Article baskets for a dishwasher

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/708,887 filed Aug. 17, 2005, the entire disclosure which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to baskets for supporting articles and more particularly to articles baskets for a dishwasher.

[0003] Conventional dishwashers typically include dishwasher racks adapted to support articles during a dishwashing cycle. For example, conventional racks may support pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils, glassware, drinking vessels (e.g., cups, mugs, glasses, stemware) or other kitchenware. Dishwasher racks frequently include a conventional article basket to provide alternative support for articles, such as utensils, within an interior area of a dishwasher. There is a need for article baskets to support articles for cleaning during a dishwashing procedure.

[0004] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide article baskets adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine for cleaning during a dishwashing procedure.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, an article basket is adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine. The article basket comprises an article support wall configured to support articles extending within an interior area of the basket. The article support wall is provided with a plurality of openings extending through the article support wall. Each of the openings is defined by an edge extending along a path circumscribing substantially the entire opening. The edge of each of the openings is concave in a direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. The openings are configured to permit permeation of fluid through the article support wall while inhibiting passage of supported articles through the article support wall.

[0006] In accordance another aspect, an article basket is configured for supporting articles within a dishwashing machine. The article basket comprises at least one side wall at least partially defining an interior area of the basket and including an elongated slot. The article basket further includes a divider including a portion configured to be selectively inserted into the elongated slot to divide the interior area into a first interior area portion and a second interior area portion.

[0007] In accordance still another aspect, an article basket is provided for supporting articles within a dishwashing machine. The article basket comprises at least one side wall at least partially defining an interior area of the basket. The article basket further includes a divider configured to extend over an opening into the interior area of the basket. The divider includes a plurality of article receiving openings configured to receive a portion of an article being inserted into the interior area of the basket. Each of the article receiving openings includes at least one protrusion extending partially across the article receiving opening.

[0016] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements.

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts an article basket 10 for a dishwasher. Article baskets in accordance with the present invention may be used to receive and support a wide range of articles. For example, article baskets may be designed to receive and support dishware items such as utensils (e.g., knives, forks, spoons, spatulas, etc.), drinking vessels (e.g., cups, mugs, glasses, stemware, etc.) or other kitchenware or the like. Moreover, article baskets herein may be used in a wide variety of ways before, during and/or after the dishwashing cycle.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an article basket 10 in accordance with example aspects of the present invention. The article basket 10 can include an article support wall 20 configured to support articles extending within an interior area 40 of the basket 10. As shown, the articles can comprise a spoons 100 although, knives, forks, and/or other articles may be supported in further examples. In one example, the article support wall 20 is provided with a plurality of openings 22 extending through the article support wall 20. Each of the openings 22 can be defined by an edge 26 extending along a path (28, see FIG. 4) circumscribing substantially the entire opening 22. As shown, the path 28 circumscribes the entire opening 22 although it is contemplated that the path 28 may circumscribe less than the entire opening 22 while still circumscribing substantially the entire opening 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge 26 can comprise a pointed edge although the edge may comprise blunted or other edge types in further examples. For example, although not shown, the edge may comprise a cylindrical surface or may comprise a rounded profile or other shape.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in the example, the edge 26 of each of the openings can be concave in a direction 29 facing the opening 22 along substantially the entire path 28. As further shown, the path 28 can comprise a circular path although other shaped paths may be used in further examples. For instance, although not shown, the path may have an oval shape while still being concave in the direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. In still further examples, the paths may have shapes other than a circular or oval shape. Providing a circular shape can be beneficial to permit permeation of fluid through the article support wall 20 while inhibiting passage of articles 100 through the article support wall 20. In one example, the circular openings 22 can help inhibit passage of the tines of a fork through the article support wall 20.

[0020] In further examples, each opening 22 can be provided with at least one conical surface circumscribing substantially the entire opening. In one example, a single conical surface is provided although a plurality of conical surfaces may be provided in further examples. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the each opening can be provided with a first conical surface 27a facing towards the interior area 40 of the article basket 10 and a second conical surface 27b facing away from the interior area 40 of the article basket 10. Although not required, as shown, the conical surfaces 27a, 27b can meet to define the edge 26. The second conical surface 27b can help funnel cleaning fluid into the interior area 40 of the article basket 10 during the dishwashing cycle. Moreover, the second conical surface 27b, in conjunction with the circular path 28 circumscribing substantially the entire opening 22 can help form a jet stream to increase the cleaning action of the cleaning fluid during the dishwashing cycle. Moreover, the first and second conical surfaces 27a, 27b can work together to help pull liquid off the articles 100 as the articles are drying after the washing cycle. Indeed, rinse water or other fluid will tend to flow down the first conical surface 27a, about the pointed edge 26 and then down and away from the supported articles by flowing down the second conical surface 27b. The conical surfaces 27a, 27b, if provided, can have the same or different taper angles. As shown in FIG. 6, the taper angles “A” and “a” are approximately 90° although other angles may be used in further examples.

[0021] The openings 22 can be arranged in a wide variety of patterns along the article support wall 20. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the openings can be arranged as a matrix of openings 22 along a plurality of opening row paths 24a, 24b and a plurality of opening column paths 24c, 24d that are substantially perpendicular to the opening row paths. Such a configuration can enhance permeation of fluid through the support wall 20 while frustrating passage of supported articles 100 through the article support wall 20.

[0022] The article support wall 20 can also include a plurality of protrusions 30 that each extend in a direction 34 (see FIG. 5) towards the interior area 40 of the article basket 10. The protrusions can interact with portions of supported articles to help inhibit, such as prevent, sliding an nesting of articles supported with the article basket 10. For example, a plurality of protrusions 30 may provide seating locations for the tips of silverware or other articles supported by the article basket to help separate the supported silverware. Separating the silverware can help maximize the surface area of the silverware exposed to cleaning fluid during a dishwashing procedure. Moreover, separating the silverware can help circulate air over a larger surface area of the silverware; thereby reducing the duration of the drying cycle.

[0023] The protrusions 30, if provided, can comprise a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on the particular application. In the illustrated example, the protrusions 30 comprise a substantially hemispherical protrusion although other shapes may be used in further examples. Providing the protrusions as hemispherical protrusions can reduce stress points on the protrusion, thereby reducing the probability of protrusion damage and increasing the useful life of the article basket. Moreover, the gradual sloping shape provided by the hemisphere discourages the articles from resting on top of the protrusions 30. Rather, the protrusions 30 can act as spacers by encouraging the supported articles to fall to an area away from the apex of the protrusions 30. Although not shown, the protrusions can comprise other shapes such as conical or other geometrical shape.

[0024] As shown in the illustrated example, the protrusions 30 can optionally be arranged as a matrix of protrusions 30 along a plurality of protrusion row paths 32a, 32b and a plurality of protrusion column paths 32c, 32d that are substantially perpendicular to the protrusion row paths. Arranging the protrusions 30 as a matrix of protrusions can provide multiple, spaced-apart seating locations for spaced apart articles supported by the article support wall 20. The matrix of protrusions 30 can also be arranged with respect to the matrix of openings 22 such that each protrusion row path 32a, 32b extends between a pair of adjacent opening row paths 24a, 24b and each protrusion column path 32c, 32d extends between a pair of adjacent opening column paths 24c, 24d. Arranging the matrix of protrusions with respect to the matrix of openings in this manner helps maximize the amount of opening space to receive cleaning fluid during the washing cycle and also encourages the ends of the supported articles 100 to rest in the vicinity of the openings 22. Since the ends of the supported articles 100 are resting over or near the openings 22, rinse water or other fluid will tend to be pulled away from the supported articles by the first and second conical surfaces 27a, 27b. Thus the above-referenced arrangement of the matrix of protrusions 30 with respect to the matrix of openings 22 can reduce the drying time for the supported articles 100.

[0025] The article basket can comprise at least one side wall at least partially defining the interior area of the basket. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the article basket 10 includes a first side wall 50 and a second side wall 52 spaced from the first sidewall 50 to define a width “W” of the article basket 10. The illustrated article basket 10 further includes a third side wall 54 and a fourth side wall 56 spaced from the third side wall 54 to define a length “L” of the article basket 10. As shown, the article basket 10 can comprise an rectangular shaped basket with four side walls 50, 52, 54, 56 extending from the article support wall 20. The article support wall 20 defines a lower boundary of the interior area 40 of the article basket 10, while the side walls 50, 52, 54, 56 define the lateral boundaries of the interior area 40 of the article basket 10 and also define an article insertion opening 19 into the interior area 40. It will be appreciated that the at least one side wall can comprise three or more than four sides in further examples.

[0026] The sidewalls may include structure configured to facilitate removal of the article basket 10 from the dishwasher rack and/or cooperation between a plurality of article baskets 10. For example, as shown, the at least one side wall can include one or more handles 12, 14, 16 configured to facilitate removal of the article basket 10 from the dishwasher rack. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rear handle 14 can have an increased width to facilitate grasping and lifting of the article basket. Moreover, the at least one side wall can include one or more coupling structures 18a, 18b configured to link a plurality of article baskets together along a periphery of the dishwasher rack. The coupling structures 18a, 18b, if provided can allow a wide range of article basket configurations. For instance, the coupling structures 18a, 18b may allow two or more article baskets 10 to be linearly linked in series along a side of a dishwasher rack. In another example, a corner basket may be linked between two article baskets 10 oriented at 90° relative to one another such that the article baskets each extend along a corresponding side of a dishwasher rack and through an intermediate corner of the dishwasher rack linking the dishwasher rack sides.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, further examples of the article basket can include one or more optional dividers 60. The divider 60 can optionally act to divide the interior are 40 into a first interior area portion 42a and a second interior area portion 42b. As shown, the first interior area portion 42a can be defined by the article support wall 20, the divider 60 and the at least one side wall 50, 52, 54, 56. The second interior area portion 42b can be defined by the at least one sidewall 50, 52, 54, 56 and the divider 60 while being open to the article insertion opening 19.

[0028] In such an example, the divider 60 can act as a lid for the first interior area portion 42a to help restrain articles from exiting the interior of the article basket 10. For example, relatively small, lightweight articles may be placed in the first interior area portion 42a to be washed without being removed from the dishwasher rack and being subsequently exposed to a heating element of the dishwasher. The divider 60 can also act as a shelf for additional articles being supported in the second interior area portion 42b. For example, cups, mugs or other articles may be placed on the divider 60 for support within the second interior area portion 42b. In such an example, utensils (e.g., knives, forks, spoons, etc.) may be supported with the article basket 10 while mugs, cups or other beverage containers may rest inverted on the divider 60. Handles or other portions of the utensils extending from the divider 60 can be received within the interior area of cups, mugs or other beverage containers that are supported on the divider 60 in an inverted orientation.

[0029] The at least one sidewall 50, 52, 54, 56 can also include an elongated slot 58 for the divider 60. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the divider 60 to be selectively slidably inserted into the elongated slot 58 to divide the interior area 40 into the first interior area portion 42a and the second interior area portion 42b. In the illustrated example, the first side wall 50 includes the elongated slot 58 although the elongated slot may be provided in any of the sidewalls of the article basket 10 in further examples. Moreover, as shown, the elongated slot 58 extends along substantially the entire length “L” of the article basket 10 to permit the divider to substantially segregate the entire interior area 40 into the first and second interior area portions 42a, 42b. It will be appreciated that the elongated slot 58 permits the divider 60 to be inserted laterally into the article basket 10 and allows the divider 60 to be removed from the interior 40 of the article basket 10 without passing through the article insertion opening 19.

[0030] The article basket 10 can also include support structure configured to support the divider 60. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the article basket 10 can include support structure 57 extending from one or more of the side walls 50, 52, 54, 56 and configured to support a peripheral portion of the divider 60. A dividing support structure 59 may also be provided to support an intermediate portion of the divider 60. The dividing support structure 59, if provided, can also be configured to segregate the first interior area portion 42a into laterally disposed subportions. The support structures 57, 59 can allow the divider 60 to support increased weight loads when the divider is acting as a shelf for other articles, such as beverage containers and the like.

[0031] As mentioned above, the one or more dividers 60, if provided, can act to divide the interior area 40 into the first interior area portion 42a and the second interior area portion 42b. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more dividers 60 can act to divide a reception area into a plurality of reception areas that are each configured to receive one or more of the plurality of supported articles 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the divider 60 can include a plurality of article receiving openings 62 configured to receive a portion of an article 100 being inserted into the interior area 40 of the article basket 10. Each of the article receiving openings 62 can include at least one protrusion 70a, 70b extending partially across the article receiving opening 62. The at least one protrusion 70a, 70b can act as a seating area for one or more portions of the supported articles 100 to allow the intermediate portion of the articles to be spaced in various positions within the article receiving openings 62. Locating the intermediate portion of the articles at different positions within the article receiving openings 62 can help maximize the surface area of the silverware or other supported articles exposed to cleaning fluid during the dishwashing procedure. Moreover, separating the silverware or other supported articles can help circulate air over a larger surface area of the articles; thereby reducing the duration of the drying cycle. Still further, the at least one protrusion 70a, 70b together with the protrusions 30 and openings 22 of the article support wall 20 can work together to provide enhanced separation of the silverware or other supported articles to increase the effectiveness of the washing and drying procedures.

[0032] As shown in the example of FIG. 7, each article receiving opening 62 can include a pair of protrusions 70a, 70b although a single or three or more protrusions may be provided in further examples. Each of the protrusions can extend in the same direction or can extend in different directions. For example, as shown, the first protrusion 70a extends in a first direction 71a and the second protrusion 70b extends in a second direction 71b that is opposite to the first direction 71a. Furthermore, as shown, the first protrusion 70a can extend along a first axis (see 71a generally) and the second protrusion 70b can extend along a second axis (see 71b generally) that is spaced a distance “D” from the first axis. Spacing the first and second axis from one another can provide alternate seating locations along a dimension of the article receiving opening 62. Moreover, extending the protrusions 70a, 70b long opposite directions can provide multiple seating locations for supported articles leaning towards one or the other side of the article receiving opening 62. The protrusions can also be designed to help automatically segregate articles being inserted through the article openings 62. For example, as shown, the protrusions 70a, 70b can comprise a substantially V-shaped profile although other profile shapes may be provided in further examples. The V-shaped profile can encourage some of the supported articles to fall from the seat provided by the protrusions 70a, 70b. Thus, a significant nesting of supported articles is discouraged at each seating location defined by the protrusions 70a, 70b.

[0033] As further shown, example protrusions can extend a length “L₂” that is less than about 50% of a length “L₁” of the article receiving opening 62 although greater lengths of up to less than 100% of the Length “L₁” of the article receiving opening 62 is contemplated in further examples. Providing the protrusions 70a, 70b with a length “L₂” that is less than about 50% of the length “L₁” of the article receiving opening 62 can further discourage significant nesting of supported articles at particular seating locations defined by the protrusions 70a, 70b. Furthermore, providing the protrusions 70a, 70b with a length “L₂” that is less than about 50% of the length “L₁” of the article receiving opening 62 together with protrusions 70a, 70b having a substantially V-shaped profile can help distribute the portions of the supported articles extending through the article receiving openings 62. For example, due to the V-shaped profile of the protrusions 70a, 70b, handles of the articles extending through the opening may begin to slide off of one protrusion 70a in a direction towards the other side of the article receiving opening 62. The second protrusion 70b can then catch the handle of the article as it ramps off the first protrusion 70a.

[0034] The article receiving openings 62 are illustrated as rectangular although other shapes and sizes may be provided in further examples. As shown, the article receiving openings 62 can be shaped to receive ends of spoons and forks and other utensils. Thus, articles 100 may be loaded with the handles extending upwards and the working portion of the utensils (e.g., scoop portion of a spoon, tine portion of a fork, cutting edge of a knife, etc.) facing downwards. Such an orientation may be desirable to prevent human contact with the sanitized working portions of the utensils that will subsequently come into contact with a users food or a users mouth in use. Thus, the divider 60 in accordance with examples of the present invention can support utensils with the handles exposed for subsequent grasping when a user unloads the dishwasher after the dishwashing cycle.

[0035] The plurality of article receiving openings 62 of the divider 60 can be arranged with a wide variety of patterns. In one example, the divider 60 includes a framework of ribs which are arranged perpendicular to one another to form a lattice of rectangular openings 62 to maximize the reception area for the articles. Although not required, as shown in FIG. 7, the article receiving openings 62 can also be arranged as a matrix of article receiving openings along a plurality of row paths 64a, 64b and a plurality of column paths 64c, 64d that are substantially perpendicular to the row paths 64a, 64b. Providing such a matrix of article receiving openings 62 can help maximize the reception area for articles when used with a rectangular article basket having four sides 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0036] In use, a user may decide to provide the article basket 10 with a divider 60 to divide the interior area 40 into a first interior area portion 42a and a second interior area portion 42b. Next, a user may decide to insert a plurality of silverware items with the working portion facing downwards. The second area 42b receives the working portion of the silverware and some of the silverware will immediately be received through one or more of the article receiving openings 62. The sidewalls 50, 52, 54, 56 adjacent the divider 60 will help prevent the remaining silverware items from falling off the divider 60. The user may then shake the remaining silverware items such that the remaining silverware items are randomly received by the article receiving openings 62. The protrusions 70a, 70b will help divide the handle portions of the silverware items from nesting together. At the same time, the protrusions 30 of the article support wall 20 will help segregate the working portion of the silverware to further inhibit nesting of silverware items. Thus, by loading the working portion of the silverware downward into the second interior area portion 42b of the article basket 10, only the handle of the silverware extends upward through the article receiving openings 62. The working portion of the silverware therefore will not come into contact with human hands during unloading and remains sanitary after washing. Moreover, sharp points or other edges are hidden within the second interior area portion 42b of the basket to inhibit, such as prevent, injury to a user reaching into the dishwasher compartment area. Mugs, cups or other beverage containers may then be inverted an rested on the upper surface of the divider 60 while handles from the supported articles are received within the supported beverage containers. The dishwashing cycle is then carried out wherein the second conical surface 27b directs jet streams of dishwashing fluid up through the openings 22 of the article support wall 20 to wash the spaced apart articles and any mugs, cups or other beverage containers being supported by the article basket 10. After the washing cycle, the rinse fluid drains off the spaced apart articles and is drawn away from the tips of the articles by way of the first and second conical surfaces 27a, 27b of the openings 22. Once the drying cycle is complete, a user may unload the mugs, cups or other beverage containers and then grasp the handles of the silverware items. The silverware items may then be sorted and stored, for example in a utensil tray, without the need to touch the working portions of the silverware.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the article baskets 10 herein provide are flexible, multipurpose, customizable, easy to use, and enhance sanitization and safety. Indeed, the working portion (e.g., scoop portion of the spoon, tines of a fork, blade of a knife, etc.) of the silverware is received in the first interior area portion 42a of the article basket 10. When washing is complete, the user will tend to grab the handle, not the working portion, so sanitization concerns are addressed. Moreover, safety concerns are addressed. Indeed, since the working portion is hidden within the first interior area portion 42a, sharp points or edges are isolated to inhibit, such as prevent, injury to a user reaching into the dishwasher compartment area. Still further, the divider 60 including article receiving openings 62 and protrusions 70a, 70b simplify loading of silverware items since a handful of silverware items may be simply dropped into the article basket 10 for random sorting and spacing, rather than individually inserting the silverware items one at a time. Furthermore, a divider 60 may be incorporated to provide stacked washing of articles on top of the silverware.

[0038] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.