Patent GB-827848-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to rotary washing and like machines
IPC: D06F39/08
Filed: 1955-04-29
Abstract: In a dry-cleaning machine having a work container 10 rotatable about a horizontal axis within a stationary casing 11 partially filled with liquid, the action of the rotating container 10 upon liquid in contact with its exterior results in the establishment of a small pressure head in the casing 11, whereby such liquid is caused to circulate by gravity through an external circulating system including a settling <PICT:0827848/III/1> <PICT:0827848/III/2> <PICT:0827848/III/3> tank 13.  The upper part of the settling tank 13 is connected by horizontal pipes 14 to the ends of two duct-like chambers 15 which extend horizontally along opposite sides of the casing 11 and communicate with the interior of the casing through slots 16.  The under side of the casing 11 is connected to the lower part of the tank 13 by a horizontal return pipe 18.  The tank 13 may be as described in Specification 765,358, comprising two intercommunicating compartments 20, 21 divided by a partition 19. The receiving compartment 20 is provided with an adjustable overflow pipe 22, the return compartment 21 having an outlet 23 leading to a drain and controlled by a valve 24.  The compartments 20, 21 may have hinged lids.  The pipe 22 is vertically slidable by means of a pivoted lever 31 connected to the pipe 22 by an inverted U-shaped link 29.  Overflow and consequent discharge of scum take place when the total volume of liquid in circulation is increased by condensation of heating steam.  A continuous scum discharge may, however, be ensured by providing an automatically-controlled auxiliary supply of water to the compartment 20.  Thus, a main water supply pipe 37 is connected by a flexible hose 38 to a float-controlled inlet valve 39 mounted on the overflow pipe 22.  An oscillatory rotation is imparted to the work container 10, one or other of the chambers 15 being used according to the direction of rotation.  The invention may also be applied to a machine in which the work container rotates in one direction only, the casing 11 being provided with an outlet chamber 15 and return pipe 14 on one side only.  In a modification (Fig. 6) the casing 11 is provided at opposite sides with water inlets 42 somewhat higher than the take-off slots 16, both inlets 42 being connected to a main water supply pipe. These inlets 42 are arranged adjacent opposite ends of the casing 11, and each inlet faces a set of the slots 16 at the other side of the machine.  In an alternative construction (not shown) the take-off and return points are both positioned at or adjacent the lowest part of the casing and spaced apart, e.g. at opposite ends of the machine, or at both ends and midway of its length.  The take-off and return points are connected by horizontal pipes to the settling tank, and each is fitted with a simple non-return valve responsive to relatively small variations in liquid level.  Specifications 688,076 and 780,329 also are referred to.ALSO:In a garment-dyeing machine having a workcontainer 10 rotatable about a horizontal axis within a stationary casing 11 partially filled with liquid, the action of the rotating container 10 upon liquid in contact with its exterior results in the establishment of a small pressurehead in the casing 11, whereby such liquid is caused to circulate by gravity through an external circulating system including a settling tank 13.  The upper part of the settling tank 13 is connected by horizontal pipes 14 to the ends of two duct-like chambers 15 which extend horizontally along opposite sides of the casing 11 and communicate with the interior of the casing through slots 16.  The underside of the casing 11 is connected to the lower part of the tank 13 by a horizontal return pipe 18.  The tank 13 may be as described in Specification 765,358, comprising two intercommunicating compartments 20, 21 divided by a partition 19.  The receiving compartment 20 is provided with an adjustable overflow pipe 22, the return compartment 21 having an outlet 23 leading to a drain and controlled by a valve 24.  The compartments 20, 21 may have hinged lids.  The pipe 22 is vertically slidable by means of a pivoted lever 31 connected to the pipe 22 by an inverted U-shaped link 29.  Overflow and consequent discharge of scum take place when the total volume of liquid in circulation is increased by condensation of heating steam.  A continuous scum discharge may, however, be ensured by providing an automatically controlled auxiliary supply of water to the compartment 20.  Thus, a main water supply pipe 37 is connected by a flexible hose 38 to a floatcontrolled inlet valve 39 mounted on the overflow pipe 22. An oscillatory rotation is imparted to the work container 10, one or other of the chambers 15 being used according to the direction of rotation.  The invention may also <PICT:0827848/IV(c)/1> <PICT:0827848/IV(c)/2> <PICT:0827848/IV(c)/3> be applied to a machine in which the work container rotates in one direction only, the casing 11 being provided with an outlet chamber 15 and return pipe 14 on one side only.  In a modification (Fig. 6) the casing 11 is provided at opposite sides with water inlets 42 somewhat higher than the take-off slots 16, both inlets 42 being connected to a main water supply pipe. These inlets 42 are arranged adjacent opposite ends of the casing 11, and each inlet faces a set of the slots 16 at the other side of the machine.  In an alternative construction (not shown) the take-off and return points are both positioned at or adjacent the lowest part of the casing and spaced apart, e.g. at opposite ends of the machine, or at both ends and midway of its length.  The take-off and return points are connected by horizontal pipes to the settling tank, and each is fitted with a simple non-return valve responsive to relatively small variations in liquid level. Specifications 688,076 and 780,329 also are referred to.