Bath-alternating machine and process for operating the same

Abstract

In the case of a bath-alternating machine which is intended for washing colored and white laundry and, at least in the region of its washing zone, is designed as a double-drum batch-type washing machine, the casing of its inner drum ( 26 ), at least in one of the chambers of the washing zone, is of water-permeable design only in a subregion ( 160 ) of the circumference. Devices for optionally discharging the washing water are provided at least in that chamber of the washing zone in which the inner drum is designed with said casing which is water-permeable only in a subregion ( 160 ).

1 . A bath-alternating machine ( 12 ) which is intended for washing colored and white laundry ( 20 ) and, at least in the region of its washing zone ( 16 ), is designed as a double-drum batch-type washing machine, 
 having a plurality of chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) in the region of the washing zone ( 16 ), through which the laundry ( 20 ) passes in succession,    having devices ( 152 ,  80 ,  134 ,  108 ) for optionally feeding detergents, water and heat into one or more chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ),    having devices ( 34 ,  36 ) for optionally discharging washing water from chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone,    wherein    the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ), at least in one of the chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ), is of water-permeable design only in a subregion ( 160 ) of the circumference,    the devices for optionally discharging the washing water are provided at least in that chamber ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone in which the inner drum ( 26 ) is designed with said casing which is water-permeable only in a subregion ( 160 ).    
     
     
         2 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein 
 the devices for optionally discharging the water are provided in each chamber ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ).    
     
     
         3 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein 
 the water-permeable subregion ( 160 ) of the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ) is provided in the region of carry-along elements ( 164 ) which are provided for raising the batches of laundry in the chambers.  
 
     
     
         4 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 the water-permeable subregion ( 160 ) of the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ) covers at least approximately a quarter of the drum circumference.    
     
     
         5 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 the devices for optionally feeding water are provided at least in that chamber ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) in which the water-permeable subregion ( 160 ) is provided in the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ).    
     
     
         6 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein 
 the devices for optionally feeding water are provided in each of the chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ).    
     
     
         7 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 the devices for optionally feeding heat are provided at least in some chambers of the washing zone.    
     
     
         8 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 chambers ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) of a prewashing zone ( 14 ) are arranged upstream of the chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone.    
     
     
         9 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 chambers ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ) of a rinsing zone ( 18 ) are arranged downstream of the chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ).    
     
     
         10 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 an overflow ( 66 ) is provided in the at least final chamber ( 6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) as an additional device for discharging washing water from said chamber ( 6 ).    
     
     
         11 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 the devices for optionally discharging washing water from individual chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) are line-connected ( 34 ,  38 ,  80 ) to devices for optionally feeding water into individual chambers ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) and/or of the prewashing zone ( 14 ).    
     
     
         12 . The bath-alternating machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 
 the devices for optionally discharging washing water from individual chambers ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) are line-connected ( 34 ,  38 ,  136 ) to devices for optionally feeding water into the inlet region.    
     
     
         13 . A process for operating a bath-alternating machine ( 12 ) which, at least in the region of its washing zone ( 16 ), is designed as a double-drum batch-type washing machine ( 26 ,  28 ),  
       wherein 
 as the batch of laundry located in a chamber ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ) of the washing zone ( 16 ) is transported further, the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ) of said chamber is closed at least in its bottom subregion ( 160 ) accommodating the batch of laundry.  
 
     
     
         14 . The process as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein 
 batches of laundry are transported further by virtue of the inner drum ( 26 ) being rotated ( 176 ) through 360° (degrees),    during further transportation, the casing of the inner drum ( 26 ), said casing being water-permeable only in a subregion ( 160 ) of the circumference, is rotated out of the bottom drum region accommodating the batch of laundry.    
     
     
         15 . The process as claimed in  claim 13  or  14 , wherein 
 as the batch of laundry is transported further, the washing water of said chamber is let out of the annular space (interspace  174 ) enclosing the inner drum ( 26 ) in the region of said chamber.