Patent GB-1100232-A (GB)
Title: Dry cleaning apparatus
IPC: D06F43/08
Filed: 1964-12-24
Abstract: 1,100,232. Filtering; liquid separation. HUPP CORPORATION. 24 Dec., 1964 [24 Dec., 1963], No. 52428/64. Heading BID. [Also in Division D1] Dry cleaning apparatus comprises solvent recovery means wherein the recovered solvent is received in a container and some at least is subsequently fed for reuse through a chamber wherein a pressure develops which affects means for controlling the solvent recovery. The clothes drum 22 mounted in housing 10 is driven at high and low speeds by motors 16 and 18, an overrunning clutch being provided so that when motor 16 is energized drum 22 will be rotated at high speed even if motor 18 is running. The lock 134 on drum door 12 is unlocked either by the energization of a solenoid 140 to withdraw bolt 136 or by a key and a door switch 142 prevents the machine from starting until door 12 is closed. Solvent is continuously pumped by pump 40 from tank 36 through carbon filter 50 and back to tank 36, a by pass being provided for filter 50 having a pressure relief valve 54. Pump 40 also pumps solvent through solenoid valve 60 to nozzle 62 which sprays the clothes in drum 22. Solvent drains from housing 10 through vapour trap 68 and a removable lint screen 70 into tank 72. Pump 76 returns the solvent through filter 82 to tank 36 which has an overflow conduit 86 connected to tank 72. A blower 90 whose inlet is connected to housing 10 has its outlet either vented to the atmosphere or connected to water cooled condenser 98 according to the position of damper 94. Air and uncondensed vapour leaving condenser 98 pass normally closed air inlet 114 and heater 112 and return to housing 10. Condensate passes through conduit 122 to separator 124 which comprises a cylindrical housing 144 divided by plate 162 into the container and chamber of the solvent recovery means. Water floats on the solvent and overflows through outlet 126. The solvent passes under a tube 154 concentric with housing 144 through a screen 168 and overflows into a tube 160 leading through ports 166 into the chamber found in the lower part of housing 144. The solvent then passes through an orifice 174 to conduit 128 and thence to tank 72. When more solvent is passing into the container than can pass out through the chamber it overflows into tube 156 concentric with tube 160 and passes directly to conduit 128. The build up of pressure in the chamber causes a plunger 181 on a diaphragm 182 in a switch operator 180 to transfer contact 184 from contact 184a to contact 184b. The machine is controlled by a series of micro switches 209-216 operated by cams on a shaft driven by timer motor 204. In operation, clothes are placed in drum 22, coins are inserted in box 202, door 12 is locked and motor 204 starts. Drum motor 18 is energized to tumble the clothes and solvent is sprayed from nozzle 62. High speed drum motor 16 then drives the drum for spin drying after which blower 90 and heater 116 are energized and water is supplied to condenser 102. Solvent is then fed to the separator and causes contact 184a to open and after a predetermined time stop the timer until the flow of condensate diminishes. If contact 184a is not opened within a predetermined time after drying commences the machine is stopped and an alarm is sounded. If during solvent recovery the temperatures of the water in condenser coil 102 or the air in conduit 106 exceeds a set valve the machine stops and the alarm is sounded. Drying continues for a short time after the motor 204 is restarted and then fresh air is blown through the clothes to deodorize them. Pumps 40 and 76 may operate to filter the solvent when no dry cleaning is taking place. If the solvent level in tank 72 is too high or too low float 312 opens contact to stop pumps 40 or 76 respectively. Clogging of filter 82 may cause the level to be too low. The temperature of the solvent in tank 36 is maintained at a steady value by a temperature sensitive element which controls the flow of cooling water in a coil 306. If the temperature rises excessively pump 40 is stopped. When door 12 is opened, blower 90 draws in fresh air and blows it out through outlet 100. A centrifugal or like switch on the drum shaft stops the machine and sounds the alarm if the drum is rotating too slowly or not at all. Similarly if blower 90 fails to blow out sufficient air the machine is stopped. A number of machines may be mounted together having a single solvent storage and filtration system.