US20080314421A1

US20080314421A1 - Dishwasher Having a Dishwashing Compartment Which Can Be Withdrawn From the Housing in the Manner of a Drawer

Info

Publication number: US20080314421A1
Application number: US11/816,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Uwe Bauch; Stephan Lange; Volker Stank
Original assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Current assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-01
Publication date: 2008-12-25
Also published as: WO2006089622A1; DE502006007834D1; EP1850726A1; EP1850726B1; ATE480178T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher having a substantially block-shaped housing and a washing tub. The housing includes a hanging cover and a front side having an opening. The washing tub includes a top having an opening and side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover. The washing tub is configured to be received and withdrawn -from the housing front side opening and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation. A region of the washing tub bears against a region of the housing during the washing operation. The housing has at least one contact surface contoured to match a surface of the washing tub.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2006/000860, filed Feb. 1, 2006, and claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 249.1, filed Feb. 22, 2005, German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 247.5, filed Feb. 22, 2005, and German Patent Application No. 10 2005 008 248.3, filed Feb. 22, 2005. The International Application was published in German on Aug. 31, 2006 as WO/2006/089622 under PCT Article 21(2).
The present invention relates to a dishwasher including a housing which is open at the front side, and including a washing tub which is open at the top, the washing tub being able to be withdrawn from the housing.

BACKGROUND

A drawer-type dishwasher is described in WO 98/33426 A1. The advantages of such a drawer-type dishwasher are described in detail in that document.
Drawer-type dishwashers have a problem which is caused by the need to seal the upwardly open washing tub so as to prevent egress of wash water. To this end, a liquid-tight contact must be provided between the cover of the housing, or sealing strips extending parallel thereto on the housing side walls, and the edges defining the opening of the washing tub. It is common practice to use flexible seals on the edges and/or on the housing. In order to achieve the sealing effect, one of the companion sealing members must exert a force on the other. In the front and rear regions, this force is provided by the insertion movement which occurs perpendicular to the sealing surface. On the other hand, at the lateral edges, the insertion movement occurs parallel to the two sealing surfaces. Therefore, it is important to provide an movement arrangement to produce a force having a component perpendicular to the lateral sealing surfaces.
To this end, in one embodiment disclosed in WO 98/33426 A1, the housing cover is moved toward the washing tub toward the end of the insertion operation. In order to effect such lowering, it is necessary to provide a complex adjusting mechanism by which the force resulting from the insertion movement is redirected toward the cover.
Another embodiment described in WO 98/33426 A1 uses a washing tub which has a greater height at the front than at the rear, so that the edges of the side walls slope downwardly toward the rear. Given a correspondingly sloping cover, or a corresponding sealing strip, it is achieved that the insertion movement is no longer parallel to the sealing edge, and therefore produces a force on the companion sealing members. The slope of the edges results in several disadvantages. First of all, the height of the washing tub decreases, which reduces the capacity thereof. Secondly, remaining water standing on the edges runs to the rear and into the housing.
Also described in WO 98/33426 A1 are variants that use folding covers, or “endless covers” mounted on rollers, but which have disadvantages in terms of tightness. Also described in WO 98/33426 A1 is the lowering of seals by inflating the seal itself, or an activation device associated therewith.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a structurally simple and yet reliable means for sealing the washing tub within the housing.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwasher that includes a housing and a washing tub. The housing may have a substantially block-shape and include a housing cover and a front side with an opening. The washing tub may have a front wall, a rear wall, a top having an opening, and side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover. The washing tub may be configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation. At least one region of the washing tub may bear against a region of the housing during the washing operation. In at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of an outer dimension of the washing tub may decrease in width from front to rear and an inner dimension of the washing tub may increase in width from front to rear. The housing may have at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and inner dimension of the washing tub.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwasher that includes a housing and a washing tub and a seal. The housing has a substantially block-shape and includes a housing cover and a front side having an opening. The washing tub includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top having an opening and side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover. The washing tub may be configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation. The seal may be disposed on the housing and may bear against the washing tub during the washing operation. In at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of an outer dimension of the washing tub may decrease in width from front to rear and an inner dimension of the washing tub may increase in width from front to rear. The seal may have at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and the inner dimension of the washing tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the following drawings, using like reference numerals to denote like parts in which,

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher designed in accordance with the present invention, showing the washing tub in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the washing tub of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, showing the washing tub in an extended position;

FIG. 4 is a partial section taken along line C-C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, showing the washing tub in a retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken along line D-D of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another dishwasher designed in accordance with the present invention, showing the washing tub in an extended position.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the washing tub of the dishwasher of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 7, showing the washing tub in an extended position;

FIG. 10 is a partial section taken along line B-B of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 7, showing the washing tub in a retracted position;

FIG. 12 is a partial section taken along line A-A of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a dishwasher designed in accordance with the present invention, showing the washing tub in an extended position;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, showing its washing tub in the position required for the washing operation;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with the side wall removed (cross-section A1-A1);

FIG. 16 is a partial section through the dishwasher of FIG. 1 taken along line B1-B1;

FIGS. 17 and 17 a are side views of the dishwasher of FIG. 2 with the side wall removed (cross-section C1-C1);

FIG. 18 is a partial section through the dishwasher of FIG. 2 taken along line D1-D1;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a dishwasher designed in accordance with the present invention, showing the washing tub in an extended position;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, showing its washing tub in the position required for the washing operation;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with the side wall removed (cross-section A2-A2);

FIG. 22 is a partial section through the dishwasher of FIG. 1 taken along line B2-B2;

FIGS. 23 and 23 a are side views of the dishwasher of FIG. 2 with the side wall removed (cross-section C2-C2);

FIG. 24 is a partial section through the dishwasher of FIG. 2 taken along line D2-D2;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An advantage offered by the present invention is that it provides a simple construction of the housing and washing tub, while at the same time allowing the block shape, or possibly the parallelepiped shape, of the washing tub to be maintained.
In a first variant, an advantage is achieved by the fact that the washing tub either decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions from the front to the rear or increases in width in terms of its inner dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, and that either the housing or a seal provided on the housing has at least one contact surface which is adapted to match the contour of the washing tub.
In a first exemplary embodiment of this variant, in which the washing tub decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, the upper edges of the washing tub have seals provided thereon which, during the washing operation, bear against a region of the housing which also decreases in width from the front to the rear. Thus, the washing tub, including the seals, can be manufactured very easily, for example, by dual injection molding.
In one advantageous embodiment, in which the washing tub decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, seals are disposed in the inner corners formed by the housing side walls and the housing cover, and the width of the region between the contact surfaces of the seals also decreases from the front to the rear. Because the seals are disposed within the housing, they remain protected, and there is little risk of damage by the user of the dishwasher.
It is also advantageous if the region that decreases in width is inclined inwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls. In this manner, this region can simply take the form of a bevel provided on the outside of the side wall edges, said bevel having a constant angle but increasing in depth from the front to the rear.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in which the washing tub increases in width in terms of its inner dimensions from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length, the housing cover has seals provided thereon which extend into the interior of the washing tub and which, in terms of their contact surfaces providing the sealing effect, are adapted to match the contours of the washing tub. Because the seals are disposed on the inside of the washing tub, any liquid getting between the seal and the sealing surface is prevented from leaking out of the washing tub, and thus from entering the housing.
In this embodiment, too, it is advantageous if the region which increases in width is inclined outwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls, because then it can take the form of a bevel provided on the inside of the side wall edges, said bevel having a constant angle but increasing in depth from the front to the rear.
In another variant, which has a washing tub whose side walls have upper edges provided with seals, a simple construction is achieved by an movement arrangement which, during the insertion operation, move the upper edge of the seal relative to the upper edge of the washing tub in a direction toward the housing cover.
The movement arrangement can take the form of guide ribs which are disposed on the housing side walls and slope downwardly from the rear wall of the housing to the housing opening. Alternatively, the movement arrangement can take the form of rollers which are disposed, one behind the other, on the housing side walls and whose axes are located on lines which slope downwardly from the rear wall of the housing to the housing opening. In a third variant, the diameter of the rollers may increase toward the rear wall of the housing.
It is advantageous for the guide ribs, or the line, to have an inclination of about 1°.
It is also advantageous if the seals have a portion which is C-shaped in cross-section and embraces the ribs or rollers. This increases the elasticity of the seals, thereby reducing the actuating forces.
In yet another variant, in which lateral seals provided on the housing bear against the washing tub during the washing operation, a simple construction is achieved by the fact that the seals haves L-shaped portions whose legs which, in the position of use, are horizontal, extend under lateral projections of the washing tub which are horizontal in the position of use, and that the lateral projections slope downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall of the washing tub.
A particular advantage of this variant is obtained by disposing the seal within the interior of the housing, whereby it is projected from damage resulting from falling items to be washed, or the like.
A simple construction of such a dishwasher is also achieved by the fact that the lateral projections are formed by wedge-shaped side wall portions of the washing tub which are directed outwardly toward the housing side walls with respect to the remainder of the washing tub. This allows the washing tub to be manufactured as an injection-molded part, without the need to separately attach the lateral projections.
It is advantageous for the guide ribs, or the line, to have an inclination of about 1°.
It is also advantageous if the seals have an integrally formed sealing lip which overlaps the upper edge of the washing tub. This prevents liquid from leaking over the edge of the washing tub during the washing operation, and thus from dripping into the housing when the washing tub is in an extended position. Adding such a labyrinth at a position in front of the main sealing plane increases reliability.
The dishwashers 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 each have a substantially block-shaped washing tub 2 which can be withdrawn from a likewise substantially block-shaped housing 3 in the manner of a drawer in order to be loaded and unloaded. For this purpose, housing 3 is open at front side 4. Rear wall 5, side walls 6, cover 7, and the bottom, are preferably made of metal and joined together to form the housing shape described above. Sliding guidance of washing tub 2 is provided by telescopic rails and denoted in the figures by reference numeral 18.
The washing tub is preferably manufactured as a single injection-molded plastic part and is open at the top. As a consequence of the latter, upper edges 8.1, 9.1 and 10.1 are formed on side walls 8, rear wall 9, and front wall 10, respectively. Rear wall 9 preferably has the same height as side walls 8, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 10 is preferably higher than side walls 8 and overlaps housing cover 7, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 11. An important feature for an embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 8.1 of side walls 8 extend parallel to the plane of housing cover 7.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 2 into housing 3 during the washing operation, during which tub 2 is fully inserted into housing 3 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, it is necessary, at least, to seal these two components with respect to each other. To this end, conventional profiled sealing strips can be placed (on the housing and/or on the washing tub) between rear wall 9 of the washing tub and housing rear wall 5 or housing cover 7, and between front wall 10 of the washing tub and front edge 7.1 of housing cover 7, because at these locations, the required force to be exerted by one companion sealing member on the other in order to achieve the sealing effect is provided by the insertion movement. On the other hand, at lateral upper edges 8.1, the insertion movement occurs parallel to the two sealing surfaces. Therefore, it is important to provide an movement arrangement to produce a force having a component perpendicular to the lateral sealing surfaces.
FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a first variant of such a seal in the region of the side walls, while a second variant is shown in FIGS. 7 through 12. In both variants, upper edges 8.1 of side walls 8 of the washing tub are provided with bevels 12 which increase in depth T from front wall 10 to rear wall 9 at a constant angle of inclination α, and which form the sealing surfaces, i.e., the regions against which bear the seals 13.
In the first variant, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, bevels 12 are located on the outside of side walls 8. In FIG. 2, bevels 12 are shown in hatched shading. It can be seen that upper edges 12.1 of bevels 12, which at the same time define the upper edges 8.1 of side walls 8 of the washing tub, extend inwardly, which is why the washing tub decreases in width in terms of its outer dimensions from front wall 10 to rear wall 9 in this region. In FIG. 2, this is illustrated by the width specifications B_Vand B_H, and it can be seen that B_Vis smaller than B_H. On the other hand, lower edges 12.2 of bevels 12 define a region in which side walls 8 have a width B_Awhich remains constant.
Located in the inner corners formed by housing side walls 6 and housing cover 7 are seals 13 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) whose sealing contact surfaces 14 are adapted to match bevels 12. To this end, seals 13 are provided with contact surfaces 14 which are slanted and in which the cross-sectional area, and thus the width b of contact surfaces 14 itself, increases from the front to the rear. Therefore, the width of the region between left and right seals 13 decreases from the front to the rear. As a consequence of the above-described configuration of the sealing surfaces (bevels 12) and of contact surfaces 14, the sealing surfaces do not contact the contact surfaces 14 when washing tub 2 is in an extended position (see FIG. 3). It is only during the last part of the insertion movement of washing tub 2 (see FIG. 5) that the sealing surfaces come into contact with contact surfaces 14. This reduces the wear of the seals 13, because there is hardly any friction between the companion sealing members. Moreover, due to the above-described configuration, the force resulting from the insertion movement has a component which is directed perpendicular to the sealing and contact surfaces 14, and which therefore provides a sealing effect. The cross-sectional views (see FIGS. 4 and 6) also show that seals 13 each further have a sealing lip 15 integrally formed therewith which extends into the interior of washing tub 2, thereby providing an initial shield to protect the actual seals 13 from excessive exposure to wash water.
FIGS. 7 through 12 illustrate a second variant, in which two seals 16 themselves extend into the interior of the washing tub. FIGS. 7 and show that, here, bevel 12 is located at upper edges 8.1 on the inside of side walls 8. Therefore, upper edges 12.1 of the bevel extend outwardly; i.e., the washing tub increases in width in terms of its inner dimensions from the front wall (width B_V) to the rear wall (width B_H). In accordance with the configuration of bevel 12, the contact surfaces 17 of seals 16 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 face outwardly. Otherwise, the sealing effect created during insertion of washing tub 2 (FIGS. 9 and 11) is analogous to the first variant.
In both variants, it is advantageous if seals 13 and 16, and the front and rear seals not shown, are injection-molded onto cover 7. In that case, it may be advantageous to manufacture cover 7 from plastic, or to insert an additional inner cover into metal housing 3, to be able to use a dual injection molding technique.
Dishwasher 101 has a washing tub 102 which, as illustrated in FIG. 13, can be withdrawn from housing 103 in the manner of a drawer in order to be loaded and unloaded. To this end, tub 102 is disposed in a substantially block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped housing 103 which is open at front side 104 and has a rear wall 105 opposite thereto. Housing 103 is manufactured from metal or plastic and has mounted on each of its two side walls 106 an outer guide member of a telescopic rail 107 (see FIGS. 15 and 17).
Washing tub 102 is also block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped and is open at the top. As a consequence, an upper edge 108 is formed on each wall. Rear wall 109 preferably has the same height as side walls 110, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 111 is preferably higher than side walls 110 and overlaps housing cover 112, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 113 in a known manner. The only basic requirement for the embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 108 of side walls 110 extend parallel to housing cover 112. Tub 102 is made of plastic, and may be manufactured, for example, as a single injection-molded plastic part. Side walls 110 have recesses formed therein to receive the inner guide members of telescopic rails 107. The attachment of the inner guide members to side walls 110 may be accomplished in a known manner by screws, integrally formed pins or latching hooks.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 102 into housing 103 during the washing operation, during which the tub is fully inserted into housing 103 as shown in FIG. 14, the region in which upper edges 108 of side walls 110 contact housing cover 112 is sealed. To this end, a seal 115 is mounted on each of upper edges 108 (see FIGS. 16 and 18), for example, by gluing, screwing, or the like. Seal has a first, C-shaped portion 116, the open region 117 facing side wall 106 of housing 103 and encompassing a guide rib 118. Alternatively, a plurality of rollers arranged one behind the other may be used in place of guide rib 118. It is important that the surface facing upper leg 120 of C-shaped portion 116 slope downwardly from rear wall 105 of the housing to the housing opening in front side 104. In the embodiment shown, said surface is upper surface 119 of guide rib 118. This slope may be provided by a mounting arrangement which is inclined by an angle a (see FIG. 17 a), by wedge-shaped guide ribs, by rollers whose axes are located on a line which slopes downwardly from rear wall 105 of the housing to the housing opening in front side 104, or by rollers whose diameter increases toward rear wall 105 of the housing. Any of the means described above will cause upper leg 120 of C-shaped portion 116 to be pushed upward during insertion of washing tub 102. In this manner, a sealing lip 121 integrally formed on this leg 120 is urged into contact with housing cover 112. Since this contact is made only during the last part of the insertion movement, only small actuating forces are needed, and the seals have little wear.
Dishwasher 201 has a washing tub 202 which, as illustrated in FIG. 19, can be withdrawn from housing 203 in the manner of a drawer in order to be loaded and unloaded. To this end, tub 202 is disposed in a substantially block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped housing 203 which is open at front side 204 and has a rear wall 205 opposite thereto. Housing 203 is manufactured from metal or plastic and has mounted on each of its two side walls 206 an outer guide member 207 of a telescopic rail (see FIGS. 21 and 23).
Washing tub 202 is also block-shaped or parallelepiped-shaped and is open at the top. As a consequence, an upper edge 208 is formed on each wall. Rear wall 209 preferably has the same height as side walls 210, but may also have a slightly different height. Front wall 211 is preferably higher than side walls 210 and overlaps housing cover 212, it being possible for said front wall to be covered with a decorative panel 213. The only basic requirement for the inventive embodiment of the dishwasher is that edges 208 of side walls 210 extend parallel to housing cover 212. Tub 202 is made of plastic, and may be manufactured, for example, as a single injection-molded plastic part. Side walls 210 have recesses formed therein to receive the inner guide members of telescopic rails 207. The attachment of the inner guide members to side walls 210 may be accomplished by screws, integrally formed pins or latching hooks.
In order to prevent wash water from leaking from washing tub 202 into housing 203 during the washing operation, during which tub 202 is fully inserted into housing 203 as shown in FIG. 20, seals 215 are disposed in corners 216 between housing side walls 206 and housing cover 212, respectively (see FIGS. 22 and 24). These seals have an L-shaped portion 217 and a sealing lip 218 integrally formed therewith.
In the upper region, washing tub 202 is enlarged outwardly at its side walls 210, i.e., toward housing side walls 206. As shown in the side views in FIGS. 21 and 23, these enlargements 219 are wedge-shaped, so that lateral projections 220 are formed which slope downwardly from rear wall 209 to front wall 211 of the washing tub.
Angle of inclination a is about 1° (see FIG. 23 a). Horizontal legs 221 of seals 215 extend under lateral projections 220. During insertion of washing tub 202, the inclination causes lateral projections 220 to be reliably pressed against seals 215 during the last part of the insertion movement, thereby providing the sealing effect. As shown in FIG. 20, the integrally formed sealing lips 218 overlap upper edges 208 of side walls 210 of the washing tub. Due to the downward pointing tip 222 of sealing lips 218, a labyrinth-like seal is provided at a position in front of the main sealing plane.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A dishwasher, comprising:

a substantially block-shaped housing including

a housing cover, and

a front side having an opening; and

a washing tub including

a front wall,

a rear wall,

a top having an opening, and

side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover,

the washing tub configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation, at least one region of the washing tub bearing against a region of the housing during the washing operation,

wherein, in at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of: 1) an outer dimension of the washing tub decreases in width from front to rear and 2) an inner dimension of the washing tub increases in width from front to rear, and wherein the housing has at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and the inner dimension of the washing tub.

21. The dishwasher as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer dimension of the washing tub decreases in width from front to rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length of the upper edges, and wherein the upper edges of the washing tub includes seals configured to bear, during the washing operation, against a region of the housing, the region of the housing decreasing in width from front to rear.

22. The dishwasher as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer dimension of the washing tub decreases in width from front to rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length of the upper edges, and wherein the housing includes housing side walls, and further comprising seals disposed in inner corners formed by the housing side walls and the housing cover, a width of a region between contact surfaces of the seals decreasing from front to rear.

23. The dishwasher as recited in claim 21, wherein the region of the upper edges is inclined inwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls.

24. The dishwasher as recited in claim 23, wherein the region of the upper edges is inclined inwardly and has a form of a bevel, the bevel provided on an outside of the upper edges, the bevel having a constant angle and increasing in depth from front to rear.

25. The dishwasher as recited in claim 20, wherein the inner dimension of the washing tub increases in width from the front to the rear, at least in the region of the upper edges over approximately the entire length of the upper edges, and wherein the housing cover includes seals extending into an interior of the washing tub and having contact surfaces configured to match the contour of the washing tub so as to provide a sealing effect.

26. The dishwasher as recited in claim 25, wherein the region of the upper edges is inclined outwardly with respect to the remainder of the side walls.

27. The dishwasher as recited in claim 26, wherein the region of the upper edges is inclined outwardly and has a form of a bevel, the bevel provided on an inside of the upper edges, the bevel having a constant angle and increasing in depth from front to rear.

28. A dishwasher, comprising:

a substantially block-shaped housing including

a housing cover, and

a front side having an opening;

a washing tub including

a front wall,

a rear wall,

a top having an opening, and

side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover,

the washing tub configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be frilly inserted into the housing during a washing operation; and

a seal disposed on the housing, the seal bearing against the washing tub during the washing operation,

wherein, in at least a region of the upper edges and over approximately an entire length of the upper edges, at least one of: 1) an outer dimension of the washing tub decreases in width from front to rear and 2) an inner dimension of the washing tub increases in width from front to rear, and wherein the seal has at least one contact surface adapted to match a contour of at least one of the outer dimension and the inner dimension of the washing tub.

29. A dishwasher, comprising:

a substantially block-shaped housing including

a housing cover, and

a front side having an opening;

a washing tub including

a front wall,

a rear wall,

a top having an opening, and

side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover, the upper edges having seals disposed thereon,

the washing tub configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be fully inserted into the housing during a washing operation, the upper edges bearing toward at least one of the housing cover and a sealing surface parallel thereto during the washing operation so as to interpose the seals therebetween so as to bear the seals against the at least one of the housing cover and the sealing surface; and

a movement arrangement configured to move an upper edge of the seals relative to the upper edges of the side walls in a direction toward the housing cover when the washing tub is inserted into the housing.

30. The dishwasher as recited in claim 29, wherein the housing includes side walls and a rear wall and wherein the movement arrangement includes guide ribs disposed on the side walls of the housing, the guide ribs including upper surfaces that slope downwardly from the housing rear wall to the housing opening.

31. The dishwasher as recited in claim 29, wherein the housing includes side walls and a rear wall and wherein the movement arrangement includes rollers disposed one behind the other on the housing side walls, the rollers axes disposed along lines sloping downwardly from the housing rear wall to the housing opening.

32. The dishwasher as recited in claim 29, wherein the housing includes side walls and a rear wall and wherein the movement arrangement includes rollers disposed one behind the other on the housing side walls, the diameter of the rollers increasing toward the housing rear wall.

33. The dishwasher as recited in claim 30, wherein the guide ribs have an inclination of about 1°.

34. The dishwasher as recited in claim 31, wherein the lines have an inclination of about 1°.

35. The dishwasher as recited in claim 30, wherein the seals include a portion with a C-shaped cross-section that embraces the ribs.

36. The dishwasher as recited in claim 31, wherein the seals include a portion with a C-shaped cross-section that embraces the rollers.

37. A dishwasher, comprising:

a substantially block-shaped housing including

a housing cover, and

a front side having an opening;

a washing tub including

a front wall,

a rear wall,

a top having an opening,

lateral projections, the lateral projections extending horizontally in a position of use and sloping downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall, and

side walls having upper edges extending parallel to the housing cover,

the washing tub configured to be received and withdrawn from the housing in a drawer-like manner and to be filly inserted into the housing during a washing operation; and

lateral seals disposed on the housing, the lateral seals bearing against the washing tub during the washing operation, the lateral seals having L-shaped portions with legs extending in a position of use, horizontally under the lateral projections of the washing tub.

38. The dishwasher as recited in claim 37, wherein the housing includes housing sidewalls and wherein the lateral projections are formed by wedge-shaped enlargements directed outwardly toward the housing side walls with respect to a remainder of the washing tub.

39. The dishwasher as recited in claim 38, wherein the lateral projections have an inclination of about 1°.

40. The dishwasher as recited in claim 38, wherein the lateral seals have an integrally formed sealing lip that overlaps the upper edges of the sidewalls of the washing tub.

41. The dishwasher as recited in claim 37, wherein the housing includes housing side walls and wherein the lateral seals are disposed in corners formed by the housing cover and the housing side walls.