Equipment washer

Abstract

A washing machine includes a processor, a scanner cooperating with the processor and adapted for reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a tub, and an equipment container selectively rotatably mounted inside the tub. Means are provided for selectively rotating the tub, the means cooperating with the processor. The equipment container is advantageously adapted to hold a plurality of flexible articles separated from each other and substantially immobile against, and relative to, the equipment container while it is being rotated in the tub.

1 . In a washing machine having a processor, a scanner cooperating with the processor for reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a tub and an equipment container selectively rotatably mounted inside the tub, means for selectively rotating the tub cooperating with the processor, wherein the equipment container is adapted to hold a plurality of flexible articles separated from each other and substantially immobile against, and relative to, the equipment container, 
 a method of tracking and cleaning the flexible articles comprising the step of    scanning with said scanner machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, and processing with said processor said coding, once scanned by said scanner, and making a record corresponding to a particular article of apparel for tracking of at least a unique identity identified in said coding corresponding to the particular article of apparel being tracked,    the method further comprising the sequential steps of:    (a) mounting the flexible articles into the equipment container so as to be held separated within, and substantially immobile against and relative to, the equipment container,    (b) rotating the equipment container relative to the tub at a washing speed so as to pass the flexible articles through washing and rinsing fluids in the tub when the tub is at least partially filled with washing or rinsing fluids,    (c) at least partially filling the tub with washing fluid,    (d) at least draining the washing fluid from the tub,    (e) partially filling the tub with rinsing fluid,    (f) continuing to rotate the equipment container relative to the tub so as to pass the flexible articles through the rinsing fluid,    (g) draining the rinsing fluid from the tub,    (h) rotating the equipment container at a spin-drying rotational speed which is greater than said washing speed and sufficient to centrifugally drain fluid from said articles.    
   
   
       2 . In an equipment washing machine having: a frame, a tub rigidly mounted to said frame, a supply means for supplying washing fluid, rinsing fluid and drying air cooperating with said tub, a porous basket rotatably mounted inside said tub, said basket selectively rotatable by selective rotation means, at least one porous-sided equipment container releasably mountable into said basket, each equipment container of said at least one equipment container adapted for holding flexible articles positioned within said container, by means for securing said articles, for flow of the washing and rinsing fluids and drying air there through and for holding the flexible articles mounted to and substantially separated from each other, and stationary relative to said container as said basket is rotated relative to said tub in the sequential presence of the washing fluid, the rinsing fluid, and the drying air; 
 a method of washing, rinsing and drying clothing or other flexible or semi-rigid articles comprising the step of scanning with said scanner machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, and processing with said processor said coding, once scanned by said scanner, and making a record corresponding to a particular article of apparel for tracking of at least a unique identity identified in said coding corresponding to the particular article of apparel being tracked, and further comprising the sequential steps of:    (a) rotating said basket so as to pass the articles through the washing fluid at a first rotational speed;    (b) supplying said washing fluid to said tub;    (c) draining said washing fluid from said tub;    (d) supplying said rinsing fluid to said tub;    (e) rotating said basket so as to pass the articles through the rinsing fluid;    (f) draining said rinsing fluid from said tub;    (g) rotating said basket at a second rotational speed greater than said first rotational speed so as to centrifugally spin dry said articles.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of repeating one or more sequential repetitions of said steps (a)-(e) in  claim 1  before step (f).  
   
   
       4 . A computer program product for use in an equipment washing machine, 
 wherein the washing machine has a processor, a scanner cooperating with the processor for reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a frame, a tub rigidly mounted to said frame, a supply means for supplying washing fluid, rinsing fluid and drying air cooperating with said tub, a porous basket rotatably mounted inside said tub,    said basket selectively rotatable by selective rotation means wherein said selective rotation means cooperates with said processor, at least one porous-sided equipment container releasably mountable into said basket, each equipment container of said at least one equipment container adapted for holding flexible articles positioned within said container, by means for securing said articles, for flow of the washing and rinsing fluids and drying air there through and for holding the flexible articles mounted to and substantially separated from each other, and stationary relative to said container as said basket is rotated relative to said tub in the sequential presence of the washing fluid, the rinsing fluid, and the drying air;    the computer program product comprising:    (e) computer readable program code means for retrievably storing records which are the result of the scanner scanning the machine-readable coding on articles of apparel,    (f) computer readable program code means for causing scanning with said scanner machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, and processing with said processor said coding, once scanned by said scanner, and making a record corresponding to a particular article of apparel for tracking of at least a unique identity identified in said coding corresponding to the particular article of apparel being tracked,    (g) computer readable program code means for causing the rotation of said basket at a first rotational speed so as to pass articles held in the basket through the washing fluid in the tube once at least partially filled, for the duration of a timed first wash iteration;    (h) computer readable program code means for causing, once said basket is rotating at said first rotational speed the supply of washing fluid into said tub;    (e) computer readable program code means for causing the draining of said washing fluid from said tub,    (f) computer readable program code means for causing the supply of rinsing fluid to said tub;    (g) computer readable program code means for causing the draining of said rinsing fluid from said tub;    (h) computer readable program code means for causing one or more repetitions of said supplying washing fluid to said tub, said draining washing fluid from said tub, said supplying rinsing fluid to said tub, and said draining said rinsing fluid from said tub;    (i) computer readable program code means for causing rotation of said tub at a second rotational speed greater than said first rotational speed for centrifugally spin drying said articles in said tub;    (j) computer readable program code means for causing a supply of drying air into said tub to dry said articles.    
   
   
       5 . A device for washing flexible articles of apparel comprising; 
 a housing,    a tub rigidly mounted to said housing,    a scanner mounted in cooperation with said housing for machine-reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a digital processor cooperating with said scanner for processing said coding, once scanned by said scanner, to thereby make a record corresponding to a particular article of apparel for tracking of at least a unique identity in said coding corresponding to the particular article of apparel being tracked,    a basket rotatably mounted inside said tub for rotation of said basket about an axis of rotation, a basket rotation means mounted to said basket and actuable to rotate said basket during washing, rinsing and spin-drying cycles,    a water supply and draining means cooperating with said tub for washing and rinsing said articles of apparel held in said basket,    wherein said basket is an open-lattice sided container having a releasably closable lid and wherein said basket is, by means for securing said articles in said basket, adapted for both holding still articles of apparel substantially stationary relative to said basket and separated in said basket during said washing and rinsing cycles and during centrifugal spin-drying cycle, and for allowing penetration of water from said water supply throughout said articles of apparel as said basket is rotated relative to said tub,    wherein said means for securing said flexible articles in each basket includes an equipment container having separate compartments, said equipment container mountable into said basket for holding said articles of apparel generally individually separated from each other during said washing, rinsing and spin-drying cycles,    and wherein during said centrifugal spin-drying of said articles of apparel during said spin-drying cycle, said basket is rotatable within said tub about said axis of rotation at a rotational speed sufficient to centrifugally force water from said articles.    
   
   
       6 . A washing and drying device for flexible articles comprising, 
 a watertight housing,    a scanner mounted in cooperation with said housing for machine-reading machine-readable coding on articles of apparel, a digital processor cooperating with said scanner for processing said coding, once scanned by said scanner, to thereby make a record corresponding to a particular article of apparel for tracking of at least a unique identity in said coding corresponding to the particular article of apparel being tracked,    a rotatable frame rotatably mounted within said housing for rotation of said frame about an axis of rotation,    a plurality of water porous baskets mounted to said frame, each basket in said plurality of water porous baskets having a releasably securable lid mounted thereto, each said basket including, a means for securing said flexible articles in each said basket so as to both releasably hold said articles substantially stationary relative to said basket as said frame is rotated relative to said housing during washing, rinsing and centrifugal spin-drying of said articles and for allowing penetration of water from said water supply throughout said articles,    a selectively controllable drive for rotating said frame relative to said housing,    a wash water supply and drain cooperating with said housing for, respectively, pressurized supply of wash water into contact with said plurality of water porous baskets within said housing and draining said wash water,    wherein said means for securing said flexible articles in each said basket includes an equipment container having separate compartments, said equipment container mountable into said basket, said compartments for holding said articles of apparel stationary relative to said basket and for holding said articles of apparel generally individually separated from each other during said washing, rinsing and spin-drying cycles,    wherein during said centrifugal spin-drying of said articles said rotatable frame is rotatable within said housing at a rotational speed sufficient to centrifugally force water from said articles.