Spray tines for a dishwasher rack

Abstract

Tines that can provide a spray into the interior of containers placed onto a rack of a dishwasher are provided. More particularly, hollow tines or tines having an internal fluid path for feeding washing fluid to one or more openings at or near an upper end of the tines are described. As a fluid is sprayed or ejected from the opening(s), it provides for the cleaning of the interior of glasses, containers, and other dishes placed over the tines.

1 . A dishwasher rack assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated members defining a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposing side walls, and a bottom wall; and,   a plurality of spray tines, each said tine comprising a fluid channel extending between a lower end of said tine and an upper end of said tine, the fluid channel configured for delivering a fluid to the upper end of said tine so as to provide a spray of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spray tips, each said tip positioned at the upper end of one of said spray tines, each said spray tip defining at least one orifice for delivering a spray of fluid supplied from the fluid channel of a said spray tine. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 2 , further comprising a fluid supply conduit, wherein the lower end of each of said plurality of tines is connected to said fluid supply conduit. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein said fluid supply conduit extends along the bottom wall defined by said plurality of elongated members. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein said fluid supply conduit is configured with a connecting end for mating connection with a docking port along a wall of a dishwasher so as to provide a fluid to said fluid supply conduit. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein each said spray tip comprises a cap that is attached onto the upper end of one of said spray tines. 
     
     
         7 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein each said spray tip defines a plurality of orifices for delivering the spray of fluid from the fluid channel of a said spray tine. 
     
     
         8 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of orifices of at least one of said spray tips is positioned so as to provide an omni-directional spray of fluid from the at least one said spray tip. 
     
     
         9 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the spray tip of at least one of said plurality of spray tines is rotatable such that the direction of fluid flowing from said spray tip may be adjusted by a user of the dishwasher rack assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein said dishwasher rack assembly further comprises:
 a spray arm assembly attached to the bottom wall of the rack assembly; and,   a manifold for supplying fluid to said spray arm assembly and said plurality of spray tines;   wherein the lower end of each of said plurality of tines is connected to a fluid supply conduit, and wherein said fluid supply conduit is connected with said manifold.   
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher having a wash chamber for the receipt of dishes, the dishwasher defining vertical and horizontal directions, the dishwasher comprising:
 a dishwasher rack assembly movably received into the wash chamber, the dishwasher rack assembly comprising:
 a plurality of hollow tines extending upwardly from the rack assembly, each said hollow tine defining an interior channel and having a lower end and an upper end; and, 
 at least one orifice positioned along the upper end of each of said hollow tines, each said orifice in fluid communication with the channel of a respective said hollow tine. 
   
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher as in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a hollow, elongated fluid supply member extending along said dishwasher rack assembly;   wherein the lower end of each of said plurality of hollow tines is connected to said elongated fluid supply member.   
     
     
         13 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , wherein said elongated fluid supply member is connected with a source of fresh water. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a port located on a rear wall of said dishwasher; and,   a connector positioned along one end of said elongated fluid supply member, said connector configured for mating receipt with said port so as to provide for a supply of fluid to said plurality of hollow tines.   
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fluid supply manifold attached to a bottom wall of said dishwasher rack assembly; and,   a spray arm assembly located below said dishwasher rack assembly and connected with said fluid supply manifold such that fluid may be provided to said spray arm assembly;   wherein said plurality of hollow tines are also connected with said fluid supply manifold such that fluid may also be provided to said plurality of hollow tines.   
     
     
         16 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one orifice positioned along the upper end of each of said hollow tines comprises a plurality of orifices providing an omni-directional spray pattern. 
     
     
         17 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one orifice positioned along the upper end of each of said hollow tines comprises a plurality of orifices, wherein said orifices may be oriented to provide a spray pattern as selected by a user of the dishwasher. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwasher as in  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of orifices are configured to provide a spray pattern selected from the group comprising cone jet, hollow cone jet, pencil jet, or fan jet. 
     
     
         19 . A dishwasher as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one orifice positioned along the upper end of each of said hollow tines is defined by a cap positioned along the upper end. 
     
     
         20 . A dishwasher as in  claim 19 , wherein said cap is rotatable about the upper end.