Accessory for dishwasher

An accessory for supporting crockery in a dishwasher comprises a generally U-shaped main body having a pair of legs and a connecting portion that connects the pair of legs, at least one of the legs having a free end that is adapted to be releasably attached to a crockery basket in the dishwasher when in an installation position, and a smoothly radiused portion connecting each leg to the connecting portion, wherein the legs are spaced apart in the installation position a sufficient distance to promote stability of the crockery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A dishwasher removes unwanted foreign substances from reusable crockery and utensils using washing liquid injected through an injection nozzle. The nozzle may be located in various locations inside the dishwasher, e.g., typically directly beneath the dishes, or, in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,183, may be located beside the dishes. The removed substances then drop to the bottom of a tub beneath the dishes.

Typically, a dishwasher contains at least one crockery basket or rack, usually two, each with a number of upstanding tines to hold the crockery in an upright position to allow for maximum cleaning. Occasionally, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,790 B2, dishwashers will contain a bottle rack for separately placing dishware products having a hollow shape, such as milk bottles and feeding bottles, in a vertical position to maximize cleaning. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,033, an article holder for the dish rack of a dishwasher is provided for securely holding cup shaped articles in an upright position on the sides of the basket. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,655,267 a detachable device to prevent damage to glasses and cups from heavier metal instruments by more forcefully supporting the objects is disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,822 discloses an arrangement to prevent damage to dishware due to the deterioration of coatings of a wire rack due to continued exposure to high levels of heat by introducing a removable and replaceable sleeve. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,288, plates are occasionally held in place by tilted racks on both sides and with raised lower supports extending from one tilted rack to the other, and also holding the dish. In addition to dishes, specific types of reusable bags can also be washed in dishwashers, using the special dishwasher attachment shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,018. Also known is an accessory which may be clamped in an upright manner to an existing basket, to hold a baby bottle.

A need has developed to address one or more shortcomings of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present technology is directed to a dishwasher accessory to hold or help hold in place various items of crockery to maximize the support given to these items to help prevent them from falling over and/or being cleaned improperly.

In one example, a dishwasher accessory may be removably secured to a rack of the dishwasher in such a way as to blend with the existing structure of the rack, in a space conserving manner. For example, the dishwasher accessory may have a main body with a distal end that is aligned with the tines, but extends to a height that is greater than the height of the tine.

In one example, a dishwasher accessory is attachable to one or more existing tines of a dishwasher, e.g., by providing the accessory with hollow ends than can be slid over the existing tines.

The accessory may have a predefined shape, or it may be deformable, e.g., in one of three ways: elastically, plastically or in a plurality of predetermined positions, similar to how a drinking straw with corrugations is adjustable.

In another example of the present technology, there is provided an accessory for supporting crockery in a dishwasher, the accessory comprising a generally U-shaped main body having a pair of legs and a connecting portion that connects the pair of legs, at least one of the legs having a free end that is adapted to be releasably attached to a crockery basket in the dishwasher when in an installation position, and a smoothly or gently radiused portion connecting each leg to the connecting portion, wherein the legs are spaced apart in the installation position a sufficient distance to promote stability of the crockery. The sufficient distance maybe about 4-15 cm, or about 8-12 or about 5-8 cm, or at least 4 cm.

In another example of the present technology, there is provided an accessory for a dishwasher having at least one crockery basket with a base and upstanding tines extending at an angle relative to the base, said accessory comprising a main body having a proximal end for connection to the crockery basket, and a distal end extending away from the proximal end, e.g., in cantilever fashion, wherein the distal end is angled to match the angle at which the upstanding tines of the crockery basket are oriented and dimensioned to extend a height that is greater than the height of the tines.

In another example of the present technology, there is provided an accessory for a dishwasher for washing crockery, the dishwasher having at least one crockery basket, said accessory comprising a main body having a proximal end for connection to the crockery basket, and a distal end extending away from the proximal end in cantilever fashion, wherein the main body, e.g., distal end, is adjustable in dependence on shape and/or size of the crockery.

These and other aspects of the present technology will be described in or apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is described in relation to several examples that may share one or more common features. It should be noted that an aspect of one example can be combined with an aspect of another example, and that any aspect of any example may form the basis for subject matter applicant may wish to pursue.

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a dishwasher5for washing and/or drying crockery items, such as dishes, frying pans, cookie sheets, cutting boards, bowls, pots, etc. Dishwasher5includes a manually openable door10and a compartment15. Door10is openable to allow access to the compartment15. Door10will form a generally water/air tight seal relative to the compartment15when closed. The compartment15includes at least one crockery basket20,25.

FIG. 2shows further details of a portion of the sample crockery basket25, within which are several rows of generally parallel base rails27and upright tines30, generally used to support the items of crockery to maximize cleaning efficiency. However, sometimes the existing tines30are not enough to fully and/or optimally stabilize larger and/or irregular items, in a space conserving manner, in which case such items may not be fully washed/rinsed, or they may impact the loading/cleaning efficiency of surrounding items. There are several different designs for the dishwasher accessories, and each one may be specifically designed to support a different type of crockery item, or they may be adjustable.

FIGS. 2 through 8show a first example of a dishwasher accessory45of the present technology. The dishwasher accessory45attaches or is otherwise provided to the crockery basket20, in an easily removable manner. Dishwasher accessory45can be provided to the base rail27, existing tines30, or even sides of the basket25.

As shown inFIG. 2, accessory45has a main body46, a proximal end50that is attached to the basket and a distal end55that extends away from the distal end50. The accessory45may have a generally U-shape, including a pair of legs60and a connecting portion56(FIG. 4) although other shapes are contemplated. The U-shape is able to better fit the contour of dishes and other crockery and avoids the potential for sharp points (e.g., from existing tines) that may cause damage to the crockery and/or premature wear on the accessory itself, which may be a malleable wire coated with a soft layer, e.g., plastic, etc.

The spacing between the legs may be about 4-15 cm, e.g., 5-8 cm, or 8-12 cm (or roughly about 95 mm) to ensure adequate contact with the crockery, and/or to best ensure stability of the crockery in an upright or optimal cleaning position that can robustly withstand the various cleaning/rinsing cycles which occur in a dishwasher. If the distance between the legs is less than 4 cm, then the stability of the crockery may be compromised, and if the distance is greater than about 15 cm, then the accessory will be wider than a large percentage of the crockery that is intended to be supported by the accessory.

The U-shape may also include smooth, radiused transitions57(FIG. 4) between the legs60of the U-shape and the connecting portion56or distal end55of the U-shape, to enhance stable support. The distal end55and/or the radiused transitions57are intended to support the crockery.

Each leg60of the U shape may include an attaching member for attaching to the base rails27of the basket25. InFIG. 2, each end of the legs60includes an attaching member in the form of a claw65, one attached or otherwise provided to each leg60of the accessory. Each claw65includes a cross member70and at least one hook member75, with two such hook members for each claw65being shown in the example ofFIG. 2. The hook members75are spaced to provide sufficient stability.

FIGS. 2 and 3show the accessory45in the attached or installation position relative to the basket25. As shown inFIG. 3, the angle of the main body46is selected to match the angle of the existing tines30(part of the accessory45is hidden behind the tine30), which helps to ensure that the accessory blends45with the basket25, to help maintain maximum loading capacity and cleaning efficiency. The main body46, e.g., the distal and/or proximal ends50,55of the accessory45can be adjustable relative to the cross member70, e.g., by using deformable materials such as malleable wires, to allow the angle of tines to be matched.

FIG. 3shows the distal end55of the accessory45to extend an exposed height h that is greater than the height of the tines30, e.g., in the range of about 5-10 cm. The accessory has an overall height of approximately 10-20 cm.

WhileFIGS. 2 and 3show the accessory in the attached or installation position,FIG. 4shows the accessory in the pre-attached, pre-installation position. As shown inFIG. 4, the legs60are pulled outwards from both sides in the directions indicated by the arrows until the distance76between the claws65, and more particularly the tips of the hooks75, is more than the distance77(FIG. 2) between the base rails27. Once the legs60are stretched to achieve this distance, they are released at which point the resiliency of the legs causes the hooks75to “snap” in and firmly engage the respective rails27. It can be appreciated that the legs60inFIG. 4converge towards one another as seen in the direction of the proximal end50of the accessory45, but the legs60are generally parallel once the accessory45takes up the attached position (FIG. 2).

FIG. 4shows that the hook75is formed at an angle α relative to the cross member70of the claw65.FIG. 8shows the accessory45from the front, making more apparent the angle α between the cross75and the hook80that makes supporting larger crockery easier. The angle α is in the range of 5-45 degrees, or about 10-30 degrees.

FIG. 5shows the accessory in side view, including the angle β that is between the proximal end50and the cross member70. Angle β is in the range of about 45 to less than 90 degrees or about 60-75 degrees. The angles α and β may be adjustable, e.g., by making the accessory of spring wire that can be deformed.

Adjustability may be provided in the form of an adjustment mechanism, e.g., to allow selection of two or more predetermined positions, e.g., like corrugations in a drinking straw may allow the tip of the straw to assume a number of positions. As seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, the angle β may result in the distal end55of the accessory being positioned slightly outward of an extent73between the hooks75. Although the distal end55is shown to project a small distance71(e.g., of a few millimeters, e.g., 1-10 mm) outside one of the hooks75, the distal end55may be positioned within the extent73and between the claws as seen inFIGS. 6 and 7. Such configuration helps to provide stability (given the distance between the hooks) and at the same time allow the angle β to match the angle of the tines in the basket.

FIGS. 9 through 13show a second example of a dishwasher accessory200according to the present technology. Accessory200is similar to accessory45and thus parts that operate in the same manner will not be repeated for the sake of conciseness, where like reference numbers indicate like parts. Accessory200differs from accessory45in a variant on the way that it can be attached to the crockery basket's base rails27. As shown inFIG. 9, the claws265are rotated 90° compared to the claws65shown inFIGS. 2-8. The claws265may be fixedly attached in this manner, or they can be adjustable via an adjustment mechanism, e.g., the proximal end250may be swivelable or rotatable relative to the cross member270. When in this position, the claws265can be squeezed in the direction indicated by the arrows against the natural resiliency of opposed legs260of the accessory, which again has a generally U-shape. This is in contrast to the pulling the legs outwards in relation to accessory45.

FIG. 10features the accessory200in a relaxed, pre-installation position (solid lines) as well as in the installation position (broken lines). Again, the legs260are generally parallel to one another in the installation position, and generally not parallel (diverging away from one another in the direction of the proximal ends250) in the pre-installation position. As compared to accessory45, a distance266between the claws may be less than the distance76between the claws as shown inFIG. 4, which distance may be more useful if the base rails27of the basket25are closer to one another.

As shown inFIG. 14, an accessory290can also be manufactured of a material (e.g., spring wire) that that allows the claws65,265to be positioned in either the inwardly facing orientation (FIGS. 2-8) or alternatively the outwardly facing orientation (FIGS. 9-13).FIG. 14shows the inwardly facing orientation in the broken lines, which can be converted into the solid line orientation by bending one leg60,260over the distal end as indicated by the arrow until the claws65,265face away from one another.

FIGS. 15 and 16show another example of an accessory300according to the present technology. Accessory300is similar to accessory45, but has an exposed height H, i.e., the amount it rises above the tines30, that is greater than the exposed height h shown inFIG. 3in relation to accessory45. The greater height H allows for better and/or more complete support of even taller pieces of crockery, e.g., cookie sheets. The exposed height H is approximately 10-15 cm.

FIG. 16also shows that the claw365to have a slightly different shape. Specifically, the claw365includes a cross member370and a hook375, as above, but the hook375is generally radiused rather than being angled relative to the cross member370.

FIGS. 17-22show another variant of an accessory400according to the present technology. Accessory400includes a proximal end450and a distal end455, but the proximal end450attaches onto the crockery basket in a different manner as compared to the examples discussed above. For example, the accessory400is U-shaped and includes first and second legs460, the proximal end of which is connected to the tines30(FIG. 22). In the specific example shown each end450has a hollow tip portion451dimensioned to receive the end30.1of an existing tine30of the crockery basket25. Specifically, the inner diameter d of the hollow tip portion is about equal to, or slightly greater or less than, the diameter D (or cross sectional dimension) of the end30.1of tine30. The hollow tip portions451may take the form of a blind bore to limit the insertion depth (e.g., 1-2 cm) of the tines30into the hollow tip portions451of the accessory400.

As shown inFIG. 18, accessory500has a general “U” shape, with the distal and proximal ends being in the same general plane, as also shown inFIGS. 19-21. The distal end provides a smooth surface such that crockery, e.g., a plate or pan499(FIG. 22) with a shallow concavity, can be supported in a position that is more ideal for dishwashing machines and without scratching and with improved stability.

FIGS. 23-28show an accessory500according to another aspect of the present technology. Accessory500shares many similarities with accessory400. One main difference is that the accessory500has a more pronounced three dimensional shape to better support crockery with a deeper bowl area, as shown inFIG. 28. The accessory may have a pre-defined shape, or it may start off in a generally planar state as in the accessory400and be bent or shaped to match the general dimensions or depth of the crockery to be supported, e.g., by plastic deformation and/or by elastic deformation due to the weight of the crockery.

Accessory500has a generally U-shape with a pair of legs560or proximal portions550and a connecting portion556or distal portion555that connects the legs560to one another. Legs560have hollow tips551as described above, and begin to curve at a distance553that is about two thirds of the total height554of the accessory500. The connecting portion556extends at an angle δ that is about 50-80 degrees relative to the legs560. This shape helps to support bowls or other deeply concave crockery, e.g., pots.

While the accessory shown inFIGS. 23-28includes hollow ends that receive tines of the basket, in an alternative, the accessory500may be attached to the basket using an attachment mechanism like those shown and described in relation toFIG. 8orFIG. 9, e.g., claw like attachment mechanism.

While the present technology has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred examples, it is to be understood that the technology is not to be limited to the disclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.