Washing machine lid

• US 20040231370A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Douglas A., Cheo, Francis C.
• Application Number:
  US10/873,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20040231370A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/3R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 23/04 and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A top loading washing machine includes a lid with a flexible seal formed on the rear edge of the lid to seal the gap between the rear edge of the lid and the top cover of the washing machine cabinet. The seal is integrally formed with the lid as an extension of the inner lid liner or an overmolded addition to the inner lid liner. The seal provides a sound and moisture barrier.

Claims

1. An improved lid for a clothes washer having a cabinet with a top cover, an opening in the top cover for access to a washing chamber, and a lid pivotally connected to the top cover, the lid having an inner liner, the improvement comprising:

a flexible lip connected to and extending rearwardly from a rear edge of the inner liner and being adapted to engage the top cover so as to form a seal between the lid and the top cover.

2. The improved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip is integrally formed with the inner liner.

3. The improved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip is overmolded onto the inner liner.

4. The improved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip is plastic.

5. The improved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip includes a hinge flexibly connecting the lip to the liner.

6. A washing machine comprising:

a cabinet with a washing chamber therein;

a top cover on the cabinet with an opening to provide access to the washing chamber;

a lid pivotally attached to the top cover;

a gap between the top cover and a rear edge of the lid; and

a flexible seal formed on the rear edge of the lid and extending rearwardly to engage the top cover and thereby close the gap between the top cover and the rear edge of the lid.

7. The washing machine of claim 6 wherein the lid includes an outer shell and an inner liner connected to the shell.

8. The improved lid of claim 7 wherein the lip is integrally formed with the inner liner.

9. The improved lid of claim 7 wherein the lip is overmolded onto the inner liner.

10. The improved lid of claim 7 wherein the lip is plastic.

11. The improved lid of claim 7 wherein the lip includes a hinge flexibly connecting the lip to the liner.

12. A lid for a clothes washing machine having a top cover, comprising:

an outer lid portion;

an inner lid liner attached to the outer portion, and having a rearward edge;

a seal integrally formed on the inner liner and extending rearwardly so as to engage the top cover when the lid is closed; and

a hinge to permit flexing of the seal.