A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum. Finally, the drum is de-pressurized to atmospheric pressure to evaporate any remaining pressurized fluid solvent, yielding clean, solvent free textiles. The organic solvent is preferably selected from terpenes, halohydrocarbons, certain glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long-chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, and aliphatic hydrocarbons solvents or similar solvents or mixtures of such solvents and the pressurized fluid solvent is preferably densified carbon dioxide.

Cleaning system utilizing an organic cleaning solvent and a pressurized fluid solvent

A dry cleaning system and method comprises specially designed or modified machinery used in conjunction with a cyclic siloxane solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading articles into a cleaning basket; agitating the articles and the siloxane composition in which they are immersed; removing most of the siloxane composition; centrifuging the articles; subjecting the articles to a partial vacuum pressure and elevated temperature; and removing the articles from the basket after cooling the articles and returning the pressure to ambient.

Dry cleaning method and solvent

A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system (5) includes a cleaning basket (10) for receiving articles therein and one or more tanks (14, 16) for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump (12) for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still (24) for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser (26) is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator (28) is coupled to the condenser. A fan (32) is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils (34) and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.

Dry cleaning apparatus and method capable of utilizing a siloxane composition as a solvent

The present invention comprises a dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). Such solvent is used in combination with an organic and/or organo-silicone-based detergent which is specifically tailored for working in conjunction with the solvent to afford optimal cleaning. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading articles into a cleaning basket; agitating the articles in the solvent and detergent composition in which they are immersed; removing most of the solvent and detergent composition; centrifuging the articles; heating the articles and remaining composition and creating vapors, condensing vapors and optionally reducing the pressure to dry the articles, recovering and recycling solvent and removing the articles from the basket after cooling the articles.

Dry cleaning method and solvent/detergent mixture

A dry cleaning system and method comprises dry cleaning machinery used in conjunction with a cyclic siloxane solvent. In order to enhance the cleaning capabilities of the cyclic-siloxane-based solvent, such solvent is modified with a chemical that is selected from the group of chemicals including 2-ethylhexyl acetate, esters, alchohols, and ethers.

Dry cleaning method and modified solvent

A method for dry-cleaning garments which comprises treating the garments with a mixture of propylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and water.

Stephen P. Bates

Papers

Biodegradable dry cleaning solvent