Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure arranged to provide front edge cleaning fully to the intersection of a floor surface and an upright wall surface by a forward movement of the vacuum cleaner nozzle thereto. The vacuum cleaner structure includes a front wall of the nozzle having openings and associated structure for selectively closing the openings when the nozzle is spaced remotely from the upright wall surface and automatically causing the openings to be opened when the nozzle front wall is closely juxtaposed to the upright wall surface. The closure member, in the illustrated embodiment is pivotally mounted to the front wall and movement thereof is effected by an actuator sensor button slidably mounted in the front wall to overcome the gravity biasing and suction biasing of the closure member to the closed position, as an incident of the front wall of the nozzle being juxtaposed to the upright wall surface.

Abstract: A pump for an automatic washer is provided which has an inlet connected to the machine tub and a first outlet connected to a set of dispensing chambers and a second outlet connected to a drain, and including a check valve between the inlet and the second outlet such that when the pump is rotated in a first direction, liquid is drawn from the tub through the check valve and pumped by the impeller to the first outlet. The first outlet is selectively openable and if opened by a solenoid controlled valve, allows a flow of liquid to the dispenser chambers. Rotation of the impeller in the second direction closes the check valve and allows the flow of liquid from the machine tub to the drain.

Abstract: A filter and dispenser system for an automatic washer is provided in which a liquid pumping agitator with a top mounted nozzle directs the wash liquid selectively at different locations to perform various functions throughout the washing cycle.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid in one rotational direction of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion has a chamber in which can be placed wash liquid treatment means such as a filter.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus having item thawing means wherein items normally stored in a freezer compartment of the apparatus are automatically transferred to an above-freezing temperature refrigerator compartment seriatim for dispensing thereof in a thawed condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the items are food items. The food items are stored in a rack within the freezer compartment and are dispensed through an opening in the wall between the freezer and refrigerator compartments automatically as a result of the removal of a food item previously delivered to the refrigerator compartment for thawing therein. The automatic movement of the food items is effected by gravity. Structure is provided for cooperating with the food items in the communicating passage for effectively closing the passage against airflow between the compartments.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine has an upper, auger portion which is rotatable in one direction about the vertical axis. A lower portion of the agitator oscillates in two directions. The lower portion has a skirt and carries radially-extending vanes on an upper surface thereof. A plurality of crescent-shaped, lobe-like lifting cams project outwardly and upwardly from a periphery of the skirt. Fabric articles contacted by the cam surfaces as the lower portion of the agitator oscillates to and fro during clothes washing are continuously lifted at the lower, outer portion of the wash basket and urged along a desired toroidal rollover path. The effective, high density washing action provided permits use of less hot water, rinse water, and detergent than in previously known agitation devices, and allows use of a small machine container for normal wash loads.

Abstract: In a clothes washer an agitator that is also a water pump draws water from the zone between the basket and the tub of the clothes washer and pumps it to the inside of the basket thereby raising the water level in the area where washing occurs during agitation and also promoting good clothes roll-over action in the treatment zone. A method of laundering articles includes the step of pumping laundering liquid into a treatment zone and radially outwardly along a lower portion of the zone during agitation to obtain a desired level of laundering liquid in the part of the zone where laundering occurs.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical-axis automatic clothes washing machine has a plurality of vanes extending upwardly from a skirt thereof. A corresponding plurality of crescent-shaped, lobe-like cams projects outwardly and upwardly from a periphery of the skirt between the pairs of agitator vanes. Each cam extends approximately 33.degree. upwardly from the horizontal and is geometrically defined by two edges forming a segment of the surface of a cone coaxial with the agitator. The inner edge of each cam has the radius of the circular perimeter of the agitator skirt with which the edge is colinear; the upper edge has a somewhat smaller radius. Lower vertical flat vane portions extend radially and upon impelling laundry liquid produce a low pressure pocket behind each vane.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the vertical axis, oscillating agitator type promotes an improved rollover washing action. A separate lower camming element beneath the skirt portion of the upper, oscillating agitator is moved in a stepwise, unidirectional rotation about the axis and carries on an outer periphery thereof at least one ramp surface inclined upwardly opposite its direction of rotation. A clutch arrangement between the agitator skirt and the camming element effects positive rotation of the element during a portion of each one-half cycle of agitator oscillation, leaving the element at rest during the other part of the oscillation cycle. In one embodiment a ratchet-type clutch is employed having inclined teeth on the agitator skirt and spaced-apart, oppositely-inclined lugs or notches on a cooperating portion of the camming element.

Abstract: In a clothes washer an agitator that is also a water pump draws water from the zone between the basket and the tub of the clothes washer and pumps it to the inside of the basket thereby raising the water level in the area where washing occurs during agitation and also promoting good clothes roll-over action in the treatment zone. A method of laundering articles includes the step of pumping laundering liquid into a treatment zone and radially outwardly along a lower portion of the zone during agitation to obtain a desired level of laundering liquid in the part of the zone where laundering occurs.

Abstract: A filter barrier or ring fixed to the bottom of a washing machine basket includes a plurality of closely spaced flexible teeth in a circumferential row extending outwardly and downwardly to divide the tub into first and second zones for filtering laundry liquid during a washing cycle. The teeth deflect in response to centrifugal spinning forces to effect self-cleaning.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes placed within the washing machine. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes. The first agitator element, which may employ either rigid or flexible vanes, or a combination thereof, is preferably located below and coaxial to the second agitator element which may be driven either intermittently, or continuously, in a unidirectional rotary motion.

Abstract: Improved method for operating an automatic clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes. The present invention provides a method wherein the clothes are immersed in a receptacle containing a washing liquid, the clothes are subjected to agitation with scrubbing action in a lower portion of the receptacle by means of the aforementioned agitator under conditions sufficient to force the clothes radially outwardly toward the perimeter of the receptacle, upwardly toward the top of the receptacle and then radially inwardly. The clothes are intermittently forced downwardly by an augering action which directs the clothes to the zone of agitation with scrubbing action. The clothes are thus subjected to numerous rollover cycles in passing through the washing liquid, thereby ensuring positive washing action.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes.