Garment Care proposes the development of an in-line, continuous-flow commercial clothes washing process. More specifically, they propose that containerized and/or constrained clothing and linens be conveyed from start to finish‹from the initial staging area, through a water-based wash trough, rinse section, drying chamber and into a packaging area.
Basically, this new configuration involves three principle areas of change:
Regarding the first area of change, the Team believes that agitation is the most critical factor to the entire reintegration task.
Although several alternative means of creating agitation may be possible, ultrasonic agitation was initially tested in Phase One.
Because initial tests were very promising, Phase Two must continue work in this area and seek to optimize all factors in concert with ultrasound. A discussion of the variables follows.
Detergent/Soil Removal
Phase Two immediate work can be conducted with existing (off-the-shelf) detergents. The involvement and expertise of a detergent company or appropriate laboratory will remain critical in identification and specification of the detergent needs and soil removal evaluations. A new detergent formulation, specific to this application, will likely be needed. Development may be initiated once the detergent parameters and profile have been identified based on Phase Two research.
Water Temperatures
A wide range of temperatures (50 to 100 degrees F) must be further explored to identify the optimum temperature(s) for this application.
Fabric/Soil Relationship
A wider variety of soils and fabrics, including wools and silks, must be tested. Actual garments, soiled in a controlled laboratory environment, may need to be tested to verify existing swatch data. Shrinkage tests may also be conducted at this time.
Frequency
Neo-Dyne's previous research demonstrated synergistic effects of using mixed frequency ultrasonics; however, Phase One testing wasn't able to verify this. The Team feels the use of mixed frequencies is technically appropriate and believes it should be further investigated.
Power
The system used at Garment Care had a power-to-volume ratio of around 80 watts per gallon. This was sufficient to clean certain single-layer soiled fabric combinations, but no testing was performed on actual garments. Based on the next phase of testing, it will be determined if additional power will be required.
Configuration
The swatches processed at Garment Care and Neo-Dyne showed that both vertical and horizontal orientation of the fabric holds potential. This needs additional verification.
In order to test the variations in frequency, power, and configuration, we will need the help of an ultrasonic equipment manufacturer.
In earlier times, convenient pickup and delivery to people's homes was an integral part of many business services (i.e., the laundry man, the ice man, the milk man, the grocery man, etc.).
However, "times have changed"; and crime, demographics, and economics have all combined to make home delivery less and less viable.
Even those firms which specialize in delivery are too many times limited to:
In addition to the wash process, Garment Care is pursuing a new system to enhance pickup and delivery to consumers. Called the "Smart Box," this container will either be integrated into a home or mounted adjacent to it.
The "Smart Box" will be tied to all forms of electronic communication, enabling convenient and efficient distribution of laundry, groceries, and other goods. Initial requirements have been determined; and expertise in the fields of communication, climate control, and security is being sought to help develop and advance this system.
Date created: 3/6/96
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