Vacuum-based method and apparatus for cleaning soiled articles
AssigneeFathhome, Inc.
InventorsAmir Khazaieli, Aaron Rowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are vacuum-based systems, products, devices, and methods for de-odorizing, disinfecting, or cleaning articles such as clothing, shoes, toys, or dishes. A system or device can comprise a vacuum chamber comprising a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure and an opening; a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber; and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber, wherein the lower internal pressure enhances the vaporization and removal of odors located on one or more articles disposed within the vacuum chamber.
Claims17
A device comprising:
- a vacuum chamber comprising:
- a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure;
- and
- an opening;
- a vacuum lid configured to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber and form a seal with the opening;
- a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber;
- a subsystem configured to introduce a consumable into the vacuum chamber before, during, or after a vacuum cycle;
- a pressing mechanism, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to remove wrinkles by pressing an article disposed within the internal space of the vacuum chamber, and
- a subsystem configured to introduce a gas into the vacuum chamber, wherein the gas is configured to neutralize odor, bind odor, dissolve odor, remove odor, or mask odor.
A device comprising:
- a vacuum chamber comprising:
- a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure;
- and
- an opening;
- a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening and form a seal with the opening;
- a vacuum source engaged with the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source is configured to lower the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber;
- a pressure release valve configured to open at an end of a cleaning cycle, wherein opening the pressure release valve equilibrates an internal pressure of the vacuum chamber with external pressure;
- a subsystem configured to release at least one disinfecting compound into the vacuum chamber,
- a subsystem configured to introduce a consumable into the vacuum chamber before, during, or after a vacuum cycle;
- and
- a subsystem configured to introduce a gas into the vacuum chamber, wherein the gas is configured to carry out at least one of the following functions:
- neutralizing odor, binding odor, dissolving odor, removing odor, and masking odor.
A method comprising:
- providing a vacuum chamber having an internal space with an internal pressure;
- providing an article to be disinfected, wherein the article is placed within the internal space of the chamber;
- run at least one disinfecting cycle comprising:
- injecting a disinfecting gas into the internal space of the vacuum chamber, the disinfecting gas having a partial pressure within the internal space and the vacuum chamber sealing the disinfecting gas within the internal space;
- wherein the disinfecting gas is stored as a compressed liquid;
- applying a vacuum source to the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber to below ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber and reduces the partial pressure of the disinfecting gas;
- maintaining the sub-atmospheric internal pressure for a period of time sufficient to achieve a cleaning objective;
- and
- raising the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.