Improvements in Rotary Washing and Dyeing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Washing and Dyeing Machines.
I, JAMES WILLIAM CRABTREE of 12 Swan Arcade Bradford in the County
of York Laundry Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to rotary machines, used for washing & dyeing processes,
in laundries &c.
It consists of an outer horizontal cylinder & an inner cylindrical cage. The
cylinder is fixed to suitable supports & the inner cage is revolved alternately in
opposite directions, round its axis, by reversing gear fixed on the outside of the
apparatus.
The outer cylinder may he of any suitable material-preferably of brass or
gunmetal, to secure durability & freedom from corrosion. The inner cage is
constructed of either one sheet of brass or other metal; or a number of separate
parts, joined together into a cylindrical form. It is partly perforated & partly
solid, as hereinafter described. The perforations are, preferably, narrow slots
cut in the direction of rotation, so as to permit of the free ingress & egress of the
washing fluid.
On the inside of this cage I place a number of longitudinal chambers, somewhat
of a U form one half of the U being perforated & the other half solid; this solid
portion being opposite a corresponding blank portion of the cage. These chambers
form buckets & during the rotation of the cage, carry a quantity of fluid from the
bottom &, when near the top, pour it in a divided stream, upon the fabrics in the
cage. They also perform the functions of rubbers & lifters, to agitate the fabrics.
The cage travels in both directions, alternately, & this necessitates the buckets
being placed with the perforations in alternate directions, so that half of them
work in each direction of rotation. They may be made of brass or other material,
as desired.
Fixed longitudinally inside the cage also, are a number of pipes, placed preferably
on the highest points of the buckets. These pipes are perforated all along &
connected together so as to form a steam junction, with suitable union on the
outside of the machine. The steam (or other vapour) is thus introduced into the
cage in a series of fine sprays all round the inner circumference.
Suitable doors, divisions & other usual & necessary appliances, such as valves,
gauges, &c. are placed in the customary manner.
October 19th 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Washing and Dyeing Machines.
I, JAMES WILLIAM CRABTREE of 12 Swan Arcade, Bradford, Laundry
Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to rotary machines used for washing & dyeing processes
in laundries, &c.
It consists of an outer horizonal cylinder A & an inner cylindrical cage B. The

page_text: cylinder is fixed to suitable supports & the inner cage B. is revolved, alternately,
in opposite directions round its axis, by reversing gear fixed on the outside of the
apparatus & driving the cage through the spindle C.
The outer cylinder may be of any suitable material. The inner cage B. is
constructed either of one sheet of brass, or other metal, (as shewn) or of a number
of separate parts joined into a cylindrical form. It is partly perforated & partly
solid, as hereinafter described. The perforations are preferably narrow slots cut
in the direction of rotation, as shewn in Fig. 3., so as to permit of the freest
circulation of the fluid.
On the inside of this cage B. I place a number of longitudinal chambers D.,
somewhat of a U form; one side of the chamber being perforated & the other
solid, as shewn in Fig. 4.; this solid side being opposite a corresponding solid
portion of the cage-periphery. These chambers D. form buckets & during the
rotation of the cage, carry a quantity of fluid from the bottom & when near the
top, pour it in a divided stream upon the fabrics in the cage. The cage travels
in both directions alternately, & this necessitates the buckets D. being placed with
the perforations in alternate directions, so that half of them work in each direction
of rotation. They may be made of brass or other material, as desired.
Fixed longitudinally inside the cage also, are a number of pipes E., placed
preferably on the highest points of the buckets (see Fig. 4). These pipes are
perforated all along, F., & connected together so as to form a steam junction with
suitable union G. communicating through the spindle H. with the outside of the
machine. The steam or other vapour, or if necessary, fluid may be thus introduced
into the cage in a series of fine sprays all round the inner circumference.
Suitable doors, divisions & other usual contrivances, such as valves, gauges, &c.
are placed in the customary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The construction of a cage-for rotary machines having chambers or
buckets arranged round its inner circumference; as hereinbefore described.
2nd. The manner of perforating the buckets on alternate sides, & of the
adjacent circumference of the cage; as herein before described.
3rd. The arrangement of pipes to introduce vapour or fluid to all parts of the
cage; as herein before described.
4th. The form & arrangement of the perforations for the cage; as shewn in
Fig. 3.
5th. The general arrangement of the parts, relative to the cage, substantially as
hereinbefore described & shewn in the drawings.
J. W. CRABTREE.