WO2022045901A1

WO2022045901A1 - Washing appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2022045901A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2021/050152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Warwick Blair; Matthew Simon Cosgrove; Jindrich Fiala
Original assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: CN116075259A; AU2021333461A1

Abstract

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

Description

WASHING APPLIANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a washing appliance such as a dishwasher or laundry washing machine, and more particularly though not solely, to a drawer for the washing appliance.

BACKGROUND ART

A drawer-type washing appliance may have one or more retractable drawers. The, or each, drawer may have a tub that provides a wash cavity for items, such as dishes, cutlery, or laundry to be washed. The drawer may be withdrawn out of a washing appliance cabinet to provide user access to the tub, and may be retracted into the cabinet to perform a washing operation.

The tub of the drawer is typically moulded from a polymeric or plastics material. This enables the tub to easily be formed with complex-shaped portions, including a top (perimeter) surface of the drawer. The top surface forms a seal against a vertically-movable lid of the washing appliance to substantially seal between the lid and the closed drawer, to prevent liquid splashing out of the drawer during the washing operation.

Some consumers may consider metallic material, such as stainless steel, to be more desirable for a tub. There may be perceived aesthetic and longevity benefits from use of the metallic material. However, it is more difficult to form complexshaped portions from a metallic material than it is to form them from moulded plastics material. Additionally, the thickness of metallic material components may need to be minimised to reduce weight.

While it may be possible to use a combination of a metallic material for some parts and a plastics material for other parts, there can be difficulties in connecting those parts together. For example, using an adhesive to connect those components may not be satisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a drawer for a washing appliance, and a drawer that enables a strong connection between a plastics component and a metal component, or to at least provide a useful alternative assembly method and/or drawer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention consists in a drawer for a washing appliance comprising: a tub that comprises metal material; a bracket attached to an exterior of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises metal material; and a flange attached to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises plastics material.

In a second aspect, the invention consists in a washing appliance comprising a cabinet and the drawer according to the first aspect, wherein the drawer has a sliding configuration with the cabinet such that the drawer can be slid to an open position relative the cabinet to access an interior of the tub, and such that the drawer can be slid to a closed position relative to the cabinet to enable a washing operation to be performed.

In some configurations, the washing appliance comprises a lid that is configured to engage with an upper surface of the flange during the washing operation.

In some configurations, the washing appliance is a dishwasher. The washing appliance could alternatively be a washing machine.

In a third aspect, the invention consists in a method of assembling a drawer for a washing apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a tub that comprises metal material; attaching a bracket to an exterior of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises metal material; and attaching a flange to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises plastics material.

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

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term 'comprising', features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprises' are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun. As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows, both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a drawer-type washing appliance in the form of a dishwasher;

Figure 2 is a left-side sectional view of a drawer region of the washing appliance of Figure 1, showing a drawer being extended from a cabinet and showing a lid for sealing the top of the drawer during a washing operation and exemplary plumbing connections to a wash unit at the base of the drawer;

Figure 3 is a front, right-side perspective view from above of the drawer of the washing appliance of Figure 1, with a front panel not shown;

Figure 4 is an exploded front, right-side perspective view from above of some components of the drawer of Figure 3 before initial assembly;

Figure 5 is a front-left perspective view from below of the flange of the drawer of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a front-right perspective view from above of the flange of the drawer of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a front, right-side perspective view from above of the drawer of Figure 3 showing brackets attached to the tub of the drawer but with the flange and outer walls of the drawer not shown;

Figure 8 is a front, right-side perspective view from above of the drawer of Figure 7 showing the flange connected to the brackets; Figure 9 is a front cross-sectional view through a region of the drawer of Figure 3 showing a connection region of the flange, tub, and bracket;

Figures 10 is a cross-sectional view from above of a region of the drawer of Figure 3 showing the interaction of a channel of the flange and an upper region of a wall of the tub, with the inset showing enlarged views of regions A and B;

Figure 11 is a front partial cross-sectional perspective view from above through the washing appliance of Figure 1 showing the drawer in the washing appliance cabinet and the lid engaging with the flange of the drawer; and

Figure 12 is a front cross-sectional view of a region of the drawer in the washing appliance of Figure 1, showing the lid engaging against the flange.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows as an exemplary washing appliance. The washing appliance is a dishwasher 100 of the drawer-type or drawer-style such as our DishDrawer™ dishwasher. In addition to the features described in this specification, the washing appliance could have any one or more of the features and functionality described in our prior patent publications WO9323706A, WO9833426A, and

W02016130027A, the entire content of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

A double-drawer dishwasher is shown in Figure 1, with both the lower drawer 101 and upper drawer 102 closed. Each drawer 101, 102 is slidably mounted within a chassis 113 in an outer cabinet 111 in a drawer-style arrangement, such as on drawer runners. With reference to Figures 1 and 3, each drawer 101, 102 comprises a front panel 121 which may have a handle 123 for a user to grasp, an internal front wall 125 behind the front panel 121, left and right side inner walls 127 and 129 and left and right side outer walls 131 and 133, an internal rear wall 135, and a base 137. Left and right side outer walls 131, 133 may be metal or plastics and are preferably fastened to their adjacent inner side wall 127, 129 by, for example, fasteners passing through aligned holes in edge flanges of each inner and outer side wall. Front panel 121 may similarly be attached to the drawer by fasteners passing through aligned holes in edge flanges of the front panel 121 and left and right side inner walls 127, 129. The internal walls 125, 127, 129, 135 and base 137 form a tub 138 that defines a wash chamber or wash space having an open top, within the or each wash drawer. In use, the wash drawer 101, 102 is withdrawn from the outer cabinet 111 for loading and unloading dishes or cutlery, and when loaded or empty is pushed home into the outer cabinet 111 to close the drawer, and to enable washing to occur when loaded. When the wash drawer is retracted home in the outer cabinet 111 the open top of the drawer is closed by a vertically-movable internal lid 201.

The, or each, drawer comprises an associated wash system including a wash unit 139 (Figure 2) that mounts to the base 137 of the drawer. The wash unit 139 comprises suitable components such as a wash valve, rotating spray arm which in operation directs wash liquid such as a water and detergent mixture onto items in the wash space, drain valve, heater, filtration system, and conduit(s) 141 to deliver and remove washing liquid such as water. Washing operations are initiated via a user interface (UI) panel 122 on a front surface of the drawer (as shown) or on/adjacent an upper surface/edge of front panel 121 which is only visible to a user when the drawer has been withdrawn from the cabinet. UI panel 122 may incorporate a display and/or buttons allowing a user to interact with an appliance controller (not shown) to initiate/modify/pause appliance operations in the known way.

A drawer-type dishwasher is referred to by way of example only. The features described herein could alternatively be used in a different type of washing appliance, such as a drawer-type laundry washing machine. The dishwasher or other type of washing appliance could have one drawer, two drawers, or three or more drawers. While features are described in detail below with reference to drawer 101, the other drawer 102 (and indeed other drawers if three or more drawers are provided) may have the same features.

The drawer 101 includes the tub 138 which comprises metal material such as stainless steel or alloy metal material. In the form shown, the tub 138 comprises a generally square or rectangular shape in plan view, with four upstanding internal walls 125, 127, 129, 135. However, the tub 138 could have any suitable shape. For example, the tub 138 could comprise a generally elliptical or round shape, with the base 137 and one upstanding internal wall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the base 137. The wall(s) 125, 127, 129, 135 could extend vertically upward from the base 137 or alternatively could extend upwardly at an angle that is offset from vertical.

The metal body of the tub 138 may consist essentially of a single metal formed (such as pressed) component comprising the internal wall(s) 125, 127, 129, 135 and base 137. Alternatively, the tub 125 may comprise a plurality of metal wall/base components that are attached, bonded, fastened or connected together such that the tub has a metal base 137 panel and one or more wall panels 125, 127, 129, 135. The plurality of metal components may be welded together, and in one configuration may be laser-welded together.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary configuration of metal wall/base components for forming the tub 138. A first metal component comprises a pressed then folded sheet metal component comprising the metal base panel 137, the inner front wall 125, and the internal rear wall 135. Second and third pressed sheet metal components comprise, respectively, the left inner side wall 127 and the right inner side wall 129 respectively.

Each of the walls 125, 127, 129, 135 comprises connection flanges (e.g., 127a, 125a of Figure 4) with a plurality of connector-receiving apertures (e.g., 127a', 125a' of Figure 4) for receipt of connectors to hold the first, second, and third components together in an assembled configuration. Note that the connection flanges 125a, 127a may also be used to attach the front panel 121 to the drawer. To assemble the components, the side walls 127, 129 are brought into contact with the side edges of the front wall 125, metal base panel 137 and internal rear wall 135. Connectors are inserted through aligned pairs of connector-receiving apertures (e.g., 127a', 125a') from adjacent components to connect the components together to form tub 138. Any suitable type of connector could be used, such as a screw, bolt and nut, push pin, or rivet for example. Once those components are connected together as outlined above, the seams of the components can be welded together to seal the joints between the components and make the tub watertight.

The tub 138 comprises a tub-base-receiving aperture 137a located centrally in the metal base panel 137 of the tub for receipt of a plastics material tub base component 132. Plastics material tub base component 132 is preferably a substantially annular-shaped component that contacts against an area beneath metal base plate 137 surrounding aperture 137a. Plastics material tub base component 132 includes a sump region 134 for collecting wash liquid and soil before it is directed either to a drain via the drain pump, or to a rotatable spray arm mounted within the tub for spraying wash liquid onto dishes and cutlery. A central opening 136 within plastics material tub base component 132 may be closed and sealed off by the wash unit 139, in particular, a wash and drain pump assembly, so that tub 138 is watertight. As best shown in Figure 7, each wall 125, 127, 129, 135 of tub 138 comprises a respective upper free edge 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b. At least one bracket 151, 153, 155, 157 is attached to an exterior side of a wall of the tub 138. The bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 comprise(s) a metal material such as stainless steel (for example, grade 304 or 430). The bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 may be attached to the exterior of the tub using any suitable technique, such as by connectors or fasteners or welding. In one configuration, the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 is/are attached to the exterior of the tub by laser welding.

Each bracket 151, 153, 155, 157 is attached to its respective wall 125, 127, 129, 135 at or adjacent to the upper free edge 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b. The upper edge of the bracket may be aligned with the upper free edge of the respective tub wall, or may be positioned below the upper free edge. The bracket is positioned relative to the upper free edge so that the wall upper free edge 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b projects upwardly above an outwardly-projecting support portion 151b, 153b, 155b, 157b (all shown in Figure 4 - Figure 9 shows details of tub right-side wall 129) of the bracket 151, 153, 155, 157. Outwardly-projecting support portions 151b, 153b, 155b, 157b are all shown generally in Figure 4 while Figure 9 shows exemplary specific details surrounding outwardly-projecting support portion 155b of bracket 153 on tub right-side wall 129.

Figure 7 shows the brackets attached to the tub. The bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 could be any suitable shape. In the configuration shown in Figure 9, the brackets are substantially 'L'-shaped, with an elongate upstanding portion (e.g., 155a) that contacts the respective wall (e.g., 129) at or adjacent its upper free edge (e.g., 129b), and the outwardly-projecting support portions (151b, 153b, 155b, 157b) for supporting a flange 301 on an upper surface thereof. In an alternative configuration, the brackets could be inverted with the outwardly- projecting support portions positioned at the upper end of the upstanding portions of the brackets, at or adjacent to the upper edges of the tub walls.

Any suitable number and configuration of brackets could be used depending on the shape of the tub 138. In the exemplary form shown, four brackets are attached to the exterior of the tub. In an alternative configuration, two brackets may be attached to the tub on opposing exterior sides, e.g., the left and right sides or the front and rear sides of the tub. In another alternative configuration, a single bracket may be L-shaped, U-shaped, or square-shaped when viewed from above, to extend around and attach to an exterior of two, three, or four walls of the tub. In another alternative configuration where the tub has an elliptical or round shape, a single bracket may be provided to extend around substantially the entire periphery of the tub opening.

Flange 301 comprising plastics material is mounted to the top of the tub 138 by being connected to the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157. The flange may comprise any suitable plastics, elastomeric or rubber material. For example, the flange may comprise Polypropylene 20% Talc-filled material or a NORYL™ resin. The flange 301 has a shape, in plan view, corresponding substantially to the shape of the top/periphery of the tub 138. Therefore, for a generally square or rectangular tub (in plan view), the flange will have a generally square or rectangular shape from above. In the form shown in Figures 4-6 for example, the flange 301 has a front portion 311, left side portion 313, right side portion 315, and rear portion 317 corresponding to the front bracket 151, left side bracket 153, right side bracket 155, and rear bracket 157, respectively. The four portions 311, 313, 315, 317 of the flange define an opening to provide access to the interior of the tub from above when the flange 311 is mounted to the tub 138.

An upper surface of the flange 301 has a substantially flat or planar upper sealing surface 303 that is surrounded on its outside by a peripheral upstanding lip 305. As shown in Figure 12, the upper sealing surface 303 engages against a downwardly-oriented sealing member 203 on the lid 201 when the lid is closed onto the top of the flange 301 to close and seal against the tub 138 during a washing operation. It is important that the flange is mounted to tub 138 in a way which will allow the tub to be sealed against water egress, as well as being able to resist forces imposed on the flange, such as by the downward vertical movement of the lid onto the flange.

The flange 301 can be connected to an upper surface of the tub bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 using any suitable technique such as by fasteners, clipping or heatstaking plastics flange pins positioned through holes in the flange. Due to low surface energy of materials such as Polypropylene, it can be difficult to achieve a satisfactory bond between those materials and different materials, such as the metal brackets, using an adhesive. In the form shown, the flange 301 is connected to upper surface(s) of the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 using connector(s) 401. The connection is shown in detail in Figure 9. Although the connection of the flange 301 to the right inner wall 129 via right side bracket 155 is shown, it will be understood that the flange may be connected to each bracket in the same way. Where more than one connector is used per bracket, each connection may have the configuration shown in Figure 9. The connector 401 extends through the bracket 125 and into the flange 301. The bracket 155 and flange 301 each include aligned connector apertures 155c, 301c for receipt of the connector 401. The connector 401 extends through the connector aperture 155c in the bracket and into the connector aperture 301c in the flange, such that the free end of a shank 405 of the connector is positioned in the connector aperture 301c in the flange 301. The connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange may be provided in downwardly extending bosses 302 in the flange 301, as shown in Figure 9.

The connector 401 could have any suitable configuration. For example, the connector could comprise a push pin or stud that extends into the connector aperture 301c in the flange. In an alternative configuration, the connector may comprise a threaded fastener such as a screw, bolt, or the like. In the form shown in Figure 9, the connector 401 comprises a threaded fastener or screw with a fastener head 403, a fastener shank 405, and a thread 407 on the fastener shank. The connector aperture 301c in the flange has a thread 301c' that is complementary to the thread 407 of the threaded fastener. The thread of the threaded fastener is coupled with (or cuts/forms) the thread 301c' of the flange when the fastener is engaged with the flange 301.

The connector aperture 301c in the flange has an axis AD, substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of outwardly-projecting support portion 155b so that the axis AD has at least come vertical component and the connector 401 extends through the connector aperture 155c in the bracket 155 and into the connector aperture 301c in the flange 301 in a generally upward direction with the connector terminating within or inside the flange. The axis AD may be substantially vertical and the connector 401 extends through the connector aperture in the bracket and into the connector aperture in the flange in a substantially vertical direction from beneath. Alternatively, the axis AD may be at an angle away from vertical.

Referring now to Figures 5, 9, and 10, the flange 391 comprises one or more downwardly-open grooves, slots or channels 311a, 313a, 315a, 317a for receipt of the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the tub walls. In the form shown, the end of each channel connects to the end of the two adjacent channels to form one continuous channel around the underside of the flange. Alternatively, the channels may be discreet and not connect to each other. The channels 311a, 313a, 315a, 317a may be provided with features to assist with locating the upper free edges 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the tub walls in the channels, an example of which will now be described with reference to Figure 10 which shows portions of channels 311a and 315a. The flange 301 comprises opposed walls that define the downwardly open channels 311a, 315a and protrusions 311a', 311a", 315a,' 315a" extend into the channel 311a, 315a from the opposed walls and assist with locating the upper free edges of the walls in the channels. Channels 313a and 317a will have the same features.

The, or each, channel may have a plurality of inwardly-directed protrusions (e.g. 311a', 315a') and a plurality of outwardly-directed protrusions (e.g. 311a", 315a") spaced apart along the longitudinal length of the channel(s). The protrusions may contact opposed sides of the upper free edge(s) of the tub wall(s) and/or the upper portion(s) of the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 to assist with centring the wall(s) across the lateral width of the channel(s).

Referring to Figure 9, the drawer includes a sealing adhesive 451 in the channel(s) 311a, 313a, 315a, 317a that adheres the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the tub wall(s) to the flange 301. The sealing adhesive also provides a seal between the flange 301 and the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the wall(s) in the channel(s) 311a, 313a, 315a, 317a. Still further, the sealing adhesive also provides a secondary attachment or connection between the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the wall(s) (and the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157) and the flange 301. The sealing adhesive may be any suitable material such as a high-stress, structural bonding, and chemically neutral adhesive/sealant such as a Room Temperature Vulcanising (RTV) silicone. For example, the sealing adhesive may be DOWSIL RTV 750 manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company or PACTAN 7043 (with an activator) manufactured by Tremco Illbruck. An alternative preferred sealing adhesive is SABRE BOND SMP60 adhesive which is based on a silyl-modified polymer and is marketed by Maxilam.

The UI panel 122, as mentioned above, may be hidden from view when the drawer is retracted by being located at, along or adjacent to an upper edge of front panel 121. More specifically, the UI panel 122 may be part of a UI module 200 (see Figure 6) that may house the appliance controller, a display screen, buttons and other electronics for the appliance. The UI module 200 may be an elongate component that is clipped and/or fastened to the front edge of flange 301 and alignment/securement features/brackets 202 may be provided on, or formed as part of, flange 301 for this purpose. The UI module therefore spans a space between flange 301 and the inner side of the front panel 121.

The upper face of the UI module may be covered by a clear, plastics interface lens which is bonded and/or sealed to the remainder of the UI module. Of course, the components housed within UI module 200 could be housed within the frontmost (that is, nearest the front panel 121) span of flange 301 with the plastics interface lens bonded and/or sealed to the flange. However, when the flange is formed from polypropylene, sealing/bonding the lens can be difficult and so utilising a separate UI module 200 is advantageous and allows for replacement of the UI module if necessary.

The following describes a method of assembling the drawer 101, 102 for the washing apparatus 100.

The method includes providing the tub 138 that has metal material (for example, at least one metal tub wall - Figure 3); attaching at least one of the metal brackets 151, 153, 155, 157 to an exterior of the tub 138 (Figures 4 and 7); and connecting the flange 301 of plastics material to an upper surface of the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 (Figure 8).

When the tub 138 has a plurality of metal components, as shown in Figure 4 for example, the step of providing the tub comprises assembling the tub from the plurality of metal components (Figures 4 and 7), and connecting the metal components together, such that the tub has the base 137 and wall(s) 125, 127, 129, 135. The metal components may be connected such as by laser welding the metal components, for example.

The step of providing the tub may also comprise attaching the wash unit 139 to the base 137 of the tub 138, before or after connecting the flange to the bracket(s). Connector(s) 401 may be used to connect the flange 301 to the upper surface of the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157, by inserting the connector(s) 401 through apertures in the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and into the flange 301.

When a plurality of connectors 401 is used to connect a bracket to the flange, the step of attaching the flange 301 to the bracket comprises inserting a plurality of connectors 401 through the bracket and into the flange 301. When the tub 138 comprises a front wall 125, an internal rear wall 135, and two side walls 127, 129, the method comprises attaching a respective metal material bracket 151, 153, 155, 157 to an exterior of each of the walls; and attaching the flange 301 to the brackets 151, 153, 155, 157 by inserting at least one connector through each of the brackets and into the flange.

When the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and flange each comprise connector aperture(s) (e.g., 155c, 301c) for receipt of a connector 401, the step of inserting a connector 401 comprises inserting the connector(s) through the connector aperture(s) 155c in the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and into the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange.

The connector(s) 401 may comprise threaded fastener(s), and the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange 301 may comprise thread 301c' that is complementary to the thread 407 of the threaded fastener(s), and the step of inserting the connector(s) may comprise threading the thread 407 of the threaded fastener(s) into the thread 301c' of the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange.

When the axis/axes AD of the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange is directed generally upwardly, the step of inserting the connector(s) 401 comprises inserting the connector(s) through the connector aperture(s) (e.g., 155c) in the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and into the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange in a generally upward direction.

When the axis AD is substantially vertical, the step of inserting the connector(s) 401 comprises inserting the connector(s) 401 through the connector aperture(s) (e.g., 155c) in the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and into the connector aperture(s) 301c in the flange in a substantially vertical direction from beneath.

By connecting the flange 301 to an upper surface of the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 (by inserting the connector(s) 401 upwardly through the connector aperture(s) (e.g., 155c) in the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 into the connector aperture(s) 301a in the flange 301), the resulting connection(s) can accommodate significant vertical loading. That enables the connection(s) to accommodate force from the lid 201 closing onto the flange 301, and enables a person to lift the drawer by the flange 301, without the connection(s) failing.

When the flange comprises downwardly-open channel(s) 311a, 313a, 315a, 317a for receipt of the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the wall(s), the method may comprise applying a sealing adhesive 451 in the channel(s) to adhere the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the wall(s) to the flange 301 and/or to provide a seal between the flange 301 and the upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b of the wall(s).

The step of attaching the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 to an exterior of the tub may comprise attaching the bracket(s) to the wall(s) 125, 127, 129, 135 of the tub 138 at or adjacent their upper free edge(s) 125b, 127b, 129b, 135b. The step of attaching the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 may comprise, for example, laser welding the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 to the exterior of the tub 138.

Once assembled, the drawer 101, 102 has a sliding configuration with the cabinet 111 such that the drawer can be withdrawn from the cabinet 111 in a sliding motion to an open position relative the cabinet to allow access to an interior of the tub 138, and such that the drawer can be retracted to a closed position relative to the cabinet to enable a washing operation to be performed.

It may be seen in Figure 11 that horizontally-extending slots 371, 373 are provided in a lower part of left and right side outer walls 131, 133. Slots 371, 373 are formed by an inwardly- and downwardly-extending projection near the lower edge of each outer wall such that the cross-section of each side wall is substantially "h"-shaped. Slots 371, 373 are provided to each receive a slide assembly (not shown) on each side of the drawer 101, 102 to enable sliding of the drawer relative to the chassis 113 and thereby relative to the cabinet 111 of the washing apparatus. Each slide assembly may be provided by well-known drawer runners or slides comprising a telescopic rail arrangement of at least two elongate members or slides, one of the elongate members fastened to the cabinet chassis 113 and the other fastened to the tub 138 such that the weight of drawer 101, 102, including the tub 138 and wash system 139, is carried by the slide assemblies. The slide assemblies do not need to mount directly to the metal material panels (i.e., metal side walls) of tub 138. Instead, an elongate member of each slide assembly may be attached to an outer side wall 131, 133, within a slot 371, 373 at lower portions of the outer side walls. Upper regions of the outer side walls may be largely decorative rather than structural and may even be omitted if desired. As mentioned above, the outer side walls 131, 133 may be connected to the inner side walls 127, 129 using any suitable configuration such as fasteners or laser welding, for example.

As may be seen in Figure 9, upper ends of the outer side walls 131, 133 are positioned adjacent the flange 301 when the flange is mounted to the tub 138such that the outer surface of inner side walls 127,129, the bracket(s) 151, 153, 155, 157 and fasteners 401 may be hidden from view. The underside of flange 301 may include an outer, downwardly-open channel 315d that is configured to receive and retain an upper free end 133b of the outer side wall 133. An angled section 133a is provided in the outer side wall 133 beneath the upper free end 133b of the outer side wall 133. Although only the right outer side wall 133 is shown in Figure 9, the left outer side wall configuration will be the same but a mirror image thereof.

The lid 201 of the washing appliance is configured to engage with the upper surface 303 of the flange 301 during the washing operation. The lid may be configured to automatically engage with the upper surface of the flange when the user instructs the wash operation using the UI panel (122). The lid 201 may be vertically movable between a raised position in which it does not contact the flange 301 to enable the drawer 101, 102 to be withdrawn or closed, and a lowered position for the washing operation. The cabinet 111 may have a motorised configuration to move the lid 201 up and down. By way of example, the lid may be moved using the arrangement described in our patent US6571808B1, and the content of the specification is incorporated herein in its entirety by way of reference.

Benefits of the above-described features of the preferred forms of the present invention, in particular the arrangement for attaching the flange to the tub walls, include:

• The brackets 151, 153, 155, 157 straighten and stiffen the metal side walls of the tub.

• The brackets allow for a consistent flange height from a datum level at the drawer slides on the cabinet/chassis.

• Fasteners may provide an easy, proven, and positive connection between the flange and the brackets.

• If the flange is warped/deformed upwardly at the corners, the fasteners will pull it flat against the brackets.

• The fastener/bracket combination occupies only a small space.

• The vertical part of the bracket allows adequate contact for the sealant and for welding.

• The described arrangement for attaching the flange to the tub creates a water-tight seal when the lid is closed and remains able to do so, even after having repeatedly resisted the closing force of the lid, without failing. The foregoing describes embodiments of the invention including preferred forms thereof and alterations and modifications as will be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof.

Claims

1. A drawer for a washing appliance, comprising: a tub that comprises metal material; a bracket attached to an exterior of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises metal material; and a flange attached to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises plastics material.

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

3. The drawer according to claim 2, wherein the bracket and flange each comprise a connector aperture for receipt of the connector, and wherein the connector extends through the connector aperture in the bracket and into the connector aperture in the flange.

4. The drawer according to claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a threaded fastener, and wherein the connector aperture in the flange comprises a thread that is complementary to the thread of the threaded fastener, and wherein said thread of the threaded fastener is coupled with the thread of the flange.

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

6. The drawer according to claim 5, wherein the axis of the connector aperture is substantially vertically-aligned, and wherein the connector extends through the connector aperture in the bracket and into the connector aperture in the flange in a substantially vertical direction from beneath.

7. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange is connected to an upper surface of the bracket. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a wall with an upper free edge, and wherein the flange comprises a downwardly-open channel for receipt of the upper free edge of the wall. The drawer according to claim 8, wherein the flange comprises laterally- opposed walls that define the downwardly open channel, and wherein protrusions extend laterally into the channel from the opposed walls and assist with locating the upper free edge of the wall in the channel. The drawer according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the drawer comprises a sealing adhesive in the channel that adheres the upper free edge of the wall to the flange and/or that provides a seal between the flange and the upper free edge of the wall in the channel. The drawer according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the bracket is attached to the wall of the tub adjacent the upper free edge. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket is welded to the exterior of the tub. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a plurality of metal components that are welded together such that the tub has a base and at least one wall. The drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tub comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls, and the drawer comprises a respective bracket attached to an exterior of each of the walls. A washing appliance comprising a cabinet and the drawer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer has a sliding configuration with the cabinet such that the drawer can be slid to an open position relative the cabinet to access an interior of the tub, and such that the drawer can be slid to a closed position relative to the cabinet to enable a washing operation to be performed.

16. The washing appliance according to claim 15, wherein the cabinet comprises a lid that is configured to engage with an upper surface of the flange during the washing operation.

17. The washing appliance according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the washing appliance is a dishwasher.

18. A method of assembling a drawer for a washing apparatus comprising the steps of: providing a tub that comprises metal material; attaching a bracket to an exterior of the tub, wherein the bracket comprises metal material; and attaching a flange to the bracket, wherein the flange comprises plastics material.

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

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the bracket and flange each comprise a connector aperture for receipt of the connector, and wherein the step of inserting the connector comprises inserting the connector through the connector aperture in the bracket and into the connector aperture in the flange.

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