Fabric revitalizing method using mist

Abstract

A method of revitalizing a fabric in a laundry treating appliance by applying a processing aid to the fabric and reducing the fluid content of the fabric.

1 . A method of revitalizing a fabric in a laundry treating appliance having a chamber for receiving the fabric for treatment, the method comprising:
 applying a first process aid into the chamber to treat the fabric in the chamber;   reducing the fluid content of the fabric to a fluid content suitable for a second process aid, different from the first process aid, by directing a flow of air into the chamber and out of the chamber; and   applying the second process aid into the chamber after the reducing of the fluid content.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of an amount of the first process aid and an amount of the second process aid depends on a type of cycle selected by a user of the method. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one type of the first and second process aids is determined by a type of cycle selected by a user of the method. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second process aids is water. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flow of air through the chamber is heated at least part of the time. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the fabric in the chamber to facilitate distribution of at least one of the applied first process aid and the applied second process aid. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying of at least one of the first and second process aids comprises providing relative movement between the fabric and at least one of a low absorbency textured surface and a non-absorbent textured surface. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising executing a finishing cycle after application of the second process aid. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the finishing cycle comprises at least one of: a refresh cycle, a refinish cycle, a light clean cycle and a dry cycle. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising revitalizing the fabric by at least one of the following:
 ionizing the air flow;   photo-activating at least one of the first and second process aids;   at least one of the first and second process aids comprising:
 a wrinkle releaser, 
 a disinfecting chemistry, 
 a cleaning chemistry, 
 an odor removal chemistry, 
 a fragrance, 
 an insect repellent, 
 applying heat to remove odor from the fabric; 
 controlling at least one of wrinkles, odors, and shrinkage by controlling the application of heat to the fabric; 
 applying mechanical action to the fabric; 
 controlling chamber rotation; 
 sanitizing the fabric; 
 hydrating the fabric about an equilibrium moisture level to provide a predetermined amount of free moisture; 
 applying an oxidizing agent to the fabric; 
 applying silver to the fabric; and 
 wherein the first and second process aids are selected from aqueous fluids, semi-aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, or a mixture of these fluids. 
   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first process aid and the second process aid is 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. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying at least one of the first and second process aids comprises generating at least one of vapor, mist, steam and a spray containing the at least one of the first and second process aids. 
   
   
       13 . A method of revitalizing a fabric in a laundry treating appliance having a chamber for receiving the fabric for treatment, the method comprising:
 applying a predetermined amount of first process aid into the chamber to treat the fabric in the chamber;   removing fluid from the fabric in the chamber by directing a flow of air into the chamber and out of the chamber to reduce the fluid content of the fabric; and   after the removing of the fluid, rehydrating the fabric by applying a predetermined amount of second process aid into the chamber;   wherein the predetermined amount of first process aid and the predetermined amount of second process aids are determined based on a type of cycle selected by a user and at least one of a fabric amount and a fabric type.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the first and second process aids is water. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the flow of air through the chamber is heated at least part of the time. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising moving the fabric in the chamber to facilitate distribution of at least one of the applied first process aid and the second process aid. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the applying of at least one of the first and second process aids comprises providing relative movement between the fabric and at least one of a low absorbency textured surface and a non-absorbent textured surface. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising executing a finishing cycle after application of the second process aid. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the finishing cycle comprises at least one of: a refresh cycle, a refinish cycle, a light clean cycle and a dry cycle. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising revitalizing the fabric by at least one of the following:
 ionizing the air flow;   photo-activating at least one of the first and second process aids;   at least one of the first and second process aids comprising:
 a wrinkle releaser, 
 a disinfecting chemistry, 
 a cleaning chemistry, 
 an odor removal chemistry, 
 a fragrance, 
 an insect repellent, 
 applying heat to remove odor from the fabric; 
 controlling at least one of wrinkles, odors, and shrinkage by controlling the application of heat to the fabric; 
 applying mechanical action to the fabric; 
 controlling chamber rotation; 
 sanitizing the fabric; 
 hydrating the fabric about an equilibrium moisture level to provide a predetermined amount of free moisture; 
 applying an oxidizing agent to the fabric; 
 applying silver to the fabric; and 
 wherein the first and second process aids are selected from aqueous fluids, semi-aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, or a mixture of these fluids. 
   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the first process aid and the second process aid is 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. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein applying at least one of the first and second process aids comprises generating at least one of vapor, mist, steam and a spray containing the at least one of the first and second process aids.