Method and Apparatus for Washing Fabrics Using Focused Ultrasound
OwnerYoav Medan, Kobi Vortman +1inventors
InventorsYoav Medan, Kobi Vortman, Shuki Vitek
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Abstract
Systems and methods in accordance with the invention cause substantially the entire area of a fabric article to be laundered is efficiently and completely exposed to focused ultrasound. In this way, the benefits of cavitation are applied to the article as a whole rather than on a “spot” basis.
Claims23
Apparatus for laundering fabric articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a cavitation chamber for receiving the fabric articles to be laundered;
- a source of ultrasound energy focusing to one or more foci within the cavitation chamber;
- and
- a handling system for ensuring that substantially the entireties of the fabric articles pass at least once through a cavitation region during a cleaning cycle.
Apparatus for laundering fabric articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable chamber for receiving the fabric articles to be laundered, at least a portion of the chamber being substantially transparent to ultrasound energy;
- surrounding the rotatable chamber, at least one stationary ultrasound source for directing ultrasound energy to different foci within the chamber;
- and
- a controller for rotating the chamber and selectively activating the at least one ultrasound source during the rotation.
Apparatus for laundering fabric articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a chamber for receiving the fabric articles to be laundered;
- means for directing ultrasound energy into the chamber;
- a handling system for drawing fabric articles through the chamber;
- and
- means for introducing micro-bubbles into the chamber, whereby the fabric articles are exposed to streaming and inertial cavitation, the micro-bubbles having sizes optimized to enhance cavitation.
A method of laundering fabric articles, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving, in a chamber, the fabric articles to be laundered;
- directing ultrasound energy to one or more foci within the chamber;
- and
- handling the fabrics such that substantially the entire areas of the fabric articles pass at least once through a cavitation region during a cleaning cycle.
A method of laundering fabric articles, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving, in a chamber, the fabric articles to be laundered so the articles are submerged in a liquid;
- directing ultrasound energy into the chamber;
- drawing fabric articles through the chamber;
- and
- introducing micro-bubbles into the chamber, whereby the fabric articles are exposed to streaming and inertial cavitation.
A method of laundering fabric articles, the method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a chamber in which the fabric articles are submerged in a liquid;
- and
- during the rotation, selectively activating a plurality of circumferentially disposed, stationary ultrasound sources around the chamber to direct ultrasound energy to different foci within the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.