US2659224A - Transfer chute for connection between dry cleaning and solvent recovery machines - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1953 A. M. DUNCAN 2,659,224

TRANSFER CHUTE FOR CONNECTION BETWEEN DRY CLEANING AND SOLVENT RECOVERY MACHINES Filed April 18. 1950 Patented Nov. 17, 1953 TRANSFER CHUTE FOR CONNECTION BE- .TWEEN DRY CLEANING AND SOLVENT RECOVERY MACHINES Arlis M. Duncan, Pasadena, Calif. Application April 18, 1950, Serial No. 156,661

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a sanitary transfer chute for dry cleaning machines and it is an object of the invention to provide means for transferring clothing from one machine to another as required in dry cleaning establishments whereby is substantially eliminated any fire hazard and the operator protected from fumes which may emanate from the clothing during the transfer.

At present, many dry cleaning establishments have a' large machine into which clothing to be cleaned is placed and which tumbles said clothing while at the same time bathing it in a dry cleaning solvent. Immediately next to this cleaning machine is a machine of substantially similar size into which the clothing removed from the previously described machine is placed. In this second machine, the clothing is again tumbled in order to remove all traces of the dry cleaning solvent. This latter machine also reclaims this solvent for reuse in the first machine. When the first machine has cleaned the clothing a door in front of the machine is opened, and a worker lifts out the clothing, carries it to the second machine and. places it there within. By this method several hazards exist, outstandingly fire, since the solvent is inflammable and the solvent when inhaled to excess is injurious to the worker. It is a further object of the invention to provide a transfer chute so arranged to substantially eliminate these risks or disadvantages.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved sanitary transfer chute for dry cleaning machines whereby certain advantages are attained, as will hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating in applied position a transfer chute embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in top plan of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

In the accompanying drawings, I denotes a dry cleaning machine of a general type now in use and 2 a conventional dry cleaning solvent recovery machine. These machines are placed side by side and in close proximity to each other to permit the use therewith of the transfer chute C.

The chute C at one end portion thereof is provided in its inner side wall 3 with an opening 4 of area to permit the outwardly disposed flanges 5 defining the opening 4 to completely surround the outwardly opening door 6 for the removal opening 1 in the front wall 8 of the cleaning machine I. The outer or freemargins of the flanges 5 are defined by the laterally disposed lips 9 which are bolted or otherwise securely anchored to the wall 8 of the machine I.

The opposite end portion of the inner wall3 of the chute C has close contact with a side wall I I! of the recovery machine 2. This wall I I] is provided with a discharge opening I I with which coacts the usual outwardly swinging door I2 and which opening II is materially lower than the opening 1. This opening I I in the wall III of the machine 2 registers with an opening I4 in the inner wall 3 of the chute C of a size to extend entirely around the opening I I of the door I2. The portion of the wall 3 above and below the opening I4 are securely anchored, as at I5, to the wall Ill.

The opposite ends of the chute C are closed and the end wall I6 adjacent to the opening I 4 is provided along its inner vertical margin with an outwardly disposed flange I'I anchored to the wall II! of the machine 2.

The outer side wall I8 of the chute C is provided with an opening l9 opposed to the opening 4 and of substantially the configuration and dimensions as the opening 4 and through which may readily pass the free end portion of the door 6 when swung outward into open position to allow access through the chute C t o the opening I so that the workman may withdraw the clothing from the machine I.

At the opposite end portion of the opening III are the vertically disposed guide elements 20 for the sliding door 2I. These elements 20 extend above the chute C a distance sufiicient to allow the door 2| to be raised entirely above the opening I 9. To facilitate the desired opening and closing of the door 2| the outer face thereof at the center of the door 2| is provided with a hand grasp 22 of any desired type.

The outer wall I8 of the chute C is provided with a second opening 23 opposed to the opening I I. This opening 23 is of such configuration and dimensions to allow ready access to the opening I4 and to permit the desired outward opening movement of the door I2. Adjacent to the ends of the opening 23 are the guide elements 24 which, like the guide elements 20, are anchored to the outer side wall I 8 of the chute C. These guide elements also extend above the chute C and have associated therewith the sliding door 25. The door 25 when in its fully opened position is entirely above the opening 23 and to facilitate the raising and lowering the door 25, the central portion thereof is provided with a hand grasp 26 of a conventional type.

The end' wall i tot thic-chute?) closely adjacent to the bottom wallllfiisprovided witha' relatively small discharge opening 28 from which leads an upwardly disposed flue pipe 29 leading to an exe: 1o?v haust fan 30 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings positioned on the top of theznachineif Clothing to be cleaned customarily isagitatedl in a so-called dry cleaning solvent. Many of the solvents used are volatile and toxic to humans;

Also many of the solvents used are combustible. At present clothing that has been cleaned is removed from the cleaner by an individnaLwhm carries it to a machine that recovers the solvent yetvwithinithe clothing; and-placestheclothing therein." This-process isltime consuming, dane gerous to the healthlof the operator. andlin many cases 1 presents an ever present fire hazard. r By means ofthepresent invention, theclothing is pulledout-of the cleaning. machine I into the g5 chute-C which having its bottom wall .2] inclined downwardly tothe. solvent recovery machine. 2 permits: the clothingto be veryreadily slid-thereupon. The customary cleaning. solventeven when in a gaseous form is heavier than. air. Therefore the tendency isfor the solvent toseek the-lowest level; By providing a mechanical exhaust by the. fan 3D,.out through the fiue. 2B thesefumes are readily dischargedto the atmosphere, preferahly outsider-of the cleaning establishment'.

From the foregoing? description .it-is thought to be obvious thatan= improved sanitary transfer chute fondr y cleaning machines constructedcin accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

1. In a laundering apparatus, including a dry cleaning: machine and a solvent recovery machine, anielongated chntewlosediatits.,ends and having an opening in a side wall adjacent one of? its ends in communication with the door openingof the dry cleaning machine and a second opening-.the said side wall adjacent its other.'endtinzcommunication with the door opening of'the solvent'recovery machine, said chute sloping'downwardly from the first door opening to the second door: opening, a flue pipe leading outwardly and'upwardly from the said other end of=thecchute immediately adjacent to the bottom thereof to atmosphereyand a power operated suction ranconnected said fluepipe; for; exhausting fumes from. within said chute,

2. The invention as definedin claim 1,,w itli other openings in thenopposite. side wallrofrsaid chuteein :line with the .fi'rst named openings, and a closure for each oithe said;.other openings.

ARLIS, M. DUNCAN,

References- Gited in the-file of this -patent UNITED- STATES PATENTS Number Name: Date:

2,053,677 Ollison .Sept.8;a 1936 2,103,131 Wolf Dec. 21, 193.7 2,-3132'25 Davis Mar=-9-,,1943 2368;916 Drum: Eeb;,6;,19Afi FOREIGN PATENTS" Number Country Date 548,709 Germany, .Apr. 18,1932 405,395 GreatBritain- ..Eeb.- 8, 193i

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