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US 4,236,393 AGranted
Continuous tunnel batch washer
AssigneePellerin Milnor Corporation
InventorJames M. Katzfey
Life of this patent
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AssigneePellerin Milnor Corporation
InventorJames M. Katzfey
Estimating the term…
A continuous tunnel batch washer of modular construction with the number of modules varying depending upon installational requirements and each module including a drum rotatably supported and driven to oscillate in a predetermined manner during the washing cycle and to rotate unidirectionally during transfer of the load from one module to a succeeding module with a unique chute or trough arrangement extending between the modules for transferring the wash load from one module to a next successive module. The drum in each module is roller supported and chain driven from a common shaft with a plurality of independent motors driving the shaft by a belt drive with each module including a reduction gear driven from the shaft and having an output driving the sprocket chain for the oscillatable and rotatable drum. A programmed control device provides continuous control of each batch of articles being laundered as they progress to the successive modules in the machine.
A longitudinally extending continuous tunnel batch washer comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned modules with inlet means at one end of the washer for feeding articles to be laundered into the washer and discharge means at the opposite end of the washer, each module including a stationary casing and a rotatably supported drum within the casing with the drum being supported for oscillatory and rotary movement about a horizontal axis, each drum including spaced end walls, each end wall of each drum including a large opening, means forming a connection between the openings to provide communication between adjacent modules, and each drum including a transfer chute mounted therein retaining articles to be laundered during oscillation and transferring the article from one drum to an adjacent successive drum during unidirectional rotation, said chute including an inclined wall having a discharge end connected to a portion of the periphery of the opening in one end wall of the drum and an end wall connecting the opposite end of the inclined wall to the opening in the opposite end wall of the drum with the end wall of the chute occupying a small portion of the opening in the end wall of the drum to reduce interference with incoming articles, said inclined wall of the chute being spirally configured circumferentially of the drum with at least one side edge of the inclined wall being spaced from the periphery of the drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.