Dishwasher with sprayer
First Claim
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1. A dishwasher for treating utensils according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
- a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation;
a sprayer for spraying liquid into the treating chamber and defining an interior having at least one liquid passage, and at least one outlet extending from the interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage;
at least one sealing ring provided along the interior of the sprayer and including a raised O-ring surrounding the at least one outlet; and
a flexible film having at least one opening, and in fluid communication with the liquid passage;
wherein the flexible film and the sprayer are operably coupled wherein, during use, the flexible film conforms to and moves relative to the raised O-ring provided on the sprayer to form a liquid seal between the at least one sealing ring and the flexible film, and such that rotation of the sprayer causes reciprocating movement of the flexible film relative to the sprayer such that the at least one opening passes over at least a portion of the at least one outlet to fluidly couple the liquid passage to the outlet and provide for a flow of liquid from the liquid passage, through the at least one opening, and through the outlet to emit a spray of liquid from the sprayer into the treating chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and a sprayer for spraying liquid to the treating chamber. The sprayer may include a liquid passage and at least one outlet extending from an interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage. A membrane may have at least one opening and may be in fluid communication with the liquid passage to control the flow of liquid through the at least one outlet.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dishwasher for treating utensils according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
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a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation; a sprayer for spraying liquid into the treating chamber and defining an interior having at least one liquid passage, and at least one outlet extending from the interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage; at least one sealing ring provided along the interior of the sprayer and including a raised O-ring surrounding the at least one outlet; and a flexible film having at least one opening, and in fluid communication with the liquid passage; wherein the flexible film and the sprayer are operably coupled wherein, during use, the flexible film conforms to and moves relative to the raised O-ring provided on the sprayer to form a liquid seal between the at least one sealing ring and the flexible film, and such that rotation of the sprayer causes reciprocating movement of the flexible film relative to the sprayer such that the at least one opening passes over at least a portion of the at least one outlet to fluidly couple the liquid passage to the outlet and provide for a flow of liquid from the liquid passage, through the at least one opening, and through the outlet to emit a spray of liquid from the sprayer into the treating chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A dishwasher for treating utensils according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
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a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation; a rotating spray arm for spraying liquid into the treating chamber and defining an interior having at least one liquid passage, and at least one outlet extending from the interior to an exterior of the spray arm and in fluid communication with the liquid passage; a flexible membrane located within the interior and having at least one opening, and in fluid communication with the liquid passage; and a driver including a gear train operably coupled to the flexible membrane and the rotating spray arm to laterally reciprocate the flexible membrane laterally within the rotating spray arm based on rotation of the rotating spray arm to define a relative movement; wherein, during use, the flexible membrane conforms to a shape of a portion of the spray arm, and as the flexible membrane is laterally reciprocated the at least one opening passes over at least a portion of the at least one outlet to fluidly couple the liquid passage to the outlet and provide for a flow of liquid from the liquid passage, through the at least one opening, and through the outlet to emit a spray of liquid from the spray arm into the treating chamber. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification