Patent ID: 7636973
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a washing machine in a wash cycle, the washing machine comprising a rotatable basket disposed in a wash tub and an agitator disposed in the basket, said method comprising: adding a predetermined amount of wash liquid to the wash tub; oscillating the agitator in an oscillatory back and forth motion at a first oscillation frequency for a first predetermined time interval, wherein the oscillatory back and forth motion comprises rotating the agitator clockwise a specified amount about a vertical axis of the washing machine then rotating the agitator counterclockwise a specified amount about the vertical axis of the washing machine; oscillating the agitator in the oscillatory back and forth motion at a second oscillation frequency for a second predetermined time interval, wherein the second oscillation frequency is greater than the first oscillation frequency; rotating the basket at a first rotational speed for a third predetermined time interval, wherein a sub-cycle of the wash cycle comprises said oscillating at the first oscillation frequency, said oscillating at the second oscillation frequency, and said rotating; continuously directing recirculated wash liquid into the basket; and repeating the sub-cycle a series of times during the wash cycle, wherein the wash cycle is performed prior to a rinse cycle and dry cycle.