Dual particulate filter for dry cleaning equipment

1. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system for a dry cleaning machine, said dry cleaning fluid recovery system comprising:

a housing including a liquid fluid inlet and an air inlet;

a dual particulate filter assembly slidably received in said housing, said dual particulate filter assembly comprising:

a filter frame;

a first filter element mounted in said filter frame, said first filter element configured to remove particulates from a first medium; and

a second filter element mounted in said filter frame, said second filter element having a feed means independent of the first filter element, said second filter element configured to remove particulates from a second medium different from said first medium;

a spray nozzle delivering liquid dry cleaning fluid from said liquid fluid inlet to said dual particulate filter assembly; and

a dehumidifying assembly for removing vaporized fluid from air within the dry cleaning machine.

2. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 1 further including a fan for drawing air and evaporated fluid through said housing.

3. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 2 further including an air outlet configured to deliver air from said fluid recovery system to a tub in the dry cleaning machine.

4. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said first filter element defines a plurality of first openings having a first size and said second filter element defines a plurality of second openings having a second size different than said first size.

5. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first medium includes a gas and said second medium includes a liquid.

6. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said dual particulate filter assembly further includes a gasket for sealing said end plate against said housing.

7. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first and second filter elements are formed in respective planes and extend in substantially the same direction from said end plate.

8. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said air inlet admits air into said dry cleaning fluid recovery system and directing the air in a direction substantially parallel to said planes of said filter elements.

9. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said dehumidifying assembly comprises:

an evaporator in flow communication with said dual particulate filter assembly and receiving air exiting said dual particulate filter assembly; and

a condenser in flow communication with said dual particulate filter assembly and said evaporator, said condenser receiving air exiting said evaporator filter assembly.

10. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a sump formed therein beneath said dual particulate filter assembly.

11. A dry cleaning fluid recovery system in accordance with claim 1 further including a gasket configured for sealing said fluid recovery system against a top of a cabinet.

12. A dry cleaning machine comprising:

a tub for holding clothes to be cleaned;

a door providing sealed access to said tub; and

a dry cleaning fluid recovery system in flow communication with said tub, said dry cleaning fluid recovery system comprising:

a housing including a liquid fluid inlet and an air inlet;

a dual particulate filter assembly slidably received in said housing, said dual particulate filter assembly comprising:

a filter frame;

a first filter element mounted in said filter frame, said first filter element configured to remove particulates from a first medium; and

a second filter element mounted in said filter frame, said second filter element having a feed means independent of the first filter element, said second filter element configured to remove particulates from a second medium different from said first medium;

a spray nozzle delivering liquid dry cleaning fluid from said liquid fluid inlet to said dual particulate filter assembly; and

a dehumidifying assembly for removing vaporized fluid from air within the dry cleaning machine; and

a fan for circulating air through said drum and said dry cleaning fluid recovery system.