Patent Publication Number: US-11045067-B2

Title: Dishware supporting arrangement and dishwasher comprising dishware supporting arrangement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/075014 filed Oct. 19, 2016, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments herein relate to dishwashers and accessories therefor. In particular, the embodiments herein relate to a dishware supporting arrangement and a dishwasher comprising a dishware supporting arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Today&#39;s dishwashers are expected to perform high quality wash of dishware while at the same time use a relatively small amount of energy in order to account for environmental concerns. It is also expected that washed dishware, such as items, plates, glasses, silverware etc., are dry after a program cycle of a dishwasher. The program cycle usually comprises a washing phase and a drying phase. In the last step of the washing phase, fresh water is sprayed at the dishware in order to rinse off detergent from the washed dishware. After the washing phase, water-drops and pools of water are usually formed on the washed items and on racks and shelves inside the dishwasher due to surface tension. Before the drying phase starts, the interior of the dishwasher is typically heated to cause remaining water to evaporate. This is achieved by heating up the dishware with hot water in a hot rinse phase. After that hot air may be blown in to dry the dishware using heaters arranged within the dishwasher and/or by blowing into the dishwasher. The remaining water will then evaporate and the size of the water-drops will be gradually reduced. 
     One problem with today&#39;s dishwashers is that some water-drops may remain on the surfaces of for example the shelves and may not be completely evaporated during the drying phase. Disadvantageously, the water-drops may fall down on dry dishware when the shelves and/or the racks are displaced, e.g. when the washed dishware is to be moved into a closet or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the embodiments herein is to provide an improved dishware supporting arrangement, such as a shelf of a dishwasher mentioned above, that overcomes or at least alleviates at least some of the above mentioned problem and/or disadvantages. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a dishware supporting arrangement configured to be mounted on a rack of a dishwasher, the rack having a rack main extension plane. The dishware supporting arrangement comprises a mesh structure having a structure main extension plane, wherein the mesh structure comprises a first plurality of ribs connected to a second plurality of ribs. The first plurality of ribs extends along a first plane and the second plurality of ribs extends along a second plane. In other words, the first plurality of ribs extends along the first plane in that the first plurality of ribs extends in directions within the first plane or in directions being parallel to the first plane, but at a distance from the first plane. In a similar way the second plurality of ribs extends in a second direction parallelly orientated in relation to the second plane and within the second plane or at a distance from the second plane. The first plane is arranged at a first angle in relation to the structure main extension plane and the second plane is arranged at a second angle in relation to the structure main extension plane. Thereby, the first plurality of ribs are inclined in relation to the structure main extension plane with the first angle and the second plurality of ribs are inclined in relation to the structure main extension plane with the second angle. 
     The dishware supporting arrangement further comprises a tilting mechanism arranged to allow the mesh structure to be tilted around at least one axis between a first position and a second position. The mesh structure may thereby be at least partly rotated around the at least one axis. In this manner, the mesh structure may easily be displaced between the first position and the second position. 
     Further, the tilting mechanism is arranged to hold the mesh structure in the first position and in the second position. Thus, when the mesh structure is displaced to the first position, the mesh structure is stabilized, e.g. snapped into, in the first position by means of the tilting mechanism. Similarly, when the mesh structure is displaced to the second position, the mesh structure is stabilized in the second position by means of the tilting mechanism. 
     Each of the first plurality of ribs and each of the second plurality of ribs are inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane at the first position and at the second position. Thereby, at the first and second positions of the mesh structure, each rib of the first plurality of ribs and each rib of the second plurality of ribs are inclined with respect to the rack main extension plane. Thanks to that the rack main extension plane usually extends along a horizontal plane when the rack is mounted inside a dishwasher, while assuming the dishwasher to be placed in a normal operating position, each rib of the first plurality of ribs and each rib of the second plurality of ribs are inclined, i.e. are angled, in relation to the horizontal plane at the first position and at the second position. Thereby, none of the first plurality of ribs and none of the second plurality of ribs are parallel in relation to the horizontal plane at the first position and at the second position during use of the dishwasher. 
     As mentioned, a washing fluid, such as washing liquid or water or mixture of the washing liquid and the water, may form droplets or pools on the dishware supporting arrangement. Since each of the first plurality of ribs and each of the second plurality of ribs are inclined in relation to the horizontal plane at the first position and at the second position, the washing fluid, such as water-drops, droplets, pools or the like, flows along the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs downwards due to gravity. In some situations, washing fluid droplets meets other droplets on their way downwards. Thus, resulting in bigger droplets that may more easily fall off, or separate from, the mesh structure compare to when the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs are horizontally oriented. 
     Thus, an improved dishware supporting arrangement is achieved that improves draining, i.e. running off of washing fluid from the dishware supporting arrangement during a programmed cycle of a dishwasher. 
     As a result, the above mentioned object is achieved. 
     According to some embodiments, the structure main extension plane is arranged at a third angle in relation to the rack main extension plane at the first position. Likewise, the structure main extension plane is arranged at a fourth angle in relation to the rack main extension plane at the second position. The fourth angle is greater than the third angle. 
     Thus, at the first position the structure is less inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane compare to the second position. 
     Optionally, the first angle and the second angle are less than the third angle. Thus, each rib of the first plurality of ribs and each rib of the second plurality of ribs are inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane at the first position and at the second position and at all positions between the first position and the second position. 
     According to some embodiments, the mesh structure is arranged to support dishware at the first position. Thus, at the first position, the dishware may be placed on the mesh structure. 
     Further, the mesh structure may comprise a supporting side adapted to support the dishware, wherein each rib of the first plurality of ribs and each rib the second plurality of ribs has a cross sectional profile comprising a tip pointing oppositely to a direction from the support side and away from the support side. This direction being referred to as “normal direction” of the mesh structure. With other words the tip is pointing in a direction downward while assuming the dishwasher to be placed in a normal operating position. Thereby, droplets of washing fluid that are collected on the mesh structure flows downwards and ends up at the tip. Thanks to the tip, the droplets that end up at the tip have a smaller contact area with the first plurality of ribs and with the second plurality of ribs as compared to when the cross sectional profile has an even horizontal side on that side of the cross sectional profile that is opposite to the normal direction. Consequently, forces keeping the droplets at the ribs are reduced and thereby the droplets fall off, or separates from, the ribs more easily. 
     According to some embodiments, the cross sectional profile is shaped as a rhomb. 
     The mesh structure may comprise a plastic material. Thereby, a mesh structure is achieved that:—has low weight,—is suitable for an environment with a lot of water, and—is easy and cheap to manufacture. 
     Further, a projection of the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs onto a plane perpendicularly orientated with respect to the at least one axis may be described by a zig-zag pattern. 
     According to another aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a dishwasher comprising a dishware supporting arrangement according to the embodiments herein. 
     Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that the different features described may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplifying dishwasher comprising a rack and a dishware supporting arrangement, 
         FIG. 2 a    is a plan view illustrating a mesh structure of an exemplifying dishware supporting arrangement, 
         FIG. 2 b    is a top view illustrating the mesh structure in  FIG. 2   a,    
         FIG. 3  is another plan view illustrating the dishware supporting arrangement of  FIG. 1  with the mesh structure of  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    in two different positions, 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross section of two ribs of the mesh structure illustrated in  FIG. 2 a , 2 b    and  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 5  is a pattern of the mesh structure in  FIG. 2 a , 2 b    and  FIG. 3  projected on a plane. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a dishware supporting arrangement  1  arranged on a rack  3 . The rack  3  is arranged within an interior of a dishwasher  5 . The rack  3  is mounted in the dishwasher  5  in a known manner, and therefore not described in detail. The rack main extension plane m 1  is a plane in which the rack  3  substantially extends and along which the rack  3  is displaceable, e.g. in a typical case of an upper rack, in and out of the dishwasher  5  for facilitating removal and insertion of dishware onto the rack  3 . If a position of the rack  3  within the dishwasher  5  or outside of the dishwasher  5  is changed, a change of a position of the rack main extension plane m 1  occurs as a consequence thereof. When the dishwasher  5  is placed in a normal operating position, the rack main extension plane m 1  coincides with a horizontal plane. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the dishware supporting arrangement  1  comprises a mesh structure  7  having a structure main extension plane m 2 . The structure main extension plane m 2  extends along a plane in which the mesh structure  7  substantially extends. The mesh structure  7  may comprise, e.g. be made of, a plastic material as for example a polymer, or coated steel. The mesh structure  7  may be manufactured in one piece, for example by molding. 
     The dishware supporting arrangement  1  according to  FIG. 1  comprises a tilting mechanism  13  arranged to allow the mesh structure  7  to be titled around at least one axis between a first position and a second position described in detail in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . 
     According to  FIG. 2 a   , the mesh structure  7  comprises a first plurality of ribs  9  connected to a second plurality of ribs  11 . For simplicity only two of the first plurality of ribs  9  and the second plurality of ribs  11  have been marked. The first plurality of ribs  9  is connected to the second plurality of ribs  11  at connection portions  4 . Each rib of the first plurality of ribs  9  is connected to at least one other rib of the first plurality of ribs  9  and to at least one of the second plurality of ribs  11 . In similar way each of the second plurality of ribs  11  is connected to at least one other of the second plurality of ribs  11  and to at least one of the first plurality of ribs  9 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 a    the first plurality of ribs  9  extends along a first plane n 1  and the second plurality of ribs  11  extends along a second plane n 2 . In other words, the first plurality of ribs  9  extends along the first plane n 1  in that the first plurality of ribs  9  extends in directions within the first plane n 1  or in directions being parallel to the first plane n 1 , but at a distance from the first plane n 1 . In a similar way the second plurality of ribs  11  extends along the second plane n 2  in that the second plurality of ribs  11  extends in directions within the second plane n 2  or in directions being parallel to the second plane, but at a distance from the second plane n 2 . 
     The first plane n 1  is arranged at a first angle a 1  in relation to the structure main extension plane m 2  and the second plane n 2  is arranged at a second angle a 2  in relation to the structure main extension plane m 2 . The first angle a 1  and the second angle a 2  may for example be in a range of 5-45°. The first angle a 1  and the second angle a 2  may be equal or may be different. 
     The first plurality of ribs  9  has a first length d 1  and the second plurality of ribs  11  has a second length d 2 . The first length d 1  and second length d 2  may be equal or may be different. The first length d 1  and second length d 2  may for example be in a range of 5-200 mm. 
       FIG. 2 b    illustrates a top view of the mesh structure  7  in  FIG. 2 a    and  FIG. 1 . As can be seen the mesh structure is created by the first plurality of ribs  9  connected to the second plurality of ribs  11  forming squares connected to each other. The first plurality of ribs  9  is connected to the second plurality of ribs  11  at a first rib angle c 1 . The first plurality of ribs  9  or the second plurality of ribs  11  are connected to each other at a second rib angle c 2 . 
     In  FIG. 2 b    only angle c 2  between two of the second plurality of ribs  11  is illustrated. However, two of the first plurality of ribs  9  may also be connected at an angle with the same value as the second rib angle c 2 . The first rib angle c 1  and the second rib angle c 2  may be in a range of 90-150°. According to some embodiments the top view of the mesh structure may have different patterns as for example the first plurality of ribs  9  may be connected to the second plurality of ribs  11  forming rhombs connected to each other. The mesh structure  7  may be rotated around an axis A 1 . According to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the axis A 1  is arranged along a longer side of the structure  7 . However the axis A 1  may be positioned at any other positions at the mesh structure  7 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed side-view of the dishware supporting arrangement  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . As mentioned, the dishware supporting arrangement  1  comprises the tilting mechanism  13 , which is arranged to allow the mesh structure  7  to be titled, i.e. rotated around at least one axis A 1  between the aforementioned first position p 1  and the aforementioned second position p 2 . The tilting mechanism  13  may comprise a track (not shown) and the mesh structure  7  may comprise a protrusion (not shown) adapted to move along the track. Thus, a user may displace the structure  7  between the first position p 1  and the second position p 2  e.g. by pulling or pushing by hand at the mesh structure  7 . Thereby, the protrusion may be caused to move along the track while the mesh structure  7  tilts, or at least partly rotates, around the axis A 1 . 
     Further, the tilting mechanism  13  may be arranged to hold the mesh structure  7  in the first position p 1  and in the second position p 2  by a first stop mechanism (not shown) arranged to stabilize the mesh structure  7  in the first position p 1 , and by a second stop mechanism (not shown) arranged to stabilize the mesh structure  7  in the second position p 2 . The first and second stop mechanisms may be realized by any known stop mechanisms, such as a snap grip or the like. 
     At the first position p 1 , the structure main extension plane m 2  is arranged at a third angle a 3  in relation to the rack main extension plane m 1 , and at the second position p 2  the structure main extension plane m 2  is arranged at a fourth angle a 4  in relation to the rack main extension plane m 1 . According to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the fourth angle a 4  is greater than the third angle a 3 . The third angle may be in a range of 6-45° and the fourth angle a 4  may be in a range of 75-90°. 
     At the first position p 1 , the mesh structure  7  is arranged to support dishware intended to be washed in the dishwasher. The dishware, such as cups, glasses or silverware, may be placed on the mesh structure  7  at the first position p 1  of the mesh structure  7 . The mesh structure  7  further comprises a supporting side  15  adapted to support the dishware. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each of the first plurality of ribs  9  and each of the second plurality of ribs  11  are inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane m 1  at the first position p 1  and at the second position p 2 . Thereby, the washing fluid, such as water-drops, flows along the first plurality of ribs  9  and the second plurality of ribs  11  downwards due to gravity which improves draining, i.e. running off of washing fluid from the mesh structure and dishware during a drying phase of a program cycle of a dishwasher. The draining of the washing fluid is improved both in the first position p 1  of the mesh structure  7  and at the second position p 2 . At the second position p 2  the mesh structure  7  has been tilted, i.e. rotated around the axis A 1  in a direction shown as counter clockwise in relation to the first position p 1  in  FIG. 3 . At the second position p 2 , the mesh structure  7  is in an idle position, i.e. at the second position p 2  the mesh structure is not intended to support any dishware. 
     According to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first angle a 1  and the second angle a 2  are less than the third angle a 3 . Thus, each rib of the first plurality of ribs  9  and each rib of the second plurality of ribs  11  are inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane m 1  at the first position p 1  and at the second position p 2  and at all positions between the first position p 1  and the second position p 2 . Alternatively, the first angle a 1  and the second angle a 2  may be greater than the third angle a 3 , but still the first angle a 1  and the second angle a 2  should be different from the third angle a 3 . Further, the first angle a 1  may be less than the third angle a 3  and the second angle a 2  may be greater than the third angle a 3 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cross section of two ribs across a line A-A in  FIG. 2 b   . Each of the first plurality of ribs  9  and the second plurality of ribs  11  has a cross sectional profile that may be shaped as a rhomb. Further, the cross sectional profile may be symmetrical or asymmetrical in relation to axis S 1  and S 2 . The first plurality of ribs may have different cross sectional profile than the second plurality of ribs. 
     Each of the first plurality of ribs  9  and the second plurality of ribs  11  may comprise an upper tip  6 . Due to the upper tips  6  of the mesh structure  7 , the dishware supported by the mesh structure  7  at the first position have smaller contact area with the mesh structure  7  compared to when the cross sectional profile has an even and substantially horizontal supporting side  15  of the mesh structure  7 . By this, draining, i.e. running off, of washing fluid from the dishware and from the mesh structure is facilitated. As an effect drying process of the dishware is improved. 
     According to some embodiments the cross sectional profile of each of the first plurality of ribs  9  and the second plurality of ribs  11  may comprise a tip  17  pointing opposite to a direction from the support side  15  and away from the support side  15 . With other words, opposite in relation to the upper tips  6 . Thereby, forces keeping the washing fluid at the ribs are reduced and by this, the draining of the washing fluid from the ribs is improved. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a projection of the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs of the structure onto a plane B perpendicularly orientated with respect to the at least one axis A, which plane B is illustrated in  FIG. 2 b   . The projection illustrated in the  FIG. 5  forms a zig-zag pattern. In this manner, accommodation of for example knives intended to be washed on the structure is facilitated. 
     Even though embodiments of the various aspects have been described, many different alterations, modifications and the like thereof will become apparent for those skilled in the art. The described embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.