Method and apparatus for containing and agitating the contents of a container

The subject of the invention is a method of moving multiple objects between themselves and a device for moving multiple objects between themselves.

The invention applies in particular to the processes of cleaning, polishing, abrasion, granulation, peeling and coating. In particular, the invention is applicable in the field of laundry for cleaning (washing) or in fabric treatment processes.

Conventional washing machines work by moving textile objects inside a rotating drum in the presence of water and detergent, whereby dirt from the fibers of these items is released into the water. This movement is caused, in the case of washing machines with front loading, by rotating the drum about a substantially horizontal axis, whereby the textile objects hit each other and rub against each other and against the drum walls. The rotational speed of the drum is limited, because if this speed is too high, the textile objects are only pressed, under centrifugal forces, against the inner walls of the drum. The objects then rotate with the drum and no movement relative to the drum or other objects is achieved. As a result, the range of movement between objects that can be applied to textile objects in washing machines with front loading is limited. This means that in order to achieve a certain standard of cleaning, the washing machine must run for a minimum period of time.

The object of the invention is to develop a method of moving many objects between them with greater intensity and to develop a suitable device.

The method of moving a plurality of objects between each other, in which these objects are introduced into the drum and then the drum rotates, according to the invention is characterized in that during at least part of the drum rotation step, adjacent rotating parts of the drum are set in relative movement with each other.

Preferably, during at least part of the drum rotation step, adjacent rotational parts rotate at different speeds and / or in different directions.

In particular, during at least part of the drum rotating step, adjacent rotating parts are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions.

Optionally, during at least part of the drum rotating step, adjacent rotating parts are rotated at different speeds in the same direction.

Optionally, during at least part of the drum rotating step, adjacent rotating parts are rotated at different speeds in opposite directions.

In particular, during at least part of the drum rotating step, the at least one rotating part is stationary and the adjacent rotating part is rotated.

During part of the drum rotation step, adjacent rotatable parts preferably rotate at the same speed and in the same direction.

The apparatus for moving multiple objects between them, having a rotatable drum to house those objects and a drum drive, according to the invention is characterized in that the drum has at least two rotatable parts connected to a drive enabling relative movement between adjacent rotatable parts.

Preferably, the rotatable parts are connected to a drive enabling the adjacent rotatable parts to rotate at different speeds and / or in different directions.

In particular, the rotatable parts are connected to a drive enabling the adjacent rotatable parts to rotate at different speeds in the same direction.

Alternatively, the rotatable parts are connected to a drive enabling the adjacent rotatable parts to rotate at the same speed in opposite directions.

Alternatively, the rotatable parts are connected to a drive enabling the adjacent rotatable parts to rotate at different speeds in opposite directions.

The rotatable parts preferably have a common axis of rotation. In particular, the common axis of rotation is the horizontal axis. Alternatively, the common axis of rotation is the axis tilted towards the vertical direction.

Preferably, each of the rotatable parts of the drum has a substantially cylindrical shape. In particular, the drum has two rotating parts. Alternatively, the drum has three rotating parts.

Preferably, each of the rotatable drum parts has substantially the same dimensions.

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The drum preferably has two rotatable parts, each having a substantially frustoconical shape.

The rotating parts are, in particular, connected to a drive enabling the immobilization of one of the rotating parts and the rotation of the remaining rotating part or other rotating parts.

The rotatable parts are optionally connected to a drive enabling additionally the rotation of adjacent rotatable parts at the same speed and in the same direction.

Each rotating part is preferably connected to a separate drive.

The first rotary part is optionally located inside the second rotary part. In particular, the second rotary part has a recessed part that houses the first rotary part. The second rotary part optionally has an operating part separate from the recessed part.

Preferably, the diameter of the operating part of the second rotating part is substantially the same as the diameter of the first rotating part.

In particular, the first rotary part and the second rotary part are mounted on concentric shafts.

Preferably, at least one of the rotatable parts has a plurality of blades positioned on its inner surface.

Preferably, the height of each blade is continuously reduced by at least one third of its length, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum. In particular, the height of each blade decreases continuously over at least one half of its length. In particular, the height of each blade is continuously reduced by at least three quarters of its length.

Preferably, the more distal end of each blade is arcuate at least one-third of its length, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the drum. In particular, the more distal end of each blade is arcuate at least one half of its length. In particular, the more distal end of each blade is arcuate at least three-quarters of its length.

Each of the rotatable parts preferably has three blades.

The relative rotation between adjacent rotating parts prevents objects from sticking to the inner wall of the drum. Thus, the rotational speed of the rotating parts may be increased above that at which these objects would normally cease to be rotated. This means that the degree of movement applied to these objects can be made more intense. Thus, these items can be subjected to more intensive processing than in a conventional device. If the device is a washing machine, dirt is released from textile objects at a higher speed than in known devices, and therefore the cleaning process is either more thorough at a given time, or the desired cleaning standard is obtained faster. The device that performs other processes related to moving many objects between each other will have similar advantages.

The object of the invention is illustrated in the examples of the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the first embodiment, Fig. 2 - cross-section of the device of Fig. 1 forming part of the washing machine, Fig. 3a - front view the drive mechanism forming part of the device of Fig. 2, Fig. 3b - side view of the drive mechanism of Fig. 3a, Fig. 4 - schematic perspective view of the device according to the second embodiment, fig. 5 - cross-section of the device according to fig. 4 forming part of the washing machine, fig. 6a, b and c - schematic perspective views of the device according to the third, fourth and fifth embodiments, fig. 7a - view from front of the device according to the sixth embodiment, fig. 7b - perspective view of the device of fig. 7a in the open position, fig. 8 - a perspective view of the device according to the seventh embodiment, Fig. 9 - a cross-sectional view of the device according to the tenth embodiment, Fig. 10 - an exploded view of the rotating drum parts forming part of the device of Fig. 9, and Figures 11a and 1b respectively show a side view and from above the blade forming part of the device of Figures 9 and 10.

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The device according to the first embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. In general, the device 10 consists of a cylindrical drum 12 mounted with the possibility of rotation about axis 14. The drum 12 consists of two separate rotary parts 16a and 16b, each of which consists of cylindrical wall and circular end wall. Each circular end wall closes the respective rotatable portion 16a, 16b on one side, the open side facing the other rotatable portion 16b, 16a, respectively. One of the circular end walls has a door 15 inserted into it. Door 15 is mounted in a conventional manner and will not be further described here. This is just one way to provide access to the interior of the drum 12, and, alternatively, the door 15 'could be mounted in the cylindrical wall of one of the rotating parts 16a, 16b. The rotatable parts 16a, 16b are mounted individually so that they can rotate about axis 14, e.g. by support elements 17, each of which is driven by a separate drive 24a, 24b (see Figures 2 and 3). The drives 24a, 24b are arranged and adapted so that each of the rotatable parts 16a, 16b can be rotated about axis 14 at a speed or in a direction which is different from the direction and speed of the other rotatable part 16b, 16a. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable portion 16a can be rotated in the direction of arrow 18a at the same time as the rotatable portion 16b can be rotated at the same speed in the direction of arrow 18b.

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 in application to washing machines. Drum 12 is located here in a ladle or tank 20 which also contains water and detergent. Textile objects 22 to be washed are placed in a drum 12 which has perforations (not shown) to allow water to flow into drum 12 from tank 20 and vice versa. There is no need for the rotating parts 16a, 16b to be sealed to each other because the flow of water to and from the drum 12 is acceptable. Two separate drives 24a, 24b are located above the rotating parts 16a, 16b for driving independently of said rotating parts 16a, 16b. Drives 24a, 24b will be described in more detail below.

When the drives 24a, 24b are activated, the rotatable portion 16a is driven by the drive 24a in the direction of arrow 18a, and the rotatable portion 16b is driven by the drive 24b in the direction of arrow 18b. The rotatable parts 16a, 16b thereby rotate around the axis 14 at the same speed, but in opposite directions. Textile objects 22 contained within the drum 12 are moved while the rotatable parts 16a, 16b rotate. Textile objects 22 are always prevented from sticking to the cylindrical wall of any of the rotatable portions 16a, 16b by other objects being rotated in the opposite direction by the second rotatable portion 16a, 16b. These other objects pull said objects 22 away from the pivot wall of the portion 16a, 16b on which they are located. The rotational speed of each rotational part of the device can therefore be higher than the speed achieved in known washing machines, and this also allows a higher degree of movement between them to be achieved. Achieving a higher degree of agitation means that the desired degree of purification can be achieved in a much shorter time than what was previously possible. Alternatively, the washing machine may now be able to achieve a much higher degree of cleaning in a given period of time than was previously possible.

One example of drives 24a, 24b is illustrated in Figs. 3a and 3b. These drives can be identical. For this reason, only one drive is illustrated. The illustrated propulsion means described below should not be understood as the only propulsion suitable for this purpose. It is clear to the skilled person that there may be other propulsion means equally suitable for this application. As can be seen in Figs. 3a and 3b, the drive consists of a motor 30 having a shaft 32 supporting the first gear 34. A chain 36 or other connecting member couples the first gear 34 as well as the second gear 38 attached to a rotary shaft 40 that is mounted to the housing or support structure of the washing machine via support means (not shown). Shaft 40 also supports a third gear 42, whose teeth 44 are adapted to engage with links of chain 46 or other connecting member located on the periphery of one of rotating parts 16a, 16b. When the engine 30 is running, the shaft 32 rotates, causing the first gear 34 to rotate. This drives the chain 36, which causes the second gear 38 to rotate and, consequently, the third gear 42. The rotation of the third gear 42 forces the rotation around the axis 14 of the rotating part to which this drive is attached. The direction of rotation of the rotating part is determined by the direction of rotation of the engine, while the speed of rotation of the rotating part is determined not only by the speed of the engine, but also by the configuration of the gears. The rotational speed of the rotating parts can therefore be chosen freely.

Toothed wheels 34, 38, 42 and connecting chains or members 36, 46 may be replaced, where appropriate, with pulleys and drive belts or other equivalent elements. If a drive belt is used to drive the rotatable portion 16a, 16b, such belt may be most preferably wrapped around a pulley located on or concentrically with respect to the axis 14 shown in Fig. 1.

A second embodiment of the device is illustrated in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the drum 120 is made of three separate rotary parts 160a, 160b, 160c. Each of these rotatable parts 160a, 160b, 160c has a cylindrical wall, and the outer parts 160a, 160c also have circular end walls, whereby the cylindrical drum 120 is substantially closed. A door 150 is used on one of the end walls. Drive means similar to those shown in Fig. 3 (although not shown) are used to rotate each of the brace parts 160a, 160b, 160c about the axis 140. Each of the outer rotary parts 160a and 160c can rotate in the first direction (see arrows 180a, 180c), while the central rotary part 160b rotate in the opposite direction (see arrow 180b) but at the same speed.

The movement used on the contents of drum 120 is also much higher than would be possible with a conventional washing machine. The rotation of adjacent rotatable parts 180a, 180b: 180b, 180c in opposite directions prevents objects from adhering to the cylindrical walls of the drum 120 simply because other objects that are rotated in the opposite direction will not allow them to be guided around the drum 120. These other objects effectively detach the first objects from the walls, and the movement action continues even at high rotational speed of the rotatable parts 180a, 180b, 180c.

When this arrangement is used in the washing machine as shown in Fig. 5, the movement of the textile objects 220 placed in the drum 120 is much higher than can be achieved using known systems. As previously noted, the drum 120 is placed in a tank 200 containing water and detergent to clean textile objects 220. However, in this arrangement, the drum 120 is mounted in the tank 200 around an inclined axis 140 rather than around a horizontal axis.

The embodiments described above have been adapted to achieve the same or similar effect, especially in terms of speed and rotation directions of the parts, respectively. Illustrations of alternative arrangements are shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c. In Fig. 6a, the rotatable parts 16a, 16lb are shown to rotate in the same direction but at different speeds, as indicated by arrows 181a, 181b. In fig. 6b, the rotatable portions 162a, 162b are shown to rotate at different speeds, but in opposite directions shown by arrows 182a, 182b. In Fig. 6c, one rotatable portion 163b is shown held stationary (cross 183b) while the other rotatable portion 163a rotates (see arrow 183a). In all three cases there is relative rotation between the rotatable parts 161 a, 161 b; 162a, 162b; 163a, 163b, whereby the effect of producing increased agitation of the contents of the drum 120 is achieved. The arrangements shown in Fig. 6 also apply to drums consisting of three or even more rotating parts.

A further alternative example is illustrated in Figs. 7a and 1b>. In this example, the washing machine 300 comprises a stationary tank 310, inside which two rotatable parts 320a, 320b, arranged on both sides of the stationary part 330, have been supported in any known manner. Stationary part 330 includes a door 332 which is hinged about axis 334, by which they can be opened to allow objects to be inserted inside the rotatable parts 320a, 320b. The stationary portion 330 is substantially triangular in view

188 032 from the side as shown in fig. 7a. This allows the axes 312a, 312b to be tilted toward each other around which rotatable parts 320a, 320b can be rotated.

In use, the door 332 is opened to allow the insertion of textile objects into the drum 314, and then the door 332 closes. During the washing cycle, the rotatable parts 320a, 320b rotate about axis 312a, 312b, while the stationary part 330 remains stationary. This creates a relative movement between each of the rotatable parts 320a, 320b and the stationary part 330, even when the rotatable parts 320a, 320b are rotated at the same speed and in the same direction. However, a higher degree of movement is expected to be achieved if the rotatable parts 320a, 320b are rotated about their axes 312a, 312b respectively at different speeds and / or in different directions. As noted in the previous case, the reservoir 310 performs the function of retaining water and detergent in which items inside the drum 314 are to be washed.

Drums that consist of two or more substantially cylindrical parts that can rotate around a common axis can be opened to allow access without having to provide an opening door in the drum wall. Since the drum is made of separate parts, one of these parts may be allowed to be moved away from the adjacent part to provide access. One way to achieve this is schematically illustrated in Figure 8. Drum 414 includes two rotatable parts 420a, 420b that can rotate about axis 412. No door is provided on any of the cylindrical walls or circular end walls of any of the rotatable parts 420a, 420b. Instead, one of the rotatable parts 420b is mounted such that when the drum 414 is to be opened, the entire rotatable portion 420 is biased on the mandrel from the other rotatable portion 420a. The opening position is illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 8. In other respects, the structure of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to the structure of the embodiments illustrated and described above.

Another embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9. The washing machine 500 has a tub 502 which surrounds and houses a drum 550. The tub 502 is watertight to contain and retain water and detergent. The ladle 502 has an inlet 504 and an outlet 506 for entering and draining water and detergent, respectively. A door 508 is located on the front wall of the ladle 502 to allow objects to be introduced into the drum 550.

Drum 550 is mounted on a bracket on the wall of ladle 502 away from door 508. According to the invention, drum 550 is made of two separate rotary parts 560, 570. The first outer rotary part 560 is supported on a hollow cylindrical shaft 561. Angular contact bearing 562 is positioned between the rear wall of ladle 502 and the hollow cylindrical shaft 561. The outer rotary portion 560 is sized to substantially fill the interior of ladle 502. More specifically, the outer rotary portion 560 has a substantially circular rear wall 563 extending from the hollow cylindrical shaft 561 towards the cylindrical ladle wall 502, wherein the substantially cylindrical wall 564 extends parallel to the cylindrical ladle walls 502 from the rear wall 563 towards the front wall of ladle 502, and the substantially annular front plane 565 extends from the cylindrical wall 564 towards the door 508. Sufficient clearance is provided between walls 563, 564, 565 of outer rotary portion 560 and ladle 502 to prevent external rotary portion 560 from coming into contact with ladle 502 when the drum is in a spinning state.

On the inner side of the cylindrical wall 564 of the outer rotary part 560, an inner cylindrical wall 566 is also used. This inner cylindrical wall 566 extends from a point that is substantially halfway between the back wall 563 and the front plane 565 to the front plane 565. The space between the inner cylindrical wall 566 and the cylindrical wall 564 is a recess, but, if desired, it can be filled with reinforcing material. In this case, the reinforcing material must be light. The use of parallel cylindrical walls 564, 566 in the outer portion of the rotary portion 560 closest to the front plane 565 provides strength to the entire outer rotary portion 560, while reducing the inner diameter of the outer rotary portion 560 in this area.

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The inner rotational part 570 is supported on the central shaft 571, which in turn is supported by deep groove bearings 572 located between the central shaft 571 and the hollow cylindrical shaft 561. The inner rotational part 570 comprises a substantially circular rear wall 573 extending from central shaft 571 towards the cylindrical ladle wall 502, and cylindrical wall 574 extends from the periphery of rear wall 573 toward the front wall of ladle 502. The diameter of the cylindrical wall 574 of the inner rotatable portion 570 is substantially the same as the diameter of the inner cylindrical wall 566 of the outer rotatable portion 560. The cylindrical wall 574 of the inner rotatable portion 570 is dimensioned such that its distal end approaches the end of the cylindrical wall 566 closest to it. It is preferable to keep the gap between these two cylindrical walls 574, 566 as small as possible. Sealing ring 567 is located on the cylindrical wall 564 of the outer cylindrical part 560 directly at the end of the inner cylindrical wall 566 just at the inner cylindrical part 570 so as to provide support for the distal end of its cylindrical wall 574.

The central shaft 571 and the hollow cylindrical shaft 561 are each driven by separate drives 580, 582. The means by which shafts 561, 571 are driven are not critical, but sufficient flexibility must be provided to allow rotation of the inner and outer rotating parts 570 , 560 according to the method described above. Means to achieve this are obvious to the skilled person and do not form an essential part of the invention.

Fig. 10 is an illustration of the unfolded assembly of the inner and outer rotatable parts 570, 560. As can be seen in Figs. 9 and 10, the inner rotatable part 570 is located inside the outer rotatable part 560, whereby the cylindrical wall 574 of the inner rotatable part 570 is aligned with the inner cylindrical wall 566 of the outer rotary part. The central shaft 571 rests inside the hollow cylindrical shaft 561. Both the inner and outer rotatable parts are preferably made of stainless steel using clamping and welding techniques, although the manufacturing method is not critical to the invention and it is anticipated that the rotatable parts may also be formed of suitable plastic.

Blades 590 are also located inside each of the rotatable parts 560, 570. In the illustrated embodiment, three equally spaced blades 590 are positioned on the cylindrical walls 574, 566 of each of the rotatable parts 570, 560 respectively. If desired, less or more blades. All blades 590 are substantially identical and their shape is shown in Figures 11a and 11b. As can be seen in fig. 11a, the blade 590 has a height that significantly decreases from one end 592 towards the other end 594. In any case, the end 592 will be positioned directly at the circular wall or end plane of the rotating part 560, 570 to which the blade 590 is attached. For 590 blades attached to the outer rotary part 560, end 592 will be directly at the annular end plane 565, and for 590 blades attached to the inner rotary part 570, the end 592 of the 590 blades will be directly at the rear wall 573. The upper surface 596 of the 590 blades has an arcuate the portion at the end of 592, and the arcuate portion may extend over not less than one-third or not more than three-quarters of the length of the blade 590. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate portion extends over one half of the length of the blade 590, and in particular about two-thirds of its length. The remainder of the upper edge 596 of the blade 590 extends parallel to its lower surface 598. Viewed from above, as shown in Fig. 11b, the side edges 599 of the blade 590 approach each other as they approach the distal end 594 of the blade. 1 here also the side edges 599 are arched in part of their length, the remainder of their length being parallel to the other.

The length of each blade 590 is selected such that when the blades 590 are located on the cylindrical walls 566, 574 of the outer and inner rotatable parts 560, 570, the distal end 594 of each of the blades 590 extends to a distance of between 10 and 30 millimeters from the gap between the cylindrical walls 566, 574. The shape of the upper po10

188 032 of the top 596 of each blade 590 is selected so that the height of each blade 590 at end 592 is sufficient to provide continuous rotation of the items contained within the drum 550 when the drum is full or when heavier laundry is washed. However, the height of paddles 590 is small enough at the distal end 594 to provide gentle washing performance for delicate items when needed. Suitable dimensions for a typical washing machine blade are: maximum height generally 50 millimeters, minimum height generally 20 millimeters, and length of the blade essentially 190 millimeters.

The device described above can be used as follows. The items to be washed are placed inside the drum 550 and the water is introduced through the inlet 504 in a known manner either at the required temperature or at a reduced temperature, in which case it is then heated to the required temperature. At the beginning of the washing cycle, detergent is introduced into the drum 550, this time also in a known manner. The rotating parts 560, 570 are then rotated by drives 580, 582 so that the speed and / or direction of rotation of one of the rotating parts 560 are different from these parameters for the other rotating part 570. The rotating parts 560, 570 can be rotated at different speeds in the same direction, with the same speed in opposite directions or with different speeds in opposite directions. Alternatively, one part 560, 570 can be held stationary while the other part 570, 560 rotates. In any case, the rotation speed of the rotating parts 570, 560 may be increased above the normal rotation speed of the washing machine drums during the washing cycle. In known washing machines it would not normally exceed 50 rpm. Even at rotation speeds well in excess of 50 rpm, the content of the drum 550 according to the invention does not stick to the wall of the drum, and thus the movement applied to said content can be significantly increased.

When it is desirable to rinse items placed inside the drum 550, the washing water is drained from the drum 550 through the outlet 506 in a known manner, and clean water is introduced into it through the inlet 504. The rotating parts 560, 570 continue to rotate in the same manner as during washing to maintain a high level of movement of textile objects. After rinsing, the rotating parts 560, 570 are rotated at the same speed and in the same direction to centrifuge excess water from textiles in the usual way. The rotatable parts 560, 570 can be joined at this point by means of closing means (not shown) to ensure that there is no or little relative movement between the rotatable parts 560, 570 during centrifugation. If such attachment is present, all but one of the drives 580, 582 can be turned off so that all or both parts 560, 570 are driven by a single drive. Alternatively, drives 580, 582 can be configured such that all or both of the rotatable parts 560, 570 are driven in the same direction and at the same speed during centrifugation, with any slight speed differences being controlled only by the presence of drum 550 contents. With increased agitation of drum 550 contents, it is anticipated that the duration of the normal washing cycle currently lasting about 90 minutes can be reduced by about half, and possibly more so without any reduction in the degree of cleaning of the items being cleaned.

The device according to the invention is not limited to washing machines in its application and can be advantageously used in any device in which the contents of the tank require high movement and where shortening the duration of the movement would be beneficial. Other applications include polishing (e.g. decorative stones), attrition, granulation, peeling (e.g. foodstuffs such as potatoes) and coating. Furthermore, the invention is also intended to include variants of the device described above. For example, the shape of the drum does not have to be cylindrical and drums constituting a fragment of the ball or a truncated cone are envisaged. The rotatable parts can also be configured so that they are not substantially similar to each other. For example, in a cylindrical drum, one part may form the cylindrical wall of the drum, while the other may form the circular end wall of the drum. These and other variations are understood by a specialist.

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