WO2006103700B1

WO2006103700B1 - Tandem washing machines configuration for recycling detergent & water

Info

Publication number: WO2006103700B1
Application number: PCT/IN2006/000096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sanjiv Agarwal
Original assignee: Sanjiv Agarwal
Priority date: 2005-03-28
Filing date: 2006-03-20
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Also published as: KR20080005222A; EP1866474B1; MX2007011620A; CN101146947A; US20080184746A1; JP2008534112A; EP1866474A4; NZ561393A; AU2006228553A1; CA2614437A1; WO2006103700A1; EP1866474A1

Abstract

A tandem configuration of automated washing machines is disclosed. A microprocessor controls solenoid valves to direct effluent of each selected cycle of one machine, into another machine for reuse. Both the machines operate in tandem applying pre-set microprocessor logic, which is further programmable for various options, keeping interlocking features Intact. By placing the washing apparatus on rooftops, further recycling is achieved.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS RECEIVED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2006 (25.09.06)

1. A multiple industrial washing configuration comprising: at least two washing machines flowably connected and operated in tandem through an electric controller; each capable of washing separate loads, comprising an inlet, an outlet, a disposal tray and a drum; the outlet of the first machine also directly connected to the inlet of a second machine via a channel means having a two-way solenoid valve, a filtration and a treatment devices; the controller being operable to cause the said machines and the said channel to function in synchronization upon selection of any of a plurality of available attributes; the said channel operable to directly deliver an effluent water of at least one selectable cycle of said first machine as an input in at least one selectable cycle of the second machine; the improvements comprising directly Inputting such effluent water for recycling without storing, thereby saving space and plumbing and avoiding loss of heat, detergency and growth of pathogens in the said effluent water due to storage.

2. A twin (two-in-one) washing machine comprising at least two parts parallely or vertically; each part capable of washing separate loads, comprising an inlet, an outlet, a disposal tray and a drum; the outlet of the first part also directly connected to the inlet of a second part via a channel means having a two-way solenoid valve, a filtration and a treatment devices; an electric controller being operable to cause the said parts and the said channel to function in tandem upon selection of any of a plurality of available attributes; the said channel operable to directly deliver an effluent water of at least one selectable cycle of said first part as an input in at least one selectable cycle of the second part; the said channel operable to filter and treat the said effluent water before the said delivery, the said treatment comprising irradiation

3. The washing system configuration as claimed in claim X₁ the channel comprises an irradiation device to remove pathogens from the discharged water.

4. The system configuration as claimed in claims 1, the channel means is provided with a sensor to determine the turbidity of the discharged water from the first part being transmitted to the second part.

5> The washing system configuration as claimed in claim 4, comprising a solenoid valve means to release turbid water in case the sensor determines turbidity of the discharged water to be more than a predetermined level,

6. The washing system configuration as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: on said release of turbid water, the said solenoid valve operable to instead draw freshwater from the freshwater source and detergent stored in disposal tray in the second part, and resume operations of both parts.

7. The washing system configuration as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the sensor activating an audio alarm and/or an electronic display if the turbidity of discharged water is above a predetermined level.

8. The washing system configuration as claimed in claim 7 further comprising, the sensor causing the controller to withhold further operation of the second machine if the turbidity of discharged water is above a predetermined level.

9. The washing system configuration claimed in claim 3, providing an intermediate chamber for irradiating the discharged water for recycling.

10. The washing system configuration as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to interlock operating cycles of two parts, whereby on completion of a selected cycle of any of the two parts, the next selected cycle of said part is operable to remain on hold till the time the other of the two parts completes the said interlocked cycle.

11. A method of selectively utilizing effluent of a first washing load directly as an input for a second washing load, without any storage of the said effluent to be recycled, the method comprising:

-^" placing at least two types of wash loads in two separate wash tubs having separate inlets, outlets, detergent disposal trays and wash drums electrically operable in tandem by a controller means

- connecting the first tub's outlet the second tub's inlet, through a channel comprising solenoid valves means, the said valves operable through the said controller to selectively discharge effluent of the first tub as input to the second tub.

- operating the said channel to selectively direct an effluent of a first cycle of the first tub to a drainage sewer and selectively direct an effluent of a second cycle of the first tub to the second tub directly - directly recycling the said effluent as an input in a wash-cycle in said second tub.

12. The method claimed in claim Il further comprising; filtering and treating the said recycled water before inputting it in the second tub.

l3.The method of claim 12, the said treating comprises an irradiation through an irradiation means.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising; synchronizing the inputs, the outputs and the wash cycles of said first tub and second tub in tandem with each other through said controller.

15. A fuzzy logic for implementing a tandem washing program for synchronizing working of at least a two-part washing machine, each part comprising separate inlet, outlet and drums, both parts interconnected through an electric controller and through a flow channel operable to selectively deliver an effluent of the first part as input to the second part for recycling, the logic causing the controller to operate the said parts and the said channel in tandem as per selectable attributes in respect of recycling the said effluent, the logic having capability to receive signals for a challenge in such selected recycling applying sensor means, and the logic further having capability for Implementing a pre-set response to such challenge.

16. A twin-tub domestic washing machine comprising two washing compartments each comprising separate washing drums with inlets and outlets connected to freshwater source and a drainage sewer respectively, the outlet of the said first compartment also directly connected to the inlet of the second compartment via a channel means having a two-way solenoid valve, an electric controller being operable to cause the sa|id drums, inlets, outlets and the said channel to function in tandem upqn selection of any of a plurality of available attributes in respect of boih tubs, the said channel operable to directly deliver an effluent water of it least one selectable cycle of said first compartment as an input in at least one selectable cycle of the second compartment, the said controller also operable to interlock selected wash cycles of each compartments in a way that operation of one compartment is kept on hold till the other complete^ such an interlocked cycle.

17, The domestic washing machine of claim 16 further comprising: the saicj channel is provided with a filtration, an irradiation and a sensor means.

lδ.The domestic washing machine of claim 16 further comprising: the said controller being operable to receive electronic signals from the said sensor and to respond with alternative operations in the event of the said signals being as per specified parameters.

19. A tandem washing machine program operable through a controller, to synchronize working of at least two automatic washing machines directly interconnected through a channel means comprising a filtration device, a treatment device and valves, the said program operating the said machines to work in tandem with each other, in response to the recycling attributes for each machine selected by a user through display panel means, the said program also operating the said channel to selectively direct an effluent of a first machine an as input to a second machine directly if the said first machine is ready to discharge and the said second machine is ready to receive the said effluent as selected, and if any of the said machines not being ready, keeping the operation of the other machine on hold.

O.The tandem washing machine program of claim 19 further comprising; the channel means operable to filter and treat the said effluent water before recycling; the said treatment comprising irradiation utilizing an irradiation means.

21. The tandem washing machine program of claim 19 further comprising; the channel means operable to check the suitability of a selected effluent through a sensor means and in the event of such effluent being unsuitable, the program in response to a .signal from the sensor holding the operation of both machines and causing a voice and/or display signal to transmit to the user.

22. The washing machine program of claim 21 further comprising; the program operating the channel to flush out such unsuitable effluent in a drainage sewer and instead draw fresh water in the said second machine and to also draw detergents stored in a disposal tray in the said machine, to continue completion of washing cycles of both machines as selected.

23. The tandem washing machine program of claim 18 further comprising; one of the program selections capable of operating both the machines independently and simultaneously as two separate machines.

24. A method of utilizing an irradiation means for treating an effluent water for recycling in a washing process.

25. A method of utilizing turbidity sensors in checking the suitability of an effluent water for recycling in a washing process.

26.A controller means and a channel means for interconnecting at least two washers for a tandem operation of the said washers in synchronization with the said channel, for discharging effluent of one washer as input drawn in another, the said discharge being drawn directly through the said channel for recycling without storing, the said channel comprising solenoid valves electrically controlled through the said controller.

27.The channel means of claim 26 further comprising a filtration device and a treatment device.

28. The channel means of claim 27, the treatment device comprising an irradiation device.

29.The controller means and the channel means of claim 26, further comprising an electronic sensor device operable to transmit an electronic signal to the controller device.

30. A recycling process for directly inputting an effluent of a first wash load as an input for a second wash load, without storing the said effluent to be recycled.