Bottle washing apparatus for use on the dishwasher rack

Abstract

The present invention provides a bottle washing apparatus for use in a dishwasher. The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a first docking port which opens into tub and exclusively docks with or undocks from the apparatus and exclusively supplies the apparatus, in the docked state, with the washing/rinsing liquid. The hydraulic circuit circulates the liquid via the first docking port.

1 . A bottle washing apparatus for use in a dishwasher comprising a tub, one or more extendable article racks which are disposed into the tub, a first docking port which is configured to open into the tub and to exclusively dock with or undock from the bottle washing apparatus and to exclusively supply the bottle washing apparatus, in the docked state, with the washing/rinsing liquid, a hydraulic circuit which is configured to circulate the washing/rinsing liquid via the first docking port and a control unit for controlling the hydraulic circuit, the bottle washing apparatus being characterized in that a separate non-rotating spray unit which is configured for detachable attachment onto the inner bottom of at least one of the racks, to directly dock with or undock from the first docking port when the respective rack is pushed in or pulled out of the tub respectively and to wash/rinse a hollow article that is to be placed thereover upside down onto the respective rack. 
     
     
         2 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the spray unit is configured for detachable attachment onto the inner bottom of the lower article rack. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the spray unit is further configured for detachable attachment exclusively onto the rearmost area on the inner bottom of the lower article rack and to wash/rinse the hollow articles that are to be placed thereover upside down onto the rearmost area of the lower article rack. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first docking port includes a safety valve which is configured to cooperate with the spray unit and to open when the spray unit is docked and to close when the spray unit is undocked. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the racks comprise wires, the bottle washing apparatus being characterized in that the spray unit comprises one or more resilient claws which are configured to releasably catch the counterpart wires. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the resilient claws are disposed onto the bottom of the spray unit and extend downwardly so as to releasably catch the counterpart wires when the spray unit is pressed downwardly onto the inner bottom of the respective rack. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the spray unit comprises one or more primary nozzles which are configured to spray the washing/rinsing fluid upwardly and directly into the respective hollow article. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the article racks each comprises one or more sets of tines for respectively supporting dishes, the bottle washing apparatus being characterized in that the spray unit comprises one or more secondary nozzles which are configured to spray the washing/rinsing fluid slantwise and directly towards the dishes to be placed onto the respective rack between the tines. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the article racks each comprises one or more sets of tines for respectively supporting dishes, the bottle washing apparatus being characterized in that the spray unit has an elongated shape which extends along the entire width of the respective rack and a relatively low height such that it does not interfere, in the attached sate, with the dishes to be placed onto the respective rack between the tines. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the spray unit has one or more barrier-like projections configured to inhibit dislocation of the hollow articles that are to be placed thereover upside down onto the respective rack. 
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher comprising a tub, a sump which is located on the bottom of the tub, one or more extendable article racks which are disposed into the tub one above the other, one or more rotating spray arms which are configured to spray the washing/rinsing liquid towards the respective article racks, a hydraulic circuit which is configured to circulate the liquid via the rotating spray arms, a control unit which is configured to control the hydraulic circuit, wherein the control unit further comprises one or more user selectable washing programs, characterized in that a first docking port which is configured to open into tub and to exclusively dock with or undock from the bottle washing apparatus as defined in  claim 1  and to exclusively supply the bottle washing apparatus, in the docked state, with the washing/rinsing liquid, wherein the hydraulic circuit is further configured to circulate the washing/rinsing liquid via the first docking port and wherein the inner bottom of at least one of the racks is configured for releasable installation of the bottle washing apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the hydraulic circuit has a first individual line which is configured to allow individual circulation of the washing/rinsing liquid via the first docking port to the bottle washing apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the hydraulic circuit comprises a multiway valve unit which includes: an inlet port which is configured to receive the liquid from the sump, a first outlet port which is configured to allow individual circulation of the liquid via the first individual line and the first docking port to the bottle washing apparatus, a second outlet port which is configured to allow individual circulation of the liquid via a second individual line and a second docking port to the upper rotating spray arm, a third outlet port which is configured to allow individual circulation of the liquid via a third individual line to the lower rotating spray arm. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the control unit further comprises a user selectable bottle washing function, wherein the control unit is further programmed to circulate the washing/rinsing liquid via the first docking port in combination with a selected washing program if the bottle washing function has also been selected by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , characterized in that a wire retainer which is configured for releasable or retractable attachment to the respective rack and to secure the hollow articles including bottles and stemware that are to be placed over the spray unit upside down onto the respective rack.