Dish rack for reusable plastic utensils and utensil washing system

Abstract

A dish rack for cleaning reusable plastic dishes may include a bottom support wall, a side wall defining an outer frame, and a cover positionable over the bottom support wall. In some examples, the dish rack includes spaced apart prongs extending upwardly from the bottom support wall. In use, an operator can load reusable plastic dishes on or between the forks of the dish rack and close the lid. This can enclose reusable plastic in a space defined by the bottom support wall, the side walls defining the frame, and the cover. Once loaded, the operator can insert the dish rack into the dishwasher and clean the reusable plastic dishes while the dishes are held within the dish rack. The dish rack may allow the reusable plastic dish to be properly cleaned while minimizing or eliminating problems associated with movement of a relatively light reusable plastic dish in response to high pressure water within the dishwasher.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 418,614, filed Oct. 23, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to warewashing, and more particularly to a dish rack for washing reusable plastic ware. Background Art

[0004] Automated cleaning machines are used in restaurants, healthcare facilities, and other locations to clean, sanitize, and / or disinfect a variety of items. In restaurants or food processing facilities, automated cleaning machines (e.g., warewashing machines or dishwashers) can be used to clean food preparation and dining items such as tableware, glassware, pots, pans, utensils, food processing equipment, and other items. Generally, the items to be cleaned are placed on a rack and provided to the wash chamber of the automated cleaning machine. In the chamber, one or more cleaning products and / or rinse aids are applied to the items during the cleaning process. The cleaning process can include one or more wash stages and one or more rinse stages. At the end of the cleaning process, the rack is removed from the wash chamber. The clean items are removed from the rack and replaced with dirty items to start a further wash cycle.

[0005] Restaurants that serve pre-packaged food typically offer reusable dishes and tableware (e.g., ceramic plates, glassware, stainless steel cutlery) or disposable dishes and tableware (e.g., paper, cardboard, polystyrene foam, and / or plastic dishes and tableware). With increased awareness of the environmental impact of using disposable dishes and tableware and related regulations, operators who traditionally used disposable items are exploring alternative reusable solutions with reduced environmental impact. Reusable plastic dishes and tableware are one solution that provides a reusable alternative to disposable items while offering a more robust and cost-effective product than the reusable dishes and tableware found in traditional formal restaurants. However, these plastic products need to be cleaned between uses. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Generally speaking, the present disclosure relates to a dish rack for cleaning reusable plastic dishes and related systems and methods that utilize such a dish rack. In practice, it has been observed that reusable plastic dishes cleaned in a commercial-type dishwasher can move around within the dishwasher and strike against each other when in contact with high-pressure water. Reusable plastic dishes typically have a lower weight than traditional reusable dishes cleaned in a commercial-type dishwasher. As a result, reusable plastic dishes may break or come apart while being cleaned in the dishwasher. In other cases, reusable plastic dishes may be scratched or worn, creating visually undesirable surface defects and providing recesses for the collection and growth of contaminants.

[0007] According to an example of the present disclosure, a dish rack for cleaning reusable plastic dishes is described, which is configured to securely hold the reusable plastic dishes within the dish rack during the cleaning process inside a dishwasher. The dish rack may include a bottom support wall, side walls defining an outer frame, and a lid that can be positioned above the bottom support wall. In some examples, the dish rack includes spaced-apart fork-like portions extending upward from the bottom support wall.

[0008] In use, an operator can load a reusable plastic dish into the dish rack by positioning the reusable plastic dish above and / or between the fork-like portions. With the reusable plastic loaded onto the dish rack, the operator can close the lid on the dish rack, thereby enclosing the reusable plastic within the space defined by the bottom support wall, the side walls defining the frame, and the lid. Once loaded, the operator can insert the dish rack into the dishwasher and clean the reusable plastic dish with the dish remaining within the dish rack. When configured in this way, the combination of the fork-like portions that control the spacing of the reusable plastic dishes and the lid that holds the reusable plastic dishes within the enclosed space can prevent excessive movement of the dishes and / or contact between the dishes during cleaning inside the dishwasher. This can allow the dishes to be properly cleaned by the dishwasher while minimizing or eliminating problems associated with the movement of relatively light reusable plastic dishes in response to contact with high-pressure water inside the dishwasher.

[0009] In one example, a dish rack for washing reusable plastic utensils is described. The dish rack includes a bottom support wall, a plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions, one or more side walls, and a lid. The example specifies that the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions extend upward from the bottom support wall to an end, and the fork-like portions are configured to receive dishes inserted above and / or between the fork-like portions. The example also specifies that one or more side walls are connected to the bottom support wall and form an outer frame. The one or more side walls have a height that extends above the ends of the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions. Additionally, the lid can be positioned above the bottom support wall to enclose the dishes inserted above and / or between the spaced-apart fork-like portions within a space defined by the bottom support wall, the one or more side walls, and the lid.

[0010] In another example, a method for washing reusable plastic utensils is described. The method includes positioning one or more reusable plastic dish articles above and / or between the fork-like portions of a dish rack, where the dish rack includes one or more side walls forming an outer frame. The method also includes positioning a lid above the one or more reusable plastic dish articles, thereby enclosing the one or more reusable plastic dish articles within a space defined by the one or more side walls and the lid. The method may also include inserting the dish rack carrying the one or more reusable plastic dish articles into a wash chamber of a dishwasher.

[0011] In another example, a dishwashing system is described. The dish system includes a dishwasher that includes a wash chamber and a spraying system for spraying liquid into the wash chamber; and a dish rack that can be inserted into and removed from the wash chamber of the dishwasher. The dish rack includes a bottom support wall, a plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions, one or more side walls, and a lid. The example specifies that the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions extend upward from the bottom support wall to an end, and the fork-like portions are configured to receive dishes inserted above and / or between the fork-like portions. The example also specifies that one or more side walls are connected to the bottom support wall and form an outer frame. The one or more side walls have a height that extends above the ends of the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions. Additionally, the lid can be positioned above the bottom support wall to enclose the dishes inserted above and / or between the spaced-apart fork-like portions within a space defined by the bottom support wall, the one or more side walls, and the lid.

[0012] Details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1An exemplary dishwasher is shown that can receive a dish rack that holds dishes to be cleaned, such as reusable plastic dishes to be cleaned, in accordance with various examples of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2A A perspective view of an exemplary dish rack is shown, which shows the closed dish rack with exemplary dishes loaded therein.

[0015] Figure 2B An exploded perspective view of an exemplary dish rack is shown, with no dishes loaded into the dish rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure generally relates to a dish rack for cleaning reusable plastic dishes. Exemplary dishes that can be cleaned using the dish rack according to the present disclosure include eating and / or food preparation articles such as plates, bowls, cups (e.g., drinking glasses, coffee cups, wine glasses), utensils (e.g., forks, spoons, knives), cooking utensils, pots and pans, trays, and / or other articles for preparing, serving, and / or consuming food. In some examples, one or more (optionally all) of the dish articles cleaned using the dish rack according to the present disclosure are made of plastic. For example, the dishes can be made of polypropylene, melamine, Tritan TM (a copolymer made from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (CBDO)), polycarbonate, and / or other plastic materials. In some examples, one or more (optionally all) of the dish articles have a weight of less than 1000 grams, such as less than 500 grams, less than 350 grams, less than 250 grams, or less than 150 grams. In any case, one or more of the dish articles can be configured and intended to be reused multiple times, washed between each use, and then recycled or discarded.

[0017] While the dish rack described herein is generally described as having a particular utility for cleaning reusable plastic dishes, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified, the present disclosure is not limited to using the dish rack to clean reusable plastic dishes. For example, in other applications, the dish rack can be used to clean dishes made of other materials such as glass, metal, and / or ceramic. In addition to (e.g., by loading a mixed-material dish into the same dish rack) or instead of cleaning reusable plastic dishes, the dish rack can also be used to clean dishes made of these other materials.

[0018] Regardless of the composition of the particular dishware articles being cleaned using the dish rack, the dish rack according to the present disclosure can be configured to receive dishware and hold the dishware securely within the dish rack. For example, the dish rack can be configured to restrain the movement of the dishware once the dishware is placed within the dish rack, thereby assisting in restraining the movement of the dishware within the dish rack during washing in a dishwashing machine. This can help prevent different dishware pieces from striking each other and / or the dishware pieces from being pushed out of the dish rack during washing in the dishwashing machine.

[0019] In some examples, the dish rack includes a bottom support having a plurality of openings extending therethrough through which water can enter and / or exit during washing. The dish rack can also include a plurality of upwardly extending tines that are spaced apart from each other and extend above the bottom support wall. An outer peripheral frame can partially or completely surround the upwardly extending tines. The top surface of the frame can extend above the top surface of the tines, such that the ends of the tines are positioned below the top surface of the frame. An openable and closable lid can be positioned above the upwardly extending tines. For example, the lid can have an area that partially or completely covers a corresponding area of the bottom support surface into which the dishware is intended to be inserted. In some examples, the lid is hingedly attached to one side of the frame and includes a lock that is operable to releasably secure the lid to the opposite side of the frame. In use, an operator can insert the dishware above and / or between the upwardly extending tines of the dish rack, close and lock the lid above the tines, and place the dishware onto and / or between the tines, and insert the loaded and closed dish rack into the dishwasher.

[0020] Figure 1 An example automatic cleaning machine 10 is shown that can receive a dish rack 12 for accommodating dishware to be cleaned (such as reusable plastic dishware to be cleaned) according to various examples of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the cleaning machine 10 is illustrated as a warewashing or dishwashing machine that is configured to clean and / or disinfect dishware that can include edible and / or food preparation articles as described above. Accordingly, the cleaning machine 10 is also referred to as the dishwasher 10.

[0021] In use, the dish rack 12 can be removed from the dishwasher 10 and loaded with dirty dishware to be cleaned and / or disinfected using the dishwasher. The dirty dishware may contain residual food and / or beverage residues. For example, an operator can physically remove the dish rack 12 such that the dish rack is not physically attached to or located within the dishwasher 10 (e.g., by moving the dish rack to a separate counter location). After the dish rack 12 is loaded with dirty dishware, the operator can move the dish rack to the dishwasher 10 and insert the loaded dish rack into the dishwasher for processing inside the dishwasher. As will be described with respect to Figure 2A and Figure 2BMore specifically described, the dish rack 12 can have a variety of different design features.

[0022] Figure 1 The dishwasher 10 in [description] includes a housing 14 that defines one or more wash chambers 16 and has one or more doors 18, 20 that permit access to and / or egress from the wash chamber 16. The size of one or more removable dish racks 12 is set to fit inside the wash chamber 16. Each dish rack 12 can be configured to directly receive the items to be cleaned thereon, or it can be configured to receive one or more trays or holders in which the items to be cleaned are held during the cleaning process.

[0023] A typical dishwasher such as the dishwasher 10 can operate by spraying one or more cleaning solutions 22 (a mixture of water and one or more chemical cleaning products) into the wash chamber 16 and thus onto the articles to be cleaned. The cleaning solution is pumped to one or more spray arms 24, which spray the cleaning solution 22 into the wash chamber 16 at appropriate times. The dishwasher 10 is provided with a source of fresh water and, depending on the application, may also include one or more reservoirs, such as reservoir 26, to hold the used wash and / or rinse solution 30 that will be reused in the next cleaning cycle. The dishwasher 10 may also include or be provided with a chemical product dispenser 32 that automatically dispenses the appropriate chemical products at appropriate times during the cleaning process, mixes them with a diluent, and distributes the resulting cleaning solution to the dishwasher 10 for distribution into the wash chamber 16. Depending on the machine, the articles to be cleaned, the amount of dirt on the articles to be cleaned, and other factors, one or more wash phases may be alternated with one or more rinse phases and / or disinfection phases to form a complete cleaning process for the dishwasher 10.

[0024] When configured as a commercial dishwasher for institutional operators, the dishwasher 10 can be configured to load and unload batches of items to be washed into and out of the wash chamber 16. In a front-loading or hood-type dishwasher configuration, the items to be washed are placed in the dish rack 12, and the dish rack loaded with the items to be washed is placed in the wash chamber 16 through the front door 18 and removed again through the front door after cleaning. In a tunnel-type dishwasher configuration, the dish rack 12 loaded with the items to be washed can be conveyed into the wash chamber 16 from the inlet side 18 (e.g., manually or via a conveyor belt 28) and removed from the wash chamber from the outlet side 20 when the wash program is complete (e.g., manually or via a conveyor belt 28). A typical commercial dishwasher configuration is capable of operating with cycle times that are much faster than those of a household dishwasher (e.g., a wash program including at least one cleaning cycle and at least one final rinse cycle that lasts less than 5 minutes; a drying cycle that lasts less than 10 minutes).

[0025] Irrespective of the specific configuration of the dishwasher 10, the dishwasher may include a dishwasher controller 50. The controller 50 may include one or more processors that monitor and control various parameters of the dishwasher 10, such as the washing and rinsing stage times and durations, the cleaning solution concentration, the timed dispensing of one or more chemical products, the amount of chemical product to be dispensed, the water temperature during the washing and / or rinsing stages, the timing of applying water and chemical products to the washing chamber, etc. The controller 50 may communicate with the product dispensing system 32 to monitor and / or control the timing and / or amount of cleaning product dispensed into the dishwasher 10.

[0026] In some specific embodiments, the dishwasher 10 includes a non-contact reader 60 communicatively coupled to the controller 50. The non-contact reader 60 may be configured to read information stored on a non-contact tag carried by the dish rack 12. For example, the dish rack 50 may carry a machine-readable tag 62 that is configured to be read by the non-contact reader 60. In various examples, the non-contact reader 60 may be implemented as a near field communication (NFC) reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, an optical reader, and / or another type of reader operable to read information stored on the machine-readable tag 62 carried by the machine-readable tag 62.

[0027] Irrespective of the specific configuration of the non-contact reader 60, the reader may read information stored on the machine-readable tag 62 carried by the dish rack 12. The tag 62 may be adhered to the surface of the dish rack 12, embedded within the material forming the dish rack, or otherwise temporarily or permanently attached to the dish rack. The tag may contain information identifying the dish rack as being configured for receiving and washing reusable plastic utensils. The identification information may be in the form of a digital code, a manufacturer name or brand, or other information identifying the source and / or type and / or configuration of the dish rack to which the machine-readable tag is attached. In addition or alternatively, the tag may contain information about the washing parameters and / or drying parameters used by the dishwasher 10 when washing the items placed in the dish rack 12 (e.g., water temperature, water pressure, washing duration, number and configuration of cycles, amount and / or type of chemicals to be used, drying time).

[0028] The controller 50 can control the non-contact reader 60 to read information from a machine-readable tag present on the dish rack 12, for example, when the dish rack is placed in the dishwasher 10 and the machine-readable tag 62 is close enough to be read by the non-contact reader 60. The controller 50 can control the dishwasher 10 in response to the information read by the non-contact reader 60. For example, the controller 50 can control the water temperature, water pressure, washing duration, number and configuration of cycles, amount and / or type of chemicals to be used, fresh substance composition, drying time, and / or other washing parameters and / or drying parameters of the dishwasher 10 based on the information read by the non-contact reader 60 from the machine-readable tag 62. In some examples, the controller 50 controls the dishwasher 10 by, based on the information read from the machine-readable tag 62, in response to detecting reusable plastic items to be washed, extending the washing cycle duration, reducing the water pressure during the washing cycle, reducing the washing cycle temperature, and / or increasing the drying time compared to the parameters otherwise used when washing items other than reusable plastic items (e.g., ceramics, metals, glass).

[0029] Figure 2A and Figure 2B (collectively referred to as "Figure 2") are images of different configurations of an example dish rack 12 that can receive dirty dishes and can be inserted into the washing chamber of a dishwasher (such as Figure 1 the washing chamber 16 of the dishwasher 10 in) to wash the dirty dishes. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the dish rack 12, which shows a closed dish rack with an example dish 100 loaded into the dish rack. Figure 2B is an exploded perspective view of the dish rack 12, illustrating that the dish 100 is not loaded into the dish rack.

[0030] In the configuration of Figure 2, the dish rack 12 is illustrated as having a bottom support wall 102, one or more side walls 104A - 104D (collectively referred to as "side walls 104"), and a lid 106. In the illustrated arrangement, the dish rack 12 also includes a plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions 108( Figure 2B ). The fork-like portions 108 extend upward relative to the bottom support wall 102. In use, a separate dish 100 to be washed can open the lid 106, position the dish above and / or between the fork-like portions 108, and close the lid 106 over the dish inserted onto the dish rack 12. After loading the dish rack, the user can transfer the loaded dish rack to the washing chamber 16 of the dishwasher 10( Figure 1 ) to wash the dishes 100 held by the dish rack.

[0031] Generally speaking, the bottom support wall 102 of the dish rack 12 can be the wall surface that defines the lowermost extension of the dish rack. The bottom support wall 102 can be a flat surface from which the side walls 104 extend upward. In a typical application, the bottom support wall 102 can have a plurality of openings extending through the thickness of the support wall to allow liquid to enter and leave during the washing process. For example, the bottom support wall 102 can define a grid of intersecting material strips, with openings formed between adjacent strips. That is to say, in other configurations, the bottom support wall 102 can define a solid surface without openings.

[0032] In some configurations, including the configuration of FIG. 2, the dish rack 12 includes fork-like portions 108. The fork-like portions 108 can be spaced apart from each other and can extend upward relative to the bottom support wall 102. In some examples, the fork-like portions 108 can have a length extending from a first end to a second end 110 (which can also be referred to as the tip), at the first end where each fork-like portion engages the top surface of the bottom support wall 102, and the second end is positioned farther from the bottom support wall than the first end. In some embodiments, each fork-like portion 108 is connected to the bottom support wall 102. In other embodiments, one or more of the fork-like portions 108 can extend upward away from the bottom support wall 102 but not be directly connected to the bottom support wall (e.g., by extending from a structure connected to the side wall 104).

[0033] At least some and optionally all of the fork-like portions 108 can be arranged in rows such that channels can be defined longitudinally and / or transversely across the dish rack 12 between the rows. In some examples, one or more of the fork-like portions 108 (optionally all of the fork-like portions) extend at a right angle (90 degrees) relative to the bottom support wall 102. In addition or alternatively, one or more of the fork-like portions 108 can be angled relative to the bottom support wall 102 (extending at an angle less than or greater than 90 degrees). The angle of the fork-like portions 108 relative to the bottom support wall 102 can be fixed (e.g., such that the angle cannot be adjusted by the user) or can be adjusted by the user to provide a variable angle. As shown, the fork-like portions 108 are arranged in rows spaced apart from each other and extending across the entire surface of the bottom support wall 102. In an alternative configuration, the fork-like portions 108 can be located only on a portion of the bottom support wall 102 (e.g., to provide adjacent areas of the bottom support wall without fork-like portions that can separately receive dishes to be cleaned, such as larger dishes that are inconvenient to fit on or above the fork-like portions 108).

[0034] The size and spacing of the fork portions 108 can vary according to the desired application. In some configurations, each fork portion 108 can have a length extending from the bottom support wall 102 to the end 110 that ranges from 12.5 mm to 250 mm, such as from 25 mm to 100 mm, or from 50 mm to 75 mm. Each fork portion 108 of the dish rack 12 can have the same length, or different fork portions can have different lengths. For example, at least some of the fork portions 108 can be longer than at least some of the other fork portions 108, thereby providing variable height options to accommodate the placement of different dishes in the dish rack 12.

[0035] Each fork portion can be spaced apart from adjacent fork portions by a distance measured from the center on one fork portion to the center of an adjacent fork portion. In some embodiments, the spacing between the fork portions ranges from 12.5 mm to 100 mm, such as from 25 mm to 75 mm. The spacing between the fork portions can be fixed or can be adjustable. For example, in some configurations, different rows of fork portions 108 can be configured to slide relative to each other or otherwise move to allow a user to adjust the spacing between adjacent rows of fork portions.

[0036] Each fork portion 108 can have any suitable size and cross-sectional shape. In some examples, the cross-sectional size (e.g., diameter) of each fork portion ranges from 1 mm to 25 mm, such as from 2 mm to 5 mm, from 5 mm to 10 mm, from 10 mm to 15 mm, from 10 mm to 20 mm, or from 15 mm to 25 mm. In various examples, each fork portion 108 can have a circular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, or other arcuate and / or polygonal cross-sectional shapes.

[0037] The dish rack 12 includes side walls 104. The side walls 104 can be guided or indirectly connected to the bottom support wall 102 and can extend upwardly away from the bottom support wall to define the side surfaces of the dish rack that provide the outer frame of the dish rack. In some examples, one or more side walls 104 can surround the perimeter of the bottom support wall 102 and extend upwardly away from the bottom support wall around the perimeter of the bottom support wall. The side walls 104 can define a lateral extension of the dish rack 12 to help hold the dishes 100 within the rows of dishes.

[0038] The number and configuration of the side walls 104 can vary according to the configuration of the dish rack 12. In the illustrated example, the dish rack 12 is shown as having four side walls: a front side wall 104A, a rear side wall 104B, a first transverse side wall 104C, and a second transverse side wall 104D. When configured in this way, the dish rack 12 can define a square or rectangular shape. The dish rack 12 can have a different number of side walls, such as a single continuous side wall (e.g., defining a circular shape), three side walls (e.g., defining a triangular shape), six side walls (e.g., defining a hexagonal shape), or other suitable numbers of side walls.

[0039] Each side wall 104 can be a solid surface without an opening extending through the side wall, or one or more side walls can include an opening extending through the side wall. For example, one or more of the side walls 104 can include an opening extending through the thickness of the side wall to allow liquid to enter and exit during cleaning. In some embodiments, the dish rack 12 includes an open side and / or cutout through one or more side walls, the open side and / or cutout being configured to accommodate larger articles that extend outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of the dish rack through the open side and / or cutout.

[0040] Each side wall 104 can be formed from a single piece of material defining the total height of the side wall, or can be formed from multiple pieces of material joined together to define the total height of the side wall. For example, see Figure 2B , one or more of the side walls 104 of the dish rack 12 can be formed by joining together multiple outer frame segments 112. Each outer frame segment 112 can have a shape and / or define a perimeter corresponding to the shape and / or perimeter of the dish rack 12 after assembly. In Figure 2B the illustrated example, the dish rack 12 is shown as being formed from four frame segments 112A - 112D that are vertically stacked on top of each other to form the resulting side walls 104 of the dish rack 12. In other examples utilizing joinable segments, the dish rack 12 can be formed by joining together fewer side wall segments (e.g., two or three) or more side wall segments (e.g., five, six, or more). Configuring the dish rack 12 to have joinable side wall segments can be beneficial to allow a user to change the height of the dish rack according to their needs and the type of dishes to be inserted into the dish rack.

[0041] In various examples, one or more of the outer frame segments 112 may define a solid sidewall with an opening that does not extend through the sidewall thickness, or may define one or more sidewalls with an opening that extends through the sidewall thickness. In the illustrated example, the dish rack 12 is illustrated as having a first frame segment 112A and a fourth frame segment 112D and a second frame segment 112B of the third frame segment 112C, the first and fourth frame segments having solid sidewall surfaces and the second frame segment having an opening that extends through the sidewall thickness. Specifically, the second frame segment 112B and the third frame segment 112C are illustrated as including a plurality of spaced-apart vertical plates 114, with sidewall openings 116 defined therebetween.

[0042] To assemble the sidewall 104 when using multiple outer frame segments 112, the different outer frame segments may be vertically stacked together to form a composite structure that defines one or more sidewalls 104. The different frame segments may be permanently attached together after assembly (e.g., using an adhesive, thermal bonding, or other fastening structure or technique not intended to be removable). Alternatively, the different frame segments may be temporarily connected together, allowing the frame segments to be subsequently separated from each other if the user desires.

[0043] For example, the dish rack 12 may include one or more mechanical connectors that connect an upper outer frame segment of the outer frame segments 112 to a lower outer frame segment of the outer frame segments 112. Any suitable mechanical connector or combination of mechanical connectors that directly or indirectly engages one segment to another frame segment may be used. In some examples, the dish rack 12 includes one or more concave connectors (e.g., receiving openings) on an upper outer frame segment or a lower outer frame segment of the outer frame segments 112 and one or more complementary convex connectors (e.g., protrusions) on the other of the upper outer frame segment or the lower outer frame segment. During assembly, the convex connector on one frame segment may be inserted into the concave connector on the other frame segment to interconnect the frame segments and temporarily lock them together.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the dish rack 12 may include one or more latches 118 that extend downwardly from an upper outer frame segment 112 and are configured to latch around a lower frame segment and / or a bottom support wall 102 in the frame segment. For example, in the illustrated configuration, the dish rack 12 includes a latch 118 that extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the second outer frame segment 112B. The latch 118 may be fixedly attached to the second outer frame segment 112B. The latch 118 may include a vertical extension configured to span the height of the sidewall of the first outer frame segment 112A and a lateral extension configured to be positioned below the sidewall of the first outer frame segment and / or below the bottom support wall 102. The dish rack 12 is illustrated as having two latches 118 implemented on opposite sides of the dish rack, but different configurations or arrangements of latches may also be implemented.

[0045] Regardless of the number of portions that join together to form the one or more sidewalls 104 of the dish rack 12, each sidewall may have a height that extends from a bottom end to a top end. The height of each sidewall may be dimensioned to be greater than the length of the fork portion 108 that extends above the bottom support wall 102. This may help ensure that dishes placed on and extending above the fork portion 108 are below the top of the sidewalls 104. This may allow the lid 106 to close over dishes placed above and / or between the fork portions 108, with the dishes being completely enclosed within the space defined by the bottom support wall 102, the sidewalls 104, and the lid 106.

[0046] The separation distance between the end 110 of the fork portion 108 and the height (e.g., top edge) of the one or more sidewalls 104 may be large enough to allow a dish 100 to be placed on the fork portion and the lid 106 to close over the dish, and may be small enough to limit excessive displacement of the dish within the dish rack 12 during washing. In some examples, the separation distance is at least 12.5 mm, such as at least 25 mm, at least 37.5 mm, at least 50 mm, at least 75 mm, or at least 100 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the separation distance may be less than 150 mm, such as less than 100 mm, or less than 75 mm. The separation distance may be within the range defined by any of the foregoing example lower and upper limits.

[0047] The dish rack 12 in the example of FIG. 2 also includes a lid 106. The lid 106 may be positioned to extend above the bottom support wall 102 at a position vertically offset by a distance defined by the height of the sidewalls 104. For example, the outer frame defined by the sidewalls 104 may define an upper opening through which a dish 100 may be inserted into the dish rack 12 (e.g., above and / or between a plurality of spaced-apart fork portions 108). The lid 106 may extend partially or completely above the area defined by the upper opening.

[0048] Generally, the lid 106 includes an opening to allow liquid to enter and leave during washing. For example, the lid 106 can be defined by a grid of crossbars with open spaces therebetween. In some examples, the lid 106 is a wireframe structure.

[0049] The lid 106 can be opened and closed to provide access to the interior space of the dish rack 12. For example, the lid 106 can be fixedly attached to the upper outer frame segment 112D, which can be attached to and removed from the lower frame segment to provide access to the interior space of the dish rack. Additionally or alternatively, the lid 106 can be hingedly connected to one or more sidewalls 104.

[0050] For example, in the illustrated arrangement, the lid 106 is hingedly connected to the second lateral sidewall 104D. When the lid 106 includes a hinged side connected to one of the sidewalls 104, the dish rack 12 can include a lock to lock the opposite side of the lid to the dish rack after closing the lid. For example, as shown, the lid 106 includes a lock 120 located on a side of the lid different from the hinged connection. The lock 120 can be configured to releasably lock the lid in the closed position. The lock 120 can engage the sidewall 104 and / or the bottom support wall 102 to temporarily lock the lid 106 in the closed position. For example, the lock 120 can include a vertical extension configured to span at least a portion of the height of the first lateral sidewall 104C and a lateral extension configured to be positioned below a portion of the sidewall and / or below the bottom support wall 102.

[0051] The dish rack 12 can be made of a variety of different materials. Some or all of the portions of the dish rack 12 can be made of molded plastic (e.g., the bottom support wall 102, the sidewalls 104, the forks 108). Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the portions of the dish rack 12 can be made of metal, such as a wireframe structure. Other types and combinations of materials can be used to manufacture the dish rack.

[0052] In use, the operator can open the lid 106 and position one or more reusable plastic dishware articles 100 above and / or between the forks 108 of the dish rack 12. In the case where the dish rack 12 is partially or fully loaded with dishware articles, the operator can position the lid 106 above the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles, thereby enclosing the reusable plastic dishware articles in the space defined by the bottom support wall 102, one or more sidewalls 104, and the lid 106. For example, the operator can rotate the lid 106 about the hinged connection and engage the lock 120 to lock the lid in the closed position.

[0053] After loading and locking the dish rack 12, an operator may insert the dish rack carrying one or more reusable plastic dish articles into the wash chamber 16 of the dishwasher 10. For example, the operator may open the front closure of the dishwasher 10, insert the dish rack 12 into the wash chamber 16, and close the front closure before initiating a wash cycle. Alternatively, the operator may position the dish rack 12 on the conveyor belt 28 to be conveyed into the wash chamber 16 of the dishwasher 10 before initiating a wash cycle.

[0054] It should be understood that the descriptive terms "top" and "bottom" or "upper" and "lower" with respect to the configuration and orientation of the components described herein are for purposes of illustration based on the orientation in the figures. In real-world applications, the arrangement of the components may vary depending on their orientation relative to gravity. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the generic terms "first" and "second" may be used interchangeably with the terms "top" and "bottom" without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] Various embodiments have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dish rack for washing reusable plastic utensils, the dish rack comprising: a bottom support wall; a plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions extending upward from the bottom support wall to an end, the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions being configured to receive dishes inserted above and / or between the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions; one or more side walls connected to the bottom support wall and forming an outer frame, the one or more side walls having a height extending above the end of the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions; and a lid that can be positioned above the bottom support wall to enclose the dishes, the dishes being inserted above and / or between the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions and being in a space defined by the bottom support wall, the one or more side walls, and the lid.

2. The dish rack according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame defined by the one or more side walls forms an upper opening, the dishes being configured to be inserted above and / or between the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions through the upper opening, and the lid extending over the entire area of the upper opening.

3. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lid includes a grid defined by cross bars, with open spaces between the cross bars.

4. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the one or more side walls.

5. The dish rack according to claim 4, wherein the lid includes a hinged side connected to one of the one or more side walls and a lock located on a different side of the lid, the lock being configured to releasably lock the lid in a closed position above the one or more side walls.

6. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: each of the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions has a length extending from the bottom support wall to the end, and the length is in the range of from 12.5 mm to 250 mm, such as from 25 mm to 100 mm, or from 50 mm to 75 mm; and the height by which the one or more side walls extend above the end of the plurality of spaced-apart fork-like portions is at least 12.5 mm.

7. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more side walls forming the outer frame include a plurality of outer frame segments stacked vertically together to form a composite structure defining the one or more side walls.

8. The dish rack according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the outer frame segments includes a plurality of spaced-apart vertical plates, with side wall openings defined between adjacent vertical plates.

9. The dish rack according to any one of claims 7 or 8, the dish rack further comprising a mechanical connector that connects an upper outer frame segment of the plurality of outer frame segments to a lower outer frame segment of the plurality of outer frame segments.

10. The dish rack according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical connector comprises: One or more concave connectors on one of the upper outer frame segments or the lower outer frame segments of the plurality of outer frame segments; And One or more complementary convex connectors on the other of the upper outer frame segments or the lower outer frame segments of the plurality of outer frame segments.

11. The dish rack according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the mechanical connector includes a latch extending downward from the upper outer frame segment of the plurality of outer frame segments, the latch being configured to latch around the lower outer frame segment of the plurality of outer frame segments and / or the bottom support wall.

12. The dish rack according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the lid is attached to the outer frame, and the outer frame is connectable to the one or more side walls.

13. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the one side wall includes four sides defining a rectangular or square shape.

14. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the one or more side walls has no openings therethrough.

15. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart tines are arranged in rows, wherein the spacing between adjacent tines ranges from 12.5 mm to 100 mm, such as from 25 mm to 75 mm.

16. The dish rack according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the dish rack is configured to be completely removed from the wash chamber of a dishwasher for loading and unloading dishes.

17. A method of washing reusable plastic ware, the method Comprising: Positioning one or more reusable plastic dishware articles above and / or between the tines of a dish rack, the dish rack including one or more side walls forming an outer frame; positioning a lid above the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles so as to enclose the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles in a space defined by the one or more side walls and the lid; And Inserting the dish rack carrying the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles into the wash chamber of a dishwasher.

18. The method according to claim 17, Wherein: The lid is hingedly attached to the one or more side walls and includes locking features; And Positioning the lid above the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles includes: rotating the lid to close above the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles and engaging the locking features to lock the lid in the closed position.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein inserting the dish rack carrying the one or more reusable plastic dishware articles into the wash chamber of the dishwasher includes one of the following: Opening the front closure of the dishwasher, inserting the dish rack into the wash chamber, and closing the front closure; or Transfer the dish rack along the conveyor line into the washing chamber of the dishwasher.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, the method further comprises: Before positioning one or more reusable plastic dishware articles above and / or between the fork portions of the dish rack, vertically stack a plurality of outer frame segments together to form a composite structure defining the one or more sidewalls.

21. A dishwashing system, the dishwashing system comprises: A dishwasher including a washing chamber and a spraying system for spraying liquid in the washing chamber; and A dish rack that can be inserted into and removed from the washing chamber of the dishwasher, the dish rack comprising: A bottom support wall; A plurality of spaced-apart fork portions extending upward from the bottom support wall to an end, the plurality of spaced-apart fork portions being configured to receive dishes inserted above and / or between the plurality of spaced-apart fork portions; One or more sidewalls connected to the bottom support wall and forming an outer frame, the one or more sidewalls having a height extending above the end of the plurality of spaced-apart fork portions; and A lid that can be positioned above the bottom support wall to enclose the dishes inserted above and / or between the plurality of spaced-apart fork portions, within the space defined by the bottom support wall, the one or more sidewalls, and the lid.

22. The dishwashing system according to claim 21, wherein the lid of the dish rack comprises a grid defined by crossbars with open spaces therebetween, and the lid is hingedly connected to the one or more sidewalls.

23. The dishwashing system according to any one of claims 21 or 22, wherein the one or more sidewalls forming the latch outer frame of the dish rack comprise a plurality of outer frame segments vertically stacked together to form a composite structure defining the one or more sidewalls.

Images