Apparatus for producing and storing chloride water, particularly for a bleaching treatment in a washing machine

Abstract

 The invention relates to apparatus for the production and storage of chlorine water, particularly for use in a bleaching and sterilizing treatment in a washing machine.
The apparatus according to the invention (fig. 2) comprises a vessel (2) provided in its interior with a series of perforated partitions (3) defining lateral passages (5) for reducing the time required for emptying and filling the apparatus. A pressostat (14) or a sensor (15) ensure the maintenance of a proper water level within the apparatus.
The apparatus according to the invention permits the economical production and storage of chlorine water also during phases other than the phase of its use.
The apparatus is additionally designed to withstand shock loads caused by the possible combustion of explosive mixtures.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for the production and storage of chlorine water, particularly for a bleaching and sterilizing treatment in a washing machine.

[0002] Described in Italian Patent Application No. 45738 A/81 is a laundry washing machine equipped with an electrolytic diaphragm cell for generating gaseous chlorine to be introduced into the washing water for obtaining an aquaeous chlorine solution, generally referred to as "chlorine water" which is useful for a bleaching treatment.

[0003] According to the cited Italian Patent Application, the gaseous chlorine produced by the electrolytic cell is caused to pass through a perforated tube so as to be introduced directly into the rinsing water supplied to the interior of the laundry washing machine in the form of small bubbles.

[0004] The cited Italian Patent Application thus attains the object of providing a system for the production of chlorine water within a laundry washing machine. There remains still the problem, however, to achieve a more uniform distribution of the gaseous chlorine in the water, and to accumulate a supply of chlorine water preparatory to its being required for use during the rinsing phase.

[0005] A main object of the invention is thus the provision of apparatus for the efficient and economical production of an aquaeous chlorine solution which is particularly useful for a bleachign and/or sterilizing treatment in a washing machine. As generally known, the absorption of gaseous chlorine in water is on the one hand the most simple and economical method for the production of chlorine water. Due to the limited solubility of gaseous chlorine in water, on the other hand, this method requires the employ of complicated apparatus of considerable dimensions and thus unsuitable for use in a washing machine.

[0006] In the process of introducing gaseous chlorine into water for absorption it has also to be kept in mind that mixing of the gaseous chlorine with hydrogen may result in an explosive mixture.

[0007] A further object of the invention is therefore the provision of apparatus of the above defined type including the necessary safety provisions, inter alia for avoiding the loss of gaseous chlorine generated by the electrolytic cell.

[0008] A still further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for the absorption of gaseous chlorine in water and for accumulating the thus formed chlorine water for subsequent use as dictated by the washing programme.

[0009] For attaining these and other objects in an apparatus of the above defined type comprising a closed outer vessel, conduits for the supply of water and for discharging chlorine water, conduits for supplying gaseous chlorine to the interior of said vessel, and elements mounted in the interior of said vessel for promoting contact between the gaseous chlorine and the water, the invention provides that said elements are in the form of perforated partitions disposed transversely of the dirdetion of the fluid flow, the surface area of said partitions being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said vessel so as to form at least one lateral passage between a free edge portion of each said partition and the adjacent interior wall portion of said vessel, each said partition being formed adjacent said lateral passage with a baffle portion extending downwards therefrom at right angles, said apparatus being further provided with means for controlling the water level within said vessel so as to avoid the loss of gaseous chlorine to the environment.

[0010] According to further characteristics of the invention, said control means comprise a pressostat and/or a conductivity water sensor or the like, and the surface of the vessel of the apparatus is formed with reinforcing ribs.

[0011] Embodiments of the invention shall now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of apparatus in a first embodiment of the invention,

fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in fig. 1,

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a partition employed in the apparatus of fig. 1, and

fig. 4 and 5 show longitudinal sectional views of two further embodiments of the invention.

[0012] With reference to fig. 1 of the drawings, apparatus generally designated 1 comprises a cylindrical vessel 2 for contacting a liquid (tap water) and a gas (gaseous chlorine generated by an electrolytic cell installed in a washing machine).

[0013] At this point it is noted that the shape of vessel 2 is not of critical importance. The vessel may be of any suitable configuration permitting it to be be mounted, with the aid of conventional fastener means (not shown), within the housing of a laundry washing mashine or, depending on the employ of the apparatus, of a dishwashing machine.

[0014] The material of the vessel and of the other elements of the apparatus to be described is of a type that is resistant to the corrosive attack of chlorine, for instance polyethylene.

[0015] Interiorly of vessel 2 there is mounted a series of partitions 3 (cf. fig. 3) each of which is fixedly attached to the interior wall surface of vessel 2 along a certain portion of its periphery. The surfaces of partitions 3 are formed with a plurality of perforations 4 having a diameter of about 1 to 3 mm for achieving a more intimate contact between the gas and the liquid.

[0016] The partitions 3 are disposed transversely of the longitudinal direction of vessel 2, and thus also transversely of the direction of fluid flow. Their surface area is smaller than the cross-sectional area of vessel 2 so as to leave an open space, i.e. a lateral passage 5 between the interior wall surface of vessel 2 and the free edge of each partition 3.

[0017] These passages are provided for reducing the time required for filling the vessel with water and for discharging the chlorine water therefrom.

[0018] Adjacent passage 5 each partition is formed with a depending edge portion or baffle 6 extending downwards at right angles for detaining the gaseous chlorine so as to promote the formation of the aquaeous chlorine solution.

[0019] The partitions 3 are disposed one above the other within vessel 2 in such a manner that a closed partition wall portion is located upstream and downstream in alignment with each lateral passage 5.

[0020] Vessel 2 is closed, communicating with the exterior via a conduit 7 for the supply of tap water intended for absorbing the gaseous chlorine. Conduit 7 is located at the top portion of vessel 2 and provided with a flow control valve 8. Also provided at the top portion of vessel 2 is a discharge conduit 9 for the liquid expelled by the gas, the latter being supplied to vessel.2 adjacent the bottom thereof through a perforated tube 10 located below the lowermost partition 3.

[0021] The bottom of vessel 2 is further provided with a chlorine water discharge conduit 11 suitably controlled by a-valve 12.

[0022] In addition to being resistant to the corrosive attack of the chlorine, the material of which the apparatus according to the invention is made has also to be of a type capable of absorbing the energy developed by a possible explosion caused by the mixture Cl₂ ^{+ H}₂.

[0023] This material thus has to be corrosion-resistant and at the same time malleable and resilient, such as the above mentioned polyethylene or a similar composition.

[0024] For improving the shock-resistant properties of the material, the surface of vessel 2 is preferably formed with reinforcing ribs 13.

[0025] The above described apparatus is also provided with safety means for avoiding the escape of chlorine to the environment. For this purpose a pressostat 14 is disposed adjacent the bottom of vessel 2, or the top portion of the apparatus carries a conductivity sensor 15 or a similar device for detecting the presence of water in the upper portion of the apparatus.

[0026] These means thus ensure the presence of water within the apparatus and thus the proper absorption of the gaseous chlorine, so that the problem of preventing gaseous chlorine from escaping to the environment is solved in a simple manner.

[0027] The operation of the apparatus shown in fig. 1 is self- evident: After vessel 2 has been filled with water, for instance tap water or anteriorly treated water, the gas inlet is opened for introducing the gas in the form of small bubbles. During their ascent, the gas bubbles are caused to follow a non-linear path, resulting in an extended time for contact with the water for improved absorption. During their ascent, the gas bubbles are brought into contact with water having a continuously decreasing concentration of absorbed chlorine and thus capable of increasing absorption.

[0028] The described apparatus permits chlorine water to be produced at times other than during the rinsing phase, thanks to its capability of storing the solution for use at the appropriate time.

[0029] The embodiment of fig. 4 differs from the one shown in fig. 1 mainly by the fact that the vessel 2 is of substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration with its greater dimension in the horizontal direction.

[0030] Common elements of the two embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0031] In the embodiment of fig. 5, the outer configuration of the apparatus is the same as in the embodiment of fig. 1, while the partitions 3 are formed with a continuous depending edge portion 6 defining an annular passage 5 for each partition 3 in cooperation with the interior wall surface of vessel 2.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the Production and storage of chlorine water, particularly for a bleaching and sterilizing treatment in a washing machine, of the type comprising a closed outer vessel, conduits for the supply of water and for discharging chlorine water, conduits for supplying chlorine gas to the interior of said vessel, and elements mounted in the interior of said vessel for promoting contact between the gaseous chlorine and the water, characterized in that said elements are in the form of perforated partitions (3) disposed transversely of the direction of the fluid flow, the surface area of said partitions being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said vessel (2) so as to form at least one lateral passage (5) between a free edge portion of each said partition and the adjacent interior wall portion of said vessel, each said partition being formed adjacent said lateral passage with a baffle portion (6) extending downwards therefrom at right angles, said apparatus (1) being further provided with means (14, 15) for controlling the water level within said vessel so as to avoid the loss of gaseous chlorine to the environment.

2.. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that for each said partition (3) there is provided a single lateral passage (5) for the free flow of fluids, the passages associated with adjacent partitions being alternately offset diametrally opposite one another within said vessel (2), so that the fluids exiting from one said passage are caused to cross the full diameter of said vessel before entering the subsequent lateral passage.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that for each said partition (3) there is provided a pair of lateral passages for the free flow of fluids disposed at opposite locations.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said baffle is formed as a continuous depending edge portion along the periphery of said partition (3), said passage (5) being a continuous annular passage.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said control means are in the form of a pressostat (14) located adjacent the bottom of the apparatus (1) and/or of a conductivity sensor (15) or the like located adjacent the top of said vessel (2).

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of said vessel (2) is provided with reinforcing ribs (13).

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said vessel.(2) and said partitions (3) are of a resilient material resistant to shocks and to the corrocive attack of chlorine.

Drawing