Improvements in Hop-washing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1890)
Complete Specification Left. 36th Apr.. 1891-Accepted, 30th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hop-washing Machines.
I WILLIAM LAMBERT of Horsmonden Kent Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists Firstly in dispensing with gas pipes with which hop washing
machines have hitherto been fitted and substituting therefor a system of jets
whereby the liquor is diffused in the form of a copious spray which thoroughly
saturates the hop plants without injuring them.
Secondly in fitting a hop washing machine with a system of change wheels or
other suitable gear so as to obtain two or more speeds as required.
Thirdly in fitting a hop washing machine with suitable levers and gearing
actuated either by hand or automatically so as to produce an intermittent discharge
of the liquor.
Dated this 30th day of June 1890.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hop-washing Machines.
1
I, WILLIAM LAMBERT of Horsmonden, Kent, Engineer 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 :-
My invention has for its object to simplify the construction of hop washing
machines and to increase the efficiency thereof. This I effect by means of the
improvements illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 whereof is an isometrical view in back elevation of a hop washing
machine fitted with my improvements;
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate one method of fitting a hop washing engine with change
wheels on each side in order to obtain two speeds;
Figure 4 shews an arrangement of change wheels whereby any speed may be
obtained by a detachable pitch chain and
Figure 5 an alternative method of obtaining such differential speeds by means of
a double action pump.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
My invention consists Firstly, in dispensing with the gas pipes with which hop
washing machines have hitherto been fitted, and substituting therefor a series of
upper and lower jets a, a³, whereby the liquor is diffused in the form of spray which
thoroughly saturates the hop plants without injuring them. Each jet is fitted with
a check stop valve, (not shewn in the drawings,) which acts as a check valve when
open, and which can be shut off by screwing down the jet. The lower jets a are
furnished with jointed bends a', which admit of the jets being adjusted as required.
Such jets are fitted to lateral pipes b, placed on each side of the machine, and held
in position by perforated cross bars c, by means of one or more pins inserted in such
bars. The lower cross bar is provided with sockets d, which receive the pipes b,
and wherein they are free to turn; so that in the event of one or more of the jets
coming in contact with any obstruction, the bar revolves in its socket and thus
allows the jets to clear the obstruction. The tank A is fitted with a reservoir and
air vessel B, through which the liquor is pumped, and from whence it is carried to
the lateral pipes b, and lower jets a, through a rubber hose b¹; and to the upper

page_text: jets a through a supply pipe 62. I make the lower jets rigid so as to obtain greater
strength, and simplify the construction thereof; but the upper jets I preferably
make elastic, so that when they come in contact with the bine, they yield and thus
avoid injuring the same. The arrangement of the reservoir and air vessel is similar
to that described and shewn in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 10,395,
dated 26th June 1889, granted to me for a combination hop washing machine and
fire engine.
My second improvement consists in fitting a hop washing machine with wheels or
other suitable gear, so as to obtain two or more speeds as required. Figures 2 and 3
of the drawings shew views in side elevation of a hop washing machine fitted with a
change wheel e on each side. Each change wheel is thrown in and out of gear with
the driving wheel e¹ by means of a ratchet clutch f which is operated by a
bifurcated lever g pivotted on the side of the tank A at g' and furnished with a
handle g. Figure 4 shews a modified arrangement for obtaining such differential
speed, which consists in fitting the machine with a change wheel e furnished with a
pitch chain having detachable links to allow of the same being shortened or
lengthened as required. Such pitch chain passes round the driving wheel e' thus
imparting motion to the change wheel, and regulating the delivery of the liquor
according to the size of such wheel. Such change wheel may be changed for
another of smaller or larger diameter as required, and as indicated in the drawing
by dotted lines.
An alternative means of obtaining such differential speed in the delivery of the
liquor, is substituting suitable pumping gear for such change wheels, as shewn at
Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings; wherein h, is a double action pump
connected by a rod i, to a disk crank j, having an adjustable crank pin whereby the
stroke of the pump can be varied, to suit the quantity of liquor required, thus
reducing the overflow to a minimum and avoiding loss of power in pumping, while it
facilitates the draught of the horse.
A third improvement consists in fitting a hop washing machine with automatic
shut off gear which produces an intermittent discharge of the liquid without the aid
of a man at the handles as heretofore. Such automatic shut off gear consists of an
adjustable lever k¹ fitted with an auxiliary movable arm by means of which the
length of the lever can be varied as required. Such lever is attached to a rod m
fitted with a spiral spring . The upper end of the rod m is fitted with an arm o,
from which a connecting rod p, leads to a second arm o¹ that connects it with a
valve 9. The operation of this apparatus is as follows viz. :-On the lever k¹
coming in contact with any of the hop poles or other obstruction, the spiral spring n
expands, thus operating the arms o of and connecting rod p, and opening the valve q
while immediately the lever has cleared the obstruction the valve is automatically
closed by the recoil action of the spring. By this means an intermittent discharge
of the liquid is produced, so long as the machine is travelling between the hop poles.
When desired the upper jets 2 can discharge continuously, by turning on the cock r,
while the lower ones are acting intermittently, and the lower ones may also be made
to act continuously by keeping the tap open.
My improvements are applicable to all existing hop washing machines, and will
be of great utility and advantage by obviating the annoyance and delay hitherto
experienced from the pipes constantly becoming choked; and also by dispensing
with the services of an extra attendant, which have hitherto been indispensable in
order to render the discharge of the liquid intermittent. Such improvements
may be fitted either to the back or front or to the back and front of the machine
as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. Fitting a hop washing engine with jets in lieu of gas pipes all substantially a
hereinbefore described and shewn.

page_text: 2. Fitting a hop washing engine with change wheels, or a double action pump, all
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn.
3. Fitting a hop washing engine with automatic shut off gear, whereby the
discharge of liquid is rendered intermittent, all substantially as herein before
described and shewn.
4. In a hop washing engine fitting the jets with joints or bends, whereby they
are rendered adjustable, all substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn.
5. The improved construction of hop washing engine substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn.
נ.ב
901
1001
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for Applicant.