Abstract: The washing machine comprises a rotating drum (4) formed by two complementary portions, a first one (6) of which is connected to driving means (10, 11), while the other one (7) is rotatably free with respect to the first one (6), by which it is driven rotatably due to the effect of the movement induced by the clothes that are agitated when said first portion (6) of the drum is rotating.

Abstract: The dishwashing machine has at least two washing vessels (10–12) that are separated from each other and are part of a structural assembly (3) that is capable of being pulled out as a whole from a casing (1) in which it is housed. Each such washing vessel (10–12) has at least a loading lid or door (17) that can be opened when the structural assembly (3) is in its pulled-out position.

Abstract: The washing machine comprises a rotating drum (4) formed by two complementary portions, a first one (6) of which is connected to driving means (10, 11), while the other one (7) is rotatably free with respect to the first one (6), by which it is driven rotatably due to the effect of the movement induced by the clothes that are agitated when said first portion (6) of the drum is rotating.

Abstract: The dishwashing machine has at least two washing vessels (10-12) that are separated from each other and are part of a structural assembly (3) that is capable of being pulled out as a whole from a casing (1) in which it is housed. Each such washing vessel (10-12) has at least a loading lid or door (17) that can be opened when the structural assembly (3) is in its pulled-out position.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine comprises a stationary housing with an open front face and at least two structures for supporting wash load items. The support structures are able to slide horizontally with respect to the housing through the open front face of the housing. At least one of the support structures is capable of sliding horizontally jointly with a door, which closes the open front face of the housing, and is adapted to move in a substantially vertical direction along an inner surface of the door. The inner surface of the door is able to accommodate the front bulk of at least another one of the remaining support structures.

Abstract: Dishwashing machine comprising an outer casing (1) and a loading door (6) which is adapted to only close by means of sliding motions in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the open front face of the washing vessel of the machine. Within the thickness of the door (6) there are accommodated functional and hydraulic component parts (30, 15, 20, 25, 35, 5, 22, 36). Of some of these component parts, the portions requiring to be reached by the user are arranged along the upper edge (10) of the door (6).

Abstract: A large-sized and heavy part (1) of plastic material is injection molded. Localized zones are created in which the thermal conductance of the part (1) is higher in the surface impressions (10) at the mold ejectors for the removal of the part after it has been molded. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the part (1) has, at the surface impressions (10), clusters of closed-bottom pits (13) formed by grids of mini-ribs (11) and (12) arranged perpendicularly with respect to each other. The thickness of the part varies from a maximum value (S1) at the periphery of the cavity to a minimum value (S2) at the bottom of a substantial number of the pits (13).

Abstract: A shock absorber damps the vibrations that are generated in a washing assembly of a horizontal axis washer. The shock absorber is of the type containing a magnetorheological fluid. A method carried out in a real-time mode throughout the duration of the operation cycles of the machine varies at least one of the rheological properties of the medium and, in due proportion, the vibration damping power of the shock absorber. The method is based on the monitoring of a physical quantity that is representative of the variations in the balance conditions of the washing assembly. The invention provides effective and immediate damping of the vibrations caused by an unbalanced washload in the rotating drum, without any interruption or modification of the washing cycle selected and set by the user.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting the motor in a clothes washing machine for the purpose of reducing the noise produced by the machine during operation thereof. The electric motor (10) is fixed to the tub of the machine on brackets (12) provided with seats (13) for accommodating the shaft (16). Shock absorbing means (14-15) are provided within the seats (13), as well as an elastic element (17) for connecting the motor (10) to at least one of the brackets (12).

Abstract: Clothes washing machine provided with a washing tub made of plastic material and comprising a rear wall (2), a passing-through hub provided at the center of said rear wall and inserted in its central hub-holding portion (4) for supporting the bearing (7) used to support the central shaft (5) of the drum (6), wherein said hub includes a first perimetral sleeve (8) adapted to be inserted from inside the tub, the outer cylindrical edge thereof being adapted to engage against the inner edge of said cylindrical central hub-holding portion (4), a second sleeve (9) capable of being inserted from outside the tub into the inner cylindrical cavity of said first sleeve, the outer edge thereof being adapted to engage, preferably in a screw-like manner, against the inner edge of said first perimetral sleeve (8).

Abstract: A top-loading washing machine including a washer assembly (1) and an appliance exterior having a front (2) and side plates (3, 4). The machine also includes an upper lid (5), an upper control panel (6), and support feet (29). The elements are assembled and supported by a bearing structure having two distinct lower and upper elements (8, 9). The lower element (8) includes a support base provided with respective columns at four corners that extend vertically from the bottom and terminate at the same height. The upper element (9) is provided with respective columns at four corners that extend vertically. The bottoms of said upper columns rest on the tops of the lower columns. The front (2) and side plates (3, 4) of said appliance are made from a single strip of sheet metal, folded so as to fit against said bearing structure in order to enclose completely the respective side and front faces. The plates are provided with extension fitting into grooves in the upper and lower elements.

Abstract: Clothes washing machine, in particular of the household type, comprising a tub containing a perforated drum (1) which is formed by an outer cylindrical mantle, a rear plate and an open front wall and is supported by a spider journal, wherein the drum is molded as a single piece by a blow-molding process in which the outer cylindrical mantle of the drum is formed so as to create a plurality of trapezoidally shaped concave ribs (4). The drum has a peripheral rim (6) projecting from the outer portion, in particular from the front outer portion of the cylindrical mantle near the opening, so as to strengthen the structure and enable it to stand the highest expected load stresses. To the peripheral rim, appropriate extensions of the arms of the spider journal are fastened.

Abstract: A plastic washtub used preferably in household clothes washing machines having a rigid structure (1) formed by a cylindrical wall (2 ), a circular bottom wall (3 ), and a circular front wall. A hub (6) is inserted through the central part of the bottom wall. It is called a hub because it is inserted into a central circular hub-housing (7) of the bottom wall (3) and supports the central shaft (11 ) of the rotor (8 ) in a known manner. This hubhousing's central portion (7) has around and adjacent to it one or more closed, empty chambers so that the hub-housing (7) does not enter into contact with the washing liquid. It is preferred that, inside the tub, said hub-housing (7) be protected by a plate (15), preferably of plastic, which is attached to ribs on the bottom wall to prevent the washing liquid from directly contacting the hub-housing.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine is convertible to a clothes drying or a combined clothes washing and drying machine and includes a washing tub made of plastic material and a rotating inner drum housed in the tub and capable of being driven at the various revolving speeds required for both washing and drying cycles. The tub is provided with an upper opening which can be closed by exchangeable or interchangeable closing elements including, when the machine is being used as a dryer, an arched closing element provided with a number of electrical heating elements and an upper port capable of being connected with an exhaust manifold of the machine via a hot air circulating conduit.

Abstract: A process for treatment of laundry in a basket rotatably mounted in a tub of a washing machine by actuating a valve to introduce water into the tub from a hot water supply until the tub is partially filled so as to soak the laundry contained in the basket, rotating the basket first at low speed and in alternate directions for a predetermined period of time and then at high speed in a single direction for a predetermined period of time while simultaneously recirculating water from a collector below the basket back into the basket during rotation thereof, and discharging the liquid contained in the basket after rotation of the basket is stopped. The method of the present invention allows preheating of the laundry in the basket, the basket and the tub such that it is not necessary to reheat the washing liquid during a subsequent washing program.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a wash tub, a basket for receiving laundry and mounted for rotation within the wash tub, a recirculating duct extending from the bottom of the wash tub to an upper portion thereof, and a pump for recirculating the washing liquid through the duct from the bottom of the wash tub to the upper portion thereof. A housing is attached to the top of the wash tub to define a chamber, and the duct extends into the housing such that the washing liquid pumped by the pump through the duct is discharged into the chamber. Heater elements are located within the chamber to thereby heat the washing liquid discharged into the chamber. The interior of the chamber communicates with the interior of the wash tub through an overflow weir. The machine further may include an air drying circuit whereby air is recirculated through an air duct by means of a fan from the bottom of the wash tub to the chamber, wherein the recirculated air is heated by the heating elements.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a washing tub, a washing drum for containing laundry to be washed, a collector for collecting washing liquid, and a recirculation pump connected to the collector and to the tub for recirculating the washing liquid from the collector to the tub and to spray it onto the laundry. The collector has therein at least one heating element and a thermostatic sensor for heating the washing liquid and for thermostatically controlling the temperature thereof, respectively. Level sensors and controls are provided for carrying out "intense" and "gentle" laundering programs for washing the laundry in a conventional manner, and with further sensors and controls for carrying out "intense" laundering programs at reduced filling levels of the washing liquid within the tub by repeatedly recirculating the liquid to the tub.

Abstract: A washing machine tub includes a cylindrical shell of stainless steel and having an open front end and an opposite end closed by a rear wall. A cross member is fixed to the rear wall to support a shaft of a basket to revolve within the shell. A sheet metal cylindrical band covers the outer surface of the shell over a portion of the axial length thereof. The band is integrally connected to the outer surface of the shell by a metal working operation and is releasably connected to the cross member by means of attachment members.