US1719410A - Machine for washing dishes and other articles - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1929. a. WEBB MACHINE FOR WASHING DISHES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed Dec. 25. 1926 :5 sneets sneep 1 IN VEN TOR.

T ORNEY.

G. WEBB CHINE FOR WASHING DISHES AND OTHER ARTICLES July 2, 1929.

Filed Dec. 23. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AQU s. WEBB MACHINE FOR WASHING DISHES OTHER ARTICLES FiledDec 2%;; 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 x Q k! a? 1 g E a ENE wb h wk WM e r vb E uh nr MWv Patented July 2,. I v I o I .um-T 'D STATES PATENT? OFFICE.

GEORGE OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLTS PATENT FIRE ARES MIN'U'I'ACT'U'IBJNG' 00., O1 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OI commences.

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND OTHER ARTICLES.

' Application filed December 23, $86. Serial No. 156,568.

This inventi( 1n-re1ates to a machine of the now deemv preferable, but it will be undertype wherein the dishes or other articles are stood that the drawings are intended for il- 55 co'ntinuouslymoved by a conveyor or otherlustrative' purposes only and are not to be wise through the machine and wherein the construed as defining or limiting the scope dishes are subjected to one or'more washof the invention, the claims forming a part ing operations during theirjsaid movement, of this specification being relied upon for r and theinvention-is particularly applicable that purpose. 60

to a machine havin two or more washing Of the drawings:

divisions-in which different washing-opera- Figure 1 is a right side view of a dish .10. tions are performed" successively. washing machine embodying the invention. It has heretofore been the practice to con- Figa2'is a left side view of the machine.

struct a machine of this typewith a tank at Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken- 65 one side of the main casing, this tank be--. along the line 33 of. Fig.2.

ing adapted to receive and contain the main- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view showing body or bodies, of washing liquids. Pump the liquid containing tank and the supply mechanism has been provided for withdrawpipes therefor. V 1 ing the liquid or liquids fromthe tank and Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, of 7 forcing them: through suitable spray dethe supplementalheater for the third washviceson'to the dishes or other articles being ng divisionwashed, the said liquidsfall-ing onto a suit- Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perable guide or guides which direct them later--. spective view of the clutch and valvemecha; ally back into the tank. One' of theobjects n of-the invention is to provide an improved Fig. 7 is a fragmehtary perspective view s'ystem'of devices for maintaining-the bodies of the treadle and associated parts.

2 of liquids intwo' or more washing divisions Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view' .at the proper temperatures and for comof one of the supporting drums for the con i pensating for wastage from the saidbodies. ve or belt.

It has heretofore been the practice in. ig. 9 is a side view, partly in'section,

certain machines of the present type to proshowing a part of the conveyor belt. and -a vide a foot lever for controlling the means partof one of the-supporting drums therethrough which power is supplied .to drive for. r

the conveyor, the foot lever being held in Fig.

depressed position to cause theo'peration of View of the conveyorbelt.

a the conveyor and the conveyor'being stopped Fig. 11 is a plan view on a still larger when the foot lever is released. Another scale, showing one unit of the conveyor belt.

; object'of the present invention is to provide Fig- 12 is a plan view, on the same scale automatically acting means for holding the as Fig. 10, showing another unit of thec'on- 90 foot lever in its depressed position so, that veyor belt. "the continued pressure of the operators foot .Figs. 13 and'14 are plan views on the same 40 is not needed to maintain the conveyor in scale as Fig. 10, showing still other units operation. s of'the conveyor belt. I A further objectof the invention-is to pro- I Fig. -15 .is an enlarged fragmentary secvide a conveyor belt supporting track-having tional view taken along the line 15- 15 of certain improved details of construction and "F1". 10.. I t

mounting, and to provide other improved Referring to the drawings, 1 represents features of construction for supporting and the maincasing of the mach 1ne,-th1s cas ng driving the conveyor belt. being generally rectangular n cross sect on Further objects of the invention will be as shown in Fig. 3, andbelng provided with apparent from the following specification side walls 2 and 3, with a top wall 4 -and a and claim, I bottom wall 5. The ends of the casing are g i In the'accompanyin'g drawingsforming open, at leastin part, to permit the dishes apart of this specification,- I have shown the embodiment of the invention which I duced at one end andto permit the washed 0 is an enlarged fragmentaryplan 8.)

or other articles to be Washed to be intro- I dishesor other articles to be removed at the spective uprights 7, 7 and 8, 8. Suitable transverse members such as 11 serve to connect the said uprightsand the said horizontal members. Preferably, for a purpose to be presently described, an additional longitudinal member 12 is located between the members 10, 10 and connected at its ends with the transverse members 11. If desired, additional uprights 13, 13 may be provided between the uprights 7, 7 and 8, 8 these uprights 13, 13 providing additional legs for supporting the machine.

Means is provided for moving thedishes to be Washed through the casing 1 from end to end thereof and as concerns some of the features of the invention, this moving means can be varied within wide limits. Preferably, however, and in accordance with other features of the invention, the means for movingthe articles comprises an endless openwork conveyor which extends through the I casing substantially from end to end thereof and which is adapted to have the dishes or other articles placed directly upon it. The endless belt of the conveyor is represented in the drawings at 14, this belt being supported at the ends of the machine by means of rollers or drums 15 and 16, one of which serves for driving the belt, as will hereinafter be described in detail. The conveyor is operated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, the dishes being placed upon the belt at the left hand end of the machine and being discharged therefrom at the right hand end of the machine. I Y A tank 17 is provided for-containing a supply of cleansing liquid, this tank being at one side of the casing 1 and at one side of the path .of the articles through the said casing and below the level' of the said. path. Preferably, the tank-17 is carried by the main frame work which has already been described and for this purpose the frame work is provided with transverse members 18, 18 which are secured to the main longitudinal members 9 and .10.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the machine comprises a plurality of. washing divisions through which the articles are moved successively and in which they are subjected to difierent washing operations. The number of divisions may be varied but for purposespof illustration, I have shown three such divixsions. Each division comprises a set of spray devices, a receptacle for a body of .washing liquid, means for withdrawing the means for automatically returning the liquid to the receptacle from which it was withdrawn, thus maintaining a continuous cycle of movement. members 9, 9 and 10, 1O connecting the rc- WVhen the machine is provided with three washing divisions, the three receptacles for the respective divisions are preferably formed by providing transverse partitions 19 and 20 in the tank 17, these partitions dividing the tank into three receptacles or compartments 2], 22 and 23. ;Pump means are provided for withdrawing the. liquids from the respective receptacles and for this purpose, I prefer to provide a device having a single pump casing 24 with separate chambers therein. The pump device is preferably located directly beneath the casing l and at one side of the tank 17. The pump device is shown as comprising a longitudinally extending horizontal main shaft 25 on which'there are three separate impellers 26, 27 and 28 located respectively in independent pump chambers 29, 30 and 31. A suitable drive means, such as an electric motor 32, is provided for operating the pump.

'The pump device and the motor 32 are shown as supported upon a base 'plate 33 carried by the-frame members 10 and 12. The suction sides of the pump chambers 29, 30 and 31 are connected respectively by means of pipes 34, 35 and 36 with the respective receptacles or tank compartments 21, 22 and 23. Preferably, in each tank is y a strainer 37 which serves to prevent refuse and the like from entering the corresponding pipe 34, 35 or 36.

The details of the spray devices in the respcctive washing divisions can be varied but I prefer to provide and haveshown two horizontal spray pipes 38 and 39 in each division extending transversely across the casing and located respectively above and below theupper run of the conveyor 14. The said spray pipes 38 and 39 are rovided with holes located respectively in t e. lower and upper parts thereof so that the said spray pipes serve to deliver the washing liquid in opposite directions against the articles on the conveyor 14. The washing liquid is supplied to the spray-pipes in the respective divisions by means of supply pipes 40, 41 and 42, which areconnected respec tively with the discharge sides of the pum chambers 29, 30 and 31. Preferably I provide an inspection opening in the side wall of the Casing adjacent 1,719,410 I 'i i 3;

each pair or group of spray 38 and 39. When there are three groups of spray'devicesas shown there are providedth'ree separate inspection openings 40*, 41! and 42 lon-' gltudinally spaced "in accordance with the long tudinal spacing of the saidspray pipes. The said openings 40, 41' and 42 are nor-v mally closed by means ofdoorsjio 41". and

42" these doors being independently openable to permit inspectionof one group of spray devices'independentlypf the others.

I do not necessarily limit myself as concerns the constructlon and mounting of the sad doors 41 and 42" but I have shown them -c arged from them vvill pass directly into,

the correspondingreceptacles or tank compartments 21-, 22 and 23. Preferably, and as shown, the bottoms of the discharge openings are adjacent the bottom wall 5 of the casing, thus making it possible "for any liquids on the said bottom wall to. pass out through the'discharge openings into the corresponding tank eompartments.- As-shown there is provided at each of the discharge openings 43, 43, a spout orchute 44, which projects outward over the corresponding: re-

laterall inclined guide plate forre'ceivceptacle. This serves to prevent any liquids from entering any opening which mi ht extend between the .casing and the tank.

Preferably,I provide for each division a ing an guiding laterally at least a portionof the liquid discharged from the correthrough the corresponding discharge openspending spray devices. When the main casing 1 is provided with acontinuous integral bottom wall 5 as shown, the removable guide plates are located abovethe said bottorn wall and preferably also above the lower run of the conveyor, as indicated in Fig.- 3. 1 Each plate is so located that the liquids re,- ceived upon it are discharged laterally ingin the side wall of the casing-and'into the corresponding tank compartment. Each guide plate 45 is .maideremovable, thus making it possible for the plate itself to be easily cleane and further making-it: possi ble for.- access to be conveniently hadto the portions of the conveyor and of the ebottomqwall 5 located below the guide plate.

.I prefer. to so construct and'locate the guide plate 45 that it can be removed laterally through the corresponding discharge opening-43 as shown in Fig. 3.- The main bodyof the plate 45 is inclined inorder to preferably qt r m t h when necessary guide the a aited-1131'sdescribed, 'but esides'of' the plate are page tended upward to form horizontal supports or guides which enable-the plateto be re moved in a-horizontal direction, the plate passing through the position shown by dotted lines.

Preferably, in'addition to. the three guide plates 45, 45, beneaththe respective spray device's, I prcvidc other parts which. to-' gether with the said guide plates, constitute a'shieldextending,l;as an entirety, through out the; greater part of the length of the casing. The shield comprises-in each division longitudinally inclined sections 47,47 which are formed at their edges-with flanges for engaging the horizontal supports or guides 46, 46 on the correspondmgguide plate.-" Stops 45. are provided for engaging the'corresponding shieldsections 47 to limit inward movement of each uide plate. It will be apparent that the siield as an entirety serves to receive. the greater part of the liquid discharged from-the several spray devices and as directit onto the respective guide plates which serve,to'guid e it laterally outward throughthe discharge openings in thecasing and into the tank compartments.

Any liquid whichfmay not be caught by the shield or which may escape. at the edges of the guide plates 4 ,45 'is caught by the bot;

tom wall! of the casing. I

Preferably inorder to reduce to a m1n1-' mum .themixing of the separate bodies of liquid as they pass through the c asing, par-, titions or guards are provided. Mounted upon the shield aretwo upward extending guards-48, $8, thesepartitions registering,

titions. '19 and 20 in, the tank. Projecting each set o-f-such means comprises acentra'lice or approximately registering, with the par l ,downward from the topof the casing are two sets of, "guarding? inea'ns. As 4 shown,

partition 49 located directly above the cor-q responding partition 48" and it :also comprises two other uard partitions50, 50 which serveto catc some ofthe s lashand to further prevent mixin -ofthe liquids.

In j order to-prevent as} scra or refu's'e'jrom passing ing 'quids' into the lower-pa compartments, are rothe washvided-respectivel' V j extend acrossth ppera-part of the said compartments ail hich arelocated in the aths. of 'the rat-ely from It a in order that-ft n "order further that compartments may be the interiors of,-

to-p'revent splash an inspected. -lino for other y covered, t e coverm' .means comprismg at least in amper-ab edbors 52, 52 located,

, Pos ible any.

discharged thereinto.- h reely removable sepax spective compartments reens may. be cleaned a i of the com th'sc're'e ns 51,51,w ich v the corresponding guide plate to be removed above the respective screens 51, 51 doors are inchned as clearly shownm Fig.

-3 and they are solocated that the opening of thexdoor not only provides access to the interior of the corresponding compartment, but also providesaccessto the corresponding discharge opening in the casing and permits from the machine as shown in Fig. 3. The

doors are shown as hinged at theirnpper edges. It will be seen that inasmuch as I have provided separate tank doors, one for each division, it is possible by opening the proper door to inspect any one of the co1npartments andremove the screen therefrom iarily maintain the-heat thereof when necessary. As illustrated, there are pipes 53, 54 and 55 communicating with the respective compartments 21, 22 and 23, the said pipes being provided respectively with valves 56, 57 and 58. As shown in Fi 4', the said pipes. connect with a manifold 59 and with the manifold are connected two pipes 60 and 61 provided respectively with valves 62 and 63. One of the said pipes is connected with a water supply and the other with a steam supply. It will be obvious that'by properly manipulating the valves 56, 57, 58, 6-2 and 63, either water or steam or both may be admitted as required to any of the tank compartments. I

In order to control the level of the liq-' compartments overflow uids in the several pipes 6 4, 64: are provided in the respective compartments, these pipes communicating with. a main discharge pipe '65. Thus the level of the liquid in any compartment is prevented from rising above the top ofthe corresponding pipe. Each pipe is seated in By raising any one of the pipes the liquid a sleeve 66 l'1avmg an opening 67 therein.-

may be permitted to drain out of the correspending compartment. The. first -compart-.

meat 21 is preferably also provided with an overflow slot 68. which communicates with a pipe 69 leading 'into the main discharge pipe 65. Adjacent the slot 68 there is a removable screen' 70 through which liquid inuslt pass before entering the .pipe 69. "The eve The

form. prises a cylinder within which is-cox'itained o f-th e slot G8-is somewhat below the level of the top of the corresponding pipe '64.- and the normal overflow from thecoms partment 21 is therefore through the slot 68, thus causing the grease and eating refuse to pass through the slot 68 and-through the screen .70 instead of passing directly-into the mainv discharge pipe through the over- 'ffiow pipe 64:. I

In the operation of the machine, abody of liquid is maintained the first'division, which liquid contains a suitable detergent and is maintained at a proper moderately low temperature. This liquid is continuouslycirculated and sprayed against the dishes or other articles as already described. The body of liquid in the second di than that.in the first division and this liquid may also, if desired, contain a suitable amount of detergent. This liquid is similarly circulated and sprayed against the dishes or other articles. The liquid in'the third division is substantially clean water which is kept ator near vision is preferably maintained at amuch higher temperature the boiling point. -This liquid is similarly circulated and sprayed against the. dishes or other 'articleslreferably, in addition to subjecting the dishes orother articles to the action of the three bodies of washing liquid as described, I also subject them to a final rinsing spray. For, this purpose, I have shown a plurality-of rinsing nozzles 71, 71 and 72, 72- located respectively above and below the path of the dishes, these nozzles being connected with a supply pipe 73. 'lihe rinse water delivered through the nozales 7 I, 71 and 72, 72 is at or near the boilmg temperature in order that it may serve, not only to rinse the dishes but also, to sterilize them and heat them to facilitate drying. The rinse water falls onto the shield which has been described and is caused by the corresponding guide plate 45 .to pass into thetanlc compartnuent23 contannngthe clean or substantially clean hot water as already described. This rinse water added to the body-of water in the compartment 23 assists in heating the said body of water and may in some cases-heat .it sutiiciently to avoid the necessity for any othcrheatin-g by means of steam introduced by means of the pipe 55.

For heating the water delivered to.the

rinse spray nozzles through the pipe 73,-I preferably provide "a steam operated heater 74 which may be of any usual .or preferred I have shown a heater which com a coiled pipe 75 connected at one end with the rinse water pipe 73 and at the other end with a water supply pipe 76.. plied to the interior o-f.. the to surround the coil 7 5; a pipe 77 being shown for this purpose. The water isthus Steam is supcylinder so as heated to approximately the temperature of tl e stean as it passes through'the said coil.

75. 'The exhaust steam and, the water of condensation from the heater 74 pass through a pipe 78 into the compartment 22 of the second washing division and servetwo purposes,first to heat the liquid in the said compartment and second to increase the volumethereofand' compensate for losses and wastage.

'The maintenance of the proper tempera ture of. thelliquidfin the first washin divis on is very important. This liqui requires a considerable amount of heatin for the. reason that there is a-tendency fhr it to be rapidlycooledby coming into contact with the freshly introduced cold dishes, but suitable provision must be made to prevent the'water being heated beyond 'a proper .predetermined temperature as the use of too hot liquid for the initial washing tends to bake certain materials upon the dishes instead of removing the said materials. In order that the temperature of the liquid in. the first division may be properly controlled, I prefer' to provide a thermostatically controlled heating means.

. As shown and as preferred," steam is supplied to the interior of the compartment 21 through a pipe79 and the flow of steam through this pipe is regulatedby ineans of a valve 80. Projectinginto the compartment 21 is a suitable thermostatic device 81, this device being connected with the valve 80 by means of a :flexible pipe 82. The thermostatic device. 81 does not of itself form any part ofthe invention and anyof .the well known devices adapted for this purpose may be used. The device shown operates through a column of liquid'con-' tainedin the pipe 82 and acting-upon the valve 80. A guard 83 within the compartment and a-guard 84 outside thereof protect-the thermostatic device from mechanical injury. \Vhen the temperature in the compartment 21 reaches a predetermined point, the valve 80 is automatically closed and when. the temperature falls below a predetermined oint, the valve 80 is automatically opener In practice, .the valve is ordinarily maintained in a partly open position so ';a s-'to p'ermit ;.a' continuous flow of steam just suflicient to compensate for the heat losses in the liquid due rimarily to its coming into contact with t e co'ld dishes.

Becauseiof the consideral-iie amount of heating required, the condensed steam which is addedto the liquid is ordinarily sufficient to maintain the required volume of the liquid thereto of the hot rinse water.

and compensate for wastage.

As already stated, the water in the third division is primarily heated by the addition In some cases this may not be suflicient and it may be necessary to 'auxiliarly heat the water by means of steam introduced through the pi e 55. Preferably, I provide a thermostatic evice for controlling the flow of steamso as to maintain the water at the re' uired temperature. A suitable device'for t is purpose sindicated at '85 in Fig. 1 and is shown in.

greater detail in Fig. 5. Carried by the" pipe is a small open sided bod having a valve seat at 86. Within, the b0 y is-a de- VICQ'87 which includes an element adapted to expand and contract in'accordance with temperature variations, this element carrying a valve closure 88 cooperating with the seat 86. When-the water is at a proper temperature the valve closure 88 is held against the seat 86, butwhen the temperature falls the valve closure is withdrawnfromthe seat and steam is admitted;

Under some circumstances, the condensed steam from the heater 74 is not sufficient to maintain the required volume of liquid in the second compartment 22. In order. to supply additional liquid tothe said compartment, I ma use and have 'shown a transfer pipe 89 which discharges into 'the said c'ompartment 22. The pipe 89 is connected atbottom wall 5. A certain amount of this leakage enters the basin 90 and thence passes into the compartment 22. The overflow may not be large but only a small amount is required to maintain the liquid in. the compartment 22 at the proper level.

The mechanism for drivin the conveyor preferably receives its power from the pump shaft 25 already described. Directly coupled to the pump shaft 25 is a conveyor drive shaft 91 upon which is mounted a worm 92 meshing with a worm wheel 93 on a transverse-shaft 94. Mounted in alignment with the transverse shaft 94 is a second transverse ble by means of a clutch 96, this clutch being shown as of the positively acting jaw-type.-

wheel 100 anda chain 101passes around this shaft 95, and these two shafts are connecti- .and operable by means of abe'll-crank 99. At the end of the shaft .95 is a sprocket sprocket wheel and around another s rocket wheel 101 on an idler shaft 102. c said shaft 102 carries a second smallersprocket 103 around which passes a chain 104,-the said chain also assing around a sprocket 105 secured to the shaft 106 on whlch'the conve or drum 15 is mounted.

or controlling the starting and'stoppiug of the conveyor, I preferably use a mechanism similar in many respects to that disclosed in the, patent of'Elbert L. Couch, No.-1,640,-

693-issuediAugustg30, 1927; For operating the clutch 96, there is provided a lever 107' whichrengages, one arm of the bell crank lever'.99. The. outer end ofthe leverf107 is connected by means of a link 108 with a lever 109 on a transverse rock shaft 110, shown most clearly in Fig. 7. Carried by the rock shaft 110 is a foot treadle 111,'this treadle being in osition to be within convenient reach of t ie operator who is engaged in removing the dishes as they-are delivered from the machine. An adjustable stop 111 is provided for the treadlelll. It will be 'see'n-that when the treadle is moved downward, the lever 107 is moved in the clockwise direction, thus moving the bell crank lever 99' in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.6 and engaging the 'clutch 96. A

. spring 112 tends to move the lever 107 in the counterclockwise direction, thus disen-- The latch'is .so positioned that the operator can easily engage it with his foot so as to move .it backward'and release the treadle, thus permitting the clutch to be disengaged..-

It will beseen that the provision of the latch obviates the necessity of the operator keepdescribe serves as a safety preventlnjury to the machine or to the openter in case a broken dish or anything ing-his foot continuously upon the trcadle as has been necessary in accordance with rior practice. At the sametime, it makes it possible for the operator to easily and quickly stop'the machine by a simple foot motion, that is, by releasing the latch. and permitting the treadle to rise.

A shelf 115 is provided adjacent the delivery -end of the conveyor, this shelf serving to guide dishes from the conveyor onto a table (not shown). The shelf is pivoted for movement about a transverse axis at 116' and it is normally held in position adjacent the conveyor by means of springs 117, 117." The link'108 is not directly con nected with the lever 107 but is connected therewith by means of a latch 118 which is pivoted to the lever and which engages a shoulder on the link at 119. One of the arms carrying'the shelf 115 is provided with an extension 120 carrying a transverse stud 121 which engages the latch 118. The construction is such that when the shelf is moved outward, the'latch 118 is disengaged from the shoulder 119, thus permitting" the lever 107 to move under. the influence of the spring 112 and to disengage theclutch andsto the conveyor. The construction mechanism to else becomes gammc'd between the'conveyor and the shel It will be seenlthat'when the shelf.115\has been movedand the latch -118 v disengaged, re-enga ement of the latch isimpossible until the s elf o'bstruction has been removed and the shelf hus been re-- turned to its normal osition b means of the springs 117. It'wi 1 further observed that the retin-n of the shelf to neutral posi tion will not start the machine. Thestarting of the conveyor canbe efiecte'donly by raising the treadle and correspondinglylowering the link '108 so as to permit'the' \latch 118 to engage the. shoulder.; 119.

Preferably, as shown most clearly in Fig.

6, a valve 73 is provided for controlling 'the flow of rinse water through. the pipe 7;- This valve is so constructed that it tends to close itself, and it is provided with a stem 73" by means of which it maybe opened and held open. For moving the valve stem 73, alever 107 is provided -arranged to be operated by the lever 107.. -When the inner end of the lever 107 is moved downward to move the be'll-erank 99 and cngagethe clutch, 96, the 1ever107 is moved in theclockwise diredtion to open the valve 73. When the lever'107 is moved in the opposite direction to release the clutch, the valve 73 is permitted'to close.

The conveyor belt'a'nd the mounting therefor as shown-in detailin Figs. 8 to 15 -are not claimed .as a part ,of thepresent invention, these beingset forth and claimed in my copending application'& for link belt c'onveyor, Serial N 0. 199,089 filed June 15, 1927 as a division of this present application. The said conveyor belt comprises a seriesof articulated links or units, one of which is shown in detail in Fi 11. Atcach side ofeach unit are two similar metallic plates 122 and123 and between these two plates there is held'asheet or plate 124: of relatively soft non-metallic material, such as fiber. The two pairs of plates at each side of the unit are connected at each end by means ofa tube 125 which is riveted over at its ends to hold the plates and to thus connect the ,parts'of the unit.

In assembling the chain belt, the several main units are arranged as shown in Fig. 10 and they are pivotally connected together by means of tubes or bushings 126, 120 which extend transversely -throughout substantially the entire width of the-belt.

Preferably, rollers 127, 127, are provided at the edges of the chain-for supporting it on suitable rails or guideways in the washing machine. For mounting the rollers, special llllkS. or un ts areprovlded as shown in detail in Fig. 12. Each unit comprises ilarly spaced. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12, a. roller 129ismounted on one of these bushings.

In addition to the units already described, there are auxiliar connecting links 130,130

g and 131, 131 as s lOWIl in detail in Figs. 13

'. units.

and 14' respectivcly. Each link 1330 has two inward'extending bushings130}, 130 of the same diameter as the tubes 126. Similarly each link 131 has two outward extending bushings 131, 131 also of t e same diameter as the tubes 126.

The several units and links are assembled in the relation shown in Fig.10, the bushings 13O and 131 extending intothe corresponding larger bushings 129 of the roller In order to' tie together all of the parts of the chain belt and to prevent the said parts from moving longitudinally of the tubes 126, 126, I provide tie rods 132, 132, which extend through the said "tubes- 126, 126 respectively and through the corresponding bushings 130 and-.131. The said tie rods are provided with removable means at the. ends such asnuts 133, 133 for holding the said rods in place. It will be obvious that by removing the nuts the en-.

tire chain belt or'any-part thereof may be disassembled to. permit the repair 'or replacement of parts.

The drum. 15 at the drivin endlis provided at eachlend with a head in the form of a sprocket wheel 134. This wheel is provided with projections 135, 135 having notches for receiving the bushings 129, 129- between the rollers 127, 127. Each sprocket wheel is also provided with recesses 136, 136 to receive the rollers 127, 127, .ample clearance being provided so that the rollers are free, thus permitting the/chain links or units to directly engage the drum. The

V drum 16 at the other end isprovided with a head at each end similar to those for the drum 15, but without the notched projections 135, 135.

The rails for engaging the rollers 127,

' 127 and for thus supporting the upper run ;-the rail and into suitable apertures inthe movably supported in the main casing 1 bymeans of brackets 138,138 and each of them is held against longitudinal movement by means of pins 139 (shown in Fig. 2) extendmg outward from the vertical portion of corresponding bracket. Preferably, in addition to the rails 137, 137 for supporting the upper run of the conveyor, I provide other similar' rails 140, 140 for supporting j the lower runthereof. These rails 140, 1&0 are larly supported.

.. similar to the rails 137, 137' and are simi.-'

'of the horizontal section adjacent the interruption being turned downward. It will be noted .that each interruption 141 is in register with the corresponding dividing partition 48. and that any drip from the turned down portion will remain on the corresponding side of the partition. The purpose of the interruption is to prevent liquid from one washing division from flowing along the horizontal rail section, perhaps aided in such flow by the travel of the conveyor, and-passing into the next adjacent washing division. The interruptions in the rail serve to prevent this transfer of liquid from one washing division to another. The lower rails 140, 140 may be providedwith similar interruptions 142, 142 and auxiliary dividing partitions 143, 143 may be provided in register with the said interruptions.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for washing dishes or other articles, the combination of a main casing open at its endsand partly open at and of the pathof the articles therethrough and below the level of the said path, the said tank having a plurality of compartments arranged in a longitudinal rowv and each adapted or containing a supply of cleansing liquid, a plurality 0 separate independent doors coverin the respective compartments of the tank and also covering the side opening of the casing, means for withdrawing the liquids from the respective compartments and deliving moved through the casing by the said moving means, and a pluralityof guide plates within the casing below the path of the articles and arranged to receive respectively the liquids separately delivered as aforesaid and falling from the said articles and from the moving means therefor, the said plates normally serving to separately guide the said liquids laterally into the respective tanl compartments and the said plates registering with the respective doors and each being freely removable independently of each other laterally through the openside of the casing when the registering separate door is open.

2. In a machine for washingdishes-or other articles and comprising a plurality of washing divisions, the combination of means formovingthe articles to be washed successively through the said divisions, a plurality of receptacles in the respective divisions for containingseparate bodies, of washing ering them separately against the articles bep liquids, means for withdrawing the li uids from the respective receptacles and'dehveringthem separately against the articlesbes ing moved through the division's by the said moving means, the said liquids automatically returning to the respective'receptacles from which they are withdrawn, means for de-' lives-mghot rinse .wateragainst the articles -in.the last division, the said rinse. water flowing into the receptacle in the said division and serving to heat the main body of 11 1nd therein, a steamoperat-ed heater for-the rinse" water through which the said water flows.

' sepaiatefibodies of washing liquids, means for withdrawing the liquids from the respective receptacles and delivering them separately against the articles being. moved through the divisions .by the said moving means,- the said liquids automatically re-' turning to the respective receptacles from which they are withdrawn, means for de-- livering hot rinse water against the articles inthe third division, the said rinse water flowing into the rece tacle inthe said division and serving to ii liquid therein, a steam operated heater for the rinse water through which the said water flows to the delivering means therefor,

means for conducting the exhauststeamand.

' water of condensation from the heater to the receptacle in the second division to heat the main body of liquid therein, and thermostatically controlled means independent of the said heater for heating the liquid in the receptacle in the first division.

4. In a machine for washing dishes or other articles and comprising three washing divisions, the combination of meansfor movingthe articles to be washed successively 4 through the said divisions, three receptacles withdrawing the liquids in the respective divisions for containing separate bodies of washin liquids, means for from the respective receptacles and delivering them separately against the articles being moved through the divisions by the said moving means, the said liquids automaticallyreturning to the respec-' t-ive receptacles-from which they are withdrawn, means for delivering hotlr nse water against the articles in the third division, the saidrinse water flowing into the receptacle in the said division and serving to heat the main body of liquid therein, a steam operated heater for the rinse water through eat the main body of which the said ater flows to tin-delivering means therefor, means for conducting the exhaust steam and water of condensation -from'the heater $0 1 11c receptacle in the second division'to heat the main body of liquid therein, means supplemental to "the rinse water for -.auxiliarily lieating the liquid in the receptacle in thethird division, and

thermostatically controlled means independent'of the said heater for heating the liquid .in the receptacle in the first division.

5. In a machine forjwashi'n gdishes or other articlesthe combination of an endless openwork conveyor for carrying throughthe machine the articles to be washed, means for driving the conveyor, means for washing the said articles while being moved by ,the conveyor, a foot treadle near the floor at thedelivery end of the conveyor in position to be engaged-by the foot of an operator'engaged in removing the washed articles from' the machine, the said treadle being movable downward torenderthe driving means operative and upward to' render the said means'inoperative, and an automatically engaging latch for holding the treadle in its lower position,'the said latch being releasable by the operators foot topermit the treadle to move upward.

6. In a machine for washingdishes or other articles, the combination of an endless openwork conveyor for carrying through the machine the articles to be was d, means for. driving the conveyor, means for washing the said articles while being moved by the conveyor, means for starting and stopping the conveyor, a shelf movable relatively to the conveyor and serving to receive' the washed articles therefrom, a foot treadle near'the floor at the delivery end of the con- .veyorv in position to be engaged by the foot ,of an operator engaged in removing the necting means between the treadle andfthe starting and stopping means including a-releasable latch, the said connecting means serving to render the driving means operative upon downward movement of the treadle and serving to render the said means inoperative upon upward movement-of the treadle, an automatically engaglng latch, for holding the treadlerin its lower position, the

washed articles from the said shelf, a. consaid latch being releasable by theoperators and means controlled by the movement 0 thesaidshelf in the direction of travel of.

' foot to permit the treadle to mo've.upward v the conveyor for releasing the first said latch and thereby operating the starting and f stopping means to stop the conveyor while the second siiid latch remains 'in engaged position. a

7. In a machine for washing dishes or other-articles and comprising a plurality .of washing divisions,the'combination of an open ended casing, means for washing the said articles withinthe casing,' an endless openwork conveyor for moving the articles to be washed successively through the said divisions, the said 'coiiveyorcomprising a 5 chainbelt having two series of supporting rollers at therespective sides thereof, and two rails at the s des of. the casing for enanother.

ing an opening in the rail engaging surface 10 thereof to prevent lignid from flowing along the said surface rom one division to- GEORGE WEBB.

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