Abstract: A laundry machine includes a drum having an opening for receiving laundry to be laundered by the laundry machine, and a hopper mounted on the drum. The hopper includes a first open end for receiving laundry therethrough, and a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by the drum. The first and second open ends define a passage therebetween for the laundry, and the hopper is movable from a loading position in which the first open end is positioned substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the machine and an unloading position in which the hopper is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the laundry to be unloaded from the drum. The first open end can be substantially perpendicular to the second open end. The machine does not have to be tilted relative to the ground surface to receive laundry in the hopper.

Abstract: A hopper for a laundry machine of the type having a rotating drum includes front, lower, and side walls which cooperatively define a structure having closed bottom and side surfaces, an open rear surface for being disposed in communication with the interior of the drum, and an upper hopper opening for receiving therethrough items for introduction into the drum. A splash shutter is disposed above the hopper opening. The shutter is movable between an open position wherein the hopper opening is exposed for receiving items therethrough, and a closed position wherein the hopper opening is covered for retaining the contents of the laundry machine.