Laundry machine

Abstract

The present invention is a laundry machine for reusing detergent components contained in waste wash water. Water stored in an outer tub 5 during washing process and rinsing process is discharged from the outer tub 5 and introduced into a water storage tank 17. By energizing an anode 19 and a cathode 20 to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17, organic materials are deposited and separated and at the same time detergent components are separated and floated up. The separated detergent components are stored in a detergent container 30, which are supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused during the washing process of the next washing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laundry machine in which water is stored in a washing container and the laundry is washed in the washing container.

2. Description of Related Art

A laundry machine has a washing container capable of loading the laundry and the laundry is washed in the washing container in which water is stored. At the time of washing, usually by putting a detergent into the washing container, the laundry is washed with the water in which the detergent is solved. If the laundry is washed with a detergent, organic materials (pollutants) attached to the laundry can be well separated and the detergency can be improved.

Many of commercially available detergents are synthetic detergents containing surfactants as the main component such as sodium alkyl-benzene sulfonate (ABS) or sodium linear alkyl-benzene sulfonate (LAS) which is hard to be biologically treated. In a conventional laundry machine, since water used for washing is drained without any treatment, the abovementioned surfactants contained in the synthetic detergents are discharged as sewage without any treatment. The water discharge increases the burden of the water treatment in the sewage treatment plant and at the same time it is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection.

For solving this problem, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application (Kokai) No. 1998-118390 proposes a laundry machine in which, by electrolyzing the water used for washing to decompose the surfactants contained in the water and remove the detergent components from the water, the water freed of the detergent components can be discharged.

However, in this prior art, though the detergent components contained in the waste water can be removed, there is a problem that the detergent components contained in the waste water cannot be reused for washing. If the detergent components contained in the waste water can be reused, it is very economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made against such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine capable of reusing the detergent components contained in the waste water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine capable of realizing more economical washing.

According to the present invention, waste water used for washing and discharged from the washing container is stored and electrolyzed, so that organic materials and detergent components contained in the waste water are separated. And the separated detergent components are used as a detergent for the next washing. Further, the purified water freed of organic materials and detergent components is used for the next washing and rinsing.

Therefore, according to the present invention, wash water and a detergent can be reused, which is very economical and at the same time preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematical sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the washing machine is sectioned along a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction and seen from the right side.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of control operation by a control section when washing is carried out by the washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematical sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the washing machine 1 is sectioned along a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction and seen from the right side. In FIG. 1, the left side is the front side of the machine and the right side is the rear side thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the washing machine 1 is defined by a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2, and a washing container 3 in which the laundry can be contained is provided inside the housing 2. In the upper end surface of the housing 2, provided is an opening 2A through which the laundry is put into and taken out of the washing container 3. The opening 2A can be opened and closed by means of a cover 4, and by opening the cover 4, the laundry can be put into and taken out of the washing container 3 through the opening 2A.

The washing container 3 includes an outer tub 5 in which water can be stored and an inner tub 6 which is provided inside the outer tub 5 and functions as a washing and rinsing tub. The outer tub 5 is a cylindrical bottomed member including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 51 the axis line of which extends in the vertical direction and a bottom wall 52 closing a bottom opening of the circumferential wall 51, and having an opening 53 in the top end surface. On the other hand, the inner tub 6 is a cylindrical bottomed member including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 61 with a number of small holes (not shown) the axis line of which extends in the vertical direction and the diameter of which is smaller than that of the circumferential wall 51 of the outer tub 5 and a bottom wall 62 closing a bottom opening of the circumferential wall 61, and having an opening 63 in the top end surface.

At the rear end portion of the top surface of the housing 2, provided is a connection port 2B to which one end of a connection hose (not shown) is connected with the other end thereof being connected to a water supply equipment outside the washing machine 1. In the housing 2, a water supply pipe 9 is connected through a water supply valve 10 to the connection port 2B. The distal end of the water supply pipe 9 is in the upper portion of the rear portion of the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6. In a washing process, a rinsing process, and the like, by opening the water supply valve 10, water is supplied through the water supply pipe 9 into the inner tub 6. A part of the water supplied into the inner tub 6 flows through the small holes to the outer tub 5 side (outside of the inner tub 6) and is stored in the outer tub 5 including the inner tub 6.

In the bottom portion of the inner tub 6, provided is a pulsator 7 for agitating the water stored in the outer tub 5 to generate water flow. Below the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, provided is a bearing part 8 rotatably carrying a rotation shaft 81 for supporting the inner tub 6 and the pulsator 7. The rotation shaft 81 has a double shaft structure in which a wing shaft is rotatably penetrated through an inner tub shaft (not shown). The distal end of the inner tub shaft is fixed to the central portion of the bottom wall 62 of the inner tub 6. The distal end of the wing shaft is fixed to the central portion of the pulsator 7.

The rotation shaft 81 of the bearing part 8 is rotationally driven by a motor 11. Provided below the bearing part 8 is a clutch device 12 including a clutch for changing over the transmission of the rotational force between only to the wing shaft and both to the inner tub shaft and the wing shaft, a reduction mechanism for reducing the rotational force of the motor 11 at a predetermined reduction ratio, and the like.

The clutch device 12 is provided with a transmission shaft 121 connected to the rotation shaft 81 through the clutch, the reduction mechanism, and the like. The lower end portion of the transmission shaft 121 protrudes downwardly from the clutch device 12. Further, the motor 11 is provided with a downwardly protruding rotation shaft 111. Pulleys 112, 122 are attached to the lower end portions of the rotation shaft 111 of the motor 11 and the transmission shaft 121 respectively, and a transmission belt 13 is wound around these pulleys 112, 122.

During the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted only to the wing shaft by the clutch device 12, so that only the pulsator 7 rotate. On the other hand, during a dehydrating process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted both to the inner tub shaft and the wing shaft by the clutch device 12, so that the inner tub 6 and the pulsator 7 rotate together (at the same rotational rate).

In the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, provided is a drain port 55 for draining water from the outer tub 5. One end portion of a drain pipe 15 is connected to the drain port 55 with the other end portion thereof reaching a drain equipment outside the laundry machine.

A drain valve 14 is interposed in the way of the drain pipe 15. Opening the water supply valve 10 with the drain valve 14 closed allows water to be stored in the outer tub 5. Further, opening the drain valve 14 allows water stored in the outer tub 5 to be discharged through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1.

One end portion of a branched pipe 16 is connected to a portion of the drain pipe 15 on the upstream side of the drain valve 14. In the bottom portion of the housing 2, provided is a water storage tank 17 capable of storing as much water as stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process. The other end of the branched pipe 16 is communicated with the inside of the water storage tank 17 from the upper surface of the water storage tank 17. In the way of the branched pipe 17, a water storage valve 18 is interposed. According to such a structure, by opening the water storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed when water is stored in the outer tub 5, water in the outer tub 5 can be introduced into the water storage tank 17 through the branched pipe 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, when water stored in the outer tub 5 is drained from the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process, the water is not drained to the outside of the laundry machine 1 through the drain pipe 14 but can be introduced into the water storage tank 17 through the branched pipe 16 thus to be stored in the water storage tank 17.

In the water storage tank 17, a plurality of electrodes (for example, a pair of electrodes comprising an anode 19 and a cathode 20) for electrolyzing water stored in this water storage tank 17 are opposed with a predetermined space therebetween. The anode 19 can be formed of a material such as iron, aluminum, magnesium or the like (material from which metal ions are eluted). The cathode 20 can be formed of the same material with that of the anode 19 (such as iron, aluminum, magnesium or the like) or of a different material such as stainless from that of the anode 19 (material from which metal ions are not eluted) A cover 21 which can be opened and closed is provided in the lower portion of the rear surface of the housing 2. By opening this cover 21, the electrodes 19, 20 in the housing 2 (in the water storage tank 17) can be maintained (exchanged).

The anode 19 and the cathode 20 are respectively connected to a control section 22 for controlling the operation of the laundry machine 1. The control section 22 is, for example, a structure including a microcomputer and controls the energization to the anode 19 and the cathode 20, the driving of the motor 11, the clutch device 12, a belowmentioned detergent suction pump 23, detergent supply pump 24 and treated water supply pump 25, and the opening and closing of the various kinds of valves (the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 14, the water storage valve 18, and a belowmentioned treated water suction valve 26, treated water supply valve 27 and drain valve 28) and the like. The anode 19 and the cathode 20 are supplied with electric power of a voltage not more than 15V and a current of about 1.2 A, for example.

In the case of the anode 19 formed of iron, when the anode 19 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electrochemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment the anode 19.
Fe→Fe³⁺+3e⁻
Fe³⁺+OH⁻→Fe(OH)_3↓

In the case of the anode 19 formed of aluminum, when the anode 19 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electro-chemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment of the anode 19.
Al→Al³⁺+3 e⁻
Al³⁺+3OH⁻→Al(O H)_3↓

In the case of the anode 19 formed of magnesium, when the anode 19 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electrochemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment of the anode 19.
Mg→Mg²⁺+2e⁻
Mg²⁺+2OH⁻→Mg(OH)_2↓

When the anode 19 is energized as mentioned above, metal ions (iron ions, aluminum ions, magnesium ions or the like) having positive potentials are eluted, so that an insoluble metal hydroxide (iron hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or the like) is produced. Since the resultant metal hydroxide has specific gravity higher than that of water, it is precipitated in the bottom portion of the water storage tank 17. The water drained from the outer tub 5 and stored in the water storage tank 17 is water having used for washing and contains organic materials (pollutants). The organic materials (pollutants) generally have negative potentials and therefore are flocculated by the metal ions eluted from the anode 19 thus to be precipitated together with the metal hydroxide. Consequently, organic materials contained in the water stored in the water storage tank 17 can be well separated.

On the other hand, when the cathode 20 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such an electro-chemical reaction as represented by the following formula occurs in the environment of the cathode 20.
2H⁺+2e⁻→H_2↑

When the cathode 20 is energized like this, hydrogen gas is generated from the environment of the cathode 20. When washing is carried out with the use of a detergent, detergent components are suspended in the water drained from the outer tub 5 and stored in the water storage tank 17. However, the detergent components can be floated up to the water surface and separated by hydrogen gas generated from the environment of the cathode 20. Consequently, the detergent components contained in the water in the water storage tank 17 can be suitably separated.

In the water storage tank 17, the lower end of a detergent suction pipe 29 is opened at a position somewhat higher than the water level in the water storage tank 17 (position where the floated and separated detergent components are stored). A detergent container 30 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 2, and the upper end of the detergent suction pipe 29 is communicated with the detergent container 30 through the bottom wall of the detergent container 30. In the way of the detergent suction pipe 29, the detergent suction pump 23 is interposed. In the bottom portion of the detergent container 30, opened is one end of a detergent supply pipe 31, the other end of which reaches the upper portion of the rear portion of the inner tub 6. In the way of the detergent supply pipe 31, the detergent supply pump 24 is interposed.

Further, in the water storage tank 17, the lower end of a treated water supply pipe 32 is opened at a position near the intermediate portion of the water level in the water storage tank 17, higher than the position where organic materials are deposited and separated, and lower than the position where the detergent components are floated and separated. The upper end of the treated water supply pipe 32 is communicated with the water supply pipe 9 at a position in the downstream of the water supply valve 10. In the way of the treated water supply pipe 32, the treated water supply pump 25 is interposed. Further, in the way of the treated water supply pipe 32, the treated water suction valve 26 is interposed on the side of the water storage tank 17 with respect to the treated water supply pump 25, and the treated water supply valve 27 is interposed on the side of the water supply pipe 9 with respect to the treated water supply pump 25.

The bottom portion of the water storage tank 17 has a downwardly tapered shape like a hopper, and in the lowest portion thereof, provided is an outlet port 33 through which water and the like in the water storage tank 17 is discharged. Connected to the outlet port 33 is one end of an outlet pipe 34, the other end of which is communicated with the drain pipe 15 at a portion thereof in the downstream of the drain valve 14. In the way of the outlet pipe 34, an outlet valve 28 is interposed.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of control operation by the control section 22 when washing is carried out by the washing machine 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the laundry machine 1 is started to operate, the control section 22 opens the water supply valve 10 to supply tap water into the outer tub 5 to a predetermined level (Step S1) and then rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner thus to carry out the washing process (Step S2). Then, when the washing process ends, the control section 22 opens the water storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed, thereby discharges water from the outer tub 5, and at the same time stores the water discharged from the outer tub 5 into the water storage tank 17 (Step S3). At this time, the outlet valve 28, the treated water suction valve 26, and the treated water supply valve 27 are closed and the operations of the detergent suction pump 23, the detergent supply pump 24, and the treated water supply pump 25 are stopped.

After the water discharged from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17 in such a manner, the control section 22 energizes the anode 19 and the cathode 20 thus to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17 (Step S4; electrolyzing process). As a result, the organic materials and the detergent components are separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17. During this electrolyzing process (Step S4), the control section 22 operates the detergent suction pump 23, so that the detergent components floated up and separated in the water storage tank 17 are stored into the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe 29 (Step S14).

After carrying out the electrolyzing process (Step S4) for a predetermined time, the control section 22 stops the operation of the detergent suction pump 23, opens the treated water suction valve 26 and the treated water supply valve 27, and at the same time operates the treated water supply pump 25, so that the water in the water storage tank 17 after the electrolyzing process, that is, the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components (treated water) is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the treated water supply pipe 32 and the water supply pipe 9 (Step S5). At this time, the drain valve 14 and the water storage valve 18 are closed, and the treated water supplied into the outer tub 5 is stored in the outer tub 5.

After that, the control section 22 rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner to carry out an intermediate rinsing process as a first step of the rinsing process (Step S6). This intermediate rinsing process is carried out for the purpose of separating (diluting) the detergent components from the laundry containing a large amount of detergent components after the washing process. When the intermediate rinsing step ends, the control section 22 opens the water storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed, discharges the water in the outer tub 5 from the outer tub 5, and stores the water discharged from the outer tub 5 into the water storage tank 17 (Step S7). At this time, the outlet valve 28, the treated water suction valve 26, and the treated water supply valve 27 are closed, and the operations of the detergent suction pump 23, the detergent supply pump 24, and the treated water supply pump 25 are stopped.

After the water in the outer tub 5 is stored into the water storage tank 17 in such a manner, the control section 22 energizes the anode 19 and the cathode 20 to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17 (Step S8; electrolyzing process). As a result, the organic materials and the detergent components are separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17. During this electrolyzing process (Step S8), the control section 22 drives the detergent suction pump 23, thereby to store the floated and separated detergent components in the water storage tank 17 in the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe 29 (Step S14).

After carrying out the electrolyzing process (Step S8) for a predetermined time, the control section 22 stops the operation of the detergent suction pump 23, opens the treated water suction valve 26 and the treated water supply valve 25, and drives the treated water supply pump 25, so that the water in the water storage tank 17 after the electrolyzing process, that is, the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components (treated water) is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the treated water supply pipe 32 and the water supply pipe 9 (Step S9). At this time, the drain valve 14 and the water storage valve 18 are closed and therefore, the water supplied into the outer tub 5 is stored in the outer tub 5.

Thereafter, the control section 22 rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner, thereby to carry out a final rinsing process as a final step of the rinsing process (Step S10). Then, after the final rinsing process ends, the control section 22 opens the drain valve 14 with the water storage valve 18 closed, thereby to drain the water in the outer tub 5 through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1 (Step S11). At this time, the control section 22 opens the discharge valve 28, thereby to discharge the water and the like (separated and deposited organic materials and the remaining detergent components and treated water) stored in the water storage tank 17 through the outlet pipe 34 and the drain pipe 16 to the outside of the laundry machine 1 (Step S12). Thereby, the organic materials separated from the water in the water storage tank 17 can be discharged to the outside of the water storage tank 17, so that the organic materials can be prevented from accumulating in the water storage tank 17. After the water in the outer tub 5 is wholly drained, the control section 22 drives the motor 11 to rotate the inner tub 6 at a high speed and carries out the dehydrating process for dispersing the water contained in the laundry by centrifugal force(Step S13), and then the operation of the laundry machine ends. The detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 (Step S14) during the electrolyzing process (Steps S4, S8) are to be supplied into the outer tub 5 during the next washing process. At this time, the control section 22 operates the detergent supply pump 24 to supply the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 into the outer tub 5 through the detergent supply pipe 31.

In this embodiment, in the case of carrying out washing with the use of a detergent, water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing (water mixed with detergent components) is stored into the water storage tank 17 at the time of draining and electrolyzed, so that the organic materials (pollutants separated from the laundry) and the detergent components contained in the water can be separated. In addition, since the separated detergent components can be stored in the detergent container 30, the stored detergent can be reused, for example, for the next washing thus to realize economical washing.

Especially, since the detergent components can be separated with the organic materials (pollutants) having been removed therefrom, washing with a higher detergency can be realized when the separated detergent components are reused.

Further, in this embodiment, since the water containing a large amount of detergent components stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process and the rinsing process (intermediate rinsing process) is led into the water storage tank 17 and then electrolyzed, the detergent components can be well separated.

Further, in this embodiment, the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 can be automatically supplied into the outer tub 5 during the washing process of the next washing, which is very convenient.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the treated water from which the organic materials and the detergent components have been removed by the electrolysis can be supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused during the intermediate rinsing process and the final rinsing process, which is very economical.

Especially, since the treated water obtained after the electrolyzing process is soft water from which metal ions such as calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in tap water have been removed, washing with a higher detergency can be realized when the treated water is supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused for washing.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the abovementioned embodiments but can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

For example, a filtration filter or an ozone generator may be interposed in the way of the treated water supply pipe 32. The ozone generator can have, for example, a known structure in which a high voltage is applied to a wire to generate ozone gas by corona discharge. With these arrangements, treated water from which impurities are removed by the filtration filter or treated water cleaned (sterilized) by dissolving ozone gas generated from the ozone generator can be supplied into the outer tub 5, so that washing with higher detergency can be realized by reusing the treated water.

The water storage tank 17 is not limited to one disposed inside the housing 2 but may be disposed outside the housing 2.

When the water storage tank 17 is disposed inside the housing 2 as in the abovementioned embodiment, it is sometimes difficult that the water storage tank 17 is arranged to have a dimension capable of containing the same amount of water as that of the water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process. On the other hand, when the water storage tank 17 is disposed outside the housing 2, such a problem does not occur and the whole amount of water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process (the intermediate rinsing process) can be stored electrolyzed in the water storage tank 17. Accordingly, the whole amount of water discharged from the outer tub 5 can be supplied again into the outer tub 5 as the treated water, so that the amount of the water used for washing can be reduced and a larger amount of detergent can be separated and reused, which is more economical.

However, the present invention is not limited to a laundry machine in which the whole water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process is stored in the water storage tank 17, but may be a laundry machine in which a part of the water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process is stored in the water storage tank 17 and the remainder of the water is drained through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1.

The detergent container 30 is not limited to one disposed inside the housing 2 but may be disposed outside the housing 2.

The detergent components to be separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17 are floated up to the water surface and separated and then stored into the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe 29 in the abovementioned embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. Alternatively, the detergent components may be separated from the water in the water storage tank 17 by filtering the water in the water storage tank 17 in which the detergent components are floated by a filtration filter such as one made of an unwoven fabric and then stored in the detergent container 30. With such a structure, it is not necessary to wait until the detergent components in the water storage tank 17 are floated up to the water surface and separated, so that the detergent components can be separated from the water in the water storage tank 17 in a short time.

The present invention is not limited to such a structure that the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 are automatically supplied into the outer tub 5 by driving the detergent supply pump 24, but it may be, for example, one in which a user can supply (charge) the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 by hand into the outer tub 5.

Though a pulsator type laundry machine 1 has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to a pulsator type laundry machine but can be applied to a drum type laundry machine in which the laundry is put into a drum and washed by rotating the drum.

This application corresponds to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-220628, which was filed with the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 28, 2004. The whole disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-220628 is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A laundry machine comprising;

a washing container in which laundry can be put and water is stored at the time of washing; and

a water storage tank into which the water discharged from the washing container can be taken and stored, the laundry machine further comprising:

an electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing the water stored in the water storage tank to separate organic materials and detergent components contained in the water; and

a detergent container for storing the detergent components separated by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus.

2. A laundry machine according to claim 1, in which

the electrolysis apparatus includes an anode and a cathode disposed in the water storage tank, and

the anode is formed of iron, aluminum or magnesium, or these alloys.

3. A laundry machine according to claim 2, in which the cathode is formed of iron, aluminum or magnesium, or these alloys or stainless.

4. A laundry machine according to claim 3 further comprising guide means for guiding the water stored in the washing container during washing process to the water storage tank.

5. A laundry machine according to claim 4 further comprising detergent supply means for supplying the detergent components stored in the detergent container into the washing container.

6. A laundry machine according to claim 5, in which the detergent supply means supplies the detergent components stored in the detergent container into the washing container during the washing process subsequent to the detergent component storage.

7. A laundry machine according to claim 1 further comprising organic material discharge means for discharging the organic materials separated from the water stored in the water storage tank by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus to the outside of the water storage tank.

8. A laundry machine comprising:

a washing container in which the laundry can be put and water is stored at the time of washing;

a water storage tank into which the water discharged from the washing container can be taken and stored;

an electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing the water stored in the water storage tank to separate organic materials and detergent components contained in the water;

a detergent container for storing the detergent components separated by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus;

detergent supply means for supplying the detergent components stored in the detergent container into the washing container; and

treated water supply means for supplying the water in the water storage tank freed of the organic materials and the detergent components by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus to the washing container.

9. A method for reusing wash water comprising the steps of:

storing the wash water used for laundry washing and discharged from the washing container; and

electrolyzing the stored water and separating the organic materials and the detergent components contained in the stored water; and

taking out the separated detergent components.

10. A method for reusing wash water according to claim 9 further comprising a step of using the detergent components for the next washing.

11. A method for reusing wash water according to claim 9 comprising a step of reusing the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components for laundry washing.

12. A method for reusing wash water according to claim 10 comprising a step of reusing the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components for laundry washing.

13-19. (canceled)