Abstract:
A drawer dishwasher includes a drawer which is movable from a closed to an open position. A lid is separate from the drawer and is adapted to seal over the top of the drawer when the drawer is in its closed position and to move upwardly and away from the drawer in response to movement of the drawer from its closed to its open position. Recirculation plumbing and draining plumbing are connected to the drawer dishwasher and lead to a remote pump and reservoir for receiving drained fluid from the drawer and for recirculating drained fluid back into the spray assembly within the drawer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/157,461 filed Sep. 21, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,565 entitled Double Dishwasher. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a lid construction for a drawer dishwasher. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a dishwasher which operates as a drawer and can slide in and out from beneath a countertop. Several problems are encountered in attempting to develop such a drawer dishwasher. 
     One problem is the necessity for connecting the various plumbing fixtures to the drawer so that the fixtures can move in unison with the drawer as it slides from its closed to its opened position. In the prior art flexible hoses are used to move with the drawer as it moves in and out. 
     Another problem encountered with drawer dishwashers is the ability to place a spray head within the drawer while at the same time connecting the spray head to the proper plumbing leading to a recirculation pump. 
     Another problem encountered with drawer dishwashers is the ability to maximize the space of the drawer without using a substantial portion of that space for a recirculation reservoir and pump. 
     Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid construction for a drawer dishwasher. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid construction which separates from the drawer when the drawer is pulled from its closed to its open position. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid construction which cams upwardly away from sealed engagement with the top of the drawer in response to the drawer moving from its closed to its open position. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved lid construction which includes a rotatable spray arm attached to the lid construction. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved drawer dishwasher construction which includes a recirculation conduit attached to the lid, but detached to the drawer. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved drain system which will drain fluid from the drawer throughout movement of the drawer between its closed and its open position. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved drawer dishwasher which includes a recirculation reservoir located remote from the drawer and being in fluid communication with a recirculation pump for receiving the fluid from the drawer and for recirculating fluid back to the drawer through the spray arms. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved drawer construction which is economical to manufacturer, durable in use and efficient in operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objects may be achieved by a dishwasher having a frame assembly with forward and rear ends. A drawer having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall and side walls defines a drawer compartment. The front, rear and side walls each have upper edges forming an upwardly presented opening in the drawer compartment. A lid is shaped in covering relation over the upwardly presented opening in the drawer compartment. A guide mechanism mounts the drawer to the frame for movement from a closed position wherein the lid is in covering relation over the upwardly presented opening of the drawer to an open position wherein the drawer is spaced apart from the lid. A spray assembly is positioned within the drawer compartment for spraying a washing fluid on objects within the drawer compartment whenever the drawer is in its closed position. 
     One feature of the improved dishwasher of the present invention is the use of a washing conduit connected to the lid when the drawer is in either of the open or closed positions, and connected to the spray assembly whenever the drawer is in its closed position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is a first portion of the spray assembly being attached to the interior of the lid and a second portion of the spray assembly being attached to the drawer. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a lid mounting mechanism mounting the lid to the frame for movement from a lowered position when the drawer is in its closed position to an upper position above the lowered position in response to the drawer moving from its closed to its open position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a dishwasher wherein the drawer includes a portion which engages the lid and moves the lid to its lowered position whenever the drawer moves from its open to its closed position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a drain conduit which is stationary relative to the drawer and which is adapted to receive drained washing fluid from the drawer as the drawer moves between its open and its closed positions. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizes a unique gasket to seal the washing conduit within the drawer to the conduit supplying washing fluid to the drawer when the drawer is in its closed position. 
     Another alternate embodiment utilizes a shroud surrounding the lid to provide a vapor barrier between the drawer and the remainder of the dishwasher. 
     Another alternate embodiment utilizes a stationary lid in combination with an inflatable seal between the drawer and the lid. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dual dishwasher of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the dual dishwasher assembly of the present invention taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the upper portion of FIG. 1, showing the upper drawer dishwasher compartment in a partially open position. 
     FIG. 4 is sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dual dishwasher assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 7 a, b,  and  c  are detailed elevational views showing the closing mechanism for the drawer assembly of the present invention in its closed, intermediate, and open position respectively. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail of a modified form for the conduit connections at the rear of the upper drawer assembly. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a partially broken away perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizing a shroud around the lid. 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizing an inflatable seal between the drawer and the lid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The numeral  10  generally designates a dual dishwasher of the present invention which is installed beneath a countertop  12 . Dual dishwasher  10  includes an upper drawer dishwasher  14  and a lower swinging door dishwasher  16 . A front U-shaped frame or support  18  is fitted over a lower housing or tub  22  as can be seen in FIG.  5 . Tub  22  includes a top wall  24 , a rear wall  26 , side walls  28 , a front opening  30 , and a bottom wall  31 . A door  32  is hinged at hinge  34  for gaining access to the interior of the lower housing or tub  22 . 
     Within lower housing or tub  22  are an upper spray arm  36  and a lower spray arm  38 , as well as an upstanding spray tower  40 , all of which are of prior art construction. 
     On the exterior surface of top wall  24 , in this embodiment, is formed a groove  44  for receiving drain channel  156  of drain conduit  152 . Also, an upper spray connection  42  extends upwardly from the top wall  24  and is connected to the upper spray arm  36  for delivering fluid to the spray arm  36 . 
     The bottom wall  31  of the lower dishwasher  16  includes a lower dishwasher reservoir  46  and an upper dishwasher reservoir  48  (FIG.  4 ). These two reservoirs are shown located in the bottom wall  31  of the lower dishwasher  16 . However, it is possible to position both of these reservoirs below and outside the bottom dishwasher  16  or as an alternative the lower reservoir  46  can be placed in the bottom wall  31  as shown with the upper reservoir  48  being contained within a separate container located preferably below the lower dishwasher  16 , but in any event remote from the drawer dishwasher  14 . The reservoirs  46  and  48  are separately and selectively filled with fresh wash water from an external source. The remote and separate reservoirs  46  and  48  permit water fills to take place separately and also allows the water to be externally heated in preparation for a cycle which significantly reduces the total cycle time. 
     Within lower dishwasher reservoir  46  are a lower washer pump  50  and a lower drain pump  52 . Drain pump  52  is adapted to pump fluid within reservoir  46  outwardly to a drain through conduits (not shown). Alternately, a drain valve arrangement can be utilized to accomplish draining of reservoir  46 . 
     The lower wash pump  50  is connected to a lower wash conduit  54  having a lower end  56  and an upper end  58 . Adjacent the lower end  56  is a pump connection  60  which is adapted to connect to lower wash pump  50 . Similarly a spray connector  62  is adapted to be connected to the lower spray arm  38  and spray tower  40 . Adjacent the upper end  58  of lower wash conduit  54  is an upper spray connection  64  which is adapted to connect to the upper spray connection  42  at the top of the lower dishwasher  16 . In this embodiment, a lid or top panel  66  is sealed in covering relation over the top of upper reservoir  48  so as to isolate lower reservoir  48  from the remainder of the interior of the dishwasher  16 . 
     A forward upper U-shaped frame or support  68  is attached to the upper ends of U-shaped frame  18 . A rear U-shaped frame or support  70  embraces lower tube  22  and extends upwardly therefrom. Attached to the interior surfaces of the legs of U-shaped frames  68 ,  70  are front cam plates  72  and rear cam plates  74  respectively. Each of the cam plates  72 ,  74  include an angled cam slot  76  therein. 
     A pair of closing toggles  80  are pivotally connected to the forward U-shaped frame  68  for pivotal movement about axis  82 . Each closing toggle includes a slot  84  therein and each closing toggle is spring mounted by a spring  85  so as to cause the closing toggles to be urged forwardly with their U-shaped slot extending forwardly in the position shown in FIG. 7 c.    
     A drawer  88  and a lid  90  comprise the upper drawer dishwasher  14 . Drawer  88  includes a rear wall  94 , a front wall  96 , side walls  98  and a bottom wall  108  which form an upper dishwasher chamber  92  having an open upper end. A front panel  100  is attached to the front wall  96  of the drawer  88  and may contain the operation controls for both dishwashers. A pair of guide tracks  104  are mounted to the side walls  98  of drawer  88  and are adapted to cooperate with drawer frames  68 ,  70  so as to permit the drawer  88  to glide from a closed position shown in FIG. 1 to an open position wherein a substantial portion of the open upper end of the drawer  88  is exposed outside the dishwasher  10 . FIG. 3 shows the drawer  88  in a partially open position. 
     Closing pins  106  protrude outwardly from the sides of guide tracks  104  and are adapted to engage the U-shaped slots  84  of closing toggles  80  in the manner shown in FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b  and  7   c . FIG. 7A shows the drawer in its closed position with the toggle  80  having its slot  84  presented rearwardly with the spring  85  yieldably urging the toggle  80  in a counterclockwise direction. 
     FIG. 7B shows the toggle  80  in an over center position during the opening of drawer  88 . 
     FIG. 7C shows the drawer in a further opened position. With the toggle  80  in a forwardly presented position and with the pin  106  removed from the slot  84 . 
     During closing of the drawer a reverse motion is obtained with the pin  106  extending into the slot  84  initially and rotating the toggle  80  to its over-center position shown in FIG.  7 B. Finally the closing of the drawer causes the toggle  80  to move over center and face rearwardly as shown in FIG.  7 A. This provides a solid affirmative closing action to the drawer as it is closed. 
     Drawer  88  includes a bottom wall  108  having a drain opening  110  therein. Also within the drawer  88  is a lower spray arm  112  which is connected to a conduit  114  which has an upper tapered end  116  shaped somewhat like a funnel. 
     Lid  90  includes a lid top wall  118 , side walls  120 , a front wall  122  and a rear wall  124 . Lid  90  is wedge shaped with the rear wall  124  having a greater vertical height than the front wall  122 . The top edges of drawer  88  are inclined in the opposite direction. 
     Fixed to the upper surface of the top wall  118  are a front pin rod  126 , having front pins  127  extending from its opposite ends thereof and a rear pin rod  128  having rear pins  129  extending from the opposite ends thereof. A spring  130  is connected at one end to rear pin rod  128  and is connected at the forward end to a spring receiving hole  132  in the front U-shaped frame  68 . The spring  130  urges the lid forwardly and upwardly. 
     The lower edges of front wall  122 , side walls  120  and rear wall  124  of lid  90  are all provided with U-shaped slots  134  which are provided with sealing gasket  136  and which fit over the upper edges of the drawer  88  in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. 
     Attached to the lid  90  on the under surface thereof is an upper spray conduit  138  which feeds a rotatable upper spray arm  140  for spraying the dishes or other objects within the drawer  88 . Spray conduit  138  includes a rear end  142  which protrudes from the rear wall  124  of lid  90  and which is attached to a flexible coupling  144 . Coupling  144  is in turn connected to the upper end of a washing conduit  146  which extends downwardly behind the two dishwashers  14 ,  16  and is attached to a pump conduit  148  which extends through the rear wall  26  of lower dishwasher  16  and connects to a washing pump  150  which is located within the upper reservoir  48 . 
     A drain conduit  152  includes an upper horizontal leg  154  having a drain channel  156  formed therein. Drain channel  156  includes a closed end  158  and an open top  160  and is positioned in registered alignment below the drain opening  110  of drawer  88  when the drawer  88  is in its closed position as shown in FIG.  1 . Also, the drain channel  156  is fitted within the groove  44  in the upper surface of lower dishwasher  16 . Alternatively, the drain channel  156  could overlie the top wall  24  and groove  44  would not be required. Drain conduit  152  includes a downwardly extending vertical leg  162  which is connected to a drain tube  164  extending into the reservoir  48  in the bottom dishwasher  16 . A drain pump  166  is also located within the reservoir  48  and is connected to a drain for causing the emptying and draining of any washing fluid within the reservoir  48  after the washing cycle is complete. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 2, the pins  127 ,  129  of the lid  90  are fitted within the cam slots  76  of the front and rear cam plates  72 ,  74 . 
     When the drawer is in its closed position shown in FIG. 2, the pins  127 ,  129  are located in the lower rear ends of slots  76 , and the lid  90  is fitted in sealing relationship over the top edges of the rear wall  94 , the side walls  98  and the front wall  96  of drawer  88 . This provides an enclosed washing chamber for washing objects within the upper drawer dishwasher  14 . 
     In the closed position shown in FIG. 2 the upper tapered end  116  of conduit  114  is in sealed engagement with a downwardly presented connection  168  of upper spray conduit  138  so as to receive pressurized washing fluid from washing pump  150 . The washing fluid moves upwardly through washing conduit  146  and through conduit  138  to provide pressurized fluid for wash arms  112  and  140 . The fluid being sprayed from washing arms  112  and  140  drains downwardly by gravity through drain  110  into drain conduit  152  which returns the washing fluid downwardly into upper dishwasher reservoir  48 . The pump  150  then receives that fluid and recirculates it upwardly to the wash arms  112  and  140 . 
     After the washing operation when it is desired to open drawer  88 , the operator pulls the drawer  88  outwardly. FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the drawer  88  in a partially opened position. During the initial movement, the lid  90  and the drawer  88  are assembled together, and the initial outward motion of the drawer  88  causes the lid  90  also to be moved forwardly. However, the location of the pins  127 ,  129  of lid  90  in the cam slots  76  cause the motion of the lid  90  to be translated upwardly also so that the lid  90  separates from its sealed engagement with the upper edges of the drawer  88 . Spring  130  facilitates this upward and outward movement of lid  90  and holds the lid  90  in its upward and outward position shown in FIG.  3 . Similarly the downwardly presented connection  168  of upper spring conduit  138  separates and moves upwardly from the upper tapered end  116  of conduit  114 . The flexible coupling  144  permits limited movement between the conduit  146  and the lid  90 . 
     During the opening of drawer  88 , residual fluid within the drawer  88  may possibly drain from drain  110 . If this happens, the fluid still enters the drain channel  156  and drains downwardly to the reservoir  48 . 
     When the drawer  88  is again closed, the upper edge  170  of front panel  100  engages the front wall  122  of lid  90  and urges the lid  90  in a rearward direction. The cam slots  76  cause the lid  90  to move downwardly as it is moving rearwardly, and once the drawer  88  is in its closed position shown in FIG. 2 the lid  90  is again in sealing engagement over the top edges of the drawer  88 . Also, the downwardly presented connection  168  is sealed and in engagement with the upper tapered end  116  of conduit  114 . 
     The foregoing arrangement provides several advantages. First the fluid reservoir  48  for the upper dishwasher  14  is positioned downwardly below the bottom dishwasher  16  and minimizes the space occupied. This maximizes the space available for the two dishwashers  14 ,  16 . While the reservoir  48  is shown as being part of the bottom dishwasher  16  it can be positioned remotely from dishwasher  16  and preferably below the dishwasher  16 . 
     The use of a lid  90  which is separate from the drawer  88  provides means for connecting the recirculation conduits to the lid rather than to the drawer, thereby eliminating the need of flexible hoses which need to follow the drawer as it moves to its open position. The cam slots  76  provide means for raising and lowering the lid a limited distance thereby minimizing the movement between the lid  90  and the conduit  146 . This slight movement can be easily accommodated by the flexible coupling  144 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of the rear conduit construction at the back of drawer  88 . Upper end  116  of conduit  114  is shown in FIG. 8 to have a rearwardly facing opening  117  surrounded by a flexible gasket  119  having lips  121 . 
     Upper spray conduit  138  includes a rearwardly presented water aperture  123  which is engaged and sealed by gasket  119  when drawer  88  is closed. The vertical movement of the lid  90  in this embodiment is very slight, and gasket  119  compensates for what slight movement occurs. 
     When the drawer  88  moves to its rear position gasket  119  seals around water aperture  123  so that washing fluid will be introduced to conduit  114 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 9,  10 , and  11  a modified form of the invention includes a shroud  200  which is preferably molded integrally with lid  90  and which includes a top wall  202 , a rear wall  204 , opposite side walls  206 ,  208 , and a front wall  210 . 
     The shroud  200  and the lid  90  are stationary. An inflatable seal  212  provide a satisfactory seal between the lid  90  and the drawer  80 , an inflatable seal  212  (FIG. 11) may be attached either to the drawer  88  or alternatively to the lid  90 . When the drawer is closed there is a slight clearance  214  between the lid  90  and the drawer  88 . Inflation of seal  212  causes it to expand and form a fluid tight seal between lid  90  and drawer  88 . 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 9,  10 , and  11  the sealing gasket  119  at the upper end  116  of spray conduit  114  shown in FIG. 8 is used and operates in the same manner as described for FIG.  8 . 
     In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention ask further defined in the following claims.