Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
9~3
IMPROVED CON~I~UOUS BATCH TYPE
~SHING r~ACHIrlE ~D 2~THOD
FOR OPERATING SAME
This invention relates in general to the wash-
ing of cloth goods, and, more particularly, to improve-
ments in continuous batch type washiny machines and
methods for operating same.
~; In machines of this general type, which are
also often known as "tunnel" washers, each of a suc-
cession of drums or baskets is mounted for rotation
within a bath of liquor during each washing cycle, each
bath being contained wlth an individual compartment of
a successic,n of compartments forming the tunnel. Means
are provided for transferring cloth goods from each
drum into the next successive drum, intermediate washing
cycles, and for causing liquor to circulate through each
drum compartment and maintaining a desired level thereof
making up the bath during each washing cycle. Thus,
successive batches of cloth goods may be fed into the
leading drum at front end and removed from the trailing
at the rear end following passage through the inter-
mediate drums.
Depending on the design and arrangement of the
individual machine, water may be circulated through one
or more drum compartments at ~he front portion of the
machine for pre-wash purposes and soap may be added to
the water circulated through several of the following
drum compartments in the main wash stage of the ~achine.
~Jr
'3
The goods may then be rinsed with water circulated
through one or more succeeding drum compartments, and
then bleached, starched or otherwise treated with
chemicals added to the water circulated through the
final drum compartments. In some cases, liquor may
not pass entirely through the machine from one end
to the o-ther - e.g., certain of the different types of
liquor may be prevented from commingl~ng.
Since the goods are transferred from one drum
to the next successive drum at the same time - i.e.,
during transfer cycles intermediate wash cycles - each
batch is treated in each drum for the same length of
time, whether that treatment be pre-wash, main wash,
rinse or chemical. Consequently, and by way of example,
the goods may have to pass through only a single drum
during pre-wash, but several drums in order to be thor-
oughly washed and/or thoroughly rinsed. Thus, although,
as previously mentioned, certain types of liquor may not
be permitted to commingle with one another, liquor of a
~o particular type may nevertheless be caused to circulate
from one drum compartment into an adjacent drum compart-
ment, and possibly from that drum compartment into one
or more additional adjacent drum compartments. Further-
more, this circulation of liquor may be co-current with
or contra to the direction in which the goods are trans-
ferred from one drum to the ne~t successi~e drum of the
machine.
Preferably, each drum has coaxial inlets and
outlets in its opposite sides, and the goods are tran~-
ferred through the outlet in one drum into the inlet in
the next drum by means of a scoop-li~e member mounted
within each drum and extending through openings in
intermediate walls of the tunnel which divide it into
compartments. Thus, as sho,Jn and descri~ed for example
in U. S. Patent No. 4,236,3g3, the scoops are of such
construction that, when the drums are 05cill~ ted "ithi~
limits, the good, therein are not tr~nsferred, b~t
39
--3--
instead tumbled so as to promote thorough washing of
the clothes. However, when the drums are rotated a
predetermined extent in one direction, an inclined
wall of th~ scoops assumes a position in which the
goods are caused to slide downwardly thereover into
the next drum. After a relatively short interval,
during which the goods are transferred, the drum re-
sumes its oscillatatory motion during a subsequent
wash cycle. As known in th~ art, in other machines of
this type, the cloth goods may be tumbled and washed
during repeated full circle rotations of the drum in
the opposite direction.
It is often necessary, or at least desirable,
to pass through the machine a formula comprising suc-
cessive batches of cloth goods which are incompatiblein the sense that the liquor in which one batch is
treated in a given compartment would be injurious to
the goods in the adjacent drum compartment into which
such liquor is next to flow. For example, if liquor in
2~ which goods dyed with fast colors had been washed was
circulated into the drum compar~nent in which white
goods were to be washed, it would ol course add un-
desired color to the white goods. An incompatibility
might also arise by virtue of the fact that the liquor
in a gi~en drum compar~ment would be injurious to the
goods ~hich are to be transferred from the next pre-
ceding drum compartment into that drllm compartrnent.
Thus, for ex~nple, in the example noted above, wherein
dyed goods are~ followed by ,lhite yoods, the liquor in
the compartment into which such ~hite govds are to be
transferred ,Jvuld again add undesired color to thern.
On the other hand, althouyh successive batches
of different yoods ma~ create an incompatibility when
fed through the rnachine in one sequense, and thus in
accor;lance "ith one formula, they rr,ay nr,t when red
therethrough in the opposite ~Jrder, and thus in accord-
ance ,~ith another formula. For e~.arr,ple, ,Jhile dyed
i~8;~9~ -
goods and white goods may create an incompatibility
if the white goods follow the dyed goods, as above
described, they may not if the order is reversed
The reasons for incompatibility may be other
S than or in addition to color, as in the above-
described formula of white goods which follow goods
containing dyestuff which is not colorfast. For
example, temperature may be a factor in determining
the incompatibilities of a given formula in that the
liquor in one drum compartment may be too hot for the
goods which are to enter it next, or for the goods in
a drum compartment into which such liquor is to flow
next. Chemicals may also be a factor in that the
liquor in a given drum compartment may contain bleach
which is incompatible with colored goods which are to
enter it next. Or, liquor in a given drum compartment
may be very dirty, due to soil from the goods washed
in that compartment, and thus incompatible with clean
goods which are next to enter it. It is thus in these
senses, and other senses which will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, that the term "incompatibllity" is
used throughout this application.
In the operation of prior machines of this
type, it has been the practice to avoid, or at least
mitigate, such incompatibilities by leaving certain of
the drum compartments empty. However, this in efect
negates the "continuous" aspect of the machine and thus
cuts down on its capacity for any given period of time,
and it is therefore the primary object of this invention
to provide a machine of this general type which is of
such construction and which may be so operated that
batches may be passed continuously therethrough despite
such incompatibilities. A more particular object is
to provide such a machine, and method ~or operating it,
which does not require extensive changes in and/or
additions to existing machines of this type.
These and other objects are accomplished, in
accordance with the illus-trated embodiment of the present
invention, by a continuous batch type washing rnachine
having a succession of drums each of which is rota-table
within a bath of liquor contained within an indivi-
dual compartment of a succession of compartments during
each washing c~cle, and wherein a means is provided
~or transferring cloth goods from each drum into the
next successive drum intermediate washing cycles, and
for causing liquor to circulate through each drum com-
partment and from at least one compartment into an adja-
cent compartment of a pair of successive drum compart-
ments, while being maintained at a desired level therein
during a wash cycle. In addition, however, such machine
comprises a means which is operable, at the beginning o~
each wash cycle, and in response to the incompatibility
of the liquor in the one drurn compartment with the goods
in the adjacent drum compartment, for interrupting the
circulation of liquor from said one into said adjacent
drum compartment and divertin~ it elsewhere, and for
replacing the liquor which tXe adjacent drum compart-
ment was to receive from said one drum compartment with
liquor compatible with the goods in the adjacent drum
compartment, together with a means which is operable,
at the end of each wash cycle, and in response to the
incompatibility of liquor within the next successiYe drum
compartment of said pair of compartments into which the
goods are to be transferred upon completion of the wash
cycle, ~or draining the liquor therefrom, and at the
beginning o~ the next wash cycle, adding liquor to the
next successive drum compartment into which such goo~s
have~been transferre~ which is compatible the~ewith in
order to replace the liquor which was draine~ therefrom.
The invention also contemplates a method for
operatiny a continuous batch type washing machine which
has a succession of drums each of which is rotatable
within a bath of liquor contained within an individual
compartment of a succession of compartments during
each wash c~cle, and wherein means ~re provided for
transferring cloth goods from each drurn into the next
successive drwn interrnediate wash c~cles, ar~d for causing
-5a-
liquor to circulate through each drum compartment
and from one drum compartment to an adjacent drum
compartment of a pair of successive drum compar-tments,
while a desired level of liquor is maintained within
each drum compartment, during each wash cycle. The
inventive improvement comprises the steps of observing
when liquor in the one drum compartment is incompatible
with the goods in the adjacent drum compartment, and,
in response to the observed incompatibility and at the
beginning of each wash cycle, causing the circulation of
liquor from the one in~o,the adjacent drum compartment to
be interrupted and diverted elsewhere, and replacing the
liquor which the adjacent drum compartment was to receive
from the one drum compartment with liquor compatible
with goods in the adjacent drum compartment, and observing
when liquor within the drum compartment of the pair of
drum compartments into which the cloth goods are to be
transferred is incompatible with such goods, and, in
response to such observed incompatibility, causing the
liquor to be drained therefrom at the end of each wash
cycle; and then, at the beginning of the next wash cycle,
adding liquor to the drum compartment into which the
goods have been transferred which is compatible there-
with in order to replace the liquor which has been
drained therefrom.
More particularly, the liquor may be caused to
circulate from at least one drum compartment to the next
successive drum compartment of a pair of adjacent drums.
The liquor may also be caused to circulate from at least
one drum compartment to the next preceding drum com-
partment of a pair of adjacent drum compartments.
Furthermore, as in the illus-trated embodiment of the
present invention, in one stage of the machine, liquor
may be caused to flow into the preceding drum compart-
ment, and thus in counterflow relation with respect to
movement of the goods through the machine, and, in
another stage, liquor may be caused to flow into the
next successive drum compar~-nent, and thus in a co-
current relation with respect to the direction of move-
ment of the goods through the machine.
More particularly, the preferred and illus-
trated embodiment of -the machine includes means for
draining liquor from each drum compartment and filling
each drum compartrnent with liquor at a relatively fast
rate, so that, in the event of an incompatibility be-
tween the liquor in a given drum compartment and the
goods in the next preceaing drum compartment, as above
described, the liquor in the given drum compartment may
be drained therefrom, just prior to transfer of the
goods thereto, andreplaced with liquor compatible with
the goods following such transfer and at the start of
the next wash cycle. Also, af~er the circulation of liquor
from the one drurn compartment into the other dru;n com-
partment has been interrupted and di~erted elsewhere,
at the beginning of a wash cycle, it may be reestab~ished
at the start of the next ~ash cycle when the liquor in
such one drum compartmen~ is compatible with the soods in
the other drurn compartrnent. In any event, during opera-
tion of the machine, the means for so draining and ~illinc3,
as well as the means for interrupting circulation and
divertint it elsewhere, ma~ ~e operated in response to
observations of the incompatibilities of the particular
forMula of goods being rnovecl through the machine.
As wi]l he appreciated, particularl~ in the
light of the description to follow, a machine of this
general t~pe rnay ~e so modified as to pennit its operation
1 ~ ~ ~t~3
in accordance with the present invention with rela-
tively little additional cost. Furthermore, the
existing parts and their functions may be retained
without interfering with the operation of the present
invention. Still further, these additional parts
r,nay be programmed for operation automatically in
response to the incompatibilities of the formulas,
and thus with a minimum of personal attention on the
part of the operator of the machine.
In the dra~Jings, wherein like reference char-
acters are used throughout to deslgnate like parts:
Figs. 1 to 9 are diagrarnmatic, longitudinal
sectional views of a machine constructed in accordance
with the present invention, and illustrating the manner
in which such machine is operated during each successive
washing cycle as batches of goods are caused to mo~e
continuously therethrough frorn one drum to another; and
Fig. 1~ is an enlarged, detailed perspective
view of the means by which liquor in one drum compart-
ment may be selectively circulated into the next pre-
ceding drum compartment or diverted elsewhere, appearing
g ~ reference now specifically to the above-
described drawings, the overall machine, which is
indicated in its entirety by reference character 20,
includes a succession of drums 21 each of which is
rotatable during each washing cycle within a bath of
liquor contained within individual compartments 22
of an elongate tunnel 23 intermediate dividing ~.~alls 26.
The front (leftmost) compartrnent of the tunnel has a
central inlet opening 2~, the rear (rightmost) compart-
ment of the tunnel has a central outlet opening 25,
and coaxial openings are forrned in the dividing ~alls
bet~een adjacent compartments.
In the illustrated machine, t'nere are eic~ht
successi~e drums as indicated b~ the numerals assigned
to them, each rotatable within an individual compart-
ment to enable certain assigned functions to be per-
formed therein during each wash cycle, as will be
described, although this number and arrangement of the
successive drums and compartments is merely typical.
The drums are mounted in any suitable manner within
the tunnel for coaxi.al rotation in opposite directions
within each compartment, as shown, for example, in the
aforementioned prior Patent No. 4 236,393.
Inlet and outlet openings are provided in
opposite sides of ec~ch drum, with the inlet of drum 1
opening to a chute at the inlet opening to the leading
compartment, and the outlet of drum 8 opening to the
outlet opening in the trailing drum. The inlets and
outlets of adjacent drums aie connected so that, during
a transfer cycle int.ermediate wash cycles, yoods may be
moved through the ou.tlet of one drum into the inlet of
the adjacent drum. Thus, each drum has a scoop ~8
which is of such construction that, upon rotation of
the drum in one direction in a predetermined rotational
position, as indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 2 to 9,
it transfers goods from that drum into the next suc-
ceeding drum ~)y slidino downwardly over an inclined
wall thexeof. As previously described, the scoop or
transfer means is also of such construction that, when
oscillated within limits, or when rotated continuously
in thedirectic~n opposite to that in which transfer takes
place, the clothes will be caused to tumble within the
drum in order to promote treatment of the cloth goods.
In the sense that the terms are used here.in,
transfer cycle means -that interim the operation of the
machine that the scoop or other transfer means occupies
that position in which the goods are actually moved from
one drum to the othe:r, and wash cycle means those other
interims prior to and followinc~ each transfer cycle -
i.e., prior to or following movement of the scoop into
or out of its transfer position.
1~8Z~
g
Machine 20 is preferably of modular con-
struction where.in each compartment and the drum
rotatable therein provides an individual module adapted
to be assem~led with other modules into a tunnel o
desired construction. In the illustrated machine,
drum 1 is devoted to a pre-wash, while drums 2 and 3
are devoted to a main wash. The cloth goods are
adapted to ~ rinsed in the drums 4 and 5, and to be
chemicaliy treated in the drums 6, 7 and 8. This
chemical treatment may include a bleaching operation
in the drums 6 and 7, and a starching operation in the
drum 8. In the continuous operation contemplated by
the present in~ention, dirty goods are introduced into
the inlet chute 2.7 by means of a conveyor 29, and
~lean goods are receiYea ~y a conveyor 30, ~rom drum
8 for transport to an extractor of some type.
In the illustrated machine, liquor in the
fo~n of wàter is circulated ïnto the compartment for
pre-wash drum 1 by means of a conduit 31 leading
from a container 32 for the water..~ The bath is main-
tained at a desired leYel in drum 1 by means..of a ~eir
indicated diagra~natically by loop L, which, as will
be described in connection with Fig. 10, is preferably
mounted on the outside of the tunnel. Water passing
over the weir is drained to a sewer or other suitable
place for disposal, as indicated by the downwardly
pointed, long leg of the loop. Conduit 31 includes a
paralleI circuit having both a line 33 for fast~filling
the compartment for drum 1 and a line 34 for filling it
at a slow rate. Ordinarily, and in the absence of an
incompatib.ility between the li~uor in drum 1 and the
goods next to be received therein from the chute 27,
such as will be described to follow, water wil.L be
supplied to the container drum 1 by means of the slow-
fill valve 34. However, the fast-fill line may also
be used to flush cloth goods from the chute into the
container for drum 1.
~8~
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Liquor in the form of water is also added to
the compartment for drum 5 a-t a relatively slow rate,
as indicated by letters "S-F" above the arrow leading
downwardly into the compartment, ana is caused to cir-
culate from the compartm~nt for drum 5 into the compart-
ment for dr~m 4, from the compartment for drum 4 into
the compartment for drum 3, and from the compartment for
drum 3 into the compar~nent for drum 2, by means of
conduits 35 connecting adjacent compartments with one
another. A similar loop having a weir at the upstream
end of each such conduit maintains a desired level of
liquor in the compartment to which it is connected. As
shown, loop L leading from the compartment for drum 2
has a drain leg, as in the case of the loop leading from
the compartment for drum l. In the absence of incom-
patibilities to be described h~lnaf ~ liquor added
to the com~artment fo. drum 5 will be circulated through
that compartment as well as compartments for drums 4
3 and 2 in counterflow relation with re~pect to the
direction of mo~ement of the goods through the machine.
As will also be aescribed to follo~, chemical
in the form of soap may be added to the liquor in the
compartments for drums 2 and 3, as it is circulated
therethrough from the compartments for drums 4 and 5.
Also, additional chemical may be added to the liquor
in each of compartments for drums 2 and 3 in order to
auyment chemical drained therefrom with liquor in the
compartment, as will also be described.
In a similar manner, and in the absence of
incompatibilities, li~uor in the form of water ~Jhich
may contain bleach is circulated throu~h and maintained
at a desired leve]. within the com~artmerlts for each
of the drums 6 and 7. 'rhus, as indicated in Fig. l,
water is supplied to the compartment for dru~n 6 throuqh
a slow-fill line indicated by the letters "S-F" above
~ 3
-the arrow in Fig. l, and bleach is added to the water
through a separate connection (not shown) to form the
liquor which is circulated from this compartment into
the compartment for drum 7 through a connecting conduit
36. The bath is maintained at a desired liquid level
within the compartment for drum 6 by means of a loop L
having a weir at the inlet end of connecting conduit
36, similarly to conduit 35, and by means of a loop L
in the compartment for drum 7 having a drain leg there-
from similar to those above described. Thus, in thebleaching stage of the washing operation, the liquor
flows in a co-current relation with respect to the move-
ment of the goods throush the machine.
The compar~nent for drum 8 is similar to the
compartment for drum l in that, in the absence of an
incompatibility, as will be described to follow, liquor
is circulated through it independently of circulation
from or into adjacent compartments. Thus, as shown in
Fig. l, water is supplied to the compartment for drum 8
through a slow-fill line indicated by the letters "S-F"
above the arrow leading downwardly into the compartment,
and starch is added to the water to form liquor which
is maintained at a desired level in the compartment
by means of a loop L ha~ing a drain leg leading to a
suitable place of disposal outside of the compar~nent.
As previously described, goods which are transferred
out of the drum 8 slide downwardly over the scoop 28
onto a con~eyor 30 for transport to an ex-tractor.
For reasons which will be more fully under-
stood from the description to follow, the compartments
for drwns 2 to 4 and 7, as well as those for the drums
5, 6 and 8, are provided with means for aædin~ liquor
therethrouyh at a slow rate, as indicated by the
letters "S-F" above arrows leadiny thereto, ar,d each of
drums 2 throuyh ~ are also provided ~ith means for
adding liquor thereto at a fast rate, as indic~ted by
r3
-12-
the letters "F-F" above an arrow leading downwardly into
the upper end of the particular compartrnent. In addi-
tion, the letters "C-A" above an arrow extending
downwardly into the compartments for drums 2, 3, 6, 7
and 8 indicate lines through which a chemical augrnenta-
tion may be added thereto. These chemical augrnenta-
tions may comprise, in a typical machine such as that
illustrated, and in addition to soap in the case of the
compartments for the main wash drums 2 and 3, as pre-
viously described, bleach in the case of the compart-
ments for tne drums 6 and 7, and starch in the case of
the compartment for the drum 8.
In order to facilitate a descri~tion of the
operation and function of the slow-fill, fast-fill lines
and the chemical augmentation lines, the letters used to
designate each appear only on those Figures in which such
parts are in use during the wash cycle illustrated in
that Figure. Thus, in the case of the initial wash cycle
shown in Fig. 1, for example, the letters "S-F" appear
only in connection with the lines for slow-filling the
compartments for the drums 5, 6 and 8, the cc~partment
for drum 1 of course being slow-filled with wa-ter from
container 32 while the fast-fill line 33 in the conduit
31 is closed.
For purposes which ~Jill be more fully under-
stood from the description to follo~f~, each compartment
is also provided with a means for draining the liquor
therefrom at a rate substantially fas-ter than it m,ay
drain from the loop L. For this purpose, each of
Figs. 1 to 9 sho-,7s a drain ~al~e "D~" disposed ~ithln
a drain ley leading dof~nf~ardl~ from the ~o~f~er end of
each such conlpartrnent. During circulation of licluor
through th~ compartment during a ,~a~}l c~cle, or fhen
the compartrnent is being filled throuf.3h fast-fill line
"F-F", the r1rain ~a1~Je "D~ therefrom -,~ill ordina~ily
be closed.
-13-
As previously described, a means is provid~d
for selectively interrupting the circulation of liquor
through conduits 35 and 36 from the compartment for one
drum into the cornpartment of another drum, and divertiny
such liquor elsewh.erer such as to a sewer or other
suitable place of disposal as in the case of the drain
legs of loops L. For this purpose, each of the con
duits 35 connecting the compartments for drums 4 and 5
the compaxtments for drums 4 and 3, and the compart-
ments for drums 3 and 2, has a ~alve "FNV" ~flow-not
valve) disposed therein, and another valve "BPV" ~bypass
valve) is disposed within a drain leg 35A extending
downwaxdly from the conduit. Similarly, conduit 36
which connects the compartments for drums 6 and 7 has
a flow-not ~alve "FNV" disposed therein, and a bypass
valve "BPV" is disposed within the drain leg 36A there-
from.
`In the absence of incomDatibilities, and thus
when it is desired to circulate liquor ~etween adjacent
compartments connected by these conduits, the flow-not
valve "FNV" will be open and the bypass valve."BPV" will
be closed. However, in the event of an incornpatibility
which dictates the interruption of such circulation, and
the drainage of the liquor instead, as will also be
described to follo~, the flow-not valve is closed and
the bypass valve opened. Thus, in the case of the wash
cycle illustrated in Fig. 1, where there are no incom-
patibilities insofar as the compartments for the dr~s
2 through 8 are concerned, each flow-not ~alve is shown
in open position and e~ch bypass valve is shown in
closed position.
The details of the conduits for circulatlng
l..iquor from on~ compartment into an adjacent compartment
are shown in Fig. 10 in connection Wit}l the compartment
for the drum 4. Thus, the loop L is contained within a
box 40 connecting with an outlet in the side of the
compartment with the conduit 35, and a weir plate 41
3~
is disposed within the box to control the level of
liquid within the compartment as liquor circulates
throuqh the box and into the conduit 35, as indicated
by the arrows of Fig. 10. The opposite end of the
conduit 35 is connected with an inlet to the adjacent
compartment for the drum 3 (not shown), and the down-
stream end of the conduit 35 for circulating liquor
from the compartment for drum 5 into the compar-tment
for drum 4 is also shown as connecting with an inlet
to the compartment for drum 4.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 by the letters
"R" and "W" within the drums, goods containing a red
dye ~"R"2 are caused to mo~e from drum 1 through drum
8 and onto the con~eyor 30, followed by white goods
("W") which are caused to move from the conveyor 29 and
through each of the drums 1 to 7 into the drum 8, as
shown in Fig. 3. As previously described, during any
wash cycle, the liquor in a compartment in which the
dyed goods are treated is incompatible with the white
goods, in the sense that introduction of that liquor
into the compartment containing the white goo~s, or
introduction of the white goods into the compartment
containing that liquor~ would be injurious ~o the white
goods. In most cases, the liquor in which the white
goods are treated is cQmpatible with the dyed goods r
and thus the dyed goods may be transferred from one
compartment into another compartment in which that
liquor is contained, or the liquor may be circulated
into a compartment in which the dyed goods are con-
tained, without injury to the dyed goods. As willbe explained to follow, howe~er, there are instances
in which the liquor for -treating the white goods may
be incompatible with ~he dyed goods, such as, for
example, when that liquor contains bleach which tould
be injurious to the dyed goods.
llc~''3~3
-15-
It will be understood that this particular
formula of goods to be moved through the machine, and
thus the operation of the machine in connection ~7ith
the successive wash cycles to be described in cc,nnection
S with Figs. 1 to 9, is merely typical and for the pur-
poses of illustrating the present invention. It is
believed, however, that in the light of this description,
those skillecl in the a~-t ~ill be able to operate the
machine in a manner to accommodate other formulas of
goods to be moved therethrough, and which, as in the
case of the abo~e-described program, create certain
incompatibilities.
With reference now to the wash cycle illus-
trated in Fig. 1, wherein the dyed goods R are in the
drum 1 and white cJoods W are on the conveYor 29 p~ior
to being emptied into chute 27, there is an incompati-
bility between the liquor in the compartment for drum 1
and the w~ite goods on the conveyor in ~he sense that
the liquor in the bath in ~7hich the dyed goods have
~o been pre-washed would be injurious to the white goods.
Consequently, just prior to transfer of the ~hite goods
into drurn 1, drain valve "D~" from the compartment for
drum 1 is opened, ~s shown in Fig. 1, so as to rapidl
drain the liquor therefrom. The conveyor then causes
the white goods to be dumped into the chute 27, and
thus to be transferred into the drum 1, and the drums 1
through 8 move through the transfer cycle to transfer
goods therein lnto the next succeeding drum. ~pon
completion of the trans~er cycle, and at -the start of
the next ~ash cycle, the drain valve is closed, as
shown in Fig. 2, and valve 33 in conduit 31 is opened
to quic~ly fill the cc,rnpartment for clrum 1 ~.~ith licluor
in the form of ,Jater. ~en ~ater has fiLled the com-
partment to the desired level, as determined by a
suitable le~Jel control switch (not 3ho~Jn), the E~st-
fill valve 33 is autornaticall~ closeda~d the slow-fill
valve 34 opened so as to add ~7ater to the comp-lrtrnent
-16-
for the pre-wash drum 1 at a relatively slow rate the
desired level of the liquor being maintained by the "eir
oE the loop L for -the compartment, and the water flo~ing
over the weir into the drain leg of the loop.
When the dyed goods R have been transferred
into the compartment for drum 2, as shown in Fig. 2,
there is an incompatibility between the liquor in the
bath for the drum 2 and the white goods W in the drum 1.
Thus, as the transfer scoop for drum 2 moves into a
position to transfer goods from drum 2 into drurn 3,
drain valve DV from the compartment for dr~n 2 is
opened to quickly drain the liquor therefrom, as shoT,m
in Fig. 2. As the drum continues to ro~ate into the
transfer mode, the dyed goods in drum 2 are transferred
into drum 3, and the white goods in drum 1 are trans-
ferred into drum 2.
At the beginning of the third ~ash cycle
illustrated in Fig. 3 an incompatibility exists between
the liquor in the cQmpar~nent ~or drum ~ and the white
goods in drum 2 in that the introduction of that liquor
through the conduit 35 into the compartment for dr~m 2
would be injurious to the white goods. Thus, the flow-
not valve FNV in the conduit is closed and the bypass
valve BPV in the drain leg therefrom is opened, as
shown in Fig. 3, whereby the circulation of liquor
entering the compartment of dr~n 5 through the slo~-
fill line S-F and into the compartment for drum 2
is interrupted and diverted else-"here through the drain
leg.
Just before the wash cycle begins the drain
Yalve DV from the compart~ent for drvm 2 is closed,
and the fast-fill line F-F therefor is then opened
in order to quickly replace ~.~ater ~hich had been
drained from -the compar~nent upon opening of the drain
valve. When the water has reached the proper level
the fast-fill line is closed and the slow-fill line
leading to the compartment for drum 2 is opened ~o
cause the water to circulate into and t},rough the com-
partment, its level being maintained by means OL the
loop L from which it is drained. At the beginning
of this wash cycle, the soap which was added to the
compartment by suitable means (not shown) is augmented
by soap added thereto through the chemical augmentation
line C-A to this compartment, as indicated in Fig. 3,
so as to replace soap which was lost while draining the
compartment for drum 2.
~ At the end of this wash cycle, the drain valve
for the compartment of drum 3 is opened, as shown in
Fig. 3, so as to drain liquor therefrom-which is incom-
patible with the white goods which are to be transferred
into the drum 3 from the drum 2. As the scoop 28 in
the drum 3 moves into its full transfer position, the
dyed goods R therein are of course translerred from
the drum 3 into ~he drum 4, as indicated in Fig. 4.
Jùst before the fourth wash cycle illustrated
in Fig. 4, the drain ~alve from the compartment for
drum 3 is closed and the fast-fill line "F-F" leading
thereto is opened tO quickl~ fill that compartment
with water to the desired level, following ~hich it is
closed and the slow-fill line "S-F" leading to the
same c~mpart~ent opened. The supply of soap to this
compartment is augmented through line C-A leading
thereto, as described in connection with the compart-
ment for drum 2. Also, the flow-not valve FNV in the
conduit 35 connecting the compartment for drum 4 with
the compartment for drum 3 is closed, and the bypass
~alve B~V in the drain therefrom opened, as shown in
Fig. 4, so as to interrupt circulation of liquor
therebet~"een and divert it elsewhere through the drain
ley in which Yal~Je BP~J is disposed.
Ln addition, flow-not valve in the conduit
35 connecting compartmerlts for drums 3 and 2 is
3~3
-18-
opened, and the bypass ~alve BPV in the drain leg
therefrom closed, as also sho~rn in Fig. 4, so that
water entering the compar-tment Eor the drum 3 through
the slow-fill line "S-F" therefor will be circulated
through conduit 35 into the compar-tment for drum 2
and then through the loop L into the drain from the
compar-tment for drum 2, ~he loop on the upstream end
of conduit 35 maintaining the desired le~el of liquor
in the compartment for drum 3. Due to the fact that
compartment for drum 2 now receives water from the
compartment for drum 3, the slow-fill line thereto
which was open during wash cycle 3, as shown in Fig.
3, may be closed.
At the end of the fourth wash cycle, the
drain valve from the compartment for drum 4 is open2d
to quickly drain liquor therefrom, as shown in Fig.
4, following which goods from the compartment for
drum 3 are,transferred into arum 4, and the dyed goods
in compartment 4 are transferred into compartment 5,
as shown in Fig. 5. At this time, drain valve DY
from the compartment for drum 4 is closed, and fast-
fill line leading into the compartment is opened, as
shown in Fig. 5, to quickly fill the compartment with
water to the desired level. When this le~el is
~5 reached, the fast-fill line is closed and the slow-
fill line also sho~n in Fig. 5 is opened to continue
to supply ~ater to the compartment for the dr~ 4,
which is maintained at such level by the loop in ~he
inlet end of the conduit 35 connecting the compart-
ments for drums 3 and 4.
The flo-,r-not ~alve in this conduit 35 is
mo~led fro~n the closed position of ~icJ. 4 to the open
position of Fig. 5, the bypass valve BPV in the drain
leg of ~uch conduit is closed, and the slo~J fill line
leading into the compartment for the dr~ 3 is closed.
Thus, the slo-,r suppl~ of ,rater into the compartment for
39
19-
drum 4 will be circulated from that compartment into
the compartment for drum 3 and then into the compartment
for drum 2, the level in each oE the compartments for
drums 3 and 4 being maintained by means of the loop L
at the inlet ends of the conduits. The loop for the
compartment for drum 2 will continue to drain liquor
therefrom while maintaining a desired level thereof.
Due to the incompatibility between the liquor
in the compartment for drum 5 and the white goods in
the compartment for drum 4, the flow-not valve ~NV in
the conduit 35 connecting the compartment for drum 5
with the compartment for drum 4 is closed, and the by-
pass val~e BPV in the drain leg from such conduit is
opened. As a result, water circulating through the
compartment for drum 5 will be drained therefrom with-
out circulating into and through the compartments for
drums 4, 3 and 2. Since the goods are merely rinsed
in drums 4 and 5, there is no need for chemical aug-
mentation lines as in the case of the compartments for
drums 2 and 3. At the end of this cycle, and just
before the transfer scoop of drum 4 reaches its trans-
fer position, the drain valve DV of the compartment for
drum 5 is opened, as shown in Fig. 5, to rapidly drain
liquor therefrorn just prior to the transfer of the
white goods from drum 4 into drum 5, and the dved goods
from the compartment for drum S into the compartment
or drum 6, as shown in Fig. 6.
As sho~rm in Fig. 6, the drain ~alve from the
compar~ment for drum ~ is closed, andthe fast-~ill line
"F-F" leading thereto is opened to rapidly fill the
compartment with main ~,7ash liquor. ~n~en this liquor
reaches a desired level, the ~ast-fill line is closed,
and the slo~-fill line leadiny to the same compartment
is open-d. The flo~"-not ~al~e ~JV in the conduit 35
connecting -the compartTnent for drum 5 ~Jith the cornpart-
ment for drwn 4 is mG~ed from the closed position of
-20-
Fig. 5 to the open position of ~ig. 6, and the bypass
valve BPV in the drain leg therefrom is closed, as
also shown in Fig. 6. Consequently, fresh liquor
supplied to the compartroent for the drum 5 circulates
into and through the compartment for dru~ 4, and from
the compartment from drurn 4 into the compartment for
drum 3, etc., whereby the slow-fill line leading to
the compartrnent for drum 4 may be closed.
It will be noted that, at this stage, the
incompatibility between the liquor in the compartment
for the drum 6 and the white goods in drum 5 results
not from the circulation of ~uch liquor into the com-
partment for drum 5, as was previously described in
connection with other adjacent compartments, but rather
because of the introduction, at the en~ of the sixth
washing cycle, of the white ~oods into the compartment
for the drum 6. Consequently, just before the scoop
in the d~urn 5 reaches its transfer position, the drain
valYe from the compartrnent for drum 6 is opened, as
shown in Fig. 6, to quickly drain liquor therefrom
prior to the transfer of white goods from drum 5 into
drum 6. As the drums move into the transfer cycle,
the dyed goods in drum 6 are of course also transferred
into the drum 7, as shownin Fig. 7.
At the beginning of the se~enth wash cycle,
there are incompatibilities in two senses. First, the
lir~uor in the compartment for drum 7 is incompatible
with the white goods in drum 6 which are to be trans-
ferred into the drum 7 follo~ing the sixth wash cycle.
3~ Thus, in keeping with t~e continuous oper~tion of the
overall rnachine, it is necessary to quic~iy fill the
compartment for the drurn 6 ~Jith liq~or for the seventh
wash cyr-le. Ho~ever, there is another incompatibility
in the sense that the "hite goods are to receive chemi-
cal in the fonrl of a bleach added to the comp~rtn_nt
for drurn 6. This chernical in the liqur,r o the
9~
compartment for drum 6 would be injurious to the dyed
red goods in the drurn 7. Consequently, since the com-
partments are connec-ted by conduit 36, the flo~t-not
valve in such condui-t is closed and the bypass valve
in the drain leg thereof opened, as shown in Fig. 7, to
prevent the bleach from being circulated into the
compar~nent for dr~n 7. Since the circulation of liquor
from the compartment for drurn 6 has been interrupted,
the compartment for drum 7 must be supplied with liquor
frorn another source, and hence the slo~7-fill line ''S-FI'
leading to such compar~nent is opened, as sho~m in ~ig.
7, in order to reestablish circulation therethrough,
which is then maintained at a desired level by the loop
for drum 7.
Just prior to the end of this seventh ~ash
cycle, the drain ~alve frGm ,-he compartment for drum 7
is opened, as shown in Fig. 7, to quickly drain liquor
therefrom. As the scoop in drurn 6 reaches its transfer
position,the white goods in drum 6 are moved into drum
7, and the dyed goods from drum 7 are transferred into
drum 8, as also shown in ~ig. 8.
At the beginning of the eighth wash cycle, as
shown in Fig. 8, the drain valve from the compartment
for drum 7 is closed, ~d the fast-fill line leading
thereto is opened to replace the liquor which has been
drained therefrom, and the chemical augrnentation line
C-A is opened to replace the chernicals that have been
lost in the liquor. Also, the flow~not ~alve FNV in
the conduit 36 is opened and the bypass valve in -the
drain leg therefor closed, so that "hen the drained
liquor has been replaced :in the cornpartmen'c 7, the
fast-fill line ma~ ~e closed and the le~el therein
maintained as liquor supplied throucJh the slo.~-fill
line leadiny to the compartment ror drurn 6 ls circulated
through the conduit 36 into the cornpartment for drum 7,
and then drained therefrorn thr~iugh the loop I in the
compartment for drum 7.
1~8i~;~9~3
-22-
Just prior to the end of the eighth wash
cycle, the drain valve from the compartment for drum
8 is opened, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to drain liquor
- from the compartment, following which the white goods
in the drum 7 are transferred into drum 8, the dyed
goods from drum 8 are transferred into the conveyor 30.
Although, at the beginning of the ninth wash
cycle, the last batch of dyed red goods R are out of
the machine and moving on the conveyor 30 toward the
extractor, it is nevertheless necessary to drain the
liquor from the compartment for the drum 8 inasmuch as
that liquor is incompati~le with the white goods W
which are transferred into the drum fro~ the drum 7
at the end of the eighth wash cycle. Then, of course,
it is necessary to rapidly fill the compartment for the
drum ~ with liquor through the fast-fill line leading
to that compartment, as shown in Fig. 9, the drain valve
from that compartment having been closed. When this
liquor reaches the desired leveI, fast-fill line is
closed and the slow-fill line "S-F" is open, the loop
L for such compartment ~aintaining the ~esired level
of liquor therein as it is circulated therethrough.
Chemical in the form of starch may be added to the new
supply of liquor, and augmented through chemical aug-
mentation line C-A, as also indicated in Fig. 9, to
replace the starch lost upon drainage of the liquor from
the compartment for drum 8
The relatively uncomplicated functions to
be performed in the operation of a conventional machine
of this type wherein the goods moving through the
machine are identical and/or there are otherwise no
causes for incompatibility, are ordinarily programmed.
Thus, the user of the machine need not constantly
monitor these functions, which would include, in addi-
tion to starting and stopping of the wash cycles,other functions dependent on the formula of the goods
-23-
moving through the machine, which may dictate tempera-
ture changes, addition of chemicals, etc.
A machine constructed in accordance with the
present invention would also preferably be designed to
operate automatically in response to incompatibilities
created by the formulas, such as those previously
mentioned. In the above-described operation, the
formula is of course relatively uncomplicated -- i.e.,
simply dyed goods followed by white goods - but is
believed adequate to illustrate the basic concepts of
the present invention.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this
invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends
and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other
advantages which are obvious ana which are inherent to
the method and apparatus.
It will be understood that certain features
and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and subcombinations.
This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the
claims.
~ s many possible embodiments may be made of
the invention without departing from the scope thereof,
it is to be understood that all ~atter herein set forth
or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be inter-
preted as illustrati~e and not in a limiting sense.
