Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-09-27)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A system for washing laundry comprising:
a cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device for receiving tap water and electrolyzing the tap water to generate nano hydrogen bubbles and nano ion water or alkaline electrolytic water together as a cleaning fluid;
a recycled water nano bubbles generation device for receiving tap water and water recycled by the system and generating ozone nano bubbles from a mixture of the tap water and the recycled water; and
at least one washing machine capable of performing one of a plurality of wash cycles including pre-wash, main wash, and rinse;
wherein in the pre-wash or rinse, the recycled water nano bubbles generation device supplies the tap water having ozone nano bubbles to each of the at least one washing machine through a pre-wash or rinse line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform the pre-wash or rinse; and
wherein in the main wash, the cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device supplies the main solution to each of the least one washing machine through a cleaning fluid line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform the main wash.
2\. The system for washing laundry of claim 1, further comprising a pre-wash or rinse water filter wherein after the pre-wash or rinse has been performed, water flows through a pre-wash or rinse recycled water line into the pre-wash or rinse water filter and the pre-wash or rinse water filter is configured to filter the water.

3\. The system for washing laundry of claim 2, further comprising a pre-wash or rinse water treatment system wherein after the filtered water has flowed to the pre-wash or rinse water treatment system, the pre-wash or rinse water treatment system is configured to treat the filtered water; wherein the treated water as recycled water flows to the recycled water nano bubbles generation device; and wherein the recycled water nano bubbles generation device is configured to generates ozone nano bubbles in the recycled water.

4\. The system for washing laundry of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning fluid filter wherein after the main wash has been performed, water flows through a cleaning fluid recycled line to the cleaning fluid filter; and wherein the cleaning fluid filter is configured to removes solid particles from the water.

5\. The system for washing laundry of claim 4, further comprising a dirty cleaning fluid ozone nano bubbles treatment device wherein after the recycled water has flowed to the dirty cleaning fluid ozone nano bubbles treatment device, the dirty cleaning fluid ozone nano bubbles treatment device is configured to electrolyze the ozone nano bubbles for treatment; and wherein the treated water flows to the cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device. 7 8 9

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, the recitation of the device “to generate nano hydrogen bubbles and nano ion water or alkaline electrolytic water” is confusing as to what the device generates.  The recitation of “and” followed by “or” makes it unclear as to precisely which types of water are being generated.  Applicant is suggested to more clearly define the device “configured to receive tap water and electrolyze the tap water to generate nano hydrogen bubbles with either nano ion water or alkaline electrolytic water to produce a cleaning fluid”.
Regarding claim 1, it is unclear how the “recycled water nano bubbles generation device” is used for “generating ozone nano bubbles”.  What is meant by “recycled by the system”?  Is this device configured to receive/recycle water from the washing machine?  Does the recycled water already include nano bubbles?  Or is the device configured to generate ozone nano bubbles by itself?  The structure and structural configuration is unclear.  As best understood from the original disclosure, the recycled water nano bubbles generation device is configured to receive tap water and water recycled by at least one washing machine and generate ozone nano bubbles from a mixture of the tap water and the recycled water to be supplied to the at least one washing machine.  Applicant is suggested to more clearly define the structural configuration in such manner to particularly point out and distinctly claim their invention and the structural cooperative relationship between the generation devices and the at least one washing machine.
Regarding claim 1, the recitation of at least one washing machine “capable of performing one of a plurality of wash cycles…” is indefinite because it is unclear what applicant intends.  As claimed, the wash cycles are merely intended use which may be performed by any programmable controller for a washing machine.  If applicant’s intent is to positively recite such features as structural elements of the claimed apparatus, applicant may wish to recite the at least one washing machine “programmed to perform one of a plurality of wash cycles…” so such features may be given patentable weight in the claimed apparatus.
Regarding claim 3, it is unclear what structure is being recited for a “treatment system”.  What treatment device is being used and what treatment is being performed?  Clarification and correction are required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA  to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by CN 114797521 A to Chen et al. (“Chen”).
Regarding claims 1, Chen discloses a system for washing laundry comprising:
a cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device for receiving tap water and electrolyzing the tap water to generate nano hydrogen bubbles and nano ion water or alkaline electrolytic water together as a cleaning fluid (note nano- bubble generator 1, electrolytic generator 2, and hydrogen generator 4);
a recycled water nano bubbles generation device for receiving tap water and water recycled by the system and generating ozone nano bubbles from a mixture of the tap water and the recycled water (note ozone generator 3 and recirculation lines leading to and from washing machine 14); and
at least one washing machine (14) capable of performing one of a plurality of wash cycles including pre-wash, main wash, and rinse (note the washing machine of Chen is fully capable of the recited intended use of performing such wash cycles);
wherein in the pre-wash or rinse, the recycled water nano bubbles generation device supplies the tap water having ozone nano bubbles to each of the at least one washing machine through a pre-wash or rinse line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform. the pre-wash or rinse (intended use, see above, the washing machine of Chen fully capable of performing such intended use); and
wherein in the main wash, the cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device supplies the main solution to each of the least one washing machine through a cleaning fluid line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform the main wash (intended use, see above, the washing machine of Chen fully capable of performing such intended use).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA  to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.  Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 2-4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen in view of US 5,493,743 to Schneider et al. (“Schneider”).
Regarding claims 2-4, Chen discloses the claimed invention including recycling water and generating ozone for washing water of a washing machine.  Chen does not discloses the filter or water treatment system as recited in claims 2-3.  Schneider teaches that it is known to provide a washing system with a recycling system having filters 22 and water treatment system 60 prior to ozone treatment of recycled water for washing machine 10 in order to remove particulates and ions that may interfere with generation of ozone (see Fig. 1 and col. 4, ll. 7-59).
Therefore, the position is taken that it would have been obvious at the time of effective filing to provide the system of Chen with the filter and water treating water softener system of Schneider to achieve the predictable results of treating recycled water prior to ozonation and resupply to a washing machine.
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen in view of Schneider, as applied to claim 4 above, and further in view of US 2022/0316190 to Connolly et al. (“Connolly”).
Chen and Schneider, supra, disclose the claimed invention including recycling ozonated water to a washing machine.  Neither discloses electrolyzing the ozone bubbles as recited in claim 5.  However, it is old and known to provide various known techniques to recycled washing water including both electrolysis treatment and ozone treatment.  For instance, Connolly teaches a water recycling system for a washing machine, and treating the recycled water with filtering, electrolysis treatment, and ozone treatment (see Schneider at ¶ [0081]-[0084]).
Therefore, the position is taken that it would have been obvious at the time of effective filing to provide the combination of Chen and Schneider with electrolysis treatment and ozone treatment, such as that taught in Connolly, to achieve the same and predictable results of treating recycled washing water for reuse.
Conclusion


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art fails to teach or reasonably suggest the system for washing laundry of independent claim 1 comprising, inter alia, at least one washing machine configured to perform one of a plurality of wash cycles capable of performing one of a plurality of wash cycles including pre-wash, main wash, and rinse procedure; a pre-wash or rinse water filter, wherein after pre-wash or rinse procedure has been performed, water flows through a pre-wash or rinse recycled water line into the pre-wash or rinse water filter, and the pre-wash or rinse water filter is configured to filter the water; and a pre-wash or rinse water treatment system arranged between the pre-wash or rinse water filter and the recycled water nano bubbles generation device, wherein the pre-wash or rinse water treatment system is configured to treat the filtered water from the pre-wash or rinse water filter and send the treated water to the recycled water nano bubbles generation device, wherein in the pre-wash or rinse procedure, the recycled water nano bubbles generation device supplies the tap water having ozone nano bubbles to each of the at least one washing machine through a pre-wash or rinse line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform the pre-wash or rinse, and wherein in the main wash, the cleaning fluid electrolytic hydrogen nano bubbles generation device supplies a main solution to each of the least one washing machine through a cleaning fluid line so that each of the at least one washing machine is configured to perform the main wash.
Such laundry washing configuration provides novel and non-obvious results not contemplated by the prior art of record, including combined washing laundry and water treatment, reducing detergent/chemical pollution during washing, and increased cleaning performance with decreased cleaning time.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US7415847B1: Claims:
A washing machine, comprising: a washing water supplier supplying washing water to a washing tub, the washing water supplier comprising: an auxiliary storage tank connected to a tap water pipe to receive washing water from the tap water pipe and storing the washing water; a washing tub lead-in apparatus connected to the washing tub and controlling the amount of the washing water flowing into the washing tub; and a washing water storage apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and the washing tub lead-in apparatus to receive the washing water from the auxiliary storage tank and supply the washing water to the washing tub lead-in apparatus, the washing water storage apparatus comprising: a leveling apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and adjusting the amount of washing water flowing from the auxiliary storage tank; a storage tank connected to the leveling apparatus and storing the washing water; a quick cooler connected to the storage tank and decreasing the temperature of the washing water supplied from the storage tank; a magnetic field mixer connected to the quick cooler and endowing the washing water with polarity; an ozone generator for generating ozone; an ozone mixer connected to both the ozone generator and the magnetic field mixer to mix the ozone from the ozone generator with the washing water from the magnetic field mixer into a water-ozone mixture; and a rotation pump connected to the ozone mixer and atomizing the ozone of the water-ozone mixture to generate micro-bubbles; and the washing tub connected to the washing water supplier via the washing tub lead-in apparatus, the washing tub comprising a washing apparatus for washing laundry, a draining apparatus for draining the washed laundry, and a drying apparatus for drying the drained laundry.
a washing water supplier supplying washing water to a washing tub, the washing water supplier comprising: an auxiliary storage tank connected to a tap water pipe to receive washing water from the tap water pipe and storing the washing water; a washing tub lead-in apparatus connected to the washing tub and controlling the amount of the washing water flowing into the washing tub; and a washing water storage apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and the washing tub lead-in apparatus to receive the washing water from the auxiliary storage tank and supply the washing water to the washing tub lead-in apparatus, the washing water storage apparatus comprising: a leveling apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and adjusting the amount of washing water flowing from the auxiliary storage tank; a storage tank connected to the leveling apparatus and storing the washing water; a quick cooler connected to the storage tank and decreasing the temperature of the washing water supplied from the storage tank; a magnetic field mixer connected to the quick cooler and endowing the washing water with polarity; an ozone generator for generating ozone; an ozone mixer connected to both the ozone generator and the magnetic field mixer to mix the ozone from the ozone generator with the washing water from the magnetic field mixer into a water-ozone mixture; and a rotation pump connected to the ozone mixer and atomizing the ozone of the water-ozone mixture to generate micro-bubbles; and
an auxiliary storage tank connected to a tap water pipe to receive washing water from the tap water pipe and storing the washing water;
a washing tub lead-in apparatus connected to the washing tub and controlling the amount of the washing water flowing into the washing tub; and
a washing water storage apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and the washing tub lead-in apparatus to receive the washing water from the auxiliary storage tank and supply the washing water to the washing tub lead-in apparatus, the washing water storage apparatus comprising: a leveling apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and adjusting the amount of washing water flowing from the auxiliary storage tank; a storage tank connected to the leveling apparatus and storing the washing water; a quick cooler connected to the storage tank and decreasing the temperature of the washing water supplied from the storage tank; a magnetic field mixer connected to the quick cooler and endowing the washing water with polarity; an ozone generator for generating ozone; an ozone mixer connected to both the ozone generator and the magnetic field mixer to mix the ozone from the ozone generator with the washing water from the magnetic field mixer into a water-ozone mixture; and a rotation pump connected to the ozone mixer and atomizing the ozone of the water-ozone mixture to generate micro-bubbles; and
a leveling apparatus connected to the auxiliary storage tank and adjusting the amount of washing water flowing from the auxiliary storage tank;
a storage tank connected to the leveling apparatus and storing the washing water;
a quick cooler connected to the storage tank and decreasing the temperature of the washing water supplied from the storage tank;
a magnetic field mixer connected to the quick cooler and endowing the washing water with polarity;
an ozone generator for generating ozone;
an ozone mixer connected to both the ozone generator and the magnetic field mixer to mix the ozone from the ozone generator with the washing water from the magnetic field mixer into a water-ozone mixture; and
a rotation pump connected to the ozone mixer and atomizing the ozone of the water-ozone mixture to generate micro-bubbles; and
the washing tub connected to the washing water supplier via the washing tub lead-in apparatus, the washing tub comprising a washing apparatus for washing laundry, a draining apparatus for draining the washed laundry, and a drying apparatus for drying the drained laundry.
Ref US5493743A: Claims:
A method of washing laundry using a closed-loop wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a contact tank; supplying a gas of oxygen or dried air from a oxygen concentrator to an ozone generator, which is part of a total ozone generation process, treating this gas with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone thereby, wherein the oxygen percentage of oxygen fed into the ozone generator is controlled by the oxygen concentrator and the ozone production is controlled by the use of a voltage regulator; mixing the ozone into said wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and, recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said contact tank.
maintaining a supply of wash water in a contact tank;
supplying a gas of oxygen or dried air from a oxygen concentrator to an ozone generator, which is part of a total ozone generation process, treating this gas with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone thereby, wherein the oxygen percentage of oxygen fed into the ozone generator is controlled by the oxygen concentrator and the ozone production is controlled by the use of a voltage regulator;
mixing the ozone into said wash water supply;
delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle;
washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and,
recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said contact tank.
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the steps of removal of solids from said wash water supply in a solids removal tank or DAF at the end of the wash cycle and, recirculating said wash water supply from said DAF to said contact tank.
The method of claim 1 further including the step of creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said contact tank means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone in the wash water supply.
The method of claim 1 including the step of increasing the contact time by adding contact extenders to aid in mixing the ozone gas and increase dissolution rate.
The method of claim 1 including the further step of using a flow restriction fitting to create back pressure.
A method of washing laundry using a flow through wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a contact tank; supplying a gas of oxygen and/or dried air from an oxygen concentrator to an ozone generator, wherein the oxygen percentage of oxygen fed into the ozone generator is controlled by the oxygen concentrator, treating the oxygen and/or dried air gas with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone, wherein the ozone production is controlled by the use of a voltage regulator, and mixing the ozone into said wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; draining said wash water supply at the end of the wash cycle.
supplying a gas of oxygen and/or dried air from an oxygen concentrator to an ozone generator, wherein the oxygen percentage of oxygen fed into the ozone generator is controlled by the oxygen concentrator, treating the oxygen and/or dried air gas with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone, wherein the ozone production is controlled by the use of a voltage regulator,
and mixing the ozone into said wash water supply;
washing said laundry in said washing means;
draining said wash water supply at the end of the wash cycle.
The method of claim 6 further including the step of creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said contact tank means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone in the wash water supply.
The method of claim 6 including the step of increasing the contact time by adding contact extenders to aid in mixing the ozone gas and increase dissolution rate.
The method of claim 6 including the further step of using a flow restriction fitting to create back pressure.
Ref US5241720A: Claims:
A method of washing laundry using a closed-loop wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a storage tank; supplying undried ambient air to an ozone generator, treating the undried air with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone thereby; mixing the ozone into said wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and, recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said storage means.
maintaining a supply of wash water in a storage tank;
supplying undried ambient air to an ozone generator, treating the undried air with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone thereby;
mixing the ozone into said wash water supply;
delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle;
washing said laundry in said washing means;
collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and,
recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said storage means.
The method of claim 1 further including the step of controlling the moisture content of the ambient air by controlling the temperature thereof.
The method of claim 2 being further defined by air conditioning the ambient air.
The method of claim 1 further including generating a hydroxyl radical when the undried ambient air is treated by the ozone generator, and combining said hydroxyl radical with said ozone and mixing the combination in said wash water supply.
The method of claim 1 further including the step of creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said storage means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone in the wash water supply.
A method of washing laundry using a closed-loop wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a storage tank; supplying undried ambient air to an ozone generator, treating the undried air with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone thereby; mixing the ozone into said wash water supply; creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said storage means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone into the wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and, recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said storage means.
creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said storage means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone into the wash water supply;
A method of washing laundry using a closed-loop wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a storage tank; supplying undried ambient air to an ozone generator, treating the undried air with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone and a hydroxyl radical during the air treating step; mixing the ozone into said wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and, recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said storage means.
supplying undried ambient air to an ozone generator, treating the undried air with a source of electric discharge and generating ozone and a hydroxyl radical during the air treating step;
The method of claim 7 further including the step of creating a vacuum in a supply line between said ozone generator and said storage means to accelerate entrainment of the ozone in the wash water supply.
The method of claim 7 further including the step of controlling the moisture content of the ambient air by controlling the temperature thereof.
The method of claim 7 being further defined by air conditioning the ambient air.
Ref US5181399A: Claims:
An apparatus for washing laundry in a closed loop system using ozonated wash water comprising: a holding tank for maintaining a supply of wash water prior to use in a wash cycle; means for generating ozone; means for transferring the ozone into the holding tank; means for mixing and recirculating the ozone and the wash water in said holding tank; washing means for washing laundry; means for supplying the wash water and ozone from said holding tank to said washing means; and means for collecting spent wash water from said washing means at the end of a wash cycle for reuse for washing laundry.
a holding tank for maintaining a supply of wash water prior to use in a wash cycle;
means for generating ozone;
means for transferring the ozone into the holding tank;
means for mixing and recirculating the ozone and the wash water in said holding tank;
washing means for washing laundry;
means for supplying the wash water and ozone from said holding tank to said washing means; and
means for collecting spent wash water from said washing means at the end of a wash cycle for reuse for washing laundry.
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for removing waste wash material from the spent wash water.
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said removing means is a filter.
The apparatus of claim 1 including a source of water for replenishing wash water lost during the washing process.
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for generating ozone includes at least one corona discharge unit having a high voltage discharge tube connected to a high voltage source for creating a corona discharge field on the outside thereof and having a non-linear air flow path on said outside of said tube permitting a non-linear air flow pattern through the corona discharge field.
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said non-linear air flow path is helical.
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said helical path is formed by a helical rib formed on the outside of said tube in combination with an outer sleeve on said tube.
The apparatus of claim 6 further including means for drawing air across said corona discharge unit causing the air to interact with the corona discharge field to create ozone.
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said air drawing means is a pump connected in a discharge air flow path to said non-linear air flow path on said tube.
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said discharge air flow path terminates in a discharge nozzle in said holding tank for entraining ozone into the wash water in said holding tank.
The apparatus of claim 10 further including a second mixing means adjacent said discharge nozzle for mixing ozone in the wash water as it enters into said holding tank.
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ozone generator means include a plurality of corona discharge units.
The apparatus of claim 12 further including means for cooling said corona discharge units.
The apparatus of claim 1 further including storing means for storing said spent wash water prior to reuse for washing laundry.
The apparatus of claim 14 further including means for transferring the spent wash water to the storing means and means for removing waste wash material from the spent wash water.
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said storing means is a storage tank in fluid communication with the holding tank.
An apparatus for washing laundry in an closed loop system using ozonated wash water comprising: a holding tank for maintaining a supply of wash water prior to use in a wash cycle; means for generating ozone; means for mixing the ozone in the wash water in said holding tank; a washing means for washing laundry; means for transferring wash water from said holding tank to said washing means; means for collecting spent wash water from said washing means at the end of a wash cycle for reuse for washing laundry; means for storing said spent wash water prior to reuse for washing laundry; and, means for recirculating the spent wash water into the holding tank.
means for mixing the ozone in the wash water in said holding tank;
a washing means for washing laundry;
means for transferring wash water from said holding tank to said washing means;
means for collecting spent wash water from said washing means at the end of a wash cycle for reuse for washing laundry;
means for storing said spent wash water prior to reuse for washing laundry; and,
means for recirculating the spent wash water into the holding tank.
The apparatus of claim 17 further including means for removing waste wash material from the spent wash water.
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for removing is a filter.
The apparatus of claim 17 further including means for mixing and recirculating the wash water in said holding tank.
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said mixing and recirculating means is a recirculating line with a pump for pumping the wash water between the top and bottom of said holding tank.
Ref US5097556A: Claims:
A method of washing laundry using a closed loop wash water system comprising the steps of: maintaining a supply of wash water in a first storage means; ozonating said wash water supply; delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle; washing said laundry in said washing means; collecting said wash water supply in a collecting means at the end of the wash cycle; and recirculating said wash water supply from said collecting means to said storage means.
maintaining a supply of wash water in a first storage means;
ozonating said wash water supply;
delivering said ozonated wash water supply to a washing means upon commencement of a wash cycle;
washing said laundry in said washing 
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