Systems and methods for washing and drying using an altered pressure environment
OwnerLap Shun Huiinventor
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for treating clothing with a clothing treatment device under a pressure environment altered from an ambient pressure. In one example, the clothing treatment device may comprise a chamber which may be evacuated to a low internal air pressure by a vacuum pump and/or a cold plate, wherein fabric articles placed inside the chamber may be washed and dried, and wherein the drying occurs under low pressure conditions within the chamber via one or more heat sources. In at least one example, the fabric articles may be hanging within the chamber.
Claims20
A clothing treatment device, comprising:
- a chamber;
- a vacuum seal for the chamber holding an air pressure within the chamber at a different pressure than an ambient pressure outside the chamber;
- a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the chamber;
- and
- a controller to operate the vacuum pump to change the air pressure within the chamber to be different than the ambient pressure outside of the chamber during operation of the clothing treatment device.
A method for treating clothing, comprising:
- positioning one or more fabric articles in a chamber in a hanging configuration;
- flowing air through the chamber;
- and
- applying heat to the chamber.
A method for treating clothing comprising:
- sealing a chamber;
- determining a moisture level in the chamber;
- determining a pressure level in the chamber;
- and
- adjusting the pressure level in the chamber to a preselected pressure level responsive to the determined moisture level in the chamber being greater than a threshold moisture level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.