Patent Abstract:
A method of fabricating a wash basket for a washing machine including providing a substantially cylindrical housing having a bottom and an inner wall, providing a plurality of geometric structures and connecting the plurality of geometric structures to the inner wall. The plurality of geometric structures may be configured to optimize a relationship between mechanically agitating an article contained within the wash basket during a wash cycle and reducing a residual moisture content of the article during a spin cycle. A wash basket for a washing machine may include a housing having an inner wall fabricated by a first process and a plurality of geometric structures fabricated by a second process where the plurality of geometric structures are attached to and extend radially inwardly from the inner wall, the geometric structures comprising a separate structure relative to the housing.

Full Description:
[0001]     This invention was made with U.S. Government support through Government Contract Number DE-FC26-01 NT41261 awarded by the Department of Energy, and, in accordance with the terms set forth in said contracts, the U.S. Government may have certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to clothes washing machines and more particularly to a clothes washing machine having apparatus for water extraction from clothes during spin cycles of the washing machine.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional washing machines typically include a cabinet that houses an outer tub for containing wash and rinse water, a perforated clothes basket within the tub for holding articles such as clothes to be washed and an agitator disposed within the basket for agitating the clothes during a wash cycle. A drive and motor assembly for driving the agitator and the basket may be mounted underneath the outer tub. The motor is typically an AC induction motor, which can reverse its rotation direction to achieve different modes in a wash cycle. A pump assembly may pump water from the outer tub to a drain during a wash cycle. Conventional wash cycles will spin the basket at various times to extract water and wash fluids from clothes.  
         [0004]     Extracting water from clothes during spin cycles is desirable because it reduces the amount of energy required to dry the clothes after washing, such as in a conventional dryer. The energy efficiency rating of washers may include the energy required to dry clothes after washing. Spinning the wash basket is a common method of extracting water from clothes prior to the drying cycle. Using the mechanical energy of the spin cycle to extract water is more energy efficient than using the heat in a clothes dryer. More stringent energy usage standards imposed on washing machines can require new and costly washer platforms. This is because efforts to increase water extraction have mainly been achieved through increased basket spin speed. This often requires more expensive drive systems that typically include costly motors and transmissions. Also, increased spin speed may result in problems with the high forces associated with possible out-of-balance conditions and the associated higher stresses in the basket.  
         [0005]     The retained moisture content (RMC) of clothes is a variable used to determine the amount of energy required to dry clothes after a wash cycle. Several factors affect clothing&#39;s RMC during a washing machine&#39;s spin cycle. These factors may include clothing material, clothing load, basket diameter, spin speed, spin duration, rinse temperature and chemical rinse agents.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A method of fabricating a wash basket for a washing machine is provided that may include providing a substantially cylindrical housing having a bottom and an inner wall, providing a plurality of geometric structures and connecting the plurality of geometric structures to the inner wall.  
         [0007]     A wash basket for a washing machine is provided that may include a housing having an inner wall fabricated by a first process and a plurality of geometric structures fabricated by a second process where the plurality of geometric structures are attached to and extend radially inwardly from the inner wall, the geometric structures comprising a separate structure relative to the housing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary washing machine.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational schematic view of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a control system for the washing machine shown in FIGS.  1  and 2.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial vertical cross sectional view of an exemplary wash basket for the washing machine shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial horizontal cross section of the wash basket along line  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial plan view of an exemplary configuration of ribs insertable into a wash basket in accordance with aspects of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of an exemplary rib of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational schematic view of the washing machine of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view partially broken away of an exemplary washing machine  50  in which aspects of the present invention may be practiced. It is recognized, however, that the various benefits of the present invention may be demonstrated in other types of washing machines. The description of washing machine  50  below is therefore offered just for illustrative purposes, and in no way should be construed to limit application of the present invention in any aspect.  
         [0017]     Washing machine  50  includes a cabinet  52  and a cover  54 . A backsplash  56  extends from cover  54 , and a variety of appliance control input selectors  58 ,  60  may be mounted onto backsplash  56 . Input selectors  58 ,  60  comprise a user interface for operator selection of operational machine cycles and modes of operation. A lid  62  is mounted to cover  54  and may be movable between an open position facilitating access to a wash tub  64  located within cabinet  52 , and a closed position forming a covered enclosure over wash tub  64 .  
         [0018]     Tub  64  includes a bottom wall  66  and a sidewall  68 , and a basket  70  may be rotatably mounted within washtub  64 . An agitator, impeller, or oscillatory basket mechanism  116  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be disposed in basket  70  to agitate the articles and liquid in basket  70 . The agitator  116  and/or wash basket  70  may be positioned to rotate or otherwise have motion, e.g., oscillatory or wobbling motion, about an axis, such as a vertical axis, an axis with some degree of tilt or a horizontal axis. Such an oscillatory mechanism  116  is not necessary to implement embodiments of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a view of washing machine  50  including wash basket  70  movably disposed and rotatably mounted in washtub  64  in a spaced apart relationship from tub side wall  64  and tub bottom  66 . Wash basket  70  may include a plurality of perforations therein to facilitate fluid communication between an interior  100  of wash basket  70  and washtub  64 . A dispenser (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be provided to produce a wash solution by mixing fresh water with a detergent or other composition for cleansing of articles in wash basket  70 . The agitator, impeller, or oscillatory basket mechanism  116  may be disposed in wash basket  70  to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in wash basket  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , agitator  116  is exemplarily oriented to rotate about a vertical axis. It will be appreciated, however, that various embodiments of the present invention may be used with horizontal axis washing machines as well. Wash basket  70  and agitator  116  may be driven by motor  120  through a transmission and clutch system  122 . Clutch system  122  facilitates driving engagement of wash basket  70  and agitator  116  for rotatable movement within washtub  64 . The clutch system  122  facilitates relative rotation of wash basket  70  and agitator  116  for selected portions of wash cycles. Motor  120 , transmission and clutch system  122  may form a multiple speed drive that is capable of spinning wash basket  70  at multiple speeds to accomplish different objectives at different points in the wash cycle.  
         [0020]     Operation of machine  50  may be controlled by a controller  138 , which is operatively coupled to the user interface input located on washing machine backsplash  56  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of the user interface input, controller  138  operates the various components of machine  50  to execute selected machine cycles and features. For example, clothes are loaded into wash basket  70 , and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Tub  64  is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash fluid then wash basket  70  is agitated with agitator  116  for cleansing of clothes in wash basket  70 . After a predetermined period of wash action, tub  64  is drained and wash basket  70  is spun to extract wash fluid from the clothes. Clothes are then rinsed with fresh water and wash basket  70  is spun again to remove water from clothes. Depending on the particular wash cycle selected, multiple wash and spin portions of the wash cycle may be executed.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary washing machine control system  150  for use with washing machine  50 . Control system  150  includes controller  138 , which may, for example, be a microcomputer  140  coupled to a user interface input  141 . An operator may enter instructions or select desired washing machine cycles and features via user interface input  141 , such as through input selectors  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). A display or indicator  144  coupled to microcomputer  140  displays appropriate messages and/or indicators, such as a timer, and other known items of interest to washing machine users. A memory  142  is also coupled to microcomputer  140  and stores instructions, calibration constants, and other information as required to satisfactorily complete a selected wash cycle.  
         [0022]     Power to control system  150  is supplied to controller  138  by a power supply  146  configured to be coupled to a power line L. Analog to digital and digital to analog converters (not shown) are coupled to controller  138  to implement controller inputs and executable instructions to generate controller output to washing machine components such as those described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . More specifically, controller  138  may be operatively coupled to motor  120 , clutch system  122 , drive system  148 , brake system  151 , water valves  152  and drain pump/drain valve  154  as well as other components of machine  50  according to known methods. Water valves of machine  50  (not shown) may be in flow communication with a dispenser  153  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 3 ) so that water may be mixed with detergent or other composition of benefit to washing of garments in wash basket  70 .  
         [0023]     In response to manipulation of user interface input  141  controller  138  monitors various operational factors of washing machine  50  with one or more sensors or transducers  156  and executes operator selected functions and features according to known methods. While an electronic controller  138  is described and illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it is contemplated that known electromechanical control mechanisms may be employed in alternative embodiments.  
         [0024]     The retained moisture content (RMC) of clothes after the final spin cycle may be defined as:  
       RMC   =         (       wet   ⁢           ⁢   weight   ⁢           ⁢   of   ⁢           ⁢   clothes     -     dry   ⁢           ⁢   weight   ⁢           ⁢   of   ⁢           ⁢   clothes       )       dry   ⁢           ⁢   weight   ⁢           ⁢   of   ⁢           ⁢   clothes       ×   100         
 
 Reducing or lowering the RMC after final spin will reduce the amount of dryer energy needed to dry the clothes. Shorter drying cycles may also be obtained thereby synchronizing the length of a drying cycle with that of a wash cycle. This enables a user to do laundry more efficiently (drying cycles are typically longer that wash cycles thereby creating a bottleneck when transitioning loads from the washing machine to the dryer). Reducing RMC also allows for more efficient rinsing of clothes. A wash cycle separates soil from clothes and a rinse cycle rinses the loosened soil from the load to avoid deposition on other areas of the clothes. It has been shown through testing that a 20% reduction in RMC over three rinsing cycles (typical in a household washing machine) may reduce the amount of suspended, non-adsorbed particles in the wash solution by 50%. More efficient rinsing produces cleaner clothes after washing. 
 
         [0025]     One aspect of the invention allows for a plurality of geometric structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , to be formed on the periphery of inner wall  162  of wash basket  70  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . It has been found that such structures  159  may reduce RMC as a function of at least the structures&#39; height, spacing from one another and geometry. With respect to ribs  160 , it will be appreciated that ribs  160  may be orientated vertically or circumferentially relative to inner wall  162 , or at any angle between vertical and circumferential. Ribs  160  increase the local force per area, or provide discrete pressure points on clothing during a spin cycle. This compresses the clothing thereby squeezing clothing fibers and decreasing the size of local capillaries, which increases the local wicking action towards ribs  160  due to the capillary action within the clothing. This increases the amount of water extracted from the clothing during the spin cycle. It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the invention may be formed as part of an injection molding process for fabricating a wash basket  70 .  
         [0026]     Ribs  160  may be shaped or formed in various ways other than being linear members. Embodiments of ribs  160  may include curves, waves or other combinations of geometric shapes. Embodiments of other geometric structures  159 , such as a plurality of protrusions or protuberances, are not limited to being continuous members and may also be formed as dimples or nubs extending from the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70 . Various embodiments of the invention allow for flexibility during manufacture.  
         [0027]     Another aspect allows for various embodiments of geometric structures  159  to be formed independently of or as a separate structure from wash basket  70 . As a separate structure the geometric structures  159  may then be attached to the wash basket as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Exemplary embodiments of structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , may be formed as a unitary piece or as individual ribs that may be attached to the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70 . In an embodiment, wash basket  70  and/or structures  159  may be stainless steel, it being appreciated that basket  70  and attachable structures  159  may be fabricated of various compositions. In this respect, it has proved difficult to fabricate stainless steel wash baskets with integral structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , as a unitary product without compromising the basket&#39;s structural integrity.  
         [0028]     One aspect allows for wash basket  70  to be fabricated of various materials such as stainless steel, plastic or porcelain steel, for example, or wash basket  70  may be enameled. Wash basket  70  may be configured to have attached thereto a secondary geometry or geometric structure  159  shown in  FIG. 2 . Geometric structures  159 , which may be ribs  160 , promote improved washing of, and/or water extraction from, articles being washed. Further, because the secondary geometry  159  may be a separate structure and attachable to the inside-of wash basket  70 , the structural integrity of the basket is not compromised in any respect. The secondary geometry  159  may be fabricated of various materials and combinations thereof such as synthetics, thermoplastic, plastic, synthetic resins, ceramics, steel and/or stainless steel, it being appreciated that other materials and combinations thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the art of fabricating wash basket  70  and the secondary geometric structure  159 .  
         [0029]     The secondary geometry  159  may be formed as elongated ribs  160  or semi-spherical protrusions, for example. It will be recognized that embodiments of the attachable secondary geometry  159  may assume a wide range of geometries provided they are suitably attachable to the inside of wash basket  70 . The secondary geometry  159  may be attached to the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70  by various attaching means such as screws, snaps, bolting, adhesives, spot or ultrasonic welding, or interlocking joints, for example. Other attaching means will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The secondary geometry  159  may be rigidly attached to the inner wall  162  so it does not move relative to the wash basket  70  thereby functioning in cooperation with the basket during wash and spin cycles. In this respect, during a wash cycle the clothes within wash basket  70  will impinge or rub against the secondary geometry  159  thereby promoting mechanical cleaning of the clothes, much in the same way an agitator does in a vertical axis washing machine. During a spin cycle, the secondary geometry  159 , such as ribs  160 , cause stress concentrations in clothes under spin at points where the clothes contact the secondary geometry  159 . This promotes a local wicking and/or ringing action in clothes that causes more moisture to be removed from the clothes thereby reducing the RMC.  
         [0030]     One aspect of the invention allows for ribs  160  to extend vertically from the bottom  164  of wash basket  70  a distance that is less than the height of the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70 . It has been found that this configuration enhances the wicking action of the clothing to reduce RMC while maximizing the volume of water contained in the washtub  64 . This may allow for an improved energy rating of the washing machine  50 . An exemplary standard for energy standard compliance is the Modified Energy Factor (MEF), which may be defined as:  
       MEF   =       washer   ⁢           ⁢   basket   ⁢           ⁢   volume         hot   ⁢           ⁢   water   ⁢           ⁢   energy     +     mechanical   ⁢           ⁢   energy     +     dryer   ⁢           ⁢   energy             
 
         [0031]     Dryer energy is typically greater than that of a washing machine, such as machine  50 , so reducing dryer energy may have a significant effect of the MEF. In this respect, one way to reduce dryer energy is to extract more water from the clothes during the final spin cycle. Sizing ribs  160  so they extend a distance less then the height of wash basket  70  allows for a reduction in RMC while maximizing the volume of the washer basket.  
         [0032]     Ribs  160  may have a constant cross section. This may inhibit clothes from moving to the top of wash basket  70  during spin. A plurality of ribs  160  may be disposed around the entire circumference of the wash basket  70  that extend substantially perpendicularly from the bottom  164  of the wash basket  70  to approximately the midpoint of the basket&#39;s height, for example. The cross section of ribs  160  may be a constant semi-circular cross section, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or other geometrical cross-sections. Ribs  160  may be tapered and in one embodiment the lower portion of the ribs  160  may extend further away from the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70  than the upper portions of ribs  160 . Tapering ribs  160  may increase the volume of water that may be contained in washtub  64  thereby improving the energy rating of washing machine  50 . In one aspect, the length, spacing and cross section dimensions of ribs  160 , or other geometric structures  159 , may be optimized to maximize the reduction in RMC and water volume in washtub  64  for that machine. This optimization may be based at least in part on the operational characteristics or parametrics of a washing machine. These may include wash basket diameter, volume, spin rate and duration of spin, load size, water temperature and clothing composition, for example. Other factors will be recognized by those skilled in the art.  
         [0033]     Ribs  160  may extend radially inwardly toward the center of basket  70  with a constant radius of curvature measured from the inner basket wall  162 . The radius of curvature may vary and in one aspect may be greater than about 0.25 inches and less than about 1.00 inch. In an exemplary embodiment the radius of curvature may range between about 0.25 and 0.625 inches. Alternate embodiments allow for the radius of curvature to be less than 0.25 inches or greater than 1.00 inch as a function of the type of articles under spin, and various operating parameters and performance requirements of machine  50 , for example. Ribs  160  may be circumferentially spaced apart varying distances, and in an embodiment may be spaced apart approximately 1.25 inches between longitudinal centerlines. In alternate exemplary embodiments ribs  160  may have a constant cross section formed with a varying radius of curvature.  
         [0034]     An exemplary embodiment of attachable geometric structures  159 , such as attachable ribs  160 , shown in  FIG. 6 , allows for a cross section of ribs  160  to be formed substantially as a bell-shaped curve with concave portions  163  that transition ribs  160  to integrate with the inner wall  162  of the wash basket  70 . Other curvatures will be recognized by those skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the distance from the inner wall  162  of the wash basket  70  to proximate the apex of a rib  160  extending radially toward the center of the basket may be between about 0.25 inches and 1.00 inch. Alternate embodiments allow for the attachable geometric structures  159  to be protrusions, dimples, waveforms or other shapes. Heights of the geometric structures  159  may extend away from the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70  varying distances.  
         [0035]     Geometric structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , may comprise a flexible or resilient material so that they conform to the surface of inner wall  162  of wash basket  70  when attached. The portions of structures  159  that interface with inner wall  162  may be manufactured using a spring or biasing feature for conformance with inner wall  162 . Insert or rotary molding, for example, may be used to manufacture geometric structure  159  with a spring or biasing feature. Alternate embodiments may use an interface material that may be bonded to structures  159  so it is positioned between the structures and inner wall  162  when they are attached. These aspects allow for larger tolerances in manufacturing both wash basket  70  and geometric structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , which may lower production costs and allow for a tight interface so that clothes are not caught in the interface area.  
         [0036]     Further, it has been determined that for a given spacing of ribs  160 , which may be measured between centerlines, the width W and angle Θ may be optimized to increase a pressure component F A  proximate the top or apex of ribs  160  during spin. During a spin cycle of machine  50 , clothes may impinge the surface of ribs  160  at various points. Referencing  FIG. 7 , portions of clothes may impinge the top of ribs  160  and portions of clothes may drape over a rib  160  impinging one or both sides of the rib, such as along concave portion  163 . In this respect, portions of clothes may impinge and extend along each side of ribs  160 , to varying distances, toward inner wall  162  of basket  70 . When this occurs, width W and angle Θ may be optimized to increase pressure component F A , which increases the local wicking action proximate the top of a respective rib  160 . Increasing angle Θ will correspondingly increase force component F T , which causes the portions of clothes draped over rib  160  to “pull” toward inner wall  162 . This pulls corresponding portions of clothes against the top of rib  160  thereby increasing the local wicking action.  
         [0037]     If ribs  160  are sufficiently spaced apart, portions of clothes may impinge inner wall  162  between ribs  160 . This reduces force component F T  relative to a force component resulting from portions of clothes not impinging inner wall  162 . In an exemplary embodiment, ribs  160  are sufficiently spaced apart so that portions of clothes only impinge ribs  160  proximate their respective tops. It has been determined that the local wicking action proximate the top of the ribs  160  is maximized if portions of clothes do not impinge or only slightly impinge a ribs&#39; sidewalls. Alternate embodiments allow for ribs  160  to be sufficiently spaced apart so that clothes impinge a portion of a rib&#39;s sidewall but not the inner wall  162  of wash basket  70 . Spacing of ribs  160 , and the optimization of width W and angle Θ for a given spacing, may be optimized based on the operational characteristics and parametrics of a washing machine  50 .  
         [0038]     An embodiment allows for ribs  160  to have a textured or rough surface area to create sufficient friction between ribs  160  and clothes in wash basket  70  to hold the clothes in place against ribs  160 . This allows for ensuring that the clothes positioned between adjacent ribs  160  are suspended away from the inner wall  162  of the wash basket  70  during spin. Suspending clothes increases the pressure or force exerted against the clothes along the surface of ribs  160  impinging the clothes during spin, such as proximate the top of individual ribs, relative to the exerted pressure if the portions of clothes positioned between ribs  160  rested against the inner wall  162  during spin. The texturing also effectively decreases the wetting angle allowing more water to move away from clothing more easily during spin.  
         [0039]     One aspect of the invention allows for the geometric structures  159 , such as ribs  160 , to be formed entirely or partially of a porous material to enhance the wicking action at the surface of the structure  159 . This is due to small porous apertures formed in structures  159 . Various porous materials may be used to form structures  159  including ceramic, metal, plastic, and fabric materials, for example. It will be appreciated that other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. Another aspect allows for a porous material  165  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) to be formed over all or a combination of ribs  160 , or other structures  159 , to achieve a similar enhancement to the wicking action proximate a rib surface. The material may be placed over solid or porous ribs  160 , either of which may be hollow. In an embodiment a commercially available fabric known as CoolMax, manufactured by Dupont, may be used to cover a combination of ribs vertically and circumferentially. This fabric or wicking material enhances the wicking effect of ribs  160 . Exemplary embodiments of geometric structures  159  that are hollow may have apertures formed therein for draining water, which prevents mildew and detergent build-up.  
         [0040]     In one aspect of the invention a means for supplying or introducing air to the wash basket is provided. This allows for air to flow onto clothes in the wash basket  70  during spin for enhancing evaporation of water from the clothes thereby reducing the RMC. One aspect allows for air to flow internal to porous ribs  160 , or other structures  159 , to enhance the evaporative effect proximate the surface of the ribs. With reference to  FIG. 8 , in an embodiment the means for introducing air may include an aperture  170  formed in cabinet  52 , such as in the cabinet&#39;s back panel  172 , for example. Aperture  170  may be formed in other parts of cabinet  52 , lid  62  or other parts of machine  50 . Aperture  170  may be an appropriately sized vent that allows air to be drawn into the cabinet  52  by the spinning of the wash basket  70 , which effectively functions as a centrifugal pump during spin.  
         [0041]     The means for introducing air may include a duct  174  that directs airflow from aperture  170  to an outlet port  176 , which in an embodiment may be coaxial with an agitator  116  when lid  62  is closed. This allows for air to be drawn down the agitator shaft into wash basket  70  and circulate up the basket inner wall and over clothes during spin. It is expected that some air will flow out of the cabinet  52  after flowing up the inner walls. A heating device  178  may be provided for heating air flowing through duct  174 , and a device  180  for moving air, such as a commercially available blower, may be provided for pushing or pulling air into duct  174 . In an embodiment, duct  174  may be integral with lid  62 . It will be appreciated that duct  174 , heating device  178  and the device  180  may be used in various combinations and located in various places within washing machine  50 .  
         [0042]     An alternate embodiment allows for a blower, such as device  180 , to be located for pulling saturated air out of the wash basket  70  during spin so that less humid air may be drawn or pushed into the wash basket. This allows for metering air into and/or out of the wash basket  70  during spin so air with relatively low humidity is continuously introduced into the wash basket  70  to enhance the evaporation of water from clothes being spun. Air may be metered into and/or out of wash basket  70  at a constant flow rate or a pulsating rate, for example, to account for operating parameters or characteristics of machine  50  and environmental factors such as the relative humidity of ambient air.  
         [0043]     Alternate embodiments allow for a removable or permanently affixed device (not shown) to attach to an upper rim of wash basket  70 , or other appropriate mounting location such as the balance ring, for directing air onto clothes during spin. The device may be substantially rectangular while conforming to the basket&#39;s curvature, for example, and include an inlet port that directs air into the device during spin. The device may be configured to direct the air entering the inlet port downwardly toward clothes being spun in the basket. The speed of the spinning basket forces air through the inlet port to flow over the clothes.  
         [0044]     While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described by way of example only, numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3