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 resonator of a low frequency oscillation washing machine mounted to an outer periphery of a washtub has an outer periphery shaped so that a distance between the rotational center of the washtub and the outer periphery of the resonator gradually varies between points on the outer periphery of the resonator. At least one discharging hole is provided in a portion of the outer periphery of the resonator which is the farthest from the rotational center of the washtub within the varying portion.

Abstract: A method for cleaning garments. The garments are spread out in the interior of a cylinder (1) of a cleaning machine, attached there with bands (7) and hangers (10) and cleaned in this manner. By the method shrinkage and wrinkles will be avoided. Spin drying following cleaning and rinsing can be carried out at high speed, because the centrifugal forces act on garments which are spread out and lying flat and hence the forces do not create unwanted creases and wrinkles. The cleaning and spin drying will be followed by drying the spread out and attached garments by supply of heat. An ironing effect is improved by an intermediate spin speed. This method is suitable especially for cleaning in aqueous solutions. The garments are attached to the interior of the cylinder (1) by bands (7) with loops (8) connected to hooks (5). The solvents used for cleaning enter through the aqueous duct (11) and the hot air for drying enters through air duct (12).

Abstract: A tub ring is provided which forms an opening to a rotatable wash basket of a washing machine. The tub ring includes a clothes diverter which guides and deflects clothes in the basket downward, away from the opening, so that the clothes are wetted quickly. Preferably, the diverter guides the clothes into a flow from an inlet nozzle, which can also be formed in the tub ring. Additionally, dispensers for wash additives can be formed in the tub ring.

Abstract: Dewatering by centrifuges in continuous laundry batch processing with short cycle time. A method is provided in which a number of batches are loaded into a centrifuge with a horizontal or titled axis and dewatered together. During the transport of the batches into the drum of the centrifuge, its speed is two to four times the distribution speed (the rotational speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the washing material at the inner diameter of the rings of wash is equal to the weight of the washed material). When the batch is in the drum, the speed is reduced to the distribution speed. After a uniform distribution of the wash the next step is an acceleration to four to six times the distribution speed. By this method the greatest portion of water is removed and a uniform ring of laundry is formed and space is created for more batches, which can be loaded thereafter according to the method described before, forming annular rings of laundry distributed about the inner surface of the centrifuge drum.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a imperforate stationery tub and further having a rotatable plastic wash basket, for receiving a clothes load, disposed within the stationary tub. The rotatable plastic wash basket further includes a cylindrical outer wall having an upper end open for receiving the clothes load. A base integral with the cylindrical outer wall is provided for forming a bottom of the rotatable basket. An annular core member is disposed within the base of the plastic wash basket such that the base encapsules and interlocks with the annular core member. In addition, a hub member is disposed centrally in the annular core member and is drivingly connectable with a drive shaft for drivingly rotating said rotatable wash basket. The annular core member has a substantially triangular radial cross-section such that the base is optimally configured to form a solid triangular radial cross-section for providing strength and rigidity to the wash basket.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine including a washing tub containing a drum and a door for closing the drum provided with a door interlock arrangement. The door interlock arrangement includes an electromagnet (1), a main sliding element (4), a door catch (5), a spring (6) forcing said main sliding element back to its resting position, an inclined plane (9) of the door catch, a switch (2) actuated by the main sliding element (4), a device (10) that is electrically energized during spin-extraction phases only, a peg (11) projecting from the device (10) when the latter is not energized, and a recess (12) for accommodating the projecting peg (11) in the main sliding element (4). The main sliding element (4) also includes a recess (8) for accommodating the door catch (5). A secondary sliding element (3) is provided so as to be able to slide transversely with respect to the main sliding element (4).

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in extracting liquid from cloth or other water-absorbing goods wherein the goods are contained within a perforated drum rotatably mounted in an outer housing. Circumferentially spaced, essentially rigid, hollow preforms having parts therein extend lengthwise of the inner side of the drum, and bellows are connected to the inner side of the drum each to cover a preform. Fluid pressure is selectively supplied to the ribs to expand the bellows or withdrawn from the ribs to radially collapse the bellows onto the preforms.

Abstract: The disclosure is of washing machine apparatus including a ring, within the clothes basket, and imbalance indicators coupled thereto and adapted to provide a visual indication to an operator when an imbalance occurs and provides problems in the spin cycles. The indicators show the operator where the imbalance is located and it can be easily corrected.

Abstract: An integrally molded one-piece washing machine tub including an annular sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom wall. The sidewall diverges radially outwardly from the bottom wall and includes a plurality of drain holes recessed in vertically oriented teardrop-shaped depressions to ease separation and removal of the tub from the mold assembly.

Abstract: A laundry machine is constructed to discharge liquid from fixed nozzles located within a fixed tub, through holes in the bottom of a basket within the tub. The liquid impacts and levitates the clothes within the basket. The liquid is recycled through the pump. Extraction of liquid from clothes is by spin rotation of the basket.

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 control system is provided for a fabric washing machine including first and second lid actuated switches and washing fluid level detecting apparatus. A lockout device is in circuit with a conductive path of the second switch so that, if upon operation of the lid, the first switch is failed, a circuit is completed through the lockout device and level detecting apparatus to prevent reenergization of the fabric washing machine. Switch mounting apparatus is provided which is adjustably movable for providing concurrent adjustment of at least the first and second switches with respect to a lid actuated switch actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A washing apparatus comprises a pedestal, drive device fitted to the pedestal, a tub body provided with a washing tank, two elongate fitting legs fitted to the tub body at one end and attached to the pedestal at the other end, thereby supporting the tub body above the pedestal at a prescribed distance, and an outer casing which is detachably fitted to the fitting legs to enclose the drive device and tub body.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two basins (1 and 2), baskets (3) which rotate in the interior of the basins. The baskets support loaders (4) which carry the reels. The loaders are actuated by a carousel conveyor (10) which is guided in its movement upwardly and downwardly by a central column (13). The carousel conveyor may rotate an 180.degree. angle. The apparatus permits loading of the reels with yarns to be treated and unloading of reels having yarns which have alreadly been treated, thus eliminating the dead time of the different phases of operation. The apparatus is hydraulically operated, including the motion of the baskets (3) actuated by motor (18) by means of the hydraulic gearbox and electric control panel (26). The latter controls automatically by means of a logical circuit all the necessary operations for good functioning of the apparatus.

Abstract: In the initial stage of the dehydrating operation (spin cycle) in a washing machine, operations of rotating the dehydrating tank at a low speed for a predetermined period of time or of stopping the driving motor temporarily when the speed of rotation of the dehydrating tank reaches a predetermined low value are repeated a plurality of times. During this operation, the water contained in the clothes in the dehydrating tank is partly removed and the weight of the load decreased as much. Therefore, in a dehydrating operation in which the tank is rotated at a high speed, the clothes do not have a strong tendency to shift to one side, with the result that little vibration and noise are produced.

Abstract: A method and control for an automatic washer is provided in which moisture extraction from a fabric load is controlled by extracting the moisture at increasingly faster levels of basket rotation. Initially the basket is rotated relatively slowly and it is subsequently rotated at successively faster speed levels, each increase occurring after substantially all of the moisture has been removed which is removable at a given speed level. Inertia of the fabric load is measured to determine the amount of incremental moisture removal. Use of such a method substantially reduces the force applied to the fabric load during the centrifugal extraction resulting in less wrinkling of the fabrics.

Abstract: A dehydrating vessel of a washing machine includes a wall formed of non-water absorbing material, and a water absorbing porous material layer attached to an inner periphery of the wall. The water absorbing porous material layer exhibits a capillary action. A plurality of water releasing apertures are formed at the wall and the water absorbing porous material layer. The rate of dehydration achieved in a zone of the dehydrating vessel near the wall of the vessel can be improved, so that the rate of dehydration can be rendered substantially uniform from the wall to the central portion of the vessel without nonuniformity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a manipulator for automatically supplying centrifuge machines for rotating bobbins of yarn in which the manipulator includes a carriage equipped with stop wings and tightening arms which grip the bobbins conducted to the carriage by a conveyor and wherein the carriage moves the bobbins to the baskets of the centrifuge machines and thereafter returns to its initial position while flaps mounted on the carriage cover the centrifuge machine as the bobbins are rotated therein and thereafter the flaps urge the bobbins from the centrifuge machines to a receiver plate.

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 washer-dehydrator comprising a casing, a rotating tub disposed in the casing and resiliently adapted to hold an object of dehydration therein, and a weight detector including a stationary electrode and movable electrode which delivers an output signal indicative of a change of electrostatic capacity corresponding to a change of the weight load of the rotating tub. The rotation of the tub is controlled in accordance with the output signal from the weight detector, thereby regulating the rotation of the rotating tub.

Abstract: A washing machine including a washing tub and a bowl-shaped agitator which is rotatably disposed in the lower part of the washing tub. The washing tub includes a ring-shaped frame element, which covers the gap between the bowl-shaped agitator and the inner surface of the washing tub, whose internal diameter is the same as that of the bowl-shaped agitator.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing tub whose peripheral wall is constituted by an upper peripheral wall section and a lower peripheral wall section which is located below the upper peripheral wall section and which is driven to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The washing tub receives water and laundry therein. In the case of a small load of laundry, the laundry is caused to flow, and to be washed due mainly to the flow or water caused by the rotation of the lower peripheral wall section. In the case of a large amount of the load of laundry, the laundry can be due to the synergetic action of the frictional forces. In such a washing machine, the inner surface of the lower peripheral wall section is made gradually larger in diameter from its lower portion to its upper portion.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing tub whose peripheral wall is formed of an upper peripheral wall section and a lower peripheral wall section located thereunder and adapted to be rotated in two opposite directions. The washing tub receives laundry and water therein. In the washing mode, the lower peripheral wall section is rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise. Thus, the laundry is circulated by frictional contact with the lower peripheral wall section and is washed by the effect of multiplication of frictional forces produced by contact with the upper and lower peripheral wall sections. A projection protrudes upward from the inner bottom surface of the washing tub and is located inside the lower peripheral wall section to touch the laundry to increase the cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates to centrifuging machines, and more particularly to vertical axis washing machines, wherein improved vibration-isolating devices are provided to prevent unbalance-caused vibrations of the movable mass from being transmitted to the support structure of the machine to the extent that damage to or "walking" of the machine may occur.A suspension system is provided for suspending the movable mass above the machine support structure. The suspension system is formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring members supported at the lower ends to the support structure. The springs are connected at their upper ends to a support member. The suspension system for supporting the movable mass on the support member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced links which extend in the general direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing tub whose peripheral wall is constituted by an upper peripheral wall section and a lower peripheral wall section which is located below the upper peripheral wall section and which is driven to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The washing tub receives water and laundry therein. In the case of a small load of laundry, the laundry is caused to flow, and to be washed due mainly to the flow or water caused by the rotation of the lower peripheral wall section. In the case of a large amount of the load of laundry, the laundry can be washed due to the synergetic action of the frictional forces. In such a washing machine, the inner surface of the upper peripheral wall section is made gradually smaller in diameter from its lower portion to its upper portion.

Abstract: A washer/dehydrater of the present invention comprises a washing tub and a vessel-like stirrer accommodated in a lower portion of the washing tub. The washing/dehydrating is performed through a washing step, a dehydrating step, a pre-rinsing step and a rinsing step. The washing and rinsing steps are performed by having the washing tub substantially stationary and rotating the stirrer forwards and backwards in a predetermined cycle period. The dehydrating step is performed by rotating the washing tub and stirrer in unison with each other in one direction at a high speed to thereby dehydrate the laundry. The pre-rinsing step is performed immediately before the rinsing step, which is performed after the dehydrating step, by rotating the stirrer forwards and backwards in a shorter cycle period than the aforesaid cycle period in the washing and rinsing steps.

Abstract: Installation for the centrifugal spin-drying or combined spin-drying and drying of fibrous or porous materials comprising, in combination, a spin-drier and a material carrier adapted to receive at least one pile of spools or similar of fibrous or porous materials, said material carrier being formed from a plurality of supports each adapted to receive a pile of spools or similar, disposed along at least one ring about a common axis formed by a central caisson, said spin-drier being equipped with a basket comprising a plurality of pockets or similar each adapted to receive a pile of spools or similar carried by a support of the material carrier, said supports being designed to be each housed in a pocket of the basket of said spin-drier and the common axis about which said supports are disposed in a ring being formed by a hollow central caisson adapted to fit into the central pivot of the centrifugal spin-drier.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a mount secured to the assemblage of working parts of the machine and adapted to move with the assemblage during operation of the machine and a cabinet structure enclosing the assemblage of working parts and having a base. An intermediate member is positioned between the mount and the base for movably supporting the mount and the assemblage of moving parts from the base. The base and intermediate member are formed with a first set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween and the mount and the intermediate member are formed with a second set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween. One set of the support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively short radius of curvature to form a first node for movement of the mount and the other set of support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively long radius of curvature to form a second node for movement of the mount.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine wherein the clothes receiving basket is driven through a speed reduction transmission by an electronically commutated motor operable unidirectionally in one mode for rotating the basket to effect a spin extraction cycle, and in a second mode motor rotation is cyclically reversed to cause oscillation of the basket during the washing operation. The speed reduction transmission is adapted to counteract the inertia of the basket generated by the high speed extraction cycle to provide a secondary braking action of the basket which supplements the dynamic braking capacity of the motor.

Abstract: A tubless washer system including a wash and drive subsystem which allows the basket to be mounted on a hollow drive shaft that provides a water conduit from the basket to the drain sump. The wash and drive subsystem is mounted on a support frame including a generally spherical bearing surface. The entire wash and drive subsystem is supported on a generally spherical surface on the cabinet base which is formed complementary to the spherical bearing surface of the subsystem.

Abstract: A vertical axis flow through type clothes washing machine with a basket driving transmission which imparts a wobble action to the basket during wash and conventional rotational motion during spin operations. The transmission supports the basket such that when the input drive shaft rotates in its wash direction, the central basket axis is canted relative to the substantially vertical axis of rotation of the drive shaft. As the shaft rotates, the central basket axis describes an inverted cone thereby imparting the wobble action to the basket which is prevented from rotating about its own axis. When the drive shaft rotates in the opposite direction for spin, the central axis of the basket is substantially coaligned with the vertical axis of rotation of the input drive shaft, and the basket is rotated about its own axis for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the clothes in the basket.

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 high speed dehydrator or centrifugal extractor includes an article receiving rotatable drum or basket driven by a high rpm electric motor, and further includes improvements in the housing assembly and interior mounting of the basket and motor, an improved braking mechanism comprised of a disc-type braking plate rotatable with the basket and a disc-type brake pad to be pressed into engagement therewith during braking operations, a pivotal cover for opening to yield access to the rotatable basket, means for biasing the brake pad toward engagement with the braking plate with the pivotal cover being opened, and linkage mechanism connected to the brake pad and engageable by a closing cover to release the braking mechanism.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a mount secured to the assemblage of working parts of the machine and adapted to move with the assemblage during operation of the machine and a cabinet structure enclosing the assemblage of working parts and having a base. An intermediate member is positioned between the mount and the base for movably supporting the mount and the assemblage of moving parts from the base. The base and intermediate member are formed with a first set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween and the mount and the intermediate member are formed with a second set of mating support surfaces for sliding movement therebetween. One set of the support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively short radius of curvature to form a first node for movement of the mount and the other set of support surfaces is smoothly curved with a relatively long radius of curvature to form a second node for movement of the mount.

Abstract: A support assembly for a washing machine includes a cabinet structure for enclosing the various working parts of the machine and a mount secured to the assembly of working parts of the machine for movement therewith. The cabinet base has an upwardly facing generally spherical bearing surface and the mount includes a generally spherical lower support surface. An intermediate member is positioned between the bearing surface and support surface and is formed with opposed spherical faces complimentary to the bearing surface and to the support surface respectively.

Abstract: A rotation sensing control is provided for an appliance having a rotatable member. A rotation sensing mechanism is coupled to the rotatable member and includes a fluid shear coupling. This coupling is operable for rotating through a predetermined arcuate distance during movement of the rotatable member. The coupling movement is transferred to a movement control mechanism through appropriate linkage to maintain a movable member in a predetermined posture whenever the rotatable member is operated.

Abstract: An upright fabric washing machine includes a cabinet structure having a bottom frame that is formed to include a bearing for pivotally supporting an assembly of working parts of the machine. A mount includes a hollow mounting post having its lower end formed for pivotal support on the bearing and extending generally upwardly within the cabinet. A plurality of generally horizontally extending mounting arms are attached to the upper portion of the mounting post and project radially outward therefrom. A non-rotatable tub has a peripheral side wall and a bottom wall. The tub is mounted on the mount with the tub bottom wall supported by the mounting arms and with an access opening in the tub in register with the hollow mounting post. A transmission is mounted with its housing within the hollow mounting post and its output member extending upwardly within the tub. Springs connect the distal end of each of the mounting arms with the base for biasing the mount to an upright configuration.

Abstract: A washing machine of the vertical axis orbiting type in which washing action is achieved by imparting toroidal motion to the wash load as the load containing basket moves in its circulate path about a reference axis without rotation about its own axis, is provided with means for supporting the basket such that the horizontal projection of the central basket axis lags the direction of the lateral offset by a predetermined angle relative to the direction of movement of the basket in its circulate path about the reference axis. This canting of the basket causes a component of vertical motion to be imparted to the load in the basket as it traverses its circulate path to enhance the turnover of the fabric articles comprising the wash load in the basket.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the fresh-water, vertical-axis type has a dynamic system which includes a single perforate wash basket arranged to be driven continuously such that its central axis moves in an orbital path about another axis. The basket is restrained from rotating about its central axis when it is moving about the other axis and each point of the basket moves in a circulate path having an effective diameter which is small in relation to the diameter of the basket and having substantially the same excursion as the orbital path of the central axis of the basket. Water and soil removing agent are introduced into the basket during orbital motion and that motion is effective to induce a continuous motion of the fabric article load for washing the load. The machine tub and other working components are placed in the moving system and provide a stable base for the basket.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a fabric-receiving basket driven through a transmission arranged so that when the drive shaft is driven in one direction in the washing or rinsing mode of operation of the washing machine, the basket is caused to orbit about an axis displaced from the axis of the basket. The basket is held against rotation about its axis during this mode of operation. When the drive shaft is driven in the opposite direction during the spin mode of operation, the axis of the basket is positioned in line with the axis of the input shaft and the basket is free to rotate about its own axis. The input shaft of the transmission is provided with a helical groove at the lower end and a drive pulley is mounted for engagement with the helical groove. A brake housing is supported from the stationary tub of the washing machine. A spring-biased brake shoe is mounted in a position to engage the brake housing for preventing rotation of the basket about its axis when the basket is following the orbital path.

Abstract: Curved inwardly flanged members in the form of cylinders (1) or conical frusta have the flange (2) thereof formed by folding sheet material (24) about a plurality of fold lines (3,10) to form corrugations or castellations having sides (6) of triangular formation and diverging first frusta segments (11) and second frusta segments (4,16) lying on two diverging conical frusta or short height relative to diameter. Such cylinders and frusta have hubs (25,58) and comprise rotating drums suitable for laundry machines such as clothes washing machines and clothes driers.

Abstract: A washing basket adapted to be incorporated in a washing machine having a hydroextracting function. The washing basket, which is provided at its bottom with a pulsator, has a plurality of protrusions formed in its inner peripheral wall. Each of the protrusions has an arcuate cross-section whose ridge is directed toward the center of the basket, and is extending in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral wall of the basket. A plurality hydroextracting apertures are formed in each of grooves which are formed between the adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: Impregnating equipment includes a centrifuge, a tank which can be exhausted and into which an impregnating compound can be introduced, and means for attaching at an upper part of the tank a mounting for a centrifugal basket, said mounting comprising a single self-aligning or swing bearing which is supported by a support which can be locked by means of an expanding device to the upper rim of the tank. The expanding device preferably consists of three radial arms which can be retracted and extended and the ends of which are in the form of jaws, the rim of the tank consisting of a ring the radially inwardly-directed cross-section of which has a shape mating with the shape of the jaws.

Abstract: A container for liquids or solids carried in liquids has a rigid upper portion and a flexible lower portion. The rigid upper portion is mounted on and supported by a frame. By having the volume of the flexible lower portion substantially less than the volume of a charge of material to be mixed and the combined volume of the lower and upper portions greater than the volume of the charge there is a constant transfer of the charge back and forth between the lower and upper portions which greatly affects the character and time for the mixing operation. Under some circumstances the flexible lower portion is surrounded by a closed chamber which may also surround the rigid upper portion, whereby the contents of the container may be subjected to one or another of a variety of conditions such, for example, as being subjected to a vacuum or negative air pressure, a positive air pressure, a controlled atmosphere such as a selected gas, or a bath of treated liquid such as a washing solution.

Abstract: An out-of-balance and safety switch arrangement for a washing machine or the like device having a movable cover to control access to the clothes receiving tub, and wherein the tub is rotated rapidly to execute a centrifugal extraction cycle, includes a microswitch having an actuator normally biased to an extended position and depressible for energizing the drive motor for the tub and a switch actuator lever arm mounted adjacent the washing machine tub access cover for pivotal movement in first and second generally perpendicular planes with the lever arm being spring biased in the first plane for movement of the first end thereof into operative alignment with the switch actuator, the opposite end of the lever arm being positioned for engagement by the access cover upon closing the latter to move the first end of the lever arm in the second plane into engagement with the actuator for depression thereof.

Abstract: A manually operable caster brake control system for a portable apparatus such as an automatic washing machine. The brake control system is connected through a linkage system to an access door and a line switch such that the apparatus will not operate unless the caster brake is actuated and the access door is closed.

Abstract: A container for liquids or solids carried in liquids has a rigid upper portion and a flexible lower portion. The rigid upper portion is mounted on and supported by a frame. The flexible lower portion is surrounded by a closed chamber which may, under certain circumstances also surround the rigid upper portion, whereby the contents of the container may be subjected to one or another of a variety of conditions such, for example, as being subjected to a vacuum or negative air pressure, a positive air pressure, a controlled atmosphere such as a selected gas, or a bath of treated liquid such as a washing solution. A wobble plate on the flexible lower portion is set in motion by an electric motor, the drive of which extends through the closed chamber of the flexible lower portion, thereby to agitate the contents under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A container for liquids or solids carried in liquids has a rigid upper portion and a flexible lower portion. The rigid upper portion is mounted on and supported by a frame. The flexible lower portion is surrounded by a closed chamber which may, under certain circumstances also surround the rigid upper portion, whereby the contents of the container may be subjected to one or another of a variety of conditions such, for example, as being subjected to a vacuum or negative air pressure, a positive air pressure, a controlled atmosphere such as a selected gas, or a bath of treated liquid such as a washing solution. A wobble plate on the flexible lower portion is set in motion by an electric motor, the drive of which extends through the closed chamber of the flexible lower portion, thereby to agitate the contents under controlled conditions.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in extracting liquid from cloth or other water-absorbing goods wherein the goods are contained within a perforated drum rotatably mounted in an outer housing. Circumferentially spaced, essentially rigid, hollow preforms having parts therein extend lengthwise of the inner side of the drum, and bellows are connected to the inner side of the drum each to cover a preform. Fluid pressure is selectively supplied to the ribs to expand the bellows or withdrawn from the ribs to radially collapse the bellows onto the preforms.