Method and apparatus for washing items having cloth with microwaves

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for cleaning items having cloth. The apparatus comprises a housing having a microwave cavity. The apparatus comprises a drum disposed within the cavity which is made of a material which is transparent to microwaves. The items are disposed in the drum when they are cleaned. The apparatus also comprises a microwave source in communication with the cavity to provide microwave energy to the cavity. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a fluid source in contact with the cavity to provide fluid to the cavity. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving the drum. The mechanism is connected with the drum. The present invention pertains to a method for washing items having cloth. The method comprises the steps of placing the items having cloth into a washing machine. Next, there is the step of irradiating the items with microwaves to clean the items. Preferably, after the placing step, there is a step of agitating mechanically the items in the washing machine. Before the agitating step, there is preferably a step of adding liquid to the washing machine so the items are made wet by the liquid. Before the agitating step, there is preferably a step of placing detergent into the washing machine so the items are contacted by the detergent.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for washing items having cloth comprising the steps of: 
 placing the items having cloth into a washing machine; and    irradiating the items with microwaves to clean the items.    
     
     
         2 . A method as described in  claim 1  including after the placing step, there is a step of agitating mechanically the items in the washing machine.  
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 2  including before the agitating step, there is a step of adding liquid to the washing machine so the items are made wet by the liquid.  
     
     
         4 . A method as described in  claim 3  including before the agitating step, there is a step of placing detergent into the washing machine so the items are contacted by the detergent.  
     
     
         5 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein the irradiating step includes a step of irradiating the items with microwaves at 2.45 GHz or other frequencies.  
     
     
         6 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein the adding the liquid step includes a step of adding approximately 3 gallons (or less) of water to one cubic feet of uncompressed dry laundry load during the washing cycle.  
     
     
         7 . A method as described in  claim 6  including after the irradiating step, there is a step of drying the items with microwave energy.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for cleaning items having cloth comprising: 
 a housing having a microwave cavity;    a drum disposed within the cavity which is made of a material which is transparent to microwaves, said items are disposed in the drum when they are cleaned;    a microwave source in communication with the cavity to provide microwave energy to the cavity;    a fluid source in contact with the cavity to provide fluid to the cavity; and    a mechanism for moving the drum, said moving mechanism connected to the drum.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as described in  claim 8  including a mechanism for releasing fluid from the cavity, said releasing mechanism connected with the cavity.