US3494153A - Suds saver control - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent O 3,494,153 SUDS SAVER CONTROL Ronald H. Haas, Lansing, Mich., and Herbert N. Underwood, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 3, 1968, Ser. No. 733,847 Int. Cl. D06f 29/02, 33/02 US. Cl. 68-23.4 28 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for liquid treatment of materials which includes a hydraulic transmission utilizing a reversible electric motor to drive a hydraulic pump for supplying fluid under pressure to operate either an agitation operation, or a fluid extraction operation depending upon the direction of rotation of the electric motor. Also driven by the electric motor is a reversible fluid pump used, in one direction of rotation, to drain fluid from the machine either to a reservoir, if the treating fluid is to be saved and reused, or to drain. When the pump is operated in the other direction of rotation it is used to supply fluid to the machine from the reservoir. Means are included to inactivate the agitation operation when fluid is being returned to the machine from the reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to automatic Washing machines and more particularly to washing machines utilizing a hydraulic transmission and a wash water storage and reuse system for storing the wash water after the washing operation and then returning it to the machine for use in a subsequent wash cycle.

It has been found beneficial in laundry machines such as, for example, in automatic household laundry machines to incorporate a wash water storage and reuse system commonly called a suds-saver system in which the sudsy wash water used in the Washing step of the machine cycle, may be passed into a suitable storage reservoir after the washing step is completed rather than being discharged to the drain. Normally, the washing step is followed by a fluid extraction or spin step, one or more rinsing steps and a second fluid extraction or spin-dry step. When a load of clothes has completed the cycle it will be removed from the machine and replaced by another load of dirty clothes.

At this point, the sudsy wash water is returned 'from the reservoir to the machine for washing the second load of clothes. This cycle can be repeated as many times as is desired but the extent of the reuse will generally be dependent upon the condition of the clothes being laundered.

It can readily be seen that by utilizing a system such as this an appreciable savings in both hot water and detergent may be realized. Care must be taken to insure that the agitator is inoperative until the hot, sudsy water has been returned to the machine. If the agitator is operating with an insuflicient amount of water present, it will have a tendency to tean and abrade the clothes, and overload the electric motor.

In conventional washing machines utilizing the suds saver system, the drain pump of thewashing machine is used to pass the wash water to the reservoir for storage. Suitable conduits and valve means are connected to the drain pump so that the pump will selectively communicate the washing fluid either to the reservoir or to the drain.

Normally, the drain pump cannot be used to return the water from the reservoir to the machine and, therefore, a separate return pump is provided for that purpose with 3,494,153 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 a separate electric motor for driving the return pump. The return pump is arranged with an inlet connected to the storage reservoir and with an outlet connected to the washing container of the machine and upon its operation is effective to withdraw the stored water from the reservoir and pas it back into the washing container.

The present invention eliminates the use of an extra pump and electric motor using instead a single pump to drain the clothes basket and later to convey the stored washing fluid from the reservoir to the clothes basket. The present invention further provides means to bypass the flow of hydraulic fluid so that the agitator is temporarily de-activated when the washing fluid is being returned from the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a clothes washer embodying the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detailed view of the bypass means in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an alternative embodiment of the bypass means;

FIGURE 4 is another alternative embodiment of the bypass means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGURE 1, a fabric-treating machine is illustrated in the form of an automatic washing machine comprising a tub 10 adapted to hold a laundering fluid, a clothes container 11 and an oscillatory agitator 12. A hydraulic transmission 13 is provided for independently driving the clothes container 11, for effecting a centrifugal drying operation, herein referred to as the spin operation, or the oscillatory agitator 12. A reversible electric motor 16 is provided having a hydraulic pump 17 driven thereby and a power input 18 is illustrated for operating the motor 167 A control panel 19 consisting of six buttons appropriately labeled according to the function which they are intended to accomplish is schematically illustrated. In a washer installation this function would be performed by a timer-switch mechanism of known construction. A sump 22 is provided for hydraulic fluid and is schematically illustrated for convenience at various places, although in the actual construction, one fluid sump is provided into which all the exhaust connections for various elements of the transmission exhaust hydraulic fluid.

Electric conductors 23 and 24 interconnect the power input 18 with the motor 16, the line 24 being a ground line. Conductor 25 connects the power input 18 to control panel 19. Control panel 19 is connected to the motor 16 by a conductor 26 in the agitate circuit and by a conductor 26a in the spin circuit.

A hydraulic spin motor 29 is provided to rotate the clothes container 11 when the hydraulic pump 17 is rotated in one direction of rotation. The spin motor illustrated is of the gerotor type but any other suitable hydraulic motor may be used. The spin motor 29 includes an outer rotor 30 and an inner rotor 31. The outer rotor has recesses 32 therein adapted to receive teeth 33 of the inner rotor 31. The inner rotor 31 is drivingly connected to a hollow shaft 36 which is connected to the clothes container 11 and thus, as the inner rotor 31 rotates, the clothes container 11 will rotate at the same speed as the inner rotor 31.

An oscillatory hydraulic agitator motor 37 is provided to oscillate the agitator 12 when the hydraulic pump 17 is operated in the other direction of rotation. The agitator motor 37 is of the rotary actuator type and receives fluid from a reversing valve 38. The agitator motor 37 includes a rotary actuator 39 connected to the agitator 12 by means of a shaft 40. Any combination of commonly used fluid motors and reversing valves may be used, for example, the type Whose operation is described in copending application Ser. No. 53 8,436.

Bypassing means 42 is provided to communicate the outlet of the hydraulic pump 17 to its inlet, when the suds-saver feature is energized and when the hydraulic pump is operating in the agitate direction of rotation. The bypassing means may be solenoid controlled and is electrically connected to the control panel 19 by conductor 43. Conductor 44 connects the bypass means 42 with the power source 18.

A suds-saver selector switch 45 is provided in the circuit to enable the operator to energize the suds-saver feature when sudsy water is to be saved or to operate in a conventional manner when such water is to be drained and not reused. A conductor 46 electrically connects the selector switch 45 with power source 18.

A pair of contacts designated as yes 48 and no 49 cooperate with selector switch 45 to respectively establish a suds-saver circuit or a non-suds-saver circuit. Conductor 50 connects contact 48 to a solenoid 51. A conductor 52 connects contact 49 to control panel 19 as will be more fully described later.

A fluid conduit 55 connects the hydraulic pump 17 to the reversing valve 38. Conduit 55 is connected to the fluid sump 22 through a check valve 56, which allows fluid flow only in the direction from the sump 22 into fluid pump 17 and then to conduit 55. The reversing valve 38 communicates the fluid to the vane motor 37 alternately through fluid passages 57 or 58. Fluid is exhausted from the reversing valve 38 to sump 22 by means of fluid connections 59 or 60.

A fluid conduit 62 connects the hydraulic pump 17 to an inlet 63 of the spin motor 29. Conduit 62 is connected to the fluid sump 22 through a check valve 64 which allows fluid flow only in the direction from the sump 22 into pump 17 and then to conduit 62. Fluid pressure is admitted to the spin motor 29 during the spin cycle through inlet 63 and in a known manner will act in the fluid chambers between the teeth 33 of the inner rotor 31 and the recesses 32 of the outer rotor 30 to spin the outer and inner rotors as fluid under pressure is received. A conduit 65 is provided to exhaust fluid from the spin motor 29 to sump 22.

A fluid conduit 68 is provided to connect the conduit 55 and bypass means 42. Fluid conduit 69 connects the bypass means 42 and conduit 62.

A reversible liquid pump 70 is drivably connected to the electric motor 16 and operates to transfer the treating fluid between the tub 10, a fluid drain, and a fluid reservoir 71 provided for the purpose of storing the treating liquid during the spin operation.

Many types of fluid reservoirs are shown in the prior art including those which are an integral part of the washing machine housing and those which perform additional conditioning processes to the treating liquid while the liquid is stored in the reservoir. The most common reservoir employed, however, is the conventional laundry tub which is usually found in homes Where automatic washing machines are used.

Fluid conduit 73 connects the liquid pump 70 and a diverter valve 74 controlled by the solenoid 51 and provided to selectively communicate the liquid pump 70 with either fluid reservoir 71 through conduit 75 or the fluid drain through a conduit 76. Fluid conduit 77 connects the water pump 70 and the tub 10.

The control panel 19 is shown as consisting of a series of push buttons each button adapted to energize a circuit to perform a particular phase of the washing machine cycle. The machine cycle generally includes the following phases in this order: FILL, AGITATE, SPIN, FILL, RINSE, SPIN DRY.

Button 80 is labeled FILL and is operative to introduce water into the tub 10. Button 90 is labeled AGITATE and is operative to oscillate the agitator 12. Button 100 is labeled SPIN and is operaive to induce a rotation of clothes container 11. Button 110 is labeled FILL and is operative to introduce water into the tub 10. Button 120 is labeled RINSE and is operative to oscillate agitator 12. Button 130 is labeled SPIN DRY and is operative to rotate clothes container 11.

Button is connected to the power source 18 by a conductor 81 and by conductor 25. Conductor 82 connects button 80 and electric motor agitate conductor 26. Conductor 43 connects the button 80 and solenoid controlled bypass means 42. Conductor 83 connects the button 80 and a pressure switch 84 the function of which will be described later. Pressure switch 84 is in communication With treating fluid contained in reservoir 71 through a conduit 85 extending from the pressure switch into the lower portion of the reservoir. A conductor 86 connects conductor 52 to a solenoid controlled valve 88 adapted to selectively admit fresh water from a supply source to tub 10. Conductor 89 connects pressure switch 84 and conductor 86.

Conductor 91 connects solenoid controlled valve 88 and FILL button 110. Conductor 92 connects FILL button 80 and conductor 91.

AGITATE button is connected to the power source 18 by a conductor 94 and conductor 25. Conductor 95 connects AGITATE button 90 and conductor 82 which is in turn connected to the electric motor 16 through conductor 26. Conductor 96 connects AGITATE button 90 to the solenoid 51 which is operative to control the di- 18 by a conductor 94 and conductor 25. Conductor 95 with the FILL button 80.

SPIN button 100 is connected to conductor 25 by a conductor 101, conductor 25 in turn being connected to power source 18. Conductor 102 connects SPIN button 100 and conductor 26a which in turn is connected to the electric motor 16. Conductor 103 connects SPIN button 100 and conductor 96.

FILL button is connected to the power source 18 through a conductor 111 and conductor 25. FILL button 110 is further connected to power source 18 through a conductor 112 and conductor 81. Conductor 52 connects FILL button 110 to contact 49 and conductor 91 connects FILL button 110 with solenoid controlled valve 88.

RINSE button is connected to the power source 18 through a conductor 121 and conductor 25. RINSE button 120 is connected to conductor 26 and thereby electric motor 16 by a conductor 122.

SPIN DRY button is connected to the power source 18 through a conductor 131 and conductor 25. SPIN DRY button 130 is connected to conductor 26a and thereby electric motor 16 by a conductor 132.

FIGURE 2 illustrates one embodiment of the bypassing means 42 including a spool valve 135 slidably operable within a bore 136. The spool valve 135 is actuated by a solenoid 137, electrically connected to FILL button 80 through conductor 43. The solenoid 137 is also electrically connected to power source 18 through conductor 44.

Spool valve 135 consists of a pair of land sections 138 and 139 and a smaller diameter valve section 141. In its normal position as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG- URE 2, the spool valve 135 allows no communication between conduits 68 and 69 and therefore all of the fluid supplied to conduit 55 by hydraulic pump 17 is delivered to the agitate motor 37 to drive agitator 12. When, however, solenoid 137 is energized, the spool valve 135 is shifted to its suds-save position as illustrated by the solid lines in FIGURE 2 allowing fluid to flow through conduit 68 into conduit 69 which is in fluid communication with the inlet to hydraulic pump 17. The agitator motor 37 offers a resistance to fluid floW through conduit 55 which is substantially greater than the resistance to flow through the bypassing means 42 in its suds-save position so that almost all of the fluid leaving the hydraulic pump 17 is returned to the inlet of the pump and continuously circulated therethrough until the washing fluid which was stored in the reservoir 71 is returned to the tub 10. At this time, the operator will press the AGITATE button 90 thereby de-energizing the Solenoid 137 and moving the spool valve 135 into its normal position shutting off flow through the bypass means 42 and directing fluid to the agitator motor 37.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an alternative method of obtaining a fluid bypass of the agitator motor when the washing liquid is being returned to the clothes container. This device consists of a modification to the check valve 64 by providing an actuating rod 142 controlled by a solenoid 143 and adapted to contact a ball 144, or its equivalent in a different type of check valve, to lift the ball 144 from its seat 145 when solenoid 143 is energized. Solenoid 143 is electrically connected to FILL button 80 through conductor 43 and is also electrically connected to power source 18 through conductor 44 so that when FILL button 80 is actuated, the solenoid 143 will be energized opening the check valve 64 to communication with the sump 22.

The resistance to fluid flow in conduit 55, as previously described, is again substantially greater than the resistance offered by opened check valve 64 so that the fluid leaving the hydraulic pump 17 and flowing into conduit 55 will flow through the check valve 64 to sump 22 where it will be returned to hydraulic pump 17 through check valve 56 and will continue to be circulated through the pump until all of the washing fluid stored in the reservoir 71 is returned to the tub 10. At this time, the operator will activate AGITATE button 90 and solenoid 143 will be deenergized allowing the check valve 64 to close directing fluid to agitate motor 37.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a combination bypass means and high pressure relief valve. A shuttle valve 146 connects either conduit 55 or conduit 62 with fluid conduit 147, which is connected to a pressure relief valve 148. A cam 149 is positioned to exert force on a spring 150 which applies pressure on a ball 152 seating the ball against the fluid pressure in conduit 147.

The cam 149 pivots about a point 153 and attached to the cam is an actuating arm 154, which is activated by a solenoid 155 to rotate the cam 149 and release the pressure on the spring 150 allowing the ball 152 to unseat as shown in FIGURE 4 and place the conduit 147 in fluid communication with sump 22. For the same reasons discussed above, the fluid leaving the hydraulic pump 17 and flowing into conduit 55 now flows through conduits 68 and 147 and pressure relief valve 148 into sump 22 until all of the washing fluid stored in the reservoir 71 is returned to the tub 10. The operator will now actuate AGITATE button 90. The solenoid 155 is electrically connected to the FILL button 80 through conductor 43 and to the power source 18 through conductor 44. The solenoid will now be deenergized returning the actuating arm 154 to its normal position and applying pressure on spring 150 and ball 152 to again operate as a pressure relief relief valve for both spin and agitate circuits to prevent overloading of the electric motor due to an excessive hydraulic pressure.

Depending upon which conduit 55 or 62 is pressurized, the shuttle valve 146 will be urged to the right or left respectively placing either the agitate circuit, upon pressurization of conduit 55 or the spin circuit, upon pressurization of conduit 62 in communication with the pressure relief valve 148 through conduit 147.

The operation of the present invention in summary is as follows: when the first of a series of clothing loads is to be washed the soiled clothes are placed in clothes container 11. The suds-saver selector switch 45 is placed in its YES position cooperating with contact 48 if hot sudsy water is to be saved for subsequent reuse. If such water is not to be reused the selector switch is placed in its NO position cooperating with contact 49.

FILL button 80 is then activated. Through previously described electric circuitry and m a manner well known in the art, electric motor 16 and bypass means 42 are thereby activated. Electric motor 16 rotates in a direction to cause hydraulic pump 17 to supply pressurized fluid to conduit 55. Bypass means 42 is opened allowing fluid to travel from pump 17 through conduits 68, 69 and through pump 17 again. For all practical purposes there is no pressure fluid communicated to agitator motor 37, hence no movement of agitator 12.

The pressure switch 84 through its conduit senses a lack of washing fluid in reservoir 71 and completes a circuit energizing solenoid controlled valve 88 permitting Water to be communicated to tub 10 until a predetermined amount has been delivered. At that point a water level switch (not shown) will close valve 88.

AGITATE button will now be actuated which effects a closing of bypass means 42. The pressure fluid supplied to conduit will now be communicated to reversing valve 38 and agitator motor 37 to oscillate the agitator 12 of the washing machine.

When the agitate cycle has been completed, the SPIN button will be actuated. If the selector switch has been positioned in the YES position the diverter valve 74 will be oriented to connect conduit 73 and reservoir 71 through conduit 75 during the present operation and the two operations previously described. This is a result of energization of solenoid 51 through the appropriate circuitry.

Upon actuation of SPIN button 100, the electric motor 16 will reverse its direction of rotation with respect to the agitate rotation and the hydraulic pump 17 will supply fluid under pressure to conduit 62. The pressure fluid will be admitted to spin motor 29 causing rotation of inner rotor 31 and the clothes container 11 connected thereto.

The water pump 70 would now be rotating in a direction operative to remove water from the tub 10 through conduit 77. If the suds-saver circuit is not energized as when selector switch 45 is in the NO position, the diverter valve 74 would connect conduit 73 to the fluid drain through conduit 76 and the fluid removed from the tub would be pumped to drain since there is no desire to reuse it.

If the suds-saver circuit were energized, the diverter valve would be oriented to connect conduit 73 and conduit 75 and the fluid removed from the tub 10 would be transferred to the reservoir 71 for subsequent reuse.

Upon completion of the spin cycle, the operator will actuate FILL button 110. The electric motor 16 will cease rotation and diverter valve 74 will be oriented to connect conduit 73 and drain irrespective of the position of selector switch 45. Solenoid controlled valve 88 will open admitting water to tub 10 until a predetermined amount has been admitted at which time valve 88 will close.

RINSE button will be depressed next elfecting rotation of electric motor 16 in a direction such that hydraulic pump 17 will supply fluid under pressure to conduit 55 effecting oscillation of agitator 12 as previously described.

When the rinse operation has been completed, the operator will activate SPIN DRY button 130. Electric motor 16 will reverse directions with respect to agitation and rotate hydraulic pump 17 to supply fluid under pressure to conduit 62 operative to rotate clothes container 11 for centrifugal extraction. When this operation has been completed the electric motor will be shut off.

When the clothes have been removed from the container 1-1 and replaced by a new load of clothes FILL button 80 will again be activated to start a new cycle.

Pressure switch 84 through its conduit 85 will sense whether or not washing fluid has been stored in reservoir 71. If such fluid has been stored solenoid cont-rolled valve 88 will remain closed. Diverter valve 74 will be oriented to connect conduits 75 and 73. Electric motor 16 will be rotating in a direction to effect agitation and liquid pump 70 will draw washing fluid from reservoir 71 and supply same to tub 10 through conduit 77 for reuse resulting in a substantial savings in washing fluid and additives. Bypass means 42 is open as previously described allowing fluid to flow from pump 17 through conduit 68, conduit 69 and into pump 17 preventing oscillation of agitator '12. This bypassing of the agitator motor allows the washing fluid stored in the reservoir to be returned to the container without permit-ting agitation of the clothes in an insuflicient amount of water and the consequent damage resulting therefrom. Subsequent steps in the washing cycle will be repeated in the same order.

Thus, it has been shown that the present invention advantageously provides a machine for liquid treatment of materials utilizing a hydraulic transmission and including a wash liquid storage and reuse system for storing the washing liquid during the fluid extraction operation and then returning it to the machine for use in a subsequent operation resulting in substantial saving in washing liquid and necessary additives.

It has also been shown that the present invention advantageously provides a machine for liquid treatment of materials utilizing a hydraulic transmission and including a washing liquid storage and reuse system in which means are provided to deactivate the agitator of the machine While the stored washing fluid is being returned to the clothes container preventing the clothes being damaged by agitation in an insufiicient amount of washing liquid.

It has further been shown that the present invention advantageously provides a machine for liquid treatment of material including a washing liquid storage and reuse system in which a single pump is used for draining the washing fluid from the clothes container and later for returning the fluid from a reservoir to the container, which pump is driven by the electric motor of the hydraulic transmission eliminating a separate return pump and a motor therefor.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically disclosed in the form of an automatic clothes washing machine using water as the washing fluid, it is to be understood that the principles of the invention could be as easily applied to other liquid treating machines as is apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is to be given its broadest interpretation within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A washing apparatus including means for performing a washing operation and a liquid extraction operation, comprising a tub, agitation means within said tub, 'liquid extraction means within said tub, a reversible hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said agitation means and said extraction means having an inlet and an outlet, said pump being rotatable in a first direction to effect, through said agitation means, a washing operation and rotatable in a second direction to effect, through said extraction means, an extraction operation, a reversible motor driving said hydraulic pump, conduit means connected to said tub for conducting liquid from said tub to an external drain, pump means communicating with said conduit means and operated by said reversible motor for pumping liquid toward said tub when said motor is rotated in said first direction during said Washing operation and for pumping liquid from said tub to said external drain when said motor is rotated in said second direction during said extraction operation, and means operatively associated "with said hydraulic pump effective to interrupt fluid communication between said pump and said agitation means thereby inactivating said agitation means when liquid is pumped toward said tub.

2. A washing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for interrupting fluid communication between said pump and said agitation means includes bypassing means for communicating fluid between said outlet of said hydraulic pump and said inlet of said hydraulic pump when said pump means is pumping toward said tub.

3. A washing apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the fluid is communicated from said outlet of said hydraulic pump to said inlet of said hydraulic pump indirectly through a fluid sump.

4. A washing apparatus as in claim 2 in which said bypassing means includes a first fluid conduit in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump; a second fluid conduit in communication with the inlet of said hydraulic pump; valve means adapted to establish communication between said first conduit and said second fluid conduit when said pump means is pumping towards said tub and it is desired to inactivate said agitation means, thereby rendering said agitation means inactive, said valve means blocking communication between said first conduit and said second conduit during all other operations.

5. A washing apparatus as in claim 4 in which said bypassing means includes electrical means adapted to shift said valve means into its communicating position.

6. A washing apparatus as in claim 2 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed to block fluid communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and a hydraulic sump when said pump is operated in a direction to effect agitation; means to open said valve means and establish communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic sump, when said pump means is pumping towards said tub and it is desired to render said agitation means inactive.

7. A washing apparatus as in claim 6 in which said bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted to activate said valve opening means and to position said valve means in its fluid communicating position.

8. A washing apparatus as in claim 2 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed and in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump when said pump is operated in either direction of rotation, said valve means adapted to open and place said outlet of said hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a fluid sump when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, and means to open said valve means when said pump means is pumping toward said tub to selectively render said agitation means inactive.

9. A washing apparatus as in claim 8 in which said bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted to activate said valve opening means to position said valve means in fluid communication with said sump.

10. A machine for liquid treatment of materials in a plurality of operations wherein liquid is stored from one treating operation for re-use during a subsequent treating operation including a container, a drain for said container, means for manipulation of said materials in said container, means for extracting liquid from said materials, a fluid drive system operably associated with said manipulating means and said extraction means for operation thereof, said fluid drive system including: a reversible electric motor; a reversible hydraulic pump, having an inlet and an outlet, said hydraulic pump being connected to said electric motor and adapted to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure for operation of said manipulating means in one direction of rotation of said motor and for operation of said extracting means in the other direction of rotation of said motor; a reservoir for storing treating liquid, a reversible fluid pump connected to said electric motor and adapted to transfer liquid from said reservoir to said container or from said container depending on the direction of rotation of said electric motor, valve means adapted to communicate liquid between said reservoir and said container or between said container and said drain, means operatively associated with said hydraulic pump effective to interrupt the fluid supply from said pump to said manipulating means thereby inactivating said manipulating means during the transfer of treating liquid from said reservoir to said container.

11. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim wherein said means for inactivating said manipulating means comprises fluid bypassing means for said fluid drive system whereby the outlet from said hydraulic pump is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of said hydraulic pump when said treating liquid is being transferred from said reservoir to said container.

12. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 11 wherein the fluid is communicated from the outlet of said hydraulic pump to the inlet of said hydraulic pump indirectly through a fluid sump.

13. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 11 wherein said bypassing means includes a first fluid conduit in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump, a second fluid conduit in communication with the inlet of said hydraulic pump, valve means adapted to establish communication between said first fluid conduit and said second fluid conduit when treating liquid is being pumped from said fluid reservoir to said container thereby rendering said manipulating means inactive during treating liquid return and blocking communication between said first conduit and said second conduit during all other operations.

14. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 13 in which said bypassing means includes electrical means adapted to shift said valve means into its communicating position.

15. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 11 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed to block fluid communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and a hydraulic sump when said pump is operated in a direction to effect manipulation, means to open said valve means and establish communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic sump when treating liquid is being pumped from said fluid reservoir to said container thereby rendering said agitation means inactive during treating liquid return.

16. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 15 in which said bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted to activate said valve opening means and to position said valve means in its fluid communicating position.

17. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 11 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed and in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump when said pump is operated in either direction of rotation, said valve means adapted to open and place said outlet of said hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a fluid sump when fluid pressure in said fluid drive system exceeds a predetermined value, means to open said valve means when treating liquid is being returned from said reservoir to said container and thereby establish communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and said fluid sump whereby said manipulating means are rendered inactive during treating liquid return.

18. A machine for liquid treatment of materials as in claim 17 in which said bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted to activate said valve opening means and position said valve means in fluid communication with said sump.

19. A washing apparatus for performing at least one washing operation and one fluid extraction operation and capable of cooperating with a fluid reservoir for storing washing fluid from one operation for re-use during a subsequent operation, including a fluid reservoir, means for performing a washing operation and an extraction operation, including a tub, agitation means and extraction means within said tub, a reversible hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said agitation means and said extraction means having an inlet and an outlet, said pump rotatable in a first direction to eflect through said agitation means a washing operation and rotatable in a second direction to effect through said extraction means an extraction operation, conduit means connected to said tub for interconnecting said tub and said reservoir, a reversible fluid pump communicating with said conduit means for pumping fluid from said reservoir toward said tub when said fluid pump is rotated in said first direction of rotation during said washing operation and for pumping fluid from said tub when said fluid pump is rotated in said second direction during said extraction operation, a reversible motor driving said hydraulic pump and said fluid pump, and means operatively associated with said hydraulic pump effective to interrupt fluid communication between said pump and said agitation means thereby inactivating said agitation means when washing fluid is being pumped from said fluid reservoir to said tub.

20. A washing apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said means for interrupting fluid communication between said hydraulic pump and said agitation means comprises fluid bypassing means whereby the outlet of said hydraulic pump is placed in fluid communication with the inlet of said hydraulic pump when said washing fluid is being transferred.

21. A washing apparatus as in claim 19 including valve means associated with said conduit means adapted to selectively communicate fluid between said tub and said reservoir when said washing fluid is to be stored and re-used or between said tub and a drain when said washing fluid is to be discarded.

22. A washing apparatus as in claim 20 wherein the fluid is communicated from the outlet of said hydraulic pump to the inlet of said hydraulic pump indirectly through a fluid sump.

23. A washing apparatus as in claim 20 in which said bypassing means includes a first fluid conduit in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump, a second fluid conduit in communication with the inlet of said hydraulic pump, valve means adapted to establish communication between said first fluid conduit and said second fluid conduit when washing fluid is being pumped from said fluid reservoir to said tub thereby rendering said agitation means inactive during washing fluid return and blocking communication between said first conduit and said second conduit during all other operations.

24. A washing apparatus as in claim 23 in which said bypassing means includes electrical means adapted to shift said valve means into its communicating position.

25. A washing apparatus as in claim 20 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed to block communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and a hydraulic sump when said pump is operating in a direction to eflect agitation, and means to open said valve means and establish communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic sump when washing fluid is being pumped from said fluid reservoir toward said tub, thereby rendering said agitation means inactive during washing fluid return.

26. A Washing apparatus as in claim 25 in which said bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted to activate said valve opening means and to position said valve means in its fluid communicating position.

27. A washing apparatus as in claim 20 in which said bypassing means includes valve means normally biased closed in communication with the outlet of said hydraulic pump when said pump is operated in either direction of rotation, said valve means adapted to open and place said outlet of said hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a fluid sump when fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, and means to open said valve means when washing fluid is being returned from said reservoir to said tub and thereby establish communication between the outlet of said hydraulic pump and said fluid sump whereby said agitation means are rendered inactive during washing fluid return.

1 1 1 2 28. A washing apparatus as in claim 26 in which the 2,931,200 4/1960 Schell et a1 6812 bypassing means further includes electrical means adapted 2,946,212. 7/ 1960 Houser 6812 to activate said valve opening means to position said valve 2,974,513 3/ 1961 Clearman 6812 means in fluid communication with said sump. 3,269,153 8/1966 Waldrop 68-12 3,301,188 1/1967 Belonger 1033 References Cited 0 3,359,761 12/ 1967 Underwood et a1 6823.7 UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner Re. 25,125 2/1962 Smith 68-12 2,562,610 7/1951 Geldhof et a1. 68207 US. Cl. X.R.

2,931,199 4/1960 Stefiey 6812 6823.7

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