Patent GB-847809-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for the chemical cleaning of textiles
IPC: D06F43/04
Filed: 1956-11-20
Abstract: A dry-cleaning apparatus, which may be adapted for use as a washing machine, comprises two drums which preferably rotate in opposite directions, a separate driving motor for each drum, a centrifuging motor which rotates at a higher speed than the driving motors, a filter with a regenerative device for <PICT:0847809/III/1> the filter mass a blower to remove air from the drums, a recovery device and pump for the cleaning liquid, a water separator, a needle or button catcher, and control units and reversing means whereby alternate operation of the drums is obtained so that during the drying period in one drum, a washing and/or centrifuging operation proceeds in the other.  As shown in Fig. 1, wash drums 2, 21 are unilaterally mounted in casings 16, 161 on plates 56, 561 which are belt-driven by motors 4, 41.  Centrifuging motor 3 is coupled to the drums through free-wheel 19 with a driving gear interposed.  During a washing stage, sufficient cleaning liquid from wash tank 10 is run into drums 2, 21 through lines 53, 531 and valves 75 and 74.  This liquid is then recycled from filter 8, on the filter supporting elements of which is disposed kieselguhr which retains dirt particles, through line 25 to drum 16 and after reversal of valve 73 through line 251 to drum 161.  From the drums the liquid returns by lines 21, 211 to needle or button catcher 5 (in which the filter mass of kieselguhr may initially be placed and whence it is transferred to filter 8 by the liquid stream), and thence through pump 6 and back through lines 23, 231 to filter 8.  On completion of a washing stage, valve 35 is moved so that the liquid passes directly along line 23 to tank 10. Replacement of lost liquid is subsequently obtained from tank 11 through lines 55, 551.  After the washing stage is complete, centrifuging motor 3 is started while the respective washing motor 4, 41 continues to run; motor 3 eventually overtakes the motor 4, 41 through the freewheel and so rapidly increases the rotational speed of the particular drum 2, 21.  The cleaning liquid thus expelled is pumped to tank 10. On completion of the centrifuging step, flap 97 is turned to the appropriate setting and fan 38 started with flap 47 closed and flap 48 open; air saturated with vapour is extracted through conduit 37 or 371 and passes into chamber 13 which is fitted with baffles and through a spray of water from nozzles 41. Condensed vapour passes to water separator 15 and thence back through line 45 to tank 11.  The air passes through heater 39 and then through conduit 36 or 361 back to the drum to dry the charge.  If it is desired to use the apparatus as a washing machine all other valves are closed and valve 49 opened; soap solution then passes from tank 12 through line 50 to the drums, and back from pump 6 through line 51.  On completion of the wash, the apparatus can be exhausted by opening flap 47 and closing flap 48 while operating fan 38.  Cleaning liquid is also recovered from filter mass 8 by opening valve 24, when the mass slides into steam distilling unit 9, since the mass is no longer under pumping pressure.  The condensed vapour is passed to tank 10.  To simplify operation many of the valves and flaps may be operated by a common lever.  The drums 2, 21 may be mounted above one another, side-by-side, or at 90 degrees to each other, and the overlapping sequence of operations may be seen in Fig. 4 where A, B, and C are the washing, centrifuging and drying periods respectively for drums 21 and 2.