Washing Appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing appliance and more specifically a laundry appliance. The present invention relates to a drum, ( 1 ) for a washing machine that allows increased capacity without the need to increase the size of the overall appliance. The drum comprises a receptacle having a solid outer wall with at least one aperture and means ( 19 ) for guiding liquid purged from laundry toward the aperture such that the liquid is expelled.

1 . A drum for a washing machine, the drum comprising a generally cylindrical receptacle which is rotatably mounted within a washing machine housing and has an opening for loading and unloading laundry, wherein said receptacle is defined by a substantially solid outer wall having at least one aperture therein, and means for guiding liquid purged from said laundry upon rotation of said drum towards said at least one aperture such that said liquid is expelled from said receptacle via said at least one aperture. 
     
     
         2 . A drum according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for guiding liquid purged from the laundry upon rotation of the drum towards said at least one aperture comprises a channel, preferably having a proximal deep end and a distal shallower end, relative to said at least one aperture, such that rotation of the drum forces the liquid from the shallower end to the deep end and said liquid is expelled from the receptacle via said at least one aperture 
     
     
         3 . A drum according to  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of said channels are provided for guiding said liquid purged from said laundry upon rotation of said drum towards said at least one aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A drum according to  claim 1 , wherein said drum is provided with a plurality of apertures and one of more respective channels are provided to guide said liquid purged from said laundry upon rotation of said drum towards each of said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         5 . A drum according to  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said channels guide said liquid purged from said laundry upon rotation of said drum towards said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         6 . A drum according to  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of said channels are provided in a herringbone configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A drum according  claim 1 , wherein a valve is provided within said at least one aperture to control the flow of said liquid through said aperture. 
     
     
         8 . A drum according to  claim 7 , wherein each said aperture in said drum is provided with said valve. 
     
     
         9 . A drum according to  claim 7  wherein said valve is actuated by mains water pressure. 
     
     
         10 . A drum according to  claim 7   claim 7 , wherein said valve is actuated by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of said generally cylindrical receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . A drum according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening comprises a hatch, said hatch being liquid light when in a closed position and permitting the loading and unloading of laundry when in an open position. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine comprising:
 a drum according to  claim 1 , said drum being rotatably mounted in a housing;   drive means for rotating said drum during a wash cycle; and   control means for controlling one or more parameters of a wash cycle, wherein said control means comprises means for interrupting a wash cycle and permitting access to said opening in said drum.   
     
     
         14 . A washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein said opening is provided in a side wall of said drum and said control means is arranged and configured to halt rotation of said drum so as to interrupt a wash cycle when said opening is at or close to top dead centre (TDC) of said drum, such that access to said opening can be permitted whilst retaining liquid within said drum. 
     
     
         15 - 74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . A drum according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of said channels are provided in a herringbone configuration.