Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: SELF-CLEANING SPINNER TOP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
'the present invention relates generally to a washing machine including a new
top
for a washing machine basket. More particularly, though not exclusively, the
present
invention relates to a washing machine basket top that is self cleaning.
Problems in the Art
Currently, top loading washing machines typically include a perforated basket
which holds the clothes or articles being washed and an agitator to mix the
clothes and
articles in the wash water. During the wash cycle, the agitator may splash
some wash water
onto the top of the perforated basket.
The water that is splashed may also include lint and soap. Lint can eventually
build
up at the top of the basket and create an unsightly mess. Soap scum can also
result from
suds or soap that is left behind. These problems can be avoided by minimizing
soap scum
and lint build-up and it is therefore desirable to have a top for an inner
basket that is self
cleaning.
Prior attempts at removing lint and soap scum build-up are shown in U.S.
Patent
Nos. 2,526,344 and 4,888,965. L1.S. Patent No. 2,526,344 to Geldhof et al.
introduces a
spray rinse into the basket for the clothes or other articles being washed and
simultaneously
attempts to eliminate any suds lock between the basket and the tub. The
Geldhof patent
essentially introduces additional water that must subsequently be removed
during a spin
cycle. Any lint and soap that is removed during the spin cycle will sit until
a subsequent
rinse cycle can take place. This may allow soap scum to harden while the
washing
machine is not in use. It is therefore desirable to have a way to clean an
inner basket top
that removes lint and soap build-up without injecting additional water into
the inner tub.
U.S. Patent No. 4,888,965 to Fanson et al. attempts to rinse the outer tub by
deflecting water ejected through the holes in the perforated basket upward.
While this may
rinse the outer tub during the spin cycle, it does not rinse the top of the
spinner basket nor
the top of the outer tub. It is therefore desirable to have a self cleaning
top for the inner
CA 02496601 2005-02-10
perforated basket during spin cycle that cleans both the perforated basket's
top and the
inside of the outer tub top.
Features of the Invention
Accordingly, a general feature of the present invention is the provision of a
washing
machine with an inner basket that solves the problems found in the prior art.
A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a washing
machine
basket that includes a self cleaning spinner top.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a washing machine
basket with a self cleaning spinner top that minimizes lint and soap build-up
during a spin
cycle.
A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of a washing
machine
that includes a self cleaning spinner top that does not require additional
water to be
injected into the inner basket.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a washing machine
that
includes a spinner top that cleans itself and the top of the outer basket.
'These as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will
become
apparent from the following specification and claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises a cabinet in which a perforated
inner
wash basket is mounted in a conventional manner. An agitator, drive motor and
drive
mechanism are mounted within the cabinet, as is well known, to operate the
washing
machine. Between the perforated wash basket or inner basket, and the cabinet
is a tub or
outer basket that collects and contains wash and rinse water. Once collected,
the wash
water or rinse water may be removed from the tub by a pump, as is well known.
During the wash cycle, the motor operates to agitate the wash solution and
clothes
load. This causes wash water to be splashed onto the top of the perforated
basket. The
water that splashes on the top of the perforated basket may also contain lint
and/or soap
that may lead to build-up conditions.
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A top for the perforated basket is added that minimizes any such build-up
conditions. The top of the perforated basket includes a reservoir portion near
the top
thereof that retains clean water originally injected into the inner basket
during the wash or
rinse cycles. This clean water is retained until the spin cycle begins. The
water is placed
into the reservoir by one or more deflectors in the water inlet. A deflector
in the water inlet
allows a majority of the water to be injected into the inner perforated basket
while
simultaneously directing a small portion of the water into the reservoir.
Therefore, every
time the washer fills with water, the reservoir is also filled. Alternatively,
if a deflector is
not used, water may be placed in the reservoir during the agitation of a wash
cycle.
When the washing machine goes into the spin cycle, centrifugal forces cause
the
water in the reservoir to flow over the top of the spinner, thus cleaning off
lint, soap, and
other residues from the top of the spinner basket and top of the outer tub. A
top on the
outer tub routes the water to the outer tub where it can be pumped away.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine of the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the upper portions
of
the inner perforated basket and the outer tub of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view looking down on the upper portion of the
perforated
inner basket of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view looking under the water inlet of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred
embodiment. It
is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described
embodiment. It is
intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may
be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now, referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section of a
typical
washing machine 10. The WMShlllg nlaChlne 10 generally includes an inner
basket 12 and
an outer basket 14. The inner basket 12 is rotatably secured within the outer
basket 14 and
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may be rotated therein by a motor 18. The operation and connection of the
inner basket 12,
the outer basket 14 and the motor 18 are well known in the art.
Near the top of the washing machine 10, a water inlet 16 is placed. Water
flows
through the water inlet 16 and into the inner basket 12 and outer basket 14.
This water may
be used in combination with a detergent during the wash cycle or without
detergent during
a rinse cycle.
The inner basket 12 of the present invention also includes an inner basket top
20.
Preferably, the im~er basket top 20 is molded plastic that may be spin-welded
or otherwise
secured to the top of the inner basket 12. As is shown in Figures 2 and 3, the
inner basket
top 20 includes a reservoir 22 that is located below the highest point of the
inner basket top
20. The reservoir 22 may be of any shape capable of retaining water including
the curved
shape shown. The reservoir 22 may also have straight or angled sides without
detracting
from the present invention.
~Che outer basket 14 also includes an outer basket top 24. The outer basket
top 24
routes any water ejected from the reservoir 22 into the outer basket 14. The
outer basket
top 24 is also preferably a molded plastic piece that may be snap-fit to or
otherwise secured
to the top of the outer basket 14.
The water inlet 16 is generally shown in Figure 4. The water inlet 16 is
preferably a
piece of molded plastic that includes one or more deflectors 26 molded
therein. When
water flows through the water inlet 16, a majority of it will pass into the
inner basket 12
while a smaller portion will be routed by the deflectors 26 into the reservoir
22 as is
generally shown in Figure 2.
Luring a spin cycle, centrifugal forces will cause the water in the reservoir
22 to
flow up and over the upper wall, the highest point on the inner basket top 20.
Once the
water has flowed over the highest point on the imer basket top 20, it is
routed by the outer
basket top 24 down and into the outer basket 14. During this process, the
water from the
reservoir 22 removes any excess lint or soap build-up from both the top of the
inner basket
12 and the outer basket 14. In this manner, it can be seen that no additional
water is needed
to clean the inner basket top 20 and outer basket top 24 and that such
cleaning may take
place during the spin cycle of the washing machine 10.
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~~ general description of the present invention as well as preferred
embodiment of
the present invention has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art to
which the present
invention pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional
variations in the
methods and apparatuses described which fall within the teachings of this
invention.
Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the
scope of the
invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
