NEW OR IMPROVED APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH LAUNDRY BOILERS AND SIMILAR VESSELS FOR HEATING, BOILING, AND CIRCULATING THE. FLUIDS THEREIN, FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING CLOTHES, FABRICS, AND OTHER ARTICLES OR MATERIALS
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Levi John Groves at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th May 1881.
LEVI JOHN GROVES, of the City of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "NEW OR IMPROVED APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH
LAUNDRY BOILERS AND SIMILAR VESSELS FOR HEATING, BOILING, AND CIRCULATING
THE. FLUIDS THEREIN, FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING CLOTHES, FABRICS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES OR MATERIALS."
This Invention relates to new or improved appliances or apparatus to be fitted
and used in connection with laundry boilers and similar vessels to lieat or boil and
cause a rapid circulation of the liquid in these for the purpose of washing or
cleansing articles of clothing, loose fabrics, or other articles or materials placed
therein.
The improved appliances or apparatus comprise a small conoidal metallic nozzle,
or two or more nozzles, which under one modification are secured by a flange or
other connection to the bottom or other lower part of and within the washing
boiler. A small steam pipe fitted with a suitable stop-cock or valve is attached to
the underside of the boiler, immediately under and in direct communication with
the nozzle or nozzles, so that a jet of steam can be blown therefrom through the
centre of the nozzle or nozzles. The effect of this blast of steam is to heat or boil
and generate a rapid and strong upward current of the water within the boiler
towards its surface, this action being aided if desired by carrying up the nozzle or
outer nozzle or duct to near the normal surface of the water. The outer nozzle or
duct or nozzles and ducts are perforated or formed with openings at their lower
edges to allow the circulating water to return and ascend through the nozzles. It
is preferred to employ two or more nozzles fitted concentrically within each other,
the outer and upper of which would be formed on or fixed to the inner by ribs or
feathers to allow the water to flow freely into each of the outer nozzles, with the
steam jet impelling the water through them.
A perforated plate is by preference fitted over the bottom of the boiler above
the openings into the nozzles to prevent the clothes or other articles being cleansed
or washed from entering these openings. The steam supplied to form the jet

page_text: would be obtained from a separate steam boiler or generator, to which the steam
pipe would be connected.
In a modified arragement of the improved apparatus the nozzles are fitted in
a circulating pipe or tube connected to the boiler near the normal water level,
leading to and entering at or near the bottom of the boiler. The nozzles are fitted
at a bend in this pipe, and a jet of live steam is introduced into the central nozzle
by a small steam pipe attached to the water circulating tube at the bend referred
to, and the steam jet may be controlled by a regulating tap or conoidal central
screw plug. In this modification it is preferred to connect the outside circulating
tube to an annular pocket formed all round the boiler below the level of the water,
perforated inside, so that the nozzle apparatus would draw the liquids from the
boiler all round, and not from one part alone.
By a further modification the nozzle apparatus is fitted at the upper end of an
open tube fixed centrally within the boiler, and below the water level. Openings
would be forned round the nozzle to allow the water to enter, and the lower end
of the tube would also be perforated or formed with large openings, to allow the
current of water to flow freely outwards along the bottom of the boiler.
In this case the steam jet for the nozzles would preferably be supplied through
a flexible tube attached by a coupling to the nozzles or circulating tube.
In any of the modifications described, the washing boiler may be fitted with a
close cover, and the clothes boiled and cleansed by circulation of the water under
slight pressure, for the purpose of disinfecting the clothing or other articles within
the boiler. In this case the steam jet employed to produce the circulation of the
water would have to be of higher pressure than would otherwise be necessary.
The circulation of the water induced by means of a steam jet entering through
conoidal nozzles as described, will in general suffice to heat or boil, and wash or
cleanse the articles of clothing or fabrics placed within the boiler, soap or other
washing lyes being as usual mixed with the water; but a fire may be used below
the boiler in connection with the nozzle apparatus when desired.
This improved steam jet circulating apparatus may also be used for the washing
or cleansing of horse hair and other stuffing material used for upholstery purposes,
and for wool or other similar substances or material.
When this improved nozzle apparatus is fitted outside the boilers, it may be so
connected with the steam pipes and circulating the liquids in a set of two or more
boilers.