Method and apparatus for cleaning objects in an automatic cleaning appliance using an oxidizing agent

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning objects in an automatic cleaning appliance is provided that includes the steps of introducing a load of objects into a wash zone of the automatic cleaning appliance, applying a wash liquor and at least one of electromagnetic, chemical and mechanical energy to the load of objects in the wash zone to remove soil from the load of objects, and subsequently applying an oxidizing agent to the load of objects through the medium of a fluid applied to the load of objects. The oxidizing agent may be generated in association with the automatic cleaning appliance.

1 . A method of cleaning fabric in an automatic washing apparatus, comprising:
 introducing a load of fabric load into a wash zone of the washing apparatus;   introducing a wash liquor to the fabric load in the wash zone;   applying at least one of electromagnetic, chemical, and mechanical energy to the fabric load in the wash zone to remove soil from the fabric; and   subsequently applying an oxidizing agent to the fabric load through the medium of a wash liquor.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wash liquor comprises water. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wash liquor comprises at least one enzyme. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the oxidizing agent is applied to the fabric load after a delay of a predetermined time following the application of the at least one enzyme to the fabric load, the predetermined time being sufficient to allow the at least one enzyme to work properly on the load. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises thermal energy and is applied to the fabric load by means of a heater being activated for a predetermined period of time to heat the wash liquor, and the oxidizing agent is applied to the load of fabric after the heater is deactivate. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is introduced to the wash zone in a lower region of the wash zone. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing apparatus includes a sump where the wash liquor from the wash zone collects, the method further comprising the step of pumping the wash liquor from the sump into the wash zone, wherein the step of applying the oxidizing agent further comprises introducing the oxidizing agent into the sump. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an initial wash cycle during which the at least one of the electromagnetic, chemical and mechanical energy is applied to the fabric load, and the oxidizing agent is applied to the fabric load at least about 5 minutes into the initial wash cycle. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first water based rinse cycle occurs after the application of at least one of electromagnetic, chemical and mechanical energy, and wherein the step of applying the oxidizing agent comprises applying the oxidizing agent to the load of objects during the first rinse cycle. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first water based rinse cycle occurs after the application of at least one of electromagnetic, chemical, and mechanical energy, and wherein the step of applying the oxidizing agent comprises applying the oxidizing agent to the load of objects at the beginning of the first rinse cycle. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide is provided in the fluid medium at a concentration in the range of about 10 to about 10,000 parts per million. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide is generated in association with the washing apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide is activated in association with the washing apparatus through contact with chemically-modified surfaces to form hydroxyl radicals. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is generated in the washing apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . A method of cleaning fabric in washing apparatus, comprising:
 introducing a fabric load into a wash zone of the washing apparatus;   applying a wash liquor to the fabric load;   applying least one of electromagnetic, chemical, and mechanical energy to fabric load in the wash zone to remove soil from the load of objects;   generating an oxidizing agent via a chemical generating device arranged in association with the washer apparatus; and   subsequently applying the oxidizing agent to the load of objects through the medium of a fluid.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein heat is generated in the process of generating the oxidizing agent, and the heat is applied to the fabric load in the wash zone as at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy. 
   
   
       18 . A method of cleaning objects in an washing apparatus, comprising:
 introducing a fabric load into a wash zone of the washing apparatus;   electrochemically decomposing a chemical composition into resultants via an electrochemical cell device arranged in association with the washing apparatus;   reacting at least one of the resultants to form an oxidizing agent;   applying a wash liquor and at least one of electromagnetic, chemical, and mechanical energy to the load of objects in the wash zone to remove soil from the load of objects;   subsequently applying the oxidizing agent to the load of objects through a medium of fluid that comes in contact with the fabric.