Cleaning apparatus

E. L. CHRISMAN

CLEANING APPARATUS

Aug. 5, 1958

Filed Oct. 15. 1952

2,845,786

Sheets-Sheet 1

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E. L. CHRISMAN

CLEANING APPARATUS

Aug. 5, 1958

Filed Oct. 15, 1952

2,845,786

Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR.

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ATTOGNtt·'

E. L. CHRISMAN

CLEANING APPARATUS

Aug. 5, 1958

Filed Oct. 15, 1952

2,845,786

Sheets-Sheet 3

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E. L. CHRISMAN

CLEANING APPARATUS

Aug. 5, 1958

Filed Oct. 15, 1952

2,845,786

Sheets-Sheet 4

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2,845,786

Patented Aug. 5, 1958

United States Patent Office

2,845,786

CLEANING APPARATUS

Ernest L. Chrisman, South Gate, Calif., assignor to Intercontinental Manufacturing Company, Inc., Garland, Tex., a corporation of Texas

Application October 15,1952, Serial No. 314,879

Claims. (CI. 68—18)

This invention relates generally to cleaning equipment or apparatus and relates more particularly to apparatus for cleaning garments.

While the present invention has particular utility in connection with apparatus for cleaning garments by means of the dry cleaning type of process and is shown and described in connection therewith, it is to be understood that its utility is not necessarily confined thereto.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively simple in construction and effective in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character with which the time required for cleaning garments is substantially reduced. The apparatus also provides such an effective cleaning job that the time required for pressing the garments subsequent to their being cleaned is substantially reduced.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein water soluble spots and the like are loosened up and removed from the garments.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which effects cleaning of the garments without wrinkling same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein many of the wrinkles in the garment, when placed in the machine, are removed during the cleaning operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which will effectively clean the garment with substantially no wear or tear.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the garments are moved to positions wherein they are subjected to the cleaning fluids.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the various functions may be automatically carried out.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which may be readily adapted to use as “self-serve” equipment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively simple in operation and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of cleaning apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a back view of said apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of said apparatus with a portion of the cabinet broken away to show the interior thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side view, with portions broken away, of the mechanism for oscillating the garments disposed within the cabinet for cleaning;

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of another portion of the mechanism;

₅ Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the clothes hangers mounted on a supporting arm; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, there is shown a self-contained unit of cleaning ap1θ paratus which embodies the present invention. This unit includes a cabinet 10 having a door 11 hinged at 12 and adapted to be locked by means of any suitable latching mechanism. The latching mechanism shown comprises a plurality of slidable bars 15 adapted 15 to be actuated in the well known manner by a handle 14 for moving the bars outwardly into sockets 15 or the like, and also to retract said bars so that the door may be opened.

The door provides access for placing garments into 20 the cabinet and removing same therefrom.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, a portion of the interior of the cabinet 10 is shown. In the upper end of the cabinet is mechanism, indicated generally at 20, for receiving hangers on which the various garments 25 are supported.

This mechanism is shown in greater detail in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8. There is included a support bar 21 which extends across the upper part of the cabinet and has its ends secured to brackets 22 by means of screws 22α.

Brackets 22 are secured to the adjacent walls 23 and 24 of the cabinet by any suitable means, such as welding, as indicated at 25. The bar 21 serves as a support for a plurality of horizontal movable hanger support rods 23. Each of the support rods 28 has an end 35 portion 29 which is turned at right angles for vertical disposition in openings provided therefor in the fixed bar 21 and the end portions 29 are retained in position by means of cotter pins 30. The bars 28 are spaced apart longitudinally with respect to the end por40 tions 29 and are adapted to rotate within the openings provided therefor. It is to be understood, of course, that the bars 28 may be otherwise supported for operative movement.

Each of the rods 28 is provided with a hanger adaptor ₄- or support member indicated generally at 32, which is shown as being formed of sheet metal. Each of the adaptors 32 includes a body portion 33 having its upper end secured to the respective rod 28 by any suitable means, such as, for example, welding 34. Adjacent the _go lower end of the body portion 33 of each adaptor a portion 34 is turned back in spaced relation to the body 33 so as to form a U-shaped end having a slot 35 in which the hook portion of a hanger is adapted to be received.

₅₅ The movable support rods 28 are each , provided with an end member or part 37 with an opening 38 therethrough for operable reception of an actuating bar 39 which extends in substantially parallel relationship with the bar 21. Adjacent each side of the portion 37 of gp each rod 28 is a pin 40 set in the rod 39. As shown, these pins 40 are cotter pins, although any other suitable type of pin may be used. Disposed on the rod 39 are coiled springs 42, there being a coiled spring 42 between the end portion 37 of adjacent rods 28, as best shown in Fig. 7, said springs 42 . serving to yieldably maintain the rods 28 in substantially parallel relationship to each other.

Means for actuating the movable bar longitudinally so as to cause oscillating movement of the rods 28, com⁷⁰ prises an aim 44 having one end secured to a drive shaft 45. The drive shaft 45 has its lower end operably re2,845,786 ceived in an opening provided therefor in the bar 21 and extends upwardly through the top wall 46 of the cabinet, there being a bar 47 for said shaft 45 at the point where said shaft passes through the top wall 46. The bar 47 also serves as a seal. A sleeve 48 is shown disposed about that part of the shaft 45 which extends into the cabinet 10. The upper end of shaft 45 carries a radially extending arm 50 which is secured to shaft 45 by means of a nut 51. It is to be understood, of course, that any other suitable means may be used to secure arm 50 to shaft 45. The outer end of arm 50 is connected to one end of a link 52 by means of a pivot screw 53, the opposite end of said link being pivotally secured to an actuating arm 54 by means of a screw' 55 adjacent the outer free end of the arm 54. the arm 54 is secured to a shaft 57 which extends into a gear box 58 and is rotated by means of an electric motor 59 through a suitable chain of gears in said gear box 58. The outer end of arm or lever 44 is provided with a suitable opening through which is received the movable bar 39, there being pins 60 adjacent the respective sides of said arm mounted in the bar 39. It is to be noted that the pins 40 and the pins 60 are spaced from the ends of the respective rods 28 and the arm 44 so as to provide a limited amount of play between the parts.

As the motor is operated to rotate the shaft 57 the arm 54 is rotated and causes oscillating movement of the drive shaft 45 which, in turn, effects swinging or oscillating movement of the arm 44, thereby causing the movable bar 39 to move longitudinally back and forth. The longitudinal movement of bar 39 effects oscillating movement of the rods 28 and causes the clothes hanger adapters or supports 32 to oscillate on an axis substantially coincidental with the axis of the ends 29 of said rods 28. When clothes hangers are hooked onto the supports or adapters 32, said hangers will be correspondingly oscillated, thus effecting an oscillating movement of the garments on said hangers so that the various parts of said garments will be presented to the stream of cleaning fluid, as will be more particularly described hereinafter. It will be noted that due to the spacing of the rods 28 the garments will be spaced from each other when they are supported by the adapters 32.

Referring to Fig. 9, which shows the system diagrammatically, there is provided means for operating the garments hung in the cabinet with suitable cleaning fluids. Provision is made for a steam spray which includes a boiler 62 from which leads a steam conduit 63 which terminates in spray means 64. It is to be understood that while only one spray nozzle is shown there may be a plurality of these nozzles arranged strategically in the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 5. Control of the discharge of steam is effected by a normally closed valve 65, interposed in the conduit 63, said valve 65 being controlled by any suitable means such as, for example, a solenoid 66.

Means for spraying the garments with a suitable solvent, such as, for example, perchlorethylene, Stoddard solvent, gasoline, or the like, is also provided and includes a spray nozzle 68 connected with a reservoir 69 of cleaning fluid by means of a conduit 70. It is to be understood, of course, that there may also be a plurality of nozzles 68, as shown in Fig. 5. It is also to be understood that the system may be arranged so that one set of nozzles may be used for both the steam or other suitable spray for removing water soluble spots and the like, and the solvent. A pump 71 is interposed in the conduit 70 for pumping solvent to the nozzle or nozzles 68, there being an electric motor 72 for operating said pump.

The bottom of the cabin 10 is provided with a valve 75 which is normally closed but is provided with means for opening same, said means being shown as a solenoid 76. From valve 75 there is a drain tube 77 which may be led to any suitable point of disposal of fluid drained from the cabin 10. Valve 75 also has a connection 78 with a pump 79 from which there leads a return conduit 89 having a connection with a filter 81, shown as being disposed above the reservoir 69 and into which filtered fluid is adapted to flow. Pump 79 is operated by an electric motor 82.

Lint catching means is provided in the bottom portion of the cabinet 10 and comprises a piece of canvas material 8-1- disposed on a supporting plate 85.

The system also includes means for drying the garments that have been cleaned and the drying means includes a heater 86 having an air conduit S7 which leads to a blower indicated generally at 88. The blower has a casing 89 for housing any suitable type of blowing fan, and a motor 90 for operating said fan. From the blower a hot air conduit 91 leads to the top of the cabinet so that the hot air from the blower is blown onto and circulated between the garments which are supported in the cabinet as hereinabove described. Air leaves the cabinet through a conduit 92 which has a discharge opening 93 to atmosphere and a connection 94 with a condenser 95. A valve 96, which is pivoted at 97, controls the flow of discharge air so that such air may be discharged at 93 or may be carried through the conduit 94 to the condenser. Valve 96 is urged in a direction to close the opening 93 by a spring 98, and is moved to the opposite position by a solenoid 99, or any other suitable actuating mechanism. The condenser has an air discharge opening ICO and has a connection 101 for liquid so that liquid removed from the air flowing through the condenser is returned to the reservoir 69 by way of the water separator 81.

The system also is shown as including means for filtering a fluid in the reservoir, said means comprising a pump 103 having a connection 104 with the reservoir and a connection 105 which leads to the filter 81. Pump 103 is operated by any suitable means, such as an electric motor 106.

The system may be automatically controlled by means of a timing switch, indicated generally at 110. There is a source of power, indicated at 111 from which a wire 112 leads to a master switch 113. The switch has a connection 114 with a timing motor 115, which is grounded at 116. Motor 115 has a shaft 117 which connects said motor with a movable switch contact member 118, the latter having an electrical connection 119 from the wire 114. The movable contact member 118 is adapted to be moved over a series of fixed contacts 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124, which are insulated from each other. Contact 120 is connected to the solenoid 66 by means of a wire 125 and the solenoid 76 is connected to said wire 125 by means of a wire 126 so that when electric current flows through the wires 125 and 126, solenoids 66 and 76 are energized for opening the respective valves 65 and 75.

Motors 59 and 106 are connected, by wires 128 and 129, with a wire 130, the latter being connected with the wire 114 so that when the master switch 113 is closed motors 59 and 106 will operate continuously. Fixed contact 121 is connected, by means of a wire 132, with the motor 90 and contact 122 is connected with a solenoid 99 by means of a wire 133. It is to be noted that fixed contacts 121 and 122 are arranged so that both will be simultaneously contacted by the movable contact member 118. Contact 123 is connected, by means of a wire 135, with the motor 82, the motor 72 being connected to said wire 135 by means of a wire 136. Thus, both motors 82 and 72 will be energized when the contact member 118 is in contact with the member 123.

The contact member 124 is connected to the wire 132 by means of a wire 137 so that the motor 90 will be energized when the contact 118 is in engagement with the contact 124. However, under such conditions the solenoid 99 will not be energized.

The complete cycle of operation of the system is as fol

2,845,786 lows, it being assumed that garments on hangers have been hung in the cabinet as hereinabove described:

The closing of the master witch 113 effects energization of motor 106 and motor 59, the latter effecting oscillating movement of the garments hung in the cabinet. Motor 115 is simultaneously energized and, through proper gearing, not shown, causes the movable contact member 118 to begin its sweep across the fixed contacts hereinabove described. The contact 118 first engages the fixed contact 120 which effects energization of the solenoids 66 and 76 thereby effecting opening of the valves 65 and 75. Steam and/or moisture and/or soap and/or both and/or all is sprayed onto the garments as they are oscillated and loosens or completely removes water soluble spots and the like. Any moisture which condenses will drop to the bottom of the cabinet 10 and be drained away through the conduit 74, valve 75 and pipe 77. Any lint or the like which may be dropped down tends to be caught on the pad 84.

Continued movement of the movable contact 118 will cause same to leave its engagement with the fixed contact 120 and pass into engagement with the fixed contacts 121 and 122. At the same time, solenoids 66 and 76 will be deenergized and the valves 65 and 75 will close. Engagement of the contact 118 with the contacts 121 and 122 will result in energization of the solenoid 99 and the motor 90. The solenoid will effect clockwise movement of the valve 96 to the dotted line position, indicated at 96α, shutting off communication between the air conduit 92 and conduit 94 and effecting, opening of the outlet 93. The motor 90 will operate the blower to blow hot air into the cabinet for drying the garments therein. The hot air passing over the garments will pick up moisture and will be discharged through the conduit 92 and outlet 93 into atmosphere. It is to be understood, of course, that this air could be run through a condenser for recovery of the water therein. After a suitable period of time, determined by the length of the contacts 121 and 122 and the speed of the movable contact 118, the latter will be disengaged from said contacts and will engage contact 123. Solenoid 99 and motor 90 will then be deenergized and motors 72 and 82 will be energized. The motor 72 will operate the pump 71 to pump solvent from the reservoir 69 to the nozzle or nozzles 68 for thoroughly spraying the garments with the solvent which will, of course, dissolve and remove spots and the like which were not removed previously. During the time the garments are being sprayed with the solvent, they are, of course, oscillated to present all parts of the same to the sprays. Much of the solvent will fall to the bottom of the cabinet 10 and wiil be carried to the pump 79 through the conduits 74 and 78. The pump will return this liquid to the filter and thence to the reservoir. Lint from the garments will again be collected by the pad 84 as said lint is carried onto the pad by the solvent which drops from the garments.

Further movement of the movable contact member 118 will cause the same to leave its engagement with the contact 123 and engage contact 124. When this occurs the motors 72 and 82 will cease functioning and the motor 90 will be energized. Hot air will again be blown onto the garments and will pass through the cabinet. This air will pick up the solvent which remains in the garments after the spraying operation and will pass into the condenser 95. In the condenser the solvent will be condensed and will flow to the filter through the conduit 101, and will then be returned to the reservoir. The air from which the solvent has been removed is .discharged to atmosphere through the outlet 100.

As hereinabove indicated, the time provided for the various operations is determined by the speed of the movable contact member 118 and the length of the respective fixed contacts 120 to 124. It is also to be understood that any suitable well-known mechanism may be used and that the parts of the process may be used for certain types of cleaning if it is desired not to use the entire process.

It has been found that with the present invention spotting, as well as the rest of the cleaning process, can ac5 tually be effected when the garments are suspended on hangers. Moreover, when the garments are cleaned while on the hangers they will not be tumbled about as in prior cleaning apparatus, and it has been found that the wrinkles which the garments may have will, in many 10 instances, be completely removed while the garments are being cleaned with the present arrangement;

Apparatus of the type herein shown and described is readily adaptable for use in “self-serving” establishments, although, of course, its use is not confined thereto. 15 Another means for variously subjecting the garments in the machine to the various steps is to provide means for moving the garments from one location to another in the machine whereat certain garments may be subjected to the various fluids for cleaning and drying the 20 garments. Such an arrangement could use a chain, cable, belt or other means for suspending the garments and carrying them from one station to another.