Patent GB-614733-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to dry-cleaning apparatus
IPC: D06F43/02
Filed: 1946-07-23
Abstract: <PICT:0614733/III/1> <PICT:0614733/III/2> A combined washing and solvent - extracting unit for dry cleaning comprises a receptacle having a loading aperture and lid at its upper part, a perforated or openwork cage rotatably mounted in the receptacle, a beater mounted within the cage, and power - operated means for effecting movement of the beater for the purpose of effecting washing, and for rotating the cage at high speed for centrifugal extraction of solvent from articles in the cage, the arrangement being such that during rotation of the cage the beater is free to rotate with it.  As shown, a receptacle 1, Figs. 1 and 2, having a loading aperture in its upper part and a lid 1b, Fig. 1, contains a perforated or openwork cage 3, Figs. 1 and 2 rotatably mounted on spindle 3a, Fig. 2, positioned in bearings 4a in receptacle 1, and a beater or agitating device consisting of a disc 11, Fig. 2, with blades 11a, mounted on the lower end of a sleeve 11b rotatable on the spindle 3a within the cage 3.  An oscillatory motion may be imparted to the beater 11 for the purpose of effecting washing by means of the motor 18, belt pulley 16b, worm 16, worm wheel 15, crank pin 15a, link 14, crank pin 12a, gear 12 and gear 11e mounted on the upper part of the sleeve 11b. Alternatively the cage 3 may be rotated at a high speed for centrifugal extraction of solvent from articles in the cage by means of electric motor 9, shaft 8a, pulleys 8 and 6 and belts 7, the gear 12 having first been brought out of mesh with gear 11e by manipulation of the hand wheel 13c and shaft 13 on which the gear wheel 12 is eccentrically mounted in order to leave the beater 11 free to rotate with the cage 3.  Independent electric motors 18 and 9 may be provided for the driving of the beater and cage respectively. The switches may be operated by a common control element (see Group XXXVII).  The lid 1b, Fig. 1, of the receptacle 1 may be adapted to co-operate with locking means operating a switch in such a manner that when the lid is open, the circuit of both electric motors is interrupted (see Group XXXVII). The upper part of the spindle 3a of the perforated cage 3, Fig. 2, may be provided with a brake 3g and 10 electromagnetically controlled by the circuit of the motor 9 in such a manner that the brake shoes 10 disengage from the brake drum 3g when the motor is switched on and automatically engage the drum under spring action when the motor is switched off.  Provision may also be made for disengaging the brake shoes by hand in order that cage 3 may be turned by hand until the opening 3d, Fig. 1, is under the lid 1b. When a batch of articles to be cleaned has been inserted in the cage 3, Fig. 1, and the lids 3c and 1b closed, a valve 42, Fig. 4, may be opened and clean solvent allowed to run from the upper tank 41 into the top of the receptacle 1, Fig. 1, through the pipes 40b and 40a, Fig. 4, and inlet 25, Fig. 1.  If the tank 41, Fig. 4, contains insufficient solvent, additional solvent may be drawn from the auxiliary tank 44 through the pipe 44a by opening valve 43.  The beater 11, Fig. 2, is set in motion by motor 18, the cage 3 being held stationary by the brake 10 and at the same time the pump 37, Fig. 4, is switched on to circulate the solvent between the receptacle 1, Fig. 1, and the filter 39, Fig. 4 (see Group I), the solvent passing from the bottom of receptacle 1, Fig. 1, through pipe 26, the trap 36, Fig. 4 (which retains any buttons &c. detached from the garments being cleaned), pump 37 and pipes 35b and 35c to the filter 39, the valve 38 being closed.  The solvent returns from the filter through pipes 40 and 40a to the inlet pipe 25, Fig. 1, at the top of the receptacle 1.  When the solvent passing to the filter 39, Fig. 4, through the sight glass 35e is substantially the same colour as the solvent <PICT:0614733/III/3> <PICT:0614733/III/4> <PICT:0614733/III/5> <PICT:0614733/III/6> <PICT:0614733/III/7> <PICT:0614733/III/8> <PICT:0614733/III/9> passing from the filter 39 through the sight glass 40e, the washing is complete.  The receptacle 1, Fig. 1, is now emptied by the action of the pump 37, Fig. 4, on opening the valve 38 to permit the solvent to be delivered by the pump directly to the top of the tank 41, the valve 42 being at the same time closed to prevent further solvent flowing through pipes 40 and 40a to the receptacle 1.  When the receptacle 1 is empty, the motor 9, Fig. 2, is switched on for the rotation of the cage 3 at high speed, whereby the solvent still contained in the articles in the cage is expelled by the action of centrifugal force and returned by pump 37 to tank 41.  Valves 38 and 42 may be interconnected for operation by a single lever.  Surplus solvent from tank 41 can overflow through pipe 46 into the auxiliary tank 44.  When the oil or fat content of the solvent has become excessive, the solvent may be recovered by running it from the tank 41 into the still 47 through the pipe 41a and valve 41b and passing steam through the coil 47a. The vaporized solvent passes up through pipe 49, valve 49a and pipe 49b to the condenser 45, cold water being at the same time circulated through the coil 45a.  The recovered solvent returns to tank 44 through pipe connection 45d. After having been centrifuged in the cage 3, the articles undergoing cleaning are introduced through the central opening 51a, Figs. 5 and 7, of the drum-like casing 51, Fig. 7, into an annular cage 52, Figs. 6 and 7, having perforations 52a, and radial arms 52c for turning over the articles as the cage is rotated.  A partition 51c, Fig. 6, in the casing 51 is arranged to provide a tangential outlet 51d communicating with a duct 51e adapted for a connection to an extracting fan.  The sides of the cage 52, Fig. 7, have flanged rings 52b formed with machined faces 52e and 52f, Figs. 8, 9 and 10.  Flanged rings 51g, Figs. 7 to 10, fitted to the side walls of the casing 51 support rollers 51r, Figs. 6 and 9, co-operating with the faces 52f and rollers 51n, Figs. 6 and 10, co-operating with the faces 52e, the cage 52 being thus supported on the roller 51r and laterally guided by the rollers 51n.  The cage 52, Fig. 7, is driven by the motor 54 through the wheels 53a, Fig. 6, and 53 and the friction ring 53d, Fig. 7, frictional contact being maintained by means of the springs 53b and 53c, Fig. 5.  The rollers 51r, Fig. 9, may be mounted on ball bearings 51s carried by square-ended spindles 51t seating in slotted parts 51u in brackets 51q fixed on the rings 51g.  Rollers 51n may also be mounted on ball bearings.  In a modification (not illustrated) the beater 11 and cage 3, Fig. 2, may be driven alternatively by a single electric motor.