Textiles: fluid treating apparatus – Machines – Plural fluid treating machines
Patent
1998-12-15
2000-06-20
Coe, Philip R.
Textiles: fluid treating apparatus
Machines
Plural fluid treating machines
68143, D06F 3100
Patent
active
060763795
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing tunnel designed simultaneously to carry out prewash, washing and rinsing operations in different compartments on loads of laundry present in said compartments.
This type of installation may be used in all cases where it is necessary to wash large quantities of laundry rapidly and efficiently. Non-limitative examples of applications of the invention might be for use in hospitals and large laundries.
2. Background Art
Washing tunnels are large installations that comprise a drum with a horizontal axis placed in a fixed tank. The drum is divided lengthwise into successive compartments each of which is capable of containing a load of laundry. Loads of laundry for washing are inserted at one end of the tunnel and removed at the other end when washing is complete. Each load therefore passes successively through one or more prewash compartments, at least two washing compartments and one or more rinsing compartments before leaving the tunnel.
In order to agitate the laundry sufficiently to complete the required prewash, washing and rinsing operations the drum is subjected to alternate rotating movements around its axis; these movements are normally of the order of 270.degree.. The loads of laundry, on the other hand, are simultaneously transferred from one compartment to the next each time the drum rotates fully around its axis.
The functions of separating the compartments when the alternate rotation of the drum is only 270.degree. and of transferring loads from one compartment to the next when the drum makes a complete revolution are ensured by the partitions separating the compartments inside the drum. Two partitioning techniques are currently in use.
In the first known technique, called "bottom transfer", the drum is divided up by a helicoidal partition or Archimedes screw. The alternating rotary movement has the effect of keeping the loads of laundry in compartments separated from one another by the helicoidal partition. The separation is also maintained when the drum makes a complete turn to move the laundry from one compartment to the next inside the tunnel.
This first known technique for partitioning the drum of washing tunnels has the advantage of there being no possibility of laundry getting jammed between adjacent compartments. In the event of two loads accidentally falling into the inlet compartment the loads are transferred without being damaged to the outlet end of the tunnel; there is no risk of jamming making it necessary to shut down the washing operation.
This type of washing tunnel also has the advantage that for a given drum diameter the distance laundry drops during agitation is relatively great. This dropping height uses approximately 2/3 of the diameter of the drum. This characteristic is important as it determines the mechanical work to which the laundry is subjected; this in turn affects the quality of the wash.
On the negative side, however, washing tunnels comprising an Archimedes screw have the drawback of being particularly expensive. The helicoidal partition cannot be fabricated out of a single piece of sheet metal and therefore production cannot be automated.
Furthermore, these tunnels transfer all the water they contain together with the laundry when the drum makes a complete revolution to move laundry into the next compartment.
The second technique in current use is called "center transfer" and consists in separating successive compartments by means of radial partitions. In this system each partition is provided with a circular central opening to which is connected a transfer structure that has the approximate shape of a scoop located in one of the adjacent compartments. When the drum makes a complete revolution the scoop structure lifts the laundry and passes it through the central opening.
Compared with washing tunnels using the Archimedes screw type of partitioning this technique has the advantage of being suitable for automated production. The majority of the sheet metal used to construct the partit
REFERENCES:
patent: 3878699 (1975-04-01), Steinort
patent: 5307652 (1994-05-01), Hagiwara et al.
Coe Philip R.
Electrolux Systemes de Blanchisserie
LandOfFree
Tunnel washing machine with lateral clothes transfer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tunnel washing machine with lateral clothes transfer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tunnel washing machine with lateral clothes transfer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1842062