Improvements in Coppers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Nov., 1889-Accepted. 21st Dec.. 1839
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coppers.
I, MARY BROWN, 4 Shaftsbury Place, London Road Station Brighton Sussex Teacher
of languages do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A copper to replace the ordinary washing copper in which the clothes can be
washed and boiled without having to remove them. The copper can be made of any
size, consisting of either galvanised iron or copper. For self filling a gutta percha
tube is screwed to any tap. For washing there is a propeller with three wooden fans
rounded at each extremity to prevent the clothes from hanging or tearing at any
angle, by turning a handle the clothes are washed and beaten in a few minutes there
is a tap at the bottom of the boiler to which is screwed a gutta percha pipe which
carries away all dirty water, being portable it can be placed near a sink, or at any
distance from it. A parafin lamp or gas is placed in a chamber under the copper, tho
water can therefore be heated at will, the clothes washed and boiled in a very short
time, without having to remove them.
73
MARY BROWN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coppers.
I, MARY BROWN, of 4 Shaftsbury Place, London Road Station, Brighton, in the
County of Sussex, Gentlewoman, 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 object of this invention is to produce a copper in which clothes and the like
can be boiled, washed and rinsed without the necessity of removing them, the copper
being portable and heated by gas or oil as desired.
The invention will be well understood by referring to the accompanying drawings
which are furnished in illustration thereof. Similar letters of reference are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is an elevation and Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sections taken at right
angles to each other.
The domestic washing copper A is enclosed within an outer cylindrical casing B
provided with a hinged or sliding door C and with air holes D D around the cir-
cumference at the bottom. The copper A is secured to the casing B by suitable
brackets or open frames E leaving an annular space F between them through which
the products of combustion pass and escape by the stove pipe G. The annular
space F is closed at the top by a flange on the upper edge of the copper A which is
soldered, brazed, cemented, or otherwise rigidly fixed to the upper edge of the
casing B so that the products of combustion cannot escape between the top of the
copper and the casing. A lid or cover H is hinged to the casing B and when closed
covers both copper and casing. This lid may if desired be perforated to allow of the
escape of steam generated in the copper A.
Within the copper A is a horizontal spindle J with one or more beaters or blades K
rigidly affixed thereto, or formed in one therewith. I prefer to use three beaters as
shewn in the drawings, as I find this number to give good results. The spindle and
beaters are preferably made of wood or similar material which will not rust or tear
the clothes or the like. One end of the spindle J rotates freely in a bearing or
bracket Laffixed to the inside of the copper A, while the other end of the said spindle
passes through the side of both copper and casing and terminates in a square boss M

page_text: over which a winch handle or the like may be placed. A gland and stuffing box N
is interposed between the copper and casing to prevent the egress of water from the
copper.
The bottom of the copper A is of an arc or curved shape to conform to the sweep
of the blades K as they rotate. The blades are also of a curved or are shape their
peripheries reaching nearly to the sides and bottom of the copper A. The copper is
emptied by means of the tap P shewn in Figure 2 which is connected to the bottom
of the copper and discharges outside the casing. An india-rubber or other flexible
tube may be screwed on to the nozzle of this tap so that the contents of the copper
may be discharged over a sink or other place as desired.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The clothes or the like are placed in
the copper A and the requisite water poured in on them, preferably by means of an
india-rubber or other flexible pipe attached to the ordinary water tap. The gas or oil
lamp Qis then lighted and the door and lid H shut. The winch handle is then
turned, thus rotating the blades or beaters K which pick up and take round the clothes
or the like and thoroughly wash them. The lamp or gas is then put out and the
copper emptied by the tap P, and the clothes thoroughly rinsed by admitting clean
cold water at the top and allowing it to run through the copper and out by the tap P,
the beaters K being rotated if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I claim is
declare that what
1. In a washing copper the use of a horizontal spindle J with blades or beaters K
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3.
2. The construction and use of a portable domestic washing copper within an outer
casing and provided with a horizontal spindle J with blades or beaters K, one end of
the said spindle rotating freely in a bracket L and the other end passing through a
gland and stuffing box N and terminating in a square boss or handle, all combined
and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. My improved portable washing copper constructed substantially as described and
illustrated.
Dated this zord day of November 1009.
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.