Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub, a water supply part, a drum rotatably located in the tub and including a drum floor surface located on an opposite side of a drum opening, a rotator rotatably located on the drum floor surface within the drum, the rotator including a bottom portion located on the drum floor surface, a pillar protruding from the bottom portion toward the drum opening, and a blade provided to an outer circumferential surface of the pillar, and a spray device connected to the water supply part to spray water supplied from the water supply part into the drum through the drum opening by avoiding the pillar and the blade.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum, a balancer, and a coupling part. The tub defines a tub opening, and the drum includes a body rotatably disposed in the tub and defines a drum opening configured to communicate with the tub opening. The balancer includes a housing having in a ring shape and defining a circulation passage configured to circulate fluid circulate along a circumference of the housing and a housing through-hole configured to communicate with the drum and tub openings. The balancer further includes a fastening part arranged along a circumferential surface of the housing and coupled to the body. The coupling part is disposed at an upper end of the body, coupled to the fastening part along an outer circumferential surface of the fastening part, and curved or bent toward a central of the housing.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and an annular balance rings defining an annular chamber within, coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. The basket can further comprise a pair of walls comprising a perforated inner wrapper and an outer wall defining a space therebetween. The space fluidly couples to the annular chamber, permitting liquid to flow from the treating chamber, into the space and into the annular chamber to provide a restoring force to the system. The annular balance ring can further comprise a plurality of passages, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the annular chamber.

Abstract: A drum-type washing machine includes an outer tub disposed inside a machine housing a drum disposed in the outer tub and capable of rotating about an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal direction as a center; a rotating body disposed in the drum and having a protruding portion on the surface; a driving portion including a driving motor and is configured to transmit a torque of the driving motor to the drum and the rotor so as to rotate the drum and the rotating body at different rotation speeds; and a controlling portion for controlling an operation of the driving portion. The controlling portion is configured to perform a reduction control for reducing a load when a magnitude of the load applied to the rotating body exceeds a predetermined magnitude in a washing process and/or a rinsing process.

Abstract: A drum washing machine, including: a driving part, capable of operating in a uniaxial driving form and a biaxial driving form; a heater configured to heat water stored in the outer drum for washing; and a control part which at least performs washing operation of a first washing mode and a second washing mode. In a washing process of the first washing mode, the control part enables the driving part to operate in the uniaxial driving form and also enables the heater to operate. Further, in a washing process of the second washing mode, the control part enables the driving part to operate in the biaxial driving form and also enables the heater to operate in such a manner that heat applied to the water is reduced compared with the first washing mode.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a receptacle for items to be washed and a lifting device which is configured to lift the receptacle for items to be washed from a starting position into an end position or to lower it from the end position into the starting position. The lifting device has an electrical drive device which is arranged on a dishwasher cavity or on a base support of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A frequency-variable hand rubbed-type motor speed reduction clutch apparatus, and a washing machine. The clutch apparatus includes: an input shaft (5) connected to a motor rotor (1); a dehydration shaft (18); and a clutch apparatus housing (8) in which the input shaft (5) and the dehydration shaft (18) are mounted. A braking wheel (12) and a braking belt (15) fitted to the braking wheel (12) are disposed on the dehydration shaft (18). A dehydration shaft sleeve (20) rotating together with the input shaft (5) is mounted on the input shaft (5). A clutch shaft sleeve (3) sliding up and down, and engaging with or separated from the dehydration shaft sleeve (20) is mounted on the dehydration shaft (18). The braking belt (15) and the clutch shaft sleeve (3) are separately connected to a traction motor (11) by means of a control apparatus.

Abstract: A casing defines an external appearance of a laundry treatment apparatus. The casing has a through-hole and an outer tub placed within the casing. The outer tub is configured to receive wash water therein, and a hose extends outward through the through-hole. The hose serves to outwardly discharge the wash water received in the outer tub. A connector comprises a pair of pivotally movable parts connected to each other to tighten the hose and to secure the hose to the through-hole.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet; a tub which is disposed in the cabinet and in which washing water is stored; a rotating tub that is disposed in the tub and accommodates laundry; a spray unit configured to spray washing water into the rotating tub; and a fixing unit to which at least a portion of the spray unit is coupled and which includes a mounting structure provided at at least a portion of a circumferential direction of the fixing unit so as to fix the spray unit. The mounting structure in which a spray unit can be fixed by a fixing unit provides that movement of the spray unit can be prevented when a washing machine operates and the spray unit can be assembled in a desired position of the washing machine.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with an cylindrical wall, and a cover at one or both ends. The cover has an annular groove formed by a first, second, and third walls. A fourth wall extends from the second wall. A first land is secured to the third wall and a second land is secured to the fourth wall. An adjoining piece has an adjoining wall that is attached to and extends between the first and second lands. A hollow space is bounded by the adjoining wall and the second and third walls. A movable mass is disposed in the space.

Abstract: A clothes treating system includes a treating chamber for receiving clothes and a treating fluid therein, and a piston having a piston head. The piston can be adapted for reciprocating linear motion. Reciprocating motion of the piston head within the chamber agitates the clothes. An inner false wall can be contained within the chamber, and can have a corrugated surface providing frictional agitation of the clothes as the clothes are moved against the corrugated surface by the reciprocal motion of the piston head.

Abstract: A washing machine is presented. The washing machine is designed to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed. The washing machine comprises a cabinet having a back plate that separate the housing into a first chamber and second chamber. A drum is disposed within the first chamber and rotatably mounted to a first axle that extend through the back plate. Disposed within the drum is an agitator that is rotatably mounted to a second axle that also extends through the back plate. At least motor is connected to the first and second axle and in operation the drum and agitator rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a cabinet, a static wash tub fixed in position relative to the cabinet, a wash basket mounted within the wash tub for rotation about a vertical axis and having at least one drain hole, a drive motor within the cabinet for rotating the wash basket, a catch basin fixed to the wash tub and spaced from the drive motor, a recirculation pump, and a closure between the drive motor and the catch basin.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to a cycle of operation, includes a container rotatable about a rotational axis and having a peripheral wall, a plurality of arranged embossments, and a plurality of arranged holes, wherein the plurality of embossments may be oriented at an angle to both of the rotational axis and the plurality of arranged holes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine including an air storage unit. configured to store air therein; a compression unit configured to communicate with the air storage unit and the outer tub, and to compress the air in the air storage unit by compressing water from an outer tub of the washing machine; and a water spraying tube connected to the compression unit and the tub cover. Further, the washing machine includes an opening and closing unit configured to open and close a flow path of the water spraying tube, wherein the opening and closing unit is configured to cause the water to be sprayed into an inner tub using compressed air from the air storage unit.

Abstract: Provided is a motor for a washing machine including: an inner rotor connected to a dehydrating tub rotating shaft and rotated together; an outer rotor connected to a pulsator rotating shaft and rotated together; and a double stator having a first coil arranged to leave a gap between the inner rotor and the outer rotor and which interacts with the outer rotor, to thereby form a first magnetic circuit and a second coil which interacts with the inner rotor to thereby form a second magnetic circuit, in which a first drive signal is applied to the first coil and a second drive signal different from the first drive signal is applied to the second coil.

Abstract: An impulse type shock wave flash dyeing machine is disclosed. A row of joint nozzles can send out high-speed air flows to prompt fibrous fabric to spread out and move in the dyeing machine through the effect of impulse. Dyes or processing agents may be converted into fine mist and is carried by the high-speed air flows to blast the fibrous fabric (3). Therefore, the dyes or processing agents can enter the fibrous fabric (3) quickly and can diffuse or spread out in the fibrous fabric (3) swiftly through strong elastic and inelastic collisions as well as the effect of shock wave. Such collisions and effect can impart enough energy to the dyes or processing agents and convert non-activated molecules into activated molecules. In addition, the effect of corona discharge may be used to generate high-energy particles and hence the goals of clean and swift processes may be achieved.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance may include a drum and an impeller. The impeller may have a raised center, a bottom plate, a transition region between the bottom plate and the raised center, a center post extending upward from the raised center, and a plurality of radial protrusions extending along the raised center, the bottom plate, and the transition region.

Abstract: A washing machine provided with a balancing device which may suppress variation in horizontal vibration of a spin basket without performing control operation. The balancing device includes a ring-shaped casing installed to be concentric with the spin basket, and a plurality of the balancing balls and a viscous fluid. A ring-shaped ball accommodation portion, a fluid accommodation portion provided at a lower inner side of the ball accommodation portion in a radial direction of the ball accommodation portion, and a communication channel are formed in the casing. The fluid accommodation portion is provided at a portion of the casing along a circumferential direction of the casing. A bottom surface of the ball accommodation portion is inclined downward such that the balancing balls gather at the opposite position facing the fluid accommodation portion when rotation of the spin basket is stopped.

Abstract: A washing machine contains a wash tub, an impeller and a motor. Clothing is put into the tub and the load is detected. Water is added until the water level is below or equal to the load height. To begin washing, the impeller drives the clothing to overturn, resulting in generating three types of water flows: agitating flow, enhancing flow and balancing flow. At first, the agitating flow breaks the balance of the load to disperse clothing, then the enhancing flow overturns clothing for washing. Finally, the balancing flow maintains the circulation path for the load balance overturning. Single sequential control or repeatedly alternating cycle control of the three types of water flows can be adopted for washing. The invention can save water, improve washing efficiency and avoid intertwining of clothing, characterized by full-range, thorough, repeated and efficient washing.

Abstract: A washing machine comprising a cabinet including an outer frame defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part may have a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a length of another gap. Accordingly, the drum may be stably rotated without collision with the frame in a dehydration process.

Abstract: A washing machine having a structure in which a drum can stably rotate. The washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer frame that constitutes an exterior, an inner frame connected to an inner side of the outer frame, and a lower frame coupled to a lower part of the outer frame; a drum rotatably disposed in the inner frame; a base plate coupled to a lower part of the drum; a driving unit coupled to the base plate and driving the drum; and a damping apparatus that connects the base plate and the lower frame so as to absorb vibration occurring while the drum rotates.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed within the cabinet, to store wash water, a rotating tub rotatably disposed within the tub, a pulsator rotatably disposed within the rotating tub, a motor disposed beneath the tub, to provide power for rotation of the rotating tub and the pulsator, and a clutch assembly disposed between the motor and the rotating tub. The clutch assembly includes a clutch coupling movable vertically between upper and lower positions to transmit the power from the motor to at least one of the rotating tub and the pulsator, a coupling lever movable pivotally to vertically move the clutch coupling, and a clutch lever movable pivotally and operatively connected to the coupling lever to pivotally move the coupling lever.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a top-loading washer drive system. The system includes a mounting plate connecting to the body of the washer, a driving pulley, a main shaft assembly fastened to the washer agitator, a sleeve shaft assembly fastened to the washer basket, a clutch, and a brake module. The lower part of main shaft assembly is connecting to the driving pulley. The sleeve shaft assembly and main shaft assembly are coaxially arranged and can rotate with respect to each other. The lower end of the sleeve shaft assembly is connected with driving pulley through the clutch. The main shaft assembly includes an input shaft at one end and an output shaft at the other end. A planetary gear module and an oscillating drive output module are configured between the input shaft and the output shaft. The braking module includes a cone-shaped brake unit and a braking control unit.

Abstract: A tub and a washing machine having the same which omit an air chamber cap, thereby reducing production costs and decreasing the number of water leakage points. The tub of the washing machine includes a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub to form an air chamber at one side of the lower portion of the tub, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to discharge wash water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lid or a door for a washing machine and, more particularly, to a door that provides magnification of the interior of the washing machine. The door provides a magnified view of the washing chamber of the appliance to improve consumer perception of the capacity of the washing chamber while also allowing the consumer to view the washing chamber when the machine is operating.

Abstract: A washing machine having a structure which stably supports a hose or a wire used in the washing machine to prevent sagging or movement of the hose or the wire. The washing machine includes a main body, a spin basket disposed within the main body, an upper cover connected to the upper portion of the main body, a detergent box connected to the bottom surface of the upper cover to supply detergent to the inside of the spin basket, a water supply valve connected to the rear end of the upper cover, a water supply hose connecting the water supply valve to the detergent box, and a support bracket connected to the bottom surface of the upper cover to support the water supply hose so as to prevent sagging of the water supply hose.

Abstract: A rolling mode washing method using pulsator and a washing machine using the method are disclosed. The method performs several times of lifting and dropping laundries with ribs on the two slantedly arranged pulsators, and then repeating the above process in different direction. A side auxiliary force is provided to the laundries by at least one pulsator during washing. The exchange of inner and outer laundries is significantly enhanced such that the detergency of laundries is significantly enhanced due to performing the washing process of multi-direction rolling. A rolling effect which is better than that of a drum washing machine can be achieved in an upright tub washing machine. Meanwhile, because the balance mode of upright tub washing machine is adopted, the difficulties of balance control in high speed of rotation are significantly decreased.

Abstract: An impulse type shock wave flash dyeing machine is disclosed. A row of joint nozzles can send out high-speed air flows to prompt fibrous fabric to spread out and move in the dyeing machine through the effect of impulse. Dyes or processing agents may be converted into fine mist and is carried by the high-speed air flows to blast the fibrous fabric (3). Therefore, the dyes or processing agents can enter the fibrous fabric (3) quickly and can diffuse or spread out in the fibrous fabric (3) swiftly through strong elastic and inelastic collisions as well as the effect of shock wave. Such collisions and effect can impart enough energy to the dyes or processing agents and convert non-activated molecules into activated molecules. In addition, the effect of corona discharge may be used to generate high-energy particles and hence the goals of clean and swift processes may be achieved.

Abstract: A suspension for a drum type washing machine includes a cylinder, a magnetic field generator fixed in the cylinder and generating a magnetic field in a variable manner, a pair of magnetic members located at both axial sides of the generator respectively, a shaft supported so as to be axially reciprocable relatively between the generator and the magnetic member and so as to extend through the generator and the magnetic member, a smart fluid including a magneto-rheological fluid filling a first space defined between the shaft and the magnetic field generator and a second space defined between the shaft and the magnetic members and located near the first space, and a sealing member which is fixed in the cylinder so as to be located below the generator and is in close contact with a periphery of the shaft thereby to prevent leak of the smart fluid.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub with a tub ring and a drum located within the tub having a balance ring. The tub ring may extend radially inward and be spaced above the balance ring. The tub ring and balance ring may have an angled portion to provide for a generally constant space between the tub ring and balance ring during rotation of the drum within the tub.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a dehydrating tub which is rotatably mounted, a pulsator which is rotatably mounted in the dehydrating tub, a motor which rotates the dehydrating tub and the pulsator, a washing shaft which transmits a rotational force of the motor to the pulsator, a dehydrating shaft which intermittently transmits the rotational force of the washing shaft to the dehydrating shaft, and a power transmission device which is moved according to rotation of the washing shaft.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes a wash basin having a plurality of apertures and an annular liquid reservoir formed at an upper portion of the basin. A plurality of flow channels are arranged around the exterior surface of the wash basin. The plurality of flow channels includes upward flow channels, configured for directing wash liquid extracted from the wash basin into the reservoir under centrifugal force generated in a spin cycle. The plurality of flow channels also includes downward flow channels configured for directing wash liquid from the reservoir to a central drain following the spin cycle. The arrangement avoids the need for an outer wash tub, and at the same time provides stabilization to the wash basin during high speed spins. In another aspect, the wash basin may include wash action ramps provided on a bottom surface of the wash basin and at an upper sidewall of the wash basin.

Abstract: A laundry machine configured to supply a first amount of water to the wash tub wherein a wash plate can be oscillated such that clothes items directly above and in contact with the impeller are frictionally dragged in a oscillatory manner with the wash chamber while continuing to oscillate said wash plate, an additional supply of water is added to said wash tub such that as cloth items lost frictional engagement with the wash plate, the cloth items continue to move along an inverse toroidal rollover path at higher water levels.

Abstract: A pulsator device that generates a composite stream of water to improve performance of a washing machine. The pulsator device includes a first pulsator configured to be rotated about a rotary shaft, a shaft connected to the first pulsator such that the shaft is rotated with the first pulsator, the shaft being eccentric with respect to the rotary shaft, and a second pulsator rotatably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: The laundry treating machine includes a silencer for covering the upper space over the drain hole, whereby the upper space over the drain hole is always filled with washing water and the generation of a vortex is prevented. Thus, abnormal noise during drainage is prevented, thereby contributing to a quiet operation of the washing machine and improving consumer trust.

Abstract: In a washing machine according to the present invention, if a washing step is ended, a distribution step that the inner tub containing the washing water is rotated in one direction and fabrics is distributed to a side wall of the inner tub and the washing water is discharged to outside is performed. Because a fabric is evenly distributed in the distribution step, a dehydration step can be performed without carrying out a separate procedure for avoiding unbalance. Therefore, energy such as washing time and power used during the operation of the washing machine and amount of water used can be saved. Also, since a washing machine according to the present invention rotates the inner tub not only during the distribution step but also during the hydration step afterwards, operation of a clutch used to selectively rotate the pulsator and the inner tub at the time of entering to the dehydration step from the distribution step is not required.

Abstract: An automatic clothes washer having a clothes trap for reducing the likelihood that an article of clothing can escape from a wash basket during the spinning of the basket.

Abstract: A washing machine includes: a cabinet forming an external appearance; an outer tub hanging within the cabinet and having an open upper portion allowing the clothes to enter therethrough, and allowing washing water to be put therein; and an inner tub disposed within the outer tub and rotating based on a vertical shaft, wherein the outer tub includes: a base through which a driving shaft rotating the inner tub; and a side wall part extending upward from the base to form a side wall of the outer tub and having a lower portion thicker than an upper portion thereof. The increase in weight according to an increase in capacity can be reduced and a loss of rigidity can be to minimized. Also, because the center of gravity is removed to a lower side, stability with respect to vibrations can be obtained.

Abstract: A pulley electric motor for a washing machine, comprising a stator, a rotor, electronic power circuitry for actuating the rotor, and electronic control circuitry for controlling both the electronic power circuitry to control movement of the rotor and a discharge electric pump of the washing machine. An actuation system for a washing machine is also described, comprising a pulley electric motor for the actuation of a washing drum and a discharge electric pump for discharging water, controlled by the electronic control circuitry, the pulley electric motor equipped with electronic control circuitry which also controls the discharge electric pump. Also described is a washing machine comprising a housing body for a rotary washing drum, a pulley electric motor connected to the drum through a kinematic belt/pulley coupling, a discharge electric pump, and electronic control circuitry for controlling the pulley electric motor. The electronic control circuitry also controls the discharge electric pump.

Abstract: A washing machine, with an unusually easy assembly, having an electric motor with a central axis and a washing tank having a fixing bracket, to fix the electric motor to the tank. The fixing bracket includes a first arm and a second arm. The machine has structure associated with at least one of the first and second arms to lock the central axis of the motor. The insertion of the central axis in the arm and the locking thereof are shown in different embodiments.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.

Abstract: A motor having a stator and a rotor is provided as a direct drive for a laundry treatment appliance. The stator of the motor is preferably centered by a preferably cylindrical or conical protuberance in a bearing hole in a bearing spider or a rear wall of a tub of the laundry treatment appliance. The stator may have lugs on pole insulation which guide the rotor during installation, so that permanent-magnet poles of the rotor cannot strike soft-magnetic poles of the stator. A method for installation of the motor is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a wash tub and a wash plate movably mounted within the wash tub for imparting mechanical energy to articles of fabric in the wash tub. The wash plate comprises a base and a blade that extends from the base and terminates in a tip. According to the invention, at least the tip of the blade is formed by an insert. The insert is made from a relatively hard and wear resistant material that is different than the material of the impeller body. As a result, the wear resistance and performance of the impeller is improved without significantly increasing the overall cost of the impeller.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism suitable to be used in a washing machine for creating dual-direction driving comprises a drive power input end and two drive power output ends, in which one of drive power output ends is connected to an agitator shaft (10) to drive the agitator shaft rotating in a first direction; while the other of drive power output ends is connected with an inner basket shaft (11) to drive the inner basket shaft rotating in a second direction opposed to the first direction. A washing machine for creating dual-direction washing and a washing method for creating dual-direction washing in a washing machine are disclosed in the present invention. Furthermore, an agitator and an inner basket suitable to be used in the washing machine are disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: A drum-type washing machine including a rotatable pulsator. The drum-type washing machine includes a water tub to contain water therein. A rotary drum is included in the water tub and rotating in alternating directions to hold laundry located in the rotary drum to be washed. A pulsator is rotatably mounted to a predetermined position of the rotary drum. A rotation guide unit rotates the pulsator by a rotating force of the rotary drum. The pulsator mounted to the rotary drum increases a physical force applied to laundry, thus enhancing a washing effect.

Abstract: A washing machine with a wobbling unit including a washing plate which wobbles in a vertical direction without rotating, thus washing laundry. The wobbling unit further includes a vertical rotating shaft rotating by a washing shaft and an inclined rotating shaft provided at a predetermined position above the vertical rotating shaft. A first rotary member allows the vertical rotating shaft to rotate along with the inclined rotating shaft. A second rotary member rotatably receives the inclined rotating shaft therein. The wobbling unit also includes a projecting pin, a wobbling pin, and a leveling pin to control positions of the first and second rotary members. A position of the washing plate is changed to a level position or a wobbling position by an operation of the pins. Further, a clutch is mounted to the second rotary member so that the position of the washing plate is securely changed to a desired position.

Abstract: A basket for a washing machine includes a body comprising an outer wall and at least one rib extending radially inward from said wall, said rib comprising at least a first portion having a first cross section and a second portion having a second cross section, said second cross section different from said first cross section.

Abstract: A wobble joint particularly useful for supporting a wash plate in a wash basket of an automatic washing appliance includes inner and outer races formed with mating part-spherical surfaces having common centers of curvature about a longitudinal axis of the joint. Anti-rotation structure acts between the inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation of the races about the longitudinal axis, and cooperates with the part-spherical surfaces to restrict the races to two degrees of tilting movement about respective tilt axes disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to one another, such that one of the races is thereby supported for wobbling movement relative to the other of the races. In a washing appliance application, the wash plate is fixed to the outer race and wobbles relative to the inner race.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wobbling washing machine which performs a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a disentangling operation by wobbling a washing plate. The disentangling operation includes wobbling the washing plate at a speed higher than a wobbling speed of the washing plate for performing the washing or rinsing operation. The method allows a load of laundry to be effectively disentangled by a wobbling action of the washing plate at a motor's rotating speed which is preset to be higher than the motor's rotating speed at the washing or rinsing operation. The method further includes performing the disentangling operation before and after each of a first spin-drying operation and a final spin-drying operation to further minimize tangling of the laundry.