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

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

Abstract: A rotary centrifugal machine, for example a centrifugal extractor for removing fluids from wet laundry loads, includes a basket rotatable within a casing. A load conveyor deposits material into the basket while the basket rotates at a relatively low speed. After loading, the speed of basket rotation is increased to subject material within the basket to centrifugal forces. Unloading of material from the basket is accomplished by lifting a movable wall from the bottom to the top of the basket during low speed rotation of the basket so that material lifted above the basket wall is centrifugally thrown outward from the basket. The casing and basket are suspended by pedestal assemblies and pneumatic biasing assemblies for damping and resisting lateral casing movement. A switch operated by casing movement senses load imbalance. Automatic redistribution of an unbalanced load is effected by unloading the material and reloading it in a distributed condition.