Unified Brands, Inc.

Electrolux Professional Gmbh

John N McCreight

Mark Churchill

David Gast

Bryon J London

John W Cantrell

Michael P Licata

Joshua H Huisenga

Cantrell W John

A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.

Fluid flow structure and method of use for continuous motion washing machine

A washing machine and/or a fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank is provided. The wash tank is generally rectangular and includes a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall. The wash tank further includes at least one flow directional opening in at least one of the walls. In a preferred embodiment, the wash tank includes a plurality of flow directional openings positioned along one of the side walls of the wash tank. A fluid flow structure is located within said wash tank, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for said guide surface. The guide surface includes an expansion structure that is designed to counteract expansion of the guide surface that occurs during operation of the washing machine. In one embodiment the expansion structure is an expansion slot that engages a portion of the guide surface. As the guide surface expands the expansion slot is pressed against the portion of the guide surface, causing the expansion slot to expand into a relief area associated with the expansion slot at a location generally opposite of the portion of the guide surface.

A washing machine and/or a fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank is provided. The wash tank is generally rectangular and includes a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls extending upward from said bottom wall. The wash tank further includes at least one flow directional opening in at least one of the walls. In a preferred embodiment, the wash tank includes plurality of flow directional openings positioned along one of the side walls of the wash tank. A fluid flow structure is located within said wash tank, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for said guide surface. The guide surface includes an expansion structure that is designed to counteract expansion of the guide surface that occurs during operation of the washing machine. In one embodiment the expansion structure is an expansion slot that engages a portion of the guide surface. As the guide surface expands the expansion slot is pressed against the portion of the guide surface, causing the expansion slot to expand into a relief area associated with the expansion slot at a location generally opposite of the portion of the guide surface.

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Leawood, KS, United States of America

John N McCreight