Self-cleaning spinner top

Abstract

A washing machine with a self-cleaning spinner top is provided to remove lint and prevent soap scum buildup. The self-cleaning spinner top includes a reservoir and an upper wall. A water inlet routes a portion of incoming water to the spinner top's reservoir. This water is retained until a spin cycle begins. During a spin cycle, centrifugal force extracts the water in the reservoir, causing it to flow over the upper wall to an outer tub. A deflector on top of the outer tub ensures no water escapes and routes the water to the outer tub. The reservoir water that is extracted during the spin cycle also carries with it any lint or soap particles to prevent a build up condition. In this manner, a clean spinner top may be maintained.

1 . A new top for a washing machine basket, the top comprising: 
 an upper wall; and    a reservoir below the upper wall.    
   
   
       2 . The top for a washing machine basket of  claim 1  wherein the top is plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The top for a washing machine basket of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is curved.  
   
   
       4 . The top for a washing machine basket of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir may hold water.  
   
   
       5 . A washing machine having a self-cleaning basket top, the washing machine comprising: 
 an inner basket having an upper basket portion;    an outer tub having an upper tub portion;    a motor operatively connected to the inner basket; and    a first top secured to the upper basket portion, the first top including a reservoir and an upper wall.    
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 5  further comprising a second top secured to the upper portion of the outer tub, the second top being formed to deflect water from the reservoir to the outer tub.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 5  wherein the first top is plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 5  further comprising a water inlet.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the water inlet includes a diverter.  
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 8  wherein the water inlet is operatively connected in the washing machine to route water into the reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 5  wherein the reservoir holds water.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 11  wherein the water in the reservoir is removed when the motor spins the inner basket.  
   
   
       13 . A method of cleaning the top of a spinner basket in a washing machine, the method comprising: 
 storing water in a reservoir on an upper portion of a spinner basket top;    extracting the water from the reservoir by spinning the spinner basket; and    collecting the water in an outer tub.    
   
   
       14 . The method of cleaning the top of a spinner basket in a washing machine of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 injecting water into a spinner basket; and    routing a portion of the water into the reservoir.    
   
   
       15 . The method of cleaning the top of a spinner basket of  claim 13  wherein the water from the reservoir is collected in the outer tub after being routed to the outer tub by an outer tub top.