Washing machine with hollow agitators

Abstract

A washing machine includes a horizontally rotatable drum having a drum shell. Hollow agitators are disposed on the inside of the drum and have a base as part of the drum shell and at least one inlet opening to allow lye into the hollow space. Outlet openings are located on a top region of each agitator for allowing lye to pour out upon rotation to an elevated position. A fixed barrier located in the hollow space of each agitator serves to divide the space to define a chamber such that upon rotation from a lowest position, the chamber fills with lye, and upon further rotation the lye flows out of the outlet openings.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing drum that is driven in a horizontally rotatable manner and located in an outer tub, the drum comprising a drum shell;   hollow agitators disposed on the inside of the drum shell, each agitator having an agitator base comprising part of the drum shell, the agitator base having at least one inlet opening for allowing constituent amounts of a lye disposed in a lower apex of the outer tub to flow into the hollow space of the agitator;   outlet openings in a top region of each agitator which is removed from the base thereof, for allowing lye to pour out of the hollow space of each agitator after rotation of the washing drum moves each agitator into an elevated position; and   a fixed barrier located in the hollow space of each agitator, ascending from the agitator base in the direction of lye flowing into the hollow space, forming an open chamber on one side of the hollow space, and arranged such that when the agitator is in the lowest position due to rotation of the washing drum an upper edge of the barrier is higher than a level of lye in the hollow space for having the open chamber fill with lye due to lye washing over the barrier upon further rotation of the washing drum.   
   
   
       10 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the barrier further comprises a wall running parallel to the drum shell, the wall being inclined away from the associated inlet opening, and the inlet opening disposed in front of the barrier in the rotation direction. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the barrier comprises an additional rib. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the barrier and the chamber are formed as a trough-type insert in the agitator, a trough base of the insert being at least partially in contact with the agitator base. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the barrier comprises an inwardly folded peripheral region of the inlet opening. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inlet opening further comprises a scoop disposed on the drum shell, the scoop opening in the rotation direction. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the agitator is divided into a number of sections in a direction parallel to the drum shell, the inlet openings of the sections being oriented alternately toward opposing rotation directions. 
   
   
       16 . A method for operating a washing machine, the method comprising:
 providing a washing machine having a washing drum comprising a drum shell, the washing drum drivable in a horizontally rotating manner and located in an outer tub, hollow agitators disposed on the inside of the drum shell, each agitator having a base comprising part of the drum shell and having an inlet opening, outlet openings in a top region of each agitator, and a fixed barrier located in the hollow space of each agitator ascending from the agitator base to form an open chamber on one side of the hollow space;   filling the outer tub with lye up to a fill level, the fill level being below an upper edge of the fixed barrier of the agitator when the agitator is located in the lower apex as a result of rotation of the washing drum;   rotating the washing drum;   allowing lye to flow into the inlet opening as a result of the rotation, the inlet opening located such that as the agitator passes through the lye, lye flows through the inlet opening into the respective agitator, washes over the barrier and enters the chamber, where it is stored; and   further rotating the washing drum for moving the agitator into an elevated position, the outlet openings located at a position for having the lye flow out of the chamber through the outlet openings in the agitator to pour into the interior of the washing drum.