US1843126A - Hat cleaning and drying mechanism - Google Patents

Description

FIPszol 0R 1,843,126 em Gom Feb. 2, 1932. H. GEocAREs 1,843,126

HAT CLEANING AND DRYING MECHNISM Filed May 17, 1929 ImferT/ faim una! UH HOO `Farmen' Feb. z, 1932*" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY GEOCARES, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HAT CLEANING AND DRYING MECHANISM Application led May 17, 1929. Serial No. 363,958.

My invention relates to hat cleaning and drying mechanisms of the type adapted to socalled dry cleaning methods by which the cleaning is effected by the action of gasoline, naphtha, or the like, as distinguished from cleaning by the action of soap and water. It is the object of my invention to provide a new and improved form and arrangement of parts by which the desired cleaning can be effected quickly and easily with a minimum of care and attention on the part of the attendant, by reason of which the wear and tear on the hat being cleaned shall be reduced to a minimum, and by reason of which there shall be the maximum of ability to control the cleaning operation so as to insure effective results. y

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a new arrangement of parts for the use of a spray of cleaning iuid in connection with means for periodically immersing a hat more or less completely in the cleaning iiuid, the arrangement being preferably such that the same means can be employed for the drying operation.

It is another object of my invention to improve mechanisms of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The referred means by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. l is a central vertical section through my improved machine, the lower portion of the supporting frame-work being broken away; and

Fig.-2 is an end view of the rack or cage by which a hat is held in position for the cleaning operation.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a receptacle, shown in the form of a casting made in one or more parts as may be desired, being mounted in the construction shown upon a supporting frame-work 11 of any suitable type. The receptacle 10 is provided with a transversely extending partition 12 near its lower end portion serving to provide a reservoir for holding a supply of gasoline, naphtha, or other suitable cleaning fluid, the partition 12 being preferably in the form of a hopper with a valve 13 closing a central opening, such valve 13 being provided with an operating rod 14 extending outwardly to a suitable handle 15 by the use of which the valve can be opened for permitting the naphtha to iow quickly into the lower end of the receptacle.

The receptacle 1() is provided at an intermediate point with a laterally extending sleeve 16, supported by a bracket 17 for holding a shaft 18 strongly in position inthe sleeve. At its outer end, the shaft 18 is provided with a sprocket wheel 19 which is connected by a sprocket chain 20 with a sprocket gear 2l on the shaft 22 of a variable speed motor 23 supported by the sleve 16, a suitable shield 24 being provided about the chain 20 and associated parts. i

Upon the inner end of the shaft 18 within the receptacle 10, I have mounted a head 25 which supports a plurality of metal bows 26 in position to form a cage or rack for supporting a plurality of hats which are inserted through a reenforcing ring 27 which connects the ends of the bows 2G. The arrangement is such that as the cage is rotated by power applied to the shaft 18 the several bowed bars 26 are carried successively into and through the supply of naphtha or other cleaning fluid above the partition 12.

At a point in the side wall of the receptacle 10 opposite the ring 27, I have provided a glass filled door 28 which can be opened downwardly upon a hinge 29 for insertion or removal of the hats.

In the lower end of the receptacle 10 below the partition 12, I have provided a rotary pump 30 of any suitable type operated by a horizontally disposed shaft 31 having its outer end portion connected with a motor 32 mounted upon the outer face of the wall of the receptacle. The pump is provided with an inlet pipe 33 at its lowermost portion and is adapted to force the cleaning fluid upwardly through a pipe 34 to a spray head 35 supported by the pipe 34 directly above the rotary cage or rac the spray head 35 being through the cage. A

In the construct1on shown, screen devlces 36 and 37 of any suitable type are provided above the partition 12 and below the pump 30. A plug 38 closes a cleanout opening in the lower end of the receptacle. A vent pipe 39 leads upwardly from the lower end of the receptacle.

In the use of my improved mechanism, with the naphtha held in its elevated position above the partition l2 as shown in the drawings, one or more hats 4() are inserted in the cage or rack through the ring 27. The motor 23 is then started into operation at comparatively low speed so as to dip the hats into and out of the naphtha, the hats being carried around by the cage and immersed at intervals more or less completely until thoroughly saturated. The valve 13 is then opened so as to permit the naphtha to pass quickly into the lower end of the receptacle. The motor 32 is then started into operation, serving to force the naphtha upwardly through the pipe 34 and out through the discharge openings in the spray device 35. The pump 30 is such as to cause the naphtha to be discharged from the spray device 35 with considerable force so as to cause the naphtha to have a very strong impact upon the fabric of the hat and to cause the naphtha in most cases to pass through the fabric so as to insure effective contact of the cleaning fluid with every portion of the hat. lVith the motor 23 running at such speed as to cause the one or more hats in the cage to be changing in position constantly, and with the spray device 85 delivering a great number of fine streams of cleaninoF fluid downwardly withconsiderable force, tlie cleaning effect is very marked.

After the cleaning operation has been carried to the desired point for insuring effective results, as can be determined by an inspection through the door 28, the motor 32 is to be stopped so as to cause a discontinuance of the spraying of the cleaning fluid. The motor 23 is then to he operated at high speed for carrying the hats around very rapidly within the cage for drying the hats by centrifugal action.

While I prefer to employ the form of device substantially as shown in my drawings it is to be understood that I do not limit my invention to the form shown except so far as the claims may be so limited by the prior art, it being understood that changes may well be made in the construction without departing from my invention.

I claim 1. A hat cleaning means comprising in i combination a receptacle, a rotatable rack in said receptacle adapted to support a plurality of hats, means for rotating the rack, a spray head above said rack in position to directd a great number of streams of cleaning fluid upon said hats as they are carried around by said rack, means comprising a valve for closing the receptacle at an intermediate point above its lower end for maintaining effectively a body of cleaning fluid in said receptacle below said rack insuch position that a hat carried by the rack is dipped into the fluid, and means for taking cleaning fluid from the lower end of said receptacle after said valve means has been opened and driving it forcibly through said spray device against a hat on said rack.

2. A hat cleaning means comprising in combination a receptacle, a rotatable rack in said receptacle adapted to support a plurality of hats, means for rotating the rack, a spray head above said rack in position to direct al great number of streams of cleaning fluid upon said hats as they are carried around by said rack, a downwardly tapered partition in said receptacle below said rack having an opening through its lower end, valve means for closing such opening adapted to maintain a supply of cleaning fluid below the rack in such position that a-hat carried by the rack is di ped therein, and means comprising a pump for taking cleaning fluid from the receptacle below said partition after said vvalve means has been opened and driving it forcibly through said spray device against a hat on said rack.

3. rI`he method of cleaning and drying a hat, comprising revolving the hat into and out of a supply of cleaning fluid, directing a plurality of streams of cleaning fluid on and through the fabric of th'e hat, then draining the cleaning fluid away from the path of the rotating hat, and then rotating the hat at a high speed for driving the cleaning fluid therefrom.

HARRY GEOCARES.

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