Provided is a washing machine including: a storage chamber configured to store carbon dioxide in a gaseous state; an additive container configured to store an additive; a mixing chamber configured to mix the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state supplied from the storage chamber with the additive supplied from the additive container and pressurize the carbon dioxide and the additive, which are mixed with each other, to generate a mixed solution in a liquid state; a washing chamber configured to wash laundry using the mixed solution supplied from the mixing chamber; and a distillation chamber configured to accommodate the mixed solution discharged from the washing chamber and vaporize the carbon dioxide from the mixed solution therein, wherein the additive lowers a vapor pressure of the mixed solution to maintain the mixed solution in a liquid state at pressures of 10 bar or less.

Provided is a washing machine including: a storage chamber configured to store carbon dioxide in a gaseous state; an additive container configured to store an additive; a mixing chamber configured to mix the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state supplied from the storage chamber with the additive supplied from the additive container and pressurize the carbon dioxide and the additive, which are mixed with each other, to generate a mixed solution in a liquid state; a washing chamber configured to wash laundry using the mixed solution supplied from the mixing chamber; and a distillation chamber configured to accommodate the mixed solution discharged from the washing chamber and vaporize the carbon dioxide from the mixed solution therein, wherein the additive lowers a vapor pressure of the mixed solution to maintain the mixed solution in a liquid state at pressures of 10 bar or less.

A washing machine includes: a frame, a drum receiving laundry, a washing chamber including (i) a first housing defining an opening and a space into which the drum is inserted, (ii) a barrier surrounding the opening and coupled to the first housing, and (iii) a second housing surrounding a first surface of the barrier and coupled to the first housing, a storage tank receiving carbon dioxide to be supplied to the drum, a distillation chamber separating contaminants dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide, an electronic unit, and a configuration unit. The configuration unit includes a pipe moving the carbon dioxide, a first compressor and a second compressor compressing the carbon dioxide discharged after washing is completed in the drum and moving the compressed carbon dioxide into the storage tank, and an oil separator separating oil from the carbon dioxide compressed in the first compressor and the second compressor.

A washing machine includes: a frame, a drum receiving laundry, a washing chamber including (i) a first housing defining an opening and a space into which the drum is inserted, (ii) a barrier surrounding the opening and coupled to the first housing, and (iii) a second housing surrounding a first surface of the barrier and coupled to the first housing, a storage tank receiving carbon dioxide to be supplied to the drum, a distillation chamber separating contaminants dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide, an electronic unit, and a configuration unit. The configuration unit includes a pipe moving the carbon dioxide, a first compressor and a second compressor compressing the carbon dioxide discharged after washing is completed in the drum and moving the compressed carbon dioxide into the storage tank, and an oil separator separating oil from the carbon dioxide compressed in the first compressor and the second compressor.

A densified fluid barrier cleaning system is disclosed in which a pressure vessel encases a movable basket positioned so as to cross a barrier such that one opening of the pressure vessel resides in a first environment and a second opening of the pressure vessel resides in a second environment. A tubular basket within the pressure vessel is positioned such that its central longitudinal axis is aligned with both the first and second opening of the pressure vessel. Responsive to the successful completion of a cleaning cycle, soiled articles that are introduced to the basket via the first opening from the first environment can be removed through the second opening and into the second environment thus bridging the barrier without fear of introducing contaminants from the first environment to second environment.

A densified fluid barrier cleaning system is disclosed in which a pressure vessel encases a movable basket positioned so as to cross a barrier such that one opening of the pressure vessel resides in a first environment and a second opening of the pressure vessel resides in a second environment. A tubular basket within the pressure vessel is positioned such that its central longitudinal axis is aligned with both the first and second opening of the pressure vessel. Responsive to the successful completion of a cleaning cycle, soiled articles that are introduced to the basket via the first opening from the first environment can be removed through the second opening and into the second environment thus bridging the barrier without fear of introducing contaminants from the first environment to second environment.

A washing method comprising: suspending and washing laundry in a washing liquid that is supplied to a laundry tub; agitating and washing the laundry with a baffle in the washing liquid at a liquid level that is lower than a liquid level of the washing liquid that is supplied to the laundry tub during the suspending and washing of the laundry; and increasing or decreasing a liquid level of the washing liquid continuously between the suspending and washing of the laundry and the agitating and washing of the laundry while the laundry tub is spinning.

The present invention provides a method for cleaning fabric articles which comprises the steps of: washing the fabric articles with a cleaning solvent in a rotatable drum; rotating the drum at a high spin speed for a high spin period of time after the performance of said washing step; and heating the fabric articles for at least a period of time during the performance of said rotating step. During the heating step, at least some of the cleaning solvent is removed from the fabric articles in both liquid and vapor phases. Heating the fabric articles decreases attractive forces between the liquid phase cleaning solvent and the fabric articles, facilitating the separation and hence removal of additional quantities of the cleaning solvent from the fabric articles.

The present invention provides a method for cleaning fabric articles which comprises the steps of: washing the fabric articles with a cleaning solvent in a rotatable drum; rotating the drum at a high spin speed for a high spin period of time after the performance of said washing step; and heating the fabric articles for at least a period of time during the performance of said rotating step. During the heating step, at least some of the cleaning solvent is removed from the fabric articles in both liquid and vapor phases. Heating the fabric articles decreases attractive forces between the liquid phase cleaning solvent and the fabric articles, facilitating the separation and hence removal of additional quantities of the cleaning solvent from the fabric articles.

The present invention provides a method for cleaning fabric articles which comprises the steps of: washing the fabric articles with a cleaning solvent in a rotatable drum; rotating the drum at a high spin speed for a high spin period of time after the performance of said washing step; and heating the fabric articles for at least a period of time during the performance of said rotating step. During the heating step, at least some of the cleaning solvent is removed from the fabric articles in both liquid and vapor phases. Heating the fabric articles decreases attractive forces between the liquid phase cleaning solvent and the fabric articles, facilitating the separation and hence removal of additional quantities of the cleaning solvent from the fabric articles.