Patent Application
20160017528
The present invention relates to a method and a device for washing textile laundry items.
In the detergent industry, work is ongoing on the improvement of active washing substances, mixtures of substances and detergent formulations. The testing of the effectiveness of the active washing substances, etc. is thereby usually executed by means of test washings, whereby a washing fluid is prepared from the active washing substance or formulation, and then textile laundry items (substrate) contaminated in a specific manner are washed with this washing fluid under defined conditions (e.g. temperature). The washed textile items are then examined with regard to the effectiveness of the active washing substance under the applied conditions. In order to be able to examine as many active washing substances as possible in different formulations and concentrations, and in combination with different textile substrates, very large numbers of test washings are often required, which in total require a very large amount of time. This is undesirable, in particular for reasons of costs. A further disadvantage during the washing process—regardless of whether this occurs in research and development of washing products, or in the effective application itself—is that the washing methods of today's known art are normally based on significant mechanical actions on the washing items, as a result of which the latter become worn.
DE 102 06 620 A1 discloses a device and a method for testing the impact of fluids on a fabric, in which the fabric is arranged between two elements having depressions. The depressions form chambers in which the fluids to be tested are located. The elements, with the fabric located in between, are suspended on a shaft and are rotated for testing the impact of the fluids. In order to increase the fluid exchange between the chamber segments divided by the fabric, a small hole can advantageously be placed into the fabric in the wetted region.
Based on the above, the task underlying the invention is to provide a more efficient, very effective washing method requiring short washing times, as well as to provide a corresponding washing device for textile laundry items, which moreover lay the foundations for automated handling, and also do not have a negative influence on the laundry items being washed as a result of mechanical action. It should be possible to do without the placement of holes into the laundry items.
This task is solved in accordance with the invention by a washing method and a washing device, as they are specified by the features of the independent patent claim 1 and the independent patent claim 15, respectively. Other advantageous aspects result from the features of the respective dependent patent claims.
In its basic embodiment, the method according to the invention for washing textile laundry items comprises the following steps:
In the washing method according to the invention, the washing process takes place not primarily in a traditional manner by mechanical movement of the laundry items within the washing container, but on the basis of diffusion, i.e. by accelerated diffusion of the washing fluid through the laundry items and of the contamination out of the laundry items. The diffusion of the washing fluid is achieved by the combination of the acceleration forces caused by the dual asymmetric centrifugation in two different planes. By applying the principle of dual asymmetric centrifugation according to the invention, the washing process is intensified and significantly accelerated, so that the actual washing process only requires a very short amount of time (typically about 1 minute or less).
The secondary axis preferably runs as centrally as possible through the washing container, thus, in the case of a cylindrical washing container, through the cylindrical axis of the washing container. Thereby, imbalances are avoided as far as possible.
In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the laundry items are arranged fixed or also planarised in the washing container and are washed in the fixed or planarised state. In particular the laundry items are spanned in the washing container for this purpose, such that within the washing cell of the washing container they are essentially fixed or planar. This causes that the laundry items are not crumpled as a result of the washing process itself. This has the advantage that after the washing process the laundry items are still fixed or planar and, therefore, can be examined directly and without any further preparation e.g. with regard to the washing results.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a washing container provided with two or more washing cells is used, into which washing cells the laundry items and washing fluid are introduced in each case. The use of such a washing container with several washing cells has the advantage that washing can be executed simultaneously in series in a single washing process.
Advantageously, a washing container is used thereby whose washing cells are arranged within the washing container in two or more planes. This allows the accommodation of many washing cells in a relatively small washing container, this is particularly advantageous if commercial centrifuges are to be deployed in which the size of the washing container is subject to limitations.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least partially different washing fluids and/or at least partially different laundry items are introduced into the washing cells. This allows simultaneous test washings in series with different washing fluids and/or different laundry items.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an inert granular material, in particular in form of glass beads, is additionally introduced into the washing cell or the washing cells of the washing container. Thereby, the grains or beads, acting as washing bodies, increase the washing effect.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the washing fluid in the washing cell or washing cells of the washing container can be controlled during the washing process. This can be implemented, for example, by heating means and/or cooling means provided in the washing container. Thus, the effectiveness of the washing fluid can be examined under various temperature conditions.
Alternatively, the temperature of the washing fluid in the washing container can also be adjusted to a desired set value before the washing process, and can then be held constant during the washing process, whereby the latter can be achieved by the deployment of a thermally insulated washing container.
Advantageously, the profile of the temperature of the washing fluid can be recorded during the washing process.
Advantageously, after the washing, the washing fluid is discharged from the washing cell or washing cells of the washing container by single-axis centrifugation. This has the advantage that the washed laundry items can be removed from the washing container in a practically dry state.
Advantageously, a washing container is used having at least one drainage opening that can be opened and closed, whereby the drainage opening is held open during the single-axis centrifugation.
It is particularly advantageous if the washing process is executed in a device centrifuging in a dual asymmetric manner about two axes, and, after the washing process, the discharging of the washing fluid is executed in the same device, wherein during the discharging of the washing fluid the device only centrifuges about one of the two axes.
With regard to the washing device, the essence of the invention consists in the following: A device for washing textile laundry items comprises
According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device is designed to be switchable between a first and a second mode of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation the washing container rotates about both axes, and wherein in the second mode of operation the washing container only rotates about one of the two axes, preferably about the primary axis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the washing device has a first drive means for a rotative drive of the washing container about the primary axis, and a second drive means, which can be coupled with and decoupled from the first drive means, for a rotative drive of the washing container about the secondary axis.
Advantageously, the washing container is designed with at least one drainage opening, which can be closed and opened, for discharging washing fluid from the washing container.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the means for fixing the laundry items are means for fixing the laundry items in a planarised manner.
Expediently, the washing container has two or more washing cells for accommodating the laundry items and the washing fluid.
The washing method according to the invention and the washing device according to the invention are in particular provided for the execution of test washings in the research and development of, for example, the detergent industry. However, they can also be applied to other washing processes in principle.
In the following, the washing method according to the invention and the washing device according to the invention are described in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying Figures. It is shown in:
a-5d a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of the washing method according to the invention;
a-6b a schematic representation of two detail variants of the washing device;
a-12b a further washing container in two functional positions.
For the following description, the following definition applies: If in a Figure for purposes of figurative clarity reference signs are specified, but are not referred to in the immediately related part of the description, then reference is made to their explanation in preceding or following parts of the description. Vice versa, for purposes of avoiding figurative overload, reference signs less relevant for immediate comprehension are not inscribed in all Figures. Hereto, reference is made to the other Figures in each case.
The basic steps of the washing method according to the invention are represented in
In a preparatory step, according to
The washing container 1 is then tightly sealed by placing the cover 12 onto the base section 11. The means provided on both, the container and cover, for tightly fixing the cover are conventional and in the interests of simplicity are not represented. The closure of the washing container is not absolutely essential, depending upon the loading and shape of the washing container.
The following actual washing step is outlined in
The said dual asymmetric centrifugation is now executed for a predetermined washing time. By virtue of the centrifugal forces thereby occurring, acting in two different planes, the washing fluid W diffuses backwards and forwards multiple times through the textile laundry items T, whereby a very intensive washing action is achieved, in that the contamination diffuses very rapidly out of the laundry items and is homogeneously distributed in the washing fluid.
The rotational velocities about the two axes of rotation A1 and A2 are empirically adjusted such that on the one hand the centrifugal accelerations are as high as possible, and the washing durations (centrifugation durations) are as short as possible, but on the other hand the laundry items are not damaged. Values for the centrifugal accelerations from 30 up to 5000 m/s2, preferably from 2500 up to 3500 m/s2, are values that can be used in practice. Thereby it is possible to achieve washing times of about 1 minute, or even less.
After the dual asymmetric centrifugation, the washing container 1 is opened (inasmuch as it had previously been closed) and the washed laundry items T, together with the washing fluid W, are removed, whereby the washing fluid is usually disposed of or, if required, is also analysed e.g. as to how defined contamination is bound by the washing fluid, or what concentrations are present. The emptying of the washing container 1 can preferably be undertaken by means of centrifugation.
In the following, with the aid of
The washing device, the whole of which is designated as 1000, is constructed in the form of a centrifuge and comprises a rotary plate 1003, which can be rotationally driven by a motor 1001 via a shaft 1002. An angled gear unit 1004 having an input shaft 1005 and an output shaft 1006 is arranged on the rotary plate 1003. A washing container 1 is mounted in a socket 1007 made for accommodating the washing container, said socket is connected with the output shaft in a torque-proof manner and is sitting on the output shaft 1006. An out-of-balance compensation weight 1008 is arranged under the rotary plate 1003, diametrically opposite to the angled gear unit 1004. The shaft 1002 driven by the motor 1001 passes through a coupling element 1009 being stationary with respect to rotation and said shaft passes through a pulley 1010 being free to rotate on the shaft 1002. On the input shaft 1005 of the angled gear unit 1004, a further pulley 1011 sits which is coupled with the drive shaft in a torque-proof manner. The two pulleys 1010 and 1011 are coupled with one another in terms of rotation via a drive belt 1012. The axes of rotation of the shaft 1002, or of the rotary plate 1003, and of the output shaft 1006 of the angled gear unit 1004, include an acute angle α and correspond to the primary and secondary axes A1 and A2, respectively, see
The motor 1001, the shaft 1002, and the rotary plate 1003 form first drive means for purposes of the rotative drive of the washing container 1 about the primary axis A1. The angled gear unit 1004, the output shaft 1006, the input shaft 1005, the pulley 1011, the drive belt 1012, and the pulley 1009 form second drive means that can be coupled with, or decoupled from, the first drive means for purposes of the rotative drive of the washing container about the secondary axis A2.
In the mode of operation of the washing device represented in
In the mode of operation of the washing device represented in
The switching between the two modes of operation of the washing device is undertaken in a very simple constructional manner by the coupling, or decoupling, respectively, of the pulley 1010 and the coupling element 1009. The coupling can, for example, be implemented electromagnetically.
A great advantage of the washing device according to the invention consists in the fact that both the washing step undertaken under dual asymmetric centrifugation and also the emptying of the washing container by traditional centrifugation can be executed in one and the same device, so that on the one hand no separate devices are required, and on the other hand handling is significantly simplified.
By a simple deactivation of the rotation of the washing container about one of the two axes A1 or A2, preferably the rotation about the secondary axis A2, the switching is made from diffusion to centrifugation, that is to say, from a mixing of the content of the washing container caused by diffusion, to a separation of the washing fluid.
In
b shows the washing container 301 in the closed state. The latter is inserted into the washing device according to the invention and dual asymmetrically centrifuged, whereby it rotates about the two axes A1 and A2 (
After the washing process has ended, the mode of operation of the washing device is switched from dual asymmetric centrifugation to a traditional single-axis centrifugation, whereby the washing container 301 only continues to rotate about the primary axis A1. During the switching of the mode of operation of the washing device, the valve 315 is also opened. During the subsequent single-axis centrifugation, the washing fluid W is driven out of the washing container 301. The opening and closing of the valve 315 can, for example, be undertaken by a handling unit (robot). Alternatively, it is also conceivable to design the valve 315 such that it opens automatically by virtue of the centrifugal forces occurring (only) during the single-axis centrifugation.
a and 6b show schematically how the washing fluid driven out of the washing container 315 is collected. In accordance with
In the embodiment of
For test washings in the research and development sector, which are concerned, for example, with the examination of the effectiveness of detergents (active wash substances and mixtures of substances) in connection with various textile substrates, it is often desirable that the laundry items after the washing process are present in a fixed or planar form, that is to say not crumpled, or are washed in a fixed or planar state, because by this means the measurements on the laundry items can be executed more simply without any further preparatory measures. This can be achieved with the washing method according to the invention based on dual asymmetric centrifugation without any further effort, since hereby the laundry items do not necessarily have to be moved relative to the washing container. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the washing method according to the invention, the laundry items are therefore arranged fixed, in particular planarised, in the washing container, and in the fixed or planarised state are dual asymmetrically centrifuged and washed. For this purpose, a suitable design of the washing container is required.
In
For the execution of the washing method the textile laundry items T are spanned over the annular edge surface of one of the two container sections, in the example represented the upper container section 112, and the projecting edge of the laundry items is, for example, by means of an elastic belt 117, clamped tightly externally onto the container section 112. Then, after filling the lower container section 111 with washing fluid, the upper container section 112 is placed onto the lower container section 111 and the two container sections 111 and 112 are connected together in a sealed manner by connecting means that are not represented. The textile laundry items T are then spanned across the washing cell and within the washing cell they are essentially flat, i.e. planar. The washing container 101 is then subjected to the dual asymmetric centrifugation, as described in connection with
The washing container 101 of
In the embodiment schematically represented in
In a further embodiment, the washing container 501 having one washing cell 510, as represented in
For purposes of enhancing the washing effect, an inert granular material G forming washing bodies, for example, glass spheres or beads with a diameter of approximately 2-4 mm, can be introduced into the washing cell 10 or 310 of the washing container 1 or 301, respectively, or in principle into each embodiment of the washing container, as is schematically represented in
In the example shown in
The filling level of the washing cell 110 that is optimal with regard to the washing effect, i.e. the quantity of washing fluid introduced, can be empirically determined in proportion to the shape or volume of the washing cell, and as a function of the rotational velocities about the primary and secondary axes.
In research, a large number of test washing must often be executed, if necessary also under varying conditions, such as, for example, varying washing fluids, temperatures, substrates to be washed, etc. Thereby, for reasons of time, it is desirable if as many test washing as possible can be executed simultaneously. This can be achieved by means of a further advantageous embodiment of the washing method according to the invention, in which a washing container with a plurality of washing cells is deployed.
The washing container, the whole of which is designated as 201, has once again an external form that is essentially cylindrical with an axis 201a, and comprises four essentially disk-shaped modules 220, which are stacked one above another, and are, or can be, connected with one another in a detachable manner. Each module 220 has on each, its upper surface and on its lower surface, twelve approximately hemispherical recesses 213 and 214, wherein the recesses of adjacent modules together form a washing cell 210 in each case. The washing container 201 thus comprises (in the example shown) a total of 3*12=36 washing cells 210, which are arranged in three planes located one above another within the washing container 201. The number of washing cells can, of course, be adapted to the particular conditions of use. Thereby, it is important that all washing cells are located in the optimal mixing region of the appropriately deployed dual asymmetric washing device, that is to say, with regard to its axis designs and axis parameters, and/or that all washing cells are arranged around the optimal mixing centre point of the dual asymmetric washing device as deployed.
Each module 220 has on each, its upper surface and on its lower surface, a sealing ring 215 and 216, respectively, which sealing rings in each case surround all the recesses 213 and 214, respectively. Furthermore, each module 220 is fitted with a heating means 218 (and/or a cooling means).
The textile laundry items T are spanned in three separate parts, each between two adjacent modules 220, such that they are planar within the individual washing cells 210. In this variant of the method, glass beads, or another inert granular material, can also be introduced into the washing cells for purposes of increasing the washing effect.
The same washing fluid can be introduced into all the individual washing cells 210 of the washing container 201. Alternatively, however, different washing fluids can also be used in each washing cell, or in some washing cells. Likewise, the laundry items in the individual washing cells can be the same or different, wherein it is preferable if the laundry items in washing cells arranged in a common plane are in each case the same.
The washing method with a washing container 201 with a plurality of washing cells 210 allows the simultaneous execution of (test) washings in series, under different, or also the same, washing conditions.
With regard to the shape of the washing cells 210 and their filling level, the same considerations apply in a manner corresponding to those stated in connection with the washing container 101 represented in
After a dual asymmetric centrifugation, that is to say the actual washing process, has been completed in a manner analogous to
In
Although the above has only been described and represented in connection with the washing containers 201, 301 and 601, drainage openings for purposes of discharging the washing fluid can, needless to say, be installed in all shown embodiments of the washing container.
The invention has been explained with the aid of exemplary embodiments, but shall not to be limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, numerous modifications can be conceived by the person skilled in the art, without thereby deviating from the teaching of the invention. The range of protection is therefore defined by the following patent claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 593/13 | Mar 2013 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/054421 | 3/7/2014 | WO | 00 |
