US2641380A - Tub and top construction for dishwashers - Google Patents

Description

June 9, E953A H. o. SMITH TUB ANDv To? CONSTRUCTION FOR DIsHwAsHERs 4 sheets-shea 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1950 f 1 w 1 .l|| Jv. A "Y T--\ v "A f VII.. j J 7 8 6 nventor Alfamrolal 0. Smith @im Wag@ Gttomegs June 9, 1953 H. o. sMrrH TUB AND TOP CONSTRUCTION FOR DISHWASHERS Filed Nov. 8, 195o .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 :inventor l. Harold Smblz- Bg l Gttornegs `Flauta@ 9, 1953 H. o. SMITH Y 2,641,380

TUB AND ToP CONSTRUCTION FOR nrsrmAsHERs I Filed Nov. 8, 195o 4 slm'cg-shan-l s"r T l A Impex-nor zo 28 HwroldSmilz 53 Bu v June 9, 1953 H. o. sMrrH.

TUB AND TOP CONSTRUCTION FOR DI'SHWASHERS Filed Nov. 8. 195i 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wrolal 0. Smith Patented June 9, 1 953 TUB AND TOP CONSTRUCTION FOR DISHWASHERS Harold 0. Smith, Salem, Ohio, assignor to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem, Ohio, a corporation of New York Application November 8, 19570, Serial No. 194,669

s claims. (c1. 22040) The invention relates to dishwashers, and more particularly to a dishwasher tub and top construction in which the tub and top are supported separately on the dishwasher cabinet with a joint therebetween through which the tub interior may be vented without leakage of washing liquid which may flow or splash upward along the tub side walls during dishwasher operation.

l Increasing numbers of power dishwashers are being installed and used in household kitchens either as individual dishwasher units or as parts of sink-dishwasher units. Such dishwasher units normally include a cabinet and a counter top which preferably are arranged to be installed adjacent to and in continuation of kitchen base cabinets or sink cabinets, and the counter or sink tops thereof.

The counter top for a, dishwasher cabinet, either separately or combined with a sink, should be arranged to be aligned with the counter or sink tops of adjacent base or sink cabinets.

Preferably, the dishwasher counter top member is formed of sheet metal coated with vitreous enamel, and if the dishwasher is a combination sink-dishwasher unit the enamel coated sheet metal top thereof integrally includes a sink bowl or basin.

For many reasons it is desirable to gain access to the dishwasher tub through an opening in the counter top, rather than through the front of the dishwasher cabinet. Such access opening, located above the upper end of the tub and formed by a downwardly extending flange, is closed by a lid forming a part of the counter top; and it is desirable to provide a liquid-tight seal for the lid when closed so as to prevent leakage of washing liquids around the lid when the dishwasher is in operation, and likewise to prevent liquids, food or other materials being processed on the counter top from entering the interior of the dishwasher around the closed lid.

Furthermore, the dishwasher tub also preferably is formed as a deep drawn sheet metal member coated with vitreous enamel so that the same may be kept in a sanitary condition at all times.

Also, it is desirable to mount the enamel coated sheet metal tub and topv members separately in or on the dishwasher cabinet to permit ready repair or replacement of either of these members, or of other parts of the dishwasher. Accordingly, in order to satisfy the foregoing conditions, it is necessary to provide a joint between the upper end ofthe tub and the tub access opening in the dishwasher counter top. This joint, however, must be capable on the one hand of permitting venting of the interior of the tub when the lid is closed, and on the other hand of preventing leakage or overow of washing liquids splashing or owing upward within the tub along the tub side walls during dishwasher operation.

The venting of the dishwasher tub is necessary so as to prevent pressure from building up within the tub upon closing the lid which would resist ready closure and sealing of the lid, and to prevent bulging of the lid or other dishwasher parts when the lid is closed, incident to expansion of air within the tub heated by hot water introduced into the tub after the lid is closed for washing and rinsing.

Thus, a diilicult problem is presented of providing a joint between the dishwasher tub and top satisfying all of the foregoing conditions. This problem is further complicated by the necessity of keeping any overlap of the upper end of the tub side walls and the downturned accessopening-forming-flange on the counter top at a minimum, so as to retain a maximum amount of work space within the dishwasher tub.

The provision of vitreous. enamel coatings on the sheet metal tub and top members further complicates the problem. It is not possible in production to maintain close tolerances in the tub side wall and top access opening angesizes when these members are formed of vitreous enamel coated sheet metal. Also, the burning or firing steps used in providing the vitreous enamel coating on the sheet metal tub and top members may cause warpage of these members, with the result thatthe tub side walls or access openingv flange, or both, may be slightly out-of-round when received for assembly with the dishwasher cabinet.

Finally, proper dishwashing action is dependent in part upon discharging, jetting, or otherwise moving or ilowing washing liquidswithin the tub against dishes therein with considerable force such that the liquids striking the tub side walls will splash or otherwise flow in all directions along the tub side walls, including upward. Upward movement of washing liquids along the tub side walls near the top thereof may overflow from the tu'b member and drip into the surrounding cabinetfunless such movement or now is restrained or turned in a direction to avoid overflow.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new enamel coated sheet metal dishwasher -tub and top joint con- I struction.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new joint construction between the upper end of the side walls of a sheet metal dishwasher tub and a downturned flange forming the tub access opening in the dishwasher top member which permits venting of the interior of' the tub when the lid for the access opening is closed and sealed in a leakproof manner.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new dishwasher tub and top oonstrnc` tion having a vented joint therebetween 'which prevents water, splashing or flowing upward of the tub side walls during dishwasher operation, from overflowing at the top of the tub.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vented but liquid leakageinhibiting joint construction for dishwasher tub and top members in which dimensional instability as to size and roundness of the tub and top members, incident to' enamelingthe parts, does not prevent the proper formation of such a joint therebetween.

Finally, it is an object of thev present invention to provi-dey a new dishwasher tub and top joint construction incorporating the foregoing desiderata, which may be fabricated readily, which satisfactorily solves` the complicated described problems ,and which obtains` the foregoing advantages in a Simple, effective, and inox'- pensive manner.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art froml the following description and claims may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described difficulties overcome, bythe improvements, elements, combinations, sub-combinations, arrangements, constructions, devices and parts which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, a preferred embodiment of which--illustrative of the best mode which applicant has contemplated applying the principles-s set forth in the followingY descriptionl and' shown in the drawings' and which are particularly anddistinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims'forming part hereof.

The nature ofv the discoveries and improvements dishwasher tub and top construction may be stated` general terms as preferably including in a dishwasher, a cabinet, a preferably v vitreous enamel coated sheet metal tub member having preferably cylindrical side walls mounted within the cabinet, a preferably vitreous enamel coated sheet metal counter top member mounted on the` cabinet having a downturnedA annular flange forming a tub access openingv in the-top member, a lid for the opening, means for sealing the lid when closed in a leakproof mannen, said flange being preferably cylindrical: and terminating at its lower end preferably in a slightly outturnedcurved lip, said flange being telescoped within the upper end of the tub side walls-With; a clearance space between the tub side walls and lip, an annular, inwardly-directed bead formed in the tub side walls immediately above said lip"l said tub side walls terminating` in an outturned and. then preferably downturned ange with an annular, preferably right angled, corner between the tub side walls and said outturned flange, and the normal outer diameter of said lip being equal to or slightly larger than the normal. inside diameter of said bead.

`By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the improved dishwasher tub and top` construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of a dishwasher unit provided with the improved construction;

Fig. 2 is, a top plan View,l with parts broken away and in section, of the dishwasher shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section Athrough the improved dishwasher tub and top joint; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4-4, Figv 3',

Fig. 5` is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner inwlnch the top may be assembled with the tub in the improved dishwasher construction;

Fig, G is a front elevation, similar to Fig. ll, illustrating the improved construction in a combined dishwasher and sink unit; and

Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the unit shown in Fig. 6.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various gures of the drawings.

An individual dishwasher unit made in accoi-dance with the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the dishwasher tub member being generally indicated atA I, the dishwasher top member at 2, and the dishwasher cabinet at 3. The cabinet `3 may be constructed inthe usual manner of sheet metal with painted surfaces' comprising a base portion d", sidewalls 5l terminating in front corner portions 8, an upper panel portion 1, and a door-'8.

Theftop member 2 preferably is provided with vitreous enamel surfaces and, as illustrated, may be formed from sheet metal witha vitreous enamel coating thereon. The top member 2 includes a splash hack portion 9, a top rim portion lilterminating in a depending or down# turned flange H which surrounds the front and sides of the top member and merges with the side surfaces f2 of the splash back portion 9. The downturned top member iiange ii preferably terminates in an in-turned flange i3' resting on a gasket or other cushioning or seating member Hi, which in turn rests upon an inturned flange ILE at the topedges of they front and-side walls of the cabinet 3'. Thus, thel top member 2 is mounted on and' supported by the vcabinet 3'.

An opening. for gaining access to the dishwasher tub i is formed in the tcp member 2- by a downturned flange portion I6v which may be somewhat rectangular` in configuration when viewed from the top (Fig 2)y with rounded corners Il; The flange portion it terminates in an inturned shoulder or ledge i8, which terminates inwardly in a preferably cylindrical downturned tub adjoining flange lug. The bottoni open end of the flange i9 preferably is formed with a slightly outturned, curved lip indicated at 2-0'. Thusr the tub access opening is formed by the flange portions I6 and lil, and this opening may be closed by a lid member 2l preferably formed of vitreous enamel coated sheet metal and hinged at 22 to the top member 2. The lid 2| is shaped to have the same configuration as the shape of they flange portion lo and-j corners il, and is provided with4 a gasket 2.3 which tightly' seats onthe shouldered ledge it when; the lid is closed, thus forming a liquid-ti-ght.y seal for the lid so as to preventV leakage of washing' liquids around the lid when the dishwasher ist in; operation. rfhe. seal also prevents liquids, food, or. other materials processed on top of. the lid, from entering the interior of, the. dishwasher whenthe lid is closed.

2' The upper surface of the lid 2I is preferably at and lies preferably in the sameplane as the top surface of the rim portion I0, so as to present a counter surface for use as a work space for the preparation of foods and other materials in the kitchen; and this top counter surface may have the same height as and be Vformed as a continuation of adjacent kitchen base cabinets having similar counter or work surfaces. Preferably, the lid 2,I is provided centrally, .with a glass window 24 through which the operation of the dishwasher may be observed.

Although the top member 2 has been shown and `described as being formed integrally in one piece of vitreous enamel coated sheet metal, it is to be understood that the same may be made as a cast vitreous enamel coated product, or as a porcelain china member. Alternatively, it can be formed of stainless steel or Monel metal.

A preferably sheet metal tub support member 25 is mounted within the cabinet 3 near the top of the cabinet front and side walls, and this support member is formed inwardly and upwardly with a preferably cylindrical ring portion 26 (Fig. 3).

'I'he tub member I is formed as a deep drawn vitreous enamel coated sheet metal member having a sump portion 21 and a cylindrical side wall 28 terminating at its upper end in an outturned rim ange 29 formed integrally as a part of a depending annular flange 30. The tub fiange 30 is telescoped over the support member ring portion 26, and the members 26 and 3Ilmay be joined by nuts and bolts 3| whereby the tub member I is mounted within the cabinet -3 on the support member 25. In accordance with the present invention, the annular corner 32 between the tub side wall 28 and rim 29 is formed on as small a radius as possible consistent with good enameling practice to provide as sharp a right angle corner between members 28 and 29 asposvsible for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

When the tub and top members I and 2r are assembled with and supported by the cabinet 3, the cylindrical tub adjoining ange I9 of the topmember 2 is telescoped within the upper end of the cylindrical tub side wall 28 with a clearance space indicated at 33 in Fig. 3 between tub side wall 28 and outturned, curved lip 20 at the lower end of flange I9. The side wall 28 of the tub member I is provided with an annular inwardly directed bead 34 immediately above the lip 20, and the normal outer diameter of the lip 20 in accordance with the present invention is equal to or slightly larger than the normal inside diameter of said bead 34, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. y y

When thetub and top members I and'2 are assembled as shown, an annular passage 35l is formed between flange I9 and the upper end of the tub side wall 28 communicating through clearance space 33 with the interior of the tub and also with the interior of the cabinet 3 surrounding the tub. This passage provides a vent for the tub, preventing pressure from' building up within the tub I upon closing the lid 2|, which pressure would resist ready closure and 'sealing of the lid. TheV venting also prevents bulging of the lid or tub walls when the lid is closed, as a result of expansion of air within` the tub when heated by hot water introduced into the tub after the lid is closed for carrying out the dishwashing operations. i

When the dishwasher is infuse,vwashing or rinsing liquids are discharged, -fjetted,"or other- 6. wise moved with lconsiderable iorce'within 'the tub against dishes therein, and these liquids strike the tub side wall 28 and splash or otherwise iiow in all directions along the tub side wall. Any upward movement of such washing liquids flowing on the tub side wall near to thetop must pass through the clearance space 33 whence the direction of flow is immediately turned inward by the annular bead 34. This inward turning of the flow of liquid, if still flowing with any appreciable force, will strike the exterior surface of the top flange I9, and its force will be spent before any liquid can travel upward to the top of the flange I9. The spent liquids which may .enter through clearance space 33 then -drip downward along the exterior surface of the ange I9 to lip 28 and thence into the tub I. v

If any upwardly flowing liquids should continue tohug the tub side wall 28 by passing around bead 34, they must continue to flow'vertically upward alongthe tub f side wall por. tion 36 a substantial distance before reaching the corner 32, and the force of such flow will be spent before the liquids can reach the corner 32. As indicated, the corner 32 is made as sharp a right angular corner as possible to inhibit any tendency of liquids to iiow around the corner 32 and overow the tub.

Thus, the particular cooperative construction, arrangement, and relative location of the tub ad-4 joining flange I9 of the top member 2, its lip 20, the tub side wall 28, bead 34, wall portion 36, and sharp corner 32, provide a vent for the tub and yet prevent overflow of splashed washing liquids through the vent opening or passage 33-35. l

Unfortunately, the characteristics of vitreous enamel coated products prevent close tolerances from being maintained in the size and concen-f tricity of the cylindrical tub wall 28, top ange I9 and lip 20, thus requiring the clearance space 33 to be substantial. The tub wall 28, when iired to form the vitreous-enamel coating, may warp out-of-round and the enamel on the lip edge 20 may fuse in such manner as to present a slightly irregular edge. Similarly, the cylindrical ange wall I9 may warp out-of-round when fus'- ing the enamel coating, or on ring the part, if made ofporcelain china.

Ifthe outer diameter ofthe lip 20 on the bottom end of ange I9 could in production be made to'closely t the internal diameter of the tub wallf28, the lip 20,would stop any upward flow of washing liquids on the tub wall'28, ytherebyl eliminating the necessity of providing the bead 34. However, for `the reasons stated above, the clearance space 33 must be substantial, and thus a substantial annular channel is present at the clearance space 33 through which upwardly splashed liquids may flow. In order to turn these liquids and prevent 'overflow of the tub, the projection of the bead 34 must rlikewise be substantial While maintaining the clearance space 33 at a minimum.

`These requirements are satisfied by the present invention by the relative dimensions of the inner diameter of bead y34 and outer diameter of lip 20 which, as described, are either the same or the lip diameter slightly greater than the bead diameter. This arrangement in turn Apresents an assembly problem whichis overcome in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5, in which the arrows 3'1 represent the inside diameter of the bead 34, while the arrows y38 represent the outside projected diameter of the lip 2i) taken at right angles to the diameter3'l, with the'bottom'surface of the lip"'20 or the:

bottom'cnd of the flange wall l5. tilted out of. parallelism with a plane passing through. the inside diameter of bead 3,4.

In other words, if, in assembling the parts, the tubV is located with its axis directly vertical and the top member is tilted out-of-horizontal, the circular edge of lip 20 presents an elliptical profjection when viewed in plan along the axis of the tub, and there are then only twopoints on the lip 20, at the extreme endsof diameter 3T, which will contact the bead 34 when. it is attempted to telescope the lip 26) past the bead 31H20 the assembled position shown in Fig. 3. If the outer diameter of lip 20 is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the bead 3A, the lip 20 may still be telescoped past the bead because there is suiiicient springiness or resilience in the sheet metal ange wall I9 to permit it tosprng outo-fround, so that the two contacting points at the end of diameter 3l on the outer edge of lip 2@ will snap past the bead 34.

The sharp angular corner 32 at the top of the tub,` in addition to assisting in preventing tub overflow, also substantially stiflens the upper end of the tub against warping out-of-round during the enameling operation, and aids the tub side walls in maintaining proper shape as lip 20 is telescoped past bead 34.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the improved construction is there shown incorporated in a com bined sink-dishwasher unit generally indicated at 39, in which the dishwasher portion 4l]A at the right end of the unit is substantiallyidentical in construction with the dishwasher unit illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5. However, the cabinet generally indicated at 4I is wider and is provided with twodoors 42 and 43, and a sink M is incorporated integrally in the top member 45. In other respects, the tub member 46 is mounted within the cabinet 4i and associated with the top 45 in the same manner as previously described..

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved dishwasher tub and top member construction in which the tub and top members are separately supported on the dishwasher cabinet so as to permit ready replacement or repair of either of the parts; provides a joint between the tub and top members through which the tub may be vented when the tub lid is closed; provides a vented joint which prevents the overow of splashed washing liquids from the tub` through the vent opening or passage; provides a construction which incorporates the foregoing arrangements notwithstanding the inability to maintain close tolerances in the manufacture OI the dishwasher tub and top from vitreous enamel coated sheet metal; and provides a construction which may be fabricated readily and satisfies the complicated problems presented in a simple, ef-A fective, and inexpensive manner.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations `are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes herein and not for the purg poseof limitation, and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction of the various parts.

Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manufacture and assembly ci preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful resuits obtained thereby; the new and useiul im movements. discoveries, elements, combinations,

sub-combinations, arrangements, constructions..

devices, and Darts, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art. are, setforth in the: appended claims.

I claim:

1. In dishwasher construction, a sheet. metal tub. member having upwardly projecting side walls, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side-walls spaced below the top edges thereof, a counter top member for the tub having a downturned tub adjoining ange, telescopedwithin the tub side walls terminating at its lower end in a. flared lip located immcdh ately below saidbead' and forming an access opening for the tub member, there being a clearancel space between the. lip and tub side walls providing a tub vent, and the outer perimetric dimension of said lip being'not less than the inner perimetric dimension of said bead.

EL In dishwasher construction, a tub member ,f having an upwardly projecting, cylindrical side wall, there being an inwardly projecting annular bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below the top edge thereof, a counter top member for the tub having a downturned, cylindrical, tub adjoining flange telescoped within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in af flared lip located immediately below said bead and formingan access opening for the tub member, one oi' said members being formed of shoel metal, there being a clearance spacebetween the lip and tub side wall providing a tub vent, and the outer diameter oi'v said lip being at least equal to the inner diameter of said bead.

3. In dishwasher construction, a sheet met-al tub member having an upwardly projecting cylindrical side wall terminating in an outturned ange, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below said outturried flange, a counter top member for the tub having a downturned, cylindrical, tub adjoin# ing flange telescoped within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in a flared lip located immediately below said bead and forming an accessopening for the tub member, there being a clearance space between the lip and tub side wall providing a, tub vent, and the outer diameter of said lip being at least equal to the inner diameter orsaid bead.

4. In dishwasher construction, a vsheet metal tub member having an upwardly projecting cylin drical side wall. terminating .l in an outturned flange formed as a part of l a downturned flange, a cabinet, e support member mounted in the cabinet' engaged below and within said out..- turned and downturned anges supporting the tub in the cabinet, there being an inwardly pro Jecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below said outturned danse, a counter top member for the tub supported on the cabinet having a downturned cylindrical tub adjoining flange telescoped within the tulo side wall ter.. minating at its lower end in a Ilared lip located immediately below said bead and forming an ac cess opening for the tub member, and there being a clearance space between the lip and tub lside wall providing a tub vent.

5. In dishwasher construction, a sheet metal tub member having an upwardly projecting, cylin` drical side wall terminating lin an outturned flange with a right angled, annular corner therebetween,y a cabinet, means on the cabinet engage ing said flange supporting the tub in the cabinet, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below said outturned ange, a counter top member for the tub mounted on the cabinet having a downturned, cylindrical, tub adjoining ange telescoped within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in a flared lip located immediately below said bead and forming an access opening for the tub mem ber, and there being a clearance space between the lip and tub side wall providing a tub vent.'

6. In dishwasher construction, a cabinet, a tub member having an upwardly projecting, cylindrical side wall mounted in the cabinet, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below the top edge thereof, a counter top member mounted on the cabinet above the tub, there being a downturned, cylindrical, tub adjoining flange formed on the top member telescoped Within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in a flared lip located immediatelyA below said bead and forming an access opening for the tub member, said tub and top members being provided with vitreous enamel coatings and one of the members being formedwof sheet metal, and there being a clearance space between the lip and tub side walls `providing a tub vent. 7. In dishwasher construction, a cabinet, a tub member having an upwardly projecting, cylindrical side wall mounted in the cabinet, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below the top edge thereof, a counter top member mounted on the cabinet above the tub, there being a downturned, cylindrical, tub adjoining flange formed on the top member telescoped within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in a ared lip located immediately below said bead and forming an access opening for the tub member, said tub and top members being provided with vitreous enamel coatings and one of the members being formed of sheet metal, there being a clearance space between the lip and tub side walls providing a tub vent, a lid for said access opening, and means for sealing the lid in a leakproof manner when closed.

8. In dishwasher construction, a vitreous enamel coated sheet metal tub member having an upwardly projecting cylindrical side wall terminating in an outturned iiange, there being an inwardly projecting bead formed around the tub side wall spaced below said outturned iiange, a vitreous enamel coated sheet metal counter top member for the tub having a downturned cylindrical tub adjoining -iiange telescoped Within the tub side wall terminating at its lower end in a flared lip located immediately below said bead and k forming an access. opening for the tub member, a cabinet, means supporting the tub member in the cabinet, separate means supporting the top mem ber on the cabinet, there being a clearance space between the lip and tub side wall providing a tub vent, and the outer diameter of said lip being at least equal to the inner diameter of said bead.

HAROLD O. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,009,342 Jones Nov. 28, 1911 1,913,731 Skarstad June 13, 1933 2,275,705 Wagner Mar. 10, 1942 2,320,888 Reifenberg June 1, 1943 2,533,524 Snider Dec. 12, 1950

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