US2858688A - Combined clothes washing machine and fluid extractor - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 4, 1958 sMrr 7 2,858,688

COMBINED CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE AND FLUID EXTRACTOR Filed May 4, 1954 v f I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1'. R. SMITH Nov. 4, 1958 COMBINED CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE AND FLUID EXTRACTOR Filed May 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 4, 1958 T. R. 5mm 2,858,688

COMBINED CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE AND FLUID EXTRACTOR Filed May 4,1954 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 8 v I ,flnvznrov lhomas Qsmim b u -(SW Nov. 4, 1958 T. R. SMITH 3 5 COMBINED CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE AND FLUID EXTRACTOR Filed May 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 80.16 sma'o ,0 yaw/.4 3

DRAIN PUMP MOTOR TIMER MOTOR ,iinmmlor Thomas Qfimilh United, States Patent COMBINED CLO'I 'HES WASHING. MACHINE AND FLUID EXTRACTOR Application May 4, 1954, Serial No. 427,533

12 Claims. (Cl. 68-20) This invention relates to an apparatus fortreating fabrics, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for sequentially washing, rinsing and drying clothes and other fabrics within a single container.

In accordance with the invention hereinafter disclosed, there is provided within a stationary container a horizontally rotatable drum having a porous absorbent cylindrical blotter section capable of supporting the weight of liquids and fabrics carried and agitated thereby, and which is operable uponthe application of suction or reduced pressures on the exterior surface of the blotter section to remove from the blotter section the liquids absorbed from the wet fabrics in contact with the interior surface of the blotter section within the drum. The suction system used to apply the reduced pressures to the outer blotter surface controls the absorbency of the blotter and also removes from the drum any evaporated vapors contacting the inner blotter surface inside the drum.

In the present automatic washing machines the wash,

rinse and spin stages have been performed within a single container to eliminate the handling of the fabrics between these stages by the operator. However, practically all of the present automatic washers require the operator to transfer the fabrics from the automatic washer to another station or machine for the completion of the drying cycle. It'is therefore one of the prime objects of this invention to provide a fully automatic-washer-dryer capable of washing, rinsing and drying fabrics without necessitating any manipulation or transferof thefabrics between the various stages of the fabric treatment cycle.

In'practically all combination units that have been proposed, complex and costly drive units equipped with various clutches, brakes, high speed balancing'devices, speed changers and the necessary additional control circuits have prevented the combination units from realizing a proportionate economic saving from the integration of the washing and drying functions within a single container. Therefore another object is to simplify the tumbler driving and control mechanism in a combination washer-dryer by eliminating the need for the present complex clutches, brakes, counterbalancing means, transmissions, and costly control systems, by providing a washerdryer in which the tumbler is driven at a relatively con-- stant continuous speed throughout the entire fabric treatment cycle. p

Another object is to combine the respective functions of some of the component parts used in the washing and drying apparatus to eliminate the duplication of parts, to reduce the bulkines's, size and weight of a combination washer-dryer, and to obtain a commensurate economic saving in the performance of the washing and drying functions. i'

Another object is to provide a fabric cleaning apparatus whereby the agitating means for cleaning and rinsing fabrics'within the apparatus also serves as a drying device to remove fluids and moisture'from the fabrics during the drying cycle.

' Another object is to provide an apparatus for removing lice . 2 fluids from wetted fabrics an absorbent blotter to absorb fluids from the fabrics and simultaneously removing the absorbed fluids from the blotter to maintain a high degree of absorbency in the blotter. I

Another object is to provide a means for conditioning vapors within a drum preparatory to their transfer through a porous wall of the drum in a continuous absorptive process. p 1

Other objects will become apparent from the specification, appended claims and drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic partial vertical sectional view of the improved fabric treating apparatus.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the improved apparatus taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken 7 proposed control circuit for operating theapparatus through a series of predetermined steps.

Referring now in moredetail to thedrawings, a combined washing and drying machine made inaccordance with the present invention'isshown'as generally comprising a substantially imperforate stationary casing 10 encompassing a drum or tumbler 11 mounted for rotation therein about its horizontal axis. Cabinet 12 encloses and is attached to the entire fabric treating apparatus which is supported andsecured to a base 13. l I

Stationary casing 10 includes a vertical front wall 14 having an access opening 15 therein, an annularly recessed but substantially vertical rear wall16 and an intermediate cylindrical wall 17 provided with water inlet 18 (Figure 2) and a lower water outlet 19. Walls 14,

. 16 and 17 are joined together to provide a unitary rigid and leakproof fabric treatment chamber. 1 Stationary casing 10 is rigidly supported on its horizontal axis-by webs 21 extending upwardlyfrom base 13.

Cabinet 12, a box-like structure supported on base 13 has access opening 22 in its vertical front wall23 in alignment with access opening 15 of casing 10. A combined.

cabinet 12 in coaxial relationship to openings 15 and 22.,

Door switch 26 (Figure 6) is placed in the control circuit as a safety feature to prevent entry into cabinet 12 during the fabric treatment operation.

Located within casing 10 is a rotatable drum or tumbler 11 which includes front and rear walls 27 and 28 spaced from casingwalls 14 and 16 respectively. Front wall 27 is provided with access opening 29 in alignment with the access openings 15 and 22 carrying seal 24 which extends partially past opening 29 into drum 11 toform a'liquid seal between casing 10 and drum 11. Cylindrical wall 31 of drum 11 is joined in a unitary leakproof relationship to front and rear walls 27 and '28 and carries a plurality of elevating vanes 32 on its interior surface to provide a means for elevating and tumbling the fabrics during the rotation of drum 11. Factors such as the dimensions and inner surface characteristics of drum 11- may eliminate the necessity of elevating vanes 32,

however.

Patented Nov. 4, '19581 by contacting the fabrics with:

Figure 6 is a schematic wiring diagram showing a ings 34 in housing 35 which is rigidly secured to rear wall 16-of casing 10-by means of spider construction 36. Pulley 37 is keyed or selectively fixed to stub shaft 33 and is driven through a simple speed reduction unit 38 by means of-motor 39 which runs at a constant speed during all phases of the fabric treating process.

-Drum 11 diifersfrom the conventional tumbler construction inthat a relatively large portion of its cylindrical wall 31 is constructed from a porous material 41 having capillaries extending therethrough' and interconnecting the opposite sides of the cylindrical wall. Material 41 may .be of a ceramic, plastic, sponge, mesh or felt-like material or may be of a filter fabric such as woven cotton, nylon, orlon, etc. A web reinforcing may be used as a hacking for wall 41 if a pliable material is chosen or if increased dimensions of the drum require such backing.

A selection of the optimum pore size of material 41 will tend to permit only liquids to be drawn through the porous material 41 to thee xclusion of air alone, althQ lgh some vapors may pass through this wall under certain pressures. Fluids, in contact with the inner surface of the blotter-like material 41 are absorbed into its capillaries and may be removed by a suction on the exterior surface of; this cylindrical wall. Practical tests have shown that a vacuum of two to four inches of mercury will draw liquid from a saturated wall-'butwill be prevented by the surface tension effect of the. declining fluid level on the opposite side of the wall from drawing air from that opposite side to any great extent. However, addition of fiuids or contact of any solid with that opposite inner surface will minimize thesurface tension effect to permit the vacuumtodraw additional fiuids'through the pores. It should be readily apparent that this optimum system will permit the use of a vacuum pump of small capacity to create the required suction on the outer surface of wall 41.

Material 41.1ies within the recessed shoulders 42 to provide a relatively smooth interior contact surface for the fabrics within drum 11. When desired, wall. 41 is of one or more sections capable of being removed and replaced during the life of thev machine.

Lying between shoulders 42 is anenlarged wall portion 43 circumscribing porous section 41 to. provide an annular manifold. or chamber 44 whose only connection with drum. 11 is through porous material 41, On either or both sides of the porous cylindrical wall 41 are apertures 45 ;permittin'g the entrance and exit offiuid; therethrough into drum 11 during the .washing and rinsing periods.

Fi d.; 1Q d o m n f d 44 i uc o p sag 46 communicating with inlet 47 of an enclosed suction fan or pump 48 fastened to rear wall 28 at the termination of duct 46. Though suction pump 48 may be of any suitable construction to reduce the pressure in duct 46 and manifold 44 relative to the interior of drum 11, pump 481is illustrated in Figure l as a high speed centrifugal blower driven by motor 49 enclosed in a moisture proof casing 51. Motor 49 is energized during its rotation with drumll by means of conductors 52 extending through hollow stub shaft 33 to. slip rings 53 which are energized by anexternal source. Simple counterbalancing means (notshown) for motor. 49 may. be necessary, depending upon. the-physical dimensions of the constructed unit. Since suction pump 48 is not designed to remove accumulated-liquidsfrom the lowermost portion ofmanifold 43, scoop anchored .to the innerperiphery of manifold 43 and angularly disposed to-both manifold 43 and duct 46 is provided todrainthese liquids into duct 46 on each revolution of; drum 11.

The'outlet 55 of suction. pump 48 is. opent0 theinterior of casing 10 andis directed inwardly; toward stub shaft 33 allowingthe discharge of pump 48to-be expelled from opening 55 in a path parallel to the rear walls 28- and v 16. An alternative. construction directing the-outlet 55 towards. eitherof rear walls "28. or 16 may also be 1 used. Vent 54 maintains the interior of casing 10 at the pressure of the atmosphere surroundingcabinet 12.

Outlet 19 formed in the lowermost portion of casing- 10 provides an inlet to a centrifugal fluid discharge or drain pump 63 operated by pump motor 64 through belt drive 65. The discharge of pump. 63 is connected to a drain conduit 66 which is controlled by a normally closed valve 67 operated by solenoid 68. Solenoid 68 is unenergized during the periods when liquid is retained within casing 10.

' Heating unit 71-oovered by insulation 72 isenergized during the latter part of the drying cycle to evaporate the moisture from the fabrics so that the vapor may-be condensed and pass through wall 41 by absorption as hereinafter provided. Though indicated as a heating element in Figure 6, unit 71 may be a solenoid to actuate an externalicircuit in which the actual heating element may be a componentpart.

Figure 4 shows a partial vertical section of a second method 'of producing lower relative pressures on the exterior surface of porous wall material 41. In this modification, duct 146, similar-to duct 46 of-Figure 1, communicates-with manifold 44 and extends past-the axis of rotation of drum 11- to which it is rigidly attached to provide asupporting means for drum 11. Housing 135 is attached to rear wall 28 by radial flange 136. Journaled within bearing 134 is a hollow shaft 133whichis rigidly fastened to duct 146 by means of radial flanges 132. 'Belt driven pulley 137 is attached to shaft 133 in a-manner similar to that used betweenpulley 37 and shaft 33 of Figure l.

Suction pump 148, similar to pump 48 of Figure l, is supported by housing 151 anddischarges through conduit 155 back" into the sump or reservoir formed'in the bottom of casing 10. Vent 154 in rear wall 16 maintains atmospheric pressure within casing 10.

A further modification of asuction system to produce reduced pressures on the exterior surfaceofporous material 41 is embodied in Figure 5. *With' theexception of theblower discharge system, this modification is identical to that of Figure 4 andhence: some parts bear the same reference numerals. In this modi-fication conduit 255 is attached to the outlet of-bl-oweror suction pump 148 communicating with'the interior of casing 11 through a small passage 251 and with the ambient atmosphere through the vertically inclined duct 252. Moisture in the vapor discharged into conduit 255 is separated from the air by the use of a separating unit such as spiral vanes 253 from which it drains back into casing 10 through narrow passageway 251. The remaining, air now free from the majority of moisture passes into. the atmosphere by way of duct 252.

Both modifications disclosed in Figures 4 and 5 have advantages over the embodiments of Figure l in that neither require slip rings to energize their suction producing motors, nordoes either need suction motor counterbalancing means, as mayv be necessary in the construction of Figure. l.

A timer or sequential controller 75 having a manually operable knob 76 may be used to control the apparatus disclosed in Figures 1-toi5. Timer shaft 97 which rotates timer, 75 isdriven by timer motor. through a speed reducing unit 96. Controller 75 hasa plurality of cammingsurfaces; 77, 78, 7 9, 81, 82, 83 and. 84 adapted to complete prescribed electrical circuits during various timed intervals when in engagement with respectivecontacts 85, 8'6, 8'7, 88', 89, 9'1 and 92. Though his to be understood that the schematic diagram shown in Figure 6 is only representative, L' is illustrated as being electrically connected to the camming surfaces 77 et seq., while L is connected through the various electrical components to the contacts 85 et seq.

In operation, fabrics are placed with a suitable detergent within drum 11 through the access opening closed by door 25. Line switch 98 is then closed and knob 76 is rotated to its starting position as shown in Figure 6. As the knob 76 is rotated to its starting position, the cam surface 77 will contact cam 85 to complete the electrical circuit through timer motor 95 and drive motor 39.- At the same time cam surface 81 engages contact 88 to'complete the circuit through float switch 62 which is normally closed at lower liquid levels within casing 10.' Solenoid 61 is thus energized, opening an external valve in pipe 58 which supplies washing fluid to the interior of casing 10. Upon energization of timer motor 95, controller 75 slowly advances the camming surfaces 77 et seq. into engagement with contacts 85 et seq., while drive motor 39 rotates the drum 11 at a constant speed during the'entire fabric treatment operation.

At a predetermined level of liquid within casing 10 float switch 62 opens and solenoid 61 is deenergized, terminating the flow of fluid through conduit 58. Fabrics are washed and tumbled within drum 11 during this period.

After a predescribed timed washing interval has elapsed, drain solenoid 68 and drain pump 63 are energized through their respective cam surfaces 78 and 79 and con tacts 8 6 and 87 to remove the washing fluid from casing 10. Fluid leaves drum 11 by way of apertures 45, so that a majority of fluid is removed from the interior of casing 10 by gravity drain through outlet 19.

Following the draining of casing 10, drain pump 63 and drain solenoid 68 are deenergized and inlet solenoid 61 is again energized to permit .rinsing fluid to enter casing 10. At .the end of the rinsing operation, the drain pump motor 64 and drainsolenoid 68 are again operated to empty casing 10 as at the end of the washing cycle. Shortly thereafter, suction pump motor 49 is energized to reduce the relative pressure in manifold 44 and on the exterior of surface 41.

Seepage through wall 41 during the wash and rinse stagesis steadily removed from manifold 44 and recirculated through duct 46 by the action of inclined scoop 50 during the constant rotation of drum 11. Hence pump 48 quickly removes the remaining moisture from manifold 44 and duct 46 upon the energization, of motor 49. As the interior of drum 11 is maintained at the pressure of the ambient atmosphere acting through vent 54 in casing 10 and holes 45 in-drum 11, the pressure differential on the opposite sides of wall 41 steadily empties the pores or capillaries within that wall as they absorb fluids from the fabrics within the drum. The rate of removal of fluid from the capillaries of this material partially'determines the absorbency of wall 41 itself.

Wall 41 when emptied of its absorbed moisturebecomes a blotter with an infinite capacity so long as the pump 48 produces an adequate capillary clearing system. Wet fabrics within drum 11 quickly lose moisture to filter blotter material 41 by means of the impact pressure of the tumbling fabrics and the capillary attraction of the absorbent material 41. The drying effect is similar in principle to that used to dry a wet cloth bypressing an infinite number-of ordinary ink blotters in contact with the wet cloth.

The fluids removed by pump 48 (or the equivalent pump 148 in Figures 4 and are discharged into the lower portion where they pass through drain 19'into pump .63 and conduit 66. Pump 63 constantly discharges into open conduit 66 during the drying operation. Thus as the fabrics continue to tumble at a uniform speed onto the fabrics is steadily transferred by contact pressure and capillary action into the exhaust and drain systems, leaving the fabrics damp dried or completely dried, depending upon the length of the operating drying cycle.

Though some of the fluids within drum 11 evaporate during tumbling of the fabrics rinsed in warm or hot water, heating unit 71 in series with temperature limiting thermostat 99 i-s'provided to accelerate the rate of evaporation. In the preferred embodiment the heating unit is not energized until the latter portion of the drying cycle.

To insure that the moisture laden vapors leave drum 11, a cooling system to condense these vapors is provided. Cooling liquid enters conduit 73 (Figures 1 and 2) under the control of a valve solenoid 74 (Figure 6) and impinges on the outer periphery of wall 43 adjacent the top of the drum 11. The liquid is confined to a channel extending around the drum formed by two hoops 69 of angle iron, the internal diameter of which agrees substantially with the over-all diameter of the enlarged Wall portion 43, around which they extend in parallel spaced relation. Since the cooling liquid is discharged from the conduit 23 above the drum, it flows over the top 180 segment of the drum at any given moment within the channeled between the angle iron hoops 69 also provides a condensing surface for the vapor resident in the atmosphere surrounding the drum 11 outside the manifold 44. Thus as the fluid level within drum 11 diminishes and the corresponding surface tension effect is minimized and then completely eliminated, vapor is drawn through the wall 41 to be partially condensed on wall 43 and partially sucked into pump 48 to rapidly clear the vapors from duct 46. The drying cycle continues until timer motor 95 advances cam surface 77 out of engagement with contact 85. All other camming surfaces and contacts on timer are also separated to terminate the completed operating cycle of the machine.

The modifications of Figure 4 and Figure 5 operate in the same manner as that of Figure l with the exception of the manifoldexhaust system used. In Figure 4 only duct 146 rotates with drum 11, whereas in Figure 1 motor 49, fan 48 and its exhaust system turned as an integral unit with drum 11. Duct 146 communicates through hollow shaft 133 with fan 148 which is stationary on casing 10 and which discharges directly to casing with an apparatus utilizing this method and being capable of washing, rinsing nad drying clothes within a single container. In the apparatus illustrated, the rotatable drum for washing and rinsing fabrics has also been used to dry fabrics by a continuous blotter-like absoption process made possible by a continuous capillary clearing system.

Provisions have been made to free the drum from all forms of moisture by equipping the device with anaccelerating evaporator and condenser to condition vapors for transfer from the drum by the absorption process.

With a construction of the type described, a relatively simple and effective fabric treating apparatus can be produced. All washing, rinsing and drying can be accomplished by the use of one drum in one casing. Ex-

filter blotter surfaceofwall 41, the moisture within 7'5 pensive gear trains, gear shifters, clutches and brakes are eliminated, by .rotating the drum, at a constanttsspeed. Additionally, the costly .and exacting balancing equipment usually necessaryduringhigh speed'fluid extraction is eliminated due to the constant low speed of the rotating tumbler. Also, theoverall cost of performing these combined functionsv of the fabric treatment operation can be reduceddue to the elemination of parts previously used ina. plurality of machines to separately achieve thev same result.

The several representative embodiments described in detail above are intended merely to be illustrative and not restrictive of the invention. Obviously, they. are susceptible of inumerc-uschanges in form and detail within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A fabric treating apparatus comprising, means dcfining a chamber, a revolu'ble: drum in said chamber, meansforadmitting and draining liquid to and from said chamber, heating means. in. said chamber. to vaporize liquid resident therein, a permeable liquid absorbent Wall having capillaries. extending therethrough to interconnect opposite sides of said-Wall of said drum, means fixed to said drum and. cooperating withisaid wall to define a manifold, communicating with said. absorbent wall exteriorly of said drum, and means for decreasing the air pressure Within said manifold relative to the pressure Within said. drum to withdraw liquid and vapor from said drum through said wall into said manifold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means to cool said manifold to condense vapors drawn into it.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including cooling means in said chamber to condense vapor resident therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, said manifold cooling means being effective to condense vapors exteriorly of said manifold that are resident in said chamber.

5. Apparatus for removing moisture from wet fabrics comprising, a receptacle including absorbent means for contacting Wet fabrics placed within said receptacle, power means for moving said fabricsrelative to and into contact with said absorbent means to effect a transfer of moisture from said fabrics to said absorbent means, duct means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said absorbent means, and means for applying a suction to said duct means for removing from said receptacle the moisture absorbed by said absorbent means from said fabrics.

6. Apparatus for removing moisture from wet fabrics comprising, a rotatable drum including absorbent means for Wet fabrics comprising, arotatable drum including absorbent means for contacting .and absorbing moisture from Wet fabrics placed within said drum, means for rotating said drum to tumble said fabrics against said absorbent means to effect a transfer of moisture from said fabrics to said absorbent means, means rigidly connected to said drum and cooperating with said absorbent means to define a manifoldcornrnunicating with said absorbent means, and suction means for reducing the. air pressure -within said manifold relative to that Within saiddrum for removing moisture absorbed by said absorbent means from said drum.

7. Apparatus for reinovingmoisturefrom wet fabrics comprising, a revoluble container having apermeable liquid-absorbent wall portion for absorbing moisture from wet fabrics placed within said container, means for rotating said container to tumble said fabrics against said wall portion and to effect a transfer-of moisture from said fabrics to said wall portion, means encompassing and, rigidly connected to said container and cooperating with said wall portion to define a manifold communicating with said wall. portion, and means for producing a pressure differential on oppositeisides of said wall portion for transferring absorbed moisture fromsaid wall portion out of said container.

8. Apparatus forremoving moisture from fabrics comprising, arevolnble drum. having a peripheral wall portion .of permeable: liquidaabsorbent .material for absorbing moisturefrom wetfabrics placed within saiddrum, a manifold encompassing and connected to said. drum'for rotation with. said drum, said manifoldcovering and communicating with said wall portion, power means for rotating said idrum to agitate said'. fabrics against said wall portion. to transfer moisture from said fabrics to said material, .andmeans mounted exteriorly of said drum and communicating with said-manifold'for transferring moisture: fromsaid material and out of said manifold.

9. .A combined clothes washing machine and. fluid-extractor having a wash period and extraction period comprising, a casing, means supplying said casing with washing fluid at the beginning of said wash period, a revoluble drum within said casing including a peripheral wall of absorbent material for absorbing fluids from'fabrics placed within said drum,;said peripheral wall including capillaries extending through said absorbent material and interconnecting opposite sides of said peripheral wall, means for rotatingsaid drum at a constant speed during said wash and extraction periods to agitate said fabrics within said drum, means for draining said washing fluid from-said casing after said wash period, and means includinga manifold rigidly connected to said drum and enclosing said peripheral wall for conducting absorbed fluids from said capillaries of said absorbent material during said extraction period.

10. A combined clothes washing machine and fluid extractor comprising, a casing, means supplying said casing with washing fluid, a .revoluble drum within said casing including a peripheral wall of absorbent material for drawing moisture and moisture vapor. from fabrics placed within said drum, means for rotating said drum to agitate said fabrics within said drum, said peripheral wall including capillaries extending throughout said absorbent material and interconnecting opposite sides of said peripheral Wall, means for draining said washing fluid fromsaid casing, an annular member connected to said drum and encompassing said absorbent material to define a manifold enclosing and communicating with said peripheral wall, means co-operating with said manifold to control the rate of absorption of said absorbent material, heater means for evaporating moisture in said drum, and means for condensing moisture vapors evaporated by said heater means and drawn into said manifold through said absorbent material.

11. In an appliance for drying fabrics, a clothes receptacle for receiving and tumbling said fabrics, said receptacle including a blotter Wall of porous material having capillaries extending therethrough and interconnectingopposite sides of said blotter wall to absorb moisture fromw'et fabrics tumbled within said receptacle, means connected to said receptacle and spaced from said blotter wall to form a vacuum manifold communicating with said blotter wall, means for driving said receptacle to tumble said fabrics within said receptacle and against said blotter wall to effect a transfer of moisture from said fabrics to said blotter wall, and means for reducing the air pressure within said manifold below that existing within said receptacle to withdraw absorbed moisture from said capillaries and maintain said blotter wall in a semidry condition for the absorption of additional moisture from said fabrics.

12. In an appliance for drying fabrics, a clothes receptacle for receiving and tumbling said fabrics, said receptacle including a blotter wall of porous material having capillaries extending therethrough and interconnecting opposite sides of saidblotter'wall to absorb moisture from wet fabrics placed within said receptacle, means connected to said receptacle and encompassing said blotter-wall to form a vacuum manifold communicating withsaid blotter wall, means for rotating said receptacle to tumble said fabrics against'said blotter wall to effect a transfer of moisture fromsaid fabrics to said blotter wall, and suction means 9 10 for applying a suction to the periphery of said blotter wall 2,166,294 Hetzer July 18, 1939 by reducing the air pressure within said manifold relative 2,213,303 Cady Sept. 3, 1940 to that within said receptacle to withdraw absorbed mois- 2,303,124 Johannessen Nov. 24, 1942 ture from said capillaries and maintain said blotter wall 2,361,894 Williams Oct. 31, 1944 in a semi-dry condition for the absorption of additional 5 2,436,028 Wiegerink Feb. 17, 1948 moisture from said fabrics. 2,607,209 Constantine Aug. 19, 1952 2,659,225 Ewing Nov. 17, 1953 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,724,905 z h ba h N v, 29, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,758,461 Tann 4, 1956 491,545 Gerard Feb. 14, 1893 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,858,688 November 4, 1958 Thomas R a Smith It is herebjr certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 62, for "nad" read and column 7, line '7, for "elemination" read elimination lines 48 and 49, strike out "a rotatable including absorbent means for Wet fabrics comprising,"a

Signed and sealed this Brdiday of February 1959.,

SEAL uest KARL 1-1., AXLINE Attesting Officer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents

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