Importance

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Abstract

A commercial/industrial washing machine is provided with a body section which is pivotable between a loading and washing position in which the body section is horizontal, and an unloading position in which the body is forwardly inclined at an angle of approximately 7.5.degree.. The body section carries a washing drum which is rearwardly and downwardly inclined at an angle of approximately 2.5.degree. relative to the body section and is provided with internal breaker ribs inclined at an angle of approximately 15.degree. relative to the drum axis. A loading chute is pivotally connected to the upper end of the body section and is movable between a raised position in which the chute is spaced apart from the drum opening, and a lowered position in which the chute outlet communicates with the interior of the drum, the chute being provided with a counterweight system to counterbalance the weight of the chute. During loading of the machine the body section is moved to its horizontal loading and washing position, the chute is moved to its lowered position, and the drum is rotated. Dry launderable items are then dropped into the chute and water is flowed through the chute into the rotating drum. The water flowing through the chute wets and compresses the launderable items therein and assists in carrying them into the drum where they are engaged by forward end portions of the rotating breaker ribs. The inclined ribs function to automatically pull the items into the drum. During rotational oscillation of the drum the inclined ribs also function to impart an axial oscillation to the items being laundered to significantly improve the washing and rinsing action of the machine, an action which is further enhanced by the slight rearward and downward tilt of the rotating drum. The drum is provided with an annular forward end wall portion which is forwardly and radially inwardly sloped at an angle of approximately 15.degree. relative to a plane perpendicularly intersected by the drum axis and positioned rearwardly of such forward end wall portion. With the body section in its forwardly tilted unloading position this sloped drum wall portion adds an extra measure of forward tilt to the outlet portion of the drum to further facilitate the unloading of the machine.

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First Claim