US2603297A - Dry cleaning washer - Google Patents

Description

July 15, 1952 A. F. WIDIGEN DRY CLEANING WASHER 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed June 8, 1950 INVEN TOR. ALBERT F W/D/GE/V BY 9 a (4M ATTORNEY y 15, 1952 A. F. WIDIGEN 97 DRY CLEANING WASHER Filed June 8, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 F/GIZ ATmR/VEY Patented July 15, 1952 DRY CLEANING WASHER Albert F. Widigen, Davenport,

American Machine and Metals,

Iowa, assignor to Inc.,- New York,

N. Y., a corporation'of Delaware Application June 8, 1950, Serial No.- 166,859

23 Claims.

This invention relates to dry-cleaning washers, tumblers, and similar machines, and more particularly to the safety devices with which such machines have to be equipped on account of the easily inflammable character of the cleaning fluids used, such as gasoline, naphtha, or the like.-

It is customery to provide dry-cleaning machines with a closing mechanism for the shell door, including a fusible link and a spring, which mechanism, in the event of an explosion occurring in the washer, causes the shell door, if it happens to be open at the time of the explosion, to fall shut. It is also customary to provide in the rear part of the shell a normally closed explosion relief opening to allow the force of an explosion to expend itself into the atmosphere in a direction awayfrom the operator. It has further been proposed to connect the washer with a supply of fire extinguishing fluid, such as steam or aninert gas, such as carbon dioxide and to control the admission of this fluid to the washer by a fusible member which will melt when a fire occurs is the washer.

The hitherto known safety devices suffer from certain drawbacks, among which are, in some constructions, the control of only part of the dangers accompanying an explosion in the drycleaning machine, the failure to operate safely in consequence of an explosion when the shell door is open in other constructions, and the danger to the operator of being hit by the shell door suddenly coming down to its closed position in consequence of an explosion in the machine in still other constructions.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dry-cleaning machine, such as a dry-cleaning washer, with a safety device which is highly efficient and free from the just mentioned shortcomings of the prior art safety devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dry-cleaning machine having a door at the front of the shell and an explosion relief opening in the rear of the shell normally closed by a movable cover, which cover is biased so that upon the occurrence of an explosion in the machine it will move into such an open position as to bear against the shell door causing the latter, if open, to start its closing movement. A further object of the invention is to provide a dry-cleaning machine having means forcounter-balancing to a desired extent the shell door, so that this door, after it has been caused to start its closin movement, will not come down to its closing position under the unhampered action of itsown weight, but at an appreciably reduced speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dry -cleaning machine wherein the movable cover for the explosion relief opening forms part, of; a

box communicating with the interior of the shell through an aperture which is closeable by a normally partly open closureathat'willopen further upon the occurrence of an explosion in the shell, and inthis eventwill operate opening means for said movable cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drycleaning machine wherein a common breakable. e. g. fusible, member controls spring-biased means for opening the cover of an explosion re lief opening, as well as spring biased means-for admitting a fire extinguishing fluid into theshell', both said means being equally efiective whether the shell door is open or closed at the timeof the explosion. v a: I

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a dry-cleaning machine having the above mentioned normally partly open closure foran aperture in the rear part of the shell and 'a fusible member for controlling the opening means for admitting the fire extinguishing fluid, wherein said normally partlyopen closure is arranged so as to direct the blast of an explosion occurring in the shell towards said fusible member.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which Show. by way of example, one embodiment of the invention and in which: Yr 1 -'Fig.2; and

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a dry-cleaning washer equipped with the invention, a portion of the shell being broken away;

Fig. 2 shows, on amuch larger scale thanFig. 1, a top plan view of a box attached to the rear of the shell, the box cover being removed for greater clarity;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section along line 3-4 in along the line 4-4 46 and member 44 Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionin Fig. 2 with part of tube broken away. a I

Referring now to the drawings: Securedto a base ,l0, such as by means of bolts II, is the stationary shell I2 of a dry-cleaning washer. In the front of the shell l2 there is provided an opening l3, which is closeable by a shell door 14 hinged on a shaft l-5 supported by the shellll. Rotatable within the shell I2 is a cylinder I6, which at each end is journalled by meansof a trunnion l1 in a bearing I 8 carried by the base It]. The cylinder I6 is equipped with a door. (not shown) permitting, when open, the insertion into,

INT OF ICE,

" acce t-z or the removal from, the cylinder l6 of the work so as to be turnable about an axis 28, is a lid- 21 which is closed during normal operations of the machine, but serves as an explosion-relief opening for the washer in caseof an explosion therein, as will be described later. The lid 21 has attached to its top a 29, which comprises two to the top of the lid 21 and terminating each in a curled-up part 3|, two vertical legs 32 and a cross bar 33 connecting the two vertical legs 32.

The bottom of the box 20 is. formed by a portiori 25 of the Wall of the shell l2 and this bottom Hait an aperture 26 bymeans of which the box 20 ordinarily communicates. withthe interior of the shell |2.. The. aperture 26 can be closed by a closure 34 which is. turnably mounted, on a pivot 35- carriedby'a stationary part of the box 2q, such as bythe bottom25. or by the sidewall 24 of this box. The closure 34 has a rearward extension 36, by means of which inthe partly opened position shown in Fig. 3 when a. surface cam 31, is in the position shown, in -whichit prevent the extension 36 and the closure. 34 connected therewith, from turning in countereclockwise .directior1 This position of the camsflbeingits normal position, the closure 34 is normauraia w th h en 16. t e. c o ur 34 a the distance shown in Fig. thean rture 26,-. V

. Rositioned Y closely aboye the partly opened c osu e 34.. iseib flrwhich fo ms; fi r? e opening device forthe'lid 2] of the box 20. The paras c mp ises sierra e a s .fifii itwq 'ua ha l d, n ece "a L ,ech hailing secured to orie of its legs one "'eir'idbf a bar 42. Thepther en 43 of theU-s'hapedrod '40 has an extension 56 lhich extends perpendicularly to the L i-piece}!!! and is waded or otherwise rigidly Secured to a nieinber 44 which carries thecam surfac 31 and rides loosely en a sum '45 extendthrough 'a tube 46 passing through a hole in the Side wan 24 or the box-'20. Thein'ner end of the stud 45 carries a colla'rf41 through which a hole '48 drilled. Asinlilar hol 49 is drilled through the member 44 andth'e'two holes; 49 accommodate the two ends of' a coil spring 50 which surrounds a portion of the length of the stud 45; The outer end 5| of the stud 45 is reduced in diameter s'o as'to form a shoulder 52, and it carries a thread at its outside so that a nut 53' having a corresponding inner thread can be screwed thereon. The nut 53, when tightened, presses against a washer 54- which, in turn, rests against the shoulder 52. Since theinembr 44 is 3 from the edge 11 of frame generally denoted as horizontal legs 3o welded the, closure 34 can beheld ordinarily held by the bar 36 against turning on the stud 45, tighteningof the nut 53,- after it has spine to bear upon the 'asher 54, will cause a rotation of the stud 45 relative to the member 44 and thereby a winding up or the spring 50' held at one end by that member 44. Set screws 55 are provided for'locking the stud 45 in fixed relation to the tube 46, which set screws are tightened after the spring 50 has been'wou'nd up to the desired degree.

similar manner 'as the outer end 56 of the ii-shaped piece 40 is rigidly secured to the member 44 on the stud 45 extending through the one betweenthe two side wall 24 of the box 20, the outer end 56' of the other U-shaped piece 4| is secured to a member 44 on a stud 45' which extends through the other side wall 23 of the box 20. Parts denoted in the drawing by the reference numerals 46, 41', 50", 5|, 53 54, 55", and 56 are provided for cooperation with the stud 45 in the same manner as the corresponding parts 46, 41, 50, 5|, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are coordinated to the stud 45. It is to be noted, however, that the thread on the reduced end 5| of the stud 45' is opposite to the thread on the end 5| of the stud 45 sothat for tightening the two nuts 53 and 53, they have to be turned in opposite directions, their inner threads being for that purpose also opposite to each other. The bar 42 extending U-shaped pieces 40 and 4| carries a pin 51 to which one end of a fusible link 58 is attached. The otherend of the fusible link 53 is attached to a pin 59 carried by a substantially U-sh'aped piece 60, which is pivoted at 6| on a lug 62 attached to a cylinder 63,, in which a piston 64 having a piston rod 65 isslidably mounted. The piece 60 has a downwardly projecting part 14 which, when the fusible link 58v is intact, is situated in the pathoi the piston 64. Thereby the part 14 prevents a forward movement of the piston 64 under the action of a compressed spring 68 inserted between the back of the piston 64 and a rear cover 66 forthe cylinder 63 formed by one end of a U-shaped bracket 61, which is fastened to the back wall 22 of the box 26 by means of rivets l5,or the like. The other end 69 of the bracket 61 supports a fluid valve 10 which forms part of a system for the supply of fire extinguishing fluid into the washer in case of an explosion or a fire occurring therein. The fire extinguishing fluid, which may be steam or agas or a suitable liquid, enters the valve 16 by a pipe 1| and passes from the valve, if the latter is open, into the interior of the shell |2 through a pipe l2. The valve 16 has a stem 13 which is arranged coaxially with the piston 64 and at a distance therefrom when this piston 64 is held against the action of the spring 68 in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by the projection 14 of the piece 60. This is the case while the fusible link 58 is intact. When this link 56 is ruptured under the now released action of the spring 68, the piston 64 first pushes the projection 14 out of its way and thenhits the stem 13 whereby the valve 10 is Opened.

While the springs 5|) and 50, through the intermediary of the-bar 42 to which one end of each of these springs is connected, exert an upward thrust upon the link 58, the spring 68- in the cylinder 63*, through the intermediary of the piece 60, exerts a downward pull on the link 58. The link 58 is made strong enough to withstand the resultant of the forces just named, but it will break, even without fusing, if a substantial force is added to that resultant. Such an additional force becomes effective upon the link '53 iron explosion occurs within the shellleading to a sudden increase in pressure, which will force the normally partly open closure 34 to open wider. In so doing, the closure 34 strikes with great force against the under side of the bar 39, and the link 58 is not strong enough to withstand the upward pull thereby exerted upon its upper end. The link 58 breaks and thereby allows a number of actions to take place:

(1) The springs 50 and 50' are set free to turn the bar 39 in clockwise direction about the shafts 45, 45, pushing by means of the U-shaped pieces 40 and 4| the lid 21 of the (2) Moving with the 1m 21. is the frame 29 against whose curled-up parts 3| the shell door M, if open, is leaning during normal operation of the machine. If the shell door l4 happens to be open at the time of an explosion, the curledup parts 3|, moving with the lid 21, about pivot 28 will immediately start the door [4 towards its closing position. Soon after this movement has started, the cross bar 33 of the frame 29, which turns about the axis 28 at afaster rate than the parts 3|, reaches the already moving shell door l4, imparting to the latter a strong impact which will secure the movement of the shell door to a point from which this door will continue its movement toward the closed position under the action of gravity. To control this action of gravity so that the door [4 will come down to its closing position at such a moderate speed that even if the operator of the machine should just be reaching into the cylinder thereof when the shell door comes down, the door will neither injure the operator nor prevent him from withdrawing from the machine. Such a moderate closing speed of the shell door is secured by counter-balancing means comprising on either one end or on both ends of the shaft l5 a disk 16. To the rim of the disk 16 one end of a flexible steel band 11 is secured. The other end of the band 11 is secured to the rim of a roller 18 mounted on a pivot 19, which is carried by a bracket 80 attached to the frame Ill. The roller 78 carries a bent lever 8| on which there is adjustably mounted a weight 82 held in its adjusted position by a set screw 83. When the shell door I4 is closed, the lever 8| extends from its pivot 19 upwardly at an angle a to the horizontal direction and by proper selection of the angle a and the position of the weight 82 on the lever 8|, the counter-balancing eifect of the Weight 82 may be chosen so that the door l4, after having been started on its closing movement, will not accumulate speed on its way down asit would if left to the unhampered action of its own weight. Instead, the weight 82 about the pivot 79 is opposed to the torque of the door [4 about the shaft [5, the door M will come down at a speed only which may be equal to, or less than, the speed at which the door was started by the impact of the frame 29 hitting the back of that door. In this manner, should the operator have his head under the door when the latter comes down, he will sufler no injury by being forcibly hit in the back of the neck as might be the case if the counterbalancing means just described were absent.

(3) The pro-stressed spring SBbearing upon the back of the piston 64 in the cylinder 63, no longer opposed by the link 58, turns the piece 60 about its pivot 6| until the extension 14, of the piece 60 is out of the path of the piston 64, wherupon this piston, still under the action of the spring 68, moves forwardly so as to hit the stem13 of the valve 10, admitting thereby fire extinguishing fluid through'the pipe 72 into the shell l2. The operation of the valve is in-v dependent of whether the shell door I 4 is open or closed at the time the link 58 is ruptured.

(4) Together with the bar 39, the member 44 havingthe cam surface 3! is turned about the axis of the stud 45 so as to move the cam surface 31 out of the path of the extension 36 of the closure 34. This permits the closure 34, as soon as the force of the explosion has spent itself, to fall since the torque of' shut so that the interior of the shell becomes; separated from the atmosphere and the fire within the shell is smothered rapidly bythe fire extinguishing fluid as well as by the lack of sufficient air to support combustion.

It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the closure 34 is arranged so as to direct any hot gases coming from the shell through the aperture 26 towards the fusible link 58. Thus, if there occurs an explosion or fire in the washer, the heat therefrom will immediately reach the fusible link 58, and melt the same, with the results already de-,

scribed in connection with a mechanical breaking of the link 58. 7

After the fire in the shell has been put out, the shell door I4 is opened to permit any gaseous residues to escape, the broken fusible link 58 is replaced by a new one and the parts controlled by this link, including the springs 50, 50 and 68, are pre-stressed for the next operation.

While I have shown in the drawing one par-,

ticular embodiment of the invention, I desire it to be understood that this embodiment has been given by way of example only, sincevarious modifications and changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the illustrated machine may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, an explosion relief opening behind said hinge, a normally closed movable cover for said relief opening, opening means for said cover including at least one element biased for causing said opening means to move said movable cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the latter is open, a. member adapted to break in consequence of an explosion within said shell, said breakable member being so connected to said opening means as to restrain, while intact, said opening means from responding to the bias of said biased element or elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means for opening said movable cover under the action of said biased element or elements into said position in which it bears against the open shell door, causing thereby said shell door to close.

2. In a dry-cleaning washeryin combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell,

a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, an explosion relief opening behind said hinge, a normally closed movable cover for said relief opening, opening means for said cover including at least one prestressed spring adapted to cause said opening means to move said movable cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the latter is open, a fusible link adapted to break in consequence of an exe. plosion within said shell so connected to said openingmeans as to restrain, while intact, said prestressed spring or springs from acting upon said opening means and, upon its rupture, to release said spring or springs for action upon said opening means to open said movable cover into said position in which it bears against the open shell door, causing thereby said shell door to close. 3. A dry-cleaning washer which will instanta- 1 .6 ve t an plosion therein without blow i'ngj thloading dooropen against the operator, having ;in combination, a shell, an-opening: inithe front side/of said shell forthe-loading. door, a shell door mounted on a-hinge at the top ofsaid opening and adapted to be closed. during the operation of the washer, a box attached to the outside of said shell behind-said hinge andcom municating with the interior of said, shell through an aperture therein, a closure: for said aperture in saidwhich is normally: latched partlyopen and adaptedto be-openedfurther. by the force of theexplosion within said? shell, an opening in one wa'lhofsaidtboxto the a-tmose pherc, a normally closed cover for said opening, a device providing. the energy for moving said coverrto a positionwhere the opening. fromthe box to the atmosphere isunobstructed, meansnormally restraining said device from acting which are adapted toabe ruptured by the move:- mentof the closure of said aperture beyond its initiall partly-open position. I

4-. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a-shell, anopening in the front sldeof saidshell, ashell door mounted on a. hinge at the top of said opening and adapted'to close the lattena box attached to the outside of said shell behind said hinge and communicating. with the interior. of said shell through partly open closure for said aperture adapted to open further upon the occurrence: of an 1 explosion in said shell, an explosion relief opening in one of the walls of said'box, anorrna-lly closed coverrfor: said explosion relief opening,- opening means interposed between said closure and'said cover foropening the latter when said closure opens further clue to an explosion in said shell, said opening means including at least one-elementbiasedforcausing said opening means'tomove said cover-into such' an open position as to bear. against said shell door if the same is open, ,amember adapted'to break in consequence of anexplosion within said shell so connected to said opening means'as to restrain, while intact, said opening meansfrom' responding to the bias of said biased element or elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means-for openin'g saidqmovable cover under the action of said biased element orelements, and at least one extension on saidcover adapted to engageinsaid openposition of said cover said shell door for initiatingthe'movement of the latter towards its closing position.

5. Ina dry-cleansing washer, in combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top'of said, opening and adapted to close the latter, an explosion relief opening-behind said hinge, a nor-- mally closedmovable cover for said relief opening, opening means for said cover including at leastone element biased for causing said openingmeans to move said movable cover into such anopen position as to bear against-said shelldoor if the; latter is open; a memberv adapted to-break. in consequence of an explosion within said shell, said breakable member being so connected to, said opening. means as to restrain, while'in'tact, said opening means from responding to the bias of said biased element or elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means for-openingsaidmovable cover under the action of said biased element or elements into said position in which it bears against the open shell door, causing thereby said shell door to close, and counterbalancing means connected to said shell door adaptedtoreduce thespeed' of theclosing'movean aperture, a normally' ment of "said-Ishell dOOIJ'bBlOWIlZh speed at which.

this door, upon its closing movement having been initiated; by said movable cover for said. relief opening, would come down under the: unhampered action ofitsv own weight.

6: In adry-cleaning'washer, in combination, a;

shell; aniopeninginthe front side of said shell, a= shell door mounted on a, hinge atthe topof said-topening and adapted to close the latter; an

explosion: relief opening behind said hinge. a. normally closed: movable cover for said relief 1 for. said cover includingopening-,.opening means at:least:one element biased-for causing said open: ingmeans'to move. said movable cover into such anv open. position. as: to: bear against said shell.

door if thelatter isopen; a: member adapted to break in-consequencegof arr-explosion within said.

shell, said breakable member being; so connected tosaidaopenlng means. as to restrain, whileintact, said; opening means' from ofsaid biased element or rupture,- to releasesaid opening means for opening said, movable coverbiased-element-on elements into said position in which it bears against the open shell door, causing thereby said shell doorto close, and counter.- balancing means forsaid weightcarried by a lever and extending from said'pivot upwardly at an angle to the horizontal direction and aflexible;

member: connecting the pivotal end of-said lever to the-hinged-end' ofsaid shell door, sothat said weightparticipates in the movement of said shell door: and reducesithespecd of the closing movementof said shell door below the speed at which. this: door, upon its closing movement having;

been initiatedby said movable cover for said reliefopening, would come down to its closingposition under the unhampered action of its own weight.

'7. In a dry-cleaning washer,in combination,.a-

shell, anvopening in the front side of said shell, a shelldoonmountedon ahinge at the top of said opening-andadapted to'close the latter, an explosionrelief opening behind said hinge, a normallyclosed-movable cover for said reliefopening,;opening; means for-said cover includingzat leastone: prestressed spring adapted. to cause said; openingi means: to move said movable coverlntosuch an open positionas tobea-r. against said a shell. door if the latter isopen', a fusible link adapted to brefl-inconsequence of an explosion within. said; she11=so connected to said opening means as: to restrain, while intact, said prestressed'spring: or springs from acting upon'said opening means and; upon its rupture, to release said spring. or springs'for action upon said opening. means toopen saidmovablecover into said positionin which it bears against the open shell door, causing thereby said shell door to close, and-*counterbalancing means connected tofsaid. shell door adapted to reduce thespeed o f'the closing-- -movement of said shell door below the. speed at which this "door, upon its closing move.-

, menthaving been initiated by said'movable cover for saidrelief opening, would come down to. its closing-position underthe unhampered action of its own-weight.

8. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a

shell, an opening in the front sideof said shell,

ashell door mounted on a hinge at the top-of said openingand adapted to close the latter, an explosion relief opening behind said hinge, a normally closed movable cover for said relief open.- ing, openingmeans for said cover-including at to its closing position.

responding to. the bias, elements and, upon its;

under the action or'said:

shell door including a. turnable about a pivot.

,9 least one prestressed spring adapted to cause said opening means'to move said movable cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the latter is open, a fusible link adapted to break in consequence of an explosion within said shell so connected to said opening means as to restrain, while intact,: said prestressed spring or springs from acting upon said opening means and, upon its rupture, to release said spring or springs for action upon said'opening means to open said movable cover into-said position in which it bears against the openshell door, causing thereby said shell door to close, and counterbalancing means for said shell door including a weight carried by a lever turnable about a pivot and extending from said pivot upwardly at an angle to the horizontal direction and a flexible member connecting the pivotal end of said lever to the hinged end of; said shell door so that said weight participates in the movement of said shelldoor and reduces the speed of the closing movement of said shell door below the speed at which this door, upon its closing movement having been initiated by said movable cover for said relief opening, would come down to its closing position under the unhampered action of its own weight. a

9. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a shell, an opening in the'front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attached to the outsideof said shell behind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture, a normally partly open closure for said aperture adapted to open further upon the occurrence of an explosion in said shell, an explosion relief opening in one of the walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening means interposed between said closure andsaid cover for opening the latter when said closure opens further due to an explosion in said shell, said opening means including at least one element biased for causing said opening means to move said cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the same is open for initiating the closing thereof, and a breakable member so connectedto said opening means as to restrain, while intact, said opening means from responding to the bias-of said biased ele mentor elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means for opening said movable cover under the action of said biased element or elements, said normally partly open closure being pivotally mounted closelyhnderneath saidopening means for said cover so that in consequence of an explosion within said shell said closure will strike against said opening means. i

10. In a dry-cleaning washer, incombination, a shell, an opening in the front side 'of said'sh'ell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attached to the outside of said shellbehind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperturda normally partly openclosu're for said aperture adapted to open further upon the occurrence of an explosion in said shell, an explosion relief opening in one of the walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening means interpos'ed between said closure and said cover for opening the ,latter when said closure opens further due to an explosion in said, shell, said openingmeans including at least one element biased for causing said opening means to move elements, said normally partly openclosure being arranged so as to direct the blast of-anexplosion occurring in said shelltowards said fusible. link.

' 11.'In a dry-cleaning washen in combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door'niounted on a hinge at the top'o'f said o'peningand adapted to close the latter, :a box attached to'theoutside .of said shell behind said hinge and communicating-with the. interior of said shell through an aperture, a normally partly open closure for 's'aidraperture' adaptedzto open further upon the] occurrence of an explosion in said shellganeexplosion relief opening "one of the walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening'nieans interposedbetween said closure and said cover for opening the latter when said closure opens further due to an explosion" in saidshell, said'opening means including at least one element biased'for causing said openingmeans to "move sai'd'cover into such'an open position as to bear against said shell door if thesame islopen,' and a' fusible link so connected to said opening means'as to restrain, while intact, said opening'means from respond ing to the bias of said biased element or elements and, upon its rupture, tof releasehsaid opening means for opening said movable cover under' the action'of said biased element or elements, said normally partly open' closure being "pivqtany mounted closely underneath said openingme'ans for said cover and insuch position as to direct the blast of' an explosion occurring in said shell towards said fusible link; 1 12. In a dry-cleaning washer, 'incombination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at thetop of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attachedto the outside of 'said'sh'ell behind said hingeand communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture, anormally partlyopen closure for'said aperture adapte'd to open further upon the occurrenceof" an explosion in said shell, an explosion reliei opening in one oi the walls of said box, a norm allyclosed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening means'in' terposed betweensaid closureand said cover for opening thelatter when saidclosure opens rurther due .to an explosionin saidshell saidopening means including at" least one element" biased for causing said opening means to move said cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the same is open, anda breakable member so connected to said opening means'aslto restrain, ,while intact, said opening means from responding to the bias of said biased-element or elements and, upon its rupture, .tdreleas e said opening means for opening'saidfmovable cover under the action ofv saidbiased-elemeiit or ele ments, and counterbalancing means connected to said shell door adapted to reduce the speed of the closing-movement of said-shell door belowthe speed atwhich this door, upon its closing movement having been initiated by said movable cover for. said relief, opening, would come down to its closing position underthe' unhampered- ,act ion of itsown Weight. I Ljlj 13. In a dry cleaningfwasher, inc'ombination,

shellaioor .it the :same ispemsa T 1 a'shelLan opening in the front side ;oi*saitshell, a shellidocr mounted on a' hingeatthe top; oi: said opening 'and adapted to vclose the latter, ca lbox attached to the outside of said shell'behind' said hinge and communicating with the 1 interior :of said shell through an aperture;anormallymartly open closure i for said i aperture :adapted tto open 'iurther' uponithe occurrence of an explosion'in said shell, van L explosion :relief :opening in one 10f the malls" of said'box, samormally closed cover .for said: explosionzrelief :opening, ,opening: meansrinterposed betweenfisaid :closurezand 'said cover for opening :the' lattermhenzsaid tclosure opens turtheruiueito'an :exp'losion: imsaid: shell, said openingimeans :inclmiingsat :least, :one element :biased ioneausingisaidiopeningmeans*to-move said cover intoisuehamnpenzpositionaastoxbearagainstisaid breakablemember :zonnected .130 :said :opening :means -.as --to restrnmnwmle intactsnaidopening means "from nespondingztonthe lbias' loiasaid biased element or elements and, .upon :its rupture, to release said opening means for ropeningrsaid movable :cover umier the vaction of said biased element or elementsgand 'counterbalancing means for'sa-id shell door 'includinga weight carriedby a lever turnable: about apivotzandxextending from said pivot upwardly "at-an angle to the horizontal direction andv arfiexible memberconnecting the pivotal .end

otmid-levento the, hinged end of said shell door, I

sothat:saidwweightparticipatesin the. movement of maidvshellwdoorr and reduces "the speed rot the elosingtmovementzot said shell door 'below the speed at which this door, upon its .closingmovementrhaving-been initiatedrby said movable cover for :said :relief opening, :would .come .down .-to its closmggpositioniunder-ttheunhampered actionof itsao'wnweight.

A4. sInsa- .dryecleaning washer, .in combination,

aishellfan .openingin theiirontside. of saidzshell,

a shell door mounted on a-hingeaat'the topof said openingrandiadapted; to-closeithelattenla:box= attached i to the: outside o! :said shell behind .-said hinge and ecommunicating with the :interior of said; shell-through-aneaperturefia normallymartly openiclosure for said :aperture (adapted to open further upon the occurrence of ,an explosion :in saidshell, .-an explosion -reliefopening :in rone of thegwallseot said-bonsai :normally- ,closed cover -for saidrexplosion relief opening, -'.opening-. means-interposed between said .closure,andsaid cover for opening ithe Jatterwhen said iclosure opens Jurtherl due .tmanexplosionjmsaid shell,v said. openin: means including ,at least 'one ielementibiased roizcausing said opening meansto. move saidcover intosuchan open ,position as .to bear ,against said'shellidoor iilthe. same is .opemior initiating the jzloing thereof, .aibreakable member-so .Q'connectedLtosaid opening means. asitoirestraimwhile intact, said opening .means from ("responding to thebiasof said'jhiased element or .elementsand, upon its rupture, ,to release said opening means for opening said movable cover. lun'derfthe action' 01' "saidbiased element. or elements, said normally'partly open closure being pivotally; mounted closely'underneath said opening means .for said cover so that "in consequence ioi an explosion within said "shell said "closure "will strike "against said'opening meansgand counterbalancing means connected torsaid-sh'ell door adapted 'torreduce the speedo'fithe closing movement 01 said shell :door

below "the speed "at 'which'ithis door; upon its closing-movement having -been initiated-by "said movable coverror'said relief opening;wou1d'come down to its closing position under the 11nhampered action or *its own"weight.

15. In a dry-oleaning'wa'sher, in combination. a shell, anopen'inginlthe front :side of said shell, a'shell door-mounted on aihinge'at the top of said opening 'and adapted to close the latter, a box attachedito the outsideof said shell behind-said hinge and communicating with the interior of'said shell through an aperture, a normally partly open closure for said aperture adapted to open further .upon theoccurrence oi an'explosion in said shell,san explosion relief opening in one of the walls .oisaid box, a normally :closed cover f or said explosion relief opening, opening means interposed between asaid closure and said cover .ior opening the latter when-said'closure opens turtherdue 'to:an explosion in said .shell,-said openingmeansiincluding :at ;-least one elementbiased for causingsaid openin means to move said cover into such-an'openposition'as to bear against said shelldoorif thesame is :open for initiating the closing thereot,-a breakable member so connected to said opening .-means -;as to restrain, while 'intact,.-said opening means'from responding to'the bias of said biased element or elements and,zupon its rupture, to release said opening means for opening said-movablecover under the-action-o! said biased'element or elements, said normally partly open closure being pivotally mounted closely underneath said opening means for said-cover so that in consequence .of an explosion within said shell said closure will strike against said openin -meansand counterbalancing means for said-shell door including .a weight carried -bya lever :turnableabout. a pivot and extending irom saidpivot upwardly at an angletothe horizontal directionianda flexible lmember connecting the pivotal end of sai'dilever. to the hingedendofsald shell 11001 250 that. said .weight ,participates the movement of. said .shell door, reducing the ,speed of theclosingmovement of said shelldoorbelow the .speed at .which this -.'door, after its closing movement having been initiated by said movable cover forrsaid relief opening, wouldcome down to its closing position under the unhampered ,action ofvitsown weight.

.16. In a dry-cleaning washen'in-combination.

a she1l,.an. openingin theifront side of .said shell.

ashell door mounted on a hinge at the top .0! saidopening-.andadapted to-close the, latter, a box attached to the. outside of said shell' behind said hingerand communicating with the interior of said .shell through an aperture, a normally partly open closure for said aperture adaptedto open'further .upon the occurrence/o! anexplosion in said shell, anexplosionrrelief opening inone of the wallscoi said box, a normally closed cover for said-explosion reliefopening, opening means interposedbetweenisaid closure and said cover for opening the latter when said closure opens further jclue to'an explosion in said shell, said opening-means including at least one element biased for causing said opening means .to move said cover {into :such can open position 'as-to' bear againstwsai'd shell door-if the same .is .open, a fusible. link so connected toisaid opening means as to 'restrainywhile intact; said opening means from responding to the bias of said "biased element or elements and, upon its rupturepto release said opening means 'for opening saidmovable cover-under'the action of said biase'd element or elements, said normally partly open closure 'being'arranged so as to direct the'blast'oi an explosion occurring in said shell towards said fusible link, and counterbalancing means "connected "to said shell door adapted to reduce the speed of the closingmovement of said 'shell door a shell, an opening in the front side of, said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attached to the outside of said shell behind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture, a normally partly open closure for said apertureadapted to open further upon the occurrence of an explosion in said shell, an explosion relief opening in one of the walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening means interposed between said closure and said cover for opening the latter when said closure opens further due to an explosion in said shell, said opening means including at least one element biased for causing said opening means to move said cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the same is open, a. fusible link so connected to said opening means as to restrain, while intact, said opening means from responding to the bias of said biasedl element or elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means for opening said movable cover under the action of said biased element or elements, said normally partly open closure being pivotally mounted closely underneath said opening means for said cover and in such position as to direct the blast of an explosion occurring in said shell towards said fusible link, and counterbalancing means for said shell door including a weight carried by a lever turnable about a pivot and extending from saidpivot upwardly at an angle to the horizontal direction and a flexible member connecting the pivotal end of said lever to the hinged end of said shell door so that said weight participates in the movement of said shell door, reducing the speed of the closing movement of said shell door below the speed at which this door, upon its closing movement having been initiated by said movable cover for said relief opening, would come down to its closing position under the unhampered action of its own weight.

18. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attached to the outside of said shell behind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture, a pivotally mounted closure for said aperture, a cam for normally holding said closure partly open, said closure being adapted to open further upon the occurrence of an explosion in said shell, an explosion relief opening in one of the Walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said explosion relief opening, opening means interposed between said closure and said cover for opening the latter when said closure opens further due to an explosion in said shell, said opening means including at least one element biased for causing said opening means to move said cover into such an open position as to bear against said shell door if the same is open, and said cam to assume a position in which it is out of the path of said closure, a member adapted to break in consequence of an explosion within said shell so connected to said opening means as to restrain, while intact, said opening means from responding to the bias oft said biased element or elements and, upon its rupture, to release said opening means for opening said movable {cover and said cam for moving out of the path'o'f said closure under the action of said biased element or elements,' permitting-thereby said assure to fall shut. I I

19. In a dry-cleaningwasher, in combination,

'a shell, an openinginf the'front side of said shell,

further by the force of an explosion in said shell,

an explosion relief opening in one of the wens of said box, a normally closedcover'for'said ex plosion relief opening, a normally-closedsystem for supplying a fire extinguishing fluid to'said shell including a valve, biased opening means for said cover and biased opening means for said valve, means including a breakablemeniber for restraining said 'cover opening' means and said valve opening means from becoming operative while said breakable member is intact, said breakable member being designed'so'as to be broken and thereby to release both said biased cover opening means and said biased valveopening means bya further opening of said clos'ure due toan explosion in said shell. l

20. In a dry-cleaning washer, in' combination, a shell, anop ening in the front side of said shell, a segment shaped shell *door mounted on a-shaft near the top edge ofsaid opening and adapted to close the latter, said shaft projecting beyond one end of said shell door, a disk attached to said projecting end of'said shaft, a pivot carried by said shell, a roller freelyturnable about said pivot, a lever carried by said rollerfa weight on said lever, a flexible band attached atone end to the rim of said roller and at its other endto the rim of said disk so that the torque of said weight about said pivot is opposed to the torque of said shell door about said shaft, thereby counter-balancing said shell door, an explosion outlet from said shell, a hinged cover on said outlet, spring-biased means tending to elevate said cover to strike against said shell door if the latter is open and thereby to provide the energy to impel said counter-balanced shell door to its closed position, a fire extinguishing fluid connection to said shell, a normally closed valve in said fluid connection, a second spring-biased means adapted to open said valve, a fusible link whose ends are connected to said two spring biased means respectively in such a manner that one spring biased means opposes the other spring biased means, so that upon rupture of said link said first spring-biased means will cause the shell door to be closed and the second springbiased means will cause the shell to be flooded with fire extinguishing fluid.

21. In a dry-cleaning washer, in combination, a shell, an opening in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to close the latter, a box attached to the outside of said shell behind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture, a pivotally mounted closure for said aperture, a cam for normally holding said closure partly open, said cloof anexplosion in said shell, an explosion relief iopeningin one of the walls of ,said vbox, a. norextinguishing fluid ,tosaid shell including a. valve,

,biased opening means for said cover and biased opening means forsaid valve, restraining means including a breakable member for restraining saidcoveropeningmeans and said valve opening means-from becoming operative while said-break- ;ablemember is intact while holdingsaid cam in a position in which it prevents closing .of said -closure,;said breakablelimember being sodesigned as to be ?broken and ithereby to .release both said biased opening means :for .:said cover and said valve by a furtheropening ,of said closurerdue to an explosion in said shell andalsotorelease said cam for moving out of the pathof-saidclosure, permitting thereby 'said closure to fall shut, con- Qfining thereby the ,fluid supplied to said shell 'by .:said valve .to theinterior of said shell.

22. ;A dry-cleaning washer which will instantaneously vent an explosion therein and smother the subsequent blaze without blowingthe loading door open against the operator, havingin combination, a shell, an opening in the front side .of said shell for the loading door, a shell door mounted on a hinge at the top of said opening and adapted to be closed during the operation of the :washer, a box attached to-the outside of said shell behind said hinge and communicating with the interior of said shell through an aperture therein, a closure for said aperture in said box which is normally latched partly-open and adapted to be opened further by the ;force of the explosion within said shell and -unlatched to :close .said

aperture, an opening in one wall of said box to the atmosphere, a normally closed coverfor said :opening, a device providing the :energy for moving said cover to apposition where the :opening from the box to the atmosphere is unobstructed, means normally restraining saiddevice from acting which are adapted to be ruptured by :the movement of the closure of-said-aperture beyond its initial partly-open position.

23. In a dry-cleaning washer .fire extinguishing means, including in combination, a shell, an opening ,in the front side of said shell, a shell door mounted ona hinge at the top .01 said opening and adapted to close said opening, a box attached .to the outside of said shell behind ,saicl hinge and in communication with the interior of said shell through an aperture in the shell, a pressure relief opening to the ambient atmosphere in one of the Walls of said box, a normally closed cover for said pressure relief opening, a system adapted ,to supply fire extinguishing fluid to said shell, a normally closed valve in said system, a first spring tending to open said cover, a second spring tending to open said valve, a connection between said two springs including ,a frangible member which restrains both springs, a pivotally mounted closure for said aperture adapted to break said frangible member when forcibly swung open by an explosion in the shell, a cam normally in a position to hold said closure partly open but moved out of contact with said closure when the cover is open thereby allowing the closure .to fall shut after the frangible member is broken, and the second spring has initiated the flow of fire extinguishing fluid through said valve and the first spring has opened'the coverto allow the escape of the pressure created .by the explosion.

ALBERT F. WIDIGEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordinthe fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,300,710 Edwards ,Apr. 15, 1919 1,378,964 Land May 24, 1921 1,713,691 Curtiss May 21, 1929 1,729,493 Schlesinger Sept. 24, 1929 1,914,616 Power June 20,1933

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