PORTABLE NON-IMMERSION CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

A portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus cleans a textile with abrading particles that carry a wet cleaning compound. The cleaning apparatus dries the textile and removes the abrading particles with minimal stress on the textile because airflow, rather than centrifugal force is used. The textile includes a drape with pleats. The apparatus cleans the textile by scrubbing the textile in a rotating drum with abrading particles and the wet cleaning compound. Fins in the drum agitate the textile for cleaning A door enables passage of air flow into the drum. A collar extends into the cavity of the drum to inhibit the textile from snagging. The air flow is increased by forming a vacuum that forms in a drum enclosure. The vacuum is enhanced because the drum enclosure has rounded corners that increases air flow and reduces static pressure. A control portion regulates air flow and drum rotational velocity.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for non-immersion cleaning with abrading particles and drying with an air flow, the apparatus comprising: a housing, the housing defined by at least one panel, at least one exhaust, a top end, and a base, the base having at least one channel; an air blower, the air blower defined by a variable speed control, the air blower configured to generate an air flow, the velocity of the air flow regulated by the variable speed control; a drum, the drum defined by an outer surface and a cavity, the cavity having a plurality of fins, the plurality of fins defined by a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures configured to enable passage of the air flow to the at least one exhaust of the housing, the drum disposed inside the housing, the drum configured to rotate; a direct drive motor, the direct drive motor configured to rotate the drum; a door, the door defined by a collar, a sealing ring, and an inlet, the collar configured to protrude into the cavity, the sealing ring configured to restrict passage of the air flow into the cavity of the drum, the inlet configured to enable the air flow to pass into the cavity of the drum, the door configured to enable access to the drum by moving between an open position and a closed position; a drum enclosure, the drum enclosure defined by generally rounded corners, the drum enclosure disposed between the housing and the drum, the drum enclosure configured to form a vacuum, wherein the rounded corners of the vacuum housing enhance the vacuum such that the air flow is increased and a static pressure is decreased in the drum enclosure; a filter portion, the filter portion configured to at least partially clean the air flow; a bin, the bin disposed approximately at the base of the housing; and a control portion, the control portion configured to regulate the air blower and the direct drive motor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to clean a textile.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the textile includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a drapery, a curtain, a hotel blackout drapery, lined drapery, children's stuffed animals, costumes, quilts, fabric art, furs, sheer style drapery, wool, cotton, silk drapery, and delicate fabrics.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus utilizes abrading particles and a wet cleaning compound for cleaning the textiles.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one channel is configured to receive a fork from a forklift.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drum is formed from cut rolled pieces of metal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fins in the cavity of the drum are configured to agitate the textile during rotation of the drum.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drum is configured to rest on a plurality of rollers in the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the drum comprises a pair of end plates connected to at least one shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the direct drive motor is an electric direct drive motor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the direct drive motor operatively connects to the drum through a hub coupling.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the collar and the sealing ring in the door are configured to inhibit the textile from wedging between the drum and the door.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rounded corners of the drum enclosure comprise a cowling.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control portion comprises a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to control the variable speed control of the air blower.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control portion comprises pre-programmed settings.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further including an emergency cut-off switch, the emergency cut-off switch configured to power off the direct drive motor and the air blower.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the control portion comprises a digital flat screen interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bin is configured to catch excessive wet cleaning compound from the air flow.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the filter portion comprises a disposable filter cloth.

20. A cleaning apparatus for non-immersion cleaning with abrading particles and drying with an air flow, the apparatus comprising: a housing, the housing defined by at least one panel, at least one exhaust, a top end, and a base, the base having at least one channel; an air blower, the air blower defined by a variable speed control, the air blower configured to generate an air flow, the velocity of the air flow regulated by the variable speed control; a drum, the drum defined by an outer surface and a cavity, the cavity having a plurality of fins, the plurality of fins defined by a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures configured to enable passage of the air flow to the at least one exhaust of the housing, the drum disposed inside the housing, the drum configured to rotate; an electric direct drive motor, the electric direct drive motor configured to rotate the drum; a door, the door defined by a collar, a sealing ring, and an inlet, the collar configured to protrude into the cavity, the sealing ring configured to restrict passage of the air flow into the cavity of the drum, the inlet configured to enable the air flow to pass into the cavity of the drum, the door configured to enable access to the drum by moving between an open position and a closed position; a drum enclosure, the drum enclosure defined by generally rounded corners, the drum enclosure disposed between the housing and the drum, the drum enclosure configured to form a vacuum, wherein the rounded corners of the vacuum housing enhance the vacuum such that the air flow is increased and a static pressure is decreased in the drum enclosure; a filter portion, the filter portion configured to at least partially clean the air flow; a bin, the bin disposed approximately at the base of the housing; a control portion, the control portion defined by a digital flat screen interface and a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to control the variable speed control of the air blower and the direct drive motor; and an emergency cut-off switch, the emergency cut-off switch configured to power off the electric direct drive motor and the air dryer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective sectioned view of an exemplary portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a side sectioned view of the portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectioned view of an exemplary drum and an exemplary drum enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0043] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus 100 that cleans a textile with finely ground abrading particles. The abrading particles may carry a wet cleaning compound for further enhancing the non-immersion cleaning process. Portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus 100 cleans the textile with minimal stress on the textile by scrubbing the textile with the abrading particles in a rotating drum 114. A plurality of fins 116a-b in the drum 114 agitate the textile for efficient cleaning A door 120 on drum 114 includes an inlet that enables passage of air flow into drum 114. A collar 144 extends into the cavity of drum 114 to inhibit the textile from snagging or wedging between door 120 and drum 114.

[0044] The textile is dried, and the abrading particles removed through the use of air flow, rather than by generating increased centrifugal forces with rotating drum 114. The air flow is increased by forming a vacuum that forms in a drum enclosure 132. The vacuum is enhanced by rounding the corners of drum enclosure 132 to increase the air flow, and reduce static pressure in drum 114. A control portion 138 regulates air flow and rotational velocity of drum 114. A housing 102 encompasses and supports drum 114. Housing 102 comprises a base 104 with at least one channel 106 that is configured to receive a fork from a forklift to allow portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus 100 to be transported for cleaning at multiple sites.

[0045] Portable non-immersion cleaning apparatus 100, hereafter, cleaning apparatus 100 is configured to clean a textile in a substantially non-liquid environment. The textile is substantially cleaned inside a rotating drum 114. The tumbling action of drum 114 and a plurality of fins 116a-b that protrude from drum 114 agitate the textile, allowing the abrading particles and the wet cleaning compound to be massaged into the textile for a thorough cleaning

[0046] As referenced in FIG. 1, drum 114 is carried in a portable housing 102. The housing 102 includes a base 104 with at least one channel 106 that allows for lifting and transport of the cleaning apparatus 100. A drum enclosure 132 is disposed between the drum 114 and the housing 102. A vacuum forms in the drum enclosure 132. The vacuum serves to increase air flow through drum 114, which helps expedite drying of the textile and the removal of abrading particles and dirt particles. The generally rounded corners of drum enclosure 132 enable formation of a more efficient vacuum, and thus, a faster air flow.

[0047] The textile may include, without limitation, a drapery, a curtain, a hotel blackout drapery, lined drapery, children's stuffed animals, costumes, quilts, fabric art, furs, sheer style drapery, wool, cotton, silk drapery, and delicate fabrics. The textile may have pleats, folds, and hidden seams. The abrading particles serve to clean the textile through a grinding engagement action. The abrading particles effectively scrub off embedded dirt and soil from the textile as the drum 114 rotates. The abrading particles may also serve as carriers for the wet cleaning compound, which also helps to clean the textile.

[0048] In essence, cleaning apparatus 100 performs the cleaning by use of very finely ground abrading particles such as very finely ground sawdust, powders, or the like. The abrading particles may be chemically reacting or nonchemical reacting, and used along with any liquid or semiliquid cleaning compound, including, a liquid or emulsion; chemically reacting or non-chemically reacting. The cleaning process is a non-immersion process where the textile comes into contact with the dampened, slightly abrading particles, i.e., the mixture of the abrading particles and the wet cleaning compound.

[0049] Turning towards FIG. 2, housing 102 forms a framework for supporting drum 114. Housing 102 is defined by at least one panel 122, an exhaust 108, a top end 142, and a base 104. At least one panel 122 that makes up the housing 102 may be fabricated from angled steel. Though other metals and metal alloys may be used. Base 104 rests on a ground surface. Base 104 comprises at least one channel 106. Channel 106 enables the entire cleaning apparatus 100 to be lifted on a vehicle for transport. In this manner, the textile may be either cleaned on site, or carried away for cleaning operations. In one possible embodiment, base 104 is designed with a formed channel 106 to enable easy lifting by a forklift. In this manner, apparatus 100 may be lifted by forklift into trucks or trailers, or any other mobile transport which enables the cleaning of draperies at a customer's location.

[0050] Furthermore, all the components required for operation of cleaning apparatus 100 are built on-board the housing such that it can moved from in-plant or installed in-truck to provide a mobile drapery cleaning unit where practicable, and an in-plant solution when not. In some embodiments, at least one power connection and at least one exhaust 108 in the housing 102 are designed to be able to be un-plugged and re-plugged easily between mobile and plant depending.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the drum resides inside the housing. The textile is substantially cleaned inside drum 114 as it rotatably tumbles the textile. Drum 114 rotates on a plurality of rollers 126 in housing 102. In one embodiment, four rollers 126 are used. Rollers 126 are positioned at the ends of the drum 114 and connected to at least one shaft 130 that extends beneath drum 114. A pair of end plates 128 on drum 114 are configured to operatively connect to the at least one shaft. In one embodiment, two shafts may be used. The end plates 128 are constructed of spun steel to ensure an even surface to roll on.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 4, drum 114 is defined by a generally cylindrical shape formed from cut rolled pieces of metal. The use of cut rolled pieces, rather than separate panels 122 improves the rigidity of drum 114 construction for smooth rotation. In one possible embodiment, the cut rolled pieces of metal used for drum 114 are corrosion resistant stainless steel to ensure no rust in humid climates. The use of cut rolled pieces also improves the airtightness of drum 114, resulting in enhanced cleaning and drying of the textile. Drum 114 is sealed, so as to maintain the vacuum in the adjacent drum enclosure 132.

[0053] In one embodiment, the rotation of the drum is actuated through a direct drive motor 134, which rotates drum 114 at low speed to minimize stress on the textile. Direct drive motor 134 is visible from the top view of FIG. 5. Since cleaning apparatus 100 does not require high velocity spinning to dry the textile, direct drive motor 134 operates at a generally low, yet variable speed. A hub coupling 136 operatively connects direct drive motor 134 to a flange plate at a rear end of drum 114.

[0054] In some embodiments, direct drive motor 134 may include an electric direct drive motor 134. It is significant to note that use of a direct drive motor 134 negates the need for pulleys for rotating drum 114. Additionally, the gears for operation have been separated from the motor. In this manner, in the event of a motor failure, a commonly available motor may be easily swapped out, thereby minimizing downtime for cleaning apparatus 100.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, drum 114 comprises an opening that is covered by a door 120. Door 120 is defined by a collar 144, a sealing ring 124, and an inlet. Door 120 moves between an open position and a closed position for inserting/removing the textiles and regulating access to the cavity. In one embodiment, door 120 hingedly connects to the opening in drum 114. The open position of door 120 enables loading of drum 114, and the closed position forms an airtight, sealed environment in the cavity of drum 114.

[0056] When closed, door 120 may be sealed with a sealing ring 124. This sealed disposition of drum 114 helps prevent the textile from snagging a surface or edge of door 120 while tumbling in drum 114. The collar 144 of door 120 may protrude outwardly from the door 120 to help prevent the textile from snagging or wedging into a crevice between door 120 and drum 114.

[0057] Drum 114 further includes a plurality of fins 116a-b that engage the textile from multiple positions, agitating the textile through a tumbling action. Fins 116a-b may include a plurality of apertures that are configured to enable passage of air flow through the drum 114. This is especially useful for drying the textile.

[0058] After the textile has engaged the abrading particles for a predetermined duration, the textile is dried though subjection to an air flow while still being tumbled in drum 114. It is significant to note that the rotational speed of drum 114 does not increase for this drying process. Thus, since a high speed centrifugal force is used to extract the abrading particles and wet cleaning compound, there is no damage to the fabric fibers. The air flow serves to remove the abrading particles, wet cleaning compound, dirt particles, and soil from the textile; and also from between the pleats, folds, and hidden seams. The aforementioned apertures in fins 116a-b may also be effective in directing the air flow into crevices of the pleats and folds of the textile.

[0059] Since cleaning apparatus 100 utilizes a nonwetting (non-immersion) cleaning method, the fabric of the textile is not subjected to stress. This is because a high speed rotating drum and strong centrifugal forces are not used for drying the textile and removing abrading particles; and thus, there is no damage to the fibers of the textile. Thus, cleaning with abrading particles, and then removing the abrading particles, wet cleaning compound, and soil particles with air flow is generally not stressful on the textile.

[0060] For the final drying, or extraction cycle, an air blower 140 creates the air flow through drum 114 and the textile. Air blower 140 may include a tube with a vented terminus that enables air flow to discharge from the housing 102 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The velocity of the air flow is adjustable through a variable speed control on air blower 140. This further enhances the effectiveness of this drying process. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the velocity of the air flow may require increases or decreases as related to the weight of the draperies and the amount of pleats in the textile. In this manner, a stronger air flow may be applied to heavier textiles for removing the abrading particles therefrom.

[0061] Looking now at FIG. 7, drum enclosure 132 surrounds the drum while creating minimal space therebetween. A vacuum forms in drum enclosure 132. The drum enclosure 132 is disposed between drum 114 and housing 102, whereby the air flow is in communication between an inlet in door 120 of drum 114 and exhaust 108. The vacuum helps increases the velocity of the air flow from drum 114 and out through the at least one exhaust.

[0062] In the present invention, the vacuum formed in drum enclosure 132 is enhanced because drum enclosure 132 has rounded corners, which minimize the space between the drum 114 and housing 102. The generally rounded contour of drum enclosure 132 helps to reduce dead air in the vacuum, and thereby, improve static pressure and air flow through drum 114. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that by rounding out the corners of drum enclosure 132, and specifically using a curved cowling, the amount of air in drum enclosure 132 is reduced by about 50%, thereby reducing loss of air flow and also reducing the static pressure.

[0063] As drum 114 rotates, the air flow generated by air blower 140 enters drum 114 through the inlet in door 120. The air flow is then forced through the textile for removing the abrading particles and dirt particles therefrom. The air carries the abrading particles and dirt particles through the apertures that are located in the fins 116a-b, before finally being vented through exhaust 108.

[0064] Prior to discharge through exhaust 108, the air flow carries the abrading particles and dirt particles to a filter portion 110, shown in FIG. 3. Filter portion 110 may include a disposable filter cloth, and is enclosed with removable panels 122 to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Those skilled in the art will recognize that filter cloth can be changed within seconds when dirty rather than the time-consuming manual vacuuming process required by conventional filters of the prior art. A bin 112 is disposed towards a bottom end of housing 102 to catch residue soil and wet cleaning compound that falls to the bottom of drum 114.

[0065] As referenced in FIG. 4, a control portion 138 regulates components of the cleaning apparatus 100. Control portion 138 may include a master electrical panel 118 that mounts at the rear of housing 102. In one possible embodiment, control portion 138 comprises a microprocessor that provides dynamic control for regulating the speed of air blower 140. The microprocessor also regulates the rotation cycles of drum 114 to enable infinite combinations of cycles. Control portion 138 may further include pre-programmed settings that enable an operator to switch cycles depending on the type of textiles being cleaned. An emergency shut-off switch is also accessible from outside door 120 for quickly powering down cleaning apparatus 100. The emergency shut-off switch is tamper proof

[0066] Thus, with microprocessor software controls and a digital flat screen interface, custom cleaning cycles can be created specific to the types of textile being cleaned. This enables cleaning apparatus 100 to dry clean more types of textiles, and thus greatly increase the addressable market. Further benefits of the microprocessor in control portion 138 are that air blower 140 can be run at a low speed during rotation cycle creating low negative air pressure and eliminating the need for additional blower fans.

[0067] Further, using the microprocessor with software enables the air blower 140 to be started with a custom start sequence that minimizes the startup load of the air blower, which is suitable for mobile power applications. In one embodiment, a master electrical panel 118 mounts to the rear of housing 102 and provides the necessary circuitry for powering direct drive motor 134 and air blower 140.

[0068] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

[0069] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.