CN114450445A - baffle for processor - Google Patents

Abstract

A baffle for a processor configured to process a substrate in the presence of solid particles, wherein the processor comprises a drum and a door for loading the substrate into the drum. The baffle includes a bucket connector portion for connecting the baffle to a bucket of the disposer. The shutter also includes a door contact portion for contacting a door of the handler when in use and when the door is in a closed configuration. The barrier further comprises a barrier extending between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion; and wherein the barrier is inclined such that, in use, solid particles deposited on the barrier are transferred into the drum of the processing machine. A processor including the baffle and a method of processing a substrate in the processor are also provided.

Description

baffle for processor

technical field

The present invention relates to a baffle plate and a processor including the baffle plate. The present invention also relates to the use of processing machines, and methods of processing substrates with such machines.

Background technique

Traditional methods of treating and cleaning textiles and fabrics often involve water washing using large quantities of water. These methods typically involve soaking the fabric in water followed by aqueous soil suspension, soil removal and water rinsing. The use of solid particles to provide improvements and advantages over these conventional methods is known in the art. For example, PCT Patent Publication WO2007/128962 discloses a method of cleaning soiled substrates using a variety of solid particles. Other PCT patent publications disclosing cleaning methods include: WO2012/056252; WO2014/006424; WO2015/004444; WO2014/147390; WO2014/147391; 064581; WO2010/094959; and WO2014/147389. These inventions teach apparatus and methods for treating or cleaning substrates that have several advantages over conventional methods, including improved treatment/cleaning performance, reduced water consumption, and reduced use of detergents and other treatments. consumption, and better low temperature processing/cleaning (and thus more energy efficient processing/cleaning).

Conventional disposers, such as washing machines, may typically include a baffle that extends from the tub to the housing at the door opening. This baffle typically includes rubber and prevents water in the drum from leaving the tub or door during the treatment cycle. The baffles are usually bellows or U-bends to accommodate the movement of the barrel relative to the enclosure, reducing vibration transfer to the enclosure and maintaining a seal during movement.

The applicant has made extensive development of washing machines, solids and wash cycles over the years so that at the end of the wash cycle the solids have been successfully removed from the wash area of the drum and from the fabrics.

Nonetheless, the inventors have discovered that when solid particles are used with processors that include baffles, there is an undesirable problem stemming from the tendency of solid particles to be retained in, on, or around the surface of the baffles . It was found that this resulted in the processor not fully recovering the solid particles.

Furthermore, the inventors have observed that solid particles retained in the baffle are often sloughed off when the door is opened and closed. These shed solid particles can enter the drum and land on the washed fabrics. Consequently, the user of the washing machine notices the presence of undesired solid particles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a general improvement and/or to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a baffle for a processor, wherein the processor is configured to wash a substrate in the presence of solid particles, and wherein the processor includes a drum and a door for loading the substrate into the drum. The baffle includes a bucket connector portion that connects the baffle to the bucket of the processor. The shutter also includes a door contact portion for contacting the processor door when in use and the door is in the closed configuration. The baffle also includes a barrier extending between the tub connector portion and the door contact portion; and wherein the barrier is sloped so that, in use, solid particles deposited on the barrier are transferred to the drum of the processor.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a handler including the baffle of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a handler comprising: a housing; a tub movably mounted within the housing; a drum rotatably mounted within the tub; and a door for loading substrates into the drum, wherein The door is mounted to the housing and is operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The processor is configured to distribute the solid particles into the drum and extract the solid particles from the drum. The handler also includes a baffle including: a bucket connector portion that connects the baffle to a bucket of the handler; a door contact portion for contacting the handler's door when the door is in a closed configuration; and a bucket connection A baffle extending and sloping between the door contact portion and the door contact portion allows solid particles deposited on the baffle to be transferred to the drum of the processor.

Aspects of the present invention provide a baffle or processor such that solid particles added to the drum of the processor are prevented by the baffle from accumulating on the baffle or near the door, but instead move into the drum.

Various aspects of the invention may include any of the following optional features.

In use, the barrier of the shutter may bias the door contact portion against the processor door when the processor door is in the closed configuration. Biasing the door contact portion against the door by the barrier further reduces the likelihood of solid particles moving between the door contact portion and the door.

The barrier may be shaped such that at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of the barrier measured from the barrel connector portion to the door contact portion is linear or monotonically curved. A non-linear or non-monotonic portion may be located at the proximal end of the barrel connector portion. The barrier may comprise a single arc curved generally towards the axis of rotation of the drum; the curved arc may extend to a non-monotonic portion.

The barrier may be shaped such that the barrier extends between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion in a linear or monotonically curved fashion. This shape has no protrusions or grooves that might retain solid particles.

The tub connector portion may include attachment means for attaching to the tub. The attachment means may include features that cooperate with corresponding features on the tub. The attachment means may include features that attach to corresponding features on the tub, for example, one or more protrusions, lips or rims to mate with corresponding lips, flanges or other structures on the tub, or bead and eyelets. The attachment means may include any of hooks, loops, pins, screws, clips and other known mechanical retention means. Alternatively, the attachment means may include gluing or fusing the baffle to the barrel. The barrel connector portion may be integrally formed with the barrier, or may include separate connection means for connecting the barrel connector portion to the barrier. A separate connection device can be attached to the barrier.

The door contact portion may comprise a portion of the shutter that contacts the door in use. The door contact portion may include a surface adapted to contact the door, eg, the surface may include an angled surface to contact a corresponding surface of the door when the door is in the closed configuration. The door contact portion may have a higher stiffness than the barrier, and may include, for example, a rigid or semi-rigid ring to maintain the door contact portion in a ring shape to fit the shape of the door.

The tub connector portion may include a ring positioned or positionable between the drum and the tub. The ring can reduce the gap between the barrel and the drum to prevent or reduce the possibility of solid particles passing through the gap. The ring may reduce the gap to no more than 10mm, or no more than 8mm or no more than 7mm, or no more than 5mm or no more than 2mm. The gap may be at least 5 mm, or at least 2 mm, or at least 1 mm, or at least 0.5 mm. Rings can be formed from rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as metals such as aluminum or stainless steel or polymers such as nylon or polyethylene. The ring may include a smooth or low friction coating on the side facing the drum. The ring can be held in place by connection to the barrel connector portion. Optionally, the ring may be positioned radially inward from the tub or drum and axially aligned with the gap, and may optionally include a lip extending toward or into the drum.

The handler may have an axis of rotation aligned with the center of rotation of the drum. The baffle may be annular and thus also have an axis passing through the annular center of the baffle. When the baffle is applied to a processor, the axis of the baffle may coincide with the axis of rotation of the processor. Optionally, when the baffle is applied to the handler, the axis of the baffle may be parallel to and close to the axis of rotation of the handler. In this context, proximity may mean that the spacing between axes is not greater than 5 cm.

The baffle may be inclined relative to the horizontal so that when applied to the handler, the barrier may be between 10 and 90 degrees, or between 15 and 60 degrees, or between 20 and 30 degrees, or from The average angular tilt for any range formed by any of these endpoints. An imaginary line extends from the point where the barrier contacts the barrel connector portion at its lowest point and the point where the barrier contacts the door contact portion at its lowest point. The average angle is the angle between the imaginary line and the horizontal.

The barrier of the baffle may have a length parallel to the axial direction measured from the tub connector portion to the door contact portion. When the door is in the open configuration (ie, the door contact portion is not in contact with the door and the shutter is not loaded in the axial direction), the length may be between 10 and 65mm, or between 15 and 50mm, or between 20 and 40mm between, or between any range formed from any of these endpoints. When the door is in the closed configuration, the length of the baffle can be reduced by 5 to 20mm, or 7 to 15mm, or a range from any combination of these endpoints.

When the door contact portion of the shutter is applied to the handler, the door contact portion of the shutter may apply a force to the handler door in the axial direction when the door is in the closed configuration. The force can be between 2 and 20N, or between 3 and 15N, or between 4 and 10N, or between 5 and 8N, or any range of any combination of the foregoing endpoints.

The door of the handler may include a dome or truncated cone that extends into the drum when the door is in the closed configuration. The door contact portion of the shutter may contact the dome or cone when the door is in the closed configuration.

Working with a dome or cone may help to self-center the door-contacting portion of the baffle around the door. This can further improve the distribution of the axial force on the dome or cone by the door contact portion.

The door of the handler may include inwardly protruding elements. The inwardly projecting elements may be transparent and may be formed of glass or transparent polymers. The inwardly projecting elements may be domes or cones as described above. The inwardly projecting element, dome or cone may additionally comprise an offset formed on the side of the inwardly projecting element facing the drum. The offset may be in the form of a rib, ridge, thickening, fold, bend or shoulder on the drum facing side of the inwardly projecting element. The offset portion may be integrally formed with the inwardly projecting element, or may be affixed thereto. The offset portion may extend annularly around the side of the inwardly protruding element facing the drum. The shape of the offset may match the door contact portion of the shutter. When the door is in the closed configuration, the offset may present features or surfaces that the door-contacting portion of the shutter may contact. In particular, the deflection may present an inclined surface, forming a different angle with the adjacent area of the inwardly projecting element. The sloped surfaces may be more nearly vertical than adjacent areas of the inwardly projecting elements, or may be vertically aligned. The offset may provide a surface to which the door contact portion may apply force when the door is in the closed configuration. When the handler is in use, the offset may further reduce any oscillatory movement, particularly in the horizontal/lateral direction where the door contact portion abuts the inwardly protruding element.

The door contact portion of the shutter may include a ring. Preferably, the door contact ring is rigid or semi-rigid. The door contact ring may be formed from rigid or semi-rigid materials such as metals such as aluminum or stainless steel or polymers such as nylon or polyethylene. The axial length of the door contact ring may be between 0.5 and 20 mm, or between 0.75 and 8 mm, or between 1 and 5 mm, or any range of the aforementioned endpoints. The door contact ring, especially if the door contact ring is rigid, can provide a further improvement in the force distribution against the door, and thus can provide a further improvement in the retention of solid particles in the drum.

The barrier may comprise an elastic material such that the elasticity of the barrier provides a biasing force on the door. For example, the barrier may include, among others, polymers (including polyethylene, aramid, etc.), rubber (including EPDM rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber), and the like. The material can be formed as a mesh or sheet. The sheet may include slits or holes. The thickness of the material may be between 0.2 mm and 6 mm, or between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 2 mm, or between any range inclusive of any of the foregoing endpoints. The barrier of the baffle may comprise extensible materials such as neoprene, porous polymer sheets, polymer or metal mesh, latex rubber or other highly elastic materials or spring elements.

The baffle may be formed from a single elastic material. Barriers may include polymers (including polyethylene, aramid, etc.), rubbers (including EPDM rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber), and the like, among others. The thickness of the baffle material can vary in different areas of the baffle. Areas of thinner thickness may provide increased baffle flexibility to reduce transmission of vibrations. Regions with a relatively greater thickness can provide greater resistance to wear and deformation. The baffle may include a reduced thickness at the barrier and/or adjacent the door contact portion. The baffle may comprise a reduced thickness at any angle, fold or bend in the baffle, particularly at any angle, fold or bend in the baffle between the tub connector portion and the door contact portion. A region of thinner thickness can be considered a region of the baffle, where the thickness is lower than other regions of the baffle. In some embodiments, the door contact portion may present a reduced opening through which the user unloads and loads the processing substrate. The inclusion of a thinner thickness of the baffle on either side of the barrier or door contact portion may allow the door contact portion to be easily deflected when contacted by a user. The lower thickness region may comprise a material thickness of 0.8 to 1.8 mm, while the larger thickness region may have a thickness of 2.0 mm to 5 mm. These values apply especially when the baffle is made of rubber (eg EPDM rubber).

In some embodiments, the baffle may include reinforcing ribs. Reinforcing ribs can be located in areas of thinner thickness. The reinforcing ribs can be positioned in the baffle at any angle, fold or bend. The reinforcing ribs may be spaced circumferentially around the baffle. In particular, the reinforcing rib may be positioned at an intersection angle between a length of the baffle extending from the door contact portion and a length of the baffle extending from the tub contact portion. Reinforcing ribs can provide increased local stiffness to help the baffle retain its shape while still being easily deformed by a user loading the machine. The reinforcing ribs may comprise thickened portions of the baffle. For example, the reinforcing ribs may be 0.5 to 5 mm wide ribs. The ribs may be formed of a rigid material, such as rubber. The reinforcing ribs may extend in the radial direction.

The barrier can be porous to the fluid. This can further improve the drying of the baffles between washes. The barrier may include a plurality of pores. The pores are sized to prevent the passage of solid particles. The size of the holes may be between 0.1 mm and 15 mm in width, or between 3 mm and 10 mm in width, or between 3 mm and 7 mm in width, or between any range formed by any of the foregoing endpoints. The size of the hole may refer to the largest linear dimension of the hole. In the case of an opening in the form of a circular hole, the smallest linear dimension corresponds to the diameter of the circular hole.

The baffle may include a seal. The seal may be located radially outside the barrier. The seal may extend from the barrel to the housing. The seal may comprise rubber. The seal also prevents water from flowing out of the drum and tub around or through the baffle.

The baffle may include a housing connector that may be connected to the housing of the handler. The housing connector may be connected to the door contact portion of the shutter by an extension of the seal or barrier extending therebetween. This can provide further stability to the door contact portion.

Alternatively, the door contact portion may be included as part of the barrier, and the shutter may include an enclosure connector to connect the shutter to the enclosure. The door contact portion may be located between the tub connector portion and the housing connector. The barriers may be arranged in a zigzag, sinusoidal or U-shape when viewed in cross-section through the radial direction. The door contact portion may be adjacent to or located on the door facing portion of the apex or highest point of the zigzag, sinusoidal or U-shape. The highest point may be in the vertical direction relative to the bottom dead center of the drum. In these embodiments, the barrier may comprise a non-porous material, and optionally may comprise rubber (examples include EPDM rubber).

In an embodiment, the barrier of the baffle may be formed from two or more intersecting frustoconical sections of material. At the point of intersection, an angle can be formed between the two intersecting parts. The angle can be defined as the smallest measurable angle between the two intersecting portions measured at bottom dead center. When viewed as a radial section through the baffle, the frustoconical portion may appear as two approximately rectilinear portions with the intersecting portion forming an angle between them. The barrier of the baffle may comprise two sections with a single intersection angle, or three sections with two intersection angles, or four sections with three intersection angles, or the like. The angle may be between 135 and 15 degrees, or 105 and 30 degrees, or 90 and 45 degrees, or 75 and 60 degrees, or any range of any combination of these endpoints. As described above, the barrier formed by two or more intersecting portions may be curved to allow elongation between the door contact portion and the tub connector. The barrier can be curved around one or more intersection angles. One or more intersecting portions of the barrier may be angled relative to the shortest line extending from the door contact portion to the tub connector at bottom dead center, such that one or more portions may bend as the tub moves relative to the door. As mentioned above, the same structure can also be used for the shutter between the door contact portion and the housing connection.

In an embodiment, the baffle may extend from the door contact portion to the housing connector. At bottom dead center, the extension from the door contact portion to the housing connector may include a minimum area, ie the lowest point or groove between the door contact portion and the housing connector. This shape may help dampen the transmission of vibrations. The baffle may include a drain to drain liquid accumulated on the baffle. The drain can be at the lowest point. The drain can drain the liquid into the bucket, or to the water outlet of the processor, or to any other liquid carrying device in the processor. The drain may include a conduit from the baffle to any of the aforementioned means of the processor. The conduits may include pipes or tubes, or the like. Among other things, the conduit can be drained into the processor's bucket, sump, drain hose or filter. The baffle may drain under the influence of gravity. The duct can run down the baffle to the bottom of the machine, or it can slope towards the barrel. A screen can be placed in the baffle above the drain to prevent solid particles and/or debris (eg, lint, dirt, etc.) from clogging the drain. Screens may include mesh or perforated members. The screen may be located at the minimum adjacent to the conduit.

The processor may be configured to distribute the solid particles into the drum and extract the solid particles from the drum. The processor may include a storage chamber for storing solid particles within a housing of the processor. The processor may comprise a distribution path for distributing solid particles into the drum from within the housing of the processor or preferably from a storage chamber within the housing. The processor may include solid particle collection means for moving the solid particles from the drum to various locations within the processor housing, preferably into a storage chamber.

The processor may be configured to dispense the solid particles into the drum through a port in the rear wall of the drum, which port may optionally be aligned with the center of rotation of the drum. The processor may be configured to extract the solid particles via a lifter located within the drum.

The baffle of the present invention is particularly suitable for processing machines, especially washing machines with a load capacity of less than 100Kg, especially less than 50Kg, especially less than 25Kg. The load capacity is usually at least 0.1 or at least 1 Kg. The load capacity can be the total dry substrate or the weight of the substrate that can be put into a single processing cycle.

The baffles of the present invention are particularly suitable for processors in which the drum and tub are movably mounted relative to the housing and stationary doors.

In a fourth aspect, use of the processor of the preceding aspect for treating a substrate in the presence of solid particles.

The substrate can include textiles. The solid particles may comprise polymers, and optionally may have an average particle size of 1 mm to 20 mm.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of treating a substrate in the processor of the third aspect, the method comprising: loading a drum of the processor with a substrate, solid particles and a liquid medium; rotating the drum to agitate the substrate, solid particles and liquid medium.

The method may also include: draining the liquid medium from the drum; flushing the solid particles and substrate, optionally repeatedly flushing the solid particles one or more times. Loading the drum may further include adding a treatment formulation, such as a cleaning agent, to the drum. The solid particles can then be reused in one or more further iterations of the process. Dispensing the solid particles into the drum may include dispensing through a solid particle distribution device. The method may include collecting solid particles from the drum by a solid particle collection device. The method may include dispensing from the storage device into the drum and/or collecting the solid particles from the drum to the storage device.

Substrates may include textiles or animal skins, among others. Particularly preferred substrates are textiles. The treatment may include any of washing or cleaning the substrate; dyeing the substrate, tanning the substrate; grinding the substrate; stonewashing the substrate; reducing the size of the substrate. The treating machines of the second to fifth aspects may include any one of a textile dyeing apparatus, a tanning apparatus, a stone washing apparatus; a textile grinding apparatus and a washing machine. A particularly preferred processor is a washing machine.

During operation of the processor, the solid particles may not appreciably bond or adhere to the substrate. Thus, for example, the solid particles do not coat, impregnate or bond to the substrate.

A processor typically includes an enclosure, drums, and barrels. The housing forms the outer structure of the handler and provides rigid mounting points for the components of the handler. The drum and bucket are contained within the housing of the processor. The processor also typically includes a door for loading substrates into the drum, which door can be closed to prevent the contents of the drum and tub from leaving the processor during operation. The door is openable to allow substrates to be treated to be added or removed from the drum. Typically, the drum is perforated and cylindrical to accommodate the load to be treated, treatment formulations and liquid media such as water. The drum rotates around the axis of rotation to agitate/rotate the substrate item to be treated. The inner circumference of the drum may include a plurality of lifters or vanes extending in the axial direction and radially inward towards the center of the drum. The purpose of the lifter is to lift the base item during the processing cycle to improve the tumbling action. The drum is usually mounted inside the barrel and is driven by a motor used to rotate the drum. The barrel is usually suspended or mounted within the housing of the processor. The barrel can be suspended or mounted by means including springs and damping units, etc. During operation of the processor, the rotation of the drum may cause vibrations, which may also cause the tub to vibrate. The suspension of the barrel within the enclosure provides some mechanical isolation from the enclosure, thereby preventing or reducing the transmission of vibrations to the enclosure. This prevents or reduces movement of the handler during use.

The baffle includes a bucket connector portion that connects the baffle to the bucket of the processor. The shutter also includes a door contact portion, which is the portion of the shutter that contacts the door of the processor when the door is closed. The baffle includes a barrier extending between the tub connector portion and the door contact portion. When the baffle is applied to the processor and the door is in the closed configuration, a shaped and sloped surface is created so that any solid particles deposited on the baffle during the processing cycle will slide or roll off the baffle and re-enter the drum.

The tub connector portion may comprise an annular structure attached to the tub, and optionally positioned or positionable between the drum and the tub, or alternatively include a portion positioned or positionable between the drum and the tub. The annular structure can reduce the gap between the tub and the drum to prevent solid particles from passing through the gap. The tub connector portion may include connecting means for connecting the baffle to the tub. For example, the attachment means may include a pair of protrusions configured to contact either side of the tub on the inner and outer surfaces of the tub. The protrusion contacting the outer surface of the tub may also include a seat that mates with the flange of the tub. The pair of protrusions and abutments may form a detachable mechanical connection to the tub. The pair of protrusions may resist axial movement of the barrel connector portion, and the seat and flange may resist radial inward movement. In other embodiments, the baffle may include alternative attachment means, such as an alternative configuration that includes one or more protrusions, rims, or other structures to selectively mate with corresponding structures of the tub. The attachment means may include any of hooks, loops, pins, screws, clips and other mechanical retention means. The barrel connector portion may be integrally formed with the barrier, or may include connection means for connecting the barrel connector portion to the barrier.

The door contact portion may comprise a portion of the shutter that contacts the door in use. The door contact portion may include a surface adapted to contact the door. The profile of the surface may match the corresponding inner surface of the door, in particular the surface may be frustoconical or frustoconical with a curved apex to match a correspondingly shaped dome on the inner surface of the handler door (or cone) mate. The door contact portion may have a higher stiffness than the barrier, and may include, for example, a rigid or semi-rigid ring to maintain the door contact portion in a ring shape to fit the shape of the door. For example, the door contact portion may comprise a generally annular structure, which may for example comprise nylon or polyethylene or the like. The door contact portion may be integrally formed with the barrier, or may include connecting means for connecting the door contact portion to the barrier.

A barrier extends between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion and prevents solid particles from passing through the barrier. The barrier is sloped to reduce the likelihood of solids accumulating on the barrier and the solids are directed into the drum. The shape of the barrier may be such that, when viewed in cross-section, the radially inner surface of the barrier comprises lines or curves that are inclined to the drum. The shape of the baffle may include one or more grooves, steps, grooves or protrusions on the surface, so long as these shapes do not include areas where solid particles may accumulate and the radially inner surface of the barrier generally maintains a generally linear or curved shape .

The barrier is inclined towards the drum to transfer solid particles into the drum. The barrier can be tilted at an average angle between 10 and 90 degrees. An imaginary line extends from the point where the barrier contacts the barrel connector portion at its lowest point and the point where the barrier contacts the door contact portion at its lowest point. The average angle is the angle between the imaginary line and the horizontal.

The barrier may bias the door contact portion against the handler door when the handler door is in the closed configuration. The barrier may comprise an elastic material such that the elasticity of the barrier provides a biasing force on the door. For example, elastic materials may include polymers (including polyethylene, aramid, etc.), rubbers (including EPDM rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber), and the like. The material can be formed as a mesh or sheet. The sheet may include slits or holes. The thickness of the material may be between 0.2 mm and 6 mm, or between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 2 mm, or between any range inclusive of any of the foregoing endpoints. When the door is in the closed configuration, the barrier may bias the door contact portion in the axial direction with a force between 2 and 20N, or between 3 and 15N, or between 4 and 10N, or between 5 and 8N between, or any range of any combination of the above endpoints.

The barrier may include one or more ribs or reinforcement members secured to the inner or outer surface of the barrier. Ribs or reinforcement members may take the form of parallel hoops, conical springs, lattices or spacer bars. Ribs or reinforcement members may be attached to the barrier by adhesive or by fusion welding. They can act to increase the stiffness of the barrier and can prevent the barrier from forming folds or creases when the door is in the closed configuration.

The barrier can be prestressed in the circumferential direction. For example, the barrier in the unstressed position may have a circumferential length that is less than the perimeter of the barrel connector portion and/or the door contact portion prior to application of the barrier to the barrel connector portion and/or the door contact portion. Thus, when applied to the barrel connector portion and/or the door contact portion, the barrier is tensioned. The strain of this barrier is between 0.5% and 2%. Prestressing the barrier can further reduce sag or crease formation in the barrier when the door is in the closed configuration.

When the handler door is in the open configuration, the shutter will be in the unloaded state. In this state, the door contact portion may extend in the axial direction beyond the point at which the door contact portion is positioned when the door is in the closed configuration. When the door is in the closed configuration, the shutter may be in a loaded configuration with the door contact portion of the shutter displaced axially rearward. In this configuration, the barrier may contract, be compressed, or may be slightly offset. Retraction or deflection of the barrier can help accommodate barrel motion, thereby minimizing vibration transmitted by the barrier to the door contact portion.

The barrier has a length measured axially from the barrel connector portion to the door contact portion, which length may for example be between 10 and 65 mm when the door is in the open configuration.

The baffle may also include a seal. The seal may be located radially outside the barrier. The seals may be arranged annularly around the axis of rotation of the drum. The seal may include a connection to the tub. The connector may include a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the tub to the inner surface of the tub. The connector may include a seat portion below the flange of the tub. However, the connector may take a variety of forms and may for example be integral with the barrel connector portion of the baffle. The connection to the tub may be mechanical and may include hooks, clips and other mechanical retention means, which may be integrally formed with the seal. The connection to the barrel can also be fixed by adhesive, screws or other means. The connection to the tub may also be a shared connection to the tub connector portion of the baffle, and may optionally be integrally formed therewith.

The other end of the seal may be connected to the housing, in particular, the seal may comprise connecting means to connect to the housing next to the door opening. The seal may extend around the exterior of the door opening such that when the door is in the closed configuration, a portion of the seal is pressed against the exterior surface of the housing by the interior wall of the door to provide a seal therebetween. Optionally, the seal may extend around the interior of the door opening such that when the door is in the closed configuration, a portion of the seal contacts the door to form a seal therebetween. A portion of the seal may extend radially inward from the housing, and an outer surface of the portion of the seal may contact the door when the door is in the closed configuration. In another alternative, when the door is in the closed configuration, the exterior of the seal may contact the door, and the seal may not be connected to the housing. A seal may be attached to the door contact portion of the shutter. In embodiments where the seal includes attachment means to the housing, the door contact portion of the shutter may be attached to the housing attachment means of the seal. The attachment of the seal to the door contact portion of the shutter may further improve the position of the door contact portion against the door.

The seal may comprise one or more annular portions, offset portions or U-shaped portions when viewed in a radially taken cross-section. The ring, offset or U-shaped portion is to reduce vibration transmission from the tub to the door or enclosure. When a baffle including a seal is used, solid particles are prevented from entering the annulus, offset or U-shaped portion or horizontal upper surface. As a result, the tendency for solid particles to accumulate on or within the seal ring is reduced. The seal may be made of any flexible material that is impermeable to water, non-limiting examples including rubber, silicone, LMWPE, and the like.

In embodiments that include a water-impermeable seal, the barrier of the baffle may optionally include a porous material, as the seal will prevent water from exiting the processor through the porous material. The porous material may comprise mesh, woven fabric, slit material, or material comprising a plurality of spaced apart pores. Non-limiting examples include nylon mesh and neoprene, optionally foamed, slotted, or perforated.

Seals can be included in any of the baffles disclosed herein. The seal can be integrally formed with the baffles disclosed herein.

The baffle may include a barrier extending as a gentle curve or line between the tub connector portion and the door contact portion. Solid particles that come into contact with the barrier will be transferred under the barrier and back into the drum. The baffle may also include a housing connector that may extend radially outwardly from the door contact to the housing connector and then in an axial direction to form a zigzag/saw shape when viewed in cross-section. This area can form a ring, bend or bellows. The barrier and the axially extending continuation of the barrier may be integrally formed and may comprise a non-porous material. The barrier prevents water in the drum from passing between the tub and the enclosure and/or between the enclosure and the door. When viewed in cross-section, the barrier may form a sinusoidal shape between the tub connector portion and the housing connector; a zigzag between the tub connector portion and the housing connector; alternatively, the barrier may be formed at the bottom of the drum, at the barrel An inverted U shape is formed between the connecting part and the shell connecting part (a U shape is formed at the top of the drum); or any other bellows shape. The door contact portion may be a portion of the barrier that is arranged to contact the door when the door is in the closed configuration. Optionally, the door contact portion may include one or more additional structures to improve contact and/or positioning between the shutter and the door. Additional structures may include fins, thickened regions, or surfaces shaped to conform to the interior surface of the door. In embodiments where the barrier is formed as an inverted U shape, the door contact portion may be located at or near the highest point of the inverted U shape, preferably in the door facing direction near the highest point. In embodiments where the barrier forms a sinusoidal shape, the door contact portion may also be located at or near the highest point, preferably in a door-facing direction close to the maximum, such that the barrier is primarily between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion A monotonically rising curve or line. A sinusoidal, "zigzag" or inverted U-shape may improve the accommodation of the barrel relative to the motion of the enclosure and/or door, which may additionally or solely not transmit vibrations to the door or enclosure. Thus, in these embodiments, the barrier may be formed of a less ductile material, and likewise may be made of a flexible and non-porous material, such as rubber or silicone.

The baffle may include a second door contact portion that may depend from or be attached to the housing connector. The second door contact portion may form a seal between the door and the outer surface of the housing when the door is in the closed configuration, and/or may abut against the inner surface of the door when the door is in the closed configuration.

The tub connector portion may include an annular structure aligned in the axial direction with the gap between the tub and the drum, but radially inward of the gap. The annular structure may be positioned as a continuation of the ramp formed by the barrier such that solid particles on the barrier move across the gap towards the bucket. The annular structure may include a lip protruding towards the tub, and the lip may optionally extend into the tub.

The barrier may also include elastic elements aligned with and extending along the length of the barrier. The resilient elements may be spaced around the circumference of the baffle. The elastic element may be located radially outside or radially inside of the barrier. When the door is in the closed configuration, the resilient element may exert a force on the door contact portion, biasing it against the door. The use of elastic elements in the barrier allows the use of inelastic or minimally elastic materials as the barrier material, examples include latex rubber, polymer films, and fabrics, among others. The role of the elastic element is to maintain the tension of the barrier so that an angle or curve is maintained from the barrel connector part to the door contact part so that solid particles deposited on the barrier will be transferred into the drum. The elastic element also maintains contact between the door contact portion and the door to prevent the passage of solid particles therebetween. When the tub vibrates, the flexing and/or compression/expansion of the elastic element accommodates the tub vibration while maintaining the barrier tension and the contact of the door contact portion. A non-elastic barrier can be highly flexible and prevent the passage of solid particles without impeding the movement of the elastic element. The elastic element may be formed of metals and their alloys or polymers, among others. The elastic elements may include leaf springs, coil springs, disc springs, and the like. The resilient elements may be coupled to the barrier at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier, or they may be attached at respective ends, or at the door contact portion and the barrel connector portion.

Alternatively or additionally, the barrier may include bellows that are offset radially outwardly from the barrier surface. To prevent the accumulation of solid particles in the bellows, the barrier includes an extendable cover that maintains the inclination or angle of the barrier. The bellows can act to isolate the door contact portion from the drum vibration. The stretchable cover may include stretchable materials (such as latex, stretchable polymer films and fabrics, etc.) so that the bending of the bellows is accommodated by the stretchable cover without the cover transmitting vibrations to the door contact part. The extendable cover can be attached to the barrier by welding, adhesives or mechanical fasteners. Alternatively or additionally, the extendable cover may include features that mate with corresponding features on the barrier, which in a non-limiting example may include beading retained by apertures in the barrier.

The barrel connector portion, door contact portion, and barrier may be integrally formed from rigid flexible materials such as polypropylene, aramid, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like. The barrier and door contact portion can be divided into a plurality of flexible fingers. The fingers at the door contact portion may additionally comprise elastic loops, which may be formed from, for example, elastic cords. The elastic ring holds the ends of the fingers on the door dome/cone. The fingers can allow the barrier to flex so vibrations are not transmitted from the barrel to the door.

In an alternative arrangement, the door contact portion may be rigidly connected to the door. The door contact portion may be rigidly attached by any of adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or it may be integrally formed with the door dome/cone. The barrier may be formed of two parts, the first part connected to the barrel connector part and the second part connected to the door contact part. When the door is in the open configuration, the second portion of the barrier moves away from the drum with the door so that a treatment substrate (eg, laundry) can be added to the drum. When the door is in the closed configuration, the second portion of the barrier is adjacent to the first portion of the barrier, and the two portions of the barrier form a seal to prevent the passage of solid particles during the wash cycle. The first part and/or the second part may be made of rigid but compliant material such as EPDM rubber or the like. Compliance between one of the two parts of the barrier can provide a better seal. The baffle may optionally include a seal as described herein.

The baffles of the present invention can be used with processors that have added solid particles to the drum. The present invention may also be used with a processing machine, wherein the machine includes means to facilitate processing of the substrate with the solid particles. In particular, the processor may comprise means for distributing solid particles into and/or collecting solid particles from the drum. The handler may include a drum having an open end for introducing the substrate into the drum. The drum may include a storage device within the drum that is isolated from the drum volume where substrate processing is performed. The storage device is used to store solid particles. For example, the storage device may be located on the rear wall of the drum. Alternatively or additionally, the storage device may be located elsewhere in the drum, for example in the elevator, or may be located elsewhere in the processor.

The drum may also include a lifter on the inner surface of the drum. The lifter may include one or more collection holes into which solid particles enter the lifter. Inside the lifter, a collection flow path can be provided through which solid particles can move from the interior of the drum to a storage device at the rear of the drum.

The lifter may also include a second distribution flow path for moving solid particles from the storage device to the interior of the drum. The flow path may be shaped such that rotation of the drum in one direction may distribute the solid particles from the storage device into the drum through distribution holes in the lifter. Rotation of the drum in the other direction can move the solid particles from the drum to the storage device. Alternatively, the lifter may be configured such that the solid particles are collected irrespective of the direction of rotation of the drum. The drum may optionally include a valve on the end wall of the drum that can be opened to dispense solid particles from the rear wall of the drum.

The solid particles preferably comprise a plurality of solid particles. Typically, the number of solid particles is not less than 1000, more typically not less than 10,000, even more typically not less than 100,000. A high amount of solid particles is particularly advantageous in preventing creases and/or improving the uniformity of handling or cleaning of the substrate, especially where the substrate is a textile. Preferably, the average mass of the solid particles is from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg, or from about 1 mg to about 700 mg, or from about 1 mg to about 500 mg, or from about 1 mg to about 300 mg, preferably at least about 10 mg per particle. In a preferred embodiment, the solid particles preferably have about 1 mg to about 150 mg, or about 1 mg to about 70 mg, or about 1 mg to about 50 mg, or about 1 mg to about 35 mg, or about 10 mg milligrams to about 30 milligrams, or an average mass of about 12 milligrams to about 25 milligrams. In an alternative embodiment, the solid particles preferably have about 10 mg to about 800 mg, or about 20 mg to about 700 mg, or about 50 mg to about 700 mg, or about 70 mg to about 600 mg, or about 20 mg to an average mass of about 600 mg. In a preferred embodiment, the solid particles have an average mass of about 25 to about 150 mg, preferably about 40 to about 80 mg. In a further preferred embodiment, the solid particles have an average mass of about 150 to about 500 mg, preferably about 150 to about 300 mg.

The solid particles preferably have an average volume of about 5 to about 500 mm ³ , about 5 to about 275 mm ³ , about 8 to about 140 mm ³ , or about 10 to about 120 mm ³ , or at least 40 mm ³ , such as about 40 to about 500 mm 3 , per particle ³ , or about 40 to about 275 mm ³ . The average surface area of the solid particles is preferably 10 to 500 mm2 per particle, preferably 10 to 400 mm2, more preferably 40 to 200 mm2, especially 50 to 190 mm2 per particle.

The solid particles preferably have an average particle size of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, preferably at least 5 mm. The average particle size of the solid particles is preferably not more than 100 mm, preferably not more than 70 mm, preferably not more than 50 mm, preferably not more than 40 mm, preferably not more than 30 mm, preferably not more than 20 mm, preferably not more than 10 mm, optionally no more than 8 mm. Preferably, the average particle size of the solid particles is 1 to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 20 mm, more preferably 1 to 10 mm, more preferably 2 to 10 mm, more preferably 5 to 10 mm. Solid particles that provide particularly prolonged efficacy over many treatment cycles are those having an average particle size of at least 5 mm, preferably 5-10 mm. The dimension is preferably the largest linear dimension (length). For a sphere, this is equal to the diameter. For non-spherical shapes, this is equivalent to the longest linear dimension. Dimensions are preferably determined using vernier calipers. The average particle size is preferably number average. The determination of the average particle size is preferably carried out by measuring the particle size of at least 10, more preferably at least 100 solid particles, especially at least 1000 solid particles. The aforementioned particle sizes provide particularly good properties (especially cleaning properties), while also allowing the solid particles to be easily separated from the substrate at the end of the treatment process.

The solid particles preferably have an average particle density greater than 1 g/ ^cm3 , more preferably greater than 1.1 g/ ^cm3 , more preferably greater than 1.2 g/ ^cm3 , even more preferably at least 1.25 g/ ^cm3 , even more preferably greater than 1.3 g/cm3 ³ , and even more preferably greater than 1.4 g/cm ³ . The solid particles preferably have an average particle density of not more than 3 g/cm ³ , in particular not more than 2.5 g/cm ³ . Preferably, the solid particles have an average density of 1.2 to 3 g/cm ³ . These densities are beneficial to further contribute to the degree of mechanical action of the treatment process and to facilitate better separation of the solid particles from the substrate after treatment.

Unless otherwise stated, the "average" referred to herein refers to an average, preferably an arithmetic average, as is conventional in the art.

The solid particles may be polymeric and/or non-polymeric solid particles. Suitable non-polymeric solid particles may be selected from metal, alloy, ceramic and glass solid particles. Preferably, however, the solid particles are polymeric solid particles.

Preferably, the solid particles comprise thermoplastic polymers. As used herein, thermoplastic polymer preferably refers to a material that softens when heated and hardens when cooled. This is unlike thermoset materials such as rubber, which do not soften when heated. More preferred thermoplastics are thermoplastics that can be used for hot melt compounding and extrusion.

Preferably the solubility of the solid particles in water is no more than 1 wt%, more preferably no more than 0.1 wt%, and most preferably the polymer is insoluble in water. Preferably, when the solubility test is performed, the pH of the water is 7 and the temperature is 20°C. Solubility testing is preferably performed within 24 hours. The polymers are preferably non-degradable. The term "non-degradable" preferably means that the polymer is stable in water and does not exhibit any appreciable tendency to dissolve or hydrolyze. For example, the polymer showed no apparent tendency to dissolve or hydrolyze in water at pH 7 and 20°C for 24 hours. Preferably under the above conditions, if the polymer does not exceed about 1 wt. %, preferably not more than about 0.1 wt. %, preferably no polymer is dissolved or hydrolyzed, then preferably the polymer does not exhibit a significant tendency to dissolve or hydrolyze. Solubility and degradability characteristics are preferably evaluated on polymer solid particles as disclosed herein. The solubility and degradability characteristics preferably apply equally to non-polymeric solid particles.

Solid particulate polymers may be crystalline or amorphous or mixtures thereof. The polymer may be linear, branched or partially cross-linked (preferably wherein the polymer is still thermoplastic in nature), more preferably the polymer is linear.

The polymer of the solid particles is preferably or comprises polyalkylenes, polyamides, polyesters or polyurethanes and copolymers and/or blends thereof, preferably from polyalkylenes, polyamides and polyesters, preferably from polyamides and Polyalkylenes, and preferably from polyamides. The preferred polyalkylene is polypropylene.

Preferably, the matrix of solid particles, optionally comprising fillers and/or other additives, extends throughout the entire volume of the solid particles. Solid particles may be spherical or substantially spherical, elliptical, cylindrical or cuboid. Solid particles with shapes between these shapes are also possible.

The best results for the combination of handling properties (especially cleaning properties) and separation properties (separation of the substrate from the solid particles after the treatment step) are generally observed in oval solid particles. Spherical solid particles tend to separate best, but may not provide the best handling or cleaning performance. Conversely, cylindrical or cuboid solid particles are not as effective in separation but effective in handling or cleaning. Spherical and oval solid particles are especially useful where improved fabric care is important because they are less abrasive. Spherical or elliptical solid particles are particularly useful in the present invention, which is designed to operate without a pump for the solid particles, and where the rotation of the drum facilitates the movement of the solid particles between the storage device and the interior of the drum. transfer. As used herein, the term "spherical" includes spherical and substantially spherical solid particles. Preferably, the solid particles are not perfectly spherical. Preferably, the average aspect ratio of the solid particles is greater than 1, more preferably greater than 1.05, even more preferably greater than 1.07, especially greater than 1.1. Preferably, the average aspect ratio of the solid particles is less than 5, more preferably less than 3, even more preferably less than 1.7, especially less than 1.5. The average value is preferably a number average. Preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 100 solid particles, especially at least 1000 solid particles are averaged. The aspect ratio of each solid particle is preferably given by the ratio of the longest linear dimension divided by the shortest linear dimension. This is best measured with a vernier caliper. Where a good balance between handling performance (especially cleaning performance) and substrate care is desired, it is preferred that the average aspect ratio is within the above values. When the solid particles have a very low aspect ratio (eg, highly spherical solid particles), the solid particles may not provide sufficient mechanical action to obtain good handling or cleaning characteristics. When the aspect ratio of the solid particles is too high, it may become more difficult to remove the solid particles from the substrate and/or the abrasion on the substrate may become too high, which may lead to undesirable damage to the substrate, especially is when the substrate is a textile.

It should be understood that the features, preferred arrangements and embodiments described above may be applied to each drawing, where the combination allows. The present invention is further described with reference to the following figures.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a baffle attached to a first aspect of a processor comprising a portion of the second or third aspect, the cross-section passing radially through the baffle and a bottom portion of the processor.

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment baffle attached to a handler, the cross-section passing radially through the baffle and the bottom portion of the handler.

Figure 3a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment baffle attached to a handler, the cross-section passing radially through the baffle and the bottom portion of the handler.

Figure 3b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment baffle attached to a handler.

Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the baffle and handler of an alternate embodiment, the cross-section passing radially through the baffle and the bottom portion of the handler.

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment baffle attached to a handler, the cross-section passing radially through the baffle and the bottom portion of the handler.

6 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternate embodiment baffle attached to a handler.

Figure 7a is an illustration of an alternate embodiment baffle attached to a handler.

Figure 7b is an illustration of an alternate embodiment baffle attached to a handler.

Figure 8 shows a processor drum used in various aspects of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Referring to Figure 1, a schematic cross-sectional view through the bottom portion of the handler 1 is shown. The processor typically includes a housing 2 , a drum 6 and a tub 4 . Housing 2 forms the outer structure of the handler and provides rigid mounting points for the components of the handler. The drum 6 and the tub 4 are accommodated in the casing 2 of the processor. The processor also typically includes a closable door 8 to prevent the contents of the drum 6 and tub 4 from leaving the processor during operation. The door 8 is openable to allow addition or removal of substrates to be processed from the drum 6 . The drum 6 is perforated and cylindrical (not shown) to accommodate the load to be treated, the treatment formulation and the liquid medium, eg water. The drum 6 rotates around the axis of rotation 3 to agitate/rotate the substrate item to be treated. The inner circumference of the drum 6 may include a plurality of lifters or vanes (not shown) extending in the axial direction and radially inward towards the center of the drum. The drum 6 has a radial direction 5 . The purpose of the lifter is to lift the base item during the processing cycle to improve the tumbling action. The drum 6 is usually mounted in the tub 4 and is driven by a motor (not shown) for rotating the drum 6 . The tub 4 is usually suspended or mounted within the housing 2 of the processor. The tub 4 can be suspended or mounted by means including springs and damping units and the like. During operation of the processor, the rotation of the drum 6 can cause vibrations, which also cause the tub 4 to vibrate. The suspension of the tub 4 within the housing 2 provides some mechanical isolation from the housing, thereby preventing or reducing the transmission of vibrations to the housing 2 . This prevents or reduces movement of the handler during use.

Referring to Figure 1, a baffle according to the present invention is shown. The baffle 10 includes a tub connector portion 12 for connecting the baffle to the tub 4 . The shutter 10 also includes a door contact portion 14, which is a part of the shutter 10, which contacts the door 8 of the handler 1 when the door 8 is closed. The baffle 10 includes a barrier 16 extending between the tub connector portion 12 and the door contact portion 14 . When the baffle is applied to the processor and the door is in the closed configuration, the baffle forms a shaped and sloped surface so that any solid particles deposited on the baffle during the processing cycle will slide or roll off the baffle and re-enter the drum .

The tub connector portion 12 may include an annular structure 13 attached to the tub and optionally positioned or positionable between the drum and the tub, or alternatively include a portion positioned or positionable between the drum and the tub. As shown in Figure 1, the annular structure can reduce the gap between the tub and the drum to prevent solid particles from passing through the gap. The tub connector portion 12 may include connection means for connecting the baffle to the tub 4 . An exemplary connection arrangement is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a pair of protrusions 19 , 21 configured to contact either side of the tub 4 on its inner and outer surfaces. The protrusion 21 contacting the outer surface of the tub 4 may also include a seat 29 that cooperates with the flange 28 of the tub 4 . The pair of protrusions 19, 21 and the seat 29 form a detachable mechanical connection with the tub. The pair of protrusions can resist axial movement of the barrel connector portion 12, and the seat 29 and flange 28 can resist radial inward movement. In other embodiments, the baffle may include alternative attachment means, such as an alternative configuration including one or more protrusions, rims, or other structures to optionally mate with corresponding structures of the tub. The attachment means may include any of hooks, loops, pins, screws, clips and other mechanical retention means. The barrel connector portion 12 may be integrally formed with the barrier 16, or may include connection means for connecting the barrel connector portion to the barrier.

The door contact portion 14 may comprise the portion of the shutter that contacts the door 8 in use. The door contact portion 14 may include a surface adapted to contact the door. The profile of the surface may match the corresponding inner surface of the door, in particular the surface may be frustoconical or frustoconical with a curved apex to match a correspondingly shaped dome on the inner surface of the handler door (or cone) mate. The door contact portion 14 may have a higher stiffness than the barrier 16, and may include, for example, a rigid or semi-rigid ring to maintain the door contact portion in an annular shape to fit the shape of the door. For example, the door contact portion 14 may include a generally annular structure, which may include, for example, nylon or polyethylene, or the like. The door contact portion 14 may be integrally formed with the barrier 16, or may include connecting means for connecting the door contact portion to the barrier.

A barrier 16 extends between the tub connector portion 12 and the door contact portion 14 and prevents solid particles from passing through the barrier. The barrier is sloped to reduce the likelihood of solids accumulating on the barrier and the solids are directed into the drum. The shape of the barrier may be such that, when viewed in cross-section, the radially inner surface of the barrier comprises lines or curves that are inclined to the drum. The shape of the baffle may include one or more grooves, steps, grooves or protrusions on the surface, so long as these shapes do not include areas where solid particles may accumulate and the radially inner surface of the barrier generally maintains a generally linear or curved shape .

As shown in Figure 1, the barrier is inclined towards the drum in order to transfer the solid particles into the drum. The barrier can be tilted at an average angle between 10 and 90 degrees. An imaginary line extends from the point where the barrier contacts the barrel connector portion at its lowest point and the point where the barrier contacts the door contact portion at its lowest point. As shown in FIG. 1, the average angle 18 is the angle between the imaginary line and the horizontal line.

The barrier 16 may bias the door contact portion 14 against the door 8 of the handler 1 when the handler door is in the closed configuration. The barrier 16 may comprise a resilient material such that the resilience of the barrier provides a biasing force 20 on the door. For example, elastic materials may include polymers (including polyethylene, aramid, etc.), rubbers (including EPDM rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber), and the like. The material can be formed as a mesh or sheet. The sheet may include slits or holes. The thickness of the material may be between 0.2 mm and 6 mm, or between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 2 mm, or between any range inclusive of any of the foregoing endpoints. When the door is in the closed configuration, the barrier may bias the door contact portion in the axial direction with a force between 2 and 20N, or between 3 and 15N, or between 4 and 10N, or between 5 and 8N between, or any range of any combination of the above endpoints.

The barrier 16 may include one or more ribs or reinforcement members secured to the inner or outer surface of the barrier. Ribs or reinforcement members may take the form of parallel hoops, conical springs, lattices or spacer bars. Ribs or reinforcement members may be attached to the barrier by adhesive or by fusion welding. They can act to increase the stiffness of the barrier and can prevent the barrier from forming folds or creases when the door is in the closed configuration.

The barrier can be prestressed in the circumferential direction. For example, the barrier in the unstressed position may have a circumference that is less than the circumference of the tub connector portion 12 and/or door contact portion 14 prior to application of the baffle 16 to the tub connector portion 12 and/or door contact portion 14 length. Thus, when applied to the barrel connector portion 12 and/or the door contact portion 14, the barrier is tensioned. The strain of this barrier is between 0.5% and 2%. Prestressing the barrier can further reduce sag or crease formation in the barrier when the door is in the closed configuration.

When the handler door 8 is in an open configuration (not shown), the shutter 10 will be in an unloaded state. In this state, the door contact portion 14 may extend in the axial direction beyond the point at which the door contact portion 14 is positioned when the door is in the closed configuration. When the door 8 is in the closed configuration, the shutter may be in a loaded configuration with the door contact portion 14 of the shutter 10 displaced axially rearward. In this configuration, the barrier 16 may be retracted, compressed, or may be slightly deflected (as shown in Figure 1). Retraction or deflection of the barrier 16 may help accommodate movement of the tub 4 so as to minimize vibrations transmitted by the barrier to the contact portion of the door 8 .

The barrier has a length measured axially from the barrel connector portion 12 to the door contact portion, which length may for example be between 10 and 65 mm when the door is in the open configuration.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the baffle 10 also includes a seal 30 . The seal 30 is shown in a position radially outward of the barrier 16 . The seals 30 can be arranged annularly around the axis of rotation 3 of the drum 6 . The seal 30 includes a connection 37 to the tub 4 . As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 37 may include protrusions 38 extending from the outer surface of the tub to the inner surface of the tub. The connector may comprise a seat portion 39 located below the flange 35 of the tub 4 . However, the connector may take a variety of forms and may, for example, be integral with the barrel connector portion 12 of the baffle 10 . The connection to the tub may be mechanical and may include hooks, clips and other mechanical retention means, which may be integrally formed with the seal. The connection piece 37 to the tub 4 can also be fixed by adhesive, screws or other means. The connection 37 to the tub 4 may also be a shared connection to the tub connector portion 12 of the baffle 10, and may optionally be integrally formed therewith.

The other end of the seal 30 may be connected to the housing 2, in particular the seal may comprise connecting means 36 to connect to the housing next to the door opening. The seal may extend around the exterior of the door opening such that when the door is in the closed configuration, a portion of the seal is pressed against the exterior surface of the housing by the interior wall of the door to provide a seal therebetween (not shown). Optionally, the seal may extend around the interior of the door opening such that when the door is in the closed configuration, a portion of the seal 34 contacts the door 8 to form a seal therebetween. A portion of the seal may extend radially inwardly from the housing, and an outer surface of that portion of the seal 30 may contact the door 8 when the door is in the closed configuration. In another alternative, when the door is in the closed configuration, the exterior of the seal 30 may contact the door, and the seal 30 may not be connected to the housing 2 (not shown). The seal 30 may be attached to the door contact portion 14 of the shutter 10 . In embodiments where the seal 30 includes attachment means to the housing, the door contact portion 14 of the shutter 10 may be attached to the housing attachment means of the seal 30 . The attachment of the seal to the door contact portion of the shutter 10 may further improve the position of the door contact portion 14 against the door 8 .

The seal 30 may include one or more annular, offset, or U-shaped portions when viewed in a radially taken cross-section. In FIG. 2 , the seal 30 is shown with a U-shaped portion 32 . The annular, offset or U-shaped portion is to reduce vibration transmission from the tub to the door or enclosure. When the baffle 10 including the seal 30 is used, solid particles are prevented from entering the annular, offset or U-shaped portion or horizontal upper surface 33 . As a result, the tendency for solid particles to accumulate on or within the seal ring is reduced. The seal 30 may be made of any water impermeable flexible material, non-limiting examples including rubber, silicone, LMWPE, and the like.

In embodiments that include a water-impermeable seal 30, the barrier 16 of the baffle 10 may optionally include a porous material, as the seal will prevent water from exiting the processor through the porous material. The porous material may comprise mesh, woven fabric, slit material, or material comprising a plurality of spaced apart pores. Non-limiting examples include nylon mesh and neoprene, optionally foamed, slotted, or perforated.

Seal 30 is shown in FIG. 2 with a baffle of the type shown in FIG. 1 , however, seal 30 may be included in any other baffle disclosed herein.

Referring to Figure 3a, an alternative baffle 40 according to the present invention is shown. The baffle 40 includes a tub connector portion 42 and a door contact portion 44 and a baffle 46 extending therebetween. The barrier 46 extends in a gentle curve (not shown) or a straight line between the barrel connector portion 42 and the door contact portion 44 . Solid particles that come into contact with the barrier will be transferred under the barrier and back to the drum 6 . The baffle 40 also includes a housing connector 47 that extends radially outward from the door contact portion 44 to the housing connector 47, as shown in area 48, and then extends in an axial direction to form a Z when viewed in cross-section Glyph/Sawtooth. This area can form a ring, bend or bellows. Barrier 46 and the continuation of the barrier in region 48 may be integrally formed and may comprise a non-porous material. The barrier 46 can prevent the passage of water in the drum between the tub 4 and the casing 2 and/or between the casing 2 and the door 8 . When viewed in cross-section, the barrier may form a sinusoidal shape between the barrel connector portion 42 and the housing connector 47; as shown in Figure 3a, a zigzag between the barrel connector portion 42 and the housing connector 47; or , the barrier may be formed at the bottom of the drum, an inverted U shape (not shown) between the tub connector portion 42 and the housing connector 47 (a U shape at the top of the drum); or any other bellows shape. The door contact portion may be a portion of the barrier that is arranged to contact the door when the door is in the closed configuration. Optionally, the door contact portion may include one or more additional structures to improve contact and/or positioning between the shutter and the door. Additional structures may include fins, thickened regions, or surfaces shaped to conform to the interior surface of the door. In embodiments where the barrier is formed as an inverted U shape, the door contact portion may be located at or near the highest point of the inverted U shape, preferably in the door facing direction near the highest point. In embodiments where the barrier forms a sinusoidal shape, the door contact portion may also be located at or near the highest point, preferably in a door-facing direction close to the maximum, such that the barrier is primarily between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion A monotonically rising curve or line. A sinusoidal, "zigzag" or inverted U shape may improve the accommodation of the barrel relative to the movement of the housing and/or door, which may additionally or solely not transmit vibrations to the door or housing. Thus, in these embodiments, the barrier may be formed of a less ductile material, and likewise may be made of a flexible and non-porous material, such as rubber or silicone.

The baffle 40 may include a second door contact portion 49 that may depend from or attach to the housing connector 47 . The second door contact portion may form a seal between the door 8 and the outer surface of the housing 2 when the door 8 is in the closed configuration, and/or the second door contact portion may abut the interior of the door when the door 8 is in the closed configuration surface.

Figure 3a also shows that the tub connector part comprises an annular structure 13 aligned in the axial direction with the gap between the tub 4 and the drum 6 but radially inward of the gap. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the annular structure may be positioned as a continuation of the ramp formed by the barrier such that solid particles on the barrier move across the gap towards the bucket. The annular structure 13 may comprise a lip 23 protruding towards the tub, and this lip 23 may optionally extend into the tub 4 . The barrel connector portion shown in Figure 3a is applicable to any of the other aspects disclosed herein.

Referring to Figure 3b, a radial cross-section of an alternative baffle 40 according to the present invention is shown in a processor. The baffle 40 includes a tub connector portion 42 and a door contact portion 44 and a baffle 46 extending therebetween. Barrier 46 is formed by two frustoconical sections that meet at point 43 . One part 461 is connected to the barrel connector part 42 and the other part 441 is connected to the door contact part 44 . The barrier 40 may be curved at the point 43 where the two sections meet to reduce vibration transmission between the tub 4 and the door 8, and/or one or more sections may be curved to reduce transmission.

The baffle 40 extends from the door contact portion 44 to the housing connector 47 and may include a second door contact portion 49 that may depend or be attached to the housing connector 47 . The extension provides improved sealing reliability by acting as a seal between the housing (not shown) and the door contact portion 44 .

The door contact portion 44 prevents solid particles from flowing to the housing, but wash liquor may still pass through and accumulate on the area 45 of the baffle between the housing connection 47 and the door contact portion 44 . The baffle 40 includes a drain 41 in the form of a conduit extending downward to return liquid to the bottom of the tub. A screen 51 may be provided in the area 45 prior to the drain to filter solid particles and/or debris (eg, lint, dirt, etc.) to prevent clogging of the drain. Placing the door 8 in the closed configuration will move the door contact portion 44 inwardly towards the drum and the barrier 46 of the baffle will flex to accommodate this. Bending of the barrier 46 will cause the door contact portion 44 to apply a force to the door in the closed configuration. By applying force to the door, the door contact portion 44 is prevented from moving against the door dome during operation of the handler. The door 8 in Figure 3b is shown to include a door dome that includes an offset 8b shown as an annular bend or ridge in the door dome. The offset 8b provides a surface that resists lateral movement of the door contact portion 44 towards the front of the handler (ie lateral movement away from the drum 6).

The baffle 40 shown in Figure 3b is formed of a flexible material such as EPDM rubber or the like. The thickness of the material is varied in different areas of the baffle 40 to give different stiffnesses in those areas. For example, barrier 46 and door contact portion 44 are less rigid than region 45, and are shown in Figure 3b as being formed of a thinner material. This is to reduce vibration transmission from the barrel to the door. Door contact portion 44 extends radially inward and has an opening through which a user unloads and loads processing substrates. The lower stiffness barrier 46 and door contact portion 44 may further enable the door contact portion 44 to deflect when contacted by a user, thereby minimizing any obstruction to the user. The baffle 40 may include intermittent reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs may be spaced circumferentially around the baffle. In particular, they may be located at the barrier 46, the intersection area 43 and the door contact portion 44 or the area where the baffle includes folds, corners or corners. In FIG. 3b , the stiffening ribs are shown at the corners of the door contact portion 44 . Reinforcing ribs can provide localized reinforcement in areas of lower stiffness to further improve the baffle's ability to retain its shape.

Referring to Figure 4, an alternative baffle 50 is shown. The baffle 50 includes a tub connector portion 52 and a door contact portion 54 and a baffle 56 extending therebetween. Barrier 56 also includes a resilient element 58 aligned with barrier 56 and extending along its length. The resilient elements 58 may be spaced around the circumference of the baffle 50 . The elastic element 58 may be located radially outside (as shown in Figure 5) or radially inside of the barrier. When the door is in the closed configuration, the resilient element 58 exerts a force on the door contact portion 54 , biasing it against the door 8 . The use of elastic elements 58 in barrier 56 allows the use of inelastic or minimally elastic materials as the barrier material, examples include latex rubber, polymer films, fabrics, and the like. The function of the elastic element 58 is to maintain tension on the barrier so that an angle or curve is maintained from the tub connector portion 52 to the door contact portion 54 so that solid particles deposited on the barrier will be transferred into the drum. The resilient element 58 also maintains contact between the door contact portion and the door 8 to prevent the passage of solid particles therebetween. When the tub vibrates, the flexing and/or compression/expansion of the elastic element 58 accommodates the tub vibration while maintaining the barrier 56 in tension and in contact with the door contact portion 54 . The non-elastic barrier 56 is highly flexible and prevents the passage of solid particles without impeding the movement of the elastic element 58 . The baffle 50 may additionally include a seal 30 as shown in Figure 2, and/or the barrier may extend to a housing connection as shown in Figure 3a. The elastic element 58 may be formed of metals and their alloys or polymers, or the like. The elastic element 58 may include a leaf spring, a coil spring, a disc spring, or the like. The resilient elements 58 may be coupled to the barrier 56 at spaced intervals along the length of the barrier, or they may be attached at respective ends, or to the door contact portion 54 and the tub attachment portion 52 .

Referring to Figure 5, an alternative baffle 60 is shown. The baffle 60 includes a tub connector portion 62 and a door contact portion 64 and a baffle 66 extending therebetween. The barrier 66 includes a bellows 68 that is offset radially outwardly from the barrier surface. To prevent the accumulation of solid particles in the bellows 68, the barrier 66 includes an extendable cover 69 that maintains the inclination or angle of the barrier. The bellows 68 is used to isolate the door contact portion 64 from tub vibration. The stretchable cover 69 includes stretchable materials (eg, latex, stretchable polymer films and fabrics, etc.) so that the bending of the bellows 68 is accommodated by the stretchable cover without the cover transmitting vibrations to the door Contact portion 64 . The extendable cover 69 may be attached to the barrier 66 by welding, adhesive or mechanical fasteners. Alternatively or additionally, the extendable cover 69 may include features that mate with corresponding features on the barrier 66, which may include, in a non-limiting example, a bead (not shown) retained by an eyelet in the barrier . The baffle 60 may additionally include a seal 30 as shown in Figure 3a and/or the barrier may extend to a housing connection as shown in Figure 3a.

Referring to Figure 6, an alternative baffle 90 is shown. The baffle 90 includes a tub connector portion 92 , a door contact portion 94 and a barrier 96 . The barrel connector portion, door contact portion, and barrier are integrally formed from rigid flexible materials such as polypropylene, aramid, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like. The barrier and door contact portion is divided into a plurality of flexible fingers 93 . The fingers at the door contact portion 94 may additionally include an elastic loop 95, which may be formed of, for example, an elastic cord. A resilient ring 95 holds the ends of the fingers on the door dome/cone. The fingers 93 allow the barrier to flex so that vibrations are not transmitted from the tub to the door. Barrier 96 provides a sloped surface that allows solid particles deposited on the barrier to roll back into the drum during the processing cycle. Baffle 90 optionally includes seal 30 as shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to Figure 7a, an alternative baffle is shown. The baffle includes a tub connector portion 82 , a door contact portion 84 and a baffle 86 . The door contact portion is rigidly connected to the door 8 . The door contact portion may be rigidly attached by any of adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or it may be integrally formed with the door dome/cone. The barrier 86 is formed in two parts, the first part 86a is connected to the barrel connector part 82 and the second part 86b is connected to the door contact part 84 . When the door 8 is in the open configuration, the second portion of the barrier 86b moves away from the drum 6 with the door 8 so that a treatment substrate (eg, laundry) can be added to the drum 6 . When the door 8 is in the closed configuration, the second portion 86b of the barrier is adjacent to the first portion 86a of the barrier, and the two portions 86 of the barrier form a seal to prevent the passage of solid particles during the wash cycle. The first portion 86a and/or the second portion 86b may be made of a rigid but compliant material, such as EPDM rubber or the like. Compliance between one of the two parts of the barrier can provide a better seal. The baffle optionally includes a seal 30 as shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to Figure 7b, an alternative baffle is shown. The baffle includes a tub connector portion 82 , a door contact portion 84 and a baffle 86 . The barrier 86 is annular and extends generally radially inward from the barrel connector portion 82 and toward the door 8 . Barrier 86 terminates in door contact portion 84 . The barrier 86 is inclined so that particles deposited on the barrier 86 will fall from the barrier into the drum 6 . The door contact portion 84 extends annularly around the door opening and is dimensioned to surround the inwardly projecting element of the door 8, shown in the form of a dome in Figure 7b. The door dome is shown rotationally symmetrical about the central axis to mate with a similarly shaped opening in the door contact portion 84 . When the door is in the open configuration, a user may pass the processing substrate through the opening provided by the door contact portion 84 . When the door 8 is in the closed configuration, the dome of the door 8 contacts the door contact portion 84 , preventing solid particles from passing through the barrier 86 . The barrier 86 is made of an elastic material. For example, the elastic material may include EPDM rubber or the like. When the door 8 is closed, the door displaces the door contact portion 84 inward toward the drum 6 . This displacement is accommodated by the flexing of the barrier material so that in the closed configuration, the door contact portion 86 applies a force to the door 8 to maintain contact throughout use, thereby improving the seal therebetween. The baffle optionally includes a seal 30 as shown in FIG. 2 .

The baffles of the present invention can be used with processors that have added solid particles to the drum. The present invention may also be used with a processing machine, wherein the machine includes means to facilitate processing of the substrate with the solid particles. In particular, the processor may comprise means for distributing solid particles into and/or collecting solid particles from the drum. Referring to Figure 8, a handler drum 70 is shown. The handler drum includes an open end of drum 72 for introducing the substrate into the drum. The drum includes a storage device 73 located within the drum, which is isolated from the drum volume where substrate processing is performed. The storage device is used to store solid particles. The storage device shown in Figure 8 is located on the rear wall of the drum, however, the storage device may be located elsewhere in the drum, for example in the lifter, or may be located elsewhere in the processor.

The drum also includes lifters 74a, 74b, 74c on the inner surface of the drum. The riser includes one or more collection holes 75 into which solid particles can enter the riser. Inside the lifter, a collection flow path is provided through which solid particles can move from the inside of the drum to a storage device at the rear of the drum.

The lifter may also include a second distribution flow path for moving solid particles from the storage device to the interior of the drum. The flow path may be shaped such that rotation of the drum in one direction may distribute solid particles from the storage device into the drum 76 through distribution holes in the lifter 76 . Rotation of the drum in the other direction can move the solid particles from the drum to the storage device. The drum may optionally include a valve 78 on the end wall of the drum that can be opened to dispense solid particles from the rear wall of the drum.

Features described herein in connection with a particular aspect or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. As used herein, the words "a" or "an" are not limited to the singular, but are to be understood to include the plural unless the context otherwise requires. The term "comprising" includes "including" as well as "comprising" and "consisting essentially of," eg, a feature that "comprises" X may consist of X only, or may include something additional, eg, X+Y.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not limited to the details of any preceding embodiment. The invention extends to any novel one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one or any novel combination. The claims should not be construed to cover only the foregoing embodiments, but should also be construed to cover any embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims (49)

CLAIMS 1. A baffle for a processor configured to treat a substrate in the presence of solid particles, wherein the processor includes a drum and for loading a substrate into the drum The door; the baffle includes: a barrel connector portion for connecting the baffle to the barrel of the handler; a door contact portion for contacting a door of the handler when in use and when the door is in a closed configuration; a barrier extending between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion; and wherein the barrier is sloped so that in use, solid particles are transferred by the barrier into the drum of the processor . 2. The shutter of claim 1, wherein the shutter, when in use and the door of the handler is in a closed configuration, biases the door contact portion against the handler on the door. 3. The baffle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the baffle extends in a linear or monotonically curved manner between the tub connector portion and the door contact portion. 4. A baffle according to any preceding claim, wherein the processor is a washing machine. 5. The baffle of any preceding claim, wherein the tub connector portion comprises a ring positionable between the drum and the tub. 6. A baffle according to any preceding claim, wherein, when applied to a processor, the baffle is inclined at an average angle between 10 and 90 degrees, wherein the The average angle is measured between a horizontal line and an imaginary line extending from the portion of the baffle that contacts the barrel connector at its lowest point and the portion of the baffle that contacts the door at its lowest point . 7. A baffle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when the baffle is applied to a disposer and the door is in an open configuration, the baffle is in a position from the barrel connector portion There is a length in the axial direction to the door contact portion, and wherein the length is between 10mm and 65mm, or between 15mm and 50mm, or between 20mm and 40mm. 8. A shutter according to any preceding claim, wherein, when in use and the door is in the closed configuration, the door contact portion applies a force to the door in an axial direction, and the axial The force in the direction is between 2 and 20N. 9. A baffle according to any preceding claim, wherein the door contact portion comprises a rigid ring. 10. A baffle according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier comprises neoprene, porous polymer sheet, mesh, latex rubber or spring elements. 11. A baffle according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is porous and has a pore size smaller than the size of the solid particles. 12. The baffle of claim 11, wherein the aperture is between 0.1 and 15 mm. 13. The barrier of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the door contact portion is included as part of the barrier, and wherein the barrier includes a connection to the barrier through the barrier The door contacts the housing connector of the portion, and when applied to a handler, the housing connector is connected to the housing. 14. A baffle according to claim 13, wherein the barrier is arranged in a zigzag, sinusoidal or U-shape when viewed in radial cross-section. 15. The baffle of claim 13 or 14, wherein the barrier comprises a non-porous material. 16. The baffle of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the barrier comprises an elastomer. 17. A baffle according to any preceding claim, further comprising a seal radially outward of the barrier. 18. The baffle of claim 17, wherein the seal comprises rubber. 19. A handler comprising a baffle according to any preceding claim, the handler further comprising: shell; a barrel removably mounted within the housing; a drum rotatably mounted within the tub; a door for loading substrates into the drum, wherein the door is mounted to the housing and is operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. 20. The processor of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to distribute solid particles into the drum and extract solid particles from the drum. 21. A processor comprising: shell; a barrel removably mounted within the housing; a drum rotatably mounted within the tub; a door for loading substrates into the drum, wherein the door is mounted to the housing and is operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein the processor is configured to distribute solid particles into the drum and extract the solid particles from the drum; and wherein the processor further includes a baffle; The baffle includes: a barrel connector portion connecting the baffle to a barrel of the handler; a door contact portion for contacting a door of the handler when the door is in a closed configuration; a barrier extending between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion; and wherein the barrier is sloped such that in use, solid particles are transferred by the barrier into the drum of the processor . 22. The handler of claim 21, wherein the barrier biases the door contact portion against the handler door when the handler door is in a closed configuration. 23. A handler according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the barrier extends in a linear or monotonic curve between the barrel connector portion and the door contact portion. 24. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the tub connector portion includes a ring positioned between the drum and the tub. 25. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the barrier is inclined at an average angle between 10 and 90 degrees, wherein the average angle is between the horizontal and an imaginary line Measured, the imaginary line extends from the portion where the barrier contacts the barrel connector at its lowermost point and the portion where the barrier contacts the door contact portion at its lowermost point. 26. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the processor has an axial direction aligned with the center of rotation of the drum, and The barrier has a length measured in the axial direction from the barrel connector portion to the door contact portion, the length being between 10 and 65 mm, or between 15 and 50 mm when the door is in the open configuration between 20 and 40mm. 27. A handler as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the axial force of the door contact portion against the door when the door is in the closed configuration is between 2 and 20N between. 28. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the door includes a dome-shaped portion that extends to the dome-shaped portion when the door is in a closed configuration in the drum, and wherein the door contact portion of the shutter contacts the dome-shaped portion. 29. The handler of any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the door contact portion comprises a rigid ring. 30. The processor of any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the barrier comprises neoprene, porous polymer sheet, mesh, latex rubber or spring elements. 31. The processor of any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the barrier is porous and has a pore size smaller than the size of the solid particles. 32. The processor of claim 31, wherein the aperture is between 0.1 mm and 15 mm. 33. The handler of any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the door contact portion is included as part of the barrier, and wherein the baffle includes a housing connector, the A housing connector is connected to the housing and is engaged to the door contact portion through the barrier. 34. The processor of claim 33, wherein the barriers are arranged in a zigzag, sinusoidal or U-shape when viewed in radial cross-section. 35. The processor of claim 33 or 34, wherein the barrier comprises a non-porous material. 36. The processor of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the barrier comprises an elastomer. 37. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 36, wherein the baffle further comprises a seal radially outside the barrier. 38. The handler of claim 37, wherein the seal comprises rubber. 39. The processor of any one of claims 21 to 38, wherein the processor comprises a washing machine, and/or wherein the substrate is a textile. 40. Use of a processor according to any one of claims 21 to 39 for treating a substrate in the presence of solid particles. 41. The use of claim 40, wherein the processor is a washing machine. 42. The use according to claim 40 or 41, wherein the substrate is or comprises a textile. 43. The use according to any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the solid particles have a size between 1 mm and 20 mm. 44. A method of processing a substrate in the processor of any one of claims 21 to 39, the method comprising: loading the drum of the processor with substrate, solid particles and liquid medium; The drum is rotated to agitate the substrate, solid particles and liquid medium. 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising: discharging the liquid medium from the drum; and Flush solids and substrates. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the washed solid particles are reused in subsequent iterations of the method. 47. The method of any one of claims 44 to 46, wherein the substrate is a textile. 48. The method of any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein loading the drum further comprises adding detergent to the drum. 49. The method of any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the processor is a washing machine.

Images