Pulsed hydraulic clothes washer

Abstract

A new washing machine apparatus comprises a washing compartment having a means by which large mixing bubbles six inches or more in diameter may be generated to rise from the lower portion to the upper portion of the compartment. As they rise through the compartment, these large mixing bubbles generate substantial convection currents in clothing suspended in washing solution or rinse water in the compartment, thereby providing the agitation needed for wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle with minimal shear force. Embodiments further comprise a press mechanism for the dry cycle, substantially reducing the moisture content of washed clothing without use of centrifugation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising:
 a washing compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle; and   a means for generating large bubbles of three to six inches in diameter in the bottom of the washing compartment.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for washing clothing according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water source;   a means for filling the washing compartment to a specified level with water from the water source; and   drainage lines for controllably draining liquid from the washing compartment.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for washing clothing according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a means for applying pressure to moist clothing in the washing compartment so as to press liquid from the clothing.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for washing clothing, comprising:
 a washing compartment for retaining clothing during the wash cycle, the washing compartment having a floor with perforations for drainage;   a collection basin located under the floor of the washing compartment;   drainage lines connected to the collection basin, the drainage lines operational to selectively drain liquid from the collection basin;   a water source connected to the washing compartment, the water source operational to selectively fill the washing compartment with water to a specified level; and   a bubble generator for producing large bubbles of 3 to 6 inches in diameter, the bubble generator located substantially in the bottom of the washing compartment.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for washing clothing according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 aerators for producing small bubbles less than one-half inch in diameter, the aerators located substantially in the bottom of the washing compartment.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for washing clothing according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a ceiling press movably disposed within the washing chamber to travel from near the top of the washing chamber toward the floor of the washing chamber; and   a source of force to press the ceiling press downward toward the floor of the washing chamber.   
     
     
         7 . A method of washing clothing, comprising the steps of:
 placing clothing within a washing chamber; then   filling the washing chamber to a specified level with washing liquid; then   generating large bubbles of three to six inches in diameter in the bottom of the washing chamber to agitate the clothing in the washing liquid; then   draining the washing liquid from the washing chamber; then   rinsing the clothing with water in the washing chamber; then   pressing clothing in the washing chamber to remove a substantial portion of liquid from the clothing.