U.S. patent application number 14/008713 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for system for washing garments in plumbing fixtures like showers, combined bathtub - shower and the like.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sergio Zaglio. Invention is credited to Sergio Zaglio.
Application Number | 20140026313 14/008713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43976907 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140026313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zaglio; Sergio |
January 30, 2014 |
SYSTEM FOR WASHING GARMENTS IN PLUMBING FIXTURES LIKE SHOWERS,
COMBINED BATHTUB - SHOWER AND THE LIKE
Abstract
The invention concerns a system for stain removing, washing,
drying and ironing treatment of garments and/or washing of dishes
in pre-existing plumbing fixtures like showers, bathtubs, combined
shower--bathtub and shower--sauna, each provided with a protective
stall. The system comprises a frame, composed of at least two posts
(15) connected by a top crossbeam (16), placed inside the stall;
collapsible or foldable hangers or models (18), assembled on the
frame for hanging garments thereon; means (19, 20) for supplying
and delivering a washing and rinsing fluid for garments supported
by hangers or models (18); and means per supplying airflow in the
stall for drying and ironing said garments, while the latter are
hung up on said hangers or models. Alternatively to hangers or
models, the system comprises plate-rack for dishes to be
washed.
Inventors: |
Zaglio; Sergio; (Castiglione
Delle Stiviere (MN), IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zaglio; Sergio |
Castiglione Delle Stiviere (MN) |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
43976907 |
Appl. No.: |
14/008713 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/051552 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/524 ; 134/115R;
134/56D; 4/546; 4/597; 68/12.02; 68/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/16 20130101;
D06F 17/04 20130101; A47L 15/0097 20130101; D06F 58/10 20130101;
A47L 2401/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/524 ; 68/20;
134/115.R; 134/56.D; 68/12.02; 4/597; 4/546 |
International
Class: |
D06F 17/04 20060101
D06F017/04; A47L 15/00 20060101 A47L015/00; D06F 58/10 20060101
D06F058/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2011 |
IT |
BS2011A000038 |
Claims
1. System for stain removing, washing, drying and ironing treatment
of garments in plumbing fixtures provided with a protective stall,
the system comprising: a frame comprised of at least two posts (15)
connected by a top crossbeam (16) placed transversely inside said
stall; means on said frame for hanging garments thereon to be
treated, said means being comprised of hangers or models (18);
means (19, 20) for supplying and delivering a washing and rinsing
fluid for garments carried by said hangers or models (18); and
means for supplying airflow in said stall for drying and ironing
said garments, while the garments are hung up on said hangers or
models.
2. System according to claim 1, wherein said hangers or models (18)
for the garments to be treated have different dimensions to support
garments of various sizes and to keep each garment spread and
stretched so that front parts of the garments are separated from
rear parts of the garment.
3. System according to claim 1, wherein said hangers or models (18)
are removable, collapsible, or foldable against the posts and/or
the crossbeam of the loadbearing frame when not in use, thereby not
impeding use of the plumbing fixture as such.
4. System according to claim 1, wherein the washing fluid is water
and said loadbearing frame is combined with at least one
compartment (17) hosting equipments for supplying and distributing
pressurized water towards the garments, loading and distributing
detergent, heating water, evacuating the washing water towards the
drain of the plumbing fixture, as well as a hot air generator for
drying and ironing garments, and control instruments.
5. System according to claim 2, wherein the means for supplying and
distributing washing and rinsing water comprise at least one
spraying bar (19) with nozzles (20) to deliver water jets towards
the garments to be treated, said spraying bar (19) being able to be
horizontal or vertical and vertically movable relatively to the
hung and stretched garments on the hangers or models (18).
6. System according to claim 5, wherein the means for supplying and
distributing washing and rinsing water comprise two or more
spraying bars with nozzles to deliver water jets in opposite
directions, said bars being vertically movable relatively to the
hung and stretched garments on the hangers or models (18).
7. System according to claim 6, wherein said spraying bars (19) are
driven vertically and can be moved in parallel or independently one
from each other.
8. Method according to claim 1, wherein each spraying bar (19)
comprises clusters of spraying nozzles water--fed selectively or
simultaneously.
9. System according to claim 5, wherein means to cause the rotation
of at least some of water sprays and change selectively the
pressure of delivered water are provided.
10. System according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
nozzle (21) for a rotating water spray at a level of specific parts
of a garment to be treated.
11. System according to claim 2, further comprising one or more
nozzles for delivering water jets into at least some spread and
stretched garments on hangers or models (18).
12. System according to claim 1, further comprising means for
pointing and stopping selectively at least some water jets at a
single garment or some parts that are particularly dirty of a
garment to be treated.
13. System according to claim 1, wherein the stall inside of the
plumbing fixture is sub-dividable into areas or boxes to point and
direct the jets of washing liquid into each boxes according to a
corresponding programmable and selective washing cycle for
insisting on a single garment or specific parts that are
particularly dirty of a garment.
14. System according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
nozzle for a manual or automatic spray of the stain removing fluid
on specific parts of the garment to be treated.
15. System according to claim 2, further comprising means for
programming different operating cycles through the choice of the
number or movements of sprays and washing water pressure and drying
and ironing times of the hung and stretched garments on hangers or
models (18).
16. System according to claim 1, further comprising means for
supplying dry cleaning fluid and means for collecting and reusing
said fluid.
17. System according to claim 1, wherein said frame (15, 16) is
foldable, or collapsible, or at least partially removable to allow
an effective use of the plumbing fixture as such.
18. System according to claim 1, further comprising one or more
elements (100) for supporting dishes (101) configured to support
the dishes with respect to the means (19, 20) for
supplying/delivering the washing fluid with the corresponding
surfaces orthogonal to the corresponding jet of said fluid.
19. System according to claim 18, wherein the supporting elements
(100) of the dishes (101) are removable, totally or partially, from
said stall, or the supporting elements are collapsible or foldable
to allow the use of the plumbing fixture as such.
20. System according claim 18, further comprising sensors for
detecting a shape and/or a dimension and/or a presence of a garment
or dish (101) and a controlling unit programmed to process signals
received from said sensors and to feedback adjust the system
operation.
21. Shower stall provided with the system for stain removing,
washing, drying and ironing garments and/or dishes according to
claim 18.
22. Bathtub stall comprising the system for stain removing,
washing, drying and ironing garments and/or dishes according to
claim 18.
23. Combined shower--bathtub assembly comprising the system for
stain removing, washing, drying and ironing garments and/or dishes
according to claim 18.
24. Combined shower--sauna assembly comprising the system for stain
removing, washing, drying and ironing garments and/or dishes
according to claim 18.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns, generally, to the field of
plumbing fixtures like showers, bathtub, combined bathtub--shower,
shower--sauna and similar provided with a box or stall, and it
refers to, in particular, a system for stain removing, washing,
drying and ironing garments in these fixtures, and optionally for
washing and drying dishes, as well as a shower, bathtub, combined
bathtub--shower, shower--sauna and similar including such a
system.
[0002] This application claims priority from the Italian
Application BS2011A000038 of 31 Mar. 2011.
STATE OF THE ART
[0003] By now, in every house there is at least one shower, one
bathtub, one combined shower--bathtub, etc., i.e. a plumbing
fixture provided with respective water supplying and delivering
means. These fixtures, however, may be differently equipped
referring to water distributing mode, but they are anyway intended
for the use they have been designed for, that is for the person
cleaning and care.
[0004] At the most a bathtub, if present, may be used as a water
container to wash and rinse clothes and garments therein when there
is not, or it is not convenient to use, a conventional washing
machine.
[0005] In addition to conventional rotating--drum washing machines,
in the art alternative apparatuses and systems for washing and
drying garments are, known, which are provided with water inflow
and discharge means, independently from the plumbing fixtures in
houses. These apparatuses and systems allow the garments, which are
held spread and stationary, to be washed and dried.
[0006] For example, the European Patent EP 2209936B1, granted to
the Applicant, describes an apparatus of this type housed in its
own stall-type structure, which can be placed in a different room
than a bath.
[0007] The German Application n. DE 10 2008 039669 describes
another solution of the same type.
[0008] Further, usually the domestic plumbing fixtures like showers
and bathtubs are not used for washing dishes. As a matter of fact,
for this use dishwaters are provided.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to create the use
conditions of the afore said plumbing fixtures not only for the
person cleaning and care, but for another use too, advantageously
for the automatic and programmable washing of garments or more
advantageously for stain removing, washing, drying and ironing
garments and clothes, otherwise for washing dishes.
[0010] Another object of the invention is then to provide a
plumbing fixture, such as a shower, a bathtub, a combined
shower--bathtub or similar, which complements a linen or dish
washing system without preventing or limiting the conventional use
of the fixture itself, or better with also the possibility of using
the water the afore said person cleaning system delivers, even with
a massaging effect.
[0011] A further object of the invention is then to provide a
plumbing fixture of the afore described type, allowing to clean
effectively the garments also in particularly dirty areas.
[0012] These objects are achieved according to the invention with a
system according to claim 1. Further characterizing aspects of the
same machine will be evident from the remaining dependent
claims.
[0013] Analogously, the protective stall of a plumbing fixture of
the afore mentioned type, especially in domestic area, is used as a
treatment chamber for stain removing, washing, drying and ironing
cycles of garments and clothes in general, which could be operated
sequentially or independently.
[0014] In the stall a loadbearing frame is positioned, which is
equipped with means for receiving, heating and controlling the
delivery of washing liquid and rinsing liquid, means which could be
arranged in a compartment placed in the upper part of said
loadbearing frame or in another part, anyway so that not to limit
the conventional use of the plumbing fixture, indifferently shower
or bathtub.
[0015] Advantageously, the hangers or models, intended for
sustaining the garments to be treated, are applied to the
loadbearing frame in a removable, or collapsible, or fordable way,
against the frame itself when they do not come in useful.
[0016] Preferably the loadbearing frame of the system object of the
present invention is foldable too, for example as a book, or it is
collapsible, for example in a telescopic way, or else it is
completely or partially removable to clean the access to the
plumbing fixture and to allow the user enjoyment for common uses,
for example to have a shower or bath.
[0017] Further and advantageously these hangers or models may be
variously composed and have a number of dimensions to facilitate
the insertion in the garment to be sustained, their adaptation to
the garment to be sustained and at the same time to hold the
garment spread and stretched because its front and rear parts will
remain at a distance and it will not wrinkle during the washing and
drying cycles.
[0018] In general the wash is carried out with water or other
washing liquid, for example it is a dry wash.
[0019] For easiness hereinafter it will be referred to the water,
suggesting that the washing liquid could also be different.
[0020] To deliver the washing water and the rising water onto the
garments to be treated at least one spraying bar is provided, which
is movable with respect to the garments and it is provided with
nozzles delivering water jets towards the garments.
[0021] Preferably the spraying nozzles are two with the spraying
nozzles of a bar facing in the direction opposite to those of the
other bar, anyway pointed onto the garments. The pressure of said
jets of water delivered towards the garments may be adjusted. With
such an arrangement of the nozzles and pressurized jets, the
delivered water may flow through the fabric forming the treated
garments for a more accurate and deeper wash, allowing water and
detergent savings and a reduction of treating times.
[0022] Then, advantageously, the nozzles of the/each spraying bar
may be arranged and managed in clusters and every nozzle cluster
may be fed selectively with washing water independently from the
nozzles of every other cluster, with the additional advantage of
being able for carry out a target wash of only one garment too
between those the system can accept, or only of some parts of a
garment which would be more dirty of other parts.
[0023] Furthermore, at least some of the nozzles of the/each
spraying bar, could also be rotating to intensify the wash
efficiency. In addition, nozzles for delivering water jets towards
the inside of the garments to be treated may be provided too, as
well as more rotating spraying nozzles for pinpointed water jets,
directed onto more dirty parts of a garment to be washed. For
example, these characteristics are particularly advantageous to
effectively clean the dirtier parts of the garments, for example
the shirt cuffs and neck.
[0024] Some or all the nozzles may be replaced or facilitated by
brushes, preferably of rotating type.
[0025] The system according to the invention may be programmed for
executing different washing cycles as in conventional
rotating--drum washing machines, and for carrying out the drying of
the garments when the washing cycle is ended.
[0026] As a matter of fact the herein proposed system may also have
a hot air generator--on the other hand, sometimes already present
in some fixtures--to be conveyed onto the garments for the rapid
drying thereof.
[0027] The inside of the treatment chamber of the system may also
be subdivided in several area or boxes, as in a chessboard, with
the possibility of activating and actuating the targeted garment
treatment on some parts thereof only. This aspect allows, on the
other hand, to be able to carry out stain removing treatments, with
convenient products only and where a garment has some stains.
[0028] The box schemes may be prearranged by the manufacturer or it
may be programmed from time to time after the mapping of the
garments inserted in the treatment chamber. The mapping can be
realized by the user manually, or at the installation by means of
optical readers installed on the spraying bars and a control unit
which reconstructs virtually the garment arrangement based on the
signals sent by the optical sensors.
[0029] In an embodiment, for example, the treatment chamber is
conceptually subdivided in 20 boxes, at each of them the washing is
specific and thought up for a corresponding garment portion. For
example, the boxes in which the shirt cuffs and neck are placed are
washed by means of rotating jets and/or rotating brushes and/or
jets of high--pressurized washing liquids and localized and
persistent on these points.
[0030] Preferably the washing cycle is programmable selectively for
each box. It is important that the garment washing is programmable
so that to insist on dirty areas with the nozzles, or brushes if
present, for all the time necessary to obtain the desired
cleanliness.
[0031] The system according to the invention allows also to carry
out the garment ironing after the washing and rinsing cycles,
without the need of removing them from respective hangers or models
and to pick up successively. This because the garments remain
spread and stretched on hangers or models without wrinkling during
the washing cycle, whereby with the drying a flattening and
stabilizing effect is obtained, as it is possible with an iron.
[0032] In a particularly advantageous embodiment the system
according to the invention comprises supports, for example grids,
positionable in the treatment chamber to sustain dishes intended to
be washed by the spraying bars.
[0033] This embodiment allows to use the system as a dishwasher
too, without material alterations with respect to the afore
described solution referring to the garment cleaning.
Advantageously the plumbing fixture may then be used also for
washing dishes. For example the system may be installed in
restaurants at the clean sinks.
[0034] The dishes, for example plates, glasses, cups, salad bowls,
soup tureen, etc., are supported in such a position that the jets
of washing water delivered by the spraying bars hit substantially
orthogonally the respective surfaces, frontally and/or in the back.
This characteristic allows to have excellent performances relating
to cleanliness quality in a short time.
[0035] The dish supports may be positioned, preferably in a
removable way, with the hangers or models, or in substitution
thereof. For example the supports may be bars connected to the
frame, or a pedestal which can be inserted between the frame posts,
etc.
[0036] The pressure and flow rate of washing water jets can be
adjusted according to the desired washing cycle: intensive, rapid,
etc.
[0037] Preferably the pressure and flow rate of jets can be
adjusted independently between the different spraying bars of the
system. In this way it is possible to feed stronger jets onto the
dirtier or heavier dishes, for example oven dishes or baking tins,
and weaker jets onto the more fragile dishes, for example glasses
and cups. Further the nozzles may be arranged in groups each fed
with washing water and detergent in a quantity selectively adjusted
for each nozzle group.
[0038] Advantageously the cleaning water jets are substantially
orthogonal to the surfaces of hit dishes, also during the possible
displacement of the spraying bars.
[0039] In an embodiment the spraying bars are also provided with
brushes to scour the dishes.
[0040] Advantageously the system can be programmed to carry out
different washing cycles for each boxes of conceptual stall
subdivision. The dirtier dishes, for example oven dishes or oven
baking tins, may be placed at the boxes in which the target
intervention of high--pressure jets and/or brushes is provided for
an extended time interval with respect to what it is provided for
the other boxes, substantially the necessary time to obtain an
efficient fish cleaning.
[0041] Advantageously the dishes may be dried similarly to what it
is described for the garments.
[0042] In an embodiment the system comprises means for the
identification of dishes, for example sensors generating signals
indicative of the presence, and/or dimensions and/or shape of the
single dish or groups of dishes. The controlling unit of the system
collects data from sensors to feedback adjust the movement (speed,
stop durations, run extents, etc.) of the spraying bars and the
jets characteristics based on the thereby performed mapping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] On the other hand the invention will be illustrated in more
detail in the description course made with reference, by way of
example only and without limitation, to the attached drawings, in
which:
[0044] FIG. 1 shows schematically an example of the system
according to the invention in a shower stall;
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a vertical section of the system in FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3 shows always schematically an example of the system
according to the invention associated with a bathtub; and
[0047] FIG. 4 shows again schematically an example of the system
according to the invention in a combined shower--bathtub
assembly;
[0048] FIG. 5 shows schematically an example of the system
according to the invention, in a shower stall, designed for dish
wash;
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a principle scheme of the virtual subdivision
in boxes of the treatment chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] In FIGS. 1 and 2 of said drawings, a shower fixture is
totally indicated with the numeral 10, comprising a stall 11,
raising from the shower tray of base 12 and in which water
supplying and delivering means are provided for the person use.
[0051] In an application example, the system according to the
invention is integrated in such a shower fixture 10, using the
stall 11 as treatment chamber 14 for stain removing, washing,
drying and ironing cycles, if required, of garments and
clothes.
[0052] Then, in the treatment chamber 14 defined by the shower
stall 11, a loadbearing frame is assembled preferably transversally
and in parallel with, that is to say in front of, its entrance
door, composed of at least two side posts 15 connected by a top
crossbeam 16.
[0053] The side posts 15 of the loadbearing frame will be
positioned against, or next to, two walls opposite to the shower
stall and the top crossbeam 16 at such an height so that not to
limit or obstruct the person access for a conventional use of the
fixture as a shower.
[0054] Preferably, on the crossbeam 16 of said frame, or in other
part of the fixture, at least one compartment 17 is provided to
accommodate, even if not represented, the necessary equipments for
the washing system functioning. These equipments will comprise at
least one bathtub connected to a drain of the dirty washing water;
a water circulating pump; an electric system for setting up and
controlling the water heating in said bathtub; a small basin for
the detergent; a possible hot air generator and a control
instruments for every operative cycle of the system. The bathtub
may be directly connected to the mains connection, or indirectly
through the plumbing system of the same shower fixture 10, and the
bathtub drain could flow into the bottom drain of the shower
tray.
[0055] Both the posts 15 and the crossbeam 16 of the loadbearing
frame are provided with means for hanging the garments 17 thereon
by means of hangers or models 18.
[0056] Advantageously, these hangers or models 18 are of a fitted
type and they are also designed to be able to change and adjust
their dimensions, so that they could be easily inserted inside the
garment, adapted for sustaining garments of different size and,
mainly, able to hold the garment hung besides stretched and with
its front parts separated and spaced apart from the rear parts.
--FIG. 2--to aid both the washing and the subsequent drying.
[0057] These hangers or models 18 may be arranged in different
positions and they could be removed if not used. However,
preferably, they could be disposed with different orientations in
the treatment chamber to capitalize at best on inner spaces, as
well as bulk--reducible and foldable against the posts 15 and
crossbeam 16 when not used, because as afore said they would not be
a hindrance for the conventional use of the shower fixture.
[0058] The afore described system further comprises at least one
spraying bar 19 fed with washing water delivered by means of a pump
and provided with several nozzles 20 intended for generating both
washing and rinsing water jets, facing towards the garments hung
and stretched on the hangers or models 18.
[0059] Preferably, the spraying bar 19 is horizontal and movable in
height along the posts, relatively to the garments on the hangers
or models 18, for example by translating cables which are returned
on pulleys and conveniently shaped. For a more effective wash two
spraying bars with nozzles facing to opposite directions towards
the garments to be treated are provided.
[0060] The spraying bar/bars 19 could be also vertical and movable
horizontally with respect to the garments to be treated, and
alternatively at least one spraying horizontal bar and a spraying
vertical bar could be provided at the same or opposite sides and
both movable with respect to the hung and stretched garments.
[0061] In any case, the or each spraying bar 19 is fed with water
coming from the respective bathtub through, for example, flexible
pipes, and the water jets generated by the nozzles 20 may have a
variable and adjustable pressure based on the garments to be
washed. Further, all or at least some of the nozzles of each
spraying bar, could be also rotating to further increase the
washing effectiveness. Furthermore also nozzles for water jets to
be delivered inside the garments to be treated could be provided,
with means for in case move the hangers or models and with them the
garments with respect to the water jets.
[0062] Further, the nozzles of the/each spraying bar may be
arranged in clusters and fed with the washing fluid, water Or
other, so that to be able to use selectively and specifically the
nozzles of each cluster, relatively to garments, independently from
the nozzles of every other cluster.
[0063] In addition and advantageously, the system could be further
provided with one or more rotating spraying nozzles 21, flush with
and directing onto the dirtier parts, in particular the neck and/or
cuffs, of a garment to be washed. These nozzles will be, for
example, of the type for delivering a fluid fan spray, and their
rotation will be caused by the same flow of delivered fluid. In
substitution, or alternatively, to the nozzles 21, the installation
provides for rotating brushes.
[0064] In FIG. 3 another example of bathtub fixture 30 is shown,
with a respective stall 31 equipped with a washing system according
to the invention, the system being completely similar to what afore
described and where the same reference number have been used to
indicate equal or similar components.
[0065] In FIG. 4 the invention system is shown associated with a
combined shower--bathtub 40 also provided with a respective stall
41; here the system is also completely similar to what afore
described and its equal or equivalent components are indicated with
the same reference numbers.
[0066] In these other fixtures of FIGS. 3 and 4, the necessary
equipments for the operation of the washing, drying and possible
ironing system may be placed underneath the bathtub.
[0067] It has to be noticed that the washing system according to
the invention may be applied to a combined shower--sauna as well as
to other similar hydraulic equipments.
[0068] The system according to the invention may be programmed and
electronically managed to carry out the usual washing cycles with a
liquid supply, such as prewash and wash water more or less hot with
detergent and then with rinsing clean water, however is its
positioning inside a plumbing fixture such as a shower, a bathtub,
etc.
[0069] Referring to the washing step, the system programming may be
also designed so that the washing water jets remain pointed, stop
and, if desired, are moved longer on those areas which are thought
to be dirtiest of the garments to be washed. In this way garment
parts may be specifically washed more deeply than other less dirty
parts.
[0070] This aspect of a target treatment may be capitalized to
carry out also a stain removing of garment parts with a localized
supply of specific detergent, solvent or similar. Furthermore,
every target treatment, both of stain removing and washing, may be
arranged so that it could be managed both manually, or
automatically, through a selection of the position, number and
pressure of fluid jets from time to time and an appropriate
movement of the bar/s of the spraying nozzles.
[0071] Advantageously, then, the treatment chamber delimited by the
stall in which the system is positioned, will be able to be
virtually divided in several areas or boxes in case reproduced and
visually identifiable on a stall wall in front of the system, so
that to ease the manual pointing, or to be selected by the
controlling program, of the garment parts on which the stain
removing and/or washing water actions have to be directed more
intensively than others. This, in addition to be able to treat
specific parts of each garment, allows also to point and limit the
treatment also onto a single garment placed in any one area of the
treatment chamber without useless water, detergent and energy
wastes.
[0072] After the washing and rinsing operations, preceded by
possible localized stain removals, the garments could be dried in
the scope of the same system without their removal from respective
hangers or models. For this reason the system comprises also a
generator of hot air to be emanated in the treatment chamber by
apposite mouths which could be fixed or movable, independent or
better associated and movable with the spraying bars. The drying
air may be in case heated by means of an electric heater or
alternatively leading it to brush at least part of the rinsing,
still hot, water which is to the purpose retained in the bathtub,
thereby also aiding the condensation of the humidity it is
carrying.
[0073] The system allows also an ironing of the garments during
their drying. Such an ironing it is aided by the fact that the
garments, being stably held hung and stretch, as well as in shape
on the hangers, do not wrinkle during the washing cycle, and that
the same flows of drying air will then further tend to stretch and
smooth the garments, eliminating all possible remaining pleats.
[0074] Further, the afore described system will be able to be
arranged and provided also with means for carrying out, at the end
of the stain removing, washing, drying and ironing operations, the
sterilization of the garments by infrared radiations, or with the
supply of a sterilizing fluid or vapor jets, the latter being able
to be delivered by appropriate nozzles--not represented, or the
same nozzles of the spraying bars.
[0075] Ultimately and referring to what has been afore described,
the system according to the invention is added and appropriate to
carry out a number of functions inside a conventional plumbing
fixture such as a shower, a bathtub or similar without limiting the
use of such a fixture and with the possibility of carrying out the
stain removing of garment parts where necessary, a complete wash of
one or more garments selectively, or the target wash of their
dirtiest parts which could be specified thanks to an inner mapping
of the treatment chamber, as well as to dry and iron the garments,
at least saving on washing water, detergents and energy
consumption. Further the garments are not leaved to soak in hot
water and attacked with detergents for a long time, with the
advantage of reducing risks of their discoloration when they are
colored and draining the washing water with less pollution of
detergents and stains.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows only schematically the system designed for dish
washing. For easiness only one spraying bar 19 is shown; the person
skilled of the art will understand that the fixture could, also
have two, three or more spraying bars each intended for being
inserted between two,dish rows.
[0077] In the treatment chamber 14 at least one grid or support 100
can be positioned on bottom, for supporting pots or other
containers to be washed, for example plates 101.
[0078] The grid 100 is foldable, or collapsible or removable from
the treatment chamber 14 to allow the normal use of the shower,
etc.
[0079] The grid 100 is configured to sustain the dishes 101
vertically, arranged in rows and on one or more levels in the depth
direction in the treatment chamber 14 and disposed individually and
spaced apart in parallel.
[0080] Alternatively the grid 100 is configured to sustain the
dishes 101 in vertical too, but in couples of back to back arranged
dishes 101, that is to say with their fronts facing to opposite
directions.
[0081] On the door 11, also if not represented, means for loading
the washing detergent therein, a programming system, etc., may be
provided.
[0082] The water distribution on the objects to be washed is
carried out by means of spraying bars 19 afore described, which are
moving with respect to the dish rows 101 to deliver
pressurized--water jets directed onto respective objected to be
washed, substantially in a perpendicular direction.
[0083] If required, on top of the treatment chamber 14 may also be
provided some nozzles--not represented--to generate water jets from
the top downwards onto and between the objects to be treated.
[0084] In another embodiment of the invention, the spraying bars 19
are provided with one or more nozzles rotating around an axis,
which are faced too in a direction substantially perpendicular
towards the dishes 101, their arrangement not changing.
[0085] In any case, the pressure of jets of washing water delivered
through the nozzles 20 may be adjusted based on the dirty to be
removed from the objects and, then, the wash strength to be carried
out. Approximately the water pressure may be about from 2 to 5
bars. Obviously the higher is the pressure of water jets the higher
will be, by itself, the effectiveness of the "mechanical" action of
water onto the surfaces to be washed, effectiveness which is on the
other hand aided and further increased by the cleaning action of
the detergent delivered with the washing water from time to
time.
[0086] In an embodiment the washing water is distributed through
the nozzles 20 selectively according to the placement and the
amount of objects 101 to be treated.
[0087] In practice, the afore described machine may be programmed
and electronically managed to carry out the most usual operations
of a washing and rinsing cycle of the objects 101 to be treated
with a convenient supply of water with detergent and clean
water.
[0088] Referring to the washing step, the machine programming may
also be conceived so that the jets of pressurized water remain
pointed, stop and are moved longer on those areas which are thought
to be dirtiest of the objects to be washed, according to the afore
described principle of the box subdivision in the treatment
chamber.
[0089] This aspect of a specific treatment onto the objects may
also be carried out with the localized supply of water jets to be
controlled, manually or automatically, through a position, number
and pressure selection and a selection of displacements of water
jets operating from time to time.
[0090] In addition, the treatment chamber 14 of the machine will be
able to be subdivided and mapped virtually in several areas, in
case reported and visible on the window of the door 11, as shown in
FIG. 6, and the water jets could be programmed and managed from
time to time by limiting their number and they could be activated
only in one or some specific areas of the treatment chamber 14,
excluding the others. So to point the area occupied by some objects
101 requiring a more intensive and strong wash with respect to
others in any one area of the chamber 14, advantageously always and
anyway to avoid useless wastes of water with detergent, rinsing
water and energy.
[0091] The washing and rinsing operations, in case preceded by
stronger and localized washes, the objects 101 may be dried on the
same machine with a supply of hot air coming from a respective
generator and in case with the aid of an electric heater placed in
the treatment chamber 14.
[0092] In an optimized configuration, the machine preferably
comprises several spraying bars 19 operating onto the dishes
101.
[0093] Advantageously the machine could comprise detecting sensors
for the position and shape of the dishes 101 for a relative mapping
and feedback adjusting of the system. These sensors, for example of
optical type, could be assembled on the spraying bars 19 which, by
means of their vertical movement, could lead sensors to carry out a
first scan of the dishes 101.
[0094] FIG. 6 shows in perspective the fixture 1 and the respective
virtual subdivision in twenty operative boxes, in which times and
washing modes are managed selectively by the control unit according
to pre-arranged or user-arranged programs.
* * * * *