Abstract: A washer and dryer combination is provided including a housing having a fixed casing and a rotating basin rotatably mounted within the fixed casing. Also included is a rotation motor for rotating the rotating basin upon the actuation thereof, a hot air generation assembly for delivering hot air in the rotating basin upon the actuation thereof, an exhaust mechanism for expelling air from the rotating basin, a water delivery assembly for allowing the flow of water into the rotating basin upon the actuation thereof, and a water expelling mechanism including a pump for pumping water from the rotating basin upon the actuation thereof. Next provided is a control panel including a keypad and a display for selectively actuating the rotation motor, the hot air generation assembly, the water delivery assembly, and the pump of the water expelling mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for separating water from a solvent during dry cleaning. Included is an inlet capable of receiving a mixture of dry cleaning fluid and water from a basket of a dry cleaning apparatus. The dry cleaning fluid includes a siloxane composition. Also provided is a flow controller for urging a flow of the mixture received from the outlet. Coupled to the flow controller is a coalescent media that receives the mixture urged by the flow controller. A chamber is coupled to the coalescent media for receiving the mixture from the coalescent media to separate the water and the dry cleaning fluid. Also coupled to the chamber is an outlet to remove the dry cleaning fluid from the chamber in the absence of the water.

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 drum type drying/washing machine performs drying without the flow of cooling water during a predetermined period of time or a period of time determined in accordance with an amount of clothes. After the passage of the period of time, the machine starts the flow of the cooling water so as to perform drying with cooling-dehumidication. The drum type drying/washing machine, at the initial stage of the drying operation, also performs not only the heating of clothing, but also the rotating of a drum at a high speed to dehydrate the clothing. A drum type drying/washing machine rotates a drum at an almost a maximum rotational rate at which, in a low speed rotation, materials to be processed can roll over in the drum; or at a rotational rate above which, in the low speed rotation, the materials to be processed as a whole stick to the inner peripheral wall of the drum. Further, the drum is accelerated to a high speed rotation only when an output from an unbalance detecting device is a predetermined level or less.

Abstract: A combined laundry washing/drying machine wherein the washing and drying means are mounted within a pivoting subassembly. In the washing mode the laundry is washed within a basket oriented vertically. In the drying mode, the pivoting subassembly is moved so that the laundry is tumbled in the basket as it spins on a horizontal axis. The washing mode further employs a perforated washing plate which moves in a reciprocating vertical motion to provide the cleaning action.

Abstract: An improved installation system for a stacked washer and dryer appliance assembly having an exhaust vent and a gas system is provided. The exhaust vent system includes an exhaust bracket extending upwardly from the back of the washer. The exhaust bracket is adapted to be connected to a household exhaust duct, with the exhaust pipe of the dryer being automatically sealingly engaged with the exhaust bracket upon positioning of the dryer on the washer. The gas system includes a gas pipe in the washer, and having a rearward end extending out of the back of the washer for connection to a gas source. The forward end of the gas pipe has a shutoff valve, which is adapted to be connected to a gas line operatively mounted in the dryer. All of the connections for the power, water, exhaust, and gas for the stacked appliances can be quickly and easily made, without having to stand behind the appliance assembly after the dryer is mounted on the washer.

Abstract: A dry cleaning apparatus including a housing having a door and an internal rotatable drum for receiving clothes to be cleaned, a motor and pulley system for rotating the drum, and a heating element having an air circulation blower for heating the clothes in the drum. The dry cleaning apparatus further includes a first hose connected to the housing for supplying pressurized air to the drum, a second hose connected to the housing for supplying water or water vapor to the clothes in the drum, and a third hose and vacuum pump connected to the housing for evacuating air and/or fine particulate matter from the drum.

Abstract: An improved installation system for a stacked washer and dryer appliance assembly having an exhaust vent and a gas system is provided. The exhaust vent system includes an exhaust bracket extending upwardly from the back of the washer. The exhaust bracket is adapted to be connected to a household exhaust duct, with the exhaust pipe of the dryer being automatically sealingly engaged with the exhaust bracket upon positioning of the dryer on the washer. The gas system includes a gas pipe in the washer, and having a rearward end extending out of the back of the washer for connection to a gas source. The forward end of the gas pipe has a shutoff valve, which is adapted to be connected to a gas line operatively mounted in the dryer. All of the connections for the power, water, exhaust, and gas for the stacked appliances can be quickly and easily made, without having to stand behind the appliance assembly after the dryer is mounted on the washer.

Abstract: A new Combination Washer-Drier System for providing a combination washer and drier that can be mounted in various areas of a building, thereby allowing utilization of an existing fixture such as a toilet or a washbasin for supplying water to the present invention and for draining wash water from the present invention. The inventive device includes a power source, a compact combination washer-drier means connected to the power source, a water supplying means connected to the combination washer-drier means, a controller means electronically connected to the combination washer-drier means, an existing fixture such as a toilet or a washbasin connected to the combination washer-drier means, a mounting means securing the combination washer-drier means to a wall, and a draining means engaging the combination washer-drier means draining waste water from the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing/drying machine which can upwardly blow heated air from a bottom of a spin tub to articles placed in the spin tub, thereby improving a drying effect. The washing/drying machine has a housing and an upper frame mounted on an upper portion of the housing. An outer tub for receiving a washing liquid is disposed in the housing. A spin tub, in which an article to be washed is placed, is accommodated in the outer tub. A pulsator for generating a liquid flow in the spin tub is mounted on a lower portion of the spin tub. An air guide, for guiding heated air towards a bottom wall of the outer tub, is attached to an inside wall of the upper frame. The air guide has a blower and a heater therein. A blowing fan is mounted on the lower portion of the spin tub so as to blow out the heated air towards the side wall of spin tub. An air guiding plate is disposed above the blowing fan so as to guide the heated air into the article in the spin tub.

Abstract: A washing/drying machine has a top loading, wash type inner tub which is rotatable about a vertical axis and accommodates clothes during both a washing and drying cycle. The inner tub is positioned within a vertically arranged outer tub which is capable of storing water for the wash cycle. An agitator is provided within the inner tub adjacent to its lower closed end and has an outer diameter close to an inner diameter of the inner tub. A motor is disposed outside of the inner and outer tubs and selectively rotates the agitator in sequential clockwise and counterclockwise motions during the washing cycles. A dryer is disposed outside of and connected to the inner and outer tubs by first and second air passages which direct drying air to a space between the inner and outer tubs, and the open end of the inner tub.

Abstract: A communications channel is provided between a washer and a dryer. When the dryer is drying, a signal is sent to the washer to extend the final spin operation in order to continue to mechanically remove water While the dryer operation continues. Fabric type information and fabric quantity information for a load are provided from the washer to the dryer. This information is used to indicate an estimated drying time for the load and to set the dryer fabric type selection.

Abstract: A rotary washer/extractor for use with textiles and other materials includes a dynamically controlled suspension system for supporting the washer/extractor from a stationary frame to minimize forces exerted onto the frame and transmitted to the floor or other structure supporting the washer/extractor. The suspension system includes a plurality of supports extending between the frame and the washer/extractor at spaced apart locations in relation to the spin axis. At least one of the supports is a variable length member which may be continually adjusted to vary the distance between the frame and the washer/extractor and thereby minimize the forces caused by eccentric masses of textiles and washing fluids contained in the washer/extractor. A force sensor is provided for measuring the force acting between the washer/extractor and the frame.

Abstract: A drum type washing apparatus and a method of processing the wash using the drum type washing apparatus wherein they have a characterizing feature which consists in that the peripheral wall of a rotary drum made of a perforated plate is configured in the form of a wall having a single corrugated portion or a plurality of corrugated portions which do not intersect the direction of centrifugal force generated by rotation of the rotary drum at right angles. Further, they have other characterizing features which consist in that the apparatus is provided with a liquid injecting nozzle and/or a gas blowing nozzle and/or a hot air blowing nozzle for allowing liquid and/or gas and/or hot air to be injected and/or blown into the interior of the rotary drum whereby a period of time required for performing steps of washing, dewatering and drying the wash in the rotary drum can be shortened.

Abstract: A drum-type washing machine includes a resin drum which is rotatably supported in a frame by a horizontal shaft. The resin drum includes a body portion molded out of a synthetic resin, and an end surface formed at one end of the body portion, the other end being open. A fluid balancer positioned at the open end of the body portion includes a hollow annular member and a predetermined amount of saltwater sealed therein. The drum diameter is increased from the one end to the other end by utilizing a taper or slope from a plastic molding process. Therefore, the wash in the drum, in operation, moves to the vicinity of the fluid balancer at the other end of the drum along the slope of the inner surface of the drum, thereby to produce a maximum balancing effect of the fluid balancer.

Abstract: A washing-drying machine wherein a tub is mounted in a prism-shaped housing by a pair of tilting shafts in order to carry out the washing-rinsing-spinning steps with a tub substantially vertical and to carry out the warm-air drying step with a tub substantially horizontal. The tilting shafts are arranged on a horizontal axis extending through diagonally opposite corners of the housing so that the capacity of the tub can be maximized, even through the tub tilts, and thereby the capacity of the housing can be efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A drum type washing apparatus and a method of processing the wash using the drum type washing apparatus wherein they have a characterizing feature which consists in that the peripheral wall of a rotary drum made of a perforated plate is configured in the form of a wall having a single corrugated portion or a plurality of corrugated portions which do not intersect the direction of centrifugal force generated by rotation of the rotary drum at right angles. Further, they have other characterizing features which consist in that the apparatus is provided with a liquid injecting nozzle and/or a gas blowing nozzle and/or a hot air blowing nozzle for allowing liquid and/or gas and/or hot air to be injected and/or blown into the interior of the rotary drum whereby a period of time required for performing steps of washing, dewatering and drying the wash in the rotary drum can be shortened.

Abstract: A hydroextractor which is mainly useful to carry out the industrial dedusting, rinsing and centrifuging of rugs, comprises a hollow cylindrical body (2) having holes in its surface. The cylindrical body is rotated around its longitudinal axis bya drive morot (7) connected to a shaft (6) connected to the closed end of the cylindrical body. The rotation of the cylindrical body is guided by pairs of rollers (9) placed on its periphery and which rotate in individual annular roller paths (8). The rollers are mounted by supports (10) and, in turn, support the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A washing/drying machine capable of effecting washing and drying as a continuous process. Washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying are performed while a rotary basket is retained in a vertical position. After the dehydration the rotary basket is inclined and is rotated on its axis, so that an opening end of the rotary basket is located slightly higher than the horizontal. In this state, hot air for drying is blown into the rotary basket from the opening side.

Abstract: In the machine of this invention, a rotation-support member is provided in an outer tub for containing water so that the rotation-support member can rotate about a vertical axis. The rotation-support member supports a perforated inner tub rotatable about a horizontal axis. A heating means heats air in the inner tub. When the laundry is washed or rinsed, the laundry is loaded in the inner tub, water is supplied to the outer tub until the water reaches inside the inner tub, and the inner tub is rotated about the horizontal axis. The laundry is prevented from jumping out of the inner tub during the washing and rinsing process due to boards or net provided in the inner tub. When the washed or rinsed laundry is dehydrated, water is drained from the outer tub, the rotation-support member and the inner tub are rotated together about the vertical axis in the same direction at the same high speed.

Abstract: A full-automatic washing and drying machine has a drum mounted in an outer tank for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, a reversible motor operable at a fixed speed for driving the drum, and a power transmission device for transmitting the torque of the motor to the drum axle. The power transmission means include a reduction device. The motor and the reduction device are controlled by a control device such that, during washing and drying operations, the direction of rotation of an output shaft of the motor is switched in short periods while the speed-changing device transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the motor to the drum axle at a reduced speed, whereas, during dehydration operation, the motor operates unidirectionally and the speed-changing device transmits the unidirectional rotation of the motor output shaft to the drum axle with a speed reduction in an initial stage of the dehydration operation and, thereafter, without speed reduction.

Abstract: A water tight, single, horizontally rotatable drum washing machine is provided. The frustum interior shape of the drum combined with the centrifugal force generated by rotating the drum moves liquids in the drum to the base of the frustum where the liquids can be removed. The washing machine may be adapted for use as a garment dryer by providing a source of forced air, or for a variety of other garment processing steps, such as dyeing, thus enabling the complete finishing of garments in one operation.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading a rotating basket in a centrifuge for spin drying bobbins of yarn wherein a hub is provided centrally of the basket and which guides an annular bearing plate which is vertically shiftable with respect to the basket so as to be selectively engageable with and supportive of a bobbin of yarn which is lowered into the basket, subjected to centrifugal action, and thereafter raised to a discharge position above the basket.

Abstract: A laundry handling machine for performing both a washing operation and a drying operation includes a blower which directs air over the motor during both the washing and drying operations to cool the motor and additionally directs air over a heating element during the drying operation to provide heated air through the vat. A rotational speed reduction arrangement is provided for controlling the timing of both of the operations. A drying operation timing device is driven by the washing operation timing device. A rinsing device is coupled with a supply conduct for a rinsing liquid and also with a siphon drain tube which has a larger cross-section than the supply conduct.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and process for laundering textiles based upon utilizing quantities of an aqueous liquid wash liquor in the wash step ranging from, at least, just enough to be substantially evenly and completely distributed onto all portions of the textiles to, at most, about 5 times the dry weight of the textiles to be laundered. This results in an extremely efficient use of the detergent composition. The present invention also comprises novel wash liquor and detergent compositions for use in said apparatus and process.

Abstract: A combined appliance is provided which includes unifying support structure. First and second appliances each have cabinets for enclosing the respective appliances. The first appliance is supported in an elevated posture on support structure including a pair of L-shaped support members. The second appliance is engageable with the floor and has side panels with lower recesses for receiving floor engaging portions of the support members. The lower recesses are in closely spaced juxtaposition to the surface engaging support members for stabilizing the first appliance and the support members. The side panels of the first and second appliances are substantially aligned with the sides of the L-shaped support members to provide the combination with the characteristics and stability of a unitary appliance.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine for shoes which has a water tub incorporating a dehydrating tub which is provided with inner brushes which are mounted with shoes and vertically moved, outer brushes which are arranged to come in contact with external surface of shoes and vertically moved in opposite directions to the inner brushes, and driving means for driving the inner and outer brushes; the water tub is provided with a discharging mechanism to discharge water as required from the water tub and with a lifting head section which opens and closes an opening of the water tub at a position above the water tub and the head section is provided with an air nozzle for drying washed shoes to blow air for drying into the dehydrating tub while the opening of the water tub is closed by the head section.

Abstract: A method is provided, along with apparatus for practice of the method, wherein laundry, such as linen or the like, is treated, following a washing operation applied thereto, by applying centrifugal force to extract rinsing liquid from a saturated laundry batch and then applying to the exterior of the laundry batch a pressurized fluid flow as a further treatment step, which is withdrawn from the laundry work batch from a point generally within the batch whereby rinsing liquid is withdrawn in a direction countercurrent to the preceding centrifugal extraction step. A suction may be applied at a point within the batch to either establish or enhance the liquid extraction operation.The apparatus of the invention includes a perforated spin-drying drum within a housing such that a circumjacent space is defined between the drum and the housing, and a remotely located blower in conduit communication with the housing generates a pressurized flow to the circumjacent space.

Abstract: A drier suitable for drying yarn in skeins suspended from rods, comprises a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. Access to the interior of the rotor is provided through doors in the rotor. Adjacent the door openings, the rotor has supports for receiving the ends of several rods with skeins suspended therefrom. Drying is effected by centrifugal effects and by circulation of air.

Abstract: Fluid handling and dehumidification are combined in a process for drying and compressing wet gas concurrently. Incoming gas is compressed in a liquid seal pump with a liquid which consists essentially of concentrated sulfuric acid. The liquid may be regenerated to maintain a concentration greater than 98% H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. Dry air having a dewpoint of -45.degree. C or less can be obtained for use in industrial processes.