Improvements in Machines for Drying and Ironing Linen.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Drying and Ironing Linen.
I, AUGUSTE JEAN BAPTISTE CHOTEAU, Senior, of Compeigne, in the republic of
France, Laundryman, 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 machines for drying and ironing linen
goods.
Such machines are usually so constructed that the articles to be dried and ironed
pass between the surface of a large steam-heated drum or drums and a fabric of felt
stretched over a large part of the surface of this drum. After being thus operated
upon and carried along between the drum or drums and the fabric the linen passes
with the latter over rollers placed above the drum or drums and falls off or is
removed.
The drying thus effected is not thorough because the linen, although apparently
dry, is still damp enough to cause the felt against which it is pressed to rapidly
imbibe considerable moisture so that the linen soon passes between a heated surface
and a moist surface.
The object of this invention is to obviate this defect and for this purpose I construct
drying and ironing machines provided with a drum surrounded with felt with a
second or additional drum likewise heated by steam and serving to dry the felt in
proportion as it becomes damp by its contact with the linen which is spread upon a
table and conductor by a series of rollers.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine for drying and ironing linen constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of part of the machine, and
Figures 3 to 6 are views of details and modifications.
In carrying out the invention, the improved machine is constructed with two
cylinders or drums A and B over and between which passes a single endless band or
apron of felt indicated by a dotted line in Figure 1, the tension of which can be
regulated by a roller C in adjustable bearings D sliding on two guides under the
action of two screws operated simultaneously. The felt is carried along by a number
of rollers C, C, C³, 0, 0, 0, 07 as well as by the drums A and B and surrounds a
large part of the latter.
At the entrance to the machine against the drum A and above the entrance
roller is placed a table T made of a sheet of copper or nickel-plated sheet-iron
fixed on a small support. The roller C can be brought near to the drum and more
or less pressed against its surface by means of a screw f and spring f.
Serviettes or other articles of linen to be dried and ironed are placed on this
table T and are suitably spread out; they are then carried between the endless felt
band and the drum A from the roller C to the roller Cand thus traverse more
than seven-eighths of the surface of the drum A.
The outlet roller C (where the direction of the felt band is changed) is covered
over about one half of its surface with an additional endless felt band guided by
ollers c, c, c, the pivots of which are supported in bearings moveable in guides by
means of springs, as shewn in the drawing, in such a manner that the felt is kept well
tretched and at the same time pressed against the larger endless felt band which
urrounds the drum A and the roller C'. The course of the linen is at this point
iverted by a raking device R which, as hereinafter described may be of various forms
DQ1

page_text: and arrangements and is, by reason of the arrangement hereinbefore described,
carried along without becoming creased or folded. The articles continuing their
course indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 are then carried upon the felt band to
the roller (whence they fall onto a board G whilst the felt pursuing its continuous
movement passes over the roller Conto the drumm B and over the roller C to the
tension roller C.
During its passage in contact with the drum B the felt becomes dry.
The drum A is driven by any suitable arrangement such as a worm wheel H
and a worm I, Figure 2, mounted on a shaft Joperated through the medium of
pulleys K.
To
For transmitting movement to the drum B and to the roller C I advantageously
utilise the movement of the felt apron which acts as a large driving band.
more effectually dry this felt, the drum B is caused to press against its surface and
for this purpose the axis of this drum is mounted in adjustable bearings moveable
either upon a pivot L or in guides by means of two screws M placed at each side
of the machine. These bearings are moved until the drum B bears against the felt.
Springs N interposed between the nuts of the screws M fixed in the hand wheel O
allow of an elastic pressure being obtained.
The linen is also hot pressed, for which purpose steam is first admitted to the
drum B whence it passes into the drum A in order that the drum B may be more
highly heated than the other drum. The cylinders can also be heated to a less
elevated temperature so as to maintain the felt in a sufficiently dry state.
The rake R is formed either, as shown in Figure 3 of a sheet of copper or steel
slotted at suitable intervals or, as shown in Figure 4, of a series of strips of from
8 to 10 centimeters in width threaded on a rod and separated by washers of lead or
other suitable compressible material.
This rake can be replaced by a rotary brush (as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6)
turning in an opposite direction to the druin and carrying the linen, which
it detaches therefrom, to the additional continuous felt band passing over the
rollers c¹, c², c³
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The additional felt band of the rollers c, c, c³ may be replaced by a series of
straps P, P, P, Figures 5 and 6, passing over the three rollers c', c², c³, the roller c
having its intervals between the straps furnished with brushes.
For linen which is only slightly starched, and which does not, consequently, adhere
very tightly to the drum, the rake R may be dispensed with, the linen being lifted
by bringing the roller csufficiently near to the drum.
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 :-
(1.) In a machine for drying and ironing linen having a drum covered with felt
the employment of a second or additional drum serving to dry the felt as fast as
it becomes damp by its contact with the linen which is spread upon a table and
conducted by a series of rollers as described, the drying of the felt being completed
by the approach of the two drums between which the felt is pressed.
(2) The addition to the roller which carries along the ironed linen, of an endless
felt band applied over the large endless felt band of the machine for the purpose
of drawing along between the two felt bands the linen detached by the rake.
(3.) The peculiar construction of rakes hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4.
(4.) The use, in lieu of the additional felt band referred to in claim 2 and the
rake, of a series of endless bands in contact with the large felt band of the machine
at the point where the linen passes out over the roller C', the said bands being carried
by three rollers, one of which is provided with brushes in contact with the drum
and placed in the intervals between the said bands.

page_text: The improved machine for drying and ironing linen hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 25th day of October 1889.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.