Improvements in Combined Sterilizing and Washing Machines
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1899-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1889
Communicated from abroad by WARREN N. CARTER, of Cincinnati, County
Hamilton and State Ohio United States of America, Manufacturer.]
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Sterilizing and Washing Machines,
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
The object of this invention is to produce a combined sterilizer and washing
machine, in which the clothes or articles can first be sterilized either by steam or
dry heat at the proper temperature and then washed in a single continuous opera-
tion in one machine.
:-
The features of my invention are more fully set forth in the description of the
accompanying drawings making a part of this specification, in which:
Fig. 1, is an end elevation of my device.
Fig. 2, is a transverse section of the same on line X, X, Fig. 3.
Fig. 3, is a central vertical section of my device.
A represents the sterilizing and washing cylinder, preferably perforated and
provided with a door or cover a. This washer is mounted upon trunions 6 within
a water compartment B.
C represents a gear wheel mounted on the end of said trunion or stub axle
for revolving the washer. Said gear wheel is operated by power conveyed through
gear wheel D, meshing in turn with gear wheel D' on the shaft of the belt pulley E
over which passes a belt from the driving power mechanism.
Surrounding the washing compartment B is a steam jacket F provided with a
steam gauge and safety valve not shown. This jacket is closed and adapted to
hold steam under pressure. There is a space left between the edges of the steam
jacket for access to the washer, covered by the door f. The whole machine is sup-
ported upon suitable legs d.
c represents a vent, leading from the top of the hot water compartment for
the purpose of allowing the vapors and gases to escape. e represents a steam
inlet pipe, leading to the steam jacket, and 9 represents a drain pipe in the bottom
of said steam jacket for the purpose of allowing the water of condensation and the
air to escape.
G represents a steam inlet pipe for conveying steam to the water compart-
ment B. This pipe is preferably extended along the bottom of said compartment
and allows steam to escape through orifices pierced at intervals along its length in
order to distribute the steam evenly through said compartment and allow it to
pass upward.
H represents a pipe for draining water from said compartment and water may
also be admitted through the same or a separate water pipe connection can be
made if desired. The driving mechanism may be provided at each end of the
revolving washer if desired.

page_text: MODE OF OPERATION.
The clothes or other articles to be sterilized are placed in the compartment A
and the door a placed in position. If the dry heat is to be employed steam is
admitted to the jacket F' and raised to a suitable pressure to give the proper heat.
In practice thirty-two pounds is regarded as sufficient, as it gives a temperature
of 250 degrees. If the steam sterilization is to be used steam is admitted to the
compartment B through pipa G. The washer A can be revolved during the
sterilization and it has been found this produces quicker and more effective results
as it moves the articles about and subjects them to the heat or steam more
thoroughly than if stationary. The products of the sterilization escape through
pipe c. After the sterilization is completed, water is admitted into the compart-
ment B and steam is admitted through pipe G, which passes up through the water
and boils the same. The washer is revolved as described until the washing
operation is completed.
This device is especially useful in hospitals, etc., where clothing has to be
sterilized and washed continually as both processes can be accomplished in this
device at a single continuous operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is;-
-
1. A combined sterilizing and washing machine comprising
a closed compart-
ment adapted to contain water, a steam jacket surrounding said compartment,
a revoluble perforated washer mounted upon trunions journaled in the ends of said
water compartment, means for revolving said washer by power mechanism con-
nected to said trunions, means for admitting steam to the jacket, and water and
steam to the water compartment, and a vent leading therefrom, substantially as
specified.
2. The combination of a perforated cylindrical washer mounted upon trunions
journaled within a water compartment, means connected to said trunions for
rotating the washers, a covered opening provided in said washer, a covered open-
ing provided in said water compartment, a steam jacket adapted to contain steam
under pressure extending around said water compartment from one side of the
opening to the other, a steam pipe leading to the lower part of said water com-
partment a water inlet pipe connected therewith, and a steam inlet pipe leading
to the steam jacket, substantially as specified.
3. The combination of a perforated sterilizing and washing cylinder, journaled
within a water compartment, doors provided in said washer and water compart-
ment, a vent located in the upper part of said water compartment, a water drain
and a water inlet pipe leading to said compartment and extended along the bottom
thereof being provided with orifices for allowing steam to escape upwardly in
said compartment a steam jacket surrounding said water compartment, a steam in-
let pipe connected therewith and a drain pipe located in the bottom thereof, and
means for revolving said cylinder within said water compartment, substantially
as specified.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.