Patent GB-517670-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for the automatic operation and control of washing machines
IPC: D06F33/00
Filed: 1938-08-03
Abstract: 517,670. Shoots and hoppers. RIBBANS, S. H.. and LAUNDRY AUTOMATIC APPLIANCES, Ltd. Aug. 3, 1938, No. 22930. [Class 78 (i)] [Also in Groups VIII and XVIII] Means for supplying detergent or other washing materials to a washing machine comprise a hopper A, Fig. 1, for each material in dry fluent form from which it is discharged in predetermined amount to a tank 2'wherein it is dissolved and from which it is fed to the machine. The base of each hopper is provided with a number of slides defining a number of compartments of different capacities and the top and bottom slides and such of the middle slides as are manually selected are reciprocated, by a fluid-pressure motor under the automatic control of an electric device, to admit and discharge the materials to and from the compartments. In the form shown an upper slide 31, a bottom slide 38a, and one intermediate slide 37a are provided the middle and bottom slides reciprocating in a direction transverse to that of the top 'slide and the capacities of the upper and lower compartments are four and eight ounces respectively whereby these quantities or twelve ounces may be passed. The slides work in guides and are formed with solid portions 32a, Fig. 3, and cut-out portions 33a corresponding in number to the hoppers to be controlled. A fluid-pressure motor 30, Fig. 1, is provided for each slide another, 30, for reciprocating a shaft 27 to which rocking stirrers 25 are pivoted, and another, 15 for operating the valve 7 supplying water to the mixing chamber and a valve 19 leading from the chamber to the washing- machine. The valves controlling the supply of pressure fluid to the motors are similar to that described in Specification 473,140, [Group XXIX], and are operated by the energization of solenoids under the automatic electric control, Mercury switches in the circuits of the solenoids are tipped by the ascent of a striking member to complete a circuit to the solenoids in sequence for a sufficient time to operate the appropriate valve for effecting a stroke of the companion motor in one direction, a manually operated switch also being incorporated, in series, in the circuits of the solenoids controlling the valves of the motor operating the middle slide. The striking member comprises lugs pivoted to a plate 71, Fig. 10, so that they do not operate the switches on the descent of the plate, which movement is effected by the operator admitting fluid pressure to a cylinder 76 the piston rod 78 of which bears on a ram member 74 which carries the plate. On release of the pressure in cylinder 76, weights 80 cause the plate to rise at a rate controlled by the adjustable admission of oil through a needle valve 90 to the'bottom of a cylinder 75 in which the ram works. On descent of the ram the oil escapes through a one-way valve 92, and a visual signal is given electrically when the ram is at the bottom. When water is admitted by valve 7, Fig. 1, to the mixing chamber through a perforated pipe 5 it is also admitted by pipe 9 to a tank 8 containing a float 11 which is linked to a valve for operating the motor 15 in the reverse direction. At a predetermined height of liquid in tanks 2 and 8, the motor 15 reverses, closes valve 7, opens valve 19 to discharge the solution to the machine and also opens a valve 21 to exhaust the tank 8. A valve actuated by movement of the top slide is provided to ensure that the bottom slide shall always be closed whenever the top slide is open. The stirrers comprise rectangular frames bent into semi-circular form.