US2990708A - Lint flush device for combination washer-drier - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1961 P. A. MARTIN ETAL Filed March 3, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. A. MARTlN ETAL 90,708

LINT FLUSH DEVICE FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER July 4, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1958 Paul arli $6314 2&1 m b J all-wring;

July 4, 1961 P. A. MARTIN ETAL 2,990,708 LINT FLUSH DEVICE FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER Filed March 5, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 r t M &

ehoale MB 13141 )3 w July 4, 1961 P. A. MARTIN EI'AL 2,990,708

LIN'I Fnusn DEVICE FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 3, 1958 United States Patent 2,990,708 LINT FLUSH DEVICE FOR COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER Paul A. Martin and "Charles 'R. Blyth, Newton, Iowa, as-

signors to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 718,643 12 Claims. (CI. 68-20) This invention relates generally to a combination washer-drier for fabrics and specifically relates to a means for automatically flushing various parts of that washerdrier free from any lint which may tend to accumulate on those parts during the drying operations of that machine. 1

In the washer-drier illustrated in the accompanying drawings a generally imperforate cylindrical casing wrapper serves as a fluid container for washing fluid and provides a means for defining a drying chamber for a revoluble clothes tumbler whose cantilevered drive shaft is journaled in bearings supported by the cooperation of two spaced rear walls attached to the rear of that cylindrical casing wrapper. Washing operations for fabrics received by the tumbler are effected in a conventional manner while the drying of these fabrics is produced by circulating the hot moisture vapors emanating from the tumbler through a vapor condenser positioned between these two spaced rear walls and mounted within the confines of a scroll provided between those spaced walls in accordance with the invention disclosed and claimed in the oopending John C. Mellinger and Paul A. Martin application Serial No. 701,131, filed December 6, 1957, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention which is based upon subject matter disclosed but not claimed in that prior pending application.

In the illustrated machine air flow from the tumbler into the vapor condenser unit is produced by the rotation of a blower impeller member revolubly mounted between these spaced rear walls and positioned immediately adjacent an opening in the casing partition wall openly facing the perforate rear wall of the clothes tumbler. Continuous rotation of this blower impeller moves air into the vapor condenser so that condensation of moisture vapors withdrawn from the tumbler may take place within the scroll areas upon their contact with a misty spray of cooling fluid resulting from the impingement of that cooling fluid against the rotating impeller. The cool air discharged from the condenser area is then recirculated through the tumbler after being reheated in a heating unit located near the upper regions of the cylindrical casing enclosing that tumbler.

Operating tests have shown a tendency for lint shaken loose from the fabrics by the tumbling of these fabrics during the drying process to adhere and accumulate on the cooled portions of the casing partition wall immediately adjacent the perforate rear wall of the clothes tumbler. In addition, lint has tended to adhere to the areas immediately surrounding and forming the entrance to the vapor condenser unit as well as depositing on the water conduit tube projecting into the condenser unit for directing cooling fluid against the revoluble impeller.

While most of the lint shaken loose from the fabrics during the drying operation is actually drawn in the condenser and flushed down the drain by the condenser op eration during the drying cycle, more satisfactory and these lint deposits are flushed from the washer-drier and not permittedto contaminate subsequent washing fluids eflicient washing and drying operations are produced if or restrict air flow in any way during subsequent drying operations.

By attaching a plurality of water scoops to the perforate rear wall of the clothes tumbler adjacent its periphery we have found that the rotation of the tumbler during the washing operations causes these water scoops to splash through the washing fluid and bathe various tub and casing surfaces free of lint deposits as well as elevating small quantities of washing fluid to the vapor condenser inlet opening to be drawn past the vapor condenser water inlet tube and into the vapor condenser unit to flush these condenser parts and surfaces free from lint deposits also.

This construction has proved to be very etficient in maintaining all air flow passageways, especially the inlet to the vapor condenser unit itself, free of lint accumulations without the necessity of any complex control, pumps or conduits of any kind to perform the desired function of thoroughly scrubbing lint accumulations from the illustrated washer-drier.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a combination washer-drier, partially broken away, incorporating our invention; 1

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partially broken away, showing the right side of the combination washer-drier illustrated in FIGURE 1;

. FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, partially broken away, showing the left side of the combination washer-drier shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation, partially broken away, of the combination washer-drier unit shown in FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 5. is a cross sectional view on line 5--5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 showing the vapor condenser and air fan assembly of the combination washer-drier shown in FIGURES 1-4; and,

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the supporting hub structure shown in 'FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be seen that the combination washer-drier unit shown in these drawings includes a substantially flat surfaced base frame 10 mounted on legs 11. Mounted on base frame 10 are the channel members 13 and 14 which are welded or securely aflixed in some suitable manner to the base frame 10 to form the two major supports for the washer-drier unit illustrated in the accompanying figures.

As apparent from an inspection of FIGURES 1 and 4 channel members 13 and 14 are substantially triangular in elevational configuration with the apex of these members receiving pivot pins 16 and 17. These pivot pins 16 and 17 are journaled in the flanged bearing'sleeves 18 and 19, respectively, which form a two-point support for the tub brackets 21 and 22, respectively. This allows the cylindrical tub or casing which is generally indicated by the arrow 24, and which is fastened to the brackets 21 and 22, to oscillate back and forth on pins 16 and 17 in an arcuate movement in response to various forces generated within that tub.

Tub 24 is maintained in an upright position on pins 16and 17 by the two centering springs 25 connected between tub 24 and base 10 through the spring anchor brackets 26 fastened to the latter member. FIGURES 1 and 3 show the tub 24 as being provided with a tub damper bracket 28 which forms the support for the damper leaf spring 29 carrying the damper pad 3-1 in a ball and socket joint at the end of the damper spring 29. Base frame 10 is provided with an upstanding damper plate 32 which is engaged by the damper pad 31 to absorb and dissipate the energy imparted to tub 24 causing it to oscillate on the supporting pivot pins 16 and 17.

Tub or casing 24 includes a generally cylindrical side 3 wall 71, a pair of spaced rear walls 72 and 73 and a front wall 74. The front and outer rear walls 74, and 72, respectively are connected to the cylindrical side wall 71 by means of the encompassing flanged hoop-like members 76 while the partition wall or false tub back 73 positioned between walls 72 and 74 is welded to side wall 71. Walls 71, 73 and 74 thus cooperate to form a washing chamber for retaining washing fluid during the washing operations as well as defining a drying chamber for confining moisture vapors and lint emanating from fabrics processed within casing 24. It will be seen from an inspection of FIGURE that the spaced rear walls 72 and 73 support the tub bearing assembly generally indicated by the reference numeral 80 and shown in detail in FIGURE 7.

The tub bearing assembly 80 includes a spacer hub 81 which is located between and which abuts the rear walls 72 and 73, and the threaded clamp member 82 receiving the spanner clamp nut 83 which, when tightened on member 82, produces a rigid support for the bearing 85 and 86 adjacent walls 72 and 73 respectively. A spacer sleeve 88 loosely encircling the drum drive shaft 89 regulates the spacing between these bearings which journal drum drive shaft 89.

The rear end of the drum drive shaft 89 is rigidly connected to the large drive pulley 91 whereas its cantilevered front end is threaded into the hub 94 of the drum or clothes tumbler 95. Tumbler 95 includes a perforate rear wall 96 which is rigidly aflixed to and cooperates with the spider-like member 97 to form a double cone support connected to the hub 94 and providing a rigid support for the clothes basket 95 on drum drive shaft 89. A sealing member \101 including a carbon nose ring 102 pressed against the rear surface of this revoluble hub structure by coil spring 103 prevents water from the washing action carried within tub 24 from damaging bearings 85 and 86.

As apparent from an inspection of FIGURE 5 the clothes drum or tumbler 95 also includes a perforate cylindrical side wall 104 which carries clothes elevating means 105. Side wall 104 merges into the short front wall 106 and joins the flanged rear wall 96 in an overlapping relationship to form a protruding flange 108 which, while not touching wall 73, cooperates with that wall 73 to prevent heated air entering tub 24 through cylindrical side wall 71 during the drying operations from being short circuited around the rear peripheral edge of drum 95. V

Tub 24 includes a lower recessed portion 111 which forms the sump for tub 24. Sump 111 communicates with the drain pump 112 and includes a perforate tray 114 for preventing foreign particles passing through the perforate drum into tub 24 from entering and damaging pump 112. Tray 114 is removable from its position shown in FIGURE 5 through the drum access door 115 provided 'in the side Wall 104.

Tub 24 also includes the circular loading opening 117 which is encircled by the bellows seal 118 having its opposite end fastened around a similar opening formed in'cabinet 119 enclosing this combination unit. Sealing member 118 includes a number of convolutions permitting arcuate movement of tub 24 relative to cabinet 119. A rectangular door 121 hinged on cabinet 119 carries a transparent door glass 122 having a cylindrical portion extending rearwardly through the bellows seal 118 which is provided with a flexible annular sealing lip 124 engageable with the periphery of the glass door 122. This seals the unit while enabling the operator of the machine to observe the oprations taking place within tub 24 during the washing and drying processes. The lamp 126 fastened to the exterior of the tub 24 shines through the transparent member 127 carried in tub 24 for illuminating the interior of that tub unit during the loading operations ofthis machine. Y

Tub also includes a heater housing 131 which may be formed separately or as a part of the casing side wall and which supports a heating element 132 capable of radiating heat energy through an opening located in the cylindrical tub wall 71 and covered by the heater housing 131. Heater housing 131 also mounts the thermostat 133 which is connected in series with heater 132. A louvered shielding member 134 carried by tub 24 and positioned between heater housing 131 and the heating element 132 creates a divided air flow into tub 24. This maintains heater housing 131 in a relatively cool condition and directs a major portion of the heat from heating element 132 into the clothes drum by way of the perforate side wall 104.

The power necessary to rotate drum 95 through the large pulley 91 is supplied by the single speed motor 137 mounted on bracket 138 carried on a lower portion of tub 24. The output shaft of motor 137 is connected to a flexible universal coupling 139 which is connected in turn to the transmission input shaft 140 constituting an extension of the motor shaft.

A split pulley 141 having a pair of axially separable sheaves splined to each other is rigidly connected to shaft 140 through one of its sheaves. The other sheave is constantly biased toward the shaft connected sheave by means of the compression spring 142 which encircles the shaft extension 140. This arrangement automatically regulates the tension in the small belt 144 which drives the drain pump 112 whenever motor 137 is energized.

Shaft extension 140 also drives the two-speed transmission unit 145 and the pulley 146 affixed to the end of that portionof shaft 140 extending completely through transmission 145. Transmission 145 is provided with an output pulley which is connected to the large drum shaft pulley 91 through belt 148. In the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, an energization of the solenoid 149, which controls the output speed of pulley 147, causes the clothes receptacle 95 to be rotated at a speed of approximately 300 revolutions per minute while the deenergization of that solenoid causes receptacle 95 to tumble its contents at approximately 50 revolutions per minute.

The pulley 146 afiixed to the end of shaft 140 is connected to the fan pulley 151 through the belt 152 so as to drive pulley 151 at a speed approximately equal to that of motor 137. As shown in FIGURE 6, pulley 151 is rigidly connected to an impeller shaft 155 which is journaled in a bearing 156 supported by the removable circular plate 157 bolted to the rear wall 72 of tub 24.

A combination transmission support and belt tensioning device is provided by the slotted bracket 158 which is connected to the rear wall 72 through the adjustable machine screws 159. Bracket 158 journals shaft 140 allowing the transmission unit 145 to pivot freely around the bearing receiving that latter shaft. By moving the transmission unit 145 and its mounting bracket 158 awayv from the fan pulley 151, the slack may be taken out of belt 152. The slack is automatically taken out of the tumbler drive belt 148 by means of the compression spring 161 mounted between bracket 158 and the transmission unit 145 and tending to pivot transmission unit 145 downwardly around shaft 140. The tension in the drain pump belt 144 is automatically maintained during these adjustments by means of the spring biased split pulley 141.

A combination blower condenser unit capable of moving air through tub 24, scrubbing lint from this air and condensing out the moisture from hot moisture vapors produced; within casing 24 during its drying operations is positioned between portions of the spaced walls 72 and 73. As shown. in FIGURE 6, the partition wall 73 is provided with a flanged opening 163 which receives a rubber annular extension ring 164 terminating just short of the blades of an impeller member 165 fixed to the impeller shaft 155. Ring 164 is provided with a resilient lip .160 encompassing the flange 162 formed on opening 163 and cooperates withthatlatter member-to define an orifice having a streamlined cross section for reducing air turbulence and consequentlycooling fluid splash back through opening 163.

A housing for the impeller member 165 is produced by the cooperation of walls '72 andr73 with an imperforate scroll-shapedside wall 166, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 4, which bridges the space between walls 72 and 73 to enclose the blower condenser unit formed between these walls. A condenser waterv inlet pipe 167 directed toward the hub of impeller 165 allows the latter member to break up the stream of cool condensing fluid discharged from the condenser .pipe 167 and thereby produces a cool mist, spray and fog for condensing out hot moisture vapors entering this blower condenser unit through opening 163 during the drying operations of the combination washer-drier. Parts within this blower housing may be cleaned, adjusted or easily replaced in somecases by removing plate 157.

i A series of small curvedmoist ure entrained baifle plates 168'and a horizontal baffle plate 169, shown in the broken-away portion of FIGURE 4,'also bridge walls 72 and 73 to centrifugally separate out the droplets of moisture carried in the air leaving the blower housing unit and entering the heater housing unit 131 for reheating and recirculation through tub 24' and clothes receptacle 95. These plates 168 and 169 are not concerned .with

any vapor condensing function as that function is completely accomplishedw-ithin the confines of the condenser chamber formed by the cooperation of members .71, 7 2,. 73 and 166. Members 168 and 169. do,hoW-

vapors from escaping from within the front washing and drying chamber of tub 24 and condensing on the cooler interior surfaces of cabinet 119. I

Since there is a tendency to compress air within the firont chamber due to the expansion of heated air and 'due' to the pumping action of the tumbling fabrics within drum 95, the flapper check valve 177 covering the vapor breather hole 178 in rear wall 72 is provided. This allows air to escape from tub 24 in a unidirectional breathing action through these two flapper check valves 175 and 177 without producing condensation on the cabinet surfaces since the air escaping through the breather 'hole 178 is cooled by means of the blower, condenser unit within scroll 166 before being discharged through aperture A 17 8. i

Since sump 111 which receives the washing and condensing fluids discharged into casing Z4- is positioned between walls 73 and 74, a small drain aperture 176 is provided in wall 73 to enable the condensing fluid, its

resulting condensate and the lint scrubbed from the air entering the combination blower condensing unitto pass into sump 11 1 and into the drain pump 112 for disa charge to an external drain. While not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, a valve'is provided between sump 1111 and the drain pump 112 in order to retain washing fluids within, casing 24 during the washing, operations of this machine.

It should be noted that since the function of drain aperture 176 is to drain fluids from the space between walls .72 and 73, its size and shape is dictated by the quantity of liquid flowing through it and the possible effects of lint accumulation in this area. A conduit leading from 7 5 drying operations.

.In operation, during the washing operation, warm water is fed into the casing 24 to the desired fluid level through conduit 173. The automatic operation of a machine of this type through the various operations is effected by manual initiation on the part of the operator ofan automatic sequential timing mechanism generally designated as 78. Drum and its load of fabrics is then rotated at a tumbling speed in this body of fluid to effect a conventional tumbling and cleansing action which is followed by a series of rinses andcentrifuging operations to leave the fabrics in a damp-dry condition at the start, of the drying operation. This washing operation will tend to wash the lower portion of casing '24, including that portion between walls 72 and 73, free of most lint which may'have remained in this casing 'after 'a previous drying operation.

In order to aid in this lint flushing operation, the

perforate rear wall 96 of drum 95 is provided with four water scoops 179 located adjacent each of the legs of the drum spider 97 near the periphery of drum 95 so that each revolution of drum 95 will cause each scoop ,179 to elevate a small chargeof washing fluidfrom the pool'of washing fluid in thelower regions of casing 24 up to opening 163 in partition wall 73 to allow the suction of the continuously operating impeller 165 to draw these small fluid charges into the vapor condenser unit. The resulting impingement of these small fluid charges with the constantly rotating impeller 165 produces a spray of the washing fluid which provides a complete flushing of all condenser parts and surfaces within scroll 166 due to the combined flushing action and cleansing characteristics of the soapy or detergent carrying washing fluid traversing these surfaces. While these areas in the condenser chamber are thoroughly flushed by normal condenser operation during the drying operations, this flushing of these areas provides a positive assurance that no lint will be given an opportunity to accumulate over the various types of cycles that the washer-drier may be operated.

In addition to completely flushing the condenser chamber free of any lint accumulations, scoops 179 aid in maintaining the drying chamber free from lint deposits.

The rotation of drum 95 through the pool of ,washing fluid during the washing operations not only thoroughly bathes the peripheral portions of drum 95 by this repeated immersion but also allows scoops 179 to splash throughthis pool of washing fluid and flood the rear tumbler wall 96 and its adjacent casing wall 73 free from lint accumulations. Furthermore, scoops 179 elevate small charges of washing fluid to opening 163 where the suction of the revolving impeller 165 draws these charges past the vapor condenser water inlet tube 167 to flush the outer surfaces of that tube free from the lint tending to collect on that cool surface during the drying process. It should be noted at this point that it is the cooled surfaces such as tube 167, the areas of wall 73 adjacent opening 163 and the condenser inlet parts per se that are cooled by the condensing fluid passing through tube 167 and consequently produce some surface condensation to which lint is apt to adhere. These cooled parts are thoroughly flooded, splashed, bathed and flushed free of lint deposits by this invention. While water scoops 179 have been illustrated as being directly attached to drum 95, it should be apparent that they may also be fastened directly to drum shaft 94 by appropriate connections without modifying their basic functions.

While this lint flushing system has been illustrated in a ,horizontal axis machine, it should be apparent that its surfaces free from lint or other thread particles which might tend to contaminate subsequent washing operations. During the drying operations when heat is applied to the fabrics within drum 95 by the energization of heater -132, an evaporation of moisture from these fabrics takes place. Since the impeller 1'65 rotates whenever drive motor 137 is energized, the resulting moisture vapors are drawn through openings 163 in the false back 73 and are carried into the blower housing formed by the cooperation of scroll 166 with walls 71, 72 and 73. The

moisture vapors entering this blower housing which partially encompasses impeller 165, are cooled and condensed due to their intimate contact with a misty spray produced by the impingement of cooling fluid flowing through tube 167 onto the hub of the rotating impeller 165 which is also driven by motor 137. It will be apparent from FIGURE 6 that the impingment of this 'cooling fluid against the hub of impeller 1-65 rather than against the blades themselves will reduce the amount of splash back through opening 163.

While the efliciency of this condenser unit is dependent upon many design factors, tests have shown that units built in accordance with the illustrative drawings condense out all of the moisture removed from the air during its circulation between walls 72 and 73 by the time that the air leaves the eifluent opening 180 formed by the cooperation of the lower end of scroll 1-66with its adjacent casing walls.

Since the air-leaving drum 95 and entering the housing formed within scroll 1 66 encounters a violent misty spray which thoroughly scrubs the air entering that blower housing free of any suspended particles, the airborne lint entering opening 163 is thoroughly scrubbed from the and saturated with cooling fluid prior to the time that the air leaves eflluent port 180.

While most of the cooling fluid, condensate and lint discharging from the blower housing formed between walls 72 and 73 is discharged through opening 176 and sump .11 1 to drain, the air flow through this combination unit which is approximately 150 cubic feet per minute has a tendency, due to the restricted area of the efiluent opening 180 of that blower housing, to produce some carryover of the smaller moisture particles past opening 176.

In order to separate these smaller moisture particles and any lint carried by them from the air stream prior to its reentry into heater housing 131, that air stream is passed through a series of small curved moisture entraining baflie plates 168 which cause a sharp reversal of the air flow to take place after it has been discharged from the blower housing between walls 72 and 73. This reversal of air flow, which is directed approximately toward rotational axis of the drum 95 causes these moisture particles to become centrifugally separated from the air stream with the result that they are caught on the baffles 168 to reduce the total moisture content of the air as it must again reverse its direction of travel prior "to entry into heater housing 131 thereby presenting an additional opportunity for residual droplets to be separated from the air stream prior to its entry into housing 131 during the drying operation. Since these particles tend to gravitate toward scroll 166, this latter member has in actual practice been slightly spaced from side wall 71 to allow these droplets to drain to the bottom of casing 24 and pass through opening 176.

Weclaim:

1. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening in one of said walls, and means revoluble with said tumbler through said pool of washing fluid during said washing operation for flushing said one wall free of lint accumulated thereon during previous drying operations.

2. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening in one of said walls, and a plurality of water scoops fastened to said tumbler adjacent said one wall for rotation with said tumbler through said pool of washing fluid during said washing operation to bathe said one wall adjacent said opening free of lint deposits accumulated thereon during previous drying operations.

3. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from 'saidfabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening located in one of said walls and elevated above the bottom of said chamber, and means revoluble with said tumbler through said pool of washing fluid during said washing operation for elevating quantities of washing fluid to said opening to flush said one wall adjacent said opening free from lint deposited on said one wall during previous drying operations.

4. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying .operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening located in one of said walls and elevated above the bottom of said chamber,

-- and a plurality of water scoops connected to said tumbler for rotation therewith through said pool of washing fluid for elevating quantities of washing fluid over the surface of said one wall adjacent said opening in order to flush from sald surface lint deposited thereon during previous wdryingoperations.

6. In :a machine for washing and drying fabrics duringwashing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool'of Washing fluid during said washing operation andfor confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and/rumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening in one of said walls, means for rotating said impellerduring said washing and drying operations to move air from said chamberinto said vapor condenser unit, and means revoluble through said-pool. of washing fluid with said tumbler during said washing operation for moving quantities of washing fluid into the air stream drawn by said impeller into said vapor condenser unit for flushing said vapor condenser unit free of any lint accumulations deposited thereon during previous drying operations.

6. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening in one of said walls, means for rot-ating said impeller during said washing and drying operations to move air from said chamber into said vapor condenser unit, and means revoluble through said pool of washingfluid with said tumbler to bathe said one wall with washing fluid and to move quantities of washing fluid into the air stream drawn by said impeller into said vapor condenser unit for flushing said one wall and said vapor condenser unit free from lint accumulations deposited during previous drying operations.

7. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said Washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening in one of said walls, means for rotating said impeller during said washing and drying operations to move air from said chamber into said vapor condenser unit, and a water scoop device connected to said tumbler for rotation therewith through said pool of washing fluid during said washing operation to flush said one wall and adjacent parts of said tumbler free from lint deposits as well as moving quantities of Washing fluid into the air stream entering said vapor condenser unit to additionally flush said latter unit free from any lint deposited thereon during previous drying operations.

8. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned 'within said chamber for receiving and tumbling fabrics about a nonvertical axis during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening located in one of said walls and elevated above the bottom of said chamber, means for rotating said impeller during said washing and drying operations to move air into said vapor condenser unit, and a water scoop device connected to said tumbler and revoluble, therewith through said poolof washing fluid past said opening during said washing operation for flushing accumulated lint deposits from said one wall adjacent said opening as well as elevating quantities of Washing fluid into the air stream entering said vapor condenser unit to produce additional flushing of accumulated lint deposits within said vapor condenser unit.

9; In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling fabrics about a nonvertical axis during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating therewith through an opening located in one of said walls and elevated above the bottom of said chamber, a condensing fluid conduit extending partially across said opening for delivering cooling fluid into said vapor condenser unit to impinge against said impeller during said drying operation, means for rotating said impeller during said washing and drying operations to move air into said vapor condenser unit, and a water scoop device connected to said tumbler adjacent said one wall and revoluble with said tumbler through said pool of Washing fluid and past said opening during said washing operation for flushing lint deposits from said condensing fluid conduit and said one wall adjacent said opening as well as elevating quantities of washing fluid into the air stream entering said vapor condenser unit to produce additional flushing of accumulated lint deposits within said vapor condenser unit.

10. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including Walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a revoluble perforate tumbler positioned within said chamber :for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor con,- denser unit including a revoluble impeller positioned externally of said chamber and communicating there with through an opening in one of said walls, means for rotating said impeller during said Washing and drying operations to move air from said chamber to said vapor condenser unit, a condensing fluid conduit extending partially across said opening for delivering cooling fluid into said vapor condenser unit against said impeller, and a plurality of water scoops fastened to said tumbler adjacent said one Wall for movement through said pool of washing fluid during the rotation of said tumbler to move quantities of Washing fluid past said opening in order to flush said one wall adjacent said opening free of lint deposits as well as moving quantities of washing fluid into said air stream entering said vapor condenser unit to impinge against said impeller and flush the interior of said vapor condenser unit free of any lint accumulations deposited therein during previous drying operations.

11. Ina machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken loose from said fabrics during said drying operation, a perforate tumbler revoluble about a nonvertical axis and positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser including a revoluble im peller positioned in juxtaposition to one of said walls, means for rotating said impeller during said drying oper ations to move air through said vapor condenser, a condensing fluid conduit for delivering cooling fluid to said vapor condenser, and a plurality of water scoops fastened to said tumbler adjacent said one wall for movement through said pool of washing fluid during the rotation of lint accumulations deposited thereonduring previous drying operations.

12. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and drying operations, a casing including walls defining a chamber for retaining a pool of washing fluid during said washing operation and for confining lint shaken free from said fabrics during said drying operation, a perforate tumbler revoluble about a nonvertical axis and positioned within said chamber for receiving and tumbling said fabrics during said washing and drying operations, a vapor condenser in juxtaposition to one of said walls, a condensing fluid conduit for delivering cooling fluid to said vapor condenser, and means 12 revoluble with said tumbler through said pool of washing fluid during said washing operation for flushing said one wall free .of lint accumulated thereon during previous drying operations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 547,655 Baker- Oct. 8, 1895 1,693,089 Lister Nov. 27, 1928 2,214,131 Haberstump Sept. 10, 1940 2,316,669 Busi Apr. 13, 1943 2,607,209 Constantine Aug. 19, 1952 2,600,008 Raczynski July 23, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 883,587 Germany July 20, 1953

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