Abstract: In a batch washing machine which is divided by a screw conveyor into a plurality of wash chambers (I. . .IV) a bath level reduction can be provided in the final wash chamber by perforating the screw conveyor (and/or the wash trommel) in a region overlapping the reversing angle of 300.degree. for the wash motion of the wash trommel. One rotates the wash trommel as the need requires in the vicinity of the perforations. Water can escape in the desired amount in the final chamber in the sector with the perforations according to the extent of the rotation.

Abstract: When both colored and white wash are to be laundered together, one has the problem that pigment particles are transported from the colored pieces to the white pieces and the white pieces are discolored. This problem will be eliminated in a novel counterflow cycling washing machine by providing additional components besides the control components for the counterflow which produce a reversal of the usual counterflow to concurrent flow when a colored piece of wash is in the machine or the washing zone. For concurrent flow operation switchover of the valves permits the head of the washing liquid in the upstream compartment of the washing zone to cause the flow through this zone to the downstream compartment where the concurrent flow liquid is discharged.

Abstract: When both colored and white wash are to be laundered together, one has the problem that pigment particles are transported from the colored pieces to the white pieces and the white pieces are discolored. This problem will be eliminated in a novel counterflow cycling washing machine by providing additional components besides the control components for the counterflow which produce a reversal of the usual counterflow to concurrent flow when a colored piece of wash is in the machine or the washing zone. For the case of concurrent flow operation the counterflow pump is shut off and the counterflow discharge outlet valve and the counterflow input tube valve are closed, while the valve in the concurrent flow discharge outlet positioned near the counterflow input tube and the valve in the concurrent flow input tube positioned near the counterflow discharge outlet are opened.

Abstract: When both colored and white wash are to be laundered together, one has the problem that pigment particles are transported from the colored pieces to the white pieces and the white pieces are discolored. This problem will be eliminated in a novel counterflow cycling washing machine by providing additional components besides the control components for the counterflow which produce a reversal of the usual counterflow to concurrent flow when a colored piece of wash is in the machine or the washing zone. For the case of concurrent flow operation the counterflow pump is shut off and the counterflow discharge outlet valve and the counterflow input tube valve are closed, while the valve in the concurrent flow discharge outlet positioned near the counterflow input tube and the valve in the concurrent flow input tube positioned near the counterflow discharge outlet are opened.

Abstract: A batch washing machine comprises an imperforate drum open at both ends and mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. A conveyor worm having an imperforate helical surface is rigidly mounted in the interior of the drum to divide same into a plurality of individual chambers. Washing media is fed to the chambers by means of a pipe disposed on a central axis of the drum, the pipe being sub-divided into individual pipe portions by the helical surface of the conveyor worm, with each pipe portion including at least one outlet aperture communicating with a respective one of the chambers. At least one emptying aperture is provided in the drum for each chamber and through which washing media can be discharged from the chamber. During washing, each chamber is separated from the other chambers, so that the machine can wash different types of washing at the same time.

Abstract: A washing machine drum which is divided into axially arranged compartments has an internal feed worm rigid with the drum casing. A support shaft of the drum serves to deliver water and soap or detergent to the compartments.