Seal arrangement between inner and outer tubs of a horizontal axis washing machine

A washing machine comprising:

• a cabinet shell;
• an outer tub mounted within the cabinet shell in a substantially fixed position, said outer tub having an open frontal zone;
• a spinner supported within said outer tub for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, said spinner including an open frontal portion which is substantially aligned with the open frontal zone of the outer tub so as to enable articles of clothing to be selectively placed within and removed from the spinner for laundering of the clothing, said open frontal portion being spaced from the open frontal zone by a gap;
• a door pivotally attached to the cabinet shell, said door being selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the door extends across the open frontal zone of the outer tub and the open frontal portion of the spinner, and an open position wherein access to within the spinner is permitted;
• and
• means for sealing solely a lower arcuate section of the gap between the outer tub and the spinner to prevent foreign objects from passing through the gap during operation of the washing machine.

A washing machine comprising:

• a cabinet shell;
• an outer tub mounted within the cabinet shell in a substantially fixed position, said outer tub having an open frontal zone;
• a spinner supported within said outer tub for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, said spinner including an open frontal portion which is substantially aligned with the open frontal zone of the outer tub so as to enable articles of clothing to be selectively placed within and removed from the spinner for laundering of the clothing, said open frontal portion being spaced from the open frontal zone by a gap;
• a balance ring secured about the frontal portion of the spinner;
• a door pivotally attached to the cabinet shell, said door being selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the door extends across the open frontal zone of the outer tub and the open frontal portion of the spinner, and an open position wherein access to within the spinner is permitted;
• and
• means for sealing at least a lower arcuate section of the gap between the outer tub and the spinner to prevent foreign objects from passing through the gap during operation of the washing machine, wherein the sealing means includes a first seal portion fixed relative to one of the spinner and a second seal portion, with the second seal portion of the sealing device being in sliding contact with the balance ring.