US2178735A

US2178735A - Detergent generator for washing machines

Info

Publication number: US2178735A
Authority: US
Inventors: Behrman Robert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-08-26
Filing date: 1936-08-26
Publication date: 1939-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1956-11-07

Description

Nov. 7, 1939. R. BEHRMAN DETERGENT GENERATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Aug. 26, 1956 DETERGENT m/ Gmzvuznz Fan/v INVENTOR. ROBERT BEHRMAN ATTORNEYS II I ll Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETERGENT GENERATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES The present invention relates to the washing machine art and particularly to that portion of the art which has to do with devices for generating cleaning solutions and feeding said solutions to a washing machine during its operation.

More specifically stated, the invention is directed to that type of device for generating and feeding cleaning solutions wherein a given amount of water is periodically brought into contact with a given amount of detergent in solid or granular form and the resultant solution is fed to the washing machine.

A primary object of the invention is greatly to improve and simplify detergent generators of the foregoing type.

Another important object is to provide a device of the foregoing type which will function economically and efiectively to generate and feed a charge of cleaning solution of given and constant strength or concentration.

Another object of importance is to provide a device of the foregoing type wherein the main supply of detergent is maintained out of contact with the water supply and free of contamination with the grease and filth separated during the process of washing.

Another object of equal importance is to provide a device of the foregoing type which is provided with means for visibly indicating the strength or concentration of the cleaning solution being generated.

Another important object is to provide a device of the foregoing type which can be readily adjusted by an authorized person to generate and deliver a cleaning solution of desired strength or concentration.

Still another object is to provide a device of the foregoing type which is particularly well adapted for use with washing machines of different types and constructions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the device of the invention in one of its broad aspects consists of a reservoir containing a main supply of detergent in solid or granular form, means for separating a given amount of detergent from said main supply and means for bringing a given amount of water into contact with said separated detergent in order to generate a cleaning solution of desired strength or concentration. I

In a more specific aspect, the device of the invention may be provided with means for visibly indicating the strength or concentration of the solution being generated.

In another specific aspect, the device of the invention may be provided with means for varying the amount of detergent separated from the main supply.-

The inventive concept underlying the invention is capable of being embodied in widely varying forms and constructions. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one of the forms in which the invention may be embodied is shown in the accompanying drawing and will now be described.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical substantially central cross-section through the illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and showing the apertures in the two sets of bottom plates in non-registering position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, the apertures in the two sets of plates being shown in registering position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line H of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the raised bottom of the inner shell of the device showing the arrangement and construction of the two sets of plates.

Referring now to the drawing with greater particularity, it will be noted that the device which has been selected to illustrate the invention consists of two concentric shells l and 2. The outer shell is shown as being provided with a bottom 3 which may be secured to the cylindrical wall in any desired or well-known manner. The outer shell may also be provided with an annular cover plate 4 and a lid 5. The cover plate and the lid may be removed as a unit wh"never it is desired to have easy access to the interior of the device or to remove the inner shell. The lid 5 is provided with a knob 6 to enable it to be readily removed whenever it is desired to add a supply of detergent to the device. The outer shell is also shown as being provided with an inlet I and an outlet 8, the structures and purposes of which will be hereinafter described.

The inner cylindrical shell 2 may advantageously have an open top and an open bottom and is shown as resting directly upon the bottom 3 of the outer shell. Spacing means may be provided to keep the two shells concentrically spaced. In Figures 2 and 3 the spacing means are shown to have the form of small U-shaped elements 9 secured in a suitable manner to the inner shell at equally spaced intervals. The inner shell is also provided about its lower circumference with a single row of apertures III to serve a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

The inner shell is also provided with a raised floor which is illustrated as consisting of three circular plates ll, l2 and I3 secured in a suitable manner to each other and to the circumferential wall of the shell. The middle plate i2 is shown as being provided with a multiplicity of minute perforations i4 uniformly spaced. These perforations-may be the size of pin holes, it being essential that they be smaller than the granules of the detergent so that the granules will not sift through the bottom 01 the inner shell.

The upper plate ii is shown as being provided with two sets of apertures I 5 and I6. Apertures ii are considerably larger than the apertures 16 and are arranged in a circle about the circumference of the plate. The apertures I6 are arranged in a circle about the center of the plate. It is to be noted that the apertures l5 and IS in the upper plate H are much larger than the apertures II in the intermediate plate l2.

The lower plate 13 is shown as also being provided with two sets of apertures I 1 and [8. The apertures H in the lower plate l3 are equal in size and in number to the apertures i5 in the upper plate and are arranged in the same manner. Hence the two sets of apertures l5 and I! are in permanent registration or alinement. The

apertures IS in the lower plate l3 are equal in size and in number to the apertures IS in the upper plate and are arranged in the same manner. Hence the two sets of apertures i6 and I8 are also in permanent registration or alinement.

The effective size of the registering apertures in plates II and i3 may be varied at will by means of the plate I9 which is mounted upon the raised floor of the inner shell for rotative movement about the pivot pin 20 which is secured to the plate and which extends through registering apertures in the three plates ll, 12 and I3. The pivot pin is provided with screw threads as .shown and with a nut 2| which may be tightened on the pivot pin to secure the plate I9 against accidental or unintentional displacement. To facilitate turning the plate l9 about its axis the pivot pin is provided at its upper portion with a knob'22. The plate 19 is provided with a downwardly extending pin 23 which extends through an arcuate slot 24 provided in the three plates ll, I2 and 13. The pin 23 and slot 23 serve to limit the amount that the plate i9 can be turned about the pivot pin.

The plate I9 is provided with an outer series of apertures 25 which correspond in size, number and arrangement with the registering apertures.

l5 and I! in plates II and I3. The plate 19 is also provided with an inner series of apertures 26 which correspond in size, number and arrangement with the registering apertures 19 and [8 in plates H and I3. It is thought to be clear from the foregoing description that the apertures in plate I9 can be brought into registration or partial registration with the'corresponding apertures in plates H and I3 by turning the plate the necessary amount about the pivot pin 20. Likewise, that the plate Hi can be turned a suiiicient amount to close all the apertures. The apertures are shown in complete alinement in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, while Figure 2 shows the position of the plate l9 when the apertures are completely closed.

The inlet 1 consists of a narrow bore tubing connected in a suitable manner to a water supply and to the circumferential wall of the outer shell I. The inlet is preferably disposed a short distance below the raised bottom of the inner shell 2. As illustrated it may advantageously be provided with a suitable form of valve or control lever 21 which may be used to regulate the amount of water entering the generator during its cycle of operation.

The outlet 8 is shown as consisting of a tubing 28 connected in a manner to be described to the circumferential wall of the outer shell I. The outlet has preferably a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet'and is attached to the shell somewhat higher than the inlet to insure that the level of the water will not rise above the forami nous plate I2. In actual practice, I have found a ratio of 5:]. between the outlet and inlet to be suitable.

The connections between the tubing 28 and the shell are illustrated as consisting of the following elements:

A nipple 29 having a threaded portion 30 and secured by means of two nuts designated as 3| and 32 to the shell I;

A second nipple 33 screwed into the nipple 29;

A third nipple 34 threadably connected to the nipple 33; and

A screw-threaded union 35 for securing the tubing 28 to the nipple 34.

Each of the nuts 3| and 32, the union 35 and each of the

nipples

29 and 34 are shown provided with angular outer portions to facilitate connecting and tightening the parts together. This can be done by hand without the aid of any tools whatsoever.

The second nipple 33 may be provided with a sightglass or gauge for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out. To this end the nipple is provided with the two diametrically

opposite apertures

36 and 31 and contains a glass tube 38. which fits tightly within the nipple and which has ends projecting from the nipple. About the projecting ends are positioned rubber washers 3S and M to absorb the pressure incident to tightening the connections.

A brief description of the mode of operation of the device will now be given, it being assumed that the device of the invention forms part of the system of a. washing machine (not shown). At periodic intervals during the operation of the machine a stream of water flows into the outer shell I of the device through the inlet 1. This flow may be produced by manually opening a valve (not shown), but I prefer to'have the device so connected into the system that the flow of water starts and stops automatically as one of the cycles of operation of the machine. The necessary connections to produce this cycle do not constitute part of the present invention and hence are not illustrated.

Before proceeding further, it should be noted that the valve or control lever 21 is normally open during the entire operation of the washing machine, this element serving only to regulate the amount of water entering the device during the detergent-generating cycle of the machine. It is also to be noted that during the normal operation of the device the plate 19 is so positioned relative to the raised bottom of the inner shell 2 that the apertures in plate I9 are either wholly or partially in register with the corresponding apertures in plate ll. As has been stated the detergent is in granular form, and

the granules are larger than the perforations It in the foraminous plate I! so that the detergent cannot sift through. Hence, the granules cover the plate l9 and fill the recesses or pockets which are formed by the registering sets of apertures in plates II and I 9 and the foraminous plate [2.

The water flows from the outer shell I through the apertures l0 into the inner shell 2 and out through the outlet 8. As has been stated the relative sizes. of the inlet and outlet are preferably such that the level of the water does not rise above the top of the foraminous plate. The height to which the water will rise can also be regulated by means of the valve or control lever 21. As the water flows through the device it readily dissolves the charge of detergent contained in the recesses or pockets in the raised floor, and an additional charge automatically falls by gravity into the recesses or pockets. When the supply of water is shut oif at the end of the detergent-generating cycle, the height of water in the inner shell drops to a constant level to be raised again to the top of the foraminous plate when the supply is opened again at the beginning of the next detergent-generating cycle.

It has been found in actual practice that the water does not seep through to the main supply of detergent which is always kept in a perfectly dry and uncontaminated condition.

The provision of the sight glass or gauge in the outlet renders it possible to observe the solution of detergent immediately after it has been generated. I preferably incorporate a substance such as a dye in the detergent so that the strength or concentration of the generated solution can be ascertained from its color. Tartrazine is a suitable dye which may be used. This dye is orange when dry, is light green in very dilute solution and yellow in more concentrated solutions. Knowing the concentration or strength of the solution passing through the outlet 8 it is a simple matter to regulate the amount of detergent taken up at one time by the water passing through the device. It is only necessary to rotate the plate is by means of the knob 22 to change the amount of register between the apertures in the plate l9 and the plate II. In order that this change may be accomplished by an authorized person only, the tightening nut 2| is placed on the bottom-side of the raised floor oi the inner shell. This renders it necessary to remove the inner shell in order to adjust the plate IS. The tightening nut also serves to bring the plate l9 into close and intimate contact with the raised bottom so that no water ,can seep through into the main supply of detergent. It should be pointed out that for a given installation the adjustment need be made only occasionally so that the provision of the tightening nut does not result in any inconvenience and produces considerable economies in the use of detergent.

It should be noted that the structure of the connections between the outlet pipe 28 and the outer shell are such that the intermediate nipple 33 containing the sight glass or gauge can be readily adjusted so that the

apertures

36 and 31 are at any desired position relative to the horizontal. Hence, by adjusting the intermediate nipple 33 the sight glass can be readily observed regardless of the position of the generator itself. The device can, therefore, be placed at the most convenient position with reference to the washing machine with which it is to be used without impairing the visibility of the gauge.

The foregoing specification and description include the essential and distinctive thought of my invention. Although the description is somewhat detailed and certain specific'terms and language have been used therein, it is to be understood that the essential and distinctive thought underlying the invention may be modified in various ways and/ or combined with various other details without affecting the peculiar results obtained, and without departing from the spirit of the in vention or the scope of the appended claims, in

which I intend to claim all the patentable novelty inherent in my invention.

I claim:

1. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising a vessel having positioned therein a horizontal foraminous plate having a plurality of pockets formed therein, said plate dividing said vessel into two chambers the upper of which is to receive a supply of detergent in granular form and the lower of which is to receive a supply of water; a water inlet connected to said lower chamber; and a water outlet connected to said vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate falls between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said water outlet.

2. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising an outer vessel; an inner vessel.

adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel so that the floor of said inner vessel is raised above the floor of said outer vessel, said floor of said inner vessel consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller in size than said granules and a second plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein which are larger in size than said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combining with said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receiving pockets in said inner vessel floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel at a point below the floor of said inner vessel; a valve controlling said water inlet; and a water outlet larger in cross sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

3. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel so that the floor of said inner vessel is raised above the floor of said outer vessel, said inner vessel floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than said granules, a second plate having apertures formed therein which are larger than said granules superposed upon said foraminous plate, and a third plate having apertures formed therein which are larger than said granules superposed upon said second plate, said third plate being movably mounted with respect to said second plate and positioned so that said apertures of said third plate may be brought into and out of registry with said apertures formed in said second plate, each registering pair of apertures of said second and third plates combining with said foraminous plate to form granule receiving pockets in said inner vessel floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel at a point below said inner vessel floor; a valve controlling said water inlet; and a water outlet larger in cross-sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outer vessel and positioned so that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the door and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

4.'A device for generating a cleaning solution consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel having a raised floor positioned within said outer vessel and adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form, said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than the size of said granules and a second plate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combining with said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receiving pockets in said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel; and a wateroutlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said water outlet.

5. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consisting of a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of detergent in granular form; a bottom for said reservoir consisting of two superimposed plates, the upper of said plates having formed therein one or more apertures of a size larger than the individual granules of the detergent and the lower of said plates having formed therein a plurality of perforations of a size smaller than said individual granules, said apertures in said upper plate combining with said lower plate to form granule receiving pockets in said bottom of said reservoir; and means associated with said reservoir for passing a stream of water in contact with said lower plate for dissolving the detergent contained in said pockets.

6. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel, said inner vesel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed in the walls thereof below said raised floor, said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than the size of said granules and a sec-- ond plate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combining with said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receiving pockets in said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel; and a water outlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said water outlet.

7. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel, said inner vessel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed in the walls thereof below said raised floor, said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than the size of said granules and a second plate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combining with said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receiving pockets in said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel at a point below said raised floor; a valve controlling said water inlet; and a water outlet larger in cross-sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

8. A device for generating a cleaning solution,

saiddevice consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel, said inner vessel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed in the walls thereof below said raised floor, said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than said granules, a second plate having apertures formed therein which are larger than said granules superposed upon said foraminous plate, and a third plate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed upon said second plate, said third plate being movably mounted with respect to said second plate and positioned so that said apertures of said third plate may be brought into and out of registry with said apertures in said second plate, each registering pair of apertures of said second and third plates combining with said foraminous plate to form granule receiving pockets in said inner vessel floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel; a valve controlling said water inlet; and a water outlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

9.' A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel positioned in said outer vessel, said inner vessel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed in the walls thereof below said raised floor positioned in said outer vessel; said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than said granules, a second plate having apertures formed therein which are larger than said granules superposed upon said foraminous plate, and a third plate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed upon said second plate, said third plate being movably mounted with respect to said second plate and positioned so that said apertures of said third plate may be brought into and out of registry with said apertures in said second plate, each registering pair of apertures of said second and third plates combining with said foraminous plate to form granule receiving pockets in said inner vessel floor; a supply of detergent in granular form having coloring matter intimately mixed therewith throughout its entire mass positioned in said inner vessel upon said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel at a point no higher than said raised floor; a valve controlling said water inlet; a water outlet greater in cross-sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point no lower than the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet; and a sight glass carried by said outlet.

ROBERT BEHRMAN.