WO2009132949A1

WO2009132949A1 - A cutlery basket for dishwashers

Info

Publication number: WO2009132949A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/054309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tolga Akin
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2008-05-02
Filing date: 2009-04-09
Publication date: 2009-11-05
Also published as: ATE550981T1; EP2303093B1; EP2303093A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutlery basket (1) utilized in dishwashers in the dishwasher rack (R) for holding the cutlery and accessories together in an effective washing position that is prevented from toppling over by means of the ribs (3) integrated to the side walls (2, 102) enclosing its interior, by bearing against the plate holder wires opposite thereto.

Description

A CUTLERY BASKET FOR DISHWASHERS

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutlery basket used in dishwashers.

[0002] In dishwashers, cutlery baskets are used for washing the items of cutlery by holding the items together. The cutlery baskets are usually placed in the upper or lower baskets wherein large volume items such as pots and plates are emplaced. Plate holder wires are provided in the upper or lower baskets to hold the tableware suitably for washing and drying better and the cutlery baskets are positioned in between the plate holders. The cutlery baskets are generally produced to hold the cutlery set used by a certain number of people, for example having the capacity for receiving a 12 people cutlery set.

[0003] In narrow dishwashers, for example the ones having a width of 45 cm. between the two side walls, the capacity of the cutlery baskets is reduced since the width of the baskets is also narrow and produced with a narrower width for example for a cutlery set of 8 -10 people and thus is seated on the basket on a narrow base. High items such as the spatula, ladle etc. when put in the narrow cutlery baskets, cause the basket to go out of balance and the risk of toppling over arises.

[0004] In the Patent Document No JP11206690, a small item basket utilized in dishwashers is explained, used for washing small items like chopsticks, wherein the molding design is simplified.

[0005] In the Patent Document No CA2176544, a cutlery basket for dishwashers is explained, having perforated and inclined side walls to permit better penetration of the bottom jets of washing water into its interior.

[0006] Advantage is provided in water penetration and balancing when the side walls are inclined in cutlery baskets, however the ends of the cutlery get stuck in the side walls while emplacing the cutlery items since the side walls are perforated and utilization inconvenience arises.

[0007] In the Patent Document No JP2128740, a small basket having an almost conical shape receiving small tableware is supported in a freely rotatable manner in the basket.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cutlery basket used for placing cutlery items in the dishwasher and which is held in balance in the big basket. [0009] The cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims. [0010] In the cutlery basket of the present invention, a horizontal rib is integrated on the outer surfaces of the side walls surrounding the interior, for maintaining balance by bearing against the opposite plate holder wires. [0011] The rib is joined on the outer surfaces of the side walls of the cutlery basket by adhering thereto or by plastic injection method or producing as a single piece together with the side walls. [0012] The rib serves as a bumper that partially or entirely surrounds the side walls. [0013] The side walls are formed like a sieve and the thickness of the rib is not more than the thickness of the wire netting forming a side wall and water penetration to the interior from the side walls is not obstructed. [0014] The height of the rib from the base of the cutlery basket does not exceed the height of the plate holder support members and in case there is imbalance, it bears against the plate holder support members. [0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket comprises two ribs, configured as thin, long plates, extending along the entire length on the outer surfaces of the opposite side walls that have a length longer than the front and rear walls. [0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket comprises an extension that extends downwards from the outer edge of the rib thereby allowing the rib to be also used as a handle. [0017] The cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0018] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cutlery basket disposed inside a dishwasher.

[0019] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a cutlery basket. [0020] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a cutlery basket and the support members. [0021] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of a cutlery basket, comprising an extension.

[0022] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

[0023] 1. Cutlery basket

[0024] 2, 102, 202, 302. Side wall

[0025] 3. Rib

[0026] 4. Extension

[0027] In dishwashers, the items of tableware are placed inside a dishwasher rack (R) and furthermore a cutlery basket (1) is used in the dishwasher rack (R) for holding the cutlery and kitchenware accessories together in an effective washing position.

[0028] In the dishwasher rack (R), furthermore support members (S) like plate holder wires are provided for holding the tableware items in a suitable position for washing and drying operations, that extend upwards from the base of the dishwasher rack (R) in upright or inclined directions (Figures 1 , 3).

[0029] The cutlery basket (1) comprises a first side wall (2) and a second side wall (102) opposite the first side wall (2). The width (W) of the cutlery basket (1) body equals the distance between the first and the second side walls (2, 102) (Figure 2).

[0030] The cutlery basket (1) furthermore comprises a third side wall (202) joining the first and second side walls (2, 102) and a fourth side wall (302) opposite the third side wall (202). The side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) enclose the cutlery basket's interior. The length (L) of the cutlery basket (1) equals the distance between the third and fourth side walls (202, 302) (Figure 2).

[0031] The cutlery basket (1) of the present invention, comprises one or more ribs (3) integrated horizontally on the outer surfaces of the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302), for holding thereof in balance inside the dishwasher rack (R) by bearing against the support members (S) opposite thereto and accordingly prevent toppling over by losing balance when tall kitchenware items such as the ladle, spatula etc. are placed therein.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rib (3) partially surrounds the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302). [0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rib (3) entirely surrounds the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302).

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the cutlery basket (1) is placed inside the dishwasher rack (R), a short distance remains between the rib (3) and the opposite support members (S) and if the cutlery basket (1) loses balance the rib (3) can bear against the support members (S) and prevent the cutlery basket (1) from toppling over.

[0035] When the cutlery basket (1) is emplaced inside the dishwasher rack (R), the rib (3) extends from outside the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) towards the support members (S) at the interior of the dishwasher rack (R) and bears against thereto or a small distance is remaining between the rib (3) and support members (S), thus the cutlery basket (1) remains in balance and the risk of toppling over is eliminated (Figure 3).

[0036] The rib (3) is connected by adhering to the outer surface of the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) or joined by plastic injection method (over molding) or produced together with the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) as a single piece.

[0037] The side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) are configured like a sieve, the thickness of the ribs (3) is not more than the thickness of the wire netting forming the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) and thus water penetration into the cutlery basket (1) from the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) is not prevented. Besides, the distance of the rib (3) to the base of the cutlery basket (1) does not exceed the height of the support members (S) (Figure 3).

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the width (W) of the cutlery basket (1) body is less than its length (L) (W < L), and tends to tilt to the sides of the first or the second side walls (2, 102).

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises two ribs (3) configured as thin, long plates, that extend along the entire length (L) on the outer surface of the opposite side walls (2, 102) (Figure 2).

[0040] The ribs (3) hold the cutlery basket (1) with a narrow width (W) in balance by bearing against the support members (S) disposed on both sides of the cutlery basket (1) body and prevent from tilting sideways.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises one or more extensions (4) that extend from the outer edge of the ribs (3) downward, aiding the user to easily grasp the cutlery basket (1) from both sides for lifting up from the dishwasher rack (R). The ribs (3) not only serve as balancers but also serve as handles by means of the extensions (4) (Figure 4). In cutlery baskets (1) with a width (W) made narrower to be compatible particularly with narrow width dishwashers, balance is maintained by the ribs (3) that extend along the sides, and toppling over is prevented when kitchenware that are higher than the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) such as the ladle, spatula etc. are placed in the cutlery basket (1).

Claims

1. A cutlery basket (1) suitable to be utilized in dishwashers, that comprises more than one side wall (2, 102, 202, 302) that enclose its interior, and characterized by one or more ribs (3) integrated on the outer surfaces of the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) for holding in balance inside the dishwasher rack (R) by at least partially bearing against the support members (S) opposite thereto.

2. A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the rib (3), that partially surrounds the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302).

3. A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by side walls (2, 102, 202, 302) configured like sieves and the rib (3) with a thickness that does not exceed the thickness of the wire netting forming the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302).

4. A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the rib (3) with a distance to the base thereof not exceeding the height of the support members (S).

5. A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by two ribs (3) that extend along the entire length (L) on the outer surface of the opposite side walls (2, 102).

6. A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 , 3 or 4, characterized by the rib (3) entirely surrounding the side walls (2, 102, 202, 302).

7. A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by one or more extensions (4) that extend from the outer edge of the ribs (3) downward and aids the user to easily grasp the cutlery basket (1) from both sides for lifting up from the dishwasher rack (R).

8. A dishwasher characterized by the cutlery basket (1 ) as in any one of the above Claims.