Loaders, Unloaders, Or Dumpers Patents (Class 68/210)
  • Patent number: 11872601
    Abstract: A portable machine for washing and drying cartridge cases for a gun or rifle includes a washing chamber having a cartridge case introduction opening, an inlet port, a discharging port, and a door configured to hermetically close the cartridge case introduction opening. The portable machine also includes a hydraulic circuit configured to allow washing liquid to enter the washing chamber via the inlet port to be discharged via the discharging port. The portable machine also includes a rotating body arranged in the washing chamber to rotate about an axis, the rotating body including a movement element. The movement element protrudes into the washing chamber and is configured to repeatedly lift and release the cartridge cases in the washing chamber during rotation of the rotating body. The portable machine also includes an operating motor, and a drying device arranged to dry the cartridge cases in the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Roberto Asara
  • Patent number: 11767735
    Abstract: An all-in-one mobile wellsite service unit for providing equipment and services at an oil and gas well related to well abandonment is provided. The mobile unit comprises a water storage tank, at least one cement mixing barrel for mixing a cement slurry, a progressive cavity pump for pumping the cement slurry, and a hydraulic hose for connecting to a hydraulic power source to provide power to the cement mixing barrel and the progressive cavity pump. The mobile unit may also contain downhole tools needed for well abandonment, including a well cleaning tool, a cementing tool, a hydraulic packer, and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: T-ROCK CT SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Myles Martin, Randy Martin
  • Patent number: 11674255
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, an elastic member to connect, to the cabinet, a portion of the tub body above a horizontal line passing through a rotation center of the drum; first and second dampers to connect, to the cabinet, a portion of the tub body located below the horizontal line; and a third damper to connect, to the cabinet, a portion of the tub body located below the horizontal line. A first location is defined as one of left and right portions in the tub body relative to a vertical line passing through the rotation center of the drum, while a second location is defined as the other portion. The first damper and second damper are disposed at the first location. The third damper is disposed at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kilryong Lee, Junyoung Kim, Taegyu Jang
  • Patent number: 11585033
    Abstract: A track mechanism and a front-loading washing machine are provided. The track mechanism includes a base, the base is provided with a track portion configured to guide a movable body to move along the track portion, the base includes a supporting body and a track body, the track portion is arranged on the track body, the supporting body and the track body are stacked and combined relative to each other, and wear resistance of the track body is higher than that of the supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuai Tong, Hucheng He, Changxing Zhao, Zhigang Liu, Lufu Tan, Tao Jiang, Xin Yu, Yusheng Tang
  • Patent number: 10470841
    Abstract: A robot-based system for processing racks used for transportation of articles in connection with an inactivation procedure, such as sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination. Robots are used to move full and empty racks between a plurality of a locations within soiled and clean areas of a workspace, including, but not limited to, a loading station where soiled medical instruments are loaded on the racks, washer/disinfectors for processing the medical instruments, and an unloading station where clean medical instruments are unloaded from the racks for sorting into trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: STERIS Inc.
    Inventors: Hugo St-Jean, Daniel Rochette
  • Patent number: 9771676
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a front-loading washing machine including a cabinet, having a from panel, in which the front panel is provided with an opening; a tub having an access port for loading and unloading laundry, in which the tub is disposed in the cabinet and configured in such a manner that the access port is capable of being moved up and down in the opening; a rotatable drum, disposed in the tub; a door unit, mounted to the tub, and configured to cover the access port; and a driving mechanism configured to drive the tub to rotate, in which the driving mechanism is provided in the cabinet and coupled to the tub. The front-loading washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure has advantages of user-friendliness, little abrasion clothes and water conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: WUXI LITTLE SWAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingde Huang, Yusheng Tang, Kyunghag Kim
  • Patent number: 9091017
    Abstract: A densified fluid barrier cleaning system is disclosed in which a pressure vessel encases a movable basket positioned so as to cross a barrier such that one opening of the pressure vessel resides in a first environment and a second opening of the pressure vessel resides in a second environment. A tubular basket within the pressure vessel is positioned such that its central longitudinal axis is aligned with both the first and second opening of the pressure vessel. Responsive to the successful completion of a cleaning cycle, soiled articles that are introduced to the basket via the first opening from the first environment can be removed through the second opening and into the second environment thus bridging the barrier without fear of introducing contaminants from the first environment to second environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CO2Nexus, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, Andrew Timothy Maxey, Ernst Jan Siewers, Stuart Parker, Nicholas Paul Echter
  • Patent number: 8544188
    Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Sogkie Hong
  • Publication number: 20130091903
    Abstract: A front loading washing machine having a front loading door 14 for the washing drum is provided with a loading device 21 for attachment to the front 15 of a front loading washing machine adjacent the door 14, the loading device 21 comprising a readily deformable textile chute 22 mounted on a collapsible frame 23, the frame being attached to the machine by brackets 24,25 secured on the front 15 of the washing machine both sides of said door 14 and the frame 23 being opened to a raised open condition to form a taut chute 22 for directing laundry into a drum and being collapsed to permit closure of the door 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: James Christopher Thorpe
  • Patent number: 8336341
    Abstract: A tub (100) for a washing machine, and a washing machine comprising the same are disclosed. The tub (100) is formed through injection molding with a bearing housing (200) inserted therein, and a washing machine comprises the same. Here, the bearing housing (200) comprises a bearing support (201) to receive bearings, and a flange (210) extended radially from the bearing support (201) and having radial ribs (230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeok Deok Kim, Byung Hwan Ahn, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7337635
    Abstract: Washing agent dispenser for a household washing machine, namely a dishwasher, which dispenser has a body (2) delimiting at least a recess (3) for containing a certain amount of washing agent, comprising occlusion means (4,5) for said recess (3). According to the invention, said occlusion means (4,5) are capable of taking at least two different operating conditions for a partial opening of said recess (3), one for loading said amount of washing agent, the other for its subsequent dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Cerruti, Giovanni Perucca, Fabio Nebbia, Stefano Belfiore
  • Publication number: 20040221624
    Abstract: A household use washing machine is described comprising a washing tub (4) mounted inside a cabinet (1), a drum (8) containing the laundry to be washed that is mounted inside said washing tub (4). The washing machine comprises a top compartment (2) and a bottom compartment (3). The top compartment (2) is suitable to contain the washing tub (4) and the bottom compartment (3) is openable from the outside. The bottom compartment (3) provides to raise the washing tub (4) in such a way so as to facilitate the loading and the unloading of laundry from the drum (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Silvano Fumagalli
  • Patent number: 6792777
    Abstract: A commercial laundry machine having a loading hopper effective for substantially reducing loading time. The hopper has a relatively large effective passage area for communication with a front opening rotary drum of the laundry machine, and a splash door is pivotally mounted adjacent a front face of the machine housing for movement between a lowered closed position and an upwardly extending open position which neither reduces the effective passage of the hopper chute nor impedes the passage of launderable items directed through the chute. The laundry machine further includes an improved toggle actuated locking and sealing device for securing the hopper in sealed relation with the machine housing, and trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinders which are effective for more reliably and effectively pivoting the hopper unit through an arc greater than 90 degrees to its removed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Shaw, Michael T. Kroeger
  • Publication number: 20040129031
    Abstract: In commercial laundries, installations for the washing and, if appropriate, spin-drying of the laundry, which have a plurality of washing machines (10), are used. The washing machines (10) are conventionally arranged in a free-standing manner in the laundry. This takes up a large amount of space and makes it difficult to operate the washing machines (10) and supply them with electrical power and water. Moreover, the individual washing machines (10) make it difficult to treat sterile laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Publication number: 20040129033
    Abstract: A machine for dyeing textiles, includes a structure (1) able to receive a plurality of containers or vessels (2; C) holding substances which contribute to form dyeing baths within suitable dyeing tanks (3). A plurality of dyeing tanks (3) and a plurality of material-holding baskets (4) are located at corresponding and present positions. A motor-driven carriage (5) is associated with the structure (1) and a supporting device is provided (6; 8) for removing and subsequently delivering the substances held within the vessels (2; C). The carriage (5) supports structure (7) for removing and handling the material-holding baskets (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Scatizzi
  • Publication number: 20040123635
    Abstract: A hopper for a laundry machine of the type having a rotating drum includes front, lower, and side walls which cooperatively define a structure having closed bottom and side surfaces, an open rear surface for being disposed in communication with the interior of the drum, and an upper hopper opening for receiving therethrough items for introduction into the drum. A splash shutter is disposed above the hopper opening. The shutter is movable between an open position wherein the hopper opening is exposed for receiving items therethrough, and a closed position wherein the hopper opening is covered for retaining the contents of the laundry machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Helmut Harfmann
  • Publication number: 20040069021
    Abstract: A piston press in which hydraulic lines (32) of a hydraulic cylinder (19) move a ram plate (21) up and down with relatively large diameters, and in which use is made of a hydraulic pump (33) with a continuously adjustable delivery flow, in particular with constant output regulation, making it possible to move the ram plate (21) more quickly in the unloaded or less loaded state, by which means the operating time is shortened considerably as compared with known piston presses (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Patent number: 6622531
    Abstract: A drum washing machine with a draw-out inner spin basket is disclosed. The inner spin basket is spigotted movably on a driving shaft through a driving hole in the back plate of the inner spin basket. An axle of the spin basket is provided at a front plate of the inner spin basket. An end of the axle is inserted in a bearing. A cover is disposed in front of a front plate of the inner spin basket. The inner spin basket is rotatably attached to the cover through the axle of the spin basket and the bearing. A slide connection is disposed in a housing in a manner so that the inner spin basket can be drawn into or out of the housing. Since the inner spin basket can be drawn out of the housing in the drum washing machine, the laundry can be put or taken in outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Haier Merloni (Qingdao) Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuyu Ren, Da li Sun
  • Patent number: 6588238
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an outer casing with a base, at least one side wall, and a top, within which are located a drum, typically with a curved side wall and first and second end walls, an agitator and a liquid retainer. The liquid retainer and a side wall having aligned ports through which an end portion of the drum may reversibly travel between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The travel of the drum out of the side wall to the extended position allows access to at least one aperture in the curved side wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew Martin Reason
  • Publication number: 20030037577
    Abstract: Machine for dyeing textile materials, characterized in that it comprises a stationary structure (1) with a surface (100) for supporting or parking the materials already treated or to be treated, said materials being disposed upon said surface at corresponding predetermined positions, in that it comprises a surface (101) with a plurality of tanks (4) to be fed with a dye bath, and in that it comprises means (60) for removing and handling the materials between said supporting or parking surface (100) and said tanks (4), the said means (60) being associated with a programmable unit (UE).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Mario Scatizzi
  • Publication number: 20030019254
    Abstract: A commercial laundry machine having a loading hopper effective for substantially reducing loading time. The hopper has a relatively large effective passage area for communication with a front opening rotary drum of the laundry machine, and a splash door is pivotally mounted adjacent a front face of the machine housing for movement between a lowered closed position and an upwardly extending open position which neither reduces the effective passage of the hopper chute nor impedes the passage of launderable items directed through the chute. The laundry machine further includes an improved toggle actuated locking and sealing device for securing the hopper in sealed relation with the machine housing, and trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinders which are effective for more reliably and effectively pivoting the hopper unit through an arc greater than 90 degrees to its removed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Shaw, Michael T. Kroeger
  • Publication number: 20030019798
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently laundering multiple loads of household laundry at commercial facilities. By using the advantages of modules having at least one dirty laundry working surface and at least one clean laundry working surface disposed between at least one washing machine and at least one dryer reduces the inefficiencies associated with previous arrangements. A plurality of these modules allows for the sharing of a partial common perimeter to increase workspace efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the inclusion of at least one common transport medium and/or identification system allows for further improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Franklin Capps, Gene Milas
  • Patent number: 6481247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus which uses as operative fluid liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or other dense-phase fluids such as ammonia or hydrocarbons. The apparatus may have various applications including the cleaning of garments and the degreasing of electronic or mechanical components; the apparatus comprises a cleaning chamber (1), basically formed by a pressurised container, and an installation for supplying the CO2 which includes a storage tank (30) and a distiller (31). Advantageously, in order to start a cleaning cycle, the chamber (1) is pressurised with gaseous CO2 taken from the tank and/or from the distiller which are then excluded from the path of the liquid CO2 used for the actual cleaning. The invention also comprises a special cleaning chamber (1) having a lid and a cylindrical jacket, that are provided with respective mating edges between which operates an improved seal suitable for preventing leakage of supercritical fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fedegari Autoclavi SpA
    Inventor: Fortunato Fedegari
  • Publication number: 20020157430
    Abstract: A drum washing machine with a draw-out inner spin basket is disclosed, in which the inner spin basket (3) is spigotted movably on the driving shaft (4) through the driving hole in the back plate of the inner spin basket. An axle (7) of the spin basket is provided at the front plate of the inner spin basket (3). An end of the axle (7) is inserted in the bearing (9). A cover (8) is disposed in front of the front plate of the inner spin basket (3). Said bearing (9) is positioned in the bearing box (21) inside the cover (8). The inner spin basket (3) is rotatably attached to the cover (8) through the axle (7) of spin basket and the bearing (9). A door (22) of the inner spin basket is formed of the opening on the side wall of the inner spin basket (3). A seal ring (11) is mounted around the circumference of the front of the outer tub (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Fuyu Ren, Da Li Sun
  • Patent number: 6463768
    Abstract: A commercial laundry machine having a loading hopper effective for substantially reducing loading time. The hopper has a relatively large effective passage area for communication with a front opening rotary drum of the laundry machine, and a splash door is pivotally mounted adjacent a front face of the machine housing for movement between a lowered closed position and an upwardly extending open position which neither reduces the effective passage of the hopper chute nor impedes the passage of launderable items directed through the chute. The laundry machine further includes an improved toggle actuated locking and sealing device for securing the hopper in sealed relation with the machine housing, and trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinders which are effective for more reliably and effectively pivoting the hopper unit through an arc greater than 90 degrees to its removed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Shaw, Michael T. Kroeger
  • Patent number: 6405568
    Abstract: A plant for dyeing and processing of yarns on reels comprising at least one processing station (11, 12, 13) with a processing device receiving reels stacked on vertical rods (25, 125). The processing device has an upper opening for loading and unloading the reels and the vertical rods are engaged in a removable manner in seats in said device. A rod-grasping unit (15, 115) is movable vertically and horizontally to be arranged above the opening in the processing device to grasp the rods (25, 125) and hoist them with the reels thereon out of the device or insert them in place in the device. In case of a plurality of stations passage between the stations is in this manner fully automatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Loris Bellini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bellini
  • Publication number: 20020056293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawer-type washing machine and a locking method thereof. The washing machine comprises: a housing having one open side and partitioned into a plurality of compartments; cabinets which can be drawn out forward through the open side of said housing, each of said cabinets being positioned in each of said compartments; washing baths for washing the laundry, each of said washing baths being positioned within each of said cabinets; and locking means provided between said housing and said cabinets for restraining said cabinet from being drawn out forward from said housing, in which the cabinets are automatically drawn out by only operating a switch installed in an outside wall of the housing. It is prevented that the washing machine falls down as all of the cabinets are drawn out biasing the center of gravity forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Hyoun Jin Kin, Dong Won Kim, Young Hwan Park, Yong Chul Kim, Byung Keol Chol
  • Publication number: 20020042957
    Abstract: A drawer-type washing machine and process of washing laundry using the washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine has a housing opened at its front to form a cavity. A cabinet, opened at its top, is received in the cavity of the housing such that the cabinet is movable forward or backward relative to the housing. A washing tub unit, consisting of an outer tub and an inner tub, is set within the cabinet. This washing tub unit contains washing water therein, and carries out both a washing operation and a spin-drying operation for laundry contained therein. A drive unit is installed at a position under the outer tub of the washing tub unit, and rotates the inner tub of the washing tub unit. A suspension unit supports the washing tub unit within the cabinet while performing a damping function of attenuating operational vibrations of the washing tub unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Hyoun Jin Kim, Dong Won Kim, Young Hwan Park, Yong Chul Kim, Si Moon Jeon, Byung Keol Choi
  • Patent number: 6363756
    Abstract: A laundry appliance such as a washing machine (2, 300) or a clothes drier (200) where user access to the clothes containing vessel (1, 201, 301) is facilitated by supporting the vessel in a structure (105, 205, 305) which may be tilted or slid out of the front of the appliance cabinet. When the structure is withdrawn from the cabinet the vessel hatch (35) is accessed substantially from the top. The vessel is preferably mounted with its axis horizontal and oriented in a side to side or “east-west” direction. The appliance motor (44/45, 210) control system sets the rotational position of the clothes vessel (1, 201, 301) so that when the structure (105, 205, 305) is withdrawn from the cabinet the hatchway is upper most. The hatch (35) is slid back to allow access to the vessel interior as part of the rotational positioning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Neville David Seagar, Gordon Sharpe Hunter, Joanne Mercia Oliver, Cameron Bruce William Treeby, Russell Joseph Jackson
  • Patent number: 6357069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a barrier laundry including a room (10) through which soiled laundry (16) enters and a clean room (12) separated from room (10) by a sealed barrier (14), an apparatus (19) is provided in barrier (14) for hermetically transferring the laundry. The apparatus (19) is used to introduce the soiled laundry (16) from the reception room (10) in leaktight bags (24) located in the clean room (12) without at any time breaking the leaktightness of the sealed barrier (14). The closed leaktight bags (24) full of laundry are routed into a washing machine (26) located in the clean room. The bags are designed to release the laundry at the start of the washing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Electrolux Systemes de Blanchisserie
    Inventors: Cyril Grandpierre, Charles Scardina
  • Patent number: 6260391
    Abstract: Conventional laundry centrifuges are loaded with laundry in a upwardly slanted position, spin-dry in the same position and are then swiveled to an oblique downward angle to unload. The drum (16) of the centrifuge according to the invention receives the laundry in an upwardly slanted position, spin-dries in an upright position and swivels from that position to a downwardly directed position to unload the laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Pharmagg Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Rippe
  • Patent number: 6253586
    Abstract: An apparatus for a large throughput fabric processing operation including a conveyor belt passing under a row of washers and having an extraction (spinning) apparatus at the end of the belt. The production line involves top loading each washer as required and dumping the batches of fabric on the belt after completing the washing step. The extraction step involves varying the rate of spin and the tilt of the extraction cyclinder in order to maintain an even distribution of fabric and then rocking the extractor to loosen the load from the inside surface of the extractor. Processing oprations to which this invention may be applied include, laundering, dyeing and drycleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: David Lai
  • Patent number: 6237374
    Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning machine having a cleaning vessel with a chamber for containing a wash bath and items to be cleaned and a removable door for sealing the cleaning chamber during a dry-cleaning operation. The dry-cleaning machine has a door opening and closing apparatus which includes a pivot frame for moving the door outwardly from the cleaning vessel in an arced path of movement, and a slide for lowering the door on the pivot frame in a linear path of movement to a position below the level of the cleaning vessel. Reverse movement of the pivot frame thereupon positions the door in a tucked stored position at the same axial location with respect to the cleaning vessel as when the door is closed so as not to impede access to the cleaning chamber nor increase the axial reach of an operator necessary for removing items from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory L. Malchow, Andrew Kegler, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 6233981
    Abstract: In a clothes washing machine loaded and unloaded from the top or the side, the opening of the door (16) of the drum (10) is automatically controlled by an unlocking actuator (38) installed on the external access door (14) or on a retractable support able to take the place of the latter door when it is open. The two leaves (20a, 20b) of the drum door (16) are guided, during opening, either by ramps formed on the external access door (14) or on the retractable support, or by an active guidance mechanism installed on the fixed frame (34) in which is installed the external access door (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Electrolux Systemes de Blanchisserie
    Inventor: Cyril Grandpierre
  • Patent number: 6233980
    Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning machine having a cleaning vessel with a chamber for containing a wash bath and items to be cleaned, a removable door for sealing the cleaning chamber during a dry-cleaning operation, and a locking ring for retaining the door in closed position. A door opening and closing apparatus is provided which includes a pivot frame for moving the door in an arced path of movement into and out of closed position with the cleaning vessel. The door and locking ring have respective locking lugs with a specifically designed geometry for enabling arced movement of the door into and out of the closed position and for centering the door in aligned relation to the cleaning chamber as an incident to such movement. The locking lugs further have mating locking surfaces designed for point contact in a manner that minimizes stress concentrations at n the roots of the locking ring lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kegler, Stephen L. Harris, Gregory L. Malchow, Charles Becht
  • Patent number: 6199411
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric extracted from a dyeing range. The apparatus includes a fabric receptacle for receiving the fabric from the dyeing range and a two-directional plaiting system for folding the fabric. In the preferred embodiment, a control system controls the speed and tension of the fabric to prevent tearing or sagging of the fabric during unloading. Also, a pulley and squeegee system receives the continuous fabric and extracting liquid from the fabric prior to folding. The pulley and squeegee system includes a first nip drive and a second nip drive, each of the drives including a pair of rollers spaced apart to allow the continuous fabric to feed through the nip drives to extract excess water from the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: James Moore Schenck, George Stephen Noonkester, Bradford Lee Cheek, Delois C. Brown, Randy R. Marsh
  • Patent number: 6128931
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for laundering textiles (e.g., clean room garments) within a clean room facility. The textile laundering system may be used to launder clean room garments. The system includes a washing machine, a dryer, and means for measuring the number and sizes of particulates present within laundered textiles. The washing machine has two opposed sides, a loading side and an unloading side, and at least one portion which allows access to mechanical and/or electrical equipment (i.e., an equipment access portion). The washing machine is positioned within a sealed opening in a vertical partition separating a first laundering area from a second laundering area such that the loading side is located within the first laundering area and the unloading side is located within the second laundering area. The washing machine uses only "ultrapure" water, substantially free of ions, minerals, and organic material, to launder the textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Woods
  • Patent number: 6116849
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H Fesmire, John Broadbent
  • Patent number: 6094947
    Abstract: An apparatus for dyeing textile materials is provided that includes one or more chambers for dyeing and one or more storage baskets. The apparatus has a first station with a container hydraulically connected with the chamber. The first station is for the drawing and metering of dyeing solutions and for the admission of the dyeing solutions into the container to feed the chamber for dyeing the material disposed inside the storage basket. A second station has a stirrer. The basket is connected in a stable but removable way to the stirrer. The basket is located in correspondence with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Tecnorama S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Scatizzi
  • Patent number: 6094763
    Abstract: In the method for unloading items of laundry from a spin-dryer or washer-dryer (20) which has a perforated operating drum (21) and a drum housing (22) with an end-side unloading opening (26) which can be closed by means of a door (27), after the spin-drying process is finished, the operating drum (21) is set to a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the items of laundry is still somewhat greater than the force of gravity. The door (27) of the drum housing (22) is opened. The pipe of a suction conveying system is connected to the unloading opening (26) of the drum housing (22). The suction conveying system is activated, and on the drum housing (22) the closure member (29) of an air inlet opening, which is arranged on the peripheral wall, is opened. The method can also be used analogously in tumble-dryers. The device for carrying out the method has the device parts mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Gerhard Engel
  • Patent number: 6092400
    Abstract: A washing machine including a drum and a perforated container. The drum is rotatably mounted about an axis and includes a generally open front end. The perforated container is arranged to be positioned within the drum. The outer surface of the container is shaped and dimensioned to closely correspond to the inner surface of the drum when the container is positioned within the drum so the internal volume of the perforated container is only slightly smaller than that of the drum. The container is removable through the front opening of the drum. The washing machine also includes a removable closure adapted to at least partially close the front opening of the drum. If so desired, the removable closure may be an integral part of the perforated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Monotub Industries plc
    Inventors: Barry David Sumner, Martin William Myerscough
  • Patent number: 6082149
    Abstract: A chemical washing system is presented including a chemical dispensing system. The chemical dispensing system includes a container for storing a liquid chemical, a dispensing unit coupled to the container for dispensing the liquid chemical, and a conduit for conveying the liquid chemical from the dispensing unit to a receptacle of a machine which uses the liquid chemical during normal operation. The container, the dispensing unit, and the receptacle may be enclosed within one or more service areas separate from a "user interface area" containing a portion of the machine with which a user interfaces during normal operation. In order to prevent airborne particulates and other contaminants within the one or more service areas from entering the user interface area, a positive air pressure differential is maintained between the user interface area and the one or more service areas. The chemical washing system includes a textile laundering appliance (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Woods
  • Patent number: 6070440
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a pressure cleaning vessel for a dry cleaning system which requires minimal clearance to operate is provided. The apparatus includes a frame slidably attached to the cleaning vessel and having a base member with a pair of attached upstanding side arms which carry the door of the cleaning vessel. The apparatus further includes a first horizontal actuator carried by the cleaning vessel and operatively connected to the frame for moving the frame in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the cleaning vessel such that the door of the cleaning vessel moves between a closed position and an intermediate position wherein the door is substantially in front of the cleaning vessel. A second vertical actuator carried by at least one of the side arms and operatively connected to the door moves the door in a substantially vertical direction relative to the cleaning vessel and the frame between the intermediate position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Raytheon Commercial Laundry LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Malchow, Andrew Kegler, Stephen L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5992186
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H Fesmire, John Broadbent
  • Patent number: 5907961
    Abstract: A textile wet processing machine, including a vessel for containing processing liquids therein for processing textiles, a drum mounted within the vessel on an axis perpendicular to the vertical for rotation therein, a motor operating through a drive train for rotating the drum in the vessel and a plurality of textile holders carried by the drum. The holders are positioned around the periphery of the drum for containing the textiles to be processed as the drum and the holders are rotated successively through the liquid in the vessel. The holders may be baskets for containing apparel or apparel components, or fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Man Fung International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric C. S. Lee, On Kat Tsui
  • Patent number: 5860300
    Abstract: A clothes washing machine, or a similar appliance such as a washer/dryer, includes a flexible duct, such as a bellows, arranged between the opening (5) of a door (4), intended for loading and unloading the clothes, and an associated opening (8) provided on an inner washing tub (10). Peripheral folds (16), the outer end (13) and a cylindrical band (15) of the bellows (12), are made with a material having elastomeric properties and a hardness of about Shore A 20 to 30. The inner end (15) of the bellows is made with a synthetic material having a hardness of about Shore A 40 to 50. The machine is low noise. A greater unbalanced load of clothes can be tolerated since the improved bellows minimize the vibrations, generated by the inner washing tub when the machine is operated, which are transmitted to the outer cabinet of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lucio Valent
  • Patent number: 5570597
    Abstract: A front loading laundry washing machine, whereby the group constituted by the tub, the basket and by the balancing masses of the machine is suspended within the cabinet in a position being substantially higher than that of normal front loading washing machines, so as that at least the aperture of the frontal wall of the cabinet can be found at a height substantially higher than that of normal front loading washing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Merloni Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dino Bongini, Sandro Duri, Andrea Stopponi
  • Patent number: 5511263
    Abstract: Decontamination laundering facilities and methods are disclosed including a washer area, a filtering area automatically monitoring and controlling cleaning fluid quality discharged to the environment, a clean area, and apparatus and methods for automatically timing waste water sampling. Automatic timing includes controlling and actuating the date and time of day for taking a sample and the duration of the timing cycle, and relay means for closing and opening circuits connected electrically to timer contacts for energizing components of the waste water sampling. In one aspect, a tri-way valve passes a portion of waste water into a discharge pipe at all times and an electronic level control monitors and fills a waste water sampling container to a predetermined level. Contaminants include asbestos, and/or lead, silica dust, titanium dioxide dust, or carbon dust. Contaminated materials include woven and non-woven fabric, permeable and impermeable clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5469593
    Abstract: In an automatic washer, a system of automatically positioning and holding a cylindrical basket having an opening provided with door flaps within a tub having a tub access opening such that the basket doors and tub access opening are aligned for loading and unloading clothes to and from the basket. The basket includes a stop opening disposed on the periphery wall of the basket. A motor is drivingly connected to a pulley which is drivingly connected to the wash basket such that the wash basket may be rotated about its horizontal axis. A control shaft is provided rotatably supported by the tub and having a main portion disposed adjacent the basket and an end extending external of the tub. A holding arm is supported adjacent the basket by the main portion of the control rod such that rotation of the control shaft moves the holding arm into the outer surface of the wash basket for engagement with the stop opening for rotationally positioning and holding the wash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Victor W. Cuthbert, Joseph H. Zahrn, Jr., Vonda K. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5438766
    Abstract: A rotating drum tumbler for loosening damp, entangled cloths or sheets is disclosed which includes a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatably supported by the frame for rotation about a horizontal axis thereof and having an opening in each of the opposite ends thereof, and drive means for rotating the drum, and which is characterized in that a conveyer is secured within the drum for rotation therewith and operable to discharge the loosened cloths or sheets placed thereon through one of the openings when the drum is maintained in a predetermined position with the conveyer being horizontally positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshizo Nakamura