IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WASHING
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Collier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st March 1881.
GEORGE COLLIER, of Newcastle on Tyne.
MACHINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WASHING
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of washing machines
wherein the articles are washed by means of steam, and has for its object to facilitate
the more direct access of the steam to the articles under treatment, so as to ensure
their being speedily and effectually cleansed.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I provide a suitable box or
casing furnished with a lid. Within this box I mount on an axis or spindle a
cylindrical or other conveniently shaped sieve, which sieve may either be made of
wire gauze or of perforated sheet metal, and is provided with a convenient opening
so as to allow of the articles to be washed being placed therein, such opening being
furnished with a cover to allow of its being closed when required. The axis or
spindle whereon such sieve is mounted is actuated by a crank handle, while the
body of the box or casing forms a steam chamber wherein the sieve revolves.
Steam is supplied to this chamber from water which is contained in a metal tank
or cistern fitted in the bottom of the casing, and which water is heated by means
of a small gas stove (portable or otherwise) placed beneath such cistern, which is
furnished with a waste tap to allow of the water being run off therefrom when
desired.
'
It will be obvious that this improved construction of steam washing machine
possesses several advantages over those hitherto in use. Firstly, it allows of the
ready and complete access of the steam to the articles under treatment through the
wire gauze or perforated metal sieve, thus causing them to be thoroughly saturated,
and the dirt effectually loosened and cleansed therefrom; secondly, such improved
construction imparts great lightness to the machine, thus rendering it very portable
and highly convenient for use; thirdly, from its great simplicity it is extremely
economic in cost.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Collier in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
September 1881.
GEORGE COLLIER, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WASHING
MACHINES."
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of washing machines
wherein the articles are washed by means of steam, and has for its object to facilitate
the more direct access of the steam to the articles under treatment so as to ensure
their being speedily and effectually cleansed.
To carry out my Invention proceed as follows:-I provide a suitable box or
casing furnished with a lid. Within such box a cylindrical or other conveniently
shaped sieve or barrel is mounted on an axis or spindle, which is actuated by a
crank handle. Such sieve or barrel is made either of wire gauze, perforated sheet
metal, or other suitable material, while one, two, or more perforated tubes run
through the body of the sieve longitudinally or otherwise, the number of such tubes
being regulated by the size of the barrel. The ends of these tubes are let into the
heads or sides of the sieve, according to the position in which they are placed
therein, and are left open in order to allow of the steam passing into the tubes and
permeating the clothes or other articles to be washed. In order to allow of such
articles being placed therein such sieve or barrel is provided with a suitable
opening, to which a lid or cover is fitted.
The body of the box or casing forms a steam chamber wherein the perforated
sieve or barrel revolves when the crank handle is operated, while the bottom of
such box or casing forms a pan or reservoir for water, which, when heated by gas
or in any other convenient manner evolves the necessary steam. The sieve or
barrel is so adjusted that it is always above the level of the water contained in the
bottom of the box or casing, which latter is fitted with a waste tap to let off the
waste water when required:
The bottom of the pan or tank may either be plain or it may be corrugated or
studded in any form best calculated to induce additional heat, and thus increase
the volume of steam emitted, and in order to prevent the heat striking down-
wards it is fitted with a dead plate.
The box or casing of the machine is also fitted with a tap for guaging the
quantity of water required.
It will be obvious that this improved construction of steam washing machine
possesses several advantages over those hitherto in use. Firstly, it allows of the
ready and complete access of the steam to the articles under treatment both through
the perforated sieve or barrel and the perforated tubes, thus causing them to be
thoroughly saturated, and the dirt effectually loosened and cleansed therefrom;
secondly, such improved construction imparts great lightness to the machine, thus
rendering it highly convenient for use; thirdly, from its great simplicity it is
extremely economic in cost.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed,
premising that similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figure 1 shews a longitudinal section of the sieve or cylinder a with one, two, or
more perforated tubes 6 running through it longitudinally; Figure 2 shows an end
view of such barrel and tubes.
Figure 3 shews a view of the machine in external side elevation; A is the box
or casing, A¹ the cover, and A³ the handles; c is the waste water tap, d the guage
tap, e a Bunsen burner, f the gas supply pipe; Figure 4 shews an external end
elevation of the machine.

page_text: Figure 5 is a view in section through C, D, Figure 2; g is a perforated dead
plate to prevent the heat striking downwards and injuring the table or stand on
which the machine may be placed; h, a corrugated bottom by which greater
heating surface is obtained than by a plain one; i, a tube from the Bunsen burner
to distribute the gas.
Figure 6 shews a plan view of the corrugated bottom / with the edges turned
either up or down for rivetting to the sides of the machine.
Figure 7 is a side view, and Figure 8 an end view of such bottom. When gas
is employed the Bunsen or any other form of burner is placed at a proper distance
below the bottom h.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I claim as my
Invention the improved construction of steam washing machine constructed and
arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Collier, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty second day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
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