AU2021107382A4 - A laundry structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a laundry structure comprising: a plurality of walls supporting a roof to define a laundry room configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses; and one or more filter chambers adjacent a first one of the walls. Each filter chamber has one or more inlets configured to receive waste water from one or more of the laundry treatment apparatuses into the filter chamber; an outlet for the waste water to flow out of the filter chamber; and a filter configured to restrict the passage of solids through the outlet while allowing the passage of waste water. The first wall defines one or more maintenance access hatches to allow access to each of the one or more filter chambers from the other side of the first wall. Embodiments include a portable laundry structure which can be transported and installed in remote locations. 1/5 '-\ - a 0 r~J ~:j r.J

Description

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"A laundry structure"

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to a laundry structure for accommodating a plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses, such as washing machines and/or driers, for example. Some embodiments relate to a portable laundry structure which can be transported and installed in remote locations.

Background

[0002] Mining sites often make use of portable building structures such as cabins, bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, which can readily be transported and installed at the mine site to minimise or avoid onsite construction activities and reduce set up costs.

[0003] More generally, communal laundry rooms sometimes have security or maintenance issues which can damage equipment or interrupt operations.

[0004] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings associated with existing laundry structures, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0006] Throughout this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, reference to a single step, composition of matter, group of steps or group of compositions of matter shall be taken to encompass one and a plurality (i.e. one or more) of those steps, compositions of matter, groups of steps or group of compositions of matter.

Summary

[0007] Some embodiments relate to a laundry structure comprising: a plurality of walls supporting a roof to define a laundry room configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses; and one or more filter chambers adjacent a first one of the walls, eachfilter chamber having: one or more inlets configured to receive waste water from one or more of the plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses into the filter chamber; an outlet for the waste water to flow out of thefilter chamber; and a filter configured to restrict the passage of solids through the outlet while allowing the passage of waste water, wherein the first wall defines one or more maintenance access hatches to allow access to each of the one or more filter chambers from the other side of the first wall.

[0008] The laundry room may be configured to accommodate the laundry treatment apparatuses alongside the first wall with the one or more filter chambers disposed between the laundry treatment apparatuses and the first wall or below the laundry treatment apparatuses.

[0009] The laundry structure may further comprise a holding tank in fluid communication with the one or more outlets configured to receive waste water from the one or more filter chambers.

[0010] The laundry structure may further comprise a maintenance room adjacent to the laundry room and a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the one or more maintenance access hatches, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that it can only be operated from the maintenance room.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the walls defines a user access door to allow access to the laundry room. The user access door may be coupled to an actuator configured to open and close the user access door. The actuator may be configured to be controlled from the maintenance room. The actuator may be configured to be controlled only from the maintenance room.

[0012] In some embodiments, the laundry structure comprises the plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses connected to the inlets of the one or more filter chambers via waste water outlet hoses. In some embodiments, the laundry structure is a portable laundry structure.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] Embodiments are described below, for exemplary purposes only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a laundry structure according to some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 1B is a plan view of the laundry structure of Figure 1A;

[0016] Figure IC is a front elevation view of the laundry structure of Figure 1A;

[0017] Figure ID is a rear elevation view of the laundry structure of Figure 1A;

[0018] Figure 1E is a side elevation view of the laundry structure of Figure 1A;

[0019] Figure 2A is a top view of a holding tank and filter chambers according to some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 2B is a side view of the holding tank and filter chambers of Figure 2A; and

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the laundry structure of Figure 1A illustrating a locking mechanism according to some embodiments.

Description of Embodiments

[0022] Referring to Figures 1A to 1E, a laundry structure 100 is shown according to some embodiments. The laundry structure 100 comprises a plurality of walls 102 supporting a roof 104 to define a laundry room 110 configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses 112, such as washing machines and/or driers, for example.

[0023] In some embodiments, the laundry structure 100 may comprise a portable laundry structure which can be transported and installed in remote locations. For example, the laundry structure 100 shown in the drawings is a modified shipping container, which is readily transportable by road, train or cargo vessel, facilitating temporary or permanent installation at a remote location, such as a mine site.

[0024] Alternatively, the laundry structure 100 maybe formed as a fixed building structure and may be constructed with building components erected on site.

[0025] The laundry structure 100 may be installed on a concrete slab 10 as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, and additional shelter may be provided, such as a shade sail 12, for example.

[0026] The laundry structure 100 may comprise a user access door 114 to allow access to the laundry room 110. The user access door 114 may comprise any suitable door of any suitable size installed in any one of the plurality of walls 102.

[0027] In some embodiments, the user access door 114 may comprise a relatively large door covering an opening across a relatively large area of a wall 102, such as more than half of the wall area, for example. In some embodiments, the user access door 114 may form an entire one of the walls 102. The user access door 114 be coupled to one of the walls 102 or the roof 104 and may be hinged to rotate upwards as shown in Figure 1A.

[0028] The laundry structure 100 may comprise a service room or maintenance room 120 with a maintenance room access door 124. The maintenance room 120 may be configured to accommodate a chemical distribution system, supplies (such as laundry detergents, for example), a water heater, a sink, power outlets or a control panel (e.g. for the user access door 114 and actuator 116), for example. The maintenance room 120 is described in detail later in the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 1B illustrates the layout of the laundry structure 100, according to some embodiments, and more clearly shows the maintenance room 120 at one end and the laundry room 110 taking up most of the volume of the laundry structure 100.

[0030] The washing machines 112 are connected to a water supply and potentially also automatic detergent dispensing supply, and users can come in and use the washing machines to clean their laundry. The washing machines 112 are also connected to a waste water outlet for discarding waste water from each washing cycle.

[0031] The laundry structure 100 further comprises one or more filter chambers 200 adjacent a first one 106 of the walls 102. For example, in the laundry structure 100 shown, if the user access door 114 is considered to define the front of the laundry structure 100, then the first wall 106 may be a rear wall 106 of the laundry structure 100.

[0032] The filter chambers 200 may be provided as an external filter for catching debris from the laundry treatment apparatus 112 (e.g. washing machines). Depending on the application, there may be significant debris washed off of laundry (e.g., clothes) being washed in the washing machines, such as hair, grass, other fibres or other solids, for example. This debris may eventually build up and clog or block the waste water outlet or other plumbing, so it may be desirable to collect such debris in a filter and periodically remove the debris from the filter.

[0033] Some washing machines include filters or lint traps. However, in the context of a high use laundry with multiple washing machines used frequently, such lint traps may be inappropriate as they may block too quickly or may be inconvenient to access to clean out.

[0034] Therefore, washing machines without such lint traps may be used - or washing machines may be modified to remove such lint traps - and filter chambers 200 may be provided to perform the filtering function.

[0035] Each filter chamber 200 may comprise an elongate, generally rectangular box shape, for example, including generally flat walls which cooperate to define a vessel to temporarily contain waste water from the washing machines 112 (until it flows out through the outlet 212). However, the filter chamber 200 may comprise any suitable shape and construction depending on the application. The filter chambers 200 may alternatively be referred to as lint traps, though in some embodiments, the filter chambers 200 may not be suitable for trapping lint, depending on the filter size.

[0036] The first wall or rear wall 106 may define one or more maintenance access hatches 134 to allow access to each of the one or more filter chambers 200 from the other side of the first wall 106. For example, from behind the laundry structure 100, as shown in Figure 1B. This may readily allow access for a maintenance person to access thefilter chambers 200 periodically to remove debris without having to access the washing machines directly.

[0037] The maintenance access hatches 134 may comprise rectangular doors, for example, which may be hinged on one side or a top edge of each hatch 134. The maintenance access hatches 134 may be relatively smaller than the user access door 114, for example, while being large enough to allow maintenance access to the filter chambers 200 and optionally to other components requiring maintenance, such as control systems, dispensing systems, or the rear of the laundry treatment apparatuses 112, for example.

[0038] The filter chambers 200 may be arranged below or behind the washing machines, for example, and may be positioned between the washing machines 112 and the rear wall 106. In Figure lB the filter chambers 200 are shown positioned in a cavity 107 defined between the first wall or rear wall 106 and a second wall 108 separating the washing machines 112 from the filter chambers 200.

[0039] The filter chambers 200 are shown in more detail in Figures 2A and 2B. Each filter chamber 200 may define one or more inlets 202 configured to receive waste water from the laundry treatment apparatuses into the filter chamber 200. For example, there may be an inlet 202 corresponding to each of the washing machines 112, or in other embodiments, one or more of the inlets 202 may be connected to multiple washing machines 112 with a junction upstream of the inlets 202. The washing machines 112 may be connected to the inlets 202 via a standard washing machine outlet hose, for example.

[0040] Each filter chamber 200 also defines an outlet 212 for the waste water to flow out of the filter chamber 200.

[0041] The filter chambers 200 shown in Figures 2A and 2B are in fluid communication with a holding tank 230 configured to receive waste water from the filter chambers 200 via the outlets

212. The waste water may be retained in the holding tank 230 in order to cool down to an appropriate temperature before being released into a waste water or sewage drain. This may be necessary if the washing machines 112 are required to operate at relatively high temperature wash cycles (e.g., above 50°C, above 60°C, or above 65°C), which may be necessary to kill certain pests, bacteria or microorganisms. And in some cases it may be necessary to cool the waste water to an acceptable level (e.g., below 31°C) before introducing it to a sewerage system.

[0042] The holding tank 230 may include a holding tank outlet 232 configured to be connected to the waste water or sewage drain. This allows the holding tank to be drained at selected times (or after a certain period) by a maintenance person or automatically by a control system, for example.

[0043] Alternatively, or additionally, the holding tank 230 may include a holding tank overflow outlet 236 arranged at or near a top of the holding tank. The overflow outlet 236 may be configured to be connected to the waste water or sewage drain and configured to allow the outflow of waste water through the overflow outlet 236 when the water level in the holding tank 230 reaches the overflow outlet 236.

[0044] The holding tank 230 may be configured to retain a certain volume of waste water in relation to the waste water expected from the washing machines 112. For example, the capacity of the holding tank 230 may be more than twice the expected volume of waste water from each of the plurality of laundry treatment apparatus 112 in total. For example, for four washing machines (e.g., Model ST3JXASP 3 Phase Dryer 3 Phase Washer), each having a wash cycle that produces about 44.3L of waste water, the holding tank 230 may have a capacity of about 400L. This equates to a holding capacity of 9 wash cycles - i.e., two cycles from each machine and one extra - which may allow sufficient time for the waste water to cool to an acceptable level before flowing into the waste water or sewerage drain.

[0045] In some embodiments, the holding tank 230 may include one or more baffles 239 disposed between the filter chamber outlets 212 and the holding tank overflow outlet 236 and configured to prevent or restrict waste water flowing directly from the filter chamber outlets 212 to the holding tank overflow outlet 236. The baffles 239 may be arranged such that freshly introduced waste water (from the filter chamber outlets 212) is directed downwards to mix with the waste water in the holding tank 230 from previous wash cycles before passing under the baffles 230 and flowing towards the holding tank overflow outlet 236.

[0046] In some embodiments, the holding tank may be omitted, if not required, and the filter chambers 200 may empty directly into the waste water or sewage drain via the outlets 212.

[0047] In some embodiments, the waste water may be directed into a sump pit 240 (shown in Figure 1B) before proceeding to a waste water or sewerage drain or system, such as a septic tank or piped sewerage system, for example.

[0048] Each filter chamber 200 further includes a filter 220 configured to restrict the passage of solids through the outlet 212 while allowing the passage of waste water. In some embodiments, the filter 220 may be disposed at, near or in the outlet 212, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, for example. In some embodiments, each filter chamber 200 or a single filter chamber 200 may comprise a plurality of filters 220 and optionally also a plurality of outlets 212 which may be associated with the filters 220.

[0049] The filters 220 may comprise any suitable filter for a given application. The chosen filter size may vary in different embodiments depending on the expected size and shape of the debris in the waste water, and the size of debris that is acceptable for the available waste water or sewage system. For example, if fine dust or sediments must be filtered out, afine particle filter may be required. In contrast, if it is only larger debris such as fibres that is of concern, then a larger mesh filter may be sufficient. For example, the filters 220 may comprise strainer baskets configured to sit in the outlets 212, and the strainer baskets may be formed of a relatively open mesh (e.g., steel mesh) configured to prevent or restrict passage of fibres such as hair or grass.

[0050] The filters 220 may be removable to facilitate the emptying of debris from thefilters 220 by a maintenance person. The filter chambers 200 may define an access port 204 (which may be opened and closed with a lid) to allow access to the filters 220 for cleaning.

[0051] Each filter chamber 200 may further include an overflow pipe 206 extending up from a bottom of the filter chamber 200 and opening into the chamber 200 at a top of the overflow pipe 206. The overflow pipe 206 may be in fluid communication with the waste water or sewage drain (optionally via the holding tank 230) to provide an outlet in case thefilter chamber 200 overflows (e.g., due to a blockage of the filter 220).

[0052] The filter chamber 200 and holding tank 230 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, resin, metal, steel, or galvanised steel, for example.

[0053] The laundry structure 100 shown in the drawings comprises two filter chambers 200 and two maintenance access hatches 134. However, any appropriate number of filter chambers 200 and maintenance access hatches 134 may be provided. One or more filter chambers 200 and maintenance access hatches 134 may also be provided along more than one wall of the laundry structure 100 if required to receive waste water from washing machines 112 arranged in different positions in the laundry room 110.

[0054] The rear wall 106 may include one maintenance access hatch 134 corresponding to each filter chamber 200; or one maintenance access hatch 134 to access multiple filter chambers 200; or multiple access hatches 134 to access multiple filters 220 of a single filter chamber 200.

[0055] The laundry room 100 is configured to accommodate the laundry treatment apparatuses 112 alongside the first wall 106 with the one or more filter chambers 200 disposed between the laundry treatment apparatuses and the first wall 106 or, alternatively, below the laundry treatment apparatuses 112. In the layout shown in the drawings, the laundry treatment apparatuses (washing machines) 112 are arranged at the back of the laundry room 110 alongside the rear wall 106, with the filter chambers 200 disposed between the rear wall 106 and the washing machines 112 (i.e., behind the washing machines 112), and a further partition wall 108 separating the washing machines 112 from the filter chambers 200. The partition wall 108 defines openings to allow passage of outlet hoses from the washing machines 112 for connection to the inlets 202 of the filter chambers 200.

[0056] The maintenance access hatches 134 may include a lock or locking mechanism to restrict access and only allow access to maintenance workers. The lock may include any conventional locking mechanism such as a slide bolt and padlock, or padlock loop, for example.

[0057] In some embodiments, the laundry structure 100 may comprise a locking mechanism 300 configured such that it can only be operated from inside the laundry structure 100, for example, from within the maintenance room 120. Referring to Figure 3, one such locking mechanism 300 is illustrated. However, any suitable locking mechanism could be used, including mechanical and electromechanical locking mechanisms, which may be operated manually, mechanically, or via an electronic controller, for example.

[0058] The locking mechanism 300 shown in Figure 3 comprises a locking bar 304 rotatably coupled to the rear wall 106 at a fixed pivot point 305. The locking bar 304 is configured to be rotated to engage a catch 334 on each maintenance access hatch 134 to lock the access hatches 134 in a closed configuration. For example, the catches may comprise a tab or a slot in the access hatches 134 near its edge.

[0059] The locking mechanism 300 further comprises a sliding rod 310, slidably connected to and extending partway along the rear wall 106, to slide horizontally along the rear wall 106 within the laundry structure 100.

[0060] The locking mechanism 300 further comprises a connecting rod 314 pivotally connected to both the sliding rod 310 and the locking bar 304, such that the sliding motion of the sliding rod 310 is translated into rotation of the locking bar 304.

[0061] The locking mechanism 300 further comprises an actuating lever 320 disposed within the maintenance room 120. The actuating lever 320 is pivotally coupled to the sliding rod 310 and to a second pivot point, fixed relative to the rear wall 106. When the lever 320 is moved back and forth (parallel to the rear wall 106) the sliding rod 310 is moved in the same direction, and the connecting rod 314 causes the locking bar 304 to rotate between a locking position and an unlocked position.

[0062] The unlocked configuration of the locking mechanism 300 is shown in broken lines in Figure 3, while the locked configuration of the locking mechanism 300 is shown in solid lines.

[0063] With reference to Figures 3 and IB, it will be understood that the locking mechanism 300 is not visible or accessible from within the laundry room 110, as it is mostly hidden within the cavity 107. The locking mechanism 300 can only be operated from the maintenance room 120. The maintenance room 120 can then be locked (by closing and locking the maintenance room door(s) 124 when not in use, so that the maintenance access hatches 134 cannot be opened.

[0064] The maintenance room door or doors 124 may comprise any suitable lock or locking mechanism, including conventional shipping container locks, padlocks, and lock boxes for restricting access to the padlock.

[0065] Referring to Figure 3, it should also be noted that the lever 320 is positioned to protrude out of the maintenance room 120 (through the door 124) in the unlocked configuration, which reduces the likelihood of a maintenance worker inadvertently closing the maintenance room 120 with the locking mechanism 300 in the open configuration.

[0066] It will be appreciated that other locking mechanisms 300 may be used as discussed above. For example, rather than a rotating locking bar 304, the sliding rod 310 may be coupled to a sliding bolt arrangement to lock each access hatch 134. Also, while the locking mechanism 300 illustrated simultaneously locks or unlocks each access hatch 134, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism 300 may lock and unlock each hatch 134 separately or independently.

[0067] Furthermore, in embodiments where there is no separate maintenance room, the locking mechanism 300 may be configured to be operable from within the laundry room 110.

[0068] The user access door 114 for the laundry room 110 may also comprise a locking mechanism, which may comprise any suitable conventional locking mechanism, as described with reference to the maintenance access hatches 134. The user access door 114 may have an external locking mechanism accessible from the outside or, like the maintenance access hatches 134, only be locked and unlocked from the maintenance room 120.

[0069] In the laundry structure 100 shown in the drawings, the user access door 114 is coupled to an actuator 116 configured to open and close the user access door 114. The actuator 116 may comprise one or more linear actuators pivotally coupled to the wall 102 and the door 114 and configured to extend (e.g., telescopically) to open the door 114. For example, the actuator 116 may comprise gas struts, hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, or electronic actuators.

[0070] The actuator 116 maybe configured to be controlled from outside the laundry structure 100, or in some embodiments, may only be operated from within the maintenance room 120.

[0071] In embodiments where both the user access door 114 and maintenance access hatches 134 can only be unlocked (or opened) from within the maintenance room 120, there is only a single point of entry, namely, the maintenance room door 124. This may be advantageous in securing the laundry structure 100 while only requiring a single key to provide access to a maintenance worker. The maintenance worker can then open the user access door 114 to allow users to access the laundry room 110, and close the maintenance room 120 while leaving the laundry room 110 open. The maintenance worker can also unlock the maintenance access hatches 134 to remove debris from the filters 220 or attend to other maintenance issues, and then lock them again from the maintenance room 120.

[0072] In some embodiments, the maintenance room 120 may also comprise detergent storage containers 128, which may be connected to the washing machines 112 via a the chemical distribution system, such as the CM2W (Connect Machines to Web) dispense system or SEKO Distribution System, for example, to dispense detergent to the washing machines as required.

[0073] In some embodiments, the laundry structure 100 may be formed as a portable structure to be transported and installed at a location. The laundry structure 100 may be transported with the laundry treatment apparatuses 112 (washers and driers) installed, or without the laundry treatment apparatuses, which may be installed once the laundry structure 100 is installed at the location.

[0074] The laundry structure 100 may facilitate the installation of a laundry at a desired location with relatively little onsite labour compared with the erection of a building structure from component parts. The laundry structure 100 may also facilitate maintenance by providing readily accessible filters 220, and be readily secured when necessary.

[0075] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A laundry structure comprising: a plurality of walls supporting a roof to define a laundry room configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses; and one or more filter chambers adjacent a first one of the walls, eachfilter chamber having: one or more inlets configured to receive waste water from one or more of the plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses into the filter chamber; an outlet for the waste water to flow out of thefilter chamber; and a filter configured to restrict the passage of solids through the outlet while allowing the passage of waste water, wherein the first wall defines one or more maintenance access hatches to allow access to each of the one or more filter chambers from the other side of the first wall.

2. The laundry structure of claim 1, further comprising a holding tank in fluid communication with the one or more outlets and configured to receive waste water from the one or more filter chambers.

3. The laundry structure of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a maintenance room adjacent to the laundry room and a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the one or more maintenance access hatches, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that it can only be operated from the maintenance room.

4. The laundry structure of claim 3, wherein at least one of the walls defines a user access door to allow access to the laundry room, wherein the user access door is coupled to an actuator configured to open and close the user access door, and wherein the actuator is configured to be controlled from the maintenance room.

5. The laundry structure of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the laundry structure is a portable laundry structure.

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