Abstract: A modular system according to one embodiment of the invention for treating fabric load comprises a first module and a second module. The first module can include a chamber having an interior for holding a fabric load, and the second module can have at least one of a fluid delivery system, a fluid removal system, and a fluid recycling system. The modular system can further include conduits for coupling the systems of the second module with the first module.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises a cabinet; a laundry treatment chamber located in the cabinet for receiving fabric; an automatic laundry processing system in the cabinet for providing at least one of mechanical energy, thermal energy, and chemical energy to the fabric in the laundry treatment chamber to perform a laundry treatment process; and a manual treatment system incorporated into the cabinet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laundering including the steps of adding a wash liquor including an aqueous working fluid to a fabric load, processing the fabric load with the wash liquor to treat the fabric load, measuring the concentration of at least one non-aqueous fluid in the wash liquor, maintaining the concentration of the non-aqueous fluid below a predetermined acceptable level, and disposing of the wash liquor are disclosed as well as novel fluid plumbing for a laundering device using wash liquors including non-aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fabric load which has been wetted with a working fluid including the steps of flowing drying gas through a container holding the fabric load, sensing the non-aqueous working fluid concentration and the aqueous working fluid concentration in the wash liquor or in the headspace above the fabric within the container and controlling drying in response to the sensed working fluid concentration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid recovery in a semi-aqueous wash process including the steps of receiving semi-aqueous wash liquor from a wash container; pretreating the semi-aqueous wash liquor and separating it into aqueous-rich working fluid phase and non-aqueous working fluid phase, treating the aqueous-rich working fluid phase to remove remaining non-aqueous working fluid, and treating the non-aqueous-rich working fluid phase for recovery and reuse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of laundering a fabric load is disclosed including the steps of processing a fabric load in an aqueous-based working fluid, substantially replacing the aqueous-based working fluid with a non-aqueous working fluid of the type which extracts some of the aqueous-based working fluid from the fabric load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning objects in an automatic cleaning appliance is provided that includes the steps of introducing a load of objects into a wash zone of the automatic cleaning appliance, applying a wash liquor and at least one of electromagnetic, chemical and mechanical energy to the load of objects in the wash zone to remove soil from the load of objects, and subsequently applying an oxidizing agent to the load of objects through the medium of a fluid applied to the load of objects. The oxidizing agent may be generated in association with the automatic cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A chemical generator device is arranged in association with an appliance having a cleaning zone where objects are cleaned. The chemical generator device includes an inlet to allow the introduction of at least one chemical composition, an operative area where a desired chemical composition is generated by utilizing the at least one chemical composition, an outlet communicating with the cleaning zone of the appliance, and a dispensing apparatus arranged to dispense the generated chemical composition to the cleaning zone from the operative area through the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laundering a fabric load including the steps of contacting the fabric load with a semi-aqueous working fluid comprising a non-aqueous working fluid in which a predetermined amount of an aqueous-working fluid is present, substantially replacing said semi-aqueous working fluid with a non-aqueous working fluid in which said first mentioned non-aqueous working fluid is miscible; and drying the fabric load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling and modular components and subsystems thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.

Abstract: A non-aqueous laundering machine for laundering fabric with a non-aqueous wash liquor and a select rinse fluid. The non-aqueous laundering machine includes a container for a fabric load and means for the controlled application of a non-aqueous wash liquor to the fabric load, the removal of part of the non-aqueous wash liquor from the fabric load, and application of a select rinse fluid to the fabric load as well as means for applying mechanical energy to the fabric load.

Abstract: Methods of laundering fabric with a wash fluid and rinse fluid and methods of recovery of the wash fluid and rinse fluid by selecting rinse wash fluids and rinse fluid with select properties that facilitate removal of the fluids from the fabric and separation of the fluids from each other while providing adequate laundering characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-aqueous washing machine, methods of using the machine, methods of washing, and recycling.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recovering non-aqueous wash fluid and rinse fluid from a non-aqueous fabric laundering process. The method includes removing particulates, separating the rinse fluid from the wash fluid, removing dissolved soils, and removing insoluble soils.

Abstract: Methods of laundering fabric having the steps of applying a non-aqueous working fluid to fabric, removing a portion of the non-aqueous working fluid from the fabric, and then applying a select rinse fluid to the fabric. The method may be performed in a batch-type laundry apparatus and may include the steps of recovering and storing for reuse the non-aqueous working fluid and the select rinse fluid.

Abstract: Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

Abstract: Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.