EP4154794A1

EP4154794A1 - A rack support for a hood-type dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP4154794A1
Application number: EP22184815.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Pieri; Riccardo ORLANDI; Riccardo DONATI
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2022-07-13
Publication date: 2023-03-29

Abstract

The present invention provides for a rack support frame (100) for a hood-type dishwasher comprising: a substantially square support (101) formed of a polymer or polymer composite material, configured to provide a substantially flat top surface for supporting a rack (107), and a plurality of leg members (103) attached at respective corners of said substantially square support (101).

Description

Technical Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a rack support frame, more specifically to a rack support frame for a hood-type dishwasher with improved performance characteristics.

Background

Typically, rack holders for hood-type dishwashers are manufactured from metal, such as, for example stainless steel. However, these rack supports are expensive in terms of materials and manufacturing time, as a plurality of components are assembled and welded together. Further, the welds used to assemble the components of the rack are difficult to clean, causing a high risk for the accumulation of dirt. In addition, rack supports formed of metal are heavy, meaning that the handling and/or removal of the rack from the dishwasher can be difficult. Other risk factors caused by the metal components are the potential of sharp cutting edges. Thus, the combination of potentially excessive weight, sharp edges and the increased need to handle the rack for cleaning purposes can be a hazardous for users.
Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rack support which alleviates or at least mitigates the aforementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

An aspect of the invention is set out in the independent claim. Dependent claims describe optional features.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a rack support frame for a hood-type dishwasher comprising:

a substantially square support formed of a polymer or polymer composite material, configured to provide a substantially flat top surface for supporting a rack, and
a plurality of leg members operably attached at respective corners of said substantially square support.

Hood-type dishwashers require a rack or basket filled with dishes to be slid onto and off of a supporting rack. Such dish racks are generally formed of a polymer to keep the cost and weight of the racks low. However, the rack support is required to have increased structural strength, as well as, being harder wearing than the dish rack, because it supports the weight of the full (i.e. filled with heavy dishes) dish racks through every wash cycle. Forming the rack support frame of a polymer or polymer composite has several advantages. Firstly, forming the rack support frame of the same material as the rack reduces wear on the racks. Secondly, polymer or polymer composite materials are generally more light-weight than steel racks, thus, a lighter rack can be more easily removed and cleaned. Thirdly, by using a polymer material or polymer composite the rack support frame can be manufactured as a unitary piece, removing the need for welding multiple components and thus significantly reducing potential dirt-collecting spots on the frame. Finally, polymers are generally cheaper in terms of manufacture and material costs compared to metal, such as, stainless steel.
Advantageously, said leg members are formed from metal. Using metal leg members allows for a simplified assembly with the polymer frame, as the metal legs can be simple moulded into the corner section of the frame support during manufacture of the polymer or polymer composite frame support. Also, providing metal leg members can increase the lifespan of the rack support frame.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise an outer and an inner side, opposing said outer side face, each attached to and protruding perpendicularly away from a top face, so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. This will increase the overall structural strength of the support frame.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise a plurality of ribs attached between said outer and inner side faces and said top face.
Including a plurality of ribs attaching the outer and inner side faces and the top face increases the strength and rigidity of the rack support frame without substantially affecting the overall weight and the surface area of the top face.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one strut connecting at least one corner between two inner side faces.
This provides the advantage of increased structural strength and rigidity of the rack support frame without substantially affecting the overall weight and the surface area of the top face.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one aperture to accommodate a fixing means on at least one of said side faces.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise a substantially square bottom face, said bottom face being releasably attachable to said outer and inner side faces such that when attached, said bottom face opposes said flat top face.
This provides the advantage of closing the inner volume defined by the U-shaped profile of the support frame, to avoid ingress of debris during the wash cycle. The bottom face may then be removed for cleaning purposes.
Advantageously, said leg members may be co-moulded with said rack support.
Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one releasably mountable side support border for guiding and positioning a dish rack, said at least one side support border being formed of a plastic material.
Advantageously, the rack support frame may further comprise at least one triangular mounting formation adapted to couplingly engage with a respective one of at least one triangular mounting structure of said at least one side support border. This provides the advantage of a "quick-fit" coupling between the side support border and the rack frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the figures:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with configurable side borders;
Figure 2A shows an exploded view of a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with side borders in a different configuration;
Figure 2B shows an underside of a rack support frame;
Figure 3 shows an assembled rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher;
Figure 4 shows a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with side borders in a different configuration;
Figure 5 shows a rack support frame with a dish rack and dishes in position;
Figure 6 shows a rack support frame with a dish rack and dishes in position;
Figure 7 shows a rack support frame with an alternative dish rack in position, and
Figure 8 shows an alternative rack support frame formed of a metal wire structure.

Detailed Description

The described example embodiment relates to a rack support frame for use with a hood type dishwasher. In particular the rack support frame comprises a substantially square support which is formed of a polymer.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words 'right', 'left', 'lower', 'upper', 'front', 'rear', 'upward', 'down', 'downward', 'above' and 'below' designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made and are with respect to the described component when assembled and mounted (e.g. in situ). The words 'inner', 'inwardly' and 'outer', 'outwardly' refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centreline or a geometric centre of an element being described (e.g. central axis), the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description.
Furthermore, the term plastic, polymer, composite and polymer composite are used interchangeably within this specification.
Further, as used herein, the terms 'connected', 'attached', 'coupled', 'mounted' are intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween, as well as, indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as, 'first', 'second', 'third' etc. merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.
Through the description and claims of this specification, the terms 'comprise' and 'contain', and variations thereof, are interpreted to mean 'including but not limited to', and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality, as well as, singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Referring now to Figure 1, and according to a first example embodiment of the present invention, the rack support frame 100 is for a hood-type dishwasher, but the skilled person will appreciate that the rack support frame can be used in a variety of different situations. The rack support frame 100 includes a substantially square support structure 101. The substantially square support 101 is formed of a polymer material, such as a plastic, or a polymer composite. The polymer may be a mouldable plastic. The substantially square support 101 may be formed as a single piece, for example, having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, having no joints or welds or any other connections or couplings. Legs 103 (e.g. metal) are attached at the corners of the square support 101. The legs 103 may be made from wires that are shaped into leg structures suitable to be attachingly moulded into the square support 101 during a manufacturing process. The wire material may be any one of a suitable metal, a polymer or plastic material and a composite material (e.g. polymer composite). However, any other suitable metal structure having any shape or form suitable to act as a leg (e.g. flat metal sheet) may be used.
The substantially square support 101 defines a flat top surface 110 which can accommodate a dish rack 107. The square support 101 may have outer 112 and inner 114 opposing side faces (so as to form the U-shaped profile). The side faces 112, 114 are attached to and protrude perpendicularly from the substantially flat top face 110. The bottom opening 116 of the square support 101 may be closed by a releasably attachable square bottom surface 104 that can be attached with screws or any other suitable fastener means (e.g. clips). In use, the bottom surface 104 can be removed such that the hollow interior of the square support 101 can be cleaned. Preferably, the rack support frame 100 will be flipped upside down during cleaning, such that water may flow out of the screw holes.
Alternatively, the bottom surface 104 may be ultrasonically welded to the opposing side faces 112, 114. In yet another alternative embodiment, the square support 101 may be formed as a single generally tubular structure, forming for example a square cross sectional profile.
The rack support 101 may be provided with holes 106 for attachment means, such as screws and/ or nuts and bolts. These attachment means may be used to attach various accessories to the square rack support 101.
One such attachable accessory may be a side support 105 or side support border. The one or more side support 105 can be attached to one or more sides of the square rack support 101. Hood type dishwashers may be placed in a number of different situations. A dish rack 107 may be inserted under the hood from one side and then removed from the other side. In this configuration, two side support borders 105 may be attached such that a dish rack 107 can be slid straight over the dishwasher without being lifted. Alternatively, a plurality of side support borders 105 may be attached on three sides such that a dish rack can be moved into position and then removed from the same direction it was entered. The side support borders 105 may be constructed such that a dish rack 107 is aligned with the cleaning components of the hood-type dishwasher.
Referring now to Figure 2A, the same rack support frame 100 as in the preceding Figure 1 is shown, except, the side borders 105 are configured to be slid into position for a hood type dishwasher configured to be placed into, for example, the corner of a kitchen.
Referring now to Figure 2B, the underside of the rack support frame 100 is shown. The substantially square bottom face 104 of the rack support 101 may comprise one or more screw hole structures 118 for fixing means, such that it can be attached using a screw and/or nut and bolt. Furthermore, the internal structure of the rack support 101 is shown. The rack support 101 includes a plurality of structural support ribs 108 which serve to strengthen the rack support 101, increasing the longevity of the structure. In the configuration shown the ribs 108 are attached to opposing side faces (inner and outer) 112, 114 and the top face 110.
Referring now to Figure 3, a rack support frame 100 is shown. In the embodiment shown, struts 102 are provided to the inner side faces 112, such that each strut 102 is attached to a corner section of the rack support 101, i.e. connecting two inner side faces 112. The struts 102 may increase the rigidity of the rack support 101 such that it does not deform under strain, especially under the high temperature conditions known to be present in a hood-type dishwasher during use.
Referring now to Figure 4, a rack support frame 100 is shown. The side support borders 105 of the rack support 101 are in a different configuration, i.e. on opposing sides of the rack support 101.
Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and 7, a rack support frame 100 is shown with a dish rack 107 located on the substantially flat top face 110 of the rack support 101. The flat top face 110 is configured in terms of shape and size to accommodate a dish rack 107. The rack support 101 may be adapted to accommodate a variety of dish racks of different configurations. Furthermore, the side support borders 105 may be configured such that one degree of freedom (DOF) of movement is removed, meaning that the dish rack 107 cannot be slid off the rack support 101 in an undesired direction. The side support borders 105 may also help to locate the dish rack 107 within the hood-type dishwasher.
Referring now to Figure 8, an alternative embodiment of a rack support frame 200 is shown. In this aspect, the support face is made up of a wire frame 201, material used for forming the wire frame 201 may include any one or any combination of a stainless steel, a polymer or a polymer composite material. The wire frame 201 provides a support for a dish rack 107. Side support borders 205 may be attachable to the wire frame 201 using fixing means, such as a nut, bolt and washer 210. Also, the rack support frame 200 may further comprise triangular formations 212, wherein the side support borders 205 may comprise complimentary triangular mounting structures (not shown) adapted to couplingly engage with the triangular formations of the rack support frame 200 (as well as, an equivalent triangular mounting structure provided with rack support frame 100).
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment(s) have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the detailed designs as described above are possible, for example, variations may exist in shape, size, arrangement (i.e. a single unitary components or two separate components), assembly or the like.

Reference numbers:

100: Rack support frame
101: Square support structure
102: Strut
103: Legs
104: Square bottom surface
105: Side support
106: Holes
107: Dish rack
108: Support ribs
110: Flat top surface
112: Outer side faces
114: Inner side faces
116: Bottom opening
118: Screw hole structures
200: Alternative rack support frame
201: Wire frame
205: Side support
210: Washer
212: Triangular formations

Claims

A rack support frame (100) for a hood-type dishwasher comprising:
a substantially square support (101) formed of a polymer or polymer composite material, configured to provide a substantially flat top surface (110) for supporting a rack (107), and

a plurality of leg members (103) attached at respective corners of said substantially square support (101).
A rack support frame according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of leg members are formed from metal.
The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising outer and inner opposing side faces (112, 114), each attached to and protruding perpendicularly away from a top face, so as to form a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile.
The rack support frame according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of ribs (108) attached between said outer and said inner side faces and said top face.
The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein said support frame further comprises at least one strut (102) connecting to at least one corner between two adjacent inner side faces.
The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of said outer and inner side faces comprises at least one aperture (118) to accommodate a fixing means.
The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a substantially square bottom face (104), said bottom face being releasably attachable to said outer and inner side faces such that when attached, said bottom face opposes said flat top face.
The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said leg members are co-moulded with said rack support.
The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one releasably mountable side support border (105) for guiding and positioning a dish rack, said side support border being formed of a plastic material.
A rack support frame according to claim 9, further comprising at least one triangular mounting formation (212) adapted to couplingly engage with a respective one of at least one triangular mounting structure of said at least one side support border.