Patent GB-585817-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to washing machines
IPC: D06F17/00
Filed: 1944-03-25
Abstract: 585,817. Washing - machines. GOLD, R. L. March 25, 1944, No. 5558. [Class 138 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIII] Upper and lower pipe connections to the receptacle of a domestic washing machine are interconnected by way of a multi-position distribution valve with a reversible pump and a supply and drain pipe so that all the operations, such as circulating air for agitating or drying, as well as filling and emptying the receptacle, are effected by moving the valve to its several positions in turn. Suitable switch contacts are preferably associated with the valve so that the pump motor is operated or not, and in the required direction, at each position. Further contacts control a heater. In the clothes washing machine shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the container 10 has a perforated base 70 communicating with inner and outer co-axial drums 72, 73 joined by a spiral partition 75. Heaters 76 are applied to the outer drum 73 so that, air or water taken in through a pipe 113 circulates in a spiral path between the drums, and can be heated before entering the container through the perforated base. The distributor valve 87 comprises a casing 88, Figs. 3 and 4, with ports 89, 90, 91 connected respectively to the pump 82, a flexible water supply and drain pipe 114, and the pipe 113. A fourth port 92 is open to the atmosphere. Fig. 6 indicates the connection established for filling the tank with water. There are four further positions of the valve so that all the required operations, such as filling and emptying the container, bubbling air through the washing or rinse water in the container, as well as passing hot air over the washed clothes for drying them, can be carried out. In the drying position, supplementary ports 121 in the valve body pass some of the moist air to the drain pipe 114, fresh dry air being drawn in through a drain tap 122 on the container. An alternative drying position of the valve applies suction to the container and switches on the heater. Part drying may be effected by inserting a rubber bag over the clothes and adjusting the valve to create pressure over the bag causing it to squeeze the water out of the clothes. Switch contacts controlling the pump motor for running in the appropriate direction, as well as for controlling the heater, are mounted on the valve body and are operated by swinging the valve handle 107 inwardly further than is necessary to bring it into locking engagement with a notched disc 111 determining the five positions of the valve. The container may have a removable support for the clothes in the form of a series of perforated plates 84, between which the clothes are packed, secured to a central rod 83 attached to the base of a cylindrical jacket 86. A modified arrangement is described, Figs. 11-15 (not shown), in which water is drawn through the pump during filling and emptying which, in the above arrangement is done by applying suction or pressure to the container by way of pipe 116. In Fig. 16, the clothes washing machine 10 is combined with a dish washer comprising a closed tank 41 with a perforated support 51 for the dishes, and a water heater 49 in the supply connection 50. A two-way valve 44 enables the upper connections of the two washers to be connected alternatively with one side of the pump 11, so that either washer can be brought into use.