Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher is disclosed which is suitable for mounting within a cavity under a bench. The dishwasher is chassis less and includes no outer wrapper or cabinet and as such is mounted directly to the cavity. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments relating to mechanisms for closing the lid on the retractable drawer wash system and various methods for sealing the lid onto the wash drawer.

1 . A washing appliance comprising:
 a) a wash chamber having an open top, said wash chamber adapted to accommodate items to be washed and within which wash liquid is circulated, said wash chamber having a top peripheral rim, and wherein said wash chamber is slidably mounted within said appliance in such a manner that it may be withdrawn horizontally for access thereto,   b) a wash chamber closure,   c) a linkage arrangement including:
 at least one hinged link member, one end of each hinged link member hingedly connected to said wash chamber closure and the other end being hingedly connected to a stationary pivot point, said linkage arrangement providing said wash chamber closure with two degrees of freedom such that when said wash chamber is slid into a retracted position said wash chamber closure moves inwardly and downwardly, and when said wash chamber is slid into a withdrawn position said wash chamber closure moves outwardly and upwardly, 
 d) complementary abutments provided on said wash chamber closure and said wash chamber, said abutments engaging on substantially full retraction of said wash chamber within said appliance and on initial withdrawal of said wash chamber, and wherein continued displacement of said wash chamber after engagement, providing respective closing and opening forces to said wash chamber closure, to cause it to close against or open away from the open top of the wash chamber. 
   
   
   
       2 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said washing appliance is a dishwasher. 
   
   
       3 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one elastically deformable member hingedly attached at one end of each elastically deformable member to said wash chamber closure and the other end being hingedly attached to a different stationary point than said at least one hinged link member. 
   
   
       4 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said washing appliance is a dishwasher. 
   
   
       5 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said elastically deformable member forces said wash chamber closure upwards when said wash chamber is in a withdrawn position. 
   
   
       6 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said washing appliance is a dishwasher. 
   
   
       7 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said elastically deformable member is a spring. 
   
   
       8 . A washing appliance as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said washing appliance is a dishwasher.