Patent ID: 6849094
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method of washing articles comprising the steps of: inserting an article or articles to be washed into a sealable capsule, sealing the capsule, mixing water with detergent, heating and pressurising the mixture to a temperature around boiling point and to a pressure of the order of 175 psi (1.2 MPa), forming a two phase washing medium of liquid and steam by introducing the mixture into the sealed capsule through a fine mesh filter so as to form finely dispersed droplets or a mist or vapour, while maintaining the mixture and the capsule interior at a pressure greater than ambient rotating the capsule to agitate the article or articles and effect a mixing of the liquid and steam therewith, pumping the liquid from the capsule after a predetermined time, introducing clean water into the capsule, increasing the pressure in the capsule to above ambient and further rotating same to rinse the articles, pumping the rinsing water from the capsule after a predetermined time, continuing to pump the capsule so as to lower the pressure therein to below atmospheric for a further predetermined period of time to assist in evaporative drying of the article or articles therein, and removing the article or articles after establishing ambient pressure in the capsule.