Abstract: A method for processing polyester-cotton blend textile waste includes adding polyester-cotton blend textile waste to a rotating drum of a rotary hydrolysis reactor. Water and a base are added to the rotary hydrolysis reactor and heated. The polyester-cotton blend textile waste is agitated with a plurality of ribs by rotating the inner drum relative to a housing of the rotary hydrolysis reactor to enable the hydrolysis of PET into a TPA and ethylene glycol solution with solid reclaimed cotton free of PET. The TPA and ethylene glycol solution is separated from the solid reclaimed cotton and directed to a hydrolysate recovery vessel. In the hydrolysate recovery vessel the TPA is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid and the ethylene glycol is then recovered.

Abstract: A method for processing polyester-cotton blend textile waste includes adding polyester-cotton blend textile waste to a rotating drum of a rotary hydrolysis reactor. Water and a base are added to the rotary hydrolysis reactor and heated. The polyester-cotton blend textile waste is agitated with a plurality of ribs by rotating the inner drum relative to a housing of the rotary hydrolysis reactor to enable the hydrolysis of PET into a TPA and ethylene glycol solution with solid reclaimed cotton free of PET. The TPA and ethylene glycol solution is separated from the solid reclaimed cotton and directed to a hydrolysate recovery vessel. In the hydrolysate recovery vessel the TPA is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid and the ethylene glycol is then recovered.

Abstract: A washer extractor machine is provided. The washer extractor machine includes a casing defining an interior chamber that is accessed through a first opening in the casing that has an associated outer door. A cylinder body is supported for rotation in the interior chamber of the casing. The cylinder body has a hollow interior that is accessed through a second opening in the cylinder body. An inner door is supported on the cylinder body for movement relative to the second opening between open and closed positions. A door closing sensing system includes a sensor element and a target element supported on the inner door. The sensor element and the target element being arranged relative to one another such that the target is in alignment with the line-of-sight of the sensor element when the inner door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A washer extractor machine is provided. The washer extractor machine includes a casing defining an interior chamber that is accessed through a first opening in the casing that has an associated outer door. A cylinder body is supported for rotation in the interior chamber of the casing. The cylinder body has a hollow interior that is accessed through a second opening in the cylinder body. An inner door is supported on the cylinder body for movement relative to the second opening between open and closed positions. A door closing sensing system includes a sensor element and a target element supported on the inner door. The sensor element and the target element being arranged relative to one another such that the target is in alignment with the line-of-sight of the sensor element when the inner door is in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming simulated wear patterns and designs in denim pants using laser rays. The apparatus includes an indexable carousel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pant-supporting mandrels that are sequentially indexable to a plurality of stations located about the carousel, including a loading station, a laser station, and an unloading station. The mandrels each comprise articulated linkage that is selectively actuatable between a retractable condition that permits positioning of a pair of pants onto the mandrel at the loading station and an expanded condition that tautly supports the pants in predetermined position at the laser station such that a laser generated pattern can be formed at predetermined locations on the pants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming simulated wear patterns and designs in denim pants using laser rays. The apparatus includes an indexable carousel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pant-supporting mandrels that are sequentially indexable to a plurality of stations located about the carousel, including a loading station, a laser station, and an unloading station. The mandrels each comprise articulated linkage that is selectively actuatable between a retractable condition that permits positioning of a pair of pants onto the mandrel at the loading station and an expanded condition that tautly supports the pants in predetermined position at the laser station such that a laser generated pattern can be formed at predetermined locations on the pants.

Abstract: A shuttle hopper system for loading and unloading commercial washers and dryers is provided. The shuttle hopper is equipped with a bucket for receiving laundry items and further includes lift and tilt assemblies which lift and rotate the bucket into a dumping position for discharging the laundry items into either a washer or a dryer. The shuttle hopper is adapted to move between at least one washer and one dryer such that the shuttle hopper can be utilized to transfer wet laundry items from the washer to the dryer. The shuttle hopper also may include a pulling fin assembly which selectively deploys a plurality of pulling fins in the shuttle bucket. The pulling fins are operable to move the laundry items contained within the shuttle bucket so as to facilitate the loading of items into the bucket and the discharge of items from the bucket.

Abstract: A shuttle hopper system for loading and unloading commercial washers and dryers is provided. The shuttle hopper is equipped with a bucket for receiving laundry items and further includes lift and tilt assemblies which lift and rotate the bucket into a dumping position for discharging the laundry items into either a washer or a dryer. The shuttle hopper is adapted to move between at least one washer and one dryer such that the shuttle hopper can be utilized to transfer wet laundry items from the washer to the dryer. The shuttle hopper also may include a pulling fin assembly which selectively deploys a plurality of pulling fins in the shuttle bucket. The pulling fins are operable to move the laundry items contained within the shuttle bucket so as to facilitate the loading of items into the bucket and the discharge of items from the bucket.

Abstract: A unitary system for recycling contaminated solid material such as plastic chips having contaminants on the surface includes an elongated vessel having an inlet for contaminated solid material adjacent one end and an outlet for cleaned solid material at a second end. A plurality of divider walls are spaced apart along the length of the vessel to form a plurality of discrete, separate, spaced apart treatment chambers and each chamber is adapted for holding an individual charge of solid material being treated. Charges in the chambers are moved simultaneously from chamber to chamber from the inlet toward the outlet. Piping is provided for introducing various liquid media into the respective treatment chambers for washing away the contaminants from the surface of the solid material. During each operational cycle, the vessel is rotated at a suitable speed in an oscillating fashion to provide washing action as basher bars move the contaminated solid material through the liquid medium.

Abstract: A washing and extracting machine includes a frame assembly on which a cylindrical housing is rotatably and pivotally mounted. The housing is connected to the frame assembly by releasable connectors each including a pin secured to the housing and a toggle latch mechanism mounted on the frame and actuated by a actuator. A hydraulic motor is secured to the housing to rotate it relative to the frame. An extensible cylinder is mounted on the frame and to a bracket secured to the cylindrical housing. Upon actuation, the extensible cylinder pivots the housing relative to the frame. The bracket includes a slot in which an end of the extensible cylinder is slidably positioned. A toggle latch is mounted on the bracket to lock the end of the extensible cylinder in the slot during pivoting of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for batch continuous laundry processing involves a system for continuously centrifugally extracting fluids from sequentially received batches of washed laundry. The discrete batches of laundry are continuously received by a conveying apparatus that automatically loads the batches into the discrete compartments defined within the segmented drum of the extractor. While the extractor is rotating, the conveying apparatus arranges a plurality of laundry batches to be quickly loaded into the extractor upon completion of the processing of the previous batches so that the conveying and processing is completely continuous and automatic. The conveying apparatus is vertically, laterally and longitudinally translatable to receive the batches from a washer at one level, to arrange the batches in two rows, and then to automatically feed them, for example two at a time, into the compartments of the segmented extractor.