A laundry processing apparatus and a driving method thereof for driving a laundry processing apparatus by executing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and/or machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of Things are provided. The driving method may include obtaining a drive current of a motor and a rotational speed of a drum during a cycle of the laundry processing apparatus, classifying a type of load of laundry located inside the laundry processing apparatus based on the obtained drive current and rotational speed, determining whether to change a course of the laundry processing apparatus according to the type of load, outputting a recommended course corresponding to the type of load when a course change of the laundry processing apparatus is determined, and changing the cycle of the laundry processing apparatus to the recommended course upon receiving a selection signal for the recommended course.

The present disclosure provides a spacer for a shipping bolt. In one embodiment, the spacer includes a head, an elongated body, and an insert. The head and the elongated body each comprise a durometer greater than the insert. Together, the head and the elongated body provide a structure within which the insert is disposed to absorb forces otherwise imposed upon a bolt inserted through the spacer. The disclosure also provides a method of using the spacer to secure a component of an appliance. In a second embodiment, the spacer is of a unitary construction and manufactured of an elastomeric material. In the second embodiment the spacer is configured to absorb forces imposed upon a bolt inserted therethrough, using a combination of specially designed ribs and webs interconnecting concentric cylinders that partially define the opening.

A laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub body for receiving water, a tub cover that covers an upper surface of the tub body and that defines an introduction aperture, a drum located inside the tub body for receiving laundry, a door for opening and closing the introduction aperture, a hinge that rotatably couples the door to the tub cover, a fixing unit that releasably couples a portion of the door to the tub cover, and a sealing unit on the door or the introduction aperture that is configured to seal the introduction aperture based on the introduction aperture being closed by the door. A portion of the sealing unit located in a direction in which the fixing unit is provided has a different diameter from a diameter of a portion of the sealing unit that is located in a direction in which the hinge is provided.

A laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub body for receiving water, a tub cover that covers an upper surface of the tub body and that defines an introduction aperture, a drum located inside the tub body for receiving laundry, a door for opening and closing the introduction aperture, a hinge that rotatably couples the door to the tub cover, a fixing unit that releasably couples a portion of the door to the tub cover, and a sealing unit on the door or the introduction aperture that is configured to seal the introduction aperture based on the introduction aperture being closed by the door. A portion of the sealing unit located in a direction in which the fixing unit is provided has a different diameter from a diameter of a portion of the sealing unit that is located in a direction in which the hinge is provided.

Techniques are described controlling and managing machines to provide laundry services. A request may be received from a mobile device of a user, the request indicating that the mobile device is in proximity to a laundry machine such as a washer or dryer. In some cases, the request is sent by the mobile device based on detecting, at the mobile device, a wireless signal transmitted from the laundry machine. In some cases the request may include a code that identifies the laundry machine, the code being displayed by the machine and/or encoded in a scannable code displayed by the machine. In response to the request, a signal may be sent to activate the laundry machine and enable the user to use the laundry machine for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a cycle). In some cases, the activation signal is sent if the user's payment is successfully processed.

Techniques are described controlling and managing machines to provide laundry services. A request may be received from a mobile device of a user, the request indicating that the mobile device is in proximity to a laundry machine such as a washer or dryer. In some cases, the request is sent by the mobile device based on detecting, at the mobile device, a wireless signal transmitted from the laundry machine. In some cases the request may include a code that identifies the laundry machine, the code being displayed by the machine and/or encoded in a scannable code displayed by the machine. In response to the request, a signal may be sent to activate the laundry machine and enable the user to use the laundry machine for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a cycle). In some cases, the activation signal is sent if the user's payment is successfully processed.

A laundry washing machine having an outer casing, a washing tub, a rotatable drum, a detergent dispenser, a fresh-water supply circuit, an internal water softening device filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser or the washing tub, a regeneration-agent reservoir located/recessed inside the outer casing and structured for being manually fillable with consumable salt or other regeneration agent, a first water-supply line for channeling fresh water into said regeneration-agent reservoir so as to form brine, a brine reservoir fluidically connected to said regeneration-agent reservoir for receiving and accumulating the brine arriving from said regeneration-agent reservoir, and a detector assembly for detecting when the salinity degree of the brine stored into brine reservoir exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value.

A furniture assembly (1; 101) comprising: —an upper module (3; 103); —a lower module (5; 105); and —a wall part (7; 107) which is arranged for being provided between the upper and the lower module when the furniture assembly (1; 101) is mounted in a room in a mounting position with the upper module (3; 103) provided above the lower module (5; 105), wherein said wall part (7; 107) is pre-mounted to either the upper module (3; 103) or the lower module (5; 105).

An appliance includes an appliance unit having a housing with the housing having steam emission holes, a heater in the housing, a primary water tank in the housing, and a cradle that is removably connectable to the appliance unit. The cradle has a secondary water tank that can communicate with the primary water tank when the appliance unit is connected to the cradle.

The invention relates to a program-controlled apparatus (1) for washing items that is equipped with a water purification system (8) for purifying the wash liquor by removing detergent and suspended soil, which purification system (8) utilizes addition of flocculant, wherein the amount of flocculant that is added is controlled to minimize the total amount of flocculant used without compromising the efficacy of the purification treatment.