Abstract:
A domestic appliance, and a dishwasher in particular, which includes a rack which is able to be reversibly pulled out from within the dishwasher for the placement of dishware and/or crockery, wherein the rack includes an actuator configured to rotate a multi-sided rotatable tine body such as to select between a discrete number of predetermined tine configurations which differ in tine height, spacing, and the distance between tines.

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
       [0001]    The present technology relates to a domestic dishwasher. More specifically, the present technology relates to an improved dishwasher featuring a rack configured to provide improved functionality, efficiency, and/or robustness. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A common domestic appliance found in many homes is the dishwasher. The dishwasher generally includes a compartment within which dishes and/or crockery are placed for treatment and/or washing. The compartment usually contains at least one rack designed to hold the items placed within the compartment for cleaning. The compartment is generally enclosed and sealed by a hinged door or sliding drawer, either of which may have a handle. Within the compartment, there are usually a number of sprayers, e.g., nozzles, arranged to provide spraying water to assist with the treatment and/or washing of dishes and/or crockery. A basin designed to collect water sprayed from the nozzles is located within the base of the compartment. The basin contains a drain and a hose which allows water to drain and be removed from the compartment at the conclusion of a wash cycle. The dishwasher also includes a detergent and/or prewash dispenser arranged and configured to release detergent and/or prewash into the compartment during the wash and/or treatment cycle. The dispenser often includes a cover to hold the detergent and/or prewash in place and may be arranged to selectively release the detergent into the compartment. 
         [0003]    The rack may include wheels and/or rollers to allow the rack to roll out from within the compartment and grant access to the whole of the rack to a user wanting to place dishes and/or crockery into or remove dishes and/or crockery from within the dishwasher. The racks may be configured to have a particular permanent design to accommodate a variety of shapes which may be placed into the rack as dishware and/or crockery. The design may feature tines or prongs which project from the rack as part of a particular permanent design such that dishware and/or crockery can be organized when placed into the rack. 
         [0004]    Designing a rack with a particular permanent shape and design has limitations and shortcomings. In particular, dishware, crockery, glassware, and utensils are increasingly and continuously being designed in a variety of shapes and sizes. Therefore, a rack with a singular configuration with a permanent shape, including having projecting tines, may not be able to accommodate a sufficient amount of differing items in a particular wash cycle due to differences in size and shape. This limitation requires a user to run multiple dishwasher cycles, whereby each cycle of the dishwasher is run at less than its most efficient state due to inefficient or incomplete loading of the dishwasher via its rack or racks. Additionally, some shapes or arrangements of racks within a dishwasher may prevent some items, due to their shape, size, or height, from being able to be loaded and/or washed within the dishwasher at all. 
         [0005]    A need has developed to address one or more shortcomings of the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present technology addresses one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art. 
         [0007]    An aspect of the present technology includes a dishwasher with at least one rack with an adjustable shape and/or configuration to accommodate a variety of items to be placed in the dishwasher. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present technology includes a dishwasher with at least one rack with adjustable tines configured to allow multiple tine size and/or spacing arrangements within the rack. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present technology includes a dishwasher with a third rack comprising at least one set of adjustable tines configured to accommodate a variety of items within the third rack. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present technology includes a dishwasher with a third rack arranged as a top rack comprising at least one set of adjustable tines configured to allow multiple arrangements of tine height and/or tine spacing. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present technology includes a domestic appliance comprising: a housing; a compartment within the housing; an opening arranged in the compartment configured to allow the insertion and/or removal of items to be cleaned and/or treated into the housing; a door configured to close the opening and create a sealed compartment during use; and a first component arranged within the compartment configured to receive items to be washed and/or treated during use of the domestic appliance; wherein the first component is configured to have an arrangement that is able to be changed by a user of the domestic appliance when the appliance is not in use to alter the items which can be received within the first component. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present technology includes a dishwasher comprising: a housing; a compartment within the housing; an opening arranged in the compartment configured to allow the insertion and/or removal of dishware and/or crockery to be cleaned and/or treated into the housing; a door configured to close the opening and create a sealed compartment during use; and at least a rack, the rack being a third, top rack slidably installed within the compartment and configured to be movable from a retracted position where the rack is substantially within the compartment to an extended position where the rack is substantially projecting out of the compartment; wherein the rack is configured to have an adjustable shape and/or configuration to accommodate a variety of different sized and shaped items of dishware, utensils, and/or crockery. 
         [0013]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of this technology will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative example of a standard dishwasher. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative example of an existing dishwasher with three racks. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3( a )  is an illustrative example of a standard middle or bottom rack provided in a standard dishwasher comprising three racks. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3( b )  is an illustrative example of a standard top rack provided in a standard dishwasher comprising three racks. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4( a )  is a perspective view of a rack according to a first example of the present technology in a first configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4( b )  is a perspective view of a rack according to a first example of the present technology in a second configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4( c )  is a perspective view of a rack according to a first example of the present technology in a third configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5( a )  is a perspective view of a rack according to a second example of the present technology. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5( b )  is an additional perspective view of a rack according to a second example of the present technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The following description is provided in relation to several examples which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of the other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the examples may constitute additional examples. 
         [0024]    Throughout this disclosure, terms such as first, second, third, etc., are used. However, use of such terms are not intended to be limiting or indicative of a specific order or preference, but instead are used to distinguish similarly described features from one another. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows an illustrative example of a standard dishwasher  100 . The dishwasher as depicted is illustrated with its door  102  unattached to the dishwasher housing  101  and thus illustrates an open compartment  103  within the housing  101 . The dishwasher  100  includes a water supply line  104  and a drain line  105 . The dishwasher also includes at least one motor  106  which is utilized to rotate at least a first spraying element  107 . Additional motors may be provided to rotate additional spraying elements which may be attached to, i.e., rack  110 , the top of the compartment, and other locations determined to beneficially provide spraying to the interior of the dishwasher. Water is supplied to the dishwasher via water supply line  104  from an external source and pumped to the spraying elements via pump  109 . Water may also be supplied and/or pumped to nozzles and/or spouts provided in addition to the spraying elements discussed above, such as on the walls or roof of the compartment, or via passageways which may be static or dynamic as well as fashioned within other components like a central spraying element  112 , which may be configured to be extendable during a wash cycle. Water supplied to the system and/or the interior of the compartment may be heated by heating element  111 . The rack may be installed within the compartment along sliding rails  115  with wheels  114  to facilitate movement into and out of the compartment. Although a door is used throughout this description, any suitable closure, such as a drawer, may also be used. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates an existing dishwasher utilizing a three rack configuration. In this example, simplified relative to  FIG. 1 , the dishwasher  200  comprises a first, top rack  201 , a second, middle rack  202 , and a third, bottom rack  203 . The top rack  201  is configured to be the same or very similar in terms of width and depth to the middle rack  202  and the bottom rack  203 , but with a significantly reduced height. As is clear from the example, the top rack  201  may be configured to have a height which is less than or approximately half the height of either middle rack  202  or bottom rack  203 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3( a )  shows an example of a standard rack found in some existing dishwashers. This configuration is most commonly associated with a bottom or middle rack where the dishwasher features three racks. Rack  300  includes at least rack body  302 , tines  304 , and compartment engagement means  315 . Compartment engagement means are often a set of wheels  314  or sliders which engage guide components that allow the rack to be pulled at least partially from the compartment when the dishwasher is open and not in use. The rack body  302  may be created with a flat, substantially box-like shape, or its base may be contoured and sloped in a predetermined pattern configured to fit a combination of glassware, dishware, crockery, and utensils. Tines  304  may be arranged in a predetermined pattern as well to aid with receiving and maintaining a combination of glassware, dishware, crockery, and utensils during a washing and/or treatment cycle within the dishwasher. A rack may also comprise a utensil basket  316  specifically designed to receive utensils and keep them separate from the rest of the rack and items placed thereon. Some existing dishwashers commonly have two such racks arranged such that a top rack and a bottom rack are designed with different depths and/or patterns of tines to accommodate different items of glassware, dishware, crockery and/or utensils. Generally, existing dishwasher racks are constructed as wire frames and/or as perforated bodies configured to allow the free movement of water, detergent, and particles removed from items placed into the dishwasher for treatment and/or cleaning. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3( b )  shows an example of a top rack provided in a dishwasher utilizing a three rack system. The top rack  301  consists of a rack body  321 , optional tines  324  (some third racks consist simply of a flat surface or basket without tines), and a bottom surface  325  through which at least water may pass. In some configurations, the bottom surface  325  is also configured to allow foodstuffs and other items washed from at least crockery, utensils, and dishes to pass through. The bottom surface  325  may be designed with a variety of patterns. The example shown in  FIG. 3( b )  utilizes a cross-hatched grid configuration. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4( a )  illustrates a first example of the improved design of the invention. In this example, rack  400  is illustrated as a top rack being of a reduced height relative to other racks contained within the compartment of the dishwasher. In the design of such top racks, the integration of a third rack requires reduced dimensions of the rack and increased proximity to the housing of the dishwasher such that tall items such as glassware, and stemware in particular, is not able to be accommodated in a top, third rack. However, in alternate examples, the ideas and teachings of this application may be incorporated into any of the racks utilized within a dishwasher system. Rack  400  is designed as a frame  401  comprising a perforated wire frame base  402  configured to allow water, detergent, dirt particles, and other items associated with treatment and/or wash cycles to pass through the wire frame base  402 . Rack  400  also comprises at least one actuator  405  which is configured to change the configuration of at least one set of tines  404  arranged across the body of the wire frame base  402 . The actuator  405  is illustrated as a manual front-facing knob, but may also be configured as, e.g., a switch, a button or set of buttons, a sliding catch, or a computerized/automated system, among other options. In the illustration, the tines  404  are arranged along a single axis  403  and the actuator  405  is a knob arranged at the front of the frame  401  when viewed from the front of the dishwasher. The actuator may be positioned along a front edge of the rack or anywhere accessible to a user such that it may be actuated by the user when the rack is within or pulled out from the dishwasher. 
         [0030]    In this particular example, the knob  305  is configured to allow a user to rotate a central tine body  408 , the rotation of which allows the selection of one of a finite number of tine  404  arrangements. Thus, the actuator  405  allows a user to select from a finite number of tine configurations to select an appropriate set of tines for a particular wash cycle. In the example and configuration of  FIG. 4( a ) , the actuator  405  has been turned to select tines  404  having a first setting  411  with a first height, thickness, and spacing, the tines  404  extending completely across the frame base  402 . The central tine body runs the length of the rack and may be attached to the tine arrangements from within. One end of the tine body may be attached permanently or releasably to the actuator at the front end of the top rack with the other end attached permanently or releasably attached to the other end of the top rack and/or fitted into a groove which allows rotation. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4( b )  illustrates the first example of the improved design of the invention with the tine selection actuator  405  turned (as illustrated by arrow  406 ) such that the central tine body  408  has been rotated relative to  FIG. 4( a )  and a second arrangement/configuration  412  of tines  404  has been selected. In the second setting, a lateral spine  407  is exposed as the tines  404  are substantially reduced to present a minimized interruption to the wire frame base  402  compatible with the placement of plates, pans, and/or other larger items with which tines would interfere. Additional items such as silverware, knives, and large utensils may be more easily accommodated. In one example, the tines are effectively eliminated in one selectable setting. In the second example, it can also be seen that the base  402  has been designed to accommodate the tines of first setting  411  and  413  such that when the second setting  412  is selected by a user, two tines provided with first setting  411  can fit in each provided space within the base on one side of tine body  408  and one tine provided with the third setting  413  can fit into each provided space in the base  402  on the other side of tine body  408 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4( c )  illustrates the first example of the improved design of the invention with the tine selection actuator  405  turned (as illustrated by arrow  406 ) such that the central tine body rotates further and a third configuration  413  of tines  404  is selected. In this third selected state, the tines  404  and are larger in height and spaced farther apart than the first configuration found in  FIG. 4( a ) . In this configuration, a user of the dishwasher would have the option of placing larger utensils or other items within the rack, separated and held in place by the tines  404 . Here, larger utensils may mean utensils with wider handles or larger features. While in  FIGS. 4( a )-4( c )  three selectable tine configurations are selectable, in other examples, there may be more or fewer selectable settings. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5( a )-5( b )  illustrate a second example of the improved design of the invention. The second example utilizes the tine selection actuator of  FIGS. 4( a ) - 4 ( c ) and the first, second, and third configuration as selectable options for its tines, but utilizes a second central tine body  509  extending across wire frame base  502 . In this illustration, first tine body  508  and second tine body  509  are oriented in parallel.  FIG. 5  illustrates a first actuator  505  for selecting a tine configuration of first tine body  508  and a second actuator  506  for selecting a tine configuration of the second tine body  509 . In  FIG. 5( a ) , both the first actuator  505  and the second actuator  506  have been oriented to provide the same tine configuration. In  FIG. 5( b ) , the first actuator  505  and the second actuator  506  have been oriented to provide two different tine configurations. The actuators may be configured to be operated independently or cooperatively. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4( a )-5( b )  illustrate the first and second examples, which are not limited to only having three configurations available for selection by the actuator. The central tine body may offer any number of predetermined configurations of tines to be selected by the actuator. Additionally, there may be one, two, or more tine bodies utilized to provide a set of predetermined tine configurations which may be arranged in parallel, equally spaced across the wire frame base, or they may be oriented at angles to each other at varying distances. 
         [0035]    In an alternative configuration the actuator is configured to allow dynamic selection of tines configured to project from a central tine body. In such an alternative, actuating the actuator, instead of simply rotating a central body to choose between a discrete number of preselected tine arrangements, causes the tines to project more or less from the central tine body, rather than simply rotating the central tine body from a first predetermined configuration to an alternative second, third, etc., configuration. Such a dynamic system could be accomplished by a coiling mechanism which allows a material comprising the tines to be released or stored, depending on if a user wishes to make the tines larger or smaller. Instead, or with an additional actuator, a user may be able to actuate the actuator such that the tines move farther away from each other or closer together. Such a feature may be accomplished by utilizing a similar coiling system, but instead of the individual tines each having material which causes the tines to expand or contract, such material goes the length of the tine body and may be extended or contracted from the front or rear of the rack body to cause the tines to shift axially as desired. 
         [0036]    While the present technology has been described in connection with several practical 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 technology.