Advancing Laundry Technology

Panasonic-Washer-Dryers
The laundry is one of the greatest challenges for those with disabled hands. Even more so if your disability has you using a wheelchair. Advancing technology is making laundry easier and easier. This Japanese unit from Panasonic is a washer and a dryer negating the need to transfer heavy wet cloths for one machine to the other. Additionally, it features a sloped drum that makes loading and unloading the machine easier than either front or top loaders. From an energy standpoint This unit saves energy by using a heat exchanger to provide drying without needing a heating element. Don't know how that works exactly but the point is that technology is innovating a chore that proves difficult for those with Disabled Hands.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

VISA cards now using RFIDs and in future even humans may have RFIDS in them...
Tomorrow's world will be ruled by RFID technology... Even our laundries will also...




Laundry RFID tag

Product Name: RFID Laundry Tag-02
Product Number: RFID Laundry Tag-02
Product Details:



1)Type: Contactless Read & Write
2)Operating Frequency: 125KHz or 13.56MHz
3)Compliance
• IC Available at 125KHz nominal:
EM4100, Hitag-1, Hitag- 2, Hitag-S, TK4100
• IC Available at 13.56MHz nominal:
Mifare-One S50, Mifare-One S70, I-CODE, Ti 256, INSIDE 2K
4)Material: PPS+Epoxy
5)Physical Size: Dia. 22
Thicness: 2.5mm(± 0.3mm)
Standard Color: Black
6)Printing: Printable with silkscreen (no more than 2 colors)
A customized logo can be printed on the tag
7)Operating Temperature: -25º C to +85º C
8)Storage Temperature:
-20º C to +110º C for 500 Hours
+120º C for 100 Hours
+140º C for 5 Hours or less

Lindström starts operations in India

Dr. Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of Finland inaugurates facility at Ambattur

Chennai, October 24th, 2007: The textile service company Lindström has expanded its operations by establishing a subsidiary in India. Business operations have now commenced in Chennai with a state-of-the-art service centre concentrating in workwear maintenance and rental. Lindström Group CEO Mr. Jukka Roiha announced the India launch at a press conference in Chennai today.

During the last few months the location for the Chennai service centre was sourced and investments were made in building and machinery. Lindström has also landed several contracts with new clients: "Lindström offers specialized maintenance of workwear, which is an entirely new concept in India.

“Our workwear service will cater to the needs of Chennai’s sizeable electronics cluster, besides the manufacturing, food and service industries. One of our special services is offering ESD (anti static) textiles that keep components and products safe from damage caused by electric discharge on contact with human skin, for instance, thanks to their conductivity properties,” explained Jukka Roiha. He adds, “It is also important to clean special workwear such as ESD textiles professionally in order for the clothes to maintain their properties through washing and other handling.”

"Lindström offers specialized full workwear services ranging from design to disposal as well as maintenance of workwear - which is an entirely new concept in India. We are looking forward to building our order book at a good pace and are delighted with this good start to business," said Ajai Bhaskar, Business Unit Manager, Lindström Services India Pvt. Ltd.

Lindström’s recently launched subsidiary in China has also got off to a busy start. The operation, in Suzhou Industrial Park near Shanghai, opened last spring and is already operating at full capacity with plans to further increase its capacity.

In recent years, Lindström’s international growth has been strong. The internationalisation strategy of the company is based on establishing its own service centres. By acquiring its workwear service from a partner, the customer no longer needs to take care of fitting, acquiring, maintaining, washing, storing and transporting clothes. This saves time and money. In addition, the flexible service follows the changing needs, as personnel is changed or replaced. At the same time, the customer may improve its own quality control concerning the cleanliness of workwear and occupational safety.

Lindström has also just recently been nominated as one of the best companies in Finland based on the company’s long term profitable growth and exceptional textile services’ internationalization.

Jyothy Fabricare Services Ltd enters in to Laundry services...

Jyothy Laboratories enters laundry services.

Unveils Fabric Spa: (From left) Mr M.P. Ramachandran, CMD, Jyothy Laboratories; Mr K. Ullas Kamath, Deputy Managing Director; and Ms M.R. Jyothy, Managing Director, at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Mumbai, July 30 Jyothy Laboratories is making a foray into laundry services with an initial investment of Rs 40 crore. A new subsidiary company, Jyothy Fabricare Services (JFSL), has been floated to create a fabric care retail brand under the name of Fabric Spa.

JFSL will have a model whereby it would offer its services through retail showrooms and at the same time cater to institutions as well as households through door-to-door laundry services. The laundry services would be classified as super premium, premium and economy depending on the cost and nature of service that is being offered.

At a press conference, Mr K. Ullas Kamath, Deputy Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratories, said, “We have decided to start our laundry services in Bangalore as it is easy to tap into the potential set of customers such as IT professionals and bachelors living in this city.” In fact the company is already taking the advice of consultancy firm KPMG to study the potential of this business in the country.

Mr M.P. Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratoroies, said: “We believe that the rising middle class population and affordability to buy branded garments will open up opportunities for a Spa like ours to give value added services and a whole new experience.”

Growing Laundry need in India...

Diamond Fabcare Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Brown Gouge of Australia announces launch of its retail operations under the brand “Wardrobe”. Launching in Delhi and NCR with about 100 exclusive stores, 200 – 300 nos. pick and drop centers and central supply chain and processing facility, Wardrobe plans to spread all over the country in next 3 to 5 years.

With operational and technological know – how from Brown Gouge of Australia, which is a 93 year old leader in Dry-cleaning and laundry industry, Wardrobe will deploy/setup state of art equipments imported from Europe and USA from the best suppliers in the world. The company will promise superior quality with use of 100% R.O. water, fabric friendly high quality chemicals, experienced and skilled manpower, strong supply chain system backed by a customized software and IT setup.

Mr. Jyoti Maheshwari, Chairman – Diamond Fabcare Pvt. Ltd. said, “Our pre – launch research showed customers’ dissatisfaction and a wide gap between the need and what is available in this largely fragmented and unorganized market segment of dry cleaning & laundry. The awareness level as to the qualitative factors is abysmally low. However we at Wardrobe are committed to give all our customers the utmost fabric care solution and our wash care centers are designed to provide a unique & pleasant experience to our customers”.

The collaborator Brown Gouge is regarded as Australia’s oldest and most reputed dry – cleaning service provider. It has maintained a consistent track record of high standards in its existence for over 90 years.

Speaking at the occasion Mr. Tim Mottin, Co-Promoter – Brown Gouge, Australia said,” We welcome our new partnership with Diamond Fabcare Pvt. Ltd. – under the brand Wardrobe. We are looking forward through this partnership to improving the service standards in dry cleaning and laundry segment in India, which we hope will benefit Indian customers. We’re confident of a longer life for their garments and maintenance of a permanent fresh look as good as “new”.

According to Dr. A. Srivastava, Executive Director of Diamond Fabcare Pvt. Ltd., people buy expensive garments and designer wear but can’t find or trust in any quality drycleaner, further he pointed out that very few people have time to wash cloths at home in today’s busy schedule.

- End -

Profit of using OZONE...

1.- Lower washing temperatures: As ozone increases the quantity of oxygen, this increases the detergent’s power, making it possible to reduce the temperature by 80-100%. This contributes to costs savings and longer fabric life.

2.- Shorter washing times: Ozone makes detergent more effective, allowing the entire wash cycle to be cut by 25-30% as compared to conventional washing.

Foto máquinas3.- Less water consumption: Since we reduce the number of stages in the washing process, lower water consumption is one of the most notable features of our equipment.

4.- Less wear and tear on machines by 20-30%. Lower washing temperatures substantially reduce the problem of deterioration in rubber parts, bearings, gaskets, etc., extending the useful life of each machine.

5.- Almost neutral pH in waste water: Elimination of waste water purification systems, potential re-use of water. Contributes to the protection of the environment and is in line with sustainable development plans.
Other Benefits of Profit Laundry System

* Reduces the incidence of bedsores (decubitus ulcers)
The use of harsh chemicals in the wash is known to be a contributing cause of bedsores (pressure ulcers). Alkali and bleach residue in the linen fiber elevate pH levels; the use of ozone helps maintain neutral pH levels, thereby reducing the incidence of bedsores.
* Thoroughly disinfects the wash water
Worth repeating: Ozone has an incredible and powerful ability to virtually wipe out all forms of harmful microbial contaminants like E.coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Giardia Lamblia, Cryptosporidium and pathogens in blood from the soiled laundry.
* Noticeably improves fabric quality
Customer remarks confirm that the comparative results are immediate and sometimes dramatic as to the quality of laundry washed with ozone verses conventional methods. Customers report: “Not only is the laundry much whiter and brighter, but it is also fluffier”. “You can stack towels and washcloths washed in ozonated water next to a stack of the same number washed in non-ozonated water and the ozone-treated pile will be twice as high”. Laundry is “fresher smelling” and more sanitary than traditional methods of washing.
* Improves laundry room environment for workers
By reducing or eliminating hot water and shortening drying times, employee comfort increases as a result of cooler working conditions.
* Reduces drying time
Ozone opens up the fibers of the fabric allowing more water to be removed in the extraction cycle. Therefore, the laundry contains less moisture upon removal from the washer, thus reducing the prescribed drying time, making for further savings in energy costs.
* Actually extends the life of linen
Linen laundered in ozone enjoys longer service life. It has been estimated that the life of linen can be extended by as much as 25%; mostly due to reducing or eliminating many of the chemicals harmful to textiles. Another contributing factor in extending the life of the linen is the reduction of rinse and dryer cycle times in the laundry operation.

OZONE

Hi Aii,

Back after bit long due to some busy schedule.
I always have some thoughts about the usage of OZONE in laundries. Here is a real experience of a customer who using the OZONE in their laundry.
Sharing with you.

Does ozone laundry really work? A user's report - Feature Article - excerpt of interview with - Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center executive Julian Rich
Nursing Homes,

Employed as early as 1906 to treat the water supply in Paris, France, and used today in some processes for producing bottled water, ozone is known for its bleaching action and ability to kill bacteria and viruses. This "cousin" of oxygen also has a practical, money-saving application: treating water used in laundry operations.

Ozone--which, simply put, is oxygen plus an extra atom ([O.sub.3] as opposed to [O.sub.2])--is formed when oxygen comes into contact with highly charged electrical energy. Systems that generate ozone and inject it into laundry water can dramatically reduce hot water use in large laundry operations, as well as reducing the amount of cleaning chemicals used and producing cleaner, brighter linens and clothing.

enacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a 160-bed facility in Haverhill, Mass., had two ozone generators installed in its laundry room in January of 2002. Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management spoke with Julian Rich, Penacook's president and CEO, and Bob Rawding, its director of building services, about how this addition has affected their facility's laundry operation.

What prompted you to consider using ozone generators in your laundry room?

Rich: I was initially interested because of the potential for cost savings from reduced hot water use. Based on the calculations of a vendor I spoke to at a conference, it appeared that the ozone generators would pay for themselves within approximately two years of their installation. With a savings potential like that, the decision was a "no-brainer" for me. Now we're tracking the actual savings, and after one year we're right on track with the projected savings.

Are there other benefits of using an ozone system besides saving hot water?

Rich: Yes, there are some benefits we weren't even aware of when we purchased the system. For example, the laundry turns out much whiter. You can set towels washed with ozonated water next to towels washed traditionally, and the superior whitening effect of ozone is immediately and dramatically obvious.

Another benefit is that the laundry room is much cooler in the summer. The decreased need for hot water reduces room temperature by a great deal, and anything we can do to make our staff more comfortable at work is a plus.

Rawding: Specifically, using ozonated water has eliminated approximately 75 to 80% of our hot water use, and our gas bill has declined by 25 to 30% since the ozone generators were installed.

Not only is the laundry whiter and brighter, but it's also fluffier. This means we are sending out a product that residents enjoy more. You can also stack towels and washcloths washed in ozonated water next to a stack of the same number washed in nonozonated water, and the ozone-treated pile will be twice as high. This is because using ozone in the water opens the fabrics' pores. For this reason, in addition to using less hot water, laundry washed with ozonated water dries faster, so there is less energy used for drying and there are fewer dryer cycles to raise the room temperature in warm weather.

Did you have to obtain regulators' approval for installing the ozone generators?

Rich: We checked with the state, because we didn't want to discover we had any inappropriate sanitation issues with the ozone system. The state was very comfortable with our plans and approved the system.

How Long did installation take?

Rawding: It took one day for installation, followed by a few hours the next day after start-up for adjustments.

How many washing machines do you have connected to each ozone generator?

Rawding: We have two washers per generator, which works well.

Can you use ozonated water on colored fabrics, or just on whites?

Rawding: We can use it on everything we wash.

Are there any disadvantages to be aware of when considering the installation of this sort of equipment?

Rawding: One thing you have to be aware of is that the laundry area needs to be well ventilated; ozone does have a slight odor. But if the laundry is properly vented, the presence of the ozone doesn't affect anyone.

Rich: Initially we had some leakage that had to be repaired, which caused one employee some discomfort, but it was remedied immediately, and she suffered no harm.

Rawding: It's also important to know that ozone deteriorates rubber. As a result, we had to replace some rubber hoses on our washers.

How much maintenance do the ozone generators require?

Rawding: Very little. There are some small filters we have to keep clean, but overall they perform well without much routine maintenance.

Do you feet you made the right decision when you purchased the ozone generators?

Rawding: It was a good investment. I have to admit that I was a little leery going in, but it has definitely worked well for our facility.

Rich: We're extremely happy with our decision.

For more information, call Julian Rich at (978) 374-0707. To comment on this article, send e-mail to rich0203@nursinghomesmagazine.com.

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