Abstract: A device for pumping out lye 5 for a washing machine 4 having a washing drum 6, a lye pump 24 and a return flow container 30 arranged in the course of the pumping-out device for filling the drain area in the lye container 2 is to be presented in a cost-effective and easy-to assemble manner. To this end, a lower pumping-out connecting element 25, the return flow tank 30 and an upper pumping-out connecting element 26 is designed in one piece as an at least partially flexible tube 17, which is guided at least partially through a tube holding device 1.

Abstract: Examples of dehumidifying processes for clothes include spinning, extracting the moisture by pressure, or drying the clothes using heat and air. To dehumidify the clothes gently and economically in terms of energy consumption, a method and apparatus for dehumidifying clothes includes bringing the clothes into contact with at least one absorption body of an absorbent material. Advantageously, a rotating absorbent body is used, its sections being continuously alternately brought into contact with an item of clothing and dehumidified by pressing.

Abstract: A cupboard-like washing machine includes a conveyer belt for moving the item to be washed in a cycle during a drying process. The dryer can be embodied as an air circulation dryer or an air evacuation dryer. Moving the item to be washed using the conveyer belt reduced the drying time. A rinsing container that is disposed in the rear wall of the housing is used as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cabinet-shaped washing machine includes a conveyor belt to move laundry goods in circulation, with the laundry goods passing through various successive steps of the laundry cycle. Following the actual washing process, a downstream pre-dehumidification as well as a drying and pressing phase can be realized in the same housing.

Abstract: Instead of desiccating articles of clothing by spinning the articles, the method and apparatus according to the invention removes moisture from these articles by pressing or drying them with the aid of hot air. Desiccation of the clothing articles occurs gently and with a low expenditure of energy by subjecting the articles to the action of at least one gas jet and, in particular, of a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the surface of the article of clothing to exert a force upon the article. Advantageously, the article of clothing is subjected to the action of gas jets on both sides.

Abstract: To improve a smoothing effect on items of clothing by subjecting the items to moisture and heat and, thereby, relaxing the fabric of the clothing items to reduce creases, an apparatus and a method of smoothing includes subjecting the items of clothing, preferably, in a heated and moistened state, to at least one gas jet, in particular, a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the clothing item and which exerts a force on the clothing item. Advantageously, the clothing item is subjected to gas jets from both sides.

Abstract: A sealing device is provided between a bullseye-shaped porthole of a loading door and a housing wall in washing machines or laundry dryers and includes a one-piece, substantially annular sealing collar. The porthole has an edge section, which extends substantially parallel to the plane of the loading door. The sealing device includes, at its end facing the porthole, a head section that is supported by a projection on an edge section of the housing wall limiting the door aperture. Furthermore, the sealing device includes a narrow, substantially annular sealing disk that, with the loading door closed, presses sealingly in the axial direction against the edge section of the porthole.

Abstract: A sealing sleeve seals joints in household appliances, especially the joints between the suds container and the front wall of the housing or the upper part of the suds container and the top frame in washing machines, and can be secured to the appliance by a substantially annular clamping element. The clamping element can be molded into the interior of the section (which can be a beading) of the sealing sleeve to be secured.

Abstract: A washing machine includes therein supports fixing the laundry therein, for example, hanger-like supports, clamping and/or tensioning configurations, or steaming dummies. Once washing has been completed, the laundry is subjected to steam pressure from the inside through the support. The laundry is, thus, pressed and/or ironed.

Abstract: A porthole window includes a circular base section being a viewing glass having a substantially planar inner surface and a border region, and a rigid plastic side-wall section of the bowl tapering in a direction of the base section. The viewing glass, over an entire border region of the base section, is curved in a direction of the side-wall section such that the border region of the base section forms a rounded glass shoulder. On the outer border of the glass shoulder, the viewing glass has an annular connecting section running obliquely in relation to the inner surface of the base section and, at its head end, firmly engages with the inner end of the side-wall section.

Abstract: To improve a smoothing effect on items of clothing by subjecting the items to moisture and heat and, thereby, relaxing the fabric of the clothing items to reduce creases, an apparatus and a method of smoothing includes subjecting the items of clothing, preferably, in a heated and moistened state, to at least one gas jet, in particular, a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the clothing item and which exerts a force on the clothing item. Advantageously, the clothing item is subjected to gas jets from both sides.

Abstract: Instead of desiccating articles of clothing by spinning the articles, the method and apparatus according to the invention removes moisture from these articles by pressing or drying them with the aid of hot air. Desiccation of the clothing articles occurs gently and with a low expenditure of energy by subjecting the articles to the action of at least one gas jet and, in particular, of a compressed air jet, which is not aligned parallel to the surface of the article of clothing to exert a force upon the article. Advantageously, the article of clothing is subjected to the action of gas jets on both sides.

Abstract: A cabinet-shaped washing machine includes a conveyor belt to move laundry goods in circulation, with the laundry goods passing through various successive steps of the laundry cycle. Following the actual washing process, a downstream pre-dehumidification as well as a drying and pressing phase can be realized in the same housing.

Abstract: A cupboard-like washing machine includes a conveyer belt for moving the item to be washed in a cycle during a drying process. The dryer can be embodied as an air circulation dryer or an air evacuation dryer. Moving the item to be washed using the conveyer belt reduced the drying time. A rinsing container that is disposed in the rear wall of the housing is used as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Examples of dehumidifying processes for clothes include spinning, extracting the moisture by pressure, or drying the clothes using heat and air. To dehumidify the clothes gently and economically in terms of energy consumption, a method and apparatus for dehumidifying clothes includes bringing the clothes into contact with at least one absorption body of an absorbent material. Advantageously, a rotating absorbent body is used, its sections being continuously alternately brought into contact with an item of clothing and dehumidified by pressing.

Abstract: A sealing device is provided between a bullseye-shaped porthole of a loading door and a housing wall in washing machines or laundry dryers and includes a one-piece, substantially annular sealing collar. The porthole has an edge section, which extends substantially parallel to the plane of the loading door. The sealing device includes, at its end facing the porthole, a head section that is supported by a projection on an edge section of the housing wall limiting the door aperture. Furthermore, the sealing device includes a narrow, substantially annular sealing disk that, with the loading door closed, presses sealingly in the axial direction against the edge section of the porthole.

Abstract: A porthole window includes a circular base section being a viewing glass having a substantially planar inner surface and a border region, and a rigid plastic side-wall section of the bowl tapering in a direction of the base section. The viewing glass, over an entire border region of the base section, is curved in a direction of the side-wall section such that the border region of the base section forms a rounded glass shoulder. On the outer border of the glass shoulder, the viewing glass has an annular connecting section running obliquely in relation to the inner surface of the base section and, at its head end, firmly engages with the inner end of the side-wall section.

Abstract: A sealing sleeve seals joints in household appliances, especially the joints between the suds container and the front wall of the housing or the upper part of the suds container and the top frame in washing machines, and can be secured to the appliance by a substantially annular clamping element. The clamping element can be molded into the interior of the section (which can be a beading) of the sealing sleeve to be secured.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a detergent dispenser having at least one fresh-water connection, a free air course disposed downstream of the at least one fresh-water connection, and a detergent chamber. A water guide conduit supplies fresh water to the detergent chamber. A fresh-water diversion line is connected to the water guide conduit downstream of the free air course.

Abstract: The fluid line between a drain opening at the bottom of the tub and an opening located at a higher level in the tub includes a line segment, which serves solely to keep the washwater in the tub in circulation between the upper opening and the drain opening. The line also has a solid pipe segment with a transparent region, at the wall of which a sensor is mounted that responds to the turbidity of the washwater. The sensor has an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The sensor elements are built into a forked housing so as to securely mount and protect the sensor from the severe shaking during spin cycles. The forked housing embraces the pipe segment and the housing is adapted to the outer shape of the pipe segment at the faces which are in contact with the transparent region.