Washing machine with air/water jets

Abstract

A washing apparatus having an enhanced agitating effect on the clothes or article(s) being washed therein comprises a housing, a rotating drum within the housing, and at least one fluid conduit fluidly connected to a source of air and/or auxiliary water and fluidly connected to the drum for injecting air and/or auxiliary water into the drum from outside of the drum for mixing with the wash/rinse water to agitate the wash/rinse water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a housing;   a drum mounted for rotation within the housing, the drum adapted for receiving wash/rinse water; and   at least one fluid conduit fluidly connected to a source of air and/or auxiliary water and fluidly connected to the drum for the injecting air and/or auxiliary water into the drum from an exterior portion of the drum for mixing with the wash/rinse water to agitate the wash/rinse water.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum is generally oriented vertically within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum comprises a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a top opening for adding and/or removing contents to/from the drum, and the second end being at least substantially closed and comprising the at least one jet connected connected to the at least one fluid conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , further comprising a plate generally fixedly mounted to the housing, and wherein the drum is generally sealingly and pivotally mounted to the plate. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , further comprising a fluid bulkhead affixed to the housing, and wherein the drum is pivotally mounted to the fluid bulkhead. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid bulkhead comprises an internal cavity generally in fluid communication with the at least one jet, and wherein pressure provided within the internal cavity is permitted to flow through the at least one jet and within the drum. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid bulkhead includes a water drain and wherein a pump is provided for withdrawing some water from through the water drain and recirculating it to the drum. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein further comprising an air jet cooperating with the fluid conduit for entraining air in water being injected into the drum. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the drum is capable of retaining a pool of water therein, and wherein injecting air and/or auxiliary water into the drum causes a jacuzzi-effect of the pool of water within the drum. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate generally fixedly mounted to the housing, and wherein the drum is generally pivotally mounted to the plate. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a fluid conduit connects between the drum and an air/water input/output coupling. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the air/water input/output coupling is generally positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the air/water input/output coupling is generally positioned within a portion of the plate. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine comprising:
 a housing;   a jetted plate fixedly mounted within the housing; and   a drum pivotally mounted to the plate, the jetted plate being adapted for permitting the withdrawal of wash/rinse water from within the drum and for receiving an injection of water; and   an air injector for injecting air into the water being injected into the drum, such that air is entrained in the water being injected into the drum.   
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the plate comprises at least one opening for permitting fluid to flow therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the drum is capable of at least partially containing a volume of water therein, and wherein the at least one opening within the plate permits air and/or water to flow through the volume of water and within the drum. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the input of air and/or water into the drum containing the volume of water therein causes a jacuzzi-effect of the volume of water and thus provides an enhanced agitating effect to one or mare articles within the drum and in communication with the volume of water. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the input of air and/or water within the drum causes the volume of water therein to become at least partially turbulent. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the drum is generally pivotable about an axis that is generally oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         20 . A method of washing articles of clothing comprising:
 providing a washing machine comprising a pivotable drum and at least one jet fluidly connected to the drum;   putting one or more articles of clothing within the drum;   filling at least a portion of the drum with water; and   inputting air and/or water through the at least one jet and within the drum to roil the water therein.