Abstract: A laundry washing machine with a vertical-axis agitator and a control unit. The control unit has a processor and a memory with instructions that, when executed, cause the laundry washing machine to: receive a selection of user preferences via a user interface, determine whether or not the user preferences include a selection of a unit dose package mode having instructions to modify the default wash filling process, and based on this determination: operate the washing machine to execute the user preferences without applying the instructions to modify a default wash filling process if the user preferences do not include the selection of the unit dose package mode, or operate the washing machine to execute the user preferences with applying the instructions to modify the default wash filling process if the user preferences do include the selection of the unit dose package mode.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine having configured to receive a laundry cycle selection from a user interface; identify the cycle selection; upon receiving a normal laundry cycle selection, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default normal maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a normal maintenance phase to rotate the drum; and upon receiving a selection of the whites laundry cycle, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default whites maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a whites maintenance phase to cyclically rotate the drum. The default whites maintenance phase liquid level is equal to or less than the default normal maintenance phase liquid level. Methods of operating a laundry machine are also provided.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine with a vertical-axis agitator and a control unit. The control unit has a processor and a memory with instructions that, when executed, cause the laundry washing machine to: receive a selection of user preferences via a user interface, determine whether or not the user preferences include a selection of a unit dose package mode having instructions to modify the default wash filling process, and based on this determination: operate the washing machine to execute the user preferences without applying the instructions to modify a default wash filling process if the user preferences do not include the selection of the unit dose package mode, or operate the washing machine to execute the user preferences with applying the instructions to modify the default wash filling process if the user preferences do include the selection of the unit dose package mode.

Abstract: An automatic washer for washing garments comprises a wash basket with an open top defining a wash chamber, and a clothes mover mounted in the washer for reciprocal movement about an axis of rotation within the wash chamber. The clothes mover comprises an apron, and at least one vane extending from the apron and defining a working surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge extending from an outer end to an inner end. At least one line lying along the working surface and extending between the outer end and the inner end defines a constant angle of attack relative to the direction of movement of the clothes mover. The working surface is configured to move the garments along the working surface at a substantially instantaneously uniform speed. The configurations of the upper surface and the working surface are optimized to move the garments between the perimeter and the axis of rotation while minimizing force acting on the working surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the bunching of fabric items during a wash process.

Abstract: Methods for laundering a textile wash load in a washing apparatus comprising the steps of pre-treating a textile wash load using methods that include a detection step selected from an airlock detection step, a water log detection step and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A laundry machine configured to supply a first amount of water to the wash tub wherein a wash plate can be oscillated such that clothes items directly above and in contact with the impeller are frictionally dragged in a oscillatory manner with the wash chamber while continuing to oscillate said wash plate, an additional supply of water is added to said wash tub such that as cloth items lost frictional engagement with the wash plate, the cloth items continue to move along an inverse toroidal rollover path at higher water levels.

Abstract: An improved method for treating textiles such as clothing with a concentrated solutions in an automatic washer by alternating the speed of rotation of the automatic washer wash basket from a low spin speed to a high spin speed and applying the concentrated solution to the textiles when the wash basket is spinning at the low spin speed.

Abstract: An automatic washer for washing garments comprises a wash basket with an open top defining a wash chamber, and a clothes mover mounted in the washer for reciprocal movement about an axis of rotation within the wash chamber. The clothes mover comprises an apron, and at least one vane extending from the apron and defining a working surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge extending from an outer end to an inner end. At least one line lying along the working surface and extending between the outer end and the inner end defines a constant angle of attack relative to the direction of movement of the clothes mover. The working surface is configured to move the garments along the working surface at a substantially instantaneously uniform speed. The configurations of the upper surface and the working surface are optimized to move the garments between the perimeter and the axis of rotation while minimizing force acting on the working surface.

Abstract: A process for removing spots from clothes in laundry machines with a vertical shaft comprising the steps of: a—supplying a washing liquid to a load of soiled clothes inside a perforated basket (2) for containing clothes and provided internal to a tub (1) that is supplied with washing liquid until reaching a predetermined level, which is substantially lower than the lowest laundering level and compatible with the load of clothes; b—submitting this load of clothes to at least one agitation period during a certain first agitation time interval; c—maintaining said load of clothes at rest after a respective agitation period has elapsed and during a predetermined first rest time interval, sufficient for the temperature of the washing liquid to reach a value necessary to allow the activation of at least one of the enzymatic and bleaching functions of the washing liquid; d—submitting the load of clothes to a subsequent agitation period during a certain second agitation time interval, sufficient to provide a certain c