Tumbling method of washing fabric in a horizontal axis washer

• US 5,219,370 A
• Filed: 01/02/1992
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Pastryk, Jim J., Hardaway, Anthony H., Kovich, Mark B., Euler, John W., Farrington, Sheryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chaudhry, Saeed T.
• Application Number:
  US07/815,783
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 8/158, 8/159, 68/23.5, 68/12.14, 68/58
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/006 for washing or rinsing only

Abstract

An improved wash process is provided wherein during a low speed spin portion of the wash process, the wash chamber or wash basket is rotated about its horizontal axis at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. During this tumbling action a recirculating spray of highly concentrated detergent solution, preferably in the range of at least 0.5% to 12% by weight is directed onto the fabric for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the detergent solution is diluted somewhat, although the concentration remains above a normal concentration of 0.06 to .28%. The wash chamber will again be spun to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. The lesser concentrated detergent solution will then be recirculated on to the fabric during a second time period.

Claims

1. A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis comprising the steps:

rotating said wash chamber about its horizontal axis with fabric therein at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will tumble in said wash chamber;

directing a recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution having a concentration level in the range of 0.5 to 12% detergent by weight onto said fabric for a first period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

after said first period of time, diluting said concentrated detergent solution to a lesser detergent concentration level, no less than 0.28% by weight, and spinning said wash chamber to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will again tumble in said wash chamber;

directing a recirculating spray of said lesser concentrated detergent solution onto said fabric for a second period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber; and

draining said lesser concentrated detergent solution from said wash chamber subsequent to said second period of time.

2. A method of washing fabric according to claim 1, wherein said concentrated detergent solution is mixed prior to being directed onto said fabric.

3. A method of washing fabric according to claim 1, wherein said detergent solution is diluted after said first period of time by adding fresh water to said detergent solution.

4. A method of washing fabric according to claim 1, wherein prior to draining said lesser concentrated detergent solution from said wash chamber, fresh water is added to cool said fabric.

5. A method of washing fabric according to claim 4, wherein said fresh water is recirculated through said fabric while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber for a third period of time.

6. A method of washing fabric according to claim 4, wherein said fresh water is passed directly to drain while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber.

7. A method of washing fabric according to claim 1, wherein after said first period of time, but before said second period of time said wash chamber is rotated at a spin speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will be prevented from tumbling in said wash chamber, and said concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through said fabric for a period of time.

8. A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis comprising the steps:

loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of said washer;

rotating said wash chamber about its horizontal axis with fabric therein at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will tumble in said wash chamber;

introducing concentrated detergent solution having a concentration level in the range of 0.5 to 12% detergent by weight onto said fabric as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

sensing an amount of concentrated detergent solution being released from said tumbling fabric and terminating the introduction of concentrated detergent solution into said wash chamber just after said fabric has reached a full saturation level at said spin speed;

directing a recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution onto said fabric for a first period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

after said first period of time, diluting said concentrated detergent solution with water to a lesser detergent concentration level, no less than 0.28% by weight, and spinning said wash chamber to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will again tumble in said wash chamber;

directing a recirculating spray of said lesser concentrated detergent solution onto said fabric for a second period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber; and

draining said lesser concentrated detergent solution from said wash chamber subsequent to said second period of time.

9. A method of washing fabric according to claim 8, wherein said concentrated detergent solution is mixed prior to being directed onto said fabric.

10. A method of washing fabric according to claim 8, wherein said detergent solution is diluted after said first period of time by adding fresh water to said detergent solution.

11. A method of washing fabric according to claim 8, wherein prior to draining said lesser concentrated detergent solution from said wash chamber, fresh water is added to cool said fabric.

12. A method of washing fabric according to claim 11, wherein said fresh water is recirculated through said fabric while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber for a third period of time.

13. A method of washing fabric according to claim 11, wherein said fresh water is passed directly to drain while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber.

14. A method of washing fabric according to claim 8, wherein after said first period of time, but before said second period of time said wash chamber is rotated at a spin speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will be prevented from tumbling in said wash chamber, and said concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through said fabric for a period of time.

15. A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis comprising the steps:

loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of said washer;

rotating said wash chamber about its horizontal axis with fabric therein at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will tumble in said wash chamber;

introducing concentrated detergent solution having a concentration level in the range of 0.5 to 12% detergent by weight onto said fabric as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

sensing an amount of concentrated detergent solution being released from said tumbling fabric and terminating the introduction of concentrated detergent solution into said wash chamber just after said fabric has reached a full saturation level at said spin speed;

directing a recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution onto said fabric for a first period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

after said first period of time, diluting said concentrated detergent solution with water to a lesser detergent concentration level, no less than 0.28% by weight, and spinning said wash chamber to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will again tumble in said wash chamber;

directing a recirculating spray of said lesser concentrated detergent solution onto said fabric for a second period of time as said fabric is tumbling in said wash chamber;

draining said lesser concentrated detergent solution from said wash chamber subsequent to said second period of time;

rinsing said fabric by adding water to wash chamber; and

spinning said wash chamber to effect removal of said rinse water.

16. A method of washing fabric according to claim 15, wherein said concentrated detergent solution is mixed prior to being directed onto said fabric.

17. A method of washing fabric according to claim 15, wherein said rinse water is recirculated through said fabric while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber for a third period of time.

18. A method of washing fabric according to claim 15, wherein said rinse water is passed directly to drain while said fabric is caused to tumble in said wash chamber.

19. A method of washing fabric according to claim 15, wherein after said first period of time, but before said second period of time said wash chamber is rotated at a spin speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on said fabric such that said fabric will be prevented from tumbling in said wash chamber, and said concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through said fabric for a period of time.