IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,543,922
Granted Patent B2
US 12,543,922 · App. 19/297,954 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Dishwasher with a dish rack

Inventors: Mark S. Feddema (Kalamazoo, MI); William J. Snell (Elkhart, IN); Sachie Kakehi (St. Joseph, MI); Steven B. Balinski (Rockford, MN); David Jason Brightbill (Berrien Center, MI); Joseph T. Ferencevich (St. Joseph, MI); Sujit S. Naik (St. Joseph, MI); Frederick Thomas Roderick (Coloma, MI); Ryan Kevin Roth (Grandville, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
A47L15/502A47L15/22A47L15/4217A47L15/4221A47L15/4246A47L15/428A47L15/46A47L15/503A47L15/505
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,543,922
App. No.
19/297,954
Granted
Feb 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dishwasher includes a tub that defines a dish treating chamber. A first lower dish rack and a second lower dish rack are located in the dish treating chamber. An upper dish rack is located above the first lower dish rack and the second lower dish rack in the dish treating chamber. The upper dish rack defines a planar portion and a depression. The depression extends below the planar portion and includes a first angled wall and a second angled wall that each extend at an acute angle relative to the planar portion. The first angled wall defines a first set of cup seats and the second angled wall defines a second set of cup seats. A plurality of utensil holders is disposed in the planar portion and is configured to horizontally support utensils.

Claims (33)

1 . A dishwasher, comprising:

a tub defining a dish treating chamber;

a first lower dish rack and a second lower dish rack located in the dish treating chamber;

an upper dish rack located above the first lower dish rack and the second lower dish rack in the dish treating chamber, the upper dish rack defining a planar portion and a depression, wherein the depression includes a first angled wall and a second angled wall that each extend at an acute angle relative to the planar portion, and

wherein the first angled wall defines a first set of cup seats, and wherein the second angled wall defines a second set of cup seats;

wherein the planar portion includes a plurality of utensil holders configured to horizontally support utensils; and

wherein the depression extends entirely below a top of the utensil holders in the planar portion.

2 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of utensil holders is disposed in a utensil caddy operably coupled to the planar portion.

3 . The dishwasher of claim 2 , wherein the utensil caddy includes a basket that is removably coupled with a bottom wall of the planar portion.

4 . The dishwasher of claim 2 , wherein the utensil caddy defines a periphery defining an interior with an open top.

5 . The dishwasher of claim 2 , wherein the utensil caddy includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a set of hinges.

6 . The dishwasher of claim 5 , wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are coupled together through the set of hinges.

7 . The dishwasher of claim 2 , further comprising:

at least one sprayer adjacent to the first set of cup seats and configured to emit a spray of water into a cup held by the first set of cup seats.

8 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is located between the first set of cup seats and the second set of cup seats.

9 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer extends from a front of the upper dish rack to a back of the upper dish rack.

10 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is also configured to emit the spray of water into a cup held by the second set of cup seats.

11 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is configured to provide a straight-line stream of water.

12 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer includes a plurality of spray nozzles, and wherein each of the spray nozzles is configured to rotate as the at least one sprayer emits the spray of water into the cup held by the first set of cup seats.

13 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the utensil caddy includes a diffuser that diffuses the spray of water emitted by the at least one sprayer.

14 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is configured to emit a straight-line steam of water to the planar portion of the upper dish rack.

15 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is configured to emit a fan pattern of water.

16 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the first set of cup seats is configured to support a set of cups and the second set of cup seats is configured to support a set of mugs.

17 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is located between the first set of cup seats and the second set of cup seats, the at least one sprayer configured to emit the spray of water into drinking vessels held by the first and second sets of cup seats.

18 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein a portion of the spray of water emitted by the at least one sprayer is directed toward the plurality of utensil holders.

19 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the upper dish rack includes a wire frame construction that forms the first angled wall and the second angled wall.

20 . The dishwasher of claim 19 , wherein the wire frame construction also forms the planar portion and side walls of the upper dish rack.

21 . The dishwasher of claim 19 , wherein a plurality of spray nozzles of the at least one sprayer are located beneath the wire frame construction.

22 . The dishwasher of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are configured to rotate during said dishwasher operation.

23 . The dishwasher of claim 21 , wherein the wire frame construction includes a raised section disposed between the first set of cup seats and the second set of cup seats.

24 . The dishwasher of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are disposed below a portion of the raised section.

25 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein a lowermost portion of the first set of cup seats and a lowermost portion of the second set of cup seats is disposed below the at least one sprayer.

26 . The dishwasher of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sprayer is disposed below the planar portion.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 19039228 · Jan 28, 2025
Continuation 18535327 · Dec 11, 2023
Continuation 17830947 · Jun 2, 2022
Continuation 16833984 · Mar 30, 2020
Related Publication 20250359724A1 · Nov 27, 2025
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