Abstract: A method and container are provided for pre-treating soiled fabrics, such as clothes, to enhance cleaning thereof upon subsequent laundering such as in a domestic washing machine. The soiled fabrics are moisturized and stored in the container which is sealed airtight to retain the moisture in the fabrics. Preferably, the soiled fabrics are moisturized to provide a minimum moisture content of about 7% based on the weight thereof.

Abstract: An improved abrasive pellet for use in abrading fabrics during a wash cycle. A pellet is formed of a mixture of plastic Yesin, piasticizer resin and abrasive filler mixed at temperature sufficient to maintain the mixture as a liquid. The mixture is then extruded through a die of a desired shape and cut so that a pellet of desired cross-sectional shape and size is formed. The pellet is hard at room temperature, but becomes pliant at normal wash water temperatures. The abrasive filler provides the desired abrasive qualities in the pellet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning and draining an automatic clothes washer after a wash or rinse cycle. After the water is pumped down, the spin drive and drain pump are activated with an on and off schedule of increasing on times, but constant off times. For example, the spin drive and drain pump may be activated for on times of 10, 15, 20, etc. with interleaved off times of 5 seconds. The off times of the drain pump allow suds in the drain pump to be purged, and thereby increase the steady state flow rate of the drain pump.

Abstract: A wash additive dispensing system and method for an automatic washer having a wash additive dispenser disposed on the upper portion of an agitator rotatably mounted within a wash basket. The wash additive dispenser comprises a receiving cup capable of receiving a wash additive and a dispensing cup secured to receive wash additive from the receiving cup. A cover member is disposed above the receiving cup and includes a funnel portion extending down into the receiving cup. During a fill cycle operation, a portion of wash liquid flowing into the wash basket through a water inlet device is channeled into a wash liquid supply conduit secured to the underside of a washer lid disposed above the wash basket. The supply conduit has a drain port positioned above the funnel portion of the cover member such that wash liquid continuously drains into the receiving cup through the funnel portion during the fill cycle.

Abstract: The equipment comprises a measuring and dispensing device of the reusable type for the machine washing of clothes, which comprises a hollow body (1) intended to receive the amount of liquid detergent prescribed for the wash, said body being provided with at least one filling opening (3) and outlets (7b) for the distribution of said product or products, as well as means (8) enabling the user to effect, once said device has been filled, the easy and controlled application of at least one product contained in it to selected areas of the clothing before the latter is subjected to washing in the machine, for the purpose of effecting the pretreatment of said areas before the washing cycle, said measuring and dispensing device, containing the amount of product remaining after the pretreatment, being introduced into the machine together with the clothes, said pretreatment means (8) being removable from the body of said device.

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: An enzyme bath maintenance system is provided for use in such textile treating fields as stonewashing, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, including the use of enzymes as the active agent, in which the enzymes are utilized within narrowly controlled ranges of pH and temperature. As a means for providing heat for controlling the temperature, a heat exchanger in which the heat source is hot water at a temperature not more than 12.degree. C. higher than that of the desired temperature, is disposed within the apparatus. The heat exchanger and the apparatus as a whole are designed to avoid pockets which allow the enzyme to become entrapped therein. The apparatus further includes automated means for detecting, monitoring and reporting bath parameters such as pH and temperature, with output for manual or automatic control thereof, and means for agitating the enzyme bath to maintain uniform distribution of the enzyme.

Abstract: This invention consists of a method and means for laundering clothing contaminated with asbestos fibers and/or with lead, herein called the contaminants. The method and means employed by this invention decontaminates the clothing in an environmentally contained, controlled and safe facility. The facility and the method described in association therewith permits contaminated clothing to be brought into the containment area, laundered and dried within the same contained, environmentally controlled, safe area. Clean clothing is then removed for further sorting, repairs, folding, counting and storing operations in another separated room of the facility. The facility and the method described in association therewith protect the health of the laundry operator and prevent the contaminants from being released into the atmosphere by the process itself. It also prevents contaminants from being carried from the interior of the facility by the person conducting the laundry operation.

Abstract: A washing unit includes several individual washing machines that adjoin the ager of a continuous bleaching installation. The washing machines immediately following the ager are operated in a co-current flow manner and receive between 10%-50% of the washing liquor conveyed through the remaining washing machines, which are operated in a counter-flow manner.

Abstract: A cleaning process for industrial rags to remove petroleum-based solvents in an environmentally safe manner comprises a series of steps. The industrial rags are initially subjected to high speed forces in a rotary drum to physically extract liquid solvent. The high speed extraction step is conducted while preferably maintaining a temperature within the drum of below the flash point of the petroleum-based solvent. Next, the rags are tumbled while being subjected to intermittent forced blasts of cold air and hot air to vaporize solvent remaining in the rags. The vapors are routed from the drum and condensed. The extracted liquid solvent and condensed solvent vapors are both routed to a waste solvent collection line. The industrial rags are finally dried to produce clean rags suitable for reuse.

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: An automatic washing machine having an automatic liquid level control system including an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving arrangement. The automatic washer includes a vertical axis tub disposed within a cabinet and further having a rotatable perforate wash basket disposed within the tub for receiving a load of clothes and a quantity of washing liquid. The cabinet includes an openable lid disposed above the tub and the wash basket. A transducer is provided, mounted in the cabinet lid, for operating in a first mode as a transmitter for transmitting a sonic pulse into the wash basket. The transducer operates in a second mode as a receiver for generating an electronic signal responsive to receipt of a sonic echo pulse from the surface of the load of clothes disposed within the wash basket. The height of the load of clothes may then be determined in accordance with the elapsed time between transmission of the sonic pulse and reception of the corresponding sonic echo pulse.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for jet printing, e.g. of textile fabrics, are disclosed. Metered quantities of fluid, e.g. dye, are supplied in a succession of discrete small quantities through capillaries in boards which can be angled relatively to a moving fabric for fineness of spacing. Multiple boards extend across the fabric path and the capillaries pass the dye on computer command to print any desired pattern. Each row of boards can replace a conventional printing screen in a multicolour printing machine.

Abstract: To permit the use of combustible and potentially explosive solvents used in dry-cleaning operations, based on hydrocarbon compounds, the dry-cleaning machine is formed with an explosion-resistant housing (8) surrounding a perforated, rotatable drum (1) into which the goods are introduced. After carrying out the normal dry-cleaning procedure, and draining of dry-cleaning solvent, a vacuum pump generates an under-pressure, in the order of below 500 mbar, and preferably about 230 mbar, while heating the mixture, to effect drying. A cooling coil, located at a lower portion of the machine, provides for condensation of solvent out of the solvent-air mixture, and, after the major portion of the solvent has been evaporated, the heat exchanger is switched over to cooling for final condensation of any remanent solvent. The vacuum continues to be maintained, so that the boiling point of solvent, due to the under-pressure, is lowered by at least 40.degree. C., and preferably 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A water feeding control method for use in a boiling clothes washing machine having a heater for processing clothes with hot water and control for the proper use of warm and cooling water. The water feeding control method includes a step of determining whether either one of wool and boiling wash modes is selected, at least one routine of checking the possibility of the water feeding, sensing the temperature of wash water fed through warm and cooling water feeding valves and storing the sensed temperature in a memory of the control system, and a routine of selecting a water feeding valve suitable for a wash mode based on the resulting data obtainable from the routines.

Abstract: A machine for cleansing articles, such as a dishwasher, incorporates a device for measuring the turbidity of an at least partially transparent liquid. The device includes a sensor for detecting scattered electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization, and a sensor for detecting transmitted electromagnetic radiation, regardless of polarization.

Abstract: The treatment of a material web (2) ensues in a U-shaped shaft comprising two shaft limbs (3, 4) and a connecting area (5) between both the shaft limbs. The shaft is filled with a treatment liquid, the feed of fresh treatment liquid and also the circulation of treatment liquid ensuing beneath the surface of the liquor within the shaft limb. The effect is a particularly intensive charging of the material web, with extremely economic use of treatment liquid. Foaming of the treatment liquid is prevented, also in the case of heavy turbulence.

Abstract: An appliance electronic control system which tends to maintain a constant total cycle time, and thus an accurate "Time Remaining" display, notwithstanding variations in the actual time required for a water fill operation. The control system includes a count down timer and a time remaining display indicating cycle time remaining based on the state of the count down timer. The count down timer is initialized to a state representing nominal total cycle time, which includes the sum of a nominal fill time for water filling operations, a nominal time duration for each of several pause intervals, and the time durations of operational modes under the direct control of the control system, such as agitate time and spin time. During operation, the count down timer is decremented at regular predetermined intervals. The first time the machine fills, the actual time for the filling operation is measured.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic based control method reduces the amount of water used by a washing machine or dishwasher during a cycle. A sensor detects when the washer has adequate water by monitoring the behavior of the washer pump motor as fresh water is coming in. There is a characteristic oscillation of the magnitude of the motor current as the pump cavitates during this operation, which diminishes when the washer is properly filled. By using fuzzy logic to sense this point of diminished or ceased cavitation and shutting off the incoming water, substantial savings of water can be achieved.

Abstract: There are disclosed an apparatus for and method of electronically balancing a machine for extracting fluids out of a load of liquid absorbent goods received in a rotatable drum by detecting the magnitude and location of the imbalanced load and injecting a balancing fluid into hollow balancing compartments, located within the drum, until the magnitude of the imbalanced load reaches a permissible level.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and a device for eliminating lint deposits in the hot-air circuit of clothe washers and dryers. The spiral backflow line (211) of the blower (210) and the air-heating chamber (230) are connected below by a line (220) which, along with the spiral backflow line (211) and the heating chamber (230), is filled with water up to a specific height (H) on the basis of the manometric backflow height (hm) of the blower so as to create a cyclical vortex effect that dislodges the lint deposits when the blower (210) is in operation.

Abstract: A washing method for a boiling clothes washing machine having a heater which provides a method for dissolving enzyme detergent in washing water. The washing water is heated to a temperature for activating the enzyme detergent, and then the clothes to be washed are drenched. Another method for dissolving the enzyme detergent in the washing water is to heat the washing water along with clothes to the boiling point, thereby obtaining sterilization, deodorization and bleaching. This method reduces the amount of washing water to be supplied and also reduces the washing time.

Abstract: A substantially self-contained system and corresponding method provides practical spot cleaning of soiled garments without requiring the use of chlorinated solvents. A soiled garment may optionally be pretreated with either of a water based or petroleum based nonchlorinated cleaner. Thereafter, a relatively high level of vacuum force is applied to the soiled garment to be cleaned, and comprises the flushing agent for both the soil and the pretreatment cleaner. Drying effects obtained with the vacuum force may be augmented by the addition of compressed air directed onto the garment. A self-contained workstation practicing such methodology may optionally include an electric water boiler for generating steam to be applied as a supplement to vacuum and also include an industrial grade vacuum pick-up with a waste collector for generating the relatively high vacuum force, preferably at least about 80 inches of mercury of static pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine which comprises a bubble generator operable to supply a predetermined amount of air bubbles into the washer tube in a batchwise manner at such a time interval as to allow said amount of air bubbles supplied in a preceding batch to be substantially collapsed before a next supply of said air bubbles commences.

Abstract: Washing process in an industrial washing machine, whereby a property of the wash liquor is measured which is dependent on the concentration of detergent product therein, and detergent product is added to the wash liquor, dependent on the property, characterized in that the wash cycle comprises a first period (t.sub.1) in which product is added during a fixed time period to obtain a high concentration in the wash liquor or until the measured property reaches a high set point where it is maintained by gradually adding detergent product, and a second period (t.sub.2) in which the property is kept at a low set point. There is also provided a device for controlling the dosing of detergent product to the process.

Abstract: The method for washing articles consists in introducing large elements into the machine drum with the articles to be treated, the elements having a flattened shape with rounded edges. Increasing the number of large elements and/or addition of an enzyme complex and/or a powder having similar properties and/or a material such a pumice results in premature (but controlled) wear of the articles to be treated. The invention considerably reduces the quantity of detergent products required for washing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of washing laundry without hot water and detergent using a closed-loop ozonated wash water system wherein wash water maintained in a storage tank is ozonated by an ozone generator prior to use in the washing machine. The ambient air used in the ozone generator to generate the ozone is undried and temperature controlled. The system includes a novel injector including a vacuum pump for entraining ozone into the water in the storage tank. The spent wash water is collected, filtered and reused, thereby eliminating waste water disposal problems, resulting in considerable water and energy savings.

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: To continuously print polychromatic designs on fabrics, a method is provided for horizontally moving the fabric with predetermined speed and direction, for drawing a prearranged amount of different colored liquid dyes, for applying the dyes of several colors to areas corresponding to predetermined adjacent points of the fabric in such a manner as to obtain particular chromatic effects due to the contemporaneous combination of several colors. The device comprises means for representing, on a video monitor, the image of the pictorial effect to be reproduced.

Abstract: A system for decontaminating waste water produced during dry cleaning operations wherein the waste water contains dry cleaning solvent and particulate contaminants, the system comprising: a storage tank including an inlet through which the waste water is introduced into the storage tank and walls defining a settling chamber having a bottom sediment zone, wherein at least a portion of the dry cleaning solvent and particulate contaminants in the waste water settle by gravity to form a sediment in the sediment zone and provide partially decontaminated waste water which contains reduced amounts of the dry cleaning solvent and particulate contaminants; pump means for removing the partially decontaminated waste water from the settling chamber; particulate filter means for removing substantially all of the particulates remaining in the partially decontaminated waste water to provide particulate free waste water; solvent filter means for removing substantially all of the dry cleaning solvent remaining in the particul

Abstract: A cleaning process for industrial rags to remove petroleum-based solvents in an environmentally safe manner comprises a series of steps. The industrial rags are initially subjected to high speed forces in a rotary drum to physically extract liquid solvent. The high speed extraction step is conducted while preferably maintaining a temperature within the drum of below the flash point of the petroleum-based solvent. Next, the rags are tumbled while being subjected to intermittent forced blasts of cold air and hot air to vaporize solvent remaining in the rags. The vapors are routed from the drum and condensed. The extracted liquid solvent and condensed solvent vapors are both routed to a waste solvent collection line. The industrial rags are finally cleaned with a dry cleaning solvent and dried to produce clean rags suitable for reuse.

Abstract: A dry cleaning system and method includes having a rotatable basket therein for receiving to-be-cleaned clothing articles. A fluid circulating system provides for the circulation filtering and cleaning of dry cleaning solvent through the cleaning basket and clothes therein. An air circulating system includes a motor driven fan together with a solvent recovery station utilized to pass heated air through the basket and clothing therein to extract the solvent therefrom. A steam injection system is periodically operated during the drying and reduction portions of the dry cleaning cycle to improve the efficiency of solvent recovery and increase the effectiveness of the dry cleaning system.

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: An improved 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 method and a device for supplying doses of various treatment products to at least one compartment of a processing machine, in particular a compartment (2) of a washing machine (1) using doses of various liquid textile treating products (8). Each product is supplied by means of a separate transfer device (17), and the machine goes through an operating procedure which involves generating a single control signal at predetermined times in the course of the treatment, combining the series of identical control signals with a selective transfer device (17) control program, and selectively controlling, according to the program, the transfer device as the control signals appear during the machine's operating procedure.

Abstract: A method is designed to treat the effluent from a commercial laundry facility. Commercial laundry facilities produce typically a relatively clean effluent produced by washing clothing, towels and the like. The same laundry facility can also produce an oily effluent from washing shop towels, mops and the like. The effluent produced by the commercial laundry is all subjected to a particulate filtration and heat exchanger. The nonoily effluent is then directed to the sanitary drain. The oily effluent is treated with a demulsifier to break down the oil/water emulsion and is subsequently transferred to a oil/water separator. This permits the capacity of the oil/water separator to be approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of that which would be required to treat all effluent in the laundry.

Abstract: A substantially self-contained system and corresponding method provides practical spot cleaning of soiled garments without requiring the use of chlorinated solvents. A soiled garment may optionally be pretreated with a water base, nonchlorinated cleaner. Thereafter, a relatively high level of vacuum force is applied to the soiled garment to be cleaned while steam is directed onto the spot. The steam comprises the main cleaner when no pretreatment is used, and comprises the flushing agent whenever a water-based pretreatment cleaner is used. Drying effects obtained with the vacuum force may be augmented by the addition of compressed air directed onto the garment. A self-contained workstation practicing such methodology may include an electric water boiler for generating steam and an industrial grade vacuum pick-up with a waste collector for generating the relatively high vacuum force, preferably at least about 80 inches of mercury of static pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which utilizes a novel dye solution for dyeing carpet in which the dye solution is heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point of water thus allowing fixation of the dye on the carpet without the need for a steam fixator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of rinsing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis. Water is added to the wash chamber while rotating the wash chamber about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric, rinse water and wash chamber to rotate at approximately the same speed. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and rinse water to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and rinse water. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber as the wash chamber decelerates by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. A spray of rinse water is directed onto the fabric during a first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber. The rinse water is then drained from the wash chamber. Finally, the rinse water is removed from the fabric by spinning and draining the wash chamber.

Abstract: In a process for dosing detergent compositions, which either are in the form of pastes or gels, or render such compositions when they are brought into contact with water, into a washing machine, the detergent composition is transported from a container for holding the composition to the washing machine via a conduit, whereafter said conduit is purged by means of a pressurized gas, preferably steam or air.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for dyeing textiles wherein simultaneously the surfaces of these textiles are mechanically processed in such manner that wear shall appear and that the fabric softens, making it possible to minimize energy and material expenditures on one hand and ecological stress on the other.For that purpose the invention provides that the textiles in the form of finished pieces or yard goods are stressed in-line by the bristles of brushes through which simultaneously a dye liquor with a very low proportion of dye of the order of magnitude of approximately 0.01 to 0.05 g/liter is deposited on the textile pieces.

Abstract: A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis and charged with a detergent solution is provided. The wash chamber is rotated about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric and detergent solution within the wash chamber to rotate at a speed approximately the same as the wash chamber. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and detergent solution to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and detergent solution. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. The steps of rotating, decelerating, and tumbling are repeated for a predetermined first period of time. A recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution is directed on to the fabric during the first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber.

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 wash process is provided for a horizontal washer wherein a concentrated detergent solution is applied to a spinning wash load, the load is spun to effect a greater than one gravity force to maintain the clothes load against the basket wall, and the concentrated detergent solution is recirculated through the clothes load 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 0.28%. The wash chamber will then 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: An article such as a mattress, carpet or curtain is treated by spraying its surface with liquid cryogen (usually liquid nitrogen). The liquid nitrogen acts as an acaricide and kills house dust mites. The dead mites are then removed from the freshly sprayed fabric. Such a treatment is also effective in dislodging particles of dirt from the articles and may be used for example to clean a carpet in situ. After treatment with the liquid nitrogen, the carpet may be subjected to a conventional vacuum cleaning.

Abstract: Apparatus for wet processing fabric with fluid, which includes a primary container for containing and processing fabric, mechanism for partially flooding the primary container, and a counterflow recycling mechanism. The primary container includes a kier for wet processing fabric, a chamber disposed within the kier, for receiving fabric and fluid therein, the chamber having a plurality of perforation, wherein the mechanism for partially flooding the primary container includes a receptacle, disposed within the kier beneath the chamber, being positioned to collect fluid which passes through the perforations of the chamber. The receptacle is sized to surround the chamber so that the amount of fluid in the chamber is sufficient to permit the flow of fabric through the chamber and the amount of fluid in the kier outside the receptacle is sufficient to meet net pressure suction heat requirements of the pumping system employed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A device comprising unoccluded vents and containing a detergent is employed. This device is placed with fabrics to be washed in the drum of a washing machine and the machine is started up, allowing the washing cycle to proceed. A detergent composition some of whose constituents are separate is employed and at least one of the constituents is introduced into the device and at least one other of the constituents is associated separately with the said device, so that during the washing all the constituents diffuse into the fabrics and the washing bath.

Abstract: In an automatic washing, a wash additive dispenser is disposed in a tub, and a drive mechanism is provided for selectively rotating the dispenser at a first angular speed and a second, greater angular speed. The wash additive fluid dispenser may be mounted on an agitator. The dispenser includes first passages for permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the tub when the dispenser is rotated at least as fast the first angular speed, and second passages for permitting liquid flow from the dispenser into the tub when the dispenser is rotated as least as fast as the second angular speed. The dispensing cup can include a frutoconical portion having a sidewall diverging upwardly and terminating in a radially outwardly-extending toroidal portion disposed at the upper end of the frustoconical portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing "one off effect" dyeings on paper or textile material comprising:passing (preferably drawing) the material continuously through an application zone containing a number of loosely-packed applicator elements, which elements contact and can apply treatment medium to the material in response to the motion of the material, the applicator elements being continuously or intermittently contacted with a treatment medium (preferably a solution containing a dyestuff or etching compound), whereby the "one off effect" is produced by the passage of the material under or through the elements, onto which the medium has been applied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing laundry without hot water and detergent using a closed loop ozonated wash water system wherein wash water maintained in a storage tank is ozonated by an ozone generator prior to use in a washing machine. The spent wash water is collected, filtered and reused thereby eliminating waste water disposal problems and resulting in considerable water and energy savings. The ozone generator includes a unique air flow configuration to maximize ozone generation resulting in a high efficiency washing system.