Floor mat and particulate laden material washing apparatus and method

Abstract

A method of washing particulate laden material in a washer includes moving the particulate laden material from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer and through multiple modules or sectors. Liquid can be counter flowed in the washer interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the particulate laden material. A specially configured recirculation / filtration arrangement removes a majority of particulate and organic matter from the washing fluid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 917,158, filed 17 Dec. 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.[0002]Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 917,158, filed 17 Dec. 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0003]Not applicableREFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”[0004]Not applicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006]The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning floor mats such as when using a continuous batch washer or tunnel washer.[0007]More particularly, the present invention relates to the cleaning of particulate laden material (such as floor mats, sand laden beach towels, work uniforms laden with metal shavings, or jeans laden with pumice rock such as the pumice rocks used in garments washing such as stone washed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for washing floor mats in a tunnel washer. By using a filter to remove sand and organic compounds from the recirculating fluid, the performance of the washing machine is improved, the washing quality is maintained, and there is no build-up of sand or organic material. The washing machine stays clean and can be used to wash other materials such as linens. The method includes steps of providing a continuous batch tunnel washer, moving particulate material through the modules, adding a washing chemical and a rinsing liquid, and recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter. The technical effects include improved washing efficiency, maintained tool cleanliness, and reduced labor costs for cleaning the washing machine.

Problems solved by technology

Hence, dirty floor mats can be laden with significant quantities of heavy dirt or sand.

Towels can be laden with sand and thus pose a problem for a resort hotel laundry.

Metal shavings from uniforms used in the metal work industry can cause problems for a laundry.

One of the problems with washing floor mats embedded with sand (or with organic compounds) is that once the sand is released from the mat into the washing water, the sand collects inside the shell of the washing machine such as in many of the modules of the tunnel washer.

This causes the mats to not be cleaned.

The build up of organic compounds causes the mats to have an extreme odor.

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