Abstract: A method for controlling the spin cycle in an automatic clothes washer. The clothes washer comprises an imperforate tub, a perforate basket located within the tub, a bearing assembly carried by the tub, a drive shaft rotationally supported in the bearing assembly and coupled to the basket to define a rotational axis of the basket, a drive assembly rotating the drive shaft, and a controller operably to the drive assembly, with the controller controlling the drive mechanism to control the spin rate of the basket according to a spin cycle. The method comprises sensing a moment acting on the bearing, and controlling the spin rate of the basket in response to the sensed moment.

Abstract: A method of determining an imbalance condition in a horizontal axis washing machine comprises several steps, including establishing a speed profile for the washing machine, having at least three increasing speed steps, operating a motor to rotate the washing machine drum sequentially through the three speed steps, measuring the power output of the motor at each speed step, calculating an average power output by averaging the power output at the first and second speed steps, calculating the difference between the power output at the third step and the average power output, comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference value, and sending a signal indicative of an imbalance condition if the difference exceeds the threshold difference value.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine capable of washing with both a toroidal and inverse toroidal washing motion.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant. The delivery tool preferably has an implant holder with a pair of flexible opposed arms extending from a base, separated so that the implant can fit between the arms. Optionally, the implant holder may have a breakable release band extending around the implant to hold it in place until a weak link in the release band is intentionally broken during implantation.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. The transverse faces have a central region with three-dimensional features thereon and an anterior platform region lying along an anterior margin of the transverse faces. The faces defining the ends of the solid body include a convexly curved anterior face and a posterior face. The solid body is made of a biocompatible synthetic material. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant.

Abstract: A venturi structure mounted in an upper portion of the front door of the drying chamber of an apparatus, such as a dishwasher, arranged to provide both mixing of dry ambient air with moist air being delivered from the drying chamber, and the provision of a barrier layer juxtaposed to at least one surface portion of the mixed dry air and moist air discharge stream to provide further reduction in potential condensation of moisture from the drying chamber by the air stream impinging on cool surfaces exteriorly adjacent the drying chamber door.