US2286429A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

June 16, 1942. H. c. A. MEYER ET AL 2,286,429

` WASHING MACHINE Filed oct. 29',` 195By v Sheets-sheet 1 Julie 16, 1942. H Q l:MMEYR ETAL' 2,286,429

WASHING MACHINE Eiled oct. 29', 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVEN Henry BY u j June 16, 1942. H; c, A. MEYER Em. i 2,286,429

` WASHING MACHINE '7 sheets-sheet s Filed OC'C` 29, 1938 Y S Heng/vE-IRB eyel- BY Edwin F. Wesely ATTORNE 5 June 16, 1942. I

-WASHING MACHINE Filed ont. 29, 19:58(

O O O 0000300000 ooogdoo o d o 9 o H. C. A. MEYER ET AL 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Henry C'. A. Meyer BY Edwin E Wesely A1ToRNEYs -H. c'. A. MEYl-:R ET Al. 2,286,429

June 16, 1942,

WASHING MACHINE Filed oct. 29, 193s '7 sheets-sheet 5 Hem l] BY E @lag/M June 16, 1942- H. c. A. MEYR ET AL WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June16,1942. H. c. A. MEYER Em 2,286,429

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1938 7 Sheets-Shea?I 7 OOOOOO O OOOOO O OOO INVENTORS Henry C. A. Meyer BY Edwin Wesey /CIM/ We@ AToRNEYs Patented. June 16, 1942 UNITED -STATE s PATENT o-FFICE WASHING Henry C. A. Meyer, Syracuse,

hase, Md.,

Machinery Corporation, a corporation of Delaware F. Wesely, Chevy C United States Hoffman New York, N. Y.,

assignors to Application October 294, 1938, Serial No. 237,626

.12 Glaims.

This invention relates to laundry apparatus of the type used in power laundries and more inlet and also with a drain or dump valve whereby the shell can be alternately filled to a desired liquid level and completely and rapidly emptied. When hot water is required, the water may be heated before being delivered to the inlet, or steam Imay be admitted to the shell either with the water or separately. Soap, alkali and other suppliesmay be added to the water before it enters the shell or may be merely thrown into the shell through the usual loading door. With machines of this type, each laundering cycle comprises a-routine series of separate operations which may vary in different laundries and withv different goods to be laundered; a' typical cyclev may comprise several sudsing, a bleaching and several rinsing operations. followed in most cases by a souring and blueing operation.

Ithas been attemptedv in the past to lower the cost of construction of washing machines and improve their mode of operation by eliminating the shell or tub, the laundering operations being carried on in a single rotatable im-` perforate cylinder in which the articles to be washed are placed, the' said cylinder being mounted rotatably on hollow trunnions throughV which the several liquids and supplies may be admitted and drawn away as desired.

It has also been heretofore attempted to carry out the washing cycle by various systems of continuous or semi-continuous operation in which Awater was allowed to flow continuously through the wash wheel during allor certain of the stages of the cycle, while the liquid was maintained at a predetermined level or levels and washing agents were admitted as desired. In the use of such a system the dump valve remains closed'until the end of the cycle when washing, rinsing,` blueing, etc. 'are completely finished. kContinuous washing has been found to effect a measure of saving of time, heat, water and supplies. l

In spite of the desirability of the shell-less washer from the economy viewpoint, little headway has' been made in introducing such machines, and prior to the present invention no system of continuous washing has been of a sufficiently practical nature to result in its acceptance vby laundrymen in place of the usual discontinuous methods hereinbefore mentioned.

One Vof the objects of the present invention is to provide a practical,v efficient and rugged shella desired cycle or part y or semi-continuous manner. Further objects arey` less washing machine. Another object is to provide practical means whereby a machine of this type can be operated eiijlciently throughout thereof in a continuous in-part obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consistsinthe features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated inV the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown one or more of the various possible embodiments of this invention.' y

Fig. 1 is in part a front elevation and in part a cross-section through a washing machine in which features ofthe present invention are embodied;

Fis. 2 is an end vi w of the machine as viewed from the left in Fig. l; y

Fig. 3 is a right`end view;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows in further enlargement details of the water seal construction and is taken on section-line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is asimilar cross-section taken on line 6-.4- of Fig. 4 showing means for'` preventing steam or other vapors from escaping from the machine;

Fig'. 'I is an enlarged section through the float chamber and associ Vted. mechanism taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. l; l

Fig. 8 is a section instill further enlargement taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a similar cross-sectiontaken on line S-tof Fis."1: -and- Fig. 10 is a cross-section taken on line III- il of Fig. 1 looking toward the central partition which divides the interior of the wash wheel into two 'washing chambers.

Similar reference characters'refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawv ings.

Referring to Fig. l, the present novel washing machine will be seen to have a foundation or frame member I0 comprising at opposite ends upright pedestal members Il and l2 in which are mounted roller bearing assemblies Il,V i4 which respectively rotatably support the trunnicns II sheet 25 which extends from a spider member 22 1 at the left end to a spider member 24 at the right end. Each of these spider members is secured to and hermeticallv sealed with respect to the interior of the cylinder 25 in any suitable manner, as by welding or riveting. At its center, there is fastened to each of these spiders the corresponding trunnion member I5 or I5. Covering the interior of the left end spider 23 and secured thereto .is an imperforate sheet which forms a head 25, and spaced therefrom an appropriate distance and securely fastened to the cylinder 25 is a second imperforate plate or head 21. At the right end of the cylinder, secured to the inner side of the spider 24 in a similar manner,

is a perforate plate 28 which serves to discharge water from the wash wheel, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Y

Extending through the left end trunnion i5 is a uid inlet pipe 29, closed at its inner end and having its lower surface cut away to facilitate the discharge of incoming wash water or supplies downwardly into the inlet chamber I0, between the heads 25 and 21. v

Tumbling ribs 2| extend from end to Yend of the wash wheel and are of usual form and construction. At the left end each of these tumbling ribs passes through the inner head or partition 21 and extends to and'terminates in abut ment with the outer head 25 to which it is joined, as by means of the angle iron 22. A similar angle iron I2 secures each tumbling rib to the partition 21 and serves to prevent escape of. liquids from the inlet chamber 30 to the interior of the wash wheel except through the tumbling ribs themselves. As shown in the present drawings, three of these tumbling ribs are provided, each in alignment with the corresponding arms of the opposing spiders 22 and 24.

'I'he head sheet 2l at the right end of the wash wheel is perforate throughout, except where it covers the tumbling ribs. Consequently no water can ow directly through the tumbling ribs to the discharge chamber at the right end ofthe machine.' .Y Y

Each tumbling rib is provided at its left end with a plurality of large openings 34 through,

which liquids in the chamber may rapidly enter the ribs. Each tumbling rib is further provided with a large number of smaller perforations through which the liquids entering the tumbling ribs may be rapidly discharged into the treatment space within the wash wheel. It will be noted that these perforations, indicated by the number 35, vary in their spacing so that there are fewer of them within a given length of the tumbling lrib at its left end than at its right. The reason for this arrangement of perforations is that, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, according to the preferred operation of the wash wheel it is highly important that liquids should enter the treatment space at an unusually rapid vrate and in a manner to insure uniform distribution thereof throughout the wshspaans ing chamber. It will be obvious that should water or other liquid be admitted with a rush to the filling chamber 2l, if the holes are equally distributed throughout the tumbling ribs, the discharge into the left end of the washing chamber would be much more rapid than at the right end. Y

A partition Il which divides the wash wheel into two washing chambers is perforate throughout and does not intersect the vtumbling ribs. Thus, whether a machine is constructed to pro- 'vide one or more washing chambers, uniform distribution of water or supplies will be attained throughout. Y

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that secured to the spider 22 at the left end of the machine there is provided a large spur gear 31 with which meshes the pinion Il of a chain -drive leading to the electric motor I9. This motor, as is usual in washing machines, is controlled in its operation so as to drive ilrst in one direction and then in the opposite direction. 'Ihis is accomplished automatically by means of a well known type of controller, not shown herein.

We have seen that the liquids which include hot and cold water, steam, and the various laundering agents required in carrying out the washing process, are all admitted to the inlet chamber 20 and through the tumbling ribs to the interior of the treatment chamber. by means of the pipe 2l passing through the hollow trunnion I5. The pipe connections to this inlet pipe will be followed and described hereinafter.

Waste wash liquids, as mentioned above, ,are discharged from the wash wheel through the perforate plate 2l at the right-hand end of the machine, and a discharge space to receive such liquids is formed within a surrounding stationary head member 4|I comprising part of the foundation castings. This member 40 envelops the periphery of theV wash wheel at its right'end.`

Liquid from Vthe wash wheel flows through the perforate plate 28 into the space 4| between said plate and the rigid head 40, and is prevented from leaking out of the chamber 4I by means of a rubber or other suitable sealing strip 42 making resilient contact with an extended portion of the perforate plate 28.` This construction will be more clearly understood by reference to Fig. 5. The rubber strip 42 is supported by a bracket 43 carried by an adjustable slide 44. This slide extends about the lower part of the wash wheel to the points indicated at 45 in Fig. 4 and thus seals the end oi' the wash wheel to points well above the liquid level maintained within said wheel during operation of the machine. 'I'he slide 44 and the foundation casting ber, and adjustment of the slide is by means of adjustment bolts 41 which ypass through opposing openings in the opposite ears 4I and 48 respectively of the slide 44 and the foundation casting. By means of this adjustment the rubber sealing strip 42 may be brought to bear upon ,the extended sheet f2s with any desired degree of pressure. `The rubber strip 4`2 is secured between suitable washers 50 and is held in place by a plurality of bolts 5I passing through the rubber strip, the washers, a flange of the slide 44, and a metal washer 52 provided more securely to hold these various members in proper relationship. v

Since steam and hot water are generally used serves to determine kthe minimum level at which.

in the machine, escape portion of the wash wheel should preferably be prevented. For this reason a wiper 53 made oil canvas or other suitable material is secured to the interior of the rigid head 40 as by meansof an angle iron 54, a pressure strip 55, and a plurality of bolts 66, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figs. l, 4 and 6.

Referring again to Fig. l, it will be seen that the stationary head 40 has a large opening pro-V of vapors filling the uppery vided in its lower part centrally with respect to the vertical axis of the wash wheel. This opening admits waste liquids to a projecting boxlike transition chamber 58 at the bottom of which is located a dump valve 59 of -any suitable. disclosure (,see

According to the present type.

valve comprises a valve head Fig. '1) the dump 60 in watertight'relation to a seat 6I formed upon a spider casting 62 which may be secured to the lower wall of the transition chamber 58 in= any desired manner. This spider provides a central guide `69 for the stem 64 of the dump valve, which guide is slotted, as at 65, to permit passage therethrough dump valve lever which is pivotally supported at 61 by lugs 68 extending downwardly from the spider 62. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the longer arm 69 ofthis lever extends beyond the foundation at the front of the machine where it is furnished with a plvoted treadle 10. The dumpvalve lever has a ball-and-socket connection with the valve stem 64 as indicated at 1| in Fig. '1.

The right-hand wall 12 of the transition or dump chamber 58, as viewed in` Figs.3 and '1, is also yprovided with a central opening 13 of substantially the same height as the opening 51, but of less width. 'Ihis opening leads into a. float chamber 'I4 included within a sheet metal housing suitably secured to the right-hand wall of chamber 58. From the lower part of the chamber 14 a pipe 16 descends for a purpose explained hereinafter. Y

The outer or right-hand wall of the oat chamber 14 comprises a guide 11 for a sliding gate or weir 18. Mounted upon this sliding gate is the fulcrum pin 19 ofthe float lever 80, and also carried by this gate is a bracket 8| between the flanges 82, 83 of which is supported a lever arm 84. This arm 84 is connected at its outer end, as at 85, by a pin with one end l86 of a link, connected at its other end 81 with a short arm 89 of the oat lever 89.l The lever arm 84 slidably surrounds a squared rod 89 which serves automatically and periodically, and through means hreinafterto be described, to-cause sudden and rapid admission oi water to the -inlet pipe 29.

These features oi construction may best be understood by reference to Figs. 3, '1, 8 and 9..

Fig. 9 clearly shows the squared rod 89 passing loosely between the fiangesof the bracket .8| and carrying the lever arm 94 link-connected to the upper end of iloat lever 88, the latter being yoke-shaped and supported by the pin 19 in the bracket 8i. The gate or adjustable weir 19 slides in the guides of the part 11 as is'more clearly shown in Figs. '7 and 8, and is Vheld against. the surface of the vguide plate 11 by means of spring-pressed plungers 90 mounted in sockets 9| formed on the gate member, the outer ends of the plungers slidably engaging a plate 92 bolted to and spaced away from .the guide plate 11. I

It will be understood that the gate or Weir 18 of the short arm 66 of a.

yobtains in the oat chamber. This level, how-v ever, is variable, for at certain periods during the laundering operation' it is desirable to operate at approximately a 5" level in the wash wheel, while during other operations in the cycle an 8" or 9" level may be desirable. ,n

This changing of level is obtained by'operating a hand lever 94 at the front oi the machine which, through a link 95 anda bell crank lever 96, raises or lowers a rod 81 rigidly secured tothe sliding gate. The gate andi oat construction thus provides that any adjustment of the sliding gate to permit the outflow of water at a raised or lowered level'correspondingly raises the fulcrum of the oat 93 so that the oat 99 always operates 'within a narrow zone oi maximum and minimum levels in' predetermined relation to the position of the upper edge of the sliding gate.

'I'his raising or lowering of the gate does not alter the relationship of the connectionsbetween the float leverl and the lever arm 84 to the squared rod 89, since the lever arm 84 is freely slidable up and down the rod 89. As will be noted by reference to Fig. 7,` therod 89 is pivotally Supported at its lower end as at 98', within a bracket 99 secured to the gate retaining plate 92. All of this float lever and gate mechanism is contained within an ultimate discharge chamber within a casing |00 secured to the right? hand wall of the float chamber 14 and provided with openings in its upper wall for the passage ofthe rods 81 and 89.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 `and 4, the pipe connections for leading water and supplies to the wash wheel, for leading waste liquid away from the ultimate discharge chamber.. and for recirculating liquid between the iloat chamber and vthe e inlet may now be described.

A pipe |0| leads hot water to a iitting |02 connected by a nipple |03 with a mixing valve |04. Asimilar` pipe |05 leads cold water Yto a fitting |06 connected by means of a nipple.|01 with the same mixing valve |04. This mixing valve is of a well known type and need `not be described, it being suilcient to say thatit may be adjusted to mix hot and cold water and deliver from its outletwater ofany desired temperature. Its outlet is shown in Fig, 3 at |08 and this is connected by means of a pipe |08 to the inlet side pipes 16 and ||4 isan injector lfitting ||6 which also connects with a steam line II6. This injector forces water from .the liioat chamber into the washerthrough the inlet pipe 29. A handcontrolled valve |I1 serves to control steam to the injector, and a check valve ||8 serves to pre- Y vent fluid from passing from the water inlet pipe rela-v H2 to the recirculation pipe III. but permits the passage of iluid in the opposite direction.

Surmounting the piston-operated valve III is a iluid pressure chamber containing a piston, indicated at II! in Fig. 2. This valve is normally held closed against the pressure in supply pipek IIII by means of fluid pressure exerted upon the upper side of piston I Il.

Liquids are normally drawn oi'f from the overiiow or ultimate discharge chamber by means of a' pipe |20, best shown in Fig. 3, which connects with a channel I2I formed in the wall of saidl wash wheel is maintained slightly above the top of the sliding gate in any one of its adjusted positions. This arrangement results from the discovery that in all stages of the cycle of washing, best results are attained with a controlled continuous discharge and an intermittent rapid admission of water or washing iluids from and to the wash wheel.

For this reason 3" pipe is used for the water supply to the wash wheel so that when the piston valve III opens-and opens fully as it does in accordance with the present invention-a large volume of water instantly rushes into the inlet chamber Il of the wash wheel, thence through the tumbling ribs into the treating chamber of the wash wheel where the materials being washed are disposed. 'I'he advantages derived from such action will be more vfully brought out hereinafter.

'I'he piston chamber of the valve IIO is connested above the piston Il in a 2%" pipe line comprising a pipe |23 connecting with the water supply pipe Ill, as by means of a fitting |24. In pipeIZs is arranged a restriction valve I2! of well known type which may be adjusted to restrict the passage of water from the supply .pipe III! to the piston valve III and thus control "the fluid pressure exerted upon the piston IIs. The piston chamber'is also connected by means of a pipe I2C with a pipe |21 discharging freely into the dump valve chamber 5l. In this pipe I2C is located a pilot valve |28 operated by means of a bell crank lever |29 and a. link |30 connecting the bell crank lever |29 with a lever arm I 3| xed upon the beforementioned squared rod It. The arrangement and adjustment of the mechanical and fluid connections to valve` I2! is such that after a predetermined, downward movement of the float I3, continued, downward movement will cause suilicient openingk of valve |28 to-release theiluid pressure from the upper side of the piston valve, permitting an immediV ate full opening of said valve and a consequent rapid ilow of water into the wash wheel. It will be understood that with the admission of water to the wash wheel the valve |28 will be gradually movedby the float toward its closed position but will not reach that position to eiiect closure of the piston valve untilthe iloat has reached its high level.

A second valve |32 (normally open) is connected in pipe line i26 and this valve is connected by means of lever |33 and link IM to the dump valve lever 89 as indicated at IIS. The arrangement is such that when the dump valve is closed, as normally it is, valve |32 is open so that piston operated valve III may be opened by the release 75 has been found the lowering of thevwater level inthe float cham-V ber and consequent opening of valve I2l will not be eiiective to release the pressure from the piston operated valve and thm cause the opening of the supply pipe to the interior of the washer.

Supplies such as soap. soda, bleach, blueing, etc. are admitted by running the desired quantity hopper I, best shown in Fig. 2.

This is connected to a water supply line I" containing a hand-controlled valve I and a check valve Ill. When supply or recirculation water isnotilowingtotheinletpipe 2|.aloadofany washing agent contained in hopper I may be flushed into the inlet chamber 3l of the wash wheel by opening valve III, valve III preventing a now of water into the hopper from any other connection to the T iltting I Il. It is particularly in respect to this admission of supplies that uniform distribution by means of the tumbling ribs is valuable, since certain of these supplies coming in contact with the clothes in an undiluted state have deleterious effects and produce non-uniform washing results. 2.

Itwill thus be understood that the washing agents areadmitted into the inlet chamber II of the wash wheel during intervals when water is not flowing thereinto from another source. These supplies, with the water which flushes them into the inlet chamber, are thoroughly mixed 4in that chamber soy that when water is next ilooded into the chamber from the supply pipe at the rapid rate upon which the operation of this machine is predicated, the washing agents are almost instantly carried by this great influx vof water through the tumbling ribs to all parts of the treating chamber and uniformly y distributed throughout said chamber.

Reierring to Figs.1 and 4. there will be seen in the discharge space within the rigid head Il, attached to the wash wheel. in alignment with each of the tumbling ribs Il, three paddles Ill. The exact location of these paddles is not important nor their number, and in fact under certain con ditions of operation they may be omitted entirely.- However, it hasgbeen found that they render more certain the operation of the i'loat lever valve arrangement when the water level lowers to its predetermined minimum.

While it is entirely feasible to operate the shell-less washer above described in the usual manner admitting the supplies and carrying out eachoperation ofthe cycle independently and opening the dump valveto .release each charge has performed its function, it

of water after it that great economy results when the machine. is run as suggested above, with a constant discharge of liquid at a predetermined rate and an intermittent and controlled admission of supplywater in large quantities at a very rapid rate. This inrush of water not only aids in distributing the laundering agents, but fur-- ther, results in a better and more satisfactory cleansing of the'materials withinV the container.

As mentioned in the begining of this specification, the idea of flowingL water continuously through a washing machine is not new, but in such arrangements, diiiiculties have been experienced in securing uniform distribution of supplies and such operation has resulted in less economy of water. fuel, labor and supplies than results from the intermittent operation of the 'assenso lcontinuously at a veryslow rate. The effect of this is that the change, we will say from sudsing to a clear condition during a particular rinse, is slow and the emulsiiied washing agents and soil are not readily removed from the clothes. But

v when operating as described herein, that is with periodic sudden inrushes of water to the treating chamber, there is active agitation of the clothes by means of the rushing water and a thorough removal of the particles of soil and laundering agents. As compared with the ordinary methods it has been found that for an exactly corresponding washing cycle a great saving is made in operating according tothe present process, in water, laundering supplies. time, labor and fuel.

In Flg.`7 two spaced broken lines indicated respectively by the words low and high" show the range of liquid levels in the float chamber during the operation of the machine. At the beginning of a washing operation such as sudsing, the water may be considered as standing at the high point and flowing over the weir or gate I8 and into the sewer by means of the pipe |20 at a rate predetermined by the adjustment o! the valve |22. The level in the wash wheel and in the oat chamber will therefore fall until the low point is reached when theiloat will act quickly to open the pilot valve |28 effecting a release of the fluid pressure above the piston of the valve H0. Under these conditions valve ill will immediately open fully and water will rush into the inlet chamber 2l of 'the wash wheel immediately passing through the tumbling ribs into the treating chamber of the wheel. The water inlet .valve will continue open until the level rises. to

the predetermined high point when a rapid shutting of the pilot valve-will take place causing an immediate closing of the piston valve'andthus cutting off the water supply to the wash wheel. Suchl operation is believed to be novel, for the present inventors who have had long experience in the laundering field are unaware of any continuous washing operationwherein waste liquids are discharged at a given rate and supply water bor corresponding to uw annulent condition. ox-

.istinginthewashwheeh Thisaids'greatlyin mixing incoming laundering agents with the water standing in the inlet chamber prior toits I seen that the slide M is provided. at M', with passage through the tumbling ribs into the wash wheel, itself. Too much lstress cannot be put horoughmixingof y upon the vimportance of this t laundry supplies with an adequate quantity of water before they are permitted to come in contact with the materials within the container since it is a well lrnown fact that too great a ooncentration 'of a supply such as that used as a bleach may seriously aifect the texture of certain types' of 'materials and, in the case of blueing. an uneven distribution produces streaky eifects in the finished goods.

ReferringagaintoFiga4and5.itwillbe a sector of an annularfiange which extends the full circular 4length of the slide. Through this flange at its lowest'point is provided a drain opening M". Thus a trough is formed between the bracket 43 and the flange adapted to catch any liquid from the wash wheelwhich may seep tor splash over the ends of the sealing strip 2. The drain Il" enables such seepage to drain of! into the vsewer 22.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this'invention an apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth. together kwith many thoroughly 'practical advantages, are successfully achieved. y

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth. it is to be understood that all matter hereinbeiore set forth' or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In a washing machine. in combination, an imperforate rotatably mounted wash wheel. a discharge chamber having means for continuously discharging liquid therefrom ata substantially constant rate, a transition chamber communieating with said wash wheel at `all operable liquid levels, means comprising an intermediate admitted rapidly and periodically in large l quantities.

The mere falling of the water level will eil'ect the opening of the pilot valve and consequent operation of the piston valve, but it has been found that the action of the oat is more certain when the paddles I are used since these` paddles effect in the discharge chamber a condition of turbulence similar tothat which is taking place simultaneously in the wash wheel itself. As the wash wheel rotates it will be understood that the tumbling ribs lift not only clothes but quantities of water which is constantlyV falling back into the bottom of the wheel. Thus the mean level in the wash wheel is constantly changing, and particularly is this true upon each reversal of the driving motor. Since, therefore.

the hydraulic head within the washer is con-y tinually changing, it is desirable to have the hydraulic head in the discharge chamber vary corres'pondingly.

l It will be noted that each of the tumbling ribs extends across the fluid inlet space 30 so that the included portion of 'each rib serves to produce a condition oi' turbulence in the inlet chamchamber providing continuous communication between said transition chamber .and said discharge chamber at a predetermined liquid level.

alternatively fully open and shut cut-off means.

for admitting liquid to` said wash wheel when open at a rate greater than said discharge rate.

and actuating means associated with said interl mediate chamber yadapted intermittently to open and close said liquid admission means. said actuating means being operatively-responsive to minimum and maximum level variations relative to said predetermined liquid level.

2. In a washing machine. in combination. an imperi'orate rotatably mounted wash wheel, a discharge chamber having means for continuouslydischarging liquid therefrom' at a substantially constant rate. a transition chamber communicating with'said wash wheel at all operable liquid levels, means comprising an intermediate actuating means associated with said intermediate chamber adapted to open said admission means in response to a iall in level to a predebased upon the termined point relative to said liquid level and to close said admission means in response to a rise in level to another predetermined point relative to said liquid level, both of said points being above said liquid level.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted imperforate cylinder having means for admitting liquids to and means for discharging liquids from said cylinder while it isin operation, at least one of said means comprising a stationary receptacle formed within a stationary head enclosing an end of said cylinder, means providing communication betwen the interior of said cylinder and said receptacle, means for maintaining a liquid level within said cylinder and receptacle substantially above the bottom of said cylinder, and means for establishing a substantially liquid-tight seal between the exterionof said cylinder and the interior of said stationary head.`

4. In apparatus of the character described, in

combination, a rotatably mounted imperiorate cylinder having an end open to the passage of a liquid, a stationary head having formed therein a stationary liquid receptacle communicating with the interior of said cylinder and comprising a rim surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of said cylinder adjacent said end, means for maintaining a liquid level lwithin said cylinder and receptacle substantially above the bottom of said cylinder, and means on said cylinder and said stationary head for establishing a liquid-tight seal between the exterior of said cylinder and said receptacle.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an imperforate wash wheel rotatably supported by trunnions carried by head structures at its opposite ends, a partition suitably spaced from one end to provide a receiving chamber between said partition and said one end, and a wash chamber between said partition and the other end of the wash wheel, means for admitting liquids to said receiving chamber and means for discharging liquids from said wash chamber during rotation of said wash wheel, a plurality of conduits each communicating with said receiving chamber and with the wash chamber throughout the length thereof, the aggregate flow area of the means of communication between said conduits and said wash chamber per unit length of said conduits being progressively greater from the inlet to the remote end of said conduits.

6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an imperforate wash wheel rotatably supported by trunnions carried by head structures at its opposite ends, a plurality of partitions suitably spaced to provide a receiving chamber adjacent one end and a plurality of Wash chambers between said receiving chamber and the other end, means for admitting liquid to said receiving chamber during rotation of said wash wheel, means for maintaining a predetermined liquid level within said cylinder, a plurality of continuous hollow tumbling ribs extending into all of said chambers adjacent the periphery of the wash wheel and having openings therein`v constituting the sole means of communication between said chambers, said openings being disposed according to a predetermined pattern relative position of said receiving chamber to the respective wash chambers for effecting equal distribution of liquids from submerged tumbling rib areas to all of said Wash chambers.

`ably supported by 7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an imperiorate wash wheel rotattrunnions. carried by head structures at its opposite ends, a partition suitably spaced i'rom one end to provide a receiving chamber between said partition and said one end, and a wash chamber between said partition and the other end of the wash wheel, means 'for admitting liquids to said receiving chamber and means for discharging liquids from said wash chamber during rotation `oi' said wash wheel, a plurality of tumbling ribs secured to the periphery of said wash wheel and to both of said head structures and passing through said partition to serve as the sole means of communication between said receiving and wash chambers, and means providing communication between each of said chambers and the portions of said tumbling ribs included therein, the means of communication with said wash chamber comprising perforations distributed throughout the length ol' the corresponding portions of said ribs, the aggregate area of said perforations per unit length of said ribs being progressively greaterfrom the inlet to the remote ends of said ribs.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted imperforate cylinder adapted to discharge liquid freely through a perforate end thereof into'a liquid receptacle contained within an enclosing stationary head which surrounds and is in liquid-tight relationship to the periphery of said cylinder at said end, means for controlling the liquid level within said cylinder comprising a iloat adapted to rise and fall in accordance withliquid level changes within a iloat chamber, means providing free communication between said liquid receptacle within said head and said oat chamber, a cut-oil valve connecting the interior of said cylinder with a water supply, and means responsive to the rise and fall oi' said float for controlling the operation of said valve.

9, In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted imperforate cylinder adapted to discharge liquid freely through a perforate end thereof into a liquid receptacle contained within'an enclosing stationary head which surrounds and is in liquid-tight relationship to the periphery of said cylinder at said end, periodically reversible driving means for said cylinder, means for controlling the liquid level within said cylinder comprising a iioat adapted to rise and fall in accordance with liquid level changes within a iloat chamber, means providing free communication between said liquid receptacle within said head and said iloat chamber, a cut-off valve connecting the interior of said cylinder with a water supply, means responsive to the rise and fall of said float for controlling the operation of saidvalve, means in'said cylinder adapted at each reversal of said driving means to effect substantial changes in the liquid level within said cylinder, and means mounted upon said cylinder within said liquid receptacle for effecting corresponding substantial changes of liquid` level within said iioat chamber.

l0. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted imperforate cylinder adapted to discharge liquid freely through a perforate end ceptacle contained within an head which surrounds and is in liquid-tight relationship to the periphery of said cylinder at said end, means for controlling the liquid level within a iloat chamber comprising a gate adjustthereof into a liquid reenclosing stationary of and passing through said partition in a liquidtatably supported by trunnions carried by head structures at its opposite ends, a partition suitably spaced from one end to provide 'a receiving chamber between said partition and said one end and a wash chamber between said partition and the other end of the wash wheel, means for admitting liquid to said receiving chamber and means for discharging liquid from said wash chamber during rotation of said washA wheel, means for causing agitation of liquid in each of said chambers comprising included portions of a plurality of hollow tumbling ribs extending between and secured to said head structures and to the periphery of said wash wheel interiorly theretight manner, and means providing communication between each of said chambers and the portions of said tumbling ribs included therein.

12. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted cylindrical wash wheel providing therein a wash chamber y formed between two transverse walls and surl rounded by an imperforate wall of the wash wheel, means for admitting liquid to and means for discharging liquids from said chamber while said wash wheel is in motion, at least one of said means comprising a stationary receptacle` formed within a stationary housing surrounding a portion of said wash wheel adjacent one of said transverseA walls and in communication with said wash chamber through perforations in said one wall, means for maintaining a liquid level within said cylinder and receptacle substantially above the bottom of said cylinder, and means for establishing a substantially liquid-tight seal between the interior of said wash wheel and the receptacle Within said housing.

HENRY C; A. MEYER.

EDWIN F. WESELY.

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