US 10512385

Patent Analysis: US 10,512,385 B2

Date of Analysis: April 30, 2026

Patent Title: Glasses rack for dishwasher

Assignee: Whirlpool Corp

Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Steven B. Balinski, David Jason Brightbill, Frederick Thomas Roderick, Joseph T. Ferencevich, Ryan Kevin Roth, William J. Snell

Filing Date: March 30, 2018

Issue Date: December 24, 2019

Abstract:
A dishwasher can include a tub defining a treating chamber receiving dishes for treatment, a spray system providing treating liquid to the treating chamber, a first dish rack located in the tub and having a bottom wall tiered to form multiple levels defining an effective inclination angle for the bottom wall, and a second dish rack located below the first dish rack and having an inclined non-tiered bottom wall.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has three independent claims which define the core inventions.

Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a dishwasher with a specific two-rack configuration. It includes:

• A first dish rack with a "tiered" bottom, meaning it has multiple steps or levels. These tiers create an overall slope or "effective inclination angle."
• A second dish rack positioned below the first one. This second rack has a flat, non-tiered bottom wall that is inclined at an angle that matches and is parallel to the overall slope of the first rack above it.

In essence, this claim covers a dishwasher designed to have a sloped upper rack and a sloped lower rack that mirrors the angle of the upper one, creating a parallel arrangement between the two.

Independent Claim 13: This claim focuses on a single, specialized dish rack designed for glasses. The key features are:

• A movable dish rack that can slide in and out of the dishwasher.
• A contoured bottom wall that includes a flat central section, curved portions on either side, and inclined portions extending from the curved sections up to the side walls. These inclined portions are designed to hold glasses at an angle.
• A spray tube with nozzles that is mounted directly next to one of the curved parts of the bottom wall. This spray tube moves with the rack and is positioned to spray water directly into the interior of the angled glasses.

This design creates a dedicated zone for washing glasses, where the rack itself positions them at an angle for better cleaning and drainage, and a built-in sprayer ensures the insides are cleaned effectively.

Independent Claim 17: This claim also describes a specialized dish rack for glasses, with a focus on how it secures the glassware. Its main elements are:

• A movable dish rack with a bottom wall that has an "upwardly angled portion."
• This angled portion is made up of several spaced-apart inclined sections that cradle a glass to keep it from rolling.
• The bottom wall also has a contoured portion that acts as a stop to prevent glasses from sliding down the incline.
• This same contoured part of the bottom wall is also designed as a "curved mounting portion" for a spray tube, which is carried with the rack. The spray tube has nozzles that spray water along the angled sections where the glasses are held.

This claim protects the idea of a rack bottom with specially shaped wireforms that both hold glasses securely at an angle and integrate a dedicated spray system for cleaning them.

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Litigation Status:

As of today's date, a review of CAFC dockets for 2026 does not reveal any litigation concerning US Patent 10,512,385. However, the patent's file history indicates a case was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (Case 2:25-cv-01042), though further details and current status are not available from this search.