Abstract: This machine for wet treatment, for example dyeing, for textile materials, comprises a horizontally elongate vat, in which is formed a zone for the storage in folds of the fabric to be treated, which forms a rope closed on itself. A hydraulic and/or mechanical system for driving the fabric is placed at the start of a transport tube provided for returning the fabric from the front end of the vat toward the rear end of the latter. A system for injecting a gas stream, for example air, in contact with the fabric is provided within the vat; the system is located, in the direction of travel of the fabric, between the point where this fabric returns to the storage zone and the hydraulic system. This system spreads and dries the fabric. The invention is used for the fault-free dyeing of fabrics composed of modern fibers.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a cleaning device for jewelry comprising a container having a top rim, side walls, and a bottom; a mesh liner operatively arranged to be removably secured within the container and proximate the side walls and bottom; a lid having an outer and inner surface, the lid operatively arranged to be secured to the top rim to seal the container; and, a foam member secured to the inner surface of the lid. The invention also includes a new method of cleaning and polishing jewelry, comprising the steps of immersing the jewelry in liquid cleaning solution contained in a foam-lined sealed container; and, agitating said cleaning solution. An alternative method includes a preliminary step of coating the jewelry to be cleaned with polishing compound prior to immersion.

Abstract: A system for operating and programming a laundry appliance includes a menu system giving a user extreme flexibility in operating the appliance. Through a series of menu screens, the user is presented with a variety of available options. Additionally, the laundry appliance of the invention gives the user access to databases, preferably already programmed into memory of the appliance, such as general tips for laundering and simple troubleshooting. Finally, the user has the ability to program the menu system.

Abstract: A front-loading washing machine includes a tub having a rear wall with an inside surface, an outside surface, and a center, a bearing sleeve connected to the rear wall, a shaft disposed in the bearing sleeve and at the center of the rear wall, a motor connected to the outside surface of the rear wall at a distance from the center of the rear wall, a gear mechanism connected to the shaft and to the motor, and a laundry container mounted in a floating manner to the bearing sleeve through the shaft. The motor produces a torque and the gear mechanism transmits the torque produced by the motor to the shaft. The motor drives the laundry container. If the laundry container has a filling opening inclined upward, then the motor is disposed beneath the shaft in a region between the tub rear wall and a rear wall of the washing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning wafers by a wet bench technique without incurring ammonia vapor damages to the wafer surface are provided. The apparatus of a wet cleaning tank consists of a tank body for holding a quantity of a cleaning solution therein; a conduit mounted through and vertical to a bottom wall of the tank body for feeding an ammonia-containing solution into the tank body through an outlet; and a cup-shaped container mounted in an upside-down position over the outlet of the conduit for blocking ammonia vapor generated by the ammonia-containing solution from reaching an upper cavity of the tank body.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus comprising a drum for containing and agitating an article, wherein the drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions in rotatable connection with one another, a rotator member in connection with each rotatable drum portion for rotating the drum portion about an axis. The apparatus is preferably a washing machine, and the method of operating the apparatus comprises inserting at least one article, preferably a plurality of articles, into the drum; and rotating each rotatable drum portion independently of one another to agitate the article or articles.

Abstract: A drum-type fabric dyeing machine has its drum subdivided into sections by radial partitions. The partitions are connected to the drum wall by narrow perforated strips through which the dyeing liquor is discharged. The drum wall and the partition are unperforated. The partitions are connected to a perforated pipe at the center of the drum through which the dyeing liquor is introduced.

Abstract: A dyeing machine comprises a roller mechanism, a nozzle mechanism having two nozzles, a fabric guide mechanism, wherein fabric is dyed twice. The degree of impingement on fabric is predetermined with respect to respective specific type of fabric, resulting in a more uniform dyeing as well as a shortening of process time and solution cycle. Moreover, the fabric guide tube may be upwardly, horizontally, or downwardly adjusted in order to obtain a better quality of respective specific fabric.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of the present invention has a cleaning vessel which is made of a synthetic resin, while an ultrasonic vibration units are respectively disposed to face a hand control part, a top end, and a connector of an endoscope which is contained in the cleaning vessel. The ultrasonic vibration units individually have a diaphragm which is disposed at an opening of the cleaning vessel and ultrasonic vibrators which are adhered at the bottom of the diaphragm. An elastic body is provided between the cleaning vessel and the diaphragm.

Abstract: A cleaning system for engines for combusting fuel and converting the combusted fuel to mechanical energy includes a liquid constituting an engine enhancer. The liquid comprises a super concentrated formula of carbon cleaning solvents and a high quality lubricant to clean and lubricate the air induction system. A delivery assembly for the fluid includes a supply tank. A nozzle at the output end of a tube includes a main body portion with a small cylindrical outlet and a cylindrical inlet and a frustoconical transition zone between the inlet and the outlet. The nozzle also has a cylindrical filter with a mesh formed with an opening to preclude the passage of solid particles. A hollow cylindrical support block allows the passage of fluid through the nozzle and out of the outlet. A retention assembly is adapted to fixedly position the nozzle in operative position adjacent to the air intake assembly.

Abstract: The support has an inside surface (1A) that is basically cylindrical for approximately three fourths of the axial length from the smaller-diameter end (1B), an annular step (1C) and a remaining cylindrical internal section (1E) of increased diameter for interlocking purposes; the outside surface is basically frustoconical for a section (1G) of approximately three fourths of the axial length from the larger-diameter end (1H), and its remaining cylindrical section (1F) corresponds in diameter to the remaining cylindrical internal section (1E); and for approximately the half of the larger dimensions of the wall of the support there are perforations (3) that extend transversely in the form of slots, while enlarged perforations (5) are formed in the other approximate half of the height.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a plurality of drainpipes installed in a movable equipment by causing a flow of a cleaning solution through the drainpipes includes the steps of connecting provisional pipes to the plurality of drainpipes, feeding a cleaning solution into the provisional pipes and the drainpipes, and applying negative pressure suction force to the provisional pipes and the drainpipes to cause a flow of the cleaning solution in the opposite direction to a drain direction in normal use, to thereby clean the drainpipes.

Abstract: A polishing pad conditioner cleaning method and an apparatus for effectively removing particles from a polishing pad conditioner. The polishing pad conditioner is immersed into a cleaning liquid contained in a cleaning bath. The cleaning liquid is continuously supplied into the cleaning bath. An inert gas is injected into the cleaning liquid from a bottom of the cleaning bath. The injected inert gas bubbles the cleaning liquid, so that the particles sticking to the polishing pad conditioner are removed and overflow from the cleaning bath. The polishing pad conditioner is effectively cleaned, so that formation of particles and scratches on a wafer are reduced when a polishing process is subsequently carried out using the cleaned polishing pad conditioner.

Abstract: A method of operating a horizontal axis laundry machine through a drum opening operation is provided. The laundry machine includes a cabinet and a drum mounted in the cabinet. The drum has a drum skin including a cover section and a remainder. An edge of the cover section is connected to an edge of the remainder by an interengaging latch member. The method includes the steps of rotating the drum until the drum skin is in a first set position relative to the cabinet, engaging the cover section to retain the position thereof relative to the cabinet while engaged, sliding the latch member to release the cover section edge from the remaining drum section edge, rotating the drum to a second set position with the cover section engaged to leave an opening into the drum, and allowing opening of the cabinet to provide access to the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus which uses as operative fluid liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or other dense-phase fluids such as ammonia or hydrocarbons. The apparatus may have various applications including the cleaning of garments and the degreasing of electronic or mechanical components; the apparatus comprises a cleaning chamber (1), basically formed by a pressurised container, and an installation for supplying the CO2 which includes a storage tank (30) and a distiller (31). Advantageously, in order to start a cleaning cycle, the chamber (1) is pressurised with gaseous CO2 taken from the tank and/or from the distiller which are then excluded from the path of the liquid CO2 used for the actual cleaning. The invention also comprises a special cleaning chamber (1) having a lid and a cylindrical jacket, that are provided with respective mating edges between which operates an improved seal suitable for preventing leakage of supercritical fluids.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device capable of preventing a metal wiring layer or the like of an object to be treated, from being oxidized. The cleaning device comprises: a cleaning container 72 having a treating space S having a slightly larger volume than that of an object W to be treated; a fluid storage tank 30 for storing a cleaning fluid 32 for treating the object; supply lines 46A through 46D for supplying the cleaning fluid from the fluid storage tank to the cleaning container; and reflux lines 47A through 47D for returning the cleaning fluid from the cleaning container to the fluid storage tank, wherein the cleaning container, the fluid storage tank, the supply lines and the reflux lines are associated with each other for forming closed cleaning fluid circulating lines 51A through 51D. Thus, it is possible to prevent the metal wiring layer or the like of the object from being oxidized.

Abstract: A drive apparatus in a washing machine having a suds container with a rear face and a laundry drum mounted within the suds container includes a flat electric motor for directly driving the laundry drum. The motor is mounted on the rear face and has a stiff support connected thereto, a first bearing, a rotor with a hollow shaft, and a stator connected to the support. The stator and rotor are connected to one another through the first bearing and are jointly removable. A shaft floatingly mounts the laundry drum within the suds container and is mounted within the support through a second bearing. The shaft has a shaft journal projecting out of the support. The hollow shaft of the rotor surrounds the journal. The stator and rotor are jointly connected to the journal. Instead of the support, the rear wall can be reinforced to include the bearings therein.

Abstract: A device for attenuating vibration of a drum type washing machine is provided which includes a balance chamber provided in an outer tub for temporary storage of extracted water during spinning for serving as a weight for attenuating vibration of the outer tub, means for supplying the extracted water to the balance chamber during spinning, and means for draining the extracted water from the balance chamber to outside of the washing machine on completion of the spinning, thereby permitting a significant savings in component production cost, and a light weighted washing machine for convenient transportation of the washing machine.

Abstract: A cartridge housing surrounds a shaft for rotating a basket within the pressurized cleaning vessel of a dry cleaning system that utilizes liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent. Primary and secondary seals are disposed between the cartridge housing and the shaft in a spaced relationship so that a primary chamber is defined. A final seal is also disposed between the cartridge housing and the shaft and spaced from the secondary seal so that a secondary chamber is defined. The primary chamber houses an inboard bearing while the secondary chamber houses an outboard and thrust bearings. Primary and secondary tanks containing supplies of oil communicate with the primary and secondary chambers, respectively, via their head spaces and wet sides. As a result, the bearings are lubricated. Solvent leaking across the primary seal is vaporized and delivered to the head space of the primary tank so that the pressure differential across the primary seal is reduced.

Abstract: In a spiral steamer, the deflecting rollers are arranged in the lower areas of the individual windings of the spiral in such a way that the fabric web approximately follows a chain line.