There are disclosed two embodiments of a top transfer type continuous batch washing machine comprising an intermediate outer housing and an additional outer housing at each end thereof, with each outer housing having one or more bath sections, and a continuous elongate inner housing made up of cylindrically shaped drums having their inlets and outlets connected to one another. Rollers are mounted on the outside of the outer housings in position to support tubular members which extend between adjacent sections of the inner housing to suspend the lower portion of each drum of an intermediate section in a bath section of the intermediate outer housing and the lower portion of each drum of each outer section in a bath section of an additional outer housing. Chains are also mounted on the outside of the outer housings to rotate the tubular members and thus the inner housing as a whole, and the module or modules of each drum has a scoop arranged to oscillate or rotate in one directional sense to permit circulation of liquid through the goods and rotate in the opposite directional sense to transfer the goods through the outlet into the inlet of an adjacent drum or module.

A cleaning and plating method and apparatus comprising a plurality of tank assemblies arranged in series through which a batch of articles to be cleaned and plated is moved successively. Each tank assembly comprises a tank containing liquid treating or plating material. A barrel is at least partly submerged in each tank and is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The ends of the barrel are open and the barrel is formed with baffles on the interior thereof. When the barrel is rotated in one direction, the articles are agitated through the liquid and when the barrel is rotated in the other direction, the articles are elevated and deposited on a chute for transfer to the next succeeding tank assembly. Provision is made for supplying electrical power to some of the assemblies in order to plate the article. Novel barrel means are provided for minimizing drainage problems. Further, a novel chute system and barrel support system are included. Finally, a novel recirculating system for short-term treatment is provided.

A method of treating the surfaces of workpieces by means of a mass of smooth-surface or abrasive particles which impinge upon the workpiece surface, comprising the steps of placing the particles into a state of free fall, and in the presence of a friction-reducing medium causing the particles to impact upon the surface of the workpiece. The apparatus used in the performance of the inventive method comprises means for elevating the particles to a path of free fall for such particles, means for supporting and rotating the workpieces at the region of free fall of the particles, and means for introducing a friction-reducing medium for contact with the workpieces and particles.

A continuous batch laundry system is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of longitudinally aligned modules with an inlet chute at one end and a discharge chute at the other end. Each module includes a stationary shell and a rotatably supported drum or cylinder within the shell. A plurality of support bearings are suspended from within the stationary shell and serve to support each cylinder for oscillatory and rotary movement about a horizontal axis. By utilizing suspended bearings variations in length and alignment due to thermal expansion and contraction may be easily accommodated. Individual cylinders each include a large opening in both spaced apart end walls for receiving and transferring articles between adjacent cylinders. A transfer chute associated with each cylinder is utilized to retain articles within a cylinder during oscillation and to transfer articles into an adjacent successive cylinder in response to rotation of the cylinder. Adjoining cylinders are coupled together utilizing sleeves which extend from each end wall of each cylinder. Each sleeve includes a sprocket gear disposed about the extended end of the sleeve and adjoining sprocket gears are then wrapped with a roller chain to permit rotational torque to be transmitted from one cylinder to another despite minor misalignments between cylinders.

There are disclosed alternate embodiments of a top transfer type continuous batch washing machine each comprising an inner housing made up of cylindrically shaped drums having inlets and outlets in their end walls connected to one another, and an outer housing having walls in its lower portion to form individual bath sections in which the lower portions of perforated outer walls of the drums are suspended. Scoops within the drums enable the drums to oscillate or rotate in one directional sense to permit the circulation of liquid through the goods and rotate in the opposite directional sense to transfer the goods through the outlet and into the inlet of the adjacent drum.