BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a drum for a laundry machine and a laundry
machine incorporating the same and in particular to laundry machines which
include a horizontal load enclosing drum where access to the drum is provided
through the side thereof. The present application has been divided out of Indian
patent application No. iN/PCT/2001/00501.
Description Of The Prior Art
It is well known that horizontal axis laundry washing machines have a
lower water use in their standard operating mode than vertical axis washing
machines in their standard operating mode. It is also well known that there are
significant ergonomic advantages with a washing machine which is loaded from
above. Attempts have been made to provide access to horizontal access laundry
machine drums using a hatch in the top face of a cabinet, and a corresponding
hatch access through the drum of the machine. Machines of this type are well
known for the difficulty to the user in revolving the fully laden drum to a position
where the two hatches are in registration and due to the hazardous nature of the
generally spring loaded hatch opening in the drum. Furthermore the provision of
a hatch in the drum results in a significant reduction in the strength of the drum
and a consequent reduction in the ultimate spin speed which can be safely
achieved. A lower spin speed leaves more liquid in the clothes load and
consequently increases the drying time, and if using a clothes dryer, power
consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laundry
machine and/or a drum for a laundry machine and/or associated methods of
operation of a laundry machine which goes some way towards overcoming the
above disadvantages or will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a drum for a laundry
machine comprising : a pair of drum ends ; rigid connection means spanning
between said drum ends to rigidly connect said drum ends one to the other; and
a substantially cylindrical drum skin which at least under tension has the effect of
a continuous hoop, said drum skin comprising, circumferentially, a main section
and a cover section connected along meeting edges to distribute load under
tension across the full width of the drum skin, inwardly opposed faces of said
drum ends having a circumferential ledge with the circumference of each
longitudinal end of said skin retained adjacent said ledge.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a drum for a laundry
machine comprising : a pair of drum ends ; rigid connection means spanning
between said drum ends to rigidly connect said drum ends one to the other; and
a substantially cylindrical drum skin which at least under tension has the effect of
a continuous hoop, said drum skin comprising, circumferentially, a main section
and a cover section connected along meeting edges to distribute load under
tension across the full width of the drum skin, inwardly opposed faces of said
drum ends having a circumferential ledge with the circumference of each
longitudinal end of said skin retained adjacent said ledge, and said main section

and said cover section being connected along pairs of adjacent edges to form
the said continuous hoop by a passive connection along one pair of meeting
edges and a latch connection along another pair of meeting edges, said latch
being operable between an engaged position securing said drum skin as a
continuous hoop under tension and a disengaged condition in which said cover
section may slide in a circumferential direction relative to the remainder of said
skin.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in
construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention
will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined hereinafter. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely
illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a washing machine according to
the present invention with the cutaway to show a substantial part of the machine
in cross section,
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the washing machine of Figure 1 showing
the various major parts that go together to form the machine, and
Figures 3A to 31 are a series of cross sectional side elevations in
simplified form, depicting the sequence of operations in opening and closing the
drum of the washing machine of the present invention, and the functioning of the
parts involved in those operations.

Figures 4A and 4B are close up plan views, with partial cutaway of an area of
the drum skin where the hatch part meets the main part, showing in detail the
latching mechanism associated with one edge of the hatch opening and the
operation thereof.
Figures 5A and 5B are cross sectional side elevations of a part of the drum
skin where the hatch meets the main part, showing in detail the securing
mechanism associated with the other edge of the hatch opening than that in
Figures 4A and 4B and the operation thereof, and
Figures 6A and 68 are cross sectional side elevations in simplified form
showing an alternative arrangement of laundry guiding flaps to that shown in
Figures 3A to 3G, and demonstrate their operation,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures 1 and 2 show a washing machine of the horizontal axis type, having a
perforated drum I supported with its axis substantially horizontal in side-to-side
(east-west) orientation within a cabinet 2. The cabinet 2 includes surfaces which
confine wash or rinse liquid leaving the drum within a water tight enclosure 3
Some parts of the cabinet structure 2 may be formed together with the liquid
confining surfaces by for example twin-sheet thermoforming.
The machine is a top-loading machine, and includes a lid 4 hinged from its
back edge 5 which encloses a top opening 7 through which a user accesses the
drum 1 and loads and unloads the machine.
The drum 1 is rotatably supported by bearings 8 at either end which in turn are

each supported by a drum support (6 and not visible) fitted to the side walls of the
machine. In the embodiment depicted the bearings are axially located, externally, on a
shaft means 9 protruding from the hub area 10 of each of a pair of drum ends 11,12.
Other axial configurations are equally possible, for example internally located in a well
in the outer face of the hub area of the drum to be located on a shaft protruding fi"ora
the drum support. Each drum support preferably includes a strengthening rib area 13
and a drum accommodating well area 14 to accommodate the respective drum end of
the drum 1. The drum supports may be made, for example, by thermoforming,
injection molding,or blow molding from plastics materials. The drum supports 6 (and
not shown) are engaged with the cabinet by interlocking within complementary
surfaces provided in side walls. Other less preferable constructions are possible, such
as frameworks formed from individual members or mechanical suspension systems.
The drum supports each include a bearing support well at the centre of the well
area 14. A flexible, but very stiff, bearing mount 17 is located within the bearing
support well, and in turn the bearing 8 fits within a boss in the bearing mount 17.
The drum includes a two-part skin and a pair of drum ends 11,12 connected by
a pair of laterally extending vanes 110,111. The main part 34 of the drum skin is
secured at each of its ends 38,39 Ccircumferential enjds^i to the vanes 110. Ul.Ea . ' 1
lateral edge 16 of the main section of skin resides over an annular ledge (not shown) on
the respective drum end. The remainder 35 of the drum skin, which spans between the
ends 38, 39 of the main part 34 of the drum skin, and therefor between the vanes 110,
111 of the drum, is a hatch section. The hatch section 35 slides back in use to reveal
an opening into the drum. Each of the lateral edges 15 of the hatch section travel
within inwardly facing annular channels (not shown) formed on the inward face of the
respective drum ends 11, 12, at least along the sector of the drum ends spanning
between the vanes 110,111. When the hatch section 35 is closed it is connected to the
main section 34 along each of the respective meeting edges to form a substantially
continuous hoop. The connection along one edge 36, 38 is by an active latch. The
connection along the other edge 37, 39 is a passive connection.
Laundry load guiding flaps 18, 19 are provided along the edge of each vane ^
110,111 adjacent the drum opening, and with the drum open they hide the space

between the drum and the cabinet from the user and guide the laundry load into the
drum. These flaps also act as scrapers/guides when the drum is opened or closed.
A further flap 20 is provided to engage the hatch section 35 of the drum so that
the drum may be opened by rotating the remainder of the drum 1, having the effect of
sliding open the hatch 35 while the hatch remains in its fixed location.
The washing machine includes an electric motor (rotor 44 and stater 45 visible
in Figure 2) to effect rotation of the drum during all phases of operation (wash, rinse
and spin dry). In the preferred form of the washing machine incorporating the present
invention the motor is a direct drive inside-out electronically commutated brushless dc
motor having a permanent magnet rotor 44 coupled to one end 11 of the drum 1 and
stator 45 coupled to the drum support (not visible), A suitable form of motor is
described in EP0361775, It will be appreciated that motors of this type give the ability
to accurately control the position of the motor (and thus the drum) from the
energisation thereof Other type motors would also be useable, for example a more
standard DC or AC motor driving rotation of the drum through a belt and having a
position detector (such as a rotary shaft encoder) to determine and monitor the drum
position.
Operation of the machine is controlled by a central microprocessor, which ^
controls the water valves, pump and the motor in accordance with programs residing 1
within its memory^ with user settings at a macro level and indications from the various )
motor loads, at a micro level. Physically the microprocessor is preferably located in an isolated and environment-proofed compartment 21. This envirormient proof
compartment includes an upper control console 23 and a lower tray 24 enclosing the
electronics module 25 there between. It is mounted at the upper end of the back side of
the washing machine. This places it in close proximity with many of the items that it
connects to. User settings are preferably made on a control pad, which is part of the
control console 23 together with a corresponding display.
Water inlet valves 26, and a detergent dispenser 27, are provided immediately
below, and connected to the bottom of the outside of the compartment 21. The water
inlet valves 26 introduce water to the operating enclosure 3 through the detergent
dispenser 27. A plurality of valves, or a diverter valve, may be provided if it is

required that the detergent dispenser
In use liquid exitiag the drum 1 through the perforations in the wall 22 thereof
drains down the front or rear wall portions of the operating enclosure 3 and collects in
the tray 28. The tray 28 includes an outlet sump 29 to which water within the tray 28
drains. A pump 30 is connected to the outlet 29, in the preferred embodiment being
located directly below the outlet 29, to operate at the direction of the control processor.
In the preferred form of machine incorporating the present invention the wash
liquid is passed to drum 1, through inlets 31 disposed in one or both of the drum ends
11, 12. In the preferred form liquid is supplied to only one of the two drum ends,
preferably drum end 12 which does not have the motor associated therewith. The shaft
extending from each drum end, and over which the drum supporting bearing is fitted,
preferably has a bore there through. Pressurised wash liquid is supplied to the drum
through this bore.
Cabinet
In Figures 1 and 2 the cabinet as shown has a water receiving tray 28 which fits
inside the lower end of a substantially rectangular wrapper 32. The tray 28 is secured
within the lower end 33 of the rectangular wrapper by any suitable means, but the
connection there between is preferably substantially water tight, at least to liquids
flowing down the inside surfaces (eg front surface 41 and rear surface 42) of the
wrapper. To that end the two may for example be secured by plastic welding at their
abutting edges, or an annular seal or labyrinth seal may be provided at the joint 43.
The tray 28 preferably includes the feet 46 of the machine on which the
machine rests on an appropriate surface. The particular embodiment described herein
is particularly suited to use on very stiff floors, for example concrete floors, and
fiirthermore it would be recommended that the machine be secured to the floor to
restrain it from movement due to out-of-balance loads.
The upper surface 47 of the water receiving tray 28 is formed so that liquid
flows to collect at a low. pointJSjhfJwiCwhich low point is provided \^ath a receiving-
sump or drain 29. A pump assembly 30 is connected to the underside of the tray 28
directly below the drain 29, receiving water therefrom and pumping it selectively to
either the wash liquid inlet to the drum 31 or to the waste wash liquids ouflet from the

machine at the instigation of the washing machine controller.
The rectangular wrapper 32 may be formed by twin sheet therraoforaiing, with
all four walls being formed as a single contiguous panel and then folded at the joints
between wall sections to form the four sided wrapper, with the folded joints forming
the comers of thfLsiappcn-The inside face of the folded panel ±en forms the liquid
confining siufaces of at least the four side walls of the enclosure 3, while the outside
face of the folded panel forms the outer faces of the machine. In the twin sheet
thermoforming process these walls can be formed from different materials to suite their
needs, the outside for example being chosen for aesthetic appeal, and the inside sheet
for moisture barrier properties. The sheets may be formed together to be joined at
various regions to reinforce the structure (eg vertical regions 49 forming ribs 50). The
water receiving tray 28 may also be formed by twin sheet thermoforming.
The lid 4 is provided, hinged at its rear edge 5, to enclose the open upper end 7
of the wrapper 32. The lid preferably includes a protruding inner surface 51 which
substantially matches the shape of the drum 1. One of the laundry guiding flaps passes
across this surface during the opening and closing operation as will be described
further on A latch is provided which can selectively lock the lid in the closed position.
The lock may be activated by an electrical linear actuator controlled by the control
microprocessor.
The Drum
In the present invention as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 the drum 1 comprises, in
more detail, a perforated metal hoop 22, the pair of ends 11,12 enclosing the ends of
the hoop 22 to form a substantially cylindrical chamber, and a pair of vanes 110, 111
extending between the drum ends 11,12.
In the preferred form of the invention the drum is driven only from one end 11 !
and consequently one purpose of the vanes 110, 111 is to transmit rotational torque to
the non-driven drum end 12, The vanes also provide longitudinal rigidity to the drum
assembly 1. To these ends the vanes 110, 111 are wide and shallow, although they
have sufficient depth and internal reinforcing to achieve any required resistance to
buckling due to unbalanced dynamic loads. Preferably the vanes 1 lo^ fi j i^^^g ^
distinct form, including a leading edge 52, 53 (respectively) and trailing edge 54, 55

(respectively) to assist in tumbling the washing load. In the preferred embodiment the
vanes 110,111 are oriented oppositely in a rotational direction, so that under rotation
in either direction one vane (110,111) is going forwards and the other (111 or 110)
backwards. This vane configuration provides further benefits in providing a user
filendly opening into the washing chamber as is described below.
To give access to the inside of the drum 1 the perforated metal hoop 22 is
,____^___________........^ i
divided circumferentially into two pieces, a main drum section 34 and a hoop
completing hatch section 35. In Figure 1 the hatch section 35 is shown in its J
disconnected and withdrawn mode, with the machine open. In the preferred form of the
invention, the hatch section 35 extends the full width of the metal hoop 22. The hatch
section 35 connects along opposed edges 36,37 thereof to the two fi-ee edges 38,39 of
the main drum section 34. The hatch section 35 is connected in such a way that it is
fully secured to each edge of the main drum section 34 against tensile circumferential
forces (hoop stresses). Therefore, under a spin cycle of the washing machine, with the
drum 1 rotating at up to 1000 RPM or more, the drum skin 22 is a fully connected and
continuous hoop, which is optimal for handling the hoop stresses generated in the drum
skin. If the connections between the edges 36, 37 of the hatch section 35 and the edges
38, 39 of the main drum section 34 are sufficiendy strong themselves, and distribute
the load across the entire width of the drum skin 22, then the loads on the drum skin 22 ^
will be as if the drum skin 22 were entirely continuous. The hoop stresses caused by
the high speed rotation of the drum are therefor not concentrated by a hatch opening
passing through the drum-skin and being effecUvcly uwi load bcaiing as they are in the""
prior art.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention the hatch section 35 is connected
along one edge 36 by an active mechanical latching mechanism which intercormects it
with the respective free edge 38 of the main drum section 34. The preferred form of
mechanism is described below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. The other edge 37
of the hatch section 35 may be connected to its corresponding edge 39 of the drum
main section 34 in a number of broadly different forms depending for example on the
maimer in which the hatch section 35 is intended to open. In the preferred form of the
invention as depicted, the hatch section 35 is intended to slide open and a passive

connection is made along this edge. This passive connection is described below
with reference to Figures 5A and 5B.
Active Latch
Referring to Figures 4A and 4B the preferred latching mechanism
comprises a sliding bar 40 with a series of hook latches 56 extending therefrom.
The entire sliding bar 40, including hook latches 56, is retained inside the loops
57 of the looped over edge 38 of the drum main section 34. The series of hook
latches 56 is adapted to be engageable through a series of complimentary loops
58 extending from the corresponding edge 36 of the cover section 35 upon
lateral movement of the sliding bar 40. The loops 58 of the cover section 35 are
interleaved with the loops 57 of the main section 34, and, in a latched position as
shown in Figure 4B each of the hooks 56 of the sliding bar 40 extend through the
loops 58 of the cover section 35 so that they each are retained at both ends 59,
60 within adjacent loops 57 of the main section 34 and the corresponding loop
58 of the cover section 35 is around the portion 61 of the hook 56 that spans the
gap between the two adjacent loops 57 of the main section 34. Thus the hooks
56 act as hinge pins between the interleaved loops 57, 58 and are acted upon
almost entirely under shear. The pin part (59-61) of each hook is connected to
the main sliding bar 62 by a yoke 63 at one end 60.
The sliding bar 40 is slidable between a "closed" position, as in Figure 4B
where the hooks 56 span the respective gaps between loops 57 of the drum
main section edge 38, and an "open" position, as in Figure 4A where the hooks
56 are retained entirely within respective loops 57 of the drum main section

edge 38 , and do not encroach on the gaps there between. With the sliding
bar in the "open" position the loops 58 of the edge 36 of the cover section 35
are free to pass into or out of the gaps between loops 57 of the drum main
section 34, for engagement or disengagement respectively. Operation of the
sliding bar 40 is affected by slidably moving a button 64 protruding from the
sliding bar 40 through an elongate window 65 through the folded over section 66
of the main section edge 38. The button 64 is slidable from one position 67 to
another 68 to move the sliding bar 40 between the closed position and the open
position and vice-a-versa as appropriate. Actuation of the button 64 is preferably
achieved automatically, and may be, for example, by a rotating wheel (not

shown) located in the main housing of the machine, having one or more cog teeth
extending from the circumference thereof such that rotation of the wheel, when the
sliding bar button is in an appropriate position, forces one of the teeth to push the
sliding bar button from one position to another.
In the above it will be readily seen that the engagement does not rely on the
latch member 40 being in particular in the looped over edge of the drum main section
34. The arrangement could as easily be reversed so that the latch member 40 was
retained in the looped over edge of the hatch section 35.
Passive Connection
Referring to Figures 5A and 5B the trailing edge 37 of the sliding hatch section
35 is preferably engaged passively with the corresponding edge 39 of the drum main
section 34. In the preferred form as shown, one of the two edges (we have chosen the
hatch section edge 37) carries a series of spaced apart hooks 69. The other edge 39
carries a series of loops 70 which in turn retain an elongate rod 71 which extends the
entire width of the edge 39. This effectively creates a lateral series of openings 72 into
which the spaced apart hooks 69 of the hatch section 35 pass as the hatch section 35
slides closed relative to the main section 34. The hooks 69 then engage over the rod 71
where the rod 71 spans between loops 70 of the main section edge 39. This
arrangement is shown in non-engaged and engaged modes in Figures 5A and 5B
respectively. The spaced apart hooks 69 could be formed directly in the trailing edge
37 of the hatch section 35, however they come under considerable load due to the hoop
stresses, and consequently it is preferred that they be formed from substantially
stronger material than that of the hatch section 35, for example sheet material being 4-
5 times thicker than the drum skin. They may extend from the trailing edge of a hook
retaining member 73 extending the width of the hatch section 35 and being welded to
the hatch section 35 over the entire width thereof, or at least sufficiently secured to
transfer the load to/from the hatch section 35 without introducing stress concentrations.
Once again it will be readily appreciated that the arrangement of the hooks/rod
could be easily reversed. Furthermore other methods of connection (including active
engagement methods) could be used, the method presently described merely being a
preferred method due to its simplicity and strength.

Laundry Guiding Flaps
In the prefened form of the invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2 the laundry
guiding flaps include a first flap 18 connected to the edge 52 of the vane 110 which is
adjacent and forms the rear edge of the drum opening when the drum 1 is in its open
condition. This first flap 18 extends from the edge 52 of the vane 110 and meets the
lower front edge 74 of the electronics enclosing console module 21. The flap 18 is
hingeably connected to the vane 110 and is sprung to bias it outward. The spring (not
shown) may for example take the form of a wire torsion spring. The hinged
connection may be accomplished in any known manner, for example by having a hing)f
pin passing through a series of interleaved loops -fonned-in 4iie respective parts.-Tiie +
first flap 18 preferably includes a series of reinforcing ribs 75 on the back thereof so 1
that it can withstand the pressure of clothes bearing against it during the spin cycle of
the washing machine. The edge 76 of the flap that rests against the console module 21
with the machine open, preferably includes a rearwardly extending foot 77. This foot
/ / will suae along me mside surface y/ ot the nd 4 ot the cabmet dunng closure^ such
that the flap 18 may guide any excess wash load away from the Ud and into the drum.
As closure is completed the foot 77 will pass down a face 78 of the hatch engaging flap
20 and allow the first flap 18 to tuck within the drum skin 22.
A second flap 19 is hingably connected to the edge 53 of the vane 111 which is
adjacent and forms the front edge of the opening into the drum 1. This flap 19 extends
from the vane 111 to have its far end 79 resting against the front edge 80 of the cabinet
opening when the drum is open. It is hingably connected to the vane 111, and provided
with a spring to bias it to the outward position. During closure of the drum the flap 19
is tucked downward by the relative movement of the hatch section 35. During opening
of the drum the leading edge 79 of the flap 19 scrapes over the inside face 81 of the
hatch 35 by the relative movement there between, and peels any damp laundry which
may be adhered to the hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22 from the surface thereof to
fall within the body of the drum.
Hatch Engaging Lever
To open and close the drum automatically the hatch section 35 of the drum is
engaged by a flap or lever. In the preferred embodiment of the invention this is

essentially a third flap 20. This third flap 20 is hinged from the inside of the cabinet 2,
and is actively controlled, for example by an electric linear actuator (not shown). The
flap 20 has a leading face 78 that extends (when the flap is in its engaged position)
from very close to the front edge 80 of the cabinet opening to just ahead of the leading
(looped over) edge 36 of the hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22. The flap 20 then
has a backwardly extending portion 82 which extends back along the outside of the
looped over part 86 of the hatch section 35 and, at a position beyond the loops 58 by
which the hatch section 35 engages with the main section 34 in the active latching, has
a series of protrusions 83 spaced along the width thereof. These protrusions 83 engage
within a series of correspondingly located openings 84 in the upper web 85 of the
hatch section 35 at the looped over section 86 thereof. The protrusions 83 and openings
84 are formed so that when the flap 20 is engaged with the hatch section 35, the hatch
section 35 is held from movement in either direction of rotation of the drum 1. The flap
20 is operable, by operation of the linear actuator, to engage or disengage with the
hatch section 35, between a first engaged condition as described above, and a second,
disengaged, position where it is entirely clear of the path of the hatch section 35 and of
the remainder of the drum 1 (during rotation thereof).
Operation Of The Machine
In use the washing operation begins with the delivery to the interior of the drum
1 of a load of washing to be washed. Before a user is allowed access to the interior of
the machine (by opening the lid 4) the drum I is opened. When the user opens the lid 4
they are presented with an opening directly into the drum 1, with the spaces 87
between the drum 1 and the cabinet 2 being shielded from view (and from accidental
clothes entry), by the flaps 18,19. This configuration (with the lid 4 open) is shown in
Figure 1.
The user deposits their laundry load in the machine, adds detergents to the
detergent dispenser 27, and closes the lid 4. The user then proceeds to select an
appropriate wash cycle by pressing the corresponding button on the console 23, and
instructs the machine to start operation by pressing a "start" button.
With the lid 4 closed, the wash cycle selected and the machine instructed to
start, the microprocessor then proceeds to lock the lid 4 and close and latch the drum

skin 22. Closure of the drum 1 is described in detail below with reference to Figures
3E to 31. The machine then proceeds through the wash cycle. At this point the wash,
rinse and spin cycles occur in series. These will not be described as any number of
known regimes of water transfer and drum action may be used.
When the wash cycle has finished the machine indicates that it has completed
the washing operation. At this point the damp laundry have probably adhered to the
inside surface of the drum skin 22 due to the high speed spin operation. The machine
opens the drum in anticipation that the user will require access to remove the laundry
load. In opening the drum the machine peels the clothes away from the surface 81 of
the hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22. Once the drum is fully open the flaps 18 and
19 are in position hiding the spaces 87 between drum 1 and cabinet 2 from view. The
drum opening operation is described in detail below with reference to Figures 3 A to
3E. The lid 4 is then unlocked so that the user can access the machine to remove the
laundered load.
It will be appreciated of course that a user may desire to access the laundry load
during a wash cycle. In that case the lid 4 remains locked until the drum has come to
rest and the drum opening operations have taken place. In the present embodiment of
the invention the clothes are washed using recirculation of the washing liquid, which
drains freely from the drum 1, and the machine is of top-loading configuration, so there
is no need for liquid draining operations before access is provided.
Opening The Drum
Figures 3 A to 3E demonstrate the sequence of operations involved in opening
the drum. The drum 1 is first rotated to the opening position as depicted in Figure 3 A
where the series of protrusions83 of the hatch engaging flap 20 can engage in the
corresponding openings 84 in the outer face 85 of the looped over edge 36 of the hatch
35. The microprocessor energises the electrical linear actuator to rotate the flap 20
down as indicated by the arrow 88. Rotating the flap 20 down causes the protrusions
83 to engage in the openings 84 in the looped over edge 36 of the hatch 35, This
condition is shown in Figure 3B. The electrical linear actuator holds the flap 20 in the
engaged position throughout the drum opening and closing operations and while the
drum 1 is open. It only returns the flap 20 to its disengaged position once the drum 1

has been completely closed and latched shut once more.
With the hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22 engaged by the hatch engaging
flap 20 as depicted in Figure 3B, the active latch connecting the looped over edge 36 of
the hatch 35 and the corresponding edge 38 of the main section 34 is released. This is
done in the manner described earlier with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, by
automatedly sliding the protruding button 64 of the slide bar 40 from the "closed"
position to the "open" position.
With the active latch disengaged the drum is now slowly rotated in the direction
as indicated by arrow 89 in Figure 3B. The drum is shown at different stages of the
opening rotation in Figures 3C to 3E. Figure 3C shows the drum in a position where
the rotation in the direction of the arrow 89 has just begun. Figure 3D shows the drum
in a position where the rotation in the direction of the arrow 89 has further progressed.
Figure 3E shows the drum in a position where the opening rotation is complete and the
drum is stationary.
The passive latch connecting the edge 37 of the hatch section 35 and the edge
39 of main section 34 (described in detail earlier with reference to Figures 5A and 5B)
disengages automatically by the relative rotation of the hatch section 35 and the main
drum section 34. Note that the path of the hatch section 35, at least in the region
between the vanes 110,111 of the drum 1, is guided by channels 90 in the drum ends
11,12 within which the edges 15 of the hatch section 35 slide. These channels 90 are
set to give the closed hatch section very nearly the same curvature and circular path as
the main drum section 34, and guide the edges 36, 37 of the hatch section 35 to meet
the corresponding edges 38, 39 of the main section 34 when the drum is closed.
In the opening rotation the first clothes guiding flap 18 (connected to the vane
110 that will form the rearward side of the opening into the drum), under the bias of its
spring, is dragged over the inside surface 81 of the hatch section 35 for a short
distance, before leaving the hatch section surface and passing over the ramp face 78 of
the hatch engaging flap 20 to the inside surface 51 of the lid 4. It is dragged across the
inside surface 51 of the lid 4 to the point where that surface meets the lower front edge
74 of the console module 21. It meets this edge 74 and rests against it substantially at
the point where the hatch 35 is fully open and the drum 1 can be said to be in its open

position.
Meanwhile the second flap 19 (the flap extending from the edge 53 of the vane
111 that fonns the front side of the drum opening), under the bias of its spring, scrapes
along the inside surface 81 of the hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22 as the drum 1 is
rotated to the open position. In so doingrthe leadingTfdge 79 of the flap 19 peels the
damp laundry load away from the drum skin to fall within the body of the drum. As the
drum 1 nears the fiilly open position the second flap 19 passes over the looped over
region 86 of the hatch section 35 and rotates outward due to the spring, to have its
leading edge 79 sit against the front edge 80 of the cabinet opening (as shown in Figure
3E).
Closing The Drum
Closing ttie drum basically is the reverse process of opening the drum. Figures
3E to 3 J demonstrate the sequence of operations involved in closing the drum. The lid
4 is firstly locked. Then the drum 1 is rotated closed in. the direction indicated by the
arrow 90. The drum is shown at different stages of the closing rotation in Figures 3F
to 3H. Figure 3F shows the drum in a position where the rotation in the direction of the
arrow 90 has just begun. Figure 3G shows the drum in a position where the rotation in
the direction of the arrow 90 has further progressed. Figure 3H shows the drum in a
position where the closing rotation is complete and the drum is stationary.
Tn the rilosing rotation t>ii=^ first laundry guiding flap 18, under the bias of its
spring, is pushed back along the inner surface 51 of the lid 4. The flap 18 passes
between any laundry that happens to be above the level of the drum opening and the lid
surface 51 and collects that laundry into the drum as it goes. Having been pushed
across the inside surface 51 of the lid 4 the first flap 18 meets the ramp face 78 of the
hatch engaging flap 20 and passes therealong. It then meets the leading end 91 of the :
looped over edge 36 of the hatch section 35, at a point below centre, and is guided to
the inside of the hatch section 35. This requires carefid design of the surfaces of the
foot 77 of the first flap 18, the inside 51 of the lid 4, and the ramp face 78 of the hatch
engaging flap 20 to ensure that the abutment of the surfaces always guides the first flap
18 in the correct direction. An alternative embodiment of the flaps is described below
with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. That embodiment does not require quite such

careful surface design and instead relies on the second flap 19 being replaced by a
combination of two flaps, one of which is an active flap hinged fi-om the cabinet. Due
to the need for the additional actuation of the active flap that embodiment is less
preferable than the present.
The second flap 19 (the flap extending from the edge 53 of the vane 111 that
forms the front side of the drum opening), is dragged back onto the inside surface 81 of
the hatch section 35 and along that surface 81 by the relative rotation between the vane
111 and the hatch section 35. The flap 19 remains biased against that surface by its
spring.
As the drum 1 completes its closing rotation, as in Figure 3H, at the active
connection the loops 57 along the edge 38 of the drum main section 34 pass into the
spaces between the loops 58 along the edge 36 of the hatch section 35. Simultaneously,
at the passive cormection, the spaced apart hooks 69 of the hatch section 35 engage the
rod 71 retained within the loops 70 of the main section edge 39.
At the active cormection, with the loops 57, 58 of the drum main section 34 and
the drum hatch section 35 fiiUy interleaved the active connection is made by sliding the
protruding button 64 of the slide bar 40 from the "open" position to the "closed"
position.
With the drum 1 now fully closed and latched shut the hatch engaging flap 20 is
actuated by the electrical actuator to be rotated in the direction of the arrow 92 (see
Figure 3J) into its disengaged position as shown in Figure 3J.
Alternative Flap Embodiment
As indicated above, in an alternative embodiment the second flap 19 may be
replaced by a combination of a small passive flap 93 on the edge 53 of the vane 111
and a larger actively controlled flap 94 hinged from the cabinet 2 of the machine
adjacent the front edge 80 of the opening. This embodiment is depicted in Figures 6A
and 6B which show the drum 1 fully open and in the last stages of closing respectively.
It can be seen in Figure 6A that with the drum 1 fully open, the small flap 93 on
the vane 111 (which still acts as the damp clothes scraper during the opening rotation)
extends over the looped over edge 36 of the hatch section 35, while the larger active
flap 94 extends to a position just above the leading edge 91 of the hatch section 35, and

is overlapped by the small flap 93.
As illustrated in Figure 6B, when closing the drum 1, the first flap 18 is guided
to meet the leading edge 91 of the hatch section 35 below the centre of the loops 58 by
the leading face 95 of the active flap 94 (acting as the ramp face 78 of the hatch
engaging member 20 did in the embodiment described above). The first flap 18 is thus
tucked inside the hatch section 35 during the closing rotation.
The active flap can be rotated into and out of position in conjunction with the
hatch engaging member 20 (which in the present embodiment takes a simpler shape)
and for that purpose may be linked thereto to rotate in parallel therewith.
Advantages
From the above it can be seen that the invention provides a horizontal axis
washing machine that has similar ergonomic and convenience advantages as^ existing
vertical axis top loading washing machines. Furthermore the layout and operation of
the machine will be familiar to the user. In addition the user is only required to open
the lid of the machine and the contents of the drum are automatically presented to the
user without further opening of doors or drums being required. The opening and
closing of the drum is accomplished without user intervention, and the system of flaps
and vanes prevents portions of the wash load from becoming jammed in the lid or
hatch mechanism.
In addition to the above features which are of considerable benefit to the user,
the present invention also provides a drum constiuclion wliiciL lelaius the inherent
strength and integrity of a continuous hoop even though it has an access opening
provided directly therethrough. The construction allows the machine to have a large
(full width) access opening together with a high spin speed.

WE CLAIM :
1. A drum for a laundry machine comprising :
a pair of drum ends ;
rigid connection means spanning between said drum ends to rigidly
connect said drum ends one to the other; and
a substantially cylindrical drum skin which at least under tension has the
effect of a continuous hoop, said drum skin comprising, circumferentially, a main
section and a cover section connected along meeting edges to distribute load
under tension across the full width of the drum skin,
inwardly opposed faces of said drum ends having a circumferential ledge
with the circumference of each longitudinal end of said skin retained adjacent
said ledge.
2. A drum for a laundry machine comprising :
a pair of drum ends ;
rigid connection means spanning between said drum ends to rigidly
connect said drum ends one to the other; and
a substantially cylindrical drum skin which at least under tension has the
effect of a continuous hoop, said drum skin comprising, circumferentially, a main
section and a cover section connected along meeting edges to distribute load
under tension across the full width of the drum skin,

inwardly opposed faces of said drum ends having a circumferential ledge
with the circumference of each longitudinal end of said skin retained adjacent
said ledge,
said main section and said cover section being connected along pairs of
adjacent edges to form the said continuous hoop by a passive connection along
one pair of meeting edges and a latch connection along another pair of meeting
edges, said latch being operable between an engaged position securing said
drum skin as a continuous hoop under tension and a disengaged condition in
which said cover section may slide in a circumferential direction relative to the
remainder of said skin.
3. A drum as claimed in claim 2, wherein said passive connection comprises
complementary engagement means which engage by a hooking action when
one of said drum sections slides over the other of said drum sections in a
manner to close said cover section.
4. A drum as claimed in claim 2, wherein said latch connection comprises a
sliding latch member associated with the edge of either said cover section or
said main section and having a plurality of pins extending parallel to its sliding
direction and, associated with the other said edge, a corresponding set of
engagement hooks or loops into which said pins of said latch member may
engage upon sliding of said latch member into a latched condition.

5. A drum as claimed in claim 2, wherein said drum ends have a second
inverted ledge adjacent the first said ledge along at least a section thereof, said
ledges together forming a channel such that the edge of each longitudinal end of
said drum is retained within said channel of the respective said end.
6. A drum as claimed in claim 2 comprising a laundry guiding flap hingingly
connected with said main section of said drum skin adjacent said actively
engaged latch connection edge, and being outwardly biased to extend outside
the general cylindrical envelope of said drum skin when said cover section edge
is disconnected and displaced from said main section edge.
7. A drum as claimed in claim 2 comprising a cover section scraping flap
hingingly connected with said arm section of said drum skin adjacent said
passive connection edge, and being outwardly biased to bear, at its far edge
against the inside surface of said cover section of said drum skin.
8. A laundry machine incorporating a drum as claimed in anyone of the
preceding claims.

9. A drum for a laundry machine substantially as herein described,
particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A laundry washing machine has a cabinet 2 and a drum 1 suspended within the
cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum 1 includes a pair of drum ends
with a pair of vanes 110,111 extending between the drum ends 11,12 rigidly
connecting the drum ends together. The-drum 1 has a substantially cylindrical
perforated skin 22 having a main section 34 and a hatch section 35. The main section
34 and hatch section 35 connect along the edges to form the complete drum skin.
In an opening operation the drum I is opened by disconnecting the edges of the
main section 34 and hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22, retaining the hatch section
35 in a fixed position relative to the cabinet 2 and rotating the drum 1 such that the
main section 34 of the drum skin 22 moves apart from the hatch section 35 to provide
an opening into the drum. The opening is provided in conjunction with an opening
into the cabinet, normally closed by a lockable lid 4.
The cabinet 2 may comprise a rectangular folded up wrapper 32 together with a
water collecting tray 28 fitting within the lower end 33 of the rectangular wrapper.
Laundry load guiding flaps 18, 19 are disclosed which hide from view the
spaces between the drum 1 and the cabinet 2 with the lid 4 open and the drum 1 in its
open condition. These flaps also provide laundry guiding and scraping functions during
the opening and closing operations.