WO2015000508A1

WO2015000508A1 - Dishwasher basket

Info

Publication number: WO2015000508A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/063969
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael EDENIUS; Daniel MESA
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2013-07-02
Filing date: 2013-07-02
Publication date: 2015-01-08

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher basket (16b) comprising: a number of wires or rods forming a basket bottom (19b) basket sides (18b) extending from the bottom; a number of tines (20) arranged along at least one row (21) in the basket, said tines (20) extend upwards from the basket bottom (19b); and at least one device (30; 0) for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket, said device comprises at least one elongated member (31; 51) with a length exceeding the distance between two adjacent tines (20) and a dishing goods support surface (32; 52) arranged on the elongated member, wherein said at least one device is movably arranged in the basket between at least a first position (P1) in which the elongated member is arranged substantially parallel to the row of tines adjacent the bottom of the basket to prevent dishing goods held by the tines from moving or rolling on the basket bottom, and a second support position (P2) vertically elevated in relation to the first position to provide support for dishing goods in a position vertically elevated in relation to the first position.

Description

DISHWASHER BASKET

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a dishwasher basket comprising at least one device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket.

Background of the invention

Dishwashers are frequently used household machines in order to facilitate the daily work in private homes and restaurants. Dishwasher for use in households comprises a washing chamber that is accessed via an opening in the front side of the dishwasher and closed by a movable door. Dirty items are arranged in the washing chamber, normally in one or more baskets, and when the dishwasher is activated sprayed by water that is circulated in the washing chamber to clean the items packed in the basket or baskets. In order to facilitate the loading and unloading of items from the dishwasher extractable baskets are arranged in the washing chamber. The baskets are either supported on wheels rolling on the inside surface of the door when the door is opened, or supported on guide rails arranged in the washing chamber. A number of plates, pots and glasses could be packed side by side in the basket, or baskets, for simultaneous dishing in the dishwasher. Each storage baskets comprises a number of tines extending upwards from a basket bottom to support the different items packed in the basket, and make it possible to pack as much dishing goods in the basket as possible. However, during extraction / retraction of the basket, circular plates standing upright between the tines often are moved in the basket since the circular plates tend to roll on the basket bottom. These movements generate a disorder of the items within the basket which makes it more complicated to pack further items in the basket, and in worst case damages to the items within the basket when they hit each other or the wires or rods of the basket. There is consequently a need for improved storage solutions and storage devices that facilitate packing of dishing goods, and maintain the dishing goods in the desired position and prevent movements of the goods packed in the baskets during extraction / retraction of the dishwasher basket.

Summary of the invention

The present invention, defined in the appended claims, provide a dishwasher basket that prevents movements of dishing goods in the dishwasher basket and provide support for different types of dishing goods in the basket that to at least some extent fulfils the needs defined above.

The dishwasher basket according to the invention comprises:

a number of wires or rods forming a basket bottom;

basket sides extending from the bottom;

a number of tines arranged along at least one row in the basket, said tines extend upwards from the basket bottom; and

at least one device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket, said device comprises at least one elongated member with a length exceeding the distance between two adjacent tines and a dishing goods support surface arranged on the elongated member, wherein said at least one device is movably arranged in the basket between at least a first position in which the elongated member is arranged substantially parallel to the row of tines adjacent the bottom of the basket to prevent dishing goods held by the tines from moving or rolling on the basket bottom, and a second support position vertically elevated in relation to the first position to provide support for dishing goods in a position vertically elevated in relation to the first position.

The claimed dishwasher basket provides a very flexible and reliable support arrangement for dishing goods packed in the basket since the elongated member of the device when arranged in the first position extend along the row of tines adjacent the basket bottom thereby providing a dishing goods support surface that will block movements of dishing goods packed between the tines, and prevent them from rolling on the basket bottom from the intended position between the tines.

Furthermore, the device, when arranged in the second position, makes it possible to provide support for larger items and/or dishing goods with a complex shape since the second vertically elevated position of the device could be used to support dishing goods that extends above the tines and basket sides, and thereby prevent movements of dishing goods of complex and/or large size in the basket. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member in the first position is arranged substantially horizontally in line with the basket bottom. This embodiment is favourable since device provides the desired support without interfering with other dishing goods of different size and shape packed in the basket. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member in the first position is arranged substantially parallel to the basket bottom. This embodiment provides an efficient blocking if a number of plates of similar diameter are arranged vertically between the tines. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member in the first position is arranged a predetermined distance from the row of tines along a direction parallel to the basket bottom in order to adapt the device to dishing goods of different size and improve the flexibility of the device further. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member is movably arranged in at least one of the basket sides.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the basket comprises two or more rows of tines and one device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket arranged together with each row of tines. Dishwasher baskets often comprises rows of tines arranged in pairs in order to facilitate packing of plates vertically in the basket and it is advantageous to arrange elongated members along each of the row of tines. The elongated members are arranged on the sides of the two rows of tines facing away from each other.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member extends across the basket and is movably arranged in opposite sides of the basket. The fact that both ends of the elongated member are movably secured in the basket increases the rigidity of the device and improves the support from the device.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, an arm with a first and a second end is arranged in each end of the elongated member, each arm extend substantially perpendicular to the elongated member in the same direction from the elongated member, said first end of the arm is secured in the elongated member and the second end is movably arranged in the basket side. This embodiment of the device is favourable since the desired first and second position of the device could be easily be achieved by turning the device so that the arms either extend downwards or upwards even though the design of the device is simple. The design furthermore ensures the desired rigidity and support, and the risk for damages to the device is limited.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the length of the first and second arm is substantially the same and selected such that the elongated member is arranged above the basket bottom when the member is in the first position and further above the basket bottom in the second position. Arms with the same length ensures that the entire elongated member is moved the same vertical distance no matter of the angular position of the arms, and thereby provide the same support along the entire row of tines.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the arms in the first position extend substantially vertically downwards and in the second position substantially vertical upwards from the attachment position in the basket side.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, at least a section of the elongated member has an undulated form. This embodiment is favourable since the undulations ensures that dishing goods remain in the intended positions since the undulations prevent that dishing goods supported against the elongated member slip and slide along the member. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the elongated member has a first and a second end, said first end is movably arranged in the basket side and in said second end a rod with a second dishing goods support surface is arranged substantially transverse to the elongated member. This embodiment is very useful for dishing goods with a larger size and/or a complex shape since a further dishing goods support surface is provided on the device.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the device is movable around an axis substantially parallel to the basket side such that the elongated member and the second member in the first position are arranged substantially parallel to the basket bottom, and in the second position the elongated member is extending substantially vertically from the basket side while the rod is arranged substantially horizontal in an elevated position above the basket side. This embodiment is very favourable for larger dishing goods since both the dishing goods support surface and the second dishing goods support surface in the second position will provide support at an elevated level above the tines and side of the basket.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the device comprises a second elongated member arranged substantially parallel to the elongated member, said second elongated member is secured in the rod and turnable around the same axis as the elongated member, said second member is in the first position arranged parallel to a second row of tines in the basket. This embodiment increases the stability and rigidity of the device since the two elongated member increases the possibility of the device withstand loads from large and heavy goods. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, at least a section of the elongated member, the rod and/or the second member has an undulated shape. This embodiment is favourable since the undulations ensures that dishing goods remain in the intended positions since the undulations prevent that dishing goods supported against the elongated member slip and slide along the member.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, securing means are arranged in the basket side to secure the device in the selected first or second position and prevent unintentional change of positions which could result in disorder and/or damages.

The different embodiment described above could of course be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that will be described more in detail in the detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

Different embodiments of a device according to the present invention are illustrated in the appended figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective schematic view of a dishwasher.

Figure 2 illustrates the interior design of the washing chamber in a dishwasher.

Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a section of a first embodiment of a dishwasher basket according to the invention with the device in the first position.

Figure 3b illustrates a perspective view of a section of the first embodiment of the dishwasher basket according to the invention with the device in the second position.

Figure 3c illustrates a perspective view of a section of the first embodiment of the dishwasher and dishing goods packed in the basket.

Figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of a section of a second embodiment of a dishwasher basket according to the invention with the device in the first position. Figure 4b illustrates a perspective view of a section of the second embodiment of the dishwasher basket according to the invention with the device in the second position. Figure 4c illustrates a perspective view of a section of the second embodiment of the dishwasher and dishing goods packed in the basket. Detailed description

In figure 1, a perspective schematic view of dishwasher 10 is illustrated. The dishwasher comprise a washing chamber 11 surrounded by a substantially rectangular cabinet 12. The washing chamber 11 comprises an opening 15 in the front side of the dishwasher in order to make the washing chamber 11 accessible during loading and unloading of items in and from the washing chamber. The opening 15 is closed by a door 13 in order to make it possible to access, and close, the opening 15 of the washing chamber 11. Within the washing chamber 11, an upper 16a and lower basket 16b for dirty items are arranged at different heights. The baskets are extractably arranged in the washing chamber and formed of thin elements like for example wires or rods in order to provide a basket structure that the water could flow through easily. The dishwasher 10, illustrated in figure 1, comprises two wire baskets 16 arranged on guide rails 17. The lower one is normally used for larger dishing goods like plates, pots etc, and the upper one for cups, glasses and smaller items. The number of baskets could however be increased further to comprise for example a third basket for small dishing goods and cutleries arranged in the top of the washing chamber. When the dishing goods are loaded in the baskets 16a and 16b, the dishwasher is activated and the selected washing program started. Heated water, in combination with detergent, is circulated in the washing chamber by a water circulating system comprising at least a water pump connected to at least one rotating spray arm 8 arranged in the washing chamber in order to clean the dishing goods in the baskets and the cutlery rack.

In figure 2, a schematic illustration of the interior design of the space within the dishwasher washing chamber described above is illustrated. The lower basket 16b has a substantially rectangular shape with four side walls 18b extending in substantially vertical direction from a basket bottom 19b arranged substantially horizontal within the dishwasher. From the bottom 19b of the lower basket, a number of tines 20 extend upwards. The tines could have different designs but are preferably shaped like substantially straight rods extending from the basket bottom 19b. The tines are arranged at predetermined distances from each other such that a space is generated between adjacent tines. The tines 20 are arranged along straight rows 21 to support dishing goods, i.e. plates, in an upright position along the row of tines. This configuration makes it possible to pack several plats side by side in the basket.

Unfortunately, dishing goods with a substantially round shape tend to roll on the basket bottom 19b when exposed to loads during extraction / retraction of the basket. The rolling dishing goods causes disorder in the basket and could in the worst case result in damaged articles. There are several different interior designs possible but the general idea is to make it possible to store as much dishing goods as possible in a simple and efficient way still ensuring that the water circulating in the washing chamber is allowed to pass between adjacent items and clean each of the items. In figure 2, one device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is arranged along the side of the basket. The device 50 is described in detail further down the detailed description.

In figure 3a, 3b and 3c, a first embodiment of a dishwasher basket according to the invention is illustrated. In addition to the generally described basket above, the basket comprises two devices 30 for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket. The two illustrated devices 30 are arranged on opposite sides of the pair of rows of tines. The two devices 30 have the same design and consequently only one device is described in detail below. The device 30 comprises one elongated member 31 extending across substantially the entire basket substantially parallel to the corresponding row 21 of tines 20 extending from the basket bottom. The length of the elongated member could however be adapted to different needs but should at least exceed the distance between two adjacent tines of the basket in order to work as intended. A dishing goods support surface 32 is arranged along the entire member on the outside surface of the elongated member 31. An arm 33 with a first 34 and a second end 35 is arranged in each end of the elongated member 31. The first end of each arm 33 is secured in the elongated member 31 and the arms extend substantially perpendicularly to the elongated member in the same direction from the elongated member. The second end 35 of the arms 33 is movably arranged in the basket side 18b. In the illustrated embodiment this is achieved by a protruding shaft 36 extending from the second end 35 of the arm 33 into a recess 37 formed in the basket side 18b such that the device 30 could be turned around the protruding shaft 36, i.e. a horizontal shaft substantially parallel to the row of tines and the basket bottom. In the illustrated embodiment the device is movable between a first supporting position PI in which the elongated member is arranged substantially parallel to the row of tines and basket bottom at a level just above the bottom of the basket, illustrated in figure 3 a, and a second support position P2, illustrated in figure 3b, vertically elevated in relation to the first position PI. In the first position PI, the arms 33 in each end of the elongated member extend substantially downwards from the recess 37 in the basket side and in the second position P2 the arms extend upwards from the recess 37. The length of the first and second arm 33 sets the vertical distance between the first and second position of the elongated member. The disclosed device 30 for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods is preferably arranged in the first position if a number of plates are packed vertically between the tines such that the outer periphery of the plates are supported by the elongated member 31 / support surface 32 in order to maintain the plates in the intended storage position between the tines. Since one device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods is arranged along each of the pair of rows of tines, the plates are prevented from rolling in both directions during extraction / retraction of the basket 16b. The at least two positions of the device increases the flexibility of the device since the dishwasher basket could be adapted to different types / sizes of dishing goods, alternatively the device arranged in the second position P2 could be used to support the foot of wine glasses.

In the illustrated embodiment of the dishwasher basket, means 38 for securing the device 30 in the selected position are arranged along the basket side. The securing means 38 are embodied as snap-fittings such that each arm 33 is held in the selected position by snap-fittings arranged along each side of the basket. The means for securing the device in the selected position could however be modified in several ways. The elongated member 31 has an undulated form (zigzag-form) to further improve the support of the dishing goods. The dishing goods, for example the outer periphery of plates, are arranged between the undulations that maintain the plates in the desired position and prevent dishing goods from slipping along the support surface 32 of the elongated member 31.

In figure 4a, 4b and 4c, a second embodiment of a dishwasher basket according to the invention is illustrated. This basket comprises another type of device 50 for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket. This embodiment of device 50 is turnable around an axis A substantially parallel to the basket side 18b between the first PI and second support position P2. The first position PI is illustrated in figure 4a and the second position P2 in figure 4b. The device 50 is turned approximately 90 degrees around the axis A of rotation between the first PI and second position P2.

The device 50 comprises at least one elongated member 51 with a length exceeding the distance between two adjacent tines 20 in the row 21 of tines extending from the basket bottom, and a dishing goods support surface 52 arranged on the elongated member 51. The elongated member has a first end 53 movably arranged in one of the basket sides 18b in order for the device 50 to be turnable around the axis A parallel to the basket side, and a second end 54. The device 50 is movable between at least a first supporting position PI in which the elongated member 51 is arranged substantially parallel to the row of tines 20 and basket bottom 19b. The elongated member 51 is in the first position arranged a distance above the bottom 19b of the basket 16b to improve the possibility for supporting for example plates stored vertically between the tines, and the second support position P2 vertically elevated in relation to the first position PI. In the second position P2, the elongated member 51 extends substantially vertically from the basket side 18b.

The illustrated embodiment of the device 50 comprises two substantially identical elongated members 51 arranged separated from each other but turnable around the same axis A in the basket side. The two elongated members 51 are intended to provide support for dishing goods packed between two different sets of rows 21 of tines 20 in the basket and are connected in their second ends 54 by a rod 55 extending substantially transverse to the elongated members 51. The rod 51 increases the stiffness of the device 50 and comprises a second dishing goods support surface 56 that could be useful particularly when the device 50 is in the second support position P2 since the rod 55 after the repositioning of the device will be arranged substantially horizontal at an elevated position above the basket side 18b where it could provide desired support for larger pots or pans. The length of the elongated members 51 as well as the rod 55 must be selected such that the device 50 could be arranged in both the first PI and second position P2 without interfering with other functions, or baskets, in the dishwasher.

The device 50 is as described above movable around the axis A substantially parallel to the basket side such that the elongated members 51 and the rod 55 in the first position PI are arranged substantially parallel to the basket bottom 19b, and in the second position P2 the elongated members 51 are extending substantially vertically from the basket side while the rod 55 is arranged substantially horizontal in an elevated position above the basket side. This could for example be achieved by arranging a loop in each first end of the elongated members and a corresponding shaft in the basket side such that the loops are allowed to turn around the shaft, alternatively shift the loop 56 to the basket and the shaft 57 to the device 50 which is illustrated in the figures. Furthermore, securing means 58 must be arranged in the basket side to maintain the device 50 in the selected second position P2. The locking means 58 could for example be embodied as snap-fit devices 59 arranged along the basket side. An alternative arrangement would be to combine them in a single component together with the securing means that movably secures the device in the basket side to facilitate the installation of the device in the basket.

Also this embodiment of the dishwasher basket could comprise elongated members and rod with an undulated form (zigzag-form) to further improve the support of the dishing goods in the basket. The dishing goods, for example the outer periphery of plates, pots or glasses, are arranged between the undulations to maintain the plates in the desired position and prevent that dishing goods is slipping along the support surfaces on the elongated members and the rod.

The two described and illustrated embodiments of the device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in a dishwasher basket are intended for use in two active positions. However, the devices could also be modified to be movable between an active and a passive position, i.e. a first position in which the device provides additional support for dishing goods in the basket, and a second passive position in which the device is removed in order to not interfere with a particular operator's needs, or demands.

Furthermore, the devices could be modified to be movable between more than the disclosed two support positions. The additional positions are then preferably located between the disclosed first and second position in order to make it possible for the user to make smaller adjustments of the positions of the support surfaces of each device. However, these embodiments require that the device could be secured in the selected additional positions to work as intended.

Furthermore, the embodiments described above could be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Dishwasher basket (16b) comprising:

a number of wires or rods forming a basket bottom (19b);

basket sides (18b) extending from the bottom;

a number of tines (20) arranged along at least one row (21) in the basket, said tines (20) extend upwards from the basket bottom (19b); and

at least one device (30; 50) for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket, said device comprises at least one elongated member (31; 51) with a length exceeding the distance between two adjacent tines (20) and a dishing goods support surface (32; 52) arranged on the elongated member, wherein said at least one device is movably arranged in the basket between at least a first position (PI) in which the elongated member is arranged substantially parallel to the row of tines adjacent the bottom of the basket to prevent dishing goods held by the tines from moving or rolling on the basket bottom, and a second support position (P2) vertically elevated in relation to the first position to provide support for dishing goods in a position vertically elevated in relation to the first position.

2. The dishwasher basket according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated member in the first position is arranged substantially horizontally in line with the basket bottom.

3. The dishwasher basket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated

member in the first position is arranged substantially parallel to the basket bottom.

4. The dishwasher basket according to claim 3, wherein the elongated member in the first position is arranged a predetermined distance from the row of tines along a direction parallel to the basket bottom.

5. The dishwasher basket according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elongated member is movably arranged in at least one of the basket sides.

The dishwasher basket according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the basket comprises two or more rows of tines and one device for preventing movements and supporting dishing goods in the basket arranged together with each row of tines.

The dishwasher basket according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the elongated member (31) extends across the basket and is movably arranged in opposite sides of the basket.

The dishwasher basket according to claim 7, wherein an arm (33) with a first (34) and a second end (35) is arranged in each end of the elongated member, each arm extend substantially perpendicular to the elongated member in the same direction from the elongated member, said first end of the arm is secured in the elongated member and the second end is movably arranged in the basket side.

The dishwasher basket according to claim 8, wherein the length of the first and second arm is substantially the same and selected such that the elongated member is arranged above the basket bottom when the member is in the first position and further above the basket bottom in the second position.

10. The dishwasher basket according to claim 9, wherein the arms in the first position extend substantially vertically downwards and in the second position substantially vertical upwards from the attachment position in the basket side.

11. The dishwasher basket according to anyone of claim 7 to 10, wherein at least a section of the elongated member has an undulated form.

12. The dishwasher basket according to anyone of claim 1 to 6, wherein the elongated member (51) has a first (53) and a second end (54), said first end is movably arranged in the basket side and in said second end a rod (55) with a second dishing goods support surface (56) is arranged substantially transverse to the elongated member.

13. The dishwasher basket according to claim 12, wherein the device is movable around an axis (A) substantially parallel to the basket side such that the elongated member and the rod in the first position (PI) are arranged substantially parallel to the basket bottom, and in the second position (P2) the elongated member is extending substantially vertically from the basket side while the rod is arranged substantially horizontal in an elevated position above the basket side.

14. The dishwasher basket according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the device

comprises a second elongated member (51) arranged substantially parallel to the elongated member, said second elongated member is secured in the rod and turnable around the same axis (A) as the elongated member, said second member is in the first position arranged parallel to a second row of tines in the basket.

15. The dishwasher basket according to anyone of claims 12 to 14, wherein at least a section of the elongated member, the rod and/or the second member has an undulated shape.

16. The dishwasher basket according to anyone of claims 12 to 15, wherein

securing means (58) are arranged in the basket side to secure the device selected first or second position.