Abstract: Particle separation apparatus comprises a cyclone particle separating means, a particle collecting chamber and a fan driven by an electric motor for drawing particle laden air into and through the apparatus. A valve is provided, upstream of the suction fan driving motor and downstream of the cyclone particle separating means, which includes a valve closure and a valve seat against which the closure is normally resiliently urged to prevent air flowing through the valve. The valve seat is a circular opening and the closure is at least hemispherical with its convex curved surface towards the seating.

Abstract: A machine for washing and/or cleaning articles comprises a sealable enclosure for containing the articles to which cleaning liquid is to be supplied. The cleaning liquid is heated to a high temperature and forced into the enclosure under high pressure as finely dispersed or diffused droplets forming a mist or vapour. A pressure greater than atmospheric is maintained in the enclosure to force the cleaning liquid into at least the surface if not through and into the very structure of the material from which the articles are formed, so as to assist the cleaning process by producing a quicker and more efficient saturation of the articles by the cleaning liquid. The latter may comprise water and detergent or a dry-cleaning solvent. The cleaning liquid is removed from the articles and the interior of the enclosure by means of a suction pump.

Abstract: A method of separating particles from particle laden air having a multiple stage separator in which the first stage comprises a generally cylindrical chamber having a hollow central member extending axially from one end thereof with openings in its wall remote from the one end. The first separation step is achieved by introducing air tangentially into the chamber near its one end, establishing a rotating mass of air in the chamber causing heavier than air particles to migrate to the outer regions of the chamber. Suction is applied to the interior of the central member to cause an axial movement of air through the chamber such that particles near the walls of the chamber tend to continue in a generally rotational and axially progressive path into a particle collecting region of the chamber, while relatively particle-free air is drawn radially inwardly.

Abstract: A machine for washing and/or cleaning articles comprises a sealable enclosure for containing the articles to which cleaning liquid is to be supplied. The cleaning liquid is heated to a high temperature and forced into the enclosure under high pressure as finely dispersed or diffused droplets forming a mist or vapour. A pressure greater than atmospheric is maintained in the enclosure to force the cleaning liquid into at least the surface if not through and into the very structure of the material from which the articles are formed, so as to assist the cleaning process by producing a quicker and more efficient saturation of the articles by the cleaning liquid. The latter may comprise water and detergent or a dry-cleaning solvent. The cleaning liquid is removed from the articles and the interior of the enclosure by means of a suction pump.

Abstract: A washing machine wherein a drum-containing casing is supported within a cabinet so as to permit relative vibratory movement between the casing and the cabinet. The interior of the casing is sealed against loss of liquid and can accommodate an internal pressure above or below ambient. The support comprises resiliently extensible struts between the casing and the cabinet which generally center the casing therewithin. A corrugated bellows surrounds and seals a circular opening in an end wall of the casing and at its other end a circular opening in an adjacent wall of the cabinet. The latter is closable by means of a door which seals to the opening therein. The corrugations are reinforced by at least one reinforcing helix or spiral in the form of a helical spring, which prevents the material forming the bellows sleeve from stretching or collapsing due to an increase or decrease in the pressure within the casing relative to ambient pressure outside the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for separating particulate material from an airstream established by suction. The apparatus comprises a primary separation chamber (12) in which particles are separated from the airstream therein by centrifugal force, a main particle collecting region (14) into which the particles separated by the primary separation can fall under gravity, and a secondary separation chamber (90) downstream of the primary chamber (12), to which air and particles not separated in the first chamber, pass. An air outlet in the secondary chamber allows air substantially free of particles to exit. An intermediate particle collecting region (22) is associated with the secondary chamber, in which particles collect after separation by centrifugal force from the air flowing through the secondary chamber (90).

Abstract: A method of separating particles from particle laden air is described. The apparatus employed is a multiple stage separator in which the first stage comprises a generally cylindrical chamber (18) having a hollow central member (50) extending axially from one end thereof with openings (53) in its wall remote from the said one end. The first separation step is achieved by introducing air tangentially into the chamber (18) near its said one end, the tangential entry in combination with an unapertured region of the wall of the central member (50) establishing a rotating mass of air in the chamber, thereby causing heavier than air particles to migrate to the outer regions of the chamber (18) under centrifugal force. Suction is applied to the interior of the central member (50) to cause an axial movement of air through the chamber before it can exit through the openings (53) in the wall of the central member (50).

Abstract: A washer/drier with a new pump arrangement. In the new arrangement a first pump is adapted to pump washing liquid to the treatment chamber, and a second pump is provided which is adapted to pump water through a venturi vacuum forming device for establishing below ambient pressure in the treatment chamber, typically during a spin-drying cycle. The second pump can be operated selectively to pump water to the treatment chamber for rinsing articles therein or to supply water to the venturi vacuum forming device. The treatment chamber comprises an elliptical drum having perforated wall regions at opposite internal ends thereof to the rear of which liquid is supplied or through which it is drawn out from during washing and rinsing, and through which air is drawn during the drying cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for separating particulate material from an airstream established by suction. The apparatus comprises a primary separation chamber (12) in which particles are separated from the airstream therein by centrifugal force, a main particle collecting region (14) into which the particles separated by the primary separation can fall under gravity, and a secondary separation chamber (90) downstream of the primary chamber (12), to which air and particles not separated in the first chamber, pass. An air outlet in the secondary chamber allows air substantially free of particles to exit. An intermediate particle collecting region (22) is associated with the secondary chamber, in which particles collect after separation by centrifugal force from the air flowing through the secondary chamber (90).