WO2006010970A1

WO2006010970A1 - Multifunctional washing machine and washing method

Info

Publication number: WO2006010970A1
Application number: PCT/HU2005/000085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Árpád FISCHER
Original assignee: Fischer Arpad
Priority date: 2004-07-30
Filing date: 2005-08-01
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: HUP0401541A2; HU0401541D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifunctional washing machine for cleaning textiles, having a washing case (1), in which a perforated base plate (4) and a movable perforated clamp plate (7) are arranged, and the machine is provided by an actuating member (9) being able to actuate said clamp plate (7) and conduits transmitting washing medium and air into said case (1) having a charging opening, and the perforated base plate (4) is a base panel of a washing cassette (6) having an open upper side, and the clamp plate (7) arranged above the base plate (4) is submersible into the cassette (6), and a flexible compression bell (8) is connected to the plate (7). The method according to the invention involves a first step of contacting the textiles to be washed to a washing medium, and further steps of forcing the medium through the web of the textile in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL WASHING MACHINE AND WASHING METHOD

The invention relates to a washing machine for cleaning textile fabrics, the machine having a washing case, in which a perforated base plate and a movable perforated clamp plate are arranged and the machine is provided with an actuating member being able to actuate said clamp plate and conduits transmitting washing or rinsing liquid and air into said case having a charging opening, and a method for cleaning textile fabrics consisting of a step of contacting said fabric with a liquid, and forcing the liquid through the textile fabric.

Washing machines using washing liquid may be divided into two groups in accordance with the washing method applied.

The washing machines belonging to the first group operate in such a way that they flood the clothes to be washed and placed in the washing compartment of the machine by washing liquid, e.g. a detergent solved in water, then agitating intensively the liquid around the fibres of the fabrics they force the liquid to stream in alternate directions. This principle is used by conventional washing machines having agitator blades or a tumbler drum. A washing machine of this type are disclosed by the patent document EP 0579069 and EP 1306479 describing washing devices having frictional members in the drum in order to enhance the relative movement between clothes and washing liquid, thus forcing the whirling washing liquid to flow faster along all the fibres of the fabric.

Although the washing effect is slightly improved by enhanced friction it is clear at the firs sight, that additional friction increased between said members and clothes may damage fabrics. It is further impossible to control the flow of the liquid around the fibres, resulting in clothes remain partly contaminated, but the fibres of the fabric receive a strong mechanical effect. Further disadvantage of this method, that the washing time period may hardly be shortened relative to the washing time periods of the conventional washing machines using agitator blades or drum, and the consumption of water and energy remains considerable. Finally, it is not a negligible fact that these devices reach their satisfactory efficiency by full charge only.

The most improved washing machines applying whirling air bubbles solve partly these problems, but the problem relating to the friction of clothes or insufficient washing effect can not eliminate by either of them.

Washing machines belonging to the second group apply forced flow of washing liquid. Instead of agitating the washing liquid these devices force through the liquid between the fibres of the fabric in a predetermined direction, as disclosed in the description of the patent GB 189818264 (Sweet), which is a washing machine provided by ridged, ribbed, or corrugated and perforated indiarubber discs, attached to galvanized sheet iron (or equivalent) perforated discs, between which are placed the articles to be washed, and then pressing the upper disc the washing liquid is pressed out from the washing space previously flooded by washing liquid. In spite of that this solution is faster and more effective the technical improvement has been confined to developing washing machines belonging to the first group. At the same time the disadvantage of this solution is that the washing liquid may partly be pressed just once and only one direction through the fabric resulted in an insufficient washing effect, and in order to repeat the process and to use the liquid again the device must be taken apart.

Therefore the object of this invention is to provide a second type washing method and washing machine by which the disadvantages of the prior art solutions can be eliminated, that is the length of washing time period decreases significantly, the washing effect and the energetic effectiveness and economy of the washing process may be enhanced, and drying of the textiles can be performed, too. The washing machine according to the invention eliminates wholly above disadvantages and in addition it can be adjusted in the highest degree to the quantity and contamination . of the clothes, and either a multilevel or a perfect drying process may also be performed gently by the method according to the invention.

Inventor has found that placing tightly the clothes or textile fabrics between a perforated base sheet or plate and a perforated upper or clamp plate, and the washing or rinsing liquid forced through the plates and the clothes back and forth more than once, problems above could be eliminated. A further object of the invention is to provide an adjusted system to add detergent or rinsing agent to the washing or rinsing liquid, e.g. water, respectively. This object can be achieved by a washing machine according to the invention for cleaning textile fabrics, having a washing case, in which a perforated base plate and a movable perforated clamp plate are arranged and the machine is provided with an actuating member being able to actuate said clamp plate, and conduits transmitting washing or rinsing liquid and air into said case having a charging opening, and said perforated base plate is a base panel of a washing cassette having side plates and an open upper side, and the washing cassette is arranged on a collecting tray fixed in the washing case such a way, that a driving cam is placed between the perforated base plate of the cassette and the collecting tray, and the perforated a clamp plate arranged above the base plate is submersible into the cassette, and a flexible compression bell is connected to the clamp plate from above, and said actuating member is attached to the compression bell.

Conduits and air valve are provided advantageously for inputting drying air into the washing cassette. Said actuating member is preferably formed with a washing member and a positioning member.

Said driving cam consisting of roller paths arranged laterally on the collecting tray.

A turn off opening for draining in and/or out the liquid is formed on the collecting tray.

A filling valve and/or a discharge pump is attached to the opening. - A -

In a preferred embodiment the flexible compression bell is made of cold rubber or natural gum.

A hydraulic or pneumatic actuating member is attached to the compression bell, said member consisting of a hydraulic or pneumatic washing member and a hydraulic or pneumatic positioning member, and a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure source is arranged in the washing case.

A part of the air conduit and the air valve is placed inside the actuating member.

In an advantageous embodiment the machine is provided with a heating element being able to heat the liquid and a thermometer for measuring the temperature thereof, as well as controlling and programming devices to control the operation of the washing machine.

The washing machine according to the invention contains at least two movable washing cassettes each with a perforated base plate, and at least two perforated clamp plates each with a flexible compression bell as well as collecting trays and actuating members operating the clamp plates, and the washing case is sectioned according to the collecting trays in such a way, that the washing cassettes are arranged displaceably on the collecting trays, and the washing case is further provided with a delivery opening. The machine is provided with at least one batch unit having a container to contain washing detergent or rinsing liquid, a feeding cylinder, a piston, a piston rod and a valve, and a first passage to be closed and opened by the valve and communicating to the container, and a second passage emptied into the washing case. The piston rod is attached to an actuating lever fixed to the actuating member and the washing case.

The piston rod consists of a sleeve nut and a screw spindle arranged therein, and a first end of the screw spindle is connected to a cam formed on the actuating lever, and said batch unit is provided by a feeder motor to actuate said screw spindle, and the piston is rotationally secured in relation of the feeding cylinder. The method according to the invention for cleaning textile fabrics consists of a step of contacting said fabric with a liquid, and forcing the liquid through the textile fabric, and placing said textile fabric in a washing cassette having a perforated base plate, then filling the cassette with the liquid up to a level enough to flood the textile fabric, and sinking a perforated clamp plate covered by a flexible compression bell into washing cassette, and pushing the bell against the clamp plate, and after the liquid being forced through the fabric regurgitating said liquid by lifting the compression bell.

The liquid being forced and regurgitated through the fabric more than once by lowering and lifting the compression bell.

The method further comprises a step of preparing the washing liquid by mixing a washing fluid and a detergent metered automatically according to the batch of the fabrics.

Replacing the liquid by a rinsing liquid, and repeating the method at least once more again.

Preparing the rinsing liquid by mixing a rinsing fluid and a rinsing agent metered automatically according to the batch of the fabrics.

Removing the liquid and passing in dry air into the compression bell by lifting thereof. Forcing the dry air through the fabrics by lowering the compression bell and passing in dry air into the compression bell by lifting again thereof.

The washing machine and washing method according to the invention will be disclosed in details by means of advantageous embodiments and the attached drawing. In the drawing Figure 1. is a cross section of the washing case of the washing machine according to the invention,

Figure 2. is a perspective view of the washing cassette having perforated base plate, and

Figure 3. is a cross section of a washing machine according to the invention provided with batch units. Figure 1. shows a cross section of the washing case 1 of the washing machine according to the invention. In the washing case 1 there is arranged a collecting tray 3 fixed circumferentially to the inner surface of the washing case 1 in a liquid tight manner. An opening 13 is formed in the collecting tray 3 in order to serve as an inlet and outlet for transmitting washing or rinsing liquid, e.g. water into and from the washing case 1. The opening 13 is closable by at least one closure member. In an advantageous embodiment said closure member is a pump 2 attached to the opening 13 by means of conduits, which pump 2 may be operated as an emptying or filling means to empty or flood the washing case by washing liquid if no water supply network available, and discharge dirty liquid after the washing process finished, respectively, and a filling valve 15 to be connected to the water supply network. Two driving cams 5, e.g. roller paths are arranged parallelly on the edges of the collecting tray 3. A pull-out washing cassette 6 having a perforated base plate 4 is placed on the rollers of the cams 5.

A perforated clamp plate 7 having at least one opening is arranged above the washing cassette 6, to which a compression bell 8 made of flexible material is attached from above. The compression bell 8 is vertically movable by means of an actuating member 9 being advantageously a hydraulic or pneumatic type device. Clamp plate 7 and the compression bell 8 is submersible into the washing cassette 6 by means of the actuating member 9 in such a way, that the peripheral edge of the compression bell 8 may be displaceable in liquid tight contact along the side plates (11) of the washing cassette 6. The flexible compression bell 8 is preferably made of cold rubber or natural gum.

Dry air might be entered into the space between the inner surface of the compression bell 8 and the upper surface of clamp plate 7 by way of an opening 8b formed on the compression bell 8. In an advantageous embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention the actuating member 9 attached to the compression bell 8 is fixed in the opening 8b, and the actuating member 9 is provided by a conduit suitable for transmitting dry air and said conduit is preferably placed inside the actuating member 9. Conduit is emptied into the space between the inner surface of the compression bell 8 and the upper surface of clamp plate 7 by way of a single-way air valve 8c.

The washing machine according to the invention may be provided with program and control units, and a heating device to heat the washing liquid, and a temperature sensor, and an air heater to prepare dry air (not shown in the drawing).

In the Figure 2. is shown a washing cassette 6 open on its upper side and consisting of a perforated base plate 4 and side plates 11 fixed circumferentially thereto. The base plate 4 of the washing cassette 6 is quadrilateral in the embodiment depicted in the figure. In this embodiment the rollers of the roller paths 5 are arranged on the washing cassette 6. The washing cassette may be inserted into and withdrawn from the washing case 1 through a conventional charging opening. This charging opening can be closed by a door for example, being itself well known in the state of the art.

It can be seen in the figure 2., that bore-holes 6a are formed on the base plate 4 of the washing cassette 6 in order to serve as communication openings for the washing or rinsing liquid between the inner space of the washing cassette 6 and the washing case 1. The washing cassette 6 might be provided with a handle or loop 6b.

In the Figure 3. there can be seen a further preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention. In this embodiment the washing machine depicted in the Figure 1. is provided with at least one, e.g. two or more uniform batch units 16 suitable for performing a controlled feeding procedure of a liquid detergent or a rinsing liquid. Each batch unit is fixed to the washing case 1 and connected to a container 17 containing liquid detergent or a rinsing liquid by way of a first passage 22 and a conduit. The container 17 contains an amount of liquid (detergent or rinsing liquid) sufficient for several washing or rinsing cycles. A batch unit consist of a feeding cylinder 18, a piston 19, a bidirectional valve 20 and a feeder motor 21. The content of the feeding cylinder 18 can be emptied into the washing case through a second passage 23, preferably by way of a conduit leading to the opening 13. A piston rod 19a of the rotationally secured piston 19 is shaped as a sleeve nut 19b, into which a screw spindle 19c is fitted, being pivotable by the feeder motor 21. The end of the screw spindle 19c extending from the sleeve nut 19b is attached to an actuating lever 24 fixed to the washing case 1 on the one hand and to the actuating member 9 on the other, as depicted in Figure 3., such a way that said end may displace along a path 25 arranged on the actuating lever 24.

The washing machine according to the invention may also be formed as an industrial washing machine having multiple workstations inside. In this embodiment there are at least two movable washing cassettes 6 having perforated base plate 4 in the washing case 1 of the washing machine, and at least two clamp plates 7 each provided with a flexible compression bell 8 and actuating members 9 attached thereto, and a collecting tray 3 sectioned according to the number of workstations, that is the number of clamp plates 7 and elements detailed above. The washing cassettes 6 are movable along the length of the collecting tray 3, between the sequentially arranged workstations. Additionally, in this embodiment there is a delivery opening at the end of the collecting tray opposite the charging opening, in order to remove textile fabrics, e.g. cleaned clothes from the washing case 1. Using the washing machine according to the invention an improved and more effective washing method can be performed in relation of those known in the art, because the clothes to be washed are kept down in the washing cassette 6, and the washing liquid can flow only in a predetermined direction and with a high speed back and forth between the fibres of the fabrics, other than being randomly swilled along the fibres.

According to the method for cleaning textile fabrics disclosed herein, a step of contacting said fabrics with a liquid is performed, and then forcing the liquid through the textile fabrics in such a way, that placing said textile fabrics in a washing cassette 6 having a perforated base plate 4, then filling the cassette 6 with the liquid up to a level enough to flood the textile fabrics, and sinking a perforated clamp plate 7 covered by a flexible compression bell 8 into washing cassette 6, and pushing the bell 8 against the clamp plate 7, and after the liquid being forced through the fabric regurgitating said liquid by lifting the compression bell 8. Repeating this movement, that is reducing and increasing periodically the inner volume of the compression bell 8 operated by the actuating member 9 the washing liquid may be forced through the textiles or clothes in opposite directions, and also repeating this process during rinsing.

In a preferred embodiment the method according to the invention can be performed by way of the following steps. Open the door of the charging opening arranged on the washing case 1 , then pull out the washing cassette 6 on the driving cam 5 rollers. The clothes to be washed may be placed onto the base plate 4 of the cassette 6 and push the cassette 6 back into the washing case 1. It is very important to understand, that any quantity of clothes might be placed in the cassette 6 up the upper edge of the side plate 11 , since the clamp plate 7 will descend to engage the level of the stack of clothes definitely, therefore the washing machine according to the invention is able to clean even one piece of fabric perfectly. In the following step the program required can be set on the control means. The positioning member 9b of the adctuating member 9 lowers the perforated clamp plate 7 by lowering the bell 8 onto the textile fabrics placed in the cassette 6, and the filling valve 15 opens and commences flooding the washing case 1 by water up to a level equal to the position of the clamp plate 7 pressing the fabrics. In the course of the clamp plate 7 lowering procedure the piston 19 displaces from its position depicted in Figure 3., due to the movement of the actuating lever 24, and it press back the detergent fluid in the feeding cylinder 18 into the container 17 through the opened first passage 22 until the clamp plate 7 engages the clothes in the cassette 6. Thus remains only a predetermined amount of detergent in the feeding cylinder 18, which will be in accord with the quantity of the clothes, and which may be dimensioned by designing the cylinder 18. At the end of the movement of the clamp plate 7, the first passage 22 will be closed and the second passage 23 will be opened by the valve 20. Screw spindle 19c being rotated by the feeder motor 21 and detergent remained in the cylinder 18 emptied into the washing case 1 by the movement of the piston 19 through the second passage 23. In the washing case 1 the detergent can be mixed with the water. Then valve 20 closes the second passage 23 and opens the first passage 22. Feeder motor 21 rotates the screw spindle 19c into its original position. The washing water can be heated by a heater 26 depending on its temperature. If the level of the washing liquid (preferably a mixture of water and a detergent) has reached the upper level of the charge of clothes, filling valve 15 will close. Then the compression bell 8 will be pressed down against the clamp plate 7 by the operation of the washing member 9a of the actuating member 9, but the positioning member 9b remains unmoved. Thus the washing liquid is forced through the fabrics and the base plate 4, finally emptied into the washing case 1. At this point the compression bell 8 will be raised by the washing member 9a, and the liquid is flowing back into the washing cassette 6. Repeating above procedure the fibres of the fabrics will be loosen and the contamination adhered thereto becomes spread in the washing liquid.

Rinsing of the fabric takes place in the same way, but using clean rinsing water, that is the contaminated washing liquid must be evacuated by the pump 2, exchanging it to rinsing liquid by opening the filling valve 15. Using a further batch unit 16 one can add a predetermined amount of rinsing agent to the rinsing water as it was disclosed above in the case of the detergent. Rinsing liquid may be evacuated by the pump 2.

After the rinsing liquid removed across the opening 13 by means of the pump 2, drying the fabrics can be achieved in such a way, that lifting the compression bell 8 and opening air valve 8c an amount of drying air (preferably hot) can be blown into the inner space of the bell 8, then the valve 8c must be closed and pushing down the bell 8 the drying air can be pressed through between the fibres of the fabrics. Repeating this step periodically until textile clothes become perfectly or partially dried, according to the requirements of the user. Since the clothes may be arranged into the cassette 6 in a folded up state and gripped by the clamp plate 7 and the base plate 4, the subsequent ironing procedure might be omitted. Terminating the drying process the compression bell 8 will be raised up by the washing member 9a of the actuating member 9, then both the washing member 9a and the compression bell 8 as well as the clamp plate 7, and piston(s) 19 will be raised by the positioning member 9b of the actuating member 9. The effect of this movement is that the detergent (or rinsing liquid) being sucked up from the container 17 into the cylinder 18 through the first passage 22, and the washing cassette 6 can be withdrawn from the washing case 1.

In case of a washing machine of industrial scale the washing cassettes 6 charged by clothes to be washed may be placed on a first collecting tray 3 through the charging opening, and when the first phase (washing or prewashing) of the method according to the invention is already performed, the cassettes 6 move along up to the subsequent collecting tray 3 where the first phase might be repeated or e.g. a rinsing process can be performed. Thus the prewashing, washing, rinsing and drying processes can be achieved by shifting the cassettes 6 one by one along the line of the collecting trays 3, and at the opposite end of the tunnel like shaped washing case 1 the cassettes 6 may be withdrawn from the washing machine one after the other through a delivery opening and the clothes may be brought out from each cassette 6. Studying accurately the above detailed description of the invention it can be seen, that its most advantageous feature in relation of the solutions according to the state of the art is that the washing liquid may be forced through the fixedly grasped fabrics in a single predetermined direction and back, other than accidentally contacting the fibres, the fabrics do not bear abrasive effects, and only an adequate and minimal amount of liquid is required to wash or rinse the clothes, thus the effectiveness of the washing method remains excellent even if a very small amount of fabric to be washed is placed in the cassette 6. A further advantage of the invention disclosed, that it is much less energy- consuming than the washing machines known in the art, since the water- requirement as well as the washing time are reduced, and no need to agitate the fabrics during different washing phases.

Claims

1. A washing machine for cleaning textile fabrics, the machine having a washing case, in which a perforated base plate and a movable perforated clamp plate are arranged and the machine is provided with an actuating member being able to actuate said clamp plate and conduits transmitting washing or rinsing liquid and air into said case having a charging opening, characterised in that said perforated base plate (4) is a base panel of a washing cassette (6) having side plates (11) and an open upper side, and the washing cassette (6) ^' is arranged on a collecting tray (3) fixed in the washing case (1) such a way, that a driving cam (5) is placed between the perforated base plate (4) of the cassette (6) and the collecting tray (3), and the perforated a clamp plate (7) arranged above the base plate (4) is submersible into the cassette (6), and a flexible compression bell (8) is connected to the clamp plate (7) from above, and said actuating member (9) is attached to the compression bell (9).

2. Washing machine according to the claim 1., characterised in that conduits and air valve (8c) are provided for inputting air into the washing cassette (6).

3. Washing machine according to the claims 1. or 2., characterised in that said actuating member (9) is formed with a washing member (9a) and a positioning member (9b).

4. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said driving cam (5) consisting of roller paths arranged laterally on the collecting tray (3).

5. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a turn off opening (13) for draining in and/or out the liquid is formed on the collecting tray (3).

6. Washing machine according to the claim 5., characterised in that a filling valve (15) and/or a discharge pump (2) is attached to the opening (13).

7. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the flexible compression bell (8) is made of cold rubber or natural gum.

8. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a hydraulic or pneumatic actuating member (9) is attached to the compression bell (8), said member (9) consisting of a hydraulic or pneumatic washing member (9a) and a hydraulic or pneumatic positioning member (9b), and a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure source is arranged in the washing case

(1).

9. Washing machine according to the claim 8., characterised in that a part of the air conduit and the air valve (8c) is placed inside the actuating member (9).

10. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the machine is provided with a heating element being able to heat the liquid and a thermometer for measuring the temperature thereof, as well as controlling and programming devices (10) to control the operation of the washing machine.

11. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that containing at least two movable washing cassettes (6) each with a perforated base plate (4), and at least two perforated clamp plates (7) each with a flexible compression bell (8) as well as collecting trays (3) and actuating members (9) operating the clamp plates (7), and the washing case (1) is sectioned according to the collecting trays (3) in such a way, that the washing cassettes (6) are arranged displaceably on the collecting trays (3), and the washing case (1) is further provided with a delivery opening.

12. Washing machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it is provided with at least one batch unit (16) having a container (17) to contain washing detergent or rinsing liquid, a feeding cylinder (18), a piston (19), a piston rod (19a) and a valve (20), and a first passage (22) to be closed and opened by the valve (20) and communicating to the container (17), and a second passage (23) emptied into the washing case (1).

13. Washing machine according to the claim 12., characterised in that the piston rod (19a) is attached to an actuating lever (24) fixed to the actuating member (9) and the washing case (1).

14. Washing machine according to the claim 13., characterised in that the piston rod (19a) consists of a sleeve nut (19b) and a screw spindle (19c) arranged therein, and a first end of the screw spindle (19c) is connected to a cam (25) formed on the actuating lever (24), and said batch unit (16) is provided by a feeder motor (21) to actuate said screw spindle (19c), and the piston (19) is rotationally secured in relation of the feeding cylinder (18).

15. A method for cleaning textile fabrics consisting of a step of contacting said fabric with a liquid, and forcing the liquid through the textile fabric, characterised in that placing said textile fabric in a washing cassette having a perforated base plate, then filling the cassette with the liquid up to a level enough to flood the textile fabric, and sinking a perforated clamp plate covered by a flexible compression bell into washing cassette, and pushing the bell against the clamp plate, and after the liquid being forced through the fabric regurgitating said liquid by lifting the compression bell.

16. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to claim 15., characterised in that the liquid being forced and regurgitated through the fabric more than once by lowering and lifting the compression bell.

17. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to any claim of 15. - 16., characterised in that preparing the washing liquid by mixing a washing fluid and a detergent metered automatically according to the batch of the fabrics.

18. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to any claim of 15. - 16., characterised in that replacing the liquid by a rinsing liquid, and repeating the method at least once more again.

19. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to claim 18., characterised in that preparing the rinsing liquid by mixing a rinsing fluid and a rinsing agent metered automatically according to the batch of the fabrics.

20. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to any claim of 15. - 19., characterised in that removing the liquid and passing in dry air into the compression bell by lifting thereof.

21. Method for cleaning textile fabrics according to claim 20., characterised in that forcing the dry air through the fabrics by lowering the compression bell and passing in dry air into the compression bell by lifting again thereof.