EP2579764A1

EP2579764A1 - A dishwasher and a cutlery basket used therein

Info

Publication number: EP2579764A1
Application number: EP11725683.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ismail Cem Bastuji; Deger Demircan; Gizem Durakoglu; Ali Ihsan Incukur; Mustafa Yalcin
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-06-08
Filing date: 2011-06-07
Publication date: 2013-04-17
Also published as: ZA201209675B; WO2011154386A1; CN102917632A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutlery basket (1) used in dishwashers for placing items (E) such as spoons, forks, etc. in an effective washing position, comprising a body (2) having at least two storing units (3, 103) that provide the storage space to increase/decrease when moved with respect to each other.

Description

A DISHWASHER AND A CUTLERY BASKET USED THEREIN

The present invention relates to a cutlery basket used in dishwashers.
In dishwashers, cutlery baskets are used that provide the items having small volumes to be washed. When the cutlery basket cannot be entirely filled, the empty places occupy unnecessary space inside the dishwasher and prevent loading of the other items. On the other hand, when more forks and spoons are desired to be washed than the present cutlery basket volume can hold, placing these into the dishwasher basket presents problems due to these falling unto the dishwasher base by passing through the basket wires.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE19540611, a holding surface that is mounted to the side wall of the basket is described which is used in dishwashers. The holding surface comprises a first part having a movement mechanism on the side thereof and a second part mounted to the said movement mechanism, stored under the first part without occupying space in the closed state, and when opened, increasing the storing area of the holding surface approximately to double its size by aligning with the first part, in front of the first part.
From the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2004000090 and from a lot of state of the art embodiments cutlery baskets are known having additional receptacles, which are secured to the side walls of the main receptacle of the cutlery basket by means of locking mechanisms such as detent.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a variable sized cutlery basket used for placing items like forks and spoons in a dishwasher.
The cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the claims, comprises a body wherein forks, spoons and similar items are placed. The body comprises at least two storing units that can be moved telescopically with respect to one another in the horizontal axis. By this means, the body is provided to be widened or narrowed when desired.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the storing units are box shaped and comprise bases and side walls, with at least one of them having an open side surface. The storing units are inserted one into the other so as to move telescopically one in the other by sliding due to at least one of the storing units having an open side surface.
In the narrowest position, the base area of the body is as wide as the storing unit having a greater base area and in the widest position is approximately as the total base areas of the two storing units. When the body is desired to be narrowed, that is desired to be changed to the closed position, the storing units are inserted one into the other such that their bases are at least partially one over the other. When the body is desired to be made wider, that is desired to be changed to the open position, the storing units are slid one over the other, decreasing the area of the bases that are over each other and a wider base area is obtained.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the four lateral sides of the first storing unit are covered by a side wall each and a U shaped passage in opening form, parallel to the side walls and the base, is formed on one of the side walls. In this embodiment, the second storing unit has three side walls with one side being open. The second storing unit is positioned with the open side facing the passage, and mounted on the second storing unit such that two side walls in perpendicular position to the base and the open side can pass through the passage. Thus, the second storing unit is assembled with the first storing unit so as to be slidable in the passage.
In this embodiment, the storing units are almost the same size, the first one being somewhat smaller than the second storing unit. Accordingly, when the storing units are changed to the closed position, the wall of the first storing unit with the passage thereon bears against the wall of the second storing unit facing opposite in the movement direction and the bases overlap. Thus, an almost double walled structure is obtained.
While the storing units are changed to the open position, a curve-shaped locking mechanism is disposed on at least one of the side walls or the base of the second storing unit placed in the passage and extending into the storing unit in order to prevent separation of the second storing unit from the first storing unit. When the second storing unit is pulled to a position wherein the side walls and the base come almost entirely out of the first storing unit, the locking mechanism bears against the sides of the passage and limits the movements of the storage units with respect to each other. In this position, since the bases of the storing units are arranged almost in successive arrangement, the base area that can support items increase to almost double size as compared with the closed position. However, similarly the area occupied by the cutlery basket also increases twofold.
Accordingly, when the user desires to wash a lot of forks, spoons etc. items, he/she uses the cutlery basket by changing the storing units to the open position. On the other hand, when there is lesser amount of items such as forks, spoons etc. to be washed, or desires to wash without the cutlery basket occupying much space, he/she uses the cutlery basket by changing the storage units to the closed position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, reverse L shaped movement mechanisms in channel form secured to the side walls are provided on the side walls of the first storing unit. When the second storing unit is placed in the passage, the top edges of its side walls are seated in the movement mechanisms and the sliding motion is realized in a more balanced manner by being guided with the movement mechanisms.
In an embodiment of the present invention, one side of both storing units is open and one of the storing units is somewhat smaller than the other one. In this embodiment, the smaller storing unit is placed into the bigger one, with their open sides facing each other. In this embodiment, when the storing units are changed to the open position, their open sides almost align and a big storing volume is obtained wherein the storing units are placed almost successively. In the closed position, the storing units overlap as the open side of each storing unit is covered by the opposite side wall of the other storing unit. Thus, a cutlery basket that does not occupy much space is obtained.
By means of the present invention, a cutlery basket that is used for placing items such as forks, spoons into the dishwasher and that provides effective loading conditions for the user is obtained.
The model embodiments related to the cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the cutlery basket of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the first storing unit in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 – is the perspective view of the second storing unit in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 – is the perspective view of the cutlery basket in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 – is the exploded view of the first and second storing units in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 – is the top schematic view of the cutlery basket in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 – is the top schematic view of the cutlery basket in a different embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 – is the top schematic view of the cutlery basket in yet another embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cutlery basket
Body
, 103. Storing unit
, 104. Base
, 105. Side wall
Passage
Locking mechanism
Movement mechanism
Separator wall

The cutlery basket (1) is used in dishwashers for the purpose of providing items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. to be placed in an effective washing position.
The cutlery basket (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2) wherein items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed. The body (2) comprises at least two storing units (3, 103) that provide the base area of the body (2) to be increased/decreased when moved with respect to each other (Figure 1).
The storing units (3, 103) are open top box shaped, having a base (4, 104) and side walls (5, 105). The base (4, 104) and the side walls (5, 105) are of perforated configuration to allow for passage of water. The storing units (3, 103) can be kept at an open position wherein the loadable base area of the body (2) is increased and a closed position wherein the loadable base area of the body (2) is decreased (Figure 1).
While in the closed position, the bases (4, 104) of the storing units (3, 103) overlap at least partially (Figure 6 and Figure 7). In this position, the cutlery basket (1) occupies less space and a certain amount of items (E) can be loaded therein.
In the open position, the bases (4, 104) of the storing units (3, 103) overlap less as compared to the closed position (Figure 1, Figure 4 and Figure 8). In this position, it is possible to load a greater amount of items (E) in the cutlery basket (1). In other words, the active, loadable base area of the body (2) is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the base area of the body (2) is provided to be increased/decreased by moving the storing units (3, 103) telescopically in the horizontal axis.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the storing units (3, 103) are mounted to each other so as to be inserted one into the other (Figure 8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the storing units (3, 103) comprise a locking mechanism (7) that prevents them from entirely separating from each other (Figure 3 and Figure 5). Thus, the user is prevented from separating the storing units (3, 103) from each other unintentionally while changing the storing units (3, 103) to the open position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the storing units (3, 103) comprise a movement mechanism (8) that guides their movements with respect to each other (Figure 2 and Figure 5). Thus, the storing units (3, 103) are provided to move easily over each other and in the desired direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the movement mechanism (8) is shaped like two channels, each disposed on one of the upper edges of the side walls (105) of the second storing unit (103), clasping the side walls (5) of the first storing unit (3) from above and guiding the sliding motion (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Consequently, the movement of the storing units (3, 103) with respect to each other is realized easily and in balanced manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first storing unit (3) comprises four side walls (5) that cover its four lateral sides (Figure 2). The second storing unit (103) comprises three side walls (105) that cover its three lateral sides (Figure 3). The lateral side of the second storing unit (103) facing the first storing unit (3) is open. In this embodiment, the body (2), furthermore, comprises a U shaped passage (6), with the open end facing upwards, disposed on the side wall (5) of the first storing unit (3) facing the second storing unit (103). The storing units (3, 103) are mounted one to the other by passing the base (104) and the side walls (105) of the second storing unit (103) adjacent to the open lateral side through the passage (6) (Figure 1). The side wall (5) of the first storing unit (3) remaining between the second storing unit (103) functions as separator between the storing units (3, 103) and prevent different items (E) placed in the storing units (3, 103) to be mixed with each other.
The storing units (3, 103) are slid until the side wall (105) of the second storing unit (103) opposite its open side bears against the side wall (5) of the first storing unit (3) whereon the passage (6) is disposed. Thus, the storing units (3, 103) are changed to the closed position wherein their bases (4, 104) almost entirely overlap. When the storing units (3, 103) are desired to be changed to the open position, the second storing unit (103) is pulled to slide in the passage (6). Consequently, the storing units (3, 103) are changed to the open position wherein their bases (4, 104) do not overlap at least partially and thus allowing more items (E) to be stored (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3).
In a version of this embodiment, the locking mechanism (7) is shaped like a protrusion, situated on at least the base (104) or one of the side walls (105) of the second storing unit (103) that passes through the passage (6), extending almost perpendicular to the direction of movement, preventing the second storing unit (103) from going out of the passage (6) by bearing against the sides of the passage (6) when the storing units (3, 103) change to the entirely open position such that almost all their bases (4, 104) are not overlapping each other (Figure 3). Consequently, the user cannot separate the storing units (3, 103) from each other while changing to the open position, and convenience of use is provided.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the storing units (3, 103) comprise three side walls (5) that cover their three lateral sides (Figure 8). In this embodiment, the storing units (3, 103) are mounted one to the other such that the open sides face each other and one is inserted into the other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises separator walls (9) that divide the storing units (3, 103) into more than one compartment (Figure 6 and Figure 7).
By means of the present invention, a cutlery basket (1) that is used for placing items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. into the dishwasher, and that provides the user with variable storing options is obtained.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A cutlery basket (1) comprising a body (2) wherein items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed, characterized by the body (2) having at least two storing units (3, 103) that provide the base area of the body (2) to be increased/decreased when moved with respect to each other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the storing units (3, 103) that provide the base area of the body (2) to be increased/decreased by being moved telescopically in the horizontal axis.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the storing units (3, 103) that are mounted one to the other so as to be inserted one into the other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the storing units (3, 103) having a locking mechanism (7) that prevents them from entirely separating from each other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the storing units (3, 103) having a movement mechanism (8) that guides their movements with respect to each other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the open top box shaped storing units (3, 103) having a base (4, 104) and side walls (5, 105).
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by the movement mechanism (8) shaped like two channels, each disposed on one of the upper edges of the side walls (105) of the second storing unit (103), guiding the sliding motion by clasping the side walls (5) of the first storing unit (3) from above.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by the body (2) comprising the first storing unit (3) having four side walls (5) covering four lateral sides, the second storing unit (103) having three side walls (105) covering three lateral sides and a U shaped passage (6), with the open end facing upwards, disposed on the side wall (5) of the first storing unit (3) facing the second storing unit (103).
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the locking mechanism (7) that is shaped like a protrusion, situated on the base (104) or at least one of the side walls (105) of the second storing unit (103) that pass through the passage (6), extending almost perpendicular to the direction of movement.
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the storing units (3, 103) comprising three side walls (5, 105) that cover their three lateral sides, mounted one to the other such that the open sides face other and one is inserted into the other.
A dishwasher characterized by the cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims.