EP2453788B1

EP2453788B1 - A dishwasher and a cutlery basket used therein

Info

Publication number: EP2453788B1
Application number: EP10722721.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sena Davasligil; Mehmet Durmaz; Nihat Gunduz
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2009-07-14
Filing date: 2010-06-17
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-17
Also published as: EP2453788A1; WO2011006727A1

Description

The present invention relates to a cutlery basket used in dishwashers.
In dishwashers, cutlery baskets that provide the items having small volumes to be washed are used. Forks, spoons and knives disposed in the cutlery baskets are generally taken out by being held from the end portions, which will contact the food, while being taken out after washing, and this situation causes a problem in terms of hygiene. Furthermore, for example, when knives are tried to be taken out by being held from their sharp and pointed ends, injuries can happen.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No WO2008077761 , a cutlery basket is described which discloses the features of preamble of claim 1 and which is used in dishwashers and which comprises a body wherein small sized items such as forks, spoons etc. are placed, and a base that carries the items placed in the body and that can be moved upwards and downwards inside the body and when moved upwards in the body pushes upwards the items thereon such that the ends of the items project outwards from the body.
In the state of the art Japan Patent Application No JP2005000341 , a dishwasher, a dish basket and a small article basket are disclosed wherein the small article basket comprises a group of bars that are at the bottom of the small article basket. The group of bars are extending obliquely downward are parallel arranged and between adjacent bars, a slit-shaped gap extending along the bars is formed.
In the state of the art United States Patent Application No US2008128371 , a cutlery basket for a dishwasher is disclosed wherein at least one crockery basket into which at least one cutlery basket can be inserted and the cutlery basket has at least one cutlery basket base or at least one cutlery basket sidewall which is provided with a plurality of passages for washing liquid to pass through.
In cutlery baskets, separators which separate the inside of the body and which provide the items to be carried in a more balanced manner by providing the items to bear on are used. However, in the said embodiment, since the separators move with the base when the base is moved upwards, they extend towards the outside of the body. This situation makes the items to be unloaded from the body difficult. Separators are preferably produced shorter in consideration to the height of the body to solve the problem. The separators being short cause the items placed in the cutlery basket not to be carried in a balanced manner and the items can fall over one another. Therefore, problems such as not cleaning the items thoroughly are encountered.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cutlery basket that is used for placing items such as forks and spoons in the dishwasher, and which provides both hygienic and ergonomic conditions of use for the user.
The cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.
The cutlery basket of the present invention comprises a body wherein the items such as fork, spoon, etc. are placed and which has a base and side walls. The access of the user to the handle portions of the items is facilitated by moving the base and the side walls with respect to each other. The cutlery basket further comprises at least one separator the length of which lengthens and shortens as a result of the movement of the base and the side walls with respect to each other and which divides the inside of the body into compartments during the movement. By means of the length of the separators being changed during the movement of the base and the side walls, the compartmental structure of the body can be maintained by preventing the formation of any extension or protrusion towards the outside of the body during the movement of the base and the side walls with respect to each other. Thus, undesired situations such as separators hitting the user's hands during the access to the handle portions of the items by the user, etc. are prevented.
In an embodiment of the present inventions, the separators consist of two pieces. One piece of the separator is fixed to the base and the other to the side walls. During the movement of the base and the side walls with respect to each other, the pieces of the separator also move with respect to each other.
In a version of this embodiment, both pieces of the separator are in plate form. During the movement of the base and the side walls with respect to each other, the pieces of the separator also make a sliding movement with respect to each other.
In another version of this embodiment, one piece of the separator is in plate form and the other in casing form. The pieces of the separator are positioned in the body by being inserted into each other. At least some portion of the piece in casing form of the separator surrounds the end portion of the piece in plate form. During the movement of the base and the side walls with respect to each other, the pieces of the separator also make a telescopic movement with respect to each other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, one piece of the separator is inverse U-shaped. Thus, accumulation of dirt between pieces of the separators is prevented.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator is in bellows form. The length of the separator produced from a resilient material can be changed by moving the base or the side walls.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the items on the base are enabled to be moved upwards, downwards with the base by moving the base upwards, downwards inside the body. The piece of the separator situated on the base also moves upwards, downwards with the base.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket comprises more than one guardrails situated around the base, which extend parallel to the side walls such as to at least partially surround the side walls from inside or outside. In this embodiment, the total length of the body is changed by moving the side walls upwards, downwards with respect to the guardrails. When the piece of the separator connected to the base is fixed, the piece thereof connected to the side walls moves upwards, downwards with the side walls. In the washing position wherein the side walls are moved upwards to be positioned above the guardrails, the bearing of the items is facilitated by providing one piece of the separator to be positioned above the other and thus the items are provided to be carried in a more balanced manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket comprises a locking mechanism that serves to hold the side walls and the guardrails together. Thus, the side walls and the guardrails are prevented from being detached from each other.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator comprises a locking mechanism having at least one stopper situated on one of the pieces of the separator and an opening situated on the other piece of the separator into which the stopper seats. The opening moves upwards, downwards with the piece of the separator until its lower or upper edge bears on the stopper. The upward movement of the side walls and the movable piece of the separator is limited by the upper edge of the opening bearing on the stopper. The height of the opening is almost equal to the distance the side walls move vertically.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator is in bellows form. The length of the separator produced from a resilient material as a single-piece lengthens and shortens during the movement of the base and the side walls.
In various embodiments of the present invention, a lid is used which is placed on the body, which is perforated or in grid form and which provides the items placed in the body to be held almost in the vertical position by being passed through the holes. Thus, by providing the items to be placed separately, more efficient cleaning thereof is provided.
By means of the present invention, a cutlery basket that is used for placing items such as forks, spoons, etc. into the dishwasher, and that provides hygienic and ergonomic conditions of use for the user is obtained.
The cutlery basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the exploded perspective view of the cutlery basket of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the sectional view of a separator and the base.
Figure 4 - is the exploded perspective view of the cutlery basket of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket of another embodiment of the present invention during the washing position.
Figure 6 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket of another embodiment of the present invention during the loading/unloading position.
Figure 7 - is the exploded perspective view of the cutlery basket of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 - is the perspective view of the locking mechanism of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket of another embodiment of the present invention when the lid is closed.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Cutlery basket
2.: Body
3.: Base
4.: Side walls
5.: Separator
6.: Guardrail
7.: Locking mechanism
8.: Stopper
9.: Opening
10.: Lid

The cutlery basket (1) is used in dishwashers for the purpose of placing items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. in an effective washing position.
The cutlery basket (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2) having a base (3) and side walls (4) which can be moved with respect to each other, into which the items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed and at least one separator the length of which lengthens and shortens as a result of the movement of the base (3) and the side walls (4) with respect to each other and which divides the inside of the body (2) into compartments.
After the washing process, the user prefers to unload the items from body (2) by holding from the handle portions remaining below the end portions, without holding from the used (contacting foods) portions of items, for example not from the pointed and sharp ends of items such as knives, in order to provide hygienic and ergonomic conditions of use. Therefore, he/she can take the items (E) out from the body (2) by bringing them to the position where he/she can easily access the handle portions by moving the base (3) and the side walls (4).
By means of the separators (5), the inside of the body (2) is separated into independent compartments. Thus, by providing the items (E) placed in the body to bear on the side walls (4) and the separators (5), they are provided to be carried in a more balanced manner. Furthermore, by providing the items (E) to contact each other less during the washing process, washing efficiency is increased and more hygienic conditions of use are created.
During the movement of the base (3) or the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the length of the separators (5) lengthens and shortens. By changing the length of the separators (5), the length of the separator (5) is provided not to exceed the level of the upper edges of the side walls (4). Thus, the compartmental structure of the inside of the body (2) can be maintained by preventing the formation of any extension or protrusion towards the outside of the body (2) during the movement of the base (3) or the side walls (4) with respect to each other. Accordingly, the user can perform the loading/unloading operation of items (E) more conveniently without hitting any barrier. Furthermore, risks such as the items (E) falling over others, etc. are prevented by lengthening and shortening the length of the separators (5) during the movement of the base (3) or the side walls (4) with respect to each other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator (5) consists of two pieces (A, B). One piece (A) of the separator (5) is fixed to the base (3) and the other (B) to the side walls (4). During the movement of the base (3) and the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the pieces (A, B) of the separator move with respect to each other. For example if the base (3) is movable, the piece (A) of the separator (5) fixed to the base (3) moves together with the base (3). If the side walls (4) are movable, the piece (B) of the separator (5) fixed to the side walls (4) moves together with the side walls (4). By any of the pieces (A, B) of the separator (4) moving during the movement of the base (3) and the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the length of the separator (5) is provided to be changed by lengthening and shortening. Furthermore, by producing the separator (5) in two pieces (A, B) and fixing it both to the base (3) and to the side walls (4), the strength of the base (3) and the side walls (4) is increased, and the base (3) and the side walls (4) acquire a more rigid structure instead of a resilient structure.
In a version of this embodiment, both pieces (A, B) of the separator (5) are in plate form, bear onto each other face to face and make a sliding movement with respect to each other. The pieces (A, B) of the separator (5) are placed into the body (2) such as not to prevent each other's movement and such that at least some portion of one of the pieces (A, B) bears onto the other. During the movement of the base (3) and the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the pieces (A, B) of the separator (5) make a sliding movement with respect to each other.
In another version of this embodiment, one piece (A) of the separator (5) is in plate form and the other (B) in casing form, and the separator (5) is placed into the body (2) such that its piece (A) in plate form inserts into the piece (B) in casing form. During the movement of the base (3) and the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the pieces (A, B) of the separator (5) make a telescopic movement with respect to each other.
In another version of this embodiment, one piece (B) of the separator (5) is inverse U-shaped. Thus, accumulation of dirt between the pieces (A, B) of the separator is prevented.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises the base (3) which can be moved upwards, downwards inside the body (2) and the separator (5), one piece (A) of which is connected to the base (3), the other piece (B) to the side walls (4), and the piece (A) connected to the base (3) of which moves together with the base (3) during the upward, downward movement of the base (3). By moving the base (3) inside the body (2) upwards, downwards, the items (E) carried on the base (3) are moved upwards, downwards and thus the user can easily access to the handle portions of the items (E). The piece (A) of the separator (5) connected to the base (3) also moves upwards, downwards together with the base (3). The other pieces (B) of the separators (5) are fixed to the inner surfaces of the side walls (4).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises more than one guardrail (6) which surround the base (3) and which extend parallel to the side walls (4) such as to at least partially surround the side walls (4) from inside or outside, the side walls (4) which move upwards, downwards with respect to the guardrails (6) and the separator (5), one piece (B) of which is connected to the side walls (4) and which moves upwards, downwards together with the side walls (4) during the upward, downward movement of the side walls (4) with respect to the guardrails. At the washing position, the side walls (4) are positioned above the guardrails (6) and thus items (E) are provided to bear on both the side walls (4) and the guardrails (6). Consequently, the items (E) are placed into the body (2) in a more balanced manner. By moving the side walls (4) upwards, downwards such as to surround the guardrails from inside or outside, the access of the user to the handle portions of the items (E) is facilitated. Thus, more hygienic use is provided to the user. During the upward, downward movement of the side walls (4), the piece (B) of the separator (5) fixed to the side walls (4) moves with respect to the piece (A) connected to the base (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises a locking mechanism (7) that serves to hold the side walls (4) and the guardrails (6) together. Thus, the side walls (4) and the guardrails (6) are prevented from being detached from each other.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator (5) comprises a locking mechanism (7) having at least one stopper (8) situated on one of its pieces (A) and an opening (9) situated on the other piece (B), into which the stopper (8) seats. Since the piece (B) of the separator (5) connected to the side walls (4) moves upwards, downwards together with the side walls (4), the opening (9) situated on the said piece (B) moves upwards, downwards until it bears on the stopper (8). The height of the opening (9) is equal to the distance of the vertical movement of the side walls (4). While the side walls (4) are mounted onto the guardrails (6), the stopper (8) is provided to seat into the opening (9) by stretching one piece (B) of the separator (5). When the stopper (8) bears on the upper edge of the opening (9), the side walls (4) almost surround the guardrails (6). At this position wherein the loading/unloading operations are performed, the height of the body (2) is almost equal to the height of the guardrails (6). When the stopper (8) bears on the lower edge of the opening (9), the side walls (4) are positioned above the guardrails (6). At this position wherein the washing operation is performed, the height of the body (2) is almost equal to the total of the height of the guardrails (6) and the side walls (4). The stopper (8) prevents the side walls (4) and the guardrails (6) from being detached by remaining inside the opening (9) at both the washing and the loading/unloading positions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator (5) is in bellows form. The separator (5) is produced from a resilient material as a single-piece. During the movement of the base (3) or the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the length of the separators (5) also lengthens and shortens.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the separator (5) is in perforated, water-permeable form. Thus, the washing efficiency of the items (E) placed in the cutlery basket (1) is increased.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the cutlery basket (1) comprises a lid (10) which is placed on the body (2), which is perforated or in grid form and which provides the items (E) placed in the body (2) to be held almost in the vertical position by being passed through the holes. By means of the lid (10), the items (E) are provided to be placed into the body (2) in a more balanced manner and thus, are cleaned more effectively.
By means of the present invention, a cutlery basket (1) that is used for placing items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. in the dishwasher, and that provides hygienic and ergonomic conditions of use to the user is obtained.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A cutlery basket (1) used in dishwashers, comprising a body (2) having side walls (4) and further having a base (3), wherein in said body (2) items (E) such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed onto the base (3), wherein the base (3) can be moved with respect to the side walls (4) and the side walls (4) can be moved with respect to the base (3), the moving base (3) or side walls (4) moving upwards or downwards with respect to the normal orientation of the cutlery basket (1) in a dishwasher,
• said body (2) further having at least one separator (5) dividing the inside of the body (2) into compartments such as to form a compartmental structure,

• characterized in that the length of the at least one separator (5) in the direction of upwards and downwards motion lengthens and shortens as a result of the movement of the base (3) with respect to the side walls (4) and of the side walls (4) with respect to the base (3) in such a manner that the compartmental structure of the inside of the body (2) is maintained by preventing the formation of any extension or protrusion towards the outside of the body (2) during the movement of the base (3) with respect to the side walls (4) or of the side walls (4) with respect to the base (3).
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the separator (5) which is in bellows form wherein the separator (5) is produced from a resilient material as a single-piece so that during the movement of the base (3) or the side walls (4) with respect to each other, the length of the separators (5) also lengthens and shortens.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the separator (5) which consists of two pieces (A, B).
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the separator (5) both pieces (A, B) of which are in plate form, and which bear onto each other face to face and make a sliding movement with respect to each other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the separator (5) one piece (A) of which is in plate form, the other piece (B) of which is in casing form, with its piece (A) in plate form placed into the body (2) such as to be inserted into its piece (B) in casing form and both pieces (A, B) of which can make a telescopic movement with respect to each other.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 3 or 5, characterized by the separator (5) one piece (B) of which is inverse U-shaped.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claims 3 to 6, characterized by the base (3) which can be moved upwards, downwards inside the body (2) and the separator (5), one piece (A) of which is connected to the base (3), the other piece (B) to the side walls (4), and the piece (A) connected to the base (3) of which moves together with the base (3) during the upward, downward movement of the base (3).
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claims 3 to 6, characterized by more than one guardrail (6) which surround the base (3) and which extend parallel to the side walls (4) such as to at least partially surround the side walls (4) from inside or outside, the side walls (4) which move upwards, downwards with respect to the guardrails (6) and the separator (5), one piece (B) of which is connected to the side walls (4) and which moves upwards, downwards together with the side walls (4) during the upward, downward movement of the side walls (4) with respect to the guardrails.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a locking mechanism (7) which serves to hold the side walls (4) and the guardrails (6) together.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by the separator (5) comprising the locking mechanism (7) having at least one stopper (8) situated on one of its pieces (A) and an opening (9) situated on the other piece (B), into which the stopper (8) seats.
A cutlery basket (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by the opening (9) wherein the stopper (8) moves during the upward, downward movement of the side walls (4) and the height of which is equal to the distance of vertical movement of the side walls (4).
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the separator (5) which is perforated.
A cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a lid (10) which is placed on the body (2), which is perforated or in grid form and which provides the items (E) placed in the body (2) to be held almost in the vertical position by being passed through the holes.
A dishwasher characterized by using a cutlery basket (1) as in any one of the above Claims.