US3801274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for cleaning fabrics and clothes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A mixture of water and a cleaning solvent having a boiling point lower than water is used to clean fabrics, clothes and like materials, and thereafter the solvent is recovered by subjecting the mixture to microwave energy at a frequency which causes heating only of the water molecules which, in turn, effect heating and selective vaporization of the solvent.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gleason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/04; D; D06; D06L; D06L1/00; D06L1/02; D06L1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
The method of claim 1 including; a. providing a closed fluid circuit including the housing, a solvent storage container, a solvent distillation container, a circulating pump and vapor condensing means, b. after washing the material, removing to the distillation container a substantial proportion of the solvent mixture from the housing and material, c. subjecting the mixture in the distillation container to microwave energy of a frequency predetermined to effect heating substantially only of the water content of the mixture, whereby the heated water transfers heat to the solvent content of the mixture and effects vaporization of the solvent, d. circulating the vaporized solvent from the distillation container through the circulating pump to the vapor condensing means, and e. returning the condensed solvent from the vapor condensing means to the storage container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 including the step, after removing a substantial proportion of the solvent mixture to the distillation container and subjecting the material in the housing to said microwave energy, of removing the solvent vapor in the housing to the distillation container.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
249 words
The method of cleaning fabrics and clothes, comprising a. providing a closed fluid circuit including a housing for a mixture of water and a cleaning solvent having a boiling pOint lower than water, a tub in the housing for containing material to be cleaned, a storage container, a distillation container, a circulating pump and vapor condensing means, b. filling the housing to a predetermined level with said solvent mixture from the storage container, c. washing the material in said mixture, d. removing to the distillation container a substantial proportion of the solvent mixture from the housing and material, e. subjecting the material in the housing to a field of microwave energy of a frequency predetermined to effect heating substantially only of water, while moving the material and field relative one to the other, whereby the heated water content of the remaining mixture transfers heat to the solvent content of said remaining mixture and effects vaporization of said solvent, f. removing the solvent vapor from the housing to the distillation container, g. subjecting the mixture in the distillation container to microwave energy of a frequency predetermined to effect heating substantially only of the water content of the mixture, whereby the heated water transfers heat to the solvent content of the mixture and effects vaporization of the solvent, h. circulating the vaporized solvent from the distillation container through the circulating pump to the vapor condensing means, and i. returning the condensed solvent from the vapor condensing means to the storage container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 4 including the steps, following vaporization and return of the solvent to the storage container, of subjecting at least a portion of the remaining water in the distillation container to said microwave energy to effect vaporization of the water, circulating the vaporized water from the distillation container through the circulating pump to the vapor condensing means, and returning the condensed water from the vapor condensing means to the storage container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |