Fabric processing apparatus

Abstract

A fabric processing apparatus is provided that is capable of refreshing fabric articles and then maintaining the refreshed state of the fabric articles while they remain stored in a processing space of the apparatus. Condensed fluid generated in the processing space and in a condensing chamber, and fluid remaining in a steam supplying device after processing, are directed to a storage unit through corresponding fluid discharging channels. The flow of fluid through the fluid discharging channels is controlled by corresponding fluid discharge valves so that moisture and odors generated by fluid accumulated in the storage unit cannot flow back into processing space and contaminate the refreshed fabric articles.

1 . A fabric processing apparatus, comprising:
 a case that defines a processing space configured to receive fabric articles for processing;   a steam supplying device that selectively supplies steam to the processing space;   a dry air supplying device that selectively supplies dry air to the processing space;   a storage unit that receives fluid from the processing space and the steam supplying device;   a first discharging channel that extends between the processing space and the storage unit;   a second discharging channel that extends between the steam supplying device and the storage unit;   a valve system that regulates a flow of fluid between the processing space and the storage unit, and between the steam supplying device and the storage unit, so as to selectively allow fluids to flow from the processing space and the steam supplying device into the storage unit, and to prevent fluids and odors in the storage unit from flowing into the processing space and the steam supplying device.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve system comprises:
 a first discharging valve provided with the first discharging channel, wherein the first discharging valve regulates a flow of fluid between the processing space and the storage unit; and   a second discharging valve provided with the second discharging channel, wherein the second discharging valve regulates a flow of fluid between the steam supplying device and the storage unit.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first discharging valve is open when the steam supplying device or the dry air supplying device operates, and the first discharging valve is closed when the steam supplying device and the dry air supplying device stop operating. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first discharging valve is open during operation of the apparatus to direct condensed fluid accumulated in the processing space through the first channel and into the storage unit, and the first discharging valve is closed when the apparatus is not operating to prevent moisture and odors generated by fluid collected in the storage unit from flowing back through the first discharging channel and into the processing space. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second discharging valve is closed when the steam supplying device operates, and the second discharge valve is open when the steam supplying device stops operating. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second discharging valve remains closed while the steam supplying device operates and is opened as soon as the steam supplying device stops operating, and wherein the second discharging valve remains open for a predetermined amount of time after the steam supplying device stops operating and is closed after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second discharging valve is closed during operation of the apparatus to maintain fluid in the steam supplying device for generation of steam during operation, and the second discharging valve is opened when the apparatus stops operation so as to drain residual fluid from the steam supplying device through the second discharging channel and into the storage unit. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second discharging valve remains open for a predetermined amount of time after the apparatus stops operating, and is closed after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed so as to prevent moisture and odors generated by fluid collected in the storage unit from flowing back through the second discharging channel and into the processing space. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the case comprises:
 an outer case; and   an inner case provided within the outer case so as to define the processing space.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the steam supplying device comprises:
 a housing that receives and stores fluid from an external source;   a heater provided in the housing that heats fluid stored in the housing to generate steam; and   a nozzle that injects steam generated by the heater into the processing space.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the storage unit is detachably coupled to a lower portion of the outer case, and wherein the first discharging channel extends from a lower portion of the inner case to the storage unit, and the second discharging channel extends from a lower portion of the housing to the storage unit. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the storage unit is detachably coupled to a lower portion of the outer case, and wherein the first discharging channel extends from a lower portion of the case to the storage unit, and the second discharging channel extends from a lower portion of the steam supplying device to the storage unit. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve system comprises:
 a regulating device that regulates a flow of fluid between the case and the storage unit, and between the steam supplying device and the storage unit, through the first and second discharging channels, respectively, wherein the regulating device includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; and   a body portion that extends from the outlet of the regulating device to the storage unit, wherein a discharging end of the first discharging channel is coupled to the first inlet of the regulating device, and a discharging end of the second discharging channel is coupled to the second inlet of the regulating device.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a condensing chamber that receives air discharged from the processing space and condenses the discharged air;   a third discharging channel that extends between the condensing chamber and the storage unit so as to direct fluid from the condensing chamber into the storage unit; and   a third discharging valve provided with the third discharging channel, wherein the third discharging valve regulates a flow of fluid between the condensing chamber and the storage unit.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first and third discharging valves are open when the steam supplying device or the dry air supplying device operate, and are closed when the steam supplying device or the dry air supplying device stop operating. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a condensing chamber formed between the inner and outer cases, wherein the condensing chamber receives air discharged from the processing space and condenses the discharged air through heat exchange with the outer case;   a third discharging channel that extends between the condensing chamber and the storage unit so as to direct fluid from the condensing chamber into the storage unit; and   a third discharging valve provided with the third discharging channel, wherein the third discharging valve is open when the steam supplying device or the dry air supplying device operates so as to direct condensed fluid from the condensing chamber into the storage unit.   
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a fabric processing apparatus having a case that defines a processing space in which fabric articles are received for processing, the method comprising:
 operating a steam supplying device and supplying steam to the processing space;   opening a first discharging valve and directing fluid from the processing space through a first discharging channel and into a fluid storage unit;   turning off the steam supplying device after a first predetermined amount of time has elapsed and a steam cycle is complete;   turning on a dry air supplying device and supplying dry air to the processing space;   turning off the dry air supplying device after a second predetermined amount of time has elapsed and a drying cycle is complete, and closing the first discharging valve;   opening a second discharging valve and directing fluid from the steam supplying device through a second discharging channel and into the fluid storage unit; and   closing the second discharging valve after a third predetermined amount of time has elapsed.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 opening a third discharging valve when the first discharging valve is opened;   discharging humid air from the processing space into a condensing unit, and condensing the humid air in the condensing unit; and   directing condensed fluid from the condensing unit through a third discharging channel and into the fluid storage unit.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein closing the first and third discharging valves comprises blocking respective portions of the first and third discharging channels so as to prevent moisture and odors generated by fluid collected in the storage unit from flowing back through the first and third discharging channels and into the processing space. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein opening the second discharging valve comprises draining residual fluid remaining in the steam supplying device when the apparatus has stopped operating into the storage unit through the second discharging channel, and closing the second discharging valve comprises blocking a portion of the second discharging channel so as to prevent moisture and odors generated by fluid collected in the storage unit from flowing back through the second discharging channel and into the steam supplying device.