Shirt Starching Machine.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1893-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Shirt Starching Machine.
•
ALFRED KIRK COOK, Shirt and Collar Manufacturer, Excelsior Works
Taunton Somerset, 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 :-
The shirt starching machine is driven by a crank shaft, with connecting rod,
such rod being attached to frame, to the frame there are attached (4) four
connecting rods. The rods are attached to (2) two central rubbers or plungers,
which work up and down alternately and in slides.
There are (5) five divisions in machine, the outer (2) two (i.e.) (1) one at either
side in these divisions there is a portable board above the screw, the boards prevent
shirts hanging in starch. In the next division at either side, the central rubbers or
plungers work. There are in the divisions at either side of central rubber (6) six
half circle holes into which the front cuff and band of shirts are placed.
To retain shirts in holes, there is a portable board, with corresponding half circle
pieces fixed on bottom, also a clutch hook. The hook is passed into clutch eye
(which is fixed into under boards) draw up portable boards, into a perpendicular
position. The shirts are thus pressed tightly, into holes, and the portable board
is kept in position by a bolt at either side of top. This is a most ready and
telling action. The central division is for the skirts of shirts to rest in free from
starch.
There is a cover over central rubbers or plungers which slides up and down
connecting rods.
Thin or stout heavy shirts, can be starched, in the same space of time, by
regulated pressure, obtained by a wheel screw which is in either side of outside
machine and fastened to rubbers in the outer divisions. All the divisions are
corrugated. There is a tap to draw off starch from the divisions in which rubbers
work.
The claims of the shirt starching machine, are, heavy or light shirts are
uniformly starched. Shirts need not be dried.
The machine is an original invention of A. K. Cook, by which the toilsome
uncertain work of hand starching is dispensed with, and uniform perfect starching
has become (by its use) a positive fact.
The accompanying drawing shews the section of shirt starching machine
alphabettically described.
A shews the outside frame or carcase of machine.
B shews frame for carrying crank shaft & pulley wheel.
C shews frame coupling rubbers with shaft.
D shews coupling irons or rods.
E shews connecting rod with crank shaft.
Fshews plummer block, pulley wheel, & crank.
G shews bottom portions of divisions that are fixed.
H shews upper portions of divisions left portable for placing the shirts in.
I shews another portable part of division worked by an iron screw also marked I
in order to regulate the pressure of shirts against the rubbers in connection with
the upper portable division marked H I.
J shews rubbers.
K shews boards to keep starch in trough.
L shews shirt in position for starching.
M shews trough for starch.
N chams tan fax duawing off starch

page_text: O shews elevation of division shewing where shirts are fixed.
P shews elevation of movable rubber.
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,
The machine for starching shirts which is set forth in Specification & drawings
herewith.