IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR WASHING AND BLEACHING CLOTHES AND ALL KINDS OF TEXTILE MATERIALS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR WASHING AND BLEACHING CLOTHES AND ALL KINDS OF TEXTILE MATERIALS."
-A communication from abroad by Jules Decoudun, Mechanical Engineer,
of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 15th November 1867, and dated the 28th May 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th May 1867.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINES FOR WASHING AND BLEACHING CLOTHES AND ALL KINDS OF
TEXTILE MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for combining in one the
several laundry operations. The linen or fabric is suspended at the lower
part of a dasber plate which is caused to rise and fall in a receptacle containing
the liquid for decomposing the dirt which it is desired to remove from the
materials. The linen on being allowed to fall with the dasher plate into the
bath containing an alkaline solution by reason of its weight becomes squeezed
between said plate and the bottom of the receptacle, after which it is again
raised out of the liquid and the operation repeated, and so on. By this
intermittent action, and the pressure on the linen, the liquid with which it is

page_text: impregnated becomes forcibly ejected, the effect being comparable to that
of a beater used for acting on fabrics steeped in lyc, which serves to deaden
the blow and preserve them from injury. In raising the dasher plate a great
proportion of the liquid remains in the linen, and the washing is partially
effected by such action, as supposing the plate to be in the downward position,
and force be applied to quickly raise it upwards, the linen attached thereto
will partake in the same movement, being snatched as it were from the bath
so as to create considerable friction of the liquid on the linen, which increases
in proportion to the rapidity of the movement and the inertness of the liquid.
It will thus be seen that the cleansing of the linen is obtained by the aid of
hydraulic friction, forming an advantageous substitute for the brush now used.
A further and like effect is produced by the spreading of the linen during the
upward motion of the plate, as in consequence of the weight of the water
carried up with it it runs off in all directions and produces the same result
as when rubbing the linen with the liquid. This combined action will be the
same for the several washing and rinsing operations. The preliminary
treatment is for the purpose of eliminating the matters which are soluble in
water by dipping the linen in the liquid in the manner before-mentioned.
During the steeping of the fabrics, with the object of saponifying the grease
contained by the aid of an alkaline base or contact with heat, a bath of lye
is substituted for the water heated in any suitable manner, either by a boiler
or in the washing vessel itself by the aid of gas or other heating agent.
Supposing steam to be used either by direct contact or otherwise the lye will
be gradually heated, and the saponification of the grease be effected in a
very short time by reason of the frequent renewals of contact of the alkaline
liquid at all points of the fabric by the mechanical action of the dasher plate
and under the influence of the heat. The soaping process is simply a repetition
of the above operation, but using soapsuds or acids if it is desired to subject
the materials to their action. The rinsing operation is also the same, except
that the water is continually renewed, the repeated rapid downward movements
of the dasher effectually cleansing the linen.
The apparatus I employ for the above purposes is represented in the
annexed Drawing, and consists of a water-tight box or receptacle A having a
door B well fitted and serving for the introduction of the linen. This apparatu
may be constructed in various ways so long as in all cases the suspended liner
sball fall with the dasher plate on to a hard bottom, at which point a certain
depth of liquid is provided. Wood is usually employed for the sides of th
washing machine, or metal may be used in the case of acids acting injuriousl
thereon, or the wood may be lined with metal, or it may be a metal attackable

page_text: by acids lined with one capable of resisting their action, as, for example, zine,
lead, copper, or enamelled ware, or brickwork cemented may be used; the
dasher C may also be made of wood and metal. The liquid is contained at the
lower part D, at which point are provided one or more discharge cocks E;
cold or hot water is introduced at cocks F at the side or preferably at top of
the washing vessel. The heating of the lye is effected by introducing steam at
cock G into the liquid, or by means of circulating tubes or a double bottom,
and supposing it is not desired to use steam the lye may be heated from
underneath or in a separate boiler from which it or the soapy solution may by
supplied to the washing vessel. The dasher C is provided with perforations
for the passage of the liquid, and the linen is attached thereto by the aid of
cords, hooks, or rails according to the nature of the articles under treatment;
they may also be suspended therefrom in a net attached to ties or placed
athwart rods mounted either inside or outside the machine, in which latter
case they are connected at their ends so as to form an endless chain fitted to
extend in the manner shown in Figure 2, and running on rails arranged on a
level with the dasher when in its highest position opposite the slides H, Figure 3.
The linen may also be previously placed on rods at a distance apart, which
are then brought together in the slides of the dasher plate by the aid of
pressure, the linen being. held in position to prevent its falling by the aid of
the cross pieces I.
Figures 4 and 5 show the application of a drying machine for washing
linen on this principle, which linen may be afterwards dried without requiring
to be previously spread out afresh. If the materials to be bleached are too
small to be suspended in the manner described the same result may be
obtained by the action of the liquid. For this purpose I make an opening in
the upper part of vessel A instead of having a door as before; the linen
carrier C is flat, perforated, and fitted to the sides of the vessel, and has
up-and-down motion imparted to it. In this manner the linen on being
placed on the plate will be washed the same as when suspended, as in this
case the piston in its upward motion on leaving the bath carries with it
the linen it supports with the water contained until it reaches the cover of
the vessel A, where it becomes compressed, and then rapidly descending dashes
the water through the spaces in the plate; the linen after being squeezed
against the top spreads itself by the action of the jets and assumes a position
similar to when suspended in a liquid current until a fresh action takes place.
The heating and mode of treatment is the same as in the other instances,
except that I do not use the attachments which are not necessary for small
articles. The gearing may be combined in varions ways, provided the mode

page_text: of transmission be such that the piston receives its ascensional motion from
the driving power, its fall being operated by the weight of the plate and the
articles it carries. On arriving at the end of its course the motor again acts
for the purpose of raising the plate.
Figures 1 and 1' of the Drawings show a machine with four washing
chambers and four plates, two chambers being used while the other two
are being supplied with articles, the dasher plate of the one being raised while
the other is falling, and vice versa, so as to ensure as regular an action as
possible.
In the examples illustrated an arrangement of disconnecting gear is shown
for throwing the friction rollers serving to raise the dashers in and out of
gear therewith, said rollers being actuated by any suitable motor, either hand
or horse power, water wheels, turbines, steam engines, or otherwise; or a steam
cylinder may be attached to the machine, the steam from which would act
on the under side of the piston (its rod also forming the dasher stem) in order
to raise it, and on reaching the limit of its upward course the steam escapes,
allowing the dasher and steam piston to fall, steam is then again introduced
for producing a fresh rise and so on. Linen may be washed in this manner
in twenty minutes, the employment of the improved apparatus enabling the
several operations and vessels for steeping and bleaching, rinsing and blueing
linen being combined in one apparatus. It is applicable for washing all
kinds of body or bed or table linen, rags for pulp, and other articles, and
for bleaching cotton, hemp, flax, wool, silk, and all textile materials generally.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th November 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR WASHING AND BLEACHING CLOTHES AND
ALL KINDS OF TEXTILE MATERIALS," a communication to me from abroad by Jules
Decoudun, Mechanical Engineer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my execu-
tors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what. manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for combining in one the
several laundry operations. The linen or fabric is suspended at the lower
part of a plate, which is caused to rise and fall in a receptacle containing the
liquid for decomposing the dirt which it is desired to remove from the
materials. The linen on being allowed to fall with the plate into the bath
containing an alkaline solution by reason of its weight becomes squeezed.
between said plate and the bottom of the receptacle, after which it is again
raised out of the liquid, and the operation repeated, and so on; by this
intermittent action and the pressure on the linen the liquid with which it is.
impregnated becomes forcibly ejected, the effect being comparable to that of
a beater used for acting on fabrics steeped in lye, which serves to deaden the
blow and preserves them from injury. In raising the plate a great proportion.
of the liquid remains in the linen, and the washing is partially effected by such
action, as supposing the plate to be in the downward. position and force be.
applied to quickly raise it upwards the liuen attached thereto will partake in
the same movement, being snatched as it were from the bath, so as to create
considerable friction of the liquid on the linen, which is increased in proportion
to the rapidity of the movement and the inertness of the liquid. It will thus
be seen that the cleansing of the linen is obtained by the aid of hydraulic
friction forming an advantageous substitute for the brush now used. A further.

page_text: and like effect is produced by the spreading of the linen during the upward
motion of the plate, as in consequence of the weight of the water carried with
it it runs off in all directions, and produces the same result as when rubbing
the linen with the liquid. This combined action will be the same for the
several washing and rinsing operations. The preliminary treatment is for the
purpose of eliminating those matters which are soluble in water, this result
being attained by dipping the linen in the liquid in the manner before
mentioned. During the steeping of the fabrics with the object of saponifying
the grease contained by the aid of an alkaline base or contact with heat a bath
of lye is substituted for the water heated in any suitable manner either by a
boiler or in the washing vessel itself by the aid of gas or other heating agent.
Supposing steam to be used either by direct contact or otherwise the lye will
be gradually heated and the saponification of the grease be effected in a very
short time by reason of the frequent renewals of contact of the alkaline liquid
at all points of the fabric by the mechanical action of the dasher plate and
under the influence of the heat. The soaping process is simply a repetition
of the above operation, but using soapsuds or acids if it is desired to subject
the materials to their action. The rinsing operation is also the same, except
that the water is continually renewed, the repeated and rapid downward move-
ments of the dasher effectually cleansing the linen.
The apparatus 1 employ for the above purposes is represented in the
annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a vertical elevation of the machine;
Figure 2, a plan; and Figures 3 and 4 details herein-after described.
A is a water-tight box or receptacle, having a door B well fitted, and
serving for the introduction of the linen. This apparatus may be constructed
in various ways so long as in all cases the suspended linen shall fall with the
dasher plate on to a hard bottom, at which point a certain depth of liquid is
provided. Wood is usually employed for the sides of the washing machine, or
metal may be used in the case of acids acting injuriously thereon, or the wood
may be lined with metal, or it may be a metal attackable by acids lined with
one capable of resisting their action, as, for example, zinc, lead, copper, or
enamelled ware, or brickwork cemented may be used; the dasher C may
also be made of wood and metal. The liquid is contained at the lower part D,
at which point are provided one or more discbarge cocks E. Cold or hot
water is introduced at cocks E at the side or preferably at top of the washing
vessel. The heating of the lye is effected by introducing steam at cock G into
the liquid, or by means of circulating tubes or a double bottom, and supposing
it is not desired to use steam the lye may be heated from underneath or in a
separate boiler, from which it or. the soapy solution may be supplied to the

page_text: washing vessel. The dasher C is provided with perforations for the passage of
the liquid, and the linen is attached thereto by the aid of cords, hooks, or
rails, according to the nature of the articles under treatment; they may also
be suspended therefrom in a net attached to ties, or placed athwart rods
mounted either inside or outside the machine, in which latter case they are
connected at their ends so as to form an endless chain fitted to extend in the
manner shown in Figure 3, and running on rails arranged on a level with the
dasher when in its highest position opposite the slides H, Figure 4. The linen
may also be previously placed on rods at a distance apart, which are then
brought together in the slides of the dasher plate, the linen being held in
position to prevent its falling by the aid of the cross pieces.
Figures 5 and 6 show the application of a drying machine for washing linen
on this principle, which linen may be afterwards dried without requiring to be
previously spread out afresh. If the materials to be bleached are too small to
be suspended in the manner described the same result may be obtained by
the action of the liquid. For this purpose I make an opening in the upper
part of vessel A instead of having a door as before; the cylinder carrier C is
flat, perforated, and fitted to the sides of the vessel, and has an up-and-down
motion imparted to it. In this manner the linen on being placed on the plate
will be washed the same as when suspended, as in this case the piston in its
upward motion on leaving the bath carries with it the linen it supports with
the water contained until it reaches the cover of the vessel A, where it becomes
compressed, and then rapidly descending dashes the water through the spaces
in the plate, the linen after being squeezed against the top spreads itself
between the jets, and assumes a position similar to when suspended in a liquid
current until a fresh action takes place. The heating and mode of treatment
is the same as in the other instances, except that I do not use the attach-
ments which are not necessary for small articles. The gearing may be com-
bined in various ways, provided the mode of transmission be such that the
piston receives its ascensional motion from the driving power, its fall being.
operated by the weight of the plate and the articles it carries. On arriving at
the end of its course the motor again acts for the purpose of raising the plate.
Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings show a machine with four washing.
chambers and four dasher plates, two chambers being used while the other
two are being supplied with articles, the dasher plate of the one being raised
while the other is falling, and vice versa, so as to ensure as regular an action
as possible. In the example illustrated an arrangement for disconnecting gear
is shown for throwing the friction roller serving to raise the dashers in
and out of gear therewith, said rollers being actuated by any suitable motor,

page_text: either hand or horse power, water wheels, turbines, steam engines, or other-
wise, or a steam cylinder may be attached to the machine, the steam from
which would act on the under side of the piston (its rod also forming the
dasher stem) in order to raise it, and on reaching the limit of its upward course
the steam escapes, allowing the dasher and steam piston to fall; steam is then
again introduced for producing a fresh rise, and so on. Linen may be washed
in this manner in twenty minutes, the employment of the improved apparatus
enabling the several vessels for steeping and bleaching, rinsing and blueing
linen to be dispensed with. It is applicable for washing all kinds of body or
bed or table linen, rags for pulp, and other articles, and for bleaching cotton,
hemp, flax, wool, silk, and all textile materials generally.
The Drawing shows one arrangement of parts for working the dasher plates,
although any other mode may be adopted, the Invention consisting in the
mode of action of said plates. j, stems of the dashers; k, k, l, k', friction
rollers mounted on the ends of shafts 1, 1, turning in suitable bearings; these
friction rollers receive rotaty motion from driving pullies m, m³, on shafts 1, l',
in constant contact with the stems of the dashers; n, n, arms provided with
friction rollers o, o¹, at each end, having a horizontal sliding movement in
guides p, p, and also carrying small friction rollers 7, 7; s, weighted levers
which are oscillated in one or other direction for bringing the friction rollers o, o,
in contact with the stems of the dashers on the one side of the machine,
or the friction rollers o¹, o¹, in contact with the dasher stems on the other
side. The shafts 1, 1, having continuous rotary motion the stems j will be
moved up and down when in contact either with the rollers k, o, or with
k', o'; these stems are also provided with stops t which act on the levers u, u, for
the purpose of oscillating the same, and also carry with them the levers s, s,'
by the aid of stops v, v¹; these levers s oscillating in this manner from right
to left throw the rollers o, o¹, successively in gear with the stems j of the
dashers on each side of the machine, by which means they are alternately
raised and lowered. Any other suitable arrangement may also be adopted
for imparting motion to the dashers.
In Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings I have represented a drying apparatus
suitable for application to the machine before described. 1, 1, 1, rods on
which the fabrics or fibres are stretched after being washed; 2 drum or cylinder
having recesses 3 for coiling up the rods on which the fabrics are placed;
4, shaft of drum 2 having rotary motion imparted, the speed being varied by
the regulating screw 5; 6, straps for securing the rods with the fabric
thereon when coiled on the drum; 7, casing to prevent the water flying about
when the drum 2 is in motion. The drying is produced by the centrifugal

page_text: force produced by the rotary motion of drum 2. Any other suitable drying
apparatus may also be used with this machine.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the improved washing,
bleaching, and rinsing apparatus berein described and represented in the
Drawings, the chief feature being the employment of one or more dasher
plates, nets, rods, or other means of supporting the linen which is alternately
raised from and lowered in the bath of liquid in the manner and for the
purpose described, while reserving the right of employing any suitable mode
of imparting motion to the dashers or their rods.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
A. M. CLARK. (LS.)