Abstract: A reciprocating mixer for mixing liquids comprises a mixing shaft supporting a mixing head. A reciprocating drive assembly is connectable to the shaft and comprises a reciprocating fluidically powered actuator having a vertically reciprocating drive shaft coupled to the mixing shaft, a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input. A fluidic control valve is connected to the first and second fluidic inputs of the actuator. A fluidic pump has a fluidic output connected to the fluidic input of the control valve. A control unit has a communication interface connected to the communication port of the fluidic control valve and the control input the fluidic pump. In use, the fluidic pump and the fluidic control valve are operated by the control unit to provide for a downward motion cycle portion and an upward motion cycle portion that impart the vertically reciprocating movement to the mixing head.

Abstract: A non-aqueous laundering machine for laundering fabric with a non-aqueous wash liquor and a select rinse fluid. The non-aqueous laundering machine includes a container for a fabric load and means for the controlled application of a non-aqueous wash liquor to the fabric load, the removal of part of the non-aqueous wash liquor from the fabric load, and application of a select rinse fluid to the fabric load as well as means for applying mechanical energy to the fabric load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washing machine or a washer-dryer with a drum (3) mounted in a suds basin (2) for horizontal or inclined rotation and having a cylindrical wall (3.1) and to cover plates (3.2; 3.3), the cylindrical wall (3.1) or one of the cover plates (3.2; 3.3) being provided with a removal opening and the cylindrical wall (3.1) being made in part or completely from sheet metal provided with a texturized bulges facing the interior of the drum. In order to provide for an optimally gentle laundry treatment at the same time as good visual appearance and complete exhaustion of residual water the holes (16) in the cylindrical wall (3.1) are disposed on the outwardly facing marginal contours (17.1) of the bulges>alternatively, the holes (16) may be disposed in sections (3.5, 3.6) of the cylindrical wall (3.1) formed without bulge texturization.

Abstract: A unit for automatically cleaning items such as laundry or the like comprises a plurality of reciprocating plungers mounted to engage the items within a tank containing the items and a cleaning liquid. Each plunger comprises a piston mounted within a canister. The piston is mounted within the canister in an arrangement which permits a limited relative movement between the piston and canister, thus developing a bi-directional pumping action. With each stroke of the plunger, the piston forces liquid through the items to be cleaned, first in one direction and then the other, by virtue of the limited movement of the piston relative to the canister, the latter serving to assist in holding the items to be cleaned in a position for encountering the liquid being driven by the piston. The combined rotary reciprocating action of the plungers not only serves to clean the items in the tank but also to slowly propel them from the inlet to the outlet end of the tank so that a continuous cleaning process is performed.