Abstract: The present invention is a method of drying clothing. A user inserts clothes into a clothes dryer and initiates a normal drying cycle. To initiate a normal drying cycle, the user purchases time for a normal cycle and an optional reverse cycle using a payment interface. The dryer subsequently operates in a normal drying cycle. Next, a reverse drying cycle is initiated, if selected and purchased by the user, to help avoid roping and balling up of their clothes. After the amount of predetermined time purchased for the normal and reverse drying cycles has elapsed, the dryer is turned off. Because a reverse cycle is used, this method of drying clothes prevents roping and balling up of clothes to achieve better drying results in pay operated drying machines.

Abstract: The method of drying of the present invention includes providing a dryer with a payment receiving means providing a heat source in thermal communication with the dryer. Clothes are then inserted into the dryer and a means of payment to the payment receiving means of the dryer is provided. A drying cycle is then initiated to operate the dryer. Moisture is sensed in the clothes as the dryer is being operated. The dryer is turned off when the moisture in the clothes exceeds a predetermined amount representing a dry load. Payment is received from the means of payment while the dryer is in operation. Payment is stopped from the means of payment when the dryer has ceased operation. As a result, the user has paid only for the time for the dryer to provide a dry load of laundry.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of drying clothing. A user inserts clothes into a clothes dryer and initiates a normal drying cycle. To initiate a normal drying cycle, the user purchases time for a normal cycle and an optional reverse cycle using a payment interface. The dryer subsequently operates in a normal drying cycle. Next, a reverse drying cycle is initiated, if selected and purchased by the user, to help avoid roping and balling up of their clothes. After the amount of predetermined time purchased for the normal and reverse drying cycles has elapsed, the dryer is turned off. Because a reverse cycle is used, this method of drying clothes prevents roping and balling up of clothes to achieve better drying results in pay operated drying machines.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of drying clothing. The method of drying clothing involves providing a dryer, preferably a coin-operated clothes dryer. The dryer contains a heat source in thermal communication with the dryer. Next, a user inserts clothes into the dryer and initiates a drying cycle to reduce the overall moisture within the clothes. To initiate a drying cycle, the user purchases a predetermined period of time that is at least one block of time. The dryer is turned on and the heat source is then operated at a first drying temperature, preferably 160° F., while a sensor detects the level of moisture within the clothes. Once the level of moisture within the clothes is below a predetermined level, the heat source is lowered to a second operating temperature, preferably 100° F. This method of reducing heat conserves energy to operate the dryer and helps avoid over-drying of clothes.

Abstract: The combination washer/dryer and method for operating a combination washer/dryer. The washer/dryer has a containment drum which receives wash water, and includes a perforated clothes drum which rotates within the containment drum. A heat plenum is provided in heat transfer relationship with the containment drum, and a source of heat coupled to the heat plenum supplies heat for water in the containment drum. During a drying cycle, hot air from the heat source supplied from the fire box to the containment drum for heating wash water during a washing cycle, and for supplying hot air during a drying cycle. A drying air plenum is connected to receive drying air from the source of heat, delivering the drying air to the top of the containment drum, where it enters the rotating basket. An exhaust plenum discharges hot air laden with moisture from the containment drum through a lint filter.

Abstract: The combination washer/dryer and method for operating a combination washer/dryer. The washer/dryer has a containment drum which receives wash water, and includes a perforated clothes drum which rotates within the containment drum. A heat plenum is provided in heat transfer relationship with the containment drum, and a source of heat coupled to the heat plenum supplies heat for water in the containment drum. During a drying cycle, hot air from the heat source supplied from the fire box to the containment drum for heating wash water during a washing cycle, and for supplying hot air during a drying cycle. A drying air plenum is connected to receive drying air from the source of heat, delivering the drying air to the top of the containment drum, where it enters the rotating basket. An exhaust plenum discharges hot air laden with moisture from the containment drum through a lint filter.

Abstract: First and second solenoid valves are connected respectively to a cold water supply pipe and hot water supply pipe. Washing machines having first and second inlets are connected through the pair of hoses to the solenoid valves on the water supply pipes. The circuit means are connected to the solenoid valves on the water supply pipe and the washing machine internal solenoid valves, so that the valves are operated in synchronism whereby the inlet valves internal to the washing machine are enabled prior to enabling the solenoid valves connected to the water supply pipes. The valve sequence is reversed during a disabled operation, so that the solenoid valves connected to the water supply pipes are closed prior to closing the inlet valves. The operational sequence of the valves reduces the static pressure within the hoses to substantially zero.

Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.

Abstract: A clothes dryer having a fire protection system. The clothes dryer chamber has an inlet which receives drying air and an exhaust for removing moisture laden air. The temperature within the drying chamber is monitored, and a determination is made from the dryer electronic controller whether or not a fire exists in the tumbler. The fire detection conditions are based on determining whether a certain temperature rise exists within the tumbler when the drying air ceases. The fire suppression system when activated will inject a fire suppressing substance into the tumbler for suppressing the fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for confirming the initial conditions of a clothes dryer prior to the start of the drying cycle is provided. The clothes dryer comprises a drying chamber with air inlet and outlet ports. A blower powered by a first motor is arranged in the outlet port to draw air into the drying chamber through the inlet port. A burner for heating the air before it enters the drying chamber is arranged in the inlet port. Also arranged at the inlet port is a air proving device for measuring the air flow through the drying chamber. A second motor is provided for the drive system which creates the tumbling action in the drying chamber. The air flow proving device must be enabled before the second motor is started.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a sealable pressure vessel and an agitator for agitating an article, such as clothing, in a liquid within the vessel to remove contaminants from the article. A fluid system supplies fresh liquid to the vessel and drains used liquid from the vessel to separate excess contaminated from the article, a portion of the contaminated liquid being retained by the article after this separation. One or more heating elements are activatable to vaporize the retained liquid, and a vacuum system is activatable to reduce the pressure in the sealed vessel while the heating elements are activated, such that the boiling point of the retained liquid is substantially reduced from that at atmospheric pressure. The liquid may be plain, ozonated or carbonated water, or a mixture thereof, and may be cooled by a heat exchanger before being introduced into the sealed vessel. Agitation during washing and drying is minimized for use of the apparatus as an alternative to dry cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for confirming the initial conditions of a clothes dryer prior to the start of the drying cycle is provided. The clothes dryer comprises a drying chamber with air inlet and outlet ports. A blower powered by a first motor is arranged in the outlet port to draw air into the drying chamber through the inlet port. A burner for heating the air before it enters the drying chamber is arranged in the inlet port. Also arranged at the inlet port is an air proving device for measuring the air flow through the drying chamber. A second motor is provided for the drive system which creates the tumbling action in the drying chamber. The air flow proving device must be enabled before the second motor is started.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning an article with cleaning fluid comprising a liquified gas, preferably carbon dioxide, maintained at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure in the wash chamber of a pressure vessel. A basket holding the article is rotated in the wash chamber by a drive shaft passing through a wall of the pressure vessel, and a seal mechanism for this passage prevents escape of the cleaning fluid. The seal mechanism includes a first seal component adjacent to the wash chamber and a second seal component outboard of the first seal component to provide a sealant chamber in which a pressurized sealant fluid is provided such that a pressure differential across the first seal component is substantially less than the pressure differential between the wash chamber and atmospheric pressure The sealant fluid may be a gaseous component or a liquid component of the cleaning fluid. Fluid and control systems are provided for automating washing, rinsing and sealing operations.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus for purifying input water and dispensing a user selected quantity of purified water into a portable container in response to deposit of a predetermined amount of money. The apparatus comprises a first purified water path and a second purified water path. The first purified water path includes a reverse osmosis filter and a storage tank. The second purified water path includes an ultraviolet sterilizing unit connected between the tank and a dispensing unit with one or more dispensing valves. A recirculation water path periodically recirculates tank water through the ultraviolet sterilizing apparatus to improve and maintain the purity thereof. Another water recirculation path may be provided to recirculate concentrate from the reverse osmosis filter to a filter inlet line where it is mixed with input water.

Abstract: A drying cycle controller for a garment dryer. The drying cycle is controlled to have a decreasing temperature and humidity profile which avoids the removal of moisture at a rate which will cause shrinkage and wrinkling of the garment. The drying cycle temperature profile is controlled by continuously sensing the humidity within the drying chamber, and decreasing the drying temperature each time the relative humidity drops to one of a plurality of set points. Once the humidity has reached the final set point, the dryer enters a cool down cycle for a predetermined cool down time.

Abstract: A dryer of the type having a burner for supplying a source of hot gas for drying material being tumbled. The apparatus provides a cool-down cycle for the dryer. A burner control circuit enables and disables the burner to supply hot gasses in accordance with a sequence which produces a substantially linearly decreasing temperature over time. At the end of the time interval a signal is generated indicating that the cool-down sequence has been completed. Each cool-down cycle starts from the same initial temperature as determined by the operator such that the final cool-down temperature for the same cool-down run time is the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a drying cycle for a clothes dryer. A temperature sensor is positioned in the clothes dryer to continuously measure the temperature of hot air entering the clothes dryer. A microprocessor reads a signal from the temperature sensor and enables and disables a burner for supplying the hot air. The burner is enabled each time a measured temperature is below a predetermined set point temperature. When the temperature is at or above the set point temperature, the burner is disabled. The burner will continuously cycle to maintain the hot air at the predetermined temperature. The microprocessor is also programmed to periodically compute a dryness level for the clothes from the average on and off times of the burner. A signal is generated to indicate the end of the drying cycle when a predetermined dryness level has been detected.