Modular fabric revitalizing system

Abstract

A modular system according to one embodiment of the invention for treating fabric load comprises a first module and a second module. The first module can include a chamber having an interior for holding a fabric load, and the second module can have at least one of a fluid delivery system, a fluid removal system, and a fluid recycling system. The modular system can further include conduits for coupling the systems of the second module with the first module.

1 . A modular system for treating fabric load, the modular system comprising:
 a first module comprising:
 a chamber with an interior; 
 a low absorbency textured surface disposed within the chamber; 
 at least one opening into the chamber for enabling user access to the interior of the chamber; and 
 a fabric movement system for causing movement of the fabric load within the chamber; 
   a second module having a fluid delivery system and a fluid removal system;   a first conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the chamber; and   a second conduit fluidly coupling the fluid removal system with the interior of the chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the second module further comprises at least one of:
 a stain treatment system;   an ironing system;   a working surface;   a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;   a fluid dispenser;   a means for applying pressure to fabric;   a means for applying heat to fabric;   a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;   a sink;   a water dispenser;   a water heater;   a fluid cooling system;   a fabric hanger;   a drawer;   a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; and   a storage compartment.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first module and second module are configured to be stacked vertically. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first module is adjacent the second module. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stain pre-treatment module. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sanitization module. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of:
 a steamer; and   a vapor insertion system.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an air flow system configured to move air into, through, and out of the chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the air flow system comprises an ionizer configured to ionize the air. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the drum and the air flow system can be operated as a conventional clothes dryer. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the drum and the air flow system can be used to at least one of (a) dry a wet load of clothes and then revitalize the clothes and (b) revitalize an initially dry load of clothes. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the air flow system includes a filter selected from:
 a locked down sealed edge filter;   a filter for at least one of a vapor, a fog, and a colloidal suspension;   an electrostatic filter;   a filter impregnated with a catalyst for producing at least one of a species and radical for cleaning;   a filter impregnated with a reactant to chemically treat a substance present in air;   a neutralizing filter to remove a previous treatment; and   an air permeable matrix having a plurality of pores with a greatest pore dimension in a range from about 0.10 micron to about 1500 microns.   
   
   
       14 . A modular system for treating a fabric load, the modular system comprising:
 a first module comprising:
 a rotatable drum having an interior for holding a fabric load; 
 a drive system configured to rotatably drive the drum; 
 at least one opening into the drum for enabling user access to the interior of the drum; 
 an air flow system configured to move air into, through, and out of the drum; and 
 a particulate removal system in communication with the air flow system; 
   a second module having a fluid delivery system and a fluid removal system;   a conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the drum.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the second module further comprises at least one of:
 a stain treatment system;   an ironing system;   a working surface;   a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;   a fluid dispenser;   a means for applying pressure to fabric;   a means for applying heat to fabric;   a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;   a sink;   a water dispenser;   a water heater;   a fluid cooling system;   a fabric hanger;   a drawer;   a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; and   a storage compartment.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the first module and second module are configured to be stacked vertically. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the first module is adjacent the second module. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one of:
 a stain pre-treatment module; and   a sanitization module.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the air flow system comprises an ionizer configured to ionize the air. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the drum and air flow system can be operated to at least one of: (a) dry a wet load of clothes as a conventional clothes dryer, (b)dry a wet load of clothes and then revitalize the clothes, and (c) revitalize an initially dry load of clothes. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of:
 a steamer; and   a vapor insertion system.   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the air flow system includes a filter selected from:
 a locked down sealed edge filter;   a filter for at least one of a vapor, a fog, and a colloidal suspension;   an electrostatic filter;   a filter impregnated with a catalyst for producing at least one of a specie and radical for cleaning;   a filter impregnated with a reactant to chemically treat a substance present in air;   a neutralizing filter to remove a previous treatment, and an air permeable matrix having a plurality of pores with a greatest pore dimension in a range from about 0.10 micron to about 1500 microns   
   
   
       24 . A revitalizing module for use with a fabric dehydration system having a rotatable drum with an interior for holding a fabric load; a drive system to rotatably drive the drum; a fluid removal system for removing fluid from the drum; at least one opening into the drum for enabling user access to the interior of the drum; and a particulate removal system in communication with the interior of the drum; the revitalizing module having:
 a fluid delivery system;   a first conduit fluidly coupling the fluid delivery system with the interior of the drum;   a fluid recycling system; and   a second conduit fluidly coupling the fluid removal system with the fluid recycling system.   
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the second module further comprises at least one of:
 a stain treatment system;   an ironing system;   a working surface;   a storage compartment for a stain treatment fluid;   a fluid dispenser;   a means for applying pressure to fabric;   a means for applying heat to fabric;   a means for drawing fluid and particulates from fabric;   a sink;   a water dispenser;   a water heater;   a fluid cooling system;   a fabric hanger;   a drawer;   a recirculation system for recirculating fluids removed from the chamber back into the chamber; and   a storage compartment.   
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one of:
 a steamer, and   a vapor insertion system.   
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises at least one chemistry delivery device comprising one of a soft-sided pouch and a hard-sided cartridge container.