition 10 may be fixably
attached to the fabric
article drying appliance or it may be removably attached.
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The source 10 may comprise a first reservoir for containing the benefit
composition, and
may additionally comprise more than one reservoir to be dispensed
simultaneously or separately
with the contents of said first reservoir.
The source 10 may also be constructed of a rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible
material.
Should the source of benefit composition 10 be primarily constructed of a
rigid or semi-rigid
material, these embodiments may additionally comprise a venting means so as to
permit the ready
flow of the benefit composition to the dispensing means 30.
Dispensing Means
The dispensing means 30 may be motorized or non-motorized. Generally, the
dispensing
means 30 of the fabric article treating device 1 may be accomplished by
utilizing a motorized
pump. One non-limiting example of a motorized pump, is one which uses
hydraulic pressure
such as a peristaltic pump. Other non-limiting motor driven pumping mechanisms
which may be
used include gear, diaphragm, centrifugal, or piston pumps. Generally, a
suitable pump will have
an operating pressure in the range of from about 1 to about 2,000 kPas,
although pressures
between 50 and 1500 lcPas, and/or from about 140 to about 1050 kPas and/or 100
to 500 lcPas can
be used.
Referring to Figure 4, the dispensing means 30 may be of the non-motorized
type to
conserve the energy used from the power source. Non-limiting examples of a non-
motorized
dispensing apparatus includes: springs, pressurized reservoirs, elastic
vessels, memory shape
alloys, gravity feeding mechanisms, capillary action, propellants, syringes,
gas (both pre-
pressurized and /or generated in-situ), and the lilce. A suitable example of a
non-motorized
dispensing apparatus 30 is a piezo pump of the "LPD series, which may be
obtained from PAR
Technologies LLC of Hampton, Virginia.
High Voltage Power SuppI~HVPS)
Referring to Figure 3, the device may also comprise a high voltage power
supply (HVPS)
200, which is optionally used for transforming current to supply power for the
heating coil 40.
Typically (but not always) the power source 100 is one or more batteries with
a voltage of 9V or
less, and the heating coil may or may not require additional voltage for the
desired temperature.
A non-limiting example of a suitable miniature, regulated high voltage power
supply 200 is a
model in the G 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.
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Nozzles
Referring to Figures 1 - 9 and 12, the fabric article treating device 1 may
also, and
typically does, comprise a nozzle 50 through which the benefit composition
passes during
delivery to the fabric article and/or the interior region of the fabric
article drying appliance.
The nozzle 50 may be an atomizing nozzle. 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 the benefit composition. The
misting may be
accomplished using a relatively low volume air atomization nozzle and/or a
simple orifice. For
example, spray nozzles commercially available from Spray Systems, Inc. of
Pomona, California
(Model Nos. 850, 1050, 1250, 1450 and 1650) are suitable. In an alternative
embodiment, the
composition is may be delivered via more than one spray nozzle.
In some embodiments, the spray nozzle 50 may use a pressure swirl atomizer
similar to ones used in trigger sprayer nozzles, but may incorporate a fan
atomizer, or an
impingement or screen foamer. An example of a suitable atomizing nozzle is a
pressure
swirl atomizing nozzle made by Seaquist Dispensing of Cary, Illinois under the
Model
No. of DU-3813. In another embodiment, the composition is delivered though a
pressurized spray system.
Optionally, filters and/or filtering techniques can be used to filter the
benefit composition
if desired. This may be desirable when using a heated benefit composition as
repeated heating of
the composition may cause concentration of the composition which may possibly
lead to
particulate formation. Non-limiting examples of filters and/or filtering
techniques include:
utilizing a filter in the treating device 1 prior to the nozzle 50; filtering
the benefit composition
prior to dispensing into the benefit composition reservoir 10; centrifuging
the benefit composition
prior to dispensing into the benefit composition reservoir 10; and the like;
or combinations
thereof.
In alternate embodiments, the nozzle 50 comprises a filter (not shown) prior
to the
orifices, introduced for the purpose of reducing the possibility of clogging
of the orifices. The
design of the nozzle 50 may be such that the filter 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. The filter may have a pore size equal to or less than the greatest
outlet diameter of the
nozzle orifice.
S~nalin Means
Further yet, the device may comprise a signaling means to communicate with a
user of a
device such as visual, auditory, vibrational signals, or combinations thereof.
Non-limiting
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examples of signaling means include: flashing lights, colored lights non-
limiting examples of
which include green/red lights, beeps, whistles, chimes, and vibrations. The
signaling means may
be useful for indicating the status of the device, which in turn may require
the user to actuate a
feature ofthe device.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, 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 closure structure may have different colors to indicate an operating
condition: iszter alicc
a green LED light for when the device is in operation, or perhaps a flashing
red light to indicate a
low battery state.
BENEFIT COMPOSITION
The benefit composition may comprise one or more fabric article actives and
may be a
cleaning, dewrinkling, finishing 'and/or deodorizing composition, and the
like. Furthermore, the
benefit composition may be in the physical fornl of a liquid, solid, gas, or
combinations thereof.
Non-limiting examples of fabric article actives include solvents, surfactants,
wrinkle releasing
agents, anti-static agents, anti-shrinking agents, antimicrobial agents,
wetting agents, crystal
modifiers, soil release agents, colorants, brighteners, perfume, odor
reducers/eliminators,
deodorizer/refresher, stain repellents, color enhancers, starch, softeners,
and sizing agents.
The benefit composition may comprise water, surfactants, perfumes,
preservatives,
bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, anti-shrinking agents, solvents, anti-
wrinkling agents,
antibacterial agents, wetting agents, crystal modifiers, and mixtures thereof.
Typical 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 challenge of spraying the benefit composition into the fabric article
drying appliance
is the possibility that the benefit composition may plug the nozzles) between
uses. Several
approaches can be used to prevent this plugging, including but not limited to;
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 to the benefit composition.
Now referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a
fabric article
treating device 1 for treating fabric articles according to the present
invention. The fabric article
treating device 1 is associated with a fabric article drying appliance 260 in
a manner such that one
or more benefit compositions are dispensed into the interior 270 of the fabric
article drying
appliance 260 and/or dispensed onto the fabric articles) present in the
interior 270 of fabric
article drying appliance 260. In one embodiment, the contact may occur while
the fabric articles
are in motion. In another embodiment, the contact may occur while the fabric
articles are not in
CA 02502766 2005-04-19
IS
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. The fabrics may be
in a wet or dry
state upon treatment.
In general, the fabric article treating device 1 may be removably or
permanently attached
to the interior 270 of the fabric article drying appliance 260. Non-limiting
examples of possible
areas of attachment include the closure structure 110 of the fabric article
drying appliance 260, a
drum (if there is one) of the fabric article drying appliance 260, the
rearward wall, and the like.
Non-limiting examples of attachment means include: suction cups, hooks,
straps, adhesive,
Velcro~, magnets, and the like. In yet another embodiment as illustrated by
FIGS. 7 - 8, the
fabric article treating device 1 may be incorporated into a readily detachable
closure structure I 10
suitable for use with a fabric article drying appliance.
Referring to FIGS. 1 - 2, there is illustrated a fabric article treating
device 1 for treating
fabric articles according to one aspect of the present invention. In this
embodiment, the reservoir
10 is constructed of a thermally conductive material, whereby the benefit
composition is heated
via a heat source, such as the fabric article drying appliance (not shown). In
a non-limiting
example, the reservoir 10 is constructed of a suitable material with a thermal
conductivity of 10
W/moC at 25 oC such as a polyphenylene sulfide based material under the
trademark of
CoolPoly 1tS012, which may be obtained from Cool Polymers of Warwick, Rhode
Island. In a
typical operation, once the fabric article drying appliance is operated in the
prescribed manner,
and subsequently and/or during the commencement of the treatment cycle, the
fabric article
treating device 1 is activated. In one embodiment, the device 1 is activated
subsequent to the
operation of the fabric article drying appliance, preferably at least about 5
minutes after the
commencement of the drying cycle.
The fabric article treating device 1 may be activated by depressing a switch
21 which
subsequently activates the motor 60 of the pump 30. The motor 60 is generally,
but not always,
powered by the power source 100, which typically comprises one or more
batteries. The power
source 100 may be connected to the motor 60 by electrical wiring 70 and an
optional electronics
board 80 for controlling the motor 60.
Once the pump 30 is activated, a heated benefit composition is drawn from a
reservoir 10
through a conduit 20 to the nozzle 50. Inner diameters for the conduits may be
from the range of
about 10 mm or less, and/or about 5 mm or less. Optionally, the conduit 20
additionally
comprises a filter prior to the nozzle 50. The filter pore size may be equal
to or less than the
widest orifice of the nozzle 50.
The nozzle 50 may be a fluid atomizing spray head and/or even a simple orifice
through
which the benefit composition is dispensed within the receiving volume of the
clothes drying
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appliance. A suitable pressure swirl atomizer may be obtained from Seaquist
Dispensing LLC of
Cary, Illinois under the Model No. of DU-3813.
In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated by FIGS. 3 - 4,
the operation
of the device is performed in a similar manner to that of the embodiment
illustrated by FIG. 1 - 2.
In this embodiment, the heating of the benefit composition is achieved by
means of a heating coil
40 positioned within the reservoir 10. The heating coil 40 may be positioned
within, or within
thermal association with, any component of the device associated with the
benefit composition.
Non-limiting examples of components in association with the benefit
composition include: a
reservoir 10, a conduit 20, a point of discharge such as the nozzle 50, and
combinations thereof.
In this embodiment, the power is provided by one or more batteries 100 and
optionally by
a high voltage power supply 200 which provides power to the heating coil 40
which subsequently
heats the benefit composition.
The embodiment represented by FIG. 4 operates in a similar manner to the
embodiment
of FIG 3, and is a more economical version thereof. In order to conserve
energy of the power
source 100, the dispensing means 30 is of the non-motorized type, non-limiting
suitable examples
of which include spring actuated devices, gravity feed pumps, and the like.
Additionally, the
heating coil 40 may be powered solely by batteries 100, without the need for a
high voltage power
supply.
The embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5 heats the benefit composition by means of
an
exothermic reaction. In this embodiment, an exothermic pouch 160 may be flexed
and
subsequently added through the reservoir opening 140 to provide heat to the
benefit composition
in the reservoir 10. Non-limiting examples of exothermic pouches include those
of metal
oxidation reactions, saturated salt solutions, and the like. In alternate
variations of this
embodiment, the exothermic reaction may be generated in situ, wherein a solute
is added directly
to the benefit composition in the reservoir 10, whereby heat is generated. The
solute may be
added prior to, subsequent to, in concurrence with the solvent, or
combinations thereof.
Additionally, the solute and solvent may be mixed prior to the placement
within the reservoir 10,
and subsequently dispensed therein.
The embodiment depicted by FIG. 7 heats the benefit composition by means of a
thermoelectric module 310. The thermoelectric module 310 uses a power source
100 such as a
source of household current, and is positioned such that the heat sink of the
module is in thermal
communication with the one or more sources of benefit composition 10.
Furthermore, the interior
panel of the device is constructed of a thermally conductive material such as
steel. Heat is
transferred from the fabric article receiving volume of the fabric article
drying appliance to the
thermoelectric module 310, such as a Peltier module, which subsequently
transfers the heat to the
benefit composition(s). The thermoelectric module may also be in thermal
communication with
CA 02502766 2005-04-19
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other components associated with the benefit composition, non-limiting
examples of which
include: a conduit 20, a point of discharge such as a nozzle 50, and the like.
One example of a
module utilizing the Peltier Effect is model 6302/127/060AX, which may be
obtained from
Ferrotec America Corporation of Nashua, New Hampshire.
An advantage of the embodiment depicted by Fig. 7 is that the fabric article
treating
device 1 is integrated with a drying appliance closure structure. The fabric
article treating device
1 may be readily exchanged with an existing appliance door by simply
unscrewing the existing
closure structure, and attaching the fabric article treating device 1 of the
present invention. This
provides the convenience of an integrated fabric article treating device, yet
does not necessitate
complicated and/or expensive retrofitting of an existing appliance.
This embodiment also provides means to signal to a user of the fabric article
treating
device 1 by means of LED lights 280 or the reservoir window 290. The LED
lights 280 might for
example exhibit a green light to show an operating state, or a flashing red
light to indicate a
deleterious operating condition, such as a low amount of benefit composition,
which may lead to
unsatisfactory results. The level of benefit composition may also be perceived
through the
reservoir window 290, which may also be marked with dosage indicia, indicating
the number of
usages remaining. Furthermore, the temperature of the benefit composition
might also be
indicated.
The embodiment of FIG. 8 is similar in outward appearance to the embodiment of
FIG. 7,
yet provides heat to the benefit composition in a similar manner to the
embodiment of FIG. 2.
The embodiment of FIG. 8 comprises access panel 300, an inner panel 230 of the
fabric article
treating device constructed of a thermally conductive material, such as steel,
and a source of
benefit composition 10 constructed of a thermally conducting material, such as
a polyphenylene
sulfide based material with a thermal conductivity of 10 WlmoC at 25oC under
the trademark of
CoolPoly~' RS012, which may be obtained from Cool Polymers of Warwick, Rhode
Island. In
this embodiment, the heat from the operation of the fabric article drying
appliance is transferred to
the inner panel 230 of the fabric article treating device 1 to the source of
the benefit composition
10, which thereby provides heat to the benefit composition.
FIGS. 9 -12 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
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communication (i.e.; wherein a benefit composition is transferred between the
outer and inner
housing), and thermal communication (i.e.; wherein temperature differentials
are transferred
between the outer and inner housing a non-limiting example of which is wherein
the benefit
composition is heated in one housing and transferred to the other housing).
The inner
housing 230 and exterior housing 220 may be connected to one another. Non-
limiting means of
connecting the inner and outer housing include a flat cable, a wire, and/or a
conduit 340 (a non-
limiting example of which is a conduit for transferring benefit composition
between the outer and
inner housing). Inner housing 230 may be mounted to the closure structure of a
fabric
article drying appliance by mounting strap 210.
The exterior housing 220 may be mounted on the exterior surface of the fabric
article
drying appliance door, yet may also be mounted on any exterior surface, non-
limiting examples of
which include: the side walls, the top walls, the outer surface of a top-
opening lid, and the like,
including a wall or other household structure that is separate from the fabric
article drying
appliance. 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
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. Lileewise, 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
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may also be in electrical and/or fluidic communication. A reservoir 10 for the
benefit
composition, a means for heating the benefit composition, 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.
In a non-limiting example of a use of the fabric article treating device 1 as
shown in
FIGS. 1 - 2, and 6 one or more fabric articles may be placed in the interior
270 of the fabric article
drying appliance 260. The operator simply depresses an on/off switch 21 on the
fabric article
treating device 1 for a short period. The drying appliance 260 is activated in
a manner prescribed
by the manufacturer. After a pre-set time period or commencement of an
environmental
condition, the on/off switch 21 activates the electronics 80 of the device to
connect the batteries
100 through wire 70 and the pump motor 60.
The benefit composition is conveyed from a reservoir 10 through the dispensing
means 30
and the conduit 20, and is discharged from nozzle 50 into the fabric article
drying appliance 260.
The benefit composition may be 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. The temperature of air
during the treatment
period may be in the range from about 30°C to about 80°C, more
preferably from about 40°C to
about 65°C. The exhaust duct may be connected with duct work such that
the exhaust air is
vented out of the user's home as is the case in conventional dryer
applications. The duct may be
provided with a closing means such that the duct can be closed during the
benefit composition
application step.
The particular benefit composition selected for use in the process can vary
widely
depending upon the particular benefit desired. However, in some modes of
operation, 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
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, a benefit composition container, use
instructions, and other
such articles associated with the fabric article treating system. While not
wishing 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 (stoplgo
indicators), a window
on a reservoir to indicate fluid level, icons, beeps, whistles, a rubbery
grip, and the like. An
CA 02502766 2005-04-19
23
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 presant inv~tion have been illustrated and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art drat 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.
