Drum type agitating and mixing machine

Abstract

A drum type agitating and mixing machine for treating garments or fabric in liquid such as in washing or dyeing wherein a rotatable drum partially submerged in liquid along one side includes inwardly projecting hollow ribs arranged to contain air when the rib is outside the liquid in the machine. Each rib defines a pumping chamber having an inlet opening arrangement for liquid and an outlet arrangement for air trapped within the rib and the liquid that fills the rib so that liquid enters each rib from at one area of the rib and pumps air trapped within the rib out through an outlet arrangement which is axially spaced from the inlet. Flow of air out the outlet openings is slower than inflow of liquid into the chamber. Liquid contained within the rib drains therefrom through the outlet openings as each rib moves over the surface of liquid in the drum and is inverted. A one-way valve admits liquid into the rib chamber but does not let it flow in the reverse direction to ensure that liquid will drain from the outlet openings only. Pumping of air while the ribs are immersed causes air bubbles to be generated beneath the surface of the liquid in which the drum is rotated to promote intimate mixing of the liquid. The axial spacing of inlet and outlet transfers liquid axially within the drum.