Washing machine comprising a bleaching device and a reservoir for water-insoluble solid particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine ( 1 ) comprising a washing chamber ( 2 ) for receiving a wash liquor and textile substrates to be cleaned, and a decoloration device ( 3 ) which has an inlet ( 4 ) for introducing wash liquor from the washing chamber ( 2 ) into the decoloration device ( 3 ) as well as an outlet ( 5 ) for discharging wash liquor from the decoloration device ( 3 ) into the washing chamber ( 2 ), and which, moreover, has at least one activator that is suitable for initiating, within the decoloration device ( 3 ), a process for forming free radicals in the wash liquor. According to the present invention, the washing machine includes a reservoir containing water-insoluble solid particles. Furthermore, a method for washing textile substrates in such a washing machine is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising a washing chamber for receiving a wash liquor and textile substrates to be cleaned, a reservoir for a large number of water-insoluble solid particles, and a decoloration device which has an inlet for introducing wash liquor from the washing chamber into the decoloration device as well as an outlet for discharging wash liquor from the decoloration device into the washing chamber, wherein at least one activator is housed within the decoloration device, and wherein the at least one activator is suitable for initiating a process for forming free radicals in the wash liquor. 
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the activator comprises a UV radiation source. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the decoloration device contains a photocatalyst for photocatalytic water splitting. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one additional pump is provided, said pump pumping the wash liquor out from the washing chamber into the decoloration device and/or out therefrom. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit for regulating the use and/or the intensity and/or the duration of the process for forming free radicals. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wash liquor. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the decoloration device is located in a housing inside or outside the washing machine. 
     
     
         8 . A method for washing textile substrates by using the washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 filling the washing chamber of the washing machine with the textile substrates to be washed;   starting a wash cycle;   washing the laundry by bringing the textile substrates into contact with water, a detergent, and a large number of water-insoluble solid particles;   introducing wash liquor from the washing chamber into the decoloration device;   treating the wash liquor in the decoloration device by using the activator; and   discharging the treated wash liquor from the decoloration device into the washing chamber, wherein the introducing and/or discharging of the wash liquor and the treatment of the wash liquor in the decoloration device may be performed continuously, discontinuously, or sequentially.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the wash liquor is adjusted to a temperature of 10° C. to 100° C. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the weight ratio of textile substrate to water-insoluble solid particles is in the range of 1:1 to 1:30. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the water-insoluble solid particles
 a. are inorganic in nature, comprising zeolites, clays, and/or ceramic; and/or   b. are organic in nature, in particular, comprising polymer particles.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the water-insoluble solid polymer particles contain polyalkenes, polyesters, polyurethanes, and/or polyamides, including copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the particles have a mean weight in the range of 20 to 50 mg. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the large number of soiled water-insoluble solid particles are optionally regenerated with the use of further additives by being introduced and treated by use of the activator and being discharged from the decoloration device.