Washing Appliance

Abstract

A washing machine or other laundry appliance has a drum that rotates during washing cycles of the appliance. The appliance further incorporates a ballast system including a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water, and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir. The appliance further incorporates means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles. Weight of the reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles of the appliance.

1 . A ballast system for a washing machine having a drum, wherein the drum rotates during washing cycles of the washing machine, the ballast system comprising:
 a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, the reservoir further comprising an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir; and   means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles;   wherein weight of said reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles.   
     
     
         2 . A ballast system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 pumping means for pumping water between said reservoir and the drum.   
     
     
         3 . A ballast system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said ballast system is controlled by a control program that controls said washing machine.   
     
     
         4 . A washing machine comprising:
 a drum that rotates during washing cycles of the washing machine;   a ballast system including
 a reservoir having means for permitting water to flow between said reservoir and the drum, an inlet for enabling said reservoir to be filled with water and an outlet for enabling water to be drained from said reservoir, and 
 means for filling said reservoir and maintaining said reservoir substantially full of water during the washing cycles; 
   wherein weight of said reservoir when it is substantially full of water acts to counter balance vibrations generated by the rotation of the drum during the washing cycles.   
     
     
         5 . A washing machine according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 heating means for heating water from said reservoir for supply to said drum.   
     
     
         6 . A washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said heating means is provided in a flow path between said reservoir and said drum.   
     
     
         7 . A washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said heating means is contained within said reservoir and operates to heat water held within said reservoir.   
     
     
         8 . A washing machine according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said reservoir is divided into a plurality of sub-reservoirs.   
     
     
         9 . A washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 at least one of said sub-reservoirs contain said heating means to heat water held therein.   
     
     
         10 . A washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said heating means comprises at least one heat generating resistance element.   
     
     
         11 . A washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said heating means comprises at least one microwave heating means.   
     
     
         12 . A washing machine according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a base with a plurality of recesses defined therein, the base adapted to rest on a support surface; and   transport members mounted via compressible means relative to respective recesses in said base such that when said reservoir is filled with water, the weight thereof acts to compress said compressible means and cause said base to be lowered towards said support surface such that at least said compressible means enters said respective recesses and said base rests on said support surface, and said transport members positioned by said compressible means below said base when said reservoir is empty such that said transport members interface to said support surface.   
     
     
         13 . A washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said transport members comprise at least one castor wheel.   
     
     
         14 . A washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 said transport members comprise a plurality of castor wheels, being mounted via a respective plurality of compressible means relative to said respective recesses in said base.   
     
     
         15 . A washing machine according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said compressible means comprises at least one spring.   
     
     
         16 . A washing machine according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a set of pads provided on said base to increase friction between said base and said support surface.