WASHER EXTRACTOR AND METHOD

Abstract

A method of washing fabric articles provides a washer extractor having a reservoir for holding fabric articles and a washing liquid. A washing liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior. The ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water. Fluid is pulse flowed to the textile articles at a volume of between about 0.5 to 2 gallons (2 to 8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles for a selected time interval. Washing chemicals are added to the washer extractor. Water is transmitted to the washer extractor at the rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 to 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to washer extractors, more particularly to an improved washer extractor that uses high velocity overflow rinsing to eliminate most or all of the fill and drain steps typically associated with prior art washer extractors. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved washer extractor that uses a high velocity of water to increase the hydraulic pressure on the soil in the fabric articles and suspended in the wash liquor, thus reducing the amount of rinse water required.

2. General Background of the Invention

Prior art washes and rinses linen with successive fill and drain steps. A typical wash formula comprises between 6 and 15 steps, depending on linen soil classification.

Because each step drains the wash/rinse liquor, water consumption is generally between two (2) and four (4) gallons (8 and 15 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed linen.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The design of the present invention provides an improved washer extractor. This invention uses high velocity overflow rinsing to eliminate most, if not all, fill and drain steps. The high velocity of the water increases the hydraulic pressure on the soil in the linen and suspended in the wash liquor, thus reducing the amount of rinse water required.

Typical water consumption with this system is between about one (1) and two (2) gallons (4 and 8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed linen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral 10. Washer extractor apparatus 10 provides a machine 11 which can be in the form of a drum, extractor, or any other machine capable of washing textiles such as linens and/or extracting water from textile articles such as linens.

Machine or drum 11 provides drum interior 12. Tank 13 can be used to mix fresh cold and fresh hot water. The mixture of hot/cold water is then pumped to machine 11 interior 12. Tank 13 provides tank interior 14 where hot and cold source water is mixed to provide fluid having a selected temperature. Tank 13 can be drained using flow line 21 and valve 22. A first influent flow line 15 can be used to add fresh cold water to tank 13 interior 14. First influent flow line 15 can be provided with valve 16. Flow line 15 connects to a fresh cold water source 17.

Second influent flow line 18 can also be provided with a valve 19. The flow line 18 connects to a fresh hot water source 20. As part of the method of the present invention, the valves 16 and 19 are modulated in order to provide a water volume in tank 13 interior 14 of a selected temperature. The water in tank 13 interior 14 is transmitted via flow line 23 to pump 24. In the preferred embodiment, the machine 11 is filled with water at a temperature of preferably about 120 degrees F. (49 degrees C.).

The machine 11 interior 12 is filled with selected fabric articles to be rinsed, such as linen articles. Water in the tank 13 is transmitted via the flow line 23 to the machine 11 interior 12 to provide a liquor ratio of about four (4) pounds (1.8 kg) liquor per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric article or linen, plus absorbed water. As part of the method, alkali can be added to the mixture of water and linen or fabric articles in machine 11 interior 12.

Water is then pulsed flowed into interior 12 via inlet nozzle or inlet orifice 44 (see arrow 25) at a volume of between about one half (0.5) and two (2.0) gallons (1.9 and 7.6 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) for the last sixty (60) seconds of a rinsing step. Selected chemicals from chemical source 27 can be added to the mixture of water and fabric articles as a second step of the method of the present invention (see arrow 26 in FIG. 1). For example, detergent and/or alkali can be added to the water and fabric article mixture in tank 11.

The pump 24 delivers between about 0.35 and 0.6 gallons (1.33 and 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of linen in about two (2) minutes. A sour solution can then be added to the machine 11 interior 12. As water is pulsed into interior 12 via nozzle or orifice 44 (see arrow 25 in FIG. 1), excess water can overflow from the interior 11 via outlet or weir 43. The normal fluid level is thus represented schematically by the dotted line 45 in FIG. 1. Water so discharged via overflow drain flow line 28 can flow through opened valve 29 to tee fitting 30. The overflow liquid can then be drained to sewer as indicated by arrow 35 or recovered to tank 13 as indicated by arrow 32. In order to recover fluid from flow line 28, valve 34 in drain line 33 is closed and valve 31 is opened.

The liquor is then extracted from the machine 11 via flow line 36. This extraction can be accomplished by opening valve 39 or 42 and closing the other of these two valves. Flow line 36 and valve 42 can be used to recover this extracted liquor. For recovery of extracted liquor, valve 39 is closed and valve 42 is opened.

Arrow 37 in FIG. 1 illustrates a recovery of extracted liquid with return to tank 13. If the extracted liquid is to be drained to sewer, valve 42 is closed and valve 39 is opened. Extracted fluid than discharges to sewer via drain flow line 40 and valve 39 as illustrated by arrow 41 in FIG. 1. A tee fitting 38 can be provided to mate flow lines 36 and 40 as seen in FIG. 1. This tee fitting 38 communicates with drain line 40 for discharging any selected fluid to sewer as illustrated by arrow 41 in FIG. 1.

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.

PARTS LIST
Part Number Description
10          pulse flow washer extractor apparatus
11          machine/drum
12          drum interior
13          tank
14          tank interior
15          first influent flow line
16          valve
17          fresh cold water source
18          second influent flow line
19          valve
20          fresh hot water source
21          drain line
22          valve
23          discharge flow line
24          pump
25          arrow
26          arrow
27          chemical source
28          overflow drain flow line
29          valve
30          tee fitting
31          valve
32          arrow
33          drain line
34          valve
35          arrow
36          recovery flow line
37          arrow
38          tee fitting
39          valve
40          drain flow line
41          arrow
42          valve
43          outlet/weir
44          inlet opening/orifice/nozzle
45          dotted line/fluid level

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of washing fabric articles, comprising the steps of: a) providing a reservoir of washing liquid;b) providing a washer extractor having an interior for holding fabric articles;c) placing fabric articles to be washed in the interior of the washer extractor;d) pumping the washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior;e) adding washing chemicals to the washer extractor interior;f) transmitting rinse water to the washing extractor interior at a rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 and 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; andg) extracting liquid from the washer extractor after step “f”.

2. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is an alkali.

3. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is a detergent.

4. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is a sour solution.

5. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4 and 8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed fabric articles.

6. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 100 degrees F. (38 degrees C.).

7. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 120 degrees F. (49 degrees C.).

8. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein the time interval of step “f′ is about one minute.

9. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein the time interval of step “f′ is about two minutes.

10. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 1 wherein the ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water.

11. A washer extractor apparatus, comprising: a) a washer extractor for holding fabric articles to be washed in a washing liquid having an associated reservoir and a washer extractor interior;b) a reservoir having a flow line that enables transmission of washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior;c) a pump that enables flowing of rinse fluid to the fabric articles at a volume of between about 0.5 to 2.0 gallons (2-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles for a selected time interval;d) wherein said pump is capable of transmitting water to the washer extractor at the rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33-2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; ande) a flow line that enables extraction of liquid from the washer extractor.

12. The washer extractor of claim 11 further comprising a flow line for adding chemicals to the washer extractor interior.

13. The washer extractor of claim 11 wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of washed and fluid extracted fabric articles.

14. A method of washing fabric articles, comprising the steps of: a) providing a reservoir of washing liquid;b) providing a washer extractor having an interior for holding fabric articles;c) placing fabric articles to be washed in the interior of the washer extractor;d) pumping the washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior wherein the washer extractor interior has a liquid upper surface;e) controlling the liquid upper surface level with a weir that continuously discharges excess water from the washer extractor interior, said weir having a weir effluent;f) adding washing chemicals to the washer extractor interior;g) transmitting rinse water to the washing extractor interior at a rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 to 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; andh) extracting liquid from the washer extractor after step “f′, wherein excess liquid that has been added in step “f” is discharged via the weir.

15. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is an alkali.

16. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is a detergent.

17. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is a sour solution.

18. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed fabric articles.

19. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of about 100 degrees F.

20. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 120 degrees F.

21. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein the time interval of step “g” is about one minute.

22. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein the time interval of step “g” is about two minutes.

23. The method of washing fabric articles of claim 14 wherein the ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the extracted liquid of step “g” is transmitted to the reservoir of step “a”.

25. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a flow line for enabling transmission of the extracted liquid to the reservoir.

26. The method of claim 14 wherein the extracted liquid of step “h” is transmitted to the reservoir of step “a”.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the extracted liquid of step “g” is re-circulated to comprise at least a part of the rinse water of step “g”.

28. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a re-circulation flow line connecting the washer extractor to the reservoir, wherein said re-circulation flow line enables transmission of at least some of the extracted liquid to the reservoir so that at least some of said extracted liquid becomes a part of the rinse water.

29. The method of claim 14 wherein at least some of the extracted liquid of step “g” is re-circulated to comprise at least a part of the rinse water of step “g”.

30. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a re-circulation flow line that conveys all or part of said weir effluent to said reservoir.