Patent GB-723612-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a fabric treating apparatus
IPC: D06C5/00
Filed: 1952-10-17
Abstract: <PICT:0723612/IV (c)/1> <PICT:0723612/IV (c)/2> A cabinet for the steam-treatment of nylon stockings comprises at least one outlet port for the steam in the cabinet and associated with each such port a hinged door which is so constructed, arranged and balanced as to be normally held by gravity in a position closing the port and to be moved to an open position by the pressure in the cabinet when the pressure therein exceeds the atmospheric pressure.  The stockings are placed on a stand 35 which is wheeled up a ramp 34 and sill 36 into the cabinet and is located upon the floor of the cabinet by the guide members 39. The interior of the cabinet comprises steam-heated radiators 40, 41, which are used for preheating the contents of the cabinets before the introduction of the steam.  Outlet ports are arranged on the rear wall of the cabinet and comprise vents 101 which are normally sealed by doors 110 attached by hinges to the outer surfaces of the cabinet immediately above the respective vent aperture.  An inlet port comprising a vent 124 and a door 127 and similar in construction to the outlet ports is also provided. This however is opened and closed by a motor and is used for blowing hot air into the cabinet both before and after the passage of steam through the cabinet.  The construction of the outlet ports is shown more clearly in Fig. 11.  A cylindrical vent 101 is mounted into the rear wall 24 of the cabinet and has an aperture 106 in its sloping face which is normally closed by the door structure 110.  The door carries weights 118 and 119, as shown, and these are so arranged that a slight excess pressure within the cabinet causes the door to open, thus maintaining the pressure inside the cabinet substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure.  Sequence of operations.  After the stand 35 has been wheeled into the cabinet with the stockings arranged thereon, the sill 36 is lifted and the doors of the cabinet closed and locked by the bolts 31 engaging the lugs 33.  A preheating stage is commencing wherein in addition to the heating supplied by the radiators 40, 41, further heat is supplied by hot air blown under pressure through the inlet port which is opened during this stage in the process.  The inlet port is closed whereupon the steam-treating stage begins.  During this stage, steam is supplied to the cabinet either from suitable external steam-generating apparatus or from steam-generating apparatus within the cabinet.  In either case, the steam is arranged to originate within the cabinet in the space between the floor of the cabinet and the base thereof, and it rises around the edges of the floor and escapes from the cabinet through the outlet ports.  At the end of the steam-treating stage the inlet port is again opened and hot air blown through the cabinet to clear the steam and at least partially dry the stockings before opening the doors.  The sequence of operations may also be controlled automatically, by means of a relay circuit employing automatic timing devices.  The control circuit may also employ thermostatic control means.  By suitably controlling the sequence of operations to eliminate the steam-treatment step an automatically-operated drying cabinet is provided.