Clothes de-wrinkler and deodorizer

Abstract

A clothes freshening device includes an enclosure to hold at least one garment to be freshened. A chemical mister is in fluid communication with the enclosure, the chemical mister producing a fog that is circulated around the garment to freshen the garment. If desired, a steam generator can be in fluid communication with the enclosure, the steam generator producing steam that is circulated around the garment to de-wrinkle the garment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clothes freshening device comprising: 
 an enclosure for holding an associated garment to be freshened;    a steam generator in communication with the enclosure; and    a chemical mist generator in communication with the enclosure.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan mounted in the enclosure.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a support mounted in the enclosure for holding the associated garment.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a spacer mounted on said support for spacing two associated garments mounted on said support away from each other.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure includes a first inlet connected to the steam generator and a second inlet connected to the chemical mist generator.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical mist generator is adapted to deliver a chemical mist to the enclosure below a boiling point of the chemical mist.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical mist generator includes an ultrasonic mister.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical mist generator includes a vibrating metal diaphragm.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical mist generator is in communication with a chemical reservoir for holding an associated chemical, the device further comprising a refill indicator disposed in the chemical reservoir.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the refill indicator includes a float and switch.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed in the enclosure.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a humidity sensor disposed in the enclosure.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a base located adjacent the enclosure, the base containing the steam generator and the chemical mist generator.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a water reservoir and a chemical reservoir disposed in the base, wherein the water reservoir is in communication with the steam generator and the chemical reservoir is in communication with the chemical mist generator.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the enclosure is mounted on the base and includes a top and a collapsible portion.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the base and the top of the enclosure cooperate to contain the collapsible portion of the enclosure.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a latch mounted to one of the base and the top and a catch mounted to another of the base and the top, wherein the latch cooperates with the catch.  
     
     
         18 . A clothes freshening assembly comprising: 
 an enclosure for holding an associated garment to be freshened, the enclosure comprising: 
 a first fluid inlet,  
 a second fluid inlet spaced from the first fluid inlet,  
 an opening to allow the associated garment to be placed within and removed from the enclosure, and  
 a closure member for selectively closing the opening of the enclosure;  
   a steam generator communicating with the enclosure via the first fluid inlet; and    a chemical mist generator communicating with the enclosure via the second fluid inlet.    
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a fan mounted in the enclosure.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a support mounted in the enclosure for holding the associated garment.  
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed in the enclosure.  
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a humidity sensor disposed in the enclosure.  
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a control for selectively actuating the steam generator and the chemical mist generator as regulated by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor.  
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a base in which the steam generator and the chemical mist generator are located.  
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising a support for mounting the enclosure to the base.  
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the enclosure comprises a lid and a body of flexible material secured to the lid.  
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the lid cooperates with the base to contain the flexible material of the enclosure.  
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising a latch mounted to one of the base and the lid and a catch mounted to another of the base and the lid, wherein the latch cooperates with the catch.  
     
     
         29 . A method of freshening a garment comprising: 
 placing a garment inside an enclosure of a clothes freshening device, wherein the clothes freshening device includes the enclosure, a steam generator in communication with the enclosure, and a chemical mist generator in communication with the enclosure;    introducing steam inside the enclosure; and    introducing a chemical mist inside the enclosure.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of introducing steam is performed at a separate time from the step of introducing a chemical mist.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of introducing steam is performed simultaneously with the step of introducing a chemical mist.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of circulating an atmosphere in the enclosure.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of controlling the introduction of the steam and the chemical mist.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of sensing a humidity in the enclosure.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of sensing a temperature in the enclosure.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising exerting a force on the garment to release a wrinkle in the garment.  
     
     
         37 . A clothes freshening apparatus comprising: 
 an enclosure for holding an associated garment, the enclosure having first and second ends and including a lid portion adjacent the first end, a flexible portion, and a selectively closeable opening through which the associated garment can be placed in the enclosure;    a base attached to the second end of the enclosure, wherein the lid portion selectively attaches to the base; and    a mist generator disposed in the base and in communication with the enclosure.    
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the lid portion and the base each include complementary edges.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the lid portion includes a latch that selectively engages a catch disposed on the base.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the lid portion and the base cooperate to store the flexible portion.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the mist generator comprises a steam generator.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the mist generator is adapted to deliver a chemical mist to the enclosure at a temperature below a boiling point of the chemical mist.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , further comprising a steam generator in communication with the enclosure.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , further comprising a wrinkle release device having a first end attached to the base and a second end selectively attachable to the associated garment.