DISHWASHER WITH COMPACT WASH MEANS

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a dishwasher with compact wash means.

Dishwashers are known, which comprise two racks: an upper rack and a lower rack suitable for housing the dishes to be washed. Said two racks are mounted in such a way to slide as a sort of a drawer relative to a frame of the dishwasher, in such a way to translate from an extracted position, wherein the racks project from a front opening of the dishwasher, to a retracted position, wherein the racks are disposed inside the frame of the dishwasher.

The dishwashers of the prior art are provided with wash means that usually comprise a first set of blades disposed under the lower rack, and a second set of blades disposed between the lower rack and the upper rack. The two sets of blades revolve according to a vertical axis.

Each blade of the sets of blades comprises holes that are substantially obtained on an upper portion of the blade and used to eject water to wash the dishes disposed on the racks.

During the washing of the dishes, the two sets of blades rotate and simultaneously spray water from below upwards, spraying and cleaning the dishes disposed in the rack above. More precisely, the first set of blades is suitable for spraying water towards the dishes disposed in the lower rack, whereas the second set of blades is suitable for spraying water towards the dishes disposed in the upper rack.

The dishwashers of the prior art are impaired by severe drawbacks.

A first drawback of the dishwasher of the prior art consists in the fact that its wash means, which comprise blades, are cumbersome, especially in terms of height. As a matter of fact, a set of blades must be installed for each rack. Moreover, it must be considered that each set of blades is keyed on a vertical shaft disposed under the rack. Given the fact that the dishwashers have a standard height, the large volume of the wash means prevents the installation of more than two racks in the dishwasher. Therefore, the number of dishes that can be washed at every wash cycle cannot be increased.

It must be noted that the dishwashers of the prior art can be optionally provided with a third rack with lower dimensions, both in terms of height and width, than the lower rack and the upper rack. Because of its reduced dimensions, such a third rack can only house small items, such as for example silverware.

A second drawback of the dishwashers of the prior art consists in the fact that the wash means spray water only upwards, and therefore said water jets can directly reach only the lower surface of the dishes. Said second drawback prevents the upper surface of the dishes from being effectively cleaned.

EP3222191 discloses a dishwasher with three racks and one liquid recirculation circuit that comprises at least one rotating spray tube. A plurality of spray nozzles is provided in the rotating spray tube.

US2003192578 discloses a dishwasher with only two racks: an upper rack and a lower rack. Such a dishwasher has a water spray system that comprises a spray tube revolvingly mounted under each rack.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing a dishwasher with wash means with reduced volume, especially in terms of height, in such a way to increase the number of racks and dishes that can be loaded in the racks of the dishwasher and washed at every wash cycle, said wash means being suitable for cleaning the dishes by spraying them with water jets coming from above and from below, in such a way to effectively clean both the upper surface and the lower surface of the dishes.

Another purpose is to disclose a dishwasher that cleans the dishes in an effective, uniform and inexpensive way.

These purposes are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics of the appended independent claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.

The dishwasher of the invention is defined by claim 1 .

The advantages of the dishwasher according to the invention are manifest, wherein the provision of a spray tube disposed between the first rack and the second rack and provided with a plurality of holes permits to spray both the first rack and the second rack with only one wash means simply and effectively, reducing the space that needs to be provided for the wash means of the dishwasher. In view of the above, a third rack can be disposed in the frame of the dishwasher.

Moreover, given that the supply tube is disposed in transverse position relative to the spray tube and is provided with a plurality of upper holes, water can be sprayed towards the entire upper wall of the box frame of the dishwasher, in such a way that said water falls like rain on the dishes disposed in the first rack. In view of the above, the dishes of the first rack are sprayed with water also from above.

For the sake of clarity, the description of the dishwasher of the invention continues with reference to the appended drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher according to the invention, in open position;

Fig. 2 is an axonometric bottom view of an upper portion of the dishwasher according to the invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the upper portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an axonometric top view of a rack and of wash means of the dishwasher according to the invention.

With reference to Fig. 1 , a dishwasher according to the invention is disclosed, being generally indicated with reference numeral (100).

In the following description the term longitudinal’ refers to a direction from the back to the front of the dishwasher. The term‘transverse’ refers to a direction from a right side to a left side of the dishwasher.

The dishwasher (100) comprises a box frame (T) with parallelepiped shape, provided with a back wall (T3), an upper wall (T 1 ) and a front opening. The box frame (T) defines a watertight compartment that can be accessed through the front opening.

The dishwasher (100) comprises:

- a first rack (1 ) disposed in the box frame (T) in proximal position to an upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame (T);

- a second rack (2) disposed in the box frame (T) under the first rack (1 );

- a third rack (4) disposed in the box frame (T) under the second rack

(2).

The third rack (4) is proximal to a lower wall (T2) of the box frame (T).

Advantageously, all racks basically have the same dimensions and are suitable for housing both small and large dishes.

All racks (1 , 2, 4) are made of metal or plastics and comprise a wire bottom wall (10, 20, 40) and wire lateral walls.

The dishwasher (100) also comprises:

- first wash means (3) disposed in the box frame (T) between the first rack (1 ) and the second rack (2);

- second wash means (5) disposed in the box frame (T) between the second rack (2) and the third rack (4);

- third wash means (6) disposed in the box frame (T) under the third rack (4), between the third rack (4) and the lower wall (T2) of the box frame (T).

With reference to Figs. 2 to 4, the first wash means (3) comprise spraying pipes (30) suitable for being connected to a water supply system. Each spraying pipe (30) has a plurality of holes (31 ) for ejecting pressurized water jets both towards the first rack (1 ) and the second rack (2).

The bottom wall (10) of the first rack (1 ) is configured in such a way to define housings (18) that contain the spraying pipes (30). The housings (18) have an overturned V-shape when seen from the front. More precisely, when seen from the front, the bottom wall (10) of the first rack (1 ) has a zigzag profile with a plurality of V-shaped sections that define the housings (18). Such a zigzag profile develops transversely between the lateral walls of the first rack (1 ) in such a way that the housings (18) extend longitudinally in the rack. Therefore, the spraying pipes (30) are mounted with parallel axes in horizontal position, in such a way to extend longitudinally from the back wall (T3) of the box frame (T) to the front opening of the box frame (T). Otherwise said, the spraying pipes (30) are disposed longitudinally.

It must be noted that not all the spraying pipes are disposed inside the housings (18). For example, as shown in Figs 2 to 4, a spraying pipe (30) is disposed outside the housings (18), under one of the V-shaped sections of the first rack (1 ).

Advantageously, the spraying pipes (30) are revolvingly mounted around a horizontal axis (X) that coincides with their axis, in such a way to rotate by at least 180°. Moving means (not shown in the figures) are connected to the spraying pipes to cause a rotation of at least 180°.

Optionally, the spraying pipes (30) rotate by 360°.

Alternatively, the spraying pipes (30) are fixed and provided with holes (31 ) obtained in upper position and in lower position on the spraying pipes (30), in such a way to spray water towards the first rack (1 ) and the second rack (2).

By means of the spraying pipes (30), both the first rack (1 ) and the second rack (2) can be sprayed with only one wash means simply and effectively, reducing the volume of the wash means. Moreover, the provision of housings (18) obtained under the first rack (1 ) allows to additionally reduce the volume of the first wash means (3) because said housings (18) can house the spraying pipes (30).

Said first wash means (3) permit to increase the number of dishes that can be washed at every wash cycle because the spraying pipes (30) permit to increase the number of racks installed inside the box frame (T). For example, as shown in Fig. 1 , the dishwasher (100) has three racks, in spite of having the standard dimensions of a dishwasher of the prior art, which is normally provided with only two racks. The installation of three racks in the dishwasher (100) is possible because the first wash means (3) have a reduced volume and are disposed in the housings (18) of the bottom wall of the first rack (1 ).

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, advantageously, the first wash means (3) comprise a connection pipe (32) disposed in the box frame (T) and connected to a water supply system and to the spraying pipes (30) in order to distribute the water from the water supply system to the spraying pipes (30). The connection pipe (32) is connected to the water supply system by means of a water supply pipe (not shown in the figures) that extends outside the box frame.

The connection pipe (32) is disposed transversely, i.e. horizontally and orthogonally relative to the spraying pipes (30). The connection pipe (32) is disposed in the proximity of the back wall (T3) of the box frame (T) above the first rack (1 ). The first wash means (3) comprise couplings (32c) connected to the connection pipe (32) and to one end of the spraying pipes (30) in such a way to supply water to the spraying pipes (30). The couplings (32c) have vertical axes.

Therefore, the water flows from the water supply system in the connection pipe (32) and in the spraying pipes (30), flowing from the back towards the front of the dishwasher.

The connection pipe (32) comprises a plurality of upper holes (33) for ejecting water jets towards the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame (T). The holes (33) of the connection pipe are disposed with upwards-inclined axes in such a way that the water forms a water veil on the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame, falling like rain on the dishes disposed in the first rack (1 ).

The pressurized water that flows through the connection pipe (32) is ejected from the holes (33) of said connection pipe, creating water jets that hit the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame (T), falling like rain drops on the dishes disposed in the first rack (1 ).

The first wash means (3) comprise a fixed pipe (30’) with axis in horizontal, parallel position relative to the spraying pipes (30). Said fixed pipe (30’) is connected to the connection pipe (32) by means of a coupling (32c) in such a way that the water flows from the water supply system in the fixed pipe (30’) through the connection pipe (32), flowing from the back towards the front of the dishwasher.

The fixed pipe (30’) is proximal to a lateral wall of the box frame (T) under one of the V-shaped sections of the first rack (1 ). The fixed pipe (30’) comprises a plurality of upper holes (31’) for ejecting pressurized water jets towards the lateral wall and the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame (T). The holes (31’) of the fixed pipe are disposed with upwards-inclined axes in such a way that the water forms a water veil on the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame, falling like rain on the dishes disposed in the first rack (1 ). As a matter of fact, the spraying pipes (30) are disposed in such a way that the water jets reach the dishes disposed on the first rack (1 ) from below. However, because of the presence of the dishes, such jets cannot reach the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame in order to form the water veil.

The fixed pipe (30’) and the connection pipe (32) cooperate to form the water veil that covers the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame. As a matter of fact, the holes (33) of the connection pipe (32) and the holes (31’) of the fixed pipe (30’) are disposed in such a way that together they can cover the entire upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame. In particular, the water jets that are ejected from the holes (33) of the connection pipe (32) mainly reach a back portion of the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame, whereas the water jets that are ejected from the holes (31 ') of the fixed pipe (30’) mainly reach a front portion of the upper wall (T1 ) of the box frame.

In view of the above, the first wash means (3) not only wash the lower portion of the dishes disposed in the first rack (1 ), but also the upper portion of said dishes, guaranteeing an effective uniform cleaning of the dishes of the first rack (1 ).

With reference to Fig. 1 , the second wash means (5) comprise a set of blades (51 ) keyed on a shaft that revolves around a vertical axis (Y). The set of blades (51 ) of the second wash means (5) is suitable for being connected to the water supply system.

Advantageously, each blade (52) of the set of blades (51 ) has a plurality of holes (53) obtained in upper position and in lower position that eject water jets directed both towards the second rack (2) and the third rack (4). In view of the above, the second wash means (5) not only wash the lower portion of the dishes disposed in the second rack (2), but also the upper portion of the dishes disposed in the third rack (4). The third wash means (6) comprise a set of blades (61 ) keyed on a shaft that revolves around a vertical axis (Y). The set of blades (61 ) of the third wash means (6) is suitable for being connected to the water supply system. Each blade (62) of the set of blades (61 ) has a plurality of holes (63) obtained in upper position for ejecting water coming from the water supply system and directed towards the third rack (4).

The dishes disposed in the first rack (1 ) are sprayed with water from above and from below by means of the first wash means (3). The dishes disposed in the second rack (2) are sprayed with water from above by means of the first wash means (5) and from below by means of the second wash means (5). The dishes disposed in the third rack (4) are sprayed with water from above by means of the second wash means (5) and from below by means of the third wash means (6).

Although it is not shown in the figures, the first wash means (3) can comprise only one spraying pipe.

Alternatively, although not shown in the figures, the second wash means (5) can comprise one or more spraying pipes that are identical to the spraying pipes (30) of the first wash means (3). Otherwise said, the second wash means (5) can comprise one or more spraying pipes suitable for being connected to the water supply system and provided with a plurality of holes for ejecting the water jets coming from the water supply system and directed towards the second rack (2) and towards the third rack (4). In such a case, the bottom wall (20) of the second rack (2) can be configured in such a way to define housings for the spraying pipes of the second wash means (5). For instance, similarly to the first rack, the bottom wall (20) of the second rack can be provided with a zigzag profile in such a way to define a plurality of V-shaped sections. Such a zigzag profile extends transversely between the lateral edges of the second rack (2) in such a way to form housings that extend from the back to the front of the dishwasher and contain the spraying pipes of the second wash means.

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the appended claims.