US2431040A

US2431040A - Washing machine having premixing means

Info

Publication number: US2431040A
Application number: US549154A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo M Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-08-12
Filing date: 1944-08-12
Publication date: 1947-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1964-11-18

Description

| M. HARVEY r2,431,040

.WASHING MACHINE HAVING PREMIXING MEANS 4 Shees-Sheei'I l Filed Aug. 12, 1944 Nov. 18, 19471 L. M. HARVEY .2,431,040

`VUSI'IIIU MACHINE HAVING PREMIXING MEANS Filed Aug. 12, 1944y 4 Sheefcrs-Sheel `,2

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Nov. 18, 1947. M. HARVEY WASHING MACHINE HAVING PREMIXING MEANS Filed Aug. l2, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Nov. 18, 1947. L. M. HARVEY I WASHING MACHINE HAVING PREMIXING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. l2, 1944 Patented Nov. 18, 1947 WASHING MACHINE HAVING PREMIXING MEANS Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Galli'.

Application August 12, 1944, Serial No. 549,154

Claims. 1

This invention relates to washing machines and has particular reference to comercial washing machines having premixing means. A general object of this invention is to provide practical and particularly effective material mixing means for commercial washing. machines.

This application is nled as a, continuation, in part, of my application Serial No. 415,907, entitled Washing machine having premixing means," illed October 21, 1941, which application was a division of application Serial No. 352,582, led August 14. 1940, entitled Washing machine, which application matured into Patent No. 2,323,- 993 on July 13. 1943.

In operating commercial washing machines it is necessary to supply the detergents, sours, bleaches, bluings, etc. to the washing shell as the cyclic washing operations are successively performed. Dllculty is encountered in thoroughly mixing these washing materials'with the water and if the mix is not complete the clothes or goods being washed may be injured.

The desirability of obtaining an effective mixture of the washing materials and the water employed in washing has been long recognized and various attempts have been made to provide an effective solution. In this connection troughs have been provided and the materials have been discharged into the troughs to be washed to an outlet at one end by a stream of water introduced to the other end. In other cases tanks have been provided to contain a body of water and the materials have been introduced into the tanks and water has been introduced into the lower portions of the tanks at submerged points in an attempt to create agitation that would result ln an intimate mixture.

In practice means or elements such as I have outlined are not always altogether satisfactory or sufficiently effective for various reasons. For example, they generally lack the desired speed or rapidity of operation, or they are not altogether dependable in obtaining complete premixing.

An object of this invention is to provide a washlng machine embodying novel and highly efficient means for thoroughly mixing the washing materials such as the detergents, sours, bleaches, bluings, etc., with the water to be employed in washing preliminary to introduction into the washing shell thus avoiding possible injury to clothes or materials being washed.

washing materials and the water supply are so related to the tank in which the mixture occurs as to cause thorough and rapid mixing or dissolving of the materialspreliminary to discharge into the washing shell.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine employing a, premixlng tank, means for selectively and successively delivering the required detergents, sours, bleaches,-bluings, etc., to the tank as the cyclic washing operations progress, and novel means for supplying hot and cold waterto the tank to put such materials into solution or to produce a homogeneous mixture preliminary to introduction `into the washing shell.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in the formation of a premixing tank so that washing materials can be discharged into a tank to be thoroughly and cleanly flushed from the point where they are deposited and yet are incorporated in a substantial volume or body of water preliminary to being discharged into the washing shell.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in the arrangement and cooperative relationship of a washing shell, a premlxing tank, and the containers for washing materials. By my present invention I provide a unique, compact and highly efllcien; structural arrangement whereby the structure has a minimum neight, the material containers are at the front of the structure where they are readily accessible and the premix of washingimaterials and water is discharged lnto the gpixing shell in a most advantageous manner. I

The various objects and features of my invention will be fujly understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed transverse sectional view of 'a washing machine embodying the invention showing one material container in the discharging ppsition. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the washing machine with the upper rear portion thereof appearing in horizontal cross section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed'sectional view of the discharge valve, that is, of the valve controlling the delivery of the contents of the premixlng tank to the washing shell. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. i. showing another form of construction embodying the invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 4, being a view taken as indicated by line lL-ll, on Fig. 4, and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the second form of the invention.

The machine shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, includes, generally, a frame which carries or supports the other essential elements. The frame as shown in the drawings involves two spaced upright end members supported on horizontal runners or base beams I I. The end frame members I are reinforced at their corners by vertical post members I2. A pair of horizontally spaced beams or angle irons I3 extend between and connect the upper edge portions of the end members I0 at what may be termed the rear portion of the machine. A front frame-member Il preferably in the 'form of a channel extends between and connects the end members I0 at the forward upper portion of the frame structure and is located so that its web is vertically disposed and faces forward while its flanges face toward the rear of the machine. A pair of spaced angle members I5 is spaced below the members I3 at the rear portion of the machine and extends between and connects the end frame members Il). The members I5 are shown Joined to the members IU by cleats I6. The various elements of the frame may be joined in any suitable manner,

as by riveting, welding, bolting, or a combination of such means.

A washing shell I'I is xed in the frame structure. The shell is horizontally disposed and is a hollow cylindrical member having its ends fixed to the end members I0 of the frame. The shell |'I houses the rotatable washing cylinder I8 and serves to receive and contain the water or washing mixtures, etc. A drain valve (not shown) governs the discharge of fluids from the shell I'I and may be controlled by a remotely governed fluid pressure mechanism I9. A drain valve and its control mechanism form the subject of application Serial No. 411,051, led September 16, 1941 now Patent No. 2,382,562, entitled Drain valves for washing machines and the like. The cylinder I8 is supported for rotation by end trunnions 20 and is rotated or driven by a chain drive 2| enclosed in a suitablefhousing 22 at one end of the machine. The shell I1 and the cylinder I8 have openings for admitting and removing clothes or materials to be washed and these openings are closed by suitable doors.

'I'he structure provided by the present invention comprises, generally, a premixing tank r25, a plurality of containers 2B provided to handle washing materials such as washing compounds, bleaches, sours, bluing, etc., and operable to discharge such materials into the tank 25, means 2'I for supplying water to the tank 25 operable to sweep or flush the materials deposited in the tank from the points at which they are deposited so that they produce uniform solutions or homogeneous mixtures in the tank, and valved means 28 for connecting the premixing tank 25 with the washing shell The tank 25 is provided to receive the materials from the containers v26 and also the water delivered by means 2l and serves as a temporary container for the materials and the water, or as a premixing chamber in which the materials and water are brought into intimate contact and are thoroughly mixed preliminary to being discharged into the washing shell. It is to be understood that various materials, either liquids or solids, may be handled by the containers 26. When I employ the term washing material I mean to include any materials such as may be handled by, containers 26 or such as may be employed in the apparatus of the present invention. The

4 t arranged and supported above the shell I'I, preferably immediately above the shell, and is so formed and shaped that fluids from it can be effectively delivered to the shell through a very short connection supplied by the means 28. The arrangement is such that the fluids in the premixing tank flow to the shell by gravity.

'I'he premixing tank. as formed by the present Invention, is an elongate-structure, preferably a rectangular tank, located immediately above the shell I'I and offset somewhat rearward of the central axis of themachine. The longitudinal axis of the premixing tank extends parallel with that of the shell I 'I and, in practice, the tank may extend to points close to or adjacent the end members I0 of the frame. In the preferred construction the forward end portion of the tank 25 is supported on or by the frame member I4 while the rear portion of the tank which is conslderably lower than the forward portion is supported on the horizontal frame members I5 which are spaced below the frame members I3.

A feature of the structure provided by the invention is the formation of the tank so that it is shallow where the washing materials are deposited but has considerable depth at the point where the outlet is located. In the preferred arrangement the tank is shallow at one longitudinal edge portion and is deep at the other or opposite longitudinal edge portion. Where the tank is arranged parallel with the shell I'I I prefer to dispose the parts and relate the tank to the shell so that the shallow portion of the tank is at the forward portion of the machine while the deep portion of the tank is at the rear of the machine. In the construction illustrated the forward side wall 25a of the tank is considerably shorter in vertical extent than the rear side wall 25h, the difference 'in vertical extent of the front and rear side walls being due to the difference in depth of the tank at the two sides. 'I'he ends of the tank are closed by suitable end walls 25c while the bottom of the tank is closed by bottom plates or sections 3U, 3| and 32 which, in general, define an inclined or downwardly and rearwardly pitched bottom for the tank extending from the lower edge of the front side wall .25a to the lowerl edge of the rear side wall 251.

The bottom of the tank 25 is of special construction or formation to assure complete flushing or washing away of material deposited by the containers 26. The several portions 3b, 3|

and 32 of the bottom extend lengthwise of the tank, the portion 30 being located at the forward portion of the tank and being a at plate of substantial width pitched to extend rearward and somewhat downward from the point where it joins the front side wall 25. The portion 32 of the bottom is located at the lowermost point or part of the tank 25 and may be a flat plate extending lengthwise of the tank between its ends and projecting forward from the lower edge of the rear wall 25h. In the preferred arrangement the rear portion 32 of the bottom is substantially horizontal and the parts are proportioned and related so that the rear portion 32 is located a substantial distance below the forward portion 30. The intermediate bottom portion 3| is a plate-like part joining the

portions

30 and 32 and pitches downwardly and rearwardly at an angle considerably greater than that at which the forward portion 30 is pitched.

The forward portion 30 of the bottom is of suf- `tank 25 which I will term a premixing tank is 75 cient width so that it serves to receive the materials discharged'fby the containers 26 while the portions 3| and 32 are pitched so that. fluid deposited on the bottom portion 30 will vreadily flow rearward into the deep end of the tank to enter or become part of the body of material contained in the rear portion of the tank.

In practice it is highly desirable to limit the vertical extent of a machine such as I have provided and it is likewise highly desirable to provide a short. direct connection between the premixing tank and the washing shell so that the transfer from the premixing tank to the washing shell can be done quickly.

In accordance with the structural arrangement that I have provided the tank structure that I have described is located immediately above the shell I1 so that the forward bottom section 30 of the tank is adjacent or immediately above the central portion of the shell l1 while the portion 3| of the bottom extends downward and` rearward conforming, generally, to the contour of the shell at the rear portion thereof. This brings the rear bottom portion 32 of the tank to the rear of the machine so that the deep portion of the tank is at the rear of the machine and so that the means 28 is established by a very short, simply formed, fluid connection.

The containers 26 are provided to hold the various materials to be employed in the cyclic washing operations, for example one container may contain a detergent, another a bleach, an-

other a sour, another bluing. etc. In accordance with the invention the containers are supported and operate to dump or discharge their contents directly into the shallow portion of the tank, that is, onto the forward bottomgportion 30 or into the tank adjacent the forward side wall B.

In the particular construction illustrated the containers are arranged side by side in a row or series extending parallel to and located immediately above the forward side wall 25a of the tank 25. The containers are shown supported by brackets 33 carried by the frame member 'I4 which supports the forward edge portion of the tank.

Solenoid controlled latches 34 are provided to initially or normally hold the containers in their upright positions. The containers are formed and supported to be normally held in an upright position and so that they operate by gravity to empty orv discharge their contents upon the latches being released. In Fig. 1 of the drawings I show the manner in which the containers 26 discharge into the forward or shallow portion of the tank so their contents are delivered ontothe bottom portion 30. Fig. 2 illustrates the manner in which the containers 26 are arranged in a series lengthwise of the forward side portion o f the tank. It is to be understood that the containers 26 are individually controlled. In practice the containers are preferably such that they can be readily removed from the machine for refilling. The particular containers illustrated and their controls are more fully described and are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 352,586, entitled Material dispensing means, led August 14, 1940, which has matured into Patent No. 2,339,396, issued January 18, 1944.

The means 21 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings to supply water to the tank supplies both hot and cold water and serves to flush or sweep the materials deposited by the containers from the forward shallow portion of the tank to pipes (not shown) extend to the washing machine and are controlled by valves 35. The valves are.

of a type to be subject to remote control and are preferably of the character described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 352,585. entitled Valve mechanism," flied August 14, 1940, which has matured into Patent No. 2,312,815, issued March 2, 1943.

The valves 33 are shown supported on a base plate 36 carried by the frame members I3. The structure just described is preferably shielded or protected by an apron 29. Individual discharge lines 31 extendfrom the valves 35 to the mixing tank 25 to deliver water to the tank in the manner prescribed by my invention. Where the water is delivered by individual lines 31 as I am now describing, these lines or pipes 31 extend downwardly from the valves 35 and then forward and downward to a point in the forward portion of the tank they are in the forward or shallow portion of the tank and are immediately above the forward bottom portion so that they turn to face toward the other end of the tank and are provided with nozzles-39. I have shown the two nozzles located a short distance apart but both confined, generally, to one upper forward corner of the tank so that when both valves are open the ynozzles have a combined action or, in effect, establish a broad sweeping stream of water that flows across the forward or shallow edge portion of the tank. It is to be understood, ofcourse, that the valves may be operated individually, in which case but one single stream will flow across the shallow part of the tank rather than a composite stream formed between two nozzles.

Due to the direction in which the nozzles are faced and to the pitch of the bottom of the tank, the flow from the upper forward corner where the nozzles 39 are located will be lengthwise of the tank to reach the various points at which material may have been discharged from the containers 26 and will be lateral of the tank in order to sweep or iiush the materials down into the deep portion of the tank. In this particular form of the invention the water discharge from the nozzles has a compound direction of flow, that is, both the lengthwise as well as transverse flow, and the flow is such as to nally and completely flush all of the material from the bottom 30 into the deep end of the tank.

It will be understood that the stream or streams issuing from the nozzles 30 will cause violent agitation or circulation of water not only in the shallow part of the tank or overtliebottom portion 30 but also throughoutthe entire tank so that there is effective mixing in the body of water that accumulates or which is established in the deep portion of the tank. The combined longitudinal and transverse ow established by the nozzles 39 may cause a general circular motion of the liquid in the tank, which motion is highly effective in causing intimate mixture of the materials. The pipes and nozzles being located at one end of the tank and being adjacent the end wall,

` 25 with the shell I1 delivers the washing mixture directly'from the tank 25 to the shell I'I. The means 28 as shown involves a tubular valve seat iltting 40 secured to the underside of the bottomy portion 32 as by screws 4 I. The screws are shown tom of the tank results in effective mixing. Fur

ther, as has been pointed out in the form oi the invention being described, the nozzle or nozthreaded into a ring 42 arranged on the upper wall portion of the shell Il while its upper end is connected to the iitting 40by a iiexible sleeve 44 or the like.

'I'he means 28 further involves a valve 45 adapted to seal downward against a seat formed on the tting 48. The valve 45 has a depending stem 46 slidably guided by a web 41 provided in the tting 40. A stem 48 extends upward from the valve through the premixing tank 25. Iny the particular case shown the valve 45 is electrically controlled or'operated.

A solenoid coil 49 is mounted on the base 36 and has a downwardly projecting operating rod 50 which passes through openings in the base 36 and the shield 29. A stirrup 5I is xed to the operating rod 50 and engages upwardly against a nut 52 on. the valve stem 48. Upon energization of the coil 49 the rod 50 moves upwardly and the valve 45 is open.

In carrying out the cyclic washing operations the rotation of the cylinder I9 and the operation of the latches 34, the operation of the valves 35, the operation of the coil 49 and the operation of the drain valve I9 are all governed by a timer or control mechanism. Insofar as the present invention is concerned, this timer may be of any selected type. In the drawings I have indicated a, control mechanism or timer 60 of the type described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 352,584, iiled August 14, 1940,

entitled Control means for washing machines and the like, which has matured into Patent No.

2,306,056, issued December 22, 1942.

Assuming that the cylinder I8 is in operation or is to be put in operation one or both of the valves is operated to supplywater to the tank. 'I'he valve or valves 35 are opened for a given period to supply a predetermined quantity of water to the tank 25 for the given washing operation. One of the latches 34, or in some cases more than one of the latches 34, rmay be released to allow its container to spill its contents into the premixing tank. This operation of the conz1es39 being disposed in one upper or shallow corner of the tank impart a circular motion to the entire body of water that builds up or accumulates in the tank thus materially facilitating the mixture. So long as either one of the valves is open the water in the tank willbe kept in generally circular motion and there will be violent disturbance in the shallow portion of the tank where the washing materials have been deposited, causing those materials to be swept away for intimate mixture into the body of liquid built up or accumulating in the deep portion of the tank. i When a givenv quantityof water has been supplied to the tank the valve or valves. as the case may be, are closed.

The preznixing operation, as above described, may take place while the cylinder I8 is in operation performing La given washing operation. When the said given washing operation is completed the drain valve (not shown) is opened by operation of the control I9 so that the liquid le drained from the shell` I1. At the completion of a given draining period the control I8 operates to close the control valve, whereupon the solenoid 49 is operated to open the valve 45. This allows the washing mixture to discharge from the tank 25 into the shell -I'I. In this way a given quantity of thoroughly mixed washing liquid or mixture is delivered to the shell Ill for the next washing operation. When the tank 2U is empty the coil 49 is controlled or operated to close the valve 45. The actuations of the valves 35, latches 34, control I9 and coil 49 are caused by the operation of the timer 60 or an equivalent timing or. operating mechanism.

The above described operations are repeated for the various washing operations desired, that is, a given quantity of water at the desired temperature is supplied to the premixing tank 25 and one or more containers 46 is operated to discharge its contents into the tank 25 with the incoming water, these operations usually occurring while the cylinder IB is in operation carrying on a washing operation with a washing mixing previously derived from the mixing tank.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 4, and 5 the hot and cold water instead of being delivered to the mixing tank through separate conduits or pipes is delivered to a manifold tainer or containers may occur either before or during the discharge of the Water into the tank.`

A` container 26 may carry a given quantity of the desired washing material and the amounts discharged relative tothe delivery of the Water may depend somewhat upon the character of the material being handled. The water under pressure, either hot water or cold water, or both, discharged as above described, jets or sprays across the shallow portion of the tank, ushing or sweeping the washing material therefrom either by the longitudinal ilow or the transverse ilow, or by both, so that the washing materials and the discharged water establish an intimate mixture in the deep portion of the tank.

It will be apparent that the general action of the water combined with the pitch of the bot- Where the water is mixed and the contents of the manifold passes to the tank through a single conduit. This single conduit may discharge into the tank at the point and in the general manner hereinabove described. However, in this second form of the invention the single delivery pipe instead of having a short nozzle has'an extension running parallel with the pipe adjacent its front side wall 25B. This extension has discharge openings spaced along its length so that water is delivered or discharged at various points along the shallow part of the tank.

The hot and cold water delivered by supply' tank to discharge a single stream in the general manner hereinabove described has a. portion 31" extending lengthwise of the tank throughout the entire length of the series of containers 26.

The extension 3lh is, in effect, a distributing nozzle and has a plurality of discharge openings 31 spaced along its length to discharge streams of water across the forward bottom portion 30 of the tank. These streams may be directed rearwardly in the tank so that they wash the materials deposited from the containers rearward in the tank to enter the deep part of the tank to there finally and completely mix with the water in the tank. It will be understood that when the water is delivered at a suitable pressure the streams issuing from the jet or nozzle openings 3le will eiectively sweep the entire surface of the bottom portion 30 of the tank, or, in other words, will completely remove the deposited material in the shallow portion of the tank so that the body of liquid that builds up or accumulates in the deep portion of the tank is in the nature of a complete or intimate mixture ready for passage to the shell i1.

The numerous jets of water discharged across the shallow portion of the tank cause a general agitation or movement of the liquid in the tank. By providing a plurality of jet openings :ilc along the length of the extension or nozzle 31h jets occur in the shallow part of the tank in the immediate vicinity of the several containers 26 so that there is a specic iet action to disperse or dislodge the materials deposited by the several containers. Through the arrangement just described the jets are more intimately associated with the containers and it is not necessary to rely upon circulation from a single jet throughout the entire length of the tank in order to reach material deposited by a container at a point remote from the nozzle.

It will be understood that the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 4B and 5 will operate generally in the same manner as the form iirst described except for the variation in the manner in which the Water acts on the material deposited by the containers 26.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the speciilc details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appearto those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a mixing tank having sides and a substantially iiat bottom, means for discharging liquid from the tank at a point adjacent one'side into the shell, means for discharging material into the tank adjacent the opposite side of the tank, and means for jetting water across the bottom of the tank from the said opposite side so such material is swept from the bottom to mix with the water for discharge from the rst mentioned means, the means for discharging 'material and the means for jetting water being related so the material is discharged toward the bottom of the tank in the path of the water.

2. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a

10 substantially rectangular mixing tank having vertical sides and having a pitched bottom so=the tank is shallow at one side and deep at the opposite side, means for discharging liquid from the deep side of the tank directly into the shell, means i'or letting water across the bottom at the shallow side of the tank, and means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow side so it falls into the path of the water to be swept from the bottom by thewater so a mixture of water and such material accumulates at the deep side of the tank.

`3. In a washing machine, an elongate washing shell, asubstantially rectangular mixing tank the major portion of which is disposed above the shell, the tank being parallel with the shell and having vertical sides and having a pitched bottom located over the shell so the tank is shallow at one side and deep at the opposite side, means for discharging liquid from the deep side of the tank into the shell, means for jetting water across the bottom at the shallow side of the tank, and means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow side and in the path of the Jet of water so the water/sweeps such material from the bottom of the tank so a mixture of water and such material accumulates at the deep side of-the tank.

4. In a washing machine, an elongate Washing shell, a substantially rectangular mixing tank having its major portion disposed above the shell, the tank having vertical front and rear sides and having a pitched bottom so the tank is shallow at the forward side of the shell and deep at the rear side of the shell, the bottomof the tank extending downward and rearward around the shell from the4 forward portion of the shell to the rear thereof, means for discharging liquid from the deep rear portion of the tank into the shell, means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow forward portion thereof including an elongate series of individually operable containers at and parallel to the front side of the tank and shell, and means for jettingrwater across the -bottom at the shallow forward portion of the tank to strike such material and sweep it from the bottom so a mixture of water and such material accumulates at the deep rear portion of the tank.

5. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a substantially rectangular mixing tank having vertical sides and having a pitched bottom so the tank is shallow at one side and deep at the opposite side, means for discharging liquid from the deep side of the tank into the shell, means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow side, and means for jetting water across the bottom at the shallow side of the tank to strike the material discharged into the tank and sweep such material from the shallow portion of the tank so a mixture of water and such materiall accumulates at the deep side of the tank, the bottom having a slightly inclined portion at the shallow side of the tank, a horizontal portion at the deep side of the tank, and a steeply inclined portion between the other portions.

. 6. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a rectangular mixing tank having vertical sides and having a pitched bottom so the tank is shallow at one side and deep at the opposite side, means for discharging liquid from the deep side of the tank into the shell, means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow side, and

means for .letting water against the material discharged into the tank and across the bottom at 11y the shallow side of the tank to sweep such material therefrom so a mixture of water and such materialaccumulates at the deep side of the tank including a watersupply pipe entering the tank adjacent one end and discharging at one corner of the tank adjacent the bottom.

7. In a washing machine, a washing shell. a rectangular mixing tank having vertical sides and having a pitched bottom so the tank is shallow at vone side and deep at the .opposite side, means for discharging liquid from the deep side .of the tank into' the shell, means for discharging material into the tank at the shallow side, and -means for jetting water across the bottom at the shallow side of the tank to impinge upon the water to the tank comprising a nozzle directing a stream oi water across said sloping wall portion in a direction transverse of its inclination to a point where it impinges upon the material discharged into the tank to iiusn said material away and cause the material to be mixed with the water in the tank, and means communicating d"with said low bottom portion for cohductingthe material where it is discharged into the tank to sweep such material therefrom so a mixture of water and such material accumulates at the deep f side of the tank including a water supply pipe entering the tank adjacent one end and discharging at spaced points along the shallow side of the tank adjacent the bottom.

8. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a rectangular mixing tank having vertical sides and having a Ipitched bottom so the tank is shallow at one side and deep at the opposite side, means for discharging, liquid from the deep side of the tank into the shell, means for discharging.

material into the tank at the shallow side, and means forjetting water across the bottom at the shallow side of the tank to impinge upon the material where it is discharged into the tank so such material is swept fromsuch point so a mixture of water and such material accumulates at the 'deep side of the tank including water supply ymeans entering the tank adjacent one end and discharging from spaced points at one corner of the tank adjacent the bottom o! the tank.

9. In a Washing machine, a washing shell, a mixing tank abovethe shell and having a low bottom portion at one 4side and a sloping bottom wall portion at the other side sloping downwardly toward said low portion, means for dischargingY material into that part of the tank having the sloping bottom wall portion,` means for supplying water mixture from the tank to the shell.

19. In a washing machine, a washing shell, a mixing tank above the shell and having a sloping Ibottom wall portion, means ior supplying water to the tank comprising a hot water line and a `cold water line, and a nozzle on each of said lines,

conducting the water and materials from the tank to the l container.

LEO M. HARVEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Schaum Sept..22, 1931 McKnight Feb. 14, 1933 Gephart Feb. 12, 1935 Pierce (l) July 2, 1940 Pierce`(2) Jan. 14, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Feb. 6, 1949 GreatBritain 1923 Number Number