IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM WASHERS FOR WASHING CLOTHES to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOSEPH SHAW, of Albert Works, Lockwood, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire,
Brass Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND RELATING TO STEAM WASHERS FOR WASHING CLOTHES to be as follows:-
"
My Improvements in such machines have for their object an easy and simple
means whereby the water used therein can be readily discharged; also in providing
a suitable overflow pipe for the purpose of conveying away the surplus water when
more than the requisite quantity of water is put into the vessel; also an improved
and combined valve tap and overflow pipe for the purpose herein before named.
Steam Washing Machines as at present constructed are not usually provided
with means for letting off the water after it bas been used, previous to a fresh
supply being put into the machine, nor are they provided with an overflow pipe,
which will automatically prevent too much water remaining in the machine.
For the purpose of carrying the above mentioned improvements into operation
I employ a valve formed on a spindle capable of being placed on and off its
seating (for the purpose of opening and closing same) by means of a screw thread
operated by a hand wheel.
The valve spindle is placed within a tube, at one end of which is a stuffing box
for receiving the screwed spindle whilst the opposite end is the valve seating.
The overflow pipe is connected to the tube forming part of the valve at a point
between the valve seating and the outlet, so that if there is too much water in the
vessel, it can escape without the valve being opened. This valve is placed in such
a position that it will, if opened drain all the water out of the machine, the said
valve being so arranged and constructed that when it is being opened and closed
the operator shall run no risk of being scalded by the escaping water; at the same
time the overflow pipe is arranged to permit the free discharge of any excess or
surplus water that may be put into the machine, which might otherwise impair the
efficiency of the said machine.
The valve tap and overflow pipe combined are so arranged, that the overflow
pipe shall be free to act whether the valve is opened or closed.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Patent Agents, Halifax,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, JOSEPH SHAW, Albert Works, Lockwood, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Brass
Finisher do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO STEAM WASHERS FOR WASHING CLOTHES," and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
My invention in steam washing machines consists in the employment of an
overflow pipe so as to let off the water when too much is placed in the washing
vessel, and also in combination with such overflow pipe, a valve for the purpose of
emptying the dirty water from the said vessel.
In order that my invention may be better understood I herein give reference to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein Fig 1 is section of that description
of washing machine called "steam washer "-and which consists of a vessel A
provided with a domed cover B and having a disc or drum C caused to rotate by
handle. My invention is shewn at D which consists of a valve having an
overflow pipe E.
This combined valve and overflow pipe is shewn in elevation Fig 2 on a large
scale and in section at Fig 3. These steam washers are supplied with water, and
in practice it is found that the washing operation is much better performed if only
a certain quantity of water remains in the vessel, I have therefore provided a valve
with the overflow pipe E, so that if more than the required quantity of water is
placed into the vessel it can escape down the said pipe and pass out of the
opening a at the bottom of the valve as indicated by arrows in Fig 3, and when it
is necessary to empty the water out of the vessel A, the outlet b of the said
valve is opened by turning the screwed spindle F as shewn in section Fig 4, the
said screwed spindle being provided with a washer c so as to make a water tight
joint at b.
By this means it will be seen that whilst employing an overflow pipe which at
all times determines the quantity of water to be in the washing vessel I also
provide an outlet valve for emptying the vessel at any time required, but the said
overflow pipe may be used without valve as shewn in Fig 5.
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
Firstly. The employment of an overflow pipe in steam washing machines so as
to determine the quantity of water to remain therein.
Secondly. The outlet valve D in combination with an overflow pipe in manner
and for purposes substantially as herein shewn and described.
ו.
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