Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying a solvent used in an article cleaning appliance are provided. The method allows passing solvent-based cleaning fluid from a wash basket through a coarse filter configured to remove relatively large particulates from the cleaning fluid. The method further allows passing cleaning fluid from the coarse filter through a particulate filter configured to remove relatively fine particulates from the cleaning fluid. An aqueous phase that may be present in the cleaning fluid is separated by decanting and coalescing through a separator/filter assembly. The cleaning fluid may then be passed through a regeneration cartridge for removing any water that may remain in the cleaning fluid, and for adsorbing organic contaminants that may be present in the cleaning fluid. Recovered solvent may be stored in a tank for subsequent use in a cleaning process performed by the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for cleaning using dual phase wash solutions. The dual phase wash solutions comprise emulsions of polar and non-polar solvents with emulsifiers, surfactants and detergents. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of charging an article to a washing machine comprising a washing drum, exposing the article in the wash drum to a wash solution comprising 0.125 to 20 percent water; a detergent comprising an ionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant and an emulsifier; and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, agitating the article and wash solution in the washing drum, draining the wash solution from the drum, optionally, adding a rinse solution comprising substantially the same components as the wash solution; agitating the article in the rinse solution; and separating the rinse solution from the article by allowing the rinse solution to drain out of the drum and spinning the drum to drive off residual rinse solution through centrifugal force.

Abstract: System and method for conditioning water. In one embodiment, a softening membrane selectively rejects hardness ions in a supply of water. In another embodiment, the softening membrane is used in conjunction with a purification device configured to remove impurities from a portion of output flow of softened permeate water. In a third embodiment, the softening membrane is used in conjunction with a conditioning agent dosing unit configured to supply at least one conditioning agent to an input flow of water entering the membrane to prevent membrane fouling. In still another embodiment, a water quality monitoring unit is configured to monitor water quality of the output flow of softened permeate water and a portion of concentrate water recycled back through the softening membrane.

Abstract: System and method for improved solvent recovery in a dry cleaning device includes a washer drum, a cleaning basket disposed in the washer drum and configured to receive articles and a solvent based cleaning fluid, a working tank configured to receive the solvent based cleaning fluid used in the washer drum and cleaning basket, an air management mechanism configured to drain cleaning fluid condensate produced from the washer drum and cleaning basket directly into the working tank, and a low mixing pump configured to pump the solvent based cleaning fluid from the cleaning basket to the working tank, the low mixing pump characterized by a Reynolds number of about 15,000 or less, wherein the Reynolds number is determined as a function of one or more properties associated with an impeller of the low mixing pump.

Abstract: A dry cleaning device includes a cleaning enclosure suitable for receiving clothing articles and a cleaning fluid, typically a solvent based cleaning fluid, and circuitry coupled to the dry cleaning device for sensing at least one operational parameter of the dry cleaning device and for calculating a retained cleaning fluid content in the articles disposed within the cleaning enclosure based on the at least one operational parameter. Alternatively, the circuitry may calculate the amount of cleaning fluid returned to the system during the cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for cleaning using dual phase wash solutions. The dual phase wash solutions comprise emulsions of polar and non-polar solvents with emulsifiers, surfactants and detergents. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of charging an article to a washing machine comprising a washing drum, exposing the article in the wash drum to a wash solution comprising 0.125 to 20 percent water; a detergent comprising an ionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant and an emulsifier; and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, agitating the article and wash solution in the washing drum, draining the wash solution from the drum, optionally, adding a rinse solution comprising substantially the same components as the wash solution; agitating the article in the rinse solution; and separating the rinse solution from the article by allowing the rinse solution to drain out of the drum and spinning the drum to drive off residual rinse solution through centrifugal force.