Patent ID: 7270132

Claim:
A washer comprising: washing devices for sequentially spraying washing water from various directions to an object to be washed, each of said washing devices having a spray port from which the washing water is to be sprayed; a washing water feeding device for feeding the washing water to said washing devices; a controller for controlling an operation of said washing water feeding device; at least one rack for holding the object to be washed; a washing tub for accommodating said at least one rack, said washing tub having an opening; a cover for opening or closing the opening of said washing tub; feeding/discharging passages for feeding/discharging the washing water and for coupling said washing water feeding device with said washing devices, respectively; and a water dividing structure including (i) a rotary water dividing unit having a wall defining a hollow interior, and plural discharge ports in said wall and communicating with said hollow interior, with at least one of said plural discharge ports being in a portion of said wall that is substantially orthogonal to a rotational axis of said rotary water dividing unit, and (ii) a driving device for rotating said rotary water dividing unit about the rotational axis, wherein said water dividing structure is for allowing the washing water to be sequentially fed to each of said washing devices by allowing the washing water, when fed by said washing water feeding device, to enter into said hollow interior and then be discharged from said plural discharge ports into said feeding/discharging passages upon rotation of said rotary water dividing unit, and wherein, of said washing devices, at least one is disposed in a lower part of said washing tub, at least one is disposed in an upper part of said washing tub, and at least one is disposed on a back face of said washing tub.