LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE WITH A STATIC TUB AND A WATER TRAP VAPOR SEAL

• US 20150052954A1
• Filed: 01/16/2014
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: ERICKSON, DONALD E., SHARP, BRENNER M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,896,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/17.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 17/06 by rotary impellers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 17/08 Driving arrangements for the impeller
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 21/08 within an enclosing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 23/04 and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/47 Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps safety arrangements D06F37/42
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/12 adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/26 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements

Abstract

A washing machine may include a static wash tub, a rotatable vertical axis wash basket in the static wash tub, and a drive motor for rotating the wash basket. A closure may direct wash liquid from the wash basket to a catch basin. A flange may be attached to the closure so that an unattached edge ends within the catch basin. The unattached edge may end below the surface of a first volume of wash liquid to minimize migration of wash liquid and/or vapor from the washing machine. The unattached edge may end above the surface of a second volume of wash liquid less than the first volume to minimize agitation of wash liquid in the catch basin.

Claims

1. A laundry treating appliance including a cabinet, a static wash tub coupled with the cabinet, a wash basket mounted in the static wash tub and defining a laundry treating chamber, rotatable about a vertical axis and having a drain hole, and a drive motor for rotating the wash basket, the laundry treating appliance comprising:

a catch basin fixed to the static wash tub and spaced from the wash basket, and defining an interior for holding a selected volume of wash liquid;

a closure between the wash basket and the catch basin for directing wash liquid to the catch basin; and

a flange characterized by an attached edge and an unattached edge, and depending from the closure along the attached edge so that the unattached edge is within the interior of the catch basin;

wherein the catch basin can hold a first volume of wash liquid so that the unattached edge ends below a wash liquid surface to thereby minimize migration of wash liquid and/or vapor from the laundry treating appliance; and

wherein the catch basin can hold a second volume of wash liquid less than the first volume so that the unattached edge ends above a wash liquid surface to thereby minimize agitation of wash liquid in the catch basin and isolate the cabinet from vibration of the wash basket.

2. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the catch basin is annular.

3. The laundry treating appliance of claim 2 wherein the flange is annular.

4. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the flange is annular.

5. The laundry treating appliance of claim 4 wherein the unattached edge remains out of contact with the catch basin when wash liquid is supplied to the treating chamber.

6. The laundry treating appliance of claim 5 wherein the unattached edge remains out of contact with the catch basin.

7. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the closure includes a drain port to direct liquid to the catch basin.

8. The laundry treating appliance of claim 7 wherein the drain hole is in a bottom of the wash basket to direct liquid to the drain port.

9. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the catch basin is between the wash basket and the static wash tub.

10. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1, and further comprising a detergent dispenser within the static wash tub.

11. The laundry treating appliance of claim 10 wherein the detergent dispenser is disposed vertically above the catch basin.

12. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the wash basket is supported by at least 3 suspension rods.

13. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1, and further comprising a rotatable tub between the wash basket and the static wash tub.

14. The laundry treating appliance of claim 13 wherein the rotatable tub includes an opening in a bottom of the rotatable tub.

15. The laundry treating appliance of claim 13 wherein the rotatable tub is rotatable during a treating cycle of operation.

16. The laundry treating appliance of claim 13 wherein the rotatable tub and the wash basket are rotatable at substantially identical speeds.

17. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the unattached edge of the flange ends below a wash liquid surface during a wash phase.

18. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1 wherein the unattached edge of the flange ends above a wash liquid surface during a spin phase.

19. The laundry treating appliance of claim 1, and further comprising a sensing device for determining a height of wash liquid in the catch basin.