Washing machine

• US 3,916,652 A
• Filed: 06/26/1973
• Issued: 11/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter Roscoe Hartley Speakman
• Original Assignee: Peter Roscoe Hartley Speakman
• Inventors: Speakman, Peter Roscoe Hartley
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US05/373,697
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 68/13R,15,16 134/105
• US Class Current: 68/13.00R
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/0063 Photo- activating compounds
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/00 Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A machine for washing textile materials is provided with a source of visible light which irradiates the wash liquor containing a photoactivator and the textiles therein, providing a means for removing stains from the textiles.

Claims

1. A machine for washing textile materials comprising a vessel for holding an aqueous wash liquor containing photoactivators and the textiles to be washed, means for providing relative movement between the wash liquor and the textiles, and at least one source of visible light secured to the machine and directed so as to irradiate at least part of the wash liquor and textiles, the said light source having a power of at least 100 watts, and emitting light of a wavelength of at least 640 nm.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a tungsten filament lIght bulb of at least 100 watt power.

3. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a quartz lamp of at least 100 watt power.

4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is mounted in a side wall of the vessel and is submerged in the wash liquor in use.

5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is mounted on a closure lid thereof.

6. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is mounted externally to a side wall of the vessel and directed to irradiate the contents therein.

7. A machine according to claim 1 which additionally comprises means for controlling the wash liquor at desired temperatures.

8. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is mounted in a bottom wall of the vessel and is submerged in the wash liquor in use.

9. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is mounted externally to a bottom wall of the vessel and directed to irradiate the contents therein.