Patent GB-664723-A (GB)
Title: Air operated domestic washing machine
IPC: D06F17/12
Filed: 1949-07-04
Abstract: 664,723. Washing-machines. FINLATOR, T. F. June 27, 1950 [July 4, 1949; Aug. 22, 1949; Nov. 7, 1949; Feb. 17, 1950], Nos. 17610/49; 21705/49; 28427/49; and 4111/50. Class 138 (i) [Also in Group VIII] A washing-machine comprises a hollow receptacle for a cleansing liquid and the articles to be washed, an air tube extending axially within and between the top and bottom of the receptacle and adapted to be connected at its upper end with a source of air under pressure and to deliver air into the receptacle near the bottom thereof, a first apertured diffusion member mounted in the lower end of the receptacle and spaced from the bottom thereof and surrounding the air tube so that the lower end of the air tube debouches into a space between the bottom of the receptacle and the diffusion member, a second apertured diffusion member mounted in the upper end of the receptacle and surrounding the upper end of the air tube, the apertures in the diffusion members being disposed in zones the outer boundaries of which are spaced from the wall of the receptacle so that circulation is induced in the cleansing liquid upwards in the region of the axis of the receptacle and downwards near the wall of the receptacle. In the arrangement shown, a hollow circular section receptacle 1, open at the top and having an openwork cylindrical support 4 beneath a base portion 2, is provided within the base 2 with a peripherally apertured cylinder 5 covered by an apertured and domed diffusion member 7. An air tube 10 which projects into the member 7 and is supported by plates 12 fixed within the base 2, carries at its upper end a detachable inverted apertured dome-like diffusion member 19, which is secured to a conical member 21 which engages the tube 10. Holes 26 in the base of member 19 are covered on the underside by a flat rubber ring 27 which is clamped around its outer periphery between the member 19 and an interposed sealing ring 24. An extension tube 25 projects through the base of member 19 for connection to pressure air supply. An opentopped internal circumferential channel 13 is formed near the top of the receptacle having an inner wall 14 forming a weir determining the highest water level within the receptacle. The latter is formed at the level of the channel 13, with an external recess 15 the sides 16, Figure 7, of which constitute ends of the channel and through one of which the channel is drained through a pipe 17. A water inlet pipe 18 extends from the recess 15 to the centre of cylinder 5 below the member 7. A container 28 having an open bottom is adapted to house the receptacle in an inverted position, the container being closed by a bowl-shaped lid 33, Figure 5, having a detachable cushion 35. The bowl may be used alone, in which case the cushion 35 is removed and the bowl may be fitted over the support 4. When the receptacle is required for use, it is removed from the container 28 by means of the support 4, inverted and nested in the open top of the container. The pressure air supply connected to the extension tube 25, which may be derived from a vacuum cleaner, is continued during a "rinsing" period in which the water supply to the receptacle is maintained and overflows into the channel 13. The receptacle may be emptied by siphon action through a pipe connected to the inlet 18, or by air pressure introduced'through a lid (not shown), the water being ejected through the pipe 18. The ring 27 prevents water being sucked into the air line if this is inadvertently connected to the suction side of the air supply. An electric immersion heater may be fitted below the diffusion member 7 or a gas-fired heating member may be fixedly or detachably mounted within the support 4. According to the first Provisional Specification, the receptacle is filled and emptied through a connection at the bottom of the receptacle which is also provided with a detachable level gauge fitting within the central air tube, and which may operate an electrical alarm. A fluid tight lid for the receptacle is provided with valve means which permits escape of air during washing, but which is closed to discharge rinse water through an outlet in the lid, under air pressure. The receptacle container includes a compartment for housing a wringer and hose and is provided with a top which forms a draining board. A wire rack may be placed in the receptacle when washing dishes etc. According to the second Provisional Specification the receptacle is provided with a combined valve, internal rinsing bowl and clamping device for the lid. The bowl is secured to the upper end of the air tube by means of a concentrically disposed tube having holes therein which permit water to overflow from the air tube into the bowl. A hand operated valve means extends through the lid of the receptacle and is operative either to admit air through the holes in the tube within the bowl to drain the receptacle or to admit air to the bottom of the air tube for agitation of liquid in the receptacle. According to the third Provisional Specification the lid of the receptacle is combined with the valve means which are operated by utilizing the lid as a hand wheel.