CN116075259A

CN116075259A - Washing device

Info

Publication number: CN116075259A
Application number: CN202180052967.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼尔·沃里克·布莱尔; 马修·西蒙·科斯格罗夫; 金德里奇·菲亚拉
Original assignee: Fischer Parker Home Appliances Co ltd
Current assignee: Fischer Parker Home Appliances Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2023-05-05
Also published as: WO2022045901A1; AU2021333461A1

Abstract

A drawer for a washing device includes a metallic material tub, a metallic material bracket attached to the exterior of the tub, and a plastic material flange connected to the bracket. The flange may be connected to an upper portion of the bracket. The flange may be connected to the bracket by inserting the connector through the bracket and into the flange.

Description

Washing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing device, such as a dishwasher or washing machine, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a drawer for a washing device.

Background

The drawer type washing device may have one or more retractable drawers. The or each drawer may have a tub which provides a washing chamber for items such as dishes, cutlery or laundry. The drawer is extractable from the washing apparatus cabinet to provide access to the tub for a user and retractable into the cabinet to perform a washing operation.

The tub portion of the drawer is typically molded from a polymer or plastic material. This enables the tub to be easily formed as a part having a complicated shape, including the top (peripheral) surface of the drawer. The top surface forms a seal against the vertically movable lid of the washing apparatus to generally seal between the lid and the closed drawer, thereby preventing liquid from spilling out of the drawer during a washing operation.

Some consumers may consider metallic materials such as stainless steel to be more desirable for the tub. The use of metallic materials may have perceived aesthetic and life benefits. However, forming a portion of a complex shape from a metal material is more difficult than forming a portion of a complex shape from a molded plastic material. In addition, the thickness of the metallic material component may need to be minimized to reduce weight.

While metallic materials may be used for some components and plastic materials may be used for other components, difficulties may exist in joining the components together. For example, the use of adhesives to join those components may be unsatisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a drawer for a washing device, and a drawer capable of achieving a firm connection between plastic and metal parts, or at least to provide a useful alternative assembly method and/or drawer.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the invention comprises a drawer for a washing device, comprising:

a tub portion including a metal material;

a bracket attached to an outside of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises a metallic material; and

a flange attached to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises a plastic material.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a washing device comprising a cabinet and a drawer according to the first aspect, wherein the drawer has a sliding configuration with the cabinet such that the drawer is slidable relative to the cabinet to an open position to access the interior of the tub and such that the drawer is slidable relative to the cabinet to a closed position to enable a washing operation to be performed.

In some configurations, the washing apparatus includes a cover configured to engage an upper surface of the flange during a washing operation.

In some configurations, the washing device is a dishwasher. Alternatively, the washing device may be a washing machine.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling a drawer for a washing device, comprising the steps of:

providing a tub portion including a metal material;

attaching a bracket to an exterior of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises a metallic material; and

a flange is attached to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises a plastic material.

The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of … …". When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising," features other than the term or those preceding the term can also be present. Related terms such as "comprising" and "including" will be interpreted in the same manner.

The term "one or more" as used herein after a noun means the plural and/or singular form of the noun. As used herein, the term "and/or" means "and" or, where the context allows, means "and" or ".

The present invention includes the foregoing, and configurations of only the embodiments are also contemplated below.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a drawer washing device in the form of a dishwasher;

FIG. 2 is a left side cross-sectional view of a drawer area of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1, showing a drawer extending from a cabinet, and showing a lid for sealing the top of the drawer and an exemplary plumbing connection to a washing unit at the base of the drawer during a washing operation;

FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view from above of the drawer of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1, with the front panel not shown;

FIG. 4 is an exploded front right side perspective view of some of the components of the drawer of FIG. 3 prior to initial assembly;

FIG. 5 is a left front perspective view from below of the flange of the drawer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view from above of the flange of the drawer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a right-side perspective view from above of the drawer of FIG. 3, showing the bracket attached to the tub of the drawer, but without showing the flange and outer wall of the drawer;

FIG. 8 is a right-side perspective view from above of the drawer of FIG. 7, showing the flange coupled to the bracket;

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view taken through the area of the drawer of FIG. 3, showing the connection area of the flanges, the tub and the bracket;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken from above in the area of the drawer of FIG. 3, showing the interaction of the channel of the flange with the upper area of the wall of the tub, with the enlargement showing an enlarged view of area A and area B;

FIG. 11 is a partial front perspective view, from above, of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1, showing a drawer in the washing apparatus cabinet and a lid engaged with a flange of the drawer; and

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of an area of a drawer in the washing apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the lid engaged against the flange.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary washing apparatus. The washing device is a drawer or drawer dishwasher 100, such as our DishDrawer ^TM A dishwasher. In addition to the features described in this specification, the washing apparatus may have any one or more of the features and functions described in our prior patent publications WO9323706A, WO9833426a and WO2016130027a, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In fig. 1a two drawer dishwasher is shown, wherein both the lower drawer 101 and the upper drawer 102 are closed. Each

drawer

101, 102 is slidably mounted within a chassis 113 in an outer cabinet 111 of a drawer-type arrangement, for example on a drawer slide. Referring to fig. 1 and 3, each

drawer

101, 102 includes: a front panel 121, the front panel 121 may have a handle 123 for a user to grasp; an inner front wall 125 located behind the front panel 121; left inner wall 127 and right inner wall 129, and left outer wall 131 and right outer wall 133; a rear inner wall 135 and a base 137. The left and right

outer walls

131, 133 may be of metal or plastic material and are preferably fastened to the

inner side walls

127, 129 adjacent the left and right

outer walls

131, 133 by, for example, fasteners passing through aligned holes in the edge flanges of each inner and outer side wall. The front panel 121 may similarly be attached to the drawer by fasteners that pass through aligned holes in the edge flanges of the front panel 121 and the left and right side

inner walls

127, 129. The

inner walls

125, 127, 129, 135 and the base 137 form a tub 138, the tub 138 defining a washing chamber or space having an open top within the or each washing drawer.

In use, the

wash drawers

101, 102 are removed from the outer cabinet 111 for loading and unloading of dishes or cutlery, and when loaded or emptied, the wash drawers are pushed back into the outer cabinet 111 to close the drawers and enable washing when loaded. When the washing drawer is retracted in the outer cabinet 11, the open top of the drawer is closed by the vertically movable inner lid 201.

The or each drawer includes an associated washing system including a washing unit 139 (fig. 2) mounted to a base 137 of the drawer. The washing unit 139 comprises suitable components such as a washing valve, a rotary spray arm, a drain valve, a heater, a filter system and one or more pipes 141, wherein the rotary spray arm in operation directs washing liquid such as a water and detergent mixture onto items in the washing space, the one or more pipes 141 for transporting and removing washing liquid such as water. The washing operation is initiated via a User Interface (UI) panel 122 on the front surface of the drawer (as shown) or on/near the upper surface/edge of the front panel 121, which User Interface (UI) panel 122 is only visible to the user when the drawer has been extracted from the cabinet. UI panel 122 may include a display and/or buttons to allow a user to interact with a device controller (not shown) to initiate/modify/pause device operation in a known manner.

Drawer dishwashers are merely examples. The features described herein may also be used in different types of washing devices, such as drawer-type washing machines. A dishwasher or other type of washing device may have one drawer, two drawers, or three or more drawers. Although features are described in detail below with reference to drawer 101, another drawer 102 (and indeed other drawers if three or more drawers are provided) may have the same features.

Drawer 101 includes a tub 138, tub 138 comprising a metallic material, such as stainless steel or an alloy metallic material. In the form shown, the barrel 138 has a generally square or rectangular shape in plan view, with four upstanding

inner walls

125, 127, 129, 135. However, the barrel 138 may have any suitable shape. For example, the tub 138 may have a generally oval or circular shape with the base 137 and one upstanding inner wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the base 137. One or

more walls

125, 127, 129, 135 may extend vertically upward from the base 137, or alternatively, may extend upward at an angle from vertical.

The metal body of the barrel 138 may consist essentially of a single metal forming (e.g., pressed) component comprising one or more

inner walls

125, 127, 129, 135 and a base 137. Alternatively, the tub 125 may include a plurality of metal walls/base components that are attached, bonded, fastened or connected together such that the tub has a metal base 137 plate and one or

more wall plates

125, 127, 129, 135. The plurality of metal parts may be welded together and, in one configuration, may be laser welded together.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration of metal walls/base members for forming the barrel 138. The first metal part comprises a folded-after-press metal sheet part comprising a metal base 137, an inner front wall 125 and an inner rear wall 135. The second and third stamped sheet metal parts include left and right

inner side walls

127 and 129, respectively.

Each of the

walls

125, 127, 129, 135 includes a connection flange (e.g., 127a, 125a of fig. 4) having a plurality of connector receiving holes (e.g., 127a ', 125a' of fig. 4) for receiving connectors to retain the first, second, and third components in an assembled configuration. Note that the

connection flanges

125a, 127a may also be used to attach the front panel 121 to a drawer. To assemble the components, the

side walls

127, 129 are brought into contact with the side edges of the front wall 125, the metal base 137 and the inner rear wall 135. Connectors are inserted from adjacent components through aligned pairs of connector receiving holes (e.g., 127a ', 125 a') to join the components together to form the bucket 138. Any suitable type of connector may be used, such as screws, bolts and nuts, push pins or rivets. Once those parts are joined together as described above, the seams of the parts may be welded together to seal the joint between the parts and to render the tub waterproof.

The tub 138 includes a tub base receiving aperture 137a in the center of the metal base 137 of the tub for receiving the plastic material tub base 132. The plastic material tub base 132 is preferably a substantially annular member that is in contact with the area below the metal base 137 surrounding the aperture 137 a. The plastic material tub base 132 includes a sump area 134 for collecting the wash liquid and dirt before the wash liquid and dirt is directed to a drain pipe via a drain pump or rotatable spray arm mounted within the tub for spraying the wash liquid onto dishes and cutlery. The central opening 136 in the plastic material tub base 132 may be closed and sealed by a washing unit 139, making the tub 138 waterproof, in particular the washing unit 139 a washing and drain pump assembly.

As best shown in fig. 7, each

wall

125, 127, 129, 135 of the barrel 138 includes a respective upper

free edge

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b. At least one

bracket

151, 153, 155, 157 is attached to the outside of the wall of the tub 138. One or more of the

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 comprise a metallic material, such as stainless steel (e.g., grade 304 or grade 430 stainless steel). One or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 may be attached to the outside of the tub using any suitable technique, such as by connectors or fasteners or welding. In one configuration, one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 are attached to the outside of the tub by laser welding.

Each

bracket

151, 153, 155, 157 is attached to its

respective wall

125, 127, 129, 135 at or adjacent to the upper

free edge

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b. The upper edge of the bracket may be aligned with the upper free edge of the corresponding tub wall, or may be located below the upper free edge. The brackets are positioned relative to the upper free edges such that the wall

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b project upwardly above the outwardly projecting

support portions

151b, 153b, 155b, 157b of the

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 (all shown in fig. 4-fig. 9 showing details of the tub right side wall 129). The outwardly projecting

support portions

151b, 153b, 155b, 157b are all shown generally in fig. 4, while fig. 9 shows exemplary specific details of the outwardly projecting support portion 155b surrounding the carrier 153 on the tub right side wall 129.

Fig. 7 shows the bracket attached to the tub. One or more of the

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 may be any suitable shape. In the configuration shown in fig. 9, the carrier is substantially L-shaped, having an elongate upstanding portion (e.g. 155 a) which contacts a respective wall (e.g. 129) at or near its upper free edge (e.g. 129 b) and an outwardly projecting support portion (151 b, 153b, 155b, 157 b) for supporting the flange 301 on its upper surface. In an alternative arrangement, the bracket may be inverted with the outwardly projecting support portion located at the upper end of the bracket upstanding portion at or adjacent the upper edge of the tub wall.

Any suitable number and configuration of brackets may be used, depending on the shape of the barrel 138. In the exemplary form shown, four brackets are attached to the outside of the tub. In alternative arrangements, the two brackets may be attached to the tub on opposite outer sides, such as the left and right sides, or the front and rear sides, of the tub. In another alternative configuration, the single bracket may be L-shaped, U-shaped or square when viewed from above to extend around and attach to the exterior of two, three or four walls of the tub. In another alternative arrangement, where the tub has an oval or circular shape, a single bracket may be provided to extend around substantially the entire periphery of the tub opening.

A flange 301 comprising a plastic material is mounted to the top of the tub 138 by being connected to one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157. The flange may comprise any suitable plastic, elastomeric or rubber material. For example, the flange may include a polypropylene 20% talc filler material or NORYL ^TM And (3) resin. In plan view, the shape of the flange 301 substantially corresponds to the shape of the top/periphery of the tub 138. Thus, for a generally square or rectangular bucket (in plan view), the flange will have a generally square or rectangular shape as viewed from above. For example, in the form shown in fig. 4-6, flange 301 has a front portion 311, a left portion 313, a right portion 315, and a rear portion 317, with front portion 311, left portion 313, right portion 315, and rear portion 317 corresponding to front bracket 151, left bracket 153, right bracket, respectively155 and a rear bracket 157. The four

portions

311, 313, 315, 317 of the flange define openings to access the interior of the barrel from above when the flange 311 is mounted to the barrel 138.

The upper surface of the flange 301 has a substantially flat or planar upper sealing surface 303, which upper sealing surface 303 is surrounded on its outer side by a peripheral upstanding lip 305. As shown in fig. 12, when the lid is closed onto the top of the flange 301, the upper sealing surface 303 engages against the downwardly oriented sealing member 203 on the lid 201, thereby closing and sealing the tub 138 during a washing operation. Importantly, the flange is mounted to the tub 138 in a manner that will allow the tub to be sealed against water flow and resist forces exerted on the flange, such as by downward vertical movement of the lid.

The flange 301 may be attached to the upper surface of one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 of the tub using any suitable technique, such as by fasteners, clamping or heat staking plastic flange pins positioned through holes in the flange. Due to the low surface energy of materials such as polypropylene, it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory bond between those materials and different materials (such as metal brackets) using adhesives. In the form shown, flange 301 is connected to one or more upper surfaces of one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 using one or more connectors 401. This connection is shown in detail in fig. 9. Although flange 301 is shown connected to right inner wall 129 by right bracket 155, it should be understood that the flange may be connected to each bracket in the same manner. Where more than one connector is used for each bracket, each connection may have the configuration shown in fig. 9.

The connector 401 extends through the bracket 125 and into the flange 301. The bracket 155 and flange 301 each include aligned

connector apertures

155c, 301c for receiving the connector 401. The connector 401 extends through the connector aperture 155c in the bracket and into the connector aperture 301c in the flange such that the free end of the connector's handle 405 is positioned in the connector aperture 301c in the flange 301. One or more connector apertures 301c in the flange may be provided in a downwardly extending boss 302 in the flange 301, as shown in fig. 9.

The connector 401 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the connector may include a push pin or stud that extends into the connector aperture 301c in the flange. In another configuration, the connector may include a threaded fastener, such as a screw, bolt, or the like. In the form shown in fig. 9, the connector 401 includes a threaded fastener or screw having a fastener head 403, a fastener shank 405, and threads 407 on the fastener shank. The connector aperture 301c in the flange has threads 301c' that are complementary to the threads 407 of the threaded fastener. When the fastener is engaged with the flange 301, the threads of the threaded fastener couple (or are cut/formed) with the threads 301c' of the flange.

The connector aperture 301c in the flange has an axis AD that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the outwardly projecting support portion 155b such that the axis AD has at least a vertical component and the connector 401 extends through the connector aperture 155c in the bracket 155 and into the connector aperture 301c in the flange 301 in a generally upward direction, wherein the connector terminates within or within the flange. The axis AD may be substantially vertical and the connector 401 extends from below in a substantially vertical direction through a connector aperture in the bracket and into a connector aperture in the flange. Alternatively, the axis AD may be at an angle to the vertical.

Referring now to fig. 5, 9 and 10, flange 391 includes one or more downwardly opening grooves, slots or

channels

311a, 313a, 315a, 317a for receiving one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the tub wall. In the form shown, the ends of each channel are connected to the ends of two adjacent channels to form one continuous channel around the underside of the flange. Alternatively, the channels may be discrete and unconnected to each other.

The

channels

311a, 313a, 315a, 317a may be provided with features that assist in locating the upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the bucket walls in the channels, examples of which will now be described with reference to fig. 10, fig. 10 showing portions of the

channels

311a and 315 a. The flange 301 includes opposed walls defining downwardly

open channels

311a, 315a, and protrusions 311a ', 311a ", 315a', 315a" extending from the opposed walls into the

channels

311a, 315a and helping to locate the upper free edges of the walls in the channels.

Channels

313a and 317a will have the same characteristics.

The or each channel may have a plurality of inwardly directed protrusions (e.g. 311a ', 315 a') and a plurality of outwardly directed protrusions (e.g. 311a ", 315 a") spaced apart along the longitudinal length of one or more channels. The protrusions may contact one or more upper free edges of one or more tub walls and/or opposite sides of one or more upper portions of one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 to assist in centering the one or more walls across the lateral width of the one or more channels.

Referring to fig. 9, the drawer includes a sealing adhesive 451 in one or

more channels

311a, 313a, 315a, 317a, the sealing adhesive 451 adhering one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of one or more tub walls to the flange 301. The sealing adhesive also provides a seal between the flange 301 and one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of one or more walls of the one or

more channels

311a, 313a, 315a, 317 a. In addition, the sealing adhesive also provides a second attachment or connection between one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the one or more walls (and one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157) and the flange 301. The sealing adhesive may be any suitable material, such as high stress, structural bonding, and chemically neutral adhesives/sealants, such as Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) silicones. For example, the sealing adhesive may be DOWSIL RTV 750 manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company or pactan 7043 (with an activator) manufactured by Tremco Illbruck. Another preferred sealing adhesive is the SABRE BOND SMP60 adhesive, which is based on silyl modified polymers and sold by Maxilam.

As described above, the UI panel 122 may be hidden from view when the drawer is retracted by being located at the upper edge of the front panel 121, along the upper edge of the front panel 121, or near the upper edge of the front panel 121. More specifically, UI panel 122 may be part of UI module 200 (see fig. 6), which UI module 200 may house device controllers, display screens, buttons, and other electronic devices for the apparatus. UI module 200 may be an elongated member that clamps and/or secures to the front edge of flange 301, and for this purpose, alignment/securing features/brackets 202 may be provided on flange 301 or formed as part of flange 301. Thus, the UI module spans the space between the flange 301 and the inside of the front panel 121.

The upper surface of the UI module may be covered by a transparent, plastic interface lens that is bonded and/or sealed to the rest of the UI module. Of course, the components housed within UI module 200 may be housed within the foremost (i.e., closest to front panel 121) span of flange 301, with the plastic interface lens bonded and/or sealed to the flange. However, when the flange is formed of polypropylene, sealing/bonding the lens may be difficult, so it is advantageous to use a separate UI module 200 and allow for replacement of the UI module if desired.

The method of assembling

drawers

101, 102 for washing apparatus 100 is described below.

The method includes providing a tub portion 138 having a metallic material (e.g., at least one metallic tub wall-fig. 3); attaching at least one of the

metal brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 to the outside of the tub 138 (fig. 4 and 7); and attaching a flange 301 of plastic material to the upper surface of one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 (fig. 8).

When the tub 138 has a plurality of metal parts, for example, as shown in fig. 4, the step of disposing the tub includes: the barrel is assembled from a plurality of metal parts (fig. 4 and 7) and the metal parts are joined together such that the barrel has a base 137 and one or

more walls

125, 127, 129, 135. For example, the metal parts may be joined by laser welding the metal parts.

The step of providing the tub may further include: the wash unit 139 is attached to the base 137 of the tub 138 either before or after the flange is connected to one or more brackets. The one or more connectors 401 may be used to attach the flange 301 to the upper surface of the one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 by inserting the one or more connectors 401 through apertures in the one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 and into the flange 301.

When the bracket is attached to the flange using the plurality of connectors 401, the step of attaching the flange 301 to the bracket includes: a plurality of connectors 401 are inserted through the bracket and into the flange 301. When the tub 138 includes a front wall 125, an inner rear wall 135, and two

side walls

127, 129, the method includes: attaching respective

metallic material brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 to the exterior of each of the walls; and attaching the flange 301 to the

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 by inserting at least one connector through each bracket and into the flange.

When the one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 and flange each include one or more connector apertures (e.g., 155c, 301 c) for receiving the connector 401, the step of inserting the connector 401 includes: one or more connectors are inserted through one or more connector apertures 155c in

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 into one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange.

The one or more connectors 401 may include one or more threaded fasteners and the one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange 301 may include threads 301c' complementary to the threads 407 of the one or more threaded fasteners, and the step of inserting the one or more connectors may include: the threads 407 of the one or more threaded fasteners are threaded into the threads 301c' of the one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange.

When the one or more axes AD of the one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange are oriented generally upward, the step of inserting the one or more connectors 401 includes: one or more connectors are inserted through one or more connector apertures (e.g., 155 c) in one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 and into one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange in a generally upward direction.

When the axis AD is substantially vertical, the step of inserting one or more connectors 401 comprises: one or more connectors 401 are inserted through one or more connector apertures (e.g., 155 c) in one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 and into one or more connector apertures 301c in the flange from below in a substantially vertical orientation.

By connecting the flange 301 to the upper surface of one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 (by inserting one or more connectors 401 up through one or more connector apertures (e.g., 155 c) in one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 into one or more connector apertures 301a in the flange 301), the resulting one or more connections can accommodate significant vertical loads. This enables the one or more connections to accommodate forces from the lid 201 closing on the flange 301 and enables a person to lift the drawer through the flange 301 without the one or more connections failing.

When the flange includes one or more downwardly opening

channels

311a, 313a, 315a, 317a for receiving one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of one or more walls, the method may include: a sealing adhesive 451 is applied in the one or more channels to adhere the one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b of the one or more walls to 135b of the flange 301 and/or to provide a seal between the flange 301 and the one or more upper

free edges

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the one or more walls.

The attaching one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 to the outside of the tub may include: the one or more brackets are attached to the one or

more walls

125, 127, 129, 135 of the tub 138 at or adjacent to the upper

free edge

125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the one or

more walls

125, 127, 129, 135 of the tub 138. The attaching one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 may include: for example, the one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 are laser welded to the outside of the tub 138.

Once assembled, the

drawers

101, 102 have a sliding configuration with the cabinet 111 such that the drawers are slidably retractable relative to the cabinet from the cabinet 111 to an open position to allow access to the interior of the tub 138, and such that the drawers are retractable relative to the cabinet to a closed position to enable washing operations to be performed.

As can be seen in fig. 11, horizontally extending

slots

371, 373 are provided in the lower portions of the left and right

outer walls

131, 133. The

slots

371, 373 are formed by inwardly and downwardly extending protrusions near the lower edge of each outer wall such that each side wall is substantially "h" shaped in cross section.

Slots

371, 373 are provided to receive a slide assembly (not shown) on each side of

drawers

101, 102 to enable the drawers to slide relative to chassis 113 and thus relative to cabinet 111 of the washing apparatus. Each slide assembly may be provided by a well known drawer slide or runner comprising a telescopic rail arrangement of at least two elongate members or runners, one of which is secured to the cabinet chassis 113 and the other to the tub 138, such that the weight of the

drawer

101, 102, including the tub 138 and the washing system 139, is carried by the slide assembly. The slide assembly does not require a sheet of metal material (i.e., a metal sidewall) that is directly mounted to the tub 138. Instead, the elongate member of each slide assembly may be attached to the

outer side walls

131, 133 within

slots

371, 373 at the lower portion of the outer side walls. The upper region of the outer side wall may be largely ornamental rather than structural and may even be omitted if desired. As described above, the

outer side walls

131, 133 may be attached to the

inner side walls

127, 129 using any suitable configuration, such as fasteners or laser welding.

As shown in fig. 9, when the flange is mounted to the tub 138, the upper ends of the

outer side walls

131, 133 are positioned adjacent to the flange 301 such that the outer surfaces of the

inner side walls

127, 129, one or

more brackets

151, 153, 155, 157, and the fastener 401 may be hidden from view. The underside of flange 301 may include an outer downwardly opening channel 315d, with channel 315d configured to receive and retain upper free end 133b of outer sidewall 133. In the outer side wall 133, below the upper free end 133b of the outer side wall 133, an angled portion 133a is provided. Although only the right outer sidewall 133 is shown in fig. 9, the left outer sidewall configuration will be the same, but a mirror image thereof.

The lid 201 of the washing device is configured to engage with the upper surface 303 of the flange 301 during a washing operation. When a user indicates a washing operation using the UI panel (122), the cover may be configured to automatically engage with an upper surface of the flange. The lid 201 is vertically movable between a raised position in which the lid 201 does not contact the flange 301 to enable the

drawers

101, 102 to be retracted or closed, and a lowered position for performing a washing operation. The cabinet 111 may have a motorized configuration to move the lid 201 up and down. As an example, the device described in our patent US6571808B1 may be used to move the lid, and the contents of the specification of that patent are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Benefits of the above features of preferred forms of the invention, particularly the benefits of the means for attaching the flange to the tub wall, include:

brackets

151, 153, 155, 157 straighten and strengthen the metal side walls of the tub.

The reference level at which the brackets allow the drawer to slide has a uniform flange height on the cabinet/chassis.

Fasteners can provide a simple, reliable and good connection between the flange and the bracket.

If the flange warps/deforms upward at the corner, the fastener will flatten it against the bracket.

The fastener/bracket combination occupies only a small space.

The vertical portion of the bracket allows for sufficient contact of the sealant and the weld.

The arrangement described for attaching the flange to the tub creates a watertight seal when the lid is closed and is able to do so without failure even after repeated resistance to the closing force of the lid.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention, including its preferred forms, and variations and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drawer for a washing device, comprising:

a tub portion including a metal material;

2. The drawer of claim 1, wherein a connector extends through the flange and into the bracket.

3. The drawer of claim 2, wherein the bracket and the flange each include a connector aperture for receiving the connector, and wherein the connector extends through a connector aperture in the bracket and into a connector aperture in the flange.

4. The drawer of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a threaded fastener, and wherein a connector aperture in the flange comprises threads complementary to threads of the threaded fastener, and wherein the threads of the threaded fastener couple with threads of the flange.

5. The drawer of claim 3 or 4, wherein the connector aperture in the flange has an axis with a vertical component, and wherein the connector extends in an upward direction through the connector aperture in the bracket and into the connector aperture in the flange.

6. The drawer of claim 5, wherein the axes of the connector apertures are generally vertically aligned, and wherein the connectors extend from below in a generally vertical direction through the connector apertures in the bracket and into the connector apertures in the flange.

7. A drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange is connected to an upper surface of the bracket.

8. A drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a wall having an upper free edge, and wherein the flange comprises a downwardly opening channel for receiving the upper free edge of the wall.

9. The drawer of claim 8, wherein the flange includes laterally opposing walls defining the channel opening downwardly, and wherein a protrusion extends laterally from the laterally opposing walls into the channel and assists in positioning the upper free edge of the wall in the channel.

10. A drawer according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the drawer comprises a sealing adhesive in the channel, which adheres the upper free edge of the wall to the flange and/or provides a seal between the flange and the upper free edge of the wall in the channel.

11. The drawer according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the bracket is attached to the wall of the tub adjacent the upper free edge.

12. A drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket is welded to the outside of the tub.

13. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a plurality of metal parts welded together such that the tub has a base and at least one wall.

14. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, and the drawer comprises a respective bracket attached to the outside of each of the front wall, the rear wall and the two side walls.

15. A washing apparatus comprising a cabinet and a drawer according to any preceding claim, wherein the drawer has a sliding configuration with the cabinet such that the drawer can slide relative to the cabinet to an open position to access the interior of the tub and such that the drawer can slide relative to the cabinet to a closed position to enable a washing operation to be performed.

16. The washing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cabinet comprises a cover configured to engage with an upper surface of the flange during the washing operation.

17. A washing device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the washing device is a dishwasher.

18. A method of assembling a drawer for a washing device, comprising the steps of:

providing a tub portion including a metal material;

attaching a flange to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises a plastic material.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the flange is attached to the bracket by inserting a connector through the bracket and into the flange.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the bracket and the flange each include a connector aperture for receiving the connector, and wherein inserting the connector comprises: the connector is inserted through a connector aperture in the bracket and into a connector aperture in the flange.