US2656698A - Liquid extraction with vacuum and heat - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 27, 1953 H. J. RAND LIQUID EXTRACTION WITH VACUUM AND HEAT Original Filed Jan. 3l, 1948 x I $524: ...14.--,...nnw In lla! 1 12N l I i l ,152,55,Stink? INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 27, 1953 LIQUID EXTRACTION WITH VACUUM AND HEAT Henry J. Rand, Bratenahl, Ohio, assignor to H. J. Rand Washing Machine Corp., South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Original application January 31, 1948, Serial No. 5,627. Divided and this application October 6, 1951, Serial No. 250,131

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in a washing machine wherein the liquid detergent ls extracted from the laundry by the combined use of vacuum and heat.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 56227 led January 31, 1948.

One of the objects of the present invention is to squeeze the detergent out of wet laundry by the collapsing of a llexible bag upon the laundry utilizing a partial vacuum within the bag While at the same time applying heat to the laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to apply the above invention by embedding an electrical heating element within the flexible bag itself so that as it presses upon the laundry it will apply heat to the laundry at the same time.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims,

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in central sectional view showing one embodiment of my device, while Fig. 2 is a fragmental elevational view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating another form of my invention.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention as applied to a washing machine of the general type disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 682,322 filed July 9. 1946, now Patent No. 2,472,682, dated June 7, 1949. In the present instance, within a tub I0 I provide a ilexlble bag I I having an open top which is closed during a washing operation by means of a top cover I2. A suitable seal I3 is provided between the top cover and the open top neck of the bag during the washing and drying operations about to be described` In the central portion of the bag I provide an oscillator I4 which is connected by a downwardly extending shaft I5 by means of which the agitator is oscillated by means not shown. Liquid is introduced into the interior of the bag I I through a conduit I6 coming up through the bottom of the tub and the bag. The agitator is perforated at Ma for the purpose of liquid flow. As described in my copending application, at the close of the washing operation a pump is operated in connection with the conduit I6 to withdraw the liquid and air from the interior of the bag, causing the same to collapse to the broken line position of Fig. 1 so as to squeeze the liquid detergent out of the laundry. It is an object of the present invention to apply heat at the same time that the ilexible bag is pressing upon the laundry and while the latter is subjected to a partial vacuum. In the form of my device shown in Fig. 1 and claimed in the aforementioned application Scrial No. 5627, I provide a heating element I1 in the interior of the agitator. This heating element is in heat conducting relationship with the post |41) of the agitator. The heating element shown is of the electrical type and is supplied by heat through a suitable source connected to the wires I8 and I9. In the drawing as shown the heating element is stationary while the agitator is oscillated. If necessary or desirable, however, the heating element might be secured to the sleeve I4b and sliding shoes at the point 20 would transmit electricity to the heating element `while the agitator was oscillating.

In the for-m of my invention shown in Fig. 1, it will be obvious that when the bag II has been collapsed inwardly against the laundry by the creation of a vacuum inside the bag the laundry will be pressed tightly against the agitator I4. At this time if the heat is supplied to the heating element I'I, the heat will be transmitted very eliiciently to the bundle of laundry against the agitator because the laundry will surround the heating element on al1 sides.

In the form of my device shown in Fig. 2 a wire heating element 2| is imbedded within the layers of the flexible bag I I this form of my device may be used with or without the heating element I'I shown in Fig. 1. When the device of Fig. 2 is used, after the flexible bag II has been collapsed inwardly against the laundry to squeeze the liquid detergent out of the same, the electrical current is supplied through lines Lr-Lz to the heating element 2l within the flexible bag itself. This will cause the bag to surround the bundle of wet laundry as a warm blanket and will aid in the evaporation of the remainder of the liquid in the laundry under vacuum.

The connection shown at 22 in Fig. 1 is for the carrying out of my invention in still another manner. If the flexible bag II has no heating element 2l inside of it, nevertheless by the use of the connection 22 heat may be applied to the laundry as it is pressed inwardly against the agitator. In this form of my device, after the bag has been collapsed to the broken line position of Fig. l by the creation of a partial vacuum inside the bag, I open the valve 23 to admit through the line 22 a heated fluid such as steam under pressure. This will lill the space between the bag II and the tub IIl so as to supply heat over the entire area of the flexible bag and this heat will be transmitted through the bag to the laundry on the inside. At the same time, the pressure of the steam will be added to the atmospheric pressure normally causing the bag to press against the laundry so that 'there `is in addition to 'the heat, the extra `additional pressure from the steam to cause the detergent to be squeezed out of the laundry.

It Will be noted in al1 forms of ymy invention that I have taken advantage of'thereducedvagpor Ytub havingT :an opening through :which Ilaundry may be inserted and removed, `and air- .rand

Water-tight closure for said opening, :means for agitating laundry within said element, means for withdrawing liquid and air from said element 4creating a substantial vacuum therein to cause said element to collapse against said laundry to Y squeezeodt fthellf'iquidby @nessun-e ithe outside thereof, fand heating means comprising a heating element embedded in a wall of said flexible 4.element to evaporate liquid from said laundry while .said liquid is subjected to a reduced vapor pressure created 'by said vacuum.

"2. Mechanism as in claim l wherein said heat- A.ing#means fccmzprises a lengthof electrical refsi'stafncedvhe embedded in a Wall of said exible element.

HENRY J. RAND.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number NameV Date 1,263,392 .Elling Apr. 23., i918 2,472,682 .Rand June 17 1949 2,489,643 Hunter iNov.29 ,1194'9

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