Washing Appliance
First Claim
1. A ballast system for a washing machine having a drum, wherein the drum rotates during washing cycles of the washing machine, the ballast system comprising:
- a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, the reservoir further comprising an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir; and
means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles;
wherein weight of said reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A washing machine or other laundry appliance has a drum that rotates during washing cycles of the appliance. The appliance further incorporates a ballast system including a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water, and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir. The appliance further incorporates means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles. Weight of the reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles of the appliance.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A ballast system for a washing machine having a drum, wherein the drum rotates during washing cycles of the washing machine, the ballast system comprising:
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a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, the reservoir further comprising an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir; and means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles; wherein weight of said reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A washing machine comprising:
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a drum that rotates during washing cycles of the washing machine; a ballast system including a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir, and means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles; wherein weight of said reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification