GB1192442A - Automatic Laundry Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,192,442. Delivering measured quantities of liquids. AEL PRODUCTS Inc. 12 June, 1967, No. 27039/67. Heading B8N. [Also in Division D1] Detergents and other chemicals are supplied to automatic laundry apparatus from a measuring tank 14 having a level regulating device comprising a series of electrodes 72 to 82, selectable to control the quantity of liquid which is drawn in under vacuum to the measuring tank from one or more selected supply tanks 16 to 22 and discharged under pressure and also the flushing out of the measuring tank which is timed. Tanks 16 to 22 contain chemicals, e.g. soap, bleach, alkali, sour, starch, bluing, fabric softener and germicide and have outlet valves 24-30 operated manually or by solenoids and provided with automatic return mechanism or succeeded by check valves 32 to 38, the liquid being dispensed by gravity or pumps to conduit 40 which ends in spray nozzle 68 within tank 14. The electrodes 72 to 82 extend downwardly from the lid 50 of tank 14 and are of progressively varying lengths. Water is supplied through valve 54 to conduit 40 and via conduit 44 through one-way valve 62 to the outlet 64 of tank 14 and then through one-way valve 66 to a conduit 52, leading through valve 70 to drum 12 and through valve 60 to further drums. Electrodes 72 to 82 are respectively connected to contacts 88 to 98 of selector switch 84 which has a movable contact arm 86 for selectively connecting electrodes 72 to 82 into the circuit. Apparatus 100 comprises vacuum and pressure pumps 106, 108 coupled to tanks 112, 114 connected through valves 103, 105 to tank 14. Tank 14 has a non-conductive non-corrodible lining, a common ground electrode 83 and an electrode 85 to indicate when the tank is empty. In operation valve 103 is opened to evacuate tank 14 and draw the chemical or chemicals from such tanks 16 to 22 as are selected by opening of the corresponding valves 24 to 30 to the appropriate extent to produce the required proportions of the selected chemicals. When the level in tank 14 reaches the electrode pre-selected by switch 84 the entry of the liquid stops, valve 103 closes and valve 108 opens and the pressure forces the liquid out through valve 66 and valve 70 to drum 12. When tank 14 is empty the circuit including electrodes 83, 85 is opened and timing motor 130 is energized to rotate timing cams T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , through one complete revolution, cam T 1 closing a holding contact. During this time, water is flushed through tank 14, the presure being maintained from the pressure tank so that the water is forced into drum 12.