US3130570A - Combination washing machine and cleansing medium generator - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1954 P. M. RENTZEPIS 3,130,570

COMBINATION WASHING MACHINE AND CLEANSING MEDIUM GENERATOR Filed June 2'7, 1961 1% din fr? vento'r': eter/ 1. fienzepis,

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United States Patent Ofiice 3,l3,570 Patented Apr. 28, 196 -1 3,130,573 COMBENATEGN WASHING R IACHINE AND CLEANSFNG MEBiUPvi GENERATOR Peter M. Rentzepis, 1 roy, N.Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed lane 27, 1961, Ser. No. 119,944 6 Claims. (Cl. 68-43) This invention relates to washing means generally, and more particularly to article washing devices employing water and/or other liquids. More specifically, this invention relates to cloth articles or clothes washing machines or facilities, both commercial and domestic, together with an ozone and hydrogen peroxide generator and storage system in conjunction therewith.

One difiiculty in clothes washing machines, especially of the domestic type, relates to the necessity of employing soap and/or detergents or other cleansing mediums which are not only uneconomical in the first instance, but which also depend to a considerable degree on the water condition, type of cloth, and washing cycle. Further disadvantages relate to the necessity not only of hot water, but also of proper soap or detergent dispensing means and methods, whether automatic, by certain dispensers attached to the machine, or manual. In either instance, continual choice, replenishment, purchases, and storage are necessary. In conjunction with these more notable disadvantages, after ordinary washing conditions, clothes are not as white or clean as desirable because of known yellowing factors, and this further necessitates the addition of various bleaches, for example, chlorine, to the wash water, or exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light in drying of the clothes. The same problems prevail with respect to choice, purchase, storage and replenishment, etc. of bleaches.

It has been known that certain materials, such as H hydrogen peroxide, O ozone, and 0 oxygen, provide excellent bleaching results. H 0 has found widespread use as such in the textile industry not only for bleaching purposes but also to remove such substances as starches, fats, waxes, husks, and other residues in cloth weaving or manufacture. In a Wash cycle as well as in bleaching processes, H 0 acts as both an oxidizer and a reducer. Fats, oils, waxes, soaps and vegetable juices may also be decolorized by the oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide, although more commonly, colored matters are removed by adsorption, as by pulverized diatomaceous earth or activated carbon. In the same operation wash cycle, the use of H 0 is preferred over chlorine since chlorine is injurious to such fibers as the common staple cotton and to many dyes. Chlorine also causes yellowing of cotton fibers which may be removed by the use of H 0 which itself does not cause yellowing. A more complete disclosure of the uses, properties and manufacture of H 0 in general is provided in Hydrogen Peroxide, Schumb, Satterfield and Wentworth, ACS Monograph Series No. 128, 1955, Reinhold Publishing Corp.

Closely related to H 0 with respect to its cleansing and bleaching properties is 0 ozone. Ozone has found widespread usage in both the sterilization and bleaching fields, and has been effectively employed as a sterilization agent for drinking water and also for sewage. The uses and preparation of 0 are more fully described in Ozone Chemistry and Technology Advances in Chemistry, Series No. 21, ACS, March 1959.

It can thus be understood that the use of H 0 and O is a desired combination when applied, for example, to a home or domestic-type clothes washing machine. Where employed previously, these materials have been added singly from single containers, or are added directly to the wash water in the machine in the form of compounds which decompose to provide the mentioned materials. Salient disadvantages in the use of these materials are their originally uneconomical nature and their tendency towards quick decomposition upon storage over periods of time. Furthermore, because of the decomposition and loss factors, prior ozone addition for domestic washing machines has been uneconomical and results limited.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved Washing machine.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a novel device for automatically adding H 0 and O to the wash Water of a washing machine.

It is still another object of this invention to provide, in combination with a washing machine, an apparatus for producing hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, and ozone for their admission to the Wash cycle of a washing machine.

Briefly described, this invention in one form contemplates a combination with a washing machine, of the provision of dissociating air while being subjected to an electrical discharge, and introduction of the products of the dissociation into water so that hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and ozone may be dissolved, and thereafter introducing the Water into the Wash cycle with resulting bleaching and cleansing action of O O and H 0 This invention will be better understood when taken in connection with the following description and the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a washing machine 10 including a container 11 which contains the usual agitator or other mechanical energy input cleaning device, and an apparatus 12 which is employed to provide addition of H 0 and 0 into the machine. More particularly, the apparatus 12 is contained in a housing 13, having a duct or conduit 14 therein which is employed as an air entry into apparatus 12. From air entry conduit 14, a further conduit 15 connects to an electrical discharge device 16 so that air from conduit 14 is admitted thereto. Electrical discharge device 16 may be an ordinary electrical arc discharge device, a silent dis charge device, or other type of electrical energy device such as ultraviolet lamps which will dissociate molecules of air and produce excited species. One preferred device for this invention is a glow discharge type of ozonator which is commercially available in a wide range of sizes. Examples of these ozonators are Berthelot tubes and Welsbach ozonators. A modification of a Welsbach ozonator is illustrated in FIG. 1 by electrical discharge device or ozonator 16. Ozonator 16 comprises a tube 17 preferably of a borosilicate or Pyrex glass containing a pair of electrodes 18 and 19.

Electrodes 18 and 19 are connected to a suitable transformer and source of power (not shown) to efiect a glow discharge as is well known in the art. Incoming air passes through the glow discharge to be dissociated. Other modifications of air passage through a glow discharge device are obvious. For example, tube 17 may be a double walled tube with an internal and external cylindrical envelope, and air is passed through the double wall, and insulated by the walls from direct contact with the electrodes. Finally, device 16 may be of the u-v lamp type ozonator.

It is imperative that certain metals be avoided in the construction of device 16 and equipment or surfaces thereafter, because of known decomposition effects of H 0 and O Preferable inert materials are, aluminum, glasses and ceramics. Metals to be generally avoided are, for example, Cu, Fe, Ag, Mn, Cr, Md, W, Os and Pb. Incoming air passing through conduits 14 and 15 is suba jected to the ozonator 16 which dissociates air into species. The products of dissociation may combine in accordance with the following reactions:

M is a body, i.e., a wall or other energy adsorbing means. t can thus be understood that ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and oxygen are released in this process. However, the amount of produced is diminished by the presence of water vapor in the air, but more H 0 forms. This is desirable because 0 concentration should be kept low because of toxicity effects. These effects are minimal at less than about 0.1 p.p.m. (see latter of above references, p. 363).

Moisture or vapor in duct conduits 14 and 15 may be regulated or controlled by simple means, such as spraying water therein, or providing a vapor conduit such as conduit leading from the interior of washing apparatus 11. Passing of air through apparatus 12 is accomplished by a pump or fan 21 positioned adjacent ozonator 16. Fan 21 may also be positioned prior to ozonator 16 to serve the same purpose. By this means air is admitted into the ozonator 16 from either or both conduits 14 and 20. Where the air passes directly through the electrode assembly as illustrated, the water spray should be introduced close to but after device 16 so that back circulation of vapor is established. This arrangement comprises a Water inlet 22 connected to fan 21 in aspirating relationship to provide a back flow of moisture into device 16. A preferable range of water vapor in the air is 20 to 80%. Accordingly, it is understood that air is the continuous phase in this operation.

H 0 O and 0 are then introduced through conduit 23 into a chamber 24 which is directly connected to the washing machine at 25 and to a source of water, not shown at 26. Chamber 24 is adjacent apparatus 11 but remote therefrom. Chamber 24 provides a predissolving chamber for the products of dissociation and a longer time period for dissolving action to take place. Chamber 24 also provides delay time so that a suflicient quantity of bleach or cleansing water from chamber 24 is available in quantity when needed. The products of dissociation, H 0 O and 0 are sprayed through water chamber 24 so that 0 may dissolve which leads to further formation of H 0 Decomposition of both ozone and hydrogen peroxide provides a release of oxygen into the washing system as an oxidizing agent. In order to have a practical and economical operation which is programmed with usual washing cycles, it is desired to have about -50 ppm. of H 0 and 0 present in the wash water of a washing machine while at the same time ascertaining that the amount of O escaping from the water is maintained as prescribed minimal limits. With about 200- watt input and passing 1 cu. ft. of air through device 16 in about 6 minutes provides eifective cleansing action in the wash cycle.

The characteristics of the water and the injection method are important to the overall desired operation. The condition of the water employed must be such that it contains minimal or no impurities which would react with the products of dissociation to form deleterious compounds, prevent substantial dissolving of the products in the water, or to decompose the products. For example, the water should be free of metallic ions such as ions from the metals to be avoided as described. It is, therefore,

desirable to have conduit 23 and chamber 24 of a nonmetal, such as glass to prevent decomposition.

As a requirement, water in chamber 24 should be relatively cool in order that ozone and H 0 will easily dissolve therein. For example, the following table indicates solubility of ozone in Water at different temperatures:

As the temperature of the water increases, the proportion of the amount of ozone injected into the water to the amount dissolved becomes so great that both cost and toxicity requirements are prohibitive.

Introduction of ozone and H 0 into water may be critical. For example, introduction should take place from below the surface of the water to provide proper transit time, so to speak, of the ozone in the water so that the time for the dissolving action is suificient. However, dissolving action is also dependent on the manner or method of introduction. A mere relatively large size pipe opening into chamber 24 will only introduce large bubbles of ozone into the water which will quickly pass therethrough with limited dissolving action. A preferred embodiment of this invention includes a small opening spraying apparatus to inject the ozone into the Water. Various spray nozzles are known in the art both for water and also for various fuels. A preferred injector is a nozzle 27 which in conjunction with pump or fan 21 provides a low pressure cone-like dispersion of the products of dissociation in a manner similar to that as provided by fuel nozzles. By this means, substantially all injected ozone is dissolved.

By employing the combination of ozone injection and cool water, and by the method described, there is provided in chamber 24 H 0 O and 0 each of which contributes to cleaning and bleaching action. The formation of hydrogen peroxide from dissolved O is enhanced by the cool water employed. It is, therefore, understood that introduction of ozone directly into hot wash water has been eliminated by means of the storage type of chamber 24 and that a practical, and far more important, economical process of introducing a suflicient amount of ozone into the water has been provided. In conjunction therewith, a suiiicient amount of H 0 has also been provided because of the improved injection and a water condition.

The water from chamber 24 is then introduced into Washing apparatus 11 to be employed for cleaning purposes. It is not desirable to introduce cool water from chamber 24 into the hot Wash Water of the wash cycle directly or quickly because of more rapid dissipation of H 0 and O in hot water. may be employed to minimize dissipation.

As with introduction into chamber 24, the water from chamber 24 should be sprayed into the wash water to attain widespread dispersion and circulation throughout the clothes and water. It is again preferable to provide this injection by nozzle or spray means at the bottom of the chamber containing the wash water, as described for chamber 24. For example, it may be seen in the drawing that exit 25 of chamber 24 provides for an introduction of water from chamber 24 into water 28, in container 11, below the level 29 of water 28 in container 11.

A much improved clothes washing cycle may be employed to take full advantage of the cleansing action of H 0 O and 0 One of the more important reasons for using hot wash water is that it facilitates dissolving of detergents and soaps, and in conjunction therewith aids in Several preferred methods loosening foreign matter. However, mechanical energy input to the machine exceeds the cleaning action of additives and the use of the teachings of this invention limits or eliminates the necessity of soaps or detergents, etc. Hot water, therefore, is not required and the wash cycle may be carried out with more economical cooler water. Where hot water is desired for its loosening action of foreign matter, a preferred cycle is described as follows. A limited amount of hot water is added to the clothes which are permitted to soak or be agitated therein for a given period of time. At the same time, or later, apparatus 12 is operated to provide H 0 O and 0 At the end of the soak period, cold water is added to the hot soak water to reduce its temperature to from about 150 F. to 120 F. or less. Thereafter, O H 0 and O in water from chamber 1.5 is added to the cooled Wash water and Wash cycle commences in the usual manner with preferably continual injection from chamber 24. Full benefits are obtained when maximum injection from chamber 24 takes place at earlier periods in the wash cycle.

It is obvious that the apparatus 12 may be disconnected from the washing machine to be employed separately albeit in connection with the washing machine but actually at a different location. Apparatus 12 by the same token may be a part of the machine or separate machine so that water is introduced therein to provide the cleaning compounds thereafter introduced into the washing machine.

By this means, it is understood that bleaching and cleaning compounds may be provided directly, in combination with the washing machine, and controlled automaticaily, dependent upon the cycles of the washing machine and cleansing action to be desired. Ozone and hydrogen peroxide have essentially good cleansing properties and amounts thereof as produced will be controlled in the same manner as the cycle of the washing machine.

More H 0 is produced than 0 because of water vapor in the air being dissociated. However, 0 is produced in a quantity sufiicient to provide good cleaning action in combination with H 0 good oxidizing action, and ample sterilizing effect, all of which without any toxicity effects from leakage from the wash water.

While a specific method and apparatus in accordance with this invention has been shown and described, it is not desired that the invention be limited to the particular description nor the particular configurations illustrated and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of this inven tion.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A washing machine including a container for containing water and clothes to be washed and having operatively connected thereto a cleansing medium generator, said generator comprising in combination, an air duct, means in said air duct to provide a flow of air therethrough, means operatively associated with said duct to provide additional water vapor into said air in said duct with air as the continuous phase, an electrical discharge device operatively connected to said air duct to cause dissociation of the air flowing therein, a water chamber operatively connected to said air duct, means for connecting said water chamber to a source of Water to provide Water in said chamber which is free from impurities tending to substantially deter dissolving of said dissociated air therein, said chamber having an exit means in communication with said container and inlet means for communication with said source of water, nozzle means to spray the products of dissociated air into said water at a position substantially removed from said chamber exit, and means to admit water from said water chamber into the water in said container substantially below the surface of water in said container in said washing machine.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said products include H202, O3, and O2.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means to dissociate air is a glow discharge device.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means to dissociate air is an electrical discharge ozonator.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said means to dissociate air is a glow discharge device passing air directly between and in contact with electrodes therein.

6. A domestic clothes washing machine including container means for containing Water and clothes to be washed and having operatively connected thereto, a cleansing medium generator, said generator comprising in combination an air duct, fan means to pass air through said duct, an electrical discharge device in said duct to dissociate said air to H 0 O and 0 a water chamber separate from said container, exit means connecting said chamber in flow communication with said container, entrance means for connecting said chamber to a source of Water to provide water in said chamber which is free from impurities tending to substantially deter dissolving of said dissociated air therein, and injecting means connecting said chamber to said cleansing medium generator so that the products of dissociation are injected into said water in said chamber at a point substantially removed from said exit means and below any water level in said chamber, means connecting said water source to said fan to provide a back flow of water vapor into said electrical discharge device, and means to admit water from said water chamber into said container substantially below the level of water therein so that the products of dissociation are absorbed by said water before rising to the top level and escaping to the atmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,362,658 Willford Dec. 21, 1920 2,210,851 Davi Aug. 6, 1940 2,293,618 Nelligan et al Aug. 18, 1942 2,344,982 Dyer Mar. 28, 1944 2,676,088 Bilde et a1 Apr. 20, 1954 2,741,856 Hall Apr. 17, 1956 2,957,330 Cline Oct. 25, 1960 3,065,620 Houser Nov. 27, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 364,969 Germany Dec. 5, 1922 842,165 Great Britain July 20, 1960

Claims (1)

1. A WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A CONTAINER FOR CONTAINING WATER AND CLOTHES TO BE WASHED AND HAVING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED THERETO A CLEANSING MEDIUM GENERATOR, SAID GENERATOR COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, AN AIR DUCT, MEANS IN SAID AIR DUCT TO PROVIDE A FLOW OF AIR THERETHROUGH, MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DUCT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WATER VAPOR INTO SAID AIR IN SAID DUCT WITH AIR AS THE CONTINUOUS PHASE, AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID AIR DUCT TO CAUSE DISSOCIATION OF THE AIR FLOWING THEREIN, A WATER CHAMBER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID AIR DUCT, MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID WATER CHAMBER TO A SOURCE OF WATER TO PROVIDE WATER IN SAID CHAMBER WHICH IS FREE FROM IMPURITIES TENDING TO SUBSTANTIALLY DETER DISSOLVING OF SAID DISSOCIATED AIR THEREIN, SAID CHAMBER HAVING AN EXIT MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CONTAINER AND INLET MEANS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SOURCE OF WATER, NOZZLE MEANS TO SPRAY THE PRODUCTS OF DISSOCIATED AIR INTO SAID WATER AT A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY REMOVED FROM SAID CHAMBER EXIT, AND MEANS TO ADMIT WATER FROM SAID WATER CHAMBER INTO THE WATER IN SAID CONTAINER SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE SURFACE OF WATER IN SAID CONTAINER IN SAID WASHING MACHINE.

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