Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An industrial laundry washer/extractor unit is provided with an integral water and heat reclaim system which includes a pair of water reclaim tanks supported in an elevated position on the unit's body section above the washing drum. A single pipe water transfer system is connected between the elevated tanks and the drum and has a pump operatively installed therein at or somewhat below the water operating level of the drum. The transfer system is controlled by a microprocessor to transfer used rinse water at different temperatures from the drum to the tanks and then re-transfer tank water to the drum for re-use as wash water in subsequent wash cycles of the unit. The temperatures of the reclaimed rinse water in the tanks closely match the wash temperatures in subsequent wash cycles so that a significant water heating cost savings is achieved together with reduced water and cleaning agent usage.

Abstract: 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.