US2757065A

US2757065A - Method of washing clothes

Info

Publication number: US2757065A
Application number: US300305A
Authority: US
Inventors: George P Castner
Original assignee: Speed-Flex Inc
Current assignee: Speed-Flex Inc
Priority date: 1952-07-22
Filing date: 1952-07-22
Publication date: 1956-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 1973-07-31

Description

July 31, 1956 G. P. CASTNER METHOD OF WASHING CLOTHES Filed July 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

George P Gasfner ilnited States 2,757,065 Patented July 31, 1956 ice METHOD OF WASHING CLOTHES George P. Castner, Webster Ci y, Iowa, assignor to Speed-Flex, Inc., a corporation of Iowa Application July 22, 1952 Serial No. 300,305

5 Claims. (Cl. 8-159) The present invention relates to methods of washing clothes, or the like.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide a method of Washing clothes, or the like, that involves a clothes washing machine comprising a stationary upstanding tub in which an upstanding dasher disposed adjacent to an upstanding wall thereof is continuously rotated in a single direction at a relatively high speed. In this clothes washing machine, the clothes and the wash liquid are continuously whirled and centrifugally discharged in a spiral path in a given direction outwardly away from an upstanding active area disposed adjacent to the wall of the tub upon which the dasher is rotatably mounted and sucked back inwardly toward the center of the active area. Finally, the clothes are rubbed and pulsated by shallow ribs or vanes carried on the face of the dasher as they are circulated or moved through the active area.

While the washing action of this clothes washing machine is quite satisfactory, as far as soil removal from the clothes is concerned, it is subject to the serious criticism that the clothes are badly tangled and balled-up during the operation thereof. This result flowed primarily from the circumstances that the whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes always take place in the same direction in the spiral path mentioned and that the rubbing and pulsating of the clothes also take effect in this same direction. This tangling of the clothes is very objectionable when the load consists essentially of several shirts, the long sleeves thereof becoming so entwined that the shirts may be torn during the operation of the clothes washing machine, aside from the facts that the shirts are not properly washed, when they are so tangled, and must subsequently be manually separated with great care in order to avoid further damage thereto.

Accordingly, 'it is the general object of the present invention'to provide'an improved method of washing clothes involving .a stationary upstanding tub and a continuously rotated dasher disposed adjacent to a wall of the tub, whereby tangling and balling-up of the clothes are greatly minimized or eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of washing clothes in a stationary upstanding tub in which the clothes are subjected to a plurality of successive washing cycles; wherein, in each washing cycle, the clothes and the wash liquid are continuously whirled and centrifugally discharged during a first short time interval in a first direction outwardly away from an upstanding active area in the rub and sucked back inwardly toward the center of the active area, then the clothes and the wash liquid are brought to a substantially quiescent condition during a second short time interval, then the clothes and the wash liquidate again continuously whirled and centrifugally discharged during a third short time interval in a second spiral path in a second direction outwardly away from the active area in the tub and sucked back inwardly toward the center of the active area, then the clothes and the wash liquid are again brought to a substantially quiescent condition during a fourth short time interval, the first and second directions being opposite to each other to minimize tangling of the clothes, and the clothes are rubbed and pulsated as they are moved through the active area.

The present invention is predicated upon the discovery that'the objectionable tangling of the clothes in a clothes washing machine of the character described may be eliminated by reversing periodically the direction of the continuous rotation of the dasher coupled with intervening periods in which rotation of the dasher is arrested. In the continuous rotation of the dasher during a first short time interval in a first direction, there is only slight tendency to wrap-up the clothes in the first direction; and during a following second short time interval, when rotation of the dasher is arrested, the clothes nicely unfold in the washing liquid, as the clothes and the wash liquid assume a substantially quiescent condition. Now in the continuous rotation of the dasher during a third short time interval in the second direction, there is only slight tendency to wrap-up the clothes in the second direction; and during a following fourth short time interval, when rotation of the dasher is arrested, the clothes nicely unfold in the wash liquid, as the clothes and the wash liquid assume a substantially quiescent condition. Thus in the two complementary active portions of each washing cycle, the tendencies to wrap-up the clothes are in opposite directions, so that in each active portion of each washing cycle, the clothes are unwrapped with respect to the wrap-up in the immediately preceding active portion of each washing cycle. Further, in each substantially quiascent portion of each washing cycle, not only are the clothes nicely unfolded in the wash liquid, as previously noted, but they are subjected to what may be termed a soaking action that is very beneficial in causing soil that has been previously loosened from the clothes to separate therefrom and settle-out in the wash liquid in the bottom of the tub. In fact, it has been discovered that the two soaking actions that take place between the two oppositely directed washing actions in the washing cycle are productive of an overall reduction in the total washing time interval required to obtain a given washing effect upon a given load of clothes.

While it is not essential that the two time intervals of rotation of the dasher in the two opposite directions are identical, it is convenient in the construction of the cycle control mechanism or timer to provide this arrangement; and likewise, while it is not essential that the two time intervals during which rotation of the dasher is arrested are identical, it is convenient in the construction of the timer to provide this arrangement; and in fact, in the interest of simplification of the timer, it has been found that each of the four time intervals mentioned in the washing cycle may be conveniently made of about 15 seconds. I j

Further features of the invention pertain to the par ticular arrangement of the steps of the method, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a clothes washing machine in which the method of the present invention may be carried out;

Fig. 2 is a lateral sectional view of the clothes Washing machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuit incorporated in the clothes washing machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a modified form of a clothes washing machine in which the method of the present invention may be carried out; and

Fig. 5 is a lateral vertical sectional view of the clothes Washing machine, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 55 in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the clothes washing machine there illustrated, and in which the method of the present invention is carried out, comprises a stationary upstanding tub 11 having an open top bounded by a downwardly turned and rolled rim 12. The tub 11 is suitably supported in an upstanding position in a housing, not shown, and includes upstanding front and

rear walls

13 and 14, and

upstanding side walls

15 and 16 terminating in a connecting substantially arcuateshaped bottom wall 17. An upstanding rearwardly projecting annular depression 18 is formed in the rear wall 14 and receives an upstanding annular substantially disklike dasher 19. The dasher 19 is rigidly secured to the inner end of a substantially horizontally disposed stub shaft 20 projecting through an opening provided in the central portion of the depression 18, the outer end of the stub shaft 20 having a V-pulley 21 rigidly secured thereto. Suitable inner and outer bearing and packing

gland members

22 and 23 are arranged on opposite sides of the rear wall 14 in surrounding relation with respect to the stub shaft 20 in order to mount the stub shaft 20 for rotation in either direction and to prevent the escape of wash liquid along the stub shaft 20 from the tub 11. Preferably, the dasher 19 is substantially crown-shaped having a substantially smooth outer face 24 projecting forwardly from the rear wall 14 into the tub 11 and terminating in a substantially annular skirt 25 projecting rearwardly into the depression 18. More particularly, the face 24 of the dasher 19 is provided with a plurality of shallow ribs or vanes 26 that are preferably substantially equally angularly spaced-apart and radially disposed, four of the ribs 26 being shown for purpose of illustration. The dasher 19 may be of integral die pressed sheet metal construction, whereby the ribs 26 comprise forwardly directed embosses in the face 24 thereof. Thus, it will be understood that the dasher 19 is mounted for rotation in either direction within the tub 11 with the stub shaft 20.

For the purpose of rotating the dasher 19, there is provided an electric motor 27 of the single-phase alternating current induction type that is mounted upon a bracket 28 which is suitably secured to the bottom wall 17 and supported by the tub 11. The motor 27 is of the reversible type and includes an operating shaft 29 that has a V-pulley 30 rigidly secured to the outer end thereof. The stub shaft 20 and the operating shaft 29 are arranged in substantially parallel relationship; and the V-pulleys 21 and 30 carried on the outer ends of the

respective shafts

20 and 29 are aligned with respect to each other. Finally, the V-pulleys 21 and 30 are interconnected by an appropriate V-belt 31; and in the arrangement, the V-pulley 30 is considerably smaller than the V-pulley 21, since the speed of rotation of the operating shaft 29 is considerably greater than that of the stub shaft 20. Specifically, the operating shaft 29 of the electric motor 20 may have a normal speed of rotation of about 1750 R. P. M.; and the normal speed of rotation of the stub shaft 20 may be about 250 R. P. M.

In the construction of the washing machine 10, the distance between the front and

rear Walls

13 and 14 may be about 10%"; the distance between the

side walls

15 and 16 may be about 14''; the radius of the bottom wall 17 taken from the center line of the stub shaft 20 may be about 7"; and the radius of the dasher 19 may be about 6", whereby the tub normally has a capacity of about 7 gallons of wash liquid when it is filled to a normal head indicated by the broken line 32 so that the principal portion of the dasher 19 is submerged therein.

As shown in Fig. 3, the electric motor 27 is provided with a manually settable cycle control arrangement that includes a source of electric current supply of 1l0-volts, A. C., single-phase, a master switch S33 and a control switch S34. The electric motor 27 comprises a stator 35 provided with respective main and auxiliary windings 36 and 37 arranged in quadrature relation and a rotor 38 mounted upon the operating shaft 29 and provided with a squirrel-cage winding 39. Also, operatively associated with the shaft 29 is a start switch S40 of the centrifugal type provided with a contact control member 41. The master switch 833 is provided with a single pair of contacts 42; while the control switch S34 is provided with six pairs of

contacts

43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48. The cycle control mechanism further comprises a timer motor 49 of the synchronous type having an operating shaft 50 that is connected to an associated gear box 51 housing suitable reduction gearing, not shown. Projecting from the gear box 51 are first and second driven shafts 52 and 53 that arerespectively rotated at one revolution per minute and at one revolution per hour. An insulating control cam 54 is rigidly secured to the driven shaft 52 and is arranged to govern the position of the control switch S34. The driven shaft 53 is operatively connected to a driven shaft 55 by an interposed slip clutch 56 of the friction type. An insulating control cam 57 is rigidly secured to the driven shaft 55 and is arranged to govern the position of the master switch S33. Further, a manually operable control dial or knob 58 is rigidly secured to the extreme outer end of the driven shaft 55 and is provided with suitable indicia that cooperates with a fixed marker 59. Finally, the circuit control arrangement comprises a capacitor 60 that is employed in the circuit of the auxiliary winding 37 for the purpose of shifting the phase relationship between the starting current traversing the auxiliary winding 37 and the starting current traversing the main winding 36; the electric motor 27 being of the conventional capacitorstart type. As illustrated, the control cam 57 includes a single projection 61 that is arranged to operate the master switch S33 into its open position when the off indicia carried by the control dial 53 matches the marker 59; and, as illustrated, the control cam 54 comprises a projecting quadrant 62 and an opposed depressed quadrant 63, as well as two intervening medium or

reference quadrants

64 and 65.

Considering now the operation of the cycle control circuit illustrated in Fig. 3, when the control cam 57 occupies its ofi position operating the master switch S33 into its open position, the control cam 54 may occupy any position, such, for example, as that illustrated, wherein the control switch S34 is operated into its open position. At this time, the operator may manually rotate the control knob 58 in the counterclockwise direction from its off position into its variable on position, as indicated by the cooperation between the marker 59 and the index carried by the control knob 58. When the shaft 55 is thus operated out of its off position, the control cam 57 is rotated out of its off position causing the projection 61 to control the master switch S33 operating it from its open position into its closed position. When the contact pair 42 of the master switch S33 is thus closed, a circuit is completed for operating the timer motor 49, whereby the shaft 50 thereof is rotated at the synchronous speed causing the gearing in the gear box 51 to drive the shafts 52 and 53 at the respective speeds of one revolution per minute and of one revolution per hour. More particularly, the shaft 53 is rotated in the clockwise direction thereby restoring the shaft 55 in the clockwise direction back into its off position during a time interval corresponding to the initial setting of the manual dial 58. The shaft 53 drives the shaft 55 through the slip clutch 56, which slip clutch 56 accommodates initial manual setting of the shaft 55 with respect to the shaft 53. When the shaft 55 is returned into its off position, the control dial 58 is returned into its off position and the control cam 57 is returned into its on position so that the projection 61 operates the master switch S33 into its open .motor 27 in the forward direction.

position. When the master switch S33 is thus operated into its open position, operation of the timer motor 49 is arrested. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that by means of the control dial 58 any overall time interval may be manually set for operation of the timer motor 49.

During operation of the timer motor 49, the shaft 52 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction at one revolution per minute, as previously noted, whereby the four

sections

64, 63, 65 and 62 of the control cam 54 sequentially cooperate with the control switch 334 in a cyclic manner. As illustrated, when the portion 64 of the control cam 54 cooperates with the control switch $34, the control switch S34 is operated into its off position opening each of the contact pairs 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48; whereby the electric motor 27 occupies its open-circuit position. Subsequently, when the portion 63 of the control cam .52 cooperates with the control switch S34, the control switch S34 is operated into one of its on positions (its forward position) closing the contact pairs 44, 46 and 43. In the forward position of the control switch S34 a circuit, including the contact pair 48, is completed for energizing the main Winding 36 of the electric motor 27; and a circuit, including the contact pairs 46 and 44, as well as the capacitor 6i) and the start switch S40, is completed for poling and energizin the auxiliary winding 37 of the electric Accordingly, the electric motor 27 quickly starts rotating the shaft 29 thereof in the forward direction and causing the start switch S43 to operate the contact control member 41into its open position so as to deenergize the auxiliary winding 3'7; whereby the electric motor 27 continues to run in the forward direction by virtue of the energization of the main winding 36 at this time. Thereafter, when the portion 65 of the control cam 54 cooperates with the control switch 834, the control switch S34 is operated back into its off position opening the contact pairs 44, 46 and 48 so as to deenergize the main winding 36 of the electric motor 27 in order that rotation of the shaft 29 is quickly stopped causing the start switch S40 to return the contact control member 41 back onto its closed position. Thereafter, when the portion 62 of the control cam 54 cooperates with the control switch S34, the control switch S34 is operated into the other of its on positions (its reverse position) closing the contact pairs 43, 45 and 47. In the reverse position of the control switch S34, a circuit, including the contact pair 47, is completed for energizing the main winding 36 of the electric motor 27; and a circuit, including the contact pairs 43 and 45, as well as the capacitor 64 and the start switch S40, is completed for poling and energizing the auxiliary winding 37 of the electric motor 27 in the reverse direction. Accordingly, the electric motor 27 quickly starts rotating the shaft 29 thereof in the reverse direction and causing the start switch S40 to operate the contact control member 41 into its open position so as to deenergize the auxiliary Winding 37; whereby the electric motor 27 continues to run in the reverse direction by virtue of the energization of the main winding 36 at this time. Thereafter, when the portion 64 of the control cam 54 again cooperates with the control switch S34, the control switch S34 is opera-ted back into its off position opening the contact pairs 43, 45 and 47 so as to deenergize the main winding 36 of the motor 27 in order that rotation of the shaft 259 is quickly stopped causing the start switch S40 to return the contact control member 41 back into its closed position.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that during the overall time interval the master switch S33 occupies its closed position, the control switch S34 is operatedcyclically through its off, forward, off and reverse positions. In the arrangement, the control cam 54 governs the cycle of the control switch S34 once each minute so that in each cycle of the control switch S34, .the electric motor 27 is run in the forward direction during a first short time interval of about 15 seconds, the electric motor 27 is stopped during a second short time interval of about 15 seconds, the electric motor 27 is run in the reverse direction during a third short time interval of about 15 seconds, and the electric motor 27 is stopped during a fourth short time interval of about 15 seconds. Of course, the cyclic control of the electric motor 27, described above, is repeated throughout the overall time interval during which the master switch S33 occupies its closed position; and when the master switch S33 is operated into its open position, further operation of the motor 27 is arrested, regardless of the position of the control switch S34.

Considering now the method of washing clothes in the clothes washing machine 10, the wash liquid, the clothes to be washed, and a suitable detergent are placed in the tub 11, and the control knob 58 is manually set to the desired overall washing time interval so as to initiate the cyclic control of the electric motor 27 previously described. More particularly, the electric motor 27 operates the dasher 19 through a plurality of Washing cycles; and in each washing cycle, the dasher 19 is rotated in the forward direction during the first short time interval, the rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested during the second short time interval, then the dasher 19 is rotated in the reverse direction during the third short time interval, and then rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested during the fourth short time interval. More particularly, during the first short time interval mentioned, the dasher 12 is quickly accelerated from its rest position and continuously rotated in the forward direction substantially at its full speed of 250 R. P. M.; and during the second short time interval mentioned, rotation of the dasher 12 in the forward direction is quickly arrested. Similarly, during the third short time interval mentioned, the dasher 19 is quickly accelerated from its rest position and continuously rotated in the reverse direction substantially at its full speed of 250 R. P. M.; and during the fourth short time interval mentioned, rotation of the dasher 19 in the reverse direction is quickly arrested.

During the first short time interval mentioned, the continuous rotation of the dasher 19 in the forward direction whirls and centrifugally discharges the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11 in a first spiral path extending in a first direction outwardly away from an upstanding active area disposed adjacent to the face 24 thereof, and sucks the clothes and the wash liquid back inwardly toward the center of the dasher 19 along a substantially horizontal path; and during the second short time interval mentioned, when the forward rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested, the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11 assume a substantially quiescent condition. Likewise, during the third short time interval mentioned, the continuous rotation of the dasher 12 in the reverse direction whirls and centrifugally discharges the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11 in a second spiral path extending in a second direction outwardly away from the upstanding active area disposed adjacent to the face 24 thereof, and sucks the clothes and the wash liquid back inwardly toward the center of the dasher 19 along the substantially horizontal path; and during the fourth short time interval mentioned, when the reverse rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested, the clothes and the Wash liquid in the tub 11 assume a substantially quiescent condition.

During the forward whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11, the clothes are circulated successively over the face 24 of the dasher 19, so that they are rubbed and pulsated by the low shallow ribs 26 provided on the face 24 of the dasher 19 in order to loosen soil therefrom; whereby the loosened soil quickly settles in the wash liquid to the bottom of the tub 11, when forward rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested. Likewise, during the reverse whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11, the clothes are circulated successively over 7 the face 24 of the dasher 19, so that they are rubbed and pulsated by the low shallow ribs 26 provided on the face 24 of the dasher 19 in order to loosen soil therefrom; whereby the loosened soil quickly settles in the wash liquid to the bottom of the tub 11, when reverse rotation of the dasher 19 is arrested.

While there is a slight tendency for the clothes to be wrapped-up during the continuous forward rotation of the dasher 19, the clothes are nicely unfolded during the following substantially quiescent period; and while there is a slight tendency for the clothes to be wrappedup during continuous reverse rotation of the dasher 19, the clothes are nicely unfolded during the following substantially quiescent period. Moreover, since the wrapup of the clothes produced by the continuous forward whirling action and the wrap-up of the clothes produced by the continuous reverse whirling action take place in opposite directions, each of these complementary actions produces an unwrapping action with respect to the wrapping action of the other. Furthermore, since the two actions take place only during short time intervals, there is never any severe wrapping-up or tangling of the clothes during operation of the clothes washing machine 10. Finally, it appears that the substantially quiescent periods interposing between the complementary whirling actions produce highly desirable soaking actions upon the clothes, whereby the overall washing time interval is actually reduced in order to obtain a predetermined washing effect upon a given load of clothes.

The forward rotation of the dasher 19 produces the forward whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid in the upstanding active area adjacent to the face 24 thereof and adjacent to the upstanding rear wall 14 of the tub 11, by virtue of the centrifugal forces involved that are produced by the action of the shallow ribs 26 upon the clothes and the wash liquid; and in this case, the forwardly directed spirals of the wash liquid current spread-out in the forward direction away from the center of the dasher 19. Likewise, the reverse rotation of the dasher 19 produces the reverse whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid in the upstanding active area adjacent to the face 24 thereof and adjacent to the upstanding rear wall 14 of the tub 11, by virtue of the centrifugal forces involved that are produced by the action of the shallow ribs 26 upon the clothes and the wash liquid; and in this case, the rearwardly directed spirals of the wash liquid current spread-out in the reverse direction away from the center of the dasher 19. Also, in either direction of rotation of the dasher 19, the suction of the clothes and the wash liquid along the horizontal path toward the center of the dasher 19 effects some entrainment of air that is useful in producing aeration of the clothes as they undergo the washing operation.

In carrying out the method, it is not essential that the first short time interval of the forward whirling action and the third short time interval of the reverse whirling action be equal; and likewise, it is not essential that the second and fourth short time intervals of the two interposed quiescent periods be equal; however, it has been found to be very convenient in the construction of the cyclic control mechanism or timer to provide each of the short time intervals mentioned of a duration of about 15 seconds. Specifically, the 15 seconds forward and reverse whirling actions are not sufiiciently long to bring about substantial wrapping-up of the clothes; and the 15 seconds quiescent periods are adequate to obtain the desired unfolding of the clothes.

In passing, it is noted that the overall circulation of the clothes and the wash liquid in the tub 11 is greatly improved by virtue of the circumstance that the clothes are not permitted to ball-up or become tangled in accordance with the present method; whereby, a more effective washing action is in fact achieved during the overall washing time interval, notwithstanding the quiescent periods disposed between the forward whirling action and the reverse whirling action in each of the plurality of washing cycles. Moreover, the load handling capacity of the clothes washing machine 10 is increased approximately 50% by employing the present method, whereby in the clothes washing machine 10 a total load between 6 and 8 pounds depending upon the character of the clothes, may be thoroughly washed without tangling in a short overall washing time interval.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the modified form of the clothes washing machine there illustrated, and in which the method of the present invention is carried out, is substantially identical to the clothes washing machine 10 previously described, except that the dasher 119 that is mounted in the substantially annular recess 118 provided in the lower portion of the upstanding rear wall 114 of the upstanding tub 111 is considerably smaller than the dasher 19 of the clothes washing machine 10 and occupies a Well-submerged position with respect to the normal wash liquid level 132 in the tub 111. Moreover, in this construction, the dasher 119 being smaller in diameter is continuously rotated alternately in the two directions at a higher speed in order to obtain the required whirling and centrifugal discharge of the clothes and the wash liquid, in the manner previously explained. For example, the dasher 119 may have a diameter of about 5%" and may be rotated at a speed of about 700 R. P. M. It is contemplated that the cycle control arrangement of Fig. 3 will be incorporated in the clothes washing machine 110 so that the mode of operation thereof and the method that is carried out therein are the same as previously described in conjunction with the clothes washing machine 10.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved method of washing clothes in a stationary tub that may be carried out in a clothes washing machine embodying a minimum number of simple operating parts.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of washing clothes in a body of wash liquid in a compartment comprising subjecting the clothes to a plurality of successive washing cycles; wherein each washing cycle comprises continuously rotating the wash liquid and the clothes in a first direction in a given plane at an active area at a wall of the compartment at a relatively high speed and during a first short time interval sufficient to discharge centrifugally the wash liquid and the clothes in a first spiral path in said first direction and radially outwardly in said given plane and away from said active area and to suck the wash liquid and the clothes back inwardly toward the center of said active area, arresting said rotation of the wash liquid and the clothes during a second short time interval sufficient to bring the wash liquid and the clothes to a substantially quiescent condition following said continuous rotation thereof in said first direction during said first short time interval, continuously rotating the wash liquid and the clothes in a second direction in said given plane at said active area at a relatively high speed and during a third short time interval sufiicient to discharge centrifugally the wash liqiud and the clothes in a second spiral path in said second direction radially outwardly in said given plane and away from said active area and to suck the wash liquid and the clothes back inwardly toward the center of said active area, arresting said rotation of the wash liqiud and the clothes during a fourth short time interval sufficient to bring the wash liquid and the clothes to a substantially quiescent condition following said continuous rotation thereof in said first direction during said third short time interval, said first and second directions being opposite to each other, thereby to minimize tangling of the clothes during successive rotations thereof in opposite directions, and rubbing and pulsating the clothes as they are moved through said active area during each rotation thereof.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and third short time intervals are substantially equal, and said second and fourth short time intervals are substantially equal.

3. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second and third and fourth short time intervals are substantially equal.

4. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second and third and fourth short time intervals is of the order of 15 seconds.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said given 15 2,516,656

plane is upstanding, and said active area is at an upstanding Wall of the compartment.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Getz Feb. 11, 1930 Snyder July 12, 1932 Nelson Aug. 22, 1933 Davis Oct. 6, 1936 Kuhn Jan. 3, 1939 Hetzer July 18, 1939 Lundy Nov. 23, 1943 Jacobs Nov. 21, 1944 Ferris Aug. 10, 1948 Calhoun Nov. 30, 1948 Gibson Aug. 9, 1949 Smith July 25, 1950

Claims

1. THE METHOD OF WASHING CLOTHES IN A BODY OF WASH LIQUID IN A COMPARTMENT COMPRISING SUBJECTING THE CLOTHES TO A PLURALITY OF SUCCESSIVE WASHING CYCLES; WHEREIN EACH WASHING CYCLE COMPRISES CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING THE WASH LIQUID AND THE CLOTHES IN A FIRST DIRECTION IN A GIVEN PLANE AT AN ACTIVE AREA AT A WALL OF THE COMPARTMENT AT A RELATIVLEY HIGH SPEED AND DURING A FIRST SHORT TIME INTERVAL SUFFICIENT TO DISCHARGE CENTRIFUGALLY THE WASH LIQUID AND THE CLOTHES IN A FIRST SPIRAL PATH IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION AND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY IN SAID GIVEN PLANE AND AWAY FROM SAID ACTIVE AREA AND TO SUCK THE WASH LIQUID AND THE CLOTHES BACK INWARDLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF SAID ACTIVE AREA, ARRESTING SAID ROTATION OF THE WASH LIQUID AND THE CLOTHES DURING A SECOND SHORT TIME INTERVAL SUFFICIENT TO BRING THE WASH LIQUID AND THE CLOTHES TO A SUBSTANTIALLY QUIESCENT CONDITION FOLLOWING SAID CONTINUOUS ROTATION THEREOF IN