Washer extractor and method

Abstract

A method of washing fabric articles provides a washer extractor having a reservoir for holding fabric articles and a washing liquid. A washing liquid is pumped from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior. The ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water. Fluid is pulse flowed to the textile articles at a volume of between about 0.5 to 2 gallons (2 to 8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles for a selected time interval. Washing chemicals are added to the washer extractor. Water is transmitted to the washer extractor at the rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 to 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval.

1 . A method of washing fabric articles, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a reservoir of washing liquid;   b) providing a washer extractor having an interior for holding fabric articles;   c) placing fabric articles to be washed in the interior of the washer extractor;   d) pumping the washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior;   e) adding washing chemicals to the washer extractor interior;   f) transmitting rinse water to the washing extractor interior at a rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 and 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; and   g) extracting liquid from the washer extractor after step “f”.   
     
     
         2 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is an alkali. 
     
     
         3 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is a detergent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein one of the chemicals of step “e” is a sour solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4 and 8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed fabric articles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 100 degrees F. (38 degrees C.). 
     
     
         7 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 120 degrees F. (49 degrees C.). 
     
     
         8 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein the time interval of step “f′ is about one minute. 
     
     
         9 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein the time interval of step “f′ is about two minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water. 
     
     
         11 . A washer extractor apparatus, comprising:
 a) a washer extractor for holding fabric articles to be washed in a washing liquid having an associated reservoir and a washer extractor interior;   b) a reservoir having a flow line that enables transmission of washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior;   c) a pump that enables flowing of rinse fluid to the fabric articles at a volume of between about 0.5 to 2.0 gallons (2-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles for a selected time interval;   d) wherein said pump is capable of transmitting water to the washer extractor at the rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33-2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; and   e) a flow line that enables extraction of liquid from the washer extractor.   
     
     
         12 . The washer extractor of  claim 11  further comprising a flow line for adding chemicals to the washer extractor interior. 
     
     
         13 . The washer extractor of  claim 11  wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of washed and fluid extracted fabric articles. 
     
     
         14 . A method of washing fabric articles, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a reservoir of washing liquid;   b) providing a washer extractor having an interior for holding fabric articles;   c) placing fabric articles to be washed in the interior of the washer extractor;   d) pumping the washing liquid from the reservoir to the washer extractor interior wherein the washer extractor interior has a liquid upper surface;   e) controlling the liquid upper surface level with a weir that continuously discharges excess water from the washer extractor interior, said weir having a weir effluent;   f) adding washing chemicals to the washer extractor interior;   g) transmitting rinse water to the washing extractor interior at a rate of 0.35 to 0.6 gallons (1.33 to 2.3 liters) of water per pound (0.45 kg) of fabric articles within a selected time interval; and   h) extracting liquid from the washer extractor after step “f′, wherein excess liquid that has been added in step “f” is discharged via the weir.   
     
     
         15 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is an alkali. 
     
     
         16 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is a detergent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein one of the chemicals of step “f” is a sour solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein water consumption is between about 1 and 2 gallons (4-8 liters) per pound (0.45 kg) of processed fabric articles. 
     
     
         19 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of about 100 degrees F. 
     
     
         20 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein the water temperature in step “d” is in excess of 120 degrees F. 
     
     
         21 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein the time interval of step “g” is about one minute. 
     
     
         22 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein the time interval of step “g” is about two minutes. 
     
     
         23 . The method of washing fabric articles of  claim 14  wherein the ratio of pounds of washing liquid to pounds of fabric articles is about 4 to 1, plus absorbed water. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the extracted liquid of step “g” is transmitted to the reservoir of step “a”. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a flow line for enabling transmission of the extracted liquid to the reservoir. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the extracted liquid of step “h” is transmitted to the reservoir of step “a”. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the extracted liquid of step “g” is re-circulated to comprise at least a part of the rinse water of step “g”. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a re-circulation flow line connecting the washer extractor to the reservoir, wherein said re-circulation flow line enables transmission of at least some of the extracted liquid to the reservoir so that at least some of said extracted liquid becomes a part of the rinse water. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 14  wherein at least some of the extracted liquid of step “g” is re-circulated to comprise at least a part of the rinse water of step “g”. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a re-circulation flow line that conveys all or part of said weir effluent to said reservoir.