Bottle washing accessory for use on the article rack of a dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article rack accessory for use in a dishwasher which comprises a tub, one or more article racks and one or more rotating spray arms each including one or more nozzles for upwardly spraying the washing/rinsing liquid towards the respective article rack. The article rack accessory of the present invention comprises an apparatus for installation onto at least one of the article racks and for washing/rinsing the interior of a hollow article that is to be placed thereover with the open side down onto the respective rack.

1 . An article rack accessory for use in a dishwasher comprising a tub; one or more article racks which are extendably disposed into the tub one above the other; and one or more rotating spray arms each including one or more nozzles for upwardly spraying the washing/rinsing liquid towards the respective article rack, the article rack accessory being characterized in that an apparatus which is adapted for installation onto at least one of the article racks and for washing/rinsing the interior of a hollow article that is to be placed thereover with the open side down onto the respective rack, wherein the apparatus includes an ascending pipe which is configured to penetrate into the hollow article, to immediately catch at least part of the washing/rinsing liquid that is upwardly sprayed from the respective counterpart nozzle which passes beneath, and to divert it into the hollow article towards the bottom thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus is adapted for releasable installation onto at least one of the article racks. 
     
     
         3 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a base which includes an attachment means for detachably attaching the base to the respective rack; and a holding means for releasably holding the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 3 , wherein the article racks each comprises wires, the article rack accessory being characterized in that the attachment means includes one or more grooves for engaging with the respective wire. 
     
     
         5 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the holding means includes one or more slots, and the apparatus includes one or more keys for engaging with the respective slots. 
     
     
         6 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the apparatus includes one or more stopper for restricting movement relative to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the base comprises an aperture for receiving the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the ascending pipe has an inverted funnel-like shape which upwardly narrows. 
     
     
         9 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus further includes: a tower-like support which is adapted for relative insertion into the hollow article, wherein the ascending pipe is formed into the tower-like support. 
     
     
         10 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the ascending pipe extends from the bottom to the top of the tower-like support. 
     
     
         11 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the tower-like support is height-adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The article rack accessory according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus is a single piece which is manufactured from a durable plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . A dishwasher comprising a tub, one or more article racks which are extendably disposed into the tub one above the other; and one or more rotating spray arms each including one or more nozzles for upwardly spraying the washing/rinsing liquid towards the respective article rack, characterized in that one or more article rack accessories each as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the upper article rack comprises one or more installation positions each adapted for releasable installation of a respective apparatus, wherein each position is located immediately above the locus of the respective counterpart nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher according to  claim 14 , characterized in that one or more markings which indicate the respective installation position.