A dishwasher comprising a modular cutlery basket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one spraying member (4) which sprays water into the washing tub (4); at least one rack (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; and a cutlery basket (8) which is suitable to be used on the rack (5), whereon items such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed, which has a first basket (6) and a second basket (7) almost symmetrical to each other, and which has a closed position wherein the large surfaces of the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) contact with each other, and an open position wherein the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are separated from each other.

Description

[0001] A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A MODULAR CUTLERY BASKET

[0002] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a cutlery basket.

[0003] Washing small items with a large number of recesses in dishwashers is quite difficult. Therefore, cutlery baskets are used in the washing tub such that small items such as cutlery are washed properly and do not move therein. Thus, the washed items are enabled to be cleaner and any deformation to any items and the machine resulting from the movement of the items is prevented. The cutlery baskets can be placed on the racks in the washing tub whereon kitchen items are placed, or as an additional basket in the washing tub. The cutlery baskets placed close to the ceiling as an additional basket may cause a reduction in the washing tub volume. The cutlery baskets placed on the rack generally have the form of a cube, etc. Therefore, the cutlery baskets may prevent kitchen items from being placed on the rack and cannot respond to user requests. The state of the art modular cutlery baskets cannot provide rigidity to keep the basket parts together, especially when there is a load thereon, causing problems in terms of security.

[0004] In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2011154386, a cutlery basket is described which provides variable storage space by means of the storing units that move with respect to each other.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising a cutlery basket which can be used according to the needs of the user.

[0006] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a washing tub which is disposed in the body; at least one rack which is disposed in the washing tub; at least one spraying member; and a cutlery basket which is suitable to be used on the rack. The kitchen items are placed onto the racks in the washing tub to be washed . The water is sprayed onto the rack by means of the spraying member, thus performing the cleaning process. The cutlery baskets are used for kitchen items such as forks, spoons, etc. Thus, small-sized kitchen items can be cleaned better and washed in a safe manner. The cutlery basket comprises a first basket and a second basket which are almost symmetrical to each other. The cutlery basket has a closed position wherein the large surfaces of the first basket and the second basket contact with each other, and an open position wherein the first basket and the second basket are separated from each other. Thus, the cutlery basket can be used in various positions.

[0007] The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a locking member which enables the first basket and the second basket to be locked to each other and a locking mechanism which enables the cutlery basket to move between the open position and the closed position. The locking member moves by sliding on the first basket and the second basket. Thus, the two baskets are locked to each other. As the locking member moves by sliding in a horizontal plane so as to be parallel to the cutlery basket, the cutlery basket moves between the open position and the closed position.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking member having a coupling member and a centering member. The coupling member enables the first basket and the second basket to be connected to each other by means of the upper surfaces thereof. The centering member enables the locking member to be centered on the two baskets. The coupling member connects one side of both baskets on the upper surfaces thereof.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking mechanism having at least one recess and at least one protrusion provided on the coupling member and the first and / or second basket, which align with each other so as to enable the coupling member to be attached to and locked on the first basket and / or the second basket. The locking member can be completely removed from the first basket or the second basket. When the recesses provided on the coupling member and the protrusions provided on the first basket or the second basket are aligned, the locking member is removed from the baskets. Moreover, the first basket and the second basket can be joined by aligning the recesses and protrusions and can be held together by means of the locking member.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking mechanism having a movement path whereon the centering member moves when the cutlery basket is in the closed position. When the cutlery basket is in the closed position, the centering member is aligned with the movement path. Thus, the first basket and the second basket are enabled to be joined and centered. Thus, a more rigid structure is obtained.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking mechanism having the movement path with a first position, a second position and a third position. The centering member can be located at three positions on the movement path. The first position has a form matching the form of the centering member and enables the centering member to be placed in the movement path. When the centering member is in the second position, the first basket and the second basket are connected to each other. In the third position, the first basket and the second basket are enabled to be locked to each other.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking mechanism having the movement path with a claw provided between the first position and the second position and a protuberance provided between the second position and the third position. By means of the claw provided between the first position and the second position, the centering member is prevented from leaving the movement path in an uncontrolled manner. By means of the protuberance, a snap-fit is achieved between the centering member and the movement path, enabling the first basket and the second basket to be locked together.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the locking mechanism having at least one housing and at least one pin which are provided on the first basket and / or the second basket so as to be opposite to each other and which enable the lower sides of the cutlery basket to be fixed. While locking is achieved by the locking mechanism on the upper surface of the first basket and the second basket, a rigid locking is provided by the engagement of the housing and the pins on the lower sides.

[0014] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, having a locking mechanism which enables the cutlery basket to be used in various ways. The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where,

[0015] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the dishwasher.

[0016] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket.

[0017] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the cutlery basket.

[0018] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the movement mechanism.

[0019] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the recess and the protrusion.

[0020] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

[0021] 1- Dishwasher

[0022] 2- Body

[0023] 3- Washing tub

[0024] 4- Spraying member

[0025] 5- Rack

[0026] 6- First basket

[0027] 7- Second basket

[0028] 8- Cutlery basket

[0029] 9- Locking member

[0030] 10- Locking mechanism

[0031] 11- Coupling member

[0032] 12- Centering member

[0033] 13- Recess

[0034] 14- Protrusion

[0035] 15 - Movement path

[0036] 16- First position 17- Second position

[0037] 18- Third position

[0038] 19- Claw

[0039] 20- Protuberance

[0040] 21- Housing

[0041] 22- Pin

[0042] The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one spraying member (4) which sprays water into the washing tub (4); at least one rack (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; and a cutlery basket (4) which is suitable to be used on the rack (5), whereon items such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed, which has a first basket (6) and a second basket (7) almost symmetrical to each other, and which has a closed position wherein the large surfaces of the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) contact with each other, and an open position wherein the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are separated from each other. The washing process is performed by placing the kitchen items onto the rack (5) and delivering water by the spraying member (4). Small kitchen items such as forks and spoons are washed in the cutlery baskets (8). The cutlery basket (8) comprises the first basket (6) and the second basket (7). The cutlery basket (8) has a closed position where the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are used together and an open position where the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) can be used separately. Thus, the usage area in the rack (5) can be optimized as per user preference.

[0043] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises a locking member (9) which is provided on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7) and which, by sliding, enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be locked to each other when the cutlery basket (8) is in the closed position, and a locking mechanism (10) enables the cutlery basket (8) to move between the open position and the closed position as the locking member (9) slidably moves in the horizontal plane so as to be parallel to the cutlery basket (8). The locking member (9) is attached on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7) and moves by sliding in the horizontal plane. When the locking member (9) moves by sliding on the cutlery basket (8), the cutlery basket (8) is enabled to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking member (9) having a coupling member (11) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be connected to each other by means of the upper surfaces thereof, and a centering member (12) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be centered as the cutlery basket (8) moves between the open position and the closed position. The locking member (9) comprises the coupling member (11) and the centering member (12). The coupling member (11) ensures that one side of the first basket (6) and one side of the second basket (7) remain together by means of the upper surfaces thereof. The coupling member (11) moves by sliding over the sides remaining together. While the coupling member (11) slides on the surface of the first basket (6) and the second basket (7), the centering member (12) moves in the same direction. Thus, the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are enabled to be kept together.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking mechanism (10) having at least one recess (13) and at least one protrusion (14) provided on the coupling member (11) and the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7), which align with each other so as to enable the locking member (9) to be attached to and locked on the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7). While being attached on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7), the locking member (9) is attached and slid on the basket (6 or 7) such that the protrusions (14) and the recesses (13) align with each other. The same process is carried out for the second basket (7). In case the protrusions (14) overlap each other, the locking member (9) is prevented from being separated from the cutlery basket (8). Thus, the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are enabled to be joined to each other.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking mechanism (10) having a movement path (15) which is provided on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7) so as to align with the centering member (12) when the cutlery basket (8) is in the closed position so as to enable the movement of the locking member (9) to be guided. While the coupling member (11) slides on the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7), the centering member (12) moves on the movement path (15). Thus, the rigid structure is protected while movement is achieved.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking mechanism (10) having the movement path (15) having a first position (16) where the centering member (12) is attached onto the movement path (15), a second position (17) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be joined to each other and a third position (18) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be locked with each other. The movement path (15) comprises the first position (16), the second position (17) and the third position (18). The first position (16) has a width which allows the centering member (12) to easily enter the movement path (15). In the second position (17), the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are connected to each other. Upon reaching the third position (18), the centering member (12) is squeezed on the movement path (15). Thus, the locking is achieved.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking mechanism (10) having the movement path (15) with a claw (19) provided between the first position (16) and the second position (17) and a protuberance (20) provided between the second position (17) and the third position (18). By means of the claw (19), the centering member (12) cannot move from the second position (17) to the first position (16) in an uncontrolled manner. Thus, the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are prevented from being separated from each other in an uncontrolled manner. By means of the protuberance (20), the centering member (12) is enabled to be squeezed on the movement path (15). Thus, the locking is achieved.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the locking mechanism (10) having at least one housing (21) and at least one pin (22) which are provided on the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7) so as to be opposite to each other and which enable the lower sides of the cutlery basket (8) to be fixed. By means of the housing (21) and the pin (22) positioned opposite to each other on the first basket (6) and the second basket (7), the cutlery basket (8) is enabled to be fixed from the lower sides thereof. Thus, the rigidity is improved. By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, comprising the locking mechanism (10) having a locking member (9) which, by sliding, enables the cutlery basket (8) to move between the closed position and the open position. By means of the locking member (9), the cutlery basket (8) can move between the open position and the closed position without the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) moving.

Claims

CLAIMS1- A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one spraying member (4) which sprays water into the washing tub (4); at least one rack (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; and a cutlery basket (4) which is suitable to be used on the rack (5), whereon items such as forks, spoons, etc. are placed, which has a first basket (6) and a second basket (7) almost symmetrical to each other, and which has a closed position wherein the large surfaces of the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) contact with each other, and an open position wherein the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) are separated from each other, characterized by a locking member (9) which is provided on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7) and which, by sliding, enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be locked to each other when the cutlery basket (8) is in the closed position, and a locking mechanism (10) enables the cutlery basket (8) to move between the open position and the closed position as the locking member (9) slidably moves in the horizontal plane so as to be parallel to the cutlery basket (8).2- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the locking member (9) having a coupling member (11) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be connected to each other by means of the upper surfaces thereof, and a centering member (12) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be centered as the cutlery basket (8) moves between the open position and the closed position.3- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the locking mechanism (10) having at least one recess (13) and at least one protrusion (14) provided on the coupling member (11) and the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7), which align with each other so as to enable the locking member (9) to be attached to and locked on the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7).4- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized by the locking mechanism (10) having a movement path (15) which is provided on the first basket (6) or the second basket (7) so as to align with the centering member (12) when the cutlery basket (8) is in the closed position so as to enable the movement of the locking member (9) to be guided.5- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the locking mechanism (10) having the movement path (15) having a first position (16) where the centering member (12) is attached onto the movement path (15), a second position (17) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be joined to each other and a third position (18) which enables the first basket (6) and the second basket (7) to be locked with each other.6- A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the locking mechanism (10) having the movement path (15) with a claw (19) provided between the first position (16) and the second position (17) and a protuberance (20) provided between the second position (17) and the third position (18).7- A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the locking mechanism (10) having at least one housing (21) and at least one pin (22) which are provided on the first basket (6) and / or the second basket (7) so as to be opposite to each other and which enable the lower sides of the cutlery basket (8) to be fixed.

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