EP0914511B1 - Tunnel washing machine with lateral clothes transfer - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a washing tunnel designed to perform simultaneously, in different compartments, prewash operations, washing and rinsing on loads of laundry present in these compartments.

Such an installation can be used in all cases where you want to be able to wash quickly and efficiently large amounts of laundry. By way of non-limiting illustration, we cite for example the case of hospitals and that of large laundries.

State of the art

The washing tunnels are large installations, which include a drum with horizontal axis, placed in a fixed tank. The drum is divided lengthwise into successive compartments capable of each containing a load of laundry. The loads of laundry to be washed are introduced at one end of the tunnel and collected at the opposite end, when washing is finished. Each load of laundry passes thus successively in one or more compartments of prewash, in at least two washing compartments and in one or more rinsing compartments, before to come out of the tunnel.

In order to brew the laundry necessary for the accomplishment of the operations of prewash, wash and rinse, the drum is driven by an alternating rotation movement around its axis, the amplitude of which is generally around 270 °. On the other hand, the laundry loads are transferred simultaneously from one compartment to another when the drum completes one revolution himself.

The separation functions of compartments as long as the alternating rotation of the drum remains about 270 ° and transfer of loads of laundry from one compartment to another when the drum rotation reaches a full revolution, are ensured by the partitioning which separates the compartments inside the drum. Two techniques are currently used to perform this partitioning.

According to a first known technique, called "downward transfer", partitioning is ensured from one end to the other of the drum by a partition in helix or Archimedes screw. Movement alternating rotation of the drum then has the effect of keep loads of laundry in compartments separated from each other by the shaped partition propeller. In addition, the separation of laundry loads is preserved when the drum makes a revolution complete on itself to advance the laundry a compartment inside the tunnel.

This first known technique of partitioning of the drums of the washing tunnels a the advantage of being free of any strangulation between successive compartments. In the event of a fall accidental of two loads of laundry in the entry compartment, these loads can therefore walk without damage to the exit end of the washing tunnel, without risk of blockage requiring an interruption of washing.

Washing tunnels of this type also have with the advantage that, for a given diameter of the drum, the drop height of the laundry being brewed is relatively high. So this drop height uses about 2/3 of the drum diameter. This characteristic is important because it determines the mechanical work undergone by the laundry, on which the quality of washing.

However, the washing tunnels having a partition in the form of a screw Archimedes have the notable disadvantage of being particularly expensive. Indeed, the shaped partition propeller is a non-developable sheet, so that its cannot be automated.

Furthermore, these washing tunnels transfer with the linen all the water it contains, when the drum makes a full revolution to advance the costs of laundry.

The second technique used, called "to transfer by the center ", consists in separating the successive compartments by means of radial partitions and to provide, in each of these partitions, a circular central opening on which is connected a transfer structure approximately shovel-shaped, placed in one of the compartments adjacent. By performing a full turn, the structure transfer comes to lift the laundry, and the duct in the central opening.

Compared to the partitioning technique washing tunnels using an Archimedes screw, The advantage of this technique is that it allows automated manufacturing. In fact, most of sheets used for partitioning is flat, the connections are mostly at right angles and the welds are usually straight or circular. Therefore, the washing tunnels using this partitioning technique are significantly less expensive than the washing tunnels at Archimedes' screw.

In addition, the shovel-shaped structures which transfer the laundry loads from one compartment to the other when the drum performs a rotation of a full turn, are generally perforated. This feature avoids the transfer from one compartment to another of the entire the water in the laundry. The quality of washing finds improved.

On the other hand, in the case where two charges of linen are accidentally introduced into the same compartment, a jam leading to a blockage complete laundry is inevitable when loads of linen is transferred between neighboring compartments. Indeed, the transfer is then carried out by passages of reduced section forming constrictions between successive compartments. When such incident occurs it is necessary to stop the machine and to intervene for a relatively long time long. This constitutes a serious handicap for this technical, given the large quantities of linen generally processed daily in washing tunnels.

In addition, the washing tunnels in which laundry loads are transferred by the center using shovel-shaped structures characterized by the height of the laundry drop significantly smaller than in screw tunnels Archimedes, for the same drum diameter, because the transfer device takes an important place in the drum. Therefore, if one wishes to submit the laundry with equivalent mechanical work in order to obtain same washing quality, it is necessary use a drum with a significantly larger diameter important.

Document DE-A-1 948 045 discloses the characteristics contained in the preamble to the claim 1. It describes, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 a washing tunnel with compartments successive are separated by radial partitions planes with sector-shaped openings circular upward when the drum occupies its middle position. Each compartment includes a transfer blade which successively comprises, in the direction of advance of the linen, a flat part parallel to the axis of the drum and a shaped part propeller.

In GB-A-1 501 652, the successive compartments of a washing tunnel are also separated by planar radial partitions in which are formed in the form of openings circular sectors. Transfer blades including a triangular part and a helical part are placed in these compartments.

In document DE-A-2 352 717, blades of helix-shaped transfer connect edges opposite parallels of rectangular openings formed in the plane radial partitions which delimit the successive compartments of a washing tunnel.

Finally, document DE-A-2 312 003 describes a washing tunnel with successive compartments separated by planar radial partitions crossed by downward-facing openings with edges in arcs of circles. Transfer blades in propeller shape are placed between the openings, in each compartment.

Statement of the invention

The subject of the invention is precisely a tunnel which the original partitioning allows it to combine the advantages of screw washing tunnels Archimedes and those of the transfer washing tunnels from the center, by means of structures in the form of shovels placed on the side of the drum.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a washing tunnel, the partitioning of which allows a automated manufacturing, therefore inexpensive, allowing water to drip during the transfer of loads of laundry, without presenting any risk jamming during the accidental introduction of two loads of laundry in the same compartment, and ensuring a laundry drop height of approximately two thirds of the drum diameter, providing optimal washing quality for a drum diameter given.

• une partie intermédiaire, plane et en forme de secteur circulaire, présentant un bord en arc de cercle raccordé sur la paroi circonférentielle du tambour et joignant deux cloisons consécutives, et deux bords droits situés dans des plans parallèles audit axe et passant par les côtés opposés des secteurs circulaires formés par les ouvertures ;
• deux parties terminales, planes et triangulaires, reliant les bords droits de la partie intermédiaire aux côtés opposés des secteurs circulaires formés par les ouvertures débouchant dans le compartiment qui contient cette pale.

According to the invention, this result is obtained by means of a washing tunnel, comprising a drum mounted rotating around a horizontal axis, and having a first end for introducing dirty laundry and a second end for removing laundry clean, flat partitions internally dividing the drum into a plurality of successive prewash, washing and rinsing compartments, between the first and second ends, in which each partition is situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum and comprises an eccentric opening in the form of a circular sector, formed between the axis and the circumferential wall of the drum, the eccentric openings being oriented upwards, in a middle position of the drum during the stirring of the laundry by alternating rotation of the drum. amplitude less than one revolution, a transfer blade being placed in each compartment, between the openings, so as to ensure trans automatic washing of the linen between the compartments, during a rotation of one complete turn of the drum, characterized in that each transfer blade comprises:

• an intermediate part, flat and in the form of a circular sector, having an edge in an arc of a circle connected to the circumferential wall of the drum and joining two consecutive partitions, and two straight edges situated in planes parallel to said axis and passing through the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings;
• two terminal parts, flat and triangular, connecting the straight edges of the intermediate part to the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings opening into the compartment which contains this blade.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two triangular end parts are replaced by two terminal parts formed each of at least two elementary plane parts substantially triangular and not coplanar, connecting straight edges from the middle to the sides opposite circular sectors formed by openings opening into the compartment which contains this pale.

This arrangement ensures a transfer loads of laundry by the side of the drum when this one performs a full turn, to simplify the manufacturing, and reduce costs.

Advantageously, the transfer blades are formed of flat sheets, folded or welded together as well as the partitions and the circumferential wall of the drum.

The circular sector formed by the opening preferably has an angle whose apex is offset from the side of the opening, relative to the axis, that is to say upwards in the middle position of the drum.

Each of the transfer blades then connects the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings in the partitions defining the compartment which contains this blade.

In addition, the transfer blades are advantageously perforated to allow drainage of a part of the water in the laundry, when this is transferred from one compartment to another.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté, en coupe longitudinale partielle, qui représente schématiquement un tunnel de lavage conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective qui représente une partie du cloisonnement intérieur du tambour du tunnel de lavage de la figure 1 selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du cloisonnement illustré sur la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en bout du cloisonnement illustré sur les figures 2 et 3 ;
• les figures 5A et 5B sont des vues en bout et de dessus du cloisonnement, illustrant une première phase de transfert d'une charge de linge entre deux compartiments ;
• les figures 6A et 6B sont des vues analogues aux figures 5A et 5B, illustrant une deuxième étape du transfert ;
• les figures 7A et 7B sont des vue analogues aux figures 5A et 5B, illustrant une troisième étape du transfert ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective comparable à la figure 2, illustrant une forme de réalisation préférée du cloisonnement.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view, in partial longitudinal section, which schematically shows a washing tunnel according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view which shows part of the interior partitioning of the drum of the washing tunnel of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a top view of the partition illustrated in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is an end view of the partition illustrated in Figures 2 and 3;
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are end and top views of the partition, illustrating a first phase of transferring a load of laundry between two compartments;
• Figures 6A and 6B are views similar to Figures 5A and 5B, illustrating a second step of the transfer;
• FIGS. 7A and 7B are views similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B, illustrating a third step of the transfer; and
• Figure 8 is a perspective view comparable to Figure 2, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the partitioning.

Detailed presentation of embodiments

As schematically illustrated in the figure 1, the washing tunnel according to the invention comprises a cylindrical drum 16 rotatably supported around a horizontal axis. The drum 16 has a circumferential wall 17, generally perforated, as well as end walls crossed one and the other by a circular central opening (not shown).

Schematically illustrated in the figure 1 of the gearmotors 18 and 20 able to control a alternative rotation of the drum 16 by about 270 ° around its axis, on either side of a position median illustrated in the figures, as well as a complete rotation of the drum to ensure transfer of charges from one compartment to another.

Of course, the rotation controls alternative and the rotation of a full turn of the drum can be provided by a single geared motor, without departing from the scope of the invention.

We also illustrated schematically on the Figure 1 a hopper 22 for introducing loads of dirty laundry at one end of the washing tunnel, as well as an outlet chute allowing to automatically extract the charges from clean linen at the opposite end of the tunnel. The hopper 22, as the chute 24 opens into the drum 16 by the aforementioned openings (not shown) formed in the end walls of it.

In accordance with the invention, means of partitioning of original design, which will described in more detail below, divide internally the drum 16 in a number of successive compartments 26, between the end introduction of dirty laundry into which the hopper 22 and the outlet end of clean laundry in which opens the chute 24. Each of the compartments 26 has a volume generally identical and allows one of the operations to be carried out that must undergo the linen introduced into the tunnel. More precisely, going from the inlet end of the laundry towards its outlet end, loads of laundry pass successively in at least one compartment of prewash, at least two washing compartments and at minus a rinsing compartment. The number of compartments 26 assigned to each of these operations varies according to user needs, such so the total number of compartments 26 increases with the quality and quantity of the washing desire to obtain.

To make it easier to read Figure 1, a number of conventional devices in washing tunnels were not represented. Among these devices, we will notably mention the means ensuring the circulation of water in the or the prewash compartments, in the compartments as well as in the rinsing compartments, as well as the sealing systems provided to ensure the separation between the different compartments 26.

As illustrated schematically on Figure 4, buckets 28 are provided inside the circumferential wall 17 of the drum 16, so to increase, in a known manner, the mixing of the linen.

A detailed description of the means of partitioning which internally equip the drum 16 will now be made with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The partitioning means include first a flat partition 30 separating each pair of adjacent compartments 26. Each partition 30 is oriented radially with respect to the axis of the drum 16 and has the shape of a disc whose edge device is welded inside the wall circumferential 17.

All the partitions 30 have a eccentric opening 32 substantially sector-shaped circular. This eccentric opening 32 is formed between the axis of the drum 16 and its circumferential wall 17, so as to face upwards when the drum occupies its median position of rest relative to when the laundry is brewed by rotation drum alternative controlled by the gear motor 18. Thus, if the alternating rotation of the drum is performed on 270 °, the amplitude of the rotation is 135 ° on either side of this middle position.

As illustrated in particular by Figures 2 and 4, the circular sector formed by the opening 32 made in each of the partitions 30 has an angle of about 90 ° and its vertex is offset from the side of the opening 32 relative to the axis of the drum 16, i.e. upwards in the position median of it.

As shown in particular on the figures 5A, 5B and 5C, one of the buckets 28 is advantageously placed in the drum 16 substantially in the extension of the leading edge of each of the openings 32, relative to the direction of rotation of the drum (arrow F).

In addition to the partitions 30 separating the adjacent compartments 26, the partitioning means which are provided inside the drum 16 include also transfer blades 34, which connect between they the openings 32 of the partitions 30 adjacent to the interior of each of the compartments 26. These blades 34 have the function of ensuring automatic transfer loads of laundry between compartments 26 successive, when the drum 16 makes a revolution complete, for example under the action of geared motors 18 and 20.

More specifically, inside each of the compartments 26, a transfer blade 34 connects the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed through the openings 32 which open into this compartment. Each of the transfer blades 34 is formed of substantially planar elementary parts and has substantially the shape of a portion of a propeller.

In both embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8, the blades of transfer 34 are mainly made of sheets substantially flat, folded or welded together as well as the partitions 30 and the wall circumferential 17 of the drum 16 along lines straight or in an arc. This arrangement allows automated and inexpensive drum manufacturing which limits the price of the washing tunnel in its together.

So in the first form of achievement and as illustrated in particular the Figure 2, each of the blades 34 comprises a part intermediate 36 substantially planar as well as two triangular end pieces 38, too substantially flat.

The intermediate part 36 substantially plane has the shape of a circular sector, having an edge 40 in an arc connected by welding on the peripheral wall 17 of the drum 16 and joining two successive partitions 30. The part intermediate 36 also has two straight edges 42 which are aligned with the opposite straight sides of circular sectors formed by the openings 32, when viewed parallel to the axis of the drum, i.e. when the drum is seen in end.

Each of the terminal parts triangular 38 transfer blades 34 connects the straight edges 42 of the intermediate part 36 of this blade with opposite straight sides of circular sectors formed by the openings 32 which open into the compartment containing this blade. The parts triangular terminals 38 of the blades 34 are therefore oriented parallel to the axis of the drum 16 and located in two planes forming an angle between them identical to that of the openings 32.

The openings 32 made in the partitions 30 are aligned when drum 16 is seen at the end. The blades 34 located in the compartments 26 are also all identical to ensure the laundry loads transferred in the same direction between the compartments 26 when the drum 16 performs a full turn on itself under the action of geared motors 18 and 20. The blades 34 located in the first and last compartments 26, in which open the hopper 22 and the outlet chute 24, can have different shapes to ensure a suitable routing of the laundry load, when the drum 16 rotates one complete turn.

As illustrated schematically on FIGS. 3 and 4, the blades 34 may include, in some compartments, perforations 44. These perforations have the function of ensuring drainage laundry when transferred from compartment 26 to another.

The partitions 30 also have perforations (not shown) when they separate compartments 26 performing functions identical, according to a conventional arrangement in washing tunnels.

The structure of the interior partitioning of the drum 16 which has just been described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 allows, as we have already observed, to significantly reduce the cost of the washing tunnel by authorizing automated drum manufacturing.

Furthermore, this type of partitioning prevents the creation of bottlenecks between neighboring compartments. Therefore, in case accidental introduction of two loads of laundry in the same compartment, any risk of blocking the laundry by jamming during transfer between different compartments is avoided. The user does there is therefore no risk of being penalized by such an incident.

In addition, the design of the means of compartmentalization which have just been described allows to ensure a washing quality comparable to that of a Archimedes screw washing tunnel, for a drum given diameter. Indeed, the drop height of the laundry uses about 2/3 the diameter of the drum, as in tunnels of this type.

Finally, the use of 34 perforated blades allows the laundry to be drained when it is transferred from compartment 26 to the other, as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B. The quality of washing is improved compared to screw tunnels Archimedes, in which such perforations do not exist.

In the second embodiment, preferred of the invention, illustrated in Figure 8 the blades 34 and the openings 32 have slightly different shapes, improving the transfer of linen between the compartments.

So the sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings 32 are no longer straight, but each consisting of two consecutive segments forming between them an obtuse angle, turned towards the opening.

Furthermore, if each of the blades 34 always includes an intermediate flat part 36 in form of circular sector, the terminal parts, by which the straight edges 42 of this part intermediate 36 are connected to opposite sides of 32 openings are different. So each of these end parts is formed in this case of two elementary plane parts 38a and 38b, triangular and not coplanar.

More specifically, the top of the sector circular formed by the intermediate part 36 is offset from the side of the opening 32, relative to the top of the circular sector formed by it, when the drum is observed along its axis. The flat part elementary 38a connects a straight edge 42 of the sector circular formed by the intermediate part 36 at outer segment on one side of the circular sector formed through the opening 32. Furthermore, the flat part elementary 38b connects the third side of the parts elementary planes 38a to the internal segment on the side of the circular sector formed by the opening 32.

This arrangement allows the blades 34 to have a shape very close to that of a portion of a propeller, while being easy to manufacture from sheets folded and welded.

It should be noted that the number of parties elementary planes forming the end parts blades may possibly be greater than two.

Of course, the washing tunnel conforms to the invention can undergo different modifications without depart from the scope of the invention. In particular, the washing tunnel according to the invention can be equipped with all the improvements and amenities available on equivalent machines.

Claims (5)

1. Washing tunnel comprising a drum (16) mounted so that it rotates about a horizontal axis and has a first end into which the soiled laundry is inserted and a second end from which the clean laundry is removed, planar partitions (30) internally dividing the drum into a plurality of successive compartments (26) located between the first and second end for carrying out prewashing, washing and rinsing operations, in which each partition (30) is located in a plane perpendicular to the drum axis, each partition comprising an off-centre circular sector-shaped opening (32) formed between the axis and the circumferential wall (17) of the drum, the off-centre openings (32) are oriented upwards in a median position of the drum by less than one turn, a transfer blade (34) being located in each compartment between the openings so as to ensure the automatic transfer of the laundry between the compartments during a complete revolution of the drum, characterized in that each transfer blade (34) comprises:

   a planar, circular sector-shaped, intermediate portion (36), having a circular arc edge (40) connected to the circumferential wall (17) of the drum and joining two consecutive partitions (30) and two straight edges (42) located in planes parallel to said axis and passing through the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings (32),

   two terminal, planar, triangular portions (38, 38a, 38b) linking the straight edges (42) and the intermediate portion (38a, 38b) to the opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings (32) issuing into the compartment (26) containing said blade.
2. Washing tunnel according to claim 1, wherein the transfer blades (34) are formed by planar sheets, which are bent and welded to one another as well as to the partitions (30) and to the circumferential wall (17) of the drum.
3. Washing tunnel according to either of the claims 1 and 2, wherein the circular sector formed by the opening (32) has an angle, whose apex is displaced from the side of the opening with respect to the axis.
4. Washing tunnel according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein each transfer blade (34) links opposite sides of the circular sectors formed by the openings (32) made in the partitions (30) defining the compartment (26) containing said blade.
5. Washing tunnel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer blades (34) are perforated.

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