Abstract: During the treatment of the travelling ribbons the guide rollers become dirtied, in particular during dyeing operations, making it necessary to clean the guide rollers, for example during a dye changeover.

Abstract: A compressed video playback system which eliminates playback mode transition artifacts. Transitions between various playback modes are effected in such a manner that transition artifacts are eliminated by delaying playback mode transitions until appropriate frames of data are detected for propagation to the compressed video decoder. In addition, compressed video data retrieval methods are improved for supporting multi-speed playback modes in both forward and reverse directions in an optimal manner.

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.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved washing machine having an outer wash tub adapted to be filled with water to a desired predetermined level. An inner perforated washtub is mounted in a concentrically spaced relationship to said outer wash tub and is adapted to receive the clothes to be washed. A compressor unit is adapted to reciprocate from the top to the bottom of said wash tub to briefly agitate the clothes and then to squeeze the water from them from the inside out.