Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Delicate Textiles

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for cleaning delicate textiles, comprising a motorized and rotating drum housed in a fluid tight basket, at least a water inlet and a fluid outlet, at least a first container for a first chemical composition, and a heating means. According to the invention, the first container is appropriate to contain a warm mixture of water and the said first chemical composition, the apparatus comprises at least a conduit cooperating with a circulating means for mixing and circulating the said warm mixture between said first container and said circulating means, a means for injecting or spraying said mixture into said drum and over dry textiles, said circulating means having an inlet for said warm mixture and at least an outlet cooperating with at least a first end of a conduit opening at its second end into the drum. The invention further relates to a method implemented by such an apparatus.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning delicate textiles, comprising a motorized and rotating drum housed in a fluid tight basket, at least a water inlet and a fluid outlet, at least a first container for a first chemical composition wherein the first container is appropriate to contain a warm mixture of water and the said first chemical composition, the apparatus comprises at least a conduit cooperating with a circulating means for mixing and circulating the said mixture between said first container and said circulating means, a means for injecting and/or spraying said warm mixture into said drum and over dry textiles, said circulating means having an inlet for said warm mixture and at least an outlet cooperating with at least a first end of a conduit opening at its second end into the drum. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a first means for circulating the warm mixture into the drum through the spraying means, and/or a second means for circulating the warm mixture into the drum through the injection means. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a heating means located inside said first container. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a heating means located outside said first container. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein it further comprises a second container for a second chemical composition, said second container having an opening for the second chemical composition to flow out of said second container and into said fluid tight basket. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container comprises an outlet for evacuating the mixture not flowing through the circulating means. 
     
     
         7 . A method for cleaning delicate textiles comprising: contacting the textiles with a washing fluid; rotating of wet textiles in a motorized rotating drum provided in a fluid tight basket; rinsing said textiles by contacting said textiles with clean water; extracting rinse water wherein, prior to contacting the textiles with the washing fluid, a warm mixture of water and a first chemical composition is provided in a first container; spraying the warm mixture over the dry textiles during drum rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the warm mixture has a temperature between 10° C. and 35° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the washing fluid is continually re-circulated around the textiles, before being extracted out of the drum. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein at least a pump is used to circulate said warm mixture within said first container before it is sprayed over said dry textiles. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein, once the step of extracting rinse water is completed, a second chemical composition is injected over textiles present into the drum. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein, after injection of the second chemical composition, a second fluid extraction is provided. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein it comprises a heating means located inside said first container. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein it comprises a heating means located outside said first container. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the washing fluid is continually re-circulated around the textiles, before being extracted out of the drum.