Vacuum-based method and apparatus for cleaning soiled articles
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are vacuum-based systems, products, devices, and methods for de-odorizing, disinfecting, or cleaning articles such as clothing, shoes, toys, or dishes. A system or device can comprise a vacuum chamber comprising a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure and an opening; a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber; and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber, wherein the lower internal pressure enhances the vaporization and removal of odors located on one or more articles disposed within the vacuum chamber.
1. A device comprising:
a vacuum chamber comprising:
a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure; and
an opening;
a vacuum lid configured to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber and form a seal with the opening;
a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber;
a subsystem configured to introduce a consumable into the vacuum chamber before, during, or after a vacuum cycle;
a pressing mechanism, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to remove wrinkles by pressing an article disposed within the internal space of the vacuum chamber, and
a subsystem configured to introduce a gas into the vacuum chamber, wherein the gas is configured to neutralize odor, bind odor, dissolve odor, remove odor, or mask odor.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source is a vacuum pump.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the device is configured to de-odorize at least one article disposed within the vacuum chamber; and
the article is selected from the group consisting of clothing, linen, footwear, cushions, pillows, bags, purses, toys, containers, food, and foodstuffs.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one consumable is selected from the group consisting of scents, perfumes, air fresheners, fragrances, desiccants, conditioners, and softeners.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one gas is stored as a compressed liquid.
6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed within the vacuum chamber, the sensor configured to function at sub-atmospheric pressure levels, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one property selected from the group consisting of pressure, volatile organic compounds, relative humidity, dew-point, small particles, and temperature.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to run for at least one cleaning cycle, wherein a cleaning cycle is selected from an asymptotic cycle, a storage cycle, and a margin cycle.
8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured to execute a cleaning program comprising at least one cleaning cycle, wherein a cleaning cycle comprises:
reducing the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber to a first pressure level;
maintaining the internal pressure below a first pressure level until a cleaning cycle objective is achieved; and
raising the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber to a second pressure level, wherein the second pressure level is at a higher pressure than the first pressure level.
9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a heating subsystem configured to heat the vacuum chamber, wherein the heat enhances the vaporization of odor molecules from an article disposed within the vacuum chamber.
10. A device comprising:
a vacuum chamber comprising:
a housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure; and
an opening;
a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening and form a seal with the opening;
a vacuum source engaged with the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source is configured to lower the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber;
a pressure release valve configured to open at an end of a cleaning cycle, wherein opening the pressure release valve equilibrates an internal pressure of the vacuum chamber with external pressure;
a subsystem configured to release at least one disinfecting compound into the vacuum chamber,
a subsystem configured to introduce a consumable into the vacuum chamber before, during, or after a vacuum cycle; and
a subsystem configured to introduce a gas into the vacuum chamber, wherein the gas is configured to carry out at least one of the following functions: neutralizing odor, binding odor, dissolving odor, removing odor, and masking odor.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one disinfecting compound is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one disinfecting compound is stored as a liquid.
13. The device of claim 10 , further comprising a heating subsystem engaged with the vacuum chamber, wherein the heating subsystem is configured to raise the temperature of the internal space of the vacuum chamber.
14. The device of claim 10 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed within the vacuum chamber, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one of pressure, volatile organic compounds, relative humidity, dew-point, small particles, and temperature.
15. The device of claim 10 , wherein the device is configured to run for at least one disinfecting cycle, wherein a disinfecting cycle comprises:
introducing one or more disinfectant compound into the vacuum chamber;
incubating for a period of time suitable for disinfection of an article disposed within the vacuum chamber; and
activating the vacuum pump to vaporize and remove the disinfectant compound from the vacuum chamber.
16. The device of claim 10 , further comprising at least one air filter configured to filter the gases pumped out of the vacuum chamber by the vacuum source.
17. A method comprising:
providing a vacuum chamber having an internal space with an internal pressure;
providing an article to be disinfected, wherein the article is placed within the internal space of the chamber;
run at least one disinfecting cycle comprising:
injecting a disinfecting gas into the internal space of the vacuum chamber, the disinfecting gas having a partial pressure within the internal space and the vacuum chamber sealing the disinfecting gas within the internal space;
wherein the disinfecting gas is stored as a compressed liquid;
applying a vacuum source to the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber to below ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber and reduces the partial pressure of the disinfecting gas;
maintaining the sub-atmospheric internal pressure for a period of time sufficient to achieve a cleaning objective; and
raising the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure.