Improvements relating to Washing Machines and their Arrangement in Wash-house, so as to Economise Water, Soap, and other com- pounds.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 2nd July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Washing Machines and their Arrangement
in Wash-house, so as to Economise Water, Soap, and other com-
pounds.
FRANCIS THOMAS STATHAM, 28, Wolfa Street, Derby, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Improvements in construction of inner cylinders, with sectional plates, hollow
rubbers, buckets or elevators, corrugated or plain.
My invention has for its object, improvements in washing machines of the
rotary type, and the like. For this purpose I construct a washing machine, of
an outer cylinder or casing, and an inner cylinder such inner cylinder being
capable of revolving in bearings, and constructed of perforated wood, brass
copper, steel, aluminum, or any other suitable metal, in one sheet or in sec-
tions. Hitherto the cylinders have been made in one sheet of brass, about No.
13 B.W.G.-known as Birmingham wire gauge,-carried on two cast iron ends. Now
it is well known, that, as the cylinder revolves, the clothes or other materials
that are inside the cylinder, have become wet and heavy, and the rubbers carry
them up and drop them on the bottom of inner cylinder, it will be readily seen,
that the weight of clothes, falling on to the bottom of cylinder, causes it to spring
outwards, causing injury and friction to the plate and shortening the life of the
plate. Another objection is, the cylinder being made in one plate, any defect
that arises, causes the plate to be thrown away, incuring a great loss to either
manufacturer or the user. I now propose to overcome this difficulty by con-
structing a cylinder, as shown on Sheet No. 1. Fig. 1 is an end view, and Fig. 2
is a plan of a cylinder constructed after my invention. It will be seen from
Fig 1 that I cast or build up, of any other suitable material, 2 ends. At A I
cast or fix an inner flange to receive plates at A A. I also carry a flange A A A
2" or 3" above A A to receive elevators, as shown on sheet No. 2.
For long
cylinders I should use rings or ends, the third ring would be used in the centre
of cylinder, this would enable me to make the plates A A half the length, thus
simplifying the casting or manufacture of these plates. It
from Fig. 1
A
that rubbers A
A A
are open to the outer
cylinder and as the cylinder revolves, the rubbers will act as elevators,
and take up the water and soap or any other washing compounds,
seen
will be
and
the sides or bottom the
as I propose to perforate the rubbers on
water would fall through the holes on to the materials that are in the cylinder,
with great force, thus adding to the effeciency of the washing. Hitherto these
plates and beaters have been rolled and blocked, I propose to either roll or cast,
as it is well known this blocking, drilling or punching these plates and rubbers
is a very expensive process. I shall cast plates with the holes in. Holes may
be either round, oval slotted, or embossed at any angle, without any additional cost.
Thus simplifying the renewing and manufacture of these duplicate parts. On

page_text: Sheet 2, Fig. 4, will be seen a cylinder as Fig. 1, but with all corrugated plates and
rubbers, this will be readily understood, adds to the efficiency of rubbing surface,
and also by putting holes at the top of corrugations nearest the outer cylinder
it will remove the hitherto well known danger of buttons and the like getting
in the holes, also adding greatly the washing of delicate materials, also adding
great strength to the cylinder. Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 1 but with the buckets
or elevators on shown at B. It will be seen that these buckets extend across
cylinder and are connected to the outer flanges, or when the centre flange is used
they be connected to the centre flange. A cylinder with the buckets on as shown
will be much stronger and I propose to perforate the plates also the rubbers B B B
it will be readily understood that a cylinder constructed as Fig. 3 will when
revolving take up the water or soap suds, thus leaving the cylinder at B B dry,
and the materials that are in the inner cylinder as it revolves will fall to the
bottom on to the rubbers, and the water from the buckets will fall like a shower
bath, and this will enable the washing to be done in much less time than has
hitherto been done, and a single article can be washed equal to a load, and it
will also save a large quantity of water, soap, and other washing compounds. It
will be seen by referring to Fig. 3 on Sheet 2 buckets B are connected to inner
cylinder, and I allow about 3 between inner cylinder and outer cylinder, and
say about "clearance between buckets and outer cylinder. Now it is well known
that rotary machines cannot wash, unless water rises into inner cylinder from
4" to 12". Then take 3" between inner and outer cylinder, it will be readily seen,
that they cannot economise water or soap also having the water in the inner
cylinder, the clothes fall into the water as the machinery revolves, thus losing
a large amount of the rubbing surface. Now it will be readily understood by
referring to Fig. 3 and bucket B that you can take the water or soap suds up to
within " from the bottom of outer cylinder, and I can wash without any water
rising in at bottom of inner cylinder by taking up or elevating all the water
between the inner and outer cylinder. It will not only save 6" or more times
6" of water or soap, but the machine working in 3" of water, will work much
easier and thus economise power. As a load of clothes takes about six changes
of water, about 6 times 6" of water will be saved each load, thus being a great
saving on the old type of machines. These buckets can also be fixed, as shown
on Sheet No. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan of a cylinder similar to Fig. 3 but with buckets
set at angle. Sheet 4 Fig. 6 is an elevation of an inner cylinder, but instead of
using buckets, I fix division plates, six or more, or less. Round these division
plates I fix a sheet or sections, of brass or the like thus forming another cylinder.
Instead of taking the water up from outer casing, I admit water steam or the
like, through centre of the main shaft, at end of machine or at both ends. It
will be readily understood, as the machines revolve the water is taken up, and
it falls through the hollow rubbers on to the materials that are in the cylinder H,
then it passes into division H H as the machines revolve the water is taken up,
and keeps passing through centre of cylinder into bottom division. This cylinder
will be a good disinfector, also a good economiser of water. These plates may be
corrugated in one piece or in sections, preferably sections. Fig. 7 is a section
of plate. Fig. 8 an end view of plate. Fig. 9 is an end view
of rubber or trough. Fig. 10 plan of rubber or trough. Sheet No. 5,
Fig. 11 is a plan of bucket or elevator. Fig. 12 end view of bucket.
Fig. 13 end view of bucket with brass sides and wood bottoms, fastened with rivets,
screws, or the like. Sheet No. 6 Fig. 14 is an arrangement of machines so as
to economise water, soap, and the like. It is now well known that a great loss
is sustained, through having to let the water and suds go into main sewer, after
only being used once. That is it pays better to lose the water, than to take
clothes out of machines, four or five times. Figs. 14, 15, 16, represents three
washing machines, so arranged as to allow the water or soap suds, to pass from
one machine to another. I accomplish this by setting each machine a little
above the other. As represented in Fig. 14, 15, 16 it will be noticed I raise each

page_text: machine a little above the other, and it will be readily understood, this enables
me to run the water, or soap suds, from one machine to another, or instead of
these machines being on one floor, they may be in separate stories, or rooms
above, and the water or soap suds, may be conveyed from one machine to another,
and enter at the top or at any convenient point.
Laundry men well know the loss they sustain, by allowing the water, after it
has only been used once, to run down the sewers. That is, one lot or load of
clothes takes from 4 to 6 changes of water, and it is cheaper to lose the water,
than to take clothes out of machines. Now I propose to get over this difficulty,
by arranging machines as Figs. 14, 15, 16 connected one to the other by main
pipe P. Any number of machines may be connected together, it will be under-
stood if you connect 6 machines together, you may commence to wash by loading
the machine that stands the highest, then run the first machine about 15 minutes,
you can then turn on tap and let the water run into the next machine, then you
may open next tap, and so on, until the water has done its work. If desired the
water may be conveyed to a tank, this would make a manure, or may be separated
if desired, or it may be allowed to pass down sewer. It will be readily under-
stood that by arranging machines as shown on Sheet No. 6, also mains and tanks,
you may retain any, or all of the water or soap suds, instead of allowing it to
pass away. In many cases it would save a great percentage of water. Or instead
of running water from one machine to another, I erect a number of tanks, and
convey, in small mains R, connected to main pipe P. These mains R would
convey any batch of water you desired, to one or any number of tanks. These
tanks may be as Figs. 18, 19, & 20, it will be seen that from these tanks, I raise
the water up into tank Fig. 17, then water may be conveyed from this tank as
desired. Or instead of having one tank you may have any number of tanks,
so as to enable you to keep different kinds of water separate. I raise water from
tanks Figs. 18, 19, 20, or instead of having 3 tanks, you may have any number
on ground, from these tanks I raise the water up to tank or tanks Fig. 17 with
a water raiser or jetometer, or instead of using a water raiser, I may use a steam
or hand pump, and pump it any height. Or instead of pump I may use an
elevator, a number of buckets on a strap or chain. It will be readily under-
stood my object is to economise water and the like.
Instead of machines being connected, they may be so fixed, that the water will
fall from one machine to another. To accomplish this I should fix one machine
above another, and so arrange a pipe as the top opened I should fix a spout or
pipe underneath, and convey it to the next machine, but preferably I should
connect machines, and convey water from one machine to another.
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:
-
Firstly. The improvements in cylinder with sectional plates and open topped
rubbers, of the rotary class, substantially as herein described and shown
Fig. 1 & 2.
Secondly. The improvements in cylinder with sectional plates, and open topped
rubbers, and buckets or elevators B, as substantially as herein described and
shown in Fig. 3, buckets B rubbers B B B.
Thirdly. The improvements in cylinders with sectional plates and open topped
rubbers, corrugated, as substantially described and shown in Fig. 4.
Fourthly. Construction of a cylinder with sectional plates, open top, rubbers
and buckets, or elevators set at an angle to cylinder, as substantially described
and shown in Fig. 5.
Fifthly. Cylinder, sectional plates, open top, rubbers, division plates, with
a sheet round forming a second inner cylinder, as described in Fig. 6.
Sixthly. Sectional perforated plate substantially, as described and set forth
in Fig. 7 and 8.

page_text: Seventhly. Rubber perforated, as substantially described in Figs. 9 and 10.
Eighthly. Bucket or elevator, substantially as described and set forth in
Figs. 11, 12, 13.
Ninthly. Arrangements of washing machines so as to economise water, sub-
stantially as described and set forth in Figs. 14, 15, 16.
Tenthly. Arrangement of tanks and mains so, as, to catch or retain, water,
soap suds, or the like, substantially as set forth in Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 mains
PR and R R.
Lastly arrangement of jetometer or water raiser, substantially as herein set
forth and shown Q in Fig. 18.
Dated this 17th day of March 1898
FRANCIS THOMAS STATHAM.
28, Wolfa Street, Derby, Engineer.