Improvements in Washing and Disinfecting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 6th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing and Disinfecting Machines.
DRUMMOND ALEXANDER MURDOCH Mechanical Engineer 69 and 71 Pilot
Street Belfast Co. Antrim do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to effect a thorough washing and disinfecting of
all classes of all textile fabrics at a minimum expence of labour & washing
materials.
In machines of this like is common an outer and inner cylinder, and the principal
feature and novelty of this invention, is to give to the outer cylinder a peculair
rocking or eccentric motion which causes the water and washing materials, within,
to be kept in violent & constant agitation, giving a thorough cleansing effect on the
goods whereby the goods are finished in much less time and in a superior manner
and at a minimum expense of washing materials.
The peculiar construction of the outer cylinder and the combination and
arrangement of working parts, which gives to it a similtaneous rocking and
eccentric motion fornis the novelty and special feature of this invention.
The outer cylinder may be constructed of steel, brass, wood or other suitable
material.
The ends may be removeable and are each provided with a journal projecting at
right angles from each end. The position which these journals occupy is novel.
They are not placed in the centre of each end but they are fixed in an eccentric
position or above the centre that is, they are at a greater distance from the bottom
and at a lesser distance from the top of the outer cylinder. A suitable framework
is provided with bearings to receive the said journals which are so fitted that the
outer cylinder is at liberty to oscillate, or partly revolve in
any direction.
On the lower half of the internal surface of the outer cylinder is provided and
fitted thereto, a series of peculair shaped troughs which are irregular and vary in
size and capacity. Those of greatest capacity are placed at the bottom, and the
gradually diminish in size and capacity, as they approach the centre right and left
of the longest radia, or line drawn from the journal to the bottom.
These troughs may be constructed of brass, steel or cast metal, and are provided
with solid ends. They are fixed to the internal lower surface, or bottom half,
"only."
One side of each trough is curved to the circumferance of the outer cylinder.
The opposite side has an acute angular inclination right and left,-of the longest
radia, to the circumferance of the outer cylinder.
The journals of the outer cylinder are provided with hollow or inside bearings,
into which is fitted the axle of the inside cylinder, and when in position it is nearer
to the top of the outer cylinder, than it is to the bottom, and is free to revolve in
any direction, independant of any motion that the outer cylinder may have.
On said axle is fixed a wheel, which is placed in contact with a pinion fixed on a
shaft, provided in the framework, said shaft being also provided with two fast and
one loose pulleys.
To give the rocking motion to the outer cylinder I provide a combination of
cranks and wipers. First I fit a horizontal shaft in a suitable position in the
framework. This shaft is free to oscillate in its bearings. On this shaft I fix a
wiper, or crank, to which is fitted a connecting rod the opposite end of said rod is

page_text: connected directly to the outer cylinder by a pivot or pin fixed in the end, of the
outer cylinder.
On the said shaft is provided a second wiper which is fixed in a suitable position.
It is also provided with a connecting rod. The opposite end of which is fitted to a
crank, or disk. This crank or disk may be fitted and fixed to the axle of the inner
cylinder or it may be fixed to the pinion shaft already mentioned, and for the same
purpose.
In large machines where this simple arrangement might be unsuitable, I may
employ an independant drive of a worm & worm wheel, with a crank and
connecting rod connected directly to the pin, on outer cylinder and for the same
purpose.
I employ a novel combination of locking reversing motion to actuate the
belt forks.
In suitable brackets or guides is fitted a sliding bar, to which is attached the
belt forks. It is also provided with stops to regulate the travel. A similar
sliding bar is fitted in similar guides at a suitable distance from, and parallel to the
former a slot is cut in the latter which acts as a fulcrum for a short lever. The
opposite end of this lever is provided with a joint which is fitted to the first
mentioned bar.
In the centre of this lever is fitted a peculair hollow slieve, provided with a slot,
within this slieve and on either side of the lever is fitted a spiral spring and at
either end of the slieve provision is made for adjusting the preasure of the springs.
On the slieve is also provided a pin or joint, to which is fitted the connecting
rod. The opposite end of this connecting rod is fitted to the driving gear, a worm
and worm wheel being preferred. The slieve is held in position by guides, and is
free to slide in them.
The sliding bars are each provided with a locking or running bar, which are
actuated by a lever, or I may employ an eccentric and connecting rod for the same
purpose. The lever is so arranged that it similtaneously locks the belt fork bar,
and unlocks the other and vica versa, so that it is impossible for both bars to move
similtaneously.
The object of this arrangement is to enable operator to vary the number of
revolutions of the machine before reversing, also to give a quick or slow reversing
motion.
The springs are employed to take up part of the travel of the slieve after the
belt fork bar has come to the stops.
The other sliding bar is only employed as a fulcrum, and when unlocked, it is
free to slide in any direction.
Steam water and washing materials may be admitted through the centrial journal,
but I prefer to employ a box or cistern which is placed at a convenient distance
from the machine. This box is provided with a tundish top. Between the tundish
& box, is provided, a stop cock, steam & water is connected to the box. In
the bottom of the box is provided an outlet, on which is placed a stop cock, which
is connected to the end of the cylinder by a flexible rubber or metalic hose.
Dated this 5th day of April 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing and Disinfecting Machines.
DRUMMOND ALEXANDER MURDOCH Mechanical Engineer 69 and 71 Pilot
Street Belfast, Co. Antrim do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in 5
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :—
It consists of improvements in the arrangement and construction of machines for

page_text: washing and disinfecting all classes of textile fabrics and manufactured goods at a
minimum expence of labour and washing materials.
Such being the nature and object of this invention and in order that the same
may be more readily understood I have hereunto appended one sheet of drawings
illustrative thereof-to which by figures and letters reference is made in the
following description.
•
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of a machine, made in accordance with this invention.
Fig. II. is an end view of same machine.
Fig. III. is a sectional end view shewing a portion of the parts illustrated by
Figures I. & II.
Fig. IV. is an enlarged view of a peculiar reversing motion for actuating the
machine.
In machines of this class is common an outer cylinder A and an inner cylinder B.
and the principle feature of this invention, is to construct arrange and actuate,
the outer cylinder A in such a manner that it receives a peculiar rocking to & fro
eccentric motion simultaneously.
The outer cylinder A and the inner cylinder B. may be constructed of steel,
brass, wood or other suitable material.
The ends of the cylinder A may be removable and are each provided with a
journal or bearing C. projecting at right angles from each end. These journals
are not placed in the centre of each end as has heretofore been the case in such
like machines but the journals C are fixed in an eccentric position, or above the
centre X that is, they are at a greater distance from the bottom, and at a lesser
distance from the top of the outer cylinder A.
A suitable framework D. is provided with bearings to receive said journals C.
which are so fitted that the cylinder A is at liberty to oscillate, or partly revolve
to & fro in any direction.
The object of this oscillating motion, is to keep the water and washing materials,
(within the outer cylinder) in a state of violent agitation causing the water &
washing materials to be dashed with force, into the inner cylinder at each
oscillation, at top bottom and sides simultaneously which has a thorough cleansing
effect on the goods within the inner cylinder, which is accomplished in much less
time and great economy in water and washing inaterials.
Another important advantage of this arrangement, is that a minimum expenditure
of power is required to keep the machine in motion, whereby a great saving is
effected in cost of working.
On the lower half of the internal surface of the outer cylinder A is provided and
fitted thereto, a series of peculiar shaped troughs E. These troughs are irregular
and vary in size and capacity. Those of greatest capacity are fitted to the bottom
and they gradually diminish in size and capacity as they approach the top.
They may be constructed of brass, steel, or metal, and are provided with closed
ends one side of each trough is curved & fitted to the outer cylinder. The opposite
side has an acute angular curved inclination right and left of the longest radia of
the outer cylinder.
The improvement and advantage of the troughs, is, that only one half the
number is required, that their peculiar shape discharges and dashes their
contents more effectually into the inuer cylinder at top bottom & sides simul-
taneously that they are removable and easily renewed, and that machines
constructed in this manner may be driven with much greater velocity, than has
heretofore been the case, in such like machines, and the process of washing &
cleansing is more effictually accomplished in much less time and greater economy
in water and washing materials is attained.
The journals of the outer cylinder A. are provided with hollow or inside
bearings, into which is fitted the axle F of the inside cylinder B and is free to
revolve in any direction independent of any motion the outside cylinder A may
have.
On this axle F is provided and fixed a wheel G which is placed in contact with

page_text: a pinion H fixed on a shaft I provided in the framework D said shaft being also
provided with one fast and two loose pulleys J.
To give the rocking to & fro motion to the outer cylinder I employ a com-
bination of cranks & wipers. First I fit a horizontal shaft K in a suitable position
in the framework D. This shaft is free to oscillate, in its bearings. On this
shaft K, I also, fix a wiper or crank L to which is attached a connecting rod M.
the opposite end of which is connected directly to the outer cylinder by a pivot or
pin N. fixed to one end of the outer cylinder.
On the said shaft K is also provided a second wiper O, which is fitted in a
suitable position. It is also provided with a connecting rod Q the opposite end of
which is directly connected to a crank or disc Q which is fitted and fixed to the
axle F of the inner cylinder B, or I may fix said wiper on the pinion shaft I
already mentioned and for the same purpose.
In large machines where this simple arrangement of mechanical drive might be
unsuitable, I may employ an independent drive, of worm and worm wheel, crank
and connecting rod, connected directly to the pin N. on the outer cylinder for the
same purpose.
I now employ a novel combination of locking and reversing motion to actuate
the belt forks.
In suitable brackets or guides S-Fig. IV. is fitted a plain sliding bar T, to
which is attached the belt forks U. The bar T is also provided with stops V to
regulate the travel.
A similar sliding bar W. is fitted in similar guides Y. at a suitable distance from
and parallel to the former. A slot is cut in the bar W through which is passed a
short lever Z. The opposite end of this lever is provided with a joint a, which is
fitted to the first mentioned bar T.
In or about the centre of this lever Z. is fitted a peculiar hollow sleeve b
provided with a second hollow or slot c through which the lever Z is passed, within
this sleeve and on either side of the lever Z is fitted a spiral spring d. and at each
end of the sleeve an adjusting screw e is fitted to regulate the pressure of the
springs. On this sleeve is also provided a joint to which is attached one end of a
connecting rod, the opposite end being fitted to the driving gear, a worm and worm
wheel being preferred. The sleeve b is held in position by guides, and is free to
slide to & fro in them.
The sliding bars T & W. are also provided with a locking arrangement, which
simultaneously locks the one & unlocks the other and "vica versa."
The locking arrangement is shewn by the sliding or locking bar f. which is
supported in the brackets S and Y and is free to slide backwards and forwards in
them. The locking bar fis shewn locking the sliding bar W. through which it
passes, a hole being prepared in the bar W. to receive the bar. which prevents
the bar W. moving either way. When the bar fis in this position the opposite
sliding bar T is free to move either way.
When the locking bar fis drawn forward into the position indicated by the
dotted lines it passes through a hole prepared in the sliding bar T which
prevents the bar T moving, at the same time the bar W. becomes unlocked and is
free to move either way.
When the bar T is locked it is in such a position that the belt forks U. are
directly over the loose pulleys and the machine is stopped.
The bar is bent or curved to pass clear of the hollow sleeve b. and is provided
with a small handle (g).
In order to vary the number of revolutions of the machine-the operator has
simply to adjust the pressure of the springs d by regulating the screws e. an
increase of the pressure on the springs will increase the number of revolutions, and
give a quick reversing motion, and a reduction of the pressure on the springs will
reduce the number of revolutions and give a slow reversing motion.
As it has already been described that the sleeve is actuated to & fro by an
independent drive viz. a worm and worm wheel having a connecting rod, one end of

page_text: which is fitted to the sleeve, the opposite end is connected to the worm wheel..
which is provided with a small pin or pivot to receive it. The pin is placed at a
distance from the center of the wheel, so that it forms a crank, which convertes-
by the connecting rod-the continuous circular motion of the worm wheel, into a
to and fro motion of the sleeve. The worm & worm wheel is driven by a belt
independent of the belts which drive the machine.
The revolutions of the worm and worm wheel are continuous and regular,
therefore the to and fro motions of the sleeve are also regular. But by the
action of the springs d which I employ the to & fro motions of the sliding belt
fork bar T may be regular or irregular or it may remain stationary although the
regular to & fro motions of the sleeve b. continue, as it has already been described
that the sleeve is provided with a slot c though which slot (the bar Z which
actuates the belt fork bar T,) is loosely passed, so that the bar Z may move in any
direction or remain stationary independent of any motion of the sleeve, and were
it not for the springs d acting within the sleeve, the bar Z would have no movement
whatsoever.
When the springs are screwed hard up against the bar Z. as shewn in Fig. IV.
the bar Z will move similtaneously with the sleeve, but for only one part of the
travel of the sleeve, that is the bar Z will come to a dead stop when the stop v has
come up to the bracket S. Now since the sleeve is not in any fixed to the bar Z.
the sleeve continues to travel on to the end of its stroke by simply compressing
the springs. Thus the spring is made to take up the part of the travel of the
sleeve after the bar T has come to a stop. Now when the bar T is at a stop theu
one of the driving belts is on the fast pulley and the machine is being driven
continuously in one direction, and the longer time that the belt fork remains at the
stop the greatest or maximum revolutions is attained before the regular to & fro
motion of the sleeve has returned to its original position as in Fig. IV.
To obtain a minimum number of revolutions, the screws e are unscrewed, so that
the springs d have little or (no) pressure on the bar Z. Then the bar Z will not
move similtaneously with the sleeve, since the sleeve must travel a greater or
lesser part of its travel, before the springs are sufficiently pressed or have attained
sufficient pressure to move the bar T up to the stop, therefore the belt will have
been longer in moving unto the fast pulley and it will have less time to remain on
the fast pulley, and the number of revolutions will be reduced to a minimum, for
each regular to & fro motion of the sleeve.
By regulating the screws the number of revolutions may be varied to any extent
for each regular to & fro motion of the sleeve.
The object of this arrangement is to enable the operator to vary the number of
revolutions of the machine before reversing also to give a quick or slow reversing
motion at the will of the operator.
The springs are employed to take up part of the travel of the sleeve after the
belt fork has come to the stops.
The sliding bar W. is simply employed as a fulcrum and when unlocked it is
free to slide to & fro without actuating the belt fork bar.
Steam water and washing materials may be admitted through the central journal
but I prefer to employ a box or cistern, which is placed at a convenient distance
from the machine. This box is provided with a tundish top. Between the tundish
and box is provided a stop cock, steam and water is connected to the box. In the
bottom of the box is provided an outlet on which is placed a stop cock which is
connected to the end of the outer cylinder by a flexible rubber or metallic hose
which permits the cylinder to be charged with water and steam while in
operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare, that what I
claim is:
The
ombination
mashing and
infanting mashinad

page_text: cylinder and an inner cylinder constructed and arranged in an eccentric position to
each other substantially as herein described.
(2.) The combination of an outer and an inner cylinder constructed and arranged
in an eccentric position to each other and actuated in such a manner, as herein
described so that the outer cylinder receives only an oscillating to & fro motion
simultaneously with the revolving and reversing motion of the inner cylinder.
(3.) The combination of levers cranks and connecting rode as herein described
to actuate or oscillate the outer cylinder as herein described.
(4.) The combination of levers, cranks & connecting rods, with independent
worm and worm wheel drive, to actuate or oscillate the outer cylinder as herein
described.
(5.) The peculiar shaped curved angular detachable troughs fitted to the lower
half only, of the outer cylinder, as herein described.
(6.) The combination of reversing gear, employing a sleeve or hollow box
enclosing springs to take up part of the driving motion without conveying such
part to the belt fork as herein described.
(7.) The application of a flexible metallic or india rubber hose to convey water
and steam to the outer cylinder (of such like machines) when in motion, as herein
described.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1895.
DRUMMOND A. MURDOCH,
Applicant.