US2040417A

US2040417A - Apparatus for laundering clothes

Info

Publication number: US2040417A
Application number: US504840A
Authority: US
Inventors: James N White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-12-26
Filing date: 1930-12-26
Publication date: 1936-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1953-05-12

Description

ay l2', 1936. J. WHITE 2,040,417

APPARATUS FOR LAUNDERING CLOTHES Filed Deo* 2,6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jamf /v wir@ q ffm @p May 12, 1936. .-1. N. WHITE APPARATUS FOR LAUNDERING CLOTHES lFilm Deo. 26 195ol 3 sheeis-sheet 2 Y Jam@ Wma.

May 12, 193.6. I J, N, W|||TE 2,040,417

APPARTUS FOR LAUNDERING CLOTHES Filed Dec. 2e, 1930 :5 sheets-sheet :s

37 Ja/.7265 N. wmf.

Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR LAUNDERING CLOTHES J ames N. White, Denver, Colo. Application December 26, 1930, Serial No. 504,840

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for laundering clothes and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for continuously carrying out the several operations to which the clothes must be subjected.

A number of diii'erent kinds of machines are necessary to carry out the process of laundering clothes and the present day method of transferring the clothes from one machine to another `by manual labor requires considerable time, and, when the clothes are wet, involves laborious, disagreeable, and unhealthful work. This, together with the idleness of the machine during these manual operations, renders the present day process of laundering very ineiiicient and costly.

It is one object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus that will overcome the above diiculties.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus that shall be continuous in operation and automatically transfer the clothes from one machine to another without the necessity of manual handling of the clothes.

Another object is to provide a method vand apparatus for laundering clothes that will permit the clothes to fall by gravity from one machine to a conveyer, the latter operating to transfer and deposit by gravity the clothes into the next machine.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for laundering clothes that will permit the clothes in one machine to drop by gravity to another machine, for providing continuous operation.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for laundering clothes, comprising a plurality of machines having means intermediate thereof for automatically transferring the clothes from one machine to another, as well as means for keeping the several batches of clothes separate, and depositing them in individual bins in the next machine.

A further object is to provide, in a method and apparatus for laundering clothes having the above characteristics, novel means for retaining, with the batches of clothes in the several bins in the initial machine, the means of identifying the several batches, the said means being adapted to transfer each marking tag with its respective batch of clothes t0 the next machine.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for laundering clothes that will greatly reduce the time for carrying out the several laundering operations, thereby greatly decreasing the cost of such operations, as well as reducing the number of machines required to carry out a given volume of work.

A still further object is to provide a method and apparatus for laundering clothes which will eliminate the laborious and unhealthful work of 5 signed as a denition of the invention, the latter 20 being defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. I is a view in elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. II is a plan view of a detail of the conveyer mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig. III is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. I showing the tub and associated parts in normal position for washing operation.

Fig. IV is a section similar to Fig. III but showing the tub and associated parts in position at the extreme of the fluid dumping movement.

Fig. V is a view similar to Figs. III and IV but showing the tub and associated parts and the cage at the end of their respective movements in the operation of dumping the clothes.

Fig. VI is a partial view similar to Fig. I illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. VII is a view in elevation of still another embodiment of the invention, and

40 Fig. VIII is an enlarged detail View of Fig. VII.

The invention consists of a plurality of machines for handling clothes (here illustrated and described as a washing machine and an extractor), and means intermediate thereof for transferring the clothes from one machine to another without assistance of manual handling of the clothes.

In the form shown, Figs. I, II, III, IV and Vcomprise a washing machine, l0, supported a distance from the floor l2, or other suitable supporting surface, provided with driving mechanisms I3 and l 4. For the purpose of this disclosure the washing machine ID is identical with that illustrated and described in my application, Serial No. 462,655,

dated June 20, 1930; however, for the sake of simplicity the following description is given: Y The washing machine I is rotatably supporte in supporting members I5, and comprises an inner perforated clothes containerY I6, having a sliding door I1, Van outer tub I8, the latter being substantially semi-circular in shape. The cover I 9 is fixed to and supported by the tub I8 but at a distance lfrom one of the upper edges of the tub, as shown Yat 2 I. This provides a longitudinal opening along one `side of the tub so that when the tub`l8 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the fluid within the tub will pour out through the longitudinal opening 2| and be directed to a drain or gutter, 22, by means of aprons, 23V and 24. Y

The apron 23 may be iixed to the supporting members I5 in any suitable manner and the apron 24 is `also supported by the members I5, but is pivoted thereon by a plurality of mechanisms spaced apart throughout the longitudinal lengthof'theV tub, each of which mechanisms comprises a (support 25, having a pin 2-5, extending outwardly therefrom for engaging a slot or groove 2T pron vided in the lower end of the apron 24.Y Thenor-V mal positionfof the apron 24'is shown by Figs. III and V and it may be biased to this` position by yielding means 28 or by weighting its lower end as shown at 29.v The upper end of the apron 24 terminates in a curved portion 3 I for engaging spaced lugs 32 provided along one edge of the cover member I9. It will be noted that this edge is pro-Y vided with an outwardly supported flange 33 which serves to assist inthe directing `of any fluid that may splash out Yof the opening 2 I during `operation,

of the machine. Y

Fig. IV illustrates the machine in its extremeA fluid-dumping position. This position is obtained by rotating the tubfand cover member I9 counter- Y clockwise by the driving mechanism I4, and it fluid from falling on the floor directly under the mal position by the yielding means28.

' lThe cover I9 of the tub I8 is alsoprovided with al sliding door 34, adapted to open byfmeans of the grooveV 35, disposed btween'rband'36 and Vcover I9, alll of which structureis fully disclosed in the above' mentioned application; As stated above, the tub I8'and top I9'are rotated by means of the'mechanis'm I4'while`the cage I6 is rotated independently of the tubflloyl means of the driving mechanism` I3; .LikewiseV the details of the driving mechanismcl3 and I4"are fully 'set forth in the above mentioned application;` Y

Arranged between the bottom Vofl the tub and the floor I2 is a conveyer 31, Vof any endless type,

carrying receptacles or containers 38, adaptedto registerlwith the several bins forming theinner Y These bins are indi-n bucketsor containers 38 around the end .of the in the extractor.

conveyer through one of the openings 42'in the iloor I2, the clothes are dropped into the several sections of the extractor.` In order to keep the several batches of clothes separate it is necessary that the speed of the Vcontainers 38 be synchronized with the speed of the bins or compartments Means 43 is provided for this purpose and comprises a shaft 44, adapted to rotate the extractor at the proper speed, carrying, rigidly iixed to the shaft, a gear 45, adapted to mesh with gear `46, carried by shaft 41, the latter being provided at its lower end with a Vbeveled gear 48, meshing with a gear 49, carried on one lend of a shaft 5I, the latter also being provided at its other end with a gear 52 meshing with a gear 58 xed to shaft 59. The shaft 59 also 'carriesia sprocket wheel 6I adapted to mesh with veyer. Any-approved means, not shown, may be provided for breaking the connection between the extractor 4I and the chain 62Y and likewise for rotatingthe extractor during the extracting proc-` ess. It should here be noted'that while only one conveyer Vand one washing machine is shown associated with the extractor, it is to be under-V stood that any number of conveyers'and wa's'h-v Y Ying machines maybe arranged, or one conveyer may be extended under a number of machines, so`

that one extractor may be employed to take care of a number of machines. In this connection it might be welltosay that the extracting process requires considerably less time than the washing process-and the advantageso-f arranging a number of machines to utilize a single extractor will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such an arrangementis within the scope of this invention. In order that the several batches of clothes mayA be identied, a novel means, comprising cups 64 positioned adjacent the upper edge of the tub and on the opposite side from the groovev 2I at substantially the center of each of the bins 39, these cups having their upper ends open so that when the washing machine is rotated inra clockwise direction for dumping the clothes into the containers 38 (see Fig. V), the marking tags will fall simultaneously with their respective batches of clothes and will continue on through the several operations. Y

' The operation of the embodiment of this invention above described is as follows:

YThe clothes are put into the several bins 39 of Vthe washing machine by way of the doors 34 and I'I,.placing the respective marking tags in the cups 64, Yafter which the doors vare closed and the driving mechanism I3 is operated for rotatingthe cage IB a predetermined number of rrevolutions in one direction and then the sameY number in the opposite direction, for a predetermined length of time, after which the means` I4 Vis operated to rotate the tub I8 in a counter- Vclockwise direction, emptying-the fluid within the tub by way of the opening 2|,

aprons

23, 24,

and drain 22. VThe means I4 is of the reversible type and with the present structure the iluid is exhausted from the tub by the time theslot or opening 2| has reached its lowermost position;

since the means I4 is so designed as to reversev the direction of the tub, upon completing its previous direction rthe clean or LneW fluid is immediately admitted to the inner part of the tub and a sufficient quantity of fluid is quickly suppliedwithin the tub.

The mechanism for supplying fluid such vas wash Water, soap and bluing, is also fully disclosed in thefabovenientioned,application and does not form any part of this invention., f

Upon completion of the several successive washing{joperat ions and yfluid dumpings the tub and the cage I6 are rotated simultaneously in a clock- Wise direction by means I4 and I3 respectively, at which time both the doors 34 and I 'I are open and the clothes and the tags are dropped by gravity into the containers 38, after which time the conveyer is operated by any suitable driving mechanism to convey the clothes and rotate-the extractor, during which time the means 43 comprising gears, shafts, sprockets, chain and associated parts 44 to 62 operate to cause the clothes contained in the several containers 38, With their respective tags, to be deposited by gravity into respective individual compartments of the extractor. Immediately upon completing the dumping operation of the clothes from the washing machine into the containers 38, the washing machine may be immediately refilled with clothes for a repetition of the same operation.

Fig. VI illustrates a slightly different embodiment of the structure disclosed by Fig. I in that openings 50 are provided in the floor I2 for dropping the clothes from the washing machine through the said openings into a conveyer supported beneath the floor I2, the remaining portion of the apparatus together with the operation, being identical.

Fig. VII illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein a plurality of machines, I0, are disposed on a floor or supporting surface I2, the latter having chutes 1I extending downwardly therethrough and connecting with a main chute 13, the latter adapted to convey the clothes to an extractor 4I, positioned on a lower floor or supporting surface, not shown. Each of the chutes II is provided at its bottom end with doors 14, for selectively connecting them with the main chute 13. The extractor may be rotated by any suitable automatic means or manually, for receiving the several batches of clothes in separate bins. The doors 'I4 may be manually or automatically operated, as desired. 'I'he latter embodiment provides a,-.convenient arrangement for employing a single extractor with a plurality of Washing machines, and in some instances may be more cheaply constructed. 'I'he washing machines employed by the various embodiments are of the gravity dumping type such as 'that described above, or those disclosed in other patents and applications of the same inventor.

It will be obvious that the belt conveyor may extend under a plurality of washing machines positioned in series, preferably end to end, and receive clothes from any or all of such machines and convey the clothes to the extractor.

There is thus provided a method and apparatus for laundering clothes that will transfer clothes from one machine to another Without the manual handling of the clothes. The present method and apparatus greatly reduces time heretofore required to carry out the laundering operations and in so doing there is provided a method and apparatus which will decrease the number of machines heretofore required for completing a given volume of work. It has been found in practice that one machine of the present apparatus will turn -out Vsubstantially the same amount as two machines vof. the same size heretofore provided.

'I'he manual labor heretofore required is substanspect to thataccomplished by the machines Wherel it, isv Anecessary that the- 'clothes be manually handled several times during the laundering operations. Any possible chance of the clothes becoming snagged or otherwise torn is obviated.v 'I'he disagreeable, laborious and unhealthful Work of transferring wet clothes by hand is entirely eliminated, as is the flooding of the laundry floor which results therefrom. Also much floor space is saved by positioning the conveying means under the Washing machines instead of in the usual aisles between the Washing machines which are ordinarily positioned in lines end to end with aisles between.

Other advantages such as the quick disposition of the soiled fluid from the Washing machine, whereby the sediment and dirt within the machine is positively disposed of, the quick manner in which the machine may be refilled with fluid for a second operation, the transferring of the clothes by gravity from one machine to another or by one machine to a conveyer, the latter transferring the same to the next machine, by gravity, the synchronism between the operation of the several mechanisms and other advantages, will appear to those skilled in the art, Vall of which fall Within the spirit and scope of the specieation and claims.

While the invention has been described as a method and apparatus for laundering clothes, it is to be understood that the same apparatus may be employed for bluing, dyeing, drying, etc., of clothes, and generally for the handling of fabrics and textiles wherever the same are subjected to fluid within a machine, and while only a certain number of washing machines have been shown, in combination with an extractor, it is'to be expressly understood that any number of diiTerent kinds of machines may be employed and still remain within the scope of the invention. Other changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in any part or parts of the method and apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedrclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for treating fabrics, a rotatable tub having a cover spaced therefrom to provide a longitudinally extending opening along the back upper edge of the tub, means for rotating said tub to bring said opening to the under side of said tub whereby to dump fluid from the tub through the opening, a fluid diverter swingingly mounted at the rear of the tub and normally upright, means operable by the tub during such rotation adapted to swing the diverter to inclined position with its upper edge beneath said opening as such rotation brings the opening toward the bottom of the tub, whereby to divert fluid, dumped through said opening, to the rear of the tub, and means for returning said diverter to normal position.

2. Apparatus for laundering clothes comprising, in combination, a semi-cylindrical tub having a cover, openings for receiving clothes into the tub, a longitudinal opening along the rear Y 5 K Y {by gravity into-said conveyer, means to'rotate upper edge of said tub, a conveyery beneath said tubrand adapted to move longitudinally thereof,

Vmeans to rotate said tub in one direction to bring said clothes-receiving,opening tothe bottom of said lcub whereby to dump clothes from the tub saidrtub in the opposite direction to bring said Vlongitudinalopening tofthe bottom of Ysaid tub whereby tozdump fi'uidrfrom said tub through said 1`0} opening,V a swingingly mounted fluid diverter tion back of said conveyor.V

JAMES N. WHITE.

and means to return the diverter to normal posi-