Method for washing shrinkable textiles and a washing machine for carrying out said method

Abstract

A method for washing shrinkable textiles in a program-controlled washing machine consisting in washing textiles in a rotatably mounted washing drum according to a process corresponding to textile requirements with a water flow and possibly washing agents, wherein a starting and operating time of a drum driving motor are predefined. A washing machine for carrying out said method is also disclosed. At the beginning of the washing process, the motor operates with a staring time rate which is greater than a possible staring time and which decreases step by step or continuously during the process in order to reduce a mechanical energy applied to the textile according to the shrinkability thereof which strongly increases along with the increase of the washing process time. In such a way, the textile is pre-wetted with an optimal water quantity or soapy solution without producing the excessive textile shrinkage.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A method for washing a batch of laundry made of shrinkable textiles in a program-controlled washing machine having a motor driving a rotatably mounted washing drum, the method comprising:
 moving the batch of laundry with a washing liquid for wetting and flushing by operating the motor with predefined power-on times and power-off times, wherein the power-on time ratio of the motor, which is defined by the quotient of the power-on time and the sum of the power-on time and the power-off time, is reduced during the progress of the washing process step by step or continuously in accordance with the increase in the sensitivity to shrinkage.   
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising baffles with an evacuation facility on the inside shell of the washing drum for evacuating the water from the lower area of a washing tub, the washing drum rotating the evacuated water raining down over the batch of washing when the evacuation facility is situated above the batch of laundry. 
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the washing drum is rotated exclusively in one direction during the washing method. 
   
   
       24 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the washing drum is rotated in the direction of effectiveness of the evacuation facility. 
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the washing drum is rotated in alternating directions during the washing method. 
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the washing drum is rotated in the direction of effectiveness of the evacuation facility with a power-on time ratio for this direction which is greater than the power-on time ratio for the opposite direction. 
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the motor is operated during a phase at the beginning of the washing process with a power-on time ratio greater than 12%. 
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the motor is operated during a phase at the end of the washing process with a power-on time ratio less than 5%. 
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the drum is rotated at a rotational speed of 15 to 35 rpm. 
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the drive phases of the motor follow at an interval of 10 to 60 seconds. 
   
   
       31 . A program-controlled washing machine for washing a batch of laundry made of shrinkable textiles comprising:
 a washing tub;   a washing drum rotatably mounted within the washing tub and being driven by a motor; and   a program-control unit including facilities for controlling the motor and for controlling the course of the rotational speed of the washing drum in respect of the value of the rotational speed, the direction of rotation, the power-on time and the power-off time of the motor, wherein the facilities for the step-by-step or continuous reduction of the power-on time ratio are implemented in accordance with the increase in the sensitivity to shrinkage during the washing process by controlling the power-on time and power-off time.   
   
   
       32 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising baffles on the inside shell of the washing drum, the baffles being equipped with an evacuation facility evacuating the water from the lower area of the washing tub and raining the evacuated water when the evacuation facility is situated above the batch of washing. 
   
   
       33 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the rotation of the washing drum takes place exclusively in one direction of rotation during the washing process. 
   
   
       34 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the direction of rotation of the washing drum corresponds to the direction of effectiveness of the evacuation facility. 
   
   
       35 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the rotation of the washing drum takes place with alternating directions of rotation during the washing process. 
   
   
       36 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the rotation of the washing drum takes place in the direction of effectiveness of the evacuation facility with a power-on time ratio for this direction which is greater than the power-on time ratio for the opposite direction. 
   
   
       37 . The washing machine as claimed in one of  claims 31 , wherein the facilities for controlling the motor are implemented during a phase at the beginning of the washing process with a power-on time ratio greater than 12%. 
   
   
       38 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the facilities for controlling the motor are implemented during a phase at the end of the washing process with a power-on time ratio less than 5%. 
   
   
       39 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the drum is rotated at a rotational speed of between about 15 to 35 rpm. 
   
   
       40 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein drive phases of the motor have an interval of 10 to 60 seconds.