Steris Inc.

Nathalie Thibault

Maxime Robert

Daniel Rochette

Ghislain Parent

Michel Emond

Michel Lemay

Mario Duchaine

Louis Martineau

Eugene Cantin

Daniel Giguère

Yves-Andr&eacute; Theriault

Yves-Andrebec Theriault

A tunnel washer that includes fluid exhaust paths that are optimized to minimize fluid transfer between chambers of the washer and minimize heat loss from each chamber of the washer. The fluid exhaust paths also facilitate uniform vapor evacuation from each chamber of the washer. The tunnel washer also includes spaced-apart double wall curtains for isolating chambers of the tunnel washer to prevent fluid and heat transfer therebetween, and to the exterior of the tunnel washer. The double wall curtains include surfaces that inhibit the curtains from sticking together during operation of the tunnel washer. The tunnel washer also includes an air manifold that provides uniform drying efficiency for articles of varying dimensions.

Tunnel washer system with improved cleaning efficiency

A self-cleaning filter for a washing apparatus. Water entering a filter assembly travels along a spiral pathway that facilitates the separation of heavy solid debris from the water. A filter element prevents both light and heavy solid debris from entering a conduit leading to spray nozzles, thereby preventing clogging of the nozzles. In a filter cleaning operation, solid debris is removed from the filter assembly.

Self-cleaning filter for washers

A high pressure pump ( ) supplies cleaning fluid from a reservoir ( ) to spray nozzles ( ) inside a washing chamber ( ). The spray nozzles ( ) spray the cleaning fluid over a load to be cleaned. Used cleaning fluid is collected in a sump ( ). A sump pump ( ) drains the sump. The combination of the high pressure pump and sump pump provides more efficient cleaning of the load and eliminates the requirement for a deep sump beneath the washer. A vertical traveler ( ), having a pair of counterbalanced spray arms ( ), raises and lowers the spray nozzles counter cyclically; a detergent injection system ( ) accurately meters a correct amount of detergent is added to the cleaning fluid; and a filtration device ( ) filters suspended material from the used cleaning fluid and uses a portion of the cleaning fluid to clean itself.

Cleaning system for a washer

A high pressure pump (,) supplies cleaning fluid from a reservoir (,) to spray nozzles (,) inside a washing chamber (,). The spray nozzles (,) spray the cleaning fluid over a load to be cleaned. Used cleaning fluid is collected in a sump (,). A sump pump (,) drains the sump. The combination of the high pressure pump and sump pump provides more efficient cleaning of the load and eliminates the requirement for a deep sump beneath the washer. A vertical traveler (,), having a pair of counterbalanced spray arms (,), raises and lowers the spray nozzles counter cyclically; a detergent injection system (,) accurately meters a correct amount of detergent is added to the cleaning fluid; and a filtration device (,) filters suspended material from the used cleaning fluid and uses a portion of the cleaning fluid to clean itself.

Retractable doors 22 to a washing chamber 20 of a washer 10 open automatically to allow a load to be processed to be wheeled into the chamber. The doors are fitted with blowout panels 42, 44. In an emergency, a worker trapped in the washing chamber can escape by pushing the blowout panels outward. A tilting floor assembly 70 includes a floor 76 supported on a frame 74 and a lifting mechanism 90 for selectively raising and lowering a side of the frame to tilt the floor. The floor is tilted automatically during a cleaning cycle to allow cleaning fluids to drain from the load, then leveled before opening of the doors for ease of removal of the load.

Automatic door and floor tilting system for a washer

An operating system (20) for a washer (1) is mounted on a moveable trolley (52). The trolley carries all of the failure prone elements such as pumps (24, 28, 40) solenoid valves 80, electrical heaters (48), an electrical control circuit (50) and the like. Quick-release couplings (58, 59,60 62), between the operating system and plumbing associated with a washing chamber (10), allow the operating system to be quickly disconnected from and reconnected with the chamber. The trolley is then wheeled a distance away from the chamber, providing ready access to all the operating equipment for maintenance and repair.

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Nathalie Thibault