US2989070A

US2989070A - Laundering apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2989070A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sulzmann Erich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-03-27
Filing date: 1957-09-18
Publication date: 1961-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1978-06-20

Description

June 20, 1961 E 'SU'LZMANN 2,989,070

'LAUNDERING APPARATUS Original Filed March 27, 1956 I nited St tes atent Divided and this application Sept. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 684,812

3 Claims. (Cl. 137-334) The present invention relates to washing machines.

The present application is a division of copending application Serial No. 574,249, filed March 27, 195 6, and entitled Laundering of Textile Articles, now abandoned.

The present invention relates in particular to that type of washing machine in which the wash liquor flows through the machine.

With washing machines of this type it is necessary during a part of the washing cycle to heat the wash liquor, and this may be done by supplying a heating medium such as steam to the wash liquor. At the present time the control of the flow of such a heating medium to the washing machine is brought about by a valve which is in turncontrolled by a membrane which is acted on by a fluid such as steam or air under pressure, so that in this way the valve which controls the flow of the heating medium may be slowly opened or closed. If an electromagnetic valve, for example, were used to control the flow of steam or other heating medium to the washing machine, it would be necessary to open and close such a valve frequently, and because of the relatively large amount of current required for this purpose many disadvantages would result, and for this reason a pressure fluid acting on a membrane is used to provide a gradually opening and closing of the control valve rather than an electrically actuated valve which opens and closes suddenly. However, the provision of a membrane acted on by a fluid under pressure is not a satisfactory solution to the problem. For example, if the fluid pressure is not available to act on the membrane the valve which admits the heating medium will remain closed and the washing cannot be carried out at the desired temperature. Such an occurrence cannot be risked in commercial installations, and thus under these conditions it is necessary to provide structures which will guarantee reliable operation, and as a result the cost of operation of washing machines in commercial installations is undesirably high.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by providing a washing machine arrangement which is capable of having the control of the supply of the heating medium carried out by a valve which opens and closes suddenly so that the necessity of providing a membrane operated on by a fluid under pressure is eliminated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine with a control arrangement capable of guaranteeing eflicient washing of articles while the heating medium is supplied steadily to the washing machine during that phase of the washing cycle when the wash liquor is required to be at an elevated temperature.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which will automatically control the temperature of the wash liquor without any difiiculties in the supply of a heating medium thereto while at the same time using relatively simple structure which is very reliable in operation.

With the above objects in view, the present invention includes in a washing machine a receptacle adapted to contain a wash liquor in which articles are washed. A first conduit means leads to and communicates with the interior of the receptacle for delivering a heating medium such as steam thereto, and a first valve means cooperates with this first conduit means for opening the same to fie admit the heating medium through the first conduit means to the receptacle. A second conduit means communicates with the receptacle for delivering thereto a liquid at a temperature substantially lower than the heating medium, and a second valve means cooperates with the second conduit means for opening and closing the same. A control means which is responsive to the temperature of the wash liquor in the receptacle cooperates with the second valve means for opening and closing the same to control the delivery of the liquid through the second conduit means to the receptacle for maintaining the temperature of the wash liquor within predetermined limits while the heating medium flows steadily to the receptacle through the first conduit means. In this way the first valve means may have a relatively simple construction'since it is only required to open the first conduit means and maintain it open while the heating medium flows steadily to the washing machine, the cooler liquid having its flow through the second conduit means controlled so as to regulate the temperature of the wash liquor.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, to gether with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

As may be seen from the drawing wherein a structure according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in a longitudinal sectional view, the washing machine includes an outer receptacle 10 which is stationary and which has in its interior a rotary wash drum 11, as is conventional. The wash drum 11 is carried by the shaft means 12 tor rotation about the axis of the shaft means 12, and the drum may be driven in any suitable way as by a belt and pulley drive, a pulley of this drive being shown at the end of the left portion of the shaft 12,.

as viewed in the drawing. The drive should be reversible.

The fresh wash water is supplied through a conduit 13 which communicates with a valve housing 14 which forms part of a valve means which includes the valve member 15 which is electrically controlled and which controls the flow of the wash water from the conduit 13 to the conduit 16. A heating medium for heating the wash liquor within the receptacle 10 may be in the form of steam which is delivered by the conduit 17 to the receptacle 10, and the heating of the wash liquor may take place either by a direct flow of steam into the wash liquor or through indirect heating of the wash liquor, a

valve 18 controlling the flow of the heating medium, such as steam, through the conduit 17 to the receptacle 10. This valve 18 seats itself upon a valve seat which forms part of the conduit 17 in order to maintain the valve means which cooperates with the conduit 17 closed so as cut off the flow of heating medium to the receptacle 10.

The level of the liquor in the receptacle 10 is higher than that in the drum 11, and this is brought about by the fact that the liquid flows to the receptacle 10 at a faster rate than it flows into the drum 11, the flow of the liquor into the drum 11 being retarded as by necessitating the flow of the liquor through openings 11' formed in the end walls of the drum 11. The drum may also be provided in a known way with holes at its outer periphery. The liquid in the receptacle 10 overflows through a siphon-like discharge tube 10. The addition of soap can be provided, for example, through the inlet 27.

The drawing illustrates how the periodic supply of liquid through the conduit 16 is controlled.

In order to provide the flow of heating medium through the conduit 17, the valve 18 is opened, and this is brought about by turning the lever 20 which may be controlled mechanically or by hand. The lever 20 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends by a bracket carried by the housing of the valve 18, and a spring means in the form of a spring 18 within the housing urges the valve member downwardly to its closed position, and because of the connection of the valve stem to the lever 20, this spring means maintains the lever 20 in the position thereof illustrated in the drawing. A blocking member 19 is pressed by a spring to the right, as viewed in the drawing, so that when the lever 20 is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, to open the valve, the blocking member 19 moves into the space previously occupied by the lever 20, and prevents the return of the latter to the position it takes when the valve is closed, so that the spring 18' is prevented by the spring-pressed blocking member 19 from returning the valve to its closed position, and in this way upon actuatiton of the lever 20 a steady How of steam through the conduit 17 is provided. The blocking member 19 forms an extension of an armature of the solenoid 25 controlled by the

circuit

26, 26.

The valve 15 is urged to its closed position by a spring 15, and the stem of the valve 15 is connected to the armature of solenoid 21 which is controlled by an

electrical circuit

22, 24, 24, this electrical circuit including the contact thermometer 23 which engages the liquor within the receptacle and which controls the solenoid 21 by closing and opening the circuit thereof in accordance with the temperature. The liquid which flows through the conduit 16 to the receptacle 10 is at a temperature substantially lower than the steam which flows through the conduit 17, and when the temperature of the liquor in the receptacle 10 reaches a predetermined value, this temperature which is sensed by the contact thermometer 23 will cause the latter to close the circuit and open the valve so that the liquid flows to the receptacle 10 through the conduit 16 in order to reduce the temperature of the liquor, and when a certain predetermined lower temperature is reached the circuit opens and the spring 15' again closes the valve 15. Thus, while steam or other suitable heating medium flows to the receptacle 10 through the conduit 17, the temperature of the wash liquor is maintained within predetermined limits by the opening and closing of the valve 15 which is controlled by the contact thermometer 23. For example, the thermometer or control means 23 may be set so as to close the circuit of the solenoid 21 as soon as the temperature of the wash liquor reaches 85 C.

Pre-rinsing or after rinsing of the wash can be provided by closing the

electrical circuit

22, 24, 24 so as to maintain the valve 15 open. The closing of the circuit can be controlled in a known way by an electrical clock switch or by a suitable cam roller which controls the washing program, and through the lead 24" a closing of a circuit through the solenoid 21 independently of the thermometer 23 can be provided.

The interruption of the admission of steam to the receptacle 10 after carrying out the heated phase of the washing cycle can be provided by energizing the solenoid 25 so that the blocking member 19 is retracted and the spring 18 automatically closes the valve 18. The

circuit

26, 26 of the solenoid 25 can also be controlled in a known way by a timing roller 30 or the like which carries electrical contacts for controlling the circuit.

The conduit 17 which is upstream of the conduit 17 and forms therewith the conduit means for admitting the heating medium to the receptacle 10, may be provided with a throttling valve 28 and a pressure gauge 29, so that it is possible to adjust the pressure of the steam before it enters into the conduit 17 and receptacle 10.

It is also possible in accordance with the present invention to periodically interrupt the supply of water through the conduit 16 to the receptacle 10 during a rinsing phase, either pre-rinsing or after rinsing, and in this way the flow of water is retarded and increased. As a 4 result with a relatively small amount of water the rinsing is carried out by changing the amount of wash liquor in the receptacle and by changing the elevation thereof. This regulation can be carried out by an electric clock switch arrangement or program controlling drum or the like through the electrical lead 24".

A control lamp may be arranged in the circuit 26, 26' for indicating when the lever 20 Should be actuated to control the steam valve 18. Also, instead of delivering steam directly to the wash liquor in the receptacle 10, it is possible to provide only one or more heating tubes in the interior of the receptacle and along the interior of these tubes a suitable heating medium may flow. Also, it is possible to build a suitably adjustable radiator in the receptacle.

The heating up of the wash liquor can be carried out in any desired known way by direct or indirect steam heating, or through other mediums, particularly electrical, gas, or oil heating, or the like.

Also, it is possible to construct the water supply valve 15 differently, and in particular as the discharge valve of a tank which holds a supply of fresh water, such a discharge valve being, for example, in the form of a ball valve which also may be controlled by a magnet. In this way it is possible to lead the water from such a supply tank through a chamber containing soap or other chemicals, so that with such an arrangement the inlet 27 for the soap may be eliminated.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of washing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in washing machines and controls therefor, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing machine, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain a wash liquor in which articles are washed; first conduit means leading to and communicating with the interior of said receptacle for leading a heating steam thereto; valve means cooperating with said first conduit means for opening and closing the latter; spring means cooperating with said valve means for urging the same to a closed position closing said first conduit means to cut off the flow of heating steam to said receptacle; a lever means cooperating with said valve means for moving the same against the force of said spring means to an open position for maintaining said valve means open so as to provide a steady flow of heating steam to said receptacle while said valve means is maintained open; releasable blocking means cooperating with said lever means for preventing the latter from moving under the influence of said spring means to a position which said lever means takes when said valve means is closed, so that said blocking means cooperates with said lever means to maintain said valve means open against the force of said spring means; second conduit means communicating with and leading to the interior of said receptacle for delivering to the latter a liquid at a temperature substantially below that of the heating steam; second valve means cooperating with said second conduit means for opening and closing the latter; and temperature-responsive control means responsive to the temperature of the wash liquor in the receptacle and cooperating with said second valve means for opening and closing the latter to maintain through said second conduit means a delivery of liquid which will maintain the temperature of the wash liquor within predetermined limits while the heating steam flows steadily to said rereceptacle through said first conduit means, whereby the temperature of the wash liquor can be controlled Without interrupting the flow of the heating steam to the receptacle and whereby after said blocking means is actuated to release said lever means said first-mentioned valve means will automatically close to cut off the flow of heating steam to said receptacle.

2. In a washing machine, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain a wash liquor in which articles are washed; first conduit means leading to and communicating with the interior of said receptacle for leading a heating steam thereto; valve means cooperating with said first conduit means for opening and closing the latter; spring means cooperating with said valve means for urging the same to a closed position closing said first conduit means to cut off the flow of heating steam to said receptacle; a lever means cooperating with said valve means for moving the same against the force of said spring means to an open position for maintaining said valve means open so as to provide a steady flow of heating medium to said receptacle while said valve means is maintained open; releasable blocking means cooperating with said lever means for preventing the latter from moving under the influence of said spring means to a position which said lever means takes when said valve means is closed; so that said blocking means cooperates with said lever means to maintain said valve means open against the force of said spring means; second conduit means communicating with and leading to the interior of said receptacle for delivering to the latter a liquid at a temperature substantially below that of the heating steam; second valve means cooperating with said second conduit means for opening and closing the latter; temperatureresponsive control means responsive to the temperature of the wash liquor in the receptacle and cooperating with said second valve means for opening and closing the latter to maintain through said second conduit means a delivery of liquid which will maintain the temperature of the wash liquor within predetermined limits while the heating steam flows steadily to said receptacle through said first conduit means, whereby the temperature of the wash liquor can be controlled without interrupting the flow of the heating steam to the receptacle and whereby after said blocking means is actuated to release said lever means said first-mentioned valve means will automatically close to cut 01f the flow of heating medium to said receptacle; and electromagnetic means cooperating with said blocking means for actuating the same to release said lever means.

3. In a washing machine, in combination, a receptacle adapted to contain wash liquor in which articles are washed; a first conduit leading to and communicating with the interior of said receptacle for leading hot steam thereto; a valve housing carried by said first conduit and having therein a valve seat which forms part of said first conduit; a valve member carried by said housing for movement to and from a position in engagement with said seat for closing said conduit; spring means cooperating with said valve member for urging the same to said valve seat; a lever pivotally carried by said housing and connected to said valve member for moving the same away from said seat for opening said first conduit means, said lever having a free end; a spring-pressed blocking member located next to said free end of said lever and urged by its spring to a position occupying the space which is occupied by said free end of said lever when said valve is on said seat, so that when said lever is turned to raise said valve member from said seat said blocking member will automatically move to a position which prevents the return of said lever to the position it occupied when said valve member was on said seat so that said blocking member maintains said first conduit means open; electromagnetic means including a timer and cooperating with said spring-pressed blocking member for moving the same to a releasing position releasing said lever and valve member to the influence of said spring means for closing said first conduit means; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said receptacle for leading to the latter a liquid at a temperature substantially lower than the temperature of said steam; second valve means cooperating with said second conduit means for opening and closing the same; and temperatureresponsive control means responsive to the temperature of the wash liquor in said receptacle and cooperating with said second valve means for opening and closing the latter to provide in said second conduit means a flow of liquid to said receptacle which will maintain the temperature of the wash liquor therein within predetermined limits while the steam flows steadily to said receptacle through said first conduit means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 866,825 Summers et a1. Sept. 24, 1907 1,575,188 Chace Mar. 2, 1926 1,954,261 Pierce Apr. 10, 1934 1,995,634 Clark Mar. 26, 1935 2,146,930 Bassett Feb. 14, 1939 2,570,148 Neuroth et al. Oct. 1951