WO2014094897A1

WO2014094897A1 - Cutlery stacking device

Info

Publication number: WO2014094897A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/076767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rickard HEDERSTIERNA; Daniel MESA
Original assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N. V.
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2014-06-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutlery stacking device (1), for stacking cutlery items in a dishwasher. The cutlery stacking device (1) comprises a first stacking portion (3) and a second stacking portion (4), said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) being foldably interconnected with each other essentially at an upper edge (13) of said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4). Each one of said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) comprising an outer surface, at least one of said outer surfaces being adapted to hold said cutlery items. The outer surface of said first stacking portion (3) extending in a plane Pi and said outer surface of said second stacking portion (4) extending in a plane P2, wherein, in said planes P_1, P_2, said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) are arranged in an angle a with respect to each other The cutlery stacking device (1) has at least an unfolded state and a folded state, and wherein said cutlery stacking device (1) is foldable between at least said unfolded and said folded state such that a differs from 0°-180°. The present invention further relates to a dishwasher comprising such cutlery stacking device (1).

Description

TITLE

Cutlery stacking device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cutlery stacking device for a dishwasher, and a dishwasher comprising such cutlery stacking device, according to the preambles of the independent claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwashers, and in particular dishwashers designed for domestic use, are often provided with a cutlery basket for stacking cutlery pieces. The cutlery basket is most commonly arranged in the lower rack of the dishwasher. In most cases, the cutlery basket is detachably arranged within the rack and provided with a handle, which facilitates loading and unloading of the cutlery. However, instead of having a cutlery basket, dishwashers are sometimes provided with a cutlery tray arranged for substantially horizontal reception of cutlery. Commonly, such cutlery tray is slidingly arranged in the upper part of the dishwasher, above the upper rack.

In US2008302397 A a washing-up basket for a dishwasher with a device for stacking cutlery pieces, is disclosed. A pivoting stacking device is arranged on an external side of the washing-up basket. The device comprises a holder, in which at least one separate cutlery basket may be introduced. The cutlery basket is characterized by particular aids for individual stacking of the cutlery pieces. At least one side wall of the crockery basket can be folded out. When the cutlery basket, removed from the holder of the pivoting stacking device, is placed on its side, and the hinged side wall of the cutlery basket is opened, the cutlery pieces collect on the lower side of the cutlery basket and may easily be removed without the cutlery pieces needing to be taken individually from the cutlery basket grid. A further example of a cutlery basket is disclosed in US2005000554 A, which discloses a dishwasher rack basket assembly that includes a water impervious basket of open mesh construction. The basket is selectively positionable between a first size and a second size, the first size securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough, the second size smaller than the first size and not securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough.

ΕΡ0 86157Α discloses a domestic dishwasher with a removable crockery basket and a separate cutlery basket in which items of cutlery can be placed for the purpose of washing.

DE9216495U1 discloses a cutlery basket comprising two object receiving parts, the cutlery basket may be opened up to facilitate removal of the cutlery items. In DE19726553 A1 a further example of a cutlery basket comprising two portions, is disclosed. The basket may be opened in order to facilitate unloading of the cutlery items.

Thus, a great variety of different cutlery baskets and cutlery trays have been suggested for stacking cutlery in the dishwasher. However, the inventors of the present invention have identified a need for an improved cutlery basket which allows more flexibility than previous known cutlery baskets, which facilitates loading and unloading of the cutlery, and which provides reduced costs.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a cutlery basket which facilitates loading and unloading of the cutlery.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cutlery basket which provides improved space and cost efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide more flexibility and improved freedom of choice for the user when loading or unloading the cutlery items in the dishwasher. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claims.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

The cutlery stacking device, for stacking cutlery items in a dishwasher, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a first stacking portion and a second stacking portion, said first stacking portion and said second stacking portion being foldably interconnected with each other essentially at an upper edge of said first stacking portion and said second stacking portion. Each one of said first stacking portion and said second stacking portion comprising an outer surface, at least one of said outer surfaces being adapted to hold said cutlery items, said outer surface of said first stacking portion extending in a plane Pi and said outer surface of said second stacking portion extending in a plane P₂ , wherein, in said planes P-i , P₂, said first stacking portion and said second stacking portion are arranged in an angle a with respect to each other, and wherein said cutlery stacking device has at least an unfolded state and a folded state, and wherein said cutlery stacking device is foldable between at least said unfolded and said folded state such that a differs from 0°- 80°

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a cutlery stacking device. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the cutlery stacking device, when in the unfolded state acting as a cutlery tray, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the cutlery stacking device, when in the semi-folded state acting as a cutlery basket, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows the cutlery stacking device, when in the folded state acting as a cutlery basket, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows the cutlery stacking device, arranged in a dishwasher, when the cutlery stacking device is in the folded state acting as a cutlery basket, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows the cutlery stacking device, when in the unfolded state, and when being arranged in a rack support in a dishwasher, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the application the term upper edge refers to the edge located furthest away from a supporting surface, against which the cutlery stacking device is supported when the cutlery stacking device is in a folded state and in upright position. The supporting surface may be, e.g. a table or a

dishwasher rack, against which the cutlery stacking device is supported. The term outer edge refers to the edge which is located closest to a supporting surface, when the cutlery stacking device is in a folded state and in upright position. The outer edge abuts against the supporting surface in case of the cutlery stacking device being self-supporting in the upright position.

Throughout the application the term outer surface 5 of the first stacking portion 3 refers to the surface facing away from the second stacking portion 4, when cutlery stacking device is in the folded state and the angle a is essentially 0°. In a similar way, the term outer surface 6 of the second stacking portion 4 refers to the surface facing away from the first stacking portion 3, when in the folded state and the angle a is essentially 0°. Figure 1 shows a cutlery stacking device 1 , for stacking cutlery items 2 in a dishwasher (not shown), according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cutlery stacking device 1 comprises a first stacking portion 3 and a second stacking portion 4, the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are foldably interconnected with each other essentially at an upper edge 3 of the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4. Each one of the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 comprising an outer surface 5, 6, at least one of the outer surfaces 5, 6 being adapted to hold the cutlery items. The outer surface 5 of the first stacking portion 3 extends in a plane Pi and the outer surface 6 of the second stacking portion 4 extends in a plane P₂, wherein, in the planes Pi, P₂, the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are arranged in an angle a with respect to each other. Furthermore, the cutlery stacking device 1 has at least an unfolded state and a folded state, and wherein the cutlery stacking device 1 is foldable between at least the unfolded and the folded state such that a differs from 0°-180°. In the Figures, the planes P₂ are indicated with dashed lines, the angle a between the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 is located between said planes P-i, P₂ closest to the upper edge 13.

In one embodiment, when in the unfolded state, the angle a is 180°, and when in the folded state, the angle a is 0° < a < 180°. The angle a being 180° in the unfolded state is advantageous in that the cutlery stacking device 1 then extends essentially horizontally, which facilitates using the cutlery stacking device 1 as a cutlery tray in the dishwasher.

Thus, in use, when in the unfolded state, the cutlery stacking device 1 acts as a cutlery tray, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, and is adapted to be slidingly arranged within a dishwasher, e.g. above the upper rack. In the folded state, as illustrated in Figures 2-4, the cutlery stacking device 1 is adapted to act as a cutlery basket. The cutlery stacking device being foldable between at least two states is advantageous in that it provides improved freedom of choice for the user, since the user may choose between using the cutlery stacking device 1 as a cutlery tray or a cutlery basket.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the cutlery stacking device 1 is adapted to be mounted as a sliding tray in a dishwasher or extractably in a rack support 15 in the dishwasher 17, when in the unfolded state. The rack support may be a wire support, or any other similar support, e.g. a rack support made of plastic. According to one embodiment, shown in Figure , an outer edge 1 of the first stacking portion 3 and an outer edge 11 of the second stacking portion 4 are provided with sliding means 16, adapted to fit slidingly in the dishwasher 17, when the cutlery stacking device 1 is in the unfolded state. The sliding means 16 may be sliding grooves, or sliding tongues.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, when the cutlery stacking device 1 is in the unfolded state, the cutlery stacking device 1 may be arranged essentially horizontally in a rack support 15 which is extractably arranged in the dishwasher 17. Arranging the cutlery stacking device 1 in a rack support 15 is advantageous in that it is facilitates lifting out and removing the cutlery stacking device 1 from the dishwasher 17, which facilitates loading and unloading of the cutlery items.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, the cutlery stacking device 1 has a semi-folded state, in which the angle a is approximately 10°- 60°. As can be seen in Figure 2, in the semi-folded state, the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are adapted to act as a support, such that the cutlery stacking device 1 is self-supporting in an upright position. The semi-folded state is advantageous in that the cutlery stacking device 1 may be detached from the dishwasher 17, lifted out, and placed on, e.g. a table or any other surface, which facilitates unloading of the cutlery items. The cutlery stacking device 1 being self-supporting also facilitates unloading of the cutlery items. In one embodiment, at least one of the outer surfaces 5, 6 are provided with at least one holding element 7, adapted to hold said cutlery items. In Figures 1-2, each one of the outer surfaces 5, 6 are provided with a holding element 7. Preferably, the at least one holding element 7 is arranged essentially at an outer edge 1 of at least one of the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the holding element 7 comprises an elongated pocket 12, adapted to receive at least a portion of one or more of the cutlery items 2. The pocket 12 may be arranged essentially at the outer edge 11 of the first stacking portion 3 and/or the second stacking portion 4. In Figure 2 each one of the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 comprises an elongated pocket 12 arranged essentially at the outer edge 11. Preferably, the pocket 12 extends essentially the complete length L of the first stacking portion 3 and/or the second stacking portion 4. However, the pocket 12 may extend only along parts of the length L of the first stacking portion 3 and/or the second stacking portion 4.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 2-3, the pocket 12 is provided with an opening 14, said opening 14 being adapted to receive the portion of the one or more cutlery items, wherein the opening 14 is directed in a direction D towards the upper edge 13 of the first stacking portion 3 and/or the second stacking portion 4.

According to one embodiment, the holding element 7 comprises an elongated supporting device 18 arranged close to an upper edge 13 of the first stacking portion 3 or the second stacking portion 4, the elongated supporting device being adapted to maintain an upper portion of the cutlery items 2 in position. The elongated supporting device 18 may be adjustably arranged, such that the position of the elongated supporting device 18 along the first stacking portion 3 and/or the second stacking portion 4 may be adjusted. Thus, the position between the upper edge 13 and the outer edge 11 may be adjusted. This facilitates loading and unloading the cutlery items.

In one embodiment, the interconnection between the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 comprises a pivot connection 9, which is adapted to interconnect the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4. The first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are then advantageously foldable between the folded state, wherein the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 may be essentially parallel to each other and vertically arranged, and the unfolded state, wherein the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are arranged aligned with each other and in the same plane.

In one embodiment, a handle 8 is arranged adjacent to the pivot connection 9 of the cutlery stacking device 1. The handle 8 may be arranged between the first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4. In one

embodiment, the handle 8 is attached essentially at an upper edge 13 of the first stacking portion 3. In another embodiment, the handle 8 is attached essentially at an upper edge 13 of the second stacking portion 4, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the angle a is essentially 0° in the folded state. The first stacking portion 3 and the second stacking portion 4 are then completely folded such that the outer surfaces 5, 6 are parallel with respect to each other and vertically arranged.

In the folded state, when the angle a is essentially 0° the cutlery stacking device 1 is preferably arranged in a dishwasher rack 10, as illustrated in Figure 4. The surfaces 5, 6 being vertically arranged provides improved space efficiency.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising at least one cutlery stacking device 1 as mentioned above. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, when in the unfolded state, the at least one cutlery stacking device 1 is arranged essentially horizontally in a rack support 15 extractably arranged in the dishwasher 17. In another embodiment, the cutlery stacking device 1 is arranged essentially horizontally as a sliding tray in the dishwasher 17. In that case, as also mentioned above, the cutlery stacking device 1 is provided with sliding means 16 (see Figure 1) adapted to fit in corresponding sliding means in the dishwasher, such that the cutlery stacking device 1 is extractably arranged in the dishwasher in a manner similar to what is shown in fig. 5. Preferably, the angle a is 180° when the cutlery stacking device 1 is arranged in a rack support or mounted as a sliding tray. Furthermore, when in the folded state, the at least one cutlery stacking device 1 is arranged essentially vertically in a dishwasher rack 10 in the dishwasher, as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the cutlery stacking device 1 is folded and the angle a is 0°.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. Cutlery stacking device (1), for stacking cutlery items in a dishwasher, said cutlery stacking device (1) comprising a first stacking portion (3) and a second stacking portion (4), said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) being foldably interconnected with each other essentially at an upper edge (13) of said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4), each one of said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) comprising an outer surface, at least one of said outer surfaces (5, 6) being adapted to hold said cutlery items, said outer surface (5) of said first stacking portion (3) extending in a plane Pi and said outer surface (6) of said second stacking portion (4) extending in a plane P₂ , wherein, in said planes (P-i, P₂), said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) are arranged in an angle a with respect to each other, and wherein said cutlery stacking device (1) has at least an unfolded state and a folded state, and wherein said cutlery stacking device (1) is foldable between at least said unfolded and said folded state such that a differs from 0°-180°.

2. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 1 , wherein, in said unfolded state, said angle a is 180°, and in said folded state, said angle a is 0° < a < 180°.

3. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 1 , wherein said cutlery stacking device (1) has a semi-folded state, in which said angle a is approximately 10°- 60°.

4. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 3, wherein, when in said semi-folded state, said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4) are adapted to act as a support, such that said cutlery stacking device (1) is self-supporting in an upright position.

5. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 1 , wherein in said folded state, said angle a is essentially 0°.

6. Cutlery stacking device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein at least one of said outer surfaces (5, 6) are provided with at least one holding element (7), adapted to hold said cutlery items.

7. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 6, wherein said at least one holding element (7) is arranged essentially at an outer edge (11) of at least one of said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4).

8. Cutlery stacking device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the cutlery stacking device (1) is adapted to be mounted as a sliding tray or in a rack support (15) in a dishwasher (17), when in said unfolded state.

9. Cutlery stacking device according to any of claims 6-7, wherein said holding element (7) comprises an elongated pocket (12), adapted to receive at least a portion of one or more of said cutlery items.

10. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 9, wherein the pocket (12) is provided with an opening (14), adapted to receive said portion of said one or more cutlery items, wherein said opening (14) is directed in a direction D towards said upper edge (13) of said first stacking portion (3) and/or said second stacking portion (4).

11. Cutlery stacking device according to any of claims 1-10, wherein said foldable interconnection comprises a pivot connection (9), which is adapted to interconnect said first stacking portion (3) and said second stacking portion (4).

12. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 11 , wherein a handle (8) is arranged adjacent to said pivot connection (9) of said cutlery stacking device (1)-

13. Cutlery stacking device according to claim 12, wherein said handle (8) is attached essentially at an upper edge (13) of said first stacking portion (3) and/or of said second stacking portion (4).

14. Dishwasher (17) comprising at least one cutlery stacking device (1) according to any of claims 1-13.

15. Dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein, when in said unfolded state, said at least one cutlery stacking device (1) is arranged essentially horizontally

- in a rack support (15) extractably arranged in said dishwasher (17), or

- as a sliding tray in said dishwasher (17),

and wherein, when in said folded state, said at least one cutlery stacking device (1) is arranged essentially vertically in a dishwasher rack (10) in said dishwasher (17).