GB620758A - Improvements in or relating to washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

620,758. Domestic washing-machines. NANSON, D. J. March 27, 1946, No. 9525. [Class 138 (ii)] [Also in Group XXIII] A washing-machine for washing crockery and the like and applicable for washing fabrics comprises a boiler 15, Fig. 1, which supplies hot water through jets 33 to a washing chamber 14, a control device 22 which shuts off the supply of heat to the boiler before all the water has evaporated, and a reservoir 13 from which fresh water may be drawn through the jets into the chamber 14 to rinse the articles in consequence of reduction in pressure in the boiler. The boiler 15 is heated by an immersion heater 16, supplies water to the chamber 14 through pipes 21 and 26, jets 33 and perforated pipes 35 which form racks for supporting the articles to be washed. The boiler is filled through a funnel 19, cock 20 and feed pipe 18, a drain cock and an air release cock being provided on the boiler. When the level of the water in the boiler 15 falls below the bottom of the pipe 21, the supply of heat is cut off by a device 22 in the pipe 26. The device 22 may comprise a float 45, Fig. 5, which falls owing to the absence of water in the pipe 26 and opens electrical contacts 48 to shut off the supply to the heater 16 or alternatively the device 22 may comprise a diaphragm 52, Fig. 6, which carries a contact 53 which completes a circuit which shuts off the supply through a contact 48 by upward distortion of the diaphragm 52 due to the heating effect of the steam.. Rinsing water in the reservoir 13 is preheated by an open-ended pipe 38 leading from the chamber 14 through a non-return valve 39 and is drawn into the chamber 14 through a non-return valve 29 due to a reduction of pressure in the chamber 14 transmitted from the boiler 16 through a non- return valve 23. The reduction of pressure in the boiler 16 is caused through condensation of the water vapour after the supply of heat has been switched off. The boiler may be alternatively heated by gas, in which case the control device controls mechanical means for shutting off the supply of gas. The feed water may be pre-mixed with a detergent, and for the hot treatment of fabrics a non-aqueous solution may be employed.