United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 5,236,580
Kelleher [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 17,1993
Related U.S. Application Data
Continuation of Ser. No. 726,751, Jul. 8, 1991.
Int. CI.5 D06F 43/08; B01D 53/00
U.S. CI 210/97; 34/48
34/55; 34/80; 34/133 L; 68/18 F; 202/181 202/200; 202/233; 210/104; 210/117; 210/149 "210/180; 210/191; 210/188; 210/261; 210/263
210/295
[58] Field of Search 210/86, 97, 104, 117,
210/136,149, 167,180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 188, 128, 247.1, 261, 263, 288, 295; 68/18 R, 18 C, 18 F; 34/48, 76, 55, 76, 80, 79,133 L, 82, DIG. 1; 202/177, 181, 200, 233; 55/387, 420
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,140,623 12/1938 Hetzer 202/181
3,203,110 8/1965 Fuhring et al 34/76
3,665,734 5/1972 Hauser et al 68/18 C
3,674,650 7/1972 Fine 210/167
3,696,003 10/1972 Fitch et al 202/181
3,977,218 8/1976 Zucchini 210/167
4,091,643 5/1978 Zucchini 68/18 C
4,217,115 8/1980 Palmer 55/95
4,331,514 5/1982 Bauer 202/181
4,354,364 10/1982 Holder et al 68/18 R
4,415,075 11/1983 McNesky et al 202/181
4,437,937 3/1984 McGraw 202/181
4,443,344 4/1984 Lewis 210/774
4,581,133 4/1986 Tomes 68/18 C
4,664,754 5/1987 Caputi et al 210/182
4,769,921 9/1988 Kabakov et al 34/27
4,774,821 10/1988 Luppi et al 68/18 C
4,780,218 10/1988 Kohler 210/774
4,788,776 12/1988 Fuhring et al 68/18 C
4,793,938 12/1988 Dayton 210/774
4,879,888 11/1989 Suissa 68/18 C
4,885,099 12/1989 Kelly 210/774
4,917,807 4/1990 Prisco, Jr. et al 210/774
5,068,030 11/1991 Chen 210/181
5,107,605 4/1992 Yamada et al 34/79
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
1-17697 1/1989 Japan .
1351302 4/1974 United Kingdom .
Primary Examiner—Robert A. Dawson
Assistant Examiner—Sun Uk Kim
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Pretty, Schroeder,
Brueggemann & Clark
[57] ABSTRACT
A device and a related method are provided for reclaiming or recovering dry cleaning solvent from otherwise disposable fluid contained within a separator or other suitable receptacle of a dry cleaning machine. The device includes an evaporator and a fluid transfer mechanism for transporting fluid evaporated by the evaporator through a filter that removes substantially all of the solvent present within the evaporated fluid. Alternatively, a filter can be interposed between the separator or other suitable receptacle and the evaporator so that solvent is filtered before reaching the evaporator. Consequently, the device substantially reclaims or recovers dry cleaning solvent that may still be present within the fluid that is to be otherwise disposed of from the separator or other suitable receptacle.
31 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
