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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles of clothing. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus that washes clothes by propagating large mixing bubbles through a slurry of water, clothing and chemical cleaning agent, thereby producing convection currents that agitate the slurry. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Automatic clothes washing machines have long been a fixture of modern living in the industrial age. While modern washing machines may be based on a wide range of designs and approaches to washing clothing, the related art shares common characteristics. Automated washing of clothing with water is accomplished by a wash cycle performed on clothing placed in the washing machine. A wash cycle may be preceded by pre-soaking or other treatment of clothing in the washing machine prior to the actual wash cycle. Such treatment typically exposes soiled clothing to water and/or washing solution prior to the wash cycle itself, to loosen soil and begin chemical activation of cleaning compounds. 
         [0005]    The typical wash cycle consists, at a minimum, of three stages: washing the clothing in water with cleaning agents; rinsing the clothing with water to remove cleaning agents; and at least partial drying of the clothing. 
         [0006]    The wash stage of the wash cycle comprises immersing the clothing in a washing solution comprised of water and cleaning agents, accompanied by agitation of the clothing in the resultant slurry. The agitation of the clothing in the wash stage is key to effective clothes washing for several reasons. Agitation loosens soil particles adhering to clothing, resulting in suspension of soil particles in the washing solution. Agitation further moves the clothing fabric about in the washing solution, thereby exposing substantially all of the fabric surfaces to the washing solution to assure thorough cleaning. Yet further, agitation enhances the chemical kinetics of the cleaning agents, hastening the various chemical processes whereby the agents transform soil and odorous components adhering to and absorbed by clothing into washing by-products solvated or suspended in the washing solution. At the end of the wash stage, the spent washing solution is drained from the clothing. 
         [0007]    In the rinse stage of the wash cycle, the clothes are typically repeatedly rinsed with water to remove soil and washing solution remaining in the clothing from the wash stage. Rinsing typically entails immersing the clothes in water, agitating the clothes in the rinse water, and then draining the rinse water from the clothes. This process is repeated as needed to reduce the residuum in the clothing from the wash stage to an acceptably low level. 
         [0008]    The drying stage of the wash cycle is performed in various ways. Earlier technology frequently employed mechanical wringer apparatus to remove a substantial amount of liquid remaining from the rinse cycle from the clothes. More modern technology typically spins the wet clothing to remove substantial amounts of liquid from the clothes by centrifugation. 
         [0009]    Some modern washing machine apparatuses follow the partial mechanical drying of the clothing in the drying stage of the wash cycle with near total drying by heating the clothing with air circulation in the washing machine itself. More commonly, though, modern clothes washing entails the use of a separate clothes dryer apparatus for completely drying clothing following completion of the wash cycle. 
         [0010]    Typical washing machines are either top loading or front loading. In top loading machines, mechanical agitation during the wash and rinse stages is usually accomplished by means of a finned water pumping agitator or impeller driven by transmission from an electric motor. Top loading machines further typically comprise a perforated rotatable cylinder mounted on a vertical axis within which washing and rinsing take place. The drying stage of the wash cycle is accomplished in top loading machines by spinning the perforated cylinder containing the wet clothing at a high rate of speed, thereby centrifugally extracting a substantial amount of liquid from the clothing. Rotation of the cylinder is driven by transmission from an electric motor which is often the same motor that is used for agitation during the wash and rinse stages. 
         [0011]    In front loading machines, clothes are placed in a rotatable cylinder mounted on a horizontal axis. Paddles are affixed to the inside of the cylinder. Agitation in the wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle is accomplished in such machines by rotating the cylinder, the lifting action of the paddles followed by the dropping of the clothing within the cylinder due to gravity. In the drying stage, the cylinder is rotated at a high rate of speed, just as for top loading machines, extracting a substantial amount of liquid from the clothing by centrifugation. Rotation of the cylinder in front loading machines in all stages of the wash cycle is driven by transmission from an electric motor. 
         [0012]    As will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the related art, modern machine clothes washing technology is reliant on fairly powerful electric motors with complex transmissions comprising gearing, clutches, differentials, cranks and the like. Because agitation and centrifugation of heavy, wet clothing require the washing machine motor to supply considerable torque, the energy consumption of typical modern washing machines are relatively high. Further, because a typical modern washing machine relies on substantial interacting parts in the control and transmission of mechanical energy from the electric motor to agitate and dry clothing, construction is frequently complex and eventual mechanical failure is certain. 
         [0013]    Further, because agitation of clothing is accomplished by the movement of rigid mechanical components against clothing (agitators or impellers in the case of top loaders, paddles in the case of front loaders), delicate clothing can be damaged by the shear forces presented thereby. 
         [0014]    Further, because considerable unbalanced centripetal forces may be generated during centrifugation, modern washing machines are noisy during the drying stage of the wash cycle and often require complex mechanical arrangements to avoid unwanted movement of the machine in place. 
         [0015]    What is needed is a washing machine apparatus that provides agitation of clothing in wash and rinse stages of the wash cycle without the use of mechanical transmissions. What is needed further is a washing machine apparatus that provides agitation without presenting substantial shear forces to the clothing. What is needed further is a washing machine apparatus that consumes substantially less energy than the prior art. Further, what is needed are embodiments that provide the drying stage of the wash cycle without centrifugation. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE MATTER 
       [0016]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The foregoing objects, as well as further objects, advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, in addition to methods of operation, function of related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the following description and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a cut-away drawing depicting the major components of an embodiment of the washing machine; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts the generation of aeration bubbles by an embodiment of the washing machine; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  depicts the accumulation of air under the piston head in an embodiment of the washing machine; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  depicts the release of accumulated air as a single bubble from the piston head in an embodiment of the washing machine; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts the convection currents generated by large bubbles within the machine, the bubbles serving to provide agitation of clothing and washing liquid during the wash cycle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  depicts the floor of the washing chamber in an embodiment of the washing machine; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6   b - 6   c  depict a mechanism for partial drying of clothes in the drying stage of the wash cycle in an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the clothes washer  102 , wherein a washing chamber  104  may be filled from a water source  132  when valve  134  is opened. In the depicted embodiment, washer  102  will fill with water to a predetermined level controlled by electronic water level sensor  136 , which signals valve  134  to close when water has reached the predetermined level for clothes washer operation. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a number of other means may be employed for filling the washing chamber with water to a predetermined level. Such means include a float valve such as commonly used in flush toilets. Alternatively, such means may comprise a timed solenoid valve, which simply opens for a fixed period of time and then closes. Yet further, such means for filling with water may comprise a valve that is manually operated based on information displayed on a fill gauge. Those of skill in the art will realize that the present invention contemplates any and all such means for filling the washing chamber to a predetermined level. 
         [0026]    The floor of washing compartment  104  comprises pulser screen  112 , diffuser  120  and drain screen  122 , which are described in more detail below. Under the floor of washing compartment  104  is source  114  of compressed air, controllably providing compressed air through valve  118  to diffuser  120  for small aeration bubbles described in more detail below in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]    Source  114  of compressed air also controllably provides compressed air to air chamber  106 . Extensibly mounted through the top of air chamber  106  is piston  110 , the top  108  of piston  110  disposed under pulser screen  112 . When piston  110  is in the lowered position as depicted in  FIG. 1 , piston top  108  effectively seals air chamber  106  from liquid in washing chamber  104 . 
         [0028]    Valves  126  and  128  controllably connect drainage lines  138  and  140  through drain pump  124  to waste outlet line  130 . 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , when washing chamber  104  is filled with liquid, valve  118  may be opened to direct compressed air from source  114  into diffuser  120  to form small bubbles  202 , which can serve to aerate washing solution with clothing either during pretreatment of clothing prior to the wash cycle or during the wash cycle itself. Alternatively, ozone can be provided under pressure to diffuser  120  to provide further oxygenation of clothing and activation of washing agent. 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , when valve  116  from compressed air source  114  is opened, air chamber  106  accumulates pressurized air, thereby forcing piston  110  upward, with pressurized air accumulating under piston top  108  in the form of bubbles  302 . 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , when sufficient compressed air has accumulated under piston top  108 , it forms a single large bubble  402 . Turning to  FIG. 5 , when the air erupts from under piston top  108 , large mixing bubbles  502  of three to six inches in diameter are released into the liquid in washing chamber  104 , causing convection turbulence represented by arrows  504 . With the release of buoyancy from accumulated air under piston top  104 , piston  110  again sinks to the lowered position as depicted in  FIG. 1 , again effectively sealing air chamber  106  from liquid in washing chamber  104 . 
         [0032]    Advantageously, the convection currents  504  created by the large bubbles, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , generate sufficient movement of liquid and clothing in the washing machine to provide the agitation needed for washing during the wash and the rinse stage of the wash cycle. The present invention obviates the mechanical agitators, impellers or paddles, with accompanying complex mechanical machinery, required by prior art washing machines. Further, because agitation of clothing in the wash cycle of the present invention entails no physical contact with hard surfaces, the present invention is well suited to washing delicate clothing and other fabrics that are often harmed by prior art washing machines. 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that means for generating large mixing bubbles other than the means depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 5  may be employed while still keeping in the spirit of the present invention. For example, large mixing bubbles may be generated by pivoting bucket apparatus, as described in U.S. patent application publication number 20140016430. Alternatively, stationary large bubble forming plates, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,419, may be advantageously used for such purpose. The present invention contemplates any such means and their equivalents for the generation of the large mixing bubbles used for agitation needed during the wash and rinse state of the wash cycle. 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6   a  through  6   c , depicted is a mechanism for the partial drying of clothing in the drying stage of the wash cycle in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6   a  presents an overhead view of the floor  602  of the washing compartment of an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention. Floor  602  comprises perforations  604  through which waste washing solution and water may be drained from the washing machine. Just as illustrated in side view in  FIG. 1  discussed above, located in the middle portion of floor  602  is a recessed area  606  covered by a screen  608  to retain clothing from recessed area  606 . Disposed under screen  608 , within recessed area  606 , is a piston with top  610  for generating large bubbles for agitation as discussed above in reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6   b  is a diagram of a side view of a front-loading embodiment of the invention. The machine  601  comprises a washing compartment  603  into which the user may place clothes through a front-loading door (not displayed). At the bottom of compartment  603  is floor  602  as discussed in reference to  FIG. 6   a  above. For purposes of illustration of the drying stage of the wash cycle, recessed area  606  and piston with top  610  illustrated in  FIG. 6   a  is omitted from  FIG. 6   b , but persons of skill in the art will recognize that the discussion herein pertains to the invention having such a piston with top. Under perforated floor  602  is collection basin  612  for gathering liquid drained from washing chamber  603 . Collection basin  612  is controllably emptied of water and waste liquid through drainage line  620  by drain pump  622  for disposal via waste outlet line  624 , as discussed previously in reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    At the top of chamber  603  is ceiling press  614 , telescopically mounted to the inside top of machine  601  by telescoping member  616 . Cog driven extension mechanism  618  operates in channel  626  in the side of the washing machine to provide pressing action as described next in reference to  FIG. 6   c.    
         [0038]    Turning to  FIG. 6   c , cog driven extension mechanism  618  has rotated and, guided through channel  626 , has extended ceiling press  614  downward, with telescopic member  616  telescoping to maintain connection between ceiling press  624  and the top of machine  601 . In the depicted embodiment, cog driven extension mechanism  618  is driven by electric motor (not shown), such motor providing sufficient torque with appropriate gearing to cause considerable gradually increasing downward force upon ceiling press  624 . Ceiling press  624 , in turn, presses against wet clothing  626 , forcing water and waste washing liquid out of clothing  626  through perforations in floor  602  into collection basin  612  from which it is pumped by drain pump  622  for disposal via waste outlet line  624 . 
         [0039]    Persons of skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments can use other means of providing downward force on the clothing to force water and waste washing liquid out of clothing. Such means can comprise, instead of cog driven mechanism  618  depicted herein, a telescoping press mechanism driven by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applying force to the ceiling press. Alternatively, such means may comprise alternative configurations of mechanical arrangements, such as cog and fixed rail, and such configurations may be driven by various motive means, including not only geared rotating electric motors but also direct drive electric motors and linear-operating electro-magnetic apparatus. Means of providing force to the ceiling press can comprise manually operated cranking, whereby mechanical advantage is conferred from such force by application of simple machines. Yet another alternative means of providing downward force on wet clothing may be by inflatable air bladder instead of a ceiling press, the displacement of volume resulting from inflation of the bladder providing sufficient force to drive an acceptable amount of liquid from moist clothing. It should be understood that all such means and their equivalents are contemplated in embodiments of the present invention practicing pressing for the drying stage of the wash cycle. 
         [0040]    In operation, the washing compartment of the present invention is loaded with clothing, roughly to the same extent that prior art washing machines are loaded. The user places washing agent in the washing compartment. In preferred operation, the washing agent employed should create little, if any, sudsing of the wash liquid. Positive results have been obtained with High Efficiency (HE) clothes washing detergent. 
         [0041]    The machine is directed to fill the washing compartment with water to a specified level, as discussed regards  FIG. 1  in relation to water source  132 , valve  134  and water sensor  136 . After the washing compartment, containing washing agent, has filled to the specified level with water, aeration bubbles may be generated to activate chemicals in the washing agent and to provide pretreatment of soiled clothing, as discussed regards  FIG. 2  in relation to valve  118  which is opened to direct compressed air from source  114  into diffuser  120  to provide the aeration bubbles. 
         [0042]    After a period of pretreatment, the wash stage of the washing cycle commences with the generation of large mixing bubbles near the bottom of the wash chamber, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 5 . These bubbles are 3 to 6 inches in diameter, providing convection currents as shown in  FIG. 5  to agitate the clothing during the wash stage. 
         [0043]    After sufficient agitation has been provided for washing, spent washing liquid, comprising dirty water and washing agent, is pumped from the washing chamber, referring to  FIG. 1 , by drainage lines  138  and  140  through drain pump  124  to waste outlet line  130 . After draining the spent washing liquid, the wash stage of the wash cycle is complete. 
         [0044]    The rinse stage of the wash cycle entails again filling the wash chamber with water to a specified level, as discussed regards  FIG. 1  in relation to water source  132 , valve  134  and water sensor  136 . Clothing is then agitated by large mixing bubbles as shown in  FIG. 5  to expose clothing to the rinse water and dilute washing liquid retained in the clothing. After sufficient agitation, the chamber is again emptied by drain pump  124  as describe above. This rinse stage of the wash cycle may be repeated several times until the concentration of any retained washing liquid and dirt in the clothing has reached an acceptably low level. 
         [0045]    After the rinse stage is complete, the clothes are partially dried in the drying stage. In embodiments of the present invention, drying comprises pressing the clothing by means as described above, forcing retained liquid extracted from clothing through perforations in the floor of the cleaning compartment into a collection basin, from which it is pumped to a waste outlet line. 
         [0046]    Although the detailed descriptions above contain many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope, a number of which are discussed in general terms above. 
         [0047]    While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.