EP2941172A1

EP2941172A1 - Dishwasher basket accessory

Info

Publication number: EP2941172A1
Application number: EP13830121.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Seu; Alfredo Lionetti
Original assignee: Indesit Co SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2012-12-31
Filing date: 2013-12-27
Publication date: 2015-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-27
Also published as: ITTO20121173A1; EP2941172B1; WO2014102744A1; PL2941172T3

Abstract

A dishwasher basket accessory is configured for the releasable coupling at two opposite walls (S) of a crockery basket (8). The accessory (20) comprises at least one support (21) having a longitudinally extended structure (22) with two end portions (23) and an intermediate portion (24), wherein at the two end portions (23) of the structure (22) of the support (21) there are provided members (30) for the releasable coupling to the crockery basket (8) at said opposite walls, the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22) being configured for the purposes of supporting items to be washed.

Description

"Dishwasher basket accessory"

* * *

DESCRTPTTON

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to domestic dishwashers and has been developed with particular reference to the accessories for the crockery basket of these machines.

Prior Art

The domestic dishwashers usually comprise a wash-tub, in the inside of which are housed in an extractable manner at least two crockery baskets and at least two sprinklers, which are usually the one below the lower basket and the other below the upper basket. Certain dishwashers also include a third sprinkler member, placed above the upper crockery basket, for example a substantially shower-like sprinkler, mounted at the upper wall of the tub. Some machines provided with the aforesaid third sprinkler also have a cutlery tray, arranged within the tub in a position generally comprised between the upper crockery basket and the third sprinkler.

In some solutions the tray comprises its own supporting frame, mounted to be extractable from the front side of the tub like a drawer, similarly to the crockery baskets. In these solutions, the structure of the upper basket of the dishwasher has a relatively limited height dimension, however suitable to ensure a usual load of crockery as well as assembling, at the two longitudinal walls of the basket, of usual brackets suitable for the support of certain dishes, such as cups, glasses, goblets, baby bottles, etc. (the so-called "flaps").

In other solutions the tray is mounted directly on the structure of the upper crockery basket. This type of solutions implies that the structure of the upper basket of the dishwasher is shaped such that the cutlery tray is supported at a certain distance with respect to the bottom of the basket itself, so as not to hamper the housing of crockery into the basket itself. For this reason, usually, at least two opposite side walls of the basket - among which the cutlery tray is mounted - must be significantly higher than the other two opposite side walls, thereby causing an occupation of space in height not negligible of the whole basket. This has the consequence that also the possibility of varying the operating position of the upper basket among different height positions is very limited.

Aim and summary of the invention The present invention aims at indicating a technical solution that allows to provide a single type of dishwasher crockery basket, which can be used indifferently in the case of machines provided or not provided with the third upper sprinkler and indifferently in the case of machines equipped with a cutlery tray with its own frame, or else of a cutlery tray associated to the frame of a crockery basket, or even to machines without a cutlery tray.

This and other aims, which will be apparent hereinafter, are achieved according to the present invention by a dishwasher accessory having the characteristics indicated in claim 1. Preferred characteristics of the invention are indicated in the sub-claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further aims, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, provided for purely illustrative and not limiting example, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic sectional representation of a dishwashing machine comprising a dishwasher accessory according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective view of an upper basket of the dishwasher of figure 1;

- figure 3 is a perspective view of a basket similar to that of figure 2, equipped with an accessory according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

- figure 4 is an exploded view of a basket similar to that of figure 3; - figure 5 is a perspective view of a support which is part of a dishwasher accessory the aforesaid embodiment of the invention;

- figure 6 is a perspective view of a support structure of the support of figure 5;

- figures 7-9 are partial perspective views intended to illustrate a sequence of mounting of a coupling member to the structure in figure 6;

- figure 10 is a plan view from below of a coupling member of the type shown in figures 7-9;

- figure 11 is a plan view of a support of a rack of the baskets of figures

2-4; and - figure 12 is a partial and schematic section of a coupling zone between a coupling member of figure 10 and a rack support of figure 11.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The reference to " one embodiment " in the frame of this description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration , structure or characteristic described in relation with the invention is included in at least one embodiment. Hence, phrases such as " in one embodiment" and the like that may be present in different parts of this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular conformations structures or characteristics may be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiments. The references used herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

The accessory described hereinafter in relation to the invention is here defined "cutlery tray" for simplicity, expected that one of its main aims is exactly to support cutlery items that are to be washed. Obviously, this does not exclude that the accessory, possibly also with suitable variations of its geometry , can be used for the purpose of supporting or positioning other items to be washed, such as wine glass, cups, tins, baby bottles, etc.

It should also be noted that in the following of the present description only the elements that are useful for the understanding of the invention will be described, taking for granted that the machine according to the invention comprises all the elements known per se for the operation of a dishwasher, comprising its possible external casing, a user interface, a control system, level sensors means, a water heating resistor, a washing agents dispenser, etc.

In figure 1 there is shown in schematic way a dishwashing machine for domestic use according to a possible embodiment of the present invention. The machine 1 is shown limited to the parts of immediate interest to the understanding of the present invention. The machine 1 has a structure 2 which comprises a wash-tub 3, under which is defined a housing space in which there are positioned various functional components of the machine 1, including a washing pump 4, a drain pump 5, part of sump 6 for collection of the water, as well as other components not shown in the figure for sakes of greater clarity of the drawing. The wash-tub 3, of overall known conception, comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and four side walls one of which - the front wall - consists of an internal shell of the machine door, not shown here (the so-called "counter door"). Inside the tub 3 are provided a lower basket 7 and an upper basket 8, designed to contain respective crockery loads. The baskets 7 and 8 are mounted - via guides 7a and 8a known per se - in order to be extractable and/or removable through the front opening of the tub 3.

The machine 1 has a sprinkler system, which includes a first sprinkler member 9, to sprinkle with water from below the crockery contained in a respective basket, here the lower basket 7. In the case shown, provided that the machine two baskets, the sprinkler system also includes a second sprinkler member 10, for sprinkling with water from below the crockery items contained in the upper basket 8.

The sprinkler system of machine 1 also comprises an upper sprinkler 1 1, arranged above the upper basket 8 of the machine, for example a substantially shower-like rotatable sprinkler, mounted at the upper wall of the tub 3. As in the known technique, the sprinkler system is fed by means of the wash pump 4, through a hydraulic circuit not shown, of any known type in the field.

In the illustrated embodiment, the machine 1 also comprises a cutlery tray, indicated with 12 as a whole, which is in the tub 3 in a space comprised between the upper basket 8 and the upper wall of the tub 3. As it can be noticed, the upper sprinkler 11 can sprinkle water from above on the tray 12. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the tray 12 is associated with an accessory according to the present invention, indicated with 20 as a whole, comprising at least one support 21. In the case shown, the accessory 20 comprises two supports 21, configured for coupling to the basket 8 in positions substantially parallel to each other.

The structure of a possible embodiment of the accessory 20, together with its construction details and the basket 8, is shown in figures 2-12, in combination with the tray 12.

Referring firstly to figure 2, it is shown a possible structure of the upper basket 8 of machine 1. As in the usual technique, the structure of the basket 8 is formed of a plurality of metal wires welded together, preferably metal wires coated with a plastic material. The basket 8 has a generally quadrilateral shape, with two longitudinal walls S, as well as a front wall F and a rear wall R. In the exemplified case, the front wall F has a height lower than the remaining walls S and R and its structure has a front handle H associated thereto. The structure of the basket 8 also comprises a bottom, generally indicated with B, whose metal wires are suitably shaped so as to define crockery supports, all according to the known technique in the field. To the longitudinal walls S, having about the same height of the rear wall R, there are coupled supports or vertical guides 13 of respective "flaps" 14, i.e. small folding brackets, that in the condition of normal use project toward the inside of the basket 8, also in this case according to the known technique. The flaps 14 are usually provided in dishwasher upper baskets to support small crockery, such as small cups, or to act as a support for goblets. In some solutions, such as the one exemplified, the supports 13 are configured in such a way that the working position of the corresponding flaps is variable in height and/or inclination. A possible embodiment of the supports 13 and of the flaps 14 is described in the Italian patent application no. TO2011 A000739, in the name of the Applicant, whose contents are herein incorporated by reference. In the exemplified embodiment shown, the side supports 13 are coupled, by respective coupling means, to vertical and horizontal wires of the structure of the longitudinal walls S of the basket 8.

Referring again to the non-limiting example of figure 2, on the longitudinal walls S of the structure guide devices are coupled, one of which designated by 15, to enable support and extraction of the basket 8 from the dishwasher tub. Also the devices 15 may be of any design known in the field, and comprise, for example, wheels 15a through which the basket 8 is coupled in sliding way to lateral telescopic guides mounted on the opposite side walls of the tub 3, for example, the guides 8a of figure 1. Preferably, the guide devices 15 are also designed, in a manner known per se, in order to allow for a diversified positioning in height of the basket 8 in the tub 3, at least between a lowered position and at least one raised position.

In figure 3, the basket 8 is shown in a condition in which it has mounted thereon the accessory 20 according to a possible embodiment of the invention; notes that, in this figure, for the sake of clarity, the representation of the flaps 14 and of some of the corresponding supports 13 has been omitted. Figure 4 shows instead the basket 8 with the accessory 20 of figure 3 in an exploded view. Referring to these figures, the accessory 20 comprises, in this way of use, two supports 21, configured for coupling to the basket 8 in positions substantially parallel to each other. In the exemplified case, and as it will become more apparent hereinafter, the supports 21 are configured for coupling at two opposite walls of the basket 8, here represented by the longitudinal walls S. Each support 21 has a relatively rigid longitudinally extended structure 22, with two end portions 23 and an intermediate portion 24. The end portions 23 of the structure

22 have members 30 for the releasable coupling to the basket 8, while the tray 12 has opposite ends configured for the releasable coupling to the aforesaid intermediate portion 24.

Always preferentially, the structure 22 of the supports 21 is preferably a wire structure, very preferably metal wire coated with plastic material, similarly to the wires that constitute the structure of the basket 8, while the coupling members 30 have a respective body made of a plastic material, particularly an injection- moldable thermoplastic material, which integrally defines means for coupling to the structure 24 of supports 21 and means for coupling to the basket 8.

As can be seen particularly from figures 5 and 6, in an embodiment the intermediate portion 24 of structure 22 is substantially straight. On the other hand, the opposite longitudinal ends of the cutlery tray 12 - which has a generally a flat shape - are each configured for slidable coupling to the aforesaid intermediate portion 24. For this purpose, in the exemplified embodiment - see for example figure 4 - the front and the back of the tray 12 are shaped so as to define respective notches or grooves 12a, adapted to couple to the intermediate portion 24 of structure 24 of the supports 21.

It should be noted that, in general terms, the accessory 20 can comprise a pair of supports 21 configured in such a way that the items to be washed are bridge-supported between the respective intermediate portions 24; in the specific case shown, the items are supported between the intermediate portions 24 by means of the tray 12, but in other embodiments the portions 24 of two supports 21 can be shaped to support directly between them one or more items to be washed, even without the tray 12. Moreover, in an embodiment, the intermediate portion 24 of structure 22 of a support 21 is configured to support autonomously items to be washed.

The coupling means 30 are coupled to the two end portions 23 of the respective structure 22. With specific reference to figure 6, the end portions 23 have an end stretch 23a which is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the intermediate portion 24, where each coupling member 30 has first means for coupling to the aforesaid vertical stretch 23 a. Always referring to the preferred implementation illustrated, the end portions 23 of structure 22 also include a stretch 23b which is intermediate to the end stretch 23a and the intermediate portion 24. This intermediate stretch 23b is preferably substantially perpendicular both to the end stretch 23a and the intermediate portion 24 of the structure, and each coupling member 30 has second means for coupling to the intermediate stretch 23b.

As can be seen particularly in figure 7, the aforesaid first coupling means of the coupling member 30 include a seat 31, generally vertical, suitable to receive the terminal stretch 23a of a respective end portion 23 of structure 22. On the other hand, the aforesaid second coupling means of the coupling member 30 include at least one upper coupling tooth 32, for engagement with the intermediate stretch 23b of the respective end portion 23 of structure 22. Figures 7-9 illustrate a possible coupling sequence of the coupling members 30 with respect to the end portion 23 of the structure 22. In figure 7 it is represented the condition of the parties in question being uncoupled from each other, from which the receiving seat 31 and the coupling tooth 32 can be well seen. Figure 8 shows the condition in which the end stretch 23a has been engaged in the seat 31. Preferably, in one such embodiment, at least the end stretch 23a has a substantially circular section, as well as circular is the section of the seat 31, preferably configured as a blind cavity. Once the insertion has been obtained, the body of the coupling device 30 is to be rotated - here clockwise - as far as producing the elastic coupling of the tooth 32 on the intermediate stretch 23b of the end portion 23. It will be appreciated, for this purpose, that the tooth 32 is preferably at a greater height than the upper end of the seat 31. Obviously, the coupling tooth 32 can be configured to engage from below on the intermediate stretch 23b of the structure 22, in which case the tooth itself may be at a smaller height than in the exemplified embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means 30 comprises lower coupling means, configured for the releasable coupling with at least one of the wire structure of the basket 8 and a support 13 of the flaps 14. For example, still referring to figures 7-9, as well as to figure 10, it is seen as in the body of the shown coupling member 30 there is defined at least one coupling seat, preferably two coupling seats 33 in generally opposite positions of the body of the member 30, but preferably mutually aligned in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the aforesaid seats 30 are elastic coupling seats, adapted to be snap-fit hooked to upper longitudinal wires Si of the structure of the side walls S of basket 8, as it can be seen for example in figures 3 and 4. The at least one coupling seat 33 is preferably formed in a base of the body of the coupling member 30, with the same seat that - in an assembled condition of the support 21 - extends in a longitudinal direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 24 of the corresponding structure 22.

In a preferred embodiment, moreover, at the base of each coupling member 30, as an alternative to or - as in the exemplified case - in addition to the coupling seats 33, means are provided for coupling with a top region of a respective support 13 of a flap 14. A possible embodiment in this sense is indeed exemplified in figures 10 and 1 1. Figure 11 shows a plan view of a possible embodiment of the body of one of the supports 13. Regardless of the specific form, in a top area of such body a cavity is defined generally, indicated by 13a, here defined by a plurality of walls 13b of the support 13, these walls 13b preferably comprising at least three walls arranged orthogonally to each other, substantially in a C-like configuration. The support body 13 then comprises usual engagements 13c, for anchoring to the wire structure of the side walls S of the basket 8.

On the other hand, in figure 10, it can be seen in a plan view from below the base of the body of a coupling member 30. In addition to the already cited coupling seats 33, in a generally central position of the base there is defined a lower projecting part 34, like a block, having dimensions adapted for insertion into the cavity 13a of the support 13, possibly with at least a light interference. Preferably, in addition, the base of the coupling member 30 has at least one lower projecting wall 35, here a front wall generally parallel to a length dimension of the projecting part 34, so that between the projecting part 34 and the wall 35 there can be received one of the walls 13b of the support 13 that delimit the cavity 13a, here a front wall of the support 14. Preferably, in addition, the base of the coupling member 30 defines also two side walls 36, so as to surround the top of the support 13 also at his two opposite sides, generally perpendicular to the aforesaid front wall 13a.

The coupling condition is shown in section in figure 12, where it can be noted how the lower projecting part 34 of the base of the coupling member 30 is inserted in the cavity 13a of the support 13, with the front wall 13a of the same support that penetrates into the space between the front wall 35 of the base of the coupling member 30 and the corresponding lower projection 34. Again from figure 12, as well as from figure 10, is should be noticed how the base of the coupling member 30 defines preferably at least a stretch of rear wall 37, or anyway a stretch generally opposite and parallel to the wall 35, designed to surround the back of the support 13, at the top of the latter. In substance, hence, the base of the member 30 surrounds on several sides the top of the support 13, with the lower projecting part 34 of the former that is inserted into the cavity 13a of the latter. Again in figure 12 it is clearly visible the coupling condition of stretches 23 a and 23b of the end portion 23 of the structure 22 of the support 21 to the corresponding seat 31 and tooth 32 of the coupling member 30.

As previously described with reference to figures 7-9, the assembling of the coupling members 30 to the structure of a support 21 is very simple and is of releasable type, substantially a snap-fit type. The supports 21 configured in this way can then be coupled in releasable way to the structure of the basket 8, and in particular to its lateral walls S. As seen, to this purpose, in the exemplified embodiment the coupling means 30 comprise both means 33 for coupling to the wire structure of the walls S, as well as means 34-36 for coupling the supports 13 of the flaps 14 associated to these side walls S. On the other hand, the tray 12 is couplable, also in this case in a releasable way, on the intermediate portions 24 of the structure 22 of the supports 21 through the respective guides 12a formed in the front and in back of the body of the tray itself. The body of the tray 12, preferably made of molded thermoplastic material, has suitable supports and/or dividers 12b (see for example figure 3) for the positioning of cutlery items and the like.

It will be appreciated that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the supports 13 of the flaps 14 does embody also reference areas for the releasable coupling of supports 21, particularly the end supports 13 of the two longitudinal walls S of the basket 8. In the exemplified embodiment, the basket 8 comprises three supports 13 at each wall S, but it will be appreciated that in possible alternative embodiment the basket 8 may even comprise only two of such supports 13 on each side.

Through the slidable coupling of the tray 12 to the supports 21, the tray can be freely translate on the supports, in order to move the tray at the position considered more convenient, for example in order not to hamper underlying crockery contained in basket 8. Of course, the user of the dishwashing machine is free to use the accessory 20 object of the invention or not. In the case of use, the user has to merely associate the accessory 20 to basket 8, in the ways described above. On the other hand, when the user does not want to use the tray 8, he has to merely remove the tray 12 from the supports 21, and possibly also remove the supports 21, via quick and simple operations.

The possibility of removing each support 21 is particularly advantageous, especially when the upper basket 8 of machine 1 is, as in the case of the exemplified embodiment, a basket provided with lateral guide devices 15 that enables a positioning variable in height of the basket itself. In general, when the basket 8 is equipped with the accessory 20, the same basket will not be able to be kept in the position of maximum height in the tub 3, given the bulk of the supports 21. However, in case of need and in function of the load requirements of the machine 1, the user has anyway the possibility to position the basket 8 in the highest position, by removing the accessory 20. It should be noted for this purpose that the machine 1 might also be equipped with a usual cutlery basket, to put into one of the two baskets 7 and 8, especially if the accessory 20 is designed primarily for the support of items different from cutlery.

In addition to a considerable flexibility of use for end-users, a substantial advantage of the invention is also guaranteed for the producers of dishwasher. One such a producer, in fact, will be able - in accordance with the invention - to provide a single type of dishwasher upper baskets, such as the basket 8, which can be used indifferently on machines equipped with a cutlery tray configured as drawer, or else on machines that, despite having a third upper sprinkler, do not provide for one such drawer-like cutlery tray. In substance, therefore, for one same basic structure of a dishwashing machine there can be provided models, such as top-range machines, equipped with a usual drawer-like tray and mid- range machines equipped with the accessory according to the invention, i.e. anyway having a cutlery tray that can be used if necessary in the space between the upper sprinkler and the upper basket of the dishwasher. It goes without saying that the same type of upper basket can also be used for the production of low- range dishwashers, which do not present the upper sprinkler, and thus a cutlery tray. Always in the frame of a manufacturing standardization, it will be appreciated that, when the accessory 20 comprises at least two supports 21, these supports - i.e. their structures 22 and the corresponding coupling members 30 - are equal to each other.

From the given description the characteristics of the present invention are clear, as well as its advantages. The cutlery accessory according to the invention allows for obtaining a high flexibility in the use of the dishwashing machine equipped with the accessory itself and, at the same time, lends advantages even to the producers of dishwashing machines, in terms of manufacturing standardization.

It is clear that many variants are possible for the man skilled in art to the dishwasher basket accessory described by way of example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

In an embodiment not represented, the intermediate portion 24 of the structure 22 of at least one support 21 is shaped to autonomously support items to be washed. In one such embodiment the aforesaid portion 24 is preferably shaped so as to define seats and/or projections for the positioning of the items; for example, in one embodiment, the aforesaid seats are defined by bays of the intermediate portion 24, adapted to receive - for example - the stems of goblets; similarly, the aforesaid projections may be obtained by shaping the portion 24 so as to create a horizontal support line for items such as pans and the like. In any case, seats and/or projections or other positioning elements of at least one support 21 can be defined, rather than shaping the portion 24, by applying or by over- molding to it additional elements, for example of plastic material.

Thus, it will be appreciated that, in accordance with embodiments of the type as the ones just mentioned above, the accessory 20 can also comprise a single support 21, since adapted to support by its own items to be washed.

Even in the case in which the accessory comprises a pair of supports 21, in order to support between them in a bridge fashion items to be washed, the corresponding intermediate portions 24 of the structure 22 can be shaped, or have additional elements applied thereon, to define seats or other elements for the positioning of items between the two supports 21. In one embodiment, for example, the portions 24 can have a undulation development or a saw-teeth profile. Clearly, the two portions 24 are not necessarily identical to each other.

Possibly, the portions 24 of the structures 22 of two supports 21 can be configured so as to have a rectilinear part, for the support of a tray of the type indicated by 12, and one or more other parts shaped to define seats, projections or other positioning elements of the type described beforehand.

The invention has been described with particular reference to supports 21 prearranged for releasable coupling to the longitudinal walls of a dishwasher upper basket 8. In possible variant embodiments, however, the coupling members of the supports can be prearranged for coupling between the front and rear walls of the basket, or possible at corner regions between the longitudinal walls and the front and rear walls, respectively.

Claims

1. A dishwasher basket accessory configured for releasable coupling at two opposite walls (S) of a crockery basket (8), the accessory (20) comprising at least one support (21) having a longitudinally extended structure (22) with two end portions (23) and an intermediate portion (24), wherein at the end portions (23) of the structure (22) of the support (21) there are provided members (30) for releasable coupling to the crockery basket (8) at said two opposite walls (S), the intermediate (24) of the structure (22) being configured for the purposes of supporting items to be washed.

2. The accessory according to claim 1, comprising a pair of said supports

(21) configured for coupling to said opposite walls (S) of the crockery basket (8) in positions substantially parallel to each other, in such a way that the items to be washed are supported between the respective intermediate portions (24), the supports (21) of said pair being preferably identical.

3. The accessory according to claim 2, further comprising a cutlery tray

(12) having respective opposite ends configured for releasable coupling to the intermediate portions (24) of the structures (22) of the supports (21), in order to support said items to be washed, wherein preferably the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22) of each support (21) is substantially straight and the opposite ends of the cutlery tray (12) have guides (12a) for slidable coupling to said intermediate portion (24).

4. The accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22) of a support (21), or of each support (21), is configured to support autonomously items to be washed.

5. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the structure (22) of the at least one support (21) is a wire-structure, preferably a metal wire- structure, and/or the coupling members (30) have a respective body of plastic material, particularly a thermoplastic material, that defines integrally, or have associated thereto, means (31, 32) for coupling to the respective structure (22) and means (33-36) for coupling to the crockery basket (8).

6. The accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end portions (23) of the structure (22) of the at least one support (21) comprise an end stretch (23 a) generally perpendicular to the intermediate portion (24), preferably substantially vertical, and wherein the coupling member (30) has first means (31) for coupling with said end stretch (23a).

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the end portions (23) of the structure (22) of the at least one support (21) comprise an intermediate stretch (23b), in an intermediate position with respect to said end stretch (23a) and the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22), the intermediate stretch (23b) being substantially perpendicular to the end stretch (23a) and to the intermediate portion (24), and wherein the coupling member (30) has second means (32) for coupling with said intermediate stretch (23b).

8. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the first coupling means of the coupling member (30) includes a seat (31) for receiving the terminal stretch (23a) of a respective end portion (23) of the structure (22) of the at least one support (21).

9. The accessory according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second coupling means of the coupling member (30) includes at least one coupling teeth (32) for engagement with the intermediate stretch (23b) of a respective end portion (23) of the structure (22) of the at least one support (21).

10. The accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling members (30) comprise lower coupling means (33-36), configured for releasable coupling to at least one of a generally wire-structure (Si) of the crockery basket (8) and a device (13) for supporting a folding bracket (14) of the crockery basket (8).

11. The accessory according to claim 10, wherein the lower coupling means (33-36) comprise at least one coupling seat (33) formed in a base of the coupling member (30), the coupling seat (33) extending in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22) of the at least one support (21).

12. The accessory according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the lower coupling means (33-36) comprise a base of the coupling member (30), shaped for coupling - preferably a substantially shape-coupling - with a top region of a device (13) for supporting a folding bracket (14) of the crockery basket (8), the base of the coupling member (30) including preferably at least one part (34) enageable in a cavity (13a) of the device for supporting (13) and/or vice-versa.

13. The accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate portion (24) of the structure (22) of a support (21), or of each support (21), defines elements for the positioning or supporting of items to be washed, such as seats and/or protrusions and/or undulations and/or a saw-teeth profile.

14. A dishwasher crockery basket, having a bearing structure (Si, 13) and one accessory (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims couplable in a releasable manner to the bearing structure (Si, 13) of the crockery basket (8).

15. A dishwasher comprising at least crockery basket (8) according to claim 14, the dishwasher (1) having preferably a wash-tub (3) with a sprinkler member at a lower wall of said wash-tub (3), the accessory being configured for releasable coupling to an upper basket (8) of the dishwasher (1).