Fabric revitalizing method using mist

Abstract

A method of revitalizing a fabric comprises placing the fabric in a chamber; directing a mist into the chamber to wet the fabric with the mist; directing a flow of air into the chamber and out of the chamber; removing particulates from the flow of air out of the chamber; and removing the fluid from the fabric in the chamber to reduce fluid content to approximately 0% to 5% by weight of the fabric.

1 . A method of revitalizing a fabric, the method comprising:
 placing the fabric in a chamber;   directing a mist into the chamber to wet the fabric with the mist;   directing a flow of air into the chamber and out of the chamber;   removing particulates from the flow of air out of the chamber; and   removing the fluid from the fabric in the chamber to reduce fluid content to approximately 0% to 5% by weight of the fabric.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of directing the mist into the chamber comprises wetting the fabric until the fabric contains approximately a predetermined amount of fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined amount of fluid depends on a type of cycle selected by a user of the method. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined amount of fluid is about 2%-5% fluid by weight of the fabric. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined amount of fluid is about 5%-10% fluid by weight of the fabric. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined amount of fluid is about 10%-20% fluid by weight of the fabric. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the type of fluid is determined by a type of cycle selected by a user of the method. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluid is water. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flow of air through the chamber is heated at least part of the time. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the fabric in the chamber to facilitate the wetting of the fabric with the mist. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the movement of the fabric is caused by rotation of the chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing relative movement between the fabric and a low absorbency textured surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the low absorbency textured surface is at least partially disposed on an inside surface of the chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing relative movement between the fabric and a non-absorbent textured surface. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising prior to the step of directing the mist into the chamber, a step of selecting a cycle, the cycle being selected being differentiated from at least one other cycle by at least one of the following parameters:
 whether the fabric is dewatered prior to the step of directing the mist into the chamber;   what type of fluid is supplied during the step of directing the mist into the chamber;   when, if ever, additional quantities of fluid are added to the chamber;   when, if ever, additional types of fluid are added to the chamber;   when, if ever, the flow of air is heated;   when, if ever, the flow of air is cooled;   when, if ever, a fluid is heated;   when, if ever, a fluid is cooled;   how much of the fluid is supplied to the chamber;   how long the fluid remains in contact with the fabric before the step of removing the fluid begins;   how much motion is provided to the fabric; and   what type of motion is provided to the fabric.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising revitalizing the fabric by at least one of the following:
 ionizing the air flow;   photo-activating a fluid used with the fabric;   applying wrinkle releaser to the fabric;   applying a disinfecting chemistry to the fabric;   applying a cleaning chemistry to the fabric;   applying an odor removal chemistry to the fabric;   applying a fragrance to the fabric;   applying an insect repellent to the fabric;   applying heat to remove odor from the fabric;   controlling heat applied to the fabric to minimize at least one of wrinkles, odors, and shrinkage;   applying mechanical action to effect cleaning of the fabric;   controlling chamber rotation to minimize fabric damage;   sanitizing by controlling dryer heat or fluid dispersion;   hydrating the fabric about an equilibrium moisture level to provide a predetermined amount of free moisture that can participate in background soil removal;   applying an oxidizing agent to the fabric, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises at least one of hydrogen peroxide and electrolytic water;   applying silver; and   applying a process aid selected from aqueous fluids, semi-aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, or a mixture of these fluids.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a process aid selected from builders, surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants, composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents, softening agents, anti-static agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, linkers, anti-redeposition agents, electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dye abrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents, wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellency agents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising dispensing fluid from a low absorbency pad. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising dispensing fluid from a substantially non-absorbent pad. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising filtering the flow of air using at least one of:
 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   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting vapor into the chamber to wet the fabric. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising using the vapor to dispense fluid into the chamber. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting steam into the chamber to wet the fabric. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising using the steam to dispense fluid into the chamber. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mist comprises one of a spray and a vapor.