Abstract: A device for solvent recovery in an ultrasonic cleaning machine is based on utilization of the negative pressure originating from the liquification of the solvent vapor itself in a heat exchanger and the negative pressure from an ejector. Thus, the solvent vapor in a vapor zone is led out of a distillation vessel, cooled outside of the vessel, liquidfied, once again returned to a solvent vessel and, at the same time, the liquification of the solvent vapor which is incompletely liquified from this cooling and liquification process is accelerated even more in the negative pressure section of the ejector. Accordingly, the amount of water mixed into the recovered solvent is extremely reduced so that satisfactory cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner can be ensured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing laundry without hot water and detergent using a closed loop ozonated wash water system wherein wash water maintained in a storage tank is ozonated by an ozone generator prior to use in a washing machine. The spent wash water is collected, filtered and reused thereby eliminating waste water disposal problems and resulting in considerable water and energy savings. The ozone generator includes a unique air flow configuration to maximize ozone generation resulting in a high efficiency washing system.

Abstract: Both an apparatus and method for water washing garments in order to remove particulate radioactive contaminants therefrom is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a washing machine having a wash-water inlet, a rinse-water inlet, a circulation inlet, a water outlet and a particulate removal system connected between the circulation inlet and the water outlet of the washing machine for circulating water introduced into the washing machine between two and three times through a filtration bank while the machine washes or rinses the garments. The apparatus also includes a hydraulically closed wash-water system having a polished wash-water reservoir connected to the wash-water inlet of the washing machine, as well as a hydraulically closed rinse-water system having a polished rinse-water reservoir connected to the rinse-water inlet of the machine. Both the wash-water system and the rinse-water system also have water polishers for removing dissolved radionucleides from the clothing.

Abstract: A dry cleaning solvent recovery and filtering system includes a dry cleaning solvent tank containing solvent for use in a dry cleaning machine. A filtration path from the tank includes a centrifugal separator for removing coarse debris and a filter element for removing fine debris from the solvent fluid. The filter element includes a perforated metal cylinder, having an open mouth, with a Teflon.RTM. coated screen forming the interior debris collection surface. A rinsing spray nozzle situated at the mouth of the filter element directs a fluid spray under pressure against the collection surface in the same direction that debris contaminated solvent fluid flows therethrough. The pressure of the fluid spray is sufficient to dislodge fine debris adhered to the collection surface without forcing the debris into the perforations of the filter element.

Abstract: A clothes washer or dry cleaning machine which can be side-loaded or top-loaded. The washer includes an outer casing having an axis, an inner perforated drum rotatable about an axis relative to the outer casing axis, a middle cylinder portion disposed radially between the outer casing and the inner perforated drum. A fluid supply means is provided for filling the middle cylinder portion from the overflow from the drum. Passage means is also provided for draining the overflow fluid from the middle cylinder portion and drainage means for draining the overflow fluid from the passage means.

Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.

Abstract: A filter for a top loading automatic washing machine wherein a substantially horizontal filter disc is positioned such that its outer periphery seats against the underside of the clothes basket bottom which is upwardly inclined towards the middle. The disc is a unitary plastic molded part, and has a large plurality of vertically aligned holes that have downward draft. An agitator provides pumping action to circulate washing fluid out of the sidewall perforations of the basket, and back into the basket through openings in the bottom thereof. The washing fluid passes through the holes of the filter disc collecting lint on the underside face. The lint is then flushed away during the spin mode of operation.

Abstract: A dry cleaning solvent recovery and filtering system includes a dry cleaning solvent tank containing solvent for use in a dry cleaning machine. A filtration path from the tank includes a centrifugal separator for removing coarse debris and a filter element for removing fine debris from the solvent fluid. The filter element includes a perforated metal cylinder, having an open mouth, with a Teflon.RTM. coated screen forming the interior debris collection surface. A rinsing spray nozzle situated at the mouth of the filter element directs a fluid spray under pressure against the collection surface in the same direction that debris contaminated solvent fluid flows therethrough. The pressure of the fluid spray is sufficient to dislodge fine debris adhered to the collection surface without forcing the debris into the perforations of the filter element.

Abstract: Both an apparatus and method for water washing garments and removing radioactive contaminates therefrom without the generation of liquid effluents is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a washing machine unit having a wash water inlet, a rinse water inlet and an outlet conduit, and a hydraulically closed wash water system. The wash water system in turn includes a reservoir of filtered and demineralized water connected to the wash water inlet, a particulate filter unit connected to the outlet conduit for removing particulate impurities from the wash water discharged through the conduit, and a water polisher connected between the particulate filtration unit and the reservoir for supplying the reservoir with filtered and demineralized and chemically purified water.

Abstract: A lint strainer for removing the lint from the exit hose of a washing machine before the lint can enter the drain of the residence or other structure in which the washing machine is located. The lint strainer has a flexible fabric mesh strainer tube having an open end and a closed end. A polymeric ring is affixed to the open end, and the polymeric ring is larger than the opening of the drain pipe which conducts the waste away from the washing machine.

Abstract: An improved dry cleaning machine is disclosed, which comprises a rotating drum, at least one storage tank for a cleaning solvent used in the drum, a pump for circulating the solvent from the tank to the drum through a feed line including a lint collector, a solvent filtration unit including at least one filter through which the solvent may be passed downstream the lint collector, a solvent decoloration unit including a bed of activated carbon through which the solvent may also be passed whenever necessary, and a solvent distillation unit comprising a still, a condenser and a separator. The improvement consists of a regeneration unit incorporated into the machine and comprising a regeneration chamber in which the carbon used in the decoloration unit may be introduced, preheated and reactivated with live steam, whenever desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovery of a solvent gas involved in the drying of goods treated with an organic solvent with the aid of an air stream in a dry-cleaning machine. In this machine the goods are dried by an air flow circulating in a closed circulation loop which is heated before contact with the goods and after contact is again cooled for condensation of solvent vapor. In a second stage of the recovery, the socalled reduction stage, the goods are cooled by shutting off the heat. For recovery of the residual solvent vapor still remaining in the air after cooling the air stream is subsequently fed through an adsorption unit. During the cooling only a portion of the cooled air is supplied for adsorption and after that is fed back in the air circulation loop circulating over the goods. This has been accomplished by providing a circulation branch having an adsorption unit substantially parallel to a portion of the circulation loop and an additional blower.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine of the vertical axis type has a self-cleaning lint filter integral with the spin tub. The spin tub is formed as a unitary piece from plastic material, and includes a central hub and radially outer bottom wall which are interconnected by a plurality of radially extending ribs. The ribs have spaces between them defining an annular gap, and an annular perforated lint filter is secured in the gap. An oscillating agitator within the spin tub has downwardly projecting vanes on the lower outer surface of its skirt portion which, as the agitator oscillates, cooperate with the spin tub ribs to form a pumping action to pump liquid upwardly through the lint filter and out to the interior of the spin tub. When the agitator and spin tub go into a spin mode, the centrifugal force washes the lint on the underside of the lint filter off into the fluid being pumped to drain.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a wash tub, a basket to receive laundry and rotatably mounted within the wash tub, a collection chamber connected to the bottom of the wash tub for collecting washing liquid therefrom, a drain pump for pumping washing liquid in a first direction from the collection chamber to a drain pump during a draining phase of the cycle of operation of the machine, an electrical heating element within the collection chamber for heating washing liquid collected therein, a recirculation pump for pumping heated washing liquid in a second direction from the collection chamber and for recirculating the heated washing liquid to an upper portion of the wash tub during a recirculation phase of the cycle of operation of the machine, and a filter removably mounted within the collection chamber.

Abstract: The machine of the invention comprises the following components interconnected through air conduits; a cage drum rotatably mounted in a housing, an air cleaner for intercepting mechanical impurities, an air cooler, an air heater with a steam heating element, an adsorber with respective inlet and outlet connections for steam admission and discharging a mixture of steam and adsorbed solvent. The machine comprises also a system of directional valves for changing the direction of air flow therethrough and a means for cooling and separating a mixture of condensates of steam and solvent, which is connected, through a device for condensate separation and discharge, to the outlet of the steam heating element of the air heater.The inlet of steam heating element is connected to an outlet connection for discharging a mixture of steam and desorbed solvent vapors from the absorber.

Abstract: A filter assembly (10) for use in laundry tubs or similar fluid receptacles includes a tubular body portion (11) having a plurality of holes (12) arranged in a plurality of bands (14, 16, 18). All of the holes (12) within one of the bands (14, 16, 18) have diameters of equal dimension. The diameters of the holes (12) increase from a relatively smaller dimension in the bands (14) at the ends of the body portion (11) to a relatively larger dimension in the band (18) at the middle of the body portion (11). The body portion (11) is secured to a waste drain (26, 26') by an elastic band (32) having a hook (36) at one end thereof and a rod (34) at the other end. The rod (34) is inserted in grooves (38, 38') in the end of the tube and, the elastic band is stretched through the body portion (11) and the hook is connected to a bar (37) in the drain (26, 26') to secure the body portion (11) to the drain (26, 26').

Abstract: A system is provided for purging contaminants from dry cleaning fluid used in a machine for dry cleaning clothing while concurrently decontaminating the filter cartridges through which the dry cleaning fluid is passed. The system is coupled in a recirculating loop to and from a machine for dry cleaning clothing. A plurality of filter cartridge housings are employed so that one filter cartridge housing can be selected and isolated from the dry cleaning machine, while the other filter housings remain in the recirculation loop. A portion of the dry cleaning fluid in the selected housing is vaporized within the filter housing while another portion is forced in liquid form through the filter cartridges in a direction opposite to the flow in the recirculation loop. This liquid portion is passed to a separate boiler for vaporization. The vaporized dry cleaning fluid from both the filter housing and the boiler is condensed and passed to a gravity separator, where water is separated from the dry cleaning fluid.

Abstract: Garments contaminated with radioactive, toxin, biological and/or chemical contaminants are deposited in a cleaning drum and the drum is agitated during a wash cycle. A dry cleaning solvent is added to the drum during the initial wash cycle and then drained to a distillation means. Within the distillation means, there is a neutralizing agent which deactivates the biological and toxin contaminants and chemically breaks down the chemical contaminants removed with the dry cleaning solvent from the cleaning drum. Dry cleaning solvent is then continuously added to the drum during the secondary wash cycle and continuously removed from the drum. After the dry cleaning solvent is removed from the drum, and before it is pumped back to the drum, the dry cleaning solvent is filtered to remove remaining trace particulate contaminants. The dry cleaning solvent is also passed through an adsorber where remaining trace chemical contaminants dissolves in the dry cleaning solvent are removed.

Abstract: A process for recuperation of organic solvents in dry-cleaning machines comprising circulation of air first through a cleaning drum of a machine containing textile articles treated with an organic solvent and squeezed, a filter, an air cooler and a heater, and then through a cleaning drum with the articles, filter, air cooler and an absorber. The circulated air recovers the solvent from the articles which solvent is first condensed in the air cooler and then adsorbed in the adsorber. Simultaneously with circulation of air through the cleaning drum, filter, air cooler and heater effected first is desorption of the solvent adsorbed in the previous process cycle of the dry-cleaning machine operation from the adsorbent by means of steam which together with vapors of the desorbed solvent is condensed in the heater, followed by the removal, from the adsorber to the heater, of the remaining steam and its condensate due to the pressure drop in the adsorber-heater system by means of compressed air.

Abstract: A dry cleaning apparatus includes one processing tank, tanks capable of exclusively containing two or more types of solvents, respectively, capable of melting to be mixed with each other, a fractionating device for fractionating the two or more types of solvents and filters for respective solvents. A controller for the dry cleaning apparatus includes a central processor unit formed of an electronic circuit which is a center of control and washing programs for washing with a single solvent and combined solvents, the program being stored in the central processor unit. Accordingly, an optimum washing method can be selected in accordance with material, processing and form of clothes.

Abstract: An abrasive structure for stone washing garments in a wash medium and a method for abrading garments using that abrasive structure to achieve controlled abrasion of those garments are disclosed. The abrasive structure has a uniform abrasive surface which will not damage or excessively wear fabrics and garments being subjected to the stone washing method, which will not deteriorate during use, and which will provide uniformly stone washed garments having a consistent nap and a low level amount of textile wear. The abrasive structure is formed of a substantially form-retaining material having a resilient abrasive surface. For example, the abrasive structure may be formed of a block of form-retaining material substantially impervious to aqueous washing systems and a resilient layer of synthetic abrasive material substantially surrounding the block and affixed to the exterior surfaces of the block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry cleaning apparatus in which a main portion of a dry cleaner comprises tanks for exclusively receiving at least two kinds of solvents which are soluble in each other, one treating tank and a fractionating device for recovering the two or more kinds of solvents by batch distillation, exclusive filters for the respective solvents comprising, a common filter or a multi-filter device composed of both the filters, and the two or more kinds of solvents are used independently so that washing is carried out.

Abstract: A controlling device controls the operation of a clothes washing machine having a tub, a washing liquid collector, a heating element and two thermostats within the collector, and an electric pump for circulating the washing liquid from the collector to the tub. Three pressostats or pressure switches allow washing liquid to be filled to two different levels in the machine and for controlling the working condition of a filtering element within the collector. The controlling device allows both "intensive" washing programs with only a low level of liquid in the collector and "delicate" washing programs with normal levels of liquid in the tub. Different types of laundry can be washed under the best conditions with low consumption of water, detergents and electric power.

Abstract: A washing machine has an outer casing in which a washing tub and a dryer tub are arranged. A control box with a holding recess is mounted on the outer casing. A filter is removably set in the holding recess. The filter filtrates water supplied from a tap and feeds the filtrated water into the dryer tub.

Abstract: In an installation comprising a solvent regeneration circuit and a solvent recovery circuit, each solvent container is connected independently to the boiler of a distillation unit for cleaning purposes. The relative arrangement of the solvent containers is such that the solvent circulates under the action of gravity from a condenser to the boiler and from each container to the boiler. The boiler is removable for subsequent disposal after filling with solvent residues and waste materials.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a washing tub, a washing drum for containing laundry to be washed, a collector for collecting washing liquid, and a recirculation pump connected to the collector and to the tub for recirculating the washing liquid from the collector to the tub and to spray it onto the laundry. The collector has therein at least one heating element and a thermostatic sensor for heating the washing liquid and for thermostatically controlling the temperature thereof, respectively. Level sensors and controls are provided for carrying out "intense" and "gentle" laundering programs for washing the laundry in a conventional manner, and with further sensors and controls for carrying out "intense" laundering programs at reduced filling levels of the washing liquid within the tub by repeatedly recirculating the liquid to the tub.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use with a dry cleaning system having a filter for filtering the dirty solvent comprises a first pressure vessel (28) for vaporizing the filtered solvent and a second pressure vessel (58) for condensing the vapors into purified liquid solvent for collection and reuse. The upper end of the second pressure vessel (58) is upset to provide an annular chamber about the upper end of the condenser coil (76) which extends in closely spaced apart relationship into the reduced lower end of the second pressure vessel, so that clogging is avoided and better contact with the condenser coil and thus more complete condensation is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a valve arrangement (104, 106, 108 and 118) by which the filter can be backflushed with hot fluid, such as steam in order to recover solvent from the saturated filter and render it safe for ordinary disposal.

Abstract: A method of abrading fabric garments in a washing machine. The garments are placed in the washing compartment of a washing machine and the machine is filled with sufficient hot water to cover the garments. The garments are thoroughly soaked, and then the compartment is drained of sufficient water to enable the compartment to accept a predetermined amount of small sized abrasive particles to uniformly abrade the garments. The abrasive particles are added to the compartment and agitated until the garments are uniformly abraded. Next the compartment is drained of substantially all of the water and abrasive with the drainage fluid passing through a filter or trap capable of separating the abrasive from the water; rinsing and redraining are accomplished, and the sand removed from the filter for reuse in subsequent abrading operations.

Abstract: A washing machine filter includes a housing having an open first end adapted to be mounted adjacent a wall of a washing machine and a closed second end. The housing has a first connection to be connected to a wash tub of the washing machine to receive therefrom water to be filtered and a second connection to be connected to a pump of the washing machine for discharging the filtered washing water. A filtering body extends through the open end of the housing and into the interior thereof. The body has an outer end sealed to the housing and an inner end extending freely into the interior of the housing. The body has therethrough filtering openings for filtering the water passing between the first and second connections of the housing. A shut-off cover is removably connected to the other end of the filtering body for sealing the open first end of the housing. The filter housing and filtering body are curved and extend obliquely downwardly away from the ends thereof adjacent the washing machine wall.

Abstract: An improved dry cleaning machine of the type utilizing powdered cleaning agents and having a rotating drum. Such machines have a shroud which completely surrounds the rotating drum and the shroud is connected to a collector and to the intake of an air blower. The draperies, furs, or the like are to be cleaned are rotated in the drum with the powdered cleaning agent for a predetermined amount of time after which the air blower is turned on and the cleaning agents are evacuated from the drum and deposited in the collector. The improved machine has a plurality of spring loaded plates over various groups of openings through the side of the drum.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filtering apparatus for use in a material treating system of the type in which treating fluid is recirculated through a treating vessel. The apparatus includes a filtering chamber through which treating fluid flows from a pump to a heat exchanger. A cylindrical perforated filter element in the chamber filters particulate contaminant, such as lint in a textile processing system, onto the element, and a reciprocating cleaning member cleans the contaminant from the surface of the filter element by drawing fluid through an annular slot in a head of the cleaning member, with the fluid being drawn across and through the filter element to remove contaminant therefrom. The contaminant containing fluid is conveyed from the cleaning member back into the treating vessel where it is discharged into a large fabric bag that allows the fluid to filter through into the vessel and obstructs the contaminant for collection in the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn handling arrangement in which the yarn is subjected to conditioning in a humid atmosphere before and as it is drawn off for use in a textile machine. The apparatus described in an example consists of an enclosure comprising a housing, in one compartment whereof are a plurality of pairs of bobbins on support rods, another compartment being defined by a sleeve member which is kept constantly moist by a water distributing device. A flow of air is arranged to fill the sleeve member and to escape therefrom through slots provided at levels corresponding to each of the levels at which the bobbins are supported.

Abstract: In a process for mercerizing cellulosic cloth by treating the cloth with 3-10% caustic solution at the boil in a boilout stage, washing the cloth after treatment in the boilout stage and treating the washed cloth with 20-25% caustic in a mercerizer, an improvement comprises the steps of:(a) collecting overflow from the boilout stage, contaminated with additives used in weaving or knitting the cloth;(b) treating the contaminated overflow from the boilout stage by hyperfiltration to produce a recovered fraction of relatively pure caustic solution and a concentrate fraction containing additives used in weaving or knitting the cloth;(c) washing the cloth after treatment in the boilout stage with the recovered fraction of relatively pure caustic from step (b).

Abstract: Smoothing washed garments (10) in the treatment chamber (11) of a finisher produces a considerable amount of fluff. To remove the fluff from the device in a trouble-free and effective manner the flowing medium carrying the fluff along is passed through a sieve belt (20) which conveys the fluff out of the device. Outside the treatment chamber (11) the fluff is removed in a suitable manner.

Abstract: A high pressure steamer for continuous wet-heat treatment of a cloth has an inlet and an outlet for taking a cloth continuously in and out of the steamer body. The cloth inlet has an inlet side seal mechanism provided with a liquid seal tank and the cloth outlet has an outlet side seal mechanism provided with a slow cooling tank. A plurality of liquid application tanks and prewashing tanks are provided in the steamer for boiling the cloth passing through the steamer intermittently and repeatedly. A filter is provided for cleansing waste water exhausted from the slow cooling tank. A heat exchanger is provided for heating cleansed water by the use of high temperature waste liquor from the prewashing tank, and conduits supply the heated water to the liquid application tanks and prewashing tanks.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dry cleaning plant having dry cleaning machines using a liquid solvent comprises a plurality of filter cartridge housings, an adsorber containing a bed of activated carbon pellets, a condenser and a solvent-water separator all mounted on a still housing. Valve-controlled conduits are provided for selectively circulating solvent through filter cartridge in said cartridge housings, draining the filter cartridges, connecting cartridge housings to the adsorber to desorb filter cartridges, supplying steam to cartridge housing to strip filter cartridges of solvent, passing air containing solvent vapor through the adsorber to remove the solvent vapor from the air, supplying steam to the adsorber to desorb the carbon bed and supplying steam to a heating coil in the still to distill solvent.

Abstract: A foreign objects trap for an automatic washer is provided in the wash liquid flow path just upstream of the pump which has a settling chamber and a separator plate to trap foreign objects. The separator plate has irregularly shaped tubes therethrough which, in conjunction with a closely spaced wall of the trap housing, prevent passage of lighter than water objects. A lower portion of the housing is removable for cleaning and is transparent for visual inspection.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing fiber stock, comprising a substantially horizontally disposed rotating screen drum, means for supplying fiber stock to one end of said screen drum for passage along the screen surface through said screen drum, means for removing fiber stock from the other end of said screen drum, and a longitudinally extending liquid supply member fixedly mounted beneath the center axis of the screen drum, immersed in the fiber stock. The apparatus is provided with suction chambers and it acts as a screen with self-suction.

Abstract: A dry cleaning apparatus for pieces of fabric such as clothing has a tumbler drum with a washing space within it in which the clothing is firstly washed with solvent and thereafter is dried and if necessary aired. To this end the drum space with the clothing therein is firstly joined up with a solvent circulation system and then with a hot air circulation system. The solvent circulation system has a filter unit within it for cleaning the solvent and the air circulation system has an air cooler with a condensate trap and furthermore an air heater. For drying the dirt in the filter unit air is branched off from the hot air circulation system at a point downstream from the air heater so that while drying is taking place part of the hot air makes its way through the filter unit and then comes out of the filter unit and by way of a second branch duct goes back into the hot air circulation.

Abstract: A filter attached for rotation with a washing machine basket includes a filtering surface which is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the basket for filtering laundry liquid during a washing operation and for reverse flushing of the filtering surface during a liquid extraction operation.

Abstract: Energy saving systems for a commercial laundry utilizing a plurality of machines wherein a simple diverter valve directs the effluent from the machines to either a waste area or a recycle tank. In one embodiment a system of troughs in the floor of the laundry are provided to collect the effluents from the different machines are directed to one or the other by the diverter valve. In the second embodiment, a self-contained modular device is provided, but again with separate diverter valves to control the effluent of each machine. Numerous optional features and many combinations of the features are possible.

Abstract: In a washer-dehydrator, an eccentrically set pulsator is driven through a rotation moment-transmitting mechanism, and, even in case washing water streams containing foreign matter are drawn below the pulsator by the action of pumping blades mounted on the underside of the pulsator. The operation of the rotation moment-transmitting mechanism is not obstructed by the foreign matter, but circulating water streams can be smoothly produced to trap foreign matter retained in the washing water.

Abstract: A filter and dispenser system for an automatic washer is provided in which a liquid pumping agitator with a top mounted nozzle directs the wash liquid selectively at different locations to perform various functions throughout the washing cycle.

Abstract: A dyeing method and system for coloring the pile yarns of a carpet web provides for the reuse of gum used in the dyeing process and the reuse of water used for rinsing the carpet. The gum, which is extracted hot from the carpet web as it exits the steamer where the dye is set in the face yarns and prior to the rinsing of the carpet is filtered and passed through a heat exchanger into a gum storage tank for reuse. The heat exchanger is used to recover latent heat from the gum and preheat water on its way to a boiler used in the dyeing system.

Abstract: A filter cone fixed to the bottom of a washing machine basket includes a plurality of closely spaced rigid teeth in a circumferential row extending outwardly and upwardly to divide the tub into first and second chambers for filtering laundry liquid during a washing cycle and for preventing sediment and debris from returning into the basket during a direct-into-spin portion of the wash cycle. The reverse flow of water through the filter teeth during the drain portion of the washing cycle effects self-cleaning of the teeth.

Abstract: A wet treatment machine, notably for dyeing or bleaching of fabrics in rope form, is equipped with a dyeing system and includes means for circulating, storage and folding, and fabric unloading means.

Abstract: A filtering device for a dry cleaning machine comprising a casing having a door at one end, an inlet conduit means situated in said casing and having a plenty of perforations at a periphery thereof, outlet conduit means at the front or rear part of said casing, a first filter assembly in said casing and spacer means situated between said first filter assembly and said casing. The first filter assembly includes an elongated base member to substantially cover the inlet conduit means and having a plenty of perforations at a periphery thereof, a plurality of flanges detachably connected around the base member and first filter means carried by the flanges to substantially cover the base member. The spacer means includes a porous wall and a plenty of ribs provided at an outer periphery of the wall.

Abstract: A spray washing system for garments including at least three spray stations for spraying garments passing through the spray stations. Each spray station has a liquid tank and a pump which has an inlet located in the associated tank. Liquid is introduced into the tank of the first spray station. Pipes interconnect the tanks of the first spray station and the second spray station, and the tanks of the second spray station and the third spray station for feeding liquid sequentially from the first spray station to the third spray station. The sequential flow of liquid between the tanks of the spray stations is opposite to the sequence of passage of the garments through the spray stations. Liquid is introduced continuously in the tank of the first spray station, and liquid is fed continuously to the sequentially interconnected spray stations. The pipes interconnecting the spray stations are overflow pipes.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process in which contaminating solvent vapor is removed from a gas stream discharged from a dry cleaning machine and the stream then recycled. As a preliminary to the removal of the solvent vapor the gas is bubbled through an aqueous liquid. In some gas (for example when the solvent is perchloroethylene) the liquid is water and the gas stream is then returned to the machine where it passes over cooling coils so that the solvent vapor condenses and is collected. In other gas (when the solvent is trichloroethane or trichloroethylene) the aqueous liquid is a solution of a catalyst or emulsifying agent, the solvent being recovered by conventional chemical processes. Removal of the solvent is carried out in a recovery tank having inlet means for the gas extending into the bottom of the tank and including a foraminous screen through which gas is bubbled into the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A cleaning chamber and a separate spaced-apart drying chamber are provided, which communicate with one another. Articles are cleaned in the cleaning chamber while the same is out of communication with the drying chamber. Then the communication between the chambers are established and the cleaned articles are transported from the cleaning chamber into the drying chamber with a stream of air circulating in a closed path. After this, the communication between the chambers is interrupted and the thus-transported articles are dried in the drying chamber. A transport conduit communicates the chambers with one another, and a flap located in the former is operative for closing and opening the transport conduit. An air passage additionally communicates the chambers with one another, and an air impeller causes air to travel into the cleaning chamber to thereby transport the articles from the same, and to travel into the drying chamber to thereby dry the articles.