Laundry appliance

Abstract

A laundry appliance ( 10 ) comprises an outer casing ( 14 ) and a container ( 34 ) mounted inside the outer to permit movement of the container ( 34 ) in use. The container ( 34 ) has a door ( 42 ) for closing the opening in the container which moves with the container ( 34 ) during use of the applicance. A seal ( 80 ) is located between the outer casing ( 14 ) and the container ( 34 ). The seal ( 80 ) extends radially inwardly from the lip ( 85 ) of the opening in the outer casing ( 14 ) and lies against the front surface or the container ( 34 ). The seal has a rigid portion ( 81 ) with a channel ( 83 ) for receiving the lip ( 85 ) of the container and a flexible portion ( 82 ).

1 . A laundry appliance comprising an outer casing, a container mounted inside the outer casing and spaced from the outer casing to permit movement of the container in use, the outer casing and container each having an opening to allow the introduction of laundry into the container, a door for closing the opening in the container which is movable with the container when the appliance is in use and a seal located in the space between the outer casing and the container, the seal extending from the lip of the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         2 . An appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the seal extends radially inwardly from the lip of the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         3 . An appliance according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the seal lies against the container.  
     
     
         4 . An appliance according to  claim 3  wherein the seal is resiliently biased so that it lies against the container.  
     
     
         5 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal is flexible.  
     
     
         6 . An appliance according to  claim 5  wherein the seal comprises a first portion which connects to the lip of the outer casing which is formed of a rigid material and a second portion which extends towards the container which is formed of a more flexible material.  
     
     
         7 . An appliance according to  claim 5  or  6  wherein the portion of the seal nearest to the container is formed of a material which is more rigid than the flexible portion of the seal.  
     
     
         8 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal lies flush with the lip of the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         9 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal comprises a part for connecting to the lip of the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         10 . An appliance according to  claim 9  wherein the seal has a channel for receiving the lip of the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         11 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal comprises a part for connecting to the container.  
     
     
         12 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a further door for closing the opening in the outer casing.  
     
     
         13 . An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims in the form of a washing machine.  
     
     
         14 . A laundry appliance substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.