Improvements in Machinery for Washing and Treating Hosiery and other Fabrics.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 7th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Washing and Treating Hosiery and
other Fabrics.
We, JAMES ROBERTS, WILLIAM ROBERTS, and GEORGE ROBERTS, of the
firm of J. Roberts and Sons, of 2 and 4 Church Bank, Bolton in the County of
Lancaster, Laundry Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention.
to be as follows :-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery for washing, boiling, and
rinsing hosiery and other fabrics and consists in arrangements and constructions
whereby more reliable and efficient actions are obtained, and owing to certain
unique arrangements and disposition of parts is especially applicable for washing,
boiling, and rinsing hoisery and knitted garments, fully meeting the difficulties
which have hitherto prevented the successful application of washing to this class of
goods. The outer casing of the machine is secured to suitable sides or frames
provided with bearings and stuffing-boxes to receive the dash-wheel shaft or centre.
On the latter are mounted, or attached thereto, suitable ends, which are distanced
and held together by pipes or ferrules through which bolts pass, being secured by
nuts or other equivalents. To the ends of the dash-wheel are secured, in any
convenient manner, lags provided with tapered or bevelled ends so as to form
internal rubbing surfaces by which the articles or fabrics under operation will be
washed with a minimum of friction, which is essential to maintain strength and
quality. The dash-wheel can be divided into two or more compartments, the
divisions being formed by lags or perforated pieces to admit of steam, water, or
liquid passing through same when the dash-wheel is rotating or otherwise. The
outer casing and the dash-wheel are provided with hinged or other doors and
suitable fittings to facilitate the admittance and removal of the goods. Suitable
pipes and valves or taps are provided to supply steam, and hot and cold water, also
to remove waste and overflow water therefrom. The machine can be fitted with
gearing that will give a continuous and a reversible motion, with automatic strap
fork arrangement and means for stopping and starting the same.
Dated the 10th June 1891
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent.
Improvements in Machinery for Washing and Treating Hosiery and
other Fabrics.
We, JAMES ROBERTS, WILLIAM ROBERTS, and GEORGE ROBERTS of Church
Bank, Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Laundry Engineers, &c., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention 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 to improvements in machinery for washing, boiling and
rinsing hosiery and other fabrics, and consists in arrangements, and constructions,
whereby more reliable actions and efficient results are obtained, and owing to certain
unique arrangements and dispositions of parts is especially applicable for washing
boiling and rinsing hosiery and knitted garments &c., fully meeting the difficulties

page_text: which have hitherto prevented the successful application of washing to this class
of goods.
The nature of our said invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, or carried into practical effect, will be readily understood on reference
to the sheet of drawings hereunto annexed, and the following description thereof.
Fig. 1. is an elevation of our improved machine shown in section and,
Fig. 2. is a plan view of machine showing the dash wheel or washing cylinder
dotted, and
Fig. 3. is a sectional end clevation through Q. R. Fig. 2, and
Fig. 4 is different sections of lags B' D' A² É².
His a longtitudinal view showing a serated or saw toothed edge, the lags made
either of wood, or any suitable metal.
A Figs. 1. 2. & 3. is the dash wheel or washing cylinder.
BB Figs. 1. 2. 3. is the outer stationary casing made with either pitch pine
lags, or boiler plating secured to cast iron ends, fitted with glands and stuffing
boxes.
C and C¹ Figs. 1. 2. are centres for carrying A.
D Figs. 1. 2 is a pinnion wheel, forming a (she) cone working loose on the shaft I
and is prepared for the (he) friction cone F.
EE Figs. 1. 2. are two pullies working loose on shaft I and driven by two straps
or belts open and crossed.
E' is a pulley attached to shaft I also driven by straps before mentioned.
F Figs. 1. 2. is a (he) friction cone, attached to the shaft I with floated keys, in
such a manner as to allow it to be engaged or disengaged, instantaneously with D
by lever F Figs. 1. 2.
A Figs. 1. 3. is a wood or metal lag with beveled sides.
G Figs. 1. 2. 3. is a partition dividing the washing cylinder or dash wheel A into
2 compartments.
To the circular ends of the dash wheel, or washing cylinder A Figs. 1. 2. 3. are
secured the lags A' with the beveled sides inwards to give a better rubbing surface,
and to increase the said surface, the effect, of these different designs of lags, viz.
A Figs. 1. 3. and, B₁ D' A' E2 and H Fig. + used either in conjunction or
separately, is to increase the internal rubbing surfaces, and in conjunction with the
dash wheel, to nearer resemble the hand rubbing of the articles or fabric under
operation, the partition G running longtitudinally dividing the dash-wheel or
washing cylinder A into 2 compartments the dashwheel A is supported or carried
by centres C and C passing through the outer casing BB (as shown in Fig. 1. & 2.)
the wheel J is keyed on to the centre C Fig. 1. 2. and is geared into and driven
by the (she cone) pinnion wheel D Fig. 1. 2 and working loose on the shaft I
Figs. 1. 2. the shaft I being driven by straps open and crossed, working on the
pullies E E and E' Fig. 1. 2.
We propose to drive the said she cone pinnion wheel D with the he cone F Figs. 1.2.
which is placed in gear or out of gear with the she cone pinnion D instantaneously
with the lever Fthus giving an instantaneous arrangement, for starting and
stopping the machine entirely obviating any risk of accident to the attendant."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. That by applying certain forms of lags, above described attached to circular
discs forming an internal cylinder or dashwheel we obtain a better and a great
rubbing surface, which will render washing and rinsing more efficient and
expeditious.
2. Also the construction of the machine described with an outer stationary
casing and a revolving inner cylinder or dash-wheel, lined with lags, as described in
Claim 1 driven continuously or with reversing gearing as described.

page_text: 3. Also the application of he and she cones, constructed and applied in the manner
described.
4. Also a combination of 1. 2. and 3. above described.
JAMES ROBERTS.
WILLIAM ROBERTS.
GEORGE ROBERTS.