Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/877,862, filed on Sep. 13, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/878,279, filed on Sep. 16, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/870,154, filed on Aug. 26, 2013. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/877,862, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/878,279 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/870,154 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    One or more embodiments relate generally to dishwashing technology, and in particular, a dishwashing machine with an adjustable utensil tray with a detergent dispenser and movable dividers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A conventional dishwashing machine includes an in-door detergent dispenser for maintaining detergent for washing objects loaded into the dishwashing machine. As the dispenser is integrated with a dishwasher door of the dishwashing machine, it may be difficult for a user to access and load detergent into the dispenser. Further, the dishwasher door may need to be removed when resolving problems associated with the dispenser (e.g., a stuck dispenser) as some parts of the dispenser may only be accessed when the dishwasher door is removed. Therefore, the placement of the dispenser within the dishwashing machine needs to be adjusted to optimize the dishwashing machine for ergonomic use and improve efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One embodiment provides a dishwashing apparatus comprising a utensil rack including a configurable rack layout, and a first rack layout adjustment device coupled to the utensil rack for configuring the rack layout. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment provides a dishwashing apparatus comprising a dish rack, a utensil rack disposed above the dish rack, and a detergent dispenser disposed within the utensil rack. 
         [0006]    These and other aspects and advantages of one or more embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of one or more embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of one or more embodiments, as well as a preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a dishwashing apparatus. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates example rotation ranges for an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of one or more embodiments and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a dishwashing apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a housing  11  with an interior cavity  15  for maintaining at least one dish rack  20 , and a dishwasher door  5  pivotally coupled to the housing  11 . For example, the apparatus  10  may include a first dish rack  30  and a second dish rack  40 , wherein the second dish rack  40  is positioned above, and substantially horizontal to, the first dish rack  30 . Each dish rack  20  has a rack layout that may be manually adjusted to receive and maintain objects of various shapes and sizes, such as plates, cups, bowls, pots, pans, etc. 
         [0020]    The apparatus  10  further comprises at least one utensil rack  90  shaped to receive and maintain smaller sized objects, such as cutlery, flatware and other utensils. The utensil rack  90  is positioned above, and substantially horizontal to, the second dish rack  40 . 
         [0021]    When the door  5  is open, each rack  20 ,  90  is horizontally slidable into and out of the interior cavity  15 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the racks  20  and  90  are slid out of the interior cavity  15 , permitting easy access to the racks  20  and  90  for loading objects onto, or unloading objects from, the racks  20  and  90 . 
         [0022]    The racks  20  and  90  may be slid into the interior cavity  15  after a user has completed loading objects onto, or unloading objects from, the racks  20  and  90 . If the objects loaded onto the racks  20  and  90  are unwashed, a wash cycle for washing the objects may be initiated when the user closes the door  5 . 
         [0023]    FIGS.  2  and  4 - 6  illustrate different top perspective views of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration  150  for the utensil rack  90 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the example embodiment of the utensil rack configuration  150 . When configured in accordance with the utensil rack configuration  150 , the utensil rack  90  includes a rack frame  91  ( FIG. 4 ) with multiple sides. The rack frame  91  includes a first pair of opposing sides  91 A and  91 B ( FIG. 6 ), and a second pair of opposing sides  91 C and  91 D ( FIG. 6 ), wherein each side  91 A,  91 B is substantially perpendicular to the sides  91 C and  91 D. The side  91 A and the side  91 B represent the front side and the rear side of the rack frame  91 , respectively. 
         [0024]    The rack frame  91  further includes a support member  91 K ( FIG. 6 ). In one example embodiment, the support member  91 K may be substantially perpendicular to the sides  91 A and  91 B. The support member  91 K may include one or more sets of recessing pins  240  ( FIG. 6 ). Each set of recessing pins  240  may comprise at least two recessing pins. A set of recessing pins  240  may be located along a lengthwise edge of the support member  91 K. For example, in one embodiment, the support member  91 K includes two sets of recessing pins  240 —a first set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 1) located lengthwise along a first lengthwise edge of the support member  91 K, and a second set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 2) located lengthwise along an opposite lengthwise edge of the support member  91 K. The second set of recessing pins  240  may be parallel to the first set of recessing pins  240 . Each set of recessing pins  240  is shaped to receive cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the support member  91 K includes only one set of recessing pins  240  located lengthwise along a center of the support member  91 K. In yet another embodiment, the recessing pins  240  may be slightly offset such that objects loaded onto the utensil rack  90  may be staggered. 
         [0026]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a handle bar  93  ( FIG. 6 ) coupled to the side  91 A of the rack frame  91 . When the door  5  is open, a user may utilize the handle bar  93  to horizontally slide the utensil rack  90  into, or out of, the interior cavity  15 . 
         [0027]    The utensil rack  90  further comprises one or more removable trays for maintaining objects. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the example rack configuration  150 , the utensil rack  90  includes a first removable tray  160  and a second removable tray  170 . In  FIG. 4 , the first tray  160  is shown removed from the rack frame  91 . In  FIG. 5 , the second tray  170  is shown removed from the rack frame  91 . In  FIG. 6 , both the first tray  160  and the second tray  170  are removed from the rack frame  91 . 
         [0028]    A bottom portion of each tray  160 ,  170  may include wires, holes, staggered hexagons or other structural configurations that allow water to pass through during a wash cycle. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, a member  91 E ( FIG. 6 ) of the rack frame  91  extending between the sides  91 A and  91 B, and substantially parallel to the sides  91 C and  91 D, partitions the first tray  160  from the second tray  170 . Other configurations of the member  91 E may be used to accommodate different shapes or sizes of the first tray  160  and the second tray  170 . In another embodiment, a member  91 E is not needed (e.g., the first tray  160  and the second tray  170  fit to the remaining sides of the utensil rack  90 , or using each other as support/boundary). 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the first tray  160  may be larger than the second tray  170 , such that the first tray  160  can accommodate placement of more objects than the second tray  170 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 4 , the first tray  160  is shown removed from the rack frame  91 . The first tray  160  includes a removable tray frame  161  ( FIG. 4 ) for maintaining objects loaded/placed onto the first tray  160 . The tray frame  161  may include openings shaped to receive recessing pins  240  of the support member  91 K. In one example embodiment, the tray frame  161  includes a first opening  163  (Opening 1) and a second opening  163  (Opening 2) that are spaced apart. When the tray frame  161  is inserted into the rack frame  91 , the first and the second openings  163  are shaped to receive the first and second sets of recessing pins  240 , respectively. In one embodiment, the sets of recessing pins  240  may serve as dividers that partition the first tray  160  into multiple sections. For example, the first and second sets of recessing pins  240  partition the tray frame  161  into multiple rack columns  162 , such as a first rack column  162  (Rack Column 1), a second rack column  162  (Rack Column 2) and a third rack column  162  (Rack Column 3). Each rack column  162  accommodates placement of objects. 
         [0032]    The second tray  170  includes a removable tray frame  171  for maintaining objects loaded/placed onto the second tray  170 . The second tray  170  may further include at least one movable/adjuster divider  175  ( FIG. 5 ) for partitioning the second tray  170  into multiple rack rows  172 . Each rack row  172  may accommodate placement of objects. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the second tray  170  includes a first movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 1) and a second movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 2). The dividers  175  partition the second tray  170  into multiple rack rows  172 , such as a first rack row  172  (Rack Row 1), a second rack row  172  (Rack Row 2) and a third rack row  172  (Rack Row 3). 
         [0034]    Each divider  175  may be slidably coupled to a guide track  176  ( FIG. 5 ) along a portion of the removable tray frame  171 . Each divider  175  may be manually slidable back and forth in a direction  177  ( FIG. 2 ) along the guide track  176  to adjust a layout configuration of the second tray  170 . For example, if the second tray  170  is positioned horizontally, the dividers  175  are movable along the guide track  176  in a horizontal direction to adjust the sizes of the rack rows  172  to accommodate contents of various shapes and sizes. 
         [0035]    The size of the first rack row  172  may be minimized by sliding the first movable divider  175  to one end AAA ( FIG. 2 ) of the guide track  176 . The size of the third rack row  172  may be minimized by sliding the second movable divider  175  to an opposing end BBB ( FIG. 2 ) of the guide track  176 . Minimizing the size of both the first and third rack rows  172  maximizes the size of the second rack row  172 . 
         [0036]    Each divider  175  may comprise a set of recessing pins  240  shaped for receiving cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0037]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a detergent dispenser  350  with an interior cavity  360  ( FIG. 3 ) for maintaining detergent. In one embodiment, the detergent dispenser  350  is integrated with the rack frame  91 . 
         [0038]    The detergent dispenser  350  further includes a set of openings  370  ( FIG. 3 ) for dispensing detergent loaded into the detergent dispenser  350 . The apparatus  10  further includes an actuator unit configured to actuate the openings  370  to dispense the detergent during a wash cycle (e.g., the actuator unit may send a current to cause the openings  370  to open during a wash cycle). The actuator unit may be activated by water spray pressure during a wash cycle. In one embodiment, the actuator unit may be an electromechanical or electromagnetic solenoid. In another embodiment, the actuator unit may be a bi-metallic strip, a switch, a spring or a magnet activated by water spray pressure during a wash cycle. The actuator unit may be integrated into the detergent dispenser  350 , or may be disposed within proximity of the detergent dispenser  350 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of another example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration  200 . When configured in accordance with the utensil rack configuration  200 , the utensil rack  90  includes a rack frame  95  with multiple sides. The rack frame  95  includes a first pair of opposing sides  95 A and  95 B, and a second pair of opposing sides  95 C and  95 D, wherein each side  95 A,  95 B is substantially perpendicular to the sides  95 C and  95 D. The side  95 A and the side  95 B represent the front side and the rear side of the rack frame  95 , respectively. 
         [0040]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a handle bar  96  coupled to the side  95 A of the rack frame  95 . When the door  5  is open, a user may utilize the handle bar  96  to horizontally slide the utensil rack  90  into, or out of, the interior cavity  15 . 
         [0041]    The utensil rack  90  further comprises one or more trays for maintaining objects. Unlike the example utensil rack configuration  150  in  FIGS. 2-6 , the trays in the example rack configuration  200  are non-removable. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the utensil rack  90  includes a first tray  230  and a second tray  220 . A side  95 E of the rack frame  91  extending between the sides  95 A and  95 B, and substantially parallel to the sides  95 C and  95 D, partitions the first tray  230  from the second tray  220 . 
         [0042]    The first tray  230  includes a bottom surface  231  for maintaining objects loaded/placed onto the first tray  230 . The first tray  230  may further include one or more sets of recessing pins  240  fixedly coupled to the bottom surface  231  of the first tray  230 . Each set of recessing pins  240  may comprise at least two recessing pins. A set of recessing pins  240  may be located lengthwise along the first tray  230 . For example, in one embodiment, the first tray  230  includes two sets of recessing pins  240 —a first set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 1) located lengthwise along the first tray  230 , and a second set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 2) located lengthwise along the first tray  230 , wherein the second set of recessing pins  240  may be parallel to the first set of recessing pins  240 . 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the first tray  230  includes only one set of recessing pins  240  located lengthwise along the first tray  230 . In yet another embodiment, the recessing pins  240  may be slightly offset such that objects loaded onto the first tray  230  may be staggered. 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the sets of recessing pins  240  may serve as dividers that partition the first tray  230  into multiple sections. For example, the first and second sets of recessing pins  240  partition the first tray  230  into multiple rack columns  232 , such as a first rack column  232  (Rack Column 1), a second rack column  232  (Rack Column 2) and a third rack column  232  (Rack Column 3). Each rack column  232  accommodates placement of objects. Each set of recessing pins  240  is shaped to receive cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0045]    The second tray  220  includes a bottom surface  221  for maintaining objects loaded/placed onto the second tray  220 . The second tray  220  further includes at least one movable/slidable divider  175  for partitioning the second tray  220  into multiple rack rows  222 . Each rack row  222  accommodates placement of objects. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the second tray  220  includes a first movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 1) and a second movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 2). The dividers  175  partition the second tray  220  into multiple rack rows  222 , such as a first rack row  222  (Rack Row 1), a second rack row  222  (Rack Row 2) and a third rack row  222  (Rack Row 3). 
         [0047]    Each divider  175  is slidably coupled to a guide track  226  along a portion of the side  95 C of the rack frame  95 . Each divider  175  is manually slidable back and forth along the guide track  226  to adjust a layout configuration of the second tray  220 . For example, the dividers  175  are movable along the guide track  226  to adjust the sizes of the rack rows  222  to accommodate placement of objects of different shapes and sizes. 
         [0048]    Each divider  175  may comprise a set of recessing pins  240  shaped for receiving cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0049]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a detergent dispenser  300  with one or more interior compartments  320  ( FIG. 9 ) for maintaining detergent. The detergent dispenser  300  includes a sliding door  310  that is manually slidable back and forth along a direction  360  between a closed position A as shown in  FIG. 7 , and an open position B as shown in  FIG. 9 . In one embodiment, the detergent dispenser  300  is integrated with the rack frame  95 . 
         [0050]    The detergent dispenser  300  further includes a set of openings  370  ( FIG. 3 ) for dispensing detergent loaded into the detergent dispenser  300 . The apparatus  10  further includes an actuator unit configured to actuate the openings  370  to dispense the detergent during a wash cycle (e.g., the actuator unit may send a current to cause the openings  370  to open during a wash cycle). In one embodiment, the actuator unit may be an electromechanical or electromagnetic solenoid. In another embodiment, the actuator unit may be a bi-metallic strip, a switch, a spring or a magnet activated by water spray pressure during a wash cycle. The actuator unit may be integrated into the detergent dispenser  300 , or may be disposed within proximity of the detergent dispenser  300 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a utensil rack configuration  400 . When configured in accordance with utensil rack configuration  400 , the utensil rack  90  includes a rack frame  97  with multiple sides. The rack frame  97  includes a first pair of opposing sides  97 A and  97 B, and a second pair of opposing sides  97 C and  97 D, wherein each side  97 A,  97 B is substantially perpendicular to the sides  97 C and  97 D. The side  97 A and the side  97 B represent the front side and the rear side of the rack frame  97 , respectively. 
         [0052]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a handle bar (coupled to the side  97 A of the rack frame  97 . When the door  5  is open, a user may utilize the handle bar  98  to horizontally slide the utensil rack  90  into, or out of, the interior cavity  15 . 
         [0053]    The utensil rack  90  further comprises one or more trays for maintaining objects. Unlike the example utensil rack configuration  150  in  FIGS. 2-6 , the trays in the example rack configuration  400  are non-removable. In the example rack configuration  400  shown in  FIG. 8 , the utensil rack  90  includes a first tray  430  and a second tray  420 . In one embodiment, a member  97 E of the rack frame  97  extending between the sides  97 A and  97 B, and substantially parallel to the sides  97 C and  97 D, partitions the first tray  430  from the second tray  420 . Other configurations of the member  97 E may be used to accommodate different shapes or sizes of the first tray  430  and the second tray  420 . In another embodiment, a member  97 E is not needed (e.g., the first tray  430  and the second tray  420  fit to the remaining sides of the utensil rack  90 , or using each other as support/boundary). 
         [0054]    The first tray  430  further includes a support member  97 K. In one example embodiment, the support member  97 K may be substantially perpendicular to the sides  97 A and  97 B. The support member  97 K may include one or more sets of recessing pins  240 . Each set of recessing pins  240  may comprise at least two recessing pins. A set of recessing pins  240  may be located lengthwise along the support member  97 K. For example, in one embodiment, the support member  97 K includes two sets of recessing pins  240 —a first set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 1) located lengthwise along the support member  91 K, and a second set of recessing pins  240  (Pin Set 2) located lengthwise along the support member  91 K. The second set of recessing pins  240  may be parallel to the first set of recessing pins  240 . Each set of recessing pins  240  is shaped to receive cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment, the support member  97 K includes only one set of recessing pins  240  located lengthwise along a center of the support member  97 K. In yet another embodiment, the recessing pins  240  may be slightly offset such that objects loaded onto the utensil rack  90  may be staggered. 
         [0056]    In one embodiment, the sets of recessing pins  240  may serve as dividers that partition the first tray  430  into multiple sections. For example, the first and second sets of recessing pins  240  partition the first tray  430  into multiple rack columns  432 , such as a first rack column  432  (Rack Column 1), a second rack column  432  (Rack Column 2) and a third rack column  432  (Rack Column 3). Each rack column  432  accommodates placement of objects. 
         [0057]    A layout configuration of the first tray  430  is adjustable. Specifically, the first rack column  432  has a corresponding first adjustable segment  436 . The third rack column  432  has a corresponding second adjustable segment  436 . 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, one end of the first adjustable segment  436  is pivotally coupled to a first slide adjuster  440  ( FIG. 9 ) via one or more swing hinges  470  and a first rotatable member  471 . The first slide adjuster  440  is slidably coupled to a guide track  445  ( FIG. 9 ) disposed along a portion of the side  97 D. An opposing end of the first adjustable segment  436  is coupled to the support member  97 K via one or more hinges  480 . 
         [0059]    Manually sliding the first slide adjuster  440  back and forth in a direction  455  along the guide track  445  rotates the first adjustable segment  436  along a direction  465  ( FIG. 10 ) between different positions. In one embodiment, the first adjustable segment  436  may be positioned anywhere along the direction  465  between a raised tilt position SS ( FIG. 10 ) through a lowered tilt position UU ( FIG. 10 ). For example, the first adjustable segment  436  may be lowered, from the raised tilt position SS, or raised, from the lowered tilt position UU, to a substantially horizontal position TT ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0060]    One end of the second adjustable segment  436  is pivotally coupled to a second slide adjuster  440  via one or more swing hinges  470  and a second rotatable member  471 . The second slide adjuster  440  is slidably coupled to a guide track  445  disposed along a portion of the side  97 E. An opposing end of the second adjustable segment  436  is coupled to the support member  97 K via one or more hinges  480 . 
         [0061]    Manually sliding the second slide adjuster  440  back and forth in a direction  456  along the guide track  445  rotates the second adjustable segment  436  along a direction  460  ( FIG. 10 ) between different positions. In one embodiment, the second adjustable segment  436  may be positioned anywhere along the direction  460  between a raised tilt position S ( FIG. 10 ) through a lowered tilt position U ( FIG. 10 ). For example, the first adjustable segment  436  may be lowered from the raised tilt position S, or raised from the lowered tilt position U, to a substantially horizontal position T ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0062]    In other embodiments, other mechanisms may also be used to raise/lower the adjustable segments  436 , such as Mielie&#39;s mechanism, hooks, etc. 
         [0063]    The first adjustable segment  436  and the second adjustable segment  436  may be individually rotated to adjust a depth of the first and third rack columns  432 , respectively, to accommodate objects of various shapes and sizes. 
         [0064]    The second tray  420  includes a bottom surface  421  for maintaining objects loaded/placed onto the second tray  420 . The second tray  420  further includes at least one movable divider  175  for partitioning the second tray  420  into multiple rack rows  422 . Each rack row  422  accommodates placement of objects. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, the second tray  420  includes a first movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 1) and a second movable divider  175  (Movable Divider 2). The dividers  175  partition the second tray  420  into multiple rack rows  422 , such as a first rack row  422  (Rack Row 1), a second rack row  422  (Rack Row 2) and a third rack row  422  (Rack Row 3). 
         [0066]    Each divider  175  is slidably coupled to a guide track  476  ( FIG. 9 ) disposed along a portion of the side  97 C. Each divider  175  may be manually slidable back and forth in a direction  477  along the guide track  476  to adjust a layout configuration of the second tray  420 . For example, if the second tray  420  is positioned horizontally, the dividers  175  are movable along the guide track  476  in a horizontal direction to adjust the sizes of the rack rows  422  to accommodate placement of objects of different shapes and sizes. The size of the first rack row  422  may be minimized by sliding the first movable divider  175  to one end AA ( FIG. 9 ) of the guide track  476 . The size of the third rack row  422  may be minimized by sliding the second movable divider  175  to an opposing end BB ( FIG. 9 ) of the guide track  476 . Minimizing the size of both the first and third rack rows  422  maximizes the size of the second rack row  422 . 
         [0067]    Each divider  175  may comprise a set of recessing pins  240  shaped for receiving cutlery, flatware or other utensils. 
         [0068]    The utensil rack  90  further includes a detergent dispenser  300  with one or more interior compartments  320  for maintaining detergent. In one embodiment, the detergent dispenser  300  is integrated with the rack frame  97 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the example rack configuration  400  for the utensil rack  90 , wherein the adjustable segments  436  are raised, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first adjustable segment  436  may be raised to the raised tilt position SS to minimize the depth of the first rack column  432 , thereby allowing more room to load large and/or tall objects (e.g., long-stemmed wine glasses or tall glasses) onto the second dish rack  40 . Similarly, the second adjustable segment  436  may be raised to the raised tilt position S to minimize the depth of the third rack column  432 , thereby allowing more room to load large and/or tall objects (e.g., long-stemmed wine glasses or tall glasses) onto the second dish rack  40 . 
         [0070]    In one embodiment, manually sliding the first slide adjuster  440  to a first position XX along the guide track  445  raises the first adjustable segment  436  to the raised tilt position SS, manually sliding the first slide adjuster  440  to a second position YY along the guide track  445  lowers the first adjustable segment  436  to the substantially horizontal position TT, and manually sliding the first slide adjuster  440  to a third position ZZ along the guide track  445  lowers the first adjustable segment  436  to the lowered tilt position UU. 
         [0071]    In one embodiment, manually sliding the second slide adjuster  440  to a first position X along the guide track  445  raises the second adjustable segment  436  to the raised tilt position S, manually sliding the second slide adjuster  440  to a second position Y along the guide track  445  lowers the second adjustable segment  436  to the substantially horizontal position T, and manually sliding the second slide adjuster  440  to a third position Z along the guide track  445  lowers the second adjustable segment  436  to the lowered tilt position U. 
         [0072]    The first adjustable segment  436  may be lowered to the substantially horizontal position TT to increase the depth of the first rack column  432 , thereby allowing more room to load objects onto the first rack column  432 . Similarly, the second adjustable segment  436  may be lowered to the substantially horizontal position T to increase the depth of the third rack column  432 , thereby allowing more room to load objects onto the third rack column  432 . 
         [0073]    The first adjustable segment  436  may be further lowered to the substantially horizontal position UU to maximize the depth of the first rack column  432  and maximize the amount of room available for loading objects onto the first rack column  432 . Similarly, the second adjustable segment  436  may be further lowered to the substantially horizontal position U to maximize the depth of the third rack column  432  and maximize the amount of room available for loading objects onto the third rack column  432 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 10  illustrates example rotation ranges for the adjustable segments  436 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first adjustable segment  436  may be positioned anywhere along the direction  465  between the raised tilt position SS through a lowered tilt position UU. For example, the first adjustable segment  436  may be raised to the raised tilt position SS, wherein one end of the first adjustable segment  436  lies flush against an end  91 FA of an underside  91 G of the side  97 B. From the raised tilt position SS, the first adjustable segment  436  may be lowered along a rotation angle L1 to the substantially horizontal position TT. From the raised tilt position SS, the first adjustable segment  436  may also be lowered along a rotation angle L2 to the lowered tilt position UU, wherein the rotation angle L2 is larger than the rotation angle L1. 
         [0075]    The second adjustable segment  436  may be positioned anywhere along the direction  460  between the raised tilt position S through a lowered tilt position U. For example, the second adjustable segment  436  may be raised to the raised tilt position S, wherein one end of the second adjustable segment  436  lies flush against an end  91 FB of an underside of the side  97 B. From the raised tilt position S, the second adjustable segment  436  may be lowered along a rotation angle M1 to the substantially horizontal position T. From the raised tilt position S, the second adjustable segment  436  may also be lowered along a rotation angle M2 to the lowered tilt position U, wherein the rotation angle M2 is larger than the rotation angle M1. 
         [0076]    Though the one or more embodiments have been described with reference to certain versions thereof; however, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Technology Category: a