Machine for dry-cleaning articles

Abstract

The machine ( 1 ) for dry-cleaning and drying articles such as clothes, household linen, towels, curtains and the like comprises a rotary drum ( 2 ) which contains the articles, a closed circuit ( 3 ) for circulation of the air used for drying the articles and a refrigeration system ( 14 ) for the treatment of said drying air.

1 . A machine for dry-cleaning articles such as clothes and the like, comprising:
 a rotary drum ( 2 ) for containing the articles,   means for introducing solvent into and draining it from the drum,   a substantially closed circuit ( 3 ) for circulation of air for drying the solvent from the articles contained in the drum ( 2 ), the circuit ( 3 ) comprising at least one fan ( 5 ) for moving the air, a first evaporator ( 20 ) of a refrigeration system ( 14 ) for condensing the solvent contained in the air, and a first condenser ( 16 ) belonging to the refrigeration system ( 14 ) for heating the air to be reintroduced into the drum ( 2 ), the machine being characterised in that the refrigeration system ( 14 ) comprises an auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ), outside the closed circuit ( 3 ) for circulation of the air and control means for feeding towards the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ), at least for predetermined periods, the refrigerant normally flowing between the first evaporator ( 20 ) and the first condenser ( 16 ).   
   
   
       2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the control means comprise valve means (V 1 , V 6 ) for diverting towards the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) the refrigerant which normally flows towards the first evaporator ( 20 ) of the refrigeration system ( 14 ), the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) forming a second evaporator, alternative to the first evaporator ( 20 ). 
   
   
       3 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the control means comprise valve means (V 4 , V 5 ) for diverting towards the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) the refrigerant which normally flows towards the first condenser ( 16 ) of the refrigeration system ( 14 ), the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) forming a second condenser, alternative to the first condenser ( 16 ). 
   
   
       4 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the control means comprise valve means (V 2 , V 3 ) for diverting towards the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) the refrigerant coming out of the first condenser ( 16 ), the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) forming a second condenser, in addition to the first condenser ( 16 ). 
   
   
       5 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) comprises a respective auxiliary fan designed to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange by means of a forced air flow. 
   
   
       6 . The machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it comprises a computerised control and operating unit, the unit controlling the valve means (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , V 6 , V 7 ) and the auxiliary fan according to the achievement of predetermined temperature and/or pressure values by the refrigerant and/or the air circulating in the closed circuit ( 3 ). 
   
   
       7 . The machine according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the computerised control and operating unit comprises a first element ( 23 ) for detecting the air temperature, positioned along the closed circuit ( 3 ). 
   
   
       8 . The machine according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the computerised control and operating unit comprises at least a second element ( 26 ) for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant. 
   
   
       9 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a circuit ( 100 ) for cooling the solvent to be fed to the drum ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 . The machine according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the cooling circuit ( 100 ) comprises a heat exchanger ( 103 ) along which refrigerant flows. 
   
   
       11 . The machine for dry-cleaning articles such as clothes and the like, in particular according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a rotary drum ( 2 ) for containing the articles,   a substantially closed circuit ( 3 ) for circulation of air for drying the dry-cleaning solvent from the articles contained in the drum ( 2 ), the circuit ( 3 ) comprising air treatment means, the machine being characterised in that the air treatment means comprise heat exchangers ( 16 ,  20 ) exclusively of the type along which a refrigerant flows and belonging to a refrigeration system ( 14 ).   
   
   
       12 . A method for dry-cleaning articles such as clothes and the like, comprising the steps of:
 introducing a dry-cleaning solvent into a drum ( 2 ) for containing the articles,   rotating the drum ( 2 ) to distribute the solvent on the articles,   making an air flow circulate along a substantially closed circuit ( 3 ) in which the drum ( 2 ) is integrated,   treating the air to dry the solvent from the articles, the method being characterised in that the air treatment step comprises a step of heating the air from a first temperature (t 0 ) to a second predetermined temperature (t 2 ) and a step of condensing the solvent contained in the air, the condensing step being implemented only from when the air has reached a predetermined intermediate temperature (t 1 ), between the first and second temperatures (t 0 , t 2 ).   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of condensing the air is implemented by passing the air flow through a condensation battery ( 7 ) consisting of a first evaporator ( 20 ) of a refrigeration system ( 14 ) in which a refrigerant circulates, the method being characterised in that the refrigerant is fed to the first evaporator ( 20 ) only after the air has reached a temperature greater than or equal to the predetermined intermediate temperature (t 1 ). 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , characterised in that during the step of heating the air from the first temperature (t 0 ) to the intermediate temperature (t 1 ), the refrigerant is fed to an auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) outside the closed circuit ( 3 ), the auxiliary heat exchanger ( 22 ) forming a second evaporator of the refrigeration system ( 14 ), alternative to the first evaporator ( 20 ).