US3712085A - Ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a new approach to the dry-cleaning of garments and fabrics by using ultra-sonic energy as to the cleaning force. The garment first enters a pair of air compartments which prepare the garment for the wash tank. In the wash tank, which is filled with a liquid solvent, transducers in the wall of the tank apply ultra-sonic energy to the garment to clean it. Upon emergence from the tank, the garment again passes through compartments which first dry the garment and then cool it.

Description

United States I Patent 1 Guberman et a]. Jan. 23, 1973 i5 1 ULTRA-SONIC DRY-CLEANING 2,| 15,630 4/1938 Gruber-Renenburg ..68/l8 c MACHINE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventors: Jerald Guberman, Los Angeles.

Califi: Alvin A snaper, Las Vegas. F7330) 4/1922 Great Britain "68/62 Nev.

Primary Examiner-william I. Price [73] Assignee: Advance Patent Technnlogy, Inc.,' y--- Bomey Las Vegas, Nev. [22] Filed: March 11, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT This invention provides a new approach to the dry- [211 Appl' 123351 cleaning of-garments and fabrics by using ultra-sonic energy as to the cleaning force. The garment first en- Cl 68/13 63/18 ters a pair of air compartments which prepare the gar- 68/207 ment for the wash tank. In the wash tank, which is Int. a solvent transducers in the wall of of Search "68/3 SS, 19.1, R, C, the tank ultra sonic energy to the garment to 68/18 62 clean it. Upon emergence from the tank, the garment again passes through compartments which first dry the [56] Reerences C'ted garment and then cool it.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 3,292,397 12/1966 Wooliever ..68/3 SS 2,904,981 9/1959 Macomson ..68/3 SS PATENTEDJAN 23 I975 SHEET 1 {1F 3 Iii}. Ira) HVVENTO/ZS JERALD GUBERMAN ALVIN A. SIN/APE? By 0M) 3% ,4 FOR/V57 cordingly, as in the past, currentlyused techniques employ the rotation of a drum, filled with a cleaning solvent, to impart a tumbling action to the garments and it is this tumbling action that generates the mechanical energy required to clean them. Unfortunately, the only attempts to improve these mechanical cleaning methods have been limited to the modernization and automation of existing machinery along with improvements in the cleaning solvents and soap additives.

There are many disadvantages to this kind of system, with the result that there has been a long-felt need for a whole new approach to the dry-cleaning art. Thus, by way of example of some of these disadvantages:

l. The garment is subjected to both a twisting and pounding that tends to distort the garment's shape, tear the seams, break and dislodge buttons and/or any other accessories that may be attached.

2. Shrinkage of the garment is increased.

3. The garment emerges from this type of cleaning cycle requiring a great deal of pressing, and post pressing.

4. Labor is costly since the garment requires handling to be sorted, weighed and carried through the cycle.

5. Existing equipment is extremely costly, big and difficult to maintain.

6. Sizeable amounts of cleaning solvent have to be stored in both the machine and outside storage tanks.

7. Generally, the foundations of the dry-cleaning store have to be specially configured to hold the weight of the larger capacity machines.

8. The garment, though cleaned, has aged somewhat due to the excessive beating of the fabric that takes place.

9. Excessive pressing removes the like new body from the material.

10. Additional labor is required to repair damages that occur during cleaning.

1 l. The equipment is also limited in the range of garments that can be cleaned.

l2. To clean specific items often requires either that normal process flow be held up and/or that additional equipment be used.

The present invention overcomes many if not all of these disadvantages by providing an ultra-sonic drycleaning machine in which high-frequency sound energy is generated and then transmitted through a fluid solvent into the garment to attack and dislodge the soil in the woven fabric. Simultaneously, the control of the fluid solvent under high-velocity conditions creates intense mechanical energy that aids in soil removal by solvent action and solvent cavitation that penetrates the fabric to remove and hold the soil. Fluid hydraulics are employed to control the liquid medium or drycleaning solvent in which the ultra-sonic energy is generated and fluidic technology is utilized to control the flow of air and solvent vapors in the machine during the dry-cleaning and drying cycles.

lt is, therefore, an object of the present invention to use high-frequency sound energy for the cleaning of fabrics.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dry-cleaning machine in which ultra-sonic energy is substituted for mechanical energy in the cleaning process.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine in which garments are cleaned without any tumbling, twisting, crumbling or mangling of the garments involved.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a dry-cleaning machine that lends itself to a completely automated dry-cleaning process.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which an embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIGS. 1(a), l(b) and l(c) respectively illustrate, in cross-section, the input, middle and output sections of an ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine according to the present invention.

Considering now the invention in greater detail, the embodiment illustrated in the figures is designed for a totally automated flow of garments to be cleaned, with the result that the garments do not require any special handling from the time they leave the pre-spotting station until they arrive at a touch-up pressing station. More specifically, at some point before a garment reaches the ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine, the garment is placed on a conventional hanger that employs a clamping device to secure the garment. It then is hooked on to a conveyor belt that carries it to the drycleaning unit. As the hanger approaches the machine, the conveyor gently lowers the garment until the garment is resting in a teflon covered stainless steel tray that is arched to form an S-shape. The wide face (breadth) of the garment is facing towards the opening of the machine. As the conveyor continues to move, the head or top of the garment enters the machine first and the remainder or body of the garment is pulled along in a horizontal fashion. It is to be noted that this is a continuous process and the conveyor is not slowed down or halted. Just as the garment enters the machine a mechanical crossover is achieved from the niain or external conveyor to the machines internal conveyor system which is designated 10 in the FIGS.

Once the transfer has been made, the garment is directed through two sequential air compartments that are generally designated 11 and 12, the purpose of these compartments being to set up inter-locking patterns of air that will block the fumes evaporating from the surface of the solvent in the wash tank from leaking out into the room environment. The air in these compartments moves at high velocity and has a jet-like behavior; however, the action to the garment is extremely gentle and it tends to remove the surface dust and lint. To properly set up these inter-locking patterns of air, a first air-knife, generally designated 13, is placed at the entrance to the unit, a second air-knife, generally designated 14, is placed a distance away and, finally a suction knife, generally designated 15, a proportionate distance away from the entrance air-knife. Both air-knives utilize a series of closely spaced jet-air streams that oppose one another, the jet-air streams being angled in towards the body of the unit, that is to say, away from the entrance. The jet-air streams of airknife 13 are produced by jet nozzles 13a and 13b whereas the jet-air streams of air-knife 14 are produced by jet nozzles 14a and 14b, the air for all of the mentioned nozzles being supplied by a high pressure blower that is not a part of the invention and, therefore, is not shown in the figures. A large volume of air is not required but, rather, air that is moving rapidly and uniformly. Except for their physical locations, airknives 13 and 14 are substantially identical to one another and can be thought of as physical barriers or blocking curtains that will flood a given area with enough force to prevent vapors, fumes, dust and even temperature changes from affecting the internal area of the machine. In addition, these air-knives also serve as a supplier of air to help carry off any fumes that may become trapped in the space designated as air compartments 11 and 12.

The suction knives, designated 15a and 15b in the figure, differ from the aforementioned air-knives in that they are not composed of a series of jet nozzles but, rather, open narrow channels surrounding the exit portion of the compartment 12. In this instance, a high volume suction blower is used to suck up any vapors or fumes that come off the surface of the adjacent wash tank. Essentially, therefore, these suction knives separate or isolate the two compartments from the solvent cleaning tank.

Contributing to the air flow in compartment 11 and forming a part thereof are mono-directional air plenums 16a and 16b on either side of which are air returns, air returns 17a and 17b being on one side of the air plenums and air returns 18a and 18b being on the other side. Air under pressure also enters compartment 11 via air plenums 16a and 16b, the air thereby being applied throughout the compartment in a fairly uniform distribution pattern. Needless to say, the air ultimately exits the compartment via air returns 17a, 17b and 18a, 18b. A somewhat similar situation is found in the area of compartment 12 where bi-directional plenums 19a and l9b are found, bi-directional plenum 19a including a mono-directional plenum 20a that directs air into compartment 12 and a monodirectional plenum 21a that exhausts this air from the compartment. Likewise, bi-directional plenum 19b includes a mono-directional plenum 20b that directs air into compartment 12 and a mono-directional plenum 21b that exhausts the air from it. Thus, while compartments 11 and 12 perform similar functions, they are constructed and operate somewhat differently from one another.

The air-knives and plenums, together with additional orifices that may be located at the top and bottom sides of the compartments proper, work together to restrict and control the fumes coming from the cleaning solvent. Further to this, the entire section is vented directly into a solvent vapor recovery system designated 22 from which the solvent is ultimately recycled back into the wash tank.

As the wet garment emerges from the solvent wash tank it successively enters 3 compartments, generally designated 23, 24 and 25, that are similar in design to the entrance compartments 11 and 12. Compartments 23-25 differ, however, in that they are larger in size and contain heating systems for use in drying the garment. Considering the construction and operation of these compartments with greater particularity, as the garment enters the first compartment, namely, compartment 23, the section closest to the wash tank is, naturally, the'first to contact the garment. In this section, air-knives 26a and 26b are located next to the compartment entrance and they perform two functions, first, they act to prevent vapors and fumes from exiting and, second, they blow warm air across the garment in the direction of the wash tank, the air acting like a squeegee in the initial removal of the residual dry-cleaning solvent in the garment.

The garment continues to be drawn into the first chamber where air somewhat warmer than that coming from the air-knives and supplied b mono-directional hot air plenums 27a and 27b impinges against both sides of the garment. For standard dry-cleaning solvents, the temperature range of this section is controllable between ambient temperatures and F., and it is preferred that the air coming from air-knives 26a and 26b be approximately 20 cooler than the air located in this first drying section. The air is exhausted from compartment 23 by means of air suction knives 28a and 28b which are located between air-knives 26a, 26b and air plenums 27a, 27b, and also by means of air returns 29a and 29b located immediately after the air plenums.

As the garment leaves the first compartment it passes other air-knives 30a and 30b, designed as the first, and then continues on into the next compartment which has been designated 24. In this compartment, very accurately controlled radiant or induction heaters 31a and 31b are employed to do the final drying job on the garment. In the first compartment, it will be remembered, hot air was used to start the drying cycle, the combination of fast moving and hot air both evaporating and driving off residual solvent. Having brought the garment up to temperature in the first compartment, it can now safely pass under the higher temperature radiant or dielectric heaters in the second compartment where little or no air is being circulated for the final drying.

The garment continues to move past third air-knives 32a and 32b into the final compartment 25. Here it passes through gently moving cooler air that is circulated in order to cool the garment received from the hot dryer sections before it emerges from the machine. As shown in the figures, the cool air is supplied by means of air plenums 33a and 33b. Finally, as it emerges from the machine, the garment passes beneath still another set of air-knives 34a and 34b which not only prevent any fumes from escaping the machine but also provide a final dust and lint removal from the garment. As before, air returns 35a and 35b are provided for compartment 25.

As previously stated, these compartments perform two priority functions, first, the blocking of solvent fumes in vapor form from exiting into the room environment and, second, the drying of the garment. As

the garment leaves the drying chambers, it exits the machine and at this point a mechanical transfer is made from the machines internal conveyor to the external conveyor system. The main conveyor continues to pull the garment from the machine, the trailing edge of the garment falling into a teflon coated tray similar to the tray located at the entrance to the machine. Both trays function to keep the garment off the floor. The conveyor raises slowly and the garment which has been cleaned and dryed is now hanging straight and is directed to the next station.

The wash tank, generally designated 36, is generally U-shaped and lies between entrance compartment 12 and exit compartment 23. The wash solvent 37 fills the tank, in the walls of which are mounted a plurality of jet spray heads 38 and ultra-sonic transducers 39 arranged in an alternating pattern so that the garment moves through a jet-spray, ultra-sonics, jet-spray, ultra-Sonics, etc. type of cycle. Thus, at the beginning stages of the wash, the garment passes between the first series of jet nozzles that spray the garment with solvent from both sides. As shown in the figure, these nozzles are submerged beneath the surface of the cleaning solvent and flush with the walls of the tank so as not to restrict or hamper the movement or passage of the garment. As the garment continues, it passes between the first stage of ultra-sonic transducers which direct high-frequency sound waves deep into the fabric weave. This action occurs from both sides of the garment. The garment then continues to move unhesitatingly through two more stages of ultra-sonic transducers and three more stages of jet-spray nozzles before it emerges from the wash tank to enter drying compartment 23.

Jet-spray heads 38 are connected by a series of manifolds (not shown) to pumps, such as pump 40, which generate the flow to and through the sprayheads. Basically, the solvent is pumped through a closedloop system wherein it is recirculated through a filter 41 and a distillation unit 42 that clean and purify the solvent. The solvent is then returned to the wash tank via the spray heads. The solvent wash maintains a minimum cleaning fluid in it at all times. Since the wet garment absorbs some solvent after it has been washed and vapors are always being released due to evaporation, a solvent metering device may be located adjacent to the wash tank. Solvent is pumped from a reserve storage tank 43 (built into the machine) and metered or measured out in small amounts (as required) into the wash tank to make up for any solvent loss. It should also be mentioned that a section of the same solvent circulation system may be used for another metering device, namely, that of injecting soap into the wash tank. A level of A to 1% percent ofa surfactant (soap) of the total is added to the solvent in the system to optimize cleaning. As in the case of the solvent makeup metering system, the soap injector, designated 44 in the figure, will also be automatic, with the provision, however, that the machines operator can vary the percent of soap used. Accordingly, all that will be required is normal maintenance and initially filling and keeping the reservoirs filled.

ln some geographical areas, depending upon the degree of relative humidity (moisture) in the air, it may become necessary to add moisture to the wash tank. Additional apparatus may, therefore, be used to add moisture to this system, consisting of a small water storage tank and injector 45 which would be manually operated from a remote position on the control panel 46 when the machines operator deems it necessary to.

add moisture to the system. He can do so by setting the, proper control for water injection. This device will not operate automatically since it is not required to continually add water. In conjunction with the moisture injector, a water separator 47 may be employed to remove excessive moisture in the solvent due to the higher humidity in certain other geographical areas.

The water separator is preferably a part of the closed loop system and can be activated so as to let the solvent pass through, removing the water, when necessary. The moisture once collected will be allowed to pass into the environments drainage system. Since the solvent filter 41 will allow soap to pass uninhibited and the only other way of removing the soap is through distillation (not a continuous process), a mechanical water separator is, therefore, a necessary item. When the wash tank is operating, the following cycle takes place: The solvent is pumped under pressure at high velocities out of the jet-sprays and into the wash tank where it impinges against both sides of the garment and through it. The solvent is then rapidly fed into a reservoir 43 where another pump 48 picks up the solvent and sends the solvent through filter 41. Using a series of valves, a portion of the solvent can be directed into distillation unit 42 for purification. As the solvent leaves the filter, the solvent is then pumped back into the wash tank. The metering systems for soap, solvent makeup and moisture can be metered directly into the wash tank or into the wash tanks external plumbing.

With respect to ultra-sonic transducers 39, six banks of transducers are located in the inner walls of the wash tank, three to each side. They resemble semi-cylindrical shapes and measure the full width of the wash tank. The transducers are placed in off-setting or alternating positions to prevent the sonic energy generated from cancelling because they oppose one another. Their positions are such that the dome shape will protrude slightly into the tank, but will blend smoothly with the walls so as to not interfere with the passage of the garment. The transducers are continuous duty and will function whenever the jetsprays are in operation. Their function is to generate sonic energy in a precisely controlled pattern. This is the reason for shaping the transducers to a semi-cylindrical form; however, it should be noted that the dome configuration is not exactly semi-cylindrical but, rather, a precisely designed geometrical curve that will permit controllable directional sonic energy. The shape of the wash tank is designed to allow optimum transfer of sonic energy, for maximum cavitation, into the solvent medium. The transducers are fed electrical energy from generators that are located in the machine. Design parameters for the transducers operating frequencies is in the range of 20 to 30 kilohertz. Generator output totals about 2,400 watts.

It should also be mentioned that the proper working temperature for the cleaning solvent is about- F. or less and in order to insure that the solvent remains at the proper operating temperature, the machine will employ a cooling system. Should the temperature of the solvent exceed 80 F., determined by temperature gauges on the control panel and internal probes, the unit will automatically activate a recirculating refrigeration unit 49 to maintain solvent temperature. Heat is constantly being generated by the solvent pumps, ultra-sonic transducers, distillation equipment and hot air heaters, necessitating a cooling system. However, it is not anticipated that the solvent will have to be heated if the environment for the machine is maintained at 68 F. or higher. The solvent works very effectively at temperatures between 68 and 80 F. Considering the solvent still further, during a dry-clean ing cycle, vapors are released from the open surfaces of the wash tank and from the drying sections. It is important to capture these vapors for these reasons: First, the residual vapors would be released into the atmosphere and consequently the room environment where personnel operating the equipment would be affected and, second, it is costly since lost vapors represent lost solvent. Therefore, solvent recovery system 22 is built into the machine to capture these vapors and return them to liquid form. The solvent recovery system is located above both the wash tank and dryer sections, its purpose being to suck up vapor releasing fumes, condense them back into liquid form and then return the solvent to the wash tank. This is accomplished by the use of powerful suction fans. The vapors are drawn off and are then passed through a cooling chamber 50 where the warm vapors are condensed, the solution then being pumped back into the wash tank.

These suction fans work in conjunction with the airknives and air-blowers located in the first two and last three compartments of the machine which are designed to aid the suction fans in vapor removal. The airblowers and knives do direct the flow and direction of the air in the compartments; however, at the same time they recirculate the air in such a way as to direct the residual vapors towards the suction fans. There are lint filters 51 built into the solvent recovery system to insure that only vapors are being drawn into the condensing system.

A light but extremely strong framework is used for the machine, the base of the machine having a raised floor for the mounting of components. The exterior panels or coverings are designed to be easily removed. Door-like panels are used to cover specific portions of the machine to allow easy access for maintenance. All the working components of the system would be located within the cabinetry. No pipes or plumbing fixtures would be located externally. The machine does not require any special foundation and uses standard voltages, there being a single control panel located on the outside of the machine from which a single operator can perform and monitor all internal functions. One of the nice features of this machine is that it can be built for either manual or automatic operation.

The machine is designed by using a modular concept which enables the user to fit the cleaner to his specific environment or store operation. More particularly, individual components and parts are designed for rapid replacement so that any portion of the equipment is readily removable with a minimum of effort and time. Moreover, the machine will separate in several sections for ease of shipment and installation and because of this, it then becomes an extremely simple task to increase the capacity of the dry-cleaner by the insertion of one or more additional units. As an example, an additional wash tank can be added to the system simply by unbolting the unit, separating the sections, inserting the additional wash tank, rebolting, and then plugging in an electrical cable to the control panel. With the additional wash tank filled with the required solvent, the machine can now handle twice the garment load simply by speeding up the conveyor system. Needless to say, each of the additional units will have its own complete plumbing and electrical systems and will not have to rely on any other components of the original configuration.

Although a particular arrangement of the invention has been illustrated above by way of example, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention should be considered to include any and all modifications, alterations or equivalent arrangements falling within the scope of the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed 1. An ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine comprising: a continuous generally U-shaped wash tank filled to a predetermined level with a garment cleansing fluid; a conveyor belt for moving a garment coupled thereto through said wash tank and the cleansing fluid therein; a plurality of transducers coupled to said wash tank and adapted to generate ultra-sonic energy throughout the cleansing fluid therein to agitate the cleansing fluid in contact with the garment; jet-spray means coupled to said wash tank and adapted to spray a stream of said cleansing fluid on and against the garment, said means including jet-spray heads interposed between said transducers, said transducers and jet-spray heads combining to alternately provide a jet-spray and ultrasonic agitation type of wash cycle.

2. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 11 wherein the machine further includes apparatus mounted at the input and output ends of said wash tank and adapted to produce interlocking patterns of air that block the fumes evaporating from the surface of the cleansing fluid from escaping into the room environment.

3. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, said first and second compartments including means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank, and also said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank.

4. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first, second and third compartments including means for drying the garment, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

5. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, and first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first and second entrance compartments including first means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank and said first, second and third exit compartments including second means for drying the garment, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first and second entrance compartments also. including said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank and said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

6. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second entrance compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, air plenums for introducing and circulating air between said air-knives, and air returns for exhausting the air from said compartments.

7. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 4 wherein said first, second and third compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, wherein said first compartment includes air plenums for projecting hot drying air against the garment to partially dry it and rid it of any solvent absorbed therein, wherein said second compartment includes radiant energy means for drying the garment,

and wherein said third compartment includes a combination of air plenums for introducing, circulating and exhausting cool air to cool the garment before it leaves the machine.

8. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 5 wherein the machine further includes conveyor means for transporting the garment through said first and second entrance compartments, through said wash tank and through said first, second and third exit compartments.

Claims (8)

1. An ultra-sonic dry-cleaning machine comprising: a continuous generally U-shaped wash tank filled to a predetermined level with a garment cleansing fluid; a conveyor belt for moving a garment coupled thereto through said wash tank and the cleansing fluid therein; a plurality of transducers coupled to said wash tank and adapted to generate ultra-sonic energy throughout the cleansing fluid therein to agitate the cleansing fluid in contact with the garment; jet-spray means coupled to said wash tank and adapted to spray a stream of said cleansing fluid on and against the garment, said means including jet-spray heads interposed between said transducers, said transducers and jet-spray heads combining to alternately provide a jet-spray and ultrasonic agitation type of wash cycle.

2. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 11 wherein the machine further includes apparatus mounted at the input and output ends of said wash tank and adapted to produce interlocking patterns of air that block the fumes evaporating from the surface of the cleansing fluid from escaping into the room environment.

3. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, said first and second compartments including means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank, and also said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank.

4. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first, second and third compartments including means for drying the garmenT, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

5. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 2 wherein the machine further includes first and second air compartments at the entrance to the machine through which the garment passes before reaching said wash tank, and first, second and third air compartments at the exit end of the machine through which the garment passes after leaving said wash tank, said first and second entrance compartments including first means for directing jets of warm air against the garment to prepare it for said wash tank and said first, second and third exit compartments including second means for drying the garment, ridding it of solvent and cooling it to an acceptable temperature, said first and second entrance compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the input end of said wash tank and said first, second and third compartments also including said apparatus mounted at the output end of said wash tank.

6. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second entrance compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, air plenums for introducing and circulating air between said air-knives, and air returns for exhausting the air from said compartments.

7. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 4 wherein said first, second and third compartments include a plurality of air-knives for injecting jets of air into said compartments at an angle toward said wash tank, wherein said first compartment includes air plenums for projecting hot drying air against the garment to partially dry it and rid it of any solvent absorbed therein, wherein said second compartment includes radiant energy means for drying the garment, and wherein said third compartment includes a combination of air plenums for introducing, circulating and exhausting cool air to cool the garment before it leaves the machine.

8. The dry-cleaning machine defined in claim 5 wherein the machine further includes conveyor means for transporting the garment through said first and second entrance compartments, through said wash tank and through said first, second and third exit compartments.

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