Improvements in Washing Machines for Washing Linen and other Fabrics.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1895
-Complete Specification Left, 23rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines for Washing Linen and other
Fabrics.
I, JOHN FRANCIS WILMOT, of 198, Avenue du Maine, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Managing Director of the Société Parisienne des Blanchisseries et Chauffages
Économiques, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention has for its object a novel method of heating washing machines, such
as are known as American washing machines, for the purpose of heating the lyes,
solution of soap, or water, contained in them.
Washing machines of the kind described consist essentially of a closed vessel, usually
cylindrical, and generally arranged in a horizontal position.
This vessel, which contains the washing liquids, has a second cylinder of perforated
material enclosed in it and containing the stuff to be washed, a space being left
between the two cylinders. The inner one is made to revolve either continuously or
alternately backward and forward, in order to agitate the linen in the liquids contained
in the vessels.
These liquids are ordinarily heated by the introduction of steam into them which
mixes with them, giving up its heat and becoming itself condensed.
My present improvements consist in heating the washing liquids which are contained
in the vessel, indirectly.
For this purpose the heat is transmitted to the liquids through the metallic wall of
a chamber or pipe through which steam or hot water is passed. The chamber may
constitute a double bottom to the lower part of the vessel, or of a heating pipe or coil
arranged in the same position.
Where steam is used, a separator of the usual kind may be used upon the steam pipe
for removing any air or condensed water.
The heating fluid is brought to the heating surface through a pipe provided with a
régulating valve.
A separate pipe conveys away the condensed water from the separator.
In any case, whether steam or hot water is used, they may be returned by gravity,
or by means of a pump, to the boilers or supply tanks."
By my invention;
'
1st. The solutions of lye, soap, or other cleansing material, preserve their density,
and in fact tend to become more concentrated, instead of losing their strength as when
condensed water is added to them.
The ingredients employed in washing are therefore economized, and there is a
uniformity of action of the solution upon the linen being washed.
2nd. The condensed water, which would injure the washing process by weakening
the solutions, can be used with advantage for feeding the boilers, so that a considerable
economy of water and of fuel will result.
3rd. The facility of transmitting the heat, either of steam or of hot water.
4th. The absence of the troublesome noise caused by the introduction of high
pressure steam into the washing fluids.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1896.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applican!.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines for Washing Linen and other
Fabrics.
I, JOHN FRANCIS WILMOT, of 198, Avenue du Maine, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Managing Director of the Société Parisienne des Blanchisseries et Chauffages
Économiques, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say:
This invention has for its object a novel method of heating washing machines, such
as are known as American washing machines, for the purpose of heating the lyes,
solution of soap, or water, contained in them.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of the invention. Figures 1 and 4
are longitudinal sections through a washing machine; Figures 2 and 5 are transverse
sections, and Figure 3 an end view, of the machine.
Washing machines of the kind described consist essentially of a closed vessel,
usually cylindrical, and generally arranged in a horizontal position, as at A.
This vessel, which contains the washing liquids, has a second cylinder B of perforated
material enclosed in it and containing the stuff to be washed, a space being left
between the two cylinders. The inner one B is made to revolve either continuously
or alternately backward and forward, in order to agitate the linen in the liquids contained
in the vessel A.
These liquids are, ordinarily heated by the introduction of steam into them which
mixes with them, giving up its heat and becoming itself condensed.
My present improvements consist in heating the washing liquids which are contained
in the vessel A, indirectly.."
For this purpose the heat is transmitted to the liquids through the metallic wall
of a chamber or pipe through which steam or hot water is passed. The chamber
may constitute a double bottom e (Figures 4 and 5) to the lower part of the
vessel, or a heating pipe or coil 6 (Figures 1 and 2) arranged in the same position.
Where steam is used, a separator d (Figures 1 and 3) of the usual kind may be used
upon the steam pipe for removing any air or condensed water.
The heating fluid is brought to the heating surface through a pipe provided with a
regulating valve a (Figures 1, 3, and 4).
A separate pipe g conveys away the condensed water from the separator.
In any case, whether steam or hot water is used, they may be returned by gravity,
or by means of a pump, to the boilers or supply tanks.
By my invention, great advantages are readily obtained, as -1st, the solutions
of lye, soap, or other cleansing material, preserve their density, and in fact tend to
become more concentrated, instead of losing their strength as when the condensed
water is added to them.
The ingredients employed in washing are therefore economized, and there is a
uniformity of action of the solution upon the linen being washed.
2nd. The condensed water, which would injure the washing process by weakening
the solutions, can be used with advantage for feeding the boilers, so that a considerable
economy of water and of fuel will result.
3rd. The facility of transmitting the heat, either of steam or of hot water.
4th. The absence of the troublesome noise caused by the introduction of high
pressure steam into the washing fluids.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In washing machines of the kinds described, the method of heating the washing

page_text: liquids contained in the machine, by transmitting the heat from hot water or steam
through the sides of one or more pipes, chambers or channels, contained in the liquid
in the machine, and through which the hot water or steam is passed, substantially as
described and illustrated.
DL1907
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.