Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
  • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
  • B01F23/41—Emulsifying
  • B01F23/4105—Methods of emulsifying
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/10—Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
  • B01F25/23—Mixing by intersecting jets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
  • B01F25/25—Mixing by jets impinging against collision plates
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/70—Spray-mixers, e.g. for mixing intersecting sheets of material
  • B01F25/72—Spray-mixers, e.g. for mixing intersecting sheets of material with nozzles
  • B01F25/721—Spray-mixers, e.g. for mixing intersecting sheets of material with nozzles for spraying a fluid on falling particles or on a liquid curtain
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
  • B01F35/80—Forming a predetermined ratio of the substances to be mixed
  • B01F35/88—Forming a predetermined ratio of the substances to be mixed by feeding the materials batchwise

Definitions

• the present invention is related to a method for producing a detergent stock so- lution for use in industrial washing machines as well as an apparatus for producing such detergent stock solution.
• a finely divided solid detergent product is delivered into a preparation tank.
• the preparation tank is provided with a stirring means at the bottom or near to its bottom.
• a weighing device is used to measure the weight of the preparation tank with its contents.
• the necessary quantity of water is deli- vered into the preparation tank via a conduit opening without bearing down on the weighing device.
• the detergent product is delivered into the preparation tank by means of a conveyer as soon as the weight measured by the weighing device is lower than a first threshold.
• the delivering of the finely divided solid detergent product is continued until a second weight threshold of the preparation tank weighing means is reached.
• delivery of the finely divided solid detergent product into the preparation tank is stopped.
• water is introduced into the preparation tank via the conduit until a third weight threshold is reached.
• the delivery of water into the preparation tank is stopped.
• the stirring means is started and the water-detergent-mixture in the preparation tank is stirred until a complete dissolution of the finely divided solid detergent product within the water is reached.
• a pump is started to pump the now complete detergent stock solution into either a storage tank or directly into the industrial washing machine.
• a detergent paste product is directly introduced into the washing process of a industrial washing machine.
• the use of a detergent paste product in comparison to a powdery detergent product has the advantage that the weight and volume of the powder is at least twice the weight and volume of the paste as calculated from the final amount of detergent stock solution available.
• 500 kg of powdery detergent product is the equivalent to 270 kg of detergent paste product. It is obvious that a paste product is advantageous from this point of view.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a detergent stock solution for use in industrial washing machines that is designed to use a detergent paste product instead of a powdery detergent product.
• Preferred embodiments of either the method or the apparatus are the subject matter of the dependent method-claims or dependent apparatus-claims.
• the following steps are performed: a) pumping a predetermined amount or a predetermined mass flow or volume flow of a detergent paste product from a paste stock container to a mixing chamber, b) simultaneously with step a) introducing a controlled volume flow or mass flow of water from a water supply, preferably a water tap, to the mixing chamber, c) mixing the detergent paste product with the water in the mixing chamber in a first mixing step, d) pumping the detergent mixture from the mixing chamber to a preparation tank by means of a mixture pump means, e) collecting the detergent mixture coming from the mixture pump means in the preparation tank.
• step a) covers not only pumping as such, but also conveying of the detergent paste product e. g. by an extrusion screw or the like.
• the essential aspect is that the detergent product is moved by a means that is adapted to the particular viscosity of this product in order to transport the detergent pro- duct into the mixing chamber.
• the delivered detergent paste product is mixed in a first mixing step with water from a water supply which is normally a water tap.
• the mixing chamber forms a first and essential part of a succession of mixing sta- tions.
• the second station is the mixture pump means. It depends on the specifics of this mixture pump means how intensive the mixing effect is. It will be very intensive if a rotary pump means like the one mentioned in the prior art above is used.
• water covers also water with certain ingredients or supplements.
• the detergent paste product When leaving the mixture pump means, the detergent paste product is finely dissolved or dispersed in the water and now reaches the preparation tank where it is collected for further processing either towards the washing machine or towards a storage tank.
• the preparation tank is the third station for mixing by means of a stirring system in the tank.
• Main item of this apparatus are the mixing chamber, the mixture pump means and the preparation tank.
• Fig. 1 shows in a schematic diagram the principle of the invention with certain preferred features
• Fig. 2 the mixing chamber of a preferred apparatus according to the in- vention
• Fig. 3 the principle of the introduction of the detergent paste product in the mixing chamber and the mixing with the stream of water from a water tap.
• Subject of the present invention is a method for producing a detergent stock solution for use in industrial washing machines.
• a first step is pumping a prede- termined amount or a predetermined mass flow or volume flow of a detergent paste product from a paste stock container to a mixing chamber.
• a controlled volume flow or mass flow of water from a water supply, preferably a water tap is introduced to the mixing chamber.
• Mixing of the detergent paste product with the water in the mixing chamber is done in a first mixing step.
• the detergent mixture is then pumped from the mixing chamber to a preparation tank by means of a mixture pump means.
• the detergent mixture coming from the mixture pump means is collected in the preparation tank.
• washing means, in general, conveying the detergent paste product to the mixing chamber in a suitable way adapted to the specific characteristics of the paste product.
• the detergent paste product shall be finely dissolved or dispersed within the water in the preparation tank forming the final detergent stock solution that can be used then in the industrial washing ma- chine.
• the stream of detergent paste product is introduced into the mixing chamber as thin strands or a succession of small droplets of paste product. This result can be achieved preferably in that the stream of detergent paste product is introduced into the mixing chamber through a sieve.
• any- way there is a first step with mechanical dispersion of the detergent paste product as a first step in the mixing process. Further, it is preferred that the detergent paste product is introduced into the mixing chamber passing through a valve means, wherein, preferably, the sieve is combined with the valve means. This valve means allows for a complete shut- off.
• the stream of detergent paste product is directed downwardly when introduced into the mixing chamber. Neither suction nor mixing is done against the gravitational forces. This is particularly helpful with detergent products like a paste product.
• the high speed of water introduced into the mixing chamber and the resulting impact should be used to further dissolve or disperse the detergent paste product. So, it is preferred that the water is introduced into the mixing chamber as a stream directed towards the stream of detergent paste product. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the water be introduced into the mixing chamber in a way that the stream of detergent paste product is directed towards a sidewall of the mixing chamber. The reason is that a stream of detergent paste product, in the preferred embodiment the number of thin strands of detergent paste product, is/are directed towards the side wall of the mixing chamber by means of the impact of the stream of water. It is better to prevent the detergent paste product from reaching the bottom of the mixing chamber, because then the detergent paste product tends to accumulate at the bottom and to form a kind of residual paste cake that impairs the effectiveness of the mixing process.
• This particular method can be further improved in that the water is introduced into the mixing chamber so that it initiates a swirling movement of water and detergent paste product within the mixing chamber.
• Mixing of the detergent paste product with water in the mixing chamber is particularly improved if the mixing chamber gets a funnel-shaped contour.
• a funnel-shaped contour improves the swirling movement of the water stream along the sidewall as well as the mixing effect. It is possible to have a closed system. However, it has been realized that the quality of the paste stock solution is better if the detergent paste product is mixed with the water within the mixing chamber open to the ambient atmosphere.
• the intensity of the resulting mixing effect depends on the specifics of the mixture pump means that are used in this method. If a rotary pump means like the one mentioned in the prior art above is used, this mixing effect will be very intensive indeed.
• a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that in the mixing chamber the detergent paste product is mixed with the water at an elevated detergent concentration and further water is added in the following method steps to reach the final detergent concentration.
• the final concentration is between about 5 % and about 15 %, in particular about 10 %, and the elevated concentration is about 3 % to about 8 % higher than the final detergent concentration.
• the further water is introduced directly into the preparation tank.
• the further water is provided from the same water tap but passes an additional and separate water meter. It is a kind of by-pass of the mixing chamber to speed up the mixing process.
• An example of an embodiment comprises a pump means for the detergent paste product with an average pumping rate of 4000 g/min. From the water tap a volume flow of water of 20 1/min is provided by means of a flow- volume controller. This means a maximum theoretical concentration (mass concentration) of 16,66 %. However, this is the theoretical upper limit of possible concentrations. In fact, during continuous use the pumping rate of the pumping means decreases and in the end a realistic approach will be about 15 %. If a final concentration of the paste stock solution of 10 % is intended, then this final concentration is reached only with additional water fed into the preparation tank in above mentioned by- pass system.
• the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank be continuously or discontinuously stirred, preferably with a stirring means at or near to the bottom of the preparation tank.
• the detergent mixture is pumped into the preparation tank at or near to the bottom of the preparation tank.
• the fresh detergent mixture from the mixing pump means enters the preparation tank exactly where the stirring means acts so that the optimum mixing effect is achieved.
• the volume of the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank is measured and/or controlled.
• the level of the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank be kept between a maximum and a minimum level. Refilling of detergent mixture is started when the minimum level is reached and is stopped when the maximum level is reached. The level of detergent stock solution in the preparation tank stays between those values.
• the minimum level indi- cation stops pumping from the preparation tank and starts the pumping of detergent paste product from the paste stock container to the mixing chamber as well as the introduction of water from the water tap. As soon as the maximum level is reached, the supply of detergent stock solution to the preparation tank is stopped. This is preferably the level for the elevated concentration which will be reduced thereafter in a final by-pass-water step.
• the concentration of the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank is calculated from the mass of detergent paste product in the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank. This is done in the preferred embodiment of the invention in that the mass of detergent paste product in the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank is calculated from the difference between the mass of the detergent stock solution in the preparation tank as measured and the mass of water introduced as measured in all steps of the method, preferably as measured by a water meter in step b) or water meters for different steps.
• the calculation of the electronic control system is based on the intended concentration, the necessary supply of detergent paste product from the paste stock container, the measured supply of water from the water tap, measured by means of a water meter, and finally the measurement of the weight of the preparation tank with the detergent stock solution in it by means of weight cells or the like.
• weight cells are susceptible to high temperature, water of less than 60°C should be used.
• This method can occur in two steps. First of all, there is a calculation of the dif- ference from the mixture received from the mixing pump means in the preparation tank compared to the water supplied from the water tap and measured by the water meter. The final product in the preparation tank then still has the elevated concentration of detergent product. In order to reduce this concentration from the elevated level to the intended level, water is additionally supplied to the prepara- tion tank directly from the by-pass supply over a second water meter. By measuring the weight of the preparation tank with the detergent stock solution, it is possible to precisely reach the intended final concentration of e.g. 10 % of detergent stock solution. This specific version with a water by-pass directly into the preparation tank reduces the time necessary to complete a supply of detergent stock solution. This last step may be performed without an additional weighing step, i.e. just calculating the final amount and concentration from the by-pass- water as measured by a water meter.
• washing aids are always prepared in liquid form and are directly measured into the washing machine. This requires extended supply lines, valve systems and control equipment.
• a washing aid that is stable together with the detergent directly into the preparation tank and to feed then the supplemented detergent stock solution either to a storage tank or directly to the washing machine.
• the washing aid such as a softening aid or perfume carrier, may have the form of a liquid or may be present in finely divided solid form.
• more than one washing aid may be introduced into the preparation tank provided that is stable together with the detergent.
• Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for producing a detergent stock solution for use in industrial washing machines, comprising a paste stock container 1 containing a supply of detergent paste product 2, a mixing chamber 3 and a paste pumping means 4 for pumping the detergent paste product 2 from the paste stock con- tainer 1 to the mixing chamber 3.
• a paste stock container 1 containing a supply of detergent paste product 2, a mixing chamber 3 and a paste pumping means 4 for pumping the detergent paste product 2 from the paste stock con- tainer 1 to the mixing chamber 3.
• the paste stock container 1 may further contain a stirring means. Due to the thixotropic characteristics of such detergent paste product 2 in the paste stock container 1 the viscosity decreases when a slow stirring movement is introduced into the stock of paste product.
• conduit 5 for the detergent paste product 2 leads to the mixing chamber 3.
• a water supply 6 is provided, preferably in the form of a water tap, the water supply 6 being connected to a water supply outlet 7 at the mixing chamber 3, a preparation tank 9 for collecting a supply of detergent stock solution 10, a mixture pump means 11 for pumping the detergent mixture from the mixing chamber 3 to the preparation tank 9, a control means 12 controlling operation of all pump means 4; 11 and auxiliary items like valve means 13, 14, 15 for preparation and storage of the detergent stock solution 10.
• the control means 12 may be a programmable digital control means.
• the connections from the control means 12 to the different sensors and control drives etc. are not shown in order to improve legibility of Fig. 1.
• the water supply 6 is a warm water supply for water with a temperature higher than 25°C, preferably warm water at a temperature between 30°C and 40°C.
• a fairly important feature of the method is to introduce the stream of detergent paste product 2 into the mixing chamber 3 as thin strands or a succession of small droplets of the paste product.
• the apparatus provides a dividing means 16, preferably a sieve or a screen of metal or plastics at an outlet of the conduit 5 for the detergent paste product at the mixing chamber 3.
• those dividing means 16 can have any appropriate form, size and material suitable to achieve the division of the stream 17 of deter- gent paste product into those thin strands or succession of small droplets. The result is an improved mixing of the paste product with the water in the mixing chamber 3.
• valve means 13 This is a valve means at the outlet of the conduit 5 for paste product.
• Valve means 13 will normally be a shut off valve controlled by control means 12.
• Fig. 1 to 3 shows that the dividing means 16 is intentionally positioned at the top of the mixing chamber 3. This means that the stream 17 of detergent paste pro- duct 2 is directed downwardly when introduced into the mixing chamber 3. This has the advantages explained already in connection with the method-steps.
• mixing efficiency in the mixing chamber 3 is further improved in that the water supply outlet 7 is positioned at the mixing chamber 3 at a place and with an orientation that the water is introduced into the mixing chamber 3 as a stream directed towards the stream 17 of detergent paste product.
• Fig. 3 shows that here the water is introduced into the mixing chamber 3 in a way that the stream 17 of detergent paste product is directed towards a side wall 18 of the mixing chamber 3.
• the stream 17 of detergent paste product 2 is deflected towards the side wall 18 of the mixing chamber 3 with the result explained above in connection with the method.
• the water supply outlet 7 is positioned at the mixing chamber 3 at a place and with an orientation that the water is introduced into the mixing chamber 3 so that it initiates a swirling movement of water and detergent paste product 2 within the mixing chamber 3.
• Fig. 2 explains a specific design of the mixing chamber 3.
• the mixing chamber 3 has a funnel-shaped contour.
• the preferred embodiment shows a mixing chamber 3 that is open to the ambient atmosphere.
• Fig. 3 shows that here the valve means 15 is provided downstream of the mixture pump means 11.
• a by-pass water supply directly into the preparation tank 9 increases the effectiveness and speed of the mixing process.
• a second water supply 19 preferably in the form of a water tap, is provided at the preparation tank 9.
• a valve means 19' is provided as well.
• the water meter 21 is provided at the water supply 6 as well as a water meter 22 at the second water supply 19 for the bypass water fed directly into the preparation tank 9.
• Fig. 1 shows a further improved embodiment in that a stirring means 23 is provided at or near to the bottom of the preparation tank 9. This is particularly effective, because the exit of a conduit 24 from the mixture pump means 11 is positioned in the preparation tank 9 at or near to the bottom of the preparation tank 9. So the introduction of the mixture from the mixture pump means 11 is exactly where the stirring means 23 is operating. This improves the efficiency of the further mixing step in the preparation tank 9.
• control means 12 shall be able to control and calculate the concentration of the detergent stock solution 10 that ends in the preparation tank 9.
• the volume of the detergent stock solution 10 in the preparation tank 9 is measured and/or controlled by means of a level gauge 25.
• a level gauge 25 can be a mechanical system.
• electronic measuring systems for a liquid level in a tank are widely used.
• a preferred embodiment can employ a radar-related measurement from top to bottom, other systems employ capacitive level sensors, ultrasonic sensing, or laser measurements.
• the level gauge 25 it is possible to use the level gauge 25 as a backup means for control failure only. Then the level in the preparation tank 9 is normally only calculated from the output signals of the weighing cells 27.
• the level gauge 25 must measure the filling level, at least a maximum level and a minimum level. When the maximum level is reached, the control means 12 stops further supply of detergent paste product 2 and water. However, the level gauge 25 should be able to measure a level lower than the maximum level, because it may be necessary that the control means 12 stops the paste pumping means 4 somewhat earlier than the by-pass water supply 19.
• a minimum level must be measured by the level gauge 25, in order to stop further pumping from the preparation tank 9 so that always a minimum level of stock solution 10 remains in the preparation tank 9.
• the level can be kept between a maximum of 500 1 and a minimum of 100 1.
• the preparation tank 9 is equipped with a weighing means 26 so that the mass of the detergent stock solution 10 in the preparation tank 9 is measured.
• the weighing means 26 comprises three weight cells 27 equally dis- tributed below the bottom of the preparation tank 9. Weight cells of this kind are employed in the weighing means of the prior art EP 0 917 906 Bl as well.
• control means 12 calculates the concentration of detergent paste product 2 in the detergent stock solution 10 in the preparation tank 9 in an indirect way.
• the control means 12 is provided to calculate the mass of detergent paste product 2 in the detergent stock solution 10 in the preparation tank 9 from the difference between the mass of the detergent stock solution 10 in the preparation tank 9 as measured and the mass of water introduced as measured from the water supply 6 or the water supplies 6, 19.
• an additional feed conduit 28 or the like is provided at the preparation tank 9 for the introduction at least one washing aid that is stable to- gether with the detergent.
• the additional feed conduit 28 is for one liquid washing aid that is stable when stored with the detergent stock solution 10.
• Fig. 1 shows further conduit means 29, pump means 30a, 30b and valve means 3 la, 3 lb providing the connection from the preparation tank 9 to the storage tank.
• the dual line system with two pump means 30a, 30b allows pumping from the preparation tank 9 to the storage tank from two different levels of the preparation tank 9.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Accessories For Mixers (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2004
  • 2004-01-02 AT AT04700043T patent/ATE398486T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-01-02 WO PCT/EP2004/000005 patent/WO2005068060A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-01-02 DE DE602004014534T patent/DE602004014534D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-01-02 ES ES04700043T patent/ES2308134T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-01-02 EP EP04700043A patent/EP1703964B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-01-02 DK DK04700043T patent/DK1703964T3/da active

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