US3718013A

US3718013A - Commercial laundry machine and base assembly and cart positioner therefor

Info

Publication number: US3718013A
Application number: US00166719A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Toth
Original assignee: Ellis Corp
Current assignee: Ellis Corp
Priority date: 1971-07-28
Filing date: 1971-07-28
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27

Abstract

A commercial laundry machine includes an inner perforated cylinder and an outer casing both mounted on a pair of end frames for rotation about their common central axis, and includes a base assembly upon which the washer is supported. Movably mounted drain chutes on the base assembly serve to transfer discharged washing fluids from the casing, and are moved out of the way to clear the region beneath the machine for laundry carts. A cart positioning system moves carts from a convenient location at the front of the machine and an unloading position directly beneath the casing, and returns the full carts to the front of the machine.

Description

United States Patent [191 Toth [ 1 Feb. 27, 1973 [54] COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND BASE ASSEMBLY AND CART POSITIONER THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Alex Toth, Lincolnwood, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Ellis Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: July 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 166,719

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 22,508, March 25, 1970, Pat.

[52] US. Cl ..68/208, 68/210 [51] Int. Cl ..D06f 39/08, D06f 39/12 [58] Field of Search ..68/2l0, 208

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,775,878 9/1930 White ..68/210 1,850,960 3/1932 MacDonell ..68/210 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,263,729 5/1961 France ..68/2l0 Primary ExaminerWilliam I. Price Attorney-Richard D. Mason et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A commercial laundry machine includes an inner perforated cylinder and an outer casing both mounted on a pair of end frames for rotation about their common central axis, and includes a base assembly upon which the washer is supported. Movably mounted drain chutes on the base assembly serve to transfer discharged washing fluids from the casing, and are moved out of the way to clear the region beneath the machine for laundry carts. A cart positioning system moves carts from a convenient location at the front of the machine and an unloading position directly beneath the casing, and returns the full carts to the front of the machine.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] H1827 I973 SHEET 2 of 3 /V VENTUR:

.ALEX 70TH BY Ma/San,

ATTORNEYS COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND BASE ASSEMBLY AND CART POSITIONER THEREFOR This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 22,508, filed Mar. 25, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,406, dated Oct. 19, 1971. Reference may be had to that patent for a description of features of the structure disclosed herein not material to the invention of the present application.

The present invention relates to improvements in commercial laundry apparatus, and in particular to an improved unloading structure and base structure therefor.

Commercial laundry machines of the type including a perforated inner cylinder for holding a washing load immersed in washing liquids contained within a surrounding outer casing are well known. Such machines include a drive system for rotating the inner cylinder during washing operations while the outer casing is stationary. To load the machine, doors in the cylinder are aligned with doors near the top of the casing. In order to unload the machine, it has been proposed to rotate both the cylinder and the casing about their common central axis in order to align the doors at the bottom of the machine. Machines of this type developed heretofore have not been entirely satisfactory for several reasons and have not been well suited for largely automated control of washing operations.

Accordingly, objects of the present invention are to provide an improved laundry machine of the type including concentrically rotatable casing and cylinder structures, and to provide improvements in the components thereof.

Laundry machines of the type including an outer casing rotatable about its central axis normally discharge both washing fluids and laundry loads at different times in the same region beneath the machine- In some laundry machine installations, wheeled carts may be used for transporting loads of laundry from the machine after the laundry operation is completed. It may be difficult and thus undesirable for the operator of the machine manually to move a cart into position beneath the machine and to pull the fully laden cart out from under the machine, particularly if the region in front of the machine is obstructed by a platform or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide animproved cart positioning assembly; and to provide an attachment for a laundry machine formoving carts into and out of unloading position beneath the machine.

In brief, a commercial laundry machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventionmay comprise a perforated inner cylinder including a pair of end walls and a circular cylindrical wall, and a'surrounding outer casing enclosing the cylinder and also including a pair of end walls and a circular cylindrical side wall. A pair of end frames are disposed on either side of the casing and cylinder and support both the casing and cylinder for rotation about their coincident central axis.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the laundry machine includes a detachable base assembly for supporting the washer casing in a raised position above a floor surface. The casing includes a pair of dump valve assemblies which are opened in order to discharge washing fluids from the underside of the casing. A floor gutter or other fluid receiving means is preferably located beneath and to the rear of the washer and a chute is used for transferring discharged fluids from beneath the machine to the fluid receiving means. The chute is'mounted for movement between an inactive position wherein it does not obstruct the region beneath the machine and an operating position wherein the inlets of the chutes are aligned with the dump valve assemblies and the outlets of the chutes are aligned with the floor gutter.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a cart positioning assembly including a cart engaging means mounted for movement on the base assembly. When an empty cart is positioned at a convenient location in front of the machine, the cart engaging means is engaged with the cart and a drive means serves to move the cart rearwardly until it is properly located beneath the machine. After the cart is filled with a laundry load, the cart engaging means is returned by the drive means to its initial position and released from the cart.

The invention together with the above and other objects and advantages may be better understood with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a laundry apparatus in the form of a commercial washer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic and simplified vertical sectional view of the washer of FIG. 1 illustrating the position of certain components during a washing operation;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the platform broken away, illustrating the unloading position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the loading position;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational and sectional view illustrating the cart positioning assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partly sectional side view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

Having reference initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a commercial laundry apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated as a whole by the reference numeral 40. In the illustrated arrangement the apparatus 40 comprises a commercial washer, but it should be understood that principles of the invention are applicable as well to apparatus such as washer-extractors, driers, and the like. In general, the washer 40 includes an inner washing cylinder 42 enclosed within a substantially fluid-tight cylindrical casing 44. The cylinder 42 and the casing 44 are mounted for rotation on right and

left end frames

46 and 48. In order to provide access to the interior of the washer 40 the casing 44 includes a pair of axially spaced doors 50 and the cylinder 42 includes a series of complementary doors 52. The cylinder 42 and the casing 44 are both mounted for rotation about their common central axis to the end that the

doors

50 and 52 can be aligned with one another and can be located at desired angular positions for loading and unloading of laundry.

The improved washer 40 is constructed in novel fashion to facilitate shipping and assembly, and to provide great versatility in installation and use. As illustrated in the drawings, the washer 40 is installed in a raised position above a base assembly generally designated as 74 including right and left

end frame bases

76 and 78. In order to reduce the overall size of the unit during shipment, the

end frame bases

80 and 82 may be detached from the

end frames

46 and 48. In the event that vertical clearance is not sufficient for a raised installation, the washer may be floor-mounted by mounting the

end frames

46 and 48 directly on the floor.

Associated with the base assembly 74 in accordance with the invention is a drain assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 80 including a pair of pivotally mounted

drain chutes

532 and 534. During washing operations when washing fluids are discharged from a pair of dump valve assemblies 82 at the bottom of the casing 44, the drain assembly 80 transfers discharged fluid to a floor gutter or the like located to the rear of the washer 40. However, when it is desired to unload the laundry load into wheeled carts 86 located beneath the washer 40, the

chutes

532 and 534 are moved to a retracted position behind the washer 40.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, there is provided a novel cart positioning assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 88 for transporting the carts 86 from a convenient location in front of the machine to the unloading position, and for returning the carts to the front of the machine after they are filled. The cart positioning assembly is illustrated in FIGS. -8.

Referring now in more detail to the construction of the main structural components of the washer 40, the cylinder 42 serves to hold a washing load indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and. designated by the letter L while permitting free communication of washing fluids held within the outer casing 44 to the interior of the cylinder 42. The cylinder 42 includes a pair of end walls 90 between which extends a circular cylindrical wall section 92 having a multitude of perforations 94 (FIG. 1). The cylinder 42 may be provided with one or more inner partitions (not shown) in order to segregate the interior of the cylinder into discrete sections. As best appears in FIGS. 2-4, the cylinder 42 includes a group of generally axially oriented radiated inwardly extending projections 96 for agitating the laundry load upon rotation of the cylinder during a washing cycle. Slide members 98 of conventional construction are mounted on the cylinder end wall members 90 and on any intermediate wall members in order to guide movement of the cylinder doors 52 between their closed position (FIG. 2) and their open position (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The outer casing 44 of the washer 40 encloses the cylinder 42 with sufficient clearance for independent rotation of the cylinder 42 and serves as a container for washing liquids during the washing cycle. The casing 44 includes a pair of end walls 100 mounted outwardly of the end walls 90 of the cylinder 42 and mounted inwardly of the right and left end frames 46 and 48. A circular cylindrical casing wall 102 extends between the end walls 100. Supports 104 are mounted on the cylinder wall 102 for slidably supporting the casing doors 50 for movement between their closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) and their open position (FIGS. 3 and 4). The wall 102 of casing 44 includes a deck structure 106 located at the top of the casing 44 in the washing position of the casing. An operator may use the deck 106 to gain access to laundry loading equipment or the like located above the washer 40.

In order to provide a trim appearance while permitting ready access to various components of the washer 40, the end frames 46 and 48 serve not only as supports, but also comprise hollow housings or enclosures for various portions of the structure of the washer 40. The right end frame 46 includes an inner wall 108, a spaced outer wall 110 and a peripheral wall 112. Similarly the left end frame 48 includes inner and

outer walls

114 and 116 and a peripheral wall 118. Access may be provided to various regions of the interiors of end frames 46 and 48 for installation, adjustment and servicing of the washer 40. The end frames 46 and 48 also include base plates 120 for supporting the end frames 46 and 48, the casing 44 and the cylinder 42 on the base assembly 74 or other support.

Tie rods

122, 124, 126 and 128 extend between the end frames 46 and 48 radially outward of the casing 44 in order to provide rigidity.

In order to support an operator at a convenient position in front of the washer 40, a platform 130 is provided. The platform 130 includes a guard rail 132 and a ladder 134 and is supported in part by a pair of side supports 136. Although in the illustrated construction the platform 130 is mounted in a fixed position, it may if desired be slidably supported for reciprocal movement toward the washer. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform 130, rail 132 and ladder 134 are shaped to fit in the space beneath the casing 44 and between the end frames 46 and 48.

One advantage of the washer 40 of the present invention is the versatility in the manner in which the washer can be installed and used. The base plates 120 of end frames 46 and 48 in the illustrated arrangement rest upon the base assembly generally designated as 74 and more specifically upon cooperating top plates 138 of the right and left end frame bases 76 and 78. However, the washer 40 comprises a complete and operative unit in the absence of the illustrated base assembly 74. For example, in some installations the end frames 46 and 48 may be mounted directly on or above a floor surface, and the unloading of the washer 40 as well as the removal of washing fluids may take place through floor openings or the like.

Referring now more specifically to the construction of the base assembly 74, the end

frame base members

76 and 78 preferably comprise hollow members similar in cross sectional shape to the right and left end frames 46 and 48. A channel brace 140 extends between the

members

76 and 78 to provide rigidity.

Frames

76 and 78 include base plates 142 supported on the floor surface by means of foot plates 144.

In many installations of the washer 40, such as the illustrated arrangement wherein the platform 130 is located at the front of the washer, it is undesirable for the operator of the washer manually to move the wheeled carts 86 into position directly under the machine for unloading of a laundry load and for the operator manually to pull the heavily laden carts out from under the machine after the machine has been unloaded. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention the cart positioning assembly generally designated as 88 is provided for moving the wheeled carts 86 between a convenient and easily accessible location at the front of the washer 40 (FIG. 6) to the laundry unloading location wherein the carts are positioned directly beneath the center of the casing 44 of the washer 40 (FIG. 5). The assembly 88 not only frees the operator of the task of moving the carts for the unloading operation, but also assures that the carts are positioned properly and uniformly to receive the discharged laundry load.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 5-8, the construction of the cart positioning assembly 88 is illustrated. In general the assembly 88 includes a slide as sembly generally designated as 578 adapted releasably to be latched to the carts 86 and movable between positions by a chain drive system generally designated as 580. A release mechanism generally designated as 582 controls the attachment of the slide assembly 578 to the wheeled carts 86.

Power for operation of the cart positioning assembly 88 is provided by a reversible gear motor 584 mounted on the outer rear region of the left end frame base 78 and including an output shaft 586 connected by means of a coupling 588 to an elongated drive shaft 590. The drive shaft 590 is journalled for rotation in bearing

assemblies

592 and 594 supported by the right and left end frame bases 76 and 78. The central portion of the drive shaft 590 is rotationally supported by means of a support bracket 596 attached to the channel brace 140 located at the rear of the washer 40.

Mounted near the opposite ends of the drive shaft 590 and adjacent the inner walls of the end frame bases 76 and 78 are a pair of sprockets 598 for driving a pair of drive chains 600. The chains 600 are also meshed with idler sprockets 602 carried by pivotally mounted brackets 604 (FIG. 6) disposed near the front of the washer 40. Each chain 600 is trained over a chain support bar 606 serving to constrain the upper leg of the path of movement of the chain to a horizontal straight line. Chain tension is maintained by adjustment of the brackets 604 by means of adjustment screws 608 (FIG. 6).

Slide assembly 578 includes a channel member 610 extending substantially across the space between the right and left end frame bases 76 and 78. The outermost portions of the channel member 610 are supported by plates 612 (FIG. 7) and the plates are each fastened to a link of the corresponding chain 600 to the end that rotation of the drive shaft 590 produces reciprocal movement of the channel member 610. Supported for rotational movement on a series of brackets 614 mounted on the top of the channel member 610 is a latch bar 616. In order releasably to interconnect the slide assembly 578 with latch brackets 618 of the carts 86, a series of four latch hooks 620 are attached to spaced locations along the latch bar 616. As appears in FIG. 7, each latch hook is fixed by means of a pin 622 for rotation in response to rotation of the latch bar 616.

In addition, each latch hook 620 includes a terminal hook portion 624 adapted to engage the latch bracket 618 ofa cart 86.

Also fixed to one end of the latch bar 616 (FIG. 8) is a latch release lever 626 normally extending in an upward direction from the latch bar 616 closely adjacent the inner wall of the end frame base 78. In order to control the interconnection of the slide assembly 678 with the carts 86, the release mechanism 582 is provided. With reference now to FIG. 8, the release mechanism 582 includes a cylinder 628 slidably receiving a piston assembly 630 coupled to a release pin 632. The piston assembly 630 is accessible by means of a removable cover plate 634 attached to the outer wall of the base 78 by screws 636. The piston assembly 630 is,moved between its alternate positions by means of the application of pressurized air to the interior of the cylinder 670 by way of a pair of

conduits

638 and 640 adapted selectively to be coupled to a supply of pressurized air by a suitable control valve or the like.

When a washing cycle has been completed and when the washing liquids have been removed from the machine as by the drain assembly 80, the cart positioning assembly 88 is used in carrying out an unloading operation. The carts 86 are wheeled by the operator into the initial position in front of the machine as illustrated in FIG. 6. Pressurized air is admitted to the conduit 640 to move the release pin 632 from the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 8 to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 8. As a result, the release pin 632 clears the latch bar 616 and the latch books 620 all rotate due to the force of gravity in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 to bring the hook portions 624 of the hooks 620 into engagement with the latch brackets 618 of the carts 86.

At this time, the reversible gear motor 584 is energized in a direction to pull the carts into unloading position. More specifically, rotation of the drive shaft 590 causes the chains 600 to move thereby to pull the channel member 610 toward the rear of the machine. After a predetermined period of energization of the gear motor 584, the carts 86 reach the unloading position in which they are centered under the casing 44. At this time the motor 584 is deenergizedl with the carts in unloading position.

After the laundry load has been fully emptied into the carts 86, the reversible motor 584 is energized in the opposite direction for returning the carts 86 to their initial positions. More specifically, rotation of the drive shaft 590 causes movement of the chains 600 in a direction to move the channel member 610 once again toward the front of the machine. Pressure is applied to the conduit 638 in order to move the piston assembly 630 and to extend the releasepin 640 to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 8. When the channel member 610 reaches its forwardmost position, and as shown in full lines in FIG. 6, the release lever 626 engages the pin 632 to tilt the release lever 626, the latch bar 616 and the hooks 620 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. In this position the hook portions 624 clear the handles or latch brackets 618 of the carts 86 and the operator of the machine 40 may manually move the carts 86 away from the machine.

With reference now to the operation of the washer 40, the elements of the washer 40 are initially arranged in the loading position illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In this position, the cylinder 42 and the casing 44 are arranged so that the door openings of the cylinder 42 and casing 44 are aligned with one another and are disposed at the top of the machine. The

doors

50 and 52 of the casing 44 and cylinder 42 are moved to their open position, and a laundry load is dropped into the machine from any suitable laundry handling apparatus such as the chute 644 illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 4.

After the machine 40 is fully loaded from the chute 644, the casing 44 and the cylinder 42 are simultaneously rotated through a fraction of a revolution to the operating position illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In this position, the dump valve assemblies 82 are disposed at the bottom of the machine and the deck structure 106 is disposed at the top of the machine. The door openings for the

doors

50 and 52 are located in the upper front quadrant where the doors are accessible from the platform 130. Prior to beginning the washing operations, the

doors

50 and 52 are moved to their closed positions.

The casing 44 remains stationary throughout the washing operations during which the cylinder 42 is rotated and reversed at washing speeds. The washing operation is carried out under the control of a suitable program controller 642 which may be of any desired known construction. The controller 642 is programmed in accordance with the condition of the laundry load and the type of washing cycle desired. Typically a washing cycle will include various operations such as a sequence of flush, alkali, suds, bleach, rinse, sour, blue and starch operations during which the washer casing 44 is charged with washing liquids, chemicals and the like through a supply header 58 and mixer section 60. At the beginning of a washing operation, the drain assembly 80 is positioned in order to permit the discharge of washing liquids through the dump valve assemblies 82 to the rearwardly disposed floor gutter 84. Throughout the washing operation, fluids discharged from the washer 40 are transported by the

chutes

532 and 534 to a gutter or the like at the rear of the washer.

Upon the completion of the final operation of the washing cycle, the cylinder 42 is returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the cylinder doors 52 are aligned with the casing doors 50.

After the drain assembly 80 has been returned to its inactive or standby condition wherein the

chutes

532 and 534 are located to the rear of the machine, the cart positioning assembly 88 is used to position wheeled carts 86 beneath the machine. At this time the

doors

50 and 52 of the casing 44 and cylinder 42 may be opened and the casing and cylinder are simultaneously rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the door openings are disposed directly above the wheeled carts 86. To assure complete unloading, the interlocked casing 44 and cylinder 42 are rotated back and forth through an arc of 180 or so in order to assure dislodging of all of the laundry from the interior of the cylinder 42.

After complete unloading, the cart positioning assembly 88 is operated to return the loaded wheeled carts 86 to the front of the machine, at which time the release mechanism 582 operates to release the carts 86 so that they may be removed by the operator. In order to prepare the machine for the next operation, the casing 44 and cylinder 42 are rotated once again to the loading position shown in FIG. 4 and another cycle commences.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the details of the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that such details are not intended to limit the invention which is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination;

an inner cylinder including a pair of cylinder end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls;

an outer casing spaced from and enclosing said cylinder and including a pair of easing end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls;

first and second end frames disposed on either side of said outer casing and supporting both said inner cylinder and said outer casing for rotation about their common central axis;

said inner cylinder and said outer casing including doors in said cylinder and easing side walls for permitting access to the interior of said inner cylinder;

drive means for rotating said inner cylinder independently of said outer casing for aligning said doors and for rotating said inner cylinder and outer casing about their common central axis to an unloading position wherein the aligned doors are disposed in a substantially downwardly directed position;

said end frames including base portions disposed slightly below the lowermost portion of said outer casing;

each base portion including a generally horizontal,

downwardly directed, support surface;

and a discrete, unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions and engaging said support surfaces for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine.

2. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination;

an outer casing spaced from and enclosing said cylinder and including a pair of casing end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls;

and a unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine;

said base assembly including means releasably engageable with said wheeled cart for moving said wheeled cart between a conveniently accessible position in front of the machine and an unloading position directly beneath the machine.

3. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination;

aninner cylinder including a pair of cylinder end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls;

said end frames including base portions disposed ,slightly below the lowermost portion of said outer casing; and a unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine;

said base assembly including a drain chute pivotally mounted for movement between an inactive position at the rear of the machine and an operating position wherein the chute is disposed at least in part beneath the machine.

4. The laundry apparatus of claim 2, said base assembly including a drain chute pivotally mounted for movement between an inactive position at the rear of the machine and an operating position wherein the chute is disposed at least in part beneath the machine.

5. A laundry machine for use with wheeled carts rollable over a floor surface and comprising an enclosure for carrying out a laundry operation, a base for supporting said enclosure above the floor surface, door means associated with said enclosure for discharging laundry from said enclosure, cart engaging means for releasably engaging a cart placed at a location in front of said enclosure, and drive means for moving said cart engaging means in one direction to roll the cart over the floor surface into a position wherein said cart is located beneath said enclosure in a laundry receiving position.

6. The laundry machine of claim 5, said drive means being movable in the opposite direction for moving said cart engaging means to roll the cart over the floor surface and return said cart to said original location.

7. The laundry machine of claim 6, further compris ing means for releasing said cart engaging means in response to the return of said cart to said original position.

8. The laundry machine of claim 7, said cart engaging means including a hook engageable with the cart, means mounting said hook for pivotal movement, and said releasing means being effective to pivot said hook out of engagement with said cart.

Claims

1. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination; an inner cylinder including a pair of cylinder end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; an outer casing spaced from and enclosing said cylinder and including a pair of casing end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; first and second end frames disposed on either side of said outer casing and supporting both said inner cylinder and said outer casing for rotation about their common central axis; said inner cylinder and said outer casing including doors in said cylinder and casing side walls for permitting access to the interior of said inner cylinder; drive means for rotating said inner cylinder independently of said outer casing for aligning said doors and for rotating said inner cylinder and outer casing about their common central axis to an unloading position wherein the aligned doors are disposed in a substantially downwardly directed position; said end frames including base portions disposed slightly below the lowermost portion of said outer casing; each base portion including a generally horizontal, downwardly directed, support surface; and a discrete, unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions and engaging said support surfaces for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine.

2. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination; an inner cylinder including a pair of cylinder end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; an outer casing spaced from and enclosing said cylinder and including a pair of casing end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; first and second end frames disposed on either side of said outer casing and supporting both said inner cylinder and said outer casing for rotation about their common central axis; said inner cylinder and said outer casing including doors in said cylinder and casing side walls for permitting access to the interior of said inner cylinder; drive means for rotating said inner cylinder independently of said outer casing for aligning said doors and for rotating said inner cylinder and outer casing about their common central axis to an unloading position wherein the aligned doors are disposed in a substantially downwardly directed position; said end frames including base portions disposed slightly below the lowermost portion of said outer casing; and a unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine; said base assembly including means releasably engageable with said wheeled cart for moving said wheeled cart between a conveniently accessible position in front of the machine and an unloading Position directly beneath the machine.

3. Laundry apparatus for use with wheeled carts comprising in combination; an inner cylinder including a pair of cylinder end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; an outer casing spaced from and enclosing said cylinder and including a pair of casing end walls and a cylindrical side wall extending between said end walls; first and second end frames disposed on either side of said outer casing and supporting both said inner cylinder and said outer casing for rotation about their common central axis; said inner cylinder and said outer casing including doors in said cylinder and casing side walls for permitting access to the interior of said inner cylinder; drive means for rotating said inner cylinder independently of said outer casing for aligning said doors and for rotating said inner cylinder and outer casing about their common central axis to an unloading position wherein the aligned doors are disposed in a substantially downwardly directed position; said end frames including base portions disposed slightly below the lowermost portion of said outer casing; and a unitary base assembly detachably connected to said end frame base portions for supporting said outer casing a substantial distance above the floor surface in order to permit the positioning of a wheeled cart beneath the machine; said base assembly including a drain chute pivotally mounted for movement between an inactive position at the rear of the machine and an operating position wherein the chute is disposed at least in part beneath the machine.

7. The laundry machine of claim 6, further comprising means for releasing said cart engaging means in response to the return of said cart to said original position.