Schulthess export event

Setting fresh standards for laundry care

1 August 2010



Schulthess, the Swiss manufacturer of laundry equipment, presented the latest innovations in its TopLine and ProLine machine ranges at an export event held on 16 April at its factory near Zurich. Tony Vince reports


Generation 2010 machines introduce technological innovations that “set new standards for laundry care “, Hans-Peter Caderas, Schulthess’s export and product manager told visitors to the Wolfhausen factory.

Caderas and area manager for marketing and sales Hans Peter Stamm introduced the latest additions to the Spirit TopLine and ProLine washers.

These included the ProLine 9000 class of all-purpose washing machine and two machines designed for industrial use.

The company has also developed the ProfiClean programming system that groups programs in sets to target specific customer sectors.

These include applications for the following sectors:

• Hotels, restaurants, canteens and catering companies

• Old- people‘s homes and nursing homes, retirement homes and residential homes

• Industrial cleaners

• Craft workshops, bakery, cake shops, butchers and hairdressers

• Fire departments and rescue services

• Textile cleaners and industrial laundries

• Saunas, health clubs and spas

• Sports clubs and launderettes.

In addition to these targeted program categories, Schulthess has also introduced the AutoClean program designed to keep the machine itself in good condition. Caderas explained that this 70C program operates an intermittent spin that removes dirt and detergent deposits and will clean the drum in just 25 minutes.

The company has also developed a series of disinfection programs designed to produce hygienically clean linen and these attracted a great deal of interest.

Head of marketing, Daniela Koch explained that in designing these programs her company had worked closely with Büfa Cleaning Systems. The programs are especially suited for applications in care homes, nursing homes and clinics but will also be useful for laundries serving the hotel and catering trade and for public sector customers such as fire brigades and rescue services.

Bio-monitoring was used to test the programs’ effectiveness in killing germs and the results of these tests were assessed by Germany’s wfk Institute for Applied Research. Microbiologist Lutz Vossebein of the institute’s Cleaning Technology Research division described the technical detail involved in achieving disinfection and hygiene in the laundry .

The programs, which are available for the Spirit TopLine, ProLine and industrial washers meet the guidelines that have been set out by the VAH (The Association of Applied Hygiene) for preventative disinfection of linen The wfk has also carried out extensive field tests.

Koch explained that Schulthess has also improved the machines’ temperature control system. She said: “The knowledge gained in the course of these laboratory tests was taken into account and implemented by the software developers and process engineers.” She added that when the disinfection programs are used with suitable detergents they will guarantee hygienically clean and germ-free results. Both the Spirit TopLine and ProLine washers are also designed for use with the ProfiLine programs.

The Schulthess Spirit TopLine range has been expanded with two washers, the 6kg 7620 and the 7kg 8120 models; a 7kg vented dryer, the TA8320 and a matching capacity condenser model, the 7kg TC8330.

All the TopLine washers have a low temperature setting for 20C. Although this is intended mainly for domestic use, it could also be very useful for various semi-professional applications such as facilities’ management.

Hans-Peter Caderas told the audience that using the 20C button could reduce energy use by as much as 87%. “For example, energy consumption for a 60C coloured wash is 1.18kWh, while for a 20C coloured wash, consumption is 0.15kWh.”

Both ranges also feature a language selection button, which allows users to choose from 20 languages for the instruction display.

In the Spirit TopLine dryer range, both the 7kg TA8320 vented machine and 7kg TC8330 condenser model benefit from 10 specialist programs.

They also feature the Schulthess Ecodry drum system that provides a constant airflow and distributes the heat evenly.

Schulthess has also introduced two industrial washer-extractors to its Spirit ProLine range – the WEI 9130/9160 for 13kg and 16kg respectively.

These machines are equipped with both the disinfection and ProfiClean programs as standard but operators also have the option of tailoring programs to individual needs.

Schulthess’s integrated Wash Card system provides a further aid to programming. This can be supplied with up to 10 pre-set programs and additional programs can also be stored using the machine’s S button. Specialist programs, such as those for duvets, wetcleaning or quilted garments, can be kept on file on a card.

The machines use the latest sensor technology and microprocessor controls and the graphics on the control panel have been re-designed to make them easy to understand.

Additions to the Spirit TopLine range include washers and dryers with specific mop handling programs and features. The range provides 6 and 7kg machines which can handle 26 – 30 mops (55mm size) or 6 – 8 large cleaning disks. They have drum volumes of 56 and 66litres respectively.

Up to 20 special mop programs can be introduced and dosing times are also programmable.

Operators can pre-set the start of the wash so that mops can be cleaned overnight or at the weekend, increasing productivity.

Schulthess also provided live demonstrations of its wetcleaning system. This has been developed with Büfa and Jürgen Wasshausen from that company explained the process and its benefits.

He told visitors that wetcleaning uses specific programs and detergents and the process provides a water-based alternative to solvent cleaning. It can be used for garments such as coats and rainwear, leather jackets and for wedding dresses and even for bedding and uniforms.

The Schulthess Spirit Industrial WSI series features wetcleaning programs as standard and its options include 25C programs for silk, angora or wool, 30C programs for non-washable outerwear and 40C cycles for washable outerwear.

Other programs include 35C cycles for wedding dresses, 30C programs for duvets and quilts and a 20C program for leather.

On show also was the Spirit ProLine industrial washer-extractor which has 50 free-storage positions for customer-specific textile care programs, including wetcleaning. Further programs can be added via the Schulthess interface or by card.

Four professional dryers have been introduced to complement the ProLine standard and Industrial washers. The TRI 8250/8375 machines have 10kg and 15kg capacities while the TRI 8550/8750 will handle 22 and 30kg loads.

The drying process is sensor-controlled so that customers can choose a dryness level, from damp to extra-dry, which suits the load. The machines also have 10 programs for handling wetcleaned loads and these can be customised and stored.

Talking to LCN International after the event, Hans-Peter Caderas said the event had been very successful. The featured products had attracted great interest as had the programming developments such as the ProfiClean groups and the mop handling options. He added that customer feedback had been good and the company had taken several orders at the show.



Disinfection in the laundry

Microbiologist Lutz Vossebein of the wfk Cleaning Technology Research Institute (pictured) gave a presentation on disinfection and hygiene in the laundry. Vossebein is the head of the institute’s hygiene and microbiology department which undertakes investigations to identify
micro-organisms that pose a risk to humans – as defined by risk category II paragraph 44 of the German law on protection against infections.
The institute is involved in work on Risk Analysis and Biocontamination Control Systems (RABC), based on European Standard EN14065, which guarantees an appropriate standard of hygiene for linen that has been reprocessed in industrial laundries. This includes evaluating laundries’ hygiene standards with particular reference to the efficiency of disinfecting processes and agents. It also undertakes research projects such as the development of low temperature processes for the germ reduction on workwear or clothing from nursing and care homes.
Wfk carried out field tests on Schulthess’s Spirit TopLine, Spirit ProLine and industrial washers, using detergents and disinfectants from Büfa, Ecolab, Christeyns, Burnis, Hychem and Kreussler. This research validated the effectiveness of three disinfection programs – outerwear at 40C; mops at 60C and a boil-wash at 95C. Test organisms included Enteococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (for processes below 60C).
The bio-monitors – cotton cloths of 1cm2 – were infected with human pathogens by blood soiling. The infected cloth were dried and then washed. After washing, there was an evaluation period of 2 – 21 days. The machines tested were all found to have to been effective at 95C (thermal disinfection), during chemical-thermal disinfection at 60C and using chemical disinfection at 40C. The wash processes with the bio-monitors were designed to meet the requirements of the Robert Koch Institute.





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