Patent GB-626720-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to washing or cleaning machines
IPC: D06F37/22
Filed: 1946-10-15
Abstract: <PICT:0626720/III/1> A dry-cleaning machine comprises a base frame 25, a rotatable tub 28, two sets of movable supports, and resilient connecting means disposed between the two sets of supports and between one set of supports and the base.  As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a perforated cylinder 28 is rotatably mounted within a cylindrical liquid-tight shell 27 supported on the base 25.  Journals 31, 32 on the end walls 29, 30 of the cylinder 28 pass through sealing devices 33, 34 attached to flexible diaphragms 35, 36 closing the end walls 37, 38 of the shell 27.  Ribs 39 are provided on the inner faces of the cylinder 28 to serve as lifters.  The journals 31, 32 at each end of the machine are supported on three sets of ball-bearings 46.  Two sets of these bearings associated with the journal 31 are carried by the bifurcated end of a horizontal arm 49, and the other bearing is supported by an oppositely-extending horizontal arm 44; similar supporting arms 50, 45 are provided for the journal 32.  The outer ends of the arms 44, 45 are connected by a tube 51 providing a hinge mounting for downwardly-inclined arms 56, 57 which are pivoted at their lower ends to brackets 58 on the base 25; a similar tube 62 at the rear of the machine connects the arms 49, 50 and provides a hinge mounting for inclined arms 66, 67.  The cylinder 28 is normally supported concentrically within the shell 27 by means of a number of resilient devices 68 (see Group XXXII) which are pivotally connected between the base 25 and the inclined arms 56, 57, 66, 67, and between these arms and the adjacent horizontal arms 44, 45, 49, 50. Excessive movement of the cylinder during acceleration or retardation is prevented by double-acting dashpots 82, 85 mounted between resilient bushes on the base 25 and each of the horizontal <PICT:0626720/III/2> <PICT:0626720/III/3> <PICT:0626720/III/4> <PICT:0626720/III/5> arms 44, 45 and inclined arms 56, 57.  Bumper posts 88 fitted with rubber pads 89 are mounted on the base 25 so as to be engaged by the arms 49, 50 in the event of the failure of the supporting system.  The cylinder 28 is rotated from an electric motor 90 disposed on the base 25 through belt and pulley mechanism 92 ... 102, the pulleys 97, 100 being eccentrically mounted on the tube 62, to permit adjustment of the tension the belts 96, 102. Associated with the motor 90 is a device 190 for changing the speed of the cylinder 28 from that required for washing to that required for drying.  In the operation of the machine, the cylinder 28 is " inched " so as to bring an opening therein into register with a charging opening 120, Fig. 1, in the shell; a drain valve 135, Fig. 2, in a sump 133 in the shell 27 is then closed, soap is supplied through an inlet 122, Fig. 1, and hot and cold water are supplied through valve-controlled pipes 184, 185. The cylinder is then rotated at comparatively low speed for washing, during which time its direction of rotation may be periodically reversed, if desired.  At the end of this operation, the drain valve 135 is opened and the speed-change 190 adjusted to drive the cylinder at high speed for drying, during which time the resilient mounting means permits the axis of the cylinder to move in an orbit about the position it occupies during the washing operation.  The control circuit (Fig. 21, not shown) for the machine is operated from a panel 142, Fig. 1, on the shell 27.  A solenoid for closing switches operating the motor 90 is energized by the suitable adjustment of a switch 147 and momentary depression of a push-button 151, a holding switch then being closed until either of two other push-buttons 149, 152 is depressed so as to stop the motor; depression of the push-button 149, with the switch 147 in a second position, permits " inching " of the cylinder.  Excessive movement of the rotating cylinder due to an out-of-balance load is prevented by the arm 50 operating a switch disposed on the bumper post 88 so as either to stop the motor 90 or return the cylinder to its low speed rotation.  For braking the rotation of the cylinder a brake 48 mounted on the journal 32 is adapted to be operated hydraulically under the control of a pedal.  As shown in Fig. 1, a casing 26 which is built on the base 25 encloses the lower part of the shell 27 and is provided with a door opening 128.  In the modification shown in Fig. 15, the cylinder 281 is rotatably supported at one end only, the horizontal arm 491 then taking the form of a pair of parallel tubes pivotally connected at their outer ends to the upper ends of inclined arm 661 pivoted to the base 251; resilient connectors 681 are provided between the arms 491 and the inclined arms 661, and between the latter and the base 251.  In this construction, the charging opening may be provided in the end of the cylinder opposite the arm 491, and this end may also have an inspection window. This machine may be adapted automatically to carry out the complete cycle of operation, by means of a control comprising a series of cams which are mounted on the shaft of a timing motor and are adapted, respectively, to operate the drain valve, water supply, speed-change device, and both the main motor and timing motor; the water supply valve receives hot and cold water from two pipes having pre-set valves to furnish water at the required temperature.  In a further modification, in which the cylinder is supported at one end only by a horizontal arm co-operating with an inclined arm, the resilient connection between these two arms comprises, as shown in Fig. 19, a rubber or other resilient bush 228 which is bonded between sleeves 229, 230; the sleeve 229 is rigidly secured to the end 6011 of the horizontal arm 4911 and the sleeve 230 is secured by a set-screw 231 to the end 6411 of the inclined arm 6611.  A similar connection is provided between the foot of the inclined arm and the base.  Instead of mounting the driving motor on the base, it may be carried by the horizontal arms supporting the cylinder. The detergent is passed through a filtration or distillation unit for re-use.