LINT REMOVER

Abstract

 A lint remover is provided. The lint remover is of suction type for removing lint from a fabric. The lint remover comprises an outer shell comprising a cavity for collecting lint, a lid with a perforated cover arranged to be in contact with a fabric to be treated, a motor driven rotating unit provided with one or more blades 5, and arranged in the cavity 9 below the perforated cover. The blades 5 provide for a cut-off function and for an impeller function. A base plate 6 is arranged below the rotating unit 4. The lint remover is provided with at least one inlet 7 located in the central part, and one or more outlets 8 arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates in general to clothing care, and especially to lint removers of suction type for removing lint from a fabric.

[0002] The lint remover comprises an outer shell comprising a cavity for collecting lint, a lid with a perforated cover arranged to be in contact with a fabric to be treated, a motor driven rotating unit provided with one or more blades, and arranged in the cavity below the perforated cover. The blades provide for a cut-off function and for an impeller function. A base plate is arranged below the rotating unit. The base plate is provided with at least one inlet located in the central part of the base plate, and one or more outlets arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A suction type hair ball trimmer, comprising a shell, characterized in that the shell is divided into an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity includes a blade, an impeller, and a cover with a knife net. In the lower cavity a motor is provided, and the drive shaft of the motor penetrates from the lower cavity into the upper cavity to be coaxially connected with the blade and the impeller; the upper cavity is also provided with a base plate ring, the base plate ring is located below the blade and arranged around the impeller, the upper cavity is divided into a lint suction cavity in the diversion ring and a lint storage cavity outside the diversion ring, and an opening connecting the lint suction cavity and the lint storage cavity is provided on the diversion ring. The cover body is detachably connected with the upper cavity and the deflector ring; the cover body is provided with a convex ring for fixing the knife net, and the convex ring is provided with an internal thread connected with the deflector ring.

SUMMARY

[0004] In embodiments herein, a lint remover is provided. The lint remover is of suction type for removing lint from a fabric. The lint remover comprises an outer shell comprising a cavity for collecting lint, a lid with a perforated cover arranged to be in contact with a fabric to be treated, a motor driven rotating unit provided with one or more blades, and arranged in the cavity below the perforated cover. The blades provide for a cut-off function and for an impeller function.

[0005] A base plate is arranged below the rotating unit. The base plate is provided with at least one inlet located in the central part of the base plate, and one or more outlets arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover. In other embodiments herein the blades may be arranged to cut off lint particles sucked in by an air stream created by the blades through the lid with a perforated cover from the fabric. Instill other embodiments herein, the blades may be arranged to create a rotating air stream entering the inlet.

[0006] In embodiments herein, the cut off lint particles may be rotated around the inner periphery of the cavity. Further, the cavity is arranged to collect cut off lint. In embodiments herein, the lint remover may be arranged to be opened and emptied from lint without access to the blades. In embodiments herein, the cavity, the rotating unit and the lid with a perforated cover may be attached to each other and can be released from the outer shell as one unit.

[0007] In embodiments herein, the lint remover may be arranged to be placed in one or more stand-up positions, and wherein the cavity may be arranged to hold the collected lint when the lint remover may be placed in any of said one or more stand-up positions. In embodiments herein, the motor driven rotating unit may be driven by a battery. In other embodiments herein, the lint remover may be provided with a safety pin button. The lid with the perforated cover and the rotating unit may be released from the lint remover as a separate unit. Further, the rotating unit together with the base plate may be separated from the lid as a separate unit.

[0008] In another aspect, a method for removing lint from fabrics by use of a lint remover is provided. The lint remover comprises an outer shell, a lid with a perforated cover, a cavity, a motor driven rotating unit provided with a base plate with one or more blades, the lint remover is provided with at least one inlet located in the central part, and one or more outlets arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover.

[0009] The method comprises creating a rotating suction air flow into said inlet by use of said motor driven rotating unit, whereby lint is sucked through the lid with a perforated cover, cutting of such sucked in lint parts by use of said blades, rotating the lint parts around the periphery of the lint remover whereby larger lint parts are created and collecting the larger lint parts in the cavity .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] 

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lint remover 1 according to embodiments herein.

Fig. 2 shows how a user opens the lint remover 1 in order to empty the lint remover from lint particles.

Fig. 3 shows how a user removes lint from the cavity.

Fig. 4 shows how a user separates the lid with a perforated cover 3 from the rotating unit with the blades 5 and the base plate 6.

Figs. 5 and 6 show how a user may clean the lint remover 1 by use of a suitable brush.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the air flow of the lint remover.

Fig. 8 shows the air flow of the lint remover seen from above.

Fig. 9a and 9b is a cross-sectional view showing the air flow of the lint remover.

Figs. 10 and 11 show details of the attachment arrangement holding the rotating unit and the lid with a perforated cover together as a unit.

Fig. 12 shows a lint remover provider with a safety pin.

Fig. 13 show details enabling stand-up functions for the lint remover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a lint remover 1 according to embodiments herein. The lint remover 1 is of suction type and is used for removing lint from a fabric. The lint remover comprises an outer shell 2 comprising a cavity 9 for collecting lint and a lid with a perforated cover 3 arranged to be in contact with a fabric to be treated. Further, the lint remover 1 comprises a motor driven rotating unit 4 provided with one or more blades 5. The motor driven rotating unit 4 may be driven by a battery. The rotating unit 4 is arranged in the cavity 9 below the perforated cover. The blades 5 provide both for a cut-off function and for an impeller function. The lint remover 1 further comprises a base plate 6 arranged below the rotating unit 4. The lint remover is provided with at least one inlet 7 located in the central part of the lint remover, and one or more outlets 8 arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover. The lint remover 1 is arranged to be opened and emptied from lint without access to the blades 5. The cavity 9, the rotating unit 4 and the lid with a perforated cover 3 may be attached to each other and can be released from the outer shell as one unit.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows how a user opens the lint remover 1 in order to empty the lint remover from lint particles. The lint remover 1 is opened with an easy turn and snap function, and the whole upper part of the lint remover is released. The lid with a perforated cover 3, rotating unit 4 with the blades 5 and the base plate 6 are removed as one single unit. Thereby, the user is prevented from being in contact with the blades 5 when the lint remover is to be emptied. Only an easy snap and turn function is what is needed from the user. Fig. 3 shows how the user removes lint from the cavity. The lint storage container may be emptied by tilting it upside down and the remaining fuzz may be removed by using a finger. There is no risk of getting into contact with any of the sharp parts of the lint remover for performing this step.

[0013] Fig. 4 shows how the user separates the lid with a perforated cover 3 from the rotating unit 4 with the blades 5 and the base plate 6. The lid with a perforated cover 3, often in metal, is attached by attachment means providing a snap function, and may be removed by carefully lifting it. Since the blades 5 are razor sharp, this step should be performed carefully. Fig. 5 shows how the user cleans the blades 5 by use of a suitable brush. Since the blades are very sharp, it is recommended not to touch them directly. Fig. 6 shows how the user may use the brush to wipe of any lint on the inside of the lid with a perforated cover 3. Thereby, a free air flow through the perforations is secured.

[0014] Fig. 7, 8 and 9 show the working air flows of the lint remover. The blades 5 are arranged to cut off lint particles sucked in by an air stream created by the blades 5 through the lid with a perforated cover from the fabric. When in use, the lint remover 1 works as follows. The rotating unit 4 is rotated by the motor, which may be driven for example by a separate battery. The blades 5 are designed to work similar to an impeller whereby an air flow sucking air into the lint remover 1 is created. The blades 5 are arranged to create a rotating air stream entering the inlet 7. By optimizing the number of blades 5, the cutting angles of the blades 5 and the speed of the rotating unit 4, an optimized, rotating air flow is created.

[0015] As seen in Fig. 7, the rotating air stream will enter the lint remover 1 in the central part of the lid with a perforated cover 3, and will leave the lint remover in the periphery of the lid with a perforated cover 3. The red marking with arrows is marking the inlet air flow, and the blue marking with arrows are marking the outlet air flow.
In Fig. 8, the lint remover is seen from above. The rotating air stream enters the lint remover at the central part of the lid with the perforated cover (marked with red color), and leaves the lint remover at the periphery of the lid with the perforated cover 3 (marked with blue color).
In Fig. 9, the lint remover is seen in a cross-sectional view. The rotating air stream enters the lint remover at the central part of the lid with the perforated cover (marked with red color), and leaves the lint remover at the periphery of the lid with the perforated cover 3 (marked with blue color). The yellow color indicates the air flow inside the lint remover. The rotating air flow is pressed to the periphery of the lint remover 1 and is also rotated along the periphery thanks to the impeller function of the blades 5. During this internal air flow, the cut off lint particles following the air stream will be rotated around the inner periphery of the cavity 9.

[0016] The air is sucked in through the inlet 7 of the lint remover. Lint on the surface of the fabric to be treated will be sucked through the lid with a perforated cover 3 and cut off by the rotating blades 5. Once cut off, the lint particles will follow the rotating air stream from the inlet 7 towards the periphery of the lint remover 1. Thereafter, the lint parts will spin around the inner periphery of the lint remover 1, out of reach for the blades 5. During spinning, smaller lint parts will clog into larger lint balls that will be collected in the cavity 9 located below the base plate 6, while air without lint particles will exit the lint remover 1 through the outlets 8.
Fig. 10 and 11 show details of the attachment arrangement holding the rotating unit 4 and the lid with a perforated cover 4 together as a single unit. The attachment means is formed as a "grab" hook, with a resilient member 10 provided with a protruding notch 11 adapted to fit into a corresponding recess 12 in the base plate 6. The rotating unit 4 with the blade plate with blades 5 and the base plate 6 is to be inserted into the lid first, and it is important to ensure that the edge of the blade plate has been clicked by the grab hooks. Once the lid is assembled onto the lint remover body, the remover is ready to use.
Fig. 12 shows a lint remover provider with a safety pin. The safety pin has been placed inside the container and close to the outer wall 2 of the remover. When the remover is closed and locked properly, the pin button 13 will be pressed in, which allows the motor to run. Thereby, the lint remover is prevented from starting if the device is not properly mounted.
Fig. 13 show details enabling stand-up functions for the lint remover. The lint remover 1 is provided with a depression 14 which allows for the lint remover 1 to be placed in a standing substantially upright position. Thereby, removed lint collected in the cavity 9 will be prevented from leaving the remover when left unused. The lint remover 1 may however alternatively be placed on the lid with perforated cover 3. The lint remover 1 may be arranged to be placed in one or more stand-up positions, and the cavity 9 may be arranged to hold the collected lint when the lint remover 1 may be placed in any of said one or more stand-up positions.

[0017] To remove lint and pilling, the garment or fabric is placed on a flat surface and the lint remover 1 is gently swiped - without push -over the fibers. If the lint remover 1 is pushed too hard against the fabric, there will be risk of damaging it. The lint remover may be tried on a small, less notable spot before going over the whole piece. The lint remover may be used on all kinds of materials - on delicate fabrics like cashmere, merino, and alpaca gentle treatment is recommended. It is to be noted that the lint remover also is very effective on small lint particles which may occur on synthetic materials.

[0018] A method for removing lint from fabrics by use of a lint remover 1 is provided. The lint remover comprises an outer shell 2, a lid with a perforated cover 3, a cavity 9, a motor driven rotating unit 4 provided with one or more blades 5 arranged on a base plate 6. The lint remover is provided with at least one inlet 7 located in the central part of the lint remover, and one or more outlets 8 arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover. The cavity 9 is arranged to collect cut off lint.

[0019] The method comprises creating a rotating suction air flow into said inlet 7 by use of said motor driven rotating unit 4, whereby lint is sucked through the lid with a perforated cover 3, cutting of such sucked in lint parts by use of said blades 5, rotating the lint parts around the periphery of the lint remover 1 whereby larger lint parts are created, collecting said larger lint parts in said cavity 9.

Claims

1. A lint remover (1) of suction type for removing lint from a fabric,
comprising

- an outer shell (2) comprising a cavity (9) for collecting lint,

- a lid with a perforated cover (3) arranged to be in contact with a fabric to be treated,

- a motor driven rotating unit (4) provided with one or more blades (5), and being arranged in said cavity (9) below said perforated cover, wherein said blades (5) provide for a cut-off function and for an impeller function; and

- a base plate (6) arranged below the rotating unit (4),

Wherein the lint remover is provided with at least one inlet (7) located in the central part of the lint remover, and one or more outlets arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover.

2. Lint remover (1) according to claim 1, wherein said blades are arranged to cut off lint particles sucked in by an air stream created by the blades (5) through the lid with a perforated cover from the fabric.

3. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blades (5) are arranged to create a rotating air stream entering the inlet (7).

4. Lint remover (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said cut off lint particles are rotated around the inner periphery of the cavity (9).

5. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (9) is arranged to collect cut off lint.

6. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lint remover (1) is arranged to be opened and emptied from lint without access to the blades (5).

7. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating unit (4) and the lid with a perforated cover (3) is attached to each other and can be released from the outer shell as one unit.

8. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lint remover (1) is arranged to be placed in one or more stand-up positions, and wherein the cavity (9) is arranged to hold the collected lint when the lint remover (1) is placed in any of said one or more stand-up positions.

9. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor driven rotating unit (4) is driven by a battery.

10. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further being provided with a safety pin button (13) arranged to be pressed automatically if the lint remover is properly mounted.

11. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid with the perforated cover (3) and the rotating unit (4) are arranged to be released from the lint remover as a unit.

12. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid with the perforated cover (3) and the rotating unit (4) are attached to each other by attachment means providing a snap function

13. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means comprises a resilient member (10) provided with a protruding notch (11) adapted to fit into a corresponding recess (12) in the base plate (6).

14. Lint remover (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blades (5) and the base plate (6) is arranged to be separated from the lint remover (1) as a unit.

15. Method for removing lint from fabrics by use of
a lint remover (1) comprising

an outer shell (2),

a lid with a perforated cover (3),

a cavity (9),

a motor driven rotating unit (4) provided with one or more blades (5), and

a base plate (6) arranged below the rotating unit (4) and provided with at least one inlet (7) located in the central part of the lint remover, and one or more outlets (8) arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the lint remover,

the method comprising:

- creating a rotating suction air flow into said inlet (7) by use of said motor driven rotating unit (4), whereby lint is sucked through the lid with a perforated cover (3),

- cutting of such sucked in lint parts by use of said blades (5),

- rotating said lint parts around the periphery of the lint remover (1) whereby larger lint parts are created,

- collecting said larger lint parts in said cavity (9).

Drawing