US2879143A

US2879143A - Soap mixing unit and supply system

Info

Publication number: US2879143A
Application number: US510753A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin H Thurman
Original assignee: Union Stock Yard & Transit Co Chicago
Current assignee: Union Stock Yard and Transit Co
Priority date: 1955-05-24
Filing date: 1955-05-24
Publication date: 1959-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-24

Description

March 24, 1959 B. H. THURMAN SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1955 INVENTOR, Benjamin if. Tfiurman ATTORNEYS,

Parker 6: Carter March 24, 1959 B. H. THURMAN 2,879,143 I SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May 24, 19 55 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, Began)? ff. Tfiza'man ATTORNEYS,

Parker 8: Carter March 24, 1959 7 B. H. THURMAN [2,879,143

SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May '24, 1955 v 7 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR,

fiez jamz'rz ff. T/zzzrman ATTORNEYS,

Parker 8: Carter Fig. 3

March 24, 1959 B. H. THURMAN 2,879,143

SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet "4 INVENTOR, Fig. 4 Bezyamzn f1. f/zurmazz ATTORNEYS,

Parker 8: Carter March 24, 1959 B. H. THURMAN 2,879,143

' SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR,

.Bezyjamz'v f2. Tinarman ATTORNEY,

Parker & Carter SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May 24, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Benjamin Thurman ATTORNEYS, Parker & Carter B. H. THURMAN SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM March 24, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 24, 1955 INVENTOR, Benjamin f2. f'kurman Parker 8; Carter ATTORNEYS United States Patent 12,879,143 SOAP MIXING UNIT AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Benjamin H. Thurman, Chicago, Ill., assignor to .The Union Stock Yard and Transit Company of Chicago, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 24, 1955, Serial No. 510,753

6 Claims. :(Cl. 23-267) This invention resides in the held of methods and apparatus for making and dispensing liquid soap or the like.

A primary object of my invention isasoap dispensing unit for use in a laundromat or the like designed and constructed to make and circulate liquid soap and laun dry washing material to a plurality of washing machines.

Another object of my invention is a new and improved soap making unit adapted to make soap, and liquefy and conditioning it, from soap making materials which contain all the necessary soap making ingredients.

Another object of my invention is a soap making unit of the above type with an automatic control vsystem designed and constructed to control its operation so that the operator need only to introduce a soap charge .into the unit and then without any further attention by the operator liquid soap will be supplied in'the soap sys tem.

Another object of my invention is a soap system of the above type having a diluter so that a premade batch of soap can be successfully diluted and circulated to the various washing machines through the soap system.

Another object of my invention is .a method of making a miscelle of soap or the like that will wash clothes satisfactorily in cold water.

Another object of my invention is a soap diluter of the above type with an automatic control system arranged so that the operator only has to start it, after which his attention is no longer required.

Another object of my invention is a closed soap making and distributing system for a laundromat, laundry, hotel or other establishments adapted to supply liquid soap from a central reservoir to a plurality of points of use.

Another object of my invention is a .soap system of the above type adapted to supply liquid soap to points of use, the liquid soap being in a condition so that it can be handled, i.e., pumped, 'by conventional equipment.

Another object of my invention is a soap dispensing unit for a laundromat or the like which reduces the time required for a complete cycle on conventional automatic washing machines.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, with parts deleted or removed for clarification, showing my soap unit and distribution system in a conventional laundromat or the like;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the soap maker;

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of the automatic control circuit for the unit shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical section of asoap diluter usable in the system of Figure 1 and can be considered a substitute for the soap maker shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram for automatically controlling the soap diluter shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a. modified form, partly in section, of the 2,879,143 Patented Mar...24,- 1.959

diluter shown in Figure 4 and is a variation usable in the system of Figure 1; and i Figure 7 is another variant.

In Figure .1, .I haveshown aperspective section of a conventional building with the outside wall removed showing a main floor 10 and a basement floor1-2. The first floor is a schematicrepresentation of a conventional public laundromat and I have shown :only two commercial washing machines Hand 16 which represent a plurality, of course, the number used being dictated by the size of the available space. The usual basement equipment and storage material havenot-been shown for clarity. Ihave shown a soap machine .18 which forms a part of a closed soap circulating line 20 composed of a soap outlet pipe 22 leading from thesoap machine past each of the washing .machines and returned by an inlet pipe .24. Each .of the washing machines is tapped on to this line as at 26 and 28 by suitable pipes which are-controlled by

suitable valves

30 and 32, the amount of soap .and the time of injectionbeing regulated by "an automatic soap dispensing control 34 and -36:shown-and described in .my copending application Serial No. 510,- 752, filed May 24, 1954.

In Figure 2, the soap machine .shown in detail is composed of a soap mixing or making unit 38 where the soap is made and a storage .tank'40 next to it where the liquid soap is stored until it .is used. A junction box 41 .is provided to a collection of manual and automatic switches for controlling theunit. While I have shown these two units side by side, it should be understood that the storage tank could be positioned under the mixing unit or in .anyudesirable relationship.

The soap mixing or making unit is composed generally of a cylindrical housing 42 which encloses a conical chamber 44, the chamber being :spaced from the housing toprovide a hot water jacket 46. The hot'water jacket is closed at the bottom by a floor 4 8 and on top by a suitable cover 50. A suitable water heater 52 in Figure 1 supplies hot water to the jacket through apipe 54 which .may have a filter 56 and a solenoid valve .58 to control the quantity. of water that is admitted to the jacket.

The mixing chamber 44 has a mixing apparatus which includes a mixing motor 60 mounted on the top of the housing with a pinion 62 on its .shaft driving gears 64 and 66, the gears 66 being mounted on a vertical shaft 68 supported by a suitable thrust bearing 70 and carrying a collection of outwardly disposed paddles. 72.

The other gear 64 is mounted on .a sleeve 74 which carries a paddle frame .76 also supported by thebearing 70 and having a collection .of inwardly disposed paddles 78. It will be noted that the motor will drive the sleeve 74 and shaft 68 in opposite directions and therefore the paddles will move in opposite directions. In effect-the paddles are in the form of frames with the outwardly and inwardly projecting paddle element being staggered in relation to each other .and each conically arranged to conform to the chamber and to pass through each other. This serves to mix thoroughly the soap ingredients which can be introduced into the chamber through a. suitable opening 79 in the top of the housing.

The hot water jacket has an outlet pipe80 which serves to drain the water from the jacket. 'A. transfer pump 82 forces the .hot water through a pipe 84 into the mixing chamber, a suitable control valve 86.being provided if desired.

The mixing chamber is connected by an outlet'pipe 88 to a transfer pump 90 which draws the ingredients from the mixing chamber and forces them through a supply motor 96 mounted below the hot water jacket, and the line 92 has a three-way valve 98 so that the contents of the line can be passed through an outlet drain 100 if desired. v

The storage chamber 40 is composed of a cylindrical housing 102 with a top 104 and bottom 106. A motor 108 mounted on the top adjacent an accessopening 107 drives a gearllfl'which meshes with a second gear 112 on a vertical shaft 114 extending down through the center of the storage chamber, the shaft having a plurality of paddles 116 and being supported by a suitable thrust bearing 118. An outlet 120 near the bottom of the storage chamber has a circulating pump 122 connected to it which forces the soap solution through the outlet line 22. The return line 24 has a pressure regulator 124 so that the pressure head against the pump 122 can be varied. It should be noted that the return line 24 enters below the normal fluid level so that splashing and foaming will not occur.,

The circuitdiagram for controlling the unit isshown in Figure 3. Current is carried through a pair of

main lines

126 and 128 from a suitable 110 volt source 130 to the various electrically controlled elements. The agitator motor 108 for the storage tank agitator is connected directly across the main lines by

lines

132 and 134 with a suitable start and stop switch 136. The soap circulation pump 122 is also connected directly across the main lines by

lead

138 and 140 with a suitable start and stop-switch 142. A timer motor 144 is also connected across the main line through

leads

146 and 148 with a start button 150. The timer motor drives a shaft 152 which carries a plurality of cams to open and close a collection of switches which control various other elements.

The timer motor has a-holding circuit 154 which is closed by the switch 156 bearing against a first cam 158. A starter 160 for the mixer motor 60 on the mixing chamber is connected by leads 162 and 164 across the main lines through a switch 166 controlled by a second cam 168 on the shaft 152. The mixer motor has its own 220 volt '3-phase 60-cycle power source at 170 and will not operate on the 110 volt line but only uses it as a starter.

The hot water inlet solenoid 58 is placed across the main lines by

leads

172 and 174 having a switch 176 controlled by a third cam 178 on the timer motor shaft 152. The hot water transfer pump 82 is connected across the main lines by

leads

180 and 182 with a switch 184 controlled by a fourth cam 186 on the timer motor shaft. The solenoid valve 94 for letting the soap solution out of. the mixing chamber and the motor for the soap transfer pump 90 are connected by

separate leads

188 and 190 to a common lead 192, which places them acrossthe

main lines

126 and 128. These two elements operate together. The'com'mon lead 192 has a switch 194c'ontrolled by a fifth cam 196 on the timer motor shaft. 1

The time interval and sequence of the various operations can be controlled by the proper selection and design of the-five cams on the timer motor shaft, so that the various operations will be started and stopped at the proper time and in the desired sequence. An example of this operation will be given hereinbelow.

In Figure 4, I have shown a modified form of unit usable as a substitute or replacement for the unit 18 in Figure 1. This unit may be termed as diluter and includes a cylindrical housing 198'with a top'200, a bottom 202, and an intermediate wall 204 dividing the housing in an upper mixing or diluting chamber 206 and a bottom reservoir 208. A hot water inlet pipe 210 controlled by a solenoid'valve .212 is connected to the dilution chamher while a solution return pipe 214 and outlet pipe 216 are connected to the reservoir. The inlet pipe may have a suitable pressure regulator 218 to vary the pressure head against a soap circulating pump 220 connected to 4 5 the outlet pipe through a suitable valve or the like 222.

The upper dilution chamber is provided with a mixing mechanism which includes a plurality of inwardly projecting paddles or blades 224 spaced from each other on the inner wall of the housing.

A shaft 226 carrying a collection of paddles or mixing blades 228 is mounted centrally in the housing on a suitable thrust bearing 230 with its paddles or blades .disposed between the stationary blades. A driving or agitator motor 232 is suitably geared as at 234 to the shaft so that the paddles can be rotated at a predetermined speed and will not engage the fixed paddles due to their staggered relationship- The intermediate wall 204 has a passage or opening 236 controlled by. a plug valve .238, and the reservoir is provided with a breather pipe 239 terminating near a removable plug 239a in the top so that the pipe can be cleaned. The housing cover or top has a suitable opening 201 so that soap can be dumped in the dilution chamber.

The wiring diagram for this unit is shown in Figure 5 Itincludes a conventional source of 1l0-volt power 240 with a pair of

main leads

242 and 244. The soap circulation pump 220 is connected directly across these leads by

lines

246 and 248 and a suitable switch 250 controls the operation of the pumps. The plug valve 238 is carried by a rod 252, also shown inFigure 4, which projects through the top of the housing and engages a starting lever 254 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket or support 256. Depression of the starting lever closes the

valve

236 and 238 as well as a switch 258 which energizes a locking solenoid 260 for the plug valve rod through a

lead

262, 264 and 266.

Leads

268 and 270 connect the hot water solenoid control valve 212 to this circuit through'a micro switch 272 which is normally spring bias closed against its lower contact 274 in Figure 5. Thus downward depression of the starting lever 254, in addition to energizing the locking solenoid 260 to hold the plug valve closed, also energizes the solenoid 212 through closure of switch 258 to start the admission of hot water into the solution tank. As the hot water rises to the top of the tank, it picks up a float 276 which carries a rod 278 opposed to the switch 272. When the rod rises sufi'iciently, it will move the switch 272 from its lower contact 274 to its upper contact 280. This energizesthe driving motor for the agitator paddles through

leads

282 and 284. The switch 272 is a micro switch and will quickly snap from one position to the other so as to retain the locking solenoid 260 energized through a circuit that includes the driving motor for the agitator paddles. The line 264 includes a thermostat 286 so that when the temperature of the mixture in the tank reaches a predetermined point, the thermostat will open releasing the locking solenoid and allowing a spring 288 to open the plug valve so that the soap solution in the dilution chamber will flow into the reservoir.

The main supply line can have a suitable on and 0E switch 290 to control the entire circuit.

In Figure 6 I have shown another form of mixer or diluter which has a cylindrical housing 292 with an open top 294 and closed bottom 296. An intermediate wall 298 divides the housing into an upper diluter tank 300 and a lower reservoir 302. A'hot water supply pipe 304, through a suitable spring loaded valve 306, leads into the upper diluter tank and an outlet is connected in the bottom 'of'the tank, as at 308, leadingto a diluter pump 310 which circulates the solution back through an inlet 312. The outlet 308 has a branch 314 with a control valve 316eonnected to the outlet 318 for the lower reservoir which is controlled by a suitable valve 320 and has a circulation pump 322. The soap circuit is closed and the inlet '324 returns to the reservoir through a suitable pressure regulator 326 to control the pressure head against the circulation pump. A suitable switch 328 3 controls the current to the dilution pump 310 while another switch 330 controls the circulationpump 322.

A breather pipe 332 can be connected to the top of the reservoir so that air will not be trapped in the top.

I have not shown a circuit diagram for this unit as it is entirely manual and not automatic. The switch 328 controls the dilution pump and it is turned olf and on, as desired. The same is true of the soap circulation pump 322.

In Figure 7 I have shown a variant form which in cludes a dilution tank or chamber 334 adjacent a reservoir 336. I have shown these two chambers as unenclosed although they could have a unitary housing, if desired. A hot water inlet 338 with a suitable control valve 340 is connected to the dilution chamber. A circulation connection 342 is provided with an outlet 344 connected to the bottom of the dilution chamber with a return inlet 346 adjacent the top. The inlet introduces the soap solution tangentially as in Figure 6. A suitable pump 348 or the like provides circulation.

A soap circuit is connected to the reservoir and includes an outlet 350 and an inlet-or return line 352 having a suitable pressure regulator 354, circulating pump 356, and pressure gauge 358, if desired. A suitable connection 360 controlled by a three-way valve 362 or the like joins the soap circuit at 364 so that the solution, after it has been sufficiently agitated, can be transferred to the soap circuit. The circuit has a suitable outlet line 366 and individual connections 368 for each washing machine. The control three-way valve may be manipulated by a suitable manual handle 370.

While I have shown and described a preferred form and three modifications of my invention, it should be understood that numerous modifications, substitutions, changes and alterations can be made without changing the inventions fundamental theme. I, therefore, wish that my invention be unrestricted except as by the appended claims.

The use, operation and function of my invention are as follows:

The unit is constructed for an automatic commercial laundromat or laundry and includes a soap-maker or mixer which can be disposed in the basement, as shown in Figure 1. Outlet and inlet lines of a closed circuit lead to and from the soap maker so that liquid soap is pumped through the line from the soap maker past all of the washing machines in the laundromat. Each washing machine is tapped into the line and has controls to regulate both the quantity and timing of the soap injectedin each machine. Of course it is not essential that the soap machine be located in the basement as it could be easily located on the same floor as the washing machines. However, I have found that it is easiest to put the soap machine in the basement along with the hot waterheater and-the various other control installations for a laundromat.

The soap unit in the basement can actually be a soap maker, such as shown in Figure 2. This unit has both a soap mixing and making chamber and a suitable reservoir for the soap solution after it is made in the mixing chamber. The soap ingredients are dumped in through a suitable opening in the, top into the'conicalshaped mixing chamber and the switch 105 is depressed. This energizes the timer 144 and the cam 158. immediately closes the holding switch 156 so that the timing motor will be energized while it completes its entire cycle. The timing motor rotates the shaft 152 carrying all of the control cams. The cam 168 closes the switch 166 which energizes the starter 160 for the mixing motor. Therefore, the soap ingredients in the mixing chamber will be thoroughly mixed by the paddle elements for a predetermined period of time depending uponthe design of the cam 168. The cam 178 closes the switch 176 which energizes thesolenoid inlet valve 158 so that hot water enters the water jacket. surrounding the mix ing chamber. The hot water from the heater-52 should be at approximately 160 degrees F., although of course this can vary. :After' a predetermined period of time, during which the soap ingredients in the mixing chamber are being cooked by the hot water in the hot water jacket as they are mixed, the cam 186 closes the switch 184 which energizes'the hot water transfer pump 82 to pump the hot water from the jacket up through the piping and 84 into the mixing chamber where it will mix with the soap ingredients. The timing of this cam 186 is such that all of the hot water from the jacket will be pumped into the mixing chamber. During the dilution of the soap ingredients .in .the mixing chamber by the water, the mixing motor continues to run and the soap ingredients are thoroughly mixed and diluted in the water. For example, the proportion of soap ingredients to the amount of water pumped in by the transfer pump should give a 5% soap solution. The paddles are designed so that they'do not beat a lot of air into the soap solution and make it foamy and frothy. Mixing continues for a predetermined period of time, after which the cam 196 closes theswitch194 to simultaneously open the drainsolenoid94'and actuate the soap transfer pump to pump the soap solution from the mixing chamber into the storage chamber. The timing of the cam 194 should be such that all of the soap solution wil be pumped from the mixing-chamber into the storage chamber. The cam 168 which controls the starter for the mixing motor can be such as to open the switch 166 at the same time that the solenoid valve 94 is opened and the transfer pump'starts to pump the soap solution from the mixing chamber into the storage chamber so that the mixing paddles will stop. After all of the soap solution has been transferred into the storage chamber, the cycle is completed, switches 166, 176, 184 and 194 are all open, and the cam 158 controlling the holding circuit switch 156 will open that switch to break the circuit to the timing motor.

The agitator motor 108 can be started and stopped through the switch 136 completely independently of the above operation. The same is true of the soap-circulation pump 122 by its switch 142.

. As an example of the timing of. the above operation, I have found that assoon as the switch is closed to energize the timer motor 144', which starts rotation of the shaft 152 carrying the cams, the

cams

168 and 178 should close their switches so that the starter for the mixing motor will be energized to immediately start rotation of the mixing paddles in the mixing chamber. At the same time, the hot water inlet. solenoid should be opened to allow hot water to flow into the hot water jacket. After approximately five minutes the cam 178 should open its switch so that the hot. water inlet valve will close. This allows just theproper amount of hot water to enter the jacket. Ofcourse, this time can be varied depending upon the capacity of: the hot water jacket in relation to the amount of soap material or charge that is put in the mixing chamber. The cam 186 does not close the switch 184 for minutes from the beginning of the cycle so that during this period themixing paddles are mixing-soap charge while it is being cooked by thehot water'around'it in the jacket. During this period saponification will be taking place in the mixing chamber and soap will be formed. After approximately ten minutes, water transfer begins by the closing of the switch 184 by its cam 186 which energizes the pump 82, andthe water. from the jacket is pumped over into the mixing chamber. This should continue for about ten'minutes so that all of the water will be transferred. Mixing of the water with the soap in the mixing chamber should continue for approximately another twenty minutes, at the end of which time the mixing motor will be deenergized bythe' opening of the switch 166 by its cam 168 and the soap transfer pump and solenoid valve 94 should be actuated to transfer the soap solution from the mixing chamber into the reservoir. The soap transfer switch 194 can stay closed-approximately five minutes.

approximately ten It should'be noted that all of these operations are automatic. The user or operator needs merely to depress the switch 150 and release it, and the holding circuit 154 maintains the timing motor energized. The unit then automatically carries out all of the above described operation and the owner of the laundromat does not need to return until the reservoir is nearly empty and more soap solution is needed.

The capacity of the reservoir 102 is approximately three times that of the mixing chamber, so the operator can mix approximately two batches of soap in the mixing chamber before the beginning of a days work. During the day, at any convenient time, he can pour in another soap charge and start the cycle again to replenish the depleted supply in the reservoir.

It should be noted that the water being supplied to the hot water jacket is at approximately 160 degrees. The heat contained in this water isused to heat the soap charge in the mixing chamber to aid in saponification, and this hot water will be pumped directly into the soap charge to form the soap solution. The temperature of the soap solution which is transferred from the mixing chamber into the storage chamber will be relatively high, and I have found on occasion it will run as high as 110 degrees. The soap solution should not be this hot nor should it be used in the washing machine until it is approximately 90 degrees, or thereabouts. Therefore, to suitably cool it, a thin-tubed heat exchanger, with a water jacket or air cooling can be inserted in the soap line at any suitable point in Figure l to extract heat from the soap solution.

It should be noted that the operator at the start of a days operation prepares one batch of soap in the mixing chamber which is transferred automatically to the storage chamber. As soon as it flows into the storage chamber, the operator should already have, or should at that time actuate the circulation pump 122 and the agitator motor 108 so that the hot soap solution in the storage chamber will be circulated through the closed system at all times. The soap will be forced out through the outlet pipe by the circulation pump through the system past all of the washing machines and will return through the soap inlet 24. The circulation pump should be operated continuously, as well as the soap agitator, so that the soap solution contained in the piping system and in the storage tank will be continuously circulated. Thus as the soap solution cools, the gel which would form will be automatically broken up. I have found that the gel point for a soap solution is around 106 degrees F. It is therefore necessary for the solution to be cooled to or below this point or to a temperature for a suitable miscelle and as it is cooled, the agitator should be in operation so that the gel will be automatically broken up until the soap gets down to a usable temperature, for example, 90 degrees. By breaking up the gel, which is accomplished by the agitator and by continually pumping the soap solution through the closed circuit, the soap miscelle or fluid can be used in the washing machines at a reduced temperature and it will not gel. I have even found that itcan be used with cold water and will wash effectively.

The soap material or charge which is initially put in the mixing chamber can be the soap charge disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 443,426, filed July 14, 1954, and produced according to the method disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 443,425, filed July 14, 1954.

It should be noted that the mixing chamber is not surrounded by heating coils and the heat used to saponify the soap charge in the mixing chamber comes from the hot water in the hot waterv jacket.

A suitable bleach for the clothes could be put directly into the soap solution by adding it to the soap charge in the mixing chamber. necessary.

The agitators or beaters in the mixing chamber and However, this is not absolutely in the storage chamber are both designed so that they do not beat a lot of air into the soap solution to make it foamy and frothy. Thus the solution can be used in the washing machines and lends itself to accurate measurement. Additionally, a soap miscelle of this nature will not grab or mesh with the clothes in the machine like a powder or chip soap will. Consequently the time of the machines washing cycle can be reduced substantially as fewer rinses are required.

It will be noted that the unit in Figure 2 actually makes soap directly in the mixing chamber and then dilutes it to a desired percentage solution by pumping the hot water over from the jacket. The percentage solution made is of course dependent upon the volume of hot water in the jacket and the amount of the soap charge. A machine to actually make soap is not absolutely necessary and may not be desirable. The soap can be premade prior to introduction into the system. The unit shown in Figure 4 is constructed specifically for this purpose as a measured quantity of premade soap is introduced into the upper chamber and diluted with a measured quantity of water. In this unit the premade soap can be in the form of chips or shavings so that it will not injure the blades of the agitator. The starting lever should be forced down to close the plug valve in the bottom of the tank. This also closes the switch 258 which energizes the locking solenoid 260 to hold the plug valve closed. At the same time, the solenoid 212 controlling the hot water is energized to admit hot water to the chamber. As the hot water rises it will pick up the float 276 which actuates the micro switch to deenergize the solenoid, cutting off the supply of hot water after a predetermined quantity of hot water has been admitted. The motor driving the agitator paddles is energized at the same time. The paddles thoroughly mix and dilute the premade soap with the water until it has cooled to a predetermined temperature. For example, the soap solution can be brought to degrees, which is a usable temperature for washing, at which time the adjustable thermostat 286 will open the circuit including the locking solenoid 260 so that the spring-biased rod on the plug valve would be raised to let the soap solution drain from the upper chamber into the lower reservoir. While the solution is cooling prior to opening of the plug valve, the formation of a gel will be prevented, in the same manner as before set forth, to produce a soap fluid miscelle that will wash even in cold water and disperse readily and wash. As the soap solution drained and the level fell, the float would also fall and the micro switch would snap over against the contact 264 ready for the next cycle. As the reservoir has a smaller capacity than the dilution chamber, all of the soap solution will not drain into the reservoir until a part of it has been used. Before it is used, the excess will stay in the mixing or dilution chamber, and in this sense it acts as a part of the reservoir temporarily.

The circulation pump can be energized independently so as to circulate the soap solution continually from the reservoir through the entire soap circuit and back to the reservoir.

It should be noted that this unit in Figure 4 is not a soap maker but is only a diluter as compared with the unit in Figure 2. However, I have found that under various circumstances a diluter is preferable to a soap maker because it is less expensive and the soap should be premade and supplied to the laundromat owner. However, the premade soap will be more expensive than the equivalent soap charge used in the unit of Figure 2. The amount of premade soap must be in direct proportion to the hot water capacitor of the upper tank up to the time the float deenergizes the solenoid valve 212 depending upon the strength solution desired. In this unit the water can be supplied at approximately degrees and is thoroughly mixed with the soap.

I have shown a simplified unit in Figure 6 which is completely opened, although it can be closed if desired. The hot Water supply is manually controlled to admit hot water to the upper tank up to any suitable mark or line. The circulation pump 310 draws the solution from the bottom of the tank and sends it back through the inlet causing circulation. The inlet 312 is positioned at the top or near the normal level of the solution so that any floating undissolved soap will be forced down into the body of the hot water. The inlet is also directed tangentially for good circulation. The premade soap should be put in the top tank and thoroughly mixed with the hot water for a predetermined period of time. The solution can be mixed and dissolved until it cools past the gel point as set forth hereinabove. It would be up to the judgment of the operator after testing the soap solution in the upper tank before he opens the valve 316 to admit the soap solution from the upper tank into the lower system. A suitable thermometer insert tube could be provided. The connection between the two chambers is made through the outside pipe 314, and the soap solution would be taken directly by the soap circulating pump 322 and circulated past the washing machines and back to the inlet 324. The line 314 could be connected directly into the soap reservoir, rather than into the circuit, if desired. The breather pipe prevents air from being trapped in the top of the reservoir.

The unit in Figure 7 is a variant similar to Figure 6 in that it is manually controlled and it should be understood that suitable electrical connections are provided for the pumps.

I have shown four units varying in complexity. The Figure 2 unit is a complete soap maker and an entirely automatic unit. The operator is merely required to dump a charge of soap ingredients in the mixing chamber and then start the unit. From then on no supervision is required. A predetermined percentage of liquid soap solution will be supplied through the soap circuit to each of the washing machines.

The unit in Figure 4 is not a soap maker but is a diluter. However, it is automatic in the sense that it regulates the precise quantity of water that is admitted to the dilution chamber, this being in proportion to the quantity of premade soap that is introduced, and it automatically regulates the amount of mixing and the time that the soap solution is admitted to the reservoir, when the solution has reached a predetermined temperature.

The unit in Figure 6 is entirely manual and has no automatic features. The time of transfer of the soap solution from the diluter tank into the reservoir depends upon the operator's judgment. The length of time that 10 the soap is allowed to dissolve in the hot water during the dilution stage is also left to the judgment of the operator. The unit in Figure 7 has the advantages of simplicity and cost as compared to the devices in Figures 2 and 4, for example.

Each has its particular advantage; however, in common, each prepares a soap solution of a certain percentage and pumps it through the closed soap system to supply liquid soap to a plurality of washing machines. Each can be used to carry out the method of agitating the soap solution as it is cooling so that a gel will not be formed, making a soap fluid miscelle that will wash in cold water.

I claim:

1. In a soap making unit, a mixing chamber surrounded by a water jacket for preparing a soap solution, a hot Water inlet connection for the jacket, a connection between the water jacket and mixing chamber including a pump to convey the hot Water from the jacket into the mixing chamber, agitating means in the mixing chamber, a storage chamber adjacent the mixing chamber with a pipe between them for transferring the soap solution, a valve for controlling the transfer, and agitating means for the storage chamber.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which both agitating means are power operated.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the mixing and storage chambers are disposed generally side by side.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the chambers are enclosed in the same housing.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which the capacity of the storage chamber is approximately three times that of the mixing chamber.

6. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including a closed circuit for the soap solution leading from and returning to the storage chamber, and a pump for circulating the solution through the circuit and storage chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 278 Stilwell July 17, 1837 1,846,098 Goodloe Feb. 23, 1932 1,897,435 McKnight Feb. 14, 1933 2,032,524 Bobrick Mar. 3, 1936 2,375,729 Caldwell May 8, 1945 2,491,752 Moise Dec. 20, 1949 2,647,384 Erlanger Aug. 4, 1953 2,712,747 Edwards July 12, 1955 2,800,398 Morrison July 23, 1957

Claims

1. IN A SOAP MAKING UNIT, A MIXING CHAMBER SURROUNDED BY A WATER JACKET FOR PREPARING A SOAP SOLUTION A HOT WATER INLET CONNECTION FOR THE JACKET, A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WATER JACKET AND MIXING CHAMBER INCLUDING A PUMP TO CONVEY THE HOT WATER FROM THE JACKET INTO THE MIXING CHAMBER, AGITATING MEANS IN THE MIXING CHAMBER, A STORAGE CHAMBER ADJACENT THE MIXING CHAMBER WITH A PIPE BETWEEN THEM FOR TRANSFERRING THE SOAP SOLUTION, A VALVE FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSFER, AND AGITATING MEANS FOR THE STORAGE CHAMBER.