U.S. patent application number 11/658250 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for device for loading cutlery in dishwasher machines.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH. Invention is credited to Alexander Buehlmeyer, Egbert Classen, Gerhard Egger, Bernd Schessl, Rainer Schuetz.
Application Number | 20090140619 11/658250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35124668 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090140619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buehlmeyer; Alexander ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
Device for loading cutlery in dishwasher machines
Abstract
A dishwasher machine with a device for loading crockery or
cutlery, which enables the cutlery to be carefully placed in the
washing container in an easily accessible, space-saving manner, is
provided. A separate loading device or cutlery basket is provided
in the crockery basket of the dishwasher machine that is at least
partially integrated into the main loading plane of the crockery
basket and is arranged on the crockery basket in such a way that it
can be displaced between an inserted position and a loading
position. As a result, the cutlery basket can be advantageously
displaced independently of the crockery basket, and thus out of the
washing container of the dishwasher, from the front, without the
crockery basket itself having to be displaced, thus simplifying the
loading or unloading of crockery or cutlery from the cutlery
basket.
Inventors: |
Buehlmeyer; Alexander;
(Bopfingen, DE) ; Classen; Egbert; (Wertingen,
DE) ; Egger; Gerhard; (Altenmuenster, DE) ;
Schessl; Bernd; (Dillingen, DE) ; Schuetz;
Rainer; (Neresheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete
GmbH
Muenchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
35124668 |
Appl. No.: |
11/658250 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/53507 |
371 Date: |
November 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/228.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/505 20130101;
A47L 15/502 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/228.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/50 20060101
A47L015/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 035 716.1 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A dishwashing machine comprising: a washing container; at least
one crockery basket having a substantially horizontal main stacking
plane and a separate stacking device for stacking items to be
washed, the separate stacking device being at least partly
integrated in the main stacking plane of the crockery basket and
being mounted on the crockery basket for movement of the separate
stacking device between an inserted position and a loading
position.
15. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device has a height that substantially
corresponds to the height of the crockery basket.
16. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is mounted relative to the crockery basket
to minimize a risk of tipping of the crockery basket during
displacement movement of the separate stacking device between its
inserted position and its loading position.
17. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is mounted on the crockery basket so that
it can be displaced between the inserted position and the loading
position preferably on rollers or runners by means of a rail
system.
18. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is limited by a stop that prevents any
displacement of the cutlery basket beyond the loading position.
19. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is arranged in an outer region of the
crockery basket so that, in the inserted position, a side wall of
the separate stacking device is aligned substantially parallel to a
side wall, preferably a front wall, of the crockery basket.
20. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is arranged in a corner region of the
crockery basket so that, in the inserted position, two adjoining
side walls of the separate stacking device are each aligned
substantially parallel to the front wall and to a side wall of the
crockery basket.
21. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is arranged in an outer region of the
crockery basket so that in the inserted position, at least one side
wall of the separate stacking device is at least partly a side
wall, preferably at least a part of the front wall, of the crockery
basket.
22. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is arranged in a corner region of the
crockery basket so that in the inserted position, two adjoining
side walls of the separate stacking device are in each case at
least a part of the front wall and at least a part of a side wall
of the crockery basket.
23. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is integrated in an upper crockery basket
of the dishwashing machine.
24. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device is mounted detachably on the crockery
basket.
25. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device has a handle that preferably projects
upwardly over the height of the separate stacking device and by
which means the separate stacking device can be selectively moved
and removed from the crockery basket.
26. The dishwashing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
separate stacking device includes aids for suitable arrangement and
storage of particular crockery or cutlery pieces in the cutlery
basket.
Description
[0001] The subject matter of the present invention is a dishwasher
machine comprising a device for stacking items to be washed, in
particular for stacking cutlery pieces.
[0002] It is known to arrange the items to be washed in the washing
container of a dishwashing machine in one or a plurality of
crockery baskets. Such crockery baskets usually consist of a
plastic-coated wire mesh and are usually displaceably mounted at
the side walls of the washing container so that they can be removed
from the washing container when the front door of a built-under
dishwashing machine is opened. In order to accommodate cutlery
pieces, a separate module in the form of a cutlery basket is
frequently provided in the lower crockery basket and this cutlery
basket can usually be removed from the crockery basket. A
disadvantage of known cutlery baskets is that they are preferably
accommodated in the lower crockery basket and are therefore awkward
and unergonomic to load.
[0003] In a further known device for stacking cutlery pieces, in
addition to the crockery baskets, a cutlery drawer is provided for
stacking cutlery pieces in the upper region of the washing
container, which cutlery basket can be inserted into and withdrawn
from the washing container of the dishwashing machine. However,
such cutlery drawers have the disadvantage that they require a
large space in the washing container which is therefore lost for
accommodating further items to be washed; in addition, the
manufacturing costs of the dishwashing machine are increased by the
installation of an additional cutlery basket.
[0004] DE 199 25 312 discloses a separate cutlery tray which is
placed on the crockery basket and displaceably mounted via
longitudinal struts. The displacement movement of the cutlery tray
is delimited by means of a stop so that the withdrawn cutlery tray
is secured against tipping. This cutlery tray has the disadvantage
that as a result of the arrangement above the crockery basket, the
storage space in and above the cutlery tray is limited either by
the movement space of a rotating spray arm, the upper crockery
basket or by the roof of the washing container. Thus, larger
cutlery pieces cannot be accommodated in the cutlery tray according
to DE 199 25 312 and smaller cutlery pieces can only be placed in a
horizontal position. Furthermore, as a result of the arrangement of
the cutlery tray above the crockery basket, the storage space in
the crockery basket is restricted at the top and access to the
crockery or cutlery pieces accommodated in the crockery basket is
impeded.
[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide a dishwashing machine with a device for stacking cutlery
pieces which counters these disadvantages and allows crockery and
cutlery pieces to be accommodated in an easily accessible,
space-saving and careful manner in the washing container.
[0006] These objects are achieved by the dishwashing machine
according to the invention having the features according to claim
1. Advantageous further developments of the present invention are
each characterised in the dependent claims 2 to 13.
[0007] The dishwashing machine according to the present invention
has at least one crockery basket which has a substantially
horizontal main stacking plane and a separate stacking device for
stacking items to be washed, in particular a cutlery basket for
stacking cutlery pieces, wherein the separate stacking device or
the cutlery basket is integrated at least partly in the main
stacking plane of the crockery basket and at the same time is
mounted on the crockery basket such that it can be displaced
between a loading position and an inserted position. In this case,
integration of the cutlery basket in the main stacking plane of the
crockery basket means that at least a part of the base area of the
separate stacking device or the cutlery basket occupies a certain
part of the main stacking plane of the crockery basket, wherein the
main stacking plane corresponds to the base area or the stacking
area of the crockery basket which is defined by the surround or by
the side walls of the crockery basket.
[0008] The dishwashing machine according to the invention has the
advantage that as a result of the displaceable mounting of the
separate stacking device or the cutlery basket on the crockery
basket, the separate stacking device can be displaced independently
of the crockery basket of the dishwashing machine whereby the
separate stacking device can be withdrawn from the crockery basket
without the crockery basket itself needing to be moved. As a
result, the separate stacking device can preferably be withdrawn
forwards from the crockery basket and thus from the washing
container of the dishwashing machine, which facilitates loading of
the separate stacking device or the removal of crockery or cutlery
pieces.
[0009] The dishwashing machine according to the invention also has
the advantage that in addition to the crockery baskets, no
additional drawer mounted on the side wall of the washing container
is required to accommodate the cutlery pieces without dispensing
with the comfort of a cutlery drawer. As a result of the
displaceable mounting of the cutlery basket in the crockery basket
according to the present invention, a differentiation between
standard models and special designs of dishwashing machines or
crockery baskets can be presented better both with regard to the
function and also the visual appearance. Further advantages of the
dishwashing machine according to the present invention are obtained
from the following description of preferred embodiments.
[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the
separate stacking device or the cutlery basket is integrated in an
upper crockery basket of the dishwashing machine. This improves the
accessibility of the crockery or cutlery pieces accommodated in the
separate stacking device or the cutlery basket. This also brings
about an ergonomic improvement since an operator no longer needs to
bend so low to load or remove crockery or cutlery pieces from the
cutlery basket integrated in the upper crockery basket than if the
cutlery basket is arranged in the lower crockery basket.
[0011] As a result of the arrangement of the cutlery basket in the
upper crockery basket, no additional possibility for accommodating
cutlery pieces in the lower crockery basket is required so that the
lower crockery basket can be used more universally on account of
the space which has become free. In addition, a better drying
result is achieved with the cutlery mounted in the upper basket
since a higher temperature prevails in the upper region of the
washing container during the drying process than in the lower
region of the washing container.
[0012] Appropriately, the separate stacking device or the cutlery
basket has a height which substantially corresponds to the height
of the crockery basket. In this case, the bottom of the separate
stacking device lies substantially at the same height as the main
stacking plane of the crockery basket whereas the upper edge of the
side walls of the separate stacking device lies substantially at
the same height as the upper edge of the side walls of the crockery
basket. The construction of the separate stacking device at a
height which substantially corresponds to the height of the
crockery basket has the advantage that the overall height of the
crockery basket or the cutlery basket is available for stowing the
cutlery pieces so that large and bulky crockery or cutlery pieces
can also be stowed therein.
[0013] Since the cutlery basket is integrated in the crockery
basket, the cutlery basket is automatically withdrawn during
withdrawal of the crockery basket from the washing container of the
dishwashing machine. As described above, however, the cutlery
basket according to the present invention can also be withdrawn
from the crockery basket and therefore from the washing container
of the dishwashing machine without the crockery basket needing to
be moved since the cutlery basket is displaceably mounted in the
crockery basket. According to a further advantageous embodiment of
the present invention, the separate stacking device or the cutlery
basket is mounted on the crockery basket so that it can be
displaced between the inserted position and the loading position
preferably on rollers or runners by means of a rail system. The
combination of a rail system with a sliding mounting of the cutlery
basket by means of rollers or runners allows a low-friction and
therefore simple movement of the cutlery basket between the
inserted position and the loading position.
[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the separate stacking
device or the cutlery basket is mounted safe from tipping and
displaceably on the crockery basket such that tipping of the
crockery basket during displacement and in particular in the
loading position, is prevented. The separate stacking device or the
cutlery basket can be guided by different systems for linear
guidance, e.g. rail systems, in the crockery basket. For this
purpose, for example, at least one rail is arranged on the crockery
basket which has a hollow profile having a substantially U-shaped
cross-section in which the runners or rollers joined to the cutlery
basket are movably mounted. As a result, tilting movements which
can occur due to the displacement or the loading of the cutlery
basket are supported by the rail system in any direction. The rail
itself is preferably mounted so that it can be displaced in the
horizontal direction on the crockery basket so that the cutlery
basket can be completely withdrawn from the crockery basket in the
loading position. The displacement movement of the separate
stacking device or the cutlery basket is appropriately limited by a
stop which prevents any displacement of the cutlery basket from the
inserted position beyond the loading position.
[0015] In order to achieve a user-friendly and unhindered
withdrawal movement of the separate stacking device or the cutlery
basket, the cutlery basket is arranged in an outer region of the
crockery basket so that in the inserted position a side wall of the
cutlery basket is aligned substantially parallel to a side wall,
preferably the front wall of the crockery basket. As a result, in
the dishwashing machine according to the invention, the crockery
pieces in the separate stacking device or the cutlery pieces in the
cutlery basket are easily accessible, in particular if the separate
stacking device or the cutlery basket is arranged on the front side
of a displaceably mounted crockery basket which can be withdrawn
from the washing container of a built-under dishwashing machine via
this front side.
[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present
invention, the separate stacking device or the cutlery basket is
arranged in a corner region of the crockery basket so that in the
inserted position, two adjoining side walls of the cutlery basket
are each aligned substantially parallel to the front wall and to a
side wall of the crockery basket. Since the separate stacking
device or the cutlery basket is arranged in a corner region of the
crockery basket, on the one hand the cutlery basket can easily be
used and on the other hand, the inner region of the crockery basket
can be used exclusively for stacking other items to be washed.
[0017] In addition, the separate stacking device or the cutlery
basket can be arranged in an outer region of the crockery basket so
that in the inserted position, at least one side wall of the
cutlery basket is at least partly a side wall, preferably at least
a part of the front wall of the crockery basket. For this purpose,
the cutlery basket is preferably configured and arranged on the
crockery basket in such a manner that in its inserted position, at
least one of its side walls is aligned with a side wall of the
crockery basket, in particular the front wall of the crockery
basket.
[0018] The separate stacking device or the cutlery basket can also
be arranged in a corner region of the crockery basket so that in
the inserted position, at least two adjoining side walls of the
cutlery basket are in each case at least a part of the front wall
and at least a part of a side wall of the crockery basket. For this
purpose, the cutlery basket is preferably configured and arranged
on the crockery basket in such a manner that in its inserted
position, at least two side walls of the cutlery basket are each
aligned with the front wall and at least one side wall of the
crockery basket. In this way, in addition to the cutlery basket
being convenient to use, an attractive appearance of the crockery
basket with the integrated cutlery basket is achieved.
[0019] A further advantage is achieved if the separate stacking
device or the cutlery basket is mounted detachably on the crockery
basket. The cutlery basket can thus be removed from its holder on
the crockery basket or exchanged for easier loading or removal of
crockery or cutlery pieces. The separate stacking device or the
cutlery basket is appropriately fitted with a handle which
preferably projects upwards over the height of the cutlery basket
and by which means the cutlery basket can be moved or removed from
the crockery basket. Alternatively or additionally, the cutlery
basket can also be fitted with a handle which projects over the
front wall of the crockery basket at least partly in the horizontal
direction and by which means the cutlery basket can be withdrawn
from the crockery basket or from the washing container.
[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the
present invention, the separate stacking device or the cutlery
basket is provided with aids for suitable arrangement and storage
of particular crockery pieces, in particular for suitable
arrangement and storage of cutlery pieces in the cutlery basket,
which promote the separation of the crockery or cutlery pieces as
well as their cleaning during the washing operation of the
dishwashing machine. By this means, a clearly visible arrangement
of the cutlery pieces in particular positions in the device can be
achieved and contact of the cutlery pieces can be prevented, which
prevents damage to the cutlery pieces or the development of noise
during the washing operation. Alternatively to a cutlery basket, a
separate stacking device can be arranged on the crockery basket in
the manner described above according to the present invention,
which is suitable for stacking any other crockery pieces.
[0021] The present invention is explained in detail hereinafter
using a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended
drawings. The FIGURE shows a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of a dishwashing machine according to the present
invention.
[0022] In detail the drawing shows a built-under dishwashing
machine 1 comprising a washing container 2 which is closed by a
hinged door 3 pivotally mounted on the front side of the
dishwashing machine 1. Located in the washing container 2 is an
upper crockery basket 7 and a lower crockery basket 12 which are
each displaceably mounted on the side wall of the washing container
2 so that they can be withdrawn from the washing container 2 for
loading or removal of crockery or cutlery pieces from the washing
container 2. In the situation shown in the drawing, the hinged door
3 of the dishwashing machine 1 is opened and the upper crockery
basket 7 is withdrawn from the washing container 2 whilst the lower
crockery basket 12 is completely inserted in the washing container
2 which is why only the front wall of the lower crockery basket 12
can be identified.
[0023] The upper crockery basket 7 has a substantially horizontal
main stacking plane 6 which corresponds to the base area or the
stacking area of the crockery basket 7 which is defined by the
surround or by the side walls of the crockery basket 7. The upper
crockery basket 7 comprises a separate stacking device 5 for
stacking items to be washed which is embodied as a cutlery basket
in the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, which in
particular is used for stacking cutlery pieces. The cutlery basket
5 is mounted on the crockery basket 7 so that it can be displaced
in the directions indicated by the double arrow between an inserted
position and a loading position. In the situation shown in the
drawing, the cutlery basket 5 is located in the loading position,
that is the cutlery basket 5 is substantially completely withdrawn
from the crockery basket 7 and accordingly projects forwards over
the front wall 4 of the crockery basket 7.
[0024] The cutlery basket 5 is integrated in the main stacking
plane 6 of the crockery basket 7, that is the base area of the
cutlery basket 5 occupies a part of the main stacking plane 6 of
the crockery basket 7 in the inserted position of the cutlery
basket 5. In this case, a recess for the cutlery basket 5 is
provided in the main stacking plane 6 of the crockery basket 7, its
size substantially corresponding to the base area of the cutlery
basket 5.
[0025] As a result of the displaceable mounting of the cutlery
basket 5 on the crockery basket 7, the cutlery basket 5 can be
displaced horizontally independently of the crockery basket 7 of
the dishwashing machine 1. In this way, the cutlery basket 5 can be
withdrawn forwards from the crockery basket 7 and thus from the
washing container 2 of the dishwashing machine 1 without the
crockery basket 7 needing to be moved. Nevertheless, as a result of
the cutlery basket 5 being integrated in the crockery basket 7, the
cutlery basket 5 is automatically withdrawn from the washing
container 2 of the dishwashing machine 1 during withdrawal of the
crockery basket 7. The withdrawal of the cutlery basket 5 from the
crockery basket 7 and therefore from the washing container 2 of the
dishwashing machine according to the present invention facilitates
the loading or removal or crockery or cutlery pieces from the
cutlery basket 5.
[0026] The cutlery basket 5 has a height which substantially
corresponds to the height of the crockery basket 7. In this case,
the bottom of the cutlery basket 5 is located substantially at the
same height as the main stacking plane 6 of the crockery basket 7
whilst the upper edge of the side walls of the cutlery basket 5
lies substantially at the same height as the upper edge of the side
walls 4, 8 of the crockery basket 7. As a result, the entire height
of the crockery basket 7 or the cutlery basket 5 is available for
stowing the cutlery pieces so that long and bulky cutlery pieces
can also be stowed in the cutlery basket 5.
[0027] The cutlery basket 5 is mounted slidingly and safe from
tilting on the crockery basket 7 by means of a rail system 9, the
cutlery basket 5 being mounted on rollers 10 such that it can be
displaced between the inserted position and the loading position in
the directions indicated by the double arrow. For this purpose, a
rail 9 having a hollow profile with a substantially U-shaped
cross-section is provided on both sides of the cutlery basket 5.
The rollers 10 connected to the cutlery basket 5 can be moved in
the hollow profile in such a manner that tilting moments which can
occur due to the displacement or loading of the cutlery basket 5
are supported in each direction. In addition, the rail itself is
mounted on the crockery basket 7 so that it can be displaced in the
horizontal direction to allow a complete withdrawal of the cutlery
basket 5 from the crockery basket 7 into the locating position. In
this case, the displacement movement of the cutlery basket 5 is
limited by a stop so that any displacement of the cutlery basket 5
from the inserted position beyond the loading position is
prevented.
[0028] The cutlery basket 5 is arranged in a corner region of the
crockery basket 7 in such a manner that in the inserted position,
the front wall and the outer side wall of the cutlery basket 5 are
each aligned substantially parallel to the front wall and the
adjoining side wall 8 of the crockery basket 7 and are aligned with
these. In addition, the crockery basket 5 is constructed and
arranged in such a manner that in the inserted position, the front
wall and the outer side wall of the cutlery basket 5 each form a
part of the front wall 4 and a part of the adjoining side wall 8 of
the crockery basket 7. The front wall 4 and the adjoining side wall
8 of the crockery basket 7 are accordingly recessed in the area of
the cutlery basket 5.
[0029] The cutlery basket 5 is detachably mounted on the crockery
basket 7 so that the cutlery basket 5 can be removed from its
holder on the crockery basket 7 for easier loading or removal of
crockery or cutlery pieces or for exchange. For this purpose, the
cutlery basket 5 is fitted with a handle 11 which projects upwards
over the height of the cutlery basket 5 and by which means the
cutlery basket 5 can be moved or withdrawn from the crockery basket
7. As has already been mentioned, the separate stacking device need
not necessarily be formed as a cutlery basket 5 but a stacking
device suitable for stacking any other crockery pieces can also be
arranged on the crockery basket 7 in the manner described above
according to the present invention.
REFERENCE LIST
[0030] 1 Dishwashing machine [0031] 2 Washing container [0032] 3
Hinged door [0033] 4 Front wall of crockery basket [0034] 5
Separate stacking device or cutlery basket [0035] 6 Main stacking
plane of crockery basket [0036] 7 Upper crockery basket [0037] 8
Side wall of crockery basket [0038] 9 Rail system for displaceable
mounting of cutlery basket [0039] 10 Rollers for displaceable
mounting of cutlery basket [0040] 11 Handle on cutlery basket
[0041] 12 Lower crockery basket
* * * * *