An Improved Arrangement of Mechanical Washing Machine.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Arrangement of Mechanical Washing Machine.
WILLIAM GEORGE HANNA of 24 Wellington Place Belfast Ireland Agent do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This improved arrangement of mechanical washer consists of two revolving
cylinders one inside the other and turning upon horizontal axes in opposite directions
and which are reversed automatically.
The inner cylinder or cage consists of metal rods and the goods to be washed are
placed in this inner cylinder which is caused to revolve always in the opposite
direction to the outer cylinder.
The outer cylinder is made of metal or wood and has on its inner surface a series
of flanged ribs or buckets parallel to the axis this outer cylinder is also caused
to revolve always in the opposite direction to the inner cylinder and at a slower
surface speed.
The inner cylinder or receptacle for the goods to be washed has a part of its surface
hinged to form a door and access is had to it through an opening in the outer cylinder
which is closed when working by a watertight door.
The outer cylinder is carried in bearings and upon antifriction runners and steam
or water is admitted through the axle.
When the goods to be washed are placed in the inner cylinder or cage the opening
therein is closed and secured and the desired amount of water is admitted into the
outer cylinder which is then closed by a watertight door the two cylinders outer and
inner are then caused to turn in opposite directions and at different speeds causing
strong contrary currents in the machine the ribs or buckets inside the outer cylinder
carry up with them a quantity of water which is continually showered on to the goods
through the spaces between the metal rods forming the inner cylinder thus having a
cleansing effect on the goods and the passage of the ribs or buckets through the
water surrounding the lower part of the inner cylinder agitates it which gives it a
strong cleansing power on the goods and better and quicker work is done than when
the inner cylinder revolves inside a stationary cylinder or casing, and steam will be
introduced to cage in fine spray by means of a circular copper perforated tube at
ends of cage.
Dated this 16th N
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Arrangement of Mechanical Washing Machine.
WILLIAM GEORGE HANNA of 24 Wellington Place Belfast Ireland Agent 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 :-
This improved arrangement of mechanical washing machine consists of two
revolving cylinders one inside the other and turning upon horizontal axes in opposite
directions and which are reversed automatically.
This improved arrangement of mechanical washing machine is shown in the drawings
herewith, in which Fig. 1 is a side view, partially in section, Fig. 2 is an end view
also partially in section and Figs. 3 & 4 are detached views of parts, drawn on a
larger scale to show clearly details of construction in all these views and in the
following description the same letters and figures of reference are employed to indicate
the same or like parts.

page_text: The inner cylinder or cage (a) consists of metal rods or bars (a¹) with holes in
them and their edges are undulated so as to leave sinuous spaces between the
bars (a) for the admission of the cleansing fluid to the goods which are placed in
this inner cylinder (a) which is caused to revolve always in the opposite direction to
the outer cylinder (b).
The outer cylinder (b) is made of metal or wood, and has on its inner surface a
series of flanged ribs or buckets (c) parallel to the axis. This outer cylinder (b) is also
caused to revolve always in the opposite direction to the inner cylinder (a) and at a
slower surface speed.
The inner cylinder or receptacle (a) for the goods to be washed has a part of its
surface hinged so as to form a door and access is had to it through an opening (¹)
in the outer cylinder (6) which is closed when working, by a water-tight door (6¹).
The outer cylinder (b) is carried in bearings (d) in suitable framing (d) and
upon antifriction runners (2) and steam or water is admitted through the axle (6)..
When the goods to be washed are placed in the inner cylinder (a) or cage the
opening therein is closed and secured and the desired amount of water is admitted
into the outer cylinder (b) which is then closed by a water tight door (6¹). The two
cylinders outer (b) and inner (a) are then caused to revolve in opposite directions
and at different speeds causing strong contrary currents in the machine, the flanged
ribs or buckets (c) attached to the inside of the outer cylinder (b) carry with them a
quantity of water which is continually showered on to the goods, through the holes
in, and sinuous spaces between the metal rods or bars (a¹) forming the surface of
the inner cylinder (a) thus having a cleansing effect on the goods and the passage
of the flanged ribs or buckets (c) through the water or fluid surrounding the lower
part of the inner cylinder (a) agitates it which gives it a strong cleansing power on
the goods and better and quicker work is done than when the inner cylinder (a)
revolves inside a stationary cylinder or casing.
Steam will be introduced to the cage (a) in fine spray by means of a circular copper
perforated tube (e) at ends of cage (a). Steam can be introduced to the goods for the
purpose of disinfecting or softening the goods before the operation of washing proper
commences.
Rotary motion is communicated to the outer (b) and inner cylinder (a) by means
of an internal toothed wheel (63) on the hollow axle of the outer cylinder (b) and an
external toothed wheel (a³) on the hollow axle of the inner cylinder (a) both these
wheels are in the same plane and gear into the same pinion (f) which is fast upon a
shaft (1) to which rotary motion is given first in one direction and then in the other
by a wheel (2) thereon driven by a pinion (g) attached to the driving shaft (9') on
which are the fast (h) and loose (1) pullies which are driven in one direction or
the other by belts running in opposite directions.
The machine is reversed automatically by means of belt forks (¹) which are moved
to and fro by a lever (k) which is caused to swing sufficiently to give the required
movement to the belt forks (¹) by means of the lever (k) which is acted upon by
pins or projections (P) adjustable in a worm wheel (PI) that is driven by a worm (*)
on the end of the driving shaft (o') that carries the driving pulley (h).
To give the greatest possible amount of space for the admission of water to the
inner cylinder (a) the rods or bars (a¹) forming the surface thereof are perforated
and their edges are made with undulations as shown in Fig. 3, a space being left
between the edges of the bars (a') to admit the water or fluid.
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
I. The improved arrangement of washing machine as herein described and
illustrated.
II. The combination of an outer and inner cylinder revolving in opposite directions
when in motion for washing purposes.

page_text: III. The inner cylinder or cage for goods under process of washing made with
perforations in and sinuous openings between the bars."
IV. The internal flanged ribs or buckets which are attached to the inner surface
of the outer revolving cylinder for lifting and discharging the cleansing fluid in
washing machines.
V. The perforated circular pipe on the ends of the inner cylinder or cage for
conducting steam on to goods in the process of disinfecting softening washing or
cleansing.
Did this 15th day of Avs 1800