Dishwasher with sprayer

Abstract

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation and including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which dishes may be received for treatment, at least one sprayer having at least one opening through which liquid is emitted into the treating chamber and having a through passage, and a recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the at least one sprayer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
 a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which dishes may be received for treatment;   at least one sprayer provided within the treating chamber, and having a body with at least one opening through which liquid is emitted into the treating chamber and at least one through passage extending from an upper surface of the body to a lower surface of the body; and   a recirculation circuit, with a recirculation inlet, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the at least one sprayer, such that liquid emitted into the treating chamber from the at least one sprayer may be returned to the recirculation circuit through the recirculation inlet and directed back to the sprayer for recirculation;   wherein the through passage facilitates a return of liquid to the recirculation inlet for recirculation thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises multiple through passages. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sprayer is a mid-level sprayer. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3  wherein the at least one sprayer is platelike. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the at least one sprayer defines a low profile. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the upper surface of the body is contoured to direct liquid towards the through passage. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6  wherein the body comprises multiple through passages and the upper surface is contoured to direct liquid towards each of the multiple through passages. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the at least one sprayer is not a disk. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a rotatable body. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a rack located within the treating chamber and selectively moveable between a loading position where at least a portion of the rack extends exteriorly of the treating chamber and a wash position where the second rack is located entirely within the treating chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10  wherein the at least one sprayer is carried by the rack. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the tub further comprises a bottom wall and the at least one sprayer is provided in the bottom wall. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12  wherein the at least one sprayer is integrally formed in the bottom wall. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 12  wherein the at least one sprayer comprises a rotatable sprayer that is rotatable relative to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 14  wherein the rotatable sprayer is spaced just above the bottom wall to avoid contact with the bottom wall during rotation. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher of  claim 12  wherein the at least one sprayer comprises a fixed sprayer that is fixed relative to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sprayer has a square planform. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the at least one sprayer has a circular planform. 
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve body having at least one opening and moveable relative to the body such that the at least one opening selectively fluidly couples at least one of the multiple openings to the recirculation circuit. 
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher of  claim 19  wherein the valve body is a membrane having the at least one opening. 
     
     
         21 . The dishwasher of  claim 20  wherein the membrane does not interfere with a return of liquid through the through passage. 
     
     
         22 . The dishwasher of  claim 19  wherein the valve body is located within an interior of the body.