Dishwasher utensil basket

Abstract

A dishwasher including a utensil basket having a front wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall, wherein at least a portion of the front wall is movable between a first and second position, relative to the basket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:
 a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber configured to receive dishes for treating;   a door assembly selectively closing the open face;   at least one dish rack provided within the treating chamber; and   a utensil basket located in the treating chamber when the door assembly closes the open face, the basket comprising:
 a bottom wall, 
 a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, 
 the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and 
 a portion of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the basket is mounted to at least one of the door assembly or dish rack. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2  wherein the basket is mounted to the door assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3  wherein the door assembly comprises an inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the basket is mounted to an upper portion of the inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 2  wherein the basket is mounted to the dish rack. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6  wherein the dish rack is located in an upper portion of the treating chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the at least one dish rack comprises an upper and lower dish rack. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 8  wherein the basket is mounted to the upper dish rack. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the peripheral wall is pivotally mounted to another portion of the peripheral wall and pivots downwardly. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10  wherein the peripheral wall defines multiple planar segments and the moveable portion is formed in one of the planar segments. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11  wherein the one of the planar segments comprises a lower wall segment located below the upper wall segment. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12  wherein the portion of the side wall is pivotally mounted to the lower wall segment. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the side wall is a segment of the peripheral wall located on a front face of the basket. 
     
     
         15 . A utensil holder for a dishwasher, the utensil holder comprising:
 a bottom wall,   a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall,   the bottom wall and peripheral wall defining a container and the peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge defining an open top, and   an upper segment of the peripheral wall moves downwardly to provide access to the container.   
     
     
         16 . The utensil holder of  claim 15  wherein the upper wall segment is pivotally mounted to another segment of the peripheral wall and pivots downwardly. 
     
     
         17 . The utensil holder of  claim 15  wherein the peripheral wall defines multiple planar segments and the upper wall segment is formed in one of the multiple planar segments. 
     
     
         18 . The utensil holder of  claim 17  wherein the one of the planar segments comprises a lower wall segment located below the upper wall segment. 
     
     
         19 . The utensil holder of  claim 18  wherein the upper wall segment is pivotally mounted to the lower wall segment. 
     
     
         20 . The utensil holder of  claim 15  wherein the upper wall segment is located on a front of the utensil holder.