A commercial/industrial washing machine is provided with a body section which is pivotable between a loading and washing position in which the body section is horizontal, and an unloading position in which the body is forwardly inclined at an angle of approximately 7.5.degree.. The body section carries a washing drum which is rearwardly and downwardly inclined at an angle of approximately 2.5.degree. relative to the body section and is provided with internal breaker ribs inclined at an angle of approximately 15.degree. relative to the drum axis. A loading chute is pivotally connected to the upper end of the body section and is movable between a raised position in which the chute is spaced apart from the drum opening, and a lowered position in which the chute outlet communicates with the interior of the drum, the chute being provided with a counterweight system to counterbalance the weight of the chute. During loading of the machine the body section is moved to its horizontal loading and washing position, the chute is moved to its lowered position, and the drum is rotated. Dry launderable items are then dropped into the chute and water is flowed through the chute into the rotating drum. The water flowing through the chute wets and compresses the launderable items therein and assists in carrying them into the drum where they are engaged by forward end portions of the rotating breaker ribs. The inclined ribs function to automatically pull the items into the drum. During rotational oscillation of the drum the inclined ribs also function to impart an axial oscillation to the items being laundered to significantly improve the washing and rinsing action of the machine, an action which is further enhanced by the slight rearward and downward tilt of the rotating drum. The drum is provided with an annular forward end wall portion which is forwardly and radially inwardly sloped at an angle of approximately 15.degree. relative to a plane perpendicularly intersected by the drum axis and positioned rearwardly of such forward end wall portion. With the body section in its forwardly tilted unloading position this sloped drum wall portion adds an extra measure of forward tilt to the outlet portion of the drum to further facilitate the unloading of the machine.
A rotary washer/extractor for use with textiles and other materials includes a dynamically controlled suspension system for supporting the washer/extractor from a stationary frame to minimize forces exerted onto the frame and transmitted to the floor or other structure supporting the washer/extractor. The suspension system includes a plurality of supports extending between the frame and the washer/extractor at spaced apart locations in relation to the spin axis. At least one of the supports is a variable length member which may be continually adjusted to vary the distance between the frame and the washer/extractor and thereby minimize the forces caused by eccentric masses of textiles and washing fluids contained in the washer/extractor. A force sensor is provided for measuring the force acting between the washer/extractor and the frame. A processor is provided for receiving the measured force and generating an output response for varying the length of the support to minimize the value of the force and its vibratory effect on the frame. The suspension system is particularly useful for rotary washer/extractors having a drum rotating about horizontal as well as vertical axes and is especially adapted for reducing and minimizing vibratory forces.
A seal and bearing assembly for fabric treatment machines includes a bearing housing mounted on the machine shell providing a bearing journaling a rotatable shaft. A seal retainer is separately mounted on the shell inboard of the bearing housing and provides seals which normally prevent leakage along the shaft toward the bearing. The seal retainer and bearing housing are axially spaced and cooperate to define a drain chamber sufficiently large to prevent clogging by lint and the like. Release of the housing and movement thereof away from the shell provides access to the seal retainer for replacement of worn seals.
An enzyme bath maintenance system is provided for use in such textile treating fields as stonewashing, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, including the use of enzymes as the active agent, in which the enzymes are utilized within narrowly controlled ranges of pH and temperature. As a means for providing heat for controlling the temperature, a heat exchanger in which the heat source is hot water at a temperature not more than 12 .degree. C. higher than that of the desired temperature, is disposed within the apparatus. The heat exchanger and the apparatus as a whole are designed to avoid pockets which allow the enzyme to become entrapped therein. The apparatus further includes automated means for detecting, monitoring and reporting bath parameters such as pH and temperature, with output for manual or automatic control thereof, and means for agitating the enzyme bath to maintain uniform distribution of the enzyme.
A laundry machine includes a drum having an opening through which launderable items may be delivered into and withdrawn from and a hopper unit that defines an internal passage between first and second open ends thereof. The hopper unit is pivotally attached to the laundry machine between an in-use position in which the second open end of the hopper unit is aligned with the drum opening for loading the machine and a non-use position in which the hopper unit is positioned remote from the drum opening to permit unloading of the drum. The hopper unit includes a closure member, mounted within the internal passage, that is movable between an open position wherein launderable items can freely pass through the internal passage and a closed position wherein the closure member closes the internal passage. With this arrangement, the hopper unit remains in its in-use position during both loading and laundering stages of operation of the machine and functions to reduce cycle time, increase machine capacity, improve safety and enhance machine efficiency.
A laundry machine includes a drum having an opening through which launderable items may be delivered into and withdrawn from and a hopper unit that defines an internal passage between first and second open ends thereof. The hopper unit is pivotally attached to the laundry machine between an in-use position in which the second open end of the hopper unit is aligned with the drum opening for loading the machine and a non-use position in which the hopper unit is positioned remote from the drum opening to permit unloading of the drum. The hopper unit includes a closure member, mounted within the internal passage, that is movable between an open position wherein launderable items can freely pass through the internal passage and a closed position wherein the closure member closes the internal passage. With this arrangement, the hopper unit remains in its in-use position during both loading and laundering stages of operation of the machine and functions to reduce cycle time, increase machine capacity, improve safety and enhance machine efficiency.
