Tunnel washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a tunnel washer apparatus. The apparatus provides a plurality of modules that include an intake module, a discharge module, and one or more modules in between the intake module and the discharge module. Multiple modules have a cylinder. Each cylinder has first and second cylinder ends. A scoop enables transfer of fabric articles to be washed from one cylinder to another cylinder. A first plate is connected to the scoop, wherein the first plate has a concave edge portion and a convex edge portion. The first plate preferably is welded to the first cylinder end with a first weld that extends along the convex edge portion. A second plate is connected to the scoop. The second plate has first and second convex edge portions. The second plate preferably is welded to the second cylinder end with a second weld that extends along one of the second plate convex edge portions. There is a first stress relieving gap in between the first cylinder end and the first weld. There is a second stress relieving gap in between the second cylinder end and the second weld. This arrangement enables the scoop and both plates to move together, thus providing a stress relieving annulus at scoop ends that reduces stress on or near one or more of the scoop to cylinder connections or welds below a threshold that otherwise results in fatigue/cracking.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of relieving stress on a tunnel washer transfer scoop that is attached to a tunnel washer drum, said tunnel washer having multiple drums connected together with one or more annular rings, comprising the steps of:
 a) connecting the scoop to the tunnel washer drum with first and second plates and first and second welds, the first plate being an upstream plate, the second plate being a downstream plate;   b) in step “a” the first weld connecting the first plate to a said drum at a drum upstream end;   c) in step “a” the second weld connecting the second plate to a drum downstream end;   d) positioning at least one of the welds in between a central longitudinal axis and drum periphery and outwardly of one of said annular rings; and   e) allowing each of said first and second plates to pivot relative to a said first or second weld.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first plate has a convex edge portion and in step “b” includes welding the convex edge to the drum upstream end with a weld that extends along said convex edge. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the second plate has a convex edge portion and in step “c” includes welding the convex edge to the drum downstream end with a weld that extends along said convex edge. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising moving the scoop longitudinally with the pivoting plates of step “e”. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first plate has a concave edge portion and connecting the concave edge portion to the scoop. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the second plate has a convex edge portion and connecting the convex edge portion to the scoop. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising connecting each said plate to the scoop with a bend and in step “e” pivoting each plate in between a said weld and a said bend. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the rings include an inner annular ring and an outer annular ring and further comprising positioning the weld in between the central longitudinal axis and the outer annular ring. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the first plate flexes in between the concave and convex portions. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the second plate flexes in between both convex portions. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20  wherein there are two (2) annular rings and the welds are positioned closer to the central longitudinal axis than one said ring and farther from the central longitudinal axis than the other said ring. 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled)