Dual mode laundry apparatus and method using the same

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for treating, cleaning or refreshing fabric articles. Specifically, the apparatus is dual mode apparatus capable of both washing and drying operations wherein a lipophilic fluid is used in at least one step of the fabric treatment process in the apparatus. A kit containing replaceable/consumable components is also provided.

1 . A dual mode fabric treatment apparatus comprising: 
 a chamber for receiving a fabric article;    a first reservoir for storing a lipophilic fluid;    a second reservoir for storing a fabric finishing composition;    a dispensing device configured to dispense the fabric finishing composition in the form of droplets;    optionally, a heating device for heating the chamber; and    optionally, a gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of lipophilic fluid vapors in the chamber;    wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a fabric treatment operation comprising a washing cycle and a drying cycle; to dispense the lipophilic fluid into the chamber during the washing cycle; and to dispense the fabric finishing composition via the dispensing device into the chamber during a drying cycle, thereby at least a portion of the dispensed fabric finishing composition contacts the fabric article in the chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing device and the second reservoir are removably attached to the apparatus.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the dispensing device and the second reservoir is an integral unit.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed in the form of droplets having an average particle size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 1200 microns.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing device comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a spraying nozzle, a sonicator, a nebulizer, an electrostatic charger, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber when the chamber is at a temperature of up to about 100° C.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber when the chamber is at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 80° C.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber during the cool down operation of the drying cycle.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fabric finishing composition comprises a fabric care agent selected from the group consisting of finishing polymers, fabric softening agents, anti-static agents, odor control agent, odor neutralizers, perfume, insect and/or moth repelling agents, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a third reservoir for storing a detergent composition.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the third reservoir is removably attached to the apparatus.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the detergent composition comprises a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of soil release polymers, surfactants, bleaches, enzymes, perfumes, water, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the detergent composition is dispensed directly into the chamber during the washing cycle, whereby the dispensed composition contacts the fabric article in its undiluted form.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the detergent composition is dispensed in the form of droplets having an average particle size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 1200 microns.  
   
   
       15 . A method of treating a fabric article in the dual mode fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a fabric article in the chamber;    dispensing the lipophilic fluid into the chamber such that the fabric article is contacted by the lipophilic fluid;    removing at least a portion of the lipophilic fluid from the chamber; and    dispensing the fabric finishing composition into the chamber in the form of droplets such that the fabric article is contacted by the fabric finishing composition.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber while the chamber is at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 80° C.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber while the fabric article is in motion.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed in the form of droplets having an average particle size from about 0.1 to about 1200 microns.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of attaching the dispensing device and/or the second reservoir to the apparatus.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprises the step of replacing the dispensing device and/or the second reservoir, after the composition therein is partially or completely dispensed, with a new dispensing device and/or a new second reservoir..  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of attaching a third reservoir containing a detergent composition to the apparatus.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of dispensing the detergent composition directly into the chamber during the washing cycle, whereby the detergent composition contacts the fabric article in its undiluted form.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of replacing the third reservoir, after the composition therein is partially or completely dispensed, with a new third reservoir.  
   
   
       24 . A kit comprising: 
 (a) a detergent composition, a fabric finishing composition, or both; and at least one of the following components:    (b) a reservoir for storing the composition;    (c) a dispensing device for dispensing the composition;    (d) attachment means for removably attaching the reservoir and/or the dispensing device to a fabric treatment apparatus;    (e) optionally, packaging for containing components (a-d); and    (f) optionally, a set of instructions in association with the reservoir or the packaging, the instructions direct the user to attach and to detach the reservoir and/or the dispensing device to the fabric treatment apparatus, and optionally, to assemble the components of the kit such that the dispensing device is in fluid communication with the composition in the reservoir.