Apparatus for washing and drying garments

A device for washing and drying garments or other items in a single unit. The garments or other items are placed in the device on hangers leaving space in between each item. A manifold with arms extends on each side of the items. The manifold moves up and down so that the arms move up and down the length of the items to be treated. The arms have one set of pipes that spray wash water, rinse waters, and other washing liquids on the items. The arms have another set of pipes that carry air to the items, drying the items. After the cycle is complete, the clothes or other items may be left in the device until needed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

A variety of machines in which clothes may be hung and processed in a single unit have been proposed. There are a series of patents that require the use of solvents for dry cleaning garments, for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,845,786, issued to E. L. Chrisman on Aug. 5, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,923 issued to Zacks on Jan. 26, 1965; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,113, issued to Norkus on Apr. 10, 1056. The use of solvents, especially in the home, can create health and safety issues.

There are additional patents that claim a machine in which the clothes are “finished” only. These patents are directed toward de-wrinkling and smoothing the clothes, typically by using steam. However, these machines do not clean the clothes, these machines are used after the clothes are already clean. Some examples of these devices are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,855 issued to Buckley on Jan. 2, 1973; U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,602 issued to Stichnoth et al. on Jul. 5, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,496 issued to Buckly et al. on Jun. 19, 1973; U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,628 issued to Bleven et al. on May 15, 1973; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,305 issued to Ochiai on Aug. 2, 1988. U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,346 issued to Chen et al. on Feb. 20, 2001 discloses a clothes treating apparatus that uses a “conditioning mist” as an alternative to dry-cleaning clothes. This patent does not provide for washing clothes with water or rinsing the clothes.

In addition, some patents claim machines that only dry clothes, and do not wash or finish the clothes: for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,739 issued to Wentz on Jun. 28, 1966; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,796 issued to Erickson on Sep. 3, 1963.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,919 issued to Kenreich on Dec. 24, 1963 discloses a machine that can wash and dry using conventional laundry soap, however, this apparatus can only wash one shirt, or the like, and one pair of pants, or the like, at a time. In addition, this patent discloses an apparatus that has fixed outlets for dispensing wash and rinse water. This patent, like U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,159 issued to Mazza on May 23, 1972, utilizes a shaking of the garments to remove dirt and debris from the garments. However, shaking the garments can cause the garments to fall during the washing cycle, and can impart wrinkles to the garments. In addition, these patents teach that the wash water is applied from the top and bottom of the clothing, and not along the length of the clothing.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,188 issued to Geschka et al. on Jun. 27, 1972 discloses an apparatus that uses conventional laundry soap water, and hot air to wash and dry clothes. However, in this patent the soap and water are applied to the garments from top and bottom nozzles. Likewise, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,835 issued to Todd-Reeve on Mar. 4, 1975, the water and soap are applied from nozzles located near the top and bottom of the apparatus. In neither of these apparatuses is the soap and water applied over the entire length of the garments at close range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally designed to wash and dry garments or other items in a single machine. The invention is for use in residences or in hotel rooms, hospitals, laundromates, and other commercial applications. In a conventional clothes washing machine it is best to transfer the clothes soon after they are washed to the dryer in order to prevent wrinkling. In addition, it is even more important to rapidly remove dried clothes from the dryer shortly after completion of the drying process to further prevent wrinkling. When using the invention, there is no need to rapidly move clothes from the washing machine to the dryer, or to rapidly remove clothes from the dryer. The clothes are washed and dried on hangers in a single machine. Once the cycle is complete, the clothes may remain in the invention indefinitely, until ready to be worn, suspended from the hangers.

The device is used by placing garments on conventional hangers, and hanging the garments on bar within the machine cabinet. The inventor prefers to use plastic hangers, however any hanger that will support the garments without imparting stains to the wet garments may be used. A manifold supplies wash water, rinse water, and finally air to the garments. The manifold contains a series of arms. A respective pair of the series of arms is disposed on each side of a garment suspended therebetween. Each pair of arms contains orifices, such as nozzles, configured to direct fluids, such as water and air, at a downward angle on both sides of the garment disposed therebetween. The manifold, arms, and nozzles contain a dual internal system of pipes. One set of internal pipes allows wash water and rinse water to be directed toward the garments. The other set of internal pipes allows air to be directed toward the garments.

During operation, the wash water containing soap travels up the first set of internal pipes in the manifold, through the arms, out the nozzles, and onto the clothes. The entire manifold traverses up and down the length of the hanging clothes, spraying the clothes with soapy water.

After the wash cycle is complete, rinse water travels through the same first set of internal pipes in the manifold, and arms, and out the same nozzle. The manifold again traverses up and down the length of the hanging clothes, spraying the clothes with rinse water.

In the drying cycle, hot or cool air travels through the second set of internal pipes in the manifold, through the arms, and out a separate set of nozzles and toward the garments. The air may exit the apparatus through vents, or may be re-circulated through a condenser. The condenser will remove the moisture from the air and direct the air toward the garments.

The duration of the washing cycle, rinse cycle, and drying cycle is controlled through a control panel.

When the clothes washing and drying cycle is complete the clothes may remain in the machine until such time as is convenient to remove the clothes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus10comprises a cabinet12with front wall12a, rear wall12b, two side walls12cand12d, and a top and bottom wall12eand12f. In the preferred embodiment said walls of cabinet12are insulated. Apparatus10, like conventional washers and dryers, is connected to a water supply by hose16, to an electrical supply by conductors18, and to a drain by hose20.

Bottom wall12fcontains drain14. Drain14is connected to drain hose20, and drains cabinet12. Cabinet12, which is sealed against the escape of water, is provided with a door22through which clothing to be processed can be inserted. In the preferred embodiment door22is transparent, and the garments may be viewed during the operating cycle. Alternatively, door22may be opaque and insulated. Door22is attached to cabinet12with one or more conventional hinges6. Door22is closed and watertight during operation of the device. Door22may, but does not have to, extend the entire length of the front wall12aof cabinet12.

Cabinet12is adjacent to sub-cabinet24. Sub-cabinet24contains the mechanism by means of which the operating cycle of apparatus10is automatically carried out. The operating cycle may include any variation or combination of pre-washing, washing, rinsing and drying. For means of illustration only, and not as a limitation, the device control mechanism could allow the consumer to set the device for heavy or light washing; set the water temperature; add bleach, fabric softeners, or other laundry additives; set one or more rinse cycles; set a initial delay of the start of the washing cycle to allow for the action of spot-removers; set a delay of the start of the washing cycle to accommodate the convenience of the user; set a pre-wash cycle; and set varying drying temperatures and times. The various washing and drying requirements are set via control panel28. The electricity for running control panel28, and all other parts of the device, is supplied through conductor18.

The device requires the use of a control panel28to effectuate the different washing and drying needs of the user. Said control panel28includes a timer, a means for setting or programming the various washing and drying cycles, a means for dispensing laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, or other laundry additives, and a means for regulating the washing, rinsing, and dying times.

The clothes-receiving portion of cabinet12has, at its upper end, a hanging bar30. Hanging bar30is suspended horizontally and parallel to walls12aand12b. Hanging bar30has one or more hanger spacers32. Clothes, towels, sheets or other items to be laundered are placed on a conventional, non-rusting, hanger. The hanger is inserted onto hanging bar30, and held at regularly spaced intervals by hanger spacers32.

Manifold40is comprised of a plurality of arms42. The arms42are in a single plane, and are parallel to each other, and perpendicular to hanging bar30. The arms42extend on each side of the hanger-mounted garments26. The first arm in the parallel plane is42a, and the last arm in the parallel plane is42z. The arms42are configured such that a hanger-mounted garment26may be disposed between and proximate to a pair of the arms42. For example, a pair of the arms42are arms42aand42b.

Inside manifold40are two sets of internal pipes. One set is the liquid-carrying pipes46. The other set is the air-carrying pipes47. The liquid-carrying pipes46and air-carrying pipes47may be a separate set of internal pipes inside manifold40. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 2b, the manifold40, liquid-carrying pipes46, and air-carrying pipes47may be manufactured as a single unit with a divider55separating the air in the air-carrying pipes47from the water in the water-carrying pipes46.

Water enters sub-cabinet24through water supply hose16. Laundry detergent or other laundry additives may be added to the water, as requested by the user. For example, and for purposes of illustration and not limitation, laundry detergent may be added to the water. The water/detergent mixture then travels into manifold40and arms42through liquid-supply hose48. Once inside manifold40, the water/detergent mixture travels through liquid-carrying pipes46. The water/detergent mixture exits arms42through liquid-exits44. The liquid-exits44are configured such that individual hanger-mounted garments26disposed adjacent thereto may be spayed on both sides with the water/detergent mixture. The liquid-exits44may be either nozzles or holes. The inventor currently prefers to use nozzles for the liquid-exits44. Manifold40moves up and down the length of the hanger-mounted garments26spraying both sides of garments26with the water/detergent mixture. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the manifold40may be vertically positioned to receive a hanger-mounted garment26between two adjacent arms42. The liquid-exits44of the two adjacent arms42facing the hanger-mounted garment26may be used to spray both sides of the hanger-mounted garment26at a close range. The water/detergent mixture will run off the garments26, down to bottom wall12f, through drain14, and out drain hose20. In the preferred embodiment bottom wall12fwill be sloped in such a manner that drain14is at the lowest point in bottom wall12f, causing the water to run out drain14, and through drain hose20.

The drying cycle may be started after completion of the washing cycle. In the drying cycle warm or cool air is forced from subcabinet24to manifold40via air-supply hose49, and then into manifold40. Once inside manifold40, the air travels through air-carrying pipes47and out air-exits45. Air-exits45may be either nozzles or holes. The inventor currently prefers to use holes for air-exits45. Manifold40again moves up and down the length of hanger-mounted garments26blowing air on both sides of garments26, and thereby drying the garments26.

In the preferred embodiment, each arm42has a plurality of liquid-exits44and air-exits45. Arm42ahas a plurality of exits44aand45aon only the side facing toward garment26, and arm42zhas a plurality of exits44zand45zon only the side facing toward garment26. The remainder of arms42have a plurality of exits44and45on both sides of each arm42so that hanger-mounted garments26may be sprayed from both sides.

Liquid-exits44and air-exits45are placed on arms42so that the liquid or air exits arms42in a downward direction. The shape of the arms may be any shape that allows the liquid- and air-exits to point downward. The inventor currently prefers to have the cross-sectional shape of the arms be an isosceles triangle with the two equal sides of the triangle facing downward, and to place the liquid- and air-exits on the two downward facing sides of the triangle. The downward angle of the liquid or air may be any angle necessary to prevent garments26from tangling and twisting, and to help smooth garments26. The inventor currently prefers to use a downward angle of between 40 degrees and 60 degrees on liquid-exits44and air-exits45.

There are no specific requirements regarding placement of liquid-exits44and air-exits45relative to each other. That is, liquid-exits44and air-exits45may be placed in a horizontal line, may be placed with either on top of the other, or may be placed in any arrangement that allows liquid to exits the liquid-exits44, and allows air to exit air-exits45.

Manifold40has one or more unthreaded guide holes51. Apparatus10contains one or more guide post50. In the preferred embodiment, the number of unthreaded guide holes51is equal to the number to guide posts50. Guide post50is a smooth post that runs in a vertical direction parallel to rear wall12b. Guide post50is inserted through unthreaded hole51in manifold40, and manifold40may freely move along the length of guide post50.

Manifold40has one or more threaded screw holes53. Apparatus10contains one or more screw posts52. In the preferred embodiment, the number of threaded screw holes53is equal to the number of screw posts52. Screw post52is a threaded post runs in a vertical direction parallel to rear wall12b. Screw post52and threaded screw hole53are threaded so that the threaded screw post52will turn inside threaded screw hole53and, in turning, move manifold40either up or down.

Screw post52is moveably attached to motor54. Motor54will turn screw post52in an alternating clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, thereby moving manifold40up and down screw post52. Motor54may be programmed via control panel28so that screw post54turns in one direction for varying lengths of time. The length of time that screw post54turns in any one direction is directly correlated to the length that the manifold travels in any one direction. Thus, screw post54may turn for such a length of time that manifold40travels only part of the height of cabinet12, or the entire length of cabinet12. Control panel28may also provide a means for setting or programming the speed of the upward/downward motion, as well as the distance manifold40travels in the upward/downward plane.

Manifold40will continue to spray garments26for the length of time as set by the user. After the wash cycle is completed, the rinse cycle will begin. In the rinse cycle, water alone travels through liquid-supply hose48to manifold40and into arms42through liquid-supplying pipes46. The water exits arms42through liquid-exits44, and sprays the garments26with rinse water. The rinse water exits the device through drain14and drain hose20.

The drying cycle will begin at the time requested by the user after the rinse cycle is complete. The inventor currently prefers to allow a length of time for passive dripping of water from the clothes before beginning the drying cycle. However, the drying cycle may be set to begin at any time, even immediately after completion of the rinse cycle. Ambient air will be drawn into sub-cabinet24through air-intake hose61. If requested by the user, the air will be heated. The air will travel through air-supply hose49to manifold40and then into arms42through air-carrying pipes48. The air exits through air-exits45. Manifold40moves up and down the length of the garments26spraying air onto the garments. The heated air may exit cabinet12passively through vent60. Alternatively, the heated air may be removed from cabinet12and processed through condenser62, removing the moisture from the air. The treated air will then be returned to recirculate in cabinet12

In the preferred embodiment the apparatus will indicate the end of the washing and drying cycle by a light or suitable alarm.

Although not required, in the preferred embodiment one or more racks70may be attached to bottom wall12f. The rack70extends horizontally near the bottom of the cabinet12. Socks or other small items may be placed on the rack70and treated as described above.