Washing machine

• US 4,328,600 A
• Filed: 04/23/1980
• Issued: 05/11/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bochan, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/142,949
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 8/158, 8/159, 68/17 R, 68/17 A, 68/18 D, 68/23 R, 68/23.1, 68/23.2, 68/23.3, 68/23.4, 68/23.5, 68/23.6, 68/23.7, 68/53, 68/134, 68/148, 68/152, 68/154 , 68/171, 68/172, 68/173, 68/174, 68/181 R, 68/184, 68/207, 68/208
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 23/04 and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/12 adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/30 Driving arrangements control circuits or arrangements D06F34/08

Abstract

An automatic washing machine of the fresh-water, vertical-axis type has a dynamic system which includes a single perforate wash basket arranged to be driven continuously such that its central axis moves in an orbital path about another axis. The basket is restrained from rotating about its central axis when it is moving about the other axis and each point of the basket moves in a circulate path having an effective diameter which is small in relation to the diameter of the basket and having substantially the same excursion as the orbital path of the central axis of the basket. Water and soil removing agent are introduced into the basket during orbital motion and that motion is effective to induce a continuous motion of the fabric article load for washing the load. The machine tub and other working components are placed in the moving system and provide a stable base for the basket. Following washing, preferably the basket'"'"'s central axis is positioned in substantial alignment with the axis about which it was orbiting and is rotated about this axis to centrifugally remove water from the fabric load. The basket is contoured to enhance toroidal and annular movement of the fabric load. The machine transmission has an input shaft driven by a reversible electric motor, and an output shaft connected to the basket, the transmission having drive elements for interconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft. The drive elements include eccentric drive members operative to shift the axis of the output shaft laterally from the axis of the input shaft when the input shaft is rotated in one direction, thereby driving the output shaft in an orbital path about the axis of the input shaft, and operative to return the axis of the output shaft from its laterally offset relationship when the input shaft is rotated in the other direction, thereby causing the output shaft to rotate about the axis of the input shaft. A one-way clutch and a disc brake assembly, including an off-center coupling, cooperate with the drive elements to restrain the basket from rotating about its own axis when in the orbit mode and to rotationally drive the basket when in the water extraction mode.

Claims

1. A washing machine for fabric articles comprising:

a receptacle having a central axis and arranged to receive washing liquid and a fabric article load to be washed by the liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle and means for draining liquid from said receptacle, said liquid supply means and said drain means together constituting means effective to maintain the fabric article load in a liquid-soaked condition while accumulating no more liquid in said receptacle than would immerse the lower portion of a full load of fabric articles;

drive means connected to said receptacle, said drive means including means to selectively laterally offset the receptacle axis with respect to a predetermined axis so that said receptacle axis moves in direct response to said drive means in a predetermined path about said predetermined axis, said drive means including means for restraining said receptacle from rotating about the receptacle axis during movement of the receptacle axis in the predetermined path;

thereby to cause interaction between the wall of said receptacle and the fabric articles for washing the fabric articles.

2. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the receptacle axis is arranged to move in an orbital path parallel to the predetermined axis.

3. The washing machine of claim 2 wherein the diameter of the orbital path of said receptacle is less than about twenty percent of the width of said receptacle.

4. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein said drive means further includes means for rotating said receptacle for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the article load.

5. The washing machine of claim 4 wherein said drive means further includes means to move the receptacle axis into substantially coaxial alignment with the predetermined axis for rotation of the receptacle.

6. The washing machine of claim 1 further including means on the wall of said receptacle for repeatedly contacting the fabric load during the movement of said receptacle thereby to induce toroidal movement of the fabric article load.

7. The washing machine of claim 1 or 6 wherein said means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle includes spray means operative initially to wet the fabric article load and then to spray the fabric article load during washing to maintain the fabric article load in a wet condition;

and wherein said means for draining liquid from said receptacle is effective for continuously draining washing liquid from said receptacle.

8. The washing machine of claim 7 wherein said spray means is operative for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle as a series of interrupted liquid pulses.

9. The washing machine of claim 7 further including means for creating a relatively shallow pool of washing liquid in which the bottom portion only of said receptacle is immersed and means for continuously draining liquid from the bottom portion of said pool as liquid flows into the top portion of the pool, thereby to enhance removal of particulate soil from the fabric article load.

10. The washing machine of claim 6 wherein said means on the wall of said receptacle comprises a plurality of generally vertically extending ribs formed on at least the lower portion of the inner surface of said wall for increasing the annular movement of the fabric article load caused by contacts of said wall.

11. The washing machine of claim 6 or claim 10 wherein the means to induce toroidal movement comprises a plurality of inclined vanes formed on the inner surface of said wall of said receptacle, said vanes extending upwardly along the lower portion of said receptacle wall and being inclined in the direction of annular fabric article movement, for causing the fabric articles to turn over during washing.

12. The washing machine of claim 6 wherein said receptacle includes a central post having a flared skirt at the bottom thereof, said skirt having vanes formed thereon, said vanes extending spirally outwardly and sloping downwardly in the direction of annular movement of the fabric articles.

13. A method of washing a fabric article load in a receptacle adapted to receive the article load and washing liquid, comprising the steps of:

moving the axis of the receptacle into laterally offset relationship with respect to a predetermined axis, moving the receptacle axis about the predetermined axis while restraining the receptacle from rotating about the receptacle axis to induce repeated contacts between the wall of the receptacle and the fabric article load to wash the load, returning the receptacle axis from its laterally offset relationship with respect to the predetermined axis, and revolving the receptacle to extract liquid centrifugally from the article load.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the receptacle axis is returned into substantially coaxial alignment with the predetermined axis for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the article load.

15. A washing machine including:

an open-topped, perforate, receptacle having a central axis and mounted in an upright position to receive washing liquid and a load of fabric articles to be washed by the liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle and means for draining liquid from said receptacle, said liquid supply means and said drain means together constituting means effective to maintain the fabric article load in a liquid-soaked condition while accumulating no more liquid in said receptacle than would immerse the lower portion of a full load of fabric articles;

input drive means rotatable about its axis;

means connecting said receptacle to said input drive means to selectively laterally offset the central axis of said receptacle from the axis of said input drive means so that said receptacle moves about the axis of the input drive means in response to rotation of said input drive means;

means for restraining said receptacle from rotation about its central axis as said receptacle moves about the axis of said input drive means;

whereby movement of the receptacle induces repeated contacts between the wall of the receptacle and the fabric articles to wash them; and

means connected to the receptacle for rotating said receptacle to centrifugally extract washing liquid from said articles.

21. The washing machine of claim 15 wherein said means connecting said receptacle to said input drive means is constructed and arranged after the centrifugal extraction to again laterally offset the axis of said receptacle from the axis of said input drive means so that said receptacle moves about the axis of said input drive means in response to rotation of said input drive means and in the absence of additional washing liquid for loosening the fabric article load.

22. The washing machine of claim 15 wherein the length of the lateral offset of the axis of said receptacle axis from the axis of the input drive means is less than about twenty percent of the radius of said receptacle.

16. A washing machine for fabric articles comprising:

an open-topped perforate receptacle arranged to receive washing liquid and a fabric article load to be washed by the liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle and means for draining liquid from said receptacle, said liquid supply means and said drain means together constituting means effective to maintain the fabric article load in a liquid-soaked condition while accumulating no more liquid in said receptacle than would immerse the lower portion of a full load of fabric articles;

a mount drivingly connected to said receptacle;

drive means connected to said receptacle mount to selectively laterally offset said receptacle mount from a predetermined axis and move said receptacle mount in a predetermined path about and laterally spaced from the predetermined axis and to selectively rotate said receptacle mount;

means for restraining said receptacle from rotation as said receptacle moves in the predetermined path so that movement of said receptacle causes interaction between the wall of the receptacle and the fabric articles for washing the fabric articles;

said restraining means releasing said receptacle for rotation with said receptacle mount for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabric article load.

17. The washing machine of claim 16 further including means on the wall of said receptacle for repeatedly contacting the fabric load as said receptacle moves about the axis of said drive means thereby to induce toroidal movement of the fabric article load.

18. The washing machine of claim 17 wherein said means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle includes spray means operative initially to wet the fabric article load and then to spray the fabric article load during washing to maintain the fabric article load in a wet condition;

and wherein said means for draining liquid from said receptacle is effective for continuously draining washing liquid from said receptacle.

19. The washing machine of claim 18 wherein said spray means is operative for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle as a series of interrupted liquid pulses.

20. The washing machine of claim 18 further including means for creating a relatively shallow pool of washing liquid encompassing the bottom portion of said receptacle for enhancing removal of particulate soil from the fabric article load.

23. A washing machine including:

an open-topped, perforate, generally cylindrical receptacle mounted in an upright position to receive washing liquid and a fabric article load to be washed by the liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle;

drive means connected to said receptacle and effective for moving said receptacle with its central axis following an orbital path about a second axis substantially parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance from the central axis of said receptacle, the radius of said receptacle being substantially greater than the predetermined distance;

said drive means maintaining said receptacle in a predetermined attitude relative to the second axis during the orbital movement for effecting washing of the fabric load, and said drive means including means for translating said receptacle to bring the receptacle axis into alignment with the second axis and for rotating said receptacle about its axis to centrifugally extract washing liquid from the fabric article load and said receptacle.

24. The washing machine of claim 23 further including brake means operatively connected to said receptacle and effective to restrain said receptacle from rotating about its axis during orbital movement of said receptacle.

25. The washing machine of claim 23 wherein said drive means includes a reversible motor and transmission means;

said transmission means being operatively connected between said motor and said receptacle, said transmission means being responsive to rotation of said motor in one direction to cause the orbital movement of said receptacle and responsive to rotation of said motor in the other direction to cause the axis of said receptacle to move into alingment with the vertical axis and therefore to cause said receptcle to rotate about the vertical axis.

26. The washing machine of claim 23 wherein:

said drive means includes a transmission having a generally vertical principal axis of rotation;

said receptacle is mounted on a rotary drive member; and

said transmission is effective to offset the axis of said rotary drive member the predetermined distance from the principal axis of rotation of said transmission for orbital movement of said receptacle and to align the axis of said rotary drive member with the principal axis of rotation of said transmission for centrifugal extraction rotation of said receptacle.

27. The washing machine of claim 23 further including means on the wall of said receptacle for repeatedly contacting the fabric load during the orbital motion of said receptacle thereby to induce an annular and toroidal movement of the fabric article load.

28. The washing machine of claim 27 wherein said means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle includes spray means operative to initially wet the fabric article load and then to spray the fabric article load during washing to maintain the fabric article load in a wet condition;

and wherein said washing machine further includes means for continuously draining washing liquid from said receptacle.

29. The washing machine of claim 28 further including means for creating a relatively shallow pool of washing liquid encompassing the bottom portion only of said receptacle for enhancing removal of particulate soil from the fabric article load.

30. The washing machine of claim 27 wherein said drive means is effective after the centrifugal extraction operation to again move said receptacle with its axis following the orbital path about the second axis in the absence of additional washing liquid for loosening the fabric article load.

31. A method of washing fabric articles comprising steps of:

disposing the articles in an open-topped receptacle;

introducing washing liquid into the receptacle;

orbiting the receptacle about a second axis spaced a predetermined distance from the axis of the receptacle, with the radius of the receptacle being substantially larger than the predetermined distance, while restraining the receptacle from rotating about the receptacle axis for washing the fabric articles;

moving the receptacle so that the receptacle axis is in alignment with the second axis; and

rotating the receptacle about the second axis to centrifugally extract the wash liquid from the receptacle and the fabric articles.

32. The method of claim 31 including the further step of orbiting the receptacle about the second axis in the absence of additional washing liquid to loosen the fabric articles.

33. A drive arrangement for driving a washing machine fabric receiving basket comprising:

a first rotary drive element having an axis of rotation;

rotary drive means drivingly connected to said first rotary drive element for rotating said first rotary drive element about its axis of rotation;

a second rotary drive element mounted eccentric to the axis of and driven by said first rotary drive element for movement about the axis of rotation of said first rotary drive element;

a third rotary drive element mounted eccentric to the axis of and driven by said second rotary drive element for movement about the axis of rotation of said first rotary drive element; and

means interconnecting said third rotary drive element with said basket so that said basket is moved with its axis following an orbital path as said third rotary drive element moves about the axis of rotation of said first rotary drive element.

34. The washing machine drive arrangement of claim 33 further including means allowing relative movement of said first and second rotary drive elements between first and second relative angular positions;

the eccentric mounting of said second and third rotary drive elements being such that the axis of rotation of said third rotary drive element and the axis of rotation of said first rotary drive element are eccentrically located for orbital movement of said basket when said first and second rotary drive elements are in their first relative angular positions and are concentrically located for rotation of said basket about the axis of said third rotary drive element when said first and second rotary drive elements are in their second relative angular positions.

35. The washing machine drive arrangement of claim 34 further including:

clutch means interconnecting said second rotary drive elements and said third rotary drive element for rotation of said third rotary drive element about its own axis of rotation when said first and second rotary drive elements are in their second relative angular positions.

36. The washing machine drive arrangement of claim 34 wherein said first and second rotary drive elements are arranged and constructed such that rotation of said first rotary drive element in a first direction is effective to cause said first and second rotary drive elements to assume their first relative angular positions and rotation of said first rotary drive element in a second direction is effective to cause said first and second rotary drive elements to assume their second relative angular positions.

37. The washing machine drive arrangement of claim 33 further including:

a machine cabinet structure;

a tub supported from said cabinet structure for movement relative to said cabinet structure;

said basket being positioned in said tub;

means for supporting said first rotary drive element from said tub; and

means for coupling said basket to said tub, said coupling means being operative to restrain said basket from rotating about its own axis when orbited by said third rotary drive element.

38. A washing machine comprising:

a washing machine cabinet structure;

a tub suspendedly mounted to said cabinet structure for movement relative thereto;

a perforate basket supported within said tub for receiving fabric articles and washing liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said basket;

reversible rotary drive means mounted to said tub;

transmission means mounted to said tub and having;

(a) a first eccentric drive assembly operatively connected to said reversible rotary drive means,

(b) a second eccentric drive assembly operatively connected to and driven by said first eccentric drive assembly with its axis of rotation spaced a first predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly,

(c) rotary output means operatively connected to and driven by said second eccentric drive asembly with its axis of rotation spaced a second predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of said second eccentric drive assembly,

(d) lost-motion means for limiting relative movement of said first and second eccentric drive assemblies between first and second relative angular positions, the axis of said rotary output means being spaced from the axis of rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly a distance equal to the total of said first and said second predetermined distances when said first and second eccentric drive assemblies are in their first relative angular positions,

and rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly in a first direction by said rotary drive input means being effective to cause said first and second eccentric drive assemblies to assume their first relative angular positions, means interconnecting said rotary output means and said basket so that movement of said rotary output means by rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly in the first direction is operative to move said basket in an orbital path for imparting mechanical energy to the fabric articles causing the fabric articles to be washed by the washing liquid.

39. The washing machine of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is constructed and arranged such that, when said first and second eccentric drive assemblies are in their second relative angular positions, the axis of rotation of said rotary output means is aligned with the axis of rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly means to centrifugally extract washing liquid from the fabric articles;

and rotation of said first eccentric drive assembly in a second direction by said rotary drive input means is operative through said lost-motion means to move said first and second eccentric drive assemblies to their second relative angular positions.

40. The washing machine of claim 39 further including clutch means interconnecting said second eccentric drive assembly and said rotary output means for rotation of said rotary output means about its own axis when said first and second eccentric drive assemblies are in their second relative angular positions.

41. The washing machine of claim 38 further including eccentric coupling means for interconnecting said basket to said tub, said coupling means being operative to restrain said basket from rotating about its own axis during orbital motion of said basket.

42. The washing machine of claim 38 wherein said first and said second predetermined distances are equal.

43. The washing machine of claim 38 wherein the orbital movement of said basket when said first and second eccentric drive assemblies are in their first relative angular positions has substantially the same angular speed as the rotation of said basket when said first and second eccentric drive assemblies are in their second relative angular positions.

44. In a clothes washing machine:

a top-loading clothes basket having a central axis;

transmission means for translating said basket to wash the clothes and for rotating said basket to centrifugally extract liquid from the clothes, said transmission means having a drive shaft rotatable about its own axis and an output shaft, each of said shafts extending in the same direction as said central axis and said output shaft being connected to said clothes basket;

said transmission means having interconnecting elements therein for driving said output shaft from said drive shaft, said drive elements including selective shifting means for shifting the axis of said output shaft laterally from the axis of the drive shaft thereby to translate said output shaft in an orbital path relative to the axis of said drive shaft, and for shifting the relative position of the axes of said input and drive shafts into alignment thereby to rotate said output shaft;

said basket being driven by the orbital movement of said output shaft to produce a clothes washing action and by the rotation of said output shaft to produce a centrifugal extraction.

46. The combination of claim 44 or claim 45 wherein translation of said output shaft in an orbital path relative to the axis of said drive shaft is effective to translate said basket in a circulate path having an excursion substantially less than the width of said basket.

47. The combination of claim 46 including means for introducing washing liquid onto the clothes during translation of said basket.

48. The combination of claim 47 wherein said basket is provided with openings in the bottom thereof for draining washing liquid therefrom continuously during the washing action.

49. The combination of claim 48 including means for forming a shallow pool of washing liquid at the bottom of said basket during the washing operation, said means providing for continuous draining from said pool as washing liquid flows into said pool.

50. The combination of claim 44 or 45 further including a plurality of generally vertically extending ribs formed on the inner surface of the outside wall of the clothes basket for increasing the movement of the clothes caused by contacts with said outside wall.

51. The combination of claim 44 or 45 wherein said basket includes a central part having a flared skirt at the bottom thereof, said skirt having vanes formed thereon, said vanes extending radially outward and sloping downwardly in the direction of clothes movement.

52. The combination of claim 44 or 45 further including a plurality of inclined vanes formed on the inner surface of the outside wall of said basket, said vanes extending upwardly from the lower portion of said basket and being inclined in the direction of movement of the clothes during washing, for causing the clothes to turn over during washing.

45. In a clothes washing machine:

a top-loading clothes basket having a central axis;

transmission means for translating said basket to wash clothes and for rotating said basket to centrifugally extract liquid from the clothes;

said transmission means having a drive shaft rotatable about its own axis and an output shaft, each of said shafts extending in the same direction as said central axis and said output shaft being connected to said clothes basket;

said transmission means having interconnection elements therein for driving said output shaft from said drive shaft, said interconnection elements including off-setting means for shifting the axis of said output shaft laterally from the axis of the drive shaft when said drive shaft is driven in one direction thereby to translate said output shaft in an orbital path relative to the axis of said drive shaft, and for aligning the axes of said drive and output shafts when said drive shaft is driven in the other direction, thereby to rotate said output shaft;

said basket being driven by the orbital movement of said output shaft to produce a clothes washing action and by the rotation of said output shaft to produce a centrifugal extraction action.

53. A fabric washing machine comprising:

a washing machine cabinet structure;

a tub structure supported in said cabinet structure by suspension means allowing said tub structure freedom of movement within said cabinet structure;

a perforate receptacle positioned in said tub to receive washing liquid and fabric articles to be washed by the liquid and including an upstanding sidewall;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle and means for draining liquid from said receptacle, said liquid supply means and said drain means together constituting means effective to maintain the fabric article load in a liquid-soaked condition while accumulating no more liquid in said receptacle than would immerse the lower portion of a full load of fabric articles;

transmission means supported by said tub and operatively connected to said receptacle for moving said receptacle relative to said transmission so that the axis of said receptacle moves in a path about a second axis defined by said transmission and selectively displaced from the axis of said receptacle while restraining said receptacle from rotating about its own axis to cause repeated contacts between said sidewall of said receptacle and the fabric articles;

a drive motor supported by said tub structure and drivingly connected to said transmission;

said tub structure, transmission and drive motor having a combined mass substantially larger than the mass of said receptacle;

whereby the dominant portion of the input energy from said drive motor is imparted to the receptacle for washing the fabric articles by the repeated contacts while concurrently substantially isolating said cabinet structure from the vibrations associated with said movement of said receptacle.

54. The washing machine of claim 53 wherein said transmission includes means for moving said receptacle to bring its axis into substantial alignment with the second axis and for rotating said receptacle to centrifugally extract washing liquid from the fabrics.

55. A washing machine as set forth in claim 53 further including friction damping means engaging said tub structure for damping oscillation of said tub structure.

56. The washing machine of claim 53 wherein said receptacle includes a bottom portion having an upright conical section positioned opposite said sidewall for urging fabrics toward said sidewall.

57. The machine of claim 53 further including means formed on said sidewall of said receptacle for repeatedly contacting the fabrics during movement of said receptacle about the second axis displaced from the axis of said receptacle to induce annular movement of the fabric article load.

58. The washing machine of claim 57 wherein said means formed on said sidewall comprises a plurality of substantially vertically extending ribs projecting into said receptacle.

59. The washing machine of claim 58 wherein at least one spiral vane is formed on said sidewall, projecting into said receptacle and inclined in a direction for inducing turnover of the fabric article load.

60. The washing machine of claim 59 wherein said at least one spiral vane projects into said receptacle from said sidewall a distance sufficient to create turbulence for separating fabrics.

61. The washing machine of claim 57 wherein said receptacle includes a bottom portion having an upright conical section positioned opposite said sidewall for urging fabric articles toward said sidewall, said conical section including at least one spiral vane formed thereon, projecting into said receptacle and inclined in a direction for inducing turnover of the fabrics.

62. A washing machine for fabric articles comprising:

a fabric receiving receptacle having a central axis;

means for introducing washing liquid onto the articles;

means for selectively shifting the receptacle axis to selectively laterally offset the axis with respect to a predetermined axis;

means for moving the offset receptacle axis about the predetermined axis; and

means for restraining the receptacle from rotating about its axis during movement of the receptacle axis about the predetermined axis.

63. The washing machine of claim 62 wherein the predetermined axis is parallel to said receptacle axis.

64. The washing machine of claim 62 further including means for rotating said receptacle for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabric articles.

65. The washing machine of claim 64 further including means to shift the receptacle axis into substantially coaxial alignment with said predetermined axis for rotation of the receptacle.

66. In a washing machine:

a receptacle having a central axis and arranged to receive washing liquid and fabric articles to be washed by the liquid;

means for supplying washing liquid to said receptacle;

drive means connected to said receptacle and operative to drive said receptacle so that the central axis moves in an orbital path, the excursion of the orbital path being substantially less than the width of said receptacle;

said receptacle having an upright central portion, an annular bottom portion extending substantially radially outward from said central portion and having a plurality of apertures therethrough, said central portion including a generally conical section projecting upwardly from the radially inner circumference of said annular bottom portion, said conical section including a plurality of radially outwardly projecting vanes spiralling downwardly in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said receptacle, and said receptacle also having an outer wall extending generally upwardly from the outer circumference of said bottom portion and having a plurality of apertures therethrough;

the movement of said receptacle in the orbital path being effective to cause said receptacle outer wall repeatedly to contact the fabric articles for imparting washing energy to the fabric articles.

67. The washing machine of claim 66 wherein said central portion of said receptacle further includes an upright post rising substantially vertically from the upper end of said conical section.

68. The washing machine of claim 67 wherein said post includes an open-topped, additive-dispensing receptacle, said additive-dispensing receptacle receiving washing liquid from said supply means and operative to dispense a solution of liquid and additive onto said articles.

69. The washing machine of claim 66 wherein said annular bottom portion of said receptacle includes elevated means projecting vertically from said bottom portion and effective to space the fabric articles from the apertures in said bottom section to permit liquid to flow through the apertures.

70. The washing machine of claim 69 wherein said elevated means comprises a plurality of annular ribs.

71. The washing machine of claim 69 further including means for creating a limited pool of washing liquid encompassing the lower section of said receptacle for enhancing removal of particulate soil from said receptacle.

72. The washing machine of claim 71 wherein said means for creating a liquid pool comprises a shallow annular pan mounted below and extending circumferentially of the lower section of said receptacle.