Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-12-06)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement, Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1\. A washing machine comprising:
a housing;
a drum rotatably disposed inside the housing;
a driving motor;
a driving shaft configured to transfer a rotational force from the driving motor to the drum; and
a driving shaft flange configured to connect the driving shaft to the drum,
wherein the driving shaft flange comprises:a first surface;
a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface; the first surface and the second surface spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a vertical direction of the drum, and
an extension portion formed perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, and connecting the first surface to the second surface, and
wherein an edge of the first surface, an edge of the second surface, and an edge of the extension portion are substantially aligned in the vertical direction of the drum.

2\. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first surface, the second surface, and the extension portion are in an H-beam form having an 'H' shape such that at least a portion of a cross section of the driving shaft flange along an extending direction of the driving shaft is in the 'H' shape.

3\. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the first surface, the edge of the second surface, and the edge of the extension portion are forming an 'H' shape.

4\. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion has a plurality of extension portions, and
wherein each of the plurality of extension portions is spaced apart along a radial direction of the drum.

5\. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the driving shaft flange further includes:
a central portion into which the driving shaft is inserted; and
an arm member formed to extend along the radial direction of the drum with respect to the central portion and coupled to a bottom surface of the drum.

6\. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the first surface, the plurality of extension portions, and the second surface are disposed on the central portion and the arm member along the extending direction of the driving shaft, respectively.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1,
Line 16 recites the limitation the vertical direction of the drum.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.  This can be corrected by an amendment instead reciting “a vertical direction of the drum.
Regarding claim 6,
Line 15 recites the limitation the extending direction of the driving shaft.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.  This can be corrected by an amendment instead reciting “an extending direction of the driving shaft (as recited in claim 2).
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA  as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,898,298 (hereinafter “US’298”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other for the following reasons:
Regarding claim 1,
The claimed features of: housing, drum, driving motor, driving shaft, and driving shaft flange are anticipated by claim 1 of US’298.
Regarding claim 2,
The claimed features of the first surface, second surface, and extension portion are anticipated by claim 1 of US’298.
Regarding claim 3,
The claimed features of the first surface, second surface, and extension portion are anticipated by claim 1 of US’298.
Regarding claim 4,
The claimed features of the extension portions are anticipated by claim 4 of US’298.
Regarding claim 5,
The claimed features of the central portion and arm member are anticipated by claim 2 of US’298.
Regarding claim 6,
The claimed features of the first surface, second surface, and extension portions are anticipated by claim 3 of US’298.
Conclusion
See the attached PTO-892 for a list of the prior art made of record and not relied upon that is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
In accordance with the foregoing, claims 1 and 6 have been amended. Claims 1-6 are pending and under consideration.
Claim Re
j
ections -
35 USC
$
Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, we believe there is sufficient antecedent basis for the vertical
direction of the drum in line 16. For example, claim 1 recites as below and recites "a vertical direction of the drum."
a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface, the first surface and
the second surface spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in
a
vertical direction of the drum,
and
an extension portion formed perpendicular to the first surface and the second
surface, and connecting the first surface to the second surface, and
wherein an edge of the first surface, an edge of the second surface, and an edge of the extension portion are substantially aligned in
the vertical direction of the drum.
Regarding claim 6, appropriate correction has been made.
Withdrawal of the rejections is respectfully requested.
Double Patentin
g
Claims 1-6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,898,298 (hereinafter "US'298").
The Terminal Disclaimer has been filed concurrently with this amendment.
Withdrawal of the rejections is respectfully requested.
There being no further outstanding objections or rejections, it is submitted that the application is in condition for allowance.
Finally, if there are any formal matters remaining after this response, the Examiner is requested to telephone the undersigned to attend to these matters.
If there are any additional fees associated with this filing, please charge the same to Deposit Account No. 19-3935.
Respectfully submitted,

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Office Action is in response to Applicant’s amendments/remarks filed 1/31/25.  Claims 1 and 6 were amended.  Claims 1-6 are presently pending and are presented for examination.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 1 of remarks, filed 1/31/25, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see page 1 of remarks, filed 1/31/25, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-6 on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejections of claims 1-6 on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting have been withdrawn.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 1/31/25 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of US Patent No. 11,898,298 has been reviewed and is accepted.  The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Applicant’s reply filed 1/31/25 overcomes the rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) and the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting.  See the attached PTO-892 for a list of the closest prior art made of record, for example: US Pub. 2013/0327098 to Bae et al., US Pub. 2017/0356115 to Choi et al., US Pat. 7,841,800 to Gracia Bobed, US Pub. 2008/0196452 to Bae et al.  No available prior art is able to teach/disclose all features of the claimed driving shaft flange comprising first surface, second surface, and extension portion in the specifically claimed configuration and in combination with all other claim features defined by the washing machine of independent claim 1. Upon a comprehensive search no available prior art was able to teach or fairly suggest, singly or in combination, all features of the washing machine defined by independent claim 1.  For at least the above reasons, independent claim 1 (and therefore claims 2-6 depending therefrom) are in condition for allowance.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US1563822A: [content unavailable]
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Ref US3603118A: Claims:
In combination with a clothes washer, a nonrotatable outer tub assembly and a rotatable inner tub assembly nested within said outer tub assembly and in spaced relation thereto, said inner tub assembly comprising a plastic inner tub having a slightly outwardly tapered outer wall, a central reentry portion forming a radial-vaned pedestal within said inner tub and a bottom wall of expanded cross section therebetween, the side of said pedestal facing outside said inner tub being adapted for connection with an oscillating and rotating mechanism for selectively oscillating or rotating said inner tub, the side of said pedestal facing inside said inner tub being adapted by the oscillating thereof to agitate clothes in said inner tub, said outer wall having formed inwardly thereof a plurality of vertical ribs, said ribs cooperating with the side of said pedestal facing inside when said inner tub is oscillating in agitating clothes, said outer wall having formed around the upper edge as a projection thereof alternating long- and short-spaced fingers, said long fingers having an intermediate shoulder portion, a plastic inner tub rim fastened to the top of said outer wall and forming therewith a plurality of outflow ports, said inner tub rim having a radial flange overlying said outer wall, said radial flange including alternating large and small ports overfitting, respectively, said long and short fingers and resting on the intermediate shoulder portion of said long fingers to form the top of said outflow ports, a channel-shaped metal ring encircling said rim above said radial flange and snap fastened thereto over ramp-shaped lugs on said rim, said ring including an antiturn tang extending into said radial flange and an antirattle spring between said ring and said rim, said outer tub assembly comprising a plastic outer tub having a preformed bottom wall and a sidewall, said bottom wall formed with an integral depending pump housing and arcuate channel leading to said pump housing, said sidewall having at its lower terminus an antidrip flange depending below the jointure of said sidewall with said bottom wall for diverting overflow from said bottom wall, an integral plastic outer tub rim on top of said sidewall and including a pair of spaced upstanding walls forming a circular trough and a collar depending from said trough sealingly nesting within the top of said sidewall, the innermost of said pair of spaced walls overlying said inner tub rim in a manner to receive overflow from said inner tub assembly and to direct said overflow to said trough, conduit means connected to said trough and extending to a lower portion of said clothes washer for draining the overflow, and means for connecting said outer tub rim to said outer tub, said last named means including an elongated spring having one end connected to a lug on the outside of said outer tub rim and another end connected to said antidrip flange, said spring having an intermediate crimped portion to bias the outer tub rim toward said top of said sidewall.
In combination with a clothes washer, a nonrotatable outer tub assembly and a rotatable inner tub assembly of substantially the same size nested within said outer tub assembly and in closely spaced relation thereto, said inner tub assembly comprising a plastic inner tub having as integral portions thereof a slightly outwardly tapered outer wall, a central reentry portion forming a radial-vaned pedestal within said inner tub and a bottom wall of expanded cross section therebetween, the side of said pedestal facing outside said inner tub forming a socket on a lower portion thereof for connection with an oscillating and rotating mechanism for selectively oscillating or rotating said inner tub, the side of said pedestal facing inside said inner tub forming an agitator on the upper portion thereof, said outer wall having formed inwardly thereof opposite the agitator portion oF said pedestal a plurality of vertical ribs tapered toward their lower ends to merge at a point with said outer wall, said ribs cooperating with the agitator portion of said pedestal when said inner tub is oscillating to agitate clothes, said outer wall having formed around the upper edge as a projection thereof alternating long- and short-spaced fingers, said long fingers having an intermediate shoulder portion and a radially outwardly turned terminal grip portion, a plastic inner tub rim fastened to the top of said outer wall and forming therewith a plurality of outflow ports, said inner tub rim having a radial flange overlying said outer wall, said radial flange including alternating large and small ports overfitting, respectively, said long and short fingers and resting on the intermediate shoulder portion of said long fingers to form the top of said outflow ports, said inner tub rim being snap fastened to said inner tub by the interference fit of said large port with said grip portion, a channel-shaped metal ring encircling said rim above said radial flange and snap fastened thereto over ramp-shaped lugs on said rim, said ring including an antiturn tang extending into said radial flange and an antirattle spring between said ring and said rim, said outer tub assembly comprising a plastic outer tub having a preformed bottom wall and a sidewall, said bottom wall formed with an integral depending pump housing and arcuate channel leading to said pump housing, said sidewall having at its lower terminus an antidrip flange depending below the jointure of said sidewall with said bottom wall for diverting overflow from said bottom wall, an integral plastic outer tub rim on top of said sidewall and including a pair of spaced upstanding walls forming a circular trough and a collar depending from said trough and nesting within the top of said sidewall, the innermost of said pair of spaced walls overlying said inner tub rim in a manner to receive overflow from said inner tub assembly and to direct said overflow to said trough, conduit means connected to said trough and extending to a lower portion of said clothes washer for draining the overflow, said outer tub rim including a plurality of lugs at the jointure of said walls with said collar, each lug having a shoulder spaced from said collar and resting on an outer portion of the top of said sidewall to form a cavity circumscribing said outer tub where said outer tub rim nests within said outer tub sidewall, a soft butyl rubber seal in said cavity, and means for connecting said outer tub rim to said outer tub, said last named means including an elongated spring having one end connected to at least one of said lugs and another end connected to said antidrip flange, said spring having an intermediate crimped portion to bias the outer tub rim toward said top of said sidewall.
In combination with a clothes washer, a nonrotatable outer tub assembly and a rotatable inner tub assembly of substantially the same size nested within said outer tub assembly and in closely spaced relation thereto, said inner tub assembly comprising a plastic inner tub having an outer wall between 17 inches and 20 inches in diameter, a central reentry portion forming a radial-vaned pedestal within said inner tub and a bottom wall of expanded cross section therebetween, the side of said pedestal facing outside said inner tub forming a socket on a lower portion thereof for connection with an oscillating and rotating mechanism for selectively oscillating or rotating said inner tub, the side of said pedestal facing inside said inner tub forming an agitator on the upper portion thereof, said outer wall having formed inwardly thereof substantially 45 equally spaced vertical ribs, said ribs cooperating with the agitator portion of said pedestal when said inner tub is oscillating to agitate clothes, the socket portion of said pedestal facing inside said inner tub effecting a toroidal movement of said clothes when said inner tub is oscillating thereby to Present the clothes repeatedly to said ribs and said agitator portion for agitation, and a plastic inner tub rim having a radial flange fastened to the top of said outer wall and forming therewith a plurality of outflow ports, said inner tub rim having a collar depending into said inner tub in sufficiently closely spaced relationship to said outflow ports to act as a clothes guard preventing clothes from blocking said outflow ports.
The combination of claim 3 wherein the plastic for said inner tub includes a 20 percent by weight glass fiber fill, said outer wall has a cross-sectional thickness of substantially 0.090 inch, said reentry portion has a cross-sectional thickness of substantially 0.120 inch, and the expanded cross section of said bottom wall is substantially 0.280 inch.
In combination with a clothes washer, a nonrotatable outer tub assembly and a rotatable inner tub assembly of substantially the same size nested within said outer tub assembly and in closely spaced relation thereto, said outer tub assembly comprising a plastic outer tub having a preformed bottom wall and a sidewall, said bottom wall formed with an integral depending pump housing, said sidewall having at its lower terminus an antidrip flange depending below the jointure of said sidewall with said bottom wall for diverting overflow from said bottom wall, an integral plastic outer tub rim on top of said sidewall and including a pair of spaced upstanding walls forming a circular trough and a collar depending from said trough and nesting within the top of said sidewall, the innermost of said pair of spaced walls overlying said inner tub assembly in a manner to receive overflow therefrom and to direct said overflow to said trough, conduit means connected to said trough and extending to a lower portion of said clothes washer for draining the overflow, said outer tub rim including a plurality of lugs at the jointure of said walls with said collar, each lug having a shoulder spaced from said collar and resting on an outer portion of the top of said sidewall to form a cavity circumscribing said outer tub where said outer tub rim nests within said outer tub sidewall, a soft butyl rubber seal in said cavity, and means for connecting said outer tub rim to said outer tub, said last named means including an elongated spring having one end connected to at least one of said lugs and another end connected to said antidrip flange, said spring having an intermediate crimped portion to bias the outer tub rim toward said top of said sidewall.
An arrangement for positioning and permanently locating nested inner and outer plastic tubs with respect to a clothes washer mechanism and comprising, a drive mechanism having an oscillatable and rotatable vertical drive shaft and a vertical power shaft means laterally spaced from said drive shaft and adapted to selectively oscillate or rotate said drive shaft, drive mechanism support means supporting said drive mechanism, inner tub support means including radial tenons solidly affixed to said drive shaft, a pump impeller solidly affixed to said power shaft, said drive mechanism support means including an upstanding guide portion, a plastic outer tub having integrally formed therein a reentry portion snugly interfitting with said guide portion and a pump housing enclosing said pump impeller, said pump housing having an integral depending collar interfitting with said power shaft means, first water seal means between said reentry portion of said outer tub and said inner tub support means, second water seal means between said pump housing and said pump impeller, said guide portion of said drive mechanism support means and said collar of said pump housing locating and permanently positioning said outer tub with respect to said drive mechanism support means thereby to maintain the alignment of said first and second water seal means, a plastic inner tub having integrally formed therein a central reentry portion defining a socket having radial cavities Mortised onto the radial tenons of said inner tub support means whereby to locate said inner tub vertically and horizontally with respect to said outer tub and to provide the sole support for said inner tub during oscillation and rotation thereof, the radial cavities of said socket defining on the inside of said inner tub a radial-vaned agitator portion aiding in the initiation of flow of washing fluid within said inner tub when said inner tub is oscillated.
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the plastic for said inner and outer tubs is polypropylene and the cross-sectional thickness of the reentry portions of said inner and outer tubs and the collar of said pump housing is substantially 0.120 inch.
In combination with a clothes washer, a nonrotatable outer tub assembly and a rotatable inner tub assembly of substantially the same size nested within said outer tub assembly and in closely spaced relation thereto, said outer tub assembly including a plastic rim circumscribing said inner tub assembly, said inner tub assembly comprising a plastic inner tub adapted to contain water and having an imperforate outer wall, a central reentry portion forming a pedestal within said inner tub and a bottom wall therebetween, the side of said pedestal facing outside said inner tub forming a socket for connection with an oscillating and rotating mechanism for selectively oscillating or rotating said inner tub, an inner tub rim fastened to the top of said outer wall and forming thereat a plurality of outflow ports, said inner tub rim having a plastic flange sufficiently close to said plastic rim when said inner tub is rotating for centrifuging water through said outflow ports to tend to occasionally engage said plastic rim and spin weld said plastic flange to said plastic rim, and a stainless steel ring circumscribing said inner tub assembly adjacent said plastic flange for strengthening said inner tub assembly, said ring extending closer to said plastic rim than said plastic flange for preventing the occasional engagement of said plastic flange with said plastic rim and thus the spin welding thereof.
Ref US4848105A: Claims:
A clothes washing machine of the vertical axis type having a stationary outer tub, a spin tub mounted within said outer tub for rotation about said vertical axis, said spin tub having a central hub and a bottom wall, a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from said central hub and upward from said bottom wall, said bottom wall having flow passages between said ribs, perforated lint filter means secured to said bottom wall to allow fluid to flow upward through said flow passages into the interior of said spin tub, an oscillating agitator mounted within said spin tub and having a skirt portion extending radially outward over said ribs and said bottom wall, and radially extending vanes on the lower surface of said skirt portion extending downward adjacent said ribs to cooperate with said ribs when said agitator is oscillated with respect to said spin tub to pump fluid upward through said lint filter means.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lint filter means is an annular sheet secured to the lower surface of said bottom wall.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lint filter means engages the lower surface of said ribs.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein said lint filter means is welded to said bottom wall along its radially inner and outer edges.
A clothes washing machine of the vertical axis type having a stationary outer tub, a spin tub mounted within said outer tub for rotation about said vertical axis, said spin tub having a central hub and an outer portion, said outer portion including a bottom wall extending radially inward toward said central hub and being spaced therefrom by an annular gap, a plurality of radially extending ribs interconnecting said central hub and said bottom wall, said ribs defining flow passages therebetween, an annular lint filter secured in said annular gap to make a sealing fit with said central hub and said bottom wall, said lint filter having a perforated wall to allow fluid to flow upward through said flow passages into the interior of said spin tub, an oscillating agitator mounted within said spin tub and having a skirt portion extending radially outward over said ribs and said bottom wall, and radially extending vanes on the lower surface of said skirt portion extending downward adjacent said ribs to cooperate with said ribs when said agitator is oscillated with respect to said spin tub to pump fluid upward through said lint filter.
A clothes washing machine of the vertical axis type having a stationary outer tub, a unitary plastic spin tub mounted within said outer tub for rotation about said vertical axis, said spin tub having a central hub and an outer portion, said outer portion including a perforated side wall and a bottom wall extending radially inward from said side wall toward said central hub and being spaced therefrom by an annular gap, said spin tub including a plurality of radially extending ribs interconnecting said central hub and said bottom wall, said ribs defining flow passages therebetween at said annular gap, an annular plastic lint filter secured in said annular gap to make a sealing fit with said central hub and said bottom wall, said lint filter having a perforated wall to allow fluid to flow upward through said flow passages into the interior of said spin tub, an oscillating agitator mounted within said spin tub and having a skirt portion extending radially outward over said ribs and said bottom wall, and radially extending vanes on the lower surface of said skirt portion extending downward adjacent said ribs to cooperate with said ribs when said agitator is oscillated with respect to said spin tub to pump fluid upward through said lint filter from the space between said outer tub and said bottom wall.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lint filter is an annular sheet welded at its inner and outer edges to said central hub and said bottom wall.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sheet abuts the lower edges of said ribs.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein said sheet is perforated between said ribs and imperforate adjacent said ribs.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said ribs and said lint filter provide the only interconnection between said central hub and said bottom wall.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said ribs have parallel vertically extending sides.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein said ribs have upper edges extending parallel to the lower edges of said vanes.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said ribs and said lint filter provide the only interconnection between said central hub and said bottom wall.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said ribs have parallel vertically extending sides.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said ribs have upper edges extending parallel to the lower edges of said vanes.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said lint filter is a sheet secured to the lower surface of said bottom wall and said central hub.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein said lint filter engages the lower surface of said ribs.
A clothes washing machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein said lint filter is welded to said bottom wall along its radially outer edge and to said central hub along its radially inner edge.
Ref US20050138971A1: Claims:
A drum ( 3 ) to place laundry and washing liquid and being rotated by a motor around its central axis in a tub ( 2 ) in washing
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