US2665574A - Cover seal for washing machines - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 12, 1954 H. J. RAND 2 665,574

COVER SEAL FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Jan. 51, 1948 34c 34 341 341 20 so V ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COVER SE L FOR WASHING MACHINES Henry J. Hand, Bratenahl, Ohio, assignor to H. J. Rand Washing Machine Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 31, 9%, Seri l No- 5,623

Claims. (01. 68-21) invention relates to improvements in a top cove and al for a wash ng ma hin This invention is applied to a machine oi the type shown in my copending application Serial No. 5. 19, filed Ja uary ,1, 1948. pat nted p il 28,. 1953, Number 3,636,372, and disclosing a flexible bag container for liquid and laundry with an agitator inside the bag for providing the wash in operation. Means is provided for filling the bag container to the proper level with liquid for a washing operation and after the operation is om let d a pump is provided for withdrawin the water and air 30 .1 Within the flexible container so as to create a vacuum inside the container causing it to collapse against the clothes to squeeze the water out of them. The present inven ion c n e n w h a t p v r and s al for c osing an open i the t p of the flexibl hag container through which the clothes are inserted and remov d.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for such an opening which automatically seals itself upon the creation of a vacuum inside of the bag but which automatically acts as a relief valve to relieve any pressure inside the ba Ancther object of the present invention is to provide such a seal between the cover and the nec of the has a apt d t ove c me y of the usual commercial inequalities about this opening.

Still another object of the present invention is to so support the top cover that it is easily movable for small amounts in a vertical direction, without tilting, so as to provide an efficient seal at all times.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a top cover seal either associated with the cover itself or associated with the neck of the-bag. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide an annular lip of flexible rubber-like material around the neck of the bag coasting with a cover portion of spheroidal shape so that sealing engagement is always produced on the periphery of a perfect circle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a check valve associated with the cover or the bag and communicating with the upper portion of the bag to allow air flow outwardly only.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

the drawings,

1 is a top plan view 01 a washing machine equipped with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the same taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of my invention;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmental sectional views showing modified forms of check valves; while Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional view showing a modification oi Fig. 2.

The present invention is particularly adapted to a novel type of washing machine as fully disclosed in my above mentioned copending application. This machine comprises a flexible bag of rubber-like material 10 having a top opening Illa for the insertion and removal of clothes. A cover I l closes this opening so that the bag In provides a liquidand air-tight bag for a clothes Washing and drying operation. Means is provided through line I2 and opening 13 to fill the bag Ill with liquid to a predetermined level for the washing operation. Preferably also means is provided for limiting the liquid to a predetermined level and for starting the washing cycle automatically upon the liquid level reaching this point. This means, as clearly described in my copending application, comprises a plate [4 having a hinge mounting on a metal wall l5 which supports the sides of the bag container. A switch I 6 is held in f xed position with its operator engaging the plate 14. It results from this construction that when the water reaches a predetermined level the plate 14 is pushed outwardly by the bag It) so as to actuate the switch [6 and start a washing operation. The washing motion is provided by an agitator I! which is suitably mounted inside the bag It and provided by means of a shaft l8 and drive means l9 with an oscillating action so as to provide an efiicient washing operation. Upon completion of the washing of the clothes, a pump 20 is ope ated to w hdraw th quid a d air from within the bag container Ill through the opening l3 and the .conduit '2 I. This causes the bag Ill to collapse inwardly and to squeeze the clothes in the lower central portion of the bag so as to squeeze the water out of them.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the bottogi of the bag It is supported upon a plate structure 22. The top of the bag l9 terminates around the opening Illa in a heavy neck portion lllb. This neck is supported on a stiff plate 23 which in turn is supported at 24' on a fixed portion of the frame, The top cover of the machine comprises an outer plate Ho. and an inner plate lib. These two plates are secured together in any suitable manner but in the present instance a central stud 25 is fixed to the outer plate and a screw 26 secures the inner plate to the stud.

In the form of my device shown in Fig. 2, the seal between the top cover and the neck of the bag lob is provided by means of an annular ring 21 of rubber-like material and generally 8 form in section. One loop of the 8 form embraces the periphery of the plate IIband when the plate llb is secured to the plate Ha the annular ring 21 is firmly secured in the position of Fig. 2. This ring has a longer lip 21a adjacent the neck of the bag IBb. This lip 21a has its free edge directed outwardly for a purpose that will presently appear.

Means is provided for supporting the top cover always in a generally horizontal position so that it makes the best seal with the top of the bag neck I 01) wthout any tilting. The suspension means here disclosed comprises a hinge 28 of V type extending entirely along one side of the cover plate Ha. A flange 29 of the cover is secured to one leg of the hinge. The other leg of the hinge is secured to two parallel links 36. Each of these links extends for a distance of several inches laterally away from the cover to a point where the links are pivoted coaxially at 3! on brackets 32 which are secured to plate 23 which in turn is fixed to the frame. Beneath each of the links 30 is a block of rubber or the like 33 so positioned that it holds the links 33 in such a position that the top cover is always generally horizontal. It should be understood that the cover moves vertically through a very small fraction of an inch during the action now to be described.

As the water rises within the bag container I!) when the latter is being filled, th air in the bag must escape freely if the bag is to be filled to a predetermined level without hindrance. In some devices of this character where the top cover is secured tightly in place such an air pressure will develop within the washing machine tub as to prevent the rise of the water to the level desired. In such cases the washing operation takes place with insufficient water or sometimes with such a small amount of water that the clothes are destroyed. In my device, as the water. rises within the container Hi the air lifts the cover H and flexes the long, free lip 21a of the annular sealing ring 21. Where the ring 2'! i of the order of a foot or more in diameter, there is a considerable area of the cover subjected to pressure causing the same to lift. At the same time there are more than three feet of the annular lip adapted for the escape of air and I find that a very slight pressure will cause the flexible lip to open outwardly allowing the air. to escape. This has an additional advantage in a washing machine of the type described which utilizes a pressure switch i 6 for starting the washing operation when the liquid has reached a predetermined level within the flexible bag In. In such a case, I have found that the building up of air pressure within the flexible bag, prior to the liquid reaching a predetermined 132161, will cause the plate I4 to move outwardly and actuate the switch l6 before a predetermined level is reached, unless the air is allowed to vent freely from the bag container Ill. For this reason my flexible cover seal 2! is particularly useful in a machine of th type described.

A modified form of my invention is shown in Fig. 3 where the annular flexible lip is attached to the neck of the bag container rather than to the cover. In this form of my device the flexible bag it! performs all of the functions described in the first device and the agitator H is analogous to the agitator I1. All of the other parts described in connection with Fig. 2 are understood to be supplied also in Fig. 3 with the exception of the parts now to be described.

Here the cover 34 comprises an outer plate 34a and an inner plate 34b held together by a central stud 35. The central portion of the plate 341) is spheroidal in shape and the outer portion of this plate terminates in a shoulder 340 for a purpose later described. The periphery of this plate at 34d is permanently secured to the plate 34a.

The annular sealing lip in the case of this modification comprises an annular lip 36 of rubber-like material either formed integrally with the bag [0' or securely fastened to the bag around the neck thereof. Adjacent the neck of the bag and slightly outward from the lip 36 is provided a ring shoulder 3! of hard rubber or the like adapted to engage the shoulder 340 of the inner cover plate. Here the cover 34 is supported on hinges 28 and links 36 as in the first described. form and rubber blocks 33 maintain the horizontal position of the top cover.

In the unstressed condition of the annular lip 36 it occupies the broken line position of Fig. 3. When the cover 34 is placed in position to close the bag opening, the plate portion 34b moves the lip 36 toward the full line position of Fig. 3. Before a vacuum is created within the bag Ill, during a drying operation, there is some play between the shoulders 34c and the shoulders 31. When the vacuum is created within the bag l6, then the cover is sucked downwardly and the lips 36 seal tightly against the spheroidal surface ofthe plate 341;. Since the lip 36 terminates in a circle and since the plate 34b is spheroidal in shape, it follows that the annular lip 36 always engages the plate 34b on a perfect circle and thus gives a very good seal. It will be noted that the lip 36 faces outwardly so that air escapes very easily from within the bag when the. air under pressure is forced outwardly during the bag filling operation. Conversely, when a. vacuum is created inside the bag, the flexible lip 36 is pressed tightly against the plate 341) by the. excess pressure of the outside atmosphere over the internal partial vacuum.

The purpose of the shoulders 34c and 31 is to, prevent the entrance of the spheroidal plate 34b so far into the neck opening as to jamb the cover Within the annular lip 36. Before this can occur, the shoulders 34c and 3! limit the movement of the parts to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. Here again, I have shown a construction which very efficiently acts as a relief valve for excess air pressure inside of the bag H) but at the same time automatically creates a very efiicient seal when a vacuum is created within the bag 10. With this construction, I am enabled to attain a very high vacuum within the bag for the production of the drying operation. I have attained a vacuum within the bag of the order of twenty-eight and one-half inches of mercury in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio.

Another manner of obtaining a similar result is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4, a check valve 38 of rubber-like material is provided in the cover 39 of a washing machine 46 which is other-- wise like the machine of Figs. 1 and 2, including the bag 13 with proper support and with pump and. agitator as described. A solid sealing type and comprises rubber-like lips adapted to open upon slight pressureinside bag so as to permit air to escape outwardly. Uponthe creation of a partial vacuum inside the bag "Hi, the lips of valve 38 close tightly.

In'Fig. 5, the check valve 42 is like valve 38 but is secured directly to the upper portion of bag H)" or made integral therewith. The bag 10" is otherwise like bag H) of Fig. 2 and the other parts of Fig. 5 are like the parts of Fig. 4. Valve 42 permits air under pressure to escape freelyfrom the bag but prevents entrance of air when a vacuum is created within the bag. I In Fig. 6, I have shown a modification of Fig. 2 providing an annular sealing ring 43 of bellowslike form. This ring has a flexible sealing lip 43a performing the same sealing function as the lip 21a of Fig.2. The additional advantage of Fig. 6 is that it allows for more movement of the cover II and will take care of greater inequalities between the cover and the bag neck lob. I

In all forms of my device, it will be noted that the flexible bag is adapted to collapse inwardly and downwardly during a drying operation. The bag is air-tight (against inflow of air) except for the top opening. By merely placing the top cover over this opening, the machine is ready for operation as the bag collapses away from the cover and is not pressed toward the cover.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a flexible liquid and airtight bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, said cover having a bottom spheroidal surface for sealing engagement over said opening, means for creating a partial vacuum within the bag to collapse said bag upon said laundry, and sealing means comprising an annular flexible sealing member having a free edge, said edge being angularly disposed with respect to the horizontal, said edge extending between said bag top and said cover, said sealing means being self-sealing responsive to a partial vacuum within the bag, whereby said sealing means becomes effective merely upon placing said cover over said opening.

2. In combination, a flexible liquid and airtight bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, said cover having a bottom contact surface approximately spheroidal in shape for positioning over said opening, means for creating a vacuum within the bag to. collapse said bag upon the laundry and sealing means including an annular flexible lip extending around the periphery of said opening, said lip being disposed in a direction other than laterally and extending between said bag top and said surface, said contact surface and said lip being self-sealing responsive to a partial vacuum within said bag.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which said cover is provided with hinge means on one side thereof, said hinge means maintaining said cover in substantially horizontal position during collapse of said bag.

4. In combination, a flexible liquid and airtight bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover" for said opening, said cover having a bottom con- Y tact surface, said surface being approximately spheroidal in shape and adapted for positioning over said opening in sealing relationship with the top of said bag, means for creating a vacuum within said bag, a sealing means between said surface and said bag including an annular flexible edge between the bag top and said surface;

said edge'being free and unsecured, said edge be ing disposed angularly with respect to the hori-. zontal and extending between said surface and said bag top, said edge engaging said surface in sealing relationship upon creation of said vacuum within the bag. 5. In combination, a flexible liquid and airtight-bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the :topofsaid-bag through which laundry may pass, a'coveriorjsaid opening, means for creating a partial vacuum within the bag to collapse :said bag upon: the laundry; said cover having a bottom contact surface'of greater diameter than said opening-seals ing means between the top'of said bag and-said surface comprising a flexible sealing member ex"- tending around the perimeter of said opening, said sealing member including a free and unrestricted edge, said edge being deformable and disposed in a direction angularly with respect to the horizontal and extending between said surface and said bag, said sealing means including said edge contacting said surface in sealing relationship responsive to a partial vacuum within the bag.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 in which said cover is provided with hinge means on one side thereof, said hinge means maintaining said cover in substantially horizontal position during collapse of said bag.

'7. In combination, a flexible liquid and air-tight bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, means for creating a vacuum within said bag to collapse the bag upon said laundry, a lower portion of said cover being of spheroidal contour, said portion being adapted to partially pass through said opening, a seal between said cover portion and said bag about said opening comprising a continuous annular flexible member having a free edge, said member being secured to said bag, said free edge extending upwardly and angularly away from said opening, said edge being adapted to engage said portion of said cover in self-sealing relationship during collapse of said bag.

8. In combination, a flexible liquid and air-tight bag within which laundry is processed, there being an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, means for creating a vacuum within said bag to collapse the bag upon said laundry, the lower portion of said cover being approximately spheroidal in contour, said portion being adapted to partially pass through said opening, a deformable seal between said cover portion and said bag about said opening comprising a continuous annular flexible member having a free edge, said member being secured to said cover,. said free edge extending away from said opening and being disposed between said lower portion of said cover and said bag top, said free edge being adapted to engage said bag top around said opening in selfsealing relationship during collapse of said bag.

9. In combination, a flexible liquid and air-tight bag within which laundry is washed, an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, said cover having a bottom contact surface of gradually increasing perimeter away from said opening, said surface being adapted for positioning over said opening, means for creating a vacuum within the bag to collapse said bag upon the laundry and deformable sealing means including an annular flexible lip extending around the periphery of said opening, said lip being disposed in a direction other than laterally and extending between said bag top and said surface, said contact surface and said lip being self-sealing responsive to a partial vacuum within said bag.

10. In combination, a flexible liquid and airtight bag within which laundry is washed, an opening through the top of said bag through which laundry may pass, a cover for said opening, said cover having a bottom" contact surface of gradually increasing perimeter away from said opening, said surface being adapted for positioning over said opening, means for creating a vacuum within the bag to collapse said bag upo the laundry and sealing means comprising an annular flexible bellows-like construction between 8. a portion of said surface and a portion of said bag top, one end of said bellows being secured to one of said portions, the other end of said bellows terminating in an annular free and unrestricted edge, said edge extending away from said opening, whereby said are self-sealing responsive to a partial vacuum within said bag.

HENRY J. RAND.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 644,428 Hubbe Feb. 27, 1900 1,478,973 McMordie Dec. 25, 1923 1,968,638 Drucker July 31, 1934 2,182,540 Hutchins Dec. 5, 1939 2,309,617 Benson Jan. 26, 1943 2,449,634 Baade Sept. 21, 1948 2,472,682 Rand June 7, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 319,352 Great Britain July 10, 1930 341,740

Great Britain Jan. 22, 1931 surface and said edge

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