US3427831A - Pre-spotting unit for dry cleaning - Google Patents

Description

M. FRAUENDORF Sheet MAN/A Feb. 18, 1969 PRE-SPOTTING UNIT FOR DRY CLEANING Filed Nov. 15. 1966 Feb. 18, 1969 M.FRAUENDORF PRE-SPOTTING UNIT FOR DRY CLEANING Sheet Filed Nov. 15, 1966 Inventor: HWY/W60 FfiiUfA/MAF Um'tedistates Patent 3,427,831 PRE-SPOTTING UNIT FOR DRY CLEANING Manfred Frauendorf, Lortzingstr. 1, Nuremberg, Germany Filed Nov. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 594,557 Claims priority, application Germany, Jan. 29, 1966,

N 27,976 U.S. c1. 68-240 Int. Cl. D06f 43/08 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention The present invention relates to the dry cleaning industry. More particularly the invention is concerned with a pre-spotting or stain removing unit for cleaning garments having a working pad, for use in dry-cleaning establishments, especially chemical dry-cleaning plants.

Prior to placing garments in the dry-cleaning machine it is frequently necesssary to perform what is generally referred to a spotting operation in order to remove spots, perspiration borders or similar impurities which are not nomally removed by the cleaning in the machine. It is known to apply for this purpose a mixture of water and cleaning agent at a ratio of five parts water to one part cleaning activator by means of brushes onto the soiled area of the garment to be cleaned. This manner of operation introduces the disadvantage that when placing the garment into the cleaning machine additional water is carried into the washing liquid. Due to this addition of water and cleaning activator to the washing liquid, the ratio of the cleaner in the machine is unfavorably influenced and interruptions in the operation of the filter may occur. A further disadvantage exists in that, for example, due to the mechanical treatment by the brush the fabric is subjected to undue wear. With different types of fabric shrinking or warping or crimping may occur.

Summary of the invention It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a pro-spotting unit which simplifies the former method of pre-spotting considerably, makes possible a method of treatment that protects the fabric and permits a saving of cleaning activator or concentrate as well as of working time. In accordance with the invention this problem is solved in that the working pad of the spotting unit is perforated in the manner of a screen and provided with a catch basin for the cleaning actuator, and that a spraying device for steam and for cleaning activator or concentrate is provided. This arrangement in accordance with the invention makes it possible to apply the cleaning activator in undiluted condition by spraying onto the soiled areas of the material being cleaned. Simultaneously steam is sup- 3,427,831 Patented Feb. 18, 1969 plied separately that condenses on the fabric and is immediately bonded or fixed by the cleaning activator. The part of the steam that is not condensed is removed by suction. The condensed steam is physically and chemically bonded by the cleaning activator so that no free water remains on the garment or fabric. This affords the essential advantage that also knitted goods can be sprayed without being concerned about shrinking, running of colors, crimping, felting, matting or the like.

Another feature provided in acordance with the invention which is especially appropriate is the arrangement of a suction hood and an exhaust fan or the like at the rear wall of the apparatus.

In order to facilitate work on longer garments a catch trough is provided below the working surface preferably made of plastic or the like, into which overhanging parts of the garment being cleaned can be placed.

In individual cases additional clean-ing agents for removing particular spots are required which are kept in bottles. In order to make the work easier, it is a further object of the invention to provide a shelf for the bottles of cleaning agents on the suction hood.

A further saving in working time is obtained in that the spraying device can be deposited within reach by means of a magnet mounted in the back of the spotting unit.

In accordance with a further practical development of the invention a working area light is provided on the upper structure, preferably in the suction hood.

In accordance with the invention the spraying device is connected with a container for the cleaning activator and with a steam generating apparatus. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the spraying device has a nozzle head with a nozzle threadedly received therein for the cleaning activator :and apertures disposed around the nozzle for the exit of the steam in a manner that the steam and the cleaning activator can be sprayed on separately. 7

In accordance with the invention, a pedal operated valve device is provided to operate the spraying device which consists of magnetic valves for steam and cleaning activator, which are connected with each other in such a manner that actuating of the steam valve is possible only simultaneously with the cleaning actuator valve, while opening of the cleaning actuator valve can be effected without actuating the steam valve.

Furthermore, in accordance with a further development of the invention, the magnetic valves and the nozzle head are so proportioned that the ratio of steam to cleaning activities is 1:5.

Advantageously the nozzle head may be of generally square shape and provided on at least one side with a magnetizable sheet metal plate and with a protective sleeve for the hand.

The container for the cleaning actuator in accordance with the invention is constructed as a pressure vessel having a pressure sealed filling stub and a rising pipe, and is preferably coated inside, or inside and outside, with an acid-resistant plastic coating.

The pre-spotting unit in accordance with invention affords simple and rapid spot removal by trained operators so that a considerable economy in cleaning actuator is obtained as compared to the former methods of brushing on the cleaning actuator.

The separate application of steam and cleaning actu- 3 ator onto the garment to be cleaned does not change the water content of the washing liquid in the cleaning machine, due to the bonding or fixing of the condensed steam by the cleaning actuator. Generally, the prespotting of garments makes it unnecessary to perform subsequent spotting which is normally necessary.

Brief description of the drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment schematically, and in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the unit in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of the container for the cleaning actuator, and

FIG. 3 is a view of the spraying device in accordance with the invention.

Description of the invention The pre-spotting unit in accordance with the invention in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is supported by a frame 1 which may for example be constituted of tubular elements. A working pad 2 is horizontally disposedon this frame and consists of a screen 3 or a plate perforated in the manner of a screen over which a canvas 4 may be spread if desired. Below this working pad a catch basin 5 is provided which may be connected by way of a spout 6 and a conduit 7 with a collecting container 8.

Below the working pad 2 a catch or supporting shelf 9 is loosely mounted between two frame portions 10 and 11. In this connection, the construction is advantageously such that a part of the catch 9 projects beyond the front end of the frame 1. This catch or support 9 affords the possibility during work with long garments or fabrics to place on it the parts that hang down so that sliding on the floor is avoided.

Suitably, the unit has a rear wall 12 which has an upper part 13 that is formed in the manner of an exhaust hood. An exhauster 14 withdraws the steam out of the exhaust hood that may not have been condensed while treating garments. The upper surface 16 of the exhaust hood is partly or entirely constructed as a supporting surface or tray for bottles '17, 18 containing cleaning agent. A pad 20 that prevents sliding, as well as a protective frame 21 may also be provided.

On the back of the wall 12, a permanent retaining magnet 22 is mounted on which the spraying device 23 may be supported when it is not in use. The spraying device 23 will be described later. It is connected on'the one hand by conduits 24 and 25 with a container 26 for the cleaning actuator, and on the other hand with a steam generator that is not illustrated. The connection is by way of magnetic valves 27 and 28. A pedal operated switch 29 is provided for actuating the magnetic valves.

The container 26 for the cleaning actuator is in the form of a pressure resistant container and has a filling stub 30 that can be pressure sealed. Compressed air is supplied to the container by way of a valve 31 through the connecting pipe 32. Inside of the container a riser tube 33 is mounted in a manner known per se. Advantageously, the container 26 is provided either inside or outside, but preferably inside and outside, with a coating 34 and 35 of acid-resistant plastic.

The valves 27 and 28 are electrically connected in parallel, and the valve 27 for the steam supply to the spraying device 23 may be disconnected by means of a manual switch 36. This affords that the spraying device 23 can always be supplied with cleaning actuator, although normally steam is sprayed with it; however the supply of steam alone is made impossible.

The embodiment of a spraying device illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a nozzle head 37 which is preferably of square shape. In the nozzle head 37, a hollow space 38 threadedly receives a spray nozzle 39 known per se. The

hollow space 38 is surrounded by an annular hollow space 40 which has a plurality of apertures 41 for spraying the steam. The apertures 41 are disposed around the nozzle 39, preferably in a circular manner.

The supply of steam is by way of the entrance aperture 42 and the inner connecting bore 43. The entrance aperture 44 is for the cleaning actuator and from there the cleaning actuator is conducted by way of the duct 45 to the hollow space 38. The nozzle head 37 has a handle 46. Suitably, this handle is surrounded by a cup-shaped protecting member 47 so that the handle and the hand of the operator is protected against steam and against the elfect of the cleaning actuator. Along the side wall a metal disk 48 is secured by soldering or the like. This disk can be magnetized and is made of suitable rustresisting material. In combination with the retaining magnet 22, the nozzle head 37 may then be readily attached with its plate 48 against the pre-spotting unit.

The valves 27 and 28, or the supply ducts are so proportioned that the mixture ratio between steam and cleaning actuator is 1:5.

By operating the foot pedal 29, both magnetic valves 27 and 28 are opened so that the steam and non-diluted cleaning actuator are supplied through separate conduits 24 and 25 to the nozzle head 37. Simultaneously, steam passes through the separate bores 41 which condenses on the fabric and is bonded by the cleaning actuator.

Any rising particles of steam and cleaning actuator are withdrawn by suction through the exhauster 14 on the rear wall 12 so that the operator is not discomforted. Cleaning actuator that does not contact the material being cleaned is collected in the catch basin 5 and flows back without pressure into the container 8.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment and features illustrated. It encompasses also all advantages and suitable partial and sub-combinations of these features.

Having now described my invention with reference to the embodiment illustrated, I do not wish to be limited thereto but what I desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Pre-spotting unit for cleaning garments, said unit comprising a support structure, a working support perforated in the manner of a screen, a catch basin for sprayed liquid below said screen, a container for cleaning actuator, a steam supply connection, a common spraying device for steam and cleaning actuator comprising a nozzle head having a spray nozzle for cleaning actuator threadedly received therein and a plurality of apertures for the discharge of steam disposed around said nozzle, conduits connecting said nozzle head to said container and to said steam supply connection, and control means including -a valve for cleaning actuator and a valve for steam for selectively controlling the supply of cleaning actuator to said nozzle separately and the supply of steam together with cleaning actuator, said container for cleaning actuator being a pressure container having a protective coating of acid resistant plastic material and including a filling socket and a rising tube connected to one of said conduits.

2. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said spraying device is generally of rectangular shape, is provided on one side with a magnetizable metal shield, and includes a handle, and a shielding cup disposed around said handle.

3. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said valves are pedal operated metal valves and where said valve for cleaning actuator is independently operable while said valve for steam is dependent for operation on the operation of said cleaning actuator valve.

4. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said valves and said nozzle head 'are constructed and arranged to supply steam and cleaning actuator at a ratio of 1:5.

(References on following page) McGee 68-222 X Goodwin 68-240 Fink 68-240 X Richterkessing 68-240 Beekman 248-206 X Brucken 68-18 X 6 FOREIGN PATENTS 536,763 12/1955 Italy.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

Images