Dish-receiving unit and domestic dishwasher

Abstract

A dish-receiving unit for a household dishwasher includes a lattice-like base, an intensive washing zone, and a manually operable on/off valve configured to switch the intensive washing zone optionally from a deactivated state to an activated state and vice versa, said on/off valve being operable through the base.

Claims

1. A dish-receiving unit for a household dishwasher, said dish-receiving unit comprising: a lattice-like base; an inlet pipe; an intensive washing zone; and a manually operable on/off valve comprising an open position and a closed position, the manually operable on/off valve arranged (i) between the inlet pipe and the intensive washing zone, and (ii) below and exterior from the lattice-like base of the dish-receiving unit when the manually operable on/off valve is in the open position, in the closed position, and when the manually operable on/off valve is being switched from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, the manually operable on/off valve configured to switch the intensive washing zone optionally from a deactivated state to an activated state and vice versa, said on/off valve being operable through the lattice-like base, wherein the on/off valve includes a valve housing and a valve body received in the valve housing, the valve body having a spring portion configured to spring-bias the valve body both in the direction of the open position and in the direction of the closed position.

2. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, constructed in the form of a dish rack.

3. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the on/off valve is embodied as a cross sliding valve.

4. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the valve body is displaceable in a linear manner in the valve housing for switching the on/off valve from an open position into a closed position and vice versa.

5. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the spring portion has a guiding surface which, when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa, slides on a corresponding mating surface of the valve housing until an apex point of the mating surface is reached, said spring portion automatically switching the on/off valve into the closed position or into the open position when the apex point is passed.

6. The dish-receiving unit of claim 5, wherein the guiding surface of the spring portion has a first guiding surface and a second guiding surface which are inclined relative to one another.

7. The dish-receiving unit of claim 5, wherein the mating surface of the valve housing has a first mating surface and a second mating surface which are inclined relative to one another, said first mating surface transitioning into the second mating surface at the apex point.

8. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the spring portion includes a stop which in the open position bears against a corresponding abutment of the valve housing.

9. The dish-receiving unit of claim 8, wherein the spring portion has a guiding surface which, when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa, slides on a corresponding mating surface of the valve housing until an apex point of the mating surface is reached, said stop engaging in a recess of the mating surface of the valve housing in the closed position of the on/off valve.

10. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the on/off valve is embodied as a rotary valve.

11. The dish-receiving unit of claim 1, wherein the on/off valve includes a valve housing and a valve body received in the valve housing and rotatable in the valve housing for switching the on/off valve from an open position into a closed position and vice versa.

12. The dish-receiving unit of claim 11, wherein the valve housing includes spring portions configured to spring-bias the valve body both in a direction of the open position and in a direction of the closed position.

13. The dish-receiving unit of claim 12, wherein the valve body has a square contour configured to deform the spring portions in a resilient manner when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa.

14. A household dishwasher, comprising a dish-receiving unit, said dish-receiving unit comprising a lattice-like base, an inlet pipe, an intensive washing zone, and a manually operable on/off valve comprising an open position and a closed position, the manually operable on/off valve arranged (i) between the inlet pipe and the intensive washing zone, and (ii) below and exterior to the lattice-like base of the dish-receiving unit when the manually operable on/off valve is in the open position, in the closed position, or when the manually operable on/off valve is switched from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, the manually operable on/off valve configured to switch the intensive washing zone optionally from a deactivated state to an activated state and vice versa, said on/off valve being operable through the lattice-like base, wherein the on/off valve includes a valve housing and a valve body received in the valve housing, the valve body having a spring portion configured to spring-bias the valve body in the direction of the open position and in the direction of the closed position.

15. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the on/off valve is embodied as a cross sliding valve.

16. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the valve body is displaceable in a linear manner in the valve housing for switching the on/off valve from an open position into a closed position and vice versa.

17. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the spring portion has a guiding surface which, when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa, slides on a corresponding mating surface of the valve housing until an apex point of the mating surface is reached, said spring portion automatically switching the on/off valve into the closed position or into the open position when the apex point is passed.

18. The household dishwasher of claim 17, wherein the guiding surface of the spring portion has a first guiding surface and a second guiding surface which are inclined relative to one another.

19. The household dishwasher of claim 17, wherein the mating surface of the valve housing has a first mating surface and a second mating surface which are inclined relative to one another, said first mating surface transitioning into the second mating surface at the apex point.

20. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the spring portion includes a stop which in the open position bears against a corresponding abutment of the valve housing.

21. The household dishwasher of claim 20, wherein the spring portion has a guiding surface which, when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa, slides on a corresponding mating surface of the valve housing until an apex point of the mating surface is reached, said stop engaging in a recess of the mating surface of the valve housing in the closed position of the on/off valve.

22. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the on/off valve is embodied as a rotary valve.

23. The household dishwasher of claim 14, wherein the on/off valve includes a valve housing and a valve body received in the valve housing and rotatable in the valve housing for switching the on/off valve from an open position into a closed position and vice versa.

24. The household dishwasher of claim 23, wherein the valve housing includes spring portions configured to spring-bias the valve body both in a direction of the open position and in a direction of the closed position.

25. The household dishwasher of claim 24, wherein the valve body has a square contour configured to deform the spring portions in a resilient manner when the on/off valve is switched from the open position into the closed position and vice versa.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments and features of the dish-receiving unit and/or the household dishwasher form the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the dish-receiving unit and/or the household dishwasher described hereinafter. Moreover, the dish-receiving unit and/or the household dishwasher are described in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dish-receiving unit for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further schematic perspective partial view of the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a valve body for an on/off valve for the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an on/off valve for the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 2;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a further schematic sectional view of the on/off valve according to FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows schematically the functionality of the on/off valve according to FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a further embodiment of a dish-receiving unit for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a further schematic perspective partial view of the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a further embodiment of a dish-receiving unit for the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a further schematic perspective partial view of the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a valve body for an on/off valve for the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 11;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a further schematic perspective view of the valve body according to FIG. 13;

(16) FIG. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a valve housing for an on/off valve for the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 11;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a further schematic perspective view of the valve housing according to FIG. 15;

(18) FIG. 17 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an on/off valve for the dish-receiving unit according to FIG. 11;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a further schematic sectional view of the on/off valve according to FIG. 17; and

(20) FIG. 19 shows a further schematic sectional view of the on/off valve according to FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(21) Elements which are identical or functionally identical have been provided in the figures with the same reference numerals, unless indicated otherwise.

(22) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a dishwasher cavity 2 which is closable by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. To this end, a sealing device may be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboidal. The dishwasher cavity 2 may be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 may form a dishwasher interior 4 for washing items to be washed.

(23) The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The door 3 may be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided on a lower end of the door 3. A loading opening 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 may be closed or opened by means of the door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a base 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3, and two opposingly arranged side walls 10, 11. The base 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 may be manufactured, for example, from a stainless steel sheet. Alternatively, for example, the base 7 may be manufactured from a plastic material.

(24) The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one dish-receiving unit 12 to 14. Preferably, a plurality of dish-receiving units 12 to 14, for example three thereof, may be provided, wherein the dish-receiving unit 12 may be a lower dish-receiving unit or a lower basket, the dish-receiving unit 13 may be an upper dish-receiving unit or an upper basket and the dish-receiving unit 14 may be a cutlery drawer. The dish-receiving units 12 to 14 may also be denoted as dish racks. As FIG. 1 further shows, the dish-receiving units 12 to 14 are arranged on top of one another in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each dish-receiving unit 12 to 14 is optionally displaceable into or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each dish-receiving unit 12 to 14 may be pushed in or inserted in an insertion direction E into the dishwasher cavity 2 and pulled out or extended out of the dishwasher cavity 2 counter to the insertion direction E in a pull-out direction A.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dish-receiving unit 12. The dish-receiving units 13, 14 may be configured similar to the dish-receiving unit 12. Hereinafter, however, details are provided only for the dish-receiving unit 12.

(26) The dish-receiving unit 12 is of basket-shaped configuration and comprises a lattice-like front wall 15, which faces the closed door 3, a lattice-like rear wall 16 which is spaced apart from the front wall 15 and arranged parallel thereto and which faces the rear wall 9 of the dishwasher cavity 2, two lattice-like side walls 17, 18 which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another as well as a lattice-like base 19. The front wall 15, the rear wall 16, the side walls 17, 18 and the base 19 are constructed from a plurality of wires connected together.

(27) The dish-receiving unit 12 further comprises an inlet pipe 20 which is fixedly connected to the base 19 of the dish-receiving unit 12. For example, the inlet pipe 20 is clipped or snapped onto the base 19. The inlet pipe 20 is a plastic component. A coupling element 21 is provided on the inlet pipe 20, the inlet pipe 20 being able to be connected by said coupling element 21 to a supply pipe, not shown, of the household dishwasher 1 and detached again therefrom. When the dish-receiving unit 12 is displaced into the dishwasher cavity 2, the coupling element 21 is connected to the supply pipe. When the dish-receiving unit 12 is displaced out of the dishwasher cavity 2, the coupling element 21 is detached from the supply pipe. Via the supply pipe, washing liquor and/or fresh water may be supplied to the inlet pipe 20 by means of a circulating pump of the household dishwasher 1, not shown.

(28) Moreover, the dish-receiving unit 12 has a spray arm 22 which is rotatably attached to the inlet pipe 20 at a bearing point 23. The spray arm 22 comprises a plurality of spray nozzles, items to be washed which are received in the dishwasher cavity 2 being able to be supplied thereby with washing liquor and/or fresh water. Moreover, an intensive washing zone 31 (shown by dashed dotted lines) is also connected to the inlet pipe 20. By means of the intensive washing zone 31 items to be washed which are heavily soiled and/or difficult to clean, such as for example bottles, may be particularly thoroughly cleaned.

(29) The intensive washing zone 31 may optionally be switched by means of a manually operable on/off valve 32A from a deactivated state in which the intensive washing zone 31 is not supplied with washing liquor and/or fresh water, into an activated state in which the intensive washing zone 31 is supplied with washing liquor and/or fresh water, and vice versa. The on/off valve 32A is arranged between the inlet pipe 20 and the intensive washing zone 31 and is designed to connect fluidically the intensive washing zone 31 to the inlet pipe 20, and to disconnect the intensive washing zone 31 therefrom again. In the deactivated state of the intensive washing zone 31 the on/off valve 32A is closed and in the activated state of the intensive washing zone 31 the on/off valve 32A is open. The on/off valve 32A is arranged below the base 19 and may be operated through said base.

(30) An “on/off valve” in the present case is to be understood as a valve which is either in a fully open or in a fully closed state. An intermediate state in such an on/off valve 32A is preferably not possible. The on/off valve 32A may also be denoted as a switching valve. The on/off valve 32A is manually operable. By “manually operable”, it is to be understood in the present case that a user may operate the on/off valve 32A by hand, preferably with just one finger. An electronic actuating element, such as for example a solenoid valve or an electric motor, is preferably not provided.

(31) The on/off valve 32A may be switched from a closed position GP shown in FIG. 3 in which the on/off valve 32A is fully closed, into an open position OP shown in FIG. 4 in which the on/off valve 32A is fully open and vice versa.

(32) The on/off valve 32A comprises a valve housing 33 and a valve body 34 received in the valve housing 33. The valve body 34 is displaceable in a linear manner in the valve housing 33. Thus the on/off valve 32A may also be denoted as a cross sliding valve. In this case, the valve body 34 may be operated through the base 19 of the dish-receiving unit 12 from above, preferably with just one finger. Two inscriptions 35, 36 are provided on the valve body 34. The inscription 35 indicates by “OFF” that the on/off valve 32A is in its closed position GP. The inscription 36 indicates by “ON” that the on/off valve 32A is in its open position OP. The valve body 34 and the valve housing 33 are preferably configured as plastic injection-molded components. The valve housing 33 is arranged between the inlet pipe 20 and the intensive washing zone 31.

(33) FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the valve body 34 in a schematic perspective view. The valve body 34 comprises a barrel-shaped or cylinder-shaped base portion 37 with a first front side 38 and a second front side 39. The base portion 37 in this case is preferably constructed rotationally symmetrically to a central axis or axis of symmetry M. For switching the on/off valve 32A from the open position OP into the closed position GP, a compressive force is applied with a finger to the front side 38, and for switching the on/off valve 32A from the closed position GP into the open position OP a compressive force is applied with a finger to the front side 39.

(34) The front side 38 in this case is of disk-shaped configuration and has a larger diameter than the base portion 37. Preferably a circular through-flow opening 40 is provided on the base portion 37. The through-flow opening 40 is oriented perpendicular to the axis of symmetry M. An L-shaped spring portion 41 extends out of the front side 38. The spring portion 41 is resiliently deformable. A stop 42 extending in the direction of the base portion 37 is provided on the spring portion 41. Furthermore, the spring portion 41 comprises two guiding surfaces 43, 44 which are inclined toward one another, in particular a first guiding surface 43 and a second guiding surface 44.

(35) As FIGS. 6 and 7 show, the valve housing 33 comprises a guiding portion 45 cooperating with the spring portion 41. The guiding portion 45 comprises an abutment 46 against which the stop 42 of the spring portion 41 in the open position OP of the on/off valve 32A bears (FIG. 6). Moreover, the guiding portion 45 comprises two mating surfaces 47, 48 which correspond to the guiding surfaces 43, 44 and which are inclined toward one another. In particular, a first mating surface 47 and a second mating surface 48 are provided. The mating surfaces 47, 48 transition into one another at an apex point 49 with a rounded shape. A recess 50 is also provided on the mating surface 47, the stop 42 of the spring portion 41 engaging therein in the closed position GP of the on/off valve 32A (FIG. 7).

(36) In the open position OP of the on/off valve 32A, as mentioned above, the stop 42 bears against the abutment 46 and the guiding surface 44 bears against the mating surface 47. When a compressive force is applied to the front side 38, the guiding surface 44 then slides on the mating surface 47 and the spring portion 41 is deformed. As long as the guiding surface 44 has not yet slid over the apex point 49, and the compressive force is no longer applied from the front side 38, the valve body 34 snaps back automatically into the open position OP of the on/off valve 32A, shown in FIG. 6, due to the spring force of the spring portion 41. In other words, the on/off valve 32A is spring-biased in the direction of the open position OP and automatically switches back into the open position OP.

(37) As soon as the guiding surface 44 is displaced past the apex point 49, the valve body 34 snaps automatically into the closed position GP of the on/off valve 32A, shown in FIG. 7, due to the spring force of the spring portion 41 and the compressive force applied by the user. In other words, the on/off valve 32A is also spring-biased in the direction of the closed position GP and is automatically switched into the closed position GP. In the closed position GP, the guiding surface 43 bears against the corresponding mating surface 48 thereof.

(38) Moreover, the stop 42 comes to rest in the recess 50. By means of the recess 50 it is possible to prevent the stop 42 from sliding on the mating surface 47. Thus it is ensured that only the guiding surface 44 cooperates with the mating surface 47. In the open position OP the stop 42 bears against the abutment 46 and in the closed position GP the stop 42 is received in the recess 50. The stop 42 serves, therefore, as a travel limit and for the captive security of the valve body 34.

(39) FIG. 8 shows schematically the forces F1 to F3 acting when the on/off valve 32A is switched from the open position OP shown in FIG. 6 into the closed position GP shown in FIG. 7. Initially (FIG. 8 top) a force F1 is applied onto the front side 38, preferably with just one finger. The force F1 acts in this case parallel to the axis of symmetry M of the base portion 37. The force F1 is applied by means of the guiding surface 44 onto the mating surface 47. When the guiding surface 44 slides on the mating surface 47, the spring portion 41 is resiliently deformed and applies a force F2 acting perpendicular to the force F1 onto the mating surface 47. The force F2 in this case is oriented perpendicular to the axis of symmetry M.

(40) As long as the apex point 49 has not yet been passed, and the force F1 is no longer applied to the front side 38 (FIG. 8 center), the force F2 applied by the spring portion 41 still acts on the mating surface 47. A force F3, resulting from the force F2 and oriented counter to the force F1, switches the on/off valve 32A back into the open position OP. As soon as the apex point 49 is passed (FIG. 8 bottom) the valve body 34 abruptly snaps into the closed position GP shown in FIG. 7, wherein the forces F1 and F3 are combined. When the on/off valve 32A is switched from the closed position GP shown in FIG. 7 into the open position OP shown in FIG. 6, the process is the same in principle but the opposite, as described above.

(41) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a dish-receiving unit 12. In this embodiment of the dish-receiving unit 12 the inscription 35, 36 of the on/off valve 32A, however, is not provided on the valve body 34 itself but on the valve housing 33. The valve body 34 comprises an arrow 24 which, according to whether the on/off valve 32A is in the closed position GP or in the open position OP, shows either the inscription 35 or the inscription 36.

(42) FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of a dish-receiving unit 12. The dish-receiving unit 12 according to FIGS. 11 and 12 comprises an on/off valve 32B which in contrast to the on/off valve 32A described above is not configured as a cross sliding valve but as a rotary valve. Otherwise, the dish-receiving unit 12 according to FIGS. 11 and 12 corresponds to the dish-receiving unit described above according to FIGS. 2 to 4.

(43) The on/off valve 32B comprises a valve body 51 with, as described above, the inscriptions 35, 36 and a valve housing 52 in which the valve body 51 is at least partially rotatably received. The valve body 51 and the valve housing 52 are preferably plastic injection-molded components. The on/off valve 32B may be switched from an open position OP shown in FIG. 11 into a closed position GP shown in FIG. 12 and vice versa. In this case the valve body 51 may be gripped by two fingers.

(44) The valve body 51 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in each case in a schematic perspective view, comprises a tubular base portion 53 with two opposing through-flow openings 54, 55. The base portion 53 extends out of the lower face of an operating portion 56 of the valve body 51. The operating portion 56 is umbrella-shaped. The inscriptions 35, 36 are provided on the operating portion 56. A square contour 57 with a stop 58 runs around the base portion 53.

(45) The valve housing 52, shown in each case in FIGS. 15 and 16 in a schematic perspective view, comprises through-flow openings 59, 60 corresponding to the through-flow openings 54, 55. In this case the through-flow opening 54 corresponds to the through-flow opening 59, and the through-flow opening 55 corresponds to the through-flow opening 60. Moreover, the valve housing 52 comprises two resiliently deformable spring portions 61, 62 which are able to cooperate with the square contour 57. Abutments 63, 64 corresponding to the stop 58 are also provided on the valve housing 52.

(46) For switching the on/off valve 32A from the open position OP (FIG. 17) into the closed position GP (FIG. 18) and vice versa, the valve body 51 is rotated by 90° relative to the valve housing 52. In particular, the valve body 51 is rotated clockwise by 90° for switching the on/off valve 32B from the open position OP into the closed position GP by applying an operating torque. Conversely, for switching the on/off valve 32B from the closed position GP into the open position OP the valve body 51 is rotated counterclockwise by 90° back in the direction of the open position OP by applying an operating torque.

(47) Both when rotating the valve body 51 from the open position OP into the closed position GP and also vice versa, the spring portions 61, 62 provided on the valve housing 52 are deformed outwardly by means of the square contour 57. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, a force F4, which in turn generates a torque DM which counteracts the operating torque applied by the user, acts on both sides on the square contour 57 located on the valve body 51. In this case, when the spring portions 61, 62 reach half the rotational travel at 45° they are subjected to the greatest possible deflection and thus generate the greatest possible force F4, but at the same time no torque DM.

(48) The purpose of these spring portions 61, 62 and the torque DM, counteracting the operating torque of the customer and generated by the force F4, is that a valve intermediate state or intermediate position ZP is avoided. This is implemented by the valve body 51 being automatically switched into the open position OP or into the closed position GP, due to the spring-biasing of the spring portions 61, 62, if the user does not exactly set one of these positions manually. The square contour 57 is preferably not configured exactly as a square. The corners of the square contour 57 are partially rounded in order to prevent too great a deflection of the spring portions 61, 62 and thus a plastic deformation thereof. The stop 58 of the square contour 57 thus runs in the open position OP and in the closed position GP counter to the corresponding abutment 63, 64 of the valve housing 52.

(49) The embodiments described above of the on/off valve 32A, 32B have a plurality of advantages. The on/off valve 32A, 32B is clearly visible to the user since the on/off valve 32A, 32B is attached below the dish-receiving unit 12. A simple controllability of the on/off valve 32A, with just one finger and the on/off valve 32B with several fingers, for example with two fingers, is possible. Due to the identification of the respective valve body 34, 51 and/or the valve housing 33 with the inscription 35, 36, an intuitive understanding of the switching state and the control logic is ensured. Due to its attachment below the base 19 of the dish-receiving unit 12 the on/off valve 32A, 32B is well protected from damage by items to be washed. Even in the case of a fully loaded dish-receiving unit 12, a subsequent operation of the on/off valve 32A, 32B from below or from the side is possible.

(50) The on/off valve 32A, 32B is able to be embodied using a separate additional component, which may be already premounted on the intensive washing zone 31. A complex additional mounting of switching parts, switching rods, electronic switching valves or the like is not required on the dish-receiving unit 12. Only small flow losses are produced since the on/off valve 32A, 32B is integrated directly in the water supply of the intensive washing zone 31. This results in a very small spray shadow by the spray arm 22 due to the small installation space of the on/off valve 32A, 32B. Due to the presence of the respective spring portions 41, 61, 62, undesired intermediate positions ZP of the on/off valve 32A, 32B are reliably prevented. This results in high quality haptic characteristics of the on/off valve 32A, 32B, due to the on/off valve 32A, 32B being snapped both into the open position OP and into the closed position GP.

(51) Whilst the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it may be modified in various ways.