AN ALKALINE STEAM WASHING APPARATUS
Year: 1854

page_text: in the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "AN ALKALINE STEAM WASHING APPARATUS."-A
communication from T. F. King, of the City of New York, in the United
States of America.
Scaled the 6th June 1854, and dated the 7th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th April 1854.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN ALKALINE STEAM WASHING APPARATUS,"
communicated to me by T. F. King, of the City of New York, in the United
States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the machinery used for washing
clothes and woven fabrics by constructing a rotary cylinder in such a manner
that a current of steam can be generated or let into the bottom of the cylinder
under the suds and clothes to be washed, and allowing the steam to escape at
the top, either while the cylinder is in motion or stationary. When the steam
has been admitted into the cylinder, and has heated the water and suds to two
hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit, it rises to the top and fills the upper
half of this cylinder with steam saturated with alkaline properties, at the same

page_text: time raising the clothes into the upper half of the cylinder, and expanding the
fibres of the fabric; the motion of the cylinder changes the position of the
clothing in such a manner that they are alternately in steam and suds. The
steam, while expanding the fibres of the fabric, accomplishes the same end as a
woman, by rubbing the clothing whilst washing, and allows the alkaline pro-
perties of the suds to neutralize the oily or vegetable particles of matter which
hold the dirt to the fabric. The dirt can then be rinsed off without pressure,
rubbing, or friction. The escape steam-pipe is so arranged, that the cylinder
can be supplied with clean water through it while the same is in motion or
stationary by this means, after the clothing is washed, by letting off the dirty
suds through valves or cocks in front of the cylinder, and letting in either hot
or cold water through the escape steam-pipe, thereby letting in a constant stream
of clean water over the clothing and out under them while in motion, they
are thus roughly rinsed. By this means any quantity of clothing or number of
pieces, depending on the size of the apparatus, can be washed in about ten or
fifteen minutes without the least injury to the fabric. The constant escape of
steam through the fabric carries all volatile matter, so that all trace of con-
tagious diseases may be thoroughly eradicated from the clothes, &c., treated by
this machine. The rotary cylinder is fitted with internal pipes so arranged
that steam may be let into and underneath the water in the cylinder, and the
waste steam may escape again from the upper part of the cylinder while the
same is stationary or in motion. The pipe for supplying the cylinder with
steam is divided into two parts; the lower one for admitting steam, and the
upper part to allow the spare steam to escape, and also to allow of hot or cold
water to be admitted into the cylinder. The escape steam is conducted by a
pipe to the bottom of a vessel or condenser, where the steam is forced through
the water without any direct application of the escape steam-pipe with the
water, and preventing a back pressure from the water or any noise therefrom.
The rotary cylinder is made of copper or any other material, and placed over a
furnace, having a stationary pipe so arranged in the inside that the steam can
always escape at the upper part over the cloth while being generated at the
bottom, and so combining with it a top boiler or cap, that the said beiler or
cap shall form the upper half of the flue round the rotary cylinder, and from
which top boiler the cylinder may be supplied with water, and thus greatly
economise heat.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson-in-the-Great Seal Patent Office on
the 24th August 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and
of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license that I, the said John
Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or
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, excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "AN ALKALINE STEAM WASHING APPARATUS," communicated to
me by T. F. King, of the City of New York, in the United States of America,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 John Henry Johnson, 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 accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
The said Invention relates to certain improvements in the machinery used
for washing clothes and woollen fabrics, by constructing a rotatory cylinder in
such a manner that a current of stean can be generated or let into the bottom
of the cylinder under the suds and clothes to be washed, and allowing the
steam to escape at the top, either while the cylinder is in motion or stationary.
When the steam has been admitted into the cylinder, and has heated the water
and suds to boiling point, it rises to the top, and fills the upper half of this

page_text: cylinder with steam saturated with alkaline properties, at the same time raising
the clothes into the upper half of the cylinder, and expanding the fibres of the
fabric; the motion of the cylinder changes the position of the clothing in such
a manner that they are alternately in steam and suds. The steam, while
expanding the fibres of the fabric, accomplishes the same end as the rubbing
when washing by hand, and allows the alkaline properties of the suds to
neutralize the oily or vegetable particles of matter which hold the dirt to the
fabric. The dirt can then be rinsed off without pressure, rubbing, or friction
of any kind. The escape steam-pipe is so arranged that the cylinder can be
supplied with clean water through it while the same is in motion or stationary;
by this means the clothing is afterwards washed, which is effected by letting off
the dirty suds through valves or cocks in front of the cylinder, and letting in
cither hot or cold water through the escape steam-pipe, thereby letting in a
constant stream of clean water over the clothing and out under them while in
motion; they are thus roughly rinsed. By this means any quantity of clothing
or number of pieces, depending on the size of the apparatus, can be washed in
about ten or fifteen minutes, without the least injury to the fabric. The constant
escape of steam through the fabric carries off all volatile matter, so that all
trace of contagious diseases may be thoroughly eradicated from the clothes, &c.,
treated by this machine. The rotary cylinder is fitted with internal pipes, so
arranged, that steam may be let into and underneath the water in the cylinder,
and the waste steam may escape again from the upper part of the cylinder
while the same is stationary or in motion. The pipe for supplying the cylinder
with steam is divided into two parts; the lower one for admitting steam, and the
upper part to allow the spare steam to escape, and also to allow of hot or cold
water to be admitted into the cylinder; the escape steam is conducted by a
pipe to the bottom of a vessel or condenser, where the steam is forced through
the water, without any direct application of the escape steam-pipe with the
water, and preventing a back pressure from the water or any noise therefrom.
The rotatory cylinder is made of copper or any other material, and placed over a
furnace, having a stationary pipe so arranged, in the inside that the steam can
always escape at the upper part over the cloth whilst being generated at the
bottom, and so combining with it a top boiler or cap, that the said boiler or
cap shall form the upper half of the flue round the rotatory cylinder, and from
which top boiler the cylinder may be supplied with water, and thus greatly
economising heat.
And in order that my said Invention may be more readily understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings here-

page_text: Fig. 1 represents a front view of the apparatus which is supplied with steam
from a boiler, and operated by any convenient prime mover.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a cross section of the apparatus, shewing the arrangement of pipes
to admit or exhaust the steam.
Fig. 4 represents the same machine supplied with steam from a small boiler
placed on a cooking stove or kitchen range, applicable for families and operated
by hand, the internal arrangement being the same as Figs. 2 and 8.
Fig. 5 represents the front view of a machine, so constructed as to generate
its own steam by a furnace, placed directly under the cylinder, and operated
either by hand, as here shewn, or by power; and Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal
section of the same.
In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is the washing cylinder made of wood, with projections
a on the inside to change the position of the clothes; B is a frame screwed on
to the front of the cylinder, constituting the front axle and frame for the door C,
through which the clothes are put in and taken out of the cylinder. This door
is fastened by screws or springs, and made tight by packing round the edge;
D are small valves inserted into the wood with strainers on the inside; E is a
frame screwed on to the back end of the cylinder constituting the back axle, and
which said axle is made hollow to allow a pipe to pass through; F are per-
forated pipes fastened to the inside of the cylinder, by which the steam and hot
and cold water are let into the same, and the waste steam allowed to escape;
G is a pipe passing through the hollow back axle, made conical on the inside,
to fit into that part of the pipes F where the same are connected. This pipe is
divided into two parts, and is provided with openings to correspond with the
openings of the pipes F; in the lower part a pipe O is screwed in to admit
steam from a boiler into the lower pipe F, whilst the waste steam escapes through
the upper pipe F and through the pipe G, or hot or cold water can be let in
through the same.
A bracket is screwed on to the main frame, to prevent the pipe G from
turning whilst the cylinder is motion.
Instead of the pipes F being so arranged as here described, the same may be
made as represented in Fig. 7, made fast to the stationary pipe G, and held
vertically if the cylinder is in motion or not, the steam entering at the lower
part and escaping at the upper part. This pipe is in that case protected by a
strainer N fast to the cylinder.
I is a pipe connected with the cold water and attached to the stationary
pipe G; K is a pipe connected with the warm water; L is the pipe leading the
waste steam from the cylinder to the steam condensing apparatus.

page_text: M is the steam condensing apparatus, and consists of a cistern divided by a
a partition Q part of the way, having a plate R fastened at the bottom, which
said partition and plate are made tight at the sides of the cistern. This cistern
is filled with water to any height above the plate R. The steam when coming
from the cylinder is condensed by the water until the same becomes heated,
when the steam forces its way through the water, then passes under the plate
R, and escapes out of a pipe S, on the opposite side. The top of the cistern is
provided with a small vacuum valve to prevent the pressure of the air on the
one side from forcing the water up the pipe where the escape steam comes in.
The object and advantage of this apparatus is to save the waste steam with very
little expense, and without producing any noise or back pressure. It is not
only applicable to the washing apparatus, but for condensing all kinds of waste
steam.
T is a tub covering the lower half of the front of the machine, provided with
. a door C', corresponding with the door C of the cylinder, and sufficiently large to
allow the latter to open through it, when the clothes are required to be taken
out. This tub has a pipe o at one side leading to the sewer, provided with a
valve by which the dirty suds or water are let off; at the same time a commu-
nication is made with a lower cistern, likewise provided with a valve to collect
the clean suds.
V is a cistern placed under the tub T, and provided with a waste pipe and
valve at the bottom leading into the sewer.
W is the main framing which supports the cylinders.
In operating by this machine, the cylinder should be half filled hot water
through the pipes K, G, and F, and soap or any alkaline preparation placed in
it, sufficient to make good suds. The clothing is then put into the cylinder,
and the door closed tight; steam is now let in through the pipe o, and the
escape steam-pipe L opened, when the machine may be set in motion. In about
ten minutes time shut off the steam and close the escape steam pipe, then open
the valves D in front, and let out the dirty suds into the tub T, and run off
the same into the sewer. Now open the valve in the pipe K, and let in clean
warm water, and then the valve in the pipe I, and let in cold water until
it runs out clean in front; then stop the machine with the door C down, when
the clothing can be taken out, both washed and rinsed, and perfectly clean.
To prevent the clothing getting twisted, the motion of this machine is so
arranged that it turns four or five times one way, and the same the other, and
reverses its own motion. Figs. 5 and 6 represent a machine for family use,
in principle exactly the same as the last described, excepting that it generates
its own steam.

page_text: A is the cylinder made of copper or any other material, and placed over a
furnace X made of cast iron, as here shewn, or built in brick, and provided
with a damper Z, to shut the fire off at pleasure.
Y is a boiler resting on the frame which supports the cylinder, and forms the
upper part of the flue round the cylinder, so that the same fuel heats the water
in this top boiler while it is washing. The smoke pipe connecting the flue
with the chimney passes through this boiler. The frames forming the axles
with the door, &c., are similar to these in Figs. 1 and 2, except that a handle is
put on the front axle to turn the machine by hand. G is a pipe passing through
the hollow back axle of the cylinder, having at the inside a pipe F firmly
attached, and extending over into the water of the top boiler with a communi-
cation K from the bottom of the same.
The pipe G is held fast while the machine is in motion by the bracket II,
holding thereby the pipe F always vertically through the pipes F and G; the
steam escapes into the water of the top boiler, and heats thereby the same, and
through those pipes and the communication K', the cylinder is likewise supplied
with warm water from the top builer.
This machine may be constructed without the top boiler, by substituting a
sheet iron cap to form the upper half of the flue surrounding the cylinder, when
the pipe G can be conducted anywhere, and the steam used for any purpose
desirable.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-
Fill the top boiler with water, then half fill the cylinder through K', G, and F,
or through the door, and put in soap or any other alkaline preparation to make
good suds; then light the fire in the furnace. As soon as the steam begins
to escape through the pipe G, pull the damper over the fire and put the clothes
in the cylinder; fasten the door tight, open the damper again, and give the
cylinder a few turns both ways; five minutes after, the steam comes out freely
through the pipe G, turning the machine occasionally during this time; shut
the damper over the fire, and take out the clothing, when the same will be
found well washed. If the clothes are not very much soiled, two or three lots
may be washed in the same suds.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but what

page_text: I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me, by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the construction of a rotary cylinder with internal pipe or pipes, so
arranged, that steam may be let into and underneath the water in said cylinder,
and the waste steam may escape again from the upper part of the cylinder
while the same is stationary or in motion.
Secondly, I claim the construction of the pipes F, with a stationary pipe G
passing through a hollow axle of the cylinder, and arranged in such a manner
that the steam can be conducted through one part of the pipe G and pass into
the lower part of the cylinder through a pipe F, and at the same time the waste
steam can pass through the upper part of the pipe F and through the pipe G,
and escape into the steam condensing apparatus, or that hot and cold water can
be let into the cylinder through the same pipes.
Thirdly, I claim the steam condensing apparatus constructed in the manner
herein-before described, thereby forcing the steam through the water without
any direct application of the escape steam pipe with the water, and preventing
a back pressure from the water, or any noise occasioned therefrom.
Fourthly, I claim passing a rotatory cylinder for washing cloth immediately
over the fire, having a stationary pipe so arranged in the inside that the steam
can always escape at the upper part over the cloth while being generated at
the bottom, and so combining with it a top boiler or cap, such boiler or cap
forming the upper half of the flue round the rotatory cylinder, and from which
top boiler the said cylinder may be supplied with water, and thus greatly
economise heat, substantially in the manner herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Eleventh day of August, One thousand cight
hundred and fifty-four.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)