Tub for a washing machine appliance with fluid overflow control

Abstract

A wash tub for a washing machine appliance is provided. The wash tub includes one or more features for controlling an overflow condition in which fluid is flowing over the side of the wash tub. These features can be used to help control the flow of fluid and/or direct the same away from the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a wash tub for the containment of fluids used during washing and rinsing, said wash tub comprising:
 a wall having an exterior surface that defines a plurality of substantially vertical ribs; 
 a top edge defining a notch positioned near a top of the plurality of substantially vertical ribs; 
 a dam positioned adjacent to the notch and having a height greater than the notch, the dam and the wall defining a channel at the top of the ribs, the channel configured for directing the overflow of water from said wash tub between the dam and the exterior surface of the wall; 
   a wash basket rotatably mounted in said wash tub, said wash basket having a wash basket opening for receiving wash fluid and a wash load therein; and   a motor in mechanical communication with said wash basket and configured for causing said wash basket to rotate.   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outwardly sloped ramp defined by the wall of said wash tub near a bottom of the ribs, the ramp configured for diverting a flow of water away from said wash tub.   
     
     
         3 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs extend into the channel. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a thickness in the range of about 0.025 inches to about 0.323 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the dam has an upper edge that is lower than the top edge of said wash tub. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said wash tub comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs diverge near a bottom of the wall of said wash tub. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are substantially parallel near a top of the ribs and diverge near a bottom of the ribs. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs and the dam are contained within an overflow area located along one side of said wash tub. 
     
     
         10 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance, the wash tub including a substantially cylindrical container for the receipt of articles and fluid for washing, the container having an exterior surface extending between a top and a bottom of the container, the top of the container having an opening, the wash tub comprising:
 a plurality of fluid guides positioned along the exterior surface of the container and extending substantially vertical between the top and bottom of the container;   a pass defined within a top edge of the container, the pass configured for allowing fluid to overflow from the container before rising to the top edge, the pass positioned over the guides;   a wall portion positioned proximate to the pass near the top of the container, the wall portion and the exterior surface of the container forming a channel therebetween for fluid overflowing from the container; and   a ramp positioned near the bottom of the container and below at least a portion of the fluid guides, the ramp extending outwardly from the container so as to divert an overflow of fluid away from the container.   
     
     
         11 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the fluid guides extend into the channel. 
     
     
         12 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the fluid guides diverge near the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         13 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the fluid guides extend along the ramp. 
     
     
         14 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the channel has a thickness in the range of about 0.025 inches to about 0.323 inches. 
     
     
         15 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the pass has an upper edge that is lower than the top edge of the container. 
     
     
         16 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the flow guides are substantially parallel near a top of the flow guides and diverge near a bottom of the flow guides. 
     
     
         17 . A wash tub for a washing machine appliance as in  claim 10 , wherein the ribs and the dam are contained within an overflow area located along one side of said wash tub.