[0001] The present invention relates to a cutlery basket for a dishwashing machine, divided
into compartments, presenting a base comprising a plurality of holes which allow for
the washing liquid to pass through.
[0002] Dishwasher cutlery baskets of the type described are known; in which their bottom
can be for instance formed of small crossed bars, or obtained with other systems,
for example small nets, the material being of metal or stamped plastic; however the
holes must be small, so as to avoid thin pieces, such as tea-spoon handles, passing
through the holes; whereas small bars must therefore be relatively close to each other.
[0003] The small distance between the bars, or the small size of the holes, has the effect
of substantially hindering the flow of the washing liquid through the base of the
basket; in particular the draining of the liquid is greatly obstructed, thus the cutlery
tends to remain wet even after the drying cycle has terminated, something that all
dishwasher owners have certainly come across.
[0004] The evacuation of the washing liquid through the base of the basket is further hindered
by the forming of a film of water between the tight mesh of the base caused by the
superficial tension; this determines obvious consequences even during the drying cycle.
[0005] To solve such problems various solutions have been looked into having the aims of
favouring the drainage and avoiding the forming of the film of water. For instance
the French patent application N°77 26947 in the name of Esswein (the inventive idea
of which is explained as seen in figure 4 of the present application) intends to solve
the cited problem by realising a first base 10 in which the small bars are spaced
enough so as to avoid the forming of the film of water.
[0006] In order to avoid the smaller pieces to be washed slipping beyond the first base
10 of the basket, a second grid 12 is also provided, placed below the first real base
10, being of such a vertical distance to avoid the forming of the film of water between
the two. Such a solution however aims to solve the problem by means of doubling the
horizontal base; such contrivance, apart from determining a major complicated realisation,
does not effectively solve the problem.
[0007] In fact, with such a solution, the formation of the film of water is avoided, though
no significant improvements are noted regarding the evacuation of the drops that rest
in the contact points between the cutlery and one of the baskets bases; on the contrary
such problem is increased as the said dishes probably come into contact with both
of the bases leading to an increase of the surfaces in contact. For this reason and
for the presence of the double grid, the circulation of the drying air is made more
difficult.
[0008] The cited problems are added to by the fact that in the traditional baskets, be it
of single or double base, the cutlery is usually amassed in a given portion of the
compartments, unless the pieces are inserted singularly (something of which being
impractical) or with attention.
[0009] The invention is based on the knowledge of these facts, the aims of the present invention
are to indicate a cutlery basket for dishwashing machines that eliminate such inconveniences
with the use of simple means, without practically increasing costs.
[0010] To allow for such aims the present invention has as its object a cutlery basket for
a dishwashing machine, divided into compartments, presenting a base comprising a plurality
of holes which allow for the washing liquid to pass, characterised by the fact that
the base of each compartment is not flat, but presents a substantial elevation corresponding
to the centre of the compartment.
[0011] Further aims and advantages will become clear from the present description and annexed
drawings, supplied as an explicative and non limiting example, wherein:
Figure 1 represents a schematic and, partially sectioned view of a cutlery basket
according to the invention;
Figure 2 schematically represents a plan view of the base of one of the compartments
of which a cutlery basket according to the invention is divided;
Figure 3 schematically represents a partial cross sectioned view of the base of the
cutlery basket according to the invention;
Figure 4 schematically represents a partial cross sectioned view of the base of a
cutlery basket of the type known.
[0012] With reference to figure 1, in which a schematic and, partially sectioned view of
a cutlery basket according to the invention is represented, it is observed how the
basket 1, realised in stamped plastic material, is divided, by means of holed divisional
walls 2, 3, and 4, into six compartments with practically square bases; the base of
each compartment, formed by a plurality of small crossed bars, presenting a central
elevation 5, the base itself being shaped to the form of a pyramid.
[0013] In particular, with reference to figure 2, the two divisional walls 2 and 4 are indicated
that define one of the six compartments; the base of said compartment is made up of
a plurality of small crossed bars 7 and 9.
[0014] Figures 3 and 4 make a comparison, by means of the partial schematic sections, of
the base of the basket according to the invention (fig.3) and the base of the known
solution, in particular the solution described in the French patent application N°77
26947 (fig.4).
[0015] In particular, said figures show the base of the compartments of the two solutions,
where 8 and 8' indicate the lateral wall of the basket and 2 and 2' indicates one
of the divisional walls that define the compartment.
[0016] As can be seen in figure 3, that illustrates the present invention, the base of the
compartment presents a central elevation 5, i.e. the vertex of a pyramid that constitutes
the practically square base.
[0017] In a particularly advantageous form of realisation, the height (H) of the vertex
of the pyramid with respect the sides of the base is typically that of 8-10 mm; the
sides of which can be typically 60 mm; the gradient between the height and side being
1/7, Figure 4, on the other hand, schematically represents the base of the cutlery
basket described in the French patent application° 77 26947. As can be seen, the base
of such is in this case doubled, in the sense that it is constituted by two grids
10 and 12, placed on two horizontal planes X and Y appropriately distanced between
themselves.
[0018] In the use of the basket according to the invention,the cutlery can be inserted,
without paying particular attention, in the various compartments of the basket, as
the lateral inclination of the pyramid in each compartment allows for a natural distribution
in four directions, without any risks of the cutlery grouping itself in the proximity
of the corners of the base.
[0019] The small bars 8 and 9 are appropriately distanced both for the aim of allowing the
washing liquid that has to exit the basket to pass through, and with the aim of making
the formation of a film of liquid between the mesh difficult; furthermore there is
no risk that the cutlery leave the basket through the holes.
[0020] The drainage and the absence of the formation of the film of liquid are self assuring
due to the fact that the remaining water, even in the contact points between the cutlery
and the base, is to be found on an inclined surface; therefore, in a natural manner,
the water is conveyed along the four directions, towards the sides of the elevated
base of the pyramid that constitutes the base of each compartment(as indicated in
figure 3).
[0021] The pointed form of the sides of the base (two of which, being indicated with 20
and 21, are visible in fig.3) make it extremely easy for the evacuation of the remaining
drops that do not fall vertically through the holes, but run along the lower part
of the small bars.
[0022] Practical tests carried out have shown that the basket, in accordance with the invention
presents drainage qualities far superior to that of a basket with a conventional flat
base, so that the cutlery at the termination of the drying cycle results in being
perfectly dry. The characteristics of the described cutlery basket result in being
clear from the present description and annexed drawings.
[0023] From the present description, the practical advantages of the basket object of the
present invention also become clear.
[0024] In particular they are represented by the fact that:
- the formation of a film of water or washing liquid between the mesh that constitutes
the base of the compartment is avoided;
- the evacuation of the drops is assured in a natural manner, due to the inclination
of the base, towards points that are not in contact with the cutlery;
- the cutlery can be inserted into the basket without paying particular attention, in
as much that the elevated pyramid allows for an excellent distribution in each compartment;
- the realisation of the basket is extremely easy and economical with respect those
that propose to solve the same basic problems.
[0025] It is however obvious that numerous variants may be supplied by the skilled man to
the cutlery basket described as an example, without however departing from the novelty
principles inherent in the invention.
1. cutlery basket for a dishwashing machine, divided into compartments, presenting a
base comprising a plurality of holes which allow for the washing liquid to pass through,
characterised by the fact that the base of each of said compartments is not flat,
but presents a substantial elevation corresponding to the centre of the compartment.
2. Cutlery basket, according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the base of each
said compartment is shaped in the form of a pyramid.
3. Cutlery basket, according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the base of said
pyramid is substantially square.
4. Cutlery basket, according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said elevation
is not superior than 10 mm.
5. Cutlery basket, according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that said pyramid
presents a gradient between the height and side of the base being of approximately
1/7.
6. Cutlery basket, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by
the fact that the base of said basket is constituted by small crossed bars.
7. Cutlery basket, according to the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the
small bars that are crossed between themselves are of a distance such as to avoid
the formation of a film of water corresponding to the holes of the base.
8. Cutlery basket, according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised by
the fact that the base of the walls that constitute each compartment are pointed.