Patent US4485645A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4485645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foreign objects trap for automatic washer
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
•
Filing: 1982-09-30
•
Granted: 1984-12-04
•
Expires: 2002-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A foreign objects trap for an automatic washer is provided in the wash liquid flow path just upstream of the pump which has a settling chamber and a separator plate to trap foreign objects. The separator plate has irregularly shaped tubes therethrough which, in conjunction with a closely spaced wall of the trap housing, prevent passage of lighter than water objects. A lower portion of the housing is removable for cleaning and is transparent for visual inspection.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Mulder
- 👤 John W. Pielemeier
- 👤 Joel M. Snider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:02
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid recirculation and drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; baffle means between said inlet and said outlet, said baffle means including a plurality of tubes extending therethrough, said tubes having arcuate shaped openings and unrestricted flow passages therethrough; said inlet being arranged to communicate with an underside of said baffle means to trap floating objects beneath said baffle means, and said housing defining a settling chamber beneath said baffle means, whereby heavier than water objects are trapped beneath said baffle means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid recirculation and drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; baffle means between said inlet and said outlet, said baffle means including a plurality of tubes extending therethrough, said tubes having arcuate shaped openings and unrestricted flow passages therethrough; said inlet being arranged to communicate with an underside of said baffle means to trap floating objects beneath said baffle means, and said housing defining a settling chamber beneath said baffle means, whereby heavier than water objects are trapped beneath said baffle means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising, a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a settling chamber in fluid communication between said inlet and outlet; a separator plate interposed between said settling chamber and said outlet; said plate having a plurality of irregularly shaped tubes therethrough, each tube forming an unrestricted passage providing fluid communication between said settling chamber and said outlet, whereby foreign objects are trapped by said chamber and plate and prevented from reaching said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising, a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a settling chamber in fluid communication between said inlet and outlet; a separator plate interposed between said settling chamber and said outlet; said plate having a plurality of irregularly shaped tubes therethrough, each tube forming an unrestricted passage providing fluid communication between said settling chamber and said outlet, whereby foreign objects are trapped by said chamber and plate and prevented from reaching said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said tubes have arcuate shaped openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said openings are "C" shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said housing has wall portions on the settling chamber side of said separator plate closely adjacent said tubes whereby rod shaped foreign objects are prevented from entering said tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has wall portions on the outlet side of said separator plate spaced closely adjacent said tubes at a greater distance than the spacing between said tubes and said wall portions on the settling chamber side of said separator plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said housing is comprised of an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion which can be detachably joined in a water tight manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said lower housing portion contains said settling chamber and is constructed of a transparent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said upper housing portion is constructed of an elastomeric material and has a lower flange which receives said lower housing and is secured thereto by a circumferential clamping means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein wash liquid passing through the device must reverse direction after entering said inlet prior to entering said tubes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising: a housing having a single unobstructed inlet and an outlet; a planar separator plate interposed between said inlet and outlet; said inlet communicating exclusively with an underside of said separator plate to trap floating objects; said housing having a selectively removable wall portion positioned below and closely adjacent said separator plate defining a settling chamber; said separator plate having a plurality of irregularly shaped tubes extending therethrough having passages unrestricted to the flow of lint and wash liquid, but preventing the passage of foreign objects; whereby, floating objects and heavier than water objects are trapped beneath said separator plate and can be removed upon removal of said wall portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an automatic washer having wash liquid drain means, an improved foreign objects trap comprising: a housing having a single unobstructed inlet and an outlet; a planar separator plate interposed between said inlet and outlet; said inlet communicating exclusively with an underside of said separator plate to trap floating objects; said housing having a selectively removable wall portion positioned below and closely adjacent said separator plate defining a settling chamber; said separator plate having a plurality of irregularly shaped tubes extending therethrough having passages unrestricted to the flow of lint and wash liquid, but preventing the passage of foreign objects; whereby, floating objects and heavier than water objects are trapped beneath said separator plate and can be removed upon removal of said wall portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1254025A
Cited
US1105045A
Cited
US1215267A
Cited
US1233272A
Cited
US1382992A
Cited
US2166279A
Cited
US2583422A
Cited
US2894631A
Cited
US2919568A
Cited
US3006477A
Cited
US3236386A
Cited
US3352130A
Cited
DE1503764A1
Cited
US3590606A
Cited
US3598651A
Cited
US3727435A
Cited
US3910076A
Cited
US4003225A
Cited
US4125003A
Cited
DE2708663A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-04 | 1988-06-04 | 1988-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-06-04 | 1992-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-04 | 1996-06-04 | 1996-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |