GB990566A - Improvements in or relating to clothes washing - Google Patents

Abstract

990,566. Laundering. L. M. KAHN. May 3, 1961 [May 6,1960; June 24, 1960], Nos. 16140/60 and 22243/60. Heading D1A. [Also in Divisions B1 and B2] Apparatus for washing and rinsing clothes comprises a washing machine and two or more separator units for separating dirt from rinsing and washing water to which dirty water is selectively fed from the washing machine and from which clean water is returned to the machine. Several washing machines may be used. As shown, dirty water is pumped into storage tank 12 and thence passes into tank 11 where heavy dirt is deposited in a chamber 16 at the bottom of tank and is removed through valve 17. A photo-electric cell 21 and light source 20 may be provided so that when the precipitate reaches a predetermined level the photo-cell opens valve 17 and closes valve 20<SP>1</SP>. Scum, lint and greases float on the surface of the water and may be removed by overflowing at the top of the tank, through openings 2<SP>11</SP> or through openings 22 which are kept closed when the cleaner water is drawn off through valve 18 to storage tank 13. Alternatively, the cleaner water may be pumped or syphoned out. Openings 22 may be dispensed with and a two way valve 18 used. Valve 18 may be automatically controlled or a warning signal may be actuated by the water level or the level of the underside of the scum layer. In operation, the separation of the dirt may be accelerated by a mechanical vibrator or by bubbling air through the liquid. A centrifugal separator comprises a bowl 30 comprising double conical and single conical parts 30a, 30c connected by neck 30b and rotated by a motor driven shaft 31, dirty water being fed in through pipe 33. Valves 34, 35a, 35b, 35c and 30c provided in the walls of chambers 30a, 30c discharge into compartments in a stationary shell 37 so that clean water is fed through compartment 39 to a tank and dirt passes out through outlet 43. Valves 34, 35, 36 may be centrifugally operated so that increased speed opens valves 35 to discharge the cleaner water and decreased speed opens valves 34, 36 to discharge dirt. Alternatively the valves may be positively operated mechanically or electrically e.g. by being interlocked with the motor speed control. In a modification, the clean water is fed in through a hole in the top of the bowl and withdrawn through a hollow shaft. There may be centrifugal or other valves to discharge the dirt and this arrangement may operate continuously. An upwardly tapered rotating bowl may discharge dirt and then cleaner water through holes near the top of the bowl. Otherwise the dirt may be removed continuously, cleaner water being withdrawn through the driving shaft. A combined gravity and spinning bowl may be used or the bowl may be spun and stopped suddenly so that dirt collects in the centre. Separate separators may be used for the light and heavy dirt. In operation, Fig. 3, water used in the rinses R4, R5 is cleaned in a separator, stored in tank 1 and used in rinses R2, R3. It is then cleaned, stored in tank 2 and used in rinse R1 after which it is cleaned, stored in tank 3 and used in washes W1 and W2. Some water from tank 2 may be used in a boiling stage, cleaned and stored in tank 3. In a modification, with four rinsing stages, the water from the first rinse is fed to a separate storage tank without a separator from which it may be fed to the separator which feeds to the washing stages. The washing or rinsing water may circulate continuously through a separator and back to the machine.