IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN HOWARTH of 39 Standish Street Burnley in the County of Lancaster,
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHING MACHINES, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of washing machines, in which the articles
to be washed, are placed in a metal cylinder, that revolves in bearings formed in a
stationary casing, or vessel, in which a small quantity of water, is kept boiling by
means of gas, or other suitable heating apparatus. I construct the cylinder of
corrugated sheet metal, forming a series of circular ribs around the inner and outer
surface. These ribs or corrugations add considerably to the strength of the
cylinder. The corrugated impression may be produced, by passing the sheet metal
between corrugated rollers. The inner surface of the cylinder, is provided with a
suitable number of pegs or projections in such a position, that whichever way the
cylinder is moved by its handle, the clothes are raised sufficiently out of the water
until the projecting end of the pegs, loose their holding tendancy and allow the
clothes to fall, whereby a continual change takes place in their position. A part of
the cylinder is made to open for the introduction and removal of the articles to be
cleansed, or washed. The inner surface of the cylinder may be provided with
longitudinal troughs so as to contain water which is carried upwards and thrown
upon the clothes.
The cylinder is also formed with suitable openings for the inlet and outlet of
boiling water.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOHN HOWORTH, of 39 Standish Street, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHING MACHINES," and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention relates to that class of washing machines, in which a metal
cylinder revolves in bearings formed in a stationary metal casing or vessel, wherein
a small quantity of water is kept boiling by means of gas jets or burners, and consists

page_text: of certain means or apparatus for effectively changing or shifting the articles or
clothes, and for constantly throwing or pouring boiling water thereon, thereby
causing the steam and boiling water to thoroughly penetrate the articles under
treatment, effectually loosening, cleansing and removing all dirt or like impurities
therefrom.
And in order that my invention may be properly understood, and readily carried
into effect, I have hereunto attached the accompanying sheet of drawings, reference
being had to the figures and letters marked thereon, the same letters referring to
the same parts in all the figures. Fig 1, is a longitudinal section, Fig 2 a plan and
Fig 3 a transverse section of a washing machine, constructed in accordance with
my invention. A is a stationary metal casing or vessel to contain boiling water,
and provided with a lid A', to retain the steam as it is generated in the casing.
B is a cylinder, which is caused to revolve in bearings formed in the casing or vessel
by the handle E seen in Fig 3, and perforated for the admission of boiling water
and steam into its interior, it is also provided with an hinged plate B¹ with suitable
fastenings, so as to form a door, which may be opened for the reception, or removal
of the clothes from the cylinder B, on the inner surface of this cylinder are fixed, a
number of pegs or projections C, and troughs D, these perform important functions
during the operation of washing, and form an essential feature of this invention;
they are so arranged that with the revolving movement of the cylinder B, the pegs
or projections raise the clothes sufficiently out of the water until the projecting
ends of the pegs loose their holding tendancy, and allow the clothes to fall, whereby
a continual change takes place in their position; whilst the buckets or troughs D,
rotating with the cylinder, constantly throw or pour boiling water upon the clothes.
By this arrangement a thorough and effective circulation of steam and water is
caused to penetrate through the articles or clothes under treatment, effectually
cleansing them from all dirt or like impurities. By referrnig to Fig 1 it will be
seen that the buckets or troughs D are placed in reverse position to each other, so
as to act in unison with the pegs or projections C, in whatever direction the
cylinder may be moved by the handle E. The apparatus is supported by the stand
F, in which is fixed a gas pipe G, provided with a suitable number of gas jets or
burners, by which the water is kept boiling, and steam generated in the stationary
casing or vessel A.
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; The improved Steam Washing Machine constructed and arranged with
pegs or projections C, and troughs or buckets D, substantially as herein described
and illustrated for the purposes set forth.