US3103450A - Fabric treating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 10, 1963 H. w. JANsoN FABRKI TREATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 12, 1962 sept. 1o, 196s Y H. w. JANSON 3,103,450

FABRIC TREATING APPARATUS lFiled Jan. l2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' HO V AC Sept. 10, 1963 H. w. JANsoN FABRIC TREATING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 12, 1962 United States Patent O 3,103,450 FABRIC TREATRNG APPARATUS Harry W. Janson, Fairhaven, Mass., assigner to Hoyt Manufacturing Corporation, Westport, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Jan. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 165,842 4 Claims. (Cl. 11S- 48) This invention relates to fabric treating systems and to improved apparatus particularly useful in such systems.

`In recent years substantial attention has been given to the development of textile cleaning systems and apparatus of the self-service nature in which `a customer may deposit the articles to be cleaned in a vending type of machine which will return fthe articles to the customer in cleaned condition. Due tothe apparent convenience to the customer and to the savings in labor expense such apparatus oifer significant commercial advantage. However, as dry cleaning systems involve a number of steps and a substantial investment in equipment, there are considerable problems associated with attempts to automate existing types of systems. It is diilicult to incorporate the several dry cleaning steps employed in commercial techniques in a single machine. Further, many established dry cleaning establishments have a substantial existing investment in excellent cleaning equipments. A usual process, for example, employs perchloroethylene as a cleaning agent, which is an expensive component that must be reclaimed for competitive dry cleaning operations.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide novel and improved apparatus adapted to function as transition -apparatus between an existing dry cleaning system and a self-service type of customer service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel control apparatus for receiving soiled fabric articles and returning them to a customer in an automatic and controlled manner which enables the use of existing regular dry cleaning equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide appara- `tus that enable the provision of a low cost, fast selfservice type of dry cleaning service which incorporates the quality cleaning operation of a commercial dry cleaner established system.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus for receiving soiled articles and through which they may be returned to the customer after dry cleaning treatment in which provision is made for treatment of the articles with an atomizable fabric conditioning agent While they are being aerated in the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention there is provided a system including a textile article receiving chamber rotatably supported within a housing having doors at opposite ends which permit access to the chamber. One of the 'access doors is responsive to a conventional coin operated vending type of mechanism which controls the locking of the door and permits textile articles .to be deposited within the chamber. The other access door permits an operator to remove the deposited articles and to treat them in the commercial dry cleaning system. After the articles have been cleaned the `operator returns them to the chamber in which they are tumbled in `an aerating action and treated with a suitable fabric treating agent in atomized form. This material is introduced through a nozzle arrangement mounted on the system access door which permits the introduction of the treating agent throughout the chamber as the clothes are being aerated. The system operates under timing control and includes signaling devices for both the operator and the customer so that an accurately timed cycle is insured. The chamber is arranged so that the customer access door is auto- Patented Sept. l0, 1963 ice matically locked when the power is olf, and interlocks are provided so that a simple, reliable, trouble-free self-service type of transition is provided for -a commercial dry cleaning establishment in which clothes and other fabric articles are treated with a fabric conditioning agent.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen as the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof progresses in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of the dry cleaning vendin g apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear View of a portion of the dry cleaning vending apparatus showing certain details of the rear or operator access door, the nozzle and control mechanisms controlling the operation of the nozzle for introducing a bacteria killing agent;

lFlG. 4 is Ia side elevational View of a portion of the vvending apparatus structure and particularly the operator 'access door struc-ture and adjacent valving and control `in the system shown in lFIGS. 1-6.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the housing 10 of the dry cleaning and vending machine constructed in accordance with principles of the invention. This structure is styled to` be attractive in appearance and has an upper panel 12 which includes a coin receptacle and control unit14control push button 16 andindicator lights 18, 20 for indicating tothe customer the use status of the machine. Themiddle panel 22 includes a circular customer access door 24 having ahandle 26 mounted on ahinge structure 28. The door includes a solenoid operated lock which is released in response to the depression of button 16 (except during dry cleaning cycles) to permit introduction or removal of articles from the apparatus by the customer.

Mounted within the housing in axial alignment with the door 24 is atumbling chamber 30 which is driven in rotation by motor 32 mounted in bac'k of thelower panel 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, a similarly formedoperator access door 34 is mounted, also in axial alignment, onhinges 36 on therear panel 38 of the apparatus and has a latch handle 40 to permit access by an operator to the rear of thetumbling cylinder 30 so that he may remove soiled articles and treat them in the commercial dry cleaning apparatus, and then return the cleaned articles in the tumbling cylinder.

Also mounted on the rear structure is anozzle apparatus 42 for introducing an atomizable fabric treating material such as abactericidal agent into thetumbling cylinder 30.

Electric power supplied to the apparatus in conventional manner powers the electric motor 32 housed in the lower portion of the structure which drives by means of thebelt 44 and drive pulley 46 atrundling shaft 48, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Two support andtrundling pulleys 50 are provided on theshaft 48 at front and rear ends thereof on one side of the housing and a second set of idlertrundling support pulleys 50 are correspondingly positioned on a second shaft 52 on the other side of the housing 1l). Each trundling pulley engages atrundling belt 54, 56 positioned at the ends of thechamber 30 which rotatably support that chamber in position concentric with ythe customer access door 24. Eachsupport shaft 48, 52 is supported onsuitable ybearing blocks 58 secured to the housing framework.

As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, thetumbler chamber 30 is formed of a perforated metal sheet 60 formed in a cylinder that carries axially extendingbars 62 on the outer surface thereof to increase the rigidity of the cylindrical sheet 60. Inwardly extendingend walls 64 define an enclosure within which the articles to -be treated are retained. The housing adjacent eachdoor 24, 34 has an inturned flange 66 radially spaced from an outwardly extending flange on theend wall 64. Each door has an offsetinterior wall surface 68 which is aligned with thechamber end wall 64 when the door is closed so that a substantially smooth enclosing surface results. Immediately behind latch 40 is an interlock switch 69 employed to control motor 32.

A metering appanatus is mounted adjacent thedoor 34 on the rear panel. This apparatus includes a liquidmaterial supply line 70 which is connected through a junction and conduit 72 to a solenoid controlled three-way valve 74. Air supply is provided on line 76 through anair strainer 78 and a regulator 80 to a solenoid controlled air valve 82.Anair pressure gauge 84 is also provided. The liquid is metered into ametering container 86 with which a vent line 88 communicates and is Siphoned out through a first flexible line 90 connected to anozzle structure 42 mounted on thedoor 34. In similar Amanner a second flexible air line 92 is connected to thenozzle structure 42 from the air solenoid control valve 82.Electrical lines 94, 96 connect the solenoids forvalves 74, 82 respectively to the control circuitry.

A detailed View of thenozzle structure 42 is shown in FIG. 6. Each flexible line 90, 92 is connected to the entrance conduit of the nozzle structure by means of aconventional coupling 98, 100 to provide adequate sealing. The liquid flows through a spiral `diffuser 102 to an elongated central tube and orifice 104. Air is conducted into a chamber 106 concentric with and surroundingdiffusing orifice 108 which has anexit orifice 110 arranged to provide a iiow of air past the liquid stream fromorifice 108 to aspirate and diffuse the material for entrance into the tumbler cylinder. The entire structure is mounted on the `door 34 by suitable securing means such as bolts 112 through a flared transition member 114 dimensioned to insure the proper air flow characteristics so that there will be adequate diffusion of the liquid. A suitable fabric treating agent is an aqueous solution of neomycin, an antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces closely related to Streptomyces fradz'ae, and Which is described in United States Patent No. 2,830,011.

The electric circuitry employed in this system is shown in schematic form in the diagram of FIG. 7. That circuitry is supplied by a 11C-volt electric power overlines 120, 122. The circuitry includes amain control relay 124 which controls normally closed contacts 124-1 and 124-2 and normally open-contacts 124-3, 124-4 and 124-5. Connected in series with contacts 124-1 ispush button 16 and the customer accessdoor lock solenoid 126. 'Connected in series with therelay 124 is a set of normallyopen contacts 128 which are operated by thecoin control receptacle 14 and a set of normally closed contacts 134-1. Connected in series with contacts 124-3 is the motor 32 and a switch 130 operated by interlock 69 to open the motor circuit when the second oroperator access door 34 is open. Atimer 132 is connected in series with contacts 124-4 and controls solenoid 134, metering solenoid 136 (which operates valve 74), metering solenoid 138 (which operates Valve 82) and control solenoid 140 (which operates normally open contacts 140-1). Contacts 124-2 and 124-5 control visual and audible signalling devices; theIn Use lamp 18, anoperator Warning lamp 142 and anaudible signal 144 being energizable when contacts 124-5 are closed; and the Available lamp 2t) and theaudibler alarm 144 being energizablewhen contacts 124-2 are closed. An operator controlled toggle switch 146 selects the circuit to which theaudible alarm element 144 is connected.

In operation of the system all the relays are normally deenergized, the customer access door 24 is locked, andlamp 20 is energized indicating that the apparatus is available. A customer desiring to utilize the apparatus pushes `button 16, energizingsolenoid 126 to unlock door 24 and deposits the articles to be treated in thechamber 38. She then deposits the indicated amount of money in coins in thevending control 14 and that unit operatescontacts 128 to energizerelay 124. With that encrgization the `door 24 is locked, motor 32 andtimer 132 are started, and the signalling circuitry is operated todeenergize lamp 20 and to energize lamp 18 (indicating the apparatus is in use) and audible signal 144 (provided toggle switch 146 is in the position shown in FIG. 6). The audible signal fromelement 144 at a control console in the dry cleaning establishment, for example, alerts an operator that the machine is in use. The opera-tor silences the signal by operating toggle switch 146 and opens therear door 34, operating contacts to stop motor 32. The operator removes the articlesy to tbe cleaned and subjects them to a dry cleaning routine, as with a suitable solvent such as perchloroethylene in the dry cleaning establishment.

Y Thetimer 132 energizes solenoid 140 ten minutes before the end of the cycle, closing contacts -1 to energizeflasher light 142 instructing the operator to return the cleaned articles to chamber 31D. The articles are returned through therear door 34 and, when that door is closed, the electric motor 32 is again energized to rotate the tumbling cylinder producing an aeration of the articles. Five minutes before the end of the cycle the neomycin metering operation is initiated by energization ofsolenoids 136, 138 and the articles are sprayed with the bactericidal agent in a treatment that prevents the formation of perspiration odor on the fabrics. At the end of thecycle solenoid 134 is energized, opening contacts 134-1 to deenergizerelay 124 and terminate the tumbling and aeration action.Buzzer 144 signals the `operator that time cycle has terminated land he moves toggle switch 146 to the apparatus available position.Light 20 is also energized and contacts 124-1 are closed so that the front door 24 may be unlocked by depressingpushbutton 16. After the articles have Abeen removed the apparatus is ready for another operation.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a controlled self-service tnansition system which permits the use of a coin operated vending system with use of existing dry cleaning equipment in which the dry cleaning operation may be performed in the time tested commercial rnanner but enables the customer to deposit and 'after a fixed time interval to automatically receive cleaned, treated and aerated articles. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications thereof, as in the physical arrangement of components or in details of the control circuitry, will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is not intended that the invention bel limited to the `disclosed embodiment or to details thereof, and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What `is claimed is:

'1. Appanatus `for employment in conjunction with a fabric dry cleaning operation comprising a housing,

fa rotatable tumbler drum mounted within said housing,

s-aid dnum having a circumferentially extending trundlinlg belt adjacent either end thereof, a support shaft positioned on each side of said drum, each shaft having a trundling pulley corresponding to each trundling belt secured thereon and positioned for engagement with the associated trundling belt,

means to drive one o-f said shafts to `rotate said tumbler drum,

each end wall of said drum having an axially disposed cylindrical opening,

said housing l'iiaving la cylindrical ange member concentric With and extending into each end W-all opening,

and a cylindrical door structure cooperating with each end wall,

each door being hingedly supported on said housing and having an interior surface adapted to be aligned with the interior surface of the adjacent drum end Wall when the door is closed,

said housing and doors being arranged so that said tumbler drum may be rotated When said Idoors are closed,

a nozzle structure mounted on one of said ldoors for introducing a dispersed material into said tumbler drum,

metering apparatus mounted -on said housing adjacent v said one door and ilexible conduit means including a liquid receiving supply line and an air receiving supply line connecting said nozzle structure With said metering apparatus,

said nozzle structure including a liquid orifice concentrically located with respect to a portion of said liquid supply line,

an air chamber surrounding said liquid orifice,

and an iair orice concentric with and surrounding s-aid liquid orifice operable for entraining and diffusing liquid ejected from said liquid orice for ydistribution in sai-d drum.

2. ,Fabric treating apparatus comprising ta casing,

a rotatable tumbler drum mounted Within said casing,

drive means for rotating said tumbler drum about an axis,

a nozzle structure` mounted on said casing for intro-v ducing a dispersed material into said tumbler drum in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said tumbler drum,

said nozzle including a liquid orice,

an air chamber surrounding said liquid orice,

andan air orifice concentric with and surrounding said liquid orifice,

metering apparatus mounted on said casing including a metering container having a dip tube therein,

a first valve for controlling the introduction of a liquid material into said metering container,

ia second valve for controlling the discharge of material from said metering container through said `dip tube,

a liquid receiving supply line connecting said liquid orice and said dip tube,

an air supply line connected to said air chamber,

and third valve means in said air supplyline,

said third valve means permitting fair flow through said air chamber to :draw a predetermined amount of liquid lfrom said metering container through said liquid orifice for dispersion in said tumbler drum in a fabric treating operation.

3. Fabric treating apparatus comprising a casing,

a customer access door mounted on one side of said casing,

a second door mounted on said casing, t

a rotatable, open ended, perforated tumbler drum mounted withinsaid casing between said doors `so that access may be had to the interior of said drum through either door,

-a coin operated device mounted on said casing,

a mechanism interlocked with said coin operated device to control customer accessibility to said drum,

drive means for rotating said tumbler drum about an axis,

a nozzle structure mounted on said casing for introduoinig a dispersed material into said tumbler drum in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said tumbler drum,

said nozzle including a liquid oriice,

an air chamber surrounding saidr liquid orifice,

and an air orifice concentric With :and surrounding said liquid orice, y

metering apparatus mounted :on said casing including a metering container having a dip tube therein,

a first valve for controlling the introduction of a liquid material into said metering container,

a second valve for controlling the discharge of material from said metering container through said dip tube,

Ia liquid receiving supply line connecting said liquid orilice and `said dip tube,

an air supply line *connected to said air chamber,

and third valve means in said air Supply line,

said third valve means permitting air ilow through said air chamber to draw a predetermined amount of lliquid from said metering container through said liquid orice for dispersion in said tumbler drum in a fabric treating operation.

4. Fabric treating apparatus comprising a casing,

a customer access door mounted on -one side of said casing,

a second doory mounted on said casing,

a rotatable, open ended, perforated tumbler 'drum mounted within said casing between said doors so that access may be had to the interior 4of said drum through either door,

a coin operated device mounted on said casing,

a mechanism interlocked With said coin operated device to control customer accessibility to said drum,

drive means for rotating Asaid tumbler drum about an axis,

a nozzle structure mounted on said second door for -introducing a dispersed material into said tumbler drum in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said tumbler drum,

said nozzle including :a liquid orifice,

an air chamber surrounding sai-d liquid oriiice,`

and an air on'ce concentric with and surrounding said liquid orifice,

metering apparatus mounted on said casing adjacent said second door including a metering container having a dip tube therein,

a rst valve for controlling the introduction `of a liquid material into said metering container,

a second valve for .controlling the discharge of material from said metering container through said dip tube,

a flexible liquid receiving supply line connecting said Iliquid orifice and said dip tube,

a flexible air supply line connected to said air chamber,

`and third valve means in said air supply line,

-said third valve means permitting air -ow through said air chamber to draw a predetermined amount of liquid from said metering container through said -liquid orice for dispersion in said tumbler drum in ia fabric treating operation, l

and said flexible supply Alines permitting opening and closing of said second door Without disconnecting said supply lines.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 933,358 Bartelt Sept. 7, 1909 2,200,144 Zimarik May 7, 1940 k2,470,043' Monsarrat May 10, 1949 2,593,813 Derwalker Apr. 22, 1952 ,2,631,588 v Paschell Mar. 17, 1953 2,812,593' Olthuis Nov. 12, 1957 3,012,428 Cissell Dec. 12, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 534,860 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1941

Claims (1)

1. 2. FABRIC TREATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A CASING, A ROTATABLE TUMBLER DRUM MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CASING, DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID TUMBLER DRUM ABOUT AN AXIS, A NOZZLE STRUCTURE MOUNTED ON SAID CASING FOR INTRODUCING A DISPERSED MATERIAL INTO SAID TUMBLER DRUM IN A DIRECTION GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID TUMBLER DRUM, SAID NOZZLE INCLUDING A LIQUID ORIFICE, AN AIR CHAMBER SURROUNDING SAID LIQUID ORIFICE, AND AN AIR ORIFICE CONCENTRIC WITH AND SURROUNDING SAID LIQUID ORIFICE, METERING APPARATUS MOUNTED ON SAID CASING INCLUDING A METERING CONTAINER HAVING A DIP TUBE THEREIN,

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