In-sink dishwasher with self-aligning liquid feed system
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsRalph E. Christman, Arnold L. Denne, Rud J. Lauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid onto the dish rack to effect the cleaning of any dishes along the rack. A basket with a sprayer is disposed within the wash chamber. A self-aligning coupling fluidly connects a liquid conduit to the sprayer when the basket is seated.
Claims50
An in-sink dishwasher capable of being used as a traditional sink and as a dishwasher, the in-sink dishwasher comprising:
- a sink having a bowl comprising a bottom wall from which extends a peripheral side wall, which collectively define a wash chamber with an open top for receiving dishes to be washed;
- a basket removably mounted within the wash chamber and sized to be inserted into the wash chamber through the open top to seat the basket in the wash chamber;
- a sprayer mounted to the basket and having a liquid inlet through which liquid is introduced into the sprayer for subsequent spraying throughout the wash chamber;
- a liquid conduit fluidly coupled to the wash chamber for supplying liquid to the wash chamber;
- and
- a self-aligning liquid coupling connecting the liquid conduit to the sprayer liquid inlet as the basket is seated within the wash chamber whereby as the basket is inserted into the wash chamber to seat the basket therein, the self-aligning coupling adjusts its position to ensure the coupling of the liquid conduit to the sprayer liquid inlet.
The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 23 and further comprising a drain pump fluidly connected to the recirculation drain for pumping liquid from the wash chamber.
An in-sink dishwasher capable of being used as a traditional sink and as a dishwasher, the in-sink dishwasher comprising:
- a sink having a bowl comprising a bottom wall from which extends a peripheral side wall, the bottom wall and side wall collectively define a wash chamber with an open top for receiving dishes to be washed;
- a basket removably mounted within the wash chamber and sized to be inserted into the wash chamber through the open top to seat the basket in the wash chamber;
- a sprayer mounted to the basket and having a liquid inlet through which water is introduced into the sprayer for subsequent spraying throughout the wash chamber;
- a liquid conduit fluidly coupled to the wash chamber for supplying liquid to the wash chamber;
- and
- a poppet valve fluidly connected to the liquid conduit and fluidly coupled with the liquid spray inlet when the basket is seated within the wash chamber.
A method for cleaning an in-sink dishwasher comprising a bowl having a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall forming a wash chamber, a basket received within the wash chamber for holding dishes to be washed, a sprayer carried by the basket for spraying liquid through out the wash chamber to clean the dishes, and a liquid supply for supplying liquid to the spray arm, the method comprising:
- uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer;
- spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply;
- and
- draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.