Abstract: A vertical axis washer is provided with a rotatable wash basket that has one or more inwardly directed baffles, but no central agitator structure. Surfaces are provided in association with the baffles, which may be in the form of ramps on the bottom wall of the basket, to cause the fabric load within the washer to move up the side of the basket wall and to slide along the baffles in a swirling motion as the basket is accelerated and decelerated during the washing cycle, which causes the fabric to be flexed and rearranged in the basket. This washer construction is particularly suited to be used in conjunction with a concentrated detergent solution wash cycle.

Abstract: In an automatic washer including a perforate wash basket, valves are provided which restrict the fluid flow through the perforations during portions of the wash cycle when the basket is stationary or slowly rotating or oscillating, but permit extraction and fluid flow therethrough during higher spin speeds. These valves may take the form of individual elastomeric sheet-like components which are attached around the basket, or they may be grouped into functional units occupying larger areas, such as bands or sheets of elastomeric material. The valve openings are formed as slits or cuts in the elastomeric material.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rinse process which can be used with any wash cycle, but which has particular utility following a wash cycle have a highly concentrated detergent solution.The method of rinsing fabric provided by the present invention is useful in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis. The steps undertaken in the method begin with loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of the washer. The fabric is then washed in a detergent solution while rotating the wash chamber about its horizontal axis for a first period of time. Next the detergent solution is drained from the wash chamber. The fabric is then rinsed by adding water to the wash chamber while spinning the wash chamber at a speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble within the wash chamber as it spins. Finally, the wash chamber is drained of the rinse water.

Abstract: An improved wash process is provided wherein during a low speed spin portion of the wash process, the wash chamber or wash basket is rotated about its horizontal axis at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. During this tumbling action a recirculating spray of highly concentrated detergent solution, preferably in the range of at least 0.5% to 12% by weight is directed onto the fabric for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the detergent solution is diluted somewhat, although the concentration remains above a normal concentration of 0.06 to .28%. The wash chamber will again be spun to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. The lesser concentrated detergent solution will then be recirculated on to the fabric during a second time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of rinsing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis. Water is added to the wash chamber while rotating the wash chamber about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric, rinse water and wash chamber to rotate at approximately the same speed. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and rinse water to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and rinse water. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber as the wash chamber decelerates by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. A spray of rinse water is directed onto the fabric during a first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber. The rinse water is then drained from the wash chamber. Finally, the rinse water is removed from the fabric by spinning and draining the wash chamber.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rinse process which can be used with any cycle, but which has particular utility following a wash cycle have a highly concentrated detergent solution.The method of rinsing fabric provided by the present invention is useful in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis. The steps undertaken in the method begin with loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of the washer. The fabric is then washed in a detergent solution while rotating the wash chamber about its horizontal axis for a first period of time. Next the detergent solution is drained from the wash chamber. The fabric is then rinsed by adding water to the wash chamber while spinning the wash chamber at a speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will not tumble within the wash chamber as it spins. Finally, the wash chamber is drained of the rinse water.

Abstract: A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis and charged with a detergent solution is provided. The wash chamber is rotated about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric and detergent solution within the wash chamber to rotate at a speed approximately the same as the wash chamber. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and detergent solution to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and detergent solution. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. The steps of rotating, decelerating, and tumbling are repeated for a predetermined first period of time. A recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution is directed on to the fabric during the first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber.

Abstract: An improved wash process is provided for a horizontal washer wherein a concentrated detergent solution is applied to a spinning wash load, the load is spun to effect a greater than one gravity force to maintain the clothes load against the basket wall, and the concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through the clothes load for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the detergent solution is diluted somewhat, although the concentration remains above a normal concentration of 0.06 to 0.28%. The wash chamber will then be spun to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. The lesser concentrated detergent solution will then be recirculated on to the fabric during a second time period.

Abstract: A method for rinsing a textile wash load is provided for use in a vertical axis washing machine in which a plurality of initial spray rinses are used in which the released water is discharged directly to drain and a plurality of subsequent spray rinses are used in which the water is recirculated through the spinning clothes load for a predetermined length of time before being discharged to drain. Enhanced detergent and soil removal with less water usage is achieved with this method.

Abstract: In an automatic washing, a wash additive dispenser is disposed in a tub, and a drive mechanism is provided for selectively rotating the dispenser at a first angular speed and a second, greater angular speed. The wash additive fluid dispenser may be mounted on an agitator. The dispenser includes first passages for permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the tub when the dispenser is rotated at least as fast the first angular speed, and second passages for permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the tub when the dispenser is rotated as least as fast as the second angular speed. The dispensing cup can include a frutoconical portion having a sidewall diverging upwardly and terminating in a radially outwardly-extending toroidal portion disposed at the upper end of the frustoconical portion.

Abstract: A mounting system for a compressor of a refrigerator includes a floating frame rigidly secured to a compressor housing in which the compressor is resiliently mounted, the floating frame being resiliently secured to the frame of the refrigerator. The floating frame includes a pair of support rails to which the refrigerator's condenser is rigidly secured as well as the compressor housing. In one embodiment the floating frame also includes a cross rail to which a first end of each of the support rails is rigidly secured. By increasing the effective mass of the compressor housing to include the condenser and floating frame the amount of vibration transmitted from the compressor to the refrigerator frame is reduced as well as the noise generated thereby.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an improved sump formed in a bottom wall of the wash tube. The sump acts a collection zone for wash liquid and is spaced a sufficient distance from the wash basket and has sufficient capacity such that it can collect sufficient amount of wash liquid therein to present a constant supply of wash liquid to the pump while preventing the collected wash liquid from coming in contact with the basket while in the collection zone. The sump has a rear wall which forms a chord of the tube and a front wall which is flush with the circumferential wall of the tube. The sump also has a sloping bottom wall which communicates at a lowest portion thereof with the suction inlet of the pump, which the sump overlies.

Abstract: A method for laundering a textile wash load is provided for use in a vertical axis washing machine in which a concentrated detergent solution is continuously applied to a spinning wash load for a predetermined time period to thoroughly wet the clothes load. The initial charge of detergent is thoroughly mixed with the detergent in a recirculation step before being applied to the clothes load. The concentration wash liquid is incrementally applied to the spinning clothes load until a sufficient amount of wash liquid is detected as having been introduced to the wash zone. That amount of wash liquid is then recirculated and reapplied to the clothes load for a predetermined length of time. After the time period, additional water is added to the solution to dilute it to a normal concentration and then mechanical agitation and rinsing steps are conducted to complete the wash cycle.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an improved recirculation system wherein wash liquid is collected in a sump and recirculated onto the clothes load in a first recirculation loop and wash liquid is recirculated from a mixing tank through conduits and a pump back to the mixing tank to effect thorough mixing of the wash liquid. The mixing tank can be selectively connected to the first recirculation loop to direct selected amounts of wash fluid into the wash load, and a sensor is provided to sense the amount of wash fluid in the sump to assure that a sufficient amount of wash fluid is being recirculated into the clothes load.