Systems and methods for washing and drying using an altered pressure environment

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for treating clothing with a clothing treatment device under a pressure environment altered from an ambient pressure. In one example, the clothing treatment device may comprise a chamber which may be evacuated to a low internal air pressure by a vacuum pump and/or a cold plate, wherein fabric articles placed inside the chamber may be washed and dried, and wherein the drying occurs under low pressure conditions within the chamber via one or more heat sources. In at least one example, the fabric articles may be hanging within the chamber.

1 . A clothing treatment device, comprising:
 a chamber;   a vacuum seal for the chamber holding an air pressure within the chamber at a different pressure than an ambient pressure outside the chamber;   a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the chamber; and   a controller to operate the vacuum pump to change the air pressure within the chamber to be different than the ambient pressure outside of the chamber during operation of the clothing treatment device.   
     
     
         2 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the clothing treatment device is a dryer, and wherein the pressure within the chamber is reduced relative to the ambient pressure outside of the chamber during a drying cycle while operating the clothing treatment device. 
     
     
         3 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more article hangers inside the chamber for hanging articles during the drying cycle while the clothing treatment device is operated. 
     
     
         4 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is a rotating drum for tumbling articles during the drying cycle while the clothing treatment device is operated. 
     
     
         5 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 2 , wherein the clothing treatment device is additionally a washer, and wherein the pressure within the chamber is increased relative to the ambient pressure outside of the chamber during a washing cycle while operating the clothing treatment device. 
     
     
         6 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more article hangers inside the chamber for hanging articles during the washing cycle while the clothing treatment device is operated. 
     
     
         7 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 5 , wherein the chamber is a rotating drum for tumbling articles during the washing cycle while the clothing treatment device is operated. 
     
     
         8 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 5 , further comprising introducing water into the chamber during the washing cycle. 
     
     
         9 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the clothing treatment device is a washer, and wherein the pressure within the chamber is increased relative to the ambient pressure outside of the chamber during a washing cycle while operating the clothing treatment device. 
     
     
         10 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more article hangers inside the chamber for hanging articles during the washing cycle while the clothing treatment device is operated. 
     
     
         11 . The clothing treatment device of  claim 10 , wherein one or more washing agents are introduced into the chamber during the washing cycle. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating clothing, comprising:
 positioning one or more fabric articles in a chamber in a hanging configuration;   flowing air through the chamber; and   applying heat to the chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 condensing gaseous moisture inside the chamber on a cold plate during a treatment cycle; and   extracting gases from the chamber during the treatment cycle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising reducing an internal gas pressure in the chamber responsive to determining that a moisture level in the chamber is greater than a threshold moisture level during the treatment cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , where the treatment cycle is determined to be complete responsive to the moisture level in the chamber being less than the threshold moisture level. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising washing the one or more fabric articles in the hanging configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating clothing comprising:
 sealing a chamber;   determining a moisture level in the chamber;   determining a pressure level in the chamber; and   adjusting the pressure level in the chamber to a preselected pressure level responsive to the determined moisture level in the chamber being greater than a threshold moisture level.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the preselected pressure level is a reduced pressure level compared to an ambient pressure outside of the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the pressure level is reduced by pumping air out of the chamber via a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising heating the chamber and tumbling the clothing in the chamber.