Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an in-sink dishwasher for automatically washing household dishes without requiring the physical space of a built-in automatic dishwasher. The invention further relates to an in-sink dishwasher in combination with a cutting board adapted for mounting to a lid of the in-sink dishwasher to prevent the relative movement between the cutting board and the in-sink dishwasher. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In-sink dishwashers use the bowl of a sink to form part of the dishwasher housing that defines a portion of the wash chamber, with the open top of the bowl providing access to the bowl. A liquid recirculation system effects the spraying of a wash liquid throughout the bowl to clean any dishes placed within the wash chamber. A lid covers the open top of the bowl when the in-sink dishwasher is being used to prevent the splashing or spraying of the recirculating wash liquid out of the open top of the bowl. 
     It is anticipated that users of in-sink dishwashers will use the lid as an extension of the countertop surrounding the sink when the lid is in the closed position. It is further anticipated that the user will place objects on the lid as part of the normal meal preparation process. One such anticipated object is a cutting board for use in cutting food items as part of meal preparation. 
     For accuracy in cutting and to reduce spillage of items on the cutting board, it is desirable to limit the relative movement between the cutting board and the lid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl with an open top for providing access to the bowl. A rack for holding dishes and the like is received within the bowl. A liquid recirculation system sprays liquid onto the dish rack to effect the cleaning of any dishes on the rack. The lid is mounted to the sink and is movable to selectively cover the open top of the bowl. A cutting board is positioned on top of the lid and a releasable coupling secures the cutting board to the lid to substantially prevent the relative movement between the cutting board and the lid. 
     The releasable coupling may comprises a first interactive element on the lid and a second interactive element on the cutting board. The first and second interactive elements interact to substantially prevent the movement of the cutting board relative to the lid. The first interactive element can be one of a projection and a recess and the second interactive element can be the other of the projection and the recess. The projection is sized to be received within the recess to substantially prevent the movement of the cutting board relative to the lid. 
     In one embodiment, the projection extends from a lower surface of the cutting board and the recess is formed in an upper surface of the lid. The projection can comprise multiple projections. Correspondingly, the recess can comprise multiple recesses. The recess preferably lies entirely within the perimeter of the lid. The first interacting element can also comprise a recess formed in an upper surface of the lid and the second interacting element can comprise multiple spaced feet extending from a lower surface of the cutting board and received within the recess. The recess comprises a peripheral side wall and the feet are located on the cutting board such that the feet abut the peripheral side wall when the feet are received within the recess. The recess peripheral side wall is beveled and at least one of the feet has an angled side wall that complements the bevel of the peripheral side wall. The feet preferably have a height such that the feet touch a lower surface of the recess when the feet are received within the recess. The feet height is also such that the lower surface of the cutting board lies above the lid. The sink can comprise a second bowl that is spaced from the first bowl. The cutting board can be sized such that a portion of the cutting board spans the area separating the first and second bowls. The portion of the cutting board spanning the first and second bowls may have an edge that is substantially coplanar with a portion of a side wall of the second bowl adjacent the first bowl. 
     The cutting board can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, and stone. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-sink dishwasher according to the invention, with the in-sink dishwasher shown mounted in a cabinet, the sink being of a double-bowl configuration and the one bowl forming part of the in-sink dishwasher having a lid, shown in an opened position, for covering the one bowl. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view substantially identical to FIG. 1 except that the lid is shown in the closed position and a cutting board is shown positioned on the lid upper surface. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the major components of the in-sink dishwasher. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid of FIG.  1  and illustrating the upper surface of the lid. 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cutting board of FIG.  1  and illustrating the lower surface of the cutting board. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  2  and illustrating the releasable coupling securing the cutting board to the lid along a transverse direction. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  2  and illustrating the releasable coupling securing the cutting board to the lid along a longitudinal direction. 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a cutting board with a second embodiment releasable coupling. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG.  7  and illustrating the second embodiment releasable coupling. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a foot forming part of the second embodiment releasable coupling. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an in-sink dishwasher  10  mounted in a traditional cabinet fixture  12  having doors  14  providing access to the cabinet interior where the lower portion of the in-sink dishwasher  10  is located. 
     The in sink dishwasher  10  is illustrated in the environment of a double-bowl sink  16  comprising a first bowl  18  and a second bowl  20 , with each bowl having a bottom wall  25  and a peripheral side wall  19 ,  27 , respectively. The first bowl  18  performs the function of a traditional sink bowl and includes a drain opening  21 . The second bowl  20  performs the dual function of a traditional sink bowl while also forming a portion of the housing for the in-sink dishwasher. 
     The first and second bowls  18 ,  20  are spaced from each other to define an intervening flange portion  22  that intersects a peripheral flange  24  surrounding both of the bowls  18 ,  20 . Preferably, the double-bowl sink is made from stainless steel. 
     A traditional water faucet  28  is located in the peripheral flange  24  of the double-bowl sink and provides water to either of the first and second bowls  18 ,  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the in-sink dishwasher  10  comprises a wash chamber  30  that is defined by the second bowl  18 , which has an open top. A lid  32  is hingedly mounted to the peripheral flange  24  of the double-bowl sink  16  and is movable between an opened position as shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     A drain  34  along with a water inlet  36  are provided in the bottom of the second bowl  20  and provide for the draining and introduction of water from and into the wash chamber  30 . The drain  34  serves as a drain during the use of the bowl  20  as a traditional sink and when used as a wash chamber  30  for the in-sink dishwasher  10 . 
     FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the major components of the in-sink dishwasher  10 , which include a rack  40  comprised of multiple wire segments for holding various dishes and utensils. The exact shape and configuration of the rack  40  is not germane to the invention and is preferably made similar to those found in automatic dishwashers. 
     A spray arm  42  is preferably mounted to the bottom of the rack  40  such that the spray arm is free to rotate relative to the rack  40  and is removed from the wash chamber when the rack is removed. The spray arm  42  couples with the water inlet  36  when the rack  40  is positioned within the second bowl  20 . 
     The drain  34  has one outlet that is fluidly coupled to an in-line water heater  44 . The output of the water heater  44  is received as input to a recirculation pump  46 , whose output is sent to a valve  48  forming part of the water inlet  36 . 
     The drain  34 , water inlet  36 , in-line water heater  44 , recirculation pump  46 , valve  48 , and spray arm  42  collectively form a recirculation system for recirculating wash liquid throughout the wash chamber  30 . 
     The drain  34  has another outlet that is fluidly connected to a drain pump  52 . The output of the drain pump  52  is fluidly connected to the traditional drain line for the second bowl  20 . The drain pump  52  provides for a positive draining of liquid from the wash chamber  30 , such as, for example, when it is no longer desire to recirculate the wash liquid with the recirculation system. 
     A controller  54 , preferably a microprocessor-based controller, is electronically coupled to the in-line heater  44 , recirculation pump  46 , and drain pump  52  to control their respective operation. If the valve  48  is an actuated valve, such as a solenoid-actuated valve, instead of a check valve, then the controller  54  can also be connected to the valve  48  and control its operation. 
     The controller  54  operates the in-line heater  44 , recirculation pump  46 , and drain pump  52  to implement a wash cycle. Preferably, the wash cycle is one of many well-known wash cycles stored in the memory of the microprocessor. 
     A user interface  58  is located adjacent the second bowl  20  and is electronically coupled to the controller  54 . The user interface  58  permits the user to select the desired wash cycle from the multiple wash cycles stored in the memory of the microprocessor and enter any necessary or optional operating data or parameters for the wash cycles. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the top of the lid is shown in greater detail and comprises an upper surface  62  having a generally planar contour and in which is formed a recess  64 . The recess has an outer periphery  65  that is substantially rectangular and extends laterally across the upper surface  62 . Preferably, the recess does not extend all the way to the peripheral edge of the lid. 
     A series of longitudinally extending projections or ribs  66  are located in the recess  64  and effectively divide the recess  64  into multiple or sub-recesses  68 . The ribs  66  are preferably of a height such that they do not extend beyond the plane defined by the upper surface  62 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a cutting board  70  can be positioned on the lid  32  when the lid is in the closed position. The cutting board is preferably sized such that at least a portion  71  of the cutting board spans the space between the first and second bowls. Preferably the distal edge of the cutting board terminates at the first bowl and does not substantially overlie the first bowl. 
     The cutting board is preferably made from wood. However, the material of the cutting board is not germane to the invention. Other suitable materials such as plastic and stone can also be used for the cutting board. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the cutting board  70  comprises a lower surface  72  having a generally planar contour and from which extends a projection  74  whose outer periphery  75  is complementary to the outer periphery  65  of the lid recess  64 . Multiple longitudinal grooves  76  are formed in the projection  74  to effectively sub-divide the projection  74  into multiple projections or sub-projections  78 . 
     Preferably, the grooves  76  are located in the projection  74  such that they correspond to the same relative location as the ribs  66  in the recess  64 , resulting in each of the sub-projections  78  having a generally longitudinal shape that corresponds and is complementary to one of the sub-recesses  68 . 
     The cutting board further includes a portion  82  that overlies the flange  22  separating the bowls  18 ,  20  when the cutting board is mounted to the lid. The portion  82  preferably terminates in an edge  84  that aligns with the peripheral side wall  19  when the cutting board is mounted to the lid. While it is within the scope of the invention for the cutting board to be of a length such that the edge  84  of the portion  82  is suspended over the bowl  18 , it is preferred that the edge  84  terminates at the plane of the side wall to maximize the usable area of the bowl  18 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the projection  74  of the cutting board and the recess  64  of the lid collectively form a releasable coupling  80  that secures the cutting board  70  to the lid  32  to limit the relative movement between the cutting board  70  and lid  32 . The nesting or mating of the projection  74  within the recess  64  results in the corresponding peripheral edges  65 ,  75 , respectively, interacting to limit the movement of the cutting board relative to the lid in two dimensions defined by the arrows A and B in FIG.  2 . Arrow B corresponds to the most common direction that a user of the cutting board will apply a force to the cutting board. The receipt of the ribs  66  within the grooves also interact to provide an additional structure that limits the relative movement of the cutting board in the direction of the arrow B. 
     To mount the cutting board  70  to the lid  32 , the cutting board is oriented such that the lower surface  72  of the cutting board  70  faces towards upper surface  62  of the lid  32  and aligns the cutting board  70  such that the projection  74  extending from the lower surface of the cutting board  70  is received within the recess  64  on the upper surface  62  of the lid  32 . 
     Since the grooves  76  and the projection  74  of the cutting board  70  are spaced such that they correspond to the ribs  66  within the recess  64  of the lid  32 , the ribs  66  will be received within the grooves  76  when the cutting board is nested or mated with the lid. The complementary grooves  76  and ribs  66  will also locate and align the cutting board  70  relative to the lid  32 . 
     It is preferred, but not necessary, that the grooves  76  extend all the way across the projection  74  in contrast to the ribs  66  that do not extend all way across the recess  64 . The extra length associated with the grooves  76  will aid the user in laterally aligning the projection  74  of the cutting board with respect to the recess  64  and the lid  32 . 
     As is seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the cutting board  70  is nested or mated with the recess  64  of the lid  32 , the ribs  66  of the lid  32  are received within the grooves  76  such that the apex of the ribs  66  are closely adjacent to or touch the bottom of the corresponding grooves  76 . Also, the peripheral edge of the projection  74  is closely adjacent to or in abutting relationship with the peripheral edge of the recess  64 . 
     The close relationship or abutting contact between peripheral edges  65 ,  75  of the projection and recess along and in combination with the close relationship or abutting contact between the ribs and the corresponding grooves defined a releasable coupling that limits the relative movement of the cutting board in the plane of the upper surface of the lid. While it is preferred to use both the peripheral edges of the projection and recess and the complementary ribs and grooves to form the releasable coupling, it is not necessary to use both. 
     While it is preferred that there be little gap between the peripheral edges  65 ,  75  when the projection  74  is inserted with the recess  64  to thereby minimize the amount of “play” or limited relative movement between the cutting board  70  and the lid  32 , it is not necessary to prevent all relative movement. 
     Other types of releasable coupling can also be used to limit the relative movement of the cutting board and the lid. For example, the cutting board could be provided with a series of point-like discrete projections, such as a stud, in combination with a corresponding opening, instead of the ribs and grooves. 
     FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a second embodiment of a cutting board connected to the lid by a releasable coupling according to the invention. The second embodiment comprises a cutting board  90  having a planar lower surface  92 , which does not include a projection like the first embodiment. Instead, multiple feet  94  are located on the lower surface  92  of the cutting board  90 . Preferably, there are four feet, with each foot being located corresponding to a corner of the recess  64 , although more or less feet can be used. 
     The feet  94  are can made from rubber and have a frusto-conical shape with a lower end  96  and upper end  98 , which are connected by a tapered peripheral side wall  100 . The angle of the taper is preferably complementary to the angle of the bevel  65  of the recess  64  so that the peripheral side wall  100  contacts the bevel  65  for most of its length. 
     The lower end  96  is countersunk to define a shoulder  102  and an fastener opening  104 . A fastener, such as screw  106 , mounts the foot to the cutting board. The head of the screw  106  abuts the shoulder  102  and the threaded end of the screw extends through the fastener opening  104  and is threaded into the cutting board through the lower surface  92 . 
     When the cutting board  90  with the feet  94  is coupled to the lid  32 , the feet  94  are located at each corner of the recess  64 . The peripheral side wall  100  of each foot preferably contacts the corresponding portion of the bevel  65 . The multi-point contact with the bevel  65  prevents the cutting board from being moved laterally. The feet  94  and the corresponding portion of the bevel  65  of the recess  64  form a releasable coupling. 
     The feet preferably have height such that the lower surface  92  of the cutting board  92  just makes contact with, or is slightly above, the upper surface of the lid  32  and the lower end  96  of the feet contact the bottom of the recess  64 . The contact of the bottom of the recess  64  by the feet provides another interference coupling, in the form of a frictional interference, between the feet  94  and the lid  32  to retard the lateral movement of the cutting board and lid. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. For example, although the preferred sink configuration is a double-bowl sink, the in-sink dishwasher can also be used in a single-bowl sink.

Technology Category: 1