Liquid purification or separation – With repair or assembling means – Hoist or handle means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-04-03
Savage, Matthew O. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With repair or assembling means
Hoist or handle means
C210S461000, C210S470000, C210S499000, C210S462000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210573
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a filtering device to trap lint discharged from the exit hose of a washing machine. More specifically, the invention relates to filtering devices located on washing machine discharge conduits or hoses which empty into sinks, basins or other drainage systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the well-known problems with washing machines is that as water is discharged, it carries with it lint from the clothes that have been washed. The discharged lint can cause problems with drains, pipes, pumps and septic tanks in a drainage system. If the lint can be trapped by filtering before discharge of water, some of the problems can be eliminated.
Conventional clothes washers or washing machines are provided with a rubber or a plastic discharge hose or conduit through which the soapy water employed in the washing cycle is removed from the machine at the end of the cycle. Most washing machines have filters which collect the lint off the clothes during the washing cycle. During the discharge cycle, the internal lint filter is back flushed as the water is pumped out of the machine through the discharge hose.
The discharged water and lint carried thereby is customarily disposed of through existing sewers, sumps or other water draining system. A particularly common manner of disposing of the discharge water is to discharge it into a utility sink or wash basin from which the water drains to a drain and plumbing system associated therewith. The lint and other debris found in the discharge water often accumulate in and clog or plug the pipes and drains of the system. When this occurs, costly plumbing repairs frequently result.
To eliminate the lint accumulation problem, a number of filters have been proposed to remove the lint from the discharge water before it can accumulate and clog the plumbing system. A number of such filter assemblies are identified in the accompanying information disclosure statement which includes the Lewis B. Nichols U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,138, issued May 25, 1976 entitled “Washing Machine Drain Filter”; Loren H. Marschman U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,361 issued Oct. 31, 1978 entitled “Lint Filter Assembly”; Timothy A. Villagomez U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,367 issued Mar. 6, 1990 entitled “Lint Strainer for Washing Machine Drains”; and Joseph L. Luger U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,880 issued Nov. 20, 1990 entitled “Washing Machine Lint Trap”.
One common method used is to secure some sort of a cloth filter over the terminal end of the discharge conduit from the washing machine. For example, women's nylon hosiery is frequency used for this purpose. However, such devices have significant drawbacks and potential problems in many cases. Clogging can occur thus impeding discharge of water. Such clogging can cause damage to the washing machine because of the inability under such conditions to evacuate itself.
Although these and other prior art devices have some merit in dealing with the lint problem, they have not provided a fully satisfactory and economical solution. One problem is that many washing machine filter devices of the prior art have little capability for trapping lint. Another problem is that it is difficult for the ultimate user to remove the filter or strainer from the washing machine, and thereafter clean and maintain the filter. The filters become full of and clogged with lint in a short period thus requiring frequent attention and maintenance. When ignored for too long a period of time, blockage problems could cause damage to the washing machines or their surroundings.
An improved washing machine lint trap, strainer or filter which has a capacity for extended use and avoids the aforementioned clogging problems is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary feature of the present invention is to provide an improved filter or screening unit for filtering the lint from the home washing machine effluent.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive filter including a filter bag which is readily disposable and is readily accessible to the user of the washing machine.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a filter unit which is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet provides for continued service life until the filter bag is utilized and ready for disposal.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a filtering unit which has a disposable bag with a substantial lint carrying capacity and which has to be serviced only infrequently.
A further feature of the invention are realized by providing an improved filtering device adapted to be removably attached to the distal end of a liquid discharge hose, either rubber or plastic, of a washing machine for filtering lint and other particulate material from liquid discharge by the washing machine.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide an elongated tubular coupling having a generally cylindrical side wall with a centrally located axially extending passage therein, with the cylindrical side wall having an entrance end and an exit end, with the centrally located passage having a diameter generally equal to the outside diameter hose.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide an improved filtering device with the side wall of the tubular coupling at the exit end having an inwardly turned flange which provides a stop for the hose when received in the centrally located passage. Removable fastening means extend through the side wall and the hose for securing the hose in place in the coupling.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide the exterior surface of the coupling with a pair of outwardly extending hooks which are used to support a removable lint-collection bag which has an opening for receiving at least part of the coupling and the hose. With such a construction, the lint-collection bag is provided with pair of hangers or loops which fit over the hooks of the coupling and into which the effluent or water from the washing machine is discharged. The side walls of the bag or panels are constructed of an expandable, flexible plastic mesh material with perforations throughout. In use, as the effluent is discharged from the hose of the washing machine into the lint-collection bag, the lint accumulates within the bag and the water passes through the perforations to the drain.
Further and more specific features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description following, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, illustrating by way of example, the preferred embodiment of the invention.
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patent: 4906367 (1990-03-01), Villagomez
patent: 4970880 (1990-11-01), Luger
patent: WO 83/01268 (1983-04-01), None
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Savage Matthew O.
LandOfFree
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