US1937276A - Dry cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 28, 1933. E. F. .JENKS DRY CLEANING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Shae Filed Aug. 24

Nov. 28,1933. E. F. JENKS DRYCLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 28, 1 933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inachines for cleaning and drying clothing, or the like in which the cleaning or washing, the extraction of solvent, and the subsequent drying of the articles is accomplished in a single unit and in a connected sequence'of operation. Primarily the invention relates to a machine particularly adapted to use a volatile liquid, such asgasoline or carbon tetrachloride, through the agency of which liquid what is known as dry cleaning is accomplished. The following description will therefore largely relate to the use of such volatile liquid.

In dry cleaning through the agency of a volatile liquid, the clothes or other articles are immersed and agitated in the presence of a liquid which will act as a solvent to cut out grease and dirt, the machine ordinarily employed having a perforated cylinder in which the clothes are locked, which cylinder is rotated at slow speed while partly immersed in the liquid.- These devices ordinarily are unbalanced as to both rotating parts and loading and therefore are not adapted to be rotated at high speed. After the cleaning step the solvent is drained off and the articles are removed to a balanced drum extractor which is rotated at high speed until the solvent remaining is thrown out or extracted, the solvent, removed being drained off.

The articles are then removed from the ex tractor and placed in a drier where the residual fumes are drawn or blown off, accomplishing the drying. i

The primary object of the present invention is to make a machine in which the rotating parts are accurately balanced which lends itself to the balancing of the load, and which is adapted not only for initial cleaning'or' washing steps, but

also for the high speed extracting step, and the final drying step.

A second object is to make a machine which may be conveniently loaded and in which particularly the load may be brought into convenient and readily accessible position for removal.

A further object is to simplify the design and construction of such a machine, whereby efiiciency, long life, and low cost are had.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional elevation taken 5 as on the line I--I of Fig. 3 showing the machine empty, but closed with the parts positioned for operation.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view on the line I of Fig. 3 opened up for placing or removing the articles.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the center line of the casing and drum.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, 10 is a casing having an opening 11 extending substantiallythe full length thereof which is adapted to be-closed and sealed by a removable door 12.

Preferably the casing is a hollow cylinder carried by circular disk ends 13, 14 which are suitably flanged, and the opening is rectangular and provided with a peripheral flange 15 against which the door seats. The door may be secured to the flange in any usual or desired manner as by clamp screws 16.

l7, 18 are frames on which the casing is supported as by integral brackets 19, 20.

21 is a tank preferably disposed below the casing. 22 are drain pipes which lead from the easing into a longitudinally disposed pipe 23 and thence through a pipe 24 into the tank. 25 is a cut off valve.

The pipe 23 extends beyond the casing ends andhas extensions 26 and 27, projecting above the casing, the extension27 being provided with a suitable removable cap or closure 28, and the valve controlled extension 26 leading to a suitable source'of solvent supply. 29 is an overflow pipe leading from one of the casing ends, as the end 14 at the desired liquid level in the casing, which pipe discharges into the tank. 39 is a valve controlled drain from the tank. 31 is a pipe which is connected to a suitable exhaust fan.

Disposed within the casing 10 is the rotary unit, comprising a shaft 40 which extends through stuihng boxes .41, 42 in the ends 13, 14 and is journalled in suitable bearings 43, 44 preferably ball or roller, mounted on the frames 17, 18. The shaft 40 may optionally be driven from either end, as through pulleys 45, 46, the pulley 45 being of large size and intended for slow rotation and the pulley 46 of small size to'permit high speed rotation.

Mounted on andsec'ured to the shaft within the casing are heads 47, 48 positioned adjacent the casing ends 13, 14. Each head is provided with a plurality of sockets 50, 51 respectively positioned at equal distances from the shaft 40 and equally spaced therearound, there being the same number of sockets,'preferably four, in each head, and the heads being so secured on the shaft that the ll? sockets of one head longitudinally align with the corresponding sockets of the opposite head.

52, 53 are complementary flanged disks, provided respectively with-projecting trunnions- 54, 55, which are tumably engaged in the sockets 50, 51. Secured to the flanges, and carried by complementary 'pairs of disks are foraminated baskets 56, which are each approximately three fourths of-a cylinder. The heads 47, 48 are provided with flanges, 57, 58 respectively, which are concentric with the baskets. Secured to and extending between complementary pairs of these flanges are arcuateplates 59, loosely embracing the exterior of the baskets 56, and adapted to form closures for the openings of the respective baskets when the basket open sides are turned toward the shaft to.

Each basket may be turned to position its open side toward the related plate 59 or it may be turned to position the opening outward. To hold in such positions each disk, as the disk 53 of the basket, is provided with two diametrically opposite holes Gib-ill, which are optionally engaged by a pin 62 carried by a spring 63. The spring carried pin is manually disengaged to permit the movement and is released to automatically re-engaged when the proper position is reached.

One of the rotary heads, as the head 48, is provided with notches 64, corresponding in number to the baskets carried by the heads, any one of which notches may be engaged by a hook-like latch 65 secured to the casing 10, when the cover 12 has been removed, and thus each basket. in turn, or any desired basket, may be held in proper position to be filled or emptied. Any basket therefore may be turned into register with the opening ll and held there by the latch, the pin 62 manually disengaged from the hole 60 and the basket turned until the pin automatically engagesthe hole 61, registering the basket open side with the casing opening 11.

it will be particularly noted in this construction that the rotary unit is in every way symmetrical and is perfectly balanced so that it may be rotated at high speed. It will be further noted that since each basket is cut away at one side, so as to comprise only a portion of a cylinder, it automatically tends with its heaviest side furthest from the shaft to, to assume a closed position, under rapid rotation oi the unit.

In using the machine, the door 12 is removed,

- and a basket is rotated into position in front of the opening ii and turned until its open side registered with the door opening. At such time the latch is engage with the notch 64 in the head as. The pin 62 is disengaged and the basket turned to open position. Such articles as may be desired are then placed in the basket, the pin is disengaged and the basket turned to closed position and locked. The latch is disengaged, and an additional basket moved to place and charged, the operation being repeated until all baskets are charged, care being taken to distribute the load equally in the baskets.

The door 12 is then replaced and clamped hermetically in place. The valve casing is then filled through the pipe 26 to the desired level, care being taken that the valve 25 and the drain valve are closed, and the cap 27 seated.

After filling, the pipe valve is closed andthe rotary unit turned at relatively slow speed as through the belt pulley 45, alternately churning the baskets and their content through thesolvent and draining them as they pass thereabove.

- issuers When such step has been carried on for the desired time, the machine is shut down, the valve 25 opengd and the solvent drained off.

The r tary unit is next driven, as through the pulley 46, at high speed to throw oil or extract the surplus solvent from the articles in the baskets. At such speed charges in the baskets,

automatically are thrown outward to symmetrical and balanced positions making such high speed operation possible. The solvent thrown out drains to the bottom and out through the drain pipes.

On completion of the extracting operation the valve 25 is closed, the drive is shifted back to the low speed pulley, the cap 2? is removed permitting air to enter and the air is drawn out through the exhaust pipe while rotation at low speed isv continued. After such exhaustion, or decderization as it is termed, the machine is shut down, the door opened and the articles removed from the baskets.

It will particularly be noted that the articles to be cleaned are assembled in a plurality of segregated groups thus accelerating action thereon and improving greatly the cleaning action; that such segregation makes it possible to place colored and white. articles in separate baskets obviating staining of white, or delicately colored articles; that the baskets are readily accessible for placing the articles therein and removing them therefrom; that it is not necessary to handle and transfor heavily charged articles; and that no odors or fumes. escape or are disseminated in the room during the operation.

It will also be noted that the segregation of the articles into definite groups and the "concentration of these articles at definite positions around the periphery dueto the curvature of the baskets and the location of the center of these curvatures away from the axis of rotation prevents shifting of the load into an unbalanced group or groups, and enhances balancing of the device for the high speed step or" the operation.

It will be understood that usual steps of filtering and washing the cleaning fluid and of circulating same from thetank to the casing may be resorted to if and when desired.

' It will further be understood that in a machine iiuid may be used instead oi the dry cleaning solvent and the articles may be centrifugally extracted'at the higher speeds, and thereafter dried thus making-of the machine a laundry washing and drying machine. V I

Having described my invention what I claim is:

l. In a device ofthe character described, a ca's ing having a charging opening therein and removable means for closing and sealing said opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing and projecting therebeyond, a pair of heads spaced apart, secured on said shaft, a plurality of foraminated baskets equally spaced around said shaft and at equal distances therefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnably supported by said heads, and means carried from and lying adjacent said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned of foraminated baskets equally spaced around said shaft and at equal distances therefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnably supported by said heads, means carried from and lying adjacent said shaft, cooperating wi th said baskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures therefor, and means for latching said baskets optionally in open or closed positions.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing for the reception of a cleaning fluid, having anopening thereinto for the introduction and removal of articles therefrom, and removable means for closing and sealing said opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, said shaft projecting therefrom, a pair of heads spaced apart, secured on said shaft, a plurality of cylindrical foraminated baskets equally spaced around said shaft and at equal distances therefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnably supported by said heads and means co-operable with one of said heads when said casing is open, for positioning any one of said baskets in register with said casing opening.

4. In a device of the character described, a casing having a charging opening, a removable door for closing and sealing said opening; means for introducing solvent into said casing, means for draining said casing and means for'exhausting ings may optionally be turned toward or-away from said shaft, and means carried by'said shaft,

forming closures one for each basket opening when such opening is turned toward said shaft.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing having a charging opening, a removable door for closing and sealing said opening, means for introducing solvent into said casing, means for draining said casing and means for exhausting air therefrom; a rotary unit disposed within said casing, said rotary unit including a shaft suitably journalled'in the casing, a plurality of elongated baskets, disposed around, parallel with, at equal distances apart, and at equal distances from said shaft, whereby a balanced unit is accomplished, means carried by said shaft for supporting said baskets, said baskets being foraminated, having each an elongated opening thereinto, and being turnable about their respective axes, whereby said openings may optionally be turned toward or away from said shaft, means carried by said shaft, forming closures, one for each basket opening when. such opening is turned toward said "shaft, and means for latching said baskets in either of said positions. 4

6. In a device of the character described, a casing for holding a cleaning fluid, having an opening thereinto for introducing, and removing articles therefrom, and a removable door for closing and-sealing said opening; a balanced rotary unit disposed within said casing and means for driving said unit at diiferent speeds, said rota-ry unit including a shaft suitably journalled in the casing, a plurality of identical cylindrical baskets, disposed parallel'with said shaft, spaced therearound at equal distances apart and at equal distances therefrom, whereby a balanced unit is accomplished, means carried by said shaft for supporting said baskets, said baskets being foraminated, having each an elongated'opening thereinto and being turnable about their respective axes whereby said openings may optionally lie turned toward or, away from said shaft, means carried by said shaft effecting closure of said basket openings when such openings are turnecltoward said shaft, and means usable when said door is removed for positioning the opening of any basket in register with said casing opening.

7. In a device of the character described, a

casing for holding a cleaning fluid, having anopening therein permitting placing and removal of articles, removable means for closing and sealing said opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing a pair of foraminated baskets on diametrically opposite sides of said-shaft and at equal distances therefrom, means carried by said shaft for supporting said baskets, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnable about their respective axes, means carried by said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures therefor..

8. In a device of the character described, a casing for holding cleaning fluid, having an opening therein permitting placing and removal of articles, and removable means for closing and sealing said opening; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, pairs of foraminated baskets, each pair comprising baskets disposed on diametrical- H ly opposite sides of said shaft, at equal distances therefrom, means for supporting said baskets from said shaft and rendering them optionally turnable on their. respective axes, said baskets each having an opening thereinto, and means carried by said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures therefor.

9. In a device of the character described, a casing having a charging opening therein and a closure therefor; a shaft rotatably disposedin said casing and projecting therebeyond, a plurality of foraminated baskets equally spaced around said shaft, and at equal distances therefrom, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnably supported from said shaft, and means carried by said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures there for. i

10. In a device -of the character described, a casing having a charging opening therein and a closure therefor; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing and projecting therebeyond, a plurality of foraminated baskets spaced around said shaft, said baskets each having an opening thereinto and being turnable and supported by said shaft, means carried from said shaft, co-operating with said baskets when said openings are turned toward said shaft to effect closures there- I for, and means for latching said baskets optionally in open or closed positions. 11. In a device of the character described, a casing having a charging opening therein, and a closuretherefor; a shaft rotatably disposed in said casing, said shaft projecting therefrom, a plurality of foraminated baskets spaced around said shaft, said baskets;each having an opening thereinto and being turnable and supported by 1 0 said shaft and meansico-ope'rabw with said baskets when mid openings are turned toward shaft to effect closures therefor.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a casing having a charging opening and' a closure therefor, of a plurality of receptacles revoluble about a common axis within said casing, each of said receptacles having a charging opening extending longitudinally thereof, of less width than the diameter of the receptacle, and means rotatably mounting each receptacle for positioning and retaining the same, with its charging opening toward said common axis during revolution, whereby the 115 ,centrifugal force of the contents of each receptacle, resulting from revolution 0! said recep tacles about said axiais directed against a permanently closed side thereof.

13. In a device of the character described, the

combination, with a casing having a, charging opening and a closure therefor, of a plurality of receptacles revoluble about a common axis withv EARL F. JENKS.

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