Improvements in Starching Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Starching Machines.
[A communication from the TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY LIMITED, of
Troy, County of Rensselaer, in the State of New York, United States of
America.]
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has relation to Starching Machines for use in the process of
laundrying goods and articles of apparel and it has in view among other objects
the provision of a machine which is adapted to starch heavier articles of wearing
apparel, such as shirts and other articles in contradistinction to lighter articles
such as collars and cuffs, and to apply the starch in the desired manner to those
portions only of the article which require the starch, such as the wrist bands and
bosoms of shirts, while the remaining portions thereof are substantially protected
from the operation of the machine. A further object is to provide a machine in
which all of its functions are under the control of a unitary device, that is, a
single lever accessible to the operator. The invention also comprises means for
giving a yielding pressure to the goods in the process of starching the same whereby
variations in thickness are accommodated and the starch is forced into and through
the goods or articles being operated upon. A further purpose of the invention is
to simultaneously prevent the baking of the starch to the walls of the starch recep
tacle or box, to heat the starch therein, and to keep it heated and to agitate said
starch and keep it in thin condition, all of which is accomplished by the manner
and means of applying steam under pressure to and within the starch box.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following
description and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the
claims.
Referring to the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a substantially central vertical section of a starching machine con-
structed in accordance with this invention, certain parts being omitted.
Fig. 2 is a left hand elevation;
Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine;
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the belt shifting sector on the curved
line 4 4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a right hand elevation showing the side opposite that illustrated in
Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating the position of the principal parts at the
completion of the starching operation and while the stripping rolls are acting to
deliver the articles from the machine;
Fig. 7 shows in side elevation the position assumed by the parts to permit the
ntroduction of an article into the machine;
Figs. 8 and 9 are detail illustrations of the spring detent hereinafter described,
on the lines 88 and 9-9 of Fig. 6, respectively.
[Pin Q77

page_text: Fig. 10 illustrates the lowest position of the controlling lever as heremarter
described;
Fig. 11 is a partial front elevation;
Fig. 12. is a plan of the starch box with the top removed.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are illustrations of modified forms of starch pads and paddles
which may be employed in the machine....
Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
A represents a pedestal or column for the support of a starch box or receptacle A¹
which may be cast integral with the column as shown, or formed separately there-
from and secured thereupon as desired, and provided with a suitable outlet cock A¹*
To prevent corrosion and consequent discoloration of the starch within the
box A there is provided a lining of copper or other non-corrosive material which
closely fits the interior of the box and is extended over and about the edges thereof
as clearly shown at.A3; in Figure 1. In the bottom of the box A¹ there is formed
an opening into which is screw threaded a steam nozzle of peculiar construction the
edges of the lining at said openings being bound and protected by the flange Bl
of said nozzle B. Into the side wall of the nozzle B there is fitted a steam supply
pipe C and in the bottom of the nozzle there is fitted a drain pipe C¹ for the discharge
of the water of condensation. These pipes pass through openings A4 formed in the
column A. The nozzle B is closed at its top by a screw threaded cap B² having
upon its upper surfaces wrench lugs B3 for the grip of a suitable tool for inserting
and removing said cap. The cap B2 is formed with small perforations B+, prefer-
ably disposed so as to direct small jets of steam into the starch and upon lines other
than vertical.
This means for the introduction of steam into the starch box prevents the blow-
ing of the starch upwardly through any opening out of the box. It also sub-divides
the steam into small jets distributed in various directions other than vertical,
whereby the starch is agitated and prevented from adhering to the walls of the box.
A further advantage in this regard is that the steam is so thoroughly diffused
throughout the starch that it is not only kept heated, but is also maintained in a
thin condition which is very advantageous when the starch is being applied to and
impressed into an article, in that it is more readily taken up by the fabric of the
article and absorbed into the fibers thereof requiring less pressure of the paddles
upon the goods and therefore less destructive wear thereon.
The starch box is provided with a cover, one portion 1 of which is movable and
the other portion D₁ of which is fixed. Secured to the movable section D of the
cover are two arms D2 to which is secured in any suitable manner a pad-base D³
preferably of sheet metal or of cast metal suitably protected from corrosion, or of
non-corrosive material. Secured to said base in any suitable manner is a pad 14
of felt or other absorbent material and an exterior covering 15 of a suitable textile
fabric, of one or more thicknesses, the object being that the absorbent portion shall
take in and hold and pay out under pressure starch while the function of the
covering D5 is to permit the entrance and discharge of starch from the portion
beneath it to any article being starched by the machine, but by reason of the finer
texture of the covering causing the starch to be more or less finely divided when
coming into contact with an article and in less quantity than were the pad
employed without a covering.
Co-operating with the pad above described there is a paddle E which preferably
consists of a non-corrosive plate of substantially the same superficial area as said
rad and mounted for a reciprocating motion to and from the pad. The paddle E
may be perforated as shown so that after having been pressed against an article
and pressing said article against the starch pad, whereby the starch therein is
forced from the pad and through the article, the paddle in being withdrawn from
the article will not by suction remove so much of the starch from the article as it
It is evident however that
would if the surface of the paddle were perfectly plain.
such a plain paddle may be employed.
In Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are represented modifications of the pad and of the
paddle which may be employed. In Fig. 13 the absorbent body of the pad D is

page_text: represented as perforated to form pockets D while the paddle E is plain, and in
Fig. 14 the absorbent portion of the pad is represented as provided upon its face
with corrugations D*** and in this instance with no covering, D³ thereon. In
Fig. 15 the paddle E is formed with a corrugated. and perforated face, E of sheet
inetal, the perforations communicating with air spaces within the corrugations,
whereby whatever advantages may exist in a paddle having perforations to admit
ready passage of starch through an article will be present in the paddle, while the
open or free ends of the corrugations will prevent suction upon the part of the
paddle which would draw the starch from the article upon the backward move-
ment of a paddle therefrom. The paddle E is secured to a rock-arm E¹ which in
this instance is bifurcated as shown to give a broader bearing on the paddle. The
rock-arm is bifurcated at its opposite end and pivotally supported as at E2 at
opposite points on the column A. Between its points of support and its paddle
end the rock-arm is curved so as to pass, upwardly, along the starch box and over
and into the same, and at about its mid-length there is connected to the arm by
means of a pivot E an adjustable lever E, carrying an anti-friction roller Es at one
end and connected with the lever Eat the opposite end by means of a bolt E6
encircled by a spring E' seated upon or in a socket E8 in the lever E. Between
the pivot E³ and the bolt E is an adjusting bolt E9 screw threaded through the
lever E and bearing against the lever E¹ and carrying a set nut E10. This bolt E
adjusts the distance between the pad and paddle for light or heavy goods and
also the tension of the spring E7 accordingly.
From the starch box A¹ there projects rearwardly two brackets A5 providing
bearings for the power shaft F of the machine and on this shaft is fixed a cam F
rotating in the plane of the roller E. Now when power is applied the rotation of
the cam against which the anti-friction roller E is constantly held by the light
coiled spring El connected to the lever E¹ and adjustably connected by a bolt E12
with a projection A6 on the column A, a reciprocating motion is given to the
paddle E practically in a horizontal plane agreeing with that of the starch-påd.
Now, by reason of the pivotal and adjusted yielding connection of the lever E
with the lever E', the pressure of the paddle is more or less yielding in accordance
with the tension given to the spring E and by the bolts E and E⁹. In starting
new material and heavier articles which are not new it requires a greater pressure
to force the starch therethrough than when said articles are lighter or as heavy
and have been frequently laundered.
!
Yielding pressure has heretofore been employed in the art but in such a manner
that when the spring employed to adapt a paddle to varying thicknesses of goods,
was once compressed, the expansion of said spring would cause a jarring or other
movement of the paddle during its movement away from the pad and the article
thereon. By the construction hereinbefore described a yielding pressure of the
paddle is secured and at the same time the movement thereof and of the parts
directly related thereto is exceedingly smooth and free from concussion or jarring.
This adds materially to the character of the work accomplished by the machine
and to the life of the machine itself. This will be apparent when the arm E¹ is
considered as a rigid member of mechanism giving motion to the paddle E, the
cam F¹ being also a rigid member while the lever E is an interposed yielding
member of such mechanism. It is the interposition of a yielding member under
adjusted tension at an intermediate point upon a rigid member and the application
of power substantially at such point which gives the desired yielding pressure at
the paddle and smoothness of motion in and of all the parts concerned.
The arm E¹ passes through a hood D₁ formed in the section D¹ of the cover of
the starch box. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the section D¹ of the
cover is also formed with a hood D2 and the section D with a hood D*, each adapted
to substantially cover a stripping roll G, G³, respectively, and that each section of
the cover is provided with button-hole slots d and screws or bolts d¹ for retaining
the cover sections upon the box. At the rear edge of the section D' the slots d
are open ended to receive the bolts d¹. At the ends of the cover sections they

page_text: overlap as shown at d², in Fig. 2. In the section D) the slots d are sufficiently long
to permit of a reciprocation of said cover section as hereinafter described and both
sections may be removed by simply moving them until each screw or bolt d¹ rests
in the eye of the button-hole slot when the section may be lifted from the box.
The section D¹ of the cover is also provided with housings D³ for the movable
bearings of the roll G¹, there being one at each end of the cover. By reference to
Fig. 6 it will be seen that the stripping roll G₁ is mounted at each end in an eye-
bolt g passing through the vertical walls of the housing D³ and is encircled by a
coil spring g and an adjustable collar g², which in use is arranged a slight distance
from the adjacent wall of the housing when the two rolls G, G₁ are in contact with
each other, thus giving a yielding pressure and maintaining contact of said rolls
after a slight separation of the cover sections as and for a purpose hereinafter
described.
The bearings for the roll G are fixed to or made a part of the section D as shown
at d³ whereby said roller is carried by and moved with said cover section
At the right
end of the roll G¹ there is secured a gear wheel G2 which when rotated by means
hereafter described, rotates both of the stripping rolls, when in contact with each
other, for the purpose of removing any surplus starch in an article as it is carried
out of the machine by said rolls.
There has been thus far described the essential elements of a starching machine
and incidentally some of their novel adjuncts. Taking as essentials any starch
box, paddles and stripping rolls it remains to describe means for the control of the
operation of these devices by a single lever. The means for accomplishing this
object by the use of a single hand of the operator, leaving the other hand free to
handle the article being starched, will now be described.
Upon the shaft F are mounted a fast and a loose pulley F2, F3, respectively, and
a reciprocating belt loop F4 mounted on a sleeve F5, in a lug F6 of which the head
of a belt shifting lever H operates loosely. The loop F4 is held by a set screw f
in the end of an arm f2 projecting from the sleeve F5 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.
The lever H is pivoted at H¹ to a wall of the starch box and is extended beyond its
pivot and provided with a pin H2 so that the said lever may be vibrated on its pivot
to throw the belt from one to the other of the pulleys F2, F3, for starting and
stopping the machine. Upon the opposite end of the shaft F is a sprocket wheel I
secured thereto rigidly by a set screw I¹. A bifurcated yoke J is by its location
upon the shaft F pivotally supported thereby. The bifurcations J₁ of this yoke
embrace the sprocket wheel I and its hub and by this means is prevented from
longitudinal movement upon the shaft. A yoke might be supported upon the
shaft by a single bearing thereon, but by employing the bifurcated bearing J, J,
a broader surface contact is secured so as to maintain the yoke and its adjuncts in
a uniform plane during its oscillations on its bearing. The purpose of the yoke J
is to convey power from the shaft F to the stripping rolls and to provide means for
controlling the use of said power in the matter of the time and duration thereof.
A companion sprocket wheel 12 is mounted in bearings J2 formed in the yoke J
and is operatively connected with a gear G which is adapted to mesh with the
gear G2 of the stripping roll G when the yoke is elevated at its free end. A.
sprocket chain I³ connects the sprockets I and I².
At each end of the cover section 1) there is formed or secured a depending
bracket K having upon its inner surface a track K' formed by ribs K². By these
tracks or grooves, which are widened at their lower ends as shown, the sliding
section D of the cover may be opened and closed by suitable means while the
widened portion of the track permits an inoperative movement of the devices
employed, for a limited portion of the movement thereof for a purpose hereinafter
described.
Thus far there have been described the essential elements of a starching machine,
to wit, the box, the paddle and the stripping rolls, and in addition the essential
means for operating the same, to wit: a power shaft primarily operating the paddle,
a belt shifter, and sprocket gearing for conveying to and controlling the use of the

page_text: power necessary for the operation of the stripping rolls. It now remains to
provide mechanism for controlling the operation of the several moving parts.
It will be observed that both the yoke and the belt shifting lever are projected
toward the front of the machine. Along said front there is arranged a shaft L,
see Fig. 2, which is mounted in brackets L', Fig. 11, one at each end of the box.
At the right hand of the machine there is mounted upon the shaft L a lever M
by means of which all of the functions of the machine are controlled. The lever M
projects from a collar M¹ rigidly mounted on the shaft L. This collar is formed or
provided with various arms and projections for co-operation with the yoke J and the
cover section D through the medium of the bracket K. A rock arm M² carrying
a pin M³ serves to open and close the cover section D by the travel of the pin. M³
in the track K¹ formed by the ribs on the bracket K. In line with the arm M²
is a projection M4 which is in the plane of a spring latch which is secured to
the yoke J by a screw or bolt j passing through a slot therein and entering the
yoke. The latch is pressed by a spring 4, which surrounds a post j5 and bears on
a cross piece, toward the end of the yoke but is capable of moving in a direction
from said end. The projection M' and a portion of the latch with which it co-
operates are in a plane different from that occupied by the yoke. The end of the
The inner
yoke rests normally upon the sleeve M¹ as clearly shown in Fig. 11.
end of the sleeve consists of a disk M5, see Fig. 10, with a portion removed so that
the remaining edges may abut against a stop Me projecting from the wall of the
starch box at the two extremes of the movements of the lever M.
Upon the inner face of the disk M5, see Figs. 8 and 9, there are recesses M7
and Ms, having walls inclined at different angles, into which a spring pressed
detent M provided with a handle M10, Fig. 11, mounted in the bracket L₁, auto-
matically seats itself to temporarily retain the lever M, with different degrees of
resistance, in certain positions assumed in its use for the purpose of controlling the
work of the machine. The position assumed by the detent in Fig. 8 is at a time
when the lever M is in the position which it assumes when the cover is open as
clearly shown in Fig. 7, and when the detent is occupying the depression M8 of the
disk the lever is vertical and the cover is closed and the yoke raised to give rotation
to the stripping rolls. The stop M is utilized with the disk when the cover is open,
as shown in Fig. 10, and when the cover is closed, the paddle in operation, and the
lever M inclined away from the operator, as shown in Fig. 5. It will thus be seen
that the lever M and the devices connected therewith at the right of the machine
serve to control the opening and closing of the cover and the rotation of the
stripping rolls. When the detent rests in the round seat M8, Fig. 6, the lever
will be indicated to be in a proper vertical position and the walls of the recess will
When
afford a resistance against the movement of the lever in either direction.
the detent is in seat M, Fig. 7, it indicates that the rolls are open for the intro-
duction of the article, but if it is desired to remove the cover the detent may be
forced from said seat and the disk further rotated. These seats thus indicate when
the lever and its adjuncts have reached the proper position for the different
operations, and also assist in retaining the lever in such position.
By reference to Figs. 2 and 4 the devices mounted on the left end of the shaft L
will be clearly understood. These devices comprise means for opening and closing
the movable cover section or assisting in such function and for vibrating the belt
shifting lever H, the functions of the last mentioned devices being properly timed
with relation to the devices located at the right end of the shaft and heretofore
described. A collar N is mounted upon the shaft L and carries a rock arm N¹
with a pin N2 which travels in the path or track K' of the bracket K made on, or
This rock arm and bracket
secured to, and depending from the movable section I).
are the duplicates of the similar devices already described in connection with the
right end of the machine and while not absolutely essential they contribute to a
more direct application of power to the movable cover section and thus insure
smoothness and ease of action. The collar N is also provided with, or secured to, a
sector which has a curved groove or path on its periphery. The contour of this

page_text: path comprises two straight portions 01 and 02 slightly out of line with each other
and a diagonal portion 03 connecting the two straight portions,. see Fig. 4. The
cireles in Fig. 4 represent the various positions assumed by the pin H2 of the belt
shifting lever H in the groove or path formed in the periphery of the sector O.
When the pin is at the point I the machine is idle and the cover section D and the
rolls are open as shown in Fig. 7, and the machine is in a condition to receive an
article to be starched. After the article has been properly introduced the lever. M
is brought from the forwardly inclined position to the rearwardly inclined position,
as shown respectively in Figs. 7 and 5: In this movement of the lever the pin H²
Gccupies the positions 1, 2 and 3, Fig. 4, and in passing from position. 2 to posi-
ien 3 the lever H is oscillated on its pivot and the belt shifted from the loose
pulley to the tight pulley F2 whereby power is applied and the paddle E-set to
work In the meanwhile the arms N' and M2 have served to close the cover and
bring the rolls and G¹ together fully accomplishing these functions when the pin
has reached position 2 and before the belt is shifted and therefore: before the paddle
is set to work. Now taking the sector 0, with the pin at position 3 and with the
paddle doing its work it is desired to perform the operation of stripping, the lever M
is now brought from the rearwardly inclined position to a vertical position; see
Fig. 6.
1. j
...
In this movement the 'pin' is changed from position 3.to position 4 thus not
changing the position of the belt shifting lever but the devices on the right end of
the shaft have co-acted" to move cover 'section D and the starch pad away from
paddle E, and to place the gear G2 in mesh with the gear G2 and the belt not
having been shifted gives power to the sprocket wheels and chain and the stripping
rolls are rotated in such a direction as to eject the article from the starch box and
to press the surplus starch therefrom, when by a further movement of the lever M
the sector O is moved so as to throw the pin from the position 4 to a position near to
and the equivalent of the position 2, thus moving the lever H on its pivot and
shifting the belt to a loose pulley F3 and stopping the machine. This movement of
the lever M has not separated the rolls. They are still closed, have ceased rotation
and retain whatever starch is left'adhering thereto below their line of contact.
This is important to prevent, not only the escape of starch, but the presence of an
undue quantity thereof on the rolls where it will be liable to be smeared upon
undesired portions of an article subsequently introduced into the machine: A
further movement of the lever brings the pin and sector in the relative position
shown at position 1.
.
"
:
1.
i
While the movement of the lever has produced the different relative positions of
the sector and the pin H2 at one end of the shaft as above described, the devices
at the other end of said shaft have performed their described functions and all in
their proper time and order. It is to be noted that the pin M³ of arm M2 as well
as its associate pin N2 and arm N at the other end of the shaft, occupies the con-
tracted portion of the track K¹ in the brackets K at such times as by means of said
pins movements of the movable cover.. section: D occur, The said pins, occupy
the widened portion of said tracks when the lever M is moved to produce the other
effects accomplished to wit, holding the stripping rolls closely together during
the beating of the paddle by contact with the curved wall K2 Fig. 2, and when the
lever M'is depressed below the position shown in Fig. 7 for the purpose of entirely
removing cover section I by hand. In the latter function and 'even in the function
of, closing the cover and bringing the rolls together, the 'latch j recedes under the
.action; of projection M so that the gears shall not be brought into mesh by the
forward movement of the lever M.
When the lever M is brought from its most rearward position, shown in Fig. 5,
to the vertical, shown in Fig. 6, the inoperative portion of the belt shifter sector O
has been employed from position 3 to position 4, Fig. 4, so that the belt remains on
the tight pulley. During this movement of the lever the projection M* has been
moved from the position shown in Fig. 5, to the position shown in Fig. 6, raising
the yoke J and putting its gear in mesh with the gear G2 which by the movement

page_text: the cover section D and the expansion of the springs g¹ has moved toward
nt of the machine the same distance that the cover section has been moved.
e movement of the latter carries with it the starch pad D4 beyond any com-
essing action thereon, or against an article thereon, by the still vibrating
ddle E. In this manner the paddle does not interfere with the ejection of an
ticle by the stripping rolls. These rolls it is understood are preferably of, or
vered with, rubber. From the above description it will be seen that all of the
arious principal elements of the machine are compactly arranged and are brought
nder control by comparatively non-intricate construction through the action of a
ngle device, to wit, the controlling lever M
The operation of the machine is as follows: Taking the parts in the position'
hown in Fig. 7 the machine is ready for the introduction of an article which is
laced within the starch box in front of and naturally hanging against the starch-
ng pad. One simple straightforward complete movement of the lever M grips the
rticle between the stripping rolls with only such portions as are to be starched
within the machine. The same simple movement of the lever also shifts the belt
on to the tight pulley and the paddle E at once begins pressing against the article
and forcing the starch out of the saturated pad into and through the article and
withdrawing a minimum quantity in its backward movement therefrom.
Now it only requires a simple return movement to a vertical position of the
lever M to stop the starching function and to accomplish the stripping and ejecting
functions of the machine, when a further simple movement of the lever separates
the cover sections, the stripping rolls and the paddle and pad for a reception of a
subsequent article. The simplicity of the movements of the unitary controlling
device or lever is at once apparent as being entirely devoid of any possible
misunderstanding so that the work of the operative is by necessity simplified and
by the positive control of the machine secured through the medium of this single
device the work of the machine is rendered wholly automatic, as regards changing
from one of its functions to another.
It is apparent that the details of the connecting device between the controlling
lever and the power starching and stripping mechanisms may be varied in numerous
particulars of construction and arrangement and yet serve the purpose of their
use. The invention is therefore not limited in this regard, but may be altered in
construction and arrangement to any degree within the scope of mechanical skill
without a departure from the scope thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In an organized starching machine, starching mechanism stripping
0 mechanism and stripping roll shifting mechanism and a single device operatively
connected with said mechanisms for automatically controlling their successive
operation.
2. In an organized starching machine, belt shifting mechanism, starching
mechanism, separable stripping mechanism and a unitary device for automatically
45 controlling all the successive operations of said mechanisms.
50
3. In an organized starching machine, the combination of starching mechanism
and separable stripping mechanism, and a unitary means for automatically bring-
ing together and separating the stripping mechanism and for operating the
starching mechanism and for properly timing said operations.
4. In a starching machine, starching mechanism, stripping mechanism, means
for operating each of said mechanisms, and a single unitary controlling lever and
suitable connections by which said operating means are brought into action in thei
proper order, substantially as specified.
5. In an organized starching machine, belt shifting mechanism, starching
55 mechanism, stripping mechanism, and a movable cover. section, and a single leve

page_text: and suitable connections for both automatically controlling said mechanisms and
for opening and closing said cover section.
6. In a starching machine, starching mechanism, and stripping mechanism,
a member of each of which is mounted to move with a section of the cover of the
machine, and means for automatically operating said mechanism and controlling
the movements of said cover section.
7. In a starching machine, starching mechanism, stripping mechanism and
belt shifting mechanism, and a unitary device and connections for automatically
gripping the work by the stripping mechanism, shifting the belt to operate the
starching mechanism, separating the members of the starching mechanism.to
render it practically inoperative, rotating the stripping mechanism and separating
the same whereby the machine is adapted to subsequently operate upon another
article.
8. In a starching machine, a power shaft provided with belt shifting mechanism,
a starching-mechanism member operatively connected with said shaft and with
power conveying devices thereon, a sliding cover section carrying an opposite
member of the starching mechanism and a lever operatively connected with means
for successively operating the cover section and the belt shifting mechanism.
9. In a starching machine, starching mechanism and stripping mechanism, each
comprising movable members, and a unitary device and connections for auto-
matically separating the members of the starching mechanism and simultaneously
retaining the stripping mechanism members together.
10. In a starching machine, starching mechanism and separable and rotatable
stripping mechanism, and a unitary device and connections for stopping the rota-
tion and of subsequently separating said stripping mechanism automatically.
11. In a starching machine, shiftable, separable, stripping mechanisms, means
for intermittently rotating the same, and means for shifting the same, both means
being automatically controlled through the medium of one and the same device.
12. In a starching machine provided with shiftable stripping mechanism, starch-
ing mechanism, a power shaft and power conveying devices, a controlling lever
connected with mechanism for rendering the stripping mechanism operative in a
different plane thereby simultaneously rendering the starching mechanism inopera-
tive while the power shaft is rotating.
13. In a starching machine, a belt-shifting lever-controlling device having
operative and non-operative portions, means for connecting the said device with a
controlling lever operatively connected with means for rendering the stripping
mechanism of the machine operative.
14. In a starching machine, a belt-shifting lever-controlling device having opera-
tive and non-operative portions, and means for connecting the said device with a
controlling lever provided with means for operating a movable cover while an
inoperative portion of the belt-shifting device is in use.
15. In a starching machine, a controlling lever operatively connected with a
belt-shifting device having non-operative portions and with cover-section moving
devices operative in a movement of the lever which uses a non-operative part of the
belt shifting device.
16. In a starching machine, a movable starching paddle, a power shaft and a
lever carrying the paddle, and an interposed lever pivotally and yieldingly con-
nected with the paddle lever.
17. In a starching machine, a movable starching paddle, a power shaft and a
lever carrying the paddle, an interposed lever pivotally and yieldingly connected
with the paddle lever, and means for adjusting said yielding connection.
18. In a starching machine, means for introducing steam therein in the form of a
jet directed into the body of the starch whereby the starch is simultaneously
heated and agitated.
19. In a starching machine, means for introducing steam therein in the form of
jets dispersed in various directions.
20. In a starching machine, a steam supply pipe communicating with
an

page_text: exterior chamber which communicates with the starch box by means of jet
openings.
21. In a starching machine, stripping rolls provided with means for rotating one
of said rolls, a yoke carrying gearing extending from and mounted at one end upon
the power shaft to a point adjacent to the stripping rolls, and a lever constructed
and arranged to move the yoke and its gearing toward the stripping rolls, substan-
tially as specified.
22. In a starching machine, a sliding cover section carrying one of a pair of
stripping rolls, a fixed cover section provided with yielding bearings for the other
stripping rolls of the pair, a yoke carrying gearing for rotating one of said rolls,
a lever and connecting devices for lifting the yoke to bring its gearing into mesh
with gearing upon the stripping roll during the movement of the lever in one
direction and a device for preventing this operation by movement of the lever in the
opposite direction, substantially as specified.
23. In a starching machine, a movable cover section provided with a track
having a widened and a contracted portion, in combination with a lever opera-
tively connected with a rock-arm projecting into said track and with devices for
co-operating with other elements of the machine whereby said rock-arm is in-
operative upon the cover section when in the widened portion of the track,
substantially as specified.
24. In a starching machine, the combination with a fixed cover section carrying
a stripping roll in yielding bearings, a movable cover section carrying a stripping
roll and a starching pad, a reciprocating starching paddle, and mechanism for
moving the pad in a direction from the paddle and for rotating the stripping rolls,
substantially as specified.
25. In a starching machine, a starch receptacle having an aperture for the recep-
tion of a steam connection, a lining for the receptacle seated in the aperture and
retained therein by the said connection, substantially as specified.
26. A starching machine comprising an integral column and starch receptacle
having a screw threaded aperture, a lining seated in said aperture, and a flanged,
screw-threaded steam-chamber threaded into the aperture, substantially as specified.
27. In a starching machine, a steam supply pipe communicating with the interior
of the starch box by a connection the opening of which is closed by a perforated
plug, substantially as specified.
28. In a starching machine, a chamber or steam connection adapted to receive
a steam supply pipe and provided at its bottom with a drain pipe and at its top
with a cap or closure having perforations inclined with relation to the vertical axis
of the chamber, substantially as specified.
29. In a starching machine and in combination with the power shaft thereof, a
pivoted paddle lever carrying a pivoted lever adapted to contact with a cam on
the power shaft at one side of its pivot, and connected at its other end with the
paddle lever through the medium of a spring-encircled bolt, and adjusting devices
arranged betwen the said bolt and the pivot of the lever, substantially as specified.
30. In a starching machine, a movable cover section secured in position by
button-hole slots and bolts, in combination with a controlling lever operatively
connected with said cover section, the slots being proportioned in length to retain
the cover in position, during its movements when the machine is in use and to
permit of the removal of the cover by an extended movement of the lever, substan-
ially as specified.
31. In a starching machine, a cover comprising a movable and a fixed section,
ach secured in position by button-hole slots and bolts, and each capable of removal
y a sliding and lifting movement thereof, substantially as specified.
32. In a starching machine, the combination of a movable cover section provided
vith brackets and carrying a stripping roll, with a fixed cover section carrying a
tripping roll, and with a controlling lever provided with means operating in said
rackets for closing and locking in a closed position the movable cover section,
ubstantially as specified

page_text: 33. In a starching machine, the combination with a belt-shifting lever, of a
sector operatively, connected therewith and having non-operative portions slightly
out of line with each other and an intermediate operative portion, a rock-arm, a
movable cover section, and means for operating the sector 'and rock-arm, substan-
tially as specified.
34. In a starching machine, the combination with an absorbent starching pad,
of a reciprocating paddle having perforations and having a corrugated, perforated
facing, substantially as specified.
35. In a starching machine, a single unitary controlling lever and suitable con-
necting devices by which the complete and successive functions of the machine are
caused to be performed in their proper order, substantially as and for the purposes
>pecified.
36. In a starching machine, starching mechanism, stripping mechanism, tank-
closing mechanism, means for operating each of said mechanisms, and a single
unitary controlling lever and suitable connections by which said operating means
are brought into action in their proper order, substantially as specified.
37. In a starching machine, a single unitary controlling lever and suitable con-
necting devices constructed and arranged to cause an article to be clamped and the
commencement of the starching operation when said lever is at one extreme of its
movement, and to cause the remaining functions of the machine to be performed
upon said article in regular successive movements of said lever in one direction
whereby contrary and diverse movements of the controlling lever are obviated and
the work of the operative is materially simplified.
38. In a starching machine, the combination with the movable cover section D,
of the brackets K, having the tracks K¹, the lever M, the shaft L, and the rock-
arms M² and N', substantially as specified.
39. The combination of the yieldingly-mounted stripping roll G¹, the roll G,
the cover section D, having brackets K, the shaft L, carrying the lever M, the rock-
arms and the sector having a non-operative portion, substantially as specified.
40. The combination of the movable cover section carrying a pad, and a stripping
roll, a co-operating vibrating paddle, the fixed cover section, carrying a yieldingly-
mounted stripping roll, the yoke J, the lever M, the shaft L, and the disk M³,
having a projection M4, substantially as specified.
41. In a starching machine, a starching receptacle, having an aperture for the
reception of a steam-connection, a lining for the receptacle seated in the aperture,
a chamber or steam connection provided with a flange to retain said lining in posi-
tion, a perforated plug at the upper portion of said chamber, a steam supply pipe
communicating with said chamber and a drain pipe at the lower portion of said
chamber, substantially as specified.
42. In a starching machine, a cover section provided with depending interior
arms, and depending brackets provided with tracks to engage the cover moving
means, substantially as specified.
43. In a starching machine, a cover section provided with an elevated hood, open
at the rear, substantially as specified.
44. In a starching machine, a standard or column, a pivoted paddle lever
supported on said standard, a power shaft provided with a cam, a lever pivoted to
said paddle lever, a bolt extending from said pivoted lever through the paddle lever
and a spring surrounding said bolt, substantially as specified.
45. In a starching machine, a standard or column, a pivoted paddle lever sup
ported on said standard, a power shaft provided with a cam, a lever pivoted to
said paddle lever, a bolt extending from said pivoted lever through the paddle lever
a spring surrounding said bolt, and a set-screw passing through said pivoted leve
and bearing against the paddle lever, substantially as specified.
46. In a starching machine, a standard or column, a pivoted paddle lever sup
ported on said standard, a power shaft provided with a can, a lever pivoted to said
paddle lever, a bolt extending through the paddle lever from said pivoted lever

page_text: "
a spring surrounding said bolt, and a tension spring extending from said lever to a
support upon the standard, substantially as specified.
47. In a starching machine, a supporting standard, a paddle lever pivoted thereto
and extending at an angle from its pivotal point, and a spring connected to said
lever and standard to exert a tension on the lever at an angle to its length, substan-
tially as specified.
+ 1
..
48. In a starching machine, a cover section provided with an exterior housing,
a stripping roll provided with an eye-bolt extending into said housing, and a spring
for forcing said stripping roll away from said housing, substantially as specified.
49. In a starching machine, a cover section provided with an exterior housing,
a stripping roll carried by an eye-bolt extending into said housing, an adjustable
collar on said eye-bolt, and a spring extending between said collar and the wall
of the housing.
.1
50. In a starching machine, the combination with a stripping roll yieldingly
mounted in a cover section and provided with a gear wheel, of a pivoted yoke pro-
vided with a gear wheel to mesh with the gear upon the stripping roll, power-
transmitting. means carried by said yoke, and pivoted means for lifting said yoke
to bring said gear into mesh, substantinally as specified.
51. In a starching machine, the combination with a
mounted in a cover section and provided with a gear wheel, of a pivoted yoke pro-
stripping roll yieldingly
vided with a gear wheel to mesh with the gear upon the stripping roll, power-trans-
mitting means. carried by said yoke, pivoted means for lifting said yoke to bring
said gear into mesh and a spring latch to engage said lifting means, substantially
as specified.
52. In a starching machine, the combination with a
mounted in a cover section and provided with a gear wheel, of a pivoted yoke pro-
stripping roll yieldingly
vided with a gear wheel, to mesh with the gear upon the stripping roll, power-
transmitting means carried by said yoke, pivoted means for lifting said yoke to
bring said gear into mesh, and a spring latch slidingly mounted upon said yoke, and
a spring to normally hold said latch at its extreme position, in one direction,
substantially as specified.
53. In a starching machine, the combination with a
mounted in a cover section and provided with a gear wheel, of a pivoted yoke pro-
stripping roll yieldingly
vided with a gear wheel to mesh with the gear upon the stripping roll, power-
transmitting means carried by said yoke, pivoted means for lifting said yoke to
bring said gear into mesh, and a spring latch provided with an inclined surface to
permit the lifting means to move said latch in its movement in one direction,
substantially as specified.
54. In a starching machine, the combination with a stripping roll provided
with a driving gear, of a yoke having a latch and carrying a meshing gear and
provided at one end with a bifurcated portion, a power shaft on which said bifur-
cated portion is journaled, a sprocket wheel secured to said power shaft between the
arms of the bifurcated portion, a sprocket wheel carried by said yoke, a sprocket
chain extending between said sprocket wheels and a pivoted lever located on the
free end of the yoke, substantially as specified.
55. In a starching machine the combination with a shiftable stripping roll
provided with a driving gear and with means for shifting said stripping roll, of
a yoke carrying a meshing gear and adjustable to and from the gear on the stripping
roll, a power shaft on which the yoke is pivoted, a sprocket wheel carried by said
yoke, a sprocket wheel secured upon the said power shaft, and a chain extending
between said sprockets, substantially as specified.
56. In a starching machine, the combination with a shiftable stripping roll,
carrying a gear, of a pivoted yoke provided with a meshing gear, means for com-
municating with a driving shaft to drive said gears, means for shifting said
stripping roll, and a lever having a projection to engage and move said yoke,
substantially as specified.
57. In a starching machine, the combination with a stripping roll carrying a

page_text: •
gear, of a pivoted yoke provided with a meshing gear means communicating with
å driving shaft to drive said gears, a rotating collar carrying a projection to engage
and move said yoke, and an extension from said yoke resting upon said collar to
limit the movement of the yoke away from the stripping roll, substantially as
specified.
58. In a starching machine, the combination with a stripping roll carrying a
gear, of a pivoted yoke provided with a meshing gear, means communicating with
a driving shaft to drive said gears, a rotating collar carrying a projection to engage
and move said yoke, and a projection from said yoke in a different plane from
said lifting projection, and resting upon said collar, substantially as specified.
59. In a starching machine, a cover section, a depending bracket provided with
tracks or ways, an operating lever connected with a rock-arm, and a pin extending
from said rock-arm and traveling in the tracks or ways of said bracket, substan-
tially as specified.
60. In a starching machine, a rotating collar connected with a controlling handle,
a rock-arm carried by said collar and having a pin extending therefrom, a lifting
projection carried by said collar, and a disk carried by said collar whereby in the
rotation of the collar the several parts carried thereon will perform their respective
functions, substantially as specified.
61. In a starching machine, a controlling lever connected to rotate a disk, and
means to engage said disk to hold the same in its adjusted positions, substantially
as specified.
62. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a disk rotated thereby and
provided with depressions in one face thereof, and a spring detent adapted to seat
itself in said depressions, substantially as specified.
63. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a disk rotated thereby and pro-
vided with sockets having walls at different angles, and a spring detent adapted to
seat in said sockets and to offer varying degrees of resistance to the rotation of the
disk and to indicate the progress of the lever, substantially as specified.
64. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a disk rotated thereby and pro-
vided with sockets upon one face thereof, a bracket carried by said machine, and
a spring-pressed detent bearing against said disk, substantially as specified.
65. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a segmental disk rotated thereby,
and a stop located upon the frame of the machine to limit the extreme movements
of the lever in either direction, substantially as specified.
66. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a rotating member carried
thereby, and a stop located on the machine to limit the movement of said rotating
member, substantially as specified.
67. In a starching machine, a rotating collar connected with a controlling
lever, a rock-arm carried by said collar and having a pin extending therefrom,
a lifting projection carried by said collar, and a disk located on said collar, the
several parts being so disposed and positioned as to act successively in the rotation
of the lever to perform their respective functions, substantially as specified.
68. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, connected therewith and rotated
thereby to move the cover section, shift the belt, and to place the stripping rolls
in gear with the rotating means during the movement of the lever, substantially
as specified.
69. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, means rotated thereby, and a
device carried by the machine contacting with the rotating means to indicate the
positions of the lever for accomplishing the several functions during its movement,
substantially as specified.
'
70. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a sector rotated thereby and
provided upon its periphery with a path or way, and a belt shifting lever actuated
by said sector, substantially as specified.
71. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a sector rotated thereby, a path
or way upon the periphery of said sector and having inoperative portions, a belt

page_text: shifting lever connected to the sector so that in the movement of the sector a portion
of the track or way will not act upon the belt shifter, substantially as specified.
72. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a sector rotated thereby, a
horizontally pivoted belt shifting lever, a projection from said lever engaging a
path on said sector, a belt shifting means at the opposite end of said belt shifting
lever, substantially as specified.
73. In a starching machine, a power shaft provided with fast and loose pulleys,
a sliding collar carrying a belt loop, a belt shifting lever for moving said collar, a
cam secured on said shaft, a paddle lever reciprocated by said cam, a sprocket
wheel secured to said shaft, shiftable stripping rolls and gears and means for trans-
mitting the power from said sprocket wheel to said stripping rolls, substantially
as specified.
74. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, a collar rotated by said lever and
provided with means for moving a cover section and for throwing into gear a
stripping roll, a shaft rotated by said lever and carrying belt shifting means where-
by the several parts will act in the progressive movement of the lever, substantially
as specified.
75. In a starching machine, a controlling lever, rotating means connected thereto
and extending to opposite sides of the machine, a movable cover section provided
with depending brackets, having expanded ways and rock-arms located upon said
rotating means at opposite sides of the cover to travel in said ways to operate the
cover, substantially as specified.
76. In a starching machine, the combination of a power shaft supported at one
side thereof and carrying driving mechanism, a single unitary controlling lever
located at the opposite side of the machine, and intermediate mechanism under
the control of said lever for governing the transmission of power from said power
shaft to all of the operating parts of said machine, substantially as specified.
Dated this 13th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.