US608792A - Apparatus for chemical cleaning - Google Patents

Description

No. 608,792. Patented Aug. 9, 1898. A. F. PLATT.

APPARATUS FOR CHEMICAL CLEANING.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1897.)

(No Model.)

w VEN r00 v4.4? 9% V 3; A TTORNEYS WITNESSES with ALFRED F. PLATT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

APPARATUSFOR CHEMICAL CLEANING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,792, dated August 9, 1898.

Application filed March 19, 1897.; SerialNo. 628,242. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED F. PLATT, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Chemical Cleaning and Settling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a broken perspective view of my improved apparatus, showing one form of support. Fig. II represents a transverse vertical sectional view of the apparatus. Fig. III represents a top plan view. Fig. IV represents a broken perspective view showing a second form of support. Fig. V represents a detail perspective view of the deflectionplates, and Fig. VI represents a plan view of a modified form of the support shown in Fig. I. Y

The apparatus consists of a receptacle or tank A, supported on a suitable stand or support 13. The said tank is preferably made rectangular in longitudinal section and has its longer sides converging toward the bottom in order to require the least practicable amount of liquid to fill it. the tank is made to enlarge into a settlingbasin A, preferably of curvilinear cross-section, forming thereby a contracted neck between said basin and the main portion of the tank. Intel-posed between the said basin A and the upper portion of the tank are deflection-plates C, which are formed of longitudinal metal sheets or plates 0, extending from end to end of the tank and joined transversely by the cross-pieces c. The wholestructure of the deflection-plates is made independent of the tank, so that it may be easily removed, and wlren'in place all the plates are in an upright position. On the top of the deflec=- tion-plates C is placed a rectangular sieve or perforated sheet D, which fits the inside of The bottom of the tank quite snugly and may also be easily removed. 7

A cock E is located in the side of the tank and above the basin A, and another, E, in the side of the tank communicating with the basin. A third cock F. is located in the bottom of the said basin, whereby the cleaningliquid may be drained off and the settlingbasin cleaned out.

In the upper part of the tank are fastened four lugs a, two near each end, which receive removable transverse supports a of suitable material, one at each end. A board F is laid upon these supports, the shape of said board being varied according to the shape of the material or object to be operated upon. Fig. I illustrates a rectangular board, and Fig. VI represents a board used formaterial wider at one end than at the other.

Two bearings G are riveted to the end walls of the tank, and journal a roller or drum G, which is substituted for the board when long pieces of fabric, such as rugs or carpets, are operated upon. In using the roller the fabric is laid across it and permitted to dangle into the tank, and successive portions may be then brought into a convenient position to be operated upon by merely rotating the roller.

A steam-coil H surrounds the tank and is usedto keep the liquid from getting too cold in cold weather.

A suitable cover J is provided to prevent the rapid evaporation of the liquid when the apparatus is not in use.

The cleaning liquid is poured into the tank to a convenient height and is dipped up in the usual manner and applied to the object or ma terial to be cleaned.

In ordinary apparatus after a small number of cleanings have taken place a considerable amount of solid matter, which is expurged in the cleaning operation, is found in the liquid and renders it unfit for use. were allowed to settle, the agitation of the liquid on renewing the operation would engender currents and stir up the deposit which has settled at the bottom and almost i1nn1ediately disseminate throughout the liquid, rendering it deleterious and compelling its frequent renewal, thus causing considerable delay in the work. When volatile solvents are used-such as naphtha,&.'c.a large amount If itof waste through evaporation takes place, rendering the operation very dangerous on account of the high explosive qualities of this waste. In my improved apparatus, however, the solid matter is permitted to settle in the bottom of the settling-basin, inasmuchas the neck and the deflection-plates, through the medium of its narrow cross-section and the upright transverse and horizontal plates, render the settling basin substantially independent of currents formed in the upper liquid by agitation on its renewed application. The said currents striking the plates will be rendered ineffective in the basin, and hence will not stir up the sediment at its bottom, as is readily seen, and the narrow neck of the basin prevents solid matter from rising after having once entered.

The apparatus works successfully without the aid of the deflection-plates, the inwardlyprojecting sides of the tank at the neck actin g, in a measure, in that capacity, though not so efficiently as the plates. The sieve or perforated plate D prevents any loose article from falling through to the bottom of the basin. By these means the life of the liquid is prolonged far beyond the life of a liquid used in the ordinary apparatus, and when volatile solvents are used for cleaning the danger from explosion is reduced to its minimum.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means covered by any one of the following claims be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention- 1. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain the cleaning liquid and provided at its bottom with a settling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in said basin substan-- tially independent of longitudinal and transverse currents in the upper portion of the receptacle and means located in said upper portion of the receptacle, adapted to support the object or material to be cleaned, substantially as set forth.

2. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain the cleaning liquid and provided at its bottom with a settling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in said basin substantially independent of currents in the upper portion of the receptacle, a perforated plate or sieve located in said upper portion, and means located in said upper portion and above said plate or sieve, adapted to support the object or material to be cleaned, substantially as set forth.

3. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain the cleaning liquid, and formed at its bottom with a settling-basin, means adapted to render the liquid in said basin substantially independent of currents in the liquid in the upper portion of the receptacle, and a roller journaled in said upper portion and adapted to support the object or materialto be cleaned, substantially as set forth.

4. In a chemical cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain the cleaning liquid and formed at its bottom with a settling-basin, deflection-plates interposed between said basin and the upper portion of said receptacle adapted to prevent currents in the liquid in the said upper portion from communicating with the liquid in said basin, and a roller journaled in said upper portion and adapted to support the object or material to be cleaned, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 13th day of March, 1897.

ALFRED F. PLATT.

Attested by A. E. MERKEL, DAVID T. DAVIES.

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