US3918112A

US3918112A - Washing laundry articles

Info

Publication number: US3918112A
Application number: US363154A
Authority: US
Inventors: Klaus Seibt
Original assignee: Seikt and Kapp Maschinenfabrik
Current assignee: Seikt and Kapp Maschinenfabrik
Priority date: 1972-06-02
Filing date: 1973-05-23
Publication date: 1975-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-11
Also published as: FR2186563B3; SE7307783L; DE2226992B2; FR2186563A1; IT985954B; CH555435A; DE2226992A1; JPS4956462A; GB1406930A; BE800370A; DE2226992C3

Abstract

A laundry system having a plurality of washing spinning units. Each unit has an inlet and an outlet. A pump is associated with each outlet for emtying its associated unit. Selection means are provided directing the output of each pump either to the inlet of a successive unit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number of washing/spinning steps completed.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Seibt [4 1 Nov. 11, 1975 WASHING LAUNDRY ARTICLES [75] Inventor: Klaus Seibt, Ludwigsburg, Germany [73] Assignee: Seikt & Kapp Maschinenfabrik,

Ludwigsburg, Germany [22] Filed: May 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 363,154

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 2, 1972 Germany 2226992 [52] US. Cl 8/158; 68/12 R; 68/27 [51] Int. Cl. D06F 31/00 [58] Field of Search 8/158; 68/12 R, 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS McLagan 68/27 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 820,385 9/1959 United Kingdom 68/27 895,711 9/1962 United Kingdom 68/27 Primary E.raminerPeter Feldman Assistant E.\'aminerPhilip R. Coe

[57] 7 ABSTRACT A laundry system having a plurality of washing spinning units. Each unit has an inlet and an outlet. A pump is associated with each outlet for emtying its associated unit; Selection means are provided directing the output of each pump either to the inlet of a suc cessive unit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number of washing/spinning steps completed.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 3 US Patent Nov. 11, 1975 511661 2 013 3,918,112

Fig.2

WASHING LAUNDRY ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION times. The same water is thereby first used for rinsing,

then for washing and then steeping or soaking. There are methods wherein the detergent solution passes in a constant flow through individual washing mechine units i.e., the so-called countercurrent method according to German Pat. No. 827 060. The individual machine units are connected by pipelines, and water is supplied to the unit which just rinses. The water then passes through further units for rinsing, washing prewashing, soaking and is then discharged into the effluent duct. Since the flow of detergent solution cannot be interrupted, spinning cannot be carried out in such machines.

For spinning it is necessary that the detergent solution be emptied from one machine unit but since the detergent solution flows through the units in a natural incline, a single unit cannot be emptied.

Furthermore, there are methods which operate with individual machines and which pump the solution after the washing or rinsing step into a tank and draw it off from there at the appropriate time, according to German Pat. specification No. 1 124 914. However, when re-using several detergent solutions a special tank with pipes and valves is required for each solution, whereby the expenses rises steeply, and when using only one detergent solution the saving in water, heat and detergent means is not so great as in the case of the countercurrent method. In single machines of this kind spinning can be carried out however since during the change of detergent solution the machine is emptied by a pump or waste pipe.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing a method overcoming the disadvantages and defects of the prior art systems.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for washing laundry employing multiple units, wherein liquid may be used in one or more of the stages of each unit and in one or more units, so that increased savings in fuel, water, detergents, soaps, etc. can be effected.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a more economical and simple method for continuously operating multiple laundry units.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, there is a machine for washing and spinning laundry articles in a plurality of washing/spinning steps, comprising a plurality of washing/spinning units, each unit having an inlet and an outlet, a pump associated with each outlet for emptying its associated unit, and selection means for directing the output of each pump either to the inlet of a successive unit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number of washing/spinning steps completed.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a washing method for laundry articles utilizing a machine such as discribed above, wherein the same detergent solution is used for two or more washing steps in different washing/spinning units. The washing process or cycle of operation of each machine is divided into single operational stages of equal .time length, wherein the temporal beginnning of the cycle is staggered so that one machine unit is always carrying out the change of liquid whilst the other units wash, rinse or soak. The temporal beginning of the .cycle in the individual washing/spinning units are staggered so that the liquid after passing into the next washing/spinning unit is used there in a stage which in the cycle lies in time relationship prior to the stage for which it was used in the preceding washing/spinning unit, and that the number of washing steps of the washing process is determined so that a continuous working'of the machine during two or more cycles is achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention, an additional tank is attached to the machine and can be selectively connected to each washing/spinning unit as well as serving to receive the rinsing and washing solution which is to be re-used in another stage.

It is advantageous for the electrical control for all units to be carried out jointly, preferably by a step-bystep action wherein the time of each stage can be varied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a washing/spinning machine consisting of 5 washing/spinning units with connecting pipes and accessories;

FIG. 2 illustrates the machine according to FIG. 1 provided with a tank for receiving the rinsing and washing solutions;

FIG. 3 is a wash diagram for illustrating the passage "of the solutions through the machine;

FIG. 4 is a washing diagram for illustrating the passage of a single solution through the washing/spinning units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The washing/spinning machine according to FIG. 1 has, for example, five washing/spinning units 1-5, each consisting of a tub with a drum 6, a drive motor 7 for washing and a drive motor 8 for spinning, a steam pipe 9, a water supply pipe 10, a pump 11 for emptying the tub with a valve 12 connected at an outlet side for connection to a waste water duct, and a valve 13 connected at the outlet side for connection to the tube of the next washing/spinning unit. All units are controlled by a common automatic mechanism 14.

The detergent solution can thus be conveyed from the tub 6 through the pump 11 and valve 12 into the waste water duct or from the tub 6 through the pump 11 and valve 13 into the adjacent unit.

At the end of a washing stage e.g. of the first rinsing process, the detergent solution can be pumped out of the unit 1 into the adjoining unit 2 and can be used there for the third washing step. This unit 2 which has previously conveyed its solution to the unit 3, is thus empty when the solution from unit 1 arrives.

In the machine according to FIG. 2, a tank 20 with a connecting pipe 21 and shut-off valve 22 is added to the components already indicated in FIG. 1. With this arrangement, the waste water can be fed into the tank 20 and used again for the soaking step. An even greater saving in water, heat and detergent is achieved here than in the embodiment without a tank.

It can be seen from the diagram in FIG. 3 how a cycle of operation forming a total washing process can be carried out with a repeated use of the liquid with the washing/spinning machine according to this invention.

The ringed numbers 1-5 in FIG. 3 indicate the individual washing/spinning units having individual cycles of operation which are connected together in a successive order, as heretofore described. A connection is also provided between unit 5 and unit 1. The numbers to 45 are uniform intervals or steps in which a complete washing cycle is formed, which itself comprises a sequence of uniform stages for soaking, washing, rinsing, etc. The letter W represents a washing stage, letter S represents a rinse stage,, letter E represents a soaking stage, and letter B represents the loading or unloading operation.

Stage 45 is followed by stage 1 so that a continuous washing process is achieved which could be continued indefinitely.

From FIG. 3 it can be seen that cold water is supplied to unit 1 at step 39. This cold water is used for the third rinsing S 3. At step 43 the liquid is pumped round into unit 2 and used there for the second rinsing S 2. At step 2, the liquid is then pumped round into unit 3 and used for the first rinsing S 1. Any excess liquid is then discharged in the waste duct. At step 6, the liquid is then pumped round into unit 4 and used for the third washing. The washing agents can be added to this liquid which may also be heated up. At step 10, the solution is then pumped from unit 4 into unit 5 and used for the second washing W 2. At step 14, the solution is then pumped round again into unit 1 which has meanwhile been loaded with a new batch of laundry, and used for the first washing W l. The washing steps W 1 and W 2 are likewise heated. At step 18 the solution is pumped round into unit 2. which has meanwhile also been loaded with a new lot of laundry, and used for steeping E. Fresh water is then added to cool down the solution. At step 22, the solution passes into the waste duct. The shaded surfaces are the spinning stages, pumping hereby taking place together with a spinning of the laundry. B is the loading and unloading stage.

FIG. 3 also shows that five different liquids may be fed to the machine to work in the machine simultaneously and flow in succession through the individual washing/spinning units wherein, as with the known counter-current method, the clear water is first used for the last rinsing step, then for the further rinsing steps and finally for the washing steps and steeping E. The conveyance not only takes place in a constant flow but also stepwise according to any washing stage. The tub is thereby emptied and the washing can be spun in the machine.

Furthermore, according to the diagram of FIG. 3, the

. beginning of the change of solution at the five units must be staggered by one-fifth of the duration of an individual washing stage so that the washing cycle consisting of several washing steps can be continued without interruption. It is thereby achieved that one unit is always changing the detergent solution whilst the other units are washing or carrying out one of the other process stages.

Furthermore, it can be seen from this diagram that the beginning of the cycle of operation is staggered at the individual washing/spinning units, namely so that the temporal beginning of the washing cycle in the individual washing/spinning units is staggered so that the liquid after passing into the next washing/spinning unit is used there for a washing step which in the cycle is in time before the washing stage for which it was used in the preceding washing/ spinning unit.

The diagram also shows that with five units nine washing stages of five steps or intervals in length are necessary so that the washing process can change from. the ninth washing stage unloading and loading" B into the first washing stage steeping E without any interruption or jump. This continuous changeover is neces-' sary since due to the staggered washing times the washing stages in the individual machine units are not finished at the same time.

In four machine units, seven stages are necessary and i with six machine units, eleven stages. The number of washing steps is thus constantly fixed so that a continuous operation of the machine is ensured. That is the number of stages may be calculated as twice the number of units less one.

FIG. 4 illustrates the manner in which the liquid is used successively for the above-mentioned washing 2 2 steps. The scale on the left-hand side indicates the level of the liquid. The solution level is hereby related to the dry weight of the laundry, thus for example 1 S means that in relation to 1 kg of washing, 5 kg, equalling 5 litres of water, are located in the washing/spinning unit.

4 is reached in the rinsing step S 3. Since spinning is carried out after S 3 a level of 1 z 6 arises in the rinsing step S 2. Spinning is likewise carried out after S 2 and at number 2 water is discharged in the duct so that at S 1 the level in no higher than I 5. At the washing stage W 3 the level is 1 z 5 since spinning is not carried.

out, but only pumping. At number 3 detergents are added. At the washing steps W 2 and W 1 the level is likewise 1 5. Heating is carried out during the washing stages W 1, W 2, W 3. Atnumber 4 fresh water flows in up to the level 1 5 in order to cool down the solution. The level rises to 1 2 7, S in the soaking step E. At number 5 the water is passed into the waste duct.

The volume of water, indicated by number 6, passes with the laundry to the washing stage W 1 and the volume of water indicated by the number 7 comes with the laundry from the rinsing stage S. 2.

What we claim is:

1. A method of laundering articles in a machine having a plurality of washing/spinning units each having an identical cycle of operation including sequential stages of soaking, washing, rinsing and spinning comprising the steps of feeding liquid to each unit at the last stage thereof, withdrawing liquid from each unit at the first stage thereof and transferring liquid at each of the in:

termediate stages from each unit to its next successive unit,dividing the cycle of operation in each unit into equal intervals and allotting to each stage an equal time length, staggering the beginning of the cycle of operation of each of the units so that at least one unit carries out the transfer of liquid while the other units carry out one of said sequential stages, timing the interval between the beginning of the cycle of operation of the individual units so that the liquid transferred from each unit passes into the next succeeding unit at the stage in the cycle of operation for the succeeding unit lying in time relationship prior to the stage in which it was used in the preceding unit, and determining the number of stages in the cycle of operation so that a continuous working of the machine is achieved wherein the same liquid is used for two or more stages in two or more units.

2. The method of claim 1 including the step of adjusting the time length of each stage to conform to the nature of the laundry to be washed.

3. The method of claim 1 including the step of storing the liquid prior to its transfer from one unit to another.

4. The method according to claim 1 including the step of controlling the amount of liquid transferred from one washing unit to another.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein each unit is staggered with respect to its preceeding unit so that each stage is offset by an amount equal to the ratio of the number of units in the machine.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each unit is provided with a number of stages equal to twice the number of units less one.

Claims

1. A METHOD OF LAUNDERING ARTICLES IN A MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF WASHING/SPINNING UNITS EACH HAVING AN IDENTICAL CYCLE OF OPERATION INCLUDING SEQUENTIAL STAGES OF SOAKING, WASHING, RINSING AND SPINNING COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FEEDING LIQUID TO EACH UNIT AT THE LAST STAGE THEREOF, WITHDRAWING LIQUID FROM EACH UNIT AT THE FIRST STAGE THEREOF AND TRANSFERRING LIQUID AT EACH OF THE INTERMEDIATE STAGES FROM EACH UNIT TO ITS NEXT SUCCESSIVE UNIT, DIVIDING THE CYCLE OF OPERATION IN EACH UNIT INTO EQUAL INTERVALS AND ALLOTTING TO EACH STAGE AN EQUAL TIME LENGTH, STAGGERING THE BEGINNING OF THE CYCLE OF OPERATION OF EACH OF THE UNITS SO THAT AT LEAST ONE UNIT CARRIES OUT THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID WHILE THE OTHER UNITS CARRY OUT ONE OF SAID SEQUENTIAL STAGES, TIMING THE INTERVAL BETWEEN THE BEGINNING OF THE CYCLE OF OPERATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS SO THAT THE LIQUID TRANSFERRED FROM EACH UNIT PASSES INTO THE NEXT SUCCEDING UNIT AT THE STAGE IN THE CYCLE OF OPERATION FOR THE SUCCEEDING UNIT LYING IN TIME RELATIONSHIP PRIOR TO THE STAGE IN WHICH IT WAS USED IN THE PRECEEDING UNIT, AND DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF STAGES IN THE CYCLE OF OPERATION SO THAT A CONTINUOUS WORKING OF THE MACHINE IS ACHIEVED WHEREIN THE SAME LIQUID IS USED OFR TWO OR MORE STAGES IN TWO OR MORE UNITS.