IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING LINEN AND OTHER FABRICS, CLOTHES AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Daniel Taylor, of Aston, near Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, Soap Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING LINEN AND OTHER FABRICS,
CLOTHES AND OTHER ARTICLES."
Sealed the 2nd March 1880, and dated the 18th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Daniel Taylor at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1879.
FRANCIS DANIEL TAYLOR, of Aston, near Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Soap Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR
CLEANSING LINEN AND OTHER FABRICS, CLOTHES AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention consists of the construction and arrangements herein after described
of the parts of apparatus to be used for washing or cleansing linen and other
fabrics, clothes, and other articles, by means of steam and condensed water applied
as herein after explained.
By the use of apparatus constructed according to my Invention, the washing or
cleansing of the linen or other fabrics, clothes, and other articles, is effected in a
simple and efficient manner, and much time, labour, and material, are saved.
In constructing apparatus according to my Invention, I take a metallic vessel
case, or body open at top and bottom, and by preference of a cylindrical figure, and
I fix concentrically in the said case or body a cage or receiver of a reticulated or
meshed material, the said cage being open at top. This cage or receiver may be
made of wire work, or perforated metal, or of other rigid reticulated or perforated
material. The said reticulated or meshed cage or receiver is divided by vertical
divisions into three or more compartments. The said divisions are hollow, and
constitute passages or flues for the purpose herein after described. In the
compartments of the cage the linen or other fabrics, clothes or other articles, to be
washed or cleansed aro packed. After packing the articles in the cage the top of
the outer case or body is closed by a tight fitting lid or cover. Steam may be
supplied to the apparatus in a variety of ways. For example, the apparatus may
be supported by means of flanges on the outer case or body in the mouth of an
ordinary open scullery copper or boiler. Or the said apparatus may receive steam
from a pan having a fire place containing fire, or from the boiler of a cooking grate, or
by steam conveyed by a pipe from any convenient closed boiler. Steam from any

page_text: of the sources described rises through the linen or articles packed in the compart-
ments of the cage, and steam also passes by the hollow divisions or flues to the top
of the apparatus where it is condensed by the closed top or cover. By the action of
the steam upon the clothes, the dirt or impurities are softened and brought into a
state in which they are easily removed by the downward current of the condensed
water from the top of the apparatus. The softened dirt or impurities are taken up
by the descending current of condensed water, which is received in the copper or
boiler, or in the vessel or receptacle in connection with the apparatus.
Instead of one large reticulated or open work cage situated within an outer case
or body, a series of trays arranged one upon the other may be employed. Each
tray consists of an outer frame open at top and bottom, having within it a shallow
reticulated or open work cage open at top for receiving the linen or articles to be
washed or cleansed. The cage part of the tray has vertical flues or hollow divisions
in it for the upward passage of the steam as before described. The outer frames of
the several trays are connected together by the bottom of each tray engaging with
a small trough in the top of the tray next below, the joints being approximately
steam tight. Each tray is furnished with a hinged door to obtain access to the
cage within it, and the series of trays is surmounted by a cover. The lowest tray
is supported on a hollow base or chamber which is supplied with steam by a pipe, '
or otherwise supplied with steam. The action of this arrangement of my Invention
is the same as that first described.
After the articles in the apparatus have been subjected to the combined action of
the steam, and the descending current of condensed water a sufficient length of
time, they are removed from the cage of trays, and if neccessary rubbed by hand in
the ordinary way of washing, and afterwards rinsed or passed through clean, warm,
or cold water. The softened dirt and impurities are by this treatment effectually
removed and the washing is complete.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Francis Daniel Taylor in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
6th March 1880.
FRANCIS DANIEL TAYLOR, of Aston, near Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Soap Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR
CLEANSING LINEN AND OTHER FABRICS, CLOTHES, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention consists of the construction and arrangements herein after described
of the parts of apparatus to be used for washing or cleansing linen and other fabrics,
clothes and other articles, by means of steam and condensed water applied as herein
after explained.
By the use of apparatus constructed according to my Invention, the washing or
cleansing of the linen or other fabrics, clothes, and other articles, is effected in a
simple and efficient manner, and much time, labour, and material are saved, and
wear and damage to the articles washed much diminished.
In constructing apparatus according to my Invention, I take a metallic vessel
closed at bottom, or a case or body, open at top and bottom, and I arrange
in the said vessel or case or body, a cage or receiver (or cages or receivers) of a
reticulated or meshed material, the said cage being open at top. This cage or
receiver may be made of wire work or perforated metal, or of other rigid reticulated
or perforated material. The said reticulated or meshed cage or receiver is divided
by vertical divisions into compartments. The said divisions are hollow, and
constitute passages or flues for the purpose herein after described. In the compart-
ments of the cage the linen or other fabrics, clothes or other articles, to be washed
or cleansed are packed. After packing the articles in the cage the top of the outer
case or body is closed by a tight fitting lid or cover.
Steam may be supplied to the apparatus in a variety of ways. For example, the
apparatus may be supported by a flange or flanges on the outer case or body, in the
mouth of an ordinary open scullery copper or boiler. Or the said apparatus may
receive steam from a pan having a fire place containing fire, or heated in any other
convenient way, or steam may be supplied from the boiler of a cooking grate, or
conveyed by a pipe from any convenient closed boiler. The steam supplied from
any of the sources described, or other sources rises into and through the linen or
articles packed in the compartments of the cage, and steam also passes by the
hollow divisions or flues to the articles in the cage, and to the top or condensing
chamber of the apparatus, where it is condensed by the closed top or cover.
By the action of the steam and the condensed water upon the moist clothes or
articles in the cage the greater part of the dirt and impurities is removed, and the
remainder is softened and brought into such a state as to be easily removed by a
subsequent slight rubbing in the wash tub.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawing.the
manner in which my Invention may be performed.
in plan, with the cover
Figure 1 represents in vertical section and Figure
removed, an apparatus for washing or cleansing linen fabrics, clothes, and other
articles, constructed according to my Invention; Figure 3 is a vertical section of
the cage or receiver detached from the other parts of the apparatus, the said
Figure 3 being taken in a plane at right angles to that in which the section,
Figure 1, is taken.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of
the Drawing.
a is the metallic case or body of the apparatus; b is the cage or receiver in

page_text: which the linen, clothes, or other articles to be washed or cleansed are packed, the
said cage or receiver being supported or suspended concentrically in the case or
body a by resting upon the three equi-distant ledges or supports c, c, c, on the
inner side of the said case or body a, or other means of supporting or suspending
the cage may be used. The cage or receiver b represented in the Drawing is made
of wire work, but it may be made of perforated metal or of other rigid reticulated
or perforated material. The meshed or perforated cage or receiver b is open at top,
the lower end of the said cage projecting below the bottom of the case or body a
in which it is suspended. In Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawing I have represented
the apparatus in conjunction with a pan d for holding the water from which the
steam to be supplied to the apparatus is generated. The said pan d is heated by
being placed upon an ordinary kitchen fire, or upon the hot plate of a kitchen
range, or otherwise heated by external heat. The case or body a containing the
cage b is supported upon the pan d by means of the annular flange e near the base
of the said case or body, resting upon the top of the said pan, the lower part of the
case or body entering the mouth of the pan, as seen in Figure 1. The annular
flange e also serves to support the washing apparatus in the mouth of an ordinary
open scullery copper or boiler, the pan d in that case being dispensed with, the
steam from the said copper or boiler rising through the apparatus as herein after
explained. The top of the case or body a is furnished with a tight fitting lid or
cover f. The top of the cage b is situated somewhat below the top of the case a,
and the space between the said top of the cage and the lid or cover f of the body
constitutes a steam condensing chamber g. The diameter of the cage b is somewhat
less than that of the body a, so that when the said cage is suspended in its place, an
annular space h (see Figure 1) is left between the sides of the cage b and the body
or case a for the passage of steam from the pan d into and among the linen or
articles, and to the condensing chamber g. The meshed cage or receiver b is'
divided by three (or more) vertical divisions i, i, i, into four (or other number of)
*compartments m, m. The divisions i, i, i, are so constructed as to constitute steam
passages or flues. In the Drawing the said steam passages or flues of the cage are
constructed of parallel or doubled wires situated a short distance apart, so that the
steam besides rising up the said passages shall pass into and among the linen or
articles in the compartments m, m, through the meshes in the divisions or flues.
Although I prefer to make the divisions or flues i, i, i, in the cage of a meshed
structure as described and represented, yet the said divisions or flues may be con-
structed of flat or other shaped perforated tubes or passages open at top and
bottom.
The cage b is furnished with handles 62, 62, for lifting it into and out of the case
or body a, and the said case or body a is furnished with handles a², a², for lifting
it from or placing it upon the pan or copper. The pan d is also furnished with
handles d², d², for lifting it upon or removing it from the fire, kitchen range, or
other source of heat.
In using the apparatus, the cage 6 is removed from the case or body a, and the
compartments m, m, of the cage are packed with the linen, fabrics, clothes, or other
articles to be washed or cleansed. When so packed the vertical spaces, passages,
or flues i, i, are unobstructed by the packed linen or articles in the cage. The
charged or packed cage b being lifted into the body or case a by its handles b³, 62;
the said cage is supported on the ledges c, c, c, in the said body or case, and the
top of the case or body is closed by the lid or cover f. The apparatus having been
placed upon and supported by the pan d, the latter partly filled with water is
heated in the way before described and the water therein boiled. The steam. from
.the pan rises into and through the linen or articles packed in the compartments of
the cage, and steam also passes by the hollow or meshed divisions or flues i, i, and
annular space or flue h to the chamber g at the top of the apparatus where it is
condensed, the condensed water percolating or passing through the packed: linen or
articles in the cage, the condensed water in its passage dissolving any soluble

page_text: matter it may come in contact with. By the action of the steam and condensed
water upon the clothes or articles the greater part of the dirt and impurities is
dissolved and detached, and the remainder is softened and brought into a state in
which it is got rid of in the one rub tub.
After the articles in the appartus have been subjected to the combined action of
the steam and the condensed water a sufficient length of time they are removed
from the cage and slightly rubbed by hand in the ordinary way of washing, and
afterwards rinsed or passed through clean warm or cold water. The softened dirt
and impurities are by this treatment effectually removed, and the washing is
complete.
When the apparatus is made of large size, the meshed or reticulated or perforated
cage or receiver may be made in halves or in three or more parts, each half or part
constituting a cage, the halves or parts where they join one another forming the
vertical hollow or perforated or meshed divisions of the compound cage or receiver.
Although I prefer so to construct the cage or receiver that an annular space or
flue for the passage of steam to the condensing chamber is formed when the cage
is put in its place in the case or body, yet the said cage may be made to fit closely
in the body or case; and the cage instead of being capable of removal from the
body or case, may be permanently connected to and form part of the body or case.
The apparatus described and represented may be used on board ships for washing
purposes. When so used it is preferred to make the case or body in which the
cage is suspended or fixed with a closed bottom, and the salt water is evaporated
in a boiler and the steam supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus may also be
used for supplying condensed or distilled water to the rinsing tub in which the
washed articles are finally treated, the said .condensed water being conveyed from
the apparatus to the rising tub by means of a pipe or otherwise.
Instead of one large recticulated or open work cage situated within or fixed
within an outer case or body, a series of trays arranged one upon the other may be
employed. Each tray consists of an outer frame open at top and bottom and sides,
similar to the case a, but shallower, having within it a shallow reticulated or open
work cage, open at top, for receiving the linen or articles to be washed or cleansed
similar to the cage b, but shallower. The cage part of the tray has vertical flues or
hollow divisions in it for the upward passage of the steam as before described. The
outer frames of the several trays are connected together by the bottom of each tray
engaging with a small trough in the top of the tray next below the joints being
approximately steam tight, but the several trays may be clamped or otherwise
connected together. Each tray is furnished with a hinged door to obtain access to
the cage within it, and the series of trays is surmounted by a cover. The lowest
tray is supported on a hollow base or chamber which is supplied with steam by a
pipe or otherwise supplied with steam. Or the hollow base or chamber may be
filled with water and heated by an external fire.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention,-
The improvements in apparatus for washing or cleansing linen or other fabrics,
clothes, and other articles by means of steam, and condensed water herein before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawing; that is to say, the com-
bination of a meshed or reticulated or perforated cage or receiver open at top, in
which the linen, fabrics, or articles to be washed or cleansed are packed with the
appliances herein before described and illustrated, the said cage or receiver being
furnished with vertical passages or flues, preferably of a meshed structure for the
upward and lateral passage of the steam into and among the linen or articles, and
to the condensing chamber of the apparatus, the several parts being constructed,
arranged and used, substantially as described and illustrated; also arranging an
annular or other steam space between the cage or receiver, and the body or case in
which it is suspended or fixed for the purposes described and illustrated in the
Drawing; also the modification described in which a series of trays, containing

page_text: cages, arranged one upɔn another, and engaged or bound together is used in place,
of a single or compound cage and the appliances connected therewith.
In witness whereof,. I, the said Francis Daniel Taylor, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
FRANCIS DANIEL TAYLOR. (L.S.)