Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying separator waste water from a dry cleaning process. The present invention utilizes 3 stages of purification. In Stage one, highly contaminated separator waste water is put into a solvent separator tank. Liquid solvent settles out of the separator waste water, sink to the bottom of the solvent separation tank where it accumulates below the separated water. In Stage 2 air bubbles are introduced through the separated water, stripping out much of the solvent which is dissolved in the separated water and reducing the dissolved solvent concentration. This air stripping process dramatically extends to useful life of the granulated carbon in the granulated eaton filter. Stage 3 takes the air stripped water and filters it through a granulated carbon filter, which results in the carbon purified water having a dissolved solvent of less than 0.7 parts per million. The carbon purified water can then be safely and economically disposed of without harming the environment.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for separating water from a solvent during dry cleaning. Included is an inlet capable of receiving a mixture of dry cleaning fluid and water from a basket of a dry cleaning apparatus. The dry cleaning fluid includes a siloxane composition. Also provided is a flow controller for urging a flow of the mixture received from the outlet. Coupled to the flow controller is a coalescent media that receives the mixture urged by the flow controller. A chamber is coupled to the coalescent media for receiving the mixture from the coalescent media to separate the water and the dry cleaning fluid. Also coupled to the chamber is an outlet to remove the dry cleaning fluid from the chamber in the absence of the water.

Abstract: A washing machine recirculation and draining system including two bottom drains in a wash tub, the drains connected by a tubing manifold having a reversible pump. A two-way valve opens one drain and closes a drain line during recirculation; the pump rotating in a first direction to pump wash water through a recirculation line. For draining, a second two-way valve opens the second drain and the first two-way valve closes the first drain and opens the drain line; the pump rotates in a second direction to drain the tub out through the drain line.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes an outer tub, an inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub and having a plurality of dehydration perforations formed in an upper end portion, a drain hole formed in the bottom of the inner tub, a valve mechanism for opening and closing the drain hole, a stopper for stopping the inner tub at a predetermined position, and a drive section mounted in the outer tub for driving the valve mechanism so that the drain hole is opened and closed, in the condition that the inner tub is stopped at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine has a cabinet in which an agitator is mounted on a vertical axis and is oscillated back and forth within a perforated tub, the tub and the agitator rotating continuously in one direction to give a spin action and the perforated tub in turn being mounted within a watertight container in the cabinet, with a space between substantially vertical walls of said container, and a drain is provided to drain washing liquid from the container, there being circulating means operable during a washing cycle of the washing machine to cause washing liquid to circulate from the pool of washing liquid in which clothes are being washed through at least part of the space between said walls of the perforated tub and walls of said container and back to said pool of washing liquid through perforations in the perforated tub, the perforations being of a size and shape such and said circulation being such that any lint in the washing liquid tends to be left in the space for discharge therefrom during a draini

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the vertical axis type is provided with an annular channel in the bottom of the tub to collect debris and sediment particles and with an annular baffle to prevent the collected particles from being deposited in the washed articles during the direct-into-spin portion of the wash cycle.

Abstract: In wool scouring systems in which scouring liquor is continuously withdrawn from the scouring bowls for separation of solid contaminants and wool grease and then recycled to the bowls, improved separation of solids is achieved by adding a soluble silicate, and preferably also a polyelectrolyte to the liquor before solids separation. Silicate can advantageously replace soda as scouring agent. Improved operation can also be obtained by controlled flow down from the circulatory system, as at 27, and by passing the jet phase from a disc centrifuge 17 to a decanter centrifuge 15 for further separation of solids. Alternatively, the entire liquor circulation may be passed first to the disc centrifuge and only the jet phase to the decanter, the middle liquor phase being recycled.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the fresh-water, vertical-axis type has a dynamic system which includes a single perforate wash basket arranged to be driven continuously such that its central axis moves in an orbital path about another axis. The basket is restrained from rotating about its central axis when it is moving about the other axis and each point of the basket moves in a circulate path having an effective diameter which is small in relation to the diameter of the basket and having substantially the same excursion as the orbital path of the central axis of the basket. Water and soil removing agent are introduced into the basket during orbital motion and that motion is effective to induce a continuous motion of the fabric article load for washing the load. The machine tub and other working components are placed in the moving system and provide a stable base for the basket.

Abstract: A process for recovering the solvent from the exhaust air of dry cleaning machines in which the exhaust air is passed in closed circuit over a cooling device for condensation purposes, wherein the exhaust air is forced through an intensely cooled solvent immersion bath and the water separated in the immersion bath in the form of ice crystals is drained off at an overflow together with the solvent excess formed by condensation and which raises the solvent level.

Abstract: A washing machine suitable for washing a washable dust mat comprises means for supplying a main wash liquid to each mat in turn from a tank, means for collecting at least the used main wash liquid and returning it to the tank, an overflow from the tank, means for employing the overflow of liquid from the tank in a pre-washing operation for each mat, and means for rinsing the washed mat. A single supply of water is thereby recirculated to provide the main wash liquid and also provides the pre-wash liquid.

Abstract: A washing machine comprising a housing, an outer tub disposed in the housing, an inner tub disposed within the outer tub, an agitator disposed centrally of the inner tub and fixed to a vertical drive shaft, the inner tub having perforations in wall portions thereof, a first drain line extending from a bottom portion of the outer tub, an annular chamber disposed proximate an upper portion of the outer tub and positioned between the outer tub and a wall portion of the housing, the chamber having holes therein placing the chamber in communication with upper regions of the outer tub, and a second drain line extending from the annular chamber and connected to the first drain line.

Abstract: A domestic clothes washer has an outer imperforate water container to retain the washing fluid and an inner perforate spin tub which is rotatable to centrifuge the washing fluid from clothes being washed therein. A vertically reciprocating agitator in the inner spin tub provides a pulsating toroidal circulation of washing fluid. The spin tub has a perforate generally vertical side wall and an imperforate bottom wall joined thereto by a curved wall portion containing a circumscribing row of holes positioned thereon located so as to carry particulate matter from the spin tub during wash periods while minimizing undesirable back flow through the row of holes during spin periods of the tub.