Patent GB-932564-A (GB)
Title: Combination laundry and dry cleaning apparatus
IPC: D06F23/02
Filed: 1960-03-10
Abstract: 932,564. Washing and dry-cleaning apparatus. J. D. ROBBINS, and R. A. CURTIS. March 10, 1960 [April 22, 1959], No. 8572/60. Class 138 (2). An automatic washing machine can be used for dry cleaning by coupling it to a dry cleaner attachment unit. In Fig. 3 a rotary drum washing, spin-drying and hot air drying machine 2 is coupled to a unit 3 for dry cleaning purposes. In Fig. 16 a similar unit 3a is coupled to a wash and spin-dry machine 5 having an oscillating agitator 303. First embodiment (Figs. 3, 4, 7, 12).-A perforated basket 7 mounted on a bearing 10 and on rollers 11 is rotated by a motor 14 through a solenoid controlled two-speed transmission. A heater 18 and fan 19 are provided for drying purposes, the fan 19 being driven by the motor 14 when a clutch solenoid 24 is energized. Liquid supply, circulation and discharge.-A liquid receiving tank 6 has a solvent overflow, supply and drain conduits 28, 29, 30 respectively which are releasably coupled to conduits 65, 85, 64 respectively in the unit 3 for dry cleaning purposes. For ordinary washing the machine 2 can be used apart from the unit 3, by plugging the conduits 28, 29. A motor 53 drives an impeller pump 59 which supplies solvent from a storage tank 51 through a conduit 61 to a filter unit 52 comprising a filter bag 79 and support 78. Pressure in the filter unit forces solvent through conduits 83, 85 into the washing tank 6. Solvent overflowing through conduit 28 is returned to the storage tank 51 through an opening 65a (Fig. 7) and a removable lint trap 62. Drainage of solvent is effected through conduits 30, 64 by a pump 66 driven by a motor 67, conduit 64 being connected at 64a to the trap 62 in the tank 51. An inclined portion 57 below the trap 62 promotes circulation within the tank 51. A by-pass conduit 84 contains a restriction valve 86 which tends to close when the pressure in the filter unit 52 increases, thereby regulating the flow of solvent through the input conduit 85. Valve 86 is operated by a pressure responsive unit 91 (Fig. 14, not shown) connected by a pipe 94 to the unit 52. The drain conduit 30 is connected to the tank 6 through a drain valve 31 (Figs. 3, 12) comprising a V-shaped housing 32 and a flipper valve element 37 pivoted at 36. The drain valve also has a water drain conduit 38, and the element 37 is arranged so that the minimum amount of water or solvent remains in the housing 32 when the respective conduit is closed. The element 37 is controlled by a solenoid 46. Water drain conduit 38 leads to a pump 39 constantly driven by the motor 14. Valves for preventing reverse flow are provided at 40, 41 and 47. The conduit 65 contains a solenoid-operated valve 68 and is connected to a vent pipe 95 containing a vent fan 54. Control circuit, Fig. 15 (not shown) illustrates the electric circuits for the machine 2 and unit 3, that for the machine 2 being operable indepedently, whereas the two circuits must be electrically connected for operation of the unit 3. Each circuit includes its own motor driven timing mechanism, and safety switches are provided for preventing simultaneous operation of the two timer motors. The automatic cycle includes washing or dry cleaning, rinsing, spindrying and final hot air drying. Second embodiment (Figs. 16, 18).-A twospeed motor 305 operates the agitator 303, or rotates the basket 302 at high speed to discharge the liquid through a tube 341. Discharge openings 312, 313 are provided in the tank 301 for solvent and water respectively. Discharge pipes 314, 315 are offset downwardly to facilitate complete draining of the tank 301. Solenoid operated valves 316, 321 in the discharge pipes are arranged so that one is closed when the other is open. Pipe 315 leads to a water drain pump 326. Solvent is drained from the tank 301 by gravity instead of by a pump as in the first embodiment. A liquid inlet spray head 327 is connected to water and solvent inlet hoses 331, 335 respectively. A mixer valve 332 has solenoid-controlled hot and cold water supply hoses 333, 334. Check valves 336, 337 prevent water flowing into hose 335 and solvent from flowing into hose 331. Modifications.-The drain valve 31 (Figs. 3, 12) may be replaced by a modified valve and pump arrangements seen in Figs. 22-25 (not shown). In Figs. 22, 23 (not shown) a single pump is used for solvent and water, while in Fig. 25 (not shown) a two-impeller pump is used.