The present invention relates to cutlery baskets which are provided in dishwashers and allow the cutlery to be placed and washed in a horizontal plane.

Today, dishwashers suitable for use in cleaning the dirty dishes which save time, water and consumed amount of cleanser (e.g. detergent) are commonly used. Enabling to wash a great number of and various dishes at the same time, such dishwashers conventionally comprise a main body, a washing compartment provided in the main body, a door to control access to the washing compartment, and washing baskets which are in the form of a grid so as to allow water inside the washing compartment to reach to the dishes, which are located at the washing compartment for washing process, and in which the dishes are placed for cleaning. In general, the dishwashers have a plurality of washing baskets located one above the other, wherein among these baskets, while a bottom washing basket located at the bottom is used to clean relatively high volume dishes such as pots and plates, an upper washing basket located above the bottom basket is used to clean relatively small volume dishes such as glasses and cups.

In said conventional dishwashers, cutlery is cleaned at the cutlery baskets which are provided at the bottom washing basket, consist of a plurality of partitions, and in which the cutlery is located extending in a perpendicular direction to the partitions therein so as to be cleaned. However, such vertical cutlery baskets reduce the usable washing volume in the lower washing basket, and may cause an inadequate space for the cutlery to be washed. In particular, these cutleries in vertical direction may overlap each other, causing an insufficient washing operation. In order to solve said problems, cutlery baskets are covered by the known art which are generally located at the washing compartment so as to be at an upper part of the upper washing basket and in which the cutlery is able to be placed in a horizontal direction independently of each other. However, such cutlery baskets cause volume constraints for the dishes to be cleaned at the upper washing basket since they are located at an upper part of the upper washing basket. To solve said problem, there are provided cutlery baskets that consist of movable parts such that one part is located above the other, and an example of said basket is disclosed in the patent application EP317576A1. According to the application disclosed in said document, the cutlery basket consists of 3 parts such that the middle part is at a lower region than the side parts and the side parts can move in a way that they remain above the middle part. In this case, however, as the middle part is both fixed and located at the lower region, it limits effective usage of the washing volume of the washing basket that is remained under the cutlery basket.

Another example of moving baskets is also explained in the published patent application EP2732749A1. In this document, a dishwasher including a wash tub, a lower basket, a first upper basket, a second upper basket, and movement parts is disclosed. The first upper basket is disposed over the lower basket inside the wash tub to define a first lower reception space together with the lower basket. The second upper basket is disposed over the lower basket side by side with the first upper basket to define a second lower reception space. The movement parts move the first upper basket to the second upper basket to increase the first lower reception space. The movement parts may include a frame receiving a first upper basket, adjustment parts disposed on the frame to adjust the height of the first upper basket, and a rail connected to the frame such that the frame can move to the second upper basket. The rail may be configured such that the frame can move in left and right directions. The rail may be connected to the second upper basket and may support the second upper basket.

The cutlery basket according to the present invention is suitable for being located in a washing compartment of a dishwasher such that the cutlery basket will above washing basket, wherein the dishwasher comprises at least one main body; at least one washing compartment provided in the main body; at least one door controlling access to the washing compartment; and at least one washing basket in which the dishes are placed for cleaning and which is located in the washing compartment, and the cutlery basket allows the cutlery to be placed and washed in a horizontal plane and comprises at least one carrier structure in the form of a frame and having at least one front side which is close to the door when positioned in the washing compartment, at least one rear side opposite to the front side, and at least two lateral sides which are located between the front side and the rear side facing each other so as to intersect the front side and the rear side; at least a first carrier component in the form of a grid, on which the cutlery to be cleaned can be placed so as to extend along a horizontal plane and which is connected to the front side by at least a first connecting piece and to the rear side by at least a second connecting piece such that the first carrier component is movable between the lateral sides in a sliding manner; at least a second carrier component in the form of a grid, on which the cutlery to be cleaned can be placed so as to extend along a horizontal plane, which is located next to the first carrier component adjacent to the first carrier component, which is connected, on at least a first side thereof, to the rear side so as to rotate around a first axis parallel to the rear side, which is connected, on at least a second side thereof opposite to the first side, to the front side so that the second side is able to move closer to the washing basket and away from the washing basket, and which has a straight position where the first side and the second side are aligned, and an inclined position where the first side and the second side are not aligned and a vertical distance is provided between the first side and the second side; at least one wall which is in connection with the second side of the second carrier component and on which at least one movement channel is located so as to extend between the lateral sides; and at least one movement mechanism that allows second carrier component to move between the straight position and the inclined position, wherein the movement mechanism comprises: at least one guide member located at the front side and comprising at least a first body, and at least a first guide channel provided on the first body; at least one movement element which is located at the guide member so as to move on the guide member and between the lateral sides in a sliding manner, and on which at least a first guide pin is provided, wherein the first guide pin is placed in the first guide channel so as to move inside the first guide channel as a result of the sliding movement; at least one movement member which is in connection with the guide member so as to rotate around a second axis, and comprises at least a second body which is in connection with the guide member, at least a second guide channel which is in connection with the second body on one side thereof, extends away from the second body, and in which the first guide pin is seated, wherein the free end of the second guide channel that is not in connection with the second body is closed, and at least a second guide pin which is located on the side of the second body facing the second carrier component such that a distance is provided between the second guide channel and the second guide pin, which is in connection with the second body on one side, and is seated in the movement channel on the other opposite side, and which moves inside the movement channel as a result of the rotational movement around the second axis to allow the second carrier component to move between the straight position and the inclined position, wherein the movement member rotates around the second axis by means of the second guide channel, in which it is seated, following the movement of the first guide pin inside the first guide channel as a result of the sliding movement of the movement element, and allows the second guide pin to move inside the movement channel due to such a rotational movement.

Thanks to the cutlery basket according to the present invention, the cutlery can be placed and cleaned in a horizontal plane, enabling the cutlery to be cleaned in a more efficient and effective way. In addition, since the cutlery basket comprises the movable first carrier component and the second carrier component, the widths of the washing volumes of both the washing basket and the cutlery basket can be adjusted in line with the requirements. By this way, customer satisfaction can be achieved in the best manner, and a cutlery basket is obtained which is easy to use, practical and reliable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cutlery basket suitable for use in dishwashers and allowing the cutlery to be placed and washed in a horizontal plane.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutlery basket that provides efficient and effective use of the washing volume of the washing basket above which it is located.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cutlery basket for which the washing volume thereof is used in an efficient and effective way.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use, practical and reliable cutlery basket.

Exemplary embodiments of the cutlery basket according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary usage of the cutlery basket according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of another exemplary usage of the cutlery basket according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of a movement mechanism in an exemplary usage of the cutlery basket according to the invention.
• Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the movement mechanism in another exemplary usage of the cutlery basket according to the invention.
• Figure 5 is a further detailed perspective view of the movement mechanism of the cutlery basket.
• Figure 6 is another detailed perspective view of the movement mechanism of the cutlery basket.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below: Cutlery basket (S) First carrier component (S1) Second carrier component (S2) Third carrier component (S3) Carrier structure (1) Front side (1a) Rear side (1b) First connecting piece (2a) Second connecting piece (2b) Guide piece (3) Wall (4) Movement channel (4a) Movement element (5) First guide pin (5a) Movement member (6) Second body (6a) Second guide channel (6b) Second guide pin (6c) Guide member (7) First body (7a) First guide channel (7b) Third guide channel (7c) First claw (8a) Second claw (8b)

Dishwashers are commonly used today to clean the dishes in a time and energy saving way. The dishwashers comprise at least one main body, at least one washing compartment provided in the main body, at least one door to control access to the washing compartment, and at least two washing baskets in the form of a grid which are located one above the other so as to allow water inside the washing compartment to reach to the dishes, which are located at the washing compartment for washing process, and in which the dishes are placed for cleaning. In general, the dishwashers also comprise at least one cutlery basket which is located in the washing compartment so as to be at an upper part of the washing basket provided above said washing baskets, and which allows cutlery to be placed and washed in a horizontal plane. However, the cutlery basket may prevent using the washing volume of the washing basket, above which it is provided, in an efficient and effective way. In this regard, the present invention provides a cutlery basket which enables that both the washing volume of the washing basket, above which it is provided, and the washing volume of its own, where the cutlery is placed, are used in an efficient and effective way.

The cutlery basket (S) according to the present invention, exemplary views of which are illustrated in figure 1-6, is suitable for being located in a washing compartment of a dishwasher such that the cutlery basket will above washing basket, wherein the dishwasher comprises at least one main body; at least one washing compartment provided in the main body; at least one door controlling access to the washing compartment; and at least one washing basket in which the dishes are placed for cleaning and which is located in the washing compartment, and the cutlery basket allows the cutlery to be placed and washed in a horizontal plane (said horizontal plane is parallel to the base of the washing compartment). The cutlery basket (S) according to the invention comprises at least one carrier structure (1) in the form of a frame and having at least one front side (1a) which is close to the door when positioned in the washing compartment, at least one rear side (1b) opposite to the front side (1a), and at least two lateral sides which are located between the front side (1a) and the rear side (1b) facing each other so as to intersect the front side (1a) and the rear side (1b); and at least a first carrier component (S1) in the form of a grid, on which the cutlery to be cleaned can be placed so as to extend along a horizontal plane and which is connected to the front side (1a) by at least a first connecting piece (2a) and to the rear side (1b) by at least a second connecting piece (2b) such that the first carrier component is movable between the lateral sides in a sliding manner. The cutlery basket (S) further comprises at least a second carrier component (S2) in the form of a grid, on which the cutlery to be cleaned can be placed so as to extend along a horizontal plane, which is located next to the first carrier component (S1) adjacent to the first carrier component (S1), which is connected, on at least a first side thereof, to the rear side (1b) so as to rotate around a first axis parallel to the rear side (1b), which is connected, on at least a second side thereof opposite to the first side, to the front side (1a) so that the second side is able to move closer to the washing basket and away from the washing basket (i.e. move closer to the front side (1a) and away from the front side (1a)), and which has a straight position where the first side and the second side are aligned (where the second side is away from the washing basket) and an inclined position where the first side and the second side are not aligned (where the second side is close to the washing basket) and a vertical distance is provided between the first side and the second side; at least one wall (4) which is in connection with the second side of the second carrier component (S2) and on which at least one movement channel (4a) is located so as to extend between the lateral sides, preferably, in a linear way along a horizontal plane; and at least one movement mechanism that allows second carrier component (S2) to move between the straight position and the inclined position.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first carrier component (S1) of the cutlery basket (S) is movable along the horizontal plane between the lateral sides, and the second carrier component (S2) rotates from the first side thereof so as to be in the straight position or the inclined position. When the second carrier component (S2) is in the straight position, the first side and the second side are aligned and the second carrier component (S2) is positioned at a plane parallel to the base of the washing compartment. When the second carrier component (S2) is in the inclined position, the first side and the second side are not aligned and the second side remains under the first side. According to an exemplary use of the cutlery basket (S), if a user needs to place a relatively high volume dish to the washing basket that is located at a lower region of the cutlery basket (S), the user will move the first carrier component (S1) in a sliding way on the first side (1b) and the second side (1b) such that the first carrier component (S1) is above the second carrier component (S2). Thus, a larger area is obtained at a portion of the washing compartment, making it possible to place the high volume dish to the washing compartment in an easy way. According to another exemplary use, if a user needs to place a relatively high volume dish to the cutlery basket (S), the user will move the second side by the movement mechanism to approach to the washing basket, and place the second carrier component (S2) into the inclined position. By this way, a larger area is obtained where second carrier component (S2) is located, making it possible to place the high volume dish to the cutlery basket (S) in an easy way. In addition, when the first carrier component (S1) is positioned above the second carrier component (S2), the dishes on the second carrier component (S2) can be cleaned more efficiently, thanks to such an inclined position.

According to the invention, the movement mechanism comprises:

• at least one guide member (7) located at the front side (1a) and comprising
  • ∘ at least a first body (7a) preferably in the form of a plate, and
  • ∘ at least a first guide channel (7b) provided on the first body (7a);
• at least one movement element (5) which is located at the guide member (7) so as to move on the guide member (7) and between the lateral sides in a sliding manner, which, preferably, is inserted into at least one part of the guide member (7) for such a sliding movement, which has a channel form open at both ends, and on which at least a first guide pin (5a) is provided, wherein the first guide pin (5a) is placed in the first guide channel (7b) so as to move inside the first guide channel (7b) as a result of the sliding movement;
• at least one movement member which is in connection with the guide member (7) (preferably, with a part of the guide member (7) facing the second carrier component (S2)) so as to rotate around a second axis, and comprises:
  • ∘ at least a second body (6a) which, preferably, has a cylindrical form and is in connection with the guide member (7) (the second axis is preferably parallel to a line perpendicular to the second body (6a) and passing through the centre of the second body (6a)),
  • ∘ at least a second guide channel (6b) which is in connection with the second body (6a) on one side thereof, extends away from the second body (6a) preferably in the same plane as the second body (6a), and in which the first guide pin (5a) is seated, wherein the free end of the second guide channel (6b) that is not in connection with the second body (6a) is preferably closed, and
  • ∘ at least a second guide pin (6c) which is located on the side of the second body (6a) facing the second carrier component (S2) such that a distance is provided between the second guide channel (6b) and the second guide pin (6c) (e.g. with an angle other than 0° and 180°, preferably with a wide angle between the second guide channel (6b) and the second guide pin (6c)), which is in connection with the second body (6a) on one side, and is seated in the movement channel (4a) on the other opposite side, and which moves inside the movement channel (4a) as a result of the rotational movement around the second axis to allow the second carrier component
    (S2) to move between the straight position and the inclined position, wherein the movement member rotates around the second axis by means of the second guide channel (6b), in which it is seated, following the movement of the first guide pin (5a) inside the first guide channel (7b) as a result of the sliding movement of the movement element (5), and allows the second guide pin (6c) to move inside the movement channel (4) due to such a rotational movement.

A user moves the movement element (5) in a sliding manner on the guide member (7) and between the lateral walls by means of the movement mechanism according to the invention; therefore such a right/left movement enables the second side of the second carrier component (S2) to move easily in the vertical direction, allowing the second carrier component (S2) to switch between the straight position and the inclined position in a practical manner. According to this embodiment, preferably, there is provided at least a third guide channel (7c) which extends preferably linearly in the vertical direction on the first body (7a), wherein at least one guide piece (3) which is seated in the third guide channel (7c) is located on a side of the wall (4) facing the guide member (7). Movement of the second carrier component (S2) between said positions is able to be performed in a more balanced way by means of the guide piece (3) and the third guide channel (7c).

According to another alternative embodiment, the cutlery basket (S) according to the invention preferably comprises at least a third carrier component (S3) in the form of a grid, on which the cutlery to be cleaned can be placed so as to extend along a horizontal plane, which is located at a lateral side of the second carrier component (S2) such that the second carrier component (S2) is in between the third carrier component (S3) and the first carrier component (S1), and which is connected to the front side (1a) by at least a first connecting piece (2a), and to the rear side (1b) by at least a second connecting piece (2b) so as to move between the lateral sides in a sliding manner. Washing volume of the washing basket may be used in a more effective way thanks to the movable first carrier component (S1) and the third carrier component (S3).

According to another exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the front side (1a) and/or the rear side (1b) on which the first connecting piece (2a) and/or the second connecting piece (2b) move have preferably a wire (bar-shaped) structure. According to this embodiment, the first connecting piece (2a) and/or the second connecting piece (2b) preferably comprise at least one channel which is open at both ends so as to allow the first connecting piece (2a) and/or the second connecting piece (2b) to move at these parts in a sliding manner, and receives the portions of the front side (1a) and/or the rear side (1b) on which the first connecting piece (2a) and/or the second connecting piece (2b) move.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the first guide channel (7b) preferably comprises at least one straight portion extending between the lateral sides along the horizontal direction, and at least two inclined portions extending, on each end of the straight portion, towards a side of the guide member (7) on which the movement element (5) moves such that there is provided an angle other than 0° and 180°, preferably a wide angle between the straight portion and the inclined portions. The first guide pin (5a) moves inside the straight portion, and the inclined portions both function as a stop for the first guide pin (5a) and allows the first guide pin (5a) to be attached easily to the first guide channel (7b) during mounting process.

According to another preferred embodiment, a portion of the rear side (1b) of the carrier structure (1) to which the second carrier component (S2) is connected has preferably a wire (bar-shaped) structure of a "U" shape. According to this embodiment, the second carrier component (S2) is connected by at least a first claw (8a) to the horizontal portion of the "U" shape so as to be able to rotate around this horizontal portion, and the second carrier component (S2) preferably comprises at least a second claw (8b) in which the vertical region of the "U" shape is located in a movable manner in order to ensure that the second carrier component (S2) which is inclined as a result of the rotational movement remains stable and secure in this position.

Thanks to the cutlery basket (S) according to the present invention, the cutlery can be placed and cleaned in a horizontal plane, enabling the cutlery to be cleaned in a more efficient and effective way. In addition, since the cutlery basket (S) comprises the movable first carrier component (S1) and the second carrier component (S2), the widths of the washing volumes of both the washing basket and the cutlery basket (S) can be adjusted in line with the requirements. By this way, customer satisfaction can be achieved in the best manner, and a cutlery basket (S) is obtained which is easy to use, practical and reliable.