Ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine

Claim 2

An ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine comprising: a continuous generally U-shaped wash tank filled to a predetermined level with a garment cleansing fluid; a conveyor belt for moving a garment coupled thereto through said wash tank and the cleansing fluid therein; a plurality of transducers coupled to said wash tank and adapted to generate ultra-sonic energy throughout the cleansing fluid therein to agitate the cleansing fluid in contact with the garment; jet-spray means coupled to said wash tank and adapted to spray a stream of said cleansing fluid on and against the garment, said means including jet-spray heads interposed between said transducers, said transducers and jet-spray heads combining to alternately provide a jet-spray and ultrasonic agitation type of wash cycle.

Claim 3

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 11 wherein the machine further includes apparatus mounted at the input and output ends of said wash tank and adapted to produce interlocking patterns of air that block the fumes evaporating from the surface of the cleansing fluid from escaping into the room environment.

Claim 4

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, said first and second compartments including means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank, and also said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank.

Claim 5

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first, second and third compartments including means for drying the garmenT, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

Claim 6

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, and first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first and second entrance compartments including first means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank and said first, second and third exit compartments including second means for drying the garment, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first and second entrance compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank and said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

Claim 7

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second entrance compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, air plenums for introducing and circulating air between said air-knives, and air returns for exhausting the air from said compartments.

Claim 8

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 4 wherein said first, second and third compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, wherein said first compartment includes air plenums for projecting hot drying air against the garment to partially dry it and rid it of any solvent absorbed therein, wherein said second compartment includes radiant energy means for drying the garment, and wherein said third compartment includes a combination of air plenums for introducing, circulating and exhausting cool air to cool the garment before it leaves the machine.

Claim 9

The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 5 wherein the machine further includes conveyor means for transporting the garment through said first and second entrance compartments, through said wash tank and through said first, second and third exit compartments.