Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides an industrial extractor (10) comprising a chassis (12) to which a cylindrical drum (14) is rotatably mounted. A pair of sliding doors (24, 26) are incorporated into the drum's (14) cylindrical structure thereby providing access to the drum (14) through its periphery. To load the extractor (10) with laundry, the sliding doors (24, 26) am actuated to provide an opening at the top of the drum (14). The doors (24, 26) are actuated via in interconnected series of levers (36, 38), plates (28, 30) and linkages (48, 50). The laundry is then dropped from a conveyor or chute into the drum (14) without having to tilt or pivot the drum (14). Once loaded, the doors (24, 26) are automatically closed and a locking assembly (60) engages the door (24, 26) to prevent them from inadvertently opening. Once the items are laundered and the drum (14) stops rotating, the drum (14) is pivotally rotated in a forward direction such that its axis (x) of rotation extends diagonally as opposed to horizontally. An unloading door (18) positioned on the front of the extractor (10) is then automatically opened and the items are permitted to fall out of the drum (14) via gravity and manual assistance. Once emptied, the drum (14) is pivotally rotated back to its operating position where it may then be re-loaded and run through another cleaning cycle.

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First Claim