Fluid flow structure and method of use for continuous motion washing machine
AssigneeElectrolux Professional S.p.A.
InventorsMichael P. Licata, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Robert J. McNamara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.
Claims22
A fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank the fluid flow structure comprising:
- a first support element configured to interface with a wall of the wash tank;
- a second support element configured to interface with said wall of the wash tank, positioned a first distance along said wall of the wash tank from said first support element;
- and
- a flow guide positioned between said first and second support elements spanning said first distance,
- wherein each of the first and second support elements include a receiving element positioned along a respective guidance edge of the first and second support elements, said receiving element configured to receive and support said flow quide.
A streamlined fluid-flow plate insert structure comprising:
- a flow guide;
- one or more support elements;
- and
- one or more removable dividers,
- wherein the one or more support elements each define one or more tabs configured to interface with one or more rim of a wash tank;
- and
- wherein the fluid-flow plate insert structure is configured to be selectively placed within the wash tank, the one or more tabs bearing the weight of the structure and the one or more support elements providing guidance to shape the flow guide.
A fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank the fluid flow structure comprising:
- a first support element configured to interface with a wall of the wash tank;
- a second support element configured to interface with said wall of the wash tank, positioned a first distance from said first support element;
- and
- a flow guide positioned between said first and second support elements,
- wherein each of the first and second support elements include a receiving element positioned along a respective guidance edge of the first and second support elements, said receiving element configured to receive and support said flow guide;
- and
- wherein said receiving elements are projections which define a shelf, the flow guide configured to rest upon said shelf when positioned between said first and second support elements.
A fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank the fluid flow structure comprising:
- a first support element configured to interface with a wall of the wash tank;
- a second support element configured to interface with a wall of the wash tank, positioned a first distance from said first support element;
- and
- a flow guide positioned between said first and second support elements,
- wherein said first support element comprises:
- an upper edge with a front portion and a back portion;
- a rear edge with a top portion and a bottom portion;
- wherein the top portion of the rear edge is connected to the front portion of the upper edge;
- and
- a guidance edge, the guidance edge having a curved geometry running from the front portion of the upper edge to the bottom portion of the rear edge, the geometry of the guidance edge defining the general profile of a desired fluid flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.