EP2456916B1 - Method for finishing textiles in a household washing machine and control device and household washing machine - Google Patents

Description

1. (i) Aufnehmen der Textilien in die Wäschetrommel;
2. (ii) Bereitstellen einer wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalien in dem Laugenbehälter, wobei die Chemikalie ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Imprägniermitteln, Farbstoffen, optischen Aufhellern, Ausrüstungsmitteln, Fixierhilfsmitteln oder Textithilfsmitteln, antimikrobiellen Substanzen und Appreturmitteln, in Gestalt anorganischer oder organischer Verbindungen oder Gemische;
3. (iii) Erzeugen eines Schaums aus der wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalie und Einbringen des Schaums in die Wäschetrommel;
4. (iv) Bewegen der Textilien in dem Schaum durch Drehen der Wäschetrommel, und Benetzen der Textilien mit dem Schaum.

Die Erfindung betrifft auch eine entsprechende Haushaltswaschmaschine selbst.The invention relates to a method for refining textiles by means of a chemical in a household washing machine with a washing drum mounted in a suds container, in which the textiles can be received, comprising the steps:

1. (i) picking the textiles into the laundry drum;
2. (ii) providing an aqueous solution of the chemicals in the tub, wherein the chemical is selected from the group consisting of impregnants, dyes, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixatives or textiles, antimicrobials and seasoning agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures;
3. (iii) generating a foam from the aqueous solution of the chemical and introducing the foam into the laundry drum;
4. (iv) moving the fabrics in the foam by rotating the laundry drum and wetting the fabrics with the foam.

The invention also relates to a corresponding household washing machine itself.

Such a method and such a household washing machine are apparent from the U.S. Patent 6,662,600 , In the process described therein and in the household washing machine described therein, the foam is produced by means of a separate foam adding system.

So far, it is customary to refine or equip in a kind of batch process in the household washing machine, in particular to impregnate, bleach or dye. The textiles to be refined are treated in an aqueous solution of the chemical to be used for finishing in the manner of a customary washing process, then dewatered by spin coating and then dried. This process is similar to a pultrusion process which is used for industrial finishing or finishing of textiles. In the exhaust process, an aqueous solution of the chemical to be applied is produced, and in a batch batch process, the fabrics are dipped in this solution, then dewatered by pressing or tumbling and then dried. In such a process is a degree of exhaustion of 50%, which means that 50% of the chemical provided in the solution gets into the textiles and is thus removed from the solution. For complete wetting of the textiles, a high liquor ratio, ie a large mass of liquid per treated textile, is required. The mass of liquid is significantly higher than twice the amount of textile (for example, more than 15 kg of liquid corresponding to 15 I for 6 kg of textiles). The remaining solution, with a residual content of the chemical of about 50% of the amount used, can then be refreshed by replacing the used water and the chemical again and continue to be used. However, it is necessary to measure the consumption of chemical and to determine the necessary supplemental quantity by means of an appropriate analysis. In addition, a storage of the solution is provided.

In a household washing machine, however, the excess solution (about 10 to 12 l at 6 kg of textiles) is disposed of with the chemical still contained therein as wastewater. Therefore, this method is unacceptable for the use of expensive or environmentally sensitive chemical.

The Fullert process is a further development of the exhaust process into a continuous process mainly for fabric panels. The fabric is pulled to its refinement through a tank with the solution of appropriate chemicals. The fabric is then passed between rollers to squeeze out the excess solution and return it to the basin. Thereafter, the fabric is dried in a tunnel oven. By a continuous replacement of the spent solution (combined with a continuous measurement of their chemical composition) the immersion bath is constantly being supplemented. In this process, exhaust rates of up to 90% can be achieved due to the more favorable liquor ratio. However, there is no possible replication in a household washing machine for this process.

The spray process is also a continuous process for fabric finishing. The panels are passed through a spraying device in which the chemical to be applied is sprayed evenly on the fabric surface in high concentration. Subsequently, the fabric is also dried in a tunnel oven. The necessary even wetting with the chemical is made possible by a flat guidance of the fabric. Again, Ausziehgrade be achieved by 90%. A replica of this process in a household washing machine is currently unknown. A problem here is the equipment equipment for spraying the chemical and the uniform wetting in non-flat presentation of textiles to be refined.

From the DE 24 02 342 A1 is a method for dyeing and / or equipping a Guts textile fabrics of synthetic or natural fiber materials or mixtures of such fibers among themselves known, in which a liquor containing a dye and / or a finishing agent, needed for its fixation other chemicals and surface-active substances is foamed with the aid of a gaseous propellant and is applied in the form of a layer of foam and at room temperature to the material. Optionally, after disintegration or destruction of the foam in the layer, the thus-treated material for fixing the dye and / or finishing agent is subjected to a wet development treatment. In the process, the foamed liquor is pressed or sucked after its application to the estate and before disintegration or destruction of the foam by means of pressure or negative pressure in the good. This can be the difficulties in the continuous dyeing of textile good, which result from uneven squeezing and dye migration. However, this method is intended and suitable only for the industrial finishing of textiles.

The publication DE 196 24 637 A1 relates to a machine washing process using a foaming, in particular an alkyl glycoside-containing powdery to granular detergent, and this foaming, in particular an alkyl glycoside-containing detergent, which forms a particularly stable foam and therefore has improved care properties both in machine washing and in manual washing ,

The publication DE 10 2007 052 837 A1 discloses a method for treating laundry in a household washing machine with a foam-forming liquor, comprising at least one washing process and at least one rinsing process. The method is characterized in that, to control the amount of foam during the washing process, a foam-promoting agent is added automatically in a predeterminable amount and a foam-inhibiting agent in a predeterminable amount is automatically added before the end of the rinsing process.

The publication EP 1 700 942 B1 discloses an improved domestic washing machine, the washing machine being equipped with at least one program specially designed for dyeing laundry in the washing machine. The process is characterized in that the dyeing program has the following phases: supply of water / colorant / salt / fixative; Heating the water and keeping the water at a temperature; slow rotation; Rotation of the washing drum and performing several rinses. However, this document does not disclose foam generation.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for refining textiles in a household washing machine, which achieves a high degree of exhaustion. Also to be provided is a corresponding control device for a household washing machine and a corresponding household washing machine itself.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a method and a household washing machine according to respective independent claim. Preferred developments of the method are defined in dependent claims, wherein these preferred developments also correspond to preferred developments of the household washing machine, and this even if it is not explicitly indicated herein.

1. (i) Aufnehmen der Textilien in die Wäschetrommel;
2. (ii) Bereitstellen einer wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalie in dem Laugenbehälter, wobei die Chemikalie ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Imprägniermitteln, Farbstoffen, optischen Aufhellern, Ausrüstungsmitteln, Fixierhilfsmitteln oder Textilhilfsmitteln, antimikrobiellen Substanzen und Appreturmitteln, in Gestalt anorganischer oder organischer Verbindungen oder Gemische;
3. (iii) Erzeugen eines Schaums aus der wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalie und Einbringen des Schaums in die Wäschetrommel; .
4. (iv) Bewegen der Textilien in dem Schaum durch Drehen der Wäschetrommel, und Benetzen der Textilien mit dem Schaum,
   ist demnach vorgesehen, dass die benötigte Menge an Lösung zum Benetzen der Textilien mit Schaum sich aus dem Wasserhaltevermögen der jeweiligen Textilien und der benötigten Menge zum Auffüllen eines Spaltes zwischen einem Boden des Laugenbehälters und der Wäschetrommel ergibt und der Schaum durch Drehen der Wäschetrommel erzeugt wird.

In the method according to the invention for refining textiles by means of a chemical in a household washing machine with a laundry drum stored in a suds container, into which the textiles can be received, comprising the steps:

1. (i) picking the textiles into the laundry drum;
2. (ii) providing an aqueous solution of the chemical in the tub, wherein the chemical is selected from the group consisting of impregnating agents, dyes, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixing aids or textile auxiliaries, antimicrobial substances and finishing agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures;
3. (iii) generating a foam from the aqueous solution of the chemical and introducing the foam into the laundry drum; ,
4. (iv) moving the fabrics in the foam by rotating the laundry drum, and wetting the fabrics with the foam,
   Accordingly, it is provided that the required amount of solution for wetting the textiles with foam resulting from the water retention capacity of the respective textiles and the required amount to fill a gap between a bottom of the tub and the laundry drum and the foam is generated by rotating the laundry drum.

1. (i) Aufnehmen der Textilien in die Wäschetrommel;
2. (ii) Bereitstellen einer wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalie in dem Laugenbehälter, wobei die Chemikalie ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Imprägniermitteln, Farbstoffen, optischen Aufhellern, Ausrüstungsmitteln, Fixierhilfsmitteln oder Textilhilfsmitteln, antimikrobiellen Substanzen und Appreturmitteln, in Gestalt anorganischer oder organischer Verbindungen oder Gemische;
3. (iii) Erzeugen eines Schaums aus der wässrigen Lösung der Chemikalie und Einbringen des Schaums in die Wäschetrommel;
4. (iv) Bewegen der Textilien in dem Schaum durch Drehen der Wäschetrommel, und Benetzen der Textilien mit dem Schaum,

ist demnach derart eingerichtet, dass die benötigte Menge an Lösung zum Benetzen der Textilien mit Schaum sich aus dem Wasserhaltevermögen der jeweiligen Textilien und der benötigten Menge zum Auffüllen eines Spaltes zwischen einem Boden des Laugenbehälters und der Wäschetrommel ergibt und der Schaum durch Drehen der Wäschetrommel erzeugt wird.The household washing machine according to the invention with a washing drum mounted in a tub and a control device adapted to carry out a method of finishing textiles by means of a chemical in a household washing machine with a laundry drum, in which the textiles are receivable, comprising the steps:

1. (i) picking the textiles into the laundry drum;
2. (ii) providing an aqueous solution of the chemical in the tub, wherein the chemical is selected from the group consisting of impregnating agents, dyes, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixing aids or textile auxiliaries, antimicrobial substances and finishing agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures;
3. (iii) generating a foam from the aqueous solution of the chemical and introducing the foam into the laundry drum;
4. (iv) moving the fabrics in the foam by rotating the laundry drum, and wetting the fabrics with the foam,

Accordingly, it is arranged such that the required amount of solution for wetting the textiles with foam from the water retention capacity of the respective textiles and the required amount to fill a gap between a bottom of the tub and the laundry drum and the foam is generated by rotating the laundry drum ,

In the household washing machine, the chemical to be used for refining is first brought into aqueous solution and this aqueous solution is then foamed. This greatly increases the volume of this solution. Then we put this foam in the laundry drum, and it will move the textiles in this foam, allowing a uniform wetting of the textiles. For this purpose, the chemical used for refining is foamed so that the resulting foam gets into the washing drum of the household washing machine and wets the moving there by turning the laundry drum textiles.

The invention thus provides a method for refining textiles in a household washing machine, which allows a particularly high utilization of the particular chemical used. With the aid of the method according to the invention, in particular the degree of exhaustion of the liquor used for refining can be increased in a household washing machine. By the method according to the invention, the required amount of chemical to be used for refining a given amount of textile can be significantly reduced with the same effect. This means that even more expensive household chemicals can be used. At the same time, the resulting wastewater quantity is reduced. Thus, using the invention, household washing machines are not only suitable for cleaning textiles, but now also without restrictions for applying chemicals for finishing on textiles.

Refinishing chemicals include impregnating agents, dyes, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixing aids or textile auxiliaries, antimicrobials and sizing agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures.

It is within the scope of the invention to produce the foam to be used according to the invention for refining directly in the washing machine, wherein the foam to be used according to the invention is produced by rotating the laundry drum.

The laundry drum for receiving the textiles is stored in particular in a tub, wherein the solution to be foamed is also provided in the tub. In particular, any basically known means for providing a washing or rinsing liquor in the washing machine can be used for this purpose. If the laundry drum is operated at a high speed, it forms foam due to the mechanical interactions between the rapidly rotating laundry drum and a small amount of liquid in the tub. The small amount of liquid is defined as at least that amount of water that is needed to fill the gap between a bottom of the tub and the laundry drum. The high speed for producing the foam may be a spin speed at which the fabrics attach firmly to the wall of the laundry drum, as practiced in a normal washing process for dewatering by spin. The liquid level in the tub preferably extends approximately or exactly to the laundry drum. If the gap between the laundry drum and the tub is largely filled by the resulting foam (through the volume increase occurring), it penetrates into the laundry drum via the gap between the door cuff and the laundry drum and the usually located therein flood holes and wets the textiles in motion.

The foam from the aqueous solution of the chemical is preferably generated by the operation of the laundry drum at a high speed, more preferably in the range between 150 and 1800 rpm. However, the prerequisite is that the respective chemical can be foamed. If this is not the case, a small amount of surfactant, preferably neosurfactant, must be added to the solution in addition to the chemical to be used for refining.

More preferably, the volume increase of the preparation with the chemical taking place is so great that the foam gets into the interior of the drum and wets the laundry located therein.

In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the wetting of the textiles is carried out with the foam by the laundry drum is rotated at a washing speed. At this washing speed, a piece of text from the rotating laundry drum is taken one piece at a time to release at a certain height above the other textiles from the laundry drum and fall down again on the other textiles. Thus, there is an intensive mechanical treatment of the textiles, which is used according to the invention for uniform incorporation of the foam in the textiles. The laundry drum is driven in a conventional manner by a motor.

In the context of a further preferred development of the method according to the invention, the laundry drum is operated alternately at washing speed, substantially only the laundry being circulated in the existing foam, and at spin speed, whereby foam is increasingly produced. It is possible to completely wet the textiles with a particularly small amount of liquid. The required amount of water is determined from the water holding capacity of the respective Textiles at the realized spin speed and the amount of water required to fill the gap between the tub bottom and laundry drum. Because of the more favorable liquor ratio, a significantly higher utilization of the chemical used in accordance with a particularly high degree of extraction is possible. Since the textiles treated in this way do not require a high liquor ratio as usual, the amount of wastewater produced during spin-drying and the loss of the chemical are reduced. By reducing the required solution of the particular chemical to achieve the same effect of the use of chemical for finishing a given amount of textile can be significantly reduced.

Figur 1

schematisch eine haushaltsübliche Waschmaschine,

Figur 2

schematisch in einem Diagramm den abwechselnden Betrieb der Wäschetrommel der Waschmaschine mit Waschdrehzahl und Schleuderdrehzahl.

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, an embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically a household washing machine,

FIG. 2

schematically in a diagram the alternating operation of the washing drum of the washing machine with washing speed and spin speed.

FIG. 1 shows a household washing machine 1, which has a stored in a tub 3 laundry drum or washing drum 2. Furthermore, a control device 4 is shown, which drives the motor of the laundry drum. In the tub 3, a liquid or liquor consisting of a solution to be used for finishing of filled in the washing drum 2 textiles chemical to be filled with any necessary additives such as a neosurfactant in water. If the washing drum 2 is now operated at a high speed, then foam 6 forms on account of the strong mechanical interactions between it and the liquid level 5 at the bottom of the washing liquor container 3 the liquid. FIG. 1 shows this foam 6, which has penetrated into the laundry drum 2 via the gap between a door cuff and the laundry drum 2.

FIG. 2 schematically shows in a diagram the alternating operation of the washing drum 2 with washing speed (here 50 U / min), wherein substantially only the laundry is moved, and spin speed (here 900 U / min), wherein reinforced foam 6 is generated.

The advantage of the method according to the invention is that a very wide variety of textiles can be finished, wherein, in contrast to the normal process in the household washing machine 1, the required quantities of water and chemicals are significantly reduced. Furthermore, the degree of exhaustion of the liquor in the household washing machine 1 compared to normal washing and rinsing processes is significantly increased. Thus, the inventive method is not only cheaper, but also environmentally friendly.

In an exemplary method, the laundry drum 2 of a conventional household washing machine 1 is filled with 6 kg of textiles. There are provided 7.5 l of impregnating solution (compare, however, according to conventional manner 15 I). The spin speed is set to 800 rpm. By spinning between the rapidly rotating laundry drum 2 and a small amount of liquid at the bottom of the tub 3, here about 3 I, foam 6 is generated. As a result of the increase in volume taking place, the foam 6 penetrates into the laundry drum 2 in particular via the gap between the door cuff and the laundry drum 2 as well as through the flood holes provided in the laundry drum 2 in accordance with conventional practice and wets the textiles contained therein. By alternately operating the laundry drum 2 with washing speed and spin speed, (a) foam is produced and (b) the fabrics are circulated. As a result, the textiles are evenly wetted. In Endschleudem the resulting waste water quantity is reduced to 2 to 3 I (see 10 to 12 I according to conventional manner). The amount of waste water is thus significantly reduced.

Claims (5)

1. Method of enhancing textiles by means of a chemical in a domestic washing machine (1) with a laundry drum (2), which is mounted in a solution container (3) and in which the textiles are receivable, comprising the steps of:

   (i) receiving the textiles in the laundry drum (2);

   (ii) providing an aqueous solution (5) of the chemical in the solution container (3), wherein the chemical is selected from the group consisting of impregnating agents, colorants, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixing aids or textile aids, antimicrobial substances and dressing agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures;

   (iii) producing a foam (6) from the aqueous solution (5) of the chemical and introducing the foam (6) into the laundry drum (2); and

   (iv) moving the textiles in the foam (6) by rotating the laundry drum (2) and wetting the textiles by the foam (6);

   characterised in that the quantity of solution (5) required for wetting the textiles with foam (6) arises from the water retention capability of the respective textile and the quantity required for filling a gap between a base of the solution container (3) and the laundry drum (2) and the foam (6) is produced by rotating the laundry drum (2).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the wetting of the textiles is carried out by rotation of the laundry drum (2) at washing rotational speed.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein wetting of the textiles is carried out by rotating the laundry drum (2) alternately at washing rotational speed and spinning rotational speed.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical is colorant or impregnating agent.
5. Domestic washing machine (1) with a laundry drum (2) mounted in a solution container (3) and a control device (4), equipped for performing a method for enhancing textiles by means of a chemical in a domestic washing machine (1) with a laundry drum (2), in which the textiles are receivable, comprising the steps of:

   (i) receiving the textiles in the laundry drum (2);

   (ii) providing an aqueous solution (5) of the chemical in the solution container (3), wherein the chemical is selected from the group consisting of impregnating agents, colorants, optical brighteners, finishing agents, fixing aids or textile aids, antimicrobial substances and dressing agents, in the form of inorganic or organic compounds or mixtures;

   (iii) producing a foam (6) from the aqueous solution (5) of the chemical and introducing the foam (6) into the laundry drum (2); and

   (iv) moving the textiles in the foam (6) by rotating the laundry drum (2) and wetting the textiles by the foam (6);

   characterised in that the quantity of solution (5) required for wetting the textiles with foam (6) arises from the water retention capability of the respective textile and the quantity required for filling a gap between a base of the solution container (3) and the laundry drum (2) and the foam (6) is produced by rotating the laundry drum (2).

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