Abstract: A system for processing objects to be cleaned that includes a processing vessel, and a storage vessel that includes an upper section for storing clean liquid and a lower section for storing dirty liquid. The upper section and lower section are in flow communication.

Abstract: A system for processing objects to be cleaned that includes a processing vessel, and a storage vessel that includes an upper section for storing clean liquid and a lower section for storing dirty liquid. The upper section and lower section are in flow communication.

Abstract: A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.

Abstract: A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A system for processing objects to be cleaned that includes a processing vessel, and a storage vessel that includes an upper section for storing clean liquid and a lower section for storing dirty liquid. The upper section and lower section are in flow communication.

Abstract: A closure for a pressure vessel that includes a neck with a groove defined in the inner diameter, and a door assembly that pivots between opened and closed positions. The door assembly includes a door portion sized to be received in an opening of the neck, a guide plate connected to the door portion and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, a first lock ring segment positioned radially outwardly of the guide plate and a handle. The guide plate includes a first cam path defined therein that receives a cam member of a first lug assembly that extends inwardly from the first lock ring segment. Rotation of the handle (and guide plate) from the unlocked to the locked position moves the first lock ring segment from a locked to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first lock ring segment is received in the groove of the neck.

Abstract: A washing machine system comprising an outer tub with a basket rotatably supported within the outer tub. The basket receives launderable items and wash water. The washing machine includes a drive motor that rotates the basket during the wash operation, and a balance ring associated with the basket containing counterweights that move within the balance ring to compensate for an imbalanced mass in the basket. The washing machine includes a controller communicating with the motor. The controller sends signals to the motor to rotate the basket at selective rotational speeds, and receives electronic signals indicating the power used to rotate the basket at selective speeds. The controller compensates for the imbalanced mass by preventing the drive motor from rotating the basket at a substantially constant speed between a predetermined minimum resonance speed and a predetermined maximum resonance speed for more than a predetermined maximum dwell time during the wash operation.

Abstract: A washing machine system comprising an outer tub with a basket rotatably supported within the outer tub. The basket receives launderable items and wash water. The washing machine includes a drive motor that rotates the basket during the wash operation, and a balance ring associated with the basket containing counterweights that move within the balance ring to compensate for an imbalanced mass in the basket. The washing machine includes a controller communicating with the motor. The controller sends signals to the motor to rotate the basket at selective rotational speeds, and receives electronic signals indicating the power used to rotate the basket at selective speeds. The controller compensates for the imbalanced mass by preventing the drive motor from rotating the basket at a substantially constant speed between a predetermined minimum resonance speed and a predetermined maximum resonance speed for more than a predetermined maximum dwell time during the wash operation.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine having a front opening clothes containing rotary basket with a plurality of elongated internally mounted baffles for agitating items within the basket during a washing operation. The baffles each have a solid outwardly extending rib which has a nonlinear curved configuration for defining a plurality of water lifting and agitating cavities on each side of the baffle. The cavities on one side of the baffle are effective for lifting and agitating wash water with a vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in one rotary direction and the cavities on the opposite side of the baffle are operative for lifting and agitating water with an oppositely directed vortex movement as an incident to rotation of the basket in an opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A high pressure food package and system including a cup for holding a quantity of food product, a lid for covering the cup, and at least one one-way sealing mechanism that permits a gas to pass through the sealing mechanism into the interior space enclosed by the cup and lid and that prevents the gas from escaping from the interior space through the sealing mechanism. The high pressure package (and system and method for using the same) is especially well suited for producing a food product (such as fruits or vegetables) having an effervescent sensory (or carbonated) character.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous processing and solids handling in first near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a second fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous processing and solids handling in first near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a second fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a novel apparatus to perform the task of washing and drying laundry in one machine is described within. There have been many attempts to create a practical combination laundry machine because the space and potential time savings to have all of the processes happen within one machine is beneficial. The problem created with most previous attempts is a machine that is sized for a wash load which will not properly dry the clothes in less time than a traditional two machine system. The underlying issue is the fact that a properly sized machine for washing is considerably smaller in internal volume than a dryer with the same load capacity. This invention uses a basket which has the capability to change the basket volume to maintain the proper ratio for both washing and drying cycles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a barrier fluid.

Abstract: A high pressure food package and system including a cup for holding a quantity of food product, a lid for covering the cup, and at least one one-way sealing mechanism that permits a gas to pass through the sealing mechanism into the interior space enclosed by the cup and lid and that prevents the gas from escaping from the interior space through the sealing mechanism. The high pressure package (and system and method for using the same) is especially well suited for producing a food product (such as fruits or vegetables) having an effervescent sensory (or carbonated) character.

Abstract: Enhancing the flavor of food products within its product packaging to extend its shelf-life and to allow for mass production and mass distribution, and the packaged flavor enhanced food products produced. The method comprises providing product packaging capable of retaining a positive pressure of CO2, receiving food products such as fruits or vegetables into the product packaging, introducing CO2 into the product packaging, and sealing the product packaging containing the fruits or vegetables and CO2, wherein the fruits or vegetables absorb CO2 within the packaging thereby enhancing the flavor of the fruits or vegetables. The packaged flavor enhanced food products may comprise, for example, carbonated or “fizzed” fruit or vegetable pieces in yogurt, fruit or vegetable pieces in ice cream or sorbet, or other food items that may contain carbonated fruit or vegetable pieces, purees, sauces, or the like.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the flavor of fruits or vegetables within its own product packaging to extend the shelf-life and allow for mass production and mass distribution of the flavor enhanced fruits or vegetables, and the packaged flavor enhanced fruits or vegetables products produced by such methods. The methods comprise providing product packaging capable of retaining a positive pressure of CO2, receiving fruits or vegetables into the product packaging, introducing CO2 into the product packaging, and sealing the product packaging containing the fruits or vegetables and CO2, and wherein the product packaging retains a positive pressure of CO2, and the fruits or vegetables absorb the CO2 thereby enhancing the flavor of the fruits or vegetables within the product packaging. In one embodiment, the methods comprise freezing the carbonated packaged fruits or vegetables thereby trapping the flavor enhancing CO2 within the fruits or vegetables to produce a frozen carbonated fruits or vegetables product.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a barrier fluid.

Abstract: A laundry machine having a malfunction detection system for detecting when an obstructing item protrudes outwardly from a perforated tumbler of the machine beyond a predetermined amount during rotation of the tumbler and for detecting when the drive belt for the tumbler is either broken or dislodged from its drive pulleys. In response to either malfunction, a control device is actuated for automatically shutting down operation of the machine. The obstruction detection system includes a cable disposed in closely spaced relation to an outer perimeter of the tumbler for engagement by an obstructing item extending outwardly from the perforated tumbler beyond the predetermined spacing of the cables. In the illustrated embodiment, the obstruction detection system and the drive belt malfunction detection system utilize a common malfunction detection switch and control circuitry.