IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING, WRINGING, MANGLING, AND CALENDERING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bradford, of High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, and of the City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING, WRINGING, MANGLING, AND CALENDERING
MACHINES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bradford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1878.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, and of the
City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING, WRINGING,
MANGLING, AND CALENDERING MACHINES."
The object of this Invention, relating to certain improvements in or connected
with machines or apparatus used for washing, wringing, mangling, and calendering
cloths or fabrics, whether in the piece, or made up into garments or other articles, is
to render such machinery more efficient and better capable of dealing with the
articles to be operated upon, and resulting in a lesser liability than heretofore of
spoiling or injuring the clothes or fabrics.
The improvements which relate more particularly to the washing apparatus
consist,―
In one modification in the introduction of one or more fixed or movable divisions
(made of any suitable material) into the interior of a rotating washing machine, of
the kind for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the 25th day of Jany.,
1864, No. 211, by which two or more compartiments are formed.
In a second modification, in the employment of a similarly shaped vessel having
one or more midfeathers or V shaped projections, which are adapted so as to
rotate in an outer stationary rectangular or other suitably vessel, having a movable
cover, the outer vessel containing the washing ley or suds, and the inner vessel
containing the fabrics.
In a third modificaton, in the employment of a similarly shaped vessel, but made
in open wood or metal work, and adapted so as to rotate in an outer stationary

page_text: rectangular or other suitably shaped vessel, and made in compartments partly of
close, and partly of open wood or metal work, so as to wash two kinds or classos of
fabrics in the same vessel, but in different compartments.
In a fourth modification, in the employment in the inner vessel of a suitably
turned roller or beater made to correspond with the length of each compartment,
and which roller upon each rotation of the inner vessel in which it is loosely placed
will fall upon the contents and thereby accomplish the effectual cleansing thereof,
the roller being protected from undue or injurious concussion by rings or buffers of
india-rubber or other suitable material.
And in a fifth modification, in the application of an arrangement of steam and
water supply apparatus, by which the steam-heated water can be discharged upon
the fabrics, more especially in the open compartment during the cleansing or washing
process without the usual objectionable noise and delay consequent upon the con-
densation of steam in a volume of cold water beyond what is contained in the
supply pipes, both the steam and water, either when discharged separately or
together, effectively assisting in the cleansing process, and in a more economical
manner than heretofore.
The improvements which relate more particularly to the wringing apparatus
have reference to wringing machines, having rollers made of any suitable material,
and working under pressure, and also to mangling and calendering rollers; and
they consist in the application and use of an endless band, or bands, or rings of
cloth, or india-rubber, or other suitable material, geared in such a manner as to
clear the fabric that may be caused by pressure, when in a wet state, to adhere to
the wringing rollers, but without the said endless band coming into contact with
them, cither by passing through or over them, or in such a manner as would be
likely to cause wear and tear either upon the bands or upon the rollers.
The improvements which relate more particularly to the calendering apparatus
consist, in one modification, in the application and use of an endless band or bands
of cloth or other suitable material in conjunction with one or more calendering
rollers, one of which rollers, and by perference the lower one, can be instantly
thrown out of gear, either by hand, or by foot, or by an inclination of the body
acting upon a double-handled lever in such a manner as to stop the calendering
process without stopping the endless band or bands, so that any portions of an
article, say, of domestic linen, and especially such portions as may have buttons or
other fastenings upon them, may be carried by the endless band between the rollers
when such rollers are not impinging upon each other in consequence of their being
BO thrown out of gear; and by which combination of means, together with those
herein-after described, the breakage of such buttons or fastenings which are usually
made of bone, glass, earthenware, or metal, and the consequent injury to the fabric
(which drawbacks have hitherto prevented the effective use of all existing calenders
with heated metal rollers for calendering articles of domestic use, which differs s
entirely from the calendering of new cloth in the piece) are avoided, and the diffi-
culties overcome, thereby greatly enhancing the value of calenders with heated
metal rollers for domestic use.
Another important advantage is, that when calendering table linen creasing is
avoided by the continuous action of the endless band, simultaneously with the free
use of both hands and the effect of an inclination of the body corresponding to the
backward or forward motion of the fabric which is being operated upon, and by
which improved combination of means any portions of a table cloth or other
article can be operated upon by the heated rollers once or several times as may
be required.
And in another modification, in having the endless band quite slack or loose,
and carrying it overtwo or more guide rollers working in polished lignum vitæ or
other suitable antifriction bearings not requiring to be lubricated with oil or
grease, one of which guide rollers, and by preference the one at the back of the
calender, I place at a higher elevation than either the calendering rollers or the
other guide roller, which I place in front and work with its centres lower than those

page_text: of the calendering rollers. I connect the upper guide roller with the upper_calen-
dering roller, or vice versa, by gearing, and while upon the upper guide roller I place
cloth or other suitable material for the double purpose of producing a drag so as to
carry the articles, after being calendered, away upon the endless band to a point
where they may drop into a receptacle fixed in the framework, or according to the
will of the operator they may be returned by the action of the endless band into
the hands of the operator.
I make the surface of the lower guide roller, which is placed at the front of the
machine as smooth as possible, so that whatever may be the inclination of the
loose endless band, either to the right or to the left, it can, by a simple touch of
the hand or hands on the smooth roller, simultaneously with an inclination of
the body acting upon the lever, be instantly adjusted or straightened again
while the calender is in motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Bradford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
October 1878.
"
THOMAS BRADFORD, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, and of the
City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING, WRINGING,
MANGLING, AND CALENDERING MACHINES."
The general object of this Invention, which relates to certain improvements in or
connected with machines or apparatus used for washing, wringing, and mangling or
calendering clothes or fabrics, whether in the piece direct from the manufacturers
or made up into garments or other articles, is to render such machinery or apparatus
more efficient and better capable of dealing with the articles to be operated upon,
and less liable to spoil or injure them.
In order that my Invention may be completely understood I have annexed here-
unto three Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked the same with
figures of reference corresponding with those in the following description or expla-
nation thereof :-
The improvements which relate more particularly to the washing apparatus are
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in Figures 1 to 6. The improvements
consist,-
- In one modification, illustrated in Figure 1, in the introduction of one or more
removable or fixed divisions or partitions 1 (made of any suitable material) into the
interior of a rotating washing machine of the kind for which Letters Patent were
granted to me on the 25th day of January, A.D. 1864, No. 211, and by which two
or more compartments are formed in the washing vessel, the especial object to be
accomplished in thus dividing the vessel into compartments being to lessen the ten-
dency of the fabric, and especially such articles as bed linen, table linen, and
druggetting, from twisting or becoming entangled by the action of the water when
passing over and falling from the inclined board or "midfeather," and so, by keeping
the folds of the linen or other articles more closely together, to increase the cleansing

page_text: friction, which may be still further increased by fixing a series of rubbing bars 2
on the bottom 3 of the washing vessel or box at any suitable angle, and which
cause the fabrics or clothes to press more and incline towards the partition or
partitions 1.
In another modification, illustrated in Figure 2, the improvements consist in the
employment of a suitably shaped vessel 4, having one or more midfeathers or V
shaped projections 5, and adapted so as to rotate in an outer stationary rectangular
or other suitably shaped vessel 6, having a movable cover 7, the vessel 4 being also
provided with sliding doors 8, so that the clothes or fabrics may be placed therein
and removed therefrom, the vessel 6 containing only the washing ley or suds. The
vessel 4 (which may be made of either wood or metal) is perforated with holes 9,
so as to take up a sufficient quantity of ley as it revolves, the holes not being
sufficiently large however to allow of any small articles working through and
getting injured.
And in a third modification, illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, the improve-
ments consist in the employment of a suitably shaped vessel 4, made in open wood
or metal work, and adapted so as to rotate in an outer stationary rectangular or
other suitably shaped vessel 6, and made in compartments divided by a partition 10,
and partly of close and partly of open wood or metal work, so as to wash two kinds
or classes of fabric in the same vessel 4, but in different compartments.
Each compartment of the vessel 4 is provided with a suitably shaped roller or
beater 11 (made to correspond with the length thereof), which at each rotation of
the vessel 4 (in which it is either loosely placed or guided by rods 12) falls alter-
nately upon the contents of the vessel 4, above and below it, and thereby accomplishes
the effectual cleansing thereof, the roller or beater 11 being protected from undue or
injurious concussion by rings or buffers 13 of india-rubber or other suitable yielding
material. The vessel 4 is formed with openings 14 at the top and bottom, pro-
tected by sliding or other suitably shaped lids 15, allowing of the fabric or clothes
being placed in and taken out of the vessel 4 both above and below the roller or
beater 11.
To the outer or stationary vessel G is fitted an arrangement of steam and water
supply apparatus 10, 17, by which the steam-heated water or the cold water can be
discharged upon the fabrics in the inner rotating vessel 4 at all times during the
cleansing, or washing, or rinsing, or boiling process, without the usual objectionable
noise and delay in the last process consequent upon the condensation of steam in a
volume of cold water beyond what is contained in the supply pipes, both the steam
and the water, either when discharged separately or together, effectually assisting in
the cleansing process, and in a more economical manner than hitherto.
The improvements which relate more particularly to the wringing apparatus are
illustrated in Figures 2, 4, and 6, and have reference to wringing machines, having
rollers made of any suitable material, and working under pressure (and also to
mangling or calendering rollers), and they consist in the application and use of
an endless band or bands 18, or rings of cloth or india-rubber or other suitable
material running in corresponding grooves of two rollers 19, set at any required
length or distance apart, and extended to any required width, motion requiring
to be given to one only of the rollers 19, and being transmitted to the other
roller 19 by the friction of the bands 18, which I work without any stretching,
so as to reduce the wear and tear thereupon to a minimum. This is an advan
tageous and important combination with a steam washing machine or with wringing
and mangling or calendering apparatus, as the bands catch the fabrics or clothes,
which in some states are liable to adhere to the wringing or other pressure rollers
20, and clear them therefrom, and carry them where desired, as the travelling bands
may be formed of any desired length and width. The bands 18 just clear the peri-
phery of the lower roller 20, so as to avoid wear and tear to as great an extent as
possible.
The improvements which relate more particularly to the mangling or calendering
modifiantion Gilustrated in Ficus 7 to 10) especially

page_text: applicable to calenders heated by steam, in the application and use of an endless
band or bands 21 of cloth or other suitable material in conjunction with one or
more calendering rollers 22, one of which rollers, and by preference the lower one, can
bo instantly thrown out of gear either by hand, or by foot, or by an inclination of the
body acting or bearing upon a double handled lever 23 in such a manner as to stop
the calendering process by separating the rollers without however stopping the
bands 21, so that any portion of an article (say) of domestic linen, and especially
such portions as may have buttons or other fastenings upon them, may be carried
by the endless bands between the rollers 22 when such rollers are thus thrown out
of gear, and not impinging upon each other, by which means the breakage of such
buttons or fastenings, which are usually made of bone, glass, earthenware, or metal,
and the consequent injury to the fabric are avoided and the difficulties overcome,
which drawbacks have hitherto prevented the effective use of all existing calenders
with heated metal rollers for calendering articles of domestic use, which differs so
entirely from the calendering of new cloth in the piece, thereby greatly enhancing
the value of cylinders with heated metal rollers for domestic use.
Another important advantage is that when calendering table linen creasing is
avoided by the continuous action of the band 21, the free use of both hands, and
the effect of an inclination and pressure of a part of the body corresponding to the
backward or forward motion of the fabric which is being operated on, and by which
means any portion of a table cloth or other article can be operated upon by tho
heated rollers once or several times, as may be required.
And in another modification (illustrated in Figures 11 to 14), especially applicable
to calenders heated by gas, the improvements consist in having the endless band
(or bands) 21 quite slack or loose, and carrying it over guide rollers 24 working in
polished lignum vitæ or other suitable antifriction bearings not requiring to bo
lubricated with oil or grease, one of which guide rollers I place at a higher elevation
than either of the rollers 22, or of the other guide roller, which I prefer to place
close to and behind the lower roller 22 with its centre a little higher, as shown
most clearly in Figure 14. I connect the upper roller 24 with the upper roller 22,
or vice versa, by gearing 25, and I cover the roller 24 with cloth or other suitable
material, so as to cause a drag upon the band 21, by which the calendered articles are
carried away to a point where they may drop into a receptacle 26, supported by
the framework of the calender, or returned to the operator as he may desire or
think necessary, and in order that this may bo effectually accomplished I form or
provide the baud 21 with a number of small pleats or tucks (as shown in Figure 14),
which take or carry up and hold the calendered articles to the band until removed
by the operator when he sees that it is not properly calendered and requires to
be passed through the calender again; but when the operator sees that the
article is properly calendered the band 21 simply carries it over the given point
and deposits it into the receptacle 20. The pleats or inverted tucks upon the band
dispense with the necessity for the latter coming into actual contact with the gas-
heated calender roller, which would soon destroy it; but with calender rollers
heated with stenin I do not employ these pleats or tucks, there being no injury dono
to the band by its coming into contact with the steam-heated rollers. With steam-
heated rollers I bring one guide roller 24 to the front of the lower calender roller,
as shown most clearly in Figure 10, and pass the endless band over this guide roller
and between the calendering rollers, and to overcome the inconvenience caused by
the tendency of endless bands inclining to the left or to the right I do not cover the
front guide roller with flannel, but have it as smooth as possible, so that by simply
touching it with the hands simultaneously with the pressure of the hind part of the
body upon the large lever handle (23), which releases the endless band from
pressure, it can be instantly adjusted or straightened while the calender is in
motion.
On the accompanying Drawings,—

page_text: Figure 13, a plan view; and Figure 14, a cross section.
The section lines are not shown in Figures 2 and 4, as they would only serve to
render the same less clear of comprehension.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention,----
Firstly. The several improvements in or connected with machinery or apparatus
for washing, wringing, and mangling or calendering fabrics, whether in the piece or
made up into garments or other articles, substantially as described, and as illustrated
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement in a washing machine of a clothes
compartment or vessel revolving within an outer stationary vessel for containing
the washing ley and formed with openings or with open sides, with an inner falling
beater or roller, and with the steam and water supply, substantially as above
described, and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The application to a wringing machine of an endless band of india-
rubber or other rings for carrying the articles away from the wringing rollers,
substantially as above described, and as illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
And, Fourthly. The application to gas and steam-heated calenders of endless
bands for a similar purpose, and the means whereby the rollers can be released from
pressure by the inclination of the body, substantially as above described, and as
illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bradford, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
mAirlin
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