MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING OR WASHING TABLE PLATES, SAUCERS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Edwin Wiggens at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1877.
"
FRANCIS EDWIN WIGGENS, of St. James's Street, in the County of Middlesex.
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING OR WASHING TABLE PLATES, SAUCERS,
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES."
This Invention relates to the cleansing or washing of table plates, saucers, and
similar articles, the object being to provide means or apparatus whereby the
cleansing or washing may be more speedily accomplished than has hitherto been
practicable, the Invention being particularly advantageous for use in hotels, clubs,
restaurants, and such like places, where large quantities of such articles are used,
and several courses are served.
In carrying out the Invention a trough capable of holding hot water is employed,
and, according to one arrangement, movable racks for holding the plates or other
articles to be cleansed or washed are used. The ends of the said trough are con-
structed of sufficient strength, and with journal boxes or bearings for carrying the
extremities of a shaft fitted with radial arms, and carrying double-faced brushes,
which radial arms and brushes will be so arranged upon the shaft that upon said
shaft being rotated the said brushes will pass between the plates in the racks, and
so effect the rapid cleansing of the plates.
The movable racks before referred to are made of light metal or other material,
and have mounted upon and arranged to extend across the back part thereof a light
rod, said rod being made with light metal or wire loops thereon. This rod, carrying
the loops, is mounted in eyes or snugs on the back part of the rack, and is capable
of being partially rotated or turned, and also fixed by a latch or button and catch,
so that the loops thereon may lie over the upper edge of the plates or articles to
secure them in the racks when the cleansing or washing is being effected, or moved
out of the way when the plates or articles are to be placed in the racks or to be
removed. The racks are also provided with hooks, by which they are hung on the
side of or partially supported in the inside of the trough, or hung up when removed
therefrom for the purpose of allowing the cleansed plates or articles to drain or dry.
In many cases it will be preferable to construct the trough of galvanized iron, so
that the washing water can be kept up to the required degree of heat by fire or gas

page_text: applied thereunder, and the bottom will be made with a "fall" to each end for
purpose of thoroughly drawing off the water and refuse. A hinged lid or cover will
be provided, and also a valve or way at each end for drawing off the water. The
main shaft will be rotated by winch or pulley and band.
Instead of the arrangement of the racks within the trough, and revolving brushes,
double brushes may be fitted transversely in the trough at regular distance apart,
and racks or holders for the articles be made upon the shaft so as to rotate the
articles through the water in the trough, and between and against the brushes.
The plates or articles to be cleansed will be placed in the movable racks, or in
the various receptacles on the main shaft, which shaft will then be rotated to effect
the thorough cleansing of the articles by the brushing action.
When the plates or articles are taken from the apparatus they will be dried in
the ordinary way.