US2680366A - Liquid inlet system for washing machines - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1954 J. P. JONES l'AL LIQUID INLET SYSTEM FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed NOV. 2. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. J. P. JONES, D.H. SCOTT BY M J..J. HAvERsTocK.

ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1954 J. P. JONES ErAL LIQUID INLET SYSTEM FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 2. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. J. R JONES, D H. SCOTT -BY and( J.J. HAVERSTOCK.

, ATTORNEY.

Patented June 8, 1954 LIQUD INLET SYSTEM FOR WASHING MACHINES John Paul Jones andJulius J. Haverstock, South Bend, Ind., and Donald H. Scott, v Waltham, Mass., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Avco Manufacturing Corporation, New York, N. Y.,

a corporation Vof Delaware Application November 2, 1949, Serial No. 125,111

This invention relates to improvements in a vacuum breaker and water inlet system for use in connection with a washing machine ofthe type in which a ilexible bag is collapsed against the laundry to squeeze the liquid and detergent out of the same.

A machine of llexible bag type, on which this invention is particularly adapted for use, is more fully described in copending application Serial No. 5,619, led January 3l, 1948, now Patent No. 2,636,372, dated April 28, 1953, by Henry J Rand inventor which discloses various automaticl features and a cycle of operations suitable for the operation of such a machine.

It is a primary object of the presentinvention 12 Claims. (Cl. 68-21) to provide a liquid inlet for a washing machine whereby the flow of liquid in the supply line is limited to a direction into the container of the machine thereby preventing back flow of liquid on a reduction of pressure within saidline.,

A further object oi this invention is to provide a vacuum breaker or so ycalled air gap to satisfy various plumbing codes which require an air gap in the liquid line to prevent contaminated liquid from backing up into the line when subjected to a reduction in pressure, while affording a conduit for supplying liquid inside a flexible bagfor washing and affording also a means to seal said conduit during extraction or squeeze drying pore tions of the cycle in such bag. A .Y

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for automatically breaking the vacuum in the bag of a suction extraction type of machine after each drying operation duringA which extraction portionof the cycle the interior of the bag is subjected to a partial vacuum of a very high degree.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for admitting liquid even under conditions of very low lin-e pressure into the interior of the bag, said mean-s comprising adiaphragrn valve providing for liquid flow in one direction only and lbeing adapted to close the liquid inlet line when subjected to a reduction in pressure. v

A further object of the present invention Vis. to provide a means of forcing air into the bag along with the inlet water to assure that the bag will ret-urn to its normal position after the release of suction or partial Vacuum. v

Other objects and advantages of` the present invent-ion will become apparent from the following more detailed description and illustration in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Figure l is a vcentral sectional view through a 2 washing machine embodying the essential features of this invention. Y

Figure 2 is a central. sectional view of a cornbined water inlet-Venturi valve taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are central sectional views of a diaphragm valve for admitting liquid into the bag; Figure 3 showing the valve in the open or liquid admitting position, and Figure 4 showing the valve in the closed position, both views taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the vacuum release valve and its control mechanism, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1. A f

Figure 6isa sectional view taken along the line `6 6 of Figure 4 showing the contrasting eiec'tive areas of the diaphragmV in the liquid admitting valve. l

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views through the pressure relief valve taken along the line 1-1 -K of Figure 1, Figure 'Tshowing the valve in closed or bag sealing. position, and Figure 8 showing the valve in open or pressure relieving position.

Referring to the` drawings, Figure l shows a washing machine of the type employing a flexible liquid-and-airftight bag It! which is supported within a suitablewrlpper I I and enclosed by a suitable casing or cabinet I2. An agitator I 3 is mounted for oscillation centrally of the bag IIJ for causing a lwashing action vand is driven fby a suitable motor I 4 through av transmission mechanism I5. Y

. The bag l0 has an open neck I6 through which the soiled laundry and soap are introduced. A cover I1 is` provided for this opening and Yis adapted to seal said opening on contact with a l' flexible lip I8 extending from the top ofthe bag IIJ. VThis sealing isnecessaryto produce an air-tight joint when a suction produces a ypartial vacuum within the -bag I0. thereby to collapse-the bag for a squeeze drying operation by means of a suitable pump |79. f

In the present machine, liquid is introducedl I0 and communicating with the interiorthereof.

When the, liquid in the bag It] reach-esv a predetermined level, asindicated at X, asui/table The liquid from pressure switch (not shown) is actuated to stop the flow of liquid from the mixing valve 20.

Referring now to Figure 2, the Venturi valve 22 comprisesza nozzle member Z'i'which terminates at 28 in a restricted outlet which increases the velocity of the liquid passing through the valve. The increase in velocity creates a reduction in pressure in an area 29 which causes airto enter the valve through an opening 30 and to be forced into the conduit 23 along with the liquid. Referring now to Figure 3', the liquid leaving the,` valve 22 enters the diaphragm valve (thru conduit 23 Figure l) which comprisesa body portion 3i, and a, flexible circular diaphragm 32L held in place by a cover member 33. The diaphragm 32 is molded in such a manner as to beV normally urged to seal the cutoff face or seat 34 of an inlet port 35 in the valve body 3l as shown in Figure 4. The liquid from conduit 23 enters this valve through the inlet port 35 and the pressure thereof urges the diaphragm to assume the position shown in Figure 3 whereupon the liquid is then free to escape through an outlet port 36 in the valve body and enter into the conduit 25 which leads into the bag l0 as aforementioned.

It should be noted that the distance between4 the diaphragm 32 and the Venturi valve 22 should be great enough, depending upon the diameter of the conduit 23, to furnish a head of water of suflicient pressure to urge the diaphragm 32 away from the seat 34 regardless of the amount of pressure in the inlet line. This arrangement assures that the tub will fill to a normal predetermined level as aforementioned without causing the liquid to rise in the conduit 23 and overflow through an outlet 31 in the Venturi valve 22.

It should also be noted that the Venturi valve 22 must be placed a suiiicient distance above the normal water level in the bag to prevent overflowing under normal conditions since there is a natural tendency for the liquid to. seek a level in the conduit 23 corresponding to the level in the bag I0.

It has been found through experimentation which is trapped in the conduit 23 to rise in the conduit and escape through the outlet 3l. In doing this there is also a tendency for a small amount of liquid to regurgitate in the conduit, which necessitates the cuplike container 38 which is designed to hold slightly more liquid than does regurgitate and is made a part of the Venturi valve 22 as shown in Figure 2. After sufficient air has escaped through the outlet 3l, the liquid which has risen into the container 38' will again seek its naturallevel in the conduit 23.

Another important feature of 'this iill system is the incorporation of a small'pressure relief valve 39 in the cover I1 which closes the opening i6 in the bag I0. This relief `valve is necessary since the amount of air which is forced into the bag IB along with the incoming liquid is proportional to the pressure in the inlet line. This relief valve comprises a flexible circular pad 4i! which is adapted to cover a series of openings 4i in the f cover member l1 and has a spherical button i2 forming a part thereof which is forced into a hole in the cover I for attachment thereto. The circular pad 40 is molded in such a manner as to be normalli7 urged to close the openings 4i to seal the interior of the bag I0 from the atmosphere as shown in Figure 7.

In the event the washing machine is installed in an area having a very high water pressure, there will be an excessive amount of air forced into the bag I3 which normally would collect in the top of the bag and exert a downward pressure on the liquid thereby causing the pressure switch to be actuated too soon and thus create a false water level; thus the necessity for this pressure relief valve becomes readily apparent. When such a high pressure occurs, the circular pad lil will be forced into the position shown in Figure 8, exposing the openings Gl to the atmosphere through holes in the cover member Il, the air taking a path as indicated by the arrows in Figure 8.

After the liquid has reached its pre-determined level as aforementioned, suitable means is provided as aforementioned for causing a washing action to take place in the bag i@ by oscillation of agitator I3. At the conclusion of the washing action, a squeeze drying operation is performed on the laundry in the bag. This action is accomplished by the pump i9 pumping the air and liquid from the interior of the bag IG thereby creating a substantial vacuum therein (about 26d/2 inches of mercury in the vicinity of South Bend,

Indiana), causing the bag to collapse around the clothes dueto atmospheric pressure being exerted on the outside thereof.

It should be noted that the liquid which is in the conduit 25, the diaphragm valve 24, and the majority of the liquid in the conduit 23, will likewise be pumped out.

Referring to Figure 6, which shows a comparison between the vacuum affected area, and the liquid pressure area of the diaphragm 32, it is rdisclosed that the combination of the bias of the diaphragm 32 toward closing and the slight suction of the pump i9 on the large area of the diaphragm 32 will cooperate to produce a very tight seal between the diaphragm 32 and the seat 34 when the drying operation is being performed on the laundry. It should be noted that the outlet port 33 in the diaphragm valve is sloped downward so that the liquid in the conduits 23 and 25 and the valve 2li will tend to drain by gravity, also the annular space Ssurrounding the diaphragm 32 is capable of being drained by its connection with the outlet port 3B through a small bleed port i4 which permits a majority of the liquid to be drained from the diaphragm valve. This draining of the diaphragm valve is necessary to insure that the diaphragm will return to closed position easily.

At the conclusion of the squeeze drying operation, means is provided for releasing the vacuum in the bag iii which comprises a vacuum release valve 52, 53 which is operated automatically at the conclusion of each drying period, being actuated by an automatic timer d5, now to be described.

Referring to Figure 5 showing the vacuum release valve 52, 53, there is a cam 33, driven by a shaft :il of the timer i5 which timer is of the general type more fully described in the patent to Hall, No. 2,313,064 dated March 9, 1943. The cam i6 is an added part for purpose of this invention and has a follower 38 which comprises one freeend of a lever 39 pivoted at 53 and biased to ride the face of the cam by the action of a spring 5l. Mounted on the opposite free end of the lever 43 is a poppet valve 52 which is adapted to close the flared end of a tube 53 `attached to a small conduit 54 shown in Figure 1 which leads to the' opening in the bottom of the bag I0 when the follower 48 rides on one of a plurality of high spots on the cam 46. These high spots correspond to the squeeze dry periods in the cycle of operations described in the aforementioned copending application. At the end of each of the squeeze dry periods the follower 48 is urged into a low spot on the cam 46 due to the bias of the spring 5I which causes the poppet valve 52 to be lifted from the flared end of the tube 53 thereby communicating the interior of the bag I0 with the atmosphere and breaking the vacuum therein.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The washing operation takes place with the water in the bag I0 at the level indicated at X and the clothes inserted through the neck opening I6 with the cover I'I removed and soap added' with the clothes. The cover Il may be in place during the washing operation as the agitator I3 is oscillated.

When the first washing operation has taken place for a predetermined period of time as selected by the operator through timer 45, the pump I9 is started in rotation and draws the liquid and air from the interior of the bag I0 creating a substantial vacuum within the sealed interior of the bag I0 thereby squeezing the i clothes between the agitator I3 and the bag I0 in a manner more fully described in co-pending f position as soon as possible and it would be quite inconvenient if it were required that the cover Il be removed to accomplish this purpose. It therefore becomes important to admit air along with the liquid coming into the bag I0. Such a result is accomplished by the mechanism herein provided in that when the inlet valve 26 connected to water pressure supply lines admits water under pressure first to the conduit 2|, then into the Venturi valve 22. An inspection of Figure 2 will show that the restriction provided increases the velocity of the outlet 28. This increase in velocity causes a reduction in pressure in the region 29 thereby drawing air into the opening 30 and carrying that air with the liquid into the conduit 23. The weight of the liquid in the conduit 23 is suicient to open the diaphragm 32 to the position of Figure 3 against the vacuum inside the bag which allows an unrestricted flow through the valve 24 into the conduit 25 and into the bottom of the bag Ill. The fact that air as well as liquid is admitted, assures a relatively fast return of the walls of the bag IIl to their normal position as shown in Figure 1. The provision of the previously mentioned relief valve 39 in the cover I7 assures that the pressure within the enclosed bag would not exceed a predetermined amount depending upon the pressure at which the relief valve will operate to release air through the openings 4I.

With the bag I0 filled again to the predetermined level X the agitator I3 is again oscillated to more completely rinse the clothes in the liquid provided.

After the oscillation is continued for a prede.. termined time, pump I 9 is again started in rotation to extract the liquid and air from the interior of the bag I0 to collapse same as in the previous case at the end of the washing operation.

YIt is to be noted that diaphragm 32 is normally biased to assume the position shown in Figure 4 which is closed position and when the suction of pump I9 acts through the conduit 25 such suction tends to more positively close and seal, the diaphragm 32 into the closed position to prevent air from entering the bag III through the conduits 23 and 25.

Both at the end of the extraction operation following washing, and at the end of each of the two rinses as shown on cam 46, the vacuum release valve members 52, 53 are caused to separate and thereby cause air to enter through conduit 54 and into the bag I0 as will be evident on inspection of Figures l and 5. Conversely, during the time when pump I9 is in operation when liquid and air are being removed from the bag I0 the cam 4S is so4 shaped to cause the valve members 52, 53 to close and the conduit 54 to be sealed.

Apart from the result accomplished of causing flow of liquid into the container of a washing machine as above described it is an important feature afforded by this invention that the re` striction in the supply line produced by the Venturi valve 22 with its chamber 29 producing a reduction in pressure on ilow, together with the outlet connection to the atmosphere from the chamber 29 through the outlet 3l which is above the normal level of liquid in the container assures that the iiow of liquid in the conduits 23 and 25 is limitedk to a direction toward the container. Such a construction provides a so-called vacuum breaker feature necessary for satisfying plumbing codes with a minimum of parts. It is apparent from the above disclosure that a reduction in pressure in the conduit 2 I will not cause contaminat-ed liquid to back up into the supply line but instead such reduction in pressure would simply draw air through the opening 30.

Although one embodiment of this invention is here shown and described it is not intended that it be limited to that particular embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

We claim: Y

-1. In a washing machine employing a flexible liquid and air-tight bag having an opening through which laundry may/be inserted and having a cov-er for sealing said opening and means v for withdrawing liquid and air from the interior of said bag creating a substantial partial vacuum therein to cause the bag to collapse against the laundry to squeeze out the liquid by pressure on the outside thereof, the combination of a liquid supply line, a conduit in said supply line, a venturi at one end of said conduit forming a restriction in said supply line, said venturi having an opening therein communicating with the atmosphere above the level of liquid in said bag, and a second conduit extending from said venturi and communicating with the interior of said bag at the bottom thereof, whereby the pressure of liquid in said supply line is utilized to force air into said bag with said liquid and a normally closed valve in said cover arranged to maintain a slight pressure and toV relieve excessive pressure .within said bag.-

2. In a washing machine employing a exible liquidand air-tight bag having an opening through which laundry may be inserted and having a cover for sealing said opening and means for withdrawing liquid and air from the interior oiisaidibagfcreatingasubstantialipartialvacuum thereinA -to vcause said bag; to :collapse: against :the laundry tosqueezezout-.the liquid byipressureon theoutside thereof, the combination .of a liquid supplyline, a conduit in said supplyline, a .venturi atone end of said conduitormingzia restriction-in said'supply line, saidventuri having. an opening therein. communicating with the atmosphere above the l-evel of; liquid: in said bag, asecond conduit: extending from saids venturiand. communicating with the interior of said bag. atthe bottom thereof, avalve in said second;c.onduit normally. closed and adaptedto be opened by weightoi a .predetermined volume ofliquid therethrough.

3. The combinationiof claim 2, wherein said second conduit hasa liquid capacity equal to said volume whereby to open said normally closed valve regardless ofpressurezin saidsupply line.

4. In a washing machine employinga flexible liquidand air-tightL bag having .an opening through Ywhich laundrymay be inserted and havingvacover for sealing said openingand means for withdrawing liquidand air from the interior of said ,bag creating a substantial partial vacuum therein to .cause the bag to collapse againstthe laundry` to-squeeze out the liquid by'pressure on theoutside thereof; the combination ofi a .liquid supply. line, a conduit-in .saidlsupplylina a venturi atV one -end of said conduit forming a restriction in said supplyline, saidventuri having an opening communicating with the atmosphere above the level of liquid in said bag, and a second. conduit: extending from belowsaid venturi and communicating-with the interior of said bag, whereby the pressure of liquid insaid supply line is-.utilized .to vforce air. into said bag with said liquid, saidfsealing.meansforsaidopening in said bag. comprising ak cover memberadapted to seal said opening on creation of a partial vacuum Within saidbag, said cover member having an opening therein communicating with the atmosphere and a valvel in said coverfinember normally urged to close said opening, said valve being opened by pressure Within thebag of predetermined amount.

5. In a Washing machine employing a exible liquidand air-tight bag having an' opening through'which .laundry may be inserted and having; aY cover for sealing said'openingand means fcrfwithdrawing liquid andair from the 'interior of said bag creating a substantial-.partialvacuum therein'to cause said bag to .collapse against the laundry to. squeeze out the liquidby pressure on the. outside thereof; the combination of a liquidssupplyyline communicating with the interior of lsaidbag, means infsaid line having communication with theatmosphere for forcing air into saidline, valve meansin saidline operable by pressure. oi fliquidvin said 'line to allow iiowof liquidfthere-through into said bag, means on said cover for relieving increasedpressuresfwithin said bag, and fmeans communicatingwith the interior of said'bag at the bottom-'thereof for equaliaing reduced pressures therein.

6. Mechanism` as in claim wherein the-valve means in saidline comprises al resilient member moveable by increase oi=pressurewithin said line toallow now or liquid into said bag.

7. Mechanism as in claim 5, wherein the-means i or relieving* increased pressures Within' said bag comprisesa member moveable toconnect the interior'of 'said bag with the atmosphere on increase of pressure withinsaidbag 8v. Mechanism'asin claim A5., wherein-the means iorequalizing reduced pressures within said bag.

comprises a valve. operable. at. iiXed points in a cycle of operations -to connect theinterior of said bagr with the atmosphere thereby to release a vacuum therein.

9; In awashing machine employing a flexible liquidand air-tight bag having an opening through which laundry may be inserted and having a cover for sealing said opening and means for withdrawing liquid and air from the interior of saidbag thereby` creating a substantial par.- tial vacuum therein to cause the bag to collapse against the laundry to squeeze out the liquid by pressure onthe outside thereof, the combination of a liquid supply linecommunicating withthe interior of said bag, a venturi in said line arranged to force air intoisaid .linewithsaidliquid; said venturibeinnr open to. the atmosphere at the throat thereof, a` normally closed valve in said line below said venturi, said valve being opened responsive to a predetermined volume ofl liquid; saidlinebelowv` saidventuri being of a capacity equallto saidvolume.

l0. In .a washing machine employing a ilexible. liquid.- and airight.. bag` having an opening through which laundry may be inserted and having a cover iorsealing saidopening and means for; withdrawing' liquidand air from the interior ci said bag creating a substantial partial vacuum therein to cause thebag to collapse against the. laundry to squeeze out the liquid by pressure on the outside thereof, the combination of a liquid supply line communicating with the interior of. said bag, a venturi in said line arranged to force air into saidvlinewith said liquid, said venturi being opened to the atmosphere at the throat thereof, andavalve in said line biased to closed position, said valve being forced to open position by a predetermined volume of liquid, said line between saidventuri and said valve being of a capacity atleast equal to said volume, said means for withdrawing. liquid and air from the interior of said bag comprising a pump communicating With the interior thereof and with said liquid supply line, whereby a reduction in pressure in said supplyy line created by said pump causes said valve to seal said line.

l1. In a washing machine having cycles of washing, rinsing-and squeeze drying, a flexible liquid and air-tightbag having an opening for insertionand removal of. clothing, a cover for said opening, means to admit Washing iiuid to said bag to a predetermined level, said means including aninlet line with an outlet intothe bottom oi said bag, said line extending outside said bag and above said level, a venturi in said line above-said level, said line having a valve between said outlet andthe venturi, said valve being responsive to a predetermined volume of liqF id, said line above. said valve having a capacity equal to said volume, said bag being mounted for expanded and contracted positions, means to create a vacuum within the bag to force said bag to contracted position and thereby to squeeze uid from the laundry, means to break said vacuum including an outlet from the bottom of the bag to the atmosphere, means to close said outlet duringsaid squeeze drying cycle and to open said outlet after said drying' cycle, means to admit liquid to said venturi and-said inlet line, said valve admitting liquid after the drying cycle to lill thel bag. to said level, saidventuri admitting air after said drying cycle to said bag to assure prompt return thereof to expanded position.

12. In av- Washingmachinehaving cyclesof washing, rinsing and squeeze drying, a iiexible liquid and air-tight bag having an opening for insertion and removal of clothing, a cover for said opening, means to admit washing fluid to said bag to a predetermined level, said means including an inlet line with an outlet into the bottom of said bag, said line extending Voutside said bag and above said level, a venturi in said line above said level, said line having a valve between said outlet and the venturi, said Valve being responsive to a predetermined volume of liquid,

said line above said valve having a capacity equal to said Volume, said bag being mounted for expanded and contracted positions, means to create a vacuum within the bag to force said bag to contracted position and thereby to squeeze uid from the laundry, means to break said vacuum including an outlet from the bottom of the bag to the atmosphere, means to close said outlet during said squeeze drying cycle and to open said outlet after said drying cycle, means to admit liquid to said venturi and said inlet line, said valve admitting liquid after the drying cycle to fill the bag to said level, said venturi admitting air after said drying cycle to said bag to assure prompt return thereof to expanded position, said cover having a pressure relief valve responsive to a predetermined amount of pressure.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Bonnin Nov. 8, 1910 Milnes June 19, 1917 Parr et al Feb. 10, 1925 Graham Mar. 31, 1925 Graham Mar. 31, 1925 Jewell July 3, 1934 Crane Dec. 25, 1934 Brown Jan. 19, 1937 Geldhof et al Sept. 21, 1937 Ducker Nov. 23, 1937 Alward Oct. 31, 1939 Clark July 23, 1940 Young Dec. 17, 1940 Stoddard July 29, 1941 Barker Aug. 4, 1942 Campbell Mar. 28, 1944 Bowen Mar. 25, 1947 Rand June 7, 1949 Oliver Dec. 26, 1950

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