US1220308A

US1220308A - Clothes-washing apparatus.

Info

Publication number: US1220308A
Application number: US12082216A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fay H Young; George A Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1916-09-18
Filing date: 1916-09-18
Publication date: 1917-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1934-03-27

Description

F. H. YOUNG & G. A. LEWIS. CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

` APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8. I9I6. 1,220,308. Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

if/Loriol' edc .500AP V02* F. H. YOUNG & G. A. LEWIS. CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8, i916. 1,220,308.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fill/21227 Patented Mau'.y 27, 1917.

F. H. YOUNG & e. A. LEWIS.

CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

` Patented Mar. 27, 1917 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8. T916.

Nro

ab MN QN QNIOO F. H. YOUNG & G. A. LEWIS. v CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

x APPLICATION FILED SEPT.18, 1916. 1,220,308.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

-F. H. -YOUNG & G. A. LEWIS. CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED'SEPT. I8, 1.916.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

F. H. YOUNG & G. A. LEWIS. CLOTHES WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILEDSEPT. IB. 1.916. 1,220,308.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

@ Mgg? Patentd Mar. 27, 1917.

` States, residing at FAY H. YOUNG AND GEORGE A.` LEWIS, OF ROCKFORD,

ILLINOIS.

CLOTHES-WASHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. v Patented Mar, 27, 1917.

Application filed September 18, 1916. Serial No. 120,822.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, EAY GEORGE A. LEWIS, citizens of the Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Clothes-IVashing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general towashing apparatus and has more particular reference to that especially adapted for laundry use for washing clothes.

In commercial laundries the type of washing machine universally employed is the tumbler washer. This is a rotatable cylinder in which a batch of clothes, marked so that the clothes of the different customers are distinguishable, are placed together with a washing fluid and then tumbled by rotating the cylinder in opposite directions. Separate washers must be used for different kinds of clothes, such as whit'el and colored. The washing process includes treating the clothes with various kinds of fluids such, for instance as,an alkali bath, suds, hot rinse,

H. YOUNG and f acid bleach, rinse and bluing, this arrangeother outlet.

the nature ofthe work and the practice followed. It is oustomary to make these changes of fluids in each washer without removing the clothes therefrom and, as a consequence, not only a considerable amount of time and labor is required to drain the cylinder and supply the new fluids but a large quantity of valuable washing' fluid is thrown away by draining the suds and the like into the sewer or ment being determined by uable cleansing properties and is capable of being employed over again with good results after'being sterilized and filtered. .Y The primary object of ourinvention is to provide a 'clothes washing apparatus that will overcome the objectionable features of the apparatus now generally employed for the purpose and will enable a material reduction in the cost of washing clothes. To this end we have for handling the clothes in a novel manner by automatic machinery so that manual labor is reduced to a minimum, washing fluids of different properties to the clothes in such amanner as to thoroughly clean thev same, to avoid wasting the' fluids Even though the fluid has f been used in 'one washer it still possesses valcentrifugal extractor.

provided an apparatus and for supplying and to obtain the greatest efficiency therefrom.

United Another object of our invention is to Vprovide a unit system washing apparatus, by which we mean one wherein the clothes of each customer are placed separately in one or more independent containers, each of which is passed as a unit through a series of a rotatable structure in the form operations until the cleaning has been comrality of independent clothes containers are movable to different stations at which washing fluids and the like of different properties are supplied to the containers and the same are rotated in opposite directions by rotation of the tumbler frame to produce Ithe washing effect. The containers are carried on an' endless trackway which passes through the tumblerframe so that whenthe same is revolved the containers. will be. likewise revolved. Each clothes container in the course of its travel along the .trackway passes in successionl a loading station, a soak vat, the

above mentioned rotatable tumbler frame in l.

which the contents of the containers are subjected to the actionL of various washing: fluids, chemicals and the like, and finally to a discharge station'at which the clothes are removed from the. containers and placed in a 4The containers `pass through the tumbler frame in step' by step movements to different stations therein and at each station a different to theycontainer the periphery of which is preferably perforate so that the fluid may freely enter the container and may drain therefrom v,prior to moving the container to the next succeeding station. .By reason of this method of cleaning, station may be kept in circulation, being "pumped from. a compartment below the "tumthe fluid, at each fluid is supplied advancing the containers to the next stations. Provision is made for filtering the fluids and for maintaining their cleansing and treating strength; The tumbler frame is rotated alternately in opposite directions to tumble the clothes while this cleaning action is in progress and at the end of a predetermined period the rotation is stopped and the containers advanced to the next stations. Rotation of the frame, the iiuid supply and advancement of the containers is all positively and automatically controlled by mechanism which causes the several devices to be operated' in predetermined timed relation.

These and other objects and attendant ad- -yantages will be readily apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accom-y panying drawings in which,

Figure l is a .diagrammatic view of a washing apparatus embodying our improvements; Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the greater portion of the apparatus, portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate the structure;`

' Fig. 3 is a side view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substan-v tially on the line 5*5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view of the belt shifter device showing the side thereof opposite from that shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of parts embodied in the mechanism for advancing the clothes containers in the tumbler frame;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the yieldable stop employed for arresting movement of 'the clothes containers at the entrance to the tumbler frame;

Fig. 11 is a vhorizontal sectional view through one of the valves in the fluid -supply pipe. v

Fig. 12 is an enlarged planv view of the belt shifter and control mechanism shown at the extreme right of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings which diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of our improved washing apparatus, a brief statementl as to the relation and function ofthe several parts irrespective of their particular construction will, we believe, facilitate an understanding of the invention which is described more fully in detail hereinafter. A plurality of independent clothes containers designated generally by reference character 11 is mounted on an endless track 12. At spaced points along the track are located a loading station 13, a soak vat 14, a tumbling frame 15 and an extractor 16, all of which are designated generally. By means of this general arrangement each customers clothes may be placed in one or more containers at the loading station, from which the containers will pass along the trackway to the soak vat and will be thoroughly soaked for a given period.

he containers then pass to the tumbling frame and are entered thereintoone at a time until a` continuous line of containers extends through the frame in abutting relation, whereupon when a new container 'is entered into the frame the container longest therein will be automatically ejected therefrom. During the passage of each container ,through the frame the Vcontainer passes a vare supplied -to the container toe'ect the several steps desired in carrying out the Washing process. During the washing period the frame will be rotated in opposite directions so as to thoroughly tumble the clothes. After leaving the frame the containers pass to a discharge station at which the clothes are removed from the container and placed in a centrifugal extractor for removing the water from the clothes. This operation may be substantiallyV continuous since we have provided automatic mechanism for operating and controlling the different devices as will be described later on.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, and 4 we will describe the construction of the tumbler frame in the embodiment 'shown' and a similar detailed description will follow'of vthe other devices and mechanisms. The tumbler frame, of open construction, is provided at its ends with drums 17 and 18 which rest on flanged rollers 19 ixed to shafts 21 and 22 journaled in fixed bearings suitably supported as for instance by posts 23, the frame being thus rotatably supported to revolve about its longitudinal axis. 'Framememb'ers 24Irigidly joining drums 17'and 18 arejcircumferentially arranged so as to form a longitudinal passage 25 through the frame.` Sector braces 26 interposed between the frame bars 24 hold the same fixed against-lateral displacement and extend circumferentially about the passage 25 at longitudinally spaced intervals, delining or markin different stations or compartments at which different washing fluids may be passed through the frame in a manner described hereinafter. As noted in Fig.

1 the frame is divided intofourteen com-V cylindrical formation comprising imperiorate end walls 31, -a perforate, wire mesh peripheral wall 32, an imperforate division wall 33l intermediate the end walls and imperforate bands 34 adjacent to and contiguous withv the imperforate walls. The end walls may be provided with hinged doors 35 each equipped with a suitable latch lock so track commonly vided an endless that the clothes may be easily placed into and removed from the compartments in each container. The containers, of slightly less diameter than that of the ,passage 25, may be moved into said passage through one of its opened' ends and passed longitudinally through the tumbler frame. For supporting and guiding' the track 12 which, together with the roller means of attachment of the containers to the track, may be of any suitable construction. In the present instance a known as a cannon ball track is employed and a pair of roller trucks 36 suspend each container from the track, the roller trucks depending through a continuous slot in the bottom of the track and being pivotally attached to the containers so that the same may swing laterally. The track 12 extends through'the tumbler frame, the portion of the track extending through the frame being rigidly secured thereto and broken at the ends of the frame Jfrom the Each clothes upri num stationary ends of the trackv so that when portion will be moved into and out of registration `with the stationary track. The stationary portion of the track 12 at the tumbler frame 15, that is, adjacent to the end drum18, is arranged on, a grade sloping downwardly toward the frame as shown in Fig. 3, so that the containers will roll freely downgrade to the entrance of the cylinder. container is provided at one end with resilient or suitable bumpers 37 or the like for holding the containers in spaced relation. From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the tumbler frame is in a position with its track portion in alinement with the stationary ends of the track 12, clothes containers 11 may be moved on said track into and through the passage 25, and that while the containers are disposed within the ramethe same may be rotated by rotating the rollers 19, it being obvious that during such rotation the containers will by frictional engagement with the sides of the passage 25 be held against endwisey movement therein. Y

The washing fluids, chemicals and the like, employed in the washing process are contained in a series of divisional compartments of a main tank, 38 located directly beneath the tumbler frame and extendingsubstantially the length thereof. Transverse ht partition walls 39 corresponding in er to and located directly beneath the containers'we have proentrance side of the to the passage 25 so as divisional members 26 of the frame 15 divide the tank 38 into the requisite number of' compartments. have shown the tank divided into a. series of fourteen compartments, namely, 40, 401, 41, 411, 42, 421, 43, 431, 44, 441, 45, 451, 4c, and 461. The compartments as thus arranged are adapted to contain fluids of different properties as indicated in Fig. 1, comprising invorder reading from the entrance end of the tumbler frame, compartments 40 and 401 an alkali solution, compartments 41, 411, 42, 421 a suds or soap solution, compartments 43 and 431 a hot rinse, compartments 44 and 441 an acid bleach, compartments 45 and 451 a rinsing solution and compartments 46 and 461 a bluing solution. While this particular arrangement of fluid compartments and fluid is well adapted for ordinary laundry usage, it should be understood that the arrangement may be varied considerably according to the demands for washing and to the methods employed in different laundries. That is, in some laundries the clothes are put through a greater number of operations than in others, consequently doing a better class of washing. Also' different washing processes may be employed thus requiring different Washing materials. In` the event that a machine embodying our improvements is employed exclusively for washing a certain kind of clothes, clothes, the arrangement of the fluid compartments and the fluids employed would be different from what is shown. It would consist of but seven compartments one for each Vkind of liuid,'and

each container would have but a single clothes compartment, instead of two as shown. Referring again to the embodimentshown in the drawings, since the tumbler frame 15 is constructed .to' hold seven clothes containers in abutting relation, it will be seen that each container will be located above two fluid compartments. The l drawn from their respective compartments by individual pumps 47 and delivered through suitable piping to discharge nozzles 48 located above and in proximity to direct streams of fluid downwardly into the containers located in said passage. It will be noted that the tumbler frame and are 'so constructed as to prevent the fluid in any clothes compartment from passing into the next adjacent compartment, the bafe plates 27 and the braces 26 and the imperorate walls of the containers serving to form substantially continuous transverse partitions through the frame and clothes containers. The baffle plates because of their dished shape prevent splashing of the fluids laterally into the next adjacent containers l and compartments and, in effect, the lowerthe disks serve as funnels most portions of to guide the draining uids into the proper In the'present instance we and at the end of Y succeeding fluid compartments. Thus as the tumbler frame, lled with clothes containers, is rotated and the pumps 47 are operated7 the clothes in each container compartment will be tumbled and subjected to the action of the particular fiuid at which station the container is located.

An automatically controlled mechanism is provided for rotating the frame in opposite directions for a predetermined period this period the containers are advanced in unison to the next stations in the passage 25 to receive the next treatment, as will be described later. However, the supply of fluids is shut ofi a sufficient length of time prior to advancing the clothes containers to the next stations fluids will mixed. For this purpose a suitable valve49 is placed in each discharge pipe of the pump 47 and'adapted to be closed and opened automatically by mechanism described later.

Coming now to the operating and control mechanisms we will first describe thatv for rotating the tumbler frame. For this purpose we have employed a belt driven mechanism for rotating the shaft 2l intermittently in opposite directions, the reverse drive being effected by means of a belt shifting device. An endless chain 5l connecting sprocket wheels on the shaft 21 and 22 transmits the drive to the rollers on the shaft 22. The belt driven mechanism conpair of

pulleys

52 and 53, respectively loosely and fxedly mounted on the shaft 21 and a pulley 54 fixed on drive shaft effect the reverse drive. Means is provided for shifting the belts in unison to move either belt onto the pulley 53 and thus roin either direction. be provided shifter 62 and 63 for the

belts

57 and 58, respectively, these loops being held in fixed relative relation as shown and supported from a bar 64 slidably mounted in bearing brackets 65 and projecting upwardly from the bracket 56, the bar being movableI in a directionfparallel with the shaft 21. As shown in the drawing, the belt shifted is in a position holding the belt 57 on the pulley 52 so that this belt has no operative affect on the shaft 21 and holding the belt 58 in engagement with both the

pulleys

53 and 54 so that both of these pulleys will be driven, thus driving both the tumbler frame and the sleeve 55. When thel belt shifter is moved to the left viewing Fig. 3 the belt 58 belt 57 direction of rotation will be carried off' of the pulley 53 and the moved onto' said pulley, the effect being that the tumbler frame will be driven in the reverse direction while the belt 58 continues to rotate the sleeve 55. This sleeve constantly driven in one direction, operates a 'device for moving the belt shifter back and forth at predetermined intervals. 67 fixed to the sleeve 55 drives a worm gear 68 journaled in a bearing in the bracket arm 66 and carries an eccentric pin 69, Figs.

\12 and 13 operable between the opposed slidably mounted on faces 71 o an arm 72 It will be apparent that the arm 72 will be reciprocated by rotary motion of the gear 68 and, due to the spaced relation of the faces 71, the pin 69 will have no effect on the arm 72 in moving to and from said faces, so that the reciprocating movement of the arms 72 will be intermittent. A clutch connection between the upper end of the arm 72 and the belt shiY ter rod 64 causes ,the belt shifter to be moved back and'forth shaft 70. With the v tion shown in the drawing it will be manifest that the tumbler frame will be driven in a counter-clockwise direction viewin Fig. 4; through the 58. This drive'will pin 69 on the worm engagement with the by moving the shifter bar 64 viewing Fig. 6 and shifting the the fixed pulley 53, thereby reversing the of the tumbler frame. This intermittent drive in opposite directions will be continued as long as the clutch arm 73 is engaged.

e have intermediary of the belt be continued'until the gear 68 is carried into opposed face 71, thereto the right he rockerarm 78 being loose on the shaft belt 57 onto a fixed rod 74 carried by the bracket arm 65.

`nection 91 may bears and is thereby held against movement in a counter-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 4. This arm 88 fixed to a rock shaft 89 is connected at its upper end through means of a'link 91 to a crank 92 fixed tothe clutch-operating shaft 74. The joints of the link-conbe sufficiently loose as regards lateral movement so that the reciprocating movement of the belt'shifter bar 64 and consequently the shaft 70 will not disturb the position of the rocker arm 88. 'A contractile spring 93 connecting the rocker arm 88 to a fixed part constantly urges the rocker arm in a counter-clockwise direction itv-being apparent the arm 72 the pawls 79 will be actuated to` viewing Fig. 4 in which to move the shaft 74 in a direction` to disengage the clutch. However, this movement as mentioned above, is prevented by the latch 85, as is best shown in Fig. 2. This mechanism determines the length of time that the tumbler frame will be rotatedin reverse directions, that by reciprocation of advance the ratchet wheel 76 until the roller 83 is brought into engagement 84 of lever 85, thereby rocking the same and withdrawing its stop 87 from the lever 88. The rocker arm 88 eing thus released will be moved under the influence of the spring 93 to disengage the clutch member 7 3, thus disconnecting the belt shifter rod 64 from the reciprocable arm 72 and stopping rotation of the tumbler frame. A suitable spring 94 connecting the latch lever 85 to a fixed part returns the said lever to operative position after the roller 83 has passed the lever. To prevent the roller 83 from stopping at the high point of the cam end 84 we have provided a pawl-carrying lever 80 pivoted on the shaft 81 beneath the ratchet wheel 76 and connected by means of a link 80 to the rocker arm 88. Thus when the latch 87 is released the arm 88 will move the lever to advance the roller 83 beyond the cam 84. Means described hereinafter is rovided for automatically rocking the sha 89 to engage the clutch andV putvl the' tumbler frame into operation again.

Prior to stopping rotation of the tumbler frame by the mechanism just described, the fluid supply is automatically shut off.. This is done at a sufficient length of time prior to the stopping to permit the liquids to drain from the several lclothes containers f into their respective compartments so` that when the clothes containers are advanced to the next stationsl y or compartments;r the liquids will Anot be intermixed. For this purpose the shaft 81 is equipped at its lower endk with a disk -95 carrying a roller 96 adapted to actuate a lever 97 connected by suitable means with the valves 49 for the purpose4 of closing the saine. The connection illustrated .comprises a major link 98 connected at one end to the lever 97 and to with the end v to the inner side of and a plurality of valve operating levers 99, each of which controls the valve of each pump. For purpose' of illustration we have shown a simple form of slide valve, Fig. 11, showing the valve open. The valves will be closed simultaneously by the action of the roller 96 upon the rocker arm 97, it being apparent from Fig. 2 that the valves will Ibe shut off at a substantial period before the tinued, it is next desired to bringthe frame.

to a positive stop with its track positioned in.' registration' with the stationary track ends so that the clothes containers may be moved on the trackway freely into and out of the frame. The means employed for stopping the frame is device whereby either directly or indirectly all of the operating parts of the machine are controlled. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 5 a pair of dogs 101 pivotally mountedintermediate their ends on the brackets 102 above and below the horizontal center of the tumbler frame are constantly urged by springs 103 in a direction to 'move their adjacent ends toward the frame to a position limited by the stops 104 integral with the brackets 102. The adjacent ends of the dogs are adapted to be moved into the path of a lug 105 attached projecting radially beyond the drum 17- so that when the dogs arev in stopping position the lug 105 in moving past the horizontal center of the machine will yieldingly retract the first engaged dog and will be stopped by the other dog, thereby stopping rotation of the frame, .it being obvious that the first engaged dog will thereupon be moved by its spring behind thellug 105 so that the frame is eifectually locked against rotation in either direction. The dogs are normally held in inoperative position as shown in Fig. 5 by means of a rocker arm 106 fixed to the rock shaft 89, with which rocker arm the projecting fingers 107 of the'dogs engage so as to prevent movement of the dogs under ,the influence of the springs 103. The rocker arm 106 being fixed to the vshaft 89 is constantly urged in a rocker arm 106 carries at its upper end a embodied in a control 1stantly urged toward the roller 108 adapted to coperate with and to be actuated by a peripheral cam on the outer side of the drum 17. This camway consists ot a peripheral face 109 broken at the points 111 at which points the cam face 109 eX- tends inwardly to a face 112 concentric with the center of the frame. In other words an oiset Cam groove is provided whereby the roller 108, engaging the face 109 and concenter of the frame may enter the cam groove at either one of the points 111. Centrally intermediate the points 111 is a depression 113 in the face 112 So that the roller toward the center of the frame. When'the machine is in operation as the drawing shows, the roller 108 is held a slight distance away from the face 109 so as not to be affected by the depressions therein. When the latch 85 is tripped the rocker arm 106 will come under the influence of the-spring 93-and its roller 108 moved into engagement with the peripheral position shown in the'drawings, thecam in-V let 111 (the lowermost one) first passing the roller 108 will have no eiiect thereon and the mechanism controlled by the rocker arm 106 will not be actuated until the second inlet 111 reaches the roller which will enter the cam groove, the inward movement thus traversed causing the rockerarm 88 to disengage the clutch member 73 as described above, thereby neutralizing the belts. At the same time this inward movement brings the dogs 101 into operative position and simultanewith its track in ously while the lug l05fbeing brought into stopping engagement with the dogs, the roller 108 will enter the depression 113, allowing additional inward rocking movement of the rocker arm 106. This additional movement has no affect on the clutch member 73, since the same is merely swung idly farther away from the clutch face 75.

The tumbler frame having been stopped A alinementwith the stationary track, the above mentioned final movement of the rocker arm 106 is employed to put into operation a device for moving a new clothes container into the passage 25, thereby advancing'the containers therein to the next succeeding stations and ejecting the container longest in the frame, from the passage. This device, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, consists of a feed rod 114 extending parallel with and almost the entire length of the washing machine and mounted -011 the upright posts 23 at one side of the frame so as to be capable of a longitudinal sliding movement and also an oscillating movement about a traveling fulcrum adjacent to one of the posts as will be presently apparent. The end of the rod 114 adjacent to the entrance end of the tumbler frame is pivotally and slidably supported by means of `a 108 may move still farther i 11 Y shown in Fig. 2. It

cam 109. In case theV latch is tripped when the cylinder is at the bracket 115 secured to the top of the adjacent post 23 and provided with spaced horizontal slots 116 between which the rod 114 is located and in which laterally projecting ends of a pin 117 fixed to the rod 114 are disposed, the rod being supported at its other end in arvertical cutaway 118 in the other post and normally rests on the bottom wall of said cutawa The pivoted end of the rod 114 is equipped with a bracket 119 upon which is pivotally mounted a feed 1ever 121 the forward end 122 of which is located in horizontal alinement with the pivot 7 and is constantly urged into engagement with the adjacent clothes container by a spring 123. The feeder head 122 will automatically engage the rear end of a clothes container that has been put into position to be Ventered into the tumbler frame, as may be here mentioned that Va clothes container is Vstopped inV its movement toward V`the Vtumbler frame by a yieldable stop 120, Fig. V10, carried by a suitable rigid support against which stop the container abuts, the stop being'yieldable to allow the container to pass-on when ressure is applied to the container by the eeding means. Upon moving the rod 114 longitudinally to the right viewing Fig. 2, at the proper time, it will be obvious that Vthe clothes container engaged by feeder head 122 will be moved into the passage 25, thereby advancing the containers therein to the next stantly in a counter-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3, at a proper speed by suitable means such for instance as a pair'of bevel' gears 128 drivenv by a sprocket chain 129 from the drive shaft 61. An annular member designated generally reference character 131 is mounted on diametrically opposed pivots 132 on the disk 124 and shapedv 133 arranged to provide an annular cam face in relatively angular planes as shown in F1g. 2. The pivoted member 131 carries a laterally projecting pin '134 which when pro- Y jected through an aperture 135 in the disk by rocking the member 131 so that its in carrying section is parallel Jw1th the dlsk, constitutes a crank pin adapted to engage the depending extension 136,.Fig. 9, fixed to the rod 114 and to carry the free end of the rod forwardly during the upper half cycle of the movement of the pin. This forward movement of the rod 114 furnishes the feed movement for advancing the clothes containers described. Means is provided for holdingthe pin 134 in a retracted or inoperative position when passing the rod 114 except when it is desired to effect the feed movement mentioned. For this purpose an expansion spring 137 normally urges the member 131 in a direction to move its pin 134 into operative or projected position. Such movement, however, is opposed by a roller 138 in engagement with the cam face 133. It will be noted that after the pin 134 passes the rod 114 on its upstroke, at which point thejpin is retracted, it will be projected into operative position, due to the fall in the cam face 133 but after passing the vertical, the pin will be retracted again by the action of the stationary roller 139 on the cam face so that when the pin passes the rod 114 on its downward movement it will clear the same. It will thus be seen that the position of the roller 138 determines when the feeding device is to be put in operation, since by retracting the said roller the pin 134 will be moved to operative position to operate the feeding device. The roller is mounted upon one end of a lever 141 pivoted intermediate its ends to a fixed pivot 142 and pivotally attached at its opposite end to a link 143 that is connected to the upper end of the rocker arm 106. The lever 141 is thus held in fixed positionduring the operative period in which the machine yis shown. When the rocker arm 106 is moved inwardly the distance limited bythe cam face 112 the roller 138 will be retracted but not to such an extent as to permit the pin 134 to engage the member 136. The cam face 112 therefore is designed to permit a lapse between the time when the belts are neutralized and the final stopping of the tumbler frame. Simultaneously with stopping the frame the roller 108 will enter the notch 113, causing the roller 138 to be further retracted and the pin jected so as to operatively engage the feed rod 114 and thereby produce the feed movement. During this feed movement it will be obvious that the rod 114 will be moved longitudinally and oscillated on the pivot 117 and that since the, pivot is in horizontal alinement with the feeder head 112 the relation of this head to the clothes containers will not be changed. When the pin 134 in its downward movement leaves the rod 114,

said rod will be retracted by suitable means such as a weight 144 attached by means of a cable 145 running over a pulley 146 and attached to the rod. e

During the retracting movement of the feed rod 114 a cam 147 fixed to said rod engages a roller 148 mounted on the link 143 and thereby moves the roller 138 into operative position rendering the pin 134 inoperative and also moves the rocker arm 106 and consequently the rocker arm 88 in a di- `represented by the 134 to be correspondingly prorection to engage the belt shifter clutch and put the machine in operation. Simultaneously with this retracting movement of the feed rod 114 the valves of the fluid supply system will be opened, thus putting the machine into complete operation. The means employed for opening the valves comprises a bell-crank shaped tappet 149, Fig. 3, pivoted to the rod 114 and constantly urged by an expansion spring 151 to posit-ion the tappet end 152 in the path of the upper end of a lever 153 that is attached to the valve operating rod 98. When the valves are closed the lever 153 will assume a position dotted line 154 and it will be manifest that when the feed rod 114 is retracted the tappet end 152 will engage and move the lever 153 and thereby open the valves so as to renew the fluid supply to the clothes containers. When the valves have been thus opened and during the final movement of the rod 114, the arm 155 of the tappet will engage the fixed abutment 156 and withdraw thel tappet end 152 f the lever 153. Thispermits the lever 153 to be moved when the valves are closed prior to operation of the container feeding device.

Since the construction and operation of the vseveral devices employed in our improved washing apparatus has been taken up separately for purpose of clarity, a general statement of the operation will now, we believe, enable a clear understanding of the complete operation. Each `customers clothes will be placed in one ormore containers at the loading station and will not be intermingled with other clothes. At this station colored and white clothes are sorted and placed separately in the two compartments of a container, uniform practice being followed of placing the colored clothes in either the forward or rear clothes compartment. After leaving the loading station the clothes are thoroughly soaked in the vat 14 and for this purposethe containers may be either submersed or the Huid may be supplied from overhead sources. Assuming t e tumbler frame to be empty and the several operating mechanisms being driven by the shaft 61, a clothes container 11 may be en-` tered into the passa e 15 by the feeding mechanism describe above, by forward movement of the feed rod 114.` The return movement of the feed rod will cause the fluid supply valves to be opened and the belt shifter mechanism to be put into operation. Thereupon the tumbler frame will be rotatedV in one direction for a'period determined by the speedof rotation of the crank 125 pin 69 and its shifting effect on the arm 72 and will -be rotated in an opposite direction for a like period as determined by saidv shifter mechanism. This alternate rotation of the tumbler frame in opposite direci tion has the effect of tumbling the clothes which occupy only a portion of the con- .tainers and thereby do not ordinarily travel `in a co-mplete cycle with the containers but keep tumbling down the inclined walls thereof and are prevented from winding up into a mass by reversing the direction of rotation of the frame. In the instance illustrated, the clothes positioned at the first sta tion will be subjected to an alkali bath which prepares the clothes for entering the suds or soap solution. The duration of this treatment of the clothes at the first station is determined by the ratchet mechanism which effects shutting off the fluid supply and stopping of the rotation of the tumbler frame by actuating the lever 97 and subsequently the latch lever 85. The actuation of these levers as described above causes the fluid supply valves to be shut ofi' and the belts to be neutralized, thereby discontinuing the drive to the tumbler frame, causin the frame to be positively stopped with its track in registration -with the stationary and causing the feeding mechanism to be put into operation to enter a new clothes container into the passage 25 and advance the container at the first station to the second station. The feed rod 114 in its return movement will, as described above, open the fluid supply valves and put the frame rotating mechanism into operation again. In putting these mechanisms into operation it will bevnoted that the cam 147 on thefeed rod 114 resets the latch 85. With the clothes container first entered into the passage 25 now positioned at the second station the operation just described will be repeated and this container will be successively moved through the tumbler frame to the different stations and finally ejected from the frame. During this movement the clothes in this container will have been subjected to a s'eries of treatments by the different washing fluids, chemicals and the like so that when the clothes leave the tumbler frame they have been put through a complete and thorough washing process. It will be noted, viewing Fig. 4, that a`suitable filter, represented merely in dotted lilies by reference character "150, divides the fluid compart-v ments so that the fluids' after having been passed throughthe tumbling frame are filtered and consequentlyimay be used repeatedly, being circulated by means. It is the attendants duty to inspect the fluids at different intervals and keep the fluids at the proper strength by adding the requisite materials. Since it is desired that e washing process be of longer duration than the treatment of any of the other fluids, two sud stations are employed. After leav-4 ing the tumbler frame, 'thel containers .are moved to a discharge' station where the .for laundries doing a the pumpingI clothes are removed and placed in an extractor. D

The clothes washing apparatus embodying our improvements 1s particularly adapted business known as wet washing. That is, the clothes are not dried or ironed at the laundry but are returned to the customer in a Wet condition in proper containers, thus reducing the customers expense of cleaning clothes. In large laundries it may be desired to employ a number of independent clothes washing described, each appafor washing a single in which instance each would have but a single compartment instead of two as illustrated, consequently but a single pump and fluid compartment would be located at each station. j

It should be understood that the specific construction of parts such as the tumbler frame and clothes containers, and of the various devices and mechanisms employed are merely for purposes of illustration, and that the construction and properties such as are employed in washing clothes, a plurality of containers each adapted to carry a separate batch ofclothes, means formoving the containers to different sta` tions at each of which one of said fluids may be supplied to the container thereat, means for so lsupplying said fluids that the contents of the containers will be successively treated by the fluids at the various stations, and means for tumbling the clothes in opposite directions While they are being so treated.

`2.7In a clothes washing machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of independent containers each adapted to carry a separate batch of clothes,

a plurality of compartments containing y ytents areA beingsubjected to the action of said fluids.

3. Apparatus for washing clothes comprising a series of compartments intersected by a substantially continuous passageway, meansfor passing a plurality of perforate containers along said passageway, means for supplying washing fluids and the like of different properties to the different compartments so that the contents of each container is successively subjected to the treatment of different fluids as the containers are moved along the passageway, and means forrevolving the containers about the longitudinal axis of the passageway for tumbling the contents of the containers whilethe same are being subjected to the action of said fluids.

4. A washing machine comprising a tumbler frame having a longitudinal passage therethrough and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of perforate containers movable through said passage, means for supplying different kinds of washing and treating fluids and the, like to the containers at dierent points in their travel through the passage so that contents of each container will be successively subjected to the treatment of each of said fluids, and means for rotating said frame in opposite directions to tumble the contents of the container during the washing process.

qWashing apparatus comprising a perforate tumbler frame having an axial passage therethrough and mounted to revolve about its longitudinal axis, a series of divisional compartments extending peripherally about the frame, a plurality of perforate containers movable through said passage and said compartments, each container being of substantially the same length as the length of the smallest compartment, means for supplying uidsof different properties to the different compartments so that the contents of the containers are successively subjected to the action of the diHerent fluids in the passage of the containers through the tumbler frame, and means for revolving said frame in opposite directions for tumbling the contents of the containers,Y

6. A washing machine comprising a tumbler frame rotatable about its longitudinal axis and provided with a longitudinal pas-I sage and a plurality of annular division walls about the periphery of said passage defining longitudinally spaced divisional compartments, a plurality of containers adapted to be moved through said passage so as to pass successively through the divisional compartments, formed by Said division walls, means for supplying cleaning fluids or the like to said compartments so that the fluids pass through the frame passage defined by each compartment whereby the contents of each container is subjected to the treatment of the liquid in the compartment in which the container is located,

means for moving the containers in step by step movement through the passage so that the containers will be successively subjected to the treatment of the various fluids, and means for rotating "the frame Ain opposite directions so that the contents will be tumbled while being subjected to said liquid treatments.

7. In a Washing machine, the combination of arotatable frame having a longitudinal passage therethrough, a plurality of containers, movable through lsaid passage and each divided into a plurality of compartments having perfor-ate peripheral walls, means for supplying liquids of different properties to the compartments of each container at fixed stations, and means for moving the containers through the passage in step by step movements so that the contents of each container is successively subjected to the action of the various fluids.

8. In a Washing machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable sage therethrough, a plurality of compartments located beneath the frame, spaced lo-ngitudinally thereof and containing washing fluids and the like of different properties, means for drawing the fluids from said compartments and discharging the fluids dipartments for the reception of different kinds of clothes and the peripheral walls of the containers being perforate so 'that the discharging fluids' will pass downwardly through the passage and containers, means for rotating the tumbler frame to tumble the clothes while they are being subjected to the action of said fluids, and means for advancing the containers in step by step movements through said passage'so as to successively subject the clothes to the action of the dierent fluids.

9. In a clothes washing machine of the character described, the combination of a trackway, a revoluble structure in which vtumbler frame having a longitudinal pas- A a portion of the trackway is embodied, a

plurality of clothes containers movable along said trackway, and means for passing different washing fluids and the like for the exterior ofthe revoluble structure through said containers while they are being revolved by said structure.

10. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a revoluble structure, a plurality of clothes containers movable through said structure in step by step movements to different stations, means :for supplying washing liuids and the like of different, properties to the containers at the J b ler frame different stations, and means for revolving said .structure while the clothes are being treated by said liquids.

11. A `washing machine comprising a tumrotatable about its longitudinal axis and provided with a central passage therethrough, a plurality 4of containers adapted to be moved through said passage, a Atrackway upon which the containers are guided through the passage, a Atrackway connecting both ends of the passage and with which the frame trackway is adapted to register so that a container may moveinto and out of the passage on the trackways, means for successively' subjecting the contents of each container to the action of different cleaning liquids or the like as the containers are passed through the frame, and means for rotating the frame andthe containers in be conveyed to and away from the passage,

means for supplying different washing and treatin iiuids and the like to said containers at di erent Stations during their travel through the said passage, means for revolving said frame alternately in opposite directions for a predetermined period, and means for automatically stopping the frame atl the end of such period with the frame trackway in alinement with the stationary trackways.

13. In a washing machine, the combination of ay rotatable frame having a passage therethrough,

means for subjecting the contents of the containers to the action of diii'erent iuids aty different intervals during the travel of the j containersthrough said passage, means for vmoving the containersv into said passage,

means for rotating the framemmeans operfable between: the lcon'tainer-movingI meansl and the frame-revolving means for putting the latter inv operation, and means forvauto- Vmatically stopping the rotation of the frame when-ithas been revolved for a predeter.

mined period. A

14. Ina washing` machine, the combina tion of a rtatable'frame having a passage therethrough, a lplurality of 'containers adapted to be' moved through said passage,

a plurality. of containers adapted to be moved throughsaid passage,

' and for renewing LacasseY means for subjecting the contents of the.

containers to the action f different fluids at different intervals during the travel of the containers through said passage, and means for rotating the frame a predetermined number of revolutions respectively in opposite directions and for stopping rotation of frame after a predetermined period of time so that the contents ofthe' containers will be tumbled in opposite directions during a given period.

15.- In a washing machine, the combination of a rotatable frame havinga passage therethrough, a plurality of containers adapted to be moved through said passage, means for subjecting the contents of' the containers to the action of different iiuids at different intervals during the travelV ofV thev Vcontainers through said passage, and means 1 for rotating the frame a predetermined number ofV revolutions respectively in opposite Y directions and for stopping rotation of frame after a predetermined period of time so that the contents of the containers will be'tumbled in opposite directions during a given period, means to move a container into the passage, advance the containers therein and eject one thergerom atthe'end of said period, and ineansfor stopping thesupply of said fluids' to the containers and draining the same therefrom before the containers are advanced to the next station.

16. In a washing machine of thecharacter described, the combination of a rotatable tumbler frame having a longitudinal passage therethrough, a plurality of clothes containers adapted to be moved through said lpassage and to be rotated with the frame,

means for moving the containers in step by step movements through the passage to different stations therein, means for supplying liquids of different properties to the containers at the different stations and allowing the liquids to drain from the containers before the same are advanced to the next succeeding stations, mechanism for rotating the frame alternately in opposite directlons for a predetermined period, and mechanism for automatically shutting off the supply of liquid. prior to stopping rotation of the frame, for moving the containers to the next stations afterthe frame has been stoppedl rotation of the frame.

' 17. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable tumblerframe having a longitudinal passage therethrough, a plurality of clothes containers adapted to be moved through said passage and to be rotatedwith the frame, means for moving the containers in step by step movements through the passage to different stations therein, means for supplying liquids' of diiierent properties to the containers at'l the different stations, mechamsm for rotat-v said supply of liquid and succeeding stations when rotation of the frame has been Stopped.

18,. In a Washing machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame having a'longitudinal passage.

therethrough, a plurality of clothes containers movable through said passage and rotatable with said frame, means for supplying washing fluids of different properties to the containers at dilerent points in the passage of the containers through the frame, means for rotating the frame alternately in opposite directions for predetermined periods in each direction, timing means for stopping the frame rotating means when the same has .operated for a predeterminedperiod and for shutting of said supply of liquids prior to stopping rotation of the frame, and means for automatically advancing the containers to the next succeeding stations in the frame.

19. In a Washing machine of the character described, the combination of a tumbler frame, a plurality of clothes containers movable through said frame and rotatable therewith, means for rotating the frame alternately in opposite directions for predetermined periods in each direction, and

- means operated in timed relation with the frame rotating means for stopping operation of the same after the frame has been rotated for a predetermined period.

20. In a Washing machine of the character described, 'the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of clothes containersv movable through said frame and adapted to be stopped at different stations therein, means at the different stations for supplying Washing fluids and the like of diiferent properties to the containers, means allowing the liquids to be drained Ifrom the containers, means for rotating the frame, means for moving the containers in step by step movements to the next succeeding stations, and means for operating in timed relation the several means for supplying liquids'to the containers, rotating the frame and advancing the containers in the frame to successively stop the said fluid supply, stop rotation of the frame, advance the containers to the next succeeding stations and resume the supply of fluids and rotation of the frame.

21. A clothes Washing machine comprising a revoluble tumbler frame having a longitudinal passage therethrough, a plurality of clothes containers -movable lengthwise through said passage, each container having a plurality of compartments therein spaced apart' longitudinally of` the passage and adapted to each contain a separate batch of clothes, means for moving the containers through the passage and for stopping them at diEerent stations therein, means for supv plying Washing and treating fluids of different properties to the clothes containers at the different stations, and means for revolving the tumbler framev so that the clothes Will be tumbled While being subjected to the action of said fluids.

'22. In a clothes Washing machine, the combination of a lu-rality of clothes containers each divi ed into a plurality of compartments so that the' clothes of a single customer may be placed in the several compartments of one container according to the material and color of the clothes, means for moving the containersto different stations, and means for supplying Washing and treating fluids to the containers 'at said stations.

23. In a clothes Washing -machine, the combination of a lurality of clothes containers each divi ed into a plurality of compartments so that the clothes of a single customer may be placed in the several compartments of one container according to the material and color of the clothes, means for moving the containers to different stations, and means at different stations for supplying dierent Washing and treating iuids to the containers at such stations, the fluid supplied at each station being taken from a plurality of separate sources of supply, each delivered independently to one of the compartments of a clothes container so that the clothes in the several compartments iso of each container will be subjected at each FAY H. YOUNG. GEORGE A. LEWIS. y