US3670425A - Clothes rejuvenator - Google Patents

Abstract

A steamer-dryer and clothes rejuvenator for clothes comprises an enclosure for a blower-heater and a vaporizer which are operable to admit steam and a heated current of air to a cabinet. A control enclosure is also provided in the cabinet housing controls which automatically control the operation of the heaterblower and the vaporizer. The steam from the vaporizer steams out creases as garments hang in the cabinet while the heated current of air dries and sanitizes damp, limp, and musty clothing.

Description

United States Patent Benjamin et al.

[ CLOTHES REJUVENATOR 8/1971 Bliss .t34/l5l [72] Inventors: Rose Ellen Benjamin, 48 Marshall Road;

Ann Hudjs, 63 Ridge Drive both of Primary ExammerCarroll B. Donty, Jr. kers, NY 10705 Attorney-Frank J. Jordan [22] Filed: Feb. 11, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21 App]. No.: 1 14,620 A steamer-dryer and clothes rejuvenator for clothes comprises an enclosure for a blower-heater and a vaporizer which are operable to admit steam and a heated current of air to a 43 6 cabinet. A control enclosure is also provided in the cabinet housing controls which automatically control the operation of [58] Fleld ofSearch ..34/46,72,151,163,223/51 the heatebblower and the vaporizer. The Steam from the vaporizer steams out creases as garments hang in the cabinet [56] References Cited while the heated current of air dries and sanitizes damp, limp,

UNITED STATES PATENTS and musty clothing- 3,576,079 4/ 1971 l-lauser ..34/46 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 22 62 L W H "I 4 i," L i /Z ltf'l 7 42 l lli\\\i}g\ 1.3"

5 4 !!ii.!'m.. f T T 3 3 when winter clothes are removed from storage trunks, garment bags and the like. It may also be used in humid weather when clothes tend to lose shape on a hanger and become musty.

For a better understanding ,of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings,

. wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Clothes Rejuvenator according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. V

I FIG. 3 is a bottom viewlooking along the line 33 in FIG. 2.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited in its application to the detailsin construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a clothes-steamer drier cabinet comprising a pair of side walls l0, 12, a back wall 14, a front wall 16 on which two doors 18, 20 are mounted, a top wall 22 and a bottom wall 24. The cabinet is of a suitable size to house clothing which is carried on hangers. To this end a bar 26 is provided at the upper portion of the cabinet to receive clothes hangers.

Within the cabinet is a dividing wall 28 which together with the side wall defines a compartment 30 in which various component parts are housed as will be described. The bottom wall 24 is disposed inwardly of the longitudinal ends of the side walls I0, 12, front wall 16 and rear wall 14 thereby to define an enclosure 32 in the bottom of the cabinet.

Supported on the bottom wall 24 and disposed in the .enclosure 32 are a steam vaporizer 34 and a heater-blower 36. The latter comprises a fan 38 driven by an electric motor 40, the arrangement being such that air is drawn in by the fan 38 through an opening 42 in the side wall 10 and discharged past an electric heater element 44 into the cabinet through an opening 46 in the bottom wall 24.

The steam vaporizer 34 comprises a container 48 for holding water and an electric heating element 50 for heating the water whereby steam passes from a spout on the container into the cabinet through an opening 52 in the bottom wall 24.

The controls for the vaporizer 34 and heater-blower 36 are 7 housed in the previously described compartment 30. The controls consist of a signal light 54 which lights up when the unit is turned on, an on-off switch 56 for turning the unit on and off, a timer 58 for shutting the unit down after a predetermined period of time, and a thermostat 60 for controlling the temperature within the cabinet.

In operation, garments creased from storing or packing are hung on hangers in the cabinet. The doors 18, are closed and the switch 54 is placed in the on position. This completes an electric circuit which includes the heater element 50 in the vaporizer 34 thereby causing steam to gently waft up into the cabinet into contact with the garments. After a predetermined length of time, as determined by the timer 58, or after all of the water has been used up, the electric circuit to the vaporizer heating element 50 is broken, thereby terminating the supply of steam. As thisoccurs, the heater element 44 and fan 38 are turned on and hot air is blown up into the cabinet causing the dampened clothing to dry while being gently blown into desired shape. After a predetermined length of time, as determined by the timer 58, the heating element 44 and fan 38 are shut off whereupon the garments are removed and the unit is ready to be recycled.

As required, the vaporizer 34 is replenished with water. If

desired a deodorizing agent, an antiseptic agent, or perfume may be added to the water. The signal light 54 is lit when the vaporizer 34 and heater-blower 36 are in operation.

The top wall 22 of the cabinet is provided with louvres 61 each of which is hingedly mounted to the top wall 22 and each of which is hingedly mounted to a control rod 62. Thus, it will be seen that as the control rod 62 is pushed in and out, the degree of opening of the louvres 61 is varied thereby controlling the flow of air out of the cabinet. The control rod 62 may also be used for controlling the temperature of the cabinet during operation of the unit in that closing of the louvres 61 will tend to retard the escape of air and thereby raise the temperature in the cabinet. Conversely, opening of the louvres 61 will lower the temperature.

The cabinet described above is able to steam out creases in garments while the latter hang in the cabinet. Also, it dries and sanitizes damp, limp and musty clothing and also deodorizes and scents garments with perfume. The cabinet may be utilized after traveling with tightly packed clothing or for seasonal changes when winter clothes are removed from storage trunks, garment bags and the like. The cabinet may also be used in humid weather when clothes tend to lose shape on the hanger and to get musty and odorous. It may also be used to dry underwear or bathing suits or wash and wear clothing. It may also be used to accent the perfume a person wears.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinafter described being merely and preferred embodiment thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A steamer-drier for clothes comprising in combination a cabinet, a vertical wall in said cabinet defining one side of a control compartment, a horizontal wall in said cabinet defining the top of an equipment enclosure, blower means in said equipment enclosure and mounted on said horizontal wall to produce an air current which passes through an opening provided in said horizontal wall, electric heating means in said equipment enclosure and arranged for heating said air current, a vaporizer means in said equipment enclosure, said vaporizer means including an electric heating element arranged to heat water in said vaporizer means and produce steam, said horizontal wall having an opening through which said steam passes into said cabinet, louvre means in the top of said cabinets through which air exits from said cabinet, and electric control means in said control compartment for controlling the operation of said blower means, vaporizer, and electric heating means, said control means comprising a control switch and a control light extending from said control compartment externally of said cabinet and a timer operable to render inoperable said blower and vaporizer means after a predetermined period of operation.

2. A steamer-drier according to claim 1 wherein said louvre means includes a control rod operable externally of said cabinet for adjusting the amount of air discharged through said louvre means.

3. A steamer-drier according to claim 1 wherein said cabinet has side walls the longitudinal bottom ends of which cooperate with said horizontal wall to define said equipment enclosure.

4. A steamer-drier according to claim 3 wherein said equipment enclosure is provided with means for admitting air thereto.

Claims (4)

1. A steamer-drier for clothes comprising in combination a cabinet, a vertical wall in said cabinet defining one side of a control compartment, a horizontal wall in said cabinet defining the top of an equipment enclosure, blower means in said equipment enclosure and mounted on said horizontal wall to produce an air current which passes through an opening provided in said horizontal wall, electric heating means in said equipment enclosure and arranged for heating said air current, a vaporizer means in said equipment enclosure, said vaporizer means including an electric heating element arranged to heat water in said vaporizer means and produce steam, said horizontal wall having an opening through which said steam passes into said cabinet, louvre means in the top of said cabinets through which air exits from said cabinet, and electric control means in said control compartment for controlling the operation of said blower means, vaporizer, and electric heating means, said control means comprising a control switch and a control light extending from said control compartment externally of said cabinet and a timer operable to render inoperable said blower and vaporizer means after a predetermined period of operation.

2. A steamer-drier according to claim 1 wherein said louvre means includes a control rod operable externally of said cabinet for adjusting the amount of air discharged through said louvre means.

3. A steamer-drier according to claim 1 wherein said cabinet has side walls the longitudinal bottom ends of which cooperate with said horizontal wall to define said equipment enclosure.

4. A steamer-drier according to claim 3 wherein said equipment enclosure is provided with means for admitting air thereto.

Images