Abstract: A front-loading washing machine includes a rotatable laundry basket. The basket's lowest casing line deviates from horizontal by sloping upward toward the front when the machine is in an operating position. The basket has hollow longitudinally extended carriers disposed on the inside surface of the casing and including liquid inlets in the basket's rear area. The inlets are loaded with liquid when the basket rotates into a lowest position and direct the liquid into the carriers, which lift the liquid therein and deliver it from a lifted position into the basket's interior through openings. The basket remains easy to manufacture while ensures both rapid wetting of the laundry and at least equally good washing action. The laundry basket is mounted cylindrically around a rotational axis that slopes upward toward the front, and the carriers are slantingly disposed with regard to the basket rotation direction.

Abstract: A front-loading washing machine includes a rotatable laundry basket. The basket's lowest casing line deviates from horizontal by sloping upward toward the front when the machine is in an operating position. The basket has hollow longitudinally extended carriers disposed on the inside surface of the casing and including liquid inlets in the basket's rear area. The inlets are loaded with liquid when the basket rotates into a lowest position and direct the liquid into the carriers, which lift the liquid therein and deliver it from a lifted position into the basket's interior through openings. The basket remains easy to manufacture while ensures both rapid wetting of the laundry and at least equally good washing action. The laundry basket is mounted cylindrically around a rotational axis that slopes upward toward the front, and the carriers are slantingly disposed with regard to the basket rotation direction.

Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.

Abstract: Washing machine having a rotatable drum (1) which holds the items to be washed. The drum (1) may be removable from the machine, like a basket. A number of channels (6) extend along the length of the drum (1). Water is introduced into the upper channels (6) via a pump, valve (9, 10, 11, 12) and radial ducts (5) to the rear of the channels (6). The water showers from the upper channels (6) onto the items in the drum (1).

Abstract: In a laundry drum, a liquid diverter includes a driver having a driver interior and a run-off ramp therein. The driver interior receives liquid scooped and lifted by the drum during rotation thereof. The driver discharges scooped liquid in its lifted position into the drum interior. The run-off ramp is oriented horizontally or has a descending gradient when the drum rotation axis is orientated in a direction deviating from horizontal and when the drum is in a rotary position in which the driver is in its highest position, and thereby, permits, in all of the drum's rotation directions, a flow of scooped liquid on the run-off ramp in a direction of a rising part of the rotation axis when in the driver's lifted position. The liquid is conducted into only part of the drivers in a case of low liquid level as a result of the inclination.

Abstract: Detergent solution is discharged by means of a pump (10) at the bottom of a washing handling space (1) and is fed back to the handling space (1) via a pipeline (9) above the washing (3) located in the handling space. The washing machine is also connected to a fresh-water supply line (5) which can be opened and closed by a valve (7) which is controllable by a sensor device (12) suitable for establishing a volumetric flow present in the pumping direction of the pump (10). It is possible to dispense with a separate sensor element for controlling the fresh-water supply by a body (13) which can be actuated by the volumetric flow prevailing in the pipeline (9) being arranged along the pipeline (9) and, depending on the presence or absence of volumetric flow, protruding into or releasing the measuring section (18) of a turbidity sensor (17). Finally, the valve (7) is controlled by the turbidity sensor (17) so as to assume its opening or closed position.

Abstract: In a laundry drum, a liquid diverter includes a driver having a driver interior and a run-off ramp therein. The driver interior receives liquid scooped and lifted by the drum during rotation thereof. The driver discharges scooped liquid in its lifted position into the drum interior. The run-off ramp is oriented horizontally or has a descending gradient when the drum rotation axis is orientated in a direction deviating from horizontal and when the drum is in a rotary position in which the driver is in its highest position, and thereby, permits, in all of the drum's rotation directions, a flow of scooped liquid on the run-off ramp in a direction of a rising part of the rotation axis when in the driver's lifted position. The liquid is conducted into only part of the drivers in a case of low liquid level as a result of the inclination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washing machine or a washer-dryer with a drum (3) mounted in a suds basin (2) for horizontal or inclined rotation and having a cylindrical wall (3.1) and to cover plates (3.2; 3.3), the cylindrical wall (3.1) or one of the cover plates (3.2; 3.3) being provided with a removal opening and the cylindrical wall (3.1) being made in part or completely from sheet metal provided with a texturized bulges facing the interior of the drum. In order to provide for an optimally gentle laundry treatment at the same time as good visual appearance and complete exhaustion of residual water the holes (16) in the cylindrical wall (3.1) are disposed on the outwardly facing marginal contours (17.1) of the bulges>alternatively, the holes (16) may be disposed in sections (3.5, 3.6) of the cylindrical wall (3.1) formed without bulge texturization.

Abstract: A bellows (44) for a front loading washing machine (10) having a front panel (13) providing a first channel (46) having opposed sidewalls (50), an opening (19) and a door (20) carried thereby, and further carrying a stationary drum (25), providing a second channel (48), having opposed sidewalls (52) and a rotatable drum (30), the bellows comprising an annular body portion (45) terminating in first and second fastening means (54, 56); the first fastening means (54) provided an axially extending rib (65) having opposed first and second surfaces (66, 68) and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the first channel; and the second fastening means (56) provided an axially extending rib (70) having opposed first and second surfaces (74, 75) and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the second channel and a radially extending lip (80) engagable with the door; whereby the stationary drum is sealed to the front panel of the washing machine.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine having a pump integrally formed with a filter. The drum type washing machine has a body, an outer tub disposed in the body for receiving a washing liquid therein, a drum formed at a side wall thereof with a plurality of discharging holes and disposed in the outer tub for receiving articles to be washed, a pump assembly which sprays the washing liquid onto the articles by circulating the washing liquid discharged from a lower portion of the outer tub to an upper portion of the outer tub, removes impurities from the washing liquid while a washing cycle is being carried out and drains the washing liquid out of the washing machine after the washing cycle is finished. The pump assembly has a pump, a filter installed at one side of the pump and a spraying nozzle assembly disposed above the drum.

Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.

Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.

Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.

Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub having a bottom wall and a laundry drum having an at least approximately horizontally disposed shaft. A drive device for the washing machine includes a flat motor for directly driving the laundry drum shaft. The motor includes a rotor having a rotor shaft and a stator connected to the bottom wall of the tub instead of to a rigid carrying part with a bearing sleeve for the laundry drum shaft. The stator has a central bearing sleeve with one or two spaced-apart rolling bearings for the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has an end facing the laundry drum with a concentric bore for receiving the laundry drum shaft. The bore reaches approximately into a plane of the drum-side rolling bearing. The rotor has a bell fastened to an outer end of the rotor shaft with an edge pointing toward the tub. Magnetizable poles are distributed on the inner periphery of the edge and across airgaps oppose a number of exciting windings distributed circularly on the stator.

Abstract: A process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent, the ocess including the steps of placing the garments in a first machine and tumbling the garments therein, introducing into the first machine a mixture of liquid insect repellent and water so as to spray the mixture onto the tumbling garments, terminating the introduction of the mixture into the first machine and continuing the tumbling of the garments therein, terminating the tumbling of the garments in the first machine, and placing the garments in a second machine and tumble drying the garments therein; and the system comprising a reservoir for a mixture of the repellent in liquid form and water, a first machine for receiving and retaining the garments and tumbling the garments, a spray nozzle in the first machine for directing a spray of the mixture onto the garments during tumbling thereof, a conduit extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a pump in the conduit for flowing the mixture from the reservoir to the spray nozz

Abstract: There is disclosed a textile treating machine having an outer shell in which textile treating liquids may be contained, and a perforated drum for receiving textiles to be treated and having a shaft extending through an opening in one end of the shell. A bearing assembly is mounted on the other side of the shell and supports the shaft for extension through it so that the shaft and drum may be rotated to cause treatment liquid to be circulated through the textiles, and a seal assembly is releasably connected to the shell to sealably surround the shaft adjacent the shell opening inboard of the bearing assembly so as to prevent leakage of the liquid from the shell into the bearing assembly. The shaft includes a main section which extends through the seal and bearing assemblies and a bushing which is releasably connected over a tapered inner end of the main shaft section, and the drum has an opening in one end which surrounds the inner end of the shaft and is of a size to pass the seal assembly therethrough.

Abstract: An improved door boot is provided for a laundry appliance. The door boot has a varying angle lip seal. The angle of the lip seal varies between .+-.15.degree. from top to bottom relative to the planar orientation of the door boot. The varying angle of the lip seal ensures optimal sealing engagement with the door plug when the door is closed, particularly for an appliance having a tub tilted at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine, or a similar appliance such as a washer/dryer, includes a flexible duct, such as a bellows, arranged between the opening (5) of a door (4), intended for loading and unloading the clothes, and an associated opening (8) provided on an inner washing tub (10). Peripheral folds (16), the outer end (13) and a cylindrical band (15) of the bellows (12), are made with a material having elastomeric properties and a hardness of about Shore A 20 to 30. The inner end (15) of the bellows is made with a synthetic material having a hardness of about Shore A 40 to 50. The machine is low noise. A greater unbalanced load of clothes can be tolerated since the improved bellows minimize the vibrations, generated by the inner washing tub when the machine is operated, which are transmitted to the outer cabinet of the machine.

Abstract: An improved washing machine is provided with a rotatable wash basket having rotatable agitators mounted therein. The agitators have the shape of a spherical segment so as to nest adjacent the interior surface of the wash basket. The agitators include a spur gear which meshes with a ring gear extending around the wash basket so as to impart rotation to the agitators as the wash basket rotates within the ring gear. The agitators include ribs or baffles to impart tumbling or mixing action to the laundry in the wash or rinse water in the wash basket.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine is provided with a wash tub and a perforated drum arranged therein. A recirculating pump pumps liquid contained in a conduit provided with a pressure switch in its lower portion, arranged under the tub, and directed again toward the interior of the drum. The machine is capable, at least in a rinse cycle, of filling a predetermined amount of water into the tub, to let the recirculating pump operate for a definite period of time so as to enable the water to be fully pumped into the drum. At the same time, the drum is caused to rotate at a low speed. A signal starting spin-extraction for a pre-defined period of time enables a lower water level to be restored in the tub. The initially filled-in water is let into the tub in such an amount that the upper edge of the liquid in the tub eventually remains constantly below the lower edge of the drum, such an alternate sequence of recirculation and spin-extraction phases being repeated several times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dry cleaning textiles which are washed with solvent and dried by hot air, the solvent being recovered after condensation, the invention being characterised in that the solvent concentration is measured at the point where it is highest and temperature is measured, both being measured continuously throughout the whole of the drying process and the values are processed in a computer, and the concentration in the supply of hot air is controlled as a function of the relationship of concentration, acting as the pilot value, to temperature along a characteristic.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an enclosure surrounding an imperforate tub including an access opening and a perforate wash basket rotatably disposed within the tub about a horizontal axis wherein the tub access opening is provided with a flexible tub door for selectively closing the tub access opening. The flexible tub door is slidably supported by the tub for selectively closing the access opening wherein the tub door is positionable in a closed position and an open position. A spring is interconnected with the tub door for biasing the tub door toward an open position. A door catch is provided for engaging the tub door in a fully closed position against the biasing force of the spring and means are provided for selectively actuating the door catch such that the tub door may be selectively engaged in the closed position or released for movement to a fully open position. During the tub door closing operation, the rotatable wash basket is coupled to the tub door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating garments, particularly to impart a "stone-washed" look without using pumice stones, using an elongated drum having an inclined axis and two continuous helical flights placed within the drum. Garments subjected to treatment in the drum with liquids and chemicals normally used in stone-washing operations, but without pumice stones, will have an appearance and feel like that of a normally-formed stone-washed garment. The helical flights may also have projection fins to help the abrading operation. The method is much more economical in terms of both supplies, equipment, and labor than the conventional stone-wash technique.

Abstract: A liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system that employs a rotating basket inside a dry cleaning vessel that is powered by hydraulic flow. The present invention is particularly useful as a dry cleaning system that uses liquid carbon dioxide as the cleaning agent. The dry cleaning system has a pressurized vessel containing a liquid carbon dioxide bath. The basket is disposed in the vessel and has a plurality of openings around its periphery. A plurality of roller bearings are disposed between the basket and the vessel that allow it to rotate within the vessel. A plurality of manifolds are disposed between the vessel and the basket that have nozzles that produce jets of liquid carbon dioxide that agitate the garments. The nozzles are aligned with the plurality of openings in the basket. A pump is coupled between the manifolds and the vessel for circulating the liquid carbon dioxide to produce the jets that clean the garments and rotate the basket.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an enclosure surrounding an imperforate tub including an access opening and a perforate wash basket rotatably disposed within the tub about a horizontal axis wherein the tub access opening is provided with a flexible tub door for selectively closing the tub access opening. The flexible tub door is slidably supported by the tub for selectively closing the access opening wherein the tub door is positionable in a closed position and an open position. A spring is interconnected with the tub door for biasing the tub door toward an open position. A door catch is provided for engaging the tub door in a fully closed position against the biasing force of the spring and means are provided for selectively actuating the door catch such that the tub door may be selectively engaged in the closed position or released for movement to a fully open position. During the tub door closing operation, the rotatable wash basket is coupled to the tub door.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing, rinsing, sterilizing and drying delicate components such as plugs for pharmaceutical use, or the like, formed by an autoclave chamber containing a substantially cylindrical rotating drum or basket with two helical members extending along the axis of the cylindrical basket, connecting an inlet opening with an outlet opening and projecting inside the basket, each being provided with a rounded internal edge and terminating in chutes emerging inside the outlet opening, the helical members thus formed enabling the plugs to be mixed when the basket rotates in one direction and to be unloaded from the basket when the latter rotates in the opposite direction, the rotating basket also being provided with a circumferential toothed rim which engages a gear wheel actuated by drive means to impart a rotary movement to the same and having inside at least one pipe arranged parallel to the axis of the cylinder and provided with spray nozzles directed toward the plugs present inside the basket to allow

Abstract: A conventional tunnel-type continuous batch washer modified for use as a commercial bleaching machine. The washer is modified by (1) lowering the rotational oscillation angle and speed of the machine's inner drum structure relative to its normal washing settings; (2) altering the water counterflow positioning and characteristics; (3) maintaining the water in the various inner drum section modules at essentially identical, relatively high levels; and (4) modifying the bath temperature characteristics of the machine. When utilized as a commercial bleaching machine the modified tunnel washer has a bleach zone disposed at its inlet end and into which a hydrogen peroxide bleaching solution is injected, a finish zone disposed at its outlet end and into which a softening agent is injected, and a water-only rinse zone positioned between the bleach and finish zones. Each of these three zones is defined by one or more inner drum structure modules which may be tandem or single batch modules.

Abstract: A wash system is provided having a rotatable wash basket for receiving fabric items disposed within an imperforate wash tub. A quantity of wash liquid is initially applied to the fabric items while the fabric items are tumbled within the wash basket until the fabric items are saturated with wash liquid and have had a chance to roll-up. The washing liquid is then extracted from the fabric items and the extracted wash liquid is stored for later use in a holding tank. A portion of the stored wash liquid is reintroduced from the holding tank to a mixing tank and mixed with detergent to form a wash liquor having a detergent concentration within a predetermined range. This wash liquor is then continuously passed through the fabric items while the wash basket rotates at a speed to maintain the fabric items against a peripheral wall of the wash basket.

Abstract: A conventional tunnel-type continuous batch washer is modified for use as a commercial bleaching machine by (1) lowering the rotational oscillation angle and speed of the machine's inner drum structure relative to its normal washing settings; (2) altering the water counterflow positioning and characteristics; (3) maintaining the water in the various inner drum section modules at essentially identical, relatively high levels; and (4) modifying the bath temperature characteristics of the machine. When utilized as a commercial bleaching machine the modified tunnel washer has a bleach zone disposed at its inlet end and into which a hydrogen peroxide bleaching solution is injected, a finish zone disposed at its outlet end and into which a softening agent is injected, and a water-only rinse zone positioned between the bleach and finish zones. Each of these three zones is defined by one or more inner drum structure modules which may be tandem or single batch modules.

Abstract: A washing machine having an outer, stationary, liquid impervious container, having a plurality of adjacent, peripheral walls, preferably in the form of an octagon. An inner drum has perforate walls, is preferably in the form of a hexagon and is mounted within the outer container for rotation about a horizontal axis. The inner drum is driven in rotation, causing variations in the adjacent liquid volume between each drum wall and the outer container as the drum walls pass through the liquid. Because the wall is contoured to have a distance from the axis of rotation which varies as a function of peripheral, angular position to form a plurality of relatively protruding, liquid pushing perforate lobes, the movement of these lobes through the washing liquid causes an inflow of washing liquid into the drum through the leading perforate surface of each lobe and out of the drum through each trailing perforate surface.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rinse process which can be used with any wash cycle, but which has particular utility following a wash cycle have a highly concentrated detergent solution.The method of rinsing fabric provided by the present invention is useful in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis. The steps undertaken in the method begin with loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of the washer. The fabric is then washed in a detergent solution while rotating the wash chamber about its horizontal axis for a first period of time. Next the detergent solution is drained from the wash chamber. The fabric is then rinsed by adding water to the wash chamber while spinning the wash chamber at a speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble within the wash chamber as it spins. Finally, the wash chamber is drained of the rinse water.

Abstract: First and second washing machines are utilized to recycle plastic and cellulose from disposed diapers. The disposed diapers are loaded into the first washing machine and, while being agitated, are washed in water, alkali and soap. During washing, the cellulose becomes separated from the plastic. The cellulose is drained out of the first washing machine with the water, leaving the plastic in the first washing machine. The plastic is then cleaned in the first washing machine. A pump transfers the cellulose and water to the second washing machine. In the second washing machine, the cellulose is washed in alkali and soap while being agitated. The second washing machine has a screen for retaining the cellulose therein, while passing the water and waste material.

Abstract: An improved wash process is provided wherein during a low speed spin portion of the wash process, the wash chamber or wash basket is rotated about its horizontal axis at a spin speed to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. During this tumbling action a recirculating spray of highly concentrated detergent solution, preferably in the range of at least 0.5% to 12% by weight is directed onto the fabric for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the detergent solution is diluted somewhat, although the concentration remains above a normal concentration of 0.06 to .28%. The wash chamber will again be spun to effect less than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will tumble in the wash chamber. The lesser concentrated detergent solution will then be recirculated on to the fabric during a second time period.

Abstract: There are disclosed alternate embodiments of a top transfer type continuous batch washing machine each comprising an inner housing made up of cylindrically shaped drums having inlets and outlets in their end walls connected to one another, and an outer housing having walls in its lower portion to form individual bath sections in which the lower portions of perforated outer walls of the drums are suspended. Scoops within the drums enable the drums to oscillate or rotate in one directional sense to permit the circulation of liquid through the goods and rotate in the opposite directional sense to transfer the goods through the outlet and into the inlet of the adjacent drum.

Abstract: A washing/drying machine including a washtub, a feeding device for feeding water to the washtub, a draining device for draining water from the washtub, a tumbling drum, rotatably supported by a lateral axis in the washtub, having a plurality of holes through which air and water pass and an opening for introducing the washing, and a lid for closing the opening, a motor for rotating the drum at various speeds, a disc for agitating the washing, disposed in the drum adjacent to a flat end wall of the drum in parallel with the wall, a bearing device for rotatably bearing the disc, a fixing device for selectively fixing the disc, a device for supplying hot air to the drum, and a controller for controlling the fixing device to intermittently fix the disc against the rotation of the drum, and a controlling method thereof.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a rinse process which can be used with any cycle, but which has particular utility following a wash cycle have a highly concentrated detergent solution.The method of rinsing fabric provided by the present invention is useful in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a horizontal axis. The steps undertaken in the method begin with loading fabric to be washed into the wash chamber of the washer. The fabric is then washed in a detergent solution while rotating the wash chamber about its horizontal axis for a first period of time. Next the detergent solution is drained from the wash chamber. The fabric is then rinsed by adding water to the wash chamber while spinning the wash chamber at a speed to effect more than a one gravity centrifugal force on the fabric such that the fabric will not tumble within the wash chamber as it spins. Finally, the wash chamber is drained of the rinse water.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for dyeing materials in a wet process dye extractor is shown in which the dyeing material is injected into a vessel containing a rotating perforated basket both through the center shaft of the rotating basket and also at a rear entry port in the vessel. The dual injection of dye material speeds up and improves the process of dyeing and allows dyeing from the "inside-out" as well as the "outside-in".

Abstract: A clothes washer or dry cleaning machine which can be side-loaded or top-loaded. The washer includes an outer casing having an axis, an inner perforated drum rotatable about an axis relative to the outer casing axis, a middle cylinder portion disposed radially between the outer casing and the inner perforated drum. A fluid supply means is provided for filling the middle cylinder portion from the overflow from the drum. Passage means is also provided for draining the overflow fluid from the middle cylinder portion and drainage means for draining the overflow fluid from the passage means.

Abstract: In order to improve the mounting of the drums 15 in drum-type washing machines, a bearing ring 31 which is at least partially exchangeable through an opening in the housing 13 of the washing machine is arranged between the cylindrical bearing connection piece 29 of the drum 15 and a bearing shell 26 fixed on the housing.

Abstract: A drum type agitating and mixing machine for treating garments or fabric in liquid such as in washing or dyeing wherein a rotatable drum partially submerged in liquid along one side includes inwardly projecting hollow ribs arranged to contain air when the rib is outside the liquid in the machine. Each rib defines a pumping chamber having an inlet opening arrangement for liquid and an outlet arrangement for air trapped within the rib and the liquid that fills the rib so that liquid enters each rib from at one area of the rib and pumps air trapped within the rib out through an outlet arrangement which is axially spaced from the inlet. Flow of air out the outlet openings is slower than inflow of liquid into the chamber. Liquid contained within the rib drains therefrom through the outlet openings as each rib moves over the surface of liquid in the drum and is inverted.

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: The invention relates to a batch washing machine (1) with at least one rotatably supported and driven cylinder (2, 3), wherein several washing compartments are formed, through which the laundry is passed step by step. For this purpose, the cylinder (2) is supported by rollers (6, 7) at its two ends (4, 5) and is also driven at one or both support points. In the construction of a batch washing machine with a twin-shell cylinder, the outer cylinder (3) is stationary, while the inner cylinder (2) extends at both ends (4, 5) over the outer cylinder (3) and is supported and driven at this projection (23). Therefore, on the projection (23) a stepped annular flange (10) is fastened, which has an annular groove (11) for guiding the support rollers (6, 7) and immediately next to it a sprocket wheel (12) for the chain (9).

Abstract: In a batch washing machine which is divided by a screw conveyor into a plurality of wash chambers (I. . .IV) a bath level reduction can be provided in the final wash chamber by perforating the screw conveyor (and/or the wash trommel) in a region overlapping the reversing angle of 300.degree. for the wash motion of the wash trommel. One rotates the wash trommel as the need requires in the vicinity of the perforations. Water can escape in the desired amount in the final chamber in the sector with the perforations according to the extent of the rotation.

Abstract: A double drum batch washing machine comprises an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, an inner helical transfer screw with the inner cylinder and an outer helical transfer screw within the space between the inner and outer cylinders. The inner helical transfer screw has a pitch in one direction and the outer helical transfer screw has a pitch in the other direction so that the compartments formed by the transfer screws within the inner cylinder and the space between the inner and outer cylinders define areas of overlap on the surface of the inner cylinder. The areas of overlap have holes formed therein so that fluid interchange is established between each outer compartment and only the corresponding overlapping inner compartment. Laundry is placed in the inner compartments and wash water is placed in the outer compartments such that it communicates with the inner compartments and the laundry contained therein. Laundry is washed by oscillating the washing machine through a predetermined angular arc.

Abstract: A process for treatment of laundry in a basket rotatably mounted in a tub of a washing machine by actuating a valve to introduce water into the tub from a hot water supply until the tub is partially filled so as to soak the laundry contained in the basket, rotating the basket first at low speed and in alternate directions for a predetermined period of time and then at high speed in a single direction for a predetermined period of time while simultaneously recirculating water from a collector below the basket back into the basket during rotation thereof, and discharging the liquid contained in the basket after rotation of the basket is stopped. The method of the present invention allows preheating of the laundry in the basket, the basket and the tub such that it is not necessary to reheat the washing liquid during a subsequent washing program.

Abstract: Objects molded of synthetic resin such as slide fastener sliders are dyed with a dye liquor having a bath ratio appropriate for an actual amount of dyestuff to be applied to the objects which has been determined from the outer surface area of the objects and the thickness of a dye layer to be formed thereon. The dye liquor is brought into contact with the objects while the dye liquor is being supplied in circulation through a dyeing tank or contained together with the objects in the dyeing tank.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a seal for addition and/or removal of gaseous or liquid media in a tunnel washing machine, with which two sealing gaskets are arranged on a fixed trough for the receiving of units.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes a washing tub, a washing drum for containing laundry to be washed, a collector for collecting washing liquid, and a recirculation pump connected to the collector and to the tub for recirculating the washing liquid from the collector to the tub and to spray it onto the laundry. The collector has therein at least one heating element and a thermostatic sensor for heating the washing liquid and for thermostatically controlling the temperature thereof, respectively. Level sensors and controls are provided for carrying out "intense" and "gentle" laundering programs for washing the laundry in a conventional manner, and with further sensors and controls for carrying out "intense" laundering programs at reduced filling levels of the washing liquid within the tub by repeatedly recirculating the liquid to the tub.

Abstract: A process for washing fibre stock. The fibre stock is described is passed along a passage 14 from a stock inlet 15 to a stock outlet 16. The passage is defined by a portion of the inner surface of a substantially horizontal cylindrical screen 4, preferably a wire gauze. Washing liquid such as water is introduced into the passage, preferably by means of apertures 9 in a longitudinally extending hollow member 8. Effluent liquid passes through the screen, for extraction e.g. through outlets 24 and 25.To enable the washing of stock of high consistency e.g. up to 8%, while avoiding plugging of the screen 4, the arrangement is such that the stock only partially fills the cylindrical screen and is subjected to a tumbling action by the rotary movement of the cylindrical screen as the stock moves along the passage 14 to the stock outlet 16. The hollow member 8 is displaced downwardly from the axis of the cylindrical screen, so as to be positioned within the tumbling stock.