WO2015101879A1

WO2015101879A1 - Dishwasher rack accessory

Info

Publication number: WO2015101879A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/067025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marta CHMIELARZ; Roberto Giorcelli
Original assignee: Indesit Company S.P.A.
Priority date: 2013-12-31
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2015-07-09
Also published as: ITTO20131097A1; EP3089647A1; EP3089647B1

Abstract

A dishwasher rack accessory has a body (20) with a grid-like portion (21) for supporting items to be washed, and means for removable coupling to a dishwasher rack. At least one first part (28) of the grid-like portion is substantially flat for defining a first generally horizontal resting plane for items to be washed. The first part (28) of the grid¬ like portion (21) includes two walls (24) shaped for defining a recurrent pattern that comprises an alternation of crests (24a) and valleys (24b). The two shaped walls (24) extend facing each other between two opposite sides of the grid-like portion (21) in such a way that the facing valleys (24b) of the two shaped walls (24) define between them a plurality of receptacles for positioning respective items to be washed.

Description

Dishwasher rack accessory

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to household dishwashing machines and has been developed with particular reference paid to accessories for dish racks of these machines.

Prior art

Household dishwashing machines usually comprise a washtub, within which at least two dish racks and at least two sprinklers are extractably housed, the sprinklers being usually located one underneath the lower rack and the other underneath the upper rack. Some dishwashers also include a third sprinkling member, set above the upper dish rack, for example a shower-type sprinkler, mounted at the upper wall of the tub. The racks usually have a load-bearing structure formed by metal wires or rods welded together and coated with plastic material, for example a polyamide-based material.

The side walls of at least one rack of the dishwasher, typically the upper rack, may be provided with accessories for supporting certain types of dishes, such as cups, glasses, wine glasses, etc., set upside down. These accessories are typically constituted by drop-down shelves. Dishes of the sort referred to may also possibly be rested on the bottom of the rack.

The shelves referred to are not generally suitable for guaranteeing the necessary stability for containers of small dimensions that have to be held in an upright position turned upside down, such as for example glasses for liqueurs or spirits. In addition to this, the prevalent trend in manufacturing dish racks is to provide an increased distance between the metal rods that form the rack. If, on the one hand, this is advantageous in terms of reduction of the raw material used and of improvement in the quality of washing and in flexibility of the rack, on the other hand it entails a difficulty in guaranteeing an adequate support for glasses and the like.

Some machines - in particular those provided with the aforesaid third sprinkler - also have a cutlery-tray accessory, set in a position generally comprised between the upper dish rack and the upper wall of the tub. In some solutions, the accessory includes a tray with a corresponding supporting frame, which is mounted so that it can be pulled out at the front from the tub like a drawer, in the same way as the dish racks. In other solutions, which are constructively simpler, the accessory consists of a tray that is mounted in a removable way directly on the structure of the upper dish rack.

A solution of the second type referred to is known, for example, from EP2364636 Al, on which the preamble of Claim 1 is based. This document describes a tray, suitable for supporting items to be washed, such as cutlery and glasses, the longitudinal ends of which are shaped so as to define respective guides, which enable sliding and removable coupling of the tray to the upper end of two opposite walls of a dish rack. The grid-like portion of the tray is divided into two supporting faces, each of which declines laterally as far as the area where it joins to a respective longitudinal side wall of the tray. The longitudinal walls of the tray have recesses, at their upper edge, in particular semicircular recesses. In this way, between an inclined part of the bottom and a recess of the corresponding longitudinal wall of the tray there may be positioned a glass, in a generally inclined position. Also this solution does not, however, prove altogether satisfactory, in particular when the glasses to be supported are of small dimensions.

Aim and summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher rack accessory that is particularly suitable for supporting small spirit glasses and similar containers to be washed set upside down. An additional aim of the invention is to provide such an accessory presenting increased flexibility and ease of use and handling by users. A further aim of the invention is to provide such an accessory that is simple and economically advantageous to produce but at the same time guarantees good washing and drying results.

The above objects are achieved according to the present invention by a dishwasher accessory having the characteristics specified in Claim 1. Preferred characteristics of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further purposes, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

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

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a dish rack of the machine of Figure 1, provided with an accessory according to a possible embodiment the invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an accessory according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views, respectively a top plan view and a side elevation, of the accessory of Figure 3;

- Figure 6 is a schematic view in side elevation of the rack of Figure 2;

- Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view similar to that of Figure 2, with the accessory loaded with some types of items to be washed;

- Figures 8 and 9 are schematic perspective views of the accessory of the invention bearing two different types of items to be washed;

- Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwashing machine comprising a dishwasher accessory according to a further possible embodiment of the present invention; and

- Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a dish rack of the machine of Figure 1, with a respective part of an accessory according to a variant of the invention.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Reference to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" in the framework of the present description is intended to indicate that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment. Hence, terms such as "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" and the like that may be present in various points of the present description do not necessarily all refer to one and the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular configurations, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any adequate way in one or more embodiments. The references used in what follows are provided merely for convenience and do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

In embodiments described hereinafter, the accessory according to the invention comprises a tray, defined as "cutlery tray" for simplicity, given that it can be used for supporting also items of cutlery that have to be washed. However, according to the invention, at least one portion of this tray is specifically shaped for the purpose of supporting or positioning small containers, in particular small spirit glasses and the like. It is moreover pointed out that in the sequel of the present description there will be described only the elements useful for an understanding of the invention, taking for granted that the machine described herein comprises all the elements in themselves known for operation of a dishwasher, including a possible external cabinet thereof, a user interface, a control system, level-sensor means, a resistance for heating the water, a dispenser of washing agents, etc.

Represented schematically in Figure 1 is a dishwashing machine for household use according to a possible embodiment of the present invention. The machine 1 is illustrated limitedly to the parts of immediate interest for an understanding of the present invention. It is assumed that the machine of Figure 1 is a dishwasher with reduced lateral encumbrance, such as a dishwasher of the type commonly defined as "45-cm dishwashers".

The machine 1 has a structure 2 that comprises a washtub 3, below of which a housing space is defined, located in which are various functional components of the machine 1, amongst which a washing pump 4, a discharge pump 5, a part of a sump 6 for collecting the water, as well as other components (not represented in the figure for reasons of greater clarity of representation). The washtub 3, which is of a conception as a whole known, comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and four side walls, one of which - the front wall - is constituted by an internal shell of the door of the machine (here not represented ). Provided inside the tub 3 are a lower rack 7 and an upper rack 8, which are to contain respective loads of dishes. The racks 7 and 8 are mounted - via guides 7a and 8a in themselves known - so that they can be pulled out and/or removed through the front opening of the tub 3.

The machine 1 has a sprinkler system, which includes a first sprinkling member 9, for spraying with water from beneath the dishes contained in a corresponding rack (here the lower rack 7). In the case represented, since the machine has two racks, the sprinkler system also includes a second sprinkling member 10, for spraying the dishes contained in the upper rack 8 with water from beneath. In one embodiment, the sprinkler system of the machine 1 further comprises an upper sprinkler 11, set above the upper rack 8 of the machine, for example a substantially shower-type revolving sprinkler, mounted at the upper wall of the tub 3. As per the known technique the sprinkler system is supplied by means of the washing pump 4, via a hydraulic circuit (not represented), of any type known in the field.

The machine 1 comprises a dish-rack accessory, which, according to one embodiment of the invention, is shaped like a tray, in particular a cutlery tray, designated as a whole by 20. In a preferred embodiment, the tray 20 can be positioned in the tub 3 in a space comprised between the upper rack 8 and the upper wall of the tub 3 : as may be appreciated, in this way, the upper sprinkler 11 can sprinkle water from above also on the tray 20.

With reference to Figure 2, illustrated therein is a possible structure of the rack 8 of the machine 1, preferably its upper rack. As per the known technique, the structure of the rack 8 is formed starting from a plurality of metal rods or wires 8a, which generally cross one another and are welded together, preferably metal wires coated with a plastic material. The rack 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 case exemplified, one of the rods 8a of the front wall F defines a front grip H. The structure of the rack 8 then comprises a bottom, designated as a whole by B, the metal wires 8a of which are appropriately shaped so as to define supports for the dishes, according to techniques known in the field. Preferentially, coupled to the longitudinal walls S of the structure are guide devices, (not represented), for enabling support and extraction of the rack 8 from the tub of the dishwasher. Also these devices may be of any conception known in the field and comprise, for example, wheels via which the rack 8 is slidably coupled to lateral telescopic guides mounted on the side walls of the tub 3, for example the guides 8a of Figure 1. In Figure 2, the tray 20 is illustrated in a condition where it is coupled to the rack 8, in particular between the two longitudinal walls S.

With reference to Figures 3-5, the tray 20 has a generally elongated body, preferably made of plastic material moulded in a single piece. The body of the tray 20 has a grid-like bottom portion, designated by 21, preferably formed by a plurality of longitudinal and transverse bottom elements 22-25, set according to a criss-cross configuration. The body of the tray 20 then comprises a peripheral wall, designated as a whole by 26, which defines with the grid-like portion 21 - defined hereinafter as "bottom" for simplicity - a supporting space for items to be washed. In one embodiment, such as the one illustrated, the aforesaid space is divided into two lateral areas 27 and a central area 28, for the purposes described hereinafter. Preferentially, the peripheral wall 26 includes two opposite end walls 26a and two opposite side walls 26b that extend between the end walls 26a and are generally transverse thereto, with the peripheral wall 26 that hence has an approximately quadrangular shape. The body of the tray 20 has a shape that is preferably symmetrical at least with respect to a vertical plane passing through the vertical mid-line (M, Figure 5) of the end walls 26a.

The body of the tray 20 is shaped so as to define a releasable coupling guide 29 in each of two opposite end parts, here the longitudinal ends of the tray, for removable coupling to two opposite walls of the rack 8, here the walls S. Preferentially, the guides 29 are shaped for coupling on the upper ends of the walls S, as is clearly visible in Figure 6, in such a way that the tray 20 may also be made to slide thereon. Via slidable coupling of the tray 20 to the walls S, the former may be made to translate freely on the latter, so that it is possible to displace the tray into the position deemed most convenient, for example so as not to constitute a hindrance to underlying dishes contained in the rack 8. Preferentially, the walls F and R of the rack 8 are shaped for limiting the travel of sliding of the tray 20 on the walls S.

The guides 29 may be made in various ways. However, in a preferred embodiment, the guides 29 comprise end recesses, some designated by 29a, defined at the lower edge or profile of the peripheral wall 26 substantially at respective regions of transition between the walls 26b and the walls 26a, as is clearly visible, for example, in Figures 3 and 5. In the embodiment exemplified, the bottom 21 also has, at its longitudinal ends, a portion 21a for connection to an intermediate area of the corresponding wall 26a. At least one part of these connection portions 21a generally faces a corresponding part of the walls 26a, at a distance therefrom, so as to delimit longitudinally a respective guide 29.

In a preferred embodiment, the body of the tray 20 has a handle 30 defined in each of the two aforesaid opposite end parts - here the longitudinal end portions - for lifting the tray, as may be seen, for example, in Figure 3. Preferentially, the body of the tray 20 has lower rests 31, for keeping its bottom 21 in a raised position with respect to a generic resting surface of the tray, when the latter is removed from the rack 8, as may be seen, for example, in Figure 5, where the aforesaid resting surface is designated by S.

The handles 30 define precise points where the tray 20 can be gripped, facilitating the user when he or she has to position the tray on or remove the tray from the dish rack 8. The opposed handles 30, which are at the same height at the two ends of the tray 20, afford a balanced grip that facilitates the user also in carrying the tray, in particular when items to be washed or items already washed are positioned thereon.

The presence of the lower rests 31 prevents the bottom 21 from coming into contact with the resting surface S when the tray 20 is removed from the rack 8. In this way, the points of contact between the tray and the surface S are minimized. The tray may in this way be used also outside the context of the dishwasher, for example for resting thereon items washed or pre-washed manually to remove the coarser residue: in this way, the fact that the bottom 21 is raised with respect to the resting surface S, for example the surface of a sink, in any case guarantees draining of the water and circulation of air, which favours natural drying of the aforesaid items. The presence of localized rests, and hence contact between the bottom 21 and an underlying surface, also prevents the risk of indirectly wetting the items contained in the tray 20 when the latter is rested on a wet surface S.

For the above purposes, it is preferable for the lower profile or edge of the walls

26a to extend further down with respect to the lower profile of the walls 26b and to the bottom 21 in order to define there the lower rests 31. The rests 31 advantageously function also as references for the user for positioning the tray 20 on the rack 8. In this way, the points of contact between the body of the tray 20 and the resting surface S are limited to the two longitudinal ends of the tray itself, provided with the handles 30. In a preferred embodiment, this also enables provision of handles 30 sufficiently large in height as to facilitate gripping of the tray 20 also when this rests on the surface S.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of a handle 30 and a lower rest 31 is formed at the lower profile of the peripheral wall 26, preferably at its longitudinal end portions, here corresponding to the walls 26a. Very preferably, a handle 30 and a lower rest 31 are formed at the lower profile of one and the same wall portion 26a, to the advantage of simplicity of construction and use of the tray 20.

As may be seen, for example in Figure 3, in the embodiment currently deemed preferential, each handle 30 comprises an intermediate recess 30a of the lower profile of the corresponding wall 26a. Such an embodiment simplifies formation of the handle and prevents any stagnation of residual water at the handles. For this purpose, the recesses 30a may include a generally arched portion of the lower profile of the walls 26a, as in the case exemplified in the figures.

Very preferably, each of the rests 31 comprises a pair of resting parts 31a, where each resting part 31a is defined by a respective portion of the wall 26a, which extends between the intermediate recess 30a and the end recess 29a of a guide 29, as is clearly visible, for example, in Figure 3. This embodiment further simplifies production of the tray 20.

As already mentioned, at least part of the accessory according to the invention is advantageously shaped for positioning small containers that have to be washed set upside down and in a substantially upright position, in particular spirit glasses and the like.

For this purpose, according to the invention, the grid-like portion of the accessory, here the bottom 21 of the tray 20, is substantially flat in at least one part thereof so as to define a resting plane for items to be supported and comprises, at this part, two walls having a recurrent pattern that comprises a series of crests and valleys alternating with one another. In the example of embodiment illustrated, the bottom 21 is provided for defining a resting surface that is generally horizontal both when the tray 20 is installed on the rack 8 and when it is resting on a generic surface S. However, as explained hereinafter, according to other embodiments, the resting surface defined by the grid-like portion is generally inclined, in particular when the accessory of the invention comprises a shelf of the rack 8, in particular a drop-down shelf.

In the case exemplified in the figures, the aforesaid portion of the bottom 21 is the one corresponding to the intermediate area 28, and the aforesaid walls with recurrent pattern - defined hereinafter for simplicity also as "undulated walls" - are designated by 24 in Figures 3 and 4, with some of the corresponding crests and valleys designated by 24a and 24b, respectively. The corresponding resting plane is designated by PI in Figure 5.

The two undulated walls 24 extend facing one another, preferably generally parallel and between two opposite sides of the bottom 21 - here the longitudinal sides - so that the facing valleys 24b of the two undulated walls 24 define between them a plurality of receptacles for positioning items to be washed, as may well be appreciated from Figures 7 and 8, where some of these receptacles are occupied by the mouth portions of spirit glasses designated by 100, set upside down and in an upright position. In the case of the tray 20, the presence of a horizontal resting plane guarantees vertical positioning of the glasses 100 to the advantage of effectiveness of washing and drying thereof. The aforesaid receptacles identify precisely the points where the glasses 100 are to be positioned, contributing to guaranteeing positioning thereof both during operation of the dishwasher and during displacement of the rack 8 with respect to the washtub, as well as during handling of the tray 20.

Preferentially, the portion of the bottom 21 identified by the undulated walls 24 includes at least one further bottom element, designated by 25, which extends in an intermediate position between the undulated walls 24 and is also preferably set between the two aforesaid opposite sides of the bottom 21 so as to define at least one respective part of the resting plane PI . The element 25 has a smaller height than the undulated walls 24, so that the resting plane PI is generally lowered with respect to the upper profile of the undulated walls 24. In this way, the area for positioning the items 100 is clearly identified, with the undulated walls 24 that counter more effectively any possible lateral displacements of the glasses 100, without, however, leading to any substantial increase of the encumbrance of the bottom 21 in the vertical direction.

It may be noted that it is not strictly indispensable for the walls 24 and the bottom element 25 to extend completely between two opposite walls of the bottom 21, their length possibly also being less than the distance between the aforesaid opposite walls.

In the example represented, then, the undulated walls 24 face one another at a respective major face, whilst the bottom element 25 defines with its major face at least part of the resting plane PI for the items 100. Obviously, the bottom element 25 can be replaced by a number of elements, for example in the form of bars criss-crossing one another (or longitudinal or transverse), like the bottom elements designated by 22 and 23, but of smaller height, or by a perforated wall.

In the example of embodiment illustrated, the intermediate area 28 of the space for containing of the tray 20, or the grid-like portion 21, includes just one pair of undulated walls 24, but in possible variants there may be provided more than one pair of walls 24, even with one and the same undulated wall exploited for defining two series of receptacles set side by side. It is also possible to provide the entire bottom in the form of a grid so as to define parallel series of receptacles of the type referred to above. In one embodiment, the intermediate area 28 of the tray 20 is delimited by two transverse walls 23a having a greater height than the bottom elements 22 and 23 of the lateral areas 27. This arrangement is advantageous in order to prevent items set in the lateral areas 27, for example cutlery, from possibly coming into contact with the items 100. In the case illustrated, there are also provided longitudinal bottom elements 22a that connect the walls 23a to the undulated walls 24.

In order to improve the quality of washing and drying, it is preferable for the resting plane PI to have a plurality of through openings. For this purpose, in one embodiment, the bottom element 25 has a plurality of through openings 25a generally aligned. In the example, moreover, the part of the bottom 21 including the walls 24 and the element 25 also comprises a plurality of further longitudinal bottom elements, some of which designated by 22a in Figure 4, generally set transverse with respect to the element 25, which connect the latter to a respective undulated wall 24. Transverse bottom elements 23b (Figure 4) may also be provided for connecting the element 25 to the walls 26b and/or to the walls 24. In this case, also the elements 22a and/or 23b have a smaller height than the undulated walls 24, in particular a height similar to that of the bottom element 25, in order to provide respective parts of the resting surface PI .

In the embodiment illustrated, the bottom element 25 has two generally undulated opposite side edges, each facing a respective undulated wall 24, with the through openings 25a that have a rounded profile in order to improve emptying-out of the washing water and circulation of air. As may be noted in particular in Figure 4, the element 25 extends according to a respective axis A between the longitudinal sides of the bottom 21, and the through openings 25a have a substantially elliptical profile, the major axis B of which intersects the axis A to form an angle of other than 90° therewith. Such an arrangement is advantageous in order to hang items to be washed that have a handle or other generally elongated part and have a small cross section, at the area 28, for example teaspoons 200, as exemplified in Figures 7 and 9, in particular when the receptacles of the area 28 are not occupied, or not completely occupied, by the items 100. The elliptical shape of the openings 25a and their parallel arrangement inclined with respect to the axis A enables a preferential positioning of the items 200 to be obtained, which minimises their lateral encumbrance between the undulated walls 24, at the same time guaranteeing separation between them and increasing the number of items 200 that can be loaded therein.

Once again with reference to the embodiment exemplified in the figures, the bottom elements 22 and 23 define, in the lateral areas 27, respective portions of the grid-like bottom 21, which are substantially plane in order to define a second resting plane - designated by P2 in Figure 5 - that is generally parallel to the resting plane PI and that extends at a greater height than the latter. In the example, this is determined by the fact that the bottom elements 22 and 23 substantially have the same height as the undulated walls 24, which is greater than the height of the bottom element 25 and of the elements 22a.

In the embodiment illustrated, the tray 20 is designed for being mounted between the side walls S of the rack 8, but of course it may be sized also for being releasably coupled between the front wall F and the rear wall R when these substantially have the same height.

Illustrated in Figures 10 is 11 is a variant embodiment, in which an accessory according to the invention comprises a pair of supports that can be releasably coupled to a dish rack. In these figures, the same reference numbers as those adopted in the previous figures are used in order to designate elements that are technically equivalent to the ones already described above. It is assumed that in this case the machine 1 is a dishwasher with normal or standard lateral encumbrance, such as a so-called "60-cm dishwasher".

In this case, the accessory according to the invention comprises, in addition to a tray 20 (here not illustrated), two supports 40, which are preferably the same as one another and are configured for coupling to the rack designated by 8', in positions substantially parallel to one another, in particular at two opposite walls of the rack 8', here represented by the longitudinal walls S. In the example illustrated, the longitudinal walls S of the rack 8' substantially have the same height as the rear wall R.

Each support 40 has a longitudinally extending structure, with two end portions 40a and an intermediate portion 40b. The end portions 40a have members 41 for releasable engagement to the rack 8' : in the case exemplified, the members 40 are configured for engagement at vertical supports or guides 44 of respective drop-down shelves (not illustrated), i.e., small drop-down shelves, which in the condition of normal use project in cantilever fashion towards the inside of the rack 8', according to known technique. As already mentioned, these drop-down shelves are usually provided in upper racks of dishwashers for supporting small dishes, such as coffee cups, or functioning as wine-glass supports. In addition or as an alternative, the members 41 can be conceived for releasable engagement to rods of the relevant walls of the rack 8' .

The structure of the supports 40 is preferentially a wire or rod structure, very preferably a structure formed by metal rods coated with plastic material, like the rods that form the structure of the rack 8', whilst the engagement members 41 have a respective body made of plastic material, in particular an injection-mouldable thermoplastic material.

As may be appreciated, in this embodiment the guides 29 of the tray 20 of

Figures 1-10 can be releasably and slidably coupled to the intermediate portions 40b of the supports 40.

The solutions according to the prior art presuppose that the structure of the upper rack of the dishwasher is shaped in such a way that a cutlery tray is supported at a certain distance from the bottom of the rack itself in order not to constitute a hindrance for housing dishes in the rack itself. For this reason, usually, at least two opposite side walls of the rack have to be significantly higher than the other two opposite side walls, thereby determining a non-negligible encumbrance in height of the rack as a whole. This has as a consequence that also the possibility of varying the operative position of the upper rack between different positions in height within the tub is very limited. Use of the supports 40 enables the aforesaid drawbacks to be overcome.

Of course, the user of the dishwasher is free to use or not the accessory including the tray 20 and the supports 40, according to the particular need, it remaining understood that, as has been said, the tray 20 can in any case be used also separately from the dishwasher.

The invention can be advantageously implemented in dishwasher rack accessories other than a tray.

For instance, in one embodiment (not represented), the accessory is implemented by a shelf of a dish rack, having a corresponding shelf body defining, or having associated thereto, means for coupling to a vertical wall of the dishwasher rack, for example supports or guides like the ones designated by 44 in Figure 11. The shelf in question is preferentially a drop-down shelf, the body of which is thus rotatably coupled, about a substantially horizontal axis, to the structure of the rack. The shelf body is prevalently a grid-like body, as is usually the case, but according to the invention it is distinguished by the characteristics described previously in relation to the part 28 of the bottom portion 21 of the tray 20, and hence includes at least one pair of undulated walls 24 and at least one intermediate bottom element 25. Also in such an embodiment, then, the shelf can be exploited for positioning small containers that have to be washed set upside down and in a substantially upright position, in particular spirit glasses and the like. In its working position, the drop-down shelf, i.e., its resting plane PI, may be slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, but this is not a source of particular problems owing to the fact that the resting plane PI is in any case lowered with respect to the upper profile of the undulated walls 24, thereby guaranteeing positioning of the glasses or the like.

The same concepts just described with reference to a shelf may be applied also in the case of inserts that present at least partially grid-like portions and are provided with means for coupling to the structure of a dish rack, for example for releasable or non-releasable coupling to the bottom of such a rack or for coupling between two contiguous vertical walls thereof. Also these supports may then have a grid-like part with one or more pairs of undulated walls 24 and corresponding intermediate elements 25. Use of one or more inserts of this sort is particularly advantageous in more recent dishwasher racks, the structure of which is - as has been said - distinguished by a smaller number of meshes, and can thus be conveniently equipped with this sort of inserts.

It is clear that, for the person skilled in the art, numerous variations may be made to the dishwasher rack accessory described herein by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

It is pointed out, for example, that the walls 24 do not necessarily have to be continuous walls, these possibly presenting interruptions, while at the same time retaining a shape presenting a recurrent pattern such as to define a plurality of positioning receptacles.

The invention may of course be applied also to dishwashing machines having a single dish rack.

Claims

1. A dishwasher rack accessory, having a body (20) with a grid-like portion (21), for supporting items to be washed, and means (29) for coupling to a dishwasher rack (8; 8'), characterized in that at least one first part of the grid-like portion (21) is substantially plane for defining a first resting plane (PI) for items to be washed (100), in that the first part of the grid-like portion (21) includes at least two walls (24) shaped so as to define a recurrent pattern that comprises a series of crests (24a) and valleys (24b), and in that the two shaped walls (24) extend facing each other, preferably between two opposite sides of the grid-like portion (21), in such a way that the facing valleys (24b) of the two shaped walls (24) define between them a plurality of receptacles for positioning respective items to be washed (100).

2. The accessory according to Claim 1, wherein the first part of the grid-like portion (21) includes at least one bottom element (25), which extends in an intermediate position between the two shaped walls (24), preferably between said two opposite sides of the grid-like portion (21), for defining at least one respective part of the first resting plane (PI), the at least one bottom element (25) having a smaller height than the shaped walls (24) in such a way that said part of the first resting plane (PI) is generally lowered with respect to an upper profile of the shaped walls (24).

3. The accessory according to Claim 2, wherein the first part of the grid-like portion (21) includes a plurality of further bottom elements (22b, 23b), which connect the at least one bottom element (25) to a respective shaped wall (24), the further bottom elements (22b, 23b) having a smaller height than the shaped walls (24).

4. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one bottom element (25) has a plurality of generally aligned through openings (25a).

5. The accessory according to Claim 4, wherein the at least one bottom element (25) has two generally undulated opposite side edges, each facing a respective shaped wall (24), and wherein said through openings (25a) have a rounded profile.

6. The accessory according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the at least one bottom element (25) extends according to a respective axis (A) and said through openings (25a) have a substantially elliptical profile, the major axis (A) of the elliptical profile of the through openings (25a) intersecting the axis (A) of the at least one bottom element (25) to form therewith an angle of other than 90°.

7. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one second part of the grid-like portion (21) is substantially flat for defining a second resting plane (P2) generally parallel to the first resting plane (PI), the second resting surface (P2) extending at a greater height than the first resting surface (PI).

8. The accessory according to Claim 7, wherein the grid-like portion (21) comprises two said second parts, set between which is one said first part.

9. The accessory according to Claims 2 and 7, wherein the at least one second part of the grid-like portion (21) comprises respective bottom elements (22, 23), which have a greater height than the at least one bottom element (25) of the first part of the grid-like portion (21).

10. The accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is a tray body (20) having a releasable coupling guide (29) in each of two opposite end parts for removable coupling to the dishwasher rack (8; 8'), the grid-like portion comprising a bottom (21) of the tray body (20).

11. The accessory according to any one of Claims 1-9, wherein the body is a shelf body having means for coupling to a vertical wall (S) of the dishwasher rack (8; 8'), in particular a drop-down shelf body.

12. The accessory according to any one of Claims 1-9, wherein the body is a body of a positioning insert having means for coupling to a structure of the dishwasher rack (8; 8').

13. The accessory according to Claim 10, wherein the tray body (20) has at least one of:

- a handle (30) defined in each of said two opposite end parts; and

- lower rests (31) for keeping the bottom (21) in a raised position with respect to a generic resting surface (S), when the tray body (20) is removed from the dishwasher rack (8; 8'),

wherein preferably at least one of one said handles (30) and one said lower rest (31) is formed at a lower profile of a peripheral wall (26) of the tray body (20), very preferably one said handle (30) and one said lower rest (31) being formed at the lower profile of one and the same portion (26a) of said peripheral wall (26).

14. The accessory according to Claim 10 or Claim 13, comprising a pair of supports (40) having a longitudinally extending structure, with two end portions (40a) and an intermediate portion (40b), wherein the end portions (40a) of the structure of each support (40) have means (41) for releasable engagement at two opposite walls (S) of the dishwasher rack (8'), the coupling guides (24) of the tray body (20) being configured for releasable coupling to the intermediate portions (40b) of the structures of the supports (40).

15. A dishwasher comprising at least one rack accessory according to one or more of the preceding claims, the dishwasher (1) preferably having a washtub (3) with a sprinkling member (11) at an upper wall of said tub (3), the accessory (20; 20, 40) being configured for releasable coupling to a rack (8; 8') of the dishwasher (1), preferably its upper rack.