Eisen develops
new drycleaning
dryer
Dan Eisen, former Neighborhood Cleaners
Association chief garment analyst and assistant director,
announced the joint venture creation of a patented air pressure
drycleaning machine prototype.
Eisen said the machine more than doubles
the standard drycleaning production turn-around times, does not
use any solvents or liquids, and can clean up to 90 percent of
all garments when used with wet cleaning.
“The intent of this type of
procedure is not to eliminate the drycleaning machine, but to
be used by drycleaners as an adjunct to the drycleaning
process,” said Eisen. “The fact that it does not
generate any hazardous waste makes it particularly valuable to
all cleaners, especially those who want to operate in shopping
centers where traditional drycleaning machines are often
prohibited.”
The United States Patent Office granted
Eisen patent #5,940,988 for the apparatus on August 24, 1999.
Eisen and Hydra Ventures agreed in principle to a joint venture
agreement in June 2001, and created their first prototype for
testing in September 2001. Prototype number two is expected to
be delivered in June 2002, at which point Eisen and Hydra will
continue testing, conducting public demonstrations and
accepting advance orders.
“We are excited about our recent
progress,” said Eisen. “The product is of top
quality and the need for a supplemental cleaning device that is
environmentally safe and still highly effective is real. Now
all that’s left to do is work out any minor kinks and
ensure that there aren’t any unresolved patent
infringements.”
Hydra Ventures, based in New York City,
provides strategic consulting services and solutions to growing
companies. Hydra has retained Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom, LLP, as its legal representation.
The machine is composed of a standard
dryer unit equipped with air pressure supply and a vacuum
system. Clothes are pre-spotted for stains and heavy soil and
then placed in the unit. Special spotting techniques are used
for garments that are more likely to develop rings and/or odor.
In production, five basic steps occur:
• The dry cycle of the unit removes
the natural moisture content of the unit.
• The special air pressure system is
regulated to various degrees and pressure according to the
fabric. The air system works itself into the weave of the
fabric, opening up the fibers and loosening soil and dirt. The
vacuum system works with the air system and aids in removing
the soil.
• The pre-spotting agents and
solutions are removed without rings.
• An injection of non-hazardous
chemicals that are added to remove odor and aid in purifying
the garment.
• The natural moisture content
restores back into the fabric to make it suitable for
finishing.
Eisen reported the following test results:
• Smoke laden garments had smoke odor
removed in one production cycle compared to the 24-48 hours
normally required with ozone.
• Garments normally unserviceable by
drycleaning or wetcleaning, including beaded gowns and
specially finished fabrics, were cleaned with professional
results.
• Garments that were wrinkled during
wetcleaning had their wrinkles removed.
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