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

Abstract

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.

1 . A fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank, the fluid flow structure comprising:
 one or more fluid flow guide surfaces; and   one or more supports,   wherein the one or more supports are each configured to interface with one or more upper lip of the wash tank; and   wherein the fluid flow structure is configured to be selectively placed within the wash tank, the one or more supports bearing the weight of the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid flow structure, when placed within the wash tank, defines a washing area being generally opposite a gap between the one or more fluid flow guide surfaces and at least one wall of the wash tank. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fluid flow structure comprises at least two fluid flow guide surfaces, wherein the two fluid flow guide surfaces are configured to be positioned adjacently when the fluid flow structure is placed within the wash tank. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a divider member positioned within a slot between the two adjacent fluid flow guide surfaces and isolating a portion of the washing area. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fluid flow structure, when placed within the wash tank, is configured to receive a portion of fluid from one or more flow directional openings of the wash tank and direct said portion of fluid along the fluid flow guide surface. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the fluid flow structure receives said portion of fluid through one or more apertures defined by the one or more fluid flow guide surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the one or more supports each define one or more hooks configured to receive the one or more upper lips of the wash tank. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more guide surfaces each define at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the wash tank. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid flow structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the one or more supports each define one or more hooks configured to receive the one or more upper lips of the wash tank. 
     
     
         10 . A method of washing items in a continuous motion washing machine, the washing machine including at least one flow directional opening supplying a jet stream of fluid within the washing machine, the jet stream deflecting from at least one wall of or from at least a portion of a removable fluid flow structure positioned within the washing machine to provide a washing action, said method comprising the steps of:
 locating the fluid flow structure within the washing machine by mating one or more supports of the fluid flow structure to corresponding lips at the top of one or more walls of the washing machine; and   introducing the jet stream within a washing area within said washing machine defined by one or more fluid flow guide surface of the fluid flow structure, said washing area being generally opposite a gap created between said one or more fluid flow guide surfaces and at least one wall of the washing machine.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising the steps of:
 locating an item within said washing area; and 
 orienting an axis of said item generally perpendicular to the jet stream. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising isolating a portion of the washing area by placing a divider member within a slot between two adjacent flow guide surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein isolating a portion of the washing area further comprises placing said divider member between two of said flow directional openings such that the divider member divides the washing action within said washing area. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising capturing at least a substantial portion of the jet stream from at least one of the flow directional openings within said isolated portion of the washing area while at least substantially maintaining the jet stream deflection of the washing machine to provide said washing action within said isolated portion of the washing area. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein locating the fluid flow structure within the washing machine further comprises:
 mating a first support of the one or more supports to the lip at the top of a front wall of the one or more walls of the washing machine; and 
 mating a second support of the one or more supports to the lip at the top of a rear wall of the one or more walls of the washing machine. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein mating each of the first and second supports to their corresponding lips comprises inserting the respective lip into a hook defined by each of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein mating each of the one or more supports to their corresponding lips comprises inserting the respective lip into a hook defined by each of the one or more supports. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising positioning the fluid flow structure within the washing machine such that one or more apertures of the fluid flow guide surface each correspond to one or more of the flow directional openings. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the jet stream is introduced into the washing area through the one or more apertures. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said washing machine is a pot and pan washing machine.