Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING DEVICE AND FABRIC ARTICLE TREATING SYSTEM WITH
ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fabric article treating device for use with
a fabric article
drying appliance, and more specifically to a unique fabric article treating
device and system for
dispensing a benefit composition, which employ antimicrobial agent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fabric article treating methods and/or apparatuses have been evolving over the
past
twenty years. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,207,683 describes a conventional
automatic clothes
dryer that incorporates a spray dispenser capable of dispensing liquids into
the drum of the dryer.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,642,908, 5,771,604 and 6,067,723 describe other variations
of conventional
clothes drying appliances.
There exists an ongoing need to develop a fabric article treating method
and/or apparatus,
especially an in-home fabric article treating method and/or apparatus, that
improveslenhances the
deposition of fabric article actives or benefit agents on the fabric articles
being treated as
compared to the currently existing deposition methods andlor apparatuses.
One particular challenge presented in the delivery of fabric article actives
in the fabric
article drying environment is the effect of moisture or condensation and heat
generated during the
drying of the fabric articles. Particularly, storage containers or reservoirs
of actives can act as a
terrarium, a controlled micro-climate that demonstrates a compact model of the
hydrologic cycle.
Heat generated by the drying cycle in combination with the aqueous benefit
composition may
develop an excess of humidity inside an active storage container or reservoir,
which can lead to
major environmental changes, including 1) evaporation of moisture and 2)
condensation of
moisture on container or reservoir surfaces, analogous to on the dome of a
terrarium. The
antimicrobial andlor preservative agents in this benefit composition,
typically are not volatile,
thus the water that evaporates from the benefit composition and condenses on
the container or
reservoir surfaces is unprotected and may support microbial growth. This water
vapor and
subsequent condensation may be problematic especially on headspace surfaces
such as lids or
caps above the benefit composition. If the reservoir has an aerobic
environment with a constant
influx of unsterile air, which is expected to be carrying air-bom microbial
contaminants such as
bacteria, and especially yeasts and fungi, aerobic microorganisms are expected
to have an
increased opportunity to contaminate and populate the container or reservoir,
especially in the
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unprotected water vapor/condensation. These microbial air-born contaminants
may consist of: 1)
purely vegetative microorganism such as Staphylococcus, Sty°eptococcus,
Entef-ococcus,
Pseudonaonas, Buf°lzholder~ia as well as other numerous other non-spore
forming microbial
contaminants, including non-spore forming, potentially pathogenic yeasts such
as Candida; and 2)
spore forming contaminants such as various fungal species (Aspefgillus,
Peraicilliu»a, FusariunZ
and other potentially pathogenic species) are expected to be major air-born
microbial
contaminants infiltrating the vents and caps of the reservoir during use and
refill operations.
These potential fungal pathogens are expected to be prevalent in and around
the laundry room
where adequate moisture, abundant growth substrate (cotton and other lint and
debris) and warm
temperatures are typically encountered and will encourage active populations
of these organisms
on surfaces (walls, floors, washer/dryer) and as air-born contaminants.
The potential microbial contamination in the water vapor or condensate, is
expected to
become established, with substantially increased population densities. The
most problematic
contaminants would be spore forming microorganisms, since they could actively
increase in
densities, form numerous more spores and result in further and complete
microbial contamination
of the reservoir, reservoir surfaces and condensation water. As the
condensation cools, or
increases in size or volume, contaminated water droplets may fall back into
the benefit
composition, resulting in potential microbial insult to, not only the benefit
composition, but also
to the treated fabrics in the drying appliance during application of the
benefit composition, and
more importantly to the consumer who may be exposed to these contaminants via
wearing the
contaminated clothing or fabric items. Many of these microbial contaminants,
especially the non-
spore-forming ones, may be eliminated during drying assuming a full (20 to 30
min) and
completed drying cycle using the hottest settings. However, the spore-formers,
in most cases,
even under the hottest settings, would be resistant and could easily survive
even these worse case
drying conditions. More importantly, if cooler settings or custom fluff
settings are used with the
benefit composition, most if not all of the microbial contaminants including
both non-spore
forming and spore-forming contaminants could easily survive the treatment
processes.
The evaporation and condensation cycling can also alter an active
composition's
solute/solvent concentration. As such, it would be advantageous to provide a
fabric article
treating device comprising a reservoir which minimizes the potentials for
microbial growth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to fabric article treating devices and
fabric article
treating systems. More particularly, the invention is directed to fabric
article treating devices and
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systems including a reservoir, at least a portion of which reservoir is formed
of a material
comprising anti-microbial agent.
One embodiment of the present invention is a fabric article treating device.
The fabric
article treating device comprises an interior dispenser adapted for location
inside of a fabric article
drying appliance, and a reservoir. The interior dispenser and the reservoir
are adapted for fluid
communication with one another. The reservoir contains a benefit composition,
and at least a
portion of the reservoir is formed of a material comprising anti-microbial
agent.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a fabric article treating
system. The
fabric article treating system comprises a fabric article drying appliance
having a chamber and a
closure structure, the closure structure having a closed position and at least
one open position and
allowing access to the chamber; a reservoir for containing a benefit
composition; a dispenser in
communication with the chamber; and a fluid handling system that transports
the benefit
composition from the reservoir toward the dispenser, thereby dispensing the
benefit composition
into the chamber. At least a portion of the reservoir is formed of a material
comprising anti-
microbial agent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly
claiming the invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from
the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary closure according to a
fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary reservoir according to a
fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a eighth embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fluid handling system
according to a
ninth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
system according
to a eleventh embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 12 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fabric article treating
device according
to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not
intended to be
limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features
of the drawings
and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the
detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention,
examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals
indicate similar
elements throughout the views.
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
apparatus which may be discrete in relation to the fabric article drying
appliance and/or it may be
integrated into the fabric article drying appliance. Furthermore, the fabric
article treating
apparatus may be integrated into a readily replaceable portion of the fabric
article drying
appliance, a non-limiting example of which includes a closure structure of the
drying appliance.
"Fabric article" or "fabric" 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, drapery, clothing
accessories, leather, floor
coverings, sheets, towels, rags, canvas, polymer structures, and the like. The
term also
encompasses other items made in whole or in part of fabric material, such as
tote bags, furniture
covers, tarpons, 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 repellants, refreshing agents, antistatic agents, antimicrobic
agents, durable press
agents, wrinlde resistant agents, odor resistance agents, abrasion resistance
agents, solvents, and
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combinations thereof. The benefit composition may comprise a liquid, a powder,
a suspension, or
gaseous product, and/or a combination of such. In one embodiment, the benefit
composition
includes a preservative. Various preservatives which help maintain one or more
properties of the
benefit composition are generally known in the art and are suitable for use
herein. Exemplary
preservatives include hydantoins e.g. Dantoguard Plus TM (Dimethylol-5,5-
Dimethylhydantoin,
DMDMH, and including the fungicide IPBC, iodopropargyl-N-butylcarbamate)
commercially
available from Lonza ; isothiazolinones (e.g. Kathon TM commercially available
from Rohm &
Haas, or MicroCare ITL from Thor) ; and Integra 44 TM (Sodium
hydroxymethylglycinate)
commercially available from International Specialty Products (ISP). Other
preservatives may
include benzisothiazolin-3-ones, BIT (e.g. Proxel GXLTM from Avecia, or
Acticide B-2OTM from
Thor); methylisothiazolin-3-ones, MIT ( e.g. NeoloneTM from Rohm & Haas or
Acticide M20-
STM from Thor); combination preservative systems such as Acticide MBSTM
(BIT/MIT mixture
from Thor), Acticide IMTM (MIT & IPBC, also from Thor), DantoserveTM (DMDMH
and BIT,
from Lonza). This list is designed to be representative, but not all
inclusive.
As used herein "anti-microbial agent" refers to a compound which is effective
against
bacteria, algae, fungus, mold and/or mildew that may cause odor, stain,
discoloration, unsightly
texture, decay, or deterioration of physical properties.
Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary fabric article treating device 20 according to
one
embodiment of the present invention. The fabric article treating device 20
comprises an interior
dispenser 25 adapted for location inside of a fabric article drying appliance
and a reservoir 30.
The interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30 are adapted for fluid
communication with one
another, for example via fluid line 32. In one embodiment, the fluid
connection between the
interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30 comprises tubing configured to
allow the benefit
composition to be transported from the reservoir 30 to the interior dispenser
25. One exemplary
tubing comprises a polymeric tubing with one or more channels or conduits. In
one embodiment,
the tubing is configured to allow the closure structure on the fabric article
drying appliance to
maintain a closed position while still permitting dispensing of the benefit
composition. The
reservoir 30 contains a benefit composition and at least a portion of the
reservoir is formed of a
material comprising an anti-microbial agent. In one exemplary embodiment, the
reservoir 30 is
removable. In another exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 30 comprises a
sealed pouch.
The reservoir 30 may be constructed of any material known in the art and at
least a
portion of the reservoir is formed of a material comprising an anti-microbial
agent. Non-limiting
examples of such structural materials include polymeric materials including
but not limited to
polypropylene, polyethylene, styrenics, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET),
polycarbonates, Poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyls, Nylon,
polyurethane, acrylic,
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epoxies, acetates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, fluoropolymers, latex,
nitrile copolymers,
nylons, polychloroprene, polyvinylchloride, Rayon, rubbers (natural and
synthetic), silicone, and
combinations thereof. Other exemplary materials of construction include a
metal, for example
aluminum foil. In one embodiment, the reservoir 30 comprises multiple layers
of one or more
materials. In another embodiment, the reservoir 30 comprises a single or
multiple layer barrier
film.
At least a portion of the reservoir is formed of a material comprising an anti-
microbial
agent. In one exemplary embodiment, the anti-microbial agent of the reservoir
is effective to
prevent and/or minimize proliferation of anaerobic and/or aerobic bacteria. In
another exemplary
embodiment, the anti-microbial agent comprises one or more organic or
inorganic compounds, or
a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of anti-microbial agents include,
but are not
limited to, iodine; silver; zinc; 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether;
silver zeolite; silver
glass; 4-t-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-2-methylthio-s-triazine;
thiabenzazole, 2-(4-
thiazolyl)benzimidazole; dichloro-octyl-isothiazolone; octyl-isothiazolone;
10,10-
oxybisphenoxarsine; tebuconazole; tolnaftate; zinc bis-(2-pyridinethiol-1-
oxide); and quaternary
compounds such as Bardac, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, or Barquat,
alkyl dimethyl
benzyl ammonium chloride, (Lonza, Fairfield, New Jersey, USA).
In one embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is either melt processed with the
polymer
material or is provided as an intimate part of a coating, optionally as a
cured coating composition
to provide durability. The incorporation of the anti-microbial agent into a
polymer product is
performed by known methods such as dry blending in the form of a powder or wet
mixing in the
form of solutions, dispersions or suspensions, optionally in an inert solvent,
water or oil. The
anti-microbial agent may be added directly into the processing apparatus
(extruders, mixers,
lcneaders, etc.) in an inert atmosphere or ambient atmosphere. The present
anti-microbial agent
may be added in the form of a master batch or polymer concentrate.
Alternatively, or in addition, the anti-microbial agent may be provided in a
coating. The
application of a coating including the anti-microbial agent is for example
performed by applying
the dissolved or dispersed agent to a material forming a portion of the
reservoir, for example on a
polymeric reservoir body structure, with or without subsequent evaporation of
the solvent or the
suspension/dispersion material. The anti-microbial agent can also be sprayed
onto a polymer
reservoir body structure. An applied coating may be cured in any conventional
manner. In
another exemplary embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is impregnated into the
material of the
reservoir.
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The present polymer products comprise for example about 0.005% to about 3.0%
by
weight of the active anti-microbial agent. A single anti-microbial agent may
be employed or any
combination of anti-microbial agents may be employed in order to achieve
desired results.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 2, at least a portion 36 of the
reservoir 30 that is
adapted to serve as a headspace 38 during use of the fabric article treating
device 20 is formed of
a material comprising an anti-microbial agent. The headspace 38 is created in
the reservoir 30 as
the space between the upper portion of the reservoir and the surface level of
the benefit
composition. During use of the fabric article treating device 20, the level of
the benefit
composition may change, thus resulting in a change in the amount of headspace
in the reservoir.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the reservoir 30 further
comprises a
closure 40. In one exemplary embodiment, the closure 40 is adapted to allow
access to the
interior of the reservoir 30. For example, the closure 40 may be removed from
the reservoir 30 to
allow the user to add a benefit composition to the reservoir 30 and then the
closure 40 can be
positioned back on the reservoir 30. In one exemplary embodiment, at least a
portion of the
closure is formed of a material comprising anti-microbial agent, in any of the
manners discussed
above. For example, the closure may include an interior coating. The interior
coating may be
formed of a material comprising an anti-microbial agent.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Fig. 4,
the closure 40
further comprises a closure liner 43. In one embodiment, at least a portion of
the closure liner 41
is formed of a material comprising an anti-microbial agent.
In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the fabric article
treating
device 20 further comprises a coating 41 on the interior of the body of the
reservoir 30. In
another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the
reservoir includes an
interior coating 41. The coating may comprise one or more anti-microbial
agents.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 30 is
adapted for
location on an interior portion of the fabric article drying appliance 20. For
example, the reservoir
may be located in the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance.
Alternatively, the reservoir
may be located within the fabric article drying appliance, but not within the
chamber of the fabric
article drying appliance. Further, the reservoir may be adapted for location
on an exterior portion
of the fabric article drying appliance.
The interior dispenser 25 may comprise at least one nozzle for the purposes of
distributing the benefit composition into the fabric article drying appliance.
Misting/atomizing of
the benefit composition can be achieved using any suitable spraying device
such as a hydraulic
nozzle, sonic nebulizer, pressure swirl atomizers, high pressure fog nozzle or
the like to deliver
target particle size. Non-limiting examples of suitable nozzles include
nozzles commercially
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available from Spray Systems, Inc. of Pomona, California under the Model Nos.
850, 1050, 1250,
1450 and 1650. Another suitable example of a nozzle is a pressure swirl
atomizing nozzle made
by Seaquist Perfect Dispensing of Cary, Illinois under Model No. DU-3813. In
one exemplary
embodiment, at least a portion of the interior dispenser is formed of a
material comprising an anti-
microbial agent.
In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the fabric article
treating
device 20 further comprises fitment 44, which is one of corresponding male and
female fitments,
and the reservoir 30, shown as a sealed pouch or carton, comprises the other
fitment 42 of the
corresponding male and female fitments, wherein the female fitment is
configured to receive the
male fitment to establish the fluid communication between the interior
dispenser 25 and the
reservoir 30. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the fitment 42 on the reservoir 30
is the female fitment,
while the corresponding male fitment 44 is adapted for fluid connection with
the dispenser 25, for
example via a fluid handling system as described hereafter. Various
corresponding male and
female fitments which establish fluid communication are generally known in the
art and are
suitable for use herein. One exemplary fitment that may be utilized is
available from IPN USA
Corp. of Peachtree City, Georgia, available as Clean-Clic~ pouch fitinents,
model SBS-4. As one
skilled in the art will appreciate, any fitments can be utilized in the
present invention provided the
fitments are configured to maintain fluid communication between the reservoir
30 and the interior
dispenser 25.
In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the fabric article
treating device 20
further comprises a fluid handling system 55, a power source 50 and a
controller 60. In one
exemplary embodiment, the fluid handling system 55 is configured to transport
the benefit
composition from the reservoir 30 to the interior dispenser 25. The interior
dispenser 25 is
configured to deliver the benefit composition to one or more fabric articles
in the fabric article
drying appliance. The power source 50 is configured to provide electrical
power as needed by the
fluid article treating device, such as the controller 60, the fluid handling
system 55, sensors, and
any electrical needs of a user interface. The controller 60 is configured to
regulate the dispensing
of the benefit composition. For example, the controller 60 may determine the
optimum time to
dispense the benefit composition, the quantity of benefit composition to be
dispensed and the rate
at which to dispense the benefit composition. In one embodiment, the fabric
article treating
device further comprises a communication link adapted to provide communication
between the
controller of the fabric article treating device and the fabric article drying
appliance. For example,
the controller may send and/or receive signals to/from the fabric article
drying appliance to
determine the optimum benefit composition dispensing conditions such as, time,
length, etc.
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Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig.
8. In this
exemplary embodiment, the fabric article treating device 20 further comprises
a housing 65. The
housing 65 is adapted to receive various components of the fabric article
treating device,
optionally, the housing may substantially enclose and protect the components
in their assembled
form. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the housing may receive the power
source 50, the fluid
handling system 55, the controller 60 and the reservoir 30. In another
embodiment, the housing
may comprise a tubing storage area adapted to contain a quantity of fluid line
32 to allow the user
to customize the installation of the fabric article treating device for the
user's particular fabric
article drying appliance. The housing 65 may be constructed with any materials
known to one
skilled in the art. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to,
polymers, metals, fabric,
wood, and the like. The housing 65 may be located on the exterior or interior
of the fabric article
drying appliance. In one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the
housing 65 is formed of
a material comprising an anti-microbial agent.
In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 9, the fluid handling
system 55
comprises a pump 70. The pump 70 is in communication with the reservoir 30 and
the interior
dispenser 25 via fluid lines 72 and 74, respectively. The pump 70 is
configured to transport
benefit composition from the reservoir 30 to the interior dispenser 25 for
dispensing of the benefit
composition. In one embodiment, the pump 70, comprises an piezo-electric pump.
In another
embodiment, the pump 70 may comprise a diaphragm pump. As one skilled in the
art will
appreciate any pump known to one skilled in the art may be utilized to
transport the benefit
composition from the exterior reservoir 30 to the interior dispenser 25. Other
exemplary pumps
include piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, and bellows-type pumps.
As noted above, one type of pump 70 that can be used in the present invention
is an
piezo-electric pump. While an piezo-electric pump has certain membranes or
laminations which
may vibrate in a reciprocating-type fashion, the piezo-electric pumps
generally do not have major
moving parts, such as rotating shaft and bearings used with a rotator member
to displace a fluid or
gaseous fluid, that experience wear over time. One commercially available
suitable piezo-electric
pump usable in the present invention is manufactured by PAR Technologies, LLC,
located in
Hampton, Virginia, and marketed as the "LPD-Series" laminated piezo-electric
fluid pumps.
Pumps which draw a relevantly low current are particularly suitable in certain
embodiments.
In another embodiment, the reservoir 30 may be positioned in such a way to
provide
gravitation flow of the benefit composition to the interior dispenser 25. For
example, the
reservoir 30 may be mounted above the fabric article drying appliance to
create static head on the
benefit composition to allow dispensing of the benefit composition without the
utilization of a
pump.
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Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig.
10. In this
embodiment, as in previously discussed embodiments, the fabric article
treating device 20
comprises an interior dispenser 25 adapted for location inside of a fabric
article drying appliance
and a reservoir 30 adapted to contain a benefit composition, wherein at least
a portion of the
reservoir 30 is formed of a material comprising an anti-microbial agent. The
interior dispenser 25
and the reservoir 30 are adapted for fluid communication with one another. The
device further
comprises a controller 60 in electrical communication with a sensor 75. In one
exemplary
embodiment, the sensor comprises a temperature sensor. In another exemplary
embodiment, the
sensor 75 comprises a light sensor. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the
sensor 75
comprises a motion sensor. The controller 60 is adapted to send and/or receive
signals from the
sensor 75 and to determine the dispensing conditions for dispensing the
benefit composition.
Another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Fig. 11, is a
fabric article
treating system 80. The fabric article treating system 80 comprises a fabric
article drying
appliance 35 having a chamber 81 and a closure structure 85, for example, a
door. The closure
structure 85 has a closed position and at least one open position. The closure
structure 85 allows
access to the chamber 81 of the fabric article drying appliance 35. The fabric
article treating
system 80 further comprises a reservoir 30 for containing a benefit
composition; a dispenser 25 in
communication with the chamber 81; and a fluid handling system 55 that compels
the benefit
composition from the reservoir 30 toward the dispenser 25, thereby dispensing
the benefit
composition into the chamber 81. At least a portion of the reservoir 30 is
formed of a material
comprising an anti-microbial agent, and as discussed above, the reservoir 30
may be removable.
In another embodiment, the reservoir 30 comprises a sealed pouch.
Another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Fig. 12, is a
fabric article
treating system 80. The fabric article treating system 80 comprises a fabric
article drying
appliance 35 having a chamber 81 and a closure structure 85. The closure
structure 85 has a
closed position and at least one open position, wherein the closure structure
85 allows access to
the chamber 81. The fabric article treating system 80 further comprises a
reservoir 30 for
containing a benefit composition and a dispenser 25 in communication with the
chamber 81; a
fluid handling system 55 that compels the benefit composition from the
reservoir 30 toward the
dispenser 25, thereby dispensing the benefit composition into the chamber 81;
a closure structure
sensor 88; and a controller 60 that initiates dispensing of the benefit
composition. The controller
60 is configured to prevent the benefit composition from being dispensed when
the closure
structure sensor 88 indicates that the closure structure 85 is not in the
closed position. At least a
portion of the reservoir 30 is formed of a material comprising an anti-
microbial agent. In another
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embodiment, the fabric article treating system 80 further comprises one or
more additional sensors
75 in the chamber in communication with the controller.
The reservoir 30 may be mounted on the exterior portion of the fabric article
drying
appliance 35, such as on the fabric article drying appliance closure structure
85, or a side wall, a
top wall, an outer surface of a top-opening lid, or the like, including a
stand, wall or other
household structure that is separate from the fabric article drying appliance.
Moreover, the
reservoir 30 may be mounted on any interior portion of the fabric article
drying appliance 35,
examples of which include, but are not limited to, the interior surface of the
closure structure 85,
the drum of the fabric article drying appliance, the back wall, the inner
surface of a top opening
lid, or the like.
Optionally, filters andlor filtering techniques can be used to filter the
benefit composition,
if desired, for example at a point between the reservoir 30 and the outlet of
the dispenser 25.
Non-limiting examples of this include: utilizing a filter in the interior
dispenser 25 prior to
dispensing of the benefit compositions. Alternatively, the benefit composition
may be filtered
prior to dispensing into the reservoir; or a combination of filtering
techniques may be employed.
The interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30 are adapted for fluid
communication with
one another. In one embodiment, the interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30
may be in
electrical connection with one another. Non-limiting examples of means for
connecting the
interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30 may include utilizing a flat cable
(also referred to as a
ribbon cable), a wire, a wire or group of wires enclosed in a stealth of woven
or nonwoven
material, a conduit (a non-limiting example of which is a conduit for the
benefit composition), or
combination thereof. The woven or nonwoven sheet may be used as a method of
attaching the
interior dispenser 25 and the reservoir 30. The interior dispenser 25 and the
reservoir 30 may be
used to provide a means of gravitational counterbalancing so as to reduce
unnecessary tension on
the wires and/or the connections.
The power source 50 may comprise chemical batteries, or any electrical power
source,
including standard household line voltage, or even solar power. Batteries may
be utilized, and are
particularly suitable when the fabric article treating device 20 is in the
form of an add-on device
for an existing fabric article drying appliance 35. However, any appropriate
power adapter can be
provided to convert an AC power source to the appropriate DC voltages used in
any electrical
components of the fabric article treating device 20, such as in the fluid
handling system 55, the
controller 60, and any sensors 75.
As noted, the fabric article treating device 20 can include optional sensors
75. Non-
limiting examples of optional sensors include a door (or lid sensor), a motion
sensor, a humidity
sensor, and/or a temperature sensor. One non-limiting example of a door/lid
sensor is an
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optoelectronic device, such as an optocoupler or an optical input sensor,
e.g., a phototransistor or
photodiode. When the door/lid of the drying appliance is open, the door sensor
will change state,
and will output a different voltage or current level along an electrical
conductor that leads from
the door sensor back to the controller. This can be used as a safety device to
immediately
interrupt the dispensing of the benefit composition from the interior
dispenser 25. The optional
door sensor could be utilized even when a control system is integrated into
the overall
conventional control system of the drying appliance. For example, a drying
appliance typically
has its own door sensor which shuts off the rotating drum of the dryer when
the door becomes
open. In this instant, the optional door sensor can act as a backup or second
door sensor to the
dryer's internal original sensor that shuts off the rotating drum. One example
which could be used
as a door/lid sensor is an NPN Phototransistor, Part No. PNA1801L,
manufactured by Panasonic,
of Osaka, Japan. In another embodiment, a communication link could be
established between the
drying appliance and the controller, wherein the drying appliance would send
the controller a
signal relating to the operational state of the drying appliance (e.g., door
open/closed, drying
cycle, temperature, etc.).
Another type of optional sensor 75 that can be utilized by the fabric article
treating device
20 of the present invention is a motion sensor. For fabric article drying
appliances 35 which
utilize a moving interior, such as a rotating drum, the motion sensor can
detect if a fabric article
drying appliance is in use. One example of a motion sensor is a vibration and
movement sensing
switch manufactured by ASSEM Tech Europe Ltd., of Clifton, New Jersey,
available as Model
No. CW 1600-3. Another type of optional motion sensor that may be used in the
present invention
uses a light source to direct (infrared) light at a surface, and the relevant
motion of that surface
can be detected by the intensity and/or frequency of the returning light. Such
sensors can measure
the actual speed of rotation, if that information is desired.
Another optional sensor 75 that can be used in a fabric article treating
device 20 of the
present invention is a humidity sensor. The optional humidity sensor, together
with the controller,
may be used to control the amount of composition being dispensed by the
interior dispenser 25,
and also may be utilized to determine the proper environmental conditions
during an operational
cycle in which the dispensing event should take place. Additionally, this
humidity sensor may be
used to maintain a specific humidity by controlling the dispensing the benefit
composition such
that optimal de-wrinkling and/or other benefits are achieved. Many different
types of humidity
sensors could be used in conjunction with the present invention, including
variable conductivity
sensors. One such sensor is manufactured by Honeywell, of Freeport, Illinois
under the Model
No. HIH-3610-001, although any of the HIH-3610 series, or other available
sensors may be used.
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A further optional sensor 75 that can be useful in the fabric article treating
device 20 of
the present invention is a temperature sensor, such as one that outputs an
analog or digital signal
along the electrical conductor that leads back to the controller.
As noted above, the fabric article treating device 20 may comprise a
controller 60. In one
embodiment, the controller may be a microcontroller. A suitable
microcontroller is manufactured
by Microchip, of Chandler, Arizona under the Part No. PIC16LS876-04/P.
However, other
microcontrollers made by different manufacturers could also easily be used. In
one exemplary
embodiment, the microcontroller includes on-board random access memory (RAM),
on-board
read only memory (ROM), which comprises electrically programmable non-volatile
memory
elements, as well as on-board input and output lines for analog and digital
signals. The controller
may also be used with a crystal clock oscillator, although a RC circuit could
be used instead as a
clock circuit, if desired. The clock circuit provides the timing of the clock
as necessary to operate
the controller. In one embodiment, the controller comprises a port that can be
interfaced to an
optional programmable interface using a communication link, such as RS-232
communication
link. The port allows a user to alter the program information of the
controller, such as dispensing
options, etc.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller can be any type of
microprocessor
or microcontroller circuit commercially available, either with or without on-
board RAM, RAM, or
digital and analog input/output (I/O). Moreover, a sequential processor may be
used to control
the fabric article treating device 20, or alternatively a parallel processor
architecture or a logic
state machine architecture could be used. Furthermore, the controller 60 may
be integrated into
an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) containing many other logic
elements that
could be used for various functions, as desired, such functions being optional
depending upon the
model of the fabric article treating device 20 that will be sold to a
consumer. To change model
features, the manufacturer need only program the ASIC or the on-board RAM of
the controller
according to the special parameters of that particular model, while using the
same hardware for
each of the units.
It will also be understood that discrete digital logic could be used instead
of any type of
microprocessor microcontroller unit, or analog control circuitry could be used
along with voltage
comparators and analog timers, to control the timing events and to make
decisions based on input
levels of the various sensors that are provided with the fabric article
treating device 20.
It will be understood that the present invention can be readily used in other
types of fabric
"treating" devices, and is not limited solely to clothes "dryers". In the
context of this patent
document, 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
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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. The term "fabric
article drying
appliance" as used herein, also refers to any fabric treating device that
utilizes moving air directed
upon one or more fabric articles, a non-limiting example of which includes a
clothes dryer, and
modifications thereof. Such devices include both domestic and commercial
drying units used in
dwellings, Laundromats, hotels, and/or industrial settings. 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 the drying cycle. Some such
dryers use moving
air that passes through the drying chamber, and the chamber does not move
while the drying cycle
occurs. Such an example dryer 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 clothes on
some type of upper rod within the drying chamber. Once that has been done, the
door (or access
cover) is closed, and the dryer can begin its drying function. Dispensing of a
benefit composition
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 of the benefit composition.
Exemplary fabric article treating devices and systems include those described
in co-
pending U.S. Application No. 10/697,735 filed on October 29, 2003; U.S.
Application No.
10/697,685 filed on October 29, 2003; U.S. Application No. 10/697,734 filed on
October 29,
2003; U.S. Application No. 10/697,736 filed on October 29, 2003; and U.S.
Application No.
10/762,152 filed on 10/762,152.
All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are, in
relevant part,
incorporated herein by reference; a citation of any document is not to be
construed as an
admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
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.
