Abstract: An approved washing machine and method of washing laundry is provided wherein a user can select an amount of an additive, such as detergent, to be automatically supplied from a bulk additive reservoir to the washing machine tub during the appropriate time in the wash cycle. The selected amount of additive corresponds to the amount of payment deposited by the user in the machine. The payment may be made by coin, currency, or debit card.

Abstract: A washing machine including a perforated inner basket and an outer tub is disclosed. The outer tub includes one or more grooves on its inside wall to redirect extracted water from the perforated inner basket downwardly into a collection area for disposal. The groove may be generally vertical or angled along the upper portion of the inner wall of the tub. The groove preferably includes an undercut portion that extends in the same direction as the perforated basket spins.

Abstract: An approved washing machine and method of washing laundry is provided wherein a user can select an amount of an additive, such as detergent, to be automatically supplied from a bulk additive reservoir to the washing machine tub during the appropriate time in the wash cycle. The selected amount of additive corresponds to the amount of payment deposited by the user in the machine. The payment may be made by coin, currency, or debit card.

Abstract: A washing appliance includes a spinner basket having a curved labyrinth ring around its outer surface. The labyrinth ring blocks water from leaving the spinner basket during the washing cycle wherein the basket spins in a first direction. The labyrinth ring permits water to exit the spinner basket when it is rotating in the opposite direction during its spinning cycle.

Abstract: An improved laundry washing machine is provided with multiple fluid storage tanks for fluid detergent, bleach, and/or fabric softener. An air pump pressurizes the tanks when the door of the washing machine is opened. Each tank is in fluid communication with an associated fluid compartment. A user can push a control button to open a valve to selectively deposit a desired amount of fluid from a tank into the associated compartment for a wash cycle.

Abstract: A fluid balancing ring includes a plurality of partitions forming a circular array of sub-chambers around its circumference. A valve is associated with each of the partitions and is movable in response to the centrifugal force of the rotating balance ring from a closed position preventing fluid communication through the partitions to an open position permitting fluid communication through the partitions. A spring urges the valve to its closed position.

Abstract: A washing machine lid includes a fluid chamber on its lower surface. The fluid chamber has a fill opening and a dispensing opening. A removable valve is within the dispensing opening. The lid includes a lid frame and a housing detachably mounted to one another.

Abstract: A washing machine lid having a lid frame is provided with the lid frame including a forward edge, a rear edge, at least first and second opposite side edges, and upper surface and a lower surface. A housing is detachably mounted to the lid frame by a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly retentively engages the lid frame. At least one isecuring member retentively engages the housing and also retentively engages the bracket assembly for attaching the housing to the lid frame.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet with an opening. A wash basket is mounted within the cabinet for rotation about a wash basket axis, and includes an access opening through which clothes may be loaded and unloaded. At least one agitator is mounted within the basket for rotation about an agitator axis which is at an angle different from the angle of the wash basket axis. A drive mechanism bathed by washing fluid interconnects a drive motor, the wash basket, and the agitator for rotating the agitator about its rotational axis.

Abstract: A washing machine lid having a lid frame is provided with the lid frame including a forward edge, a rear edge, at least first and second opposite side edges, and upper surface and a lower surface. A housing is detachably mounted to the lid frame by a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly retentively engages the lid frame. At least one securing member retentively engages the housing and also retentively engages the bracket assembly for attaching the housing to the lid frame.

Abstract: An improved installation system for a stacked washer and dryer appliance assembly having an exhaust vent and a gas system is provided. The exhaust vent system includes an exhaust bracket extending upwardly from the back of the washer. The exhaust bracket is adapted to be connected to a household exhaust duct, with the exhaust pipe of the dryer being automatically sealingly engaged with the exhaust bracket upon positioning of the dryer on the washer. The gas system includes a gas pipe in the washer, and having a rearward end extending out of the back of the washer for connection to a gas source. The forward end of the gas pipe has a shutoff valve, which is adapted to be connected to a gas line operatively mounted in the dryer. All of the connections for the power, water, exhaust, and gas for the stacked appliances can be quickly and easily made, without having to stand behind the appliance assembly after the dryer is mounted on the washer.

Abstract: A stacked appliance assembly includes a lower unit, such as a clothes washing machine, and an upper unit, such as a clothes dryer. A support member is secured on top of the lower unit within the perimeter thereof. A base member is secured to the bottom of the upper unit within the perimeter thereof. The base member of the upper unit is adapted to slide upon the support member of the lower unit and to be secured thereto without the use of external mounting brackets. The support member and base member mounting arrangement provides automatic self-centered alignment of the upper unit on the lower unit. A plurality of tabs on the support member of the lower unit are received within slots on the base member of the upper unit so as to interlock the units together.

Abstract: An improved installation system for a stacked washer and dryer appliance assembly having an exhaust vent and a gas system is provided. The exhaust vent system includes an exhaust bracket extending upwardly from the back of the washer. The exhaust bracket is adapted to be connected to a household exhaust duct, with the exhaust pipe of the dryer being automatically sealingly engaged with the exhaust bracket upon positioning of the dryer on the washer. The gas system includes a gas pipe in the washer, and having a rearward end extending out of the back of the washer for connection to a gas source. The forward end of the gas pipe has a shutoff valve, which is adapted to be connected to a gas line operatively mounted in the dryer. All of the connections for the power, water, exhaust, and gas for the stacked appliances can be quickly and easily made, without having to stand behind the appliance assembly after the dryer is mounted on the washer.

Abstract: An improved washing machine is provided with a rotatable wash basket having rotatable agitators mounted therein. The agitators have the shape of a spherical segment so as to nest adjacent the interior surface of the wash basket. The agitators include a spur gear which meshes with a ring gear extending around the wash basket so as to impart rotation to the agitators as the wash basket rotates within the ring gear. The agitators include ribs or baffles to impart tumbling or mixing action to the laundry in the wash or rinse water in the wash basket.

Abstract: An air inlet arrangement is provided in a laundry dryer for enhanced drying efficiency and rate. The dryer includes a drum with a rotating sidewall and a stationary rear bulkhead sealingly engaging the sidewall. A heater is provided on the outside of the rear bulkhead. The rear bulkhead includes a generally horizontally disposed air inlet in its lower half for introducing heated air into the drum. The heated air stream includes a hot inner core and a cool outer envelope so as to minimize the surface temperatures of the bulkhead and the sidewall and thereby prevent heat damage to clothing and laundry in the drum. The rear bulkhead includes a spirally ramped forward surface along which the air travels to impart a spiral airflow through the drum, thereby enhancing heat transfer between the air and the laundry in the drum.

Abstract: A timer mechanism for an appliance such as a clothes dryer includes a pulser cam and a timer cam. The timer cam has a notch along its perimeter while the pulser cam has a step formed in its perimeter. The cams rotate in opposite directions with a cam follower biased against the cams. A clapper is connected to the cam follower and is adapted to strike a chime if the cam follower is aligned with the notch in the timer cam and the cam follower drops off the step in the pulser cam as the pulser cam rotates past the cam follower. The pulser cam is connected to the timer motor and continuously rotates at a first speed throughout a cycle while the timer cam is connected to the timer motor and the timer dial of the appliance and rotates in the opposite direction at a second slower speed.

Abstract: A display is provided for indicating changes between first and second operating conditions in an appliance such as a clothes dryer. A sensing circuit senses changes in operating conditions within the appliance. The sensing circuit creates an intermittent sensing signal which is sent to a light. The light blinks at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the sensor signal. A second light remains lit continuously during the operation of the appliance.

Abstract: A display is provided for indicating changes between first and second operating conditions in an appliance such as a clothes dryer. A sensing circuit senses changes in operating conditions within the appliance. A heater is connected to the sensing circuit and is responsive to various signals produced by the sensing circuit to generate heat. An elongated thermally conductive substrate is mounted adjacent to the heater for receiving and conducting thermal energy produced by the heater. A layer of thermochromic material overlies the substrate and is capable of changing colors in response to changes in the temperature of the conductive substrate.

Abstract: A fabric dryer includes a cabinet having a tumbler assembly located within. The tumbler assembly includes a tumbler compartment having a tumbler opening therein. A pair of spaced apart tumblers are rotatably mounted within the tumbler compartment for movement in first and second circular paths which lie in planes canted with respect to one another. The tumbler opening remains stationary throughout rotation of the tumblers within the tumbler chamber.

Abstract: A dryer having a gas burner is provided for use in a combined laundry appliance. The gas burner is mounted within a compartment located within the dryer cabinet between the bottom of the dryer drum and the top cover of the washer which has a generally triangular shape when viewed from the side of the dryer with the lower portion of the compartment being shorter in front-to-rear depth than the upper portion of the compartment. The gas burner includes a reverse turn gas pipe for conducting gas from the gas valve mounted at the rear of the compartment to the entry end of a combustion chamber.