The Dyson Corporation

Dyson Technology Limited

Notetry Limited

Simon Paul Wells

Geoffrey Michael Burlington

Andr&eacute; Fraser Monteiro

Matthew Charles Edward Wilson

An appliance having a driving mechanism is provided, the appliance () comprising two rotatable portions () which are rotatable by the driving mechanism () about an axis (). The driving mechanism () comprises a gearbox () having an input gear (), two output gears () and a locking mechanism () movable between a first position and a second position. The arrangement is such that, when the locking mechanism () is in the first position and the input gear () is driven, both output gears () rotate in the same direction and, when the locking mechanism () is in the second position and the input gear () is driven, the output gears () rotate in opposite directions. The arrangement of the axis () is horizontal or substantially horizontal. The invention is particularly suitable for use in a front-loading washing machine () having a drum () comprising two rotatable portions (). The driving mechanism () can be used to selectively cause rotation of the rotatable portions () either in the same direction or in opposite directions.

Appliance having a driving mechanism

The invention provides an apparatus comprising a drum for containing and agitating an article, wherein the drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions in rotatable connection with one another, a rotator member in connection with each rotatable drum portion for rotating the drum portion about an axis. The apparatus is preferably a washing machine, and the method of operating the apparatus comprises inserting at least one article, preferably a plurality of articles, into the drum; and rotating each rotatable drum portion independently of one another to agitate the article or articles.

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Bath, United Kingdom

Simon Paul Wells