Cleaning frame for kitchen sink

Abstract

An in-sink dishwasher includes a frame and a plurality of nozzles. The frame defines a central opening. The frame is operable for attachment to a countertop and to a sink tub such that the frame is positioned between the countertop and the sink tub. The plurality of nozzles is positioned on the frame. The plurality of nozzles is operable to spray water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 765,014 filed February 28, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a kitchen sink and a dishwashing appliance.BACKGROUND

[0003] Sink accessories, such as colanders and cutting boards, can be attached to a sink to compartmentalize the space. Such solutions, however, decrease storage space, require cleaning, and occupy a significant portion of the sink space.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure sets forth an in-sink removable cleaning appliance (e.g., a dishwashing assembly that includes dish pretreating and sink cleaning features) having a frame that is configured to be sandwiched between an undermount sink and a countertop. The dishwashing assembly includes a retractable cover, a plurality of frame mounted water jets, and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) strip, having lights, that is integrated into and extends around the frame to illuminate the sink. The in-sink removable dishwashing assembly also includes a controller configured to operate a plurality of pre-programmed wash cycles. The wash cycles include a pretreating cycle, a pre-soaking cycle, a full wash cycle for at least one dish that has been placed in the sink tub, and a sink tub rinse cycle that is initiated once the at least one dish is removed. The sink tub rinse cycle cleans the sink tub after at least one dish is removed.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a modular sink assembly incorporating an in-sink removable dishwashing assembly that enhances dishwashing convenience and efficiency within a standard kitchen sink. The in-sink removable dishwashing assembly is particularly suited for undermount sink installations, where a dishwashing assembly includes and is supported by a cleaning frame positioned between the underside of a countertop and the upper edge of a sink tub.

[0006] The cleaning frame serves as a structural foundation for supporting the dishwashing assembly. The cleaning frame integrates a plurality of water nozzles and light strips. These nozzles are strategically arranged around the cleaning frame, are fluidly connected to the water source, and are configured to spray water directly into the internal cavity of the sink tub, facilitating at least one of a pretreating, a cleaning of the dishes, and a cleaning of the sink itself. Additionally, the cleaning frame includes an outer attachment edge that secures the position of the cleaning frame between the countertop and sink tub, ensuring stability and ease of installation.

[0007] To optimize the dishwashing process, the dishwashing assembly features a plurality of water distribution nozzles that are in fluid communication with a pump, a water supply, and a cleaning solvent. These nozzles are designed to distribute a controlled mixture of water and cleaning solution onto the dishes or other items, effectively loosening grease and debris for improved cleaning performance.

[0008] The dishwashing assembly includes a retractable cover, which can transition between an open position, allowing easy placement of dishes into the sink tub, and a closed position, which serves multiple functions. When closed, the cover prevents water from splashing, allows tap water to flow through, and provides an additional rigid surface for placing kitchen items.

[0009] The dishwashing assembly may also include illumination elements, such as LED light strips or individual light sources positioned along the cleaning frame. These illumination elements may be capable of changing colors based on user input or an automatic mood selection feature, providing both aesthetic and practical lighting benefits. Additionally, the illumination elements may include UV lights or have UV lighting capabilities to disinfect the dishes, a food product placed in the sink tub, on the sink tub itself, or any other known kitchen item a user would like to disinfect.

[0010] Further, the dishwashing assembly is equipped with a controller capable of managing specialized wash cycles, including a pretreat cycle that dispenses a cleaning solution to help break down grease and stubborn residues before a full wash, and a self-clean cycle that ensures the sink remains sanitized and free from buildup.

[0011] By integrating these features, the disclosed modular sink assembly provides a space-saving, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solution for modern kitchens, offering an advanced alternative or addition to traditional dishwashing methods.

[0012] An in-sink dishwasher includes a frame and a plurality of nozzles. The frame defines a central opening. The frame is operable for attachment to a countertop and to a sink tub such that the frame is positioned between the countertop and the sink tub. The plurality of nozzles is positioned on the frame. The plurality of nozzles is operable to spray water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

[0013] An in-sink dishwasher includes a frame and a plurality of nozzles. The frame has a first pair of spaced-apart beams and a second pair of spaced-apart beams coupled together such that a central opening is defined by the first pair of spaced-apart beams and the second pair of spaced-apart beams. The frame defines orifices that receive fasteners that are operable to engage a sink tub and a countertop to position the frame between the countertop and the sink tub and to align the central opening with a cavity defined by the sink tub. The plurality of nozzles is positioned on the first pair of spaced-apart beams. The plurality of nozzles is operable to spray at least water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

[0014] A modular sink assembly includes a sink tub, a dishwasher, and a fastening system. The sink tub defines a tub cavity for receiving items for cleaning therein. The dishwasher has a frame defining a central opening and nozzles. The nozzles are operable to direct water and a cleaning agent into the tub cavity. The fastening system is operable to secure the sink tub and dishwasher to a countertop such that the frame is positioned between the sink tub and the countertop, and such that the central opening is aligned with the tub cavity.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the dishwashing assembly;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cleaning frame of the dishwashing assembly mounted between the countertop and the sink tub;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover, lights, and spray nozzles of the dishwashing assembly;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover of the dishwashing assembly in a closed position to cover the sink while one of the washing cycles is operating; and

[0019] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover of the dishwashing assembly in a partially opened position, so that the sink tub may be utilized for washing dishes or other items while a portion of the cover is utilized for storing and / or drying dishes or other items.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

[0021] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,”“right,”“left,”“rear,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0022] The terms “including,”“comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . .” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the modular sink assembly 11 is illustrated. The modular sink assembly 11 includes a dishwashing assembly 10, a countertop 12, and a sink basin or sink tub 16. The dishwashing assembly 10 may be referred to as the modular in-sink dishwashing assembly, as the in-sink dishwasher, or as the dishwasher. The dishwashing assembly 10 has an outer frame or cleaning frame 18 that is operable for attachment to the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16.

[0024] Once the dishwashing assembly 10 is installed, the cleaning frame 18 is attached to each of the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16, and is positioned between the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16. The cleaning frame 18 may form an outer periphery of the dishwashing assembly 10 and may form a closed loop. The cleaning frame 18 may be referred to as the outer peripheral frame. The cleaning frame 18 may define a central opening 19. The cleaning frame 18 may further include outer members or outer beams that define the central opening 19 and form an outer periphery around the central opening 19. More specifically, the cleaning frame 18 may include a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal sides, longitudinal members, or longitudinal beams 27 and a pair of spaced-apart lateral sides, lateral members, or lateral beams 29. The longitudinal beams 27 may be substantially parallel to each other, the lateral beams 29 may be substantially parallel to each other, and each of the longitudinal beams 27 may be substantially perpendicular to each of the lateral beams 29. Therefore, the lateral beams 29 are transverse to the longitudinal beams 27 and vice versa.

[0025] As used herein, substantially parallel refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly parallel and 15° or less from exactly parallel (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly parallel, 10° or less from exactly parallel, 5° or less from exactly parallel, 1° or less from exactly parallel, 0.5° or less from exactly parallel, 0.1° or less from exactly parallel, etc.).

[0026] As used herein, substantially perpendicular refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly perpendicular and 15° or less from exactly perpendicular (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 10° or less from exactly perpendicular, 5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 1° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.1° or less from exactly perpendicular, etc.).

[0027] The dishwashing assembly 10 is also positioned beneath an opening or a sink cut-out 14 that is defined by the countertop 12. The sink cut-out 14 extends through the countertop 12. The sink cut-out 14 provides access to the dishwashing assembly 10. The sink cut-out 14 and the central opening 19 are aligned with each other and with a sink tub cavity 44 to provide access to the sink tub cavity 44. The sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44 may also all be centered and aligned relative to each other. For example, the sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44 may all have a central region or center that is aligned along a vertical axis. The sink tub cavity 44 corresponds to a cavity that is defined by the sink tub 16, which is operable to receive dishes or other items for washing therein. The dishwashing assembly 10 is adaptable to the sink tub 16, which may be an undercounter mounted sink tub. The dishwashing assembly 10, including the cleaning frame 18, upgrades any sink to an automatic cleaning appliance. This is made possible by installing the dishwashing assembly 10 between the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16. Such a modification to an existing sink may be made without requiring users to modify their existing sinks. Furthermore, the modification may be made to any existing sink negating the necessity for purchasing a new or specific style of sink.

[0028] The dishwashing assembly 10 includes a dishwashing housing 20 that is attached to and supported by the cleaning frame 18. The dishwashing housing 20 may extend transversely and / or downward from the cleaning frame 18 along an end or lateral side (e.g., one of the lateral beams 29) of the cleaning frame 18. The dishwashing housing 20 may have a controller 21 disposed therein. The controller 21 controls a lighting feature and the various wash cycles such as, but not limited to a pretreating cycle, a pre-soaking cycle, a full dishwashing cycle, and a sink tub rinse cycle. The controller 21 receives power from a power cord 30, which may be a standard power cord that connects a standard 110-volt to 240-volt outlet to at least one of the controller 21 and / or a power converter within the dishwashing housing 20. Additionally, the dishwashing housing 20 may house one or more pumps or a plurality of pumps 23 therein. The plurality of pumps 23 may also receive power from the power cord 30.

[0029] The plurality of pumps 23 are in fluid communication with a water supply line 32 that is connected to a water source 33 (e.g., a domestic water source or a water tank), a cleaning supply line 34 that is connected to a cleaning agent source, a cleaning solvent source, or a cleaning detergent source 35 (e.g., a bottle, tank, or other container having a cleaning solvent, a cleaning detergent, or a cleaning agent stored therein), and a plurality of spray nozzles 26 (illustrated in at least FIG. 3). A cleaning agent may include any type cleaning material, including cleaning solvents and cleaning detergents. The water supply line 32 and cleaning supply line 34 may comprise tubes or conduits. Therefore, the water supply line 32 may be referred to as the water supply conduit or water supply tube, while the cleaning supply line 34 may be referred to as the detergent supply conduit, detergent supply tube, cleaning solvent supply conduit, cleaning solvent supply tube, cleaning agent supply conduit, or cleaning agent supply tube.

[0030] The water supply line 32 and cleaning supply line 34 each extend into the housing 20 and to the plurality of pumps 23. The water supply line 32 is operable to direct water to the plurality of pumps 23. The cleaning supply line 34 is operable to direct the cleaning solvent, the cleaning detergent, or the cleaning agent to the plurality of pumps 23. The plurality of pumps 23 is operable to direct water from the water supply line 32 to the plurality of spray nozzles 26. The plurality of pumps 23 is also operable to direct the cleaning solvent, the cleaning detergent, or the cleaning agent from the cleaning supply line 34 to the plurality of spray nozzles 26. The plurality of pumps 23 may be in communication with and controlled by the controller 21, during the wash cycles of the dishwashing assembly 10 (e.g., the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle for at least one dish that has been placed in the sink tub, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle) to deliver water and / or cleaning agent (e.g., cleaning solvent or detergent) to the plurality of spray nozzles 26.

[0031] While illustrated as one controller, the controller 21 may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the dishwashing assembly 10. It should therefore be understood that the controller 21 and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller” that controls aspects of the dishwashing assembly 10. The controller 21 may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon). Computer-readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller 21 in controlling the dishwashing assembly 10.

[0032] Control strategies and / or logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions may be performed in a sequence, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular processing strategy being used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description.

[0033] The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller, such as controller 21. Of course, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the dishwashing assembly 10 or its subsystems. The computer-readable storage devices or media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, and / or optical storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the dishwashing assembly 10 is illustrated as being connected to a bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and a sink lip or a sink mounting flange 46. The sink mounting flange 46 may form an outer periphery of the sink tub 16 along a top side of the sink tub 16. The sink mounting flange 46 may also extend about and / or form a closed loop around the sink tub cavity 44. The dishwashing assembly 10, or more specifically the cleaning frame 18 of the dishwashing assembly 10, is disposed and / or sandwiched between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the sink mounting flange 46.

[0035] The dishwashing assembly 10, or more specifically the cleaning frame 18, may define fastener through orifices or through holes 40. The sink mounting flange 46 may also define fastener through orifices or through holes 48. Through holes 40 and through holes 48 may form hole patterns that align with each other. Once aligned, through holes 40 and through holes 48 are operable for receiving fasteners 42 for mounting the dishwashing assembly 10 and sink tub 16 to the countertop 12. Through holes 40 also align with through holes 48 to align the dishwashing assembly 10 with the sink tub 16 so that the central opening 19 is positioned over and centered with the sink tub cavity 44. The fasteners 42 may be positioned to extend through the through holes 40, through the through holes 48, and into the countertop 12 along the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 to secure the sink tub 16 and cleaning frame 18 (or the dishwashing assembly 10 as a whole) to the countertop 12, and to align the sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44.

[0036] Seals 49 may be positioned between mating surfaces to prevent water from escaping. More specifically, one of the seals 49 may be positioned between the cleaning frame 18 and the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12, while another of the seals 49 may be positioned between the cleaning frame 18 and the sink mounting flange 46. By a non-limiting example, the fasteners 42 may be screws, bolts, rivets, or other known fasteners. It should also be understood that an adhesive or any other type of fastening system may be used to secure the dishwashing assembly 10 between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the modular sink assembly 11 is illustrated with the countertop 12 removed to illustrate a non-limiting position of a plurality of LED lights 52, which are configured in the form of integrated light rails or integrated light strips 24. The integrated light strips 24 may be secured to one or each of the longitudinal beams 27 along lateral interior surfaces of the longitudinal beams 27 that face inward toward and define the central opening 19. By way of a non-limiting example, the integrated light strip 24 is configured on front and back surfaces along an interior of the cleaning frame 18 to illuminate and enhance visibility within the sink tub cavity 44. The light can change colors to provide both functional and emotional benefits to a user regarding what is happening inside the sink tub 16.

[0038] FIG. 3 further illustrates other aspects of the disclosure including a plurality of spray nozzles 26 mounted on the cleaning frame 18. The plurality of spray nozzles 26 are configured to direct water and / or a cleaning agent (e.g., cleaning solvent or detergent) toward dishes, kitchen utensils, and / or other items that have been placed in the sink tub cavity 44. More specifically, spray nozzles 26 may be secured to bottom surfaces of each of the longitudinal beams 27. The spray nozzles 26 may be set at predetermined positions along a substantially straight line to provide coverage within the sink tub cavity 44. The spray nozzles 26 may also be maneuverable (e.g., rotatable) to direct the cleaning solution and rinse water in a random manner for maximum coverage. Alternatively, the spray nozzles 26 may be positioned at random positions to further enhance coverage. Maneuvering may be manual or automatic depending on the desired application and user need. The LED lights 52 and / or spray nozzles 26 may be in communication with and controlled by the controller 21 to facilitate illuminating the LED lights 52 and / or automatic movement of the spray nozzles 26. For example, the spray nozzles may be movable (e.g., rotatable) via actuators (e.g., motors, cylinders, solenoids, etc.) that are controlled by the controller 21.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, one or more user interfaces 38, such as controller buttons, are illustrated. The one or more user interfaces 38 may include buttons or other interfaces for selecting the in-sink cleaning cycles, such as the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle. Furthermore, the retractable cover 22 is illustrated in a closed position, where the retractable cover 22 covers the central opening 19. The central opening 19 is uncovered and accessible when the retractable cover 22 is in an opened position. The retractable cover 22 may retract into the housing 20 when in the opened position (See FIG. 3). The retractable cover 22 is movably attached to the cleaning frame 18. More specifically, the retractable cover 22 may be slidably attached to the cleaning frame 18 via guides 55, such as rails or tracks.

[0040] The pretreat cycle, as previously stated, is configured to dispense the cleaning solution and water on dishes 54 (See FIG. 5) positioned in the sink tub cavity 44 to remove tough grease, soil, food, and other debris before placing dishes in a standard dishwasher. The self-clean cycle cleans the sink tub cavity 44 when empty to keep it sparkling and sanitized. Users just need to close the retractable cover 22 and engage the one or more user interfaces 38 to operate the dishwashing assembly 10 to leave a clean and tidy sink. The one or more user interfaces 38, such as controller buttons, may be in communication with the controller 21 to facilitate controlling the various elements of the dishwashing assembly 10 (e.g., the plurality of pumps 23) to initiate, stop, or otherwise control the washing cycles (e.g., the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle) of the dishwashing assembly 10.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the retractable cover 22 is illustrated in a partially opened position, so that the sink tub cavity 44 of the sink tub 16 may be accessed via the central opening 19 and utilized for washing dishes or other items while a portion of the retractable cover 22 is utilized for storing and / or drying dishes or other items. The retractable cover 22 may be pulled from the opened position (See FIG. 3), where the retractable cover 22 is disposed in the dishwashing housing 20, and extended along the guides 55 to the closed position (See FIG. 4). The guides 55 may be positioned on and secured to the cleaning frame 18. Alternatively, the guides 55 may be positioned in a space between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the cleaning frame 18. The retractable cover 22 may also extend from a position that is adjacent to the dishwashing housing 20 and may not be stored directly within the dishwashing housing 20. The retractable cover 22 may include an upper surface that allows for the storage of dishes 54 while also covering the sink tub cavity 44 to conceal the dirty dishes stored within. Storing dishes 54 on top of the retractable cover 22 may allow the user to reclaim counter space to perform other kitchen related tasks. The retractable cover 22 also serves to prevent water from splashing while a cleaning cycle of the dishwashing assembly 10 is in operation. The retractable cover 22 may also include drain slots or holes 56 that allow water coming from a faucet 58 to still flow through to the sink drain 60 (See FIG. 3).

[0042] As used herein, the terms “substantial,”“substantially,” and variations thereof are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially linear” feature is intended to denote a feature that is linear or approximately linear. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. For example, “substantially” may denote values within 10% of each other, within 5% of each other, within 2% of each other, within 1% of each other, within 0.5% of each other, within 0.25% of each other, within 0.1% of each other, within 0.01% of each other, etc.

[0043] It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.

[0044] The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the fe...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 765,014 filed February 28, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a kitchen sink and a dishwashing appliance.BACKGROUND

[0003] Sink accessories, such as colanders and cutting boards, can be attached to a sink to compartmentalize the space. Such solutions, however, decrease storage space, require cleaning, and occupy a significant portion of the sink space.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure sets forth an in-sink removable cleaning appliance (e.g., a dishwashing assembly that includes dish pretreating and sink cleaning features) having a frame that is configured to be sandwiched between an undermount sink and a countertop. The dishwashing assembly includes a retractable cover, a plurality of frame mounted water jets, and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) strip, having lights, that is integrated into and extends around the frame to illuminate the sink. The in-sink removable dishwashing assembly also includes a controller configured to operate a plurality of pre-programmed wash cycles. The wash cycles include a pretreating cycle, a pre-soaking cycle, a full wash cycle for at least one dish that has been placed in the sink tub, and a sink tub rinse cycle that is initiated once the at least one dish is removed. The sink tub rinse cycle cleans the sink tub after at least one dish is removed.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a modular sink assembly incorporating an in-sink removable dishwashing assembly that enhances dishwashing convenience and efficiency within a standard kitchen sink. The in-sink removable dishwashing assembly is particularly suited for undermount sink installations, where a dishwashing assembly includes and is supported by a cleaning frame positioned between the underside of a countertop and the upper edge of a sink tub.

[0006] The cleaning frame serves as a structural foundation for supporting the dishwashing assembly. The cleaning frame integrates a plurality of water nozzles and light strips. These nozzles are strategically arranged around the cleaning frame, are fluidly connected to the water source, and are configured to spray water directly into the internal cavity of the sink tub, facilitating at least one of a pretreating, a cleaning of the dishes, and a cleaning of the sink itself. Additionally, the cleaning frame includes an outer attachment edge that secures the position of the cleaning frame between the countertop and sink tub, ensuring stability and ease of installation.

[0007] To optimize the dishwashing process, the dishwashing assembly features a plurality of water distribution nozzles that are in fluid communication with a pump, a water supply, and a cleaning solvent. These nozzles are designed to distribute a controlled mixture of water and cleaning solution onto the dishes or other items, effectively loosening grease and debris for improved cleaning performance.

[0008] The dishwashing assembly includes a retractable cover, which can transition between an open position, allowing easy placement of dishes into the sink tub, and a closed position, which serves multiple functions. When closed, the cover prevents water from splashing, allows tap water to flow through, and provides an additional rigid surface for placing kitchen items.

[0009] The dishwashing assembly may also include illumination elements, such as LED light strips or individual light sources positioned along the cleaning frame. These illumination elements may be capable of changing colors based on user input or an automatic mood selection feature, providing both aesthetic and practical lighting benefits. Additionally, the illumination elements may include UV lights or have UV lighting capabilities to disinfect the dishes, a food product placed in the sink tub, on the sink tub itself, or any other known kitchen item a user would like to disinfect.

[0010] Further, the dishwashing assembly is equipped with a controller capable of managing specialized wash cycles, including a pretreat cycle that dispenses a cleaning solution to help break down grease and stubborn residues before a full wash, and a self-clean cycle that ensures the sink remains sanitized and free from buildup.

[0011] By integrating these features, the disclosed modular sink assembly provides a space-saving, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solution for modern kitchens, offering an advanced alternative or addition to traditional dishwashing methods.

[0012] An in-sink dishwasher includes a frame and a plurality of nozzles. The frame defines a central opening. The frame is operable for attachment to a countertop and to a sink tub such that the frame is positioned between the countertop and the sink tub. The plurality of nozzles is positioned on the frame. The plurality of nozzles is operable to spray water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

[0013] An in-sink dishwasher includes a frame and a plurality of nozzles. The frame has a first pair of spaced-apart beams and a second pair of spaced-apart beams coupled together such that a central opening is defined by the first pair of spaced-apart beams and the second pair of spaced-apart beams. The frame defines orifices that receive fasteners that are operable to engage a sink tub and a countertop to position the frame between the countertop and the sink tub and to align the central opening with a cavity defined by the sink tub. The plurality of nozzles is positioned on the first pair of spaced-apart beams. The plurality of nozzles is operable to spray at least water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

[0014] A modular sink assembly includes a sink tub, a dishwasher, and a fastening system. The sink tub defines a tub cavity for receiving items for cleaning therein. The dishwasher has a frame defining a central opening and nozzles. The nozzles are operable to direct water and a cleaning agent into the tub cavity. The fastening system is operable to secure the sink tub and dishwasher to a countertop such that the frame is positioned between the sink tub and the countertop, and such that the central opening is aligned with the tub cavity.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the dishwashing assembly;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cleaning frame of the dishwashing assembly mounted between the countertop and the sink tub;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover, lights, and spray nozzles of the dishwashing assembly;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover of the dishwashing assembly in a closed position to cover the sink while one of the washing cycles is operating; and

[0019] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the modular sink assembly illustrating the cover of the dishwashing assembly in a partially opened position, so that the sink tub may be utilized for washing dishes or other items while a portion of the cover is utilized for storing and / or drying dishes or other items.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

[0021] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,”“right,”“left,”“rear,”“front,”“vertical,”“horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0022] The terms “including,”“comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . .” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the modular sink assembly 11 is illustrated. The modular sink assembly 11 includes a dishwashing assembly 10, a countertop 12, and a sink basin or sink tub 16. The dishwashing assembly 10 may be referred to as the modular in-sink dishwashing assembly, as the in-sink dishwasher, or as the dishwasher. The dishwashing assembly 10 has an outer frame or cleaning frame 18 that is operable for attachment to the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16.

[0024] Once the dishwashing assembly 10 is installed, the cleaning frame 18 is attached to each of the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16, and is positioned between the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16. The cleaning frame 18 may form an outer periphery of the dishwashing assembly 10 and may form a closed loop. The cleaning frame 18 may be referred to as the outer peripheral frame. The cleaning frame 18 may define a central opening 19. The cleaning frame 18 may further include outer members or outer beams that define the central opening 19 and form an outer periphery around the central opening 19. More specifically, the cleaning frame 18 may include a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal sides, longitudinal members, or longitudinal beams 27 and a pair of spaced-apart lateral sides, lateral members, or lateral beams 29. The longitudinal beams 27 may be substantially parallel to each other, the lateral beams 29 may be substantially parallel to each other, and each of the longitudinal beams 27 may be substantially perpendicular to each of the lateral beams 29. Therefore, the lateral beams 29 are transverse to the longitudinal beams 27 and vice versa.

[0025] As used herein, substantially parallel refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly parallel and 15° or less from exactly parallel (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly parallel, 10° or less from exactly parallel, 5° or less from exactly parallel, 1° or less from exactly parallel, 0.5° or less from exactly parallel, 0.1° or less from exactly parallel, etc.).

[0026] As used herein, substantially perpendicular refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly perpendicular and 15° or less from exactly perpendicular (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 10° or less from exactly perpendicular, 5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 1° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.1° or less from exactly perpendicular, etc.).

[0027] The dishwashing assembly 10 is also positioned beneath an opening or a sink cut-out 14 that is defined by the countertop 12. The sink cut-out 14 extends through the countertop 12. The sink cut-out 14 provides access to the dishwashing assembly 10. The sink cut-out 14 and the central opening 19 are aligned with each other and with a sink tub cavity 44 to provide access to the sink tub cavity 44. The sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44 may also all be centered and aligned relative to each other. For example, the sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44 may all have a central region or center that is aligned along a vertical axis. The sink tub cavity 44 corresponds to a cavity that is defined by the sink tub 16, which is operable to receive dishes or other items for washing therein. The dishwashing assembly 10 is adaptable to the sink tub 16, which may be an undercounter mounted sink tub. The dishwashing assembly 10, including the cleaning frame 18, upgrades any sink to an automatic cleaning appliance. This is made possible by installing the dishwashing assembly 10 between the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16. Such a modification to an existing sink may be made without requiring users to modify their existing sinks. Furthermore, the modification may be made to any existing sink negating the necessity for purchasing a new or specific style of sink.

[0028] The dishwashing assembly 10 includes a dishwashing housing 20 that is attached to and supported by the cleaning frame 18. The dishwashing housing 20 may extend transversely and / or downward from the cleaning frame 18 along an end or lateral side (e.g., one of the lateral beams 29) of the cleaning frame 18. The dishwashing housing 20 may have a controller 21 disposed therein. The controller 21 controls a lighting feature and the various wash cycles such as, but not limited to a pretreating cycle, a pre-soaking cycle, a full dishwashing cycle, and a sink tub rinse cycle. The controller 21 receives power from a power cord 30, which may be a standard power cord that connects a standard 110-volt to 240-volt outlet to at least one of the controller 21 and / or a power converter within the dishwashing housing 20. Additionally, the dishwashing housing 20 may house one or more pumps or a plurality of pumps 23 therein. The plurality of pumps 23 may also receive power from the power cord 30.

[0029] The plurality of pumps 23 are in fluid communication with a water supply line 32 that is connected to a water source 33 (e.g., a domestic water source or a water tank), a cleaning supply line 34 that is connected to a cleaning agent source, a cleaning solvent source, or a cleaning detergent source 35 (e.g., a bottle, tank, or other container having a cleaning solvent, a cleaning detergent, or a cleaning agent stored therein), and a plurality of spray nozzles 26 (illustrated in at least FIG. 3). A cleaning agent may include any type cleaning material, including cleaning solvents and cleaning detergents. The water supply line 32 and cleaning supply line 34 may comprise tubes or conduits. Therefore, the water supply line 32 may be referred to as the water supply conduit or water supply tube, while the cleaning supply line 34 may be referred to as the detergent supply conduit, detergent supply tube, cleaning solvent supply conduit, cleaning solvent supply tube, cleaning agent supply conduit, or cleaning agent supply tube.

[0030] The water supply line 32 and cleaning supply line 34 each extend into the housing 20 and to the plurality of pumps 23. The water supply line 32 is operable to direct water to the plurality of pumps 23. The cleaning supply line 34 is operable to direct the cleaning solvent, the cleaning detergent, or the cleaning agent to the plurality of pumps 23. The plurality of pumps 23 is operable to direct water from the water supply line 32 to the plurality of spray nozzles 26. The plurality of pumps 23 is also operable to direct the cleaning solvent, the cleaning detergent, or the cleaning agent from the cleaning supply line 34 to the plurality of spray nozzles 26. The plurality of pumps 23 may be in communication with and controlled by the controller 21, during the wash cycles of the dishwashing assembly 10 (e.g., the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle for at least one dish that has been placed in the sink tub, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle) to deliver water and / or cleaning agent (e.g., cleaning solvent or detergent) to the plurality of spray nozzles 26.

[0031] While illustrated as one controller, the controller 21 may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the dishwashing assembly 10. It should therefore be understood that the controller 21 and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller” that controls aspects of the dishwashing assembly 10. The controller 21 may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon). Computer-readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller 21 in controlling the dishwashing assembly 10.

[0032] Control strategies and / or logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions may be performed in a sequence, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular processing strategy being used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description.

[0033] The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller, such as controller 21. Of course, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the dishwashing assembly 10 or its subsystems. The computer-readable storage devices or media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, and / or optical storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the dishwashing assembly 10 is illustrated as being connected to a bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and a sink lip or a sink mounting flange 46. The sink mounting flange 46 may form an outer periphery of the sink tub 16 along a top side of the sink tub 16. The sink mounting flange 46 may also extend about and / or form a closed loop around the sink tub cavity 44. The dishwashing assembly 10, or more specifically the cleaning frame 18 of the dishwashing assembly 10, is disposed and / or sandwiched between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the sink mounting flange 46.

[0035] The dishwashing assembly 10, or more specifically the cleaning frame 18, may define fastener through orifices or through holes 40. The sink mounting flange 46 may also define fastener through orifices or through holes 48. Through holes 40 and through holes 48 may form hole patterns that align with each other. Once aligned, through holes 40 and through holes 48 are operable for receiving fasteners 42 for mounting the dishwashing assembly 10 and sink tub 16 to the countertop 12. Through holes 40 also align with through holes 48 to align the dishwashing assembly 10 with the sink tub 16 so that the central opening 19 is positioned over and centered with the sink tub cavity 44. The fasteners 42 may be positioned to extend through the through holes 40, through the through holes 48, and into the countertop 12 along the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 to secure the sink tub 16 and cleaning frame 18 (or the dishwashing assembly 10 as a whole) to the countertop 12, and to align the sink cut-out 14, the central opening 19, and sink tub cavity 44.

[0036] Seals 49 may be positioned between mating surfaces to prevent water from escaping. More specifically, one of the seals 49 may be positioned between the cleaning frame 18 and the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12, while another of the seals 49 may be positioned between the cleaning frame 18 and the sink mounting flange 46. By a non-limiting example, the fasteners 42 may be screws, bolts, rivets, or other known fasteners. It should also be understood that an adhesive or any other type of fastening system may be used to secure the dishwashing assembly 10 between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the sink tub 16.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the modular sink assembly 11 is illustrated with the countertop 12 removed to illustrate a non-limiting position of a plurality of LED lights 52, which are configured in the form of integrated light rails or integrated light strips 24. The integrated light strips 24 may be secured to one or each of the longitudinal beams 27 along lateral interior surfaces of the longitudinal beams 27 that face inward toward and define the central opening 19. By way of a non-limiting example, the integrated light strip 24 is configured on front and back surfaces along an interior of the cleaning frame 18 to illuminate and enhance visibility within the sink tub cavity 44. The light can change colors to provide both functional and emotional benefits to a user regarding what is happening inside the sink tub 16.

[0038] FIG. 3 further illustrates other aspects of the disclosure including a plurality of spray nozzles 26 mounted on the cleaning frame 18. The plurality of spray nozzles 26 are configured to direct water and / or a cleaning agent (e.g., cleaning solvent or detergent) toward dishes, kitchen utensils, and / or other items that have been placed in the sink tub cavity 44. More specifically, spray nozzles 26 may be secured to bottom surfaces of each of the longitudinal beams 27. The spray nozzles 26 may be set at predetermined positions along a substantially straight line to provide coverage within the sink tub cavity 44. The spray nozzles 26 may also be maneuverable (e.g., rotatable) to direct the cleaning solution and rinse water in a random manner for maximum coverage. Alternatively, the spray nozzles 26 may be positioned at random positions to further enhance coverage. Maneuvering may be manual or automatic depending on the desired application and user need. The LED lights 52 and / or spray nozzles 26 may be in communication with and controlled by the controller 21 to facilitate illuminating the LED lights 52 and / or automatic movement of the spray nozzles 26. For example, the spray nozzles may be movable (e.g., rotatable) via actuators (e.g., motors, cylinders, solenoids, etc.) that are controlled by the controller 21.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, one or more user interfaces 38, such as controller buttons, are illustrated. The one or more user interfaces 38 may include buttons or other interfaces for selecting the in-sink cleaning cycles, such as the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle. Furthermore, the retractable cover 22 is illustrated in a closed position, where the retractable cover 22 covers the central opening 19. The central opening 19 is uncovered and accessible when the retractable cover 22 is in an opened position. The retractable cover 22 may retract into the housing 20 when in the opened position (See FIG. 3). The retractable cover 22 is movably attached to the cleaning frame 18. More specifically, the retractable cover 22 may be slidably attached to the cleaning frame 18 via guides 55, such as rails or tracks.

[0040] The pretreat cycle, as previously stated, is configured to dispense the cleaning solution and water on dishes 54 (See FIG. 5) positioned in the sink tub cavity 44 to remove tough grease, soil, food, and other debris before placing dishes in a standard dishwasher. The self-clean cycle cleans the sink tub cavity 44 when empty to keep it sparkling and sanitized. Users just need to close the retractable cover 22 and engage the one or more user interfaces 38 to operate the dishwashing assembly 10 to leave a clean and tidy sink. The one or more user interfaces 38, such as controller buttons, may be in communication with the controller 21 to facilitate controlling the various elements of the dishwashing assembly 10 (e.g., the plurality of pumps 23) to initiate, stop, or otherwise control the washing cycles (e.g., the pretreating cycle, the pre-soaking cycle, the full dishwashing cycle, and / or the sink tub rinse cycle) of the dishwashing assembly 10.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the retractable cover 22 is illustrated in a partially opened position, so that the sink tub cavity 44 of the sink tub 16 may be accessed via the central opening 19 and utilized for washing dishes or other items while a portion of the retractable cover 22 is utilized for storing and / or drying dishes or other items. The retractable cover 22 may be pulled from the opened position (See FIG. 3), where the retractable cover 22 is disposed in the dishwashing housing 20, and extended along the guides 55 to the closed position (See FIG. 4). The guides 55 may be positioned on and secured to the cleaning frame 18. Alternatively, the guides 55 may be positioned in a space between the bottom surface 50 of the countertop 12 and the cleaning frame 18. The retractable cover 22 may also extend from a position that is adjacent to the dishwashing housing 20 and may not be stored directly within the dishwashing housing 20. The retractable cover 22 may include an upper surface that allows for the storage of dishes 54 while also covering the sink tub cavity 44 to conceal the dirty dishes stored within. Storing dishes 54 on top of the retractable cover 22 may allow the user to reclaim counter space to perform other kitchen related tasks. The retractable cover 22 also serves to prevent water from splashing while a cleaning cycle of the dishwashing assembly 10 is in operation. The retractable cover 22 may also include drain slots or holes 56 that allow water coming from a faucet 58 to still flow through to the sink drain 60 (See FIG. 3).

[0042] As used herein, the terms “substantial,”“substantially,” and variations thereof are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially linear” feature is intended to denote a feature that is linear or approximately linear. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. For example, “substantially” may denote values within 10% of each other, within 5% of each other, within 2% of each other, within 1% of each other, within 0.5% of each other, within 0.25% of each other, within 0.1% of each other, within 0.01% of each other, etc.

[0043] It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.

[0044] The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the fe...

Claims

1. An in-sink dishwasher comprising:a frame defining a central opening, wherein the frame is operable for attachment to a countertop and to a sink tub such that the frame is positioned between the countertop and the sink tub; anda plurality of nozzles positioned on the frame and operable to spray water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

2. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a cover movably secured to the frame and operable to cover the central opening when in a closed position and to uncover the central opening when in an opened position to provide access to the sink tub via the central opening.

3. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 2 further comprising a housing secured to the frame and extending from the frame, wherein the cover retracts into the housing when in the opened position.

4. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 3 further comprising one or more pumps positioned within the housing and operable to direct the water and the cleaning agent to the plurality of nozzles.

5. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 4 further comprising a water supply conduit extending into the housing and operable to direct water from a source to the one or more pumps.

6. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 4 further comprising a cleaning supply conduit extending into the housing and operable to direct the cleaning agent from a source to the one or more pumps.

7. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 4, further comprising a controller positioned within the housing and configured to control the one or more pumps during a wash cycle.

8. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising one or more light strips secured to the frame along one or more interior surfaces of the frame that define the central opening.

9. An in-sink dishwasher comprising:a frame having a first pair of spaced-apart beams and a second pair of spaced-apart beams coupled together such that a central opening is defined by the first pair of spaced-apart beams and the second pair of spaced-apart beams, wherein the frame defines orifices that receive fasteners operable to engage a sink tub and a countertop to position the frame between the countertop and the sink tub and align the central opening with a cavity defined by the sink tub; anda plurality of nozzles positioned on the first pair of spaced-apart beams and operable to spray water and a cleaning agent into the sink tub.

10. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 9 further comprising a housing coupled to and extending from a beam of the second pair of spaced-apart beams.

11. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 10 further comprising one or more pumps positioned within the housing and operable to direct the water and the cleaning agent to the plurality of nozzles.

12. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising a water supply conduit extending into the housing and operable to direct water from a source to the one or more pumps.

13. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising a cleaning supply conduit extending into the housing and operable to direct the cleaning agent from a source to the one or more pumps.

14. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising a controller positioned within the housing and configured to control the one or more pumps during a wash cycle.

15. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 9 further comprising a cover movably secured to the frame and operable to cover the central opening when in a closed position and to uncover the central opening when in an opened position to provide access to the sink tub via the central opening.

16. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 15 further comprising a housing secured to and extending from a beam of the second pair of spaced-apart beams, wherein the cover retracts into the housing when in the opened position.

17. The in-sink dishwasher of claim 9 further comprising one or more light strips to illuminate the cavity, the one or more light strips being secured to the frame along one or more interior surfaces of the first pair of spaced-apart beams that define the central opening.

18. A modular sink assembly comprising:a sink tub defining a tub cavity for receiving items for cleaning therein;a dishwasher having a frame defining a central opening and having nozzles operable to direct water and a cleaning agent into the tub cavity; anda fastening system operable to secure the sink tub and dishwasher to a countertop such that the frame is positioned between the sink tub and the countertop, and the central opening is aligned with the tub cavity.

19. The modular sink assembly of claim 18, wherein the sink tub includes a flange extending about an outer periphery of the sink tub, and wherein the fastening system engages the flange to secure the sink tub to the dishwasher and countertop.

20. The modular sink assembly of claim 19 further comprising a first seal disposed between the dishwasher and the flange, and a second seal disposed between the dishwasher and the countertop.

Images