GB438331A - Dry cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A dry-cleaning apparatus consists of an horizontal perforated cylindrical drum 34, Fig. 1, rotating within a stationary casing 33 and provided with a door consisting of an outer circular member 36 and an inner member 41 which are spaced apart and move as one unit when being opened or closed. The outer door member 36 seats against the edge of the drum extension 39, Fig. 4, and is secured thereto by a bridge member 56 engaging lugs 58 and is operated by a wheel 57 mounted on a screwed rod passing through the door. The inner door is dished inwardly and seats against a tapered annular edge 43 of the inner rotating drum, corresponding in shape to the edge of the door. A rod 44 is secured at one end to the door 41 and the other end passes through a boss 45 mounted on the outer door 36, and is provided with a spring <PICT:0438331/III/1> <PICT:0438331/III/2> <PICT:0438331/III/3> 49 working against a perforated collar 48. The spring assembly is lubricated through channels cut in the boss 45. The inner drum is thus permitted to rotate freely when the door is closed during cleaning operations. The space between the door members is connected to a pipe 13 supplying warm air which passes through perforations in the inner door 41 to the washing chamber. Solvent such as trichlorethylene or carbon tetrachloride, is fed from a storage tank 26 to the washing chamber 34 containing the clothes. After cleaning the used solvent then drains into a sump 3. A fan 10 forces air through a heater 12 and space 40 in the door member to the washing chamber. Solvent vapours pass from the washing chamber to a condenser 5 and returns through a pipe 7 to the sump 3. Finally cold air is forced into the washing chamber to deodorize the clothes. Solvent passes from the sump 3 to a still 20 and vapours pass through a pipe 22 to a condenser 24, from which condensed solvent flows through a water trap 25 to the storage tank 26. The washing chamber, sump and storage tank are vented to the atmosphere through a pipe 29. During deodorization the clothes may be treated with a powdered moth proofing agent supplied from a tank 61 and carried by the stream of air to the washing chamber. A fluid tight joint at the ends of the pipe 22 and for the water trap 25, is formed by a plate 71, Fig. 3, tapped to receive two studs 72 and having an annular seat to receive a gasket 73 which lies against the inner surface of the still, or tank 70. With these parts in place an outer gasket 74 is applied and is secured by nuts 75 tightened against slots 78 cut in a flange 77 of the pipe 22. The joint is sealed by a washer 79 lying in an annular seat of the plate 71. The gaskets and washers are replaceable from outside the tank.