# US 2014/0190525 A1 · Silverware basket with integral spray jets for a dishwasher > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190525 A1 - Document ID: US20140190525A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/734,454 - Filed: 2013-01-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Applicants: Electrolux Home Products, Inc. - Inventors: Ralph A. Porcaro, II; James L. Burrows - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190525A1 ## CPC - A47L 15/502: {Cutlery baskets} - A47L 15/508: {Hydraulic connections for racks} - A47L 15/428: {Rotary nozzles} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing dedicated spray coverage for silverware and dishware positioned within a silverware basket. In an example embodiment, the dishwasher includes a tub configured to receive dishware and a circulation system configured to circulate fluid within the tub. The dishwasher further includes a silverware basket disposed within the tub and comprising a handle portion and a basket portion. The basket portion is configured to receive dishware therein. The handle portion defines at least one spray jet opening that is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system and configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dishwasher comprising: a tub configured to receive dishware; a circulation system configured to circulate fluid within the tub; and a silverware basket disposed within the tub and comprising a handle portion and a basket portion, wherein the basket portion is configured to receive dishware therein, wherein the handle portion defines at least one spray jet opening, wherein the at least one spray jet opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system and configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the handle portion defines an internal channel configured to be in fluid communication with the at least one spray jet opening and the circulation system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a fluid branch, wherein the circulation system comprises a circulation pump in fluid communication with a circulation conduit, and wherein the fluid branch extends from the circulation conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the handle portion is removably attached to the fluid branch so as to selectively enable fluid communication between the circulation conduit and the at least one spray jet opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the handle portion is disposed above the basket portion, and wherein the at least one spray jet opening is positioned on the handle portion above the basket portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the silverware basket further comprises at least one spray head for each corresponding spray jet opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the at least one spray head is configured to rotate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising an air circulation system for circulating air through the handle portion, wherein the at least one spray jet opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the air circulation system and configured to direct air toward the basket portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dishwasher of claim 8 further comprising a control device configured to control operation of the circulation system and the air circulation system, and wherein the control device is configured to switch between operation of the circulation system and the air circulation system so as to control when fluid is directed toward the basket portion of the silverware basket through the at least one spray jet opening and when air is directed toward the basket portion of the silverware basket through the at least one spray jet opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the basket portion defines a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section are each configured to receive dishware therein, and wherein the handle portion defines a first spray jet opening configured to direct fluid into the first section and a second spray jet opening configured to direct fluid into the second section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the handle portion defines a plurality of spray jet openings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a lower dish rack positioned within the tub, and wherein the silverware basket is removably positioned within the lower dish rack and removably attached to the circulation system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the lower dish rack is configured to translate between a first position within the tub and a second position disposed therefrom, wherein the handle portion is configured to be selectively in fluid communication with the circulation system when the silverware basket is within the lower dish rack and the lower dish rack is disposed in the first position and not in fluid communication with the circulation system when the silverware basket is removed from the lower dish rack or the lower dish rack is disposed in the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The dishwasher of claim 12 further comprising a lower spray arm positioned below the lower dish rack and in fluid communication with the circulation system. ### Claim 15 A silverware basket for a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprises a tub for receiving dishware and a circulation system for circulating fluid within the tub, wherein the silverware basket is configured to be positioned within the tub, the silverware basket comprising: a basket portion configured to receive silverware therein; and a handle portion that defines at least one spray jet opening, wherein the at least one spray jet opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system of the dishwasher, wherein the at least one spray jet opening is configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The silverware basket of claim 15, wherein the handle portion defines an internal channel that is configured to be in fluid communication with the at least one spray jet opening and the circulation system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The silverware basket of claim 15, wherein the circulation system comprises a circulation pump in fluid communication with a circulation conduit, wherein the dishwasher comprises a fluid branch that extends from the circulation conduit, and wherein the handle portion is configured to removably attach to the fluid branch so as to selectively enable fluid communication between the circulation conduit and the at least one spray jet opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The silverware basket of claim 15, wherein the handle portion is disposed above the basket portion, and wherein the at least one spray jet opening is positioned on the handle portion above the basket portion. ### Claim 19 A method of operating a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprises a tub for receiving dishware and a circulation system for circulating fluid within the tub, the method comprising: providing a silverware basket configured to be positioned within the tub, wherein the silverware basket comprises: a basket portion configured to receive dishware therein, and a handle portion defining at least one spray jet opening, wherein the at least one spray jet opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system and configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion; and circulating fluid to the handle portion of the silverware basket to direct fluid toward the basket portion of the silverware basket. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising circulating air to the handle portion of the silverware basket to direct air into the basket portion of the silverware basket.