Abstract:
A cover plate for household appliances having enhanced utilization potential by being at least partially provided with a raised edge on a perimeter thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP01/13845, filed Nov. 27, 2001, which designated the United States and was not published in English. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a cap for household appliances. 
     Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and others, to the extent that they are constructed as upright appliances, have a cap on top that can usually serve only as a simple storage surface for all sorts of objects. Small appliances such as compact dishwashers, which are typically placed on the countertop over kitchen base cabinets, reduce the useful surface of the countertop. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a cap for household appliances that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that substantially expands the utility of the cap. The cap can also be referred to as a cover plate or lid. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a cap at least partly with a raised margin around its periphery. The at least partial elevation of the peripheral margin of the cap provides security against the falling of objects that have been placed on the cap. Circular or spherical objects can, thus, be placed on such a cap without risk of their falling off. A cap for appliances is inventively created, the utility of which is substantially enhanced. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, it is particularly expedient when the cap is constructed as a tray. In such a case, the cap can serve as a trough for a wire basket that can be loaded with items, i.e., wet dishes. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, it is also possible to insert various removable parts into a tray-type cap of this kind, thereby creating storage options for a variety of objects. 
     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the cap is shaped to receive a removable wire railing therein. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the cap is removably placed on an appliance. Because it is removably placed on the appliance, the cap can be removed therefrom for washing or safekeeping. 
     Another possibility is to construct the surface of the cap as a cutting surface. In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the cap is shaped to receive a removable cutting surface therein. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a cap for household appliances, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cap according to the invention constructed overall as a tray; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cap according to the invention placed on an appliance and serving as a trough for a wire basket that can be loaded with wet dishes; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cap according to the invention placed on an appliance, the cap having an attached wire railing; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cap according to the invention placed on an appliance, a surface of the cap being constructed as a cutting surface. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a cap  1  whose bottom side has a contour suited to being placed on an appliance such as a refrigerator, dishwasher (particularly, a compact dishwasher), or other device. That is to say, the contour of a bottom of the cap  1  is adapted to the contour of a top side of the relevant household appliance. Such a configuration guarantees that the cap  1  sits securely on the appliance. 
     On a top surface thereof, the cap  1  has a raised margin  2  that extends around its entire perimeter. Thus, the cap  1  is shaped like a tray. 
     As represented in  FIG. 2 , such a cap  1  with a tray shape can be, advantageously, utilized as a trough for a wire basket  3  in which wet dishes  4  can be loaded for drip-drying. The wire basket  3  can also be used for keeping dry dishes  4 . 
     Given the insertion of a wire railing  5  in the tray-shaped depression of the cap  1  as represented in  FIG. 3 , other items, such as fruit or small kitchen appliances, like mixers, water heaters, or other devices, can be placed on the cap  1 , without there being a risk of the items falling off the cap  1 . 
       FIG. 4  represents another possible application of the cap  1 , where the surface  6  of the cap  1  is constructed as a cutting surface. That way, vegetables, fruit, or meat can be sliced directly on the cap  1  during meal preparation. The surface  6  can be integral with the cap  1  or can be a separate plate that can be removed from inside the spaced defined by the margin  2 . 
     As the above embodiments demonstrate, there are many possible applications of the cap  1 . At the same time, such a cap  1  is relatively easy to produce and handle. A cap  1  for household appliances is, thus, created whose utility is substantially expanded.