Lid seal for a drawer-type dishwasher

A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a wash tub slidably mounted in the frame assembly, and a lid member. The lid member can be lowered onto the wash tub when the wash tub is shifted into the frame assembly, and raised when the wash tub is shifted out of the frame assembly. The lid member includes a seal element that abuts the wash tub when the lid member is lowered. The seal element includes a base portion, an angled, deflecting finger portion and a flat pad portion which projects from the base portion. When the seal element is urged against the wash tub, a compressive force is applied to the flat pad portion causing the deflecting finger to seal against the wash tub in a manner that substantially shields the deflecting finger from excessive compressive forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a seal provided on a lid of a drawer-type dishwasher for preventing washing fluid from escaping from a wash tub.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

In general, dishwashers having pull-out drawers are known in the art. In some cases, the dishwasher will include an upper, pull-out drawer defining a wash tub for washing smaller objects such as glassware, utensils, small plates and the like, and a lower, conventional-type dishwasher for washing larger objects such as plates. In other cases, the dishwasher will include upper and lower pull-out wash tubs, or just simply be provided with a single pull-out type wash tub. In any event, the pull-out wash tub must include a lid having a water-tight seal to prevent washing fluid from leaking from the dishwasher during a washing operation.

In certain known prior art, the lid is pivotally mounted to the dishwasher above the pull-out wash tub. With this arrangement, the lid is elevated from the wash tub when the drawer is withdrawn from the dishwasher, and lowered onto the wash tub when the drawer is inserted back into the dishwasher. This design requires a seal or gasket to be provided either on the lid or about an upper portion of the wash tub.

In accordance with some arrangements, once the lid is positioned over the wash tub, a seal is inflated with air to ensure a proper, water tight fit. In general, this arrangement requires a compressor and tubing that are interconnected to the seal. If a failure occurs in any of these components, the overall seal will fail, allowing washing fluid to escape from the wash tub. In addition, as the inflatable seal is subjected to repeated operation in a somewhat harsh environment, over time the seal can become brittle and develop a leak.

Other arrangements employ a seal having a bellows or compression pad that is forced against an upper portion of the wash tub. In a manner similar to that described above, the compressive forces that are applied to the compression pad can eventually cause the seal to warp and possibly allow washing fluid to escape from the wash tub.

Regardless of the existence of seals in the prior art, there still exists a need for an improved sealing arrangement for a wash tub lid of a drawer-type dishwasher. More specifically, there exists a need for a sealing arrangement that is able to withstand repeated applications of compression force without allowing a substantial portion of the compression force to be transferred to a sealing surface, thereby enhancing the effective useful life of the sealing arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drawer-type dishwasher incorporating a seal element that prevents washing fluid from escaping from a wash tub portion of the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a drawer which defines the wash tub and is slidably mounted in the frame assembly, and a lid member. The lid member is mounted so as to be lowered against the wash tub when the drawer is shifted into the frame assembly, and raised when the drawer is shifted out of the frame assembly. In accordance with the invention, the lid member is provided with a seal element that is urged against an upper edge portion of the wash tub when the lid is lowered.

In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the seal element is secured about a peripheral edge of the lid member. Specifically, the seal element includes a base portion, a deflecting finger portion and a flat pad portion. The flat pad portion projects from the base portion to form a corner section, with the deflecting finger portion projecting at an angle therefrom. With this arrangement, when the seal element is urged against the wash tub, a compressive force is applied to the flat pad portion causing the deflecting finger to seal against the wash tub in a manner that shields the deflecting finger from most of the compressive force. Since the deflecting finger is shielded from the compressive force, the overall life of the seal is extended.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With initial reference toFIGS. 1-3, a drawer-type dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at2. As shown, dishwasher2includes a support frame4that is arranged below a kitchen countertop6. Also below kitchen countertop6is shown cabinetry8including a plurality of drawers10-12, as well as cabinet doors13and14. Although the actual dishwasher into which the present invention may be incorporated can vary, the invention is shown in connection with dishwasher2depicted as a dual cavity, drawer-type dishwasher having an upper washing unit16and a lower washing unit18. As further illustrated, upper washing unit16takes the form of a slide-out drawer unit while lower cavity18is illustrated as a conventional-type dishwasher. However, it should be understood that dishwasher2could also constitute a dual-drawer or even a single-drawer model.

In accordance with the invention, upper unit or drawer16is shown to include a front wall20, a rear wall21, a bottom wall22and opposing side walls23and24that collectively define an upper wash tub28. In addition, drawer16is provided with a decorative facade29that is secured to front wall20. In a manner known in the art, upper wash tub28is provided with a dish rack30for supporting various objects, such as dishware, glassware, and the like to be exposed to a washing operation. Upper wash tub28is slidably supported within support frame4through a pair of extensible support guides, one of which is indicated at33. With particular reference toFIG. 2, upper drawer16is provided with a lid assembly35which, as will be discussed more fully below, is employed to selectively seal wash tub28during a washing operation.

In accordance with the invention, lid assembly35includes an outer peripheral edge36that surrounds and defines a cover section37. Lid assembly35is provided with a movable support mechanism38that is employed to raise and lower lid assembly35relative to wash tub28. As the specific structure and operation of support mechanism38is not part of the invention, it will not be discussed further here. Instead, reference is made to co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,049 entitled “Lid Construction for Drawer Dishwasher”, which issued Dec. 10, 2002, and co-owned U.S. Patent Application entitled “Latching and Sealing Mechanism for a Drawer-Type Dishwasher” filed on even date herewith, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. As further shown inFIG. 2, wash tub28is provided with a plurality of spray arms39and40for directing a washing liquid onto objects placed within wash tub28. Toward that end, upper spray arm39is arranged on lid assembly35for directing washing liquid downward onto articles supported on rack30, and lower spray arm40is arranged above bottom wall22for directing washing liquid upward onto the objects placed within wash tub28. Upper and lower spray arms39and40are supplied by conduits42and43respectively, with each of conduits42and43being interconnected to a supply conduit45.

For the sake of completeness, lower washing unit18is provided with a door50for selectively closing a lower washing chamber54. As shown, lower washing chamber54is provided with an upper spray arm57for directing washing liquid downward onto articles placed within lower washing chamber54, as well as a lower spray arm58for directing washing liquid upward onto articles supported on a rack (not shown). Upper and lower spray arms57and58are supplied by respective conduits60and61that, along with supply conduit45, are in fluid communication with a pump64that is driven by a motor66. Finally, upper and lower washing units16and18are provided with respective drain portions (not shown) for returning washing liquid from upper wash tub28and lower wash chamber54. In general, the structure set forth above with respect to dishwasher2is provided for a better understanding of the drawings and has only been described for the sake of completeness. Instead, the present invention is particularly directed to a seal76that extends about outer peripheral edge36of lid assembly35for preventing washing fluid from escaping out of wash tub28during a washing operation.

With particular reference toFIG. 4, seal element76is shown in cross-section secured to outer peripheral edge36of lid member35. In accordance with the invention, seal element76includes a main body78having a base portion80. Actually, seal element76is secured to outer peripheral edge36through base portion80using, for example, mechanical fasteners, such as screws or rivets, or by other known fastening means including an adhesive or epoxy. In any case, base portion80extends to a flat pad portion82through corner section84. Preferably, flat pad portion82projects substantially perpendicularly from base portion80through corner section84. Seal element76is further provided with a deflecting finger portion86that projects inward, at an angle from corner section84.

In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, outer peripheral edge36extends to a down-turned flange segment95. Down-turned flange segment95extends about a perimeter (not separately labeled) of lid assembly35. With this particular arrangement, when lid assembly35is moved to the lowered position, flat pad portion82of seal element76is forced against an upper peripheral lip or rim98of wash tub28. Flat pad portion82is forced into engagement through application of a compressive force provided by support mechanism38. As lid assembly35is fully engaged about wash tub28, flat pad portion82compresses so as to allow deflecting finger portion86to seal against an angled or tapered portion104that leads from peripheral rim98to front wall20of upper washing unit16as shown inFIG. 5. In this manner, deflecting finger portion86serves as the primary seal for wash tub28.

In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the majority of the compressive force provided by support mechanism38is translated through flat pad portion82onto peripheral rim98. Therefore, deflecting finger portion86engages with angled surface104with relatively little force. Actually, once lid assembly35is fully seated and flat pad portion82is fully compressed, deflecting finger portion86will deflect approximately 0.080 inches (2.03 mm). In order to achieve the proper deflection, seal element76is formed from a flexible, elastomeric material having a durometer value of approximately 0.25 lbf per linear inch. In this manner, continued operation, i.e., raising and lowering of lid assembly35onto upper peripheral edge98, will not cause seal element76to degrade in any significant manner. That is, compression of flat pad portion82allows the overall lid assembly35to sit in a compressed state without excessive force being applied to deflecting finger portion86.

Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while the material for the seal is described as having a particular durometer value, other materials that would achieve the desired functions set forth above would also be acceptable. In addition, the amount of deflection could vary without departing from the scope of the present invention so long as the deflection finger is substantially shielded from the compressive force applied to the lid member. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.