Washing item receptacle for a flat washing item in a dishwasher

Abstract

A washing item receptacle for a flat washing item in a dishwasher, in particular in a domestic dishwasher, includes a base and a support element for supporting the flat washing item. The support element is configured for pivoting between a rest position arranged in a plane of the base and a support position which projects from the plane of the base, and for pivoting from the rest position into the support position by the weight of the flat washing item.

Claims

1. A dishwasher washing item receptacle in combination with a dishwasher having a dishwasher cavity, said dishwasher washing item receptacle being shaped to accommodate at least one flat washing item therein, the at least one flat washing item including at least a plate, said dishwasher washing item receptacle being disposed for movement in and out of the dishwasher cavity, said dishwasher washing item receptacle comprising: a base; and at least a pair of support elements for supporting the flat washing item, each support element of said pair of support elements being configured to pivot between a rest position arranged in a plane of the base and a support position which projects from the plane of the base, and said pair of support elements being configured to pivot from the rest position into the support position by a weight of the flat washing item thereby to support the flat washing item.

2. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the support elements is pivotably hinged in the base.

3. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the support elements is pivotably hinged in the base by a pin-bush joint.

4. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein the base has a cylindrical rod element, each of said support elements having a recess configured for snapping onto the cylindrical rod element of the base to pivotably hinge a corresponding support element.

5. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 4, wherein each of the support elements has a lever extension, which is configured to pivot a corresponding support element from the rest position into the support position by the weight of the flat washing item when the flat washing item is introduced.

6. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a return spring for returning a corresponding support element from the support position into the rest position when the flat washing item is removed.

7. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein the pair of support elements is configured to return from the support position into the rest position by a weight of each of the support elements, when the flat washing item is removed.

8. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein each support element has a stop to fix the rest position of the support element.

9. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a bracing element for bracing a base-proximal edge of the flat washing item.

10. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 9, wherein the bracing element is an element of the base.

11. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 9, wherein the bracing element is a hook extension of a corresponding support element, said hook extension being configured to grip the edge of the flat washing item, when the edge rests on the base in the support position.

12. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, further comprising an additional support element, the pair of support elements and the additional support element together receiving the plate therebetween or thereupon, when the plate is introduced.

13. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein each support element is one of flat or rod-shaped.

14. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein each support element is made of at least one of plastic or metal.

15. The dishwasher washing item receptacle of claim 1, wherein the dishwasher comprises a domestic dishwasher.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is also described in greater detail below on the basis of preferred forms of embodiment with reference to the attached figures, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed view of an embodiment of a washing item receptacle, with support elements arranged in various positions so as to counter rotate;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the embodiment from FIG. 2 with a snapped-open support element in the support position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the perspective detailed view from FIG. 2 with a plate in the front view;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the perspective detailed view from FIG. 2 with the plate in the rear view;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle with a number of support elements in the rest position;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the perspective detailed view of the embodiment from FIG. 6 with support elements in various positions;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the perspective view of a support element of the embodiment from FIG. 6 in an exploded view;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a side view of the embodiment from FIG. 6 with support elements in various positions and with the plate;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a support element and an immediately adjacent and additional support element of a washing item receptacle;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a further perspective view of the two support elements from FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a front view of the two support elements from FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a side view of the two support elements from FIG. 10;

(15) FIG. 14a shows a front view of a first embodiment of a connecting web between a support element and an immediately adjacent and additional support element of a washing item receptacle;

(16) FIG. 14b shows a front view of a second embodiment of a connecting web between a support element and an immediately adjacent and additional support element of a washing item receptacle;

(17) FIG. 14c shows a front view of a third embodiment of a connecting web between a support element and an immediately adjacent and additional support element of a washing item receptacle;

(18) FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle;

(19) FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle with a wine glass positioned in the rest position; and

(20) FIG. 17 shows a side view of the further embodiment of a washing item receptacle with a wine glass positioned in the rest position from FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(21) Elements which are the same or function the same have been provided with the same reference characters in the figures, unless specified otherwise.

(22) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dishwasher 1, in particular a domestic dishwasher. The dishwasher 1 has a dishwasher cavity 2, which can be closed, in particular in a water-tight manner, by a door 3. To this end a sealing facility can be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably rectangular. In particular, the dishwasher cavity 2 can be manufactured from steel sheet. Alternatively, the dishwasher cavity 2 can be manufactured at least in sections from a plastic material. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The dishwasher cavity 2 is arranged in the interior of a housing of the dishwasher 1. The door 3 is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3.

(23) The dishwasher cavity 2 has a container wall 6 with a base 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite to the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite to the door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite to one another. The base 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be manufactured from stainless steel sheet, for instance. Alternatively, the base 7 can be manufactured from a plastic material for instance.

(24) The dishwasher 1 also has at least one washing item receptacle 12. In particular, a number of washing item receptacles 12 can be provided, wherein in each case one of the number of washing item receptacles 12 is a lower basket, an upper basket or a cutlery drawer in the dishwasher 1. The number of washing item receptacles 12 are preferably arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each washing item receptacle 12 can optionally be moved in or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each washing item receptacle 12 can be moved into the dishwasher cavity 2 in an insertion direction E and can be removed from the dishwasher cavity 2 counter to the insertion direction E in an extraction direction A.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed view of an embodiment of a washing item receptacle 12 with support elements 13 arranged in various positions to counter rotate.

(26) This figure shows a cutout from the base 14 of the washing item receptacle 12, which is formed from several rod elements 15, 16 which are arranged in parallel or at right angles to one another.

(27) A number of pairs of support elements 13 arranged to counter rotate are shown in various positions. When a flat washing item 17, in particular a plate 18, is introduced, each of these pairs is configured to receive its depression 19 therebetween or thereupon, as shown in FIG. 5.

(28) The two outer pairs of counter-rotating support elements 13 are disposed in a rest position in a plane of the base 14, the middle pair by contrast is disposed in a support position which projects from the plane of the base 14.

(29) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the embodiment from FIG. 2 with a snapped-open support element 13 in the support position.

(30) A rod element 15 of the base 14 is fixed in a U-shaped depression of a rod element 16, which is at right angles to the rod element 15 in the plane of the base 14.

(31) Furthermore, a support element 13 is shown, which has a base body 20 in the form of a rectangular disk, for instance. The base body 20 can consist of plastic, for instance, and is embodied at its one end in one piece with a lever extension 21.

(32) The lever extension 21 is configured to pivot the support element 13 about a pivot axis S of the support element 13 from a rest position into a support position by its weight when a flat washing item 17 is introduced.

(33) The pivot axis S of the support element 13 is identical here to the longitudinal axis of the rod element 15, on which the support element 13 with a recess 22 provided herefor is snapped open.

(34) The support element 13 is moreover configured to move back out of the support position into the rest position on account of an empty weight when the flat washing item 17 is removed.

(35) The rest position of the support element 13 is fixed here by a stop 23 which is embodied on the lever projection 21 and rests against the rod element 16 in the rest position.

(36) FIG. 4 shows the perspective detailed view from FIG. 3 with a plate 18 in the front view.

(37) Contrary to FIG. 3, the plate 18 is introduced into the washing item receptacle 12 in FIG. 4, the base of which 14 is shown in cross-sections. The two support elements 13 of the middle pair of counter-rotating support elements 13 are pivoted in a counter-rotating manner into their support position on account of the weight of the plate 18, which acts on the lever extensions 21 of the middle pair.

(38) As shown clearly in FIG. 4, one section of a respective rod element 16 of the base 14 serves as a bracing element 24 for bracing an edge, which is close to the base, of the plate 18. The bracing element 24 prevents the plate 18 from slipping on the base 14 of the washing item receptacle 12, particularly in the horizontal direction.

(39) FIG. 5 shows the perspective detailed view from FIG. 4 with a plate 18 in the rear view.

(40) It can be seen from FIG. 5 that by means of the counter-rotating raised support elements 13, the plate 18 is not able to tilt out of its vertical position onto the base 14 of the washing item receptacle 12, shown in cross-section, since they receive the plate's depression 19 therebetween or thereupon depending on the plate's geometry. Here, the support elements 13 are resting against the depression 19.

(41) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle 12 with a number of support elements 13 in the rest position.

(42) The washing item receptacle 12 is embodied as a lower basket, the base 14 of which consists of rod elements 15, 16 and provides a plurality of support elements 13 in pairs such that support elements 13 oppose one another in pairs and pivot in a counter-rotating manner into the support position when a plate 18 is introduced. A plurality of plates 18 can thus be arranged in a row one behind the other in the washing item receptacle 12.

(43) FIG. 7 shows the perspective detailed view of the embodiment from FIG. 6 with support elements 13 in various positions.

(44) Here two parallel rod elements 15 form the section of the base 14 of the washing item receptacle 12, to which the support elements 13 are each pivotably hinged in the base 14 by way of a stub of a rod element 16 and a pin-bush joint arranged at one end of the same.

(45) In the embodiment shown, the support elements 13 have a base body 20 embodied in particular from wire, with a dual angled design, to which a hook extension 26 connects. In the support position the hook extension 26 is configured to grip the edge of the plate 18 which rests on the base 14 and accordingly serves as a bracing element 24.

(46) FIG. 8 shows the perspective view of a support element 13 of the embodiment from FIG. 6 in an exploded view.

(47) The right side in FIG. 8 represents the dual angled support element 13 with its hook extension 26 which serves as a bracing element 24. The arrangement in rows along the pivot axis S indicates that the support element 13 is pivotably hinged to the stub of a rod element 16 of the base 14 by way of a two-part pin-bush joint 25. A stop 23 provided on the bush of the joint 25 fixes the rest position of the support element 13. Internally the joint 25 can comprise a return spring 27 embodied as a torsion spring, for instance, which supports the return of the support element 13 into the rest position.

(48) FIG. 9 shows a side view of the embodiment from FIG. 6 with a support element 13 in various positions, and the plate 18. In the rest position shown to the left, the support element 13 is flush with the base 14, whereas in the support position shown to the right, it projects from the base 14.

(49) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a support element 13 and an immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 of a washing item receptacle 12.

(50) The support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 of the washing item receptacle 12 are connected to one another by means of their respective lever extension 21, 29 forming a connecting web 30. When the support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 are in the rest state, in other words are folded in about its pivot axis S (merely indicated), the connecting web 30 is provided at least at the top with a contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size.

(51) FIG. 11 shows a further perspective view of the two support elements 13, 28 of the washing item receptacle 12 from FIG. 10.

(52) It is clear that the contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size, is visible on the connecting web 30 between the lever extensions 21, 29 of the two support elements 13, 28.

(53) FIG. 12 shows a front view of the two support elements 13, 28 of the washing item receptacle 12 from FIG. 10.

(54) Also in this front view of the two support elements 13, 28, the contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size, is visible on the connecting web 30 between the lever extensions 21, 29 of the two support elements 13, 28.

(55) FIG. 13 finally shows a side view of the two support elements 13, 28 of the washing item receptacle 12 from FIG. 10, wherein the additional support element 28 is concealed by the support element 13.

(56) The contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size, is in turn visible on the connecting web 30 between the lever extensions 21, 29 of the two support elements 13, 28.

(57) FIG. 14a shows a front view of a first embodiment of a connecting web 30 between a support element 13 and an immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 of a washing item receptacle 12.

(58) When the support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 are in the rest state, in other words folded in about its pivot axis (not shown), the connecting web 30 is provided at least at the top with a contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size. The contoured surface 31 is formed of teeth 32, which are designed to be triangular, and which have a respective height 32.H of 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, in particular of 1 mm and a respective gap 32.A of 1 to 3 mm, preferably of 1.2 to 2 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm.

(59) FIG. 14b shows a front view of a second embodiment of a connecting web 30 between a support element 13 and an immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 of a washing item receptacle 12.

(60) When the support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 are in the rest state, in other words folded in about its pivot axis (not shown), the connecting web 30 is provided at least at the top with a contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size. The contoured surface 31, as in the first embodiment in FIG. 14a, is formed of teeth 32, which are designed to be semicircular, and which have a respective height 32.H of 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, in particular of 1 mm and a respective gap 32.A of 1 to 3 mm, preferably of 1.2 to 2 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm.

(61) FIG. 14c shows a front view of a third embodiment of a connecting web between a support element 13 and an immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 of a washing item receptacle 12.

(62) When the support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 are in the rest state, in other words folded in about its pivot axis (not shown), the connecting web 30 is provided at least at the top with a contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size. The contoured surface 31 is, as in the first two embodiments in FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b, formed of teeth 32, which are designed to be wavelike, and which have a height 32.H of 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, in particular of 1 mm and a respective gap 32.A of 1 to 3 mm, preferably of 1.2 to 2 mm, in particular of 1.5 mm.

(63) FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle 12.

(64) The washing item receptacle 12 is embodied as a preferably removable insert 33 for a lower basket, the base 34 of which provides a plurality of individual support elements 13 and in each case immediately adjacent and additional support elements 28. The respectively connected support elements 13, 28 are arranged in rows of pairs, such that corresponding support elements 13, 28 oppose one another in pairs and pivot in a counter-rotating manner into the support position when a plate or a similar washing item is introduced. A plurality of plates or similar washing items can thus be arranged in a row one behind the other in the washing item receptacle 12.

(65) FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a washing item receptacle 12 with a wine glass 35 positioned in the rest position.

(66) The washing item receptacle comprises support elements 13 and immediately adjacent and additional support elements 28, which are connected to one another by means of their respective lever extension 21, 29 forming a connecting web 30. When the support element 13 and the immediately adjacent and additional support element 28 are in the rest state, in other words folded in about their pivot axis S (merely indicated), the connecting web 30 is provided at least at the top with a contoured surface 31, which may be variable in terms of shape and/or size. The contoured surface 31 is formed of teeth 32, which securely receive the wine glass 35 in the rest state, in other words in the folded-in state of the support elements 13, 28, and provide this with a better hold. It is held by the depressions between the teeth 32 and secured against slipping.

(67) FIG. 17 shows a side view of the further embodiment of a washing item receptacle 12 with a wine glass positioned in the rest position from FIG. 16.

(68) The contoured surface 31 formed of teeth 32 securely receives the wine glass 35 in the rest state, in other words in the folded-in state of the support elements 13, 28, and provides this with a better hold. It is held by the depressions between the teeth 32 and secured against slipping.

(69) Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in a variety of ways.