US3869883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous washing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-06
•
Granted: 1975-03-11
•
Expires: 1993-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A continuous washing machine having a tubular, articulated washing drum, open at both ends and adjustably located above a row of serially arranged tanks, each having a pump for circulating liquid at adjustable rates independent of the rotary motion of the drum, and means for adjusting the inclination of each section of the articulated drum in response to a measured pressure exerted on a drum support and compared to a prespecified reference value.
Inventors
- 👤 Erhard F Rotter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:27
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F31/00; D06F31/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable, washing drum located above the tanks, the washing drum comprising at least two flexibly connected component drums, a first component drum having pins extending therefrom and through a flange of a second component drum, means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the washing drum above the tanks, and means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the washing drum independent from any motion of the washing drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable, washing drum located above the tanks, the washing drum comprising at least two flexibly connected component drums, a first component drum having pins extending therefrom and through a flange of a second component drum, means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the washing drum above the tanks, and means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the washing drum independent from any motion of the washing drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable, washing drum located above the tanks, the washing drum comprising at least two flexibly connected component drums, a first component drum having pins extending therefrom and through a flange of a second component drum, means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the washing drum above the tanks, and means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the washing drum independent from any motion of the washing drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable, washing drum located above the tanks, the washing drum comprising at least two flexibly connected component drums, a first component drum having pins extending therefrom and through a flange of a second component drum, means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the washing drum above the tanks, and means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the washing drum independent from any motion of the washing drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A washing machine according to claim 1 wherein the tanks are interconnected by overflows for maintaining a counter-current of washing liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable washing drum located above the tanks, means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the drum independent of any motion of the drum, and means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the drum above the tanks comprising vertically adjustable support rollers for rotatably supporting the ends of the washing drum and means for measuring a pressure exerted by the drum on at least one of the support rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A washing machine comprising a row of serially arranged tanks, a tubular, articulated, rotatable washing drum located above the tanks, means for circulating a washing liquid from at least one of the tanks to the drum independent of any motion of the drum, and means for adjustably and rotatably supporting the drum above the tanks comprising vertically adjustable support rollers for rotatably supporting the ends of the washing drum and means for measuring a pressure exerted by the drum on at least one of the support rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A washing machine according to claim 3 wherein the means for supporting the drum further comprises comparing means for comparing a measured value of the pressure exerted by the drum on the support with a prespecified reference value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A washing machine according to claim 4 wherein the means for supporting the drum further comprises means for initiating the positioning of at least one of the support rollers in response to a value generated by the comparing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A washing machine according to claim 1 wherein the means for circulating washing liquid comprises a pump, connected to at least one of the tanks, adapted to circulate the liquid from the tank to the drum thereby establishing a liquid cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A washing machine according to claim 6 wherein the means for circulating washing liquid further comprises means for adJusting the rate of liquid flow in an individual liquid cycle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |