IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR WASHING AND RINSING LINEN AND OTHER TEXTILE FABRICS, THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNING OR BUTTER MAKING APPARATUS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bradford, of High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, and of the City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR WASHING AND
RINSING LINEN AND OTHER TEXTILE FABRICS, THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING
ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNING OR BUTTER MAKING APPARATUS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bradford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1880.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, and of the
City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO
MACHINERY FOR WASHING AND RINSING LINEN AND OTHER TEXTILE FABRICS,
THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNING OR BUTTER MAKING
APPARATUS."
This Invention relates to improvements in or applicable to machinery for washing
and rinsing linen and other textile fabrics, the improvements being also applicable
to churning or butter making apparatus.
The apparatus is constructed with a suitably shaped vessel which is hung upon
centres, upon which it is caused to revolve according to the motion which is
mechanically or otherwise given to it. I divide this vessel into two longitudinal
compartments by means of a fixed or re-movable horizontal partition of a peculiar
and novel construction, the same being made of wood, metal, or other suitable
material, and fitted with oblique and parallel slats which overlap each other, and
leave openings which allow the washing ley to pass freely from one compartment
of the washing vessel to the other, the overlapping slats at the same time presenting
a very effective rubbing surface for the linen while moving over the partition, and
effectually preventing the articles that are being washed or operated upon passing
from one compartment of the washing vessel into the other. This improvement is
especially applicable to steam washing machines, as it is then made to serve in a
singularly efficient manner the further purposes of supplying water and steam for
boiling the same, for the purposes of washing, boiling, and subsequently rinsing the
linen contained in each compartment. I prefer to make a separate opening (and
cover) for the placing in of the linen or other material for cach compartment when

page_text: the partition is a fixture, but only one such opening and cover need be made and
used when the partition is removable.
These covers or lids I propose to make in a novel and singularly efficient manner
to ensure their being watertight, inasmuch as it is one of the special features of my
improved washing machine, that although divided by the aforementioned partition
the whole of the washing process is accomplished in one vessel, which shall contain
and retain without waste the washing ley, and also the articles to be washed, and
therefore in this respect differing essentially from such machines hitherto in use,
in which an outer vessel is made to contain the washing ley, and an inner vessel or
cage to contain the linen to be washed, the essential practical difference in
favor of my improvements being that the whole of the washing ley is in constant
motion when the machine is rotated, and is thereby made not only an active agent
and assistant to the cleansing process exercised upon the fabric, but greatly
economizes the quantity of the washing ley required, also cleanses the linen more
speedily and with less liability to injury of the fabric in consequence of the
constantly moving liquid relieving the fabric from injurious drag or strain.
A further improvement of especial practical value consists in the construction of
the interior of the washing vessel conjointly with the partition, so that while it
ensures the changing of the position of the linen at each revolution it obviates
the usual and objectionable tendency of revolving machines to roll up and entangle
the linen.
A further useful and important purpose which the partition serves, and more
especially with what are termed combined washing and wringing machines, is that
when the vessel is secured at a certain angle the linen can be taken out and placed
between the rollers without immersing the hands in the hot water.
The above described improved partition is also especially applicable for use in
apparatus for churning milk or cream or making butter. I then prefer to make it
in separate parts so that it can be almost instantly securely fixed in, or removed
from, the churning vessel, but the special excellence in its application to a churn is
the placing of a vertical series of obliquely placed slats or bars, so that when the
vessel is rotated the whole of the milk or cream is caused to partake of a series of
converging currents which meet a central current and produce just that kind of
agitation and aëration of the milk which I have found by long experience is most
desirable and essential to good butter making, not only as far as the actual process
of churning is concerned, but also in the collection and gathering of the butter in
more solid form after being churned, and with a view to the still more perfect
manipulation of the butter after churning I remove the partition used for churning
and replace it by one fitted with perforated sheet metal, or its equivalent, for
collecting and sieving the butter from the milk. I effectually prevent leakage from
the cover of the churn when being rotated in the process of churning by grooving
at right angles the under edge thereof and fitting the groove with a flat rubber
washer, compression of which by the usual means of securing the lid makes the
joint air and water tight, and I relieve the pressure arising from the expansion of
the cream during the process of churning by fitting a tap in lieu of the usual double
plugs which are not so easy in their manipulation.
The churning vessel (as well as the washing vessel) is fitted with a suitable
framework of a convenient shape or design, and it revolves upon anti-friction roller-
bearings.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Bradford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd April
1881.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, and of the
City of Manchester, Laundry Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO
MACHINERY FOR WASHING AND RINSING LINEN AND OTHER TEXTILE FABRICS,
THE IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNING OR BUTTER MAKING
APPARATUS."
This Invention relates to improvements in or applicable to machinery for washing
and rinsing linen and other textile fabrics, the improvements being also applicable
to churning or butter-making apparatus.
Figures 1 to 3, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, illustrate a combined
washing, rinsing, and wringing machine, as constructed according to or adapted with
my present improvements. Figure 1 represents a front elevation with the washing
vessel in vertical section; Figure 2 represents a central transverse section of
Figure 1; and Figure 3 represents a detail view.
1 represents the washing vessel, to the arrangement and construction of which
my present improvements have special reference. The washing vessel may be
made of any suitable shape, but I prefer to make it of the shape shown most
clearly in Figure 2. It is suspended with freedom of rotation by end trunions 2 in
bearings 3 supported by the end frames 4; and in the smaller machines it may be
rotated by hand by the usual means, and in the larger machines intended to be
driven by steam power by a suitable arrangement of gearing, such as has previously
been used, as shown on the accompanying Drawings.
When
My present improvements have especial reference to the dividing of the washing
vessel and of the churning vessel, each into longitudinal compartments by means
of a partition of the peculiar and novel construction hereinafter referred to.
adapting the partition to a washing vessel I construct it as a fixture, and when
adapting it to a churn I construct it so as to permit of being speedily removed for
cleansing purposes, both as hereinafter described.
With reference, firstly, to the washing vessel the partition may be constructed
of wood, metal, or of any other suitable material, and the peculiarity of its construc-
tion consists in making it as or with a series of louvres; that is to say, I provide
or fit it with, or construct it as a series of parallel slats or boards arranged obliquely
with reference to the plane of their edges, and so as to overlap each other, they
being preferably also parallel with the axis of the washing vessel. This construction
will be well understood on reference being had to Figure 2, where 5 represents the
slats, and 6 the end supports into which the slats are fitted, the supports being
fitted inside the ends 7 of the washing vessel, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It
will be seen on reference to Figure 2 that there are parallel longitudinal openings
between the slats, which allow the washing ley to pass freely from one compart-
ment, of the vessel to the other, while they are not sufficiently wide to allow of the
through passage of the articles which are being washed or rinsed, and which are
thus confined to their respective compartments. The edges of the slats may be
left plain, or they may be fitted with slightly projecting round ribs 8, as shown, the
ribs being made of brass or other suitable metal.
In order that the advantages accruing from this improvement shall be fully
attained, I have found it to be of especial practical importance that the construction
of the interior surface of the washing vessel shall be such that conjointly with the
partition, it will ensure the continuous changing of the position of the linen or of
the fabrics being washed throughout each revolution, and I obtain this important
co-action (while obviating the usual and objectionable tendency of rotating

page_text: machines to roll up and entangle the linen) by fitting the washing vessel with
parallel ribs 9, according to the relative arrangement shown in Fig. 2, and thus
upon the vessel being rotated the positions of the articles in the compartments
of the vessel are continuously changing, and the articles meet with a very effective
rubbing and cleansing action from the overlapping slats while moving over the
partition, and from the parallel ribs 9 which turn them about, and from the constant
dashing of the water or washing ley from the one compartment to the other, and
thus the desired operations are very speedily accomplished. It is one of the special
features of my improved washing machine that although divided by the partition
the whole of the washing process is accomplished in one vessel, which contains and
retains without waste the washing ley, and also the articles to be washed, and
therefore in this respect differing essentially from such machines hitherto in use,
in which an outer vessel is made to contain the washing ley, and an inner vessel
or cage to contain the linen to be washed, the essential practical difference in
favour of my present improvements being that the whole of the washing ley is in
constant motion when the machine is rotated, and is thereby made not only an
active agent and assistant to the cleansing process exercised upon the fabric, but
greatly economizes the quantity of the washing ley required, and also cleanses the
linen more speedily and with less liability to injury of the fabric in consequence of
the constantly moving liquid relieving the fabric from injurious drag or strain.
The application of the partition is of especial advantage to washing machines
which are worked by steam power, as it is then made to serve in a singularly
efficient manner the further purposes of supplying water and steam for boiling the
same, for the purposes of washing, boiling, or steaming, and subsequently rinsing the
linen contained in the compartments. This purpose I attain by constructing one
or more of the slats of metal, and hollow, with radiating perforations, or by fitting
one or more of the slats with a perforated pipe 10 (or a hollowed brass casting or
its equivalent), as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water and steam being led to the
slat, pipe, or space thus enclosed from the usual means of supplying them to the
interior of the vessel (and which are shown on the right hand side of Figure 1) by
means of a communicating pipe 11 running down one of the supports 6, or in any
equivalent inanner.
A further useful and important purpose which the partition, serves more especially
when adapted to combined washing and wringing machines, is that when the
vessel is secured in position (by the stop 12 being pushed into a hole in the end
plate of the vessel) with the partition at such an angle with the horizon as that all
the hot water is in the lower compartment only, the linen can be taken out from
the upper compartment, and directly placed between the wringing rollers
without immersing the hands in the hot water.
The partition in the present case being a fixture I make a separate opening 13
for the placing in and removal of the linen or other material for each compartment
of the vessel, and I provide a cover 14 for each opening. This will be seen in
Figure 2, where one opening is shown as fitted with its cover, and the other is
shown as without it.
The improved construction of the covers is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the
especial object being to prevent leakage from the openings 13 when the vessel is
being rotated in the process of washing or rinsing the linen. This improvement
consists in grooving the under edge of the cover at right angles to its edge and
fitting the groove with a flat india rubber washer 15, compression of which by the
usual means of securing the lid (and which are illustrated in Figure 3) makes the
opening steam and water tight.
Figures 4 to 9 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings illustrate the applica-
tion of my improvements to apparatus for churning milk or cream, or making
butter, and to which they are especially applicable. Figure 4 represents a perspective
view of the exterior of the churn with the cover removed showing the partition;
Figure 5 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the churning vessel showing a
front view of the removable partition; Figure 6 represents a longitudinal horizontal

page_text: section, and Figure 7 a transverse vertical section, of Figure 5; Figure 8 represents
a perspective view of the partition; and Figure 9 represents a similar view of
another form of the partition.
As herein before referred to the construction of the partition will now be described
as removable, in which form it is especially applicable to a churn, it needing to be
removed for cleansing purposes.
The partition is represented in these Figures as made of three parts, for facility
of being quickly and securely placed and fixed in, and removed from, the churning
vessel. The two outer parts are formed or provided with a series of parallel oblique
slats, preferably of wood, and arranged at right angles to the axis of the churn, as
shown on the Drawings, and these parts are singly lowered through the opening in
the churn to between the lower and upper guiding ribs or grooves 16, and are slid
one towards each end of the churn, after which the centre part is lowered between
the opposite side grooves 17 of the outer parts. The outer parts are so placed as
that the slats incline to the same side or compartment of the churn, as shown most
clearly in Figure 6, and the centre slat has a longitudinal through opening 18, as
shown most clearly in Figure 8, and the effect of this arrangement when the churn
is rotated in the proper direction is to cause the whole of the milk or cream to
partake of a series of convergent currents which meet a central current, and produce
just that kind of agitation and aëration of the milk which I have found by long
experience is most desirable and essential to good butter making, not only as far
as the actual process of churning is concerned, but also in the collection and gathering
of the butter in more solid form after being churned; and with a view to the still
more perfect manipulation of the butter after churning, I remove the partition
(shown in Figure 8) used for churning, and replace it by one fitted, as shown in
Figure 9, with fine wire gauze or with perforated sheet metal 18 or its equivalent
for collecting and sieving the butter from the milk. Either the centre part may be
formed as a sieve, as shown in Figure 9, the outer parts being plain and inclined
towards it on the sides, or the outer parts may be made as sieves and the centre
part made plain and inclined towards the outer parts.
The partition being removable, I merely make one opening 13 to the churning
vessel for the placing in and removal of its contents, and I provide the cover for
this opening with a flat rubber washer 15, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, and as
herein before described, for closing the opening quite air tight."
I prefer to relieve the pressure arising from the expansion of the cream during
the process of churning by fitting the churning vessel with a tap 19 in lieu of the
usual double plugs which are not so easy in their manipulation.
The churning vessel and the washing vessel are each fitted with a suitable
framework 4 of a shape convenient for its accessories, and either of them may be
fitted with anti-friction roller bearings if required.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what I claim as the Invention
secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is:-
First. The novel and improved construction of the washing vessel of a washing
machine. with, and the application thereto, and use therein of a partition constructed
as or with a series of louvres or parallel slats, or boards arranged obliquely with
reference to the plane of their edges and so as to overlap each other and parallel
with the axis of the washing vessel, substantially as and for the purposes, and to
obtain the advantages herein before described, and as illustrated on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying explanatory Drawings.
Second. The novel and improved construction of the interior of a washing vessel
fitted with such a partition with parallel ribs according to the relative arrangement
shown in Figure 2 (or any mere modification thereof) for the purposes hereinbefore
enumerated.
Third. The novel and improved construction of the churning vessel of a churn,
with, and the application thereto, and use therein, of a removable partition con-

page_text: structed in parts, and as or with a series of louvres or parallel slabs arranged
obliquely, with reference to the plane of their edges, and so as to overlap each other
and with a central longitudinal opening and at right angles with the axis of the
churn; and the similar construction, application, and use of a removable supple-
mentary-partition constructed in parts with one or more parts as sieves, and the
other parts or part as a plain inclined board, both substantially as, and for the
respective purposes, and to obtain the respective advantages herein before described
and as illustrated on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The novel and improved construction of the covers for closing the
openings of such vessels (that is to say, washing vessels and churning vessels), steam,
air, or water tight, with a flat india rubber washor which is let into the edges of
the cover in a continuous groove formed therein, at right angles thereto,
substantially as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 7,
on the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bradford have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
THOMAS BRADFORD. (L.S.)