US2744532A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1956 Filed 001,. 19, 1954 E. R. ZADEMACH WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. Zkz EZ'ac/elwac I MfM MYW AT .TURNE YS y 8, 1956 E. R. ZADEMACH 2,744,532

WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1954 I v o W/% g 'm Mill luau; J 52 INVENTOR. 9 I

58 48 Byllzzc RZac/emac ATTORALEYS May 8, 1956 E. R. ZADEMACH WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ON wNN QNN INVENTOR. Erich RZac/e/n CA BY WLVW, M Wm 7 ATTORNEYS QQW N May 8, 1956 E. R. ZADEMACH WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 19, 1954 INVENTOR. [Kick mam/em May 8, 1956 E. R. ZADEMACH WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001. 19, 1954 INVENTOR. \B l Eric/Z ffizadcmm/b ATIDRNEYS y 8, 9 6 E. R. ZADEMACH 2,744,532

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 m ISG IN V EN TOR. E'lcfi 1?, Zrulmnack Mim Cam 1 My ATTORNEYS y 8, 956 E. R. ZADEMACH 2,744,532

WASHING MACHINE Filed Odt. 19, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 [P1, 35 WATER 2 INVENTOR.

Z'ra'd jZZaoemr BY m m, cum v United States Patent WASHING MACHINE Erich R. Zademacli, Hillside, N. J., assignor to Metalwash Machinery Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a copartnership Application October 19, 1954, Serial No. 463,169

3 Claims. (Cl. 134-179 ting pattern all over the interior of the machine so that the rack is cleaned from all angles, the cleaning being more thorough thanthat obtained with previous devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rack washer of the above type wherein the racks are 1 Wheeled into the washer, the doors closed and the cleaning solutions sprayed on to the rack under the action of a pump, and wherein when the washing period has been completed, a hot rinse is employed, permitting the racks to be removed, clean and ready for reuse.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rack Washer of the above type wherein immediately after the rack is removed the machine is ready to clean the next rack.

It is still another object ofthe present invention to provide a rack washer of the above type wherein the hot rinse Water is allowed to drain into the wash tank, causing this tank to overflow slightly, thus reducing pollution in the tank and making up for the Water that-has evaporated.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rack washer of the above type wherein the sprayed solution is forced to ricochet from the inside of the side and top Walls and door onto the rack, effecting a more thorough cleansing thereof.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a cabinet rack washer bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a cabinet rack washer embodying the features of the present invention showing the sliding doors in an open position and illustrating the external piping and controls;

Figure 2 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of the exterior parts and showing the side tank with he top removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view showing the manner of securing adjacent upper housing panels together;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vertical clamp used in connection withthe present invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the door jambs; 1

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the front corner panels of the housing;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the side or rear panels of the housing;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the rear corner panels of the housing;

Patented May 8, 1956 Figure 9 is a fragmentary developed view of the vertical clamp of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary developed view of the door jamb of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a developed view of the front corner panel of Figure 6; I

Figure 12 is a developed view of the side or rear panel of Figure 7;

Figure 13 is a developed view of the rear corner panel of Figure 8;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of the housing;

Figure 15 is a developed View of the top shown in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the washer showing the manner of mounting the sliding doors;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of Figure 18;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary plan view of the door mounting means with the housing cover removed;

Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view of the washer taken along the line 1919 of Figure 20;

Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 20-20 of Figure 19;

Figure 20a is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 20a-20a of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the wash and rinse piping alone;

Figure 22 is a top plan view of the steam pipes, shown alone, with the front and rear floor supports mounted thereon;

Figure 23 is an end elevational view of the steam coil Figure 22, shown partly broken away;

Figure 24 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the distributor head for. the wash piping, taken along the line 2424 of Figure 20;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line '2525 of Figure 2;

Figure 26 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 26--26 of Figure 1; and

Figure 27 is a diagrammatic view showing the circulation of the steam, wash and rinse liquids within the device.

Referring now to the figures, 30 represents a wash tank made up of a downwardly inclined floor 31 having triangular, upwardly bent portions 32 (Fig. 2) and integrally formed with a side tank floor 33 (Fig. 19). A wash tank front wall 34 having a laterally bent upper edge 35 is suitably secured along the front edge of floor 31, the front wall 34 being provided with a pair of openings 36 (Fig. 2) as well as a coupling 38 on each side of the openings 36. A rear wall 38' having a laterally bent upper edge 39 is suitably secured along the rear edge of floor 31, while end walls 40 and 41 are provided with laterally bent upper edges 42 and 43, respectively, and are suitably secured along the opposite ends of the floor 31 to complete the wash tank. It will be noted that the lower edges of the end walls 40 and 41 extend below the floor 31, as do the front and rear walls 34 and 38', concealing the slope of the floor 31 and presenting a more symmetrical appearance. The floor 31 is supported by pipe legs 44 while the outer edge of the central portion of side tank floor 33 is supported by a pipe leg 45.

A side tank front wall 46 is provided at its upper edge with a laterally bent flange 47 and is secured to the front edge of the side tank floor 33, the ends of the wall 46 being integrally formed with end walls 48 and 49 provided at their upper edges with laterally bent flanges 50 and 51, respectively, as shown in Figure 2.

A pair of elongated rectangular plates 52 and 53 are suitably secured across the outer corners of the side tank and are provided on their inner faces with channel shaped members 54. A second pair of substantially square plates 55 and 56 are secured to the innermost, adjacent sides of the openings 36 (Figs. 2 and the plates and 56 extending toward each other at their free ends. The outer faces of the plates 55 and 56 are provided with channel shaped members 57 and 58, respectively, the members 57 cooperating with the members 54 to releasably position a pair of V-shaped strainer screens 59, while the members 58 cooperate with the members 54 of plate 53 to releasably position a pair of second V-shaped strainer screens 60.

The upper edges of the plates 55 and 56 are provided with transversely aligned U-shaped slots which support a T-shaped overflow trough 61, the intermediate arm 62 thereof extending to the front wall of the side tank where it is connected to a coupling 63 passing through the wall 46. It will be noted that the transverse portion 64 of the trough 61 extends from end to end of the side tank, while the upper edges of the plates 55 and 56 and therefore the trough 61 are disposed below the top of the side tank, the portion 62 having a forwardly and downwardly inclined bottom (Fig. 19) to facilitate the overflow. It will also be noted that the intermediate portion 62 of trough 61 is located olf-center of the transverse portion 64 providing a space between the intermediate portion 62 and the plate 55 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

A cover 65 rests on and is suitably secured to the flanges 47, 51 and 50 of the side tank, and is provided with an opening 66 through which extends a centrifugal pump 67 driven by a motor 68, both of conventional design (Fig. 26).

As shown in Figure 26, the intermediate portion 69 connecting the pump 67 and motor 68 is provided with a shoulder 70 below which is secured a base plate 71 and a sub-plate 72, the sub-plate 72 resting on the cover 65 and being secured thereto in suitable manner.

It will be noted from Figure 26 that the bottom wall of the transverse portion 64 of trough 61 slopes downwardly toward the intermediate portion 62 to further facilitate the overflow.

The sub-plate 72 is provided with an opening in which is mounted a water fill pipe 73, while the front wall 46 of the side tank is provided at the bottom thereof with a coupling 74 for drainage purposes (Fig. 19).

The front wall 34 is provided with an opening about which are secured flanges 75 and 76, the flange 76 securing one end of a pipe 77, the other end of which is connected to the pump 67 by union 78 (Fig. 25). The flange 75 is connected to a T 79 which is in turn connected toa vertical pipe 80 and a horizontal pipe 81 (Fig. 21), the horizontal pipe 81 extending across the width of the floor 31 and being connected at its end to an elbow 82. A vertical pipe 83 is connected to elbow 82 and terminates at its top in an elbow 84, while the vertical pipe 80 oppositely disposed thereto terminates in an elbow 85.

As shown in Figure 1, the overflow coupling 63 is connected by suitable piping to an outlet pipe 86 while the drainage coupling 74 is also connected by suitable piping to the same outlet pipe 86, a valve 87 being provided intermediate the drainage coupling 74 and the outlet piping 86. The valve 87 will, of course, normally be closed.

As shown in Figure 21 lateral branch pipes 88 are suitably mounted in openings provided in the horizontal pipe 81, each of the branch pipes 88 terminating in an elbow 89 which mounts a vertical branch pipe 90, the upper ends of which are provided with couplings 91 serving to mount nozzles 92. Intermediate vertical pipes 93 are suitably mounted in the branch pipes 88 intermediate the horizontal pipe 81 and elbows 89 and similarly mount at their upper ends nozzles 95 by means of couplings 94.

As shown in Fig. 24, a rotating distributor head 96 is mounted on each of the elbows 85 and 84.

Each distributor head 96 includes a steel tube 97 screwed at one end into the elbow 35. The tube 97 is provided intermediate its ends with oppositely disposed openings 98 as well as oppositely disposed openings 99, the openings 99 being rotated ninety degrees from the openings 98 and displaced longitudinally slightly therefrom. A circular steel plug 100 fits in the outer end of the tube 97, being suitably secured therein and provided with a pair of symmetrically disposed, internally threaded openings. A brass washer 101 is provided on the tube 97 adjacent the elbow 85 while a bronze bushing 102 is provided on the tube 97 adjacent the washer 101. A second bronze bushing 103 is provided on the tube 97 at the other end thereof, the bushings 102 and 103 serving to mount opposite ends of a distributor casting 104 by means of studs 105. A brass washer 106 is provided on the end of tube 97 adjacent studs 105, a steel disc 107 being secured against the end of the tube 97 by means of bolts 108 passing through openings provided therein and screwed into the internally threaded openings provided in the plug 100.

The distributor casting 104 is provided intermediate the bushings 102 and 103 with a cylindrical opening 109 surrounding the openings 98 and 99 provided in tube 97, while the exterior of the casting is provided with four equi-radially spaced hubs 110 communicating with the cylindrical opening 109 by means of internally threaded openings 111.

Each of the hubs 110 has screwed therein a length of pipe 112 provided along its length with a plurality of nozzles 113, as shown in Figure 21. The nozzles 113 are staggered by reversing the pipes 112 for alternate spokes. The end of each length of pipe 112 is provided with a Y-coupling 114 which mounts a nipple 115 connected to a nozzle 116 by means of an elbow 117, the Y-coupling 114 also serving to mount an elbow 118 terminating in nozzle 119.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 25 and 27, washing solution from the tank 30 passes into the side tank through the strainers 59 and 60 where it is pumped by centrifugal pump 67 through pipe 77 into T 79 from where it is pumped up vertical pipe 80 (and also along the horizontal pipe 81 to be pumped up the vertical pipe 83) to the distributor heads 96 where the wash solution enters the tube 97 to be forced out of the openings 98 and 99 into the pipes 112 and out of the nozzles 113, 116 and 119. Thus, due to the jet action of the escaping water through the nozzles, the distributor heads 96 will rotate about the tubes 97 on which they are rotatably mounted by means of the bushing 102, imparting a pin wheel effect. These revolving spray arms 112 with their nozzles 113, 116 and 119 will spray the cleaning solution in a dense, hard-hitting pattern all over the interior of the machine so that the rack is cleaned from all angles, this cleaning being more thorough than that obtained with previous methods. The wash solution then returns to the wash tank 30 where it is recycled by the pump 67, after passing through strainers 59 and 60.

As shown in Figure l, the hot water supply is delivered to an inlet pipe 120 connected to a back-flow preventer 121 by elbow 122, the preventer 121 connecting with a T 123 by means of elbow 124, one outlet of T 123 being connected to a pipe 126 extending downwardly through the water fill tube 73 to supply the tank. A valve 127 is provided in the pipe 126. After the tank has been filled, the valve 127 will, of course, be closed. The other outlet of T 123 connects with a hot water rinse pipe 128, a valve 129 being provided intermediate the pipe 128 and T 123, as shown in Figure 1. A strainer 289 and a magnetic piloted piston valve 290 are provided in the rinse line intermediate T 123 and pipe 128.

The rinse piping 128 passes inwardly across the top of the tank where it is connected to a four-way fitting 291 (Figs. 1 and 21). A central pipe 292 is connected to the outlet of fitting 219 aligned with the pipe 128, a T 293 being mounted at the end of the pipe 292. Oppositely disposed horizontal pipes 294 are connected to the other outlets of the fitting 291 and terminatein elbows 295.

Vertical pipes 296 are connected to the elbows 295 and extend downwardly through the top of the tank, the vertical pipes 296 being provided with a plurality of vertically spaced nozzles 156. The lower ends of the pipes 296 terminate above the liquid level in tank 30 (Fig. 27) and are closed by plugs 297. Oppositely disposed horizontal pipes 298 are connected to the outlets of the T 293 and terminate in elbows 299. Vertical pipes 300 are connected at their upper ends to the elbows 299, extending downwardly through the top of the tank and terminating above the liquid level in tank 30 in a manner similar to the vertical pipes 296, the lower ends of the pipes 300 being closed by plugs 301. Each of the pipes 300 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced nozzles 141.

The horizontal pipes 294 on opposite sides of the fitting 291 are provided with Ts 302 within which are secured the upper ends of the vertical pipes 303 extending downwardly through the top of the tank,,the lower ends of the pipes 303 terminating above the liquid level of tank 30 and having secured thereto the elbows 304. The pipes 303 are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced nozzles 305. An inwardly extending pipe 306 is connected to each of the elbows 304, the pipes 306 terminating in Ts 307. The Ts 307 serve to mount transverse piping 308 having closed ends and provided near these closed ends with nozzles 309.

The pipes 298 are provided with Ts 310 on opposite sides of the T 93 which mount the upper ends of the vertical pipes 311 extending downwardly through the top of the tank and terminating above the liquid level of tank 30 in elbows 312. Each of the vertical pipes 311 .is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced nozzles 313. Each of the elbows 312 is provided with an inwardly extending pipe 314 which terminates in a T 315.

The Ts 315 serve to mount the transverse piping 316' having closed ends and provided near these closed ends with the nozzles 317.

Thus, upon opening the valve 129, the hot rinse water will flow horizontally through the pipe 292, through the strainer 289 and into the piping 294, 298 and downwardly through the vertical pipes 296, 300, 303 and 311, where it will be ejected through the nozzles 156, 141, 305 and 313. It will also flow through the pipes 306, 314, 308 and 316 to be ejected through the nozzles 309 and 317. The spent rinse solution will then drop back into the wash tank 30 where it will be recycled by the pump 67 after passing through the strainer screens 59 and 60.

By supplying the hot water rinse from above, there is no possibility of contaminating the water. Otherwise, the

bottom rinse piping would be submerged in the wash'solution oftank 30 and a leak could siphon the solution into the fresh water supply. Furthermore, the suspension of the rinse piping from the top of the tank makes it easier to clean the bottom portion of the tank byavoiding obstruction of the latter. It will be noted that the lower ends of the rinse piping are freely spaced above the liquid level of the wash solution. I

As shown in Figure 1, the coupling 131 is connected to a self-operating steam regulator 164 including capillary tubing 165 and a separable socket 166, the regulator 164 being connected to a steam supply inlet piping 167 through a strainer 168. Steam will be supplied to the inlet piping 167 in suitable manner at a minimum of twelve poundsper square inch, a valve 169 being provided. The coupling 131 (Fig. 22) is connected to a pipe 170 which is 6 a header 173, communicating with the interior thereof, the other end of header 173 being completely closed.

A symmetrically disposed coupling 174 is provided in the other opening 38 provided on the other side of the openings 36 in the front wall 34, the coupling 174 being connected to a pipe 175 which is in turn connected to a pipe 176 by means of the flange union 177. The other end of pipe 176 is connected to the closed end of a pipe 178, communicating with the interior thereof, the other end of the pipe 178 being completely closed. As shown in Figure 23, the pipes 173 and 178 are provided with are provided. with longitudinally spaced, transversely aligned openings connected by transverse pipes 181.

Thus, steam supplied to the pipe 167, upon opening valve 169 will pass through strainer 168 and regulator 164 to enter the header 173'where it will be circulated transversely through the pipes 181 into the pipe 178, leaving by the pipes 176 and 175 through a suitable strainer and steam trap for condensate return, not shown.

' The steam passing through the pipes 173, 181 and 178 will serve to heat the wash solution in the wash tank 30 before the solution is pumped through the wash piping.

Thesymmetric construction of the steam coil and its supply connection permits right or left hand installation of the supply lines.

Vertical floor supports 182 and 183 are welded to the top of each of the pipes 173 and 178, each floor support 182 including a fiat body portion 184 supported on legs 185and 186 and by transverse legs 187 and 188 disposed at right angles to the legs 185 and 186, the bottom edges of'legs 185, 186, 187 and 188 being welded to the pipes 17.3;and 178. Each support 183 includes a body portion 189 supported on co-planar legs 190 and 191 as Well as 191, 192 and 193 being welded to the top of pipes 173 and 178. The body portions 184 and 189 are provided near their adjacent ends along their upper edges with semi-circular slots for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

As shown in Figure 2, an upper housing assembly 19 is provided and includes a pair of front corner panels 195 and 196 (identical in shape and size but of opposite hand), a pair of side panels 197, a pair of rear corner panels 198 (identical in size and shape but of opposite hand), and rear panel 199 identical with side panels 197, and connecting the'rear corner panels 198.

As shown in Figures 6 and 11, each front corner of panels 195 and 196 is made up of a rectangular blank 200 'of Figure 6, and welded in this arrangement. The lower edges of the blanks 200 are provided with openings 208 permitting the panels 195 and 196 to be secured within the wash tank side walls 41, 38 and 34 at the tops of the latter by means of horizontal clamps 319 and nuts and bolts 320 '(Fig. 16). Each of the side panels 197 and the rear panel 199 is made of a rectangular blank 209 of sheet metal provided-at the upper edges with I square corner cut- outs 210 and 211 defining vertical flaps 212 and 213 and a horizontal flap 214 (see Figs. 7 and 12). The flaps 212, 213 and 214are bent at right angles to the body portion, as shown .in Figure 7 and welded in this position. The lower edge of the blank 209 is secured within the wash tank front and rear walls 34 and 38 and end wall 40 by means of openings 215 and horizontal clamps and nuts and bolts, not shown, the flaps 213 being disposed alongside of the vertical flaps 293 of front corner panel 195, in the case of the side panels 197 and secured thereto by means of vertical clamp 216, the flaps 213 and 203 and the clamp 216 being provided with aligned, longitudinally spaced openings receiving nuts 217 and bolts 218 (see Fig. 3). Washers 219 may be provided intermediate the heads of bolts 218 and clamp 216 while washers 220 may be provided intermediate the clamp 216 and nut 217.

Door jambs 221 and 222, identical in size and shape but of opposite hand, are provided and are formed from a rectangular blank 223 provided at its upper corners with a square cut-out 224 defining a vertical flap 225 and an angular cut-out 226 defining a vertical flap 227 and a horizontal flap 228, substantially as illustrated in Figure 10. The vertical flaps 225 and 227 and the horizontal fiap 228 are bent into the position shown in Figure 5 and welded, the flap 225 being disposed against the flap 204 of the front corner panel 195 and secured thereto by means of vertical clamps 216 and nuts and bolts passing through aligned openings provided in the clamps and flaps.

As shown in Figures 8 and 12, each of the rear corner panels 193 is made up of a blank 229 provided at its upper corners with square cut outs 230 and 231 defining vertical flaps 23-2 and 233 and a horizontal flap 234. The horizontal flap 234 is provided with a V-shaped cutout 235 and the blanks and flaps folded in the manner shown in Figure 8 and welded. The lower edge of the blank 229 is provided with openings 236 by means of which the rear corner panels are secured within the wash tank front wall 34, rear wall 38 and end wall 40 by means of aligned openings provided in the upper edges of the wash tank walls and horizontal clamps and nuts and bolts, not shown. The flap 232 is disposed alongside the flap 212 of side panel 197 and is secured thereto by means of a vertical clamp 216 and nuts and bolts passing through aligned openings provided in the flaps and clamp. The flaps 233 are similarly secured to the adjacent flaps of the rear panel 199, which latter is identical in structure with the side panels 197.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15 a cover 236 is provided and consists of complementary rectangular blanks 237a and 2375 provided with square corner cut-outs 238, 239. 240 and 241 defining longitudinal fiaps 242 and 243 and lateral flaps 244 and 245, the four flaps being up wardly bent at right angles to the blank 237 and Welded to provide the construction shown in Figure 14. The adjaccnt inner longitudinal edges of blanks 237a and 23771 are secured together by means of integral, downwardly turned flaps 321 and an elongated brace 322 (Fig. 16). The blank 237 around its periphery is provided with openings 246 adapted to be aligned with corresponding openings provided in the flaps 295, 214 and 234 of the front and rear corner panels and the rear and side panels and secured by means of nuts and bolts, not shown, located in these aligned openings.

The blank 237 is provided with a central opening 247 in which is positioned an elbow 248 communicating directly with the roof by means of a duct 249 (Fig. 1). Suitable blower means may be provided Within the duct 249 if forced ventilation is desired. A plurality of elongated braces 250 of substantially U-shaped cross section are welded across the cover 236 as shown in Figure 2. These braces are located above the vertical flaps of the side panels bolted together with clamps 216, providing a more rigid construction.

The design of the rackwasher permits either right hand or left hand location of side tank, without construction changes.

All punched holes in bottom tank are symmetric and match the holes of the side walls.

The steam heating coils or gas heated coils are also constructed symmetrically in relation to the tank and need not be reversed. The floor supports welded to the coils are in symmetric location. Only the floor plates need reversing.

Thus, once on location, the customer can set the ma chine up as a right hand unit (side tank on right hand side) or as a left hand unit, without any change whatsoever. This is of great advantage, as often the final location of the machine is changed as an after thought. it simplifies the manufacture, as only one standard unit is produced; no rights, no lefts.

A semi-circular track support bracket 251 of substantially L-shaped cross section is suitably secured along its horizontal portion 252 to the undersurface of cover 236, the vertical portion 253 thereof being suitably secured to a track support 254 (Figs. 16 through 18). The track support 254 consists of a pair of semi-circular halves 255 terminating short of each other at the front of the housing in laterally bent portions 256.

A semi-circular track 257 of substantially L-shaped cross section is made up of a pair of halves 258 identical in size and shape but of opposite hand, each of the halves 258 being suitably secured along its vertical portion 259 to the bottom of track support 255.

A door transom frame and shield 260 is secured to the undersurface of cover 236, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, and includes an arcuate body portion 261 integrally formed along its inner arcuate edge with a curved depending flange 262 serving as a guide and shield in a manner to be hereinafter described. The transom frame 260 is also provided with a straight front flange 263 as well as straight end flanges 264, the frame being secured in place by means of the end flanges 264, which are suitably secured to the upper portions of the front corner panels and the door jambs 221 (Fig. 16).

A door sill 265 is provided and consists of a flat arcuate body portion 266 and channel-shaped brackets 2 7 secured to the ends and front of portion 266 on the underface thereof and by means of which the sill 265 is positioned and secured within the assembly within the top of the wash tank 30. It will be noted that the inner edge 268 of the sill is aligned vertically with the inner face of the curved flange 262 of the door transom frame 260.

A pair of doors 269 and 270 of arcuate cross section, identical in size and shape, but of opposite hand, are provided, each of the doors being supported at its upper edges in sliding contact with the inner face of the flange 262 by means of a heavy structural flat 271 secured behind the doors by means of bolts 272. A pair of rollers 274 are rotatably mounted behind each of the flats 271 by means of bolts 275 and bushings 276, the bolts being screwed into flat 271. A washer 277 is provided intermediate the head of each bolt 275 and roller 274. Thus, the doors 269 and 270 are supported in the position shown in Figure 17 by means of the rollers 274 resting on the tracks 258, permitting the doors to he slid into the open position of Figure l or closed, as desired. The outer vertical ends of the doors 269 and 270 are provided with laterally bent portions 278 (Fig. 16) adapted to abut the jambs 221 and 222, whereby to limit the displacement of the doors in an obvious manner. it will be noted that the lower edges of the doors 269 and 271 extend downwardly below the sill 265 in sliding contact with the inner edge 268 of the latter.

The inner vertical edge of the door 269 has secured thereto on opposite sides two elongated strips 279 and 279a adapted to resiliently engage the corresponding edge of the other door 270 whereby to provide a waterproof seal when the doors are closed.

A pair of symmetrical floors 281 and 282 are provided, each floor consisting of a flat, body portion 283 adapted to cover one-half the floor space and integrally formed along its central longitudinal edge with a downwardly extending flange 284 adapted to abut the corresponding flange of the adjacent floor.

The outer longitudinal edge of each body portion 283 is integrally formed with an upwardly extending flange 285 (Fig. 1), while the forward edge of each body por tion 283 is arcuately curved so as to coincide with the curved inner faces of the doors 269 and 270. The floors 281 and 282 are supported (see Fig. 22) at each end by the front and rear floor supports 182 and 183, the undersurface of the floors 281 and 282 fixedly carrying suitable lengths of pipe adapted to fit snugly within the slots provided on the upper edges of the floor supports 182 and 183, as shown in Figure 19. The central portion of 7 each of the floors 281 and 282 fixedly carries a center floor support 282 similar in structure to the floor supports 182 and 183 and adapted to rest on the pipes 181. Thus, the floors 281 and 282 may be readily removed in the manner shown in dotted outline in Figure 23, providing access to the wash tank and piping system.

As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the vertical wash pipes 80 and 83 are further secured in position by means of brackets 287 suitably connected at their ends to the interior of the upper housing 194.

It will be noted that the panels making up the upper housing assembly 194 are symmetrical, effecting thereby an economy of manufacture. For example, the side panels 197 are identical in size and shape with the rear panel 199, while the rear corner panels 198 are identical in size and shape but of opposite hand. Similarly, the front corner panels 195 and 196 are likewise identical in size and shape but of opposite hand, as are the door jambs 221 and 222. Each of the foregoing panels may be fabricated from blanks in the manner described and readily and easily formed by power brake into the appropriate configuration. It will also be apparent that the manner of assembling the particular panels to make up the upper housing assembly is extremely simple and easy, while at the same time providing a waterproof seal, namely the cooperation of the adjacent vertical flaps secured together by the vertical clamps 216 and the nuts and bolts.

A monorail assembly is provided for rolling the rack 289 into the upper housing assembly and includes an I beam 323 secured to the undersurface of the cover 236' by means of the plates 324 (Fig. 20), the plates 324 being disposed on opposite sides of the brace 322 and secured thereto by bolts 325. A roller assembly 326 (Fig. 27) is adapted to ride the I beam 323 and supports the top of the rack 289 by means of loop 327 and hook 328. Alternately, a rack 289a may be mounted upon rollers 329 and wheeled into the upper housing assembly by means of a ramp, not shown, or by sinking the wash tank 30 below fioor level.

In operation with the rack 289 or 289a within the upper housing assembly, the doors 279 and 280 are closed, sealing the rack within the waterproof upper housing assembly. The hot wash or cleaning solution is then run into the tank 30 by opening the valve 127 and filled to skimmer trough level. The wash or cleaning solution is heated by opening the steam valve 169, which causes the steam to circulate through the pipes 173, 181 and 178, transferring its heat to the wash solution. The hot wash solution is then drawn through the strainer screens 59 and 60 to pump 67. From here it is delivered to the wash piping 80 and 83 to be distributed by the revolving spray arms 112 through the nozzles 113, spraying the cleaning solution in a dense, hard-hitting pattern all over the interior of the machine so that the rack is cleaned from all angles, providing a more thorough cleansing than has hitherto been obtained. The revolving spray arms 112 may rotate in the same or opposite directions. When the washing period has been completed, the pump 67 is turned off and the hot rinse valve 129 opened, both by means of a timer, delivering hot water from the plant supply line to the rinse piping 128, 292, 294, 298, 296, 300, 303 and 311 (see Fig. 21). The hot rinse is also delivered by means of the branch piping 306, 308, 314 and 316 and the nozzles 309 and 317. With the hot water rinse, the racks are removed clean and ready for reuse.

It will also be noted that the Washing solution will be delivered upwardly through the movable floors 281 and 282 by means of the branch piping 88, 93 and 90.

It will be noted that the jet action of the wash solution as it escapes through the nozzles 113 will cause the arms 112 to revolve, spraying the solution over all the interior of the machine. 7

The hot rinse water is allowed to drain into the wash tank 30, causing this tank to overflow slightly through the trough 61, thus reducing pollution in the tank and making up for water that has evaporated. Periodically the strainer screens 59 and 60 will be removed and cleaned by merely slipping them upwardly from the side tank out of the channel members 54, 57 and 58.

It will be noted that during the washing operation the same wash solution will be. recycled, effecting thereby an economy of heat transfer.

The ecrnplete upper housing assembling, including the doors, is made of stainless steel or other suitable material, the respective panels being held together by means of the stainless steel vertical clamps 216 of special construction.

The temperature of the wash solution is automatically controlled by the self-operating steam regulator 164.

The rinse water cycle is controlled by solenoid or motorized valve 298 operated by automatic selection cycle control.

The hand operated timer, not shown, for the pumps 67 can be set from 15 seconds to half hour operation followed by a rinse of prearranged duration.

The rinsing can also be accomplished by means of the manually operated valve 129, in case of failure of automatic operation, the rinsing solution draining into the tank and helping thereby to make up for losses by evaporation or other losses and serving to keep the tank clean. This rinsing feature is very important, particularly in locations where sanitary inspection is very stringent.

While the above washing apparatus has been described in connection with a rack, it will be readily apparent that it may be used for washing milk cans and mixing bowls or any other metal parts.

The operation of the device is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 27.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall bewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

1. A washing apparatus comprising a housing assembly adapted to receive therewithin the articles to be washed, spray means located within said housing, means for supplying washing solution to said spray means, said spray means including a main pipe located within said assembly and connected to said solution supplying means, a substantially vertical pipe attached to said main pipe, distributor means rotatably mounted on said vertical pipe, a plurality of radially spaced pipes extending outwardly from said distributor means and a plurality of nozzles provided along the length of each of said radially spaced pipes and a bifurcated portion at the end of each of said radially spaced pipes, one branch of said bifurcated portion being aligned with said radially spaced pipes, and a nozzle at each end of said bifurcated portion.

2. A washing apparatus comprising a housing assembly adapted to receive therewithin the articles to be washed, spray means located within said housing, means for supplying washing solution to said spray means, said spray means including a main pipe located within said assembly and connected to said solution supplying means, a substantially vertical pipe attached to said main pipe, distributor means rotatably mounted on said vertical pipe, a plurality of radially spaced pipes extending outwardly from said distributor means and a plurality of nozzles provided along the length of each of said radially spaced pipes, and a plurality of substantially horizontal branch pipes connected to said main pipe intermediate its ends, a plurality of vertical branch pipes connected to each of said horizontal branch pipes and a nozzle at the upper end of each of said vertical pipes.

3. A distributor for Washing apparatus including a tube adapted to be connected to a fixed pipe, said tube being provided with a plurality of radially spaced openings, a distributor head mounted on said tube and having a substantially hollow interior portion in communication with said openings in said tube, said distributor head having a plurality of radially spaced hubs each communicating with said interior portion and adapted to support radially extending pipes, and an end cap for said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,417,162 Gagen May 23, 1922 1,528,069 Merseles Mar. 3, 1923 1,628,818 Zademach May 17, 1927 1,749,947 Kaufiman Mar. 11, 1930 2,143,039 Stoddard Ian. 10, 1939 2,201,284 Bilde May 21, 1940 2,635,027 Rasmussen Apr. 14, 1953

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