Abstract: A vertical axis laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining a chassis interior, a tub disposed within the chassis interior and defining a tub interior, and a perforated wash basket disposed for rotation within the tub interior, wherein the tub includes a lower tub portion, an upper tub portion, and a flexible intermediate portion.

Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.

Abstract: A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person, visually indicating and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet.

Abstract: A cycle of operation for a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the cycle of operation including a pre-wetting phase which includes misting an exposed surface of the laundry with a pre-wetting liquid and a pre-wash phase which includes supplying a dye fixative to the surface of the laundry wet by the pre-wetting liquid for distributing a dye fixative to a laundry surface.

Abstract: A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person within a predetermined range of the door and out of contact with the door; and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

Abstract: A cycle of operation for a laundry treating appliance having a tub and a rotatable, perforated drum located within the tub and operably coupled with a motor for rotating the drum, the drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment according to a cycle of operation comprises a pre-wash phase in which a treating chemistry is dispensed and a main wash phase.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment, and a controller programmed to execute an automatic cycle of operation that includes spraying a pre-wash mixture comprising water and a color care agent onto the laundry to cover the laundry with the color care agent to protect the laundry from dyes released from the laundry during the wash phase.

Abstract: A method for wetting laundry in a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation comprises forming an annulus of laundry within the treating chamber prior to wetting the laundry, spraying liquid onto the annulus while the treating chamber is being rotated, after the formation of the annulus, redistributing the laundry, after the redistributing, rotating the treating chamber to form an annulus of laundry, and, while the treating chamber is rotated, recirculating the liquid through the laundry.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a cabinet, a wash tub located within the cabinet and defining an interior, a wash basket mounted within the wash tub and defining a laundry treating chamber, and at least one suspension assembly operably coupled to a portion of the cabinet and a portion of the tub such that the tub is suspended from the cabinet and where the suspension assembly includes a suspension rod for attaching to a portion of the tub in a lower part of the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person within a predetermined range of the door and out of contact with the door; and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance. The dynamic balancer device comprises an enclosed annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, a plurality of internal baffles in the enclosed annular housing and a fluid disposed in the annular race and movable therein.

Abstract: A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a at least one cycle of operation and sensing same.

Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation, includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an optically sensible element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the optically sensible element, and a sensor to sense the physical alteration.

Abstract: Observing intracranial physiology includes inserting a bladder at least partially filled with a fluid into a subdural region of interest within a subject, wherein the bladder is coupled in flow communication with a means of indicating a pressure exerted on the bladder within the region of interest. Embodiments also include non-invasively interrogating the means of indicating to determine the pressure exerted on the bladder.