Washing Machine

Abstract

A washing machine which needs almost no space around a housing and which can be improved in workability for putting in and out washing loads. In a housing ( 1 ) having an opening portion ( 1 a ) is set a water tank ( 4 ) having an opening portion ( 4 a ) facing the opening portion ( 1 a ) of the housing ( 1 ). An unbendable first door ( 3 ) for opening and closing the first opening portion ( 1 a ) of the housing ( 1 ) can be accommodated generally entirely in lower portion of the housing ( 1 ) and slid vertically against the housing ( 1 ). The first door ( 3 ) is biased upward by flat spiral springs ( 10 ). The flat spiral springs ( 10 ) brake downward sliding of the first door ( 3 ).

1 .- 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a housing having a first opening portion;   a water tank placed within the housing and having a second opening portion facing the first opening portion of the housing;   a rotating drum rotatably placed within the water tank;   an unbendable first door at least part of which can be accommodated in the housing and which is slidable vertically against the housing to open and close the first opening portion of the housing; and   a second door pivotably mounted to the water tank for opening and closing the second opening portion of the water tank.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the first door is located below the second opening portion of the water tank while the first opening portion of the housing is open.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the rotating drum is installed such that a rotational axis of the rotating drum is slanted and descends towards a side opposite from the first opening portion. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said unbendable first door is generally arc-shaped in a cross section thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 at least one spring for biasing the first door upward to help the first door slide upward and braking downward sliding of the door.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the spring is a flat spiral spring.