An Automatic Steam Washing, Bleaching, and Disinfecting Machine.
Year: 1888

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Steam Washing, Bleaching, and Disinfecting
Machine.
ANN HENSMAN Abbington Avenue Northampton, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
My Invention consists in An Automatic steam Washing, Bleaching, and disinfecting
Machine; and is constructed as follows:-
A metal hoop is formed of sufficient size, and of suitable shape to cover the vessel
in which the steam employed is generated; a socket and flange or equivalent, being
formed on the under side of the hoop, so as to fit securely the saucepan, copper,
kettle, steam boiler or other vessel.
The bottom of the hoop consists either of a plate perforated; or of a wide mesh of
wire or metal preferably galvanized.
At about the centre in vessels of small size a funnel having slots, or perforations is
mounted; either by soldering, or it may be loosely fitted so as to be removed at will-
A lid is also fitted to the top of the hoop.
I sometimes mount a series of hoops constructed as described but so as that the bottom
of one shall fit the top of that beneath, and in this case the lid is fitted to the upper-
most. This arrangement enables the cleansed material treated in any one hoop to be
changed and replaced by a fresh hoop containing soiled clothes or other articles, and a
saving of time is thereby effected.
When the hoops are constructed of a diameter exceeding 24 inches or thereabouts,
I insert round the inner edge of the hoop a series of semicircular funnels or tubes
having slots or perforations; these being in addition to the central funnel :-In cases
in which a higher temperature is required than that obtainable at atmospheric pressure,
1 construct the hoop or hoops employed, of stouter material, and fasten the one
attached to the boiler by rivetting, screwing, or equivalent means; the lid or the
flanges uniting the hoops being also secured by screwing, bolting, or clamping; the
lid is also fitted with a safety valve.

page_text: The operation of my invention is as follows:-
The hoop or series of hoops, one fitting within the other and having a lid upon the
upper one, are filled with materials to be treated; which are lightly pressed together
and placed upon the perforated plate or mesh in each hoop; the lower most hoop is
fitted to the vessel; and the others built up upon it. Steam is now raised, and passes
through the mesh or perforations and through the perforated funnel or funnels in each
hoop, permeating the materials contained in them in every direction, and loosening
the dirt so that after removal rinsing in warm water thoroughly cleanses it.
Each independent hoop is fitted with handles on either side, to facilitate removal
and replacement.

page_text: ANN HENSMAN Abington Avenue, Northampton 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 :—
+
S
is made to the accompanying drawings in which :—
Fig. 1, is a side elevation.
Fig. 2, is a plan of same with cover removed.
Fig. 3, is a vertical section showing a series of hoops, upon copper.
Fig. 4, is a plan shewing internal construction of vessels of large size.
Fig. 5, is a vertical section shewing construction of vessels for working under
pressure.
Fig. 6, plan showing clip device for making joint.
The bottom
Figs. 1 and 2, shew in elevation and plan a hoop a formed of any suitable metal,
and in this case of circular shape; having a socket b, and flange c, for fitting closely
the saucepan, copper or equivalent vessel employed for generating steam.
of the hoop consists of a wide wire mesh d, see fig. 2 or this may be replaced by a
perforated plate, see fig. 4 and in either case the mesh or plate should be tinned or
galvanized. At about the centre I mount by soldering, or screwing so as to permit of
its ready removal a small tube or funnel e, having perforations or slots f, a lid or
cover g,
is also provided and closely fits the top of the hoop. I sometimes mount a
series of hoops see fig. 3, so that the bottom of one shall fit the top of that beneath it,
and in such case the lid is fitted to the uppermost. This arrangement enables the
cleansed material treated in any one hoop to be replaced by a fresh hoop containing
clothes or other soiled articles, so effecting a saving of time.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
The hoop, or series of hoops one fitting within the other, are filled with the soiled
materials, which are lightly pressed down upon the wire mesh or equivalent employed.
The lowermost hoop is fitted to the copper, saucepan or equivalent vessel s in which
steam is raised, and the lid placed upon the upper one. Steam is now raised, and
passes through the mesh or perforations and through the funnel or funnels as the
case may be, in each hoop, permeating the materials contained in them in every
direction and loosening the dirt, so that after removal rinsing in warm water
thoroughly cleanses it. The handles h, placed upon each hoop facilitato removal and
replacement.
When the hoops a, are constructed of a diameter exceeding 24 inches or thereabouts
see fig. 4, I insert round the inner edge a series of semi-circular funnels or tubes c¹,
having slots or perforations, in addition to the central funnel, as hy their aid I obtain
more perfect circulation.
•
1

page_text: For disinfecting purposes or other cases in which a higher temperature is required
than that obtainable at atmospheric pressure, I employ the form of vessel or vessels
shewn in fig. 5, 6. These consist of hoops of stout material, the lower one attached
to the boiler being riveted thereto, or it may be screwed, bolted, or fastened in any
equivalent manner; when only a single hoop is employed the lid is fastened by
screwing bolting or clamping-In the latter case part of the flange c, is cut away and
a clamp or groove, is riveted or otherwise formed upon the lower vessel, the opposing
surfaces of the flange and clamp being eased; so as to bring the surfaces into steam
tight contact when a slight twist is given to the upper vessel.
Although my invention is more particularly applicablo to washing, bleaching or
disinfecting purposes, it can be employed for steaming any other materials of a suitable
nature. I do not confine my invention to any special shape or configuration as it is
obvious that the hoops can be spun, bent moulded or otherwise fashioned to fit any
shape of generator without departing from its spirit and intention.
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:-
1. The particular combination described under figs. 1 and 2 operating in the manner
and for the purposes described.
2. The coinbination in or with an automatic steam washing machine of socket b, and
flange c, for fitting generator or hoop, the perforated plate mesh or equivalent d,
with funnel e, or funnels e¹ having slots or perforations f, the cover g, and
handles, h, all as described and operating in the manner and for the purposes set
forth.
3. In an automatic steam washing Bleaching and disinfecting machine, operated
under pressure, the particular method of clamping the hoop or hoops described under
fig. 5, 6.
4. In an automatic steam washing bleaching and disinfecting machine, the particular
construction for, and method of mounting a series of hoops one upon the other by
means of the socket and flange device described under fig. 3, for effecting the purposes
set forth.