Foreign materials filtering apparatus and washing machine having the same

A foreign materials filtering apparatus, comprising:

• a washing water circulating duct having one or more washing water inlets, the washing water circulating duct spaced from a washing tub to form a first passage between the washing tub and the washing water circulating duct through which water flows;
• a filter inserting groove extending downwardly from the washing water inlet;
• a filter cover including a cap having a drain hole through which washing water introduced through the washing inlet is guided into the washing tub;
• a handle on the cap and coupled to the washing water circulating duct;
• and
• a filter unit disposed between the washing water circulating duct and the filter cover, and including a rear filter and a front filter, the rear filter supported by the filter inserting groove such that the washing water inlet is open but the filter inserting groove is closed, the front filter spaced from a side surface of the rear filter and coupled to the rear filter to form a third passage, the front filter having closed lower and side surfaces and an open upper surface to communicate with the washing water inlet, a front surface of the front filter provided with a filter portion to communicate with the drain hole,
• wherein a water direction changing rib is formed above the washing water inlet of the washing water circulation duct and faces the washing tub to form a second passage, the second passage for introducing washing water which passes through the filter inserting groove blocked by the rear cover into the washing water inlet, and for guiding the washing water into the third passage between the front filter and the rear filter.