IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL
DIEVIFICATION.
I JOHN HUNT of Bolton in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES,"
to be as follows:-
This invention relates principally to the construction of that class of machines
for washing domestic linen or other articles, wherein they are placed in a vertical
cylindrical casing or vessel, in which a small quantity of water is kept boiling by
means of a gas or other suitable fire placed beneath the same.
I make the vessel or casing (by preference) of tinned metal, or it can be made of
other suitable metallic materials, of a cylindrical or other convenient form, with a
dome shaped or other cover. The inside of the vessel is provided with a tight
fitting perforated false bottom, placed in a convenient or suitable position; capable
of being removed at will for cleaning or other purposes; leaving a cavity between
itself and the bottom of the vessel to allow of a sufficient quantity of water for
boiling purposes. On the false bottom the clothes or other articles to be washed
are placed, on and over which is placed a metallic cover, which lies on them during
the operation of boiling, thus tending to confine the steam or vapour within the
space occupied by the clothes, having a suitable and convenient stem or rod
sufficiently long passing upwards and through the dome or other cover, the top
end being provided with a handle by which it can be operated, and used as a
presser to partially force out the hot water from the clothes before removing them,
and for lifting off the cover.
The bottom of the vessel is made flat or slightly convexed, the latter strengthening
the bottom as well as accelerating the boiling of the water, and greatly facilitates
the formation of steam, by which the articles are entirely washed as they never
come in contact with the boiling water in the cavity under the false bottom. By
making the false bottom a tight fit on the outer edge, the steam as it is generated
is forced through the small perforations direct into the articles or clothes, thus
distributing the soap or other alkaline solutions used in washing in and through
them, by which, with the action of the steam thoroughly cleanses them.
The vessel is heated by being placed over a gas or other fire or heating apparatus
on a suitable stand or frame. In case the heat is obtained from gas I employ
suitable atmospheric or other burners.

page_text: In adapting my invention for use in laundries, hospitals, and other similar
places, I increase them in size, being made of suitable metallic materials or of wood
if desired; the cavity under the false bottom being supplied with steam from a
steam boiler by suitable pipes and valves.
The advantages of this invention are, that washing is performed entirely by the
action of steam without coming into contact with the water, thus dispensing with
the revolving dash wheel and the time required to operate the same; together with
increased facilities for charging and emptying the clothes or other articles easily.
Another is, that a cheap and useful washing machine will be obtained, thus
meeting a requirement long felt by the public.
Dand thin fifth dox of
haw 1984
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I JOHN HUNT of Bolton in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES,"
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
.
This invention relates principally to the construction of that class of machines
for washing domestic linen or other articles, wherein they are placed in a vertical
cylindrical casing or vessel, in which a small quantity of water is kept boiling by
means of a gas or other suitable fire placed beneath the same. Fig. 1 of the
accompanying drawings is a sectional elevation of my improved washing machine;
Fig. 2 an outside view of the same; Fig. 3 a sectional plan through line C. D
shewing the top side of the atmospheric burner.
E is the cylindrical vessel or casing, by preference of tinned metal, which can be
substituted by other suitable materials: is the cover, provided with the rod V
and the handle G. The inside of the cylindrical vessel or casing E is furnished
with the tight fitting perforated false bottom H, which can be removed when
required for cleaning or other purposes. The false bottom H is provided with the
circular sides to form a cavity between itself and the bottom of the vessel E to
allow of a sufficient quantity of water for boiling purposes. The clothes are placed
on the false bottom, over which is placed the metallic cover L, which lies on them
during the operation of boiling, and tends to confine the steam or vapour within
the space occupied by the clothes, having the stem or rod V of sufficient length to
pass through the cover F, the top end being provided with the handle G, by which
it can be operated and used as a presser to partially force out the hot water from
the clothes before removing them, and for lifting off the cover F. When the
clothes are laid on the false bottom H, which is a tight fit on the outer edge, the
steam or vapour, as it is generated, is forced through the perforations J direct into
and through them, thus washing without coming in contact with the boiling water
in the cavity K.
When the clothes are washed the metallic cover L is removed along with the
cover F, when they can be removed without hindrance, and replaced with others
requiring washing, when the metallic cover L is again placed on the clothes X as
shewn in Fig. 1.
The bottom end of the vessel is convexed in the inside and concaved on the
outside, by which it is considerably strengthened, at the same time retaining the
heat and thus accelerating the boiling of the water. The vessel E is provided with
the handles N for the purpose of removal. The vessel E is provided with the legs O
to elevate it, so that it can be placed over a fire or heating apparatus, or over a gas
flame as shewn, in the case of the latter I provide the tube P with the conical
end V', over which is placed the gauze T. Gas is admitted to the pipe R by any
convenient means, the outlet being at S. This pipe is supported in the end of the.
tube P leaving a thoroughfare to admit atmospheric-air, as indicated by the arrows,
thus making the same into an atmospheric burner. If desired other kinds or forms
of gas burners may be employed, such as, by placing a circular perforated tube
round the underside the bottom of the casing E.
In another arrangement fire and gas can be dispensed with, in which case
I substitute a pipe coupled into the cavity K, supplying it with steam from a steam
boiler.

page_text: In adapting my invention for laundries, hospitals, and other similar places
where a large quantity of clothes are washed at once, I increase them in size, being
made of suitable materials; the cavity K being supplied with steam as before
stated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st The method of washing clothes or other similar articles entirely by the action
or force of steam, substantially as herein-before described.
2nd The use and construction of the perforated false bottom H forming the
cavity for water and steam, substantially. as described and as shewn on the
drawing.
Dated this 90th dose of October 1884
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent for the Applicant.