US3359578A

US3359578A - Washing cycle for permanently pressed fabrics

Info

Publication number: US3359578A
Application number: US598240A
Authority: US
Inventors: Everett D Morey; David J Duvall
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1966-12-01
Filing date: 1966-12-01
Publication date: 1967-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1984-12-26

Description

Dec. 26, 1967 D. MOREY ET AL 3,359,578

WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICS Filed Dec. 1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EVERETT D. MOREY DAVlD I DUVALL.

THEJR ATTQRMEY Dec. 26, 1967 D. MOREY ET AL 3,359,578

WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICS Filed Dec. .1, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EVERETT D- MOREY @D \llD T. DUVALL HEW-2. ATT RNEV United States Patent 3,359,578 WASHING CYCLE FOR PERMANENTLY PRESSED FABRICS Everett D. Morey and David J. Duvall, Louisville, Ky.,

assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 598,240 Claims. (Cl. 8-158) This invention relates to automatic washing machines, and more particularly, to an improved method of washing permanently pressed fabrics in such machines.

Permanently pressed fabrics are gaining an ever increasing portion of the market for such things as clothing, linen, table cloths, etc. Such fabrics are treated with a thermoplastic material so that they tend to retain creases placed in the fabric during the manufacturing process and, at the same time, have much greater resistance to wrinkling during use. Many items using these fabrics are designed to be washable in automatic washing machines; however, no automatic washing machine currently commercially available provides optimum washing of such fabrics. One problem encountered in using present day machines is that the compressive forces exerted on the fabrics during wash fluid extraction are not completely removed during the rinse step.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method of washing fabrics in an automatic washing machine.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method of washing permanently pressed fabrics in an automatic washing machine.

A further, more specific, object of this invention is to provide an improved method of washing fabrics in an automatic washing machine which will substantially prevent undesirable wrinkling of permanently pressed fabncs.

In one aspect of our invention, we provide a method of washing fabrics in an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a Wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid, and agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid. As an important feature of our invention we provide that the temperature of the wash fluid at the time of extraction (wash extraction temperature) is between about 90 degrees Fahrenheit F.) and about 120 F. Moreover the temperature of the rinse fluid when introduced into the machine (initial rinse temperature) is be tween the wash extraction temperature and a temperature lower than the wash extraction temperature by no more than about F. to about F., dependent upon the wash extraction temperature. As another important feature of our invention we provide a rinse agitation period of operation of at least about 7 to 8 minutes.

Our invention may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial schematic front elevational view of a clothes washing machine adapted to accomplish our invention, the view being partly broken away and partly in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuit for controlling the operation of the machine of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of a development of the cam surfaces used in the control of the timer operated switches of FIGURE 2, thereby indicating the operations of the switches by the cams throughout a cycle of operation of the machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown, in schematic form, an agitator-type washing ma- 3,359,578 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 chine adapted to accomplish our new and improved method of washing fabrics, the machine being generally indicated by the numeral 1. Machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 having perforations 3 over its side and bottom walls and disposed within an outer, imperforate tub or casing 4, the basket 2 and tub 4 together forming a fluid and fabric containing means. The entire structure normally will be mounted within a suitable appearance and protective cabinet which, in this case, has been omitted for purposes of clarity. At the center of basket 2 there is provided a vertical axis agitator 5 which includes a centerpost 6 and a plurality of curved vanes 7 extending out from the centerpost and connected together at their base by a flared skirt 8. Both basket 2 and agitator 5 are movably mounted. conventionally, the basket is mounted for rotation and the agitator is mounted for some type of oscillatory motion which. will effect agitation of the fabrics in the basket. In one conventional structure, basket 2 is secured to a hollow hub member 9, and the agitator is secured to a shaft 10 which extends upwardly through the hub 9 in rotatable relation thereto.

Basket 2 and agitator 5 are driven from a reversible drive motor 11 through a drive including a clutch 12 mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch 12 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load as it comes up to speed. A suitable belt 13" transmits power from the clutch to a transmission assembly 14 through a pulley 15. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 15 of transmission 14 is driven in opposite directions.

Transmission 14 is so arranged that it supports and drives both hub 9 and shaft lit. When motor 11 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 5 to be oscillated through shaft 10. Conversely, when the motor is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission drives basket 2 and agitator 5 together at high speed through hub 9 and shaft 10 for centrifugal extraction of fluid from the fabrics.

In addition to operating transmission 14 through clutch 12, as described, motor 11 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 16 to a pump structure generally indicated at 17, which may include two separate pump units 18 and 19, both operated simultaneously in the same direction by motor 11. Pump unit 18 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 20 to an opening 21 formed in the lowermost part of tub 4. Pump unit 18 also has an outlet which is connected by conduit 22 to a suitable drain (not shown). Pump unit 19 has an inlet connected by a conduit 23 to the interior of tub 4 and an outlet connected to a conduit 24. Conduit 24 is arranged to discharge liquid through a suitable filter (not shown) back into tub 4 and basket 2.

A water supply valve mechanism 26 is adapted to supply hot and cold water to the machine, the valve being connected to hot and cold water sources (not shown) by

conduits

27 and 28. The valve 26 has

solenoids

29, 30, 31 and 32 so that energization of one of

solenoids

29 and 31 permits passage of hot water through the valve, energization of one of

solenoids

30 and 32 permits the passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both

solenoids

29 and 30 or both

solenoids

31 and 32 permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water therefrom through an outlet conduit 33 extending from the valve. From the outlet conduit 33, the

water passes through an inlet nozzle 34 into the container means formed by the tub 4 and basket 2. The level to which water rises in basket 2 and tub 4 may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing means such as pressure switch 35. In a conventional manner, when water rises in tub 4 and basket 2 it exerts an increasing pressure on the switch 35, and, when the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the pressure switch is effective to shut off water inlet valve 26.

Referring noW to FIGURE 2, an electrical control system for the machine of FIGURE 1 will be described. In connection with the circuit of FIGURE 2, it will be understood that present day washers often include various improvements such as control panel lights, bleach and rinse agent dispensers, etc., which do not relate to the present invention, and to some extent these have been omitted for the sake of simplicity and ease of understandin order to control the sequence of operation of the components of machine 1, the circuit includes an automatic sequence control assembly which incorporates a timer motor 40 adapted to drive a plurality of

cams

41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47. These cams, during their rotation by the timer motor, actuate various switches (as will be described) causing the machine to pass through an appropriate cycle of operation; first washing the fabrics, then extracting the wash water, then rinsing the fabrics in clean water, and finally centrifuging the rinse water from the fabrics.

The electric circuit as a whole is adapted to be energized from a power supply (not shown) through a pair of

conductors

48 and 49. Cam 41 controls a switch 50 provided in the supply conductor 49 so that, when the cam 41 has assumed a position in which the switch 50 is open, machine 1 is disconnected from the power source and is inoperative. When operation of machine 1 is to be initiated, switch 50 is controlled by cam 41 so as to be closed. This may be accomplished manually by rotating a dial 51 which normally is mounted on the appearance cabinet of the Water and is connected to the timer motor so that manual rotation of the dial rotates the timer motor and thus moves the cams. Then, when a main switch 52 in conductor 48 is closed, as by depressing the control dial 51, power is provided to the control system of the machine from conductor 48 to conductor 49.

From main switch 52 the circuit extends through a conductor 53 and a conductor 54 to timer motor 40. The other side of timer motor 40 is connected by a conductor 55 to a switch 56 controlled by cam 43. When switch 56 is closed it connects the timer motor through a conductor 57 and switch 58 controlled by cam 42 to a conductor 59 and then through switch 50 to conductor 49. A manual switch 60 is connected in parallel with switch 56 between

conductors

55 and 57 so that, when the manual switch is closed, as by operation of a suitable pushbutton on the appearance cabinet, the timer motor will always be connected to conductor 57 regardless of the position of cam 43 and when manual switch 60 is opened the connection of timer motor 46 is under the control of cam 43. A parallel path to conductor 59 is provided by the other portion of conductor 57 which terminates in a contact 61 of the water level switch 35, which also includes an additional contact 62 and a movable arm 63. Operation of the water level switch 35 is such that, when the fluid in the container is below a predetermined level, the arm 63 engages contact 62 and, when the fluid is above the predetermined level, the arm is moved into engagement with contact 61. Thus, when the fluid in the tub and basket is above the predetermined level the timer motor is connected to supply conductor 49 through the water level switch 35 regardless of the position of cam operated switch 58.

An energizing circuit for the main motor 11 extends from conductor 53 through a conventional motor protector 64 and motor start winding 65 to a switch 66 of a relay 67, which alsohas a relay coil 68. From switch 66 the circuit extends through a conductor 69 and a switch 70 operated by cam 44 to conductor 57. One side of the main or run winding 71 of motor 11 is connected to one side of relay coil 68 while the other side of the main winding is connected by a conductor 72 to a switch arm 73. The other side of the relay coil 68 is connected by a conductor 74 to a switch arm 75. The

switch arms

73 and 75 are controlled by cam 45 and are moved together by the cam so as to cooperate with a set of

contacts

76, 77 and 78. The contact 76 is connected by a conductor 79 to the supply circuit for the motor at a point between the motor protector 64 and the start winding 65. The contact 77 is connected by a conductor 80 to conductor 69. The contact 78 is connected through a lid switch 81 to the conductor 79. In the usual manner the appearance cabinet of the machine 1 would normally include a lid through which fabrics may be loaded and unloaded. The lid switch 81 would be mounted so as to be closed when the lid of the cabinet is closed and open when the lid of the cabinet is open. Thus, when the lid switch is connected in the supply circuit from motor 11, opening of the lid of the appearance cabinet will cause the machine to stop its operation.

The motor 11 is of the conventional type in which the start winding 65 assists the main winding 71 during the starting of the motor and is energized in parallel therewith. When a relatively high current passes through relay coil 68 it causes the relay switch 66 to be closed, which permits an energizing circuit from the start winding to be completed in parallel with the main winding. Relay coil 68 is designed to close switch 66 when a relatively high current of the level demanded of the motor when the motor is rotating below a predetermined speed is passing through it. At other times, as when there is no current passing through relay coil 68 or when the current is below the required energizing level, as is true in the running speed range of the motor, the switch 66 is opened. It will be noted that with switch arms 73 and in the position shown, that is in engagement with

contacts

76 and 77, the main winding 71 is connected in parallel with the start winding by a circuit extending from between the motor protector 64 and start winding 65 through a conductor 79, contact '76, switch arm 73, conductor 72, main winding 71, relay coil 68, conductor 74, switch arm 75, contact 77 and conductor to conductor 69. When the switch arms have been moved to their other position (in which arm 73 engages contact 77 and arm 75 engages contact 73) in response to rotation of cam 45 the circuit extends from between the motor protector 64 and start winding 65 through conductor 79, lid switch 81, contact '78, switch arm 79, conductor 74, relay coil 68, main winding 71, conductor 72, switch arm 73, contact 77 and conductor 80 to conductor 69. Thus, it will be seen that, in either position of

switch arms

73 and 75, the main winding is connected in parallel with the start winding; however, the relative polarity of the windings is reversed from one position of the switch arms to the other.

The cold water solenoid 30 is connected in a conductor 82 which extends from conductor 53 to a manual selection switch 83. The other side of switch 83 is connected by conductor 84 to one side of a switch 85 controlled by cam 46. The other side of switch 85 is connected by a conductor 86 to contact 62 of water level switch 35. Hot water solenoid 29 is connected in series with a manual temperature selection switch 37 and this series connection is connected in parallel with cold water solenoid 30 and selection switch 83 between conductor 53 and conductor 84. Cold water solenoid 32 is connected by a conductor 88 to conductor 53 and by a conductor 89 to one side of a switch 90 controlled by cam 47. The other side of switch 90 is connected by a conductor 91 to conductor 86. Hot water solenoid 31 is connected in series with a third manual temperature selection switch 92 and this series arrangement is connected in parallel with cold water solenoid 32 between conductor 53 and conductor 89. The

cams

46 and 47 are designed so that switch 85 will be closed during the filling of the tub 4 and basket 2 with wash water and the switch 90 will be closed during the filling of tube 4 and basket 2 with rinse water.

The circuit as thus far described will provide hot, cold or warm wash water depending upon whether manual temperature selection switch 87, switch 83 or both of switches 87 and 83 have been closed. Additionally, either warm or cold rinse water will be provided depending upon whether manual temperature selection switch 92 is closed or open. In order to carry out our new and improved method of washing, selection of a permanent press cycle as by appropriate rotation of dial 51 will cause all three of the water temperature selection switches 83, 87 and 92 to be closed so that the machine will provide warm wash and warm rinse water temperatures. The

solenoids

29 and 30 may be designed so that the initial temperature of the wash water, when the warm selection is provided, will be between about 95 F. and 125 F. Then the normal decrease in temperature of the water during the wash cycle will cause the temperature of the wash water at extraction to be between about 90 F. and about 120 F. Obviously, the exact temperature of the initial temperature of the wash water depends upon the temperature of the cold water and the temperature of the hot water being provided to the machine. If desired, an appropriate temperature responsive valve may be placed downstream of the hot and cold watersolenoids 29 and 30 so as to respond to the water temperature and insure the initial temperature of the wash Water in the machine will be within the appropriate range.

The control circuit as thus far described would provide an initial temperature of the rinse water which is the same as the initial temperature of the wash water whereas, as a part of our new and improved method of washing, the. initial rinse temperature is between the final wash extraction temperature and a temperature predetermined differential below the final wash extraction temperature, which normally is below the initial temperature of the wash water.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is provided a thermostat 93 mounted in the lower portion of tub 4 and connected to a temperature responsive valve 94, which is provided as a part of the water supply mechanism 26. The temperature responsive valve 94 is placed in the hot water supply downstream of hot water solenoid 31 and is responsive to thermostat 93 to modify the hot water supply. The thermostat 93 is responsive to the water in the tub 4 and basket 2 and, as such, will sense the wash extraction temperature of the water to set the temperature responsive valve 94 to provide an initial rinse temperature the predetermined differential below the wash extraction temperature. Thermostats such as that shown schematically at 93 and temperature responsive valves such as that shown schematically at 94 are well known in the art and, since the particular details of these members form no part of our invention, such details have been omitted.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in conjunction with FIG- URE 3, a cycle of operation of machine 1 for providing our new and improved method of washing will be described. At the end of each cycle of operation cam 4-1 opens switch 50 to turn off the machine. In order to initiate a subsequent cycle of operation, dial 51 is pulled out, opening switch 52, and rotated sufficiently to cause cam 41 to close switch 50, earn 42 to open switch 58, cam 43 to close switch 56, cam 44 to close switch 70, cam 45 to move switch

arms

73 and 75 into engagement with

contacts

76 and 77, respectively, cam 46 to close switch 85 and cam 47 to open switch 90. Dial 51 is then depressed to close switch 52 and complete the energizing circuit. Since there is essentially no fluid in the machine, arm 63.01 water level switch engages contact 62. With this switch arrangement timer motor and main motor 11 are effectively disconnected from the supply circuit and hot and cold

water solenoid valves

29 and 30 are connected in the circuit. In this regard it will be remembered that selection of a permanent press cycle, as by appropriate rotation of dial 51, causes temperature selection switches 83, 87 and 92 to be closed. Thus, water of a temperature betwen about 95 F. and 125 F. flows into the machine through water inlet valve mechanism 26,

. 6 hose 33 and nozzle 54 until the amount of fluid within the machine reaches the predetermined level at which arm 63 of water level switch 35 moves from engagement with contact 62 into engagement with contact 61.

This effectively dc-energizes the

water valves

29 and 30 and completes a circuit for both main motor 11 and timer motor 40. Timer motor 40 begins to rotate and current is provided to the main winding 71 of the motor and relay coil 68. Since the main motor 11 initially is below its operating speed, the current through the relay coil 68 is high, causing switch 66 to close so that start winding 65 is energized in parallel with the main winding 71. The motor quickly comes up to speed, after which switch 66 opens to de-energize the start winding 65 and motor continues to operate on the main winding 71 alone. With the

switch arms

73 and 75 in the position shown, the main winding is connected to cause the motor to rotate in a direction to provide agitation; that is, the motor drives the transmission in a direction to cause the agitator to oscillate back and forth in a horizontal plane within the machine and the pump unit 19 to recirculate fluid within the machine for filtering purposes.

This washing action continues for a predetermined period of time, after which timer motor 40 causes cam 42 to close switch 58 and cam 44 to open switch 70. This effectively de-energizes the main motor 11 so that it quickly stops while timer motor 40 continues to run. During the pause of the main motor, timer motor 40 causes cam 45 to move switch

arms

73 and 75 into engagement with

contacts

77 and 78 respectively, thus reversing the polarity of main winding 71 with respect to start winding 65. Cam 46 opens switch and cam 44 then recloses switch 70 restarting the motor 11, but in the opposite direction of rotation to cause a centrifugal extraction operation in which the basket and agitator are rotated together at high speed to extract the wash fluid from the fabrics and pump unit 18 evacuates the vitiated fluid to drain.

During the extraction operation the level of fluid in the machine will quickly fall below the predetermined level so that switch arm 63 disengages from contact 61 and engages contact 62; however, this has no effect on the operation of the machine. The timer motor and main motor continue to run because the circuit for them is completed through conductor 57, switch 58, conductor 59 and switch 50 to conductor 49. No water is provided to the machine because switches 85 and are both open.

The thermostat 93 is sensitive to the temperature of the water in the tub 4 and sets the valve 94 in response to this water temperature. Since the last water temperature sensed by the thermostat 93 is the wash extraction temperature the setting of valve 94 will be in response to the wash extraction temperature. In order to carry out our new and improved method of washing, the thermostat 93 and valve 94 are designed so that the valve 94 will be set to insure an initial rinse temperature which is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature at a predetermined differential below the Wash extraction temperature with the differential being dependent upon the extraction temperature. More particularly, these members will insure that: when the wash extraction temperature is between about 105 F. and about 110 F. the initial rinse temperature differential will be no more than about 20 F. to 25 F.; when the wash extraction temperature is between about F. and about F. or between about F. and about F. the temperature differential will be no more than from about 10 F. to about 20 F.; and when the wash extraction temperature is from about 95 F. to about 100 F. and from about 115 F. to about F. the temperature differential will be no more than about 10 F.

At the conclusion of the wash extraction operation, cam 44 again opens the switch 70, cam 45 returns switch

arms

73 and 75 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, cam 47 closes switch 90 and cam 42 then opens switch 58. The machine thus is set for a non-timed operation of filling with rinse fluid having an initial temperature between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature a predetermined amount or differential below the wash extraction temperature, dependent upon the wash extraction temperature. This fill operation continues until the amount of fluid in the machine reaches the predetermined level, causing arm 63 to move from engagement with contact 62 into engagement with contact 61. This causes the

water valves

31 and 32 to be de-energized and the timer motor 40 to begin to rotate again and the main motor 11 to be energized in the first or agitation direction so that the clothes will be rinsed in the clean fluid.

The compressive forces exerted on the fabrics during wash extraction, whether it be a drain down or a centrifugal type of operation, tends to set wrinkles in the fabrics. By utilizing the temperature ranges set forth herein this wrinkling is minimized and the removal of what wrinkles are induced is optimized. While it is impossible to completely prevent all wrinkling during the wash extraction step, we have found that the use of our temperature ranges in conjunction with an extended rinse agitation period will give the fabrics a very satisfactory final appearance. We have found that this extended rinse agitation period should be at least 7 to 8 minutes. This is about double the 3 to 4 minutes of rinse agitation normally provided in present day automatic washers.

After a predetermined rinsing operation of at least about 7 or 8 minutes cam 42 closes switch 53, cam 44 opens switch 70, cam 45 moves switch

arms

73 and 75 into their second or spin position in which they engage

contacts

77 and 78 respectively and cam 47 opens switch 90. Cam 43 opens switch 56; however, this has no effect on the operation of the machine assuming that manual switch 60 is closed. Cam 40 then closes switch 70 to cause a second or rinse centrifugal extraction operation for removing the vitiated rinse fluid from the machine. At the conclusion of the rinse operation period cam 41 opens switch 50 effectively to disconnect the machine from the source of electrical energy. The dial 51 and switch 52 may be constructed so that, at the same time switch 50 is opened, switch 52 is opened to completely isolate the control circuit.

The washing and rinsing operation of the fabrics is thus complete and the fabrics should be removed from the machine and either placed in an automatic clothes dryer to be tumbled dry for optimum appearance or hung on clothes lines or hangers to hang-dry for satisfactory appearance. Drying the fabrics in an automatic tumble dryer will provide an optimum appearance; however, many families may own an automatic washing machine without owning an automatic dryer and, for optimum wrinkle free permanent press fabric appearance, the user may desire to remove the fabrics prior to the rinse fluid extraction operation. The forces exerted on the fabrics during the rinse extraction, whether it merely be a drain down, in which the fluid is pumped out without the basket being rotated, or a centrifugal extraction in which the basket is rotated, may cause some minor, fairly easily removed wrinkles to be formed in the fabrics. If the fluid is extracted and the fabrics hung-dried these wrinkles will eventually fall out; however, the fabrics would have to be left hanging for a considerable period of time after they actually become dry.

Those users without an automatic clothes dryer may avoid this long hang-out period by removing the fabrics from the machine at the conclusion of the rinse agitation period, when the fabrics are still very wet and essentially no Wrinkles are in them. In order to accomplish this, the manual switch 60 has been provided. As explained above, the cam 43 opens switch 56 during the pause following the rinse agitation operation and then recloses the switch prior to the end of the pause, assuming the timer motor continues to run. The manual switch 60 may be called a drip-dry selector switch and is operated by some suitable means such as a pushbutton provided on the appearance cabinet of the machine. When the user desires to remove the fabrics from the machine prior to the rinse extraction operation the drip-dry selector on the appearance cabinet would be actuated, opening switch 60. Then, during the pause following the rinse operation opening of switch 56 by cam 43 would cause the operation of the machine to stop at that point. The user could then remove the permanent press fabrics from the machine and hang them in a suitable manner for drip drying. The user then merely moves the drip dry select button to its other position closing switch 60 and the machine will then proceed through the final spin operation removing the vitiated rinse fluid and then turn itself off.

The foregoing is a description of the illustrative embodiments of our invention and one particular washing machine adapted to perform our new and improved method. It is our intention in the appended claims to cover all forms which fall within the scope of the invention.

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

1. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature is between about F. and about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature lower than said wash extraction temperature by an amount no more than about 20 F. to about 25 F., dependent upon the wash extraction temperature.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rinse agitation is conducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

3. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature is between about 90 F. and about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature a predetermined differential below the wash extraction temperature with the differential being no more than about 20 F. to about 25 F. for a wash extraction temperature in the range of about F. to about and lesser amounts for wash extraction temperatures which are outside the range of from about 100 F. to about 105 F.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rinse agitation is conducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

5. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the wash extraction temperature is selected from the ranges including from about 90 F. to about 100 F. and from about 115 F. to about 120 F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature which is lower than the wash extraction temperature by an amount no greater than about 10 F.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the rinse agitation is conducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

7. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automatic washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the Wash extraction temperature is selected from the ranges including from about 100 F. to about 105 F. and from about F. to about F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the wash exon te p ature and a temperature which is lower 9 than the wash extraction temperature by an amount not greater than from about 10 F. to about 20 F.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rinse agitation is conducted for a period of at least about seven minutes 9. A method of washing fabrics having a thermoplastic characteristic in an automatic Washing machine including the steps of agitating the fabrics in a Wash fluid, extracting the wash fluid and then agitating the fabrics in a rinse fluid; wherein the Wash extraction temperature is from about 105 F. to about 110 F. and the initial rinse temperature is between the wash extraction temperature and a temperature which is lower than the Wash extrac- 10 tion temperature by an amount no greater than from about 20 F. to about 25 F.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the rinse agitation is conducted for a period of at least about seven minutes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,013,421 12/1961 Buss 68-12 3,055,202 9/1962 Hughes 6812 3,214,665 10/1965 Billings et a1. 68-12 X 3,301,023 1/1967 Painter 6812 3,312,234 4/1967 Morey 68-12 X WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A METHOD OF WASHING FABRICS HAVING A THERMOPLASTIC CHARACTERISTIC IN AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING THE STEPS OF AGITATING THE FABRICS IN A WASH FLUID, EXTRACTING THE WASH FLUID AND THEN AGITATING THE FABRICS IN A RINSE FLUID; WHEREIN THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN ABOUT 90* F. AND ABOUT 120* F. AND THE INITIAL RINSE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE AND A TEMPERATURE LOWER THAN SAID WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE BY AN AMOUNT NO MORE THAN ABOUT 20* F. TO ABOUT 25* F., DEPENDENT UPON THE WASH EXTRACTION TEMPERATURE.