Dishwasher Rack Patents (Class 220/488)
  • Patent number: 10548457
    Abstract: A dishwasher utensil basket includes a mechanism for unloading multiple utensils at once without the user having to directly handle the utensils. The mechanism can include a grid that is loaded with utensils for treatment. The basket can include multiple zones for loading utensils, each provided with an individually-operable unloading mechanism. A user can unload the basket by holding a handle of the basket in one hand and squeezing an actuator of the mechanism toward the handle using the thumb of the same hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael I. Hirsh, Sujit S. Naik, Hrushikesh C. Prabhu, Mohan Takale
  • Patent number: 10512385
    Abstract: A dishwasher can include a tub defining a treating chamber receiving dishes for treatment, a spray system providing treating liquid to the treating chamber, a first dish rack located in the tub and having a bottom wall tiered to form multiple levels defining an effective inclination angle for the bottom wall, and a second dish rack located below the first dish rack and having an inclined non-tiered bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Steven B. Balinski, David Jason Brightbill, Frederick Thomas Roderick, Joseph T. Ferencevich, Ryan Kevin Roth, William J. Snell
  • Patent number: 10413947
    Abstract: A containment basket adapted for bottles or similar containers includes: sidewalls, a base including grids or slots, an open side opposite to the base, and a fastening system on opposite first sidewalls of the basket; for securing fixed grids parallel to the base of the basket. The fixed grids include apertures for housing the bottles. Lateral guides on opposite second sidewalls of the basket are adapted for housing a lever system for positioning a sliding grid parallel to the fixed grids in a height-adjustable position. The sliding grid includes apertures suitable for housing the bottles. First windows on the second sidewalls are adapted to cooperate with the lever system to allow the height-adjustable positioning of the sliding grid and to allow the sliding grid to slide between a first bottle retaining position and a second bottle releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: IWT S.R.L.
    Inventors: Matteo Borghi, Michele Vitali
  • Patent number: 10149595
    Abstract: A utensil rack for a dishwasher has a set of wave profiles. One subset of wave profiles has wave crests spaced from each other a first distance and a second set of wave profiles has wave crests spaced from each other a second distance less than the first distances. The utensil rack can be in the form of tray. A stemware section has one subset of wave profiles and a cutlery section has a second subset of wave profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sujit S. Naik, Hrushikesh C. Prabhu
  • Patent number: 9161674
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket includes a ramp that is configured for urging the silverware basket away from a door of the appliance when the silverware basket is being detached from the door. The ramp can, e.g., assist a user in removing the silverware basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William Nathan Garnett
  • Patent number: 8985375
    Abstract: An adjustable rack assembly for a dishwasher basket, comprises a rack (12) having a base bar (14) and a plurality of holding bars (16) that are fixedly attached to the base bar; and a bracket (18; 60; 80) provided at each end of the base bar for connecting said rack to a bar (10) of the dishwasher basket. The brackets (18; 60; 80) are adapted to permit horizontal shifting thereof along the bars (10) of the dishwasher basket. The rack assembly further comprises a releasable clamping means for securing the position of the brackets with respect to the bars of the dishwasher basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation, N.V.
    Inventors: Dieter Kohles, Gerhard Dürr, Klaus-Martin Forst
  • Publication number: 20140367387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved dishwasher utensil basket which eliminates the need to empty the utensil basket or tray in a dishwasher, simply transforming that basket or tray into a drawer organizer and placing it into a drawer. This removable utensil basket saves time and effort and is more sanitary as it eliminates the need to touch each and every utensil. It is also inexpensive and simple to manufacture and easy to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Aro
  • Publication number: 20140224696
    Abstract: The dishwasher tray has a base module including a bottom wall and perimeter walls. The bottom wall has a grid on which table utensils are placed and a drag element intended to be engaged by a dragging member of a dishwasher when the base module is introduced in the dishwasher. The perimeter walls also have grids. The dishwasher tray further includes at least one side lid intended to be detachably mounted on at least one of the perimeter walls covering one grid of the perimeter wall. Optionally, the side lid comprises protrusions that snap fit in complementary cavities provided in the perimeter wall. Optionally the side lid is colored or marked according to a color or mark code identifying the content of the dishwasher tray and/or the grids of all the perimeter walls can be covered with corresponding side lids when the tray is used for storage of table utensils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Miguel Pujadas S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Domenech Grau
  • Patent number: 8757419
    Abstract: A crockery basket with racks for items to be washed in dishwasher machines is provided, wherein the height of the racks is variable. To this end, the crockery basket is provided with a number of holding elements, by which means at least one rack can be arranged at different heights in the crockery basket. In this way, at least one rack for an item to be washed can be fixed at various heights in the crockery basket according to the spatial requirements of the item to be placed in the crockery basket or on the rack. The possibilities for varying the position of the item to be washed in the crockery basket or on the rack are thus improved, and the space available in the crockery basket is better used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schessl, Rainer Schuetz
  • Patent number: 8701898
    Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly for a dishwasher system is used to hold cups, bowls, spoons and other crockery items that are placed within the dishwasher. The vertical position of the shelf assembly within the dishwasher tub is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism comprising a carrier and a gripping projection. The gripping projection can move between a gripping position and sliding position. The carrier slides up and down a vertical bar. The adjustable shelf is capable of moving between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position the shelf can support crockery items. The shelf can be moved and held at any position between the deployed and stowed positions. The shelf assembly includes a cam mechanism that allows the shelf to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The shelf is partially curved in the stowed position and flexes to become straight in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventor: Biao Chai
  • Publication number: 20130328465
    Abstract: A silverware basket for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The silverware basket appliance includes features for selectively securing a cover of the silverware basket in an open position. To selectively secure the cover in an open position, the silverware basket can include a pin with a noncircular cross-section that rotatably mounts the cover to the silverware basket or a recess defined by a brace that can receive a portion of the cover in the open position or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darrell W. Shewmaker, Ryan James Diener, William Nathan Garnett, Daniel J. Hart
  • Patent number: 8522998
    Abstract: Provided is a basket assembly that includes a container portion and a lid rotationally coupled thereto. The lid may include a rib that extends therefrom at a location proximal to an axis of rotation of the lid. The lid may be configured to interfere with an interference portion of the container portion as the lid is rotated between a closed position and an open position relative to the container portion, the interference between the rib and the interference portion being configured to maintain the lid in at least one of the open position and the closed position. Various associated apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Allen Stephen Crookshanks, Ronald Gene Tynes
  • Patent number: 8104628
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack is provided. The dishwasher rack includes a tine holder, a tine holder moving portion, and/or a movable rack moving portion. The tine holder includes a plurality of portions formed to receive a holding tine for adjusting a gap between the holding tine and a structure opposite to the holding tine, according to a received position of the holding tine. The tine holder moving portion changes a position of the tine holder with respect to the rack frame. The movable rack moving portion changes a position of the movable rack with respect to the rack frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ji Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8087519
    Abstract: A dishwasher basket for securing baby bottle and drinking cup components is disclosed. The basket includes multiple compartments, with at least one split compartment serving as a hinged lid for another compartment. The basket first compartment is defined by sidewalls and a bottom wall, and is open at a side opposite the bottom wall, while the split second compartment is attached to a sidewall of the first compartment and is defined by two sub-compartments capable of movement between an open and a closed position, which when either sub-compartment is in a closed position at least a partial cover to the open top end of the first compartment is formed. The two sub-compartments are open on only one side such that as they adjoin when both sub-compartments are in a closed position a single compartment is formed. The basket is stable when either or both sub-compartments is opened as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Alistair Bramley, Tim Connelly, Brook Kennedy, Lorcan Geraghty
  • Publication number: 20110290804
    Abstract: An adjustable rack assembly for a dishwasher basket, comprises a rack (12) having a base bar (14) and a plurality of holding bars (16) that are fixedly attached to the base bar; and a bracket (18; 60; 80) provided at each end of the base bar for connecting said rack to a bar (10) of the dishwasher basket. The brackets (18; 60; 80) are adapted to permit horizontal shifting thereof along the bars (10) of the dishwasher basket. The rack assembly further comprises a releasable clamping means for securing the position of the brackets with respect to the bars of the dishwasher basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Dieter Kohles, Gerhard Dürr, Klaus-Martin Forst
  • Patent number: 7918361
    Abstract: A device for containing plastic container lids for use in an automatic dishwasher or for storage. The device includes an open lattice structure having a top, bottom, back and side walls and a removable door. The lattice members preferably have convex outer surfaces and substantially planar interior surfaces and are configured to maximize water penetration into the device during a wash cycle. Longitudinally-oriented lattice members include projections and grooves that assist in retaining lids in position and maintaining separation between adjacent lids. Concentric circular members may be provided on the sides of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Carrie L. Geis
  • Patent number: 7861883
    Abstract: Article baskets are adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine. The article baskets can include an article support wall with a plurality of openings defined by an edge extending along a path circumscribing substantially the entire opening. If provided, the edge of each of the openings can be concave in a direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. In addition, or alternatively, the article basket can further include a divider. The divider can include a portion configured to be selectively inserted into a elongated slot of a sidewall to divide the interior area into a first interior area portion and a second interior area portion. In addition, or alternatively, the divider can include a plurality of article receiving openings with at least one protrusion extending partially across the article receiving opening to divide a plurality of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Balaji Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 7775380
    Abstract: A dish rack has a collector tray that has a compartment. A retaining block is seated in the compartment for holding knives or other utensils having sharp edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 7267308
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base member formed from wire strands conjoined to each other, defining outwardly flanging sides and a bottom surface. One wire has a unitary body provided with ends disposed along sides of the base, support pegs monolithically formed therewith, and lip portions spaced along a longitudinal length of the base member. The wire further has an annular portion monolithically formed with the lip portions, extending upwardly from the base member and traveling inwardly towards a center thereof. Another wire has opposed ends conjoined to the annular portion and one of the base member sides. A tray is seated on the base member and includes a bottom surface and monolithically formed edges. The tray is positioned beneath the annular portion for catching fluids and debris. Rubber caps are positioned about the support pegs for increasing surface area friction and assisting to maintain the apparatus at a stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Duane R. Jenson
  • Patent number: 7073682
    Abstract: A dishwasher silverware basket is provided with a cage and a back wall which are snap-fit together. The cage includes a front wall, opposite side walls, and a bottom wall. The cage and back wall are both provided with mating hooks and openings which snap-fit together to form the silverware basket. In assembling the cage and back wall, hooks on the cage are fit into openings in the back wall. The cage is then moved toward the back wall so that second hooks on the back wall snap-fit into openings or recesses in the cage so as to form a permanent basket. Finally, the cage is moved downwardly with respect to the back wall so that the hooks on the cage engage with the lower edge portions of the back wall openings. Dividers may be provided in the basket to define compartments therein. The basket can be mounted on the interior surface of the dishwasher door via slots in the back wall, or can be set within a rack in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Raches, Wayne M. VanLandingham
  • Patent number: 6945421
    Abstract: A silverware basket is provided for a dishwasher rack having a sloped bottom. The basket includes a plurality of compartments which are vertically tiered with respect to one another, such that the bottom of the basket matingly fits along the bottom of the rack. A handle is provided on the basket for easy removal and installation of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robin K. Phifer
  • Patent number: 6161718
    Abstract: A utensil basket for holding and organizing utensils. The utensil basket includes a bottom wall with a perimeter wall upwardly extending around the bottom wall. The perimeter wall comprises spaced apart first and second end walls and spaced apart first and second side walls extending between the end walls. A longitudinal dividing wall is upwardly extended from the bottom wall between the end walls. Spaced apart first, second, and third lateral dividing walls are upwardly extended from the bottom wall between the longitudinal dividing wall and the second side wall. A secondary dividing wall is upwardly extended from the bottom wall between the first lateral dividing wall and the second end wall through the second and third lateral dividing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Ophelia B. Monbo
  • Patent number: 5899353
    Abstract: An ice cream cone cake holder comprises a supporting platform having a plurality of joined cone and/or cake supporting members and, preferably, a pair of handle members. Several embodiments of the holder are shown. In the first embodiment, the supporting platform is solid with apertured, open supporting members. In a second embodiment, the supporting platform is solid with apertured supporting members having connected frusto-conical members. In a third embodiment, the holder is wire-like with parallel, wire-like holder members with shaped portions that support ice cream cone cakes. The holder may be used in conjunction with a carrier for the holder and may hold an ice cream cone filled with cake ingredients, before during and after baking of the cake ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Sabin, Darla Jane Clark
  • Patent number: 5881906
    Abstract: A silverware basket for use in a dishwashing machine, the basket having a bottom wall disposed along the basket bottom. The bottom wall being an offset grid type structure formed by a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribs extending lengthwise across the basket bottom in a first plane and a plurality of parallel, transverse ribs extending across the width of the basket bottom in second plane spaced a predetermined distance below and parallel to the first plane. A plurality of connecting ribs connect the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs at the projected intersection points between the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs. A plurality of projections extend from the transverse ribs downwardly away from the longitudinal ribs for providing drip off tips for the bottom wall. The plurality of projections align with the plurality of connecting ribs and each of the projections comprise a generally inverted frustoconical body having a fully radiused bottom tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Pamela Sue Rogers, Ralph E. Christman
  • Patent number: 5601195
    Abstract: At least one comb-like divider (5) that is movable between an erect position and a lowered position is pivotably mounted on the basket. A pivot member (6) of the divider is pivoted in an elongate hole of at least one support member (8) which is fixed to the basket. At least one shaped projection (10) of the pivot member (6) is capable of slidably co-operating with a cam profile (14) of the member (8). The cam profile terminates upwardly with a recess (15) that is aligned with the elongate hole (9) and receives the shaped projection (10) when the movable divider (5) is in the erect position. The shaped projection (10) is disengageable from the recess (15) with a lifting movement of the pivot member (6) along the elongate hole (9) in such a way as to permit the movable divider (5) to rotate towards the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giancarlo Finola, Giuseppe Sergi
  • Patent number: 5546771
    Abstract: A conversion kit for converting a clothes washer to a dishwasher by removing the agitator and installing a dish holding basket and a plurality of horizontal dividers with fingers to support dishware. A plurality of vertical dividers are inserted between the individual dishware pieces to prevent damage thereto. A hot air drier structure is mounted in the washer to dry the dishes when the clothes washer is used as a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: George D. Bonar
  • Patent number: 5540246
    Abstract: A parts washer is provided having a mechanism for heating and pressurizing a supply of cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid against the part during a washing operation. Structure for supporting at least one part to be washed is provided with the supporting structure having a first configuration during a washing operation. Structure is provided for providing ready access to areas around the supporting means wherein the access providing structure allows the first configuration of the supporting structure to be changed. Preferably, the access providing structure includes structure for pivoting a section of the supporting structure between a) a non-pivoted position wherein the supporting structure has the first configuration and b) a pivoted position wherein the supporting structure has a second figuration to provide ready access to areas around the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Mart Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Minkin, Ted Marler
  • Patent number: 5431294
    Abstract: A flatware basket for use in a modular basket assembly in a dishwasher includes a bottom wall bounded by upstanding, spaced apart side walls joined by end walls. A first upstanding cross wall joins the side walls midway between the end walls and includes horizontal openings. A handle includes alternating, depending fingers with inwardly facing ribs. The handle is mounted on the cross wall with the fingers overlapping the cross wall and the ribs received in the cross wall openings. A cover mounted on the handle moves between a vertical position and horizontal positions on either side of the handle. Another cross wall supports the cover in one of its horizontal positions and ribs support the handle in its other horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Stottmann, Thomas J. Binzer
  • Patent number: 5351837
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack assembly includes a first elongated rod extending across the rack bottom in one direction and a second elongated rod extending across the rack bottom and crossing the first rod at an angle. A comb includes a base rod overlying the first elongated rod and a finger projecting outward of the base rod. A connector includes a first pair of spaced apart walls forming a first downwardly open recess receiving the rods in a vertical array; a second pair of spaced apart walls forming a second downwardly open recess receiving the second elongated rod; and a third set of spaced apart walls forming a laterally open recess intersecting the first and second recesses and receiving the finger so that the comb can be moved between a position with the finger extending upward and a position with the finger lying parallel to the first and second rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5209784
    Abstract: A device/apparatus and a method of cleaning small parts such as for example, jewelry pieces. The jewelry pieces which are to be cleaned are securely positioned or positionable within the main cavity of the apparatus and the walls of the apparatus are made of material and have a form which will permit the cleaning solution, preferably water with a detergent added, to pass through the walls and to impinge onto substantially all of the surfaces of the pieces to be cleaned and impinge with sufficient velocity and in sufficient volume, when used within any of the well known types or brands of automatic dishwashers, so as to be effective in the cleaning of the pieces. The apparatus comprises a main cavity for containing jewelry pieces and the walls defining the cavity are adapted to permit the turbulent and high velocity cleaning fluid of an operating automatic dishwasher to impinge onto the jewelry pieces contained within the main cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: David H. Bellman
  • Patent number: 5069360
    Abstract: A silverware basket for use in a dishwasher, the silverware basket having a rear wall, a water previous front wall spaced from the rear wall, a water pervious bottom wall connecting the front and rear walls and a plurality of upper and lower dividers extending between the rear wall and the front wall to provide a substatially solid upper and lower barrier between the front and rear walls. The combination of the upper divider and lower divider define a substantially vertical plane or wall bounded by the rear wall, the bottom wall, the front wall and a top of the front wall, wherein a minority of an area of the plane or wall is solid. In the preferred embodiment, the dividers are formed integrally with and project from the rear wall toward and engage with the front wall. The lower divider is also formed integrally with the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Dingler, Wilbur W. Jarvis