Patent Publication Number: US-11382486-B2

Title: Tinted console cover for an appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to appliances, and more particularly to dishwasher appliances having a console assembly equipped with light bleed prevention features. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dishwasher appliances generally include a cabinet and a tub disposed therein that defines a wash chamber. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash chamber of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. Multiple spray assemblies can be positioned within the wash chamber for applying or directing wash fluid towards articles positioned within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. Further, dishwasher appliances typically include a door rotatably coupled with the cabinet for providing selective access to the wash chamber. 
     The door can include a console assembly that includes a controller, user input selectors or buttons, light sources for illuminating selected input selectors or other indicia, and a console cover formed of a non-clear resin. A film can be placed over the top surface of the console cover. Light emitted by the light sources is directed into the console cover and eventually passes through openings in the film, e.g., to light up a selected input selector. In some instances, light can escape or bleed from the console cover, particularly at the edges that are not covered by the light-blocking film. Users may find light bleed from the console cover undesirable and light bleed decreases the lumen intensity of the light illuminating selected input selectors. Placing light-blocking film over the edges of the console cover can be labor intensive, expensive, and can cause unsatisfactory adherence of the film to the console cover. 
     Accordingly, an appliance, such as a dishwasher appliance, having light bleed prevention features that addresses one or more of the challenges noted above would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one aspect, an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet and a door operatively coupled with the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position. The appliance also includes a console assembly mounted to the door. The console assembly includes a console cover having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface. The console assembly also includes a light source positioned below the bottom surface of the console cover, the light source operable to emit light into the console cover. Further, the console assembly includes a light blocking film mounted to the top surface of the console cover, the light blocking film operable to prevent light from passing therethrough and defining a light pass-through opening through which light passes when the light source emits light, wherein the console cover is formed at least in part of a non-clear resin. 
     In another aspect, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet. The dishwasher appliance also includes a tub positioned within the cabinet and defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. In addition, the dishwasher appliance includes a door operatively coupled with the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position for providing selective access to the wash chamber. Further, the dishwasher appliance includes a console assembly mounted to the door. The console assembly includes a console cover having a top surface, a bottom surface spaced from the top surface, and one or more edges extending between the bottom surface and the top surface. Further, the console assembly includes a light source positioned below the bottom surface of the console cover, the light source operable to emit light into the console cover. Moreover, the console assembly includes a light blocking film mounted to the top surface of the console cover, the light blocking film operable to prevent light from passing therethrough and defining a light pass-through opening through which light passes when the light source emits light, the light pass-through opening and the light source being aligned. The console cover is formed at least in part of a non-clear resin that is substantially opaque such that, when light is emitted by the light source, light emitted by the light source that passes through the console cover and the light pass-through opening is visible to a human eye and light bleed from the one or more edges is not visible to the human eye. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a dishwasher appliance according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure with a door of the dishwasher depicted in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective, cross sectional view of the door of the dishwasher appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  provides a close up, perspective cross-sectional view of the door of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  provides another close up, perspective cross-sectional view of the door of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  provides a schematic top plan view of an example embodiment of a console assembly that may be incorporated into the dishwasher appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  provides a schematic top plan view of another example embodiment of a console assembly that may be incorporated into the dishwasher appliance of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  provides a schematic top plan view of yet another example embodiment of a console assembly that may be incorporated into the dishwasher appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the term “article” may refer to, but need not be limited to dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. The term “wash cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which a dishwasher operates while containing the articles to be washed and uses a detergent and water to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable elements from the articles. The term “rinse cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwasher operates to remove residual soil, detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term “drain cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwasher operates to discharge soiled water from the dishwasher. The term “wash fluid” refers to a liquid used for washing and/or rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water that may include other additives such as detergent or other treatments. Furthermore, as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within a fifteen percent (15%) margin of error of the stated value. 
       FIG. 1  provides a dishwashing appliance or dishwasher  100  according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated, however, that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher  100 . The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only. As depicted, dishwasher  100  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another and form an orthogonal direction system. 
     Dishwasher  100  includes a cabinet  102  having a tub  104  positioned therein. Tub  104  defines a wash chamber  106  configured for receipt of articles for washing, such as pots, pans, dishes, silverware, etc. Cabinet  102  extends between a top  108  and a bottom  109  along the vertical direction V, between a front  110  and a back  111  along the transverse direction T, and a first side  112  (e.g., a left side) and a second side  113  (e.g., a right side) along the lateral direction L. Tub  104  includes or defines a front opening  114 . 
     A door  116  is operatively coupled with cabinet  102 . Door  116  provides selective access to wash chamber  106 . For this embodiment, door  116  is hinged at its bottom with cabinet  102  for movement between a normally closed vertical position (not shown), wherein the wash chamber  106  is sealed shut for washing operation at front opening  114 , and an open position for loading and unloading of articles from dishwasher  100 . Dishwasher  100  includes a door closure mechanism or assembly  118  that is used to lock and unlock door  116  for accessing and sealing wash chamber  106 . Door  116  includes a handle  120  that a user may grip to move door  116  between the open and closed positions. 
     Dishwasher  100  includes various features for washing articles within wash chamber  106 . For instance, dishwasher  100  can include rack assemblies mounted within the wash chamber  106  of tub  104  for receipt of articles for washing. Multiple spray assemblies can be positioned within the wash chamber  106  for applying or directing wash fluid towards or onto articles positioned within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. Such features are known in the art and thus will not be explained in detail herein. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , dishwasher  100  is equipped with a console assembly  130 . For this embodiment, console assembly  130  is located at a top portion or top end of door  116 . However, console assembly  130  can be located in other suitable locations as well. For instance, in some embodiments, console assembly  130  can be located along a side of door  116 . Generally, console assembly  130  provides an interface that facilitates user interaction with dishwasher  100 . For instance, a user can select and execute various cycles (e.g., wash cycles and/or drying cycles) and settings using console assembly  130 . Particularly, console assembly  130  includes a user interface  132 . User interface  132  includes controls or input selectors  134  that allow a user to select various operational features and modes as well as to monitor progress of dishwasher  100 . The input selectors  134  can be one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices, including e.g., rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. In some embodiments, the user interface  132  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. The user interface  132  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface  132  may be in communication with a controller  136  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
     Controller  136  is operatively configured to regulate operation of dishwasher  100 . Controller  136  can include one or more memory devices and one or more processors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle, which can include a wash and drying cycle, for example. The one or more memory devices can represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In some embodiments, the one or more processors execute programming instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices may be separate components from the one or more processors or may be included onboard within the one or more processors. Alternatively, controller  136  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. In some embodiments, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher  100  along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom of door  116 , for example. 
       FIGS. 2, 3, and 4  provide perspective cross-sectional views of door  116  of the dishwasher  100  of  FIG. 1  and depict various features of console assembly  130 . As shown, door  116  includes an outer panel  122  and an inner panel  124  spaced from outer panel  122 , e.g., along the transverse direction T. Outer panel  122  is exposed to an ambient or exterior environment while inner panel  124  faces wash chamber  106  of tub  104  ( FIG. 1 ), e.g., when door  116  is in the closed position. Generally, as noted above, console assembly  130  is mounted to door  116 . Moreover, for facilitating the disclosure of console assembly  130 , the relative positions of the elements of console assembly  130  will be explained generally with reference to door  116  in the closed or vertical position. 
     Console assembly  130  includes a console cover  140 . Console cover  140  extends between an outer end  144  and an inner end  146 , e.g., along the transverse direction T when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position. Console cover  140  also extends between a top and a bottom, e.g., along the vertical direction V when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position. Console cover  140  also extends between a first side and a second side, e.g., along the lateral direction L when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position. Console cover  140  has a body  142 . Body  142  of console cover  140  has a top surface  148  and a bottom surface  150 . Top surface  148  and bottom surface  150  are spaced from one another, e.g., along the vertical direction V when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position. Body  142  can have a vertical thickness of about one eighth of an inch, for example. Body  142  has one or more edges that extend between bottom surface  150  and top surface  148 . Particularly, body  142  has an outer edge  152  at outer end  144  and an inner edge  154  at inner end  146  of console cover  140 . Both the outer edge  152  and inner edge  154  extend generally in planes parallel to one another, and when door  116  is positioned in the vertical or closed position, orthogonal to the transverse direction T. Body  142  also has a first side edge at first side of console cover  140  and a second side edge at second side of console cover  140 . 
     A tab  156  extends from body  142  at outer end  144  of console cover  140 . Tab  156  has a top surface  158 . Top surface  158  of tab  156  connects with outer edge  152  of body  142 . A radiused section or connecting portion can connect top surface  158  of tab  156  and inner edge  154 . As depicted, tab  156  extends further outward from tub  104  ( FIG. 1 ) along the transverse direction T when door  116  is positioned in the vertical or closed position than body  142 . 
     A circuit board  160  is mounted to bottom surface  150  of console cover  140 . Controller  136  ( FIG. 1 ) is communicatively coupled with circuit board  160 . Controller  136  can be integral with circuit board  160 , positioned onboard circuit board  160 , or positioned offboard circuit board  160 . For this embodiment, one or more light sources  170  are communicatively coupled with circuit board  160  (only one light source  170  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Light source  170  is positioned on a bottom surface of circuit board  160 . However, other suitable locations are possible. Light source  170  is operable to emit light into console cover  140 . Circuit board  160  can define an opening  162  to permit light emitted by light source  170  to pass through circuit board  160  and into console cover  140 . Light source  170  can be any suitable type of light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode. In some embodiments, the light source  170  and other light sources integrated with circuit board  160  can be aligned or in communication (e.g., positioned directly beneath) indicia  138  for the input selectors  134  of user interface  132 . In this way, when controller  136  causes one of the light sources  170  to emit light, the illuminated indicia  138  can indicate the selected mode or setting to a user. 
     Console cover  140  is supported by a bracket  180  mounted to door  116 . Generally, bracket  180  spans between outer panel  122  and inner panel  124  of door  116  along the transverse direction T. Bracket  180  engages bottom surface  150  of console cover  140  to provide support thereto. Bracket  180  defines a u-shaped bracket recess  182  that extends at least the lateral length of circuit board  160  along the lateral direction L and at least the transverse length of circuit board  160  along the transverse direction T. In this way, bracket recess  182  is sized to receive circuit board  160  and its various integrated electronic components. The inner end  146  of console cover  140  extends further inward than bracket  180  along the transverse direction T. Thus, inner end  146  of console cover  140  includes an overhang portion  155  that overhangs bracket  180 . Notably, overhang portion  155  of console cover  140  is seated on a panel  126  of inner panel  124  of door  116 . Accordingly, in some instances, inner edge  154  of console cover  140  is exposed to an ambient or exterior environment, e.g., when door  116  is moved to the open position. 
     As further depicted in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , console assembly  130  includes a film  190 . For this embodiment, film  190  is a light blocking film. That is, film  190  is operable to prevent light from passing therethrough. Film  190  is mounted to top surface  148  of console cover  140 . Film  190  defines one or more light pass-through openings  192  through which light may pass. The light pass-through openings  192  are defined by film  190  such that they align with the various indicia  138  of user interface  132 , e.g., along the lateral direction L and transverse direction T. Furthermore, for this embodiment, the light pass-through openings  192  are defined by film  190  such that they align with a corresponding light source  170 , e.g., along the lateral direction L and transverse direction T. Accordingly, when controller  136  causes one of the light sources  170  to emit light (e.g., in response to a user input to one of the input selectors  134 ), light is directed from light source  170  through opening  162  of circuit board  160  and into console cover  140 . At least a portion of the light directed into console cover  140  passes through its associated light pass-through opening  192  and illuminates indicia  138  corresponding to one or more input selectors  134  of user interface  132 . 
     Console assembly  130  includes a bezel  200 . Generally, bezel  200  is connected to door  116  at its top portion. Particularly, bezel  200  is connected to outer panel  122  of door  116  along its top portion. Bezel  200  extends longitudinally or lengthwise along the lateral direction L across outer panel  122  at its top portion. Bezel  200  also extends transversely along sidewalls of door  116  between inner panel  124  and outer panel  122 . Notably, bezel  200  extends along the perimeter of console cover  140  except at inner end  146  of console cover  140  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Bezel  200  includes a vertical portion  202  and a horizontal portion  204 . Vertical portion  202  extends in a plane orthogonal to the transverse direction T when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position and horizontal portion  204  extends in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction V when door  116  is in the vertical or closed position. Accordingly, bezel  200  has an L-shaped cross-section. Vertical portion  202  of bezel  200  is received within a recess of door  116 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , vertical portion  202  of bezel  200  is received within a recess  128  defined by outer panel  122  of door  116 . Horizontal portion  204  of bezel  200  is seated at least in part on tab  156  of console cover  140 . A gap G is defined between bezel  200  and console cover  140 . Particularly, a gap G is defined between horizontal portion  204  and body  142  of console cover  140 . 
     In accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure, to prevent light from bleeding or escaping from console cover  140  when one or more light sources  170  direct light therein to ultimately illuminate one of the indicia  138 , console cover  140  is formed at least in part of a non-clear resin. The resin can be a plastic resin, for example. As used herein, “non-clear resin” denotes a tinted or smoked resin that is substantially opaque. In some embodiments, the non-clear resin is tinted black. However, in other embodiments, the non-clear resin of console cover  140  can be tinted or smoked with other suitable dark colors, such as green, blue, purple, etc. Further, in some embodiments, console cover  140  is formed entirely of a non-clear resin, e.g., as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . In such embodiments, console cover  140  can be formed by a single-shot injection molding process. In some embodiments, console cover  140  is formed at least in part of a non-clear resin and at least in part of a clear resin, as will be explained further herein. In such embodiments, console cover  140  can be formed by a multi-shot injection molding process, such as a double-shot injection molding process. 
     For the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the non-clear resin of console cover  140  is substantially opaque in that the non-clear resin material of console cover  140  allows some light, particularly direct light, to pass through console cover  140  and prevents or impedes other light, particularly non-direct or scattered light, from passing through console cover  140 , e.g., by absorbing the light. Particularly, when controller  136  ( FIG. 1 ) causes light source  170  to emit light L (e.g., in response to a user input to input selector  134 ), the emitted light L from light source  170  passes through opening  162  in circuit board  160  and enters console cover  140  through bottom surface  150 . Some of the light L passes directly or substantially directly through the thickness of console cover  140  from bottom surface  150  to top surface  148 . A portion of the emitted light L passes through light pass-through opening  192  and illuminates indicia  134  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Film  190  is formed of light blocking material(s) such that emitted light L is blocked or prevented from escaping from top surface  148  of console cover  140  (except the emitted light L may pass through light pass-through opening  192  as noted). The relatively thin thickness of console cover  140  allows for a portion of the emitted light L to travel therethrough to illuminate indicia  138  without being absorbed by the non-clear resin of console cover  140 . In some embodiments, for example, body  142  of console cover  140  has a vertical thickness (a distance spanning from bottom surface  150  to top surface  148 ) of about one eighth of an inch (⅛ inch). 
     Some of the light L emitted by light source  170  does not pass through light pass-through opening  192  or any of the other light pass-through openings. For instance, some of the emitted light L can enter console cover  140  through bottom surface  150  and can travel generally toward outer end  144 , e.g., forward along the transverse direction T toward the user. As the emitted light L travels generally toward inner end  146 , the emitted light L is absorbed or substantially absorbed by the non-clear tinted resin of console cover  140 . Accordingly, light bleed stemming from gap G defined between console cover  140  and bezel  200  is not visible to the human eye even with top surface  158  of tab  156  and outer edge  152  not covered by film  190 . The relatively long distance between light source  170  and outer edge  152  allows for the emitted light L traveling toward outer end  144  to be sufficiently absorbed by the non-clear resin of console cover  140  such that light bleed from gap G is not visible to the human eye. In some embodiments, the distance between light source  170  and outer edge  152  is at least three (3) times greater than the thickness (i.e., the distance between bottom surface  150  and top surface  148 ) of console cover  140 . For this embodiment, the distance between light source  170  and outer edge  152  is at least six (6) times greater than the thickness of console cover  140 . In some embodiments, the distance between light source  170  and outer edge  152  is at least one (1) inch in length. Accordingly, light bleed from gap G is eliminated or substantially eliminated. That is, light bleed from the gap G is not visible to the human eye. 
     In addition, as further shown in  FIG. 4 , some of the emitted light L can enter console cover  140  through bottom surface  150  and can travel toward inner end  146  of console cover  140 , e.g., rearward along the transverse direction T away from the user. The emitted light L traveling generally toward outer end  144  is absorbed or substantially absorbed by the non-clear tinted resin of console cover  140 . Accordingly, emitted light L from light source  170  is not visible to the human eye from exposed inner edge  154  at inner end  146  of console cover  140 . The relatively long distance between light source  170  and inner edge  154  allows for the emitted light L traveling toward inner end  146  to be sufficiently absorbed by the non-clear resin of console cover  140  such that light bleed from inner edge  154  is not visible to the human eye. In some embodiments, the distance between light source  170  and inner edge  154  is at least three (3) times greater than the thickness (i.e., the distance between bottom surface  150  and top surface  148 ) of console cover  140 . In some embodiments, the distance between light source  170  and inner edge  154  is at least one (1) inch in length. Accordingly, light bleed from exposed inner edge  154  is eliminated or substantially eliminated. Stated differently, light bleed from exposed inner edge  154  is not visible to the human eye. 
     Advantageously, as console cover  140  is formed at least in part of non-clear resin, or entirely of non-clear resin in the example embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , light bleed from the inner and/or outer edges  152 ,  154  and/or surfaces of tab  156  is prevented or substantially impeded such that light emanating from such edges/surfaces is not visible to the human eye. Furthermore, as console cover  140  is formed at least in part of non-clear resin, no additional steps of painting the inner and/or outer edges  152 ,  154  or surfaces of tab  156  are needed to prevent light bleed from such edges and surfaces. In addition, no design changes or additions are necessary to add light blocking components to cover the edges/surfaces. In addition, more flexibility for light source brightness/selection/placement is provided by forming console cover  140  at least in part of non-clear resin. 
       FIG. 5  provides a schematic top plan view of some elements of a console assembly  130  that may be incorporated in dishwasher  100  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 5 , film  190  is shown transparent for illustrative purposes to depict console cover  140  formed entirely of a non-clear resin  210 . As illustrated, console assembly  130  includes a first light source  170 A aligned or in communication with a first light pass-through opening  192 A defined by film  190 , a second light source  170 B aligned or in communication with a second light pass-through opening  192 B defined by film  190 , and a third light source  170 C aligned or in communication with a third light pass-through opening  192 C defined by film  190 . The light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C are positioned directly beneath their respective light pass-through openings  192 A,  192 B,  192 C along the vertical direction V. For instance, the light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C can be mounted to a circuit board (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) mounted to a bottom surface of console cover  140 . As in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , direct light emitted by one or more of light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C may pass through console cover  140  and exit their respective light pass-through openings  192 A,  192 B,  192 C to illuminate their respective indicia  138 A,  138 B,  138 C. Further, non-direct or scattered light in console cover  140  is absorbed by the non-clear resin  210  of console cover  140  such that light bleed from outer edge  152  and/or inner edge  154 /top surface  158  of tab  156  through gap G is not visible to the human eye. For the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , console cover  140  can be formed by a single-shot injection molding process using the non-clear resin. 
       FIG. 6  provides a schematic top plan view of another example embodiment of a console assembly  130  that may be incorporated in dishwasher  100  of  FIG. 1 . Console assembly  130  of  FIG. 6  is configured in substantially the same manner as the console assembly of  FIG. 5  except as provided below. For the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 6 , film  190  is shown transparent for illustrative purposes to depict console cover  140  formed in part of a non-clear resin  210  and in part of a clear resin  220 . The clear resin  220  of console cover  140  is substantially transparent and allows substantially all emitted light to pass therethrough. The clear resin  220  portion of console cover  140  defines a light zone  230  that surrounds the various light sources, including a first light source  170 A, a second light source  170 B, and a third light source  170 C. The light zone  230  defined by the clear resin  220  extends between the bottom surface and the top surface of console cover  140 , e.g., along the vertical direction V, but as shown in  FIG. 6 , the light zone  230  does not extend to the inner end  146  or the outer end  144  along the transverse direction T. Moreover, the light zone  230  does not extend to the first side or the second side of console cover  140  along the lateral direction L. Accordingly, the light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C are surrounded by non-clear resin  210  along the lateral and transverse directions L, T. 
     In this manner, direct light emitted by one or more of light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C may pass through console cover  140  and exit their respective light pass-through openings  192 A,  192 B,  192 C to illuminate their respective indicia  138 A,  138 B,  138 C. As the emitted light passes through clear resin  220 , the direct emitted light is not or only absorbed by non-clear resin  210  in a negligible manner, which may advantageously increase the lumen intensity of the illuminated indicia (e.g., compared to direct light that passes through non-clear resin  210 ) or a less bright light source can be selected to achieve the same lumen intensity output. Further, any non-direct or scattered light in console cover  140  is absorbed by the non-clear resin  210  surrounding light zone  230  defined by clear resin  220  of console cover  140  such that light bleed from outer edge  152  and/or inner edge  154 /top surface  158  of tab  156  through gap G is not visible to the human eye. For the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , console cover  140  can be formed by a double-shot injection molding process using the non-clear resin  210  in a first shot and the clear resin  220  in a second shot. 
       FIG. 7  provides a schematic top plan view of another example embodiment of a console assembly  130  that may be incorporated in dishwasher  100  of  FIG. 1 . Console assembly  130  of  FIG. 7  is configured in substantially the same manner as the console assembly of  FIG. 6  except as provided below. For the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 7 , film  190  is shown transparent for illustrative purposes to depict console cover  140  formed in part of a non-clear resin  210  and in part of a clear resin  220 . Notably, for this embodiment, the clear resin  220  is partitioned into defined light zones, including a first light zone  230 A associated with first light source  170 A and first light pass-through opening  192 A, a second light zone  230 B associated with second light source  170 B and second light pass-through opening  192 B, and a third light zone  230 C associated with third light source  170 C and third light pass-through opening  192 C. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , each light zone  230 A,  230 B,  230 C extends the vertical thickness of console cover  140  and is surrounded by non-clear resin  210  along the lateral and transverse directions L, T. Accordingly, not only is light prevented from bleeding from the outer edges of console cover  140  so as not to be visible to the human eye, inadvertent light bleed between light sources  170 A,  170 B,  170 C is reduced or eliminated. For example, if first light source  170 A emits light, the non-clear resin  210  positioned between first light zone  230 A and second light zone  230 B prevents light emitted from first light source  170 A from bleeding through second light pass-through opening  192 B to illuminate second indicia  138 B. Console cover  140  can be formed by a multi-shot injection molding process. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.