US2756102A - Lather mixing machine - Google Patents

Description

y 24, 1956 R. E. SWITZER 2,756,102

LATHER MIXING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1955 2 s tg s 1 IDA INVENTOR.

RALPH E. SWITZER y 24, 1956 R. E. SWITZER 2,756,102

LATHER MIXING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RALPH E. SWITZER United States Patent -O LA HER M XIN M HINE I Ralph-Enswitzer, Detroit, Mich assignor .to Morris B. Holmberg, Minneapolis, Minn.

pp i on June Se i l; N ,458 1 11 Claims. (Cl; 299-133) This; invention relates -to: lather forming machines.

An object ofmy inventionris the; provisionofa new and-.improyed-lather macliinewof;relatively simple and inexpensive ,constructionvand operation which is well adapted for home use in the production of shaving .lather.

Another-objectof. my invention is to provide a novel lather mixing machine wherein the lather-forming'brush,

'ment of a commontype of bar vshavingsoapin the pro- .ductionoflather and which produces substantially only the amount of; lather desiredfor immediate use when the machine is operated.-

A stillrfurther object iofsrny invention is the provision of a lathertrmixing machine wherein a single control renders the machine operative byacontrollingboththe agitating and lather :formingibrush and the watersupply necessary to'the formation, of lather.

These andotherobjects. and advantages of .my inven tion will more fully appear from thevfollowing description made inconneetioniwiththe accompanying d awings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similarparts throughout, theiseveral views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ,ofthelather. mixing machine;

Fig. 2 is a crosssectionview taken ona vertical plane longitudinally through the invention. substantially in a planeindicated at 2+2 in Fig. 1 and having portions Of thebrushbroken away for Sake of clarity; 1

Fig. 3 is a section ,view taken one. yertical planesubstantially at 33 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig, 4 is a detail. section viewtaken along a broken horizontal line and looking upwardlyas indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 2, and having the brush removed for clarity;

Fig S is a detail Section viewtaken ona vertical plane substantially at 55 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a detail sectioniviewsimilar to Fig. 4 and showing another form of v the: invention; v

The invention as shown in the drawings, includes a housing or body member 10 which, in the form shown, is constructed of metal butmay be formed of any other suitable rigid material. The housing 10 is stream-lined to present an exceedingly pleasing anapearancefor household use. A cover member 10:: forming a part of the bodymember 10 is 'detachably secured at the rear portion thereof. In the upper portion of the housing 10 wis formed a receptacle '11 for containing a supply-of-water for usein- .the lather mixing machine. A receptacle cover 11a is removably mounted on the housing 10 to enclose thereceptacle 11. An enlarged interior chamber 12 is formedwithin the-housing 10. and is ofla substantially cylindrical shape defined by a peripheral wall-surface 13 and by an end s rfa .14- T e, n end. f t am er 2 i cl sed by a remov bl pla e .15 wh chp qvides the other d' d fin g .surtace .16 of theic amber ,12. The

2,756,102 Batented July 24, 1956 ice substantially cylindrica r harnb r 2v compris ng the her xing. c mp m nt, s p e w th a latherzd ar ev opening 17 w ich c mmuni ate .through" thev end l urfac 1 dlt o h-a u tably Qrm dwnout .18 which P ject w dly f m h hous n 0 and may be. formesiintesral v he eof! s est ee nige2 and 4', antelcueat d shoulder CI l d er: is p medi t thezhqd -r m mbe 1 a protrudes inwardly t q hei ute .p t ph ral s rfac whi h. d fines. e c m e 2 h il sc ex end emxo ee d o thfe c erub 21 the o her end th o and is g n l v pi a lv .d l i T e ed e 19am periph a l s rtase.-. 3-:d s il 1 amber 9 9R- e a r f rmv lathe tc l st nd-diw a in g opvp w ich. is subst nt a y coexter e, .w ahel-lath r. discharge openin whime t ndst rc gh pq t, 8.-.; As st .s n.i s}.4;-one and .Q ed e; s di pass closely ja e t the la r d sc a g one n ufl ai sln one sidegthereof and the inner, end 1%, of ledge, 19. is arcuately spaced from the outer end .19 1 thereof ea s a p ovided fo pply rtime-th c amber 12, and in the form shown such means include an ar e o e in v 20 h: exte ds r u h .ihQnbD Y memb r 1 and t t uaht e P r pheral walt u fa el tt ommu ica w h t r r chamb .1 e in i the orm.... .hown, ,o subs antial y, circu am pe and s o fi 'e t.sizeto ac ommod te a .c 11v .ti na1 ba. 2 of shaving soap. The body member 10 has internal r a 1 p i ed a t e oute enclcf the Q paewiv opening 20, and a suitableretaining cap 23 having an ex te al yith easled pqr ionl-iis ,th ta edl moun ed. W thin e open ng .20 d ainin t e. batt lot so p hf an. Suitable means are provided for resiliently urging the bar 0i p ardly of heshambe 11 andiul heform shown comprises a compression spring 25 .which is o ed in thefiaP 23 d w ch a qens'a s a dials which is disposed in the opening 20 for forcin'g the soap inwardly.

Means'are also provided for introducing water into the chamber 12 to be mixed with the soap for forming lather and in the form shown, a Water. inlet opening 21 communicates between the Water storage receptacle 11 and interior chamber 12 and a valve element 2 8 is shiftably mounted in the opening 27 to controlthe flow of water therethrough. Valve. element 28 is normallybiased to closed position and may be opened to permit water to flow from the receptacle 11 by gravity downward intp the chamber 12. Valve. element 28 is controlled by a push lever 29 which is slidably mounted in a suitable aperture 30 in bodymember 10 and which is attached [to a rigid interconnection .or shaft ;31' which extends through a suitable openingfizjn body member 10 and connects to an actuating or connecting element 33; Theconnecting element 33' is connected to the valve element 28 and for "operating the same when the push lever ispushed inwardly of the body member 10. The spring 34 which is disposed in the .bore 30 normallyurges the push mem ber 29-to its outward position. and the connecting element 33 limits the outward movement thereof.

Means are provided inthe lather mixing chamber 12 for agitating the soap and water introduced therein lfor or g l h an in t e f rm ow isu hmaant tom: p s a ta b u av a ad l y di pos dht st csw ish extend into proximity with the peripheral wall surface 13 for thoroughly mixing the water and soap supplied into the chamber 12. Therot'ar-y brush 35 is journalled in suitablebearings. 36 and 37 respectively mollnled in the body mem r. 0 an i th su e. r at A bestseen. n Fi s; and the istl e dtpq tiqns pith? bru h 35 eng ge and pass over t e ledge/I19 when the brush 3 s otatedli th .directio farmw p tabewmtzd of lather thereby. A

The outer end portion 19a of ledge 19 is areuately spaced from the inner end portion 19b thereof in the directioniof travel of the bristle end portions of brush 35, which is indicated bythe direction of arrow D.

Suitable means are provided for rotating the agitating brush 35 and in the form shown, such means include a friction disc 38 which is atfixed to the rotary shaft 39 of brush 35 which extends through the plate and the bearing 37. The friction disc 38 may be constructed of any suitable material and in the form shown, is constructed of a firm but resilient rubber. The means for driving the brush also includes an electric motor indicated in general by numeral 40 which may be of any suitable type and in the form shown, includes a single phase shaded pole induction type motor having a laminated field member or stator 41 upon which is mounted a suitable field coil 42 which is retained by rigid members 43. Motor 40 is supported from the body member 10 and is connected thereto by suitable frame elements 40a which are connected to the stator 41 as by screws 40b and to the body member as by screws 40c. Motor 40 also includes.

a rotor 44 suitably mounted in bearings 45 which is supported from the stator 41. The rotor 44 is connected to l the output spindle 46 which engages the outer peripheral surface of the friction element 33 for driving the same.

Spindle 46 and friction disc 38 provide an extremely simple and inexpensive speed reducing device between the motor 40 and the brush 35. Because of the employment of this unique speed reducing device the motor 40 may be of an extremely simple and inexpensive construction.

Suitable switch means for controlling operation of the motor 40, such means may comprise any suitable switch ing device connected in one side of the power supply for motor 40, and in the form shown such means include a microswitch47 which is suitably mounted as on therigid retainer members 43 adjacent the shiftable actuator 33 to be operated with shifting thereof. Microswitch 47 is of a conventional type and includes a push button 48 which is engaged by the actuator or connecting element 33 when the same is shifted by operation of the push lever 29.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the construction of the lather machine is substantially identical to that shown in Figs. 1 through 5. The housing of body member 50 has a lather mixing chamber 51 formed therein, a discharge spout 52 having a discharge opening 53 communicating therethrough to the chamber 51, a soap bar opening 54 communicating through the peripheral chamber wall for introducing soap into chamber 51 and a threadably removable cap 55 for retaining the soap bar 56 in chamber 54 and urging the same inwardly toward the chamber 51. In the form of theinvention shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of ledges 57, 58 and 59 are formed in the body member 50 and protrude inwardly into the chamber 51 in a manner substantially identical to that of ledge 19 in the form of the invention disclosed in Figs 1 to 5. The ledges 5759 extend generally longitudinally of the cylindrical lather mixing chamber 51 and are spirally disposed with respect to the chamber. The outer end portions 57a, 58a and 59a of the ledges are arcuately spaced from the inner end. portions 57b, 58b and 59b thereof in the direction of travel indicated by arrow E, of the brush bristles. The ledge 57 will protrude inwardly into the chamber farther than the ledges 58 and 59 and the ledge 58 will protrude inwardly into the chamber farther than will ledge 59 from the peripheral chamber wall.

Operation In the operation of the lather mixing machine, it will be placed in a convenient location as in the bathroom of a house adjacent the sinkwhere shaving is usually done. The receptacle top 1111 may be removed to permit the pouring of a supply of water into the receptacle. 11. The spring 25 will resiliently urge the bar of soap inwardly toward the chamber 12 so as to supply the necessary soap for forming lather.

When the push lever 29 is pushed as by the thumb of a persons hand, the fingers of the hand maybe conveniently placed below the spout 18 to collect the lather discharge through the opening 17.. When the push lever 29 is pushed inwardly to dotted positionB thereof the actuator 33 is also shifted to dotted position B to engage the microswitch push button 43 and start the motor. When the motor is started, the brush 35 will revolve in the form shown in the range of approximately to 200 R. P. M. in the direction of arrow D. Substantially simultaneously with the starting of motor 40, the valve element 28 will be shifted into the dotted position B thereof to open the water inlet 27 and permit water to pass from the receptacle 11 into the lather mixing chamber 12.

The rapidly rotating bristles of brush 35 will, as best shown in Fig. 3, engage the inner end of the soap bar 21 and thereby carry small portions of soap into the chamber wherein the water which has been supplied will be picked up by the rapidly rotating brush and be vigorously agitated with the soap to form a lather. The outer end portions of the brush bristles will engage and pass across the ledge 19 and will be wiped thereof of soap lather carried thereby. The lather is thereupon collected on ledge 19 for discharge through the opening 17 in spout 18. Because the ledge 19 is substantially spirally disposed with relation to the peripheral wall of the chamber 12 and with respect to the outer periphery of the brush 35, the lather collected on ledge 19 will be positively forced and urged by the brush bristles from the inner edge portion 19b of ledge 19 toward the outer edge portion 1% thereof and outwardly of the discharge opening 17. The lather formed by the agitating brush 35 will thereby be discharged immediately after the lather has formed and substantially all of the lather formed during rotation of the brush is discharged along ledge 19 and in the groove formed thereby in cooperation with the peripheral wall surface 13.

When the push lever 29 is released, the spring 34 urges it outwardly again to the full line position shown and the actuator 33 releases the microswitch 47 and causes the motor to stop substantially with the stopping of motor 40. The valve element 28 is shifted back into seated position to close the water inlet 27 and thereby preclude entrance of more water into the lather-forming chamber 12. The brush 35 will cease rotation when motor 40 has stopped and the discharge of lather through the opening 17 will cease substantially immediately when the rotating brush 35 is stopped.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is substantially identical to that shown in Figs. l to 5. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the brush bristles will be thoroughly wiped a plurality of. times by the plurality of ledges 57--59. Because of the plurality of ledges, there will be somewhat more agitation of the bristles due to their passing over the ledges in succession as the brush is rotated.

It will be seen that I have provided a new and improved lather mixing machine wherein the rapidly rotating brush agitates the soap and water introduced into the lather forming chamber and then positively drives the lather outwardly of the mixing chamber through the discharge opening.

It should also be noted that I have provided a novel lather mixing machine wherein the lather discharged is wiped from the agitating bristles which carry a substantial supply of later while rotating and wherein the discharge of lather is substantially immediately stopped when the brush stops revolving.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A lather machine comprising a body member defining an enlarged chamber, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber for movement in close proximity with the body member for agitating the soap and water therein and forming lather, said body member also having a wiping ledge extending inwardly of said chamber and engaging the bristles of said brush for Wiping the lather therefrom, said body member having a lather outlet therein adjacent said ledge for discharging the lather collected thereon, and means for rotating said brush.

2. A lather machine comprising a body member having an enlarged interior chamber defined by an interior Wall surface, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber for movement in close proximity with the wall surface for agitating the soap and water and forming lather, a wiping ledge extending inwardly of the chamber from said surface and defining therewith a groove, a lather outlet in said body member communicating with said chamber and coextending with said groove for discharging lather collected thereon, said brush having bristles with end portions, said bristle end portions engaging and passing over the ledge to be wiped thereby, and power means for rotating said brush, whereby lather will be formed in said chamber and collected in said bristles which are wiped on said ledge.

3. A lather machine comprising a body member having an interior wall surface defining a large interior chamber, a ledge secured to'said body member and protruding inwardly of the chamber from said interior wall surface and cooperating with said surface to define a lather col lecting groove, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a brush mounted in said chamber for continuing movement for agitating the soap and water and forming lather, the bristles of said brush engaging and moving transversely across said ledge to be wiped thereby, said body member having a lather discharge opening therein communicating with said chamber and co-extending with said groove for discharging lather col lected thereon as said bristles move thereacross, and powered means for moving said brush.

4. A lather machine comprising a body member having an enlarged and substantially cylindrical chamber formed therein and defined by a peripheral interior wall surface, an elongated ledge secured to said body member and extending generally longitudinally of said chamber and projecting inwardly thereof from said peripheral surface, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber and having radially disposed bristles extending into proximity with said peripheral wall surface for agitating the soap and water and forming lather, said bristles engaging and passing over said ledge to be wiped of lather thereby, said body member having a lather discharge opening communicating with said chamber and being disposed adjacent said ledge for discharging lather collected thereon, and means for driving said rotary brush.

5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said ledge and said peripheral wall surface define a groove for discharging lather therethrough, and wherein said lather discharge openingis disposed in co-extending relation with said groove, said groove having an outer end portion disposed adjacent said discharge opening and having an inner end portion, and said ledge being generally spirally disposed on said peripheral surface so as to arcuately space the outer end portion of said groove from the inner end portion thereof in the direction of rotation of said brush, whereby the brush will be wiped of lather by said ledge and will force the lather outwardly through said discharge opening.

6. The structure recited in claim 2 and including a single control for substantially simultaneously operating said brush driving means and for introducing water into said chamber, whereby water is suppled into the chamber for forming lather when said brush is rotated and the supply of water is cut off when said brush is stopped.

7. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said body member has an opening communicating with said chamber adjacent the ends of the rotating brush bristles therein for carrying a bar of soap to be engaged by said bristles for the formation of lather, and means urging such a bar of soap inwardly of the chamber into engagement with said brush.

8. A lather machine comprising a body member having an enlarged and substantially cylindrical interior chamber defined by an inwardly facing peripheral wall surface, a ledge protruding inwardly of said surface and defining therewith a lather collecting and discharge groove, said ledge extending generally spirally from one end of said chamber to the other end thereof, said body member having a lather discharge opening formed therein and extending through the end of said chamber in substantially end to end relation with said groove, and said body member having an opening communicating through the peripheral wall surface of said chamber for carrying a bar of soap, means for urging such a bar of soap inwardly of said chamber, and means for introducing water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber and having radially disposed bristles extending into proximity with said wall surface and engaging and being wiped by said ledge, said ledge being disposed to cause said bristles to force the lather collected thereon outwardly through said discharge opening, and means for rotating said brush.

9. A lather mixing machine comprising a body member having an enlarged and substantially cylindrical chamber formed therein and defined by a peripheral interior wall surface, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber and having radially disposed bristles extending into proximity with said peripheral wall surface for agitating the soap and water and forming lather, a plurality of elongated ledges protruding inwardly of said chamber from said peripheral surface and extending generally 'Iongitudinally of the chamber, said bristles engaging and passing over said ledges to be wiped of lather thereby, and said body member having a lather discharge opening communicating with said chamber and disposed adjacent the ends of said ledges for discharging lather collected thereon, and means driving said rotary brush.

10. The structure recited in claim 9 wherein said separate ledges protrude inwardly of said chamber diiferent distances from said peripheral surface and wherein said ledges are constructed and arranged to cause the brush bristles when passing thereover to positively drive the lather collected on the ledges outwardly through said discharge opening.

11. A lather machine comprising a body member defining an enlarged chamber, means for introducing soap and water into said chamber, a rotary brush mounted within said chamber for movement in close proximity with the body member for agitating the soap and water therein and forming lather, said body member also having a wiping ledge extending inwardly of said chamber and engaging the bristles of said brush for wiping the lather therefrom, said body member having a lather outlet communicating with said chamber, powered rotary means for rotating said brush including a motor and including a speed reducing device interposed between said motor and said brush.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,868 Rolstad June 20, 1933' 2,310,379 Wahl Feb. 9, 1943 2,344,170 Rolstad Mar. 14, 1944

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