Abstract: A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system includes a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein and a one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator is coupled to the condenser. A fan is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine has a pulsator and a spurting apparatus for spurting washing water upwardly from the center of the pulsator, so as to disperse laundry gathered thereabove. The spurting apparatus has at least one guide duct and a spurt cap. The guide duct is fixed to an underside of the pulsator so as to rotate together with the pulsator. The washing water is introduced into a radially outer end of the guide duct and guided toward the center of the pulsator. The spurt cap disposed at the center of the pulsator guides the washing water upwardly. A filter is disposed at an inlet of the duct for filtering-out impurities from washing water entering the duct.

Abstract: Now discovered that a resonance rotating wave sustained by a rotating fluid jet can achieve a high level of agitation as required in washing devices. The rotating fluid wave is created by one or more constant flow rotating fluid jets that are rotating at a speed near the natural frequency of a wave in the washing chamber. The rotating fluid jets are produced by a pump mounted within a rotating nozzle housing within the main washing container. The nozzle housing with pump, flow passages and nozzles is rotated to produce the rotating fluid jets. Since only rotational motion is used to produce agitation with the resonant wave-jet agitator washing machine the mechanical components are greatly simplified as compared to a conventional oscillating motion washing machine.

Abstract: A lint strainer for removing the lint from the exit hose of a washing machine before the lint can enter the drain of the residence or other structure in which the washing machine is located. The lint strainer has a flexible fabric mesh strainer tube having an open end and a closed end. A polymeric ring is affixed to the open end, and the polymeric ring is larger than the opening of the drain pipe which conducts the waste away from the washing machine.

Abstract: A flow-intensifier for use in an upright automatic clothes washing machine includes a weight disposed intermediate the washer agitator and the washer drum, non-extendible elongate connectors operatively connected at one end to the agitator for movement therewith and at the other end to the weight for movement therewith, and a redirecting guide traversed by the connector and operatively connected to the drum for movement therewith so that reciprocal relative rotation of the agitator and the drum causes a corresponding reciprocal vertical movement of the weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines, and more particularly to an improved structure in such machines for affecting the washing of very small loads of clothing in a high detergent concentration. The clothes washing machine has wash, rinse and spin extraction operations including an outer imperforate tub, an agitator, a first basket within the tub, a second smaller basket disposed within the first basket and positioned on the agitator for movement therewith. There is also a water supply for feeding water into the machine, drive system for operating the agitator to effect washing of clothes and for rotating the basket to centrifugally extract water from the clothes. Water is allowed to flow from the basket to the tub and then recirculated through a filter and into the baskets. The recirculation system is controlled wherein only a predetermined volume of water is transferred from the outer tub to the small basket by the recirculation system.

Abstract: A control system for a washing machine having an aspirator connected to the discharge side of the inlet valve. The aspirator vacuum port provides a vacuum signal through a one-way valve to a vacuum reservoir which supplies a vacuum signal via a control valve to one or more vacuum responsive diaphragm actuators. The force output of the actuators is employed for auxiliary machine functions such as direct mechanical actuation of the drain valve or operating the recirculation pump motor start switch.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator through a venturi to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid upwardly in both directions of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion is provided with a filter means for treating the pumped wash liquid.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid in both directions of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion has a chamber in which can be placed wash liquid treatment means such as a filter.

Abstract: A filter for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine mounted on the exterior of a two section separable agitator and which projects into a fluid flow path. The exterior section is easily removable, cleanable and replaceable. The filter is formed as a double cone with inlet openings on one side and a foraminous filter surface on the other side.

Abstract: A vane shape for producing optimum washing action in vertical axis clothes washing machines including vanes located in the bottom of the tub or basket and shaped with radially canted edges which cause the fabric articles to be pulled and slid outwardly as the edge is rotated into the articles to establish a toroidal circulation within the tub. In a preferred embodiment, an oscillated agitator is provided with a series of vane pairs joined at the lower side to form a V-shaped trough with either upper edge of the vane pairs inclined to produce a net outward movement of the washed articles by alternate engagement with a respective upper edge of either vane blades upon alternate rotation into the load. The vane shapes are either mounted to an oscillating agitator, a rotary impeller, or integrally formed in an oscillating basket.

Abstract: A self-compacting lint filter for a domestic clothes washer is mounted on a rotatable and vertically reciprocal agitator for movement therewith. The filter is in the form of an elongated mesh bag which extends axially into the hollow of the agitator upstanding centerpost. Re-circulating wash water is conveyed to a nozzle which directs the flow with its entrained lint through the mesh bag. The vertical reciprocation of the agitator provides relative motion between the flow and the bag filtering lint from the water while the shaking of the bag causes the bag to fold upon itself to self-clean collected lint from the sidewall of the bag whereby the lint is aggregated into an easily removable wad at the bottom of the bag.

Abstract: A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a chamber. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator and water is percolated upwardly through the resin by a pump to thereby effect hardness reduction by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions from the water. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin may then be regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.

Abstract: A lint filter agitator assembly for an automatic washing machine having a driving member, an agitator secured to the driving member. The agitator has an upper center post, a lower flared base portion, and at least two agitating vanes. There is provided a filter member mounted on the exterior of the agitator in the area of the flared base portion and recessed between the two agitator vanes. The filter member and agitator form a filtering chamber. Washing liquid is circulated through holes provided in the top of the filter member and exits through openings in the bottom of the filter member while any lint carried by the washing liquid is retained within the chamber.

Abstract: A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a torus shaped jacket formed of a closely woven porous, synthetic-fiber fabric. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator such that water will be circulated through the resin to effect a hardness reduction thereof by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin is then regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.