DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0021] Now, referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section of a typical washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 includes a cabinet 12, a control panel 14, an access opening 16 and an associated door (not shown). A reversible drive mo tor 18 of conventional construction is mounted within the lower portion of the cabinet 12.

[0022] The motor 18 is preferably secured to a web 20 by one or more brackets 22. The motor output shaft 24 extends upwardly through a clutch 26 shown schematically in FIGS. 2 & 4. The clutch 26 is adapted to respond to the rotational direction of the shaft 24 to engage/disengage the hub 28 that is connected to a spherically shaped basket 30.

[0023] The basket 30 includes a plurality of perforations 32 in the spherical shaped walls for permitting fluid communication between the interior of the basket 30 and the tub 34. Thus, as fluid is introduced into the basket 30, the fluid flows through perforations 32 and enters tub 34 also. As is further depicted in FIG. 1, the web 20, drive motor 18 and the washing assembly are shown suspended from the inside of cabinet 12 by a conventional hung strut suspension system 36 which is of known construction and does not comprise part of the instant invention.

[0024] The washing assembly also includes one or more agitators 38 that operate in a manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,063 to Wunderlich on Apr. 24, 2001. During the washing action, rotation of shaft 24 causes clutch 26 to simultaneously disengage hub 28 from shaft 24 and secure hub 28 against rotation. This enables shaft 24 to rotate freely within hub 28 to drive the agitators 38 while also preventing rotation of basket 30.

[0025] After the washing cycle has completed, the motor 18 is reversed, causing a reverse rotation of shaft 24. This reverse rotation of shaft 24 causes clutch 26 to couple the shaft 24 to the hub 28, while simultaneously allowing free rotation of hub 28, thereby causing the basket 30 to rotate for the spin cycle. During the spin cycle, the washing fluid passes outwardly through perforations 32 and into the tub 34 due to centrifugal force.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the tub 34 of the present invention. The tub 34 includes a lower portion 40 and an upper portion 42. The inner wall of the upper portion 42 includes one or more grooves 44 as is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 44 preferably runs along the entire upper portion of the tub 34, but may be of any length, width or depth as desired.

[0027] The groove 44 also preferably runs in a generally vertical direction, though it may be angled or even spiral around the inside wall of the tub 34 as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the tub 34 is made of a plastic material and formed through well known injection molding techniques. Alternatively, the tub 34 may be formed of stainless steel, coated metal, or any other durable material using well-understood techniques.

[0028] Using a mold, the groove 44 is easily formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. The groove 44 preferably includes a front entry portion 46 and an under-cut channel portion 48. The under-cut channel portion 48 preferably extends away from the front entry portion 46 in the same direction as the direction of spin of the perforated basket 30 during the spin cycle. In order to prevent undue oscillation during the spin cycle, a balancing arrangement of grooves should be used. This means the grooves should be equally spaced along the wall of the upper portion 42 of the tub 34.

[0029] As is shown in FIG. 4A, during the spin cycle the basket 30 spins to expell water from the interior of the basket 30, through the perforations 32, and into the region between the basket 30 and the tub 34. Because the basket 30 is spinning at a high rate of speed, the water will generally continue to flow in the direction of the spinning basket 30. As the water flows along the wall of the tub 34, it eventually comes into contact with the groove 44. The outwardly flowing water enters the groove 44 through the front entry portion 46. When the water contacts the under-cut channel portion 48, the outward rotational flow of the water is redirected into a downward flow as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Eventually, the water flows into the lower tub portion 40 which terminates in a bottom wall 50 where it is collected and removed through a discharge port (not shown).

[0030] By redirecting the flow of water, the under-cut portion 48 reduces the amount of water spinning around the inside wall of the tub 34. This helps to minimize sudsing conditions thereby preventing suds lock from occurring.

[0031] While the invention is shown in a washer with a spherical tub and a vertical spin axis, it is envisioned that it could be applied to a conventional vertical axis washer with a cylindrical tub, a conventional drum-style horizontal axis washer, or a washer with any spin-axis angle therebetween.

[0032] A general description of the present invention as well as a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional variations in the methods and systems described which fall within the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.