US2950613A - Laundry machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1960 J. BocHAN LAUNDRY MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1958 FIG.

57 INVENTOR.

J'OH N BOCHAN BY flufim,

HIS ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 Filed April 28, 1958 J. BOCHAN LAUNDRY MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 e7 U H 72 25 37 as as 2 Maj HIS ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 J. BOCHAN 2,950,613

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed April 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

J'OHN BOCHAN BY w p HIS ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1960 J. BOCHAN LAUNDRY MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 28, 1958 FIGS INVENTOR.

TOHN BOCHAN BY Z.) M

HI ATTORNEY LAUNDRY MACHINE John Buchan, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 731,362

4 Claims. or. 68-12 This invention relates to laundry machines of the type which provide a centrifugal extraction of liquid from clothes after a washing operation, and more particularly to such machines where the rotational axis of the machine is non-vertical.

Laundry machines of the type which provide a clothes receptacle rotatable on a non-vertical (usually horizontal) axis normally proceed through a sequence of first washing and rinsing clothes in a receptacle which is rotated at an appropriate speed for the clothes to proceed through a tumbling pattern within the receptacle, and then effecting a centrifugal extraction of liqui from the clothes by rotating the receptacle, or basket, at high speed. This holds true vhether the machine is simply a washing machine, in which case the operation of the machine is generally terminated after the centrifugal extraction, or spin operation, or whether it is a combination washing and drying machine, in which case a heat drying operation is normally provided after the spin operation. Modifications of the basic cycle of washing, rinsing and spinning are, of course, possible. For instance, more than one rinse may be provided, and spins may be provided after the wash cycle and after the intermediate rinses as well as at the end after the final rinse. Nonetheless, the basic cycle of washing, rinsing and spinning is necessarily adhered to in all cases.

While unbalances within the basket during tumbling, which is normally conducted at speeds in the vicinity of 45 r.p.m., are so small as to be negligible, unbalances during the high speed centrifugal extraction operation tend to cause undesirable vibrations of the machine and strain on the various parts of the machine. T o preclude 7 these results, most laundry machines of the general type described above are provided with unbalance mechanisms which may operate in a variety of ways to preclude harm to the machine through excessive vibration caused by high speed rotation with an unbalanced load in the basket. For instance, in some cases, controls are actuated by the unbalance switch to return the clothes receptacle to its lower speed for a brief period of time to give the clothes a chance to re-orient themselves, thereafter again attempting the high speed of rotation. Another alternative is simply to shut the machine off if an unbalance is sensed by the unbalance switch.

Regardless which of the foregoing approaches is used, the presence of substantial unbalance in the basket when it starts to accelerate for centrifugal extraction is objectionable. If the machine is shut off completely the housewife has to come back and start it up again. If the machine is slowed down for redistribution of the clothes, several attempts may be necessary before the machine finally has a distributed load which will permit the spin operation to continue. It can thus be seen that it is most desirable to achieve a structure in laundry machines of the class discussed in which there is removed a substantial part of the uncertainty of the clothes distribution when the machine starts to accelerate, i.e., where there 2F,950,dl3 Patented Au 3%, i956 is a strong tendency to distribute the clothes in an even pattern around the basket so that the load is substantially balanced.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved laundry machine construction wherein the elements cooperate to induce substantially even distribution of clothes around the periphery of the clothes basket prior to high speed spin extraction.

A further object of the invention is to achieve such a construction with a minimum of deviation from the presently provided construction, thereby to minimize the additional expenditure required to achieve the desired goal.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a laundry machine which has a clothes receptacle rotatable on a non-vertical axis,as described. Multi-speed means are provided capable of rotating the receptacle at three difierent speeds: first, a clothes tumbling speed of ap proximately 45 r.p.m. is provided for the washing and rinsing operations (in a combination washer-dryer, it is also appropriate for the heat drying operation); second, a relatively low centrifugal speed, preferably at or slightly above the minimum necessary for keeping the clothes plastered around the peripheral wall of the receptacle, is

' provided; and the third speed provided is a high centrifuging speed suitable for the extraction of liquid from the clothes. The usual means are provided for introducing liquid into the receptacle, and draining liquid from the receptacle. In combination with all of these parts, I provide control means which, when a spin is desired subsequent to either a washing or a rinsing operation, cause the multi-speed means to rotate the receptacle at the second or low centrifuging speed without removing the liquid from the receptacle. The control means then are effective to cause the draining means to remove the liquid from the receptacle after an appropriate period of rotation at the low spin speed, and finally, after the water has been drained, the control means cause the multi-speed means to rotate the receptacle at the high centrifuging speed.

It has been found by experimentation that when the speed is raised from tumble to the low centrifuging, or plaster, speed in the presence of the washing or rinsing liquid in the receptacle, the relatively high drag of the liquid as compared to the relatively small force holding the clothes around the peripheral wall at the low speed tends to knock loose and smooth out any clusters of clothes. This is partly due to impact of the projecting clusters with the liquid as they are rotated down toward it and partly due to the drag of the liquid as the clothes are moved through it; thus, the net effect of the liquid is to smooth out the clusters so that the clothes are substantially evenly distributed after a brief period of operation at the low centrifuging speed. Thereafter, the distribution of the clothes having been effected, the liquid is drained from the container and the speed is brought up to that appropriate for extraction of the liquid from the clothes.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. My invention itself, however, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a combination washer-dryer of the type which may incorporate my improved clothes distributing arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the combination washer-dryer, with the rear panel removed to illustrate details;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine, partly in section and with certain surfaces broken away to show details;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in cross-section along 'line.44 inFig. 1, with the clothes basket and tub'of the machine removed in order to illustrate details of the; 7 drive of the machine;

Fig. is a partly schematic front elevational view of the basket and tub of the machine during the washing and rinsing of clothes theren; 3

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 during rotation of the basket at a speed such as to plaster the clothes against the periphery thereof; and 7 a a Fig. 71's a schematic diagram of a control circuit ap propriate for use in providing a suitable control sequence for the machine. 1 Referring now to Figs. 1', 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a combinationclothes washing and dry ing machine where the operating elements of the machine are, included within an outer cabinet structure having a central wraparound section 1. Section 1 is supported on a base and toe board assembly 2 and carriesa separate top 3 on which is supported a backsplash panel 4 which may, as shown, be mounted on posts 5; Control panel 4 is provided with appropriate control devices such as for instance dials 6 which may be provided for controlling various types ofwa'shing and drying sequences, and various drying temperatures, and such as buttons 7 which may control various other functions, such as water temperature, omission of dryerfunction, etc. Access to the interior of the machine is provided by adoor 8, formed in section 1 which is mounted on concealed hinges and is opened ,by means of a knee operated latch control 9;

As best shown in Fig., 3, the machine is of the horizontal axis type, that is, it has a substantially cylindrical clothes basket or receptacle 10 mounted for rotation on a generally horizontal axis within an outer enclosing tub structure 11. Basket 10 comprises a cylindrical shell or wall 12 which is closed at its rear end by means of a suitable wall or plate 13. The basket also included a front wall 14 which is formed so as to define an access or loading opening 15 in registry with an opening 16 in wraparound section 1 provided for door 8. The basket is rotatably supported by a shaft 17 which is mounted in an elongated bearing 18 supported from rear wall 19 of tub 11. The tub is also provided with an opening 20 aligned with opening 16 and opening 15 so that clothes may be placed into and removedfrom the basket when door 8 is opened. The door seals against a suitable gasket 21 during operation of the machine.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 4, and also to Figs. 2 and 3, during the operation of the machine the basket 10 is driven fiom an electric motor 22. The drive from the motor to the basket includes a pulley 23 which is secured to the motor shaft so as to rotate therewith and .shaft 26 to varying distances from sheaves 27 and 28. It

will be-observed (Fig. 3) that sheave plate 27 has a sloping surface 30 which in cooperation with a sloping surface 31 on movable sheave plate 29 forms a groove 32 of adjustable width, Similarly, on its other side, movable sheave plate 29 is provided with a sloping surface 33 which cooperates with sloping surface 34 of rigidly secured sheave plate 28 to form a second groove 35 of adjustable width. 1 V

7 Since belt 24 has a predetermined width, it can be seen that movement of sheave plate 29 relative to sheave plate 27 will cause the belt 24 ;to seat in groove 32 at a distance from the center of shaft '26 which'is determined by the distance of sheave plate 29 from sheave plate 27; The

of motor '22- to be substantially constant, and therefore the rotational speed of the adjustable sheave assembly 25 is dependent on the effective sheave diameter provided by the cooperation of sheave plates 27 and 29. When the sheave plates 29 and 27 are in the position shown in the figures, sheave assembly 25 is rotating at a relatively low speed. If sheave plate 29 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, away from sheave plate 27, then belt 24 will move in radially toward shaft 26 as groove 32 widens, and will cause a greater rotational speed of the sheave assembly 25 for-a given rotational speed of pulley '23 by motor22. V H 7 A second belt 36 is driv en in groove 35 by the sheave formed by the cooperation of sheave plates 29 and 28. When adjustable sheave'plate 29 is in the position shown so that groove 35 is quite wide, belt 36 has to move in radially toward shaft 26 a substantial amount before it seats on the surfaces 33 and 34 of sheave plates 29 and 28 respectively. This means that for a given rotational speed of the adjustable sheave assembly (as imparted to it by belt 24), belt 35 will be traveling at a relatively low rate of linear speed. If sheave plate 29 is moved to the left so that belt 36 is forced outwardly in. groove 35, then The highest rate of speed will be provided if sheave plate 29 is moved as far as possible to the left, in which case belt 24 moves inwardly as far as possible to provide the highest rotational speed of. the assembly 25 for a given linear speedof belt 24, and the output linear speed of belt 36 is the highest possible for a given rotational speed of assembly 25.

Belt 36 passes over a sheave 37 which forms part of a unitary assembly with a sheave 38 which drives a belt 39. Referring now primarily to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be.

seen that belt 39 drives a sheave 40 which is rigidly secured to the end of shaft 17 so as to rotate basket 10.

Returning now to the adjustable'sheave assembly 25,

and with particular reference to Fig. 2, it will be observed. that the assembly is mounted on an arm 41 which is pivot ably secured on a pin 42 within a bracket 43 secured to the base 2 of the machine. A spring 44 has one end 45 secured to the machine base and has its other end 46' secured to arm 41 so as to bias it to the left.. A second arm 47 is also secured to the sheave assembly 25, and

at its outer end 48 there is secured a chain member 49.v

At its other end (Fig. 4) chain member 49 is secured to a pulley 50 operated through a small electric motor and gear train assemblySl. It will be seen that when pulley 50 is caused to rotate by assembly 51 it will wind up chain 49 and, through arm 47, will move the entire adjustable sheave assembly to the right causing arm 41 to pivot to the right as viewed in Fig. 2. Since belt 24 can-. not stretch, it Will be apparent that when this occurs.

belt' 24 will move inwardly within'groove 32 forcing sheave 29 to the left (as viewed in Fig. 3) to effect an increase in the speed transmitted to sheave 40 and basket 10. When motor and gear. train assembly 51 is shut off, the spring 44 overcomes the motor andpulls the ad justable sheave 25 back to the position shown in thefigures to reduce the speed. J

The assembly of sheaves 37 and 38 is also movably mounted, on' a linkage arrangement 52 pivotably secured l on a. pin 53 mounted within a bracket 54 secured to the.

The linkage arrangement includes two arms 55 base. and 56 which are pivotably secured together through a pin .57.. A spring 58, secured at one end 59 to the base 2 of the machine,.is secured at its otherend 60 to the assembly of sheaves 37 and 38so as to bias them down E? wardly and to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 in order to effect a belt tensioning function for belts 36 and 39.

The proportioning of the various parts of the drive assembly above described is such as to provide an appropriate range of speeds. For instance, when the parts are in their position as shown a tumbling speed of approximately 46 rpm. is provided to the basket 10 while in the other extreme position a centrifuging speed of approximately 350 rpm. is provided to the basket.

To heat the clothes during the drying portion of the cycle, and also to warm the wash water during the washing portion of the cycle when desired, there is provided in the machine a heater assembly including two heaters 61 and 62. These heaters are mounted within the upper portion of tub 11 so that when energized they heat the basket 10. The heating elements are preferably of the sheathed type in which a resistance wire is maintained in spaced relation with a sheath by a highly compressed granulated heat conducting electrically insulating compound such as magnesium oxide. Such heating elements are sold under the trade-mark Calrod and are available commercially. When the heaters are energized during the washing cycle, they heat the water by first heating the basket. Then as the basket dips into the wash water at the bottom of the tub it in turn heats the water. In other words, the rotating basket serves as an active heat transfer means between the heating element and the water or other washing liquid. When the heaters are energized during the drying cycle, the heat transferred to the clothes asket is then passed on to the clothes to cause vapor migration out of the clothes. Since the outer cylindrical wall of the basket is perforated by a great many small spaced openings 63 (Fig. 3) some of the heat from the heating elements pgsses directly through the clothes by radiation.

The means whereby the water is admitted to and disch'irged from tub 11 during operation of the machine is par 17 shown in Fig. 2. The water supply means includes connections 64 and 65 through which hot and cold water is supplied to the machine for the washing operation. A valve controlled by a solenoid 66 admits hot Water to the machine and a valve controlled by an "ppzsed solenoid 57 admits cold water to the machine. The hot and cold water valves under the control of the solenoids 66 and 67 discharge through a common outlet conduit 68, through a suitable air gap, and into a funnel 69 to a sump 78 formed at the bottom of tub 11. The connection may be made through a suitable conduit 71, a portion of which is shown adjacent the sump in Fig. 2. The air gap provided by the funnel 6? makes it impossible for the water to be siphoned from the machine and to contaminate the incoming Water supply line. A pressure actuated sensing device, or water level control, 72 controls both solenoids 66 and 67 to maintain the proper water level in the machine during the washing operation. The water level preferably supplied in connection with washing machines of this type is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 by the numeral 73 and will be more fully discussed herebelow. Sensing device 72 is connected to the interior of tub 11 by a suitable line 74.

The illustrated machine is of the type which uses cold water during the drying cycle for condensing the moisture extracted from the clothes. The condenser water is admitted to the machine through an additional solenoid actuated valve controlled by a solenoid 75 which is ener gized during the drying operation so that the valve passes water at a slow rate sufficient to condense from the air the moisture vaporized from the clothes. As shown, the condenser water valve discharges into a conduit 76. From this conduit, the water flows through an appropriate air gap (not shown) and then through another conduit (not shown) to the inlet 77 of a vent trap 78 which is of the type commonly provided in connection with machines of this type in order to seal off the tub and basket from atmosphere during heat drying of the clothes while leaving the tub vented to atmosphere at other times. An

appropriate construction for vent trap 78 is, for instance, fully described and claimed in Patent 2,800,008, Ra'czynski issued on July 23, 1957, and assigned to the General Electric Company, owner of the present invention. From the vent trap 78, the condenser water flows into the tub 11 through an opening 79 and then flows in a thin sheet down the lower left wall 80 of the tub (Fig. 2) so as to cool a substantial portion of the area of the side wall and provide a large cool surface for condensing the moisture extracted from the clothes.

The wash and rinse Water used during the Washing portion of the operation, and the condenser water and the moisture extracted from the clothes during the drying operation, are discharged from the machine through the sump 70 mounted at the bottom of the tub. A suitable discharge hose 81 leads from the sump to a motor driven drain pump 82 which may, as shown in Fig. 4, be driven directly from motor 22 and which discharges through an outlet opening 83 to a conduit 84 (Fig. 2) leading to a drain valve 85 controlled by a solenoid 85a (Fig. 7). Since pump 82 is continually operated, the draining of water from sump 70 is controlled by the drain valve, draining occurring upon energization of solenoid 85a.

Referring now to Fig. 7 there is shown in schematic form a simplified control arrangement suitable for machines of the type described. It will, of course, be understood that in actual practice various interlocking arrangements of the different functions may be provided together with various electrically controlled safety features; however, these frequently assume some complexity and would only be confusing in the present case since the particular circuitry does not form a part of the invention and such control circuits are well known to those skilled in the art. A pair of conductors 86 and 87 are provided connected across a suitable source of power, generally a 110 volt sourceof 60 cycle alternating current; conductor 86 is connected to the high voltage side and conductor 87 is connected to the ground side. A third conductor 83, which is also connected to the high voltage side of a 110 volt 60 cycle source of power is also provided, with 220 volts thus being provided across conductors 86 and 88 for energization of the heater elements 61 and 62 as will appear herebelow. An appropriate on-off switch 89 is provided in line 86 to provide control of the machine, with switch 89 corresponding, if so desired, to one of the buttons 7 shown in Fig. l on the backsplash panel 4. An appropriate sequence control 90 is provided for the machine. The control is shown in box form, since such controls are well known, ordinarily consisting of an assembly of cams and switch contacts controlled by a timer motor. Control assembly 90 is normally provided with backsplash panel 4, with the posts 5 providing appropriate means for passage of the electrical connectors from the control to the various electrical components of the machine.

The energy for the sequence control itself is provided when switch 89 is closed, passing from line 86 through the control 90 to conductors 91 and 87.

As shown, the hot and cold water solenoids 66 and 67 are connected at one side thereof through the control 90 to conductor 86 and at the other side thereof to conductor 87 so that their energization is controlled by assembly 94) to provide filling of the basket for washing and rinsing operations, with the water level control 72 providing for de-energization of the solenoids when level 73 is attained within the basket.

Motor 22 is also energized through control assembly 90 as shown. The motor is normally provided with the usual components of the main winding 92 which is directly controlled by only the control 90, and a starting winding 93 whose energization is controlled by a centrifugal switch 94 which opens a bridging contact 95 as.

the motor comes up to speed thereby to de-energize starting winding 93. It is also conventional to provide back contacts 96in connection with centrifugal switch 94 so that only when the motoris substantially up to speed can a circuit be completed through heating elements 61 and 62 between conductors 86 and 88 to provide energization of the heater assembly.

It will readily be seen that the condenser water solenoid 75, the motor and gear drive assembly 51, and the drain valve solenoid 85a are all connected between lines 86 and'87 for energization as controlled by assembly 90: I When the switch.89 is closed by manipulation of one of the buttons 7, a washing and drying operation will take place, with the exact aspects of the operation being in accordance with the settings of dials 6 and buttons 7. However, whatever the settings of the buttons and dials, the control 90 initially provides for energization of the valve solenoids 66 and'67 to fill tub 11 to alevel determined by level control .72. The basket meanwhile is being rotated by motor 22 through the belt drive, energization of the running winding of motor 22 being pro- .vided'throughout the cycle'as controlled by control 90. After an appropriate amount of washing action is provided by. the rotating basket causing the clothes 97 to tumble substantially in the patternshown in Fig. 5, control assembly 90 will'cause the drain valve 85a to be energized to open the drain valve and thereby permit the pump 82 to drain the water out of tub 11. At this time a spin operation may be provided by energization of motor and gear train assembly 51 to cause the adjust-j able sheave assembly 25 to be moved to the right as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 to provide a high speed spin. However, it is contemplated that a spin operation will not normally be provided after the wash, and that, after the water'has been drained because of. the energization of solenoid 85a, the timer will re-energizeeither or both of solenoids 66 and 67 to provide a rinse for the clothes. As before, the water is shut oil by control 72 at,the appropriate level 73, with the tumbling action continuing with the water in the tub for a predetermined amount of time before drain valve 85 is again opened to permit pump 82 to drain the water. This may be repeated as many times as desired to give a predetermined number of rinses to insure that' all the cleaning agent which is normally used during the wash operation is removed from the clothes. Also, of course, spin operations maybe provided if so desired after these rinses. However, 'it is contemplated that a spin operation will generally'be provided only subsequent to the last rinse.

I shall now describe my invention providinga novel relationship of the control assembly 90 to the speed changing mechanism and to the liquid draining means in order to minimize the frequency of the presence of undesirable unbalances as the machine increases in speed. 'Whcn a'spin is to be provided, before there is any energization of the drain valve solenoid 85a control 90 willcomplete the circuit to the motor and gear assembly 51 to start winding up chain 49 so as to cause movable sheave assembly 25 tostart moving to the right as'viewed in Fig. 2.- The control continues toenergize the motor and gear train assembly 51 until the basket is being rotated at fplaster speed, i.e., a speed which is ust sufiicient to maintain the clothes plastered in the presence of thewater. In the case of the illustrated machine, with a twenty-six inch diameter basket and with level 73 providing five inches of water in. the basket, it has been determined that the plaster speed is approximately 70 r.p.m. The arrangement of the various parts at this time is as shown in Fig. 6, with the clothes plastered yet with the water remaining substantially at the level 73 because the drain valve has not yet been opened. Suitable means (not shown) are provided for locking the sheave assembly 25 in the position to. effect-intermediate speed. i One possible approach among several is to lock the output shaft of motor and gear train assembly 51. r

As the clothes through the irate! with the basket rotating at plaster speed, the water. tends to knock or wipe oif any inwardly projecting clusters of clothes which are plasteredto the machine atone point on the periphery, and to spread them evenly around the periphery. This is achieved both through impact, asthe clusters strike the surface of the water, and'as a result of the drag of the Water as the clusters pass through it. After an appropriate period of this operation (one minute, for instance, has proved satisfactory),draining is eflected by energization of solenoid a and control then causes the motor and gear train assembly 51 to continue to move; the adjustable sheave assembly 25 to its high speed position to effect at high speed a centrifugal extraction of the water in clothes 97.

.It will readily be seen that the smoothing out effect and the substantialremovalof unbalances before accelera tion to high speed. is achievedautomatically by arranging the control assembly 90 to cause drain valve 85a and motor and gear train assembly 51 to operate in the de sired relationship toeach other. V

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what at present is considered to bethe preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the invention, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and'scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A laundry machine comprising a clothes receptacle rotatable on a non-vertical axis; multi-speed means for rotating said receptacle at clothes tumbling speed, at a low centrifuging speed suitable to plaster clothes in said receptacle loosely against the peripheral wall thereof, and at a high centrifuging speed suitable for the extraction of liquid from the clothes; means for introducing liquid into said receptacle; means for draining liquid from said receptacle; and control meansfor said multi-speed means said liquid introducing means and said liquid draining means, said control means first causing said liquid introducing means to fill said receptacle to a predetermined level and said multi-speed means to rotate said receptacle at said clothes tumbling speed, said control means then causing said multi-speed means to rotate said receptacle at said low centrifuging speed with the liquid in said receptacle,.said control means then causing said draining means to remove the liquid from said receptacle and said multi-speed means to rotate said receptacle at said high centrifuging speed. V

2. The apparatus defined in claiml wherein said control means causes said .multi-speed means to retain said clothes receptacle rotating at saidlow centrifuging speed for approximately one minute.

3. A laundry machine comprising a substantially cylindrical clothes receptacle rotatable on a horizontal axis; multi-speed means for rotating said receptacle at clothes tumbling speed, at a low centrifuging speed suitable to plaster clothes in said receptacle loosely against the peripheral walls thereof, and at a high centrifuging speed suitable for the extraction of liquid from the clothes; means for introducing liquid intosaid receptacle to a predetermined level; means for draining the liquid from said receptacle; and control means for said multi-speed means said liquid introducing means and said liquid draining means, said control means first causing said multi-speed means to rotate said receptacle at said clothes tumbling speed, said control means then causing said multi-speedmeans to rotate said receptacle at said low centrifuging speed with. the liquid in said receptacle, said adjacent the periphery of said basket and being insufficient to cause plastering of projecting clusters of clothes 9 when they encounter the liquid during their rotation, said control means then causing said draining means to remove the liquid from said receptacle and said multispeed means to rotate said receptacle at said high centIifug-ing speed.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said low centrifuging speed is approximately 70 r.p.m., said receptacle has a diameter of approximately twenty-six inches, and said predetermined liquid level is approximately five inches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Small Feb. 4, 1890 Bassett Dec. 17, 1940 Lindemann Dec. 25, 1945 Clark May 27, 1947 Bilde et al Apr. 20, 1954 Haverstock Aug. 8, 1956 Conlee July 1, 1958

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