Abstract: A valve for a vapour recovery system including a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat within the valve body, a valve closure member releasably engageable with the valve seat, a socket portion for receiving a pipe member, a plurality of engagement members configured to be releasably engageable with a portion of a pipe member received in the socket portion for releasably retaining the pipe member in the socket portion, and an actuation member mounted on the valve body. The actuation member includes a recess for receiving each of the engagement members and is displaceable between a first position in which the engagement members are received in the recesses in the actuation member, and a second position in which the actuation member urges the engagement members inwardly towards a deployed configuration in which they engage with and retain a pipe member located in the socket portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving articles to be laundered, the drum comprising at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive capable of operating the drum in a plurality of different drum modes. The drum modes include a mode in which the rotatable drum portions are driven so as to cause relative rotation between them. A controller (100) controls the appliance to perform a plurality of different wash programs, each wash program having an associated drum mode. Each wash program comprises a sequence of stages, with a drum mode being associated with each stage. The drum modes can differ in respect of (a) use (or non-use) of relative rotation between the drum portions (b) the ratio of time that the drum portions rotate compared to the time that they are at rest, and (c) the speed at which the drum portions are rotated. The intensity of a wash program can be varied, inter alia, by varying the length of the wash stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: A laundry appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles to be laundered. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which can rotate the drum portions relative to one another. A controller causes the appliance to perform a laundering cycle which includes a spin cycle in which the drum is rotated at high speed. Before the spin cycle, the controller detects whether there is an imbalance of the load in the drum and, in the event of an imbalance, the controller causes the appliance to redistribute the load by causing the drive rotate the drum portions relative to one another. In the event of a continued imbalance, the controller can repeat the redistribute operation or it can limit the spin speed during the spin cycle.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving articles to be laundered, the drum comprising at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive capable of operating the drum in a plurality of different drum modes. The drum modes include a mode in which the rotatable drum portions are driven so as to cause relative rotation between them. A controller (100) controls the appliance to perform a plurality of different wash programmes, each wash programme having an associated drum mode. Each wash programme comprises a sequence of stages, with a drum mode being associated with each stage. The drum modes can differ in respect of (a) use (or non-use) of relative rotation between the drum portions (b) the ratio of time that the drum portions rotate compared to the time that they are at rest, and (c) the speed at which the drum portions are rotated. The intensity of a wash programme can be varied, inter alia, by varying the length of the wash stage.

Abstract: A water tap has a closure member in the form of a rubber or like cup 34 located in a chamber in carrier 32. The base of the cup extends across the port 28 which is to be closed when the tap is in "off" condition and the base of the cup has a hole 38 registered with the port in that off condition. Hence water can flow into the cup and the water pressure in the cup acts to hold the cup on the seat whereas pressure in the port acts against the base of the cup in the opposite direction but on a smaller area of cup. Hence the higher the water pressure the better the seal.

Abstract: A mixing tap for a kitchen sink or like comprises a functional assembly of water ways in a body with control valves enclosed in a shroud for aesthetic considerations. The shroud is generally tubular with a second part and these two parts meet about an axis of the control valve normal to the axis of the spouts 22 so that a seamless smooth exterior can be provided on the spout.