US3481164A

US3481164A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US3481164A
Application number: US727570A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Bochan
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1968-05-08
Filing date: 1968-05-08
Publication date: 1969-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1986-12-02
Also published as: GB1262773A; FR2008104A1; DE1922989A1; BR6908584D0

Description

Dec. 2, 1969 J. BOCHAN 3,481,164

' WASHING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J'OHN BOC HAN ms ATTORNEY J. BOCHAN WASHING MACHINE Dec. 2, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1968 FIGZ PIC-3.3

INVENTOR. JOHM Boc HAM BY A i Hi5 uroaMEY United States Patent US. Cl. 68-4 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A washing machine adapted to wash two loads of fabrics simultaneously in separate solutions without liquid interchange therebetween includes a fisrt, outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in the first tub, and drive means for efiecting a washing motion of the agitator. A second, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid is mounted on the agitator for movement therewith. A liquid inlet is positioned to direct a stream of liquid into the machine in registry with the top of the second tub. A cover for the second tub substantially closes its open top and includes a plurality of vertically spaced, radially extending walls received in the upper portion of the inner tub. The walls have ofiset discontinuous portions to form a labyrinth passage so that the stream of liquid may enter the inner tub until the liquid therein rises to the level of the passage, the stream of liquid then is diverted into the first tub. The machine also includes a recirculation filter system for the outer tub with the recirculating liquid flowing onto the cover, which directs the recirculated liquid back into the outer tub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fabric washing machines, and more particularly, to such a machine which is adapted to wash two separate loads of fabrics concurrently without intermingling the liquid used in the washing process. One shortcoming of presently available fabric washing machines is that the user cannot concurrently Wash items which are incompatible; for instance, white garments and colored garments which may run, or fuzzy garments and other garments which might pick up lint released from the fuzzy garments. Thus, for what should be an average wash load, the user may have to divide the fabrics into two or more separate loads in order to wash all the items, even though the total size of the load does not exceed the capacity of the washing machine. Prior art patents relating to washing machines for providing concurrent washing operations propose systems for keeping the liquids separate which are very complicated. Two areas of this complexity are separate liquid inlet arrangements so that both the inner and the outer tub may be filled without the liquid for one going through the other and rather complicated recirculating filter systems to insure that the recirculating liquid from one of the tubs does not get into the other.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved washing machine for concurrently washing two loads of fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved machine wherein a single liquid inlet system may be used to fill both of the wash tubs.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a machine in which recirculating filter arrangements like those presently used may be incorporated without causing any interchange of the liquid in the machine.

3,481,164 Patented Dec. 2, 1969 ice By one form of the present invention there is provided, in a vertical axis washing machine, a first, outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid; a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly within the first tub, and drive means for effecting a washing motion of the agitator. A second, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid is mounted on the agitator for movement therewith. Liquid inlet means is positioned to direct a stream of liquid into the machine in registry with the top of the second tub. A cover structure is adapted to substantially close the open top of the second tub and includes a plurality of vertically spaced, radially extend ing walls received in the upper portion of the second tub. The walls have offset discontinuous portions to form a labyrinth passage through the cover structure so that the stream of liquid may enter the second tub until the liquid therein rises to the level of the labyrinth passage, the stream of liquid then being diverted into the first tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic, partial side elevational view of a clothes washing machine incorporating one embodiment of the present invention, the view being partly broken away and partially in section to illustrate details,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the machine of FIGURE 1, illustrating certain details of the invention, and

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view of the machine of FIG- URE 1, illustrating additional details, with certain parts of the machine omitted for the sake of clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown therein an agitator type clothes washing machine 1 having an outer, open top tub or receptacle 2 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 2 includes a lower wall 3 and a generally cylindrical, upwardly extending side wall 4, the walls 3 and 4 being provided with a number of spaced perforations or openings 5. The tub 2 is positioned within an outer, imperforate casing 6 which defines a chamber 7 with the tub 2 mounted Within the chamber so that, when liquid is added to the tub 2, it will flow into the chamber 7 and fill the chamber and tub to the same level. The top of the tub may be provided with a balance ring 8 to help steady the tub when it is rotated at high speed.

The casing 6 is rigidly mounted within an appearance cabinet 9 which includes a cover 10 hingedly mounted in the top portion 11 of the cabinet for providing access through an opening 12 to the tub 2. A gasket 13 may be provided so as to form a seal between the top of the casing 6 and the portion 11 of the cabinet thereby to prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabinet around the casing.

There is a movably mounted agitator 14 extending upwardly within the center of the tub 2. In the present case the agitator is shown as including a center post 15 and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes 16 and 17 which extend partially along the center post and are joined at their lower ends by an outwardly flared skirt 18. In the particular agitator illustrated the vanes 16 extend further up the center post than do the vanes 17; however, this is for illustrative purposes only and the vanes may take any desired shape.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 are rotatably mounted. The tub 2 is mounted on a flange 19 of a rotatable hub 20, and the agitator 14 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through the hub 20 and through the center post 15 and is secured to the agitator so as to drive it. During a typical cycle of operation the agitator is caused to oscillate about its axis, that is, in a horizontal plane within the tub 2, to cause a washing action of the fabrics in the machine. Then the agitator and tub are rotated together at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics in the machine. This sequence of operation is repeated the desired number of times for a complete cycle and normally is provided at least twice to give a washing step and a rinsing step.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 may be driven through any suitable means. By way of example I have shown them as driven from a reversible motor 21 through a system including a suitable load limiting clutch 22 mounted on the motor shaft. A belt 23 transmits power from the clutch 22 to a transmission assembly 24 through a pulley 25. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, the pulley 25 and transmission 24 are driven in opposite directions. The transmission 24 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 20. When the motor 21 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 14 to oscillate in a substantially horizontal plane with the tub 2. Conversely, when the motor 21 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission rotates the tub 2 and agitator 14 together at high speed for centrifugal liquid extraction.

While the specific type of transmission mechanism used does not form part of the invention reference is made to Patent 2,844,225 issued to James R. Hubbard et al. of July 22, 1958 and owned by General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In addition to operating the transmission 24 as described, the motor 21 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 26 to a pump structure generally indicated at 27, which may include two

separate pump units

28 and 29, both operated in the same direction simultaneously by the motor 21. Pump 28 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 30 to an opening 31 formed at the lower most point of casing 6. Pump 28 also has an outlet which is connected by a conduit 32 to a suitable drain (not shown). The pump 29 has an inlet connected by a conduit 33 to the interior of the chamber 7 and an outlet connected by a conduit 34 to a nozzle 35. The pump structure is formed so that, in the spin direction of motor rotation, pump 28 will draw liquid in from the chamber 7 through the opening 31 and conduit 30 and then discharge it through conduit 32 to drain. In the other direction of motor rotation, pump 29 will draw in liquid through the conduit 33 and discharge it through conduit 34 and nozzle 35. Each of the pumps is substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in which it is not used. The particular form of the pump structure 27 is not significant; rather structure 27 is representative of any structure capable of passing liquid selectively out through one outlet or another, whether by use of one pump with suitable valving, a combination structure or two pumps.

As will be explained hereinafter, it may be desirable that rotation of the tub 2 and agitator 14 for centrifugal extraction of liquid from fabrics within the machine be delayed a sufficient period of time during each extraction step for the pump 28 to lower the level of standing liquid within the chamber 7 at least to below the bottom wall 3 of the tub 2. Applicants Patent 3,131,797 issued on May 5, 1964, and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention, and Patent 3,197,982, issued on Aug. 3, 1965 to Joseph C. Worst, and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention both disclose details of the structural characteristics of clutches which will provide a suitable delay in the high speed rotation of tub 2 and agitator 14 so the pump 28 can lower the level of liquid in chamber 7.

The motor 21, clutch 22, transmission 24, tub 2 and agitator 14 form a suspended washing and centrifuging system which is supported by the stationary structure of the machine so as to permit isolation of vibrations from the stationary structure. While any suitable suspension structure may be used, one such structure includes a bracket member 36 with the transmission 24 mounted on the top thereof and the motor 21 mounted on the underside thereof. A suitable counterweight 37 may also be mounted to the underside of the bracket 36 to help balance the loading of the bracket. The bracket member in turn is secured to a pair of upwardly extending rigid members 38, and each of the two upwardly extending members 38 is connected to a cable (not shown) supported from the top of the machine. While only a portion of the suspension system is shown, such a vibration isolation system is fully described and claimed in applicants Patent 2,987,190, issued on June 6, 1961 and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

In order to accommodate the movement which occurs between the tub 2 and casing 6 without any danger of leakage between them, the stationary casing 6 is joined to the upper part of transmission 24 by a flexible boot member 39. Boot 39 may be of any suitable configuration, many of which are known in the art, to permit relative motion of the parts to which it is joined without leakage therebetween.

Hot and cold water may be supplied to the machine through conduits 40 and 41, which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water (not shown). Conduits 40 and 41 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 42 having

solenoids

43 and 44. Energization of solenoid 43 permits passage of hot water through the valve to an inlet hose 45, energization of solenoid 44 permits passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water into the hose 45. The inlet hose 45 is connected to a discharge horn 46 which is positioned to discharge into the tub 2 so that when one or both of the

solenoids

43 and 44 are energized, water passes into the tub 2 and chamber 7. The level to which water rises in the tub 2 and chamber 7 may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing means (not shown) many of which are known in the art.

As thus far described, the machine is capable of providing a normal sequence of operation in which fabrics are placed in the tub 2 and are washed and rinsed with the washing and rinsing water being centrifugally extracted from the fabrics and expelled from the machine by the pump 28. In order to be able to wash two loads simultaneously without intermixing of the washing and rinsing liquid inside the tub 2 so that noncompatible fabrics may be washed simultaneously there is provided a second or inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub 47 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 47 includes an inner wall 48 which is channeled as. indicated at 49 along its radially inner portion and curves outwardly at the bottom so as to fit closely around the agitator 14 and be driven thereby as the agitator is oscillated and rotated during a sequence of operation of the machine. The tub 47 also includes a generally cylindrical outer wall 50 which extends upwardly and defines a top opening 51 by means of an inwardly facing annular flange 52 which extends around the top of the wall 50.

The outer Wall 50 may have extending therefrom a number of small vanes 53 which aid in providing a suitable washing motion to the liquid and fabrics in the outer tub 2 when the inner tub 47 is in the machine. The diameter of the inner tub 47 is made substantially less than the diameter of the outer tub 2 so that each tub may have a suitable volume separate from the other to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. In the machine illustrated the inner tub 47 does not completely cover the vanes 16 and 17 of the agitator 14 so that their lower tips may assist in causing a washing motion in the outer tub.

The upper portion of the wall 50' generally slants inwardly as indicated at 54 and this inwardly slanting portion is provided with a number of recesses 55 which continue in a more vertical fashion and are spaced circumferentially around the wall 50. Each of these recesses terminates in an upwardly extending pipe 56. The upper end of each pipe 56 is joined to a return bent, generally vertically extending tube 57 of stifily resilient material so that each pipe and tube together form a conduit 58. Each conduit has an inlet 59 in the upper portion of the inner tub 47 and an outlet 60' which opens outwardly above the top of the tub 47. For ease of construction, the pipes 56 and tubes 57 can be formed integrally with both being a part of the material forming the inner tub 47. However, on many occasions the inner tub 47 wil be removed from the machine and stored separately so that the machine may be used to wash large loads of compatible fabrics. By making the tubes 57 separately and of a stiflly resilient material, the likelihood of damaging the free standing portions of the conduits will be much reduced.

The water inlet horn 46 and the recirculation nozzle 35 are both formed and positioned so that the streams of liquid discharged therefrom flow in paths which bring them into registry with the open upper end 51 of the inner tub 47. As an important part of this invention there is provided a suitable diverted means or cover structure 61 which fits within the opening 51 and allows the stream of inlet water from horn 46 to flow into the tub 47 until it is full and then diverts the stream into the tub 2 and chamber 7 so that the same inlet mechanism normally used in washing machines may be used in a machine for simultaneously washing two loads. The cover structure also functions to direct the stream of recirculated liquid from nozzle 35 back into the tub 2 without any of it flowing into the tub 47 so that a normal recirculation type filtering system may be used in a machine which will simultaneously wash two loads.

The cover structure includes a cup like center portion 62 which fits over the top of the agitator post 15 and an annular inner wall 63 extending downwardly around the agitator center post and into the upper end of the tub 47 The cover structure also includes a series of vertically spaced, generally horizontally extending walls. The upper of these walls 64 extends radially outwardly from the annular wall 63. An intermediate wall 65 is spaced slightly below the upper wall and with its outer periphery beyond the outer edge or periphery of the upper wall 64. This outer periphery of the middle wall 65 includes a downwardly extending flange 66 and a short horizontally extending flange 67. The

flanges

66 and 67 fit in liquid tight relationship with a gasket 68. The gasket in turn is mounted in liquid tight relationship with the flange 52 on the upper end of the tub 47 so that the outer edge of the cover structure is mounted in liquid tight relationship with the upper edge of the tub 47. From the

flanges

66 and 67, the wall 65 extends inwardly in a generally horizontal fashion and terminates in a short, upwardly extending flange 65a, which is spaced slightly outwardly of the inner wall 63. A lower wall 69 extends outwardly from the inner wall 63 and is formed at its radially outer edge with a short, downwardly extending flange 70. The flange 70 is spaced slightly inwardly of the flange 66. The intermediate wall 65 is maintained in its vertically spaced relationship to

walls

64 and 69 by circumferentially spaced webs 71 which extend between walls 64 and 65 and are connected thereto so as to support the wall 65 from the wall 64. As indicated by the drawing, the cover structure can be formed from a number of separate elements which are firmly joined together to make a unitary structure.

Thus, a labyrinth passage is formed in and extends through the cover structure. This passage extends between the upper wall 64 and intermediate wall 65, over the flange 65a and then between it and the inner wall 63,

then outwardly between the intermediate Wall 64 and lower wall 69, and finally downwardly between the

flanges

66 and 70. When the cover structure 63 is mounted over the agitator 14 and in the inner tub 47, at least the lower portion of this passage is positioned within the tub 47 and well below the upper limit of the outlet conduits 58. With such an arrangement, the inlet water flowing from the horn 46 will impinge upon the cover structure 63. Initially this water will flow through the labyrinth passage into the tub '47. This flow continues until the liquid in the inner tub 47 rises to the level of the labyrinth passage. When this occurs, no further flow through the passage is possible and the inlet water is diverted outwardly over the cover structure to flow into the outer tub 2 and chamber 7 to fill these to the desired level, at which time the inlet water flow will be terminated.

Similarly, since the inner tub 47 will be full during periods of agitation the stream of recirculated liquid being emitted from the nozzle 35 onto the cover will be directed outwardly over the cover structure 63 and back into the tub 2 and chamber 7 without any of it entering the inner tub 47, due to the seal formed by the full labyrinth passages. The webs or vanes 71 act as pumps to insure that none of the liquid leaks through the labyrinth into tub 47 In order to filter lint and other foreign matter from the recirculated stream of liquid the cover structure may also include a pan like filter including a generally horizontal lower wall 72 and an upwardly extending side wall 73. The lower wall 72 is spaced above the upper wall 64 and is formed with a plurality of openings 74 so that liquid entering the filter will flow through the openings 74 in the filter and fall onto the upper wall 64.

In order to wash two loads of incompatible fabrics simultaneously it is also necessary to insure, during centrifugal extraction periods of operation, that none of the liquid used in washing the fabrics in the inner tub impinges upon the fabrics in the outer tub. To this end a first wall 75 extends inwardly and downwardly from the top edge of the first tub 2 and underlies the outlet ends 60 of the conduits 58. The liquid exiting from the conduits 58 during centrifugal extraction will strike the wall 75 and be guided to the top of the tub 2. The inner end of the wall 75 is formed with an upturned flange 76 which is positioned inwardly of the outlets 60 so that any liquid dropping from the conduits 58 at the end of the extraction operation or spraying out during centrifugal extraction will be caught by the flange 76 and prevented from dropping into the outer tub 2. A second wall 77 extends around and is spaced above the top edge of the tub 2. The wall 77 is supported above the tub 2 by some suitable means such as circu-mferentially spaced, small posts 78 which extend from the top of the tub 2 and engage the wall 77. The wall 77 includes a first portion 79 which extends inwardly and downwardly into the tub 2 parallel to and spaced from the wall 75 and terminates outwardly of the ends of the tubes 57. The wall 77 also includes a second portion 80 which extends outwardly and downwardly outside the tub 2. Thus, the liquid exiting from the conduits 58 and directed upwardly by the wall 75 will be directed over the top of the tub 2 by the wall portion 79 and then outwardly and downwardly into the chamber 7 away from the tub 2 by the wall portion 80.

For typical cycle of operation for washing two loads simultaneously the inner tub 47 is placed within the outer tub 2 around the agitator 14. One type of fabrics are placed within the outer tub 2 and another type of fabrics are placed within the inner tub 47. For instance, white and color fast items are placed in the tub 2 and items which tend to fade are placed in the tub 47. Then the cover member 63 is placed over the agitator center post and into the top of the tub 47. The controls for the machine are set to cause the machine to automatically proceed through a cycle of operation. Many such suitable controls are known in the art and do not form a part of this invention, therefore, none have been described in detail herein.

First the valve 42 is energized so that water of a selected emperature flows in through the inlet hose 45 and born 46 to impinge upon the cover member 63. Initially, this stream of water flows through the labyrinth passage into the inner tub 47 until it is filled. Thereafter, when the water in tub 47 fills the passage, this stream of inlet water is diverted outward over the cover member 63 into the outer tub 2. Since the outer tub is provided with perforations over its side and bottom walls this liquid also flows outwardly into the chamber 7 and fills the tub 2 and chamber 7 with liquid.

When they have been filled to a suitable level, the water supply is interrupted and the motor 21 is started in a first direction to cause oscillation of the agitator While the tub 2 is held stationary. The inner tub 47 moves with the agitator 14 so that the channels 49 in the inner wall of the inner tub cause the liquid and fabrics in the inner tub to be agitated while the vanes 53 and tips of the vanes 16 and 17 cause the liquid and fabrics in the outer tub to be agitated. At the same time, pump 29 draws liquid out of the chamber 7 through the conduit 33 and discharges it through the conduit 34 and nozzle 35 so that it is projected into the filter pan. From the filter pan it passes through the openings 74 onto the upper wall 64. Since the labyrinth passage is blocked by the body of liquid in the inner tub 47, this recirculated liquid is directed outwardly and back into the outer tub 2.

At the conclusion of the agitation period of operation the motor is stopped and restarted in the other direction to cause the tubs and agitator to be rotated together at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from both of the loads. The liquid in the outer tub 2 is expelled through the openings into the chamber 7 from whence it is exhausted by the pump 28 through the opening 31 and conduit 30 and then discharged to drain through the conduit 32. The liquid in the inner tub 47 is caused to flow upwardly and then outwardly through the recesses 55 and conduits 58. From the conduit outlets 60 this liquid flows up over the wall 75 and under the wall 77. It is directed by the wall portion 80 downwardly and outwardly to be received in the chamber 7 away from the tub 2 so that it does not impinge on the fabrics in the tub 2.

As was explained previously the clutch 22 is of the type which will prevent high speed rotation of the tub 2 and agitator 14 for a period of time sufiicient for the standing liquid level in the chamber 7 to be reduced to a point below the lower wall 3 of the tub 2. This is required in machines of the type illustrated, wherein the tub 2 is provided with openings over much of its surface. With such an outer tub construction, if vitiated liquid from the inner tub is expelled into the chamber 7 before the level of standing liquid in the chamber is reduced to a point below the outer tub, it will mix with this standing liquid and may contaminate the fabrics in the outer tub.

Some machines use a substantially imperforate outer tub, with only a few openings positioned adjacent the upper edge of the outer tub. With such a construction the clutch 22 would not necessarily be of the type to provide this drain down Operation.

The steps of operation of filling, agitation and centrifugal extraction are repeated a suitable number of times for a complete cycle of operation and are normally provided at least twice, the first time with detergent in the two tubs to provide a wash step and a second time with clear water to provide a rinse step.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a vertical axis Washing machine,

(a) means defining a chamber;

(b) an outer, open top tub mounted in said chamber to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid;

(c) an inner, substantially i-mperforate tub disposed within said first tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be Washed in that liquid;

(d) drive means for effecting a washing action in said tubs; and

(e) liquid inlet means, including diverter means mounted on the upper portion of said inner tub, for directing a stream of liquid into said inner tub until it is filled to a predetermined level and, thereafter, directing the stream of liquid into said outer tub.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein Said diverter means comprises a cover structure for substantially closing the open top of said inner tub.

3. In a vertical axis washing machine;

(a) an outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid;

(b) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said outer tub;

(c) drive means for effecting a Washing motion of said agitator;

(d) an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid; said inner tube being mounted on said agitator for movement therewith; and

'(e) liquid inlet means, including a cover for said inner tub, for directing a stream of liquid into said inner tub until it is filled to a predetermined level and, thereafter, directing the stream of liquid into said outer tub.

4. In a vertical axis washing machine;

(b) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said outer tub;

(c) drive means for effecting a washing motion of said agitator;

(d) an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid; said inner tub being mounted on said agitator for movement therewith;

(e) liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of said inner tub; and

(f) a cover structure for said inner tub, said cover structure including means to pass the stream of liquid into said inner tube until it is filled to a predetermined level and, thereafter, to direct the stream of liquid into said outer tub.

5. In a vertical axis Washing machine;

(b) a movably mounted agitator extending upwardly in said outer tub;

(c) drive means for effecting a Washing motion of said agitator;

(e) liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of said inner tub; (f) a cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of said inner tub;

(g) said cover structure including a plurality of vertically spaced, radially extending walls received in the upper portion of said inner tub; said walls having offset discontinuous portions to form a labyrinth passage through said cover structure;

(h) whereby the stream of liquid may enter said inner tub until the liquid therein rises to the level of said labyrinth passage, the stream of liquid thereafter being directed into said outer tub.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 further including pump means effective, during periods of washing motion of said agitator, to remove liquid from said outer tub and return it thereto and filter means for filtering the recirculated liquid; the recirculated liquid being directed into registry with said cover structure and said cover structure being effective to direct the recirculated liquid into said outer tub.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cover structure includes three vertically spaced walls, the upper of said walls terminating inwardly of the outer edge of the intermediate of said walls and said intermediate wall terminating outwardly of the inner edge of the lower of said walls.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cover structure includes an axially extending inner wall mountable closely around said agitator and an outer wall mountable in liquid tight relationship to the upper end of said inner tub; said cover structure further including an upper, generally horizontal wall extending outwardly from said inner wall and terminating inwardly of said outer wall, an intermediate, generally horizontal Wall extending inwardly from said outer wall, spaced below said upper wall and terminating outwardly of said inner wall, and a lower, generally horizontal wall, extending outwardly from said inner wall and spaced below said intermediate wall; whereby said labyrinth passage is formed through said cover structure.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cover structure further includes a pan like filter disposed above said upper wall, said filter having a perforated lower wall extending over said upper wall; said machine including pump means effective, during periods of washing motion of said agitator, to remove liquid from said outer tub and direct it into said filter, the recirculated liquid then flowing through said perforated wall and across said upper wall into said outer tub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,324,688 6/1967 Hubbard 68-4 WILLIAM A. PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 6818, 23.5