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: 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.

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.

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: 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 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.

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 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.

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: An improved industrial dryer adapted for more efficient, quieter and safer operation. The dryer blower has a relatively large size blower wheel adapted for generating high volume air flows at substantially reduced noise levels so as not to disrupt the work environment nor necessitate that workers wear ear protection. The blower is mounted on a pivotal door of the housing for easy access and an adjacent air feed cone is mounted for selective adjustable positioning into axial relation with the blower wheel for efficient air distribution. The dryer includes a burner adapted for generating a multi-leg, relatively short length discharge flame for enhancing fuel combustion and maximizing surface area over which air passes and is heated as it is drawn to the tumbler of the dryer.

Abstract: An improved industrial dryer adapted for more efficient, quieter and safer operation. The dryer blower has a relatively large size blower wheel adapted for generating high volume air flows at substantially reduced noise levels so as not to disrupt the work environment nor necessitate that workers wear ear protection. The blower is mounted on a pivotal door of the housing for easy access and an adjacent air feed cone is mounted for selective adjustable positioning into axial relation with the blower wheel for efficient air distribution. The dryer includes a burner adapted for generating a multi-leg, relatively short length discharge flame for enhancing fuel combustion and maximizing surface area over which air passes and is heated as it is drawn to the tumbler of the dryer.

Abstract: A rotary washer/extractor for use with textiles and other materials includes a dynamically controlled suspension system for supporting the washer/extractor from a stationary frame to minimize forces exerted onto the frame and transmitted to the floor or other structure supporting the washer/extractor. The suspension system includes a plurality of supports extending between the frame and the washer/extractor at spaced apart locations in relation to the spin axis. At least one of the supports is a variable length member which may be continually adjusted to vary the distance between the frame and the washer/extractor and thereby minimize the forces caused by eccentric masses of textiles and washing fluids contained in the washer/extractor. A force sensor is provided for measuring the force acting between the washer/extractor and the frame.

Abstract: A rotary washer/extractor for use with textiles and other materials includes a dynamically controlled suspension system for supporting the washer/extractor from a stationary frame to minimize forces exerted onto the frame and transmitted to the floor or other structure supporting the washer/extractor. The suspension system includes a plurality of supports extending between the frame and the washer/extractor at spaced apart locations in relation to the spin axis. At least one of the supports is a variable length member which may be continually adjusted to vary the distance between the frame and the washer/extractor and thereby minimize the forces caused by eccentric masses of textiles and washing fluids contained in the washer/extractor. A force sensor is provided for measuring the force acting between the washer/extractor and the frame.

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 machine controller apparatus provides simple, effective, efficient and reliable control operation, facilitates repair and periodic maintenance and eliminates the need for either an operating manual or a service manual for the machine being controlled. The machine control apparatus includes a processor device for performing a plurality of predetermined control and logical operations. Memory is coupled to the processor means for storing predetermined machine characteristic data and a user input device is coupled to the processor device for receiving user input selections. The processor device is responsive to both the predetermined machine characteristic data stored by the memory and a received predefined one of the user input selections for performing at least one of the plurality of predetermined control and logical operations.

Abstract: A washing and extracting machine includes a programmable controller for controlling a variable speed drive to control and vary the speed and direction of a rotating laundry cylinder containing a load of materials to be laundered. The cylinder is first loaded and then driven to rotate in a predetermined manner during a washing phase, followed by a rinsing phase and is then accelerated to a relatively high speed for extracting liquid from the laundered materials in an extracting phase. The laundry cylinder is accelerated and/or decelerated in accordance with a changeable, predefined acceleration/deceleration profile so that the laundry materials are movable radially and circumferentially in the cylinder in a controlled manner substantially eliminating unbalanced loading of the cylinder and contents during the washing, rinsing and extracting phases, thus eliminating the need for costly and complex shock mounting systems for supporting the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A washing and extracting machine includes a programmable controller for controlling a variable speed drive to control and vary the speed and direction of a rotating laundry cylinder containing a load of materials to be laundered. The cylinder is first loaded and then driven to rotate in a predetermined manner during a washing phase, followed by a rinsing phase and is then accelerated to a relatively high speed for extracting liquid from the laundered materials in an extracting phase. The laundry cylinder is accelerated and/or decelerated in accordance with a changeable, predefined acceleration/deceleration profile so that the laundry materials are movable radially and circumferentially in the cylinder in a controlled manner substantially eliminating unbalanced loading of the cylinder and contents during the washing, rinsing and extracting phases, thus eliminating the need for costly and complex shock mounting systems for supporting the rotating cylinder.