GB642631A - Improvements in household washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

642,631. Washing-machines. O'NEILL, T. P. June 18, 1948, No. 16473. [Class 138 (ii)] A washing-machine comprises in combination a static boiling copper 1, a heating device 26 therefor, a top cover 3 integral with the copper, a hinged or removable lid 6, a collar 8 with notches 10 in its edge and disposed within the upper part of the copper to provide an annular space 27 between the collar and copper, a fluid circulating pump 13 with an inlet 15 above the collar and adjacent the inner wall of the copper, and a fluid jet delivery device or turbulating unit 20 at the base of the copper discharging at an angle to the walls of the copper. In operation the pump 13 first induces a flow of air and steam which is passed down a pipe 18 and discharged at high velocity through perforations 21 in arms 22 forming part of the delivery head 20. The jets have upwardly-inclined paths and cause turbulence and change of position of the articles being washed. On reaching boiling point the water escapes through the notches 10 to the space 27 and a mixture of air, steam, soap suds and water is picked up and circulated by the pump. The pump 13 may be a multistage impeller driven by an electric motor. The pump inlet pipe 12 is bent to U-form and an indent 11 moulded or pressed in the collar 8 to accommodate it. The copper may be heated by a gas burner 26 or by live steam, or an electric immersion or other type of resistance or induction heater.