US2645914A

US2645914A - Continuous progressive cylinder washer

Info

Publication number: US2645914A
Application number: US170284A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald W Sessions
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-06-26
Filing date: 1950-06-26
Publication date: 1953-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 1970-07-21

Description

July 21, 1953 o. w. SESSIONS CONTINUOUS PROGRESSIVE CYLINDER WASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1950 INVENTOR.

y 1, 1953 D. w. SESSIONS CONTINUOUS PROGRESSIVE CYLINDER WASHER 2 Sheets$ heet 2 Filed June 26. 1950 INVENTQR.

BY W Patented July 21, 1953 UNITED,

CONTINUOUS PROGRESSIVE CYLINDER WASHER Donald W. Sessions, Lansing, Mich. Application June 26, 1950, Serial No. 170,284

" 20 Claims. (01. 6810) This invention relates to a progressive cylin-, der type washing machine wherein. separate batches of clothes are washed in different cylinders that are progressed through various washing stages in the machine as a, continuous process.

Attempts at building continuous type washers of this kind have not been successful in the past due to their ineffective washing and slow operation due to stopping of the machine for loading and discharge, as well as-the slippage of the cylinders among other driving difficulties.

It is the particular object of this invention to provide :a progressive cylinder type washer in which the operation of the machine is continuous by providing for continuous injection, advancement and discharge of the cylinders without stopping the machine.

Another object is to provide a continuous pro- I gressive type of washer wherein the cylinders are progressed through difierent rotors revolving at different rotating speeds in order to better accomplish the washing process.

Another object is to provide a positive rotating drive to the cylinders without involving dangerous shock to the moving parts.

A still further object is to provide variable washing solutions at diiierent stages in an effective and economical manner and to provide means to test and adjust the strength of the solutions at the will of the operator.

A still further object is to provide a backflow of the solutions through the machine in order to utilize the solutions economically and effectively in the various washing stages.

And a final object is to provide a more efiective washing action that will permit the machineto operate at higher speeds and at higher productive capacities.

Other objects and benefits will be apparent from the following descriptions and drawings in which: n

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a double rotor continuous washer employing my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the washing stages which will later be explained;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the cylinders which I employ;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the cylinder shown in Fig. 3 taken radially thereof;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional elevational view through one of the rotors of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the machine shown in Fig. 5 and substantially as it would appear along the line 6'-6 of Fi 5;

, 2 Fig. 7 is an enlargedcross sectional'detail view of, the cylinderand releasible detent pawl means as will later be explained; and

Fig. 8 is an underneath view of the drive pawl. Now referring to the drawings and at the outset to Fig. 1, a washing machine H) is shown as consisting of a base l6 including the lower part lfia of the washer housing and a removabletop [0a. The numeral ll indicates a three part axially aligned rotor. An individual batch washing cylinder I3 is indicated entered in the left hand rotor l I and the numeral I 4 indicates a cylinder properly aligned and ready to enterthe rotor [2. On the side of the machine is another cylinder l5 which is on the left hand side rail returning from its trip through the rotor and The base -means are mounted on top of housing Ida for each rotor, each comprisinga 'guideway I9 fora reciprocable slide l9a that carries a depending cylinder holding and moving arm 2|. A power operated cylinder 20 is connected by a rod 20a with the slide l9a to move the latter along guide l9 and to thereby actuate arm 2| for clothes cylinder feed into the machinev and to properly maintain the cylinders within the rotors during the washing operation.

At the clothes cylinder discharge end of the machine and on the top Illa thereof are located a pair of suitable power operated cylinder mechanisms 22 each equipped with 2. depending movable arm 23 that intercepts the axial clothes cylinder path at the discharge end of the machine. This arm 23 of each unit is provided to maintain abutting contact with the clothes washing cyll9 and actuated by the cylinders 26, the clothes cylinder which is about to be expelled from the rotors is normally maintained in contact with one of the arms 23 that is held retracted by the action of the power cylinder 22. As the cylinder is propelled outwardly from the rotors, the aligned arm 23 holds the groups of cylinders together in the rotor until the outgoing cylinder is about to be released.

From the above description it will be understood that the cylinders are advanced in abutting relationship through the rotors until they are expelled from th opposite end. Until the cylinder are expelled or released from the rotor they are retained in abutting relationship by the means just described as they are advanced through the rotors.

By referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the construction of the individual cylinders used in the machine may best be understood. The cylinders have a perforated periphery 24 which has three integral bailles formed radially inwardly therein as indicated at 25, 26 and 21. One end, preferably the forward end of the cylinder, has a solid closure 28, and on the outside edges of the cylinder are continuous circular

friction drive bands

29 and 30. On the rear or opposite end of the cylinder is a door 3| swingably connected to the cylinder by hinge 32 and a spring latch member 53. On the closed end 28 of each cylinder is a centrally disposed recessed abutment boss 34 and on the lid end of the cylinder is a. central tapered abutment boss 35. Axially of the cylinder on its periphery and connecting the

edge rings

29 and 30 are four

drive bars

36, 31, 38 and 39 for a purpose that will later appear.

It will be understood that the cylinders are to contain individual batches of clothes which are inserted into each cylinder through the hinged door 3|. This hinged door retains the clothe in the individual cylinders until they have been progressed through one of the aligned rotor units and through all the washing stages. It will thus be understood that individual batches of clothes are retained and washed in the cylinders through all of the stages of the entire washing process.

Now referring to Fig. 2, I diagrammatically show the eleven washing stages which the cylinders pass through while in the rotors. The first rotor 36R has a length represented by RA. This rotor contains seven washing stages and represents seven positions of a cylinder as it passes therethrough. These stages are as follows: 1, 2 and 3 are washing stages where new detergents are supplied in the cylinders. No. 4 is a drain stage where no solution is provided but wherein the solution already in the garments is drained by revolving in a dry cylinder. Stages 5 and 6 are clear rinse stages. Stage 7 is the bluing stage.

Stages

8 and 9 are centrifuging stages housed within the rotor 31R represented by the distance R-2 in the diagram of Fig. 2.

Stages

10 and 11 are drying stages in the rotor 38R represent-' ing a. distance R-3. In the lower part of the frame under stages 1 through 7 are tanks for containing washing liquids as shown in Fig. 5. Tank 39 serves the cylinder in stage 1; 40 in stage 2; 4| in

stages

3 and 4; 42 in stage 5; 43 for stage 6 and 44 for stage 7. The drain tank 45 under

stages

8 and 9 merely takes the water that is expelled in these

centrifuge stages

8 and 9.

In the bottom of the tank 43 under stage 6 is located the main inlet water supply line cornprising the pipe 46. This supply pipe is preferably arranged to provide any combination of hot and cold water or water of any desired temerature. It will be noted that this is in the last rinsing stage 6 and thus this stage is provided with the cleanest water in the system. However, the water may drain into the tanks at either side over the central part of the partition. Thus water from tank 43 may be used to supply tank 44 which is the bluing operation. However, the main portion of the new water will be drained into tank 42 under the first rinsing operation, stage 5, and thence the excess water will be drained subsequently into tank 4|, 40 and 39.

It will be appreciated that the water thus supplied is merely clear water and it is necessary to supply detergents and other chemicals as required in the washing operation. On the top of the machine 10, I place a supply tank (Fig. 5) which ha a section reservoir 56 for washing detergent and section reservoir 51 for souring bleaches and a section reservoir 58 for bluing. The sections 56, the detergent tank, is connected by a pipe 59 to valve 60 in reservoir 4|, thence to valve 6| in reservoir 40 and valve 62 in reservoir 39. By adjusting these valves as required, an adequate supply of detergent can be supplied to the various tanks. The reservoir 51, containing a souring solution, is connected by a pipe 63 to valves 64 and 65 in tanks 42 and 43. Thus the souring solution can be supplied to these reservoirs as desired. In a similar manner, the bluing reservoir 58 is connected by a pipe line 66 and valve 6'! in the tank 44 and thus a proper supply of bluing can be provided.

Now referring to Fig. 6, it will be observed that six double bucket 68, 69, 10, ll, I2 and 13 are fastened on the outside of th rotor 36-R which dip into the liquid in tank 44. These buckets are located over the cylinders at the various working stations. Th rotation of these double buckets in the liquids which inject water in the cylinders for washing provide a very effective mixing arrangement in the tanks and thus any detergent or washing chemicals supplied into th tanks are thoroughly mixed promptly by the action of these buckets. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a central supply of chemicals is provided for delivery into the tanks in any desired amount to establish predetermined solution in the tanks for washing.

On the top Illa of the housing there is a reversing motor 5| arranged to drive the rotor 36-R through a drive chain mechanism 52. This reversing motor is arranged to alternately drive the rotor'36-R about 35 revolutions per minute-5 revolutions in one direction and 5 revolutions in the opposite direction. On the opposite end of the machine In is a drive motor 53 and a multiple belt drive 54 connected to the centrifuge rotor 3'l-R. This motor runs unidirectionally and may be arranged to drive rotor 31-R at any speed desired and provides the rotation of the rotor 31-R for the centrifuge operation. The rotor 38-R. has no drive motor but depends entirely on the inertia of the cylinders that are introduced into the rotor 38R from the rotating centrifuge rotor 31-R as will later be explained.

Over the top of the rotor 38-R and connected to the machine I0 is a steam coil 14 properly supported from the machine housing l0a. Under the rotor 38-R is mounted a suction fan and motor 15 which is connected to a manifold casing 16 arranged to draw air through the steam coil 14, thence through the holes in the rotor 3 8-R and through the cylinders and garments in sections I0 and II. This provides a conventional drying arrangement and is designed to take out moisture left in the garment from the centrifuge operations. Proper arrangements (not shown) are provided for disposing of lint as is usual in such driers, and in general it will be understood that stages l0 and II comprise an effective drier to extract the moisture from the clothes.

Now again referring to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the rotors are supported on roller bearings 11 adjustably supported on support members 13. It will thus be understood that roller supports are provided for the rotors in an adjustable manner (not shown) in' order that the rotors may be accurately and rotatably supported. Now again referring to Fig. 5, it will be observed that circular angular bands 19 surround the rotors in properly separated points. These angular bands l9 are arranged to ride upon the rollers Ti and retain the various rotors in properly aligned positions. Naturally, the rollers ii are arranged to contact the vertical faces of the angle bands 19 to provide sidewise support for the rotors in both directions.

Now referring to Figs. 7 and 8, 'a drive plunger or pawl P is therein illustrated having a smaller attached shaft 89 retained in a U-bracket 84 bolted to the rotor 36-R by

bolts

85 and 85 through holes in the U-brackets. The pawl P is retained in resilient position by compression spring 83 retained on the shaft 89 by a retainer ring 8! and a pin 82. contact the inside of the bracket 84 to retain it in fixed angular position as shown. From this construction it will be understood that the sides of the pawl contact the cross drive bars to drive the cylinder in the rotor 36-R. Inasmuch as there are four drive bars 3G-39 spaced on the cylinders, it will be understood that the pawl P may enter between the drive bars and may not make contact with the drive bars except on each one quarter reversing stroke of the rotor 3B-R. Thus it will be understood that the drive pawl P has a loose sliding connection with the: cylinders The pawl P has flat sides 194 which chemicals are introduced to the supplyitanksfl through. Now in order to check the condition of the supplies and the washwater solutions,

. meansI have provided ready access to theisolutions in the various tanks whereby. the operator to avoid shocks on the reversal of the rotor and 1 give ample space and time to permit the cylinders to be moved through the rotors. When the cylinders are progressed through the rotors, the pawl P is depressed on the shaft 80 to permit passage of the cylinder edge bands 25-30 over the pawl. It is to be noted that the positions of the drive pawl P are varied in order to facilitate the movement of the cylinders through the rotors. As for instance, the drive pawl P is near the rear edge of the cylinder in stage 1 so that immediately when the cylinder in stage 1 is moved forward, the drive pawl is released from the cylinder. In a similar manner, thedrive pawl is near the trailing edge in the cylinder in stage 7 so that when this cylinder enters the centrifugal stage 8 in rotor 31-R it will be released from rotor 36-R. and carried entirely by friction on the side bands 2930 of the cylinders, thus having no driving connection therewith. In a similar way the cylinders are frictionally driven in

stages

8, 9, 10 and 11. Thus it will be understood that the pawls are applied in stations 1 through 7 to positively rotate the cylinders by a motion of the rotor 35-R whereas in rotors 31-3 and 38-R the cylinders are entirely frictionally driven through contact with the friction edge bands 29 and.

I have described how water and detergents and may view the condition of the solutions in the tanks and also take samples ofthese solutions for tests. Thus it will be understoodthat I have provided means whereby checks may be made on thesolutions in the tanks during the operation of the machine. 1

t The operation of the machine is as follows. .As

previously explained, the double type machine as I shown in Fig. l is preferable. Normally two .operators are needed, one on the charging end of the machine and one on the discharging. When the machine is started, the tanks-arefilled with water, detergents and chemicals. The. machine at the start is filled with empty cylinders and-the machine'is operated with the buckets running in the tank in order to mix the detergents and chemicals. The fiowof, water and chemicalsis adjusted to the service that the machine is expectedto give. At the outset a batch of clothes is'sent to the receiving end of the machine and is divided into two batches. One of the rotor lines and tanks is equipped for light clothes that will stand high temperatures and theother .line of rotors and tanks is equipped to take colored clothes at lower temperatures, including wool clothes. The bundle of clothes entering into the inlet end is divided into separate batchesand thecustomer is recorded as to the numbers on the cylinders used. Thus it will be apparent that there is no marking on the batch of clothes but merely the clothes are held separate by being contained in separately designated cylinders. When the first batch of clothes is loaded into the cylinders, the batch is inserted in the rotors and the washing operation commences. Immediately thereafter thesecond batch of clothes is similarly treated until the machine is entirely filled; In this operation the inlet operator is supplied with empty cylinders from the outletoperator who returns the cylinders on the return rails to the operating end. y

The operation of the machine is not automatic but there is a time clock including a light or bell to indicate the length of the washing cycle in each stage, usually 2 to 3 minutes. This means thata cylinder will take from 22 to 33 minutes in the machine. In that time it will naturally go through all eleven washing stages. The operation is continuous and the operators are kept normally busy in loading and injecting the cylinders in the rotor or unloading and returning the cylinders from the outlet end. While the machine is thus in continuous operation, the operators together have the duties of watching the washing liquids by investigation of the sight glasses and by testing the liquids in the various tanks. Adjustments are made from time to time to keep the flow of water and chemicals normal for the work done. As before explained, there is no automatic cycle on the machine but the operators are -merely guided by the time clock equipped with bell or light. Thus whenthe time cycle is indicated, the inlet operator inserts free cylinders and clothes into the inlet end and actuates the loading mechanism by opening an air valve to the cylinder 20 whichforces the cylinders into the rotors. The outlet operator is controlled entirely by the inlet operatorbecause he cannot empty and return cylinders until the, inlet oper-. ator has ejected the last cylinders in the rotors.

The operation is continued in the same way and it will be obvious, depending on whether a 2 or 3minute cycle is used, that the operator may put from 40 to 60 cylinders through the rotors in one hour. This is high capacity and the operators are kept normally busy as will be well understood. When the machine is shut down to water and chemicals are shut off, the water drained from the tanks and the machine left empty for its next operation.

When the clothes cylinders are entered into the machine by actuation of the cylinders 20, the cylinders are progressed through the machine in a. short quick operation (about two seconds) that permits the drive pawls to easily accommodate themselves between the four drive bars on the cylinders and there is no difficulty from any interference. Naturally, the cylinders are heaviest in the first seven stages because of the water employed in those stages. It will be observed that the drive pawls are located in these '7 stages and, therefore, no undue slippage occurs. However, it will be observed that there is no positive drive because the drive bars are spaced in one quarter revolutions. Therefore, the shock from the drive is minimized and no difficulty is experienced in the washing rotor 3B-R. When the cylinders are delivered to the centrifuge operation, the pawls are entirely disconnected and the drive to the cylinders is attained entirely by friction on the

edge bands

29 and 30. This affords an easy pick up in the centrifuge rotor 3'l-R and although there is some initial slippage due to the water extracted from the clothes, it is no more slippage than is desirable for the centrifuge operation and before this operation is completed, there is no slippage and the centrifuge operation is continued at the same speed as the rotor ll-R.

When the cylinders are delivered from the centrifuge rotor 3'I-R into the drying rotor 38-R, the inertia of the cylinders is transmitted to the rotor 38-R which drives the rotor 38R at a reduced speed from the centrifuge speed. This rotary speed in the drying rotor is rapidly reduced at the end of the washing cycle of 2 or 3 minutes and, therefore, when the end cylinder is ejected from the rotor 38-R, the cylinder may at that time be practically stationary or rotating very slowly. The operation of the machine is relatively simple and foolproof and if the operators use normal good judgment, the machine can be operated continuously to produce a heavy volume of laundry amounting to 200 to 1800 pounds per hour.

From the above descriptions it willl be appreciated that I have provided a progressive cylinder continuous washer that is a distinct advance in the art.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

l. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted for independent rotation upon said frame, said rotors being axially aligned and each having perforations therein, a series of clothes containing cylinders carried end to end through said rotors, cooperative means on said rotors and said cylinders respectively to transmit rotary motion therebetween, means for driving said rotors independently and at selected speeds to carry the cylinders in each of the rotors at the speed of the associated rotor, and means for supplying washing solutions into certain of said cylinders through the perforated rotor housing such cylinders. I

2. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted for independent rotation upon said frame, said rotors being axially aligned and each having perforations therein, a series of clothes containing cylinders carried end to end through said rotors, cooperative means on said rotors and said cylinders respectively to transmit rotary motion therebetween, means for driving said rotors independently and at selected speeds to carry the cylinders in each of the rotors at the speed of the associated rotor, and means for supplying washing solutions into certain of said cylinders through the perforated rotor housing such cylinders, said rotors being proportioned lengthwise in multiples of cylinder widths whereby each rotor definitely houses one or more cylinders end to end and completely within the confines of each rotor.

3. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted for independent rotation upon said frame, said rotors being axially aligned and each having perforations therein, a series of perforated clothes containing cylinders carried end to end through said rotors, cooperative means on said rotors and said cylinders respectively to transmit rotary motion therebetween, means for driving said rotors independently and at selected speeds to carry the cylinders in each of the rotors at the speed of the associated rotor, and means for supplying Washing solutions into certain of said cylinders through the perforated rotor housing such cylinders, comprising washing solution tanks disposed beneath said certain cylinders to contain said solutions at a predetermined level, and dippers carried by the cylinder housing rotor to scoop up tank solution and to spill out and impel the solution through the rotor perforations and toward the perforated clothes containing cylinders.

4. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a frame, a plurality of rotors mounted for independent rotation upon said frame, said rotors being axially aligned and each having perforations therein, a series of perforated clothes containing cylinders carried end to end through said rotors, cooperative means on said rotors and said cylinders respectively to transmit rotary motion therebetween, means for driving said rotors independently and at selected speeds to carry the cylinders in each of the rotors at the speed of the associated rotor, and means for supplying washing solutions into certain of said cylinders through the perforated rotor housing such cylinders, comprising washing solution tanks disposed beneath said certain cylinders to contain said solutions at a predetermined level, and dippers carried by the cylinder housing rotor to scoop up tank solution and to spill out and to impel the solution through the rotor perforations and through the perforations in the cylinders.

5. In a progressive cylinder type washing machine, a plurality of axially aligned rotors, means aceae g rotors, and cooperative means carried by said rotors and cylinders respectively whereby the cylinders in each rotor are revolved at rotor speed, said cooperative means including mecha-.-

nism to permit axial cylinder advance through the rotors and therebetween. 1

6. In a progressivecylinder type washing machine,,a plurality of axially aligned rotors, means for independently revolving said rotors at different speeds, a series of clothes processing cylinders arranged for end to end passage, through said rotors, and cooperative. means carried by said rotors and cylinders respectively whereby the cylinders in each rotor are revolved at rotor speed, said cooperative means comprising at least one abutment member on the circumferenceof each cylinder, spring pressed detent's on. each rotor for the cylinders, said detents, each having a flat sided plunger extending into the rotor and toward the circumference of the adjacent cylinder, said plunger flats being disposed for engagement with said cylinder abutment member, and said abutment member being positioned axially of said cylinder with theplunger flats disposed in the same direction to allow relative axial movement between cylinder and rotor; 1

7. In a progressivecylinder type washing machine, a plurality of axially aligned rotors, means for independently revolving said rotors at different speeds, a series of clothes processing cylinders arranged for end to end passage through said rotors, and cooperative means carried by said rotors and cylinders respectively whereby the cylinders in each rotor are revolved at rotor speed, said cooperative means including mechanism to permit axial cylinder advance throughthe rotors and therebetween, and power operated means arranged for contact with each successive last cylinder fed into the aligned rotors to ad vance said series of cylinders axially through said machine while said cylinders are beingcontin'w' ously and variously revolved by the individual rotors.

8. In a progressive cylinder type washing chine, a plurality of axially aligned cylindrical rotors having circumferential perforationsthere-' in, a series of perforated and like clothes-processing cylinders extending in end to enden'gagement through said rotors,,said rotors being of lengths each comprising multiples of the like cyle inder lengths, abutment spacing means carried byv adjacent cylinders to establish a given gapbee tween adjacent cylinders in adjacent rotor ends, and operably movable holding means at one end of the rotors to engage and advance all cylinders one full cylinder width through the rotors, and coacting holding means at the other end of said rotors to engage and hold said cylinder abutment means tdgether and said cylinders in complete registry within each of the axially aligned rotors.

9. In a progressive cylinder type washing machine, a plurality of axially aligned cylindrical rotors having circumferential perforations therein, a series of perforated and like clothes processing cylinders extending in end to end engagement through said rotors, said rotors being of lengths each comprising multiples of the like cylinder lengths, abutment spacing means car-- ried by adjacent cylinders to establish a given gap between adjacent cylinders in adjacent rotor ends, and operably movable holding means at one end of the rotors to engage and advance all cylinders one full cylinder width through the rotors, and coacting holding means at the other end of said rotors to'engage and hold said cylinder abutment means together and said cylinders in com- V plete registrywithin each of the axially aligned rotors, and aplurality of washing solution tanks disposed in predetermined locations conforming with the normal stopping stations of certain selected cylinders, said tank solutions being retained at givenlevels, and meansto elevate said solutions for discharge through the p ated rotors and into the perforated selected cylinders aforesaid. a 1' g 10; In aprogressive cylinder type washing machine, axially aligned and independently operable rotor members, endwise shiftable clothes processing cylinder members carried in said rotor members, all of said members having perforations therein, fixed washing solution tanks arranged at predetermined locations with respect to the 0 0r members, and operable means carried by certain of said members to transfer washing solution from said tanks for discharge into the cylinder members upon revolution of all of said members.

11. In a progressive cylinder type washing machine, axially aligned and independently operable rotor members, endwise shiftableclothes proc essing cylinder members carried in said rotor members, all of said members having perforations therein, fixed washing solution tanks arranged at predetermined locations with respectto the rotorwith each other and in groups through each of said rotors respectively, said cylinders beingsupported'for independent rotation relatively to said rotors, releasable latching means to cause concerted rotation'of the cylinders in each rotor with the lattenfand means to conduct washing solutions to-certain of said rotors and to the cylinders therein.

13. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a frame, rollers carried by said frame, a plurality of perforated circular rotors mounted foraxially aligned rotation upon said rollers, a series of perforatedcircular clothes confining cylinders disposed in end to end contact with each other and in groups through each of said rotors respectively, said-cylinders being Supported for rotation relatively to said rotors, re-

leasable latching means to cause concerted rotationof the cylinders in each rotor with the latter, and; means to impel washing solutions into certain of said rotors and into the cylinders therein, and cooperative mechanism to actuate the cylinders from station to station axially with respect to the rotors, said latching means including operable releasable means to allow axial cylinder movement through said rotors and therebetween.

, 14. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a housing, perforated rotors n said housing, said rotors being axially aligned, a plurality of perforated clothes carrying cylinders arranged for predetermined movement through said rotors, a plurality of washing solution ank disposed beneath certain of said rotors, and dippers on certain of said rotors to scoop up and impel washing solutions from the tanks through the rotor and cylinder perforations and against the clothing confined within said cylinders.

15. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a housing, perforated rotors in said housing, said rotors being axially aligned, operative means to simultaneously drive said rotors at different speeds, a plurality of perforated clothes carrying cylinders arranged for predetermined movement through said rotors, cooperative means carried by said rotors and cylinders respectively to rotate the cylinders at the speed of the rotor confining such cylinders, a plurality of washing solution tanks disposed beneath certain of said rotors, and dippers on certain of said rotors to scoop up and impel washing solution from the tanks through the rotor and cylinder perforations and against the clothing confined within said cylinders during the simultaneous rotary motion of said rotors and cylinders.

16. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a housing, at least one rotor supported to revolve upon its axis within said housing and comprising a plurality of independent and aligned perforated sections, a plurality of clothes carrying perforated cylinders arranged for movement through said rotor sections, washing solution tanks disposed beneath said rotor sections, and dippers on certain of said sections to scoop up washing solution and to impel same through the rotor section and cylinder perforations against the clothing within said cylinders, said tanks being contiguously arranged, and washing solution supply means connected to discharge fluid into one of said tanks to overflow from the former into the next adjacent tanks.

17. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a housing, at least one rotor supported to revolve upon its axis within said housing and comprising a plurality of independent and aligned perforated sections, a plurality of clothes carrying perforated cylinders arranged for movement through said rotor sections, washing solution tanks disposed beneath said rotor sections, and dippers on certain of said sections to scoop up washing solution and to impel same through the rotor section and cylinder perforations against the clothing within said cylinders, said tanks being contiguously arranged, and washing solution supply means connected to discharge fluid into one of the tanks occupying an advanced position with respect to the movement of the cylinders through said rotor sections, said supplied fluid overflowing from said advanced tank into successive adjacent tanks in a counterflow direction toward the initial cylinder receiving end of the rotors.

18. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a housing, at least one rotor supported to revolve upon its axis within said 12 housing and comprising a plurality of independent and aligned perforated sections, a plurality of clothes carrying perforated cylinders arranged for movement through said rotor sections, washing solution tanks disposed beneath said rotor sections, and dippers on certain of said sections to scoop up washing solution and to impel same through the rotor section and cylinder perforations against the clothing within said cylinders, said tanks being contiguously arranged, and washing solution supply means connected to discharge fluid into one of the tanks occupying an advanced position with respect to the movement of the cylinders through said rotor sections, said supplied fluid overflowing from said advanced tank into successive adjacent tanks in a counterflow direction toward the initial cylinder receiving end of the rotors, and washing solution treating means having discharge mechanism to selectively and controllably introduce treating materials into certain of said washing solution tanks.

19. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a revolving perforated rotor, a plurality of perforated clothes confining cylinders within said rotor and arranged for movement therethrough, a plurality of washing solution tanks under said rotor, and dippers disposed circumferentially in predetermined radial planes to scoop washing solution out of said tanks and to impel such solutions through the rotor and cylinder perforations and into the respective cylinders disposed coincident with the various dipper planes of operation.

20. A progressive cylinder type washing machine comprising a revolving perforated rotor, a plurality of perforated clothes confining cylinders within said rotor and arranged for movement therethrough, a plurality of washing solution tanks under said rotor, and dippers disposed circumferentially in predetermined radial planes to scoop washing solution out of said tanks and to impel such solutions through the rotor and cylinder perforations and into the respective cylinders disposed coincident with the various dipper planes of operation, said tanks being contiguously arranged, and supply means to introduce fresh washing solution into one tank located toward the cylinder discharge end of said rotor, said solution overflowing from said one tank successively into the next adjacent tanks and toward the cylinder receiving end of said rotor, and said dippers respectively scooping up the counterflowing washing solution from different tanks respectively and in various degrees of concentration.

DONALD W. SESSIONS.

References Cited in the flle Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 975,078 Rothlisberger Nov. 8, 1910 1,220,308 Young Mar. 27, 1917 1,584,770 Hurd May 18, 1926